Hi all hope you are all having a great Valentine's Day here's another chapter hope you all enjoy the talk is coming I promise having trouble wording or un wording what I already have. Its a process sorry. Like I said before all errors are mine and I'm just borrowing my fav 80's show characters.

Chapter 48

We settled down and Houston was in heaven baked beans, cole slaw and banana pudding had been brought out by Momma. He stood up and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"If I didn't have a girl already, I might have asked you to marry me momma."

She giggled and blushed. Devin shook his head. "Hey you can't hog all the women leave momma alone or I might have to take you outside you can't get fresh with our momma."

Momma smacked him on the back of the head and told him to butt out that she liked being appreciated and they should take lessons.

Luca ran over and picked her up and swung her around while singing her praises of being the best everything under the sun. She struggled to get out of his grip while telling him to put her down. Uncle Roy went to save her and brought her back to her chair and said if anyone wanted to show their appreciation, they'd have to go through him first. He made a point to look at all of them before sitting down to enjoy his food.

Devin stood up and started to speak.

Okay I'll go first, "My name is Devin King I own this bar and the surf shop on the Pier. I was born and raised in this area and I bought the bar from Momma G's brother Pappy. Luca, this sorry excuse of a best friend I've known since Junior High School. We both served in the military and were lucky enough to be in the same unit. I've been out for two years. I do some consulting work for the government when they ask nicely. I wanted to settle down and thought owning a bar would be easier than what I had been doing before. Boy was I wrong. All kidding aside the friendly banter and ribbing we've had between us I just want to thank you. For taking the brat into your care. She might think I don't care for her, but I do. Just remember Star we were your family first and we will be here for you always."

She got up and ran into his arms.

"Never hold anything back from any of us here sitting at this table. We all care and love you in our own way. I still want to hear the rest of your story. When you're ready."

Momma cleared her throat, "I'm Momma G. My given name is Gwendolyn Smith. Tiny is my son. Luca and Devin are like family to me, so I call them my boys. I have 6 boys in all 2 sets of twins and Paul my oldest and Tiny, Anthony is my youngest. They are all over the world but still call their momma. My brother did own this bar. He sold it and Devin asked me to help him get it set up to serve food. I was born in Texas and I believe I might know your father Mr. Houston. Roy here will be contacting him and if he is the man, I recalled then I have no qualm in having you as a branch in our family tree. This little girl was put in my path and I had prayed for the strength and wisdom to keep her safe and all of you appear. I thank my Lord for helping me find strong independent women to help me with her and God gave me three. That is what you ladies are. Star told me you two are lawyers and you are a doctor. No better role models. Welcome to our family and we will be helping you out find that little one's mother Star and Roy have been filling me in. The boys will be more than happy to help, and I have lots of other friends that I will be contacting so we will have an army of people looking for her."

Luca stood up and was his charming self. He explained that he had to be friends with Devin since no one wanted to be friends with him. "He was this scrawny kid that would be in constant trouble and the bullies' target. So I stepped up, got in a couple of scraps with him and we've been brothers ever since. You see I have a bad habit of picking up strays and he never left my side. We enlisted together and I stayed a little longer under Uncle Sam than he did. I now do security work, for celebrities, dignitaries and anyone that needs to feel safe or needs state of the art security systems."

Too Mean called out they should talk he smiled and nodded. He finished off by saying he was single and looking for his soul mate and if we knew anyone that liked Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain…

Everyone laughed. He was a character.

Tiny was quiet and just said he was happy that we were all getting along and that he didn't want to hurt anyone. He loved Star like the sister he never had and that if it was possible if he could help her care for Beast since he had taken a liking to him. He talked about his brothers and his two best friends Devin and Luca. He stated he loved to cook and that his momma had taught him everything he knew and would be happy to cook up a feast for us next weekend, a real Texas Barbeque with Chili. That perked Houston's attention.

"No, there is no way you can top my chili Tiny. It is not possible."

Tiny smiled and said if he wanted to put some money on that Houston agreed and said they'd have a Chili cook out but it couldn't be next week too much was going on, but it would be soon.

It was our turn to tell a little bit about ourselves.

My sisters got up at the same time. They described how we all met in Harvard, me and Maureen studying Law while Carol Medicine. Carol talked about her clinic in East Los Angeles and how much that meant to her to help out a community that was in dire need of healthcare and how she was grateful that she had met me and my family and was now included as an honorary member. Maureen stated she was a lawyer and working with a group that handled entertainment law and that she might have some business for Too Mean and Luca. She said she had just gotten out of the hospital due to having her appendix taken out and would be off of work for 2 weeks so she will be working on helping Star out and getting Jake back under our care.

Luca let out a long whistle. "Beauty and Brains? Be still my heart. I think I'm in love."

Houston put his arm around me, "Those ladies are free this one taken."

Devin smiled at me and winked, "Are you sure beautiful? You have more choices, maybe a little shake up will be in order."

I squeezed Houston's arm, "No shake up needed I'm getting what I've always wanted."

Houston kissed my cheek, "can we leave now need to get the details on what my girl wants." I smiled and whispered in his ear, "Later we have lots to talk about."

Devin rolled his eyes.

Uncle Roy was next; he told him about himself and touched briefly on what he did with the company. Luca asked more questions and Uncle Roy said if he told him anymore, he'd have to kill him. Luca put his hands up and shut his mouth.

Will stood but sat back down. I looked over to him. I was about to say he didn't have to speak but Maureen whispered something in his ear and he nodded. He stated who he was growing up with me and Houston and how they used to call them the Texas Terrors. He said that Houston and he had been in the military themselves and then he spoke about his time as a prisoner or war. How his family saved him. He spoke about his attempt to end his life because of his feeling of not fitting in and how everyone and everything had moved on. How we had shown him that he had lots to live for and that he was grateful he was back with his family and new friends. He sat down and Maureen hugged him and he held her tight.

Devin sat up and looked at him as did Luca. He stood up and went to him.

"You were very lucky. I have friends that didn't ask for help, disappeared or you know. This must have been hard for you. We have a group that meets every Wednesday that used to be at the surf shop but now it's here. Lots of ex-military guys that want to vent and support each other. I would be honored if you would join us. We are a brotherhood and we don't leave anyone behind. Houston that invitation is extended to you and I hope you two show."

Will shook his hand and Luca's. Houston stood up and did the same.

"It's up to Will, I'll be here if he needs me. I appreciate the invite thank you and it's a good thing you are doing sometimes people need that extra help."

I knew what he was thinking. The time Will tried to kill himself by jumping off that building. That day still terrified me, I had made it a habit to call Will every night and to ensure he called me from wherever he was just to give me peace of mind. He had been resistant at first but when he had disappeared and I had tracked him down and gave him the riot act he broke down and said he was sorry and just didn't want to be a burden. We talked all through the night and he came home with me. He stopped running and started to get help. I never told Houston or Uncle Roy, I wanted them to think that Will had done this all on his own. Listening to what Devin said about the group of men that met, would it have made a difference if Will had some type of support like this? Would it have helped him adjust?

Houston came back. I stood up and hugged him. He held me tightly and I didn't say a word. I knew this man so well. He didn't need words right now just contact to ground him.

I pulled back and he tried to smile and I led him to his chair and sat on his lap. I hugged him till I felt his breathing ease. He whispered thanks into my ear and I gave him one of my smiles that he loved.

I stood up and gave them the history of CJ Parsons from when I met Houston to the present working as a private detective with him and I touched on what was going on with Jake and thanked them in advance for any help they would provide. I didn't bring up my abduction. That was still too fresh and I didn't want to fall into that hole of nightmares again. Bits and pieces were starting to connect and I didn't want to bring them up. I was just starting to get some decent sleep and just speaking about it might trigger them to return.

Houston stood and he gave the short version of who he was. He was being conservative but if Devin was anything like Houston he'd have Luca do a background check on him and find out all the details he was leaving out. He ended with telling them what was important to him now. Family and helping Star and Jake.

"Those are my priorities right now, oh and getting this beautiful lady to finally take me seriously."

Everyone chuckled. We looked at Star.

"Um can this wait or can you tell them what I told you Boss Lady? The only things missing is how Jonathan served with my father and when my dad died how he tricked my mother into marrying him. I don't really want to relive that.

"Are you sure you did such a great job and it's part of healing honey, I'll stand by you if you want. Don't be afraid we will not judge you. We care and only want the best for you."

She stood up and started her story.

She told them her name was Emiliana Estrella and she was 13 years old. Momma gasped as Luca cursed.

She stopped and I whispered to keep going. She nodded.

Her mother's name was Ana and her father was named Emiliano. She stopped and squeezed my hand. She whispered she had a brother named Jake. She smiled as she spoke of how her parents met in foster care and how they had no one but themselves and when her father turned 18 he joined the military and married her mother. How she came along and how happy they had been as a family and living on base. She grew quiet when she spoke of her father's death and how she didn't recall much of it since it was to be one of the worst days of her life right next to losing her mother and Jake a year later. How her mother had moved them to Los Angeles to be with other ex-military families that they knew and how her step father had been there for her mother when she was losing her mind not being able to deal with losing her soulmate and true love. She married in haste, thinking her children needed a father and how wrong she was. He was a controlling man that would manipulate her by using her children to his advantage. How after her mother and brother's death he started to become too friendly with her. She started to lock her door and made sure she stood out as late as she could before coming home till one day he cornered her and…

She whimpered and I held her tight.

"No more she shouldn't have to go through this again. You know the rest you heard about her earlier."

"It's okay Boss Lady there's not much more to say, I got away and lived on the streets for a couple of months and got into lots of trouble with the crowd I hung out with. But they help me stay hidden from my stepfather. I was caught and sent to Juvie and they contacted him and he came to pick me up. He was the model father in front of them but as soon as we got outside he grabbed my arm and started to detail what exactly he was going to do to me when we got home. How now I was the woman of the house and that included duties that my mother took care of for him. I jumped out of the car and ran. That's when you found me Momma with all those cuts and bruises. I had jumped from a car and ran and ended up here on the beach. You saved me that night. I had lost faith but you nursed me and brought me back. Thank you. All of you. I'm not afraid anymore. I know I have someone watching my back and no one will harm me again. But please don't go after him, he's dangerous, he will kill you. It's like he's untouchable, all the people he's harmed and has gotten away with it. The people he hangs out with are not the type of people that forgive and forget. Promise me all of you don't do anything on my part. He's my past that I never want to relive."

Momma got up and took her out of my arms. I stepped back and went to sit on Houston's lap and hugged him hiding my crying in his neck as he held me.

Everyone was quiet. We all had a better understanding of each other and I felt we had all connected.

"Well darling you have nothing to worry about we will find that varmint I guarantee it." Luca spoke up. Too mean agreed as did Tiny. Star shook her head.

"You don't understand he will harm all of you, he is a monster. He will try to kill you or if he ever got his hands on any of you ladies he would do things that are disgusting. No please just leave him alone he doesn't need to know where I am he will find me and I don't want to run any longer."

Popeye got up, "You said you aren't afraid but don't want us to go after him? He should be afraid of us. Sweetheart you have nothing to worry about. We will not let him or anyone harm you; they'd have to go through me to get to you."

"And me." Luca spoke up as did Tiny, Too Mean, Will Uncle Roy, Houston, Maureen Carol Momma and me.

"No I couldn't live with myself if any of you were harmed by him."

"Star, that's not going to happen. Never. We are going to keep you safe. Maureen is already working on it right Maureen and I will start with my outreach tomorrow. Honey you will be cherished and will have nothing to fear any longer, that is my promise to you."

Everyone chimed in that they agreed and promised the same.

Momma let go of Star, "Okay let's start cleaning up. I need to start calling people and Mr. Houston. Do you need some extra eyes to look at video tapes? I am willing to volunteer in anything you need help with." Uncle Roy took Star into his arms and whispered into her ear and she smiled at him.

We got up and started to pick up plates when Devin spoke.

"Sounds like a plan Momma but I have a question. Beautiful you didn't tell all of your story."

I stood up and cocked my head at him. Did he know about my abduction? It had been reported on the news and maybe being around them having my picture plastered all over the news had jogged his memory.

"What do you mean Devin I gave the short and sweet version."

He stood right in front of me. "No you didn't tell us how you got those bruises? I know it wasn't your guy there and if you don't want Houston to get involved that's fine too but I need a name. No man should ever put hands on a woman ever."

Maureen and Carol laughed.

"You think your friend having bruises is funny?"

"No tall , dark and moody we don't but what you should ask is what the other guy looks like."

Houston came behind me and wrapped his arms around me.

"She took care of the jackass that tried to stop her from leaving the hospital after she got the bad news about them taking Jake away from us. They are right, you should see the other guy. In fact I think there is a video I can get you a copy oh and he looks a lot worse now after I was done with him. He won't be grabbing any women ever again."

I turned and touched his lip. "Explains this and the trip to the police station."

He shrugged and I turned to Devin. "I kinda showed you what I did to the guy earlier, you're going to have a shiner and I'm sure your ribs might be smarting."

"What? You gave him that shiner? Oh I need details ASAP CJ."

Luca came over with a big smile, "Yeah CJ tell us how you took down this Navy Seal, I can't wait to tell the guys on Wednesday that the great Popeye got beaten by a girl."

Devin shoved Luca and he went flying into a table, Carol ran over to him to see if he was okay, "Hey, don't be taking your anger out on your friend here. If I do damage to you I don't fix what I break so watch it buster."

"Luca better keep his mouth shut or I have tons of secrets that these ladies would love to hear. Beautiful it was a lucky shot, you used the element of surprise and my assuming you were not a threat which worked to your advantage. Who taught you those moves was it your fellow there."

"He started the training but I finished it. I'm proud of my girl. She showed that size doesn't matter. She did exactly what she needed to do to get you stunned and enough time to get to safety. We will be going over more tips soon and these other ladies will be learning also. Momma if you want to join them please let me know the more the merrier." Too Mean came over and gave me a hug.

"You did good, little sister."

Everyone started to clean up and Houston invited our new extended family to a late supper. We still had Momma Novelli's to look forward to. "We will be setting up to view videos. We have lots to go through at my house by the marina. Star can show you the way or I can give you the address. We can meet up there and we will provide the food we'll be having Italian so I hope you all will join us and thank you we are missing a piece of our family and your help will be appreciated. We need to bring my little cowboy home or this lady here will never forgive me."

I leaned into him.

"Hey, how about we walk back? It's not that far and we can have our talk. What do you say, CJ?"

"Yeah l liked that and thanks for inviting our new family to help us find Jake's momma. You know you don't have anything to worry about with Devin. Right?"

"No, the man just gave me more of a reason to ensure you and I talk and take our next steps. I'm serious CJ I don't want to lose you."

Could everything I want be within reach? Maybe fate had finally given me my happily ever after.

"Come on Cowboy, let's tell everyone we are leaving and start talking."