Chapter 57
We all came upstairs and gathered in the living room.
"Okay so we need to address the elephant in the room, you see how what happened and Mattlock and I'm sure CJ told you what happened at the beach. I'm sorry but we have to vigilant we need to be more careful no more going off on our own till we find out the threat and who's behind it. Please don't fight us on this, I couldn't bear anything happening to any of you. So we will be taking measures to ensure all of you are safe."
Uncle Roy looked at all of us and you could tell he was trying to keep himself calm but the twinkle in his eye was not there he was worried and he had every right to be. I was in the same boat I brought CJ closer to me just thanking God that nothing had happened to her.
"Roy's right we will be teaching you guys self-defense, Too Mean and myself will start you training tomorrow down at the community center if it is available if not we will find a spot the sooner the start the better I will feel."
Devin stepped up, "Also we will need to get a communication system going with all of you checking in and out or buddying up with someone. Beautiful I will be happy to be your buddy."
"Sorry, Popeye find another buddy, like I've said before lady's spoken for and thanks for that info on those clowns you got it pretty quick so maybe your friends can help us figure out who's coming after us."
Luca came forward, "like I said we are happy to help we have friends in some high positions that owe us lots of favors so if it will keep our group safe than yeah especially my special girl here. I still can't believe you went out on a date with that clown what were you thinking honey? Oh well something to tell the grandkids about."
Carol giggled and leaned into Luca.
"No not group Luca, Family I'm sure that's what you meant to say and right now I am hungry and that food smells heavenly so are we done with the bad part of this evening and can we start on the festivities." Tiny started to move towards the kitchen.
"My boy is hungry and so am I. ladies can I get some help in serving this hungry men? Come on let's bring out the wine and eat some of this wonderful Italian food, by the way which one of you slaved to cook all this? Chris?"
"Oh no ma'am, this was all packed away in CJ's freezer and some from Houston's, Momma Novelli cooked it all and stuffed everyone's freezers with her cooking it happened the last time she was in town."
"Wait Momma Novelli on Whilshire? She's back oh my god Luca we need to go make a trip, she closed down to move to Hawaii right? Well there loss is our gain let me at that food."
I grabbed the platters filled to the top with everything you could imagine started to place them on the counter, Maureen did the same. Carol and Star pulled out a salad and the breadsticks that where in the oven.
"Popeye they know Momma Novelli and her family, she made this for Boss Lady and Boss Man she was in town, my family use to go to the restaurant also its small world right?"
Devin came close, "This is a lot of food all from your freezer? Why do I think there is a story behind this?"
I didn't look up, "because there is, Momma needed something to keep her mind off of…" I stopped I didn't want to get into it but I had to be honest with them if I started to hide things it would benefit no one.
"Momma and Vince where contacted when I was abducted. They were sent pictures of me while in captivity, they didn't show my good side." I tried to make a joke of it but he didn't laugh.
I didn't look up. His hand was under my chin and he lifted my face so I could see him. "I'm sorry I brought this up, we need to talk I don't want to be a trigger for any bad memories I've been sticking my foot in my mouth a way lot more than usual."
I felt Houston behind me and Devin hadn't let go of my chin.
"I was telling Devin why I have so much of Momma Novelli's treasures in my freezer. How you needed to keep her occupied and well we are reaping the rewards now. I'm okay Houston. We need to come clean with a lot of things with this new branch of our family. It might not be today but for sure tomorrow okay?"
"Only if you're comfortable talking about it, I'm sorry Popeye if she's not ready then it ends there okay?"
He let go of my chin, "I won't push but we will talk Houston I need to know what happen you see how fast my contacts work I think I can help with these clowns."
I shivered. I knew the clowns he was referring to. The last I heard they were still in the hospital ward not the same hospital as Jake thank god just knowing they were close to my baby…
My Jake.
I looked at my watch I had missed his evening feeding and now his bath. Who was singing him to sleep? Did he miss us? Oh how I wish I could call to see how he was doing, was there any complication after the surgery? So many questions and not enough answers.
"Hey come back to me."
I gasped and looked up everyone was around tables that had been set up for dinner. Me and Houston where still standing.
"I'm sorry just looked at the time, we missed his feeding, bath and singing him to sleep. Houston what if…"
"Stop CJ. Not tonight he's in good hands you know Roxy and Emma would not let anything happen to our little guy. We will talk to Ms. Bloom tomorrow and we will get our boy back we are the best thing for him they will realize this, we will do everything they ask and if I have to marry you to keep him well so be it."
I snapped my head up to him, "I know it will be a big sacrifice but I am willing to do anything to make sure my girl smiles again."
I stared at him. He was kidding we hadn't even gone on our first date. He was just saying this to ease my mind I had to defuse this.
"Who said I wanted to marry a notorious playboy? Sorry Cowboy I still want my two months, nice try."
He waggled his eyebrows, "I took my best shot and you wound me darling but like I said be ready to be swept off your feet."
I shook my head, "Promises, promises."
"Hey Sunshine are you going to eat or are you two going to stand over there all night you better serve your plate it looks Tiny is going in for round two."
"Okay, Tiny give us a minute and have at it 'm sure the girls have more in the oven. Right CJ?"
"I think this is all of it except for Dessert. So once it's gone until Momma Novelli comes back for another visit all Houston has to do is tell her I'm not eating and give up his kitchen for a weekend."
Luca stood up as did Devin and Too Mean I smacked hands when they tried to get the last of the lasagna and Chicken Marsala. Chris said Vince and Houston's dad had been calling all day and that we had better call them back asap.
"Vince said Momma saw the interview over there as did your Dad Houston. They were worried I told them what had happen and Vince was telling his wife to book him the next flight to LA and your Dad was not too happy either, with everything that happened today it kinda slipped my mind sorry."
"I didn't call Daddy when we came back from fishing, I always do yeah he might be a little steamed but I'll call them after I make sure CJ eats, don't worry too much Chris."
We sat and listened to Luca over exaggerate on how he saved me and Carol from the masked bandits. The story got more outlandish as the hour grew. By the end of the story we were all in tears laughing so hard that I had forgotten what had happened today. It was a very long day and my body was telling me it needed to rest. I leaned my head onto Houston's shoulder. He looked down and put his arm around me.
Momma asked who wanted dessert and all the men's arms flew up. Maureen asked if anyone wanted coffee and asked me and Carol to help clear the table. Momma went to cut the pie but Uncle Roy said the men would clear the table since the women had served them.
He looked at me and Houston, "except you two, I don't know how you two are still standing it's been a hell of a day for you niece and Mattlock it hasn't been easy for you too. So why don't you two go to the living room and sit on the couch or are you turning in CJ?"
"We will be on the couch, I want to hear what our next step is, and I'll stay awake for that and then head upstairs. Oh no my car is still at the end of the pier."
"Don't worry beautiful will go and get it later we will pick up the rest of the surveillance tapes from the surrounding business and if you don't mind Cowboy I am a night owl and can go over these tapes downstairs."
"Count me in too Cuz, Can Maureen stay also, she wants to help?"
"I need to get home, I have to get back to the clinic tomorrow I've been off all weekend and it's time to get back to reality, but to be honest I'm really thinking of staying and leaving early what do you say Cowboy can I spend the night?"
"Ah darling in a separate room right? Your best friend is right there and she might get a little upset if you spend the night with Houston."
I covered my mouth trying not to laugh and saw that evil gleam in Carol's eye.
"He didn't have a problem with that yesterday honey. Hell, even Will wanted to join us in bed right Will."
Carol walked to the kitchen and Luca looked lost, "Wait what? CJ I'm at loss here what is my future wife telling me and I really like Will and Cowboy do I need to go fishing for real? Carol!"
I couldn't hold it in and laughed and continued to laugh hearing Carol speak and use double meaning making poor Luca sputter and try to get the truth out of her.
"This is interesting isn't it?"
"It's nice not to be under the microscope. I'm sorry for throwing you off earlier I was just trying to make you smile, I really want us to take it slow I don't want to mess this up CJ, I'll behave I promise but. I meant everything I said my cards are on the table, I hope it's enough but I will never be good enough for you and I will try to show you every day how much you mean to me. Know this." He took my hand and placed it over his heart. "You are my heart never forget."
This man knew exactly what I needed to hear right at this moment.
"I believe you, that's a start right? I'm happy you are here with me to navigate all of this, there's been times that I didn't think I would see the light at the end of tunnel today."
"Darling you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. You have a spine made of steel and it kills me to see but you'd put yourself in front of danger if you knew any of your family was in danger, like you did with Star and you going to the bar alone. I swear my heart stopped when your sisters where telling me about what had happened earlier I couldn't get there fast enough only to find out you had it handled. I should know better."
"But it turned out alright. They will help us with Star and this new branch will help us keep her and Jake safe. I told you fate Houston it's always there so many things came to place to have all of us here together now fighting for our family."
"I like them all but for Popeye he has his eye on you but I'm not letting you go so he's gonna have to live with the knowledge you are the one that got away. I'm hoping your heart is mine."
He got quiet, "Well CJ is it mine?"
Star interrupted us and handed a plate with pie and ice cream to Houston and one to me and sat between us and started to eat hers.
"Couldn't wait a minute longer could you kid?"
She looked at me and then to Houston, "Popeye said you guys wanted pie, did I interrupt something sorry."
I started to eat my pie and Star asked if we were going to still have a dance party.
"Star can you get me a cup of coffee and tea for CJ she can't have any more caffeine tonight."
She nodded and got up.
"Ms. Parson's Im still waiting for my answer, come on if it's not put me out of my misery."
I turned to him, "Always has been always will be."