We made our way through the lobby and to the elevators. I wanted to walk by the nursery but knew it was a bad idea. Houston was leading me and whispered in my ear soon when he saw me wanting to veer to the NICU. I nodded and kept walking to the elevator Maureen was talking to Will and he hung on every word she said. I saw how he kept his hand on her lower back and how Maureen beamed at him when she spoke. They were good for each other. I was about to say something when I saw someone was trying to get our attention.

Luca's crew formed a wall around me and Maureen and the person was asking to speak to us. The voice was familiar. Our protection was having none of it but I spoke up.

"Wait, I want to talk to her." I tried to look around them which was nearly impossible with nothing but tallness and muscle surrounding us. I finally yelled out. "Emma?"

"CJ. Keep it down, I'm trying to be undercover."

I finally saw a crack in the wall of men and pushed them aside. She was wearing large sunglasses and a scarf. She nodded and motioned to the restroom by the elevators. I started to walk towards it when Devin grabbed my arm.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I tried to yank my hand away and he wasn't letting go.

"That's Jake's nurse, she got in trouble for letting me help out with his care and I want to know why she would risk coming here knowing she could get into more trouble if they find her at the hospital. She was suspended as was the other nurse that was in charge of his care. I want to know what's going on with her and if she needs help so let go."

He looked at Houston and I looked to see that Emma was waiting by the restroom door. I saw her walk in. I pleaded with them.

"Houston, she might have some information regarding Jake. Come on let me go in to see what is going on Maureen will come in with me and…"

"And me I'll come in too, you are not going in alone and well I'm sure Luca's guys will make sure no one comes in. "That's the only way you two will be going into the bathroom."

I'm coming in too Beautiful, I'm sorry I don't trust anyone and this could be a trap so take it or leave it

I rolled my eyes and started for the door, Devin not taking his hand off me. We walked in and saw no one else was in there. Will said he'd stay outside with Luca's crew.

"Emma, where are you?" Maureen came next to me as did Houston.

She poked her head out.

"Who's that? Is he with the Hospital? I don't want to get into more trouble so I'll be leaving." Houston grabbed Emma and we explained who Devin was.

"He's with us, don't worry, do you have any information about Jake, is that why you're here?"

I grab her hand and wait for her to take off her sunglasses but she looks troubled. She closes her eyes.

My stomach drops. "What's wrong with Jake, Emma tell me."

Houston stood behind me and put his arm around my waist. Devin stood next to me.

"I heard it from another nurse that was assigned to the NICU, the charge nurse in there is not the right person to be handling that unit. She is by the book as is the 2nd shift nurse. They are very old school."

"Why are you telling us this Emma? Is Jake's care in danger?" Maureen asked.

I held my breath waiting to see what she said next.

"They are letting him cry. He's been crying since yesterday when he woke up. Shelly said he woke up and was looking around. I'm sure he was looking for both of you and he started to cry he hasn't stopped. He hasn't eaten and he just cries. The charge nurse, her name is Sprintershe is just letting him cry saying he needs to adapt and she is barring anyone from picking him up till he eats. They are talking about putting a feeding tube in. I know if you two were there this wouldn't happen. He's been crying himself to exhaustion and I'm afraid his little heart won't be able to take the strain. He just had surgery and he was doing so well. I'm sorry I had to tell you this news but I know you are going up to meet with Evelyn and her bosses, Dr. Randall will be making an unexpected stop into that meeting and will be pushing them into letting you two care for Jake it's a Hail Mary but what do we have to lose, if they let you care for him maybe he'll start to do better. Please push them, his life is literally in your hands."

My knees buckle and Houston grabs me before I fall to the floor. I am on the verge of breaking free and running to the NICU and taking him into my arms and telling him we didn't forget him.

"Houston, he thinks we abandoned him, he thinks he's alone. We promised him we would be back and we broke our promise."

The tears start to flow. I can't stop them. I feel I've failed Jake. I should have taken him yesterday. I should have fought harder for him.I...

"Stop right now sis there was nothing you could have done. I see where your mind is taking you. We need to get ourselves up to that meeting and get Jake under your care again, both of you. If this doesn't prove to them that you two are an important part in Jake's care then I don't know what will. We have people fighting for us, don't go throwing all this good will out the door. If I know you and you know I do you want to go in there and take Jake, not going to happen okay. Devin, keep an eye on my girl that goes for you to Cowboy. Emma, stay in here till we leave and thanks for the information. I appreciate you coming and sticking your neck out for Jake."

I pushed off of Houston and grabbed Emma and whispered into her ear. "Thank you, I promise you we will do everything we can to help Jake. Even if I have to be arrested after I break into the NICU he will know we didn't abandon him and he is loved."

She pulled back and smiled, "I knew I picked the right champion for Jake, do what you have to and call me if you need any help."

We walked out and headed to the elevators. Houston grabbed me and turned me around.

"CJ what's going on? Please listen to Maureen and we will convince them that we are what's best for Jake. We have lots of people behind us. Let's do this the right way okay?"

"You're right we will go into this meeting and convince them we are what's best for Jake. if no one steps forward they should give us permission to take care of him."

I tried to smile and he looked relieved. I couldn't tell him my plan b if they didn't let us help with Jake's care. I needed to make some phone calls and get things lined up just in case.

We were early and came into the conference room. Houston was talking to Will and Maureen. I excused myself saying I needed to use the bathroom. I walked out and went to the nurses station to ask to use the phone when someone grabbed my arm.

"What are you doing? Beautiful? Nothing illegal. I don't think orange is your color."

I turned around, "Don't know what you're talking about. I was going to the restroom."

He pointed in the opposite direction, "they are over there it looked like you were going to use the phone. Who were you going to call? I hope it wasn't your sister doctor, you need to let this thought go, I know that kid means everything to you but you need to let this play out."

I walked away from him going to the restroom but stopped and turned to him.

"What do you know? He thinks we abandoned him. He has no one in this world and he's been crying himself to sleep. How do you think that makes me feel? I made him a promise and I broke it. My parents made me a promise and they didn't hold up their part. They said they'd never leave me and they did. I was alone. I know what you are going to say. I have a family but they are not blood. It's not the same. Any little misstep and they can turn away from me. So you see why he needs me as much as I need him. Those people don't care about him, he's an orphan, he's like me. I have no relatives on this earth and I have no blood ties to them. You'll never know how that feels to have no one."

I burst into tears and he took me into his arms.

"Cowboy is going to kill me but I promise you, if this meeting goes south I'll help you get him out of here and we will figure something out. I'll start coming up with a plan B but this stays between us two okay?"

I pulled back, "really you'd help me take Jake?"

He nodded as Houston stepped out of the room. He looked at us and had a scowl on his face.

"What's going on, why are you crying?"

He looked at Devin. He let me go and said I was overwhelmed and had started to cry. He said he wanted to check up on the progress at Houston's house with the sweep for bugs and left me and Houston alone.

"CJ what are you cooking up? Don't let him talk you into doing something that you will regret. Answer me CJ."

I hated lying to him but I had to keep my options open and the less he knew the better.

I smiled, "Nothing, I just got overwhelmed and he happened to be there, I won't do anything without telling you first Houston I promise."

He nodded and directed me back to the conference room. Ms Bloom was there with a couple of other ladies and the hospital staff. I held my head up and set my mind for battle. The stakes were too high and Jake's life hung in the balance. One way or another I was going to get my little man back.