Author's note: Hi all sorry for the delay, had work and took some time off to decompress but here's another chapter I hope you enjoy, remember all mistakes are mine and I'm just borrowing my fav 80's tv characters.

Chapter 77

Jake was sleeping, after singing 4 songs to him, burping and changing his diaper he started to settle down. He held my pinky not wanting to let go and each time I tried to pull his little hand off his eyes would open and start to search the room. I had to remind him that I was here and finally let my hand go. The nurse helped me put him back in his bed and I placed my hand on his back to reassure him I was here. Once it looked like he wasn't going to wake up again. I stood up to stretch.

It had been a hectic morning and the afternoon looked like it was not going to be any better. I looked at my watch and wondered what was going on at Devin's Bar. I felt bad, my problem had now become Devin's and his families. I wanted this maniac to be caught. To think someone had been listening to us at the office made me shudder. How long has it been going on? I knew if the office was bugged, so was my house and Houston's.

What had my stalker heard? I tried to remember all the conversations I had with Carol and Maureen at my house regarding my feelings for Houston. Would he use that against us? Would he harm Houston if he had this sick fascination with me? Or worse, my family. I wrapped my arms around myself and turned to look out the window and smiled.

Uncle Roy and Chris were there and they had brought me lunch. I told the charge nurse I'd be back as soon as I ate something but to page me if Jake woke up. She waved me off and I smiled. I needed to be nice to her. She could make it difficult for me and Houston and even though I wanted to pound her head into the wall I'd be her new best friend.

"Would you like me to bring you a cup of coffee or tea?"

She looked startled and shook her head but thanked me for the gesture.

I gave her the smile that Houston said could stop traffic and went out to see Uncle Roy and Chris.

I hugged both of them and gave them the update on Jake. They listened and were saddened that he was not awake. They wanted to finally meet the new addition to our family.

"Oh no worries he will be awake soon and Uncle Roy I might need that charm of yours to butter up that cranky nurse in there. She is not too keen that we were granted access to Jake and I need her to be on our side."

He patted me on the shoulder and said he would have her smiling before the night was out.

"Anything for my favorite niece."

He handed me a bag that held a bar b q beef sandwich and coleslaw from my favorite restaurant he guided me out to the cafeteria were we bumped into Carol, Maureen and Will and they were all arguing

Luca's guys were there also and I was wondering what was going on.

"I need to get to work, I can't wait around for him. He has to learn that I will not change my schedule just because he says so. I swear he thinks we're married or something."

Will looked over to me, "CJ talk to your sister here, she has to understand this is serious and Luca is on his way she has to wait 10 minutes and he'll be here to escort her to her clinic since Maureen won't I'm hoping you will have some common sense and help me out here."

I grimaced. Those were fighting words and Will was in the eye of the storm and he didn't even know it.

"I have no common sense? Really that's not what you said upstairs. I swear you men don't get your way one time and all that flattery goes out the window. Well mister, let me tell you I do have common sense and it's telling me that I should stay clear of your narrow minded ways and find someone that will appreciate me for me."

Carol nodded and murmured, "Amen sister."

"Okay you two with me I need to go to the restroom and I think you all need a time out. Come on, let's go."

They followed me and once we were inside I said to spill.

Carol filled me in on the last phone call she had with Luca and she was not happy he had promised he'd be back to take her to her clinic and it was 2 hours ago he called her and she had let him have it and he said he'd be there in 10 minutes but hung up on him saying she was not buying what he was selling. She said she didn't mind helping me out with Jake but she had responsibilities and having his guys follow her around was not what she bargained for. Maureen said she was only defending her sister and that Will was acting like a Neanderthal, pig head man and she would not put up with that type of outburst.

They both had good points but I had to burst their bubbles and tell them some hard truths.

"I hear you guys, I understand completely. But, you do realize you say the same things about Houston. Yes, he's over protective, yes he sometimes got into my personal business and both of you complained to me that he was overstepping his bounds. But in reality he worries about me and only wants me to be safe. I have the same feelings and I let him know too. Now you two have the same problem. Luca and Will are doing what they think is right, they want to protect what they love. Carol I've been around Luca, he can't stop talking about you and how you are his future wife and I know he is just your type, give him a chance don't stop this before it starts. Maureen I am so happy you and Will connected, he's a diamond in the rough and very protective. You are one lucky lady, he doesn't let very many people into his circle and once this is all over I'll tell you stories of our summers growing up in Texas, he was the big brother I always wanted."

They both looked down and I knew I had them thinking, as much as my sisters love their independence, they were scared to take that next step, committing to one person.

"Both of you are smart, independent women but when it comes to relationships you are missing out on the reason they are upset, they both care a lot. I know it's crazy but I've seen crazier stuff and well Maureen like I said I've never seen Will open up as he has and I know it's all because of you. You know his past and there's things that I was privy to and as weird as it may seem I see the change in him. Please give him a chance, he's trying. Oh and Carol Luca is everything you've ever wanted in a guy. Don't try to downplay it, you've had guys fall all over themselves only to disappoint you but Luca I think he's the real thing don't let both of your stubborn ways get in the way of your happiness, I'm not. I am ready to give me and Houston a try and hope he doesn't break my heart."

They both look at me and roll their eyes and come over to hug me.

"I need to talk to Luca and get it in writing if Cowboy screws up then he will take him out on his boat and use him as shark bait."

"Or I'll talk to Will and Uncle Roy and he will be disowned by the Houston Clan if he breaks your heart."

I smile. They knew how long I had waited and now that I had happiness within my reach why did I feel like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

My mind was racing with the, what ifs?

What if he got tired of me? What if I become just a distraction? What if he feels obligated to love me because of what has happened to me? Was he feeling guilty because I had been taken to extract revenge on him?

"Hey sis where did you go you went from smiling to frowning in less than a second. Oh wait, stop right now, Maureen she's over thinking again. Stop with the, what ifs, you use to do this all the time in college and it never got you anywhere."

They knew me so well.

"Okay I'll stop with that if you two give your fellas a chance. I just want both of you to be happy and I really think they will make you happy."

Carol smiled, "It is kinda cute how he got all upset on the phone oh and then I hung up on him. Boy he is gonna be hot when he sees me. Alright I'll give the guy a break he did save me yesterday when those two losers tried to sneak up on us and the way he held me all night well…"

Maureen rolled her eyes, "Too much info sis and yeah I kinda like the attention I'm getting from Will and he lets me be me, he's not intimidated by what I know and what I can do, that is a big plus for me and he is cute and well not a bad kisser either."

I gasped, "What you two lip locked already?"

She turned red and said she was heading out to the lobby.

"Yeah Luca isn't so bad either he is in my top 5 of greatest kissers I've dated." She winked at me and walked out also.

Not shocked at all but I was happy that they had come to their senses, we needed to be all on the same page and I wish Houston was here. I needed my own TLC to keep the nerves at bay.

I walked out and Luca was there with two other men, this was getting a little overwhelming but I knew that Houston would only do this if he thought we were in danger.

Luca was talking to Doc and was giving her a piece of his mind telling her exactly what he thought of her hanging up on him. She smiled as he ranted. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss that shut him up.

I looked over at Carol and Will and she had taken him by his hand and was walking away with one of Luca's guys following behind.

"I think they are making up, what do you think, niece?"

I smiled, "yeah I believe I finally talked some sense in them. Ah Luca?"

He held up a finger asking me to wait till Carol was done and once she let go a goofy smile was on his face and he pulled her close to him, "My feisty fiancé will be the death of me."

Uncle Roy chuckled and I smiled.

"Do you have any news? What happened at Devin's bar? I really want to talk to him. I am so sorry this happened to him. I know how much work he's put into that place and to have the person that is after me be responsible…"

Luca looked at me and Uncle Roy, his face losing its smile. Something was wrong.

"What's wrong? Oh my god did something happen to Houston? Dammit Luca, say something!"

My outburst has everyone coming close to us. Luca motions us to a side door and he tells the two guys with him to watch the door.

My mind is racing wondering what he's about to tell us.

"Okay Luca what's going on where's my nephew did something happen to Devin, Gwen, Tiny or Star?" Uncle Roy takes my hand and I squeeze his.

He sat down on a bench, took a deep breath and started his story. Bugs had been found at my house and at Houston's. He was still puzzled as to how this person had gotten access to all of our homes but would find out. The threat at the bar was meant for Star not me.

"What do you mean for Star? Who did it? Was it her stepfather? Did he find her? Is she in danger now?"

I was getting anxious but he reassured me that it wasn't her stepfather but Boyd that had done the damage and Sarah had witnessed it. He also said the police didn't know anything about this and that we would be keeping that info to ourselves since they wanted to find him and take some justice out of him for thinking he could come to Devin's bar and threaten Star and now Sarah.

"He will get his, don't you worry. I'm more upset that he's still out there and Star doesn't know she's his target. I know we should tell her but the kid has enough to worry about, we will find him. I have people scouring the area and beyond I have called in all my favors he will be found today."

I asked where she was now and he said that before they had found out about the incident at the bar they had given her permission to follow up on leads pertaining to Jake's mom.

I gasped, "She's out there unprotected, no we gotta go she could be hurt or worse. I…"

I stood up but sat back down, I was torn. Do I leave Jake and go help Star or stay with Jake and leave Star to this maniac that wanted to hurt her.

"Hey CJ, Devin, Cowboy and my people are with her as is Tiny and Momma. No one is getting anywhere close to her. Houston wants you to call him and he told me to reassure you that he had Star covered and to worry about Jake only. He's on his way for that press conference Lt. Hoyt is putting together and Too Mean is with him, the two guys watching the door are Too Mean's. So we just have to be vigilant now the psycho stalking you has a lot of information about all of you and now that he knows we are onto him he might get desperate, we think he has a team that's been monitoring all of you. I need you to stay here till Houston comes, okay? Uncle Roy, can you keep an eye on her? I have to take my girl to her clinic and I'll be taking some of my guys with me. We will be going to her house and picking up everything she's going to need for a couple of weeks or heck we might just pack up the house since she's going to be staying with me."

Carol had been standing next to him and was about to let him know what she thought about this when he raised his hand.

"I want no arguments from you, I can't protect you if you keep fighting me, please let me take care of you Carol I know you are an independent woman and do things on your own but this is dangerous and I don't think I'd ever forgive myself if anything should happen to you so please darling for once listen to me."

Will cleared his throat and cupped Maureen's face, "What he said is what I was about to say, Maureen let me be your rock I only want to make sure no one gets close enough to harm you, I don't want to feel I failed you if…"

She pulled him in for a kiss and whispered okay.

Carol sat on Luca's lap and did the same.

Uncle Roy chuckled and kissed my cheek, "Sorry niece I'm sure I am a sorry stand-in for my nephew but I'll be here and no one will harm you or my other favorite girl Chris." He pulled her close to him and I nodded. I wanted to call Houston.

Luca stood up, "so everyone is on the same page right? How long will we be gone, future wife?"

Carol smiled and told him a couple of hours, he nodded and Will said Maureen wanted to go home also and she would be staying with Him and his dad we made plans to meet up at the hospital around 3 for Houston's press conference and I looked at my watch and said I needed to get back to Jake but I wanted to call Houston's house before going back. Too Mean's guys Rob and Palmer said they'd stay with me and Uncle Roy. Flynn went with Luca and Carol, Cappy with Will and Maureen.

I got to the nurses station and called Houston's house no one answered, Uncle Roy said he was probably out looking for Star and I agreed. I needed to get back to Jake.

We started to pass by the Emergency Room when Hoyt came running through asking if they had arrived?

My blood ran cold and I stopped in my tracks.

Uncle Roy got Hoyts attention and asked, "Michael who is coming."

He looked at me and I knew it was bad news.

"There was a shooting at the Boardwalk Café all I know Houston was involved as were your friends I'm not sure but they said there were casualties."