CHAPTER 2
"Matt, why won't you tell me where you're going? I know you say it's for my own safety, but I need to know where you'll be. Talk to me, please!" CJ was trying to hold back the tears, but just couldn't.
"CJ, please trust me on this. Uncle Roy knows where I'll be, okay? But I will tell you this." Houston pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "I love you more than anything or anybody else on this earth, CJ. What I'm doing is for you, and for the children that we want to have. It's just something that I have to do." He looked into her eyes, brushed her hair away from her face, and wiped away the tears. "Look, when I get back, let's go back to Hawaii. We can visit Mama and Vince and the rest of the Novelli clan. We can find a shack on the beach and spend time together – just the two of us. Whatever you want to do. Okay? But right now I've got a plane to catch and not much time."
Just then there was a knock on the door. CJ opened it to find a man in a Navy uniform standing there. "I'm here to pick up Capt. Houston, Ma'am." he said.
"Captain? Matt what -. Please, whatever it is that you're doing, please be careful. Okay?" CJ couldn't control the emotion in her voice.
"I will, darlin'. I promise. Be back soon as I can. Love you, babe." With that he gave her a kiss on the cheek and left, quietly shutting the door behind him. CJ felt a chill go through her body. Captain Houston? He hasn't been in the army for - how many years? she thought to herself.