Chapter III: Hope's song

"Hey, hi, CJ, I heard that Garner didn't had any luck in finding the mother of that baby," Mitch said to CJ next day.

"Oh, Mitch, hello. Yeah, he didn't found Rose Amy. He said that he'll continue today but I doubt the possibility that he can find that girl. Rose Amy doesn't want to be found," CJ confirmed what Mitch had heard.

"Well, where's the baby now? Did you left her in your locker?" Mitch joked but CJ didn't took it too well.

"Sure, I left her in my locker and she slept in a toy box last night. Is it just my imagination or are all men really that obnoxious?" CJ burst to tears and ran away.

"Wha..? Hey, did I said something wrong Garner?" Mitch asked from Garner who came around the corner.

"Nah, she just had rough night. With the baby, alone," Garner said.

"Alone? I thought that she and Matt…"

"Yeah, well, she threw Matt out because he was against the baby staying there," Garner told.

"Matt was against it? Has he gone mad, I mean, one more night wouldn't have done anything,"

"Um, there's more than just one more night. You see, CJ's decided to keep the girl," Garner revealed.

"Wait, what?"

"You didn't hear that from me," Garner said and skedaddled as fast as he could. Mitch stood at the corridor awhile and then went to search CJ. He found her crying outside.

"CJ, I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I heard that you had a rough night, " Mitch apologized from CJ.

"Garner has always been a big blabber," CJ sniffled, "I threw Matt out because he didn't want Hope to stay."

"Hope?"

"The baby. I'm gonna name her Hope. Hope Amy. Her mom wished that her second name would be Amy," CJ explained.

"And you're really gonna keep her? Have you even thought about notifying to the Child Services?" Mitch asked gingerly.

"Yes, I'm gonna keep Hope. Would you be willing to be her godfather?"

"Of course CJ, I'm flattered that you asked. But how will you arrange your life with Hope? Do you have any help?"

"Well, one of my neighbors is taking care of her now and tomorrow, I'm hiring a nanny/housekeeper. Actually, I've found one very nice woman who lives near me, so that part is taken care of. Her name is Guadalupe Vargas," CJ said.

"OK, good. When will the christening be and where?" Mitch wanted to know and CJ told him the time, date and place.

"Thanks Mitch," she said.

"No problem CJ, that's what friends are for," Mitch smiled and they both left to do their shift.

***

Few days later, Mitch and Hobie arrived to CJ's house. They saw Stephanie and Caroline there and right after them arrived Garner. CJ was talking with the reverend but excused herself after noticing that Mitch, Hobie and Garner arrived. The reverend went to socialize with other guests.

"Hey, thanks for coming. The ceremony will start soon. These are all my neighbors, I didn't even knew that they are so nice when I moved here. But then again, I didn't knew about the uncle either, who bequeathed this house to me," CJ greeted the newcomers.

"You must be kidding, " Garner didn't quite believe CJ's story.

"No, I'm not kidding. I never knew about uncle Ezra but he left me this house after he died about six months ago. But we have to start now, you were the last guests," CJ told.

"I will give you a name Hope Amy Parker, in the name of The Father and The Son and The Holy Ghost. Amen," the reverend ended the ceremony.

"Well, now your little princess has a name. The ceremony was pretty," Mitch complimented CJ after the ceremony.

"Thank you Mitch. My princess deserves the best, she's my hope now when Matt chose to leave," CJ said, holding Hope Amy in her arms.