Ties That Bind

by Brenda Jackson

  “I’ll take that chance. I’ll never have a child of mine born outside of wedlock. Ross and I made that promise to our father during our talk about the birds and the bees and it’s a promise we intend to keep. Fuller men live up to their responsibilities no matter what they are and no matter the sacrifices that have to be made. I knew what I was doing, Jenna, and a part of me knew I was putting you at risk and for that I apologize, but I had to have you that way. I had to know how it felt to be a part of you, skin to skin with nothing betwee us.”

  Jenna nodded, understanding completely. That was one of the reasons she intended to pay a visit to the doctor when she returned to school—to go on birth control pills. Leigh had shared with her that she was on them. Noah had taken her to a doctor across town. Telling the older man they were husband and wife, the physician hadn’t asked to see the fake marriage license they had obtained. Instead he had given her an exam while Noah had waited in the outer office and afterward, the prescriptions for the pills. Leigh had been on them for over three months now and so far she had not experienced any side effects. And according to Leigh, her and Noah’s love life was better than ever with the risk of pregnancy removed.

  “More than likely I’m not pregnant. I’m supposed to start my period in a few weeks so chances are the timing was off,” Jenna said softly.

  Randolph sighed, knowing he had to be more responsible where she was concerned. “It’s going to be hard not sleeping with you every night, sweetheart. I can’t wait until I finish school so we can get married.”

  Jenna smiled as she looked up at him. “We will get married one day, won’t we?” she asked. For some reason she needed assurance.

  “Yes, just as soon as I finish law school. In my heart I feel as though we’re already married—not legally but to me we’re married in the sight of God and that’s what counts. You are my wife, here,” he said, placing a hand over his heart.

  “And you are my husband, here,” Jenna said, taking that same hand of his and putting it to her heart. “It doesn’t matter who else knows it as long as the two of us know it.”

  And then she opened her mouth to him when he leaned toward it, sweeping the insides with his tongue and spreading torrid sensations throughout her body. His kiss was slowly setting her on fire and as she felt his arousal pressing against her, she knew he was on fire as well. A part of her was tempted to tell him to miss the next ferry, and catch the one that would come at midday instead of early morning, but she knew she couldn’t. They needed to leave so she could get back to school to call her family. Sunday would be the twins’ birthday and she knew they would expect her to call to wish them a happy birthday.

  Randolph pulled his mouth from hers, sighing and resting his fore-head against hers. “I love you, Jenna. No matter what, always remember that.”

  “And I love you as well. Always remember that, too,” she countered, with the look of complete love glowing in her eyes.

  And then he held her close, their hearts beating as one and thinking that the week they had spent together would be one they would always remember.

  It was the tie that would always bind them together.

  Eleven

  The following week Jenna and Randolph were back in school. She knew the moment he joined her at the table in the café one morning that something was wrong. She reached out and placed her hand over his. “What is it? What’s wrong, Randolph?”

  He tried smiling at her. It had been his intention not to let Jenna know he was bothered by anything but she could read him too well. “I got a call from Grandmother Julia. She plans to host a small dinner party for my grandfather’s birthday Saturday and wants me to bring you.”

  Jenna nodded. She could tell he wasn’t thrilled with the idea. “You’re not ready for me to meet your grandparents in Virginia?”

  He took her other hand in his. “It’s not that, Jenna. It’s just that I know my grandmother. Not for one minute do I believe she’s giving us her blessings, and I don’t want to place you in an uncomfortable situation with her.”

  Jenna smiled. “Don’t worry about it. What can she do? I love you and I know you love me. Maybe after she gets to know me she’ll come around.”

  Randolph didn’t believe it for one minute but decided not to tell Jenna that. Once Julia Fuller made up her mind about something that was it, and she was totally convinced that Jenna was not good enough to be a Fuller. His parents had been married nearly twelve years and up to the day they had died she’d still considered their marriage a mistake. He would love to think her heart had begun softening but he knew that wasn’t the case.

  “All right, if you’re sure you want to be there. She also wants you to stay overnight. Will that be a problem?”

  “No, it won’t be.”

  He nodded. “It’s my understanding that Noah has also been invited and more than likely he’s bringing Leigh.”

  Jenna smiled. “Then I’ll have a real friend there besides you.”

  Randolph’s hand tightened in hers. “And don’t forget about Ross and Noah. They are your friends, too. They know how much you mean to me.”

  Her smile widened. “I won’t forget.”

  Randolph stared at her, knowing he would always love her and protect her. He was also determined that his grandmother would not come between them.

  Jenna realized just what affluent people Randolph’s grandparents were when they pulled up in front of a huge brick house in a nice section of Richmond. She could immediately tell that although it was a segregated community, it was where a number of well-to-do Blacks lived, the highly educated ones who’d been fortunate to become attorneys, doctors or politicians.

  She felt butterflies take off in her stomach when Randolph opened the car door for her. He took her hand in his and escorted her up the massive walkway to the front door. Moments later an older man that she knew just had to be Randolph’s grandfather opened the door.

  “You must be Jenna,” he said with a welcoming smile that seemed genuine as he took her hand in his.

  “Yes, sir,” she replied nervously as she studied the man’s features, thinking how much both Ross and Randolph favored him.

  “Come on in, we’ll bring your bags in later,” he said, placing her arm in the crook of his. “Ross and Angela arrived an hour ago,” he said, speaking to Randolph as he escorted Jenna further into the house with Randolph following in their wake. “And Noah and his date didn’t make it. Seems he has come down with the flu.” He looked at Jenna and smiled. “But I’m glad you made it, Jenna. You’re a beautiful girl and I can see why my grandson is so taken with you.”

  “Thanks,” Jenna said, feeling slightly more more comfortable after such kind words and the warm and friendly welcome Randolph’s grandfather had given her. She couldn’t help but take note of her surroundings. The inside of the house was just like the outside, impressive. A huge, beautiful crystal chandelier hung in a massive foyer and on the wall a pair of grand-looking sconces flanked a gigantic gold-trimmed mirror.

  The architect in Jenna couldn’t help but admire how the rooms in the house were situated, each branching off from the foyer, which served as the center of the house. The ceilings were tall, vaulted, symmetrical in design and ornate in detail. So were the furnishings in the rooms she passed. Each piece she knew had been selected to accentuate the lavish feel, even the floral arrangements that were in huge, opulent-looking vases.

  Moments later Jenna didn’t feel quite so comfortable as she and the elder Mr. Fuller walked into a room where about eight people were standing around drinking wine and chatting quietly. The only person she recognized was Ross, who turned and smiled at her. Taking a deep breath she felt Randolph’s hand slip into hers. He leaned down and whispered, “Remember, I love you.”

  She nodded just seconds before a tall, elegantly dressed older woman turned toward them and gave Jenna the most unwelcome look she had ever seen. The woman crossed the room toward them. Jenna didn’t have to be told that the fair-skinned woman was Ra
ndolph’s grandmother.

  Immediately, such words as tall, refined, dignified, graceful, elegant and polished came to mind as she watched Julia Fuller walk toward her. The list could go on and on and the fashionable jeweled-neck silk dress she wore gave her an air of sophistication that Jenna couldn’t help but admire. Even the light brown eyes that narrowed at her were striking.

  “Randolph, you’re late,” his grandmother admonished before leaning over and placing a kiss on his cheek. She then turned her attention to Jenna, and hesitated for a moment before saying, “Welcome to my home. You must be Jenna. I’m Julia Fuller, Randolph’s grandmother.” There was not a touch of a smile on her face or in her voice. And the hand that took Jenna’s did not provide a warm handshake.

  “We got a late start out of DC,” Randolph said, glancing around the room. “I thought you said this would be a private party. What is Lena and her family doing here?”

  Julia smiled. She seemed pleased at her grandson’s apparent agitation. “Why Randolph, you know that Stuart Weaver and your grandfather are good friends and that Ida is a good friend of mine as well. I couldn’t think of celebrating your grandfather’s birthday without inviting them. By the way, your godfather is here. Why don’t you come say hello to him?” As if it was an afterthought, she turned to Jenna and said, “You can come meet him, too, if you’d like, Jenna. Did Randolph tell you that A. Phillip Randolph is his godfather?”

  “Yes, he mentioned it.”

  “He and Robert are very good friends and have been for years.” Without hesitation Julia Fuller then recounted the story of how the two men had been in the armed services together and had been close friends since. And as she led them across the room to the tall, distinguished-looking gentleman who was standing and talking to Ross and a young woman, Julia provided tidbits on the accomplishments of the Fuller family, a family that was known to bred some of the finest attorneys anywhere.

  Jenna listened quietly, her confidence dwindling by the minute. It was quite obvious that Randolph’s grandmother was telling her about the Fuller family’s history and connections to make her realize that she was not a fit. She figured Randolph also caught on to his grandmother’s ploy and held her hand in his tightly as they strode with Julia Fuller across the room. Even with Randolph’s reassurance, Jenna wished she were someplace else right now. Someplace where she knew she was not on display.

  Angela was fuming inside. How dare Randolph pay so much attention to that girl he brought to the party tonight! He was holding onto her like he was afraid if he let go she would disappear!

  The only reason she had jumped at Ross’s invitation to come tonight was the chance to see Randolph again, in the flesh. He still looked good, and although she admitted Ross was also a handsome man, there was something about Randolph that drove her mad with passion and fueled her fantasies.

  She wondered if he and the girl were sleeping together. The thought of it being even a possibility made her want to scream. She knew from an earlier conversation that Mrs. Fuller did not approve of his relationship with the girl. She also knew that Lena had given up on him and had set her sights on another guy at school who came from a prestigious family, although Lena admitted she hadn’t told her parents yet. But she felt when she did they would be fine with her choice.

  As far as Angela was concerned that left Randolph wide open. She dismissed the plain-looking girl he was with tonight as competition. Right now her only concern was Ross. Since meeting her at the train station that morning, he was playing the part of the attentive suitor and she was playing the part of the prim and proper lady.

  “Would you like some more wine, Angela?”

  She glanced up at Ross when his question invaded her thoughts. “No, but I’d like to know who that girl is with Randolph.”

  Ross smiled as he glanced over to where his brother, Jenna and his grandmother were talking to A. Philip Randolph. “That’s Jenna Haywood, Randolph’s girlfriend.”

  “Girlfriend? But what about Lena? I thought it was understood that she and Randolph were an item,” she said.

  “I guess you weren’t the only one who thought that. I believe my grandmother wished it to be so but Randolph has other ideas as to who he wants to spend the rest of his life with. He and Lena are nothing more than friends. She has accepted the fact that Randolph’s in love with Jenna and is fine with it.”

  A frown appeared on Angela’s face. “But how can Randolph even consider getting serious with someone like her? Look at her.”

  Ross raised a brow as he glanced over at Jenna. “I’m looking and I don’t see anything wrong. I’ve met Jenna and think she’s a nice person.”

  Angela raised eyes to the ceiling, fighting to remain calm and to retain her prim and proper demeanor. “I don’t care how nice she is, Ross, it’s obvious she’s not one of us.”

  Now it was Ross’s turn to raise a brow. “One of us?”

  Angela sighed in frustration. Was the man that dense? “Yes, Ross. Look at the dress she’s wearing. It probably came off the racks and more than likely she did her hair for tonight’s affair herself.”

  Ross frowned. “And that’s what draws Rand to her. One thing you’re going to discover about my brother is that he detests phoniness of any kind. He also hates people who think they are better than others.”

  Angela swallowed. She certainly hadn’t meant to make Ross upset with her, nor did she want to alienate Randolph. Although he never went out of his way to associate with her, he had accepted her as Ross’s girlfriend. “Maybe I was a little hasty in my opinion.”

  “There’s no maybe about it, Angela. You were. Now, if you’ll excuse me I want to refill my glass with wine.”

  As Angela watched him walk off she knew she had to do some backpedaling to get back into Ross’s good graces. Evidently any negative comments about Jenna Haywood were a sore spot with him.

  “So, Jenna, what sorority are you affiliated with?” Julia Fuller asked, seeming like she was interested.

  “I’m not affiliated with any right now. I decided to wait until next year to get involved with one,” she said, keeping her gaze on Julia Fuller and not on the others who had assembled at the dinner table.

  “Oh.” That single word from Julia’s lips sounded as if Jenna was lacking in some way.

  “I decided to let my studies come first,” Jenna decided to add.

  “You’re a smart young lady,” Robert Fuller said, coming to her rescue. “Too many young women get wrapped up in extra-curricular activities when they should be studying.”

  “There are benefits with joining a sorority, Robert,” Julia said, not liking the position her husband had taken. And definitely not liking the fact that he was disagreeing with her in front of others.

  “And there are benefits to studying and getting a good education, Julia. She still has time to get involved in that.” He winked at Jenna. “I understand you’ve made the Dean’s List quite a few times so the way I see it, you’ve got your head in the right place.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Randolph smiled. He could never recall a time his grandfather had disagreed with his grandmother on anything. He wondered what happened to make him stand up to her. Maybe it was obvious to his grandfather, as it was to him, that his grandmother had been trying all night to chip away at Jenna’s self confidence.

  “Did I mention that I’ve decided to attend Howard Law School when I complete my studies at Bronson?” Angela broke the silence by saying. “I know you will have graduated by then, Ross, but since you’ll be remaining in the area after graduation, I thought it would be nice if I were close by.”

  If she expected some show of excitement from Ross, she didn’t get it. Randolph lifted a brow, when Ross merely said, “That’s nice,” and continued eating his food.

  Randolph sat back in his chair and glanced across the table at the pair. Evidently Ross was upset with Angela about something. He wondered what.

  “Well, I think it’s simply wonderful that you wan
t to go to law school. Especially since the Fullers have a history of having a line of wonderful and affluent attorneys. Don’t you think it’s wonderful that she would consider the same profession as Ross, Robert?”

  Robert Fuller waved a hand in the air. “Whatever.. That news certainly seems to have made your day, Julia.”

  Randolph couldn’t help but smother a grin. Evidently his grandfather had taken his advice and had observed just how dispassionately Ross seemed to be hog-tied to Angela. Maybe now he would keep his eyes open more.

  “You’re all right?” Randolph leaned over and whispered to Jenna. She had been quiet around him most of the evening.

  Instead of answering him, she nodded and kept her attention on her food. He frowned. The two of them would talk later. He needed to reemphasize to her that what his grandmother wanted didn’t matter. She was the woman he wanted.

  Later that evening when Jenna retired to the elegantly decorated guest room, she wanted to cry her eyes out. Dinner had been a total disaster. Julia Fuller had used every weapon in her arsenal to make her feel out of place, and every power she possessed to show that Lena Weaver was the one Randolph should be interested in.

  First she had seated them at the dinner table with Jenna on one side of Randolph and Lena on the other. It had been the refined and quite beautiful Lena Weaver and Ross’s girlfriend, the cool, prim and proper Angela Douglass, who had dominated most of the conversation around the table. They talked about a number of things that were meant to make her feel excluded.

  She had observed Ross and Angela throughout the evening, and on several occasions wondered what they had in common. She’d always found Randolph’s brother to be totally outgoing, relaxed and friendly. However, the woman he seemed interested in was a total snob.

  And although it seemed that Lena had accepted the fact that Randolph was not interested in her, it was evident that her mother and Julia Fuller had not. They kept bringing up past events and situations the couple had shared, including the time Randolph had asked Lena to marry him at the age of fifteen.