Once You'Ve Touched the Heart (43 page)

Seeing the two of them together at that moment gave JD a little hope. Maybe somewhere down the road, Lena and Tracy would be able to accept each other.

♥

Tracy had a few choice words for JD, as soon as they got home. JD pulled in first and waited for her to park and get out of her car. As soon as she was out, he pulled her to him and kissed her. When she tried to pull away he would not let up. He continued to kiss her overpoweringly. Tracy eventually wrapped her arms around his waist; it was the only thing to keep her knees from buckling under her. JD eased up on the kiss a little as it became more loving. “Hmm.” JD ended the kiss. He looked down at Tracy. “Sister, my ass,” he said.

Tracy opened her eyes with a frown. “What?”

JD smiled. “I’ll tell you one day when we are old and gray.”

S
aturday morning, Ashley woke up at James’s house with a headache and questions. James gave Clair time off. He planned to spend the weekend with Ashley before James Jr. came into town. James was in the kitchen attempting to cook breakfast when Ashley ventured down. James started laughing as soon as she entered the room. Her hair was everywhere and she looked a little pale.

“Well, good morning, would you like some scrambled eggs?” James laughed.

Ashley took a seat at the table. “You are not funny,” she grumbled as she slumped into a seat.

James put a cup of coffee in front of her and smiled. “You look good in my shirt.”

“You look good without your shirt.” Ashley replied as she sipped her coffee. “You are enjoying this too much.”

“Would you care to explain yesterday to me?” James asked as he took a seat.

Ashley held her head up. “Would you?”

James sat up. “After you. What exactly caused you to drink yourself into a stupor? I believe you mentioned jealousy.”

Ashley protested. “I am sure I did not say that, drunk or not. I may have said something to the effect of seeing you with another woman, but at no time did I indicate I was jealous. Now, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it,” Ashley said as she got up a little too quickly. Her head was still spinning. “Damn,” she exclaimed, “Hennessey straight is nothing to play with.” She sat back down.

James didn’t like seeing Ashley like this and he felt responsible for her discomfort. “I’m having a hard time trying to ascertain why seeing me with another woman would cause you to react in the manner that you did. I am around women all the time. If I were interested in being with any one of them, it would not be difficult for me to do. You causing this type of harm to yourself would not change that.”

“I hate it when you are logical.” Ashley grinned.

He got up, walked around the table, and picked her up in his arms. “I chose to spend my time suffering through the humiliation of you throwing up on me in public because you are so damn fine. Especially when you are green and jealous.” He kissed her feverishly.

Ashley put her arms around James’s neck and seized the moment. As the kiss ended, she smiled. “I’m glad I brushed my teeth before I came downstairs.”

James smiled. “Not as glad as I am.” He placed her on the table, positioning himself on top of her. He looked admiringly into her eyes and wondered when she stole his heart. He knew she stole it, because he’d had no intentions of giving it away.

Ashley wrapped her legs around his waist and thought,
Damn, I love this man
. “Since we are on the table, would you like some breakfast?”

“Hmm,” James replied, “shall I start with the cherries or go straight for the bread pudding?”

Ashley laughed. “You can start wherever you want.”

♥

Lena was preparing to check out of the hotel when an envelope was pushed under her door. She opened the envelope and smiled. It was an invitation to Tracy’s wedding with a note attached. “If you are free, you are welcome.” Surprisingly, Lena was happy to receive the invitation. At this point, she had no idea how everything was going to turn out, but at the very least she was able to redeem herself a little with JD, and hopefully Tracy.

♥

Senator Roth was in his kitchen reading the paper when Carolyn came in. “Hey, Daddy,” she said as she kissed his forehead.

“Hey, baby girl,” he replied with a smile.

Carolyn blushed; she loved the endearment. “Gavin and I set a date for the wedding—June 16. The engagement party will be two weeks from Saturday, here.”

The Senator smiled at his daughter. “Are you sure this is what you want to do? A marriage without love can be hell. I know; I went through it with your mother.”

Carolyn laughed. “I remember.” Carolyn was silent for a minute. “Daddy I’m not so sure it will be a marriage without love. Whatever it turns out to be, I’m now committed to making it work.”

Senator Roth pulled his daughter onto his lap and hugged her. “Baby girl, I loved you from the moment you entered the world. I spoiled you rotten.” He laughed as she hit him. “Well, I did and don’t regret one moment of it.” He hesitated for a moment. “Would you do your old man a favor?”

Carolyn looked at him. “Anything, Daddy, what is it?”

“Would you mind not inviting your mother to the wedding?”

Carolyn laughed and so did Roth. Carolyn kissed and hugged her daddy. She knew if she did not have anything else, she had his love all to herself. Roth’s heart was breaking for his little girl. If what he suspected was true, Carolyn would be the one to lose the most.

♥

Gavin knocked on Cynthia’s door. “Would it be egotistical of me to ask you to remain my friend in light of my pending marriage?”

Cynthia stepped back into her apartment. “You better come inside before someone recognizes you,” she said glumly. “I was a bit surprised to hear the wedding date was set after our conversation the other night,” Cynthia stated.

Gavin loosened his tie and sat on the sofa. “I’m sure you were,” he replied. He took Cynthia’s hand and pulled her down to the sofa beside him. “When you and I spoke the date had not been set. That happened when I returned home. Carolyn made it very clear: she is not in love with me. However, we do have the same objective. We both want to move into the mansion. Our marriage all but guarantees that for both of us. I am going to be the next governor, and I will marry Carolyn.” He held Cynthia’s hand in his. “What you have to decide is if you can be my rock in private, because I am going to need one. I will be in the spotlight and there will be certain appearances I will have to keep up. We will have to be discreet. But I will never disrespect you or take you for granted.”

Cynthia was disappointed. She had made a connection with Gavin that she had not had with any other man. Cynthia leaned in and kissed Gavin. Gavin pulled her body next to his. “I’ll be here until it no longer feels right for me,” she replied. “All I ask is that you be honest with me. Can you handle that?”

Gavin smiled “I believe I can do that.”

♥

While packing boxes for the move, JD tried several times to approach the topic of Lena with Tracy, but she was not receptive. Tracy felt it was better to leave well enough alone. At this point in her, life she didn’t need or want any explanations from her mother. The biggest problem she had right now was dealing with JD keeping all of this from her for months. He never once mentioned meeting her mother.

“Why would you keep something like that from me?” Tracy asked.

“I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be. When James and I met with Lena the first time, she was not what I was expecting. After the meeting I believed it was best to leave things as they were.”

“What changed your mind?”

JD could not tell her what truly forced him to reconsider his position with Lena. If he did that, he would have to reveal the whole paternity test situation. If he revealed that information, his mom, Ashley, Tracy and Carolyn could be hurt. He was not going to chance that. And JD did not want to lie to Tracy so he decided to take another route.

“I met with Brian, Calvin and Douglas the other night. We discussed the possibility of me running for attorney general. Before I make a major decision like that I want to know what is out there on me. Since we are getting married, I decided to have your background checked out also. I didn’t want any of my friends to conduct the investigation, because I wanted your privacy protected, even from me. Anything I learn about you, I want to come from you. So I asked James to handle your background check. I know he is your friend and would only reveal pertinent information that may have an affect on a campaign.”

“We already know what the downfall will be: I’m the sister to a kingpin you convicted. What could hurt a campaign for someone running for attorney general more than that?” Tracy asked.

JD put down the box he was working with and sat beside Tracy. “If I decide to run, the first thing I will do is disclose the connection with you, me and Al. The only problem with that disclosure is that we will have to hire security. The disclosure of the connection will cause more problems for you than it will for me.”

Tracy wasn’t sure she understood that. “You know, if you decide to do this, our lives will change. You will truly belong to the community then. Right now everything you do with the church and community organizations is voluntary. If you run and win, and you will win, then it’s your responsibility to keep the citizens of the state safe; there will be no options. When reporters like Charles approach you, you will have to address the issues. Your life will no longer be your own.”

JD thought for a moment. “That would mean your life would no longer be your own either. Would that be a problem for you?”

Tracy leaned back against the box she was labeling and sighed. “Jeffrey, I want to be your wife. Whatever comes along with that I’m willing to take. No questions asked.”

It didn’t matter how many times things happened to them, Tracy never ceased to amaze JD with her support of him. He pulled her leg until she was face to face with him. “Sometimes I look at you and wonder why God blessed me with your love.”

Tracy smiled. “Have you made a decision yet?”

JD shook his head. “No, I want to wait until the reports are in. Then I’ll talk with Pastor Smith.”

“Will you make me a promise?”

JD smiled. “Anything.”

“Will you not make a decision until after the wedding? Or at least not tell anyone your decision until then. I really need to get through the wedding without any further distractions.”

JD agreed; they both needed a little less drama. He would really enjoy their honeymoon without outside distractions. “I’ll do you one better; no major announcements on anything until after our honeymoon.”

Tracy’s smiled broadened. “Now you may kiss me, Mr. Attorney General.” JD complied. “Hmm,” Tracy said, “I wonder if being the third most powerful man in the state would alter your lovemaking abilities in any way.”

JD pulled her onto his lap. “Shall we start sharpening those skills?” he asked as he kissed her between her breasts.

“Okay, commander-in-chief.” She giggled.

“That’s the president.” JD laughed.

“I’m thinking towards the future,” Tracy said as she eagerly kissed him.

T
he next few weeks went like a whirlwind for JD and Tracy. Thanksgiving dinner was held at Mama Harrison’s house with the whole Harrison clan in attendance. James and James Jr. did come for dinner. By all appearances James Jr. fit right in with all the other children who were there. Ashley kept a respectable distance from James, at least as much as she could.

The pending wedding was the buzz. Tracy was a little overwhelmed with all the people talking to her about the wedding. The family was going to take some getting used to for Tracy.

“You sure you want to marry into all of this?” James joked with Tracy.

Tracy gave James a questioning glance. “Are you?”

James blushed. “I have not committed to anyone; you have.”

Tracy laughed. “That’s what you think.”

The closing on the house took place the next day. JD was impressed with the way Tracy handled business. She reviewed every document, made requests for adjustments and arranged for all the financing. He never realized before how respected Tracy was in the financial community. The vice-president of one of the local banks came to the closing to assist personally. The man greeted Tracy with eagerness to please. JD sat back and observed the man’s reaction to every request Tracy made. At one point he was sure he heard the man ask which account she wanted the $500,000.00 taken from. Now JD did not pay a lot of attention to their accounts, but he did not think for a minute they had that kind of money in one account, much less multiple accounts. Tracy never flinched; she advised the man to have half the funds transferred from his account and the other half from hers. JD looked at the banker, knowing he was going to laugh at the request. The banker went into his laptop; keyed information in and indicated the transfer had been made. JD made a mental note to himself to check his account to see just how much money he had. JD acknowledged he was in uncharted territory here. Tracy, on the other hand, seemed to be in her element.

JD stepped away when his cell phone rang. It was a call from Senator Roth. The test results were in. Senator Roth knew what this meant to JD, so he did not question the results. He was indeed Tracy’s father. JD didn’t realize it, but he had been holding his breath until the moment Roth spoke the words. Roth’s only request was that this information remain confidential. JD easily agreed. As he disconnected from the call, he worried about the position all of this left Senator Roth in. Well, JD thought, Senator Roth always did want him as a son-in-law.

JD and Tracy walked out of the office with the keys to their new home. On the way to the house JD asked about the transfer of money. Tracy told him neither account was devastated by the transfer. JD laughed; when Tracy did not join in he just looked at her. He was going to have to take a moment one day and check his bank account.

JD and Tracy entered the house through the front double doors. They both stood there in the foyer looking around. You could see into the sunroom, the family room, a portion of the dining room and the living room. To the left was a doorway that led to what would be JD’s home office. To the right in the center of the foyer was the staircase that led to the second level; at the top of the stairs to the right was the master suite and to the left were three bedrooms the two hoped to fill with children. JD turned and closed the doors behind them. Tracy walked over to the staircase and sat.

JD looked at her. She was his life, the sun in the morning and his moon at night. And now this was their home. He smiled. “Do you promise to greet me from there every day?”

“I do,” Tracy said.

JD smiled. “This is the beginning of our life together. Are you ready?”

Tracy walked over to him, put her arms around his waist, and looked up at him. “Yes, I am ready.”

JD looked into her eyes. “Which room do you want to start our family in?”

“Right here is good for me,” Tracy replied.

As JD kissed her, he ran his hands under her butt and slowly lifted her up. Tracy’s legs automatically went around JD’s waist. Just then the door opened behind them.

“Oh, please, that has to wait!” Ashley proclaimed. “We got too much to do.” She pulled Tracy literally out of JD’s arms. “Come on, Ms. Organizer, start directing.”

Tracy looked back at JD and smiled.

JD smiled back. The unspoken understanding was there: this would be finished later.

Thanks to Clair’s connections, the house had been cleaned inside and out. As the furniture arrived, the deliverymen were directed to the appropriate rooms. By nightfall, the house was pretty straight. Everyone who helped with the move was so worn out, most of them crashed at the house. They sat around and talked until they started dozing off one by one.

Eventually, JD and Tracy went upstairs and finally had a moment to be alone. All of their clothes were not at the house yet, so Tracy changed into one of JD’s tee shirts. When she came out of the bathroom JD was in the sitting room at the far end of the bedroom. He sat there with the bottom of his pajamas on; his long legs stretched out and his head lying back on the lounge chair.
Damn, that man looks good with half his clothes off
, she thought. Tracy walked over to him, straddled his lap and laid her head on his chest. He rubbed her back as they both sighed with relief. One of the reasons Tracy decided on their new home in the East End of Richmond was because of the view. They could see the outline of the city from the window in the sitting room of their bedroom. “Do you remember the first time you kissed me? We were looking at that same skyline,” Tracy reminisced.

JD ran his hand under her shirt and down her back. “You don’t have no drawers on.” JD smirked.

Tracy giggled. “No, I don’t.” JD could feel her body laughing against his chest. “It was not intentional,” she said as she playfully bit his nipple. That sent a ripple through his body as every tired muscle came alive. They relaxed comfortably without speaking, JD caressing Tracy’s back, she caressing his chest. He kissed the top of Tracy’s head. Tracy reached up and kissed the side of his neck. JD could feel the very essence of Tracy beginning to become moist against his stomach. Tracy could feel JD growing firmly against her thigh. Tracy adjusted to allow JD to spring freely through the opening of his pajamas. JD slowly slid Tracy’s body down his body until the tip of him was at her entrance. Tracy moaned at the slight touch. She ran her hands up his chest, caressing his nipples. JD ran his hands up her back then down to her waist.

His jerking motion let her know he needed to enter her. He pressed her hips down onto his shaft. She widened her legs and he slipped right in. He filled every inch of space within her. Tracy savored the feel of him, not wanting to leave any portion untouched. JD’s hands followed the movement of Tracy’s hips. As her pace increased, so did his. Her breathing began to intensify; as did his. JD held her tighter as he felt her body tensing for her release. The rhythm of their bodies raced together, both reaching for the very highest echelon of ecstasy. At the point of true bliss, Tracy inhaled with a small scream escaping from her lips. JD moaned as he released his expression of love within her.

They both lay there, hearts pounding with lovemaking juices escaping down their thighs, neither of them able to move. They fell asleep in that position in each other’s arms.

When Tracy woke the next morning in bed with comforters piled on top of her, she had no recollection of when she got there, how she got there, or why she had so many comforters on her. As Tracy pushed them aside, there was a note lying on the floor. “I wanted to make sure you stayed warm. I’ll see you downstairs.” It was signed, “Me.”

Tracy smiled, jumped in the shower and dressed quickly. As she came downstairs she could identify all the voices that were penetrating the house.

“Good morning,” Tracy greeted everyone as she walked over to Jeffrey. She threw her arms around his neck, pulled his head down to her and kissed him as if no one was in the room but the two of them. JD dropped the fork that he was holding, put his arms around her waist and pulled her in. Brian got off the stool, walked around and stood beside them observing.

“What in the hell are you doing, Brian?” Calvin asked.

“Don’t disturb me right now, man, I’m taking notes.”

Tracy broke away from JD.

“Don’t mind us,” Ashley said, “we just sitting here.”

Tracy inhaled. “Coffee?” JD handed her his cup. “Thank you,” she said. “What’s on the agenda today, people?” Tracy asked as she sat at the table.

“We have to do tuxedoes today,” JD replied.

“We have to meet with Cynthia for final touches,” Ashley said as the doorbell rang.

Tracy looked at JD and started laughing. “That’s our doorbell.”

JD looked at her. “Yeah, you want to answer it?” Tracy smacked him on the shoulder. JD smiled and shook his head. He watched her walk across the room.
Damn that woman turns me on,
JD thought.

“You want to stop looking at that woman like you are ready to undress her?” Brian said laughing.

“Hell no,” JD replied.

“Damn, girl,” Cynthia said as she entered the kitchen. “With everything in, this house is off the chain. Tracy, you have to show me around. But first I have something for you guys.” She put her bag on the table and pulled out invitations. “Since I was coming over, I decided to deliver this in person.” JD took the envelope from Cynthia’s hand.

“What is it?” Tracy asked.

JD smiled. “It’s an invitation to Gavin and Carolyn’s engagement party.”

♥

The next week as Tracy worked in the house, JD worked vigorously to bring the Melvin case to a close. The news of additional bodies being found prompted national news coverage. Requests from the media for interviews with JD intensified. With the wedding and the move into the house, JD was being pulled in several directions. JD agreed to every interview that was held in Virginia. The first and main interview was given to Victoria. The coverage of the one-on-one interview went national, just as they expected. JD executed the interview with tact and finesse. He appeared to be diplomatic with the issue of him taking over the case. Anyone watching the interview had to be captivated with JD’s depiction of the case. It was methodical the way he laid out every step of the evidence found, without revealing any information that could hinder the prosecution of Melvin.

Once the interview went nationwide, the publicity surrounding the case became fanatical. The morning shows on the major networks invited JD to discuss the case with them. Each of those interviews was handled via satellite from the attorney general’s office with the AG, JD and the original prosecutor. Most of the questions were directed to the attorney general. When asked what prompted the second investigation into the area where the additional bodies were found, the AG deferred the question to JD. JD handled the national media with the same composure as he did the state level. At no point did he ever take credit for the second investigation; he indicated it was a collaborative effort between the Roanoke DA’s office and the Richmond DA’s office. JD’s performance was impressive, to say the least, and it did not go unnoticed.

The head of the Democratic Governors Association called. He wanted a bio on this charismatic young man handling the national press with such ease. The next call went to Senator Roth from the Senate Majority Leader, Chris Neshak; his question was simply, is this man one of ours? Roth was pleased to receive the call and was ready to give the full rundown on JD Harrison. Senator Neshak decided to give Roth a little help with his plan to get JD into office. He called the local networks in Virginia and asked for all footage on JD Harrison. Once the information was received, Senator Neshak gave the footage to a head reporter at one of the major national networks. They edited different footage and began to air editorials pertaining to JD’s professional career. That footage included the gang reduction efforts, the attack on Tracy and the murder attempt on JD. The public wanted to know more about the young man who would bring Melvin to justice.

With urging from the DNC, Senator Roth called JD and set up a meeting to revisit the question of him running for office. Roth had to get a commitment from JD, now.

Senator Roth arrived
at JD’s office precisely at 5:30. He knocked on the door while JD was on the telephone with Tracy. JD motioned for Roth to come in. “Babe, I’m not sure what time I’ll get home. Hopefully it will not be too late; wait up for me. I’ll talk to you later.”

Roth smiled at the conversation. “I used to talk like that, you know,” Roth said laughingly when JD hung up the telephone.

JD smiled. “I don’t know how she puts up with me, but I thank God every day that she does.”

Roth took a seat. “JD, the result of the test puts us in a bit of a situation. I will technically be your father in-law.”

JD thought for a moment. What he was about to say to Roth had to be done tactfully.

“Senator, I can’t begin to imagine how many emotions you must be dealing with since the results came out. If they had come back inconclusive, I’m not sure I would be marrying Tracy at the end of the month. I never thought once about the situation all this has put you in. I don’t know if you have had a chance to work through all of this.”

“It has caused me a sleepless night or two,” Roth replied, “but we both agree, neither Tracy nor Carolyn needs to know about this. It will only cause problems for everyone involved.”

JD sat back in his chair. “You do realize Lena Washington is going to be a problem if she ever puts two and two together. How are you going to handle that?”

Roth’s plan was to have the report altered. Roth knew JD would not like the plan he had to keep Lena Washington off him, but it was the only way he knew to keep her from using the situation to her advantage. Roth sat up.

“JD, there are a lot of things I am willing to be accountable for without hesitation. This situation, however, can be detrimental to Carolyn and Tracy. According to you, Lena will use whatever she has at her disposal to get whatever she wants. I am not willing to allow that type of person to have any information that can harm Carolyn. If I have to suppress information to protect her, I will.”