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Authors: Brenda Jackson

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Epilogue

Glendale Shores

Six months later

It had been a beautiful day for a wedding.

Jenna smiled as she glanced across the way at her daughter. She had been a beautiful bride in such a beautiful place. The wedding had been held outside, in the same spot where she and Randolph had exchanged their wedding vows.

In one heartbeat Haywood had walked down the aisle on Randolph's arm, and in the next, she had been standing beside Trey, facing the minister as they repeated their vows, pledging their lives together forever. Noelle had been her maid of honor and Randi and Anna her bridesmaids. Zachary had been Trey's best man and a couple of his frat brothers his groomsmen.

So many had come out to witness another union between a Haywood and a Fuller, and like her, everyone thought it was a blessed occasion.

Jenna's breathing became ragged when she caught her husband's eye. Every muscle, every angle, and every line in his face shone with happiness. Over the past six months he and Trey had slowly rebuilt a relationship that had taken Angela twenty-two years to destroy.

Trey had told her earlier that Harry, deciding it would be best if he and Angela stayed away, had sent words of congratulations and best wishes. Although part of Jenna wanted to hate Angela for all she had done, she couldn't find it in her heart to do so. Angela was a sick woman and was still undergoing psychiatric help. Besides, the love she and Randolph shared had survived the test of time. Living proof was there in her daughter and his son.

Jenna reluctantly moved her gaze from Randolph to Leigh and Noah. It was rumored around Washington that Noah's name had been thrown about as a possible vice presidential nominee for the next election. The good news was that he was giving it considerable thought â¦ in case the rumor was true.

Ellie and Johnny were standing together talking with Johnnetta, Ellie's thirty-six-year-old daughter. Ellie and Johnny had gotten married a few months ago. Johnny, who had finished college while incarcerated, had since gone on to get his masters and his doctorate and was now a professor at Morehouse College. He had also written a book detailing his time with the Panthers, and the fourteen years he had been locked up for something he didn't do. The book had been a bestseller.

Jenna turned slightly and watched as Zachary carried a cup of punch over to Anna, who was sitting on a bench facing the pond. The family had accepted Ross's daughter with open arms, glad to see that the search, which had taken thirty-four years, was over. Leigh had mentioned that Anna was thinking of moving to Washington to be near her father's family, who she now considered her family, as well. According to Leigh, Zach and Anna had been seeing a lot of each other whenever she came to town, and although Zach said the two of them were just close friends, she knew the family was hoping it blossomed into something more.

Something pulled at Jenna and made her turn around. She glanced through the trees and in the distance she could see the big house, looming tall and stately. She blinked. Then blinked again and her eyes flew wide.

“What are you looking at, sweetheart?” Randolph appeared by her side and followed her gaze through the trees.

Jenna's head snapped around and her eyes met those of her husband's. “I thought â¦ I could have sworn I saw â¦” She shook her head, collecting her wits, knowing it wasn't possible.

“Gramma Mattie?”

Jenna's mouth dropped as she watched Randolph's lips form into a smile. “How did you know?”

His smile widened. “There have been a few times today that I imagined seeing her myself. She was such a vital part of this place you can't help but feel she's here and will always be here.”

Jenna smiled, knowing that was true. “She's happy. I can actually feel it.”

“And she has reasons to be,” Randolph said, taking Jenna's hand in his. “Today her great-grandson married her goddaughter, her long-lost great-granddaughter has been found, the Bible has been returned to where it belongs and last but not least, Glendale Shores will be kept out of developers' hands. Knowing my grandmother, I believe she is extremely happy.”

He held his wife's gaze steadily as he added, “Just like I am happy. When I think about all we have gone through, all we lost and restored, I can't help but thank God.”

Jenna's smile widened. “And I feel the same way. I thank God for our families and friends, but most importantly, I thank him for the ties that bound us together all those years ago, and still bind us today.”

Randolph grinned. “So what do you anticipate next, Mrs. Fuller?”

Jenna chuckled. She glanced over at Randi, who was talking to Noelle. “Trying to get our daughter through college without losing any of our hair.”

She moved her glance over to where Zach and Anna sat talking. “Possibly another wedding in a year or so.”

Her gaze left the couple to go rest on the bride and groom. “A grandchild in less than a year.”

Randolph, who had been following the movement of her gaze, chuckled. “That soon?”

Jenna turned her head and met Randolph's gaze and smiled. “Possibly sooner, less than nine months from now, and if that's the case, act surprised.”

Randolph paused when her words sank in. “Are you saying that you think â¦?”

Briskly, Jenna nodded. “He's a Fuller. She's a Haywood. Together that's a combustible combination. If anyone should know it would be us.”

Randolph couldn't deny that. Nor could he deny feeling more love for Jenna than he thought was possible. She was and had always been everything to him.

He lifted his wineglass up to her in a salute. “To the ties that bind.”

Also by Brenda Jackson

Family Reunion

Welcome to Leo's
(Anthology)

TIES THAT BIND. Copyright Â© 2002 by Brenda Streater Jackson.
All rights reserved.
For information, address St. Martin's Press,
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.stmartins.com

eISBN 9781429905718

First eBook Edition : May 2011

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Jackson, Brenda (Brenda Streater)

Ties that bind : a novel / Brenda Jackson.â1st St. Martin's Griffin ed.

p. cm.

ISBN 0-312-30611-3

1. Married peopleâFiction. 2. FriendshipâFiction. I. Title. PS3560.A21165 T54 2002 813'.6âdc21

2002005047