Chocolate Honey (21 page)

Christine, for the most part regretted the sour outcome of her relationship with her father. She wished that he would accept that she is extremely in love with Julian. She hoped that even if, he refuses to accept Julian, and he would at least establish a relationship with Joshua and Julian Jr. She had many hopes, she also prayed that Paul would honour the deal she made with him.

Chapter 23

Lizzie, was back in the United States, having received a letter from Daniel, that Julian was kidnapped. She later found out that Julian was rescued and is now resting at home. She rushed directly from Daniel’s to Julian, she also had a bit of news, to share with Julian. She knew once he hears it he will divorce Christine, and marry her. She spent the last two years in Paris, operating a sewing institute for coloured women. She also met and fell in love, with a doctor, Louis Marchand. They are engaged to be married, shortly. Truth is Lizzie, has never stopped loving Julian. She hardly loved Louis and only tolerated him in her life barely. There was something about Julian, which draws a woman in. He was an educated mulatto, rich, successful and extremely sexy. Her loins yearned for him and she wanted his farce of a marriage to be over and done with soon. She followed, Daniel’s directions, to Julian’s and Christine‘s, she was impressed by the magnificent grounds. The lawn was well manicured, the gardens were well maintained and brimmed with life. The house was actually a mansion, white in colour, the doors were made of magnificent oak and were very huge. She knocked on the door, which was answered shortly by Bessie, who frowned at the sight of Lizzie. “What do you want Lizzie, don’t want you upsetting Ms. Christine. Don’t nobody invite you ‘ere!” “Good, to see you too Bessie, now be a good maid and let me in.” “I don’t works for you and I ain’t gotta do nuttin you say. Ms. Christine, don’t like you and Mr. Julian, is resting from his kidnapping. I may tell him you stops by.” Bessie, attempted to close the door, but Lizzie, held the door open. “Look, here you miserable old hag, I ain’t leaving here until I speak with Julian, now do you job and go announce me!” “Hey, hey I heard yelling from my room. Bessie, what is going on?” “Nothing to trouble yourself for Mr. Julian, I just got some garbage at the front I needs to get rid of.” Lizzie, pushed the door, as Bessie was distracted and revealed herself to Julian. “Lizzie, is that you? When did you arrive from Paris?” Lizzie, cast a smug look at Bessie, who by this time, looked as if she wanted to tear Lizzie to pieces. “Mr. Julian, I am going back to chores. If you need help, getting rid of any trash, just call me.” Julian, had a puzzled look on his face. Lizzie said, “Don’t mind Bessie, she is old, maybe she is just confused.” Julian, smiled, “She did not look happy just now. Bessie, is a sweetheart. So when did you arrive?” “Two, days ago, I just came down from Connecticut, paid Daniel a visit and he gave me directions to where you lived. I must say I am impressed!” For the first time, Lizzie, looked at Julian, she thought she was imagining things. But he has actually gotten more handsome and sexy. She noticed, that his hair which was usually in a high fro, was cut really short, plus he had a small beard. When he smiled, she noticed that his gums, were still black and his teeth was amazingly white. Plus those dimples, she felt her insides yearning by just gazing at him. God, I can’t wait to give him my wonderful news. “So, Lizzie, who is the lucky man in your life? Are you married yet? Any children?” “I am courting, actually I am engaged. He is a French man, Louis Marchand, he is a doctor. I met him, while I was being treated for a broken arm. And no I do not have any children as yet. How about you, any more children?” “No, Christine and I plan to have one more within a year or two. Congratulations on your engagement. When are you planning to marry?” She gave a date that popped up in her mind. As she had no intentions of marrying Louis as she is sure with her news, Julian will make her his wife very soon. She walked to him and kissed the sides

of his face and gave him a warm hug. “Julian, I am so happy you were rescued and now are safe. It must have been a terrible ordeal, Christine must have went out of her mind with worry.” Julian, shuddered as he remembered his close brush with death, “Christine’s love for me, plus my children’s love sustained me. I kept thinking about them that helped me believe that God would have rescued me. I wanted to be back home to be with my family.” Lizzie, hated that Julian was so much in love with Christine and decided to tell, Julian her wonderful news. She gazed at the portraits, of their little family, one with he and Christine, gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes. She felt a twinge of guilt about breaking up this happy home, but the truth must be told. “Julian, let’s go sit on the settee, I have some news share with you. Where is Christine, my news will affect her as well.” Julian, wondered what Lizzie, would say next, but replied, “My darling Christine, is in Uber, she left about a week ago. I expect her back any day now.” “Pity, well she will hear this one way or the other.” She shifted closer to Julian, and took his hand in hers. “Jules, I am going to say this outright, I just learnt that Felicia, was responsible for my sale to Ruth McGregor. She told Ruth about five years ago, she said she knew Christine was in love

with you. She cajoled O‘Connor to get rid of me! You see I was stolen from you.” Julian was stunned and softly said, “What? Where did you hear that? Felicia hates me. Why would she help her daughter to get me. Are you sure, Ruth is not getting senile?” “Julian, Ruth is as sharp as a tack, five years ago as she was ten years ago. Yes, Felicia, told her she regretted her actions, as Christine, ran off with you never to return.” Julian, was in

shock, if this bit of news is true, why did Felicia treat him so poorly? He figured Felicia was more complex than he gave her credit for. “Julian, you know what this means? I’ll tell you, we were both robbed of our love. I should have become you wife then. You

must divorce Christine, as you both were thrown together out of deceit.” Julian, shook his head, got up and went to the window. He spoke, softly, “Lizzie, even if what you say

is true, I will never ever divorce Christine and break up our happy home and lives. I am so in love with Christine, how much cannot be measured. I also love my children dearly and would---” “But Julian we were robbed! No one had the right to tear us apart as they did. It was wrong and it is not too late to right the injustice that was done to you and I!” “Liz, I am sorry, but I am not leaving Christine, for anything or anyone in this world. I love her so much it takes my breath away. You know when I was rescued and came home with her, we made love, I felt as if I wanted to go deep inside her and never emerge. She is my champion, my savior, my lover and friend. Lizzie, there is no way I’d leave her. I cannot think of a reason why I would ever leave.” “Julian, is that your final answer? You are never gonna leave her, please think about your decision. You were both put together out of a wicked act, by an evil woman, this house should have been our house, and your children should have been our children. Please rethink your position.” Julian, sighed out his growing annoyance at the whole conversation and decided to be frank with Lizzie. “Lizzie, Felicia did not rob us of our love. What I am about to say next will hurt you, but I need you to forget about me, go back to Paris and be with Louis. We were not robbed, I fell out of love with you, long before you were sold. I thought had we gotten married, maybe I would fall in love with you again.” Tears, sprung to Lizzie’s eyes, with a heavy heart she said, “Jules, when did you stop loving me?” “I really, do not want to discuss this

anymore. I hear Julian Jr. calling. Did you come on your own? I could get Sam to drive you back to Daniel’s in one of the carriages.” “You never answered my question, when?” “Lizzie, I really find this whole matter upsetting. You are trying to destroy my marriage and home. I no longer wish to discuss this matter. Okay. Now I really should go, he has been having nightmares, since I was kidnapped and is getting upset. I am sorry, have a safe trip back.” Julian, next called for Bessie, “Bessie, could you go get Sam to drive Lizzie, back to Daniel’s?” With that he hugged her and left the room. Lizzie, sank deeper in the settee and started to sob, she realised that her dream is dead, she will never have Julian ever again. In the midst of her grief, Bessie, came smiling. “I happy, that he turned you down. You are wicked, you only want to hurt Miss Christine. Get your behind out of her settee and her parlour and wait outside for Sam.” Lizzie, looked up and saw that Bessie, with one arm on her hip and the other being pointed to the door. She had a look of disgust when she gazed at Lizzie. “You heard me, git your behind out this house now! Sam what is taking you so long. Hurry and get tis woman out of here.” Lizzie, snarled, “You bitch, one day Julian will come to his senses and leave that wretch Christine. When

he does you will be fired by me, just wait and see.” “Keep on dreaming, you heard him he will never ever leave his wife, for you. Sam!” There was a hurried, shuffle at the other side of the wall, “Coming Miss Bessie, I was eating when you called. What you need?” “Mr. Julian, wants you to take this one, over by Daniel. Hurry, Miss Christine, may be back in a few. Don’t want her getting upset.” “Miss Lizzie, come let me take you to

Daniel’s.” Lizzie, got up and swept her frock, held her head high. Bessie, grumbled out loud, “I known dem babies since they was children. Don’t nobody gonna make dem sad, y’hear? So go back to Paris and don’t come bothering dem again.” With that she slammed the door in Lizzie’s face and went back to her chores.

Chapter 24

Christine and Felicia arrive in New York by train the next night. They were greeted by their driver Sam. Christine, asked Sam to stay with Felicia, while she spoke with Julian. She prayed he would not object to Felicia living with them for a while. She found him in the study and exclaimed. “My darling Julian, it is so wonderful to see you again!” She ran and leapt into his arms and kissed him all over. It was sheer joy to be in his presence and wondered if she could possibly love him anymore than she does. “Sweetheart, it is so wonderful to have you back. How was your trip to Uber?” “It was eventful to say the least, I had an opportunity to speak with poppa; he is never gonna change. His heart is filled with hate.” “I pity him. Oh God, I missed you so much. I missed making love with you, kissing you, missed your laughter so much too. It has been harrowing without you.” “I missed you too Julian. I felt so alone in Uber, like half my heart was missing, but I am back now and that is all that matters.” She kissed him some more and started to caress his face, she felt he was growing for her and decided to tell him of Felicia’s situation, before things got out of hand. “Julian, I have something to discuss with you, please hear me out.” He furrowed his brow as he remembered the last time she said that, she told him

some extremely bad news. “What is it Christine? It better not be some rubbish, about your poppa being outside or worse McClelland!” “No, please listen ok, promise?” “Yes, go on.” “When I arrived in Uber I found momma in a terrible state. She was filthy, bony and the worst part of all she is crippled. I found out that that bitch, Becky told poppa it was momma that helped you and I to escape. He then proceeded to rape and beat momma. She was left in a bloody pulp.” Julian, shuddered at the thought of Jim’s cruelty and Felicia’s suffering. He knew Felicia hated his relationship with Christine, but he hated to hear of anyone suffering any sort of pain. “Jules, I have taken momma from Texas and she is waiting outside in the carriage. Can she live with us until I find her suitable accommodations and a nurse? Please don’t say no.” Julian thought for a moment and said, “I am unwilling to have her here, but based on her situation, she can remain here for a while. But if she once makes me feel uncomfortable, or make any unkind remarks about our children, she would have to leave whether or not you have found any accommodations for her.” Christine, thanked him and headed outside to get Felicia. Sam wheeled her in while Julian was making his way down the stairs. He was shocked by Felicia’s appearance. He remembered that she was once a vibrant, healthy woman who was full of life and spirit. He stood at the foot of the stairs and decided that he would not speak with her. He remembered that last time he saw her. He face stung for hours after that unforgettable slap she gave to him, plus he was sure she would spew something nasty at him, he felt her eyes piercing into his skin. She coldly answered when he said hello to her. “Julian. How are you? I am glad to see you have treated my daughter decently, far more than I expected. You are looking well for a Negro.” “Momma! I warned you back in Uber what will happen if you make any negative comments to Julian. I want you to

apologise this instant.” “Why should I apologise? I paid him a compliment, stop being silly and over dramatic.” Julian smiled, and shook his head. “Christine, its fine. I know that once a bigot is always a bigot. I do not need her fake apology. Please keep her away

from me and our children, that’s all I ask.” “Julian, I am so sorry to subject you this, in our own home too. I will immediately find both a house and a nurse for momma.” “My darling, I don’t blame you. Love you too much. See you when you come to bed. I bid you goodnight Felicia.” Felicia was flabbergasted and opened her mouth in shock. “Christine, why is he calling me Felicia? He should address me as Missus O’Connor!” “Momma, you are pushing your luck. I am thinking of taking you back to your husband. One more negative comment and New York will be a thing of the past for you. Do you understand me?” Felicia huffed, “Well I am sorry I hurt the Negro’s feelings, but I always speak my mind, and people are bound to be hurt in the process.” Christine, massaged her temples and let out a frustrating sigh. “You disappoint me momma. Your comments and attitude to Julian are despicable. If I were not duty bound as your daughter, I would put you out on the streets. Goodnight, Bessie will prepare you for bed.”

The next morning Christine, enlisted the help of Eva her secretary and found a nearby two bedroom home to rent for Felicia. She also asked their family doctor, Dr. Connor to recommend a suitable nurse to care for her mother. Everything was prepared for Felicia to move in the next couple days. In the meantime, Felicia met Julian as he was preparing for work. He was not in the mood for her tirades, in fact he did not want her to speak with him at all! He moved about quickly and avoided all eye contact. She cleared her throat, he did not answer, she cleared her throat again, he did not respond. Finally she spoke, “Julian, I may have said some painful things to you and I apologise. As you said a bigot will always be a bigot. I guess that is what I am. I am not too keen on you being a partner for Christine, but you have done well for yourself. You are a successful lawyer, plus I heard, you are also the originator of most of Christine’s marketing successes. That being said, I will not make you feel uncomfortable in your own home, by my attitude.” She spoke so honestly and sincerely, Julian was in awe. “Well, I guess if that is your apology then I should accept. Tell me one thing though, if I was so unsuitable for Christine, why did you arrange for Lizzie to be sold, so Christine could be with me?” “That's a damn lie, where’d you get that from?” “Never mind the source, why did you?” Felicia, wheeled a little away from Julian, and gazed at the family portrait, and wheeled around to face Julian. “You do make a nice family, never realised that before. Julian, I did arranged for Lizzie to be sold, as I found that Christine was hopelessly in love with you. To be honest, I only wanted her to have an affair with you. Not get pregnant with your child, run away and be married.” “Felicia, I love Christine with all my heart and soul. She is my queen and I cannot imagine life without her. Please believe me I would never hurt her.” “I hope you will stand by your word and never hurt my daughter. I am glad she found you and did not end up with that swine McClelland.” “Ha! what changed your attitude towards me? You were so full of hate back then.” “Julian, you risked life and limb to be with my daughter. Plus last night you had every right to throw me out, but you did not. You are an honourable man and I respect you for that.” “Thank you for saying