The Crying Rain
Chapter 10
"Back to America"
Candy and Anthony's return spread like wildfire in their family and in Chicago! The news said that the happy young couple came back, after the husband who was presumed dead, was found and they were now expecting a baby together.
The Great Aunt Elroy was angry to hear that Candy was pregnant. It couldn't be! They had told them that Anthony was paralysed!
"That tramp is lying through her teeth!" She thought, but it's better for the people
She was in the dining room at the Chicago mansion when Neil, Eliza and their mother, barged in.
- Great Aunt! Said Eliza, you can't let Candy get away with this!
- Well hello to you too! Said Aunt Elroy
- Aunt Elroy, said Sarah, you have to separate Anthony from that lying gold digger!
- There's nothing we can do! She's family; Anthony married her…
- Why didn't you disown her when he was presumed dead?
- Because she's still Albert's daughter whether we want it or not!
- She's pregnant! Said Eliza
- It can't be Anthony's, said Sarah
- Well it is for the rest of the world
- I told you she will bring only shame! Said Eliza, damn her! Anthony should've thrown her out in the streets
- Well Uncle William would've taken care of her , said Neil indifferent
- You're not angry? Said his sister
- Well what would be the point of me getting angry? She will still be pregnant…
- Neil! Said his mother
- I'm going to see my friends…, he said indifferent
Neil left the room.
- Neil! Said Eliza, you come back here!
But Neil was gone. He had other stuff to do, not always good stuff, though…
The ladies continued babbling about Candy and getting angry for nothing.
- Why don't you ladies get a life, said Albert coming in
- Albert! Said Elroy, how could you allow this?!
- What?
- Anthony and…
- His wife? Emphasis on "wife", said Albert, "For better or worse, in sickness and in health…"
- He doesn't need her!
- Well he wants her!
- She's pregnant!
- Anthony is happy to have a baby and that's how it's going to be. This conversation is over. No more talking about that. That baby is my daughter's baby, my grandchild, with or without Anthony, that baby is family! Have I made myself clear?
- I want to see Anthony, said Elroy, I want to go back with you…
- No…
- What?
- You're only going to upset Candy. I don't want you there.
- But Anthony...
- He's going to come and see you here, you're not going to New York!
Elroy could only comply. Sarah and Eliza remained silent.
- And that goes for you and your family too Sarah! Said Albert, because if anything happens to Candy, you're going to have to answer to me!
He left the room and the ladies were sulking.
- We need to get rid of Candy, said Eliza.
- You heard Albert! Said Aunt Elroy.
- What Albert doesn't know won't hurt him, said Eliza with a mean smile.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Back in England, Terry had a surprised visitor at the theatre. He was in his suite with Susanna. There was a knock on the door.
- Don't answer, she said hugging him, let's have fun.
- No, it might be important, said Terry pushing he away.
He went to the door and there was a lady standing in front of him. She was wearing dark glasses and a scarf on her head.
- Hello, she said, may I come in?
Terry looked her. What the hell was she doing there?
- What do you want? He said.
- I just want to talk…
- I'm not in the mood.
- Terry, said Susanna, who is that woman?
Terry thought about Candy, about what she said… He calmed down.
- Susanna, he said, can you leave please?
- What? But, who is she?
- That's none of your concern.
- But I'm your…
- Please, you don't want to hear me define who you are to me!
Susanna shut up, took her stuff, kissed Terry on the cheek and she left. The abuse… but she was with the man she loved, and that's all that mattered
Terry was with the woman in his dressing room.
- What can I do for you?
- Thank you for listening to me this time… How have you been?
- Peachy! He said, don't I look happy?
- You are so bitter…
- In case you hadn't noticed, there's a war in Europe.
- It's more than that.
- What now you know me? Where have you been my whole life?
- Terry…
- I came to you, I wanted to feel my mother's love… and you treated me so coldly! How could you treat me that way?
- I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me… I wasn't thinking, but when you left, I called you back and you didn't even turn around! I came to apologise…you're my baby and I love you! Please forgive me…
He looked at her with teary eyes. He was thinking about Candy, having his mother in front of him begging for forgiveness… He just ran to her and started sobbing. Eleonor Baker was surprised, her son was emotional, but it must've been something more… He sobbed in her arms for a while, they went to sit on a near by couch. She was caressing her son's beautiful and silky long hair, consoling him and kissing his hair. When Terry finally stopped. He was still in his mummy's arms. He felt good, he felt like the little boy he never was, getting consoled by his mother after being hurt.
- Terry, baby, tell me what's wrong…
- I lost her, he said.
- You lost who? She asked surprised.
- The … the woman I love…
- Oh…
Eleonor was kind of glad he wasn't talking about the awful girl who had left the room a few minutes earlier.
- Tell me what happened.
- She's actually the one who told me to give you another chance…
- I love her just for that! Said Eleonor smiling, God bless her, and you still listened to her advice, even though you lost her?
- I've needed you ever since I was little mother…
- I'm sorry, I should've fought for you…
- I remember something… I was little on the boat with dad and you were running on the embankment yelling my name… I never forgot that.
Eleonor was crying and she hugged him.
- Terry, tell me about her… the woman you love who told you to give me another chance
He told her everything.
- She didn't leave you a note?
- No, he said, I wrote her a note and she didn't respond or showed up to the park… I wanted to propose… I waited for her in the falling rain and she never show, never came…
- But it doesn't make any sense! Said her mother
- I know, but I looked for her everywhere… I had grandmother's ring… She's probably back to America with her new husband… I was just a rebound guy for her… but it hurts so much! I didn't know who to tell… Susanna was my friend, but then we became lovers, I don't know why actually…
- She took advantage of you…
- I wanted to numb the pain
- By sleeping with her? Terry…
- I don't care about anything anymore! Her or another, I don't care! But…. Thanks for being here. It feels good to be mothered
They talked for a while and they bounded. Wounded Terry needed his mother and she was right on cue…
- I'm glad you came, he said
- I'm happy I came and that I got to know you better… but…
- But?
- I don't like your girlfriend, sorry.
- I don't like her either, so it's ok!
They burst out laughing.
- But why are you with her?
- Because she's there, because Candy hurt me…
- Terry that's not a reason… Don't you at least want to know what happened to her?
- She took a French leave mum, what we had meant nothing to her…Can we not talk about this anymore?
- All right…
- The play is about to start…
- I'm going to go in the audience…
- You came to see me?
- Of course, you're my baby and you can't know how happy I am to find out that you're following into my footsteps!
Terry smiled and they hugged.
- I love acting, he said.
- And according the critics you're the best actor of your generation.
- Well I got the perfect genes: Eleonor Baker is my mother!
They hugged again.
- I feel close to you, when I'm acting…
- I'm so proud of you
- I'm proud of you too…he said smiling
- What does your father thinks?
- What do you think?
- "If you want to waste your time acting, be my guest, but I'm never going to accept it. You're my heir and I'm expecting you back when done playing around!" She said imitating the duke.
- That's exactly what he said! And I told him; "Well you didn't have any problem playing around with an actress and father a child… MOI!"
- "How dare you talk to me like that!" Said Eleonor imitating the duke.
They burst out laughing.
- I'm going to go and let you get ready, she said hugging him. I love you…
- I love you too mum! He said hugging her back. Thank you so much for coming…
Terry opened the door. He saw one of the workers.
- Harry! Can you take the lady to her place, take her to my family lodge.
- All right Terry, said Harry, let's go Miss
He took Eleonor hand and walked her to the Grandchester's family lodge. The make up artist and the hairdresser came to fix Terry us for the play.
Eleonor was in the Grandchester's family lodge. She had taken her scarf off and her sunglasses. She was wearing a beautiful evening gown, blue like her eyes. She was sitting there, thinking about her son and his love life.
"That girl he's with is so wrong for him! She saw me as a threat… What happened to the girl who told him to give me another chance, he even got his grandmother's ring for her…I wonder…"
Her chains of thoughts were interrupted by a noise at the door. The duke of Grandchester and his wife came in. He was always elegant and handsome and attractive, she was … well she was his wife.
- Who the hell are you? Said Mrs. Grandchester
- Eleonor? Said the duke, what are you doing here?
- Eleonor? Your bastard child's mother? Said Mrs Grandchester
- Say that one more time and I'm going to forget I'm wearing an evening gown and jump to your throat! Said Eleonor upset
- How dare you talk to me like that ?! You common slut!
- Who are you calling a slut!? Said Eleonor, I was a virgin!
- Ladies! Said Richard, enough!
The two ladies stopped arguing.
- Eleonor, what on earth are you doing here in my family's lodge?
- My son invited me! He thought it would be free, he didn't know you would show up here…with your… wife!
- Richard, tell her to get out! This is a family loge
- No, she's family…. Said Richard.
- What? Said his wife.
- She's Terrence's mother and she can stay.
- I can leave, Richard, said Eleonor, I'm not here to cause problems, I just want to see my son…
- I thought you were against that! Said his wife.
- I was, but giving the way you treat Terrence, he needs his mother in his life…you can stay Eleonor, really, said the duke with a soft voice.
- Then we should leave, said Mrs Grandchester
- No, we're not, we came to see my son on stage…
- Your son is a disgrace!
- Hey watch it! Said Eleonor, you are not calling my baby names on my watch!
- We're staying, said Richard
His wife had the choice of either leaving her husband with is old flame or stay with him and suffer the presence of her rival. She chose the last option!
- Thank you Richard, said Eleonor.
- You're very welcome, said the duke
His wife looked at him with a mean eye.
Eleonor didn't mind, she was watching her son on stage and all her thoughts were turned to him. He was magnificent on stage and Eleonor was crying of joy!
After the play, Terry was surprised to see his parents together.
- All right, what the bloody hell is going on? All my "parents" together?
- Terry, you were wonderful said Eleonor hugging him.
- Thank you mother…
- Yes son, you were great…
- Father? Said Terry sceptical.
- I told you I was going to spend more time with you, said the duke.
Terry remembered his conversation with his father talking about one of his friends who lost his son…
- Right! Thank you so much for coming, it means a lot to me…
- I didn't know how talented you were…
- Because you never bothered to come and see him, said Eleonor.
- Mum…
- Sorry, said Eleonor.
- So Terrence, did you propose to your girlfriend? Said Richard smiling, did you give her your grandmother's ring? Where is she? Are you going to introduce me to her?
Susanna arrived at that moment.
- Terry, she said taking his arm
- Susanna, said Terry, these are my parents…
Susanna looked at Eleonor surprised.
- Is that your sister? She asked stunned
Eleonor and the duke burst out laughing.
- No, that's my mother, Susanna, Eleonor Baker…
- The Great Eleonor Baker?
- In the flesh she said smiling
- Oh… I'm sorry and so confused, said Susanna thinking about how she felt jealous earlier, it's an honour to meet you!
- Likewise, said Eleonor.
- You're too young to be Terry's mother…
- So you assumed I was Terry's mother?! Said Mrs Grandchester.
- Honey, said the duke.
- Don't worry Mrs Grandchester, I don't like it either that they take you for my mum, when mine is so much more beautiful! Said Terry taking his mother's hand to kiss it…
She smiled at him. Mrs Grandchester was angry.
- Terrence, did you propose to your girlfriend with that valuable family heirloom you took from the castle, she said.
- No, said Terrence.
- Are you going to propose to her…? She asked.
- That's none of your business, said Terry coldly.
Susanna knew they were talking about the ring he had to propose to Candy. She didn't say a thing. Terry took his mother's hand.
- Come on mum, I'm going to introduce you to my manager, he's a big fan of yours…
Terry left with his mother without a look for Susanna. The duke thought it was odd… This young lady was not the one that ring was destined to… Susanna felt left out.
- Excuse-me I'm Susanna Marlowe, since Terry didn't care to introduce me, your grace, Mrs Grandchester
- Please to meet you , said the duke.
- I told you your son was an insolent! Said Mrs. Grandchester.
- Would you excuse me, said Susanna, I see some acquaintances of mine…
Susanna left the duke and his wife. Terry was sleeping with her, but he continued ignoring her.
"He's still thinking about Candy, but he's going to forget about her and marry me… Candy who?" She thought.
Terry was with his mother on the terrace.
- You were rude to Susanna…
- She's used to it
- You can't treat her like that…
- She doesn't care, she can dump me anytime…
- She loves you…
- Unfortunately, I only love one woman mum and she betrayed me, so the rest of the female species, present company excluded, I don't care about…
- Oh Terry, said his mother sadly, I'm so sorry you're hurt…
She hugged him. He spent the evening with his mother. They went back to his hotel together and he spent the night there. Susanna couldn't find Terry who shut her out completely to be with his mother and she went back to her apartment. That was not going to wear her down. She's going to be Mrs. Grandchester, whether Terrence wanted it or not.
The duke went back home with his sulking wife.
- You planned this admit it! To see your old flame again!
- How was I supposed to know that she was going to be there!?
- Don't give me that! You know everything when it comes to your tramp!
- I'm going to bed in the guest room! Said the duke, I can't have any peace with you!
The duke went to the guest room, where he spent most of his nights anyway. He was aware that Eleonor had come to see Terry and he was happy to see her again.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Candy's belly was getting bigger by the minute it seems! It was so big! Annie was on the verge of giving birth.
- Candy, she said, your belly is quite big, are you sure about the dates?
- Annie, there was only one man after Anthony… and it wasn't that long, when Albert came to tell me about the possibility of Anthony being alive. I was late when Albert came…
- How late?
- Not too much, I knew I was pregnant…
- Maybe you got the dates wrong….
- No, that's impossible, I got pregnant on purpose Annie, I wanted a souvenir in case something happened to Terry, like we thought it had happened to Anthony…
- Ironically, Terry died and Anthony is now alive…
- Yes, and Anthony is going to be the father of Terry's baby…Ironic indeed!
- Well I'm about to have mine, I want you there with me…
- I'm not working, but I'll be in the waiting room…
- Are you sure?
- Yes, I'm past my first trimester, the baby is fine… and being pampered and bed rest all the time my baby is just fine! But I have to go see the doctor…
- Well let's go! Said Annie
- Annie, your water can break anytime now…
- I need to move so it happens sooner…
- All right, let me go tell Anthony.
She went to the living where her husband was in his wheelchair with Albert and Archie. He looked at her and smiled.
- Honey? He said
- I'm going to the doctors with Annie, she said
- Oh, I'm coming
- Are you sure?
- Yes…
- I just want to see why the baby is so big, or why my belly is this big…
- Don't worry honey it's nothing let's go
Archie also came along, since his wife was going too. They got to the hospital and they all went to the doctor's cabinet waiting room. Annie went in first with Archie and when they came out, they were smiling.
- So? Said Anthony.
- It may happen anytime soon, Archie, I'm so excited!
- I'm happy for you! Said Anthony, let's go Candy…
He was moving with the wheelchair alone, he didn't want to have any help and he was doing good alone.
- Mrs Brown, hello! Said the doctor, Mr. Brown…
He was a middle aged man, very cheerful!
- Hello, said Anthony and Candy
- What seems to be the problem?
- Well, said Candy, my belly is a little big for it's age…and I wanted you to examine me…
- Mrs. Brown, you're a nurse, you must suspect why …
- Yes, doctor, but I want you to say it…
- What are you two talking about? Said Anthony…
- In a minute honey, said Candy looking at him with love
- Ok, he said
Anthony watched as the doctor examined his wife. Then, while Candy was arranging herself, she said:
- So doctor? She said…
- It's what you're thinking…
- Really? Said Candy smiling
- Yes, really?
- What?! Said Anthony
Candy approached him and she leaned.
- Honey, we're having twins
Anthony opened his mouth with stupor.
- Tw… twins?
- Yes!
- Oh my God! That's wonderful!
- I know!
He pulled her closer and kissed her on the lips! He was so happy! The doctor was looking at them smiling.
- Get a lot of rest and eat lots of fruits and vegetables! He said.
- Don't worry, said Anthony, she's not even going to wash a spoon!
Candy hugged Anthony.
- I love you, she said.
She was thinking about Terry, how happy he would've been to learn they were having twins… Anthony knew what she was thinking about and he respected that.
- Bye doctor, they both said as they were getting out of the office…
- Bye, said the doctor.
Archie and Annie were waiting for them.
- So, said Annie?
- We're having twins! Said Anthony all proud
- What? Said Archie, That's great news!
- Yes, said Annie hugging Candy
- We have to celebrate! Said Archie
- No, said Anthony, we don't, Candy needs her rest and not a word to the rest of the world except for Uncle Albert of course…
- You're right! But we can celebrate in her room while she rest, said Annie and have dinner there with her…
- We can do that, said Candy smiling
- Ok, then, said Anthony it's a date…
While they were going back home. Archie looked at Anthony. It seemed like he didn't want the world to know that Candy was pregnant at all! The twins' news is something to celebrate…but Anthony was carrying the burden of being the father of not one, but two babies by another man…
" I hope you can do this Anthony, said Archie, I wouldn't have hesitated for a minute, if I were in your shoes… I would've taken her back faster than she could say "I'm pregnant by another man! But I bet you wished you were in my shoes with a wife having your own baby…"
The world is never at peace; we always want what the other has….