One Moment in Time…
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 10
"You are my destiny…"
The sun, that mysterious and luminous star, with its bright and hot light rise for the bad and the good. The war in Europe continued and the young men continued dying on the battle front. After the storm, the calm and the silence always follow. The hurricane that had hit the Grandchester castle the night before had left and the usual calm after the storm was now there. There was a new maid that had started to work the same morning, replacing the one that had gone suddenly to visit her grandmother in the country, the previous night. Another maid was training her, explaining to her what she had to do.
Candy woke up with a sensation of loss and desolation; she was not in a good mood. But she still got ready. She made the decision not to let her problems ruin her day. The new maid came to ask her what she wanted to eat for breakfast and for dinner. That morning she wanted bacon and eggs with toasted butter, a normal breakfast in fact, with lemon tea… the new maid was older than Marjorie. Candy was happy not to see Marjorie anymore, to see her so close to Terry last night, had hurt her, very much. It hurt more than to see him with Susanna, because with Susanna, she didn't see the chemistry and the closeness she had seen with Marjorie…. There was something between them… she was jealous of the maid! Oh life was so complicate!
Susanna woke up with a bitter taste about last night's events. Terry had been very mean to her and he had been very very hurt to learn that Candy was having a baby with his father. Candy always Candy! He started to drink, because of Candy! And now, he was drinking again because of Candy! Candy was a real bad seed for Terry!
Terry woke up with a terrible headache; the hangover. The rays of sun which were penetrating the by the glass of the window from his bedroom, hit him in the eye. He stood up and saw a tray of food that they had brought the night before, he hadn't touched it, he was knocked out, he couldn't eat anything. He went downstairs to drink some more booze and forget that Candy, the woman he loved, was going to have his father's baby! Alcohol on an empty stomach does not have a good effect on the body; he was drunk early in the morning, before the other came down for breakfast. Susanna saw him and she didn't know what to do. Mason tried to give him something to eat, he ate a little bread, but he didn't stop drinking. He was in the living room and he was drinking.
Candy went downstairs to sit at the dining room table. She found the duke, Susanna and Louise. Sarah was having lessons with a teacher in one of the living rooms.
- Good morning, said Candy smiling
- Good morning, said the duke smiling
- Well, if it isn't Little Mary Sunshine! Said Susanna ironically, you're proud of yourself?
- Susanna, said Candy what are you talking about?
- Don't play innocent with me, said Susanna, Terry is drinking again because of your bombshell last night! You couldn't find another man? His father, Candy…?
- What do you mean by he's drinking again? He was drinking before? Asked Candy
- Yes, ever since you broke up, he couldn't stop drinking; his career was even starting to suffer. Then he got Sarah's letter telling him to come to his father's engagement party… he stopped drinking he wanted to know who was the young woman his father was marrying… it gave him something to do, so he stopped drinking… only to get here and find out that it was you! The new fiancée, the cause of all his problems! I told him not to get close to you, but he wouldn't listen to me! You're Candy, the woman he loves; you don't have a mean bone in your body! But you slept with his father and you got pregnant! His future stepmummy! This is all your fault!
The others were listening without saying a word. Candy had become pale. Terry was drinking because he wasn't with her? Oh no, he had asked her to stay with him, to help her find a solution. Why didn't she listen to him? If she had stayed, he wouldn't have turned to the bottle and they would be expecting their baby together.
- I didn't know Susanna, I'm sorry, said Candy sadly
- "Sorry" doesn't cut it! Said Susanna angry…
- Susanna, I left you the man I loved because your mother was pressuring him to marry you. I didn't want to leave him… I had come to stay with him forever… he begged me not to go… but I thought I made the right decision for everybody…
Susanna didn't respond. If Candy had listened to Terry, she would be his wife right now and pregnant with their child…
- I even changed continent, continued Candy
- Destiny doesn't seem to want to separate you, said the duke who had remained silent…Candy can you help Terrence? I would be very grateful to you if you do…
Candy who was eating nodded with her head.
- Richard, I will do everything I can, don't worry
- Yes Candy, go save Terry! Said Susanna ironically
- You should've told us that he's had alcohol problems, Susanna said the duke
- What difference it would've made? Asked Susanna
- I could've chosen the way to break the news to him, said Candy
Susanna didn't say anything and looked down. She didn't know what to say aside from blaming Candy. This last one finished her meal and decided to go take care of Terry. Louise stayed with Susanna, who despite the fact that Terry wasn't taking care of her, had the whole staff to her service.
Candy went to the living room where Terry was, drunk, with the same clothes as last nights. He was reeking alcohol… the smell reminded her the night he found himself in her room by mistake, drunk and hurt… her reflex was to help him, she couldn't abandon him…She approached him slowly… he was with Mason and he was telling him he wanted Candy.
- Where is she, Mason? I want my wife… my Candy… she's mine, you hear me? Candy! Candy!
Candy felt so sad. The news of her pregnancy made him like that because he thought the baby was his father's… if only she knew, she would've gone to Scotland earlier or she would've told him the truth…
- Yes, Terry, I'm here, she said softly
- Candy? Is that you? Is… it really…you?
- Yes…
- Where were you? I …I was calling you…
- I'm here now, said Candy
- Oh Candy! He said hugging her, Candy you're here, you're mine! Candy…
Candy was crying in silence. Oh my God! What a mess! She had to take Terry to his bedroom to sober him up… But to be in Terry's arm, even a drunken Terry, was a delight for her and for him. Susanna was looking at the scene powerless, like in a dream…. Candy and Terry… they will always love each other… But Terry was her fiancé! The duke and Louise were also looking at the scene sadly.
Candy managed to convince Terry to go to his bedroom.
- Terry, we have to go to your bedroom…
- In my bedroom, he said smiling, with you…, my wife? Ok… let's go get lucky in the bedroom…
They went to Terry's bedroom with Mason who was helping them.
- Mason, said Candy we have to take him in the bathroom put on under cold water of the shower…
- Ok, Miss, said Mason
They managed to take Terry under the cold shower with all his clothes on… he screamed a little but didn't protest to much, he let the cold water fall on him for a long minutes…. When he was better, they brought him a tray and he ate in silence. He didn't dare look at her, he was still disgusted by her… she was going to have his father's baby, his father's! That was the ultimate betrayal for him… But she came to help him, she sobered him up, and something inside him stopped him from continuing drinking. She went back to her bedroom, when she saw he was fine and she let Mason take over. Terry didn't want to see anyone aside from the staff who brought him food and non-alcoholic drinks. Susanna was devastated; Terry didn't want to see her either. Candy didn't try to see him; she knew he felt betrayed deep down inside. She continued her days in the calm, but the cloud of sadness was still on the Grandchester castle.
Candy was sitting in the living room later on, when Susanna arrived with her nurse. Candy was reading a book with Louise. She was trying to be happy, but she couldn't stop thinking about Terry. Candy had a sigh when she saw Susanna come into the living room.
- Candy! Said Susanna, Terry won't see me…
- He doesn't want to see anyone, Susanna. Nothing personnel, said Candy
- You didn't try, didn't you? Otherwise he would've seen you, the love of his life!
- Susanna, I'm pregnant, I don't need all this stress…
- I sorry I'm disturbing the future duchess of Grandchester!
Candy had had enough with Susanna's sarcasm.
- Susanna, you saved Terry's life, thank you. You mother pressured him to be with you, and I left. But that didn't make him fall in love with you… I'm sorry, if I'm the one he loves and not you…But you're going to stop with your sarcastic remarks, otherwise, I'm going to make arrangements for you to leave this castle!
Candy stoop up and left to Louise and Susanna's astonishment.
- Susanna, said Louise, you have to stop blaming Candy for everything…
- But…
- You saved Terry's life, you lost your leg, but it's difficult to feel any sympathy for you when you so unpleasant…
- But… I love Terry
- And he loves Candy… you knew what you were getting yourself into, when Candy left and so you can be free… did you think about what she was feeling? What it took for her to leave the man she loved with all her heart and all her strengths?
- But I love Terry so much…
- When we were in school, a lot of girls liked Terry, Susanna, he could've had any girl, but he only wanted Candy. Eliza, the one who separated them, was crazy about Terry and she hated Candy; she would've given anything to have Terry… They've been in love since school, since their first meeting… You thought you brought Terry here to get is mind of Candy, but you brought him back to her… the duke is right, destiny seem to want to put them together…
- But she's engaged to the duke and she's having his baby… Terry will never forgive her for that!!!
- Are you sure about that? He's crazy in love with her; the Bible says; "…love forgives everything, excuses everything…" He's going to be angry for a while, but he's going to forgive her, you can take that to the bank… Otherwise, you would've been on the boat going back to America already…
- What are you trying to tell me Louise, that I have to leave them alone?
- You have to let Terry solve this thing with Candy… otherwise you'll have a lifeless empty shell with you, Susanna…
- I'm his fiancée!! She's engaged to his father!!! I don't understand the duke's reaction…He doesn't even look upset by the events…
- He knows his son is in love with Candy and that she still loves his son…he's letting them sort out their feelings…
- How could she have been with his father?
Louise knew that Candy had only been with Terry, but she couldn't betray her friend's confidence.
- She was hurt by their break up and your engagement…. The duke consoled her… they have deep feelings for each other… Candy still loves Terry, she will love him forever. She subtracted herself from your equation to make things easy for you, she didn't know she would made things more difficult otherwise she would've stayed with Terry, like he wanted to and that baby would've been theirs… so Susanna, I beg you, stop blaming Candy. In her condition, she needs calm. The Terry matter had upset her enough as it is… and she's not joking; her desires are orders in this castle, she could throw you out of here…
Susanna didn't respond. She was sulking some more! She asked her nurse to take her back to her bedroom and she stayed there all day.
A lot of days passed before everybody was reunited at the table for the meals; breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Candy was sad not to see Terry anymore. She wanted to see him, but she said to herself he probably won't want to se her.
Between love and hate!
Borders slowly dissolve and somewhere down the line you forget about love and hate.
The doors are locked,
try to get in,
the inner evil always will win,
my tools with me,
a simple plan,
can't understand you'd used the man
no suffering with my tongue inside,
a torture with a slow decay in the night,
electrified, just fade away,
nobody ever gets in my way
when will we be together, side by side...
time to start the feeding
it still bites, bites you and me
Beyond my destiny,
beyond, now suffering,
beyond my destiny
too far, but my love is real
I'm trying not to get out of bed,
depression, someone tell me whether I'm dead
How dare you cross this line?
I always dared you, but I know you're mine
no one can see you , no one will know,
sinking to an all-time..., all time low
I'm crucified, and days gone by
when damage has been done, another life…
Terry was in his bedroom down in the damps. Candy his Candy was pregnant with his father's child! She didn't answer him, but she didn't deny it either… Oh my God… how could she have done this? Before it was just rumours, he had given her the benefit of the doubt…only to be hurt deep down inside! It had been days, but the pain was still there…. He's not going to change the situation, he had to get used to it… Candy… his father… he decided to finally come out of his room. He went to see Susanna in her bedroom.
- Terry she said when she saw him
- Hello Susanna, he said softly, how are you?
- I'm fine, what about you?
- I'm not drinking anymore, ever since…
- …Candy took care of you? Said Susanna sadly
- Yes…
- You're still angry with her?
- She betrayed me, Susanna
- Terry, you weren't together then… you were with me…
- You don't understand Susanna… Candy is my wife in my heart, she betrayed our love…
- But I love you, Terry; I love you so much…
- I know Susanna, that's why I'm here… I wanted to apologise for my behaviour
- You were upset…
- You saved my life Susanna, without you, I wouldn't be here.
He approached her, crouched and to Susanna's big surprise, he took her lips in a passionate kiss. It was the first time that Terry was kissing her, it was wonderful and she was in seventh heaven! She put her arms around his neck and savoured the kiss.
Terry wanted to hurt Candy; he was using Susanna to do it. He was going to marry her, so why not? He finally stopped and Susanna was smiling at him with so much love.
- Oh Terry, she said, I want you now….
- Susanna, I'd rather wait for our wedding night…I'm a gentleman…
He had made love to Candy, and it was the most beautiful in the world for him. He was in no hurry….to do it with Susanna.
- Oh, said Susanna, euh… ok….but Candy did it with your father and she's having his baby!
She wanted to remind him every chance she had, that Candy was pregnant with is father's child.
- You want me to act like my father? He abandoned my mother…
- Maybe not on that point, but he did get two women pregnant out of wedlock…
- You want me to make you a baby out of wedlock?
- That wouldn't be a bad thing… to have a child of our own…
- I'm not in a hurry Susanna; we're going to have all our time to have babies when we're going to be married…
- Ok, said Susanna against her will, your dear Candy didn't hesitate to give herself to your father, and now she's going to have a baby that could've been yours…
- …if she hadn't sacrificed herself for you? Said Terry
She had said that to put salt in his wounds again. That was mean. Terry felt the pain, but he didn't say anything.
- I love you, Terry, and want us to be together…she said
Despite everything that had happened, all his anger, he didn't want to do anything impulsive… because he was angry with Candy…
- I want to wait for our wedding night…
- Very well Terry, she said against her will
- Let's go downstairs, ok? It's a beautiful day…
- Ok, said Susanna smiling, let's go…
They went downstairs together, for breakfast. They found Candy sitting at the table with Louise.
- Terrence, said his father, what a nice surprise!
- Dad, said Terry, I would like to apologise for my behaviour and everything I said to you and to your fiancée …. I behaved like a lout and it won't happen again…
- That's ok, Terry said his father, let's forget about it.
Candy didn't say a word. She continued eating in silence. Terry was looking at everybody except at her. He ignored her completely. He was giving all his attention to Susanna and this last one was on cloud nine. Candy was hurt, but she couldn't say anything. Terry was sending her a message and she was hurt, very hurt.
- Candy, said the duke, are going shopping for the baby's room today?
- Yes, Richard, but I don't know what color to chose, blue or pink…
- Why not yellow, a neutral colour. We could had the blue or the pink later said Louise
- Good idea Louise said Candy
- Have fun, Candy said the duke
- I intend to…! Said Candy
- And in the evening, you can choose the baby's wardrobe; I'm going to call a few boutiques for baby clothes…
- Thank you Richard for everything said Candy smiling
- I have to go… bye Candy, he said kissing on the forehead, bye everybody
- Bye Richard, said Candy
Terry was watching the scene without saying a word. Susanna was pleased. Terry turned to her when the duke left and he said;
- You want to spend the day with me Susanna? We could go for a walk; I want you to forgive me for neglecting you ever since we arrived here…
- Oh Terry, thank you honey, said Susanna smiling
Candy was devastated but she didn't show it at all.
- Let's go Louise; we have a lot of baby boutiques to see before we make our decision…
- Yes, said Louise, let's go get the furniture for the bedroom of the of the future duke of Grandchester joked Louise
- Future duke? He's third in the line I think… And it could be a girl, said Candy standing up to leave the table…
- Or there's two of them, who knows? Said Louise following her… have you though about names already?
- Richard and I haven't talked about it yet…
They continued talking until they were out of sight. Terry and Susanna were alone and they went to get a car to go in town together.
In the evening, the baby clothes arrived when everybody was in the living room. Terry had the impression they were sticking a knife in is heart. Candy and Louise chose the baby clothes, the duke and Sarah also chose some outfits they thought were pretty. Terry was sitting next to Susanna and was looking at the scene like in a dream. Susanna was too happy just with the fact that Terry wasn't speaking to Candy. Maybe she knew he was using her to make Candy jealous, but she didn't care. Terry was taking care of her, he was kissing her and she was the happiest woman on the planet.
The first time Candy saw Terry kissing Susanna, she was devastated. They were in the living room, Terry was talking to Susanna whispering in her ear and she burst out laughing, everybody turned around to see why she was laughing and Terry chose that moment to kiss her on the lips. Candy felt like they were ripping her heart out…. She didn't show any emotions, but once in her room, she was crying in silence. That's what was going to happen after the decision she had made in New York, she had even left America to be far away from all that. Why did he had to come to England? Louise came to see her, because she knew she was hurt.
- Candy, are you ok?
- He kissed her, Louise…
- They are engaged…
- I know but… do you think he has feelings for her now? Do you think he doesn't love me anymore?
- Candy, he will always love you, but he's engaged to her and he thinks you're having a baby with his father….
- He did that to hurt me, I'm sure of it, and he succeeded she said with tears in her eyes
Louise hugged her. Candy didn't sleep that night…
Days and weeks passed and Candy was even starting to get used to Terry's indifference. One morning, when they were all having breakfast, one of the maid brought some letters to Candy from her friends, that arrived at the Brydon's and Lady Brydon them had forwarded to the Grandchester castle.
- I've got mail said Candy smiling
- From your friends? Asked the duke
- Yes, said Candy smiling
- That's good, said the duke you could write them before you live for Scotland and give them the address. Ok, I have to go. See you tonight…
He kissed Candy on the cheek and he left. Candy started to read the letters one by one. She was smiling, she finally opened the most recent one, and after reading a few lines, she became pale of a sudden.
- Oh my God! Oh no! She yelled upset
- Candy, said Louise, what's going on?
As a response, Candy gave her the letter and left the table to go cry outside in the gazebo. Terry was wondering what was going on.
- Louise, what is it? Asked Terry
- Wait, Terry, I'm not there yet….
She continued reading and she also stopped a little pale. Terry saw her reaction.
- Louise? What's going on?
- Oh my God! Alistair Cornwell died at war…
- What? Said Terry, are you sure?
- You can read it… said Louise
Terry took the letter and read it. Susanna was looking at them, clueless. Who the hell was Alistair Cornwell?
- Terry? She asked
- Alistair is Candy's cousin, she must be devastated…
- She's fine… said Susanna
- She just learned that one of her best friend has died, Susanna she's not fine and in her condition… I'm going to go see how she's doing…
Susanna was hurt; Terry was worried about Candy's "condition" now! What about all the indifference?
- Louise can do it, said Susanna
- Louise didn't know him as well as I did. I'm sorry Susanna; I'm going to see if Candy is fine…
He stood up and went to look for Candy before Susanna could reply.
- Terry, wait! Said Susanna
She looked at Louise; this last one had a mocking smile.
- You don't have to look so happy! Said Susanna
- Susanna, what are you saying? Said Louise playing innocent
- He's been ignoring her for weeks, and now all of a sudden he wants to console her?
- It's like something always bring them together, said Louise
- Stop it Louise! He's with me now… he's never been so caring…
- So, you have nothing to worry about then, said Louise leaving the table
Terry looked for Candy in her bedroom first, she wasn't there. He went outside in the garden and he saw her in the gazebo crying; he approached her.
- Candy, he said softly
She was startled and she was surprised to see Terry. She stood up and ran into his arms.
- Terry, oh Terry she said crying, it's awful! Stear…
- I know, I saw the letter, I'm so sorry Candy
- It's not fair! He was so young! He had his whole life in front of him! When will this awful war stop? He was so nice…he invented a little music box he called Candy's box of happiness when I was leaving for New York, I showed it to you, remember?
- Yes…
- He took me to the train station… he was probably waiting for his own train… it was the last time I saw him…
Candy burst into tears and she cried for a long time. Terry remembered how Stear was happy to fix his father's old plane in Scotland. He died doing what he loved; piloting a plane. Terry took Candy on a bench in the gazebo.
- He was a good guy, I was in his class, said Terry
Candy was still in Terry's arms; her belly was against Terry's. Little Terry chose that moment to move, visibly for the first time! Terry felt something moving; the baby! He was startled, he should've been angry, but he was invaded by a tipsy sensation very intense. Candy also felt the baby move. He had to choose the only time Terry was with her, after weeks of ignorance, to show is presence! It was like he knew his mom and dad were together and he was saying "hi". Terry looked at Candy and she looked at him with so much love. She let go of him a little, she took his hand and put it on her belly. The baby moved again, a little more this time. Terry was moved, he looked at Candy and they burst out laughing. All the walls, all the ignorance had vanished just with the baby moving. He was right on cue to reconcile his parents. He didn't like the tension between his mother and father and he took care of it!
- It's an incredible sensation, said Terry moved to tears
- It's the first time he moves visibly, said Candy moved, and I'm happy it happened with you here…
Wouldn't she want it to be with his father? But it was not the moment to ruin the bond and the chemistry they had between them at that moment. He took her in his arms again and they stayed like that, curled up against each other for a long time, savouring the mutual pleasure to have shared that intimate moment and the joy of being in each other's arms.
…and still we are together, side by side
I can even taste the bleeding,
it still shines, shines on you and me
you will never give up
you will never give in
give back my ticket
another ride begins