The Crying Rain
Chapter 12
"The Attempt"
A new baby, a new life in the house, a little angel, brought happiness in the mansion. The baby cries were a joy to hear, especially for Candy who was going to have her babies pretty soon, her belly was getting bigger she would be lying on the bed and she would feel the baby moving together. Anthony would look at the belly smiling.
- My little boys are kicking…he said smiling
- My little girls are kicking, said Candy, remember, I was a real tomboy!
- Yes, you beat up my coward of a cousin…! I thought you were fascinating…
- Well, I was a tomboy and boys didn't scare me at all…
- You needed to defend yourself, since you didn't have parents to protect you…
- I'm going to be there for my babies and I'm going to protect them.
- I'll help you, said Anthony, but I want you to have your own personal nurse.
- All right, you can start looking for someone, but I want to choose…
So there was a parade of nurses coming in for interviews, but Candy didn't like any of them.
- They have pretty good credentials, said Anthony
- They're too serious, or they don't smile…this last one looked grumpy
- Candy…
- Sorry Anthony, I need a smiling nurse
- You mean you need yourself…
- I'll find one, don't worry…
- Candy your due date is getting close
- I know honey, but trust me, I'll find one before I give birth to the twins…
- All right but if by the birth of the twins, you have no nurse, I'm choosing one for you…
- Deal! Said Candy smiling
oOoOoOoOoOo
A few weeks later, Eliza who had found a man stupid enough to marry her, came to Albert to ask him if she could have the reception at the New York mansion.
- Why don't you get married in Chicago?
- Because his family is here, said Eliza and their mansion is not as big as ours… please, Uncle Albert, I'm desperate here, it's too late to rent a room and prepare everything…
- Eliza, if we stayed here in New York it's really to stay away from you…
- I'm getting married, I'm not going to bother Candy, I promise you…, please I'm desperate here…you're our only hope…
- I can get a room for you…
- I want the mansion, please, do this for me, then you'll be rid of me for good!
That last remark kind of made Albert fold. No more Eliza she's going to be someone else's problem… but he knew that was just an illusion…
- Please, please…pleaded Eliza
- All right! He said you can have your reception here
As soon as he said the words, he regretted them.
- Oh thank you, thank you , thank you! Said Eliza jumping to his neck all happy, I promise you, you won't regret this!
"I already do", said Albert in his mind.
The Reagans… He went to Candy's room to tell her the news. She was with her husband and her growing belly made her look so vulnerable.
- Uncle Albert? Said Anthony, is anything wrong?
- Maybe…
- What is it? Said Candy worried
- Sorry I don't want to worry you, but Eliza was just here
- Eliza? Said Anthony why?
- She wants to have her wedding reception here…
- What? Said Anthony, you said "no" I hope
- Well she was persistent
- Uncle Albert! How could you do this? Said Anthony, they hate Candy!
- I know, but I figure we could lock this part of the wing and avoid them all together.
- I have a better idea, I'm going to take my wife on a little trip Connecticut that day, we're going to spend the day together…
- Anthony, it's a marriage in your family, you have to be there. I'm going to be fine, I'm starting my 3 trimester and I should have the babies soon. Twins are almost always premature…we can't risk going out of town…
- Are you sure about this? Said Anthony
- Yes. What's the worst that could happen? They upset me and the twins come earlier they're strong enough anyway…let's just try to enjoy Eliza wedding, maybe her husband is going to keep her away from us if we're lucky
- That's a very big if, said Anthony
- No kidding! Said Albert laughing
Archie and Annie were not happy to learn about the wedding either. But they could only comply.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Eliza's wedding reception was extravagant. There were a lot of guests and flowers everywhere. The redhead actually came to Candy and Anthony. Candy was sitting down given her condition.
- Candy, Anthony! Thank you for being here! She said smiling
- Eliza, said Candy, you almost feel sincere, said Candy
- This is my wedding day Candy, I'm so happy I don't mind you being there!
- Gee thanks! Said Candy laughing
- How are your babies? She asked
- They're fine, said Candy
- I…
She stopped like she was ashamed of being nice to Candy for once.
- I hope they're healthy, she said
Candy looked at Eliza. Something was not right. Why would the queen of mean be so nice to her? Eliza left. Candy and Anthony looked at each other.
- Did I miss something? Said Candy
- Euh something fishy must be going on…, said Anthony, it's better if you go to your room now
- All right, honey, let's not take any risks…
Candy kissed Anthony and she went upstairs. As she arrived up the stairs, she saw Neil and she got scared. He had a weird smile.
- Neil, what are you doing here?
- Candy, you look nice…with you belly full of bastard children!
- Neil, what's wrong with you?
- Those kids are driving the great aunt mad… she wants to get rid of them
- You want to kill my babies?
- Candy… I'm here to help you…
- You ? Help me!?
- Yes… just go to your room, said Neil
- But why?
- Candy, just do as I say, quick!
Candy left Neil and she almost ran to her bedroom and she locked herself. Neil was in the hallway and he saw some men dressed in black.
- Where do you think you're going? Said Neil
- We have orders, you know that Mr. Neil, you know it!
- I don't know what you're talking about, said Neil, get lost or I'm calling the police
- By the time the police get here, we're going to be done…
- You are not touching one hair of the woman I love! You hear me?!
Candy was in her room and she heard them argue. What did Neil just said?
"The woman he loves"?
"Neil is in love with me? Oh my God!" Said Candy to herself.
The men in question were not listening and Neil was still arguing with them.
Meanwhile at the party, Albert saw Anthony alone and he walked to him.
- Anthony, he said, where's Candy?
- I sent her to her room because Eliza was a little too nice, like she was warning us of something…
- I have a bad feeling about this, said Albert, I'm going to go see Candy…
- Yes, go!
Archie who saw them talking approached them
- What is it? He asked
- We think Candy is in danger! Said Anthony this damn wheelchair! Go Archie with Uncle Albert!
Albert and Archie ran upstairs and they when they arrived upstairs, they found Neil fighting with some men and he was outnumbered, they entered the fight and the servants, the driver the butler all came to help! Anthony had sent them. The men were apprehended and Candy was safe. She opened the door, in tears. She looked at Albert, Archie and Neil and… she ran into Neil's arms! Archie and Albert were speechless.
- Oh my God! Thank you, thank you so much for saving my life!
- He was in on it in the first place! Said Archie
- I don't care, said Candy, he stopped those men from taking me… Thank you Neil! She said still hugging him
Neil would have never dreamed that Candy would one day be so grateful to him she would hug him like that. It felt so good he couldn't believe how good it felt to have her in his arms. He took full advantage of it.
- I couldn't let them take you Candy, I just couldn't! I just pretended to be part of the plan so I could protect you, it was the only way…I'm sorry Candy… aunt Elroy wanted you gone, or at least your babies, she wanted to take them so Anthony wouldn't be hurt…
- What a crock! Said Archie, I don't trust you one bit!
Neil let go of Candy.
- What's wrong cousin? She never hugged you this hard? You're jealous?
- You little b…
- That's enough! You two! Said Albert, Candy, are you all right?
- Yes, I'm fine, they didn't get to me, thanks to Neil… he wouldn't let him through, said Candy
- Aunt Elroy, said Albert
- She wanted to get rid of my babies, said Candy in tears, those innocent little angels… by doing what?
- Selling them, said Neil
- Oh my God! Said Candy crying
- I knew I shouldn't have let Eliza have her wedding here!
- Believe it or not, Eliza had no idea what the Aunt Elroy was plotting until it was too late…She was getting married and she was very emotional and she …
- She what…?
- I… was regretting my behaviour I, said Eliza
She was beautiful in her wedding dress. Seeing her nice made her look prettier… what the hell was going on? Eliza nice?
- Eliza? Said Candy
- I was against this plan… it was strange… childhood pranks are fine, but this time we were talking about stealing your twins…your babies! I don't know but something snapped inside of me, I couldn't do it! I can hate you, in fact I love to hate you, but I couldn't do this!
I looked at Eliza in the eyes. Something was different.
- Let me take you to your room I, said Eliza, you need to lye down…
- I don't trust you! Said Archie, get away from her!
- It's ok Archie, said I, let's go Eliza…
Candy and Eliza went to the bedroom. I went to her bed and she sat down.
- Now Eliza, what's wrong?
- Why do you assume something is wrong?
- Because you're nice to me?
- I can't be nice to you?
- Euh, no! You've hated me for as long as I can remember!
- That was just childhood, I was spoiled
- What's with the epiphany?
- Saul converted himself in the bible…
- He was hit with the Holy Ghost…
They burst out laughing.
- All right! I… promise me you won't tell a soul…
- I promise…
- I'm pregnant…
- Oh, congratulations!
- But I'm not sure my husband is the father
- Oh…
- But he loves me… the other guy is married and it was just to say goodbye, I was with them at the same time, I know it's stupid, but I was weak and now I regret it…
- Eliza, you have to tell your husband the truth, if he loves you, he's going to stay with you
- I can't!
- You have to be honest, or it's going to eat you up inside…
- No kidding! I'm talking and confiding in you of all people!
- Maybe because I'm having another man's children?
- How did you do it?
- Well since Anthony was unable to perform, I couldn't pass them off as his even if I wanted to… I told Anthony the truth and do you know what he said to me? To go be with the father and raise our children together
- Really?
- Yes
- Then why didn't you? You didn't love the father?
- I did, I was about to, when he died without knowing he was going to be a father…
- Oh, I'm sorry
- Thanks
- So Anthony took you back?
- Yes, he did…I was ready to be alone, well sort of, my adoptive father would've taken care of me
- Really, as a father or a lover?
- Eliza!
- He's got the hots for you in case you didn't know…
- You're pretty straight forward!
- It's kind of cute in a hickey kind of way….adopting a child, falling for her… can he really marry you? Is that even legal?
- Eliza, Albert is not going to marry me!
- I'm just saying what I'm thinking… expect when I need to tell the truth! I'm such a coward!
- Eliza, just do it, so no one can use it against you…
- Yeah, I would've used it …
- Eliza!
- You're right… I'm going to tell him the truth tonight. It might be the shortest wedding in the history!
- He loves you… don't worry… love conquers all.
- I can see how much Anthony loves you… accepting to be the father of your babies, he calls them his babies…
- Your husband loves you, to put up with you! Said Candy smiling
- You're right, I was mean and vindictive and it didn't drive him away…
- Says a lot about him…
- Oh well, I'm going to go back to my husband before he thinks I ran away on him!
- Ok…
- Thanks for the pep talk! But it doesn't mean we're best friends now, stable girl!
- I wouldn't dream of it, queen of mean! Said Candy
Eliza left the room and she went back to the reception.
The men were with the great aunt in the study. Albert was furious!
- How could you do this?! He yelled
- I just wanted Anthony to have no worries…
- I'm fine Aunt Elroy! Said Anthony, I love those babies!
- But they're a reminder of a bad memory
- That's life! Said Albert, you wanted to get rid of the babies!
- I wasn't going to kill them! Just, dispose of them…, she said
- Oh my God! Said Archie, Aunt Elroy!
- I did it for you Anthony, I saw how much you were hurt, I just wanted to help…
- By stealing my babies? You're not normal aunt Elroy! I don't want to talk to you anymore! I'm going to go see my wife
Anthony left the study and his personal nurse helped him upstairs and he went to see his wife who was resting in their room.
- Are you ok?
- Yes, honey, said Candy, don't worry
- The babies?
- They're kicking, so their fine…
- Kicking I want to feel them…
He approached them with his wheelchair and he felt her belly, there were kicks and they burst out laughing.
Back in the study. Albert was now alone with Aunt Elroy. Archie went to his wife and baby.
- A car is waiting for you outside, you're going back to Lakewood
- Fine… but I'm not going to apologise for wanting my grand nephew to be happy…
- Just leave Aunt Elroy, said Albert and don't come back. We'll come to see you if we feel the urge, but don't hold your breath…
Aunt Elroy left the mansion without a look back. Albert saw Sarah and her husband.
- Were you part of this?
- No… I…
- Sarah…
- I didn't like it at all…I'm a mother you know…
- You let it happen
- Really what can I do against Aunt Elroy?
- You could've warned me… You hate Candy that much? She's not your problem anymore…
- Neil is in love with her!
- So, you wanted to get rid of Neil's object of affection? When the wedding is over, I don't want to see you in my mansion again!
- But…
- You heard me. Good night.
Albert left Mrs. Reagan and he went to the bedroom to see Candy and Anthony. Candy stood up and she hugged Albert hard.
- How are you little one…?
- I'm fine, thank you, the babies are fine
- I'm so sorry about this. I'm going to fire my whole security team! How could they let something like this happen? You're sure you're fine, do you want to go to the hospital for a check up to make sure the babies are fine?
- Yes, they are… I'll go to the doctor's tomorrow just to make sure the babies are ok… don't worry.
- I still believe you almost got kidnapped! She wanted to steal your babies and dispose of them! What crazy old woman!
- She's still your father's sister…, said Candy
- I know, it's the only thing that makes me not call the police…
- Everything is fine, said Candy, let's just thank God that they didn't succeed and move on.
- You're too good, said Anthony
- What did you and Eliza talked about?
- You and Eliza talked? Said Anthony, about what?
- Girl talk, that's all
- Girl talk with Eliza? Said Anthony
- What? She is a girl isn't she? Said Candy
- I'm not so sure about that…
- Anthony!
- Just kidding! She is nice with me…, said Anthony
- That's because she wants to get in your pants! Said Albert!
They all burst out laughing. Albert went back to the party. Anthony stayed with his wife; they had dinner in their room and a lot of fun too.
oOoOoOoOoOo
The boat was arriving at the harbour at Ellis Island, bringing back tons and tons of immigrants. People with children, with their whole family. The formalities took forever, since there were a lot of a people. It was almost the end of the afternoon, when a young couple finally came out ready for the world.
- How are you feeling, honey? Said the wife
- I feel… weird, familiar, yet not…
- Don't force yourself please; your memory is going to come back on its own.
- I hope so…
- It will John…don't worry. Let's get to the shelter then I'm going to go look for work…
- Tonight?
- Well tomorrow morning. Tonight we can take a walk around the block…
- Let's get to that shelter first…, said John
- All right!
They went to the shelter, but it was full of course.
- We need a place to stay, said John
- I still have my trust fund…I can access it…
- I don't want you to use it…
- Don't be ridiculous honey, what's mine is yours! We're not going to spend the night outside, when we can afford a hotel room, come on… now more sea sick, a good meal and a nice warm room!
- All right! He said, but I'm going to pay you back…
- It's your money too…
- Right, thanks honey…
They walked around a little and they found a little hotel, simple and clean. They took a room and they were able to shower and relax. They ordered room service and they had dinner.
- I feel like I'm home, he said
- We're in America, your accent told us you were American…
- I'm not from Texas, that's for sure, I'm not from the south…
- If we could meet someone who knows accent, he might tell us where you're from…
- Well, in the mean time, New York is going to be our home.
When dinner was over, the bell boy came to take the plates away.
- Did you enjoy your dinner? He asked
- Yes, it was delicious! Said John
- My mom made it
- She's a very good cook, said Patricia
- I'll let her know, said the bell boy, have a good night
- Good night , said the couple.
The bell boy left. The couple got dressed and they went for a walk around the block, holding each other.
- How do I look for my family? He asked
- Maybe we should take your picture, post it in the newspaper saying you're looking for your family…
- That's a good idea, but what if my family is not from New York?
- You're right…we'll need to send your picture to every newspaper in America…
- That's hopeless, he said
- No, we'll think of something…
- I love you , he said
- I love you…
They were walking in the streets of New York, talking, making plans. For someone with no memory, life is simple, without any problems. But not knowing about your past, makes you feel like you're incomplete… Sometimes remembering your past, comes with a lot problems, too, but it's human nature, we can't help it, we have to know!
