The Broken Hearts
Chapter 20
"The mended hearts"
The wedding reception was full of actors, producers, sponsors and people from the high society.
The newlyweds opened the dance floor under a thunder of applause. Annie was so happy, she couldn't believe she wasn't dreaming. Dancing with Terry, "her husband", it was almost unreal.
- What are you thinking about my darling? Asked Terry.
- I feel like I'm dreaming, said Annie smiling.
"If this is a dream, I don't ever want to wake up!" Candy used to say.
- You're not dreaming my darling, said Terry.
- Do you know how much I love you, my love?
- No, said Terry, tell me …
- I love you Terrence Grandchester.
- I love you Annie Grandchester.
Terry took her lips and kissed her while they were dancing. They were happy. Annie danced with her father and Terry danced with his mother.
- Are you ok baby? Asked Eleonor.
- I'm doing great mum…
- Are you happy?
- I never thought I could be this happy.
- Life if full of surprises.
- As a matter of fact…
Annie and her father were also talking.
- I'm happy to see that you got a hold of your life. You're really happy.
- I love Terry, like I never thought I could love someone…
- I wish you all the happiness in the world.
- Thank you daddy…
Then she danced with her father-in-law.
- I'm happy for you and my son.
- Thank you Your Grace. I love him, said Annie.
- I can see it, I can feel it…
Terry was dancing with Mrs. Brighton.
- You're a charming young man, you are wonderful on stage and most of all, you love my daughter…, said Evelyn Brighton.
- I'm happy you realized that, said Terry.
- And you not modest either!
They burst out laughing together. The rest of the reception went on fine. Annie and Terry left the reception together. Annie threw her bouquet and Patricia caught it laughing. She was going to be the next bride… Albert looked at her smiling.
Terry and Annie went in a villa the duke had booked for them for their honeymoon.
Annie was very nervous. The wedding night… Ever since Terry had kissed her for the first time, she had dreamed of what would've happened if she hadn't left and let Terry make love to her… She was finally going to have the answer to her questions. She had heard rumours at the theatre, she had got cutting remarks from other jealous actresses… Terrence Grandchester, the King of broadway, had married her, Annie Brighton! He loved her and she loved him too, like crazy.
She got ready for her wedding night. She had maid who helped her put her things away, while she was soaking in a perfumed bath. When she got out of the bath, she dried herself and put on a bathrobe in pink silk. She sat at her dresser and she brushed her hair for a long time…
Terry arrived in the bedroom and looked at her. He had taken a shower in another bathroom. He was topless and his hair was still wet. Oh God, he was so handsome! He approached his wife who had stood up. He took her in his arms and he kissed her, slowly at first, then more fierily. They mutually took off what they were wearing and they went to bed… Terry, who was used to quickies, was taking all his time, he was savouring every second and he was surprised to see how patient he was, but he wanted to make the pleasure last and he wanted to be soft with his wife… he was guiding her step by step, he caressed her like she was never caressed before and she was burning of desire… Terry was very soft and the pain she felt didn't take long to go away letting its place to a soft feeling that was rising and making her moan louder and louder. Terry managed to take her to the same rhythm as him and they went together to the summit of ecstasy and they exploded of pleasure…
- Oh my love, said Annie, I never would've imagined such a strong sensation, oh I love you my love! I love you much!
- I love you too, my dear Annie… you have contented me.
- And I am a contented woman too… I love you.
- I love you…
They spent the rest of the night learning how to love each other, how to make themselves feel good. Annie felt like she loved Terry even more after making love with him.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Terry was working at the theatre and Annie was working at her store. It didn't take her long to become pregnant and Terry wanted her to slow down her work rhythm.
- I can do it, honey, she said.
- It doesn't mean that you have to do it. Think about the baby…
- All right, I don't want to put my baby's life in danger, I promise to delegate from now on…even if I feel like I'm stronger… isn't that right, my little Candy? You're making me stronger?
Annie was holding her bell while she said that. Terry approached her and he put his head on her belly.
- You're sure it's a girl? Said Terry.
- It's our little Candy, said Annie smiling.
- And Terrence Junior?
- That will be the next one…
- A woman's will…, said Terry.
- …is God's will! Said Annie laughing.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Albert married Patricia in New York. He wanted to stay away from his family in Chicago. His family was there of course for the wedding. Eliza was sulking. Her arranged marriage… she wanted to be the matron of honor at Albert's wedding, but Patricia wouldn't have it.
- It doesn't make sense! She said, we're not friends.
- But Annie is very pregnant, said Albert.
- Honey, you know I love you, but for Eliza, it's no, niet, non! Annie, has long as her water doesn't break, is going to be my matron of honor!
Annie with her big belly was the matron of honor. She also danced and she was feeling the baby dance inside her belly. Terry who was holding her against him was also feeling the baby's movement.
- This is wonderful, he said smiling.
But before the end of the reception, Annie's water broke. Terry was dancing with Patricia. She waited patiently for him to come back at their table.
- Honey, she said.
- Are you ok?
- We have to go to the hospital…
- What? Oh…OH! Said Terry panicking.
They sneaked out of the reception quietly to go to the hospital. A few hours later, little Candice Maria Grandchester was born weighing almost 4 kg. Mother and child were doing fine.
"Terrence Grandchester, the king of Broadway, had just become a father with the birth of his little princess who is his spitting image… A little one born in a family full of talented people. Is she going to become a famous designer-seamstress like her mom? Or is she going to follow her father's and grand-mother's footsteps by becoming an actress? Only the future, will tell us… for the moment, the little princess won't be able to give us any interview, until she grows up. Her milk bottle is what's interesting her at the moment…"
oOoOoOoOoOo
A year later, Terrence Junior was born to his parents' and big sister's great joy…
Patricia had also given an heir to Albert.
Eliza in her arranged marriage also had a family, even if she had some extra-conjugal affairs often…
Terry's parents got back together and the Duke took his beloved back to England. The new Duchess of Grandchester was not working at the theatre anymore, she devoted herself to her husband and their life together.
Archie had to resign himself to find another woman in his life. He kept comparing all of them to Annie, deep down inside. He will regret until the end of his life, ruining his chance with the only woman who loved him for him… All the others were superficial and materialistic…
They say when a star dies, another one is born…for every life lost, there's a new life that is born. It's the circle of life. Life is always full of surprises. Terrence Grandchester would have never thought he would find happiness again with the best friend of his beloved; Annie Brighton… Yet, they were the perfect candidates, perfect for each other; they both had their heart broken and they mutually mended each other's heart and they let a new love invade them, give them hope, show them that life is not sad, that life could still be beautiful, despite daily tribulations… The broken hearts were mended.
THE END