IT'S OVER…
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 21
"Like a Greek Tragedy…"
It was the end of the afternoon in St. Paul College; the students were walking around in the college property. Rosemonde and Richard were sitting by the tree on the pretend Pony hill, talking and holding each other. Their friends were not too far either. Everybody was talking and chatting. Elizabeth Preston, who liked Richard, was looking at them with a mean eye. Anthony, her cousin, was next to her. Caroline and Nina were also there and they were looking at Rosemonde and Richard.
- They're overdoing it! Said Anthony irritated
- Anthony, would you stop it please, said Caroline…
- Yes, said Nina, Anthony stop
- You think she really loves him? They're going to be brother and sister, that should've stopped them…Said Anthony
- Who says they're not really siblings? Said Elizabeth, I heard my mother say that Candy was pregnant by another man than her husband…
- No, said Caroline outraged, that's not true! Aunt Candy would've said something to Rosemonde…
- I don't believe a word of it! Said Nina, considering the source…
- You can believe it or not…maybe her mother didn't tell her anything, said Elizabeth, maybe she thinks it's not serious between them…
- Brother and sister, said Anthony please, what if it's the truth?
- It's not true! Said Caroline
- Elizabeth, you're really mean! Said Nina
- I say it's the truth, said Elizabeth, wait until I tell them, they're going to be flabbergasted!
- Elizabeth, you can't say something like that without being sure, said Caroline, that's mean, you only want to break them up…
- So what? I want Richard, he's so gorgeous and I thought he couldn't stand her… he was with me…
- He was probably just being a gentleman, said Caroline, you can see that he likes Rosemonde…
- He's never been with you Elizabeth and you know it, said Nina, you're deluding yourself! And Anthony, I can't believe you're so desperate that you listen to Elizabeth's rambling!
- She's his sister said, Elizabeth, and I'm going to tell them…
- Elizabeth, said Caroline, don't…
- Anthony said Elizabeth, if I drop the bombshell on them, she becomes free, and she has a thing for you…
- That's all you're interested in? Said Nina, to separate two people in love?
- It's incest, said Elizabeth… we're doing them a favour
- You know it's not true, their parents saw them together, they would've said something, said Caroline
Neil Jr. came to sit next to them, and he asked them what they were talking about.
- Junior, said Elizabeth tell them that Rosemonde and Richard are brother and sister, you heard what mom said, didn't you?
- Yes, said Neil Jr. , but…
- But what? Candy was with Richard's father during the war, there was even a fight between Richard's father and Candy's husband at the New Year's party…
- How do you know all that? You weren't born or you were a baby, said Caroline
- My mother told me… said Elizabeth
- And Aunt Eliza always tells the truth, said Nina ironically
They were still looking at Rosemonde and Richard, kissing and laughing. Elizabeth stoop up, she couldn't take it anymore… she had to make them miserable, because if the rumour was not true, it was enough to make them miserable for a little while. When they were going to hear that they might be brother and sister, they were going to be disgusted by one another for a while or for good…. She arrived in front of the lovebirds and she was looking at them with envy and jealousy.
Richard was holding Rosemonde in his arms and he was kissing her on the neck whispering words at her hear and she was laughing.
- Richard, said Elizabeth, I see you're busy… you forgot all about me…
- Elizabeth, you're only a friend, there's nothing between us, said Richard
- And you spent your time arguing with Rosemonde and now she's the love of your life?
- Yes, she is… I love her, said Richard
- Oh Richard, said Rosemonde, I love you too…
They kissed lightly on the lips and looked at each other with love.
- Well, it's kind of normal for a brother and sister to love each other, but the kiss is kind of disgusting, said Elizabeth
- Elizabeth, our parents are getting married, we're not really brother and sister, said Rosemonde
- Oh… you don't know? Your parents were together at the war…Rosemonde, you're Terrence Grandchester's daughter…
- WHAT???!!! Said Richard and Rosemonde at the same time
- Yes, there was even a fight between your adopted father Rosemonde and Richard's father…
- No, said Richard, my father would've told me…
- You really think he would tell you if he cheated on your mother? And you Rosemonde, you think your mother would tell you if she was unfaithful to your adopted father?
- Stop saying that! Said Rosemonde, I'm Michael Durand's daughter, not Terrence Grandchester's! That's a vicious lie!
- Really? Why did your fathers fought in front of everybody? Because of your mother! My mother said they were together during the war, that's why they fought…
Rosemonde and Richard were speechless.
- Caroline, Nina, said Rosemonde finally, is this true?
- I don't know, said Caroline, but I've heard the rumours
- Me too said Neil Jr.
- It's only rumours, said Nina
- Rosemonde, said Anthony, Richard is your brother, stop touching her! he said to Richard
- Rosemonde, said Richard, it's not true, don't believe a word they're saying!
- Can you be sure 100? She asked him
- No, but…
Rosemonde freed herself from Richard's arms and Anthony tried to take her in his arms to console her, but she ran to her dorm room.
- Rosemonde, wait! Cried Richard
- Let her go, Richard, said Anthony, you really want to risk being with her without being sure?
- She's not my sister! Yelled Richard
- Yes, she is, said Elizabeth, go ask your father…your parents were lovers during the war!
- Believe me, I will! Said Richard
- He's going to confirm what I just said, Rosebud is your sister!
- No! Stop saying that! Yelled Richard, why are you so mean? I thought we were friends…
- I am your friend, Richard, said Elizabeth, I'm stopping you from committing incest, believe me
- No, you're stopping me from being with the one I love! You're mean and vindictive! Why didn't you say something before?
- Before, you weren't that close, you were fighting like cats and dogs and you were taking care of me…
- So, that's it? You're jealous?! Oh my God!
- No, I'm telling the truth. You can't be with Rosemonde, but I'm available, said Elizabeth coming close to him and touching his arm
Caroline had weary sigh and followed Rosemonde to her dorm room with Nina. Richard freed himself from Elizabeth and went for a walk to clear his head. His sister? He was kissing his sister? But… No! That was too disgusting to even think about it! He loved Rosemonde with all his heart…
Rosemonde was in her room crying when Caroline and Nina arrived.
- Rosemonde? Are you ok? Asked Caroline
- No, I'm not! I was kissing my brother! My brother gave me my first kiss! Oh my God! That's so disgusting!
- Rosemonde, Elizabeth is jealous of you… she…, started Caroline
- You did say you've heard the rumours too? Didn't you? Asked Rosemonde
- Yes, but it was only a rumour… said Nina, I've heard Aunt Eliza talking, but you now how she is…
- Where there's smoke, there's fire… they were together during the war in France, and I was conceived during the war… said Rosemonde
- But your mother told you their story, didn't she? Said Caroline
- You think she would tell me if she was unfaithful to my father? No, that's the kind of things grown ups don't talk about! Oh Caroline, I love Richard so much!
- Don't believe Elizabeth, Rosemonde, said Nina, your parents are not crazy, they would've told you…
- Maybe they didn't know we were together… said Rosemonde
- After the spectacle you made of yourselves? Said Nina, the whole world saw you! Even the reverend mother!
- Oh my God! What that's awful! Said Rosemonde, I was kissing my brother and everybody saw me!
Caroline and Nina were hugging her and consoling her the best way they could. They went back to their own rooms a little later. Rosemonde continued crying and she heard some noise at the window. She went to see, it was Richard.
- What do you want?
- Rosemonde, please, listen to me… you can't believe…
- Can you guaranty me 100 that it's not true?
- No. but…hey
- Oh that Elizabeth has planted a seed of doubt in our mind…
- That's enough to break us up…no, I love you Rosemonde…
- Don't say that, please…
- No, I'm going to say it…because it's what I feel…listen, there's a simple way to solve this; let's go to the source…
- To the source?
- Yes, let's go see our parents, let's ask the two persons involved in all this…
- How? Do we call them here?
- No, that would take too much time, and they won't be able to come before tomorrow…let's go see them…
- Get out of college? That's forbidden…
- Do you want answers or not?
- Yes, but…
- This is an emergency, we have to talk to them now…
- Ok then, let's go!
- We'll have to climb the wall…
- No problem…
- You'll always surprise me, my little frenchie…
Candy and Terry were at the castle, they had just had dinner and they were sitting in the living room on a couch, curled up against each other, talking and laughing happily. They were talking about the night they spent together in the truck, even though it was platonic, it was one of the most beautiful things in their lives.
- The night we spend in the truck, curled up against each other, said Candy was one of the most beautiful nights of my life, to sleep all night long against the warmth of your body…
- It was to not freeze to death during the night, but you can't know how happy I was to be stuck with you in that truck… but you called out Michael's name when you woke up…
- That's because I was feeling guilty to love being in your arms so much… I was dreaming about Michael and I was trying to reassure him that nothing happened… For me too, spending the night with you was magic…
- Magic? Said Rosemonde's voice, so it's true? Je suis la fille de Monsieur Grandchester? (I'm Mr. Grandchester's daughter ? )
Candy and Terry turned around surprised.
- Rosemonde! Said Candy
- Richard! What are you doing here? Said Terry
Their children were looking at them astonished. Magic night? So it was true?
They were lovers? Oh…No!
- We came to get answers… said Richard upset, but we already got them. How could you do this to us?
- Answers about what? Asked Candy
- What did we do? Asked Terry
- You've transformed our lives into a Greek Tragedy!!! Said Richard
- A Greek Tragedy? Said Candy surprised, but what the heck are you talking about?
- Maman, said Rosemonde, est-ce que je suis la fille de Monsieur Grandchester? (Mum, am I Mr. Grandchester's daughter ?)
- WHAT???!!! Said Candy and Terry at the same time
- You heard her, said Richard, is Rosemonde my sister?
Candy and Terry were so stunned that they didn't know what to say for a moment. Candy stood up and approached her daughter.
- Honey, who told such a story? Asked Candy
- Is it true? Asked Richard
- Who told you that? Asked Terry to his son
- Elizabeth Preston, said Rosemonde
- Oh… said Candy
- Elizabeth Preston? Said Terry without getting it
- Eliza's daughter… said Candy
- Oh… said Terry, the apple doesn't fall far from the mean tree…
- Like mother, like daughter, said Candy
- Tell me Richard; Elizabeth has a thing for you? Asked Terry
- We were friends, at least I thought we were, we talked often… he said
- You talk often? Said Candy
- Yes, we get along great, said Richard
- And today she tells you, after seeing you and Rosemonde together I suppose, that you're brother and sister? Said Candy
- She's jealous, said Terry
- Vous n'avez toujours pas répondu à ma question! Said Rosemonde irritated (You still haven't answered my question!)
- You're right, said Terry to Candy, she speaks French when she's angry, she looks like you like it's not possible!
- What about the mini-you over there? Doesn't he look like you? Said Candy smiling
- Maman! Said Rosemonde getting impatient
- Dad! Said Richard, a little attention, please…
Candy took her daughter by the hand and sat with her on the couch.
- Sweetie, look at me. I've never lied to you and you know it… so believe me when I tell you that you're Michael Durand's daughter, and there's absolutely no chance, what so ever, that you're Terry's daughter…
- I can confirm it sad Terry, there's absolutely not a chance that you're my daughter…
- But you were just talked about a magic night you spent together, said Rosemonde in English showing that she was calming down, she said you were lovers during the war…
- Yes, one night, stuck in a truck during the war in the winter. Nothing happened, said Candy, I've never cheated on your father, Rosemonde, you can believe that…
- And I've never cheated on your mother, said Terry to his son
- But why did daddy fight with Mr. Grandchester in a party? Asked Rosemonde, it wasn't because of that?
- No, it was… for something else… said Candy
- What? Said Richard
- It was….a misunderstanding, said Terry, that's all… you really think that we would've let you two get closer if you were brother and sister?
- Really, said Candy, what do you think we are…nuts?
- You see Rosemonde; I told you it was a lie…, said Richard
- Your girlfriend wanted to break us up, she said
- She's not my girlfriend…..said Richard
- Really? Then why is she so jealous? You talk to her, you give her hope…
- But I didn't know she would be so jealous… and you're one to talk! Your blond dandy Anthony Cornwell was ready for you to fall into his arms…!
- Anthony? But…
They continued arguing. Candy and Terry were looking at them, than they looked at each other…
- Maybe I should've confronted you about Eliza too… said Candy
- Eliza? Said Terry surprised
- Yes, if you hadn't been so nice to her, if you hadn't kissed her hand, if you hadn't gotten her out of that hole in which she had fallen…
- You didn't want me to let her rot inside that hole…?
- And why not? Didn't she deserve it? Especially since her brother made that hole for me… it would've been poetic justice…but you had to save her…
- I can't help it, I like helping damsels in distress…
- Aren't you the real Prince Charming? If you hadn't kissed her hand, if you hadn't saved her from her pretend drowning…
- I didn't know she was faking it…
- We all knew! She had you with her red curls, she wanted your attention and she got it!
- It's not my fault if she fell in love with me…!
- What about the diabolical trap? Whose fault was that? You had to make fun of her and insult her…
Their children had stopped arguing and they were looking at them. They realised they were joking, to show them how ridiculous they looked…
- Ok, said Rosemonde, we get it…
- We look ridiculous, said Richard
- If you don't go back to college in the next two minutes, said Terry, we're going to take you there by the front door…
- You've never been here, said Candy
- Richard, let's go! Said Rosemonde, thank for everything…!
- Let it be the last time you do this, next time, you're going to be punished for climbing the wall and leaving the college without permission in the middle of the night, said Candy
The kids left the way they came. They were relieved by their parents' answers.
- Oh my God, can you believe that?! Asked Candy
- That our children don't only have the physical resemblance with us?
- But also the emotional and rebel side too…
- Climbing the wall in the middle of the night…
- At least it's not to go get drunk and fight with thugs!
- I was a snotty-nosed kid, wasn't I? But you took care of me…
- And you left without waiting for me…
- I didn't want you to get into trouble… I felt better and if you remember correctly, I didn't want you to go out…I'm sorry for being a little insolent, but I was very grateful, even if I didn't show it…
- You were impossible you mean! You used to make me so angry… but I couldn't stop thinking about you… and when I saw you at the zoo with Albert laughing with all your heart with the ray of sunshine on your face, you looked so irresistible…
- Those were the good old days… said Terry smiling and kissing her hair
They were back on the couch in each other's arms.
- Yes… I loved that college, just because of you , said Candy
- Me too…
- Eliza is not possible, how could she tell her daughter lies, like that? To give her hope? Based on lies? Life keeps repeating itself… Rosemonde and Richard, like us; there's an Anthony, Archie and Annie's son who's got a thing for her… Elizabeth Preston, Eliza's daughter, who's got a thing for Richard, Neil Jr. who's not as mean as his dad was, and her two best friends, Caroline, Patty's daughter and Nina, Annie's daughter
- Wow the next generation of our group, amazing!
- And we're going to be there to advise them. We're not going to leave them alone; like we were… we had no one…
- And we made a sacrifice way too big for our age… I look at our children and I don't see them as big as we thought we were… despite the fact that they're about the age we were at that time…
- Let's not think about that… Brother and sister? Oh my God! A real Greek Tragedy!
- I can't believe they came here to ask us that question!
- And without notice… we could've been…
- Could've been what? Said Terry getting closer to her
- Making ourselves feel a lot of pleasure she said taking his lips…
Rosemonde and Richard went back to college. Richard took her to her bedroom.
- Are you satisfied now? Asked Richard
- Just hold me hard in your arms, she said, the thought that we were brother and sister made me sick. I love you so much…
- I love you too… he said holding her, everything is going to be fine. We can be together…
- Forever?
- Forever!
He stayed with her for a little while, and then he went to his room.
Ever since they got back together, Candy and Terry were living together. She went to get her stuff at the Andrew castle, the day after their kids confronted them. They were doing whatever pleased them, because, they had no intention of worrying about what other people would think. They were thinking about them, first and foremost. What they wanted ever since their tragic separation, was to be together, and together they were.
- So, said Annie, how was it?
- What do you think? It was more wonderful than in my dreams! Said Candy smiling
- A passion that had been refrained for 20 years… I can imagine said Patty smiling, you're going to stay at his father's castle with him?
- I don't ever want to be separated from him, said Candy
- I can see, said Annie smiling
- Oh, Annie! I didn't know anyone could be this happy! After all those years… I though it was over with Terry for good…
- Life is full of surprise, and I'm so happy for you Candy, for the both of you! Said Annie hugging her
- Thank you Annie, said Candy
- Me too, said Patty smiling, it's so good to see you happy!
- Thank you Patty, said Candy smiling and hugging her.
- By the way, said Annie, Anthony called me about the "Greek Tragedy" with Rosemonde and Richard…
- Yes, said Patty, Caroline told met Elizabeth told them they were siblings?
- Oh….yes. Rosemonde and Richard came to confront us at the castle…
- I can't believe Eliza is encouraging her daughter to tell lies…said Annie
- And an awful lie, said Patty
- Well she doesn't have a good role model with her mother and grandmother…said Candy
- Anthony is disappointed; he just realized he loved Rosemonde…
- Oh… said Candy, Rosemonde liked him until she arrived in college and met Richard…
- Sounds like I've heard that story somewhere, said Patty
- Yes, said Annie, about 21 years ago…
- I can't believe my daughter is in love with Terry's son! Said Candy
- Well she does look like you… not only physically apparently…,said Annie
- And apparently the Grandchester man like freckles… said Patty
The three friends burst out laughing. Candy took her suitcase and they decided to go downstairs to join the men in the living room.
- Are you ready honey? Asked Terry
- Yes, my heart, I'm ready
- Let me take your suitcase…
- Thanks honey said Candy smiling
- You're not staying for lunch? Said Stear
- No, said Terry some other time, we are invited by friends of my father's…
- Are you going to take over after your father Terry? Asked Stear
- We're not there yet, we'll see said Terry
- That wouldn't bother me to be the duchess of Grandchester, said Candy smiling
- You're already a countess with Michael, said Archie, you were destined to be in the nobility, Candy
- Go tell that to Eliza and her mother, said Candy
- Eliza is a woman alone and unhappy, Mrs. Reagan is ashamed of her daughter's indecent behaviour, while she was married and since her divorce, said Patty…
- What goes around, comes around said Annie
- But I'm still sorry for her, said Candy
- I didn't expect any less from you, Freckles, said Terry laughing, you're way too good…
They burst out laughing and Candy and Terry left, promising them to come for diner in the evening.
Stear and Archie told their wives that Candy should've stayed at least with them until the wedding.
- They could've waited to be married to live together, said Archie
- Yeah, said Stear, why couldn't she come and sleep here?
- Archie, said Annie, you know long they waited to be together, how long they waited for this moment?
- Yes, said Patty, they wanted to be together even before we realised that we wanted to be together…
- So, let's leave her alone, she was deprived of the love of her life for far too long, said Annie.
- The circumstances should've convinced them that they were not made for each other, said Archie
- But their love was so strong, said Stear, she'd rather be at the war than in America because Terry was there…
- They finally found each other, let them savour their love and their reunion, said Annie
- They're not taking the time they have for granted anymore said Patty
- I'm so happy to see her so radiant… said Annie
Meanwhile in college, Rosemonde and Richard were inseparable again. Anthony and Elizabeth saw them and they went to talk to them.
- You're still together? Said Elizabeth
- Rosemonde, said Anthony, you want to risk it….?
- Anthony, I asked my mother, and she said that I was my father's daughter…
- But of course, said Elizabeth, what would you want her to say?
- Elizabeth, said Rosemonde, my mother is not a liar, as opposed to yours! She always tells me the truth, especially on things so important!
- But…! Started Elizabeth
- It's over, said Richard, you tried, you failed. Rosemonde is with me. Our parents are getting married, and we're all going to be one big happy family in the same house.
- Isn't it every teenager's dream to live in the same house as their boyfriend or girlfriend…? Said Rosemonde smiling
- No kidding, said Richard laughing
- Now Elizabeth, you can beat it, leave us alone. I still can't believe you were so cruel!
- Her mother was odious to our parents, said Richard, she set a diabolical trap for them… like my father said, the apple doesn't fall far from the mean tree!
- You both go to hell!! Said Elizabeth leaving
Anthony didn't say anything, he looked at Rosemonde sadly and he left. He had no chance with her; he could feel she loved Richard. He cursed himself for not seeing Rosemonde's feelings sooner… Caroline and Nina were happy for their friend…
The preparations for the wedding were going fine. Albert had been contacted by Archie on his business trip, and he will arrive just in time with his wife for the ceremony. He wanted to walk Candy to the altar. After all those years, she was finally marrying Terry. This time, nothing was going to come in their way, or disturb their dream.
The day before the wedding Candy and Terry spent their day writing their vows. They had dinner for the last time as singles. The duke of Grandchester, even though old, arrived without noticed and he was surprised to find his son with …
- Candy Andrew? He said looking at her
- Your grace? I'm surprised you even recognize me, much less my name said Candy
- I never forgot the young girl who pleaded my son's case so well… and I left him alone because of you… said the duke, you look exactly the same….
- Really? Said Terry, you've never told me that, Freckles… I've always wondered why my father never came after me, and let me pursue my dream of being an actor…
- I forgot about it myself said Candy laughing
- You're full of surprised, Mrs. Tarzan…you're giving me one more reason to love you. Dad, I'm marrying Candy tomorrow, in the court of St. Paul College…
- Oh, said the duke, I gave so much money to that college that it's practically mine…
- I would like for you to be there…said Terry
- I will be honoured to be there, said the duke, congratulations to both of you.
He hugged his son and Candy too. His son was finally going to be happy, it was not too late for him… he, on the other hand, didn't get the same luck; Eleonor was finally married and he regretted not to have married her himself.
Annie and Patty went shopping with Candy to buy a white dress. They also bought the flowers for her hair and a veil. The court of St. Paul College was transformed and decorated for the wedding. Chairs with flowers, an altar and a white carpet for the dance floor and a very big table which was full of food from a caterer. An orchestra was suppose to play the "Canon" by Pachebel and the "Wedding March" by Mendelssohn, for the ceremony and as the music for the reception. But there was also a record player so the orchestra could also rest and for the youngster to dance to their music. Everything was ready for our two lovebirds to be united by marriage officially forever, because in their hearts, they had been united since the day they met.