Letters to Juliet
Chapter 21
"The reception"
It was a beautiful day, the day of Candy and Terry's wedding. A lot of people took pictures after the ceremony. Together, with the family, with their friends… it was also the time for the cocktail party, eating hors-d'oeuvre and drinking.
Then the newlyweds walked together to the big tent where their seats were arranged behind a big long table. The bridesmaids were on their right of the bride and the groomsmen on the left of the groom. And the wedding dinner started… Everybody was eating and talking with joy. Photographs were taking pictures without forgetting the menu and the food.
Candy couldn't help thinking about Anthony's wedding and her painful reunion with Terry… and his wife.
- Are you all right my darling? Asked Terry with love.
- I'm fine, she said smiling.
He knew she was thinking about Anthony's wedding…
- I like everything that's on the menu, he said to change the subject.
- Well mom knows what we both like, she said smiling.
For dessert, it was an Ice cream shaped like a peach, it was orange, a peach flavoured ice cream. It was delicious. It was the time for speeches. Anthony stood up at his place and he started hitting his glass with is knife to get people's attention. He was going to make the first speech.
- Like you all know, Terry is my best friend. We've known each other since school and he spent three quarter of his time here at our place. Which means that he is better know here than in own town in England. Candy is my little sister, like you all know… She was only 12 years old when she fell in love with Terry. You all know how little sister are, they follow you everywhere… But Candy, she followed Terry (Laughs from the guests). And it didn't bother him at all, he would never send her away, when I wanted to yell at her to leave us alone. He was in fact the perfect big brother to her… He would rather have big and long talks with Candy, instead of staying with all the girls Anabeth would bring for him, for our double dates… When we would finally convince him to come with us, he would be bored to death! I couldn't believe it! He was having more fun with his conversation with Candy than with us! When his feelings for Candy turned into love, he made her the promise to come back on her 18th birthday to propose to her… But destiny decided to meddle in their lives and after a thousand and one twists and turns, they are finally husband and wife! I'm very happy for the both of you and I hope you're going to persevere, when you get the trials of life, you will remember how much you love each other! As a wedding present, I name my new white rose with green lining "Sweet Candy". All my wish for happiness little sister, Terry my buddy, you were already my brother, now you are officially my brother in front of God and men! Congratulations to the both of you! Be blessed! I love you!
Everybody clapped their hands, laughing. Then it was Anabeth's turn.
- I know the Andrew family forever. I was already friends with Anthony when his mother had Candy. I remember how happy he was to have a little sister so cute and me too. I've considered her like my little sister, ever since she was born. I saw her grow up and I was there when she was 12 and she met Terry… She was completely under his charm. I was telling myself that it would pass and Terry wasn't helping matter by talking to her…years passed… I was there the day of her 18th birthday when she waited for him to come. He hadn't shown any sign of life, but she was so sure he was going to come to propose to her… but you all know what happened… Today, I'm very happy that my little sister and Terry… All my friends and my cousins were mad at me, because they will see how Terry was romantic with Candy, but he wouldn't behave like that with them! I was telling them the truth, that he was in love with Candy, but they didn't seem to want to believe me… how could a boy like him be attracted to a kid like her… but it was the case. He was the perfect big brother with her. He was already in love with her and he didn't know it yet… Those two have loved each other since day one and I bless the Lord for their wedding… They're the godparents of my baby in the belly. And I'm also so happy to might push destiny to put them back together for the birth, officially in front of God and men. I'm wishing you all the happiness in the world , Romeo and Juliet. Be blessed. Congratulations to the newlyweds! I love you both!
Dinah, Terry's sister also said a few words.
- I was jealous to see my brother liking America so much! He would practically never come home! The rare time he would come, he would only talk about Candy, he was so passionate. I watched him fight to get her back, without tiring and I'm happy because my darling brother is happy to finally have married the women he loves. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Blessed be. Congratulations bro! I love you!
Then it was a succession of people who had speeches for the newlyweds… Then came the moment to cut the cake. It was an ice cream cake shaped like the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet. The little figurines; Juliette was wearing a wedding dress on the balcony and Romeo was looking at Juliet, wearing a black suit. The newlyweds stood up together to cut the cake together. Terry was surprised, he didn't expect to see the cake shaped like the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet.
- It's wonderful, he said
- And it's made of Ice cream…
- Even better! Everybody loves ice cream.
Pictures were taken of the young couple cutting the cake together. The servers took over and the newlyweds went back to their place. A waiter brought them their piece of cake with the little figurines on their little plates. Candy and Terry took the little spoon and they took some ice cream and they fed each other smiling and looking at each other with love… They were surprised to hear the guess clapping their hands and whistles of joy. The photographs were taking pictures and the cameramen were filming… They didn't realised they were observed… Really? It was their wedding reception, wasn't it?
Every body was eating the cake. Then came the time for the couple to open the dance floor. The song Candy and Terry had chosen started paying.
We've seen the brokenhearted
New loves started and then fade away
Where love ran out of energy
Somewhere along the way
Oh but lady the lessons we have learned
Have helped us make it
The mountains we have climbed
Are far behind
[Chorus:]
It's been a life long love song
With every lyric saying that
We're still number one
And now composed our love has grown
And we have turned a prayer into
The greatest love affair of them all
And now we both should cherish
The treasures at the rainbow's end
The game is finally over
I knew that we would win
Oh and lady the lessons we have learned
Have helped us make it
The mountains we have climbed
Are far behind
[Chorus:]
From now on it will be easy
So easy for you and I
We've found the purpose and the
Reason
The need lives on inside
[Chorus:]
Candy and Terry went together on the dance floor. Terry took his wife in his arms and they started dancing. Candy thought about the school dance, when they had danced. She also thought about what happened after the party and she smiled, because this time around, she will have her night of love, she wanted to much. Terry saw that she was smiling and he told her:
- You're smiling…you're thinking about the school dance aren't you?
- And about our little trip to the beach…
- And how this time around, we're in all our rights?
- What are you thinking Romeo? That it's all I'm thinking about?
- You, my Juliet darling? Not at all! He said smiling
- I'm still feeling like I'm in a dream.
- You're not dreaming my darling.
- If this is a dream, I don't ever want to wake up!
He kissed her until the end of the dance. Everybody clapped their hands. Then they danced with their parents; Candy danced with her father and Terry with Candy's mother.
- It's good to see you so happy, said her father smiling.
- I never thought I could be this happy after everything that happened to us…
- You've got y our reward, my darling, said her father.
Terry was dancing with his mother-in-law.
- Terry, my son. You've been my son for a long time, you know that right?
- I know mum, said Terry, and thank you, because you've always welcomed me with open arms.
- You're part of the family Terry…
- I'm sorry for what I did to Candy.
- You know, if Anthony had told us about the beach incident, we could've found another solution, instead of separating you and Candy.
- I wouldn't have been a distraction for her?
- She lived only to please you Terry… you wouldn't have allowed her to be distracted.
- Thanks mum.
Candy was dancing with her father in law.
- Your grace, you're not too disappointed?
- I told you to call me "dad". By what? Asked the duke
- I'm not the one you chose for your son.
- You know, when my son would rather spend his free time with you instead of coming home, I was telling myself that he probably had a girlfriend he didn't want to leave… But it was mostly his best friend that he didn't want to leave… I even asked myself questions about his sexuality at one point…
- Really? Said Candy laughing, you're not the only one!
- Really? You too?
- No, but one of my cousins was convinced because Terry wasn't interested in her…
- He would rather spend his time talking with you
- And I was so young…
- Of course, he was robbing the cradle, said the duke.
- He was a perfect gentleman with me… he was my big brother.
- To answer your question , after what happened to him in Central America and what the Ambassador's daughter had done to him… I told myself that it was enough… first prison, then a forced marriage with a sick woman… I told myself that I might as well let him marry the one he wanted from the start. Without his arrest, I would've given him the daughter of another duke to marry or a princess…
- Let me get this strait if he hadn't lived through hell, you would've been the big bad wolf?
- Yes! Now I'm the nice daddy who lets him marry the woman he wants… and I let him have the wedding here since he spent a lot of time here with you, everybody knows him…
- But don't they know him in England too?
- In England, he's the son of the duke of Grandchester, people would've come to your wedding just for that reason and to gossip on the fact that he's marrying an American woman like his mother…while here, people know him and like him and they're coming to his wedding because they're happy for both of you…
- You're right. Thank you Your Grace, said Candy smiling.
- Dad…
- Dad, she repeated.
She danced with Anthony.
- Well little sister, you're happy?
- Yes Anthony
- That's what's important
- Thanks for the flower and the name… but you could've given it your wife's name.
- Only, she doesn't have green eyes… and I owed you that, I was thinking about you while I was creating it. It's in high demand in flower shops…
- I supposed you did your paten on your invention
- Of course, said Anthony and I would like to thank you, you were my inspiration Candy! I wanted to console you for my part in your story… when I learned that Terry was in prison, I regretted forcing him to leave.
- It's all in the past Anthony, everything happens for a reason… Terry was able to bring his wife to Christ… a soul was saved, so I say all this fiasco, was worth it for the Lord…
- God moves in mysterious ways, say Anthony
- Indeed! Praise The Lord! Said Candy smiling
Terry was dancing with his mother.
- I'm so happy for you Terry… I've always loved Candy, especially since she convinced you to forgive me…
- You know mum, Dinah was telling me the same thing for years…
- And you were not listening to her?
- It wasn't sinking into my thick skull…
- Until Candy told you…
- It's nuts how everything makes sense with the right person…
- You're telling me! And you know she was part of the people who wrote for my freedom?
- Who Candy?
- Yes…
- She knew.
- She didn't know it was me, since I was Graham Baker…
- Graham Baker? Thank you darling, I'm flattered to see you used my name…
- Thanks to you for giving birth to me! Said Terry smiling
- The pleasure was all mine, said Eleonor smiling.
They both burst out laughing, Terry was dancing with Anabeth after that.
- How are you? He asked
- The baby is dancing with all this music.
- I can feel him move, said Terry smiling
- You seem like you're in seventh heaven…
- I'm higher, if that's possible, said Terry
- You know that my friends were all angry at me because you were the worst date, always nice and romantic with Candy but you were not with them?
- I was telling Anthony stop trying to find me a girl friend…
- He was stubborn as a mule, in his mind, it was impossible that you were in love with his kid little sister…
- That's normal, for him it was his little sister, not a potential friend… but Candy was so mature for her age. We would talk about everything and nothing and our conversations were very interesting…
- I was seeing the way she was looking at you, she was crazy in love with you… and I was praying, as a big romantic, that it continue until she was older. I was very happy for you two and you respected her; you went higher in my esteem… Candy is lucky to have you…
Terry felt a lot of affection in Anabeth's voice… He had always liked her.
- And Anthony is lucky to have you, he said tenderly.
- Thank you for the all the celebrities by the way, I'm ecstatic, Teresa George!
- Candy told you…
- Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.
- I'm not worried…
- I have to admit to you, that I was a little jealous of Candy ! You were so romantic! All those stories you wrote… oh my God, I still can't believe it! Can you write a story on Anthony and me?
- Well my last novel was mine and Candy's story, you're in there with Anthony…
- Really? But I was talking about a story just about us…
- You were our biggest fan, I can make a novel about you, with Anthony
- Why not with you?
- With me?
- Yes, with Anthony, I'm already living this life… I want adventure…
- With me?
- On paper… it would be like we're shooting a moving together…
Terry smiling and looked at her. On paper? Why not give her that pleasure?
- Very well, Anabeth, I'm going to write us a romantic adventurous story…
- You're the best bro-in-law!
They both started laughing. He looked around and he saw his parents dancing together… and he smiled. For his wedding, his parents had put their differences aside.
- You're very pretty Eleonor, said the duke.
- You're not telling me anything that I don't already know, she said, I know I'm beautiful.
- And not modest at all!
- Well, it's the truth, isn't it?
- I was an idiot for letting you go.
- You're telling me!
- You don't miss one, don't you?
They burst out laughing.
Then Terry danced wit Dinah…
- I don't think I've ever seen you this happy, she said
- Candy is the one I was waiting for, you know that…
- No kidding! I was jealous of the love you had for her…
- You're my sister, and I will always love you, you know that right?
- Learning that she also wrote for your freedom… I should've been happy, but…
- It's like she stole your thunder?
- It's ridiculous, I know, but…
- You thought you were leading the show, but she stole it from you? I love you both and I will never thank you enough for what you've done for me, both of you… but you have to understand that I'm happy to learn that Candy, while not knowing what had happened to me, contributed to my freedom too.
- Yes, I understand and I'm happy for you.
- Dinah, Candy is good person…
- I like her. She's the woman you love, the one who kept you alive…so I'm very grateful to her for that! Be happy big brother!
- Thanks Dinah…
- Are you going to finish your novel with Tyler soon?
- Yes, like you see,lately with the wedding preparations and I was finishing my "Letters to Juliet" for publication…
- And later you'll have your honeymoon… poor Tyler, he will have to be a little bit patient to get his happy ending...
- He will get his happy ending… " And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…" Roman 8:28
- You're quoting the Bible?
- Tyler will get his happy ending…even if haven't managed to convince Candy…
- You wouldn't have abandon the fight, I know that. What does the Bible say again? "First seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."Matthew 6:33
- Can you imaging hearing that in my horrible prison cell? When you think everything is going wrong for you? The world of God gave me back hoe…
- I love your charisma and you trust in God… I suppose that it's a good thing when we're in prison…
- You thought I would've stopped after getting out? Well, that would have been kind of vain, don't you think so? I couldn't abandon what gave me hope, aside from the ghost of Candy… and I feel good in my faith…
- You forgave your wife… I wanted to strangler her…
- You have to forgive her as well, she's not longer in this world…
- Continue preaching me big brother!
- I intend to…
They both burst out laughing
Everybody was dancing and celebrating Candy and Terry's wedding, everybody was happy. There were celebrities. Robert Hathaway was present and so was actor Liam Hemsworth and other celebrities as guests. People were impressed. Anabeth was able to take all the pictures she wanted. Candy and Terry danced a lot, among them and with everybody.
Came the time to throw the bouquet of Sweet Candy by the groom. All the single women went together to catch the bouquet. Candy walked away in front of them. The son was Beyoncé's "Single ladies"…
She started dancing, doing a little belly dance, moving her arms throwing the bouquet from one hand to another, her white rose bouquet. Everybody was screaming and calling Candy's name. She pretended throwing the bouquet once or twice and finally, she turned her back and threw her bouquet over her head. The bouquet took a little ride, touching the hands of lots of women, bouncint to land on a stunned Eleonor Baker's table, almost hitting her ice cream bown, she was eating. She hadn't joined the single young ladie, since she was no longer "young"… The duke was next to her and started laughing.
- You should've joined them…
- I'm not young…
- You're a lady and your single, said the duke smiling.
- I have no intention of getting married.
- Well the bride's bouquet is saying that you're the next bride…
Eleonor didn't reply. She wished the duke had married her when she got pregnant with Terry… She barely restrain herself from giving an harsh answer that came to her mouth, and she made a good face and gave her most beautiful smile. She stood up and bowed. Richard looked at her smiling and clapping his hands.
Then it was the men turn to regroup to catch the garter… Anthony approached Terry.
- It's your turn buddy…, said Anthony, can you do it at least?
- She's my wife Anthony…, said Terry smiling
Anthony was talking about the fact that Terry wouldn't go and have fun for his bacherlor party…
- All right buddy, you go ahead!
The music started, it was from the television show "Mission Impossible", it was instrumental.
Candy was sitting on the other side of the dance floor on a chair waiting for her man to come. Terry was looking at her with love. She was finally his wife, she was so beautiful… The music that was playing for him was perfect for him, because for a very long time, Candy was for him an impossible mssion and he had to fight without getting tired to get her back… O he was going to dance in front of everybody to take that garter with his teeth, like the tradition wanted to… So he started to dance, he improvised a choreography he had done when he was in school during a show… he did a little steps following the rythme of the music, he was now in front of Candy who was smiling looking at him with her big emerald eyes, full of love. He went on the right side of the chair and approached his face to her cheek, without touching her, he did the same thing on the left cheek… Then he overlapped the chair were his wife was sitting without stepping on the dress on both sides. He did a little belly dance for a few seconds then he continued moving sensualy going down little by little until he was kneeling in front of his wife's skirt. The musique continued, he put his head under his wife's skis to find the garter, he kissed her thigh getting there… he felt his wife shudder and he heard her crystalline laugh. He felt the desire growing inside him, but he refrained it, he found the garter with his mouth and took it with his teeth and slipped it slowly, Candy pulled her skirt up and her leg making it paralleled to the floor. Terry continued his way and ended up taking it off, passing her knew, her calf, her barefoot, because she had taken off her white satin shoe. Everybody was clapping his achievement! He took the garter and since it was elastic, he threw it in the air and it fell in the hands of a handsome young man. Everybody was clapping and screaming of joy! He went to get his wife and he put her shoe back on her foot and took her to the dance floor…
- Romeo, said Candy, you've aroused me…
- You thigh was a torture of Tantalus, Juliet…
- Why don't we get out of here?
- Your wish is my command, my love…
He took her lips and kissed her softly. As soon as the dance was over, Terry made a little sign to Anthony to come and they told him they were ready to leave. Anthony went to make the arrangements for the car, while Candy and Terry were waiting at their table. Anthony arrived a few moments later and they stood up to leave. The guests and family applaud as they passed. They threw confettis at them, they were smiling, until they got to the white limousine which was waiting for them in front of the house. They got in and they went to the hotel , to the bridal suite. During the trip, they were kissing. They went upstairs… Terry took her in his arms to cross the threshold of the suite. Terry put her down. They closed the door and they fell into each other's arms.
The room was big with rose petals around the bed and on the white bed cover which was white cream. There was a table with two chairs which served at a dining room.
A knock on the door interrupted their kiss. Terry went to open the door. It was the chamber maid with cart with hors d'oeuvres; they put on the table of the dining room. There was also a bucket of ice with a bottle of Champagne with two crystal flutes.
- Would you want me to prepare a bath for you Madam? Asked one
- Yes, thank you , said Candy smiling
Two chamber maids approached her to help her take her wedding dress of and the veil on her head.
- We want to help you take your dress off, Madam…
- Thank you, said Candy smiling.
The two women undid the wedding dress and the veil and they put it away on hangers and they put them inside a slipcover. They brought a robe for Candy.
- I'm going to go take a bath, Romeo…
- See you later my darling, said Terry smiling
He took of his tuxedo jacket ad the maids took it to put in in a hanger. He undid his white shirt. His luggage had been transferred to the bridal suite. His laptop was already plugged in. The chamber maids finished what theywere doing and they left after Terry gave them a generous tip, each.
He went to sit at his desk and opened his word processor.
- Are you finally going to give me my night of love? Asked Tyler
- After the wedding…
- You're really not nice with me…
- I make the decisions, it's my story.
- The God complex? You're taking your revenge on me… on what the creator made you live.
- Are you going to finally change your record? You're going to get your wedding and your wedding night.
- Now.
- No way, it's my wedding night.
- You're not her first, it doesn't bother you?
- A little, but it's my Juliet, the woman I've been waiting for forever… everything is going to be wonderful. I'm sure of it.
- I sure hope so, or I'm the one who is going to pay for it
- Shut up!
Candy was in the bathroom, she had found the bathtub, shaped like a heart with rose petals everywhere around it. The bath with white foam smelled good, like the perfumed bath salts they had put inside. She got insiede, she washed herself and she didn't want to rush, because Terry was waiting for her for their wedding night.
She got out of the bathroom and she heard Terry talk. She was wearing a white robe and her hair was falling on her shoulders. She had undid her beautiful up do.
- Romeo? You're talking to yourself… or your talking to Tyler! She said laughing, he wants his love scene too?
- Well he will have to wait until I get mine first, said Terry going to the bathroom
Candy went to sit in front of the dressing table and she brushed her hair vigorously. With all the hair spray they had put on her up do, she felt like her hair wasn't breathing the way it should've been. She had washed her face, she looked even younger, like at the time when she was a teen, but she was a woman now, Terry's wife and she was finally going to finish the scene Anthon yinterrupted that infamous morning on that beach and the one Terry interrupted in his hotel room…
- Oh Romeo, how eager I am…
She looked at the beautiful bed and the rose petals. She took her robe off, to put on a green night gown in silk and she got ready for her wedding night…
Terry got out of the bathroom after what seemed like an eternity for Candy. He was wearing a robe too,it was white and his hair was still wed. He was breathtaking!
- Are you all right my darling? Asked Terry approaching her
- Well… it's the long awaited moment…
Terry took of his robe, he was shirtless. She was sitting on the bed ans she stood up. He wanted to lean to kiss her but she pulled away.
- You don't want to drink something first?
- No…
- It's not Champagne, it's sparkling apple cider…
- All right, we could drink some later…
He felt she was kind of uneasy and nervous.
- Candy, what's going on? You seem nervous? Are you afraid? But it's not your first time, isn't it?
Candy didn't reply. She looked down…
- Candy?
She was not very comfortable…
- Terry, I want to ask for your forgiveness
- Ask for my forgiveness for what?
- I lied to you…
- You lied to me? About what?
- I confessed my sins, like you know I did…
- So it's fine. I forgive you…
- But I have to let you know, because it's important…
- All right my love, what is it about?
- You remember our interrupted scene in your hotel room?
- I'm never going to forget it, especially your reaction….
- You remember what I told you?
- That you had given yourself to the captain of the football team, James Cartwright…
Candy looked at him surprised. He remembered ! After all, he was the man who wrote her letters in his head in prison and also his novels… He had a very good memory…
- I'm not upset with you my darling, for seeking comfort elsewhere… and you almost got married too, right? Life went on for you, Candy…
- You read my diary, you know why I wasn't able to marry Cole?
- You called him by my name when you were on the verge of making love… as painful as it was to read that you wanted to make love to another man, it was a delight to read that you were thinking about me to the point of saying my name!
- I'm sure you liked that… but … if I wasn't able to do it with Cole…
- But you had done it before, right? Or was it because he looked like me?
- If I wasn't able to do it with Cole, she repeated, you really think I was able to do it before when you didn't show up for my 18th birthday?
Terry looked at her strangely. What was she saying?
- I was so worried when you didn't come, I was sure something bad had happened to you with all the bad dreams I was having in which you were locked up unable to come to see me…
Terry was waiting for her to tell him what he was hoping she would tell him…
- I was frustrated when you rejected me after our interruption. I was finally giving you what we were not able to finish that infamous morning after the school dance…
- I wanted to respect you…
- Oh Romeo… now I understand… and especially as a good Christian, you wanted to marry me first and I know you wanted to marry me since I was a teen… but you have to understand that at that moment, I didn't see things that way…
- Candy, what are you saying?
- That I wanted to hurt you, like you had hurt me… so I lied…
- About what?
- I didn't date anyone when you stood me up, Terry, I wasn't in any state to date anyone… ever since I was 12, I only wanted you… Cole came years later and he looked a little like you and especially , he had the British accent…
- Oh my God! Said Terry, you're still a virgin?
- You forgive me for lying…?
- I forgive you my darling, said Terry taking her in his arms, this is the most beautiful gift you could've given me! My Juliet darling, my love, you're mine forever. I love you… Thank you Lord!
He took her lips with hunger, passion and all the fierily he was capable of. They went on the bed without stopping kissing, on the rose petals on the bed spread. He became softer, more tender, even if he wanted to go fast, he was going to be patient and savour every second with the woman he loved more than anything in the world.
Candy had turned her mind blank, she didn't want to relive the pas with Terry, she wanted to start the rest of their lives together. She had thought about giving herself to someone else, for a nano second, but she couldn't… She wanted Terry… With Cole, his resemblance with Terry blinded her until she realised he wasn't Terry… The world around her had cessed to exist… It was only her and Terry, savouring their interminable kiss, he was caressing her and she was caressing him. They took off the barriers that were the night gown and Terry's boxers. They took off the bed cover and they lay on the bed to make love, slowly and softly. Terry was very soft when he crossed the frontier of her virginity and very happy too. Candy felt the pain, which she took, it was her Terry, her Romeo who had married her and finally made a woman out of her, a sensual and passionate one. He showed her the art of love, it was something he had in mind for a long time, that he almost did that morning on the beach… he was mad at himself because it was the incident that separated them for all those years… But now, after a thousand and one twists and turns, he was living his dream with the woman he loved, his dear Juliet, who had kept him alive in prison… Making love with Candy, was also the first time for him, in a way, because it was the first time he was doing ti with the only woman he had ever loved… Him, the writer who loved playing with words, was making love for the first time of his live and it was absolutely wonderful, fantastique, "formidouble."