More than one year after the manga ended

Chapter 1: Introduction

Neal and his father took Eliza and Sarah to the train station. Eliza studied at Oxford, UK, and Sarah took her there for the new semester. While waiting for the train, they chatted.

"I can't wait to graduate," Eliza grumbled. "I hate exams."

"Two more years, sis," consoled her supportive brother.

"Do you like working or going to school better?" she asked.

"Working of courses! No homework! Eight to Five then done!" snapped Neal naively. He himself just started working for a few months in his father's company. "Also, at school we have to follow rules. At work, we are the boss. We make rules! Easy."

After Sarah and Eliza left, Neal and his father, Stephen Leagan, went to their office. Stephen told Neal about his new investment plan.

"That is risky, dad," said Neal.

"I know. But without risk, we can't become big fast," countered Stephen. "We won't have these without the risky real estate gamble I made thirty years ago." He gestured to the wide office space they were in.

Neal shrugged slightly but didn't say anything.

"I want to beat the Andrews. I hate how arrogant William was...," continued Stephen.

Stephen never forgot the day William rejected his son's engagement to Candy. It was too humiliating for the family. Even until now, the Leagans were considered outcast. That's why he sent Sarah and Eliza to UK. In addition, as a father, he suffered double humiliation to have to face the rejection in front of his wife and children.

"But to put all our stock in one vague investment vehicle is not a good idea," argued Neal.

"I don't care!" Stephen did not listen. "No one should laugh at our family ever again!" Stephen hit his desk with his fist.

What a mess, Neal thought when he went home that night. The servant opened the door for him and took his suit and suitcase. Dorothy came saying Daisy call.

Sighing, Neal called his fiance back. Daisy asked him to watch a theater with her.

"Er... sorry, tomorrow I have to go to work early. I will take time off in the afternoon to see Stear and Archie," Neal carefully declined so she didn't ask to come along.

After Stear came back from France, the Cornwells were almost the only relative that still talked to him. He'd rather meet Stear and Archie by himself. With Daisy around, he would not have much freedom.

-o0oooo

After Candy knew Albert was her prince of the hill, she stayed for a while in Pony's Home before coming back to Chicago. Since she already quit Happy Clinic(1), she found a job in the Tremor family at Lakeshore as a nanny for their toddler.

"Bobby is safe in his playpen Mrs. Tremor," said Candy. "I have locked it."

"Thank you Candy," said Mrs. Tremor. "We'll see you tomorrow."

Excitedly Candy picked up her bag and went out of the door. The Tremors' house was next to a beautiful big Lake. She will meet the Cornwells in that lake. Outside, her boyfriend greeted her.

"Too bad I can't go with you to the lake, Candy," said Todd. He kissed Candy's cheek. "I need to work until late today."

Candy smiled. "That's ok. Next time."

Todd was a new tutor in the Tremors. That's how they met. Since the lake is nearby, he walked Candy there and left immediately.

The Cornwells were already there. Stear, Archie, and their wives, Annie and Patty. They just came back from a long business trip. Stear and Archie often did business trips for their parents. Annie and Patty accompanied their men.

"Hi!" Candy waved.

"Candy!" they waved back. The four of them hurriedly came to her.

Annie and Patty hugged her.

Archie hurriedly came to help carry Candy's bag.

Stear showed his most recent go-cart invention that could run lightly on sand. It was amazing, it didn't feel heavy at all to pedal it on sand. But since the car could only fit four people they had to ride alternatively.

"I wait here," said Candy when it's her turn to wait. She laughed at Archie who had a big smile on his face. Ever since Stear came back from France, Archie had appreciated his brother's inventions a lot more.

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Even after they "burried" Stear(2), Archie prayed everyday for a miracle. He read in the paper how many soldiers or prisoners-of-war got mixed up or wrongly identified. One day, Archie just came back from crying by himself under their tree-house when he saw a thick brown envelope. On the front is written:

RAF Uxbridge, UK.

Archie recognized the initial RAF. His hands trembled, the envelope knife slipped six times from his hands. It took him two minutes to successfully slid open the envelope. He fell to the floor when seeing Stear's handwriting. He checked at the date.

Last month!

Without even reading the letter, Archie shouted at his servants made them prepare his luggage. Before Annie and Patty came back from shopping, Archie had left home and was on the way to London. Throughout the trip, he promised, if Stear came back home, he would always appreciate and support all his inventions.

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"When Neal comes, just ignore him!" cried Annie.

Candy gave her thumbs up. She had not met Neal since Annie and Patty's wedding with the Cornwells. It was a double wedding. At that time, Candy was too overjoy to pay attention on Neal. Neal was in Florida for a while and she never went with the Cornwells to visit him.

"I am a big girl now! Don't worry!" she cried back to Annie.

-To be continued-

Thanks for reading.

Note:

1 Candy quit Happy Clinic: Book 10

2 Funeral for Stear: Book 10

RAF: Royal Air Force