AN UNFORGETTABLE LOVE by Mallory Quinn

What if Candy and Terry, didn't meet as teens, but as adults on a boat that was bringing them back to America? Will they be able to resist the passion that will wrap them up?

My story starts in the beginnings of the thirties…

Chapter 1

"Two ships lost in the fog"

The sun was shining in London, but was not heating up the air. It was the end of December, the last in fact, the 31st, the holiday season, and Candice White Andrew tighten the scarf around her neck. She was in Europe on vacations, in a way at least. She had to go to medical conferences. Since she was a nurse, she was asking herself if she should take the next step and become a doctor. Albert sent her to Europe at these conferences, so she would have an idea and make the right decision. She took advantage of her trip to do some tourism and visit historical sites.

Albert, she though about him with a lot of affection. After all he was her benefactor, he adopted her, sent her to college, he supported her decision when she went to nursing school, to live alone and now her desire to become a doctor. He became more than a friend through the years, they became very close. And when Albert asked her to marry her, she refused at first, but after years of perseverance, elle finally accepted. He wanted to come with her, but he had important business meetings, a merger which was suppose to make the Andrews one of the richest family in America. Candy was doing her last minutes shopping before getting on the boat to America. She was impatient to see her friends: Archie, Annie, Patty, her two moms Miss Pony and Sister Maria, the children at the Pony House and especially Albert. She was also impatient to get back to work, working as a nurse and helping others was one of the reason she woke up every morning. She went back to her hotel to pack her luggage. Annie, her childhood friend who was married to Archibald, had insisted for her to buy a wardrobe worty of a lady. So she had a complete new wardrobe for this trip. Candy was never interested by money. Albert was very rich but for Candy, the most important thing was to have a family, someone who loved and took care of her. She didn't know why she refused to marry him all those other times; she had the impression something was missing. She thought of Anthony, her childhood love, how she missed him. The years have passed, but he pain was still there, she got used to living with the loss of Anthony. The loss of Alistair at the war, was also painful.

Annie and Patty have tried to set her up with all eligible bachelor of Chicago without success. Even Neil Reagan try to win her by been nice, after the fiasco that almost got her hooked to her worst enemy, he decided to try to become a better man and hoped that Candy would fall in love with him in time. Candy was very touched by his gesture and impressed by his change, but she couldn't fall in love with him. Neil never forgave her. So much for been a better man! Maybe he would have become a better man if Candy had love him but… One of the mysteries of the universe: the heart the involuntary muscle in the physical sense and the figurative sense. It stops beating when it wants, and it falls in love when it wants. Mother Nature does things well!

She finally finished packing her luggage and was ready to go. The hotel bellboys came to get her luggage to put it in the taxi, which will bring her to Southampton.

Not to far from there in another hotel, a young actor of theatre was getting ready to go back to America. After a tour of a few months in Europe, he was finally going home. The success of his European tour made him happy. He could now take a few weeks off and finally rest with he's fiancé. There was a knock at the door.

- Come in! Said the young actor.

Two young bellboys came in to take his luggage.

- Would that be all, Mr. Grandchester ? Asked one of them.

- Yes thank you, he answered and followed them out of the room.

The door closed behind him. Terrence G. Grandchester, talented actor and engaged to Susanna Marlowe. Life was perfect, a good career, a beautiful fiancé, a nice life, but why did he had the impression that something was missing? He was traveling alone, the rest of his troupe left three days earlier. He will be alone without anybody to bother him. He will take this time to do some thinking; he has to choose a wedding date with Susanna. He finally asked her to marry her, after all the pressure from the people around him, but he couldn't get around choosing a wedding date. The universe seemed to be telling him that something was missing in his life. A good career, a nice life. Marriage? Why not? It was the next logical step. After his big break as an actor, when he was just a teen, he built up his career and now he's going to get married and have a family. But the feeling that something was missing in his life was too strong. During his trip, he hoped to find the answer. He didn't know how, but he was sure the universe will make him understand.

The regular motion of the boat, which was bringing her back home, was almost rocking. Candy closed her eyes. She was out side leaning against the edge of the boat and imagined she was a mermaid in front of those old boats, which seemed to lead and got rid of those mythical mermaid who where known for destroying ships. Her long blond and curly hair was moving in the wind direction. She was wearing a white dress under her beige coat and she looked like an angel. She didn't know that a pair of deep bleu eyes was looking at her and thought she was a vision.

Terrence G. Grandchester was in his cabin and was watching through the porthole, she was the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. There was a knock on the door; he didn't hear it the fist time, because he was mesmerized by the vision of the young woman. There was another knock on the door, louder this time and he had to come out of his trance with regret trance . He opened the door, it was the cruise director inviting him to the Captains' table for diner. He thanked him and went back to porthole, but the young woman was gone. Was it an illusion, a vision ? All he knew is that there was an angel with blond hair, a moment ago and that she was the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. He decided to look for the young woman to make sure she was real.

Candy went back to her cabin and decided to rest by taking a little nap. Those last minute shopping earlier that morning, made her tired, and she had to dine a the Captain's table. The cruise director gave her the invitation as she was going out of her cabin. She wanted to be in shape.

Time passed and Candy woke up in a hurry. What time was it? She missed the diner with the Captain! She wanted to order something to eat in her cabin, but changed her mind. She will still go to the restaurant, if diner time has passed, she will find something to eat. She got ready so she put on a green dress, which matched the color of her eyes; she also put on her beige coat. She got out of her cabin and went to the dining room.

In the mean time, at the Captain's table, the diner was almost over and the young actor was a little disappointed to not have seen "his angel with blond hair". The people around him was talking, he was barely listening to what the were saying. His eyes were looking for the young woman with blond hair without success. Finally convinced that she was only the fruit of his imagination, caused by stress and tiredness, he went for a walk outside.

Candy arrived in the dining room and sat at the Captain's table. In spite of her late arrival, the servers brought her some food. The table was almost empty, so ate her diner alone in silence. When she finished, she stood up to leave and she saw a gold cigarette case near her purse. She took it hoping to find the owner. She looked around and the serves seemed to have disappeared or were busy with other passengers. She left the dining room and was walking calmly outside with the case in the hand.

Terrence G. Grandchester was outside, having some fresh air. He wanted to smoke a cigarette. He looked for his cigarette case in his pockets and realized that he probably forgot it at the Captain's diner table. At the same time he raised his eyes and saw Candy passing right in front of him. He couldn't believe his eyes! She was real! She was even more beautiful than in his memory; her long blond and curly hair layered and her beautiful green dress under her beige coat, he almost pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He had to talk to her, to approach her, before she disappears again. Then, he saw something shinning in her left hand, and he recognized his cigarette case.

"There's your doorway, buddy! He said to himself."

- Excuse-me, miss! Miss! He called when Candy just passed him.

Candy turned over and saw a young man, with long brown hair and deep blue eyes. He was very attractive and she had the impression she's seen him somewhere before. But where? She came back on her steps.

- That's mine, the thing you have there, he said showing the cigarette case in her left hand.

- Really? asked Candy with a beautiful smile that made our young actor melt. How do I know you're the owner?

Their eyes met, and for the both of them, there was a thunderbolt. They had the impression the universe suddenly made sense. After a little silence, that seemed to last for ever, the young actor finally said:

- There's an inscription graved inside, it should say " To Terry, with love, Susanna".

He couldn't take his eyes off hers. Candy had to look down to open the case and read the inscription.

- How cute she said ironically. Ok, but do you know that it's not good to smoke? That's really bad for your health! I'm wondering if I should give you back your case or empty the content in the ocean.

- Really? And you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that smoking is bad? He said pretending to be offended

- Yes, I see what the cigarette does in my work place every day.

- And what do you do, if I'm not too curious?

- I'm a nurse.

- So I have an expert on my hand. Tell me Miss freckled nurse, with what should I replace my smoking craving?

Candy was surprised by his audacity. How dare he give me a nickname? But she wasn't offended. On the contrary she felt a joy submerging her, not knowing where it came from.

- Let me think about it, and I'll find a solution. In the mean while, she said giving him back his case, try not to smoke.

- Yes! Miss freckled nurse! he said saluting her like a soldier. My name is Terrence Grandchester he added giving her his right hand. My friends call me Terry.

- Pleased to meet you. Candice White Andrew, Mr. Grandchester, my friends call me Candy, she said with her most beautiful smile.

- Pleased to meet you Miss Andrew, entering in her game.

"Mr. Grandchester, Miss Andrew" they were still continuing with the formalities with a mocking tone.

Candy never felt so comfortable with someone she just met. She had the impression, she known him forever. Terry had the same feeling of knowing her forever.

"Terrence Grandchester, why do the name seem so familiar to me? She asked herself. Well never mind, I'll find out later. For now let's just enjoy the company. I was starting to get bored."

- You're traveling alone? He asked dragging her out of her mental monologue.

- All by myself, like a big girl! she joked

- Your fiancé lets you travel by yourself? he asked a little disappointed to see an engagement ring on her finger.

Disappointed why? Wasn't he engaged himself? What was happening to him?

- He wanted to come but he had an important meeting he couldn't miss. What about you Mr. Grandchester, are you traveling alone? Wait a minute, Grandchester, Grandchester she repeated, you're the actor! I thought your name was familiar! You're engaged too, with a Sianna, Serena…no… Susanna Marlowe! Oh I'm stupid, it's the name in the cigarette case!

- That me! I don't know if I should be offended or amused…

- Why? Because I didn't recognized you or that I recognized you a hour later?

- Both.

- How arrogant! she laughed, your fiancée is with you ?

- I'm traveling alone too. But if I had a fiancée as beautiful as you, I wouldn't let her travel alone on a boat.

Candy blushed at the compliment. But she got a hold of herself.

- Why, she said pretending to be offended, you wouldn't trust me?

- That's not what I meant. I don't trust predator.

- Like you?

- Yes….No !

- Well which one is it, yes or no? she asked with a smile.

Terry melted at Candy's smile.

- I'm not a predator …Miss Andrew

- What a pity! It would have been my pleasure to blow you off!

- You're really sure you would have blew me off?

- You think you're irresistible? Mr. Grandchester, talk about arrogance!

In normal time, this conversation would have chocked her, but strangely, flirting with this young man was like the most natural thing in the world. It disturbed her a little. What was happening to her? She decided to leave.

- It's late, Mr. Grandchester. I'm going back to my cabin she said trying to hide her disturbance.

She felt a kind of hot flash invading her.

- A gentleman always accompanies a lady to her cabin door. After all it's the least I can do, for finding my cigarette case he said taking her arm.

He accompanied her to her cabin. She opened the door, got in and thanked him for his kindness.

- I'm here. Thank you Mr. Grandchester, good night and Happy New Year.

- Good night, Miss Andrew and Happy New Year. There's a masquerade bal tomorrow night for the New Year, will you be there?

- Of course, you always have to celebrate the New Year! See you tomorrow she said as she entered her cabin.

She was holding the handle from the inside, to close the door.

- See you tomorrow he said holding the handle from the outside the door.

He was leaning a little, so their faces were very close. They looked at each other for a little while which seemed to last longer, it was like they wanted to say something but…Candy closed the door unable to bear with the attraction that was obvious between them. What was happening to her? Why was she feeling like that? Half an hour ago, she didn't know Terry, but now it was like she knew him all her life. It was like being thrown in an endless pit without knowing when she's going to reach the bottom. Everything she felt, only created confusion in her mind. Every time she thought about it, her heart jumped. Terrence Grandchester…Terry. She continued hearing the name in her head for the rest of the evening, the rest of her night and in her dreams.

Terry went back to his cabin the heart happy. His blond hair angel existed. It wasn't a figment of his imagination. Those emerald green eyes like the dress she was wearing and her enchanting smile….He couldn't stop thinking about her. Candice White Andrew….Candy … it was the most beautiful name in the world. His life made sense now, the universe finally gave him the missing piece in his life, the master piece. He realized that in just a few hours, ever since her saw her through the porthole, his life made sense had a meaning. He never believe in love at first sight, but now he can tell whoever wants to hear it, that there is such thing as, love at first sight. He wanted to smoke a cigarette, but he remembered Candy's word. He didn't smoke that night.