AN UNFORGETTABLE LOVE
Chapter 3
"O time, suspend your flight"
O time, suspend your flight! and you, favourable hours
Suspend your course!
Let enjoy the rapids delights to us
More beautiful nowadays!
"Enough unhappy down here beseeches you:
Run, run for them;
Take with their days the care which devours them;
Forget the happy ones.
LAMARTINE, The Lake
The dining room was decorated for the New Year's Day masquerade party, which was, suppose to start at 10 PM. Even thought it was already New Year's Day in Europe, the Captain of the ship like to make his New Year party on the ship on the way to America. With all the different time zone, they were bond to find a zone were it's going to be midnight during the trip. The passenger had to dine early to live the place for the masquerade ball.
Candy was walking towards the dining room and saw Terry from a distance. Her heart jumped. Terry's heart jumped also.
"Candy is here he thought".
He turned over and saw her coming towards him.
"It's incredible, how I can even feel her presence! "
Candy was smiling and he felt himself melting again. They entered the dining room and everybody was looking at them smiling. They formed a beautiful couple. They had so much chemistry; everybody could see they were made for each other. A photograph even took a picture of them. Candy was a little worried.
- Do you think he's a reporter? She asked.
- Probably, said Terry.
- Aren't you afraid for your reputation?
- I'll take care of it later, don't worry Miss Andrew.
- Ok. I trust you.
They dined happily talking about their childhood and their teen years. It was like they knew each other forever. Diner was over and they both went to their cabin to change for the masquerade ball.
Candy had a Juliet costume, from Shakespeare "Romeo and Juliet"
Terry had a Romeo costume, from Shakespeare "Romeo and Juliet
Annie forced Candy to buy the costume for this trip.
- You never know what could happen she said, you might be invited to a masquerade ball in Europe. When you come back it's going to be New Year's Eve. I remember traveling with my parents on a ship, there was a masquerade ball and I had to improvise, because I wasn't prepared. The Juliet one is really nice. Like in College… You need a Romeo…
- A Romeo?
- I'm talking about Albert of course. Maybe the costume will bring you good luck and he'll be able to join you during your trip.
- Annie that's ridiculous, I don't believe in that kind of superstition. But the costume is really nice, let's take it!
So they took the Juliet costume, why Juliet? Because she needed a Romeo Annie said. They also took a brown wig to go with it.
Terry had just played Romeo in London; it was the closest costume in his luggage.
Candy was walking to the dining room, which became the ball room. The room was darker; everybody was in costume and wearing velvet masks. There were all sort of costumes, Napoleon, Julius Cesar, Harlequin, etc. The music was very loud, almost deafening. Candy wasn't alone for long. A man dressed as Napoleon invited her to dance. She happily accepted. Every body was dancing with joy and Candy lost count of her partners.
Terry arrived in the ballroom and found the loud music and the happy atmosphere of the passengers. He got into the happy atmosphere and started dancing with joy also and changing partners.
Candy was dancing with a man for a while, when the music changed into slow, she found herself in the arms of her partner of the moment and she never felt so good. The series of slows music continued for about 20 minutes then the rhythm music came back, then the slows again and so on. Candy was having so much fun. She stopped dancing only for a few minutes to drink a little water, but her partner, the same since the first series of slows, wouldn't let her go. She didn't mind, on the contrary, she felt so good with him. It was very hot, and the couple decided to go outside to get some fresh air outside. The fresh air felt good.
It was almost midnight on the ship's clock; 11:59:49 pm, the music stopped and the passengers started to count 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1….HAPPY NEW YEAR !
There were confettis, balloons, whistle blowing, people shouting, laughing.
Every body took their mask and kissed the person in front of them.
Candy and her partner were outside and they counted with the rest of the ship; 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!
They took their mask off, and Candy had the surprise of her life, or almost, she had the feeling it was him.
- Mr. Grandchester…
- Miss Andrew…
They didn't say another word. Time had stopped. All of a sudden, everything was clear, that good feeling they felt just by been next to each other, even without knowing whom they were, they were attracted to each other. Time had suspended his flight.
Terry leaned towards her looking for her lips; Candy close her eyes her mouth half-open, waiting. Terry's lips landed on hers and their tongues were caressing each-other slowly at first, then with more passion. Candy put her arms around Terry's neck and kissed him back with a passion that surprised even her. Terry fastened his arms around her waist closer to him like he didn't want to let her go. The kiss lasted for a moment that seemed endless.
Candy had already been kissed before, but this first kiss with Terry felt like it was the first time ever. This kiss aroused in her sensations she didn't suspect existed. This man she had just met was the one she was waiting for all her life. She had heard about the passion in love, love at first sight, she never understood it until now.
Terry had the impression that all the women he kissed until now were non-existent. Candy was the first and only woman he ever kissed, the rest were a distant memory. The universe had finally put him with in contact with his soul mate, she filled the void he had in his life.
- Look darling, Romeo and Juliet, aren't they cute? Said an old lady dressed as Marie-Antoinette and her husband as Louis XVI.
All of a sudden, they stopped kissing with regrets, they were both breathless. They looked at each other for a while and finally Terry broke the silence and said.
- Happy New Year, my Juliet, I knew it was you!
- Happy New Year, my Romeo, I knew it was you!
- You want to go somewhere more discreet, Candy?
Candy and Terry smiled; their comedy with the formalities was over. He called her by her first name. After a kiss so intimate and passionate formalities were forgotten, no longer needed.
- My head is spinning; can you bring me back to my cabin please? She asked with a soft voice.
She wanted to be alone in her cabin so she won't succumb to temptation.
- Of course, let's go he said.
They went to the cabin still holding each other, without thinking about the other passengers that were looking at them. They arrived at Candy's cabin and she opened the door. She turned over to say goodbye to Terry and she felt like kissing him again. Like he read her mind, he leaned towards her again and his lips landed on hers. She pulled him inside her cabin and he closed the door with his foot. Candy's mind tried to tell her to stop, but the passion was too strong. Their lips were still glued to each other, and their tongues were caressing each other with greed at first, than with softness. They both have been kissed by their fiancés, but they've never felt like that. The pleasure they were feeling was indefinable. They soon found themselves on Candy's bed still kissing. Terry started to undo Candy's dress and she started to undo his costume. He stopped, with regrets and asked her:
- Do you want me to stop?
Candy also stopped with regrets.
- No, she said with a sensual voice
- Are you sure? Because later it's going to be too late
- All I know is that, I don't want to stop.
He took possession of her lips, they finished undressing each other and they felt the warmth of their naked bodies, which only increased their pleasure. He started to fondle her breast without stopping kissing her everywhere, her face, her neck, her breast… that last caress lasted longer and was followed with a more intimate one with the tongue. Candy moaned of pleasure and tightened him against her while caressing his body. They continued kissing, cajoling, caressing, giving each other pleasure. Candy knew what was going to happen and she tried to talk.
- Terry, she said softly between two kisses, I've never…
- You've never…you're a virgin?
- Yes, she said blushing.
- Oh my darling! He said tenderly, are you sure you want me to continue?
- Absolutely! She said taking possession of his lips.
You didn't need to tell him twice. He was caressing her private parts and Candy thrilled with pleasure, and continued to kiss him everywhere. She felt a fountain spring out of her; everything she read in book and the testimonies of her friends couldn't even compare to what she was feeling right there and then. She felt Terry's desire against the skin of her legs and she arched instinctively. Terry entered her very very gently, trying not to hurt her. She felt a sharp pain going through her. He stood still for a moment so she could get used to the pain and started coming and going inside her. The pain started to disappear transforming itself little by little into pleasure. The pleasant sensation she was feeling was new to her; it was becoming stronger and stronger. She was surprised to see how her body responded instinctively to Terry's motion and started moaning louder. Their two bodies weld together; they were one. Their two hearts were beating as one. Two bodies, two hearts that have never felt this passionate before, two inexperienced hearts that knew they were not making a mistake. The rhythm of their growing pleasure continued regularly at first and more and more faster as the pleasure was reaching the climax and they were shaken by the biggest orgasm. They cried their mutual enjoyment together. Candy had tears of joy in her eyes and Terry was trembling totally breathless. Their bodies were covert with sweat. He let himself go on top of Candy for a few second and then roll over and took her in his arms. They stayed quiet for a few minutes, catching their breath.
- Candy?
- Mmm?
- I love you.
- I love you too. As strange as it may seem…
- Ever since I've met you, my life is suddenly complete. You're the one I've been waiting for, Candy, my soul mate. Where were you all my life?
- If we had gone to the same College, maybe we would've fallen in love…
- I would've certainly laughed at your cute freckles.
- And I would've been very frustrated by your nickname….
- I guess we'll never know.
- I've never been this impulsive…
- You were a virgin, my love…. and beside, you hadn't met me yet…
- True, she said laughing, the Juliet costume, Annie made me buy it saying it will bring me my Romeo
- I don't think I'm the Romeo she had in mind…
- But you're the one I found, the one I want… in a way her prediction came true, I found my Romeo and I love him with all my heart.
- I was supposed to leave with my troop, but there was a confusion with the ticket and I stayed in London to take the boat 3 days later. I'd just played Romeo in London…
- It looks like we were destined to meet…
- I don't doubt it for a second. I love you Candice White Andrew.
Candy smiled and he kissed her hair.
- Ever since I've met you, I can't get you out of my head. It's like you've always been there…. But we only met less than 48 hours ago said Candy
- It's the same for me. I'm afraid it's a dream and I'm going to wake up.
- If this is a dream, I don't ever want wake up. Make love to me again, darling.
Terry kissed her again and they spend the rest of the night talking, laughing and making love. They didn't think about the people they left in America. It wasn't the time. For the moment, they were in the middle of the Atlantic in their little world and nothing else mattered, beside being together
The rest of the cruise was dreamy for our young couple. They tried to keep a low profile, but spent all their nights together either in Candy's cabin or in Terry's cabin. Terry went to see the Captain about the photographer matter. He assured him that it was the cruise photographer and he will be passing by to sell the pictures.
The photograph went one morning at Candy's cabin and knocked on the door. Candy was with Terry; they were on their way to the dining room to have their breakfast. She opened the door and was surprised to find the photograph.
- Miss Andrew, Mr. Grandchester, he said like it was normal to find them together.
- I came to invite Miss Andrew for breakfast, Terry said.
- Of course, the photograph said, that's why you weren't in your cabin when I went there.
Candy blushed and Terry was a little uncomfortable.
- Can I help you with anything? Candy asked the photograph.
- I came to show you your pictures, since you're here, Mr. Grandchester that will save me a trip to your cabin. I had to do them twice, the other passengers jumped on them.
- What do you mean? Asked Candy and Terry at the same time.
- The other passengers bought your pictures.
- What? Terry asked. Why would they want pictures of two perfect strangers on a ship?
- You're the favorite couple, the cutest the prettiest…
- But… Terry started
- They don't know what a gold mine they have, a famous actor engaged to be married and the fiancée of a famous Chicago business man…
- We're just friends! Candy said.
- You wouldn't insinuate that Miss Andrew and I are more than friends… Terry said.
- ….that wouldn't be appropriate at all Candy finished.
- I don't think your Captain would appreciate you making your customers uncomfortable with senseless rumors.
- Especially since we're only good friends.
- Of course, said the photograph ironically, don't worry your "friendship" is safe with me. Would you like to buy your pictures?
- Yes of course, and we'll need the negatives too, Terry said.
- We wouldn't want it to fall on the hands of some unscrupulous people with a wicked mind, Candy added.
They paid the photograph who, then left the cabin. They started laughing.
- Us? The favorite couple? Terry said.
- So much for keeping a low profile. We did a good job hiding our feelings didn't we? Candy said.
- Apparently it was all for nothing… Our attraction to each other didn't fool them for a second!
- What are we going to do with those pictures?
- Why don't we keep them? Everybody probably has a copy anyway.
- Ok, look at us, they're right; we're a very cute couple…
- Don't let it go to your head… he teased her.
- You're one to talk! The big celebrity! Let's go and eat, I need my strength after last night…
- And you'll need some tonight he whispered kissing her on the neck.
Candy laughed and they got out and went to the dining room.
The last day finally came. Our two love birds had to separate. They were outside looking at New York City with sadness.
- Candy, I want to ask you to marry me, but we have to make sure that what we're feeling is reel, not just a cruise fling.
- How long we need to be sure? Candy asked softly.
- Six months. If in six months we are still feeling the same, I'll ask you to marry me. That will also give us the time to get our lives in order, with our current situations.
- Where can we meet? We need a public place.
At that moment they saw the Empire State Building, from afar. Terry had an idea.
- How about the top of the Empire State Building? It's not finished yet, but it will certainly be in six months.
- It's certainly the highest building in town, and the closest to the sky…If one of us isn't there, no more contact, no letter, no phone nothing, for good.
- About the letter, here is Yaya's address, he said giving her a piece of paper.
- Thank you she said, taking the piece of paper. So, we'll meet on July 8th, on the top of the Empire State Building at 5 pm. No contact before so we won't be influenced.
- Ok. What if we send….
- The pictures to Yaya? What a great idea!
- We'll take them back…
- The next time we see her together.
- We even finish our sentences… we really are two pieces of a halve!
They were seeing each other alone for the last time. The emerald green eyes were drowning inside the dark blue eyes for the last time in intimacy. Terry leaned and kissed her quickly on the lips. The kiss was short because they were outside. Candy was sadly going back to her cabin, but she turned around and came back.
- Do you like children? She asked him.
- I adore them! He said with a nice smile.
- Me too!
- Freckles, if you're not there in six months, I'll understand…
- I'll be there! And if you're not there in six months I'll understand…
- I'll be there! He said firmly.
Candy smiled and went to her cabin to get ready. Her luggage was ready; she changed her clothes and was all set. She got out and went towards the exit. She took a deep breath. She was ready to confront all obstacles to be with Terry.
Terry was walking to the exit also. Nothing will stop him to be with Candy. He was going to his life in America to end it and start a new one in six month with the woman of his life.
The time suspension was over.
Note from the author:
For those who recognize the plot, it's a tribute to it, one of my favorite. For those who don't, good, I hope you'll like it.
I had to put my story in 1930s to be on the same page with the construction of the Empire State Building, which was finished in March of 1931.