SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER…
Chapter 3
Part 2
"I could've danced all night…"
- She's the girl who made the Prince walk? I didn't see it, but I've heard people talking. I'm impressed! Said Georgie
- You haven't seen anything yet! I still can't believe it!
He heard a feminine voice call him.
- Terrence? Terrence Granchester? Yes, it's you!
Terry turned around and saw a young girl with brown hair walking towards him with a big smile.
- Elizabeth? He said. What are you doing here?
- I came to have fun at the ball of course! What about you? What are you doing here? I thought you were at St. Paul College.
- Like you can see. I'm not there anymore.
- And you didn't look me up? I'm offended!
- I have other plans, Elizabeth.
Georgie and Laurent had walked away to talk.
- Your brothers are still in Australia?
- Yes, it's better that way.
- Always in love with you? Do you share their feelings?
- Laurent…
- You can tell me Georgie.
- I grew up with them, thinking they were my brothers. All those feelings can't just go away because I found out we weren't blood relatives. They are my brothers. Blood or not.
- You didn't want to choose…
- I couldn't choose one without hurting the other and it seemed a little..
- …incestuous?
- Some thing like that. So when I discovered the truth about my birth, I decided to come here and look for clues on my mother. What about you? You're not married? I see you're feeling better.
- Georgie, the sacrifice you made, giving me back to my family, was the biggest proof of love a man can get. When I got better. I heard you went back to Australia with your brothers.
- You didn't come and look for me in Australia…
- I thought you would have married one of your brothers. So I said I'll marry the one my parents chose for me.
- What happened?
- She ended it. Apparently, the fact that I left my family to be with you, showed her how much I loved you. And the fact that I left my fortune for the woman I loved. She said she deserved someone that loved her that much.
- So you're free!
- Yes, but I didn't dare going to Australia. I was afraid to have my heart broken if you were already married. The other day, I saw Candy at the park, I thought it was you. She had the same hair, same eyes, same bracelet…
- Wait a minute! The same bracelet? Candy has my bracelet? Are you sure it's the same?
- Yes. That's what convinced me, that it was you… because I could only see her back… She told me that her boyfriend.., Terry, that's it? Had just bought it for her at the flea market. So, I told myself it was a sign…
- A sign?
- That I will see you again. I wasn't mistaking. I still love you.
- Laurent, I thought you were married and I was forcing myself to forget you, without succeeding. I still love you too.
- Oh, Georgie! He said hugging her.
Georgie couldn't believe her luck. She was with Laurent and he was free!
Was life finally giving her a break?
Candy was done dancing with the Prince and was immediately invited by another young man. She tried to refuse, but he was persistent. She had to say yes.
- Ok, but just one dance. My boyfriend is waiting for me.
- You have a boyfriend? I'm heartbroken!
- I'm sure you have a girlfriend, too.
- Not as beautiful as you.
- That's not very nice, for her
- I'm only speaking the truth.
The music stopped and the young man followed her when she was walking toward the garden to look for Terry. He took her arm.
- I'll go with you.
- But you don't need to…she said trying to release herself, let go of me!
The young man was persistent and he had his arm on her when she got to the garden.
- You can let go of me now, said Candy.
- I don't see your boyfriend. Does he really exist?
- How dare you …? Candy started
- Get your filthy paws off of her Junior said Terry's voice, leave my girlfriend alone!
The young man let go of Candy at one. And she went next to him.
- Terrence?
- In the flesh. Candy, may I present you to my brother? Richard Granchester Junior
- Your brother? She said stunned
- Half-brother junior corrected. That's your girlfriend? So what are you doing with Elizabeth?
Candy realized then, that there was another young girl next to Terry. Elizabeth? Who was she? Terry seemed a little uncomfortable.
- Candy, this is Elizabeth Barrington, an old friend…
- Elizabeth this is Candy.
- Pleased to meet you, said Candy
Elizabeth didn't respond. She looked at Candy with disdain.
- Old friend, yeah right! Said Junior
- Shut up, Junior! Said Terry with anger.
- Terrence and Elizabeth are going to get married… you know, those arranged marriages…
- What? Said Candy.
She felt a needle piercing her heart. Terry engaged to be married! Arrange marriage! Terry felt his beloved turning pale. He damned his brother's sharp tongue. What he said was only to hurt Candy and him. Candy didn't want to hear anymore, she ran into the garden.
- Candy, wait! Let me explain! It's not what you think! Terry cried
She got into the maze to hide. Engaged! Terry was promised to another He's going to have an arranged marriage like his father. Tears were coming down from her eyes. The thought of not being with Terry for the rest of her life was unbearable! She loved him so much.
Terry looked at Junior with disdain and had to restraint himself not to hit him.
- You're a bastard junior and I should hit on the face with my fist. But lucky for you, I have more important things to do, he said running after Candy.
- Yeah yeah, go after your little American girl!
- Good job Junior! Said Elizabeth ironically
- I thought you'd be pleased…
- Pleased? You just threw him right back into his American girl's arms! Come on, let's be serious, you didn't do that for me.
- I didn't?
- You're mad because he saw her first, you're jealous!… What do you guys see in that damn blondie?
Terry was looking for Candy and entered the garden in form of a maze. He was looking at every corner. There were other couples there, but no Candy. He had to find her to tell her that he loved only her, not Elizabeth. He looked for her for a while and finally found her in far corner of the garden. She was there turning her back.
- Candy? He called.
She didn't answer. She was hurt that Terry never told her about his life before they met and especially an arranged marriage.
- Candy, forgive me. I should've talked to you about my former life. I never thought we'd meet Junior here. I have turned my back to that life.
- That's ok Terry. You should've told me yourself. Learning that you're supposed to marry someone else… I thought that you and I…
She was looking down.
- Candice White Andrew Miss Tarzan with freckles, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?
Candy couldn't believe her ears! She turned around and saw Terry on one knee with little box with a diamond ring in the middle with little emeralds around it. She was speechless.
- Are you doing this because of what just happened…? Don't feel obligated, Terry …
- What about the ring? I've planned all this, Candy, it was suppose to be the surprise of the evening.
"It's true, she said to herself, her couldn't have improvised the ring. It was planned!"
Her heart was filled with joy, Terry wanted to marry her? To marry her! She realized that she still hadn't answered him and he was still on one knee waiting for her answer.
- Terry, when I learned that you'd left the college, my whole world came crashing down. The idea of being without you is unbearable to me. Catching up with you was a miracle for me. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So, Terrence Graham Grandchester, it's yes, I want to marry you. I want the honour of becoming your wife.
Terry had a sigh of relief. He put the ring on her finger, stood up and kissed her on the lips. They were so young! But they knew they never wanted to be separated.
Georgie and Laurent had found them and was looking at them kissing for a while.
- Hum hum, Laurent made to mark their presence.
- Leave them, said Georgie.
Our two lovebirds finally stopped and were looking at each other with love. Candy felt they were been watched and turned around. She saw Georgie and Laurent and smiled at them.
- Georgie, look at my ring! She said.
- Oh, it's magnificent! Congratulations! Is that the ring you were buying the day we met? She asked Terry.
- Congratulations said Laurent.
- Guilty and Thank you said Terry.
- Thank you, said Candy
- Come on Candy let's go celebrate with a dance.
They went back on the dance floor for a waltz. But this time, there was something different, the distance, they were so closer together that their faces almost touched each other and their eyes more loving than ever. And that's how it was for the rest of the evening. No one dared to disturb them anymore, even the Prince didn't dare to ask Candy for a dance again.
"They look so in love, it would be a crime to separate them said the Prince to himself. Good luck Miss Andrew, be happy with him. He's a lucky man."
Richard Jr and Elizabeth were watching them from a far. Elizabeth was frustrated to see the guy her parents to her she had to marry so in love with another girl. Terry didn't love her, but she was in love with him. Richard Jr envied his brother. He would've wanted a chance to conquer the girl with green eyes', heart.
"Terrence found her first. Damn him! He thought."
- See, what you've done? Said Elizabeth. They're more in love than ever!
- They're so much in love… it's disgusting! Said Junior.
The evening was coming to an end; people were starting to leave after the Prince of Liege had left the party.
- This was a beautiful evening said Georgie
- The best ever said Candy
- Can I come and see you after my work tomorrow?
- Of course. We're at the Guardian Angel's Inn. Ask the innkeeper for Candy and she'll know where to find me.
- Ok, I'll see you tomorrow, then, Terry.
- See you tomorrow, Laurent.
- Bye said Terry
- Bye said Laurent.
During their ride home, Candy was in Terry's arms.
- Did you forgive me, Freckles?
- Of course Terry. You know I can't stay mad at you for long.
- I never loved her. My father and her parents made those arrangements without consulting us.
- She seemed to like you
- Like all the girls…
- Terry, be serious!
- Ok. But I was never reciprocated, Candy, not even for a second. My father wants to do what they did to him. He left my mother for an arranged marriage and he's never been happy without the woman he loved.
- What if he forces you to marry her?
- He won't be able to, if I'm already married…
- Terry, what do you have in mind?
- We could get married on the boat…
- On the boat?
- The Captain has the authority…
- The Captain? You want to marry me so they won't force you to marry Elizabeth? Not very flattering…
- Don't see it like that, Candy, please. We love each other. We both left the college as a proof of love. Where's the harm in putting the cart before the horses? If it's going to keep us together for the rest of our lives? Eliza showed us that we can't take life for granted. We could make sure we'll be together forever, by getting married in secret.
- We're going to keep the marriage a secret?
- Until we're capable of supporting ourselves. We wouldn't want our families to get our marriage annulled. We're still minors.
- So I'll go back to the Pony House like there's nothing to it?
- You know what you want to do?
- I want to become a nurse… I'll ask Miss Pony if she knows any school
- Ok. I'll take you there. But I'll go to New York to look for work as an actor.
Candy remained silent for a while. Everything was happening too fast; Terry had asked her to marry him; she thought they were going to do it in a few years, but he wanted to do it right away? She loved him sure, but…And if they're married, they would be able to fight any obstacle they'll encounter. Eliza showed them that there's nothing sure in life. They thought they would have another school year in college…but they were on the run about to take the boat to America to confront life and it's problem. They loved each other, they were young, so why not? Why not put the cart before the horses? Why not become Mrs. Terrence Granchester? It was her dream any way. The opportunity was given to her to make it real right away, you never know what might happen in the future that will stop their dreams to realize itself. It would be crazy to let a chance like that go by. She didn't have to think …!
- Ok, let's do it, let's get married on the boat. It's crazy, but you're right, let's not take any risks. If the odds are against us….
- We'll be able to fight it by being already married. We won't let anything or anyone separate us. I love you Candice White Andrew.
- I love you, Terrence Graham Granchester.
He held her tight in his arms until they got the inn.
- So, said the innkeeper, how was the evening?
- Magnificent, said Candy.
- She opened the dance floor with the Prince of Liege. Said Terry, she literally made him walk to ask her!
- Really? Get away! I would've wanted to see that! It will probably in the paper tomorrow morning.
- I hope Sister Grey won't see it said Candy.
- We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Don't worry about it now. We'll tell you about the rest tomorrow he said to the innkeeper, for now we're going to bed.
- Ok. Good night said the innkeeper.
- Good night said Candy and Terry at the same time.
Terry took her to her room and kissed her quickly on the lips.
- Good night freckles
- Good night Terry.
She didn't insist this time. She'd felt Terry's desire and hers. So they won't succumb to temptation, their kiss was brief because they knew it could lead them far, too far. And they weren't husband and wife yet.
Georgie and Laurent left the ball together. She saw Betty from afar and went close to her to whisper:
- Thank you Betty. I'll come by tomorrow to give you your stuff back, before I go to work.
- You've found a boyfriend?
- Long story. Tomorrow I promise, I'll tell you everything.
- Ok, see you tomorrow, Georgie.
- See you tomorrow and thank you again.
And she left at Laurent's arm. In the coach that was taking them back to Georgie's place, Laurent held her against him.
- I still can't believe I found you, said Laurent
- And I never thought I'll see you again. I thought you were married or at least engaged to be married to…
- Elise…
- Was that her name? She said ironically
- It's fate.
- Are you sure? Last time convinced us that we weren't made for each other…
- Your sacrifice was big. I know what it's like to live without you and I have no intention to do it again.
- Laurent, I'm looking for my mother, I'm going to America in a little more than a week…
- But your life in Australia, your family…
- My life in Australia will still be there, so is my family
- I don't ever want to let you go
- Oh, Laurent! She said holding him in her arms
They stayed like that, holding each other. Taking advantage of the warmth they felt at that moment. When they got to he inn where Georgie had a room, Laurent told the taxi to wait and took her in front of her door. He kissed her on the lips and said;
- I'll come by tomorrow after your work. What time do you finish?
- At 5. I'm going to go see Candy after that
- Ok. I'll be there before 5. Good night Georgie.
- Good night Laurent.
She got into her room and he left.
"What a memorable evening, she said to herself, finding Laurent again, meeting Candy…Candy, it's true, we do look alike…"
She was tired and decided to sleep. Tomorrow she'll see Candy and Laurent and everything will be ok.