SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER…
Chapter 15
"Ô, Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou, Romeo…?"
Once in New York, Terry went to the general rehearsal, feeling a lot better. The pressure was still there but he felt a lot better. Mr. Hathaway saw the change in Terry.
- You're feeling better Terry… your wife…
- is having a baby …
- Congratulations
- Thank you for allowing me to go see her, I really needed that.
- You're my lead actor you needed to rest a little
- How's Susanna?
- She better physically, but morally … she's wondering why you don't go see her…
- I'll go see her after the premiere to explain…
- By the way, I have a family lodge for your wife and other guests if you have any…
- Thank you very much Mr. Hathaway
Candy went to the train station to get Georgie and Laurent.
- How are you? Asked Georgie, and Terry?
- I'm fine and he's fine. We're going to see Susanna after the premiere
- How are you and Junior? Asked Laurent
- Fine said Candy laughing, I'm just more angry than usual
- Of course! Said Georgie, your eating for two!
Candy took them to the hotel. They had a meal at the hotel's restaurant. The time of the premiere arrived, and Terry came to pick her up at the apartment.
- You're very beautiful, honey. I see you left some space for your belly he said smiling
- The tight dresses for now…
- But you're not showing yet
- Better safe than sorry. I didn't want to feel something tight on my waist, I don't want junior to feel squeezed
- Ok, freckles, let's go. By the way, Mr. Hathaway gave us a family lodge
- Super! Did you invite your mother?
- With every thing that was going on, I completely forgot about it
- Terry! Well, I think since she's in the business, she knows for your premiere
- I think she's staying away, so she won't be accused of making my career
- That's ridiculous, you're a born actor!
- Thank you, my love
They met Georgie and Laurent at the theatre.
- Good luck said Laurent to Terry
- Thanks Laurent
- Every thing will be fine said Georgie
- Thank you for being here said Terry, I have to go
- Break a leg, darling said Candy
He kissed her on the forehead.
- Thanks, see you later
And he went backstage, to get ready. Candy saw Neil and Eliza Reagan. She decided to go and say hello.
- Good evening said Candy with a smile, Eliza your dress is lovely. Neil, Mrs Reagan…
- Good evening said Neil with a smile
Eliza looked at her brother surprised, he was smiling at Candy! Mrs Reagan made a head sign. Candy went back to Georgie and Laurent.
- You're too good, my dear Candy said Georgie
- Oh, don't forget that it's because of her that I'm Mrs. Terrence Grandchester who's having a baby
- That's true said Laurent
She heard people whispering.
- That's Eleonor Baker said a lady, she's the mother of the leading actor, Terrence Grandchester…
Candy looked and saw Eleonor Baker, her mother-in-law. She approached her.
- Miss Baker she said softly
- Candy? Good evening! How are you? She said hugging her briefly
- Very well, thank you and you?
- Fine. I'm so proud of my son…
- You should, he's the best said Candy
- I didn't get the opportunity to thank you…
- You're welcome Miss Baker. Thank you for the nice robe…
- That was nothing, it was the least I could do
- Come and sit with us, my sister and her fiancé in the family lodge.
- Oh, but I wouldn't want to bother you…
- Come on, you're family, you're Terry's mother
They walked towards Georgie and Laurent
- Miss Baker, let me introduce you to my sister, Georgie and her fiancé, Laurent. Georgie, Laurent, this is Terry's mother
- Pleased to meet you said Eleonor
- Pleased to meet you said Georgie
- I'm very honoured to meet you; you were my idol…said Laurent
- Really? And I'm not anymore? I'm offended! She joked
They all start laughing.
- Candy I thought you were an orphan…
- Oh, Georgie and I had just recently found each other
- You look alike a lot said Eleonor, we could confuse you!
- No kidding said Georgie, Laurent and Terry confused us …that's how we met in London…
- In London?
- It's a long story said Candy. We'll tell you about it, but for now let's go to the lodge. The play is going to start.
They went to the lodge and entered. Candy saw the Reagan family from a far. Neil was looking at her intensely. Why was he looking at her that way? He answered her good evening with a smile. What was happening? With the Reagan, it couldn't be something good. The three knocks announcing the beginning of the play were heard.
The big premiere of "Romeo and Juliet" had finally begun. Terrence Grandchester had inherited the "actor gene" his mother. He was absolutely brilliant! He played Romeo to the perfection. Terry was thinking about his beloved and his baby to come while he was performing, he was really performing for them now. To be on scene with a major role, was his dream. It had become reality. After the premiere he will be able to tell his father that he was married and in the family way. His father will certainly be disappointed, but he will understand that his son didn't want to make the same mistake as he did. Terry will be with the woman he loves, and that woman was Candice White Andrew. The Susanna matter…with the help of Candy, they will find a solution together. Their love will survive.
During the intermission, the spectators went out to stretch their legs and powder their nose. Candy was mesmerized by her husband's performance. Eleonor Baker thanked God for having a son so talented. Georgie and Laurent knew that Terry was talented, but he had surpassed all their hopes. Mr. Hathaway was glad to had given Terry the role of Romeo. Eliza was blasted by Terry's performance. She was more in love with him than ever. She had to find a way to get rid of Candy, by telling Terry that Candy was pregnant by Albert…She had to fin the right moment and some proof… Neil was looking a Terry with disdain. That damned Englishman had the woman he loved. Why did his mother and his sister, brought him there? He was not in the mood of watching the one he considered his rival, shine on scene.
When the play was over, the spectators gave a standing ovation for a while. Terrence Grandchester was called back on the scene and they gave him the biggest ovation. They were throwing all sorts of flowers at him. Candy was crying with joy or was it her pregnancy's mood swings? They had to go to the hospital, now. She left the others and went backstage to get Terry. She had access, everybody knew her now. She knocked on the door.
- Come in! He cried
Candy got in, and saw her husband taking his costume off. He turned around and smiled when he saw her. She approached him and hugging him for a long time.
- Congratulations, my love, you were wonderful!
- Coming from you, it's the most beautiful compliments. Ma career is launched, that's it! We can be together!
- I know honey, I know. It's wonderful! By the way, your mom is with us…
- Oh…
- We can start by telling her the good news…
- What? Now? Here?
- No time like the present! I'll go get her now! Wait for me here! She said getting out of the room quickly.
She went to get Eleonor Baker and brought her to Terry's dressing room. He had taken his costume off and was finishing putting other clothes on. He smiled when he saw his mother.
- Mom!
- Oh Terry! She said coming near him to hug him and kiss him, I'm so proud of you! You're an excellent actor!
- It's because of you! Thanks a lot!
When she stopped hugging him, he made a sign to Candy to come near him.
- Mom, we have something to tell you…
- Yes?
- Candy and I are married…
- What? Married? Since when?
- Since the boat that was bringing us back here…
- Oh my God! Your father had a girl ready for you …wait a minute… that's why, isn't it? You want to put him in front of a fait accompli?
- And we love each other and we want to be together forever
- We didn't want to risk to be separated by circumstances… said Candy
- That's a good thing. Because if we weren't married, I think Candy would have forces me to stay with Susanna…I'm sorry if I'm cold, but I would have been miserable with a woman I don't love.
- Oh Terry said Eleonor, congratulations!
She wanted to walk towards them but Terry stopped her.
- Wait mom, there's more….
- More?
- You're going to be a grandmother, Candy is in the family way…
Eleonor opened her eyes really big. She went and hugged them one at the time.
- That's why your glowing say Eleonor to Candy
Candy smiled.
- We have to go the hospital, mom. I have to tell Susanna that I can't never marry her
- The rumours are true? She wants to force you to marry her?
- Unfortunately, yes.
- She doesn't know that you're already married…
They joined Georgie and Laurent and they all went to the hospital together. Candy, Terry and Eleonor were talking to the doctors. Georgie was wandering around the hospital hallway, looking at the patients. She heard voices in one of the rooms; two women were talking.
- …it shouldn't have happened like that, I wasn't suppose to loose may leg…
- I told you your plan was stupid, said the other voice, now you find yourself crippled,.. I know I blame Terrence, but he's only the victim of you machinations… Oh Susanna!
- Mom, stop it! It's going to work, you'll see! He's good and he will end up marrying me. I'm going to play on his guilt. He will leave Candy for me…
- Was that worth a leg?
- I love him too much. I'll have him, whether he's willing to or by force
- Apparently it will be by force…
- Or not at all! Said Georgie entering the room with anger
- Candy! Said Susanna
- What are you doing here? Said Mrs Marlowe, get out at once!
- How dare you say that you love Terry and you want to trap him that way! All this was only a scheme!
- Get out! Said Mrs Marlowe!
- With pleasure! I'm going to tell Terry everything.
She got out of the room, almost running.
- Oh mom! She's going to tell Terry everything, I done for!
- I'll go see said the mother getting out of the room
Georgie was looking for Terry and the others and she couldn't find them. Candy went to powder her nose, came out and started to look for Susanna's room. She found the room empty and was wondering where she was. After all, she had only one leg…Candy had a bad feeling. She started to look for her everywhere, in the room in the hallway. She saw the stair leading to the roof. She didn't know why, but she took those stairs and went up on the roof. She saw a white form under the heavy snow that was falling. Susanna!
- Susanna! Candy cried, No don't do that !
She ran to be near her.
- You can tell Terry , I'm done for. Be happy with him….
She didn't make the difference between Candy and Georgie, since she was so upset. Candy was wondering what she was talking about,
- No Said Candy, you can't do that!
Susanna jumped, and Candy managed to hold on to her by her nightgown, then she caught her arm. She was heavy, but Candy couldn't let her go. She was feeling Susanna slipping. She needed all the strength in the world to lift back Susanna and put her on the snow. The nurses came and took Susanna back to her room. Candy was lying on the snow, she felt a sharp pain in her belly. She fainted. Terry arrived on the roof and saw Candy lying there on the snow.
- Oh my God, Candy!
He took her in his arms and took her downstairs.
- I need help! Doctor! Cried Terry
- Candy, Terry? What happened? Asked Georgie
The doctors and the nurses came and told Terry to put Candy on the bed in one of the room, so they could examine her.
- She's my wife doctor said Terry, she's in the family way…
- Ok, we'll take care of her… Wait in the hall way, said the doctor
Georgie was in Laurent's arms crying.
- It's my fault she said
- Georgie, said Terry, it's not your fault
- Yes it is! Oh Terry, if something happens to her, I will never forgive myself!
She was crying louder.
- Georgie, said Laurent, calm down… tell us what happened
Georgie told them what she'd heard in Susanna's room. Terry became very angry when he heard the whole thing was a set up!
- She probably tried to kill herself, because she was afraid of being found out said Terry between his teeth.
- Terry, calm down, said Eleonor
- Mom, it was a set up! And now Candy saved her life… and she might loose the baby…
- Don't think like that Terry. I'm going to pray at the chapel
- I'm coming with you, said Georgie, Laurent?
- Yes, I'm right behind you
- I'm going to see Susanna…said Terry
In Susanna's room, her mom was crying.
- Why, Susanna? Why did you try to kill yourself?
- Mom, I'm done for said Susanna crying…
- With everything she knew, Candy still saved your life…
- Terry is going to hate me, oh my God…
- He never loved you! Get it through your thick skull! You're a very selfish girl, who thinks only about herself!
- Mom!
- You didn't think about the pain you were going to do to me, if you had died jumping from the roof?
- But mom….
- That's enough! Hiring someone to make a light fall on Terry, so you could save him; you lost your leg and now… it's my fault… I spoiled you…it's over, now.
- Susanna, Mrs. Marlowe said Terry's voice coldly entering the room.
- Terry! Said Susanna, you know everything…
- Susanna, how could you do this to me?
- I love you Terry, I wanted you to be mine…
- That's not love! Organising an accident so you can save me to force me to marry you… Your plan almost worked, only, you didn't count on something or someone; Candy! You see Susanna, Candy is not just the woman I love, and that I will love forever, but she's also my wife…
- Your wife? But I thought… said Susanna
- That I was single? I never said anything about my private life. I'm married to Candy and she's having my baby. After saving your life, she's in danger of loosing the baby…
- Terry, I'm sorry she said crying
- I'm not going to turn you in for attempted murder; Candy will never forgive me. And beside, you lost your leg, I think you've been punished enough as it is…
- Thank you said Mrs. Marlowe
- I'm not doing it for you, but for Candy. I pray that saving you life won't cost her our child.
- Forgive me Terry, forgive me, I love you so much…
- Excuse-me, I have to go get some news about my wife and my baby
- Terry said Laurent, the doctor's looking for you
Terry got out of Susanna's room. Mrs. Marlowe looked at her daughter and shook her head. She was crying
- Susanna, your in one big mess…
Susanna continued crying louder. Her diabolical plan didn't work; she not only lost Terry's friendship, but also her leg in the process. She had calculated her plan wrong, and even if it hadn't been found out, it wouldn't have worked. Terry was married and his wife was having a baby, he would've never left his wife and his child for her. He would've assisted her, but he never would've marry her. He would never love her, but that, she could live with…Even if he didn't love her, she would've love him for the both of them. She was obsessed with Terry. Now she will have to live without the object of her obsession. She continued crying.
The doctor gave Terry the good news. Candy and the Baby were out of danger.
- But we're going to keep her for the night. You can take her home tomorrow morning.
Eleonor and Georgie had a sight of relief.
- Can I see her? Asked Terry
- Yes of course, go ahead
- Thank you. Georgie are you coming?
- In a minute, Terry. Go on first…
Terry entered the room and saw his freckles, lying on the bed. Her blond curly hair, on the pillow. Her eyes were closed. She looked like an angel. She opened her eyes and smiled.
- Terry she said with a little voice
- Freckles, he said sitting on chair near the bed and taking her hand to kiss it, you scared us a lot. You put your life and the baby's life in danger
- I'm sorry my love, I know that I shouldn't risk my life because of the baby, but I couldn't let her die. Yes I put my life and junior's life in danger. Forgive-me Terry
- There's nothing to forgive, honey. You're all right so is the baby and you saved Susanna. You're an angel. But you have to be careful in the future
Candy smiled, Terry sat on the bed and hugged her.
- Georgie's feeling guilty
- Why? Asked a stunned Candy
- She heard Susanna and her mother's machinations and confronted them. It was a set up; the accident, saving my life to make me feel guilty to force me to marry her
- And Susanna was afraid and tried to kill herself? That's why she was saying that I told you everything. I was wondering what she was talking about…No… tell her to come in. I can't believe that Susanna did all this, she lost her leg!
Terry went outside to get Georgie in the hallway.
- Georgie, you can go see her now
Georgie entered Candy's room and went and hugged her.
- Forgive me Candy she said
- No, sweety, it's not your fault. You didn't do anything wrong.
- But she tried to kill herself because of what I said et you put your life and junior's life in danger
- But you put an ending to Terry's dilemma; because of you, we now know the truth. I'm fine and junior's fine too.
- Thank God!
Eleonor and Laurent entered the room to see Candy
- Candy said Eleonor, are you all right? You scared us…
- I'm sorry said Candy
- That's our Candy said Laurent, you say you're sorry when you're the victim? You're too nice…
Georgie called Laurent and they went in the hallway to talk. They went to Susanna's room; she was alone.
- Candy? Said Susanna, you're all right?
- I'm not Candy, I'm her sister, Georgie…
- Oh… but I thought…
- Yes, we look alike a lot. People confuse us. I came to tell you that I find you selfish and unscrupulous! Organising an accident to save Terry and force him to marry you…that's diabolical. If they weren't married, Candy would have been ready to make the sacrifice and let you be with Terry… and it would have been for a lie! Terry doesn't love you, he loves Candy. If your plan had worked, you would've had a miserable man who was thinking about another woman. You would've been unhappy and Candy too.
- But I love him so much…
- That's not love! That's an obsession! When you love someone, you that person to be happy. I gave up the man I loves to save his life, even though it broke my heart. If it were your king of obsessive love, I would've let him die. And killing yourself? Did you think about your mother…?
- Georgie… said Laurent
- Ok. I'm sorry. I came to help you. Laurent here knows doctors specialised in prosthetics. He can contact one of his friends and explain your case to him. Don't worry about the cost; we're taking care of it. If all goes well, in a few weeks, you'll be able to walk again, even go back on scene and start your life over.
- Really?
- There's a condition, you leave Terry and Candy alone….
Susanna hesitated a little. Give up Terry? She knew he would never love her, but a small part of her couldn't help having a little hope. He was married and was going to be a father. Married to Candy! When she was trying to stop Candy from seeing him in Chicago; she was his wife already…that's why they spent the night together… no, Terry was a lost case for her. It was better to try and start her life over.
- Ok, said Susanna, after a while, they won't have anymore problem because of me. I will make a declaration to the press.
- You made the right choice
- What's going on in here, what are you doing in my daughter's room? Said Mrs. Marlowe
- It's ok, mom said Susanna, they're here to help. I'll explain it to you. Thank you Georgie, Laurent. Bye.
- Bye said Georgie
- Bye said Laurent
They got out of the room. Susanna explained to her mother Georgie and Laurent's offer.
- After everything you've done, they want to help you? And that wasn't Candy?
- No, it's her sister Georgie
- My God they are good. One risks her life and her baby's life to save you and the other one is offering you to continue your life. That should teach you a lesson, Susanna
- I'm ashamed of myself, mom, really ashamed. I'm going to become a better person.
Georgie went back to Candy's room. Terry was there.
- You're still here? Asked Candy, I thought you left….
- Without saying goodbye? You're kidding right? Said Georgie
- Where were you? Asked Terry
Georgie and Laurent explained to them what they have done. Candy and Terry were speechless!
- Wow said Candy, I couldn't have done it better myself! Thank you
- I'm stunned said Terry, I have to admit, I wouldn't have been that good
- Of course you would've, honey said Candy, once you anger passed…
- Your kindness is contagious …said Terry
- I'm happy everything is fine said Eleonor who had just entered
- Terry by the way, can we put a hold on our project for a little while? Asked Candy
- Yes, I suppose, why? Asked Terry
- Well, said Candy, Georgie and I are waiting for news about our parents, they should be coming to Chicago, both of them.
- Once we've seen them, Candy will come and join you said Georgie
- You can take the time to find a bigger apartment said Laurent
- And said Eleonor, your father is coming soon so you can "fulfil your duty…"
- And I have to see Uncle William and talk to him said Candy
- Apparently, we're not out of the woods, yet… said Terry
- But we're on the right way said Candy
- I took care of the press said Eleonor, I told them you were visiting Susanna
- Thank you, mom.