SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER…
Chapter 18
"The engagement from hell"
The engagement from hell day had finally arrived. Candy woke up with morning sickness. Terry called to say that he'll take a later train than he thought.
- Oh Terry, try to get here on time, please
- My mother told me my father was going to Chicago on business. I'll have to see him
- Ok, honey, but be there, that's all I want… see you tonight my love
- How are you and junior?
- I have morning sickness, but I'm fine during the day
- My poor darling. See you tonight…
Richard Grandchester was at Eleonor Baker's doorstep.
- Richard said Eleonor
- Eleonor…
- Come in, please. You came to get Terrence?
- He has a duty to fulfil said Richard sitting in the living room
- He's in love with another girl, they are very happy together… let them be, please. Don't separate them…
- Eleonor, I had a duty to fulfil
- Yes, you left me to fulfil you duty, I remember too well, thank you!
- Eleonor…
- No, don't tell me you didn't feel anything when we separated, you haven't forgot. So why do you want to do the same thing to Terrence?
- Eleonor, my decision is made. Don't make things more difficult…
- Ok. I'm just saying, don't expect him to accept. He's going to resist you to the end
- We'll see. Tell me where I can find him. But I have to go to Chicago for business. I will talk to him when I get back from Chicago.
- I'm coming with you… euh, I also have business in Chicago…
Laurent came to pick them up for the party and was surprise to see the both of the jolly sisters with the same dress and the same hairdo.
- Ok, said Laurent, what games are you playing?
- We don't know what you're talking about Laurent said Georgie
He shook his head and escorted them to the car. They arrived at the Reagan's manor for the party. There were some guess that had already arrived; they turned when looking at Laurent with the two girls at his arms, entering the room. Eliza took Candy by the arm to tell her.
- Listen, you little slut! You are going to accept the engagement to my brother, or the whole world will know that you're pregnant with your Albert's baby, without being married…
Candy was speechless for a while. Eliza was incredible! She knew Candy was pregnant, but she was ready to let her brother marry a pregnant woman, so that Terry will be free?
- Let go of me Eliza! You don't know what you're talking about! Said Candy
She left her to go on the terrace where Georgie was.
- Georgie? Where's Laurent?
- He's talking with people he knows. Where were you?
- With Eliza. She knows I'm pregnant and she thinks it's Albert's…
- What? She doesn't even entertain the idea of Terry being the father?
- No. That would be admitting to have lost Terry, which she never had, by the way…She wants me to marry her brother or she'll tell everybody that I'm a single mother to be
- Let her try.. she has time to waste
- Hi said Annie's voice
- Good evening said Patty smiling
- Thank you for coming said Candy. Stear, Archie, thank you my friends
- Candy, you're sure you want to go through with this? There's still time to run said Archie
- I'm sure, Archie said Candy
- Let's go eat, said Annie, are you coming Candy?
- No, you go ahead, I'm not hungry
- Ok, see you later
They went into the house. She stayed with Georgie.
- Are you ok, Candy? Asked Georgie
- Yes. Thank you sweetie.
Roxanne and Nathan arrived at the Reagan's manor and said hello to Mr. and Mrs. Reagan.
- Roxanne? Said Mrs. Reagan, you finally managed to land a husband. And not any husband, Nathaniel Winstanley…you could have done worse, with your line of work…
- You're always so nice, Sarah said Roxanne
She entered with her husband in the room.
- Are you sure you didn't steel her boyfriend a long time ago? Asked Nathan
- She's always been that charming said Roxanne ironically
Nathan introduced his wife to his acquaintances, most of them knew the both of them, but was surprised to see them married. Roxanne left Nathan to talk business and went to go on the terrace for get some air. She took a deep breath. She missed Africa, the nice sun, the tan… she heard two young women talking.
- …she's ready to leave her brother… I still can't believe it…
She didn't hear the rest because she moved to go get a glass of champagne. She went back where she was before, near the two young women, without knowing why.
- I hope that Terry is coming soon said one of the young woman
- He'll be here, honey. Don't worry. He won't let you down, you'll see said the other girl
- Let this party get by quickly…
- They say the Great Uncle William will be there
- After this thing with Neil, I'm not sure I want to see him…
Roxanne turned around and saw two beautiful young women with blond curly hair. They were wearing the same green dress and had the same hairdo. Roxanne's heart jumped in her chest. Could it be possible? She came closer to them and decided to talk to them, to see if they were wearing a gold bracelet like hers.
- Good evening she said to the two young women.
The two young women turned around and they saw a woman with blond hair and green eyes that was smiling to them. Their heart jumped in their chest.
- Good evening they said at the same time
They stayed a little paralysed. The three women were looking at each other, they wanted to say something, but no sound came out of their mouths. Roxanne looked at the wrist of the young women instinctively. She saw the bracelet on Georgie's right wrist, identical to hers. She had the impression that the world was spinning around her. It couldn't be that simple!
Candy and Georgie saw Roxanne's expression change from a smile to total stupefaction. Roxanne's eyes were stuck on Georgie's wrist; the two young women followed Roxanne's eyes to the bracelet.
- Oh my God! Said Candy and Georgie at the same time
They had to stay calm. There was a woman with blond hair and green eyes that was looking at Georgie's bracelet with stupefaction. The woman didn't say a word, and she showed them her right arm.
- Candy… said Georgie
- I see it, honey said Candy
- Candy? Said Roxanne, like the doll… oh my God!
- The doll said Candy softly
The three women were still not moving, looking at each other. None of them could move. There was electricity in the air between the three of them. They were so surprised by the turn of events. The two sisters could feel the love that of this woman was feeling for them, without even having to open her mouth. The magic of maternal love, maternal instinct, the voice of blood… whatever it was; the two sisters who had felt it only the first days of their life when they were too young to remember, were feeling it at that moment. This woman, that they never seen before, was releasing warmth that only a loving mother was capable of. For Roxanne, the sight of these two young women wiped out all those years without her babies, even before she checked for the bracelets. The universe had given Nathan back to her, and now it was giving her babies, her twins! She had to say something… she heard a man's voice calling her like in a dream. It was Nathan.
- Honey, honey, where are you? Oh, there you are!
Nathan came closer and saw his wife's upset expression.
- Roxie? Are you all right? He said holding her
He looked at the two young women and his heart jumped in his chest. Two young women, blond who looked like Roxanne, when she was that age and like Cassandra too.
- Honey, said Roxanne with a little voice showing Georgie's bracelet
- Oh my God! He cried
It couldn't be that simple! But, why not? He had found Roxanne against all odds, why not the twins?
Candy and Georgie had tears in their eyes. Candy showed them the bracelet she had at her arm.
- Oh Lord Jesus, two… you've found each other said Roxanne
- Roxanne, you think it's them? Asked Nathan
- Yes, Nathan, I can feel it.
- Roxanne? Said Georgie
- Nathan? Said Candy
Before Roxanne and Nathan could answer them, the two young women jumped to their neck. Georgie in Roxanne's arms and Candy in Nathan's arms. Every body was crying. After a while they trade arms without stopping crying.
- I can't believe it said Roxanne after a while looking at the both of them
- Neither can we! Said Candy and Georgie at the same time
- My babies said Roxanne hugging them at the same time
She couldn't stop crying.
- According to the bracelet you're wearing and that I'm wearing, you're my babies, my twins…
- Twins? Said the girls at the same time
- And I'm your father said Nathan
- We know, said Georgie, I did some research… I'm Georgie
- And I'm Candy. You're together…
- We had just found each other… I have so much to tell you said Roxanne
Candy and Georgie saw the world with a new eye, they had found their parents!
- CANDY! Called Annie, it's time, you have to come… but, why are you crying? I have to fix your make up…
Annie took a handkerchief from her bag and wiped Candy's tears.
- You're the fiancée? Asked Roxanne, you're getting engaged to Sarah Reagan's son? Oh…
- If I understand you correctly, she's not one of you favourite people? Said Candy
- Candice White Andrew, the invitation said…replied Nathan with a severe expression
He remembered what he'd heard about Neil Reagan, but didn't say anything; he was a father for two minutes…did he had the right to talk?
- Do you know if Terry's here? Asked Candy to Annie
- I haven't seen him, but he should be here! Let's go! It's show time!
Roxanne and Nathan looked at each other.
- Georgie are you coming? Asked Annie
- I'm right behind you. We'll explain later, she said to her newly found parents. Come and see the show
- Ok said the parents at the same time
They entered the house where everybody was standing around the room. Georgie took her parents in front so they could see the scene better.
Candy was in the middle of the room with Mrs Reagan and Neil. All her friends were in front standing near Georgie and her parents.
- Ladies and gentlemen, dear guests, dear friends. We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the engagement between Neil Reagan and Candice, White Andrew said Mrs. Reagan, Neil, Candy…co….
But she was interrupted by the voice of a young man.
- Just a minute! Said Terry's voice, coming through the guests and walked to the middle of the room
He was very well dressed; a black smoking and a nice white shirt. Everybody looked where the voice was coming from. People were whispering. Eliza was mad and Candy had a sight of relief.
- I object to this engagement! Said Terry
- Who are you? Said Mrs. Reagan who knew who Terry was, but was pretending. How dare you?
- Terrence Graham Grandchester, I'm the man Candy loves… he said smiling to her and winking at her and she smiled
- But that's not important, she has to marry Neil… Said Mrs. Reagan
- You see, Mrs Reagan, Candy doesn't want to marry Neil said Terry
- What she wants is not important, said Mrs. Reagan
There was whispers among the guests and Nathan had to hold Roxanne back so she won't intervene physically. She was outraged!
- Roxie, calm down…
- How dare she?
- Let's see what's going to happen
Terry was still talking.
- Not important for you? Ok, but what about what she can do?
- What do you mean? Asked Mrs. Reagan
- You see, Mrs. Reagan, Candy cannot marry Neil, she's already married… to me!
The guests had a cry of indignation and surprise. Aside from Annie, all of Candy's friends were speechless.
- But the Great Uncle William gave the order for her to marry Neil said Mrs. Reagan
- That's funny, I don't remember being approach for that said a man's voice
- Mr. Albert! Said a stunned Candy
- What's going on in here? Cried Neil, married to Grandchester? And him, what is he doing here? This is not your problem! He said to Albert, you bastard! He said to Terry
- You really want to fight with me, Reagan? Said Terry
- WILLIAM! Said the Great Aunt Elroy, you here?
- Why are you calling him William aunt Elroy, that's the main with amnesia that was leaving with Candy, he's…
- Really? Interrupted the Great Aunt confused, Oh my God!
- Yes, that's the truth. I had amnesia and Candy took care of me with the help of her sister. Let me introduce myself, William Albert Andrew, also known as the famous Great Uncle William
Candy and the rest of the guests were all, speechless.
- Mr. Albert finally said Candy, you're My Great Uncle William? You're the one who adopted me?
- You're married? Said Mrs. Reagan to Candy, you're married and you dared to humiliate my son in front of everybody? You little…
- Sarah! Said the voice of Roxanne, not another word!
- Roxanne? Stay out of this, this is not your problem… said Mrs Reagan
- That's where you're wrong Sarah; it is my problem, that's our daughter you're talking to…
- She's not an orphan anymore, she has parents now said Nathan looking at Candy with love
- What? Said Mrs. Reagan, since when?
This party was full of surprises! Richard Grandchester was among the guests and couldn't believe his hears and eyes. Terrence was married to Candy who turned out to be the daughter of Nathan Winstanley? Eleonor, who was with Richard, was ecstatic!
- Are you ok, honey said Terry, holding her by the shoulders
- Emotionally? Not really, but physically I've been better…
- Those are your parents? Wow!
- You have no idea, honey!
She walked towards Roxanne and gave her a big hug. Roxanne hugged her back.
- I know we just found each other, but it feels good to have a mother and a father defending me she said with tears in her eyes
- Come on baby, we'll catch up for lost time, said Roxanne
- I say let's get out of here… said Nathan
- With pleasure! Said Candy smiling