SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER…
Chapter 19
« Surprise, did you say surprise? »
Candy, Georgie, their parents, Terry's parents and Candy's friends got out of the Reagan's manor. They were all happy and were talking joyfully. The show was superb!
- Are you following me said Nathan, we're going to the Rainbow Manor.
- I know it said Stear
Candy walked toward Annie.
- Annie, come, this is my mother, Roxanne
- Pleased to meet you said Annie and Roxanne at the same time
- Annie was found the same day as me…
- Oh, said Roxanne, you're the other baby…
She hugged her.
- I'm sorry, honey
- I'm fine Roxanne said Annie, thanks. I wanted to ask you, did you see anybody?
- No, honey, you were already there when I arrived…
- That's ok, said Annie, I was adopted. I have two loving parents.
Albert was outside with every body.
- Mr. Albert said Candy hugging him, thank you, thank you for adopting me…Uncle William!
- Albert said Roxanne
- Roxie said Albert
- You're the one that adopted my little girl? It's a small world! Come with us, we'll talk some more…
They all went to the Rainbow manor and sat in the biggest living room of the manor. Candy was sitting next to Terry, Georgie next to Laurent, Roxanne next to Nathan, Patty next to Stear and Annie next to Albert and Archie next to Terry's parents.
Nathan started to talk.
- This evening was the most surprising and the most beautiful of all my life
- That's the least we could say said Roxanne
- These last days in fact, my life changed completely… Richard? He said when he saw Terry's father
- He's my father, Sir said Terry
- Really? Said Roxanne with a mocking smile
- Oh, that's not possible! Said Nathan
- Your son is married to our daughter? Asked Roxanne
- Oh my God, said Nathan, well, we'll see that later.
The others were looking at them without understanding.
- I'm going to start said Roxanne
- I'm going to help you said Nathan holding her hand
They told their story together. The girls cried with Roxanne in the sad moments and laughed during the reconciliation tale, almost twenty years later. Candy and Terry told their story, too; how Terry bought the bracelet for Candy, until Candy found her bracelet in her little mattress. Terry talked about the ball, the meeting with Elizabeth and Richard Junior, the wedding on the boat. Albert talked how he'd met Roxanne in Africa and how much she reminded her of Candy.
- That's what gave me the idea of becoming a nurse said Candy
- You're a nurse? Said Roxanne, great! End you Georgie, you came from Australia? I still can't believe it!
- You're the girl who made the Prince of Liege walk? Said Nathan to Candy, you have some courage!
- No, said Candy, I only had eyes for Terry!
Every body started laughing. Terry talked about how he got to the Reagan manor and found Albert with his memory.
- I told him that the great Uncle William, wanted to force Candy to marry Neil
- I told him that it was impossible, said Albert, because I was Uncle William
- So I told him that I was Candy's husband and we decided when to make our big entrance…
- That's a big surprise said Stear, that's why you knew all our names in London! And you Candy, you didn't tell us that you were a married woman!
- I'm sorry Stear… and that's not all said Candy
- Another surprise? Said Archie uncertain
- It's a good one Archie, I promise said Candy
"Good for him? Thought Terry, he's going to be ready to explode!"
Candy came near her parents.
- Mom, dad, can I call you that? Mr. Albert…
They nodded smiling
- I'm in the family way…
The surprises didn't seem to want to finish! Roxanne and Nathan hugged her.
- If someone had told me a month ago that I would be married , a mother and a grand mother! I would've told them they were crazy said Roxanne
Stear, Archie and Patty were stunned. Annie seemed calm.
- You knew about this? Asked Archie to Annie
- I guessed it, she didn't tell me anything
Albert hugged her too.
- Is that why you were eating so much grapefruits? Asked Albert
Candy just laughed. Georgie stood and introduce Laurent to her parents.
- We're survivors of arranged marriages said Laurent
They told them their story.
- Georgie said Roxanne, at least you didn't wait for almost 20 years like us
Nathan held her hand for comfort.
- Candy, Georgie, you have a sister and a brother
- Great! Said the jolly sisters at the same time
Terry stood and introduce his parents.
- May I introduce you to my parents, the duke Richard Grandchester…
- We know each other said Roxanne
- …and my mother, Eleonor Baker
- Pleased to meet you said Candy's parents
- Pleased to meet you said Eleonor
- I'm Terrence Grandchester, Candy's husband
- Pleased to meet you said Candy's parents
- How do you know my father? Asked Terry
Roxanne and Nathan told them how they met on the boat and talked business and Richard was talking about getting his son "To fulfill his duty"
- Roxanne, you defended Terry without knowing he was our daughter's husband said Nathan. Richard, you are not going to take your son from our daughter are you?
- I think we can work something out said Richard
Terry, Candy and Eleonor had a sight of relief.
- Freckles, that's it! Said Terry
He took her in his arms and started spinning around with her. Candy started laughing.
- What's going on? Asked Roxanne
- Without knowing it, you brought the solution to their problem… They can be together now; Candy found you, she met her Uncle William and Richard is leaving them alone… said Eleonor
- That's why you kept your marriage a secret? Asked Patty
- We wanted to face life's obstacles being married Said Candy
- If were not married, Candy would have sacrificed herself, so I could take care of Susanna Marlowe said Terry
- You're too good, Candy said Annie, when are you going to New York?
- I have to go back tomorrow night said Terry, but Candy is going to get ready to follow me later.
- Our parents wants us to have a wedding ceremony for them said Roxanne, we are renewing our vows…
- What a great idea! Said Annie, Candy you got married without us, you owe us a ceremony!
- Yes said Patty, you owe us that!
Candy looked at her husband.
- It's your decision, freckles said Terry
- Come on Candy said Annie
- But, I'm going to start to show…
- So what said Roxanne, you're already married, the priest is not going to faint…
- Ok said Candy, let's do a ceremony for our families and friends
- Super! Said Annie, you won't have to lift a little finger, I'm going to take care of everything!
Terry was on one knee in front of a stunned Candy
- Candice White Andre Granchester, freckles, Miss Tarzan, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife again? He Asked
- Terrence Graham Grandchester, I will be honoured to become your wife again said Candy smiling
He took her in his arms and hugged her. The others applauded, beside Archibald, who was sulking. The living room doors opened and Roxanne and Nathan's family entered the room, every body was there; Nathan's parents and his brother and sister, his two kids, Cassandra and Steven. For Roxanne family, her parents were there, her sister and her husband, and her grandmother. Aside for this last one, the others were all at the reception and had assisted to the show and they wanted explanations.
Candy looked at Roxanne's grandmother and was surprised, she recognised her! She knew her!
- Mrs. Thorpe? Said Candy, good evening!
The old lady looked up and a smile lighted her face.
- Candy, you, here?
- How do you two know each other? Asked Roxanne
- She was my favourite nurse when I was in the hospital said Mrs. Thorpe
- She threw tantrums when I wasn't there said Candy
- That I'm sure of! Said Roxanne
- She reminded me of you, Roxie… said Mrs. Thorpe
- Really? That's because she's my daughter, grandma…
- Grandma? Said Candy
- Your daughter? Said Mrs. Thorpe, Oh my God!
Candy came near her and hugged her. Her great-grandmother!
- I suppose I can't hire you as a nurse anymore said Mrs. Thorpe
- Why not, I'm not working at the hospital anymore, I can take care of you when ever you want said Candy smiling
- Super! Said the grandma
Nathan stood up , took his twins and told his family and Roxanne's family;
- May I introduce you to my twins, Candy and Georgie he said. We don't need to look for them anymore, we found each other. Cassandra, Steven…
Cassandra approached hers sisters a little emotional.
- Hi, you have freckles too, she said to Candy
- Terry, you've got another freckles said Candy
- She'll be the little freckles said Terry smiling
Cassandra smiled a Terry.
- Terrence Grandchester? The actor? You're my brother-in-law? I read an article on you in the magazine. And on the boat, I read that your girlfriend refuse to dance with the Prince of Liege because she wanted her first dance with you…
- That was Candy said Georgie
- Oh wow! My sister made the Prince of Liege walk! But what came to your mind?
- Nothing said Candy, I just wanted to dance my first dance with Terry, that's all!
- Oh! I wish I could've seen the Prince's face said Cassandra
- No, Terry's face was funnier said Candy, I think he blushed for the first time in his life…
- You can say that again said Terry
The others were laughing. Archie was fuming
- Candy, Georgie, I'm glad I have twin sisters said Cassandra hugging them.
- Three blondes! Said Nathan, we're going to get you confused!
Steven approached the twins, with a false upset face
- Three sisters? No brothers?
- But you're going to be our little darling said Candy
- Three sisters that are going to cherish you said Georgie
He hugged them.
- Maybe Roxanne is going to give us a little boy he said Steven
Roxanne blushed, the others were laughing
- Hey easy, I'm going to be a grandmother…
- Grandmother? Asked Cassandra
- Candy and her husband are having a baby said Georgie
- Wonderful! I'm going to be an aunt
- And me an uncle? At my age? Asked Steven
The others members of the family came and greeted the twins, kissing them and welcoming them to the family. They decided to all have diner together. The night was memorable!
Candy and Georgie were sitting next to their parents.
- I'm glad you're not engaged to Neil Reagan, I heard he's a spoiled brat and mean said Nathan to Candy
- Not more happy to me, I assure you dad, said Candy smiling
- Neil must be crying in his mommy's arms said Stear
- And his sister's said Archie
- As long as it's not in my wife's arms…said Terry
- Grandmother said Roxanne Candy and Terry are going to renew their vows too for their families and friends
- Oh this is great said Mrs. Thorpe, you can have a double ceremony
- Double ceremony?
- Yes said Annie, all four of you got married on the boat, you can renew your vows together
- If it doesn't bother you said Candy
Roxanne looked at her husband who nodded.
- Bother us? Said Roxanne, I will never get tired off you!
Candy looked at her smiling
- So it's settle said Mrs. Thorpe, we will have a double ceremony!
Mean while, Neil Reagan was crying in his mother's arms.
- Mom, I want Candy! My Candy!
- Come on, we'll find you another girl…
- NO, NO! I don't want another girl, I want Candy! I love her! I want Candy!
- Oh stop crying said Eliza, she's married and she's having a baby…
- What? A baby? Said Neil, damn you, Grandchester! You stole my wife!
- She never was yours to behind with, you idiot! Said Eliza
Eliza was angry very angry. Candy and Terry were married? She was having Terry's baby, not Albert's. Even if it was the case, Albert is Uncle William, one of America's richest men. Candy was a winner on both sides!
"Damn you Candy! You always fall back on your feet!" she said to herself.
But why? She was an orphan, she found her rich parents! She was married to an handsome man, talented actor and she was in the family way! What about her Eliza Reagan, what did she have? Rich parents, but she envied Candy. Every body loved her! Eliza started to think seriously about her life, making changes in it, but she needed a reason to change. A very good deed will maybe tip the scales of luck in her favour? Any way, she will spend the night examining her life. She went to her room.
- Aunt Elroy said Mrs. Reagan, why did you let Candy humiliate us like that, without punishing her?
- William is the head of this family. He was sick and had amnesia and Candy took care of him…
- But…
- No. She took care of William until he recovered his memory. William adopted her, maybe I never accepted it, but she took care of William she repeated. He can now take the head of the family. And if I understood correctly, she's Roxanne Bramwell and Nathan Winstanley's daughter. The young actor that married her, is the son of an English duke… I think Candy could've done worse… it's a lot better than you unbearable daughter!
Mr and Mrs Reagan were speechless. They will have to find another wife for their son. Neil continued crying.
Stear and Archie were in their bedroom. Archie had a long face.
- What's wrong Archie? Asked his brother
- Stear, she's married to that damned Grandchester and she's having his baby!
Stear shook his head. Archie was incorrigible!
- He's her husband, that means he touches her… he makes love to her…Shit! I will give anything to be in his place!
- Archie, you have to stop this said Stear
- What? Don't tell me it doesn't do anything to you!
- I know I will never have herm, Archie. But what doesn't serve me to get tortured? You know that even when Anthony died, she wasn't interested in us…
- She didn't have the time! She met that good for nothing actor on the boat that was bringing her to London!
- Come on bro, you know that if she wanted you, the actor wouldn't count. But she loves him. She refuse to dance with a Prince for him…
- Don't remind me! I'm sick when I think about her alone in London with him, or in his bed every nights…
- Well, you the choice between accepting the situation of being sick for the rest of your life. There are other fish in the ocean. " When you don't have what you want, you content yourself with what you have" What you want is Candy, but what you have is…
- Annie Brighton said Archie
- She loves you and she wants to be with you
- And you're going to content yourself with Patty?
- I love Patty, Archie
- Thanks for the pep talk, bro.
Once in his bed, Archie thought about Candy married and pregnant. It should've been him! But Stear was right, there's no point crying over spilled milk. Candy will never be his, Annie, was in love with him.