SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER…
Chapter 22
"A miraculous conversion"
Stear and Archie let time go by so that Candy can get over her emotions. But it was actually them that needed time to get use to the idea that Candy was married to Terry and expecting his baby. Even Stear, who always gave Archie advice, seemed a little shocked. They had lost the woman they never had…
Neil Reagan was inconsolable for days. He started doing drugs and alcohol. His parents refused to accept that their son had a problem. Albert and the Great aunt Elroy decided to send him in a rehab centre to save his life.
Eliza was sick to learn the good fortune of Candy. The stable girl was now richer than her; with her husband and her two families reunited…she said to herself that being good had a good price. Her brother was in rehab, to see him so weak and vulnerable destroying himself, because he didn't get what he wanted, made her think. She wanted to change her ways. Pining over Terry and running after him, was useless, he was Candy's husband and will never look at her the way he looks at his wife. She reviewed her life; what did she have? Aside from her family and a few friends, she had no man and she didn't know what to do with her life. She went to see Albert; she knew her mother would not encourage her.
- Eliza said Albert; to what do I owe the honour of your visit?
- I came to get some news about Neil
- He's fine, I get an updated on his health every day
- When can I see him?
- Not right away, he has to follow the treatment and when he's feeling better, he can have visitors
- Oh, thank you. I miss him so much. His experience made me think of my life…
- Eliza, are you all right?
- I don't know Albert; I have the impression that my life is a total failure…
- Come on, you're still very young, you've got lots of years to live
- Then why do I feel so sad?
- Because you're brother is in rehab, it's the first time you're separated so long without any contact
- What goes around comes around. Maybe if I do a good deed, my brother will feel better?
- Eliza, what's got into you?
- I love my brother, and I don't want to loose him, I couldn't take it
- Are you serious about doing the good deed?
- I say to myself, it wouldn't cost anything to try, if it could help my brother, indirectly
- Ok, well I wanted to go give some money to the Pony house to help them and start procedures to redo the orphanage, and put a phone and build a little clinic for the children
- The Pony House, Candy's orphanage?
- Yes…
- Oh…
- If you can't handle it…
- No, no, it's fine. I can do it
- There's more
- More?
- They need someone to take care of the kids
- The orphans?
- Yes… I can find someone else
Eliza remained silent for a moment, taking care of the orphans. She thought about the way she treated Candy since the beginning, all the disdain, and the contempt. What better way to redeem herself, than to take care of little orphans from the Pony house?
- Ok, Albert. But try to hide the news from mom as long as possible, she's going to have a cow! But I don't care. I'm going to swallow my pride and do it.
- All right, that's perfect! In a week there will be someone there permanently there, you are going to be a temp
- Oh
- Then if you want, if you're still up to it, I'll get you another goodwill job… so you can see different way to help people in need
- Ok, said Eliza a little hesitant, thank you Albert.
Eliza started her journey for a better life. She said to herself that she was going to try to do good to see if her life will be better. And she needed all the strength of the world to do that….
Albert was visiting Candy when he could. The Great Aunt Elroy changed her attitude towards Candy. Learning that she took care of Albert when he had amnesia showed her she had made a mistake with Candy. Or was it the fact that she learned that she was Roxanne Bramwell and Nathaniel Winstanley, two members of Chicago's high society…? With our without the Andrew name, let's not forget her husband, the son of an English Duke, Candy was now a member of the high society of America.
Candy and Georgie were learning to know their new family. They spent a lot of time together without getting tired. Candy took her parents to the Pony house to introduce them to Miss Pony and Sister Maria.
- Candy said Miss Pony, that's wonderful! You have found your parents
- We actually found each other…
- I thank the Lord that they are people like you to take care of those abandoned children said Roxanne. I'm happy to know that my little girl grew up in this house full of love and laughs…
- That's why we are here said Sister Maria
- May God give a hundred times more of everything you do for those children… said Nathan, I will also give it you a hundred times more…
- Thank you Mr. Winstanley said Sister Maria
- May God give it back to you a hundred times to, said Miss Pony, May God bless you
He arranged so that, the Pony house had everything they need, in food and clothes. He helped Albert with the renovation, new beds, sheets, etc.
- Candy said Sister Maria, you're married? You were married when you came from London?
- Yes Said Candy blushing
- You could've said something, we would've put you in the same room… said Miss Pony and you're in the family way now, oh Candy!
Candy became bright as red. She went to play with the children. Roxanne and Nathan started laughing. Roxanne said to herself that Candy probably found a way to be with her husband during the night, it must have been exiting the fear of getting caught!
The other members of Candy's new family also wanted to make up for lost time. Mrs. Thorpe came to spend a few days with Candy and Roxanne. The son of Roxanne's big sister, Marianne, name Max like his maternal grandfather, seemed interested in Eliza Reagan. He had met her at Louise's, Eliza's friend and then he had met her again when he was taking care of his family's charity business. Eliza was a volunteer in a homeless shelter. She seemed so lost, but was doing her best, to get her work done. Maxime had thought that she was so cute! He went to ask Candy what she thought about her, since she had lived in Eliza's family.
- Hi cousin, I wanted to talk to you… said Max
- Hi Max, said Candy smiling, how are you?
- Well it king of depend on you. I wanted to ask you to talk to me about Eliza Reagan
- Eliza Reagan?
- Yes. You lived in her family, how is she?
- Euh, you want the truth or the embellished version?
- The truth
- Are you in love with her?
- I think she's adorable
- Adorable? Eliza Reagan? Are we talking about the same person?
- Tell me how she was with you…
- Are you sure you want to know?
- Yes…
- Ok, but don't forget, you asked for it
- Asked for what? Said Georgie entering the room
- Hi Georgie said Max
- How is Eliza Reagan… said Candy
- Oh… a delicious creature, said Georgie ironically
- Oh… Said Max, is she that horrible?
- How does she feel about you? Asked Georgie
- I think she liked me said Max
- She likes you? She finally abandoned the idea of being with Terry? Said Georgie
- Terry your husband? Asked Max to Candy
- Yes said Candy, but I can't really be mad at her…
She told Max the whole story from the beginning, how she was hired at the Reagan's until the engagement from hell. Georgie added comments to the events she lived. Maxime listened without a word. But he loved Eliza.
- I have to say that without Eliza, I would have been alone and Terry would have been with Susanna said Candy. I'm very grateful to her, and judging by your expression, you seemed still interested by her…
- You're in love with her! Said Georgie, oh Max, you couldn't fall in love with someone else…
- Georgie said Candy; you know that you can't control those things. I only hope that she shares your feeling, other wise she's going to hurt you
- I think she fell in love with me too
- I hope that the little love or the love that she's feeling will show her that being nice is the way to go said Candy. With her brother in rehab…
- Neil said Max, he is still in love with you?
- I don't know and I don't care said Candy, but be careful with Eliza, I don't want her to hurt you
- Thanks cousin, I'm happy to have two new cousins. Aunt Roxie is full of surprises!
Candy and Georgie were laughing; it was good to have a family.
Eliza Reagan was in her bedroom looking for something to wear. She wanted to be pretty for Max Cabot. She had met him at her friend Louise; he was a friend of her brother's. She thought he was really handsome and that wasn't all, she couldn't get him out of her head. She remembered their first meeting….
She went to visit Louise, who had invited her to see her brother and his friends and find a suitor. Eliza hesitated because she was working as a volunteer, she was a little tired, but she hadn't seen Louise for so long. So she went and didn't regret it… As soon as she arrived, she noticed Max's presence. There were others young men as handsome, but Max was the one that attracted her. Boy, was she surprise when he approached her and talked to her.
- Hello said Max, let me introduce myself, Max Cabot
- Eliza Reagan, she said smiling
They looked at each other, and there was a thunderbolt. They started talking. Eliza was sweet and nice. She had spent the afternoon talking about all and nothing with Louise. Louise was impressed, or if you like surprised by the change in her friend. She hardly came to see her anymore saying she was busy and now she nice and smiling!
Eliza saw Max again in the homeless shelter where she worked as a volunteer. She was happy to see him and was in a good mood for the rest of the day. She couldn't stop thinking about him. She realised the crush she had for Terry was only a spoiled brat's caprice, because he was interested in Candy, not in her. Max was coming to see her. She had to be beautiful. She put on a nice blue dress. Her hair that she didn't have the time to curl anymore, were tied in haft a ponytail on her head. There was a knock on her door.
- Miss Reagan?
It was the maid, Dorothy.
- Yes?
- There is a Mr. Cabot here to see you
- Thank you Dorothy, tell him I'm coming
Dorothy was very surprised. Eliza Reagan was thanking her? She had heard the rumours that she had become sweet, but she couldn't believe it. Now she had the proof! What's got into Eliza Reagan?
In the big leaving room, Max and Eliza were talking of this and that. He knew he had to talk about Candy and Terry.
- Eliza he said, I like you a lot, but…
- I like you a lot too, "but" what?
- I have something to tell you… my aunt came back from Africa; she got married and she found her two daughters she had abandoned at the orphanages
- Candy and Georgie… said Eliza looking down
- Yes
- She told you everything? Asked Eliza softly
- Absolutely everything
- So? She asked worried
- So, I'm hoping that the nice and sweet young woman that you are, is not the one who did those terrible things anymore…well if you want us to go further…
- I acknowledge that I was that person who did those terrible things to Candy. But I assure you that I have changed. I'm not that person anymore. I'm even ready to apologise to Candy
- Eliza, I'm happy that you suggested yourself to apologise to Candy… she's my cousin; she's in my family. I'm proud of you he said coming close to her
Eliza was waiting for that moment with impatience. Maxime sat next to her, got her closer and kissed her on the lips. Eliza was in seventh heaven. She felt her heart getting lighter and lighter…. If this young man aroused in her all those sensations, she will humiliate herself, and will apologise to Candy. Maxime wanted to be with her, she shared his feelings. She was happy and savour the moment. She had changed, she was always in a good mood and happy. She didn't want to be mean, anymore.
- Are you ready to come and see Candy with me?
- What? Now?
- Yes, I want to finish with this story and learn to know the new Eliza Reagan…
- Ok, she said smiling, let's go!
Candy was in the living room with her family, talking, when Max arrived with Eliza.
- Hello he said
- Hello, said Eliza
- Hello, said the people in the living room
- Candy said Eliza, can I talk to you, in private?
- Sure said Candy, let's go in the library
They went to the library together.
- Ok, Candy. I came here with Max to ask for your forgiveness, for everything I have done to you ever since we met. The truth is, I was jealous because you were prettier than me… I wanted to be your friend but my big pride took over. I know it's bad. I couldn't help being mean to you. Everybody loved you, Anthony, Alistair, Archibald, Terry and even Neil was in love with you. But it was mainly Anthony's attention and Terry's that bothered me. I wanted to be in your place. The trap I set for Terry and you, was monstrous and I'm sorry. And for the engagement with Neil too and all those time I insulted you. The truth is, I wanted to be like you, happy, nice, smiling.
Candy couldn't believe her ears. Eliza Reagan apologized to her? Did she hit her head or something?
- Eliza what brought up all of this?
- I met you cousin, Max… and I have fallen in love with him, for reel this time. I'm so happy that I want to kiss everybody.
Eliza and "in love" in the same phrase?
- So, Candy, do you forgive me? Asked Eliza with begging eyes, I want to start over with you and everybody…
Candy remained silent for a while. Was Eliza sincere? She never talked to she with so much kindness and sweetness. But could she trust her? She decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. So she gave her her hand and said;
- Hello, my name is Candice Grandchester…
- Eliza Reagan. Pleased to meet you. Thank you Candy, thank you so much!
To her big surprise, Eliza hugged her. Eliza, nice and sweet? All those years of being mean, all she needed was to fall in love? Love was really a powerful force to manage to metamorphose Eliza that way! Candy hugged her back..
- So, you want a girl or a boy? Asked Eliza when they were walking to the living room.
- I want a baby in good health
- You're right, it's the main thing
They entered the living room under the surprised look of the other, except Max who was smiling to them.
- You didn't kill yourselves? Said Georgie
- We made peace said Candy
- Peace? Wow, not possible said Georgie
Annie, Alistaire, Archie and Patty had arrived in the mean time and was looking at them with big eyes.
- Candy and Eliza in peace? Said Archie
- Who are you, and what have you done to my cousin? Asked Ali to Eliza
- Come on cousins, hello first of all she said kissing them, I'm happy to see you. Annie, Patty
- Eliza … said Annie
- She's in love said Max as an explanation and taking Eliza by the shoulders…
- Oh… said, Annie, Archie, Ali and Patty
- Love really does miracles said Ali
- You can say that again! Said Archie, Eliza kind? I still can't believe it!
Everybody started laughing.