SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER….
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 23
« Happiness at the horizon… »
Susanna was making a lot of progress. Mac was helping her with his encouragements. Susanna surprised herself wanting to make Mac happy. She like her consultations even thought it was sometime, painful; she was waiting to see Mac with impatience.
Mac on his side got attached to Susanna. He didn't want to attach himself to a patient, but it was stronger than him. The more they had sessions, the more he wanted to see her. But since he knew her story, her obsession with Terrence Grandchester, which made her what she was today, a one-legged woman. But without the accident, he wouldn't have met her and wouldn't have been working so close to her. She was probably still in love with Terrence Grandchester. He had no chance. He arrived at Susanna and knocked on the door.
Susanna was getting ready for her session with Mac' she put make up on lightly and brushed her hair for a while. Her mother noticed her good mood. Ever since the accident, her mother was putting her down all the time.
- Susanna, what's happening? You're a happy camper….
- I have a session with Mac, mom
- Oh… and that's for him all that? I hope that you're not deluding yourself this time… we wouldn't want you to lose another leg…
- Mom. Can't encourage me a little?
- You have only one leg, who would want you? It's your own fault!
Susanna remained silent and was very sad all of a sudden. Her mother was right, she was deluding herself. Mac will only look at her as a patient, never as a woman! She had only one leg, she was an incomplete woman.! Tears started to come down her cheeks. Her mother ever since the fiasco with Terry, didn't encourage her with anything and kept reminding her every time, that she had only one leg and that no one will be interested in her, even with a prosthetic leg. She heard someone knock on the door. It was probably Mac for the session. Despite her sadness, she happy that he came. Her mother was getting ready to go out, opened the door to let him in. It was her bridge night with her friends; she will come back very late.
- Hello Doctor, said Mrs Marlowe coldly
- Mrs. Marlowe
- Come in, she's waiting for you. I'm leaving you, bye!
She went out,closing the door behind her.
He entered the living room and found Susanna in tears in her wheel chair. On the table there was an article on the Wedding of Candy and Terrence. He thought that she was crying over the article. His good mood was gone to make place for a cold and brittle expression. Will she ever get Terrence out of her head?
- Mac said Susanna wiping her tears. I didn't hear you come in. Mom is gone?
- Yes he said coldly. If you're in pain, I can come back tomorrow…
- No, I'm fine, she said quickly, we can go ahead.
- Are you sure?
- Yes
She was happy to see him, but couldn't show it in the middle of her tears. And Mac's cold attitude had saddened her.
- We're trying the prosthesis today said Mac, the pain in your leg must be completely gone, right?
- Yes, I'm a little nervous said Susanna.
- Everything will be fine
- Sometimes I have the impression of still feel my amputated leg…
- That's normal. It's the ghostly feeling
- Oh… ok!
He put the prosthetic on her. She didn't know how much she was nervous. He touched for the exercises, but to be so close to her and her private parts…
She was also shivering inside her, feeling him so close to her. She felt the heat of Mac's proximity. His hand so close to… She held her breath. He didn't know the pleasure he was doing her just by being next to her.
When he finally finished, he stood back from her and said;
- Ok, Susanna. Now try to stand up… slowly…. Slowly… that's it don't rush… go ahead…
Susanna stood up slowly holding on to her wheel chair at first, then letting go the left arm first, and the right arm later. She was standing up without crutches!
- Ok, Susanna said Mac. Now try to walk… slowly, don't go too fast, we have time
Susanna was trying to make another step. The prosthesis on her stump was a weirs feeling. She made one step… and another…. And another… until she got to where Mac was standing. She was so happy that she jumped to his neck spontaneously. Mac hugged her too, happy to have her in his arms.
- Thank you Mac she said with tears in her eyes, thank you so much.
- No Susanna, you did all the work
- But I couldn't have done it without you… she said rise her head from his shoulder
Mac moved at the same time and their lips met at the same time. Mac kissed her passionately. Susanna was surprised for a second, but responded to the kiss with the same passion. The kiss seemed to last an eternity. Susanna felt all her senses explode. Mac didn't want to take advantage, but he couldn't help himself. He would apologise later he said to himself. When they finally stopped, they were breathless both of them. He let go of her slowly and she went to sit on the couch. There was a tense silence.
- Susanna, I'm sorry said Mac finally
- You're sorry? She said surprised
- For kissing you…
- You didn't like it? She asked sadly
- Yes but…
- "but" what? You don't want a one-legged woman?
- Susanna! Don't ever say that again! I don't want to be your consolation prize…
- My consolation prize?
- When I got here, you were crying and I saw the article on Grandchester…
- Oh… you think I was crying for Terry?
- That wasn't the case?
- No. My mother had just told me that you wouldn't want me because I'm… I'm….
Mac cursed. How could a mother be so mean to her own daughter? He came close to her.
- Susanna, look at me. You're the most beautiful woman I ever saw…
Susanna held her breath. Did she hear him right?
- I can't stop thinking about you. I thought you were still in love with Grandchester. The doctors are not suppose to fall in love with their patient, but…
Susanna started crying. Her mother was always telling her that no one would want of a one-legged woman, that she had ruined her life forever that she will end up an old maid.
- You don't find me "incomplete"?
- Are you going to stop talking like this? For me you're a full woman…
- Oh. Mac! I can't stop thinking about you either. Mom said that I was deluding myself. When you arrived with your cold expression…. I said to myself that she was right
- Susanna, listen to me. Some people think like your mother, but not me. I love you…
- Oh… I love you too, Mac
Mac sat next to her and he kissed her on the lips hugging her. He started caressing her everywhere, her hair, her neck her breast…Susanna was savouring all those new sensations. She didn't want him to stop. She wanted to feel like a complete woman. Mac understood her need and carried her to her bedroom. She had a double bed and he put her on it and started to take her clothes off… a few moments later, the first pain passed, Susanna felt like a complete woman when she was transported to the peek of the pleasure with Mac.
- Are you ok, honey?
- Yes, my love she said
- You know your mother is going to try to discourage you?
- I don't want to think about it
- You want to come and live with me?
- With you? As…
- The woman I love and that I'm going to marry
- Marry?
- Susanna Marlowe, will you marry me?
- You're not afraid that my answer is going to be influence by the pleasure I just felt? She joked
- I'm counting on it, on the contrary… I want to feel this pleasure everyday with you
- Marc Mcabbe, yes I want to be your wife
They sealed their deal with a kiss.
Mrs Marlowe came back later. She went to see her daughter in her bedroom and found her in the doctor's arms! Her heart missed a beat!
- Susanna! She cried
- Mom… said Susanna opening her eyes
- You're a little slut! How could you let this doctor take advantage of you like that?
- But mom…
- You're only a toy for him, he doesn't want you…
- Mrs. Marlowe, with all due respect, would you please not speak for me. I love your daughter and I want to marry her said Mac
- Is that what you told her to get her into your bed? Or like it's the case, hers…
- Mom, get out of my room! Said Susanna
- How dare you? It's my house!
- It's my room! I leaving your house anyway. I'm going to live with Mac…
- What? You're leaving me, you ungrateful little slut! You're only an easy prey, desperate to have a man in her bed…
- Mom, get out!
Mrs. Marlowe got out of the room against her will. Susanna and Mac got dressed.
- Mac. I'm sorry
- No need to apologise honey… you want me to stay?
- No, come and get me tomorrow morning
She walked him to the door. He kissed her and left wishing her a good night, and courage. She went to see her mother in the living room.
- Mom…
- Susanna, how could you be so stupid?
- Mom, I'm walking! You didn't even notice!
- Oh my God!
- I'm leaving tomorrow, mom. I've had enough of your constant insults and bringing me down. Mac wants to marry me.
- But he likes a one-legged woman?
- It's this kind of thinking that makes me leave this house. You're my mother, you're suppose to tell me that I can have whatever I want in life, not bring me down every chance you get! I'm leaving you, I have to pack.
She went in her bedroom and packed her suitcases, leaving her mother alone. She was going to start a new life with Mac. She was going to be happy and not let her mother bring her down.
Mac was at his place talking to Laurent on the phone.
- How are you Asked? Laurent and Susanna?
- Super! Said Mac
- "Super" said Laurent, you sound like a happy camper
- I am, she's wonderful!
- "Wonderful", you fell under her charm?
- I'm in love with her…
- Oh… what about her?
- It's mutual, thank God!
- I'm happy for you two. What about the prosthesis?
- It's fine. She can walk now…
- Thank God! Said Laurent
- Thanks for sending me to her…
- You're very welcome. The pleasure was all mine…
They talked about other stuff for a while. When he hung up, Laurent had a sigh of relief. Susanna was walking and she was happy!
Mac went to pick up Susanna to take her at his place. He found her ready to go. Mrs. Marlowe didn't try to stop her, but she continued discouraging her daughter.
- You'll see, he's going to get tired of you, you're an easy prey, vulnerable, he's taking advantage of you…
Susanna had had enough and was not even responding anymore. Mac was sorry for Mrs. Marlowe. He took Susanna's luggage in his car and took Susanna and they left. Susanna had the impression of closing the door on her past. She was going to start a new life with Mac. They loved each other! Mac didn't care about her handicap; he loved her the way she was. The universe was giving her a chance to be happy and she took it.
The triple wedding ceremony happened a few weeks later, in the Winstanley's garden. Annie had outdone herself. She had worked so hard. She wanted her first official job to be perfect. And it was perfect! She had found a dress for Candy and modified it for her growing belly. For Roxanne, he belly wasn't showing yet, she had a tight dress in lace. For Georgie, a nice dress in satin.
Roxanne's mother and Nathan's mother took care of the food in agreement with Annie of course. They had seen the wonderful job Annie did and asked her to get them some dresses. They recommended her to their friends and acquaintances.
Mrs. Brighton heard about a young woman name Annie that had planned Roxanne Bramwell's wedding. She learned by her friends that the young girl in question was the best and had a lot of creativity and talent. She never thought that the Annie everyone was talking about, was her own daughter. Her husband and her were invited to Roxanne's and her daughter's wedding. She knew Roxanne was Candy's mother, but didn't think that it was her daughter organizing everything.
The ceremony was of course impeccable. Candy wanted to be walked at the altar by her two fathers, Albert and Nathan. She was in the middle with Albert at her right and Nathan at her left. Georgie was on Nathan's other arm. Terry and Laurent were waiting for them Nathan stayed to wait for Roxanne and Albert went to sit. Roxanne arrived at he arm of her father, and the ceremony started.
The reception was in the garden. Among the guest, there was Susanna and Mac. The walked towards Candy and Terry to congratulate them.
- Congratulations said Susanna
Candy and Terry turned around and saw a radiant Susanna wit Mac.
- Susanna!1 Said Candy smiling and hugging her, you're walking! Thank you God! I'm so happy for you!
- Susanna said Terry relieved, I'm very happy for you too
- Thank you. I wanted to apologise and say thank you. Especially to you Candy, you saved my life, risking yours and your baby's. Thank you very much. May I introduce you to my fiancé, Marc Mcabbe, honey this Candy and Terry
- Pleased to meet you, call me Mac, congratulations!
- Thank you. Fiancé… said Candy congratulations!
- Yes, congratulations said Terry. Thank you for coming.
- Your welcome said Susanna, once again, congratulations
- Mac, Susanna said Laurent who had just arrived with Georgie, hi! Honey, may I introduce you to Mac, you know Susanna…
- Yes, hello said Georgie, Susanna she said hugging her, you're walking! Thank God!
- Hello said Mac, congratulations
- Congratulations, thank you Georgie, Laurent to have send me the love of my life said Susanna
- The love of your life? Asked Georgie
- Yes, Mac and I have fallen in love, we are going to get married too…
- Oh… congratulations!
Susanna and Mac walked away. Terry had a sight of relief.
- I know honey said Candy
- Well this was a surprise! Said Terry
- Not too disappointed to have been replaced? Asked Laurent
- Not at all said Terry laughing, it's like they took a weigh off my shoulders…
- You were like Atlas with the weigh of the world on your shoulders said Candy
- Thank you Laurent said terry, thank you for sending her the love of her life…
- The pleasure was all mine said Laurent laughing
They all started laughing.
Roxanne and Nathan were also standing in the garden and people were congratulating them.
- Roxanne said a voice from the past
- Lord Brydon… said Roxanne smiling and hugging him
- Congratulations! Nathan!
- Thank you, said the newlyweds
- Roxanne said Lord Brydon, my son told me he had met a young girl at the royal ball who thought she was your daughter?
- Georgie said Roxanne, she's my daughter
- Roxie, you should have told me you we in trouble, I would have told Alexander the truth, that you came from a rich family…
- I didn't want to embarrass you with my problems… but the money you gave me helped me a lot the first months
- You should've come to see me, I would've helped you… I would've stopped you from abandoning your babies
- Thank you Lord Brydon said Roxanne hugging him more, that's very nice of you
- But all is well that ends well, even if it's years later, you end up with Nathan…
- Yes said Nathan, and I have no intention of letting her go
Mrs. Brighton, saw a lot of people around this young woman, asking her questions.
- What's going on? She asked one of the guest
- Oh… it's the young woman responsible for the wedding, very brilliant and very creative
- Oh…
Mrs. Brighton came closer and saw her daughter in the middle of all those ladies, giving them advice. Her daughter! She looked around and saw that her daughter had done a very good job, with the ceremony and the reception. She couldn't believe it! Her little girl had so much talent? Annie saw her mother from a far and excused herself to he guest and walked towards her.
- Mom? Asked Annie uncertain
- Annie, honey! Am I dreaming? Did you plan all this?
- Mom, I can explain everything…
- Oh, I'm so proud of you! She said hugging her
Annie was stunned by her mother's gesture, but hugged her back.
- Thank you mom. It doesn't bother you that I'm working?
- When you're doing such a good job?
- I wanted to open a boutique, mom
- Oh, my darling, I'm going to help you! You're a genius! You found a way of doing what you love and getting paid for it… I'm very proud of you!
- So, you're really going to help me open a boutique? I will have to take some courses for a few months, but after…
- You're friend Candy, or should I say your "sister" Candy has a good influence on you. I'm sorry I kept you away from her all those years ago. Now, she found her parents. Did you want to found yours too?
- Yes, but… I already have a family with you and dad, you are my parents and I want nothing else for the moment.
- Thank you, honey.