HE'S MY HEART'S DESIRE
Chapter 16
"It's never too late…"
Susanna, on the other hand, was not a happy camper. She didn't like the way Terry behaved at the reception of Candy's best friend. She told him about it in the morning, during breakfast.
- Susanna, are you ok? Asked Terry, since yesterday, you don't seem to be in a good mood
- I didn't like your behaviour last night…
- Why? He asked surprised
- All that free publicity for Annie's boutique…
- Annie is an old friend from school…
- She's also Candy's best friend!
- There we go! I was wondering when this would happen…You're jealous!
- I can't help thinking, a few years ago in Chicago, you disappeared after talking to her
- Susanna, you're ridiculous…we weren't together then, I was with Candy…
- Well you're not going to see me do any shopping in that boutique!
- You're free to do whatever you want. By the way, I have to go to Chicago with the troupe and I will take advantage of my time there to purchase two Arabic horses
- Chicago? The troupe is going to Chicago? This has to be a bad joke! That's where Candy lives!
- So does thousand of other people… you can come if you want…
- Of course I'm coming! There is no way you're going to Chicago alone!
Terry had a sigh; he was wondering when will Susanna give up.
Annie was officially on maternity leave and she spent all her free time with Candy and Patty.
- So, said Candy, you're not too bored?
- Don't remind me! I have nothing to do!
- You have to rest, think about the baby
- Yes, I'm thinking about him but I'm bored…
- Well do something not to demanding, like drawing designs for pregnant women or even a baby line…
- Candy! You're a genius! Thanks for the idea! I'm going to design a Candy line for pregnant women and a Rosemary line for babies
- But Annie…
- I know, I won't overdo it, and I'm going to be sitting down…
- I sure hope so! Otherwise, I will confiscate all your drawing material… and I'm not joking!
- Yes, mommy said Annie smiling
- You're lucky to have so much energy, said Patty, I'm always tired, I'm always so sleepy
- At least we have one normal pregnancy! Said Candy
- What about you? How were you for Rosemary? Asked Patty
Candy was prepared for those kinds of questions.
- I didn't feel anything, I barely had a belly…
- You can say that again! You're a little secretive! Said Patty
She didn't like to lie, but she had to play the game.
Terry's troupe went to Chicago for a week, for the play "Much ado about nothing" by Shakespear. Susanna of course, didn't want to miss the trip. She knew Terry was going to see Candy whether she wants it or not.
The same evening, Terry called Annie to get Candy's address.
- You're still on my side? Asked Terry
- I never left your side, said Annie
- Even during all those years?
- Especially during all those years… she's probably going to kill me for this… but here's the address
He noted the address and said:
- Thanks. You're an angel Annie. Have a good rest and take good care of that belly
- You're very welcome, Terry. All I want is your happiness…I'm taking care of my belly
Candy was outside in front of her house with Rosemary who was playing doll with one of the neighbour's daughter.
- Hello!
Rosemary's face lit up.
- Terry!
Candy raised her head. It was indeed, Terry and she was surprised to see that Rosemary recognised him.
- How are you? Asked Terry
- I'm fine, what about you? Said Rosemary
- I'm fine too.
- Mommy, mommy, Terry is here!
- Yes, I can see him said Candy, calmly, hello Terry
She seemed calm, but inside, she wanted to run in his arms and kiss him.
- Hi, Freckles
- What lucky chance brings you here?
- My troupe is here in Chicago for a week
- Yes, for "Much ado about nothing". Are you playing tonight?
- No, so I'm taking advantage of my free time to see my Freckles
- Terry, what do you want? Asked Candy a little annoyed
- I could tell you, I want the world or that I want Hollywood, but all I want is you…
- Terry…
- All those years, I thought that you didn't love me, that I was only a fling… but you sacrificed yourself. Candy, it's not too late, you're not married yet. We can have everything we want, the world, Hollywood, but most of all, the two of us, or three if you count Rosemary…
Candy didn't know what to say. Terry wanted to be with her. What about Susanna? What about Anthony?
- Don't answer me now, think about it and give me your answer in a week.
Candy was speechless. Terry leaned and started to play with Rosemary and her friend. Anthony arrived and found him there, with Candy, drinking lemonade.
- Anthony, said Rosemary, Terry is here!
Anthony had no expression on his face while he looked at Terry, but he smiled at Rosemary.
- Good evening, honey he said kissing her
- Anthony said Candy, have a seat, I'll go get another glass
She went into the house. Alone, the two men stared at each other.
- What are you doing here, Grandchester? You're hitting on her again? You're wasting your time, we're together, and we're getting married…
- So you have nothing to worry about, said Terry
- You didn't kill each other in the mean time? Said Candy arriving with a glass
The two men had a nervous laugh. The atmosphere was a little tense, so Terry didn't stay long.
- I have to go, he said, bye Freckles, bye Rosemary… Brown
- Bye Terry, said Rosemary
- Bye Terry, said Candy
Once Terry left, Anthony couldn't take it anymore, exploded.
- What was he doing here?
- Easy, said Candy, not in front of the little one
- I want to know, he whispered
- He came to see me
- Why?
- He's an old friend
- You know what I mean
- Anthony, I'm your fiancée… don't look for a fight
- He wants you back?
Candy didn't answered.
- Mommy, I want to pee
- Ok, honey, let's go
She went into the house with Rosemary. Anthony remained alone with his thoughts. It was one thing to learn that Candy almost married Grandchester, a few years ago, but to see him so openly after Candy, was upsetting him. What changed? What happened? He entered the house to ask Candy. Rosemary's little friend had gone back to her house. Anthony found Candy giving cookies and milk to Rosemary.
- Candy…
She left Rosemary in her high chair in the kitchen and went to the leaving room to see Anthony.
- Don't talk so loud, said Candy
- About Grandchester, did you tell him?
- Tell him what?
- The truth…
- About…?
- Rosemary
Candy almost forgot that Anthony thought Terry was Rosemary's father. She had told Terry the truth, but not in the way Anthony thought.
- What makes you say that?
- He wants you back, why?
- Why? You think it's because I told him the truth about Rosemary? The fact that he's in love with me doesn't even cross you mind?
- Why now? After all those years of ignorance?
- I have no idea. He was here why didn't you ask him?
Anthony didn't answer. He realised that his insecurity seemed childish. He sounded like a teenager. Candy didn't seem to take the matter too seriously, or was it a façade? He dropped the subject, and they spent a nice evening together.
Terry went to see her at the clinic the next day to give her tickets for the play, for her and her friends.
- That's nice of you, Terry
- It's the least I could do
- And what you did at New York for Annie's boutique…thanks
- She always encouraged our relationship, I owed her that…but I couldn't convince Susanna to become a customer of Annie's boutique. Since Annie is your best friend, and the last time she saw Annie was at the reception for "King Lear" when she told me where you were and that I disappeared…
- … to come and see me. Your Susanna is vindictive…
- My Susanna?
- You know what I mean…
- So I'll see you one of these nights?
- Of course, count on me I'll come with Anthony
- Bye, Dr. Freckles
The guys were sulking, but they decided to go with their lady companions to see the play "Much ado about nothing". Susanna had a small role not too demanding. She was getting back on the scene little by little, progressively. Candy was happy and relieved to see Susanna on scene. Why? Unconsciously, she wanted Terry to be free of Susanna and become available, to be with her. Terry was perfect in his role, in his element.
After the premiere, there was a little reception with refreshments. Candy, Annie, and Patty walked to Terry to congratulate him. The guys of course, were showing off from afar. Candy thought they were ridiculous. Anthony had the right to sulk; Terry was his rival, but the others? Neil and Eliza were also there. Neil was also sulking. Eliza didn't get tired; she was trying to seduce Terry. But of course, Terry had only one woman in his mind, his Freckles who was now a doctor, Candice White Andrew. Susanna who knew that Terry wanted only Candy, was hoping in her heart that another woman seduces Terry so he would stop thinking about Candy a little. She was saying to herself, if Terry was with another woman, she could also be with him. Terry was a good friend, but he never tried to seduce her, the one thing she was longing for, for years.
Candy couldn't believe Eliza's audacity. Terry wanted to make Candy jealous, so he was flirting with Eliza during the reception; Annie was observing Candy's reaction.
- It bothers you, doesn't it? She said to Candy
- Eliza? You're kidding right? Said Candy, with an uncertain tone, all she wants is a roll in the sack!
- Candy! Said Annie, I didn't know you were so rude, you're jealous!
Candy blushed. She was ashamed of her thoughts. Jealous of Eliza? That was a good one! Diana was there and also observing the scene.
- Candy, said Diana, you want me to and save him? Wait, I'll go…
Before Candy and Annie could say anything, Diana went to Terry and Eliza, talked a little and left with Terry, leaving Eliza fuming. Candy and Annie burst out laughing. Susanna saw the whole thing but she couldn't say anything. Candy's friends were protecting Terry for her! So she still cared about Terry!
The next day at the clinic, Candy was talking to Diana.
- Thanks for last night, Diana. But why did you help me?
- You're my friend…
- But it doesn't bother you? I mean, I'm engaged to Anthony and I'm jealous because Eliza had Terry's attention…
- Candy, you're engaged; you're not married yet. You can change your mind. I see that you love Terry and he loves you. All you have to do is to see the way you look at each other with so much love… Look, I'm not here to judge. All I'm saying is that it's a decision that's going to affect the rest of your life. You have to be sure you made the right decision. Ask yourself this; when you wanted to be with Terry, all those years ago, were you jealous when Eliza had Anthony's attention? See you later
Candy remained silent. Diana went back to her patients. Was Diana right? Was Annie right? Was Terry right? But the last two times she followed her heart, she got burned. She didn't want to risk it anymore, and Anthony won't forgive her forever. She didn't know what to do. She knows she's going to be happy with Anthony, he was security. Since the beginning, ever since they met, he knew he always wanted to with her. But Candy had met Terry, who had disrupted all those plans. And now, she was in doubts… No, she wasn't in doubts; she wanted to be with Anthony!
She went to take care of her patients. At least she will think less about Terry.