HE'S MY HEART'S DESIRE…
Chapter 17
"The magic of a voice"
The following days, Terry went to buy the horses. He took a black horse and a white mare that he baptized respectively, Clitandre and Henriette. Susanna was sulking. Terry had told her about the play they had at St. Paul College…Another reminder of Candy! Candy, always Candy, will he ever be able to get her out of his head?
Terry continued his visits to Candy and Rosemary much to Anthony's disarray. He went to see her one morning to get his answer. But just by seeing her expression, he knew she was staying with Anthony.
- I came to get your answer; it's my last day and my last night for the play.
- Terry I'm engaged to be married, he gave me another chance…
- The universe is giving us one too…
- A third chance. Third!
- Third time is the charm!
- I'm going to stay with Anthony and you stay with Susanna… She needs you
It took Candy all the strengths of the world to say those words. She was all torn up inside.
- Ok, he said sadly, it's your decision. I thought you shared my feelings, but I was mistaken. I'm sorry to have bothered you again. Be happy with him. Give Rosemary a kiss for me.
He got out of the office and the clinic completely depressed. Candy chose to stay with Anthony. His life, that had started to make sense a few weeks ago, all of a sudden, didn't make sense at all. Candy was the one he needed. Ever since he saw her in New Jersey, at the medical conference, his life was illuminated by her presence. Now he was in the dark, the chasm of despair. He decided to go riding to clear his head.
Around 2 pm, Susanna was started to ask herself where Terry was. Candy was at her clinic, he couldn't be with her. He wasn't at the theatre either. Maybe he went back to New York? Without his new horses? No. She went to the ranch where Terry had bought the horses. They told her that he went riding with Clitandre, early in the morning, but he hadn't come back yet. While they were talking there was a noise, it was a horse…Clitandre! But he was alone, without Terry. They started a search for Terrence Grandchester.
Eleonor Baker had arrived in Chicago, in the morning to see her son and to know what happened with Candy and the rest of his life. She didn't find him at his hotel and she took a room and decided to wait for him.
Candy was feeling very bad, even since Terry left. She was wondering whether she made the right decision. Staying with Anthony, he loved her and he had given her another chance, despite the fact that he thought Rosemary was Terry's daughter. Her life was what it would've been if she had never met Terry. So why was she feeling so bad?
- Penny for your thoughts … said Anthony
Candy was started, Terry used that expression too… what it a sign?
- Terry was here…
- So….?
- I told him that I was staying with you…
Anthony was so happy that he hugged her hard in his arms and kissed her on the lips.
- I love you Candy, we're going to be happy together. To celebrate, I'm taking you out to diner, tonight…
- Ok, said Candy smiling
Candy still didn't feel better. Once Anthony was gone, she had her next patient, a little girl.
- Hello, what's your name?
- Henriette, said the little girl
Candy thought, Clitandre and Henriette, another sign? Around the end of the afternoon, she still didn't feel better. She was talking with one of the nurses that had her teenage son come over.
- I saw the play "Much ado about nothing", I did the play in school, said the young boy named Jason, and I want to become an actor!
"Much ado about nothing"? To become an actor after being in the school play? Like Terry! Another sign? Or signs? Was the universe trying to tell her something? She was still feeling bad, and she didn't know why. Diana came to see her and saw her worried face.
- Candy, are you all right? She asked, why the long face?
- Terry was here
- So…?
- I told him I'm staying with Anthony…
- Oh… so let me ask you again, why the long face? Are you regretting something?
- No, Diana, that's not it. I feel bad… sad to have sadden Terry, but it's like something is happening… I can't stop thinking about Terry today, the patients, their names, subject of conversations, expressions used…
- Maybe it's a sign or signs, said Diana
Julie the nurse, brought the next patient, a little girl and her mother.
- Hello, said Candy, what's you name?
- Theresa, but they call me Terry, and I need your help doctor…
Candy was speechless. Diana had a smile and said going out:
- Candy, do you need a picture? It's crystal clear. See you later
Candy took care of her patient, but continued feeling bad. That bad feeling wouldn't go away.
They found Terry in the woods after two hours of intensive search. He had fell off his horse on a branch that pierced his chest, not to far from the heart. He was in a pretty bad shape. They immediately took him to the hospital. The doctors were able to get the branch out and repair the damage made, but Terry health was still pretty bad. It was like he didn't have the will to live anymore. He was slipping away. The doctors said that he wouldn't spend the night. He was dying…
Eleonor Baker heard the new when they came to the hotel and inform Susanna that Terry was found in pretty bad shape. The two women went at his side, completely devastated. Eleonor couldn't lose her only son for good! Susanna was also devastated, Terry the man she loved, was dying.
Annie was with Patty when they heard the horrible news. They called the clinic to tell Candy, but they only found Anthony.
- Anthony, said Annie, can you tell Candy that Terry had a terrible accident and the doctors are saying that he won't spend the night? She will want to say goodbye. He's at St. Joan's
- Ok, said Anthony, not really knowing what to say
When she hung up, she got ready to go to the hospital with Patty. Stear and Archie were looking at them.
- You're going to see Granchester? Said Archie, Annie think about the baby, you have to rest
- Yes, said Stear, Patty you have to rest, you're always tired. You can get news over the phone…
Annie and Patty were flabbergasted! Terry was dying! And those two men…
- Archibald, Alistair said Annie as calm as possible, we've observed you, Patty and I, during all those years, being jealous of Terry, hiding yourself behind Anthony who was in fact the only one who had the right to be jealous. You hated Terry, but in reality, you really would've given anything to be in Terry's shoes, just to have Candy's attention. We don't blame her; after all it's not her fault if you were all in love with her! She will always be our best friend that would never hurt us intentionally. Terry is dying, if we have to walk to the hospital, we would with pleasure… be a little compassionate for your rival who will soon leave you a clear field!
Annie was very angry. She and Patty left for the hospital, leaving the two men thinking. They didn't fool their wives during all those years! They knew their secret! They felt ashamed, very ashamed for their behaviour. They went to the hospital to get some news about Terry and to be with their wives.
Candy went to dinner with Anthony in a nice restaurant. Anthony didn't tell her that Terry was dying, he knew that if Candy knew about it, she would run to be with Terry and he would have to suffer the pain of seeing them together. He knew he had to tell her eventually. He wanted to have dinner first and then tell her the news.
Candy was still feeling bad. Anthony noticed it.
- Are you ok, honey? He asked
- I don't know what's wrong, she said, it's like something bad is happening… someone I love is in danger… or is in a very bad shape. But everybody is fine…
In her head, Terry was coming back , all the time, but she didn't want to tell Anthony about it. She thought she was thinking about him because of the choice she made in the morning and all the signs that reminded her of Terry.
Anthony was starting to think that Candy and Terry were linked somehow; she was feeling that Terry wasn't well, even without hearing it from anybody! That hurt him a lot. He had lost Candy for good, this time, because once she learns that Terry is dying…
Candy went to powder her nose. In the washroom, she heard two women talking.
- ….yes it's the last night for "Much ado about nothing" but one of the actors is dying…
Candy felt her heart jump violently.
- Which one? Asked the other one
- The most good looking one, in the principal role, Terrence Grandchester. They said he fell from a horse on a branch that pierced his chest this morning. He won't spend the nigh… pity such a handsome man!
Candy thought the she was going to faint. Terry was dying? No, she couldn't lose Terry for good. She was going to die too! She had to go to the hospital right away! When she arrived at the table, Anthony saw the expression on her face and said inside his head;
"She knows"
- Anthony, I have to go to the hospital, but I don't know which one…
- St.Joan's
- St…. you knew? You knew Terry was dying and you didn't tell me? Why? She asked with tears in her eyes
- I wanted you to eat; I was going to tell you after dinner…
- What if he had died in the mean time? Or that's what you were counting on?
- Candy, how could you….?
- Take me to the hospital, Anthony, or do I have to take a taxi? Said Candy upset
Meanwhile at the hospital, Terry's state was getting worse. They were waiting for him to give his last breath, at any time. They called a priest for the final blessing and the last rites. Susanna was crying and even Eliza seemed to be devastated. She also heard the news and came to say goodbye. Eleonor was at her son's bedside.
Annie and Patty were asking themselves where Candy and Anthony were. They thought they would've found them in the hospital already.
- Where is she, Patty? Said Annie, she should've been here already, I told Anthony…
- You think Anthony hid the news from her? Asked Patty
- No, he couldn't be that cruel…
- But he's jealous, that could prevent him from thinking clearly…
- There must be another explanation
- Which one?
Alistair and Archibald were also in the waiting room. Their wives were still a little angry with them. Albert had also arrived with Christina. Diana had also arrived to get news about Terry.
Candy finally arrived at the hospital with Anthony, almost running.
- Candy! Said Annie, finally! Where were you?
- Later, Annie, I have to see Terry…
But Susanna and Eliza stopped her from going on.
- No, no way said Susanna, Terry only has you in his head; can't you let him die in peace?
- Susanna, this is not the time for a jealousy scene… he's dying… said Candy
- And you think you can save him? Said Eliza, how arrogant!
- SHUT UP ELIZA! said Annie
- Don't let her into the room, said Susanna to the doctors… she's not family
- Neither are you, said Annie, you're not his wife…
- I'm his fiancée, said Susanna
- Susanna, said Candy, please…
- I said no!
Eleonor Baker heard the noise outside and came out of the room to see what was going on.
- This is a hospital, she said, you can't be so loud in here… what's going on?
- Miss Baker, said Annie, Susanna is stopping Candy from seeing Terry
- Susanna have you gone mad? How could you be so selfish?
- But Miss Baker…
- Let her through, said Eleonor to the doctors, that's the woman my son loves… he needs her… she might be the miracle we need to save him
So Candy was allowed to go see Terry on his deathbed. She entered the room and she saw him there lying on the bed. His face without any of his usual joy of life. She sat on a chair and took his right hand in her hands. The man she loved with all her heart was dying and she never told him she loved him!
- Terry, she said softly, Terry, can you hear me? I know you can hear me. Terry it's Candy. You have to fight. You have to fight to come back. Come back to me my love, I love you. I never told you, but I had to tell you before it's too late. I love you with all my heart, I need you, don't leave me, my love, I beg you. Come back, come back and we will finally be together like we wanted to unconsciously even since we saw each other. I'm sorry about this morning; I don't know what I had in mind. I want to be with you, I want to live my life with you, you were right, third time is the charm. We're going to be a family, with Rosemary and the other children we're going to have together. We can have the world like you said, the sky is the limit. I love you, don't leave me. So Terry, come back, my love wake up so I can tell you how much I love you…
Everybody was hearing what Candy was saying and she didn't care, all that mattered was Terry's health. Anthony's heart was broken. Susanna didn't know what to say, she was fuming. Eliza was angry. Alistair, Archibald and Neil, that had arrived in the mean time, were hearing for the first time, Candy's declaration of love for their biggest rival and they felt weird about it. Albert had given up hoping Candy would love him but, it also felt weird to hear Candy's voice with so much love for Terry. Eleonor Baker was pleased; she was praying that Candy's love for Terry would save his life.
In Terry's head, it was darkness first than there was light. He felt attracted by the light, he felt good following the light… but a voice called him;
"Terry, you have to wake up, fight, come back, it's Candy, I love you… I need you… don't go, come back my love… I love you. Wake up!"
He stopped following the light and was now following the voice, he had to see Candy, he had to tell her he loved her too, he continued following the voice.
"Wake up, Terry, don't die or I will die too! Wake up! Come back for your Freckles, your Miss Tarzan, for Henriette, for Juliet… wake up my love…"
In the waiting room, Susanna couldn't take it anymore.
- This is ridiculous, the doctors said he was dying..
- Susanna, said Eleonor, certainly you're not suggesting that you'd rather my son die than to be saved by Candy?
- No… of course not…
- I thought so…
- But, who said Candy can save him? Why not you? You're his mother…
- Sometime the voice of the person they love, bring dying people back to life said the doctor… he loves his mother but the willing to come back to the woman he truly loves, is the strongest…no offense Miss Marlowe, but according to what we're seeing, Dr. Andrew is the one with the love and the miracle we need…
- Yes, Candy is the woman Terry loves, said Annie
- And if someone can bring him back from the dead, Candy can, said Patty
Susanna was speechless, she had lost. If Terry comes back because of Candy, it meant that she truly was his soul mate.
Terry was trying to open his eyes but he couldn't, he was trying to talk, but no sound came out of his mouth. He forced himself, and he managed to open his eyes, finally and saw Candy's blond head on his chest, crying and calling him.
- Terry wake up, please, don't leave me… Terry my love, I love you. Don't leave me. Come back honey she said sobbing, I love you…
Candy loved him. He knew it! He was so happy! He was glad to finally hear those words. He made a big effort and said;
- I love you too, Freckles….said a weak voice…
Candy thought she was dreaming. She raised her head.
- Terry? She said uncertain… TERRY!TERRY! She said hugging him TERRY! You're awake!
- Yes, but stop yelling, Freckles, I have a terrible headache… and I woke up in paradise he said when Candy hugged him
- Miss Baker! Doctor cried Candy! He's awake! Terry's awake!
Eleonor and the doctors rushed to Terry's side with nurses to examine the dying man that had come back to life and who was still wondering what was going on.
Candy got out of the room and was greeted by Annie and Patty's arms, they were crying of joy, all three of them. The men had an indifferent expression on their faces and Anthony was devastated. He had lost Candy for good and he knew it. Only a very powerful love could bring a dying man back to life. And that's what Candy was feeling for Terrence Grandchester. Susanna was happy to see Terry alive, but she also knew that she'd lost him forever. Eliza was sulking, Candy, always Candy! The doctors got out of the room and told them that Terry was out of the woods.
- Candy, said Eleonor
Candy went near her and Eleonor hugged her hard.
- Thank you, thank you for bringing my son back to life. The doctors are saying that it's a real miracle! He wants to see you…