"What does it mean, Albert? Why should we ask for your agreement and benediction? I am curious to know about it?" asked Terry, his eyes had gotten darker with anger and his face was pale. He was imagining thousand things, first one being that Albert would like to marry Candy himself.
Albert looked at him and suddenly burst out laughing.
"Oh Terry, This is not what you imagine. Let me tell exactly who I am, Candy, Terry my full name is William Albert Andrew" he said
"Andrew? But…" started Candy
"Yes my dear Candy. I wanted to announce this to you in a different way but I have been caught by surprise. I am a member of the Andrew Family, in fact I am the head of this family and you know me under the name of Great Uncle William, I am your adoptive father" he declared without being able to hide the emotion in his voice
"But it is impossible, you are too young" declared Terry. Candy was speechless.
"Well Great Uncle William is more a title than anything else. I was the elder Andrew male representative when my father died but I was too young to hold the family business so the Great Aunt Elroy handled it until I would be ready. Then I felt like seeing the rest of the world before coming back to the family. Although she didn't agree Elroy continued to act in my name. Candy, the very first time I saw you, you touch my heart. Your reminded me so much of my sister Rosemary, Anthony's mother. When the boys wrote me to beg me to adopt you I didn't hesitate and I have never regretted that decision. I have always tried to protect you from afar and this is why we met several times like in London for example. I left for Africa because I was confident that you were in good hands with Terry and that he would protect you as much as I would because he loved you already at that time. When I heard that you left the college, I decided to come back to look after you but then I had that accident on the train and I lost my memory. You know the rest of the story. Without you I would not be here. Those last days have been the worst of my life. I have already loose Anthony and Stair and I wouldn't have stand to loose you as well"
"Well Albert, I think you should perform in a play, this is even more theatrical than Candy's kidnapping" declared Terry who could still not feel relieved.
" So this is why you were always around in Lakewood when I needed you. And now that I think about it, it is you that send me the Romeo and Juliet disguise for the May festival" declared Candy.
"Yes, I knew with this you would be able to escape the meditation room. Now back to more important things. Candy, Terry, I am very delightful that you are finally going to get married especially after all what you have gone through. Terry, I would never have thought of someone better than you for my dear Candy. So you have my benediction of course and I hope you will let me arrange the wedding for you"
"Oh Albert, Thank you so much" said Candy running into his arms " Terry and I haven't spoken about the details yet but we will let you know as soon as we have made up our mind"
"Thank you Albert " Said Terry approaching to shake Albert's hand "Now I know how much Candy and I owe you" he said with a large smile
"Well, well, well, what a happy ending. Would you mind if we have diner now, all this made me starving" said the Baritone voice of Robert Hathaway.
They all laughed and went to the dining room. They had so many things to tell each other.
Candy lived the following days like a dream. Every morning, Terry was coming to have breakfast with her to the hotel where Albert had booked suites for them. They were talking about everything, sharing as many intimate moments as they could, something they never really managed to have even in Scotland. Candy wanted to go back to Chicago as she felt a bit uncomfortable to have let down her friends and Dr Martin of the Happy Clinic but Terry didn't want to let her go. They had been separated for so long that he wanted to spent each seconds of his free time with her.
He was very busy with the Othello's rehearsals but was always managing to have meals, time in the afternoon and evenings with her. Sometimes she was simply going to the theatre to watch the rehearsals waiting for Terry. She met Suzanne several times and could witness with her own eyes how much she was in loved with the young Jason. They never spoke about the past but Suzanne was very nice to Candy introducing her to some members of the troupe or chatting with her while she was waiting for Terry. Candy was relieved to see that Suzanne had no more feelings for Terry and that she could walk again.
Albert had send telegrams to the Andrews, to Dr Martin and to Pony's house to reassure them on Candy's situation and to inform them about the forthcoming wedding. It had been decided that the wedding would take place on the 1st January the anniversary of Candy and Terry's meeting. On Candy's request, he had also send a list of very good nurses for Dr Martin to replace her, together with a nice cheque to help him to run his clinic.
Although Candy was happier than she had never been, she couldn't help to get bored. She was not used to be inactive. When she wasn't with Terry or with Albert she was feeling useless. Albert was due to go back in Chicago in 2 days and she didn't know how she would handle that. One morning, she opened herself about it to Terry and he reacted in a way that made her love him even harder
"Why don't you look for a job here? There are plenty of hospitals and with the war in Europe, I am sure they are looking for experimented nurse. Do not worry; I don't expect you to be a housewife and to wait for me all day doing nothing. Except, of course, when you will be expecting someone to enlarge our family" he said winking at her
Candy blushed "Oh Terry"
"I love your freckles when you are as bright as a tomato" he laughed taking here in his arms and kissing her nose.
"I am not bright" she defended herself and changing tone "this is a wonderful idea. I will look for a job immediately"
She went first to the only hospital she knew: Jacob Hospital. She managed to have an interview immediately and to her big surprise a job as well in the Surgery section. The chief nurse said she would check her reference at St Johanna's hospital and if everything was ok Candy could start the week after. Candy was a bit anxious but Albert made sure there would be no problem with St Johanna's hospital. He personally called the manager and explained him the situation. The manager was so ashamed of what he had done to Candy that he wrote immediately to the Chief Nurse of Jacob Hospital to highly recommend Candy.
The week after, Candy started her new job at Jacob's Hospital. She was still leaving at the hotel, but Albert had decided to offer them a house as a wedding gift. So Candy and Terry were spending a lot of their free time to visit houses with the help of Mrs Baker who was so happy that her son had finally found his true love back.
Time went by very fast and the day of the wedding arrived.
Terry and Candy had decided to get married in the little Chapel next to Pony's house. The Chapel had never welcomed so many people even on Christmas night and some of the people had to wait outside as they could not all fit inside. There were Candy's friends of course, Tom and his father, Annie and Archibald, Patricia and her Grand-mother, Jimmy, Mr Cartwright and all the ranch staff, Mrs Pony and Sister Lane, all the children for Pony's house; Mrs & Mrs Brighton, Great Aunt Elroy, the Leegans, Dr Martin, the whole Stratford troupe had travelled to Chicago has Robert Hathaway had given them one week holidays; even Suzanne was there with Jason. Eleanor Baker was also there as well as the Duke of Grandchester who had finally decided to forgive his son.
When Candy slowly walked to the altar holding Albert's arm, she was smiling like she had never smiled in her life. She was radiant in her bride dress and everybody was admiring her beauty which as huger as her kindness. Albert winked at her before letting her to Terry.
Terry on his side was the most admiring of all. He still could not believe that the angel coming to the altar was coming for him and that she soon would be his wife. He was thanking god everyday since that day they met again in Rockstone. He was waiting for her smiling as well.
She took his hand and they faced the priest who started the ceremony.
When the time of the vows came, Terry said;
"Candy, I take you today as my wife, I promise to love you and to cherish you, in the health like in the illness, in the wealth like in the poverty, for the best and the worst, till death do us part… I love you" his voice was trembling of emotion and tears of joy appeared in his eyes.
"Terry, I take you today as my husband, I promise to love you and to cherish you, in the health like in the illness, in the wealth like in the poverty, for the best and the worst, till death do us part… I love you too" Candy was also crying of joy.
They exchanged a long kiss before the priest asked them and the whole assembly clapped their hands.
When they got out of the Chapel holding each other's hand, everybody was waiting for them outside. Candy and Terry looked at them and looked at each other knowing that the best part of their life was now starting and hoping that the worst was behind them. They exchanged again a long deep kiss to seal their never-ending love.
People were so busy watching them, that nobody noticed when a car stopped nearby and a tall dark hair guy with glasses got out. He was standing with difficulty on crutches and looked at the scene with a large smile.
"My happy box finally worked,» he murmured to himself.
But this is another story…
THE ENDI finally made it. I can't believe it took me more than 3 months to write this. I am not a writer at all; this is the very first thing I am writing in my life. I hope you will forgive me some inconsistencies and that you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Feel free to send me your comments