Remember me…
Chapter 15
"Caught in the act of marriage…"
Susanna joined Neil who was waiting for her at the corner café. He was pretty impatient. Susanna didn't come back with them like it was planned, it took her a few days.
- So? Asked Neil
- I have the key said Susanna, here it is. It's a marriage in name only…
- Great! Now, we need to catch them in the act…
- How?
- I'm going to bring a cop to arrest Grandchester for fraud
- Arrest Terry?
- Don't worry, they won't hurt him… I'm going to use this to force Candy to marry me…
- I don't like the sound of that… are you sure? I don't know if I can go through with this… he'll come back to me when she gets her memory back…
- Susanna, he married Candy! The woman he loves! He even put up with my unbearable sister just to be close to her. You think he's going to let her go a second time? Dream on! If we don't do anything, he's going to stay with her, memory or not!
Susanna didn't respond. Was Neil right? But… Lionel…she will need him if Terry dumps her. Lionel… she had to go back to New York tomorrow morning.
The next morning. Neil, Eliza, the Great Aunt and a policeman entered Juliet and Terrence's apartment. The great aunt being the head of the family, she said she could enter her great niece apartment without notice. It was early and our couple got up early, had a shower together and… they had gone back to bed and were enjoying the pleasure of the flesh, under the sheets. While Terrence was kissing her on the neck, Juliet felt observed and opened her eyes… she was surprised to see people looking a them, but she stayed calm.
- Terrence, she said
- Yes, my love he said between two kisses
- We have an audience…
- What? Stop kidding around, honey
- Well look if you don't believe me…
- But…what…?
Terrence turned around and saw that they had an audience!
- What de devil is going on in here? He said angry, and covering him and Juliet with the sheet, Eliza, Reagan…
- And the Great aunt Elroy! Said Juliet
- A policeman? Do you have a warrant? Asked Terry
- I'm sorry said the policeman, there must have been a mistake…
And he left without asking anything else. He had come to prove that the marriage was a fake, but this marriage was only too real! Neil and Eliza couldn't what they were seeing. The great-aunt was ready to explode.
- Neil, Eliza, how could you bring me here to assist to this indecent spectacle! With or without her memory, she's a common little tramp! Said the great aunt
- Yes, she was getting it on with Neil… said Eliza
- Neil, we'll find you a decent girl, not a common little orphan said the Great aunt
- But I love Candy said Neil…
- Madam, said Terrence, with all due respect, please restrain yourself from insulting my wife that way, in front of me…
The great aunt gave him a mean look and got out of the apartment. Neil and Eliza were still there.
- You wanted to see if the marriage was real? Said Juliet to Neil, I can't believe you went this far!
- And I can't believe you're in bed with him! Said Neil
- He's my husband, Neil and now get out of here and take your mean sister with you!
- But… started Neil
- You heard her, said Terrence, out!
- Nothing tells me you were really doing it said a sceptical Eliza
- You don't expect us to give you guys a little show… said Juliet
- Yes, Eliza, you wanted Juliet and I to take your word and believe you on sight…now, after what you just saw… Reagan, Juliet is my wife, in every sense of the word. So all the fantasies of dreams you have for her, you can kiss them goodbye forever. Your plan to trap Candy has failed, big time!
- Damn it! You're going to pay for this Grandchester, you'll see! Come on Eliza…
- You little cheap orphan! First my brother…
- Would you stop saying that? Said Juliet, we all know that your brother never touched me, I was a virgin… don't we Terrence?
- Yes. Can you say the same thing Eliza?
Eliza left red with anger, her brother followed her, slamming the door. Juliet and Terrence were still stunned.
- You think they're going to leave us alone now? Asked Juliet
- I think, well I hope. I still can't believe it! I would never had thought that they will catch us in bed together…
- With the Great Aunt Said Juliet laughing, did you see her face? I had to restrain myself not to laugh!
- She was on a verge of a nervous breakdown!
- It's good that we reconciled last night after the Susanna matter…Otherwise they would've found you on the couch in the leaving room
- The bible says' "Don't let the sunset on your anger…"
- "Your fiancée" leaves after learning our marriage was in name only and the next day, Neil Eliza , the great aunt and the police catch us in bed together? Coincidence? I think not!
- Susanna? But…
- Terrence, wake up! She wants you to come back to her, since I was not complying…she must've stolen your key…
- Oh… well I didn't think she was like that…
- Like what? Like a woman in love who wants to be with the one she loves in spite of everything? Men, you're blind! This whole Susanna matter smells like a rat… without the accident…
- What do you mean?
- She's in love with you, she told me, she stopped Candy from seeing you…
She stopped talking, she had a flash, Terrence knew it was a sign that she was remembering something. She saw Candy with a nurse's uniform running in the field, following the train yelling Terry's name. She saw Terry on the train, yelling Candy's name. She fell and the train disappeared
- Juliet?
- I was running in a field following the train…. Yelling your name, you were at the doors… that was the results of Susanna's scheming, wasn't it? She stopped Candy from seeing you…
She saw Susanna telling Terry couldn't be disturbed and calling her a fan…
- She called Candy a fan, on purpose, and she told her you were asleep and you wouldn't want to be disturbed by a fan…
Her head was spinning a little… she closed her eyes. Terrence hugged her.
- I was waiting for you in front of the hospital… I left a message so you could join me a the train station but you got it late
- That's why she was running. Oh… you saw each other for a few seconds, thanks to Susanna… Candy is a nurse she said suddenly realising that Candy had a job
- Yes…
- Oh… but without my memory I can't do anything…well, as I was saying, then she saves your life- thank God- but she used that to trap you playing on your guilt… Candy also saved her life
- I heard what you were telling her… so according to you, Candy deserves I go back to her because she saved Susanna's life
- Terrence, you two are made for each other, it's a crime to stay separated by duty and guilt, the proof…the train accident happened and… reunited us…
- You don't need to convince me Juliet, For me this accident was providential
- What do you mean?
- If Candy hadn't disappeared, and her friends hadn't come to ask me if I knew where she was, I would've left Susanna and turn to the bottle to drown my sorrow
- Because you couldn't leave without Candy… I hope everything works out.
- Love, true love always wins
- From your mouth to God's ears! Now can we finish what the Reagans and the great aunt interrupted, before you go to the theatre?
- With pleasure…
Terrence's key was indeed missing. They found it on the front door!
Susanna went back to New York and went home to change and rushed to the hospital to see Lionel. She didn't know how he was going to greet her, since she'd disappeared since their night of passion. She found Mama Sally in the hallway
- Susanna! She said, finally! Where were you?
- On a trip…
- He won't take his bandages off without you…
- What? Oh…My God said Susanna all of a sudden on a cloud, Can I see him?
- You're the one we've been waiting for… go ahead!
Susanna entered the room a little afraid. Lionel was on the bed his eyes still in bandages. He heard footsteps.
- Who's there? He asked
Susanna held her breath, she took a few more steps.
- Susanna? He said
- Yes, Lionel, it's me. Hi…
- Hi, he said smiling, where were you?
- Away, I went to see Terry…
- Oh… he simply said
- Lionel, about what happened the other night…
- Susanna, no need to talk about it. It was a moment of weakness, that's all. Let's forget about it. I don't want our friendship to be affected by a night of weakness
- Ok. Thanks Lionel said Susanna. I'm sorry for not being here
- You're here now…
Lionel was hurt; it was torture for him to pronounce those words. Susanna was in love with Terrence Grandchester, he was probably wasting his time, but he loved …her company.
- You can call the doctors, I'm ready to take my bandages off Said Lionel
- You were really waiting for me? I'm flattered… I so sorry I left without telling you, but Terry… I'm sorry Lionel
- Susanna, you can talk about Terry with me without being afraid …
But she was the one feeling funny; Terry was married to Candy and she had the impression that he was not going to leave his wife to go back to her. But for some strange reason, that thought didn't bother her as much as it should… what was she saying? She was in love with Terry!
- No, your eyes first, I'm going to get the doctors
But the doctors were already there. Mama Sally had called them.
- So Lionel, you beloved is here now, you're ready asked one doctor
- Yes, he said smiling, I wanted her to be the first person I see…
- Aww how romantic said the nurse
Susana smiled. Lionel always made her feel good, he'd showed them how important she was to him. The doctors took the bandages off… Lionel's eyes were closed.
- Go ahead said one of the doctors, slowly… open your eyes
Lionel opened his eyes slowly, very slowly.
- It's going to hurt in the beginning, don't rush
He felt pain in the beginning , but he was able to see shadows.
- You won't see clear today, said the doctor
- I see shadows, said Lionel
Susanna moved and went in front of him, Lionel saw her shape, her long and strait hair. He was able to see her face, not clearly, after all those months, it was a delight to distinguish shapes and shadows even unclear. He reached out his hand and touched her left cheek.
- You're even more beautiful than I remember…
Susanna had tears in her eyes. Lionel felt the tears on his hand.
- You're crying, honey?
- Of joy she said, I'm so happy for you… Oh Lionel , it's wonderful!
He took her and kissed her in front of everybody for a while. The doctors, the nurses and Mama Sally started to applaud. The operation was a success.
Georges Johnson, Uncle William's assistant, had watched powerless all the events since Juliet's arrival. He had tried to contact his boss by letter, telegram without any success. Moving around like he did, he was sometimes in a area where there's no way of communications with the outside world or with civilisation. But he continued sending him letters and telegrams. George was happy to see the young Master Grandchester coming to the rescue of his beloved, like a fairy tale prince on his white horse… Georges knew that his boss would've want to have been Candy's saviour, to take care of her like she took care of him during his amnesia, it would have been a sort of poetic justice. They would've laughed and joked about the fact that he "contaminated" her… Too bad. He had also heard that Candy was calling herself "Juliet". She was good and a little more daring and she won't let herself be manipulated. His boss was going to laugh when he reads his letter. But he would be also sad to learn about Alistair's news.
The sun was burning and the air was dry. In the little house, Albert with other missionaries, were eating. His mission was to teach the little African kids. He loved Africa; he was in the Belgian Congo in the area of Kasai-Occidental, a town called Luluabourg. It had been months he hadn't received any mail, because he hadn't been in the Capital to the general headquarter for a while. He had started to travel again after Candy left for New York. He had looked her leave the heart broken. He had fallen in love with her after leaving all those months with her when he had amnesia. She was so beautiful, sweet, nice generous. How could he not understand all those who had fallen in love with her? He couldn't say anything to her because she only talked about Terry, and she only swore by Terry. He had no chance. But a part of him was telling him that she liked him a little, after the way she insisted for him to come and live with her, she was so full of love, sweetness and compassion. She was probably married to Terry and maybe was expecting a baby. He was far from thinking that it was the case, but the circumstances were totally and completely different.
- Mulongishi, said a child's voice, we need you…
"Mulongishi" meant " Teacher" in the local language, Tshiluba.
- I'm coming, said Albert smiling
He came out of the cabin and saw a truck with new missionaries, who had bought the mail from the capital, from the general headquarters. Albert received a package from Georges; his letters and the family business mail. He's going to have a lot of reading to do tonight…
Archibald ever since his brother's disappearance, he said that life had to be lived to the fullest. Anthony and Alistair were dead before they could live their lives to the fullest. He was engaged to Annie, he had to change his wedding date, he had to get married as soon as possible. He went to see Annie at her place one morning.
- Archie? Good morning honey, she said smiling
- Annie, good morning he said smiling, how are you?
He approached her and kissed her on the cheek.
- I'm fine, what about you honey, how are you holding up?
- I'm the last musketeer standing… but I'm hanging in there. Life, unfortunately, goes on with the pain of my brother's and Anthony's deaths
- I'm sorry said Annie, is there anything I can do for you?
- Since you're asking, yes. Can we get married earlier?
- Earlier? What do you mean?
- Not in six months… how long will it take you to plan our wedding?
- Euh, two months… I think, said Annie
- So, let's get married in two months. Anthony thought he was going to marry Candy one day and Stear thought he was going to be with Patty…I don't want to take the risk not to be with you, I don't want to lose you or take life for granted. Annie, my darling, will you marry me earlier?
- Yes, my love, I would marry you right now if you wanted to, but my mother is going to kill me and never forgive me! I'll have to convince her to have it in two months, already…
- So it's settle he said, hugging her, we're getting married in two months
He looked for her lips and kissed her passionately. Archibald stayed a little bit with her. They had breakfast waiting for Mrs. Brighton, to tell her the news. He asked about Juliet.
- She's fine said Annie, she's starting to remember
- Super, Grandchester is really the key like doctor Green said. What about Neil?
- Oh, you don't know?
- What?
- He took his sister, the great aunt and a police officer to catch them in the act of a fake marriage… sort of…
- What? What happened?
- Well they found Juliet and Terrence in bed doing the deed…
- Oh my God said Archie, they consummate the marriage?
- Apparently yes, said Annie, and it's a good thing, otherwise Neil could've proved that the marriage was a fake
- But when Candy's memory comes back…
- That's what I was thinking too…but like Patty said, would she be angry to wake up the wife of the man she loves with all her heart
- I have to admit, it's better than to wake up Mrs. Neil Reagan…
They burst out laughing. Mrs. Brighton arrived with Patty she'd met at the door.
- Hello couple said Mrs. Brighton smiling
- Hi Annie, Archie said Patty
- Good morning Mrs. Brighton said Archie, Patty
- Hi, mom said Annie, Patty, hi…
- Annie you have something to tell me, I can feel it said Mrs. Brighton
- Yes, mom… here goes, Archie wants to get married in two months…
- Two months?
- Yes, said Archie
- Why? Asked Mrs. Brighton, Annie you're not pregnant?
- No, mom! Said Annie laughing
- Oh… you reassure me said Mrs. Brighton
- No, Mrs. Brighton, said Archie, with my bother's disappearance, I don't want to take life for granted
- Oh… said Mrs. Brighton, two months? It's barely enough
- It's enough and it's doable, mom said Annie, I already have everything planned, I have a portfolio in my bedroom, all we have to do, is put it into action
- So, ok… said Mrs. Brighton
- Great said Annie
- Thanks Mrs. Brighton said Archie
- Patty come said Annie, let's go get Juliet, we have a lot of thing to do…
Juliet was alone, Terrence was at work. She had finished the housework and was thinking about the flash she had running with the nurses uniform. Candy was a nurse… Maybe she should go see her boss? But where did she work? There was knock on the door. It was Annie and Patty.
- Juliet? Are you all right? Asked Annie
- Yes, said Juliet smiling, come in please
- Juliet are you busy asked Annie
- No…she answered
- So you can come with us said Annie
- Where?
- Shopping…
- What for…?
- My wedding…
- Oh… when is it?
- In two months
- Two months? Annie, you're not pregnant, are you?
- Why is everybody asking me that question? No, I'm not pregnant! I'm still a virgin…
- So why the rush?
- Archie doesn't want to wait. After what happened to his brother and his cousin Anthony…
- His cousin Anthony? Asked Juliet, how did he die?
Annie and Patty looked at each other.
- What? Said Juliet looking at them, I knew him didn't I? And I have to remember on my own… and judging by your expressions, Anthony must have been very important for me… well for Candy
- Juliet… said Annie
- Don't worry, the memory will come eventually…So let's go shopping… But, by the way, can I ask you something? I had a flash of Candy running in a field after Terry's train
- Yes, after Susanna stopped you from seeing each other, said Annie
- Yes I was wearing a nurse's uniform, well Candy. Which hospital did she work at?
- St. Joan said Patty
- So, if they had taken me here, Neil wouldn't have found me, because the staff would have recognised me and called my family. And Terry wouldn't have come… oh well, with "ifs" we could put Rome in a bottle! Can you take me to St. Joan's hospital? They must take Candy for a quitter…
- Ok, said Patty, then we'll go shopping.