Remember me...
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 19
"A very sweet mother-in-law"
Juliet and Terrence were done eating and they were doing the dishes. They were almost done. Juliet put water to boil on the stove for the tea.
- Annie's wedding is driving her nuts; it's good that Archie is taking her to the restaurant tonight.
- She wants everything to be perfect, said Terrence
- Well I'm happy ours was a little improvised...
- Me too, he said softly, but you didn't want to have a big wedding?
- Terrence, without the accident, Candy would've been unhappy without you, and you too for that matter...so a 15 minute wedding, without a big party, is the most beautiful thing in the world for me...and for you too. Am I right?
- Of course, you now know that marrying you was a miracle I never thought possible...
They finished the dishes and went to sit on the couch in the living room. She was in Terrence's arms.
- Susanna told you what happened with Candy...
- Yes…
- I wish I had a camera to capture Susanna's face when you told her you had no intention to give me back to her... and that you were not Candy!
- Candy was too good for her own good and you too for that matter!
- I was blinded by the sense of duty; I let Candy go. It was the most difficult thing, I ever had to do. Then, Susanna told me to go after her...but I refused...
- She knew that you would refuse, that's why she said it... it was to look good
- You think? You don't like her, do you?
- I know she saved your life, but I think she's unbearable! I think she manipulated the situation to separate you and Candy
There was a knock on the door. Terrence stood up, to open the door. He was surprised to see who was at the door.
- Mum! He said hugging her
- Good evening Terrence, said Eleonor
- Good evening, come in, please
- Thank you
Eleonor came in and found Juliet sitting in the living room. Juliet stood up when she saw the beautiful and elegant woman entering the room.
- Juliet, let me introduce you to my mother, Eleonor Baker…
- Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Baker...
Eleonor looked at her surprised. "Juliet"? This last one read her mind and said;
- Yes, when I woke up without my memory, the name "Juliet" was the only name in my head, for some strange reasons... Candy is a stranger for me, since I don't remember her. I can be told what she had done, but as long as I don't remember, she's still a stranger...
- Oh... Pleased to meet you Juliet, said Eleonor smiling and hugging her, call me "mom", for heaven's sake, you're my son's wife, so you're my daughter!
- Thanks, said an emotional Juliet
They sat down in the living room.
- Terrence, thanks for inviting me to the wedding, she said ironically
- Mum, I'm sorry. We were in a bit of a rush...
- Yes, we almost ran to city hall, said Juliet
- How did you learn the news? Asked Terrence
- I saw Susanna at a party with an ex-playboy-turned blinded who found his sight again-turned humanitarian...She announced me your wedding very calmly
Juliet let them quietly to go make some tea.
- She told me it was temporary? Said Eleonor
- Yes, until "Candy" comes back, said Terrence
- Really?
- Yes, really!
- Terrence, who are you kidding? Said Eleonor, you're married to the woman you love, memory or not... you really think you can let her go a second time?
- I ask myself the same question...but Susanna...
- Susanna's walking and back on stage, Terrence. Her "friend" is taking good care of her during your absence…
- You think that they're more than friends?
- The rumours are suggesting it and I saw them together, they seem really close... and, where there's smoke, there's fire...
- Oh mum, it would be one of my biggest dream come true, if Susanna finds someone else to love
Juliet arrived at that moment with the tea and was pouring some for everyone
- Terrence, honey said Juliet, Susanna is obsessed with you. The little time I spend with her, I saw it...Even if someone else was interested in her, she's not going to let go of you...
- Susanna came to see Juliet, to ask her to leave me, because she had saved my life and that Candy had left me to her.
- I also told her that Candy also saved her life, and that she should give him back, and call it even. She didn't answer...
- I wish I could've seen the scene, said Eleonor laughing; you're much more daring than Candy Juliet! You're right, you're not Candy!
They continued talking until late at night.
- I'm going to go back to my hotel room, said Eleonor...
- No way mom, said Juliet, we have a guest room. You're staying with us said Juliet
- Ok, thanks for the invitation
- It's the least we could do, said Juliet smiling
Eleonor stayed in the guest room. Terrence went to get her luggage at the hotel.
Juliet thought about the evening. Eleonor unwillingly, had given her an idea. "I wish I could've seen the scene"...the story of Juliet on stage. She took the decision to buy a notebook to start writing her experience as Juliet, ever since she opened her eyes in that Hope Hospital.
The next day was a Saturday, and they decided to go to the country club for lunch and spend some time there. Terrence had now a subscription for him and Juliet. Eleonor will be their guest. Annie, Archie and Patricia were supposed to meet them at the restaurant. Terrence haven't told Juliet that his mother was famous actress. They met their friends near the restaurant. The trio was surprised!
- Hello everybody, said Juliet, let me introduce you to...
- Eleonor Baker, said Archie, kissing her hand, you're even more beautiful in person! My God! I'm Archibald Cornwell
- Wow Juliet, said Annie, how do you know Eleonor Baker?
- Annie, it's Juliet, not Candy...
- No, Patricia, she's Terrence's mother...
- WHAT! Said the trio at the same time
- Terry, said Annie, you're Eleonor Baker's son?
- Yes. Let me introduce you to my mother, said Terrence, mum, Archie already introduced himself, this is Annie Brighton, his fiancée and Patricia O'Brien, her friend
- Pleased to meet you all, said Eleonor smiling
- Pleased to meet you said Annie and Patty
Archie was mesmerized to have his favourite actress in front of him.
- You're way too young to be Terrence's mother, said Archie smiling
- That's really nice of you to say, you little charmer, said Eleonor smiling
- Allow me to escort you to the restaurant, said Archie
- With pleasure, said Eleonor with a big smile
He escorted her without a thought for the others and his fiancée!
- Whoa Annie, said Terrence your guy is completely nuts about my mother!
- I can see that; he totally forgot about us said Annie smiling...Terry if I invite her to the wedding, you think she'll come?
- I can't speak for her, but bring her the invitation. She leaves the day after tomorrow.
- Ok...
Juliet was still looking at the scene without understanding. Terrence finally talked to her.
- Juliet, honey, my mother is a famous actress...
- Oh...
- Candy knew about it...
- Ok, said Juliet smiling
- Now, lets follow them, I'm hungry said Patty
They joined Archie and Eleonor who were already seated. Neil and Eliza saw them from afar, but they didn't dare go near them.
Eleonor and Juliet were getting along very well. Eleonor took Juliet shopping with Terrence.
- I'm going to buy you my wedding presents...
- Oh... no need said Juliet
- Come on, let me spoil you...
- Terrence? Asked Juliet
- Don't try to stop her, she's not going to listen to you, Juliet
- Ok, then...thanks mom, said Juliet
Eleonor bought them stuff for the kitchen; pots, pans, dishes, glasses etc...She bought them things for the bedroom; sheets, blankets, quilts, towels, she bought the bride's trousseau for Candy. Terrence left them alone to continue their shopping alone.
- You're unstoppable! I'm going to rest... let me get your bags...
- Ok, honey, said Juliet, see you later
- Bye baby, said Eleonor
- Mum, please! Said Terrence a little embarrassed
Juliet burst out laughing. Terrence kissed her on the forehead and left. The two ladies continued talking.
- Juliet said Eleonor; I've never seen my son so happy. I don't know what you know...oh yeah, Susanna told you...
- Yes, it was a pleasure for her to clear that up for me...
- I'm sure of it. The little time he was living with her, he was dark, murky, always in a bad mood
- Basically, a lout!
Eleonor smiled.
- Yes. He drank too much and I was afraid he was going to loose it completely and become an alcoholic. The separation with Candy turned out to be harder on him than we thought. He only thought about her, dreamt about her...if your friends hadn't come, he would've gone crazy!
- He told me he was seriously thinking about leaving everything and turn to the bottle...
- Candy's accident saved my son and if you play your cards right, it will save Candy too…
- I know, it's what I want. I'll have to convince Candy by all means...said Juliet looking her in the eyes...
- You understand me without my having to spell it out, said Eleonor smiling
In the evening, Annie, Archie and Patty came to join them for diner. Archie and Annie gave Eleonor the invitation for their wedding.
- Thank you she said smiling, I'll be there
- You're very welcome said Archie, the pleasure is all mine...
Annie and Patty went to the kitchen to help Juliet.
- Hi girls, said Juliet
- Hi, said the girls
Eleonor came to see them in the kitchen
- I came to help out...
- But... started Juliet
- Juliet, I'm at my son and daughter's, not in celebrity party. Here, I'm your mom...
- Ok, said Juliet smiling, mom, you help us with the salad...
- Wow, said Patty you're calling Eleonor Baker "mom"
- That's funny, said Annie, she's so elegant...
- "She" is in the room, said Eleonor with a smile, before being a famous actress, I am first of all, Terry's mom...and for you too, forget I'm famous...
- Ok, said Annie and Patty
Eleonor noticed how much Juliet was comfortable in the kitchen.
- My son is lucky, Juliet; you're an excellent cook...
- Yes, apparently, Candy was not... I learned at the hospital, with the cook, when I had nothing to do
She told them about her adventures at the hospital and at the Reagan's. The diner was ready, and they ate, talking about all and nothing. Archibald was suspended on Eleonor's lips.
When Archie, Annie and Patty left, Terrence teased her about it.
- So mum, what does it feel like to have you biggest fans eating all your words...
- I kind of enjoyed it, actually. But I also enjoyed being treated like a normal person by you Juliet. You didn't know I was famous...
- Now that I think about it, I think I've seen your pictures in magazines... I'm sorry, but unfortunately, my memory is not very good at the moment…
They burst out laughing. In the guest room, Eleonor could hear Juliet and Terrence laugh. She felt good in her heart. Terry was so happy, he was married to he woman he loved, he was in his element. She was very happy for him. It was better than the son, dark and murky always in a bad mood... Destiny had its twists...
Eleonor spent 4 days with her son and daughter in law. The day of her departure for New York, they were, all three of them at the train station. Eleonor talked to her son while Juliet was buying some magasines.
- Terrence, honey. I've never seen you so happy, try to keep this situation permanent. Try to keep this situation, when her memory comes back. You've got the job, the woman you love...
- That's also what I want. Juliet is hoping to have enough strength to convince Candy... Don't forget, when she comes back, the break up in her head would had just happened and her conviction that I should take care of Susanna, also...
- Good luck honey. I'm going to call you
She hugged him and Juliet arrived and they hugged too.
- Bye Juliet, take care of yourself and Terrence too
- Bye mom, said Juliet, come and see us again
- I will, she said and you'll get tired of me
- Never! Said Juliet, bye and thank you for the presents, for your kindness
- Come on, it's the least I could do...and whispering in Candy's ear; don't forget what we've talked about...
- Don't worry; I'm making it my priority...
- What are you two ladies whispering about? Asked Terrence
- It's a surprise, said Eleonor, you'll see. I have to go… bye...
She got in the train and it left.
- Your mother is great...
- Yes, and she likes you too...
- I like her too. It's nice of her to let me call her "mom"...is it because of Candy?
Terrence told her what happened in Scotland.
- She left me a silk robe? By the way, do you know where my belongings are?
- Albert must know...
- We'll see that later... let's get my memory back first. Candy will take care of her stuff...
Terrence held her while they were walking. A part of him wanted to stay with Juliet for ever, and another part knew that if Candy came back, the task was not going to be easy...But Candy loved him and he trusted their love. She was so stubborn; he will need to be patient...very patient.