Remember me
Chapter 22
"Surprises after surprises"
On the wedding morning, Juliet went to the Andrew manor early in the morning and she arrived at the same time as Patty. She had a flash, Patty and her in college… their first meeting. Candy was on her way…
- Patty! Said Juliet hugging her strong!
Patty was a little stunned by Juliet's enthusiasm.
- Candy? She asked a little hesitating
- Yes! I remember our first meeting!
- Oh Candy! Said Patty laughing
- Candy is coming back, I can feel it…
- Are you ready?
- Yes, I have too… But today, let's go see Annie. It's her day!
- Ok. Where's Terry?
- He's coming later, he's a little tired…
- Oh… a long sleepless night? Said Patty with a smile
- Yes, said Juliet smiling
They got into the house and found it grilling with employees, decorators, caterers, servers etc. They went to the bedroom and they found Annie with the hairdresser, manicurist, maids etc.
- Oh… you're here she said smiling, come in
- Are you ok, Annie? Asked Patty
- Yes, what about you?
- I'm fine said Patty
- Juliet?
- I've been better…no I'm fine!
- Ok, then… get ready!
The hairdressers started to take care of Juliet and Patty. They put on the bride's maid dresses. Juliet was admiring Annie's bouquet of flowers.
- Oh, Annie, you don't have orange tree flowers? But this is very beautiful
- Yes, it's roses, "Sweet Candy"
- "Sweet Candy"
That name meant something to her; "Sweet Candy"… " I created this rose for you, it's called "Sweet Candy"… "Oh thank you, Anthony…." He had blond hair and bleu eyes… she remembered the dance, the laughs and… the accident!
- Anthony, said Juliet with tears in her eyes…Oh Anthony! He created this rose for me… the trap, the horse, the fall… on my God! I'm crying… Annie, I'm sorry, I spoiled the make up…
She started looking for an handkerchief in a drawer, she saw a picture of Anthony inside. She took the picture and she started crying in silence… Anthony's memory, on the boat, she took Terry for Anthony…
Annie and Patty were looking at her, they could feel their friend Candy was coming back too. Juliet stopped crying and got a hold of herself.
- Annie, it's your day, I don't want to spoil everything with my memories
- Don't be ridiculous, you're my sister, you're not going to spoil anything!
- Thanks Annie… I'm going to go for a little walk
- Ok, said Annie, go…
Juliet got out of the room. She saw Archie from a far with a white shirt kissing the hand of his future mother-in-law… She saw herself with Archie kissing her hand and she blushed… she also saw Stear who gave her a ride when Neil and Eliza abandoned her in town and the car in the lake… Archie looked and saw her, he smiled and walked to her;
- Juliet! Hello. Thank you for coming he said kissing on the cheek, where's your husband?
- He's coming later… she said with a little voice
- Are you ok? You look weird
- I just remembered Anthony…
- Oh…
- And you too… and Stear…
- Come here, said Archie opening his arms
Juliet went to seek a little comfort in Archie's arms, she was crying. Archie hugged her and was consoling her. He was so nice to her, so tender.
- Thanks Archie, thanks for your help, the help you gave Terrence. You guys are real friends and I love you Archie
- Candy is coming back, you're getting more and more flashes…
- Yes, I can feel it her coming
- Hang in there…everything is going to be fine. We're going to take care of you…
- Thanks and congratulations. You're very handsome, as usual said Juliet smiling, go finish get ready…
- Ok
Terrence arrived and found her talking with Archie.
- So, said Terrence you ready to put a noose around your neck?
- Yes, more than ready, said Archie, let's go get ready…
Terrence approached Juliet.
- Are you ok, honey?
- Yes, I just had a few flashes; Archie, Stear and…Anthony…
- Oh… are you all right?
- Yes, thank you. See you later. I love you
- I love you. See you later.
He kissed her on the lips and he followed Archie in the bedroom. Juliet went back in the bride's room and she found Mrs. Brighton who had to make sure that everything was fine.
- Candy! Where were you? Come on we have to finish getting you ready!
- Are you feeling better Juliet, said Annie
- Yes Annie, thanks, said Juliet smiling
They all got ready and were talking; the hair, the nails the make up… they were ready hours later! Mrs. Brighton went to see if her husband was ready to walk Annie to the altar. Mr. Brighton, was waiting for his daughter on the stairs… Juliet and Patty come down the stairs and they walked to the back yard. And the ceremony started. Among the guests, Archibald's parents were there, of course; they'd had came especially for their son's wedding. Towards the end, when the bride and groom were kissing, the attention of the priest was attracted by a group of people that had just arrived. The assembly was looking at the priest and they turned around to see what was happening and they started to whisper. Patty felt drawn to the group, she left the altar and she started to walk towards the people that had just arrived. Her heart was pounding. Her prayers had been answered! Thank you, God!
The newlyweds stopped kissing and they also started to look at the group. Archie felt a warmth in his heart. He started to walk to the little group also, then he started to run, faster and faster…Oh my God, could it be possible? He saw Patty in front of him trying to run as best as she could with her high heels. A vague of intense emotions had spread throughout the whole party.
- Do you know what's going on? Asked Annie to Juliet
- There's a group of people that had just arrive and Patty just ran to them
- Oh… and Archie followed her, I'm going to go see what's going on…said Annie
Juliet felt a little dizzy; her head was spinning
- Terrence?
- Yes, Juliet, I'm here he said coming near her and taking her by the shoulders, are you ok, sweetie?
- No… my head is spinning
- You want to lie down?
- Yes, please she said with a tired voice
- I'm coming with you said Annie who was still there
Terrence took Juliet to the house by crossing the back yard. Archie's parents stood up and went to see what their son was so curious about. It didn't take the others guests long to follow them.
Patty had arrived near the little group, she had tears in her eyes. She took her glasses off to wipe her tears. Her throat was tight, she didn't dare talk…
- Stear? She said, with a shaking voice
He was on a wheelchair, his arms and legs in a cast. He was smiling
- Yes, Patricia, it's really me
- Oh my God! She said jumping to his neck crying, I knew it! I knew you were alive! Thank you Lord Jesus! Merci!
- I can't really hug you he said with a calm voice.
- It doesn't matter, said Patty laughing in the middle of her tears, the important thing is that you're here!
She continued hugging him and kissing him on the face and on the lips! She didn't care about the people around her, she had found the man she loves and she was the happiest woman on the planet.
- Stear? Said Archie with tears in his voice, is that really you?
Patty moved to leave her place to Archie.
- Archie, said Stear, you didn't really think that I would miss you wedding bro…
- Oh my God! Said Archie, jumping to his brother's neck too, he was crying. You came back! You didn't abandon me! Oh Stear, this is the most beautiful wedding present you could've gave to me!
Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell thought they were in the middle of a beautiful dream, their eldest son was alive!
- Alistair, said Mrs. Cornwell with a little voice
- Is that really you, son? Asked Mr. Cornwell moved
- Mom, dad I'm here, back home…
Archie moved to let his parents greet their son. His mother jumped to Stear's neck and her husband too… They were crying for a while.
The great aunt Elroy approached them and she was visibly very touched by the return of her nephew, she was also crying of joy! She hadn't lost Stear like Anthony…
- Alistair? Said the great aunt, you're back
- Yes, great aunt
The great aunt who in usual time is very reserved, walked to Stear and hugged him for a long time. Stear was alive! A part of her hear had mend instantly.
- Stear said Annie smiling, oh, it's a miracle!
She jumped to his neck, kissing him on the cheeks.
- My new sister in law! It's so good to see you!
- You're a sight for sore eyes…
Alistair looked and he saw Juliet and Terrence. Albert who was also there, saw them too.
- Terry? Said Stear, Candy?
- Hello Stear, said Terry, welcome home…
- Thanks said Stear, Candy?
Juliet seemed out of it. Albert talk to Stear;
- She lost her memory…
- Oh… Said Stear, I forgot… no pun intended…
- Mr. Albert, said Archie, what are you doing there?
"Alistair"… "Mr. Albert" Juliet couldn't take it anymore.
- Terrence… she said , I…
And she fell in a dark hole!
- Juliet! Said Terrence carrying her inside the house to lie her down on the couch of one of the living room
Annie followed them in the house.
- William? Said the great aunt
- William? Repeated Archie
- Yes, said Stear, Mr. Albert is the great Uncle William Archie…
- What? Said Archie…Oh… but… if I understand correctly, you were thrown out of your own land, all those years ago?
- Oh my God ! Said Eliza who was also there
Mrs. Reagan came and hugged Stear briefly.
- Welcome home Alistair
- Thanks, but Candy…
- I'm going to go see what's going on, said Albert
- Me too, said Patty and Archie at the same time
Terrence was with Juliet in one of the living room of the manor. Doctor Green, who was among the guests had come to examine her. Juliet remained unconscious for a while.
Josephine, Paolo and Mary-Alice were also with Albert. Mrs. Brighton announced to the guests that the party was going on, and it had been interrupted by a happy event; the return of Alistair Cornwell, who was presumed dead. The atmosphere became less tense all of a sudden and people started to talk, eat and drink.
Terrence, Annie, Albert, Archie and Patty were waiting for Juliet to regain consciousness. Stear arrived pushed by Josephine
Juliet started to move and the doctor approached her.
- Juliet? Said Annie
The young woman opened her eyes with difficulty… "Juliet"? Who's Juliet? Doctor Green was in front of her.
- Juliet? Why are you calling me Juliet? That's not my name…who are you?
- Candy? Said Albert
- Mr. Albert ? She said with a little voice
Albert approached her, very happy to see her.
- Yes, Candy, I'm here said Albert
Terry was a little upset.
- Oh, Mr. Albert! Said Candy hugging him, I was on the train, I'd just broke up with Terry… there was a terrible train accident…
Candy… Candy was back! Candy was looking around her.
- Where am I? Shouldn't I be in the hospital? Why am I dressed like that? Annie? You married Archie? Stear? What in the world happen to you? You were fine when you took me to the train station…Terry… what are you doing here? Oh my head is spinning…!
Doctor Green came near her.
- Don't rush, Mrs. Grandchester…said Doctor Green
- Mrs. Grandchester? Repeated Candy, why are you calling me that?
- Because it's your name, said the doctor
- What! My name? I'm married to Terry? No, no, no, you're mistaking, I'm not married to Terry, I can't be married to Terry! We broke up… what about Susanna?
Terry was listening and he was unable to react…Juliet was gone, it was Candy…But why was Juliet gone? Wasn't she suppose to stay there with Candy?
- What's happening? Asked Candy, Mr. Albert…
- I'm here, Candy, he said coming near her
She hugged him hard and Terry was hurt.
- Tell me I'm dreaming, I don't understand anything… I wasn't suppose to marry Terry, he was suppose to marry Susanna, she loves him, she saved his life… Oh … My God, this is a disaster!
Terry couldn't take it anymore and he got out of there. A disaster? It was a disaster for her to find herself his wife? Annie followed him outside with Patty.
- Terry… you have to be patient said Annie
- Yes, said Patty, she's disoriented…
- I know, but it hurts to see her turn to Albert…
- Don't forget, that the last image she has of you is that of your painful separation… she was going back to Chicago, to Albert, said Annie
- Let her time to get over it, said Patty, she woke up without any memory of the last few months…it must be hard
Doctor Green came out of the living room too.
- Doctor, said Terry, what's going on? Juliet is not there?
- It's the shock, I told you that it was a possibility…Juliet will come back, once the shock is passed, but it could take a few days…
- Oh…
- In the mean time, be patient. Don't forget, in her mind, you've broken up
- Ok said Terry.
In the living room, Candy didn't understand anything. All she remembered was having the heart in ashes on the train that was taking her back to Chicago. Now, they were telling her she was Terry's wife and that it was Annie's wedding? She had to get out of there!
- Mr. Albert? Said Candy, you have to get me out of here… please? Discretely…
- Ok, said Albert, I'm coming.
Albert went to see Josephine.
- Honey, he said, I have to help her, I know how she feels…
- Of course, hon. Go ahead. I'm going to wait for you here…It's the least you can do…
Albert took Candy and got her out discreetly and he took her purse. He took her to the apartment they once shared. The landlord was very surprised to see them.
- Oh Candy! Albert! You're back! I was getting desperate!
- You still have the apartment? You haven't rent it?
- With all you things inside? No…
- I'm going to pay you for all those months, with interest, don't worry said Albert, you have the keys to the apartment?
- Yes, wait here
The landlord went to his apartment on the ground floor and brought them a copy of their apartment key.
- Thanks, said Albert
- Your sister looks sick….
- She's got a head ache, said Albert as an explanation
Candy got into her apartment and felt a lot better. What was that all about…Why didn't she remember anything?
- Mr. Albert, what's going on? She Asked
- Candy, you lost your memory after the train accident. I just arrived myself, I can't tell you much…
- Oh… now I understand how you felt… I'm going to go to bed, I'm really tired
- Ok. I'm going to let you rest…but first I have to tell you that I got my memory back before you left for New York…
- Really? Why didn't you say anything?
- I liked living with you…I didn't want it to stop…
- Oh… Mr. Albert
- I now know who I am now…Candy I'm the great Uncle William…
- What! But I thought you were an old man…
- I know…
- So you adopted me? You're my adopted father?
- Yes…
- Oh…Mr. Albert, said Candy hugging him again…Thank you, thank you for everything. Thank you for saving me from the Reagan's…Thank you for Anthony, for the college which allowed me to meet Terry… thank you for saving my life…Thank you for everything!
- You're very welcome! The pleasure was all mine. You helped me when I was lost, Candy. You took me in, without a thought about what people would think… I'm happy I adopted you. You're so full of love and compassion
- It's the least I could do for the man who saved me from drowning she said smiling
- Go to bed, now. I'm going to let you rest
- Ok. Good night, Mr. Albert
She went to her bedroom to sleep. The bed was a little dusty, not really, the landlord came to clean from time to time. She laid down and fall asleep at once.
Albert made sure she was sleeping peacefully, then he left closing the door behind him. He didn't want to leave Candy when he got his memory back… he wanted to stay near her… he wanted to be in Terry's place, to be Candy's heart desire. But by living with her, he also knew that she swore, thought breathe, eat, drink and lived for Terry.