Tomorrow in your life…
Chapter 16
" Season's greetings"
Time passed and came Christmas time and the premiere of the school movie. The student viewed it on the eve of Christmas vacations. It was a triumph! Terry was superb as Ebenezer Scrooge, he was so believable, he was a born actor!
There was festival of student's films and the teacher decided to send their movie. If Terry was hesitating to become an actor before, hi decision was definitely made after he saw himself on the big screen. If the movie was a success, it could help his acting career. He wanted to make it on his own, not because of his mother's name.
Candy continued communicating with the Cranes. Thanks to the webcam, they saw each other every night. The holyday season was there. Candy was with Terry in her room.
- Terry, you're going to see your family? Asked Candy
- Yes, it's my last Christmas with them… You want to come with me?
- No, you need time with them before you drop them the bomb that you want to become an actor….
- You're right. I will come on Christmas day to be with you…I'll stay with them for Christmas eve. One day I hope that we'll spend our Christmas eves together…
Candy didn't answer, she just hugged him. There was no guarantee in life. She learned it the hard way with Anthony. Now Terry wanted to become an actor, their path will separate for a while… or forever? The universe had put them together, and the universe seemed to want to separate them.
Patty and Tanisha went to see their parents. Annie went to Chicago spend Christmas with her parents. She travelled with Stear and Archie whose parents this time, wanted to spend Christmas under the snow. Neil and Eliza also went to see their parents in Chicago. Candy, who didn't want to submit herself to the coldness of the Great Aunt Elroy, unless she was forced to, stay at boarding school with only a few students whose parents were too busy or were deceased. She also stayed because of Terry, since it was his last Christmas, before he goes to Hollywood. Terry will come on Christmas morning to spend it with her.
The reverend mother, and the other nuns organized a Christmas dinner for those who stayed at school, on December 24. Candy was in her room listening to music.
She was checking her e-mails. There was knock on her door.
- Candy, the reverend mother ask all the students to come down for Christmas eve said the voice of a student at the door
- Thanks, I'm coming
Candy got ready, before going downstairs; she was wearing a red skirt, a red and green pullover, the colours of Christmas, red pantyhose and green shoes. She took a while to go downstairs. When she arrived in the gym decorated for Christmas, with a big Christmas tree with hand made ornament by the students. The sisters didn't want those sparkling decoration or bought. Everything was hand made. The result was very beautiful. Candy entered and sat on a chair. Sister Margaret a little red envelope.
- Thank you said Candy
- Close your eyes Candy and make a wish, said Sister Margaret
- What?
- Close your eyes…
Candy closed her eyes. She said to herself that she had nothing to lose.
"I want to be with Terry", she said in her head.
She opened her eyes, and Terry was in front of her.
- Terry!
- Happy Christmas Freckles!
He hugged her! For the holidays, marks of affection were allowed.
- I thought you were in your family…
- I was, I wanted to surprise you
- You succeeded
- That's not all. Close your eyes
- There's more? Ok., she said obeying.
- Perfect. Wait a little, said Terry, no peek… Now open your eyes…
Candy opened her eyes and she got the most beautiful surprise of the evening, after Terry.
- Melissa, Philippe and the kids! She yelled, oh my God!
She jumped to their neck, kissing them and laughing at the same time. Melissa held her for a long time. She had missed Candy so much.
- But how? Asked Candy
- I wanted to see you said Melissa, and Terry called and suggested that we make the trip here to surprise you…
- You came from Bucharest?
- Yes, said Philippe, to spend Christmas with my family and with you…
- Thank you, Thank you very much!
- You're coming with us? Said Melissa
- Yes of course. I'll go get my coat…
- I'm coming with you said Terry, … Can I sister?
- It's Christmas, said Sister Margaret, behave!
They burst out laughing and went to Candy's room to get her coat. Once inside, Candy hugged Terry hard.
- Thanks a million Terry, for this wonderful surprise!
- Nothing is too good for you, Freckles. I knew you wanted to see your "family"
They kissed passionately.
- Here is you present, said Terry giving her a little box
She opened it and found a pair of emerald hearings.
- Terry…
- Happy Christmas, Freckles
- They're very beautiful, thanks honey…
She went to get his present. He opened and it was gold cufflinks with the initials "TGG".
- Oh, thank you Freckles… it's very nice, he said kissing her.
- Merry Christmas, Romeo… We have to go, said Candy between two kisses… they're waiting for us…
- I know… he said continuing kissing her everywhere.
They went downstairs to join the others. They went to spend Christmas eve in Croydon, Surrey, in Philippe's family. Candy spent one of the most beautiful Christmases in her life; she was with Terry, Melissa, Philippe, the children… she didn't need anything else from life.
The following days, Candy took the children shopping, since she didn't expect them and she had already sent them presents in Romania. She bought them some toys and some clothes in London during the Boxing day sales. The children were ecstatic.
- Can I have a dollhouse? Said Carissa, and dolls?
- You can have anything you want said Candy
- Candy said Melissa, you're spoiling them!
- Come on Melissa, it's the holydays, let them have what they want…
- Ok, if you say so.
They bought a lot of stuff, even little bikes and little big cars. Candy couldn't be at the Pony house, with her two mothers and the kids; it felt good spoiling Melissa's kids. Annie took care of the kids at the Pony house.
On New Year's Eve, Terry invited Candy to a nice restaurant, to celebrate the anniversary of their meeting.
- One year ago, I met the girl of my dreams…
- One year ago, I met the boy I love…
- I didn't know you could love someone that much…
- I didn't know I could love someone after Anthony…
The restaurant was full. Everybody wanted to celebrate the New Year. But Candy and Terry felt like the only two beings in the world. They had a romantic dinner, they danced, talked till midnight and this time, Terry kissed her on the lips.
Philippe and Melissa were still in London. Candy and Terry went to see them on New Year's Day.
- So, how was the dinner? Asked Melissa when she was alone with Candy
- Great! I spent the best year of my life…
- Candy, I feel a little sadness in your voice…
- Terry is graduating this year. He wants to go to Hollywood…
- Oh…
- Yes, he wants to try to become an actor… we're going to be separated
- You love each other, love conquers all. Believe-me. And don't forget, you're destined to be together…. You were together at midnight again…
- Thanks, Melissa said Candy laughing
Candy went to play with the children for a while. She came back a little later with Carissa who wasn't feeling well. She had a fever.
- Melissa, said Candy, I think Carissa is a little warm…
- Oh…, she said coming near them to touch her daughter on the forehead, yes, she's burning. She's been a little tired these last days. Philippe…
- I'll get the car, we're taking her to the hospital said Philippe
Melissa was worried. She didn't want to give her any over the counter medicine. She wanted a doctor to examine her. They went to May Day hospital, with Candy and Terry leaving the other two children with Philippe's parents. A doctor, who wanted to do more tests, examined Carissa. That was not a good sign.
- More tests? Asked a curious Melissa, why?
- To make sure everything is all right… said the doctor
But Melissa didn't believe him. She had a bad feeling. Something was wrong. Candy stayed near her to support her and encourage her. After several hours that seemed endless, the doctor came back to announce them a sad news.
- I'm sorry said the doctor, Mr and Mrs Crane
- What! Asked Philippe
Melissa was white as a sheet. She couldn't take it if she loses her little girl.
- Your daughter has symptoms of leukemia, said the doctor
- Oh My God! Said Candy and Melissa at the same time
- Are you sure, doctor? Asked Philippe very worried
- I'm sorry. I wish I had better news, said the doctor
- You found out what was wrong, said Terry, now what are the treatments options?
- We're going to start with the normal treatment for leukemia to see how she reacts. But like you all know, a bone marrow transplant is what is going to save her if we find a compatible donor. Does she have brothers of sister?
- Yes, said Melissa, we can bring them tomorrow to get tested…
- Ok. But don't discourage yourself, there are a lot of options… if we don't find any matches in the family , there's the anonymous donors…
- Can we see her? Asked Melissa
- Yes, of course
Philippe and Melissa went to see their daughter in her room. She was a little frightened by the hospital.
- Mummy! Daddy! I want to go home!
- Of course, honey, said Melissa, but you're sick, you have to get well, so you need to stay in the hospital
- But I get so many shots here: it hurts! She said crying
- Oh come on, it's going to be ok. I'm going to stay here with you, I won't leave your side
- Don't be afraid, honey, said Philippe, we're going to be near you…
Candy and Terry were looking at them by the door. They were very sad for the little family. Candy had tears in her eyes. She felt so helpless. Terry held her to encourage her.
Carissa started to receive the treatment with pills and chemotherapy, which made her even sicker. Melissa spent all her time in the hospital with her daughter. The kids came to see her in the hospital. She was afraid of losing another baby. The other kids were not tested yet. The doctors were waiting to see how Carissa was going to react to the treatment.
School was back and Candy was always worried about Carissa. Her friends came back from vacation with lots of stories. Annie, in particular. She was alone with Candy in her room.
- How was the holydays? Did you take care of the Pony kids? Asked Candy
- Yes, don't worry. Everybody was happy but they missed you, said Annie
- I miss them too…I wish I was there, but since it's my last holydays with Terry… anyway. Tell me about your vacations…You look… different… what's going on?
- Candy… I have to tell you something…
- Annie, you're ready to explode… oh, don't tell me, you did it… didn't you?
- Yes….
- Oh my God! How was it? Come on start talking!
- It was the New Year's Day…
Annie told her how she succumbed to Archie's charms. She was so happy.
- It was improvised? Said Candy, did you use protection?
- He had an "umbrella" in his wallet…
- Oh….
- Apparently all the guys have one in their wallets…
- Really? Maybe I should check Terry's wallet…How are you feeling? Do you regret it?
- No, I love him so much, Candy. It's incredible…
- I'm happy for you, Annie…
Annie took the step; she took her relationship with Archie to the next level. She was so happy to finally be with Archie, that she did everything not lose him, even giving her body. Candy hoped that Archie's feelings were sincere and that he won't break her heart. Patty and Tani arrived and Annie told them her story.
Candy was on her pretend Pony hill talking to Archie.
- Are you ok? She asked
- Yes, said Archie, she told you?
- She's my sister, Archie, what do you think? Do you love her?
- Yes. To see her in Romania with that boy… Farren
- Warren…
- Whatever! He said ironically, I realised that I loved her
- Thank God. But, don't hurt her, she's my sister. She's crazy in love with you
- Ok, I promise
- Good. Now tell me about the lovely holydays at the Andrew mansion, with the adorable Great Aunt Elroy….
Archie laughed and started to tell her in details what happened during the holydays. They had a good laugh.
Time went by so fast, with Carissa's illness, Candy and her friends weren't really thinking about anything else. Candy spent every weekend at the hospital with the Cranes. She forgot about Terry's birthday. She didn't really forget, but she wasn't in the mood to celebrate. Terry understood and was not mad at her. But she gave him a little present, a ring with the initials "CT". She also had a little strawberry cake with candles.
- Thanks Freckles he said, I'm surprised that in the middle of Carissa's leukemia, you thought about me…
- Terry, I always think about you, I love you. Happy birthday honey… I'm sorry; I wish I could've done more… I'll make it up to you
- No, Juliet. It's the intention that counts…he said kissing her
- You're very welcome, honey. Now let's have a little cake…
- How's your "family"?
- They're hanging in there… it's hard
- I hope everything works out…
- Me too…
- Now about that cake…