Tomorrow in your life…
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 27
"The Academy Awards"
In Los Angeles, Terry was now living with Susanna. They were not sleeping in the same room. But he took care of her; making sure she ate correctly, took her to the doctor's, she had everything she needed, she was pampered, but not in his bed. He didn't touch her and he made sure not to leave his plate or glass unattended; he was afraid she was going to drug him again and made him do thing against his will. Susanna was pleased to have Terry taking care of her. Terry was looking after her, it was way better than the regular indifference. She was happy, she wished she had him a little nicer to her, and in her bed, but she took what she had. As long as she had Terry's baby in her belly, he will look after her.
Terry's friends and family also learned the news of his break up with Candy in the press. His twin sisters decided to go see him in Los Angeles, they met Eleonor Baker when they entered the building where Terry's apartment was.
- Eleonor Baker, said Anna Rose, hello
- Hello, said Rose Anna smiling
- You're Terry's sisters, said Eleonor, he talks about you a lot….
- We're the biggest fans of your work, Terry in particular said Anna Rose
- Thank you. I'm happy he has sisters like you…said Eleonor
- So, let's ring the bell said Rose Anna, there, I'm ringing…
She rang the door. Terry opened the door and was surprised to see his mother and his sisters.
- Mum, Rose Anna, Anna Rose! Come in he said smiling and kissing them
- Terry said Eleonor, what? Now we're Mr. and Mrs. Everybody?
- Well hello to you too, mum said Terry
- You could've told us, said Rose Anna
- We learned it on the telly! Said Anna Rose
- Yes, Terrence, said his mother, why do we have to learn the break up of your engagement by the press?
Susanna arrived smiling.
- Terry, we have visitors?
- Mum, Rose Anna, Anna Rose, this is Susanna Marlowe…
- Miss Baker. Rose Anna, Anna Rose, said Susanna with a smile
The three women were speechless for a moment. What was going on? Terry was with another woman?
- Hello, said Eleonor
- Hi, said the twins
- I think I better tell you now, before you learn it in the press again; Susanna and I are having a baby…
- WHAT? Yelled the three women at the same time
Eleonor Baker had to sit down on the couch to get a hold of herself. The twins had to do the same.
- Did I just slipped into a parallel world without knowing? Is your name Quinn Mallory? What the hell are you talking about? What about Candy? You don't love her anymore? You cheated on her? No, you're crazy about her, and you would never cheat on her! What's going on? And I want the truth, not baloney! Said Eleonor
- Why, mum, said Terry, I didn't know you watched "Sliders"…
- Don't change the subject! Said Eleonor, answer me!
- But mum, I thought everything was clear; it's over between Candy and I, and I'm with Susanna. She's having a baby….
- Terry said, Anna Rose, I know you, you loved Candy like crazy, you would never have cheated on her…
- Yes, said Rose Anna, you completed each other, you had the same ideas at the same time, she's your soul mate…. You waited for each other during those three years you were trying to make it….
- And you had lost contact with each other said, Anna Rose…
Terry was an excellent actor. So, he had no trouble acting and he stayed calmed. He wanted to tell them the truth, but he couldn't. He couldn't take the risk that the press hears about the real story. Candy… he missed her so much. He prayed God every day to get back together with Candy, he didn't know how, but he knew the universe will put them back together one day.
- Listen, said Terry, I told you, that I was having a baby with Susanna… and it's not very nice of you to talk about Candy in front of her….
The three women still couldn't believe what was happening! They didn't insist. They knew Terry well enough to know that he was not going to budge. Susanna went to the kitchen to get some cold beverage. Eleonor looked at her son, she was sure he was acting. He must have had his reasons. She knew Susanna's parents had a lot of influence in Hollywood and they could break her son's career. The twins, gave up, in front of Terry's firmness and they changed the conversation.
Albert learned about Candy broken engagement by the press too and he went to see her one night at the apartment.
- Mr. Albert said Candy jumping to his neck, I missed you so much!
- Candy, I'm sorry about Terry
- That's life…
- But you loved him so much…how are you?
- I as fine as I can be with a broken heart…
- Oh…wait. I'm going to make you dinner….
- Thanks Mr. Albert, you don't need to…
- No, the pleasure is all mine….
Candy hugged him. She was happy to have Albert's friendship.
The day and months passed. Terrence Grandchester finished shooting his first movie in which he played the lead role; "Romeo and Juliet" Susanna played Juliet. The shooting had to be done rather quickly because of Susanna's condition. This last one had Terry's attention but not his love. He was friendly with her, his agent advised him to at least become her friend. He had gone to see her in her office.
- Esther, I can't take this anymore…
- Terry, come on…
- When I wanted to become an actor, it was in front of the cameras or on stage, not at my home, 24-7….
- You could at least talk to her…it will make the atmosphere a little better…
- Every time I see her, I remember that I'm not with Candy because of her…
- Think about the baby…
- Believe me, it's the only thing that gives me the courage to continue. The baby… I thought I was going to have my first baby with Candy…
- We all have to make sacrifices in life sometimes…
- Sacrifices? I lived in poverty for three years to make it as an actor! I could've gone to my mother, and ask her for a favour…. I left everything; money, cars, cell phones, computer… I was even separated from the one I loved for 3 years, because I didn't know where she was… she waited for me; they called her the "Ice Princess" for God sake! Susanna… she ruined everything! It's like the universe is holding a grudge against me!
It took him a lot of time, but he finally took Esther's advice and he started to talk to Susanna. This last one had a glimpse of hope at the horizon. But in the long run, she understood that Terry's friendship will never go to the next level. He took her to the doctor's every week towards the end of her pregnancy. They didn't want to know the sex of the baby, they wanted to be surprised. When the time came for her to deliver the baby, he was shooting a commercial, when his pager beeped. Every body at the studio started to call him.
- Terry, your pager, said one of the cameramen
- Susanna must be ready said the producer
- Thanks guys, I heard ….
He took his cell phone and called Susanna
- Terry, she said, I think it's time…
- Ok, can you get to the hospital?
- Yes… I called them
- I'll see you there. See you in a bit. And have courage, you can do it….
Terry assisted to the birth of his child and all the anger and resentment he felt towards Susanna disappeared when he saw his little bundle of joy.
- It's a girl! Said the doctor
Terry might have been wishing to have his first baby with Candy, but the experience of seeing a child coming into this world, was priceless. He had a paternity test done, that proved that he was the father.
Candy learned the news by the press; Susanna had had a little girl that she had called Serena. She saw Terry on TV saying that he was absolutely crazy with joy.
She cried all night. She should've had Terry's baby, not Susanna! Life was not fair! She had lost Anthony, too young and now…
Albert called her in the morning to see if she was alright. Annie and Patty came to see her the next morning.
- Are you ok, sweetie? Asked Annie hugging her
- It's not too hard? Asked Patty
- I'm fine said Candy, life goes on…
- You've got a good attitude, that's great said Annie
- Thank you for coming, you're really good friends, said Candy
- That's the least we could do, said Annie
- We wish were able to take the pain away from you, said Patty
- Well having you as friends, makes it less painful…
Every time Terry answered questions about Susanna, and the baby, he was asking for Candy to forgive him in his heart. Every time Candy saw him on TV talking and answering questions, she was saying to herself;
"I know that it's hard, honey, I understand, I forgive you…"
Terry's new movie was a new version of "Romeo and Juliet" He had given his best performance. The reporters were talking Oscar buzz. But before the Oscars, there's the Golden Globe. Reporters used to say that the Golden Globes were a blueprint for the Oscars. Terrence Grandchester was nominated for the Golden Globe for the best actor in drama. Terry was happy, but he wished he could've shared that joy with Candy.
"I know you're congratulating me, Freckles. Thank you. I wish you were here".
Candy learned about Terry's good fortune on TV. She was happy inside.
"Congratulations my love. You deserved it"
Terrence Grandchester went to the Golden Globe with his mother. Susanna was sick and she couldn't go with him. Candy didn't miss a moment of the show on TV. She had a television and a video cassette recorder in her bedroom, she was taping the show. She had on tape, all of Terry's appearances on TV that she could record. She then edited it on one tape and was watching it every time she felt like seeing him.
Candy was watching the Golden Globes with her young friend and neighbour Tammy. This last one, came to see her every day to make sure she was all right. Melissa was at the Golden Globe as a reporter. Candy was also taping all of her mother's appearances on TV.
- Your mother looks so young said Tammy
- That's because she had me young said Candy
- You want Terry to win?
- Of course, said Candy with a smile, he's the best
- You'll always surprise me, said Tammy laughing, you're not even mad at him?
- What's that going to bring me? Asked Candy, life is too short to waste it being angry…
- Candy, I hope I'm as good as you, when I'm older…
Candy burst out laughing. They spent a very amusing evening. Tammy talked to her about her adventures at school and with her boyfriend. Came the moment for the Golden Globes for the best actor in a drama. The two young ladies stopped talking and held their breath. Terrence Grandchester was announced as the winner. Candy and Tammy literally jumped of joy screaming and laughing for a while. Terry thanked his mother, his friends the producers etc…without any special words to Susanna, but one for little Serena. Candy felt a twinge in her heart. Terry was thinking now, about his little girl first. She didn't know that Terrence Grandchester almost had to bite his tongue, so he wouldn't thank his Freckles….
A few weeks later, on Valentine's Day, the Oscar nominations were announced at 8h30 A.M Eastern Time, which was 5h30 A.M in Los Angeles. Terrence Grandchester was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor. Candy woke up early but she also programmed her VCR to tape the nominations in case she was called to the hospital or she woke up late. She prayed for Terry. When she heard his name, she couldn't help but jump of joy and scream. The door bell rang. It was Tammy who had also heard the news.
- Candy! She said, jumping to her neck, I'm so happy!
- I'm crazed with joy!
- You'll always surprise me, I would've been indifferent, he had a baby with another woman
- That has nothing to do with his talent…. Before and foremost, he was my friend before he was my boyfriend
Annie, Patty, Archie and Stear, came to spend Oscar night with Candy, a few weeks later. Tammy arrived to watch the Academy Award with her best friend. Candy of course was taping the show in her bedroom.
- I pray for Terry to win, said Candy
- You're not possible! Said Archie
- He's an old friend, said Annie
- And if he wins, we could say that we went to school with an Oscar winner, said Patty
She was already preparing an article for the university paper and the paper for which she was working for, part-time, while she was finishing school. She already had the exclusivity on Terrence Grandchester being his friend since school. And Melissa will send her the pictures on the ceremony and the parties afterwards.
Since Melissa had the exclusivity to announce to the world that Eleonor Baker, the Academy Award winner, was the mother of the new rising start, Terrence Grandchester, she had become one of the top reporters in show business.
Eleonor Baker was with her son at the Academy Awards. Terrence had also brought his twin sisters, Rose Anna and Anna Rose who were thrilled to be near their darling brother for this big night. They posed for pictures and the cameras for different shows. On the red carpet, Eleonor was wearing a Vera Wand dress beige, tight on the waist and the breast, it was strapless and the skirt was a little tight-fitting with a little train in the back. The twins were wearing identical dresses from Versace, but the colour was lightly different; Rose Anna's was fuchsia pink and Anna Rose's was light pink. The top had straps and the rest was really tight-fitting. Terry was wearing a smoking from Valentino.
- Mr. Grandchester you think you're going to win?
- I'm crossing my fingers, but it's an honour just to be nominated he said smiling
- Miss Baker, you think that your son his going to follow into your footsteps?
- He inherited my actor's genes, didn't he? If the Academy did their job well, he will follow my footsteps and he will get the Oscar. But of course, I'm biased, I'm his mother, she said laughing
The reporter burst out laughing. Susanna stayed home. She hadn't lost all the weight from the pregnancy. She didn't want the reporters to make fun of her and her dress. The Academy Awards was Hollywood's biggest night, broadcast in more than 70 countries. Terry was nominated; all the cameras were going to be on them. She didn't want to look fat in front of the cameras. Terry told her she was being ridiculous, that every body knew she had jus had a baby, but she wouldn't budge. So she stayed home, down in the damps. The baby was with her nanny.
The Academy Awards night lasted more than 3 hours, and the Oscar for the best actor was announced towards the end. When the time came, all those who knew Terry personally, held their breath. The actress who won the year before, started by naming the 5 actors, the movie they were on, and there was a little piece of their performance in the movie.
- And the Oscar goes to…
The actress opened the envelope and she said;
- Terrence Grandchester for "Romeo and Juliet"!
Terrence was so stunned that he was frozen for a while. His mother had to whisper in his ear under the applause and the music.
- Terry, honey, it's you! You've won! Said Eleonor
He stood up, kissed his mother and his sisters and went on the stage…He took the golden statue, kissed the actress on the cheek and started his speech.
- Whooooooaaa! I never thought I would be here on stage…ok, maybe a little… But it's such a big honour for me to have been put in the same category with those 4 talented actors. I thank God, without whom none of this would be possible. Thank you mum, for giving me your actor's genes…I would like to thank my agent Esther Henderson for hiring me when I was a nobody… Robert Hathaway for trusting me for this big role. The teachers at St. Paul Academy for giving me my first role ever…the producers…
He continued thanking his movie crew…and towards the end, he raised his Oscar and said;
- And finally and not the least… this is for you, my Juliet darling, I love you so much!
The applause was very loud and Terrence Grandchester left the stage.
At Candy, her friends were talking and making comments, when they heard Terry's last words.
- Oh Candy, I'm sorry said Patty
Candy had tears coming down her cheeks. When she heard Terry's last words, she whispered for herself;
" I love you took Romeo, thank you with all my heart"
She understood that Terry talked to her; his Juliet darling, it was her, not Susanna, like the rest of the world thought.
- No, Patty, it's wonderful! Terry won! We have to celebrate!
- Candy, said Archie, he just declared his love for another woman in front of 70 millions people… what don't you throw a party for the birth of his baby, while you're at it!
- Archie, Terry has just won the Oscar for best actor. You know what this means? His value in Hollywood has just triple just with the nominations….his dream is accomplished. I'm very happy for him…Annie, come and help me in the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Annie who was observing her friend didn't buy it….
- Candy, Archie is right, Terry just declared his love to another woman in front of 70 millions people, and you're on cloud 9….
- I'm happy for him…
- He just told another woman he loved her… or did he… ?
- Annie, you're reading too much into this… I'm happy, that's all
- No, it's more than that. You're so happy it's like he was talking to you…
Candy didn't say anything.
- Wait a minute Juliet, his Juliet darling, it's you! Not Susanna! He was talking to you! He still loves you!
- Annie, the others are waiting in the living room said Candy, let's go!
Annie knew that it was no use insisting. They took the snacks and went to the living room to eat with the others.
In Hollywood, during one of the numerous post-Oscars parties, Terry met Melissa.
- Terry! She said hugging him, congratulations!
- Thanks Melissa! How are you, all of you? Asked Terry
- We're fine, all of us, said Melissa who understood he was asking about Candy. How's your daughter and you're your lady companion?
- My daughter is fine. She absolutely wonderful and Susanna is fine
- Why isn't she here for your big night?
- Euh… she was a little under the weather
- Hum… she was ashamed to come with all the weight she gained during her pregnancy, like for the Golden Globes?
- You're not very nice to her in your articles….
Melissa just laughed.
As a matter of fact, Melissa always portrayed Susanna on a bad day. Terry remembered the scene. Susanna was always asking herself why the reporter was always against her. Terry didn't want to say anything. She learned the truth by chance from her mother one afternoon.
- Your rival's mother is not throwing you any flowers…
- My rival's mother?
- Melissa Grand Crane, she's the mother of Terrence's ex-fiancée…
- Candy? Melissa Crane is Candy's mother? Terry didn't tell me anything!
- He probably felt ashamed said Mrs. Marlowe
When she got back home, she confronted Terry.
- You could've told me….
- I'm sorry said Terry
- I was wondering why she was always attacking me…
- Now, you know … What's change? You're still the same said Terry dryly
Susanna didn't respond. Terry didn't seem to want to change his attitude towards her. She sometimes wondered if all that was worth it. But her love for Terry will come right back… He came back to reality and he continued talking to Melissa.
- Melissa, I'm sorry about Candy
- She still hasn't moved on, do you know that? It's like she waiting for you or something…
Terry didn't answer. He couldn't tell her that it was indeed the case; Candy was really waiting for him…
- Say hello to everybody, said Terry, have a nice evening Melissa. It was good to see you. If you want an interview, don't hesitate to call me…
- Thanks Terry, bye…
Terry would've given anything to share his happiness with Candy…but things were what they were.