THE LOVEBIRDS
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 2
"If only…"
If tears could water the fields of life
And sadness were a song
I would cry for the gods to hear
And heaven won't keep you long
If love could cause the world to fall
And passion to raise the sea
I would kiss the clouds and close my eyes
And heaven would set you free
No goodbye nor one farewell
A sign to say you're gone
Before I knew it your soul was lost
But for always you'll be my one
Serena Lee
Time passed it had been months since Candy and Terry simultaneous death. Life went on. Susanna was feeling very bad, crappy in fact. She had realised what her selfishness had done to the man she said she loved; it had killed him and Candy. She thought she would kill their love but in fact she killed them both!
She was a reception one evening in New York City and she saw Albert. She was so happy to see him! And him too! They bounded together over the death of their mutual spouses. They hugged.
- Albert! She said, it's so good to see you!
- Susanna, are you ok?
- No…I need you. Just hold me…
- All right…
Albert complied and he felt a lot better too. It was like their misery brought them together.
- I feel much better she said, when she let go of him
- Me too… you want to get out of here? We could go have a drink in my penthouse…
- All right, the house feels too cold and too sad. I put it up for sale…I'm going to look for a small apartment.
- I've got an apartment building… I could sell you one…
- Really?
- Yes, if you want I can take care of the sale of your house…
- Let's go then, she said taking his arm.
Albert had a driver waiting for him. They brought him to his penthouse and when they got there, Albert made a drink for her, a martini…
- Thank you Albert…
- How's your guilt?
- Well, I feel lousy…how could I have been so selfish? What about yours?
- Mine… I knew she loved him. She cried every time we made love, she was thinking about him…
- Did she tell you that?
- No, she would never admit that to me, she wouldn't hurt me like that… but I knew, sometimes she would say his name and not even realise it…
- Oh my God! Said Susanna, the rare times Terry made love to me, he called me "Candy"…How could I have taken that sitting down? I was torturing myself! I just didn't want Candy to have him, he was my Terry… I'm so sorry…
- I was happy with her, I love her so much…but …
- Well the way they died together, showed us we were wrong to keep them a part
- They made their decision….
- Come on Albert, you and I could've made sure they end up together…if we wanted to, if we weren't so selfish…
- If we really loved them, we would've wanted them to be happy, even if it was with other people…
- Yeah, said Susanna crying, I hate myself so much, all that time wasted… I …
Albert approached her and wiped her tears.
- It's ok, he said
They looked at each other. Albert leaned and took her lips in a fiery kiss… Susanna responded with all her heart. Never in her life someone had kissed her like that, not even Terry and he was thinking about Candy when he did it! She felt that Albert wanted her and she wanted him…. And what had to happen, happened!
- Oh Albert, this feels so good…
- I know…
- I never felt so good…
- Me neither…
- It's different isn't it when the other partner really wants you….
- Let's not think about that, said Albert taking her lips
They spent the whole night making love, a night full of passion like they never had before in their lives.
The morning after, they both felt good. No guilt at all. They were still in each other's arms.
- Good morning…, she said smiling
- Hello, he said, are you ok?
- Yes…you?
- I feel marvellous…
- Are you sure… we're not too old?
- Come on…did I looked old to you last night?
- No…And I felt like a young bride! Oh my God! If only we had met years ago…
- We were both infatuated with our current deceased spouses…
- You're right…it's true what they say, older and wiser…
- I think I like having you in my bed, I think I love you, Susanna….
- I think I love you too… make love to me like that every night and I'll be in your bed every night…
- Is that a proposition?
- Euh… after what happened with Terry….
- You want me to do it…
- Yes…if you want to… if I was just a one night stand, that's ok…
- Don't be ridiculous… I can't stop thinking about you…
- Really? Me neither…
- I want to be with you… we're not young so let's not waste any time…
- You're right…
- Will you marry me?
- Yes, I will, she said hugging him laughing
They kissed and they made love again to seal their agreement. For some reason they kept their marriage a secret. Albert would be in New York for a long time, they didn't want to shock Candy's friends…
But one day, Diana was on a trip in New York, Albert had told her she could drop by anytime, she even had her own penthouse key. She got in with her bags, what she saw shocked her! Albert and Susanna were naked on the couch kissing passionately and making love…
- OH MY GOD! She yelled
The lovers stopped startled and looked at her. Diana turned around, shocked. She picked up her bags to leave.
- Diana, wait! Said Albert, it's not what you think…
- You two were… making love!
- Yes, but…
- Then it's exactly what I think! How ..why…when?
- We love each other, said Susanna
- You… what? Said Diana
They got dressed while they were talking.
- Albert and I are madly in love, said Susanna, we not doing anything wrong…
- We're married, said Albert
- WHAT? Oh my God! What about your spouses? You loved them so much!
- They are no longer with us, said Susanna, they died together, remember?
- You don't need to remind me that! Said Diana. Candy was a mother to me…you two kept them apart, they died of a broken heart and now you two are shaking up? That's gross!
- No, that's love, said Susanna, we spent our lives with the wrong people, we know it now…if I could turn back time I would and I would let Terry be with Candy, but I can't…
- Why should we punish ourselves? What's done is done, it's unfortunate…, said Albert
- Unfortunate? Said Diana
- It showed us that we shouldn't waste time…I love Susanna, she loves me…we got married…please Diana, tell me you understand
Diana looked at them she was crying…
- If you two had met earlier, you would've fallen in love? She said
- Probably, said Albert, but we didn't, we met at the hospital when Candy and Terry died…
- Oh Albert, I'm sorry. You're right, you have the right to be happy… but it's not fair that Candy and Terry lived unhappy all their lives…
- We know, said Susanna, I wish I could change things but I can't… I wish I had let Terry go and be happy with Candy…
- And I wish I had encouraged her to go after Terry, said Albert…
- At least they're together in the great beyond, said Diana sadly…why didn't you tell anybody you were married?
- Maybe we thought it would be rude to Candy and Terry's memory, said Susanna
- Candy and Terry died together like Tristan and Isolde, said Diana, it was like they were drawn together by some force… you had to fake their funeral so no one would know, aside from the family that they were literally welded together. You had a special casket made to they would both fit… You and Susanna getting together…is no one business but your own… Don't you think there was enough heartache to last a lifetime? Congratulations and thanks for inviting me…
- Sorry Diana, said Albert, I thought you wouldn't approve…
- That's ok, I'm going to go to my room now…
- You want something to eat? Asked Susanna, I can heat up something for you…
- I'm fine said Diana, I'll manage, you go back to whatever you were doing…
Susanna and Albert burst out laughing and they went to their bedroom to have a little fun.
Diana was in her room, thinking about Candy. She wasn't there anymore and she wished she were still there… all the children, she took under her wing were sad.
"Life is not fair! Said Diana, Candy was so good, she deserved to be happy more than anybody in this world…!"
There was a storage room in the penthouse with old stuff. There was a closed box which attracted her attention. She went and opened it…it was Terry's stuff. Old letters from Candy, a diary, letters to Candy he never mailed…She couldn't help but read everything, she wanted to know everything. She cried as she read the letters, their plans together, they were so much in love! Terry's un-mailed letters were the saddest.
My Dear Candy,
I don't know how much time has passed since our break up. I lost track of the time when you left, I lost track of everything. You were my rock, my muse, my goal. I came to America to make my dream come true, and once I succeeded in being an actor, I would've come to England and get you if you were still in that school. That cold school which forced us to separate…If I had known it was the beginning of the end, I would've taken you with me, and marry you and we never would've been apart again…I wanted to have babies with you, little Freckles…I don't know what I did to get side tracked like that…everything was planned, until that horrible accident, which changed the course of all our lives…Candy, letting you go was the hardest thing I've ever had to do…And I've regretted it ever since…I became drunk until I saw you and instead of talking to you, I left without seeing you. I saw Albert who told me how strong you were…I looked at you from afar, so sure of yourself with the children…I went back and I took my responsibilities with Susanna, but that didn't mean that you left my heart… From the moment I saw you on that boat, I fell in love with you, and I knew I wanted to be with you forever…All this love I'm feeling is in vain, because we can never be together… I think it was cruel for the gods to make us feel all these wonderful sensations only to let us end up with the wrong person. I know you've moved on, you married Albert. Even if I feel a little betrayed, since he was my friend and he kind of discouraged me from talking to you, I know he loves you, he's going to treat you right and he's going to make sure you're happy. I know you loved him a lot too…and it hurts me so much to write that and admit it…I never told you really how I felt, now I regret it… I wish I had told you how I felt, how much my heart was happy when I saw you at that train station, how much my heart was ripped apart when I let you go on those stairs… well it's no use talking about it, because I'm never going to mail this letter to you anyway… I love you Candy, you're my soul mate and I will never love anybody like I love you…
Diana wiped her tears and put the letter away. Then she decided to take Terry's stuff with her to Chicago. She was sure that Susanna wasn't going to miss them.
Diana finished her business in New York a few days later and she went back to Chicago. She went to the Pony Home to see the other little orphans. That's were Candy took her in… She went to Lakewood to spend the night, where she was allowed to stay, per Albert's order. Anyway, the Great Aunt had passed away years ago, and Mrs. Reagan was too old to cause anymore trouble. She went in the rosaries, where Candy had brought back Anthony's garden and was selling the roses "Sweet Candy". The roses became even more popular after Candy's death; they were getting orders from all over the world…
Eleonor Baker who was abroad, couldn't attend her son's funeral. Her health wasn't good and her doctors had told her not to make the trip. But she forced herself and she finally arrived in New York. She sent people over at Susanna's, but they found that the house was put up for sale and they managed to get Susanna's new address. Eleonor went there with her nurse to see Susanna. She arrived at the penthouse and she was surprise to find Susanna with Albert. Susanna walked to her and hugged her…
- Miss Baker…
Eleonor never asked her to call her mom or Eleonor…
- Susanna, said Eleonor with a little voice, what happened to my son? And what in the world are you doing here?
- Miss Baker…I live here now…
- You live here?
- Please have a seat…, said Susanna
Her nurse helped her sit down.
- Thank you, said Eleonor, why do you live at the Andrew's penthouse apartment?
Susanna took a deep breath.
- Aren't you Candy's husband? Eleonor asked Albert
- I was, said Albert
- Was?
- Candy died, Miss Baker, said Susanna
- WHAT? Said Eleonor upset, but… when? What happened to her?
- She had a heart attack, said Albert
- A heart attack, said Eleonor, like Terry?
- Yes, said Susanna, they actually died at the same time…
- What? How do you know that?
- Candy had her heart attack on her birthday, I brought her here to see a specialist, but her condition was hopeless…, said Albert
- Terry had a heart attack, that same night, and his condition was hopeless, said Susanna
- Candy learned that Terry was dying by hearing some orderlies talking and she insisted on seeing him to say goodbye, said Albert
- So she came to Terry's room, she kissed him, lye down in his arms and they died together…
- OH MY GOD! Said Eleonor, they died together?
- And that's not the weirdest part, said Susanna
- There's more? Asked Eleonor
- Yes, said Albert, Terry wouldn't let go of Candy…
- What do you mean? He was dead…, said Eleonor
- I mean, when he was dead, he wouldn't let go of her, we tried everything, nothing did it…
- So we had to burry them together, said Susanna
- They are buried together? Oh my God, he loved Candy so much he wouldn't let go of her…
Eleonor had tears in her eyes. Terry had suffered all his life, he finally found some happiness with Candy and that too was snatched away from him…
- I'm sorry, Miss Baker, said Susanna, I wished I had let him to be with her…
- Well it's too late now! Said Eleonor, you still haven't answered my question… what are you doing here?
- Well…, said Susanna a little ashamed
- What Susanna is trying to say, said Albert, is that she's now my wife…
- Come again? Said Eleonor
- I married Albert, Said Susanna
- Candy's husband? You married Candy's husband? What is it with you and Candy's men!
- Miss Baker, please… I feel bad enough already
- Well you should! My son died of a broken heart because of you and your obligations…
- That's unfortunate, said Albert
- And you, how could you betray Candy that way? Said Eleonor
- From where I'm standing, they betrayed us, by dying together…, said Susanna
- Susanna, said Albert
- No, honey, I'm sorry. We made a mistake, yes. We regret it, but we moved on, like they moved on to the great beyond! We could spend the rest of our lives guilt ridden, but we chose to feel good. As weird as it was, their love showed us that we shouldn't dwell on bad things…we should live the present moment. And the present moment is that Albert and I are in love… I wish we had met earlier…but things are what they are… we love each other and we're together…
- Too bad Candy and Terry didn't get that chance, said Eleonor bitter, where are my son and Candy buried?
Albert told her where the grave was and Eleonor left the penthouse, still upset by the turns of events.
- I'm sorry honey, said Susanna
- Don't apologise, said Albert, you defended our love, and I love you for that!
He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately.
It was a cool day in November, when she was walking around and she saw this weird car parked in the street.
- Whoa, that's a weird car, she said, let's see it closer…
She approached the car and looked, it had two seats and it was like nothing she had ever seen before…
She heard some noise, two men discussing, one was old and the other one was younger.
- Doc, said the younger one, this is 1954! Not the time we hope for…
- I know… the counter as a little glitch and it sends us…oh…
He had just seen Diana, who was looking at them surprised.
- Who are you? She asked and what are you doing on this property?
- Euh…,my name is Marty, said the younger one, and this is Doc Brown…
- Hi, my name is Diana… what is this car? I've never seen anything like this before…!
- Well, it's a car….started Marty
- Marty! Said Doc, no
- What? She already saw the car… we might as well tell her…
- Tell me what? Asked Diana
- It's a time machine…said Marty
- A what? Said Diana, a time machine like in those HG Wells books?
- Only this one is real, said Marty
- So, you're from the future? Said Diana sceptical…
- Yes…, said Marty
- I don't believe you…,she said
- You want to come with us?
- Marty! The counter is unstable! You can't just invite people to join in!
- Why not, said Marty, she's wants to know…
- If you had hidden the car in the bushes like I told you to, she wouldn't have seen it!
- Well what's done is done! Said Marty, unless you want to go back to the future to change it…
- We are not using my time machine for games! We need to go…we got the gas, let's go Marty…
- Doc…what about Diana?
- Nobody is going to believe her anyway, let her stay…, said Doc
- Come on, Doc, be nice, if they going to take her for a crazy person, she might as well live the time travelling…
Doc looked at Diana, who was still flabbergasted by what she was hearing.
- I'm in a good mood, would you like to come with us? He said
- You guys really travel through time? She asked
- Well come and see…
- I'm not supposed to get into cars with strangers…
- We're not strangers, said Marty, you know us, we introduced ourselves…
Diana felt she could trust Marty.
- All right, let's go…but not for long
- Diana, this is a time machine. We can bring you back here at this precise moment you won't loose anytime, even if we live for a week
- Really? I have to say this whole thing is giving me a headache!
She got in the car with them and they left flying in the sky. The time counter was set for November 12, 1994, but there was a glitch with took them to November 12, 1914!
- Euh, when are we? Asked Marty
- I don't know, said Doc, another glitch…
They looked outside and they were able to see horses and carriages…
- I don't think this is the future, said Diana; my time is more modern than this!
- I hope it's still the 20th century, said Marty
- Well there's only one way to find out, said Diana, let's go and ask…you counter thingy looks broken
They got out of the car, and this time they hid it in some bushes. Diana walked to some people in the street.
- Excuse-me she said to a young boy, hi!
The young boy turned around.
- Hi, he said, I'm Tom can I help you
Diana was surprised! Tom! As a teen! Oh, it was not possible! She must've been dreaming!
- My name is Diana, she said, I'm a little lost, can you tell me what's the date?
- November 12th, 1914, said Tom smiling, did you bump your head or something
- Oh…yeah, I have a little memory loss, but thank you Tom
- I'll see you around! Bye!
Tom left leaving Diana stunned. Tom as a teen! She was back in time! She went to see her two friends.
- We're in 1914! I can't believe it!
- 1914? Said Doc, oh great!
- You have to stay here Diana, you mustn't talk to anybody, you might change the future…
- What do you mean?
- Well the first time I went back in time, it was by accident and I accidentally stopped my parents from meeting, so I was starting to disappear… I had to make them meet again…
- Oh…
Diana was thinking, 1914, Candy and Terry were still alive! She started to hatch a little plan to help them.
- But, I'm an orphan, and I'm far from being born…and I don't know where my parents are!
- You still have to say here with us and not talk to people…
Doc was trying to fix the car and Diana pretended like she agreed to stay put, but she disappeared on them!
- Doc…, Said Marty, I think, Diana is gone…
- What? Gone where?
- I have no idea…but we have to find her…
- Of course we do, she's got information of the next 40 years in this time, she could change a lot of things!
- I know that doc… I learned that the hard way, remember?
- Well you have to go after her, I'll stay here and try to fix this thing! But get your little girlfriend back, ASAP!
- Ok, doc, calm down, we won't leave this time without her, it would be a disaster…
Marty thought about what had happened when he thought he made just a simple purchase to help him in the past…But Diana is not going to change the world…or is she?
Diana kept going, thinking she was dreaming. Maybe she was going to wake up, but whether this was a dream or not, she was going to do the best of it…She had a little money on her and she was able to pay for a train ticket. It was 1914; you needed less money at that time… What was she going to do? Candy was still alive in that time and this was the opportunity she needed, the chance she was praying for, the dream she never thought would ever come true.
She was in Chicago now and she was walking the streets. She remembered Candy telling her that she worked at St. Joan's hospital at the beginning of her career. She walked for a while and then she saw her, she was signing, smiling, all happy. She must've just got the invitation to go to New York… Diana had to make contact…but how? Candy was a nurse, so…she pretended to trip and hurt her ankle right in front of Candy. She actually bumped into her.
- Awww! Said Diana
- Oh my God! Said Candy, I'm sorry; I wasn't looking where I was going… Are you all right?
Diana looked at Candy and tears came into her eyes, she was so young and so pretty. She missed her so much.
- I…, said Diana; I just hurt my ankle…
- Come on, I'm going to help you get up…easy…
Candy leaned and helped Diana, who took advantage to hug her hard. Candy was little surprised, but she said to herself that the girl was probably lonely and looking for a friend, so she hugged her back.
- Are you Ok? Asked Candy
- No, not really, just hold me…, said Diana
- All right…
Candy hugged her for a while then, they slowly walked to her apartment where they found Albert. Diana couldn't believe how young he looked.
- Albert? Said Candy
- Yes? Oh you've got a guest…
- Yes, she hurt her ankle when she bumped into me literally…
- What, you didn't see her? Said Albert, you were daydreaming about Terry again?
- Yes…, said Candy blushing, oh Albert! Never mind that, come and help me…
Albert burst out laughing and helped Diana to a chair. Diana looked at them, but especially at Candy, it was so good to see her again. Candy brought another chair with a pillow to put Diana's ankle on it.
- There, is that better? Said Candy
- Yes…, said Diana
- I'm sorry again…
- Don't worry about it…
- I didn't even ask you for your name….
- Diana…Diana Jones…
- Pleased to meet you, I'm Candy White Andrew and this is Albert…
- Pleased to meet you, said Diana
- I'm a nurse, so I can take care of you, but I have to go to New York…to see "Romeo and Juliet" at Broadway…
- Oh, you're so lucky said Diana, I wish I could go…
- Me too, said Albert laughing, she can't stop talking about the main actor, Terrence Grandchester who's also her boyfriend…
- Albert! Said Candy blushing, well he's right, I can't wait to see Terry….
- Albert, said Diana, why don't you go with her?
- Why? Said Albert
- Well New York is a big city for a young girl alone…
- Terry is going to be there, said Candy
- But he's the main actor, he'd probably have to rehearse or something, and Candy you're going to be bored all alone…, said Diana
- You're right…, said Candy, so Albert, what do you say, you want to come with me? I don't like leaving you alone here anyway, please?
Albert looked at Diana, she was a perfect stranger, why was she meddling in their business? But he was tempted to accept Candy's offer.
- Diana, can you come with us then? Your parents would agree? Said Albert
- I don't have any parents, said Diana, but why would you want me there?
- You said you always wanted to go to New York, so there's your chance! Said Albert, you managed to convince me…
- All right, I'll come with you, said Diana, I would love to see "Romeo and Juliet" on stage
- This is perfect! Said Candy, Albert I won't have to worry about you or Diana, you're coming with me to New York to see the big premiere of "Romeo and Juliet" and I'm finally going to see Terry!
Candy was jumping of joy, laughing, singing, she was happy. Diana looked at her, she was crying of joy. Candy so happy just at the thought that she was going to see Terry…if only she knew what was waiting for her in New York…But Diana was there to make things right this time around and she prayed that Marty and Doc don't catch up with her anytime soon, at least not before she fixes Candy and Terry's life.