My Best Friend's Wife
Chapter
"The birth"
William and the great aunt Elroy left the next morning. The great aunt wanted to stay longer and she told William.
- Everything is fine, said William, she's in good hands…
- You should stay and take care of her.
- Did you have the impression that she needed help?
- Anthony's friend seemed quite invasive…
- He's visiting his best friend's wife, I think it's kind of nice of him!
- William! Open your eyes! He wants her for himself!
- Well good for him, she'll be in good hands!
- William!
- Aunt Elroy, enough! Candy is not our private property. She's free to do whatever she wants!
- She's carrying our baby… and if she gets together with Terrence…
- He would have a pilot as a daddy like his real father was! I think that's great, don't you think so?
- William!
- You still have that God complex, you want to control everything…
- You could've tried to seduce her…
- No! I'm not going to seduce my nephew's wife! Do you hear yourself when you talk? Let's go say goodbye to them. I'm reassured. Candy is in good hands!
- But…
So they went to see Candy to say goodbye to her and her sister's family.
- Candy, said William, call us if you have the baby, even before, I'll try to come if I can.
- All right William, said Candy smiling, aunt Elroy…
- I wished you were with us in Lakewood…
- I'm fine here with my sister, aunt Elroy, you understand me, right?
- We're your family too, insisted the great aunt.
- We have to go, Aunt Elroy, said William pulling her to leave.
- Thank you William! I'm going to call you before and I hope you'll be able to be there.
William left with the great aunt who wanted to stay to try to convince Candy to go with them to Lakewood…
When the door closes, Candy had a sigh of relief.
- Are you ok, sweetie? Asked Georgie
- I'm fine. I'm going to go get some rest…
- I'll walk you to your room…
The two sister went to Candy's room.
- The old hag is bothering you?
- She wanted me to stay with them in Lakewood…
- She doesn't understand that you wanted to be far away from things that reminded you of your husband.
- Anthony was her favourite, it's normal for her to want me to be near with the baby…
- You're feeling bad because you want to stay with us…
- No, I feel bad because I want t say here, near Terry, she said looking down
- Candy, you're are reliving, don't be ashamed.
- I can't help thinking that I'm betraying Anthony's family…
- Anthony is dead…
- I know, said Candy with tears in her eyes and I'm already in love with another man! I feel so bad!
- Get some rest sweetie, everything is going to be fine…
Georgie got out of the room to let her little sister doze off a little. A few moment later, the phone rang. Candy heard Georgie's voice scream:
- CANDY! IT'S FOR YOU!
oOoOoOoOoOo
Terry was at his place with his brother…
- Have you made a decision? Asked Rick.
- About…?
- You know what I'm talking about…
- No, I don't know…
- Your beloved…
- My what?
- You heard me…
- She's not…
- I'm your brother, remember? I know you better than anybody else…
- I can't not be there when she has the baby… I have to be there for Anthony…
- Anthony's uncle will be there for his nephew…
- Me too! He was my best friend!
Their father was listening to them without saying anything. He could see that his son was in love with my best friend's widow, but he was restraining himself… he had an idea…
- Let's invite Candy and her family for dinner, he said, Nelly and I we could cook…
- If we invite her, we're going to help with the cooking, said Terry smiling
- Go call her, said Rick
- Tomorrow night? Said Terry
- Ok, said his father smiling
He had seen Terry's mood change for the best.
Terry went to the office to call Candy… Her sister answered.
- Hello Georgie. Can I talk to Candy please?
- Terrence! Said Georgie, hello! One moment please!
She had screamed for Candy to pick up… He had then heard her sweet voice.
- Hello?
- Candy? How are you?
- Terry… I'm fine…
- No. You're sad…
- You felt that just by hearing my "Hello?"
- Your in laws are gone?
- Yes…
- The old hag bothered you, didn't she?
- She wants me to be with them in Lakewood…
- But you'd reather stay with your sister…
"and you…" completed Candy in her heart.
- Yes, she said
- You're in your family, you should be happier, shouldn't you be?
- You're right…
- I'm calling you because my father wanted to invite you for dinner you and our family.
Candy's heart started dancing with joy.
- Oh, when?
- Tomorrow night?
- I'll talk about it with my family and I'll call you back after that.
- All right, said Terry.
Candy hung up and she went downstairs to see her sister and her husband.
- Is everything all right? Asked Georgie
- Yes, Terry is inviting us for dinner tomorrow night at his mansion…
- Everbody? Asked Lowell.
- Yes, he said the whole family…
- All right, said Lowell with a tone
- What? Said Candy
- I don't know, if I should tell you…
- Tell me what?
- Well, the little time I've spent with Terry,I noticed that he never talked about Anthony… He never brings his name in the conversation unless it's mentioned.
- I noticed that too, said Candy, maybe he wants to spare me the pain, otherwise what would be the reason?
- Maybe to spare himself
Candy had a shock.
- You thing he's suffering to that point about his death?
- No, he's said for having lost his friend, but that's not what I meant. I actually thin that he's making a great effort to forget that Anthony was your husband… which is practically impossible, giving you're carrying his child.
- Oh Lowell! But what I'm feeling for him has nothing to do with Anthony…
- Its about what he's feeling for you, Candy. He's attracted to you, he had to fight a feeling of big betrayal. I don't envy him, if that's his problem.
- But I want him to be attracted by met
Lowell smiled.
- You sound like Joey. When he knows what he wants: everything seems crystal clear.
Candy took a paper tissue from a box that was on the living room table.
- I'm a disaster, right?
- On the contrary, you're coming back to life and it's wonderful. The problem is the responsible for that rebirth , his name is Terrence Grandchester.
She wiped her eyes.
- Do you think I would make him run if I try myself with a little opening? I have to see ridiculous, but I practically have no experience with men… Anthony was my first flirt.
- You are so cute Candy! You want my honest opinion?
- Your question is already an answer…
- Yes, I think that Terry have to get over the dilemma himself. And if he can't, You both need to go your separate ways.
- I know you're right…
- And meeting Anthony's family was not a goo thing… He might feel crush by guilt and all the chance he has to explore his feelings for you might be nipped in the bud.
- Don't say that, please, said Candy
- Whatever happened, we will always be with you, Candy. Don't forget it.
- Thank you Lowell.
- Tell him we accept his invitation.
- And Candy, said Georgie, don't worry.
- That's going to be hard…
- Otherwise, there's still William, said Georgie.
- William? Uncle William? Said Candy surprised
- Yes, I think the old hag wants him to take care of you…
- What? Said Candy, you think so? Oh my God!
Candy remembered how she was asking questions about Terry and how Joey was answering innocently… The great aunt was investigating Candy's love life… William? He was a wonderful man, she liked him a lot, but…
- But I want Terry, Georgie… and I pray he wants us too…
- What women want…, said Georgie, God wants!
Candy smiled and went back to her room to call Terry. She was so happy to hear his voice.
- Hello?
- It's yes, said Candy, we will be there tomorrow night!
- That's perfect! Said Terry smiling, I can't wait to see you… all.
Candy felt like he added the "all", so he wouldn't show that he's eager to see her…
- I can't wait to see you … all, too, she replied to him.
Terry smiled, understanding what she just did.
- See you tomorrow. Good night.
- See you tomorrow, Terry. Thank you.
oOoOoOoOoOo
At the Grandchester's , the house smelled good like a great dinner for Candy and her family. His father's new wife had cooked with pleasure. Terry was with her in the kitchen.
- Did you put some chicken with no salt on the side for Candy?
- For the hundredth time, yes, Terry! Said Nellie smiling, everything is going to be perfect, don't worry.
- They're going to be here soon…
- Calm down Terry, you're on hot coals… your sweetheart is going to be here soon…
- But…
- I saw your body language the last time you brought her here, the day we came back.
- She's my best Friend's wife…
- Who is no longer in this world…
- I'm worried for him, in fact, said Terry in denial.
The house phone rang. Rick arrived a few moments later.
- Terry? The phone, Lowell Grey…
Terry thought his heart was giving up on him.
- They should've been here…
Terry took the phone in the kitchen.
- Lowell?
- Terry… Sorry to do this to you, we were on our way to your place when Candy's water broke. She's having the baby and the little one seem in a rush. We're going to St. Jacob's hospital… She would like you to come.
He felt a drop of sweat on his forehead.
- I'm coming!
- Don't hang up! She wants to talk to you!
Talk to him? How could she think about something like that at such moment? Terry had to restrain his emotions that were only asking to unravel.
- Terry?
- I'm coming right away, Candy.
- Forgive me… You've worked so hard for the dinner… Please give my apologies to your brother, your father and…
She was interrupted, probably by a contraction.
- … your stepmother. Thank them for me… I…
It was hard for her to talk, she couldn't finish the sentence.
- Forget about the dinner, Candy. Don't talk anymore. Let me jump in my car and I will be there.
As soon as he hung up. He climbed up the stairs to go get his wallet in his bedroom and came back down really fast. Rick and his father were waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. Rick gave him the car keys, his father had his fist on his waist.
- She's giving birth? Asked his father.
- Yes, I have to run, said Terry.
- Keep us posted, said Rick.
- No problem, said Terry going out.
Rick walked him to the car.
- Try to stay on the road.
- I can't promise you anything, said Terry backing down the alley
His brother followed him a little and grinned a smile.
- Don't commit any imprudence that would send you on the wrong side of the hospital… Candy wouldn't appreciate it. She's doing fine and everything is going to be all right for her and the baby, ok?
"I hope so?" thought Terry driving on the road.
The circulation was a real nightmare, it was peak hours. He had to be patient, but he wished he could fly. He thought about the conversation he had had with Candy… he wished he had his plane at that moment to get to the hospital as fast as possible…
Forty five minutes later, Terry was parking his car in the hospital's parking lot and he barged into the emergency room, he was sent to the maternity ward, fourth floor. Without waiting for the elevator, he ran to climb the stairs, got out on the fourth floor and asked his way to an elderly who showed him the west wing, he arrived at the nurses' station.
- Candice Brown?
The secretary looked up and smiled.
- The birth room, right hallway W412
- Thank you.
Phew! She was still there! She hadn't given birth yet… when he knocked on the door, Georgie opened the door, her too, with a smile.
- What took you so long!
- Is she all right? He whispered
- Like a woman in labour. I'm leaving her to you, I'm going to join Lowell who is at the daycare with the children. The boys are waiting for Kyle, Joey's friend, to come and pick them up, she said going out.
The first thing that shocked him when he came in was the noise of the heartbeat of the baby on the foetal monitor. His own heart was filled with emotions.
The patient's eyes looked for his. Her face was in sweat, one of her arms was hooked to an intravenous drip. She reached out to him with the other arm…
- I thought you were supposed to come with an F16, Master the fight pilot…
- Candy, he said softly, I was too nervous to pilot a plane, I took the car and there was an incredible traffic jam…
- You did tell me you'd be too nervous to pilot when the time comes…
Approaching her, he took her hand in his. He was practically kneeling and he was kissing her fingers, when a nurse arrived, followed by Candy's doctor, whom he had met during the medical visit, Dr. Martin.
- Ah, your friend has arrived, he said when he saw Terry, sorry to ask you to leave the room. We're going to give her an epidural.
- Hello doctor, I'm going to wait in the hallway…
- Terry, you're not leaving right?
- Believe-me Cady, there is not other place I would rather be, he said caressing her hand before letting it go.
Thanks to the inventor of the epidural! Candy had never felt such pain in her life. Why didn't Georgie tell her everything about giving birth?
Georgie came back with Terry in the room.
- Georgie, said Candy, you should've told me it hurt so much…
- Well, I thought it would be better if you figure it out by yourself…
- In fact, it's like the period cramps only a thousand times worse!
- The epidural should be helping doesn't it? Asked Terry
- Yes, it helps a lot, said Candy
Dr. Martin came back with a smile of compassion.
- It seems that this baby is ready to show himself, right Mrs. Brown?
- The contractions are bearable, said Candy
- That's the point of the epidural. I see that you're totally dilated…
Dr. Martin was looking at her belly move.
- There, give me a push…
Candy complied… she held Terry's hand tight, very tight. It was weird to feel less pain when she pushed, she was feeling better when she pushed.
- Good job, Candy, said Terry, don't forget to breathe…
- The head is out, said Dr. Martin, at the next contraction, give it everything you've go, Candy…
- You can do it Candy, said Terry softly.
Georgie was wiping her face in sweat.
- You're almost there, honey, said Georgie.
Candy called upon all the muscles of her body and had a big scream, the deliverance… she heard a baby cry.
- It's a boy! Said Dr. Martin.
- A boy? Said Candy smiling, my little love!
Doctor martin put it on her belly the baby that had just came out, his skin was wrinkled and it was wet with amniotic fluid, screaming his lungs out.
Candy touch the baby on her belly, it was a wonderful sensation.
- Is he all right?
- He's perfect, said Terry smiling
- He's son handsome! Said Georgie.
The doctor gave the scissors to Terry so he cut the umbilical cord.
- You want the honour? Said Dr. Martin
Terry wanted to say he wasn't the father… he looked at Candy who nodded with her eyes… he wanted to talk , but he restrain himself and took the scissors and cut the cord. The nurse arrived to put a plier to stop the bleeding.
The doctor did the Apgar test and the baby got a perfect 10.
- He's in perfect health, said Dr. Martin.
The nurse cleaned the baby up and put on a diaper and a onesy Georgie had taken out. She wrapped him up in a blue flannel sheet. Then she took the baby and gave him to Candy. Georgie arrived with a little blue hat for the baby's head.
- Hello you! Said Candy smiling, hello my baby! My little love! You are so handsome! Look auntie Georgie is there too!
- Hello baby, said Georgie smiling, you're too cute
- And look this is Terry, he was your daddy's best friend.
- Hello champ! Said Terry smiling.
- You know the first thing your daddy said when I told him you were coming? He said: "If it's a boy, we're going to call him Terrence!".
Terry looked at her surprised…
- Candy, you don't have to…
- Yes, it was his words… Let me introduce ou to your namesake… Terrence Anthony Brown.
Terry was very moved when he took the baby. He had tears in his eyes.
- Hello champ! Looks like you have my name! It's the most beautiful name in the world, you know that?!
Candy and Georgie burst out laughing. Lowell arrive with a bouquet of flowers: white roses with a blue balloon saying "It's a boy!" and a big stuffed animal representing a teddy bear with blue eyes.
- Congratulations Candy! Said Lowell kissing her on the cheeks…
- Thanks Lowell
He turned to Terry.
- Congratulations to you too Terry!... a name sake!
- Thank you, said Terry smiling, you want to carry him a little, auntie Georgie?
- Of course, she said approaching to take the little love, come here sweetie! Welcome on earth!
He turned to Candy…
- I haven't congratulated you yet, Candy, he said
He leaned to kiss her on both cheeks and a kiss landed on her lips. She felt like Terry's lips burned her mouth… they looked at each other.
- Thanks for the name…
- You're welcome, it was Anthony's choice…
- I wasn't able to reach William, said Lowell, he's on a business trip…
- I'm going to call aunt Elroy, said Candy taking her phone.
- I'm going to call Rick to give him the news, said Terry
He went in the hallway to make his phone call. Candy called the great aunt Elroy.
- Aunt Elroy?
- Candy! We got here fine! I wanted to call you to tell you… but there was no answer at your sister's.
- That's because everybody is here with me at the hospital. I just had the baby.
The great aunt had a scream of joy and told the news to everybody!
- CANDY HAD THE BABY! What did you have?
- It's a boy, a little boy…
- WHOA! WONDERFUL! You're going to call him Anthony, I hope!?
- Euh, started Candy…
- Candy?
- Well, when I called Anthony to give them the news that I was pregnant, he had a scream of joy and the first thing he said was: "If it's a by, we're going to call him Terrence!"
- What?! Said the great aunt.
- His name is Terrence Anthony Brown, Aunt Elroy, it was Anthony's choice, mine was to call him like Anthony, especially after his death.
- The baby's name is Terrence? Like his friend you're dating? Was he there for the birth?
- Yes, aunt Elroy, I called him so he could come… I needed support…
The great aunt didn't say a word, but she cursed William for being on a business trip.
- Send us some pictures Candy, I want to see my great grandson! He must've taken after Anthony…
- I'm sending the pictures right away on my phone, you'll see for yourself!
- Good bye Candy. Congratulations and thank you for the baby.
- You're welcome aunt Elroy.
Candy sent the pictures on her phone to Anthony's family. She sent the pictures to William too…
Terry on the other hand, called his brother to tell him the news.
- Congratulations, daddy!
- Rick, stop it! It's a boy! He's absolutely wonderful!
- You really sound like a happy daddy.
- Rick…
- What's the name of the little wonder, daddy?
Terry had a moment of hesitation.
- Terrence Anthony…
- I rest my case! Said his brother imitating lawyers on television.
- Can you tell dad the news?
- Yes, daddy, I'll do that for you… you go spend time with your son…
Terry didn't reply. In a way, he was the baby's father, for Anthony, he was going to be a father for his son who on top of that was named after him… And Candy? What about Candy? He was going to be present in his name sake's life, he would be forced to be present in his mummy's life too…