A Candy Candy Miracle on 34th Street
Chapter 6
"A surprise encounter"
Christmas is love
Come and sing my brother
Christmas is love
It's an eternal heart
On my mother's time
Her familiar voice
Was singing soft and clear
A child is born
My mother's voice
Love and prayer
My mother's voice
Which gave me so much
Lights in the snow
A thousand Sheppard stars
And men in cortege
Are going to sing the joy of love
Christmas is love
In the eyes of childhood
Christmas is love
The strongest and the prettiest
A world is coming
With a little hope
An angel who dances
Near a child
Come back to me, brother
And see the light
The night of light
Which comes from the sky
And me on earth
I hear soft and clear
My mother's voice
Singing Christmas
The next day early in the morning, Archie woke up to get ready to take care of Mr. Kringle's case. His wife was looking at him.
- You think you can win this? She asked
- Yes…
- I'm sure too, you're the best lawyer in the world
- Thank you honey…
- I love you…
- I love you too
- Good luck and Candyce is counting on you to get Santa Claus out of trouble..
- Tell her I will do my best to please my little girl
Archie left to go to see the judge's chambers and plead Mr. Kringle's case. When he got there, he found the district attorney who was about to make the judge sign commitment papers for Mr. Kringle.
- Looks like I got here right on time, said Archie
- Who are you? Asked the judge
- I'm representing Mr. Kringle…
- But I thought Macy's wanted him committed, said the District attorney, I got a call from a Neil Reagan telling me to throw the book at him…
Archie cursed his cousin in his mind.
"What a loser! How could he do that to a nice little old man?" He asked himself
- Well Mr. Reagan's opinion doesn't reflect the opinion of the owner of Macy…
- So you're representing Mr. Kringle?
- Yes, said Archie, there's going to be a formal hearing and I intend to win! Said Archie, see you in court sirs!
Archie got out of the office wondering how the hell he was going to prove that Mr. Kringle is Santa Claus! He went to his office where he worked and his partners came to speak to him.
- Archie, said one , what the hell are you doing taking that case?
- I want Santa Claus to be free?
- "Santa Claus" you still believe in Santa Claus?
- Yes, said Archie
- Come on, you know it's a myth!
- Well there's a nice little old man who says he's Santa Claus, he's not hurting anybody, he's making the children happy…why should he be locked up?
- He's delusional?
- Because he says he's Santa Claus? I want to help him…
- You're lucky you're the big boss nephew… Mr. Reagan told us not to lift a finger to help "Santa Claus" …
- I'll talk to him, don't worry about that, so in the mean time, I need your help with any case close to or similar to what I'm going to have to deal with…
- You're the boss! He said, come on guys let's go…
The team started to do research to help Archie with the crazy Santa case. The got a phone call the hearing was set for 1 pm that day.
Candy went to the store a little late. She was a little upset with all the events and she tried to contact Albert… The kiss with Terry was not helping matters. Cia being upset either… Candy was in her office when Albert called.
- Albert! Finally
- George told me what's going on… Neil… Well I just have to get there to fire his sorry ss!
- We think he behind Mr. Kringle outburst…
- I know he's behind it!!!! He's been trying to find way to destroy you from the get go!
- He wants revenge for me rejecting him…
- He's not going to get away with it! I'm going to take the first train back…
- Great! I can't wait to see you…
- Thank you for taking care of this …
- I can't let that nice little old man be declare insane just because he believes he's Santa Claus
- You still don't believe in him?
- I believe he's a very nice little old man with whiskers…
- We'll talk when I get there…
- See you later, then…
Candy hung up the phone. She went on the store main floor to see if everything was fine with the new Santa they found to replace Mr. Kringle. She had an unexpected encounter.
- Candy! She heard
- Susanna…
- I thought I would've read in the papers about your marriage with Terry…
- What are you doing here?
- Well I now live with my mother and her neighbour couldn't bring her daughter here because she had to work, so I offered to take her…
- Oh… I'm surprised to see you with a child giving you were so hostile to my daughter
- Terry's daughter you mean?
- What? I…
- Don't even try to deny it…I know she's Terry's daughter!
Candy looked at Susanna stunned.
- How do I know? Years ago, I was away, because we had a death in the family, so I spent the night at my mother's… when I came back, I had a weird feeling. I took my wheelchair to Terry's room I approached him, thinking I would smell alcohol, to my biggest surprise, it was your scent…
- My scent? A lot of women have my perfume
- It was you! I know it, I could feel it! Terry was mumbling how good it was to make love to you…he was naked and I could see he had been with a woman, if you know what I mean…
Candy blushed.
- It could've been any woman , said Candy
- A virgin? You left some traces honey… and one of your ribbons…it was you! I was furious with you! You left me Terry and you come back and sleep with him!
- It wasn't like that…
- How was it then?
- I don't owe you any explanations; you're not with Terry anymore!
- You're right… you're not with Terry either… yet you managed to have his brat and hide it from the whole world. You ran away to the other side of the world… what made you come back? You realized you missed Terry years later, or you decided to finally tell him you have his daughter?
- Susanna, we are not having this conversation!
- Too bad, because you need to hear the rest.
- Terry doesn't remember!
- I know he doesn't and it's my fault
- What? What did you do?
- Now you want to have this conversation?
- Just tell me what you did, Susanna!
- All right… as angry as I was at you for sleeping with Terry and losing your virginity to him! I thought I could take advantage of his state of weakness…
- By doing what?
- I tried to keep him groggy to sleep with him too…
- What?
- Well you did it, I wanted to do it too…
- What did you give him?
- My medicine that used to calm me when I was in pain and make me groggy…
- Oh my God! He had been drinking!
- And the alcohol in his system didn't like the mixture, I learned that the hard way… when he woke up I gave him some tea and he started to feel bad, he went to bed, I followed him… only he was barely moving, then not at all, I thought he was just tired, but he wouldn't wake up… I got scared so I called my nurse, who told me he was in a semi-coma that we should take him to the hospital… the ambulance came, Terry almost die… in addition to the mixture with alcohol, Terry was allergic to one of the ingredient in my medicine … when he finally come to, weeks later, he had no recollection of what happened the night before the morning I drugged him… needless to say I was glad he didn't remember making love to you!!!!!! I wouldn't have planned it better myself!
- Oh my God! You almost killed him just to get him in the sack???? You should've been arrested for drugging him!
- Yeah well, I never got him to make love to me… you really never left us… he would think about you, talk about you, he would dream about you, he would even call me by your name without realizing it! When you came to live in our building, your daughter befriended her father… that was it for me, after the Thanksgiving dinner, the way you looked at each other… you were a family now, and I was an outsider… I just needed to go, I gave up. You were a constant presence when you were away, and when you came back… when I saw you were the mother of the little girl who looked so much like you and looked like Terry too, I just threw the towel…and now you're still not together? What the hell are you waiting for?
- That' really none of your business anymore! Said Candy upset
- Far away from me the thought of giving you any advice…but it's the holiday season and I'm in a good mood, I'm walking and I have men asking me out, there's still hope for me yet…So listen to me, we've wasted years of our lives because of my selfishness… Terry is free and clear, don't wait another minute, and be a family with him, your little girl deserves to have her father in her life…
- You fried Terry's brain and now you're giving me advice? Give me a break!
- You take it the way you want… it was just a friendly advice, from the woman who lived with the man you love for years. He loves you and there's never going to be another woman, believe you me; I tried…so stop thinking and be with him already!!!
The little girl she was with came back.
- Auntie Susanna, let's go… hello, she said to Candy
- Hello, said Candy smiling
- Bye Candy, said Susanna leaving, Merry Christmas! Have a nice life with Terry and your brat!
Candy looked at her go. She couldn't believe what Susanna had just told her! Terry didn't remember making love to her because of Susanna! She could've killed him! But, Terry… she had to talk to him, but there was Kris' trial first. They will talk later like they decided after they save Christmas… But she would have to restrain herself, because all she could think about was, drop everything, find Terry and tell him the truth… but Cia… she would have to talk to Cia too…
The trial started and Candy went. Cia was home with her Jinny, Candy didn't want to upset her more with the trial. Terry was sitting at the table with Archie and Kris. Candy was sitting in the front row, behind them. The trial started. Mr. Kringle was called to the stand. After swearing on the bible.
- What is your name? Asked Archie
- Kris Kringle
- And you believe to be Santa Claus?
- Yes I believe I am…
- No further questions, Your Honour
The prosecutor said;
- No question for this witness, but Your Honour the point of this trial is not the Mr. Kringle is not who he said he is, it's that he claims to be Santa Claus, can he prove that he's the one and only Santa Claus?
- Well can you prove that he isn't'? Said Archie
- This is ridiculous, said the prosecutor, there is no Santa Claus!!!!
- Yes, there is! He's sitting right there! Said Archie pointing at Mr. Kringle
- All right ! Said the judge, Mr. Cornwell, if you can find an official institution which recognizes Mr. Kringle as the one an only Santa Claus, you will win your case…
- There's no way he can prove that! Said the prosecutor, he might as well give up now!
- Not on your life! Said Archie, Your Honour I would need a little time to get the proofs I need…
- Your non existent proves? You're wasting the tax payer's money!
- I'm not the one taking a nice little old man and treat him like a criminal!
- All right you two, said the judge, that's enough! Or I will hold both of you on contempt!
- I'm sorry Your Honour , they both said
- You have until tomorrow afternoon to bring us the proofs we need to set Mr. Kringle free. This court is adjourned!
He hit his hammer and he left to go in his chambers.
Archie went back to his place.
- So, said Terry, you're going to find a official institution to recognize Mr. Kringle as the one and only Santa Claus? How the hell are we going to do that! Great job Cornwell!
- Grandchester, I'm stressed enough as it is, don't bother me please
- Come on guys, said Candy, think positive
Mr. Kringle looked at Archie.
- I trust you, Mr. Cornwell, he said
- Thank you Mr. Kringle, said Archie…
- I guess I have to trust you too, said Terry, let's brainstorm…
- That's more like it! Said Candy smiling, let's think positive, we can do it…!
Candy came and hugged Mr. Kringle hard. She felt all warm and fuzzy.
- Hang in there, she said, it's going to be fine
- Thank you Miss Andrew, he said hugging her back
A guard came to take Mr. Kringle back to Bellevue. Terry turned to Candy.
- You want a ride home? He said, or you want to grab a bite…
- Where?
- At my place…
- I would love to! She said smiling
Archie was looking at them shaking his head.
- Archie, said Candy hugging him hard, thank you for everything
- You don't need to thank me. Annie told me she went to pick up Cia for a play date with Candyce…
- Yes, I talked to her earlier…she'll bring her home around 7 pm
- All right, then I'm going to go to the office and work with my associates to find a solution to this impossible problem…
Candy and Terry went back to his apartment with Candy. Outside, it was snowing. Candy was looking at Terry with love, more love than usual, especially after hearing what Susanna had told her. She was still outraged. But if she tells him now… after the trial is better. For now, she wanted the man she loved, and she just wanted to be with him…
- Terry, she said with a sensual voice
- Yes, are you hungry? Do you want something?
- Yes…
- What do you want?
- You…, she said, pointing her finger at him
He was standing in front of her, he put his right hand on his heart, open his mouth, and said;
- OH!
And he let himself fall on the floor. Candy burst out laughing and she leaned…
- Terry! Are you out of your mind?
- I'm fine, Freckles…
- Are you sure…?
- Yes, he said pulling her to kiss her…
She responded to the kiss…they were caressing each other… this time they stopped and they went to the bedroom and had a lot of fun…
I never got over you
I wish I was with you all these years
And when it's all said and done,
I'm still in love with you
I never should have let you go
It was killing me
To live without you
I thought about you every single day
Now I'm happy to be in your again
When they were done having fun, they went to cook and eat their dinner, they ate and Candy went back to her apartment a little time before 7 pm.
Annie brought Cia back with Candyce.
- Candy! It's so good to see you! I know you're working, but you can come in the evening…
- I will, Annie, I'm just a little swamped…
- Hum hum, said Annie, Terry living next door has nothing to do with it? She whispered
- Annie!
- You look flushed, did you just had a roll in the hay?
Candy blushed.
- That would be a yes, said Annie bursting out laughing. Good for you, don't let him go this time…how was it?
- What do you think? Said Candy
- Better than in your dreams?
- Annie…
- Go for it, honey, you need Terry and Cia needs a father…
- But…
- Candy, it's me… that's Terry's daughter, she looks like you, but at some moment, she looks like Terry… she wants a father desperately, you should give her one for Christmas…
- Thanks Annie for bringing Cia back…
- You're very welcome. Think about what I said…
- Thanks Annie, said Candy hugging her
- You're very welcome! Candyce, let's go
- Ok, said Candyce… bye namesake
- Bye namesake! Said Candy hugging her
Annie and her daughter left. Cia went to sit with her mommy who was carrying her in her arms.
- Mommy, how was the trial?
- Uncle Archie has to find an official institution the would recognize Mr. Kringle as the one and only Santa Claus…
- Oh… how would he do that?
- I have no idea…
- Mommy, Mr. Kringle is so nice and he's not like anybody I've ever met…
- Yes he is…
- I think he really is Santa Claus, mommy
Candy remained silent. She felt good with Mr. Kringle…his love his aura was rubbing off on her. She was opening up to Terry, she was having hope for the first time in a long time, she will be able to live her dream life with Terry… Every time Mr. Kringle was around her day was better…Candy was finally going to admit it…
- Yes, baby, I believe that Mr. Kringle is Santa Claus…
- Really? Oh mommy! You believe! That's wonderful!!!! He must be lonely in his cell can I write him a note?
- Of course honey, said Candy smiling
Cia took a piece of paper and a pen and she wrote a note to Santa.
Dear Mr. Kringle,
I'm sorry about everything that's happening to you.
I hope you're not too lonely.
I miss you a lot and I hope you're going to be out soon.
And one more thing, I believe in you…
Love,
Cia
Candy read the letter and she smiled. She took a pen and she added;
"I believe in you too… Love Miss Andrew"
Candy closed the letter and put a stamp on it and she mailed it. With a smiled on her face. She put Cia to bed and Terry came to her apartment.
- Terry, she said
- I want to see my little friend
- Cia?
- Yes, I miss her…
- Oh Terry…
- I will love her like mine if you gives us a chance…
- Terry…
- I know, we'll talk after the trial…, but can I see her?
- Of course, said Candy
- Thank you Freckles…
Terry went to Cia's room. She smiled when she saw him.
- Terry!!!
- Hey little one!
- I miss you today!
- I miss you too!
- How is it with mom?
- We're fine
- You think you can marry her anytime soon?
- Yes, I think we're heading in the same direction…
Cia was so happy she hugged him!
- Then you're going to be my daddy!!!! That's fantastic
- Thank you so much Cia for wanting me to be your father…
- Thank you for wanting me as your daughter!
They hugged each other hard laughing. He tucked her in and he left after kissing her on the cheek. He went back to the living room to see Candy.
- I'm going to be heading home, he said
- Oh… of course…,she said smiling
He went to sit by her side and took her in his arms and kissed her for a while.
- Good night Freckles
- Good night Terry…
Terry left, but he had to call upon all the strength of the world to get out of that apartment…
Candy had to restrain herself not to call Terry back to spend the night with her. She wanted to set a good example for the daughter. No man had ever slept over in her house…like she did one night stands at all!! Terry was the only one with whom she had had a one night stand, and he was also the only who had ever touched her…