Disclaimer: I don't own Candy, Candy and it's charaters. Candy Candy and all characters belong to Kyoko Mizuki, images to Yumiko Igarashi and anime a Toei Animation.

This is dedicated to Nuingarien and Charmichan who both gave me encouragement to continue. Thank you… So here's the 2nd chapter.

Chapter 2 –An Unexpected Letter

Back in America, it's been two months since the burial of Stear. Candy and Patty said their goodbyes. Patty was going to join her grandmother Martha in Florida. She still can't accept Stear's death. She kept saying to herself, an empty coffin, an empty coffin, unless I see his body, I will continue to hope. He can't be dead; he can't live me like this. No… I love you Stear.

Candy decided to stay at Pony Hill. She worked at a small clinic in town. No more Albert, nor Terry, and no Anthony. She was alone. She needed the children to help her bear her loneliness and sorrow. She needed the love of her two mothers, Sister Maria and Sister Pony. She was home.

Until one day she received a letter, an unexpected letter from an old friend, that if she can call her a friend. Candy was so excited to receive any letter. When she realized who it came from, Candy was so surprised, then thoughts flowing through her mind. Flammy, you never wanted to be my friend, then you volunteered to go to France, you're so brave. I wonder how you are doing.

Dearest Candy, I am writing to let you know that I am doing fine here in France. Ever since we separated, I realized how good and kind you are to me. My mother wrote to me and told me everything what you did for them. It is so you and I thank you for that. Now I miss your smiles and crazy things that you do. We surely need your enthusiasm and positive energy here. War is cruel, devastating, and unforgivable. Many soldiers need our help. Also, families around the cities and rural areas needed medics to attend to their medical needs. That's why I thought that you may want to come here. Since, I remember you tried to convince me that you should volunteer instead of me, since you have no family. So what do you think? Ask Mary Jane and I know she is still looking for more volunteers. I hope you will consider.

P.S. I worked alongside Michael. Do you remember him? He was the young doctor who helped you go down the tower. Well that's what he told me. Anyways, he told me a secret, but remember you must not tell him that I told you ok? One night, we were so tired and burnt out that he decided to drink to relieve his stress. I went to the medicine room to get some supplies, and then I saw him almost drunk. He saw me and called for me, he needed someone to talk to. Michael told me that I should have told Candy that I love her and wanted to know her more. But I got called to go to France right away. As he fell asleep he murmured your name and said how beautiful you are inside and out.

Candy, Michael is in love with you! I am so excited for both of you? You two are perfect, he is a doctor and you're a nurse. Anyways, hope to see you here. Take care.

Flammy.

Ahhh… Candy stared in the distance. She was looking deep in her thoughts. Michael, the young doctor confessed his love for me. How easy that can be. How then Albert couldn't confess his feeling? Maybe there was nothing to confess because I am just a friend to him. Maybe…. I don't know, I am confused. Candy tried to sleep but she couldn't her mind is more confused than ever.

The next day, Candy told Sister Maria and Sister Pony that she needed to go to Mary Jane school, that she wanted to ask the Headmistress for professional advice. Candy's two mothers gave their permissions and reminded her to take care of herself. After few hours of travelling, Candy reached Mary Jane School of Nursing. There she met Mary Jane the Headmistress.

"Dim-wit, what a pleasant surprise!"

"Oh, headmistress, I would like to speak with you. I received a letter from Flammy." Candy answered

"Very good, and how is she?"

"She is doing fine, but…."

"But what…?" The headmistress asked with an anxious expression.

"Oh, she wanted me to go to France and join her helping those innocent civilians who had been affected by the war but couldn't afford to go to the hospital." explained Candy.

"Oh I see. Do you want to join her?"

Candy hesitated for a moment because she was not sure. "Well that's why I am here, maybe you can help me?"

The headmistress understood that Candy wanted to help those people but someone or something was stopping her not to join the medical troops in France. "Candy, it is a dangerous place to be, if you are not afraid to.. you know… die or get hurt, then sure go. But remember you can also fulfill your duties here as a nurse. You have to decide that for yourself. Are you willing to leave everything behind?"

The last words hit Candy right through her heart. Leave everything? Meaning everything and everyone? Candy thought over and over again.

Finally, Candy replied, "You are right Headmistress, I should not decide this on my own. I will ask Albert and my other friends for his opinion."

"Ahh, Albert your friend, is he the one who got amnesia? How is he now?"

Candy caught off guard by the question. My friend , his my friend? Candy thought.

With sadness on her face Candy answered, "Yes that's him. He got his memory back and he is doing fine. Ok, now I have to go back to Pony Home. Good bye and thank you, Headmistress." Candy embraced her and left the hospital.

"Wait, Candy, if you decides to join, you need to come back here there will be a train leaving in two days." The Headmistress reminded Candy.

"Ok thank you." Candy answered. She thought on the way back. In two days? Wow that is fast. I need to decide soon, but how can I ask Albert, I don't even know where he is.

Since taking over of the Ardlay's business, Albert has been traveling a lot. Managing his vast empire was no easy task. He felt that he was in a cage trap but understood his duties. It was difficult to write to Candy because he doesn't stay in one place long enough for the mail to arrive. But both tried to connect as much as they can. Their letters doesn't convey any feelings but only what is going on in this place, to this person and so on.

After two months of travelling, Albert finally arrived at Lakewood. His first agenda was to see his lovely, ever exciting Candy. He misses her so much that each day seemed harder and harder to bear. Of course, Candy was not at Lakewood. So the first person he saw was none other else, his forever strict Aunt Elroy, who of course was happy to sees him.

"Atlast, my dear nephew we finally see each other." greeted Aunt Elroy

"Aunt Elroy, how are you? Glad to see you too." Albert reply

"Now you are back you need to stay here. I arrange a gathering here in two days. All of the finest societies are invited to attend this gathering."

"What are we celebrating?" Albert asked. Hoping he can get away with it.

"Oh, my dear nephew, I will tell you soon, because you might run away from me again." Aunt Elroy said with a grin and piercing look in her eyes.

"Ha, ha, ha, you know me too well Aunt Elroy. So be it then. I will be in my room if you need me."

Albert knew that Aunt Elroy was getting old and that she wanted to see great grandchildren. Albert was in his late twenties and in need to marry soon. Albert doesn't needs to look anymore. For in his heart he already had nchose the girl, or shall we say, the lady he wants to marry. And he wants to see her tonight.

I need to go to Pony Hill right now, he thought.

Candy arrived late at Pony's Home. She just missed Albert. "Sister Maria, Miss Pony I am back."

"Candy, Candy, boss your home." All the children greeted her with warm smiles and hugs.

Sister Maria said, "Candy you just missed Albert."

Candy froze for a moment. Candy asked, "Albert was here?"

"Yes, and he invited you tomorrow night to attend a welcoming and grand party at the Ardley's mansion. He said that your dress will be ready in your room. And please do come early for he wanted to speak to you before the party starts.", explained Sister Maria.

A smile found its way to Candy's lips. He wanted to speak to me? Maybe he will tell me how he feels for me and I will tell mine too. Oh, Flammy's letter. Candy was lost in her thoughts.

Miss. Pony asked, "Is there something wrong, my child?"

Candy realized that her two mothers were staring at her with questions on their face. "Oh, it just I was wondering about the reason for the celebration. "

"He said that it is a surprise and you must be there.", Sister Maria said.

Candy said thank you to her two mothers. Then she helped the children go to bed. That night Candy couldn't sleep. She was so excited to finally see Albert again, to be wrapped in his warm embrace, just like floating in clouds. But deep inside her heart, she doesn't know if Albert felt the same way. So she tried to hold herself so that she won't get hurt that much if in case Albert doesn't return her love.

Back at the mansion, Albert was so disappointed for missing Candy. He wanted to stay and wait for her. But doesn't' want Sister Maria and Ms. Pony to suspect anything? He longed for Candy, her smiles, her warmth embrace, and her lovely emerald eyes. Finally, he is ready to confess his love for her.

One more night and we will be together, Albert sigh in his deep thought.