Mommy Dearest
by Mallory Quinn
Chapter 7
"The Birthday Party"
Steven Lloyd came back from his business trip later than expected. He was excited to see his wife and she was waiting for him at the door. He ran to her and they hugged for a long time, then they kissed.
- Oh, I missed you so much, she said
- I missed you too…those stupid business trips!
- I have so much to tell you I couldn't say over the phone…
- Let's go to our bedroom first… I missed you
She burst out laughing and they walked, holding each other, while the staff was taking care of the luggage.
- You want to have dinner first?
- Yes…let's go
He went to freshen up in the washroom and came back to have dinner with his wife. He was so happy to see her. They had dinner and then they went to the bedroom after coffee. Lynda couldn't take it anymore, but her hubby missed her…so she was the dutiful and lovable wife…
An hour later, she had her head on his chest.
- All right, honey, said Steven, you're about to burst, I'm listening…
- Well the house has been kind of quiet…so what would you say to have some noise…
- Noise?
- Baby cries…
- Baby…
- I'm going to have a baby…
- Oh….that's wonderful, he said hugging her hard, that's why you were sick?
- Yes…
- Oh…I'm sorry I wasn't there to go the doctor's with you
- I didn't want to tell anybody the news before I told you
- Sorry my trip took so long…
- But something else happened…
- What
- The P.I. found our daughter…
- What????
- Yes, she's a nurse
- A nurse…
- And the P.I. sent a message for her for a job; I was pretending to be a patient who needed a nurse…
- Oh….
- She came and she thought she was being interviewed for a job… I felt dizzy, she caught me and she guessed I was pregnant and I confirmed it…she was family…
- Then what happened?
- I told her my story that she was my daughter, she got upset and very angry, she left…
- I'm sorry…
- Terrence arrived, and consoled me since I was crying, he said he loved me, and I said I loved him…
- What???
- You know, like mother and son…
- Of course…
- Candy; that's her name, came back, she forgot her purse, and she heard us and saw us and she ran away crying…
- Why? She thought you were lovers?
- Probably…but…
- What?
- Terrence knows her…
- Terrence knows her?
- Yes…she's…the woman he loves…
- What???
- Candy is the girl he loves. He had to break up with her because Susanna Marlowe saved his life…
- So he's with Susanna Marlowe for duty and obligation?
- Yes. Candy is the one he loves…
- Small world…
- You're telling me? My protégé is the man my daughter loves!!!!
- Where is she now?
- I don't know. The private investigator is looking for her…
- Oh my God, a baby on the way and our first baby found! This is just wonderful!!!!
- I just have to convince her to forgive me… she's so angry
- You did feel that she needed you…she's going to come around…
- I have to tell her that I'm not Terrence's lover…oh my God!
- It's going to be fine. You'll see…now let me show you how much I missed you on my trip…
Candy and Jade were seeing each other everyday. They were helping a lot of orphanage, but they were also having fun.
- My parents are throwing a party of my birthday next week…
- Great, more fun! Said Candy
- Yes! But Candy, you'll have to face your problems sooner or later…
- I know and thank you for not insisting in knowing what was going on…
- You'll tell me when you're ready…
- Let's not think about that… let's think about the dresses we're going to wear…we need new dresses! More shopping!!!
Candy was trying to numb her pain by shopping and having fun, but… at the end of the day, the pain was still there. She would have to face it and go see her mother. But for the moment, she was having fun with Jade.
The Wallaces always threw very big parties and everybody wanted to be part of it. So if you got an invitation you should consider yourself lucky... So when Susanna got the invitation in the mail, she was ecstatic for 10 seconds… She had seen Candy with Jade Wallace!
- Mom, I can't go…Candy works for the Wallace's!
- You can't refuse an invitation to the Wallace's Party Susanna…
- But…
- Terrence is going to go…
- What if Candy is there?
- The more reason for you to go with him…If she's there…
- But mom…
- You want him to see her alone? You have to be there to remind him his duty…
- You're right, mom. I can't let Terry go to the party alone, I have to be there…
When Terry came back that evening, Susanna was waiting for him.
- You're not sleeping yet? He asked her
- I was waiting for you…, she said
- Why?
- We've got an invitation
- To where?
- The Wallace's…
- Oh… fancy!
- Yes, so you want to go?
- Did you stay up just to ask me that?
- Well you always go places without me… I want to go to this one Terry…
Terry looked at her. He had been neglecting her for months. What's one party?
- All right, he said, I'll take you to the party
- Thank you Terry! Said Susanna smiling, you want to eat something?
- No, I'm fine, said Terry, good night Susanna…
Terry went to his room, without another look for her. Susanna was happy. She got Terry to agree to take her to the Wallace's party, where Candy was probably working, but since Jade was celebrating her birthday, she was fine and maybe Candy went back to Chicago… But something was telling her that it was just wishful thinking…
Candy went shopping with Jade for a new dress for the party. They had fun, and then they went to the hairdresser to have their hair done, a very nice up do. They also got their nails done. For the party, they were very pretty with their new dresses. Candy looked like a matured woman with her up do and all her make up. I was like she was trying to hide the old Candy…
The party had started and Candy was talking to people and getting a lot of attention from young men.
Lynda arrived alone; her husband was on a business trip again. Terrence arrived with Susanna in her wheel chair. She was worried Candy would be there and she looked around everywhere, but she didn't see her. She was a little relieved.
Lynda and Susanna finally came face to face.
- Miss Marlowe, said Lynda, how nice to see you!
- Oh, you can call me Susanna Mrs. Lloyd, said Susanna, after all you're very good friends with Terrence's
- Indeed I am, said Lynda smiling
- Where's your husband? Said Susanna
- On a business trip, said Lynda
- He missed the party, what a shame! You came alone, said Susanna
- Yes, said Lynda, like a big girl!
- Terrence was nice enough to bring me to this party…, continued
- Well good for you, said Lynda
- Lynda, said Terrence, let's go get something to drink, Susanna you're going to be fine? Right? I'll send someone with a drink for you…
- But Terrence, said Susanna disappointed…
- I'll be right back, Susanna
Since it was summer time, the party was extended to the garden, and where most younger people were. Terry was holding Lynda by the arm when, a young woman bumped into them…
- Oops! Said the young woman, I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking…
She raised her head smiling but her smile vanished.
- Freckles, said Terry smiling
Candy was looking at them. Was life dead set on hurting her???
- Well if it isn't mommy dearest and my ex-boyfriend! I guess you two can't stay away from each other, can you? Said Candy, or keep your hands off of each other!!!
- Freckles, said Terry, please, not here…it's so good to see you!
- Candy, said Lynda with a nice smile, I'm so happy to see you…
- Well the feeling isn't mutual! Said Candy
- Candy please, said Lynda, can we talk?
- I don't think so…, said Candy
- Please Freckles, said Terry begging
She looked at Terry, she looked at her mother…She could see how much she looked like her mother, how come she didn't see it before?
- All right, said Candy, let's go in the hall way…
- I'll let you two go, said Terry…
Candy walked with Lynda to the hall way.
- How are you feeling with the baby? Said Candy
- I'm fine thank you, said Lynda
- So, you and Terry…
- Are just friends, believe me…
- A very good friend, said Candy ironically
- Don't believe the rumours…
- I know what I heard and saw!
- What you saw was a friend consoling another friend…
- Consoling…
- Yes, I was very upset… Terrence came to have dinner with us. I didn't know you two knew each other…Candy please would you give me a chance to get to know you?
- Are you going to tell your family about me?
- My husband knows…
- What about the rest of the de Rothschild?
- I'm not ready for that yet…
- Oh, so you're ashamed of me?
- No, it's not that. It's just that…
- I'm still your dirty little secret??? What do you want from me?? You won't tell your family, my family about me…just leave me alone!!!
- No, Candy wait, don't go, please!
Candy ran out of there and went back to the party. She went outside to get some fresh air. Lynda stayed there and she started crying.
Susanna saw that Candy was there and her heart was hurting. Terry brought her some fruit juice.
- You saw your beloved, didn't you? She asked Terry, she does look like your mistress!
- Susanna, you didn't come here to observe my friends, you came here to have fun…
- Candy is here…
- It's a free country…is that why you wanted to come here? You knew Candy was in town??
- I…
- Susanna! You came to spy on me! I can't believe it!
- You're supposed to be with me Terry, not with her!
- I live with you, I take care of you financially…
- You still love her…
- I can't control my feelings, you know that…
Terry saw Candy walking in the room fast and going outside. Susanna saw that too.
- Terry, said Susanna
- She looks upset, I have to go see her…
Terry ran after Candy. Susanna was heartbroken. Susanna's mother, who had come by herself walked to her daughter.
- She's here, said Mrs. Marlowe
- Yes. He just ran after her…, said Susanna upset
- Do what I tell you, and you're going to keep him forever..., said her mother
Terry caught up with Candy on a swing in the garden, outside.
- Candy…
- What do you want? Go be with your mistress!
- She's not my mistress…
- I heard you two and I saw you…
- It was friendship…she was upset after you left…you really think I can do that?
- I don't know…I didn't think we would brake up, but we did…
- Candy…she's your mother…
- You didn't know that…
- She reminded me of you…
- Oh, so she was just a substitute for me, then? That's gross!
- I didn't sleep with your mother! You know I'm telling you the truth! Why are you being so stubborn??!!! Give her a chance!
- Why? Why should I give her a chance? She abandoned me! She's a Rothschild! They're made of money! She couldn't find a way to hide me with all the comfort? She just dumped me on the doorstep of an orphanage, for other people to take care of me? Did she even made sure the orphanage got money? NO!!!
- Candy, I remember a girl telling me she wished she had her own mother…. Your wish is granted! You've got your mother back!
Candy remained silent for a moment.
- You told me to reconcile with my mother, I listened to you…, continued Terry
- It's not the same thing…
- Really?
- Your father took you away, she didn't abandon you…
- Well she could've come and get me with the next boat… she left me with my father and the stepmummy from hell! At least you had two loving mothers taking care of you!
- Yes, I was lucky… I had two mothers…
- Lynda was young, she made a mistake…
- Not my problem…
- Well, well, well! It's not so easy when the shoe is on the other foot, is it?
- What do you mean?
- It was easy for you to tell me to reconcile with my mother, now you won't even listen to me, or her for that matter…
Candy was crying…
- Terry, you are the heir of the duke of Grandchester, you had all the comfort and the money, despite the treatment you got from your stepmother…I had the house from hell with the Reagan, I was turned into a maid, I slept in the stables, I was accused of stealing, I was sold in Mexico…When all that time, all she had to do was tell her family, or maybe that's too much to ask… she could've hid me somewhere and take care of me in secret…She's a Rothschild!
- So if she were poor, you would've forgiven her?
- Yes!!! In a heartbeat! At least she would have the excuse that she couldn't take care of me financially…
- Candy…
- Terry, please. Leave me alone. It's not your problem…
- Lynda is my friend and you're the woman I love… so it is my problem!
- You've got Susanna… is she here with you? I saw her at the park the other day, all she was interested in was to know if I had come to take you back!
- Did you?
- Did I what?
- Come here to get me back??
She looked at him surprised.
- Believe it or not, Master the King of Broadway, the world doesn't revolve around you!
Terry looked at her. She was so bitter and angry.
- You're so angry and upset; why are you still in New York? Asked Terry, why didn't you go back to Chicago? Isn't it your specialty to run away when things get tough?!
- How could you say that to me?
- You ran away from the hospital that night, from me, from our life together…
- I did that to make things easy for you…
- Did I ask you to make things easy for me? Did I ask for your help??? You've always interfered in other people's business… like with my mother and with the Susanna matter! You couldn't wait until I was ready to talk to you?
- I thought I would spare you the pain of choosing…
- By forcing my hand? Did it look easy to you to let you go? Didn't you feel my pain, didn't you feel my tears?
- But you could've kept me in your arms, you could've stopped me form leaving…
- You wanted to go…go back to Albert!
- I said that to discourage you… But this is all water under the bridge!
Terry looked at her, they were both still hurting by their break up.
- So why are you still here? I thought you would've gone back to Albert! He said bitter
Albert again! Terry was jealous!
- Terry, you're engaged to another woman! The woman obsessed with you, who saved your life and lost her leg!
- You don't need to remind me of that…
- So what's the crack about Albert again??? You're jealous of Albert?
- He did live with you for a while, something I didn't get to do…
- Albert is the great Uncle William, thus, my adoptive father….
- What???
- Yes…why would you think something romantic was going on?
- Because you took him in to live with you…
- I was seeing him like a big brother… Why are we talking about that?
- We keep changing the subject…
- That's because we didn't get the chance to talk the last time we were together…
- So let's go back, to what we were talking about…why are you still here?
- I don't know… I can't leave…
- Because your mother is here…
- Maybe…
- Believe me I know the feeling… it took me everything to get on that boat to go back to England and leave her behind…and I'm glad I did, because I met you…
- Why are you talking about that?? Why don't you go back to your fiancée? Leave me alone, Terry!
- Where are you staying?
- That's none of your business!
- Candy… Lynda is really trying…
- She should've come when I was one and didn't know anything!
- You want your mother, your anger proves it…
- Tell mommy dearest I don't want to see her again!
- Candy…I thought you of all people would be compassionate to her pain, after the way you convinced me to forgive my mother…
Candy was crying.
- Leave me alone Terry, go back to your fiancée!
- I can't talk to you when you're like this…we'll meet again…bye Candy.
Terry left her to go look for Lynda who was still in the hall way sitting on a chair. She was crying.
- Lynda…I'm so sorry
- That's ok…She's so beautiful…
- She looks like you…
- Yes, she does, doesn't she? Said Lynda with tears coming down her cheeks
- You want to go home?
- Yes. My driver will take me. Go stay with your fiancée…
- All right honey. Take care of yourself.
- Thanks
Lynda left the party. Terrence went back to the party near Susanna, who was sulking of course. She thought Terry was going after Candy again. She didn't know it was about Candy and her mother.
- You finally come back to me? She said
- Susanna, please…not now
- She rejected you? She doesn't love you anymore?
- It's not what you think…, said Terry
- Then what is it?
- It's personal; I can't talk about it….
- Of course…
- I hope you're going to stop humiliating my daughter, said Mrs. Marlowe
- What? I can't talk to friends at a party now? Said Terry, what am I? Your private property?
- Mom, it's ok, said Susanna
- No, it's not. Ever since he got here, he keeps running after other women instead of taking care of you!
- Terry has the right to say hello to his friends, said Susanna, you want to take me home Terry? I'm tired…
- Of course, said Terry
Terry looked around, he didn't see Candy. He left with Susanna. In the car, Terry talked her.
- Candy told me she saw you at the park the other day…why didn't your say anything
Susanna cursed Candy in her head.
"Damn you, Candy, you couldn't keep your mouth shut?"
- It slipped my mind…she lied
- Yeah right! Give me a break! Said Terry, you knew she was in town! That's why you wanted to come to the party, to spy on me...you admit it earlier so don't even try...
- I swear, I…
- Wait a minute, that morning you were talking about the Wallaces with your mother… that someone lived there… it was Candy wasn't it? Taking care of Jade Wallace?
Susanna remained silent.
- Of course, you lied…, said Terry, I guess I can't expect anything else from you when it comes to Candy…she probably doesn't work at the Wallaces' anymore, Jade was healthy…
- Terry…
- You did hide her letter from me…and send her away when she came to look for me in Chicago…
- I did that because I love you…
- So your love is making me unhappy and you're fine with that? When you love someone, you want that person to be happy even if it's with someone else…
- I want you for me…, said Susanna crying, I love you so much Terry
- Yeah that love cost me a lot, didn't it? He said bitter
- It doesn't have to be like that…you can be happy with me. I'm available, you can make love to me, we don't have to wait for the wedding. I will be yours forever…I love you Terry
- You want premarital sex?
- Yes…
- Susanna…I'm going to marry. Why are you rushing?
Susanna wanted to trap Terry and get pregnant so he won't leave her for Candy, he wouldn't abandon his family even if it's with her…
- I just want to be close to you, you're neglecting me. I barely see you…
- You're my fiancée, and I'm going to respect you and wait for our wedding night…
- Right, said Susanna sulking, the wedding night
"If it had been Candy, I bet she wouldn't have had to ask him twice, he would've been on her faster than she could say, "I want you", damn you Candy, damn you to hell!!!!" Said Susanna in her mind.
When they got home, Susanna's mother who arrive a bit later came to her bedroom.
- So, said Mrs. Marlowe, did you tell him you wanted to make love to you before the wedding?
- Yes…
- And?
- He said I was his fiancée and he respected me and he was going to wait the wedding night…
- Oh my God! You're not going to get pregnant that way!
- I know that mother…
- You'll have to use the big guns…
- Mom…no. I won't do it
- Very well…don't say I didn't warn you….
- He's not going back to Candy!
- Just be prepared…
- I want to sleep mother, good night.
- Goodnight baby…
Susanna was crying in her bed. What a humiliation to be rejected by Terry that way. She was offering herself, her body, her beautiful body, and he passed! She was more beautiful than Candy; she was a desirable woman… What was wrong with Terry? He was so in love with Candy, that he still didn't see her despite the fact that they lived together…
Candy was still on the swing thinking about Lynda. Terry didn't bring up the pregnancy. He probably didn't know about it, or he would've told her that Lynda didn't need any extra stress… Lynda told her she was pregnant, not only because she was a nurse, but because she was her daughter… and she was stressing her out by being mean to her… Oh…. That wasn't good for a pregnant woman, for her mother. She didn't think; she went to look for Jade.
- Jade, I have to go…, said Candy
- Already? Said Jade
- Yes…, I'm sorry. But I have something to do.
- All right honey, you can go
- Bye and Happy Birthday again…
- Thanks…
Candy left the party with her driver.
Lynda was in her living room, she had taken her shoes off. She was exhausted. She was about to go upstairs after eating some sandwiches the maid brought for her. She was famished, her baby didn't really care about the stress, it was hungry…The butler came in.
- You have a visitor, madam, said the butler
- At this hour? Said Lynda surprised
- I hope I'm not intruding, said Candy
- Candy! Said Lynda
- I came to make sure you were fine, said Candy
- Come in, please, said Lynda
Candy went in, and she went to sit on the couch with her.
- I just came to make sure I didn't upset you too much, in your condition…, she said
- I'm fine. Thank you, said Lynda smiling
- I'm sorry for listening to the rumours… I knew deep down inside that you and Terry weren't lovers…well I was hoping it wasn't true
- That's ok…he was drawn to me because of you…
- He told me that…
- Candy, I…
- I just came to make sure you were fine. I wouldn't want to be the cause of anything happening to your baby…
- Your little brother or sister…
- Half…
- What?
- Haft brother, or half sister…the baby you're going to have, will be my half brother or half sister, since we don't share the same father….
Lynda looked at her stunned.
- Oh…
- Yes…who's my father…?
- Candy we didn't get to finish our talk…about your father…
- You know who he is, I hope…
- Yes…
- Did you keep in touch? Did you tell him about me?
- Yes…
- Oh, so where is he? Is he married? Does he have another family?
- Well… he just got married….
- Oh…recently?
- Yes…
- Where is he?
- On a business trip…
- I mean, where does he live?
- Here…
- Here?
- Yes, he's my husband…
- What???
- My father arranged a marriage for me, giving I've ruined all the others he tried to arrange for me in the past…The Lloyd family needed financial help…
- Lloyd? As in Lloyd Bank?
- Yes….
Her father was also from a wealthy family! Candy was hurt again, even if Lynda were poor; she could've gone to her father's family to ask for help…
- And my father's condition was that their son, marry me…, continued Lynda
- So you married the father of your baby… is that why you were looking for me? To be one big happy family?
- Yes, I decided to look for you when I found out my father had arranged for me to marry the father of my baby…I never thought I would marry him, so I decided to look for you so you could be a part of our family…
- Does he know about me?
- Yes, and he was eager to meet you too…
Candy looked at her. Her mother married her father, her wealthy father! She was so hurt again! She had to get out of there…
- I see that you're fine now, said Candy, I'm going to go…
- Wait! Already? You don't want to stay a little more? Said Lynda
- No, I have to go, said Candy, I'm glad you're all right…
- Where can I find you?
- I know where to find you… good night.
Candy left before Lynda could reply. Lynda was a little sad, but she was happy, Candy had come to see her… she was coming around…
Candy was crying in her bed. Her father was rich too…Lynda could've gone to him… She had so many solutions, but she chose the coward's way out, abandonment!
- What is it, mommy dearest? I wanted to give you a chance and you mess it up again! The father of your baby, my father, was also from a rich family!!! You could've found a solution together!!! I had two wealthy and stupid teenagers as parents! No wonder I'm screwed up!!!! Good job mommy dearest!!