Mommy Dearest
by Mallory Quinn
Chapter 19
"A means to an end"
While Candy and Terry were having fun discovering each other. Lynda had her little investigation on Nicholas and Susanna. Susanna had stopped seeing him, but she was seeing him before…
- She wanted to make sure she had a bun in her oven, said Lynda out loud, well too bad Susanna, my baby girl and Terrence are married... You won't separate them whether that baby is Terry's or not!
Nicholas Pratt was going out with another married woman who's husband found out and shot him… He was in the hospital fighting for his life. Michael who worked at the hospital certain days of the week, was the one who had to remove the bullet. He had had a lot of experience at the war. He went to see his patient when he regained consciousness.
- Mr. Pratt, said Michael, you're very lucky to be alive…
- Did you save my life doctor?
- Yes, I did… because I had no choice and I took the Hippocratic oath… you don't deserve to live!
- Doctor…
- I hope this experience, is going to stop you from going out with unavailable women, because the next time you might get a main shoots better than the husband of your mistress. Take this as an epiphany, leave town, go start over else where, or stay here and change your ways… or the next time, I'm not going to be the face you see when you open your eyes…
Nicholas Pratt remained silent. Getting shot by the husband of one of his conquest wasn't fun at all… he had to change his ways if he wanted to stay alive…
Candy's friends were making plans for their own wedding. Annie and Archie were almost ready to get married. But Annie's father couldn't participate much, since he had financial problems.
- Don't worry dad, said Annie, Archie will take care of everything…
- I wanted to do this for you, Annie, said her father
- It's ok, said Annie, don't worry about it. You gave me a home when I needed it…now I'm getting married I'm going to be fine with Archie, I love him and he's wealthy
- I'm so happy for you honey, said her mother
- Mom, said Annie, come on! Archie said I can spend whatever amount I want!
Annie left with her mother to shop for her wedding. Archie wanted to make up for kissing Penelope Sanders, so he gave Annie everything she wanted for the wedding…
Patty and Jacques were living together despite her parents objections. Patty didn't want to waste time …
- My parents are getting annoying, she told Jacques
- We're getting married
- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push you. We don't have to
- I want to marry you Patricia…
- Me too… I just wanted to live my life, I didn't even get a kiss from Alistair, I was too cautious, or he was…
- Well I can't complain…I get to make out with you a lot! He said smiling
- You don't mind waiting for the wedding to make love?
- Of course not! It will be worth it!
- I love you Jacques
- And I love you Patricia…
They hugged and they kissed. Patricia was taking care of the shelter for a while. Candy had been busy with her therapy and with the wedding preparations…
Candy and Terry came back from their honeymoon and they went to live at Candy's apartment.
- I hope this doesn't bother you, said Candy
- What? Said Terry
- That we live in my apartment…
- It's our apartment, you and I are one, remember?
- Thank you honey, said Candy smiling
- We have to take care of the Susanna matter…
- I've been thinking about that…even if it turns out that she's carrying another man's baby…you can't abandon her…
- What do you mean?
- Terry, she saved your life… she wanted you in compensation but she lost you…
- So taking care of her problems for the rest of my life…
- Beats living without me doesn't it?
Terry looked at her.
- How could you cut her some slacks after what she tried to do to you, to us?
- She's not going to go away, said Candy and she's our responsibility…and we can afford it…to take care of her for the rest of her life and her baby too…
- You're incredible, you know that?
- Yes, I do! She said smiling
Candy and Terry went to see Susanna who was in a very bad and crappy mood.
- What do you want? She asked rudely
- Susanna, said Terry, we're here to help
- With what? You abandoned me with your baby to go back to her!!!!
- I love her, and I was already married to her when you dropped your bombshell in the middle of our wedding! Susanna, how could you use a baby like that?
- I wanted you back…
- By getting pregnant? That was surely a stupid idea…
- I love you Terry, said Susanna, all I ever wanted was to be with you, to marry you, that's why I saved you…
- The way you're talking, said Candy, it's like if it had been someone else you would've let the spotlight fell on him…
Susanna looked down.
- Did you have to bring her here? Said Susanna
- Yes, I don't want to hide anything from her, said Terry
- Susanna, said Candy, Terry and I are married, so anything you want to say, you can say it in front of me, or not, because I trust him to tell me everything. You can hate me all you want, but I will always be grateful to you for saving Terry. Now have you seen a doctor for your condition?
- Yes, said Susanna sulking
- Good. I'm going to make sure you have everything you need, said Candy, that you eat properly. We going to take care you whether you want to or not. You can call me if you need anything, don't call Terry. He's going to be busy at the theatre. I'm going to deal with you…
- But…, started Susanna
- It non negotiable, said Candy.
- I thought you trusted Terry. You don't want him alone with me…, said Susanna ironically
- I trust Terry, I don't trust you…, said Candy
Candy and Terry made sure Susanna had everything she needed and then they left. Susanna's mother came back and she found her daughter sulking, but with a lot of things to eat.
- Susie? What's this?
- Candy and Terry were here?
- Why?
- To take care of me…
- That's a good thing isn't it?
- No! I wanted Terry to leave her and be with me and my baby!!!!
- Well you don't always get what you want…
- This is your fault mom! You and your big guns!
- You're right! I told you to wait until the biggest wedding in town was on to go and ruin it!
- I don't want this baby!!! Said Susanna crying, it's absolutely worthless to me!!!
- Susanna!
- It's the truth! I wish I could get rid of it…
- You would do no such thing! You're going to bring that baby in the world and take care of it. I'm going to make sure you don't harm it!
- Shut up mother! Leave me alone!!!!
Mrs. Marlowe shook her head and left the room. Candy and Terry kept their promise. Susanna had everything she needed, expect what she wanted, Terry…Candy made sure their contact was limited.
- You're not jealous are you? Asked Terry
- I don't think that seeing you is healthy for her…that's all! Said Candy, she might think you want her if you're nice to her…
- While seeing you keeps the reality alive for her…All right, said Terry, thank you for doing this…
- This time around, we're in this together!
- That's what we should've done the first time…., said Terry hugging her.
- I'm ready to come and see your play honey, she said
- Are you sure?
- Yes… I never finished Romeo and Juliet and I don't even know what you were playing in that sordid theatre
- When I was drunk out of my mind… but just the view of you crying, sobered me up…you're what I need honey. I thought I imagined you…I'm going to the theatre, so I'll see you tonight. I'm going to let ticket at the door for you…
- All right honey
Candy finally went to the theatre to see Terry. She remembered the last time she was there, how her world came crashing down. All she had to do is look at her ring on her left hand and she would feel better. Terry was wonderful on stage, maybe a little more because his beloved was finally there to see him play. Candy was happy she had gotten over that, she was very happy she was married to the best actor in the world, according to her.
Annie and Archie got married so did Patricia and Jacques. Candy was the matron of honour at both of her friend's wedding. And Terry, was the best man! Archie has asked him as a favour to Candy and to show that he's moved on beyond their old rivalry. Candy and Annie were happy they finally made peace.
Time passed. Candy was living happy with Terry. She was spending a lot of time with her mother and she was there when her mother gave birth, in fact both families were there and the hospital waiting room became animated with laughing and shouting.
- Oh God, said Terry, do they even realise this is a hospital?
- If you remind my grandfather Rothschild of that, he might end up buying the hospital so he could shout louder! Said Candy smiling
- No kidding! Said Terry, you didn't want to be in the room with your mother?
- Yes, I did…but…
- But what? You have that look…
- What look?
- The Bible look…
- The Bible look?
- Yes, you get this look, when you want to quote the Bible…
- Really?
- Yes…so?
- You're really my other half, said Candy smiling, yes… the bible says you shouldn't see your parents naked…
- Oh… yeah that makes sense, said Terry, you are so cute!
Lynda had a baby boy and everybody was happy, they started shouting and celebrating. The private room was full.
- He's so beautiful mom, said Candy hugging her
Steven was holding his son, he was ecstatic.
- What's his name? Asked Candy
- David, said Steven, like the King David
- He's going to be a king all right said Lynda's father, I'm going to spoil him rotten! And don't anybody try to stop me!
- What's the use? Said Lynda, you're going to do it anyway!
Everybody burst out laughing.
Lynda wasn't kidding; she took care of that baby on her own… Aside from washing the clothes… she was breastfeeding him, she put a crib in her bedroom and she would wake up at night to take care of him. Steven didn't mind the cries. Sometimes he would wake up and feed the baby his bottle, so Lynda could sleep.
- I love you Steven, I love you David, thank you for letting mommy sleep, said Lynda with her eyes closed
Steven would smiled and talk to his son, until he falls back asleep.
Susanna was going nuts. She was pregnant, she was irritating. Her mother was getting tired.
- Susanna, I'm your mother, I'm taking care of you…
- This is all your fault! Why couldn't you leave Terry alone? Forcing him to be with me!!!
- You loved him, you saved his life and lost your leg….
- So giving me a man who doesn't love helped me how??? You should've accepted his financial help period. Encourage me to get a prosthesis and go back on stage! It wasn't the end of the world…I've seen people back from the war with prosthesis having normal lives… Now I'm stuck with… with…this!!!! She said showig her belly, damn you mother!
- All right, I don't need to listen to this! Said Mrs. Marlowe, I'm sorry for everything, but you're going to have to do the rest without me!
- Mom…
- I'm leaving! Good luck!
- Yeah leave! I don't care! Said Susanna crying of rage…, you're a lousy mother anyway!!!
Mrs. Marlowe, said to herself the it must be the hormones and the mood swings pregnant woman deal with, but in Susanna's case it was it was a bit much. Candy sent a nurse to live with Susanna, since her mother left.
Susanna had a baby girl and a message was sent to Candy at the shelter. Candy felt weird hearing that. It might and it might not be Terry's baby. She went to the theatre to see Terry.
- Honey? He said, what brings you by?
- Terry, Susanna…
- Had the baby… oh…
- I'm going to the hospital
- Let's go…are you ok? He asked.
Candy looked at him. Terry came and hugged her.
- I'm so sorry I'm putting you through this, honey
- It's ok… it's just that...
- You wished you had given me my first child? I know exactly how you feel…it might not be my baby…
- Just the idea that it could be is enough…
- I know… let's go.
He kissed her and they left for the hospital. Susanna was resting in a private room. Candy and Terry went to the nursery to see the baby. Can I help you said a nurse.
- We came to see the baby Marlowe
- Oh, are you the couple adopting it? Said the nurse…
- Adopting? Said Candy
- We came to see the baby because we're friends with the mother, said Terry
- I'm so sorry, I must've confused you with other people…, said the nurse
- It's ok, said Terry
Candy was a little upset. Why would the nurse think they're adopting Susanna's baby?
The nurse brought the baby for them to see. It was a little angel, with pink cheeks, she was adorable.
- Oh, said Candy she's adorable!
- Of course she is, said the nurse, she's a little angel…
Terry was motionless. He was waiting to feel something special, but he just felt what people feel when they see a baby…
- Let's go see Susanna, said Candy
They found her sulking on the bed.
- Oh, Terry, she said you finally decided to show up to see your baby???
- Hi Susanna, said Candy, congratulations…
- You brought her here! Of course, she's your guard dog! Said Susanna
- Susanna, said Terry, you have to calm down…
- Why?
- For your baby…said Candy
Susanna was sulking and crying. She didn't want to see her baby, she didn't want her baby.
- Easy for you to say, you've got the man I love! Said Susanna, you couldn't leave him to me like the last time?? Everything would've been so simple…
- I'm not here to talk about that, said Candy
- Susanna, we're going to let you rest. Congratulations for your beautiful baby girl, said Terry
He took his wife and he left the hospital.
- Are you ok, honey?
- Yes… she's so…bitter!
- She was hoping to trap me with the baby… and her plan went awry
- Now there's another poor baby in the world who didn't ask to come to this world …and who has become an inconvenience, said Candy
- It's going to be fine, said Terry don't worry.
- I want to go see my mother, said Candy
- All right. I'm going back to the theatre, I'll se you tonight honey…
- Bye…
Terry went to the theatre and she went to see her mother who had just put David down for his nap. Lynda smiled when she saw her daughter.
- Candy, are you ok? She said when she saw her daughter's face
- No, mom…, said Candy sadly
Candy ran to her mother to hug her hard.
- What's wrong baby?
- Susanna had her baby….
- Oh…are you ok?
- No…but it's not what you think, it's not because Terry could be the father…
- Then what is it, honey?
- Susanna is so bitter, it's like she doesn't want the baby, she's not happy at all
- Oh. Well her plan went wrong…
- When we got to the nursery, the nurse thought we were a couple wanting to adopt Susanna's baby…
- What?
- Yes, she said she made a mistake, but it felt weird. Susanna is so bitter, that baby was only a means to an end and now it's an inconvenience…
- And that made you think about you and I, how I abandon you because you were an inconvenience? I'm so sorry baby…
- I just wanted to see you and hug you and make sure you're real, said Candy
Candy stayed in her mother's arms for a while. They were sitting on the couch. She cried and dried her tears.
- How's David? Asked Candy
- He's fine, said Lynda I just put him down for his nap
- Good…Can I stay with you for a while?
- Of course, baby, you can stay as long as you want
- I just want to be with you...
- You want to be mothered…
Candy stayed with Lynda and she was mothered. They took care of David together and when her father came back home, he was happy to see her too. Being the just the four of them felt good for Candy… She called the theatre to leave a message for Terry who came to pick her up after his play.
Terry arrived and found Candy with her parents, he felt good for her. Susanna and her baby had upset her more then she showed. Candy smiled when she saw him.
- Terry! She said smiling
- Good evening everybody! Said Terry
Candy stood up and went to hug her husband, hard.
- Are you ok Freckles? He asked
- I am now, she said, thanks to mom, dad , David and you! Said Candy
Candy kissed her parents and left with Terry. Lynda stayed with her husband. The baby was upstairs.
- I'm so glad she came to me for comfort, you have no idea how happy that made me, said Lynda
- I'm glad she's in our lives!
They went to bed holding each other after taking baby David from the nursery where he was with the nanny, to their bedroom with them.
Candy and Terry were in their bedroom getting ready for bed. Candy was brushing her hair in front of the mirror of her dresser. Terry was looking at her.
- Freckles, I'm so sorry for everything
- It's not your fault Terry, if she was obsessed with you, said Candy
- You're hurt…
- I'm fine. I just didn't know the birth of her baby was going to affect me like that… I'm sorry…
- Don't be… I'm lucky I have you in my life, said Terry, I'm happy we're in this one together…
She stood up and looked at him. They both walked to the bed and they lye down. Candy was in Terry's arms and she felt better. All they needed was each other…and everything was going to be fine…