Once Upon A Time…
Chapter 17
"All's well that ends well"
The American press and the one of the whole world devoted a lot of time to the story of Terry's family. William went back to Lakewood, while Candy and her family were spending some time in Los Angeles where Terry had to finish what he had to do before they left.
Terry and his family took the plane for Chicago and they went to Lakewood by train. The press of course had talked about it, so there were a lot of people and the local people came to greet Candy, her son and Terrence Grandchester.
- Oh my God! Said Candy.
- Looks like we will never be at peace again, said Marcus smiling.
- Welcome to my world Candy, said Terry.
Marcus was smiling and signing autographs for his fans and they were taking picture of him. Terry was doing the same thing while Candy walked to the car which had just arrived. She was pushing the cart with their luggage. William got out and Candy hugged him.
- Well Marcus seems at ease with his celebrity…
- He takes after his father, said Candy getting in the car.
- Not only physically as I see. You should see the movie, it's even more flagrant their resemblance.
- How are the others? Asked Candy.
- Everybody is eager to meet Marcus and see Terry again.
Terry and Marcus spent 5 minutes signing autographs while William and the driver were putting the luggage in the car. Looking out the window, she saw Tom, her former boyfriend looking at her. He smiled at her. She smiled back at him. The time when they were dating was so far away!
When Terry and Marcus finally managed to get in the car, William was smiling.
- Looks like celebrity suits you, said William.
- Hello Uncle William, said Marcus smiling, yes, I like it!
- Hello William, said Terry smiling.
- Terrence… everything is fine now between the three of you?
- Yes, I'm going to marry Candy and we're finally going to be a family!
- And no more boarding school for me! Said Marcus smiling.
- Yes, I'm going to hire a tutor for him since he will have to do his exams in London…
- Or I can go back to school in London if you leave there, I could come and see you on weekends…
- You want to have a family like everybody, don't you? Said Candy.
- Yes… to have a place where to go on weekends, having my father and my mother come and get me to go, I don't know, to Scotland? Brighton? We could go to Stratford, Shakespeare's village…
- All right Marcus, said Terry.
- That way, you and mum could catch up on your lost time…
- Yes, after my Oscar, I can rest… and Marcus, I've received a lot of script for you and me…
- We'll look at it together… Mum, what about your humanitarian work?
- Now I'm going to focus on my family Marcus…
- I'm sure you'll find a way to help the needy…
- You know me, said Candy smiling.
The car arrived at the castle. Everybody came out to greet them. They got out of the car… Candy ran into her mother's arms…
- Mom! Oh mom, I've missed you so much…
- My little girl, said her mother crying
- Grandma! Said Candy crying too
- Hello baby, said her grandmother
Candy turned around and Marcus came closer…
- Mom, this is Marcus, your grandson… and you great grandson, grandma
- Oh my God! Said her mother, he's so handsome! Come here big guy!
Marcus leaned to hug his grandmother smiling.
- Hello grandma, said Marcus
- And I saw the movie with your father… something in you pleased me… now I know why, you're family! Congratulations on your Oscar!
- Thank you great gran! Said Marcus laughing
- Mom, let me introduce you to Terry, Marcus' father…
- Hello young man, you're going to marry my daughter I hope?
- Hello ma'am, yes, as soon as possible, said Terry hugging her.
Then, he turned to the grandmother.
- Hello grand-mother
- Hello young man. You're an excellent actor. You deserved an Oscar…
- Candy, what a shock it was for me to learn on television that you had had a son all those years ago…, said her mother with a reproach tone
- I'm sorry mom, I didn't know how to tell you, you would've been so disappointed
- I'm disappointed you didn't trust me… I'm your mother… I would've been upset of course, but I'm your mother, I would've gotten over it… and now I've misses the first years of my handsome grandson!
- I'm sorry mom…
Candy went to greet the other and introduce them to Marcus. Terry was happy to see his onetime summer friends… They got in the castle where there was a little feast waiting for them. The great-aunt Elroy appeared, tired by rheumatism. She approached Candy and hugged her. Then she smiled at Marcus and hugged him hard!
- Oh Candy! He's so handsome! Hello handsome!
- Hello great aunt Elroy, said Marcus, I'm so happy to have such a big family! During all those years, I thought I was alone in the world! This is wonderful!
Everybody was happy. Marcus had a lot of cousins. He was the eldest of all the children and they were following him everywhere… it didn't bother him, he was simply happy to have a family!
Annie took Candy on the side…
- You little sneak!
- I couldn't tell you, I wanted to forget everything…
- But your son… wasn't going to disappear…
- I know... it was a mistake… I'm sorry
- Well he's very handsome… and full of talent! An Oscar!
- And I didn't even know what was going on!
- You were god smacked! You not only find your son with an Oscar, and he was working with his father without knowing it!
- Fortunately, he wasn't the kind of actor who did drugs…
- You know William would never have let Terry come close to him if that was the case…
- I know… William is wonderful!
- And we're going to give you the biggest wedding! I'll take care of everything, the dress, the evening gown, the bridesmaids… For the rest, we'll hire an agency…
- All right… I can't believe I'm going to marry Terry… while I didn't remember what happened…
- You at least tried to see if you can get the idea?
- Annie!
- What?! The great Terrence Grandchester, is as good as they say he is?
- I don't know, but he's a fantastic lover…, said Candy laughing
Eliza and Daniel arrived.
- Hi auntie, said Eliza smiling
- Eliza…
- Hi, said Daniel
- Daniel…
- I wanted to apologize for the alcohol I put in the punch, which started all this…
- I'm happy you're acknowledging that you shouldn't have done that… You shouldn't have made us drink alcohol without our knowledge… I missed my first time because I don't remember it; I wanted my husband to be my first… anyway… I forgive you Daniel.
Anthony, Alistair and Archie arrived…
- Aunt Candy? The table is ready; we've made all your favourite!
- Great! Said Candy, let's go!
The family celebration was in a big joy. Everybody was happy, even Sarah was proud to have celebrities in the family, she has invited all of her friends who were surrounding Terry, smiling at him, Candy was looking at them shaking her head. Sarah was a snob, it was better to take her the way she was…
William joined her.
- So when is the big wedding? I'll take everything in charge
- You don't need to, Terry can pay, I can pay…
- It will be my present
- Oh William… you've already done so much for us
- You're my sister and I had to take care of you, that's normal…
- Thank you William…
Candy and Terry's marriage was spectacular. The press wanted pictures, they were flying around in helicopter to catch a glimpse. The castle was decorated with Anthony's white roses… Candy was wearing a light pink dress; she didn't want to wear the virginal white… Annie had the pleasure to do Candy's dress.
On television, the news was talking about the future marriage of Terrence Grandchester and the mother of his son. Susanna Marlowe was talking, saying she was Terry's girlfriend
"He could've told me that he had plans, he dropped me like a hot potato…"
Terrence Grandchester's spokesperson replied:
" I won't comment on Miss Marlowe's words. Mr. Grandchester takes care of his love life alone and Miss Marlowe is aware of that…"
Candy looked at Terry…
- Terry, you didn't tell her anything?
- She wasn't my girlfriend…
- But she would spend the night with him sometimes, said Marcus.
- Once in a while only, said Terry, but you don't have to worry, that's over…
- Don't worry mum, if he cheats only, he's going to answer to me first!
- I trust you, Marcus and you Terry…
Terry had invited his fellow actors and some producers. His mother also came to the ceremony. Anthony, Alistair and Archibald were ecstatic to have Eleonor Baker in their castle. Eliza was happy to meet actors from Hollywood.
The ceremony started and Candy walked to the altar at William's arm where Terry was waiting was waiting for her…
Then came the moment for the vows, Terry started:
- You're the present God gave me, my hope, my joys and you're everything that's good and pure and I love you with all my heart, I'm blessed because you're mine and I can love you until the end of my days. I swear that you and our son would come first in my life; I will always be there in joy and in pain… May every breath our hearts take together unite us as husband and wife. I swear to be your love today and forever…
Then Candy replied:
- You're the present I never thought I have, my love, my heart, my soul, everything that is wonderful. I have the chance to be able to love you to the end of my days. I promise that you and our son would always come first; I will always be there for better or worse. We're uniting by taking every breath of life together and our hearts are beating as one… I swear to love you and to cherish you, until death do us part.
She had tears coming down her cheeks saying that and Terry was also moved and had teary eyes.
The ceremony concluded when the priest said:
- By the power invested in me, I now declare you man and wife and a family. You may now kiss the bride…
They kissed passionately for a longer than usual.
The reception went on fine; they danced under the song "All my life" by KC & Jojo:
Baby (x11)
I'm So Glad...
I Will Never Find Another Lover
Sweeter Than You
Sweeter Than You
And I Will Never Find Another Lover
More Precious Than You
More Precious Than You
Girl You Are...
Close To Me You're Like My Mother,
Close To Me You're Like My Father,
Close To Me You're Like My Sister,
Close To Me You're Like My Brother
And You Are The Only One My Everything
And For You This Song I Sing...
All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Thank God
That I…That I Finally Found You
All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Hope That You Feel The Same Way Too
Yes, I Pray That You Do Love Me Too
I'd Send You All That I'm Thinking Of...Baby
Said I Promise To Never Fall In Love With A Stranger
You're All I'm Thinking Of
I Praise The Lord Above
For Sending Me Your Love
I Cherish Every Hug
I Really Love You
All My Life (Ohhhh..Baby, Baby)
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Thank God
That I...That I Finally Found You
All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Hope That You Feel The Same Way Too
Yes, I Pray That You Do Love Me
You're All That I Ever Know,
When You Smile All My Face Always Seems To Glow,
You Turn My Life Around,
You Pick Me Up When I Was Down,
You're All That I Ever Know,
When You Smile My Face Glow
You Pick Me Up When I Was Down
Say...You're All That I Ever Know
When You Smile My Face Glows
You Pick Me Up When I Was Down
And I Hope That You
Feel The Same Way Too
Yes I Pray That You Do Love Me Too
And All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Thank God
That I...That I Finally Found You
All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
Yes, I Pray That You Do Love Me Too
All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Thank God
That I ..That I Finally Found You
All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
Yes, I Pray That You Do Love Me Too
(Fading)
And All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Thank God That I... That I Finally Found You...
They kissed the whole time the dance lasted. Then they danced with the other and the reception was a success. Marcus was doing a speech.
- Just a few months ago, my life was dull and empty. I had no father or a family and now I have a mum, a dad, a family and even an Oscar!
Everybody laughed.
- Mum, I wanted you to marry my mentor, without knowing he was my real father! And you dad, I wanted you to go out with my mother without knowing that she was the woman of your life! As luck would have it! Like is wonderful and fantastic! Best wishes! Thank you God! Grandma, she said to Eleonor, thank you for raising my father well. I'm glad he doesn't do drugs, get drunk and have gang bangs! Thank you grandma!
Everybody laughed and clapped their hands and Candy and Terry kissed…
The wedding pictures were sold to the press and Terry gave Candy the money for her charity work…
- You don't have to do that…
- I don't need that money honey… you will use it better than me…
- Really?
- Yes… I wanted to buy a collection car I really don't need…
- All right, said Candy laughing and taking the money.
Candy, Terry and Marcus flew to England on William's private jet. They were to see Terry's father and his family. Marcus met Terry's sister.
- To think that I had a family member, said Marcus
- Every time I saw you, you reminded me of Terry…
- Fortunately you weren't attracted to one another…, said Terry's father
- Fortunately said Candy, with a sigh of relief
- Welcome to the family, said his grandfather hugging him
- Thank you grandfather, said Marcus
Candy and Terry bought a villa in London's suburbs. Marcus went back to St. Paul Academy. Every weekend he would go see his parents and his grandfather. His grandmother Eleonor would often come to see them too. Terry chose the script for his movies with his son. They continued working together, but school came before everything. The producers would wait because Terry wouldn't budge; school came first for his son. Candy was proud of her two men. It didn't take long for her to get pregnant. Terry would take her with him on filming set; he didn't want to leave her alone. Terry was a faithful man and little actresses would try to seduce him, learn that really quickly.
Candy had a baby girl whom she named "Moïra" which is the Irish form of "Maria", her mother's given name. If Marcus looked like his father, Moira her mother's spitting image, to the freckles. Terry nicknamed her, "My little Freckles". He was very happy. He was with Candy all the way; he satisfied all her craving and whims. He was with her in the delivery room. Marcus was waiting in the hallway; he didn't feel like seeing his mother give birth…
- She's wonderful, said Terry, she looks like you, she so beautiful, thank you Candy.
- Thank you Terry for Marcus and for Moïra…
- You're welcome my love, he said kissing her…
Marcus came in the room and he found them kissing passionately.
- In front of the baby! Dad! Mum!
His parents stopped laughing. Marcus took his little sister.
- Come with me my little Moïra, daddy and mummy have no shame!
He kissed her on the forehead.
- You are so beautiful… thank you mum…
Terry had an arm on Marcus and one on Candy.
- Thank you God, said Candy smiling.
The rest of the family in London came to see them and brought gifts.
Once upon a time, a family was getting bigger and was very happy. Sometimes, life surprises us by an unexpected turn. You must not be discouraged; everything always ends up by getting better. In any case, for Candy, Terry and Marcus, all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.
THE END