A Providential accident
Chapter 7
"Thanksgiving"
Terry was going to the train station to pick up Candy. He came from the hospital, where Susanna was, she had saved his life and she had lost her leg in the process. He was unhappy. After the scene they had had not too long ago where she had declared her love for him, he had wished very hard not to be with her on stage, well his wish was granted…
"Be careful what you wish for, this is the case to say it"
He arrived and he saw Candy with her suitcase, looking at a guy she thought was him. He had forgotten about Susanna when he saw Candy. Everything was fine, Candy was with him. She was his soulmate. Mrs. Marlowe was pressuring him to be with Susanna, who loved him so much, she had risked her own life to safe his. Without Susanna, he would've been dead… and he wouldn't be with Candy… it wasn't the time to think about that… he went to greet Candy… he took her by the hand and started running.
- No, but?! Stop! Help!
He stopped and took off his scarf which was covering his nose.
- Terry! Said Candy smiling
She jumped to his neck.
- But why did you have to trick me like that?
- I wanted to surprise you…
- Good job! She said still in his arms
- I'm happy to see you…
- Me too Romeo!
He took her by the hand and too her to his car.
- How are your friends; the inventor, the dandy, the shy girl and the little chubby one?
- You mean Alistair, Archibald, Annie and Patricia? You could call them by their name you know?!
They to a coffee shop, still talking.
- Terry, I thought you would've brought me somewhere a little more … romantic
- Really? I didn't want to assume…
- The great Terrence Grandchester is not assuming? That's not how I remember you from Scotland… I remember a young man who stole a kiss from me…
- And I got a slap for that, if my memory serves me right.
- So did I, said Candy smiling
He looked at her and his heart was swollen with love.
- Can we go to your place?
- I wanted to take you to your hotel…
- Oh the gentleman…, she said smiling, but I'd like to see where you live, where you write all those letters you send me…
- All right, Miss Freckles, let's go…
They went outside…
- Oh look at the snow! We could have a snowball fight! It would be fun
Terry looked at her with love.
- You're still so fun to be with, he said with love
While they were riding, she was looking at the people, the fashion in New York. But she didn't care about it; she was finally with Terry, after dreaming about it for all that time. They arrived at his place, in his little apartment. She looked around her.
- You seem surprised, said Terry
- It's …clean. I was expecting a little mess…
- My landlady comes and cleans up every two days…
- At my place, Mr. Albert is the one who cleans up…
- Candy! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
- I got to slow…
- That's all you had to say to defend yourself?
- What? If you marry me, you'll make enough money to pay for a maid for me right? She said laughing
- Of course, my Juliet, said Terry laughing, you want a cup of tea?
- I didn't come her for a cup of tea Terry, we just drank some, remember?
- Why did you come here?
- You really want me to draw you a picture Romeo?
She approached him and he took her in his arms and looked for her lips and kissed her passionately. Oh, my God! It was so good! It was even better because he couldn't be with her anymore… they went on the couch without letting go of each other… Then they stopped against their will… breathless…
- Oh my God, said Candy
- I'm going to take you to your hotel…
- Yes, as a matter of fact, it would be better; even if I want you to stay here… my head is spinning…
Terry didn't want to let her go either, but if she stayed with him… and she had to go to the hospital to see Susanna…
- Let's go Freckles… before we both lose our heads…
- All right…
He took her to the hotel and kissed her before he left…
- I'm wondering why I slapped you, Romeo… forgive me
- Forgive me too, Juliet…
Terry left on cloud nice. He arrived at his place and there was a note from Mrs. Marlowe. Susanna had an episode… he had a sigh and he went to the hospital to console Susanna who kept feeling sorry for herself.
- She's here, isn't she? I know it, you went to pick her, that's why you came so late…you've reserved the best place for her…
He was there, listening to her whining… he went back home, thinking about what he was supposed to do. He loved Candy, he didn't want to break up with her… Susanna had lost her leg saving his life… Her mother was pressuring him… her daughter was in love with him, her daughter wanted to be with him, it could compensate what he owned her; his life for hers? No! It hurt too much!, he wanted Candy, he loved Candy, Candy gave senses to his life, ever since he went to pick her up at the train station, everything was beautiful for him! Until he dropped her off at her hotel and went back home , reality came crashing down… he was down in the dumps again… it was extraordinary how a single person made all the difference…
The next day, he woke up unhappy. He had to talk to Candy, but it was the day of the premiere… he would talk to her after the premiere… he didn't have the courage to see her before the play, he will see her later… he went on stage and she saw her on the first row, he was happy, he performed for her… than it was the intermission. He went back on stage and Candy's place was empty. Where was she? He had a bad feeling…Once the play was over, he ran to the hospital, he was sure Candy was there… he found the panic at the hospital, Susanna had disappeared, he went on the roof with nurses and he found her near Candy… He went to get Susanna, she had saved his life. He crossed Candy's hurt eyes… My God, he heart was in shred… Susanna told him that Candy had saved her life… he took her back to her room. Susanna asked for Candy… He got out of the room to call Candy. When Candy got out of the room, she told him that she was going back to Chicago to take care of Albert…his heart was broken again…
- Now?
- Yes…?
- Let me take you to the train station…
- No, it's going to be fine…
- Candy…
- You have to take care of Susanna, she saved your life… she loves you…
- Candy…
- It's over Terry, she said crying going down the stairs
- NO! Candy!
He caught her by behind and put his face in her neck… He heart was in shreds, Candy was taking it with her… the pain was unbearable.
- CANDY!
He woke up, startled.
- Terry? Said Candy
He sat up and saw her. It was a nightmare, a horrible nightmare! He'd never been happier to wake up form a dream. He took Candy in his arms and hugged her hard against him. She hugged him back. She felt Terry's fear. She consoled him softly.
- Come on Romeo, it was only a horrible dream
- Hug me hard, Juliet, hug me hard
- I'm here, I'm here…
She stayed next to him and he ended up calming down. She went to take care of the paperwork so he could check out for Thanksgiving. Her friends came to take Terry home.
- Hi guys! Said Terry smiling
He was happy to see his friends, he thought about the happy time in Scotland… he had been so unhappy in his nightmare; all the memories were precious for him.
- Albert? Are you all right?
- Yes, Terry, I'm surprised to see how fast you've recovered…
- Candy is a nurse who does miracle, said Terry smiling
- You're right; I got my memory back in a record time too!
- It wasn't faster than me, said Terry, one kiss, it's all it took!
- If only I've known that! Said Albert laughing.
- Stop it you too! Said Candy laughing
They left the hospital in the general joy to go to Eleonor Baker's. The later was standing at the door, waiting for them.
- Welcome to my home, all of you! She said, my baby! Are you all right? You're not too tired?
- Mum, please…
- You'll always be my baby.., she said smiling
The house smelled good like the turkey cooking in the oven and all the side dishes. Terry went to rest in the living room with his friends and they talked about the good old days.
- By the way Grandchester, you could've invited us to the premiere, said Archie
- Yes, said Patty, we would've wanted to come and see you on stage for your big role
- Well, since I wasn't able to play Romeo…, said Terry, but truth be told, I wanted to spend some time with Candy alone…
- We would've left you alone, said Alistair
- With your dandy brother around? Said Terry
Everybody burst out laughing. Susanna arrived with her mother and a pumpkin pie. Dr. Bobby came with sweet potatoes. Eleonor came to greet them.
- Dinner is almost ready, she said, thanks for the pie, Mrs. Marlowe.
- You're cooking yourself? Asked Mrs. Marlowe, the great Eleonor Baker?
- Yes! I like cooking; in fact I don't really get the chance to do it…
The two women went to the kitchen still talking. Terry looked at Susanna and he thought about his dream. It made him scared, forced to be with Susanna? He had a shiver of disgust. He looked at Candy and held her hand. For the thousandth time, he thanked God for waking up from that nightmare.
Then came dinner time. Everybody was sitting around the big dining room table.
- Terry, I don't think you're in any shape to carve the turkey…, Albert, would you do the honor? Said Eleonor
- Of course Eleonor, he said smiling
He carved the turkey and served everybody. Then everybody had to say what they were thankful for… Eleonor started:
- I'm grateful for my life and my career but especially for my son's life who escaped death/ I'm happy also to see everybody around my dinner table.
The others all said what they were thankful for and it ended with Terry.
- I'm grateful for this accident, which allowed Candy to come her with all of her friends to spend Thanksgiving with me. It was a nightmare to wake up without my memory. Thank you Candy for coming to take care of me, thank you God for saving me…
"If had been like in my dream, I would've been thanking Susanna by breaking up with Candy… what a nightmare!" he said to himself.
- Thank you every body for coming for my play, sorry I wasn't there…
Everybody laughed.
- I'm going to rest before getting back on stage. Since I have the best nurse in the world…
.Candy and him looked at each other with love. Susanna was sulking. But nobody paid attention to her…
After dinner, Terry went to rest in his room and Candy went with him.
- Are you right Terry? She asked fixing his pillows.
- Yes…
- You're not going to tell me about your nightmare?
Susanna had followed them and she was eaves dropping.
- It was horrible…
He told her everything.
- You were leaving, and I felt like you were ripping my heart out to go with it… staying with Susanna was hell on earth. Living without you, hurt too much… I woke up. I've never been so happy to wake up form a nightmare in my life! I love you Candy, don't leave me…
- I'm not going to leave you Terry. Your nightmare scared me… I don't ever want to leave you again…Thank God you don't owe your life to Susanna…
- This accident was providential… it sounds weird to say that …
- I wish nothing had happened at all, but …
- I could've been worse… Susanna could've saved me, lost her leg, and her mother would've pressured me with emotional blackmail to be with her daughter…
- Bite your tongue! Said Candy hugging him hard, I don't know what I would've done if I had lost you.
- Don't leave me again…
There was a silence. Susanna looked and she saw them kissing. He heart was breaking. The story of Terry's nightmare had upset her… if only she had pushed Terry… but with "if onlys", we'll put Rome in a bottle… She went back to the living room, took her mother and left Eleonor Baker's residence.
oOoOoOoOo
Terry on sick leave for weeks. He was fine and the doctors were surprised to see how fast he recovered. Candy had a lot to do with that. For Christmas Eve, he had the surprise to see his father coming bearing gifts. He came to spend the holidays with his son who almost died.
- Father, what a nice surprise! Said Terry
- Terry, I'm happy to see you! Said the duke
- Richard, said Eleonor
- Ellie…
- Hello, your grace, said Candy
- Candy, said the duke smiling
- You know each other? Asked Terry
- Yes, said the duke, when you left St. Paul…
He told him about the incident…
- Freckles, come here, he said reaching out to her
He took her in his arms.
- Thank you… you're wonderful… I abandoned you
- No kidding, said Candy smiling
Later in the evening, he was alone with Candy in the big living room. He was on one knee.
- Candice White Andrew, will you do me the honor to become my wife?
Candy had tears in her eyes.
- Yes, Terry…
He put the ring on her finger… he stood up to kiss her passionately.
The next day was Christmas day, they exchanged gifts. A week later, Candy and Terry got married on the anniversary of the day they met. Albert and the whole gang came for the wedding of Candy and Terry.
Annie and Patricia went shopping with Candy to get the wedding dress and her wardrobe.
- You're the first one of us to get married, said Annie, we want all the details
- We'll see, said Candy laughing
- You haven't cheated? Said Patty
- Are you crazy? Said Candy, in his mother's house?
- Susanna has left you alone?
- Since Thanksgiving, she's disappeared, said Candy
- Good riddance! Said Annie laughing
Patty and Candy burst out laughing with her.
oOoOoOoOoOo
On December 31st, a priest arrived to celebrate Candy and Terry's wedding. Candy was at the arm of her dear Albert in a beautiful white dress. Terry was waiting for her in the living room by the Christmas tree. Came the time for the vows.
- I Terry, take you Candy, to share my life. You're the most beautiful , the smartest and the most generous person I know. I promise to respect you and to love you always, to treat you with kindness, without selfishness and with trust, I'm going to work in creating a wonderful life for us. I almost died and you brought me back to life, thank you my love. I'm marrying you for better of worst, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. I swear to love you and to cherish you, until death do us part.
- Terrence, since our first meeting, I knew you were the one with whom I wanted to share my life with, the beauty of your heart of your spirit, inspired me to be a better person. I promise to love you for eternity, to respect you, to honor you, to be faithful to you and to share my life with you. Thank you for coming back to me, I'm marrying you for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health . I swear to love you and to cherish you, til' death us do part.
The ceremony continue and the priest declared them husband and wife. Terry kissed his wife…
There was a little reception. The next day, Candy and Terry took a trip to Florida for their honeymoon.
Candy found work easily at St. Jacob's hospital. Terry and her bought a house where they lived and it didn't took them long to start a family together. Candy's band came to live in New York to be near her. They all got married of course; Annie and Archie, Alistair and Patricia, Albert and Eleonor…
Susanna Marlowe left Terry alone, hearing Terry talking about her with such disgust and fear, had opened her eyes… he didn't love her, not even a little bit!
Terry often thought about the nightmare he had had, it had seemed so real and he was sure he had dodged a major bullet. He thanked God every day for his wife and their future baby. Life was sometimes, full of surprises, good surprises.
The End