Avatar: Drawn by Elsa. Thanks so much.

.

"Candy Candy" Manga is written by Kyoko Mizuki, Yumiko Igarashi.

.

o

Dedicated To:

All soldiers who suffered in WW1 and their families. RIP.

.

o

Part 2 is based on a book "Light and Darkness" by Wendy Lawrance, (ISBN 1905378475). I can't write part 2 without it. If you found un-agreeable parts in this story, all faults are totally mine.

.

.

.

Chicago, Summer 1920

It was a beautiful sunny day. The sky was painted in perfect blue, cheerful and bright, a perfect weather for the perfect couple. Today was Candy and Neal's wedding day.

Neal beamed looking at his parents and sister hugging Candy. Holding his wife's hand, he looked to his other guests. Aunt Elroy with her happy smile… Archie, Annie, Albert, Albert's wife, Terry's girlfriend and Terry. For the first time in his life, Terry smiled at him... Neal nodded and smiled back at him.

Neal then saw his best man, Jim.

"Candy… could I?" excused Neal gesturing to Jim's direction.

Candy smiled, nodded to her new husband. Neal handed his stick to her and came to approach Jim. He gave his hand for a handshake which Jim ignored. He hugged Neal warmly instead.

"I don't know how to thank you, sir^," whispered Neal.

"There's one way," said Jim. He sighed. "Would you call me Jim from now on? It's not an order, Neal… It's a genuine request from a simple friend." He smiled.

"Major* James Harrell... Yes. Of course, sir," Neal murmured. He took a deep breath and said clearer, "Jim, thank you for everything."

"That's better." Jim patted Neal's back. "My pleasure."

Holding his wife's hand, Jim then smiled and nodded to Candy.

Neal then watched pleadingly to Stear who's standing behind Jim. Stear was carrying a little girl in his arm, his daughter with Patty.

"Don't worry, Neal. We will take care of Major and Mrs. Harrell. We make sure they go safely back to England!" promised Stear. He reached out to hug his cousin.

"And… Bob, too," added Patty who's standing next to Stear. Her hands rested on the tall twelve year old boy's shoulder. "Right boy?"

"Yes, ma'am." Bob smiled. With his strong long legs he ran steadily to hug Neal who warmly embraced him back.

"Study hard, lad," said Neal.

"I won't disappoint you, Mr. Leagan. Promise."

The newlyweds walked to the car which would take them to the honeymoon. Everyone waved at them.

The car slowly crawled with all the guests cheered and waved at the bride and the groom. For a split of seconds, Neal saw the faces of his many other friends who couldn't come. Too many many more… He then looked at his wife who's staring at him with a loving stare.

"You are beautiful, Candy, love." Neal paused, brushing her thick curly hair off her forehead. "Are you happy, dear? Even if…," his voice broke a little. "Even if I didn't carry you?"

"Darling! I've never been happier in my life," Candy kissed her husband. "Thanks for loving me."

"My wife Candy - I'm supposed to be the one who says that," Neal whispered. He pulled her closer and hugged her tightly in his arm. "I love you." He kissed her.

(To be continued)

.

Thanks for reading.

.

.

Notes:

*Major: a rank in the army. One level above captain. From low to higher: Private, Lance Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major…

^sir: the way to call higher ranking officers in the army.

.