The Race of Love
Chapter 6
"Life is beautiful"
Candy went with Terry to Pony's Home to see her mothers and tell them she was not only a nurse now, but she was also married to Terry. She was on the train with Terry.
- I hope they won't get too upset, said Candy
- You've been busy with school, they'll get it!
- Yes, they will, I can't wait to see them
- They're going to be surprised to see you with me! As my hubby!
When they got to Pony's Home they decided to walk and get some fresh air…
- I remember the day I came back from England, it was snowing and I had to walk to the Pony Home, I tried stopping a carriage, but…
- You tried stopping a carriage? Said Terry, I was in the back of a carriage going to the train station!!!
- Oh my God! If that carriage had stopped, I would've hopped behind and see you???
- Yes! Oh my God! We were so close!!!!
- I got to the Pony Home and I ran after you…you can't imagine how sad I was… I just came back home after so many months and I was calling out your name instead of Miss Pony and Sister Maria!!!!
- Oh Candy! Said Terry squeezing her hand and smiling
They arrived at the Pony Home and all the children were happy to see them. They found Miss Pony and Sister Maria inside.
- Candy! And Terry! Said Miss Pony
- You're together? Said Sister Maria
- And married! Said Candy
- Oh! Said the two mothers, congratulations!!!!
- Thank you said Candy and Terry
They spent the day with the children, they had fun. At the end of the day, they said goodbye.
- Good luck Candy, said Miss Pony, you have lots of children
- Yes, said Sister Maria, don't forget to pray the Lord
- I won't, said Candy hugging her, thank you.
She hugged Miss Pony again. Terry hugged them both!
- Take good care of our baby, said Miss Pony
- I will, said Terry, don't worry about it
The children hugged them. Tom and Jimmy came to say goodbye.
- Boss! Said Jimmy, good luck!
- Yes, Candy, good luck, said Tom and congratulations on your wedding!
- Thank you my dear brothers, said Candy hugging them, this is Terry, my husband
- Pleased to meet you, said Terry
- Take good care of her, said Tom
- Yeah, said Jimmy, or I'll come and get her!
- All right, said Terry laughing
They finally left and Candy had tears in her eyes.
- I'm going to miss them, she said
- They're your family. You're lucky to have grown up in such a place. Those children have no parents, but they're so happy and care free…
- Yes, some of them dream of parents, like Annie did, and some of them like me, just accept the fact that we don't have parents and we never will…
Terry held her tight. They took the train back to Chicago. Albert was waiting for them with a meal.
- Albert, said Terry I want you to come with us to New York…
- What?
- Yes, you come and stay with us until you get your memory back, said Candy
- But…
Albert felt like a child, and he smiled.
- I can survive and get a job
- No, said Terry, you're still not well, you need to rest.
- Albert, said Candy, you're coming with us until you feel better and get your memory back…
- You two are treating me like your child!
- Well said Terry, in a way you are…we're taking care of you, baby!
They burst out laughing.
- You're right, said Albert, I just feel weird
- Don't feel weird, said Candy. You saved us both, without you, we wouldn't have been here…
Candy hugged him and Albert, who didn't remember them, was grateful to have done something good in his life. Candy asked for a transfer at the hospital and she was sent to St. Jacob hospital in New York. Terry left the theatre in Chicago. The owner was truly sorry to see him leave.
Candy's friends came to help them pack and take them to the train station.
- Good luck guys, said Annie
- If I get the role of Romeo, I'll send you guys invitations to the premiere
- "if"? said Candy, "When" he gets the role of Romeo
Terry smiled.
- You're sure of yourself…, he said
- Aren't you?
- Well…
- Come on! What happened to think positive? Said Candy
- Right! When I get the role of Romeo
- That's more like it! Said Candy
They all burst out laughing. They all said their goodbyes, then Candy, Terry and Albert got on board. They had a nice ride to New York and they talked most of the time. Then Candy fell asleep in Terry's arms. The men continued talking until they got to New York. Terry took them to his mother's townhouse.
- Terrence! She said hugging him
- Mom! I need you to give us shelter for a few days…
- Of course she said smiling, Candy? Hello!
- Miss Baker!
She hugged her.
- This is our friend Albert, said Terry
- Pleased to meet you, said Eleonor
- Madam, said Albert smiling and kissed her hand
Eleonor giggled. Candy and Terry looked at each other. There was definitely a connection there!
- Mom, said Terry can I sleep in the same room as Candy?
- Sure anything…oh… what? No way!
- Relax mom, I'm just teasing you, Candy is my wife…
- Your wife? She said Eleonor looking at them
- Yes, said Terry I married her…
- Oh…my God. Candy! Call me mom!
- All right mom! Said Candy
- Terry! How could you get married without me!?
They were all given bedrooms. They all had dinner together and Eleonor spent her time talking to Albert.
- Your mother has a crush on Albert, said Candy
- Yeah, can you believe that?
- He's a very attractive man
- "Attractive" you think of Albert as "attractive"?
- Well he is…you're not jealous are you?
- I've always wondered what kind of "friendship" you two had…
- He's my big brother, Terry, that's how I see him! I see you as the man I love, my husband the father of my children…
- All right you've convinced me…he said kissing her. I want you to come with me to the audition
- Why?
- Because you're my good luck charm…
- I am?
- Yes…like I'm yours
- Oh it's a two way street?
- Yes, that's how it is with your soul mates, everything they do together work and you're my soul mate…
- All right, I'll be there…
So the next day Terry arrived at the theatre with Candy and he was just in time for the auditions for Romeo and Juliet… Hathaway was glad to see him, really glad. He had been looking for the right Romeo and he knew Terry was going to be perfect. He did his audition with Karen Kleis…
- Terrence, I was waiting for you!
- Mr. Hathaway, I'm honoured…
- You're the best at what you do, trust yourself
- Thank you, Mr. Hathaway, he said
- I'm going to post the list now…
Susanna approached Terry all happy!
- Terry!!! It's so good to see you!!!!
- Susanna, he said coldly
- Terry congratulations on obtaining the role of Romeo, well I'm sure you'll get it!…I'll be playing Juliet, we need to rehearse together. You know what the old legend says that all the actors who play Romeo and Juliet end up getting married…
- Really? That's not going to happen with us
- Why not? I love you and you…
- I'm already married…
Candy appeared…
- How was your audition? Said Candy
- Good! I have a good chance
- You're going to get it…, she said kissing him on the lips for Susanna's show
Susanna couldn't believe her eyes. Terry with Candy and… She looked at Candy's finger, it was a wedding band… a wedding band!!!!!!! Terry was married!!! Married!! Her whole world came crashing down!
- Susanna, said Candy, how do you feel to see the "fan" married to Terrence Grandchester?
- But…, started Susanna
- Susanna, I thought you were my friend! How could you do this to me? Candy came at the hotel, you send her away? And again here at the theatre?
- Terry I…
- I have nothing to say to you, if we end up playing Romeo and Juliet, we'll talk during the play only! Excuse me…, said Terry leaving holding Candy's hand
- Terry, I'm sorry, I…
She ran away to cry in her changing room. Everybody was waiting for the results. It was Candy's turn to play with Terry, she was looking at the list…
- So?
- Wait, she said
- Freckles…
- I'm getting there…
- You're killing me!
- Romeo… Terrence Grandchester!!!!!!
- You're not kidding?
- I wouldn't kid about something like that…
- I'm Romeo?
- Yes!
He hugged her laughing and he turned around with her. They were happy, they were kissing. They left the theatre on cloud nine.
Susanna came to see that she got the role of Juliet. But she was not happy at all. Terry was married, Terry was unavailable and the worst of all, Terry hated her!
**********
The next day, Susanna didn't show up for the rehearsal. They waited for her for a while, back stage… they heard a loud noise. Everybody ran to see a spotlight had fallen on the stage.
- Oh my God! Said Hathaway, if we had been rehearsing…
- One of us might have hurt, said Terry
Later they got news that Susanna was depressed and unable to play Juliet. Karen Kleis was going to replace her as soon as they send her a message…She was glad to replace Susanna.
Candy started her job at St. Jacob Hospital and she was surprised to see Susanna in the psychiatric section…
"I hope she gets the help she needs, she thought"
Susanna became hysterical when she saw Candy… Nobody understood why the change of attitude. Candy didn't realise what was happening, and she continued her work.
Susanna Marlowe suffered a mental breakdown. She was so in love with Terry that the thought he was not returning her feelings drove her nuts, she refused to accept reality and made up her own little world where Terry was her husband. Candy was the evil witch, so in her world there was no Candy only Terry and their own world.
Candy told Terry about Susanna…
- Too bad, she was a good actress, said Terry
- She was a little obsessed with…
- A little?
- God help her…
The premiere of Romeo and Juliet was big. Terrence Grandchester was perfect; the critics were nice to him. Candy's friends came to celebrate with them. Candy was with Terry in his dressing room after the play.
- You were wonderful honey, said Candy
- Thank you…, said Terry
- You've accomplished your dream…
- I did, now I want my other dream
- Which one?
- The baby…
- Oh…
- I know you want to surprise me, for the premiere, but Candy tell me, you're pregnant right?
- Yes, Terry I'm pregnant! So much for my surprise…!
Terry was carrying her and spinning around with her screaming and laughing. Candy was surprised
Eleonor Baker had a big party for her son's big premiere. Everybody had fun.
Albert had a surprise for her during the party, he got his memory back.
- That's wonderful! She said
- I remember everything, said Albert, and it's a weird sensation…
- You know who you are now?
- Yes… and I'd like to tell everybody at the same time, if you don't mind.
- Everybody?
- Yes, can you gather them in one living room after the party ?
- All right, said Eleonor intrigued.
So after the party, when all the guests left. Everybody was in the living room
- I'm so happy to be here among friends and family, said Albert, I have news. I got my memory back!
- What? Said Candy and Terry that's wonderful!!!
- Yes! Said the others
- You remember Lakewood, London and everything? Said Candy
- Yes and then some!
- What do you mean? Said Terry intrigued
- Well, this is going to be a shock for you Candy, Alistair and Archie
- Why? Said Alistair
- My full name is William Albert Andrew, said Albert
- WHAT????!!! Said everybody at the same time
- I'm the Great Uncle William…
- Oh my God!!!!!!!! They all say
Albert told them his story…
- So let me get this straight, I was fighting in the streets of London, with the great William Albert Andrew?
- Yes, said Albert smiling
- And we took in the one of the richest man in America and nurse him back to health? Said Candy
- In your tiny apartment, said Albert smiling
- Oh my God! Said Eleonor, you're a billionaire?
Albert looked at her with fondness.
- Yes, he said smiling
- I'm speechless, said Eleonor
They had been getting closer… Now Albert knew who he was and what he could offer her… Albert approached her and kissed her hand.
- That doesn't change anything between us…, he said
- "Us"? Said Terry, you two are an "us"?
- Terry, said Candy not now…
- So Albert, you're Candy's father?
- Yes, said Albert…
- Oh…, said Terry this is so weird!
- My father is close to your mother….
- Don't remind me! Whispered Terry
- The Great Uncle William, said Alistair, wow!
- Yes, said Archie, you disappeared on us… letting us with the great aunt who was mean to Candy…
- Yes, I know, George was reporting everything to me, I'm sorry about that Candy… I should've been there for you…
- Oh Albert you were there for me when I needed you the most, thank you, said Candy going to hug him.
Terry looked at Candy, she was always too good.
- Thank you, little one, you're goodness incarnate and I'm proud to be your daddy
- Yes daddy! Thank you daddy said Candy laughing
- Archie, Alistair…
- I really needed to speak to someone, said Alistair, I was thinking about going to war…
- I'm here now and we'll have a talk, said Albert hugging his nephews
- It's good to finally have a man in the family we can count on, said Archie
- Yeah said Candy, Mrs. Reagan and the Great Aunt were making the rules and it was not pleasant at all! Thank God they didn't do anything about my marriage to Terry
- They probably though "good riddance" said Archie, even though I heard Neil was in love with you Candy, his mother wouldn't hear it! He wanted her to annul your marriage…and marry you!
- What??? Said Candy and Terry at the same time
- Don't worry even if he convinces his mother now, I won't allow it, said Albert, I'm the head of the family and you're my daughter and you're already married to a good man.
Candy and Terry smiled.
- We've got news too, said Terry
- Yes, said Candy, we're having a baby!!!!
Everybody screamed and congratulated them…
- By the way Terry, I want to be in my son's wedding, we're giving you a religious ceremony!
- Oh, said Terry looking at Candy
- Yeah, said Annie, I want to be in my sister's wedding too!!
- All right said Candy, I always wanted to wear the white dress…
- That's great! Said Patty
So Candy and Terry had a religious wedding ceremony for their friends and family, before Candy started showing… Terry invited the whole troupe. And the papers had a field day covering the wedding of the new star of Broadway and the Andrew heiress.
Candy had tears in her eyes when Terry told her:
- I declare my love for you as I invite you to share our life together, to be my lawful wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, from this time forward, I vow to love you and to cherish you, until death us do part
Terry couldn't hold his tears when Candy told him:
- I declare my love for you as I invite you to share our life together, to be my lawful wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, from this time forward…I swear to love you and to cherish you, until death us to part.
Eleonor was crying, holding Albert's hand and he kissed it looking at her with love. Terry was kissing his bride…
The reception was perfect. Everybody was happy for them. Terry was in seventh heaven, his career was wonderful, he was married to the girl he loved with a baby on the way.
Albert was going back and forth from Chicago and New York and finally stayed in New York for good. He was able to have a talk with Alistair and convince him not to go risk his life at the war. Patricia was ecstatic. Archie and Annie also got married and moved to New York away from the Reagans and closer to their friends and family. It took Alistair a little while but he finally married Patricia who was getting tired of waiting. But he was a little absent minded with his inventions, you had to remind him that the real world existed.
Albert finally married Eleonor Baker and the great aunt almost had a stroke. She went to Lakewood refusing to accept her nephew's marriage to a common Broadway actress. She blamed Candy of course for her bad influence, like Albert wasn't old enough to make his own decisions! The Reagans stayed in Chicago. They came to New York to visit and cause trouble, but that was nothing new. Eliza was still looking for someone to marry her and Neil was getting too close to the bad gangs and thugs. Albert took care of Neil and sent him to military school and Eliza had to clean up her act by going to stay with Aunt Elroy for a while… but she wouldn't listen, she finally married a playboy after her money who was having affairs publicly, well she did the same so they were a match made in hell.
Susanna Marlowe remained depressed for most of her life. Her brain refused to accept that Terry did not want her…
Candy had a beautiful baby girl she and Terry called, Hope. Because they never lost hope that they would be together again, as long as they were alive. Candy stayed home to raise her baby, but she would sometime volunteer at the hospital or orphanages. She would also do a lot of charity events.
In our lives we have all sort of opportunities, some good, some bad… if we chose wisely, we can be happy for the rest of our lives. Sometimes fate needs a little help. Candy and Terry kept missing each other, so they decided to do something about it and they found themselves sooner, which made all the difference in their lives. They were happy, they had a family and the most important, they were together for eternity.
The end.