The Royal Suite was in the dark. The couple was sleeping peacefully. They had to get up to go see Rose. But the comfort of their mutual body against each other...
- Honey, he said, we have to get up to go see Rose
- Yes, I know, but I don't want to leave your arms
- Me neither, he said with a sleepy voice, but we have to or we won't be able to go see Rose, it's going to be too late...
- You're right, let's get up
They got up slowly but they got ready to go have diner with their friend Rose.
- I can't wait to see her and I'm happy you're going to work in the same theatre as her..., said Candy
- Why? Asked Terry
- That way, she could keep an eye on all those wannabe actresses who will fall in love with you
- You don't trust me Snow White?
- I don't trust those little actresses...
- You're sure they're going to fall for me?
- I'm sure that I have the most handsome prince in the world and they're going to envy me...
- Well, after the scene Rose and I did, I think it looks like I'm going out with Rose...
- Really? Said Candy smiling, so I have nothing to worry about?
- You don't have to, ever, Snow White, because I love only you and I don't see any other woman
- Oh Terry! She said hugging him, I love you too with all my heart...
They kissed for a while and they got out of their suite to go see their friend Rose. They took a cab and they arrived at Rose's. She was living in a building, on the third floor. They rang the door, and Rose opened the door.
- Candy! She said hugging her hard, I'm so happy to see you again!
- Rose! Said Candy, oh Rose, I've missed you so much...
- I've missed you too! Terrence, hello again...
- Hello, said Terry
- Come in, please, said Rose smiling
They got in the apartment and they sat in the living room. Rose went to get some drinks.
- Candy, she said, how could you hide the fact that Terrence was alive from me? I almost had a heart attack when my colleagues who were awe about the newcomer...
- They were awe about Terrence? Said Candy
- Euh yes, said Rose looking at Terry
- Don't worry Rose, I don't hide anything from her, said Terrence smiling
- Oh, I know I have the most handsome man in the world , said Candy seriously and that girls will continue falling for him... on the boat there was Mireille Dubois and at school there was the horrible Eliza Reagan and others who didn't dare to say anything
- You seem pretty sure of yourself Candy, said Rose smiling
- That's because he loves me and only me... Am I right Prince Charming? Said Candy smiling
- Of course Snow White, said Terry winking at her
- Wow, said Rose, it's so beautiful to see you two together. Come on tell me about your reunion, said Rose
Candy and Terry told her about how they met again on the Mauritania and in college.
- My God, Candy, you must've suffered... you couldn't tell him anything. You couldn't tell him you already knew him, and that you were in love
- Tell me about it! It was funny to see him compliment me on something he actually taught me, said Candy
- No kidding! Said Terry laughing, that girl who didn't seem to be an easy girl, but she was kissing like an expert
- I took the risk of passing for an easy girl to try to trigger your memory, said Candy I almost gave up at one point...
- Oh, what happened? Said Rose
- My sister Annie showed me that my dream had come true. That the boy for whom I was crying every nights was really alive and that he needed me..., said Candy, so I persevered
- You let him come on to you again, said Rose smiling
The apartment smelled good. Rose had a friend who was helping her cook the dinner. Rose was looking at Candy and Terry and she thought about Jack... if he had survived, they would've been married and they would've had a family... A baby cry was heard.
- Rose, said Candy, did your friend brought her baby here? Can I see him?
- Euh..., said Rose
Rose's friend named Sally, brought a little boy who was about 10 months old and she gave him to Rose. Candy and Terry were looking, surprised. Rose started to talk.
- Candy, I had a surprise for you too, she said, this is Jack...
- Jack? Said Candy with tears in her eyes... can I hold him?
- Of course, said Rose smiling, you're his godmother...
Candy took the little boy, who was the splitting image of Jack and she was crying of joy.
- Hello Jack, she said with a little voice, you're so handsome! You look exactly like your daddy... Oh Rose, this is wonderful! Jack left a trace in this world!! Terry... Terry, this is Jack...
- Hi Jack, said Terry moved, I knew your daddy, you look exactly like him...
- Rose, thank you, said Candy crying
- You're very welcome and thank you Candy for your surprise; Terrence is alive...
Little Jack was smiling at Candy and she continued talking to him about Jack, how he loved life, how he loved to draw...
- Rose, said Terry, what a beautiful surprise
- Go say that to my mother, she called me a slut and a whore. She would've given anything for this baby to be Cal's... she said that I was stupid for not getting pregnant with a rich man's baby, but from a homeless boy...But I didn't care. I loved Jack with all my heart and this baby is the most beautiful present he could've given me...
She was crying while she said those words.
- Candy, Terry, you were lucky to have both survived the tragedy... you love each other, don't let anybody separate you, life... it's nothing, it could end in a second... I only had very little time with Jack and I would give anything to have one more minute with him...
Terry stood up and he went to hug Rose. Candy approached them with little Jack in her arms and they had a group hug. Sally arrived and that's how she found them.
- Oh... dinner is ready, she said smiling
- Thank you Sally, said Rose wiping her tears.
They went to the table and Candy had to pleasure to feed little Jack. They had a good dinner, laughing and joking. Rose looked at Candy with Jack.
- Candy, you love children don't you?
- Yes, said Candy smiling
- Hurry up and make a baby with Terry
Candy blushed and smiled shyly. Terry didn't say a thing, he was just smiling. After diner, while Terry was having tea in the living room, Candy was with Rose in the bedroom changing little Jack.
- So Candy, did Terry and you...? Asked Rose
Candy blushed and looked down.
- Did you do it? Asked Rose
- The day he got his memory back, we were so happy...
- ... that you expressed your love physically...
- I love him Rose... to find him again was a dream come true
- And he loves you too...
- I know that Jack loved you a lot...
- I loved him like crazy and when I found out I was pregnant, I was so happy...
- I'm happy you have Jack's baby... I remember when Terry told me you did it...
- What?
- Yes, your hair was messy, and your were smiling a lot, said Candy smiling
- A few minutes before the Titanic hit the iceberg...
- When it happened, I felt like I was living what happened in my book... you know that I even tried to tell the captain to change his course, not to go towards the icy waters?
- Really? But nobody was going to listen to a kid from the 3rd class or from the first class for that matter. No one was going to listen to a woman period...
- Do you know how many time I regretted not to have died?
- But we were saved for a reason, it was not our time. Let's not waste the life that was given to us, for Jack, for Fabrizio...
Candy hugged Rose in her arms for a while. Then, she took the baby and they walked to the living room.
- Ok, I'm not going to play the party pooper anymore! We're alive and life is beautiful!
They went back to the living room and they found Terry talking to Sally.
- Here they are! Said Terry, they were probably talking about ladies' stuff...
- We're here Terry, said Candy smiling
- Yes, Terrence. You're starting work tomorrow, said Rose
- Yes. We have to go to bed, said Terry
- You have to be in shape tomorrow, said Candy and I'm going to move in to our new apartment and you're going to find a hot dinner when you come back...
- That's going to be the best part of the day; to find you with a hot meal, said Terry
- Rose, said Candy, if you need anybody to look after Jack, you can bring him to me...
- All right, thank you very much Candy. Sometimes it's hard to find someone to baby sit and other working mothers have the same problem...
- Really, it's something we don't really talk about, said Candy
- Let's go, said Terry
- I'm going to come after the theatre to see your apartment, said Rose
- All right, see you tomorrow Rose, said Candy, bye Jack
- Bye Rose, bye Jack, said Terry
They left and they went back to the hotel. They got ready for the night.
- What were you and Rose talking about in the bedroom? Asked Terry
- She was asking me if you and I had...
- Made love?
- Yes...
- Oh...
- Well the only time she did it with Jack, produce a very beautiful present...he would've been so happy to have a baby with Rose...
- Yes, baby Jack... I can't wait to start a having our seven little dwarfs...
- Me too, but we're going to wait until we're married...
- Of course, said Terry, smiling, as soon as I get my first major role, we're getting married
- All right, she said smiling, but for the moment, Prince Charming, it's a pleasure to live with you in sin
- Oh... you weren't too ashamed while you were looking for an apartment for you and your fiancée ?
- No. Most owners didn't care anyway, they wanted their rent money, that's all. What we do in the apartment, they don't give a damn!
- Candy, I'm so happy to be here with you... I love you
- I love you too, Terry
They fell asleep in each other's arms. He had found a job, and she was going to wait for him in the apartment with a hot meal.
The next morning, they got up and they had breakfast in bed, that the manager had sent for them. Then, they packed their bags, got ready and they left the suite. The manager sent a bell boy for their luggage. He called a taxi for them and he wished them good luck.
- Well, the best of luck, Miss Andrew, said the manager
- Thank you, sir, said Candy, here is my new address, if by any chance, my father or his assistant come to look for me...
- Very well, Miss, said the manager, good by sir and good luck, once again
- Thank you very much, said Candy
- You're very welcome. It was my job to take care of the hotel and the members of the owner's family
- Goodbye, Said Candy and Terry
They took a cab to their new address on 5th Avenue... Terry helped her with the luggage and then, he had to go to the theatre
- I have to go, Freckles, he said
- Have a good day, darling, she said smiling
- Thank you. You have enough money for shopping?
- Yes, thank you.
He kissed her on the lips for a long time and then he left. Candy undid her luggage, and she put the clothes in the closet. Then she went to the kitchen to see what was missing. She needed pots and pans, dishes, glasses, cups... So she went out to a big department store and she went to buy some sheets, blankets, bedspread and everything she needed for the bathroom. She put some order and cleaned the bathroom. She also washed everything she had just bought for the kitchen. Now, she needed groceries... She went out to buy food and beverage. She came back and she was hungry and she made a sandwich. Terry surprised her by coming to see her during his lunch break...
- Prince Charming, she said smiling, what a nice surprise!
- I missed you, Snow White and I wanted to see how you were doing..., he said looking around, not bad at all...
- I want our apartment to be perfect...
- Candy, this apartment is perfect because you're here
- Oh Terry... You came to see how I was?
- And to get a few kisses from my beloved...
- I think I can take a little break, she said taking him to the bedroom...
Then, she made a sandwich for Terry too and he ate with appetite. Terry went back to the theatre and Candy went to see Florence. This last one was happy to see her...
- Candy? Oh... but you should've called me to help you out!
- I didn't want to disturb you...
- Ridiculous! I have practically nothing to do here; I'm bored
- Oh... well you cook very well; can you teach me a few recipes?
- With pleasure! I can surely teach you some secret recipes! We have to go shopping...
- No problem, let's go. I'm ready
She went out with Florence to go buy more food at the market. They went to bought meat, milk, fruits, vegetables... Florence showed Candy the stores where she could buy food for a fair price and a very good quality. She also bought flour, eggs. Then they went back to Candy's apartment and Florence showed her how to cook a pot roast, with vegetables, fruit pie, cake, baked potatoes... candy was learning. Terry was going to come back to feast that night!
- Thank you Florence, you're an angel, said Candy
- Oh, it's a pleasure, said Florence, you've filled my day Candy. Thank you...
- I'm going to set the table. Terry is supposed to come with Rose and Jack soon...
- All right. I'm going to see my husband; he must be thinking I've abandoned him!
- Thank you Florence, said Candy hugging her
Candy set the table and when Terry arrived with Rose, they found a real king's feast on the table. He had a surprise for her; he had bought his mother, Eleonor Baker.
- Hello honey, said Candy kissing him, oh... Miss Baker!
- Good evening Candy, he said hugging her
She let go of him and she went to hug Terry's mother.
- Good evening Candy, it's good to see you, said Eleonor
- Hello Rose, said Candy, Jack! Come here darling...
Eleonor, Terry and Rose were looking at the table, stunned.
- Candy? Said Terry, when did you have the time to do all this?
- Oh, it's a little too much, isn't it? Said Candy worried
- A little..., said Terry
- But it's perfect, said Eleonor smiling
- Florence came to help me cook and she taught me a few recipes I tried them on the spot, said Candy
- Great! Said Terry
- It looks delicious, said Rose smiling
- And for Jack, I've got baby food made with fresh fruits...
- Thank you Candy, said Rose
- I'm going to go get Florence and her husband, said Terry so they could help us eat all this food!
They burst out laughing. Candy put a tissue around Jack's neck and she started to feed him. He loved his food and he was clapping his hands. Terry came back with Florence and her husband and they ate in a very good atmosphere. The men were having tea in the living room, while Candy, Eleonor, Rose and Florence were washing the dishes.
- Rose, said Candy, I've got an idea...
- Really? What? Asked Rose
- Well to spend my days, I could take care of Jack and other children...
- Other children?
- Yes, I could baby sit children...
- Oh, that's a good idea, Candy, but are you sure you can do it?
- Yes, at the Pony Home, I was taking care of the children, I can do it...
- And I can help, said Florence, I've got an empty room we could use and put baby beds and toys...
- That's a great idea, said Eleonor, it's good that you want to do something, Candy
- Thank you Miss Baker...
- Call me mom, said Eleonor smiling
- Are you sure? I can call you "mom"? I've never had a mother...
- Well I'll be your mother too, since I'm Terry's mother...
- Thank you... mom! Said Candy hugging her.
Florence and Rose were looking at them smiling. Everybody loved Candy, Rose saw her as her little sister, Florence saw her like a daughter, and Terry swore by her! Candy and Eleonor let go of each other.
- Florence, you said you could help me? Said Candy
- Candy, you had just gave me a very good idea, said Florence, it's going to keep my days busy...
- But children can be very noisy, said Rose
- We've all been children, my dear, said Florence we're going to organise this, buy some beds...
- Yes, we need beds, parks, toys, said Candy, we're going to need a little fortune...
- You can ask Terry, said Rose
- No, not that much money, it's way too much, he already takes care of me...I'm going to look for a job, so I can open my baby caring business, said Candy
- Are you sure Candy? Terry could help you...
- And me too, said Eleonor
- I don't want to bother Terry or you mom, or you Rose. He's got to concentrate on his job and make it as an actor
- Oh, he's going to make it, you can take that to the bank. He's so talented and he's a natural! Said Rose, he's got his mother's genes
- He's going to have lines to learn and I don't want to bother him... no, I'm going to look for a job or I'll find another solution and thank you mom, but I'll manage
- As you wish Candy, said Rose
- But if you need help, come and see me, said Eleonor
- All right, but not a word to Terry, if this works, I'm going to tell him myself...
- All right, said Rose, mum's the word
- I can help you Candy, said Florence
- Florence, you're ready to give us a room in your house..., said Candy
- And the garden, said Florence
- And the garden, said Candy, let me see what I can do first, then I'll let you know..., continued Candy
- All right, Candy, said Florence
- And I know a lot of actresses who need help with their children, said Eleonor, you're going to have a lot of customers
- I hope so, said Candy
- Let's go to the living room, said Rose, the guys must me bored...
They finished the dishes and put it in the cupboard and they went to the living room and they found Terry playing with Jack and Henry, Florence's husband too...
- Look at them, said Florence, 3 big babies!
They all burst out laughing. Then, Rose left with Jack and Florence and her husband went downstairs to their house. Eleonor was last to go.
- I'm so glad you're here, Terrence, said his mother
- I'm happy to be near you, said Terry
- It doesn't shock you that we're living together? Asked Candy
- Well, with everything you had been through, I assume you don't want to be separated anymore, not even for one night... said Eleonor, it's not very conventional, but who am I to talk? I had a child out of wedlock...
- I'm happy I was born, mum, said Terry smiling and I don't blame you...
- Thank you Terry. Good, I'm going to leave now and go back home... I'm going to invite you to eat at my place too... why not every Sunday, if your free of course? Said Eleonor
- Every Sunday? Said Candy looking at Terry who approved with his eyes, of course mum, we're going to be there every Sunday... it's great to be part of a family!
Eleonor saw their eyes; they were perfect together and they understood each other without having to spell it out.
- Goodbye mom, said Candy and Terry at the same time
Eleonor left, leaving the lovebirds alone. What a wonderful day!
Candy went to take a shower before she went to bed and Terry went with her. They went to bed together and Terry told her about his first day at work. He was so passionate when he talked about it, he looked so happy. Candy was happy, because Terry was happy.
- I'm glad you're doing what you like honey, and that you've got your mother near you
- Me too...
- It doesn't bother you that I call her "mom"?
- Of course not! You're my other half, so my mother is also your mother
- Thank you Terry. You don't know what this means to me...
- But I do...I've lived without her and I never had a mother's love. My father's wife treated me like dirt... a mother's love is wonderful and to share it with you, is only making me happy...
- Thank you Terry, said Candy one again
- But you, you're not going to be bored all alone, during the day?
- Don't worry about me, Prince Charming, I've got lots of ideas in my head
- All right he said kissing her
Candy abandoned herself in her beloved's arms. Later, she thought about her plan and how she was going to set it in motion. But tomorrow was another day, for the moment, she was in Terry's arms and she wanted to sleep.
