Chapter 68 "The reunion"

63 7 0
                                    



Eleonor Baker was in the hospital waiting room. She arrived in catastrophe to be by her daughter's bedside and she was blaming herself for the thousandth time to have left her in the hands of the Susanns. She was wondering where was Marlowe...

Marlowe was looking for Candy in every hospitals, he didn't know where she was. He was unsuccessful she was probably under an assume name... It was not time to get paranoid/, he had to find Candy and make sure she was fine. He finally found the hospital and he arrived running in the waiting room, He saw Candy's mother.

- Where the heck were you?

- I didn't know in which hospital they took her to...

- What do you mean, you didn't know?

- Your husband's bodyguards came in and they took her as soon as she fell...

- He's not my husband..., started Eleonor

- Sorry, the father of your daughter...

- My pregnant daughter is unconscious, she fell on the stairs at your place! So your sarcasm, I can do without!

- I'm sorry Miss Baker, said Marlowe ashamed, I've been looking for her for hours... the bodyguards disappeared without a word...how is she?

- She still hasn't regain consciousness, she was having contractions, they had stopped them because it's too soon... how did it happened! Where were you?

- It was an accident... She was arguing with my mother and she slipped...

- Why was she arguing with your mother? I don't see my daughter been so careless on the stairs...

- I... I had set her free...and my mother didn't agree...

- So she pushed my baby down the stairs?

- She was trying to prevent her from leaving... it was an accident, he repeated

A doctor arrived to talk to them.

- You're her mother?

- Yes, doctor, said Eleonor, how is she?

- She still unconscious, the placenta unglued itself a little, which made her bleed and provoked the contractions , which we stopped. She's got a big bump on the back of her head, and a concussion. We'll know more once she wakes up and the sooner the better. But on the other hand, the more she sleeps, it's better for the baby... we gave her a sedative.

- Can I see her?

- Yes, but just for a minutes, said the doctor

- Thank you doctor, said Eleonor running inside the room where her daughter was.

Eleonor got in the room and she found her daughter asleep hooked up to all these machine with her belly.

- My baby girl, she said approaching the bed and taking her hand, my princess, wake up, but only when you're ready...I love you darling. Get some rest...

She stayed with her daughter for a while and she left the room to let her rest. She got in the hallway and she saw Marlowe's parents. She walked to the mother and she practically jumped to her neck and she started hitting her. Mrs. Susann screamed. Marlowe and his father were trying to separate them, finally the bodyguards arrived to help them.

- It's your fault! You tried to kill my baby!!!

- It was an accident! Said Mrs. Susann, you're certifiably crazy!

- Get out of here! I don't want to see you here! Leave!

- No, but who do you think you are?

Eleonor talked to the bodyguards.

- Call security . I don't want to see this woman here! She pushed my daughter down the stairs!

- That's not true! It was an accident! She screamed

The security agents soon arrived to take Mrs. Susann out of the hospital and she was screaming and protesting calling Eleonor names. Marlowe and his father were ashamed. The father looked at Eleonor.

- Miss Baker... I apologise for my wife... how is Candy?

- She still unconscious... the placenta is unglued...

- Is the baby in danger? Asked Marlowe

- Do you care? Really? Said Eleonor

- But of course!

- No, you took my daughter and kept her prisoner, and you were not even capable of keeping her safe and sound? You really think she couldn't have left with her father? He's all powerful! She stayed because you saved her life and because she owedyou. She's a princess, Marlowe, and you and your family had treated her like... She could've sent you to hell! You separated her from Esther!... You find out her secret and what do you do?You blackmail her! I should have you arrested for blackmail!!!

Eleonor went to sit very upset. The nurses and the medical staff were looking at them. It was the great Eleonor Baker, Princess Candy's mother. She was letting Marlowe have it, he was princess Candy's official boyfriend and she was probably expecting their baby... But the staff had sworn to secrecy, the bodyguards had make sure that no information was leaked to the media.
Marlowe went to look at Candy by the glass window inside her room.

- Oh my God Candy. Please forgive me for my mother. Please wake up honey. For your baby, for me, for your family, come back to us,,, I love you Candy... more than anything... Please wake up...

He was praying and crying softly. He father arrived and put his arm aroung his shoulder.

Terry arrived running with Esther in his arms. They saw Eleonor and they approached her. She stood up when she saw them.

- Grandma! Said Esther reaching out to her

- Esther! Said Eleonor taking her in her arms with love, oh my little darling, I've missed you!

- Esther missed you too, she said

- How is she? Asked Terry after briefly hugging her

- She still unconscious...

- Can I see the doctor before I see her? Asked Terry

- Where is mummy? Asked Esther

- Mummy is sick, said Eleonor, she's asleep

Then turning to Terry.

- I'm going to send the bodyguard to get the doctor

- Where is she?

Eleonor showed him with her finger, where Marlowe was looking in at the window. She stayed with Esther, she didn't want her to see her mother before she explained her what was going on.

Terry walked to the window and she stood behind Marlow and his father and he heard Marlowe's prayer...

- Candy, please, think about the baby, he needs you, I need you... Come back my love, for our child...

Terry felt like his heart was exploding! What was he talking about? "Their child"? He looked at the window, the blinders were open and he was able to see Candy lying down with her big belly and the machines connected to it, monitoring the foetal heartbeat... Candy was pregnant! Oh my God!

The doctor arrived and Marlowe and his father turned around.

- Doctor? Said Marlowe, can I see her? Asked Marlowe.

- Just for a minute, said the doctor.

- Thank you doctor. Said Marlowe running inside the room.

Terry looked at him. He turned to the doctor.

- Doctor, said Terry, can I talk to you?

- And you are? A family member?

- Well..., started Terry

- I can only talk to family members...

- You didn't even give me the time to answer, said Terry

- I know the mother and her boyfriend..., started the doctor

- WELL I'M HER HUSBAND!!!! Yelled Terry upset, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MY WIFE'S FILE! I'M A DOCTOR!!!

Eleonor, approached them after leaving Esther with the bodyguards.

- What's going on?

- The man..., started the doctor.

- The man told you he was my daughter's husband, said Eleonor

- But M. Susann...,started the doctor

- Terry is the princess' husband, said Eleonor, give him his wife's file...

- She's going to have a child with another man, whispered the doctor

Eleonor had heard that...

- That's none of your business doctor, he's her husband, it's his child...

Terry looked at Eleonor with grateful eyes.

- Follow me sir, said the doctor to Tery, let's go to my office, I want to tell you about euh... your wife's case.

Terry followed the doctor. M. Susanna stayed with Eleonor.

- Her husband?

- You heard him...

- He lied...

- Far away from me to contradict the man my daughter loves...

- Don't you see that you're not making your daughter look good? She was living with my son...

Eleonor got near Esther.

- Why was daddy screaming?

- He's worried about mommy, that's all, said Eleonor

- Can I see mummy? Asked Esther.

- Let's wait until daddy comes back, said Eleonor.

In the doctor's office...

- I apologise..., said the doctor.

- I apologise for raising my voice, said Terry.

He explained Candy's case to Terry.

- She still hasn't regained consciousness?

- Yes and the longer she remains... well I don't need to explain it to you, you're a doctor

- She's going to wake up since I'm here, said Terry with assurance

- I like your positive attitude... you wife needs it, her mother and her... friend

- Doctor, I can assure you that my daughter and I are going to make all the difference. Can I see her?

- Of course, but not for long...

- Thank you.

Terry got out of the office and walked towards Candy's room. Marlowe was still there. He looked at Terry. He stood up and left the room. Terry approached the bed. He looked at the belly.

- Hi princess, he said, I'm here and I brought Esther with me... you have to wake up to give her a big hug... She has a lot of stories to tell you... one in particular you're going to like a lot, I'm sure of it... Princess, wake up, please. It's time for us to have our time together... even if...oh my God, please help me, even if you're having another man's child...wake up and tell me nothing has changed... that it was just a moment of madness... I forgive you in advance... I love you princess...

Marlowe in the hallway was hearing him. He wanted to tell him the truth, but he wanted to see what Terry was going to do, in any case, until now, he wasn't moving away from Candy. His father approached him.

- He thinks it's your child?

- Yes...

- He still loves Candy...

- He's crazy about her... I can understand him, I love her despite the fact that she's having another man's child...

- You're going to tell him?

- I'm going to let him sweat a little

Terry got out of the room and went to get Esther who was with Eleonor.

- Come honey, let's go see mommy

- All right.

He carried her and took her to Candy's room.

- Oh daddy, look at mummy's belly! It's Billy! I'm sure of it! Mummy is going to have a baby!

- I can see, said Terry smiling

Esther was so happy... a child of Candy's was her brother or her sister... and a child by his wife? It was his child... Because he loved Candy more than anything in the world, there was no question about it...

- Mummy, said Esther, wake up , mummy, I came to see you, I want you to talk to me, mummy...

The doctor and the nurses arrived.

- What's going on? Asked Terry

- There's a change in the monitors..., said the doctor, it seems that your presence is good for your wife...

- Did you hear that princess? Said Terry, come on, I know you like to make an impression, but it's time for you to wake up and see our daughter whose missed you so much...

- Mummy, said Esther, I have to tell you how Billy came to see us in Chicago...

She started telling what she had done with Billy, while the doctor and the nurses were examining Candy...

Candy fell like she was in a big fog, she was trying to wake up, she heard Esther and Terry's voices, she had to wake up, to see them... Esther... Terry...

- Esther..., she said almost whispering

- Yes, mummy! Mummy! You're awake!! Said Esther lying on her mummy

- My baby, said Candy opening her eyes

- Princess? Said Terry

- Sapphire eyes? What are you two doing here?

- We came to get you and Billy! Said Esther

- Billy? Said Candy

- My little brother! Said Esther

- Oh, said Candy looking at Terry

- When did you plan on telling me? Asked Terry

- I was on my way to Chicago, when the accident happened..., said Candy, can you help me sit up, please?

Terry took the remote and pressed the button to lift the back of the bed up. Candy took her daughter and hugged her. The nurses came to take the machines off her belly.

- The heartbeat is regular, he's moving, and everything is fine for the moment. But you have to rest... your husband will see to it...

- I'm sure of it, said Candy smiling

- It's a real miracle to see how your health changed the second when he came inside the room, said the doctor.

Eleonor arrived and went to hug her daughter.

- My baby! She said.

- Oh mum...

- Are you all right?

- Yes, I'm fine, Terry and Esther are here, said Candy

- And Billy is coming soon, said Esther

- Billy? Said Eleonor

- My little brother! Said Esther caressing Candy's belly

- Oh, you're sure it's a boy?

- Yes, said Esther and he looks like daddy...

Eleonor looked at Terry.

- Esther, come with me, let's go buy a beautiful stuffed animal for mommy

- Mummy and daddy want to talk alone? Said Esther

- You're way too smart for your age, said Eleonor, let's go!

- All right..., I'll be back mum, ok?

- Ok, said Candy hugging her

Esther and Eleonor left closing the door behind them. Candy looked at Terry.

- I missed you, said Candy

- I missed you , said Terry

- Why are you so far away from me? You don't want to hug me?

Terry looked at her. Yes, he was afraid of hugging her, he was afraid she was going to tell him that he baby was Marlowe's... he didn't want to hear it. It was his baby! He was dying to hug her...

Candy thought that Terry was angry with her because of their long separation. She was on he way to join him when she fell on the stairs... She was careless; she had put the life of her baby in danger, that's why Terry was angry with her.

Some nurses came in to groom Candy, since it had been a few hours she was unconscious.

- I'm going to go get a coffee, said Terry

- All right, said Candy sadly

Terry got out of the room. He went for a walk and he found himself in the hospital boutique. He met Esther and Eleonor.

- Daddy! You came to buy a present for mummy too?

- Yes, said Terry, while the nurses are grooming mommy...

- All right, said Esther, can we go see the sick children grandma?

- Of course honey, said Eleonor

- Have fun! Said Terry

He stayed in the boutique and he bought a present for Candy and he went to the flower shop and he bought her the most beautiful bouquet of flowers. He went back to Candy's room. She had changed her hospital gown and brushed her hair.

- Terry..., she said smiling, those flowers are for me?

- Yes, said Terry, giving her the bouquet

- Thank you , they're beautiful.

He also gave her a small package giftwrapped. But before she opened her present, there was a knock on the door and a technician came in with an ultrasound machine.

- We're going to check the baby's state to make sure he's all right..., said the doctor

- Terry? Said Candy reaching out to him with her hand.

He approached her and took her hand. How could he resist? She was so beautiful with her begging eyes. He sat on a arm chair near the bed, holding her hand... the doctor put the cold liquid on her belly... they could hear the baby's heartbeat, very fast. Terry looked at the screen with Candy.

- The baby is fine, the placenta is a little unglued, are you still bleeding?

- No, said Candy

- It's incredible. It looks like your body is healing itself, very fast.

- That's a good thing, right, doctor?

- Of course...

- Terry and Esther arrived...

- You want to know the sex of the baby? Asked the doctor

- It's a boy, said Candy, Billy

- How do you know?

- Esther said it, said Candy

- Is she right, doctor? Asked Terry

- Yes, said the doctor, it's a boy...

- Hi Billy, said Candy'

Esther also said that Billy looked like him, thought Terry.

- Hi Billy, said Terry squeezing Candy's hand.

- Hi Billy, said the doctor, everything is fine

- Thank you doctor, said Candy smiling

- I want to keep you under observation until tomorrow and if everything is fine, you'll be able to go home

- Wonderful! Said Candy

The doctor got out and the nurses came to get the machine. They were alone again.

- Terry, she said, forgive me

Terry's heart exploded. She was asking for forgiveness... so it was true!

- Why are you asking for forgiveness? Did you do something wrong?

- Yes, with Marlowe..., but you see, he saved my life...

Terry felt like they were ripping his heart out.

- It was just a moment of madness?

- No, said Candy, it was gratitude...

She slept with him by gratitude???!!!

- Did you think about the baby?

- Yes, I'm crazed with joy, she said smiling and caressing her belly

He was still waiting for a confession...

- So , she said, you forgive me?

She was looking at him.

- Terry? Is everything all right?

- Yes, why?

- Why? Because you haven't hugged me yet, you haven't kissed me yet, you haven't congratulate me for the baby... is something wrong? I took too long right? You've met someone else?

- With Esther around? She spends her time telling all the women I met that I was going to marry her mommy... She even got attached to Daniel's wife because she looks like you...

- She looks like me?

- Yes, that guy is nuts...

Terry took his phone and showed him a picture of Esther with Daniel's wife.

- Oh my God! Said Candy

- We were at a medical conference in Germany, I met a British doctor and Esther got attached to her because she talked like you... that's when I noticed that Esther had Americanized her accent by living with me...

- I missed her a lot too, even if it doesn't look like it... I was on my way to come and join you to explain about the baby... but it looks like you already knew...

- No, I didn't...

- Wasn't Esther talking about Billy?

- I was listening, without listening... Billie told me to listen to children...

- Did you forgive me, Terry? We still have time to be a family...

- Forgive?

- For Marlowe and what happened...

He remained silent and looked at her. Forgive her? He loved her so much. A fault confessed is half redressed, right?

- I love you princess, of course I forgive you, for everything, for Marlowe, for the baby!

He went to sit on the bed and he hugged her with joy. But Candy pushed him away...

- What's going on? He asked

- For the baby?

- Yes, I forgive you...

- What exactly are you forgiving me for? Asked Candy

- Everything you said?

- What did I say?

- That you were with Marlowe for a moment of madness by gratitude...

- WHAT???!!!

- I forgive you, said Terry

- You think I slept with Marlowe???!!!

- And you're having a baby...

Candy slapped Terry! Eleonor and Esther arrived just at that moment.

- What's going on? Asked Eleonor.

- He thinks I'm having Marlowe's baby! Said Candy

- Well, did you tell him it was his? Asked Eleonor

- I didn't think I needed to say it! Said Candy.

- Can we not do this in front of Esther? Said Terry.

- What's going on? Asked Esther.

- Mummy and daddy are playing a game, go with Grandma in the hallway.

- But mummy, I bought you a gift, said Esther

She approached her and gave her, her present. Candy took the present and opened it. It as a frame shaped like a heart: there was a big one in the middle and two little ones on each side.

- The big one is for you and daddy and the two little ones are for me and Billy...

- Billy and I, said Terry

- Sorry, Billy and I, said Esther

- Thank you honey, she said hugging her.

Esther saw Terry's present.

- You didn't open daddy's present?

Before Terry could stop her, Esther had given the present to Candy, who rushed to open it. It was a silver plate where two hands were engraved and it was written: "Trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets" Jean-Paul Sartre."

- A very explicit gift, said Candy coldly, Esther go with grandma now

- All right mummy...

Eleonor took Esther and they got out of the room. Terry looked at her.

- Candy... my turn to apologise...

- The lack of communication between us is epic...

- You're the princess of misunderstandings...

- It looks like you're always ready to assume the worst about me...

- I heard Marlowe talking about you and the baby...

- And you assumed he was the father?

- Please forgive me, my love, I should never assume... but I was upset to find you pregnant and you haven't told me anything

- Never assume... you assumed I was an easy girl, while you were my first...If I had told you about the baby, what would you have done?

- I would've come and get you before you could say, "I'm pregnant"...

- I had to finish my duty Terry... that's why I didn't tell you anything... I was going to show up at your door with Billy...

- You agree with the name?

- In honour of your mother? Yes, of course. She was my friend, remember?

- You forgive me for jumping to conclusions?

- Yes, I forgive you, there were extenuating circumstances... But I'm not going to apologise for the slap, you deserved it...

- Really? He said approaching her, you're lucky I'm a gentleman; otherwise I would've slapped you back...

- You'd hit a pregnant woman? I don't think so...

Terry took her in his arms.

- You were ready to take me, thinking I was having another man's child?!

- Yes, princess, I love you, you're my wife, for better or worse... and I've missed you so much!!!

- I love you, Sapphire eyes...

He finally took her lips in a fierily kiss, hungry and long overdue... They kissed for a long time, Candy's belly was stuck to Terry and he felt a movement... They stopped. Terry put his hand on her belly...

- Hello Billy, said Terry

- Hello William, said candy, daddy is here...

- Since you placenta is slightly unglued, I say we won't be able to have fun soon enough!

- Terry! Said Candy laughing

- What? I've missed you for months and I can't make love to you...

He kissed her again.

- Are you done playing? Asked Esther at the door, since you're kissing on the lips now?

- Yes, honey, Said Candy reaching out to her

The little one ran and Candy put her on her bed.

- Say hi to Billy...

- Hi, Billy...

Candy put the little hand on her belly and it moved. Esther burst out laughing. The little family was enjoying themselves. Marlowe looked at them sadly.

- She's fine, we can leave, he said

- Let's pray she doesn't press charges against your mother, said his father

- That's true, I should talk to her,,, but I don't want to disturb them...

oOoOo

The duke was in a plane towards America. He was eager to see his little princess again.

oOoOo

Meanwhile at Henry and Lissa's...

- Are you ok sweetie?

- No, I can't join Terry...

- I can't believe Richard used you protégée that way!!!

- You know honey, I was thinking about something...

- Yes?

- How does Richard know about Terry?

- He's spying on us?

- By doing what? Bugging our cellphone? That's illegal...

- He's all powerful, he does whatever he wants...

- Exactly, he's all powerful, we went to see him for help, why would he make fun of us?

- You think your protégée is actually our son?

- The first time I saw Terry at that conference, my heart jumped in my chest... and when we started talking... it was like we knew each other for a long time...

- You didn't see the resemblance?

- I wasn't looking for a resemblance...

- You've got a picture?

- You never asked me before?

- I was jealous of the attention you were giving him...

Lissa went to get her photo album and showed him pictures of Terry. Henry looked at Terry amazed. According to Richard, that young man was his son?

- Oh my God! He said

- What?

- He looks like my father when he was younger...

- Really? Said Lissa

- Yes, when I was little... you're right, Richard didn't make fun of us! Your protégé is our son!!!

- Look at his birthdate... oh my God! The explanations are saying that the orphanage gave him as a birth day, the day he was found... that's a few days after I had my baby...

- Let's go to America, said Henry.

- What about the condition?

- Let's find our son first... we'll see the rest later.

- Very well.

He took his phone and asked his assistant to make arrangements for them to make a trip to America.

Terry TerryWhere stories live. Discover now