Forget me never...

Letters 58

Chicago, (10 years ago)

My dear Terry,

I hope that all is well. I started writing this letter a million times and I didn't have the courage to continue. What happened to Susanna is horrible. I hope with all my heart that she will get better. I wouldn't want to have her death on my conscience. Already, we have broken all the rules by meeting in hiding. While we were fornicating, Susanna had need of you and you weren't there. I am really sorry. My selfishness almost cost her her life. You already know all of this, so I will tell you why I am writing after sending that breaking up letter. Our clandestine meeting had some consequences. I'm pregnant! I'm panicking and I'm happy at the same time. I'm not married and you must marry Susanna.

I made the decision to leave town, so I won't splash the Ardley family with scandal. The Great Aunt Elroy will have a fit and give reason to Neil and Eliza. I'll still talk to Albert about it, as he is the great uncle William, I'll keep him updated with my projects.

I'll not mail this letter because I don't want my problems to come and disturb your life once again. Susanna needs you, she loves you, she saved your life, she lost her leg for you. I'm a big girl, I'll take care of the fruit of our love. Despite all, I'm very eager to see the little being that you and I have made. Don't worry about me.

I love Terry and I already love our child,

Your Freckles-soon-to-be-mommy,

Candy

***

My dear Terry, (10 years ago)

I have informed Albert of my situation and he has offered a possible solution for me. He asked me to marry him so that I won't be forced to leave the town and my friends and family. I'm going to accept, because I'm really desperate. The only other option would be to tell you about this and wait for you to come running to me... But Susanna still needs you, unfortunately, and I can take care of myself and the baby. Albert will take care of us. I know that you be hurt when you will learn the news and I beg your forgiveness, my love, for the hurt that I will cause you.

I would have liked to live these moments with you so much. To marry you and wait for the baby's arrival with you. Albert is a wonderful man, but I think that each time he looks at me, he sees my love for you. And the baby is a constant reminder of your presence in my life. So he has left on a trip. I am alone at the manor with great-aunt Elroy. Albert told her that I was expecting his baby, so she is very caring for me. But I miss Albert, I know I asked too much of him, I think that he is in love with me and that I disappointed him.

Otherwise, everything is going well with the baby. He is growing well in my belly and I'm eating lots of fresh vegetables and fruits. I at least have Annie's company because she will also have a baby soon too. So it's not so bad.

I miss you so much my love.

I love you.

Your Juliet

***

My dear Charlie,

I'm writing to you because I finally decided to read Candy's letters, that I had stopped reading when I received the one from Anthony-William, announcing me his existence. I knew I couldn't resist long if I read those letters. She explains to me what happened why she hid my son from me... I knew it unconsciously, but I was angry... that anger was mostly against myself, for not have made the right decision when it came to Candy and I. I should've chosen her and dump y duty... If only... but then again, "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride"...

Candy has made me the most wonderful gift in the world. She sacrificed herself twice so I could do my duty and I have to admit that if I hadn't done, I would've felt guilty for Susanna until the day I die. I don't regret the moment of weakness I had with Candy, because it produce our wonderful son. You're right when you say that I've never been more happy in my life. For ten years I was unhappy, and fulfilling my duty and when I was finally free, I learn that I have a family with the woman I love more than anything in this world. And instead of rejoicing myself like I should've, I get angry with her...I was blinded by my pride... I was angry, because she has made the decision without talking to me. I was upset at her for disposing of my life like that... but she did what she had to, because she knew me better than anybody else. She even moved here to New York, without me asking her too, to be near me and our son. She did everything she had to for us to be a family... and you're right, she could've gotten married, but she was waiting for me and I'm not going to risk it and let another man steal her from right under me because I was to angry with the woman I love. My father came to America to meet his grandson, but also to get my mother back. To finally see them together and happy only encouraged me to get back together with Candy... My father had left my mother for his duty and obligations he had with his family. And here he is, twenty years later, to the starting point... for me it's been ten years, Candy and I are not even 30 yet... sometimes I wonder how could we, at our young age make that kind of decision, so mature and so adult... we were only kids, if you think about it!

I went to the Andrew manor and I saw Archie, the one I call the dandy, remember? I told you about him; how we used to fight in school because of Candy. Well ever since I learned that he was a father to my son, instead of being jealous, I'm grateful to him... I've matured, haven't I? Why would I be jealous? Anthony-William is a bright young boy, and that's also partly because of the dandy. So I saw Archie, who told me that Candy was in the living room in charming company. He probably wanted to make me jealous, and it worked of course! Candy was in the said living room, talking with a young man about orphanages in town. My dear Candy and her legendary generosity. She had moved to New York and she was looking where the orphanages were to help them out. But I didn't trust the body language of that young man. When I got there, she looked at me and she smiled. Like there was nothing to it. She ended her conversation with the young man and he left trying to get a date out of her that she politely refused. The young man left and made me a sign with his head. Did he recognise me? Well at that moment, I really didn't care about that. Candy greeted me and invited me to sit beside her. She offered me something to drink...Then she waited for me to talk... I looked at her big green reassuring eyes. She also could've been angry with me, but of course, she's always been the matured one in our relationship... I apologised, I asked her to forgive me for my childish behaviour. I told her that I've stopped reading her letters after receiving the one our son sent to me. I also told her that I had just read her letters just before I came to see her. She smiled to me and she said it was about time that I mature. I told her that I loved her more than anything in the world and I thanked her for the wonderful little boy she gave me. She asked me to forgive her and I told her that there was nothing to forgive. She told me that she loved me and we kissed. I proposed to her and she said yes...

Anthony-William is beside himself. His parents are getting married and he was going to have a normal family like everybody else. I think he's even happier than us if that's possible.

That's the latest news, buddy. I hope you'll come back in time to be my best man. I want to do things right for my son. My parents are already getting married before us. I'm waiting for you, buddy. I don't want to get married without you. Give my regards to your wife. I hope you come back with her with a bun in the oven. Otherwise, let me know, I'll show you how to do it!

Your buddy,

Terry