It's a lovely spring morning in Genovia. With one week to go before Queen Clarisse's youngest daughter, Erica 21, who she had together with Joseph, get's married to her childhood sweetheart, Tom, and with just two days away from their eldest daughter who just turned 25, Olivia's due date everyone's beginning to panic that she will go over and end up having her first baby on Erica's wedding day.
Although thing's never worked out with Joseph, getting divorced when the girls were 8 and 4 they have remained friends. Always working together to make sure that the girls and their happiness came first. Even when Joseph moved to London to be with his new wife, Gabby and started a new family he always put his two eldest daughters feelings before his own and included them in everything, including family holidays.
Joseph had been Queen Clarisse's personal body guard and head of the Palace security for 10 years before they gave into their feelings and got married, Clarisse was surprised at herself when she committed to another relationship, after her first marriage to King Rupert. Having two sons together before he died when she was 27 years old. She was left heartbroken and was thankful to Joseph for being there and helping him raise her Sons as she continued to rule Genovia.
And now on this lovely warm day as she shares her life with her fiance, Michael, while helping to plan their daughters wedding with Joseph, both agreeing to give her a day she will remember for the rest of her life, nothing could possibly go wrong, could it?
Michael stood in the door way of the bedroom he shared with the Queen, watching as she rolled onto her back and put her arm up, covering her eyes with it as she sighed. Slowly he walked over to the bed and started crawling up the bed, placing soft kisses on Clarisse's arm and shoulder.
"Michael," Clarisse whispered while lifting her arm a little "Not now, please." She asked.
"Aww come on Clari," He whispered and started kissing her jaw and neck.
"Michael please," Clarisse whispered and looked at him as he lifted his head to look at her "I have to get up, I have a busy day and I can't be late." She said, studying his face as he sighed.
"Well when then?" He asked and looked at her.
"I don't know," She sighed as he rolled over laying beside her "You know I've been busy with the girls and other stuff,"
"I know, but surely you can make time for us?" He asked while turning his head to look at her "I've hardly seen you this last few months, I just want to spend sometime with you that's all."
"I know and we will soon, I promise." She said looking at him as he sat up.
"Oh well, I can dream." He said climbing of the bed and looked at her "I won't keep you a moment longer," He said turning and started walking over to his bathroom door "Your daughters are waiting, I'm sure." He said while walking through to the bathroom and pushed the door up.
"Michael, that wasn't fair." Clarisse exclaimed while sitting up and looked towards the door.
With a sigh she climbed of the bed and walked into her bathroom, slamming the door behind her. After getting ready she headed downstairs for breakfast, being joined by Olivia a short while later.
"Morning Mom," She smiled while standing beside her.
"Good morning," Clarisse smiled up at her as she lent over and kissed her "Did you sleep well?"
"No," Olivia laughed while grabbing a glass of orange juice and sat down at the table "Oh by the way I wanted to make sure again that you don't mind me staying here?"
"Of course not darling, you know this is your home too." Clarisse smiled while picking up her cup of tea and took a couple sips "I know with Jason being away in the army, I would prefer you being here and not at home, just in case you went into labor." She said and took a couple sips of her tea.
"Yeah I know, thank you Mom." Olivia smiled while putting her hand on her bump "I just remembered Daddy is coming home today," She grinned.
"Wait, what?" Clarisse exclaimed while putting the cup down and looked at her as she smiled "He isn't staying here is he?" She watched as Olivia shook her head "Oh thank god, not that him staying here is a problem of course, it's just with everyone staying here already it's a bit crazy."
"I know, he and the girls are staying at my place, which really with the three of them at my place I am grateful for being here." She smiled as Clarisse sipped some more of her tea "I know there's obviously more people staying here than there is at my place, but here there is more room." She smiled as Clarisse nodded.
"Well you are welcome to stay here for as long as you need to darling." Clarisse nodded as Olivia smiled.
"Talking of Daddy, I need to talk to you about something." Olivia said as Erica came in.
"Mom," She exclaimed as they both looked at her "What are you doing?" She asked while waving a whip at her.
Grabbing the whip from her she smiled "Sitting here, talking to Olivia why?" She asked and looked at the whip, suddenly remembering then looked back at Erica "Whoops, I forgot."
"Yes I know you did," Erica laughed "Your Son's are waiting and so am I, so get up them stairs and get changed already." Erica laughed as Clarisse stood up.
"Are they really waiting?" She asked.
"Yes, they are getting our horses ready, now go and get ready before I make use of this whip!" She exclaimed and gently tapped her on the back of her shoulder with it as Olivia giggled.
"Alright, I'm going, I'm going." Clarisse laughed while walking out the kitchen.
"Mind saying that," Erica said while looking at the whip while holding it up in front of her "She probably enjoys a bit of the whip." She smirked while looking at Olivia then at the door as it suddenly opened "You can't tell me you heard that?" She asked and started laughing.
"I did," Clarisse smiled while pointing to her "Behave young lady, or there will be trouble," She smirked.
"Aww I'm sorry Mom," Erica smiled while standing in front of her and hugged her "You can't do anything though, I'm getting married next week." She laughed while playfully slapping her with the whip gently and jumped back "Aha!" She smiled then screamed as Clarisse started rushing towards her.
"Erica, I can't believe you just did that." Olivia exclaimed while watching them start to play fight as Philippe came back in.
"Well this isn't getting ready, is it?" He smirked as they stopped and looked at him.
"I'm going now," Clarisse exclaimed and jolted forward as Erica grabbed hold of her sides, tickling her as they rushed out the kitchen together.
"Those two are crazy," Philippe smirked at Olivia "Don't you agree?"
"I do, 110%!" She laughed and sipped some more of her juice.
After a couple hours out on the horses they started coming back, and coming into view of the main entrance Erica smiled when she saw Joseph stood waiting for them.
"Daddy," She exclaimed and started galloping over on her horse as Clarisse looked at her in surprise while putting her hand up to block the sun from her eyes to see who she was heading towards.
"Mom?" Pierre said coming along side her as she looked at him "Are you going to be ok?"
"Of course," Clarisse nodded and looked back towards Erica as she reached Joseph, and jumped off the horse flinging her arms around his neck as he swung her around "Why wouldn't I be?" She asked looking back at Pierre as they started heading towards them.
"Well," Pierre said looking over as Joseph and Erica stood hugging "You've not seen him since before you got engaged 5 months ago," He said looking back at Clarisse.
"Oh well darling not to worry, everything is ok." Clarisse nodded as he raised his eyebrow at her "Please don't do that," She whispered "Honestly everything is ok." She nodded as he reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze.
"I'm here if you need me, remember that." He smiled letting go of her hand as he lent closer, giving her a kiss on the cheek then galloped off with Philippe as Clarisse watched them then carried on over to Erica and Joseph.
Coming up next to them Clarisse smiled down at them "Hello Joseph, I hope you haven't been waiting long?"
"No not long," He smiled up at her "Hope you didn't mind us coming here first."
"Of course not," She smiled and looked at Erica "Where's Gabby?" She asked while looking back at Joseph.
"Oh she's... she had to stay behind back in London, she hopes to get here for the wedding." He answered.
"Oh what?" Erica exclaimed "Well I hope she can, I would love her to be part of it too." Erica added.
"We all hope she can," Joseph nodded and looked at her "So for now, it's just me and your sisters here." He added while looking up at Clarisse for a second.
"Where are my beautiful sisters anyway?" Erica asked as Joseph looked back at her.
"They are inside with your other beautiful sister," He smiled at her then at Clarisse "Care for a hand?" He asked while extending his hand to her.
"Thank you," She took hold of his hand and tried to climb of the horse best she could, only she came down a bit to fast, sending Joseph flying to the floor and her landing on top of him "I am so sorry," Clarisse gasped while looking at him.
"Oh my god, are you ok?" Erica exclaimed while stepping closer to them.
"It's ok," He whispered "Though you may have kneed me somewhere private," He whispered and watched her quickly move and sat beside him "Thank you." He added as Pierre came darting back.
"What happened?" Pierre said jumping off the horse and took Clarisse's hand to help her up as Joseph stood up.
"I fell of the horse a bit to fast, sending Joseph flying." Clarisse said looking at Pierre then back at Joseph "I'm so sorry,"
"Don't be," He said bending over for a second while putting his hands on his hips and noticed she didn't have her foot flat on the floor "Have you hurt yourself?" He asked while standing back up straight.
"What?" Clarisse asked as they all looked down at her foot "Oh that's nothing, I will be ok." She nodded.
"Are you sure?" Pierre asked.
"Yeah, I just banged my knee on the floor when I fell to it, I will be fine." She smiled "See?" She said going to take a step forward and couldn't, being taken by surprise when Pierre grabbed hold of her.
"Great," Erica exclaimed "I knew going on a horse ride today was a bad idea." She sighed and watched Pierre scoop Clarisse up in his arms.
"Let's get you inside and get some ice on that knee." Pierre said while walking over to the Palace while carrying her.
"I could of walked you know?" Clarisse said looking at him.
"What? That would of took all day," Pierre exclaimed as Erica laughed.
Getting her inside and on the couch while Erica rushed to get some ice, coming back a few moments later and handed it to Pierre as Rose and Cara, her two younger sisters came rushing in.
"Ouch," Clarisse exclaimed as Pierre pressed the ice pack on her knee.
"I think we are gonna have to take you to a and e." Pierre said while putting his hands on his hips.
"Honestly I will be fine," Clarisse exclaimed.
"What happened?" Cara asked while sitting next to her.
"Hey, I didn't know you were here." Clarisse smiled as Cara giggled and moved closer giving her a hug.
"What happened Aunt Clari?" Cara asked as Erica and Joseph smiled at each other then back at them as Rose sat the other side of her.
"Well I accidentally fell of my horse, onto your father." Clarisse said looking up at Joseph for a second then back down to Cara "Luckily he was there, he broke my fall." She smiled.
"I'm glad," Cara smiled.
"Right," Olivia said coming into the room "Are we ready...Oh what happened?" She asked seeing Clarisse with the ice on her knee.
"She fell of her horse, Daddy was there to break the fall." Cara said.
"Wow, really?" Olivia asked as they all nodded "Way to go Daddy," Olivia smiled "Anyway I am sorry," She said walking over to Clarisse as she tipped her head back to look at her "We are heading to the hospital for my scan and find out what's happening with this little one."
"Ok, call me when you know ok?" Clarisse smiled as Olivia nodded "Thank you." She smiled as Olivia kissed her cheek.
"Ok girls, come on." Joseph smiled as they all headed out, leaving Erica with Clarisse.
"Bye Mommy," Olivia smiled over at her.
"Bye darling," Clarisse waved "Bye everyone." She smiled and looked back at Erica.
"I'm gonna go and have a quick shower," She said standing up "Do you need anything?"
"Not right now, no." Clarisse said watching her "But don't worry about me, I will be fine." Clarisse smiled "You have some wedding things to do so go and do them if I need help I am sure I will catch a member of staff around here somewhere."
"Ok," Erica chuckled while leaning over and kissed her "See you in a bit."
"Ok darling, take your time." Clarisse smiled while watching her walk out then looked back at her knee with a sigh.
After a little while Clarisse rested her head back on the couch and ended up falling to sleep, being awoken by her assistant, Charlotte not long after.
"Your Majesty?" She said nudging her arm to wake her.
Lifting her head to see Charlotte stood next to her she gasped "Oh, I must of fallen to sleep." She sighed "Is everything alright?"
"You have a phone call, do you want me to transfer it into here?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes please," She nodded and watched her turn to the phone "Thank you."
"No worries," Charlotte smiled while putting the phone to her ear "You there?" She asked and smiled "Ok, just passing you to her now." She smiled handing her the phone.
"Thank you," She smiled while taking it and put it to her ear "Hello, Queen Clarisse speaking."
"Hey Mom," Olivia's husband, Jason exclaimed.
"Jason," Clarisse smiled as Charlotte left her to it "How are you? Oh Olivia isn't here." She smiled while he laughed.
"I know, Charlotte told me." He smiled to himself "Besides it's you I wanted to talk to."
"Oh," She exclaimed "What did you want to talk to me about?" She asked.
"Well..." He went on to explain.
After a short while they had to say goodbye, and not long after everyone arrived back.
"Mom," Olivia exclaimed while coming through the door to see her standing up "Hey your knee is better?"
"Hey darling," She exclaimed while looking down "Yes it is," She nodded while looking at her as everyone else came back in "How did you get on?"
"Well the midwife thinks that the baby is going to be late, maybe another week or so." She sighed while sitting down.
"Oh dear," Clarisse exclaimed while standing in front of her "Do I remember you telling me earlier you wanted to talk to me about something?"
"I did and I still do," She said standing up.
"Then come with me, you can sit talking to me while I take a lovely hot bath." She smiled while taking her hand "Because I need to talk to you also."
"Oh, ok." Olivia exclaimed and followed her out the room.
A short time later, Erica headed up to find them after being told that they had gone upstairs.
"Mom," She called out while standing in the door way.
"In the bathroom with Olivia," Clarisse called back out and looked at the door as it opened seconds later.
"Oh I didn't realize you were in taking a bath," She said looking over at her then at Olivia.
"It's alright, you can come in still." Clarisse smiled over at her.
"Olivia," Erica said while walking over and cupped her face with both her hands "Are you ok?"
"I missed a call from Jason," Olivia whispered.
"Oh dear," Erica whispered and hugged her.
"He said he was going to call back later," Clarisse said looking at them hugging.
"I know, but I really needed to hear his voice." Olivia whispered "I haven't seen him for 3 months." She cried.
"I know sweetheart." Clarisse said reaching out and took her hand "He will be back before you know it," She whispered and gave her hand a little squeeze.
"I hope so," Olivia nodded and looked at Erica as she stood back.
"So what did the midwife say?" She asked.
"She thinks that I'm going to go over, maybe another week or something." Olivia said while wiping her eyes with a tissue then looked down at Erica as she put her hands on her bump.
"Oh dear," Erica exclaimed and kissed her bump before whispering "Don't you be arriving on my wedding day you," She smirked and kissed the bump again as Clarisse and Olivia laughed "Nah just kidding," She said gently rubbing the bump "It would be awesome if you came on that day, getting to share my wedding anniversary with my nieces birthday." He smirked.
"How do you know it's a girl?" Olivia exclaimed "It could be a boy." She asked.
"I know that, but I want it to be a girl so I'm saying it." She smirked and watched her start to cry again "Hey, what's wrong sis?"
"I just realized if I go into labor on your wedding day," She said looking up at her then at Clarisse "I'm gonna miss my sisters big day." She exclaimed.
"Then if that happens," Erica smiled while hugging her "We will just bring the party to the hospital." She laughed a little and smiled as she heard her sister laugh.
"Clarisse?" Came a voice from the bedroom.
"Whose that?" Erica said looking at her Mom as she shrugged.
"No idea," Clarisse gasped as they came into the bathroom.
"Michael," Erica exclaimed while playfully slapping his arm.
"Whaaat?" He exclaimed with a smile.
"You sounded like someone else, then gave me a heart attack when you suddenly appeared at the door." She said and started laughing.
"I'm sorry," He laughed and looked at Clarisse smiling at them "I just popped home to get changed, I have to go to another meeting but before I do go," He said looking back at Erica "What time is the dinner tonight?"
"7, so be here at 7 or you will be in trouble." Erica grinned.
"Ok, I will don't worry." He smiled.
"Well I will leave you too it." Erica smiled and kissed Clarisse before turning to Olivia "Are you coming?"
"No she can't go," Clarisse exclaimed as everyone looked at her "She needs to talk to me about something."
"Oh yeah I do." Olivia nodded and looked at Erica "I will meet you downstairs?"
"Of course," Erica smiled and headed out the door as Michael lent over and kissed Clarisse a couple times.
"See you all later," He smiled and headed out the bathroom.
"Right now, close and lock the door." Clarisse laughed while looking at Olivia.
"Ok," She smiled and locked the door.
She stayed with her for a bit, then left her to finish relaxing.
Later that evening as Clarisse was sat doing her make up, Michael came rushing in while getting undressed and saw Clarisse sat looking at him with a smile.
"Sorry can't stop, I need to get showered and changed." Michael smiled while walking over to her and cupped her face in his hands "Don't want to be late," He smirked and kissed her.
Laughing against his lips then kissed him back before he stood up "No you don't," She smiled and carried on doing her make up "I am nearly ready so I will meet you downstairs."
"Ok," Michael exclaimed while rushing into his bathroom.
Clarisse couldn't help but chuckle as she watched him disappear, finishing off her make up seconds later then headed downstairs when she was finished. Mingling with a few of the guests when Michael's two children James and Victoria arrived.
After dinner and the toasts they got ready to head out for the hen and stag parties.
"Joseph?" Clarisse whispered while standing next to him "Can I talk to you for a few moments?" She requested.
"Sure," He answered her and followed her into her office "What's up?" He asked while watching her push the door up.
"Olivia told me about you and Gabby," Clarisse whispered as Joseph looked down.
"Oh," He whispered.
"Why didn't you say something before?" Clarisse whispered while standing in front of him "You let me ask you this morning and you made out that she was hoping to get here, when she isn't at all." Clarisse asked while watching him look up at her.
"I'm sorry, I just didn't want to... oh I don't know." Joseph said looking into her eyes.
"How long haven't you been together?" She asked.
"About 4 months," He said and looked down.
"Joseph," Clarisse sighed as he looked up at her "Why couldn't you tell me?"
"I don't know," He shrugged.
"Listen, I know we have that past, but we are still friends aren't we?" She asked as he nodded "Right then," She said stepping closer and hugged him "I am here if you need to talk to someone, or maybe just a shoulder to cry on."
"You don't have to do that," He whispered as she rubbed his back.
"We are friends aren't we?" She said pulling her head back "And that's what friends do," She smiled up at him as he nodded "Remember I am here anytime you want to talk."
"Thank you," He said as she kissed his cheek.
"No trouble." She smiled and looked towards the door as it opened.
"Mom, we are just leaving now." Erica smiled "And Olivia has gone up to her suite for a lay down while waiting for Jason to call."
"Ok sweetheart," Clarisse smiled while rubbing Joseph's back as she stood next to him "You all go and have a great time, don't get to drunk though." She smiled.
"Yeah I don't fancy being called to come and collect you like I had to with your sister," Joseph smirked at Clarisse.
"Oh yeah I remember that," Clarisse laughed as Erica smiled over at them.
"I won't don't worry," Erica smiled and rushed over giving them a hug "See you both tomorrow?"
"Of course," Clarisse smiled.
"Have a drink for us," Joseph nodded.
"Will do." Erica exclaimed while rushing out the door.
"Right I best get the girls back to Olivia's, if you need anything or if Livy goes into labor." He smiled and stopped when Clarisse put her hand up to cover his mouth.
"I know the deal Mr," Clarisse smiled and removed her hand, cupping his cheek for a second before letting her arm fall down beside her "See you tomorrow." She smiled as Cara and Rose rushed in and over to them.
"Bye bye Aunt Clari," Rose smiled while wrapping her arms around her waist.
"Bye bye darlings, see you tomorrow." Clarisse smiled and kissed both their foreheads.
"Goodbye," Joseph smiled and kissed Clarisse's cheek as Michael stood in the door way.
Stepping back as Joseph nodded and walked past him, leaving with the girls.
"Right, I think I will go and check on Olivia then go read some in bed." Clarisse smiled "Busy day again tomorrow." She smiled while walking over to Michael, pulling the door up behind them as they left her office.
"Indeed," Michael smiled while putting his hand on the top of her back, caressing her neck a little "Tomorrow I have free though, so I can help with anything."
"Really?" Clarisse asked while looking back at him "I thought you had a busy day tomorrow?"
"I did, but I decided to clear it to spend it with you." He smiled and lent closer to kiss her, but caught her cheek after she turned her head "What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing," Clarisse said looking at him then back ahead "It's girlie day though tomorrow, so your help won't be needed I am afraid." Clarisse said turning to face him when they reached their suite "Maybe you could go to golf with James?"
"Maybe," He nodded and took her hands "Fancy a early night?" He asked bringing her hands up to his face and kissed her fingers.
"I can't, I have to check on Olivia then have some reading to do." Clarisse said looking up at him as he sighed "Please not this again," She said pulling her hands free and turned to head down to Olivia's suite.
"Clarisse," He exclaimed and watched her stop, turning slowly to him "I'm sorry."
"It's ok," She nodded and turned, carrying on to Olivia's suite.
