The Nanny Diary

DISCLAIMER : I don't own The Princess Diaries, Mary Poppins or Eloise or its characters and I don't make any money from this story. Only the original plots and ideas belong to me.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

It's January of 2005, and the newly married dowager Queen Clarisse of Genovia, and her new spouse Joseph, travel to New York city. They are there for a much needed brake from Genovia, and to visit with Clarisse's brother, Sir Wilkes, who resides at The Plaza Hotel. Clarisse and Joseph try to enjoy married life in their suite, but that is rather hard when they get some bad news from Genovia, regarding their friend and the Queen's former aide, Charlotte Kutaway. Sir Wilkes has problems of his own. Including his growing feelings for his best friend, Nanny, and his trying to keep a decades old deception quiet. Nanny, also struggles with her feelings for Wilkes, who is, in her mind, far too good for her. That, however, is put on the back burner when she starts to find clues as to what happened to her parents, Burt and Mary, who disappeared in 1958. She discovers that nothing in her world is as it appears, and that her mental health may be shaky.

Mary and Burt's path is followed all over the world, as Nanny and her friends try to track down what may have happened to them... All while trying to get the truth out of Queen Clarisse's nemesis, Arthur Mabrey, the only man who may know what has happened to them. Charlotte struggles with her new life, and perhaps a new love... And his daughter's reaction to their Mabrey might just discover that he has a heart, after spending some time with a certain woman, whom may just change the man... And offer an answer to Mary and Burt's disappearance, but then again maybe not.
More then one unlikely couple will emerge, as Genovians mix with Americans in the form of New Yorkers. Several characters will discover that love does not have an expiration date. Unlikely friendships, family, romance, fears, and a revealing old diary will change everyone as this story progresses and the true meanings of love, power and magic are explored.

CHAPTER 1: Welcome to The Plaza Hotel

"Wilkes!", Clarisse exclaimed, hugging her younger brother, as he opened the doors to his suite.

"Clarisse", he replied, clearly just as happy to see her.

Joseph stood behind Clarisse in the doorway of his brother-in-law's suite at The Plaza hotel. It was not common for his wife to embrace others. She was rather rigid in that respect. However, when it came to her son, granddaughter and brother, she enjoyed their closeness... And of course her husband, as well.

This was Joseph's first time meeting his brother-in-law as anything other then her majesties head of security. Joe was not nervous however. He and Wilkes had always gotten on well, and even if he had feared rejection, those fears would have been alleviated by the knowledge that his wife loved and accepted him. After all, that was all that truly mattered.

"Joseph... How good to see you! May I wish you my heartfelt congratulations!", Wilkes said to Joe, offering him his hand.

"Thank you. It is good to see you Sir Wilkes", Joseph replied, shaking his hand.

"Please... Drop the Sir, or I will use your's as well"

"That's a deal", Joseph replied, still a little uncomfortable with his new title.

Wilkes ushered them in to his sitting room, ordered some tea from room service, and sat across from them beaming.

"You both look so happy. I can not tell you how much it pleases me that you have married"

"We've been married for six months already Wilkes. I wish you had come for the wedding", Clarisse replied.

Joseph took his wife's hand in his, "We are very happy. Thank you for your well wishes Wilkes"

"You are welcome. You deserve them ... And may I remind you that I did not know it was your wedding day dear sister"

"No. It was Amelia's wedding day however. You might have made thee effort to be there!", Clarisse responded, taking her hand out of Joseph's and using it to smooth down her skirt.

"Yes... Well. I did want to attend, but I had things to attend to here I am afraid. Are you, er, still cross with me about that?", Wilkes asked Clarisse, bouncing his knee nervously.

Clarisse looked back at him seriously, before a smile broke across her face, "Of course not. You're my brother. I can't stay upset with you. I do expect you to attend when Amelia is married to Lord Nicholas next year however"

"Yes, yes. Of course! I did call her to wish her congratulations on her engagement. She sounded well. It seems the pressure of becoming Queen has not changed her lovely personality"

"Yes, well..."

"Oh! Not that the pressure got to you, Clarisse, during your rein as queen. No, you did a wonderful job... Young Mia just seems to, well, she..."

"She is doing a fine job", Clarisse interrupted, "And yes, she is good at maintaining both her personal relationships and the needs of the country at the same time. Much better than I was at the same task"

"The circumstances were different for you. You were raised differently, you were widowed, lost a child, you had people nipping at your heels for the thrown... You were the best queen Genovia had ever seen despite all of that", Joseph pointed out, "I could not be prouder of you, and I am sure Wilkes feels the same"

"Of course! Indeed I am. Very proud of you Clarisse", Wilkes added.

"Thank you. You are both very dear to me. I was not fishing for compliments however"

"No, but credit where credit it due. Now then... How have you been Wilkes?", Joseph asked, turning to Wilkes.

"Fine. Yes, very well indeed!"

The doorbell buzzed, and Wilkes excused himself to let room service in with their tea. After it had been set, they returned to their conversation.

"Wilkes... I do apologize if I snapped at you before. It was a very long flight you see", Clarisse said, as she picked up her tea cup. Wilkes was a sweet man, and a good brother. She always felt bad after chewing him out.

"Tosh, tosh, tosh. I understand"

"I am looking forward to spending some time with my little brother"

"Hardly little these days", Wilkes said with a chuckle, as he pat his stomach, "But yes. Indeed. I am looking forward to have some time with you as well Clarisse... And of course you too Joseph"

"Tell me. Are we going to meet this woman you spend so much time with, while we are here visiting?", Clarisse asked casually, resting her head on the back of the sofa.

"Woman?", Wilkes asked, his cheeks flushing.

"Nanny, I believe her name is. You speak of her every time I talk with you. You have for nearly a year. I assume that you are courting her", Clarisse replied.

"Oh! No, no. Nanny and I are friends. Very good friends. That is all"

"I see", Clarisse responded politely, before giving Joseph a little look.

"You will meet her all the same. Soon. She is a lovely person", Wilkes replied, being careful not to get lost in his thoughts of Nanny.

"Perhaps the four of us could have tea tomorrow", Joseph offered.

"Yes! That would be brilliant", Wilkes replied, "I will be seeing you before then though. Tonight? For dinner?"

"Yes. Certainly Wilkes", Clarisse replied, before turning to her husband,"Joseph? Have our guards settled into their suite?"

"Yes. They'll be right next door... You look tired my dear. Perhaps we should head back to our suite"

"Soon darling"

"You no longer have guards directly in your suite when you travel? I know you are no longer queen, but is that wise?", Wilkes asked, a bit concerned.

"May I remind you whom I married?", Clarisse asked, unable to hide a smile.

"Right! Of course... I do apologize Joe. Of course you are able to protect my sister. I did not mean to imply otherwise"

"Do not apologize. I realize you care deeply about her safety. I am retired as the head of security, however, Clarisse's safety will always be of the utmost importance to me as well, naturally. I appreciate your concern, but we are well equipped. I do rely on the staff to keep her safe as well"

"Of course, of course", Wilkes replied.

"Well... I do love chatting with you brother, but I believe Joseph is right. I am rather tired from the trip and should retire to our suite to get some rest. We will see you tonight at dinner", Clarisse said, getting up.

"I look forward to it immensely", Wilkes replied sincerely.

"See you tonight", Joe added, as he and Claire departed.

After they had left, Wilkes thought things over. If they would be meeting Nanny, he would have to have the little chat with them that he did most people, about her mental health situation. He was used to it by now, but it seemed different, explaining it to his sister. Clarisse clearly knew that he had feelings for Nanny. A fact he otherwise had kept rather well hidden he thought, even from Nanny herself. No matter. They must be told. For Nanny's sake.

"That was a lovely stroll Maggie. Thank you for suggesting it", Nanny said, as she and her friend strolled back through the doors of The Plaza that evening.

"It was nice. I have to say, Central Park goes by a lot slower when you're not driving past in a buggy"

"We should do it again soon. For sure, sure, sure. Next time we'll bring Eloise"

"Oh yes. She would love it, she would. Where is the little love this time. Paris?"

"Moscow, with 'er mother... I 'ave the next few days to myself"

"Do you have any plans then Nanny?"

"No, no, no. Just doing some ironing, and tending to some bills... Things like that"

"No plans with your fella then? I'm surprised!", Maggie said as they stepped onto thee elevator.

"Maggie!"

"Don't even say it, because we both know he is. Sir Wilkes is your..."

"No, no, no! Sir Wilkes is not, not, not my... Fella", Nanny whispered, so that Max, thee elevator operator would not hear.

"Right!"

"Any'ow! No. Sir Wilkes and I do not 'ave plans. I did not 'ave a chance to tell 'im that Eloise was to be away. It was all rawther last minute"

"Too bad. You could have planned a nice romantic evening"

"Yes...", Nanny replied dreamily, before catching herself, "Aoww... No, no, no! We are just friends for Lord's sake! Besides... 'is sister arrived today for a visit"

"Wilkes' sister? The queen!"

"That's right"

"Have you ever met her?"

"No, and I do not plan to"

"Why? I am sure Wilkes would introduce you. Think how grand that'd be Nanny!"

"No, no, no. Don't you see? I would just embarrass Wilkes if I met 'is sister, the former Queen of Genovia. I plan to lay low while she's 'er"

"Whatever you say", Maggie replied, as the elevator dinged and thee elevator doors opened. Maggie looked straight ahead, and quickly added, "Nan. We'll have that drink another time chum. I just remembered something I have to do"

"Aoww... But", Nanny protested, still facing the elevator as the doors closed in her face.

Nanny sighed and turned away from thee elevator to head to her suite. Her mouth dropped open at the site moving towards her, and suddenly she knew what Maggie had been up to. Wilkes, his sister the queen, and presumably his brother-in-law were making their way towards her en route to thee elevator.

"Nanny!", Wilkes called, as Nanny tried to dash out of view.

"Aoww... Wilkes!", Nanny said, pretending she hadn't seen them.

Wilkes and Joseph were dressed in black tuxedos. Clarisse wore a floor length black gown, with a narrow skirt, and sparklie long sleeve bodice. They looked about as elegant as elegant could get.

"Nanny... I did not expect to run in to you", Wilkes said, placing a hand under one of her elbows and turning her slightly to face Clarisse ad Joe, "May I introduce you to my sister, Queen Clarisse of Genovia, and her husband, Sir Joseph"

"Very nice to meet you both... I Ha-ave Ha-eard so much about you both", she said, making an awkward bow.

"Likewise", Joseph replied.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Nanny", Clarisse offered.

"Are you alone? No Eloise?", Wilkes asked her then.

"No Willie. She is with 'er mother in Moscow for a few days... It was rawther last minute", Nanny replied, as she eyed him in his tux discreetly. He did look rather handsome.

"Willie?", Joseph mouthed to Clarisse, who bit her lip to keep from smiling.

"Did you receive my invitation? For tea? Tomorrow? In The Palm Court?"

"Aoww... No, but I 'ave not been back to my suite in quite a while"

"I see. You will join us. Won't you Nanny? For tea? Tomorrow?"

"Well... I..."

"Or better yet, why not join us for dinner right now?", Joseph asked.

Both Wilkes and Nanny's eyes shot out of their heads.

"Well... I'm sure she has other..."

"I really could not, not, not..."

"Oh yes! You must join us Nanny! Please. We can wait while you change. We'll head back to Wilkes' suite for a cocktail. Isn't that right Wilkes?", Clarisse persisted.

"Ah, well... We do have the reservation to keep"

"Trust me. They'll hold the table for her", Joseph said with a grin in his wife's direction.

"Exactly. So we will meet you back at Wilkes' suite in say... Forty-five minutes Nanny?", Clarisse asked.

"Well, I... Yes, alright... Your majesty"

"Please... Call me Clarisse. Come along gentlemen. Let's allow Nanny to get ready", Clarisse said as she and Joseph retreated back down the hall.

"Well played my love", Joseph said to his wife, as they were far enough away from thee others for them not to hear.

"Wilkes deserves some happiness. He might just need a little nudge", she replied.

Wilkes escorted Nanny to her suite, "We will see you in a bit then"

"Yes... I suppose so. Oh Lord! What should I wear?"

"You will look lovely in anything", Wilkes replied sincerely.

Nanny nodded, although she was far less sure about that then he was, "I will be over in a bit"

Wilkes made his way to his own suite then. Where Clarisse and Joseph had settled inside.

"We need to talk... About Nanny", Wilkes said, as soon as he entered.

Clarisse and Joseph looked at one another, and back at Wilkes.

"Your engaged!", Clarisse teased, part of her hoping it was true.

"Heavens no! We are merely... friends, as I have told you. No, this is something to do with her health that you must know before having a lengthy conversation with her... Her mental health that is"

"Mental health?", Clarisse asked, a bit concerned, "Well, this doesn't sound good"

"It's not like that. Nanny is very bright, compassionate, loving. She's lovely. In every way... But there is one small thing. I don't have time to tell you thee entire story now, but she was traumatized by something many years ago... And now she is a bit confused about... The year"

"The year?", Joseph asked, "She has trouble remembering the order of the months you mean?"

"No", Wilkes replied with a sigh.

"She puts dates in the wrong order... Like dyslexia?", Clarisse suggested.

"No, no. It's a bit more drastic then that... She... Well, Nanny believes..."

"Yes?", Clarisse probed.

"Nanny thinks it is still 1958"

TO BE CONTINUED...