Bermuda
Category: Princess Diaries
Time-period: between PD1 & PD2
Disclaimer: I don't own the Princess Diaries. Owned by Meg Cabot & Disney.
To my Beta - THANK YOU for all your encouragement, editing, help and ideas. I really appreciate it so much!
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Turbulence in the weather was causing the airplane to shake and thump through the unstable air. Lighting flashed continuously through the clouds.
"Your Majesty?"
"Joseph?"
Joseph sat down next to Clarisse and fastened his seat belt. "The pilot said he needs to land the plane. The weather has closed in unexpectedly and it is simply too dangerous to continue the flight to Genovia."
"Is he going to turn the airplane back to the U.S.?"
"No, there is no time. He said that he got permission to land in Bermuda. There is a severe storm on the way. He has already started to descend. We will be landing in about fifteen minutes."
"It is quite all right, Joseph, I understand."
"It will be bumpy, but there is enough time. We will be fine," Joseph took Clarisse's hand and pressed it reassuringly.
She looked at him and saw the smile in his eyes, then suddenly the airplane swayed severely. "Do you expect me to believe you?" she questioned Joseph, smiling back at him.
"Always."
Clarisse felt Joseph loosen his grip on her hand and softly trace circles on her palm with his thumb, the warmth spreading though her body with the mere touch on her hand. She leaned her head back against the seat, feeling his burning eyes on her.
"Are you nervous, Clarisse?" he asked as the airplane went through yet another bumpy patch.
"Why?" she asked, surprised, then followed Joseph's eyes as he looked down at their hands. It was then that she realised that she was clutching his hand very tightly indeed. "Oh, I'm sorry …"
"Don't be. I don't mind if such a beautiful woman holds my hand."
"Hmmm, what do you expect to get in return for all this sweet talk?"
"I can make several suggestions …"
"I believe I would rather enjoy the last few minutes of this rollercoaster ride uninformed, thank you."
Joseph watched the woman next to him. They had become best friends in the last few years, the affection that they had for each other growing into something very special and sincere. He knew that he had fallen deeply in love with her, and although she had never said anything, he knew that she loved him in return. With the death of her husband and son, he really had been the only one she could turn to for comfort. She never showed her real feelings to the rest of the world, always hiding behind the façade of the courteous and charming queen, always seeming to be in control.
It had taken her a long time to make her peace with what had happened, to get over the sadness. She had drowned herself in work for months. When they had first come to San Francisco to meet her granddaughter, Joseph had been able to see the difference the meeting had made to her state of mind. He could see the sparkle returning to her eyes. Her life suddenly had had a whole new meaning.
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The airplane jolted as the wheels hit the ground and continued rolling a short distance before halting. Joseph unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over to Clarisse. "I am going to speak to the pilot to find out what arrangements have been made. I will be back in a few minutes."
Clarisse smiled and nodded at Joseph as he got up and started making his way to the front of the airplane. She was a bit worried about the turn of events. There was so much to be done back in Genovia. Charlotte would have to be contacted to reschedule all the meetings for the next day or two, depending on when they would be able to return.
Her mind drifted back to a few minutes ago when Joseph had stroked her hand. The feelings awakened within her every time he was close to her were becoming so strong, and she felt unsure of how to deal with it. She enjoyed the playful flirting and bantering between them but was afraid that at some stage she would lose control. The longing in his eyes was evident at times and she knew they were playing with fire. A serious relationship at this stage could jeopardise her granddaughter's future and the duty she felt towards the people of Genovia. Why had she never had the same deep feelings for her husband? She had been married to Rupert for such a long time. He had been her best friend, but what she felt now was different. It was becoming all-consuming. Joseph was constantly on her mind, and she missed him terribly when he was not with her.
She gasped a little when she felt Joseph's hand on her shoulder, interrupting her thoughts. "Clarisse, the crew has contacted the palace in Genovia, and Charlotte was able to arrange accommodation for you and me at the Cambridge Beaches Hotel. Transportation has also been arranged for us. I called her just now on my cell phone to confirm and she asked if she could talk to you." He handed his cell phone to her. For once in his life, he just didn't have the guts to give the message to Clarisse himself.
"Charlotte?"
"Good evening, Your Majesty. About the accommodation … I managed to secure a two-bedroom cottage at the Cambridge Beaches Hotel for three nights to be on the safe side. I am not sure when you will be able to return. The weather reports are not very good at this stage. Unfortunately, the accommodation available in Bermuda on such short notice is very scarce. I'm sorry. That was the best available."
There was a small intake of breath from Clarisse as she realised that she would have to spend the night alone with Joseph in very close proximity … possibly three nights alone! She looked at him and noticed an unfamiliar air of self-consciousness, as well as something else. Was it nervousness? "It's all right, Charlotte. Please, continue," Clarisse replied, making an effort to regain her composure.
"I informed the manager of the hotel that you must remain anonymous as far as possible and he assured me that your privacy will be respected. He will arrange for special room service from the restaurant as well as any other request or wish that you might have. They have promised to make your stay as pleasurable as possible. Of course, Joseph has the number should you need anything."
"What about the others? The flight crew?"
"We managed to acquire a couple of rooms for them at another hotel, and they will be well looked after. Oh, and don't concern yourself with all your appointments. I will reschedule where necessary and also contact you if there is any problem. Another thing, I don't know if you remembered … but hopefully you will be back for Joseph's birthday which is the day after tomorrow."
"Yes, Charlotte, that is something that we will have to manage. Fortunately I did think of that during our stay in San Francisco. I will handle it if we are not back in time," Clarisse replied without looking at Joseph or using his name but with a slight smile on her lips. "Thank you, Charlotte. Is that all?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I am sorry about the weather, but I do hope that you will enjoy your stay."
"Yes, I … hmm… thank you for arranging the accommodation. Good bye, Charlotte."
"Good bye, Your Majesty."
Clarisse returned the cell phone to Joseph. "Thank you, Joseph."
The pilot of Genovia One entered the cabin just as Joseph placed his cell phone back in his pocket.
"Your Majesty, Joseph …"
"Captain?"
"Your transport has arrived to take you to your hotel and your luggage has been unloaded from the plane already. The wind outside is very strong."
"What about you and the rest of the crew?" Clarisse asked, as always concerned for everybody in the service of the palace.
"Our transport has arrived as well, Your Majesty. We will be on our way shortly, as soon as Genovia One is secured."
"Thank you, Captain Gerard, and thank you for getting us here safely." Clarisse gave the pilot one of her warm smiles.
"It is my pleasure, Your Majesty." The Captain beamed as if having just received the biggest present in the world, turned around and walked out.
"How do you do that?" Joseph asked, looking at Clarisse with open admiration.
"Do what?
"Make every person that you talk to feel special."
"Oh Joseph, don't be silly," Clarisse replied with dancing eyes. She picked up her handbag and placed her glasses and book inside.
Joseph picked up her jacket as she stood up and held it for her to put her arms through the sleeves. She felt the warmth of his hands through the jacket as he pressed her shoulders after helping her, holding on a little longer than was strictly necessary.
"Come," he said, putting his hand at the small of her back as they walked towards the front of the airplane to face the forces of nature outside.
Gusts of wind threatened to jerk Joseph and Clarisse right off their feet as they disembarked from the airplane. The rain came down with a tremendous force and the thunder and lightning caused a deafening noise. The umbrellas that the crew provided proved to be useless. Joseph pressed Clarisse closer to him in an effort to protect her from the rain but with little effect. The drenched driver was already waiting at the car to open the door as Joseph and Clarisse hurried towards the vehicle.
"Good evening, Your Majesty," he shouted as he opened the door.
She nodded at him and shifted through to the other side so that Joseph could follow her and the driver could quickly get into the car. In moments they began their slow journey towards the hotel.
"You are soaked, Joseph!"
"So are you, Your Majesty. Not much to be done about the situation," he said as he looked at Clarisse's wet hair and face with a slight smile. "I thought you said you never slide."
Clarisse chuckled. "There are always exceptions to a rule," she said, staring at the rain outside that was coming down so hard that one could hardly see one meter ahead.
tbc
