I never knew, love like I've known it with you
Disclaimer: I do not own the chracters in the story, the belong to good ole disney and Meg Cabot. I just own the story line lol.
Summary: Ok another story lol. This one is a chapter story and I will write as much as I want as long as people are reading it lol. Thanks for all the lovely reviews from my past stories. This story starts with Joe looking back, right before Rupert passes away. There will be lots of flashbacks in this story. Please read and I hope you like it! The title of the song is sung by Whitney Houston from the song I HAVE NOTHING from the Bodyguard Soundtrack, which I also do not own.
If anyone saw the smile that graced the Queen's face that sunny spring afternoon they would have known their Queen was truely happy. But no outsider would have known who she was smiling at, or why she was so happy. The smile was for him and only him. A soft smile played on his face too, taking some toughness away for his usual black attire. She was glowing inside and out. The sun gave her hair a golden glow and the smile made soft wrinkles appear around her eyes. Her eyes sparkled, and her hair was slightly rumpled by the wind. She had never been more beautiful then she was right now, he decided. She had only gotten more lovely with age. Even though Joseph knew she always had so much to deal with, time had been kind with her.
They were at a benefit for a children's center in Pyrus. It was a pleasently warm day and the children were thrilled to see their queen and king. People lined the streets and waved their Genovian flag proudly. Rupert was at her side, as he always was when they were in public, but Joesph knew that as soon as the car door shut on them, Rupert and Clarisse were in two separate worlds.
Joesph had started out as a intern in the palace when he was twenty five. Now nearly 20 years later he had risen in the ranks from an intern to the head of scriuty. In between he had been her personal body guard, following her everyday everywhere she went. He knew her from the inside out. They had become fast friends, spending so much time together everyday. But she was hard to love and at the beginning, he had found he almost couldn't stand her. But things changed and soon they were both head over heels in love with one another.
(Flashback)
He remebered the day as if it was yesterday. She was the newly crowned queen and only 24 years of age. She was so young and innocent, reminding him of a cool refreshing spring breeze. She was radiant as she looked out the window into the gardens of roses below. Roger, at the time present head of security, introduced Her Majesty to him. She turned away from the spot at the window and smiled at him.
It was a smile that was real, it wasn't a fake one that she put on for parliament or for meetings she didn't want to be at. It was geniune. It graced her face perfectly. She was wearing a elegant skirt and blazer combo, that she pulled off faboulousy. The skirt fit her curves beautifully. Her shoulder length hair falling around and framing her face, was the color of gold.
"Hello, its wonderful to meet you," she said and Joe really knew that she ment it.
"Your Majesty, this is Joesph," said Roger. "He will be your new bodyguard." At the mention of a bodyguard Clarisse's face fell slightly. She wouldn't have lied, this last week without a bodyguard had been wonderful. She was free. The last guard she had never gave her any space, she always felt that if she turned around too quickly when walking he would bump into him. Oh well Rupert had wanted a bodyguard with her at all times and whatever Rupert wanted was done.
"Your Majesty," Joseph kneeled and kissed the hand she had held out to him. The moment his lips touched her skin a shock went through her body that she had never experienced before. She was at first taken aback by the reaction he drew from her but quickly pushed it aside, she was a queen and she had a duty to her country, not her heart.
At first glance and over the first few months, Joesph realized that she wasn't his type. She was beautiful sure enough, and had a laugh and smile that could light up any room. But in retrospect she was strong, self centered, cold, and stubborn. She could get her way with any parliament member she wanted, she shut the whole world out and only talked to those who were close to her heart, Rupert and her sons. It was hard to get to know her. She cleary did not want a bodyguard that followed her around every step of the day. She was stubborn about it and always gave short blunt answers to Joesph whenever he asked a question.
He of course heard many rumours about her, from the maids and staff. She was said to have a very strict childhood. Her parents had loved her but they had expected perfection and by marrying their only daughther off to a prince was as close to it as they would come to it.
As the months dragged on Joesph followed her ever move and he watched her. And slowly, very slowly, the coldness melted away. He realized that she was never really self-centered, just shy. He learned her every sigh and movement. He could tell at the drop of a hat if she was under too much stress or just woren out.
He even saw her at times when she thought no one was looking or around. One incident her remebred perfectly.
It was a cold chilly winter night and Clarisse then 31, had just gotten word her parents had been killed in a car accident on the way to the palace. As usual Rupert was out of the country on business. Business, thought Joseph he was probably messing around with some mistress. Joseph went up to Clarisse's sutie to see if he would be help tonight. The sight that greeted him was one that changed his opinoin of Clarisse forever.
She was tightly curled in a ball on the couch. A few of the lights had been dimmed and the glow from the tv on her face, gave her an almost ghostly look. Playing on it was a movie, probably an home video, was of a young Clarisse and her mother, Clarisse no more than six years old. A man's voice from behind the camera laughed as Clarisse did a cartwheel into her mother's lap. Clarisse beamed up to her beautiful mother, who just laughed.
The tv cast a glow on Clarisse's face and unshed tears glistened in her eyes. Clarisse's hand gripped a few kleenex's as hard as she could. Her hair was ruffled every which way and her mouth quivered as she tried to hold back tears.
She sat up quickly when she heard Joesph move closer, her eyes gleaming with tears. She never looked so alone in her life.
"Your Majesty," Joe said, "is there anything I can do for you?"
Clarisse bit back a rude remark and just shook her head no.
"I am very sorry about your parents, I know what its like to lose people like that."
Something flashed in Clarisse's eyes, misunderstanding, was what Joe would have pinned it down to later that night thinking about it.
"How could you possibly know what its like," shouted Clarisse as she stood up. The Kleenex falling from her clenched hand. Joe took a small step back as she got closer.
"How could you possibly know what it feels like to lose the only two people you love, to lose the only two people you have!" Joe's mind raced, what on earth was she talking about.
"You would never be alone, you sir who has worked your way through my entire staff of women, romancing each of them. You have friends and someone to always turn to," Clarisse continued. Tears streaming down her face as her moved around him. "But I, she said weakly as if her arguement was losing steam, I have no one, she said as she fell foward.
Joe quickly caught her and they both fell to the floor. He pulled her close as she began to cry harder, the tears wetting through his shirt. She buried her head into his shoulder as he rubbed comforting circles on her back.
"No Clarisse you will never be alone, you will always have me," he whispered in her ear.
That night the coldness melted from her, Joe saw her in a new light. She was just like any other woman, she was sweet and alone. She just wanted someone to share her life and dreams with. Joe eventually would become that person.
After that night he nevered looked at the queen the same way again because that night he had fallen in love with her.
Well there is more to come... if you want. It is a chaptered story but it depends on the reviews and if people are reading it, that I will continue. Please review and thanks for reading!