Author's Note: Hi, I'm back already! Yes, I know it's been like only two days since I finished the other one, but I've been kind of inspired to get started on this next section, and if I can do that, well, I might as well start writing! Here's the next part of their story...and I think I might have got the titles mixed up! :)
The Princes Diaries doesn't belong to me!
Three Weeks Later
It was a beautiful early April morning in the small, proud nation of Genovia and things were finally beginning to settle down after the tragic and unexpected deaths of Rupert and Isabel, the new King and Queen of Genovia nearly a month before. While the funerals were private affairs, the memorial service for them was attended by all of Genovian society, as well as representatives from almost every European nation and other nations of the western world and, right at the centre of the ceremony was Prince Joseph, now King to be of Genovia, and his Queen to be, Clarisse.
There were still sceptics who doubted his ability to rule, still remembering how 'unstable and wild' he had been in his late teens and early twenties (conveniently forgetting the fact that he was now a steady, reliable husband and father, having swiftly turned his life around when he had met and married his wife nearly six years earlier), but much of the population had come around and were excitedly anticipating the coronation, the 'event of the year', the following week.
While the country was already celebrating (and one could already see the souvenirs produced for the coronation), the palace was outwardly still the same but, inwardly, was a hive of activity as they prepared for the coronation.
Both Joseph and Clarisse were busy preparing for their new roles, Henrik and Alexandra being of invaluable assistance, wanting everything to go perfectly, knowing that Joseph and Clarisse hadn't had as much preparation as Isabel and Rupert, and would be learning about their roles practically on the run, while trying to handle the many changes that were now part of their life.
One of the first changes that had occurred was when they were forced to move back into the palace- Joseph had been appalled when Henrik had told him that- he had been hoping that they would be able to use their own home as their main base- but Henrik had pointed out that he was now King and, besides from the practical safety issues concerning his security team, the people expected him to live in the palace, a symbol of his responsibilities.
Clarisse hadn't said too much, but he knew she too was upset about the move- they had spent the first five years of their marriage there, they had begun their family there, the boys had thrived in the casual atmosphere and they had shared some very special moments there.
"We can always use this as a retreat," he said comfortingly on the day they moved to the palace, and she sighed as she turned away from the rear window and sat back in her seat.
"I know, and I'm glad the boys have settled in very well, but it's just going to be so different..."
"Yes, it will be different- we're living in a palace, there are far more servants who will be there to help us, but we're still together, aren't we?"
"Of course," she smiled slightly, knowing what he meant- while many royal couples (including his parents) usually slept in separate suites, Joseph and Clarisse had decided to share his suite, Joseph jokingly insisting on in and Clarisse teasing him back.
"You never know, I might enjoy having a suite to myself!" she laughed, but he had only chuckled, knowing that she didn't mean it and had once shyly confessed that, when they were first married, she hadn't expected him to want to share a bed with her, unless it was for reproductive purposes.
"My parents never shared a bed, your parents don't and I assume that most upper class couples don't... and I thought that, if our marriage turned out to be disappointing to you...you might want your own separate suite for... entertaining..." she trailed off, feeling ridiculous, not quite sure she hadn't offended him as there was a long silence before he pulled her into his arms.
"Never, my love, never- no other girl existed once I met you, and I am fully committed to you... and I LOVE having you sleep beside me... I really do like watching you sleep..."
They had been living in the palace nearly two weeks on that April morning, but Clarisse still felt mildly disorientated when she woke up in Joseph's (and hers, he always reminded her) king sized mattress.
After staring at the ceiling for a moment, she stretched outwards, knowing that Joseph's side of the bed was unoccupied, him having already risen early to go for a run and do some work before breakfast, a routine that (aside from the work before breakfast) he had had since the early days of their marriage (with some exceptions), although he was now accompanied by three bodyguards and there were others scattered around his route.
She was just climbing out of bed, fully intending on dressing and visiting the boys before she had breakfast with her husband, before she suddenly found herself dashing to the bathroom to throw up.
"Oh no..." she groaned as she sat on the edge of the bathtub and waited for the dizziness to disappear. She had been hoping that the early morning dashes would eventually peter out, that they had only been figments of her imagination and due to stress, but she hadn't been feeling especially well since the accident and now, given the nausea and tiny changes in her body that she had been trying to ignore, she was almost certain that she was pregnant, which sent her into a spin.
Under normal circumstances, she would be thrilled and visiting Dr Bangs as soon as possible to confirm the news, but now... things were almost impossible- the coronation was only a week away, followed by Phillipe's second birthday and then their first tour of Europe as King and Queen- how could she do any of that if she was expecting another baby? She wouldn't be able to support Joseph as much as as she wanted...
As she continued to ruminate over what she wouldn't be able to do, especially in the later months of her pregnancy (which, she still hoped was only a dream), she felt nauseous again and, after throwing up again, she decided to lie down and slowly made her way back into the room and discovered... Joseph standing in the room, setting a tray on his bedside table.
"Oh!" she started before recovering quickly, smiling at him. "Good morning, dear," she said brightly as she started to walk over to him before, feeling dizzy, her knees began to buckle, but before she collapsed completely, she was fuzzily aware of him scooping her up and gently depositing her on the bed, sitting next to her afterwards.
"I... I'm sorry," she said fuzzily, the waves of dizziness finally dispersing and she slowly sat up, with his help.
"Why should you be sorry?" he asked gently, stroking her hair for a moment.
"You don't need me to be sick at this time..."
"How long have you been feeling like this?" he asked as he brought her her cup of tea and she sipped it gratefully.
"Thank you... ah... I've been feeling like this for... only a little while," she fibbed lightly and his eyes narrowed instantly, sensing the fib as her heart sank- he knew her too well.
"A little while?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow. "How long is a 'little while'?"
"A week or so...but I'm sure it's only a stomach bug or something minor..." she said lightly, desperate to keep him off track.
"A stomach bug..." he repeated softly, observing her thoughtfully- he knew her as well as she knew him, physically and emotionally, and she had suffered these symptoms before... twice before, in fact. "Sweetheart, is there any chance you could be pregnant?" he asked shrewdly.
"I... I don't know," she murmured quietly, avoiding his eyes but he immediately tipped her chin up so that she was meeting his eyes.
"Darling? Is there anything you want to tell me?"
"No..." she whispered almost inaudibly, not wanting to add any other burdens to his shoulders, but he wasn't moving anywhere and she could feel his eyes watching her. "Alright..." she finally said, meeting his eyes again. "We both know what I'm like when I'm expecting... and yes, I think I'm pregnant again... I'm sorry..."
"Why are you sorry?" he finally asked after a long moment of awkward silence, his gaze unwavering. "Don't you want us to have another baby?"
"I do, I do very much!" she cried almost passionately. "But this is hardly the most opportune moment to expand our family, is it?"
"Not exactly, but we also agreed that we would be happen when it happened..."
"That was when Rupert was going to be King, but now... I just can't see how this will work!" she cried, now on the edge of hysteria but secretly relieved that he now shared the burden that she had been carrying for nearly three weeks. "You're going to be King, and you need my support... and I'm not going to be much use when I'm eight or nine months pregnant!"
He smiled slightly, understanding his wife's fears but now determined that they would have this baby, if she did turn out to be expecting.
"I know, but having you and a healthy baby, as well as the boys, matter more than anything to me... and I know you will be supporting me, even when you're in confinement... do you know for sure?"
"Not yet... I was still hoping that it was a stomach bug..." she admitted with a shy laugh and he laughed out loud.
"Well, now that I know that it could be true, you WILL be seeing the doctor and... as soon as possible!"
"You're... you're not angry?" she asked, finishing her cooling tea and looking at him.
"No, I can understand why you're worried for me, and what you will and won't be able to do for me... but this is important for us, Joseph and Clarisse, husband and wife... and I want us to have this child so much...not to provide an heir or prove that our marriage isn't in trouble but to welcome another child into our family... OUR child," he said with a fiery expression in his eyes, not aimed at her but ready to convince any doubters or critics that they weren't ready for another baby... it was their decision alone..
"So, will you be seeing Dr Bangs soon?"
"Yes," she said simply, relieved that he was supporting her and that, despite the fact that he was to be crowned King ina week, he wanted the baby as well. "I will..."
000
As it turned out, Dr Bangs was available that morning and was more than willing to come to the palace to examine Clarisse, only two hours after their discussion. Joseph, who had had to leave after breakfast, had made her promise to call him and she had and, suspecting that he wouldn't be available to be with her as when they discovered they were having Pierre, she was fully prepared to find out without him...
However, she was secretly delighted when her husband followed the doctor into their suite, stating simply:
"I had some free time... besides, I was needed to be here."
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Clarisse said gratefully once he had closed the door to their bedroom, Joseph waiting in the living room for them. "We do appreciate it."
"Joseph sounded worried when he met me, and I wanted to make sure that everything is alright with you... especially with everything else going on in your lives at the moment..."
Ten minutes later, the doctor smiled at her as he packed up his equipment, the examination.
"So, Your Highness, shall you tell your husband or will I?""
Joseph had been pacing the living room the entire time they had been shut up in the bedroom, and he froze when one of the doors opened and Dr Bangs stepped out.
"How is she?" he asked anxiously and the older man smiled at the younger man's expression- he was so much in love with Clarisse, it was beautiful to see.
"She's healthy and happy... just keep an eye on her weight, I think she's beginning to look a little too think again..."
"I will," he vowed as he let the doctor out of their suite, one of the butlers waiting outside to escort him out, before almost running back into the bedroom, Clarisse sitting on the edge of the bed with a sweet, demure smile.
"So?" he asked anxiously, sitting down beside her. "I didn't get told anything... although Dr Bangs did tell me to keep an eye on you- you apparently need to put on a little weight."
"That won't be a problem," she said with a cryptic smile and met his eyes lovingly. "Congratulations Daddy."
"Are you... what the... are we... going to be parents again?" he burst out in sharp, staccato sentences and she couldn't help but burst out laughing, more at his reaction than at the news itself.
"Yes, my love, I AM having another baby and it's due in October... " she paused, looking at him calmly. "Are you sure..."
"I am definitely sure," he spoke over her as he wrapped his arms around her. "This baby is OURS, no one else's, and I don't give a damn if anyone criticises us for having a child at this time, so soon after Rupert's death... did you want our child if that happened?" he looked at her seriously and she smiled slightly at him.
"I do... any baby of yours is what I want... I was just worried that my potential..."
"Now confirmed," Joseph interrupted with a smile.
"Alright... I was just worried that my now confirmed pregnancy would make it harder on you..."
"Why would it make it harder on me? I'm not up for election!"
"But you need my support, and I want to support you..."
"Which you will and do..." he leaned over and kissed her tenderly. "But child number three... this is amazing! We're going to have another baby!"
"I know you wanted six, so we're halfway there," she teased and he grinned, about to kiss her again before they heard a door open, and the sound of thundering footsteps before, suddenly, Phillipe and Pierre appeared in the room and immediately launched themselves onto the bed, Pierre immediately landing successfully but Phillipe needing a little help before Joseph found himself looking at his family, his entire world- his wife, their boys and their unborn child... He would soon be King of a country, something he never expected to happen, but the four (soon to be five) of them meant more to him than anything...
"Are you sure you want to add another baby to the mix?" Clarisse laughed as the boys, fighting each other, struggled to get close to their mother until, finally, the were settled on either side, although Pierre was eyeing Joseph eagerly.
"Definitely... three boys would be fantastic!"
"Poor me," she pouted sexily. "The only woman in the house!"
"But a daughter would be indescribably wonderful... especially if she looked like you..."
"And was named Claire..." she finished with a smile and he only laughed.
"A dream come true," he admitted. "But all that matters to me is having a happy, healthy wife and a healthy baby... he said quietly and she smiled as he leaned over Pierre's head and kissed her.
"What about my schedule... and the coronation?" she asked almost timidly and he grinned broadly as he reached out and caressed her cheek.
"Your schedule will go ahead as you want it, and as for the coronation... I actually wanted to tell you something..."
"What?"
"I've been thinking... I want to have you crowned as my Queen, not just Queen Consort...
"What do you mean?" she asked almost breathlessly, this morning had already been so exciting but now this... surely, he couldn't be serious...
"I mean... most past monarchs only wanted their wives as consorts, but we're different- you're my soul mate, my equal, my wife and mother of my children... I want to pay the ultimate compliment and tribute to you and have you crowned as Queen... thus, if anything happens to me, heaven forbid, you have the right to rule as Queen Clarisse...You have the same rights as me..."
"Thank you," Clarisse murmured almost tearfully as the boys disappeared outside again and he grinned at her.
"You're welcome... Andre approves, as do my parents, so we're alright... I just can't believe we're having another baby at the same time as this!"
"Neither can I, but we will have a few months in the summer to enjoy all of this... I am going to be big!" she laughed ruefully, and he laughed with her as his hand drifted slowly past her still flat stomach.
"But it will be all worth it, won't it?"
"Of course... but now, we have to look forward to the coronation...King Joseph..."
"Yes, Queen Clarisse..." he added with a smile, loving the sound of her name on his tongue. "You're going to be a wonderful Queen..."
"And you're going to be the best King in the world..." she said, secretly hoping that the coronation and all of it's celebratory events would pass by smoothly, uneventfully and positively, signifying the start of Joseph's reign, and that nothing would happen to blemish this new chapter in their lives...
