CHAPTER 2: FIGGY PUDDING
Catherine had taken a little nap that morning and had still had time
to arrange all of the food, which she had ordered ahead of time. She
still did not cook, a fact that bothered her just a bit. She had
wanted to learn after she and Robert had married, but had never had
the time. After the table was set, she dressed in a black knee length
wrap dress, with a lace trimmed neckline, which crisscrossed at her
cleavage. As she slipped on her sling backed peep toe heels, she
smiled to herself, very feminine. As she finished her makeup, she
caught site of her husband in their bedroom mirror. Robert was clad in
a towel, having just finished his shower and preparing to dress for
dinner himself.
"My, my... Don't you look nice", he said looking at her.
She turned and smiled at him, "I was just about to say the same thing.
If my sister weren't in the room next door I might have to insist on
an encore of this morning"
He laughed a deep laugh and went to his wallet to take out a dollar
bill, before returning and standing in front of her, the bill in hand,
"I bet you a thousand dollars, that by the end of the day we'll be
back in that bed, with you not caring what anyone thinks or hears"
She grabbed the dollar from his fist and stuffed it in her cleavage
for affect, before smiling wickedly, "You forget that I have more self
control then you do! Now then, I have to go do a few last minute
things, if you'll excuse me"
"We'll see", he said, giving her a little kiss. He knew there was no
way she was going to win this bet, not after she saw her Christmas
gift, "I'll be right out"
Clarisse had arrived earlier that day. She and Joseph had rested in
their respective rooms much of the day, having been quite tired from
their trip.
As Catherine arranged things in the living room, preparing for their
guests, Clarisse emerged from her room in a red silk tailored pant
suit, with three quarter sleeves and turned up collar. She wore a
sleek black camisole underneath and pointy black heels. She had
volumized her hair and applied her makeup on her own, a fact she was
rather proud of.
As Clarisse entered the living room, both sisters exclaimed how lovely
the other looked. Clarisse asked if she may help with anything, but
Catherine poured her a glass of wine and told her to sit. There was
really nothing to do, but Catherine folded and unfolded napkins
nervously all the same, while she waited for Robert's family to
arrive. Things had gotten better with them. They excepted her, more or
less, but she still felt nervous whenever she knew Jocelyn was going
to be around. Robert's youngest daughter had a habit of eyeing her in
an uncomfortable way and occasionally said something that made her
feel unwelcome. Catherine was thankful that Clarisse was here this
year.
"So...", Catherine said to Clarisse, as she joined her on the sofa
with her own glass of wine, "I guess I should warn you that Robert's
daughters don't know that you are royalty"
"They don't?", Clarisse asked surprised, "But you have been married
for a year and a half. It never came up?"
"Well, no. Truthfully, I chose not to tell them. I thought they might
think me a snob. Jocelyn already rolls her eyes when I mention my
work, like I'm a fancy doctor who's trying to brag"
"Your a pediatric cardiologist, you are a fancy doctor, so to speak.
You have never, however, bragged a day in your life"
"Well, you try telling that to Jocelyn!"
"I thought things were alright now?"
"With Lori, yes. She divorced her husband recently, and it was I that
she called to talk about it. I think we have bonded. I did save her
daughter's life three years ago, so I guess it makes sense. Jocelyn
has gotten better, or at least she had... Before we moved to New York.
She thinks that was very selfish of me, to take her father away from
them like that. This past year has been more like the first year, she
doesn't say anything, but I get the feeling that I leave a bad taste
in her mouth"
"Oh, for goodness sake! Take her father away? How old is she? People
move all the time. You made a decision as a couple! You took that job
to save children's lives. You are a very important doctor. You have
responsibilities!"
"Exactly! People depend on me, but I'm not sure she sees it that way"
"Then she is the selfish one"
"Who's selfish?", Robert asked as he entered the living room, followed
by Joseph, both men dressed in suits.
"Kay", Catherine said quickly, giving Clarisse a little look, "I was
just telling Clarisse how Kay is never around and expects Nanny to
raise Eloise on her own"
"Well, isn't that what nannies do?", Robert asked, as he poured
himself and Joe drinks.
"It's excessive", Catherine said, now caught up on the new topic,
"Nanny has no life of her own. You know that! She can't ever have
dinner with Wilkes, which is probably why they have been dating
casually all this time and they still haven't managed to kiss! Eloise
is ALWAYS there"
"I see your point", Robert said as he handed Joe his drink.
Joe took a seat across from the ladies, smiling subtly at Clarisse,
whom he thought looked exquisitely beautiful. He wished he could tell
her, but thought it best not to. After being caught in the stairwell
that morning, they had decided that they were getting too lax and
really must be more careful. She had decided, might be more accurate.
He knew now, however, that she registered the look in his eyes and the
little smile she tried to hide in return, let him know the feeling was
mutual.
Lori, Michael, Jocelyn and little Marybeth arrived soon after and
introductions were made. They left out that Clarisse was actually
Queen Clarisse of Genovia, they would tell them after they had settled
in a bit. After the presents were placed under the tree and everyone
had a drink, they sat and made small talk. Catherine had kissed both
girls on the cheek, and had given the children big hugs, but as they
sat the awkwardness suddenly crept in. Robert was on the floor with
his grandchildren, who had already found a board game. Clarisse had
moved and sat next to Joseph, allowing Roberts daughter's to share the
smaller sofa with Catherine. Jocelyn reluctantly sat in the middle,
between Catherine and Lori.
"Well, it's so nice to finally meet you Clarisse. You can really tell
you two are twins", Lori said pleasantly.
"Yes, I am so happy to be here this year. Catherine speaks so fondly
of you all, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have only met your father
once before, so it is rather a treat to get know him better as well"
"You've only met dad once?", Jocelyn asked.
"Yes. I live in Europe"
"I see", Jocelyn said, and Clarisse could tell that she had already
had written her off as a European snob, "You weren't at the wedding
either. I thought that was a little weird. I guess I thought maybe you
didn't approve"
Lori elbowed her sister after this last comment.
Catherine felt overwhelmed by Jocelyn's words, but Clarisse just
laughed, "Oh, no no. Just thee opposite. I was very happy to hear the
news. I was just very busy at that time and unfortunately couldn't
make it"
"Busy with what?", Jocelyn asked with a smirk, having no idea who she
was dealing with, "I mean it must have been pretty important to miss
your sister's wedding"
Robert stood up then, before Clarisse could reply or Lori could scold
her sister, "You're being rude Jocelyn. You were raised better then
that. Clarisse wasn't here for the wedding because she lives in a
small European Country called Genovia, where she is... How do I say
this? The monarch, the Queen that is. I know it's surprising, but
that's the truth of the matter. Now it's Christmas, so let's all get
along. Anyone want Eggnog?"
Jocelyn and Lori stared at their father open mouthed, before looking
over to Catherine, who nodded that it was true, and then finally
letting their gaze fall on Clarisse. As Clarisse smiled kindly at the
two young women, she couldn't help but enjoy the way Jocelyn squirmed.
"Your a QUEEN?", Lori finally asked.
"Yes"
"Oh my... I'm so sorry", Lori apologized, "We should bow or something
shouldn't we?"
"That's quite all right. We are not in my home Country and you are my
sister's family. Please just call me Clarisse. I'm just a normal
person"
"A normal person whom runs a nation", Joseph added, he couldn't resist.
"I apologize", Jocelyn said then.
"Oh tosh!", Clarisse said, before adding, "It's Catherine you should
apologize to"
Jocelyn, surprised, turned then to look at Catherine. The doorbell
then rang, much to Catherine's relief and she jumped to her feet to
answer it.
"I'm so, so, so sorry we're late Catherine! The pudding wasn't ready",
Nanny said apologizing.
"You can't have Christmas without figgy pudding", Wilkes said from behind her.
"Come in you two", Catherine said with a laugh, before asking, "Where
is Kay and Eloise?"
"They went to Kay's boyfriend's 'ouse for the 'oliday. I thought I 'ad told you"
"Oh, yes you did. I completely forgot. Well, have a seat and I'll get
you both some wine", Catherine said as she took the food and gifts
that Nanny had brought from her.
Wilkes took the seat next to Joseph and Clarisse, allowing enough room
for Nanny as well. Nanny looked from Clarisse to Joe, as her face grew
red, remembering what she had walked in on earlier in the day. She
smiled weakly at them before sitting quickly beside Wilkes on the far
end of the sofa.
"Nanny, Wilkes", Catherine said as she returned with their wine. I
would like you to meet Robert's daughters, Lori and Jocelyn"
"Very nice to meet you", Wilkes said and Nanny nodded smiling.
"Nanny and Wilkes are neighbors of ours", Catherine explained, "They
have become very good friends to us"
"Good to meet you both", Lori replied, "My children, Marybeth and
Michael, are playing right behind you there"
"Aoww, 'ow sweet! We 'ave 'eard so, so, so much about them!", Nanny
replied, looking over at the Children.
"I'm glad dad has made a friend out here Wilkes", Jocelyn said,
"Catherine works so much, I hate the idea that he is all alone"
Catherine was silent, as was everyone else, before she happily told
Nanny, "And this is my sister, Clarisse, and Joe"
"Yes, we, ah, met... this afternoon. So good to see you again, ah,
your majesty and, ah, Sir..."
"So you really are a queen?", Michael asked, interrupting, half paying
attention from the other side of the room.
"Indeed I am young man", Clarisse said with a laugh.
"Are you a king?", Michael asked Joe.
"No", he said with a laugh.
"Are you her majesty's second husband?", Lori asked politely, "Sir
Joseph, would it be?"
"Oh, no", Catherine replied for them, "Joe and Clarisse aren't
married. He's her security guard and friend"
Nanny's eyes shot open at this statement and her gaze drifted over to
Clarisse, who looked back at her for a moment before looking away.
"Oh my sainted Aunt Fanny!", Nanny whispered to herself, recalling
what she had witnessed earlier in the day, which she had assumed had
taken place between a husband and wife.
"What's that?", Wilkes asked her.
"Aoww, nothing, nothing, nothing", Nanny said as she gulped down her wine.
"Wilkes is a Sir however", Catherine pointed out to Michael, "He's a knight"
"You've gotta be kidding me!", Jocelyn said, "Do you have any friends
or family that aren't royalty or prone to slaying dragons? ", Jocelyn
asked Catherine.
"Knights aren't big into slaying dragons these days", Wilkes said with
a laugh, before turning to Clarisse, " Hello your majesty, I do
believe we have met before"
"Sir Wilkes, of course!", Clarisse said, "I knew you looked familiar.
I believe you are related to the Duke of Wellington, are you not?"
"My brother", Wilkes replied, "Although we haven't spoken in years,
bit of a falling out I'm afraid"
"Oh what a shame. I have not seen him in years myself. I do recall him
being a rather... difficult man, if I may be so blunt"
"Yes, indeed he is", Wilkes replied, before turning to Joseph and
shaking his hand.
"Where is Wellington?", Jocelyn asked Wilkes.
"Western England, in Shropshire County?"
Jocelyn shrugged.
"It borders Wales", Clarisse pointed out, finding the young woman
slightly annoying.
"Do you have a title Nanny?", Lori asked curiously.
"Aoww, no, no, no. I am literally, a nanny"
"Well thank god for that!", Jocelyn said with a little laugh.
"How sweet", Lori said sincerely, "For a knight to marry a nanny"
"Oh", Wilkes said, turning a bit red, "We, er, that is... We're not
married", he said regrettably.
"Oh boy! I'm 0 and 2", Lori said, as everyone laughed.
"We are dating though!", Wilkes replied to the young women across from
him, before smiling at Nanny.
"Yes, you were closer that time. At least they are a couple", Robert
said with a laugh, "Alright, now that we all know each other... Let's
eat!"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
After dinner and the exchanging of some gifts, Lori decided it was
time to get the kids home and into bed. Jocelyn pointed out that it
was quite a drive back to Connecticut. Robert pointed out that they
should just spend the night, as he and Catherine had been insisting,
but the girls ultimately decided to drive home. Catherine and Robert
helped them carry all of their things down, as Nanny, Wilkes, Clarisse
and Joe sat waiting upstairs on their respective sofas.
"Well, that was a bit awkward", Clarisse said after a moment, "It
appears Jocelyn and Catherine are more at odds than I had suspected"
"For sure, sure, sure!", Nanny agreed, "I'm sure she'll come around
though. Catherine is too, too, too wonderful to not like 'er for long"
"So, how long have you two been dating?", Joseph asked Wilkes and
Nanny. He was genuinely interested. A knight dating a nanny was almost
as unheard of as a queen dating her head of security, he thought to
himself.
"Since spring", Nanny replied, taking a gulping her wine once more.
She had been relaxed all through dinner, but now that it was just her
and Wilkes with the queen and Joe, she was nervous once again.
"Yes, although we, er, just recently, ah, became... serious", Wilkes
said, taking Nanny's hand.
Nanny stared at him as her mouth fell open. Her glass began to tilt
unknowingly. They were serious? He considered them to be SERIOUS? Her
thoughts were interrupted by a cold wetness on her chest.
"Oh my sainted Aunt Fanny!", she said looking down at the wine that
had spilt on her blouse. She excused herself and went to the bathroom
to clean up.
"She does that sometimes", Wilkes said with a little laugh to the
others, whom smiled back politely, but said nothing.
A moment later Catherine was back in the suite. She swung the door
open, slamming it behind her. She smiled politely then, remembering
her guests.
"Excuse me for a moment", she said as she made her way to the bedroom,
where she closed the door quietly behind her.
Robert came back into the suite a moment later, with a sigh. He stood
for a moment, leaning against a chair, before pacing back and forth.
Clarisse and Joe looked at each other and then at Robert.
"Anyone want to go down to The Oak Room for a drink?", he finally asked.
"Don't you have alcohol here?", Clarisse asked.
"Yes, I have alcohol here. Nothing personal, but I have to get out of
here for a little bit. Wilkes? Will you join me?"
"Oh, ah, well Nanny just stepped away for a moment..."
"Come on, your my only friend in this City. Let's get a drink", Robert
said to Wilkes before turning to Joe, "Come with us Joe. I'm buying"
"I can not leave the queen. I am her guard for the evening", Joe pointed out.
"Can't you get one of your guys from downstairs to watch her for you?"
"To watch me?", Clarisse asked Robert, "You make it sound like I need
a baby sitter"
"Well, sorry sweetheart, but you do always need someone with you"
"For protection! ... And who do you think you are calling sweetheart?"
"I'll get Lou and Marcus to come guard the door", Joseph said to
Clarisse, before Robert could reply, "I think Robert needs to get away
for a bit and maybe you and Catherine can have some time alone", he
suggested, wanting to smooth things over before they got out of hand.
Clarisse looking away from the men. She could not believe Joseph had
given in to Robert that quickly, without consulting her! It was
Christmas. What happened to spending it together?
"Fine", she finally replied.
Joseph got on his cell and a few minutes later the guards were at the
door, where they remained at Joseph's orders to ensure the queens
safety and privacy.
"I wonder what is keeping Nanny?", Wilkes mused.
"Well, I'm sure Clarisse won't mind telling her you've just stepped
downstairs for a bit"
"Oh, er, well... But I had really hoped to spend...", Wilkes began,
before Robert interrupted him impatiently.
"Are you coming or not?"
"Very well", Wilkes said, as all three men headed for the door, he
turned back to Clarisse for a moment, "You will tell Nanny? That I
will be back? Shortly?"
"Yes, Sir Wilkes", Clarisse replied.
"Thank you your majesty. It is much appreciated"
"Clarisse. Please call me Clarisse", She said to Wilkes, the only man
in the room she was not annoyed with.
"I'll be back soon", Joseph told her, before they all left.
"Oh, don't worry about me. I've got my babysitters!", she said to
Joseph with a smirk, her hands crossed over her chest.
He sighed, before closing the door. A moment later Catherine came back
to the living room.
"Where is everyone?", she asked, as Nanny returned to the room as well.
"The men have left. In pursuit of alcohol and a change of scenery.
They went downstairs to The Oak Room"
"Good!", Catherine said, grabbing two half full bottles of wine and
placing them on the coffee table, "Come sit Nanny. I'll be right
back", Catherine said as she exited to the kitchen.
Nanny eyed Clarisse nervously, before sitting on the opposite end of
the sofa. Clarisse looked her over compassionately. The wet spot on
her blouse made Clarisse want to laugh, but not at her. There was
something extremely endearing about this woman. She reminded Clarisse
of a much older Mia.
"Nanny",Clarisse began, as Nanny snapped to attention, "I hope I
didn't shock you earlier... In the stairwell"
Nanny's face grew red, "Aoww, no, no, no! I see that kind of thing,
ah, all the time"
Clarisse had to laugh, knowing Nanny was fibbing," You are Catherine's
closest friend and I hope may also be friends"
"Me? Friends with a queen?"
"Well, you are in a relationship with a knight!"
"Just barely", Nanny said looking down, "I can't believe 'e just left
and went off with the men, without saying goodbye"
"He didn't want to go. That much was very obvious. He was rather
bullied into it and told me to tell you that he would be back shortly"
"I see", Nanny replied, not sure if Clarisse was just trying to make
her feel better.
Catherine returned then, with wine glasses, spoons and her favorite
peanut butter and jam.
"Comfort food", she said as she sat between the two women and put her feet up.
"We're going eat it out of the jar?", Clarisse asked.
"Of course!", Nanny and Catherine said together, before laughing. They
obviously did this a lot.
Clarisse couldn't help but smile herself. She had missed her sister,
more then she realized and she truly did liked Nanny.
"So", Clarisse said, kicking up her feet with the others and taking
the glass of Chardonnay that Catherine handed her, "Why don't you tell
us what on earth happened down there"
TO BE CONTINUED...
