Chapter 3 - Divine Intervention

As the days went on, Clarisse worried more and more about Joseph. She watched him like a hawk, but he didn't realize it. Or so she thought.

"Clarisse. I'll be fine. I'll be back in one hour."

"But...Joseph, wouldn't you rather Shades went? Or Lionel?" Her hands were out, trying to get him to come back as he tried to leave.

"No, my darling, I think I can handle it." He stuck a hand up to stop her.

"But it's just so far away." She tried again.

"It's just the Prime Minister's house, my dear. I can go, I just have to pick up your papers." Joseph held her hands loosely. "I love you." He whispered, kissing her softly.

"Aww! You guys are so cute!" The couple heard Mia coo from the stairs.

"Oh, Amelia! I haven't seen you in days. How are you, dear?" Clarisse greeted her warmly.

"I'm good, Grandma. Oh! Someone says hello!" Mia indicated to her growing stomach, taking Clarisse's hand and placing it on the top. The former queen felt her great-grandson kick for the first time.

"Oh! My goodness! Joseph. . . It's amazing, feel this." He placed a hand on top of Clarisse's and sighed.

"I have to go." And with that he was gone.

"Are you two having a fight or something, 'cuz it sure didn't look like it a few minutes ago."

"No, no. I'm just worried about him, that's all." Clarisse sat on the couch in the lobby, straightening her jacket.

"Why?" Mia sat next to her, a hand still on her stomach, feeling the baby kicking from the inside and the out.

"He's forgetting things. Things he's always remembered." The former-queen looked away before a tear could dare make its way down her cheek.

"Like...?"

"The sunset." Her words were few, but many in their power.

"Oh, I see." Mia put a hand on her grandma's arm. "He's going to be OK, Grandma. He just forgot one time."

"Three." Clarisse muttered.

"What?"

"He has forgotten the sunset three days in a row."

"Oh."

"Mia? All you have to say is oh? My dear, you need to get better at this comforting thing!" The ex-queen almost yelled.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what to say."

"No, I apologize, I shouldn't have snapped at you."

"Grandma, it's Joe. He's a strong man, and he has reasons to be OK. He has a wife to protect."

"Thank you, Amelia, but I need to do something about this."

"Joseph, why don't you just let the accountants do that?" Joseph was sitting at a desk in their sweet, trying to figure out a math problem to do with their finances. He wanted to plan a very nice vacation, and was making a budget.

"It's not making sense, it has to make sense, Clarisse!" He threw down his pencil to make a point.

"Take a break. Just for a little while." Clarisse had his hands on his shoulders, she massaged them gently, feeling the tension building in his neck.

"You are right, my darling."

"Oh, tush, I always am." Her smile lit up the room as she leaned in to kiss him softly.

"I suppose you are." He stood up, only to walk across the room and sit on the edge of their large bed. His brain was wracking, and foreign thoughts kept interrupting his train of thought that was focused on math. Clarisse tried to make him forget the math, hating to see him suffer. She moved to the bed and sat next to her husband.

"Joseph, I'm afraid we need to talk."

"My dear, if this is about our anniversary, I swear I won't forget."

"Joseph, our. . .our anniversary was last week." He suddenly looked appalled.

"I forgot? I'm so sorry, Clarisse, I'll make it up to you."

"No, Joseph, you didn't forget. We had a very nice celebration."

This only confirmed Clarisse's fears. How could he have forgotten what had already happened?

"Oh. Go on, what did you want to talk about?"

"Joseph, I think you need to go see a doctor."

"Wh..."

"Let me finish. You have been forgetting things lately, and I want to make sure it's just old age."

"Clarisse, I can assure you that nothing is wrong."

"I really do wish that I could believe you this time, darling. But I can't, I simply can't."

"Clarisse..." Joseph spoke softly as a single tear fell down the cheeks of the former queen. He wrapped a gentle arm around her back, pulling her into his embrace.

"Please go see a doctor. . ." Clarisse whispered softly.

"I will. Just for you." She begin to cry. What if she lost him? What if she lost this man that had been her life for more than the last five years? He had always protected her, and been their when she was unhappy. How could she ever live without him by her side?

They sat their quietly, only the occasional body-shaking sob breaking the silence. Joseph rocked his wife back and forth, trying to comfort his wife, assuring her that he would never be incapable of loving her. Truthfully, he had been fearing the same thing she had been. He had noticed his failing mind. What if the forgetting, among other things, were more than just old age?

Later that night, when she had finally fallen asleep, her body too exhausted from sobbing to go on any longer, he crawled out of bed and tried to write her a letter. A letter to perhaps comfort her if he could not do so himself.

Not comfort her? The thought burned his mind. How could he not be there for her? He had always been there, good times and bad, but what if a disease took over his mind? Who would be there for her then? Joseph tried to shake the thoughts as he picked up a pen and a piece of paper from his wife's work desk.

My Dearest Clarisse,

The doctor's tell me that I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. But, you already know that. I am expected to soon forget all the ones I love. I can not imagine forgetting you. For years I have worked at the palace, and I had watched you from afar, never getting close enough to tell you how I feel.

I was happy to be their for you when King Rupert, may he rest in peace, passed away. Then again when you lost Prince Phillip. You have been a rock to Genovia in these hard times, and I was glad to be close to you.

I'll never forget our dancing. The many dances we have shared over the years are close to my heart. The steps weigh like stones in my mind.

Though my mind and body may have failed, my spirit never will. I will always love you. Though I may turn you away or claim not to know you, I will love you. If I ever forget you, remind me. Promise me that you will always tell me stories of the great times we have had so far. Tell me of our love, of the bond that we share. Hold my hand at night, when I am sleeping, so that I can communicate what I am really feeling.

Clarisse, My darling, do not cry for me. For it will do you no good. Just remember me always. Use the memories to comfort you. And if you must, use this sappy note.

I love you, and I always will,

Joseph

He set down the paper and pen and looked at the note he had written. It was far too emotional, and he debated on whether or not to give it to his wife in the horrible event of his being diagnosed with Alzhiemer's. Joseph held the paper loosely in his hand, and crumpled it.It fell silently to the floor, and was left there as he walked back across the room and climbed back into bed with Clarisse. She stirred a little, turning to face him.

"What..." She mumbled, he put a finger on her lips.

"Shh...Clarisse, it's just me." Leaning forward, he captured her lips in a light kiss. "I love you." He whispered.

"I love you, too..." Clarisse groaned, stretching and snuggling closer to her husband. Her head came to rest on his chest, her hand on his arm. Joseph took her hand in his, rubbing the back of it lightly with his thumb, and closed his eyes. The warmth of his wife's body next to his was a comforting feeling. He could feel her hot breath on his skin coming from her slightly parted mouth. Shaking the thoughts of her lithe and graceful body hidden beneath her nightgown from his mind, Joe rolled over, drifting off to sleep next to the woman he loved and always would.