~ J&C ~

Pierre was standing in front of the church full of people. He loved his job, even though he didn't consider a job what he was doing, for him it was a call. In this moment though, he was tired and glancing at his watch every now and then, he prayed to God that no one would have any question later so he could finish it earlier. He was hoping he could slip away with no one noticing it, when a choir starts singing at the end of a Mass. He was desperate when a yawn escaped him; thank God he said earlier today that he wasn't available for confessions, as he wouldn't be able to cope with it.

He was so tired that his eyesight was blurred, his hands were shaking and his knew were giving up slowly, but towards the end of a Mass he saw someone sneak at the back of the church. The Mass was forgotten at that moment as was his tiredness, and thanks to his friend, the priest who offered to say a Mass today with him, he was able to focus on other things. In this moment his focus was on a man approaching the last bench in a row and within a second sitting down. He was in his middle 50's, but he was still fit and very good looking. His hair was starting to gray at his temple, and Pierre was sure he will grey completely very soon as his crown was already bald.

Give me a quiet heart, God,

So that I can hear your firm,

But gentle voice teaching me the lessons

You give so lovingly, so wisely.

His friend took his attention from a man at the back of a church to the Mass, and listening carefully to the words that where being said he turned his attention back to the man, who now was sitting nervously and fidgeting with a miniature bible that always sat at every bench at the church as to help people throughout their prayers. Watching him carefully, Pierre noticed the worry on his face and bags under his eyes as reminders of many sleepless nights. He was very intrigued by a man that he decided to approach him later and perhaps have a little talk with him.

Lately, Father, it seems as though

A frigid winter has blanketed my

Spirits.

Gray days have covered me over

With

Harsh and heavy burdens.

Everyone in the church started to say a prayer with the priest and Pierre also tried to say the words albeit absentmindedly. He was still concentrated on the man who now, he noticed, was on his knees praying silently. The man was wearing black and Pierre didn't know if it was because of his loss or he preferred wearing it. He reminded him of a guy he knew as his mother's bodyguard many years ago that looked almost like him. Even though it's been little less than twenty years he would never forget him.

Help me to remember

That you promised Noah both

Winter and summer; seed time and

Harvest;

Day and night; cold and heat.

Joe started working for the royal family when Pierre was four and his little brother Philippe was just two at the time. Even though he was too young, he remembers perfectly the day he met Joe. It was winter, a few weeks before Christmas and it was snowing. Pierre was sitting in his room with a nanny playing with his favorite car toy when suddenly he glanced outside through the window just in time to see that it started snowing. He adored snow, but there was no one to play with him outside. His brother was too young and his parents were too busy being King and Queen of a country, the nanny was just too boring at times, like she didn't like her job at all. That day she was his only option, so he made her go outside the palace to play with him. She accepted, but rather hesitantly though.

Too often, Father, I remember

To pray in distress and need,

But forget to pray when I experience

Abundance, joy and thanksgiving.

The moment they were out, Pierre ran down the front stairs and through the garden, his mother's sanctuary, cautious to not destroy the special plants. Even though it was cold outside, his mother savored some plants (mostly were presents from many foreign dignitaries brought here in Genovia from the exotic places). Paying more attention to the plants and not watching where he was going, he hit something strong and solid. When he turned around to see who it was he saw a rather tall man watching him from above with his eyebrows raised mockingly. Pierre contemplated him for a few seconds and then tried to run, but Joseph lifted him in his arms while talking to him.

"You seem lost young man."

"I.. I…" Pierre answered stuttering.

"You don't have to be afraid; I am Joseph, Her Majesty's new bodyguard. And who are you, if I may ask? And why are you running alone here in the gardens? Aren't you supposed to be with someone adult?" Joseph asked watching him curiously.

"I am Pierre. Nice to meet you Joseph." He answered politely just like a real little gentleman, which Joseph laughed whole heartedly to.

"Oh you are His Royal Highness Prince Pierre?"

"Yes."

"Well, we should take you to Her Majesty then."

"Thank you, Joseph."

"You're most welcome, Your Highness."

And with that they strode towards the palace entrance and to his mother's office later, the nanny long forgotten. From that day Joseph became his new "nanny" as Pierre followed him everywhere. One year later his brother Philippe made him company and Joseph wasn't bothered with that at all.

I cry out for your help and guidance

With tearstained eyes, only

To forget you when it is time

To share my laughter.

To him and most certainly to his brother (may he rest in peace), Joseph was like a father. The King never had time to pass with his sons, not to mention play or talk about what was bothering them when they grew older. Even though their mother used to do that most of the time, they couldn't confide in her simply because she was a girl. They needed a male figure in their lives, a figure of a father and for that matter there was Joseph. Being their mother's best friend, he gradually became theirs. They could trust him completely and confide in him whenever they needed. And whenever they needed him he was there for them to give an advice or to support them. He was like a second father to them.

Help me to understand and

Remember that

My barren and difficult times are not

A curse,

But a part of a blessing and your

Wonderful,

Exchanging gift of LIFE.

And then one day he disappeared. He stopped working for the palace security at the time his mother was due to give birth to his sister. Until now it's not known why he went away without even saying goodbye. He tried to ask mother if she knew something, but she claimed she was surprised just as he was. After Anna's birth he wasn't mentioned at all, as if he never worked at the palace. That was very strange considering the fact that he was mother's best friend once.

I ask you these things in the name of

Jesus,

Who exchanged his life for ours,

And who gave hope to a world

As discouraged and sad as I am

Today.

Remembering that the next day was Anna's birthday, he decided to go to Genovia that same evening. He knew his mother needed him to support her through the day. Every year on this day Clarisse made a birthday party only for the family as if Anna was there. Unfortunately she didn't live long, only a few months, not even six months. When she was only a month she was kidnapped by a still unknown person and after a few weeks she was found dead in a little cabin just outside the town. Clarisse was already desperate and when the news sank she was lost. Months from that day she was in her suite not letting anyone enter, not even her husband or her sons. She wasn't eating or drinking at all during that period, that the others were surprised she was still alive. Pierre could only imagine how it was to lose Philippe fifteen years later. Only God knows how she coped with the death of her two children. That's why decided to visit her the next day even though he didn't plan it. He hoped he and Amelia would be enough support for her.

In the name of the Father,

And the Son,

And of the Holy Spirit,

Amen.

Coming from his daydream, Pierre barely registered the words his friend the priest pronounced at the end of the prayer. He noticed the people already started to stand up and go. He was startled when he glanced at the now empty seat on the bench at the last row of the church. There was still the miniature bible the man was holding only minutes earlier. The Mass finished only moments ago as Pierre thought the man couldn't go far. Making long steps he strode towards the church entrance door, and reaching it he caught a glimpse of the same man closing a car door behind himself and driving away. He was convinced it was Joseph who just drove away from him only seconds ago. It wasn't a dream, then. He hoped he would see him again as he was certain that Joseph was living in the same town as him.

While standing at the doorway and still watching outside, he felt someone touch his shoulder from behind. He turned around and sighed, glancing at his friend only briefly and then continued watching outside.

"Penny for your thoughts?" his friend asked him taking two cigarettes from his right pocket, offering one to Pierre, which he accepted immediately. He didn't smoke but right now he needed it.

"I've just seen someone I haven't seen for a long time." Pierre answered.

"Oh…"

"Are you available now?" Pierre asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Yes, I am. Why?"

"Could you take me to the airport?"

"Of course. You don't have to ask."

"Good. I'm just going to change. Meet me here fifteen minutes from now?"

His friend just nodded and went back to church to collect some of his belongings he brought that were necessary for the Mass. A few minutes later Pierre sighed heavily and throwing the cigarette at the bin on his left he went inside.

All the way towards the airport Pierre couldn't stop thinking about Joe and the brief encounter in the church earlier that day. At the same time he was considering how he would approach his mother with this, being almost sixteen years that they haven't seen each other. He was afraid that this would only add fuel on everything going on from the day Joe left the palace.

A few moments after the Genovia 1 took off, Pierre relaxed a little in his seat. He was tired so much so that he couldn't even keep his eyes opened anymore. After a couple of minutes he closed them and sank deeper in his seat, gradually drifting off. There will be time tomorrow to think about everything that happened that day and what will happen only few hours from that moment.