Thank you to those who may have been reading this story, but a huge thank you to tengland2 and Ancorns708 for commenting. You are the BEST!
Also a HUGE thank you to tengland2 for your help on this part :)
Anyway, here's the next part. Enjoy...
A couple days later.
Things are slowly returning back to normal at the Palace, Clarisse hasn't heard from Michael since she ended the engagement two days ago, and hasn't even seen Joseph since he left that night with Gabby and the girls. She spent yesterday with her family but today she has to get back into Royal Duties, because as she says 'The Country Can't Run Itself'.
After waking up a little later than normal Clarisse rushed to get ready and headed downstairs, stopping when she reached the bottom to see Olivia coming back in with Ava.
"Darling," Clarisse whispered as she stepped of the last step and slowly walked over to her.
"Jason's gone back," She cried as Clarisse took Ava from her and wrapped her free arm around Olivia's shoulders "We're going to miss him so much," She cried on her shoulder.
"I know darling," Clarisse whispered while rubbing her back gently "But he will be home before you know it," She added while pulling her head back a little and pushed a bit of Olivia's hair back with her hand.
"Yeah," Olivia nodded while looking at her and wiped her tears away "You don't mind me staying here do you?"
"Of course not," Clarisse whispered while looking down at Ava sleeping in her arms "You can both stay as long as you need to, you know this."
"Thank you," Olivia whispered while taking Ava "We better let you get back to what you were doing," She sighed and started walking over to the stairs.
"I'm here if you need anything, ok?" Clarisse asked her.
"Thank you," Olivia answered while walking up the stairs.
Clarisse watched her disappear then headed through to the kitchen and sat drinking some coffee while the cook sorted her out some breakfast. Not long after he placed the plate down in front of her and was rewarded with a smile, feeling pleased with himself he left her to enjoy her breakfast alone. And just as she was finishing Erica and Tom came in.
"Your still here?" Clarisse exclaimed while standing up "I thought you would be on your way by now." She smiled.
"No we are just about to leave, we had to come back and get a few bits." Erica smiled and hugged her "Thank you again for the best party ever the other day," She smiled while stepping back "We had the best time, and," She said while putting her hands up cupping Clarisse's face "Sorry to hear about you and Michael." She whispered and kissed her.
"It is what it is," Clarisse shrugged "I don't need that hassle right now," She smiled as Erica stepped back and Tom stepped forward.
"Are you going to be ok while were gone?" Tom asked while hugging her.
"Of course," She patted his back and watched as he stepped back "I have plenty of family around to keep me sane," They all chuckled.
"Yeah including Grandma," Erica smiled "I heard she's still here and staying for a while." She grinned.
"Yes she is," Clarisse smiled "How long for though I have no idea," She shrugged "Suppose it will be nice to spend time with her." She said starting to shake her head "Anyway, you both go and enjoy your honeymoon and will see you in two weeks." She smiled and kissed them both.
"Thanks Mom," Erica smiled "We will call when we get there,"
"Yes please do, or I will be worrying." She smiled.
"Don't worry, talk to you later." Erica smiled and left with Tom.
Clarisse sighed a little while sitting back down and finished her coffee while reading the rest of the paper, then once she was finished she cleaned up her breakfast things and headed to her office to find Charlotte arranging some papers.
"Good morning Your Majesty," Charlotte smiled up at her.
"Good morning back," Clarisse smiled while standing beside her and slipped her glasses on.
"Your Majesty?" Came a voice behind them.
Charlotte looked at Clarisse "Sorry, I forgot to tell you that your Mom was waiting in here." She whispered and watched her slowly turn around to face her.
"Yes Mother, that's what she calls me." Clarisse smiled and turned back to the paper work.
"Why can't she call you, Clarisse." Her Mother Lily asked while moving and stood next to them.
"Oh Mother, please." Clarisse shrugged and carried on "Does it matter what she calls me?" She asked while looking up at her.
"Of course," Lily exclaimed "If she called you by your name instead, things will feel a lot more warmer." She shrugged while waving her hand around a little "But have it your way," She shrugged again as Olivia appeared at the door.
"Mom," She asked as everyone looked at her "Are you busy?"
"Of course not," Clarisse said turning to face her fully "What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you could pop to my house and get me a couple things?" Olivia asked while holding up the house keys.
"Of course," Clarisse smiled while walking over to her "Do you have a list?"
"Yeah," She said getting it from her pocket and kissed her cheek "Thank you,"
"No problem," She smiled while looking down at the list "I will go and do this now," She smiled while looking up.
"Great," Lily exclaimed while rushing over "We could go together,"
"But...I." Clarisse exclaimed then found herself nodding "Very well," She sighed while walking over to her desk and grabbed her car keys.
"See you in a bit, Your Majesty." Charlotte smirked as Clarisse looked at her.
"Yes you will," Clarisse nodded and walked out of her office with a laugh, followed by her Mother.
After a short drive they pulled up outside Olivia's house, taking a deep breath as she climbed out the car and shut the door when she noticed her Mom climbing out the car.
"Mother, where are you going?" Clarisse asked as she stood next to her.
"Coming in with you of course," She said shutting the door as Clarisse slipped her glasses on "I'm not staying in the car on my own," She smirked as they headed up to the door.
"It wouldn't of took me long Mother, you could of waited in the car." Clarisse exclaimed while putting her hand up to put the key in when the door suddenly opened, making both Clarisse, Lily and Gabby jump.
"Clarisse," Gabby exclaimed "What are you doing here?" She asked as Joseph appeared behind her.
"This isn't the best time Clarisse," Joseph exclaimed as Lily looked at Clarisse "Can you not come back later or something," He exclaimed.
"You gonna let him talk to you like that?" Lily whispered as Clarisse looked back at her.
"Shh," Clarisse exclaimed at her then back at Joseph and Gabby "I'm not here to see you, this is Our daughters house you know?" She exclaimed while walking past Gabby and into the foyer "And she needs some things," She said clasping her hands together.
"Ok, sorry." He whispered "Go on up." He said looking at her as she headed upstairs with Lily then looked back at Gabby as she stood open mouthed.
As Clarisse gathered up the things on Olivia's list, Lily stood at the door listening to the row happening downstairs.
"Mother," Clarisse exclaimed "Stop that." She added as Lily looked back at her "It has nothing to do with us," She said putting something else in the bag and looked up to see her still stood near the door listening "Mother," She exclaimed.
"Shh Clari," Lily hushed her "They are arguing about where to live," She said looking over to her "Here or London?" She whispered and watched Clarisse slowly walk over "Where do you want them to live?" She asked.
"What?" Clarisse gasped "It's not up to me where they live," Clarisse exclaimed as Lily grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to the door.
"It has in a way, you are his Daughters Mother." Lily exclaimed "Now shhh." She said putting her hand up to her mouth "I wanna hear whats going on."
"Mother," Clarisse said standing back with her hands on her hips when suddenly she heard her name mentioned, stepping closer as Lily looked at her.
"See I knew you'd listen in the end," Lily smirked as Clarisse covered her mouth with her hand for a second then let her arm drop.
"And this thing with your ex wife, why have you got to be so close?" Gabby snapped "I hate it, and after seeing you and her with OUR girls in the local paper the other day," She fumed.
"Just because she's my ex Gabby she is still a good friend and that will never change." Joseph answered.
"If we are going to make this work Joseph I really want us to be in London and not here," She snapped while folding her arms.
"I'm not sure I can," He answered "It's here where my two older daughters are, and now my Granddaughter." He added "We have no family in London, why move back when all our family are here?" He asked.
"I DON'T WANT TO LIVE HERE," She fumed at him "It's London or nothing." She snapped.
"What is the big thing with living in London, you were happy to move here before we broke up." Joseph snapped.
"Because I don't want to be around the Queen all the time, and I don't want you around her either, not after I've had our baby." Gabby blurted.
"What?" Joseph asked while looking at her.
"I didn't want to tell you like this, but I'm pregnant Joseph." Gabby whispered.
Hearing her gasp Lily looked at her "Oh, Clari." Lily whispered and watched her slowly walk over and sit on the bed "I had no idea that was going to happen." She said pushing up the door then walked over to her, sitting beside her "I'm sorry." She said taking her hand.
"Why are you sorry for?" Clarisse asked while looking at her "You didn't say it." She said looking down then slowly looked back up while taking a deep breath.
"I'm sorry that I was so interested in listening," Lily said looking towards the door then back at Clarisse "Mind, Gabby shouldn't of been having a go at him while we were here." She whispered as Clarisse covered her eyes with her other hand.
"I think we should go," Clarisse said standing up just as a door slammed.
"Who was that?" Lily asked while watching Clarisse move near the window.
"Gabby," She said turning her head a little, then looked back out the window to see Joseph running after her "And now Joseph," She whispered as Lily stood up and stood next to her.
After a few moments Clarisse stepped back and looked at Lily while taking a deep breath and tugged at the bottom of her blouse while letting it out.
"You ready to go?" Lily asked while standing back "Do we have everything?"
"I think so," Clarisse said while standing next to the bed and checked everything "Yeah we do," She nodded while doing the bag up then picked it of the bed "Let's go," She whispered.
"Ok," Lily whispered and followed her out the bedroom door.
They headed down to the car and drove of as Joseph was coming back. Arriving at the Palace a short time later, Lily took the bag up to Olivia while Clarisse went to her office and got on with her paper work.
"Your Majesty," Charlotte exclaimed while hurrying through the door.
"Yes," Clarisse looked up to see the Prime Minister following her "Motaz," She gasped while quickly jumping up "What do I owe this pleasure?"
"I have a couple questions, then we have an emergency meeting in Parliament." He said looking at her as Charlotte bowed and left the room.
"Please, take a seat." Clarisse smiled while extending her arm to one of the chairs opposite and watched him take his place, sitting down she smiled as he sat "What would you like to ask me?" She asked while resting her arms on the table in front of her.
After the meeting in Parliament Clarisse headed to get something to eat and headed back to her office to try and catch up with the paper work she's missed so far. Taking a sip of her coffee a couple hours later she noticed Pierre stood in the door way watching her.
"Hey you," She smiled and watched him come in "How long have you been there for?" She asked as he shut the door.
"A little while," He smiled while walking over and kissed her cheek then moved sitting opposite "What was that meeting about earlier?" He asked.
"Oh, just Michael." She said putting her cup down and sat back in her chair "Resigned from Parliament."
"What?" Pierre gasped "Really?" He exclaimed while bringing his leg up, resting his ankle on his knee and put his hand on his thigh.
"Yep," She nodded while looking at him.
"Wow," Pierre exclaimed "Was he there?"
"No," She said shaking her head "Thank god," She sighed while sitting forward and picked up her pen again.
"Mom," He said as she looked up at him "Grams told me about what happened over at Olivia's," He whispered and watched her sit back "Are you ok?"
"Yeah," Clarisse nodded.
"You sure?" He asked "It must of been a shock."
"Yeah it was, but I'm alright, honest." Clarisse nodded and looked down at her paper work.
"I am here if ever you need to talk to someone." Pierre offered.
"I know," Clarisse nodded while looking at him "Thank you darling." She smiled and stood up "You know, sometimes when things get really tough." She whispered as he stood up "I wish your father was here, as none of this wouldn't of happened and he always knew how to get through anything and everything." She whispered as he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her shoulders as she rested her head on his chest.
"Ahh but then if that was the case, my two sisters wouldn't be here and neither would Ava." He whispered and looked down at her as she looked up.
"That is true," She nodded with a sigh and rested her head on his chest again.
After a few moments Clarisse stepped back and looked at Pierre "Right I'm going to go for a walk, do you wanna join me?" He asked.
"No, I can't I have to much too do here." She said moving back around her desk and slipped her glasses on and looked at him "Enjoy your walk." She smiled.
"I will," Pierre smiled and headed out the office.
A few hours later she sat down to dinner with the family then went back to her office to try and finish her paper work. Not long after Shades knocked on the door, making her look up as he slowly walked in.
"Hello Shades, what can I do you for?" She asked.
"I have just been informed that Michael is at the gates, he wishes to come in and get his stuff." He said watching her look at her desk.
"Ok," She nodded "I guess he needs it, so let him in." She said while nodding.
"Ok," Shades nodded and walked out.
A short time later he was stood in her door way, watching her stand up.
"I've just come to get my stuff," He said.
"Yes, I know." She said nodding while picking up some papers "Well you know where the room is, I can't come with you as I'm to busy."
"Very well," Michael nodded and turned to walk away.
"Michael," Clarisse exclaimed and watched him come back.
"Yeah," He said while looking over at her as she looked down at the papers for a second.
Slowly looking back up "You made the right decision about resigning Parliament." She said and watched him nod and walk off, taking a deep breath she carried on with what she was doing.
After she was finally finished, Clarisse came out of her office to find Joseph, Gabby and the girls coming through the doors, making her stop and look at them for a second before Olivia came down the stairs.
"Hey," She smiled while walking over to them and hugged them then turned to Clarisse "I hope you didn't mind, I invited them over to watch a movie with us."
Clarisse forced a smile "No, that's ok." She nodded "You carry on, I'm going to go up to my own suite for a bit." She said letting go of the door handle "It's been a long day."
"Ok," Olivia said looking over at her "Are you ok?" She asked.
"Yeah," Clarisse nodded "Enjoy your movie." She smiled and started heading up the stairs.
"Ok," Olivia whispered while looking at her then looked back at the others while shaking her head.
Clarisse headed slowly to her suite, ready for a lay down after a long day.
Walking through the door moments later, she pushed it up as she flicked the light on, getting a feeling that something wasn't right. Stepping further into the room, she noticed the pictures on the mantel had been turned over, getting closer she hears glass break under her feet.
Stepping back while looking down she crouched down to pick up the frame, turning it over to find it was a photo from Olivia and Jason's Wedding of herself, Joseph, Erica, Olivia, Jason. Standing up seconds later she moved quickly to her desk, picking up the phone, and called for Security.
Within seconds Shades arrived at her door with Paul "I haven't looked any further," Nodding towards the fireplace "One of the pictures is broken." She added.
"Where is Michael?" Shades asked as he and Paul made their way into the suite.
She looked over at him "He only came to get his stuff, which I thought he had got and left ages ago."
"Paul, stay with the Queen." He whispered as he made his way towards the bedroom, Clarisse reaches for his arm, stopping him.
"I'm coming with you, I just didn't want to go any further alone," She said as he looked back at her "If he broke the picture, no telling what else he may have done." She said and watched him nodding.
Shades knew from years of experience there was no arguing with her, the only one who ever could was Joseph and they had some loud arguments over the years. They headed towards the bedroom, opening the doors, to a disaster.
The bed was torn apart, sheets torn, pillows all over the place. Lamps knocked over, night stand drawers opened onto the floor. Going into her dressing area, the closets were opened and emptied. Clothes all over the floor, some were torn, drawers opened and emptied. All three of them stood open mouthed at the mess.
Stepping carefully through the mess on the floor, Shades made his way to where the safe was. He never knew the combination, only one person beside Clarisse knew it, her ex husband. Opening the cabinet doors, he touches the outside of the safe and looked back at her.
"Well?" Clarisse dare ask.
"Doesn't look like he tried to get in." He said looking back at the safe then slowly stood up while looking around.
"I can't believe he did this." Clarisse whispered while looking around then looked up at Paul and Shades.
"Listen, find yourself something to change into for tomorrow and for tonight," Shades said looking back at her "Then we'll get you into another suite, perhaps Joseph's old suite would be the best." Pausing "He will need to know too Your Majesty."
Clarisse shook her head "Not tonight Shades, I'll take the blame for not telling him in the morning, let them enjoy their family night downstairs." Pausing for a moment while looking at him "No perhaps he and Gabby together do need to know what's going on, I want to make sure Michael isn't somewhere in the Palace." She said looking at Paul then back at Shades "That he's actually left the grounds."
"We are on it, Your Majesty." Shades answered as she started gathering up some stuff what she will need for tonight and tomorrow.
"No one knows the tunnels and passage ways better than Joseph." Paul said to Shades who just nodded his way while looking around the damage again.
After she gathered up her stuff, they walked her down to Joseph's old suite. And as Paul stayed with her Shades headed downstairs, updating Charlotte then both went to find Joseph with Gabby and the Children all in the family living room.
"Hey Joe," Shades smiled as they stood next to him "Can we have a quick word with you, Gabby, Philippe and Pierre please?"
"Sure," Joseph nodded as Gabby, Philippe and Pierre stood next to him.
"What's this about?" Pierre asked.
"Charlotte," Shades said looking at her as she nodded.
"Come on kids, we'll go tell the cook what kind of popcorn you want then go pick out a movie." Charlotte smiled.
"But Mummy was going to help us pick one." Rose whispered.
"Shades needs to talk to her, Your Daddy and the others for a couple minute's," Charlotte said looking down at her "Perhaps they will be in the movie room when we're done getting the popcorn?" She said looking up at everyone else then back down at the children as they headed out the door, pulling it up behind them.
"Where's Olivia?" Shades asked while looking around.
"She's up feeding Ava, what's going on?" Joseph asked while folding his arms and watched Shades grab his radio, telling Paul to check on them too.
"Michael," Shades started while looking around them "He was back earlier today to get his stuff, before he left however, he did quite a number on Clarisse's suite, knocked photos over, broke one or two and then tore apart her bed and dressing area." He stopped for a second as Pierre and Philippe gasped "He tossed clothes, emptied drawers, even tore some things." Pausing for a second while looking back at Joseph "Problem is no one knows if he has left the Palace, no one saw him leave."
"Where's Clarisse?" Joseph said while unfolding his arms.
"She's up in your old suite with Paul," Shades said looking at him as he put one of his hands up, placing it on the back of his head "Thought it best she were in that one for now."
"Yeah," Joseph answered.
"What are the chances that he just left?" Gabby asked "I've gathered in the last few days, things were not good in that relationship."
"We need to be sure and need to do an entire search of the Palace." Pausing he looked back at Joseph "Including the passage ways Joe, not all the doors are alarmed, particularly the one in that suite." He stood watching as Joe looked back at Gabby.
As he touched her arm she smiled "Go do what you have to do, I don't have to be happy or be understanding about it." Wiping a tear from her face "But its family and my girls are staying here, where their older sisters live." She added as they walked out into the main foyer.
"Thank you," Joseph smiled and lent closer kissing her check "The kitchen's that way," nodding towards where Charlotte had gone with the girls "Come on Pierre, Philippe, lets see how much you remember about the walls of this place."
As the men head of to Clarisse's suite Gabby stands there, tears rolling down her face. She couldn't be mad at Clarisse, even if she tried. This is the place where Joseph worked for many years, and lived both as a single and a married man. Wiping her face she headed for the kitchen.
Walking through the door she see's Clarisse stood with Paul, tasting some of the popcorn that they had already made up for the movie night. As she stood next to the table Clarisse noticed her and smiled her way before playfully tossing a bit of popcorn at Paul, which made Gabby chuckle.
"Sorry," She smiled while putting her hand up to her mouth, trying to compose herself.
"Not to worry," Clarisse smiled "I done it to make you laugh anyway," She said turning to rest against the table "Is everything alright?" She asked her.
Gabby nodded "Now I know where he gets the need to know everything, It started here with you." She said as Paul left them too it.
Clarisse nodded while looking at her "Its what made him good at Security, Gabby." She nodded again "I'm sorry for the way things are working out".
"Don't be Clarisse, its certainly made me understand a lot about Joseph these past couple of days." She paused "I doubt, I'll ever really understand him, but it has helped." She added while picking up some popcorn, tasting it "Oh, to sweet."
The cook near the stove, looked over "What would you like, Ma'am?" He asked.
"Salt and vinegar, perhaps?" She asked as Clarisse looked at her in surprise.
"Never tried it with vinegar, but let me see what I can do you." He smiled and turned his attention to the stove.
"Where did the girls get off to?" Gabby asked while looking back at Clarisse.
"Charlotte took them down to the pantry where the juices are kept." She smiled "There are small containers with juice, kool aid and milk in a small refrigerator down there" She nodded "They are ok, don't worry."
"Oh I know," Gabby smiled and sat at the table.
"Gabby," Clarisse said while grabbing a bottle of water and lent back against the table "I just want you to know," She started while looking at her as she looked back "Whatever happens, with the children and between you and Joseph." She said with a small nod "Joseph and I will always be friends." She whispered "But I will never ever come between you both." She looked towards the door as Charlotte and the Children came back, then slowly looked back at Gabby "I just wanted you to know." She nodded.
"Thank you, Clarisse." Gabby nodded and watched her head towards the door.
"Aunt Clari," Rose exclaimed as Clarisse stopped and looked back at her "Are you joining us for movie night?" She asked.
Looking back at Gabby for a second then back to Rose "Not tonight," She said as Rose rushed over and hugged her "Maybe another night." She said leaning over and kissed the top of her head "Enjoy it and I will see you tomorrow maybe," She smiled while standing back up and blew Cara a kiss.
"Ok," Rose smiled and headed back to Cara.
"Enjoy the movie everyone," Clarisse smiled and headed out the room.
Gabby watched her leave and stared at the door for a second before turning back to the girls and Charlotte. Not long after they headed to the movie room to watch the movie, being joined by Joseph after the search came up clear and Olivia not long after.