I own nothing. The characters all belong to Disney and Meg Cabot. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit will be made from this story.
6. Wedding Gifts
Mia paced the small chapel, which was the entrance to the secret passage, and muttered darkly under her breath. She was pacing the small space with furious strides. She had known that Arthur Mabrey was a nasty piece of work but this was too much even for him. Mia just couldn't believe he had done all this to her and her grandmother. For the first time she experienced real hatred and a burning rage.
Lilly watched her best friend closely and was slightly disturbed by the enraged spark in her eyes. Normally it was her with the bad attitude and Mia with the even temper always finding a positive aspect of every situation. Lilly was worried for what her impulsive friend might do. There certainly was a mischievous, almost maniac gleam in her friend's eyes.
Charlotte watched Princess Mia also and was slightly worried for Mabrey's safety ... but only slightly. She knew that if Joe got to Mabrey before there would be no Mabrey for Mia to handle. She grinned wolfishly before being drawn out of her thoughts by Mia's voice.
"I hate this jerk! How can he do that to Grandma?" she yelled angrily, curling her hands into fists. "She deserves this happiness and he has no right to butt in on her marriage!"
Charlotte glanced over to the Princess and wondered if the Princess actually knew of the nature of her Grandmother's relationship with Joe ... how it all had begun. It certainly wasn't her place to inform the young woman of it but she also knew that Her Majesty would never confide her deepest feelings to anyone, not even her grandchild. Her only grandchild. She had always tried to protect the young vibrant woman as much as she had tried to protect her sons. Charlotte was aware that even though she had always been so observant.
Before Mia could formulate a plan to get back at Mabrey, Charlotte heard voices approaching their hide-out. Lilly's ears pricked up as well and she clamped a hand over Mia's mouth and towed her into the secret passage. Charlotte quickly followed and just as she closed the hidden door she saw Joseph coming into the chapel, dragging the Queen in behind him. Then she opened the eyes of the saint to look into the chapel.
"Joseph, what are we doing here?" Clarisse asked, still furious with Parliament.
Joseph was unfazed and merely turned, embracing Clarisse tenderly while nuzzling her neck. He silently told her that he was there no matter what. Clarisse stiffened at first, causing Mia to wonder if the solitary position as Queen had rendered her grandmother this cold and distant, but then Clarisse relaxed into her husband's arms. Smiling triumphantly Joseph tightened his hold around her, drawing her closer.
"You have to relax before I can justify setting you free in the palace", he teased her gently.
Clarisse raised her head to mock-glare at him but rather dissolved into giggles over his charmingly innocent smile.
"You are, as always, right", she conceded, "but I can't believe the gall of this insufferable fool!" she ranted on.
Gently pushing away from Joseph, she began to pace the small chapel with angry strides. Joseph watched her and was again struck with how close in behaviour Mia was to her grandmother. He also knew better than to touch her right now. She had to vent her anger and later he could console her.
"Such medieval, chauvinistic ideas!" Clarisse muttered, her voice slowly rising in volume. "How dare he attacking me like that!?! How dare he insinuate that he is superior to a woman?! Mia has proven that she can hold her own against Parliament, and especially against him! She will make a good Queen ... I will see to it even if it's the last thing I do!"
Joseph cringed a little at her sudden outburst. He had been right to assume she wouldn't be able to hold in her anger for long and it was definitely better for all involved that she vented it here where he was her only witness. It was also so like her to be more enraged on behalf of her granddaughter than her own. At her last statement Joseph heaved a resigned sigh. His plans to spend his remaining years alone with his beloved Clarisse evaporated into thin air. He should have known that she couldn't just hand over her duty to Mia and relax.
"Teach me my place! Unable to think without a man! Weak!" Clarisse's enraged voice cut through Joseph's musings and he felt his blood boiling in indignation and fury. He wanted nothing more than to hunt down Mabrey and pound him mercilessly.
"What have I ever done to that ... that canaille!?!" Now Clarisse's French roots surfaced and Joseph knew from experience that as soon as she started to rant on in French the situation needed diffusion or it would all too soon escalate.
Clarisse was standing rigidly in front of the altar, her hands braced against the cold stones. Her cheeks were tinged in deep red and her eyes sparked icily. Whirling around to face Joseph, she placed both fists on her hips and glared at her husband. For a moment Joseph wondered why he didn't immediately turned to stone at her gaze.
"Have I not suffered enough on behalf of this 'great nation'? I sacrificed my life, my two sons and now my only grandchild for the monarchy and still it's not enough! What else do they want? Am I not allowed some happiness in my life? Je déteste Mabrey et son jalousie et ses intrigues!!!"
Suddenly tears flowed from her eyes and her knees began to wobble dangerously. Apparently she had run out of steam. A sob tore from her chest and before her legs gave way under her Joseph was there to catch her as always. Burying her face in his chest, she let go and sobbed unashamedly, knowing Joseph would never think her weak or judge her.
Joseph just held her in his arms, clinging to her as if his life depended on it. Every few seconds he brushed his lips over the top of her head, murmuring words of love and comfort to her. His arms were around her waist and back, supporting her weight against his chest. Caressing the tips of her hair, nape and shoulders, Joseph gradually calmed her enough for her to continue.
"This is exactly what I was afraid of", she confessed to him, face still hidden in the folds of his customary black shirt, words slightly muffled. "I'm afraid of the intensity of my own feelings for you and I was afraid that Parliament and the public would look down on and attack you. Of course, they think we had a prior relationship ... how can they not after speculating about Rupert, his affaires and the state of our marriage? Surely they think: why expect her to honour vows of fidelity when her husband clearly didn't?"
Clarisse worked herself up into a nervous breakdown but Joseph was right there, pulling her up before she could fall.
"Cholita, have you any idea how much you are loved and respected amongst your people?" he asked softly. "The press is so positive about our somewhat ... impromptu wedding because they all wish you happiness. They stand behind you ... and more importantly I stand behind you. Never let Mabrey get to you. He isn't worth all the worrying," he said softly, Suddenly he chuckled and drew a thumb over her forehead, "Besides frowning like that will give you wrinkles."
Clarisse chuckled softly in response and reached up, taking hold of his wrist and bringing it down to her mouth. She kissed his palm tenderly before snuggling her cheek into it. Her eyes shone with love as she look up at him.
"I love you so much, mon amour," she whispered. "Let's put all this behind us and go to Mia, apparently she has something for us." She laughed nervously. "What do you suppose it is? Knowing her it could be ... everything."
Joseph laughed with her, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.
"I doubt it will be something outrageous. She looks out for your good reputation."
"Alright then, let's go and find out," offered Clarisse.
Joseph drew her gently closer to him and kissed her cheeks.
"Yes, but before we meet Mia, let's go to our bedroom. You need to freshen up," he said gently, tracing some tear stains with his finger.
----
As soon as her grandmother and Joe left the chapel, Mia slowly emerged from the secret passage. Her hands were balled into fists and her eyes were flashing dangerously.
Charlotte was, yet again, struck by the similarity between the Princess and the Queen. Mia's eyes were throwing daggers just like Clarisse's had only moments before. For a moment she was really afraid of what this spirited girl would do next. Charlotte was sure that if Mabrey were in the same room with them he wouldn't survive long. But instead of storming off to find the man responsible for her grandmother's heartache and screaming at him, the Princess only turned to her best friend.
"Lilly, I want to go through your CD collection," she informed her, her voice clipped and full of suppressed anger.
"Sure. What are you looking for?" Lilly asked, more than a bit intrigued.
"Oh, you'll see," Mia answered mysteriously.
----
Later that day Clarisse stood in front of her granddaughter's suite, holding Joseph's hand. She confidently knocked on the door and was surprised when the door opened instantly. Mia threw it wide open, stepping out and embracing Clarisse tightly. For a few moments she just clung to her grandmother then she slowly pulled away, pressing a kiss onto each of Clarisse's cheeks. Her grandmother stared at her, stunned and silent. Why was Mia acting like that? As if she was saying goodbye or as if Clarisse needed comfort.
"Mia ..." Clarisse started tentatively but was interrupted by Mia who flung herself at Joseph.
Hugging the man who had become a father figure to her, Mia tried desperately to hold in her tears. She wanted this marriage to work, she wanted her grandmother to find happiness, and she wanted only the best for those two very special people. Joseph hugged her back hesitantly, not quite sure how to react to her show of affection.
"Come on in", Mia squealed happily and turned towards her living room.
Joseph, though, had seen the tears sliding down her cheeks. And by Clarisse's jerk forward, surging after her granddaughter, he assumed she had, too.
"Mia ..." she started again but was again interrupted by Mia.
"Sit down on the sofa. I'll be with you in a sec," she called over her shoulder before disappearing into the bedroom section.
Cautiously the newlyweds sat down on the edge of the sofa, feeling uncomfortable about Mia's unusual behaviour. Before they could talk about it though, Lilly came back in with a tray of Champagne flutes. She set it down delicately on the small end table and handed both Clarisse and Joseph a glass.
"Mia will be out in a sec," she said with a smile.
Clarisse noticed that there was a sad expression in her eyes as well. Perhaps the two of them had had a fight, she reasoned and felt relieved that she had figured out why both girls behaved so unusually. Just as she opened her mouth to ask Lilly about the fight, the soft notes of music filled the room. Clarisse's eyes widened slightly as she listened to Whitney Houston's and Celine Dion's son 'Wind beneath my wings'. It was a lovely melody and the text reflected so perfectly her relationship with Joseph. She fought down tears as she listened to every word of the lyrics. She looked over to Joseph from under her eyelashes. These were exactly her feelings for him. How did Mia know that? She had thought her heart guarded and her thoughts unreadable.
Mia, who had entered the room unnoticed, walked slowly over to where her grandmother sat and smiled softly down at her.
"I love you, grandma," she whispered, "Never again think about the vile things that jackass Mabrey said today. You have Joseph and he loves you with all his heart. Nothing else matters."
"How do you know all this?" Clarisse asked guardedly.
Mia looked down embarrassed, studying her toes.
"I kinda overheard ..."
"You mean you eavesdropped?" asked Joseph shrewdly, grinning at Mia.
The Princess nodded slowly, waiting for her grandmother's angry outburst. Instead she felt soft arms wrapping around her shoulders and soft lips brushing her temple.
"Thank you for looking out for me, Mia," Clarisse whispered into her ear, "but Princesses never eavesdrop," she added with a sterner voice and a twinkle in her eyes.
"Sorry, grandma," conceded Mia a little hesitantly but unable to hide her grin. "Can I now give you your present?"
Clarisse nodded slowly and settled back down next to Joseph. She was curious what Mia had gotten for them on such short notice.
"Grandma, Joe, I have here the keys of Grandma's childhood home. Genovia 1 is ready to fly you off to France after the coronation. One week of wonderful relaxation await you", she exclaimed, waving her arms and talking as if praising a luxury spa. "The staff will set everything up and you won't have any functions or meetings to attend to. You can take long walks in the vineyard, swim in the pool ... or drink wine and then make love ... sorry, I couldn't resist," she giggled, seeing Clarisse's cheeks redden and Joseph's jaw drop. "But honestly, just enjoy yourselves."
Joseph chuckled at Mia's cheekiness and Clarisse's slightly embarrassed expression. Slowly he nodded to Mia, appreciating her thoughtful gift.
Mia slowly walked over to her grandmother and knelt down in front of her, putting her head onto her grandmother's lap and looking up to her with her father's eyes. Clarisse gently stroked her cheek and smiled lovingly down on her.
"That is a lovely gift, Mia," she spoke softly. "I haven't been at Chateau Bellevue in ages."
----
Clarisse staggered across her living room, still wobbly-legged from the emotional rollercoaster today, and collapsed gratefully on the couch. It was so soft, inviting and melded to her body perfectly. She wondered briefly whether it was worth the effort to get up and wash her face before succumbing to the urge of sleep.
She had just about decided that she might get up for Gabriel's Trump, but not much else, when she saw that Joseph was still standing by the door with an uncertain look in his eyes. He crossed the room in two steps and took Clarisse by the hands, drawing her from her exhausted stupor. He put a finger under her chin and forced her gaze up.
"Clarisse", he said evenly. "Please look at me ... this here is important."
Clarisse stole a glance at him, and found him staring at her with an expression of pure, unadulterated love.
"Yes, mon chéri", she said quietly, focusing all of her attention on him.
"I got something for you earlier today," he admitted, seeming shy and slightly embarrassed.
"And what did you get me?" she asked suspiciously. Why was he so shy all of a sudden?
Joseph sighed and hesitated for a moment, then placed a small package lightly into her lap.
"A wedding ring, my love," he said. "The ring I put on your finger in church was meant for Mia and it's a little too tight for you ... and it wasn't meant to be yours. I bought this ring a few years ago but never found the courage to give it to you. When I saw it I knew it was made for you."
"Oh," Clarisse said in a small voice.
"Go ahead," he said, a moment later. "Open it. It's yours."
The outlines of the little package blurred under her fingers. She blinked and sniffed, but made no move to open it. Reaching over her, Joseph took the package from her lap and tore away the wrapping, revealing a wide silver band, decorated with small sapphires all around it, a small and delicate French lily carved in the biggest one on the top.
So much she saw, and then her eyes blurred again. Clarisse found a handkerchief thrust into her hands, and did her best to stanch the flow with it.
"It's ... beautiful," she said, clearing her throat and dabbling at her eyes.
"Will you wear it, Clarisse?" His voice was gentle now, and his use of her name, mostly reserved for occasions of formality or tenderness, nearly made her break down again. He sat motionless, waiting, holding the tiny circlet near his heart.
Clarisse couldn't speak, but held out her right hand to him, fingers trembling. The ring slipped cool and bright over her knuckle and rested snug at the base of her finger – a perfect fit. Joseph held her hand a moment, looking at it, then suddenly pressed her knuckles hard against his mouth. He raised his head, and Clarisse saw his face for an instant, fierce and urgent, before he pulled her almost roughly onto his lap.
He held Clarisse hard against him then, without speaking, and she could feel the pulse-beat in his throat, hammering like her own. His hands went to her shoulders, and he held her slightly away, so that she was looking upward into his face. His hands were large, and very warm, and she felt slightly dizzy.
"I love you, Clarisse. Always have and always will," he said, sounding choked. He paused a moment as though unsure what to say next. "I want you so much – I can scarcely breathe. Will ..." He swallowed, then cleared his throat. "Will you have me?"
By then Clarisse had found her voice. It squeaked and wobbled, but it worked.
"Yes," she said. "Yes, I'll have you."
Joseph was in heaven. Closing his eyes, he relished the feeling of having her sit in his lap. She was here. It wasn't a dream or a fantasy, no, this was real. She was with him, smiling at him. Touching him. He realized how good it felt to be with her. His wife. He smiled and opened his eyes again, squeezing her hand before placing it on his heart.
Joseph took her hand and guided her to their bed. He sat down on it and held his arms up for Clarisse to join him. She lowered herself onto the mattress and waited for her husband. He leaned closer to her and brushed his lips against hers before getting her to lie down using only light kisses. She looked up and saw the desire in his eyes. Clarisse knew that she had the same look in her eyes and felt young and desirable again. She wanted Joseph and now that she was married with him she had no reason to hide her feelings anymore.
He looked deep into her eyes and saw the desire in them. Lips touching, Joseph feathered his hand down to rest gently on her waist. He did not want to move things too fast but enjoy being with the woman he had loved for most of his life.
He started out with gently kissing her lips while his hand roamed up and down her side. Being bold Clarisse brought her own hands up and felt the muscles of his back tense as her hands wandered over his shirt and then beneath it, lifting it off his body and exposing his flesh. Joseph, taking her hands in his, lightly restrained them above her head, smiled at her when she tried to remove them. Clarisse knew that he would be gentle and she trusted him with her body and her love.
"Trust me", Joseph whispered and nipped at her lips.
He leaned over her and kissed her forehead before raining kisses down her neck. For every button of her blouse he opened Joseph would place a kiss and linger giving her time to decide whether she wanted him to stop or not. Clarisse allowed her eyes to flutter close as Joseph continued to unbutton her blouse. She freed her left hand and ran it over his head. She could feel him all around her and sucked in her breath when Joseph released the button clasping the cotton to her breasts.
Keeping his eyes on hers, Joseph exposed her shoulders. He leaned down and nipped at the exposed flesh but kept the fabric covering her breasts closed. He lightly kissed her warmed flesh and enjoyed the taste of her. She was everything he ever wanted.
Clarisse removed her hand from his head and freed her other from his grasp and pulled her blouse down for him to see her. Joseph kissed each scar on her chest and then placed his ear over her heart and listened to her strong heart beat. Clarisse took a long deep breath and laced her hand with his again. Joseph placed a tender loving kiss over her scars again and rested his head against them.
Joseph leaned down and kissed his wife tenderly as he opened the clasp of her bra, ravishing her breast with his lips and tongue. One of his hands moved down to unbutton and unzip her skirt before pulling it down together with her panties. Suddenly he withdrew from Clarisse to stand up and remove the rest of his clothing quickly. Then he settled his body over hers and put most of his weight on his forearms. The feel of her flesh on his made him want her more.
Clarisse kissed him again, harder this time. Her heart was beating so fast that she couldn't believe how she felt for this man. She raked her nails down his back and felt the muscles react to her touch.
Clarisse moved her hands up to frame the side of his face. His breath came in short bursts as she feathered her hands around his neck. She pulled him back so her lips could taste his. The fire coursed through his blood and called to the primitive side of his nature that demanded he claim his woman. She saw the need reflected in his eyes and arched her back.
"I want you", she groaned and gasped when she felt Joseph graze her nipple lightly with his teeth.
She relaxed as Joseph kissed his way down her body while removing the garter and her silk stockings. He nipped his way back up to her lips. His flesh warmed hers and he waited for her to tell him that she was ready. Suddenly he rolled so that she was on top and staring down at him. Joseph cupped Clarisse's face just as she had done to him and guided her up and over him. He stroked through her soft hair, relishing in the silky feel of it. His hands then ran over her shoulders and rested on her back. The coolness of her skin amazed him even though she was flushed.
Just as Clarisse had become accustomed to being on top Joseph reversed their positions and waited a beat before entering her. Clarisse gasped at the sudden contact but recovered quickly. She laced one hand with his and waited to become comfortable with him inside her. He levered himself up on his forearms to take some of the weight off her. Joseph shifted once and groaned at the feel of her around him. He was careful not to move to fast till she wanted him to.
"Clarisse", he gasped.
"Yes", she said and wrapped her other arm around his shoulder and felt him begin to move. She loved him so much. His body fit with hers so well that it was almost as if he was made for her.
She felt good. Soft and warm, just like he had always imagined and better then the night before. He pushed into her again while his mouth covered hers in another passionate kiss.
Clarisse locked her legs behind him, pulling him closer against her. It was even better than she remembered, the sheer knowledge of having him inside of her made her skin burn, the feeling of his hot flesh moving against hers, the way he held her, made her realize how much she had needed him. Her eyes were closed when they broke their kiss, both breathing rapidly, his forehead pressed to hers as he quickened his movements, her moans getting louder with every thrust.
Joseph felt his climax build while he enjoyed the feel of her smooth skin against his loin. He felt the muscles in her thighs tighten while he thrust into her again and again. The smell of Chanel No. 5 mingled with her own special scent was forever embedded in his mind. How he had needed it. How he had needed her.
He wanted to show her just how much and he would.
Her breath tickled his neck when she tightened her embrace. Burying his face in her hair, he moaned her name, almost sorry when he couldn't stop himself from coming.
The moment she felt his release spilling into her, Clarisse came for the second time. She tightened her arms and legs around him, pressing her forehead against his shoulder while waves of pleasure soared through her body, leaving her gasping for air. She felt him leaning into her and smiled against his shoulder while still trying to calm her breathing.
Lifting her head up, she brushed her cheek against his, taking in a deep breath, enjoying the familiar smell, she brought her lips close to his ear.
"I love you so much," she whispered softly, kissing the spot right under his earlobe. Her comment made him chuckle, causing his body to shake slightly. Turning his head, he kissed her forehead.
"I love you, Clarisse Elizondo," he whispered back, satisfied that he had finally marked her as his.