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A month later.
Clarisse, Pierre and her parents returned from San Fransisco yesterday after spending the last two weeks there with Helen and Amelia. While she was away Joseph and his two daughters, Cara and Rose stayed at the Palace.
And as much as she would like to shut herself away, she knows that she has to get back into running the Country, knowing Philippe wouldn't want her to give it up completely, she decided today would be that day she stepped back into her office again.
After having breakfast Clarisse took her time to get ready, then as she stood in her closest looking at herself in the mirror to make sure she looked ok, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes slowly "Come on Clarisse, you can do this." She whispered while opening her eyes and looked at herself again to see Pierre stood looking at her, making her turn around to look at him "Can I do this today?" She whispered while walking over to her chair and put her hand on the back of it while looking at him.
"Philippe would want you too." He said walking over "You know what he would be saying if he were here?" He smirked.
"I do," She nodded and closed her eyes remembering well "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all." She found herself smiling a little and looked back at him while opening her eyes.
"You can be brave Mom," He smiled and kissed her cheek.
She put both her hands on her stomach and nodded "I can do this, I am brave and I can carry on running this Country," She smiled at him "Thank you Pierre." She said stepping closer and kissed his cheek "Wanna meet me for lunch in town somewhere? Show Genovia that we are back on form?"
"I would love to," He grinned "Oh by the way what you were talking to me about on the flight home?" He asked as she nodded "I think it's a great idea,"
"Really?" She asked as he nodded "Great, I will ask him today then." She smiled "Thank you."
"Not to worry," He put his arm around her shoulders as they headed through to the bedroom "I have to pop out for something, I will meet you back here and we can go to lunch together?"
"Of course, and please be careful." She smiled and watched him walk out her bedroom.
"I will, don't worry." He called back and headed out the doors.
Taking a deep breath she headed downstairs to find Charlotte stood waiting with a file and a cup of coffee for her.
"For me?" She asked while stepping from the last step.
"Yep, Pierre asked me to get it for you and wait here." Charlotte smiled as she took the coffee from her.
"Thank you Charlotte," Clarisse smiled and took a sip of it before looking at what she had in her hand "What's this?" She asked while taking it.
"Oh just a couple things that need to be signed, they are the main important things." She smiled "Can I just say that it's great having you back,"
"Aww well thank you," Clarisse nodded while putting the file under her arm and sipped some more of her coffee "It's great to be back," She nodded and noticed someone through the glass paneling of the door "Whose that?" She asked as Charlotte looked towards the doors.
Looking back at her she smiled "That's Joseph, Your Majesty." She couldn't help but chuckle as Clarisse gasped and looked at her in surprise "He's grown a small beard and mustache," Charlotte nodded.
"Oh," Clarisse smirked to herself "He looks so different when he does that," She sighed not realizing that she done it, but realized Charlotte was looking at her "I um...Never mind Charlotte" She smiled and turned walking into her office as Charlotte giggled and walked off.
Clarisse stopped when she closed the door and just looked at her desk for a few seconds before slowly walking over to it, finding her post wrapped neatly in a red ribbon and a note placed on the front. Taking the note she read it to herself "It's AWESOME to have you back, Love Cara and Rose x" She couldn't help but chuckle while looking at her desk to see some fresh flowers.
With a smile she lent over and smelt them with her eyes closed, not realizing that Joseph was stood in her door way.
"Beautiful, aren't they?" He asked as she opened her eyes and stood up straight.
"They are," Clarisse nodded and looked down at the note "Did the girls do this?" She asked lifting up her post as he nodded.
"They picked the flowers also," He smiled as he made his way over to the desk "It's great having you home Clarisse," He put his hands up "And not to worry, me and the girls will be going back to Olivia's today, so you won't have us to around to worry about."
"Oh Joseph, you really don't have to do that." Clarisse said while looking at him put his hands down "You and the girls are welcome to stay as long as you need, and it should be me getting you the flowers as a thank you for staying here and making sure we came back to it in one piece, oh and for looking after my horses." She smiled.
"Not to worry, the girls helped." He chuckled as she stood smiling at him "Honestly though we are good to go and stay at Olivia's."
"Joseph," Clarisse whispered as he looked up, making eye contact "If you go you will hurt my feelings, you know that right?" She said teasingly while putting one hand on her hip.
"Well then in that case, we best stay as not to hurt your feelings." He smiled as she smiled back with a nod.
"Good," She smiled and sat down "It feels so strange being back here,"
"I bet," He nodded and watched her slip on her glasses.
"Actually while you are here, I need to talk to you about a couple things." She said extending her hand to the chair opposite "Please if you have time."
"I always have time for you," He nodded and sat down.
"Thank you," She smiled while putting her hands together on her desk and looked at him "First I want to say, how different you look." She smiled as he smiled at her "It really suits you," She nodded.
"Thank you," He grinned.
"I must admit when I saw you outside earlier I didn't realize it was you until Charlotte told me," She chuckled and moved a couple things on her desk, feeling a little shy.
"Now that does surprise me, this is thee Clarisse that I was married to right?" He asked, teasing her as she looked up at him "I'm teasing," He grinned.
"I know," She smiled back "Honestly, it suits you." She nodded.
"Well thank you," He smiled "What's the other thing?" He asked.
"Pardon me?" She asked while looking at him.
"You said you wanted to talk to me about a couple things?" He replied.
Thinking a second "Oh yes of course, well the second thing was an offer that I hope you will take." She started "How would you like to come and work back at the Palace, in the security team?" She asked "Meaning of course you and the girls will live here permanently."
"Really?" He asked in surprise.
"Yeah, you are a hard worker, knows your job well and well it would be an honor to have you back on the team, and the girls they are a blessing to be around..." She paused while looking at him "Unless you don't want to that is, which is fine I just thought I would offer." She added.
"Can I think about it a while, talk to the girls and see what they think?" He asked.
"Of course, take as long as you need to," She smiled "The offer will always be there, but remember if you feel uncomfortable about working for me again with our past, then I understand completely." She nodded.
"Thank you, I will remember that and get back to you." He smiled.
"Great, please do." She smiled "Well, that will be all."
"Ok, great." He said standing up, feeling a bit shocked at what just happened "I will see you later then," He nodded.
"Yes you will," She nodded and watched him leave, pulling up the door after himself.
As Clarisse got into her paper work, knowing she has a lot to catch up on Joseph went off to talk to the girls about the offer. And not long after Pierre arrived back and headed straight to Clarisse's office, knocking on the door and waited for an answer.
"Come," Clarisse exclaimed while looking up at the door to see Pierre come in "Hello," She said checking the time "Are you just getting back?"
"Yeah," He said walking over to the desk "I have been out on a mission for you, getting a little girl a present." He smirked as she looked blankly at him "This," He said putting a gift bag on the table "Is from you, you just need to write the card out." He smirked and sat down opposite as she stood up and looked inside.
"What is it?" She asked taking the stuff out "And whose it for?" She asked while looking to see a Barbie doll and a few other things.
"It's for Rose," He smirked "She was 8, 4 days ago, remember?" He smirked.
"Oh my goodness, really?" She asked while looking up trying to remember then nodded "Of course she was, I completely forgot." She sighed at herself and sat down "Thank you so much Pierre,"
"Not to worry Mom," He smirked while watching her write out the card.
"What would I do without you," She smiled up at him then carried on writing the card.
He smiled back "Did you ask him yet?"
"I did ask him," She smiled while putting the card in the envelope "He's going to have a think and talk to the girls about it," She said licking the envelope and stuck it down "Have you seen him today? He looks so different, doesn't he?" She asked popping the card in the bag.
"He does, I didn't know it was him at first." He nodded with a small smile.
"I was the same," Clarisse nodded "Charlotte had to tell me." She smiled while sitting back in her chair "Thanks again for getting this," She said lifting the bag from her desk and put it beside her.
"Not to worry," He smiled "I know you always get them something for their birthdays and Christmas without fail and well I know you wouldn't want to start now." He chuckled as she nodded.
"That is true," She smiled "Are we still on for lunch?" She asked.
"I am if you are?" He asked and watched her nod "Great," He smiled while standing up "I will see you in a bit then."
"Yep," She smiled and watched him walk out her office, closing the door behind him.
After she was finished what she was doing she headed to find Rose to give her, her present and spent a few moments with her before heading out to lunch with Pierre. Returning a couple hours later she sat and spent some time with Olivia, Ava and Erica, being joined by Joseph, Cara and Rose a short time later.
"Right," She said patting Erica's leg and moved forward "This won't get the paper work done," She smiled while standing up.
"Aww Mom, why do you have to go back?" Erica exclaimed.
"Because I have a Country to run, remember?" She laughed a little while leaning over and kissed her cheek "And the earlier I get back, the earlier I get to finish and get to spend the evening with you." She smiled while standing up straight.
"That's true," Erica smiled "Please hurry and finish early," She giggled.
"I will try," She smiled while walking over to the door "Enjoy your chatter," She smiled and headed out the door as Charlotte was just coming out her office "Ahh I'm just coming back Charlotte," She smiled as she looked over at her "Everything alright?"
"Yep," Charlotte nodded and opened her office door for her "I left some more forms on your desk that need to be read and signed."
"Ok, thank you." Clarisse smiled and headed over to her desk.
"Would you like some coffee?" Charlotte asked while watching her sit down.
"No thank you, not right now." Clarisse answered while looking up at her and slipped her glasses on.
"Ok, if you need anything just call." Charlotte smiled and headed out the door.
A short time later Clarisse found herself biting her bottom lip, while looking up to see Joseph stood watching her she smiled.
"What?" She asked as he came in and pushed up the door behind him.
"Nothing," He shrugged while walking over and sat opposite her "I just wondered if you had a few minutes?" He asked.
"For you I do," She smiled and put her pen down "What can I do for you?" She asked and slipped of her glasses.
"The offer you made earlier?" He asked as she nodded "I would like to take you up on it, if I may?" He asked.
"Of course, I told you that the offer will always be there." She smiled "And thank you,"
"Why, thank you?" He asked.
"Because I know, even though the others are good workers and hard protectors," She said looking over at him "The Royal family will be even more protected now, I can rest more so to speak." She started and looked down "If that makes sense to you, I haven't really been able to rest since what happened with Philippe." She sighed while looking up "I know that they caught the person who done it, but my mind isn't resting."
"It makes perfect sense Clarisse and I totally understand," He nodded as she looked at him "I will be honored to protect the Royal family," He smiled as she looked at him "My family," He nodded.
"Yes I suppose it is," She nodded "Thank you so much Joseph,"
He smiled back "I know we haven't been married for a good few years now and we both went on to have different life's, but I saw them as my own, you know that." He asked as she nodded "I will do everything in my power to get it where you can finally rest," He said firmly.
"Thank you Joseph," She nodded and sat back in her chair "I know you will, that's why I wanted you back." She nodded "I take it you still have your gun license?" She asked.
"I do," He nodded "When would you like me to start?"
"Well," She said sitting forward a little while resting on the arm rest of her chair "When would you like to start?" She asked.
"I don't mind, whenever you think I should?" He asked and noticed the small smile on her lips.
"Ok, um..." She thought a few moments "Say Monday?" She asked "That gives you 4 days to get anything you may need and to get ready," She said while looking at him.
"Monday sounds good," He nodded with a smile "Thanks."
"No problem," She smiled and picked up her pen.
"You know I will do the best I can, don't you?" He asked and watched her put the pen back down.
"I know you will Joseph," She smiled.
"Talk to me Clari," He whispered "I know you are keeping everything inside and that isn't going to do any good to you later on," He whispered "I remember what you was like after Rupert died."
"I am trying to deal with everything the best I can," She answered while looking at him knowing he could see right through her "Nothing ever gets past you, does it?" She asked.
"No, Sorry." He said moving his chair around to the back of her desk next to her and sat down in it "Now I am here, let's talk." He whispered as she looked at him.
She was about to say something but started crying instead, feeling sad himself he wrapped his arms around her as she cried on his chest. Not long after she sat back as he passed her another tissue then reached over and pushed her hair back behind her ear.
"Sorry, I..." She started and looked at him.
"Don't be sorry, it's fine." He whispered while cupping her cheek and wiped away her tears "I know you needed to do that," He said as she slowly nodded and looked down at the tissue in her hands "You know I am here if you ever need to talk, or have a shoulder to cry on even?" He asked.
"I do," Clarisse nodded "Thank you." She said looking at him "I nearly didn't come back." She said looking back down "I wanted to just run away and just disappear." She whispered and closed her eyes for a few seconds as Joseph watched her "You should never have to bury your own child." She whispered.
"I agree," He nodded as she looked at him "Where would you of gone if you didn't come back?"
"I don't know," She shrugged "Coming back here, to the place it all happened and where he grew up haunted me every night," She whispered while looking at him "I'm so glad that Pierre was there, to help me home." She said "And my parents too of course." She said wiping her eyes with the tissue then looked back down at it.
"We are all glad that you decided to come home," He started as she looked up "This Country wouldn't be where it is now if it wasn't for you, and I know if you stepped down it would end up crashing again." He said rubbing her back.
"Well that won't happen as I am home now and plan on staying for a very long time," She nodded.
"Now that's the Clarisse I know," He smiled as she gave a little laugh "That's better," He smiled and took her hand "You have your parents, your children, your family and you have me to support you Clari, don't ever feel that you are alone." He smiled as she looked at him "Or I would be worried, knowing that there is so many of us around I would think you need glasses or something?" He smiled as she laughed again while leaning forward "No seriously though, you have all of us and please don't forget that."
"I won't," She nodded and looked at him "Thank you." She wiped her eyes again and reached into the drawer to grab her mirror, looking at her face in shock "I look a mess," She whispered while grabbing a wipe "Why didn't you tell me that my crying made my make up run down my face?"
"Oh Clari," He whispered as she stopped and looked at him "I've seen you at your worst remember, this doesn't bother me." He smiled and cupped her cheek "Even though you have a tear stained, black face," He smiled as she put her hand up onto his wrist "You are still beautiful to me and you always will be?"
"Thank you Joseph," She smiled and nodded as he lowered his hand "Thank you," She whispered while wiping her face with the wipe.
"Me and the girls are going to have a takeaway, movie night tonight, do you fancy joining us?" He asked while watching her.
"I would love to," Clarisse nodded while looking at him for a second then turned, reaching for her make up bag, resting it on her lap and grabbed her mascara from it, then watched as Joseph lent over and grabbed her hand "Joe?" She asked while looking up at him.
"Leave it off," He whispered "You look fine without it." He added and reached over with his other hand, pushing her hair back behind her ear "Like I used to tell you all the time."
"I know, but?" She started then stopped when she felt him move his hand onto her neck "Joseph?" She whispered.
"You are fine without it Clarisse, honestly." He answered, not breaking eye contact with her "In fact, if I am honest," He started as someone knocked on the door, making him stand up.
Clearing her throat she looked at him then looked towards the door as Joseph moved the chair back around to the front of her desk "Yes, come in." She said standing up.
Slowly Charlotte appeared "It's just me Your Majesty," She smiled and headed over to the desk "I just came to check on you," She said looking at Joseph then back at Clarisse "Is everything alright?" She wondered, realizing she wasn't wearing make up and had been crying.
"Yes Charlotte everything is ok, thank you." She nodded "I think I am finished for the day though, don't want to push myself into it too soon." She nodded again as Charlotte nodded "Take the evening off, go and enjoy yourself and I will see you tomorrow?"
"Are you sure?" Charlotte asked as Joseph stood smirking.
"Of course I am sure, tomorrow will be a busy day." She smiled "Joseph has agreed to come back on the team?" She smiled "And we need to get him ready for his first day on Monday."
"Really?" Charlotte exclaimed as they both looked at him "That's awesome."
"Yes indeed," Joseph smiled.
"That will be all Charlotte, unless you have anything else to add?" Clarisse asked.
"Nope," Charlotte smiled "I will see you tomorrow then?" She said walking backwards.
"Of course," Clarisse smiled and watched her walk out, pulling up the door behind her.
"If you are ok, I will head back to the girls and let them know you are joining us?" Joseph smiled over at her.
"I am ok, thank you Joseph." She smiled with a nod "One thing though," She started "You started to say something before Charlotte knocked on the door?"
"I was?" He asked.
"Yes, you said if you were honest?" She asked "I just wondered what it was you wanted to be honest about."
"Ahh yes I did," He smiled while standing next to her "If I am honest," He whispered "You look even more beautiful, without," He said looking down at the make up bag in her hands, then looked back up at her to see her studying his face "Make up." He grinned.
"Really?" She asked "I remember you used to tell me that when we were married."
"I did, because it's the truth," He said waving his hand around a little "You don't need all that to make yourself beautiful when you already are." He grinned as she smiled at him "And that's the truth," He said stepping back "I will see you in a while?" He asked.
"Of course," She nodded and watched him walk over to the doors "Get me a drink ready?" She asked.
"Of course," He grinned and walked out.
With a sigh she sat down and looked at her make up bag while biting her bottom lip. Heading out of her office moments later to get changed, leaving the make up off.
Walking through the living room door a short while later, Olivia handed her, her drink with a smile.
"So glad you could join us Mom," Erica smiled and kissed her cheek.
Clarisse smiled and sipped her drink before looking at Joseph "Oh, I just realized that you are the only male in the party tonight." She said putting her glass down and looked back at him.
"Actually I'm not, I realized that earlier and invited Pierre to join us," He smiled at his girls then at Clarisse to see her looking sad "What's wrong?"
"Mom," Olivia whispered as she looked at them then Joseph.
"I just remembered that we used to do nights like this with Philippe," She said while looking down for a second as the girls looked at each other then back at her as Pierre came in.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"Tonight," Clarisse said lifting her glass back up "Is for Philippe, we will have it in honor for the nights he used to enjoy?" She smiled and took a sip of her drink.
Raising his glass, Joseph smiled "For Philippe." He nodded as everyone else joined in.
"I know he will be up there looking down, and laughing at us right now." Pierre smirked as Clarisse nodded.
"Probably," She chuckled and put her glass back down "Anyway, what are we having for dinner?"
"We are having a Chinese, me and Joseph are just about to leave to get it." Pierre smirked.
"But I haven't looked at the menu yet?" Clarisse exclaimed.
"What's the point?" Olivia asked.
"You always have the same thing," Erica giggled "So we just gave them what you have."
"Well, I may want something different this time?" Clarisse exclaimed.
"Really?" Joseph asked as they looked at him.
"No," Clarisse chuckled while shaking her head "Go on and we will see you in a bit." She smiled.
"Ok," He laughed and headed out the room with Pierre.
A short time later they returned home and everyone sat down to dinner, then they watched a film with Cara and Rose. When it finished Joseph put the girls to bed as Olivia checked on Ava, leaving Clarisse in the movie room with Pierre.
"So it's great that you gave Joseph his job back?" Pierre smiled and sipped his drink.
"Yeah," Clarisse nodded while sitting back down in one of the chairs and looked at him "He done his job well, it's an honor to have him back on the team." She smiled and sipped her drink.
"I also noticed something today, that you seem more relaxed around him today." He asked as she looked at him.
"Of course I will be, he's a good friend." She shrugged and rested her elbow on the back of the chair as he smirked at her "Don't be giving me that look you," She playfully slapped his leg.
"I remember the looks all to well Mother," He smirked "Give it time and the news will be what everyone is hoping for." He chuckled as someone entered the room, making him tip his head back to see who it was "Ahh here he is now." He smiled looking back at Clarisse.
"You talking about me?" He asked while walking around and stood next to them.
"May have been," Pierre smirked up at him then looked at Clarisse as she looked the other way while covering her mouth with her fingers "Did the girls settle down ok?" He asked looking back at Joseph.
"They did," Joseph nodded and sat down "Rose went to sleep hugging her new barbie doll." He chuckled as Clarisse looked at him.
"She liked it then?" She asked and sipped her drink as he nodded "Good, I'm pleased." She smiled and noticed Pierre smirking at her.
"So what were you talking about before I came in?" He asked and sat back in the chair.
"Just you joining the team again," Pierre smiled "It's good to know your back." He nodded and looked at Clarisse as she sat smiling at Joseph.
"Well thank you Pierre," He smiled with a small nod "It's good to be back." He grinned as Erica came back in with Tom "Ahh here's Tom," He said standing up "I was wondering where you got too."
"Yeah, sorry." He exclaimed shaking Pierre and Joseph's hands then lent over and kissed Clarisse.
"How are your parents?" Clarisse asked.
"They are ok," Tom smiled "Mom asked me to ask you to ring her when you have time, she wants to meet for lunch or something." He smiled.
"Will do," She nodded and sipped her drink then lent forward and put her glass on the table next to them "As soon as Olivia get's back we will watch the movie." She smiled.
"Ok," Pierre nodded and watched her a moment, grinning to himself he turned and started a conversation with Tom and Erica.
"You ok?" Joseph asked while leaning forward to Clarisse.
"Yeah," She nodded with a small smile "Thank you."
"No problem," He grinned as Olivia came back.
"Alright, I'm here." She said sitting down between Pierre and Clarisse.
"Great, let's get this movie started shall we." Clarisse smiled while looking at Olivia who snuggled down close to Clarisse.
Joseph sorted out the movie then sat down the other side of Clarisse.
"Ok, well that's that then." Olivia exclaimed while jumping up and noticed Clarisse fast asleep with her head resting on Joseph's shoulder "Oh," She whispered as Erica and Tom looked at her then looked at Joseph and Clarisse.
"Shall we wake her up?" Erica asked as Pierre stood up.
"No, leave her be for a bit." Joseph said "She's ok."
"Are you sure?" Olivia asked as Erica lent over and kissed his cheek.
"Yeah I'm sure, I will stay down here with her." He said as Olivia lent over and kissed him.
"Yeah well you are kinda stuck," Erica whispered then giggled with Olivia.
"We will see you in the morning then?" Olivia asked as he nodded.
"Good night," He smiled and watched them head out the movie room then looked back at Pierre.
"You sure your gonna be alright?" Pierre asked.
"Yeah," Joseph nodded "Go on up, I will make sure she gets to her suite ok." He smiled.
"Yeah I bet you would," Pierre laughed while walking off as Joseph smirked to himself.
A short while later Clarisse awoke, slowly lifting her head with a yawn as Joseph looked at her.
"Where is everyone?" She asked while looking at him.
"Gone to bed," He smiled "The movie finished a little while ago."
"Oh," She sighed and yawned again.
"We don't know when you dozed of though." He said and finished his drink.
"I haven't got a clue, one moment I was watching the film and the next I'm here now sat with you." She said standing up and stretched her arms up with another yawn "Sorry I used your shoulder a pillow."
"That's alright, I don't mind." He smiled as they headed to the doors, flicking the lights off as they walked through.
"I can't believe I fell to sleep though," She said looking at him as they stopped in the foyer and checked the time "Nearly 1, and I have to be up early again today." She sighed "I best get up to bed I suppose."
"Of course," He nodded and kissed her cheek "See you in the morning."
"Yep, Night." She smiled and started heading up the stairs.
When she reached the top she stopped and looked down at him checking the doors were locked, with a sigh she headed back to her suite and slowly pushed the door up before walking through to the bedroom.
Be honest, you all thought it was gonna happen then didn't ya?