Chapter 8
Author's Note: Hi Girls! Another update yeah… I hope you will enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Poor Rupert…*wicked grin* A usual big hug to my dear Rach for doing the beta and another usual hug to my lovely reviewers, namely to Faby, bluegirl-783, Kristi-Julie, One Special Lana, Vluy, Ilane, Jackie Pierce, beMMADfabulous, sevy MMAD and to Faby again.
"Then just wait until I'll show him what 'outrageous' means," Clarisse hissed, while Joseph bent on to relax her.
"It really does not matter what he says…"
"Of course it does matter!" She cried. "He cannot talk to you like that. Who the hell does he think he is anyway?"
"Look, I don't care with him," smiled Joseph. "You are with me and nothing else matters. I'm utterly happy and I won't give up on it over a few cutting remarks. He is simply jealous, not to mention the fact that his ego cannot accept that you chose someone else. Just ignore his comments."
"But I cannot ignore it!" she was still upset, "And you know what? I DO NOT WANT to ignore it. He has no right to speak like this. Especially not to you."
"Not to me?" Joseph asked, smiling.
"Not to you." She whispered and hugged him. Feeling the tightness of her hug and seeing her like this left no doubt that she really did love him.
"I just do not want you to be upset or sad about him." He was gently stroking her back, "I can deal with Rupert don't worry. Just let me handle it, ok?"
"I know you can deal with him." Clarisse sighed and pulled away a little. "You were the only one who always stood by my side openly, and never afraid to go against him if it was necessary. You know, I won't forget that night when you caught me crying in my suite the first time, that night I…"
"That night you told me the truth about him."
"Yes." She nodded sadly then her expression slowly turned to a grateful smile as she recalled what came next. "And you…you were so upset that you wanted to take revenge immediately…"
"I still do want it."
"I know… as do I." Clarisse smiled when she heard speaking outside. Her expression started to change as the voices became clear. It was Rupert… She still looked at Joseph, but the sweetness from her eyes was gone. Now her expression was determined and proud. "Just let me handle it my own way."
"With grace and empathy?" Joseph smiled.
"Well I think this time only with grace."
"I cannot imagine what is on your mind, but I'm sure whatever it is, he won't forget it."
"That is for sure… EVER."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A few minutes later Charlotte was already in her office…
"You want WHAT?" Charlotte was shocked. "I'm sorry Your Majesty, but…"
"It's ok Charlotte. I know you are a bit surprised."
"Yes I am. I mean after what His Majesty did to you, you want to organize a party for him?"
"Of course Charlotte, after all it is his birthday."
"But…" Charlotte was still shocked.
"You have only one birthday a year…"
"I still don't understand."
"One birthday in every year, so you have to celebrate it properly."
"Properly?" She already had a suspicion.
"Yes exactly." Clarisse smiled and looked at her meaningfully. "You know, let's make some fun for the birthday boy."
"Some fun?" Charlotte asked with a grin, as she realized what's going on.
"Yes, fun… surprises… you know how I do love surprises." Her smile was so sweet. "Actually everybody loves them…"
"I'm not sure in this case." Charlotte chuckled. "So you want to make him a special surprise?"
"A birthday is nothing without surprises and presents and you know what they say… the biggest presents always come in the smallest boxes, but I think this time we can make an exception. After all these years of being together, he really deserves something big. Do you agree with me?"
"I totally agree with you, Your Majesty." Charlotte grinned.
"Then get your notebook ready," She winked, "Because we have a tremendous number of things to do."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Time flies in good company just as fast as when you are in the middle of planning… So when Clarisse decided it was finally time for rest, it was almost midnight.
"You look so full of life," Joseph smiled as she stepped in.
"And I feel exactly like that, I had a wonderful evening." She sighed and they sat down to the sofa. "Charlotte and I discussed every detail, so we just have to do everything in time."
"That's fine, but are you going to tell me finally what is on your mind?"
"Although I'm dying to tell you, you have to wait. I want you to enjoy it fully… Tell me that you are not mad at me."
"It's ok, don't worry," chuckled Joseph. "But I'm really curious now."
"Oh, you will love it."
"I have no doubts about that. I'm just curious how a queen handles things in her on way."
"Curious, hm?" she teased him, "Then escort me to his birthday party next week and you can see for yourself." She smiled mischievously while he drew her closer for a kiss.
"You know… I love your expression when you are so sure in your business," he smiled, "And… if I'm correct, you promised me another special expression of yours this morning."
"Really? Well, let me think a little, I cannot remember clearly." She teased him then leaned closer, "Maybe you could help me to remember."
"Sure enough," he answered with a grin and kissed her into another world...
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The next few days passed quickly. Actually it was a lovely week and Clarisse successfully arranged everything in time. Rupert was not at home so it was really uplifting. She spent her days with preparing the birthday party and her nights in Joseph's room.
When the time finally came, she was waiting for her husband at the lobby, while the guests arrived continually one after the other. It was a special party, so everybody was escorted from the car through a special corridor to the ballroom where darkness covered everything, save only a dim light to aid the excited people. The only thing they knew it was a special party for His Majesty's birthday.
And why was this party so special? Because it was a surprise party. Rupert's birthday was not until the next day, so the guests thought it will be a real surprise and that's why they had to wait in the darkness. But the king's program was arranged as always a few days before, so Rupert naturally knew about it. Actually Charlotte told him that surprise parties are very popular these days, and Rupert agreed that it was a great idea. As for Clarisse, she mentioned she 'cannot attend' - obviously she was still upset - so Rupert went down alone, where to his biggest surprise his wife was already waiting for him with her sweetest smile…
"Oh darling, how lovely to see you." Clarisse smiled as she greeted her husband.
"I thought you have to be somewhere else." He kissed her cheek happily, being sure she finally changed her mind. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Yes, Charlotte told me that your birthday party would be a bit earlier this year so I checked my schedule... and I'm free." She just smiled as they reached the ballroom door then added with a wink, "And you know I wouldn't miss your birthday, not for the life of me." As they stepped in, suddenly the whole room bathed in light and everybody was crying 'SURPRISE!'
It was a magical moment… but not for Rupert that's sure. As the lights went on and everybody looked around suddenly the crying turned to complete silence, then a few moments later into a loud murmuring. Why?
Well if you could be where Rupert stood, you would have a great view. All the guests very pretty and elegant for the occasion, but there was a very obvious similarity in at least half of the lady guests. They were very young… they were pretty… and they all wore the same light-blue dress.
"Happy birthday darling," smiled Clarisse and gave a sweet kiss to his cheek. "Maybe I forgot to tell you, but I invited a few well… um FRIENDS of yours, but I'm sure it's ok. And just to help you to remember every one of them, I sent a beautiful dress in your name. So happy birthday my dear, I really hope you will enjoy EVERY minute of this party."
To be continued….
