Sticky Notes- I'm not being intentionally mean in creating mystery. I adore Joe and Clarisse my intention is to see them through. I guess however that when she rejected his proposal in PD2 something inside me just had to find the reason behind it and I knew the monarchy was a lame excuse. This is my attempt to explain all of that. Fear not I am girl that loves love. Hang in there we got a few more bumps but we all know how it will end.(le sigh) I love all of you and thanks for the great comments. The Big Ragu Mama thanks you! Onyx
"So why you so mad at Joe?" Dom asked after their order had been taken at the Golf Club.
"I'm not mad at him. It's more like I'm trying to remain professional with him." Clarisse said setting down her orange juice.
Dom laughed heartily at the comment and shook his head as if he were refusing tickle torture.
"Why are you laughing at me?"
"I'm sorry. Clarisse, I love you baby but there is something you gotta see from where I sit?"
"And that is?"
"Denial through and through. Look you remember that summer that your husband spent in Italy? Remember and your father didn't want you to go because he felt that you'd learn more here in Genovia?"
"Yes I remember. I was 20 years old but I thought I could run the castle better than he could."
"Right. You had half the crew threatening mutiny because you turned into a tyrant. Flinging orders at people, making unimaginable demands, swearing like a sailor after you drank a bottle of scotch in protest of the maids getting their own television set."
"It was awful. I thought when Rupert came home he was going to divorce me and send me into exile."
"He probably would have. But who came to your rescue?"
"Joseph of course. He gathered the staff together and convinced them to stay. He told Stephen our chef that the scotch missing was taken by him. That alone got him followed for months by James and Timothy my guards at the time. And then he convinced Mrs. Grimwald that I had come down with some sort of illness that caused me to become delirious which is why I appeared drunk. When Rupert came home he accused Joseph of causing all the mayhem in the castle. Rupert would've fired him if not for Charlotte making up some story about how he saved my life."
"Exactly. And what about that time that maniac broke into your suite and came after you."
Clarisse hung her head in shame. Joseph had gotten shot trying to protect her, It had gotten him just shy of his main artery and yet he had still taken down the guy and waited until the authorities had come to take the guy away. Clarisse hadn't known that he'd been shot because Rupert took her away. When he came down the stairs in his usual leather jacket she had scolded him for not having tighter security when her son was sleeping next door and was only ten. In sheer agony he had stood there and taken her criticism and disappointment, waited until she had stormed out and then passed out on the carpet. The next morning when he didn't show up for duty she told Charlotte how completely low and irresponsible he had been. She was telling her how completely childish he was acting when Charlotte whirled around on her. It was the only time in their relationship that she actually stood up to the queen.
"Charlotte screamed at me that I was selfish and cruel and that if I really paid any attention to Joseph instead of myself, I would've seen the pain he had been in. He was almost killed trying to save my life. She called me a cold, spoiled, unfeeling child. And that Shirley Temple could've made a better queen than me."
"Very bold. She never told me that."
"She was very embarrassed by it. Later she came back and apologized but I wouldn't allow her to because she was right. And then I was tortured for days because Joseph was in the hospital and I couldn't see him."
"Charlotte and I went day and night. I told him he wasn't allowed to die. He told me there wasn't a chance he'd die without telling you he loved you."
Clarisse felt the tears welling up in her eyes and was relieved when their food arrived.
"So what are you so mad about then?"
"I'm not. I care for Joseph but I can't be with him."
"Why not?"
"Because it would mean that I would have to let go of everything I am."
"You think he'd make you give up your duties? That would mean he'd have to give up his. Protecting you is more than his career darlin'."
"I don't mean it that way. Joseph honestly and truly terrifies me. With Rupert it was easy. He was the king and he respected my thoughts, we were friends. Of course there were wifely duties and special moments but overall we were good friends and so I could love him even though I wasn't in love with him."
"And Joe?"
"It's the difference between a stream and an ocean. With Rupert it was habit, routine, comfortable. Our whole marriage was like a gentle breeze. With Joseph I feel lije I'm sailing on this calm ocean, moving delicately. I think I'm safe and I know which direction I'm going and then-"
"What?"
"And then I look in his eyes or I need him a little more than my head of security that day and I'm in this storm. The next thing I know I feel the waves pulling me under. The problem is I like the way that feels."
"So what's wrong with that?"
"What's wrong is that the feeling is so intense that I forget who I am. Suddenly I'm not the queen. I'm Clarisse just another woman in love."
"Then you are in love with him?"
"Of course I am. I can't remember a time when I haven't been. But I can't get pulled under. Not now. Not yet. The queen in me has to see the monarchy through until Mia becomes of age to assume her throne."
"Then why don't you tell him this?"
"He doesn't understand. He thinks my crown means more to me than he does. Genovia has my life and I do love this country but not as much as I do him."
"Well this is an odd turn of events."
"What's that?"
"Here I sit with his woman and he's across the world with mine. He's lucky I trust him after he kissed my girl the last time."
"What?"
"Yeah when we were kids. I would've killed him if not for your father."
"You knew about that?"
"Oh yeah. They don't know that I know but he's my brother you know. Your father was a great man. Better to me then my ole man. He told Joe something I'll never forget."
"What was that?"
"He said, 'Someday you're gonna be married to my Clarisse. It won't happen overnight and you must not dishonor her or yourself ever but God has favor on you my boy. You just wait it out."
"My father said that?"
"Yes ma'am. He liked your husband well enough but Joe and I were his boys."
"Well he never dishonored me. I'm not too sure about himself."
"What do you mean?" Dominic asked putting the last bite of omelet back down on the plate.
"He claims to have been with other women."
"If you mean headboard smashing, you ain't got the right Joe."
Clarisse blushed at his terminology.
"Joe has the self-control of Mother Teresa. He hasn't been with any other women. He wouldn't be able to live with the guilt or the face pounding I'd lay him up with. He's had women friends like Charlotte but anytime any of them took too much of a liking to him he set them straight."
"How could you be so sure?"
"He and I have been brothers since I dragged him all beaten up out of Central Park. There ain't any secrets between us."
"You said that he never told you he kissed Charlotte."
"My love for Charlotte falls right down on that level with you and Joe. He'd gladly take the beating for what he did but I know Char. She has asked him to keep it a secret. The only secret you keep from your brother when he saves your life is the one that could kill him. But this I know, Joe ain't looking for something that is gonna satisfy his manly needs. His heart comes first and if he can't fill that then he'd rather let himself rot."
Just as he finished her cell phone rang.
"Hello. He's what? When? Oh my heavens! Call Amistad and tell him to get the plane ready. Tell Olivia to get my bags ready and sent to the airport. I'll get a ride. Thank you!"
"What's the matter Clarisse?"
"It's Joseph. He's in jail and Charlotte is missing!"
"Gimme the phone!" He nearly shouted.
He dialed numbers quickly.
"Frankie, get over to my place and get my stuff pa-. What? When? All right. You'll take care of the restaurant? Good and come get my bike from the airport."
"What happened?"
"He got a phone call from a cop saying I had to come bail Joe out. Frankie packed my stuff and sent it with David to the airport. C'mon we gotta go."
"Wait a minute. What about security and protocol?"
"If anyone's gonna come after you they gotta get through me first. Let's go!" He said grabbing her arm.
They got on his motorcycle and drove like the wind to Genovia's International Airport. When they arrived as they were making final checks on the jet, Clarisse called Mia and got her voicemail. Fear seemed to overtake her but it was nothing in comparison to the fear in Dominic's eyes. Fifteen minutes later they were in the air.
Grace stared out the window and smiled. Her phone rang and she reached down for it to check the number.
"Perfect timing." She said
"It was. Do you need anything more?"
"Not until the next chapter unfolds."
"Very well. I will await your next call."
"Count on it."
Grace turned back to stare out the window. The lights on the bridge came to life. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror across the room. With a smile she dipped down onto the bed. Her laptop glowed like the moonlight. With a sparkle in her eye she clicked "submit"
"Message sent."