A huge thank you to : SmartiesaremyAntiDrugs, Mrs. Della Mason and CJMynixMG for all your wonderful reviews. Just to clarify Rupert is speaking the truth about what happened, and he didn't go after her right away because I had to give Clarisse and Joseph a little time together. And of course Joseph is always there to catch Clarisse!!! And everybody that has been or is pregnant know that feeling at some point about really not wanna be pregnant any longer. And of course again a huge thank you to Shakayla for being my fantastic and amazing beta!!!! But no more talking – I'm guessing you are here to read more of this, so...

Enjoy...

Birth and baby

We have now been parents to a beautiful baby boy for twenty days. If it weren't for all of the rituals and required appearances that followed the birth of a future heir to the throne, I would just sit and watch him all day long. Looking at his tiny hands and feet, admiring how he looks so at peace when sleeping; his little lips slightly parted and his tongue sticking out…he is just beautiful. Much to Rupert's regret, though, no one can really see any of Rupert's features in him. He resembles me completely; he has my blonde hair, my nose, and my features overall.

Rupert likes to joke a little about it, "If this had been a girl, it would have been the prettiest little girl anyone could wish for!" He said when baby was a few days old.

"So you don't like your son's appearance?" I asked, offended.

"Oh I love it very much; anything that looks like you is a joy!" He said, admiring the little bundle in his arms.

"But…?" I questioned.

"But I would have liked it if he could have looked just a little like me!" He shared.

"He will, Rupert, just wait; he will hopefully have your eyes, mind and physique!" I smiled and tilted me head.

"But he already has your eyes - blue as sapphires!" He whimpered.

"Darling, most babies are born with blue eyes!" I informed him. He handed me our little boy with a huge smile on his face and I knew that he was thinking about this possibility of our son looking a little like him.

I thought back to what those last few weeks were like…

Rupert was a great support throughout the entire pregnancy; he was with me through everything...even taking over when I couldn't handle things anymore. When I reached my eighth month, I was put on bed rest because I had already dilated some and had been having small contractions that wasn't strong enough to deliver from but still strong enough to do some damage. After about a week of working from my bed; I was about to go insane.

I also had to deal with the fact that the King had arranged, without Rupert's or my knowledge, a nanny. One morning my maid knocked on the bedroom door and then informed me about these nannies waiting outside our suite ready to begin work. I didn't realize it was the King who had arranged it, so I called Rupert and told him that he had no right to do this…I didn't want a nanny for our son. Rupert simply replied, "Darling, I'll be with you in a minute" before he hung up. That angered me even further; so by the time he arrived, I was boiling. He appeased me by immediately called his mother and asked her to come.

"You called me darling, what can I do for you?" She said when she entered the suite.

"Why did you arrange for a nanny?" Rupert simply asked.

"A nanny? I didn't arrange that, but what a good idea!" she smiled.

"If you didn't, then who did?" Rupert questioned.

"Try asking your father. He always has so many great ideas! If there's nothing else, I will go; it seems like I'm not needed at this time." She said and glided out of our suite.

"Your father? Why would he do this? It seems like something your mother would do…but certainly not your father…especially when he already knows that we want to do this ourselves." I said in disbelief.

"I will go and talk with him after Parliament!" Rupert said and bent down and gave me a kiss and then down to my belly and caressed it gently.

The King had not only arranged for one nanny, no he had arranged for two nannies; he had also arranged for a wet nurse…and THAT had me boiling. I didn't want another woman nursing my child…I would do that myself. I also didn't need someone to take over every single time; I was certainly capable of doing it all by myself, accompanied by Rupert and no one else.

Rupert had luckily been in the room when I was told what had been arranged, "Darling, calm down please?" He begged.

"I will not; and, I repeat, will not have anyone taking over my motherly responsibility. This child is ours and we will care for it. Can you just let me have it my way just this once?" I asked, agitated.

"Clarisse, darling, it will be as you ask. I promise you! You have to promise me, though, that you will remember you are not just giving birth to our child, a new member to our family; you are also giving birth to a royal heir. One that may even be King someday and it is, most certainly, a new and very special member to this country. Once this baby is born, it will not only be ours; it will belong to an entire country who will like to think of the child as theirs as well." he said.

"Oh God, Rupert, I hadn't thought of that!" I said, shocked.

"Don't worry, we will try and be a normal family as much as possible!" He smiled and kissed me warmly and passionately.

"Thank you, Rupert. I love you!" I softly said and kissed him again.

"Is there anything I can do for my lovely and very pregnant wife?" He asked when we broke apart.

"I would love something cold to drink, darling!" I sighed.

"I will have it brought to you right away!" he said and walked over to the door and talked with the maid to share my request. On his way back, he could see that I was struggling to rearrange the pillows and he hurried over to help me.

"Thank you." I said tiredly.

"You are welcome, my love. Do you need anything else?" He asked, tilting his head and looking at me with a huge smile.

"I could use another pillow…" I shyly said.

"I will get Madame another pillow then!" He bowed.

"Rupert it is not funny! It is not easy having to sit here and do nothing else; I miss being outside. My back is killing me and I feel as huge as a…..as a…..cow!" I stated pointing towards him.

"Hmm…..as huge as a cow. If you wish to discuss agriculture, Clarisse, I suggest that you stand before Parliament!" Rupert smirked.

I couldn't help but start to laugh…and feel a bit guilty for feeling sorry for myself. Rupert kissed my nose and went back to his office to try and finish his work.

On July the 17th I went to bed early. I had been sitting through a garden party talking with a lot of people who only wanted to know if I wasn't getting sick of having to wait another month until this baby came. I, of course, had to lie through my teeth and say 'yes it is terrible!' and other similar things. In reality I had only four days until my due date. However, I was tired of being pregnant, especially because I had been on bed rest for almost a month and it was a very warm July.

Rupert went to bed a few hours after me and had fallen fast asleep. Right before midnight, I was brought out of my sleep by a sharp, but still bearable, pain. I decided, though, I was concerned, to wake up Rupert. "Rupert wake up dear." I said as calmly as possible.

"Wha….what's wrong Clarisse?" He answered drowsily.

"I don't know…I just had a weird pain." I said

"OH MY GOD you must be in labour! We have to get going!" Rupert jumped out of bed and started looking around frantically for his clothes.

I couldn't help it…I couldn't stop laughing. "Rupert, relax; I just wanted to tell you…I'm not about to give birth right now. Now come back to bed." I said in an effort to calm both of us down.

"You scared me Clarisse. Are you in much pain?" He asked rubbing his hand back and forth softly over my swollen belly.

"No, not now; I just got a little scared when the pain woke me up. Let's try and go back to sleep… nothing may even happen tonight…I still have four days. Goodnight darling." I said and kissed him.

"Goodnight Clarisse; try and sleep well!" He yawned.

About three hours later, I woke up Rupert with a scream from the pain. I was clutching my round abdomen while trying not to cry and show how scared I really was. Fortunately, this time Rupert provided perfect support…he knew exactly what the right thing to do at just the right time.

"Just stay here darling; I'll get people up and moving." He calmly said, stroking my back before getting up from the bed.

"Do you really think I'm going anywhere?" I spat at him in my wave of pain.

He chuckled quietly at my response. "I'll be right back!"

He went out of the bedroom and spoke to the guards in front of our suite. I heard him ask them to get people up and moving because the Crown Princess had gone into labour. He returned quickly, got himself dressed, and then walked into my closet to get the clothes that I had selected.

"Clarisse, can you stand?" Rupert softly asked me.

I was lying on the bed with my eyes closed trying to relax as much as possible. "Yes, Rupert I am fine…as long as it is between contractions!" I smiled at him.

"Oh you are brave, my love." He kissed me on my forehead and helped me up to a sitting position. He helped me a little as I tried to get dressed. We were almost finished when there was a knock on the door.

Rupert looked at me for the indication it was okay. When the second knock came, I nodded and he answered, "Come!"

"Your Highnesses!" Joseph said and bowed slightly.

"Oh Joseph, is everything ready?" Rupert asked him and Joseph nodded.

"I'm sorry to wake you, Joseph; but I didn't think we should wait any longer before leaving!" I said, panting a little since I could feel a new contraction building. I looked at Rupert with a hint of panic in my eyes and he immediately was by my side holding my hand. I tried to focus on the feel of his hand in mine and only whimpered slightly through the contraction.

"From the sound of it, I think that is a wise choice, your Highness. Will you need any help?" Joseph asked.

"No; but will you please take that suitcase down to the car? We will follow shortly after." Rupert said very quietly.

Joseph left and we started walking towards the car. Right before we reached the stairs, another contraction hit. I curled into a ball, trying without success to not cry out. Rupert held me tightly, talking me through the pain. When I was ready to walk again, we hurried down the stairs. We were met by the King and Queen's aides. They didn't have to ask to know what was going on; they hurried to the King and Queen's suite to give them the news. We continued to the car and were seated and had been driving for a few short minutes, when a new contraction rippled through my body. Unfortunately for Rupert, I was holding onto his thigh when it hit…I think I actually pierced his skin with my nails.

We entered through a hidden backdoor unnoticed by the few reporters that had moved into the hospital parking lot. I was whisked into the royal hospital room, which of course was now transformed into a delivery room. Rupert was told to stay outside…as it wasn't appropriate for the husband to be in the room. So Rupert along with Walter, Joseph, and two other guards remained in the waiting room. Joseph has since told me that Rupert was a complete wreck and that each scream from me had made him worse. I felt bad for Rupert…but this was hard on me too! I felt so alone in that room, knowing my husband was right outside but not allowed to be with me.

"Your Highness you need to try and relax between your contractions; you are not yet ready to deliver." The nurse said.

"Please do call me by my name." I breathed.

"Ok Clarisse, I will do my best to remember; but I must say it does not feel appropriate." She commented.

"I do not care; I just don't want to hear anything like that today!" I spat as another contraction hit and I started screaming.

"Breathe Clarisse, breathe in deep." The nurse instructed.

"I don't want to do this anymore; I want Rupert in here!" I cried.

"That will not happen. You will do this and it will be without his Highness!" The midwife snapped as she entered.

"But I just want him in here, please?" this time I begged.

"You are a strong woman; you've been at this for nine hours already. You can do this yourself!" She spoke quickly and sternly.

"But it hurts too much!" I cried

"Women do this every day, Your Highness. Why the Queen herself has survived it four times." The midwife stated as she wrote something down.

"I do not care about that; just get Rupert in here. He was part of making this child; he should be here now too!" I screamed as yet another contraction hit and grabbed the nurse's hand.

"He will not come in here until this child is born…so stop asking!" The midwife snapped.

"You will have to make do with me!" A voice said from the door. When I finally could raise my head I saw, to my surprise, the Queen.

She came over and took my hand. She held it firmly and didn't let go at anytime during the birth, even though I think I hurt her. She was there with me through it all; she was the one who pulled me up and gave me new energy to get this child into the world. She was also the first one to hold her grandson when he finally arrived. I was amazed to see her show, for possibly the first time since I've known her, really happy emotions. Her face lit up when she was handed my little boy and she shed happy tears as I've never seen her do before.

After a moment, she handed me the precious bundle, "Thank you, Clarisse; you've done your duty to your country, perhaps even better than I did…I am very proud of you!" She said and kissed my cheek.

"You did it better than anyone, Mother. If you had not, I wouldn't have Rupert and this little one!" I smiled at her.

"Thank you again, my dear. Now I will go and get Rupert for you!" She said and left me alone with my newly born son.

A few minutes later the door opened slowly and in walked Rupert. He was smiling softly and a little nervous. I had been screaming so loud that apparently I was heard throughout the halls of the hospital. It made Rupert very nervous and cautious about entering my room. After seventeen hours of hard labour, Rupert didn't know how I would be feeling or acting. Very wisely, he decided to take it slow. "Oh my darling, Clarisse." He said as he walked towards me with a huge smile.

"Rupert!" I responded sporting an equally huge smile. "May I present to you, your son!" I tiredly said with my hand on the crib beside my bed.

"A son! Oh my….oh my……thank you, Clarisse! What else can I say? You are amazing; I was so scared for you…just ask Joseph or anyone who was sitting out there with me!" He exclaimed as he gazed proudly at our son.

"Thank you darling; but no need to worry, everything is alright now. We have a beautiful baby boy!" I said.

A few moments later, a herd of nurses, midwives, and doctors came into the room. Two of the nurses, I believe, were present throughout the birth and two or three of the midwives as well. There were, however, no doctors present, as I recall. They were here now, though, to check up on me and the little prince and to receive an update from the nurses on how everything progressed.

The Chief of the Court was also present to discuss the press release. He informed us that he had personally been at the hospital lobby this morning while I was in labour and had taken the liberty of informing the press that I was about to give birth. He asked Rupert if he wanted to tell the press about the birth or if he should just send out the release. "Oh just send out the release. I have finally been allowed to be with my wife – and son and I have no intention of leaving them right now!" Rupert said proudly.

"I will do that your Highness – and congratulations!" The Chief of Court, Charles Beaufrere offered.

"Thank you, Charles." I replied.

"Do you wish to read the release before I send it out?" Charles asked. I just nodded and reached out for it.

On Saturday, July 18 at 11.57 a.m. Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Clarisse, gave birth to a healthy son at Genovia Memorial Hospital in Pyrus.

Weight: 3500 grs., length: 51 cm.

Mother and child are doing fine.

His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Rupert, was present at the hospital as well.

Charles Beaufrere
Chief of the Court of
TRH The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Genovia

"Charles, how did you know it was a boy?" I asked, very surprised.

"From the Queen, your Highness. She waited until the Crown Prince had entered. She thought you should be the one to tell him; but I had to make this before someone else told the press!" Charles explained.

At that moment, the Queen entered the room again and smiled at me. The peace and quiet of the room was disturbed by our son's scream. At his cry, one of the nurses hurried over to the crib and was about to pick him up. "No wait, let me do it. He is my son and I am the one who is going to provide for him from now on!" Rupert said and carefully lifted our son and handed him to me.

The room was cleared except for Rupert. He stayed behind, even though the harsh midwife said that it wasn't appropriate for the husband to be in the room while I was breastfeeding. Rupert let her know that he didn't give a damn and I was glad that he stayed.

"This is the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed…a mother feeding her child." Rupert said in awe.

"You're sweet Rupert. Your son certainly has a huge appetite." I said as I watched him eat.

"Have you thought about a name, Clarisse?" Rupert asked me, completely absorbed by our son.

"Well you mentioned Pierre the other day and I really like that name. I thought about how your family has always held the tradition of using names from previous rulers, but I thought it would be nice to honour our fathers." I said as I looked up at Rupert.

"That is just perfect darling. What will his name be then?" Rupert asked.

"Albert Christiano Pierre Gerard Renaldi!" I said satisfied. And so became the name of our son…Rupert loves it which makes me happy and I know our fathers will be proud as well at his christening. They will not know his full name until that time.

My baby boy is now sleeping peacefully in my arms. I can't even imagine how much our lives will change from this moment on.

Thank you so much for reading until the last word of this part as all the others – please take the tiny little minute to post a "Good" or "I hate it" I would appreciate it – Thank you!!!