Author's Note: I'm finally getting back around to what I had initially planned for this story and now am on a roll again!

Thanks to all my readers and reviewers- you all rock!

The Princess Diaries do not belong to me!

Despite Joseph's premonitory feeling of dread, a feeling he had never felt before, the rest of Hew Year's Eve passed by smoothly, culminating in Joseph and Clarisse kissing the New Year in in a darkened corner as Joseph had promised, Clarisse sheltered by him and enjoying every minute as did Joseph, the shadowed corner they had found making the moment even more romantic and he enjoyed their privacy.

While Joseph initially would have loved to show the entire country how much he adored his wife (not that they didn't already know), Clarisse was different, preferring to keep their relationship private and he was more than happy to keep it under wraps now, a feeling that was growing stronger every year, particularly now that they had a child. He was definitely more careful about exposing Pierre to the world- he and Clarisse were in the public eye and had chosen to accept the attention, but their son hadn't asked for it and they were both determined to protect him.

"Happy New Year, my beautiful wife," he murmured into her ear as everyone around them celebrated the New Year, Rupert and Isabel, to his surprise (Rupert was usually more circumspect) were kissing at the opposite end of the ballroom. "This year is going to be our year!"

"In that we're having another baby," she said quietly. "But I don't want to be in the spotlight as much this year- it's Rupert and Isabel's turn now."

"Neither do I, my darling, and I'm sure the others will step up so here's to a relatively quiet year," he said as they slowly emerged from the shadows and back on the dance floor, staying as close to the edge as possible. "This year is about us and our children..." he forced back a shiver of delight at the words 'our children'- in a couple of months they really would have TWO children. "...and the occasional public appearance!"
"We may have to do more than that, I just don't want to be in the centre anymore..."

"True, and neither do I but now that Rupert is married, we'll be able to step back into the shadows," he said seriously, now wanting a quiet life with Clarisse and Pierre, not worrying about what anyone thought of them, before smiling tenderly at her. "So, you would you like to escape all of this and go to bed?"

"Maybe... but could we have one more dance?" she looked at him beseechingly and he only laughed.

"Alright, but the moment I feel you're tired, we will be going to bed," he teased before leading her into the middle of the dance floor and began to dance, oblivious to everyone but each other, Rupert and Isabel watching with sly grins. They might not like the fact that they were considered a 'fairytale couple' but, just watching them, it was very clear that they were very much in love...

"Can you believe we'll have another baby in four months?" she asked softly and he smiled, wishing he could feel her stomach again but not daring to infringe on Clarisse's modesty (she had been rather afraid to even come tonight, knowing that everyone knew she was expecting) or his own feelings of decorum.

"No, but he or she is definitely following in his or her big brother's footsteps in celebrating New Year..." and they both grinned at each other, remembering that, two New Year's ago, she had been expecting Pierre, but Joseph hadn't mellowed on the protective front, although Clarisse didn't mind at all this time, before Clarisse yawned discreetly and he looked pointedly.

"Is it time to leave now? Do YOU want to go after this dance?"

"Yes please," she smiled, feeling tired but marvelling over the fact that they had only been married three years and he knew her so well, and she loved that he did and that he was so absorbed in her and their family.

As she marvelled at that, she began reflecting on her own childhood again and that her parents (her mother especially) made her feel like...like... a third wheel, an extra appendage, someone that they felt they had to be kind to, someone that was 'needed' (to marry well and catapult them into the top echelons of society) but not loved... before she gazed at her husband again.

He had always enjoyed her company, even when they had been 'just friends' and had always made her feel like she was the most important person in the world... from the moment they had realized they were in love, Joseph had put her first (and had been very open about the fact that he saw her like that), a realization that made her eyes fill with tears as he lead her out of the ballroom of the Winter Palace (after saying goodnight to Rupert, Isabel and her in laws) and she tried to keep her emotions in check as she followed him into their suite, but she wasn't quite quick enough to avoid his look when he turned to her.

"Baby, are you alright?" he asked in concern as she almost clumsily brushed her tears away.

"I'm fine... just tiredness and hormones," she said briskly, strolling into the bedroom but he didn't look convinced as he followed her.

"No sweetheart, I don't think so... please, tell me," he looked at her gently- she was clearly upset about something.

"I was just thinking about us and how lucky I am that you have always put me first rather than make me feel like I was an addition to the family and only the mother of your son..."

"I would NEVER do that- you are and always will be the first priority in my life!" he looked appalled, unable to believe she was thinking like that. "Did your parents really make you feel like that and attempt to destroy your self confidence?"

"I was just reflecting on my childhood... I always felt like a third wheel around my parents," she admitted quietly, feeling ashamed. "I mostly appeared at parties, always on my best behaviour, so that I could prove that my parents were good parents, but they were always away so much and I didn't have any siblings, so my life was lonely... But I also just realized that you've always put me first and made me fell like I'm the most important person in the world, and I'm so grateful... It was a little startling at first, but I really like it now..."

"Oh sweetheart," he swept her up into his arms, kissing her forehead gently. "As far as I was concerned, the moment we became a couple (or even earlier) you were first in my life, which was very surprising even for me, considering I was always interested in putting me first, but I put you first even over my family, my duty and everything else and that will never change. I love you, my darling, and I'm sorry that your parents treated you so badly, but you will always be first in our lives... me, Pierre and the baby..." and she smiled, comforted, before changing and climbing into bed.

"Feeling better now?" he asked after switching off the light and joining her in bed, encircling her in his arms.

"Yes, I'm sorry I just made this realization on New Year's."

"Don't be, you were just telling me how you feel... MY family is your family, and we have OUR family together, so you'll never be alone or left out... Happy New Year, my love."

"Happy New Year, sweetheart," she added, snuggling further into his arms, feeling safe and content. "Thank you for listening, I'm glad you understand..."

"I always will, and you don't have to worry about me not loving you, I always will..."

000

Much of January passed in the blink of an eye and they were soon celebrating their third wedding anniversary quietly, Pierre being looked after by his nanny as they spent the day off palace grounds. Joseph wished they could spend their anniversary again at 'their' island, but Clarisse was now six months pregnant, the baby almost doing cartwheels in her stomach and giving her very little rest, and he didn't think she was interested in flying, although she had expressed her disappointment that the couldn't go. However, Joseph had promised that they would go again soon...

"Definitely next year, and we'll leave the children at home!" he added teasingly and she smiled at him as they rested against a tree after their picnic in the Botanic Gardens, the place closed off for a couple of hours and there were bodyguards everywhere, but Clarisse loved how Joseph had planned it.

"We'll probably need the break by then!" but they both knew they loved their family and would want to spend as much time as they could with them. "Especially if we have another son who's just like his father!" she added teasingly and he laughed ruefully. "I still think we're having a boy!"

"Maybe we are..." he laughed, rubbing her stomach and feeling the baby's strong kick as he touched her. "Well, be it boy or girl, it certainly is an active baby!" he joked lightly, but feeling guilty at how another child of his was pounding away inside his wife.

"It's more than worth it," she said gently, seeing his guilt and putting her hand on top of his.

"I don't care if we have another boy- in fact, I'll be very happy if only he was happy and healthy- but I would LOVE girl one day... maybe two or three girls..."

"Me too, and maybe we will... I would love a big family..." she smiled sweetly at him. "But let's have this baby before before we plan another two or three!" she teased, not at all fazed by his ambitious plan and looking forward to the next couple of months being calm and peaceful, as was Joseph.

However, Joseph and Clarisse's hopes for an uneventful three months until she gave birth were dashed a week later when Henrik came down with a terrible cold (which then progressed to bronchitis) and was unable to fulfil his duties for several weeks as he struggled to recover, and while both Rupert and Joseph stepped up to fill in, they were both frightened at their father's illness.

He had been the foundation of their family, the man they had looked up to when they were children and the same man they went to, even as adults, for advice.

It also sharply reminded Rupert that he was heir to the throne and one day, maybe in the not too distant future, he would be King.

Joseph didn't confide in Clarisse as much as normal, not wanting to add anymore stress, but she knew how he was feeling and she was always at his side, giving him support as Isabel was doing to Rupert, and the four of them were supporting Alexandra and Henrik. There was almost a dark cloud hanging over the palace and the country during those few weeks- Henrik was a popular monarch and everyone respected him- and the only bright spots were Pierre (who cheered up his grandparents whenever they saw him) and the imminent arrival of Joseph and Clarisse's second child but, finally, in mid February, Henrik was well enough to declare that he would be able to resume his normal duties in the ensuing weeks and Rupert would return to his normal duties.

Both Joseph and Rupert were relieved but, as Rupert commented to the Prime Minister after a sit down meeting between the three of them, focusing on the agenda for the next session of parliament as well as several pressing issues that couldn't wait,

"We really will have to do more so that our father doesn't have to work so hard."

"You will both make him proud, and I'm looking forward to working with both of you, but I don't think His Majesty will slow down much- he has always been a hard working and well respected King."

"I don't think he will either," Joseph laughed ruefully before he spotted one of their bodyguards standing in the doorway, signalling him. "Excuse me..." before he hurried to the door.

"Sir, we just received a phone call from Princess Isabel... she requested that you return home as soon as possible..."

"Is something wrong with my wife?" he asked anxiously- she had seemed fine that morning when they had left, Isabel staying to keep her company, but what if...

"Her Royal Highness didn't say, but she was insistent that you return home..."

Joseph quickly strode over to Rupert and Andre Motez and, after quickly explaining he was needed at home, he was soon being driven back to the palace estate, his stomach in a series of knots as he tried not to consider the worst... if something had had happened to Clarisse, Pierre or the baby... he shuddered- the thought was unthinkable...

The house was oddly silent when he stepped into the main foyer and he again panicked before Isabel met him the doorway to the living room, a folded newspaper in her hands.

"What's going on? Where's Clarisse?"

"She's upstairs... she's very upset..."

"What happened?"

She silently handed him the newspaper, and he noticed that it was turned to to the obituaries and he briefly perused them before he noticed a name he didn't think he would see... his father in laws name!

"Her father passed away?" he looked up in stupefaction.

"Yes, he had a heart attack about a week ago, but no one thought to tell Clarisse until we saw her in the paper... and the funeral is tomorrow..."

"Oh no," he murmured, glancing upstairs before giving her a small smile. "Thanks for calling me..." before he dashed upstairs, anxious to see and comfort his wife- she didn't deserve this so close to giving birth and for her own mother to deliberately leave her out and not tell her about her father... it was downright cruel.

"Sweetheart...?" he asked almost timidly as he slowly opened one of their bedroom doors and slipped in before he saw her huddled on her side of the bed, hugging a pillow. "Baby, I've just heard..." he began, joining her on the bed and almost timidly reaching over to touch her hand- she looked so pale and her eyes were almost glazed over. "Are you alright?"

"I didn't want Isabel to call you, you were in a meeting..."

"The meeting was almost over and I'm glad Iz did call me, you need me," he said, snaking an arm around her shoulders, slowly moving closer to her. "How are you?"

"I can't believe my mother couldn't even tell me about my own father..." she finally said after a long silence, finally letting the pillow go and resting lightly against him. "He passed away, but if I hadn't seen the announcement in the paper, I wouldn't have known the funeral was tomorrow..."

She was devastated at the loss of her father, crushed at her mother's attitude and what she had done, but she hadn't cried yet- she still felt so numb.

"Did you want to go to the funeral?" he asked cautiously, not at all sure she should go- she was getting larger every day, the baby incredibly active and a funeral would be a highly emotional affair.

"Yes, I want to go... Why? Don't you think I should?" she finally met his eyes.

"Well, you are tired a lot more now, and this funeral will be a big affair..." he trailed off as she glared weakly at him.

"I'm pregnant, not dying, and despite what mother has done to me, I want to say goodbye... You don't have to come, Isabel said she would come with me..."

"I will be coming anyway, as your moral and emotional support..." and to protect you from your mother, he added silently but Clarisse suspected he was thinking more than what he had said.

"She wouldn't dare make a fuss at her own husband's funeral," she said calmly, still wanting to believe the best of her mother, but Joseph didn't say a word as she finally relaxed fully into his embrace. He hoped that she was right, but he had an awful feeling that Patricia would make a scene...

0

The next day was cold and drizzly, not exactly appropriate weather for a heavily pregnant woman, and Joseph again tried to convince her to stay at home, he, Rupert and Isabel would represent her, but she stubbornly refused to stay at home and was now sitting quietly beside her husband in the limousine, Rupert and Isabel sitting opposite them as they drove into Pyrus. They were all clad in black, Clarisse careful to dress in a way that didn't show off her advancing pregnancy, but as soon as she stepped out of the car, helped by Joseph, she suddenly realized that it was far more obvious than she had realized. Joseph, sensing her discomfort, took her arm and squeezed it before he looped it through his.

"It will be fine," he murmured into her ear and she gave him a small smile before they slipped discreetly into the side door to the church and sat in the front pew. Her mother had yet to arrive, but when she did, accompanied by her younger brother and Richard's older sister (two people Joseph hadn't met at their wedding), she briefly glanced at the five some sitting across the aisle (Andre Motez slipping in next to them shortly before) and thankfully Joseph was the only one who saw the venomous look she was giving them, and he knew that she was furious he and Clarisse were there, heightening his feeling that Patricia was going to make a scene.

The ceremony was everything Joseph had expected for a former member of parliament, although he wasn't particularly impressed with it while Clarisse was very quiet, holding Joseph's hand as she stared blankly ahead at the flower covered coffin, only really stirring out of her trance when she heard Andre Motez, who was giving the eulogy, say:

"He achieved a great deal in his political career but he always considered his greatest achievement to be his only daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Clarisse..." he looked gently at Clarisse in the front pew, Joseph's hand squeezing hers tightly. "He was always very proud of her and her achievements, and the proudest day of his life was when he walked her down the aisle when she married His Royal Highness Prince Joseph. He was delighted she had found love and happiness with her husband and enjoyed seeing her grandson, while looking forward to the second child she was to have..."

He hadn't seen his grandson since his first birthday, Clarisse thought to herself, but he HAD loved her and had been proud of her, a thought that made her eyes fill with tears and helped her through the rest of the service, disappearing only when her mother looked acidly at her when they were leaving the church, before sweeping past her, several people noticing the coolness between mother and daughter.

After the burial, whereby Clarisse waited in the car with Isabel (by Joseph's decree and her only personal feelings about not wanting to get sick), the wake was held at the Pyrus Town Hall and Patricia made it obvious that she wasn't pleased she was there when she walked away when they stepped into the hall.

"One cup of tea and we're out of here," Joseph said quietly and she nodded- she was feeling incredibly sad, even though she hadn't yet cried, and while the baby inside her had settled down somewhat, she was longing to hug her other baby. However, once Rupert and Joseph began talking to people they recognized, Isabel and Clarisse sat down at a table, nursing cups of tea and accepting messages of condolence as people drifted up to see her, but they mainly sat in silence, Isabel sensing her best friend didn't want to talk...

"I didn't expect you to come today," they suddenly heard someone say and they both looked up to see Patricia Le Roche standing there. "Especially in your condition... Hello, Isabel."

"Hello Lady Le Roche... I'm very sorry about Lord Le Roche- he will be sadly missed."

"In parliament, anyway," she said derisively before turning her attention back to her daughter. "I would have thought your husband would have convinced you to stay at home."

"He tried to but I wanted to say goodbye," she paused before looking at her with blue eyes that would have melted any other heart, only not her mother's. "Why didn't you let me know that Father was ill... or when he passed away?"

"I figured that you would be too busy with your own family or too self involved to care," Patricia said icily, stinging her almost to tears but Clarisse ignored them as she watched her mother carefully. "So," she continued after a moment. "I suppose you also came to find out about the will..."

"No, I did not Mother," Clarisse looked offended.

"Well, you needn't worry- your father changed his will and he's left his estate and half his money to you... I have 'life long tenancy', as it's called, but it all belongs to you... aren't you a lucky young woman?" she sneered at Clarisse as Isabel watched on in barely disguised disgust. "I guess you've led a charmed life, my dear, but I know the truth about you..."

"What truth is that, Mother?" Clarisse asked coolly as, across the room, Rupert nudged Joseph in the ribs and, after surveying the scene, they both made their way over to the women.

"That you managed to twist your father around your little finger for most of your childhood before hurting him by not marrying Rupert but, rather, the bad boy younger brother Renaldi!" she finished with a look of disgust as Joseph and Rupert joined them, Joseph standing behind his wife, his hands on her shoulders.

"Good afternoon, Lady Le Roche... I'm very sorry about your husband..."

"Joseph" she interrupted him, ignoring his polite greeting. "I always wanted to know... since you were always such a playboy, how long it did take for you to manipulate and seduce my daughter?" she asked spitefully, eliciting a shocked gasp from the growing crowd and while Joseph was enraged at the intentional slurring of his wife's impeccable reputation, he kept his expression and tone decidedly neutral.

"Lady Le Roche, I would advise you against insulting my wife and a Princess of Genovia."

"Still, how long will it be before you stray?" she asked nastily, Clarisse trembling with anguish and Joseph openly glared at his mother in law- she may have been recently widowed, and was the wife of a respected member of parliament, but she was saying things that were definitely inappropriate for a woman of her station in life. But before he could say anything, Rupert stepped in.

"Madam, I know you are recently bereaved and that's a hard thing to deal with, but you have no reason to insult your daughter and my brother."

"You are a very nice man, Your Highness,"Patricia smiled coolly at him. "And I will always wish that my daughter had married you..." but Rupert was unimpressed at her words.

"But she didn't- she is very happily married to my brother, they have an adorable son and they will have another child in the next few months... your grandchildren, may I remind you!"

"Which is another reason she shouldn't have come today... it's very unladylike to expose herself in that condition... I can only imagine what Her Majesty will say..."

Clarisse, who had been listening to everything in a great deal of agony, tears threatening, finally snapped- her mother didn't love her and probably never had, but she had no reason to cast slurs on those who did love her, or try to turn them against her.

"ENOUGH!" she suddenly snapped, struggling to her feet before looking calmly at her mother. "I had always harboured the hope that you would come to your senses and realize that I love my husband and our son, and accept that I will never be Queen of Genovia... Sadly, today has made me realize that you don't care, you never have and you never will, which saddens me because you will never know your grandchildren... You are perfectly welcome to stay at Father's estate..."

"Which I won't be- I'll be travelling soon enough!"

"Be that as it may, the offer stands but now that I FINALLY realize you will never accept Joseph..." her voice trembling before she paused to take a deep breath in as her eyes filled with tears. "So... I never wish to see you again and I do not want you anywhere near my family... Goodbye," she said softly, feeling slightly dizzy, before slipping through the shocked crowed, ignoring all the stares and only allowing the tears to fall when she was finally alone in the limousine, Joseph joining her seconds later and holding her close as she sobbed into his coat- she was, for all intents and purposes, an orphan now.

"Oh darling, darling, darling..." he murmured as he held her before the door opened again and Rupert leant in.

"The doctor will meet you at home, and Isabel and I will be sitting in the front seat," he whispered, heartbroken at seeing Clarisse suffering so much, and Joseph nodded briefly before the door closed again, leaving them alone.

Clarisse cried all the way home, the baby, sensing her distress, kicking ferociously and she barely noticed Dr Bangs waiting at the house as Rupert and Joseph helped her upstairs to the bedroom.

Rupert and Isabel waited with Joseph downstairs as the doctor examined Clarisse, Joseph pacing the room like a caged lion, muttering:
"I knew Clarisse shouldn't have gone, I knew she'd get hurt..."

"She wanted to go, you wouldn't have been able to stop her..." Isabel said quietly.

"But that... that woman! How could she say those things to her own daughter?"

"We all know she's vicious, but I suspect she's also jealous," Isabel said simply, although she had been so angry at her before that she had been about to launch into a verbal argument with the older woman before Rupert had almost dragged her away, and both men stared at her in astonishment.

"Which makes sense, in a way, although it has hurt Clarisse- Clarisse is far more beautiful, she's very happy with her husband," she smiled affectionately at her brother in law. "They're devoted to their family, and practically everyone in the country loves her..." before a discreet cough at the door interrupted them- it was Dr Bangs, who was looking seriously but kindly at Joseph.

"Joe, could I speak to you outside for a moment?"

"Is she alright?" was the first thing he asked when they were alone.

"She's still very upset but not as hysterical as she was before, and her blood pressure is high, so I've given her something very, very mild to help her sleep... no, it won't affect the baby," he added reassuringly. "She's sleeping now, so that should help, but I want her to stay in bed for the next day or two, and I recommend that her official schedule is cleared until after the baby is born..."

"Done," Joseph said immediately, wanting to do anything he could to help his wife. "I've been trying to tell her that..."

"I know, she told me, and now she knows that it's serious..."

"Is the baby alright?"

"Fine and thriving- it's quite active now..."

"I know, I feel sorry for her..."

"But she still wants the child very much... Anyway, Clarisse may be depressed for the next week or so, the past couple of weeks have been very hard on her, so I want you to keep an eye on her and support her... I know you do anyway, but she is going to be extra vulnerable until the baby arrives so you need to take extra special care of her...and I'll be back in a couple of days to check on her."

"I will," Joseph said solemnly, wondering if this confrontation was why he had had had that feeling of dread on New Year's Eve, but he didn't think it was... it had been a very rocky two months since that night, and he sincerely hoped that the remaining months of her pregnancy would be less tumultuous and he would be able to support her as much as possible...