Chapter 14

"Does she suspect anything?", Mia asked Charlotte, before the other guests came down for dinner.

"She has no clue!", Charlotte replied.

"Who has no clue about what?", Catherine asked as she and Robert entered.

"Grandma", Mia replied, placing a kiss on her Great Aunt's cheek.

"Oh yes, well that! I can't wait to see the look on her face"

"Where's Nick?", Robert asked.

"Away on business", Mia said with a pout, "He'll be here on New Yearss"

"We'll be gone by then", Catherine replied, "You'll give him our love?"

"Of course…. Shades, what are you doing?", Mia asked as she plucked his wire out of his ear, "You're here as Charlotte's guest, not on duty"

"I'm the head of security. I'd feel better if…."

Charlotte took the earpiece from Mia, "Tonight you're my date", she said with a smile.

"You're right. Sorry Baby", he said, giving her a little kiss.

"I guess we know who wears the pants", Robert whispered to Catherine.

"Like you're any better!", Mia said with a laugh, playfully smacking Robert's arm.

"Hey, I'll have you know I am the one in charge in our relationship"

Wilkes and Nanny entered then, hand in hand.

"Oh 'ello my Love", Nanny said as she hugged Mia, and greeted Charlotte.

"Wilkes here is my best friend and neighbor. He knows me better than just about anyone"

Wilkes nodded.

"Wilkes, who wears the pants in my relationship?"

"Catherine", Wilkes replied, without a moments hesitation.

Everyone laughed in reply, except for Robert who threw his hands up.

"I give up", Robert said as he took a glass of champagne off a tray on the table.

"What's so funny?", Clarisse asked as she and Joseph entered.

"Don't ask", Catherine said, trying to hide her obvious amusement.

"I heard you gave our new guard an eye full", Shades said with a chuckle.

Joseph gave him a look.

"I'm here as a guest", Shades said.

"That entitles you to make rude remarks?", Joe asked.

"Sorry Joe. I didn't mean to offend"

"Oh, tosh! It was funny really", Clarisse said with a laugh, as a waiter handed her champagne.

Joseph stared at her, "Who are you, and what have you done with my wife?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You used to get so worked up when we were… caught"

"We weren't married then!", Clarisse said, looking around to see if the wait staff had heard her. They hadn't.

"Oh my Lord! I'll never forget the first time I met you! In the stairwell in the Plaza?"

"I've never heard this story", Mia said, smiling from Nanny to her grandmother.

"And you're not going to now!", Clarisse replied.

"Well, if I'm not getting juicy details… then here's to us. To family, friendship and a very happy New Year for everyone in the this room and our loved ones who can't be with us"

"Cheers"

"Salute"

"Let's eat!"

"Oh Robert!"

…

"Am I too understand I FINALLY get to see what you have all been whispering about all day?", Clarisse asked, as Joseph handed her his gift to her.

"You do indeed", he replied, giving her a small kiss, before returning to his seat across from her.

They all sat around the grand tree in the ballroom. The Christmas ball would be the following evening, but tonight they would enjoy an intimate Christmas Eve with their family and friends.

Clarisse unwrapped the small box in her lap, "Here goes"

Everyone looked on expectantly.

"It's… a key", Clarisse said, looking up at Joseph questioningly.

"There is more in there", he replied.

"A Photo", she said as she removed the photo from the box, "A photo of a house. Oh! Joseph is this…"

Joseph laughed, "It is!"

"You bought it?!"

"I did"

"Oh!", she said, hugging the photo to her, "Do they know?"

"Just Mia, Charlotte and Catherine. I needed Charlotte and Catherine's help… and keeping anything from Amelia is nearly impossible"

"I'll remind you I'm your queen", Amelia said, sticking out her tongue playfully.

"What house is this?", Wilkes asked.

"Yeah, gees isn't THIS place big enough?", Robert kidded, "And don't you have a ton of Summer homes"

"A few… I wouldn't say a TON", Clarisse replied, "but OH,.. this one if different! Thank you so much darling. It's the perfect gift!"

Clarisse talked over and hugged her husband. He pulled her onto his knee and kissed her forehead.

"I'm glad you like it darling. I know we'll have many happy memories there"

"May we see the house?", Nanny asked.

"Of course", Clarisse replied, handing her the photo.

"Oh my Lord! That looks just like the house on the lake next to ours. The one that sits right between ours and Catherines"

Robert looked at the photo over Nanny's should, "No, that IS the house between ours and yours. You bought it? Wow, that's great!"

"Oh my stars, stars, stars how wonderful!", Nanny exclaimed as she stood and hugged Clarisse

"Wonderful news!", Wilkes said as he shook Joseph's hand.

"I can't believe no one told me", Robert said.

"It was meant to be a surprise", Catherine pointed out.

"Of course… well. Welcome to the neighborhood! Now when you visit, Catherine and I can still make out in the living room whenever we wish", Robert replied.

"As if that happens regularly", Catherine said as everyone had a chuckle. She tried not to look at Robert, since in fact, yes it did happen regularly and she was sure he would give her away if she looked him in the eye.

"Of course we can't be there year round", Joseph explained, "But i'll hire someone to look after the place when we aren't there. There is a little cottage out back where a groundskeeper could live"

"Place needs a bit of work, but it'll look great in the end", Robert replied, "It's a lot bigger then our place"

"I've already got renovations all set up", Joe replied, "And I was thinking… I may hire Lionel for a groundskeeper... for now"

"What's this?", Clarisse said in reply. A big smile on her face.

"The kids a fast learner. I know I can trust him"

"Yeah, except near your wife", Robert said with a laugh, "Sorry…"

"Oh, and he and Alexis can stay in the cottage! That'll be lovely!", Nanny replied, "I was going to miss them so, so, so much after they married and moved away. With Eloise living in Paris year round, I need one of my girls around"

"Eloise is living full time in Paris?", Clarisse asked, smiling at Wilkes.

"Yes", Wilkes replied, trying to hide his obvious delight, "Oh, but she'll visit", he said patting Nanny's hand.

"It's for the best", Nanny replied, "It's time 'er mother actually spent some time with 'er. I'm sorry Joseph, you were saying…"

"Oh yes, just that Lionel is a fast learner. We know him and trust him. Plus, as you say it will work out well for Alexis to me close to her family. I suppose if Alexis is no longer looking after Eloise she can help Lionel manage the property, which may be a very good thing. She'll keep him centered.. of course this is only IF they want to take it on"

"I'm sure, sure, sure they will! The poor Love phoned me earlier nearly in tears, worried about them finding jobs. Of course we told her there was no need to fret. They can stay with us as long as they like, but she's a very responsible young woman"

"Great. We'll call them in the morning then", Joe replied, "Are you really pleased?", he asked Clarisse.

"Overjoyed my Darling! What a lovely gift. We can spend our Summers there, and visit as often as we can. I adore the idea"

"I adore you", he said, giving her a little kiss.

"Alright, alright… Let's break it up", Mia said with a laugh, "I think it's time for more presents"

…

"Wow! look at you two!", Robert said to Nanny and Catherine, as they met Wilkes and Robert in the hall outside their rooms the next evening.

"Not too bad yourself either", Catherine said to Robert and Wilkes, who were in full black tie and tails.

Catherine's ballgown was a strapless silver number with teal beading, the full skirt slit on the side too the knee, revealing the inner lining of black silk and a toned leg. She had a sheer teal shall and black pumps. Her hair had been curled and brushed out by a ladies maid, giving it a ton of volume. To the right of her hair a small peacock feather fassett had been fastened.

"Very British", Wilkes commented, pointing to Catherine's hairpiece, "You look lovely"

"You look sexy!", Robert amended, kissing Catherine's cheek.

"Well, I do try", she said to him with a wink.

"And Nanny…", Robert said, looking past Catherine, "Doesn't she look great Wilkes"

Nanny blushed, as Wilkes stared at her.

"I believe you've made your husband speechless madame", Catherine said to Nanny, as she took Robert's arm.

Nanny's gown was a dark plum shade. It was much simpler then Catherine's. No slit, no beading, but very beautiful. The Chiffon skirt was not quite as full as Catherine's, but still quite poofy. The skirt met a fitted bodice with a sweetheart neckline which amplified her rather abundant cleavage. Above the neckline, sheer Plum lace ran across her collarbone and down her arms. Her sapphire necklace, a gift from Wilkes, sat on top. Her hair was done up, by another of Clarisse's lady's maids, in an elaborate up-do.

"Quite breathtaking", Wilkes finally said, as he offered Nanny his arm.

Nanny beamed in reply, "We all look so wonderful! We must take photos for sure, sure, sure"

"Absolutely. Let's wait for Clarisse though. Joe's going to meet us in the ballroom. Clarisse is making an entrance with Amelia on the grand staircase. We better hurry if we don't want to miss it"

…

Clarisse and Mia each walked down a side of the grand staircase, as they had at Mia's coronation, and at the Christmas balls in years past. This was the first year that Mia had been announced first, as sitting Queen. Clarisse, the Dowager, was announced right after, but kept a pace behind Amelia. Mia had opted for a gold ballgown, so Clarisse had stuck to her traditional Christmas red gown. This year she wore one with a fitted straight silk skirt, with a poofier silk skirt cascading around and behind it like a cape. Her bodice was fitted crushed silk, which ran off her shoulders. She wore long white gloves, was decked out in her favorite Holiday necklace, a large emerald center stone with diamonds surrounding it, diamond and emerald drop earrings and a medium sized platinum and diamond tiara. As they reached the bottom of the stairs Amelia gave the Christmas toast, which was a relief for Clarisse. It was her turn to enjoy these kinds of events. A waiter handed both queens a glass, which they raised to their family and friends. Joseph appeared at her side and she gave him a brief smile before returning her attention to the crowd.

"Happy Holidays friends, family, guests and loyal Genovians", Mia concluded.

"Happy Holidays", the crowd replied, followed by many clinking glasses.

Clarisse briefly clinked Joseph's glass, smiling at him before taking a small sip and handing him her glass. She then met Amelia and they walked arm in arm to the center of the ballroom.

"I would like the pleasure of the first dance to go to our special guest, King Juan Carlos of Spain"

The crowd clapped, the King giving a wave, beside his wife Queen Sophia. Clarisse took the microphone then.

"King Juan of Spain and his lovely wife, Queen Sophia of Greece, and I have known each other a long while. It's an honor to have you here on this festive Holiday my friends. It is tradition that a special guest be picked to dance the first dance at the Holiday ball. However, it has become a custom, as a sign of unity among all the people, that this first dance not be with a member of the royal family or a relative of theirs. So, without further ado, let the ball begin "

"You're off the hook", Robert whispered to Catherine.

"Shhh"

The King stepped up and kissed Clarisse's gloved hand before turning to the crowd and giving a little bow. He then slowly walked around the circle of the crowd which had gathered around Clarisse and Amelia, smiling at the guests. He was a kind faced man of about Joseph's age. He continued his stroll, stopping before Catherine, who was quite obviously Clarisse's twin sister. He smiled at her, looking back to Clarisse.

"Two such beauties", he said with a kind smile.

Catherine gave a small bow. The King then looked to Nanny and reached out his hand.

"Your 'ighness", Nanny squeaked out awkwardly.

Catherine bit her lip, trying not to laugh before saying to Nanny, "I believe he wants you to dance the first dance with him"

Nanny's eyes shot open. Wilkes put a reassuring hand on her back and gave her a smile. To which Nanny smiled back, before taking a deep breath and bowing to the King, taking his outreached hand. They made their way to the center of the ballroom and danced a waltz as the other guests looked on. Halfway through the Prime Minister and Amelia began to dance. Nanny looked white as a ghost, and Amelia tried to give her a reassuring smile whenever their eyes met. She, afterall, knew exactly how Nanny felt. Soon the dance was over. The King kissed Nanny's hand and thanked her, before finding his wife and sharing a dance with her. Nanny's hand was taken then by someone else. She thought briefly that it may be some kind of tradition that maybe there was a whole line of royals she must dance with now, after dancing with the king. She was relieved to see it was Wilkes.

"You did very well", he said as they began to dance, others were joining them on the dance floor.

"Oh my Lord Wilkes! I felt so embarrassed!"

"But why? It's an honor"

"Oh, yes. I'm sure, sure, sure… and 'e seems like a very nice man, but 'e's a King! And everyone was staring"

"Oh course they were. It's tradition for everyone to watch, and besides that you look beautiful. I would have been staring at you either way"

"Well, sure YOU would 'ave"

Wilkes laughed at this, "I meant even if I were not your husband. Look at you! I couldn't even find words when I first set eyes on you this evening"

"Oh, well that is sweet! Did I really do alright? I didn't look silly?"

"Not a bit!", he assured her, kissing her forehead.

Nanny smiled in reply, and sunk into his arms contently.

"Poor Nanny", Joseph said as he and Clarisse danced.

"Oh! She's fine. Anyone else would have been overjoyed, but you know how nervous she gets"

"I do", Joseph chuckled, "It's going to be nice. Don't you think? The cabin on the lake, being near our friends? I hope you're not upset with me for not checking with you first"

"Not a bit", Clarisse assured him, "I'm thrilled, and I love you for thinking of it"

He gave her a tiny kiss, before twirling her with a perfection matched by no other couple in the room.

"This is nice", Robert said, as he danced with Catherine and looked around the ballroom, "I always like being here with you. It's like a fairy tale"

"You're an old softy you know that?", she replied with a smile.

"Old?", Robert mused, but then his cell phone buzzed, distracting him, "excuse me", Robert said, as he looked at his phone and stepped away from Catherine, "It's Lori. Might be about Jocelyn"

She followed him off the dance floor and listened as he spoke. A lot of "yes" "yes" "no" "really? "Are you sure?" "yes" "You're sure though". He had a concerned look on his face that turned her stomach in knots.

"Okay. We're flying out as soon as we can. See you soon. Bye"

"What is it? What happened? It's the baby isn't it? Oh! I knew we shouldn't have left! I'm so stupid! Stupid, stupid, stu..."

"The baby is FINE, but she is here!"

"What?!"

"Apparently Lori has been trying to call us all day. Call didn't go through. The baby is born! Early, but healthy"

"She's here?! She's born! Oh, we have to go!", Catherine said as she took his hand and marched off the dance floor.

"Wait a minute. Wait a minute. It's Eight o'clock on Christmas night. Let's enjoy the rest of our evening and fly home in the morning"

"But Robert!"

"Jocelyn insisted. They are doing fine. The baby is only a month early, Mary Beth was earlier than that! She's breathing fine, eating fine. A healthy little girl"

"Oh thank heaven!"

"So whatta say blue eyes? Can we enjoy our evening before rushing off to play Grandma and Grandpa once again?"

"I suppose so… if she's REALLY fine and Joelyn insists"

"She is and she does. Jocelyn wanted me to give you a little Christmas gift though"

"But she already gave me that beautiful painting before we left"

"Not that. Something else. The babies name… Catherine"

"Yes?"

"Catherine! Catherine is the babies name"

Catherine placed her hand over her heart, "No"

"Yep. You two have sure come a long way. Two years ago she was tossing insults at you like it was a sport and now she names her baby girl after you. Life's funny isn't it"

"Oh Robert. You are serious aren't you? She named the baby Catherine?"

"She did. Good choice if you ask me"

"I can't believe she'd do that for me"

"She did it for you, and she did it for her"

"Oh! I have to call her!", Catherine said, reaching for the phone.

"Not so fast", he said, putting the phone back in his pocket, "She's resting. Now… may I have this dance? I promise I won't even get mad when you step on my feet"

She put a mock serious expression on her face, "Step on YOUR feet? Do I look grossly incompetent to you?"

"That", he said, placing his hands on her hips and bringing his face close to hers, "Is exactly the opposite of how you look to me. Merry Christmas Millie"

She smiled in reply, as she leaned in to kiss him,"Merry Christmas Howard"