Hi everyone, sorry there has been a delay in posting. I have been busy planning two extra chapters for you. This one and the next one wasn't part of the original plan, but had to write them when another idea popped in my head. Hope you enjoy them :)
Also I want to thank WildMeiLing for your help, I wouldn't have been able to do these chapters if it wasn't for you, so thank you so much :)
Enjoy x
x-X-x-X-x
Friday 18th October 1968.
After yet another long week and getting hardly any sleep, Clarisse pulled herself from her bed and began to get ready for the day ahead. Today is her fathers funeral, and with the loss of both her parents in just a short space of time and trying to remain strong for everyone she found that she was really starting to struggle. She tried her best to keep it together, but it was getting harder and harder with every passing moment.
And once she was ready she slipped on her shoes and made her way into her suite, just as someone knocked on the door. "Come in," she called and placed her jacket over the back of one of the armchairs before turning to see Isabella closing the door behind her. "Good morning," she said and walked towards her, kissing her cheek "is everything alright?"
"Yes, I just wondered if we could talk a minute before everyone arrives?" Asked Isabella "please?"
"Of course," Clarisse nodded and moved to sit down on the sofa.
"Thank you," Isabella said and followed to sit beside her.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" Clarisse asked.
"Well firstly," she began and looked down as she hesitated a moment "I wondered if Max and I could have the boys tonight, because tomorrow we are going to go away for a bit." She finally managed to ask.
"Of course you can," Clarisse said, nodding "a break would do you good, how long are you going for?" She asked, looking up at her sister as she looked down at her hands.
"That's the thing," she said softly and looked back up at her "we might not be coming back." She added and watched as her sister looked away.
"Oh," she exclaimed and looked back at her sister after a moment "I see," she answered "where will you go?" She asked.
"To Max's parents in England for a bit, then we don't know," Isabella shrugged "we may set up home there, or somewhere else, we haven't decided yet but we will soon." She said.
"I see," said Clarisse as she stood to her feet and moved to stand by the balcony doors.
"I know this is big news, and something you didn't want to hear today of all days but I would really appreciate your support." Said Isabella as she stood up and looked over at her big sister.
"Well of course, I'm sorry," Clarisse nodded and motioned for her to come over "wherever you go you have my support, sure me and the boys will be heartbroken to see you go but we won't stop you." She said and put her arms up to hug her sister.
"I know this isn't the best time to go, but I can't stay here at the moment." Isabella said tearfully as they pulled apart.
And seeing her sister crying, broke her heart. "I know, but it will be ok." Said Clarisse as she gave her another hug "it will all be ok soon and I understand, I really do."
"Thank you," Isabella said softly and pulled back "and what about you?"
"What do you mean, what about me?" Clarisse asked, looking at her as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
"I mean with you and Joseph," she whispered "is he coming today?"
"I don't think so, after his meeting the other day he had to hurry back to Italy for another meeting there. He said he would try and get back over with his parents but he couldn't promise." Clarisse answered and looked at her sister as she looked down.
"I need to tell you something," Isabella began as she looked back up at her "I know that you have decided to wait to tell the boys about the divorce but I think that's the worst thing you could possibly do. Not just for the boys, but for yours and Joseph's relationship too and Rupert will start believing that he's got away with it. He could even make it harder for the divorce, and what if he finds out about, you know," she said as Clarisse studied her face.
"He won't find out, will he?" Clarisse asked.
"He might do, that's if he doesn't know already and he could make your life hell." Isabella said as Clarisse looked away momentarily, thinking about it. "Do you love Joseph?" She asked as Clarisse looked back at her.
"Yes, of course I do." Clarisse nodded.
"And do you want to be with him?"
"I do, absolutely," Clarisse nodded.
"Then please tell the boys, so you can finally move on and stop giving the impression that you are not ready to let Rupert go, because that's what it's starting to look like." Isabella said while taking hold of Clarisse's hands "especially now that you have decided to wait until after Christmas."
"But the boys, they will be broken." Clarisse said softly as her eyes filled with tears.
"Yes, the boys will be broken, but it will pass, and it's not like they won't ever see their father again." Said Isabella "I know it's hard, but you'll be a lot happier."
"I know," Clarisse nodded.
"And I know that Joseph makes you happy, you can see it in your eyes so please for those boys, and yourself, do the right thing." Begged Isabella and hugged her sister. "Please?" She whispered as they pulled apart and looked at each other.
"I'm really going to miss you when you go," Clarisse said, getting all emotional "who will I talk too?"
"I'll be on the end of a phone, and we could visit each other." Isabella said softly as she stepped closer, hugging her tightly as her eyes filled with tears too. "I know it seems like I'm abandoning you, but I'm not, I'll still be there for you."
"I know," Clarisse nodded and stepped back, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
"Please promise me that you will sort things out?" Isabella asked, looking into her sisters eyes.
"I promise," she whispered and nodded while looking down at the tissue in her hands a moment before looking back up at her as they both started crying once again.
"Come here," Isabella said tearfully as they both stepped closer and hugged each other.
That Afternoon.
Arriving back at the palace after an emotional service, Clarisse and Isabella made sure everyone had everything that they needed before letting the waiters take over. And as Isabella went of to talk to Max and their Aunt Esme, Clarisse stood talking to Victoria and her parents, George and Maria before they moved on to talk to an old neighbour.
"I'm so sorry that Joseph couldn't be here," said Victoria as she watched her friend sip her drink.
"It's fine, really," Clarisse said as she looked down at her glass in her hands a moment before looking back up at her "I know that he said he was going to try his best, but not knowing what was going to happen last night he couldn't promise." She said and looked over at her Aunt Clara.
"I know he wanted to be here to show his support," Victoria said as Clarisse looked back at her.
"I know," said Clarisse as she looked across the room at Rupert a moment. "Tell me, when do you leave?" She asked, looking back at Victoria.
"Tomorrow," she answered and glanced in the direction that Clarisse was looking just a moment ago.
"Well, Isabella has the boys tonight and I wondered if you wanted to meet for dinner?" Clarisse asked and looked back across at Rupert.
"Yes of course," Victoria nodded and noticed her friend was looking back across at Rupert. Looking across at him herself, she watched as he stood talking to her father, and looking back at Clarisse, she waved her hand in front of her face to get her attention "are you with me?"
Looking at her friend, Clarisse shook her head just a little and looked down at her hands, still holding her glass once again. "I'm sorry,"
"No it's fine," Victoria said and watched as she looked back up at her "you have been looking at Rupert a lot since we have been stood here, are things alright now between you both?" She asked quietly and watched as Clarisse raised her eyebrow at her "before, at the christening,"
Remembering the conversation that they had, Clarisse shook her head "not really, and don't get me wrong though he has been very supportive over this last few weeks but it's just," she hesitated and looked back over at her husband.
"Clarisse?" Victoria said softly while placing her hand on Clarisse's arm.
"I'm sorry," Clarisse answered and looked back at Victoria "it doesn't matter."
"Are you sure?" She asked as Clarisse sipped her drink.
"I am," Clarisse nodded and looked over at the doorway, just as Joseph appeared "Joseph?" She whispered as Victoria looked in the direction she was looking.
And seeing them, Joseph hurried over "I'm so sorry, the plane had to wait a while for a space so we could disembark."
"It's alright, you are here now," said Victoria as she lent closer and kissed his cheek.
"I am, how did it go?" He asked and stepped closer to kiss Clarisse's cheek as she turned her head slightly "I'm so sorry," he whispered in her ear and stepped back.
"Let me go and get you a drink," Victoria said as she looked at Clarisse "did you want another one?"
"No thank you," she answered and shook her head while looking at her, then averted her gaze to Joseph as he looked at Victoria.
"Alright, well I will be right back." Said Victoria as she turned to walk away.
Looking back at Clarisse, he watched as she sipped her drink "again, I'm so sorry, I really wanted to be here for you," he said as she looked up at him.
"Honestly, it's fine," Clarisse nodded "these things happen." She said as she looked up into his eyes a moment.
"Clarisse," Rupert said as he come to stand beside her and put his hand on her back as he looked up at Joseph "hello again, Joseph."
"Hello," Joseph answered while looking at him, then at Clarisse as she looked up at Rupert.
"What's the matter?" She asked as Victoria returned and passed Joseph his drink.
"An old friend of your fathers is asking after you, I told him that you would come and speak to him." Rupert said and looked back up at Joseph and Victoria as they both stood looking at them "excuse us, won't you?" he said and put his arm around Clarisse's back as they walked away.
"You should have told him I would be there when I could, I am trying to work my way around everyone." Clarisse said while looking up at him as they stopped walking.
"It looked like you were talking to Victoria and that guy to me," Rupert said, looking at her.
"Yes, because it was their turn, and that guy is my friend, who happens to have a name. It's Joseph, his name is Joseph." Clarisse snapped quietly.
"Fine, Joseph. And as they are your friends, surely they wouldn't mind you leaving to talk to someone else, after all you get to see them all the time." He whispered in her ear as she gasped at his words.
"Rupert, how dare you!"
"Clarisse?" The old man said and smiled as she looked at him.
"Jim," she smiled and stepped closer to kiss his cheek while putting her free arm around his shoulders to give him a hug "it's so lovely to see you again."
"And you," he said as they stepped apart "how are you, considering the circumstances?" He asked, taking hold of her hand.
"Come, let's go and talk somewhere more quiet," Clarisse said as she turned to Rupert "and I ain't finished with you yet either!" She said quietly to him then walked away with Jim as he stood watching.
After talking to Jim for a short while, Clarisse returned to the main lounge. Looking around she saw Rupert talking to her aunts Clara and Esme, Isabella and Max talking to a neighbour, Victoria talking to her parents, and Joseph talking to Elizabeth in the corner. And seeing them talking, her heart sank, so placing her glass down she made her way out into the hallway to escape to her office for some alone time.
But as she made her way across the room, someone knocked on the door. "Not now, please!" She called back only to hear the door opening and quickly closing again. "I said," she began while turning to see who entered her office, only to find Joseph stood looking over at her "not now, please."
"I thought you might want some company?" He asked, slipping his hands in his pants pockets as she stood staring at him.
"I'm fine, besides I thought you was busy with Elizabeth? You both looked pretty cosy in the corner." She answered and moved to stand by her desk.
"Cosy, no," he said, shaking his head as he slowly made his way over to her "we were just talking."
"I see," she answered, watching him as her heart began to pound in her chest.
"Is everything alright?" He asked, coming to stand beside her and watched as she looked down at the floor.
"It's just," she began and turned to face him while looking up into his eyes "seeing you with Elizabeth," shaking her head she looked away.
"Do you think it's easy for me to see you with Rupert and how he acts around you?" He asked as she looked back up at him to study his face "I hate seeing the way he looks at you, I hate that he gets to see you everyday, that he gets to touch you everyday, I hate that you are putting of telling those boys about the divorce."
"And do you think it's easy for me knowing that there are plenty of women out there, drooling over you each and everyday. You have women falling at your feet, and I hate that, I hate that I can't scream about our relationship from the rooftops because believe me that's what I want to do," she exclaimed and looked into his eyes "but then I get scared, because am I really enough for you? I have two boys, I'm a Queen, who would want me when I divorce." She said in a softer tone.
"Me, that's who," Joseph said softly while putting his hand up to cup her face "you and your boys are enough for me, you are the only woman I want to be with and and spend the rest of my life with." He said and looked into her eyes "I want to make you and your boys my world, I would do it today if I could." He whispered "I love you, Clarisse."
"I love you too," she whispered and closed her eyes as he lowered his head to kiss her slowly while wrapping her arms around his neck. Pulling back a moment later, she looked into his eyes and thought a moment "I'm sorry, it's just with everything going on,"
"I know, and it's fine," he said, looking into her eyes "and I'm sorry too." He said and kissed her "I know these last few weeks haven't been easy for you, I just hate the thought of us being apart." he whispered and wrapped his arms around her waist as she hesitated "what's the matter?" He asked.
"I just wondered if you could help me with something, please?" She asked and watched as he nodded.
"Of course, anything you want." He answered.
"Thank you," she said and kissed him a couple times.
Leaving her office shortly after, Clarisse returned to her fathers wake and stood talking to Isabella and Max a while before disappearing upstairs. And after packing a bag for Pierre and Philippe, Clarisse left their room to head back to her suite but as she turned away from the door, she stopped when she saw Rupert heading her way.
"Here you are, I wondered where you had got too." He said, slowly walking towards her as she continued to walk slowly towards him. "Where are you going?" He asked.
"No where?" She answered, coming to a stop by her door while taking hold of the handle with both hands in front of her as he stepped closer.
"Then, what's with the bag?" He said, pointing down to the bag in her hands.
"Oh," she exclaimed and looked down at the bag a moment before looking back up at him "that's for Pierre and Philippe, they are staying with Isabella and Max tonight as they are going away tomorrow."
"Ahh I see," he nodded, watching her "we haven't had much time to talk today, have we?" He asked as she shook her head.
"No we haven't," she answered.
"I'm sorry about earlier, I just thought you would have really wanted to see Jim."
"I did, it was nice seeing him again so thank you for getting me, but it was very disrespectful doing what you done, and calling my friend 'that guy' when he has a name."
"I know, and I'm sorry about that too. It was disrespectful of me, you are right and it won't happen again." He said, watching her.
"I'm sorry, but I need to get on." She said after a moments silence.
"Of course, maybe after everyone has gone we could talk properly?" he asked.
"I am going to dinner tonight with Victoria, so I will probably stay over at the hotel with her until tomorrow." She said and walked through her door.
"Ok, maybe tomorrow then?" He asked as she turned back to him.
"Maybe," she answered and watched him a moment before closing the door. And as she turned to lean back against it with her eyes closed, Rupert stood the other side just staring, not quite sure what to do.
That Evening.
After dinner and a few drinks, Clarisse and Victoria said their goodbyes and as Victoria returned to her suite, Clarisse returned to her suite and waited for a little bit before heading to Joseph's suite. And knocking on his door, she put her hand up onto the door frame while waiting for him to answer.
And opening his door a moment later, he really couldn't help but smile at the sight before him. "Well, good evening."
"Good evening," she smiled as he trailed his eyes down her body and back up again "are you alone?"
"I am," he nodded "have you come to keep me company?" He asked as she slowly stepped forward and placed one of her hands on his side.
"I have, if you'll have me?" She asked, looking up into his eyes as their bodies met.
"Of course I'll have you," he smiled and pushed the door closed before walking her backwards and pressing her back against it "how did you know what suite I was in?" He asked, putting one of his hands up to cup her face while placing his other hand on the door behind her.
"Vicky told me, wait," Clarisse exclaimed "her suite isn't next door, is it?" She asked as Joseph laughed "what's so funny?"
"No," Joseph smiled while shaking his head "we are on different floors this time, so it's safe." He smirked while lowering his hand and locked the door before putting it gently on her hip.
"Oh, good," she smiled and closed her eyes as he began trailing kisses down over her jaw and neck and pushing herself forward a little she slipped off her coat, letting it fall to the floor as she kicked off her shoes before falling back against the door.
And just moments later, Joseph lifted her into his arms and carried her through to the bedroom where they spent the rest of the night making love.