No characters belong to me, just a few little ideas from my imagination. Characters property of Disney Meg Cabot.
Chapter 14 (Part 1)
The following week was an agonizing wait of intense grief for Clarisse. Although she and Joseph spoke every night and they text each other as much as her duties allowed, she was missing him and their daughter so much; and her lack of sleep and restlessness fed the rumours that she was still recovering from her long term illness. However, she was stressed as Mabrey continued to make public insinuations about her competency to continue in her role as Queen.
Finally, the day came that Joseph was due home and Clarisse signed the last of the papers on her desk as Charlotte entered the office. 'Your Majesty, he's landed.' her assistant informed her; causing her heart to leap. 'Thank you Charlotte...' she said; managing to mask her nerves and excitement. '...I'm going to retire for the day. Please send him to my suite when he arrives. I would like to discuss some matters with him.' she said.
'Of course Ma'am.' Charlotte said; and left the room.
It was half an hour later and Charlotte was at the top of the Palace steps waiting for Joseph as he exited the car. She watched with confusion as Joseph pulled something out of the back seat; and when he turned, her confusion turned to shock to see a changing bag slung over his shoulder and him holding a car seat within which a baby was sleeping. He approached her and she stuttered her hello. 'It's good to be home.' Joseph said with a smile. He could hardly wait to see Clarisse.
'Joseph, what in the world...' Charlotte started, but Joseph lifted the chair to cradle in his arms. 'Charlotte, meet Sofia...my daughter.' he said. Charlotte was in shock; she knew Joseph was no saint, but she also knew that he was in love with the Queen and she would never think he could forget her for even a second, let alone long enough to have a child. 'Erm, she's waiting for you. Would you like me to look after the baby?' Charlotte asked.
'That won't be necessary.' Joseph said.
'But Joseph, this might not be the best time to surprise her with your news. She's not been too well since she got back.'
'Then I insist on seeing her and I want privacy. I would also like the maids to take my luggage and my daughter's things to the suite adjoining Her Majesty's. I shall move the rest of my things over the next day or so.'
'Move next door?' Charlotte questioned.
'Since her illness she will require more protection and I intend to be close at hand.'
'Joseph, I-'
'Charlotte, please do as I say. I need to see her.' Joseph said before passing her and entering the palace.
Clarisse had thrown off her jacket and shoes and her silk stocking clad feet now paced the plush carpet of her sitting room. She heard the doors of her suite open and the mumble of voices before the doors closed; and then mere moments later he was there at the doors to her sitting room, their daughter still cradled in his arms. 'Clarisse...' he said simply; and she rushed towards him. Joseph turned the seat enough for Clarisse to unbuckle Sofia and lift her into her arms. Clarisse rested Sofia against her neck and kissed her head as tears slid down her cheeks. 'My beautiful baby girl. I have missed you so much.' she said. She made her way to the sofa, Joseph following behind her.
'This is the first decent sleep she's had since you came home. It's as if she knew she was coming home to her Mama.' he said; and sat beside her, watching her lovingly as she continued to shower kisses upon their daughter. 'Does Papa get a welcome?' Joseph asked her. Clarisse looked up and smiled brightly - her eyes sparkling with happy tears - before leaning in and placing a soft, slow kiss to his lips. Joseph's hand reached up to her neck and his fingers traced her pulse as he deepened the kiss. He eventually pulled back. 'I have missed you so much.' he said.
'I've missed you and Sofia more than I can say. I never thought it would hurt this much to be separated from her.' Clarisse said sadly; and Joseph swept his thumb back and forth across her cheek bone. 'Charlotte said you've not been well.' Joseph said; concerned.
'I'm perfectly fine, I was simply missing my family.' she said. Joseph smiled and leaned in to kiss her again, but they were interrupted by the sounds of their waking daughter. 'Hey sleepy head.' Clarisse said; her smile widening at the sight of her daughter's bright blue eyes as she lifted her up to examine her more closely. 'Hello beautiful.' she cooed as Sofia smiled at the sight of her mother.
'She looks more and more like you every day.' Joseph said, but Clarisse's response was prevented by the phone ringing and Joseph answered it. 'Tea?...' he said into the receiver. Clarisse nodded. '...Please...and some hot water...Thank you.' Joseph finished and hung up the phone. 'Charlotte said she'll bring up the refreshments.' he told Clarisse.
'Charlotte?' Clarisse queried.
'I requested some privacy, but I think Charlotte wants to prevent the staff from finding out about Sofia...and the maids do like to gossip.'
'She disapproves?'
'She disapproves of my having relations with any woman who isn't you.' Joseph said; shocking Clarisse. 'Are we really that obvious?' she asked after a few moments.
'You aren't, but I am afraid I may well be. The whole country knows I would do anything to protect you.'
'That's your job.'
'Your subjects do not see it as that simplistic. To be willing to give your life for another as a matter of duty and not an emotionally charged action is a difficult concept for many to fathom.' he explained. Clarisse was thoughtful for a few moments. 'And I have never protected you simply out of a sense of duty...' Joseph said; causing her to look at him. '...With you there have always been emotions involved.' he finished; and she was just about to kiss him when they heard the doors opening and a trolley being wheeled in. Joseph stood and approached the fire as Charlotte entered the room. 'Your tea Your Majesty.' Charlotte said as she started to move the trays from the trolley to the table. 'And some hot water.' Charlotte said as she placed that on the table also.
'Perfect. This little one needs a feed.' Clarisse said. Charlotte could not hide her shock at how well the Queen was handling this situation; and Joseph did not miss the confused look. 'Look at her Charlotte, isn't she the most beautiful baby girl you've ever seen?' Clarisse asked, as she turned Sofia in her arms. 'She's lovely Your Majesty.' Charlotte said; and briefly looked at Joseph before looking back at Clarisse who was pulling formula from the changing bag beside her feet on the floor. 'Is there anything else you need Your Majesty?' she asked.
'Not at the moment. Thank you Charlotte.' Clarisse said without looking up. Charlotte could not miss the pure joy on her Monarch's face as she nursed the baby. She had expected an icy atmosphere, but this room was clearly filled with warmth and love. What was going on? 'Very well, Your Majesty.' she said. 'Joseph.' she said with a nod in his direction before leaving the suite. Once he had heard the outer doors close, Joseph re-approached Clarisse and watched as she measured out the formula into the bottle. He took the bottle from her and filled it with water before shaking the mixture. He tested the temperature as he sat down and then handed the bottle back to Clarisse. His mind was doing cartwheels as he thought of their brief exchange with Charlotte. 'I miss being able to feed her properly.' Clarisse said as Sofia suckled from the teat of the bottle.
'I know my love. Your bond is so strong though my darling, don't think otherwise. She would not sleep without having the lullaby you sing to her played.' Joseph said. He was thrilled to see Clarisse so content and relaxed; and hoped having her daughter close by would ease the stresses of her job. 'Clarisse, there's something we should talk about.' he said; causing her to look at him questioningly.
'Charlotte is clearly struggling to deal with this development; and when the press finds out about Sofia she will need to deal with them. We should consider telling her the truth.' he said.
'Joseph, we came up with this story for a reason.' Clarisse said.
'I know my dear, but Charlotte is trustworthy and she is devoted to you. She would never do anything to hurt the Monarchy or you. She's fuming with me because she thinks I've betrayed you.'
'Let me think about it.' Clarisse said before looking back at Sofia chugging down her milk. 'She's hungry.' she observed.
'Yes. As I said; she missed you so much. I was worried. She wouldn't sleep, she barely ate.' he explained.
'Were you giving your Papa loads of trouble?' Clarisse asked her daughter; who kicked her legs happily. 'And I'm betting she loved every minute of it. She's as spirited as her mother.' Joseph said. Clarisse looked up at him. 'One thing we must agree on if we are to tell Charlotte the truth; it stays a secret for every other member of the staff...' she said.
'I would like Shades to know too-'
'Joseph I don't think-'
'Darling; he is my second-in-command and I need to assign someone to our daughter's protection.'
'But you can protect-'
'My darling, I will do all in my power to protect her, but it never hurts to have an extra pair of eyes, especially as I have to protect her mother and niece.' he explained. 'Besides; Shades is the least communicative member of your staff. You're lucky if you get two words out of him per day.' he said; and Clarisse could not help but smile. He was right of course. Shades was silent unless forced to be otherwise. Clarisse placed Sofia over her shoulder as she began to rub her back. 'We cannot tell Mia though. Not yet.' Clarisse said.
'Agreed. Your granddaughter is a wonderful child, but she has a tendency to-'
'Speak without thinking.'
'Indeed; especially when she is excited.' Joseph agreed.
'Very well. You're right. Can you arrange for Charlotte and Shades to come up here though? I think we should keep this little meeting out of sight of the cameras.' she said.
'Of course. When?'
'No time like the present.' Clarisse said. Joseph nodded his agreement. 'In the meantime, I think our daughter needs changing.' Clarisse said; and picked up the changing bag before heading to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Charlotte and Shades sat in a quiet area of the gardens talking in hushed voices despite being well away from anyone who might overhear their conversation. 'It makes no sense. We both know how deeply they care for each other. I thought for certain Joseph was in love with her.' Charlotte said.
'He is.' Shades said simply.
'If that's so, why risk losing her for a quick, meaningless fling? And why is she acting as if it doesn't bother her? She was practically giddy with happiness holding that baby in her arms. It makes no sense.' Charlotte said. They were interrupted as Shades' phone rang. He placed it to his ear.
'Boss?...Charlotte is with me...Of course.' Shades hung up the phone and looked at Charlotte. 'They wish to see us.' he said.
'Together?' she enquired.
'That's what he said.' Shades said simply; and both of them headed back towards the palace.