Author's Note: things may speed up now (I think) but there's still plenty more to come...
Thank you to all my readers and reviewers- you all rock!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!
She held him a moment longer, Joseph almost kneeling beside her, unable to believe that she was holding her newborn son, their first child and that she, at 23, was a wife and mother, before Dr Bangs, who had been watching the scene with a smile, coughed discreetly.
"I'm sorry Joe, Clarisse, but we need your baby son back for a little while so that we can clean him up and check on a few of his details... and Joe, I don't want to kick you out, but Clarisse and your son will meet you in the 'royal suite'..." the suite consisting of two rooms, a waiting room, a mini kitchen and two around the clock nurses.
"That's fine," Joseph beamed at his son before kissing Clarisse again and almost bouncing out of the room, He changed out of his scrubs in the same room he had put them on a couple of hours before and, after receiving congratulations from the group of black suited men who had been waiting outside for the past six hours, he followed the nurse down the hall to the royal suite... the last time he had been there, he realized as he stepped into the room Clarisse would be brought to, it was when he had broken his leg at 18, either through horse riding or an drunken escapade that went out of control.
He paced the room excitedly, unable to believe that a) he and Clarisse were parents; b) that Clarisse had given him a son (although he would have loved a daughter... maybe in the future): and c) they were now a family! He was dying to send one of their bodyguards back to the palace to let the family know... but it was three in the morning and he secretly wanted a few hours of privacy, an intimate, special moment between him and Clarisse before the entire country knew that Clarisse had given birth to their first child, a son.
"You look awfully serious for someone who just became a father!" he heard a familiar voice say and he turned to see Clarisse being wheeled into the suite, smiling happily but tiredly at him, before the nurse helped her onto the enormous hospital bed.
"I was just thinking that, at this moment, only us (and, alright, a few others) know that we have a son, and that this moment is for us and no one else," he said simply before settling on the edge of the bed and taking her hand in his as he smiled lovingly at her. "So, my love... how do you feel?"
"Tired, but wonderful...I TOLD you we would have a son!" she semi crowed before leaning forward to meet his lips. "And you?"
"Almost too proud of my wife... women can really do anything... and you are amazing and brave..."
"Thank you," she blushed deeply as he kissed her again before they heard a sound in the doorway and they looked up to see Dr Bangs rolling in the hospital regulation crib, a tiny blue bundle lying inside.
"I told you they'd meet you here, Joe," he teased as, next to him, Joseph felt Clarisse tremble before the cot came to a stop beside her bed.
"Is there something wrong with the baby, Doctor?" she asked anxiously as, to her surprise, she smoothly scooped the little boy up in his arms and settled back on her pillows, Joseph wrapping an arm around her shoulders, a little nervous himself.
"No, he is absolutely perfect- yes, he was a little early, but at almost eight pounds, he's health and fine... I just came in to congratulate you again on your healthy son."
"Still hard to believe you delivered his father?" Joe teased as he reached over and touched his son's tiny hand for the first time.
"A little, but now that I've delivered the second generation of Renaldis, I can now retire happy," he beamed, congratulating the young couple again before leaving Joseph and Clarisse finally alone with their baby son.
"He's perfect," she sighed as, resting his head against Clarisse's chest, the baby gave a small but heavy sigh, briefly opened his eyes to regard his parents, before settling back into sleep.
"He is... our baby boy," Joseph murmured, reaching out for his hand and melting as Pierre's tiny hand mad a fist around his finger and Clarisse smiled, witnessing it too. "Pierre..."
"It's hard to believe that, eight hours ago, he was still inside me and now he's here, a little person, our son..." she trailed off reverentially, both of them staring in awe at their son before Clarisse pressed her lips onto his tiny forehead and gently transferred him to his father's arms- she wanted Joseph to hold him and she knew he wanted to hold him too.
"What the..." he started before, simultaneously, father and son both relaxed. "He's beautiful..." he murmured, staring at his son for a long time before gingerly standing up and walking back around to his cot, gently settling him back into it. "Our son..."
"You are going to be a wonderful father," she said softly as, as if on cue, a nurse arrived to return Pierre back to the nursery.
"And you... are going to be a wonderful mother," he returned as he sat back down next to her and played with her fingers.
"I should let you go back to the palace and have some sleep," she said as she sat back on her pillows and he smiled before he began to stretch out on the mattress next to her, Clarisse moving over to give him room- luckily, the mattress was big enough for both of them.
"That's very sweet, but I would much rather stay here with my wife and mother of my son..." he said, wrapping his arms around her and she snuggled in closer.
"Thank you... are you happy you have a son?"
"Yes, but I'm far happier that you and Pierre are happy and healthy...and I seriously didn't mind if we had had a daughter..."
"Maybe one day- but we are both happy and healthy because you protected us so well for the past 9 months, much as it irritated me in the beginning... " before she kissed him. "Thank you for coming into the delivery room with me- I couldn't have done it without you."
"You were doing very well on your own, but I was glad I was in there with you... I'll never forget it."
"I think he's going to look like you," she murmured sleepily.
"Maybe... but I think he's going to have his mother's beautiful eyes," before he tenderly kissed her forehead as she closed her eyes, suddenly exhausted, more than happy to watch her sleep... it had definitely been a big night, but a night he would never forget!
0
She was still sound asleep when he crept out at 7:30 to return to the palace, but he made sure he told one of the nurses to tell Clarisse, if she woke up before he returned, that he would be back very soon.
The palace was already alive with activity when he stepped inside and, knowing that his parents would be at breakfast, he headed straight towards the dining room.
"Joseph!" Alexandra sounded and looked surprised when he bounded into the room, pleased that Rupert was there as well. "How is Clarisse? I hope she's feeling better- she didn't look very well last night."
"Well, I have some news..." Joseph said quietly, tears pricking his eyes again at the thought of the past few hours. "Clarisse had the baby early this morning..." he paused to hear the sounds of delight from the table. "We have a beautiful little boy... Pierre Andre Henrik Joseph Renaldi," he finished proudly.
There was a minute's silence before Alexandra practically leapt off her seat to embrace her son, surprising him slightly, although he knew she had mellowed somewhat in the past year.
"Oh Joe, how wonderful, congratulations... and how is Clarisse?"
"She was still asleep when I snuck out, but she's very happy."
"Did you want some breakfast?" Henrik asked after the congratulations were over, but Joseph shook his head.
"No, thank you, I just came back to tell you the news, shower and change- I'll probably be spending most of my time at the hospital until Clarisse and the baby come home.. oh, and Father, I was wondering if Anthony could..."
"Consider it done... and we'll forward a copy for your approval before releasing it," before he shook his younger son's hand again, proud of him and his new family... he was a grandfather but Joe was a father, and while he had been overprotective in the past nine months, overwhelming young Clarisse more than a little, he was certain that he was going to be a good husband and father.
0
Clarisse was momentarily surprised when she woke up and realized that Joseph wasn't there, but she suspected that he had gone back to the palace to tell them the news.
"Good morning, Your Highness!" she heard a cheerful voice from the doorway, and she looked over to see a cheerful looking nurse rolling a cot into the room, and Clarisse suddenly felt excited, realizing her son was in that crib.
"Good morning," Clarisse said shyly, sitting up and suddenly anxious to hold her baby. "How is..."
"He's very well but he wants his breakfast," the nurse said with a smile, gently scooping the newborn up and handing him to his mother. "Do you need any help?"
"No, thank you, I'm fine," Clarisse went almost maroon with shyness and embarrassment as she accepted the baby, and the nurse discreetly disappeared before Clarisse began nursing her son for the first time, watching him in fascination
So absorbed was she in watching the baby that she didn't realize Joe had returned and was standing in the doorway, watching the beautiful scene before him, before he coughed discreetly.
"Oh... hello, darling," Clarisse looked up and smiled shyly as her husband placed his jacket and a small bag of her belongings in a nearby chair. "I didn't hear you come in," she added as he leaned over and kissed her gently before sitting down on the bed next to her.
"It doesn't matter, you were occupied with far more important matters," he smiled down at his son, nestled against Clarisse's chest. "So, how is our little son this morning?" he joked as he reached out and touched the soft cheek tenderly, still in awe at all he had seen and felt in the past few hours.. .well, to be more accurate, the past 7 months since Clarisse had told him she was expecting.
"He's fine... apparently, he's been awake longer than his mother," she smiled in delight at the word 'mother' as Pierre began looking around, his eyes focusing on Joseph, his father's breath catching, before Clarisse lifted him onto her shoulder and began rubbing his back.
"Well, his mother had a long night bringing him into the world," he said softly as, a moment later, Clarisse calmly handed him the baby.
The second time he held him was almost as overwhelming as the first, and Joseph's eyes filled with tears as he gazed down at the infant who was half him.
Clarisse smiled at his emotions, again seeing the qualities she had fallen in love with in the man she loved madly, before she wrapped an arm around his shoulders and rested her cheek on his arm, beyond happy that she was with her husband and their son... her family... as Joseph thought the same thing...
They sat there for a long time, enjoying their quiet time before they heard voices in the doorway and they looked up to see Isabel, holding a big blue teddy bear, walking into the room closely followed by Rupert, who had flowers, and Clarisse noticed with interest that they were grinning at each other, making her wonder... they were obviously friends, but she could sense that it could develop into something more...
"Congratulations you two!" Rupert said loudly, following Isabel in hugging Clarisse. "A baby boy... I'm an uncle!" he cried as, in Joseph's arms, little Pierre began to squirm, his face crumpling as if he might cry and Rupert suddenly felt terrible.
"I'm sorry," he whispered as Joseph glared at him before Clarisse patted his arm reassuringly.
"It's alright, he's fine..." and, sure enough, the baby settled back into his semi nap. "Would you like to hold him?"
"I don't know..." Rupert looked nervously at the infant. "He's still... new..."
"He's sturdy," Joe grinned, slowly standing up and walking around to Rupert. "He's a Renaldi, he's tough... even though he's only six hours old," he added teasingly.
"No, I don't think so," Rupert shook his head, now even more nervous now that he knew the baby was 'only' 6 hours old, before he suddenly found himself holding his nephew, Joseph grinning as he returned to his seat next to Clarisse.
"Wow..." Rupert said as he stared down at the baby. "I can't believe he's yours... and he looks like you, Joe!"
"Maybe a little, but I think he's going to be more like his mother- especially with her fair complexion," as he gently squeezed Clarisse's shoulders as she blushed.
"Either way, he's going to be a good looking guy when he grows up!"
000
Clarisse and the baby (as well as Joseph, who only returned to the palace to shower and change) stayed in hospital for two days, which Clarisse was relieved about as she knew that, when they emerged, the press would be clamouring for a picture of Pierre.
The palace had released a statement announcing his birth, but now that they knew, and that, camped out in front of the now heavily guarded hospital, they had seen the King and Queen visit, nothing but a picture would please them. But Joseph (with Clarisse and his parent's support) was determined that, aside from family and a select group of friends, no one would see the baby Prince until his christening in August. He was determined to protect his family- no one would dare to hurt them with him around.
"That's very sensible... I feel the same way," she said seriously as, on the day of their release, she slipped on her shoes as Joseph explained his plan. "You and the baby are everything to me," she said almost fiercely as she sat in the wheelchair she was being wheeled out in (she had been disgusted at that- she had had a baby, not been in a car accident- but Joseph convinced her that it was part of the hospital's policy), waiting for the baby to be brought in.
"My feelings exactly," he said firmly, squeezing her shoulder before the nurse brought the baby in and both Joseph and Clarisse felt nervous and excited- this was it, they were taking Pierre home!
As pre arranged, the palace car was waiting outside the back emergency entrance and Joseph cradled the baby as Clarisse settled herself in the car, before racing around to his side, sliding in and sitting close to her and the baby.
"This is it," he whispered, reaching out and allowing Pierre, who was awake and alert but not fussing, to grab a finger.
"This it is," she murmured before the car made it's way out to the hospital entrance, a silence before chaos ensued, people banging on the slowly moving car, journalists shouting questions into the dimmed car and camera flashes going off left right and centre and little Pierre, startled by the noise, began to wail before Clarisse lifted him onto her shoulder, rubbing his shoulders soothingly.
"It's alright, sweetheart, this will all be over soon," she murmured in his ear before beginning to hum softly, Joseph watching with a smile- her maternal instincts were alive and well.
"You are amazing," he whispered as they finally left the hospital and baby Pierre settled down again as she smiled at him.
It was a quiet trip back to their heavily guarded house (Joseph's condition for them returning there after the baby was born) and they were just approaching the house when he leaned over and whispered in the baby's ear:
"Welcome home, my son..."
000
The next few weeks passed by quickly as Pierre settled into his new home and his parents began to adapt to having a baby in their lives.
They had employed a baby nurse to look after the baby (as most aristocratic families did) but Clarisse made it clear that she and Joseph were going to do much of the caring and looking after the baby- he was THEIR SON, and they were going to raise him.
"I know both you and I were practically raised by nannies, and it made me determined that, when I had children, I would be a proper mother, not a distant mother figure who visited the nursery once a day," she explained to her husband the day after they left the hospital, and he smiled gently.
"I agree with you, I want to be completely involved in raising our children, but sweetheart... you do know that the nurse will have to look after him when we start our duties again..." although he secretly hoped that they would be given a little more time before they had to step back into their roles as Prince and Princess of Genovia.
"Of course," Clarisse looked at him seriously. "I know that... but I want our children to know us, not who we are in public life... I know we can have our royal duties and a private life..."
"That we will..."
Unfortunately, Joseph's hope for a little more time was dashed when, calling in to visit his parents, his father informed him that he was to fly to Spain the following morning for a week, followed by Portugal to participate in negotiations for the new trade agreements.
"What about Rupert?" he asked, trying to hide his disappointment.
"He had other things he has to do... but he has been doing your work and his own for the past two months," Alexandra said pointedly. "It's time that you came back into the fold."
"What about Clarisse? Can she come with me?" he asked desperately, not wanting to be away from his family for two weeks.
"She can accompany you if she wants, but she may want to stay home with the baby, and we understand that... but YOU, Joseph, have to go... you are a Prince of Genovia and you do have a duty to your country as well as your family," she looked at him sternly and Joseph swallowed his disappointment and annoyance to nod his acquiescence.
"Alright, I will be on the plane tomorrow morning," he said quietly, his mother nodding approvingly, but Joseph was annoyed- his son was only two weeks old and he wanted to spend more time with him, but now he had to go overseas...sometimes being a royal wasn't all it was cracked up to be...
He was so annoyed and disappointed at almost everyone and everything that he went home in a grouchy mood and deliberately tried to pick a fight with Clarisse.
"What on earth is wrong with you?" she asked in consternation as he sat silently opposite her at the diner table- he had been so happy when he had left earlier, but now he was so grouchy and taciturn. "You've been cranky all afternoon!"
"My parents have informed me that I have to go to Spain and Portugal to oversee negotiations for the new trade agreements..."
"That's wonderful!" her face lit up with pride. "You really are becoming an important man!"
"Is that why you married me?" he asked sullenly as Clarisse's smile faded. "Because I'm becoming important?"
"No and you know that perfectly well," Clarisse said coolly.
"I'm sorry," he looked slightly ashamed. "Would you come with me?" he asked quietly, hoping she would say yes but Clarisse was genuinely torn.
"I... I would love to, darling, you know I love travelling with you, but... I can't leave Pierre- he's only two weeks old and he's so little-he needs me... and I'm still recovering from the birth and the pregnancy..."
"I see," he looked displeased, a little jealous of his own son.
"If Pierre was a little older, I'd say yes and we'd both come with you, but surely you don't feel comfortable me leaving our newborn son for two weeks?" she asked emotionally.
"I know you're right, no I don't want you to leave him, but I don't want to go either... I want to be here with you and the baby..."
"I know, dear, but you also have a responsibility to Genovia," she began mildly and Joseph, who had started to calm down, glared at her.
"Stop it! I heard it from my mother, I don't need to hear it from my wife!" he snapped before he stormed out of the room and, for the first time in their marriage, they slept apart- Clarisse in the room next to the nursery and Joseph in their suite.
Clarisse stirred early, not used to sleeping alone and gazed up at the ceiling, wondering whether Joseph was still angry, before she heard a noise in the doorway and she sat up to see Joseph carrying the baby in his arms and she spied a tray on the floor behind him.
"What the..." she began before Joe gave her Pierre and quickly returned to carry the tray in, kicking the door closed behind him. "What's going on?"
"I thought that, after my appalling behaviour last night, I would bring you breakfast in bed and your son..." he said quietly as he settled both himself and the tray next to her. "...wanted to see you..."
"I can imagine why he wanted to see me," she laughed before she nursed him, Joseph watching with a wistful expression. "What's wrong?"
"This is why I don't want to go," he said softly and she smiled.
"I know... Pierre is going to grow so fast and you want to be here for every minute of it... but it's only two weeks and we will be here when you get back... and as I said last night, as soon as the baby's a little older and can travel, we'll be coming with you... we're a team," she paused for a moment. "But I'm going to miss you too... will you call me while you're away?"
"Of course," he said sincerely, wanting to hug her but not wanting to squash their son, so he leaned over and kissed her. "As many times as I can... I promise..."
0
The ache in Joseph heart, missing his wife and son began almost as soon as the plane took off, and while he was polite, charming and interested in the first round of meetings, all he was looking forward to was calling Clarisse and hearing her soft, cultured voice.
It was almost eight when he finally retired to his room and picked up the phone, but Clarisse answered on the second ring. "Hello you."
"How did yo know it was me?"
"Only a few people know this number and as I've seen your parents this afternoon and Isabel and Jess aren't arriving until tomorrow, I thought it was you... so how are you?"
"Missing you and Pierre... how are you?"
"Missing you..." before she laughed sheepishly. "Listen to us- we sould like a pair of lovesick teenagers!" and Joseph joined it.
"True... but remember, madam, we never had this before- we were married six months after we met, so now we're going back a bit. So, Jess and Isabel coming to stay?""
"Yes, Rupert and your parents have promised to drop in and I believe that James and Charlie are both planning on visiting..."
"I thought so," he laughed before he suddenly realized that he was homesick, something he thought he would never feel, but he did. "I love you."
"I love you too..." she said simply as, for a moment, she wished she was with him. "Call me again soon..."
"Probably tomorrow," he joked, half serious.
"I hope so...
The next two weeks seemed to pass by agonisingly slow for both of them, although they both had distractions- Joseph with his work and Clarisse with the baby and the constant stream of visitors (Charlie being especially nervous around the baby) but the highlight of their days was their phone calls, Joseph calling every night, and Clarisse was already planning a surprise for when he returned...He loved to surprise her, but now it was his turn...
He was due to fly in late one afternoon, and after settling down the baby for his sleep, Clarisse changed into one of her favourite blue dresses (one he loved) and climbed into the waiting car... she was going to welcome him home...
Joseph gave a sigh of relief when the plane taxied onto the runway of the airport- the last two weeks had been challenging but successful, but all he could think about was seeing his wife and child, both of whom had been popular topics, not helping his homesickness at all.
He nodded to his bodyguards and slipped into the car, sitting back with another sigh, relieved to be home, before he heard a quiet voice say from beside him: "Welcome home."
He started and glanced over to see Clarisse sitting there, clad in the blue dress he loved on her and smiling demurely at him.
"Clarisse!" he gasped before he slid over and crushed her into his arms. "Baby... you're here!"
"I thought I would surprise you," she said happily before their lips met in a long, passionate kiss. "I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder," he teased a little breathlessly when he finally pulled away from her, his arms remaining around her waist as she snuggled closer.
"Indeed it can, and I've missed you so... how's Pierre?"
"He's fine, asleep at the moment... he's a month old today."
"I know, which is why I'm glad to be home," he said before leaning over to kiss her again. "What a wonderful surprise!"
"How was your trip!" she pulled away, curiosity shining in her eyes and he smiled at her- she was still interested in everything he did.
"Good... I think I had as many questions about you and the baby as about the trade agreement!" he teased and she blushed at his words before relaxing into his arms.
When they finally made it back to the house, after having spent much of the trip switching between kissing and discussing his trip, she led him into the house and into the dining room, where a candle lit table for two was set up for them.
"Are you hungry?" she asked with a smile, feeling him weave his arms around her waist and nuzzle her neck.
"Maybe a little..." before, her knees feeling like jelly, she spun around to smile seductively at him. "What about you? Are you?"
"Maybe a little..." she replied coyly. "Did you want to see..."
"Is he awake yet?" he asked, dropping kisses on her neck, only wanting to hold her.
"Not yet..."
"Then we should wait until he's awake..." he trailed off before he kissed her again and she swooned against him. "Shall we sit... or shall we..."
"You tell me," she replied sexily, smiling at him and he didn't hesitate to scoop her up in his arms and almost race upstairs to their suite.
It had been so long... he thought as he closed the door and locked it, before he turned to smile at Clarisse... but she wanted it as much as he did...before clothes were torn off with amazing speed and Joseph found himself looking at his wife with open adoration and lust- she looked amazing, with her almost back to normal figure and he wanted her just as much as when they were standing together on their wedding night...
"Oh Clarisse... you are so amazing, my darling, so beautiful," he murmured as he pulled her into his arms and began raining kisses down on her face and neck, his hands roaming all over her and she moaned slightly before she found herself being deposited on the bed and Joseph gazing down at her lovingly, his hands caressing her thighs gently before he pulled them away to touch her face.
"Oh Joseph..." she murmured, her entire body aching for his touch, before he saw an unasked question in her eyes and he nodded.
"It will be fine...I love you so..." he murmured as he buried his face into her neck for a moment and she held him close, feeling everything he felt for her almost radiating from him. Her fear about him not desiring her after she had the baby had been foolish- he wanted her just as much, if not more, and she wanted him too...
"I love you too, so very much..." she murmured before he gazed into her eyes again, loving the look in her eyes before their lips met in a searing, passionate kiss and everything else was forgotten in the heat of the moment, and the realization that they were together again...