A/N: For once, a long chapter from me and it was fun to write!
Thanks to all my readers and reviewers- you all rock!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!
Eventually, much later the evening (although Joseph didn't know what time), the party began to wind down and Clarisse discreetly signalled to him that she wished to leave- it was clear that the party would still continue on for hours, but it would only continue if the adults (specifically her presence) decided to bow out early and let them have their fun.
"You don't have to!" Mia protested when they (Joseph, Clarisse and Pierre) approached her table to announce they were leaving. "You're more than welcome to stay as long as everyone else!"
"That's very thoughtful, dear but it's getting late and we've been travelling."
"Okay..." she stood and walked them to the door so that she could hear them properly. "So did you need to see me tomorrow for any princess lessons?"
"Princess lessons?" Pierre looked puzzled and Mia chuckled.
"Yes, Grandma had to cover quite a few things such as etiquette, walking, how to make speeches and a whole new makeover- and we called them my princess lessons...so, are you going to need me?" she turned back to her grandmother expectantly.
"I wouldn't think so- you should have a few days with your friends but I would like to see you and your mother the night before graduation... and maybe we could have dinner the night of your graduation... an early one as I assume you would like to celebrate afterwards?" Clarisse gave her a meaningful look and Mia laughed.
"Maybe, maybe not, but yes, Mom and I will be there and I'll definitely see you the day before... I wish we had more time to spend together to get to know each other," she turned to Pierre with a regretful look. "It's so unfair that you have to fly back to Scotland tomorrow."
"Indeed, I wish we had more time, but I do have my flock to get back to- but maybe, as I've suggested to my mother, you and her could come and see me in Scotland some time during the summer holidays."
"Why don't you come to Genovia instead?" Mia looked puzzled- she didn't understand why he hadn't come back to Genovia at all since his abdication, the past was the past and surely the rest of the country had got over what he did (although she had no problem with him- if he hadn't wanted to be King, it had been his prerogative to decline the position) but before Clarisse could step in and gently chide her for the question- she had no idea how much her uncle had been hurt by what people had said to him and how much bitterness he still felt was around in the country- he gave her a smile.
"One day I will have to come back, and I want to, especially to see you in action, but at the moment, I wish to focus on my studies and my congregation where I am."
"But..." Mia began before Joseph stepped in- he could sense Clarisse was slightly annoyed at the impertinent questions she felt Mia was asking her own son (motherly protection coming to the fore) and, while he could understand Mia's curiosity, he also didn't want an argument.
"It was a wonderful evening, Princess, and I'm glad that I came."
"I'm glad that you guys could come too," before, to his surprise, she leant over and lightly kissed him on the cheek. "Will you be at graduation?"
"We will all be there," he affirmed, although he didn't mention that he and the rest of his men would be working, ensuring that the Queen wasn't overcrowded or any other problems that could inevitably occur when being in a crowd situation. "Working, of course," he added, before lifting the young girl's hand to his lips. "Good night, Princess."
"Good night," she giggled, blushing, before turning to her grandmother and throwing her arms around her, Clarisse not as startled as she was expecting it. "Thank you for coming, Grandma- your presence here tonight was something I really, really appreciated," she said sincerely, pulling away and looking directly into her grandmother's eyes. "I do- I love that you did this, and I love you very, very much."
"I love you too, dear," Clarisse said somewhat awkwardly- she hadn't expected the admission of love, although she knew it had been coming, young people were usually more forthright about their feelings (Phillipe had been as well)- and hugged her back, painfully aware that Pierre and Joseph were watching the scene with smiles on their faces. "As if I wouldn't have been here for this milestone...or your graduation...your father isn't here, so I am here for him and for myself."
"And I'm glad you came," Mia smiled at her again, her eyes bright, before turning to hug Pierre.
Finally, finally they were out the door, the royal limousine waiting at the end of the driveway (again, with the usual security entourage in the car behind them) and Clarisse turned to Pierre.
"Where are you staying tonight?"
"Hopefully you will allow me to stay at the embassy?" he gave her a small smile and she laughed.
"Of course..." before she looked at Joseph. "Well..." she began awkwardly as Pierre smiled- it was obvious that she wanted to be alone with Joseph, and he was very happy for them- it was about time they had finally got it together- before Joseph, seeing the slight disappointment in her eyes, stepped in.
"Her Majesty and I were planning on having a quick stroll, but we'll get a little lift in the limousine- I don't think I could walk the many blocks back to the embassy!" he joked as he gently chivvied the two royals to the limousine. "I can do many things, but walking so many blocks after being in a plane this morning..."
"Don't tell me you're not as fit as you used to be, Joe?" Pierre teased- he was fond of the older man, he had been more of a father figure to him and his brother than their own biological father had been, and he was pleased that he had finally plucked up the courage to romance his mother, particularly as he had known that he had been in love with her for years, and she him and he hoped that it work out for them, they deserved it- as Joseph, helping Clarisse into the limo, turned to him with a mock scowl.
"I'm sure I would still be able to beat you at running and several other sports, young man!" he growled and Pierre laughed as Clarisse peered out the car door at them.
"Please don't start with the boys versus men ideology, I beg of you! It's far too late- and neither of you need to compete with each other!"
"I was just saying..." Pierre protested but Clarisse held up a hand.
"Please, don't..." but she was enjoying the camaraderie that the two men were enjoying together- with very little intervention from her- and she silently wondered how Pierre would feel if she knew that she had fallen in love with Joseph... "Just get in the car!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Joseph quipped as Pierre climbed in beside her and he moved towards the front of the car with the driver before Pierre poked his head out of the door.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going? You're stuck in the back with us!"
0
It was only a few blocks away from the embassy when the car came to a sudden stop and Clarisse looked momentarily startled before Joseph slid across the seat (Pierre had insisted he sit beside his mother) and stepped out of the door before leaning forward with a hand.
"Enjoy your walk- and I'll see you in the morning," was all Pierre said to Clarisse, leaning forward to kiss her on the cheek before pulling away as she stepped out of the car.
"Good night, Pierre!" she called back to her son before the door slammed shut and she and Joseph were left alone (although she knew there were at least two men following them- not that she particularly minded, it was more for Joseph's peace of mind than her own) as the car took off in the direction of the embassy.
"So..." she began.
"So..." he added, before he offered her his arm and she took it- thankfully, the neighbourhood was much better as they got closer to the embassy and there wasn't too many people around, although there were still a few 'strange' people who were walking their dogs... strange, mainly, because it was the middle of the night. Thankfully it was a clear, starry and balmy night- perfect for a late night walk.
"What time is it?"
"Almost eleven," he said as they began walking in the general direction of the embassy.
"Should we be out at this hour?"
"It was your idea," he joked before he pulled her closer and squeezed her arm tightly. "Don't worry, there are guys around us, watching us and following... very, very discreetly, of course."
"I was hoping for a romantic stroll, just the two of us," she sighed. "Unfortunately, that's not very practical with me being the Queen of a country..."
"Still, we can pretend," Joseph said encouragingly. "They may be able to see us but we can't see them- and we're safe as long as I'm with you... if I wasn't with you, then I wouldn't be so happy about the romantic stroll..."
"You really are very possessive," she murmured and he laughed.
"But you love it," before he deposited a light kiss in her hair.
They walked along in silence for a time, the only sounds of the evening being the faint breeze, the sounds of the occasional car passing by, the distant sounds of music coming from houses they passed and her heels, before she sighed.
"Something wrong?"
"No- I was just thinking that this is perfect- I spent the evening with my beloved granddaughter- who surprised me with my son- and now I'm having some quiet time with my man."
"So, I'm yours, am I?" he teased in a low growl and she chuckled.
"Of course... you would have no qualms about calling me yours, would you? Same difference."
"It's nice, though, to be claimed by a woman," he said after a moment. "No, I mean... to have someone, anyone say that I'm theirs... you have no idea how wonderful it sounds to be claimed by you."
"But... you had so many girlfriends..." she stammered, although her ego was secretly pleased that he had wanted HER to claim him, over anyone else.
"I did, I will admit that... but since it's you... you still have no idea how wonderful you are, do you?" he stopped and looked at her seriously. "I've always wanted YOU, you have no idea, and now that I'm your... man, or boyfriend, according to your granddaughter's vernacular, it feels right... and what I always wanted."
"It feels right to me too," she said softly, almost inaudibly and, while he knew it was inappropriate- who knew who was out there, poised to take pictures of the beloved Queen of Genovia (and the press from both America and Genovia, as well as a few others, all knew that she was here for Mia's eighteenth and her graduation from high school), particularly in a compromising position as this was bound to be- he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, not a perfunctory kiss but a kiss that promised more, a kiss they had been sharing more and more often lately and was leading to a discussion about how physical their relationship was becoming, but at the moment, it was bliss...
"I know I shouldn't have done that," he muttered when he finally pulled away from her- it was getting harder and harder for him to keep his hands off Clarisse, he wanted her so much, he was so physically attracted to her and the desire was growing stronger all the time- but she only smiled as she touched the lapel of his jacket for a moment. She knew he wanted her- she wanted him as well, but the time still didn't seem right...
"I'm glad you did- for once, we aren't being observed..."
After that, they continued walking for a time, enjoying the cooling air and the starry night above them, as well as the so called freedom they had earned so that they could spend SOME time together (which was getting harder as the demands on Clarisse were growing heavier and heavier) and, the best part was that they weren't even in their country, before Joseph decided to change the subject.
"So... I imagine you were very surprised with Pierre standing at your doorway this evening." He would never forget the expression on her face when she opened the door- she had clearly been expecting him but when she saw Pierre, the expression had changed to one of sheer joy and pleasure, as well as shock- and he had been delighted for her.
"Indeed, I hadn't expected him... and I certainly hadn't realised that you and him had been in cahoots with Mia...I thought my Head of Security was supposed to reveal any possible surprises that may affect my safety," she gave him a sidelong glance and he chuckled.
"That's true, but in this instance, it was a surprise designed not to affect your safety but to give you some joy..."
"It certainly did that," she said pensively. "It is wonderful to see him again- I only wish that he would come back to Genovia, if only for short visits- I wouldn't not allow parliament to criticise him and I'm sure the people have forgiven him."
"It was never the people who felt they were betrayed by him- remember the polls I gave you that said that they supported whatever he wanted to do? It was..."
"Yes, it was Rupert," Clarisse finished sadly. "That will always be one of my greatest regrets, that I didn't completely stand up to him about banishing him from the country."
"I don't mean to impugn you, my dear, you definitely DID stand up to him, but I don't think he would have listened to you, he felt too angry and too betrayed..."
"I know..." her head drooped sadly and Joseph felt guilty that he had brought up such a painful subject.
"However, even if he doesn't come back straight away, Clarisse, always be reassured that he has kept in contact and has shown that you and Mia are important to him by flying all the way here for Mia's eighteenth birthday."
"True," she looked up at him, tears shimmering in her eyes for a moment before she blinked and looked away.
"However, this isn't the time or the place for serious discussions- I thought we were supposed to be enjoying a romantic stroll back to the embassy and enjoying some time alone," he teased, touching her cheek tenderly and she smiled at him.
"True, very true... and I'm enjoying this very much- it's a pity I can't do this back home."
"I?" she couldn't see his expression but she could sense danger in his voice.
"Alright, both of us," she amended with a small smile. "As if I would try and escape you...I am but an old lady..."
"You're not an old lady and we both know you have tried it many, many times over the years...hopefully the itch to escape has been scratched!"
"We'll have to see about that..."
000
"What time did you get in last night?" Pierre teased as he sat down opposite Clarisse in the dining room table the following morning, their respective breakfasts already waiting for them- while Clarisse preferred a light breakfast, Pierre was going to enjoy scrambled eggs and bacon with toast.
"We weren't that late," she said indignantly as she buttered her toast. "Actually, I'm sure we weren't that far behind you arriving back."
"Hmm mm," he said non committally, giving her a smile reminiscent of Phillipe and she blushed.
"What does that mean?" she demanded.
"Nothing... I just seem to recall how many lectures you gave Phillipe when he came in late from a date...it seems the tables have turned- how Phillipe would have loved to be here to give you a lecture!"
"It wasn't a date- Joseph was invited as Mia's friend, and I wanted to stretch my legs after flying halfway across the world!"
"I see," was all Pierre said and there was a long silence as they both focused their attention on their respective breakfasts, before he spoke again. "You don't need to worry- I approve."
"Approve of what?" Clarisse tried to sound innocent, but she knew exactly what he was talking about.
"You and Joseph."
"What about Joseph and I?"
"Mother." He leaned over and rested a hand on top of hers, preventing her from continuing to fiddle with her butter knife. "Mother- look at me," he said quietly and she slowly lifted her faces so that their eyes met. "Mother... I think it's wonderful that you and Joseph are together...yes, it's obvious to anyone," he added in a soft voice as she looked at him, panic stricken. "Both P and I suspected it for a long time, and I had hoped that something would happen... and it's clear to see that it has."
"But..."
"I know you have always been faithful to father- and I hope that he appreciated it- but you can also have some happiness for yourself, and it's clear that Joseph makes you happy..."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she blustered, still trying to pretend she didn't know what he was talking about.
"Maman," he said firmly, forcing her to look at him. "You are dissembling- and we both know what I'm referring to... you don't need to hide around me, not your Pierre," he finished gently and she sighed before she patted his hand.
" You are sweet, Pierre and I don't want to hide around you, not something like this, but I'm not sure what's going to happen...I don't know how or when we would be able to be together...officially."
"Are you happy at the moment?" he asked and she nodded. "Well, that's all that matters- you don't need to worry about the future until it happens."
"That's very wise advice," she said with a small smile and there was then another silence before she looked at him. "May I ask you something?"
"Of course- you are my mother."
"I was wondering...when were you actually planning on returning to Genovia... I know, I know, I'm not pushing or anything, but I miss you and..."
"One day very soon, Maman, that's all I can say," he said simply. "I want to come home, I truly do, but... I just can't at the moment, not only for reasons that are still in parliament but because I want to establish my own life and congregation... you do understand, don't you?"
"Of course I do," she cried, reaching over and touching his shoulder with her free hand. "I just want you to be happy, and if that involves being in another country, that's fine... as long as you keep in touch!"
"Of course, I will not ever make you worry in that way... but one day, Maman, I promise that I will come home."
00000
Pierre flew back to Scotland that afternoon, and while Clarisse couldn't help but feel desolate at his leaving- they hadn't seen very much of each other in previous years, particularly while his father was alive- but she was also pleased that they were finally re-establishing their previous close relationship and that he was keen to get to know his niece as well and, after their discussion that morning, there was the hope that he would come home again, even if for only a visit.
Joseph stopped by to see if she was alright- under the pretence of asking if there was any security issues that needed discussing- and she smiled gently at him from behind her desk.
"I never thought I would see the day when you're as transparent as you are today- I'm fine, yes a little desolate that he's gone, but I will see him again soon... hopefully Mia and I will be able to spend a week with him while Mia's visiting," she mused as he walked around and stood beside the side of the desk.
"I'm glad that you two had some time together- you have missed him for quite some time... YOU aren't as opaque as you claim to be," he added with a smirk as she raised an eyebrow at him. "But it's good that you have your son and your granddaughter in your life- they will add so much more to your life."
"Indeed they will... but so have you," she stood up and gave him a warm smile. "Life wouldn't be quite the same without you around."
"So... I guess I shouldn't put in my retirement now?" he joked and she laughed.
"Indeed not, not for a long time yet...there are still a few before you due that honour!"
The next couple of days passed by quickly- Mia was having the time of her life enjoying her freedom and preparing for the next stage of her life, but always making sure she called her grandmother daily just to 'check in'- and the three women were pleased to see each other on the eve of Mia's graduation at dinner.
"Are you looking forward to tomorrow?" Clarisse asked over dinner- she had had been busy during the week with her own paperwork but she was planning on enjoying this evening and tomorrow before her late flight back to Genovia, with her granddaughter.
"Yes... and I am so glad I'm not valedictorian- I'll leave that honour to Lily!"
"She's quite a clever girl- you both are... do you know where she will be going for college?"
"She's staying here and going to Stanford," Mia looked downcast for a moment- she was going across the country to a college that included a specific international politics and diplomacy school, and she was sad that she would be separated from her best friend.
"You'll see each other," Clarisse encouraged- she had been delighted when she had heard Mia's news but she could understand Mia's nervousness. "True friendship lasts, even when you are separated... what about Michael?"
She had heard very little about Mia's first boyfriend since they had broken up, but Mia reassured her that they were still good friends.
"Oh...he's been accepted at Stanford as well, but he wants to go on tour with his band...I'm not quite sure he knows what he wants to do yet... poor guy."
The rest of the evening passed by quickly and it was Clarisse who first hugged her granddaughter, rather than the other way around- she had a feeling that there would be plenty of press around tomorrow and while she was proud of her granddaughter, she didn't want to show her true feelings to the press who would be inevitably hanging around.
"See you tomorrow?" Mia looked at her with wide brown eyes, reminding Clarisse of her son, an ache coursing through her, and she nodded with a smile.
"Of course... I wouldn't miss it for the world..."
0
The next day started early and busy- Clarisse rose earlier than usual to finish her paperwork (she had a session of parliament the day after she returned to Genovia and she needed to be prepared) and get ready for the eleven o'clock ceremony at the school.
The press had discovered that she was attending- she had only confirmed it, just to prevent any trouble- and the school had reassured her that Joseph and his men, as well as the security they had hired for the occasion, would be able to handle the press, although they had been banned from the grounds while the Queen was there.
She had wondered, as she dressed and glanced at herself in the mirror as her maids hovered, waiting for any request she had for change, whether it would be better if she WASN'T there (they definitely wouldn't need the security if she wasn't there, although Joseph argued that they would, as the mayor of San Francisco would be there) as it would definitely simplify things in the long run... but somehow, the selfish side of her told her that she NEEDED to be there for her granddaughter, not only on her behalf but on behalf of her son...
"Stop worrying," she heard from the doorway and she turned to see Joseph, again wearing black but looking sexy, as she had always thought of him in black (although it had only been recently that she had allowed herself to think about him that way), as he walked into the room, her maids leaving as he came in. "She wants you there- you want to be there... that should all that matters."
"But... all the people that didn't ask for security..."
"My darling, you deserve to be there," he stood behind her and gently massaged her shoulders as she relaxed slightly. "You are her only surviving grandparent, something that should be celebrated and she appreciates... just relax and enjoy the day- it's going to be fun and you will both be glad that you were there!"
"I hope so..."
Yes, the press were there when the royal limousine drew up to the curb, and they converged on the car almost immediately, attempting to crush Clarisse as she stepped out of the car - thankfully Joseph was on hand, keeping his body between hers and the rest of the press (along with the rest of his team, but Joseph was always closest to her), remaining so until they reached the oval where the ceremony was to be held where, to her horror, Clarisse realised that she had been given a seat on the podium, alongside the official members of the graduation party.
"I... I can't sit up there... I'm only here as a grandmother!" she protested quietly to Joseph upon receiving official notification from the principal. "I want to sit with the rest of the group."
"I can empathise with you, Your Majesty," he began formally (they were in public, after all). "But it may be easier for my men and the other security if you were up there... you won't be so accessible to the press and the rest of the crowds... I know you don't want to be under the spotlight today, but it also might be alright..."
"Alright," she finally said, accepting that he was making a lot of sense- and regretful that she had even decided to come, and accepted the seat that had been allocated her, painfully aware of everyone watching her...
However, all the complications that had led up to this moment were made more than worth it when she saw Mia, in cap and gown, lining up with the rest of her former classmates- and she couldn't miss the way her granddaughter's face lit up when she saw Clarisse there... it was one of the more gratifying moments of her life... and she was more than glad that she had seen her granddaughter graduate from high school, a moment and a feeling that she couldn't express to anyone, not even Joseph when, from his position just behind her, he came to escort her from the podium after the ceremony.
Joseph, however, didn't say anything as he guided her away- he could see her emotions in her eyes and he knew what she was feeling, but he knew that she wouldn't regret not being at Mia's graduation now...