Thank you to those taking time to read this story, the support is very much appreciated. Thank you :)
Now, I'm not sure how this chapter will come across to some people, but to others it's a little step closer ;) remember your thoughts are much appreciated.
x-X-x-X-x
Wednesday 22nd February 1984.
It was a cold, frosty morning in Genovia and as Clarisse sat looking at the frozen water feature in her flower garden she thought back over the last six months. First she lost her husband, then Joseph arrived to help and support her. She found out that her sister was having a baby, then her youngest son, her baby, told her that he wanted to go away because he couldn't cope being there after the loss of his father and so went to stay with a cousin in Paris. She had to face Rupert's birthday without him, then their anniversary followed by her birthday, Christmas and New Year. All firsts without him while wondering if she would cope, if she would manage ruling without him by her side. But with the help of her oldest friend, who returned at the request of her eldest son she overcome it. And now that the six months were up, and with so much going on in such a short amount of time she was having a hard time getting her head around it all.
Turning in her seat, Clarisse crossed her legs at the ankle and looked at the man sitting beside her "I know that we probably should have talked about this before, but once you have sorted your business will you consider returning and continue being my bodyguard?" She asked as he looked at her.
"If I do, I must make you aware that I will have to travel back and forth occasionally?" He said, watching her as she looked back at the frozen water feature.
"That's fine, and understandable," she nodded and looked back at him "Its just I have gotten used to you being around, I don't think it will be the same if you're not here."
"We will also need to think about Charles, remember at the beginning it was only meant to be for six months?" He asked and watched as she looked away, thinking a moment before looking back at him.
"He will still be a guard too, this last six months you have both worked perfectly together and I want it too continue that way so I'm sure we can all work something out." She said, studying his face "besides, he's just about to have a baby I'm sure he would welcome the help." She smiled.
"That is true," he said and looked away a moment before looking back at her "can I think about it for a while?"
"Of course," she nodded and stood to her feet, slowly walking over to stand by her water feature.
"Are you going to be alright when I leave?" He asked as he also stood to his feet and moved to stand beside her.
"Of course," she nodded "I just wish you didn't have to go," she said, her eyes fixed on the feature a moment before looking at him standing beside her.
"I know, I wish I didn't have to go either but I must go and check my business." He said, watching her as she looked back at the water feature "besides, I'm sure you won't even notice that I'm gone once Isabella has her baby."
"Oh I will," she answered as she nodded and looked back at him "I'm used to you being around now, so I will definitely notice."
"You know that if I don't take the job offer I will be back to visit you soon, don't you?"
"I know," she said as she glanced back at the feature before turning, slowly walking back into the gardens together "how long will it take for you to get back on track with your business?"
"It's hard to say really, it could take a week, maybe two or even a month." He answered as she looked down at the floor, letting out a sigh.
"I'm sorry to have kept you away from it for so long," she said, looking up as Joseph quickly moved to stand in front of her, stopping her from walking.
"You have no reason to be sorry, you needed me and I was here for you."
"But I didn't ask you, I wasn't going to ask you it was Pierre,"
"I know it was Pierre, but it doesn't matter who asked me. Clarisse you are my oldest friend, who needed me, it doesn't matter if you didn't ask me, because I knew you wouldn't. I know you and I know that you would have fought on by yourself, you would have struggled on and forced a brave face everyday so I'm glad Pierre did come to me and that I was able to help you." He said softly and put his hand up to cup her face as she closed her eyes "I hate that I have to return to Italy but it must be done, but as soon as I have everything back on track I will return."
Opening her eyes she studied his face a moment before asking softly "You promise?"
"I promise," he nodded and stepped closer, giving her a hug.
After a moment they stepped apart and continued on their walk "what time do you have to leave?" Clarisse asked and watched him as he checked his watch for the time.
"In about an hour," he said and looked back up at her as she looked back at the palace.
"Call me when you get home so I know that you got there safely."
"I will, of course," he nodded and smiled as she looked back at him.
"Thank you." She said, giving him a small smile back.
Early Afternoon.
Knocking on the door of her sisters cottage on the grounds, Clarisse waited a moment and opened the door. "Hello?" She called out and stepped inside, closing the door as Isabella answered.
"In the living room," looking up at the door, Isabella waited and smiled when Clarisse appeared "good afternoon."
"And good afternoon to you too," Clarisse said as she made her way around and kissed her sisters cheek before sitting down beside her "still no sign of this one then?" She smiled and patted her bump.
"No," shaking her head, she looked down at her bump and let out a sigh "if it doesn't snow later, Charles and I are going to go, well try to go for a walk to see if that helps kick start things."
"I hope so, they are four days late now so I wish it would hurry up and start already, I'm really excited to meet my brand new niece or nephew," smiled Clarisse as she patted her sisters bump once again "oh, talking of Charles he told me to tell you that he's just helping Peter with a couple things then he will be right here."
"Alright, thank you." Said Isabella as she watched her sister a moment.
"You're welcome," smiled Clarisse as she looked away.
"Charles told me that Joseph left this morning?"
Looking back up at her, Clarisse nodded. "Yes he did, he called a little while ago actually to let me know that he had got home safely."
"That's good," Isabella smiled.
"I just can't believe it's been six months already," said Clarisse as Isabella nodded.
"I know, it's gone really fast." Said Isabella as she watched her sister "it's definitely going to be different without him around."
"I said the same," nodded Clarisse as she looked back at her.
"You're going to miss him being around, aren't you?" Asked Isabella as Clarisse nodded and looked down a moment before looking back up at her.
"I am, but he had to go home," said Clarisse.
"It's a shame he couldn't stay, but he does have his business too."
"I know," she nodded "so tell me have you both thought of a name yet?" Asked Clarisse, wanting to change the subject.
"We have, for a boy and a girl," answered Isabella.
"Oh you have? That's exciting, what are they?" Clarisse asked excitedly.
Laughing, Isabella shook her head while placing her hands down on her bump "not until he or she arrives, only then will you find out."
"Oh you spoilsport," Clarisse smirked as Isabella laughed again.
"I'm sorry, but hopefully you won't have to wait long," smiled Isabella.
"Hopefully not," smiled Clarisse as the front door opened and quickly closed again.
"Brr that's getting colder out there," exclaimed Charles as he came into the room, rubbing his hands together as both Clarisse and Isabella looked up at him "wouldn't surprise me if it snowed later."
"Oh don't say that, I want to go for our walk first." Exclaimed Isabella as he moved over to her, kissing her as Clarisse smiled and stood to her feet.
"I best make my way back, I still have a fair bit of paperwork to go through today." She said and lent over, kissing her sisters cheek "call me if you need me, okay?"
"I will, oh, before you go I wanted to ask if it would be alright if Charles' father stays at the palace for a few days when he comes to meet his new grandchild? We would have him here but I don't think there will be room,"
"That's absolutely fine, of course," smiled Clarisse "when is he coming?" She asked and looked at Charles.
"Whenever the baby decides to put in an appearance," smirked Charles as he looked at Isabella.
"Hey, don't look at me," she exclaimed as he chuckled "it's not my fault that our child doesn't want to come out yet." She smiled.
"I don't blame them actually, it's quite cold out there today so they have the right idea," he smiled while sitting down beside his wife, placing his hand on her bump "staying where it's warm and cozy."
"I know, but I'm getting tired now," said Isabella as she looked back up at her sister "so is that alright?" She asked.
"Of course, just let me know what day, when you know and I'll have the maids set up one of the guest rooms." Smiled Clarisse.
"Thank you," smiled Isabella.
"Oh you're welcome," smiled Clarisse "I will see you later." She added as she made her way into the hall.
"Wrap up warm," called Charles.
"I will, thank you," Clarisse called back as she grabbed her coat and hurried out the front door. Leaving her hand on the handle, she looked up at the sky a moment before stepping forward and slipped on her coat, making her way back across to the palace.
Italy.
After having a spot of lunch, and letting his parents know that he was home safe he set about unpacking his bags. However, removing several items from his bag he paused when he found an envelope between two of his tops. Quickly putting down what he had in his hands he reached for it whilst trying to remember if he had put it in while packing, but when he saw his name wrote on the front he soon realised that he hadn't put it there. It had been left by someone else, and from the handwriting he knew exactly who it was and his heart skipped a beat at the thought.
Opening the card, he sat on the edge of the bed and read it quietly to himself.
"Dear Joseph,
This is just a small note to say thank you for being here for me the last six months, each day has been tough but with your help I got through it. You even managed to put the smile back on my face, and bring laughter back into my heart and I can't thank you enough for that. Can you believe how quickly the time flew by though, I'm heartbroken that you had to leave today but on the other hand I'm really looking forward to seeing you again once your business is sorted. It's still early days for us, but I haven't given up. Remember, every time I see you I fall a little bit more in love with you and I can't believe how much my love for you has flourished again over the last few months.
Until we see each other again, which can't come quick enough, take care and remember to keep in touch. Write or call, I don't care.
All my love,
Clarisse x"
Looking up across the room at the balcony doors in his bedroom he knew exactly what he had to do.
Late That Night - Genovia.
When a knock came to her door, Clarisse called out for them to enter but when they didn't come in and they knocked again Clarisse reluctantly stood to her feet from the cozy position she had been comfortable in for the last hour or two while reading her book to get the door. Placing her book down on the sideboard, she opened the door to find Joseph stood looking at her. And as she stood, open mouthed at him he couldn't help but laugh.
"I do believe we have some business to discuss?" He said and watched as she slowly nodded, closing her mouth as he stepped forward, closing the door behind him.
But before she had a chance to say anything, the phone started to ring. Hurrying over, she picked up the receiver and looked over at Joseph, unable to believe he was back so soon. "Hello?"
"Clarisse it's me, I just wanted to let you know that it's time and I'm taking Isabella to the hospital."
"Alright, I will meet you there." Clarisse said calmly.
"See you soon," said Charles and hung up.
Putting the phone down, Clarisse hurried into her bedroom, only to hurry back out a moment later as Joseph watched. "What are you doing here?" She asked as he smirked over at her "wait, I don't have time for this now I need to go to the hospital."
"Isabella?" He asked and watched as she nodded "do you want me to take you?" He asked as she just stared at him blankly for a long moment before finally nodding.
"Yes, please," she said and looked down at her attire "I'm just going to get changed, then I will be ready." She nodded and made her way back into her bedroom.
Coming back into her suite a short while later, Joseph watched as she put her arms up and wrapped one of her silk scarfs around her neck before grabbing her coat, slipping it on as she looked over at him. "Ready?" He asked.
Nodding, she made her way over to the door as he went to open it. "Wait a minute," she exclaimed, putting her hand on the door to keep it closed as they looked at each other "what are you doing back here so soon?"
"I got your note, which by the way when did you manage to sneak that in my bag?" He asked as she looked away nervously and lowered her hand from the door.
"Um... While you were taking a shower this morning," she said and slowly looked back up at him.
"I see," he said as they simply looked into each other's eyes a moment. That was until Clarisse got lost in the moment and hurried forward, flinging her arms around his shoulders as they kissed.
A kiss that started fiery, soon turning slow and lusty as Joseph slipped his arms under her coat, wrapping them around her waist to hold her close. After a moment, Clarisse slid one of her hands down over his neck, coming to rest on his chest as she pulled her head back to look into his eyes.
"We should probably go to the hospital?" He said softly while resting his forehead against hers and watched as she closed her eyes.
Nodding, she let out a sigh and looked back up at him. "Yes we should."
