Chapter 23

"Can we go?" asked Martin with a smile, arriving back from the house with an empty basket in his hand.

"Yes, of course." nodded Clarisse and they started their journey towards the end of the estate. "You know I really love honey so I can't wait to see everything, but I also have to admit... I'm a bit scared of bees."

"Yes, I've already realized it. So don't worry, I've decided I won't show you the bee house."

"Oh, thank you. I really appreciate it."

"So... how are you feeling?" asked the old man kindly as they were walking slowly on the road. "Have you gotten already used to being here?"

"Yes, absolutely." she said with an absent minded smile, "Being with Joseph is really like... being at home."

"I see," nodded Martin happily. "You know as a father, it's such a good feeling to see Joseph so happy again... I haven't seen him like this for a very long time."

"Yes, he told me what happened fifteen years ago."

"It was an awfully hard time for everybody and I was afraid he could never get over it. After the divorce he didn't want anybody in his life again. I mean he didn't live as a monk, but never really mentioned anybody, so I was really happy when he started to work at the palace, and from his very first day, he was talking about you all the time... yes," he smiled, seeing the happiness in her eyes. "It didn't matter what was the topic, you were in every story of his... and I perfectly knew what it means."

"You know, it's funny in a way," she remarked softly, after a few moments walking in silence. "Because when we met, there wasn't any happiness in me. I was awfully depressed, lonely and... I don't know," she took a sigh. "Then Joseph almost magically appeared in my life and he was the one who brought me back from the darkness. And now, knowing how much pain he has inside of him and still he is the most caring man I've ever met, everything means so much more than before. He is a wonderful man... and I truly believe, he is the best thing that ever happened to me."

"That's really good to hear as a father," smiled Martin. "But you also seem a bit sad... or worried?"

"Yes," she looked down.

"So you're worrying, right?"

"Awfully." she sighed, didn't want to come up with this. "Why?... you're not?"

"No, not at all." smiled the old man with confidence.

"But how? I mean you know who my husband is and he already had a serious fight with Joseph. They literally could kill each other and I don't know what will happen when we go back. I'm awfully fear for him..."

"But I don't," he smiled, seeing the puzzled expression on her face. "Look, Joseph is very determined and always know what he's doing. If he wants something, he will go after it until he gets it, and it doesn't matter what kind of a thing it is... I see that he loves you more than any woman before, so the only thing you have to decide is, you want him or not."

"There is nothing to decide." she said with one breath, "I want him, that was never a question for me."

"Right, then the rest of it is just a detail." he said with confidence. "He will arrange everything."

"I see, but... how?"

"Don't care about how, it doesn't matter," he said and there was something incredibly reassuring and confident in the way he was speaking. "So... what would you say for a little honey?"

As they reached the honey storage Martin showed her everything, the various little honey jars with acacia honey and nuts or fruits in them. It was simply amazing, like a little treasury.

"This really has walnuts in it?" she asked, taking down a little jar.

"Yes, that's the most popular one, by the way it's Joseph's favorite also."

"Oh, really?" she smiled instinctively. "Can I?"

"Yes of course, anything you like. And there's a spoon on the table."

"Thank you. I'm really curious that the walnut has honey in it or not. You know like that vodka infused melon."

"Oh, it's not." he chuckled. "But I think you will like it anyway."

"Well, let me see..." she smiled and tasted it. "Gosh... it's amazing."

"I knew it." said the old man, "So just eat anything you like, there are no rules... but now I have to check on the bees, but just if you did not change your mind and don't want to come with me?"

"Oh no... but thank you." she smiled and watched him leaving. After she remained alone, she just sat down to the old wooden floor, eating like a child... happily and carefree.

"I've caught you," smiled Joseph, standing in the doorway for a few moments, looking at her lovingly.

"..." while she was not able to speak with her mouth full, just tried not to laugh.

"You know, you're like a kid caught in the pantry with a big jam jar." he chuckled. "You're full of honey everywhere."

"But it's so good... I could eat it all day long," she just laughed, what made him happy, because it was so good to see her like that.

"Just feel free to do it if you want, and I think there's a basket somewhere, so we can take with us as many as you want."

"That's wonderful... just could you help me up first?" she smiled, showing up her hands full of honey.

"Yes, of course." he stepped closer and gently lifted her up by her arms. "Here you are."

"Thanks."

"And there's a sink over there where you can wash your hands."

"Oh, how practical..."

"Yes and what is more, on your right side is a little fridge with fresh milk in it, what is perfect for honey... would you like a glass of it?"

"Yes, absolutely. I'm awfully thirsty." she nodded happily and dried her hands. "Thanks... oh, it's perfect. Actually this whole place is enchanting."

"I love when you're so happy," he said with an absent minded smile, which she just stepped closer and kissed him softly. "That was incredibly sweet..."

"Really?" she smiled instinctively. "I'm sure mostly about the honey."

"I don't think honey has anything to do with it," he teased her. "... So you want to take from these to the house?"

"Yes, of course... I think first I'll stay at the walnut one."

"Right," he winked and packed a few jars into the basket. "Enough?"

"I guess for a whole year..." she chuckled and they started to go back to the house hand in hand. "You arrived back quite fast."

"Yes, there were just a few people in town. Oh that reminds me, you said you didn't need anything, but I brought you a few things anyway."

"Really? That's so sweet of you, thank you. And what did you brought me?"

"It's a secret," he teased her.

"Ah, okay." she laughed up. "Let it be."

"So... you were fine with my Dad?"

"Yes, of course. He is a very kind man and he really reassured me."

"Reassured? About what?"

"..."

"I see. Look..." he started, then suddenly shook his head. "You know what? Never mind. You're okay now?"

"Absolutely."

"Fine," he smiled and kissed her head lovingly. "That's the only thing what matters... and Clarisse?" he stopped them.

"Yes?"

"I will protect you, protect us... no matter what."

"I know," she nodded with smiling eyes and let him to hug her for a moment, breathing in his scent what she loved so much...

As they reached the house, they headed straight to the kitchen where there was a big cardboard box on the table with full of everything.

"So what did you get me?" she asked happily waiting for the things he brought her.

"Well, first... here's a few packs of Haribo."

"You know me to well. I'm fond of all kind of candies, especially the sour ones."

"Yes, I can still remember your face near candies," he chuckled as he took out another thing. "And a giant jar of Nutella."

"Wow, it's... far beyond perfect," she grabbed it quickly. "And I must say I've fallen in love with you again."

"Actually, that was my goal," he said fondly, "And to keep your feelings up, I also brought you some ananas for breakfast, and a few ingredients for a good tiramisu. That's a real calorie bomb, so..."

"Thank you." she smiled gratefully, knowing how much he was trying to help.

"And last but not least... I never really saw you with these kind of things, but here are some fashion magazines. You know, if you would just sit out to the garden and you would want to flip through something."

"Thanks Joseph, really. All these things and the magazines are so kind and thoughtful," she told him with shining eyes. "But wait, I think there's something else in here... a newspaper?"

To be continued...