Hey everyone, wow thank you all so much for reading the last chapter and for reviewing. Really appreciate it and can't thank you enough :) you really are the best.
Anyway, here's the next chapter for you :)
Sunday 2nd March 2008.
...continued.
"Oh darling, come here," Clarisse said softly and wrapped her arms around Laura as she cried.
"What am I going to do," Laura said through her tears a moment later as they pulled apart. "How am I going to tell Pierre?"
"Ok, here's what you are going to do," Clarisse said through her own tears as Laura looked up at her.
"Are you crying too?" Laura asked and watched as Clarisse nodded while putting one of her hands up to brush away her tears.
"Happy tears of course," Clarisse said while fanning her face with her hands as Laura leant forward and grabbed the box of tissues from the coffee table. Sitting back, she pulled two out and handed them to Clarisse before pulling another one out for herself. "Thank you."
"It's okay," Laura said and looked down at the tissue a moment before putting it up to dab her cheeks.
"I am so sorry, I don't know what came over me," Clarisse said as she dabbed her cheeks and looked down at the tissue. "Anyway as I was trying to say before I started crying," she said a moment later and tried to compose herself as she looked back up at Laura, "why don't you leave the girls here, I can take them with me to the palace and get them some lunch, then at least that way you and Pierre can sit and talk about it properly without worrying about the girls."
"Are you sure?" Laura asked in surprise and watched as Clarisse nodded.
"Absolutely, yeah," Clarisse said.
"Thank you," Laura said as she leant closer and hugged her a moment before pulling back, "are you okay?"
"I am, I'm more than okay," Clarisse nodded, "I just never thought this day would come with Pierre, that's all."
"I understand that, and I imagine he didn't either," Laura said and watched as Clarisse nodded.
"That's true," Clarisse said, "well he's certainly in for a shock this afternoon, that's for sure."
"Yes, he is," Laura agreed and they both laughed. "Thank you for today," she added and looked at Clarisse.
"Anytime, sweetheart," Clarisse said as she looked up at Laura while putting her arm around her shoulders, "I'm always here for you, remember that."
"Thank you," Laura said and looked down at the tissue in her hands.
Standing in the back doorway a short while later, Clarisse watched Joseph with the girls a moment and smiled. "Rosie, Rebecca," she called out while stepping out onto the back porch and folded her arms loosely as they stopped what they were doing and looked over at her, "can you come here a moment please."
"Is everything okay?" Rosie asked as she and her little sister ran over to her.
"Is mommy okay?" Rebecca asked as Clarisse nodded.
"Yes, your mom has gone to talk to Pierre about something important," she said and looked from Rosie to Rebecca as Joseph walked over to them, "and I was wondering, once you have finished watering the garden with Joseph, if you would both like to come to the palace with us?" She asked.
"Really?" Rebecca exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes of course, we can go and have lunch with the Queen," Clarisse smiled.
"Wow, the real life Queen," Rosie giggled.
"Is it true that you were a Queen?" Rosie asked as Clarisse looked at her and smiled.
"I was, yes," Clarisse nodded while clasping her hands together in front of her.
"Does that mean that you are still a Queen?" Rebecca asked, her eyes growing wide.
"Not anymore," Clarisse said with a shake of her head, "my granddaughter is the Queen now, she took over from me a couple years ago."
"Wow," Rebecca exclaimed as Clarisse laughed.
"So would you like to visit the palace with us?" Clarisse asked.
"Yeah," both girls exclaimed excitedly at the same time.
"Well I think we have finished watering the garden now, so why don't you two go and get cleaned up in the kitchen while I put the hose away," Joseph said as they all looked at him, "then we can leave as soon as we are ready."
"Ok," Rebecca giggled and hurried inside with her sister.
"Is everything alright?" Joseph asked as he moved to stand in front of Clarisse and put his hands on her sides. "What was the results, is she pregnant?" He whispered.
"Yes, that's what she's gone to speak to Pierre about," she said and put her arms up loosely around his shoulders.
"Oh," he said and looked into her eyes, "I wonder how Pierre is going to take it."
"I don't know, but I hope he does the right thing," she said and reached up to kiss him while smoothing one of her hands to the back of his head. Looking up into his eyes, she smiled, "and thank you for keeping the girls occupied while we were busy upstairs."
"Oh it was no trouble at all," he smiled and watched as she stepped back, "I'll just put the hose away, then I'll be ready to go."
"Okay, see you inside," Clarisse smiled and turned to go back inside.
"Okay," he smiled and watched her as she disappeared inside before going to sort out the hose.
That Evening.
Pulling into her sisters drive, Clarisse shut of the engine, grabbed her handbag and climbed from the car. Checking her mobile, she made her way up to the front door and knocked three times before putting her phone back in her handbag and waited for an answer.
Opening the front door a moment later, Charlie smiled, "hello aunt Clarisse, come in."
"Thank you, darling," Clarisse smiled and stepped through the door, kissing his cheek in passing. "Where are they?"
"They are out on the back patio," he smiled as he closed the door and turned back to her as she placed her handbag on the sideboard, "go on through."
"Thank you," she smiled and walked through the house and out onto the back patio. "Good evening."
"Ahh, you're here," Isabella grinned as she stood up and kissed her cheek.
"Finally! We can crack open the champagne now," Bethany smiled as she grabbed the bottle from the ice bucket.
"Not for me I'm afraid, I'm driving tonight," Clarisse smiled as she leant over and kissed Bethany's cheek before sitting in the seat beside her.
"What?" Bethany exclaimed and stared at her, "but we always have champagne."
"I know we do," Clarisse said as she pulled her cardigan closed and crossed her legs while leaning to one side in the seat and rested her arm on the armrest.
"So what's different tonight?" Bethany asked, still shocked.
"The difference is, I'm driving," Clarisse said and smiled at her.
"So why can't Joseph come and pick you up?" Bethany asked, "like he always does."
"He can't, it's his night off at his place tonight," Clarisse answered.
"Excuse me? His night off at his place?" Bethany exclaimed in surprise and placed the bottle down on the table, "what do you mean?"
"Oh, she doesn't know?" Isabella said as they both looked at her.
"Know what?" Bethany asked as she looked from Isabella to Clarisse, "that you are obviously living apart? Since when?"
"Since we got back together," Clarisse answered.
"But why?" Bethany laughed and shook her head, "I don't understand."
"Because we have spent so much of our life's already living together, that I felt for this to work between us then we needed to live separately for a while," Clarisse said as she looked at her cousin. "To see how it goes."
"And, how is it going?" Bethany asked in disbelief as she opened the bottle of champagne.
"So far, so good, yes." Clarisse nodded and smiled at her as Bethany leant closer to her.
"You're still getting it though, aren't you?" Bethany smirked as Clarisse laughed and shook her head, "oh don't lie to me, because I can tell you are."
"Oh god Bethany," Isabella said.
"I never kiss and tell," Clarisse declared and watched as Bethany started laughing.
"You liar," Bethany exclaimed and poured some champagne into two glasses. "Besides you don't need too, it's written all over your face."
"Then why did you ask me, if you already knew?" Clarisse asked and laughed.
"Because I wanted to see if you would be honest, you know what I'm like," Bethany smirked back at her cousin, "are you sure you don't want a glass?"
"Yes I'm sure," Clarisse nodded and watched as she picked up her glass and took a sip. "And yes, unfortunately, I do know what you are like. But you make me laugh, so it's all good," she smiled.
"That's me," Bethany smiled and slumped back in her chair, "but at least one of us is still getting it." She said and watched as both Isabella and Clarisse gasped before they all started laughing.
"Anyway, moving on," Clarisse said a moment later as Bethany and Isabella looked at her, "I have some news to share."
"Oh you do?" Bethany said as she looked from her to Peter standing in the back doorway, "hello Peter," she said.
"Oh hello Peter, is everything alright?" Isabella asked as she stood to her feet and turned to him.
"Yes, I just came to let you know I'm off," Peter said and watched as Isabella walked over to him. "I have spoken to Charlie and he's gone up to his room to speak to his girlfriend."
"Alright, thank you Peter," Isabella said as she stopped in front of him.
"I didn't know he was here," Clarisse whispered to Bethany as she shrugged and shook her head.
"I didn't either," Bethany whispered back.
"Enjoy your evening, ladies," Peter said as he put his hand up to them.
"Thank you, Peter," Bethany smiled.
"See you probably tomorrow," Peter said to Isabella and kissed her cheek.
"Yep, you probably will," Isabella smiled and watched as he walked back through the door, "goodnight," she said and walked back over to the table.
"So, what news do you have to share?" Bethany asked as Isabella sat down.
"Just give me a moment, I need to speak to Peter about something," Clarisse said as she stood to her feet and began walking over towards the door.
"What's that about?" Bethany asked and watched as Isabella shrugged her shoulders before looking over at the door as Clarisse disappeared inside.
"Peter," Clarisse called as she closed the front door behind her and began walking over to him.
"Is everything alright?" He asked and watched as she walked towards him.
"Yes, I just have a question for you," she said while standing in front of him and folded her arms, "and I'm sorry to ask, but I need to know."
"Know what?" Peter asked while slipping his hands in his pants pockets.
"Those flowers I received yesterday, were they from you?" She asked and studied his face.
"Busted," he said a moment later and nodded.
"But why?" Clarisse asked with a small shake of her head.
"Because I like you, I have done for a long time," Peter said honestly.
"Oh," Clarisse said and looked away.
"I even planned on asking you last night if you wanted to have dinner with me, but then Joseph turned up," he said as Clarisse looked back up at him, "I had no idea that you were back with him, but going from the conversation you just had with Bethany and Isabella, you are."
"You heard that?" Clarisse asked quietly and watched as Peter nodded. "Peter, I'm so sorry I had no idea that you felt that way."
"Why would you if I have never made my feelings towards you clear until now?" He shrugged and looked down between them a moment before looking back up at her. "But not to worry."
"I really am sorry," Clarisse said softly.
"Yes, so am I," Peter said and nodded, "anyway, I best get going."
"Of course," Clarisse nodded and watched as he turned to continue walking over to his car. "Take care, okay."
Stopping, he turned to look back at her and nodded. "You too."
Nodding, Clarisse turned and made her way slowly back inside. Trying to process what just happened she walked through the kitchen and out onto the back patio where Isabella and Bethany were waiting for her.
"Everything alright?" Isabella asked and watched as her sister sat down.
"Yes," Clarisse nodded.
"Good," Bethany smiled, "so what news do you have to share?" She asked.
"Pardon?" Clarisse asked as she looked at her.
"Well you said that you had some news to share before you went out to talk to Peter," Bethany said.
"Oh I did, didn't I," Clarisse nodded and slumped back in her chair, "Pierre and Laura are engaged."
"What?" Isabella exclaimed in surprise.
"Is she pregnant?" Bethany asked and watched as Clarisse slowly nodded.
"Well oh dear," Isabella said.
"But please don't tell anyone," Clarisse said.
"Oh don't worry, we aren't going to tell anyone," Isabella said and looked at Bethany as she spoke.
"Your secret is safe with us," Bethany smiled and put her arm around Clarisse's shoulders.
"Thank you," Clarisse smiled and put the side of her head against Bethany's.
Later That Night.
"Ok," Clarisse said as she leant forward and placed her cup on the coffee table before standing to her feet. "I am going to leave you two tipsy ladies to it."
"Oh, already?" Bethany said as she looked up at her.
"What do you mean already?" Clarisse laughed as she checked the time on her watch and looked back up at her, "it's nearly ten."
"Oh goodness already," Bethany said as she stood to her feet and wobbled a little.
"Steady there," Clarisse laughed as she reached out and grabbed her arm, "are you okay?"
"Yep, just a bit tipsy," Bethany laughed as she stepped closer to Clarisse, "I must say though, I am a bit disappointed you weren't drinking with us tonight."
"I know you are, but maybe next time," Clarisse said and put her arms up to hug her.
"Yes, maybe," Bethany nodded as she wrapped her arms around Clarisse, "I still think you should have had one with us, I'm sure Joseph wouldn't have minded picking you up."
"I'm sure he wouldn't have, but that's not what us living apart is about, him coming to pick me up when I have a drink," Clarisse said as they pulled apart and looked at one another.
"True," Bethany looked at Isabella as she stood up, "I bet you are going to see your handsome husband now though, aren't you?"
"No, I won't see him until tomorrow," Clarisse laughed and shook her head as she walked over to the door with Isabella, "I'm going straight home to bed."
"Boohoo," Bethany said and sat back down, "see you tomorrow then."
"Yes, you will," Clarisse said as she walked through the door into the hallway and picked up her handbag from the sideboard.
"Message me when you get home, so I know you got there safe," Isabella said as she opened the door for Clarisse.
"I will," Clarisse said while stepping closer, giving her a hug as she kissed her cheek.
"See you tomorrow," Isabella smiled as they stepped apart.
"You will, I love you," Clarisse smiled as she turned and walked towards the car while getting her car keys from her handbag.
"I love you too," Isabella called out and watched as she climbed in the car before closing the front door and going back in to Bethany.
But after being on the road five minutes, Clarisse came to a stop at a set of traffic lights when she realised something. Reaching across into her handbag sitting on the passenger seat, she pulled out her phone and dialled Joseph's number as she started driving once again.
"Hello beautiful lady, have you just got home?"
"Not yet, and I know you don't like me using my phone when I'm driving but I had to call you," Clarisse said, keeping her eyes between the road and the rear view mirror.
"Why, what's wrong?" Joseph said, trying not to panic.
"I'm being followed," she said, trying to remain calm.
"Are the doors locked?" He asked.
"Yes, I always lock them as soon as I get in the car," she said glancing in the rear view mirror then looked back at the road.
"Ok, and where are you now?" He asked.
"About two minutes from the palace, should I go there instead of home?" Clarisse asked.
"Yes, do that and I will come and meet you there," he said, "try not not to panic, it will all be okay."
"I'm trying not to panic," Clarisse exclaimed as she glanced at the car behind her in the rear view mirror once again and noticed his left indicator was blinking. "It looks like he's turning off."
"Alright, well that's good but keep going to the palace and I'll meet you there," Joseph said.
"Alright, see you soon," Clarisse said, "I love you."
"I love you too, see you soon," he said and hung up.
Pulling up at the entrance gates to the palace a short while later, Joseph opened his window and watched as Shades and Lars walked over to the car, "hello you two."
"Hello mate, what are you doing here so late?" Lars asked.
"I have come to meet Clarisse," Joseph said and watched as they both raised their eyebrow.
"She's not here," Shades said with a shake of his head.
"Are you sure? I'm meant to be meeting her here," he said, a hint of panic in his voice.
"I've been on the gate all evening and I haven't seen her," Lars said and watched as Joseph looked out of the front window a moment before looking back at them.
"Somethings wrong, she should be here by now," he said, unable to hide the panic from his voice this time. "Can one of you come with me, I need to go look for her."
"Sure, I'll go," Shades said as he hurried around to the passenger side.
"And I'll get back up, just in case," Lars said while grabbing the radio from his belt as Shades climbed in the car and shut the door.
"Thanks," Joseph said and sped away from the gates with Shades.
"Whats going on, Joe?" Shades asked, "talk to me."
"She went to her sisters this evening, but called me on her way home to say she was being followed and because she was only minutes away from the palace I told her to go there instead and I'll meet her there," he said, keeping his eyes on the road, as well as looking for her car along the sides of the roads. "I should have gone to pick her up, if anything's happened to her I'll never forgive myself."
"She'll be fine, we will find her," Shades said, trying to reassure him as he too kept an eye out for her car.
But just a moment later, they turned onto the main road and their car came to a slow stop. A police car was parked across the road, blocking traffic, and an ambulance was parked a little further up the road with its back doors open.
Studying the scene, something caught Joseph's eye. "Clarisse," he said, unbuckling his seatbelt and climbed from the car.
"Joe, wait," Shades exclaimed but it was too late, he was already heading towards the ambulance.
"Clarisse," Joseph exclaimed, hurrying past the police officers and straight over to the paramedics pushing the stretcher towards the ambulance. "Clarisse!"
"Joseph," Clarisse exclaimed as he appeared in her view.
"What happened?" He exclaimed and took hold of her hand.
"I don't really know, the car came from no where and flipped me off the road upside down in the ditch," Clarisse said as she studied his face, "I actually walked, well limped away, from the wreck before this lot arrived. But because I have been involved in the accident and undone the seatbelt while upside down I could have done some damage to my spine, hence why I have to be strapped in the brace."
"It's only precautionary until the hospital have done the necessary checks," said one of the paramedics as Joseph looked up at him and nodded. "Are you coming to the hospital with us?"
"Yes, I am," he nodded and looked back down at Clarisse, "I should never have let you drive home on your own," he said as they lifted the stretcher into the back of the ambulance and he climbed in after them. "I should have come and got you."
"We weren't to know this was going to happen," Clarisse said as she gave his hand a small squeeze. "You'll have to ring Isabella to let her know as I promised her I would message her when I got home, and Pierre and Mia too before they see it on the news but I don't know what happened to my phone, I think it's broke."
"It's okay, I'll sort all that out and let them know once we get to the hospital," Joseph said, smoothing his thumb over the back of her hand.
"If you give me your car keys, Joseph, I'll see if I can find her phone and meet you at the hospital later," Shades said from the back of the ambulance.
"Thank you," Joseph said and handed him the keys. "See you later."
"Yes you will," Shades said and walked away.
"Right, let's get you to hospital," said one of the paramedics as the other shut the back doors.
Later.
After being given the all clear from any damage to the spine, the doctors removed the brace from Clarisse and left them to get some rest. Sitting slumped in the chair beside the bed, Joseph watched Clarisse as she sat in the hospital bed with her arm in a brace. "I should never had let you drive yourself." He said and stood to his feet as she lifted her head and looked at him.
"Joseph please don't, not now," Clarisse said and looked up into his eyes.
"I can't help it," he said, standing beside her bed and took hold of her hand, "I failed at protecting you again."
"You didn't," she said and put her hand up to cup his face, "it was my decision to drive myself, it's my mistake not yours so please don't feel that you failed me, because you didn't."
"It's not as easy as that," he said softly and put his hand up onto hers. "I'm just glad no serious damage has been done."
"Me too," she nodded and looked down at her wrist as she lowered her other hand from his face, "ending up with just a sprained wrist and badly bruised hip, can't be bad from how bad the car ended up."
"You were very lucky," Joseph said.
"I know," she nodded and looked up into his eyes, "but please remind me in future never to undo the seatbelt when I'm hanging upside down again, I think that fall hurt more than the actual accident." She laughed.
"Alright, I'll try and remember," he smiled and leant closer to kiss her forehead. "I love you," he whispered against her forehead before lifting his head to look down into her eyes.
"I love you too," she said and put her hand up to cup his cheek once again.
