A baby, a baby, a baby! Clarisse sighed as the words continued to drum into her brain. She could not believe this was happening. How could Phillippe allow this to happen, she thought? Frustrated, she stood up and paced her room. She was very aware that Joseph was there, watching her, disappointed in her. He did not appreciate her response. His silence was proof of that.
"I cannot condone this" She said out loud without turning to face him. She could not stand to see the disappointment in his eyes.
"I understand that but, he is your son" He reiterated.
"Do you realize what Mabrey and those people who want me out of the Palace would do with this information" She asked upset?
"Yes, I do and, you are right. They will use this against you. But what is more important" He asked wanting her to think on it not actually answer him?
"He wants to marry her. An American. A woman who knows nothing of Genovia, nothing of how to live as a royal. They will tear her apart Joseph" She said as she finally faced him, her eyes full of unshed tears.
"Is that why you want to send them away? Do you think Helen can't handle the gossip and the media attention" He asked? He found himself hopeful again. Maybe, Clarisse was thinking as a mother and grandmother first.
"I know she can't. They are relentless and they tell lies, hurtful lies. They will say that baby is not Phillippe's" She said giving him an example.
"Yes, they will, and they will say worse things about her and the baby. I agree. But, Clarisse, talk to them. Phillippe needs his mother and Helen needs your support" He continued to reach out to Clarisse the woman, the love of his life.
Clarisse remained silent.
"You know I'm right" He pushed as he approached her.
"I just…this is the absolute worst timing and why couldn't they have at least gotten married first" She said still upset by her son being irresponsible.
"I'm sure they would have liked to do it the right way. Sometimes, our emotions get the best of us" He said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder to offer her support.
"I wouldn't know. I have never made any decision with my emotions. Well, maybe one..." Clarisse smiled as she rested her head against him.
Joseph smiled as he knew she meant him, their love. As much as he wanted to continue with that line of talk, he could not. They needed to discuss Phillippe. "We have to leave and if you send them to America now…I do not want you to have any regrets" He said as he looked into her eyes.
"They will be safer in America" Clarisse said convinced. "We leave as planned. Please Joseph, I want them to go right away" She said making her wishes clear.
Joseph nodded his head. He would follow his Queen order.
"I need to speak with Pierre" She said as she snuggled closer to him.
"We will" He reassured her. He would not leave her alone.
She smiled at the reassurance that Joseph was always by her side.
Across the Palace….
Pierre walked into Helen suite and saw his brother and Helen sitting on the sofa. Both looked very, sad.
"Everything okay" Pierre asked concerned as he walked over to them?
"Please sit. We have some news to share" Phillippe said trying to keep calm. His tears had escaped earlier while they waited for Pierre to arrive. He did not want to cry in front of his brother.
"Alright" Pierre sat wondering what the news was.
"Helen and I are having a baby" Phillippe shared.
Pierre mouth fell open, but no words came out.
"We are getting married. I told mother and she…" Phillippe had to take a moment. Helen held his hand tight in support.
"She was upset" Pierre guessed.
"Yes…" Phillippe replied simply.
"A baby, wow. I'm going to be an uncle" Pierre said and suddenly a smile crossed his lips as he looked at his brother.
Phillippe eyes teared up.
Pierre went to him, sat beside him and said, "congratulations little brother, Helen. I'm happy for the both of you."
"Are you really" Phillippe managed to ask as his tears fell?
"Of-course I am. And mother is too but, you know how she is. How they both are. Do not let it get you down. She will come around" Pierre reassured him.
"Will she really" Helen asked finally speaking? She felt comfortable with Pierre. Clarisse scared her at times. The Queen side of her was very intimidating.
"Yes, really. Trust me. When you start to show and when the baby is born. Mother will be very, happy" Pierre smiled.
"I know she's disappointed in me. This is not what we wanted. We did plan to get married first" Phillippe explained.
"I know that. I guess the baby had other plans" Pierre joked.
Helen smiled at his humor.
Phillippe laughed and said, "this baby is getting me into trouble already. I'm going to be in big trouble with this little one."
Helen laughed at that. She was glad that Pierre cheered Phillippe up.
A knock on the door interrupted them.
Pierre bodyguard peeked in and said, "the Queen is asking for you."
"I'll be right out" Pierre stated. The door closed. Pierre looked at Phillippe and Helen and said, "they could just say your mother wants you."
Helen laughed freely for the first time all day.
Phillippe also chuckled as he knew exactly what his brother meant.
"See you both tomorrow" Pierre smiled as he walked out of the suite, happy that he was able to make them smile.
Pyrus…
Helena was the last person he expected to see when he got out of his car.
"We need to talk" She said before he could say a word.
"I'm listening" Hans replied although he was angry with her. Angry she gave up on them, again.
"Not here. Let us sit in my car" She said nervously as she opened her door for him.
Hans got into her car as she walked around and got in the driver seat. She started the car and drove. They were silent for a few moments before she spoke.
"I saw James and he wants me to ensure your cooperation. They are going to try again" She forced herself to say all of the truth as her voice shook from the anxiety she felt.
"When" He asked wanting to know everything she knew?
"He said I have 24 hours" She admitted as she stopped at a red light. She looked at him and saw the concern on his face.
"My daughter is there, and he has my grandson. I do not know what to do. I need your help" She said as she began to drive again.
"Do you know what their plan is" He asked?
"No…" She admitted.
"What else did he say" He asked since he suspected she was omitting some information?
"Nothing important" She said now feeling embarrassed as she remembered James words.
"Tell me even if you think it is not important" He emphasized strongly.
She sighed but remained silent.
"Helena…" He pushed.
"He thinks we are…lovers" She forced herself to say.
"Did he hurt you" He asked concerned?
"No…." She admitted.
"What else" He asked?
"He threatened you" She said honestly as she pulled the car over to the side of the road.
They sat in silence.
"I'm scared Hans. What if he hurts Alex" She asked worried?
"I do not think he will. I think he just wants you to do what he is asking. He is being threatening to force your hand. But I do not actually believe he would hurt any of you" He said hoping to reassure her.
"He would hurt you" She said as she looked at him.
"I can take care of myself" He reminded her.
"Hans…I care about you" She forced herself to admit her true feelings.
"That is why you walked away from us again, I know" He said clearly not happy with her.
She remained silent as she drove him back to his car.
Late evening…
An uncle, wow, Pierre thought as he walked across the Palace back to his suite. He was happy for Phillippe. Happy that his little brother could have the life he wanted with the woman he loved. Pierre knew how lucky Phillippe was that he was not the Crown Prince. He could not imagine what Phillippe would do if he had been.
Once he arrived at his other suite, he took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come" He heard his mother voice echo.
Pierre walked in and saw his mother sitting and Joseph standing.
"Hello mother, Joseph" Pierre greeted them as he walked over.
"Hello darling" Clarisse smiled as she stood up.
"You wanted to see me" He replied.
"Yes, please let us sit" Clarisse said as he looked at Joseph.
"We have some news" Joseph began.
After absorbing the same information Phillippe was given, Pierre sat quietly.
"I want you to decide what you feel is best for you" Clarisse stated honestly. "Phillippe and Helen will be returning to America."
Joseph remained silent and both Clarisse and Pierre knew he did not approve.
"I will stay here with father and continue my duties" Pierre replied sure of his decision.
Clarisse eyes teared.
"It will be alright mother. Joseph will protect you and Shades will protect us. And of- course Phillippe and Helen will be safe." Pierre said confident.
"He told you" Clarisse replied understanding his statement.
"Yes, he did" Pierre admitted.
