While Clarisse dream continues across the lake house Joseph is also dreaming but he is not asleep. He is awake but his thoughts have wandered to a long time ago.
"Your Majesty, the King has requested you join him for dinner" Joseph relayed the message as her dutiful bodyguard. He had been watching over her for a little over a year and in the beginning it was difficult, but he felt confident that they were in better terms now.
"Oh really" Clarisse stated her tone giving her emotions away.
Joseph faltered in his steps knowing full well he was entering a not so simple conversation.
"Yes…" Joseph replied simply.
"Well, I won't be attending" Clarisse stated simply as she sprayed her roses.
"You want ME to tell Hans that you won't be attending" Joseph clarified clearly not pleased by being in the middle of this?
Clarisse sighed deeply and then faced her bodyguard. The look on his face making her smile slightly.
"Don't do this to me" Joseph begged making her smile wider.
"I cannot sit with him through a dinner when he could not even be bothered to attend our son first concert" Clarisse said as her smile faded and disappointment set in again.
"I know he missed an important day but…" Joseph tried to get out of being in the middle.
"He misses everything that is important to his family. Well, now he can feel what it is like to be kept waiting" Clarisse cut him off.
Joseph sighed in defeat.
Sitting in the chair, looking out the window while sitting in the dark, a smile crossed his face at the memory. She had never made things easy, but she usually had a point. He sighed as he admitted to himself, she has a point in wanting to return to the Palace. Pierre was alone and vulnerable. The King was in a coma. Phillippe was in the United States. He understood why she wanted to go back. He understood why she called Helena. But he also worried about her safety. Another attempt on her life was imminent. He knew that. He had been in the field long enough to know that now would be the perfect time for another attempt. He was scared. Scared to lose her. Yes, I am being selfish. I do not want a life that does not include her. What am I going to do, he thought?
Morning….
Clarisse awoke with a smile on her face. What a lovely dream, she thought as she sat up. Realizing where she was, she frowned. Slowly she got up and went in search of a bathroom. She found one two doors down. Once she was done, she wandered downstairs and saw Joseph sitting in a chair in the dark.
"Joseph" She whispered not wanting to startle him.
"Couldn't sleep" He asked as he got up and faced her?
"I did for a while, but I woke up" She admitted.
"Is there something you need" He asked wanting to be helpful as he made his way towards the kitchen?
Clarisse caught his hand as he tried to walk past her. "Are you alright" She asked concerned?
"Yes. Just…he sighed…I'm sorry I got upset" He said apologizing for how harsh he had been. She did not deserve that from him. No matter how scared he is.
"No, you were right" She admitted.
He smiled sadly at her.
"I'm just worried about Pierre" She shared honestly.
"I know you are" He replied as he looked at her sincerely.
"But I trust you Joseph so I will follow your lead" She reassured him.
He looked at her relieved, his heart soaring with the love he felt for her as he replied, "I promise you as soon as we can, we will go back."
"I know" She said with a deep sigh. She knew Joseph would reunite her with her family as soon as it was safe.
"Tea" He offered?
"I'd love some" She smiled as she followed him into the kitchen.
Palace/Pierre suite….
It was a sunny morning it should have been a happy one but for Pierre it was not. He came out of the bathroom and got dressed, with assistance much to his dismay. Once ready for his day he came out into the sitting area and saw Antoinette.
"Good morning" She greeted him with a tea- cup in her hand.
"Good morning" He replied wondering how he let this happen.
Once they were alone Antoinette stated, "I know that you have a full day but I was hoping we could have lunch so we can talk, not argue just talk" She clarified not wanting him to avoid her.
"I will see what I can do it will depend on whether or not I'm in the Palace" Pierre said honestly.
"Alright. I hope to see you later. Have a good day" She smiled.
Seeing her comfortable, at home in his robe made him feel uneasy. He did not want to give her any ideas even if he was struggling to cope with everything. The one thing he was not confused about was that he loved Charlotte. He planned to make that clear to Antoinette later but right now he had to go.
Hearing the voices of the Crown Prince and Lady Antoinette the guards sighed in relief that it was almost over. It had been an uncomfortable night. The silence amongst the guards was unnerving to say the least but no one wanted to misspeak in front of the Crown Prince personal bodyguard who stayed all night outside the door with them. Before the door opened, he looked directly at the young guard from last night and said, "there had better not be a repeat of this. You do not let anyone in the Crown Prince suite without his consent. Anyone. Understood?"
"Understood" The young guard said breaking a sweat by the nervousness he felt. The other guards all looked away not wanting to be blamed for what occurred last night.
The door opened each guard stood at attention.
Pierre nodded at them and proceeded to walk down the hall his personal bodyguard behind him. Once they were at a safe enough distance his guard spoke.
"It will never happen again" He promised.
"I'm sure it won't" Pierre replied simply.
Across the Palace…
The rumors had spread through the Palace by the afternoon, the Crown Prince and Lady Antoinette spent the night together in his suite. All was well again. Poor Charlotte.
Fueled by anger and hurt Charlotte walked quickly down the hall toward Her Majesty office to collect some of the items that needed attention. In this moment, she had wanted to be in hiding with Clarisse and Joseph not here dealing with this. Once inside the office, she shut the door and allowed herself a moment. A few tears escaped. Feeling a bit better, she wiped her face, gathered the items and walked out and back to her destination with haste. She arrived at the King wing a short time later and approached Shades.
"How is he" She asked as she glanced at the King suite?
"The same" Shades replied feeling badly for lying to her, but he knew he could not tell anyone. He could not break Joseph and Clarisse confidence.
She sighed deeply as she clutched at the paperwork.
"Are you alright" He asked since he also heard the rumors?
"Yes…" She lied.
"Have you…" He attempted to ask but she cut him off.
"No and I won't. I have work to do" She snapped.
"Understood" He said feeling badly for her.
"Sorry" She sighed.
"It's okay" He reassured her.
"No, it's not. You have been nothing but good to me. I do not deserve your kindness" She whispered not wanting anyone else to over -hear. Without giving him a chance to respond she walked away.
Shades watched her as he shook his head. What the hell was wrong with Pierre choosing that woman over Charlotte, he thought.
The doctor arrived making him come out of his thoughts.
"How is His Majesty today" the doctor asked kindly?
"Good. He moved a bit last night, his hand" Shades filled him in as he followed him inside the suite.
"That is good news" the doctor said pleased as she walked over and began to check the King vitals.
"Any idea on when he will be able to remain awake" Shades asked hopeful?
"I'm afraid we need to wait" the doctor replied honestly.
"Until Her Majesty returns" Shades suspected.
"Yes…I believe that is who he needs" the doctor stated.
Hearing some chatter over the comm device, Shades excused himself and stepped out into the hall.
"Shades, we need you in the security hub right away" One of the guards said with a nervous voice.
"On my way" He replied. Looking at the other guards he said, "no one gets in, only the doctor and the Crown Prince until I return."
"Understood" they all replied in unison.
Shades left the wing, locking the doors with a code as he walked in a determined manner toward the security hub.
Hearing voices in the distance caused Hans to stir as he slowly came to consciousness. He opened his eyes it was a bit dark in the room, but it helped with the throbbing headache he had. He was alone, he realized. He tried to move and remembered he was tied to a chair. The man was gone. He did not know who it was, but he knew the man was somewhere in the Palace. He had to break free somehow. He had to warn everyone. The King was in danger. He struggled against the rope that kept his hands tied behind his back and feet tied to the legs of the chair. His body was in pain at being in such a position all night. He realized it was daytime as that would explain the voices. Where was he, he wondered?
California, United States….
Helen and Phillippe anxiously waited for the news as they held hands.
"Your baby seems to be developing well" the doctor informed them making them smile.
"Would you like to hear the heartbeat" the doctor asked?
"Yes…" Phillippe answered making Helen and the doctor laugh at his excitement.
Once everything was ready, they heard a fast noise startling them both as big smiles spread across their faces.
"Nice and strong" the doctor reassured them.
"Our baby" Helen whispered as she squeezed Phillippe hand.
"I love you" Phillippe whispered as he leaned in and they kissed.
The doctor smiled at the young couple.
"So, what next" Helena asked?
"I would suggest you continue to take your pre-natal pills and continue your daily activities. We can book the next appointment in a few weeks. You seem to be right on track so I would not suggest anything other than no stress and no strenuous activities" the doctor said as she wrote out the next appointment on a card.
"Thank you" Phillippe said as he helped Helen sit up.
"You are very welcome. I will leave you so you can get dressed" the doctor smiled as she walked out of the room.
Helen got dressed and then they walked out together holding hands. The office was empty as that was the arrangement, they had made with the doctor who agreed to keep their identities a secret due to his royal status.
Once in the car and on the way back to the house Helen noticed a sadness come over Phillippe face.
"What is it" She asked concerned?
"I just…I always thought my parents would a part of this…." He said honestly as he looked down.
"They will be. We must give it time. Your father needs to recover, and your mother will come around" She tried to reassure him.
"She sent me away" He said his anger returning.
"For our safety Phillippe" She said convinced. She could not believe that his mother would just banish them.
"She hasn't even called" He said as he looked at her with doubt.
"She will when she can" She insisted.
He smiled at her.
"What" She asked?
"You do have what it takes to be a royal, you know" He smiled.
"No, I…that I'm sure your mother would not agree with" She said trying to sound unaffected, but Phillippe picked up on the sadness. He realized in that moment how much his mother approval meant to her. The whole time he had been worried about his father. But his father loved her right away. His mother on the other hand had been skeptical, unsure.
"My mother does like you" He tried reassuring her.
"Maybe but, she does not think that I belong in the royal family and she would be right" She said shocking him.
"Helen…why are you so hard on yourself all the time" He asked concerned?
"It's not that Phillippe. I know that I do not belong in that kind of lifestyle. It is not me. You must see that" She said trying to be sensitive to his feelings.
He remained silent for a moment.
"I'm an artist, an American artist as I'm sure your mother refers me as" She said with a smile this time.
"My mother may have spoken of you but not in a bad way. She is not like that. In fact, my mother always worries about people. She has always been sensitive" He said knowingly. He had often heard his father saying those words to her.
"I am sure she has worried about the thought of me in a Princess role" She laughed making him smile.
"Yeah" He laughed not wanting to lie. Helen would know he was lying anyway.
She laughed with him.
"You would make a great Princess" He smiled.
"Your opinion does not count" She teased with a big smile.
"Whose opinion would count then" He asked curiously?
"Your mother" She said as she touched her engagement ring on finger.
"She will come around. I promise" He whispered as he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
Pyrus….
The day was escaping him, and he had no way of slowing it down. He glanced back to observe his grandson for a few moments.
"When can I see Mamie" Alex asked sadly?
"Soon. Very soon" James promised.
"And Mama too" He asked tears forming in his eyes?
"Yes, and mama too" James said as he averted his eyes from the young boy and back on the road.
The drive took longer then expected due to construction and other road work. Distracted by everything he did not notice the SUV following him a few cars back.
Nearing the exit, James switched lanes and followed the flow of track until he got off. He drove down the long familiar road and when he stopped at the light, he turned back to talk to Alex.
"Do you want pizza for dinner" James asked?
"Yes, yes, yes" Alex said excited. He loved pizza.
"Pizza it is then" James replied with a smile as he drove down the road. Once at the pizza shop, they got out of the car and walked inside. James was ordering the food while Alex stood beside him. Once he was done with the order and paid, he turned to talk to Alex and realized he was gone.
"Alex" James called out looking around the shop.
No answer.
"Alex" James yelled as he ran outside but saw nothing and no one.
His heart hammering in his chest he realized Alex was gone. He ran to his car to get his phone when he saw a note on the window. He took it and opened it.
"Alex is safe with me. DO not think about calling the police because we both know what you have done. Leo." James screamed in frustration as he tore up the note.
"Are you taking me to mama uncle Leo" Alex asked happily?
"Not right now but I promise you will see mama soon" Leo replied as he got on the highway heading north. He had no plan to stay in the area. He had to hide Alex until it was safe.
"Do you want to talk to Mamie" Leo asked knowing it would put Alex at ease?
"Yes, I miss her" Alex replied honestly.
Leo called Helena number. It rang several times before she answered.
"Mamie" Alex yelled out.
"Alex, sweetheart, I've missed you" Helena said happily as tears rolled down her cheeks in relief.
"I miss you too. Can I come stay with you" He asked hopeful?
"How about I come to stay with you" Helena suggested hoping Leo would not object?
"Yes, she can come right uncle Leo" Alex asked?
"Of-course she can buddy" Leo said not being able to say no to him. He was just a boy and he needed to be with his grandmother if not his mother.
"Thank you, Leo" Helena said as she wiped at her face.
"I will send you a location. You must come alone and do not tell anyone where we are" Leo insisted.
