The party was over and Mia was exhausted. She was excited about she and Nicholas' first night together but she was still anxious to see her Grandmother. The cars parked in front of the castle, letting out Mia, Nicholas, Helen, Patrick, Trevor and Lily. The security personnel were all nervous about their meeting with Joe. They knew something had happened, they just did not know what. Mia walked into the castle on Nicholas' arm. "Do you want to change before you see Grandma?" Nicholas asked.
"Yes, that would be nice. Mom, Patrick, we'll see you all in the morning." They hugged Mia's family goodnight and as they walked up the steps, Mia turned to Lily.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Lily asked.
"No, I think I need to do this by myself. Thank you for everything."
"I love you."
"I love you too." After Lily gave Nicholas a hug goodnight and walked up the steps, Nicholas took his wife's hand.
"Come on. Joe's have a meeting with the security anyway. We have some time to freshen up before going to see your Grandma." He led her up the steps to their suite. Joe stood in front of fifty or so security men, all who were looking down. Shade Man sat in the front of the room, guilt sweeping over him.
"Well, it is good to see that you all are here. Tell me what happened with the Prime Minister," Joe said.
The Shade Man explained the situation and Joe nodded. "How many men would it have taken to get rid of him?"
The Shade Man looked down and sighed. "Probably five at the most."
"Yes...five is a good number. Not fifty!" The men all looked up, surprised at Joe's change of tone. "What is your main purpose as a security officer?"
The shade man again answered for all his men. "To take care of the Queen and the royal family."
"Yes...how many Queens were left unattended today?"
The men all looked down once again. "Two, sir..."
"Very good. Two Queens were left unattended. The entire country was on the streets today and you left the two most important people in the country unprotected! Do any of you know how bad of a decision that was?" They all nodded but Joe only grew angrier. "I do not think you understand the extremity of this situation! Not only did you leave both Queens unprotected...you also left for a stupid reason! Five people could have taken care of one idiot...but the two most important people in this country were not watched by their designated men. And now, my wife is lying in bed...with a bullet hole in her arm!"
He slammed his fist on the desk in front of him and looked at all the men, whose mouths were hanging open. "Tell me why this happened and what I can tell her!??!"
The room was silent for a moment and then the shade man stood. "I am extremly sorry for my lack of judgement during this situation, sir. It is my fault that all personnel were called away from their areas. I take full responsibility and give you my word that this will never happen again."
Joe looked at the man who now filled his former position and sighed. He relaxed a little and motioned for shade man to sit down. "You are all very lucky. Queen Clarisse does not blame anyone for this incident. However, I am not so forgiving. I believe that books need to be reviewed and strategies put into play. I may not be the Head of Security any longer but my wife has asked me to keep an eye on all of you and make sure you all are doing your jobs. I am angry no longer...what I beg of you is to use your brains...not adrenaline during situations. Is that understood?"
All heads nodded in affirmation. "Now...if there is nothing else..."
A young man stood up in the back. "Excuse me, sir, but may we inquire as to the Queen's condition."
Everyone silently turned their eyes back to Joe and saw him smile for the first. "I am pleased to announce that she will fully recover in time. Now, you are all dismissed for the night. Tomorrow, I will have a new security plan for all of you. Meet back here at 2 in the afternoon. Goodnight."
All left quickly to try and get some sleep before tomorrow. They knew that Joe's plan would be intricate and would take a lot of thought and planning. The shade man was the only one who remained behind. "Again, sir, I am truly sorry."
"As I said, it's alright. My wife is fine and I would like to forget about the situation. You only did what you thought was right, and for that, I can't be angry with you. I would like your help with the new system."
The shade man stood up a little straighter. "Yes, sir."
"Well, then, I believe I need to get back to my wife. Goodnight."
"Goodnight sir." He left the room and hurried to his designated area. Joe moved out of the ballroom and into the hallway, only to see Nicholas and Mia coming down the steps.
"Joe!"
She flung herself into his arms and Nicholas smiled.
"Ah, Queen Mia, how are we this evening?" Joe asked.
Mia smiled and smacked him playfully. "You know you're not supposed to call me that."
"Ah, yes, a slip of the tongue I'm afraid. Nicholas..." He shook Nicholas' hand. "How was the reception?"
"Wonderful," Nicholas answered. "We wish you and Queen Clarisse could have been there."
"As did we. But, I am glad that you had a good time. Clarisse will be very pleased."
"How is she?" Mia asked, worry filling her heart.
"Tired, but ready to see you."
"And her arm?"
"It will heal in time."
Mia breathed a sigh of relief as Joe took her hand. "I believe your Grandmother would like to see you alone for a few minutes, Mia."
Mia smiled at him and kissed his and Nicholas' cheek. "I'll have someone come get you both in a few minutes."
She walked inside the suite quietly and nodded to the maids who had been watching over the Queen. They stepped back and let her have some privacy with her Grandmother. Mia walked over to where Joe normally sat next to Clarisse and took his spot. She took her Grandmother's hand and put both of hers around it. Clarisse stirred and opened her eyes, smiling quickly. "Amelia..."
"Grandma..." The tears that had been threatening to spill ever since Joe had called her about the accident, fell freely down her cheeks as she hugged her grandmother ever so gently, so she wouldn't disturb her arm. When Mia pulled back, Clarisse also had tears in her eyes.
"I am sorry I missed the reception darling."
Mia laughed as Clarisse wiped away her tears. "Grandma, that should be the least of your worries. I just want you to worry about getting better."
"Oh, stop. I will be fine in a few days time."
"Does it hurt?"Clarisse wanted to say no, but her granddaughter was too smart from her. "Don't lie," Mia warned.
Clarisse sighed. "It hurts some. The Doctor will be bringing some medication in the morning to help the pain."
"Good. Do you need anything? Something to eat? A drink?"
"I'm fine, Amelia. Now, tell me about the reception." After Mia told her Grandmother everything in detail, she told the maid to go get Joe and Nicholas. They both walked in and smiled at the pair. The IV's were to the side. After the blood and fluids had emptied themselves into Clarisse, the maids took out the needles, much to Clarisse's relief. Joe had helped her carefully change into a nightgown and Mia was also in her pajamas, leaving the pair looking rather funny on the humungous bed. Mia moved off the bed and into Nicholas' arms. He leaned down and kissed Clarisse on the cheek.
"You had us very worried, Grandma." Clarisse smiled at him as Joe took his seat next to her. She liked being called Grandma by Nicholas.
"Well, I am in very good hands so there is no need to worry." Nicholas and Mia stayed awhile longer and then left to enjoy their night together. Joe closed the door behind the maids as they went off to bed. He turned and smiled at Clarisse. She looked so tired yet she was smiling at him with a smile that melted his heart every time he saw it. He walked over and turned out all the lights except for the one on his end table. He climbed in next to her and gently pulled her close. She took his hand and sighed as he kissed the side of her head. "What a day."
Joe laughed. "Yes, I would say that is about right."
Clarisse smiled and kissed his cheek. "What are we going to do about the press?"
"You let me handle that, alright?"
Clarisse yawned and Joe looked down at her. He knew she was exhausted and in a great amount of pain. "Only this once."
Joe smiled. "Alright. Just this once. Now, I believe it is time the Queen got her beauty sleep."
"And her Prince as well."
Joe turned out the light and pulled the covers up to Clarisse's chin before lying back down. "If the Queen insists. Goodnight darling."
"Goodnight. I love you, Joseph."
"And I love you, Clarisse." He kissed her soundly before she drifted off to sleep. Joe, on the other hand, did not. He was about to give in to sleep two hours later when Clarisse moaned in his arms. "Clarisse? Wake up....wake up, Clarisse."
She did not wake up though, only moaned louder and began crying. "No, please...stop!" She sat up in bed, her chest heaving, trying to regain her breath. Then, the pain set in because her arm had moved. Joe put his arm around her and guided her back into a laying position.
"Clarisse...it's alright, I'm right here."
She looked at him and tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Darling, what is wrong?"He pulled her into a hug, careful not to touch her right arm.
"Joseph...don't leave me...please..."
"I won't leave...I'll never leave you. What is wrong, Clarisse? What has you scared?"
He pulled back and looked at her. She tried to wipe the tears off her cheeks as she responded. "I am sorry...it was just a nightmare."
"What was it about?"
"Nothing important...I just couldn't find you that was all."
"Are you sure?"
Clarisse nodded but Joe knew she was not telling him the truth. "Alright, well...if you're sure..."
"I am. I'm sorry I woke you."
"You didn't do anything wrong." He pulled her close and kissed her deeply. The burning pain in her arm caused her to break away after a few moments. "Your arm?"
She nodded and he got out of the bed gently and came over to her side. He switched on the lamp on her end table and looked at her arm. It was black and blue around where the bandages were and blood was coming through the gauze. "I will be right back. I'm going to get some new bandages and ice, alright?"
"Please...don't take long."
Joe noticed that there was still fear in her voice. "I won't." He kissed her lightly and then quickly went to the kitchen. Ten minutes later, he was back with some ice and fresh bandages to wrap her arm with. She winced in pain as he changed the bandages and gently placed the ice on her arm. "That should make it feel better soon." He climbed back in and turned out the lights again. "Now, you just get some sleep. I won't leave, I promise. And if you can't find me again, I'll be right here next to you."
"Thank you, Joseph...I do love you."
"I love you, Clarisse." He kissed her once more before she fell into a peaceful sleep for the first time that day.
Mia walked into her Grandmother's suite, glad to see that she was sitting up and looking much better than the night before. "Good morning Amelia. You all ready to leave for your trip?"
"Yes, Grandma. But I feel bad leaving you here like this."
"Don't be. I am perfectly content here in this bed...for today. Tomorrow I am getting out of it and will make sure things are in order while you are away."
"Thank you, Grandma. But, you should stay in bed for at least five days. The Doctor said..."
Clarisse held up her hand. "What the Doctor says does not concern me and you know that. Now, I want you and Nicholas to have a lovely time."
"Yes, Grandma. Did Mom and Patrick say goodbye?"
"Yes, right before they left this morning. And Lily did as well."
"Ok. Well, then I guess it's my turn. Nicholas..."
Nicholas walked into the room with Joe. "Goodbye Grandma...make sure you get your rest."
"I will. Have a wonderful time."
"We will, thank you."
He kissed her cheek and then Mia hugged her Grandmother. "Thank you for everything."
"Only the best for you, Amelia. Have fun."
"We will. I love you."
"I love you too. Now go before you miss your plane."
Mia let Clarisse go and then hugged Joe after Nicholas shook his hand. "Take care of her."
"I always do. You take care of yourselves."
"We will. I love you...Grandpa?" Joe looked a little shocked and turned to Clarisse. Clarisse smiled and shrugged her good shoulder.
"Well...at least it's not Joey."
They all laughed and Joe nodded at Mia. "Grandpa? Yes, I believe I can handle that."
Mia's smile grew wider as she kissed his cheek. "Good. See you all in three weeks!"
They all said goodbye and then Clarisse sighed as Joe sat next to her. "Three weeks seems like such a long time."
"Ah, but it will go quickly, my dear. For I have many things planned..."
Clarisse grinned at his smirk. "And what is that supposed to mean, Joseph?"
"It means that I finally have this castle to myself and I am going to be able to show you just how much I love you...without anyone else getting in the way." He kissed her soundly and then got up. "But first, I have some things to do with the security men. You will excuse me, my dear?"
"Of course."
He kissed her again and then walked out of the room. Clarisse sighed as the maid, Olivia walked in. "Ma'am, do you need anything?"
"I don't think so. But, thank you."
"Yes Ma'am. I will be in the sitting room should you need anything."
"Thank you, Olivia." Olivia curtsied and then walked out of the bedroom. Clarisse desperately wanted to get out of bed, but knew Joe would be very angry if he wasn't there to help her. Instead, she fell back asleep, the nightmare creeping back into her mind.
Joe walked back to the suite at about 3 o'clock. Olivia was dusting the sitting room and looked over as he walked in. "Good afternoon, sir."
"Olivia...and how is my wife doing?"
"Last time I checked, she was sleeping."
"Good. Now, how would this sound?"
She came closer to him as he spoke quietly. "I have a surprise planned for the Queen tonight. I would love it if you took some time off and we had this evening to ourselves. How does that sound?"
"Well...it sounds very nice but...I am not supposed to leave the Queen."
"Ah, no you are not. But, when I say you can leave the Queen...you can."
Olivia giggled and smiled. "Yes, sir. I will be out of your way in one moment." She gathered her things, curtsied, and walked out of the room with a big smile on her face. Joe closed the door behind her and walked quietly into the bedroom. What he found did not make him relax, only worry more. Clarisse was sleeping, but not in a peaceful fashion. Tears were streaming down her face and she kept reaching out for Joe but he wasn't there. He walked over quickly and took the hand that kept reaching for him and cupped her face with his hand.
"Clarisse...wake up darling. Clarisse...."
Her eyes popped open and she looked at him through teary blinks. "Jospeh...where were you? I couldn't find you."
"I just got back. I told you I had some things to do."
"No, no, I couldn't find you anywhere. I checked the ballroom and you weren't there."
Joe was now totally confused. "Where did you go?" she asked fearfully.
"My dear, I am afraid we are on different pages. What do you mean you checked the ballroom?"
"After he let me go, I checked everywhere for you and I couldn't...find you." More tears replaced the ones Joe had wiped off her cheeks.
"Who let you go? Who is this man?"
"I...I don't know. But he took me away from you and when he let me go, you were gone....."
Her eyelids began to fall as Joe realized she was going to slip into unconsciousness.
"Clarisse, stay awake. What's wrong? Does your arm hurt?"
"Joseph..." Despite all her efforts, the Queen's eyelids fell and she was unconscious in Joe's arms.
"Clarisse! Wake up! Olivia! Someone!" Fortunately, Olivia had waited outside the suite in case Joe had needed anything. She quickly ran in and gasped at the scene before her.
"Call the Doctor quickly!"
"Yes...yes sir. Right away sir."
"Clarisse...please wake up. Please...."A single tear slipped down his cheek as he hugged her to him.