I just want to mention that in this story:
Rupert was born in 1936, Clarisse was born in 1944 (as was Joseph), Pierre was born in 1963 and Philippe was born in 1965.
All the chapters are named after either a song or a movie. Try and guess which ones. Oh, and some of you may not understand the "joke" near the end. To clear things up, it's a Frank Sinatra song.
Our story continues five years from the last chapter, about 2 months before Christmas.
Once again, I was bored with writing the other parts so I decided to skip ahead.
Here are a few things that have happened…
Clarisse was invited to go on all camping trips and holidays with Rupert and the boys.
She and Joseph got closer and closer because they were spend all day together without anyone getting too suspicious.
Joseph had been asking her to leave her husband and marry him, however, she didn't think he was serious.
One night, Rupert approached his wife in the hallway, "Clarisse. I've been meaning to talk to you about something and I don't want you to get upset or angry."
She raised her eyebrow, "What is it?"
"I want to take the boys on a fishing trip next week. Just them and I. It's been a long time since we've been able to spend any real quality time together and..."
"Ok, have fun then."
"We're going to be away for a month."
"Didn't you hear me? I said: have fun then."
"You're not angry?"
"No. You may be my husband, but you're not the center of my world. If you want to spend time with them and away from me, then be my guest. I'm sure I can find something to do here that will keep me occupied."
"So you don't want to come?"
"Absolutely not. I'm not one for the smell of fish. And I could use a break away from the boys; Pierre is driving me mad with his new-found obsession with the church and Philippe keeps nagging me to tell 'Santa' that he wants a motorcycle for Christmas."
"Haha. So you really are okay with this?"
"Yes."
"Well then, fishing we shall go! Goodnight, darling. Thankyou."
"Goodnight, Rupert."
She walked along the corridor to her suite thinking and smiling about all the extra time she would get to spend with her favourite person and all the things they would be able to do. Of course, she would have to take care of business matters during the day, but she would have him there by her side. It really was something to look forward to.
"Take care of things while we're away," Rupert said as he kissed her cheek and got into the limo.
"I will. Take good care of my boys."
She bent down and hugged her two sons. She then stepped away, allowing them to follow their father into the limo. She waved until they were out of sight and then asked her right-hand-lady (aka Charlotte-type-person) to assemble the staff in the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to announce that since I am in a splendid mood, I am giving you all the night off and I have arranged an all you can eat buffet at the local restaurant for everyone to enjoy. Now, nobody is to be back before nine o' clock, is that understood? I want you all to have a good time. Drink plenty, go wild, sleep in tomorrow. Just have fun. You are dismissed!"
They started piling out the door, bowing and saying, "Thankyou, Your Majesty."
When the last worker got to the door, he was held back by the Queen, "You, sir are to stay here and keep me company."
He smiled, "But I want to go to the all you can eat buffet."
She grinned at him, "But I want you to keep me company…"
She took his hand and slowly led him down the hallway to a familiar door.
"What are we doing outside my bedroom?"
"I think you know very well what we're doing outside your bedroom."
"Not exactly."
She motioned for him to go in and followed.
"Are you planning to do what I think you're planning to do?"
She pushed him onto the bed and started kissing him, "You tell me."
"Clarisse, stop. Are you sure you want to do this? It could easily end up being the biggest mistake of your life."
"I know you're right, but I also know that I do want to do this, don't you?"
"Of course I do, but would it be worth it?"
"I'm not sure, but you never know unless you give it a try, isn't that right?"
"Indeed. But what if someone finds out?"
"How would they? You're not planning to tell anyone, are you?"
"Of course not, I would never tell."
"Well then?
"It's your decision. What do you want to do?"
They lay in silence for a while until Clarisse got up and walked to the door, "I shouldn't do this. I'm the Queen. People look up to me. I don't even know why I came down here."
"Well, the heart does things for reasons that reason cannot understand."
She stood frozen, then ran back and jumped into his arms.
Later on, Clarisse woke up to the gentle touch of Joseph's hand running up and down her back. She was in heaven.
"Good evening, Your Majesty."
"Clarisse!"
"Clarisse."
"How did you sleep?"
"I didn't. I've been watching you."
"Oh! That's scary. You've just ruined the perfect mood."
He smiled, and then kissed her, "How did you sleep?"
"Very well. Very comfortable. Better than I've ever slept before. I wish I didn't have to leave. But everyone will be back soon and I can't be caught sneaking out of here."
"I understand. You'd better get dressed."
"Yes. I think that would be wise. Where are my clothes?"
"Well, you're skirt is over there, your top is over there and I think I'm sitting on your lingerie."
She giggled, "Would you be so kind as to get off my lingerie and hand it over to me?"
"Come and get it."
She collected her clothes and put them on the dresser then snatched her lingerie from Josephs hands. He turned away while she put on her clothes which made her smile even more, "I had a wonderful time."
"As did I. Can I walk you to your door?"
"Can you put on a robe first?"
"Certainly."
They walked down the hallway to the suite and gave each other a goodnight kiss. Joseph headed back to his room just in time for the workers to arrive back from their dinner. He was quite happy about the night they had had. Clarisse was quite happy about it too.
The next morning, they met for breakfast in the gazebo.
"Good morning, my love."
"Good morning, Madame. How did you sleep last night?"
"You already asked me that."
"But that was last night, this is this morning..."
"I slept very well, thankyou."
He watched her eat. She was deep in thought.
He decided to speak his mind, "Regrets?"
"I've had a few. But then again…"
"Too few to mention?"
She laughed and continued eating, "I think we're being watched."
"Watched, but not heard."
"How do you know?"
"You can't hear anyone from that far away."
"You know this for a fact do you?"
"If you can't hear them, they can't hear you," he replied, "Besides, they're way too hung over to listen."
"Ahaha. I suppose I am to blame for that."
"I suppose you are…you're okay about last night aren't you?"
"I am very happy about last night. Ashamed, but happy. As long as nobody finds out, I'll be fine."
She studied the top of his head, "Is it just me, or have you been losing hair over the past few weeks?"
"I have not been losing hair, I have simply been getting more head."
"Joseph!"
