Part Ten
"I know it's not a good time to ask, but I really would like for Mia ... and Helen ... to be here for our wedding." Clarisse was saying to Joseph as Sebastian Motaz came up to them at the end of the long line of members of Parliament stopping to wish them all the best.
Sebastian grinned. "My wife and Charlotte have that matter well in hand. I do believe Genovia One will have just landed, with Princess Mia and her mother on board."
"REALLY?" Clarisse looked delighted.
"Joseph did most of the arranging before he came home." Sebastian said.
"Yes. Actually, I spoke with the principal of her school ... Gupta, I believe, was the name? She was absolutely overwhelmed and delighted to do something for the queen who had graced her school a few short weeks ago and had complimented her so effusively on her skills as an educator ..." Joseph rolled his eyes. "At any rate, she agreed that it was imperative for the princess to attend her grandmother's wedding, and conceded that it would be possible, even this late in the school year, to miss one day. But Princess Mia will have to return to California on Sunday to finish her last few weeks. "
"Oh, JOSEPH!" Clarisse threw her arms around his neck and kissed him again. Then she drew away, "I'm sorry. I'm not usually so demonstrative, but I'm just ... just so emotional ..."
Both men smiled understandingly at her. Then Charlotte came up to them, beaming. "Congratulations, your Majesty, Joseph. I'm SO happy for you both."
Clarisse hesitated only an instant before hugging a rather surprised Charlotte tightly. "Thank you, my dear," she whispered. "For everything. You are all I could have wanted in a daughter."
Charlotte blinked back her tears and tried to smile as Clarisse released her. "Thank YOU for everything," she managed to say huskily. "I hope all my surprises are met with the same enthusiasm."
Arching an eyebrow, Clarisse repeated, "ALL your surprises? You mean, there are more?"
Now Charlotte's smile turned mischievous, although a trace of anxiety was still present in her eyes. "I'm afraid so, your Majesty." Before Clarisse could question her further, Charlotte obviously got a message on her headset. "Your Majesty, the Princess' car has just turned in the gates."
For a few moments there was pandemonium as Mia, Helen and Sheila Motaz entered the palace to meet Clarisse, Joseph, Charlotte and Sebastian.
"Grandma, I just can't BELIEVE you're getting married tomorrow!" Mia squealed, hugging Clarisse. "Who are you marrying? Mrs. Motaz didn't know. She just said that Parliament was deciding today."
"Actually," Clarisse said, "Parliament agreed that I didn't HAVE to marry anyone."
"WHAT?" Mia's face dropped. "Oh, man, what am I gonna tell everyone when I get home? They all think I'm coming to a big, fancy, royal wedding this weekend!"
Helen eyed Clarisse, then said carefully, "You're NOT getting married?"
Charlotte smothered a giggle, and Sheila, who had a puzzled look on her face, frowned at her husband. "I THOUGHT it had all been arranged!"
"It has." Sebastian grinned. "To everyone's complete satisfaction."
"That's right." Joseph stepped closer to Clarisse and put his arm around her shoulders.
Mia's jaw dropped. "JOE?"
"Yes, Mia, I'm marrying Joseph. Not because I HAVE to," and Clarisse's smile was tender as she looked at Joseph, "but because I WANT to."
Once she was over the initial shock, Mia squealed loudly, causing Clarisse to clap her hands over her ears with a smile. Then Mia began to bounce. "This is great, this is so great! Grandma, can I be your maid of honour? I've never been one, before! I brought a really nice dress that Mom bought for me yesterday! Oh, and you probably shouldn't say you don't HAVE to get married, not in that way, 'cause it sounds a little weird and like you're saying you're not pregnant or anything ... you're not, are you? I mean, I guess I'd understand if you were, since Joe's so wickedly awesome, but I don't think it's queen-y thing to do, you know? But then, you know better. So, are you? Preggers, I mean! Since you're getting married in such a hurry, Lilly and I kinda wondered, you know?"
"AMELIA!" Helen gasped. Charlotte almost choked when she saw the expression on Clarisse's face, and she and Sheila had to turn away and stare fixedly at a wall.
Mia put her hand over her mouth. "Oops," she said, apologetically. "Sorry. None of my business."
"I would hope medically impossible as well, at my age," Clarisse said dryly.
Joseph chuckled. "But I thank you for the compliment, Princess."
"Hey, you can just call me Mia, now, Grandpa," Mia grinned at Joseph's reaction to her name for him. "Well, it's better than Joey, isn't it? I gotta tell you, Grandma, this is so awesome that you're marrying Joe! Lilly's gonna croak when she hears! She said something last week about you two dancing at the ball. I didn't notice, I'm afraid."
"No, I believe you only saw your young man that night," Sebastian Motaz said. "Your highness," and he bowed formally to Mia. "Sebastian Motaz, the Prime Minister."
"Oh, right. Yeah, I remember. Hi. I mean, umm, hello," Mia smiled shyly. "I remembered your wife, too. Thanks for meeting us at the airport, Mrs. Motaz. Hi, Charlotte!"
"Princess Mia, Mrs. Thermopolis," Charlotte, now that she had her emotions under control, was the epitome of politeness. "I trust your trip was uneventful?"
"Yes, thank you," Helen said, still clearly overwhelmed by everything.
"Your plane is awesome, Grandma!" Mia added. "But I tripped on the steps going up. Good thing it wasn't coming down. That would have been really embarrassing, to land flat on my face the first time I come to Genovia! If you let me be your maid of honour, I'll try not to trip going up the aisle."
"Mia, please!" Helen almost moaned.
"It's all right, Helen," Clarisse soothed her. "Yes, Mia, you may be my maid of honour."
"Oh, THANK YOU, Grandma!" Mia hugged Clarisse tightly, and Clarisse rather awkwardly returned the embrace. Then Mia pulled back and said, "Hey, Grandma, are you and Joe having a wedding rehearsal?"
"No, I don't think so, Mia. We are meeting with the Archbishop this afternoon, I believe."
"Yes, your Majesty. At 4:00. Oh, and the seamstresses are here and want to meet with you immediately so they can get to work on your wedding dress." Charlotte said, efficiently consulting her clipboard.
"Cool ... a real wedding dress?" Mia asked.
"Well, it will be a real wedding, Mia," Clarisse said with a smile. "But I doubt it will be a traditional long, white wedding dress."
"Why?"
"It's not usually done, Mia," Helen said. "Will you be quiet for a moment so we can hear the rest of the plans, please?"
"Oh, sorry!" Mia covered her mouth again, blushing.
"We are planning to have a gathering tonight, your Majesty," Sheila said, "for a bridal shower."
"Oh, but ..."
"It's already organized, your Majesty," Charlotte interrupted Clarisse. "They'll all be here at eight."
"Yes, and Mom and I brought some great gifts!" Mia couldn't resist. "Just wait till you see!"
"Another of your surprises?" Clarisse asked Charlotte, who smiled.
"Well, not mine this time, actually. I believe it was Mrs. Motaz who got the idea when speaking with Lady Palimore and Lady Jerome."
"Yes, the ladies started planning the shower two days ago," Sheila confessed. "It was meant as, well, as a bit of a ... consolation, you might say. That was when we didn't know who you would be marrying, and we thought it would be someone like ... well, someone who you didn't love ..." her voice trailed off and her face flushed a little. "Anyway, now we can REALLY have a party since you're marrying Joseph! That's who WE thought you should marry, since he has loved you for so long!"
"Obviously my feelings were more than obvious to the entire country," Joseph observed a little darkly.
"Except me," Clarisse put her hand on his cheek and smiled lovingly at him. "Until you came back from America for me. Oh, and maybe a bit IN America!"
Mia made a face. "Okay, don't go all mushy, you two!"
The adults all laughed. Then Charlotte said, "I'm sorry, your Majesty, but the seamstresses are waiting in your suite. I'll show the princess and her mother to their rooms."
"Yeah, we have to get out the presents we brought for you, Grandma ... and Grandpa!"
Joseph winced dramatically, and Mia stuck out her tongue and laughed.
"We'll see you tonight," Sheila and Sebastian took their leave until the evening's festivities.
Clarisse, still exhilarated at the outcome of the Parliament session, the knowledge that she WAS going to marry Joseph, and the unexpected arrival of her grand-daughter, could hardly concentrate on what the seamstresses were saying. However, she was still very firm in the sort of dresses that suited her and which colours she wanted, and since this was a wedding she was very much looking forward to, she truly wanted a wedding dress to remember. She also determined that NO ONE would see the dress before the following day. Following the meeting, she made a point of telling Charlotte that when the seamstresses needed her for a fitting, she was to be called immediately, and no one else was to be with her.
"Very well, your Majesty. Oh, and the Archbishop has arrived and is presently with Joseph in the library."
"Thank you, Charlotte. Oh, Charlotte, you ARE coming tonight to the ... bridal shower, are you not?"
"I have some duties there, of course," Charlotte said, sounding a little puzzled. "You know I attend most functions here, just in case you need me ..."
Clarisse impulsively took Charlotte's hand and squeezed it. "I need you tonight ... as a friend, not just as my personal assistant."
Charlotte's face flushed slightly, but she looked pleased. "I'd be pleased to attend as your ... friend, your Majesty."
"And perhaps we might dispense with the 'your Majesty' and you address me simply as Clarisse? Especially when we are alone?"
"I ... I'll try, your ... umm, Clarisse," Charlotte stammered, looking a little overwhelmed.
"Thank you. And now I'm ready to meet with the Archbishop." As they made their way down the hallways to the library, Clarisse asked, "How many more surprises DO you have, Charlotte?"
"At least one," Charlotte looked a little apprehensive again. "And that one should be coming up shortly."
Clarisse stopped walking. "In the library?"
"Oh, no," Charlotte assured her. "No, nothing to do with your meeting with the Archbishop."
"Very well," Clarisse began to move again, and moments later swept into the library. Charlotte followed and sat to one side, ready to take notes as necessary.
.
As they began to discuss the ceremony, Clarisse allowed herself to mention the wedding she had always dreamed of. "I WISH we could just have a simple ceremony with just a few people in attendance ... preferably out in the gazebo in the garden, surrounded by the flowers ..." she said wistfully at last. Joseph nodded his agreement emphatically.
The Archbishop looked sympathetic. "That WOULD be lovely, your Majesty, Joseph, but I fear most of Genovia will want to be in attendance. However, we could certainly bring the flowers into the church, and have your special attendants be the only ones close in the chancel, so that you may IMAGINE that you are in the gazebo with just a select group of witnesses!"
"Who shall we have up there?" Joseph looked at Clarisse.
"Mia wants to be my maid of honour. Who will be your best man?" Clarisse asked.
"I am the best man, of course," Joseph said arrogantly, softening his statement with a broad grin. "But I asked Sebastian Motaz to stand up with me, as I have no family or other very close friends."
"Mia is too young to sign the marriage forms as a witness ... we should perhaps have Sheila Motaz and Charlotte to be our signing witnesses." Clarisse looked over at Charlotte. "Would you be willing, Charlotte?"
"I ... I'd be flattered, your Majesty!" Charlotte had almost dropped her pad in her surprise. "If you are sure ...?"
"Then we will have all the people we need or want with us," Clarisse smiled. "Sheila and Charlotte and Helen can be up with us to one side."
The Archbishop cleared his throat pointedly. "Prince Pierre?" he asked, pointedly.
Clarisse bit her lip, then quite uncharacteristically stammered as she tried to speak. "Oh. Oh, dear. I ... I haven't ... talked with him for a long time, my Lord Archbishop. I don't know ..."
Charlotte held her hand up to her earphone suddenly as she listened to a message, then looked over at Clarisse, a contrite look on her face as if pleading for understanding. "Your Majesty, Prince Pierre's car has just entered the palace gates. I ... took the liberty of calling him and informing him of your upcoming marriage and your request for his presence ..."
Joseph put his hand over Clarisse's as she froze, staring at Charlotte. The Archbishop, not being overly perceptive that afternoon, did not notice the queen's demeanor and beamed at them all. "Well, then, this is perfect! Prince Pierre will be able to officiate at your wedding with me, your Majesty!"
"He was delighted to have been asked, your Majesty," Charlotte said in a small voice, "although he was most concerned for your happiness. I'm sure he will be happy to hear you are marrying Joseph and not ... Please, your Majesty, forgive me if I have erred ..."
When Joseph squeezed her hand, Clarisse seemed to come out of her trance. "This is one of your other surprises," she said to Charlotte in a curiously flat voice.
"Yes, your Majesty," Charlotte whispered, her face going white. What had she done? Had she broken an unspoken rule or ...?
Clarisse rose. "My Lord Archbishop, might I be excused for a moment?"
"Of course!"
Joseph stood up beside Clarisse. "Shall I come with you?" he asked gently, knowing where she was going.
Clarisse tried to smile. "Please."
As the two left the room, Joseph looked back and shook his head at Charlotte slightly as she was preparing to follow. His smile seemed to reassure the young woman somewhat, but she subsided into her chair unhappily all the same.
Reaching the foyer just as Pierre came through the doors, Clarisse drank in the sight of her estranged son. She felt Joseph's hand on the small of her back, and gladly accepted his silent support. She was inwardly terrified that Pierre would reject her again, although it didn't seem possible if he had come in answer to Charlotte's call. Clarisse found herself hoping fervently that the rift between them could be closed forever. Pierre's eyes fell on them, and he stopped for a moment and studied his mother solemnly. Then, obviously detecting the welcoming light in her eyes, he hurried forward and embraced her. "Mother!"
Clarisse couldn't help the tears from falling as she clung to him. "Oh, Pierre, darling, I'm SO glad you have come!"
"How could I not?" He released her, and teased, "You don't look all that happy to see me! What's with the tears?"
"Tears of happiness. I've ... missed you, and I never really realized it." Clarisse said.
"I thought you weren't ready to forgive me," he said quietly.
"Pierre, I love you. What makes YOU happy, makes ME happy. It was your father ..." Clarisse broke off. She hadn't meant to say so much. Their separation had been as much her fault as Rupert's, as she had been too proud to be the one to make the first step after Rupert's death.
Pierre's eyes, eyes so like her own, met hers, and she read understanding in them: understanding and forgiveness and a deep, abiding love. "So, I'm to get a stepfather, Charlotte tells me. May I know his name?" Pierre asked lightly.
Clarisse tensed slightly, but Joseph smiled and forestalled her answer as he stepped up to Pierre and held out his hand. "Joseph Elizondo," he said.
"Joe!" Pierre's eyes, so like his mother's, widened in surprise. Then a broad smile lit his face and he grabbed at Joseph's hand. "Really? REALLY? I thought you were just with Mother as usual ... as the Head of Security! Joe, Mother, I couldn't have heard better news!"
Joseph felt Clarisse's relief just as a slight tremor, but she revealed nothing else. Instead, she tucked her arm in her son's, and said, "Come with us to the library. Charlotte and the Archbishop are there, and we're making plans for the ceremony. Will you take part in it?"
"I'd be honoured, Mother, and most delighted!" he assured her. "And Joe, congratulations! I'm glad your dream finally came true for you."
Clarisse stopped in her tracks and stared at Pierre. "Don't tell me YOU knew all along that Joseph loved me, too?"
"Mother, I am quite convinced that it would very hard to find one single person in Genovia who has not known Joe's feelings for you for YEARS!" Pierre said, hugging his mother and clapping Joseph on the shoulder.
"I never knew I was an open book to so many people," Joseph grumbled, good-naturedly. "I HAD thought I was mysterious and inscrutable ..."
"With everything else, perhaps, but not when it came to Mother!" laughed Pierre.
They went into the library, and Clarisse's eyes immediately went to Charlotte who was sitting tensely on the edge of her seat awaiting their return. Clarisse dropped Pierre's arm and, with an apologetic look at the Archbishop, went directly to Charlotte and, clasping Charlotte's cold hands in her own, whispered, "I have more cause to thank you now than ever before, Charlotte! Thank you for giving me back my son!" Inwardly she vowed that she would continue Philippe's quest to find Charlotte's lost son for her.
Before Charlotte could respond to her, Clarisse returned to Pierre and Joseph, sitting between them on the sofa. Then Clarisse beamed at the Archbishop. "My Lord Archbishop, I believe we have a wedding ceremony to plan!"
"FINALLY!" was his heartfelt response.
O o O o O o O o
That evening, the members of Parliament and their wives gathered in the ball room for the bridal shower. The guests had all been instructed by Charlotte to come dressed in casual clothes, and Clarisse had welcomed the news and was wearing a simple but elegant pant suit. Mia had asked quietly why she wasn't wearing a crown, or at the very least a tiara, saying Clarisse looked so wonderful in one. Clarisse had smiled. "I am glad to leave it off, as this is one of the few occasions I don't need to keep up my image, as it were." Clarisse and Joseph were ushered to seats of honour, with Mia and her mother by Clarisse's side. In spite of the short notice, there were piles of presents pouring in from all over Genovia. Charlotte informed Clarisse that she had arranged to have most of them opened by a couple of the maids the day after the wedding, but that Clarisse and Joseph were to open the ones from the invited guests themselves that evening
Sheila Motaz handed Clarisse the first present, which turned out to be an embossed pad and pen, saying, "What DOES one give a queen for her wedding when she has everything she needs or wants? So here is a pad and pen so that you can have someone keep an inventory of your presents!"
Everyone laughed. Charlotte automatically took the pen and pad, and began to write down the gifts as Clarisse and Joseph opened them. Sheila Motaz passed the couple the next presents and took the opened ones to have passed around for everyone to see. There were delicate Genovian lace hankies and table-toppers, as well as some beautifully embroidered hankies. There were books for newlyweds, no two alike. There were jewellery boxes and picture frames. The tears came to Clarisse's eyes, however, when she opened a large card which all the guests present had signed ... offering invitations to dinners and parties for Clarisse and Joseph as a couple, proof that Joseph had been accepted unconditionally into the high society of Genovia.
Laughter erupted again as box after box revealed sexy, revealing lingerie.
"Lighten up, Grandma!" Mia whispered to a rather embarrassed Clarisse. "This is funny, you've got to admit!"
Charlotte gave Clarisse a beautiful new diary with the Genovian crest on half of the cover and curving around the side and back. A bright sun was peeking over the crest on the front, with the words "The dawning of a new day" beneath. Charlotte had written on the first page, "I hope this serves as a symbol of a whole new life ahead for you!"
"This is beautiful, Charlotte!" Clarisse said, amid the agreement of the others. "Thank you so much."
"You write in a diary, too, Grandma?" Mia asked.
"I most certainly do," replied Clarisse.
There was an envelope from the most elegant resort in the seaside village of Mertz with a week's reservations for the bridal suite, located in the penthouse of the hotel. Complete room service was complimentary. The dates on it started the following day, but a handwritten note said the dates were subject to change as the queen's schedule dictated.
"That will be lovely," Lady Palimore said sincerely, and the others nodded.
Another envelope from the maids and the housekeeping staff promised the happy couple a week of privacy, where no one would approach them unless expressly summoned. A small box from the laundry staff contained numerous bottles, all neatly labelled. Liniment, body lotion, bath oil ... then Clarisse's eyes widened and her smile faded as she read some of the other labels, stating that the contents were to be smeared on the partner's body and licked off, promising no stains to clothing if thoroughly cleaned by the tongue. Edible his and hers underwear was included "for fun", according to the label.
Much laughter greeted these gifts, as well as loud comments from some of the men, and Clarisse, her cheeks fiery red, murmured, "Oh MY!" to Joseph.
Mia and Helen had given Clarisse a large box which Charlotte now placed before her. Opening it carefully, Clarisse drew out the item on top -- a burgundy silk dress with spaghetti straps, a fitted bodice and an asymmetrical skirt falling in diagonal lines from knee length in the front to ankle length in the back. The next item was a hip-length, long-sleeved jacket of the same rich burgundy material. "It's ... lovely," Clarisse said, and the other women agreed enthusiastically.
"It might be a little young for you," admitted Mia, "but it's gorgeous and SO stylish, and you don't look anywhere near your age anyway. Charlotte gave Mom your measurements, so it SHOULD fit."
"Another surprise?" Clarisse murmured to Charlotte who grinned and nodded.
Underneath the dress and jacket were the underclothes, also in burgundy. There were shrieks of laughter as a very red Clarisse held up a silky burgundy half slip with a slit almost up to the waist, a burgundy lace garter belt, filmy burgundy stockings, a very skimpy, strapless burgundy lace 'push-up' bra, and matching daring lace panties "with no crotch!" Mia whispered to Joseph and Clarisse mischievously,. Delicate strapped burgundy high heels shoes were also included.
"Lovely choice, your Highness, and you, Mrs. Thermopolis!" Sheila Motaz nodded in satisfaction. "You're right, it will look lovely on the queen. You can wear it tomorrow as your going away outfit!"
"There's more in the box," volunteered Helen, with a faint smile on her face.
Clarisse dug further, and unearthed boxes of PG Tips tea bags as well as two large cups similar to those Helen and Mia used in San Francisco.
"We cleaned out the one store," Mia chuckled. "Charlotte said you loved this tea, and that she had to order some for you, so we brought all we could find. AND we brought you a couple of cups because Joe probably isn't into those fancy little teacups. Most guys hate them 'cause they can't hold onto them."
"You are right about THAT!" Joseph agreed.
"Thank you," Clarisse said simply, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. Then she added softly, "I would also be honoured to have one of your paintings sometime, Helen."
"REALLY?" Helen's eyes widened. "I ... I'll bring one when we come back in a few weeks. If you're sure, that is."
"I'm sure."
Another parcel revealed a mahogany medicine chest with daily pill holders on the top. Inside the chest were a number of bottles. Clarisse began to take them out and read them, Joseph leaning closer to read the labels with her. She found gingko, recommended for older women to increase their stamina. There was ginseng for both and the label read "Ginseng is believed to enhance physical and mental endurance, increase energy, reduce cholesterol, to support adrenal function, to reduce stress and regulate blood sugar. Russian folklore promotes ginseng as a stimulant." There was a tube of aloe, which stated it was an analgesic, used to treat burns and other skin conditions such as scrapes, sunburns and insect bites, or rubbing from beards on tender skin. There was a package of licorice, and the note attached to it said that licorice acts as a sexual stimulant; helps increase endurance & vitality; helps in reducing skin blemishes such as age spots. There was also a bottle of little blue candies with a handwritten label saying it was Viagra for Joseph. At the very bottom of the medicine chest was a typed note: "Best wishes from Charlotte."
Clarisse's eyebrows arched and she turned to Charlotte. "Thank you, Charlotte. I think."
Charlotte's head shot up and she looked confused. "Thank you? For what?"
"This medicine chest. It is JUST what we need." Clarisse allowed a trace of sarcasm to come through.
The others laughed again, but Charlotte frowned. "I didn't give you that."
"The note says you did," Clarisse showed her.
Charlotte was flabbergasted and her face was scarlet. "But ... but I DIDN'T give it to you!"
Now Mia could no longer contain herself. "I couldn't resist, Grandma! I got it all, and thought it would be funny to say it was from Charlotte."
The final gift was from the security team. Clarisse passed it to Joseph to open, reflecting that chances were good that this present, like the one from the laundry staff, would be something rather cheeky. Sure enough, when he opened it, it was to find matching sweaters carefully labelled on the back in fancy embroidery 'His' and 'Hers'. When he held them up, it was discovered that the two were knit together so that when worn, Joseph's left arm would be around Clarisse's waist, and her right arm would be around his waist. Amid calls to try them on, both slipped off their jackets and pulled the sweaters over their heads. After awkwardly manoeuvring to fit their adjoining arms into the sleeves attached to the backs of the other sweaters, Clarisse was startled to discover that her right hand was curled over Joseph's right hip, UNDER the sweater. She could feel the warmth of his hand on her left hip, his thumb gently stroking her. There was no hole for those hands to emerge from the sleeve OUTSIDE the sweater.
"I DO like these sweaters, or should I say it in the singular?" Joseph inquired. "It appears to be just one big sweater!" Again gales of laughter echoed through the ballroom and calls to try it on.
At the end of the evening, still wearing the sweater from the security team and therefore keeping their arms around each other, Joseph and Clarisse thanked everyone for attending and said goodbye at the door. As Sebastian and Sheila Motaz left last, the bridal couple asked for Sheila's participation in the ceremony the following day, and she was delighted to agree. Watching them leave, Clarisse leaned her head on Joseph's shoulder, and said dreamily, "I can't recall ever being so happy in my life, Joseph."
Bringing her around fully into his arms, Joseph whispered, "My love ... my queen," Then he covered her mouth and kissed her until she felt herself dissolve right into him, and felt all his magnificent control begin to disappear as his body shook with the intensity of his desire. Clarisse felt an explosion of feeling, a conflagration of brilliant excitement that sent thrills to every part of her being. She strained closer still.
"WHHOOOO HOOO! Look at Grandma and Joe!" Mia's voice was loud, penetrating the daze Clarisse and Joseph had found themselves in.
"Break it up, you two," Pierre grinned, coming up behind his niece. "The wedding's just tomorrow -- you don't have that long to wait!"
"Besides," Helen stepped up as well, "it's almost midnight. You aren't to see each other before the wedding."
"Almost midnight?" Joseph inquired. "How close?"
"Seven minutes," Charlotte inserted, trying to keep her smile hidden as she looked at the two wrapped in each other's arms.
"Then give us that time, please," and Joseph deliberately turned away, bringing Clarisse close again and kissing her lightly.
"Oh, all right," Mia grumbled. "I guess we can help Charlotte clear up."
"Charlotte's not clearing up," Helen said, taking the tray from Charlotte's hands in spite of the slight resistance. "This will ALL keep until morning. Come on, it's bedtime."
"But ..." Mia and Charlotte both protested at once. Helen laughed. Then Charlotte continued, "Her Majesty has another fitting in an hour for her wedding dress. I have to stay up until then."
"Can we stay with them, Mom? Please?" Mia begged.
Clarisse didn't hear Mia's answer as Joseph led her outside to ensure a bit of privacy. After the tension of the past few days, not to mention the preceding weeks in San Francisco, Clarisse's composure was all but shattered. Yet now that she was with Joseph, everything seemed to be perfect, and she relaxed completely in his arms. They spent the few precious moments they had remaining this evening whispering words of love and hope for the future, both still finding it very hard to believe that they were getting married the next day. Then Pierre was calling them back in, and after Joseph and Clarisse had struggled out of the sweater with a great deal of laughter and teasing, Pierre led Joseph away while Charlotte, Mia and Helen escorted Clarisse to her suite.
"You know," said Mia, as they walked, "we had to study something about love last term. It was, umm, Sternberg's triangular theory of love. There are three parts to love: passion, intimacy, and decision or commitment. He said you can have one, two or three parts, and there's different names which I can't remember. But he said lots of couples have intimacy and commitment but no passion -- and lots of OLDER couples grow to that one. The best, of course, is all three. I think it's called consummate love. Just the two is companionate love or compassionate love or something like that. Somehow, after seeing you and Joe tonight, Grandma, I don't think you have to worry. I'd say you definitely have all three!"
Clarisse felt her face warm, but she smiled anyway. "I think perhaps we do." She pondered Mia's words for a moment, acknowledging that she and Rupert had had intimacy and commitment but no passion, and as Mia had just said, having all three was definitely the best ... consummate love, indeed! She hoped for and indeed EXPECTED consummate love with Joseph.
Then Mia was on another topic. "Hey, you guys, who would you most like to be stranded on a desert island with?"
They all stared at her.
"You know, it's a game. If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one other person with you, who would you like it to be? I'll go first. Except I have too many to decide. Lilly and I like someone different every day, it seems! I mean, there's Ewan McGregor, Heath Ledger, Leo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Ryan Phillippe, Will Smith ... but I'd say today my top choice by far is Orlando Bloom. He's a DEFINITE go!"
"WHO?" the others stared at her.
"Oh, he's in the new Lord of the Rings movie coming out in a few months. He's something else ..." Mia sighed dreamily. "Lilly and I have just seen some posters and commercials and stuff, but WOW, he's hot! So, how about you, Charlotte?"
"Oh! Well, ummm ... hmmm. You gave a list, so I will, too. Let's see. There's Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and even George Clooney! Umm, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, Jimmy Smits, yes, and Brad Pitt ..."
"I rather like some of the older men," Helen grinned. "Like Sean Connery, Sam Neill, Patrick Stewart, Richard Dean Anderson, Martin Landau, Roy Scheider, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck."
"Oh, I forgot about them!" Charlotte exclaimed. "Yes, indeed!"
"Grandma?" Mia looked at Clarisse.
She smiled. Not having time to watch many movies at all, she hardly knew any of the names the other three had mentioned. Oh, some, of course, but not many. "Joseph," was her response.
"GRANDMA! A MOVIE star!" Mia said.
"Oh, all right." Clarisse cast her mind around trying to think of one. "Ummm ... Yul Brynner!"
"WHO?" Mia asked. Helen and Charlotte laughed.
"He was in the movie 'The King and I'," Helen explained.
"Yes, that was one of the few movies Rupert and I saw together. I thought Yul Brynner was quite ... sexy." Clarisse said, smiling slightly as she deliberately shocked the others with her language.
Helen recovered first, and teased in return, "So that's why you were attracted to Joe -- because they're both bald?"
"You know, I must admit, I had never thought of that!"
They came to the corner where Clarisse's suite was one direction and Mia and Helen were in the other. Mia hugged her grandmother tightly. "Oh, Grandma, I am SO, SO glad you are going to marry Joe! And you looked so beautiful tonight, and so elegant and composed, even when you must have been totally embarrassed by some of the gifts and the comments. Do you think I'll EVER learn to be a proper princess or queen? You always seem to do the right thing, and I always mess up. Haven't you EVER done anything improper? Something that if anyone caught you at it, they'd be totally scandalized?"
Clarisse glanced at Charlotte as she fought to keep from blushing, thinking of that very morning. The two both grinned at each other, but said nothing.
"Well," Helen said, "I don't know about anyone else, but I am exhausted after the flight. Come, Mia, we're going to bed so we can be ready for the wedding tomorrow morning. Thank you for arranging everything so we could come, Charlotte. Good night, your Majesty, and again, I'm so happy for you!"
"Thank you, Helen. It's very gracious of you. And Mia, I am delighted you are here and are to be my maid of honour!"
Helen and Mia disappeared down the corridor. Charlotte turned to Clarisse after glancing at her watch and said, "Your Majesty, remember that your fitting for your wedding dress is in ten minutes."
"Come in and wait with me, please?" Clarisse requested. They walked the last few steps to the suite and the doorman opened the door for them.
Inside, Clarisse took Charlotte's hands again. "I need to thank you again, Charlotte, for everything you have done the last few days for me."
"Oh, really, it's my job, your Majesty!" Charlotte squeezed her hands a little.
"Please, Charlotte, remember to call me Clarisse."
It was Charlotte's turn to redden. "I'm sorry, your ... umm, Clarisse. It's just ... hard. But I will try."
"That's all I ask."
After studying Clarisse for a brief second, noting that the queen appeared to be succumbing to exhaustion, Charlotte said quietly, "You need to rest, Clarisse, or you will collapse tomorrow," Then her grin popped out. "and that's the very LAST thing needed on your wedding day, OR your wedding night! I'll make sure the seamstresses don't keep you very long."
"Thank you. I think I'll just get into my night things ..."
In no time, the seamstresses had appeared and fitted the wedding dress for the last time while Charlotte waited out in the hallway. As soon as they finished, they whisked out the door. Charlotte poked her head back in. "Good night, Clarisse," she said, softly. "Sleep well, and sweet dreams."
"I will have, Charlotte, believe me!" Clarisse smiled sleepily. "Good night, my dear."
To be Continued ...
A/N: Many thanks to all who helped me with ideas for this part -- the gifts, the going-away dress, the "desert island idols", etc.!