Non of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney. Errm with the cockroaches I make a reference to Victor/ Victoria, one of Julie Andrews most amazing films ever!
Miguel approached the farm house slowly. He noted the Audi parked on the grey gravel, he smiled- the bitterness had nearly completely evaporated. He wasn't sure what he should say, what he should do, he just knew he had too see Joseph. He rung the bell timidly, not quite sure what kind of response he was going to get, though he didn't feel as if Clarisse would hate him anymore. He rung it again and stuffing his hands in his pockets, leaned against the doorframe.
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"lie back down", Joe commanded. He put a hand possessively round her bare back and gravitated her towards his lips. He didn't care who was at the door, really he didn't.
"I should answer the door", she protested, in between kisses.
"no you shouldn't, you should stay with me!", he laughed.
"I promise to come back", she compromised, with a smile. He sighed mockingly and threw his hands up in resignation. She stood up quickly,
grabbed his dressing gown and tying it round herself hastened down the stairs towards the door.
She pulled it open quickly and flashed a fantastic smile as she realised who it was.
"hello", he mumbled at her. She looked quite different now, flushed,
breathless and wrapped in what he could only presume was Joseph's dressing gown. He looked down at the grey gravel, turning red- he'd clearly come at a bad time. Clarisse blushed for a moment and then managed to recompose herself.
"hello", she smiled, motioning him to come into the lobby. He shuffled in, admiring her ability not to be embarrassed at the fact he'd clearly interrupted something.
"so how have you been since our little chat today?", she questioned kindly. She didn't want to tell Joseph he was there yet.
"I've been doing a lot of thinking….. And you were right", he admitted, looking down at his feet.
"so you want to see Joseph", she stated, rather than questioned.
"yeah.. Yeah I do", he answered back.
"ok, I'll go and get him, I'll just be a moment", she said calmly, trying to hide her secret joy as she made her way to the stairs.
She waltzed calmly into the room.
"who was it?", Joe questioned, propping himself up on one elbow.
"it's for you, they're waiting in the sitting room", she smiled, serenely.
"what? Who?", he laughed, truly intrigued.
"just go and see!", she commanded regally.
"all right, your Majesty", he said, throwing off the covers, " but I might need my dressing gown", he teased as the garment in question was thrown in his direction.
"go!", she said, kissing him lightly on the cheek as he made his way out the door. She decided to take a shower while the two brothers made right their wrong's.
Joe stopped at the sitting room door to see his younger brother standing by the fire place, wringing his hands and studying the black and white picture.
"Miguel", Joseph said sharply. He was shocked too see his brother in his home, he thought they were history.
"Joseph, I'm - I'm here to apologise", Miguel managed to stutter. Joseph raised an eye-brow and sat down.
"well…?", he said, motioning towards the seat directly across from the couch. Miguel sat down, still extremely nervous as to what his brother's reaction might be.
"well", he tried, " I was wrong, no, I was very wrong. And I'm sorry", he said simply. Joseph nodded and smiled, wanting him to continue.
"you were right, I never gave Clarisse a chance, hell I never even gave you a chance! I was just angry, so angry when you left".
"I know that Miguel, and I'm still sorry you feel that way. I didn't mean to make you feel as if I left you but I needed my own life, my own identity. I'd been unhappy here, just like you are now and just like you I needed to get out. I changed to suit the people I was with, we all do that and I refuse to apologise for being in love", he said, matter-of-fact. Miguel nodded and looked up, he was trying so hard to understand.
"I just wanted to be you Joe, village hero- I could never live up to you and it made me angry. Then you married Clarisse and I was so damn angry, you weren't here for me but always there for her…..and her children", he said, slowly. Joseph studied him intently and let his lips curl slowly into an understanding smile.
" I forgive you, I'm not going to deny it - I loved Pierre and Philippe but you were my little Miguel, you were always special to me and as for Clarisse- how could I not be there for the woman I adored? I went there as a security man and became a man desperately in love, I couldn't change that. The heart does things for reason that reason does not understand", he said, gently. Miguel smiled, hearing his brothers favourite quote comforted him and the sincerity in his eyes reassured Miguel greatly.
"I was wrong about Clarisse, you know", he stated, " I'm sorry for that too".
"I know better than anyone and she'll tell you herself, she can appear like the most cold person on earth- she's just living up to people expectations. People never try to see past her title or they never want to, it's just the way it is", Joseph sighed, " and anyways how would you know?"
"she came too see me this afternoon", Miguel hesitated, " and we spoke and she made me feel great", he admitted.
Joseph frowned for a moment and then his lips curled into a thoughtful smile. She really was quite the lady.
"so much for lazing about the pool", he muttered.
"what?", Miguel asked.
"oh nothing, trust Clarisse- ever the diplomat. How?", he laughed, shaking his head.
"I apologised and got past the title", Miguel added.
"I'm glad you did, little brother. She's quite the lady", he smiled.
"how long did you love her before you got married?", Miguel suddenly asked, now entirely curious about his brothers new wife.
"as long as I can remember", Joseph mused, " I don't suppose I can remember not loving her. She was particularly beautiful and you know me, not one to by-pass a lovely woman but she was different- she was Clarisse and what made it worse she was the queen. I fell madly in love with her and I can't even recall the rest".
"oh I understand", Miguel smiled, relaxing finally in his brothers presence.
"no you don't'", Joe said gently, " you need to get out of here Miguel, you're not married, you don't have family like our other brothers and sisters, you're not content here like them- you need out. There's an opening-" but Miguel cut him off;
"yeah, Clarisse told me, there's an opening at the palace. I came here to apologise but I came here to tell my sister-in-law that I wanted to take her up on her offer. I want to do this Joe, I want to make something of myself", he said adamantly.
Joseph smiled at his brothers sudden burst of enthusiasm for a life that seemed so familiar to himself. He understood Miguel and his reaction but if he had just spoken to him, it would have been a hell of a lot easier.
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Clarisse stopped at the door of the sitting room and smiled, hearing the two laughing was something she'd doubted would ever happen. She straightened up her dress and glided into the living room, commanding complete attention from the two men.
"hello", she smiled, kissing the top of Joe's head.
"oh hello, my little diplomat", he teased.
"I'll let that comment pass", she said, raising an eye brow at Miguel and sitting beside Joe.
"so..?", she questioned, looking from one to the other. Joe wasn't really sure how to answer, he supposed they'd resolved their issues but he decided Miguel could probably deal with this.
"err, well Joe and I, we're good now", answered Miguel, looking her straight in the eye.
"and…?", she probed, sure he would except her offer.
"and I would like to try that job, if it isn't too much trouble", he said timidly.
"well that's great and no trouble at all", smiled Joe, gripping Clarisse's had in a vow of thanks.
"yeah, you were both right and I really mean it, I am sorry", he mumbled.
"Miguel, don't you think you've apologised enough?", Clarisse said pointedly, meaning to sound a little less reassured.
"yes I'm just sorry, I said some pretty bad things", he mused.
"yes you did but we all do", Clarisse finished, recalling some of the terrible things she'd said over the years.
"hey we're leaving on Sunday, if you clear up all your loose ends you could come to Genovia", he suggested, looking at Clarisse for reassurance. She nodded. Miguel's face brightened and he smiled hopefully.
"yes, I can do that", he said enthusiastically, smiling at the both of them.
"well good, it's sorted and I'm very relieved", Joseph said, adopting a serious tone and tightening the belt on his dressing gown. Miguel stood up, feeling as if he'd intruded enough. He could see quite clearly how much his brother loved this woman and he'd said pretty bad things - it would take a lot of work to get things the same between them again.
"I have to go, I've got things to do", he said, with an awkward smile.
"ok, so we'll see you tomorrow evening then", Joe said, standing up along with him.
"what?", Miguel questioned.
"dinner", Clarisse interrupted, " all of our family are coming here for Joseph wonderful cooking before we leave", she teased, grinning cheekily. He shot her a look if mock anger and she rolled her eyes, he always tried to be angry at her- she could always see the pure love in his eyes.
"yes are you sure?", Miguel questioned as he stooped at the front door. He wasn't sure if they were ready for that yet, if they were really that good around each other.
"of course", Joseph reassured, patting his brother on the shoulder, " you're family". Miguel smiled brightly and turned to Clarisse who was watching her husband intently.
"thank you Clarisse, thanks so much", he said pulling her into a hug. He had so much to thank this woman for, he figured he'd never be able to thank her enough.
"your welcome", she smiled brightly.
"goodnight, little brother", Joe laughed , as Miguel turned at the end of the driveway.
Joseph closed the door firmly and turned to Clarisse who was leaning on the table, looking at him intently- waiting for his reaction. God! He hoped she wasn't scared he might be angry, he really couldn't thank her enough.
"well, that was relieving", he said with a gentle smile as he moved towards her.
"so you're not angry?", she questioned, a little concerned.
"no, of course no, my darling!", he laughed, placing his hands on her shoulders.
" I just didn't like seeing you unhappy", she continued, with real concern.
"well, I'm very glad you did what you did, it certainly took some guts", he smiled, admiring her fantastic diplomatic skills.
"well, I am a diplomat", she laughed.
"yes you are, my dear and thank god, you were brave to deal with Miguel", he smiled, sadly. His brothers temper was his worst enemy.
"he was very understanding, actually", she reassured, " he wasn't as nasty".
"well, I think we had the same ideas about the position at the palace", he mused. She nodded and rested her head on his chest, she felt very content.
"you're happy here", he stated.
"I'm happy anywhere, as long as it's with you….and there's no cockroaches", she added as an afterthought. He laughed at her comment on her severe dislike of any insect, especially cockroaches.
"no cockroaches my dear, none at all", he smiled, lifting her head away from his chest and looking at her. She smiled innocently and kissed his forehead.
"yes anywhere with you and I'm happy".
I know it was long but hey I tried to make it real to life. Please R & R.
Hope you enjoyed,
Yours,
M