With only an hour remaining before they reached San Francisco, the two couples were in very different positions. Mia was explaining all the wonderful things about the United States to Nicholas while Joe and Clarisse were both sleeping peacefully, Clarisse's head tucked under Joe's.
"So, you will make me eat one of these corndogs?" Nicholas asked, a little worried.
"Don't worry, darling. Grandma loves them, right...." she stopped after seeing her Grandmother sleeping. "Well, she does," she said, turning back around to face Nicholas. He looked beyond her and saw why she had stopped her question to Clarisse.
"Isn't that a picture?"
Mia smiled and took his hand. "I hope we're like that when we're their age."
Nicholas kissed her hand and smiled back at her. "We will be."
Mia's tone grew serious. "They've both been through so much this year. That's mostly why I wanted to come on this trip. They both needed to get away from all that happened two months ago."
Nicholas nodded, also serious. "They showed amazing strength dealing with all they had to. But, don't worry, they will be fine, my dear. And so will we." He kissed her lightly as she laid her head against his arm.
"Yes, we will be." They spent a few moments in silence before the pilot came over the speaker.
"Look outside, Your Majesty, and welcome back to California." Mia stepped over Nicholas and he looked out as well, at her first home, her California.
"It's beautiful, Mia." He kissed her cheek as she sat on his lap.
"Isn't it?" She smiled at him as they continued to look out over the California landscape. Joe stirred upon hearing the pilot's announcement and smiled at the position of his sleeping wife. He gently moved and put his arm around her and she snuggled closer to him. He kissed the side of her head and then looked at Nicholas and Mia. He knew that something was going on, something Mia was keeping from Nicholas. Clarisse knew what it was, even though Mia had not told her. She would not tell Joe either, wanting Mia to be the one to tell he and Nicholas. He kept trying to figure it out but was unsuccessful. Thirty minutes later they were almost to San Francisco Airport. Clarisse woke and looked up at him.
"Joseph?"
He looked down at her and smiled, kissing her lightly on the lips. "Good afternoon, sleeping beauty. We are in California." She smiled and sat up slowly, her back aching. She looked at Mia and Nicholas who were in the same position as they had been, looking out the window, and smiled at Joe.
"They are wonderful together, aren't they?"
"I do believe that a perfect match was made."
"Are you ready for this?" she asked.
He took her hand in his and pulled her back close to him. She leaned against his chest as he spoke. "I am ready for anything, my dear. As long as you are by my side."
"How sweet of you, Joseph." The pilot again came over the speaker and told them they would be landing in five minutes. Once on the ground, Mia and Nicholas began gathering their things as did Clarisse and Joe. Nicholas looked out the window and smiled. He turned back to Mia who was trying to get a small suitcase out from under the seat.
"Let me get that, Mia. You and Grandma Clarisse go out first. Joe and I will get this stuff." Joe nodded, knowing what would happen once the two Queens stepped out of the plane. Mia and Clarisse, however, had no idea.
"Alright. Thanks. Come on, Grandma." Mia took Clarisse's hand as they walked towards the front of the plane. Waiting outside for the two Queens were hundreds of reporters, friends, and citizens of California. They wanted to see both Queens, celebrities in their eyes. The pilot met the two Queens at the exit door.
"Thank you very much for flying with us, Your Majesties." Mia and Clarisse both smiled at him as he opened the door. And then, they heard it. A low rumble that grew louder with each step they took. When they reached the platform, they saw hundreds of flashes going off and heard shouts and screams from all around. People were lined up behind make-shift walls, all trying to get a better look at the two Queens. Clarisse and Mia were both shocked but then delighted as they waved to the crowd. Five minutes later, they made their way down the steps, with the help of Joe and Nicholas. Mia looked back at Clarisse and Joe and waved.
"See you at the consolate!" She and Nicholas got into her limo, waving to the crowd and Clarisse and Joe did the same. Once out of the view of the people, Joe put his arm around Clarisse and pulled her close.
"You did very well out there." He kissed the side of her head and she sighed.
"I guess I've gotten used to it. I just hope there won't be many more of those appearances. I just want to stay here and relax," she said.
"I don't think Mia will want to either so you will have that time. And I think we should make the most of it." He grinned at her and she smiled.
"I think you're right." She kissed him sweetly before returning to her position next to him. They reached the consolate and found Charlotte waiting for them.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty, Sir. How was your flight?"
"Fine, thank you, Charlotte," Clarisse said as Joe helped her out of the limo. "And how was yours?"
"Everything went smoothly. I am afraid that I have some bad news, Your Majesty," Charlotte said, a little nervous. She followed Joe and Clarisse up the steps, leading them into the foyer. Joe and Clarisse nodded to the personnel and then turned back to Charlotte.
"What is this bad news, Charlotte?" Joe asked.
"Well, we don't know how it happened. Everything was fine yesterday when we arrived but today, well..."
"Charlotte, don't be frightened. I won't blame you. What is wrong?" Clarisse asked.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I guess it's easier to see rather than explain. Follow me." She led them through the palace towards the garden. The entire greenhouse and gardens were demolished, flowers strewn everywhere, trees chopped and the fountains crumbled to pieces. Clarisse gasped, putting her hand over her mouth. Joe put his arm around her waist in a comforting manner and sighed.
"I am sorry, Clarisse." She didn't know what to say.
"Your Majesty, the security has been going over and over the tapes from out here last night and we can't find a thing on them. One moment the gardens are fine, the next...well...it's this," Charlotte explained. "I have already called for new fountains which will arrive by the end of the week and the new trees will be put in tomorrow. The flowers...well, I still have some calls to make."
Clarisse patted Charlotte's arm. "It's alright, Charlotte. You don't have to do all this work over a garden."
"Oh, but Your Majesty, you worked so hard on it! I want it to be just perfect for this weekend!"
"This weekend?" Joe asked, stepping forward. "What is this weekend?"
Charlotte looked at both of them, confusion in her eyes. "Queen Mia didn't tell you?" When she still saw their confusion, she continued. "About the ball?"
Clarisse was shocked. "A ball? This weekend? Mia said nothing about a ball." She looked to Joe and he nodded in agreement.
"I have to agree. Mia never told us there would be a ball while we were here."
"I am so sorry. I thought she would have told you. It is to be held on Saturday evening. Many people will be here, including the members of Parliament and the Prime Minister."
Clarisse put her head in her hand and Joe rubbed her back. "I am afraid that we thought this would be a vacation, Charlotte. Could you give us a few moments?" Joe asked.
"Of course. Again, I'm so sorry about all this," Charlotte said, walking back into the consolate. Mia and Nicholas were due to arrive in a half hour, after having visited Helen, Patrick, and Mia's little brother. Joe pulled Clarisse into a hug once Charlotte was out of view.
"I am sorry, Clarisse. I know how much this garden meant to you."
"Oh, it's alright. We can always fix things. It will just give me something to do while I'm here. And now this ball..." She walked over to a bench that had not been damaged and sat down. He sat next to her and she took his hand. "I'm afraid I don't feel like going to a ball."
"Ah, but my dear, we always have a grand time at balls, don't you think?"
Clarisse smiled. "I guess we do. But with all the members of Parliament going to be here...that is what worries me."
"What do you mean?"
"Ever since Mia and Nicholas have been married, the Parliament has been trying to come up with a way to get rid of them. They love Mia and Nicholas, of course, but they don't want a woman to rule. I don't know why. It seemed after she and Andrew called off their wedding, everyone was in favor of Mia. Now...times have changed."
"You mean because the Viscount is no longer in Parliament."
Clarisse nodded. "Once the police stripped him of his title and forced him out of Parliament, he tried making friends with all the Parliament members again. Now, they are on his side I'm afraid."
Joe tightened his grip on her hand. "Well, don't worry. He can't come near us. And if he tries...well, don't worry. He won't."
Clarisse smiled and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. I guess we'd better unpack."
He escorted her into the consulate and up into their suite. Mia and Nicholas entered a half hour later. Charlotte met them at the door and curtsied.
"Your Majesties. I trust your visit went well."
"Yes, Charlotte, thank you. Where are Grandma and Grandpa?"
"I believe they went upstairs to unpack, Queen Mia. They said they would be down for dinner."
"How did she take the news of the garden?" Nicholas asked.
"With grace, like always. She was upset, of course, but is already making plans to fix everything. I must confess something, Queen Mia." Charlotte looked down, afraid that Mia would be upset.
"What is it, Charlotte?" Mia stepped forward and touched Charlotte on the arm. "Is everything alright?"
"Well, I made the mistake of telling the Queen and Sir Joseph about the ball on Saturday night. Forgive me, Your Majesty, I thought they had already been informed and…"
Mia held up her hand to stop Charlotte. "Charlotte, it's my fault. We should have told them. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you, madame, sir. I'm afraid I must go see to dinner."
Nicholas took Mia's hand. "It's alright, Charlotte. We have to go unpack eight suitcases!" Charlotte smiled as Mia giggled softly.
"I can't help that I have so many clothes!"
Nicholas rolled his eyes and Charlotte said goodbye and left for the kitchens. Nicholas linked Mia's arm through his and walked her up the staircase.
"Are you alright, darling?" he asked. He had noticed that she was leaning on him more than usual.
"I'm fine. Just a little jet-lagged."
"Well then, how about this? I'll unpack and you can get your beauty sleep. The Queen has to be ready at all times, doesn't she?"
Mia smiled. "Yes, sir, I believe you are right." They walked the rest of the way to their suite, Nicholas worried about Mia's paleness. She fell into a peaceful sleep while he "unloaded" the eight suitcases.
Two doors down, Joe quietly made his way over to the couch. Clarisse had been unpacking but after taking a phone call, she had fallen asleep quickly. He sat next to her and felt her forehead. She had been complaining of a headache for the past two days and he worried about her condition. After finding that she was very warm, he pulled her close and kissed the side of her head.
Neither men knew that both were fearing for the same thing, the well-being of their wives.
