Honestly they never make exceptions lol

None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney neither do BMW. NOTE: So I decided to just stay in the past, partly because Pokimon wants me too and partly because I want to see where it will go myself. Artistic licence with age as usual.

Hey does anyone know if there are any other PD fan-fic websites? If you do could you review me and tell me please? Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers!

Clarisse drew her hands over the perfectly trimmed hedge as she walked around the garden. She was lost in thought, missing her sons terribly. The sun was beating down again, burning the back of her neck and making her feel exhausted, or was that to do with the fact she hardly ever slept any more? She slowed as she came to a stone bench and pausing for a moment, sat down. No-one was around to annoy her, she could sit here all day and try to be on her own. She crossed her legs as she sat down- highly unusual for her and running her fingers through her hair, closed her eyes.

It had been a year since the boys had left, but it felt like so much longer. Rupert was still playing his games but not as often and Clarisse continually wondered why. Her husbands health was deteriorating considerably, after all he was 56, a heavy smoker and an even heavier drinker. She sighed, a small part of her wishing he'd just die. She scolded herself for her terrible thoughts and sighed again. Sighing was something she seemed to be doing a lot of these days. She fumbled about her head for her shades and pulled them down onto the bridge of her nose. As much as she tried, energy was something she just couldn't muster at all.

Joseph watched Clarisse from behind the bench, the way she kept running her fingers through her hair and sighing continuously. He frowned as she did it again, worrying that something was truly wrong.

"hello", he said lightly, closing the distance between the bench and sitting down beside her. She didn't answer but cocked her head up to look at him, smiling slightly.

"hello", she muttered, her tiredness evident in her voice. He smiled lightly and gently lifted her shades from her face, exposing her to the sun. she squirmed and glared but she really couldn't be bothered voicing her protest.

"there", he said, folding the glasses up and hanging them from the collar of her suit, " I like to see your lovely eyes", he continued sincerely. She smiled a little, her gaze seemingly distant. He continued to stare into her eyes, noticing how the blue didn't seem as vivid any more, they were dull and grey and full of pain. She noticed him studying her, sure that questions where going to ensue after he seen how ill she looked.

"it's hot today", she smiled, " It's making me tired".

"hmm- hmm", he nodded, his eyes telling her that her excuses were not convincing. She sighed and taking his hand in hers put them in between them on the bench. He smiled wryly at her obvious discretion for matters of the heart.

"strength?", he questioned, gripping her hand a little tighter. She nodded slowly and he noticed a silvery tear working its way down her face, dropping onto her cream suit.

"I can't believe it Joe, I can't believe my little boy's a father, it makes me feel old….and trapped", she admitted quietly, " I wish he'd told me he got married but because of his father he couldn't. what kind of life is that."

"Philippe just done what he thought was right. Don't worry Clarisse it will iron out when we get to California", he smiled, gripping her shoulder for a moment. She nodded, affirming his reassurance.

"and my new assistant, you're so right Joe, charlotte is proving invaluable- she's fantastic", she added as an after thought. He smiled, she often agreed with his choices. They sat in silence for a long while, lost in thoughts when she yawned in a very un quietly manner. He laughed and she smiled sheepishly.

"you should rest, we have a long flight in the morning", he smiled, standing up and offering his hand. The sun was setting, the red sky already promising an atrociously warm day tomorrow.

"rest with me?", she questioned, " I don't want to eat, I don't want to think abut tomorrow, in fact I don't want to think about anything", she said distantly, wondering how Rupert was convinced she was just going to see him at college. She shook her head, if he ever found out- she might as well be dead.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The journey was painfully tedious with only scarce moments of lightness or humour from a concerned Joseph. Clarisse signed paper after paper given to her by an eager charlotte, determined that she would have no paper work to do on 'holiday'. her hand was cramping, her vision becoming bleary but she continued to do her paper work until Joseph pulled the pen out of her hand, making her scribble a line on a piece of legislation.

"enough", he said firmly. She glared at him, her eyes telling him he should give up. He simply smiled back, replacing the pen with a cup of tea, she smiled reluctantly as he did so, giving in to him.

"feel any better?", he questioned as she took a sip from the tea-cup. She smiled at him, resting her head back on the head rest and closing her eyes momentarily.

"will we be there soon?", she questioned anxiously, desperate to see philippe and dreading it at the same time.

"yes, soon your majesty", he confirmed flatly. Her shoulders slumped as she sat back on the leather seat of Genovia 1.

"Clarisse it will be fine, please believe me", Joseph tried, looking weary. She nodded a little, god she would love to believe him.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Philippe rubbed his hands together as the cold Californian breeze blew through his floppy hair, making him shiver. He watched as the family plain taxied onto the run way, its red lights flashing. He couldn't wait to see his mother or Joe, a whole year without seeing them had certainly taken its toll. He sighed unrelenting as the door of the plane swung open, filling him with dreaded anticipation.

Clarisse smiled as she seen her baby standing on the tarmac. Decorum was completely thrown to the wind as she did so.

"Philippe!", she squealed, throwing her arms open.

"Mama!", he laughed, hugging her tightly and kissing both her cheeks.

"oh my darling", she smiled, holding him at arms length to get a better look, " how are you?".

"I'm fine Mama but where is Joe?", he questioned, scanning the surrounding area for his surrogate father.

"I'm right here", Joseph smiled, getting off the plane. Philippe's eyes brightened further, causing his mother to chuckle at his fantastic child like features. She was then thrust harshly back into the reality of why she was here- her granddaughter.

"So, Philippe darling, am I going to get to meet our new edition any time soon?", she questioned light heartedly. He was shocked by her reaction and light heartedness- he had expected to feel her wrath for getting himself into this situation but she seemed eerily calm.

"I'll take you Mama, just send the cars to the consulate", he smiled, leading her over to a BMW parked on the tarmac.

"you're not living at the consulate?", she questioned, raising an eye brow at Joe.

"no", he admitted, " no, we bought a fire house south of market street, we're renovating it", he continued enthusiastically. Clarisse decided to be quiet on that point as she slid into the car behind Joseph, taking his hand for the strength he seemed to give her instead.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

They arrived at the house 20 minutes later. Clarisse could feel her head spinning at the thought of even meeting her new daughter in law never mind her granddaughter. Joseph placed a firm hand on the small of her back, guiding her towards the stairs of the house. Clarisse smiled shakily at him. Trying to reassure herself as much as him that she was fine. He nodded back as she stepped into the house- into what she felt was oblivion.

It was large and colourful- visually assaulting if she had to admit to herself. Philippe disappeared for a moment and returned with his new wife - Helen. She was young and pretty, with unruly hair and a good complexion but Clarisse knew on first glance she was most certainly not royal material.

Helen smiled at the graceful and elegant woman before her. The pictures Pierre had of her done her justice. She had blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes and a slightly upturned nose. Appropriate, Helen thought to herself, trying to dissuade her nervousness.

"Helen this is Queen Clarisse Elizabeth Gerard Renaldi, queen of Genovia", philippe teased, trying to break the ice, " known most affectionately to me as Mama". Helen studied her again, noting how much of a good body she had, how high her heels were, how she seemed to be very sure of herself.

"hello", Clarisse smiled, stepping forward and kissing the young girls cheek with only the slightest air of formality.

"and this is Joe but don't call him Joey", Philippe said, finally letting out the breath he didn't realise he'd been holding. Joe inclined his head towards Helen, smiling as he did so.

"ahh, you're Joe", Helen laughed, " I've heard so much about you". Joe nodded his head lightly, slipping his shades form his face with his free hand while his other remained firmly pressed to Clarisse's back. Clarisse fiddled with her chain, feeling acutely uncomfortable. She couldn't wait to meet her granddaughter, even if she could never act like her grandmother.

"so", she said coolly, taking her coat off and placing it over the couch, " am I going to meet the new edition to my family?". philippe laughed a little, nodding to Helen.

"I should go get her", Helen muttered, making her way up the stairs.

"Mama, take a seat", philippe smiled, motioning with his hand towards a spongy arm chair. Clarisse risked a look at it, not her usual throne but it would do. She sat down cautiously and folding her hands on her lap, slipped one leg underneath the other.

Helen came back onto the landing, hugging a bundle of blanket possessively and humming a little. Clarisse tensed up, afraid she was going to cry, afraid she was going to laugh, afraid she never wanted to go back to Genovia.

Helen handed Clarisse the little, bouncy girl. Clarisse smiled gently, the only emotion showing through her iciness.

"Mama", Pierre said, brimming with pride, " this is Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi". Clarisse smiled up at him, holding the kicking bay in her arms.

"she has your ears Philippe", she smiled, emotion slightly clouding her voice. She kissed Amelia's head lightly, fearing this was the last time she'd see this little girl for many years. Joseph walked around behind her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She leaned her head against his hands, closing her eyes for a second as she rebuilt her wall.

Philippe watched his mother intently, knowing what this was doing to her. God, if his father found out he'd blame her. How dare HER son marry a common, American artist. He knew what he had to do, he had to leave Helen, Amelia and what had become home to return to a world where everything haunted him. It broke his heart that Helen knew he'd choose his mothers safety and reputation over her, but what could he do? He had only one choice, return to Genovia and become the king he'd never even been born to be.

Yes it was a marathon but I just put a lot in one chapter.

Yours,

M