None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney. Aserene, I must say, you're enthusiasm is infectious!
Clarisse wasted no time when she got to the consulate. Joseph witnessed her phenomenal change, along with charlotte and the other staff. He knew part of it was an act but part of it was her learning to deal with things, not bottle them up.
She phoned Helen as soon as she arrived, speaking light heartedly and richly down the phone. Apart from Joseph, everyone around her seemed utterly oblivious to the pain that laced her sing- song, rich voice.
"she says she'll tell her to 'swing by' tomorrow", Clarisse said disapprovingly towards Joseph. He laughed a little, glad she'd decided to be a little light about a drastic situation.
"god", she exclaimed, more to him than charlotte who was standing in the corner, " I can't believe how hungry I am!". she stood up, and drawing the jacket of her black suit together, patted away invisible wrinkles.
"well could I suggest you eat out, your Majesty. The kitchens are in a bit of a mess as you can imagine", Joseph smiled.
"hmm, yes if I must", she answered absently, and then dropping her voice, " come on Joseph, I don't want to be in here, take me away from here".
he acted swiftly, understanding that people swamping her with problems about gardens, kitchens, balls and princess lessons was not what she needed.
"of course, your Majesty", he smiled, motioning towards the door. She smiled gratefully, relief making its way across her face.
"do I have to eat on my own?", she questioned, tilting her head to the side.
"no", he laughed, "I'll buy".
Charlotte admired his resilliance, her majesty was hard work but she had suddenly changed. She noted how relaxed the Queen was around him, how differnet she became. It made her question their relationship, even if there is any, she reminded herself, returning to her elctronic organiser.
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As Clarisse sat in the back of the limo with Joseph she felt totally comfortable. She lay her head in his lap, him stroking her hair tenderly as the limo snaked its way ungracefully up the steep hills. He had been the one to raise the subject of Philippe and she had gladly accepted his conversation, feeling talking about her son was something that she needed to do.
In the drivers seat, shades wasn't sure if his ears were deceiving him but he was sure he could hear peals of laughter and snippets of conversation.
"the……stuck…..pea……Pierre's….. nose", he heard the queen laugh. Joseph's laughter carried through the limo, causing shades to looked at a puzzled Antoine in the passenger seat. Joe was defiantly one to bring out her best side he eventually figured, going through a red light as he amused himself at their conversation.
"I don't really get recognised here", Clarisse noted, as she sipped her tea. The fact that no one had asked her to sign an autograph or pose for a picture was very refreshing.
"no, but isn't it a relief?", he questioned innocent confusion playing at his face.
"oh yes", she answered, nodding her head vigorously, " It feels good". he smiled at her endearingly and he was startled as she reached her hand across the table, clasping their fingers together discreetly.
"Joseph", she swallowed, " I don't know what I'd do without you".
"you'll never have to know, you'll never get rid of me", he warned lightly, caressing the back of her hand with his thumb.
"thank you so much for today, I don't know if I could have took it much more without exploding", she smiled.
"no, no exploding. If you need to talk- talk to me Clarisse, that's all I ask of you. Ok?", he said firmly. She couldn't help but be touched at his utter concern, she nodded quietly.
"I don't want to forget him Joseph, god that's the last thing I want to do but I can't live like this - I know he wouldn't want me to and I can't bare to, and I can't cope with being so stand-offish with you, it hurts too much", she said honestly, staring at him intently.
"you'll never forget him", joseph smiled, gripping her hand a little tighter, " and it's not wrong to cry or to miss him. But no more auto pilot, no more force-functioning, it's not good and it's not healthy".
"thank you, joseph", she smiled, twisting his hand and lifting it to her lips. He smiled at her simple gesture, her illustrating that the self assured Clarisse was starting to resurface.
"come on", she said, standing up, " thank you for dinner Joseph, I've never tasted a better pizza". he laughed at her teasing and leaving the tip on the table, offered her his arm. She leaned over and kissed his cheek affectionately as she took his arm, whispering another "thank you" in his ear.
As they stepped outside, Joseph ordered Antoine and Shades to go back to the consulate, he wanted it to be her and him alone, in a hopeful bid that she'd be able to forget for a little while.
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As they slipped out of the picture house into the sticky rain and humid air, Joseph was overcome by the moment. He pulled her into his arms on the deserted street and kissed her mercilessly.
The rain soaked them as they wandered back to the consulate which was only a few blocks away - both of them secretly wishing it was more than just a few blocks. They seemed oblivious to the rain, to the musical thunder, to the hot, dusty scent that hung to the evening air. It was the first time in months Clarisse had felt alive and not felt guilty at the same time. Joseph had alleviated her of that, and god how she loved him. She stopped him in the street and turned to face him, her eyes dancing with an unusual glee.
"I missed you", she whispered, kissing the side of his mouth, " don't let me ever do that to you again". he couldn't answer. The world was immaterial now, all he could see was her, the beautiful blue sparkle that had returned to her eyes. He could only feel her near him, he could only hear her voice, her unsteady breathing was the only thing he could feel against his skin and everything felt heavenly.
"Clarisse….", he murmured, cupping her cheek in his hands and kissing her devouringly on the mouth, "never, ever again".
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He kissed her shoulder as he peeled the wet blouse that was clinging to her skin, gently unzipping her skirt.
"have a bath", he whispered, " and I'll get you some tea". she smiled gratefully and she took the hand he offered, gripping it tightly, stepped into the bath. She sunk into the warm water, smiling as she did so. As much as her evening had been fun, she was dreadfully tired. The sense of freedom that was coursing through her was good, but exhausting. She couldn't ever recall having a bath this late at night, but it relaxed her - something she desperately needed. She slid further under the water, closing her eyes as she submerged herself, feeling much better in the warm water than the clingy rain. She lifted herself up and running her fingers through her hair, peeled it way from her face.
She noticed his silhouette, partly submerged in the dim light of the room as he walked over to her.
"here", he smiled, handing her a cup of tea, " I couldn't find the tea bags, sorry it took so long".
"hhmm, did it?", she questioned dreamily, taking it from him and sipping the warm liquid, " I wasn't counting".
"ah, ha", he smiled, moving to the back of her and sitting himself on the edge of the gigantic, marble bath while he rolled up his sleeves. She felt his hand come to rest on her shoulder, his touch making her shiver. He gently massaged her shoulder, caressing her to sleep. Her head fell forward and she groaned as his hands worked there way up her neck, lovingly tugging at her hair line.
"I'm falling asleep", she mumbled, falling against him.
"good", he whispered, not stopping his gentle attack on her shoulders. She smiled lazily up at him as she half opened her eyes.
"bed?", he questioned, not leaving his position but reaching for the towel on the heated rack.
"hmmm", she answered slowly. Still holding her back, he moved around her. Gently supporting her neck, he slipped one arm into the water and under her knees as he lifted her effortlessly from the water. She sighed as her arms came to snake around his neck, gently rubbing the nape ofit with her fingers.
"joseph…..?" she mumbled, now practically sleeping as he lay her gently down on the soft sheets of her bed, drying her gently with the towel.
"stay with me…..", she trailed off, reaching for his hand which was rubbing her stomach gently, preventing him softly. She gripped it a little, turning her face to meet his.
"of course", he confirmed, chucking the towel on her bed side chair and slipping a silk night gown over head.
"thank you", she whispered, a watery smile playing at her lips. He simply smiled as he removed his clothes, stripped down and climbed in next to her. His hand came to rest on her hip assuredly, pulling her closer to him. He reached over beside her and turned out the light.
"I love you, Joseph", she whispered, barely inaudible into the dark room. It would have been inaudible to anyone else that was to hear it, but to him, to him it sounded like the most beautiful music on earth.
Aaahhh, thank you for you're last reviews, they where very kind.
I hope you enjoyed this one!
Yours,
M