A/N: Well, here we are again...had almost forgotten that I need to update 'blushes deeply'. Still, I hope you enjoy this...second to last part.
And i know I said it before, but this is for my dearest partner-in-crime, Posh! because this chapter is just so us: the description, the setting, the dress, the music...just US! Luv ya...
Part 5
The party was in full swing, down in the party dungeon as the palace staff had named it. Everybody seemed to have a good time. The music was blaring out of the speakers, the alcohol seemed to flow freely and the first inhibitions were thrown away.
The guest of honour however eyed the proceedings with merely a raised eyebrow. On the inside he was close to shouting, yelling at them all to "Bloody bugger off!" He had not even wanted this party thrown for him. If he'd had his way, he'd probably gone for a nice dinner with Nicolo and Elisha, had a cake from the staff, a ridiculously teasing gift from Mia and a quiet but warm congratulation from Her…
And now he was stuck with this nightmare of a party. Mia had a good time, everybody could see it, but She had yet to make her appearance. He dreaded that moment. She would recoil from the mere noise and seeing Her staff so out of control…
"Good Lord, Joe, are they always like this?" Elisha asked, stepping next to him and pulling him into a relatively quiet corner.
The birthday boy shook his head. "Fortunately not. But it's the only time this Christmas season they can relax."
"They do it to the fullest I'd say" Elisha rolled her eyes. "Wonder how Clarisse reacts when she sees this." Joseph closed his eyes in pain at the thought. "And I wonder where my darling husband has disappeared to."
Joseph smiled and pointed to the other side of the room. "I don't think you have anything to worry, he's just coming down the stairs."
Nicolo, standing on the stairs, waved them over. Fighting their way through the throngs of people, the two friends finally managed to come within earshot.
"What is it?"
"Come with me, Joe. Your birthday present is finally ready."
The other man eyed his old friend suspiciously. "Finally ready?"
"Yeah, come along."
More than a little curious, Joe followed the couple, missing the wink that was exchanged between them. They climbed up the stone stairs and then made their way through a flight of hallways. And then another. And another.
After almost 20 minutes of going through hallways and climbing stairs, he was ready to call it quits. His present could wait. What if She arrived at the dungeon in the meantime? And he wasn't there to protect Her?
"Nicolo…"
"Hush."
"Nicolo!"
"We are here, okay." Nicolo turned and pointed to a door with a grand gesture. "Your birthday present is just in this room. And don't thank us," he added with a teasing grin, "we merely delivered. Enjoy yourself. And do everything we would do… well, maybe more"
Nicolo and Elisha laughed and holding hands quickly walked the corridor back.
Joseph stood before the door completely bewildered. There was his present? How odd.
He stood and contemplated his options for a second. If he just threw a short look at it and then returned to the party, he might still manage to be there before She arrived. This way, he…
Gathering his resolve, he quickly opened the door and felt his breath leaving his body at once.
There was a small end table in a corner full with burning white candles and a stereo that was playing soft music, a tango. There were candles all over the room illuminating every nook and cranny. There was another end table carrying a bucket of wine and two glasses already filled. Other than that the room seemed to be empty.
Stepping into the room, Joe felt himself start to smile. If he had a comfortable chair in here, it would be almost perfect. Almost…
"I thought that without an audience you might enjoy this a lot more." The gentle smile in her voice was obvious and so her. He turned slowly and felt his breath hitch again. The pale blue dress. She wore the pale blue dress.
The moment he had seen it in this shop window in Paris and pointed it out to her, the idea of her wearing it had filled his fantasies. She had smiled at him back then too, but dismissed the dress as too daring, to short and generally improper for a queen of her age. He had been severely disappointed, but it wasn't his place to give advice on Her Majesty's choice of wardrobe anyway.
"Your Majesty…" Joe finally managed to choke out. "What is all this?"
She seemed shy, almost timid before his eyes. Her voice betrayed her nervousness. "Erm… it is your birthday present. You mentioned during the ball last Sunday that you would like to dance an evening away with a good partner." She stopped and swallowed nervously, a blush creeping over her cheeks. Finally she raised her eyes to his and in that moment he would have liked nothing more than to take her into his arms and kiss this angelic face.
"And you thought, you offer yourself for it, your Majesty."
"Well, yes. And…"
He smiled: brightly, happily and well, happily. "I'd be delighted, your Majesty.
Joseph held his hand and when she put hers into his, he bent to press a kiss onto the back of her hand.
As she finally came to rest against his body and they started to sway to the slow and sensual music, she raised her head to lock her gaze with his and raised her hand to cup his cheek. "It is Clarisse, Joseph. It is Clarisse."
Well...what do you think about this surprise? Let me know, please...