Chapter 18

Snuggling up next to him, Clarisse realized that she had missed him much more than had ever crossed her mind. The three limos were loaded quickly, and now proceeded to take the royal family home. Clarisse was quite surprised when Rupert had got in the back with her. Seeing as how their sons were split in the other two, it did make sense. He had slid on the smooth leather until their thighs touched, and wrapped his arms around her tightly, placing a soft kiss upon her head.

"I missed you Clarisse. It's been a very long, not to mention boring, Summer and Autumn. Tell me, are you really up to returning now? I mean, I know when we spoke you claimed to be fine, but Clarisse, I need to know. Do you believe you can handle things once again?" His voice was smooth and very much full of concern, that much she knew to be true. He was worried for his country, after all Queens do not grow on pear trees. Clarisse also knew that his concern for her as a woman was genuine. She did not question that any more. What she did question was the answer she would give him.

"I've had so much time on my hands, Rupert. So much to think, and rethink, to the point I believe it did more harm than good sometimes." She twisted to look at his face, watching the warm smile develop as she spoke. "I have come to this conclusion. I promised you that I would be the best Queen I could possibly be, and I very much want to keep that promise to you Rupert. With that also comes the promise that I would be a good wife to you Rupert. I also want to keep that promise. Rupert, you're a dear friend, and I love our children like a mother should. I am with you to stay for the duration, whatever our time together may bring. Genovia is my homeland, and I care so much for our people...I do want this, I want this very much. As for your question, I can only hope that I will be able to. I cannot guarantee an answer for you. There are no guarantees in this life, and you of all people know that Rupert. I just know that I am sure of my life now, and it is what I want."

Silence rang out like the chapel bells on the most holiest of days. Rupert had listened to her, and really heard her for the first time in a very long time. As his head began to nod, he tightened his hold on her.

"Marrying any other would have been a mistake that I and Genovia would have paid for dearly. I am proud of having you, Clarisse. I know your heart does not belong to me, but I am proud that you stand beside me in the light of duty. I've never told you that before, as I've never really listened to you either. This whole mess...it's as much my fault, and I do apologize. Never would I want you ill, Clarisse. You must know that. "

The cars sped through the city, heading toward the outskirts where the royal gates awaited to be opened to them. Clarisse could hardly contain herself any longer. She was ready to come home, and it had been too long. Her eyes took in the surroundings, noticing small changes like never before. She drank up the sights, yet her heart yearned to see him.

"You know, Clarisse, if we are going to really make this a good thing, we have to be honest with one another, and open up to each other," he began, knowing she had Joseph on her mind. "This line has to be crossed, and now is a good time to start." Rupert squeezed her shoulder, trying to support her inhibitions.

"You're right. Both of us need to change. Yes, Joseph is on my mind. I was afraid to say it...afraid you would think that I didn't miss you as well. It's just so complicated to be like this."

"It doesn't have to be. Tell me, Clarisse. Tell me."

"Oh, Rupert. It was so hard, being away from him. He was on my mind all the time. I couldn't escape him. The longer I was away, the more he burned in my soul. I love him, Rupert. I needed him to be on that tarmac...yet he wasn't there?" Clarisse was surprised at how easy the words had flowed, and how relieved her tense body became as she allowed herself to open to her friend.

"Ahh, better. Much better. Now you just have to understand when I need to talk..." Rupert tried the light-hearted approach, but knew it would be more difficult for her. "And you and I, we will run this country TOGETHER. That means both of us take on the responsibility of it all."

"Yes," she nodded, straightening up in her seat as the palace came into sight. Joseph would be there...

"He did want to come, you know...Joseph...he wanted to pick you up, but the press...and all that...well we thought it better that I be there. And, he has a little surprise for you he needed to finish up." Rupert let it slip out. He watched her face as the news hit her.
"A surprise?"

"Yes, just a ...little one. He'll not be at the palace either, not until later on. I'm sorry. But I promise you, it will be well worth it." Rupert squeezed her hand again, knowing she'd need the support to wait even longer.

Had she really been gone so long that the palace now looked so large and formal to her? It was both, but it had always been home also. Now she saw the formality to it, and it was overwhelming. The suites she had called home for almost two seasons were nothing in comparison. She had missed this...from the grand staircase to the massive crystal chandelier. Raising her eyes, she marvelled at the detail on the ceiling as if it had never before been in her line of sight. In a way, it had not. She was seeing it now in a different light. One she wanted to shine like never before.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Checking his watch for what seemed like the hundredth time already today, Joseph asked himself the same question he had been asking for an hour now, "I wonder if she has arrived?" It had taken every ounce of his being to not run to her, now or any time during her absence. He was thirsty, needy for to drink from her life-giving body. "There must be a God," he whispered, unsure of how he survived this long without her. Surely he would have withered up and died.

Shower, he needed to shower. The sweat had stained his black shirt, all from the running he had done in the last several hours. Joseph had needed to make the small finishing touches on their hideaway. It needed to be perfect, as perfect as their love for one another.

He still could not believe how it had turned out. It was quite magnificent, and yet nothing about it called out as being royal. It was simple, yet made with the finest of wood. Joseph had taken great care in the craftsmanship, and had even drafted help for the smaller details he was inexperienced in carving. The winding staircase was a masterpiece in itself, as was the mantle over the fireplace. Climbing the stairs, Joseph grinned to himself, knowing she would love it.

Stripping off his shirt as he came through the door of the master bedroom, Joseph halted a second. It had taken him practically all summer to find the bed that was made for them, that screamed out the love and passion that heated between them. The mauve velvet upholstered headboard was large, indented with small shelves and a cantered mirror. The bed itself was low to the floor, and wrapped in the velvet around its circular shape. He could almost picture her lying there, naked, awaiting him to join her.

Bringing himself out of the daydream, Joseph rushed to clean himself up. He still needed to check on a few things, and there had been a small problem in security earlier that needed his attention before he would be free to see her.

0o0o0o0o0o

"It's so wonderful to have a decent cup of tea again," Clarisse stated in-between sips. She sat across from her boys, who rambled constantly about the goings-on that they had missed while at school. Rupert, seated at the head of the table, was engrossed in some kind of report. Yes, things were back to normal, and how she had missed it.

Rupert had heard her, and knew she was staring at him. Not sure if he should interrupt her thoughts of being home, he decided it was called for. "I missed you having tea with me."

A quietness spread over the room as the boys turned their heads in unison. Neither could believe what they had just heard. Their father, the King, had proclaimed to miss their mother. Surely more had gone on than they had already heard about.

Clarisse snickered at the expressions on their faces, and couldn't help but to smile at Rupert. "It looks like your sons are surprised that you missed me."

"They'll get over it," Rupert replied, nodding to boys to excuse themselves if they liked. He glanced at his watch, sitting the papers down. "Clarisse?"

"Yes?"

"The cameo? You've been fiddling with it since you arrived." Clarisse blushed, not realizing that she did it out of habit now. It had kept her close to him while she had been away.

"Yes," she nodded slowly, affirming Rupert's suspicion without admitting anything aloud.

"Hmm, I hope that doesn't mean I cannot..." Rupert cut himself off, not sure whether to finish his sentence aloud.

"Don't be silly, Rupert, you know I love jewellery." Clarisse winked, and went back to sipping her tea. She so enjoyed toying with him.

"I don't know where my head went, I'm sorry dear. In that case, there is a new diamond tiara I had made for my Queen, awaiting to be worn at the next formal function."

"Oh Rupert! Can I see it now?" Clarisse sat her cup down, no longer interested in the tea.

"I'd love for you to see it, however, it can wait. There is something else you will be much more interested in seeing right now. I believe it's about time." Clarisse became silent, and her heart pulsed heavy within her veins. She took a deep breath. "I think you would very much like to take a walk, I know how you missed the gardens this past summer."

"Rupert I do love the gardens, but it is the beginning of winter love, there are no flowers left." Clarisse leaned back in her chair, trying to repress the need for her Joseph.

"Clarisse, go get some fresh air, just for a few minutes..." Rupert was trying to push her. She was home, but the misery in her voice and heart was killing him.

"Clarisse," Rupert eyed his watch and whispered to her. "Darling, I promised to have you there in half an hour...the old willow tree behind the tall hedges, past the lake." She jumped from her chair, looking to Rupert for confirmation of what he was saying. As he nodded, Clarisse took off to her suite to change, eager to finally be able to see him again.

"Dress warmly," Rupert called, sounding like a husband, but feeling more like a jackass as he realized that she would be warm enough.