News and Secrets Shared

Pierre stepped into his mother's private office, glad for once to see that no maids were around.

"Grandmother has arrived. She's being settled in her room as we speak," he informed her. "Mia happened to meet her as I was escorting her to her room. I think they'll get along splendidly."

Clarisse smiled happily at that. "Good, good. It's important they get along."

'Yes, it looks like they're going to be just fine," Pierre assured.

Clarisse joined him on a settee. This was the first time she'd had since he'd been home to sit down and talk to him.

"How are you today? I haven't seen you much," she pointed out to her son.

"Yes, I know, you've been so busy. I'm doing fine. Father's been keeping me occupied."

"Yes, I heard. Tell me about that," she said enthusiastically.

A handsome smile graced his face. "Well, we went into town; went down to the beach. See, I've taken up painting lately and I wanted to give a shot at moving scenery for once. It's not finished yet but when it is, I'll let you see it."

"I'll bet it's wonderful," Clarisse offered her support.

"You're just saying that because you're my mother," he teased her. She caught on to what he was doing and simply gave him a smile.

"I have news for the family," Pierre said moments later. "I thought I might tell you all at supper tonight."

"Sounds good… just as long as it's good news," she playfully threatened like only a mother could.

"Yes, mother. I assure you it is."

At his mother's nod of approval, Pierre gathered the attention of everyone at the large table.

He looked around at his audience. Joseph and Charlotte were joining the family as per his wishes. They were, after all, like family. The archbishop was to his right; the Prime Minister and his wife were across the table. He was pretty sure the prime minister didn't need to be there but he might as well hear the news as well.

"I have an announcement to make," Pierre announced. "I have decided to leave the church in Saragossa and move back home."

Stunned faces looked back up at him. He had expected this reaction. No one ever knew what to say.

His mother was the first to speak. "Seriously, Pierre? You've thought this over?"

Pierre couldn't help but smile. "Yes, mother. I've realized that ever since Phillipe's death that I've been missing Genovia. Coming home twice a year just wasn't enough. Yes, I've definitely thought this over, mother. My lord archbishop, I am not here to ask if I may be granted a place in your church to teach."

All eyes turned on the archbishop who smiled warmly at Pierre.

"Of course you may." A large smile graced Pierre's face as he shook the man's hand.

Clarisse stood from her seat to hug her son, Marie and Joseph followed. Mia observed from her seat at the front of the table. She watched the large smile practically glue itself to her grandmother's face as she hugged her son. Her great-grandmother had an equally large smile.

Her eyes stayed on Joseph and her uncle for a moment longer than necessary.

Why's Joe up there? Maybe he's closer to the family than I thought.'

That's when she started to notice it.

'I never noticed that Uncle Pierre has brown eyes before. I thought I was the only one different. So far, they've all had blue or green eyes. Isn't that funny because Joe has brown eyes, too. Wow, they're practically same height, too. Come to think of it, they have a lot in common and they do hang out a lot.

'Wow and what was with that remark earlier about his father? How could he have spent time with his father? He's been dead for six years.

Wait a second.

Oh… my… god.'

Mia suddenly gasped out loud, causing everyone at the table to look at her. When she realized that, she quickly apologized for interrupting.

"Mia, are you all right?" Clarisse asked, concerned about her granddaughter.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine grandma. Really. I just remembered that I was supposed to call Lily today and it totally slipped my mind," she lied expertly. Thank god everyone at the table bought it.

"Raquela, when you're finished, don't leave. I have one more manner left to discuss with you," Clarisse ordered of her lady's maid. Raquela was the only maid to have stayed with her past ten years but her time was soon coming to an end.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Only moments of silence went by before Mia came barging through the doors.

"Grandma, I think you have a lot more explaining to do. You might as well have lied to me before! About everything!" Mia exclaimed, not even bothering to shut the doors behind her.

Clarisse was startled to say the least. She recognized that flare in Mia's eyes, that anger behind her voice.

She knew.

Suddenly, she remembered Raquela. She had finished her work and now she could do nothing but watch the scene in front of her.

"What are you waiting for?" Clarisse snapped to Raquela.

"Permission to leave."

"Granted."

Raquela left the room in a hurry, shutting the doors behind her. She definitely didn't want to be around for this one.

"What are you talking about, Mia?" Clarisse said lightly, playing dumb.

"Grandma, I think by now you should know."

"Obviously I don't, Mia. Why don't you help me out?"

"Anymore children I should know about? Maybe you could fill me in on who their father's are, too," Mia said angrily.

Clarisse kept a calm face. She took her place in bed, letting Mia follow. Clarisse couldn't help but let her mind wander back to Rupert and when he first found out about her relationship with Joseph. This was the anger she was expecting. This was how Rupert should have acted. This was what she expected.

"So you know," she said cleverly.

Mia looked puzzled. "You know I know?"

"Of course I know you know. Why else would you be in here if you didn't know?"

Mia sat down on the end of the bed. "Grandma, could you please just explain it to me? All of it this time, and don't' leave anything out."

Clarisse motioned for Mia to move closer. She did, settling on top of the covers next to her grandma. They both laid down, eyes on the ceiling. Clarisse risked it and took a hold of Mia's hand in hers.

"Shall I start from the very beginning, my dear?"

"That would be nice."