Family Surprises
A few days later Clarisse was starting to take better care of herself. Charlotte and Joe were making sure of it. They both watched her like a hawk. When the signs showed she was stressed of tired. They made her rest and made sure she was eating. Clarisse would also have to face Phillip soon; because he was returning at the end of the week from Switzerland. Joe also had something to ask Clarisse before Phillip returned. He was working up his courage to bring it up. He was going to bring it up that night, before she went to bed.
As the day wound down Clarisse decided she was going to ask Pierre to come home for a day or two when Phillip returned. 'Might as well only have to tell the news one time. I also would rather be the one for Pierre to hear it from,' thought Clarisse. "Charlotte, I need you to get a call through for me to Pierre please," asked Clarisse before Charlotte walked out the door. "Yes, your majesty right away," said Charlotte with excitement in her step. Charlotte made the call for Clarisse, and when she heard Pierre's voice answer she felt tingly all over. "Your majesty Pierre is on the phone ready to talk to you," said Charlotte. She hoped the queen did not notice her reaction to hearing Pierre's voice on the phone. They had started a relationship the few weeks he was there after his father's death.
Clarisse picked up the phone nervously. "Pierre, sweetheart I would like for you to come home at the end of the week. I have some news." "Okay, mother will Phillip be there; because I also have some news," asked Pierre. "Yes, he is returning from Switzerland at the end of the week. Will you give me a hint of your news to tell the family?" asked Clarisse very excitedly and impatiently. "Mother, you are so impatient, but you will have to wait. I need to ask somebody a question before I can tell you the news. I have to go for now. I love you and take care until I will see you at the end of the week," said Pierre thinking he had peeked his mother's curiosity. "Take care my son I love you also," replied Clarisse before hanging up the phone. 'I hope that Pierre and Phillip can handle this new set of news,' thought Clarisse.
"Charlotte, tell cook Joe and I will be eating dinner in my sitting room. Also please have the housekeeper prepare Pierre's suite for the end of the week. He will be here for a couple of days," said Clarisse. She noticed that Charlotte got a beautiful happy smile on her face. Clarisse is believing be the looks that Charlotte and Pierre had given each other the last time he was here. They may be falling in love. She remembered those same looks between Joseph and herself. "I will get right on that your Majesty," said Charlotte as she bowed and left the room. Charlotte left with a light hearted step thinking only of Pierre. Her heart only belonged solely to him.
That night Clarisse and Joe were eating dinner in silence in the sitting room of her suite. Clarisse had changed into her night wear. 'She is going to have to let this news out soon she is actually starting to get heavier. The public is going to start wondering what is going on. She also needs something to cheer herself up. I guess now is good as time as any.' thought Joe as he watched her. Joe stood up and put out his hand to Clarisse. Clarisse took Joe's hand as he led her over to the couch to sit down. Joe got down on one knee, and pulled out his grandmother's engagement ring. "Clarisse, my darling I love you. Will you make me the most happiest man in the world not only by having my child, but also by becoming my wife," asked Joe with his heart wide open to her. Clarisse sat there speechless for a few minutes. "Yes, I will become your wife, but Joe we do not have the same privileges as other people. I am still the ruling monarch, and the whole country has to believe that this child is Rupert's," said Clarisse while rubbing her abdomen. "I have an idea lets tell the boy's and have Pierre marry us privately. Then when Phillip takes the throne and after the baby has been born we will get married again. The country will never know the difference. This is for us to be together in God's eyes," said Joe putting his hand on her abdomen also. "It is okay with me if it is with the boys, but no one else will ever be able to know," she said while allowing Joe to put the ring on her finger. "One other thing Joe. I am exhausted. Please put me to bed and stay with me," she asked. Joe immediately picked her up and carried her into her bedroom and stayed the night with her.
At the end of the week. The boys both arrived at the same time. They had met at the airport and rode to the palace together. They had a long talk on the way to the palace. Pierre told Phillip of his plans and Phillip had wished him well. Phillip was not surprised by his brothers plans; because he knew that Pierre had been smitten by this woman for a long time. Charlotte was there to greet them as they drove up to the palace.
"Greetings your royal highnesses," stated Chalotte to them both, but who only had eyes for Pierre. Pierre hugged Charlotte, and gave her a peck on the cheek. This made Charlotte blush. "I need to speak to you before dinner Charlotte. After I see mother. I would like to pull you away from her for a half hour," asked Pierre so only she could hear. 'Boy is she in for a surprise. I hope she says yes,' thought Phillip. "I will try it depends on the queen. Your mother is in the foyer waiting for you both," said Charlotte looking longingly at Pierre.
As they entered Clarisse walked over to them both hugging them tightly, "Hello my sons, I love you both. I am so glad that the circumstances are not like the last time we were all together." "I have missed you mother. I had fun in Switzerland skiing. I am glad to be back though. I love you," said Phillip while kissing his mother on the cheek. Phillip left his brother to hug and talk to their mother while he went over to say hi to Joe. "Mom, you look a lot better than the last time I saw you. Have you been taking better care of yourself," asked Pierre. Clarisse nodded in answer to his question. 'I have also put on a lot of weight do to my condition,' thought Clarisse. Pierre walked over and shook Joe's hand. "Charlotte, will you please make sure Pierre gets up to his suite," said Clarisse. "Oh yes mother I need to borrow Charlotte for about a half hour ok," asked Pierre. "Sure darling that will be fine; because we are done with work for today. Oh Charlotte will you join us for dinner at six please," said Clarisse yawning. "Yes, your majesty," said Charlotte bowing and leaving with Pierre.
As they entered Pierre's suite he closed the door. He started to kiss Charlotte easy. Charlotte's head was swimming. She wanted him, and her desire for him was growing as was his. Their kisses grew more passionate as he worked his way down her neck. Charlotte broke the moaning as his hands began to undress her. She stood before him totally naked as was he. He picked her up and carried her into his bedroom, and made passionate love to her. Pierre's courage grew as he made love to Charlotte. After they were done Pierre got down on one knee, "Charlotte, I want to make our love complete by becoming a family. Will you marry me." Charlotte got on her knees with him and said, "Oh yes, I will become your wife." They stretched out on the floor beside each other, and explored being husband and wife.
At dinner everyone was quiet during the meal. 'I cannot take this silence anymore,' thought Pierre. "Mom, I have some news," said Pierre nervously. "I have some news too. I will go first; because I want to know your reaction. Boys, I am pregnant. Unfortunately I do not know if it is Joe's or your father's," said Clarisse unsure of how they would react. "Wow we hope it is Joe's," said Phillip, and Pierre agreed. "Okay then there is one other thing. Joe has asked me to marry him privately. Would you do the honors Pierre? It is a secret though nobody is to know but us until Phillip takes the throne," asked Clarisse. All of them shook their heads yes. "Now what is your news Pierre? You have peaked my interest," said Clarisse excitedly. "Well I am going to be married," he stated. "To who," asked Joe. "To my only love Charlotte," he said while kissing Charlotte. Clarisse walked over and hugged Charlotte, "I am glad it is you. You are already like my daughter." "Mother I am also going to be staying near home. I am being transferred to the parish in Pyrus. That means Charlotte can still work for you," said Pierre happily.