A great big thank you to Mrs. Della Mason, CJmynixMG, Shakayla and Clarisse Renaldi for your wonderful reviews. I loooooove them, keep them coming!!! LOL Once again a great big, huge, enormous, gigantic thanks to Diana for being my lovely, hardworking, fantastic beta – remember her when you read this, she has worked her magic once again!!!!
Well on to the story…..
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Leave me alone….
I'm now six months pregnant and I have been watched like a bird in a cage since the official announcement. Everyone is so scared that something will either go wrong or I will take on too much work. As a result, every two hours I'm "forced" to take a break which includes either a nap or a walk in the palace garden. Of course, the press is hanging on the fence all day long or trying to hide in the weirdest places to get a picture of my pregnant form.
The press release was sent out at the beginning of my third month. We waited until then as we were told that was the first somewhat safe date. Rupert and I agreed on the fact that I will give birth at Genovia Memorial Hospital, so we faked the expected birth month in the release:
Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and The Crown Princess are happy to announce that The Crown Princess is expecting to give birth to a child by the end of August this year.
The childbirth is expected to take place at Genovia Memorial Hospital.
Charles Beaufrere
Chief of the Court of
Actually the baby is due in July; we learned this "faking" from Rupert's oldest sister who had announced the birth of her first child at the right month and had the unpleasant experience of having reporters everywhere. There were so many, in fact, that she had trouble getting to the hospital to deliver. Our situation is even more problematic as she didn't have the title that Rupert has, so we can only imagine what will happen when I go into labour. That is why we decided to do it like this. Since this will be the first Renaldi heir born in a hospital, we want it to run as smoothly as possible.
We told their Majesties along with my parents the happy news two days before sending out the press release; it brought immense joy from both sides. My parents because of the announcement of the newest grandchild on the way and the King and Queen, of course, were very happy about securing of the Renaldi heir line. They, too, were excited about a new grandchild being on the way. I swear that I could feel the ice melt a bit from around the Queen; she actually hugged me; and, of course, the affectionate kisses on cheeks. I must admit that the hug caught Rupert and I by surprise. I will always remember her hug…it was warm and heartfelt.
Rupert is even more ecstatic now than he was when I first told him about the pregnancy. Every chance he gets, he takes a picture and keeps telling me about all the stories and things that he is going to share with this child – he is certain it is a boy. He has informed that he has a backup plan…just in case it's a girl. He has been struggling, however, with all of my mood swings; he says it was worse, though, during my seven dreadful weeks of spilling the entire contents of my stomach every time I ate. He has been following my pregnancy very closely; reading books and joining me each time the doctor has been here – we do not dare to go to the doctor's office…there's a good chance that the press would never lets us get away from there.
Each evening, after my pregnancy became evident, he has said goodnight first to the belly and then to me. He also likes to keep his hands on my growing stomach when we are standing next to each other. He does this even if we are talking with members of Parliament. Sometimes I even have to remove his hand when I am leaving. About a month and a half ago, he felt the baby move for the first time…I could not pry him away from for the remainder of the day.
"Rupert I need to leave you for a minute!" I made an effort to get up from the chair.
"Why? Where are you going? Oh that doesn't matter I'll just go with you!" He rambled while his hands were moving slowly around the small bulge.
"No, Rupert, you will not!" I stated it in a manner that made it seem like it was a law I proclaimed.
"But I want to feel him again!" He pleaded.
"I know darling; but I will prefer to go alone!" I tried again.
"But why? Where are you going that I can't come?" He whimpered.
I bent down and whispered in his ear, "I'm going to the bathroom." I smiled and stood up.
"Oh, well ok I will let you go there alone; but do hurry back…I don't want to miss it if he moves… I want to feel him again!" He pleaded.
"Yes. Yes I will, your highness…and, it is a girl!" I smiled and left, but he continued his 'it's a boy' so I just humoured him by letting him think that he was right.
There are times, though, when all of this gets to be a little too much for me. I think, though, that he does this to let me know that he will always be here for me. A few weeks after the official announcement of the pregnancy, I needed to see Rupert for his opinion on a political matter that had come across my desk. I went to his office and since I knew that he would only be signing papers and reading proposals from Parliament, I went right in. Surprisingly, I had found an empty office. Certain that he would return shortly, I sat down and started reading the papers I had brought with me. Suddenly, I heard a woman scream. It was not a loud one; but a scream that sounded like a quick outburst. It was followed with laughing and giggling.
"Rupert, are you in here?" I asked, a little curious.
Then as quick as lightning, Rupert came storming out from the small room adjoining his office, looking all flustered and messy. "Clarisse, darling, what are you doing here now? I thought you had a lot of work to do including all of those thank you cards to sign!" He asked, while fixing his hair and tugging his shirt back in his pants.
At the same time both his secretary and his aide came out of the room he had just emerged from; their appearance was just a messy as he was, "Rupert, what is going on?" I asked.
"What's going on? What do you mean, darling?" He nervously asked.
I gestured towards the two ladies a few years older than myself who where fixing their clothes and hair. "Oh, that! Darling, that is nothing, nothing to worry about! They where……uhm….. just helping me out!" He answered quickly.
"No…Rupert; no you can't do this to me…not now. I'm pregnant with your child, for heavens sake." I softly cried.
"No! No! No! Clarisse it's not what you think!" He grabbed my arms and looked franticly in my eyes.
"Let me go! Don't touch me!" I cried harder and ran out of the office to the garden.
I could feel someone following me as I ran. I didn't even have to turn around. Somehow I knew it was Joseph. He always seems to be around whenever I need help or a shoulder to cry on. I kept running because I wanted to go to the closed part of the garden; the outskirts of the grounds, where no photographer could be, ergo, preventing anyone from getting a picture of me.
When I reached the bench, I sat down and cried my eyes dry. After a few minutes, I could feel a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Leave me alone, please…" I cried.
I could feel the owner of that hand sit down besides me. I immediately turned around and cried some more in his arms. The feel of his body, the smell of his cologne, and the soft caress of his hands left me with no doubt that it was him.
"I don't know what to do Joseph." I cried out loudly.
"What do you mean Princess?" He asked, while stroking my back.
"My husband is cheating on me…with his secretary and aide at the same time!" I stammered.
"I don't think the Crown Prince would do such a thing to you…especially not now!" He offered.
"Oh no…well I saw him come out of a room, followed closely by them; all three of them were dishevelled and looking guilty and….and…!"
"And what Princess; what did you see?" He asked.
"I don't really know; but I do know he is hiding something. Coming out of the room like that, looking like he did…that makes me think I'm positive." I tried again.
"You are positive that the man you married about two years ago is cheating on you; but, you don't have any proof of that…other than you saw him come out of the same room as two assistants." Joseph explained as I nodded at everything he was saying.
I could see that Joseph was concentrating on what was being said to him in his earpiece. He then turned to look at me again, "Come Princess, someone awaits you at the garden doors." He said as he stood and offered his hand to help me up.
"No Joseph, I do not wish to speak with him right now – I'm hurt that he would do such a thing to me." I sternly said.
"Princess, it has already been two hours since you ran to the garden…perhaps enough time has passed?"
I looked at him disbelieving; but he confirmed it with a nod. I took his hand and we linked arms making our way back to the palace. No more words were said; but a lengthy conversation took place through our bodies. He silently asked me to listen to Rupert; and I kept telling him I already knew everything. I was not interested in talking or listening to him. His movements said I should quit being stubborn and listen. Finally, I capitulated and said I would listen; but he should not expect me to talk to Rupert. He simply smiled as though to indicate… 'we'll see about that!'
At the top of the stairs, I could see Rupert pacing back and forth; Walter was standing behind him and noticed that we were on our way and advised Rupert. Hearing the news, Rupert started descending the stairs and walking quickly towards us.
Once he was only a few feet away from us, "Joseph, please leave us alone for a few minutes? Thank you." He softly requested. He then took my hand as Joseph moved away. "Clarisse, darling, you didn't let me explain." He stated.
"No need for an explanation. I'm finally pregnant, so now you don't have to think about me anymore; you can go back to the fun and virile life of Crown Prince Rupert. I'm just here to bear your children anyway…that is my duty." I said.
"Damn it, Clarisse – I love you. I love you more than life itself. I can't stop thinking about you. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for me to be apart from you for even one minute? I love that you are pregnant; I want it more than anything. I cannot wait to hold OUR child in my arms. Why didn't you just stop and let me tell you what I had been doing in that room with my secretary and my aide?" He almost cried.
"Oh I know what you have been doing!" I barely whispered through tears.
"No Clarisse…no, you don't. If you knew, you would not be running!" He sternly said and started pulling me with him as he walked…my feet reluctantly followed.
"I do not..." I didn't get any further before Rupert interrupted me.
"Clarisse just come and see ok? Don't say a word; don't cry anymore… just come and take a look. Once you see, you can then say whatever you want to say!" He kept walking while he was talking. Soon we were in his office standing in front of the door to the smaller room. Rupert pulled me to him and opened the door. I stepped inside and could only stare at what I saw. The entire room was filled from floor to ceiling with toys, dolls, and teddy bears…everything a child could wish for was in there. I could hardly speak.
"Rupert what….what is this? I said and instinctively put a hand over my abdomen.
"This is what I was doing in here…we were finishing it as you came in here. Anne fell down from that ladder and I and Katerina caught her. Putting all these toys up here took a lot of work; but I wanted to finish before lunch, so I could give it to you then. But you came early and that's why we all acted the way we did!" Rupert explained.
"Oh Rupert – this is wonderful; but this child will not be able to use all of these toys!" I said, pulling his hand down with mine to rest over our unborn child.
"I know Clarisse and it is not for our child – this is for all the children we are going to visit. You expressed your desire to give the unfortunate children some sort of gift to show them that each of them is something special. You mentioned that to me on the ride home a few months ago…this is simply the results!" He proudly said.
I was completely speechless; I couldn't even move my lips. So I decided that there was only one thing to do…I just turned around, smiled, and kissed my husband! Apparently we were quite engrossed in our kissing as, when we finally broke apart, the door was closed and we were alone.
I had, however, found my voice again, "Oh Rupert, I can't believe you did this." I was stunned.
"Anything for you my love!" he answered and kissed my hand.
"I'm in complete awe, Rupert. It is wonderful, but how? How did you do this?" I asked.
"It was all sponsored from many different vendors. Because, we are not allowed by law to increase one stores profit, we asked them all to contribute to the cause. So now you can come in here every time we have a visit to make and pick out the toy for that child!" He said and hugged me.
I spent the rest of the day reviewing all of the toys…marvelling at the generosity of so many companies. I couldn't wait for the date of our first visit so I could choose a toy for that one special child.
When I reached five months, I was rushed to the hospital because I started feeling dizzy and couldn't stabilize myself enough to gain control. Of course, the photographers peeled themselves off of the fences and rushed after the ambulance that was taking me to the hospital.
Rupert was right beside me the entire way there, "I told you to take breaks…those functions can run without you, darling!" He said concerned.
"Rupert nothing is wrong; I'm just feeling a little dizzy." I tried.
"Nothing? Nothing, Clarisse? You almost fell down the stairs today. If it hadn't been for Joseph, you and this child would have taken the one-step staircase! Just promise me that you will take it easy and not overwork like you have been doing while you're supposed to be resting." He sternly said while stroking my hand.
"I promise Rupert; I will take it easy from now on. Although I love to keep Joseph on his toes, this is not the way I want to do it!" He leaned over and kissed me softly.
I had rushed to get ready for a visit with a very sick, little girl. I had been running around trying to get ready…when it came to my attention that Rupert was already waiting. I closed my jacket over my growing belly and rushed out the suite, followed by Joseph instantly. We were either walking very fast or running, I do not remember; when we reached the stairs, I started going down them when I got dizzy. The next thing I remembered was Joseph holding onto me, quite inappropriately…but he caught me and my unborn child before we tumbled down the stairs.
I have never seen people move that fast…Rupert was faster than lightning; one moment I could see the fear written all over his face…the next he was with me and Joseph at the top of the stairs, concern covering his features. Joseph continued to apologize repeatedly for his hand grazing my breast when he caught me; I kept telling him that there was no need to apologize, especially since he had just saved my child.
I was admitted to the hospital for three full days until I was allowed to go back home. It seems odd to call the Palace home; but nonetheless, I went home. They determined that an inner ear infection caused my balance to be off which lead to my dizziness.
So now I am sitting in the garden resting; Joseph is standing behind me and has just informed me that Rupert will be joining me soon. I look forward to the birth now – I don't like being pregnant any longer. Everything is difficult…I have to think twice before getting up and I hate the way I have to be shielded. The royal guards are doing what they can to not let the photographers get too close…but they can't make them leave their posts. Secretly, though, I have wished that at least one of them would get at least one good picture…just one picture showing my pregnant form…to show the beautiful people of Genovia the evidence that a baby…their future Queen or King…was on its way…showing them the love Rupert and I share, for each other, for them and for Genovia.
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Thank you for reading to the end of this part….. woohoo please take the two minutes it takes and leave a little something for me!!!!