Was channelsurfing on the TV and came across Princess Diaries 1 on one channel. Decided I wouldn't keep you waiting any longer.
Thank you all SO much for your reviews – I have to split this chappy up in two mostly coz it's way to long and second the other half of it will need some more work!!!! Thank you Mama for doing the beta on this and for all your help!!! Love you!!!!
Well on with the story!!!!
Enjoy.
Our Time – Part 1
Seven years have just flown by. I don't know where they have gone. We've just celebrated New Year's and now 1971 is waiting to be written. So many things have happened; I don't even know where to start. My beloved mother died in 1962, a few months after Christelle's second birthday…very suddenly actually. We all thought she miraculously had overcome her illness. She was back to her normal self. Suddenly, one night, she took a turn for the worse with such speed that we were advised to come immediately to say our goodbyes.
I didn't want to acknowledge that my mother was dying. It was the middle of the night and Rupert had to almost pull me out of the suite. In my mind, I think I believed that if I postponed saying good-bye, she would stay longer. Rupert demonstrated some tough love, though, and said that we needed to go now or I would never get to say goodbye. Thank God that he was persistent; I was the last one who got to say goodbye. She closed her eyes for good while I held her hand. I cried so hard that I could hardly breathe. I remember giving my father a kiss on the cheek and Rupert carrying me to bed. The rest was nothing more than a blank until Rupert filled in the empty spaces.
If you recall, we promised Parliament that we would have more children when we felt we where ready. Even though they agreed to that condition, we have weekly read in the newspapers that a certain member or Parliament has said that he thinks our promises are not enough. We just hope that doesn't mean that they will start demanding more heirs. In the past, the pressure from Parliament hasn't proven effective when it comes to conceiving. But after the first fifty of those comments in the papers, we started to just pass that section quickly. Our next child will come when we are ready…
September 1964, we attended the wedding of Rupert's cousin, Constantine the III of Greece's wedding. Rupert and Constantine both were Olympic swimmers and they are very close. He even asked Rupert for advice when he had meet Anne-Marie. She was only sixteen when he realised that she was the one. Lucky for him, she felt the same about him. They were advised that it would be best, though, to wait until she turned eighteen. It was a beautiful wedding; very much like my own. This one, of course, was much easier to enjoy.
Our lives were filled with ups and downs after my mother's passing. There was a lot of pressure from many different sources: Parliament's continued pressure for another heir; the pressure from the extra responsibility placed on both of us due to the ailing health of the King of Genovia; life, in general, seemed to be stressful and was taking its toll on us as a family.
Rupert's father, a very wise man, told us to take a Sabbath year - a year to be "normal" family. He was feeling better and felt that he wanted to be needed again. I didn't object as I certainly didn't mind having my husband back. So we tied up any loose ends and, starting at the end of the summer of 1965, we started our year as a normal family.
It was a wonderful year. I finally got to focus on being a mother; Rupert was able to utilize his education in economy. I would have loved to have worked as well; but we decided before we left that we didn't want any of the nannies with us. Having Pierre and Christelle in some sort of daycare wasn't an option as that would set a high demand of security at the estate; which was exactly what we didn't want. We wanted to take this year and not be noticed; that scenario would have given us anything but that.
We did, of course, have security with us for that year. The Royal Guard wouldn't dare let us leave without them. So it was arranged that our "neighbours" would be Joseph and his girlfriend Donna on one side; on the other was Eric, his wife Amanda, and their little baby boy. All of this was necessary to give the illusion of new families moving into the area.
It was interesting to follow the everyday lives of the people around us. It was great fun the way we just blended in with all of them. Not one of all the people around us questioned us in anyway. To be honest, I felt bad for not telling them that we would only be here for a year…since we had a country to rule when we returned.
We had been at our new home for about three months when we decided to spend a day in town. While shopping for clothes for both Pierre and Christelle, we ran into a couple that lived a few houses away from us. "Oh Hello!?" the woman said.
Both Rupert and I turned around to see if it was us that were addressed, we still hadn't forgotten the formal greetings that we were accustomed to. "Oh hello; Mr. and Mrs. Almange right?" I tried.
The couple laughed. "No Addison; but close enough. You are the Renaldis, correct? It is such a beautiful name – sounds almost royal!" The woman added.
We looked at each other in shock. We had never realised that our name might give away our title. We were able to keep our secret, though, and didn't reveal our real "job" until a few months before our Sabbath year was ending. All of our neighbours were absolutely amazing; they acted as if it were the most natural thing that we actually were royals.
After our first and only Christmas and New Year's as a normal family and Christelle's fourth birthday, I had to call the royal physician, James Devenir. I asked him come to me as soon as possible. He said he needed a week before he could come; he needed to create a good cover story so the press wouldn't follow him. As the royal physician, his movements would be monitored by the press – especially since we weren't in Genovia for an entire year. If he suddenly left, it would be assumed that he was coming to visit us.
That week gave me time to plan something personal for Rupert. The day before James' arrival, I sought out Rupert after dinner. "Darling, am I disturbing you?" I asked as I entered the living room.
"No. No, love; I was just reading the report from Parliament from their meeting last week that my father sent me. What can I do for you?" He asked, briefly looking up from his papers.
"Oh not much; I just want some undivided attention. Can we talk just for a few minutes?" I asked, smiling at him.
"Of course, anything for you!" Rupert put the papers aside and folded his hands in front of himself, looking at me with interest.
"Well I went into town today and picked up a few things for you." I said as I handed him a small package, which he took slowly while staring at me.
"You bought me a present?" He questioned and looked down at the small box with a neatly tied ribbon.
I nodded softly while placing an errant stray of hair behind my ear; Rupert started unwrapping the box slowly. He caught my eye just before the lid came off. He smiled then looked down again; taking the items out of the box one by one looking at them. He seemed unsure as to what meaning they brought. Then after he had taken out a small pair of shoes, socks, a bib and a pacifier it suddenly hit him.
"Clarisse are you telling me what I think you are telling me?" He almost shouted.
"Well that depends; what do you think I'm telling you?" I played.
"Are you trying to tell me that…that….that we are pregnant?" Rupert whispered in excitement.
"Yes darling; Dr. James will be here tomorrow to verify what the doctor I visited here told me. I just want James's word for it as well." I shared lovingly and brushed my hand down his cheek.
Rupert didn't know what to do with himself: He was smiling; his eyes were glazed over. He rose to his feet only to sit down again. He placed his hand on his mouth and gestured to speak then fell silent again. He slowly let the air slip from his lungs then he took hold of my hand and looked me in the eyes. "I love you Clarisse. You keep making me the happiest man on earth!" Rupert got up, pulling me with him. He lifted my chin to give him better access for a kiss; a kiss that lingered for a minute.
I broke off the kiss and looked him right in the eyes for a while and then ended the silence. "But I want us to enjoy this, alone. No press releases, no press conferences right now; not a word to a single soul until we get home, alright?" I begged.
"Of course, darling, if that's how you want it, that is how it will be!" He promised.
"This will be our last chance to keep anything from the public. They've practically been in the room when the other two were conceived; and, if we should have more children after this one, it will be the same. I want this to be private for as long as possible; then we will handle the press when the time comes." I looked at Rupert with my head tilted to one side.
"I will take all the shouting and yelling any day, from now and until I die, from the press and our families, just to have this with you, alone." He said as he brought his lips back to meet mine.
James arrived the day after and confirmed what the Hawaiian doctor had said. Rupert was so happy about the news of another child. His happiness grew when I started to show, more than a little, just a few weeks before we had to return to Genovia. He enjoyed touching my distended stomach and feeling the baby kick his hand. His eyes smiled more than his mouth, if that was possible.
We went home two weeks earlier than planed because I started growing and evidence of my pregnancy was going to be hard to hide. We had agreed on holding a press conference for the announcement; but we wanted it to be a surprise as to what the conference was about. Since my pregnancy was already difficult to hide, the conference was scheduled to start fifteen minutes after our arrival.
I was wearing a light blue dress that fell freely around my body. When the doors first opened, we moved quickly to the couch placed in the center of the room. We wanted to sit comfortably from the beginning because we were certain that this would take some time.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, welcome to this press conference. We are glad to see so many of you here. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you for honouring our privacy and truly allowing us to enjoy the Sabbath year my father granted us. We have enjoyed experiencing a "normal" life, so to speak to the fullest and thank you for that." Rupert opened and placed one arm behind me while chatting away anything on matters that were of less importance.
"I'm sorry, your highness; but is that why you called a conference, to say thank you for leaving you alone?" One reporter questioned.
"Certainly that is not the only reason; I just felt it important to give you my thank you." Rupert said and leaned back more comfortably.
"Then why this press conference?" Another reporter asked; his impatience evident in his voice.
"Ah yes, I guess we better get on with it. Clarisse will you do the honour?" Rupert said and looked me in the eyes.
"Yes, of course, I will darling." I smiled softly and turned to address the press corps. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, The Crown Prince and I are happy to announce that we are expecting our third child. The birth will be expected mid November. Both the Crown Prince and I are happy about this pregnancy and hope that you all will accept and forgive us for not telling you sooner." I stated smiling.
When I had said the word 'expecting' the flashes had went amok. Every single photographer and Journalist had a request they desperately wanted fulfilled. I tried desperately throughout the entire press conference to not put my hand on my growing form; but after the first forty-five minutes of questions, the little one decided to join in. In an effort to hopefully calm down all the movement, I placed my hand softly over the area where my child rested. Again the flashes went crazy, but just when I thought it couldn't get any crazier, the child kicked the air out of me. When I drew a difficult breath, Rupert placed his hand on top of mine and for the next few minutes the room was one big light. "Darling, are you all right?" Rupert leaned in while his thumb caressed my hand beneath his.
"Phew….yes thank you love, just lost my breath." I answered back breathless.
"We will end this now." Rupert said and smiled for the cameras as did I. "Thank you all for your understanding. My wife needs her rest, so for now we will bow out. Thank you and have a great day!" Rupert and I both stood and he placed his left arm around my back. His action caused the tightening of the fabric of my dress, which showed more of my bulging form. Once more the room was filled with light, with renewed requests for more angles and pictures. We simply waved and smiled.
When the doors closed behind us and we were away from the press again, King Albert came up to us and took hold of my hand and looked me deeply into my eyes. "Clarisse, you just secured the crown for the Renaldi family. This pregnancy will save me from having to face Parliament the day after tomorrow and sign papers handing over the throne to either the Chevalier family or the Von Trokens. So thank you!" He said and turned, leaving us standing there stunned. Parliament had gone back on their word while we were away. If we hadn't returned home early, we would have come home to a Genovia that would no longer be ruled by the Renaldi family, due to a new law. So the decision of returning early was better planned than we first thought. We were happy that the uncertainty over the future of the Renaldi rule was over now.
The rest of my pregnancy was just as smooth as the first part. It was as easy as my pregnancy with Pierre. Additionally, I wasn't huge like I was with Christelle; and thank God for that! I had a due date that was set to the 19th of November; so when the water suddenly broke in the middle of the night more than a month early I panicked. Luckily Rupert was right besides me the entire time. He held me while I kept crying out of panic. I was rushed to the hospital. When we arrived, poor Rupert had to be looked at by a doctor, while I was being prepared for delivery, even though I protested all I could against it. Unfortunately, on the ride to the hospital, I had clutched Rupert's hand so tightly that I had actually broken two of his fingers. I was yet again in excruciating pain during labour.
Once I was prepared for delivery, Rupert was allowed to come to my room until the midwife arrived. Just as he entered I was having a long and hard contraction, loudly vocalizing my discomfort through it while a nurse timed it. "For the love of God, why don't you do something for her? Can't you hear that she's in pain? Why aren't you doing something?" Rupert yelled at the calm nurse.
"I'm sorry your highness; but your wife doesn't want anything for the pain. I've offered it four times already and she keeps refusing it!" The young nurse informed Rupert.
"Darling, don't do this to yourself, please!" Rupert begged me while running a hand over my drenched hair.
"It is too early. This baby shouldn't be coming already, Rupert. I'm scared. Stay with me. Please." I begged him.
"I will stay for as long as you want." He whispered as he kissed my forehead.
And he did. Against all recommendations and orders, Rupert stayed with me IN the delivery room. Even though his mother once again came and told him to leave. This time, however, he said no and stayed. I think he was as scared as I was; but stayed strong for me. Our second boy was born on October 12 at one in the afternoon. He was very small; but still a fighter and more than willing to live.
When we left the hospital two weeks later; I, for the first time, saw how much love the country has for us. Every single citizen of Pyrus was out in the streets to wave us home. I do not think that Genovia had any flowers left anywhere else than at the palace. It was so moving.
Philippe was christened quickly after we came home, Edward Christoph Philippe Gerard Renaldi. We had moved up the date in case something should happen, God forbid. He did great, however, and continues to do so! He was full of energy from his first step, a great joy to just watch - not only for me, but for the entire family. He had just turned 2 years old when Rupert's father once again fell ill. This time, though, he didn't bounce back; he died after five weeks of illness.
Both Rupert and I had started preparing ourselves for the inevitable. Already after our first visit, my mother in-law again felt filthy because she had shared King Albert's bed when he had started feeling bad again. So instead of staying and helping her husband through this difficult time, his last; she spent three weeks in Italy. She was in the room, though, when King Albert passed away in silence. Sadly, she didn't seem affected by her loss.
Prime Minister Étang informed Genovia of the passing of King Albert and appointed Rupert as the new King of Genovia. It was customary that the newly appointed King give a short speech; but Rupert couldn't. He struggled to even raise his eyes to look over the crowd that was in front of the palace. I was just about to go to him; but our darling little two year old Philippe beat me to it and ran to his father, who just pulled him into his arms. He then dried his eyes and waved, together with Philippe, to the crowd. The crowd, in return yelled over and over again. "Long live King Rupert!" We were crowned King and Queen of Genovia a week later.
Our first year as reigning monarchs went by in a flash. Many new things were added to our everyday life.
To Be Continued……
Please leave your two cents of thought upon this part!!!! Thank you!!!! Love you all!!!!