Author's Note: thank you to all my loyal readers who are reading this... I'm starting to get to the end, which will be sad, but this has been a fun journey... still, there's still a few more chapters to go...
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me
Despite the fact there were other guests or loud music (even Joseph's mobile phone was switched off) or, rather, because of, the evening was quiet and romantic, the way Joseph had planned and exactly what Clarisse had dreamed of for New Year's Eve, especially with the man in question...
"Did BJ and Lynn have plans for tonight?" Clarisse asked as they sat down to a candle lit dinner in the kitchen, Clarisse clad in her favourite red silk dress and Joseph in his best blazer and pants. "I know Annie and Julie were both planning on going out with friends, but I forgot to ask Lynn..."
"I think they were going out too- I remember him telling me that because he laughed when he found out we were staying in..." He frowned slightly as he remembered BJ teasing: 'The longer you two are married, the less inclined you are to go out... I know, you just want to keep Clarisse to yourself!'
"We'll got out next year," Clarisse said reassuringly, sipping her glass of wine- they had almost finished one bottle already, and while she knew she would drink more tonight than she usually did, she also knew Joseph would never let anything happen to her... besides, she thought to herself with a smile, she very rarely let herself get too out of control and it was New Year's Eve...
"We could, but you had better not wear that dress, otherwise I'll have to have extra bodyguards accompanying us."
"Why?" she asked flirtatiously, feeling the effects of the wine and Joseph laughed as he reached over and raised her hand to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers.
"You know very well why, my darling... you look so gorgeous in that dress that I'll be fighting off all the men in Genovia!" he teased, enjoying Clarisse get flustered- she was usually so restrained (although much less so in the past three years) that seeing her let her hair down was always an enjoyable experience.
"You're just being a gentleman," she finally said before smiling seductively at him. "But I like it..." before they continued with their meal.
"What is your resolution for this year?" she inquired when they finished the washing up a while later, and Joseph looked thoughtful.
"I don't know- I usually don't make resolutions as I never keep them, but... if I was to make any, it would be that I should relax more and not be so protective of you... although that may be easier said than done."
"You are my husband, and protecting me obviously comes naturally to you, even after being my bodyguard for so so long... but..." she added with a warm smile, resting her hand on top of his. "I have to admit that I love how you're so protective and solicitous of me- I have never felt so safe in my life, and it's all thanks to you..."" and her smile confirmed that she meant it.
"You certainly have changed your tune since I was 'just' your bodyguard," he teased he she followed him back into the living room. "I can still remember that you disliked having bodyguards watching your every move... in fact, I do believe that you escaped from them... or, namely, me... several times!"
"And it was difficult to give you the slip those time, let me tell you!" Clarisse chuckled impishly as she kicked off her heels and sat down on the couch. "But, then again, I always got into trouble with my HOS when I did return, so it kind of took the fun out of escaping!" she laughed again, Joseph rolling his eyes in mock exasperation, before looking at him seriously.
"But you were never just my bodyguard, and you know it."
"You're rather impertinent when you've had a few drinks, aren't you?" he grinned as he sat down next to her and rubbed her knee gently. "But, to change the subject, what is YOUR New Year's Resolution?"
"Well, I didn't make any either, but maybe... I should leave the past in the past, and stop worrying about Mia so much... she's fine..."
"That sounds like a plan... so, we've got a few hours until midnight- what should we do now?"
"I have a few ideas," Clarisse smiled slyly, resting her hand on his knee.
"As intrigued as I am by your ideas, we did agree to stay up until midnight... actually, I noticed earlier that 'It's A Wonderful Life' is on this evening.... maybe we could watch that."
"Yes, let's watch it!" Clarisse cried in delight as she stretched her legs across Joseph's knees. "I haven't seen it in years!"
"Neither have I, but before it starts..." he gently pushed her legs aside and stood up. "We're going to have some more refreshments..."
000
"I love that movie," Clarisse sighed and stretched once the film had ended. "It makes you appreciate what you have in life..."
"Yes, it does," Joseph agreed as he switched off the television with the remote. "But I'm surprised you can say that you love the movie- you were rather distracted in parts..." he trailed off with a meaningful expression- Clarisse had been very playful during the film, but he didn't mind- she was very cute when she was tipsy....
"I'm sorry," Clarisse looked apologetic as she sat up. "I didn't mean to..."
"You don't have to apologize at all, darling- we're both having fun..." his lips brushed the top of her head as she snuggled into his arms, and she smiled vaguely before suddenly looking at him seriously.
"I have a confession to make."
"Oh?" Joseph sounded amused.
"Yes... it's just that you... you drive me crazy sometimes, especially when you're in one of your stubborn moods...."
"That's like the pot calling the kettle black," Joseph interjected with a wicked grin.
"True... anyway, I love the fact that I'm not so much in control or as reserved with you... you coming into my life was the best thing that happened to me... you know, I almost didn't go through with my wedding to Rupert."
"Really?" Joseph looked surprised- Clarisse had confided in him a great deal over the years, but she was still surprising him.
"Well... I disappeared a few days before the wedding, just to try and get myself together and convince myself this was I wanted to do... no one was guarding me, of course- I was still only the fiancée, and the press wasn't as intrusive as they are now... Anyway, I went to a carnival and found myself having my fortune read... she basically told me that I would be unhappy in my marriage (something I didn't want to hear), but, through it, I would also find the great love of my life... She wasn't sure I would marry him or not, but I still wondered... I had forgotten about it for years until you arrived, and once I realised how much I cared for you, I began wondering if it really did come true... but now, look at us- it did!"
"Yes, you turn into a motor mouth after a drink or three, and I'm still the overprotective Joseph, always watching over Clarisse..." he joked, but he had been intrigued by Clarisse's confession.
"But the most important thing is that we're happily married, and our relationship has been accepted....you, Mia and Nicholas are all that matter to me..."
"Some people haven't...."
"Some people, tush!" she waved her hand irritably."They don't know anything, so their opinions will never rate highly with me! But I am grateful for what I have now, much as it may annoy you that I keep saying it...."
"You don't need to explain anything to me, my dear," he wrapped his arms around her comfortingly. "I do understand how you're feeling, and yes, I'm just as happy as you... you being my wife is the only thing I ever really wanted for a long time, so I don't need to wish for anything else now..."
Clarisse blushed at his words, yet looked touched as Joseph looked at her for a long moment, weighing something up, before deciding to make a confession of his own.
"I have to confess something myself... I had actually forgotten, but you did, once upon a time, ask me whether I had ever wanted to marry anyone before you came along?"
"I think I may have... why?"
"Well, I did want to- my childhood sweetheart... we were going to get married after high school, but she was killed in an accident... and I vowed then and there never to let a woman get that close again... and it actually worked until I met you..."
"Was she the love of your life?" Clarisse, no longer smiling, looked serious as she watched him, a little jealous, but also realizing that it explained a few things about him- he had been so mysterious when she had first met him....
"At the time, I thought so, but once I realized my feelings for you, I knew it had only been puppy love... yes, before you say it, I could have had a family of my own, but I didn't want it and it wasn't meant to be..."
"But you must have been so hurt to vow never to marry," Clarisse said sadly, all thoughts of another glass of wine gone. "It bothers me that you deliberately shut yourself off from love- you are a wonderful man, and I always felt any woman would have been lucky to have you... and while I'll agree that I am the lucky woman, it could have been a very lonely life for you if we'd never met..."
"I'm not the only one who deliberately cut myself off from love," he argued as she looked at him pityingly, looking a little upset.
"I was a different case- I was rejected, you weren't- you probably would have lived happily ever after with your sweetheart, and we probably would have never met..."
"Let's not let this escalate into an argument with you against yourself and me for you... yes, I made a vow I shouldn't have, but what's past is past... I certainly didn't end up alone, and neither did you," he teased as he leant over and kissed the tip of her nose, Clarisse finally relaxing again.
"We're not going to make it to midnight, are we?"
"You've certainly made it difficult this evening, but we might..." he glanced at his watch. "In fact, we will- it's about ten minutes to midnight..." He paused for a moment, glancing around the room. "It may not be on the balcony, as it's too cold... but shall we dance here?"
"Of course," Clarisse beamed, slipping on her shoes and waiting patiently as Joseph switched on the stereo before sweeping her into his arms.
"This is very different to the other New Year's Eve, isn't it?" he teased as they swayed to the soft music and Clarisse chuckled.
"Yes- I didn't have to sneak out of the room to avoid dancing, you didn't have to make your way through the crowd to find me, you didn't have to worry about holding my hand... and you certainly didn't have to worry about holding me at arm's length so as not to get caught!"
"Oh, so you mean it's alright to hold you like this," he teased, pulling her even closer to him, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist.
"Yes, it is," Clarisse almost breathed, still remembering how she had felt when he had held her that night- so safe and protected, yet in danger... Something had been building between them that night, as it was again now, and she could only dimly recall that they were dancing in the living room... all that matter was that Joseph was looking at her in the same way he had that night, and since then- with open adoration... she really was a lucky woman, she marvelled.
"It's almost midnight... should we count down?" He loved looking into her eyes- they were the most beautiful blue, and he always knew how she was feeling by the way they sparkled with happiness, sadness, joy, mischief or anger....
"Maybe,"she murmured in response before Joseph, forgetting what he had suggested, leaning over and kissed her, softly at first, before holding her even closer, the kiss growing deeper and more passionate.
"Happy New Year, darling," Clarisse murmured breathlessly as his lips left hers and slowly descended towards her neck- this was so much like their first kiss, only much better... there was no danger of them being caught....
"Happy New Year, sweetheart," he tore his lips away to look into her eyes. "I do love you very, very much," he looked at her seriously as her eyes filled with tears at his tender expression.
"I love you too, Joseph," she murmured softly, caressing his cheek before smiling slightly. "Well, we made it to the New Year," she added as she heard his watch beep the hour. "What shall we do now?"
"I have an idea," he chuckled confidently, leaning over to kiss her again before taking her hand and leading her out to the stairs, pausing to kiss her every few metres... she may have been playful before, but now he was initiating it, but Clarisse loved it as her head began to swim as they stood on the threshold of their bedroom.
"This is definitely the new year celebration I wanted," she said in a low voice and Joseph laughed. "I can see why you would need extra bodyguards if I wore this dress out... I'm already having trouble fighting you off!"
"I told you you were going to have a good night," he replied seductively before scooping her up into his arms and striding into the dark room, kicking the doors closed behind him.
"Happy New Year, my love...."
000
Joseph was half asleep the next morning when he thought he heard a loud, muffled banging on the door downstairs... Dismissing it as part of his dream, he was about to go back to sleep when he heard it again, only now more urgently as well as shouting... and it wasn't a dream- it really was happening...
"Coming..." he called sleepily as he crawled out of bed and reached for his robe. Clarisse was, thankfully, still asleep when he glanced over at her, before heading downstairs to answer the front door before the noise did wake her up.
"What's going on?" was the first thing he said when he opened the door, before realizing that two of their bodyguards were standing on the step, looking strangely panicked. "You guys do realize it's New Year's Day, don't you?"
"Sorry Joe, but seeing as your phone is turned off, we had no choice but to bang on the door... there's a crisis...."
"What? What happened?" Joseph was suddenly alert. "Has something happened to the Queen and Lord Devereaux?"
"No... well, there have been two bomb threats this morning- one at the palace and one at the Motez's...."
"Oh no!" Joseph was genuinely shocked- two of the most influential people in Genovia had been threatened and, much as he hated the thought of even considering it, he had to wonder if Clarisse was next... "Has there been any threat against Clarisse?"
"I don't know, sir, but Scott wants you to call him as soon as possible."
He called Scott in the kitchen- he wanted to know all the details before he told Clarisse- and Scott sounded harassed when he picked up.
"It's about time you turned your phone on- do you know how many times I have called you this morning?" he snapped.
"I'm sorry, but it is New Year's Day, remember? So, what's going on?"
"The Genovia Police department had a phone call this morning, informing them that there could be two bombs... one planted in the palace somewhere, and one at the Motez's town residence... We've investigated only superficially, but our priority at the moment is the safety of the Prime Minister and the Queen."
"Has there been any mention of Clarisse?"
"No, not yet... but I have discussed it with the police, and we think that you should all be together, hence... the Motez's, Her Majesty and Lord Devereaux, as well as extra bodyguards, will be out around lunchtime today."
"Are you going to need extra help?" Joe inquired, and Scott sighed.
"As Clarisse's husband, Sir Joseph, you're going to need extra protection, but we might need you...however, you had better make sure Clarisse is alright with it..." and he sounded sincere in his advice giving rather than teasing.
When Joseph hung up, he sighed and headed for the stairs, letting Shelley out on the way, dreading telling Clarisse... they had had a wonderful night together and now this....
Clarisse was just sitting up in bed when he, Shelley at his heels, came intot he room, and her face lit up when she saw them.
"Good morning, my lovely little Shelley," she cooed as Joseph placed the little dog on her lap, and she cuddled her for a moment before beaming lovingly up at at Joseph. "And an even bigger good morning to my darling husband."
"How are you feeling this morning, my dear?" he teased, sitting down on her side of the bed and leaning over to kiss her.
"I'm feeling alright... a tiny headache, but nothing serious... last night was wonderful- thank you," she added warmly, resting her hand on his cheek. "I loved ever moment- especially when you were there."
"Me too,"Joseph agreed, leaning forward to kiss her again.
"But why are you up so early on New Year's Day? I thought it was a time to recover from the night before..." she chuckled at her joke, but Joseph, who had momentarily forgotten why he was up early, suddenly remembered.... "Joseph, has something happened?"
"Scott called me... there has been two bomb threats in Pyrus over night..." before he proceeded to tell her everything he knew, concluding with the fact that the Motez's, Mia and Nicholas were on their way out.
"The beach house is being used as a base..." he finished before looking at his wife- she was white and shaken as she digested the news... She had had several threats against her over the years (Rupert had even more), and while she had accepted it as a more frightening aspect of her job (as well as knowing she had the best bodyguard in the business), she also knew that Mia didn't need this right now....
"Two bombs," she repeated softly as she moved into Joseph's arms, and he squeezed her tightly to him. "I can't believe it..."
"It's sensible that the others are coming out here... Scott may need me,"he added quickly, hoping she hadn't noticed, but she was looking at him sharply, her eyebrows knitting together quizzically.
"Why? Why do they need you?"
"I have done this before, and I could be of some help..."
"But you could be a target," she protested. "I don't know whether you should go with them... or that I like it."
"Baby," he cupped her chin up so that she was looking at him, still frowning unhappily. "I'll be very well protected if I go, and I DO know what I'm doing.... but, if you don't want me to go, I won't- I promise."
Clarisse looked slightly mollified at his response, although she knew, deep down, that she was being very selfish- Joseph COULD help them, she knew that, and they really did need to find out who was doing this....
0
It was almost lunchtime when the others, as well as two more cars of black clad me, arrived, and while the women disappeared inside for a cup of tea, the men gathered in a huddle outside to discuss the situation- Nicholas in particular was extremely irritated.
"I really want to help- I'm sure I could," Nicholas argued stubbornly as Scott shook his head.
"I'm sorry sir, but as Her Majesty's consort, you, as with His Excellency, are in danger as you're very well known."
"What about Joe? He's just as well known, and it seems that he's going to go..."
"The police have no problems with Joe- he's well trained in this sort of situation... but, what did your wife say?" Scott turned to Joseph quizzically.
"She didn't say yes or no, so I'll have to ask her again.
"We will keep you up to date, no matter what happens," Scott reassured a clearly displeased Nicholas before Sebastian stepped in.
"We trust you to do that, Scott...but," he looked pointedly at Nicholas. "We can't let our wives know that we want to be out there... we have to reassure them."
Inside, meanwhile, Mia was sitting beside Sheila Motez on the couch, looking slightly shell shocked as Clarisse poured another three cups of tea.
"I can't believe this has happened...."
"It's happened to me several times,"Clarisse said calmly. "But you do have a fine police force as well as a dedicated security team, so they will find out who did this as soon as possible."
"Nicholas is all bent out of shape that he can't help the investigation- what about Joe, Grandma? Does he want to go- and will you let him?"
"He feels that he could be useful, and he will go whether I want him to or not..." Much as I dislike the thought of him in danger, Clarisse added silently to herself.
"He probably won't be allowed to go anyway as he's married to the third most important person in Genovia... Shelley, you are getting too cute," Mia abruptly changed the subject as she picked the small puppy up off the floor as the men came in from their 'meeting' (as Mia described it), and Clarisse made a split second decision as they sat down.
"I'm going to make some more tea... darling," she looked pointedly at Joseph. "Could you please help me in the kitchen?"
"What's wrong?" he asked when they were alone in the kitchen, and she turned to smile at him.
"If you want to help Scott with this investigation, it's fine with me."
"Are you sure?" he stepped forward and took her hands in his. "When I mentioned it as a possibility this morning, you weren't too thrilled at the idea."
"I wasn't, and I'm still not, but I've thought about it, and I've been selfish- you were the best at your job, and this needs to be resolved immediately, so... go."
"Only if you're absolutely sure," he caressed her cheek and she smiled.
"Do you want me to change my mind?"
"No, but thank you," he kissed her tenderly. "But we will stay in touch."
00000
Scott, Joseph and two others disappeared back to Pyrus almost immediately as the other five were left heavily guarded, much to Mia and Nicholas's disgust, which overflowed when they viewed yet another update on the 'bomb scare' on the television.
"We can't even walk around outside- and you can't walk Shelley, Grandma!" Mia paced the floor in irritation as the others watched, and her grandmother was suddenly struck again by how similar she was to her father- he would have done the same thing. She didn't say anything, however, as she continued to provide food and refreshments for the rest of the afternoon- she was worried about Joseph, but she also knew he would be fine...
"Maybe it's a hoax," Mia's suggestion broke into her thoughts, but Clarisse remained non committal.
"Maybe so, but we'll find out about it all tomorrow- but you now must realize that the police are never blasé about your safety, and maybe you two young people shouldn't be so either... "
Despite Clarisse's reassuring words, and the efforts she, Sheila and Sebastian Motez made to keep the atmosphere cheery, it was still predominantly gloomy for the rest of the afternoon and, after an unsuccessful attempt to watch a movie on television, Mia and Nicholas retired early, followed by the other three. Clarisse wasn't planning on sleeping, however- despite Joseph's message not to stay up, she was going to wait up for her husband, wanting to know what was going on. She also realized that it was on the other end of the spectrum in terms of last night....
She was deep into her book Joseph had given her for Christmas, Shelley snoozing on her lap as she sat in bed, when she heard one of their double bedroom doors open, and Clarisse looked up to see Joseph tiptoe into the room, looking tired.
"What are you still doing up?" he asked as he sat down on the bed with a weary sigh. "It must be almost midnight..." he looked at his watch as she set her book aside and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"I stayed awake because I wanted to see you when you came home, and Shelley's just keeping me company... so?"
"So..." he sighed heavily as he swung his aching legs onto the bed and leant back against his pillows, Shelley licking his hand in greeting. "W couldn't find anything of significance when we were there... the police are beginning to suspect that it was a hoax..."
"What do you think?" she asked seriously and he shrugged.
"I don't know- it seems to be a hoax, but I still have this niggling feeling that something isn't quite right... but, you do realize that, after this situation is resolved, we're probably going to have a permanent security detail?" he rested his hand on hers and she shrugged.
"We've had it for a while anyway, so all that matters is that the ones I love are safe."
"I was just about to say the same thing," he mocked gently before leaning over and kissing her softly. "It's definitely not like last night, is it?" he added as she smiled wryly.
"I was just thinking that...."
"They're going to continue the investigation tomorrow, but I think I'll stay out of it."
"Why?"
"Well, you clearly weren't happy letting me go, and I couldn't help but get a little anxious at the thought of the five of you out here, the press camped outside the gate... No, I think I'll bow out for tomorrow..." and Clarisse's look of delight confirmed that he had made the right decision.
"Well, I'm going to take Shelley back downstairs- did you want a cup of tea while I'm doing there?" she asked as she threw on her robe.
"Yes, but I'll come with you..."
They were out in the dark landing, making their way carefully towards the stairs when his phone went off, the sound reverberating in the darkness for a minute before Joseph quickly picked up the phone.
"Hello?" he whispered before Scott replied in an urgent tone.
"Joe, I need you to get Clarisse and the others downstairs into the living room... I'll be over in a minute to tell you what's going on, but you have to be downstairs!"
"What's going on?" Clarisse asked in a small voice as he, her hand clutched tightly in his as he switched on the landing light and strode towards the two bedrooms being used and banged on the doors. "Joseph?"
"I'll tell you downstairs... we need to get downstairs NOW," he added urgently when Sebastian and Nicholas finally appeared in their respective doorways looking sleepy.
Little Shelley whimpered in Clarisse's free arm as Joseph led them downstairs, but Clarisse didn't say a word as they sat together on the couch, waiting for the other two couples, who arrived a few seconds later, all looking bewildered and nervous.
"What's going on?" Mia asked sleepily as she flopped down on the couch opposite Joseph and Clarisse. "I heard the phone and then Joe bang on the door..."
"We're just about to find out," Joseph said quietly as they heard a loud knock on the door before he went to answer it. Scott looked grim as he followed the three guards and Joseph back into the room.
"I'm sorry to disturb you all, but we've have a major security breach," he began as Joseph sat down next to Clarisse again. "This isn't going to be easy, but... we think that someone may have tried to sneak onto the property in the last few hours..." he trailed off as the atmosphere in the room changed from confusion to immediate tension as the five of them stared in shock at Scott.
"Oh my," Clarisse finally broke the silence, going white as she blindly reached for Joseph's hand, and he squeezed it tightly... She had never felt so violated in her life- what if they had been alone in the house... before she shuddered at the thought.
She momentarily forget her fears when she realized Scott finished talking and was about to leave... for one dreadful moment she thought Joseph would volunteer his services again, but once he sat back on the couch and put an arm around her, she realized he wasn't going anywhere...
"Just to make our job easier, I would prefer that you spend the rest of the night down here... these three boys," Scott waved at the three standing unobtrusively in the corner. "Will be staying in the house with you for the rest of the night, and we will be patrolling the grounds, but we won't be able to do much until morning... Again, I'm very sorry that this has happened, but I can guarantee that we won't rest until we find this person...."
With that, he left the room after a few murmured instructions to the guards, leaving six very shocked people in his wake... no one was going to sleep for the rest of the night, and it was going to be a very long night indeed....