Author's Note: I got this up pretty fast, but still a little drama to be played out....

Thanks to all my readers- you all rock!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

The rest of the wake was uneventful as, again, Charlie proved how popular he had been, with all of parliament as well as representatives from other countries attending. Marion was surrounded for much of the afternoon and Clarisse, watching her, could emphathize completely with her- at Rupert's wake, she had literally been unable to move as everyone surrounded her, offering sincere and insincere condolences- she could always tell the difference. She had also been inundated with offers of help and visits which, at the time, had driven her crazy but she now appreciated. It had been nearly nine years since Rupert's death, and while her life had moved on considerably since then, she could still remember how it felt to be a widow and viewed as one... it would be even worse for Marion, as Charlie had worshipped her.

Clarisse didn't get much time to reflect on these thoughts as she was busy chatting with guests, Joseph at her side. He had the feeling Charlie's death had hit her harder than she wanted to admit, and while she was handling it well now, she would eventually have to give in to her grief.

It was late in the afternoon when Joseph decided it was time to go (Nicholas had long gone) and Clarisse wearily agreed- the loss and subsequent funeral of one of her dearest friends had drained her, and she had the feeling that James, while maintaining his jovial bravado, was devastated by the loss of his childhood friend.

Marion, while looking tired, smiled warmly when they approached to say their farewells. "Thank you for today...."

"It was an honour," Joseph said seriously as Clarisse hugged her and he followed suit, Marion clearly appreciating it.

"Please call if you need anything," Clarisse added sincerely.

"I will- I promise."

It was a very quiet trip back to the beach, Clarisse, while still holding Joseph's hand, staring out the window, lost in her own thoughts while he did the same, but glanced at her from time to time. When they arrived back, Clarisse headed inside immediately as Joseph stopped to talk to the bodyguards who had stayed behind to take care of the house and Shelley, but when he entered the house, he discovered that Clarisse had locked herself into the bathroom.

"Are you alright?" he knocked gently on the door after he got changed.

"I'm fine," Clarisse replied thickly, sounding as though she had been crying. "I just need some time, that's all."
"I'll be downstairs if you need me."

After he had taken Shelley for a brief stroll along the beach, a quick glance at his watch informed him it was time to start dinner.

"Come on Shelley, let's go back," he said to the puppy as they turned back to the house. "Maybe your mistress will be feeling a little better when we get back."

She hadn't yet emerged when they stepped back into the house,but he left her alone as he headed back to the kitchen- it had been a very emotional day for her, and she was grieving for a man who had been there for her through a lot of rocky times, including a difficult marriage.

He had just put the lasagne in the oven to bake, ready to watch some TV while waiting for Clarisse, when he heard soft footsteps on the stairs, and he turned to see Clarisse enter the room, looking refreshed, although her eyes were a little red.

"I had a long shower," she explained as she picked up Shelley and cuddled her close.

"I thought so... are you alright?" he rested a hand on her cheek.

"Not really," Clarisse said honestly. "Charlie was a great friend of mine, and I'm devastated... but it's also reminded me of when I was widowed... and that it will be us one day..."

"Yes, it will be us one day," Joseph agreed honestly, guiding her over to the table and sat her down. "There's no denying that, or even trying to, but the most important thing is that Charlie loved life, so you should to.... it's not about the quantity of life but the quality. I know that deaths always make one consider their own mortality, but why don't we just appreciate what we have now?"

"That's sounds like a good idea," Clarisse brushed away tears, before smiling weakly at him. "You are so wise and understanding...."

"That's what husbands are for," he quipped gently before wrapping his arms around her.

00000

Despite the comforting words, Clarisse was very quiet for the next few days, and Joseph suspected she was depressed about Charlie. She did her usual activities- embroidery, gardening, walking and training Shelley, cooking and speaking to Mia on the phone- but her heart wasn't in it, and she was only going through the motions. She only really smiled when Shelley did something funny (which she did quite often), and she was unusually clingy to Joseph, which was understandable.

A week after the funeral, Joseph was trying to think of a way to cheer his wife up when he received two phone calls and two sets of good news, both of which would help. The first call was from Mia:

"Nick and I would like to come out and see you tomorrow- I know Grandma hasn't been very happy for the last week or so, but I do have some news that would cheer her up...." She sounded very mysterious, and Joseph had no idea what she meant, but he knew Clarisse would enjoy seeing them.

No sooner had he hung up from Mia then the phone rang again- this time, it was Julie.

"I know Sean is coming to visit next month, but Patrick and I need to go away, and as my parents are going to be away as well... would you like to have him for a few days?"

"Clarisse is out in the garden at the moment, but I'm sure she... we would be delighted to babysit... I'll call you when I know....

"How's it going out here?" he asked jovially when, outside, he approached Clarisse who, kneeling on a towel, was weeding, Shelley lying nearby.
"Not too bad- the grass and the weeds are growing," she said matter of factly, sitting back and looking up at him. "What are you doing?"

"I just got off the phone," he began, noting that Clarisse blanched slightly at the words. "It's not bad news- Mia and Nicholas are coming out tomorrow with some news...." Clarisse looked surprised but delighted. ".... and Julie also called- she and Patrick have to go away, and she wanted to know if we would like to look after Sean for a few days..."

"How wonderful!" Clarisse's face lit up again with delight. "What did you say?"

"I said we'd let her know, but that we'd love to do it," he teased, happier now that Clarisse had cheered up at the double good news- Mia, Julie and Sean. "I'm just wondering what Mia's news will be," he confessed as he sat on the nearby garden seat and Clarisse looked thoughtful.

"I have no idea either, but I suspect it has something to do with the baby, but we'll just have to wait until they come to find out...."

000

The next morning, both Joseph (pleased that Clarisse seemed brighter) and Clarisse were practically glued to the windows, waiting for them to arrive, and they almost ran out the door when they saw the limousine approach, to Mia's open amusement.

"Talk about a welcoming committee," she laughed through the open window.

Joseph's jaw dropped slightly when Mia stepped out of the car- she had put on more weight since the last time he'd see her (but still looked great) before Clarisse, noticing that he was staring, nudged him in the ribs.

"Hello you two... I can see that having extra bodyguards hasn't changed a thing for you!" she joked, embracing Clarisse and then Joseph, who couldn't resist joking in return:

"How is it for you at the palace?" and Mia rolled her eyes as they went inside.

"Not too bad- it is annoying, but I'm used to I... I can now see how it could have been annoying for you, Grandma, even when the man you were crazy about was your HOS," Mia said cheekily as she sank down on the couch next to Nicholas as Clarisse and Joseph sat down opposite them.

"I could take that as an insult.... but since it's true," he glanced lovingly at Clarisse. "I'll let it be... but you are getting just as cheeky as your grandmother!"

"I know," Mia looked modest before turning serous. "I know you've had a terrible start to the year, Grandma, but I have something that may cheer you up... I had a check up a few days ago, and the baby is fine... in fact, both babies are fine," she beamed happily at Nicholas for a moment before looking at them again. "We're having twins!"

"Twins!?" Joseph repeated in stupefaction.

"Yes, twins Joe- one for each of you," Mia replied impishly.

"Congratulations," Joseph said, recovering quicker than Clarisse as he embraced Mia and shook Nicholas's hand. "Double trouble at the palace!" he joked before they all looked expectantly at Clarisse who still hadn't said anything.

"Twins?" she finally said, at a loss for words. "I... uh... well...." she stammered as, inexplicably, her eyes filled with tears. "Well... excuse me," she whispered before fleeing the room, mortified at how she was feeling, and that she had displayed it to Mia and Nicholas.

In the kitchen she hastily drank a glass of water, trying to figure out why she was feeling like this, before she heard:

"Aren't you happy about my news, Grandma?" and Clarisse whirled around to see Mia standing there, looking calm but sounding hurt.

"Oh no, darling... I am absolutely thrilled for you, and I mean that... congratulations,"" she hastily embraced a still puzzled Mia. "It's just that I'm so angry that your father can't be here to celebrate yet another milestone in your life," she sighed. "He's missed you officially becoming a princess, your coronation, engagement and wedding, and now this... I wish I could make it up to you in someway."

"You don't need to make anything up to me, Grandma," Mia said patiently, resting a hand on top of Clarisse's. "Yes, it would be nice to have Dad here, but I have had you and Joe for the past eight years, both as my father and grandmother, therefore you have nothing to make up for... Yes, I wish he had been here, but you, Joe and my mother more than make up for it."Clarisse looked at her pensively for a moment, slightly in awe of how mature Mia was, and immensely proud of her... and twins! She had Joseph were going to great-grandparents twice over!"

000

After celebrating the good news, the new parents headed back to Pyrus while Clarisse beamed happily at Joseph.

"Twins! I don't think that has happened in our family before!"

"It certainly will make life more interesting," Joseph agreed. "But... who would succeed Mia as monarch?"

"Ever the practical one," Clarisse teased gently. "We'll worry about that when we come to it... but twins!" she smiled gleefully, and Joseph knew he couldn't diminish her job, even if he had wanted to. "I didn't mean to get upset when Mia told us, but I just wished Phillipe had been here... he has missed so much."

"But you're here," he reminded her gently. "I'm sure he would have been as proud as can be, but she has you... and I'm sure he's here, in a way."

"You are very sweet," she caressed his cheek gently. "I just wish...that he hadn't been killed....life would have been so much easier...."

00000

A week later, Julie and Patrick dropped Sean off for his visit- Sean was now almost ten months old, and growing rapidly, with big brown eyes, soft and still rather sparse brown hair, a cheeky and happy smile (as revealed in numerous pictures Julie had sent) and already had four teeth.

He was momentarily shy when he first saw Clarisse and Joseph, but all too soon he chuckling happily away in Clarisse's arms as Shelley watched them, Patrick bringing in all the baby equipment, with an an expression that seemed to say: 'who is this strange creature, and why does he need all this stuff?'

"Shelley, this is Sean," Clarisse knelt down so that the dog had a good view of the baby. "He's a friend, not a toy," she added as Shelley curiously sniffed his feet before licking it, wagging her tail in approval as Sean chuckled happily.

"She'll be fine," Clarisse said reassuringly to Julie as she stood up again. "She's very gentle."

"She's as soft as a marshmallow!" Joseph added with a laugh.

"So says the man who gave her to me," Clarisse retorted protectively as she glared pointedly at him.

"By the way," Julie continued. "He's still relatively easy to put to sleep, but he is teething at the moment, so you could have a bad night with him.... But Joe does need the practice!"

"Thank you- you really are a kind, thoughtful niece."

Once Julie and Patrick left, little Sean's lips only trembling for a moment when his parents said goodbye to him, Joseph took most of his gear (excluding the high chair) upstairs and Clarisse settled him down for a nap.

"So this is what it feels like to have a baby in the house," Joseph whispered as they tiptoed out of the room. "Thank goodness we're not first time parents!"

"No, we're way past that," Clarisse agreed as they went downstairs, before pausing for a moment. "Its just that when I spoke to Mia during that crisis, it hit me particularly hard that it would have been nice to have a child with you... I will always blame myself for you never having children, but I was just a little jealous of Mia and Nicholas that night... Anyway," she shook off the mood briskly. "I think I'm going to love having Sean here- he's such a lovely little boy."

"Even when he's teething?"

"Welcome to the wonderful world of babies and teething... but you did very well when he was a newborn, so this should be a piece of cake!"

She sounded very confident despite her secret feeling of inadequacy- she had barely spent enough time with her sons when they were little, as well as Mia, but she was determined to be a constant presence in this little boy's life, as well as enjoy the grandmother experience with Mia and Nicholas's twins.

000

The next few days were a source of joy for Clarisse- she had always loved little Sean, and spending even more time with him increased her enjoyment. Joseph was a little less enthusiastic, particularly when he realized that teething was a very painful experience, but since Clarisse was happy, he didn't want to complain.

The first night was a sleepless one for all involved- baby Sean still keep crying despite the remedies Julie had left for him, and Clarisse finally went downstairs with him so not to disturb Joseph, but he came downstairs a little while later, just as Sean settled down.

"You're a natural at this," he whispered as he sat down next to her.

"I am a mother," she reminded him gently. "The maternal instinct is still going strong... and I'm definitely going to be a grandmother to the twins."

"So you're going to neglect Shelley and me?" he pretended to look insulted as, little Sean now asleep, they stood up and headed towards the stairs, talking in hushed tones, and she turned to smile at him.

"I would never neglect either of you.... you could simply come with me..."

Other than the first night (and the next morning when he was still complaining a little), the next few days were fun for Clarisse- he was such a happy little boy, sleeping most nights, and Clarisse didn't mind cleaning up his high chair after meals (which was usually a mess). Even Shelley got used to him, although, when she wanted more attention, she dragged some of his toys outside or left them around the house, much to Joseph's irritation.

"She really is trying my patience," he complained after picking up yet another toy off the floor, and Clarisse laughed from her position on the toy covered blanket on the floor, watching Sean crawl around the room, Shelley watching and following closely.

"She just wants some attention, don't you Shelley?" she almost cooed to the puppy, who wagged her tail in response, but keep her eyes on the baby, obviously fascinated by him. "You must remember, she's only a baby as well."

"You really are enjoying this, aren't you?" he teased. "You haven't complained about cleaning his high chair, the nappy changes, washing his clothes...."

"It's all part of looking after a baby, but yes, I have enjoyed all of it, and if you're completely honest, you've enjoyed it too... especially when you got up with him in the middle of the night when I didn't..."

"It was easy, especially since you had been up with him the night before when he was teething...."

"Alright, you won't admit it, but I am going to miss him when he leaves tomorrow..." she added sadly as she stood up and walked over, scooping him up on the way. "But I guess Shelley would be pleased to be back as the centre of attention..."

Just then, Joseph's mobile rang and, after a few brief words, he glanced quickly at Clarisse and hurried out of the room, much to Clarisse's surprise.

"I wonder what that was all about?" she said to Sean.

0

She was feeling a little sad the next morning as she started packing Sean's gear up, and it wasn't just because he was leaving- Joseph has been cool and distant ever since he had gotten that phone call the previous evening....

"What was that about?" she asked when he came back into the room ten minutes later, and she had to repeat the question as seemed distracted and tense.

"Oh, nothing... Scott just needed some advice, that's all."

She was even more suspicious when the second call came later that night, particularly when Joseph made a point of not acknowledging her question, so she just let it be, before he suddenly announced as they were going to bed:

"I have to go into Pyrus for a couple of hours tomorrow."

"Why... Julie and Patrick are coming...."

"That's why you're going to stay here instead of coming with me," he said decisively and Clarisse couldn't help but feel a little insulted at his meaning. "It's nothing, don't worry," he added breezily, kissing her briefly on the cheek and turning his back to her, leaving her more confused than before.

He left before she had a chance to tackle the subject, but she was still pondering the subject as she finished packing Sean's stuff and settled him into his playpen. She was just about to settle down and do some embroidery while waiting for the others, before Joseph's mobile rang.

"Hello?" she said, smiling widely- she was sure Joseph was calling to apologize for his behaviour, but she was unpleasantly surprised to discover that it wasn't Joseph, but she couldn't think who it could be, although the voice sounded oddly familiar....

"Hello, Your Majesty," came the voice from the other end. "Turn on your TV."

"Who is this?" Clarisse asked warily, reaching for the remote control resting beside her. " How did you get this number?"

"I have my ways... it's Arthur Mabrey, but before you hang up, I have something to say," he added hastily as Clarisse's finger moved towards the disconnect button. "This is coming from someone who still wants the best for you," he continued as Clarisse rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Do you know your husband is in Pyrus?"

"Of course I do," Clarisse said sharply, annoyed that Arthur Mabrey knew more than she did.

"Did you also know that he was seen entering a bar with a mysterious woman who is clearly not you?"

Ignoring this, Clarisse switched on the television and her eyes widened in horror at what she saw... the photographer was obviously hidden in some bushes, but he had a clear view of the bar in question and, sure enough, Joseph stepped out of the restaurant with his guard, looking guilty and annoyed, before hurrying off in one direction... She was about to switch it off when two other people emerged from the restaurant seconds afterwards... one she couldn't recognise, but the other... Laura, Joseph's ex girlfriend and someone she couldn't stand, looking smug. Obviously something had happened in that restaurant....

"Now how do you feel?" Mabrey taunted on the other line, and while Clarisse was shocked, hurt and angry to the core, she recovered sufficiently enough to snap:

"No comment," before promptly hanging up on him and switching off the phone... now, no one, not even Joseph, could get in touch with her.

There was now something different on TV but she couldn't forget the images she had just seen, her mind reeling- Joseph, then Laura emerging from a bar, one looking guilty, the other smug... was Joseph seeing Laura on the sly? Was he cheating on her? Had she, once again, married a man who had no intention of remaining faithful to her?

She was still trying to recover her equilibrium when she heard a car pull up outside- Julie and Patrick had arrived to pick up Sean....

0

"I'm sorry you missed Joseph," Clarisse said apologetically as the two young people began loading all the gear in the car an hour later, making ready to leave. "He had to go to Pyrus unexpectedly, but I'm sure he would have loved seeing you.""

"Not to worry, we'll probably see him again soon... I'm just relieved that this little scamp didn't wear you out," she tickled her son playfully on the stomach, and he giggled.

"No, we loved having him here, and he's welcome anytime...."

Clarisse gave him one last cuddle before he was strapped into the car, and she happily, yet sadly waved them off before her mood changed as she again considered what she had seen and heard that morning... Joseph had been been irritated after both calls the previous night, as well as being distant with her, and it had been clear he hadn't wanted to talk about it... Obviously it had something to do with Laura, and while she had initially appreciated being left out of it, it now hurt that he had withheld information from her....and that the press had covered their meeting, or whatever it was. What made it worse was that Viscount Mabrey knew all about it, and had called her.... She didn't know what to think, but she knew that she and Joseph would have to have serious talk when he got back...

0

He arrived back an hour after Julie left, and while he was still tense, his attitude towards Clarisse had changed back to what it usually was, but not Clarisse was cool with him.

"I wish I had been back in time to see Jules... did they get off alright?"

"Yes, and it's been very quiet here since," Clarisse said simply as she handed him a cup of coffee and turned away.

"Yes, it is... but I'm sure Shelley will enjoy being the centre of attention again," he joked, but Clarisse, her back still to him, didn't laugh in return.

"Maybe so," she replied non committally, and Joseph was puzzled.

"Is there something wrong, dear?"

"Why should there be anything wrong?"

"You're being awfully... what's the word... distant....what's wrong?"

"Just like you were last night?" Clarisse spun around to look at him, her face still neutral, but her eyes glittering with anger. "Are you going to explain that behaviour to me?"

"I... I can't," Joseph said quickly, looking down at the table, angering Clarisse even more. "Not yet anyway... but I will."

"Does it have anything to do with.... Laura?" she spat out the name and he looked up, stunned.

"How did you know?"

"It doesn't matter how I know, what matters is that I would like to know what's going on between you and your ex-girlfriend...."