Author's Note: THIS IS IT! This is the final chapter in this story, and it's been a long time getting there, but I've had a great time with it! I can't promise anything, but I may have some ideas for a fourth story, so just keep your eyes out... I still think there's some more left to write about!
Thank you to all my loyal readers who have stayed with me throughout this story- you all rock, and I hope, if this next story works out, you'll keep reading! But I do have another, different story coming....
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!
Clarisse was about to agree with Joseph's suggestion to let Mia decide- although, as much as she loved being called Grandma (a traditional name), Rissie was also a tempting name... it was something new and unique, something Phillipe would have got a kick out of- before she realized Nicholas had come back into the room, and everyone had surrounded him, giving him hugs, handshakes and back slaps.
"Congratulations Nicholas," Clarisse said when she finally spoke to him, embracing him at the same time. "I know it wasn't easy for you to be in there," she murmured into his ear- this was for no one but him. "But you did very well for staying- Mia needed you."
He smiled bashfully when he pulled away from her, before looking from her to Joseph.
"Mia wants to see you two... yes, she'll see the rest of you as well," he added hastily as Scott looked indignant. "But... great grandparents come first."
Clarisse had no opportunity to remove the green gown or pants as they followed Nicholas towards Mia's room, but she did pause just before the door to kick off the slip on shoes and completely remove the face mask, before following Nicholas into the room, Joseph right behind her.
Mia looked completely different to what she had been in the delivery room- her face was back to a normal pale pink, her hair was tied back , wearing one of her own nightgowns ("I wouldn't be caught dead in a hospital gown) and she was glowing with happiness as she was propped up against a number of fluffed up pillows, cuddling a small, blue blanketed bundle in her arms
"Grandma, you left before I had a chance to introduce you to your great- grandchildren," she beamed at Clarisse.
"I thought you deserved some privacy," Clarisse smiled, in awe at how radiant she looked, before walking over to her bedside. "Congratulations, darling," she added, kissing her cheek.
"That was very thoughtful, Grandma, but privacy in a delivery room? I don't think so!" Mia laughed as Nicholas walked over to the second crib next to the bed and gingerly picked up a pink blanketed bundle as Joseph joined Clarisse.
"Would you like to hold your great grandson?" Mia inquired, holding the blue bundle out to Clarisse who, after a moment's hesitation, took the newborn into her arms. The baby squeaked a little, wriggling uncomfortably as he went from one set of arms to another and his eyes fluttered, threatening to open, before he settled down again with a small sigh as his enamoured grandmother watched.
"He's beautiful," she sighed as, with Joseph's help, she sank into a nearby hospital chair, her eyes still glued to the baby boy in her arms. "Ridiculous as this might sound, it seems as though he may have your father's ears and nose, and looks like Nicholas..."
"No, we thought the same thing as well... and we thought that our little girl looks like Grandma- nose and chin now, but I have a feeling she's going to look more like her great- grandmother than I did," Mia smiled at Nicholas, who walked around to where Joseph was sitting. "Joe, did you want to hold your granddaughter?"
"No, thank you... not at the moment," he answered quickly, shaking his head uncomfortably. "I'll wait until she's not quite so... new...." The truth was, he did want to hold the baby, but the thought that she was only twenty minutes old unnerved him.
"You'll have to do it sometime... you and Grandma are going to be my number one babysitters!" and he had to laugh at that before Nicholas suddenly bent down and handed him the baby. He was so startled that he almost dropped her into his lap but, thankfully, his protective instincts kicked in and he held the baby.... princess, he realized sharply, firmly but awkwardly for a few moments, not looking at Clarisse, but enjoying it anyway... She was so tiny and warm and yes, there was a vague similarity between her and Clarisse... before he quickly handed her back to Nicholas and Clarisse almost regretfully handed her grandson back to Mia.
"So," Clarisse said, resting her hand on top of Joseph's- he had looked so endearingly awkward holding his granddaughter, but he had managed quite well. " What are you going to name them? You needn't say you haven't decided on anything because I know you have," she added with a twinkle in her eye as she saw Mia open her mouth to protest.
"Alright, you caught us," Mia grinned, exchanging a speaking look with her husband. "Yes, we have chosen names... our daughter...." Clarisse's eyes filled with tears at the word 'daughter'...."Our daughter will be known as Isabella Clarisse Grace..." Clarisse gasped audibly as Joseph squeezed her hand.
"And our son will be known as Andrew Joseph Phillipe- two very suitable names for the princess and prince of Genovia," she finished with a pleased smile as Clarisse and Joseph sat there in stunned silence.
"Well, I...." Clarisse began finally, several tears running down her cheeks and she brushed them away before continuing. "This was... is... a lovely, lovely surprise, darling, and I'm... WE'RE touched by the gesture... in fact," she glanced at Joseph, who seemed to be in shock. "We're overwhelmed... but thank you, both of you," she smiled tearfully et happily at both of them.
"Yes, thank you," Joseph added gruffly, in a voice Clarisse knew signified he was feeling emotional but was unable to express it. "Like Clarisse said, it's a lovely surprise and we both appreciate the gesture."
Shortly afterwards, as Mia and Nicholas cradled their children, Scott (obviously unable to wait any longer) burst into the room, followed by Lily, Charlotte and Motezs, all of whom crowded around Mia or Nicholas, cooing over the respective infant in their arms, Clarisse and Joseph watching on quietly.
"I can't believe you're a mother now,"Lily looked at Mia in awe, but Mia broke the moment with a laugh.
"I may be a mother, wife and Queen, but I'm still the same Mia I was before!" before Lily gave her an awkward hug.
As the rest of the group continued to mill around the happy couple, Clarisse met Joseph's eyes and he nodded- they were both exhausted and it was time for bed. After bidding everyone farewell (and promising Mia they would be back later), she and Joseph were outside and, after divesting herself of the rest of the hospital clothes, they silently followed their bodyguards into the elevator.
"I don't know what to say," Clarisse began hesitatingly before turning to smile impishly at Joseph. "Except... I told you so!"
"I could say the same thing about you," Joseph grinned slightly. "You were a given, but me..." he trailed off.
A few cameramen were waiting outside the main entrance of the hospital (obviously they had been tipped off) when they emerged but Clarisse, more startled to see that the sun was starting to rise, ignored them as she climbed into the car... surely they hadn't been there that long... but she was more concerned at how quiet Joseph was.
"Darling," she began tentatively as the car left the hospital. "Are you upset at what Mia and Nicholas did?"
"Of course not- why should I be?" he asked gruffly.
"But you're very quiet... oh Joseph, sweetheart, surely you knew this was coming! You have been the main male role model in her life since she was sixteen... and, given the support and advice you have given her, of course it would have made an impact on her, and you DO deserve it," she added, shifting over in her seat to lace her fingers through his.
"It seems... seems..." he floundered around for the right word but Clarisse, resting her head on his shoulder, understood completely.
"Look at it this way," she said briskly after a moment. "The next generation of Renaldis now have our names... and they might come back into fashion again!"
"Maybe so," Joseph laughed, finally sounding relaxed as he squeezed her hand. ""By the way, I notice you never asked Mia about our new names...."
"She had other things on her mind... although," she added with a chuckle. " She did ask me, in the delivery room, mind you, how I handled giving birth...." She paused for a moment, Joseph sitting quietly beside her- she was about to open up about a time she had never spoken about. "Pierre was easy- he was born in a few hours, but Phillipe... almost 23 hours of agony... it didn't help that I was sick for most of my pregnancy, as well as being unhappy about Rupert... but I still wanted the baby... I was ten days overdue when I finally went into labour, and Rupert, to my surprise, insisted on coming with me... It was fine for a few hours," she chuckled sheepishly. "But I eventually got so fed up with the pain that I began cursing and shouting, before telling Rupert to get out and stay out!"
"So you gave birth alone?" Joseph was appalled that, after her gruelling and difficult pregnancy, Rupert would leave her alone.
"No," Clarisse grinned ruefully at the memory. "Rupert did come back, not at all angry, and I was so relieved to see him that I almost cried... and Phillipe was born soon after..."
The palace was beginning to stir as they crept quietly upstairs to their suite and Joseph locked the door as Clarisse, yawning, collapsed on their unmade bed.
"Thank you for telling me that story," Joseph said quietly as, after changing back into their pyjamas, they climbed into bed. "It proves that Rupert did have some good features."
"He did, although he showed them less than he should have... but he's got nothing on you, Joey," she giggled before Joseph gently threw a pillow at her.
"You're making me blush... Rissie," he growled, playfully pinning her down before bending down and kissing her firmly on the mouth. "No you'd better get some sleep, kiddo... I have a feeling Mia will be utilizing our skills sooner than you think!"
"Kiddo?" she spluttered for a second before snuggling up into his arms. "I'll ignore that," she said sleepily. " But, more importantly, we have twin great grandchildren...."
00000
TWO MONTHS LATER
Two months seemed to fly by in moments, and it was soon the day of the twins christening, a day that was predicted to be warm and sunny, much to the collective relief of Mia, Clarisse and Helen.
"It would have been too awful if it had been raining!"
It was a day that was highly anticipated by not only the royal family, but by the entire country- it was the first time in history that there were twins, and the last christening had been over 23 years earlier. It would also be the first chance anyone would catch a glimpse of the new twins, who had been kept out of sight from the day they were born....It was going to be a simple affair, held at the church their parents (as well as Clarisse and Joseph) were married in, with only family and a few friends at the actual ceremony, although there would be a big party that night....
They came home from the hospital two days after they were born, and everyone at the palace fell instantly in love with them. Mia had arranged to have a few weeks off from public functions (although she still had work to do) but Clarisse was happily willing to help out, as was Joseph, although he was a little more nervous, and they spent a great deal of time over the first few days with them, marvelling at how healthy and happy they were.
When Helen arrived at the end of the week, however, things began to change. Clarisse knew that her past disapproval at when Phillipe and Helen had married had done damage, but she had also though that, since she had re-established a relationship with Mia, they did have cordial, friendly relationship. However, Helen made it obvious that she resented Clarisse for having been in the delivery room with Mia, as well as spending a lot of time with the twins, something neither Clarisse nor Joseph could understand. Clarisse, puzzled by her resentment, gracefully cut down her time with the twins, but it was still clear that Helen resented her.
"I don't understand what I've done wrong," she said to Joseph one night, two weeks after the twins were born. She was hurt and upset that she couldn't spend as much time with the children as she had wanted to, and it was also creating unnecessary tension in the palace, although Mia was thankfully unaware of what was going on.....
"Maybe, and I know this is incredibly unfair, she's still upset at what had happened when she had married Phillipe....."
"I will always regret that I disapproved of her, but I didn't ask to be in the delivery room with Mia... I'm sure, if she had been there, Mia would have asked her mother!" She hated the fact that she was being made to feel uncomfortable in her own home, but she was determined that Mia would not know anything about it from her.
A week later, despite the twins giving everyone a great deal of joy, Clarisse was fed up and, when Joseph said he was taking a day trip out the check on the house, Clarisse had insisted on coming too- and even extending the trip for a couple of days.
"I can't bear to leave the tins, but this is for the sake of family harmony," she had explained to Joseph as she quickly packed two bags for them, and Joseph smiled as he reached over and patted her hand.
"You don't need to explain anything to me, baby... but you had better tell Mia we'll be away for a few days...."
Mia had been slightly confused when Clarisse, having found her and Helen in the nursery, informed her of their plans.
"We'll be back in a few days- Joseph wants to check on the house, and I want to see how the garden's going... besides, it might give you some time with your mother," she added soothingly, caressing both twins heads with her lips before leaving the room, Helen looking slightly guilty.....
Thankfully, after a few days space, things were much better when they came back.
"Helen realizes that you weren't trying to usurp her position as Mia's mother, and you KNOW that Helen had long since forgiven you... sharing such a wonderful girl as Mia and grandchildren does tend to bond women!" Joseph said triumphantly that night. "I told you not to worry, and I was right!"
The next month was less eventful than the previous months, and Clarisse and Joseph celebrated their third wedding anniversary just a few days before the christening. They had spent the day away from the palace, and had a nice dinner at Sergio's (now frantically busy, thanks to her garden, he told her gratefully), and Clarisse, after some thinking about it, had to admit that Joseph's suggestion of travelling for a few months, away from Genovia, was appealing.
"It's not as if we've had a dull year," he joked when she admitted her feelings to him over dinner. ""If you stop to think about it, it's been yet another crazy year, but this anniversary is, thankfully, much better than last year's...." he trailed off, both of them recalling the car accident that had abruptly ended last year's celebration. "Do you think we'll ever have a completely uneventful year?"
"Eventually, but we have had some interesting times... me becoming Sean's godmother and us babysitting him twice..."
"Spending more time with my crazy family... but I did enjoy the trip to L.A...."
"I bet you did, especially with those young women flirting with you and Benjamin," she chuckled at the memory before turning serious. "But, then again, there have been some tough times- the accident, me getting sick and injured... saying goodbye to old friends..." she was thinking of both Charlie and Maurice. " Mia and I not speaking... our temporary separation and that bomb threat...."
"But the good times have far outweighed those times," Joseph said gently, leaning over and resting his hand on top of hers. "Christmas was pretty good- especially as you received an extra special gift...."
"Shelley," Clarisse said with a smile. "True- and New Year's Eve was... wonderful," she blushed at the memory. "And now, our new great grandchildren... Still, I think us travelling for a while is a good idea...."
"Why?" he looked puzzled. "I thought you wanted to stay close so you could see the wins daily?"
"I do, but things have changed....besides, I thought that you wanted to travel. I have to admit, I wasn't quite sure when you first mentioned it, but now... I simply want to travel anonymously for a while with you...and be anonymous for the first time in my life..."
"Fine with me," he grinned- it would be fun!
000
Clarisse awoke early and lay there thinking about all that had happened over the past twelve months, before she realized that her husband was awake and watching her.
"How long have you been doing that?" she groaned, burying her face in her pillow for a moment before meeting his eyes again. " You know I hate you doing that!"
"Not long... you were awake before me, but you looked so peaceful daydreaming that I didn't want to disturb you... but now..." he leaned over and kissed her sweetly. "Today is a very special day."
"For several reasons," she caressed his cheek. ""But, mainly because of the christening... and seeing how comfortable BJ has made himself at the palace!"
At that, Joseph groaned while Clarisse laughed- BJ and co were staying at the palace, and ever since he had arrived two days ago, BJ had definitely made himself at home, and irritated Joseph as much as it amused Clarisse. He had never taken advantage of the palace (even thought the staff would have been pleased to help him), but for BJ to do it...
"He's only doing it to annoy you," she said easily, sitting up and stretching. "But it doesn't matter- he is family."
"You're too soft hearted around my brother....and I don't know why..."
"Well, I like him him, and he has a fantastic sense of humour; he brought Annie and Julie into my life, and... he's related to you...." She went red at the last words and quickly climbed out of bed, reaching for her robe.
"Aren't you a sweet lady?" he teased, stretching over and tugging her back onto the bed. "Where are you going, anyway... oh, I know where," he grinned at her- she wanted to see the twins before they were completely surrounded.
"Of course... are you coming too?" she asked teasingly, knowing that he would because a) she was going, and b) he had quickly grown very fond of (and somewhat protective) of Mia and Nicholas's tiny twins.
The nurse discreetly disappeared when they entered the sunlit nursery, and Clarisse didn't hesitate to stroll over and pick up a wide awake baby Izzy from her crib, breathing in her sweet baby scent before holding her close to her. It was rather surprising to realize that Mia was right and there was a vague resemblance between Izzy and herself- aside from the nose and chin, her eyes were the same deep blue as her great grandmother's, and Clarisse had often seen an expression flit across her tiny face that seemed familiar....
Loving her warmth, Clarisse turned to Joseph and smiled tenderly at the scene before her- after the initial bout of nervousness and awkwardness when they were newborns, Joseph had taken to caring for his great grandchildren like a duck to water, proving to Clarisse that he would have been a wonderful father, particularly with his protective instincts. He doted on both Izzy and Andy (as they were known), and Clarisse loved seeing him hold one or the other.
"What are you grinning at?" he brought her back to the present. "I know it may seem funny that I'm holding a baby...."
"Not at all, " Clarisse said calmly, walking over to stand beside him and look around the toy filled nursery, quite the opposite to what it had been with Phillipe, it's former occupant. "I was thinking how easily you've taken to your great grandchildren, caring for them almost as well as me... and your protective instincts- you really would have made a wonderful father."
"Well, my protective instincts had already been put to good use... with you...."
"If I wasn't holding Izzy..." she trailed off threateningly, but the warm look in her eyes belied her tone. "Just you wait until later, SIR Joseph," she added sarcastically.
"It's unbelievable how much they grow and change every day," he changed the subject with a grin. "Every day brings something new and different... are you sure you want to go and miss some of these crucial stages of development?"
Although he was secretly thrilled that they were going to go away, he still had to be sure....
"Of course... we will be calling in from time to time, but it's time for Mia and Nicholas to be a family with their children... it's been a whirlwind couple of of years for them, and now they need to settle down in their marriage and family..."
"You are a very wise woman," Joseph said with an admiring smile.
0
The christening was scheduled for 11 in the morning, so they had all met downstairs at 10:30 and were soon on their way to the church.
"This is the life,"BJ said yet again as he settled into the limousine- he and Lynn were riding with Joseph and Clarisse. "Joe, I honestly don't understand why you didn't get into this life once you married Clarisse!"
"I never wanted it,"Joseph said honestly, reaching over for Clarisse's hand- as usual, she looked beautiful in a plain dark blue dress and matching shoes, bringing out the colour of her eyes. "The best feature of the palace, for me, wasn't the servants doing everything for you (and they were my colleagues as well), or the luxurious surroundings... but the lady sitting beside me..." he smiled tenderly over at his wife of three years.
"That's the other thing I don't get... how you and Clarisse are still acting like newlyweds after three years... I think I might need to challenge you not to be so like that..."
"B...." Lynn began warningly as Joseph scowled at him, but Clarisse was surprisingly unperturbed by BJ's insolence- she knew he was stirring, so she decided to give it back to him.
"BJ, you may have been fortunate to experience a happy marriage, but I wasn't... But when I married Joseph," she beamed over at her husband. "My life changed completely- especially after meeting you," she teased BJ. "And I'm very happy with my life the way it is now.... This is all new and different to me, showing my feelings and emotions after being reserved for so long.... but, if Joseph makes me act like a newlywed long after our weddings, then so be it... it's about time I relaxed a little, and I do love him...Besides, if you challenge us, you do it too..."
"Here, here," Joseph said quickly, hoping to deter his brother as Lynn applauded from her corner, but BJ was unfazed as he grinned at Clarisse, Clarisse just as unflappable as she smiled back at him. His brother was a stirrer, but Clarisse could handle him....
"Your speech just proves that, despite being a Queen and the whole world at your feet, you're just as devoted to my little brother as he is to you.... Touché to my favourite sister in law!"
The ceremony at the church, despite the throng of journalists and cameras outside waiting to catch a glimpse of the royal babies, was just as Mia had planned. Everyone who had been important in either of their lives were there- Helen, Patrick and 3-year-old Trevor; Lily and Kip Kelly (who were Isabella's godparents); some of their respective friends from college; Charlotte and Scott (off duty, of course); the Motez's; James, Lisa and Marion; BJ and Lynn, Julie and Patrick (little Sean had been left at the palace); Annie (who, along with one of Nicholas's friends, was little Andrew's godparent) as well as Clarisse and Joseph. Pierre was unable to make it (he had been held up in Italy), but when the other members of parliament had inquired about attending, Mia had shut them down, as she had described it.
The ceremony went off with out a hitch, although Andrew (clad in the same outfit his grandfather Phillipe had worn) wailed and cried through out the christening, much to Annie's embarrassment, but Isabella (wearing an outfit both Clarisse and Mia had worn) barely whimpered at all, causing Joseph to nudge Clarisse in the ribs. It was a beautiful, moving ceremony, and Clarisse couldn't help but wipe away a few tears as Nicholas, Mia and their babies walked past their pew- they really were a family.
"Any more doubts about them being a family?" he asked quietly as they waited inside the church for their car to be brought around.
"No.... but I still think we should let them settle down and have some space..."
000
The ball that night was a happy and relaxed occasion- everyone who was anyone was there, and all of parliament ensured that they were there, even thought they didn't manage to see the twins, who were asleep upstairs. Little Sean was also asleep upstairs, but Clarisse had made sure she had spent some time with him- he was a delightful little fellow, toddling around on still rather shaky legs, but always with a smile on his face. He was also beginning to talk, and while 'Clarisse' was still a mouthful, he did try it on more than one occasion, but only ended up with 'Rissie', causing Joseph to roar with laughter.
"It looks like your name has been chose for you, my darling," he teased, but Clarisse only laughed, particularly once Sean called him "Jowy"....
"How do you feel about that name?" she teased him in retaliation, but they both knew they were very lucky to be involved in his life as much as they were.
Mia had thought it was hilarious too, but she refused to make a decision about what the twins were to call them.
"Why don't we just wait and see what THEY decide to call you?" she suggested sensibly, although she had looked at Joseph with a sly smile. ""I hope they call you 'Joey'... since I wasn't allowed to call you that, it would be perfect comeuppance if they called you that!"
"Such a charming girl," he had sighed, pretending to sound disappointed.
Since the twins were unavailable to be talked to,(it had been a big day and, after the church service, Mia and Nicholas had posed outside for the press- it was time that they saw the twins), most of the guests had surrounded the royal couple, clamouring for details, much to Joseph's relief.
"They've finally decided that we're too boring for them," he pretended to look disappointed as they stood with BJ, Lynn, James, Lisa and Marion and watched the scene before them.
"You sound so disappointed, little brother," BJ said sarcastically before turning to Clarisse with a grin. "Would you care to dance, Clarisse?"
"No one else is," Clarisse pointed out, looking around at the still empty room.
"Ah, but then we can start the trend," BJ said with a impish grin, still looking at her and Clarisse had to sigh. Joseph was right- she couldn't help but be soft hearted around him, although he was no Joseph....
"Alright," she pretended to sound reluctant before he led her out onto the dance floor. "But this is the only time I'm going to do this... this is Mia and Nicholas's night, not mine..."
"True... but look, we have started a trend..." he pointed out Mia and Nicholas heading towards them, grinning.
"My, my Grandma... you've started a trend," Mia teased as they started dancing beside her. "Was this your idea?"
"No, it was BJ's," Clarisse was a little embarrassed that she had been the first on the dance floor, but Mia didn't seem to mind....
Shortly after the dance ended, she was about to make her escape back to Joseph but, when she looked, she couldn't see where he disappeared to, before....
"At last, now it's my turn," she heard from behind her, and she turned to see Joseph standing there, grinning at her. "You didn't think you were going to escape, were you?"
"No, not really... but I was more than a little embarrassed when BJ dragged me out onto the floor... no one else was dancing!"
"Don't worry, I won't let him do that again...." he smiled at her. "Next time, I'll be the one to do that!"
"Don't you dare!" Clarisse almost growled, but stopped when she realized that he was joking.
"So, when do you want to tell Mia we're leaving tonight?" he asked after a moment.
"A little later, just when they've seen everyone and the party is going well... I don't want to leave it until it's finished....And, before you say it, yes, I still want to go!"
The night seemed to pass by in moments, and when Clarisse looked at Joseph at about 9:30, she knew it was time to go.... Mia and Nicholas had just come off the dance floor as they approached, and Mia grinned at them.
"I know what you two are up to!"
"What do you mean?" Clarisse asked in surprise- she thought their plans had been secret.
"You and Joe are coming to say goodbye for now... you've got a plane to catch."
"How do you know that?" Joseph asked, just as surprised as Clarisse.
"Joe, after working here for so many years, surely you know that maids know everything... that, and Scott let it slip!"
"Scott," he growled, looking around the room but not able to see him, but Clarisse was more concerned about Mia.
"You're not upset, are you, that we're going away for a while?"
"Of course not, Grandma. You and Joe have your own life to lead now, and I know that you want US to have some time to ourselves, which is really very thoughtful... Just as long as you come back occasionally...."
"Of course we will- wild horses couldn't keep your grandmother away from those twins!"
"Yes, we will be back... we haven't really discussed what we're going to do, but it should be only for a couple of months..."
"Don't worry, we'll be fine," Mia smiled reassuringly at Clarisse before pulling her close for a hug. "You and Joe have a good time being 'anonymous'... I'll be interested to see how long that lasts, especially with bodyguards," she grinned at Joseph. "But have a great time.... are you going to see the others before you go?"
"Definitely not," Joseph said quickly- BJ would certainly start teasing them (especially since he had a few drinks), but he knew Clarisse had told Lynn, Annie and Julie that they were going. "I'll let you tell him that we're gone...but not until tomorrow morning!"
"Right on," Mia winked at him.
After one more farewell, Clarisse and Joseph quietly made their way through the crowd hand in hand, avoiding everyone's eyes, and Clarisse sighed when they were finally in the hallway.
"Thank goodness.... I thought Mia would be upset that we were leaving..."
"She's much more open minded than that... damn Scott, I wish I could find him before we left," he muttered as they went upstairs to change clothes.
After changing, their luggage already downstairs in the car, Clarisse paused in front of the twin's nursery and quietly crept into the room to smile down at each sleeping face.
"See you soon, my darlings," she whispered, kissing each on their soft cheek before rejoining Joseph outside. "Let's go...."
It wasn't until she was out in the car, and they were heading towards the airport, that she realized she didn't know where they were going....
"Joseph.... where are we going?"
"I'm not going to say at the moment... just wait and see... I promise that you're going to enjoy yourself..."
"I'm going to enjoy myself wherever I am... just as long as I'm with you...." she snuggled up to him in the dark car. "But... do you think we're going to have a quiet few months, or things are going to change again?"
"We're just going to have to wait and see, aren't we?" he asked as he brushed her hair gently with his hand. "We're just going to have to wait and see...."