The Darkest Hour

Chapter 7: Surprise, Surprise!

"Doctor, I don't understand, what is so miraculous?"

Clarisse asked, somewhat confused. She reached for Joseph's hand, who walked over to the side of the bed and took it, swiftly. Clarisse held it tightly.

"Well Clarisse, it seems, even with your age, you are pregnant."

Clarisse's jaw hit the floor. She looked up at Joseph who had tears in his eyes. Clarisse felt one solid tear roll down her cheek.

"How in the world did this happen? I am too old for this to happen. Joseph? I…"

"Clarisse, it doesn't matter how it happened, the only thing that matters that it did happen. Clarisse, I love you and I am so excited, this happened. When we got married I never expected something like this. I thought my chances of ever becoming a father were over. Clarisse, aren't you excited? I'm on cloud nine!"

Joseph said as he pulled his wife into his arms and gave her a huge kiss. He truly was on cloud nine! He had forever wanted to be a father, even fantasized about it, but this…this was better than any fantasy could ever be! He was having a child with the one and only woman he has ever loved! How could this get any better?

"Clarisse, I have to tell you, yes you are a bit old to be a mother, but I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to carry this baby to term. Just please, take care of yourself, and listen to poor Joe, alright? Promise me?"

Dr. Nash spoke to Clarisse, and all she could do was nod. She was in a terrible state of shock. How did this happen? Of course she knew how it happened, but how could it? She was way to old.

"Joseph, can we please, keep this a secret for as long as possible?"

"Well, darling, I have already told Charlotte, but that is it, my love."

"She's fine. She kept all my secrets I told her about you. Before we got married, I told her so many things I had thought about you,"

Clarisse turned back toward the doctor and thanked him for everything he had done and told him he was welcomed to stay, but he kindly refused, thinking the couple should have some time alone.

"Clarisse, do you want to keep it?"

Joseph asked, softly tucking her hair behind her ears.

"Do I want to…Yes darling. Of course! Do you not?"

"Oh yes, my love. More than anything."

Clarisse wrapped her arms around him and kissed him full on the lips and passion filled their bodies. She began to feel his arms roam her back, she pushed herself against his chest. She could feel his heart pounding.

"Excited a little, darling?"

Clarisse half laughed as she kissed his neck and nipped at his ear, knowing that drove him crazy.

"Ohhhh Clarisse!" he exclaimed. "You know what that does to me!"

Clarisse knew he was aroused but did nothing to control herself.

"Clarisse, do you really wanna do this?"

"What do you think?"

At that exact moment, Joseph's cell rang; it was Mia telling them she needed an audience with her grandmother. Clarisse groaned and got up to get dressed and met her granddaughter downstairs.

"What are you going to do while I am away, my love?"

"Oh, probably just go visit Shades in the Security room. Are you sure you don't want people to know about this?"

"Oh go ahead. Tell Shades. Anybody else you want to tell for that matter."

"Oh thank you darling. I just want to shout it to the rooftops!"

"Joseph, please, don't do that just yet!"

Clarisse exclaimed, giving him a playful kiss before leaving; Joseph returning her kiss with a smack to her bum. Clarisse let out a small shriek.

Downstairs, Mia was waiting in the kitchen sitting in a chair by the dining room table.

"You said you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I did. What is all this talk I hear?"

Clarisse knew what kind of talk she was referring to, but wanted to try and play coyly.

"What kind of…talk are you hearing, love?"

"You know very well. I hear maids going ninety to nothing talking about the new…I can't even say it!"

"Baby?"

Clarisse finished her sentence and Mia's look shot towards Clarisse.

"Yes, baby. How did this happen?"

"Well, darling, to be honest, I have no clue. Neither does the doctor, he said it was the most miraculous thing he has seen since he has been practicing. Joseph and I are so excited. Are you upset?"

"No, just curious."

Mia completely turned in her chair as Clarisse got up to make some tea.

"So tell me, Grandma, what was his reaction?"

"Well, joyful I can imagine. This will be his first child. My third if you recall. Me, I am not as excited as he is, although still very thrilled. I must admit, not too eager about labor. It is not the most joyous thing in the world."

Clarisse grimaced slightly, remembering her first born who was a bit of a headache to come out.

"How is it? Does it hurt?"

Clarisse put on her serious face.

"No, not really…"

Her voice trailed off.

"Honestly, Grandma."

"Alright, it hurts like HELL!"

Mia quivered at the thought of going through child birth.

"But nothing to be afraid of really."

Clarisse smiled her pearly white teeth. The tea pot whistled noting that the water was one boiling. Clarisse got up and reached for the pot and gave Mia some tea. After the women had their tea, Clarisse went up to her room, and walked in to find a very nice surprise. There were rose petals all in the floor, and on the bed. She walked over to the right side of the bed and picked up a note. It was from her husband.

"My Darling Clarisse,

I love you with all of my heart, and want nothing but the best for you. I have strewn these pink rose petals, your favorite, throughout your suite. There are some in the bedroom and even more in the bathroom. I even put some in your tub. Please, run some bath water, make it bubbly, rose scented, and whatever else you want, I just want you to be pampered, love. I love you forever and always.

Love always, Joseph."

After reading the letter, Clarisse wiped the tears from her eyes, and went to run her bath water. As she got undressed, she heard the front door close. She smelled it. His brand new cologne. The cologne she had gotten him for his birthday that he never wore. She didn't even bother putting on her robe. She got up off the side of the tub and walked out to see her husband already undressing.

"Joseph, thank you so much for the letter. I love you."

She said, running into his arms. She kissed his lips, and let her hand roam down to grasp his buttocks. Joseph pulled her closer to him, feeling her breasts tight to his chest.

"Clarisse, go get in the tub, now."

She obeyed him, and when she turned around in the tub, she saw that he was already undressed, and heading her way. She sat down in the tub, and Joseph climbed his way in. They sat there in the tub, kissing, and holding the other, for hours until finally, Clarisse fell asleep. Joseph picked his wife up out of the tub, walked over to the bed, and laid her down with a soft gentle kiss on top of her head and then quickly, but softly went to the other side, and crawled up in the bed with her and they both quickly fell sound asleep.

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Alright guys, that's it for chapter 7! Thanks for all your reviews! It has been a joy to right this so far, and I still have a bit more to come!