Okay, this may not make much sense, because I don't know if you can tell the sex of a baby when you are in your fourth month…but anyway. It's fiction!

The Darkest Hour

Chapter 9: The Frightful News

Clarisse fell asleep after they were through, so Joseph picked her up and carried her back to the bed and tucked her in properly. He then kissed her on top of her head. He walked over to his side of the bed and quickly got in and before he knew it, he was snuggled up to the love of his life, and with his hand on her tummy, fell quickly asleep.

Joseph woke up early that next morning to the sound of footsteps throughout the suite. He sat up in the bed and looked around and saw Clarisse hunting through the drawers with her hair wet.

"Love, what are you looking for?"

"Something to put on. Darling, were are my clothes?"

"Oh, Olivia had them washed. I'll go get them."
Joseph got up and put on his robe and went downstairs to the Laundry Room in the palace. It was a private room that only the royal family was allowed to use. He reached down into the dryer and grabbed all of Clarisse's clothes and put them in the basket behind the door. He took the basket of clothes and went back upstairs. Clarisse was wrapped up in the blanket on the bed.

"What's the matter darling?"

"I'm freezing, Joseph! Come here."

Joseph did as he was told and Clarisse grabbed him and pulled him to her.

"Warm me up."

Knowing where this would lead, he handed her the clothes and said:

"Darling, I think you should use these, not me."

Clarisse was a bit hurt, and Joseph explained as she poked her bottom lip out.

"Darling, if this continues, we will end up making love again, and we both know we need to get up and get started. We both have busy mornings,"

Joseph continued.

"But I love you, darling."

Joseph gave her a kiss on the cheek and she gave him a coy smile.

"I love you more, love."

She said, as she turned to leave the room and get ready. As she walked past him, she gave him a small smack on the bum, he turned his head and gave her a bashful smile as she winked at him; his heart skipped a few beats.

After the initial morning meetings with the Parliament and security team, Joseph and Clarisse met up for lunch.

"Hello darling,"

Clarisse kissed him lovingly.

"How long have you been waiting on me?"

"Oh, not long, love. Maybe twenty minutes."

The waiter came up to the table to ask the couple what they wanted to drink.

"Oh, we'll have a bottle of red wine please."

"Joseph, remember…"

Clarisse put her hand on her tummy.

"Oh, and water for my wife."

The waiter nodded and went off to fetch their requests

"Darling, the doctor called me this morning. I have an appointment with him this afternoon. Don't worry, it's just my 4 month check up. But I have a question to ask you."

"Go ahead…"

Joseph said putting his hand on her stomach.

"The doctor told me he could probably see the sex of the baby. He could tell me if we wanted to know. Do we want to know?"

Joseph carefully thought about the question. He turned to his wife and held her hand.

"Darling, I do so badly, but if you would like to wait…"

"Joseph, I'm so glad you want to know because I do too!"

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After they ate, Clarisse looked at her watch.

"Oh darling! Are you busy after lunch? It is time for me to go to the doctor. Would you like to come with me?"

"Would I? Oh darling, I would love that!"

They drove to the doctor's office and Joseph got out of the car and opened Clarisse's door.

"Oh, thank you darling,"

Clarisse got out of the car holding Joseph's hand.

"Come on, let's go."

They sat in the waiting room for what seemed like five hours, but was only really one and a half. Then they heard their name.

"Mr. and Mrs. Romero?"

The two got up and went up to the window and the assistant said they could go on back, the doctor was ready for them.

"Well, Mrs. Romero, could you please get up on the examination table please?"

Clarisse said yes, and got up on the table. The doctor pulled her shirt up and said:

"Now Mrs. Romero, this will be cold, so please excuse me."

Clarisse nodded as she felt the cold gel added to her stomach. She suppressed a gasp as she felt it's chill against her somewhat swollen tummy.

Clarisse held Joseph's hand as the doctor moved the wand around her stomach with a plethora of "ahhh"s and "yes"s.

"Doctor, is there anything wrong?"

The doctor looked back up at Clarisse and Joseph and let out a small sigh as he wiped the gel off her stomach. With the look on his face, Clarisse's heart sank; she just knew the news was going to be bad. Her luck, she had lost the only child she and Joseph would ever have together. Her throat clenched, and she held Joseph's hand tighter as he rubbed her thumb.

"Darling, everything is going to be alright. You're a strong lady, and if this child is anything like you, it will be as well!"

Joseph kissed her softly on the lips as he held her other hand as well. The couple looked back up at the doctor who was just getting through washing his hands, he walked over to Joseph and Clarisse and opened his mouth to speak as Clarisse and Joseph listened to the doctor's frightful news.

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CLIFFHANGER! Sorry, just had to! Thanks for all of your lovely reviews. I don't have too many chapters left. Thanks again for the compliments, they really do mean a lot!