Author's Note: Happy New Year everyone! Here's the next chapter, and thank you to all my lovely reviews… you guys all rock!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!
Three days after Joseph was first struck down with the flu, he recovered fully- so fully, in fact, that he insisted on cooking dinner, while Clarisse watched.
"You were such a wonderful nurse- even when I was so cranky- that I want to do this for you…" he explained when she complained. "But, I have to admit that I'm glad to be back to normal- that bout was dreadful," he said as he prepared dinner, Clarisse watching from her perch on a chair near the bench, sipping a glass of wine. "And I'm very proud of you," he turned to give her a significant look.
"Proud of me? Why?" she looked confused.
"Not only with your cooking skills… I still wish I had eaten your spaghetti…"
"You may sometime- I may cook it again for you," she said with a smile.
"Good… anyway, I'm not only proud of you for that, but also because of your independence and self sufficiency while I was sick."
"I was independent when I was Queen," she protested. "Or, at least I tried to be, but I suppose independence wasn't practical or accepted in the palace… something Phillipe never accepted (nor I, I suppose), and Mia is discovering for herself…" she trailed off, looking sad for a moment.
"But she won't accept it either," Joe said reassuringly. "While independence may have not been practical, I always admired you fighting it so much, but…"
"I know, dear… but despite the fact that I enjoy my independence, I also like…" she turned coy for a moment. "Being taken care of, and taking care of you…"
He grinned as she flushed a bright red, before walking over to pat her on the hand.
"I like taking care of you too- I always have, and I always will," before he leaned over and kissed her. "But boy… haven't we had some interesting times in the past few weeks! Let's see, we had barely moved in when a certain warring young couple showed up for advice, thinking we were the perfect couple," and they both grinned at the naivety of youth.
"Then you got arrested with James and Charlie on your birthday," Clarisse giggled- even though she had been so angry at the time, it now amused her, as Joe mock frowned at her.
"You sound like Scott, enjoying my humiliation!... But, that dinner at Sergio's was special as well- particularly as we were eating in front of a restaurant full of strangers."
"Before you ended up bedridden with the flu," Clarisse added with a grin.
"But," Joe intercepted with a sly smile. "We must not forget about your little unauthorised trip into town!" he teased.
"But yes, just us talking about what's happened in the last three weeks- it's made me realise that it hasn't been normal."
"No," Clarisse agreed. "Not very normal at all- but life isn't normal all the time, is it? By the way," she added after a pause. "What do you REALLY think of moving out here permanently?"
She had been thinking about it a lot, and she really wanted to do it- she had thoroughly enjoyed her time away from the palace, and she didn't want to go back.
Joseph, meanwhile, smiled- while she had tried to keep her voice and expression casual, he knew she was enthusiastic about the idea, and he could never deny Clarisse anything… He too, had pondered the idea for a while, and had come to the conclusion that he wanted to do it too- she was obviously very happy and relaxed out here, and it had become like a home… their first home together, really.
"I think it's an excellent idea, and I'm up for it… but we will have to inform Mia of our plans," he added quickly as he saw her face light up. "It isn't as if we're leaving permanently, but it's just that we need our own space."
"Yes… and that you don't want to give Scott too many opportunities to tease you," she added smartly, and Joe threw a tea towel at her.
0000
When they left the beach house the following morning, Clarisse was feeling a little sad- not because that it had belonged to her beloved Phillipe (although she had sometimes felt his approving presence around the past few weeks), but because it felt like home…
Sure, the palace was also their home, but it was so formal and stifling, and the only places she felt truly comfortable in were her beloved garden, her suite and Joseph's former room…
The palace also contained a lot of bittersweet memories- the sweet including her boys, Mia and falling in love with Joseph, but the bitter involved the internal collapse of her marriage to Rupert, and the way he had been less than discreet with his affairs…
But the beach house was different- it was their home, and there were no cameras, bodyguards or palace staff around- it was just them, a completely normal house, and she was very happy out there with Joseph.
"Don't worry, we'll be back soon," came his voice from beside her. "We're only going to be gone a few days."
They had made their plans after Joseph had almost recovered- after calling into to see Mia (and organise a change or two of clothes, he had joked), they were flying to England the next morning, and spending a few days with BJ and Lynn. According to BJ, Annie was still there, and Julie and her husband were joining them, but, to Clarisse's guilt, neither Ben nor Carrie would be there.
"I know I'm being silly," she said as she stepped into the car. "But I feel… I feel as if we're leaving home, and not coming back."
"That's cute… but we ARE coming back, and that's a guarantee."
"You're off again?" Mia laughed loudly when Clarisse informed her of their plans, Joseph having gone to organise the plane and clothes. "I can see you're obviously sick of staying in the palace, hey?"
"Maybe a little, but like Joseph said, you don't want your grandparents here all the time… By the way, I've got more news- we're moving out to the beach house."
"Really?" Mia looked interested, but not exactly surprised.
"We're not leaving permanently, or abandoning you," Clarisse continued. "But, it is time that Joseph and I had our own life away from the palace…" and she trailed off when she realised that Mia hadn't batted an eyelid. "You don't seem very surprised at my news."
"No, I'm not- Scott, Charlie and James have all told me how happy and domesticated you two are out there… and I saw the same thing… I was expecting this, and I'm not worried… You two, despite you pretending otherwise, Clarisse…"
She emphasised her name, and Clarisse laughed at the use of her name- she wouldn't have dared with her mother or mother in law, but Mia was different, and she didn't mind it in the slightest, as she was only joking…
"You two are too independent to stay around her forever… believe me, I'd do the same thing as you if it was at all possible… Freedom!"
"You sound exactly like your father when you said that," Clarisse smiled fondly at her, remembering the numerous times when Phillipe, chafing under the mantle of a Prince (that is, until he discovered Pierre's distaste for the job), complained numerous times about being free. However, once Pierre had made his decision, a few years before it actually happened, Phillipe discovered that he really loved his country, and would do everything in his power to keep it together… even giving up his wife and daughter for the sake of the country. As she had said to Mia, it had been the most difficult decision of his life, and she had never wanted him to make a choice like that… but he had…
"But, she added after a moment, a twinkle in her eye. "Just because we may not be here all the time, it doesn't mean that a) we won't be calling in from time to time, and b) we won't be using the suite!"
"Darn, I was going to redecorate!" Mia joked, pretending to look disappointed.
0000
It was after breakfast the next morning when Clarisse and Joe flew out on Genovia 1.
"This is definitely one of the perks of being married to a former Queen," Joe began jokingly, sitting back in his chair and looking around the cabin with pleasure.
"Not only do I get to skip all the mess associated with airports and luggage (and this place is much better than other planes), but the seas are more comfy."
"But," Clarisse protested with a sly smile. "You never travelled in a normal plane while you were my Head of Security… you usually travelled with me, remember?"
"Yes, but I never used to sit beside you then- I used to sit over there," he pointed to the chairs behind her.
"Not always- remember, we sat together when we flew back from your mother's funeral," she reminded him, and he smiled.
"Oh yes… Caroline," he teased, taking her hand in his as a stewardess passed. "But these seats are much more comfortable than the ones over there."
"I thought they were all the same," she said, puzzled, and he laughed.
"Just kidding!"
According to their plans, instead of flying into Heathrow, and driving to BJ's estate, there was a small airfield a few kilometres away from BJ's house, and both BJ and Lynn were waiting for them when they landed.
The first thing BJ said when they came into earshot was:
"At last- we finally get to see the elusive newlyweds! I can't believe you two were so rude as to stay hidden for an entire weekend!"
"Yes, everyone was complaining about that," Joe joked lightly, setting the two bags he was carrying down (the bodyguard that had accompanied them carrying the rest), before shaking his brother's hand. "But I do believe that, despite us hiding, you all did your best to try to see us when you walked past our rooms a million times a day!"
"Sadly for us, it didn't work," BJ sighed as he turned to kiss Clarisse on the cheek. "But at least we're seeing you now... almost a month after the wedding," he couldn't resist added with a chuckle.
"Anyway," he continued as he led the way to the 4WD parked on the edge of the tarmac, the women following behind. "I am glad to see that you're well again, Joe- Clarisse told me that you hadn't been well."
"No, I had a terrible bout of the flu last week," Joe replied conversationally as held open the back door for Clarisse, before climbing into the front next to BJ. Clarisse and Lynn chatted in the back seat as their luggage was loaded into the back before, after a wave to their bodyguard (who was heading back to Genovia), they drove off.
"Anyway, first time I'd had it in years, but Clarisse was a good nurse, despite my crankiness," he looked back at Clarisse, and she laughed.
"Don't worry Clarisse," BJ said, glancing into the review mirror. "Joe can be rather a wimp when he's sick- I just hope you gave as good back to him- sometimes he needs it."
"That's not fair!" Joe mock protested as the other three laughed. "I was vulnerable when I was sick…" before Lynn quickly stepped in.
"Don't worry, BJ is exactly the same, if not worse!"
"Anyway, it sounds as if Clarisse has come to your rescue more than once…." BJ added with a cheeky grin, and Joe only groaned- he knew that BJ knew about his arrest (thanks to the papers and a big mouth named Scott), but he had been, rather half heartedly, been hoping that BJ would have forgotten about it.
"Let me guess- you're not going to let me forget it, are you?" he complained, but he didn't mind now- particularly as Clarisse obviously found it funny, judging from her chuckling in the backseat.
"Oh no, little brother," BJ grinned over at him, ready to keep teasing him, as he had since they were little, but Lynn again came to his rescue and tactfully changed the subject.
"Annie's still here… she was going to go back a few days early, but once she found out you were coming…"
"She changed her mind, and decided to stay," BJ finished with a grin. It was clear that Annie adored them both, and Joseph had always had a soft spot for Annie and Jules.
"Isn't she beginning rehearsals for her next play?" Clarisse asked.
"Well… Annie might have some news for you, but we've been sworn to secrecy… she's dying to tell you herself."
"Oh!" both Clarisse and Joe said together, their interest piqued.
"What about Julie? How are she and Patrick?"
"Fine… Lynn did mention they'll be here for the weekend, didn't she?.. Oh, and don't quote me on this, but Lynn said she sounded a little mysterious on the phone, as if she's got some news too"
"Hmm, 2 mysteries," Joe sounded thoughtful as the 4WD turned into the long driveway leading up to the house. "I wonder…"
Clarisse was looking out the window, watching the lush green fields pass by, but she had heard Joseph's pondering, and she had her own suspicions…
BJ and Lynn's country house (they still had a house in London) had been in Lynn's family for years, before being left to them, and their children had grown up there. It was an enormous stone mansion, older than the palace in Pyrus, with plenty of rooms and a huge garden, as well as stables, a large garden, several servants and several hectares of land for sheep and cattle.
Joe turned in his seat to look at Clarisse, and smiled at her almost dreamy expression- he could still remember the time they had first visited, and he had been very surprised at how enthusiastic she had been… she had literally fallen in love with the place. She had laughed at his expression.
"Why do you look so surprised?"
"You're constantly surprising me with your likes and dislikes… I didn't think you would like the country."
"Just because I seem to be a cultured, well dressed lady, I am also, deep down, a girl who loves fresh air, rain and horse riding…"
She laughed even harder at his even more surprised expression. "Yes, I do like horses and horse riding, despite my complaints at inspecting the troops."
"No, I was just thinking I should take you camping sometime."
"No comment," she replied smartly.
He smiled at the memory as the car pulled up in front of the house, and he hurried out of the car to open Clarisse's (and then Lynn's) door, much to BJ's amusement.
"You're making me look bad, o brother of mine!" he called sarcastically as Joseph walked back around to his wife's side. "MY wife is going to expect me to do it every time we go anywhere in the car!"
"Yes I am," Lynn retorted. "But I'm not expecting it to happen much… Joe's a gentleman, and you're not!"
She threw a smart but affectionate look at BJ, who pretended to look insulted, before turning back to Joe and Clarisse.
"Anyway, you two are staying in the same room as before… the one with the lovely view… and I'm sure Annie and Julie will be here soon."
"I wonder what their news is," Joseph mused again as he led the way upstairs to their bedroom. "Jules was never the type to keep secrets- Annie was always the one who loved to drop the bombshells," he chuckled as Clarisse followed him into the bedroom, a large room with its own en-suite and a spectacular view of the paddocks and the lake.
"We'll just have to wait until they arrive to find out," Clarisse said simply as she unzipped her suitcase and opened the wardrobe door. She didn't want to say anything, just in case she was wrong, but she had a slight inkling about Julie's news…
"What shall we do now?" he asked after they had unpacked, and she shrugged.
"Maybe we could go for a walk."
"Down to the stables, right?" he laughed.
"Not necessarily, but I would like to go for a ride in the next few days, if the weather is fine… yes, I know I haven't been riding for years, but I've always loved riding… except for inspecting the troops, but I know you don't… you could watch me," she teased, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I might just do that," he replied, twisting around so that she was facing him, and kissed the tip of her nose. "Let's go and see what the others are doing."
00
As they walked downstairs, they heard voices down in the main hallway, and Joseph froze when he saw Ben and Carrie talking to their parents, and Clarisse almost collided in the back of him. Clarisse, startled by the sudden stop, was puzzled, particularly when she felt him grip her hand tighter, but when she looked down into the hall, she realised why…
The talking petered out as they all looked up at Clarisse and Joe, and Ben suddenly looked grim.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Ben!" Lynn chided firmly. "They are family, and our guests."
"Hello," Joe finally said stiffly, descending the stairs with Clarisse's hand firmly clasped in his.
There was another awkward, tension filled moment as Ben and Carrie glared at Clarisse, Joe staring defiantly back, and Clarisse looking at the floor, before BJ stepped in to introduce Ben's wife and Carrie's husband, both of whom were pleased to meet Clarisse… however, Ben and Carrie continued to stare and, after a moment, Clarisse snapped- she had had enough.
"BJ, do you mind if I use for the living room for a couple of minutes?"
"Of course not," he said as she strode briskly towards the room. She turned when she reached the door, and looked directly at Ben and Carrie.
"Ben, Carrie, I would like to speak to you in private."
BJ, Lynn, Joseph and the others watched in stunned silence as Ben and Carrie, equally surprised, followed Clarisse inside. She gently closed the door behind her, and sat down opposite them on the couch, poised and unruffled- she had been ambushed and insulted the last time they had met, but now it was her turn…
"Right," she began calmly, determined not to show any emotion or let them speak. "This imaginary feud has gone on for long enough and too far, and there are a few things the three of us need to sort out.
We might as well not pretend that I didn't hear what you said about my husband, my granddaughter and myself, and I'll admit that it did hurt a lot- especially about Mia- but we'll get to that soon.
"First, the ring- I honestly didn't know it was your grandmother's but Joseph gave it to me, and I will always cherish it for those reasons, but it was a gift to me so, to use another slang expression of my granddaughters, 'get over it!'"
The two younger people looked indignant at her words, but Clarisse breezed on, not giving them an opportunity to speak- this was all for Joseph.
"Speaking for Mia, I would prefer that you don't criticise her in front of me or Joseph- she is not only our granddaughter, but she is also our Queen. She is very young, and doing a very difficult job, and I won't put up with her being criticized by people who don't know her, or understand her job," and, for a moment, Clarisse's voice turned sharp, and they looked at each other with a little nervousness.
"As for the wedding, Joseph was very hurt that you weren't there- he may not have mentioned it to me, but I knew that it bothered him, so you owe him an apology."
She sighed heavily, suddenly running out of steam.
"I honestly don't understand why you have taken such an instant and intense dislike to me- I really don't. I know you're protective of your uncle, which is very sweet, but he is my husband and I… I love him very much."
She hadn't intended on saying that, but it might be the only way to make them understand how she felt about him. It was obviously working as both Ben and Carrie began to look slightly ashamed.
"We're sorry about the wedding…"
"You don't need to make any excuses, it was quite clear why you didn't come, but I just don't know why you've judged me like this… Don't you want Joseph to be happy?"
"Of course…"
"It's lovely that you're protective, but I would never hurt him… you were the ones that really hurt him with what you said. Actually, in truth, you're hurting both Joseph and your parents with this…"
She stood up, now feeling much better for confronted them, and looked down at them. "It's up to you now- all I wanted was to get to know you better, and get along, most especially for Joseph and your parents."
When she opened the doors, and stepped out of the room, the others quickly scattered, trying to pretend they hadn't been listening at the door, but she smiled, well aware of what they had been doing.
"I think I might go for a walk," she said, heading towards the door, Joseph hot on her heels. He was very impressed at Clarisse's speech (having heard it clearly through the door) - he always had been when she had been Queen.
Just as they got to the door, he suddenly heard his name being called, and he turned to see Ben and Carrie walking towards them.
"Yes," he said coolly, still recalling how insulting and hurtful they had been to Clarisse and Mia, but he still burned at the way they had spoken to Clarisse.
"We're really sorry about what we said last year," Ben said awkwardly, looking nervously at Joseph.
"Yes, and we're also really sorry about not coming to the wedding- we were very selfish," Carrie added.
There was a slight silence before Joe, Clarisse squeezing his hand encouragingly, smiled slightly.
"Thank you, I appreciate your apology," he said before they turned their apologetic faces towards Clarisse, but she suddenly realised she didn't need or want to hear it.
"It's fine," she said calmly, giving them a smile, before Joseph interrupted.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, Clarisse wants to see the stables."
00
They were walking through the garden, heading towards the stables, when Joseph stopped and turned to her.
"Wow…"
Clarisse shrugged her shoulders modestly. "It was nothing- it was hurting you, BJ and Lynn… but I'm sure you heard that all anyway," she said, shooting an amused look at him as he pulled her close, his arms around her waist.
"Thank you, sweetheart," he said quietly, before kissing her. "I have to admit that seeing you stride in and out of the room so purposefully and so confident, I was very impressed, and… rather turned on," he whispered the last words, knowing she'd been embarrassed, but she laughed.
"Thank you darling," she teased, stroking his cheek softly. "Would you like me to be like that all the time?"
"No… I much prefer the shy, gentle, quiet but sexy you that has been in hiding from the rest of the world for years, until emerging…"
"Let me guess… when we got married?"
"Exactly… but thank you for what you did in there…"
"You brought Pierre back to the palace, so I thought I should do something for you… I couldn't bear thinking of you being estranged from any member of your family…"
"You're my family too," he reminded her gently as they continued walking in the direction of the stables. "In fact, I would definitely put my wife as my first priority, especially over a jealous niece and nephew!... Yes, I would," he added quickly as she opened her mouth to protest.
"I know what you're going to say, but we're just going to have to agree to disagree."
"Alright, I was going to say something on that, but as I know it's not going to change your mind…"
"Not in the slightest- you are the most important person in my life."
"So… I think it's sweet that you put me first," she smiled warmly, appreciating his compliment- she always felt adored with him.
"I've always put you first- at first, it was part of the job, but that changed very quickly…" he grinned as he put an arm around her.
"Lucky me," she replied with a smile.
After walking down to the stables, Clarisse patting each horse in turn, they were walking back up to the house, crossing the driveway, when a car raced up the driveway and came screeching to a halt a few meters away from them.
"Who on earth…" Joseph began before the driver's door opened, and Annie bounced out.
"Hey, you guys are finally here!" she squealed excitedly, bouncing over and almost knocking Clarisse over in an enthusiastic hug.
"Surprise!" Joe joked, more than happy to see Clarisse so warmly welcomed. "Hey… shouldn't you hug your uncle first? I think I'm jealous!"
"Don't worry, Uncle J, I still think you're cool, but the main attraction for me is standing next to you."
Clarisse chuckled, going pink as Joseph pretended to be insulted.
"Hey, I know… I guess I should divorce Clarisse so that I can be number one again!" he teased as Clarisse looped her arm through his, knowing he didn't mean it, but Annie looked horrified.
"If you do that, I know for certain that a few people won't be happy with you…" before she realised that it was a joke.
"But thank you for defending me, Annie," Clarisse said warmly as they walked up the stone steps to the main door. "I'm glad someone would miss me if Joseph and I ever split up…."
She threw him a teasing but affectionate look- she knew he would never leave her- they had waited too long to be together to be torn apart.
"I see that my wicked brother and sister are here," Annie said as she eyed the two cars parked in front of hers.
"Yes, but everything has worked out- Clarisse gave them a stern talking to, and they finally apologised." He wasn't quite ready to forgive them as easily as Clarisse, and Annie was amazed.
"They did? About time!" she said fiercely. "What happened… what did you say to them?"
She laughed as Clarisse briefly recounted her story, including the part where Joseph had his ear glued to the door, and Annie looked triumphant.
"That showed them!" she said happily, before Clarisse tactfully changed the subject.
"Your parents said that you have some news to tell us?"
"Oh yeah," Annie said excitedly, spinning on her heel and beaming happily. "I made my parents promise that they wouldn't tell you- I wanted to tell you myself."
"Well?" Joe encouraged with a teasing smile.
"Well…" Annie stalled with a smile. "I've been asked to audition for a) a small part in a movie, and b) for a new TV show!"
"Congratulations!" Clarisse instantly cried, giving her another warm hug. "That's wonderful news, darling… isn't it, Joseph?" she turned to him as he stared at Annie for a moment, before a proud smile spread across his face.
"That is brilliant, Annie Bear- congratulations!" as he pulled her into a tight bear hug. "Which one will you do first?"
"The television pilot, but it would be so cool if I got both!"
"She isn't ambitious, is she?" he said to Clarisse with a grin. "But maybe we'll have to get autographs from her when she's famous."
"Of course, Joe… free for Clarisse, but maybe a little fee for you!"
"Why you little…" but he was interrupted by the arrival of another car, in which was Julie and her husband Patrick.
After they all greeted each other, they were all about to go into the house when BJ and Lynn, followed by the others, came out onto the steps, and BJ groaned when he saw the car filled driveway.
"This is almost when you kids were teenagers… don't you all know where the garages are?"
"Yeah, but here's more convenient for me," Annie quipped cheekily, before giving them both hugs.
"Cheeky, aren't you?" BJ mock complained, but he was smiling. "I only hope Hollywood is big enough, and ready to handle you!"
"What?" came from Julie, Ben and Carrie, and Annie only grinned impishly.
As they followed the others into the house, Clarisse suddenly thought of something.
"Is there going to be enough room for all of us?" she asked Joseph, and he laughed, more than touched at her concern at where everyone was going to stay.
"Sweetheart, there will still be plenty of room for everyone, even if another 20 people (or maybe a little less) showed up, but… even if it overflowed, we're not giving up our room!'
0000
After a pleasant afternoon together (Ben and Carrie were still rather awkward around Joe and Clarisse, and while Joe wasn't inclined to chase after them, he was proud that Clarisse made the effort), they split up to get ready for a celebratory dinner, according to BJ.
"This is a rare occasion when all four of our children are here, as well as my little…" (he emphasised the word 'little') "… brother and his wife," BJ explained.
The first thing Clarisse did when they arrived in their room was to call Mia, to let her know that they got there safely- she was now very proficient with a mobile phone.
After chatting for a few minutes, Clarisse handed the phone to her husband and, to her dismay, the first thing he mentioned was her 'confrontation' with Ben and Carrie. Everyone seemed to think she had been marvellous doing this, but she had only wanted to do it because of Joseph and his family.
"Yes, Ben and Carrie apologised," Joe repeated as Clarisse disappeared into the bathroom.
"Really?" On the other end, Mia sounded surprised. "What made them change their mind? They didn't speak to you for an entire year!"
"Your grandmother decided to tell them off!"
"What did she say to them?"
As Joe quickly recounted Clarisse's story, she wandered out of the bathroom in her slip, and he stopped to stare at her- she knew that it drove him wild- before he realised that Mia was still on the phone.
"Well… tell Grandma that she rocks!"
After he hung up, he turned to give Clarisse her message, and stopped and stared again as she sat beside him, looking sweet and demure.
"Well, well, well…" he growled playfully, moving his hand slowly from her knee and heading upwards as she giggled. "This is the sexy side I was talking about!"
"Oh really," she pretended to sound innocent, but before she could add anything else, there was a knock on the door, interrupting them, and Clarisse quickly threw her bathrobe on (Joseph was already dressed) before calling out: "Come In!"
After a slight pause, Julie slightly nervously poked her head around the door. "Hi… I was wondering if I could talk to Clarisse alone for a minute?"
"Oh, so now it's two nieces who prefer my wife over me," he pretended to look crushed as he headed out the door, before turning to smile at them. "I'll see you both downstairs."
"So…" Julie began as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "I hear that you told Ben and Carrie off, and that they apologised."
"Yes, well…" Clarisse blushed and then changed the subject. "So… what can I do for you?" she asked, sitting beside Julie on the bed.
"Well…" Julie looked shy for a moment. "I wanted to tell you something… I'm pregnant."
Again, as with Annie's news, Clarisse didn't hesitate for a second- she was genuinely delighted.
"That's wonderful!" Clarisse cried, embracing her. "But… why…"
"I wanted to tell you because… I wanted to ask if you wanted to be the baby's godmother?"
For a moment, Clarisse was surprised and touched to tears, honoured at being told something so important, before she decided to ask something.
"I would love to… but… why?"
"You're such a beautiful person, and you've made Uncle Joe so happy…So, would you?"
"It would be an honour," Clarisse finally said, after blinking back her tears. When will you be telling the others?"
"At dinner… but are you okay?" Julie looked concerned, and Clarisse smiled.
"I'm fine, dear… tell the others that I'll be down in a few minutes."
After Julie left, Clarisse sat on the edge of the bed and wiped her eyes- she was more than a little overwhelmed at Julie's news, and request, but was also pleased… she was really beginning to feel like she was part of Joseph's family!
0000
Ten minutes later, Clarisse quietly slunk into the living room where everyone was waiting, hoping not to attract any attention, but BJ grinned at her from his position behind the bar, and everyone turned to look at her.
"Clarisse, you finally made it!" he boomed as Clarisse blushed, and Joseph hurried over to her. "What would you like to drink?"
"A sweet white wine?" she said, and BJ nodded, busying himself getting her drink.
"What was that all about with Julie?" Joe murmured into her ear as he guided her over to where everyone else was congregated.
"Julie wanted some advice- and I then had to get dressed," she said smoothly, accepting her wine from BJ, and avoiding meeting Joseph's eyes. Joe grinned- she was so transparent- he knew that she was keeping a secret by the way she avoided his eyes, but he was certain that he find out soon enough…
Sure enough, it was dessert time (after a boisterous meal where Clarisse felt slightly overwhelmed, compared to the cold meals that she had endured with her own parents, and Rupert), when Julie tapped on her glass, and stood up.
"Just a little announcement… Patrick and I…" she exchanged a shy smile with her husband before she looked at everyone again. "We are going to have a baby."
There was a stunned silence for a moment before all the women (except Clarisse, who was beaming) erupted into squeals of delight, before everyone (again, except for Clarisse) leapt up and raced around to almost knock Julie and Patrick off their feet, Clarisse enjoying watching the moment.
"You knew," Joe whispered when he returned to his seat beside her, and she only nodded with a smile before Julie tapped on her glass again.
"Just one other thing… Clarisse has agreed to be the godmother," she said as she, and everyone else, turned to beam at a red Clarisse, as Joseph squeezed her hand under the table.
"I hope you don't mind that Julie told me first," Clarisse said to Joseph later, as they got ready for bed.
"No, baby," he said, pulling her down next to him on the bed. "I think it was lovely- and very sweet that they want you to be godmother… You really are becoming a part of the family!"
"Yes, and what a day- first Ben and Carrie apologise, and now this… you're never going to be able to get rid of me!"
"I don't want to, and I'm now totally confident that the others would agree with me," he said as he switched off the light, and padded over to climb into bed next to her, and she snuggled happily up next to him.
"It's nice to be part of a family again," she sighed, and the words struck Joseph to the core, and he understood why she had forgiven Carrie and Ben so readily- she really was very family oriented.
000
The next morning, only the two older couples were present at the breakfast table, the younger generation still asleep in bed.
"Ah, it would be nice to be young again!" BJ sighed mock nostalgically as he looked around the empty table.
After breakfast, Clarisse checked the weather and, seeing that it was sunny, decided to go riding, borrowing a horse named Coco. Despite her best efforts, Joseph declined the invitation, preferring to sit and watch her canter around the huge ring near the stables. Despite her love of riding, she hadn't been riding in years, and she only wanted to start off small, with a few laps around the ring.
"Are you sure you don't want to join me?" she called as the horse cantered past him leaning against the rail, and he laughed.
"Yes, I'm sure," he replied- he didn't like horses or horse riding too much, but he did enjoy watching her ride. She hadn't ridden in years, but she was still very skilful in the saddle.
She was riding back up from the other side of the ring when BJ came and stood beside Joseph, looking unusually grave.
"What's wrong?"
"Call Clarisse over, and get her out of the ring," he said simply, and Joe felt an icy chill in his stomach as he waved Clarisse over.
"What's wrong?" she asked, looking happy and windblown as she dismounted off the horse, and walked through the gate Joseph held open. "BJ… you look unusually serious…"
He took a deep breath, almost unwilling to tell her what he had to tell her, and Joe noticed that there was a tiny expression of fear in her eyes.
"BJ?" she repeated.
"There's been an accident," he began…
Author's Note 2: 2 Questions for fun:
1. Who do you think it is?
2. Do you think they're going to live or die?