Author's Note: Sorry it's been a while, but I've been a little busy… these chapters have been fun to do…still more to come!
Thank you to all my loyal readers- Clarisse Renaldi, Kristi- Julie, tabby-fanny, Captain Weirdo, addlogcon, Poppinswannabe, VictoriaGrant… you all rock, as well as anyone else who reads this!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me at all.
For the rest of the morning, Joe kept a close watch on the pair of them, but they were reasonably good actors, pretending that there was nothing wrong. Joseph, however, wasn't fooled, especially with Clarisse- he knew her well enough to when she was troubled.
After lunch, Dr Tanner came in- Pierre was due to have some more tests, and meet with his physiotherapist.
"You are quite welcome to stay here until he returns, but we're not quite sure when he'll be back," Dr Tanner offered with a smile.
"That's fine," Clarisse spoke up calmly, startling everyone in the room- she had been quiet up until then. "We'll be by again later."
Once Pierre disappeared, however, she withdrew back into her shell again, and was very quiet all the way back to the embassy, although she fiddled absentmindedly with her wedding and engagement rings.
In fact, she was relatively silent for most of the afternoon, despite a few vague smiles at the television and Joe, who had been observing her, was concerned- she didn't look as troubled as before, but he could tell she was still upset… Again, he wondered what had happened, so he decided to ask her- as she had joked before, she couldn't keep any secrets from him.
Clarisse, meanwhile, had been in a daze for most of the day, although she had hidden it fairly well. It had been a bad day, and she was still replaying it in her mind.
After she, with Grant, had stepped into the elevator, aware that Joseph's eyes were on her until the doors closed, separating them, she had continued to try and make sense of Pierre's story. The cafeteria, as she had later explained to Joseph, HAD been busy, and she and Grant had waited in line for over ten minutes for her cup of tea. Thankfully no one had recognised her, and Grant had found a table in a corner where she, unnoticed, sat for nearly 45 minutes as her tea went cold, staring out the window and trying to think… but she couldn't- she really need to talk to her husband.
"Madam," Grant broke into her thoughts as she stared into her tea cup, causing her to start. "I think it's about time we go back- Joe will be wondering where you are."
"Oh, of course," she said calmly, leaving her almost full tea cup on the table, determined to act normally around the others again.
It was only now, in the privacy of their suite, that she knew she couldn't keep the façade up, or that her husband would let her- he knew her so well, and he deserved to know… but how could she tell him?
The ambassador's staff were just setting up dinner for them when Joe, who had been waiting patiently for her to come him, decided to take matters into his own hands- she hadn't been this reluctant to talk since the early years of their relationship. Unaware of what he was thinking, Clarisse began to stand when she saw the servants disappear, but she hadn't noticed that Joseph had waved them away, leaving them alone. To her surprise, just as she was about to move, she felt him take her hand, and firmly tug on it so that she was forced to sit down again. She looked over at him, confused.
"What?," she asked as he slid over and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, before nuzzling her neck. "What?" she repeated in a softer tone, almost dissolving into his arms- despite their often heated arguments, she knew he would never deliberately hurt her, and would always protect her.
"Hey you," he murmured into her ear as she relaxed slight, happy for once all day. "You've been so quiet today… what's wrong?"
She stiffened slightly at his question, and pulled away, looking at the television again.
"It's nothing," she said casually, trying to brush it aside. "You just happen to be married to a roller coaster, that's all," she said flippantly, but he saw through the fib immediately.
"No I'm not," he said firmly, taking one of her hands and squeezing it tightly. "I am married to a reliable, steady, kind, loving and generous woman who, at the moment, is under stress- and is keeping something from her handsome and all of the aforementioned husband…"
She smiled slightly at that, causing him to relax a little. "So… did you and Pierre have an argument?"
"It's nothing," she repeated, shaking her head quickly as her eyes filled with tears. "Really- nothing… let's just leave it alone."
"It's not nothing," Joe persisted, guiding her face around so that she was looking at him. "Please, sweetheart, don't shut me out- you need me… what happened between the two of you?"
She sighed, wishing she hadn't have to say anything, but he was right- she needed him. It was going to be painful… but…
"Alright," she began reluctantly. When she got to the part where Rupert told him off for being disrespectful to Clarisse, he raised and eyebrow.
"He really said that?" Like Pierre, he had always thought Rupert ignored Clarisse's feelings. "I wonder what made him change his mind?"
"I don't know… maybe he finally regretted his behaviour," she said, a little touched at Rupert's regret- he had cared about her, but still… why didn't he tell her himself- a sentiment Joe raised a moment later.
"Why could he never have told you that before?"
"I don't know… maybe he thought I wouldn't have believed him…"
"For which he was right- he fed you a lot of lies over the years!" he protested heatedly.
"Anyway," she continued, now feeling a little better that Joseph was on her side (as if she could ever doubt it), and he listened with anger and disgust, looking furious when she mentioned Pierre's low opinion of her.
"Are you kidding me?" he exclaimed, insulted that his beloved Clarisse had been degraded by her own son. "He actually told you that he had once thought you…" he couldn't finish the sentence, he was so angry. For a moment, he really wanted to go back to the hospital and confront Pierre, saying 'You really thought your father was 'better' than your mother? Wrong- your mother was (and is) classes above him- even if he was King!"
But then he was aware that Clarisse was watching him, and he tried to rearrange his face into a neutral expression, although they both knew that he was on Clarisse's side. Clarisse smiled at the angry look on his face (although he tried to hide it)- she really did love him when he was like that.
"So," he said, trying to sound casual. "What happened then?"
It was worse than he had thought, he said to himself- not only had her son a) kept this from her, and b) though her 'lower' than his father, but her first husband had disregarded her feelings for so long, then changed his mind, but never told her… no wonder she felt so betrayed. Everyone (except him) had kept secrets from her- it was amazing that she had trusted again… although, Joe thought to himself, it had taken her a long time to trust even him…
He listened in silence as Clarisse told him the rest of the story, unable to believe Pierre's viciousness towards his mother (and blind admiration of Rupert) and Rupert's change of heart… he had to grudgingly respect him for that… he had, in a funny, end of life way, realised he had been very wrong in his treatment of Clarisse, and tried to make up for it.
Joseph himself, like Clarisse that morning, was reeling at Pierre's confession- he was angry and disappointed in him, particularly on Clarisse's behalf, although he certainly didn't appreciate the 'moving in on' term- as if, he though indignantly, he would try and worm his way in… he had cared about Clarisse as a person, not as Queen… he burned angrily for a moment…
He was still pondering how he felt before he realised, looking at Clarisse's face that she had left something out.
"That's not all, is it?" he suddenly asked, and she gave a start- she had been hoping to avoid it, but Joseph was just too smart.
"It's just nonsense," she said hastily- she didn't want to tell him, and for him to be hurt.
"Clarisse," he said slowly, giving her a look she could never ignore or disobey. "Clarisse… tell me."
"Well… when he left after the funeral, he admitted… 'I don't want that man as my stepfather, or as my mother's husband."
Now that she had spoken about it, she realised that her overriding emotion was not guilt or anguish, but anger… she was angry…actually, she was more than that- she was enraged that her son had, through his words and clear disapproval, not only insulted herself, but Joseph as well.
It sickened her to think that the 'feud' had been maintained over the past six years by his hatred of Joseph, Pierre's snobbish values, and the fact he downright disapproved of their relationship… how dare he judge them, she fumed… at least, as Rupert had argued in their defence, they had been discreet… which was more than she could say for Rupert and his 'flings'… she again wondered how he could approve of them, yet fail to tell her.
"I see," she heard him say, and she, immersed in her own thoughts, had almost forgotten that he was there. She looked over at him- his face was stony, but one look in his eyes told her that he was hurt.
"I always suspected that Pierre wasn't as fond of me as Phillipe was, but…" he trailed off, remembering how, when he was a little boy, he had followed him around, asking questions, often annoying Joseph to distraction. "I guess he was trying to protect you."
"But he wasn't," Clarisse said vehemently, incensed now that he had hurt her usually easygoing husband. Like he had done to her, she gently guided his face around so that he was looking at her. "Darling, we both know that Pierre was rather cruel and selfish when he was young, and it infuriates me that he even though like that… Joseph, I love YOU, and that's not going to change…"
She paused for a moment, and then decided to say what she felt at that moment.
"If it comes down to a choice, it will be easy- I won't give you up, and Pierre will either have accept it, or he can stay away from Genovia forever!"
She sounded so angry, yet so resolute, that he was rather proud of her, but, despite his own feelings, he was in a dilemma- he was, deep down, very angry at him for his comments, and the way he had allowed Clarisse to suffer a great deal of guilt from the lack of contact… but, his more reasonable side argued, like Clarisse had tried to Ben and Carrie, he couldn't let the breech become permanent… She was angry now, but she would calm down eventually, and he couldn't let her lose her other son.
"You agree with me, don't you?" she appealed to him, and he sighed inaudibly- she wanted to do what he thought, and he knew what he had to do. "All these years, I was blaming myself for our cool relationship and feeling guilty about loving you… now this…"
"Well," Joe began cautiously. "As always, I'm on your side, and yes, I am mad about what he said- especially insulting you- and deliberately keeping that conversation to himself for so long… it was selfish, I'll grant you that."
"But…"
"But, you have to admit that that time was difficult for all of you. He was angry, grieving and jealous- the man he idolised was dying, you and Pierre was so close, and he felt left out.. I know you tried to include him," he said quickly as she tried to protest. "But he may not have seen it that way… And…" he suddenly remembered the explosion in the study. "When he saw you and me standing so close together, he may have felt betrayed- you seemed to have moved on- and this was his revenge…"
"I never did cheat on his father," she said heatedly. "I was always faithful… not that it mattered."
"We both know that, darling, and I'm sure that Pierre knows that now. Yes, it was childish of him to act like that, but I think he's now trying to make it up to you."
Clarisse frowned- he was making a great deal of sense, but it still offended her that he had been hurt.
"But doesn't it bother you that he was so insulting to you?"
"It does bother me," he said honestly. "But I'm more concerned about a permanent breech between you and him. You tried to do the same with Ben and Carrie, so I'm going to try with you."
"Phillipe never hurt me this badly…"
"That's not true, Clarisse, and we both know it- we're not perfect, Pierre's not perfect, and Phillipe wasn't perfect either… do you want my honest opinion?"
She nodded, knowing that he would always tell her the truth.
"Alright, he may have hurt you…"
"Us," she interrupted, looking fierce again.
"Alright, he may have hurt both of us over the years, and now again with his confession, but I think… I think he really is sorry for what's been done, and he wants to make it up to you. You cannot ignore that, or the fact that you're his mother- I know that motherhood was always your top priority whenever possible, and I know you wouldn't forgive yourself if something happened, and you lost contact with your son. I'm not saying that everything that happened will be forgotten, but he did tell you, which, now that I think about it, was very brave of him to bring it up now… All I can really say is… Let go, the past is the past."
She sighed and looked away for a moment- as per usual, despite his own feelings, Joseph had come up with a very sensible advice, knowing her as well as he did.
"You're right, as usual…"
"It's a gift I have," he shrugged modestly.
"I'm glad I told you…" before she glanced at the table, and then back again with a smile. "Can we eat now?"
00000
The next morning, Clarisse was feeling a little nervous about facing Pierre again, and she admitted as much to Joseph on their way to the hospital. "I know it's silly, but…"
"It's not silly, darling, and I'm sure Pierre is feeling the same way- but now there's hope for your relationship."
There was a slightly awkward silence between the three of them (Pierre knew she would have hold him everything), before Pierre began to speak, hesitantly.
"About yesterday…" and both Joe and Clarisse stiffened slightly, the tension rising in the room.
"Oh?" Clarisse said finally, lightly.
"I just wanted to say… again, Mother and Joe, I'm really very sorry for how I behaved, and what I said to you…"
"Pierre," Clarisse began, suddenly realising that she didn't need to hear an apology, before he held up a hand.
"I need to do this, please… I've been thinking about it for a long time… Anyway, neither of you deserved what I said- I was just so angry, hurt and jealous at everyone at the time, and you were the closest people I could lash out at… and to disapprove of your relationship was very judgemental and wrong, particularly when you were so discreet…
Joe, I'm glad that you're my stepfather, technically, and I'm really, really glad that you're my mother's husband… all I can say is that I am really sorry about everything, and I hope you can forgive me, in time," he finished quietly.
There was another long silence before Clarisse smiled warmly, diffusing some of the tension in the room, and placed her hand reassuringly on top of his.
"Thank you for your apology, we both appreciate it… you were always like your father, and closer to him, but don't forget that you're my son too, and I'll always love you."
Joe grinned from mother to son, relieved that there was a definite thawing in their relationship- finally, things were beginning to turn around.
000
After than, there was less tension in the room and Pierre continued to improve steadily- he finally felt some sensation in his legs and the doctors were confident that he would walk again.
"You're always welcome to come to Genovia for your rehabilitation," she offered one day, almost stuttering the words out, and Pierre smiled, appreciating the effort.
"Thank you, Mama, that really is a lovely gesture, but the doctor has made arrangements for me to go back to Italy for rehabilitation… I'm actually leaving the day after tomorrow, but when I've recovered… maybe I could come and visit," he said, a little shyly, and Clarisse smiled broadly.
"Of course- all of us would love to see you again."
"We would, indeed," Joe affirmed when Pierre looked over at him for confirmation. He was still rather annoyed at him, but he would get over it.
Two days later, Pierre was transferred from the hospital in London onto a plane, headed for Italy. Clarisse and Joe were at the hospital, watching as he was loaded onto the airport bound ambulance.
After they saw the ambulance off, they were also heading to an airport, flying back to Genovia- she was looking forward to seeing Mia and going back to the beach house… they had been in England nearly three weeks, and it was now early September.
Clarisse blinked back tears, Joe's arm around her shoulders, as they watched the ambulance drive away, before she sighed and turned to her husband with a weary smile.
"I will be glad to get back to Genovia and the beach house."
"Yes, it will be good," he said vaguely- little did she know she was in for a surprise.
When the car, loaded with the luggage, she settled back into her seat, ready for the trip to the small airport they had landed at three weeks ago but, to her surprise, the car was instead heading towards the city.
"What the…" she started, sitting up and looking out the tinted windows, confused.
"You're just going to have to wait and see," he smiled smugly before an idea struck him. "But you can close your eyes… yes, close your eyes," he repeated with a cheeky smile as she looked at him doubtfully.
"Why…" she began again, before smiling and closing her eyes. "This is very unfair, you know…"
"Yes, it's going to be worth it," she chuckled knowingly- she may not like mysteries, but he knew that this one would be one that she would definitely like. A few minutes later, she felt the car stop.
"Is… can I open my eyes now?"
"Not yet- we've just stopped at traffic lights, but it won't be too long…"
After another few minutes of travelling, she felt the car stop, and Joseph slipping something, long and flat, like paper, in her hands. "Now you can open them."
She opened her eyes and, for a moment, didn't know where to look- at what she was holding, or down at her hands, to see where they were- before she decided to look at her hands. She seemed to be holding a narrowing piece of paper, with the words 'GIFT VOUCHER' inscribed on it, as well as a picture of a hotel, and she was puzzled.
"Joseph, what's this all about?"
"Well, remember that voucher BJ and Lynn gave us as a wedding present… a couple of nights at a luxury hotel?"
"I think so," she said slowly.
"Anyway, BJ suggested that we use it now, instead of going back to Genovia straight away, so we could relax…."
She looked down at the voucher, then out at the tall, at least 12 storey white marble, expensive looking building, complete with a doorman.
"I really don't know what to say…"
"The best part is that it's for seven nights instead of three... I figured that it's your birthday in a couple of weeks, and you could have a shopping spree… you were hinting at clothes and jewellery, were you not?"
She was still looking a little bemused, and he was sympathetic- for the past two weeks, she had been either at the hospital or at the embassy, hoping everything would be alright, as well as Pierre's confession- no wonder she was frazzled.
Clarisse looked at the voucher again, and then out at the building- although she missed Mia, the beach house and the relatively simple life they now had, the hotel and the shopping spree were rather appealing…
"Alright," she finally said, looking over at him with a smile. "Let's do this… it was a very clever idea, darling, thank you," she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "But I will need some new clothes.
"Hence the shopping spree… so, let's check in," he joked in reply before he slipped out of the car to open her door.
000
It was clear, when they stood in front of the check in desk, that the manager recognised both of them but, thankfully, didn't say a word as he checked them in, and led them to the elevator.
"Your room is on the 12th floor- it's actually one of our best honeymoon suites… according to your brother," he quickly glanced at Joe. "You're newlyweds."
"In a way," Joe conceded as they followed him out of the elevator and down the hallway to a set of double doors.
"Feel free to call if you need anything," the manager said, bowing, as he and the two bellboys back out of the room.
"Thank you," Clarisse said sweetly.
There was a silence after the door closed behind the manager, before they both turned and smiled at each other, then looked around… The suite was massive, far bigger than the suite at the palace, and definitely more so than the beach house and it was far more luxurious than either… It only had three rooms, as well as a small foyer, but the rooms were highly decorated- the living room had a large flat screen TV and DVD player (and all the other necessary technology), a small table (on which rested a large fruit basket and a chilling bottle of champagne) and chairs, a bar fridge, and several large, comfortable chairs.
The bedroom was just as big, with a king sized canopy bed, wall to wall built in wardrobes and its own en-suite which had, when Clarisse peeked in, its own shower and… "A spa!"
"It has what?" Joe, who had been examining the technology in the living room, called, coming to stand beside her in the doorway.
"A spa!" she pointed it out to him, and he chuckled.
"We're definitely going to have some fun this week," he observed with a significant look in Clarisse's direction, as they walked back to the living room, and Clarisse blushed as she looked around in wonder. Joe chuckled at her expression.
"You look surprised… I would have thought you would have been used to all of this!"
"In a way, but this even surpasses the palace… but, I've never been into any of this, anyway…. I must be getting old."
"No, it's more that you've always been like that…"
"True," she giggled. "But, first thing's first, I need some more clothes."
"What about me?" he pretended to look insulted.
"Alright, we might be able to get some new clothes for you as well," she said, patting him on the arm. "So, when are we going?"
"Actually… it's clear that I have no idea about clothes or designers…" he began sheepishly.
"That's true," Clarisse murmured with a smile. "But I never married you for your fashion knowledge."
"I'll ignore that… but I do know you look sensational in anything you wear… but I thought that you might appreciate with some time with other women, so I invited Jules, Annie and Lynn to go with you… Besides, Annie is dying to see where you shop, although I told her you usually had designers personally come to the palace… That is, if you don't mind," he added, seeing that Clarisse looked thoughtful.
"No, sweetheart, I love that idea, and going out with the girls- they are my nieces, after all… I was just thinking that Mia and I have never done that- never had time, I suppose, but we will…"
"Yes, you will… anyway, they should be here soon," he glanced at his watch, just as the doorbell rang, and Clarisse laughed as he went to answer the door.
"You told me just in time!" she joked and, seconds later, the room was full of noise, BJ and Annie always filling a room, and Annie ready to shop.
"We're so looking forward to this… and Dad can keep Joe company," Annie threw a smile at Joe as she practically dragged Clarisse towards the door.
"Hey, wait a minute," Joe called, walking over to Clarisse, pulling his wallet out. "You might need something."
"No I don't," Clarisse said, holding out her handbag. "I'm fine…"
"But it was my idea, and I want you to use my card," he protested and she smiled lovingly at him.
"I know, but I don't want to spend all your money now- we're going to be married for a long time," she teased in his ear and he laughed in reply-he had suspected she wouldn't use it, but he had another idea…
"Alright, we'll discuss it later," he kissed her on the cheek. "Have fun!"
He and BJ watched the four women and two bodyguards disappear out the door, before BJ looked around and whistled.
"This place isn't too bad," he said as he stretched out on one of the comfortable, squashy chairs. "All yours for a week… I'm jealous, but you're really living the high life, little brother!" but he was teasing.
"I need your assistance."
"Again? I'm going to have to start charging!"
"Shut up… it's Clarisse's birthday in a couple of weeks, and I want to get her something special- she put quite a bit of effort into mine…"
"Even when you got arrested?" Joe ignored the joke. "So, what did you get her last year?"
"I can't remember… I know I got her flowers, but I think she told me that she didn't need or want anything because she had everything she wanted."
"What are you doing this year?" BJ grinned- it was rather amusing to see how tender his former tough guy brother was around his wife- she practically had him wrapped around her little finger… but in a good way, as she was just as devoted to him.
"Do you know any good jewellery stores around here? I want to do this while she's out."
"Yes, but they are rather pricey."
"I've managed to save quite a bit of my salary since I very rarely dated- being in love with only one woman has its advantages!"
000
Meanwhile, the women, using the car, were down in the heart of London, exploring some of the city's exclusive boutiques. Annie looked at the price tag of one of the dresses, and whistled quietly. Clarisse, who was examining a blue silk dress and was close enough to hear her whistle, smiled at her reaction- when she had been Annie's age, she had been shocked at the prices, but she also knew that the designers she had used had made her some excellent clothes.
It seemed that Clarisse was the only one shopping, but the other three insisted on seeing every outfit she tried on. It was rather embarrassing, as she had never really modelled any outfits in front of anyone, except Joseph, but she didn't mind- they were just as enthusiastic about her outfits as Joseph was.
"You really do look gorgeous in anything you wear," Annie said admiringly as they walked towards the waiting car. "Uncle Joe was right."
"You sound surprised," Clarisse ribbed gently. "All men, including your uncle, aren't interested in clothes but… are you insinuating that he may have been lying about his compliments?"
"No… no way!" Annie exclaimed a horrified expression on her face, before she realised that Clarisse was teasing her as the others laughed along with her. "Very funny… oh!," she cried, stopping and staring at a shop window across the road, almost causing her sister to collide into her.
The others turned to look in the direction she was staring, and all they saw in the window was an elegant black pantsuit.
"What's so interesting about that?" Julie asked, but Annie wasn't listening- she was looking at Clarisse thoughtfully.
"You know, Clarisse, that suit would look great on you."
"It's black, dear," Clarisse said gently. "Black is usually only worn for funerals," but Annie was surprisingly persistent.
"Yes, but this outfit, with black heels and some jewellery, would look fantastic- and it would knock Joe's socks off!"
"I'm sorry… what… knock his socks off?" Clarisse managed to gasp out before Annie dashed across the street, giving the others no alternative but to follow her.
Less than 20 minutes later, they were heading back to the car, Annie, with the support of Julie and Lynn, having convinced Clarisse to purchase the suit.
"It looks really good," they all said when they saw her in it, and she had to admit, she did like it- it was tailored to suit her figure, and it was very feminine… but black… and pants! Her mother in law had emphasised that pants were unladylike, hence she had always worn skirts and dresses… but she liked this…
"So, where to now?" the driver inquired when they were all in the car, and Clarisse didn't know- she hadn't been to London in years, and she wasn't sure where all the stores were.
"There's a shopping mall a little way down the road… after seeing all these gorgeous outfits, I realised that I need to pick up a few things," Annie suggested with a smile.
"Mall?" Clarisse sounded confused- she had heard Mia talk about them a lot, and had been there many times during her teenage years, but Clarisse had never had the opportunity to visit one- until now…
The driver looked at her questioningly, and she nodded her agreement.
The 'mall' Annie had described was enormous, 'with at least 200 stores' Annie said proudly when they stepped into the air conditioning, and Clarisse stared around in awe… there were so many people, so many stores… it was almost overwhelming….
"We should go here first," Annie pointed to a number on a map of the centre, but Lynn stepped in.
"Why don't you two go and do your shopping, and meet us back here in an hour- Clarisse and I are going to have some coffee at this coffee shop."
"It's Annie's home away from home," Lynn said with a fond smile as they watched the two girls disappear into the crowd, before heading over to the shop. "When she was a teenager, she was always here… her father and I used to despair at the money she used to spend," Lynn chuckled. "I suppose you never had to worry about that with the boys."
"Not really," Clarisse agreed after a waitress took their order. "Although they could be reckless at times… being a parent, even with as little time as we had, is hard… and a grandmother," she laughed, thinking about the problems she had with Mia, but it had been all worth it. It also touched her that Annie and Julie had welcomed her so warmly into their lives- before she married Joseph 15 months ago, they hadn't even known her, but now…
"I am still very sorry about Ben and Carrie's behaviour- I honestly don't know what's gotten into them- Joe's happier than any of us have ever seen."
"It doesn't matter anymore," Clarisse said lightly. "Did they ever act that way when he brought any of his other girlfriends home?" she asked casually, trying not to sound too jealous or possessive.
"Not really- they usually were pleasant, but it didn't matter to them… anyway, Joe only brought one or two girlfriends to meet us," Lynn replied, looking thoughtful. "They were never really serious relationships… he went on dates, but once he met you… that was it… He still dated, but most of them knew he wouldn't marry them- it was only you…"
"But what if Rupert hadn't gotten sick… and we'd still be married?" Clarisse secretly shuddered at the thought- she hated thinking that that could have happened.
"Then he probably wouldn't have married at all- he only wanted you… You were his ideal, and no one else ever compared to you."
"Perfection can be very tiring, and can get boring at times…"
"He was never bored with you, believe me- he was always so concerned about you, and… I think he loved you from the beginning… BJ, insensitive jerk that he can be, kept trying to match make, but he finally desisted when I told him."
"When did you realise…?"
"About a few years after he started working there, he spoke about you in a certain way that… I suspected that there was, or would be, something special between you."
Clarisse smiled- almost from the beginning, from the moment they'd met, there had been something special between them, but it had taken years to develop.
"But BJ and I are really pleased that you two are married- he's never been happier, and it's all thanks to you."
Clarisse blushed, before deciding to change the subject.
"Julie and Annie seem to adore him…"
"They do- they were always very close, unlike Ben and Carrie… I guess they thought of him as a kind of father, and it's really made me happy to realise that they've welcomed you so warmly into the family."
"They are sweet girls, and I do appreciate their warm welcome… it has been rather hard being the only member of my family, well, at least until Mia came back into the picture… but Joseph was always there, and now I'm fortunate that Pierre has also… come back into the picture…"
She trailed off for a moment, still thinking about his confession with some bitterness, but the healing of their relationship had begun, and this time out with the girls had also helped in some way.
"Well, Annie's always admired you, and since Joe never stopped talking about you, we felt like that we knew you so well… and then… they really do love that you're their aunt… "
"And I'm glad too…. The past is now in the past… and Annie reminds me so much of Mia, cheeky girl!"
"Always very much like BJ!"
After a pause, Clarisse glanced at her watch, and then around the shops, noticing in particular a men's clothing store nearby, a big chain store retailer (she had never been into one of them, but wanted to) and, with even more interest, a lingerie boutique…
"How long will the girls be? I need to buy Joseph a few things, and I have a few other things to do…"
"Knowing the girls," Lynn began with a chuckle. "We'll be back here with our shopping before they've even got half of theirs done! By the way," she continued as they stood up. "Did Joe tell you that we're all having dinner tonight… but Ben and Carrie aren't coming," she added quickly, seeing Clarisse's hesitant look. "As usual, BJ railroaded him into agreeing," she said with an affectionate chuckle.
"No, he didn't… but it sounds fine to me… I might even wear my new black suit!"