Tell me why, everything turned around.
Packing up, shacking up is all you want to do.

If I could, baby I'd give you my world.
Open up, everything's waiting for you.

Chapter 4: I'm Getting Married, Today.

4 Months Later.

After making herself a pot of tea, Clarisse moved to sit at the table in the kitchens. It was the early hours and she couldn't sleep, she's getting married in several hours and sleep was the last thing on her mind.

As she sat alone she wondered if she was doing the right thing, just a few months ago Edward was telling her that he wanted to have a baby with her, until she told him no and he changed his mind, deciding she was enough for him. They had talked about it more since, there was nothing like having your own child and Clarisse felt for him. But she was too old for that now, her sons were twenty one and eighteen and even though it was still possible for her to have another child, those days were well behind her.

And a short time later, upon hearing footsteps behind her she turned her head to see who it was. Finding that the maids had come to start their work, she stood to her feet and left them too it. Heading back up to her suite, where she sat, losing herself to another daydream.

Later.

Walking through her suite door, Philippe stopped when he saw curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. He hated that he had to disturb and wake her, but he had too, it was time to start getting ready. So moving, he sat down on the coffee table and gently shook her.

Smiling, he watched as she slowly opened her eyes. "Good morning, mother."

"Good morning, Philippe." She yawned and slowly sat up.

"I came to tell you that it's time to get ready, I didn't expect to find you sleeping." He smirked.

"Well I couldn't sleep earlier, I was even downstairs for a while but when the maids began coming down to start their work I came back up. I didn't expect to fall to sleep, but I guess it got the better of me." She said and yawned while checking the time. "You are right, it is time to start getting ready."

"Would you like me to put a call down for some tea, and breakfast?" Philippe asked and watched as she nodded.

"Please," She said and stood to her feet, disappearing into the bedroom as he stood to his feet.

After having breakfast she had a soak in the bath before beginning to get ready, with the help of her sister, Elsie. And after doing her hair and makeup they decided to have a break, enjoying a glass of champagne before carrying on.

"So, are you nervous yet?" Elsie asked before taking a sip of her champagne.

"A little," Clarisse nodded and looked over at her a moment before looking over at her dress as it hung on the back of her closet door.

"Are you looking forward to becoming Clarisse Hardy?" Elsie asked and giggled as her sister smiled over at her.

"I am," Clarisse smiled and sipped some of her champagne. Placing the glass down on her dressing table beside her a moment later, she stood and slowly made her way over to the dress. "I wonder, can you leave me for a little while?" She asked, turning back to Elsie.

"Of course," Elsie smiled "I will be back in a bit." She said and walked out.

Pushing up the door, Clarisse stood back and stared at the dress for several moments, taking in all the detail before stepping forward and running her hands down the sides, pulling it towards her as stepped back. Letting it fall back down against the door, Clarisse grabbed her glass and made her way through her bedroom and onto her balcony as she sipped some of it's contents.

Leaning against the wall, she looked out into her gardens. Watching as some of the guests gathered, talking amongst themselves, all excited for the wedding. And as she stood watching them, she still wondered if she was doing the right thing.

Hearing a light tap on the balcony door a moment later, she turned to find Joseph stood looking at her. "Flower delivery." He smiled.

"Joseph," Turning, she whispered softly and watched as he walked over to her. "What are you doing here? I didn't think you could make it?"

"I can't, I am here just to drop these in. Beautiful flowers, for a beautiful lady on her wedding day." He smiled at the flowers momentarily before smiling over at her.

"Thank you," She smiled, taking them from him and watched as he stepped back. "I hate that you can't stay, you're my best friend. You are meant to be here." She said sadly.

"I know, and I'm sorry I can't be." He said, watching her as she smelt the roses in her arms.

"Is the move still going ahead?" She asked and watched as he nodded.

"It is, Jasmine has gone on ahead and I will follow in a day or two." Joseph said, watching her as she nodded while making her way over to the table, placing the flowers down. "Edward is a lucky man to have you as his wife, I just hope he realises that."

"He does," Clarisse nodded as she walked to stand in front of him.

Taking her hands in his, he kissed the back of her fingers before looking into her eyes "If he ever hurts you, tell me and I will kill him." He said seriously.

"Oh," Clarisse laughed a little "There won't be any need for that, he won't ever hurt me." She said, looking into his eyes. "Are you sure that you can't stay, It will mean a lot to me if you can." She asked, studying his face.

"I wish I could, Clarisse. I really do, but I can't." He answered, studying her face.

"I understand," She nodded and watched as he stepped closer, embracing her into a hug.

"I don't think you do," He said sadly, pulling his head back. "I don't think you will ever truly understand why I can't be here today."

"Tell me then, please, Joseph." She whispered softly and looked up into his eyes momentarily.

Shaking his head, he stepped back and forced a smile. "All the best for your bright, married future." He said "You deserve this happy ending." He smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you," She smiled, studying his face. "Will I ever see you again?" She asked.

"Never say never," He answered, looking into her eyes. "I have to go." He said, making his way over to the door.

"Please, I wish.." She exclaimed as he stopped and looked over at her as she shook her head, biting her lip to stop herself from crying. "Nevermind," She said and shook her head again "All the best for yours and Jasmines future, also." She said sadly.

"Thank you," He nodded slightly and walked back inside.

Watching as he disappeared back through the door, she turned her head to the side for a moment before looking down at the glass in her hands. Turning her back to the door she looked out at the guests gathering out in her garden, her heart breaking.

Shortly after Elsie returned, and helped her into her dress.

"You look beautiful, Clarisse." Elsie smiled, watching her as she slowly turned to look at her sister.

"I couldn't agree more, mother." Pierre said from the doorway and watched as they both looked over at him. "You're not going to cry now, are you Auntie Elsie?" He smirked, making his way over to her as she put her hands up to her face.

"I will in a minute," Elsie nodded as they all laughed.

"I wonder, could you give me and mother a minute before we go down?" He asked, looking at Elsie as she lifted her head to look up at him.

"Of course," She nodded and looked over at Clarisse "See you downstairs." She smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you, and thank you so much for all your help today." Clarisse smiled, watching her walk over to the door.

"Anytime," Elsie smiled over at her and walked out, leaving them alone.

"Are you nervous?" Pierre asked, and watched as she slowly looked up at him.

"I am a little, yes." Clarisse nodded. "Am I doing the right thing?"

"What do you mean?" He asked and watched as she began pacing the room.

"I don't think I love him anymore," Clarisse exclaimed, taking Pierre by surprise.

"What?" Pierre exclaimed and stepped closer. "Mother?"

"He wants children, he said he doesn't want them if he can't have me, but with us getting married I feel that I am trapping him." She said and looked down at her hands as she put them together. "And..." She hesitated.

"Mother?"

"I think I'm in love with someone else." She said, unable to look up.

"Joseph?" Pierre exclaimed and watched as she slowly looked up at him.

"Yes," She nodded and closed her eyes "But he's gone now, he's moved on and is getting married in the summer." She said sadly and moved to stand beside the window, looking out at the garden. Seeing all the guests, all excited about the wedding she sighed. "And I only just realised today, how I could have been so oblivious to this, I don't know.. but he used to pay me compliments everyday, tell me how beautiful I looked. Took notice of what I wore, Edward never does that." She said sadly and looked down momentarily before looking back up out the window "I have lost the only man I ever truly loved."

"No mother, no you haven't." Pierre exclaimed as he walked over to her.

"Yes I have Pierre, it's too late." She said, turning to him.

"What if I told you that he loves you too, and has done for a very long time?" Pierre said, taking hold of her hands as she gasped in surprise.

"Don't be so silly, Joseph doesn't love me." She said, unable to believe what he was saying.

"He does, if he didn't then why would he spend his day off in the perfume shop, smelling all the perfumes just to find that one you love, because he wanted it to be the perfect gift for your birthday." Pierre said, watching his mother. "Don't marry Edward, mother. Please?" Hesitating a moment, but deciding to go on "I have kept quiet long enough, Edward does not deserve you. He doesn't love you, if I am honest I think he only wants to be with you because of who you are, not you, your heart or soul. Just your title."

"Pierre, that's.."

"No mother," He interrupted and studied her a moment "If you can stand there, look me in the eye and tell me that you are happy with Edward, then I won't stop you." He said and watched as she looked down at her hands. "You can't do it, can you?"

"Edward isn't like how you just said he is, he loves me, more than I love him I guess." She said and looked up into her sons eyes

"Minus the compliments." He said, raising his brow.

"But he does make me happy, I wouldn't have agreed to marry him if I wasn't happy." Said Clarisse.

Nodding, Pierre looked away. "Very well, then it's time. It's time to get married." He said sadly, looking into her eyes.

Heading downstairs, they took their places and waited for the music to start. And as the doors opened, everyone turned and watched as Pierre and Philippe took their places either side of Clarisse as she stepped forward.

Slowly they began making their way down the aisle towards Edward, his best man and the Archbishop. However halfway, Clarisse suddenly stopped.

"Mother," Pierre exclaimed as she looked at Philippe then him.

"You were right, I'm not happy." She said, shaking her head as she passed him the flowers and lifted up the bottom of her dress a little, running towards the door.

"Clarisse?" Edward called after her, hurrying down the aisle behind her.

"Let her go, Edward." Pierre called after him and watched as he stopped, slowly turning to him.

Meanwhile outside the front of the Palace, Clarisse really didn't know where to go or what to do. Looking around she noticed one of the drivers stood beside a waiting car, and trying to catch her breath she turned to look back at the Palace, wondering if she should go, or stay.