A month later.
Joe moved out of the Palace a few days after his and Clarisse's fight, only coming back to pick up Olivia. At the moment Sofia doesn't want much to do with him, but goes out with them sometimes.
Over this last month Clarisse and Sofia have grown a lot closer to what they used to be, and Sofia has become even more protective of her Mom than she was before.
After breakfast with the girls in her suite, Clarisse took her time getting ready. Everyday has been a struggle since Joe left and today was no different. As she sat in her closet trying to sort out her hair, Sofia appeared.
"Mom" she said while walking over
turning to her "what's wrong?" she asked
"nothing" she said standing behind her "I just came to make sure you was ok?" she asked while watching her turn back to face the mirror
"oh I'm fine darling" she nodded forcing a smile while looking at her in the mirror
"that smile says other wise" she said leaning over and wrapped her arm's around her shoulders from behind
"it's just another day" she said putting one hand up onto Sofia's arms around her and the other up cupping her cheek while looking at her in the mirror
"it will get better Mom, I promise" she whispered as they started rocking side to side gently "it may take time but you got us girls" she smiled
"I know" she nodded with a smile "and I am thankful for you both every second of every day" she nodded
Sofia smiled "want me to do your hair? I noticed you was having trouble with it" Sofia asked
"if you want to" she answered while looking at her in the mirror
Sofia just smiled and started doing her hair for her as Clarisse sat with her eyes closed.
Afterwards they both headed downstairs, being met by Charlotte.
"Morning Charlotte" Clarisse smiled
"good morning, um..." she started "Joe is in your office and wishes to speak to you"
Both Charlotte and Sofia stood looking at her
"I can come in with you if you like, Mom?" Sofia offered
"Shades in in there also, in case he starts but he did say he wasn't going to start he just wanted to talk to you about something and give you something" Charlotte said looking at her
"did he say what?" Sofia asked as Charlotte shook her head "do you want me to come in with you?" she asked while looking at Clarisse
"no it's alright, I no what this is about" she said walking over to her office "thank you though" she walked in to her office as both men looked at her "it's alright Shades, you can leave"
"are you sure?" he asked as she nodded "ok, well I will be just right outside that door"
"thank you" she watched him walk out then looked at Joe "have you seen Olivia?"
"yes shes in the car waiting for me" he said watching her as she walked over to her desk and sat down "I think you no why I am here"
"I think so" she said looking at him
"is it what you really want?" he asked
"no it's not what I want Joseph" she said looking at him "but I loved you and you done the one thing you promised me you would never ever do to me" she whispered "I can't do it anymore" she whispered
"I know and I am so sorry, if I could turn the clocks back I would" he answered "I know I betrayed you and broke your heart" he said putting his hands on the back of the chair in front of her
"did you get the letter?" she asked
"I did and I wanted to give them to you personally, that's why I am here" he said taking something from his inner jacket "I don't want it to end but I guess it has too" he said putting them on the desk in front of her "I have signed them" he said stepping back
"thank you, Joseph" Clarisse nodded while looking at them then looked back at him
"I'm sorry Clarisse" he said stepping back "I messed up and for that I will ever be sorry" he whispered while walking towards the door "I hope we can be friends" he asked while looking over at her
"I don't no" she shrugged "right now it's just to hard" she said sadly
"I understand" he nodded "take care Clarisse" he whispered and walked out, pulling the door up behind him
Clarisse put the papers away in her drawer and sat crying for a bit, her heart breaking even more. After a while Sofia came to check on her before heading to town with Charlotte.
After thinking for a while Clarisse came out of her office to see Pierre walking across the hall to his Dad's old office.
"Pierre" Clarisse said pulling up the door
"Hi Mom, is everything alright?" he asked walking over to her
"I am going for a walk, my Lawyer is due to arrive sometime this afternoon but I really need a walk to clear my head" she said looking at him "can you please come and find me if he arrives when I am out"
"is everything alright?" he asked
"yes" she nodded "it will be soon"
"do you want some company?" he asked
"no" she shook her head "I just want to be alone"
"ok" he watched her walk to the door
"don't forget to come and find me if he arrives" she said looking back at him as he nodded "thank you"
He stood watching her walk down the stairs and over to the grass and with a shake of his head, knowing what was going to happen he went into his Dad's old office.
With a deep sigh she sat down on the bench, near the flowers she loves to spend time on, however today she couldn't bring herself to even smell them. She just sat looking at them while thinking about everything, her mind running around old memories as she closed her eyes.
A couple hours later, Pierre came over to let her know that her Lawyer had arrived. When he reached the bench he noticed her Wedding Ring on the arm of the bench and the forms on her lap, with a soft sigh he moved and sat next to her.
Opening her eyes she looked at him "Hello darling"
"Hello Mom" he said resting his arm along the back of the bench and placed his hand on her shoulder "your Lawyer is here"
"ok thank you" she said looking down
"I asked him to give us a few minutes, just in case you needed some time" he said watching her
"time is all I seem to have today" she said looking at him "thank you though"
"it's alright" he watched her as she looked towards the Palace "are you going to sign them?" she looked at him "I saw he's signed them" he said pointing to the papers on her lap
"he has" she nodded while looking down "and I am, yes" she said grabbing the pen from beside her "I just needed some thinking time" she said looking at him
"are you sure" he asked
"yes" she said looking at him "I can't even begin to explain how I feel over this"
"I understand" he whispered "I saw the hurt in your eyes when Dad done it to you, and even more so when He done it to you"
"am I doing the right thing?" she asked looking at him
"I can't answer that for you Mom, you no that" he answered "just follow what your heart tells you" he whispered as she nodded and looked back at the Palace
They sat in silence for a bit just staring at the Palace.
"you no I have this memory running around my head" Pierre started as Clarisse looked at him "it must be the first memory I have as I am young in it" he nodded
"whats that?" she asked
"it was after a time Dad had hurt you" he watched as she blinked and looked back at the Palace "and Joe was there for you afterwards" he whispered "it stuck in my mind and as I got older, the more I saw Dad hurt you the more I wanted that person who was there for you to be me" he watched as she looked at him "I know I was there when Philippe died, but you couldn't trust, well you could but you wanted Joe more, I guess because he was your best friend and had been for years, and being your first love after all" he watched her "since this happened, you haven't had anyone really there for you, just the girls and I but you push us away" she looked at him
"you are my best friend too" she whispered
"I know" he nodded while taking her hand "but I could never be there the way Joe was, even when Dad died it was him you turned too" he watched as he looked down "maybe ending this isn't the best idea"
"Pierre, you don't no half of it" she said closing her eyes
"then trust me and tell me and let me be there for you" he whispered softly as she slowly looked up at him "I know what he done was wrong, and there is more to it, but please trust someone and let them be there for you instead of pushing us away" he said as tears pricked his eyes "please"
"oh Pierre please don't cry" she said turning in the seat and put her hand up cupping his cheek "or I will start, again"
"I can't help it Mom, everyone is worried about you and it makes me so mad that I can't do anything" he said starting to cry followed by Clarisse "I'm sorry Mom" he said hugging her
After a few minutes she took a deep breath and explained a couple things to him, then they sat in silence as she rested her head on his shoulder he rubbed her arm.
"thank you, Pierre" she said lifting her head and looked at him while sitting back and wiped her face
"anytime Mom" he said taking her hand "just remember we are here for you" he nodded "I no you still love him and don't want to lose him"
"oh I do, so much" she said looking at the forms and ring
"just think carefully, take your time and follow your heart" he said kissing her cheek "ok"
"ok" she nodded
"promise?" he asked
"I promise" she answered
"ok" he said standing up "I am going to head back, are you coming?"
"no" she shook her head "I need a bit more time" she whispered "can you let my Lawyer no I will be there as soon as I can"
"of course" he nodded and started heading back to the Palace
He stopped half way and looked back at Clarisse as she sat with her hands covering her face, he let out a sad sigh and carried on, letting her Lawyer know then just sat waiting. Not long after Charlotte and Sofia came back and they all stood in the hall way talking when Clarisse came in with a sealed envelope in her hand, Pierre knew straight away what she chose.
"thanks for waiting, James" she said walking over to him
"it's alright" he nodded at her
"whats that Mom?" Sofia asked as everyone looked at her and Pierre lowered his head looking down
"is that them?" James asked
Clarisse looked down at them as she took hold of them with both hands "yes" she looked back up at him
"Mom?" Sofia asked
"wait Sofia" Pierre said putting his hand on her back
"I will deal with it and get back to you" he said putting them in his inner pocket
"thank you" she said folding her arms "the ring is in there too, can you make sure he gets it back" she said looking at him as Sofia gasped
"I will do" he nodded
"Mom?" Sofia whispered as Clarisse looked at her "I no I hate him right now for what he's done, but are you really going ahead with this?" she asked as Pierre rubbed her back
"I am" she nodded "I'm sorry" she watched as she turned and started running up the stairs "Sofia" Clarisse called after her as a couple tears escaped her eyes
"I will go" Charlotte said as Pierre looked at her then she rushed after her
"I will be in contact" James said looking at Clarisse
"thank you" she walked over to the door, shutting it after him then turned to Pierre as she started crying
"come here, Mom" Pierre whispered while walking over to her giving her a hug
"why do I feel so bad" she whispered
"you will for a while, the girls will come around" he answered while rubbing her back
They stood in the hall way for a few minutes, then Clarisse headed upstairs to talk to Sofia. She knocked on the door then walked in.
"Charlotte" Clarisse whispered as she looked over "you can leave us now" she said walking over
"of course" Charlotte whispered and headed over to the door
She stood at the door for a second while watching Clarisse as she sat down on the bed next to Sofia then walked out, giving them some space.
"Sofia" Clarisse said rubbing her back "I'm sorry you had to find out that way"
she sat up and looked at her "I didn't think you guys would actually get divorced, I thought it would pass and you will get back together"
"I can't do that, darling" she whispered "he done the one thing he promised me he would never do and it crushed me so much"
"I know, but..." she said crying "its you and Daddy, your meant to be together forever" she cried
"I'm so sorry darling, we tried to make it work we really did" she said hugging her
"not this month you haven't" she looked at her
"we have tried for a whole year to make it last, what he done was the last straw" she said starting to cry "please understand"
"I am trying" she whispered "I'm sorry Mom" she said hugging her "I just didn't think my parent's would ever ever part" she cried on her shoulder
"I'm sorry darling" she said looking at her
They laid on the bed for a while then Sofia turned and looked at Clarisse as she laid with her eyes closed.
"are you sleeping?" she whispered
"no" Clarisse answered while slowly opening her eyes
"it's time to move on?" She said
"yes" Clarisse nodded and wrapped her arms around Sofia as she snuggled back down with her
"I love you Mom" she whispered
"I love you too" Clarisse answered and closed her eyes again while kissing Sofia's forehead