A few days later, it's New Years Eve.
Greg's parents arrived yesterday, to see the New Year in with him, Sofia and everyone else. When they arrived, Clarisse found that she used to be good friends with his Mom, Hannah, back when she was 8 years old. They actually spent the rest of the day after their arrival together. Joe has yet to meet them however and Sofia is getting very nervous.
Yesterday was the first day Clarisse hadn't hidden away in her suite since Boxing Day. Which pleased everyone as they all thought she was getting sick.
Everyone at the Palace was awake early, as it was a Sunday they still had to attend Church, even if it was New Years Eve. After the service they all mingled a little with other people from the Village then the family went and laid some flowers on Philippe's grave, and some was surprised when Clarisse took a bunch and placed them on Rupert's.
Needing some thinking time she told everyone to go back to the Palace and she would walk home when she was ready. However, someone didn't want to leave her alone and stayed. When the cars drove of he wondered over and sat next to her on the bench, she looked up in surprise.
"Greg" she exclaimed while turning and looked for the cars then looked back at him "did they leave you behind?"
"yea" he nodded "only because I asked them too"
"I don't follow" she questioned
"well I couldn't leave you behind on your own" he shrugged "besides, I wanted to ask you something, you no without Sofia"
"ahh" she nodded while turning and looked down at Philippe's grave "I see"
he nodded nervously "don't worry, I will ask Joseph too, if I ever see him" he chuckled a little
Clarisse's gaze rose from the floor upwards then looked at him "if it's to do with what I think it's to do with, Greg the answer is Yes, you have my permission" she smiled
"really?" he exclaimed as she nodded "wow, thanks"
Clarisse couldn't help but chuckle then she smiled "do you have a ring?"
"no not yet" he said looking at her "and please don't think it's cause I can't afford one, because I can" he nodded
"I no that, silly" she chuckled "I just wondered, that was all"
"ahh ok" he said looking at her "but no, I haven't had the chance yet to try and find one, with everything going on and all" he said looking at her "but I will as soon as I can"
"that's alright, well when do you plan on doing this? proposing I mean?" she asked
"tonight, just after midnight" he grinned
"oh how romantic" she smiled "she will love that" she nodded "well, if you like you can use the ring her father proposed to me with, if you like?"
"really?" he gasped looking at her as she nodded "I would like that, thank you"
"aww its no trouble" she smiled "I will give it to you when we get back" she smiled at him "wait" she raised her eyebrow as he looked at her "she's not pregnant is she?"
"no" he shook his head "oh god no" he smiled when he see her smirk
"don't worry I was just teasing you" she smirked at him
"oh phew" he giggled "by the way can I ask you something else?" he said looking at her as she nodded "what am I meant to call you?" he asked with a confused look "is it Your Royal Highness? Your Majesty? Mrs Romano? or Mrs Renaldi" he asked
"neither" she replied as he looked shocked "you can call me Clarisse, then of course when you get married to Sofia you can call me Mom" she smiled "only if you feel comfortable with it though, Charlotte and Pierre have been married for a good few years now and she still calls me either Your Majesty or Clarisse" she giggled
"ok, thanks" he smiled and looked up "wow it's snowing"
Clarisse looked up "how lovely" she smiled while putting her hand out as a couple flakes fell onto her hand "and with that" she said looking at him "we better get a move on back to the Palace" she stood up and put the hood of her coat up as he held his arm out for her "oh what a gentleman" she smiled linking arms with him "thank you"
They made their way out the church and headed home. When they walked through the door Sofia appeared.
"well it's about time" she said walking over and kissed Greg "we thought we was gonna have to send a search party for you" she giggled
"oh don't worry darling" Clarisse smiled slipping of her coat "I showed him around the village a bit" she smiled "it was nice and peaceful"
"come on, everyone has been waiting on you both to get back so we could eat" she smiled taking Greg's hand
"oh yes, food" Clarisse smiled and watched them rush off into the dinner all
She walked into her office to hang her coat up, then joined everyone else.
After dinner Clarisse went to find the ring for Greg, when she came back down she found him in the living room with his parents.
"here you are" she smiled "where is Sofia?"
"she's gone out into the garden with the young kids, they are having a snowball fight" he chuckled
"ahh ok, well that's perfect then" she said taking a small box from her pocket "here you go"
"this the ring?" he asked taking the box as his parents looked up "can I look?"
"of course" she smiled as he slowly opened the box
"oh wow" he grinned "thank you" he said stepping closer and hugged her then stepped back and showed his parents
"I really hope you didn't mind me giving him this ring?" Clarisse asked while moving and sitting down
"oh of course not" Hannah smiled
"we are thankful actually, because we wasn't allowed to keep my parent's rings after they died" Peter said looking at her "so thank you" he smiled
"no problem" she smiled and looked at Greg "now all you need to do is ask Joseph"
"oh gosh" Greg exclaimed while looking up "he won't mind me using this ring will he?"
"oh god no" Clarisse shook her head "if he says anything just send him to me" she nodded and watched him stare at the ring "you no, Sofia loved that ring" they all looked back at her "everyday she would always try and get of my hand" she chuckled while holding her hand up "one time she actually managed it, we didn't even notice and actually thought she had swallowed it"
"oh gosh" Hannah exclaimed "she didn't, did she?"
"no, thank god" she said putting her hand on her chest "we was at the hospital for hours trying to find out" she said looking at them "and we was still up there when Shades came rushing in saying they had found it down the back of the chair"
they laughed "oh" Hannah exclaimed and laughed with everyone else
Greg closed the box and handed it to his father for safe keeping, then looked at Clarisse "you are sure you don't mind me using it?"
"well of course not, why wouldn't I be?" she asked
"well because of what it holds?" he said feeling nervous again "between you and Joseph, I mean" he whispered
"oh" she whispered then smiled "of course I don't mind" she nodded "it holds a lot of memories for me and I know it will hold a lot more to come for you and Sofia" she smiled
"aww that was so sweet" Hannah said looking at her
"I agree" Peter smiled
Clarisse nodded with a small smile then stood up "excuse me for a moment, won't you?"
"of course" they nodded and watched her leave
"oh" Hannah said looking at Greg "I hope we haven't upset her?"
"so do I" Peter said looking at Greg as he just looked at the door
Clarisse went and sat in her office for a bit, to get some quiet time before the craziness starts later on. However a while later she was disturbed from her thoughts by someone knocking on the door.
"Mom" Sofia said peering through the door "can I come in?"
Clarisse nodded while sitting up "of course, darling" she rested her arms on the desk in front of her "what can I do for you?"
"nothing" she smiled as she walked over "I actually have something for you" she smiled while placing a box on the desk in front of her "I saw them and knew you would love them"
"you didn't have to get me anything" she said with a frown and looked up at her
"yes I did" Sofia smiled "your the best Mom in the world and I love getting you presents" she smirked "and I ain't taking them back"
"oh well thank you then" she smiled while undoing the ribbon around the box and took the lid of and gasped "oh my" she said taking one out then looked at her "now how did you no I had my eyes on these?"
"I didn't" she chuckled
"alright, whats the catch?" she asked putting the shoe back in the box
"what, me?" Sofia gasped as Clarisse smirked at her "alright" she shrugged "you caught me" she moved and sat on the desk in front of her "please please please can you call Daddy and ask him to come tonight?"
"I thought he was coming?" she asked while sitting back in her chair
"he was but he changed his mind" she shrugged "I don't no whats wrong with him" she looked at her while taking one of the shoes "don't you just love the rose detail on them?" she smirked
"Sofia" Clarisse smirked as Sofia gave her puppy dog eyes "alright, I will call him"
"yay" she jumped up and sat on her lap giving her a hug "I love you so much" she smiled and kissed her "this means so much to me, he hasn't even met Greg's parents yet and they did come all this way to meet you both"
"alright, I am doing it you no you can stop creeping now" Clarisse chuckled
"sorry Mommy" Sofia laughed and kissed her again and jumped up "I will leave these lovely shoes with you and I will see you later" she smiled and skipped out the room
Clarisse couldn't help but laugh as she watched her leave the office, she made the call but it went to answer phone so she left him a message asking for him to call back.
A little while later Charlotte came and asked if Clarisse could watch Lilly for a bit, then she left them to it. They sat at the desk for a bit then moved over to the coffee table, as Lilly sat on Clarisse's lap doing some coloring with Clarisse helping, someone knocked on the door.
"come in" Clarisse said not looking up and continued coloring "Lilly"
"yes" she answered
"pick one for her hair color for me" she smiled down at her
"ok" she said looking at the different colors and picked one "this one" she smiled
"Red" Clarisse exclaimed "you want her hair to be red?" she smiled when Lilly laughed "ok baby" she kissed her forehead "her hair will be red" suddenly remembering someone knocked on her door she looked up to see Joe standing there "hey"
with a smirk he asked "are you having fun?" moving and sat down
"yes we are" Clarisse smiled and carried on coloring "oh" she said looking up "did you get my message?" she asked while looking back down and continued coloring with Lilly
"yes I did, that's why I am here" he nodded "I have seen Greg"
"oh" Clarisse answered not looking up "and?" she asked
"I gave my permission of course" he nodded as she looked up "I also like that you gave him your ring to give her" he half smiled
"are you sure?" she asked while looking into his eyes
"of course" he nodded "she loves that ring its only right, and well she is our oldest, it's only right it goes to her too" he smiled "thank you"
"it's ok" she nodded "you are right though"
"of course, I am always right" he chuckled as Clarisse gasped
"not always your not" she smirked throwing a crayon at him making Lilly laugh "anyway on a more serious note, you no you have just made your daughters night?"
"how?" he asked as James came in and sat next to him
"because she was scared you wasn't going to turn up today, she even bribed me to call and beg you to come to meet his parents"
"oh she did? what with?" he asked
"a lovely pair of shoes with rose detail on them" she smiled and looked up at him
"oh" he laughed "you and your shoes" he smirked while watching her "heels or flats?"
"heels of course" she smirked up at him for a second then looked down
he laughed then his face dropped "wait" he raised his eyebrow as Clarisse looked up at him
"no shes not pregnant" she laughed
"good, or I would have to have words with that boy" they both laughed
She smiled up at him then carried on, after a while they started messing around with James and Lilly, Not knowing Pierre, Charlotte and Amelia was watching them through a tiny gap in the door.
"Quick Lilly, hes gonna get you" Clarisse said extending her arms out to her as she rushed over full of excitement, when she reached her Clarisse quickly pulled her onto her lap and wrapped her arms around her "ahh he can't get you now" holding her close as Lilly laughed
"oh that was a close one" Joe said while crawling over to them and slowly stood up as Lilly laughed harder, he grabbed James and flung him over his shoulder as he laughed
"look Lilly" Clarisse said looking down "he's got your Brother" Lilly gasped while looking up "go get him" Clarisse smiled as Lilly stepped of her lap and ran over to Joe and slapped his leg
"who is that?" Joe said putting on a voice while turning around and saw Lilly running back to Clarisse "is that Miss Lilly?" he asked putting James down as he laughed and pretended to run after her with James following
"Lilly quick, hes coming, quickly" Clarisse laughed and grabbed her pulling her onto her lap again and spun her around covering her with her body as James jumped on them and Joe towering over them "oh no, what are we gonna do Lilly?"
"I'm gonna get Grammy?" Joe whispered in a different voice as Lilly and James couldn't stop laughing with that Joe grabbed Clarisse and flung her over his shoulder as both James and Lilly, along with those watching who shouldn't be, gasp.
Both James and Lilly laughed while running over and flung their arms around his legs while Clarisse remained, laughing over his shoulder he walked forward as they hung on, still laughing.
Meanwhile on the other side of the door.
"what are you..." Sofia started as Pierre stood up and shhed her "whats going on?" she whispered and crept over
"they are enjoying themselves, that's what" Amelia whispered knowing with Lilly and James laughing they wouldn't no that they was watching
"who?" she asked
"them" Pierre said pushing her down and showed her
"oh wow?" Sofia whispered
They continued to watch as Joe put Clarisse back on her feet and smiled at her, then continued making Lilly and James laugh as Clarisse sat on the floor, crossing her ankles in front of her and lent back on her hands.
"oh god" she said watching them "I'm getting to old for this" she said trying to catch her breath
"you have to admit though?" Joe said moving and sat down not far from her "they bring out the kid in you" he asked while looking back at her
"that is true" she smiled with a nod and watched as James tipped his lego out
"right then young man" Joe said moving "what shall we build today?" he asked while crossing his legs
"I know I am going to sleep well tonight, that's for sure" she said looking at Lilly as she came over and sat on her lap, facing her "so is this one I think" she said leaning on one hand as Joe looked at them, she brushed Lilly's hair back out of her face
After a few minutes Clarisse laid down on her back as Lilly laid on her, she bent her knees up bringing her feet close to her bum as Joe and James played with the lego and the gang watching from outside decided to leave them to it.
James gasped as Joe looked up at him "whats wrong Jay?" he asked
he lent into Joe "Grammy flashing" James whispered
"what?" he asked looking at him as he pointed to Clarisse "oh" he looked at James "thank you James" he smiled and looked at Clarisse "Clari?"
"yes Joseph" she answered not looking
"are you aware that your flashing?" he asked looking over at her
"pardon?" she asked opening her eyes as Joe looked over
he lent over "sorry about this" he said extending his arm and grabbed her skirt that had fell down, pulling it up as she gasped
"what are you doing?" she asked while wrapping one arm around Lilly and sat up looking at him
"you was flashing, when you bent your knees up your skirt went down and was showing of your underwear" he said looking at her
"oh ok, well thank you then" she said looking at him
"no problem" he smirked then carried on playing lego with James
she giggled as Joe looked back at her "I actually forgot I was wearing a skirt" she smirked down at Lilly as Joe smirked
"I did wonder" he smirked at her as she lifted her head
she smiled back at him "oh my god, I am going to be covered in bruises tomorrow" she said checking her arm
"it was worth it though, wasn't it?" Joe asked
"oh of course" she smiled and hugged Lilly
They stayed in her office for a while then Charlotte came and got the kids, Clarisse and Joe tided up then Clarisse disappeared upstairs. Coming down hours later, right before the party was due to start. She grabbed a glass of champagne and started making her way around the room to great and thank people for coming.
"Mom" Sofia said sitting next to her "I have a small question for you"
"ok, go on" she smiled and sipped her drink then looked at her
"this guy you are seeing" she smiled "is it Shades?"
"what?" Clarisse gasped "whatever gave you that idea?"
"well you are close and Amelia saw you flirting with him earlier" Sofia smiled while Clarisse sat opened mouthed "we wouldn't mind if it was, he is a handsome man after all" she winked at Clarisse
"well let me tell you now, its not Shades" she smiled while turning in her chair and scanned the room as Sofia watched her, after a second she looked back at her "but he is in this room"
"what" she gasped looking around then looked back at Clarisse to find she had walked of "Mom" she rushed after her "you can't say that then rush of"
"of course I can" she smiled "excuse me darling" she laughed and walked off
After a little while and with Sofia and Amelia watching Clarisse said goodbye to a dear friend. When she was alone Amelia went over this time.
"ah ha" she smirked as Clarisse looked at her in surprise "it was Alex, wasn't it?" Amelia smirked
"Alex?" she asked as Amelia "what makes you think it was Alex?"
"well you are good friends, have been for years as Harriet said and well he just came to say goodbye, and you gave him a hug and a couple kisses" she said with a nod as Clarisse started laughing "what is so funny?" she asked
"so you don't no?" Clarisse asked as Amelia shook her head "he's gay darling" she walked off laughing as Amelia stood in shock
Amelia went to tell Sofia and they sat still wondering at who it could be, when Clarisse came back over and sat down, sitting close and talking to Joseph.
"oh my god" Sofia said sitting up "Oh My God" she exclaimed as Amelia, Clarisse and Joe looked at her
"whats wrong?" Joe asked
"it's Dad isn't it?" Sofia gasped looking at them
"what?" Joe asked as Clarisse looked at him "what are you talking about?"
"you are her secret man?" she said trying not to get excited as Clarisse looked at her then back at Joe "it makes sense now"
"oh my god, is it?" Amelia said while looking at them
"no" Clarisse shook her head while looking back at them
"you would say that" Sofia said smiling at them
"I will tell you now" Joe said looking at them "its not me and I know that for a fact"
"oh" Sofia said sitting back with a sigh
"and please may I remind you" Clarisse started as they looked at her "I ended it, remember so he's not my man anymore"
"oh" Sofia said again and watched as she stood up and walked of
The girls sat talking for a bit then started enjoying themselves, giving up trying to find out who it was. Clarisse shared a dance with Greg, his Father Peter, Pierre and even Joseph. And after a couple more drinks she danced to a couple songs with the girls, then disappeared outside walking up the stairs and stood leaning against the wall looking over her gardens with a glass of champagne and another glass with a brandy shot in it.
"here you are" Joe said coming up as she turned her head to him "I wondered where you got to"
"I just wanted some time to myself" she said looking back out into the darkness
"oh" he stopped "do you want me to leave you?" he asked
"no its ok" she said looking back over at him
"aren't you cold?" he asked standing next to her
"no, my legs are a little bit, but that's it" she said looking at him as he looked down
"are these the shoes you was talking about?" he asked
"yes they are" she smiled while lifting one of her feet of the floor and tilted her foot to the side to show him
"they suit you" he smiled back up at her
"thank you" she nodded while putting her foot back down and lent on the wall again
"why do you have a brandy here with a glass of champagne?" he said standing next to her and lent against the wall
"because one is for my father" she said looking at him
"ahh of course" he nodded
Not long after it turned Midnight, they stood as Happy New Year cheer rang from the Palace, she smiled and downed the brandy, Joseph couldn't help but laugh as she pulled a face.
"how could you men down this neat?" she gasped putting the glass down
"we get used to it after a while" he chuckled
"yuck" she said pulling another face as it started snowing
"oh Clari, it's snowing" he said watching her as she looked up for a second then back down at him "Happy New Year" he smiled stepping closer, putting his hands up cupping her cheeks as he placed a soft kiss on her lips
She didn't pull away, she let it linger for a few seconds then smiled "and to you" she nodded as he stepped back, smiling at him.
After a few minutes they went back inside, and watched as Greg proposed to Sofia, who excitedly said yes as everyone cheered for them, then the party carried on.
To Be Continued...
ooOoo
Anymore ideas to who this "man" could be?