Thank you to everyone who read the last update, and an even bigger THANK YOU to tengland2 for commenting :)
Here is the next update, warning of heartbreak in this part, I just wanted to warn you before you read it as I needed a tissue when writing it, so you may want to get one handy, just in case.
ooOoo
The following week, everyone's back in Genovia.
When they arrived back home they found that Jason was back in town and staying at the Palace not that anyone minded, of course. Clarisse had lunch with Lena and Karen yesterday, letting them know that she doesn't hold the affair against Lena and she wanted Karen to be apart of Pierre's life. They all came back to the Palace afterwards where Pierre showed Karen around, as Clarisse and Lena chatted while walking around the gardens.
And now this Sunday morning, with it being Clarisse and Joseph's lay in together day. Clarisse snuggled up to Joseph's back, both fast a sleep when the alarm went off. Clarisse quickly leaned over and turned it off then settled back under the covers as Joseph turned over, putting his arm around her waist.
"Who set the alarm last night?" he whispered burying his face in the crook of her neck.
"You did!" she whispered and laughed while turning her head a little and placed her hand on his arm.
"Don't blame me!" he whispered back and kissed her shoulder as she checked the time.
"Mmm 6am on a Sunday?" she laughed "I don't think so!" she whispered turning sideways, while running her hand up Joseph's arm "I'm going back to sleep." she kissed him a couple times.
"Me too!" Joseph whispered and kissed her back.
After a few minutes he kissed her neck and jaw while pushing himself up onto his elbow.
"No!" she whispered slowly opening her eyes "I'm still not caught up with my sleep, it's still to early!" she moaned as he kissed her jaw, moving down her neck again "Joseph this isn't fair, you know what you do to me when you do that to me?"
"I know, why do you think I'm doing it for?" he smirked and carried on while moving and rested his body on hers "What a perfect way to start our Sunday together?" he smiled against her neck as she laughed while locking her arms around his neck.
After Church Clarisse and Joseph went around to sit by Philippe's grave for a bit while everyone else went home. As they sat talking a figure approached them, making Clarisse look up in surprise.
"Steve!" she exclaimed while standing up "How are you?" she asked stepping closer and hugged him.
"I could be better!" he whispered while stepping back and looked at Joe "Alright Joe!"
"Hey!" Joseph smiled shaking his hand then looked at Clarisse.
"You just missed Jason and Sasha!" Clarisse said looking at Steve.
"I know, I saw them leaving." he said looking at her "I wanted to talk to you first, then I was wondering if I could come back and spend sometime with them?" he asked looking at Joseph then back at her.
"Of course you can, you are always welcome in my home, you know that?" Clarisse nodded as Joe stood up "Did they see you?" she asked.
"No!" Steve shook his head "They don't know I'm in town."
"Ahh ok!" Clarisse nodded as Joe put his hand on her back.
"I will leave you two to talk." he kissed Clarisse's cheek "I'll be in the car." he added then wondered off as Clarisse sat back down.
"Firstly I want to say thank you for taking care of Sash, and Jason whenever he comes to stay." Steve said sitting next to Clarisse.
"Oh they are family and I look out for family." she smiled looking at him "I guess you want to talk to me about a certain topic?" Clarisse asked as he looked and nodded.
"I wondered if you knew yet or not?" he asked.
"I didn't until last week when we was in America, Sash broke down and told me what happened." Clarisse said looking at him.
"So you had no idea before that?" he asked.
"No!" She shook her head while looking at him.
"Wow that surprised me." he whispered.
"How come?" Clarisse asked.
"Well you and Harriet were pretty close before, I thought she may have told you at some point?" he asked while looking at her.
"Nope, she never did." Clarisse answered "You do realize that we don't talk much anymore?" she asked.
"No I didn't know that, what happened?" he asked.
"Oh its a long story." she shrugged while looking at him.
They sat in silence for a moment, then Steve sat back.
"Even though they ain't mine I still love them like my own, you know?" he asked while looking at her.
"I know, that's only natural." Clarisse said while watching him look around the Church yard "You raised them after all."
"I did, with every belief that they were mine!" he exclaimed while shaking his head "I can't believe she done it, we were fine then wham she drops the bombshell, that's why we broke up."
"Oh dear, Steve I'm so sorry." Clarisse whispered.
"Have you spoken to Harriet about it?" he asked while looking back at her as she shook her head "So she's not talked to you about any of this?" he asked.
"No, should she of?" Clarisse asked.
"No, I just wondered." he answered while looking back ahead.
"I've not talked to Jason about this, but Sash I have and she seems pretty upset because they always thought you was their father, then to find out your not." she started as he looked back at her "She's upset that she doesn't know who their father is, do you know?"
He looked ahead for a second and looked down while shaking his head "No, she wouldn't tell me." he slowly looked back at her.
"Ok." Clarisse nodded and looked at Philippe's grave for a few seconds.
"Will you continue being there for them, if they needed it?" Steve asked as Clarisse slowly looked at him.
"Of course," She nodded "You should know that?"
"Thank you, Clarisse." Steve nodded "I knew, I just wanted to make sure." he said looking ahead again.
"Where are you staying by the way?" Clarisse asked while sitting forward.
"Oh in a hotel just outside of town." Steve said looking at her.
"Well we have room at the Palace if you want to stay with Sasha and Jason?" She asked.
"Thanks, but I think for now it's better I stay at the hotel, thanks for the offer though." He smiled.
"Anytime." Clarisse smiled while standing up "Come on, let's get back to the Palace." she linked her arm with his as he stood up.
"Thanks Clarisse." he looked back at her as she smiled.
"It's no trouble at all, you can even stay for dinner if you like." She smiled with a nod.
After a few minutes they were on the road, heading back to the Palace. Once parked up they all headed inside, finding Sofia stood talking with Jason.
"Jason?" Clarisse said as Joseph closed the door.
"Yep." he said looking towards them to see Steve stood next to her. "Dad!" he said rushing over and hugged him as Clarisse walked over to Sofia.
"Can you go and find Sasha for me?" she asked as Sofia nodded and rushed off.
"What are you doing here?" Jason exclaimed while stepping back and looked at him.
"I had to come and see you and Sash, make sure you were ok?" Steve said looking at him.
"Aunt Clari?" Sasha said as she started coming down the stairs, not looking up "Sofia said you wanted to talk to me?" she asked while looking up to see Steve stood there.
"Jason?" Clarisse whispered while grabbing his arm, making him look at her "Come here a second?" she asked as he moved next to her "Let's give them a few minutes?" she whispered as Jason nodded and they all went into the living room as Clarisse looked back before shutting the door, she saw Sasha running over into Steve's arms as she cried.
They all sat down, waiting.
"How come you wanted to leave them for a few minutes?" Joseph asked while looking at Clarisse.
"Well because, and I am sure Jason will agree?" she said looking at Jason then back at Joseph "It's hit Sasha harder than Jason?"
"I agree, it has." Jason nodded as both Clarisse and Joseph looked at him "Thanks for doing that though Auntie." he smiled.
"No problem." she smiled back as the door opened "Ahh." Clarisse and Joseph stood up "We will leave you to chat." Clarisse smiled and rubbed Sasha's arm while walking past and out the door, followed by Joseph.
"Aunt Clari?" Sasha called out and watched her come back in "Thank you." she smiled.
"No problem darling." Clarisse smiled and pulled up the door.
After leaving them to chat, Clarisse and Joseph headed upstairs to get changed and came down a little while later, joining everyone in the other living room.
"Mom, is it ok if I go to Marla's for a little while after dinner today?" Olivia asked.
"Of course." Clarisse smiled.
"Thank you." Olivia smiled.
"Fia?" Clarisse asked while looking over her "Are you heading to Hannah's today or tomorrow?" she asked while standing up.
"We are heading there today, after dinner." Sofia smiled.
"Ok." she smiled "I couldn't remember." she nodded while walking out and came back a couple minutes later.
"Oh yeah, who forgot to turn the alarm of last night?" Sofia asked as Clarisse stopped in front of Joseph.
"He did." Clarisse exclaimed while pointing to Joseph behind her and put her glass on the coffee table.
"Me?" Joseph gasped "It was your Mother, not me!" he laughed grabbing hold of Clarisse and pulled her down on his lap as she laughed "It was your Mother's fault." he laughed wrapping his arms around Clarisse's shoulders while holding onto her hands.
Sofia and Olivia looked at each other and smirked as they started play fighting.
"Aww it's so cute seeing you guys so in love." Sofia smiled at them as they carried on.
"Fia?" Olivia whispered while leaning closer to her "Have you noticed that Mom has been acting different this time around?" she asked and sat back.
"Yeah I have actually." Sofia nodded and looked back at them "It's awesome." she beamed.
"Yeah I agree!" Olivia smiled while looking over as Joe still had hold of Clarisse's hands, and Clarisse stuck her tongue out at him as he laughed.
After a few minutes Clarisse moved, sitting in the space next to Joseph on the couch but left her legs over his as he left his arm over her legs, gently rubbing her thigh as she rested back against the arm rest.
"Do you fancy a walk after dinner?" Joseph asked while looking at her "We could take Holly?"
"Yea," Clarisse nodded "That sounds nice." she smiled as Greg came in with Ella "Aww my Ella?" she smiled putting her arms up as Greg passed her to Clarisse "Thank you." she smiled and kissed the top of Ella's head then rested her on her chest, gently rubbing her back.
"No problem." he smirked sitting down next to Sofia.
"I'm gonna miss our cuddles." Clarisse sighed a little while resting her cheek against the side of Ella's head.
"We are only gonna be gone a few days Mom." Sofia laughed.
"I know, but still." Clarisse laughed while lifting her head as Joseph moved, leaning closer to look at Ella.
After a while Jason, Sasha and Steve joined them, then they all sat down to dinner. Afterwards Sofia and Greg left with Ella and Olivia, dropping her off at Marla's on the way. Clarisse talked to Steve for a few minutes then let him say goodbye to Sasha and Jason as she went back inside and got ready for her and Joseph's walk, leaving not long after.
"You know what I was thinking?" Joseph asked while helping Clarisse climb over the fence.
She stood back and looked at him "What?"
"We should get a little friend for Holly?" he asked while climbing over and stood next to her.
"Really?" she asked as they started walking.
"Yeah, why not?" he asked taking her hand, locking his fingers with hers "I think she gets lonely sometimes."
"Alright." Clarisse smiled while looking at him "Why not."
"Good, I will let you tell her later that she's gonna have a new brother or sister?" he chuckled as she laughed.
"That's a different way of putting it?" she smirked at him as they stopped walking.
"Of course." he smiled putting his arm around her back, taking her hand with his and kissed her then smiled "Come on, lets go and stand over there and watch the sunset?" he smiled.
"Ahh that's why you wanted to come to this field for, isn't it?" she laughed as they started heading towards a small stack of hay.
"Well it is such a beautiful view, wouldn't you agree?" He asked as Clarisse lent against the stack and nodded in agreement as Joe grabbed Holly's stick and threw it for her to run after "Mind the view I have right now is even better." he stood smirking as Clarisse looked back at him.
"You would say that?" she laughed as he stepped behind her "Your a naughty man Joseph!" she teased.
"If I am then it's your fault!" he kissed her shoulder while wrapping his arms around her waist while stepping closer to her "Besides, I thought you liked naughty men?" he laughed and kissed her neck.
"Mmm!" She smiled while putting her hands on his arms "I only like you being naughty." she laughed as he tickled her "Your my bad boy!" she giggled.
"Mmm I like the sound of that!" he smiled against her neck "I can be your bad boy right now if you like?" he whispered against her neck then licked it before kissing it.
"Joseph!" Clarisse couldn't help but laugh while putting her arm up, her hand on his cheek "Behave, we are out in the open." she smiled while turning around in his grasp.
"Well when it's dark know one would see?" he smirked and kissed her back against the hay stack, pressing his body against hers as she moved her hands on his shoulders and onto his neck.
"Joseph?" Clarisse whispered tilting her head to the side as he started kissing and nipping at her neck "Mmm Joseph!" she moaned.
He smiled feeling her hand move onto the back of his head, gripping in his hair as she moved her other arm around his shoulders. After a few seconds he lifted her of the floor sitting her on the edge of the stack and gripped her thigh as they continued kissing.
After a few moments, completely missing the sunset Joseph opened his eyes to watch Clarisse then something else caught his eye, he focused on that for a second while moving his kisses to her neck, and realized what it was, he grabbed her arms and pulled her down as she gasped in surprise.
"What is going on?" she asked while watching him grab his gun "Joseph?" she whispered as he looked at her.
"Stay down, ok?" he whispered grabbing Holly and pushed her to Clarisse "Keep hold of her and stay down, promise me?" he whispered as she nodded "Thank you." he kissed her quickly and turned the other way, peering around the stack of hay.
Clarisse sat cuddling Holly as she started shaking and closed her eyes. After a few moments she felt movement near her and gun fire, as she kept her eyes shut to scared to look, suddenly she felt someone touch her making her jump and scream, then she felt a hand cover her mouth and pull her closer to them.
"Shh!" Joseph whispered as she opened her eyes "It's just me!" he whispered.
"Oh my god!" Clarisse exclaimed as she saw he had been shot "Joseph." she started panicking as Holly started fussing over him "You've been shot?" she said putting her hand on his side, getting blood over it.
"Try not to panic ok, I will be fine?" he whispered while looking at her "Clarisse don't panic because if you panic then I will!" he watched as she started crying and shaking "Please, Clari, Baby?" he pulled her closer and kissed her forehead "I will be fine, I promise."
"What if he comes over here, I don't know how to use your gun?" she whispered through crying.
"You won't need to, they ran off!" he whispered closing his eyes then opened them a second later "Give me your scarf?" Joseph whispered while looking at her.
"What for?" she asked while slipping it off and watched him tie it around Holly's neck "Joseph, what are you doing?" she asked trying to calm down.
"You will see?" he patted Holly's back and watched her run away "I need to lay down." he whispered.
"Ok!" Clarisse said while helping him move and lay down flat, noticing he was losing a lot of blood she watched as he closed his eyes, she quickly removed her coat and fleece and placed the coat over him, while pressing down on the fleece to try and stop the bleeding.
"That's it!" Joseph whispered "You keep doing that and I will be fine in know time?" he whispered closing his eyes again.
"Please don't you dare die on me," she said almost crying and looked up at him "Joseph..." he didn't answer "Joseph?" she cried "Please Joseph."
"It's ok, I'm still awake." he said opening his eyes and looked at her.
"Don't do that to me!" she exclaimed while looking at him.
"I'm not going anywhere baby." he whispered while rubbing her back gently and closed his eyes again "Together, forever, remember?" he asked as she nodded slowly.
"I need to get help, I can't do this on my own?" she whispered while looking at him.
"I am hoping that's what Holly is getting." he whispered while opening his eyes and looked up at her cupping her cheek as she started crying again "Please don't cry Clari." he whispered.
"I can't help it?" she sobbed while lowering her head and kissed him.
"I love you Clarisse." he whispered and closed his eyes.
"I love you too, but please keep your eyes open so I know your ok?" she asked through crying and pressing her fleece down "Joseph?" she asked looking at him and noticed he had slipped into unconsciousness "Joseph..." she cried while moving one of her hands up, putting it on the top of his head "Please wake up.." she cried out "Please.."
She cried out while resting her head on his chest when suddenly she felt someone grab her around the waist and pulled her back, making her scream till she realized it was Shades. She stood back as she watched him and Paul get to work on Joseph, then she noticed Max put Holly on her lead and put her in the back of the car as Pierre got out and rushed over to her, flinging his arms around her.
After a few minutes the ambulance crew arrived and took over as they all stood watching them do CPR as Clarisse collapsed to her knees, falling out of Pierre's grasp as she cried.
To Be Continued...