3 week's later, Clarisse and Joseph return to Genovia just in time for Christmas.
Early this morning Sofia and Greg took the girls to do a bit of shopping for Clarisse and Joseph, taking it over to the house and put the heating on for them for when they return to it later on. Arriving back at the Palace just as Olivia and Amelia were putting up the Welcome Home banner in the entrance hall.
"Come on Ella," Sofia said looking back at her as Greg opened the front door.
"Hey," Amelia exclaimed while looking over at them coming in "Did you get everything Grandpa requested?" she said looking back and carried on tying up the banner.
"Yep, and I put the heating on for them too." she smiled as Greg took Thea from her "Come on slow coach, Grandma will be home before you if you carry on going slow." she smiled as Ella stopped and looked at her.
"Grammy's here?" she smiled and walked faster.
"No not yet Missy," she smiled while taking the flowers from her "Thank you," she said walking over to the table.
"I want Grammy," Ella said sadly.
"Oh Ella," Amelia said walking over to her and picked her up "She will be home soon," she smiled and kissed her.
"Have we not heard anything yet then?" Sofia asked while looking at her.
"No, Shades said he was going to call when the plane was coming in." Amelia smiled up at Pierre and Paul loading the net with balloons.
"And the kids are out on plane watch just in case they fly over here," Pierre smiled down at them as they looked up.
"What are you doing up there Bro?" Sofia smiled "Hope Mom likes all the balloons."
"Of course she will," Pierre smiled "Her Grandchildren picked them out," he laughed and put the last few in the net.
"Yes they did," she smiled down at Ella as she stood next to her.
"Who is going to pick up Sasha and her family later?" Pierre asked.
"Shades and Sasha," Amelia smiled "After lunch they are gonna go and get them." she nodded and put Ella down just as her phone started ringing "Oooh maybe that's Shades," she said getting it from her pocket "Yep," she smiled answering the phone "Hey Shades,"
"Hey, just letting you know that Genovia One is landing right now," he smiled.
"Thanks dude!" Amelia smiled "See you in bit." she said and hung up "They are just landing," she smiled while jumping up and down with excitement.
"Oh I can't wait to see them," Olivia smiled and quickly started cleaning up the rubbish.
"Neither can I," Sofia smiled and started to arrange the flowers she brought back.
"I will go and get the kids," Pierre said coming down the ladder.
Not long after everyone was in the entrance hall waiting for them to arrive home, then when they walked through the door Pierre let the net go and watched the balloons fall around them as Clarisse stood looking up for a second then looked back at everyone as their daughters rushed over.
"Welcome home Mommy," Olivia smiled and hugged her.
"We missed you," Sofia smiled hugging her as Joseph stood back.
"Thank you," Clarisse smiled as they carried on hugging, getting a bit teary.
"Aww Grandma," Amelia smiled while walking over with Ella "Don't cry," she said putting her hand up and rubbed her hand as she left it on Sofia's back.
"We are just glad your home Mom," Pierre smiled "By the way, all the balloons are from your Grandchildren," he laughed a little as Clarisse stood back and wiped her eyes "Welcome home Mom," he smiled stepping closer and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, giving her a hug.
"Well," Clarisse smiled stepping back "I love them," she hugged Amelia and Ella and cupped her cheek giving her a kiss, then see the other Grandchildren "Thank you so much," she smiled while putting her hands up framing her own face "This means the world to me, thank you." she nodded while looking at the banner and flowers.
"We have arranged a special dinner for you a bit later on, but first we thought you might be tired from the traveling?" Amelia smiled "So we sorted out your suite for you," she smiled.
"Thank you," Clarisse nodded as Ella put her arms out to her "Aww darling, I can't hold you yet." she said taking her hands and kissed her fingers "Maybe Grampy would love a hug?" she asked as they both looked at Joseph.
"Of course," he smiled taking Ella from Amelia and gave her a hug.
"She has really missed you," Sofia smiled taking Clarisse's hand.
"And I have missed my Shadow too," she smiled at Joseph and Ella then back to Sofia.
"You have sacks loads of cards and letters from well wishes too, we took them over to your home so you can go through them when you are feeling up to it." Pierre smiled.
"Thank you," Clarisse nodded as Pierre stepped beside her and put his arm around her shoulders "What would I do without my Children and Grandchildren?" she smiled putting her free hand up and cupped his cheek.
After a little while Joseph took the bags up to their suite, followed by Clarisse so she could have a rest. He stayed with her a little while then headed downstairs to catch up with everyone.
Though as Clarisse tried to sleep, she heard Ella crying for her at the suite door, slipping on her dressing gown over her pajamas she headed over to the doors leaving it untied and stepped out just as Sofia was walking down the landing with her.
"Ella stop it now," Sofia said stopping and looked at her as she carried on crying.
"Sofia," Clarisse called out while pulling up the suite door "What's wrong?" she asked as Sofia turned to her.
"She wants you, I'm sorry did she wake you?" Sofia asked.
"No it's ok, I was sort of awake anyway." she sighed "Put her down," she watched as Sofia put Ella down and watched her run to her.
"Grammy," Ella cried while flinging her arms around her legs.
"Darling, I can't pick you up." Clarisse said sadly as Ella started screaming and fell on the floor "Ella," Clarisse said while crouching down and sat on the floor grabbing her hands and pulled her up "What's wrong?" she asked as Ella stood closer and put her arms around Clarisse's neck.
"I think she really missed you, she's been crying for you everyday," Sofia said while walking over slowly.
"Ok," she said putting her hands on Ella's sides as she stood looking at her "Listen to me ok?" she said as Ella nodded, leaving one arm around Clarisse's neck, playing with her hair while sucking her thumb "I have missed you too, but Grammy is really tired and needs to rest." she said while putting her hand up and wiped away her tears "And isn't strong enough yet to pick you up, but will be able too soon." she whispered as Joseph appeared next to Sofia.
"I love you Grammy," Ella whispered and put her thumb back in her mouth.
"I love you too," she said giving her a hug then looked back at her "Now what's in a few days?" she asked as Ella smiled.
"Christmas," Ella whispered.
"Yes it is, and you know that your staying at Grammy's and Grampys house Christmas eve?" she asked as Ella nodded "Ok, now if you promise to be a good girl and go with your Mommy now, Grampy and I will let you sleep in with us on Christmas eve," she asked while looking at her.
"But Santa won't know where to put my presents." Ella exclaimed.
"Oh he will know," Clarisse nodded and wiped away the other stray tears from her face "But you need to be good from now until then, can you do that for Grammy?" she asked.
"Yeah," Ella nodded "We can stay up and watch out for Santa?" she asked.
"Yes we can." Clarisse smiled while putting her hands on Ella's sides again "You promise to be a good girl?" she asked.
"Yes," Ella nodded and gave her another hug as Joseph walked over and crouched down next to them.
"Right then," Clarisse said putting her hands up cupping Ella's face "Go with Mommy now and I will see you in a little bit, ok?" she smiled as Ella nodded "Ok," she smiled and gave her a kiss "Mwah!" she smiled as Ella laughed.
"Love you," she gave Joseph a kiss then Clarisse again then ran off to Sofia.
"Thank you Mom," Sofia smiled taking Ella's hand.
"No worries," Clarisse nodded as Joseph helped her up.
Just then Ella let go of Sofia's hand and ran towards Clarisse again "Ella," Sofia exclaimed.
"What are you doing?" Clarisse said bending over and took her hands "What did we just talk about?" she asked looking into her eyes.
"I just wanted to give you a hug," she pulled her hands free and put them around Clarisse's neck "Love you," she whispered, gave her a kiss then ran back to Sofia.
"Love you too darling," Clarisse smiled while standing back up straight.
They stood watching them disappear down the stairs then Clarisse looked at Joseph with a smile as he put his hand on her back.
"Come on, let's get you back to bed for a rest." Joe smiled.
"As long as you lay with me?" Clarisse asked as they walked into the suite "I couldn't sleep earlier, hence why I got up to Ella." she said while turning to see him shutting and locking the door.
"Of course I will lay with you," he smiled taking her hand and led her through to the bedroom.
"Thank you," she smiled.
After a couple hours sleep Clarisse got up and moved to the living area of their suite, going through some photos with Joseph while sitting on the couch next to him.
"When do you want to go to the new house?" Joseph asked while looking at her.
"I don't know, why?" she asked as he moved his arm putting it around her shoulders.
"Well we could go today or tomorrow, it's up to you." he smiled "It's all ready for us anyway,"
"This evening, maybe?" she asked while looking at him.
"Ok," he nodded and showed her a photo of them from their Wedding Anniversary "Our future awaits us baby," he smiled as she took the photo.
"It does indeed," she smiled with a nod and looked at him "And I can't wait for it," she moved closer and kissed him then sat back looking at the photo "I want this one on my bedside table," she said handing it to him "Can you do that for me?"
"Here or at the other house?" he asked.
"At our home," she smiled at him "Of course." she chuckled.
"Just checking," he nodded and placed it on the couch beside him "Sorry there isn't many photos here,"
"Oh it's ok, I know they are all at the other house now," she nodded as someone knocked on the door.
"I wonder who that can be," Joseph smiled while standing up and walked over to the door as Clarisse carried on looking at the photos.
"Well you won't know until you open it," she smiled up at him then looked back down as he answered it.
"Ahh Clari," he smiled while turning around "Are you up for a visitor?" he smiled.
"Of course, who is it?" she nodded as he stepped back opening the door "Sasha," she smiled as she rushed over to her "Hello you," she smiled.
"I'm so glad your ok," she said sitting next to her and hugged her as her Mom came in.
"Thank you," Clarisse smiled while putting her arms around her shoulders and kissed the side of her "Hello Helen," Clarisse sat forward and kissed her cheek as she lent over.
"I hope you didn't mind us coming to see you?" Helen asked as Clarisse sat back.
"Of course not," she smiled and looked at Sasha again "How are you little one?" she asked.
"I'm ok, thank you for saving me from the horse." Sasha smiled.
"Oh any time," Clarisse smiled "I couldn't let that big horse hurt my biggest fan now, could I?" she smiled and cupped her face "I'm just glad that you are ok,"
"She's been worried about you ever since that day and has been dying to see you," Helen smiled.
"Oh well you need not have worried, I was in good hands," Clarisse smiled.
"We brought you some flowers too," Sasha nodded "Sasha is just putting them in some water and is bringing them up in a bit." she smiled.
"Oh well thank you," Clarisse smiled and gave her a hug.
After a few minutes Joseph wrote something on a note and gave it to Clarisse, who after reading it smiled at him with a nod.
"Now while I remember," Joseph smiled walking over to the Christmas tree and got a present from under it "This is for you," he said coming back over to Sasha.
"For me?" she asked as he passed her the big box with a nod "Wow, thank you." she said unable to hold it properly.
"Here, put it on the coffee table," Joseph said moving it from her lap and put it on the table.
"Thank you," she smiled "Can I open it now?" she asked looking back at Clarisse.
"Of course, we just hope it fits." Clarisse answered with a nod.
They all watched as she opened the box to reveal a tiara and a replica princess dress for her.
"Wow," she said taking it and pulled it out.
"Awww wow," Helen smiled.
"Is this really for me?" Sasha asked.
"Of course," Clarisse nodded while leaning forward and took hold of the tiara and put it in Sasha's hair "Princess Sasha," she smiled "And because you are such a fan of me the dress is sort of like the one I had to wear when I first because a Royal." she smiled "Do you like it?"
"Of course," Sasha nodded and hugged her "Thank you so much," she exclaimed looking at the dress again.
After waving her goodbye a couple hours later, Clarisse and Joseph came back in just as Amelia and Sofia were coming down the stairs.
"Oh there you are," Sofia exclaimed as they both looked up at them "We came to your suite to see Sasha,"
"Well you've just missed them," Clarisse answered.
"Aww that's a shame," Amelia said.
"Did she like her dress?" Sofia asked.
"Yes she did," Clarisse nodded "Whose idea was that?" she asked looking at them then at Joseph.
"It was all of ours," Sofia nodded as Clarisse looked back at her.
"Glad she liked it," Amelia smiled.
"She did and she loved the tiara." Clarisse smiled as Joseph put his hand on her back.
"Good," Sofia smiled.
"Well dinner won't be long," Amelia smiled and kissed Clarisse's cheek "So we shall see you in a bit," she nodded.
"Ok," Clarisse smiled and watched them walk off.
Not long after they were all sat in the dining room, enjoying dinner and chatting together.
Shortly after dinner they waved goodbye to Olivia, then stood out saying goodbye to Pierre, Sofia and their families.
"Ok, we will see you in a couple days," Pierre smiled while hugging Clarisse.
"Yes we will," she smiled as they stepped back "Drive safely and call Dad when you get home so we know you all got there safely," she smiled cupping his cheek.
"Will do," Pierre nodded and kissed her cheek.
"You do the same too Sofia," Clarisse smiled hugging her.
"We will," Sofia smiled getting in the car as Clarisse lent in the back to say bye to Thea and Ella "Ok you," Clarisse smiled kissing Ella's forehead "Remember what we talked about earlier?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"Good," Clarisse smiled "See you in a couple days then darling," She kissed her again then stood back and shut the car door "Ok, you may go now." Clarisse smiled and kissed Greg's cheek.
"Bye Grandma," James smiled waving at her through the window.
"Bye sweetheart," Clarisse waved as Charlotte and Pierre got in the car "Don't forget to call us when you get home," she smiled as they smiled and waved back.
As they started driving away they hooted their horns as everyone waved to each other.
"Bye," Clarisse called out while waving as Joseph put his arm around her.
"Come on, let's get you back inside before you freeze." he smiled as she turned her head and looked at him.
"Ok," she nodded.
They headed back inside, as Joseph shut the door Amelia appeared.
"Are you going too?" she asked.
"We are in a bit," Clarisse nodded while walking over to her "But we will be just a phone call away," she smiled cupping her face "And we will see each other again in just a few days." she smiled "I promise," she moved her hands and gave her a hug.
"I know, it's just I still haven't got used to everyone leaving," Amelia said sadly as Clarisse rubbed her back.
"I know," Clarisse nodded while stepping back "You will soon though, I am sure." she nodded again.
"Yeah," Amelia smiled and kissed her cheek "Well I have somethings I need to go and sort out, call me when you get home so I know you got there safely?" she asked.
"Of course," Clarisse nodded and hugged her.
"See you in a few days," she smiled and hugged Joseph.
"Yes we will," Clarisse smiled giving her hand a small squeeze then watched as she walked into her office and shut the door.
"Do you want to go now?" Joseph asked as Clarisse turned to him.
"As heart breaking as it is going to be, Yes I do." she nodded "But just give me a couple minutes, please?" she asked.
"Of course," he nodded and watched her walk off up the stairs.
After a while she came back down, slipped on her coat and headed out the front to find Joseph leaning against the car. When she reached him she turned and stood looking at the Palace for a few moments.
"Clari?" Joseph asked while looking at her as she nodded "Are you ready?" he asked.
Taking a deep breath, she looked back at him while letting it out "Ready as I'll ever be," she said turning and watched as he opened the car door "It's weird, because well this place is always going to be here and I am pretty sure I will be here many days in the future, I just don't know why it's so hard to leave." she said with a sigh.
"Probably because you have lived here most of your life," he nodded and watched her look back at the Palace "Are you having second thoughts maybe?" he asked as she quickly looked back at him.
"Oh gosh no," she shook her head while cupping his face "Never," she smiled and kissed him.
"Good," he smiled and watched her get in the car then shut the door behind her.
After a few moments they left for their new home, arriving shortly afterwards.
"Ok," he smiled standing next to her on the porch "I know it's dark so the gardens and the roses can wait till tomorrow," he smiled putting his hand on her back while unlocking the door "But the rest of the house is ours to see tonight," he grinned "And I really hope you like it," he grinned and pushed the door open for her.
He grinned while following her into the entrance hall as she gasped and looked around the hall.
"I take that as a good gasp?" he asked as she turned to him.
"I love it," she smiled and turned back.
"Come on, let's give you a tour." he smiled taking her hand.
After giving her a tour of the downstairs, he took her upstairs showed her the guest rooms then led her to another room.
"This room is your office, just in case you need it for anything." he smiled while looking at her "And I really hope you like it," he nodded while opening the door and pushed it open.
"Oh my," she smiled seeing one wall covered in photos "Is that what you were doing with all the photos?" she asked while pointing to the wall and turned to him.
"Guilty as charged," he smiled taking her hand and led her over to the wall "Lots of family ones, copied though not the real ones," he said looking at her "The real ones are still safe in the albums," he grinned and pointed to one as she gasped "Pregnant with Philippe I believe?" he asked.
"Where did you find that?" she asked while nodding and started to cry.
"Oh hey," he stepped closer while putting her free arm around her "I didn't mean for it to make you cry baby," he whispered and kissed her cheek.
"I'm crying because I'm happy," she said looking into his eyes "I completely forgot I even had a photo like that," she said turning back to it, while wiping her tears away as she saw another photo "Pregnant with Pierre," she smiled and put her hand on her chest "Where did you find these?"
"Pierre found them when going through some stuff," he said putting his arm around her waist while still holding onto her hand with his other hand and kissed her shoulder.
"I really do love this," she said looking at a couple more photos "Thank you so much," she smiled while turning her head to look at him "Thank you," she smiled and kissed him.
"You're welcome," he smiled pointing to a couple more photos as they made their way down the wall "By the way, this is on your desk." he smiled walking over and took hold of a photo frame and walked back over to her "Remember it?" he asked looking at her as she took the photo.
"Of course, we freaked the girls out with this not long after my Mom died," she said looking at him "Leading to something special," she giggled.
"Indeed, well its on your desk if you want it left there, if not I will put it on mine." he grinned while standing next to her.
"No it's ok on my desk," she smiled at him "Thank you," she nodded and carried on looking back at the photo's on the wall as he took the photo and put it back on her desk.
"Do you remember this one?" he asked while standing behind her and pointed to one photo while putting his other hand on her side.
"Um," she said looking at the photo of them "Of course," she smiled "It was from Charlotte and Pierre's wedding," she nodded.
"Indeed," he nodded as they carried on going through them.
He left her a few minutes later to study the wall while he went and had a quick shower, when he came out she was sat on the bed.
"This is really going to feel weird for a while," she said looking at him.
"I know, but we will get used to it," he smiled and started removing the extra pillows from the bed.
"Thank you for doing the wall like that," she said standing up and walked around to him "It was lovely, I loved it." she said putting her hands on his sides and kissed him.
"Anything for you," he smiled as she looked past him with a gasp.
"You have the photo of me half naked on your bedside table," she gasped while grabbing it.
"What?" he laughed "No one can see anything, Only we know whats really going on in that photo." he smirked "Even the girls don't know the FULL story!" he laughed as she playfully slapped his arm "And they don't need to know either," he smirked while stepping closer and kissed her jaw while putting his arms around her waist, holding her close.
"We grossed them out when they found it," she said leaning over a little and put the photo back down "Imagine what they would be like if they found out the truth?" she asked looking at him.
"I hate to think," he laughed and kissed her "Can I keep it on there?" he asked.
"Yes," she smiled and looked at him while stepping back "Be right back, I'm going to get changed."
"Ok," he smiled and watched her walk through to the bathroom.
A little while later she came out and flicked the bathroom light out as she passed it and headed over to the bed, climbing in beside him.
"Thanks again for doing all this," she said while turning her lamp off and settled down.
"Anything for you," he smiled turning his lamp off.
"I'm sorry it was slightly delayed on moving in," she said looking at him resting on his elbow beside her.
"It doesn't matter," he said watching her close her eyes "I know you're tired so I won't keep you much longer," he smiled as she opened her eyes and looked at him "I love you so much and am so glad we are getting to share this beautiful home together," he whispered.
"So am I," she nodded while putting her hand up and cupped his face.
"Thank you for coming home," he whispered and lowered his head, kissing her once and went to pull his head back but stopped when Clarisse lifted her head and kissed him back, letting it linger while moving her hand from his cheek round to the back of his neck resting her arm against the top of his as he moved his hand onto her side, running it up her back, placing it on the back of her head, tangled in her hair.
"Here's to our future," She smiled and kissed him a couple times.
"Here's to us," he whispered and laid back, smiling as she moved and snuggled up to him "Oh how I have missed this," he whispered.
"So have I," she said looking at him for a second then rested her head down on his chest "Goodnight," she whispered.
"Goodnight my love," he whispered back and kissed the top of her head.
The End!
I am sort of planning a follow up, if I can work it all out I may post it one day :)
I just want to take a moment to thank each and everyone of you for reading and to those who took the time to comment, it's you who made this story special. All those lovely comments I have enjoyed every single one of them and now this story has come to an end, I won't lie, I am upset about it but I know it's time to bring it to an end.
Thank you to you all :)
And a special thank you to tengland2 for all your help over the last few weeks, I really don't think I would of been able to get this far without your help, you are the BEST!
Love to you all
Sarah Jayne.
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