The following day.
Clarisse awoke to the sound of the bedroom door closing, quickly lifting her head to see Michael walking towards her with a tray.
"Good morning," He smiled when he saw her awake "I got you breakfast," He said as she sat up and pushed her hair back behind her ears.
"Why?" She asked and looked up at him "Another way for saying sorry?" She added.
"Yeah," He placed the tray down "I'm sorry for last night, I should of been there, I realized that after you said it."
"If your going to be in this family Michael, you need to start being apart of it!" She said looking at him as he slowly nodded.
"You're right," He nodded and looked towards her "I'm really sorry," He lent forward and kissed her before sitting back just as the room phone went, he gasped when Clarisse quickly lent over and grabbed it.
"Hello," She exclaimed.
"Hi it's just me, I'm just letting you know that I'm just about to leave to pick up Olivia and co." Joseph smiled to himself.
"Ok Joseph," Clarisse smiled "Thank you for letting me know, we will wait your return." She said looking down with a small smile.
"See you soon," He said "Bye," He smiled again and hung up.
Michael stood watching her put the phone down and turn back to the breakfast he brought up for her "What's he doing calling the room phone?" He asked.
Looking up at him "He called to tell me he was about to leave to pick up our daughter, he is allowed to call this phone you know." She said and sipped her drink.
"Well I don't like it," He whispered.
"It's not a matter of what you like," She said pushing the tray away "It's nothing to do with you if he has this number or not." She snapped while standing up "Get used to it Michael, or leave." She snapped and walked into her bathroom.
After she was ready she came out to find him waiting for her, without saying anything she just left and headed downstairs to find the others in the dining room.
"Morning Mom," Erica smiled.
"Morning sweetheart," She said getting some coffee and sat next to her.
"Did Daddy call you?" Erica asked as Amelia moved and hugged Clarisse.
"He did," Clarisse smiled while putting her arm around Amelia and kissed her.
"It's exciting isn't it?" She smiled as Clarisse nodded.
"I can't wait to meet Ava," Amelia smiled as Michael came in and got some coffee, not saying anything to Clarisse.
"Well," Clarisse said looking at Amelia as Pierre, Philippe and Erica all looked at each other before looking back at Amelia "I'm sure she can't wait to meet you either," Clarisse smiled and kissed her as Amelia giggled as Michael walked out.
"What was that?" Pierre asked as everyone looked at him.
"What was what?" Clarisse asked and sipped her coffee.
"You and Michael, not talking to each other?" Philippe asked.
"You could literally feel the tension between you too." Pierre said.
"It doesn't matter, it's a long story." Clarisse said looking at them then at Amelia.
After a little while Joseph, Jason, Olivia and baby Ava arrived back at the Palace. As Clarisse stood next to the door as Joseph got the car seat out, Michael stood from one of the windows watching them then disappeared as they made their way inside.
"I can't believe how tiny she looks in this car seat," Erica exclaimed while taking it from Joseph.
"I know," Olivia smiled while watching her put it down on the table and lift Ava out "Be careful, please." She exclaimed as Clarisse and Joseph stood back with a chuckle.
"I know," Erica laughed while resting Ava on her chest and gently rubbed her back "She is so cute," She smiled and kissed the side of her head.
"Yes she is," Jason smiled as Pierre and Philippe came through with Amelia.
"Let's all go into the living room and have some family time before we need to start getting ready for my wedding," Erica smiled and led the way.
Clarisse started following then stopped when she felt a hand on her arm, turning to see Joseph stood close to her.
"May I have a word with you please?" He asked and watched as Clarisse slowly nodded.
"Come with me," She whispered and led him through to her office.
"About what happened..."Joseph started.
"It was a mistake Joseph, we need to forget it happened." She said while looking at him "We've moved on, I'm with Michael now."
"But you don't love him Clarisse," He whispered and took out her watch from his pocket "You left this behind last night," He said handing it to her.
"Thank you," She whispered while taking it and looked up into his eyes "I didn't say I didn't love him, I said I loved him just not the same way I did with you and Rupert." She whispered.
"Clarisse, I have known you a long time and know when your hiding from your feelings," He whispered and put his hand up to cup her cheek "I don't regret last night happening, or the fact that I told you I still loved you and want to be with you," He whispered "So many things have changed over the years, but I have never stopped loving you." He whispered while looking into her eyes.
"Joseph I..." She started and stopped when she felt his thumb run over her bottom lip "We can't do this," She whispered as she felt her heart start to race at his touch "It's wrong," She whispered while closing her eyes.
"Whose gonna find out?" He whispered as she slowly opened her eyes, studying his face as he moved his hand down onto her neck while lowering his head, kissing her slowly while moving his other hand to the back of her head, his fingers getting lost in her hair as they stood sharing a deep, slow passionate kiss.
After a few moments Clarisse broke it off and turned her head to the side while taking her bottom lip between her teeth, knowing he was watching her while placing his hands on her sides "We can't," She whispered while shaking her head and felt him begin to kiss her neck "Joseph please," She whispered while trying to pull away, but found herself not moving at all.
"I keep," Joseph started while kissing her jaw and neck "Seeing us last night, making love to you again." He whispered into her ear and continued kissing her neck slowly, knowing he was making her heart race "I want to do it again," He whispered as she turned her head and looked at him "I want you Clarisse," He said in a sexy husky voice.
Suddenly she moved forward, kissing him while locking her arms around his neck. Gasping as he lowered his hands and lifted her of the floor, rushing forward to the wall and pressed her back against it as she moaned into his mouth.
"God Clari," He whispered while undoing his belt and zipper.
As she quickly discarded of her panties from under her skirt, Joseph placed his hands up onto the side of her head, still kissing her as his pants and boxers fell to the floor around his ankles.
"We are playing with fire?" Clarisse gasped as he lowered his hands, gripping her thighs and lifted her off the floor.
"I know," He moaned and continued kissing her "It's fun though, isn't it?" He whispered while pressing her back against the wall as she locked her legs around him.
Looking at herself in the mirror as she turned from side to side, she couldn't help but smile. She felt amazing and completely alive, she couldn't believe what she was doing but she loved it. Looking up in the mirror to see Pierre come in, and smiled as she turned around to him.
"You look beautiful Mom," Pierre smiled as he walked over and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you darling," Clarisse nodded while looking down at her dress then back at Pierre.
"I just came to let you know Erica wants to see you, she needs help." He smiled.
"Ok, I will go and help her," She smiled "Thank you for letting me know." She started to walk past him but stopped when she felt Pierre's hand on her arm "What's wrong?"
He smiled with a small nod "I don't blame you, but please be careful." He whispered as she tilted her head slightly.
"I..." She stopped when Amelia came running in, both looking towards her.
"Erica is crying now," She whispered.
"Alright, I'm coming." She said as Amelia took her hand, she looked at Pierre as they walked out her room.
Arriving at Erica's suite a few moments later, Amelia stayed in the living room as Clarisse walked through to the bedroom to comfort Erica as she cried. Not long after Joseph came to check on them to find Erica snuggled up to her Mom on the bed.
"What's wrong?" He asked while walking over to the bed.
"She had a bit of a panic, everything's fine now." Clarisse whispered as Erica lifted her head.
"I'm sorry," Erica whispered and wiped her eyes "I better get my make up done, and get ready." She said climbing of the bed.
"Alright darling, we will wait out in the suite ok?" Clarisse whispered while walking around to her "Call me if you need help, ok?" She asked.
"Ok, thank you." Erica nodded and watched them both walk out and pull the door up behind them.
A while later Erica came out of her bedroom in her dress to find Clarisse doing Joseph's tie for him.
"Mom?" She laughed as they both stopped and looked over at him.
"Wow," Joseph whispered and turned to her as Clarisse looked at him for a second then back at Erica.
"You look beautiful," Clarisse smiled over at her.
"Thank you," Erica nodded "Daddy can you take a photo of me and Mom?" She asked "Then Mom can you take one of me and Daddy?" She asked as they both nodded.
"Of course Princess," Joseph smiled while grabbing the camera.
After taking a few photos Joseph headed downstairs with Amelia as Clarisse and Erica had a chat upstairs, coming down a while later where Charlotte took a group family photo for them then headed into the gardens to take her place.
Not long after Clarisse took her place as the ceremony got underway, throughout the whole service Clarisse sat thinking about things and what she really wanted. At the end, after Tom broke the glass with his right foot and everyone cheered 'mazel tov' at the newly married couple they posed for photos.
Returning inside a short time later for the toasts and meal, followed by mingling time and thanking people for coming as the dinner stuff was cleared away by the staff as the band started playing the music for the evening.
After a bit more mingling time with the guests, the band started playing the traditional Jewish Wedding song with Tom and Erica leading the way, being joined by both sets of families and friends, after it finished everyone stood back and watched as Tom and Erica shared a slow dance, being joined by their parents half way through.
As the night went on Clarisse stood talking with Tom's parents she noticed Rose and Cara running over to someone, watching where they went her heart sank when she noticed Gabby lent over hugging them. Looking back at Ruth with a nod, trying to ignore what she just saw.
"Excuse me, won't you?" She smiled as Ruth nodded and watched her put her glass down and walk away.
"Mom," Philippe stopped her and watched as she spun around "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, why?" She shrugged and looked up at him.
"No reason," He shrugged and watched her turn and walk out the ballroom.
Sitting in her dark office for a few moments trying to pull herself together as the door opened and the light turned on, she turned around to see Michael stood looking over at her.
"Michael, you scared me." She said watching him push the door up "What's wrong now?" She asked, about ready to snap.
"I saw the look," He whispered while walking over to her "The way you looked when you saw Gabby stood with the girls," He whispered.
"Yes, what about it?" She said trying to remain calm, but spoke again before he could say anything else "That's it, it's over I'm done." She said looking at him while standing up as he gasped.
"What do you mean?" He asked while watching her take her engagement ring off "Clarisse?" He whispered.
"I can't do this, I can't marry you Michael, I'm sorry." She whispered while looking down at her hand as she extended it to him to give the ring back, then looked up when he stepped back.
"I'm not taking that," He said shaking his head "Clarisse please I love you..." He paused "It's about Joseph isn't it?" He asked.
"NO," She snapped "The whole time we were sat watching my baby get married I couldn't help but think about what I want, and I don't want another marriage, not right now and maybe not even in the future either." She said looking up at him as a couple tears escaped his eyes "It has nothing to do with Joseph, it's about us, you and I." She whispered "I have been married twice before, the first one ending in heart break when Rupert passed away and the second ended in divorce, I can not put myself through another marriage when right now I'm having doubts that it will even last the first year." She exclaimed.
"Clarisse please," He begged while falling to his knees and wrapped his arms around her legs while looking up at her as he started crying "Please don't do this, I love you so much." He whispered and turned his head, resting it against her stomach as she looked down "Please don't do this," He cried.
"Michael," Clarisse exclaimed as she started crying "I can't do this with you anymore, I'm sorry." She whispered and slowly put her hand on the top of his head "One day you will find the right lady to be with, who doesn't have a ex husband hanging around." She whispered "And I know whoever that will be, you will both be happy." She said looking down as he pulled his head away.
"I don't want anyone else, I want you." He exclaimed while taking the ring and her hand trying to put the ring back on.
"Michael, No." Clarisse snapped while pulling her hand free "You need to go," She whispered while watching him stand up.
"I can't leave you," He whispered.
"If you don't go I will call for security." She said firmly while looking at him.
"Fine, is that what you really want?" He suddenly changed "You want to dump me so you could be with Joseph?" He snapped.
"NO," She snapped "He's with Gabby, when are you going to get it that..." She stopped "Why am I even explaining it to you, GET OUT!" She snapped while pointing to the door.
A second later she watched as he walked out, turning and sat back on the chair with a sigh and suddenly found herself crying. Jumping a short time later when she felt a hand on her back, turning to find Philippe sat beside her.
"Mom, what's happened?" He asked as she lent into him and cried on his chest "It's alright, I'm here now." He whispered while rubbing her back.
"Clarisse," Michael whispered from the door and watched as Clarisse jumped up and looked at him "Is this what you really want?" He asked.
"Yes," She nodded as Philippe looked up at her then over at Michael "It is." She added.
"Very well," Michael nodded "I will send someone to collect the rest of my stuff over the next week," He said and turned as Philippe gasped.
"Mom," He said jumping up as she wiped her face "Are you and Michael...?" He asked.
"It's over," She whispered and looked at him while holding her hand to show him she's not wearing his ring anymore.
"Oh Mom," He said hugging her.
"I'm fine," Clarisse nodded as they parted "I have my family around, I will be just fine." She nodded and looked towards the door "Please can you make sure he actually leaves the Palace?"
"I'm on it." He said and ran from the room.
After redoing her make up she headed back into the Wedding Reception, ordering a drink at the bar and downed it in one as Erica noticed, then watched as Philippe walked over to her.
"He gone?" She asked and watched him nod.
"He has, he wrote a note for James and Victoria, who should be just getting it about now." He said looking around with Clarisse.
"Thank you, Philippe." Clarisse whispered and looked over at James and Victoria as they were given their notes, after reading them they looked straight over at Clarisse then grabbed their coats and left "Well, I guess I'm going to be hated for a while."
"I wouldn't let it get to you," He smiled at her "Your a strong woman who can take anything that's thrown at you." He smiled and took her hand "Now come and dance with me." He smiled and led her onto the dance floor.
Erica stood watching as Philippe and Clarisse shared a dance, loving how he could always make her laugh when she needed it, and knowing something was on her mind. When they came back over to the table Erica made her way over to check and make sure she was ok.
"Hey darling," Clarisse smiled as she picked up her glass.
"You ok Mom?" Erica asked while putting her arm around Clarisse's waist while standing beside her.
"I am just fine darling," Clarisse nodded "I wasn't, but I am now." She smiled at Philippe "Thanks to Philippe." She smiled back at Erica.
"What's going on?" Erica asked and watched as Clarisse shook her head "Ok," Erica whispered and watched her sip her drink, and noticed she wasn't wearing a ring anymore but didn't want to push it "Will you come and share a dance with me?" Erica asked.
"Of course," Clarisse nodded while putting her glass down and headed onto the dance floor with Erica as Philippe stood watching them.
When the song finished Clarisse was kept on the dance floor by her children as it went into the next song, then after she managed to escape the dance floor she bumped into Gabby with Rose.
"Gabby, hello." Clarisse forced a smile and lent closer as they kissed cheeks and stepped back "How are you?"
"I'm ok thanks, yourself?" She asked and watched Clarisse only nod "You didn't mind me turning up today did you?" She asked while looking towards Erica dancing "I wanted to be here for Erica," She said looking back at Clarisse "And to try and save my marriage." She whispered.
"I see," Clarisse nodded "Of course I don't mind, you are apart of her family after all." Clarisse smiled trying not to sound to disappointed.
"Mommy come on," Cara exclaimed while grabbing her hand and pulled her away from Clarisse as she laughed a little.
"Mom," Olivia exclaimed while standing next to her "I'm going to go on up, I'm getting really tired." She whispered.
"Ok darling," Clarisse nodded and hugged her "Come find me if you need anything, ok?" She asked and cupped her cheek.
"I will, thank you." Olivia smiled, kissing her then walked off with Jason.
Clarisse stood with a sigh while watching them walk out then turned to her other children on the dance floor, watching them for a few seconds before disappearing out of the ballroom and over to her office, shutting and locking the door to be alone for a while.
After seeing the Bride and Groom off, Clarisse stood outside seeing other guests off then turned to see Joseph, Gabby and the girls heading her way. She took a deep breath and smiled at them.
"Are you leaving?" She asked.
"Yes, we are." Joseph nodded and handed the car keys to Gabby "I will be there in a minute."
"Ok," She smiled and walked off with the girls over to Joseph's car.
"It's great that Gabby's back." Clarisse said while folding her arms.
"Yeah," He said watching her walk away then looked back at Clarisse "Just cause she's back though it doesn't mean I am going to stop loving you," He whispered while standing with his hands in his pockets.
"Joseph," Clarisse said shaking her head "What happened last night and this morning was wrong, you have a family to take care off and now Gabby is back on the scene I think its best you don't come here as often," She said watching as Gabby put the girls in the car.
"Clarisse?" Joseph whispered.
"No," Clarisse said shaking her head "I will not be that person who breaks up a family, those girls need both of their parents together and I don't want to be the reason why they aren't." She said shaking her head again "I'm sorry, but I am through with men," She said looking at him as he stepped closer "Including you." She whispered and started walking away and headed back up to the door as Joseph watched.
After seeing some more guests off Clarisse decided to call it a day and headed up to her suite, falling on the bed in her dress where she stayed for the rest of the night, mostly staring out the windows at the night sky and full moon.