Just want to say a big thank you to everyone who may be reading this story and for those who comment, you ROCK!
Today is Clarisse's birthday.
Her and Joseph's relationship has really grown over the last few weeks, still managing to keep it a secret from everyone, well almost everyone.
"Clarisse," Joseph whispered while gently rubbing her thigh over the top of the sheets to wake up, when suddenly Clarisse lifted her head and moved away while putting her arm up "Shh it's just me." He whispered and started laughing as she gasped and slapped his arm.
"That was mean," She exclaimed as she looked over at the clock "It's 4am Joseph, what are you doing waking me up at this hour?" She asked as he turned the lamp on "My god," She exclaimed while covering her eyes "You could of warned me you were doing that."
"Sorry," He whispered and kissed her "I wanted to come and wake you early to wish you a Happy Birthday," He smiled as she put her hand on his shoulder and looked up at him.
"Aww thank you," She smiled while lifting her head and kissed him a couple times as he put his hand on her hip.
"There was something else," He smiled while undoing his robe and stood up as she watched.
"Oh my," She exclaimed while looking back up at his face.
"This is your fault," He whispered while bending over as she gasped.
"My fault?" She exclaimed as he grabbed hold of her hands "How is that," She said looking down at his arousal and looked back up into his eyes "My fault?" She smirked.
"Because I was laying in bed trying to get to sleep, and I kept thinking of all the things I have planned for you today and well it sort of happened." He smirked and kissed her again while putting his hand on the side of her head.
"Mmm well," She smiled and looked at him "You best climb under here then so we can sort that out," She giggled while turning onto her back as she lifted the covers up and watched him climb on top of her.
"With pleasure," He smiled while gently laying down on her and kissed her neck as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
After getting showered and dressed Clarisse came out of her closet to find Joseph sat on the edge of the bed grinning at her.
"I thought you had gone back to your suite," She whispered while walking over to him and stood in front of him as he took hold of her hands.
"I am going to leave in a few moments," He smiled up at her while putting his hands on her sides "I was just wondering, as its your birthday could you maybe escape for the night?" He smirked while standing up and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"What do you mean escape the night?" She asked while putting her hands on the top of his arms.
"I mean, I want us to go away to a hotel out of town so we can spend the whole night together, making love until sunrise and then fall to sleep in each others arms." He whispered and kissed her a couple times as she ran her hands down, taking hold of his hands on her back.
"That sounds lovely," Clarisse smiled up at him "Let me see what I can do," She grinned as he lowered his head and kissed her neck "I am sure I could come up with something, but who will look after the girls?" She asked.
"Olivia or Erica, they have both said because I work for you again that if we needed to go out of town for something or other that they will look after them." He smiled as she put her arms up, locking them around his neck while tipping her head back slightly.
"Ok, leave it with me." She smiled as he lowered his head and started kissing her slowly while lowering his hands, cupping her bottom.
Smiling a few seconds later as she moved her hands to the back of his head while arching her back a little, breaking the kiss with a couple small kisses and looked up into his eyes as he raised his eyebrow at her "What? Why did you break it off?" He asked while moving his hands to her sides again.
"Because," She whispered "I need to finish getting ready for the day and you," She said leaving one hand on the back of his head while moving her other hand onto his chest "Need to get back to your room before the girls wake up." She smiled while tipping her head to the side a little.
He slowly nodded in agreement "I can't wait until we can tell everyone, then I can stay here in this room all night without worrying about being caught." He sighed while stepping back and took hold of Clarisse's hand.
"Soon I promise," She nodded while watching him kiss the palm of her hand and inner wrist.
Looking up at her to find her biting her bottom lip, he couldn't help but smile "I have you a present." He smiled while stepping closer and took a box from his dressing gown pocket "Don't open it yet, wait until I have gone." He smirked and kissed her jaw "See you for breakfast?" He asked.
"Of course," Clarisse nodded and watched him walk over to the secret door, disappearing seconds later.
She stood looking at the box in her hand and slowly opened it, finding a diamond necklace and earring set, with a gasp she closed the box. Grinning as she put it away safe then headed over to her dressing table to do her hair and make up.
Heading downstairs not long after having breakfast with the family, afterwards they all gave her, her birthday presents then Tom and Erica headed off to work with Cara and Rose, as Joseph got on with security checks, leaving Clarisse with her parents, who are staying for a few days.
After she finished her coffee she headed to her office to go over a few things with Charlotte.
"Right, what is in the diary today?" Clarisse asked while slipping on her glasses and looked at her.
"Not much, Your Majesty." Charlotte smiled while looking down at the diary in her hands "Just a meeting with Parliament." She said looking up at her as she sighed.
"Oh what?" Clarisse asked while sitting back in the chair "On my Birthday?" She asked and watched as Charlotte nodded "Very well," She sighed while taking her glasses off and put them down on the desk "I best get ready," She said standing up then sat back down again.
"What's wrong, are you ok?" Charlotte worried as she stepped closer to the desk.
"Yes I am fine," Clarisse said looking at her "I just remembered I need to ask you something," Clarisse said holding her hand out for the diary, and smiled as Charlotte passed it to her "Thank you." She said while looking down at it, then nodded "Great," She smiled back up at her as Joseph came in "Ahh Joseph, just the person." She smiled at Charlotte "That will be all, thank you." She nodded.
"I will see you for Parliament then?" Charlotte smiled and headed out the office, closing the door behind her.
Looking at the door then back at Clarisse as she slowly stood up "I just came to see if you managed to sort out an escape yet?" He asked as she stood in front of him.
"I haven't yet, but I just checked the diary and I am free after Parliament and I am even free tomorrow." She smiled "I have no idea what I am going to say to manage to escape though."
Taking her hands and wrapped his arms around her waist, taking her hands with his "I will think of something," He grinned and kissed her a couple times.
"Thank you for my present," She smiled up into his eyes and pulled one hand free "I love it!"
"Good, I am pleased." He smiled and looked down as she started wiping his lips.
"You had lipstick on your lips," She giggled as he tickled her.
"See that's another reason why I don't like you wearing make up," He laughed as she turned her back to him, wrapping his arms around her, holding her back against him as he kissed her neck making her laugh.
"I have to wear it when I am in Queen mode," She said turning her head a little "But if you have noticed I hardly wear it other wise now."
"I had noticed actually," He nodded while letting her go and watched as she turned to face him.
"Good," She smiled and patted his lips with her forefinger "I have to get back to business now."
"Ok," He nodded and watched her walk over to her desk "I am just about to leave for a horse ride with Pierre, he wanted to talk to me about something."
"Ok," Clarisse smiled "We will have to do that sometime."
"I would love to," He nodded and headed over to the door "Until later?" He smirked and blew her a kiss.
She smiled and watched him walk out then got ready for Parliament.
After it had finished Clarisse came out with Motaz, seeing Charlotte stood waiting she smiled only to be greeted by a frown.
"What's wrong?" Clarisse asked as Charlotte grabbed her arm and pulled her away from Motaz "Charlotte, what heavens is wrong?" She asked again "Is it the girls?" She asked "Are they ok?"
"Joseph's in the hospital, he had a small accident while out on the horses." Charlotte whispered "Shades is waiting to take you if you want to go."
"Of course, who's with him now?" Clarisse asked as they made their way through the halls of the Palace to the front foyer.
"Your Parents, Pierre and Olivia," Charlotte said while looking at her.
"Ok, thank you Charlotte." Clarisse said rushing to the door and stopped looking back at her for a second then towards the way they just came from as Charlotte looked that way too.
Looking back at Clarisse as she smiled "Don't worry," She nodded while Clarisse looked back at her "I will make sure they all leave and get on their way ok." Clarisse nodded and left.
Arriving at the hospital a short while later Clarisse was shown to where Joseph's room was, finding her parents and Pierre sat outside waiting.
"How is he?" Clarisse asked while sitting down next to her Mom.
"He's ok," Pierre smiled "You can go in if you want to, ask him yourself." He nodded towards the door.
"Ok," Clarisse said standing up and walked over to the door, knocking lightly and pushed it open as he and Olivia looked at him "Can I come in?"
"Of course," Joseph nodded and watched her come in and stand next to the bed.
"What happened?" Clarisse asked while looking at Olivia then back at Joseph.
"Olivia can you leave us a few moments please?" Joseph asked and watched as she nodded and headed over to the door "Thank you."
"No problem," Olivia smiled and left as Clarisse moved to the top of the bed.
"What happened?" She asked while taking his hand and kissed his fingers.
"I was trying to fix the saddle on your horse when something spooked her and I ended up falling onto my back, and because I hadn't managed to get the saddle fully sorted yet it fell of her and landed right on me." He said looking at her.
"Oh my god," Clarisse gasped and put her hands up covering her mouth "Where?" She whispered.
"Where do you think?" He asked and watched as she looked down his body.
"Oh my," She whispered while looking back up in his eyes and started laughing.
"That's it, you can laugh." He said watching her turn her head the other way while covering her mouth with her fingers "I'm glad to see that my pain is amusing," He teased as she looked at him.
"Awww I'm sorry," She said cupping his cheek "I didn't mean to laugh, I honestly didn't." She said trying not to laugh again "I don't know why I want to laugh."
"It's alright, I have been laughing about it too." He smiled as she started laughing again, being joined by him a second later then winced in pain while putting his hand down over himself "Maybe I shouldn't be laughing now that the pain meds are wearing off." He sighed and tipped his head back while closing his eyes.
"Oh I'm sorry," Clarisse whispered and watched him slowly lifting his head back up and looked at her "I'm really sorry," She said cupping his cheek again and kissed his forehead.
"Don't be sorry, it's ok, honestly." He nodded as she wrapped her arm around his shoulders and rested her head on his "Thanks for coming to the hospital though."
"It's alright," Clarisse nodded and removed her arm just as the door opened and Joseph's Doctor appeared.
"Hello Doctor," Joseph said looking at him.
"Afternoon," He nodded to him then looked at Clarisse "Your Majesty," He nodded her way once as she smiled then both looked back at Joseph "I need to talk to you," He said looking back at Clarisse "Maybe it's best we speak alone?" He asked.
"Nope," Joseph said shaking his head as they both looked at him "Whatever you have to say you can say it in front of Clarisse," He said.
"Very well," He said turning and put the light on to the x-ray holder, putting his x-ray up on it and turned to them "As you can see, nothing is broken, it's just badly bruised and will be for a while." He said looking at Clarisse as she looked at the x-ray then back at Joseph.
"So being intimate is out of the question then?" Joseph asked as the Doctor nodded "For how long?"
"I'd say about 2 maybe even 3 weeks and even then it may be painful." The Doctor answered while looking at him.
"I see." Joseph answered as Clarisse sat down in one of the chairs.
"If at the time you do try and be intimate and it starts hurting, you must stop," He said looking at Clarisse for a second then back at Joseph "As it wouldn't do any good forcing yourself as you'd be in a lot more pain." The Doctor added.
"Ok," Joseph nodded "Can I please go home now?" He asked.
"Yes you can, once you are ready you may leave." He nodded "I will leave some pain killers at the desk for you to collect on the way out."
"Ok, thank you." Joseph nodded and looked back at Clarisse as the Doctor left.
"He looked at me as he was talking about you forcing yourself," Clarisse said standing up "Do you think he knows?"
"I don't know." He shrugged as she helped him sit up and move to the edge of the bed.
"Do you want me to help you get changed?" Clarisse asked.
"No you best ask Pierre, because if we walk out and I'm fully dressed they will know that you've helped me." He said looking up into her eyes as she stood in front of him.
"Ok," Clarisse nodded and stepped back "I will go and ask him for you."
"Please," Joseph said looking down as she walked out.
"How is he?" Olivia asked while jumping up as Clarisse shut the door.
"He can go home," She said looking at her then at Pierre "Pierre he wondered if you could help him get dressed?" She asked.
"Sure," He nodded and headed over to his door, disappearing inside as Olivia and Clarisse looked at each other.
Arriving home a short time later, Pierre helped Joseph up to his suite sitting with him for a little bit to keep him company as Clarisse took Lexi for a small walk around the gardens, playing with her too.
"Hello sweetheart," Clarisse's Dad, Harry exclaimed while walking over to them.
"Hey Dad," Clarisse smiled back at him then threw the ball for Lexi and watched her run off.
Standing beside her as they watched Lexi running around with her ball, he looked at Clarisse a few moments later to find her stood with her arms folded.
"Your thinking about Philippe, aren't you?" He asked as she came out of her day dream and looked at him.
"I am," She nodded as they moved and sat on the bench, still watching Lexi playing "I couldn't help it," She sighed while looking down.
"It's normal," Harry whispered while putting his arm around her shoulders "He's here in spirit though, you know that right?" He asked.
"I do," Clarisse nodded and looked up at him before looking at Lexi as she jumped up on the bench beside her "He always loved making a fuss on my birthday, well all our birthdays really." She whispered while looking over at the Palace.
"I know he did," Harry said watching her while gently rubbing the top of her back.
"It feels so different and weird without him being here," She said looking at him with a small nod.
"The firsts are always like that, maybe next year you could celebrate a bit more, make it like how it used to be?" He asked.
"Yeah, maybe." Clarisse nodded while stroking Lexi "I'm actually surprised that Pierre and the girls listened to me." She said looking back at him.
"I was too, but maybe they understood that this year needed to be different." He said looking back at her.
"Yeah." Clarisse nodded and looked back over at the Palace again.
"I think you're being very brave over everything, I'm so proud of you." He said as she looked back at him.
"Thank you," Clarisse smiled and kissed his cheek before looking back over at the Palace.
"Anytime." He smiled while watching her.
Sitting in silence for a few moments, both thinking when Clarisse lent over and threw Lexi's ball for her to run after again.
"I haven't seen you for a few weeks," Harry started while smiling at her "So tell me, what's new with you sweetheart?" He smiled as she looked back at him.
"Not much," She shrugged "Just been busy running the Country and keeping my family together." She smiled while looking back at him "What about you?"
"Oh you know how it is with me and you Mom," He smiled and rubbed her back again "No special someone yet then?" He asked as she gasped.
"No, what ever gave you that idea?" She asked while looking away, trying to hide the blush that crept over her body and face.
"Well the fact that you have that smile that gives you away, among other things of course." He smirked as she gasped and looked back at him "You know once upon a time you could talk to me about anything and everything, never getting embarrassed either." He said watching her as she threw the ball for Lexi again and looked back at him "You were a Daddies girl when you were growing up, how times change."
"That was a long time ago, a lot of things have changed since then." She said looking at him as he laughed a little while nodding in agreement.
"So does that mean your not going to tell me who this person is, who's making my only child Happy?" He asked as Clarisse smiled.
"I'm sorry, I can't," She said while looking at him "I hope you understand?"
"I do, but you need to understand that I already know who it is?" He smirked as she gasped and looked back at him "Oh sweetheart, you and Joseph really need to be more careful." He smirked.
"How did you know?" She asked while turning a little.
"Those looks you have been giving each other lately." He smirked "They tell a story, don't you know?" He asked as she studied his face "Don't worry, no one else has noticed." He smiled as she sighed in relief "But you need to tell me why you aren't telling anyone?"
"Because of Cara and Rose," She said looking at him "It wasn't that long ago that he was with Gabby remember, we don't want to confuse them."
"The two girls who want you to get together more than anything?" He asked as Clarisse nodded "I honestly don't think it will confuse them sweetheart, they will be overjoyed." He smiled "Just like Pierre, Olivia and Erica would be." He nodded.
"We will tell them soon, just not yet." She whispered.
"Ok," He nodded "That's your choice." He smiled and stood up "Come on, let's go back and get a coffee." He said while watching her stand up and they started walking back over to the Palace.
"You won't tell anyone, will you?" Clarisse asked while looking at him.
"Of course I won't," He smiled while putting his arm around her shoulders "Sharing a secret with my Daughter again, I ain't telling anyone for anything." He smiled and looked at her.
"Thank you, Daddy." She smiled as he looked at her, feeling proud of the time they just spent together.
"Not a problem," He smiled as she put her arm around his back "I'm just happy that he, whatever he is doing is putting that smile back on your face." He said while looking at her.
"Daddy, really." She laughed as he pulled her closer and kissed the side of her head as she placed her hand on his chest.
"No matter how old you are you will always be a Daddies girl I think," He smiled as she looked up at him.
"Of course," She nodded with a smile and looked back over at the Palace.
"Thanks for spending time with me, you have made me feel really proud today." He whispered as she looked at him.
"Of course, for you I have all the time in the world." She smiled as he looked at her.
"I love you sweetheart," He smiled.
"I love you too Daddy," She smiled as he chuckled and hugged her as they carried on walking back over to the Palace.
Walking up the steps to the doors Clarisse stopped and looked back at Lexi as Harry carried on and waited at the top for her.
"Lexi come on," Clarisse called out and carried on up to her Dad as he opened the door, both laughing as Lexi came running up the stairs and through the door into the foyer.
"Thank you again for today," Harry smiled as they walked in and closed the door.
"Oh Dad it's alright." She smiled "I always have time for you, you know that." She nodded as her Mother came into the hall.
"Where have you two been?" She asked.
"Out spending time with my Daughter," Harry smirked.
"Yes," Clarisse smiled at him then looked back at Lily "What's wrong?" She asked while slipping of her coat and headed into her office.
"Not much, Joseph was asking for you though." Lily said following her.
"Ok, I will go and check on him in a bit." She smiled and headed over to her desk.
"Ok," Lily smiled over at her then walked out, pulling up the door behind her.
As Clarisse sat alone she couldn't help but think about what her Dad had said, heading up to check on Joseph a short time later.
"Hey," Clarisse smiled while pushing open the door "Can I come in?" She asked, finding him on his bed.
"Yes you may," He nodded and watched her come over "I've just had the girls and Erica up here,"
"Where have they gone now?" She asked while walking over and stood next to the bed.
"They've gone to do their homework." He smiled up at her while patting the space on the bed beside him.
"Ok," She said "I felt bad about laughing earlier, I hope I didn't offend you?" She asked while sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Of course not, why do you think you did?" He asked while taking her hand.
"Because you didn't really seem happy after the Doctor left." She whispered.
"I wasn't, but it didn't have anything to do with you." He smiled "How could I be mad at you or your laugh?" He smiled while cupping her cheek and quickly put his hand down when they heard a door close "Hello." He called out as Clarisse stood up.
"Hello," Isabella smiled as she appeared in the doorway making both Clarisse and Joseph gasp.
"Mother," Joseph exclaimed "What are you doing here?" He asked as she walked over and kissed his cheek as his Father appeared in the door way "And Father too."
"Olivia called us earlier to tell us you had a small accident," Oliver answered while walking over to him and shook his hand "Now how the hell did you hurt yourself?" He smirked as Clarisse disappeared, leaving them too it.
Not long after they came down and had a catch up with the family, staying for dinner too.
Disappearing back upstairs to check on Joseph with a tub of Ice cream Clarisse stood at the door, watching him laying with his eyes closed. Slowly she crept over and stood beside the bed, leaning over and kissed his forehead.
"Hey you," He smiled while opening his eyes and watched as she stood up straight.
"I brought some ice cream?" She said handing him a spoon and went to sit on the edge of the bed but stopped when Joseph put his arm out "What's wrong?"
"Come and sit the other side of me instead." He smiled.
"Ok," She smiled and walked around to the other side of the bed, slipping of her shoes and climbed beside him.
"What happened to you earlier by the way?" He asked while watching her open the tub of ice cream.
"When?" She asked and looked at him "Oh you mean when your parents were here?"
"Yeah," He nodded and took a bit of ice cream, popping it in his mouth as she did the same.
"I just thought it was best to leave you three alone." She smiled and took some more ice cream.
"Ahh ok," He nodded as she put the tub on the bed between them "You know we were talking earlier about at the hospital?"
"Yeah?" Clarisse nodded while looking at him.
"I wasn't mad at you, I was mad at myself." He sighed and held the spoon with both hands while resting them down on the pillow on his lap.
"Why?" She asked looking at him.
"Because I had so much planned for your birthday," He said looking at her "And I went and ruined it all."
"You didn't ruin it," She whispered "You could never ruin my birthday," She smiled as he looked at her "Your still here aren't you? You are at home and we are spending time together aren't we?" She asked as he nodded "Then you didn't ruin it."
"I still feel bad though," He whispered while looking at her as she held the spoon up to his face, taking it in his mouth as she smiled.
"Don't be, it's fine." She smiled while leaning closer and kissed him a couple times before sitting back "Besides just because my birthday is today, it doesn't mean that we have to celebrate today." She said with a smile while putting some more ice cream on her spoon "We could do whatever you had planned when you are better," She smiled at him.
"Ok, deal." He nodded with a laugh as she kissed the top of his arm.
"Oh by the way," Clarisse said looking at him as he ate some more ice cream "My Dad knows about us?"
"What? How?" He asked "We were so careful."
"Not careful enough," She smirked "He noticed the looks we shared,"
"Oh dear," He exclaimed "What about the others?"
"If they do they haven't said anything." She answered and ate some more ice cream.
"Guess we better start being more careful then." He said looking at her.
"Yeah." She nodded "Though he did remind me that the reason why we are keeping it a secret are the two that really want us to be together." She said looking at him "So maybe we should just be open about it now?"
"Not yet," He said looking at her "Let's wait until after we celebrate your birthday together." He smiled "Then we will."
"Ok," She smiled and ate some more ice cream "You know though," She said with a giggle "If you had rode bareback you wouldn't be like you are now and we could of been in a hotel somewhere being romantic." She smiled at him.
"You know I can't ride bareback," He smirked at her "Like you can,"
"I will have to teach you sometime then," She smiled and lent over to the side putting the tub on the bedside table then sat back and looked at him.
"How did you become such a good bareback rider anyway?" He asked and put his arm up around her shoulders as she moved closer to him.
"Rupert taught me," She smiled while putting her arm around his waist "Pierre used to be able to do it too, but he much prefers to ride with a saddle." She sighed "Philippe was just as good at it as I was," She smiled while looking up at him.
"I don't really like the idea of being taught by a woman how to ride bareback," He smirked as she laughed and kissed his jaw "Is it true what people say?" He asked while looking at her.
"About what?" She asked while resting her head on his shoulder and looked at him.
"About riding bareback?" He smirked "That it can be a bit intimate for the rider?" He smirked as she nodded.
"It can be, if done correctly yeah." She grinned.
"Mmm now that's something I find interesting," He smirked at her as she laughed "Never really thought of you in that way before," He laughed as she put her hand up, cupping his face "Seeing you in a whole new light that's for sure." He smiled and lowered his head, kissing her slowly.
Smiling as Clarisse moved her hand to the back of his head, kissing him a couple times before looking into his eyes "They say you learn something new everyday." She shrugged.
"Yes they do," He smiled and kissed her again while wrapping his arms around her, getting a bit carried away "Ahh ah ok." He winced as Clarisse sat back.
"Did I touch you?" She exclaimed while looking at him shake his head.
"I forgot about my problem," He sighed "See that's the problem with having such a beautiful woman sat on my bed next to me," He smirked at her as she laughed "I'm really sorry I messed up the plans," He whispered while cupping her cheek "I would much rather be locked in a hotel somewhere, sharing a bed with you, making love to you." He whispered.
"We will soon," She smiled while putting her hand up onto his wrist while leaning forward and kissed him before sitting back "We will make up for lost time too," She giggled.
"Now that sounds like a very good plan indeed," Joseph smiled with a nod as Clarisse sat back on the bed with a smile.
"Anyway, I best get back downstairs before they notice I am missing and come looking for me." She smirked while climbing of the bed and slipped on her shoes.
"Well thank you for the company," He smiled as she walked around to him.
"Try and get some sleep and I will come and check on you later on," She smiled while putting her hand on the back of his head while leaning over and kissed him a couple times as he put his hand on her side.
"Love you," He whispered against her lips then watched her stand up straight.
"I love you too," She smiled and headed out the room.