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ooOoo
Sometime has passed, today is Pierre's birthday.
Last weekend Clarisse and Joseph managed to escape the Palace for a couple nights to be together for a late birthday celebration, still managing to keep everything a secret.
Tonight Clarisse is holding a special family dinner to celebrate Pierre's birthday.
After getting showered and dressed Clarisse headed downstairs, having breakfast with the family. After she ate she sat reading the paper while finishing her coffee, as everyone else left her too it, not long after her Father came in.
"Hello sweetheart," He smiled as she looked up.
"Good morning Dad," Clarisse smiled as he lent over and kissed her forehead "Where's Mom?" She asked and looked back at the paper.
"She's with Olivia and Ava," He smiled and got some coffee before sitting down beside her "We're looking forward to Pierre's dinner tonight," He smiled.
"Yeah," She smiled while looking up "So am I," She smiled "Should be a fun night." She smiled while looking down at the paper to see a photo of herself.
Seeing the photo "I see they can't leave you alone." He nodded as she looked up "What is it about this week?"
Reading it to herself then looked up at him "Just from yesterday when I was out and about." She sighed as he took the paper "Don't get me wrong I love being a Queen and everything but sometimes I really wish they would just let me have my privacy," She said looking at him.
"Maybe you should get one of them orders against them where they can't print any photo of you and your family without permission, if they do they end up with a big fine." He said handing her the paper back.
"Yeah," Clarisse nodded "My lawyer was talking to me about it before, but with everything going on lately I just forgot about it." She sighed while resting her arms on the table "Maybe I should of paid attention and had it done at the time of Philippe's passing." She said while looking at him and raised her arm up, resting her chin on her hand.
"I really think you should do this," He nodded and sipped his coffee as she slowly nodded "So how are things going between you and Joseph?" He whispered.
"They are going ok," Clarisse nodded "Thank you." She smiled.
"See I knew that would cheer you up," He chuckled and lent over rubbing her arm as she smiled at him.
"You were right," She nodded and stood up just as Pierre came in "Hello darling," Clarisse smiled and walked over to the sink putting her cup in it then turned, leaning back against the counter while folding her arms "What are you up to today?" She asked.
"Not much really," Pierre said looking at her then at Harry "What time is the dinner tonight?" He asked.
"About 7ish, if that's ok?" She asked as he nodded "Great," She smiled.
"Ok, well I have somethings that I need to do." He said walking over and kissed her cheek "I will catch you later?" He asked as she nodded "See you Grandpa," He said rubbing his back as he passed and headed out the kitchen.
"Is he ok?" Harry asked while looking over at her as she looked down at him.
"I don't know," She said while rushing out the kitchen after him "Pierre," She called out as he stopped and turned to her "Are you ok darling?" She asked while walking over to him "You don't seem very happy?"
"I'm fine Mom, honestly," He said taking her hands in his and kissed the back of them "Just thinking about Philippe today, that's all." He whispered.
"I thought you might of been," She answered while letting go of his hands and hugged him "Be careful out there, won't you?" She asked as he nodded and stepped back "I love you."
"I love you too, Mom." He kissed her then headed out the door.
Clarisse watched him disappear then headed over to her office with a sigh, pushed the door up and slowly walked over to her desk as Charlotte appeared in the door way watching her a moment, then stepped forward as Clarisse looked up.
"Morning Charlotte," Clarisse said and slipped on her glasses.
"I have your messages," Charlotte smiled while standing next to the desk and handed them to her "Joe's sister Roz called, left her number I think she wants to meet you for lunch." She said looking at her as Clarisse took the messages.
"Hmmm, that's interesting." She said looking at the message "I thought she was in America," She shrugged and looked back up at her "Thank you Charlotte, that will be all."
"Ok, Your Majesty." Charlotte smiled and left her to it.
After calling Roz and agreeing to meet her in town Clarisse got ready, walking out of her office just as Joseph came into the foyer.
"Ahh just the person," Joseph smiled while walking over "Do you have a few minutes?" He asked as he watched her slip her jacket on "Do you need to go somewhere?"
"Yes, I'm meeting an old friend in town for lunch," Clarisse nodded "Shades is taking me though so you don't have to worry," She smiled "I shouldn't be too long and we can talk when I get back?"
"Of course," Joseph nodded and watched her grab her bag "Have a great lunch." He smiled over at her.
"Thank you," She nodded and headed out the door and down to the car, hating that she just lied to him.
Shortly after they arrived at the place Roz wanted to meet, along with Shades they headed inside and let the head waiter know that she had arrived, being shown to where Roz was sitting a few moments later.
"Roz," Clarisse said looking at her as she stood up "Oh my," She exclaimed when she saw that she was pregnant "How are you?" She asked.
"I could be better," She answered as they sat down "You didn't tell Joe you were meeting me did you?" She asked.
"No of course not, though I hated to do it." She said taking her gloves off "What did you need to talk to me about," She said and looked at the waiter as he brought her, her tea "Thank you," She smiled as he nodded and walked off.
"Well as you can see, I'm pregnant," She said as Clarisse nodded.
"Is the Father that man Joe doesn't like?" Clarisse asked as Roz nodded "Ahh."
"That's why I didn't want Joseph to know, not yet." She sighed and sipped her water "I left him, that's why I'm here." She said looking at her.
"Ahh," Clarisse nodded "Where are you staying?"
"In a hotel at the moment," Roz nodded.
"Do you have enough money?" Clarisse whispered.
"I have plenty," Roz nodded "Thanks."
"No problem," Clarisse said looking at her "I think Joe would be pleased to know that you left him though." Clarisse started "Why don't you come back to the Palace with me and see him?" She asked.
"No I can't," Roz sighed "I can't see him or any of my family, not yet." She looked at Clarisse "Thank you for not telling him though, it means a lot."
"It's ok," Clarisse nodded while watching her "When are you due?"
"Next week," She said looking up at her.
"Ok," Clarisse nodded "I still don't understand why you wanted to speak with me though, you made it clear that you didn't like me before."
"I know and I'm sorry about that," She said looking at her "I realized after you broke up all those years ago that you were good for Joe and you should never have got divorced." She whispered "You made him happy, gave him two of his girls." She said watching as Clarisse nodded "He was so heartbroken when it did happen."
"I know, the girls told me." She nodded "I was just as bad."
"I know, the girls told us." Roz said as they both nodded "I am forever sorry about that Clarisse, I just hope that you could forgive me one day." She looked down at her cup then slowly looked back up at her "I admire you so much for how you handled things, running the country, raising the girls and your sons." She nodded.
"It was hard but we got by." Clarisse nodded and looked at her "Roz forgive me for asking again, but you still haven't told me why you wanted to talk to me."
"This baby," She started taking a deep breath and looked down.
"What about it?" She asked as Roz slowly looked up.
"I can't keep her," She whispered as Clarisse gasped "I want you to have her, I know she will be well looked after with you."
"What?" Clarisse gasped "No way," She said shaking her head in surprise "I can't have your baby Roz," Clarisse said moving closer to her and took her hand "Are you in some sort of trouble?" She asked as Roz started crying "Roz talk to me ok, I am here to help you, but having your baby I can't do that." She whispered and hugged her "I'm sorry."
"I have to use the loo," Roz said standing up as Clarisse looked at her "Be right back." She said and walked over to the loo's while Clarisse sat in shock as Shades stood next to her to check and make sure she was ok.
"She's not coming back, is she?" Shades asked after a little while.
"I don't think so," Clarisse said while standing up "I will be back," She said heading into the loos to check, returning a few moments later while shaking her head "I knew that was going happen." She said resting her hands on the back of the chair "Shades I need your help."
"Anything," He said as Clarisse grabbed her bag and went to pay.
"I will explain in the car," She said paying as he nodded.
When they got to the car Clarisse explained everything then headed home, when they arrived Clarisse sat in her office trying to do paper work, but just couldn't get Roz out of her mind when Joseph appeared.
"Penny for your thoughts," Joseph said pushing up the door.
"Pardon me?" Clarisse said looking up as Joseph made his way over to her.
"I said, Penny for your thoughts." He repeated as she looked up at him "Are you ok?"
"Yeah," Clarisse nodded while standing up and stood closer to him.
"Ok," He started while wrapping his arms around her waist "Did you have a nice lunch?"
"I have had better," She answered while putting her arms around his shoulders "Besides I don't want to talk about that, what did you want to talk to me about before?" She asked.
"Oh," He smiled "My divorce came through today." He grinned.
"Wow, really?" Clarisse asked "That was fast."
"I know," He nodded "It's great though as I'm a free man now." He smirked.
"Well really your not," Clarisse smiled at him "We will celebrate this tonight too," Clarisse nodded "And maybe, tonight could be the night we tell the family?"
"I think that's a good idea," Joseph nodded.
"Thank god," Clarisse smiled and moved her head closer to his "Maybe then we can share the same bed tonight and wake in each others arms." She giggled while lifting her head back as he grinned at her "You liked that idea, didn't you?" She laughed as he kissed her neck.
"I did and I can't wait." He grinned then stepped back "I best get on with a few things, see you in a bit?"
"Of course," She said leaning closer as they shared a kiss then she watched him leave.
Clarisse tried again to get on with the paper work but still couldn't get Roz out of her head, deciding to give up as Shades appeared at the door.
"Do you have a moment?" He asked as Clarisse looked over.
"Of course, come in and shut the door." Clarisse said motioning for him to come in "Did you find anything?"
"Only that she checked out of the hotel and hour ago, I asked the manager if she happened to say where she was going but he didn't know anything." He said.
"We need to find her," Clarisse exclaimed "Her baby is due any day,"
"I don't think she'd get very far then, maybe she went home after all?" He said as she looked at him.
"Maybe, but I doubt it." She sighed while folding her arms just as the front doors slammed "Whose that," She said rushing over to her door to see Erica rushing into the loo and slammed the door behind her "Erica," She said looking back at Shades "Please try and find out some more stuff, we need to find her."
"I will keep my eyes open, and also with your permission I would like to get a few other people involved," He asked as she glared at him "Don't worry, they don't know Joseph."
"Then ok, as long as it doesn't get back to him, sure." She said heading out of her office and over to the loo, knocking on the door "Erica darling, are you ok?" She asked hearing her throwing up "Oh dear," Clarisse said turning to walk away.
"Mom," Erica cried and stood up as Clarisse slowly appeared.
"It's ok darling," Clarisse whispered while closing the door then walked over, hugging her.
"They sent me home from work," Erica cried "I couldn't stop being sick."
"It's alright," Clarisse nodded and rubbed her back.
"I don't know whats wrong, I haven't felt myself for the last week." She cried.
"Perhaps maybe you're pregnant?" Clarisse whispered as Erica gasped.
"I can't be," Erica said pulling back "We've both been very careful" She said wiping her eyes.
"These things do happen, no matter how careful you are being." She said with a small smirk "It happened with you, after all." She smiled while cupping her face "Yes you weren't planned but we soon accepted it and loved the idea of having another baby." She smiled and hugged her.
"I, um..." Erica said and turned to throw up again.
After a little while Clarisse took her hand "Come with me," She said leading her up to her suite and over to her bathroom.
"Why have we come up here for?" Erica asked as Clarisse made her sit on the chair then watched her get a box from her bathroom cabinet "Um... Mom sorry for such a stupid question but why do you have pregnancy tests in your cabinet?"
"I have two daughters, don't I?" Clarisse answered with a small smile.
"Yeah," Erica answered and wiped her eyes with a tissue.
After doing two tests, both coming up positive Erica finally accepted that she's pregnant. Sitting in silence for a bit before Erica finally looked at Clarisse.
"How do you feel?" Clarisse asked.
"Sick," Erica answered while looking at her "But I know that no matter what I'm going to love this baby to bits." She found herself smiling as Clarisse rubbed her back.
"Me and your Father will support you through anything," Clarisse smiled "We will always be here whenever you need us." She said and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you Mom," Erica exclaimed and wrapped her arms around her neck, giving her a hug "I wonder what Tom's going to say." She said while sitting back.
"I think he will be very happy," Clarisse smiled as Erica nodded.
"I can't wait to tell him," Erica smiled while standing up "Thanks Mom." She said hugging her "I'm going to go and have a lay down, try and get my head around it." She said standing up straight.
"Ok darling," Clarisse nodded and watched her walk out.
As Clarisse started to clean up the bathroom, Joseph stood in the doorway watching her.
"Hey you," He smiled then gasped when he saw the tests in her hands "Ok, why do you have two tests in your hands?" He exclaimed as she looked at him as he started to panic.
"Joseph," Clarisse exclaimed "Relax," She said starting to laugh and put the tests in the bin "They aren't mine." She laughed and started to wash her hands.
"If they aren't yours whose are they?" He gasped as he walked in and shut the door behind him.
"We do have two daughters you know?" Clarisse exclaimed while grabbing the towel and dried her hands while resting her hip against the sink.
"Ahh of course," Joseph nodded while standing in front of her.
"Relaxed now?" She smiled while putting the towel back and looked at him.
"Yeah," He said with a nod "That was a bit worrying," They both chuckled "Which ones pregnant then?" He asked.
"Erica," She whispered "But shh we can't tell anyone yet." She smiled.
"Wow," He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist "A whole lot of secrets today."
"Yep," Clarisse smiled while putting her arms back, taking hold of his hands "So exciting though, isn't it?"
"Indeed," He nodded.
"Joseph, I have to tell you something." She said looking up into his eyes "I can't keep it from you, and please please don't be mad at me." She whispered.
"What?" He asked while stepping back "You don't want to tell them tonight, do you?" He asked.
"No no," She said cupping his face with her hands "It's not that, I still want to tell them."
"Then whats wrong?" He asked.
"It was your Sister, Roz." She said looking at him "Who I met for lunch today."
"What?" He gasped "She's in town?" He asked as she nodded.
"She didn't want me to tell you, but I feel that I need to." She added "Joseph she's in some sort of trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" He asked.
"I don't know but she's pregnant, due any day." She said as his face fell "And she asked me to have her baby as she doesn't want it."
"What?" He gasped.
"Shades is trying to find her, as she kind of escaped at lunch, didn't come back from the loo." She said as he started getting angry.
"And your telling me this now?" He said "I can't believe this," He said opening the door and walked out.
"Joseph, where are you going?" She asked.
"To find my sister," He snapped and walked out.
Clarisse sat on the bed, wondering if she had made the right choice about telling him. When an hour later he returned.
"I've talked to her," Joseph said as she looked up at him walking over to the bed "She's explained everything and right now doesn't want to be found."
"Ok," Clarisse nodded and crossed her legs.
"Sorry I walked out," He said sitting on the edge of the bed "I was just angry, but Roz explained that she didn't want you to tell me." He said taking her hand "Thank you for telling me though." He whispered and kissed her fingers.
"So your not mad at me anymore?" She asked while sitting up.
"No." He said shaking his head and wrapped his arms around her while burying his face in the crook of her neck "I can never stay mad at you for long." He whispered.
"I know," She whispered as they pulled apart "You never could." She chuckled a little and cupped his face with her hands while leaning forward and kissed him.
Later that evening everyone gathered together for Pierre's birthday dinner. After they ate they all moved into the family living room.
"I have an announcement to make," Joseph smiled as everyone looked at him "I just wanted you all to know that my divorce came through today."
"Really?" Olivia exclaimed as he nodded "That's great." She smiled as Rose and Cara jumped up and hugged him.
"So does this mean that you and Clari are going to get together now?" Cara asked while looking up at him as Erica and Olivia gasped.
"Well actually," Clarisse smirked while standing next to them as Olivia and Erica gasped "We've actually been together secretly for the last 8 or so weeks," She smiled at Joseph as he put his hand up, cupping her face as Cara and Rose stood back looking up at them.
"Is this a joke?" Erica asked as they all watched Joseph kiss Clarisse "Ok, maybe not." She exclaimed as Joseph put his arm around Clarisse's shoulders while smiling at them.
"Surprise," Joseph exclaimed while rubbing Clarisse's arm as she wrapped hers around his waist.
"Oh my god," Olivia exclaimed.
"YAY!" Cara and Rose exclaimed and hugged them both, making everyone laugh.
"This is great news," Pierre smiled "And an awesome birthday present." He said hugging Joseph then Clarisse "So happy for you." He whispered and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you," Clarisse smiled at him as they pulled apart and looked at Olivia and Erica "Girls?" She said as they both stood up.
"This is a surprise, I'm not going to lie." Olivia said while looking at them "But it's an awesome surprise," She laughed while hugging Clarisse then Joseph "So happy for you." She smiled as Erica hugged Clarisse.
"Thank you," Joseph nodded while looking at them then at Clarisse.
As the girls fused over Clarisse and Joseph, Pierre stood back watching them for a bit, then not long after he cleared his throat and stepped forward.
"Hi everyone," He said as they all looked at him "I have an announcement myself." He said looking at Clarisse as she looked at him "Ever since Philippe died I have done a whole lot of thinking." He said taking a deep breath and let it out a few seconds later "I have decided to renounce the throne," He said looking up into Clarisse's eyes as everyone gasped "And join the church." He added.
To Be Continued...