Sorry for not updating in a while, I have been very busy and trying to work out where I want to take this is very time consuming ha ha but I believe I have it now, so will be able to update more often :)

Thank you all for your reviews :) You all rock!

Massive thanks to my chum for helping once again, because if it wasn't for you I am pretty sure this chapter won't be getting posted now ;) so THANK you :)

Also you may want to get a tissue handy with this chapter, just a heads up that's all ;)

xXx

Two months later.

After getting showered and dressed Clarisse stood looking at herself in the mirror, turning from side to side to make sure she looked okay, not realizing Joe was stood watching her until he chuckled at her actions.

"Before you ask," He smiled while walking over to her "You look perfect." He said standing behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Thank you." She smiled at him in the mirror while putting her hand up, cupping his face "What time are you taking Daddy home?" She asked putting her hand down, resting it on his arm.

"We are heading out after I drop you off at the Palace and Lena at school." He said smiling and stepped back as she turned around to face him "I must say I am loving this tailored jacket on you, is it new?" He asked taking hold of it and pulled her closer to him as she giggled.

"Yes actually it is, I bought it last week." She smiled up at him.

"I thought so." He smiled before sharing a kiss or two with her.

Heading down a short time later to find Rose, Lena and her Father, Harry all sat talking at the table.

"Good morning." Clarisse smiled as they all looked over.

"Good morning Momma." Lena smiled and looked back at Harry "Do you really have to leave today Grandpa?" She asked.

"I do, but I will be back in a couple weeks, if your Momma wants me back that is?" He said smirking at Lena then looked towards Clarisse.

"Of course I do, I told you that you are welcome here anytime." Clarisse smiled while walking over and gave him a hug before kissing his head.

"Well then Lena I will be back in just a couple weeks." He said smiling as Lena hugged Clarisse.

"Yay. So excited." Lena giggled and stepped back.

"Right, what's the plan today then Joe?" Harry asked as Clarisse sat down at the table beside him.

"Well we are going to drop Clarisse off at the Palace, then Lena at school and then we will hit the road to your place." Joe said smiling and sipped his coffee.

"Okay that sounds good." Harry nodded and smiled at Clarisse.

"Sorry I can't join you." She said and sipped some of her water.

"Oh that's okay, I know you have a busy day." Harry smiled and gave her hand a squeeze.

After a busy morning Clarisse decided to take a break from the paperwork and head to the kitchen to get some coffee.

"Good morning Pierre." Clarisse said smiling when she saw him sat at the table.

"Good morning Mom." He smiled "Dad told me to tell you when you were free that he was back and took Emma out on a small horse ride." He said and sipped his drink.

"He took Emma on the horse?" She asked in surprise.

"Yea." Pierre said nodding while looking up at her "They should be out the back somewhere."

"Okay, thank you." She answered and walked straight out the back door as he watched.

Walking slowly down the stairs she saw them heading towards her, folding her arms she couldn't help but smile when she saw Emma giggling.

"Nana." Emma exclaimed in excitement.

"Hello beautiful, are you having fun?" Clarisse asked as they came to a stop in front of her.

"We are, aren't we Emma?" Joe smiled down at her then looked down at Emma as she nodded and put her arms out to Clarisse.

"Good," She said putting her arms up and took Emma from him "Did Dad get home okay?" She asked and kissed the side of Emma's head as she clung to her.

"He did, he said he would call you sometime this afternoon." He said jumping from the horse and stood beside them.

"Okay, thank you." She smiled at him then at Emma "Now that we've had a cuddle sweetheart, are you going to go back to Grampy so I can get back to my paperwork?" She asked as Joe put his hands up to her.

"No." Emma said while shaking her head before resting it on Clarisse's shoulder.

"Come on darling, Nana has to get back to work." Joe said trying to take her.

"Okay, how about you come and sit and help me with the paperwork?" Clarisse asked while looking down at Emma as she smiled up at her "Okay I take that as a yes then." She said looking up at Joe.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yes of course, she's helped me before." She said as they started walking back to the door together "She's a great help actually." She smiled.

"Okay, well call me if or when you want me to take her." He said putting his hand on her back.

"I will." She smiled as they each lent closer, sharing a quick kiss before Clarisse started walking towards the door then stopped "Oh Joe..." She said turning to him as he looked over "After my meeting with Motaz, can you please drive me to the store?" She asked "If you have time of course."

"Of course, I will be around here all afternoon so just call me when you are ready." He smiled.

"Thank you." She smiled and headed back inside with Emma.

After she got some coffee, they headed back to her office where Clarisse sat at her desk with Emma sat on her lap, helping her go through the paperwork.

"Knock knock?" Motaz said from the door, smiling as Clarisse looked up.

"Ahh you're early?" Clarisse exclaimed while checking the time "Give me a couple minutes to find Joe to take Emma, then I will be with you." She said wrapping her arm around Emma, about to stand up.

"Oh no need, this is only a quick meeting and I trust Emma not to tell anyone what actually happened." Motaz said smiling and watched Clarisse sit back a little "Honestly she's okay to stay." He said with a smile.

"Well if you're sure?" She said and watched him nod "Well okay then," She said with a smile and motioned for him to sit down.

"Now then Emma?" Motaz said smiling over at her as she slumped back against Clarisse "You are about to see your Nana in action, but shh you can't tell anyone." He said smiling as Emma giggled "If only she actually knew what I just said." He said with a laugh.

"Indeed." Clarisse said smiling at him then down at Emma.

After an hour the meeting was over, and leaving Clarisse at her desk as Emma slept on her, Motaz headed out into the foyer, seeing Joe and Charlotte stood talking.

"Ahh Joseph, just the person." Motaz said smiling as he slipped on his jacket "You might want to go in and help Clarisse, I think her arm may be dead."

"I beg your pardon?" Joe asked in surprised.

"Emma, she fell to sleep on her Nana..." He said smiling "I think we bored her with all this royal business." He said with a laugh.

"Oh now I understand." Joe said smiling "Thank you." He said and started heading towards the office.

"Let me show you out." Charlotte said smiling at Motaz.

Standing at the door for several seconds, watching as Clarisse sat smiling down at Emma as she slept on her lap, resting back against her arm that was wrapped around her.

"Want a hand?" Joe asked walking forward, smiling as she looked up.

"Please." Clarisse said smiling and watched him walk around to them and lifted Emma from her lap "Thank you." She said rubbing her arm and looked up as Joe rested Emma on his chest.

"Let me take her to her room then we will head to the store, if you still want to go?" He asked and watched her stand up in front of him.

"Of course I do and okay." Clarisse said smiling "That will give me time to sort out these papers."

"Okay, be right back." Joe nodded and headed out the door with Emma, still fast asleep on his chest.

Clarisse couldn't help but smile as she watched them disappear out her office, looking down just seconds later she started putting the papers away and made sure she had everything. When Joe came back moments later they left in his car, heading to the store.

Heading back to the car a short time later, deep in conversation as Clarisse carried her bags and purse in one hand while motioning between her and Joe with her other hand, hearing her name being called she stopped and looked at Joe.

"What?" He asked.

"Did you hear someone call my name?" She asked and heard it again, turning to see Charlie walking towards them "Charlie, hello." She said watching him as he stepped closer and kissed her cheek.

"Hello." He smiled and stepped back as Joe stepped a little closer to Clarisse "It's been a while, how are you?" He asked.

"Yes it has," She said smiling with a nod "I'm good, and yourself?" She asked.

"Yes actually I'm pretty good." He said with a nod and smile, watching her as she brushed her hair back behind her ear.

"Oh, you remember Joseph, don't you?" Clarisse asked looking at him then at Joe as he looked at her "This is Charlie." She said feeling his hand on her back.

"I know, I guessed it was him when you called him Charlie a few moments ago." He said and watched her look back at Charlie.

"Well it's nice to see you again, Joseph." Charlie said and watched as he looked back at him "Well I will let you get on, we must do dinner or lunch sometime." He offered "Call me sometime."

"I don't actually have your number." She said.

"I gave it you when I came to see you at the Palace?" Charlie said looking at her.

"Yes that's right, you did." She said nodding "Well you know how it is, I have paperwork all over the place.. I must have misplaced it somewhere along the way."

"I understand." He said nodding and grabbed a card from his pocket "Here is my card, call me and we will arrange, as I said, dinner or lunch." He said smiling as she took the card "It will be nice to catch up sometime."

"Of course." Clarisse said looking at the card then looked up at him as he stepped closer, kissing her cheek goodbye.

"It's been great seeing you again." He said smiling at her then looked at Joe "You too." He said and stepped back again "Take care and hope to talk soon."

"Well I can't promise anything, I am a busy woman after all." She said and felt Joe gripping the back of her jacket "Goodbye Charlie." She said and waved as he walked off "Now," She said turning to Joe as they started walking away "Why did you just grab my jacket for?"

"Because I don't like it, I don't like him." He said looking behind them as they headed to his car "I don't like the way he looked at you." He said looking at her while unlocking the car.

"You worry to much." She said and climbed in the car, watching him climb in beside her as she buckled up her belt.

"I must say, you like your men tall don't you?" He said doing up his buckle.

"I beg your pardon?" She exclaimed and watched him start the car.

"Well I'm tall, Rupert was tall and so is he." Joe said looking at her.

"Joseph, please don't read more into this than what it is." Clarisse said while pulling her purse onto her lap as he pulled out of the parking space.

"What exactly is it, Clarisse?" He exclaimed while looking at her for a second then looked back at the road "It seems like your old lover is back in town and trying to make a play for my wife!" He snapped as his frustration boiled to the surface. Joe had been uneasy ever since the day Clarisse had told him about Charlie being back in town.

"Joseph it doesn't matter what he tries because I'm with you now." She said looking at him.

"Yeah I know how that goes." He said keeping his eyes on the road.

"I beg your pardon? What does that mean?" Clarisse exclaimed and watched as he looked back at her.

"Nothing. Forget I said anything." He said shaking his head and looked back at the road.

"NO! Tell me what you are thinking." Clarisse snapped.

"It's nothing Clarisse really." He said shaking his head again as Clarisse watched.

"It is obviously not nothing." She said watching him then looked out the front window.

"Fine, I'll tell you but you better remember you asked for it!" He said as she looked back at him "When we broke up the first time I had every intention on trying to work things out with you but then I saw you with Charlie, I'm sure at the time it was nothing but business but I could tell that he wanted more and I knew that given time you would give him what he wanted. Your eyes always give you away and I could see something had changed in them. I stood there in the street watching the pair of you two together as you laughed and gingerly touched hands and I knew at that moment we were over, so I packed my things and left." He said, glancing at her before looking back at the road.

"You were going to come back?" She asked watching him as he nodded his head "Why didn't you try? I would have taken you back with open arms." She whispered.

"No you wouldn't have." He said shaking his head and looked at her as they came to a stop at lights.

"Yes...Yes I would have!" She said nodding.

"Clarisse, you are only saying that because we are married now. That day you had no interest in me at all because if you had of then you would have fought harder and not fell into bed with the first man that came along." He said as they started moving again.

"I can't believe you said that!" Clarisse exclaimed "I most certainly do not fall into bed with the first man to show interest in me."

"Oh really!? After Rupert died how long was it before you were in my bed? Do you remember?" He said quickly looking at her as she shook her head slightly "And after I left what did you do? Hmm... We signed our custody papers and then you fell into bed with Charlie not a week later. It's your pattern Clarisse, you can't stand being alone!" He said coldly.

"Well if this is the case, I didn't hear you complaining about my falling into your bed, which by the way happened two years after Rupert died, Two Years Joseph!" She fumed, getting angrier by the second "And for your information, it did NOT happen a week after we signed the forms, it happened 3 years later, I had just divorced someone I cared about a lot, I didn't jump straight into bed with him so how dare you insinuate that I'm some type of whore! I've had enough of this now, Get out!" She exclaimed.

"What? I'm not getting out!" He said looking at her "We are still driving Clarisse."

"Fine, pull over and let me out of the car." Clarisse exclaimed.

"I'm not letting you out either, we are going home!" Joe said looking at her.

"No, you are going home and I'm going back to the Palace! You think I fall into bed so easily well lets see how you like sleeping alone!" She snapped.

"Clarisse?" He said and reached over to touch her hand.

Turning her glare back towards him she hissed between her teeth "Don't even think about touching me, you have lost that privilege!" She said folding her arms "Drop me off at the Palace, I'll send Pierre or Charlotte for my things." She said turning to stare out the window, reaching up she brushed the tear away that had slipped from behind the mask she now wore to protect herself from the one person she thought she would never need to wear a mask with.

Driving the rest of the way in silence, pulling up outside the Palace Clarisse jumped out the car and rushed towards the steps as Joe got out the car.

"Clarisse?" He called after her and noticed Pierre stood at the top of the steps.

"Mom? What's wrong?" He asked and watched her rush straight passed him and through the door, slamming it behind her "What did you do?" He exclaimed as Joe made his way over to the steps.

"Can you please ask her to come out and see me?" Joe asked.

"Dad, you got no chance." He said and watched him start to walk up the stairs while rubbing his hand across his face "If I were you, I would stop right there you know confronting her now will only make matters worse. I don't know what's happened, but I am sure I will find out soon enough. But right now all I know is you clearly have upset Mom and clearly she wants and needs time to process whatever this is about." Pierre said staring at Joe "And if you think I'm going to walk into the lion's den to bring her to you, then you have another thing coming! You know she will come to you once she has calmed down to think rationally." He said turning his head slightly when he heard the door open.

"What's going on?" Shades asked.

"Nothing Shades, it's fine." Pierre said and looked back at Joe "If I were you, I would leave now." He said looking at him while folding his arms.

Both Pierre and Shades stood watching as he turned and started walking down the stairs, leaving moments later.

Later that evening, Clarisse gathered herself together as she stood in front of the full length mirror, regally squaring her shoulders as she slipped her Queen mask back on before going to confront her husband about the events from earlier that day.

Pulling up outside the house, Pierre turned the engine off and looked over at his Mother as she looked down at her hands with a sigh.

"Did you want me to come in with you?" He whispered, watching as she slowly looked up at him.

"No, I need to do this alone." She said and looked out the front window at the house "I shouldn't be too long though." She added and undone her belt.

"Take your time, I ain't going anywhere." He said watching her as she opened her door and climbed out.

Standing at the front door of her house she debated with herself as if she should knock or just enter, deciding that she should knock she waited. Her heart beat quickened as she heard his foot steps drawing nearer.

Opening the door Joseph took a step back when he saw Clarisse standing on the other side. "You do realize this is your house and you don't need to knock, right?" He asked seeing Pierre's car parked in the driveway.

"It just felt wrong to walk in." She said looking at him.

"Clari, I am sorry about today." He said stepping out of her way to allow her to enter and closed the door behind her.

"Is anyone else here?" She asked, looking at him as she made her way through to the living room.

"No, the girls left when I arrived home...I guess they thought it was safer to stay out of my way tonight." He said putting his hands in his pants pockets as he followed her.

"Okay," She said nodding and looked at him "We need to talk about earlier." She said as she sat on the sofa.

Walking to the opposite end Joseph sat giving her his full attention "What's on your mind?" He asked.

Unconsciously wringing her hands in her lap she looked up "A thousand things...but only one keeps coming back to me."

"And that is?" He asked cautiously.

"I keep thinking and wondering... if my husband... the only man I have ever truly loved after Rupert..." Dropping her gaze too look back at her hands "Thinks of me as a whore?" She said and looked back up at him.

Moving closer he reached out to take her hands but withdrew as he remembered her words from earlier "Clarisse you know that isn't true...I was upset and spoke in anger...I didn't mean it. I love you." He whispered.

"I want to believe you Joseph, I really do but I also once believed that you would never call a woman especially me what you did today." She said looking up into his eyes "It seems I don't know who you are anymore." She whispered.

"Clarisse I'm the same man that you fell in love with all those years ago, I haven't changed." He pleaded with her.

Reaching out she cupped his cheek "Yes you have, you may not realize it but you are not that man anymore."

Covering her hand with his as a tear slipped down his cheek he closed his eyes as he asked the next question "What are you trying to say Clarisse?" He said and slowly opened his eyes.

"I'm saying that if you can't trust me one hundred percent then I don't think we should be together." She said standing up "I'm going to gather a few things and head back to the Palace, you are more than welcome to continue living here." She said looking at him as he jumped up.

"Clarisse please think about this...don't leave baby." He said slowly stepping closer to her and watched as she turned her head slightly.

"My mind is made up Joseph." She whispered and looked up at him "If you don't trust me then there is no point us being together anymore." She whispered.

"Okay...fine. If you think this is best then I will find a way to cope without you but please promise me one thing... If not for me then for our children and grandchildren. And this isn't because I'm jealous but I need you to please promise me that you will not see Charlie especially not alone."

"Joseph!" Clarisse exclaimed in surprise.

"Promise me Clari! He is more dangerous than you see. Promise me please?" He pleaded.

"Okay..." She said nodding slightly "I promise." She smiled sadly at him "I promise for you, you've never been wrong about people no matter how many times I thought you may have been. So for that reason alone, I promise."

"Thank you." He said with a nod.

"I am going to get a few things." She said sadly and headed upstairs.

As she was upstairs packing a few things Joe sat in the living room, thinking over everything when he heard the front door opening. Jumping up he rushed out into the foyer thinking Clarisse was leaving, but stopped when he saw Pierre stood by the door.

"I'm sorry, I just came to check and see if everything was okay?" He asked.

"Yes, she's up packing a few things." He said and watched Pierre as he closed the door.

"I'm sorry." Pierre said and looked up at the stairs when he heard Clarisse clearing her throat.

"I'm ready." She said heading down the stairs as her cell started ringing. Answering it when she reached the bottom, hanging up moments later.

"Mom?" Pierre said stepping closer "What's wrong?" He asked putting his arm around her back as she looked up at him.

"It's my Father..." She said looking down at her phone "He's ill, we need to go to him." She whispered as Pierre and Joe looked at each other.

"I will drive you." Joe exclaimed "I know you have your car Pierre, but I know you don't like speeding."

"True." Pierre nodded as they made they're way to the door.

Leaving the house moments later, they headed to the home. Arriving an hour later only to be told they arrived to late and he had passed away a short time ago.

Sitting silently in the managers office, both Pierre and Joe sat keeping an eye on Clarisse as she had appeared to go into shock.

"Here you go Your Majesty." Hannah, the manager said putting a cup of tea down beside her and stepped back as Clarisse looked up at her.

"Can I see him?" She asked.

"Of course you can." Hannah said with a nod.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Joe asked as Clarisse stood up.

"No..." Clarisse said looking over at him for a second then looked at Pierre, holding her hand out to him.

"I'm here Mom." Pierre whispered while taking her hand, both following Hannah to Harry's room.

Stepping in the room moment later, they both stood still for a few moments before Pierre watched as Clarisse slowly stepped closer to the bed, brushing her hand over the top of Harry's head while leaning over.

"Please tell Philippe, Erica, Momma and Rupert that I love and miss them so very much." She whispered, closing her eyes as a couple tears escaped "Hug them for me too." She said breaking down and kissed his forehead.

Pierre couldn't help but let a few tears fall as he watched her sit back in the chair beside the bed as she cried, still holding onto Harry's hand. Moments later he stepped forward when he noticed a photo frame resting on his chest.

"What's this?" He asked pointing to the frame as Clarisse looked up.

"Oh this is a photo that he wanted to hold," Hannah said softly while stepping closer "He told us that when the time came, he wanted you to have it." She said looking at Clarisse "He would often sleep with it under his pillow." She added while slowly removing it from Harry's chest and passed it to Clarisse.

Taking it, she couldn't help but cry out when she saw it was a photo of them both when she was six. Covering her eyes with her other hand, she pressed the photo to her chest, unable to hold her sobs, which broke Pierre's heart.

Leaving the home an hour or so later they headed home. When they pulled into the driveway Pierre looked back at Clarisse, who sat in the back, staring out the window blankly, holding the photo against her chest.

"Mom, we are back at the house." He whispered, watching as she looked towards him "We will be back at the Palace in a short time." He said and watched as she undone her belt, slowly climbing from the car.

"Clari?" Joe said and looked at Pierre as he looked at him, both climbing out the car seconds later.

Watching as she slowly made her way up the porch as Rose opened the door, making their way over as she disappeared inside.

"What's going on?" Rose asked as they came through the door.

"Where did Mom go?" Pierre asked looking around then looked at Rose.

"Well she went upstairs," She said pointing up them as he started rushing up them "What's going on?" She asked looking at Joe as he closed the door.

"Grandpa passed away this evening." He whispered.

"Oh..." Rose said softly and looked down as a couple tears escaped her eyes.

"Where's Lena?" He asked, hugging her.

"She's up in bed." She whispered through crying.

"Okay."

Moving into the living room they waited for Pierre to come back down, not having to wait long before he did.

"I think she's going to be staying here tonight." He said softly from the door as they both turned and looked at him.

"Where is she?" Joe asked as Rose disappeared through to the kitchen.

"She's laying up on the bed in the guest room, where Grandpa had stayed for the last two weeks." He said, trying not to cry.

"Oh..." Joe said walking over to him "Listen Pierre, I know things today between your Mother and I, aren't really that good but I want you to know I will look after her. You know that, right?" He asked.

"I do..." Pierre whispered "Thank you."

"I'm here for you too, you know that right?" He said stepping closer, giving him a hug as he nodded.

"Thanks Dad." Pierre whispered stepping back "Just please make sure she's okay, and call me if she needs me." He said staring at him.

"I will, don't worry." Joe said.

"Thanks." Pierre nodded.

After Pierre left and Rose went to bed, Joe headed up to check on Clarisse. Finding her still laying on the bed, her eyes closed and clinging to the photo that was given to her earlier. His heart broke at the sight before him, walking slowly over he lent over and kissed her forehead.

"I'm here for you if you need me." He whispered and stepped back "I love you." He added and turned towards the door, walking out as Clarisse slowly opened her eyes, letting the tears fall once again as all her emotions took hold.