"Good morning, darling! How did our guests spend the…"
"Shhh. We've got company…" Said Helena, looking at the reporters.
"CNN? Why?" George said. "Did anyone…"
"I don't think so, but I already tell Clarisse. We must hide then the best we could. I like them! I really do."
"So do I, dear. I keep an eye on the CNN guy's. but, first, can your beloved husband have a nice breakfast, please, please, please?"
"Well… Yes! But just because of your puppy eyes." Said Helena and kissed him.
"Look! They gone. I must tell Clarisse right now. They stuck in the room for near two hours. I call them."
Clarisse was lying on Joseph shoulder. Her eyes closed, her fingers caressed Joseph chest. Joseph wrapped his arm around her waist and smile at her…
"Did you ever stay in bed, completely dressed, until lunch time?" said Joseph, rubbing her back. Clarisse opened the eyes…
"No!" She said nuzzling is neck. "And, to be honest with you I'm quit surprised at me… This is wrong… We…"
"Are you regretting last night, Clarisse?"
"No! But…" She sat in the bed, without look at him.
"I see…" Joseph raised up from the bed and walk forward the window.
"So, do you want me to apology?"
"Joseph! What are you talking about?" She rose too and stood behind him.
"Joseph…" She grabbed her arms around his waist and kissed his back, his shoulders… softly… with tenderness. Then is neck… And nip his ear… Joseph caught his breath and closed his eyes. With one hand, she caressed his bare chest, the other goes under the waistband pants… her nails feel the skin under his boxer's.
"Ho, God! Clarisse…" He was mad with desire…
"I'm yours, Joseph! How can I regret last night? You made me feel so young, so beautiful, desirable, you made me feel like a woman! I love you! I love you with all of my heart. But I can't forgot how am I. I can't forgot Amelia! And I can't promise you nothing… This is all new for me, dear. No one ever love me like you do!" Joseph turn around and without a word, kissed her passionately. She grabbed her arms around his neck. And the telephone rings… Damn… If they don't look, maybe he stop… another ring…
"Well… I think I should answer…" Clarisse walk to the telephone, but Joseph never let her go… his arms around her waist, his lips on hers…
"May I walk with you, Your Majesty?" said Joseph, between kisses.
"My pleasure…!" Clarisse turn in his embrace to pick up the phone and Joseph started kissing her neck.
"Yes… Ho. Hello again Helena. We're fine, thank…" Joseph grabbed her breasts… "mmm… you! I'm sorry, I'm… I'm with an headache and… well, thank you. We go downstairs in an hour…" And hang up…
"Joseph, how could you do this to me? You're crazy! It's Helena and she… heard me…"
"I can't help myself… You're so sexy in my shirt… I want you, Clarisse! I want you now!"
"Ho my… No, not now…" He unbuttoned her shirt… He filled his mouth with her breast and he sucked… Clarisse couldn't think…
"Joseph… we… they… Ho my God! I'm… Joseph, stop it… please." He looked at her, surprised.
"What's the matter, darling?"
"You are driving me insane… And Helena and George are expecting us for lunch. It's that ok with you?"
"Of course, darling!" He drop another kiss in each breast and with a very serious face said:
"I'm so sorry, my beloved breasts, but my beloved queen wants lunch and I can not deny her anything! She's the love of my life and I wish to spend every seconds with her!" Clarisse burst into laughter.
"So, came along. We have only less than an hour, but tonight… I'm all yours, my love!"
They went down warily and slink into the restaurant. A waiter led them to the table.
"Joseph, I think we should talk… about us."
"Now?"
"No, dear. Later. Don't you think? I don't want to hurt you! I can't lose you, I need you so much, but my situation…" He grabbed her hand and kissed her.
"My darling, please… We talk about it later. I love you, Clarisse. And spend this days with you, it's a dream… a miracle! You are my life!"
Clarisse touch is check with her hand and kissed him fully in the lips. Seconds later, Helena and George joined then and they were caught into an passionate kiss. Joseph smiled but Clarisse blushed. The lunch lasted nearly two hours and the four friends were increasingly connected to each other.
"We have a little boat. Do you want sailing this afternoon?"
"Yes, thank you. We'll love it so much."
"So, let's pick some sun glasses, hats and sunscreen." Said Helena and she and Clarisse have left the restaurant. Joseph was very uncomfortable leaving Clarisse alone, but his senses said he can trust Helena and George.
Then minutes later, the lady's joined the man and leave.
Joseph and Clarisse walking hand in hand when is phone rang.
"Yes? Hello Isabel. How are you? What's the… Isabel?" Joseph stop and so did the others. Clarisse leaned against him.
"Isabel, talk to me. Where is mama? What? She… Isabel, dear, calm down please." Clarisse squeezed his hand. Helena and George looked at each other without a word.
"I see… Where is Miguel and Laura? I talk to you later, my dear…" He hang up and a tear rolled down is face.
"Sweetheart… Tell me…"
"It's my mother, Clarisse! A drunk driver hit her… She's at the hospital, she's conscious but the doctors said the next 24 hours are critical… She was serious internal injuries…" Clarisse hugged him. Her hands rubbing his back.
"She's a strong woman! She's your mother! I know she will be fine! Come inside. Do you want a coffee or something strong, dear?"
"A coffee, please." Joseph seat at the couch and so did Clarisse.
A minute later George brought a tray with coffee and tea. Clarisse grabbed the Joseph's phone.
"Charlotte? Hello dear. Charlotte, I need Genovia I ready in one hour."
"Clarisse, it's no…"
"Joseph, stop it. No Charlotte. It is not everything alright. Joseph's mother ad an accident. She's at Barcelona. And keep the press out of this, please. What? Me? I will stay with Joseph, of course. Thank you, dear. Goodbye Charlotte."
"Clarisse, my dear, you're so stubborn. Please, give me the phone."
"Stubborn? Me? No! You are my best friend and I don't leave you! That's for sure!" He kissed her forehead.
"Shades? I want you to send a complete entourage of guards at the SCIAS Hospital de Barcelona. My mother is in a private room and I want her room and the others two at left and right, completely secure. Charlotte will call the director of the Hospital to arrange the details. Check all the procedures. Call me if you need anything."
"Can we do something?" Asked Helena sadly.
"Thank you Helena. Thank you both of you. I will never forget what you did for us."
"Ho Clarisse… It's so easy to be fond of you…!"
"Well, I need a favor."
"Whatever you want, Joseph." Said at the same time George and Helena.
"Can you please take us to the airport and deliver our car at the rent-a-car?
"Of course, my friend."
"I will pack our things, dear. Stay here. I not be long." Said Clarisse. Helena raise and followed her.
"I help you, Clarisse!"
Ten minutes later, they went back.
"Helena, I will give you my telephone number at the palace and Joseph mobile phone. I don't have a mobile phone and is Charlotte who answered the telephone at the palace, but you can call me, whatever you want."
"I don't know what to said… Please, call us when you know something about Joseph's mother."
"I will!"
Half an hour later, they stuck in the traffic. Joseph made a phone call and five minutes later, four cops on bikes, paving the way until the airport, leading then until the track, near Genovia I. George and Helena were speechless. The pilot, co-pilot and the other stuff, were on the floor, by the stairs, three bodyguards approached the car. One open the door to Clarisse, other fetched luggage and the other stayed still, near the car.
"Your Majesty. Sir. Genovia I is ready."
"Thank you."
Helena and George leaved the car and walk forward Clarisse and immediately the three guards approached. Joseph raise his hand and they walk back. Helena and George freeze.
"They scared me!" Said Helena with a half smile.
"I'm sorry, dear. Well, we must go, now. I will call you when we have some news of Maria. And I want you two, to visit us at Genovia."
"Clarisse, you are so sweet! I will miss you!" Said Helena.
The flight was calm and quiet. Clarisse stroked his arm. Joseph missed her touch. He want so badly be in her arms, feel the eat of her body… cuddle…
Nine hours later, the pilot announce the arrival at Barcelona.
"How are you, dear?"
"In desperately need of you!" He whisper…
"I'm sorry, dear! I wish I can hold you!"
"I know… I know!"
They arrived at the Hospital twenty minutes later. The guards are spread away. Shades is near an elevator.
"Your Majesty. Sir. This elevator is just for you. I hope you mother be better soon."
"Thank you, Shades."
Laura was the first who saw Joseph. The three brothers were in a chamber near Maria's room. She walks forward Joseph and threw herself into his arms.
"Joe! I'm so glade you can make it." Isabel and Miguel joined her and then, all the four looked at Clarisse.
"Your Majesty…" they said and bowed.
"Please, don't do it! Please. And call me Clarisse. How is your mother?"
"We don't know. All the doctors can say is 'you must wait…'" said Miguel.
"I must see her!" Joseph grabbed Clarisse hand and she's not withdrew. He smile at her.
"Come with me, please!"
"Of course, dear!" Joseph looked at her and smile. He just wanted to kiss her but… Isabel, Miguel and Laura were speechless.
"Hello, mama."
"you came!" Maria grabbed Joseph hand with tears in her eyes. Joseph sat down in a chair near the bed.
"Mama! Of course I will!"…
"I know you will, dear. I was talking to Her Majesty…" Clarisse approached the bed.
"Hello, Maria. Nice to meet you!"
"Your Majesty…"
"Clarisse. Please call me Clarisse."
"Clarisse! I'm so happy to see you here, with my son!"
"Mama…"
"Joseph, please. It's a girls talk!" She smile and touch his cheek with her hand.
"My son loves you so much, my dear!"
"I know, Maria!" Joseph jaw dropped. He was listening well? Was Clarisse talking about feelings with his mother? And Clarisse sat down on Joseph lap… He was at heaven.
"I love your son very much, Maria! But we must stay in the shadows until my granddaughter can be crowned queen… It's so hard, believe me. He's the best man I ever know!" And she kissed him fully on the lips.
"I'm so happy! My dear, you don't know how much your words means to me. I hope I can live a few years… I want to see my Joseph marriage."
"You will, my dear! I can't live without him!"
"We'll leave you, mama. It's very important for you to rest. We'll stay in the next chamber, mama. If you need something, please call me!"
"that's ok, my dear! Now, rest and take care of Clarisse. You both look like you need a nap!"
Clarisse and Joseph rose and leave the room.
"Mama is right. You both need some rest. I think the two rooms are reserved for you…"
"No, they are reserved for us. The five of us. I suppose we don't need another one. We can take shifts…" Said Clarisse.
"Of course! We think…" Said Isabel.
"Little sister, I must get some rest. Do you mind if we start first?"
"Go ahead, Joe. We're ok."
Clarisse grabbed Joseph hand and said:
"Come! Stay with me!" Joseph smile and kissed the back of her hand.
Ten minutes later, Joseph lying on his back. Clarisse head on his shoulder, her hand on his chest. With one hand, Joseph is rubbing her back and the other caress her hair.
"I love you, Clarisse!"
"I love you, Joseph!"
"And we still have to talk…"
"Yes, we do. Do you trust your brothers?"
"Yes. They will not say anything. Don't worry…"
"I'm sorry, Joseph! I'm so sorry!"
"I understand, dear! I'm a patient man. I wait forever!"
