Well here we are everyone, the sequel to In Sickness and In Health, and another series to Clarisse's, Rupert's and Joseph's journey through the years. Thank you all so much for following, reading and leaving such wonderful reviews on all the chapters that I have wrote for this series so far. I really really appreciate it!

Anyhoo, without further ado, here's the first chapter for you all...


Plus One - 6th February 1981.

It had been a year, almost, since Rupert had moved back into his old suite and still sometimes Clarisse woke with a sense something was missing. It was odd, after so many years, to wake alone, but these days she knows there is no way she'd go back to sharing her bed with him. The space beside her now is meant for Joseph only, but dwelling on that only causes her pain, regret, so she does what she always does and rushes into her day.

After a quick shower, her maids helped her to dress, tidy her hair, apply her make-up. And then to breakfast with Rupert and Pierre in her suite, who will be heading back to the palace later that day; while they remain at the winter castle - Rupert had insisted they reside there during his recuperation; with his childhood years mostly being spent there she suspected there was a degree of comfort to be taken from it.

Smiling now as she walked across her suite to the breakfast table, Clarisse watched as her husband and their son both rose to their feet to greet her. "Good morning," she smiled, placing her hand on her husband's shoulder and reached up to kiss his cheek.

"Good morning," Rupert said, watching as she kissed Pierre's cheek. "How did you sleep?" He asked.

"Quite well actually," Clarisse nodded and smoothed one hand back and forth across the belt of her trousers apprehensively a couple times as she walked around to her chair at the other end of the breakfast table, opposite her husband, and sat down. "Even though I still feel extremely tired."

"Must be with all what's been going on," Pierre suggested as he and his father sat back down and watched his mother open a napkin and place it in her lap. "It's drained you physically."

"Could be, yes," Clarisse nodded and looked up at them before picking up the teapot, "I'm sure a lovely cup of tea will help. But anyway.. what about you both, how did you sleep?"

"Still not that great, but it's getting better," Rupert nodded and watched her closely as she placed the teapot back down on the table and stirred a lump of sugar in the tea she just poured herself before looking up at their son.

"Yep, I slept like a log actually," Pierre smiled and sipped his tea.

"Good," Clarisse smiled and picked up her teacup, holding it in both hands in front of her, "what time do you have to leave, Pierre?" She asked and took a sip of her tea.

"Later on this morning," Pierre answered, "I thought, if you're not too busy that we could take a walk together before I leave? Take fathers new pup, Winter, out with us."

"Yes, that'll be lovely," Clarisse smiled while placing her teacup back down on the table. "I have a few things that I need to do first, but that won't take me very long."

"Okay, just let me know when you are finished," Pierre smiled as his mother nodded. Turning his head, he looked at his father. "What about you, father? Are you going to join us too?"

"If you don't mind, I'll sit this one out," Rupert said and watched as Clarisse looked up at him.

"What is it? Are you feeling okay?" Clarisse asked, her voice full of concern for her husband.

"Yes," he nodded, "with it being a bit wet and cold out there this morning, I think it best I remain inside. But please, don't let me stop you both from going out and enjoying your walk."

"Alright," Clarisse said and watched as he picked up his teacup and took several sips. "Probably for the best," she placed her hand over his other hand resting on the table, "we need to keep you in the best of health."


Sitting at the desk in her office later that morning, Clarisse signed her name on one of the many documents she had in front of her, before moving onto the next one when her aide, Sasha, knocked and carefully pushed open the door with her foot, the dispatch box in her hands - filled with more official documents for the Queen to work through. Looking up, Clarisse smiled. "Good morning, Sasha."

"Good morning, your majesty," Sasha smiled as she walked over to the desk and stood beside it. "This just arrived from the palace for you," she said while putting the box down on the end of the desk.

"More official papers I assume," Clarisse said as she placed her pen down on top of the latest document she was reading and slipped off her glasses.

"Yes, and your mail from the palace too," Sasha smiled, "oh, and the guest list for his highnesses engagement party, your majesty. They asked if you could check it over."

"Oh yes, Philippe mentioned that he wanted me to give it the once over," Clarisse said as she stood to her feet and moved to stand beside her assistant. "Is there anything from Joseph?"

"Not yet. I'm sorry, your majesty," Sasha said with a shake of her head and watched as the Queen took a deep breath.

"It's okay," Clarisse nodded and lifted the lid from the box. "Maybe there might be something tomorrow."

"Maybe," Sasha nodded as the Queen lifted a folder containing the engagement party guest list, that was sitting on the top of all the other papers, out of the box. "Will there be anything else, your majesty?"

"No, that will be all, thank you," Clarisse said as she moved to sit back in the chair behind her desk while placing the folder down in front of her and slipped her glasses back on, "actually no," she suddenly said and looked up at her aide, "I just remembered there is something else. Could you please let Pierre know that I'll be ready to go for our walk in about twenty minutes?"

"Of course, your majesty," Sasha smiled and bowed her head before walking over to the door.

"Thank you," Clarisse said while opening the folder on her desk and momentarily glanced at the list, scanning the top few names - Harry, Sabrina, Joseph... plus one. The very thought of him made her heart stop and lurch, it seemed an eternity since their night together and still she couldn't bring herself to reflect on it for too long or the tears would fall. Instead she remained facing forwards, focussed on her daily tasks, her royal role.

A plus one though, the actual physical evidence that he might potentially move on, that he might find someone to fill the void in his life she had left. After all, she had made her own choice (not that she ever really had one) and that had been made firmly clear when she'd remained with Rupert. But the thought of Joseph being with another woman, loving another woman, that cut deep.


Walking along the pathway leading away from the castle and through the gardens with her eldest son, Clarisse watched as he chucked the ball for the new addition to the family, Winter, to excitedly chase after. "That was a good idea of yours, getting your father a puppy to keep him company during his recuperation," Clarisse smiled as the puppy bounced about playfully in front of them. "It's given him something to focus on."

"I thought so too," Pierre smiled at the puppy ahead. "But you have no idea how nervous I felt on the drive here, I was so worried that I had made a mistake by getting him the puppy." He said and looked at his mother as she laughed.

"Yes, I will admit when you told me that you had got him the puppy I was a bit apprehensive," Clarisse smiled as she turned her head to look at him, "but the moment your father saw him bounding into the room his face lit up, so we needn't had worried."

"I know, thank god," Pierre nodded in agreement while looking down at the floor as they continued to walk along the pathway together. "Can you believe that this is the first time since my arrival on Monday that we have been alone."

"I know," Clarisse nodded as they both came to a stop, "it certainly has been a busy week."

"It has," Pierre said while bending over to pick up the ball and threw it for the puppy once again before looking back at his mother. "Actually, come to think of it. I think this is the first time that we have spent anytime together, let alone alone, since New Years Day, isn't it?"

Thinking a moment as she watched Winter chasing after the ball, Clarisse realised that was indeed the last time they had spent anytime together. "Yes, I think you might be right." She said and looked back at her son as they continued on their walk.

"But wow, what a day that was?" Pierre said, thinking back to that day as he lowered his gaze to the ground. "I feel so ashamed over how I behaved, I honestly didn't take your feelings into consideration and for that I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologise," she said as she walked closer to her son and linked her arm with his. "A lot was revealed that day, you were angry and you had every right to be. And," she said as he turned his head to look at her, "I am sorry that we haven't had chance to talk about what you told me at the hospital."

"About what?" Pierre asked as he raised his eyebrow.

"About you wanting to abdicate the throne to join the church," Clarisse said softly and watched as her son nodded while looking at Winter running about ahead. "I haven't forgotten, it's just been a manic few weeks."

"Oh please don't worry, we have plenty of time," Pierre replied, "let's just focus on getting father back to full health first," he said and looked back at his mother, "talking of which, how is he privately?"

"He's been doing alright, some days have been challenging, especially those first few weeks," Clarisse said as she looked at her son, "but we are getting there."

"That's good," Pierre smiled and watched as her gaze shifted, distracted by the puppy excitedly racing ahead, "I noticed that you are wearing the necklace that he got you for an early Valentine's gift today," he said, watching as she placed her hand absentmindedly up onto her coat, where the necklace rested on her chest.

"I am," she nodded and lowered her hand, "I thought I should wear it."

"Well it made father happy, that's for sure," Pierre said as Clarisse looked back at him. "I just hope that it hasn't given him false hope, you wearing it."


Later that day, while Clarisse was occupied going over official papers in her office, Rupert stood looking out of one of the windows in the sitting room, waiting anxiously for a special visitor to arrive when suddenly the door opened. Turning, he watched as his bodyguard stepped just inside the door. "Her majesty's best friend, Lady Sabrina has arrived, your highness."

"Lovely, thank you. Please show her in," Rupert said and walked to the middle of the room as his bodyguard stood to one side, granting Sabrina entry. "Hello, Sabrina," he smiled, "its so lovely to see you again."

"And you," Sabrina smiled as she walked over to him and kissed both of his cheeks, to be polite, "I must say that you are looking much better than the last time I saw you in that awful hospital bed."

"Thank you, I am getting there," Rupert said and gestured towards the sofa, "please, make yourself at home."

"Thank you," Sabrina smiled and moved to take a seat on the sofa, as he sat down in one of the armchairs. "Does Clarisse know yet that I was coming today?"

"No, she doesn't, not yet," Rupert said and shook his head while resting his arms along the armrests as a maid knocked and entered the room. "Would you like some tea, or coffee perhaps?"

"Tea would be lovely, thank you," Sabrina nodded and watched as he smiled before looking at the maid.

"Please can you bring us some tea," he asked the maid.

"Right away, your highness," the maid said and curtsied before retreating out of the room and closing the door up behind her. "I trust you had a good flight?"

"Yes, it was today actually," Sabrina replied.

"Good," Rupert said and smiled. "Clarisse shouldn't be to long now," he said as he checked the time on his watch. "I have requested that she join me in here once she has finished."

"Alright," Sabrina smiled and glanced around the sitting room before looking back at the King. "This is a lovely castle you have, and I must say that I am rather glad you sent the car to pick me up from the airport, I would never have found this place had you not."

"You mean to tell me you have never been here in all the years you and Clarisse have been friends?" Rupert exclaimed in surprise.

"Never, not once," Sabrina said and shook her head. "I have only ever visited the palace."

"Well that really does surprise me," Rupert said and nodded slightly. "Clarisse will have to give you a tour once she joins us."

"That will be nice," Sabrina smiled. "How has Clarisse been? Is she still the same?" She asked after a moments silence.

"Yes," he nodded, "like I mentioned to you on the phone the other day, she just doesn't seem her usual self. Hasn't been for the last few weeks, she seems distracted a lot and I thought that if you came for a visit it might cheer her up."

"Of course, I'll see what I can do," Sabrina said and took a deep breath before continuing, "but like I also said to you on the phone, you may be King, but my loyalty is with Clarisse, and our friend Joseph. I am only tolerating you because you are my best friends husband. That's it."

"And I respect that wholeheartedly," Rupert said as he studied his wife's best friend a moment. "I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, but for what it's worth, I do appreciate you coming." He said and watched as she gave a small smile before turning her head to the side when the maid returned with the tea.

Meanwhile, across the castle in Clarisse's office, she heaved a sigh of relief when she finished signing the last document she had to do that day and looked up at her assistant. "All done," she smiled and looked down as she put the lid back on her pen. "Has there been any messages while I've been doing this?"

"No, your majesty. But the King has requested you join him in the sitting room for tea once you have finished," Sasha replied and watched as the Queen removed her glasses.

"Oh," Clarisse said while looking up at her assistant, "is he okay?"

"Yes, I think so your majesty," Sasha nodded.

"Alright, thank you," Clarisse nodded and rose to her feet, "I best go and make sure he's okay."

"Of course, your majesty," Sasha smiled and bowed her head.

Leaving her office, Clarisse made her way to the sitting room where her husband was waiting for her, and reaching the door just moments later, she simply knocked and walked straight in. Turning, she closed the door behind her before looking over towards the sitting area. "You wanted to see..." she said, her voice trailing off when she saw Sabrina standing to her feet. "Sabrina? This is a lovely surprise," she said as she began to walk over to her.

"Hello you," Sabrina smiled and put her arms out, embracing her in a hug.

"What are you doing here?" Clarisse asked as she pulled back just enough to look into her best friends eyes before giving her another hug.

"I invited her to visit," Rupert said as he watched them stood hugging in the middle of the sitting room, "you've been so busy taking care of me, I wanted to do something nice for you in return."

"Thank you," Clarisse said softly and moved one hand up to cover her eyes as she tried her best to keep her emotions at bay.

"Hey, are you crying?" Sabrina asked softly and pulled back to look at her. "You are crying," said nodded and embraced her in another hug. "What's the matter?" She whispered.

"I'm just so happy to see you," Clarisse replied and pulled back, "I'm okay, honestly."

"As long as you are sure," Sabrina said as she leant to the side and grabbed a couple tissues from the box sitting on the coffee table.

"I'm sure," she nodded while taking the tissues from her friend and dabbed her eyes with them, "these are happy tears."

"Alright," Sabrina said softly, knowing that Rupert was right. There was something else bothering her friend and she vowed that by the end of her visit she would find out exactly what it was. But had a sneaky suspicion that it had something to do with Joseph.

"Can you believe that Sabrina has never visited the castle before?" Rupert said and watched as Clarisse looked over at him.

"Sure you have?" Clarisse exclaimed in surprise while looking back at her friend.

"Nope, I never have," Sabrina said with a shake of her head while wrapping her arm around her friends back.

"I said that you would give her a tour, once she's unpacked and settled of course," Rupert said and rose to his feet.

"Oh absolutely, yes," Clarisse nodded while looking at him, then back to her friend, "what suite are you staying in?"

"Oh, I don't know," Sabrina said and looked towards Rupert.

"I put you in the one the other side of Clarisse's," Rupert said and smiled at Clarisse before looking back at Sabrina, "and your luggage has already been taken up."

"Oh thank you," Sabrina nodded and looked back at Clarisse.

"Come on, I'll help you unpack then we can go on a tour," Clarisse said and walked over to the door with her friend.