Author's Note: I'm a little stuck on the other story- but it's still going well- but I thought that I could do this story as well… Hope you'll enjoy this story as well!
NB: The Princess Diaries belongs to Disney and Meg Cabot.
The Song Lyrics are 'The Way You Look Tonight' by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the Archbishop beamed at the happy couple standing before him. "You may kiss the bride."
He watched fondly as the two kissed- he had presided over many, many weddings in the past thirty years, but none of them tugged at his heartstrings as this wedding ceremony had. He knew how hard the couple had struggled to reach this moment, their wedding day, and how their love had buoyed them through many rocky moments in their lives. He thoroughly approved of this marriage, and knew that it would last a lifetime.
He glanced at the maid of honour and the best man, on either side of the newlyweds- both of them were beaming happily, even though even they had had no idea that this would happen. After all, the maid of honour had, until ten minutes ago, been about to marry Andrew, Duke of Kennilworth. But, as Mia smiled proudly at her grandmother and her loyal bodyguard, who was now her husband, she knew that this day was only meant for them.
Finally, Clarisse and Joe broke apart, and turned to smile radiantly at the full church of guests. No one had ever expected them to be the newlyweds- they had come to see their princess married- but the unexpected chain of events they had witnessed had put paid to that plan.
"WOOHOO!" came a delighted yell from Mia, and everyone turned to smile at her.
"You are still a tomboy in many ways, aren't you Mia?" Joe said in an undertone as Mia leaned over to give Clarisse her bouquet, and was instead pulled into a warm embrace.
"You wouldn't want me any other way, would you?" she smiled winningly over Clarisse's shoulder at him, and he only laughed.
"You deserve this, Grandma," Mia whispered gently into Clarisse's ear before pulling away and smiling into her eyes. "Joe is the luckiest man in the world."
"I'm the lucky one," Clarisse amended gently, looking from her adored granddaughter to the man she had just married, the man she had loved for so many years….
After she and Joe had made their way to the back of the church, it was tradition that the newly married couples would greet their guests as they left the church, rather than at the reception. Clarisse was feeling a little disoriented- she had been expecting to greet with Mia and her new grandson-in-law but, instead, was greeting with her new husband! Joseph, sensing her feeling, squeezed her hand encouragingly several times as they greeted the two hundred guests that had attended. All were clearly surprised at the proceedings, but most of them were clearly pleased for their Queen.
It seemed as though they were greeting guests forever but, soon enough, they had greeted the last guest, before turning to each other with a warm smile.
"Your Majesty…Joseph," she heard a voice behind her, and she turned to see the Archbishop standing there, smiling at them. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you, Archbishop," she said clearly as the Archbishop took her hand and kissed it, before shaking Joseph's hand.
"I know that the two of you deserve this! I knew all my plans wouldn't go to waste," he added with a twinkle in his eye.
"Thank you," was all Joseph could say- they had both known that the Archbishop, despite his regard for Rupert, had been a secret champion for their relationship.
"I wish you all the happiness in the world," he said, standing back and looking at the happy couple. "There's only one more thing I would like to say…" he said with a smile before leaning forward. "It's about time!"
He left them, laughing, and Clarisse watched him go with a smile, before turning to Joseph.
"So…." She began a little shyly. "What happens now?"
"Well," Joseph began casually. "Although Mia didn't get married, there is still a wedding reception to attend….but first…." He smiled at her, before drawing her into his arms and giving her a long, tender kiss. "You don't know how long I've waited to do that," he murmured huskily into her face when they broke apart.
"Mr Bonnell…I was beginning to wonder when you would do that," she replied with an almost seductive smile, and Joseph couldn't resist kissing her again.
"I love you, Mrs Bonnell," he whispered into her ear.
"I love you too, Mr Bonnell," she smiled radiantly at him. "So, I suppose it's time for us to go and celebrate our marriage!"
"Yes….Shall we?" he offered her his arm and, with a beautiful look on her face, she took it happily.
When they got to the closed ballroom doors, Clarisse stopped for a moment and took a deep breath.
"Nervous?" Joe asked gently, putting an arm around her for a moment, and she leaned her head on his shoulder for a moment, smiling absently.
"A little," she said honestly, looking at him. "I'm sure that most people in the room knew of our friendship…"
"Except Mia, which is a tribute to our discretion."
"Except Mia," Clarisse allowed with a smile. "But still…"
"I understand what you're saying- you're afraid that people aren't going to accept your marriage to me. But don't worry about other people- the only person that should matter, besides each other, is Mia- and she thoroughly approves."
She was listening to his speech with a warm look in his eyes, and she laughed when he finished, before taking his hand in hers.
"You can be quite the motivational speaker, can't you?" she smiled, but Joseph was relieved to see that she has visibly relaxed.
"Well…are you ready to meet them?"
"I'm ready when you are, Your Majesty," he said with a grin, as she discreetly nodded to the guard on the door, who banged his staff down and the doors opened for them.
"Presenting Her Majesty Queen Clarisse Renaldi, and her new husband Mr Joseph Bonnell!"
"One day," she said under her breath as they walked, arm in arm, into the room. "It won't be that- it will only be Mrs Joseph Bonnell."
"I don't think so," he teased under his breath, and she only smiled at him.
They didn't notice, but everyone was watching them delightedly- although their marriage had been a surprise, it was clear that the Queen was very much in love with her former bodyguard. To Clarisse's surprise, however, there was a round of applause that broke their look, led by Mia, who was grinning at them from the bridal table. Instead of Clarisse sitting on Mia's left, as intended originally, Mia was now sitting next to her.
"You didn't think anyone would be happy for you, did you?" Mia teased under her breath once they were sitting down.
"No, not really," Clarisse said honestly, yet Mia was struck at how beautiful and radiant her grandmother was at that moment. She hadn't had a clue about their 'friendship' (she had heard rumors), but seeing how happy they were made her delighted.
"You two manage to keep a secret well, don't you?" she added, before turning to talk to Lily.
Clarisse looked around the room for a moment- everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, despite the fact that there was a different bride and groom.
'Will you stop worrying?" came from her right hand side, and she almost jumped before realising that it was Joseph murmuring into her ear. She turned to look at him.
"I can't help it….everything is so perfect…I'm just…"
"Stop it," he covered one of her hands with his. "You have the Archbishop's blessing, most of Parliament and, most importantly, you have Mia's blessing. There is no one else's you need or should want."
"Alright," she smiled tenderly at him. "You're right!" and she soon forgot all about what everyone else was thinking, and enjoyed her meal with her husband on one side, and Mia on the other.
When everyone was finished eating and drinking, there was a slight lull in the conversation before, next to her, Mia tapped gently on her wine glass with a knife, and stood up.
"She didn't break it this time," Joseph whispered in Clarisse's ear, and she turned.
"I taught her the correct way to tap on them," she replied with a shy smile, before they suddenly realised that everyone, including Mia herself, was looking at them.
"I know that it goes against tradition for a princess to give a speech at a wedding, especially one that was supposed to be my own but, since the bride and groom are my grandmother and Joe, I felt the need to say a few words in tribute to this wonderful couple.
I had no idea that they had been harbouring feelings for each other for many years, but I, for one, am ecstatic that they have finally proclaimed their feelings for each other in front of us all. People can often go through their entire lives without finding love, but it is truly inspiring that the bride and groom never gave up on each other, and they supported each other through many difficult times in their lives.
"It is beautiful to see how much in love they are- and I wish them all the happiness in the world…Joe, I know that you will make my grandmother very happy, and Grandma, I know that you will have all the happiness in the world with Joe. So, I propose this toast to…the bride and groom!"
She raised her glass in a toast as everyone else, standing up, followed suit.
"That was marvellous, Mia. Thank you, darling!" Clarisse, close to tears, murmured in Mia's ear when she sat down next to her again. Mia smiled brightly at her, before both of them were distracted by Sebastian, on Joe's right, stood up to make a speech.
After the speeches, there was a slight pause before Joseph slipped away from the bridal table and walked over to the DJ- although Clarisse had preferred classical music at the reception, Mia had insisted that there should be a DJ.
"After all, Grandma, we may want to dance all night- and your music isn't necessarily dancing music!" Mia had quipped cheekily, disappearing before Clarisse could think of a proper response. Clarisse smiled at the memory as she watched Joe talking to the DJ.
"I wonder what he's doing," she murmured to herself as she sipped her flute of champagne, and observed him walking back towards her. He stood behind Mia's chair, a broad smile on his face as Mia tried not to listen to their conversation.
"Would you care to have this dance?" he asked gallantly, offering her his hand, and she gave him a smile in return before taking his hand.
"I would…"
As he led her out onto the dance floor, Clarisse almost went red at the thought of hundreds of eyes on them as they danced, before the DJ distracted her with his announcement.
"And now, Mr and Mrs Joseph Bonnell will have their first dance as husband and wife." Clarisse stared at Joseph in amazement- he hadn't mentioned her title at all- before the first words of a familiar tune began to play:
"Someday……
When I'm awfully low,
And the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight…"
Clarisse listened to the song for a moment, and then looked at him, tears in her eyes, as he pulled her close to him and they began dancing.
"Our song…you remembered!"
"Of course I would remember, Clarisse. This was when…."
"We had our first kiss," she interrupted with a dreamy smile.
"And now it will be our first dance as husband and wife," he finished with a tender smiled at her. Clarisse looked at him disbelievingly for a moment.
"Husband and wife," she breathed- it was still hard to believe that they were married! After she had turned him down, only two days previously, she had wondered whether she had lost her chance with him. It had hurt so much to let him go, and it had been difficult for her maintain her calm façade with her staff…yet she knew that Charlotte had known what had gone on, as she was more helpful for the past few days. But now…she turned her face towards where Charlotte was sitting with Mia, and smiled at them.
"She looks so radiant," Mia breathed softly as they watched Joe and Clarisse dancing. "I'm so happy that they are together, although I never realised it…Did you?"
"Yes," Charlotte said, trying to choke back tears. She had never seen her employer smile like that before- she was almost glowing…it almost took one's breath away. Joseph had always been a wonderful, steadying influence on her, but now that they were officially together….
"You did?" Mia looked at her quizzically, bringing her back from her reverie. "How long has it been going on?"
Charlotte hesitated for a moment- she wasn't sure whether Clarisse would appreciate her telling their story…but, after all, Mia was her granddaughter and even the most casual observer could sense a deep history between them.
"A long, long time," Charlotte began, but then stopped as she continued to watch the happy couple dance around the ballroom. "I'll tell you later," she added but Mia, also entrance by Joe and her grandmother, wasn't listening.
"I think there are a lot of people looking at us," Clarisse said softly, a faint pink tinge on her cheeks, and Joe laughed.
"I think it's time that they finally realised that we are, officially, a couple."
"Yes," Clarisse conceded. "But I don't want to have to do a lot of publicity over this…"
"Why should we do that?" Joe looked surprised. "The Queen remarries- to her bodyguard and friend of many years, and they are very happy. End of story. We don't have to do anything that you don't want to do."
"Thank you," Clarisse beamed up at him, and touched his face with her hand.
"Don't look know, but the Prime Minister is coming over here…ah, Prime Minister! I suppose you would like a dance with my wife?"
At the mere mention of the word 'wife' both Joe and Clarisse got a delicious tremor down the length of their spine, but neither of them showed how much that word meant to them.
It was an enjoyable evening for all, especially for the bride and groom, who barely changed dance partners all night.
"You know, we may have to find other dance partners," Joe said as they enjoyed another slow dance. Clarisse wove her arms around his neck, and smiled seductively at him.
"But today is our day- we are the bride and groom, so I think we may have the right to dance with anyone we want…and I want to dance with you…and only you."
"You know, I hope this reception ends soon."
"Why?"
"Because I really want to kiss you!"
"Oh, I see…" Clarisse looked into his face for a moment, as a smile blossomed on her face.
"Give us a few minutes, and then I will be all yours!"
Clarisse led him over to where Mia and Charlotte were standing, chatting to Nicholas and Shades.
"Mia…I think it might be time for…us…" she stole a shy smile with Joseph. "To leave- how many people are still here?"
"Look around, Grandma…everyone's still here until you go! You just have to let Charlotte know, and she will do….."
"No, no…we just came over to let you know we're leaving now, but we don't want any fuss or ceremony- I'd like to just sneak out…"
A grin grew on Mia's face.
"I knew I'd have an influence on you one day, Grandma! That's fine…are you going on my honeymoon?" Clarisse looked at Joe for a moment
"We hadn't thought that far ahead- we'll discuss it later," Joe spoke up.
"But I just wanted to thank you both for everything…not only today, but…" Clarisse trailed off, unable to express her feelings to the two young women standing in front of her.
"That's alright, Your Majesty. It was an honour," Charlotte smiled shyly, before slipping away with Shades, leaving only Mia with them.
"Well…this is certainly not how I expected my wedding day to end," Mia joked, giggling, before sobering up.
"But, even though I never realised it, I'm glad that you two have got each other…" She impulsively hugged both of them before turning away.
"I'd better go create a diversion so you can sneak out….." Clarisse watched as her granddaughter disappeared through the crowd.
'I'm very proud of her," she said softly to herself as Joe took her hand.
"I know you are…and I'm proud of you too….But, one question: how are we going to get out of here without anyone noticing us…." He trailed off as everyone had suddenly turned towards the DJ- Mia had decided to try karaoke.
"Here's our chance!" she whispered, and they quickly hurried out of the darkened room- the spotlight was now on Mia.
"That was fun!" Joe exclaimed as they dashed through the halls, hand in hand. "I never realised how fun it was to try and elude people!"
"I've been doing it all of my married life- to Rupert, that is," she added hurriedly when he looked at her with a raised eyebrow. They slowed down, realising that no one would be allowed to follow them upstairs to the royal suites anyway.
"But I always enjoyed trying to do it with my security men….not that you were ever fooled," she looked over at him teasingly, and they both remembered the time she had almost slipped past him.
"It was my duty to protect the Crown," he protested, and she stopped short and turned to look at him.
"And what is your duty now?" she asked huskily, moving closer to him.
"My duty is, and always will be, to you," he replied, finally feeling free enough (despite the secret cameras, but who cared?) to pull her into his arms and kiss her. For both of them, it was the person they wanted to kiss for their rest of their lives. She beamed at him after they broke apart, realising that their lives had changed, for the better.
"That felt wonderful…" she smiled dreamily at him, before he kissed her again. "I never realised that I could ever feel like this…ever."
"Neither did I," Joseph said honestly- although he had dated other women over the years, the only woman that had meant anything to him, that he had loved, was the woman he had just married a couple of hours ago.
"The only person I wanted was married to someone else for a long time…"
"Really, who?" Clarisse pretended to look intrigued, but they both knew he was talking about her. There was a long silence as they just looked at each other, hardly daring to believe that they were finally together, after so many years of denying their feelings. Finally, Joe broke the moment.
"Let's go inside." Joseph looked at her for a moment, and smiled, thinking that he had never seen her look so beautiful as she did at that moment.
"Our suite….I could really get used to this!"
"So could I," Clarisse said warmly and, taking him by the hand, led him into their suite.