Disclaimer: I do not own the PD's. They belong to Meg Cabot and Disney. I only own the storyline.

Broken Glass

It had been four months since Joe and Clarisse's wedding in the cathedral. Princess Mia had not married but had succeeded in her claim of the throne. The coronation had been a week after her almost-wedding day. Joseph stood beside Clarisse and she just gave him a sweet smile during the whole ceremony.

Joseph had been to the security room almost every once a week to check on things since his retirement. He had just gone to, now, and is going to the library to study the new security measures the new Head of Security, Shades, had just given him.

He was passing their suite when he heard the crashing of glass to the floor. He went inside the suite and looked for his wife, worried.

"Clarisse?" he called out her name. Moving more towards the bedroom, he heard sobs. He quickened his paces. Upon seeing his wife on the bedroom floor beside their bed, he moved in to her closer. "Clarisse!"

"Joseph, I… I…" Clarisse, with teary eyes, looked from her bloody hands and up to her husband who was almost running to her.

Just as Joseph took hold of Clarisse, Charlotte came in to give papers to the former Queen of Genovia. She found them sitting on the floor and was shocked to see Clarisse's hands with blood.

"Your Majesty!"

"Charlotte," Joseph faltered but continued racing with his breath, "get the doctor, quickly!" Upon hearing this, Charlotte ran out of the room to the palace clinic.

Joseph tried to stop the tears that were coming down Clarisse's face. He helped her up and led her to the bathroom. He washed her hands under the running water of the bathroom sink, with utmost care, tenderness and concern. He, then, led her back to the bedroom and made her sit on the right side of the bed. Sitting beside her, he tried to ask her some questions.

"Clarisse, my dear, are you ok?" She nodded. "What happened?" Joseph could only inquire.

"Joseph, the glass broke, it… it fell from my hands. I got dizzy and I accidentally let go of it to support myself but followed to the floor. I don't know what happened next… My hands, there was… blood…" Clarisse was confused and utterly shocked by what just happened. She leaned on her husband and started to cry once again.

"My love, Shssssh… Stop crying, now. It's all going to be ok. The doctor's coming. You'll be alright, I promise. Shssssh…" Joseph comforted her wife and tried to tell her the gentlest words he can.

In less than a few more minutes, the doctor came in and examined Her Majesty's condition. Joseph had told him what his wife had told him moments ago. The doctor smiled at Clarisse.

"Your Majesty, you're experiencing stress. I suggest that you take the rest of the day off today and the whole day off tomorrow. You will need to rest or else it would become worse." The doctor gave her a reassuring smile and she smiled back. He, then, took Joseph to the living room to talk to him about a few instructions and medications for his wife.

Joseph returned to the bedroom and sat beside Clarisse.

"Clarisse, do you want me to get something for you? Are you hungry? Do you--" Joseph stopped as Clarisse put her finger on his lips to silence him. She smiled.

"I'm fine… But I do want something, now…" she smiled and, then, grimaced as she felt the pain in her hands.

"Tell me, please," he asked, concern covering his face.

"Stay…" she said. Joseph smiled at her.

"Of course, I will. I always will." With that, he kissed her temple and sat beside her. He leaned against the headboard and embraced his wife. Clarisse settled with her head on his shoulder and his hand stroking her back gently to lull her to sleep. "Sleep, my love…"

Clarisse woke up with no sunlight on her face. She noticed the clock and it read 2:30. She realized she had shifted from her position earlier that day. She turned and found Joseph asleep. He was still sitting and leaning against the headboard. Clarisse smiled at the thought that he had been there, always there, for her.

She sat up and woke up her husband beside her, without making any sound with her movements. Joseph awoke and was surprised to see his wife smiling at him.

"Clarisse? Was there anything you needed? Should I get--" She silenced him again by putting a finger on his lips. She gesture for him to lie down beside her and he did so.

Clarisse wrapped herself around Joseph. Her head was resting on his chest and his hands were on her back and on her waist, holding her in a tight embrace. She looked up and met his gaze in the moonlight. Joseph was more than pleased to see this view again. He had always loved that sweet look of hers. Clarisse smiled at him and without knowing, their lips had met, brushing each other with tender and loving kisses. Yet soon, the kisses became deeper and more passionate. It was like this before they broke the lock. They stared at each other, admiring the glow that the moonlight had lit up on them.

"I love you…" Clarisse gave him a smile to punctuate the sentence. Joseph smiled back at her.

"I love you too…" He ended the sentence with a gentle kiss.

They again wrapped each other in a loose embrace, with Clarisse's head still resting on his chest. They lulled each other to sleep, while the first drops of sunshine had showed itself unknowingly to all.

this is not the end!!! i will try to update as soon as possible! 3