A/N: looks like it's a chapter a week for now... hopefully that will improve! Thanks to all my readers and reviewers- you all rock!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

"Mama? Papa?" the small voice repeated, now sounding a little timid before Joseph, who had tiptoed over and unlocked the door quietly the minute they had heard her voice, flung open the door and swept the tiny visitor up into his arms with a playful growl, her small shriek of delight and fear quickly replaced by giggles.

"Hello Princess," he said jovially as he walked back to his chair and sat down, his daughter making herself comfortable on his lap and leaning against his chest. "What have you been up to this morning?"

"I helped Mama with Flip's party!" she announced proudly as Clarisse watched the exchange between the dark haired little girl and her dark haired father with an affectionate smile- there had always been a special bond between them which she enjoyed seeing.

It didn't mean that he loved is other children any less or that she didn't love spending most of her waking hours with Clarisse in her study or nearby (Clarisse kept her close as she had with Phillipe, not wanting her to be alone while the others were at school, and she loved being near her mother), but Joseph and their youngest daughter were especially close and had been since the night she was born.

She had been ten days late (the only one of their children to be so) but when she finally decided to arrive, everything had happened so quickly that there had been no time to get to the hospital or for Dr Bangs to get there, so Joseph had had to step in and, with Alexandra's assistance, had delivered their third daughter himself...he had been the first to catch a glimpse of and then welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Emily Andrea Alexandra Aimee Renaldi, third princess and fifth child of the King and Queen, into the world.

Reflecting back on that night, it certainly had been a night to remember and moment neither of them would ever forget, she thought with a smile...

0000000

Two hours after they retired for the night, Clarisse awoke with a start, her face clammy with sweat and a sharp pain in her stomach receeding as she woke up properly...had that been a contraction? Could she finally be going into labour?

Not wanting to disturb Joseph just yet- from previous experience she knew it took a while before she really went into labour- she decided to lay in bed quietly until she felt it was necessary to wake him, but she was stunned when she had another pain only a moment later, a pain that was much harder and faster than she had expected, and she was feeling a little breathless once it ended.

However, still stubbornly determined NOT to wake her husband, she reclined back on her pillows and her breathing returned to normal, but when she had three pains in less than a ten minute span, she knew it was time to wake him.

"Joseph? Joseph?" she nudged him several times, pausing often to struggle through another contraction, before he finally stirred as she slowly sat up and switched on her lamp.

"What's going on?"" he mumbled sleepily as he rolled over to face her, blinking several times as his eyes adjusted to the light before he finally looked up at Clarisse and realized her expression was pain filled, her breathing heavy and, touching her hand, her skin was clammy.

"Sweetheart?"

"I think... I think I'm … in labour," she managed to gasp out as another contraction hit her, and her announcement galvanized Joseph into action with him leaping out of bed and racing towards the door, grabbing a shirt from his wardrobe as he went.

"I'll be right back... I'll get someone to organize a car!"

"Mmm..." Clarisse groaned as another pain ripped through her- she wasn't quite sure they would make it to the hospital this time...

Joseph was a little dismayed to discover, upon his return (everything was organized- the car would be waiting downstairs, the hospital and doctor forewarned, his mother had been told and their security team was organizing itself into groups, one covering and preparing the hospital before they arrived, and the other accompanying the King and Queen) that Clarisse hadn't moved from the bed.

"Come on darling," he cried encouragingly, a little panicky as he kicked off his pyjama pants and scrambled into trousers before shoving his feet into shoes.

"Everything is set for you," he said as he hurried over toher with her robe- she would hardly feel like dressing- and Clarisse managed to climb off the bed, whimpering softly, and was about to reach for her robe when she doubled over and sat back down on the bed, alarming Joseph.

"Darling, what's wrong?" he asked anxiously.

"I don't... think... we're going... to make... it to the... hospital..."

"What do you mean?" he was now even more alarmed.

"I...I'm having awful contractions... they're coming so hard and so fast... we mightn't make it... so I'll have to have... the baby here..."" she gasped, collapsing against her pillows and stretching her legs back out again.

"But... but..." Joe stammered, suddenly frightened- surely she couldn't be serious about having their baby in their bedroom, if the doctor didn't get there in time, HE could end up delivering the baby, an idea that scared him.

"Surely..."

"I don't want to risk it," she looked at him seriously before awkwardly reaching for his hand and rubbing it against her cheek. "I trust you, my love, please..." before she breathed in sharply and let go of his hand as she leant back on the pillows- another contraction had hit.

Joe, realizing that time was of the essence- the baby was on it's way- and feeling slightly reassured after Clarisse's admission, briefly considered the options before he kissed her hand and hurried towards the door, determined to do this right.

"Where are you going?" she cried- she didn't think he would disappear on her!

"I'll be right back, baby," he looked at her reassuringly. "I just need to cancel my previous instructions, get the doctor to come here, organize towels and hot water and get Mother- I think we're going to need her..."

He still wasn't completely convinced about Clarisse giving birth in their suite, but judging by the intensity of her contractions, he knew she was right- they wouldn't get to the hospital in time, and the thought of the baby, a royal princess, being born in the limousine appalled him- at least, if they stayed at the palace, she would be comfortable and the doctor would be there as soon as possible.

Sure enough, he was back five minutes later, feeling more confident- both his mother and the doctor, after he explained the situation to them, approved of the plan and were on their way- and carrying towels, the hot water arrving with Alexandra minutes later... thankfully, most of the palace staff were asleep and wouldn't see anything, something he was very relieved about.

"I... I'm sorry about all of this," Clarisse managed to gasp out as, after Joseph and Alexandra had set everything up and had agreed that Alexandra would brace her shoulders while Joseph would deliver the baby, Alexandra sat on the bed near her and the older women smiled, more than a little excited herself- her son was very nervous about what he had to do, but she was sure he would handle it and the baby would arrive safe and healthy.

"You don't need to apologize, dear, this is natural and you'll soon have another adorable child..." and Clarisse momentarily felt better before yet another contraction hit, along with the urge to push, an urge she verbalized by screaming (thankfully their bedroom was the furtherest room in the suite and none of the children would be able to hear anything), alerting Joseph to the fact that this was probably leading up to the big moment, and while he was nervous, Clarisse trusted him.

"We can do this, sweetheart," he reached up and squeezed her available hand, Clarisse shifting her focus to him for a moment. "I'M here, YOU'RE here and soon our baby will be too," he said getnly, again very glad they hadn't left the palace.

Clarisse gave him a small smile, appreciating his words and pleased that he felt more confident, but she was beginning to have doubts... somehow, giving birth at the palace didn't seem like a good idea anymore...

"Oh Joseph, I don't know..." before a pain hit her again and she was screaming again, eliciting chills from Joseph before he noticed that the baby was crowning.

There was no time to encourage her again during the brief pause in screams before, Alexandra bracing her shoulders,her screaming began again, a long, agonizing, heartbreaking shriek that seemed to last forever and then... Joseph found himself holding his newborn daughter in his hands, the baby stared at him for a moment in bewilderment before her face crumpled and she began to wail.

"How is she? Is she alright?" Clarisse asked hoarsely from the bed, exhausted and drenched in sweat, and he grinned up at her as he gently wrapped her in a towel.

"She's fine, darling... absolutely perfect."

"Indeed she is," someone agreed from behind and Joe turned to see Dr Bangs step into ther oom, accompanied by two nurses. "And her father did a good job delivering her."

0

Less than an hour later, it was hard to believe what had transpired in the bedroom as Joseph and Clarisse re-settled in bed- the only indication that Clarisse had given birth was the pink crib resting beside Clarisse's side of the bed, a tiny newborn dark haired bundle fast asleep inside, her proud parents watching her sleep from their freshly changed bed. The doctor hadn't forced them to go to hospital- the baby was happy and of a healthy weight and there were no complications- although he said he would visit in a few days to ensure all was well with mother and child, and they were relieved about that, before Clarisse turned over to look at her husband.

"I'm proud of you," she said simply, reaching over and caressing his cheek- she was exhausted and a little sore (her throat especially) but before she fell asleep, she wanted Joseph to know how proud she was of him. "I know you didn't expect this happen but we got through it together..."

She had had doubts about giving birth but she had trusted Joseph implicity, and he had been wonderful, so wonderful...

"I'm proud of you too," he tapped her nose playfully and tenderly. "Again you've proved that women can do anything, not that I've ever doubted you..." he added hastily and she laughed quietly.

"So can you... now you can add midwife to your resume- King during the day and midwife at night," she teased and he chuckled ruefully and also softly so that he didn't wake the baby.

"That could work...although I can just imagine what certain members of parliament would say... or how they would look if they found out what happened tonight!"

Clarisse chuckled along with him before shifting again to check on the baby and then settling back into bed, resting her head against his shoulder and he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"She's so beautiful... the children are certainly going to be srurpsed tomorrow morning..."

"Yes they are," he agreed, mentally picturing Phillipe's face. "But I'm sure they'll be happy to meet Emily..."

"Mmm... Princess Emily Andrea Alexandra Aimee Renaldi," she smiled sleepily at the words before her eyes began to close- she needed some rest before the baby needed her feed and then the children found out about their new sister...

0

As it turned out, the children came racing in just as the baby was being settled back in her crib after her first bath (Clarisse wanted to keep the baby close for a little while, as she had with the others when they were newborns) and they all froze in the doorway watching, with wide eyes, as their mother sat back on the bed with the tiny bundle, Joseph standing beside them seconds later.

"What's that, Mama?" Phillipe pointed to the baby and Clarisse smiled radiantly as she shifted Emily slightly, moving her onto her shoulder so that they could see her face.

"This is your new little sister, Emily," she announced as Joseph joined her on the bed, sitting on her other side so that he wasn't blocking the children's view of her.

"A little sister... yay!" Claire and Grace squealed, racing over and kneeling on the bed to get a closer look at their new sister.

"She's so tiny!" Clarie said in wonder.

"She'll grow quite quickly," Clarisse laughed ruefully as the baby opened her eyes a crack, regarded the two strange faces sleepily for a moment and then closed her eyes again.

"Can I hold her?" Grace asked, moving even closer so that she and the baby were almost nose to nose.

"Not at the moment, darling, she's just about to go to sleep but you can when she's awake..."

"And a little older," Joseph added- she WAS only hours old, but it would be better if she was evena few days older.

"When did she come?" Pierre asked curiously, moving slowly towards them while Phillipe remained where he was, his arms crossed and frowning.

"Last night," Joseph said after exchanging a glance at Clarisse- this conversation could go somewhere they didn't want it to go just yet- but Pierre only nodded before joining his sisters in watching the baby as Joe glanced casually over to where Phillipe was standing, looking sulky.

"Come on over, Flip, and meet your baby sister," he said amiably, standing and walking over to where he was standing- maybe he was feeling a little shy- but as soon as he touced his shoulder, the little boy exploded, shrugging off his father's hand.

"NO! I don't want to meet a girl! Girls are dumb!" he shouted before he ran back through the suite and slammed the main door as he left, startling the baby who began to wail, and her other siblings jumped away from Clarisse, looking slightly frightened.

"It's alright, she's a little startled," Clarisse said quickly, rocking the baby before Joe stepped in.

"Okay, let's go outside and have some fun... AFTER we find your brother," he rolled his eyes at Clarisse before the threesome followed their father out of the bedroom, the twins turning and waving as they left, and Clarisse let out a sigh of relief- Phillipe's reaction was what she had expected, but all in all, the first introduction had gone rather well...

0000000

Present:

"What's wrong, Mama?" she suddenly heard and she looked up to see Joseph and Emily watching her- Emily had her mother's blue eyes and sweet smile, but she was also very much like her father.

"Nothing's wrong, darling," her mother smiled brightly, now back in the present. "I was just thinking..."

"About what?" Emily looked curious and Clarisse shrugged, although still smiling.

"I was thinking about when you were born and we introduced you to your brothers and sisters."

"Flip was mad," she giggled- she had heard the story before.

"No, he was just a little surprised," Joseph amended, although she was right- Phillipe had been furious about not having a little brother and had avoided Emily and thus his mother for several weeks, hurting Clarisse terribly, but he had finally softened when the little girl had smiled at him and now, nearly four years later, he adored her as much as the others did.

"But he likes me now, doesn't he?" she looked from one to the other anxiously before sliding off her father's lap and running over to her mother- a comforting hug from Mama would help and Clarisse smiled as she enfolded her tiny daughter onto her lap and into her arms.

"Of course he does, darling girl- you all get along so well, I'm glad and Papa and I fear that you wouldn't be able to tear you apart," and it was true- the four older siblings had always been as thick as thieves, but they were all fiercely protective about their baby sister and always made the effort to include her in their games and intrigues, for which their parents were very, very grateful.

"You would," she looked at her earnestly, not understanding that Clarisse was teasing. "You and Papa would be able to tear us apart..."

"We're just glad you're all healthy and happy," Clarisse said smoothly as Emily snuggled up to her. "If you all get along, that's what we want."

"As long as you let us play with you sometimes," Joseph added with a grin and Emily nodded enthusiastically as she turned back to her father.

"We do... I do!" she cried- her parents, along with her siblings, made up her little world and she couldn't imagine them not being with her.

"That's good to hear," her father teased and she grinned thist ime, having got the joke, and there was a comfortable silence between the three of them, a silence Clarisse hated to break when she glanced at her watch and noticed that it was an hour before the boys would arrive home, followed by Phillipe's guests half an hour after that.

Before she could say anything, however, his assistant walked almost timidly into the room- he knew how important it was for the King when he spent time with his wife and children.

"I'm sorry to disturb, Your Majesties and Your Highness... but you are wanted on the telephone, Your Majesty," he bowed apologetically at Joseph before walking back outside and Joseph stood with a sigh, shooting a regretful look at his wife and daughter.

"I'm sorry, I need to go..."

"It's okay, Daddy," Emily said with a sweet smile. "You need to be King for a while... don't forget Flip's party," she added sternly as she and her mother stood up, hand in hand, and headed towards the main doors of Clarisse's study.

"I won't, Em," he said just as solemnly as he walked with them before kissing her tiny cheek and then kissing Clarisse lightly on her lips. "I'll be there... I've promised... and I'll see you both soon," he shot Clarisse another regretful look before disappearing down the hallway to his own study while his wife and daughter, Emily chattering away happily, left to make sure that everything was ready...

Phillipe, at ten, was less fussy than he had been at five or six and would be happy with whatever had been planned, but Clarisse wanted it to be perfect, and she was sure it would be...

000

Sure enough, the party was a marvellous success and the birthday boy himself was very happy with everything his parents ("mainly Clarisse," Joseph had said modestly) had organized, pausing at one point to hug Clarisse gratefully- at 10, he was still a little shorter than Clarisse, but she surmised that he, like his brother, would soon have a growth spurt.

"Thank you Mama- this is the best birthday ever!"

"I'm glad, sweetheart," she said simply before he dashed off again, distracted by his friends- one of the nicest things about these parties (and even when their friends visited occasionally) was that while the adults/children's parents were daunted by their surroundings and the realization that the parents of one of their children's friends were the ruling monarchs (a situation that Joe and Clarisse tried to downplay as much as they could), the younger generation simply didn't care, which was good for the children- they were, as far as Joseph and Clarisse were concern, still children who happened to be born royal.

"This is a great party!" she suddenly heard from behind her as she watched the children race around the garden (she could see Alexandra trying not to wince whenever one of the children raced through one of the rose bushes), a clown entertaining the younger set (the twins and Emily had friends over as well, although Emily, at only three, had few friends but her older sisters were more than happy to let her tag along with them), and she turned to see Charlie walking towards her.

"I wish I could give our kids something like this!" he joked as he joined her and Clarisse laughed.

"I'm sure you would, Charles, but I know they enjoy what you and Marion organize... and, you have to admit, they're parties aren't too simple either!" she joked.

They were still very good friends with James and Charlie and their families- in fact, they were probably the closest to the King and Queen and everyone knew that- and there were times when they shared each others lives and occasional holidays together ("and palaces" Charlie joked- he especially loved coming and staying at either the palace in Pyrus or the Winter Palace) and the children all got along very well together.

While James and Lisa still had the three boys, Charlie and Marion had expanded their family nearly a year after Emily was born, with yet another daughter ("it's my destiny to be surrounded by women!" Charlie had joked, although they all knew that he was pleased with three happy children- he had learned his lesson well after separating from Marion for nearly a year)- Jessica- and the two little girls were happy playmates, although Jessica was slightly shyer than Emily.

There had been no more serious talk of setting up the children for future matches- Clarisse, as well as the other two women thought it was slightly ridiculous- but Charlie knew how to tease and he occasionally let a hint slip, although everyone usually ignored him.

All in all, Clarisse was very happy that they were still in their lives- as royalty, they were usually so well protected that it made it hard for them to be able to have a circle of friends, but they had managed to gather together a group of people that they knew that they could implicitly trust (and knew that they wouldn't sell any stories about them, although Joseph was still her best friend and she knew he felt the same way about her.

"True, too true... but this one is amazing... I don't know how you're going to top it when he's 16, 18 or 21!"

"I'm not thinking too far ahead!" Clarisse laughed ruefully- she couldn't believe that her firstborn, Pierre, was nearly twelve, Phillipe was ten, the twins were nearly eight and Emily was four in July... time had literally flown by so fast... "Although I'm sure Joseph will have some plans for those other birthdays!"

"Oh, will I?" they heard his voice behind her before she felt his arm slide around her waist. "Will I be planning their parties when they hit those ages, my darling wife?"

"I'm sure you'll have plenty of ideas... although I don't knowwhether you can remember your eighteenth or twenty firsts... all I know was that they were two great nights!" Charlie roared with laughter as Joe frowned momentarily- sometimes Charlie was just too much, he didn't need reminding of what he had been like then, although Clarisse didn't look bothered- in fact, she looked interested.

"Really? Well, I'm sure they were probably more interesting than my sweet sixteen or twenty first..." she looked thoughtful- while most of the memories of her childhood were fading (even more so since her mother had mellowed and their relationship was somewhat less fractious), there were times when she still remembered how lonely she had been, how she had had to be the perfect young lady, being groomed to marry someone terribly important...

She was glad that they had had five children, and that the girls were as stymied by tradition as she had been, although they would have sound boundaries and grooming eventually- but, at the moment, she was happy for them to enjoy normal (or as normal as could be for princesses), happy childhoods...

"However," she continued after a moment, shaking of the moment of reflection. "Phillipe seems to be enjoying himself quite well...and the others seem to be having a good time..."

"They'll all be in bed very early tonight, I'm sure," Joseph joked- he had seen her drift off momentarily and made a note to ask her about it later- and the other two laughed along with him.

"You're hoping," she joked in a low voice and his only response was to squeeze her waist a little tighter before Clarisse glanced at her watch- everything, while seeming casual and at ease, was on a schedule (it had to be, the palace staff had other duties to do, and the party was just an additional responsibility), and it was almost time for the cake to come out. The chef had made the cake- as he had in previous years- and this year it was in the shape of a large soccer field, as Phillipe's latest obsession was soccer.

"If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I need to go and see about this cake..." she said as she extricated herself from Joseph's grip and moved in the direction of the palace- she couldn't wait to see Phillipe's face.

"She's quite a woman, your wife," Charlie said when she was out of earshot and Joseph nodded.

"Yes she is- wife, mother, Queen- but so is yours..."

"She is... thank goodness she took me back," Charlie looked sober for a moment- that year had been the worst time in his life and he knew he had made a big mistake.

"She would have, she's known you quite a long time," Joseph said sympathetically. "I couldn't be married to you, though... you're just too much at times," he joked, trying to ease the atmosphere and Charlie grinned back at him.

"I wouldn't have wanted to be stuck with you either...you're no charmer yourself..."

"My wife wouldn't agree with you on that score...or my daughters..."

"Only because they're all under your spell... but you've always had that way with women..." Charlie teased and Joseph had the grace to look embarrassed- it hadn't bothered him at the time (in fact, he had liked all the attention he had got from women), but now it was different and he hoped that there was no dark secrets that would emerge from his past, although he had been completely honest with Clarisse... Clarisse didn't deserve to be humilated or embarrassed, he loved her too much for that...

Before his introspection could go too far, he heard cheers and screams from down in the garden, and he looked down to see Clarisse, helped by one of the kitchen staff, carrying Phillipe's cake down to the table where all the children were congregated.

"Looks like the cake's finally here... and it looks great!" Charlie commented as they strolled down towards the rest of the crowd.

"Yes, the chef is very clever..." before he moved to join Clarisse standing behind Phillipe, Pierre and the girls surrounding him and as they sang 'Happy Birthday' to him, the boy enjoying all the attention, he and Clarisse exchanged a glance- while their lives were full and challenging with their duties and responsibilities, it was times like these that made them appreciate what was important in their lives- their children, their friends and each other...