No characters belong to me, just a few little ideas from my imagination. Characters property of Disney Meg Cabot.
Chapter 3 (Part 2)
Clarisse's eyes fluttered open and she rolled over, her hand running over the crumpled sheets still warm and lingering with his scent before her eyes met the clock to see it was eleven. She jumped up and saw that he had rested her dressing gown on the end of the bed. She pulled on her dressing gown and climbed out of bed, padding down the stairs and into the kitchen where she saw him laying out a breakfast tray. He turned to her. 'You're supposed to be on bed rest.' he said.
'Queens do not laze about in bed all day.' she said. He smiled as she approached him and he kissed her. 'You are Clarisse, not the Queen this weekend and I am giving the orders. I believe my orders were complete rest and letting me wait on you.' he said. Joseph kissed her and she pulled him against her, but he pulled back. 'If you are to keep that strength you demonstrated last night and this morning, then you need to eat my love.' he said and she allowed him to lead her to the table. He pulled the chair out for her and kissed her cheek before pouring her tea.
They sat together and ate in near silence, but Joseph could see Clarisse was distracted. 'Clarisse?' he asked with a frown. 'Mmm?' she looked up at him.
'Are you okay?'
'I'm fine, just thinking.'
'Care to share?' Joseph asked, but as she remained silent he wondered whether the question had been a step too far. 'I was thinking...' she started. '...that this feels so good, us being normal.' she said; and Joseph took her hand. 'We have a Princess now. Who knows what the future holds?' he said. Clarisse knew deep down that there was an unspoken hope beneath Joseph's words; a hope she shared, but dare not focus on. Could they ever truly be together? Would the world ever allow them to be together? 'So what does my Queen wish to do today?' Joseph asked.
'I thought you were the one giving orders.' Clarisse said with a smile.
'I'm open to compromise.'
'We have a wonderful library here-'
'No work.' Joseph interrupted.
'Will you let me finish?'
'Of course Your Majesty. I apologise.'
'I thought we could just spend the day in there together, relaxing, reading, talking.' she said; blushing at a plan that probably sounded dull to a man of action. 'It sounds perfect.' Joseph said as he took her hand in his, running his thumb over the back of it. 'I would enjoy a hot bath first though.' she said. 'Would you like me to run the bath for you?' Joseph asked.
'Joseph, I'm a big girl. I'm sure I can manage.' she said.
'Very well. I will clean up in here and light a fire in the library.'
'Are you sure this is not too boring for you Joseph?'
'Clarisse, I brought you here to relax and that is exactly what you are going to do.' he said. Clarisse stood, kissed his cheek lightly and headed upstairs for her bath.
The day was spent exactly as Clarisse had wished; both of them sat on the sofa in front of the fire in the library, alternating between reading and talking, Joseph occasionally getting up to make them tea. At around five in the evening he left Clarisse on the sofa as he disappeared to make them something to eat; and soon she was fast asleep, only waking when she smelt the aroma of the delicious meal. She sat up and saw the table set for two, a couple of candles in its centre and Joseph pouring some wine. She stood and approached him. 'It's beautiful.' she said.
'So are you.' Joseph said as he approached and kissed her cheek.
'I must look a mess.'
'Never.'
'Do you want me to dress up?'
'There is no need. As I said; you are beautiful.' he said and pulled the chair out for her to sit down. Once she was settled, he sat beside her and offered his glass in a toast. 'To you, my Queen.' he said. Clarisse shook her head and she lifted her glass. 'No. To you, my dear Joseph, my white knight.' she said and their glasses clinked. 'White?' Joseph asked with a smile as he placed his glass down after taking a sip. 'Oh alright, black knight.' Clarisse said with a smile as she also replaced her glass and Joseph chuckled. 'Much better.' he said.
After dinner and dessert were over, Joseph escorted Clarisse back to the sofa and they simply sat together in front of the fire, drinking wine and talking, but Joseph noticed Clarisse maintaining her regal posture. 'You can relax around me Clarisse. You don't have to be so proper.' he said. She frowned and he took her glass and placed it with his on the side table before turning back to Clarisse. He turned her and lifted her knees up on to the sofa. She instinctively curled her legs under her and rested her arm on the back of the sofa, finally opening herself to him. 'Much better.' he said as he also rested his arm on the back of the sofa, touching the tips of his fingers to hers. 'Today has been wonderful.' Clarisse said.
'It has made a difference seeing you relax.'
'I feel like I'm committing the worst of crimes by doing so little.' Clarisse admitted, but Joseph held her hand in his and moved closer to her. 'Clarisse, you scared me so much the other day. I can fight the threats I see, but...' he stopped, unable to put into words the extreme feelings he had experienced at watching her grow weak and eventually collapse. 'I am so sorry my dear Joseph. It was not my intention to make your job more difficult.' Clarisse said.
'Clarisse, this is not about the job. I can handle any difficulties the job throws at me, but I cannot handle the thought of this world without you in it.' he said; and Clarisse felt herself melting at his heated words. How could he be so wonderful? How could he love her so deeply? He treated her like the most precious person, and not the institution she saw herself as.
She leant forwards and kissed his lips lightly, but as his warm hands rested against her heated skin she felt her hormones go into overdrive and all too soon this light, affectionate love was not enough. She pushed him back against the cushions of the sofa and lifted herself on top of him, their legs soon lacing as she kissed him passionately. Her fingers played with the buttons of his shirt. 'Clarisse, are you sure?' he asked between kisses. 'Certain.' she said as she slowly unbuttoned his shirt, kissing down his neck and chest, her hands reaching down to his belt. Joseph pulled her back up to him and sat up with her, shrugging off his shirt as he pulled off her cardigan and began to unbutton her blouse. Clarisse pulled her blouse free of her skirt and lifted her legs back up, slowly reclining whilst grabbing his hand and placing it against her thigh. He slowly pushed her skirt up, feeling the caress of her silk stockings against his fingertips, but Clarisse was becoming impatient; and as her skirt reached her waist, she pulled Joseph down, pressing him to her core. He saw in her eyes that she was already close and decided to relieve her quickly before stripping them both of their clothes and joining them as one. In front of the glow of the fire, snow falling outside, they made love, driving each other to pleasures and heights that neither of them had been able to do until now; they were alone finally and they were taking full advantage.
Later, they lay together on the sofa, a blanket wrapped around them. Joseph continued to place butterfly kisses to her head as he held her close. 'Darling?' Joseph asked.
'Mmm?'
'Promise me something.'
'Anything.'
'Don't run yourself into the ground like that again.'
'Oh I don't know. It might be worth it if it means more trips out here with you.' she said with a smile; and although he enjoyed hearing that she felt so passionately about them, he turned her face to his. 'Please my love. I know you love Genovia and you do so much for your people, but I will not allow you to kill yourself for them.' he said. Clarisse was touched by the genuine sadness; and could see the tears shining in his eyes, threatening to fall. She caressed his cheek. 'I promise I'll take care of myself.' she said and he softly kissed the tip of her nose.
'With my assistance I hope.' he said.
'Of course. You know I could not survive without you.' she said and kissed him again, but she quickly pulled back, her eyes twinkling as a smile played her lips. 'Again, really?' she asked.
'Well my dear, in my job it is important to have plenty of stamina.' he said cheekily.
'Joseph, take me to bed.' Clarisse said; and Joseph obliged, carrying her up to the bedroom where they again made love before falling into a restful sleep.
After a weekend full of rest and plenty of love; Clarisse was a little blue to be leaving their solitude. Their time alone had strengthened their relationship, but reinforced their realities; and never had reality hurt more. She watched Joseph's reflection in the rear view mirror for their entire trip back to the palace and before they reached the gates, symbolising the imprisoning of their feelings once again, she spoke. 'Joseph, my love, I have one more promise to make you before we reach the palace.' she said. Joseph's eyes met hers. 'I will make more time for you...for us.' she said and she saw him smile, which in turn made her smile.