Author's Note: this was meant to be the chapter on the state dinner, but I found that I've had to put that off until the next chapter… this chapter was for fun!

Thank you for all the lovely reviews… I wasn't sure about this story, initially, but now I'm fine (obviously, if this is chapter 7!)

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me at all.

It was much later in the morning when they finally woke up from their naps, thoroughly refreshed, and got out of bed, unlocking the doors after they got dressed.

"I can imagine that there will be a story already going around the palace about the Queen locking her suite doors… and her husband must be behind it… already leading her astray!" Joe teased as Clarisse smiled and stretched.

"Maybe so, but I've always wanted to lock my doors, but I wasn't allowed to… by my Head of Security, no less, who told me that if there was a fire or something, they might not be able to get into the suite…"

She gave him a sly smile as they both knew who she was referring to before she continued with her train of thought.

"Believe me, Joseph, I would have done it a long time ago if you hadn't been so good at your job and told me otherwise!"

"I really told you that firmly, didn't I?" he grinned at her, and she nodded solemnly.

"So much so that I was afraid not to disobey you, and didn't…" but the sparkling look in her eyes told him that she would have tried it if she hadn't respected him doing his job, and caring about her so much.

"However, you can do it now… I give you full permission to do so!" Joseph said in a mock firm voice, and Clarisse gave him a mock curtsey.

"Yes sir," she said in an insolent voice, and Joseph couldn't help but laugh along with her.

"At times you are just as cheeky as your granddaughter, did you realise that?"

"Of course I'm not like Mia… how can you say that…." Clarisse teased, but her smile told him she knew the truth. "Anyway, I'm glad you've given permission for me to do that- although you did it this morning- because it's a habit I might get used to!"

"How did it feel going to have a sleep in the day time? I know that you usually are up and about by now…"

"That was the old Clarisse," she said firmly as she sat down on the couch, Joseph at her side. "Besides, I was Queen then, and I'm not anymore… Do you realise how many bad habits you've introduced me to in the last week?"

"Me- introducing you to bad habits?" Joseph pretended to look shocked. "What on earth have I introduced you to?"

"Staying in bed all morning, staying out all night and creeping in at dawn, and then sleeping in to the middle of the morning… I didn't realise you'd do this when I married you!" she teased with a broad smile, which told Joseph that she had loved every minute.

"Because of you, I'm going to have to go to bed early tonight!"

"Good," Joseph said cheerfully. "It's about time you realised that you don't need to stay up all night- last night being an exception- and I might join you!" he said with a chuckle, before they were interrupted by a discreet knock on the door, followed by Olivia stepping into the room with a tray.

"I couldn't get in here before, Your Majesty, but we've brought you and Mr Bonnell your morning cup of tea," Olivia said, a little nervously, as she set down the tray on the table, and Clarisse realised that she was worried she was going to get into trouble.

"Thank you, Olivia… this was perfect timing," she said in a warm voice, and the tension visibly disappeared off her face as she curtseyed to them, and then left the room.

"I feel funny having them curtsey to me… especially as I was in their position just over a week ago," Joe said thoughtfully, looking after them for a moment, and Clarisse gently touched his arm.

"I can understand how you feel, darling… it took me quite a while to get used to have people doing everything for me… I know that you really don't like it, either, but it is a form of respect for the monarch (or, rather, former monarch), and now that will include her husband!"

"I suppose I will get used to it," Joseph said lightly with a slightly awkward laugh as she guided him to sit down next to her. "There is so much for me to get used to now, it almost boggles… I know what happens and all that, having seen it from a bodyguard's perspective, wondering how you actually felt about all of that and sympathising when you seemed annoyed… but now, I'm part of it all…"

"It will take a little time, but I will be right beside you all the time… as you have always been for me," Clarisse said calmly as she handed him a cup of tea, and he smiled over at her gratefully, feeling slightly mollified by her words. She had always seemed to understand what he was feeling, and know the right things to make him feel better.

"It's all nonsense, and it must have been so isolating for you… I can see why you hated it!"

"Yes, it's all nonsense- I've known that almost from the very beginning, and I never took it very seriously… which made Rupert even more disgusted with me… but it is palace protocol, and the royal family does have to set an example for the rest of the country… I've had to explain it to Mia so many times, and I don't think she likes it either," Clarisse admitted with a fond smile.

"But the staff that work here is a group I trust implicitly and have for many years, and they know, like and respect you… Besides, I'm sure that Mia is going to change some things around here, and I think I want it to happen- I'm not a big stickler for protocol, and it is chafing…"

"Yes, I've heard about some of her ideas, and things are really going to be shaken up around here… have you heard about some of them?" Joe chuckled fondly- Mia reminded him so much of Phillipe in so many ways, particularly with her enthusiasm for new challenges.

"Do I really want to know, or should I just wait until she springs them on me?" Clarisse asked mock pitifully, but then smiled- she was very proud of her granddaughter, always had been, and she knew that it was time for changes both for the country and in the palace itself… It was a pity that she had had never attempted to try out some of her ideas herself…

"I'll let you find out that out," Joe said teasingly, avoiding a playful slap from Clarisse on his shoulder, and then glanced at his watch. "Do you realise that it is after lunchtime… and I'm starving?"

"Really?" Clarisse asked in surprise, and then glanced at her watch- true enough, it was almost one o'clock in the afternoon. "I thought we got up earlier than twelve!"

"I thought we did too, but obviously not… do you think we might be able to get something from the kitchen now?"

"Of course we could… I'm just not sure I could sneak into the kitchen with all the…"

"'Culinary people', as you say, staring at us," Joseph said with a laugh, and this time Clarisse didn't miss with her playful slap. "Don't worry, I'll go in there myself and get a few things… anything in particular you wanted?"

"Not really… I'm perfectly happy with a sandwich!"

"One sandwich coming up for my lady! Always glad to be of service for my Queen" he said mischievously as he stood up and gave her a mock servant bow, before disappearing out the door, as a cushion that Clarisse threw after him narrowly missed him. He turned to give her another cheeky grin.

"Missed!"

"I won't next time!" Clarisse threatened, holding another cushion in her other hand and standing up, but they were both laughing too hard to really make any sense.

00

A few minutes after Joseph disappeared down to the kitchen, Clarisse still laughing at the childish moment they had just shared, in bounced Mia, looking happy and relaxed.

"Good afternoon, Grandma… how was your date with Joe last night?" she inquired immediately as she collapsed into a nearby chair, and Clarisse shook her head in mock despair.

"Even though I tried to teach you how to look and act like a princess, there are still times when you behave very much unlike a princess… or a Queen!" but there was a fond note in her voice.

"That's what you love about me!" Mia said, completely unperturbed, and Clarisse only laughed. "So… you didn't answer my question… how did it go last night with Joe?"

"We had a very lovely night… we went to a restaurant outside Pyrus for dinner, and then to see a film in town…"

Clarisse stopped short from telling her about their trip out to the beach, or the fact that they had snuck back in earlier that morning- there were some things that she wanted to keep between just her and Joseph.

"Oh… what movie did you see?" Mia hadn't noticed her trailing off, and Clarisse smiled.

"Breakfast at Tiffany's… it's one of my favourite films, and Joseph was such a dear to sit through it when he really doesn't like romantic films…"

"He'll watch them with you, though… but whenever there is one of the films that he likes at the cinema, why don't you take him to that… anyway, there is a rumour around the palace that you had your doors locked this morning, and your maids couldn't bring in your breakfast tray… true or false?" Mia looked at her, brown eyes sparkling with mischief, and Clarisse couldn't lie to her.

"Yes, the doors were locked, but we…"

"Don't worry Grandma, you don't have to justify yourself to me… I know you weren't allowed to when you were Queen, and now I can't due to safety reasons, but if your former Head of Security allows you to do it now, then go for it! I just couldn't resist teasing you a little about it!"

"So, how has your morning been?" Clarisse was keen to get off the subject of locking doors, and Mia smiled.

"Boring, as per usual… the final details for the dinner are being discussed, and we're going to be having everyone from parliament… I just need to tell you something else…"

Mia looked away for a moment, slightly uncomfortable, but Clarisse already knew her news- she had suspected as much…

"I know… Viscount Mabrey, despite being officially ejected from parliament permanently and his nephew replacing him, has already made his intentions clear that he will be there."

"Yes… believe me, Charlotte, Lily and I all tried to think of ways to exclude him, but Sebastian said we should leave it alone and let him attend… it will be his last formal occasion, and all we can do is be civil to him."

"Which is very wise advice," Clarisse said sagely, nodding her head, and Mia nodded.

"I know, I know… it just burns me up that he tried to sabotage my right to the throne, and was a thorn in your side for so many years… maids know everything," she added quickly when Clarisse looked at her, surprised.

"I know he was pretty nasty to you sometimes, just because he was my grandfather's friend, and I hate the fact that he can get away with it."

"He didn't get a way with it- he's officially been ejected from the parliament… don't worry about it, Mia, I'm sure you'll be too busy on the night to really worry about it!"

"Worry about what?" came Joseph's voice from the doorway, and the two women turned to see Joseph walking towards them carrying a tray loaded with food and another teapot.

"That was fast!" Clarisse said impertinently as he set the tray down on the table in front of her, and Joseph threw a mock pained look at Mia. "You must be some sort of magician making sandwiches that fast!"

"Honestly, your grandmother is getting to be a handful!" he mock complained to Mia before he sat down next to Clarisse with a grin, and handed her a plate of sandwiches.

"What aren't we going to worry about?"

"Apparently Viscount Mabrey is attending the dinner next week," Clarisse said lightly, and then noted the tightening of her husband's jaw- there was no love lost between the two men, and hadn't been for years.

"I was just telling Mia that there's nothing we can do but be pleasant to him, as he won't be attending any more of these functions after this."

"I know what I'd like to do with him if he happened to try anything," Joe growled in a low voice, and Clarisse touched his arm gently.

"I know what you would want to do, darling, and both Mia and I appreciate it… in fact, we would both buy tickets for the front row… But we just have to leave him alone, and hope that he leaves us alone… Please?"

"Alright," Joe acquiesced with a heavy sigh after looking into his wife's pleading blue eyes. "I'll be civil to the man… but I can't promise my good behaviour will last if he tries anything outside the dining room…"

"You won't know about that, will you, because you will be at my side all night, won't you?" Clarisse teased gently, and Joe had to smile as she gave him another teasing, encouraging smile. "We are sitting together, aren't we, Mia?" she addressed Mia after a moment.

"I think so…" Mia pretended to look vague, and both Clarisse and Joe looked at her, slightly horrified. "I can't remember if I put Grandma next to you, Joe, or next to Lord Palimore… just kidding!" she added hastily, laughing when she saw their expressions.

"Of course you two are sitting next to each other… I'd be crazy if I didn't! In fact, I can tell you that there are a couple of tables for this dinner, and you two are sitting with Nicholas and I, Sebastian and Sheila, and one or two other parliamentarians that you both like… I made sure of that… Anyway," Mia said as she leapt to her feet. "I have to keep going… just thought I'd call in and get confirmation for that rumour… see you later!"

"What rumour was that?" Joe inquired as he watched Mia disappear out the door, and Clarisse snickered to herself delightedly.

"The rumour that our suite doors were locked… apparently it's all over the palace by now…"

"I should have known," Joe joked. "This place is just one big grapevine, always gossiping and spreading news around!"

"But, you have to admit, they were very discreet about a certain rumour that involved us…" Clarisse said jokingly as she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Yes, I will have to agree with you… they are all very loyal!"

The next few days seemed to pass by quickly- preparations for the dinner for the members of parliament and the Prime Minister were underway, and quickly confirmed under Mia's capable hands. Clarisse was very impressed at the way Mia was handling everything, with both Lily and Charlotte's assistance. She herself had offered her assistance in any way, but Mia had declined her with a smile.

"You've done this so many times of the years, and had so many years of planning these dinners, and I thought that you would much prefer not to do any of it now, and just simply be a guest… and a bystander when anything disastrous goes wrong!"

"Which it won't, so don't say that," Clarisse scolded gently- although Mia was confident in her new role, there were times when the insecure and shy fifteen year old she had first met resurfaced.

"Anyway, it's true about the planning," she admitted with a smile, slightly relieved that she didn't have to do any of that anymore, but still wanting to be of some use to Mia. "But just let me know if you need any help with anything!"

"I will… actually, I might need you to check the place settings for us… Charlotte and I will have already done it, but it would be nice to have a third opinion… oh, and maybe some flowers for the tables… you are brilliant with arranging flowers!" Mia promised with a smile- her grandmother was so transparent at times.

Mia knew that she was, in most ways, relieved that she didn't have to do that anymore, but she still wanted to help… the woman, despite that the fact that she was no longer Queen and had more free time to spend with her beloved Joseph, still cared a great deal about her country! It was a very admirable quality, and Mia secretly hoped that she would be like her one day…

"Just let me know when you want me to do that," Clarisse replied with a gently smile, pleased that Mia was still involving her in some ways, and that she was able to help.

Joseph, meanwhile, was more than a little nervous about the dinner as it kept getting closer and closer, and while he tried to keep his nerves from Clarisse, she somehow always managed to sense him ambivalence to the situation.

"Darling, you don't need to worry about any of that… I won't leave your side all night, and while there are people there that didn't like us getting married, I really don't care about that at all, and I never have… It's going to be a boring night, I'll admit that right now, but we can get through this… if we can get through our first public appearance with a mob on our tail, or get married in front of a church full of strangers, I'm sure that we will be able to do this as well!"

"I just don't want all the parliamentarians to look down on you because of me…" Joe suddenly looked vulnerable for a moment, and Clarisse's heart went out to him. She loved him when he was strong and always constant, as he always was, but she also loved seeing the softer side of him.

She sat down next to him on the couch, and took his hands in hers, forcing him to look at her.

"Believe me, I won't allow that to happen, and neither will Mia… You mean more to us than them, and their lousy opinions… Actually, I wouldn't mind one of them being rude…" she mused, and Joseph laughed.

"What… so then you could be able to tell them off?"

"I might… or I could knock them out… I've always wanted to knock someone out!" Clarisse looked at him, eyes wide with excitement, and Joseph laughed.

"I would like to see that too… Actually, there is something else- I may be a little nervous about this, but I'm also looking forward to escorting you to this… I've always wanted to, and I've imagined doing it many times…"

"I've always imagined you escorting me to one of these events as well…" Clarisse whispered softly as he pulled her close and kissed her.

000

The morning of the dinner was, for the most part, chaotically busy- particularly for the Queen herself, and a slightly panicked Mia came to their suite to Clarisse's assistance in arranging the flowers Mia had chosen (with Clarisse's input) for the tables, and cast an eye on the table settings.

"It has all been set up, but Charlotte and I just wanted an experienced third person's opinion on it, and you are the best…" Mia said in a wheedling tone, and Clarisse laughed.

"I promised I would help, so I'm on my way!"

"What about me?" Joe mock complained from his position on the couch, and Clarisse turned to him with a smile.

"You can join me, if you wish…judging by your expression, I know you don't want to… But I shouldn't be too long… or you can go and see Scott to ask about the security arrangements for tonight, as I know you've been dying to do for the past two days…"

"I have not…" Joseph protested, and then broke into a sheepish grin when Clarisse gave him an amused look. "Alright, alright, you're right… I'll go down and see him, and then I may join you in the ballroom…"

"If not, I'll meet you back here," Clarisse said lightly as he kissed her and disappeared out the doors, greeting the guards on the outside on the way.

As it turned out, Scott was out of the security room, and busy with other plans with the Queen, so Joseph wandered back in the general direction of the ballroom, where he found Clarisse looking around with a pleased glance. Charlotte was at her side, ever present notepad in her hand.

"Yes… the flowers look beautiful, and the place setting the two of you decided on was exactly what I would have chosen…" she trailed off as she turned to see where Charlotte was looking, and her smile widened when she saw Joseph walking towards them.

"Oh hello… I thought you were going to see Scott…"

"I was, but he was busy with other plans, so I thought that I would join you here and see what else you needed help with," he said carelessly as he stopped where the two women were standing.

"Thank you, dear," Clarisse smiled fondly at him. "But everything is pretty much organised, but you can help me with something… what do you think of the flowers?"

He looked around- there were vases of white and pink lilies and carnations sitting in the middle of each table (or at least he though they were) and he had to admit they looked pretty…

"They look lovely," he said after a moment, and Clarisse laughed as she slipped her arm through his. She knew that flowers weren't his 'thing' but she just wanted to know what he thought.

"The colours are very pretty…"

"Thank you, Joseph… is that all, Charlotte?"

"Yes, Your M… Clarisse," she amended with a smile when Clarisse arched an eyebrow in her direction.

"Well, if that's all, then I might escape from all of this…"

"And begin getting ready for tonight… it'll take her at least six hours to get ready!" Joe quipped with a cheeky grin, and Clarisse only laughed at him.

"Just for that cheeky remark, it might just happen!" she retorted with a grin, and Charlotte smiled as she watched the two of them flirt with each other.

She found them irresistible- she had been a silent witness to their romance and, along with most of the palace and one of Clarisse's sons, she had wanted them to get together sooner rather than later… she and Scott had even formulated several plans to get them together if they hadn't done it themselves.

She was so busy watching them with a smile, thinking about how happy they looked together, that she didn't realise that Clarisse was talking to her again.

"Is there anything else I need to do for Mia?" she repeated and Charlotte, blushing, looking at her notebook for a moment, to recover her thoughts.

"Nothing… Her Majesty said she'll try to call in and see you before tonight, but if she doesn't, she'll see you there."

"Will you be there as well, tonight?" Joe inquired, knowing her secret ambition was to become a member of parliament, and Charlotte went even redder.

"Yes, Joe, but in the background… as per usual…"

"Why on earth were you asking whether Charlotte was going to be there tonight?" Clarisse asked as they headed back upstairs for lunch, and Joe shrugged mysteriously.

"I know you know something, Mr Bonnell, and I don't think it's very fair that you're keeping a secret from me… I don't keep any secrets from you… or, if I do, not for long…" she giggled as she thought of how Joe got secrets out of her… usually by kissing her, or tickling her…

"Alright, I'll tell you… you know how there are some members of parliament that are planning to retire in the next month or so?"

"Yes…?" Clarisse looked at him both expectantly and a little quizzically- what did that have to do with Charlotte?

"Well, Charlotte is thinking of applying for one of the empty positions… she's still only thinking about it, though, and she was afraid of what you would say…"

"What I would say?" Clarisse said in surprise. "I think it's a wonderful idea- she would do just a good job in parliament! She knows Genovia inside out, and knows the inner workings of both parliament and the palace… this would be the perfect position for her!"

Clarisse sounded enthusiastic and pleased for her assistant, and Joseph grinned- he had told Charlotte that Clarisse would be pleased for her.

"I think you should tell her that exactly when she comes to talk to you…"

"I will, and I will definitely be putting in a recommendation to Mia about her… actually, thinking about that, would you like to be in parliament?" she looked curiously at him, and Joseph began laughing loudly.

"You have got to be joking! I really don't want to have anything to do with that group of people, no offence… yes, there are some very nice ones there, but there are also a few that are rude and cruel, and treated you very badly when you were Queen… I don't want to be part of that circle at all… But, thank you for the consideration," he said in a softer voice as he put an arm around her waist, and murmured it into her ear.

"It was just an idea… I don't think I would really like to be married to a parliamentarian, anyway… you might get an ego, and then I wouldn't be able to handle it!" she joked, and they then both laughed as they knew that there were quite a few big egos in the parliament.

0000

The afternoon seemed to drift by in moments, and after glancing at her watch, Clarisse reluctantly pulled herself away from Joseph's arms, and stood up as the film they were watching ending and stretched.

"Oh… so it must be time to spend your usual three hours in the bathroom?" Joe teased, and she whacked him gently with a nearby cushion. "Hey… that could have hurt!" he pretended to sound injured, and rubbed his arm.

"But it didn't, did it?" Clarisse smiled smugly, hitting him again before he snatched it away from her with a grin.

"No, it didn't… must you always try to win an argument with violence?"

"I don't always use violence… and it was only a cushion!" Clarisse protested, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Oh yes…you also have a charming way of disarming people with your eyes, smile and charm…"

"It worked on you, didn't it?" she kneeled down on the couch again to give him a kiss, before standing up again.

"So, I suppose you're going to claim the bathroom, then?"

"Yes I am… if you are really desperate to have a shower, why don't you go and use the shower in your old room… or ask Scott if you could borrow his?"

"No way, I'm not going into that boy's bathroom… he is an absolutely pig!"

"I won't be long," Clarisse said with a soft smile as she disappeared into the bedroom. "I'll call out to you when I'm finished!"

"Thank you so very much!" Joe said semi sarcastically, and the sound of Clarisse's laughter was the last thing he heard before the door of the bathroom softly closed behind her.

True enough, Joe found himself dressed in his black suit, and was looking through the wardrobe for a tie- he knew he had another one- while Clarisse was still in her dressing room, getting dressed.

"What are you looking for?" came her gentle inquiry from behind him, and he turned two ties in his hands, to look at her.
"I'm looking for a tie…" but he trailed off when he saw what she was wearing.

She was wearing a silver grey silk dress, hemline down to her knees, and a matching coat over the top of it, as well as silver grey shoes. As usual, her jewellery was kept at a minimum.

"Is that new?" he inquired, ties forgotten, as she walked towards him, one hand behind her back.

"Sort of… I've only worn it once, and that was about ten years ago… you were in bed with the flu, so you wouldn't be able to remember," she added as Joe pretended to think whether he had seen it before.

"Well… this is the first time I've seen it, and I like it a lot… it's lovely on you," he said as he walked over and kissed her hand, noticing for the first time that she withheld her other hand.

"What have you got in your other hand?"

"Just a little something for you…" she pulled it around to hand him a small, flat box. He opened it to see a silver tie sitting in the box. "I just thought it was a nice tie…" she said lamely, and he laughed at her.

"When did you have time to go shopping?"

"When you were busy trying on your suits," she retorted with a smile. "So, do you like it?"

"I like it," Joe said reassuringly, walking over to the mirror to tie it on. "Hey…" he looked from himself to Clarisse for a moment. "I've just realised that we match…!"

"So we do…" Clarisse giggled sheepishly as she looked at her dress and then over at him. "I guess that must be a hazard to getting married!"

"I suppose so… but we both look very smart," he said as he walked over and kissed her.

"Are you ready for tonight?" she asked after glancing at her watch, and realising that it was almost time to go.

"I think so… I think it should be an interesting night!"

"You might think so, but trust me, it won't be," Clarisse said with a laugh as she slipped her arm through his, and they walked towards the door….