Chapter 7

Author's Note: Well girls, I was pretty fast this time, don't you think? *wink* I'm sending the biggest hug on earth to my first class beta Rach, who did the checking immediately!!! Thanks very much! And don't forget about your story dear… Rach is writing a new story, what will be long and… simply fantastic! Come on girl, we need it! And now I wanna say thanks to my faithful reviewers, namely to beMMADfabulous, Kristi-Julie, risingdancer, One Special Lana, Tommys My 21, LadyLuxembourg, bluegirl-783, Firing Rockets on Dragons and to my dear ex-beta OSUSprinks. You are the best!

"I'm sorry Joe, it just slipped out." Mia smiled and tried to sound remorseful, with not much success. "It would be Joe's surprise for your wedding anniversary Grandma."

"For our wedding anniversary?" asked Clarisse, confused. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry darling, but I didn't know it will be on next week."

"Me neither," murmured Joseph with a homicidal look as he turned to Mia. "But fortunately Mia remembered it, didn't you, Sweetheart?"

"Oh, yes. You're right. I have a very good memory. So you still have time." She held up her hands playfully. "Don't worry."

"But what is this wedding thing?" asked Clarisse. "Sorry Mia, but I do not quite understand. We are already married, so… Or I should ask YOU, Joseph?"

"Well I think Mia can tell you this story better than I can… Come on little girl, you are the mastermind."

"Oh… yes," smiled Mia and ignored his angry remark. "It's an American tradition. After a few years couples usually say 'I do' again in front of a few people, family members and a few friends, just to celebrate their relationship. It has no importance in real life. It's just a sweet tradition. And now, when you are a bit… well, you have a little memory loss Grandma, so I think it would be helpful for you."

"You're right dear." Clarisse smiled happily and stopped for a moment. "That's a very sweet idea from you Joseph… Thank you." She whispered the last bit and gave him a long kiss, which almost made him forget Mia's attack.

"But we should start organizing the ceremony now, since we have only one week," said Mia. "You can relax Grandma, don't worry. For most of the things we won't need you."

"But I can help you from my bed too. Don't protest darling… And the wedding pictures will be also helpful. I will take them out a little later."

"Don't!" cried Mia, then continued on a softer voice. "The wedding pics are at the beach house. You know, I took them with me when I spent a few days there. So I will send someone to get them later."

"Oh… Ok," Clarisse nodded. "Then only one thing remains." Mia looked at a loss. "I will take out my wedding dress from the wardrobe of course," Clarisse chuckled.

"Well…"

"What is it darling? I hope you don't want to tell me that my wedding dress is also at the beach house."

"Wish I could tell you that…" Mia said and started blushing.

"What happened with my wedding dress? Hm? Or I should ask do I want to know?"

"Well, I don't think so…"

"I ruined it?"

"No…," said Mia. "I did something with it…"

"Red wine?"

"Not exactly… Cigarette."

"I beg your pardon?!" Clarisse asked with her well known "You call this a Hollandaise sauce?!" glare.

"We just had a little party with Lilly and the girls… I wore your wedding dress just for fun, and… I accidentally burnt it out."

"Do you smoke?!" Clarisse asked indignantly.

"Oh, how did it get to be so late?" asked Mia and checked her bare arm. "Sorry, but I have to go. Joe, come after me if you are done with… with your morning things." She smiled nervously and hurried out.

"Does she…? Does she really smoke?" Clarisse was still upset.

"Don't worry, I will catch her," Joseph said and went after Mia.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

In the hallway….

"Do you want to break me?!" asked Joseph and grabbed Mia's upper arm, when she turned to face with him.

"Calm down, Joe."

"Calm down?! CALM DOWN?! You pull the rug out from under me and you say calm down?! I'm already in trouble Mia! I lied to her, I kissed her, I slept in the same bed and now… I will make a fool of her. Do you understand that?"

"No… I mean I cannot see why you would be making a fool of her. It's just a sweet idea. Did you see her smile when she realized what this second wedding thing is? She was so happy. Happy, Joe. She is so in need of this. Is it so wrong?"

"Well…"

"Or you don't want to marry her?"

"Do you really think that I don't want to marry her?" He stopped for a moment and looked miserable. "Do you want to torment me? I will lose her Mia! LOSE her! Because of your grand schemes I will lose her forever. Just imagine her when she wakes up, with the knowledge of what… what I have done to her."

"You did nothing wrong, Joe." said Mia softly and stepped closer. "You just loved her. Look, you are in trouble. You HAVE BEEN in trouble from the first. She will be angry if you just kissed her, and she will be angry too if you pretend to have a wedding with her also. And we don't know her future reaction. So if she is going to send you into exile, which would be better? If she does it just because of a kiss or would you rather have a wedding with her at least?"

"Yes, I think you're right," sighed Joseph resignedly. "But…"

"There's no but Joe. If we are going to fall, then do it properly!"

"Right… After all, I don't have much choice, do I?" He smiled sadly. "But what was this smoking thing? Do you really smoke?"

"Of course not," she answered. "I just wanted to throw in something big, just to throw her off the track. She is not a fool - it would have been a bit too much for her. No wedding dress, no pictures, no memories about her wedding with you. And she SURELY has no memories, since it never happened! So just go back, and I will arrange everything. Enjoy your time with her, and what will be…will be."

"Ok," sighed Joseph. "My days are numbered. I must be with her as much as I can. At least I can hold her, kiss her…"

"Good idea, but if I were you, I would make love to her also!"

"Mia!!!"

"See you later," she cried and hurried off.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

So Joseph went back to Clarisse a little more relaxed, but he could not get rid of the feeling of losing her.

As he entered 'their room' Clarisse was standing at the bed and trying to take a few steps, but she was still a bit too weak for walking.

"Hey… hey! Be careful, dear!" Joseph cried as he caught her with a quick movement and took over her weight. "You should be in bed, shouldn't you?" he asked her lovingly.

"Yes, but I was so upset about Mia. Did you talk to her?"

"Oh yeah. But don't worry. This smoking thing was only for one occasion. She puked after that, so I'm sure she doesn't want to continue."

"Oh that's reassuring." She sighed. "…And what about you?"

"What about me?" asked Joseph, confused, as he loosened his hug on her.

"You seem so… worried. What happened, Joseph?"

"Nothing dear. Really. It's just Mia… She can be so hasty sometimes, you know."

"But it's not about Mia. You are afraid of something. Please tell me… Please," Clarisse asked and she did not let him to turn his eyes away.

"Everything is alright. Don't worry." He smiled nervously and stroked her cheek.

"Don't you want to tell me what is bothering you?"

He could not resist her; after all it wasn't a fair fight.

"I'm just… I'm just afraid of the future." He sighed and stopped for a few moments, then he finally said it aloud. "…I don't want to lose you."

"Lose me? How could you lose me?" smiled Clarisse then put on a serious face. "Are you ill?"

"Of course not."

"So you are healthy, you didn't cheat on me - then how on earth could you lose me? Hm?"

"I don't know," He sighed. "I just… Clarisse, please don't ever forget…" He didn't know how to continue. "Whatever may happen, please don't forget… how much I love you." The last bit was only a whisper, but she heard it crystal clear. The answer was a long and sweet kiss from her, which all but knocked him out for a moment.

"Everything will be alright." She smiled with self confidence. "I promise. Or I SWEAR if you would like it more. Joseph. Do you believe me?"

"How could I not believe you?" he whispered and hugged her as if his life depended on it.

"Oh I nearly forget to tell you one thing."

"What's wrong?"

"I… I think I've lost my engagement ring," she said with her shyest smile.

"Oh, we will find it, don't worry." He chuckled. "Now I have to arrange a few things with Mia, but when I come back we will find it, ok?"

"Ok." She nodded with a smile.

"But now, you have to go back to bed, Honey. Deal?"

"Deal. By the way I have to -"

"No! Don't even think of working from bed."

"But…"

"No dear. Only relaxation and fun is allowable."

"Fun?" she repeated in a cheeky way. "You mean…"

"No. Not that kind of fun," he chuckled. "But I'm sure you will love this one too." He smiled and took out a little package from his jacket.

"What is it?" she asked excitedly, like a child. "Oh my God!" she cried. "Or I should say Mamma Mia!? I've wanted to see this film for ages."

"So you will be alright while I am away?" asked Joseph with a smile.

"Are you still here?"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Half an hour later when Joseph had dressed properly, he simply grabbed Mia's hand in the hall and dragged her to his car. She could not say anything, because everything happened so fast.

"What the?..." She tried to breathe normally. "What the hell are you doing Joe?!"

"I have to buy something and I need your help as a woman."

"Oh." She stopped and immediately calmed down. "Ok. What is it?"

"An engagement ring," he answered and drove out of the palace grounds.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Nearly two hours later they got out of the car in the neighboring country's capital city, what was stuffed with nice and expensive little jewelry shops like Chopard. He chose that one.

"Good Morning Miss, Sir," said the saleslady with a theatrical smile. "Can I help you?"

"Yes," smiled Joseph. "We're looking for the perfect engagement ring."

"Then you are just at the right place, Sir." She smiled, this time a bit wider and took out her key. "I will show you our new collection, but first you should check the ones here," she said and turned around.

"Well Mia, what is your opinion? I want to buy her something really beautiful and remarkable. If you had to choose one, which one would it be?"

"Oh I'm not a good judge, Joe," she smiled. "You know, I'm a simple girl with simple taste. I would just want a simple ring. Oh, that's a nice little stone."

"Miss, that's a CRYSTAL ASHTRAY," answered the saleslady sharply.

"Anyway, I was talking about the shape. Like the shape of that crystal pineapple over there," smiled Mia.

"No. That's a ring," said the saleslady.

"…Then whip it out, honey." Mia winked. "What do you say to this?"

"Not bad. But I want something more special."

"Oh, ok. Then we should see the new collection."

"Certainly."

"You don't have to buy the biggest stone Joe," Mia said softly. "I know you have inferiority complex, but you have to get over it."

"That is not why I want another ring. But thank you very much."

"Hey, Joe - just kidding." She smiled and kissed him on the face, just when the saleslady returned.

"I hope you will find something you like, Miss."

"Oh, it will be not for me." Mia chuckled. "I'm just helping."

"Ah, sorry."

"Never mind. Well Joe, these are really beautiful ones, don't you think?"

"Yes. But…"

"But?"

"I like that one under the glass."

"Uhm… I'm sorry, Sir but that one is not for sale. That is Mr. Hammond's- he is the owner of the shop- favorite piece. Because," she softened her voice, "once the Queen of Genovia wanted to buy it, she even tried it on." She winked.

"And why didn't she buy it?" asked Mia immediately.

"Because it is an engagement ring and she already had one from the king."

"Ah…"

"But I could tell she really liked it."

"Ok, I want that one," said Joseph with self confidence.

"Joe that could be awfully expensive," tried Mia (trying to convince a man in love).

"At it's market price, yes, but it's not for sale," smiled the saleslady.

"But I want that one… Well then, what would you say to that?" asked Joseph with his sexiest smile.

"That it's a devil's circle, Sir."

"How much would it be if it would be for sale? Just for the fun of it?"

"Well I think around $250,000 dollars."

"Ok, then let me offer you a deal," said Joseph and took out his credit card. "$250,000 dollars for the ring, and another $20,000 for you for… your kindness. But if it's still not for sale…"

"Do you want it wrapped?" smiled the lady widely.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

After the successful mission Joseph arranged a few things, then went back to Clarisse's suite, where she was lying on the couch with Charlotte and singing her lugs out.

"I see you girls had great fun while I was away," chuckled Joseph as he stepped through the door.

"Yes," smiled Clarisse. "We've already seen it four times."

"TODAY," said Charlotte with a killer's face.

"Thank you Charlotte. I will take her over," chuckled Joseph. "I think you have lots of other things to do."

"Yeah, the first one will be to hang myself." She murmured as she went out.

"So you had a good time without me." Joseph sat down next to her. "Haven't you?"

"Well, I entertained myself somehow."

"I have good news." He smiled and took the ring out of his pocket. "I found your ring."

"Oh my God!" she cried happily and grabbed it. "But where did you find it?"

"In my car's back seat."

"In the back seat? How on earth could it be there?" He gave her a naughty smile. "Ah… I see now." Clarisse chuckled and gave him a kiss. "Thank you."

"Do you like it? Uhm, I mean are you happy with it?" Joseph corrected himself quickly.

"Yes very much," she smiled and looked lovingly at the ring on her finger, but suddenly she snapped her hand to her head. "Ow!"

"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly.

"Yes…" she answered slowly. "I… I think I can remember now…"

To be continued….