Author's Note: This story has developed further than I had originally imagined, but I'm having such a great time writing it that it doesn't matter! Thank you to everyone for their reviews- this chapter is for you!

The Princess Diaries belongs to Meg Cabot and Disney

It was an hour later when Mia and Lily emerged from the forests, carrying provisions, and came down to join the women sitting on the grassy knoll near the rocks. Clarisse had been pleased to see that Mia looked much better.

"I did what you suggested, and the dry biscuits helped a lot… I feel so much better," Mia said after she caught her grandmother's significant look. She sat down beside Charlotte and looked out at the five men lined up on the banks of the river.

"How's the fishing going?"

"Well…" Charlotte began hesitantly, before looking at the other two women for a moment.

Things had only slightly improved since Clarisse had decided to sit it out- Joseph had caught another one, and Sebastian had caught on, but the three younger men were getting decidedly frustrated at their lack of success.

"I don't understand this… how come Sebastian caught one, and Joe another one, and they've been in the same area as us all morning!" Scott complained as they stopped for a break, and he sat down next to Charlotte with a heavy sigh. "I just don't understand it!"

"You just need to be patient, Scott," Sebastian said mildly as he bit into one of the sandwiches the girls had made. "You may not get a fish all day… Joe and I were just very fortunate to be able to catch ours…"

"Believe me, we've had our fair share of days when we've missed out on catching anything," Joe said with a sympathetic look as he took a sandwich from the proffered plate, and split it with Clarisse. "You will get one or more… Besides, need I remind you that neither Kip nor Nick have caught anything this morning either!"

"They've both caught a couple in the past few days…" Scott said almost enviously before brightening up. "Well, all I can say is that it was fortunate that Her Majesty caught the first fish, otherwise I would have had to pay Sebastian 50 bucks!"

"You bet 50 dollars that you would catch the first fish?" Mia asked incredulously before looking pointedly at her husband, who seemed to be avoiding looking at her. "I suppose you did the same thing?"

"Yes… but, as Shades said, the bright side is that I don't have to pay it!" Nick said quickly, and Mia's face relaxed into a smile. "Besides, who was the one who bet on that horse race we went to…? I can't remember where we were… but who did that?"

"Nick... okay I did," Mia said, looking slightly guiltily at him before glancing over at Clarisse- she knew her grandmother didn't usually approve of betting- and a gambling Queen would take the cake!

However, she was surprised that Clarisse didn't seem to mind at all as she laughed at the guilty expression on Mia's face.

"You were very lucky," Mia continued after a pause. "I still can't believe that Grandma, on her first fishing trip, has caught the biggest fish so far!" Mia grinned proudly over at her grandmother, who blushed.

"Yes, I was proud of her too," Joe said as he put an arm around her. "She didn't need any help with the fish at all!"

"Now you're exaggerating," Clarisse said with a slightly shy smile in his direction. "If you hadn't been there, telling me what to do, I think I might have lost the fish…"

"You're being very modest, aren't you?" he asked teasingly, leaning over to smile affectionately into her eyes, more proud of her than he could say. "But that is one of your best qualities," he said quietly, so quietly that only she heard him.

"So… are you going to keep fishing?" Sheila asked with a smile, and Shades nodded firmly.

"You bet… I'm not going to give up until I've caught at least one fish…."

"Neither are we," Nicholas and Kip added quickly and Mia rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Oh brother… this could go on for the rest of the day!"

"Are you going to re-join me, Charlotte?" Shades looked nicely over at Charlotte, who paused to think, and then laughed.

"I think I might… after all, I might be the next one to catch a fish!" and she laughed harder at Scott's horrified expression.

"I think Clarisse has set a standard the rest of us women have to follow," Sheila said as she stood up and stretched her arms above her. "I think, now that I've seen Clarisse do it, I would like to catch my own fish as well!" Sebastian grinned up at his wife, before getting to his feet eagerly.

"Are you going to help me catch a fish?" Mia gave Nicholas a impish look, and he laughed as he helped her off the ground.

"I will… if you catch one, then maybe I will as well… It seems to me that the Renaldi women are good luck charms… and Mia's mine!" he added jokingly as Shades looked pensively at Mia for a moment. Lily was now eager to start fishing, and she practically dragged Kip back to his fishing spot, leaving Joseph and Clarisse the only ones sitting down.

"Did you want to catch another one?" Joe looked over at her affectionately, and she smiled.

"I don't think so… in fact, I might need to have a rest after what we've been doing all day… the sun is getting hot, and it's making me rather sleepy… But I don't mind if you want to keep fishing- you may catch three or four more!"

"No, I think I might have had enough for a while… although the competitive banter between Kip, Nick and Shades was very funny to listen to… Did you want to go back to camp for a while?"

"Yes please," she said softly as he slowly stood up, his knees slightly stiff, before helping her up. They walked towards the bank of the river to let the others know they were leaving.

"We might go back to camp for a while… it's getting rather hot out here," Joe explained as he picked up the bucket with the three fish in it, while Clarisse picked up the rods and net. Sebastian and Sheila nodded understandingly.

"We mightn't be that far behind… that is, after Sheila catches her fish," Sebastian amended with a grin, before Clarisse and Joe moved onto the others.

"Are you scared that I might actually overtake you in the number of fish I'm going to catch?" Shades asked with a smart smirk as they came to the end of the group.

"Absolutely… I look forward to seeing your five fish when you get back," Joe said with a jovial grin before taking Clarisse's free hand and walking back towards the track.


As soon as they arrived back at the campsite, Clarisse sat down in one of the camp chairs with a sigh of relief. Joseph laughed as he watched the relieved expression on her face, before going to put the fish in a cool spot on the campsite. On the way back, he retrieved two mugs of water, one of which Clarisse, her eyes closed, accepted gratefully.

"I take it you're glad to be sitting in an actual chair?" he kidded as he sat down next to her and looked over at her with a smile. Even though he loved her in whatever she wore, and she was extraordinary beautiful when she was dressed up, he thought that she was somehow lovelier when she was free of the makeup, tailored outfits and even the pearls that she used to wear when she was Queen. Since stepping down from the role, her style had relaxed greatly, and she was now more comfortable in simple dresses, or pants and a blouse… it was a rare occasion now when he saw her in a tailored outfit or formal dress…. Even without the tools that made her stunning on formal occasions, she was a natural beauty, and Joe much preferred her without all of that…

"Why are you staring at me like that?" she broke into his thoughts, and he suddenly realised that she was looking at him interestedly.

"I was just thinking that, even though you are absolutely gorgeous when you're dressed to the nines and dripping with jewels, I think I prefer you without all of that… the way you are now, and the way you've been since we got married."

"I've hardly, in all my years as Queen, ever been dripping in jewels," Clarisse laughed easily, sitting up and turning to look at him. "But thank you… I know you're severely biased in my favour, no matter what I do, but I appreciate that… You know, most of the clothes weren't that comfortable, and I really love the fact that I don't have to be like that anymore… But," she added with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Surely you wouldn't have minded being married to a fashion plate, if I had been so inclined?"

"No," Joe admitted with a grin. "The perks of being seen with a beautiful woman on my arm would have been numerous… But, I don't mind how you look- I love you in whatever you wear… But I prefer you the way you are now," he said, brushing her cheek with his hand, and she held it close for a moment, smiling lovingly at him.

"So," he decided to change the subject. "Did you enjoy that fishing adventure?"

"I did, very much… I didn't expect to catch a fish, though… I thought that you would be the first to catch one, seeing that you're the expert …."

"Don't take any notice of Scott's bragging- he can be over the top, particularly when he's trying to impress Charlotte… But I do hope he catches one- he'll be unbearable to live with if he doesn't."

"You did get a permit to fish, didn't you?" she looked concernedly at him, and he laughed.

"That's one of the best things about having the Prime Minister camping with you… He was able to get it within an hour!"

Clarisse laughed along with him, before trying to stop a yawn that escaped anyway.

"I think I should have a rest for a while… I don't know why I'm tired like this…"

"You had a long trip yesterday, not to mention a late night, and then everything we did today- it's amazing that you're not crawling along the ground!"

Clarisse chuckled as she stood up and walked over to the tent, Joseph on her heels.

"The tent should be nice and cool… all the outside flaps have been pulled back, and the second flaps are kind of like mosquito nets," Joseph explained as he watched her crawl into the tent. She turned around once inside, and looked at him.

"I suppose you don't need to have a nap, do you?"

"Not really… but would you like me to sing you a lullaby?" he asked as he crawled into the tent and she laughed quietly as she lay down on the sleeping bag covered mattress. Joe tenderly removed her shoes for her, and massaged them for a moment.

"No, but thank you for the offer, as well as that…I just wish I wasn't so sleepy… I wanted to go swimming…"

"Don't worry, we'll go swimming later, when it's not so hot… just have a nice sleep," Joe said softly, stroking her face as she smiled sleepily up at him, her eyes already beginning to close.

"But what… are you going to do in…. the meantime?" she murmured.

"I want to finish that book you gave me for our anniversary, and I might be able to do while the others aren't here," he said, turning away to retrieve the book from his bag. By the time he turned back to look at her, Clarisse's breathing was deep and even, indicating that she was asleep.

"Sweet dreams, my darling" he whispered, gently kissing her on the forehead, before creeping out of the cool tent, zipping up the second set of flaps behind him.


It was just over an hour later when Joseph crept quietly into the tent, careful not to disturb Clarisse as he put his book back in his bag. He glanced over at her for a moment, smiling gently- she looked so peaceful asleep… he was almost halfway out of the tent again when he heard her say:

"You're very quiet, Joseph…" and he turned to see her holding out her hand for him. Changing direction, Joe re-entered the tent and sat down on the edge of the mattress, Clarisse moving over to make room for him, and took her hand in his as she smiled at him.

"I was hoping that I didn't wake you up when I brought my book back in," he said, waving towards the bag, and she laughed softly.

"I was awake… I just hadn't opened my eyes… but it's so lovely and cool in here!" she looked around her with a smile, before slowly beginning to sit up.

"I was hoping that, so I brought you another cup of water," he offered to her, and she took it with a grateful smile, suddenly realising that she was thirsty.

"Did you have a good nap?" he inquired as she finished the cool water, and swung her legs over the edge, and sat next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Yes I did… it didn't seem to be all that long, but it refreshed me… Incidentally, how long was I asleep?"

"About an hour," he said, before laughing at her slightly surprised expression. "I think you might have needed the rest but, trust me, we are not getting up early again tomorrow!"

"Thank you… I think I might appreciate the lie in tomorrow… Have the others come back from their fishing yet?"

"No, they're still down there, fighting it out. Charlotte and Sheila came to get water, and they were telling me the boys are being very competitive. The rest of them are thoroughly enjoying themselves, and not really caring whether they catch anything… but those three young men…"

"Boys will be boys," Clarisse said wisely as she looked around her for a moment. "Where are my shoes?"

"I took them off as soon as you lay down on the mattress… didn't you feel me massage your feet for you?" he said jokingly as he handed them to her.

"Oh…I did, and thank you for that… Did you want to go back fishing for a little while?"

"Not really," he said with a smile. "It's not quite so hot as before… but all that competitive banter down there was getting very depressing… You chose the right time to have your nap!"

"I hope you weren't too bored out there for an hour…"

"Like I said before, I finished that book you gave me, and I was very glad to finish it… I was dying to find out how it all finished."

"I'm glad you liked it," Clarisse smiled at him, before looking past him curiously. "Has it cooled off at all?"

"A little… I think it may rain a little later, so I might have fetch those tarpaulins from the car for later…why? What did you want to do?"

"I think I would like to go swimming… it's still sticky, and I feel sticky….You could take us to that little spot you said you knew before…"

"Your wish is my command, madam!" he said, standing up and giving her a very small bow.


Fifteen minutes later, after changing into their bathing suits and putting the rest of their clothes back on, they emerged from the tent carrying their towels and other necessary equipment.

"Still no sign of anyone coming back," Clarisse looked in the direction of where the river was, and Joe laughed.

"We'll be lucky if we see the boys till tomorrow morning!"

"I'm sure the ladies will have something to say about that," Clarisse retorted with a slight smirk.

Joseph led the way through the forest, in the same direction as their walk that morning, but veered off to the left just before they reached the big rock. Clarisse was beginning to suspect that Joseph had been here more times than he had actually said as he continued to push branches and bushes out of the way, allowing her to slip forward, before continuing the journey… at least she hoped he knew where he was going, because she was thoroughly disorientated.

"Is this going to be another long trek through the wild?" Clarisse joked as Joseph turned back and took her hand in his. "Where on earth are you taking me?"

"We're going to be swimming in the river, but I thought you would like more privacy than having to swim with the others busy trying to catch fish," he explained as he guided her through one more clump of bushes, and they found themselves standing on the rocky shore of the river... still the same as down stream, but completely different… much more quiet, for starters, although she could hear the water splashing on rocks a little further on.

"There is a small waterfall a little further to the north," Joseph explained as he led her towards a large flat rock, situated only a few metres away from the river.

"Are you sure that it's safe to swim here?" she asked as she sat down on the warm rock, looking at the lake suspiciously.

"It's perfectly safe… I've swum here a few times, and nothing's happened to me," he joked as he sat down next to her, and she moved in closer to him.

"Something for which I am very grateful," she murmured as they looked out onto the relatively calm waters. "But it's so lovely and quiet here… I can't believe that it's still the same river… Maybe Scott should try up here to fish," she said thoughtfully, before laughing at the look on Joseph's face.

"It's not particularly deep, not unless you go out half way, but I've never really ventured out that far…" he looked at her for a moment as she stared out at the water for a moment, before starting to take off her shoes.

"Did we bring those special waterproof shoes?" she asked after she had taken off her shoes, and he waved them in the air. Although he knew he should be undressing, he couldn't help but watch as she stood up and slipped off her jeans, followed by her shirt, and he almost gasped aloud- she was wearing the same bathing suit that he had seen that day by the lake… and she hadn't changed a bit, with the still same fabulous figure….

"Joseph," he heard her say, and he looked up to see her gazing at him with an amused look. "I knew I shouldn't have brought this… it's exactly the same as last time- you can't seem to keep your eyes off me!" but she was more than flattered by his obvious admiration.

"Ah," Joseph said quickly, standing up and ridding himself of his trousers and shirt. "But now I'm allowed to… last time, I was just your bodyguard, but now I'm your husband… but that suit is absolutely stunning on you- it brings out the colour of your eyes…"

"Thank you," she blushed with a smile as they slipped on the shoes- they had both agreed that the river bed was probably lined with sharp rocks.

"But remember," she added as he looked up at her curiously. "You were never just my bodyguard- don't forget that!"

"Stop it, now you're making me blush!" Joseph joked, before holding out a hand to her. "Ready?"

"Ready," she said firmly.

She winced slightly as they walked slowly into the water, unused to the coolness of the river. "It's cold!"

"It should warm up a little once we've been here for a while… and the sun comes back out," Joe gazed up into the sky, where the sun had seemingly disappeared behind a bank of clouds. They continued walking out until they were almost shoulder deep in water, and Clarisse smiled boldly at Joseph.

"How good are you at swimming?"

"Pretty good… I was a swimming champ at school and college… why?"

"Because… I think we should have a race…" she said teasingly, before suddenly disappearing with a big splash of water, leaving Joe behind.

"You cheeky…" he began before he started swimming after her. He caught up to her easily, and soon passed her, grinning at her muttered threats. He looked back after a little while, and saw that she was still close on his heels, before stopping for a break.

"Do you concede defeat?" he teased after he swam back to her, and they trod water for a few moments, catching their breath.

"I give up… you are definitely better at swimming than I am!" Clarisse laughed, a little breathless.

"I wouldn't say that- you're in pretty good shape for…" he stopped short, suddenly realising what he was going to say, and she laughed at him.

"For… what, a great-grandmother to be, or a woman in her late middle years!" she teased, and he laughed. "Don't worry Joseph, I'm not at all insulted… I'll just make to beating you back to the shore!" before she disappeared again, and Joseph marvelled at her energy.

000000

"This is absolutely wonderful, Joseph. I'm having such a marvellous time," Clarisse said they sat on rocks in the shallow end of the river, and looking out at the water. "I can't believe I didn't do this before now! I'm so glad that I did come… were you worried that I hadn't come when the others got out of the car before me?" she looked over at him, and he smiled.

"A little… I was a little down when I thought you hadn't come… but," he added when she gasped softly, and turned to look at him. "Your surprise- and then everything else we've done together- has more than made up for it…"

He looked at her pensively for a moment, and then decided to ask the question that he had been thinking about for a little while.

"Would you have come out with Rupert and the boys, if you'd known how much fun it was?" he looked at her seriously, tucking a strand of her wet hair behind her ear. She looked away for a moment, deep in thought, before looking at him directly.

"I don't think so… I would have loved to have spent more time with the boys, but Rupert made it clear that it was strictly a boys only affair…. I'll admit, it hurt me when he said that to me … but I don't think Rupert would have been as patient with me as you are… they camped very roughly, apparently, and… I don't know… Phillipe wanted to me to come, but I never felt comfortable enough to come…"

"I'm sorry," Joseph said apologetically, realising how hard it would have been for her to be shut out of the limited time she had to spend with her sons…it would have been very lonely for her… She smiled over at him, the pain since dimmed with time.

"It doesn't matter now… all that matters is that I'm having the time of my life with you, Mia and our closest friends."

There was a silence for a while, before Joseph suddenly remembered that she was going to tell him about her conversation with Phillipe.

"Are you going to tell me about your conversation with Phillipe? I told you mine this morning," he said when she looked at him, slightly confused, and her brow lightened considerably when she realised what he meant.

"Do you really want to hear that?"

"Of course I do… we don't keep secrets from each other, do we?" he leaned over and nuzzled her neck, and she had to laugh happily. "And if we did, I know how to get them out of you, don't I?"

"Which I think is entirely unfair… you deliberately manipulate my weak spot…." Clarisse laughed as he leaned over to her.

"But you like it, don't you?" he teased in a low voice before kissing her.

"Alright, alright… I'll tell you…" Clarisse chuckled when they broke apart. "I think it was probably before he had his little chat with you- and, believe me, if I'd known what he was going to do, I would have stopped him right in his tracks…"

"Really?" Joe looked at her, an eyebrow raised in scepticism, and she melted.

"Fine, I probably wouldn't have… Anyway, we had just been going through more of what was what expected of him as King, and Phillipe decided we needed a break…"


"I never realised how much was involved in becoming King… don't get me wrong, I knew there was a lot, but I'm surprised at how much a King actually does!" Phillipe said with a rueful grin as he leaned back in his chair, and ran a hand through his hair. "I thought being Prince was bad enough, but this…"

"I think your father was often surprised at how much really goes into the this job," Clarisse said thoughtfully, folding up her glasses and leaning back in her chair with a fond smile at her son. "People think that it's all about tours, parades and meeting famous people, but being ruler of any country is a very hard, complicated and involved job!"

"My mind is just boggling at everything I have to do and be… now, more than ever, I'm impressed at what you've accomplished in your years as sovereign!"

"I've only been Queen for a year, Phillipe… I was usually the background music for your father- he did much more… I really haven't done that much…" but her tired sigh belied her statement. Phillipe grinned at her- she would never be able to admit that she had done quite a lot in her years as Consort, and then Queen… because of her modesty, he admired her more than his father, who willingly and loudly celebrated his achievements.

"But now," she looked at him proudly. "That's going to change… in three months, you will be King, and you will have your chance to leave your imprint on Genovia."


He smiled absently at her words- he was more concerned about her, and what she would be doing…

"What will you do once I become King?" he asked quietly, and she gave a small shrug.

"I'll be around as long as you need me… but I'll be free to travel, garden, read… whatever I want to do, really," she smiled at him, but Phillipe looked concerned.

Although it seemed like a reprieve from the daily grind she was currently in, he knew that she would get lonely and bored within a few weeks, if not sooner. Her work had been her escape for many years, particularly once Rupert had lost interest in her, and Phillipe knew that she would miss it.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" she asked, unaware of his thoughts, standing up and walking towards the waiting tray on a nearby table.

"Yes, thank you," he said, following her to the couch, but still thinking about her future.

"What about Joe?" he suddenly asked and Clarisse, who was pouring two cups of tea into her fine china, almost dropped the teapot in surprise. She recovered quickly, however, and looked up at him with a smile, hoping that he hadn't noticed her reaction. Just the mention of Joseph's name caused her heart to beat faster.

"What do you mean, 'what about Joe'??" He will still be here, working as your Head of Security, I imagine. You'll be very lucky to have him- he's very loyal and dedicated…"

"I think we may have a slight problem in that department…"

"Why?" she looked up again, having replaced the teapot back onto the tray. "Don't you want Joseph working for you?"

"I don't honestly think that he would work for me."

"Why on earth wouldn't he want to work for you? He's very fond of you, and I'm sure the two of you will have a good time watching all the basketball games on television," she chuckled softly as she handed him his cup and saucer, but Phillipe wasn't laughing.

"He may be very fond of me, as you say, but I still don't think he will be around for long after you step down."
Clarisse, finally noting the serious tone in her son's voice, looked up with a startled look.

"Has he been offered another job somewhere else?"


Phillipe laughed, knowing that his mother didn't understand what he was trying to say, so he decided to be plain. Little did he know that Clarisse did know what he was trying to say, and was hoping to avoid having to answer any questions… after years of hiding their blossoming romance, she was used to having to hide it.

"Mama, the reason I don't think he'll work for me, despite our friendship, is because… there's only one person he really wants to guard, and that's… that's you."

He watched her for a moment, wanting to see her reaction, but she only smiled lightly at him.

"That will all change… of course he'll feel sad when I finish up, after being my bodyguard for so many years…"

"Mama," Phillipe interrupted her, putting down his tea cup and moving closer to her on the couch. "There is a lot more involved than that, and we both know it… you're in love with him, aren't you?"

He had been rather afraid of asking that question, just in case she got offended if it wasn't true, but the silence told him he was right, as she sipped her tea, her cheeks flushing a deep pink, and not looking at him.

"Mama?" he asked again, ever more gently. "It's true, isn't it?"

After another long moment, she slowly looked over at him, her eyes filled with tears, and nodded almost imperceptibly. She didn't want to admit it, but she also felt relief that she was confiding in Phillipe about it.

"I know it must seem awful…" she began and Phillipe only smiled gently, putting his hand on hers.

"Why should it be awful? We both know that Father wasn't that great a husband to you, and you deserve someone much better than him… and I think… actually, I know that Joe is that man."


"I can't, Phillipe… I can't," she spoke quickly, pulling her hand away from his, and trying to mask her obvious pain… but she had never been able to do that with Phillipe…

"Why not, Mama? You deserve so much love and happiness, and I know that Joe would give you both in abundance."

"Maybe he's not in love with me," she said flippantly, trying to not to reveal anything more, but Phillipe saw right through it.

"Don't try and fob me off, Mother… I have seen the looks you two exchange, and it's abundantly clear that he's just as crazy about you as you are about him… I've suspected it for a long time, and now I know that it's true… and I'm happy for you…"

"But, your father…"

"He was a good man, but he caused you so much unhappiness over the years, with all of his affairs… Yes, I knew about them," he added as she looked over at him, horrified. "But Joe... he makes you happier than anyone else ever has… and I will always be grateful to him for that…"

"I can't, Phillipe… I…I…I love him too much about him not to expose him to the nasty gossip that would inevitably crop up if we made our relationship official…"

Phillipe smiled- her willingness to protect Joseph told him more than he had realised but had hoped… she had really fallen in love with Joseph.

"Mother, look at me."

Clarisse, who had been looking down at her hands for most of their conversation, reluctantly looked up into his handsome brown eyes.

"I don't care what other people will say about it… we both know that most of their opinions are worth zilch in the real world… Besides, none of them have ever seen how truly lonely your life has been, and how truly alive you seem to come when Joseph's around."

Clarisse smiled weakly at him- what he was saying was making a lot of sense, and she knew that, one day, Joseph would want her to fully commit to him, and she wanted to, now more than ever, but her duty to Genovia continually pounded against her head…

"You may have a duty to Genovia," he said softly, almost reading her mind. "But not for much longer… and it will be time to consider the duty to yourself… Would you marry him, if he asked you?"

There was a pause as Phillipe waited patiently, and Clarisse tried to think of a flip answer for him. He repeated his question and, before she knew it, the words came spilling forth:

"In a heartbeat," she said quickly, and looked away before Phillipe brought her back to face him. "But he might not want to marry at all… he's been single for all these years…"

"That's wonderful… I have been hoping this for so long… and I think you might be surprised to realise that he might want to marry…it's just that the only person he wanted was married to someone else…"

Clarisse stared at him for a moment literally dumbfounded at how much he knew about them, but relieved that he wasn't at all angry.

"You never know," Phillipe added, draining his cup and setting it back onto the tray, before standing up, ready to work again. "July might be a nice time for a wedding…"


"Yes, he said that and then went back to the desk, ready to work again, while I was sitting there, absolutely flabbergasted at what he had just said to me," Clarisse said with a light laugh as she thought back to that afternoon.

"I guess we had a matchmaker trying to get us together even then," Joe said with a smile, but touched at what Clarisse had told him.

"I bet he would have tried to get a July wedding…" she said, before trailing off as she remembered the dreadful accident only a month after that conversation. "So many years…" she almost whispered, and Joe moved over to put an arm around her.

"Yes, so many more years that we had to pretend… but, you have to admit, it was worth it in the end!"

"Yes, it was," Clarisse smiled happily over at him, before leaning over and kissing him. "Did you want to go for another race?"

"Another race… you do realise that it's been sprinkling rain since we've been sitting here?"

"Yes, but so what? Or are you scared?" she looked at him coyly, and he laughed.

"Alright, you're on!"