Driving down the green lined roads of Genovia made Clarisse remember how much fun it was to sit on the back of a motorcycle. It wasn't only fun but very unlike the Queen character she had become over the past 45 years.

"Are you alright back there?" Joe asked loudly so Clarisse could hear him over the engine.

"Yes, I'm fine!" she shouted over his shoulder.

Clarisse looked out through her helmet as they sped down roads that passed farms and houses. Once in the main part of town where the shops and cafes were located, Joe stopped at a light and waited his turn to go. While sitting there she looked around and noticed that no one could tell who she was.

"Of course," she thought to herself, "They can't tell who I am because I have the helmet on."

After cutting through town Clarisse asked Joe "Where are we going?"

"You mean to tell me you don't remember?" Joe asked.

"Uh, should I?" Clarisse said looking around at the scenery.
She knew where she was it was just their destination she did not know.

"Well then you'll see," Joe said as the motorcycle made it's way up a steep hill.

Moments later they came to a clearing at the top of a mountain. Joe stopped the bike and got off. He then took off his helmet and asked his wife: "Well just like old times?"

Taking off her helmet Clarisse smiled, "Just like old times."

Joe leaned in and gave her a kiss. "Now help me off of this thing," Clarisse said.

Joe laughed and gave her his arm so she could pull her leg around.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing it's just we're not as young as we used to be are we?"

"Are you saying I'm old Joseph Chapello?"

"No, not at all," he said laughing and taking her in his arms for a hug.

"Oh yeah now you're trying to butter me up after that last comment. Uh huh."

"I don't know what you are talking about Your Majesty?"

"Ah ha!" she said playfully slapping his arm "So you're the one who's old since you who can't remember what you just said."

"Oh Tush!" Joe said mocking her famous phrase.

"Joseph… don't make fun of me." she said smiling and shaking a finger at him. "Or I'll tell the Queen."

"Oh will you now?" he said picking her up and spinning her around.

"You're going to hurt that old back of yours if you keep doing that." Clarisse warned.

"No I won't," he said doing it again only this time he kept her up in his arms

"You're utterly insane you know that?"

"Only about you," he said looking up at her as the sun shone over her shoulder.
Noticing how beautiful she looked he lowered her down and kissed her passionately. When the kiss broke Clarisse hugged Joe tightly. About to say I love you, Clarisse noticed something.

Some 40 feet away the long branches of a weeping willow tree swayed gracefully with each breeze.

"Oh my God!" Clarisse said quietly. "I know where we are."

"You do?" asked Joe happily

"Yes, I remember that weeping willow." She said pointing to it and starting to walk towards it.

Joe watched as his wife walked a few steps almost in a trancelike state of mind. It was like the tree was beckoning her to come nearer. He began to walk just behind her as she continued on towards the tree. Once she reached the willow she looked at it and then turned to face Joe.

"I can't believe you brought me here," she said cupping her face in her hands.

"Where else would I bring you?" Joe said kissing her forehead.

Clarisse turned back around and wiping a tear streaming down her face she said, "It's still here after all these years. I can't believe it."

Joe wrapped his arms around Clarisse and she leaned back resting her head on his shoulder.

"Well my love this willow is still here going strong even though it is older then before and its branches may move more slowly with each breeze, but it is still full of life, charm, and passion. She is also as beautiful if not more then she was the first time I laid my eyes on her.

Clarisse blushed because she knew in a way he was talking about her and not the tree before them. She glanced at her husband who was staring lovingly at her not looking at the tree at all.

"That was beautiful darling. Very poetic and sincere."

"Well I meant every word sweetie," he said taking her hand and then pushing the draped branches aside so they could enter under the shaded portion of the tree.

Clarisse walked in remembering how it looked forty something years ago.
"There is a lot more ivy then before," Clarisse pointed out "But there are more branches," she said while fussing with one in her hand.
The branches of the weeping willow created a curtain-like shield. Though the sun still shined through especially when the branches swayed, the shade created a cozy privacy that the two enormously enjoyed.

Joe cleared a spot for them to sit and then sat down. He watched as his wife followed the trunk up to the top.

"Clarisse?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you remember the first time I brought you here?" He said playing with a small twig.

"How could I forget?" She said sitting down on his lap. "You took me for a ride and showed me this romantic place. I was 20, clumsy, naïve, and nervous."

"Clumsy yes, naïve understandable, but nervous?"

"Well yes you were my 21-year-old bodyguard and I had an enormous crush on you since you were everything I couldn't have but wanted. My parents had first hired you to just drive our limo but when my uncle was murdered you offered to watch over me and keep me safe. You thought you were so slick and hip with your motorcycle and your new job that I instantly lusted after you."

FLASHBACK TO 1961

A young Joseph parks his motorcycle and lends his hand to help his passenger off.

"I have it thank you." Clarisse said as she practically hopped off the bike and fixed her flowing pink Dior skirt.

"So how did you like your first motorcycle ride?" Joe asked

"Very well thank you. Why did you offer to take me for a ride? You know how my mother feels about motorcycles."

"I offered because you looked like you needed some time away from home and I was going to take a drive on my break anyway. Besides you've been asking me for one for ages."

"Well this is just lovely," she said looking at the view they had from the top of the mountain. "Look you can practically see my house Joseph, and there's my university, and the church, and … oh wow this is just breathtaking."

Joe watched as Clarisse looked out at the landscape in front of her trying to pick out places that she had been to. He couldn't help but smile at how surprised and cute she looked in her skirt and white top. Her blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail and a pink scarf was tied in her hair to keep it secure. Around her neck she wore her favorite heart shaped locket that her grandmother gave her and her earlobes were decorated with pink sapphires.

"Joseph?"

"Ah yes Lady Clarisse?" Joe said startled.

"Are you alright?"

Clearing his throat, "Uh yes why?"

"Because you didn't answer my question and what were you thinking about just now?"

"Umm nothing. What was your question??

"Is that the palace over there?"

Joe moved closer to her and followed where she was pointing.

"Why yes Lady Clarisse it is why?"

"No I was just wondering that's all."

"Oh. Have you ever been there?"

Clarisse smiled at him like he should know the answer. "Yes silly I have been there a few times since that's where he lives?"

"Who King Pierre?"

"No His Highness Prince Rupert," she said. "My future husband?

"Oh so you're betrothed to the Prince of Genovia?"

"Well since before my birth it has been arranged but I do not know when the actual engagement will occur. It could be years from now, but one day I will take on the duty of becoming Queen of Genovia," she said proudly. "Ever since I was little I have been told how important I am to the royal family and how it will be my job to tend to the Prince and produce heirs that will carry on the Renaldi name."

"Is that what you want?"

"To be married, Queen, and a mother? Of course", she said smiling but Joe noticed she was not totally committed to her words.

"Well, well then Your Majesty, I better take you back home." he said teasing her.

"Oh Joseph tush! And please do not call me Your Majesty because it sounds so strange."

Joe made a face and felt bad that he embarrassed her.

Clarisse placed her hand on his face "Cheer up Joseph I still like you," she said jokingly and then walked towards the bike.

Joe watched her walk away. Swaying her hips to and fro she looked radiant. She even looked graceful when her heel got caught in the dirt and she yanked it out almost falling.

"Oh look, a bunny?" She said fixing her heel and then following it.

"Lady Clarisse be careful please!" Joseph warned
"Oh Joseph it's a little bunny." She said waving her hand as if it were no big deal.

"Yes but make sure you don't fall."

She continued following it until she realized she was under a large weeping willow.

"Lady Clarisse?" Joseph said parting the branches to make sure she was around.

Clarisse spun around with a smile enjoying the interior curtains of the tree.

"Isn't it gorgeous Joseph?" she said turning back around and bending down to pick a small white flower.

"Yes it is," he said walking up behind her.

Not knowing how close he was she spun around and bumped into him. She was right in Joe's face.

"Oh I'm sorry. I think the bunny ran off…" she stopped talking and just looked at him.

Joe looked into her eyes, grabbed her shoulders and kissed Clarisse fast and passionately.
Clarisse's eyes opened widely as she received her first kiss. Then by an internal impulse, she threw her arms around Joe and continued kissing him.

Joe gently lowered her down on the grass without breaking the kiss. Clarisse grabbed his hand and placed it on her waist.

After realizing that he was kissing his boss's only daughter, Joe instantly parted from her lips and rose to his feet.

"What's wrong? Did I do something?" Clarisse asked embarrassed.

"No Lady Clarisse I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you."

"Yes you should have," she said rising to her feet and brushing the grass from her skirt.

Joe looked at her with a puzzled look.

Hesitantly and while wringing her hands together Clarisse continued.
"Joseph… I have been attracted to you for months now and I all I have wanted you to do was kiss me the way you just did.

Joe just stood there not knowing what to do. Then he began "Lady Clarisse…I …I…I think we should be getting back before your parents notice you're gone."

"Perhaps you're right."

He pushed a few branches away so she could exit the serene canopy of the weeping willow before him.

Gathering courage Clarisse began walking towards Joe who for some reason didn't make eye contact with her. Before walking through the branches Clarisse stopped in front of Joe and gently kissed him on the lips. Though known as a flirt she had never been as bold before that move.

When she broke away slowly, Joe grabbed her and pulled her in closer with the one arm he had free.

After a minute Clarisse parted herself from him and began walking towards Joseph's motorcycle. Being that Joe was behind her he could not see the bright smile that she had on her face and she could not see the smile he couldn't hide.

********************************************************

"That was quite the first kiss I had." Clarisse said bringing them back to the present time.

"And the second and the third," Joe joked. Clarisse laughed.

"We were in love back then weren't we?" she asked.

"Oh most definitely," Joe replied. "Until you got engaged."

"Hey remember you carved our names in this tree?" Clarisse asked looking up at Joe.

"That's right I did," he said shooing his wife off of his lap. "Where though?" He said as he began to search through the overgrown ivy on the trunk.

"Here! He exclaimed.
Clarisse stood back as Joe cleared the ivy for her to see.

"Wow!" She said tracing the still present heart that enclosed the letters C & J.
Hugging Joe tightly she uttered: "I love it all, this secret place, this mountain, this carving, our memories, and of course you."

"I love you too, but we better get back to the palace."

"Perhaps you're right." She said touching the carving on the tree.

"After you Your Majesty," Joe teased as he held back the branches for her.

They then walked back to Nick's motorcycle hand in hand.