Author's Note: Yes, another two parter but I'm really enjoying this and I'm hoping you will too!

Thank you to my readers and reviewers!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

The rest of the evening passed by in a blur of dancing, talking and drinking before Rupert and Isabel finally left at midnight, much to Joseph's secret relief. While he was delighted Rupert and Isabel were finally man and wife, he was more concerned about Clarisse- now knowing she was possibly expecting their second child, he was suddenly very protective of her and, even though she protested to the contrary, he could see she was exhausted by the time the newlyweds left.

They had had a couple more danced in the ballroom after the cake was cut, both of them relieved their duties were over for the evening, but once Joseph felt her wilt slightly in his arms, he gently guided her over to an empty group of chairs in the corner of the ballroom. He knew he was probably being overprotective, but she was his wife and possibly carrying his child and he wanted to help.

"I'm fine, really!" she protested before he left to find her a cup of tea but he only smiled- she was trying to convince him that she wasn't tired but he knew better.

"But you are tired, aren't you?" he looked at her pointedly and she sighed- he knew her so well after three years- before smiling wearily, her feet and body aching.

"You know me too well... and I would love a cup of tea..." before Joseph, noting her discomfort, leant over and murmured:

"If this wedding ends before dawn, I'll give you a massage," chuckling when she smiled gratefully at him.

The two of them stayed in their corner for the rest of the night, discussing Pierre and wishing they could talk about the baby, before they were joined by James, Charlie, Marion and Lisa and their quiet corner quickly became the loudest, with guests turning as James and Charlie kept cracking jokes before Charlie, far more expansive than James, joked jovially:

"Everyone is obviously jealous and so they should be- we are the heart of the party!"

At his words, which attracted the attention of a group of elderly guests, Clarisse, Marion and Lisa all burst into fits of giggles while Joseph and James, embarrassed, rolled their eyes. But before they could say anything, Jessica appeared and informed them that Rupert and Isabel were leaving, but while the others hurried out into the main foyer to wait for them, Joseph and Clarisse followed at a more leisurely pace, Rupert and Isabel having stopped by their corner earlier to say goodbye and thank them for all their help.

"And that speech... I always knew you were a marshmallow!" Rupert shook his brother's hand, wishing he could hug him but aware that they were always being observed. People expected the two royal princes to act in a certain way, and any change to that behaviour was viewed as 'unusual'. "I suppose I should thank Clarisse for that!" he added jokingly, grinning at Clarisse who, blushing, shook her head definitely.

"No, it was all Joseph! But have a wonderful honeymoon- where are you going, by the way?"

"We're spending three weeks cruising the Mediterranean... us and a dozen bodyguards!" he laughed easily.

Joseph and Clarisse stepped out into the foyer to see Rupert and Isabel disappearing out the door, followed by the most of the guests and Joseph took the opportunity to whisper into her ear.

"How about we disappear upstairs before everyone comes back? Now that they're gone, my parents won't be too far behind them so the party will be over."

"I'm not arguing with you sweetheart," she said softly before they retreated, unnoticed, upstairs hand in hand. She was secretly relieved that he had suggested they leave- she was so tired, so tired that she didn't check on Pierre- and she let out a happy sigh as she sank down on the foot of the bed and kicked off her shoes. It had been a big, emotional day and she would have been exhausted even if she wasn't pregnant, and she was happy not to be on show anymore.

"FINALLY!" she said with another happy sigh and he laughed as he hung up his jacket, tossed his tie and cuff links on his bedside table and sat down next to her to undo and kick off his own shoes.

"Now who's saying finally?" he teased as he shrugged off his vest and undid the top two buttons of his shirt. "So..." he continued, reaching over and squeezing her shoulders. "Do you want a foot massage or a full body massage?"

"Oh darling... that's very sweet of you, but you're just as tired as I am so maybe we should just go to bed," she yawned as she stood and stretched, releasing her hair from the bun it had been in all day.

"I don't mind..." he said quietly as he unzipped her dress for her. "It's been such a big day, though... I'm glad our wedding was nothing like that!"

"So am I," Clarisse agreed, changing into her nightgown, hanging up her dress and disappearing into the bathroom to brush her teeth, Joseph joining her moments later.

They were both relieved when they finally collapsed into bed, Clarisse snuggling up to him and Joseph stroking her hair.

"I certainly don't envy them flying out tonight," he said after a moment. "At least it wasn't as far as we went on our honeymoon, though!"

"True, but I hope they will enjoy themselves," she said sleepily.

"They will, and hopefully when they come back, we can tell them they're going to be an uncle and aunt again..." he said softly as she rested her cheek against his warm chest, already dreaming...

000

As it turned out, Joseph was in a session of parliament with Henrik when Clarisse went to the doctor two days later, successfully avoiding the ever present press as she did.

However, he was already home and playing with Pierre in the nursery, albeit distractedly, his thoughts on Clarisse when he heard footsteps on the stairs and he looked up to see Clarisse standing in the doorway, smiling at the scene before her.

"Well, well, well, here are my two favourite men," she teased before kneeling down on the floor next to Pierre and his pile of wooden blocks and gently leaning over to kiss his forehead.

"What are you and Papa playing, sweetheart?"

"Bwocks!" Pierre said before flinging a block across the room and Joseph gently tapped him on the arm.

"You don't need to throw blocks, P," he said firmly but quietly and the little boy pouted for a moment before Clarisse leaned over and kissed Joseph lightly on the lips. "So... what... did..?" he began before Clarisse suddenly stood up.

"This looks like so much fun, I'm just going to get changed," she said with a smile and left the nursery, Joseph hot on her heels as he followed her into their bedroom and closed the doors behind him.

"So... are you alright? What did the doctor say?" he asked anxiously as she opened her wardrobe doors to retrieve another dress but before she could turn and say anything, he stepped up behind her and playfully unzipped her dress a little and pressed his lips against the base of her neck, grinning as he felt her shiver with delight.

"So, madam," he continued, dropping soft kisses down her back he continued to unzip her dress. "Are you going to tell me or am I going to have to... kiss the truth out of you?"

"Alright," Clarisse spun around, the dress falling off her shoulders as she beamed at him, caressing her cheek- she wasn't at all shy about telling him this. "I'm fine... and I AM having a baby!" she cried in delight- even though they had both suspected it at the wedding, she was doubly excited to know that it was true. "Congratulations Papa... you'll be a father again in April!" she said softly, her eyes filling with tears at the look of awe and delight on his face- his family really was his first priority.

"Oh Clarisse, baby... this is wonderful... wonderful," he murmured, burying his face in her neck and holding her close, for once at a loss for words, much to Clarisse's surprise.

Even when he had been a 'playboy prince', in the papers every day with a different girl on his arm, having a family was what he had always wanted and now that he and Clarisse were having another baby, it had really hit him. He had been excited about Pierre but this time it had really struck him- he was a father and he had a family.

"Aren't you happy, darling?" Clarisse murmured into his ear after a moment, a little concerned at his lack of excitement over the news, but he was smiling tenderly at her as he pulled away, his eyes damp but looking delighted.

"I am, I really am... but," he paused, feeling a little hesitant about telling Clarisse what he was really thinking and feeling but she had opened herself up to him and he could do the same for her. "I am, but..." he tried again but was overcome.

"What is it?" she asked quietly as they walked over and sat down on the bed together. "Joseph, darling... you can talk to me," she reminded him gently and, after another pause, he met her eyes.

"You may think it's silly..."

"Never," she said firmly, pressing his hand tightly.

"I am very, very happy about the baby, I am," he said gently, depositing a kiss on her cheek. "It just hit me that I'm a father and a family man now... Yes, I was a father when Pierre was born, but now..." he trailed off, looking away for a moment before returning his gaze to Clarisse. "I always wanted a family, even when I was young and badly behaved. My parents were always away or busy so Rupert and I were raised by nannies and I vowed I would never be a stranger to my children... but until I met you, I assumed that I would marry one of those women who didn't care about their children and would convince me that they didn't need us... but you want the same as me, and we're realizing this dream of mine together..."

"Oh sweetheart," Clarisse said softly, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, realizing he was opening himself up to her.

"You, Pierre and the new baby..." he gently touched her flat stomach. "Are my world now, and I know you don't understand why I get irritable when I have to go away or why I'm so protective of you, but it's because of wanting a normal family life, being so proud of you and seeing my parents leave me and Rupert so many times that I act like this- I don't want to let you down..."

"They didn't leave you forever," she said softly but now understanding his over protectiveness and reluctance to leave them. "They had a job to do, as do you and I'm sure our children will understand and appreciate it in the future as you do now with your parents... As for your other concerns, you have NEVER let me down and, while I'm able, I will be travelling with you..." before leaning over and kissing him gently on the lips. "But thank you for confiding in me..."

"I wanted to... and congratulations to you... so, the baby is due in April..."

"Yes, just before Pierre's second birthday..." she smiled as he nibbled her ear, beyond ecstatic about the baby, and she chuckled lightly before pulling away and striding back to her wardrobe. "Now I really need to change so we can go and play with Pierre... by the way, when is your meeting with the Agricultural Minister?"

Her schedule was clear for a few days (she suspected that was Joseph's doing) but they always knew each other's schedules, both individual and their schedule as a couple.

"Not until later this afternoon, so I can play too... only I hope Pierre doesn't throw anymore blocks... what?" he asked as she looked at him with a slightly odd expression. "What's wrong?"

"I just realized that this will be our second baby in three years... do you think anyone will point that out?" but Joseph didn't look fazed as he walked over to her and weaved his arms around her waist.

"If they do, they will be very ill mannered to say anything- we're having a baby and that is no one else's business but ours... they don't know anything about us and, as far as I'm concerned, they have no right to comment... the only people's opinions that matter are ours... you want the baby, don't you?"

"More than anything," she said firmly.

"And so do I... who cares about anyone else?" he grinned charmingly at her and she laughed, feeling much better. "So, aside from my meeting and playing with Pierre, there is also a special day coming up... my birthday may have been ignored..."although he knew perfectly well it hadn't been- Clarisse had made a fuss of him all day. "A certain young lady is turning..."

"Please! I'm only 25!"

"Twenty five... a quarter of a century..." he teased and she only groaned before ignoring his quip.

"Anyway... let's go play with Pierre..."

000

Rupert and Isabel returned from their honeymoon nearly three weeks after the wedding, tanned and blissfully happy and just in time for Clarisse's belated birthday celebrations (she had spent the day with Joseph and Pierre, Joseph thoroughly spoiling her with lots of gifts, including a diamond pin in the shape of a C)- a simple dinner with family (her father wasn't able to come) and a few close friends (James and Charlie) was all she wanted.

She and Joseph had agreed to announce their news at dinner- they were leaving on their four week tour of Europe a few days later and they would be away when the official announcement was made, but they wanted their family and friends to know before hand.

"I can't believe I'm 25... a quarter of a century," she marvelled lightly as they took a brief stroll around the gardens before dinner. "I'm a very happy wife and mother..."

"I was 25 three years earlier, and you were an honoured guest at my birthday dinner..."

"While you rescued me from my own party and then we shared our first kiss..." she smiled dreamily- she would never forget that night...

"Do you WANT to marry Rupert?" he suddenly burst out as she unconsciously gripped his hand for a moment and rested her head on his shoulder, blushing slightly at his question before sighing and standing up to wander over to the closed glass door, gazing out into the darkened garden.

"I know it must seem awkward that I'm asking you this, and that I'm Rupert's younger brother, but I do care about you... very much," he said as he walked over to join her at the door, his hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

"You do?" she turned to look at him, her eyes filling with tears before their eyes met and again communicated the unspoken mutual attraction, respect, tenderness, passion and love they felt for each other. "Really?"

"Really," he affirmed, moving his hand from her shoulder to her cheek as he gazed at her moonlit face, before leaning closer towards her, their lips coming closer and closer to touching until they WERE almost touching, both of them breathing becoming quicker due to the close proximity to each other.

He paused for a moment to gaze into her wide blue eyes- she was so beautiful and so innocent, despite her twenty two years... could he really tell her?

"I love you Clarisse," he murmured tenderly and her lips curved up a little as her eyes met his.

"Oh Joe... I love you too," she almost whispered as a small tear ran down her cheek before he pressed his lips on hers.

It was only meant to be a gentle, brief kiss but it quickly intensified as Clarisse responded to his lips on hers, electrified, and he felt wonderful... kissing Clarisse was far different to kissing anyone else... before they both gave into the feelings they had been fighting for so long...

It was only when they both needed oxygen that they pulled away from each other (albeit with great difficulty) but still staring at each other while breathing heavily.

"Oh my," she murmured, almost swooning a little at the power of the kiss as well as her feelings for him, but Joseph had a firm grip around her waist as he guided her back to the seat.

"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly as he sat down beside her, his arm still around her waist. "Clarisse?" He personally felt wonderful and his stomach was doing somersaults of joy,- the kiss had only confirmed his feelings for her but he was more concerned about Clarisse at the moment- he sincerely hoped he hadn't railroaded her into doing something she didn't want to do.

"I feel... wonderful," she smiled radiantly at him and cupped his cheek in her hand. "You... you really do love me?" she asked timidly, just to make sure she hadn't misheard him, and he nodded as he removed her hand from his cheek and kissed her palm.

"I do, more than I can ever say," before he stopped, feeling nervous about her feelings for him- what if she had only been caught up in the heat of the moment? "And you... you really love me?"

He looked like a boy for a moment, and her heart went out to him- she really did love him.

"I do... with all my heart," she beamed at him before two tears slipped down her cheeks, alarming him.

"My birthday may have started badly but it ended wonderfully," she smiled adoringly at the man who had captured her heart before he kissed her, his hand drifting towards her slightly swollen stomach- his fascination with pregnancy hadn't diminished the second time around, but Clarisse understood and welcomed it this time.

Dinner was an enjoyable affair with even Alexandra relaxing somewhat, and while the guest of honour was her usual quiet self, James and Charlie celebrated on her behalf. The table went wild when Joseph announced they were having a baby, both of them appreciating the love and support, but Clarisse went maroon with embarrassment (and Alexandra frowned in disapproval) when Charlie crowed:

"Two babies in three years... way to go, Joe!" before subsiding significantly when Marion elbowed him in the ribs and both James and James glared at him.

He apologized profusely to Clarisse when he left, insisting that he hadn't meant to embarrass her and while Clarisse forgave him on the spot, Joseph was still mortified, although he couldn't resist joking:

"I don't think Mother will let him back into the palace for a long, long time!"

0

Three days later, Joseph, Clarisse and Pierre (with his nanny) left for a month long tour of Europe representing Genovia, and while Joseph was thrilled to have his wife and son with him, he was also a little concerned about Clarisse- her morning sickness had woken her up earlier that morning and she still didn't look well as they sat back in their seats, Pierre, his nanny and their team of bodyguards sitting behind them, waiting for the plane to take off.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked again anxiously and she smiled wanly at him, her face still white.

"I'll be fine," she said calmly. "The first three months are the worst, but I will be alright... it will pass," she patted his hand reassuringly, mollifying him somewhat.

Unfortunately, Clarisse was dogged with morning sickness the entire time they were away, often lasting all day, making her life even harder as she accompanied her husband to dinner parties, meetings and press conferences, but she didn't complain as she continued to charm the leaders and heads of states, a perfect foil for her husband.

The attention they attracted seemed to intensify two weeks into their trip when the announcement of Clarisse's second pregnancy was released, and the press then focused more intensely on the couple, and there were times when Joseph came close to losing his temper, especially when, one day, in their eagerness to capture another picture of the Princess, they nearly knocked Clarisse over.

"Can't they leave you alone for one day?" he fumed as he paced their bedroom at the English embassy, Clarisse resting on the bed.

"We are here to represent Genovia..."

"While the press was more interested in capturing a picture of your stomach!" he snapped, sitting down on the bed and took her hand. "They almost knocked you over this morning!"

Clarisse smiled at him- his protective instincts were already on full blast, and while it had irritated her during the first pregnancy, she was too tired and sick at the moment to notice.

She hadn't said anything to her husband, but the tour had been more gruelling that she had initially thought, the almost constant morning sickness not helping, but she was determined to make it through for her husband and Genovia.

"But they didn't... so, what time is the afternoon tea with the Ambassador?" she asked, slowly sitting up but he held up his hand to stop her.

"Two, but you won't be coming."

"Why not?" Clarisse looked worried- what had she done wrong?

"You haven't done anything wrong, but you're clearly exhausted and you've been on your feet almost every day for the past two weeks so you, madam, are going to stay here and rest this afternoon... and see Pierre!"

While they had managed to keep Pierre out of the spotlight for much of the trip, he had charmed everyone he'd met, all of whom had commented that he combined the best of both his parents, and even some people had teased:

"You'll have to watch him when he gets older!"

"Alright," Clarisse agreed, somewhat reluctantly but secretly relieved- she did need a rest. "But are you sure you'll be alright without me this afternoon?"

"I'll be fine," he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Especially knowing that you'll be resting... Besides, remember we do have that big party to attend tomorrow and I need my date!"

All in all, their month long tour was a great success, and Joseph knew it was in most part due to Clarisse's considerable charm and genuine interest in people, although Clarisse argued that it was because of him, but while they disagreed on that point, they both knew that parliament would be pleased with them.

Joseph was also relieved to be going home for Clarisse's sake- her morning sickness had barely abated but she had pressed on, no matter how sick or tired she was, and he was already insisting that she was going to take a week off to recover.

"I know I'm sounding like an overprotective husband but I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby... " he said as the plane landed back in Pyrus in the second week of November.

"I know, but I don't want to let you down either..."

"You won't , but your health is more important and I'm sure Dr Bangs would agree with me..."

Sure enough, the doctor definitely agreed with Joseph when she went for her check up.

"I'm very impressed that you did everything you had to do when you were away (and I'm sure Joe's proud of you) but now you need to look after yourself and the baby, hence you will need to rest and recover for the next couple of days, just as a precaution..."

000

After a couple of days rest, just what her doctor and husband ordered, Clarisse threw herself back into her charities as well as her public appearances, and while the morning sickness took it's toll, she pressed on, gaining respect and admiration from even her few critics, proving that she would do almost anything to help the royal family and the Crown.

She sometimes looked tired and drawn at the end of a long day, but she continued with her duties and no one could fault her her persistence and dedication. Despite her morning sickness and the occasional bout of exhaustion, the pregnancy was going well and everyone agreed that she was glowing- Joseph especially thought she looked beautiful, and insisted that he loved her thickening figure whenever she felt a little insecure.

"Your body represents the face you have a child growing inside of you, OUR child, and I think it's amazing what women do, having children... and you're beautiful in my eyes..." smiling when she blushed before teasing back:

"You're always going to be biased, aren't you?"

She was five months pregnant at Christmas, and the baby was already proving to be active, immediately convincing Clarisse that she was having another boy, although she didn't want to find out and Joseph was doubtful.

"You just don't want to lose another bet!" she teased him. "I suspected Pierre was going to be a boy, and I think I might be right this time too!"

"You'll be definitely hard to live with if you're right," he muttered but the tender smile on his face belied his words. "Still, I think it might be a girl..."

"Is Claire your first option?" she teased- this discussion was reminiscent to when she was expecting Pierre.

"Yes... and I assume Joseph would be yours?" he retorted, also remembering that previous discussion.

"No, I like you being the only Joseph in my life... but I do like Phillipe..."

"We have plenty of time to decide," he said reassuringly before kissing her.

It was the first Christmas with Isabel and her parents present (which again struck Clarisse that her parents were never there) but Pierre was again the centre of attention but he had yet to display characteristics of a spoiled child- he was a sweet, kind, happy and polite little boy who looked like and possess the same calm, quiet nature as his mother, but there were times when he looked and acted likes is father, especially in his smile.

"So I bet you're hoping this baby is the mirror image of you!" Rupert teased after dinner as they all sat in the library, Clarisse snuggled up next to Joseph and Pierre napping in her lap and Joseph laughed.

"No, all I want is a healthy, happy child and I don't even care if it's a boy or girl!" he added, deliberately ignoring his wife's pointed look.

"I think you'll have a daughter," Rupert said calmly. "Which should be interesting, considering you're already a marshmallow with your son, so I can only imagine you'll be putty with a daughter!" he laughed before Joseph tossed a cushion at him, Alexandra idly admonished:

"Settle down, boys!"

0

New Year's Eve was uneventful, Clarisse again attending on Joseph's arm, secretly relieved that she would only be dancing with him or some of his friends, and most of the men present knew the wouldn't be dancing with Clarisse- Joseph was always protective of his wife, but now that she was expecting again, he was almost too overprotective, but they were all secretly envious, and Joseph sensed it and hoped that they were finally accepting them as a couple, three years into their marriage.

"They're all secretly envious of us..." he joked as they walked out onto the dance floor, Clarisse feeling obvious but Joseph only pulled her close and whispered : "Don't feel self conscious, you look beautiful..."

"You praising me could end up being your full time job!" she joked and he laughed easily.

"It already is, but I don't mind," he said with a smile, noting that it was nearly midnight. "Do you want to go outside to see the new year in in privacy, or would you rather stay here?"

"I'm more than happy to stay here... although you could sneak me into a dark corner just beforehand," she smiled slyly at him and he laughed out loud before he pulled her close to him again.

He was relieved that she seemed much better and was happy and relaxed in his arms... people may have murmured that they were eager to have a family, two in three years, but he had never been happier... as long as his wife was happy (and their son) he didn't care about anything else. The new year seemed to stand before them, fresh, clean and unblemished- it was a view that had appealed to him, even when he was still single and playing up, but now it was so much better to share it with Clarisse, his beloved it wife... and it was especially new and exciting for them as they would welcome a new child before the year was half over, but a feeling of dread suddenly swept over him, causing him to stiffen slightly and Clarisse looked at him in bewilderment.

"Is something wrong, my love?"

"No, nothing darling," he said with a calm smile, forcing himself to relaxed as she rested her cheek against his shoulder again but his mind was racing as he forced himself to calm down... why on earth had he suddenly felt that? Was there something on the horizon that was going to threaten their happiness, or even their children?

If so, he was going to be ready for that... but still...he didn't feel right.. why was he feeling like this and WAS there something going to happen in the next couple of months that would threaten them... either way, he was going to be ready for it... NO ONE was going to hurt his wife and children...