Several weeks later. Today is Joseph's birthday.

Both were fast asleep in each others arms when the alarm started going off, quickly reaching over to turn it off before laying back with a sigh.

"Go back to sleep." Joseph whispered as Clarisse laughed "I didn't hear an alarm going off." He smirked and tickled her, making her laugh even more "God I love your laugh." He smiled seconds later while hovering over her, placing his hands on the bed beside her head.

"Thank you," She smiled lifting her head and kissed him a couple times while framing his face with her hands.

"Do we have time?" He smiled down at her as she bit her bottom lip.

Checking the time before looking back up at him "I'm sorry we don't," She laughed out as he lowered himself on top of her and started kissing her neck "Joseph this isn't fair, I have to leave for the Palace in an hour." She whispered while locking her arms around his shoulders, feeling him nuzzling her neck "Joe please..." She laughed.

"I won't take long, I promise." He smiled against her jaw while slipping his hand down her side and under the waistband of her pajama bottoms as he moved on his side, pulling her to him and squeezed her backside.

"You are going to make me late." She said trying to stop him.

"Oh come on, it's my birthday." He smiled and lent closer kissing her while running his hand up her back, under her pajama top as she tipped her head back.

"Alright, Happy Birthday." She smiled as he pulled his head back "You started now so you best finish." She smirked as he laughed.

"You bet I will." He whispered and kissed her while rolling them back over so he was on top.


Standing in the doorway to the kitchen for a few moments watching Clarisse as she tied a ribbon around his presents. Whistling as he walked in and over to her, putting his hands on her sides as she turned her head.

"Your driver is here." He whispered and kissed her shoulder while wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her back against him "I told him you'd be a few moments."

"Ok, thank you." She smiled and picked up her coffee, taking a couple sips "I have really spoilt you this year." She smiled "I just hope you like what I got you." She said and took a couple more sips of her coffee.

"Oh well I'm sure I will." He smiled "Now because my hands are busy, how about you open the presents for me?"

"Joseph." Clarisse exclaimed while turning her head "They are your presents, you open them." She laughed as he lowered one of his hands down on her thigh while nibbling her ear "Joseph stop it please.." She asked and turned in his grasp "Why can't you open your presents?"

"Because," He whispered and kissed her a couple times while lowering both his hands, cupping her backside as he started kissing her neck.

"That's not an answer," She said grabbing one of his presents "Here, open this." She smiled as he lifted his head.

"Why, can't I open you instead?" He asked starting to undo her bottom button on her blouse.

"Joseph." Clarisse said while grabbing his hands and looked up "Listen, if you carry on like this Santa won't be bringing you anything for Christmas." She said pressing his present against his chest with a cheeky smile "Now open this." She laughed as he reluctantly stepped back and took the present.

"You are mean." He teased.

"Who knows," She smiled as he looked at her "I may let you unwrap me for Christmas." She smiled while stroking her hand over his chest.

"Oh now you're talking." He winked as she laughed out. After opening the present he read what it said "You've arranged for me to go zip-lining today?" He asked.

"Yes." She nodded while putting her arms back, resting her hands on the counter behind her "I know you've wanted to do that for a long time, so I pulled a few strings." She smiled as he looked back down "I got it for both of us." She smiled as he looked at her "Though I'm probably going to chicken out by the time we get there."

"Oh now that wouldn't be fair, but I would understand." He said stepping closer, putting his hand on her side as they shared a kiss "I love it, thank you." He smiled putting it down on the counter.

"There is one more," She said turning a little as he lowered his hand down onto her backside "There is a card too, but I accidentally left that the Palace so I will have to give you that later on." She smiled and handed him another envelope "Happy Birthday baby." She smiled as he took it.

"You really did spoil me, didn't you?" He asked as she nodded and watched him look down as he opened it up "A weekend in Paris?" He smiled up at her.

"Indeed, it's for the weekend of New Years." She said stepping closer and looked down at the tickets while taking them from his hand then looked up at him while putting her arms back behind her back "Though I don't see us doing much celebrating." She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her, taking hold of her hands "Do you?" She asked.

"No I don't." He smiled and lowered his head, kissing her several times while again lowering his hands and cupped her bottom.

"You have a serious problem with my bottom, don't you?" She asked as he stepped back.

"I can't help it if it's beautiful." He grinned and kissed her neck as she sipped her coffee.

"Mmm, why thank you." She smiled at him "I have to go, so behave yourself." She said passing him her cup "Have the rest of my coffee and I will see you about 11?" She asked.

"Of course you will." He smiled giving her bum a slap as she laughed while jolting forward a little.

"That hurt." She exclaimed with a laugh while rubbing her bottom.

"Oh I'm sorry, come here and I will rub it better for you." He winked giving her a cheeky smile.

"Oh you have a dirty mind Joseph." She laughed.

"No darling, I don't have a dirty mind I have a sexy imagination and you Clari bear are in big trouble." He smirked and sipped her coffee.

"Well," She said slipping on her jacket "Just you remember what I said?" She asked as he looked over "If you don't behave you won't have any presents to unwrap on Christmas Day." She smiled stepping closer as he put his arm around her waist "Be good and I will see you later." She said and kissed him before stepping back.

"See you later." He smiled "Though I do hate the fact you're leaving me so early."

"I know," She said pulling a sad face "But we will see each other again soon, I love you." She smiled blowing him a kiss then walked out.

"Love you more." He called out while sitting at the island.

"Not possible." She called back "See you soon." She smiled grabbing her handbag and walked out the door as Joseph sat laughing in the kitchen.


Standing staring up at the rope going across her, feeling her heart racing already. Coming out of her thoughts when she felt Joseph stand beside her, putting his hand on her back.

"I'm glad you got changed before we came here." He smiled and ran his hand down her arm "Just in case you do decide to do it, as a suit and heels wouldn't of worked for this." He chuckled and looked at her.

"I don't think I can do this." She whispered as he took her hand, locking fingers with hers.

"Well how about we get to the top, if you don't want to go down then I won't either and we can come back another day?" He asked.

"But it's your birthday Joseph, If I don't want to go down it will ruin your turn."

"No it won't," He said stepping closer, while holding her hand down beside them "The feelings of my wife are more important." He whispered while looking into her eyes, putting his other hand up and cupped her face "If you don't want to do it then I won't enjoy it knowing that you aren't going." He whispered.

"I'm sorry." She said studying his face.

"No need to be sorry." He said looking up for a second at the rope then back down at her "Besides, I can't get you all the way up there then let you come back down alone." He added and kissed her.

"Okay." She nodded and wrapped her free arm around his waist while resting her head on his chest.

"Are you ready?" He asked rubbing her back with his free hand, as his other hand still held onto hers.

"I am." She nodded slowly while lifting her head and looked at him "Let's go." She whispered.

"Okay." He smiled and stepped back, leading the way to start their trek to the top.

Reaching the top of the stands a while later, Clarisse clung to the railings as Joseph rubbed her back trying to relax her.

"Ok, I will take a couple photos this end then my colleague will take some when you reach the other end." The instructor smiled "Also it will be filmed too, as a keep sake." He smiled and looked at his Queen "Are you ok Your Majesty?" He asked as Joseph looked at her.

"Yes I'm just great thank you." She nodded, feeling her legs turning to jelly.

"Can you perhaps get a photo of us from up here with the view behind us as right now I am so very proud of my beautiful wife." Joseph beamed as he held out his arm to her as she let go of the railings, moving and clung to him.

"I take it you don't like heights?" He asked as they both nodded "Well good for you, I'm proud too." He smiled and held the camera up "Smile." He grinned and took a photo for them.

"Thank you." Joseph smiled while rubbing Clarisse's back "I'm so proud of you for getting this far, it doesn't even bother me if you don't want to do it."

"You know that you can go down together, if that helps?" The man smiled.

"Do you wanna do it that way?" Joseph asked while looking down at Clarisse.

"Maybe, can I think about it a few minutes?" She asked.

"Of course." The instructor smiled "I'm Ron by the way." He smiled.

"Thank you, Ron." Clarisse smiled, still clinging to Joseph as she closed her eyes.

A few moments later she agreed to go down if she got to go down with Joseph. So setting them up while explaining everything to them and got them ready.

"Are you ready?" Ron asked and watched Joseph nodding then looked at Clarisse as she took a couple deep breaths.

"Why did I agree to do this." She whispered as Joseph rubbed her sides.

"It will be fine, it will all be over in a few moments." He whispered.

"Okay." She nodded and looked at Ron while taking another deep breath "I'm ready." She nodded while watching him put his hand up to release them "No stop, wait." She exclaimed as both Ron and Joseph laughed.

"Just pull it Ron, or we will never get there." Joseph smiled.

"No don't..." Clarisse tried to protest but it was too late they gone.

Reaching the other end moments later, being pulled onto the safe deck and unfastened by the other instructor.

"See that wasn't so bad was it?" Joseph asked and looked at Clarisse in surprise as she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"It was brilliant, I'm so glad I done it." She smiled pulling her head back and kissed him "Now please can we get down from here?" She asked "As I really need the loo now." She whispered as he laughed.

"Ok, come on." He smiled and took her hand.

Heading down to the bottom where they collected their photos and headed back to the Palace, dropping Clarisse off for another meeting.


Arriving home later that day, Clarisse closed the door and walked over to the table in the foyer while looking around.

"Joe? Lena? Anyone?" She called out putting her handbag and box of cupcakes down.

"I'm up here." Joseph called out from upstairs.

Smiling as she grabbed the box and headed upstairs, finding him sat in the suite. Smiling as she walked in and closed the door behind her.

"What have you go there?" He asked while looking at her as she kicked of her shoes and walked over.

"I went and bought some birthday and Christmas cupcakes." She smiled standing beside him and lent over putting the box on the coffee table while opening it "Want one?" She asked while looking back at him.

"Maybe in a bit." He smiled watching her take one and sat beside him, tucking one of her legs under her other.

"Where is everyone?" Clarisse asked and took a bit of the cream of the top with her finger.

"Well Lena is staying at Livy's tonight," He said putting his arm over her legs and looked at her "And Cara and Rose have gone shopping." He smiled as he watched her slowly pull her finger from her mouth "Is that nice?" He asked.

"Oh yes, it's yummy." She nodded and put a bit of the cream on her finger for him.

Taking hold of her hand, slowly closing his lips around her finger as she held her breath and bit her bottom lip "Mmm that is lovely." He smiled, putting his arm back down "I will have to have one of them later." He smiled at her as she took a bite of the cake then looked back at the paper "So," He started while rubbing her leg "Are you all finished now?"

"I am, until after New Year." She smiled and took another bite of her cake.

"Great." He smiled with a nod and looked down "You're making this very hard for me Clarisse." He smirked.

"That was the plan." She smiled as he slowly looked up just as she put her finger, full of cream back in her mouth.

"God Clarisse, stop." He whispered as she licked her lips.

"Make me?" She smiled and slowly lent over, putting the rest of the cupcake on the coffee table before sitting back "What's stopping you?" She asked.

"The girls, that's what." He said looking at her "They will be home soon and..." He stopped when he noticed her hands slowly starting to undo the buttons on her blouse...first one, then two.."Clari Bear what are you doing to me?" He asked.

"What does it look like?" She asked, not taking her eyes from him as she carried on undoing the buttons of her blouse "The girls won't be home for hours." She smiled.

"And how would you know? He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Why do you think they've gone shopping for?" She asked and ran her tongue along her top lip.

"You didn't?" He asked.

"I did." She smiled then laughed out as he folded up the paper and put it down on the coffee table while turning to her "Finally you take full interest." She smirked.

"When you do this, of course I will." He whispered.

"I was teasing you." She giggled.

"Oh yes you are." He smiled going to touch her hand but got pushed away "Oh come on." He exclaimed.

"No touching." She smiled and slowly stood up, moving away from the sofa as he watched her.

Putting some soft music on before turning back to him as he sat smiling, watching as she slipped off her jacket. Clearly able to see the red bra through her white blouse, realizing that she didn't leave wearing a red bra that morning, as he would of noticed something like that.

"You..." He started.

"Shh." Clarisse hushed, with a sexy smile and slowly turned around while tossing her jacket over onto the arm chair. Seconds later she pulled the blouse down over her shoulders, turning her head slightly as Joseph groaned.

Smiling she turned back to face him while letting the blouse fall to the floor, revealing a deep red lace see through bra. Smiling as he watched her swaying her hips a little, getting more and more aroused by the second. Catching a breath when he saw her hands go to the button of her pants, slowly undoing it followed by the zip as he sat biting his bottom lip.

Turning her back to him as she slowly bent over revealing inch by inch the matching pair of red lace panties. Slowly stepping from the pants moments later and kicked them to the side before taking a deep breath and slowly turned around again to face him as she started doing the same with her panties, slowly lowering them down before completely removing them, followed by her bra seconds later.

"You are beautiful," He smiled as she slowly walked over to him.

"Shhh." She whispered while leaning forward a little putting her hands on the back of the couch as she straddled him on the couch.

"I've never seen this side of you before." He whispered "No matter how long we've been together, I absolutely love this side of you." He smiled as she lowered herself down on his lap slowly.

"Good, I'm pleased you do." She smiled, putting her hands on his neck as she started kissing him slowly, her tongue demanding entrance moments later as she ran both her hands through his hair arching her back as he did the same to her.

"Mmm." He moaned into the kiss several moments later before breaking it for air, smiling at her very red swollen lips "I really do like this side of you." He whispered, wrapping his arms around her and in one swift move she was on her back on the couch.

Trying to steady her breathing as she lay watching him remove his top, hovering over her seconds later where they continued kissing as he lowered his body down on hers. Gripping her thigh as he began kissing her neck as she turned her head to the side, feeling him grinding himself against her she couldn't help but moan.

"I need to feel you inside of me now Joseph." She whispered turning her head to look at him as he lifted his, sharing a kiss before he knelt back and quickly removed his pants and boxers. Lowering himself back down as he positioned himself at her entrance, kissing and sucking at her neck as he, in one swift move drove into her core hard and fast. Smiling against her neck as she tipped her head back.

"Mmmm Yes." Clarisse moaned, digging her nails into his sides as he started grinding against her.

"You feel so good." He whispered, watching her bite her lip a second before taking her beautiful red lips in a hungry kiss.

"Oooh, mmmm." She moaned as he broke the kiss, burying his face in the crook of her neck as he continued to thrust. "Mmm yes." She moaned, locking one arm around his shoulders while lowering her other one down. Placing her hand on his backside, digging her nails in as he drove into her.

"Lock your legs around me baby." He moaned in her ear, feeling her run her hand up his back, gripping the back of his shoulder as she obeyed his demand "Mmm," He moaned, gripping hold of her thigh as he started going faster "Oh god Clari..." He moaned kissing her several times as she gripped hold of his arm, moaning out in pleasure as he drove really hard into her a number times, tipping them both over the edge.

"Oh God...Yes." Clarisse moaned, burying her face in his neck as she moaned out.

Remaining on top of her as they both tried to catch their breath and come down from their high.

"Oooo." Clarisse moaned softly as Joe lifted his head, smiling as she moved her hands onto the sides of his head, kissing his jaw as he pulled out of her.

Raising himself a little with a smile and grabbed her leg, turning her onto her side on the edge of the couch. Smiling as she turned her head and watched him lay behind her, wrapping one arm around her arms, tucking his hand under her head as they shared a slow kiss.

"Well that was amazing and totally unexpected." Joe said between kisses.

"Mmmm. I'm happy to know that after all these years I can still surprise you." She smiled as he kissed her shoulder.

"Yes you can." He nodded while watching her turn her head the other way as he tucked his arm under her head "Honestly that was amazing." He whispered, kissing her shoulder softly as she turned her head back to look at him "You look so beautiful right now." He whispered, taking her lips in another deep kiss.

A short time later, as they remained laying in each others arms they heard the front doors closing. Turning her head she looked at Joseph as he sat up, looking straight to the door.

"No one should be coming here." He said quickly jumping up and grabbed his clothes, rushing to get dressed "Hurry into the suite."

"Joseph with the..." She started and gasped in surprise as he grabbed her arm, making her stand up.

"Honestly, no one should be here." He whispered "I know it could be one of the kids, but knowing that they shouldn't be here yet I would still like it if you hid in your closet and locked the door behind you." He whispered and continued getting dressed.

"Oh you are being silly," She started as he looked up at her "Ok I'm going." She said quickly gathering up her stuff and hurried into the bedroom.

Rushing to the door, opening it to find Aimie stood smiling at him "Aimie." He beamed as she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him as Arie appeared "What are you doing here?"

"Joe?" Tom called from the bottom of the stairs.

"Yea Tom." He smiled while picking Aimie up and walked onto the landing "Give me a second and I will be down." He smiled putting Aimie down.

"Where's Grandma?" She smiled.

"I'm just going to get her, she's in taking a shower." He smiled "Go down with Daddy and I will be right down."

"Okay." Aimie smiled and headed downstairs with Arie.

Smiling he rushed through to the bedroom and to the closet, knocking on the door.

"It's Aimie and Arie." He smiled as she opened the door.

"Really?" She asked.

"Yea, I'm going to go down and talk with them see what's going on, I told them you were in the shower so make your hair look wet or something." He smiled and kissed her.

"Okay." She smiled and watched him hurry out the room.

Heading down, finding them in the living room "I'm back, Clarisse will be right down." He smiled over at the kids near the tree.

"Actually I would rather talk to you before she comes down, if that's alright?" Tom asked.

"Of course," He said looking towards the kitchen door "Maybe in the kitchen?" He asked and watched him nod "Ok, kids we will be back." Joe smiled.

"Okay Grandpa." Aimie smiled and watched them walk into the kitchen.

"So what's going on?" Joseph asked while closing the door.

"Well, first of all I hope you don't mind us just letting ourselves in." He said grabbing the key from his pocket "Aimie so kindly told me that she had took her Grandma's key last time she was visiting and we were just going to leave you a note to let you know where we were." He said putting the key down on the table.

"That's ok." Joseph smiled "Clari has been looking for that for ages." He smiled "Anyway carry on."

"I know your family has been through a lot this last year, and I thought it only fair that Aimie and Arie spend this Christmas with you and their baby sister, Emma." Tom said while looking down "With it being your first without Erica, I thought having all the kids here would be special." He added while looking up, seeing tears prick Joseph's eyes.

"Yes, that's a lovely thought." Joseph said while stepping closer and gave him a man hug "Thanks Tom, I know Clarisse will be happy to have the kids here." He said patting his back, stepping back "Thank you so much."

"No problem." Tom nodded.

Heading back into Aimie and Arie moments later, giving them a hug and kiss before leaving. And as they fought over the tv remote Clarisse came down, leaving her with them for a few moments to catch up then sat down beside her.

"Where's Tom?" She asked while watching the kids.

"He's gone, Aimie and Arie are here for Christmas." He smiled while rubbing her back as she looked back at him.

"Really?" She asked while turning properly.

"Yep," He smiled and lent closer whispering in her ear "So we better behave now." He smiled as she nodded.

"Yes, we better had." She giggled and kissed him before turning back to the kids.


Later that evening as Cara and Rose watched the children, Joseph and Clarisse headed out for a birthday dinner. Coming home just before midnight, letting Cara know that they were home before heading to bed. Only when they walked into their bedroom they found Lena and Aimie snuggled together fast asleep. Smiling at each other before getting ready for bed and headed back into the suite, snuggling together on the couch where they soon drifted off.