A/N: Almost there... truly enjoying these chapters!
Thanks to all my readers and reviewers!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me
The cool hallowed halls of the church seemed empty when Joseph and Clarisse finally stepped out into the coolness, pausing momentarily before Joseph began leading her towards the Archbishop's office to sign their marriage certificate (and he assumed that's where the Archbishop wanted them), away from the noise spilling out from the main area of the church, the guests getting up and preparing to leave (and hopefully seeing the newly weds)- he wasn't too keen to spend the first few moments of marriage being the centre of attention (although it would be inevitable at the reception later)... he wanted to spend them with his wife.
As they stepped into the neat, sparse office of the Archbishop, the noise that faded into the background as he closed the door told Joe that he had been right to move them away from the doors as soon as possible (although he had also been fearful that Viscount Mabrey had persisted in skulking around the church, not that he would meet much success), before he wiped all worries from his mind as he turned towards his bride, who was fiddling with her gloves (and clearly absorbed with the task), her cheeks strangely flushed.
"Clarisse?" he said gently, not wanting to frighten her but wanting her to look him in the eyes, ensure him that she wasn't already regretting this impulsive marriage- and he knew that it had been an impulsive gesture for her... he only hoped that she hadn't been pushed into it... by him, namely.
"Clarisse?" he repeated gently, moving slowly towards her. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine... actually, I'm more than fine," she said as she raised her head and met his eyes, the tender, loving and radiant expression on her face taking his breath away- she was not at all regretting her decision to marry him- the guarded expression had been swept away with the emotions of the moment. "I am so very, very happy... so much so that I'm almost speechless and that I find that I... I can't describe exactly how I feel..." she looked sheepish for a moment. "Does... does that make any sense... I've never been this...speechless before..."
"It makes perfect sense," Joseph said reassuringly, taking her hand in his and squeezing gently. "I feel exactly the same way..." before he lifted her hand up to his lips, the sight of the gold wedding band on her finger catching them both momentarily off guard and reaffirming the fact that they really were married! "I just wish I could tell you how happy I am about us...and how much I love you."
"Oh darling," Clarisse's eyes misted over as she reached over with her free hand and touched his cheek gently. "I love you too... I just wish that I had listened to my heart a long time ago."
"But you finally did, that's all that matters..." he began quietly but before they could say anything else, they were interrupted by the sound of the door opening and in bustled the Archbishop, Mia, Sebastian and one of the Archbishop's aides.
"Ah, here are the newly weds! There were quite a few people who were wondering where you were," the Archbishop said briskly, moving around to the other side of his desk as Sebastian and Mia waited for the newly weds to join him.
"It was easier just to come straight to your office," Joseph said as he held out a chair for Clarisse and sat in the one closest to her, both opposite the desk. "I saw that mainly from a security view point," he explained.
"Sounds like the best idea to me," Archbishop James regarded the newly weds with a warm smile- it made his heart sing seeing them together, happy and finally married, not having to fear all those who would criticise them. It was truly a happy day for him when he could finally fill in a marriage certificate for them (not that he hadn't had the highest regard for the King, may he rest in peace). The only regret was that it had taken so long for them to get to this moment...
"Ms Kutaway and the new Head of Security have already informed the majority of the guests to return to the palace for the ceremony, so there should be no stragglers when... the newly weds wish to return to the palace," Sebastian said in a formal tone, but when Joseph cast a glance at him, the younger man was beaming and it was gratifying to realise that he was thrilled for them.
"Good," Clarisse sounded relieved. "Although the crowds..." before, trailing off, she turned to look at the Archbishop expectantly- for the moment as far as she was concerned, all that mattered was that she and Joseph received official confirmation that they were married. "By the way, James, I am aware that there is usually a period between the time of the couple declaring their intentions and..."
"It's fine," the Archbishop said smoothly. "I will do what I can, as will the Prime Minister," he shot a look at the man standing behind Joseph. "But I'm sure it will be alright, considering you are the Queen of Genovia and the most powerful woman in the country," he bestowed a warm smile onto the Queen, who looked down at her hands, blushing, before he turned business like. "Anyway, down to business- your marriage certificate."
Joseph couldn't believe (while also marvelling) that for something so precious and important, it seemed only minutes that their legal document was prepared, a document that legally declared them married. It was just as powerful a symbol as the wedding band on Clarisse's left hand and it was that realisation (as well as knowing that he was married to the love of his life) that made his hand shake slightly as he signed his name on the document, watched carefully by Clarisse, who squeezed his free hand (for they hadn't let go of hands) under the desk in silent sympathy- it was so endearing to see a very tough and strong man so vulnerable and she loved him all the more for it.
Finally, all the paperwork was done, their witnesses (Sebastian and Mia, obviously) having completed their part and the four of them were standing front of the Archbishop's desk, the groom and bride arm in arm (which Mia, ever the romantic, saw as beautiful- they had to be close as humanly possible) as the Archbishop beamed at them.
"I confirmed this already in church but it is with great pleasure that I, for the second time, declare you husband and wife," he said simply but, instead of kissing, all Joseph and Clarisse did was look at each other, in a world of their own.
"So, Grandma," Mia said after a moment, hating to break into their moment but they had a decision to make- their return trip to the palace where, hopefully, Andrew would be willing to take some photographs of them (and she somehow sensed that her grandmother wanted them as well) before the guest arrived. "Charlotte sent the carriage back, she figured you and Joe would be happier travelling in your limo... did you want it around the back or out the front?"
"Oh!" Clarisse turned reluctantly away from Joseph- she had never seen him as happier as he did now and she wanted to memorise the moment- to focus on Mia.
"Yes, the limo would be best but..." she turned back to Joseph. "Would you be terribly upset if we met the car out the front of the church? I know it's our day, but I don't think we can really deny the public an image of the bride and groom... albeit a couple they hadn't imagined..."
"Whatever you want to do, I'll be happy to follow your lead," he said easily, not caring about where he was or the publicity, as long as he was at Clarisse's side and she wanted him there. He did, however, appreciate the way she was consulting him even though he knew less about the public than he did (his job was about protecting the Queen from them... or, rather it had been- he had retired from the moment he announced he was accepting Clarisse's proposal).
"Excellent." Sebastian clapped his hands together. "Her Highness and I will travel back in the first car- which will met US around the back..." he couldn't resist that, although he was very, very happy for the Queen and her new husband, it was obvious that they were meant to be together (they loved each other, for heaven's sake, as Sheila would protest- she had been on their side since she had received word of their relationship, discreet as it was) and even if there were political ramifications, he could handle them- Her Majesty and Joseph deserved this, and it would always be an honour to have served as Joseph's best man during their wedding. "So, we'll leave the spotlight to you," and the two 'witnesses' disappeared- Mia giving them a grin, leaving just them and the Archbishop in his office.
"I will also see you at the reception," the man behind them said and Clarisse turned to give her old friend a smile- they had been friends for a long, long time and she was glad that he had approved of her marriage to Joseph (although she hadn't been aware of how he had known of their relationship- although he didn't seem to disapprove).
"James, I..."she began but he only smiled and moved around the desk to press their hands.
"No words need to be said... except, congratulations," before he too exited the room, leaving them alone, exactly as they had been when they had entered the room only ten minutes before, only there was one major difference- they WERE really, truly married!
"Shall we?" Joseph looked at her with a smile and she smiled back.
"We shall."
0
Neither of them had consciously realised that the office was right at the back of the church, away from the rest of the world, before they began their journey towards the front of the church and that the noise that had seemed very dim was getting louder and louder as they arrived at the front doors, Joseph hearing the screams and shrieks from his new wife's very loyal subjects, Shades and Charlotte waiting for them, their congratulations drowned out by the noise of the crowds.
"Are you SURE you're alright doing this?" Clarisse asked her husband (she loved thinking of him like that!) in a low voice as they prepared for their exit and he nodded, squeezing her hand.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me... we can do this together."
"Together," she affirmed before they stepped out, hand in hand (an unusual gesture, but it WAS their wedding day- she saw it as Joseph's day as well, he more than deserved it) and the noise almost deafened them as they made their way down the stairs, waving in one direction then another, the flashes of the cameras blinding them, and it was almost a relief when they reached the car, the back passenger door opened for them.
Clarisse stepped in first while Joseph, about to close the door and walk to the front passenger seat (something he didn't have to do any more- or drive), waved again before he was pulled into the car and he quickly realised that Clarisse had pulled him in beside her.
"I thought Queens never slid across car seats- or pulled anyone into a car?" he teased once the car had pulled away and Clarisse smiled mysteriously as she waved out her window several times more, before turning back to him.
"The Queen gets to break the rules once in a while," she said, reaching over and entwining her fingers with his. "Today is definitely a day for rule breaking."
"You definitely broke quite a few today," he joked, although now that the adrenaline from the impromptu wedding was waning, he was starting to feel a little awkward and shy around Clarisse, something that had very rarely happened since the moment they met, but now...now their relationship was official and they were married, things were a little different and he was a little concerned about how the change would affect their relationship...
"Are you alright?" Clarisse had been watching him and she was worried that she had rushed him into something he hadn't wanted- after all, their wedding had been in front of practically the entire country, and he was a private man; she herself was incredibly happy- taking Mia's advice had been the best decision she had ever made and she couldn't wait to thank Mia (and Pierre, after their talk this morning) and enjoy her new life (and she did have a new life to look forward to after the coronation) but she couldn't bear it if Joseph was unhappy...or confused...
"I'm fine, its just... that," he paused for a moment and gazed out the passing scenery- they weren't far away from the palace. "I can't believe how quickly this has all transpired... this morning, we were barely speaking and now..."
"I know, it's crazy," she said sympathetically- he was usually unflappable in a crisis, but this wasn't a crisis, what had happened this afternoon had been so unusual and she couldn't blame him for being slightly bemused. "It's something I hadn't foreseen, but I'm glad that it did."
"As am I," his eyes were unusually bright, before they continued the rest of their trip hand in hand, in companionable silence.
0
Mia was waiting on the front steps of the palace, having swapped her wedding dress for a more age appropriate evening dress, when the limousine arrived and she excitedly bounced down (forget being elegant and subtle- her grandmother and Joe were the bride and groom after years of a secret romance- she had got some of the scoop upon her return from her ladies maids) and knocked on the window before Joseph had even undone his seatbelt.
"Welcome home, newlyweds! Hope I'm not interrupting anything!" she said happily- her spirits had rapidly returned upon the realisation she didn't have to get married but she STILL would be Queen even if not married- as well as the fact that her grandmother had married her true love (and she was more than convinced of that) and that she would REALLY have her happily ever after once she retired.
However, Clarisse was currently mortified after she heard her granddaughter's words through the window (that girl, honestly!) but Joseph was chuckling.
"It's good to see that she has her spirits back," and she sighed heavily.
"She's going to say the wrong thing to the wrong person one day."
"No, I don't think she will, she's smarter than that... but you have to admit that you love her spirits, as I do- she reminds me of you in a lot of ways."
"Thank you... but Mia is her own woman... and we probably should get out before she says something else!" Clarisse said briskly and, to Joseph's surprise, she followed him out of the car, holding her hand out for him, instead of waiting for her own door to be opened.
Mia, as excited as young puppy, literally threw herself at Clarisse, her arms out wide, before she did the same to Joseph, bemusing (and yet gratifying) the older couple considerably.
"I wanted to congratulate you before anyone else... I thought Uncle Pierre would be here but he somehow disappeared..."
"It's alright, I'll see him later, " Clarisse finally recovered enough from Mia's display (although it delighted her as did the scene between Mia and Joseph- they had a strong bond) to say: "Is Andrew willing to take a few pictures for us?" and Joseph only stared- photographs? Were they truly going to have photos from their wedding day? "Unless you object?" Clarisse quickly turned back to Joseph and he shook his head.
"Not at all," he croaked, feeling like Alice in Wonderland- Clarisse was back in control, knowing what to do and he was just... floating...
"I'm sure he would, I'll go and find him- he was just saying that he would be delighted if you gave him permission... where and when?"
"Could you please tell him to meet us in the garden- near the pagoda- in about twenty minutes," Clarisse said calmly as she entwined her arm with Joseph's. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we'll be in the garden."
"Of course, Grandma," Mia beamed. "Everything is well in hand," she added, although she could see that her grandmother, at this moment in time, couldn't care less.
"Good... see you soon," she said vaguely before she and Joseph disappeared into the grounds.
"I hope you didn't mind me volunteering use for some photographs... I thought that with Andrew taking them, we could have our own private collection, and possibly one to be released to the public...if you agree."
"I don't mind, my darling, all that matters is that we have some privacy for a little while before our guests came... and I appreciate you consulting me on these decisions."
"As if I would not, you are my husband... it's nice to have someone else to consider...and I also wanted some privacy as well."
"It was a very good idea, because I really want to do this," he said, confidence surging through him as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him and leaning over and crushing his lips down on hers, giving her the kiss that he had wanted to give her at the altar but had been afraid to, the kiss that gave her hope, promise, love, tenderness, passion and absolute, unconditional adoration, all of which she returned in equal confidence.
"Oh my," Clarisse said when they finally broke apart. "Now I know the adage 'absence makes the heart grow fonder is true'!"
"Of course, although neither of us were really absent... we just weren't talking to each other," he said calmly, his equilibrium restored now that they were alone and she had not only reassured him but returned his kiss with just as much passion- she wanted to be married to him- before he caressed her cheek with his hand- it had always felt so rough against her soft skin, but she didn't mind it- in fact, she leaned into it, her eyes closing and a small smile appeared on her face, she had always loved him caressing her cheek like that...
"My darling," his voice was husky enough so that she opened her eyes to meet his.
"My love," she responded, her eyes shining in response. "I do love you, you know- even if you had thought I had turned you down, I had always planned to be in your study the moment after the coronation, on my knees, begging for your forgiveness."
"I would have been in your study a lot sooner,""| he laughed ruefully as they continued their stroll, his arm still around her waist. "But I wouldn't have let you kneel- it's unbecoming in a Queen and I wouldn't have been able to witness the woman I adore more than anything else doing that..."
"You truly feel that way about me?" Clarisse asked, a tiny tear slipping down her cheek as she turned to him, and he nodded.
"Absolutely... I've loved you almost from the moment we met and the feelings have just deepened over the years but I've been afraid to tell you... I hadn't wanted to scare you away, you were so fragile and vulnerable after Rupert and Phillipe passed on as well as Pierre leaving... and I couldn't bear the thought of losing you..."
Clarisse listened patiently, with growing tenderness, at his words and was initially touched by what he had said- she had suspected his feelings almost from the beginning, but while she had wanted to return his feelings (she had always felt that he was a man who would take care of her, protect her, respect her and allow her to reciprocate), she had always been aware of her marriage vows... and today, her new marriage vows gave her total allegiance to the man holding her, the man she had wanted to give her all to so many years earlier.
When he had finished his admission, a little afraid that he had stepped too far too soon, all she did was wrap her arms her arms around him and snuggle into his chest, murmuring:
"We're together now, and that's all that matters...I had wished for years that we could have been together... but now we are... and married so now we don't need to worry about anything... and I love you just as much as you love me..."
0
All too soon, Clarisse was startled to realise that twenty minutes had literally flown by when she heard voices heading down towards where she and Joseph were sitting, but she was very pleased to see Mia, Andrew and Pierre walking towards them.
"Pierre!" she walked towards him, genuine delight on her face- he was the first person she had wanted to see after the ceremony- and he was grinning broadly when they met up and he wrapped his arms around her, Joseph having stayed back to give mother and son a moment alone.
"Congratulations Maman- you and Joe are definitely sneaky ones!"
"All thanks to you... I'm just so happy, especially since you're here!" Clarisse couldn't help but blink back tears- it was an emotional day (a happy emotional day) and she couldn't help but really embrace and demonstrate her emotions.
"I have a wedding present for you," Pierre said with a small smile and Clarisse looked intrigued.
"Oh? Although, how could you have known..."
"Maman, it's not that type of present... I have some news for you."
"Oh?" was all Clarisse could say- what news did he have for her?
"I was wondering how you would feel if I told you that I'm not returning to Scotland?"
"I would be happy for you, but... where are you going?" she was confused now but hoping that he wasn't going to be even further away from Genovia...
"How would you feel about me being back here permanently?"
There was a long silence as Clarisse stared blankly at him, trying to absorb her words, before simultaneously her smile broadened and her eyes filled with tears.
"Really?"
"Really," he affirmed before Clarisse drew him close again, trying not to cry (she couldn't ruin her make up before their pictures were taken) but genuinely thrilled that her son was coming home.
"I take it it's good news?" he teased as Joseph made his way over tot them- he had already known after his talk with Pierre that morning, but Pierre had wanted to tell his mother himself.
"It is indeed- and I assume you already know," Clarisse stepped back, regaining her composure as Joseph wrapped his arm around her waist. "It is the best wedding present I have received, darling...and... so, what will you be doing back here?"
"I've been transferred back to Pyrus- it seems that the Archbishop would like some extra assistance, particularly with the outlining parishes and doing their services..."
"Oh my darling, I'm so happy for you," she impulsively leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. "I am so glad that you are coming home."
"It seemed right to come home, to spend more time with my mother and my niece... and my new step father... Congratulations Joe," he proffered his hand to the older man who took it happily.
"Step father?"
"Yes- you married my mother, so you're my stepfather," Pierre said with a smile and Mia, who had been watching the scene quietly, laughed out loud.
"Yes, and you're my grandfather as well!" and the others laughed as Joe looked slightly bemused.
"I've become a husband, stepfather and grandfather in one day... what a day!"
"But a very, very good day, nonetheless, " Clarisse teased gently, squeezing his arm and he smiled tenderly back at her before Andrew stepped forward, clearing his throat awkwardly.
"We should get started before the light really begins to fade..." he began and Clarisse suddenly turned brisk.
"Of course- where would you like us?"
Joseph was a man who had spent his life out of the spotlight (although, as the Queen's bodyguard, while remaining unobtrusive, the journalists knew who he was) and he hated cameras (not only as his personal preference but from what he had seen happen to the Queen unexpectedly) but today was different, they were surrounded by family and friends, only one or two would be released to the public, the rest for their private album and, truthfully, he wanted photographic evidence of the wedding, that it HAD happened and that it was a day he never wanted to forget.
Sensing his ambivalence (and perceived awkwardness) toward the camera, Clarisse made sure that she was close by (not that that wasn't a problem, they were, after all the centre attraction) and when she watched him (and it was very different to being watched herself, she enjoyed it, although she suspected he knew she was watching him), she suspected that he was enjoying it in his own way, particularly when there were pictures with Mia and Pierre... it made it seem as if they were a real family...
Once the photo session was over, Mia and Pierre had disappeared back up to the palace, and Joseph relaxed, Andrew stepped forward again.
"I was wondering...it may not seem appropriate but... I was wondering if you could... kiss, so that I could take an extra special photograph for you...?"
There was a slight pause as Clarisse regarded the request- she didn't mind, as long as the picture was only for her and Joseph- before she turned to Joseph.
"What do you think, darling?" she asked quietly, hoping that he would agree to the request but understanding if he didn't- he wasn't in the public eye, he hadn't asked for this.
"Alright," he agreed after a moment- although he wasn't thrilled at yet another photograph, he knew that this photo would be special, for their eyes only and he actually wanted a photo of them sharing a kiss...and a kiss on the afternoon of their wedding would be very, very special.
It was slightly awkward, trying to kiss when someone was waiting to take a photo of the moment (Joseph felt especially awkward), but when he was gazing into the innocent, loving blue eyes of his wife, holding her close to him, all self consciousness melted away- this woman had married him, the most powerful woman in Genovia, a Queen, had married him...and he loved her absolutely, almost unconditionally...and he wanted to kiss her desperately, almost as badly as the first kiss in the garden of the consulate after the Ball five years earlier...
"Perfect, " was all Andrew said, which was what brought them out of their reverie- and a kiss that was increasing in passion as they both knew that now that they were married, there were no barriers to what now could happen- and it was strange to realise that it was in their grasp, they just had to wait...
"Now what?" Joseph finally asked after Andrew had excused himself- he was genuinely pleased with the pictures, delighted for the couple and he vowed to have the photographs developed in the next few days... it was his hobby, he wasn't getting paid for doing what he was doing, but today would always be one of the best in his life- not that his bride had chosen not to marry him (and he would always be grateful to her for that decision, and she had been incredibly brave in standing up to the parliamentarians), but because the Queen and the man she obviously loved dearly and deeply, had chosen to make the ultimate commitment. He hoped he would be as brave as them whenever he got married...
"We have a little time... but then... the reception!" she beamed at him and Joseph inwardly groaned but he knew that this was important- not only was it the celebration of their marriage but it was their official 'coming out' as man and wife... he only hoped that it would be a successful evening!
