Thursday 29th May 2008.

Sitting at the desk in the office up in the attic of her house, Clarisse drank some of her morning tea before placing her cup back down and continuing to write out an email to an old friend when her mobile suddenly sprung to life. Moving her glasses from her face, she slipped them up on top of her head and picked up her phone from beside her laptop on the desk, and seeing it was Joseph calling she couldn't help but smile as her heart fluttered.

"Good morning," she said, answering the call as she sat back in her chair and crossed her legs under the desk.

"Good morning, I hope I didn't disturb anything?" He asked and smiled to himself.

"No, you haven't. I'm just at the house replying to a couple emails and sorting through my bank statements before I go shopping with Bethany later," Clarisse answered.

"You're at the house? I thought we agreed that you would stay at the palace until I got back?" Joseph said.

"We did agree that, and I have stayed at the palace. I came here this morning because I still need to keep on top of things and before you say anything, yes I brought someone with me. Shades is downstairs," Clarisse said with a chuckle and shook her head.

"That's alright then, you know how I worry about you when I'm not there," Joseph said while standing to his feet and moved over to the window to look outside.

"I know you do, but you are coming home today, which reminds me, how did the last fitting go?" She asked and reached forward to pick up her cup of tea from the desk.

"It went really well, everything's a perfect fit," he smirked to himself, "only two more weeks left and you will get to see me in a kilt."

"Mmhmm I can't wait, but at the same time I'm trying really hard not to think about it," Clarisse smiled and took a sip of her tea before placing her cup back down on the desk as Joseph laughed down the phone.

"And why not?" He asked and slipped his free hand in his pants pocket.

"You know why," she smiled while looking down at her hand as she placed it on her thigh and smoothed it up her leg to her knee. "Anyway, what time do you think you'll be home today?"

"I loved the change of subject there," he laughed, imagining her face when she finally gets to see him in the kilt for the first time.

"Joseph, don't do this to me," she laughed and put her hand up to cover her eyes as she began blushing. "Knowing what I'm like just picturing you in a kilt, I'm honestly dreading that day when I do actually see you in it."

"I'm not," he laughed.

"That's not helping," Clarisse exclaimed and shook her head as she laughed.

"I know, I'm sorry," he said, smiling to himself, "but to answer your question, I should be back around three."

"Oh that's not so bad, I will probably still be out shopping at that time though but I will see you when I get back," she said.

"Alright, but listen I was just thinking. Why don't we go out to dinner tonight, like out on a date?" Joseph said, hoping she would say yes.

"That sounds nice," she said, agreeing with him, "I can find something to wear this afternoon."

"Yes you can," he smiled to himself, "and please use my card that I left with you when you pay for it."

"Oh no, I'm paying for it," Clarisse protested.

"But I want to treat you, so please use my card when you pay for it and treat yourself to a new pair of shoes to go with it too," he said and smiled, "please, I insist."

"Oh very well, I will use your card then," she said, "thank you."

"No problem," he smiled, "anyway I will let you go to finish what you were doing and I will see you later on."

"Yes, you will," she said, nodding to herself, "I love you."

"I love you too, goodbye."

"Goodbye," Clarisse said and hung up the phone. Biting her bottom lip, she placed her phone back on her desk and thought a moment before slipping her glasses back on and continued with her email.

Later That Morning.

Hearing her doorbell ringing, Clarisse made her way out of the kitchen and through the hallway to answer the door. "Good morning," she smiled answering the door and watched as her cousin stepped closer to her, "you are early?"

"I am," Bethany smiled and kissed Clarisse's cheek before walking further into the hall and turned back to her. "I hope that's okay, my being here early?"

"Of course," Clarisse said while closing the door and turned back to her, "would you like a cup of tea before we leave?"

"I would love one, thank you," Bethany smiled as Clarisse began leading the way and followed her into the kitchen.

"I am glad you are here early actually," Clarisse said as she began preparing the tea.

"Oh yes? How come?" Bethany said as she placed her handbag on the kitchen table and moved over to sit at the counter.

"Well me and Joseph are going out to dinner tonight, and I want to buy something nice to wear for it," Clarisse said as she looked up at Bethany sitting up on one of the stools at the counter.

"Ooo so you mean you are actually going out on a date together, in public?" Bethany smirked as Clarisse nodded.

"Yes we are," Clarisse said and smiled, "but I need your help."

"How so?" Bethany asked as she raised her eyebrow, wondering how she could possibly help.

"Well I would like to buy, if I can, some fancy lingerie while we are shopping," she said quietly.

"Oh! I see," Bethany said and nodded, "you want to spice things up and buy some sexy lingerie, to tease your man."

"Shh, Shades is right through there," Clarisse exclaimed quietly while gesturing towards the living room doorway and watched as Bethany covered her mouth with her hands.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't realise," Bethany said while lowering her hands and nodded, "but now I get why you need my help. You don't want him seeing what lingerie you are buying for yourself?"

"Exactly," Clarisse nodded, "so can you help?"

"Of course I can, leave it to me," Bethany smiled.

"Thank you," Clarisse smiled and continued making the tea.

"No trouble, I'm happy to help," Bethany smiled as she folded her arms on the counter. "So how much longer do you need to have a guard with you for?"

"Hopefully only until Joseph returns later today, with him being in Italy the last few days he didn't want me going out and about on my own just in case," Clarisse said while picking up the tea tray and walked around the counter and placed it on the countertop.

"Well that explains why you have been staying over at the palace," Bethany said and lifted her cup of the tray, placing it down on the countertop in front of her as Clarisse climbed up onto the stool beside her.

"Uh huh, he didn't want me staying here on my own either," Clarisse said as she added some sugar to her cup and stirred it. "But things have calmed down, nothing's happened for about three weeks now."

"Well that's good, but it's better to be safe than sorry," Bethany said as she picked up her cup of tea and took a sip.

"That's true," Clarisse nodded in agreement and rested her arms on the counter in front of her, her hands resting either side of her cup, "it's just annoying as I enjoyed being able to do things on my own, I got used to not having a guard with me everywhere I went."

"That's understandable, you have become so independent since Mia took over the reins that it must feel odd having a bodyguard around again," Bethany said as she watched Clarisse nodding in reply before sipping her tea. "I'm sure it will all be back to normal soon enough though, hopefully with nothing happening for the last three weeks means it will be the end of it."

"Yes, fingers crossed," Clarisse nodded once again as she placed her cup back down on the countertop.

"I bet you are looking forward to seeing Joseph later though, aren't you?" Bethany asked and took another sip of her tea.

"Oh I am," Clarisse nodded as she slumped back on the stool and looked at her cousin, "sure we have been apart for much longer than this before but given the situation this has been the longest five days of my life."

"I bet it has been," Bethany nodded and smirked at her, "and I'll be sure not to call you later this evening, because who knows what I would be interrupting if I did."

"No, don't you dare," Clarisse exclaimed and they both sat laughing.

Later That Day.

Walking through her front door, Clarisse placed her bags down by the sideboard and walked through into the living room. "Sorry I'm back later than planned, I popped into the palace to check on Mia on my way...home," she said, coming to a stop when she saw a bunch of beautiful flowers sitting on the coffee table.

Smiling, she walked around the sofa to the coffee table and took the card sitting in the top of the flowers and opened it up to read. "Just because you're you-,"

"Love always," Joseph finished what was written in the card from across the room and made his way over to her as she turned to him and smiled. "Hello you," he smiled, placing his hands on her sides.

"Hello," she smiled and put her hands up, taking his face in her hands as she reached up to kiss him. "I have missed you," she said between kisses a moment later and snaked her arms around his neck.

"I have missed you too," he smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her against his body as he smiled. "But I am glad to be home."

"I'm glad you are home too," Clarisse smiled and glanced down at his lips before reaching up to kiss him once again.

"Vicki and Alyssa send their love and told me to tell you that they can't wait to see you for the wedding," Joseph said a moment later as Clarisse stepped back.

"I can't wait to see them either," she said and bent over to smell the flowers as Joseph left his hand on her back, "was Vicki okay about me not being there this time?"

"Yep, she completely understands," he nodded and watched as she stood back up straight, "and is Mia alright? You mentioned that you popped in to see her on your way home."

"I did, and she's fine," Clarisse nodded as she turned to face him, "she was resting, being on her feet a lot yesterday took it out of her."

"Oh dear, hope she will be alright," he said and watched as Clarisse nodded.

"She will be fine, the midwife told her to get as much rest as possible," Clarisse said and smiled up at him. "Thank you for the flowers though."

"Oh, you are welcome," he smiled while putting his hand up to brush her hair back behind her ear as she stepped closer to him. "Did you find yourself a dress and a pair of shoes for tonight?" He asked.

"I did," she nodded and reached up to give him a quick kiss, "and I put it on your card like you told me too."

"Good," he nodded and checked the time on his watch, "well I managed to get us reservations for seven," he said and watched as she checked the time on her watch.

"Oh, I better go and start getting ready then," she smiled, gave him another quick kiss and began walking over to the door.

"I'll be up in a bit to get ready myself," he smiled, watching her as she stopped in the doorway and looked over at him.

"Okay," she smiled, walking out into the hallway and picked up her bags before making her way upstairs and into her suite to prepare for her and Joseph's night out.

That Night.

"One strawberry cheesecake," smiled the waiter as he placed the plate down on the table and held up his other hand, "and two forks," he added and chuckled.

"Thank you," Joseph smiled as he reached out and took the forks from him.

"Enjoy," the waiter smiled and began walking away.

"Thank you," Clarisse said and took a sip of her wine before placing her glass back on the table and took a fork from Joseph. "I have heard that this cheesecake is the best in Genovia."

"We will see," Joseph chuckled and put a small piece on his fork as Clarisse watched him a moment before doing the same. "Ready?" He asked, holding up his fork.

"Ready," Clarisse nodded and raised the fork up to her face and put it in her mouth.

"That's not bad actually," Joseph said, nodding slightly and looked up at Clarisse as she closed her eyes, savouring the taste.

"Mmm this is delicious," she smiled a moment later, and took another bit on her fork and popped it into her mouth as Joseph laughed.

"Tell me, who told you that it's the best?" Joseph asked and sipped his drink.

"Bethany, and Mia," Clarisse smiled as she nodded, "oh and Charlotte," she added.

"Well now you can tell them that you have tried it, and very much enjoyed it," he smiled, watching her with a twinkle in his eye.

"Yes, I can," Clarisse nodded and placed the fork down on the plate before picking up her napkin and dabbed the corners of her mouth. Looking up at her husband as she placed the napkin back down on the table, she smiled and continued, "you know, I done a lot of thinking while you were away."

"Thinking about what?" Joseph asked and put a small piece of cheesecake in his mouth with a smile.

"About the whole us living together thing," she said.

"Oh really?" He replied and watched her as she nodded while looking down at the cheesecake a long moment. "And?" He said as she looked back up at him.

"And," she said while looking into his eyes, "I think I'm ready for us to live together again."

"Really?" He exclaimed and watched as she nodded while putting a piece of cheesecake onto her fork.

"Yes, really," she laughed and put the fork in her mouth, pulling it back out slowly as Joseph sat smirking mischievously at her. "What is it?" She smiled.

"Well, I wasn't going to do this until we got home, but I have something I want to show you." He smiled and pulled out his phone from the inside pocket of his jacket.

"You do?" Clarisse asked in surprise and placed the fork back down on the plate as he shuffled around the seat to sit closer to her.

"Yes, I managed to sneak a photo for you," he said, going onto the photo album on his phone and held it up to show her.

"Oh my," Clarisse exclaimed and looked at her husband, "is that what you're wearing for the wedding?"

"Yep," he said and looked down at the phone a moment before Clarisse reached out and took it from him to have another look. "I got Enzo to take a picture before we got changed out of them."

"Oh my," she said once again and closed her eyes as Joseph leant closer and kissed her neck.

"Should I get the bill?" He asked and kissed the top of her shoulder.

"Yes!" She exclaimed and picked up her drink to take a big gulp of it as Joseph chuckled.

"Waiter," he exclaimed and held up his hand.


Pushing her husband onto his back on the bed, Clarisse looked down as she slipped off her shoes and hitched up the skirt of her dress before climbing onto the bed. "Are you wearing... suspenders?" Joseph exclaimed and rested his head down on the bed, letting out a moan as she slid one leg over his body until she was straddling him on the bed.

"Yes, I am," she answered as she leant forward and placed one hand on the bed just above his shoulder, and her other hand on his chest as she looked down into his eyes.

"I love it when you wear suspenders," he said huskily and lifted his head to take her lips in a hungry kiss while placing his hands on her sides and smoothed them up onto her back.

"I know you do, that's why I bought them today," Clarisse moaned while raising her head and tipped it back as Joseph trailed kisses over her jaw and neck, and feeling Joseph's hands gripping her bottom a moment later, she arched her back in response. "Mmm, you feel so good under me."

"I would gladly serve under you anytime, my love," Joseph whispered huskily in her ear as she closed her eyes.

Just then, her mobile started ringing from the bedside table, "leave it, it will go to answerphone in a minute," she said breathlessly while pushing herself up into a sitting position and smiled down at her husband as he rested his hands down on her thighs.

"You're very sexy, you know?" He smiled and grabbed hold of her hands to pull her back down on him as she laughed, "and such a tease," he laughed while wrapping his arms around her and rolled them over so that he was on top.

Locking her legs around his hips, Clarisse smiled and put her hands up to cup his face as they gazed lovingly into each other's eyes, "I aim to please," she smiled and lifted her head to kiss him a couple times as her mobile phone started ringing once again. "I'm not answering that," she said and kissed him again while wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Are you sure? It might be an emergency," Joseph said as he raised himself up onto his arms and smiled down at her as she grasped the back of his head with one of her hands.

"It won't be, it will only be Bethany messing around," she smiled and kissed him.

"Ahh okay," he smirked and they continued kissing when the house phone started ringing. "Dammit," he exclaimed and rolled onto his back beside Clarisse on the bed as she reached over and grabbed the phone. "If that's Bethany tell her I'm not happy."

"Bethany, this really isn't a good-,"

"It's not Bethany, it's Nicholas."

"Oh god Nicholas, I'm so sorry is everything alright?" Clarisse asked while quickly sitting up on the bed and looked down at Joseph laying beside her.

"No, we are at the hospital. Mia's gone into early labour," Nicholas said sadly, "can you come? She's asking for you."

"Yes of course, we will be there as quickly as we can darling," Clarisse said.

"Thank you, I will let Mia know."

"Alright, see you soon," Clarisse said and hung up the phone.

"What is it?" Joseph asked as she looked back down at him.

"Mia's gone into labour," Clarisse said as Joseph lay open mouthed.


Arriving at the hospital a short time later, and with the press waiting outside for any news, Shades hurried around the car as it came to a stop at the main entrance and took the keys from Joseph to park the car, while he and Clarisse made their way inside and up to Mia's room with Lars.

"Grandma," Mia exclaimed as Clarisse came through the door and walked over to her laying on her side on the hospital bed. "I'm so scared, the baby isn't due for another three and a half weeks."

"I know darling, but everything will be ok," Clarisse said while leaning over the bed slightly and placed her hand on her granddaughters hip as she kissed her forehead.

"Thank you for coming though," Mia said and looked down at her grandmothers attire, "but why are you dressed up for?"

"Because me and Joseph had been out for dinner, remember?" Clarisse said and watched as realisation hit her granddaughter.

"Oh god yeah, I remember now," Mia nodded, "I'm so sorry, I had forgot all about that. I hope we didn't disturb anything, oh god I'm so sorry if we did."

"Don't be sorry, it's fine," Clarisse said softly with a shake of her head and put her hand up to brush a bit of Mia's hair back behind her ear.

"I love you so so much grandma," Mia said and closed her eyes a moment, "oh god another contraction."

"Remember, the gas," Nick exclaimed as he jumped up and stood beside the bed, "use the gas."

"Ooow," Mia moaned as she put one arm up above her head, gripping hold of the pillow as she stretched out one of her legs down the length of the bed.

"Annnd it's gone," Nick said a moment later as he checked the monitor and looked back at Mia.

"Oh good," Mia said as she slowly turned back onto her side and looked up at her grandmother, "you should try some of this gas grandma, it's amazing stuff."

"No, you're alright darling," Clarisse laughed and shook her head while looking up at Nicholas. "How long have you been here for?"

"Since about six, her waters broke not long after you left," Nicholas said, "I wanted to call you sooner but Mia insisted that we wait because you were going out with Joseph, even though she forgot about it."

"That'll be the gas," Clarisse said and looked back down at her granddaughter, "you should have called us sooner, we wouldn't have minded you know."

"I know, but you hadn't seen grandpa for five days and I know you were looking forward to dinner with him, I didn't want to ruin it for you," Mia said as she laid with her eyes closed.

"That wouldn't have mattered darling, you know we would have been here for you from the start," Clarisse said while brushing her granddaughters hair back out of her face.

"But you're here now," Mia said, opening her eyes and put her hand up onto her grandmothers wrist, "and that's all that matters."

"Of course, darling," Clarisse nodded and cupped her granddaughters cheek as she started crying, "hey what's wrong? Don't cry, you'll soon have your baby in your arms."

"I know," Mia nodded as her grandmother brushed away her tears, "but I'm so scared, it's too soon. What if something goes wrong?"

"Listen to me," Clarisse said while bending over and looked into Mia's eyes, "nothing is going to go wrong, darling. Soon enough you'll become a mommy and have your beautiful baby in your arms and everything will be fine. It just means that he, or she is simply eager to meet you, that's all."

"Okay," Mia nodded tearfully as her grandmother gave her a hug, "I love you grandma."

"I love you too," Clarisse said softly and kissed her cheek before standing back up straight. "I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere, okay?"

"Thank you," Mia nodded and rested her head back on the pillow as she closed her eyes.

Early Hours Of The Next Morning.

Walking into the family room, Clarisse couldn't help but giggle when she found both Joseph and Pierre asleep while leaning against one another. Smiling, she looked down at the small bundle in her arms, "isn't your great grandpa and uncle silly," she smiled softly and looked back up at the men. "Joseph, Pierre, I have someone here who wants to meet you." She said and watched as they both began to stir.

Opening his eyes, Pierre shot up, "he's here."

"She's here," Clarisse corrected and smiled up at her son as he stared down at the new addition in her arms.

"It's a girl?" Joseph asked as he slowly stood up.

"She is," Clarisse smiled up at him then back at Pierre, "would you like to have a hold."

"Of course," Pierre nodded and carefully took her from Clarisse, "gosh she's so tiny."

"She is," Clarisse said, watching him as Joseph wrapped his arm around her back. "She weighs five pound eight, and is in perfect health."

"And Mia?" Joseph asked as Clarisse turned her head to look at him, "is she okay too?"

"Mia is doing just fine," Clarisse nodded and looked back at Pierre, "her and Nicholas are just having a moment so I thought I would bring this little one to meet you both."

"What time was she born?" Pierre asked and looked up at his mother.

"At half past one," Clarisse said and nodded, "she was born on the eleventh anniversary of her grandfathers passing."

"Well this day will no longer be a day of mourning for us," Pierre said as he looked back down at his great niece sleeping in his arm, "but more now a day of celebration."

"Indeed," Clarisse said as Joseph kissed the side of her head.

Later.

After having another cuddle with her great granddaughter and saying their goodbyes, Joseph and Clarisse made their way down to the car to head home so Mia, Nicholas and their new daughter can get some rest but were stopped on the way out by several reporters, who all fired questions at them at the same time.

"Your highness, can you tell us anything about what's going on up there?"

"Has the baby arrived yet?"

"Is it a boy, or a girl?"

"How's the Queen?"

Taking hold of Joseph's hand with both of hers, Clarisse looked at one reporter and simply said. "All I'm allowed to tell you is that both mother and baby are doing just fine and an official announcement will be read out later on this afternoon."

"Thank you," Joseph said and started leading Clarisse away from the heard of reporters and across the car park towards their car. "I'm so proud of you and Mia tonight, oh and Nicholas too for not fainting."

"Me too, but it was touch and go for a while, especially when she gave birth," Clarisse smiled and turned her head to look at him as he kissed the back of her hand.

"You're amazing," he smiled and stepped closer, kissing her on the lips before looking into her eyes, "now let's get you home."

"Oh yes please," Clarisse laughed as he unlocked the car and opened her door for her, "I am certainly in need of my bed right now."

"I couldn't agree more," he smiled as she moved to stand between him and the car and put her hand up to brush lovingly over his cheek before turning and climbing into the car.


Pulling into the drive a short time later, Joseph shut of the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt while looking at Clarisse sitting beside him. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," she said and yawned as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Did you mean what you said earlier at the restaurant? About us living together again?" He asked while looking out the window at the house before looking back at her to find her smiling at him.

"Well yes, I did," she nodded, "if you want to that is."

"Are you kidding? Of course I want us to live together again, it's all I've ever wanted," he said while reaching out to take hold of her hand.

"I know it has been," Clarisse nodded and looked down at their hands while placing her other hand on top of his hand, "I just needed it to be the right time, and with everything that's been going on lately, while you were away and with having to have a bodyguard again made it really hit home."

"I understand that," he nodded and looked at her. "So when do you want me to move back in?"

"Whenever you want to," she smiled while giving his hand a small squeeze, "I'm sure most of your belongings are already here anyway."

"That's true, they probably are," he laughed and looked down a moment as Clarisse remained looking at him, watching him a long moment.

"Are you tired?" She asked while tilting her head slightly and watched as he turned his head to look at her.

"Not really, why?" He asked with a smile and watched as she leant closer to him.

"Well the suspenders isn't the only thing that I'm wearing under this dress that I bought while shopping yesterday," she smiled and watched as he pulled back a little.

"Really?" He smirked and watched as she nodded.

"Come on, let's go and finish what we started last night shall we," she said and patted his thigh before climbing out of the car.

Shaking his head, Joseph couldn't help but laugh as he climbed from the car and followed her up to the house.