Hey everyone, I just want to thank you all for reading and to DW.618, Chelsietx and the guest for leaving wonderful reviews on the last chapter. I appreciate you all so so much and honestly can't thank you enough.

Here's the next chapter for you all :) hope you enjoy it!

Anniversaries - Part 3.

Reaching the table a moment later, Clarisse smiled as Sabrina's parents and the two other guests at the table rose to their feet to greet her and Joseph. "Hello, Lord Luis. Countess Maya, It's so lovely to see you again." Clarisse said as Joseph lowered his hand from Clarisse's back and smiled as she turned her head to glance at him before looking back at Sabrina's parents.

"You too, darling," Maya smiled and put her hands up onto the tops of Clarisse's arms as they stepped closer and kissed cheeks. "And what have we said about using our titles? You are like family, you don't need to."

"I know, I'm sorry," Clarisse smiled as she leant closer and kissed Luis's cheek. "It's a habit I'm afraid."

"We understand," Luis smiled at her then at Joseph as he gave Maya a quick kiss on her cheek before looking up at him, "glad that you could both make it though." He said and extended his hand out to Joseph.

"Of course, we couldn't miss celebrating their anniversary with you all," Joseph smiled as he shook Luis's hand.

"No, definitely not," Clarisse smiled.

"Now, Joseph, Clarisse," Luis said as he stepped closer to Clarisse and gestured to the other two guests at the table, "I believe you have met cousin Richard and his wife, Eliza?" He said and looked at them.

"Yes, I believe we have a couple times over the years," Clarisse smiled at them, "Hello, it's nice to see you both again."

"You too your majesty," Richard smiled.

"Please, call me Clarisse," Clarisse smiled at him then at Eliza as they both smiled. "No formalities tonight."

"Now Joseph, you are sitting right here beside me," Maya smiled as she patted the table space beside her while looking up at him.

"And you," Luis smiled while looking at Clarisse, "are sitting beside me."

"Lovely," Clarisse smiled and moved to stand behind her chair, placing her purse down in it and draped her shawl over the back.

"Tell me Clarisse," Luis said as he helped her with her chair, "where is that husband of yours?"

"And those adorable sons too," Maya added as Joseph helped her with her chair.

"Oh they are all back home, unfortunately Rupert had other arrangements that he couldn't get out off so I came alone," Clarisse said as Luis and Joseph took their seats at the table, followed by Richard and Eliza.

"Oh that's a shame, it would have been nice to see them again," Maya said as she picked up her glass of water and took a sip.

"Well we will all be travelling to England in a couple months, and I know, all being well, that we will be meeting Harry and Sabrina for dinner like we usually do so maybe you could join us?" Clarisse smiled.

"Yes, that will be lovely," Luis smiled while picking up his glass. "We will make plans and put it in the diary." He said and took a sip of his drink.

"Definitely," Clarisse smiled and averted her gaze across the table at Joseph. Wishing that they were sat next to each other and not across the table from one another.

Watching his in-laws get up from their table and wander off to talk to other family members later that evening, Harry picked up his glass from his table and made his way over to speak to Joseph and Clarisse. "Hello you two," he said as he stood beside Clarisse's chair and put his hand down on the back of it.

"Hello, Harry," Clarisse smiled as she tilted her head back to look up at him and watched as he lent over, kissing her cheek before taking a seat next to her.

"Sorry I've not had chance to speak to you until now," Harry said as he looked at Joseph and extended his hand out to him. "But it's been a manic few hours."

"That's alright we completely understand," Joseph smiled and shook his friends hand. "You are in demand tonight."

"Oh I am," Harry laughed and took a sip of his drink before putting it on the table. "But are you both alright?" He asked while looking from Joseph to Clarisse as she sat with her arms up on the table, her hands tucked under her chin.

"We are alright," Clarisse smiled and averted her gaze to Joseph, "a little tipsy, but we are good."

"And glad to be here, celebrating your tenth anniversary with you," Joseph smiled.

"I know, can you believe it?" Harry smiled as Sabrina appeared.

"Can you believe what?" She asked and took a sip of her drink while putting her free hand down on the top of Harry's back.

"That we have been married for ten years already," Harry said as he looked up at her standing beside him.

"I know, it's gone so quick hasn't it," she smiled while placing her glass down on the table beside Harry's and moved to sit in his lap.

"Out of all the chairs at this table, you have to sit in my lap," Harry teased as he wrapped one arm around her waist, placing his hand on her hip.

"Oh shh you, you love it when I sit in your lap," Sabrina smiled as Clarisse and Joseph glanced at one another before Clarisse picked up her glass of champagne and took a sip or two, "you always have."

"I know I have, and I always will," Harry smiled as he looked lovingly up into Sabrina's eyes.

"Good," Sabrina smiled and kissed him before looking back at Clarisse as she placed her glass back down on the table. "And it's all thanks to you."

"Me?" Clarisse exclaimed in surprise and put her hand on her chest. "How is it all thanks to me?"

"Well if you had never agreed to accept the drink from Joseph at the bar in New York all those years ago, even though you were reluctant at first, then we would never had met Harry," Sabrina smiled at her friend before looking back at her husband.

"Oh gosh, don't," Clarisse said and covered her eyes with one hand as they all laughed together, just like old times.

"Come on, I wasn't that bad was I?" Joseph teased with a smirk as Clarisse lowered her hand and smiled at him, because even though they had only been together a couple hours, it felt like they had never been apart.

"Oh no, she actually thought you were handsome," Sabrina smirked and laughed as Clarisse glared at her.

"You did?" Joseph asked in surprise.

"I did, believe it or not," Clarisse nodded while slumping back in her chair.

"Well that does surprise me, and was certainly not the impression I got from you on our first meeting," Joseph said as their eyes met.

"Unlike you, right Joe?" Harry smiled as he watched his friend look back at him, "you were smitten, weren't you?"

"I was, yes. I thought you were the most gorgeous woman in the bar, right from the moment I laid eyes on you. Thats why I came over to offer to buy you both a drink," Joseph smirked and looked back at Clarisse.

"Yes, which she refused at first," Sabrina said.

"Yes, I remember," Joseph nodded and looked at Sabrina, "then when I brought them back over to the table you asked if I was alone."

"I did and when you said you weren't, I told you to go and get your friend to join us," Sabrina smiled at him then at Harry, "and he comes back with you."

"And as they say," Harry smiled and looked up into Sabrina's eyes, "the rest is history," he said and kissed his wife.

"Lets do a toast?" Joseph said and raised his glass as Clarisse, Harry and Sabrina all looked at him.

"To amazing friends and anniversaries," Harry smiled as he and the ladies all picked up their glasses and raised it to Joseph's glass.

"And new jobs," Joseph smiled.

"You have a new job?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Yes, I'm going back to the palace," Joseph smiled at Harry as Sabrina averted her gaze to Clarisse, watching as she looked down at her glass with a sheepish smile.

"Oh well, congratulations to your new job then," Harry smiled and they all clinked their glasses together, "to amazing friends, anniversaries and new jobs."

"To amazing friends, anniversaries and new jobs," Joseph, Sabrina and Clarisse repeated before they all took a sip of their champagne.

"Right," Harry said as he placed his glass back down on the table and looked up at Sabrina, "come on, I want to dance with my sexy wife."

Picking up her glass with a smile, Clarisse took a sip of her champagne and watched as Sabrina and Harry got to their feet before he took hold of Sabrina's hand to lead her over to the dance floor.

"You know," Joseph said as he moved into the chair next to Clarisse and watched as she placed her glass back down before he leant closer to whisper in her ear. "They aren't the only two who have an anniversary this week."

"Are they not?" Clarisse said as she watched Harry and Sabrina dancing a moment before looking at Joseph sitting beside her.

"No," he smiled and watched as she looked away, mulling it over in her mind a moment before she realised he was referring to the night that they spent together back in New York twelve years ago.

Smiling at the memory, she looked down at her glass, "that was some night," she said and turned her head to look at him leaning close to her.

"But what a memory," he smiled, his heart skipping a beat as she put her hand down on his thigh for the briefest of moments before raising it back up above the table and picked up her champagne.

"And one I will certainly never forget," she said and took a sip of her drink.

"Me neither," he said, before they both shared a private smile.

Coming back into the ballroom after being outside having a cigar with Joseph and a couple others, Harry and Joseph made their way back over to the table where Clarisse and Sabrina sat, laughing together.

"What are you two laughing at?" Harry asked as he placed his glass down on the table and took a seat while resting his arm along the back of Sabrina's chair.

"Oh just old memories, discovering the real world at University, breaking a few rules, flirting with our rebellious sides." Sabrina said with a laugh.

"Oh really?" Harry said as Joseph sat down next to Clarisse.

"Oh yes, we were quite rebellious back then," Clarisse laughed.

"I wouldn't doubt it for a minute," Harry smiled.

"We got up to a lot of stuff we shouldn't have back then," Clarisse said as she picked up her glass. "One of them being, sneaking you and Joseph into our dormitory after a night at the bar."

"Oh yes, I remember that," Harry said as Clarisse took a sip of her champagne, "we ended up sleeping on the floor."

"Yes, that's right we did," Joseph exclaimed and they all started laughing.

"Well I think it's safe to say, I have well and truly let my hair down tonight," Clarisse said when they had all stopped laughing. "But you know what I was thinking? We should try and get together like this more often." She continued before anyone could answer.

"Oh yes, just us four," Sabrina agreed. "That sounds like such a brilliant idea."

"I'm up for it," Harry said.

"Me too," Joseph said and looked at Clarisse as she bit her bottom lip.

"And I don't mean in ten years, maybe a few times a year," Sabrina said.

"Definitely," Clarisse agreed and rested her head down on Sabrina's shoulder. "Thank you for such a great night."

"Aww are you going now?" Sabrina asked and looked at her friend as Clarisse lifted her head to look at her.

"I am, I'm afraid," Clarisse nodded, "I have a bottle of champagne on ice up waiting for me, you know, in case I want a nightcap."

"I don't think you need it, I think you are drunk enough already," Sabrina said and both she and Clarisse started laughing.

"I'm not drunk, I'm just very tipsy," Clarisse said and they both started laughing again as Joseph got to his feet.

"Are you going too?" Sabrina asked as everyone looked up at him.

"I am, I'm going to walk Clarisse back to her suite," Joseph said as Clarisse got to her feet.

"I'm perfectly capable of walking myself to my suite you know," Clarisse smirked as she looked at him.

"Are you sure?" Sabrina said and both her and Clarisse started laughing once again.

"I know you are capable and I'm not saying you aren't," Joseph said as he picked up her shawl from the back of her chair and wrapped it around her shoulders before handing her, her purse, "I would just feel better knowing that you got there safely."

"Oh, very well," Clarisse smiled and looked up at him, "thank you."

"You're welcome," Joseph said and watched as she turned to Sabrina as she got to her feet.

"I have just realised, I haven't seen your bodyguard lately," Sabrina said.

"Oh, he was over there," Clarisse said as she turned and pointed to where he was the last time she saw him, but he wasn't there. "Oh, he's not there."

"Oh," Sabrina said as she began looking around the room.

"It doesn't matter anyway, not when I have this one here walking me back to my suite to make sure I get there safely," Clarisse said as she looked back at Joseph and put her hand up onto the top of his arm before looking back at Sabrina, "so, I will see you tomorrow for lunch."

"Yes you will, goodnight and thanks for the laughs tonight," Sabrina smiled as she stepped closer and hugged her tight while whispering in her ear. "Are you sure him walking you back is a good idea?"

"It'll be fine, I'll see you tomorrow," Clarisse smiled as she kissed her cheek and stepped back. "Goodnight to you both," she added while putting her hand up to her mouth, blowing a kiss to Harry before walking out of the ballroom with Joseph.

Reaching her suite a short time later, Clarisse unlocked and opened the door before turning to Joseph. "Thank you for walking me back, and making sure I got here safely." She smiled and walked into her suite, placing her purse and shawl onto the sideboard right inside the door before turning back to Joseph. "Would you like to join me for a nightcap?"

"Oh, I'm not sure," Joseph said and watched as Clarisse walked over to sit down in one of the armchairs.

"It'll just be one, a small thank you for walking me back to my suite," she said and slipped off her shoes, an instant sigh of relief escaping her lips as she dropped her shoes to the floor.

"Alright," he smiled as she got to her feet and looked over at him closing the door, "just one."

"Just one, I promise," Clarisse smiled and walked over to the shelf to get two glasses before walking over to the table where she had left the bottle of champagne on ice earlier that night.

"It's been a great night, hasn't it?" Joseph smiled as he made his way over to join her by the table while looking around the room, catching sight of the cardigan that she was wearing earlier that day when he saw her at the check-in desk draped over the back of the sofa.

"Yes it has been," Clarisse said as she popped open the champagne and poured it into the two glasses. "It's been great catching up."

"It really has," he smiled as he stood close to her side and placed his hand on her lower back as she picked up her glass of champagne. "It's a shame we couldn't dance together tonight."

Feeling his body touching hers, Clarisse turned her head to the side and watched as he kissed the back of her shoulder. Her pulse quickening as she put her free hand up under his chin, her finger tips brushing along his jawline a moment before she turned to him and looked up into his eyes.

Stepping closer to her, Joseph put his hands on her sides and lowered his head to kiss her. He knew it was wrong, he knew he shouldn't be doing this but he couldn't help himself. He needed to taste her, he needed to feel her soft body against his. But breaking the kiss a moment later, he feared he had crossed the line.

"I'm so-," was all he got to say before she pressed her lips to his, kissing him back while smoothing her free hand up over his shoulder and around to the back of his neck.

"Mmm," she moaned as he kissed his way down her jawline and into the curve of her neck while moving his hands around to her back and down to cup her bottom.

Turning her head to the side, Clarisse placed her glass down on the table beside them and put her arm up to join her other one around his shoulders. "Do you have protection?" She asked as the heat began to rise rapidly between them.

"In my wallet," he murmured against her neck as he began to gather the skirt of her dress up around her waist before cupping her bottom and lifting her off her feet, causing her to gasp and quickly lock her legs around his waist at the action.

Biting her bottom lip Clarisse looked into his eyes a moment before burying her face in his neck, allowing him to carry her through to the bedroom where he sat her on the edge of the bed before kissing her and gently pushing her backwards. But feeling his hardness against her as he rested his body gently down on hers she suddenly realised what was happening.

"Stop, stop," Clarisse exclaimed and put her hands on his shoulders, pushing him up a little and looked up into his eyes as he hovered above her. "We can't do this." She said and closed her eyes as he rolled onto the space on the bed beside her. "Rupert has been faithfully to me since we have been married, and I need to be too."

"I understand," Joseph said as he stared up at the ceiling a moment before sitting up and standing to his feet. "I have to go."

Sitting up, Clarisse watched as he walked out of the bedroom and listened for the suite door to close before falling back on the bed. She knew she should never had kissed him back, or allowed it to get that far before she stopped it. But his attention towards her felt wonderful, it awoke something deep inside her that seemed to have been long forgotten and admittedly she found herself getting lost and caught up in the moment because of it.

Thanks for reading this chapter and remember, please do let me know your thoughts ;) it's very much appreciated.