So, this is the next part of the story. I'm glad you all enjoyed it!

Juliette4 - Sorry that you were disappointed because of Clarisse and Joe enjoying themselves before their marriage. I don't think it's a problem but that's just my opinion. But I do think that you'll like this part better. ;-)

A New Life

Clarisse lay sprawled on her back and with her eyes closed on a blanket by the swimming pool. It was a sunny afternoon at the end of September, and she wanted to bring these last few days she would spend here in England to good use so she had put on the bikini Joseph had given her. Later this week she'd return to Genovia in order to attend a state banquet in her role as former queen of the country.

Before Joseph had arrived she had been looking forward to going back but now... It was completely different. She dreaded the thought of having to tell everyone that she and Joseph had gotten married a small ceremony here in England. Well, she WAS happy about it and she loved Joseph very deeply. But nonetheless she was anxious about Mia's reaction.

At the moment Joseph was in London. He had told her that he needed to get something for Mia and the banquet and that she could spend the day here just lazing around. So now here she was daydreaming about her future with Joseph. She would like to stay here in England. Somehow she liked it here. And there were so beautiful roses here in the garden.

Suddenly Clarisse felt two hands on her bare chest. She smiled. Even with her eyes closed she could feel that it was Joseph who had returned early from his trip to London.

"Hello, my love." He kissed her first on the lips and then on her belly button which made her giggle like a school girl.

"Hello darling." Opening her eyes Clarisse playfully slapped his arm. "You know how ticklish I am."

Even though it sounded like a reproach Joseph knew that she had enjoyed the sensation. She always did. It had been far too long since a man had touched her after her husband had died and before they had become a couple.

With mock hurt on his face Joseph sat down right beside her and took off his jacket.

Laughing Clarisse started caressing his back. Then she pulled him down to her. The sensation of touching him and being touched by him was still rather new and so she enjoyed every bit of it. Soon they lay in a tight embrace kissing.

Later she rested exhausted in his arms.

"Thank you so much." She murmured drowsily in the crook of his neck.

"You're most welcome, darling." Smiling Joseph touched her cheek. He loved watching her when she let go completely. Just as she had now.

Pulling another blanket over them Joseph took a last look at the beautiful woman next to him and fell asleep as well.

The end of the week came faster than they had expected but now they had to leave. A little anxious Clarisse took Joseph's hand. He knew what she was worried about. Mia would be happy for them; he was quite sure about that. But he knew as well that the girl didn't like to be left out and that she would have wanted to attend the ceremony.

"Don't worry, my darling. She'll understand." Bringing her hand to his lips Joseph kissed it softly.

Smiling Clarisse enjoyed the gentleness of his touch on her skin.

"I just hope so..." Stroking his cheek she looked out of the window of the plane. In about 20 minutes they would land in Genovia.

"And for the rest of the country... They'll understand. They truly love you and I'm sure they wouldn't deny you a bit of happiness after all the years of devoted service you have given." Joseph smiled at her reassuringly. Even though Clarisse wasn't queen anymore she was still concerned about the public opinion of her.

"I know, love." Clarisse was grateful for Joseph's reassurances. And deep down in her heart she knew that he was right. After all, she deserved happiness just like everyone else.

A couple of minutes later the plane had safely landed on the Genovian airport and Clarisse and Joseph went down the staircase.

"Grandma!" Mia came towards her in a rather un-royal hurry to greet her. When the girl reached her she flung her arms around her grandmother and hugged her tightly.

"I missed you." Clarisse put her arms around the young queen and smiled.

"And I missed you. You look great. So ..."Mia didn't know how to put it.

"Clean?" Clarisse asked laughing.

"No. It's more like ... radiant I'd say." Mia had to laugh as well, thinking back of their very first encounter in the Genovian embassy in San Francisco.

"Hello Joseph." Raising an eyebrow Mia looked at the head of security who had her grandmother's waist encircled with his arm.

"Your majesty." Joseph teased her gently, knowing perfectly well that she didn't like him calling her by her official title.

"Oh stop that!" Mia rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"So, what's going on between the two of you?" She hooked her arm in her grandmother's and together they made their way to the limousine.

Clarisse and Joseph glanced briefly at each other. Joseph sighed.

"We can as well tell her now." Squeezing Clarisse's hand Joseph motioned for them to climb in the car.

"Tell me what?" Mia was really curious by now even though she had the suspicion Joseph and her grandmother had finally found each other.

"Well, Mia ... This is not easy to say. You know that Joseph and I have been ... quite fond of each other." Clarisse stopped momentarily catching her husband's eye.

"Grandma, you've been in love for as long as I know you." Mia stated matter of factly.

"Ah ... yes. That's it. We have been in love. And now ... darling, I hope you're not too disappointed but we got married in England." Now it was out. Anxiously Clarisse looked at Mia.

"Are you crazy? Why should I be disappointed? I'm so happy for you!! Congratulations." Quickly she drew her grandmother in a tight embrace. Then she looked at Joseph.

"Congratulations – grandpa." With a vicious smile she hugged him as well. Joseph groaned. Just what he had feared.

"Thanks, honey." Clarisse glowed practically with happiness.

Later that evening, Clarisse dressed for the banquet. She had chosen a long light blue dress, sleeveless and with a low neckline. She was lost in thought while applying some make-up when Joseph crept up behind her and put a wonderful diamond necklace around her slender neck.

"Oh Joseph, it's beautiful!" Clarisse gasped. Turning towards him she smiled.

"But what..."

"For my beautiful wife." Joseph kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Thank you so much." Tears shimmering in her eyes Clarisse put her arms around his neck.

Looking at his watch Joseph sighed.

"I think it's time for us to leave for the banquet. The others will be waiting for us." He offered her his arm and together they left their chambers.

Clarisse was still nervous about having to announce her wedding with Joseph. But with him by her side she was confident that they could do anything as long as they were together.

Taking a deep breath Clarisse motioned for the servants to open the double door to the hall were the reception before the banquet was held.

"Good evening." Clarisse bowed her head in direction of various members of the Genovian parliament and smiled at the curious glances at Joseph.

In the meantime Mia had spotted them and came in their direction.

"Hello, grandma. Joe." She hugged each one of them.

"I planned to make the announcement about your wedding in a couple of minutes if that's okay with you." Mia whispered.

"Well, I guess now is as good as any time." Clarisse shrugged.

Nodding Mia left them and gave Charlotte a sign. Soon she had everybody's attention.

"Dear friends. I know you're all waiting for the banquet to begin but before we may enjoy dinner I would like to make an announcement concerning my grandmother, queen Clarisse." Mia held out her hand for Clarisse and Joseph who walked towards her.

"As you may or may not have noticed queen Clarisse and her head of security have been rather close over the last years. And now they have – finally – decided to make it official. I'm happy to tell you that Clarisse and Joseph got married. And I hope that their love may blossom through the years and that there be many happy years to come." Once again, Mia hugged first Clarisse and then Joseph.

"Thank you, Mia." Clarisse whispered.

After the initial surprise people started clapping. It had never been a secret that both Clarisse and Joseph were very fond of each other, and just as Joseph had predicted people were happy for them.

When the banquet was over Mia, Clarisse and Joseph sat silently in Clarisse's living room, enjoying a nice cup of tea. It had been an exhausting day but nonetheless Mia wanted to know every tiny detail about the wedding and their plans for the future.

"Oh, by the way, Mia, I have a present for you." Joseph got up from his place beside Clarisse and went to their bedroom. Mia raised an eyebrow in surprise and looked at her grandmother who looked just as confused as she was.

Joseph came back, handing Mia a small box. When she opened it she gasped.

"But what..." She was speechless.

Joseph laughed. "That's exactly what your grandmother said when I gave her hers."

Clarisse bent forwards to get a better look at Mia's present. It was exactly the same necklace she was wearing at the moment.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Mia rushed to Joseph and hugged him tightly while sitting on his lap.

"It's so beautiful."

"Then I'm glad you like it." Joseph smiled.

Stifling a yawn Clarisse looked at her watch. It was well past midnight by now and she was dead tired. It had been a long day after all. And a very exciting one too.

"I think I'll call it a day." Looking at her husband she got up and moved to Mia to say her goodnight.

Mia rose and kissed her grandmother's cheek.

"Good night, grandma. Sweet dreams." She smiled.

"Good night, sweetheart. Sleep well." Clarisse and Joseph each kissed Mia on her forehead and went to their bedroom.

Sighing, Mia turned around to leave her grandmother's suite. It had been a long day indeed. But she was happy about everything that had happened today. Her grandma certainly deserved happiness, and everyone could clearly see that Joseph made her happy.

Smiling to herself Mia closed the door and went to her own suite, still deep in thought about her grandmother's new life.