"Love wandered inside stronger than you, stronger than I. And now that it has begun we cannot turn back, we can only turn into one. I won't ever be too far away to feel you & I won't hesitate at all, whenever you call. And I'll always remember a part of you so tender, I'll be the one to catch your fall, whenever you call."

Part 5

The dreaded sense of another day dawning, which had greeted Joseph each morning for the past week, was gone.

The emptiness of waking alone and finding the opposite side of the bed bare had been erased

Replacing it was warmth; solid, comforting, inspiring warmth. Not physical, not the pleasure of having her body still wrapped around his, something bigger than that, something more substantial. Bliss. Joy. Love. A sense of belonging. Friendship. Companionship.

He lay there trying to list the ways he felt, and every time another came to mind he swore he would remember it and recall that feeling when everything went wrong. Because as happy as he was right then, there was no doubt in his mind that they would face hard times again at some point along the road. Perhaps now he was more prepared for it, perhaps now he had the sense of mind and foresight to deal with it more successfully.

She wasn't going to change, neither was he, they just had to find a way to bridge the remaining gaps with that pure unadulterated feeling of rightness that came when they were together. There was nobody he wanted to spend his life with but her. And after the words she'd whispered to him in the darkness last night he was secure in the knowledge that she felt the same.

He heard the clock strike, ringing out over the city, 9 already. He loosened his grip on Clarisse and crept out of bed to the balcony. The air was still tinged with frost; it hit his morning face and refreshed his skin in one clear rush of breeze. Below him tiny cars whizzed about, men shouted, bellboys whistled and the world carried on. He could see the edge of Hyde Park, the trees standing firm and tall, everything seemed fresh, everything new and clean. And for the first time in many, many weeks he felt good to be alive. Everything was going to work out fine.

Clarisse insisted they have breakfast/early lunch out, which he imagined would turn out to be some over the top restaurant with fine crystal glasses and heavy chandeliers. In fact, in that considerate way she had, it was a picnic basket and a bench in the park. True the basket was from Harrods, but he supposed he could cope with that!

She wore trousers, a long white jacket and a simple light scarf that went from around her neck to over her head. Dark glasses, the first choice to hide any famous face. And although she tried so hard to be 'normal' Joe couldn't help but look at her and still see traces of this highly regal, highly professional woman. She looked far too beautiful for simply walking through the park.

"Perhaps I should have one of these commissioned." Clarisse said vaguely waving her hand towards the impending statue of Queen Victoria looming over her.

"Perhaps you should dear." He responded as if it were the most normal thing in the world to consider doing.

"And fountains too, more than this, lots of lots of fountains."

He couldn't help but laugh and kiss her head, well the scarf on her head. "I would opt for something in a white marble effect though, the dark colours wouldn't suit your elegant face."

She shook her head and gently nudged him with her elbow. "You're as bad as I am."

"I know."

She tilted her head up and kissed his mouth. "So, this was a good idea was it not."

"An excellent idea, thank you."

"You're very welcome. Should we pack away..." She glanced over his shoulder. "Oh you've already done it, so thoughtful."

"Indeed, shall we continue our walk milady."

"Why thank you kind sir." She smiled eagerly taking hold of his offered arm. "And what a beautiful day for it too."

"Isn't it though." He swung the basket by his side and looked overhead at the clear blue sky, it may have been frosty but the sun was shining.

The passers-by didn't notice them to any real extent, even when they made it to Trafalgar Square and pigeons harassed Clarisse. Joseph helped shoo them off but only after having a few moments laughter at her expense.

In the afternoon they had coffee, tea and very naughty sticky chocolate cake which Clarisse justified by the fact they shared the one piece.

"The cakes in this place are divine." She said as they sipped their drinks. "Just look at that one over there, a work of art."

She indicated a very tall chocolate cake that appeared to have been built up layer upon layer and then covered in long chocolate leaves, milk, white and dark, gold tipped along the edges. "Somebody spent hours and hours working on that."

"And even more hours I'd say."

"We should take it home."

"And just stare at it."

"I thought perhaps you could spoon feed me." She giggled leaning across the table to him.

"My, my... this is a very bad character I see emerging." He kissed her nose which made her giggle even more. "Behave or we'll be thrown out."

She froze just slightly and glanced around the room then down at the table. The café was small and old fashioned; only a few tables occupied the limited space, all were crammed full and many customers stood by the bar. Clarisse wasn't used to being in such close proximity to so many people.

"I was only joking, I don't think anybody can hear us over the chatter." Joseph said reaching across and holding her hand.

"I know, I rather like being here, an – escapism?" She offered as a way of explaining her current mood.

He nodded, lifted her hand and gently kissed her fingers.

"What would you like to do this evening?" Clarisse asked, squeezing his hand between both of hers, examining the differences in size.

"Well, when did you last go to the movies?"

"The movies – not for a very long time."

"Then let's go."

"When?"

"Now, we could grab a cab and go see a film. You can take your scarf off; nobody will see your face in the dark. On the back row."

She raised an eyebrow. "Now who's being naughty? Mia would highly approve of my taking in a movie though."

"And popcorn?"

"Mmm, it tends to get stuck in my teeth. I could go for ice-cream though."

"Like regular movie-going couples." He smiled happily as he helped her with her coat and left the money on the table.

"What should we see?" She asked as he ushered people out of the way and guided her outside.

"Something scary."

"No!"

"Horror – we could do that, I'd hold you if you got scared."

"Ha, I bet that's what all young men say when they take girls to the movies."

"I do vaguely recall that, a long time ago though." He mumbled as he waved frantically at passing cabs.

As it happened it didn't matter much which film they saw as Clarisse slept after the first twenty minutes. Thank god she doesn't snore was all Joseph could think as he lifted the armrest and lowered her head to his shoulder.

In the cab ride back to the hotel she was still somewhat drowsy and curled up against him, her hand tucked inside his jacket and resting on his chest.

"Do you want to have dinner at the hotel this evening?" He asked, brushing her hair back from her face.

"Mmm, I'd like anything."

"I think you'd like to sleep some more. No more late nights then."

She smiled. "I like the late nights, it's the following days I have trouble with."

"Alright, dinner at the hotel, I'll make our reservations when we get back. You can soak in the bath for a while, relax."

"I'm very relaxed already, but yes, I'd like that. And then a wonderful dress for a romantic meal for two."

"And I'd like that."

As they pulled up to the front of the hotel Clarisse sat up straight and readjusted her coat and slid her scarf back over her shoulders as she prepared to exit the cab.

Joseph felt his throat tighten, a dry, barren feeling crept over him, starting at his head and gradually working its way down to his legs. If he'd been thinking straight he would have said "drive on" but his mind went blank. His throat refused to work. Clarisse was helped from the car by the doorman and turned expectantly for him to follow. He didn't want this; he didn't want her to know like this.

Frantic and trapped he reluctantly stood up before her, noting his ashen expression she took hold of his hand and whispered out of earshot of the doorman.

"What's wrong?"

He was vaguely aware of shaking his head, gripping her arm and leading her up the steps to the entrance, if he could just get inside unseen, if he could just get her out of sight...

"Joe."

Too late, he'd failed, the world was going to come crashing down.

Clarisse was the one to turn toward the voice. Holding him back as he attempted to walk on.

"Joe?" it got closer until he felt the woman standing right beside him, overlooking Clarisse – as if you could – and staring directly at him. "I think we should have a little chat don't you."

"Sorry, do we know you?" Clarisse was politeness personified; only he noted the sharpness in her tone.

The lady stuck out her hand awkwardly. "Lucy, your majesty." She directed her attention back to Joe. "Did you think I didn't know who you were?"

"Joseph, do you know this lady?" Her voice was quieter now, he couldn't respond.

"Of course he does, we're friends. Good friends."

He had taken to riding almost every day; though only occasionally out of palace grounds. He found an escape in it, a lessening of the worries of his mind. It was something of a relief to be out of earshot of the goings-on, to be out of the hawk eyes view.

There was a clearing by a tiny hidden away stream, he would sit by it and read or simply lay back and stare at the world as it went by. The weather was beginning to turn cold now though, next time a blanket would be good for the ground. He closed his eyes ready to dream... he could remember their wedding as if it were yesterday. The dress she was wearing, the extravagant coat over the top, not many could carry it off the way she had. How she had nervously, expectantly said his name and the thudding in his chest when she'd said those words.

"Am I too late..."

He could hear her voice as clearly as if she were stood next to him whispering it in his ear. How could she ever be too late, he'd marry her all over again any second of any day.

He could still taste that first real kiss, in front of all those people she could have shrunk from contact, a polite peck on the cheek. But no, she'd forged ahead, she was the one who reached for him, squeezing his fingers just slightly as their lips met mirroring the tingling sensation on his mouth. He'd wanted to kiss her all over again, to hide away with her and kiss her over and over until his senses were blurred and incoherent.

As it was with weddings they had to have photographs, dance in public to the chosen music, eat extravagant dinner, drink the champagne and be the perfect pairing. His only thought the entire afternoon was being alone with her and saying the thousands of things that were swimming around his head. Sharing with her those emotions that were shaping his soul. He hardly left her side, or she hardly left his, whichever way it was they stuck together. Meeting and greeting, and whispering to one another as they danced. Secretly communicating with held hands and her fingertips stroking along his fingers, seductive and intimate in such surroundings.

His reverie was broken by the sound of footfalls coming up behind him. Instinct kicking in he jumped up and swung round to face whoever it was. Mia, she seemed as shocked to see him as he was to see her.

"Joe... didn't know you were here."

"I come here a lot actually, well recently I have been doing. It's quiet."

"and pretty." Mia sat down next to him. "I need to get out every now and then, it drives me crazy, being locked up, every second of my day planned out for me." She shook her head, it surprised Joe just how much she had grown in these past few months.

He patted the ground next to him. "Have a seat, your Majesty..."

"Joe." She nudged his body as she sat down. "You're such a tease."

"We haven't played cards in a while, are you afraid I'll beat you again."

"Not at all, I'm afraid I'll beat you and make you look a fool."

"Some chance." He shook his head and laughed. "So, you and Nicolas seem to be getting on rather well."

She blushed. "I suppose... it's good." She shrugged.

"I suppose that's as close as I'm going to get to a true love confession."

"Yep."

"Perhaps you could convince your Grandmother to come out here someday, for a relaxing afternoon."

Mia turned her head quickly and took in his expression; she'd never for one second considered things weren't going well between the two of them.

He took her hand before she could respond. "She'd like it too, you're right, it's pretty." He tried to lighten the mood.

"Is everything alright... I mean, you two."

"Yes, of course." He got up from the grass. "Wonderful. Do you want to ride back together?"