The guards moved to a different part of the consulate after Joe waved them away. The doors closed behind Joe and the Queen. Joe then leads Clarisse out to the balcony where the night sky is filled with millions of stars.

"You look happy. Something I haven't seen in a while." Joe noticed.

"I am happy. Mia is now princess and she will come live in the castle with me."

Clarisse looks away from Joe and up at the stars in the night sky. Joe kept his eyes on the Queen.

"I've never really paid attention, but the stars are quite beautiful."

Joe glanced at the stars but then returned his attention to Clarisse.

"Yes they are beautiful, but they don't even compare to how beautiful you are."

"Oh Joseph," she looked at him and that was all she could say. She was completely speechless.

She looked into his eyes and was met with a loving gaze. With a smile on his face, he turned Clarisse around to face the garden and sky. And from behind he looped his arms around her waist. She leaned her head back against his chest feeling completely at ease. Her arms were on top of his. They swayed just a bit to the music coming from the ballroom.

"Clarisse my darling..." she could tell he wanted to say more, but he kept quiet until she looked up at him. Joe stared at her with loving eyes. "I love you."

Clarisse couldn't believe that the man that she cared for so much just told her he loved her. Their eyes were locked together.

"I love you too Joseph." And with that Joe took his hand under Clarisse's chin, lifted up her head and kissed her lightly on her lips. Everything was perfect, everything felt right. But then they heard something strange coming from the ballroom. The queen broke the silence.

"We'd better go back before someone notices we're gone," although she did not want to leave.

She left and Joe went to get the guards so they could come back to the room. The queen thought she was going to see something bad once she entered but once she did she noticed that everyone was clapping together for Mia and Lilly. They were doing their dance they made up together. Joe entered a few moments later, he was glad to see that nothing was wrong. Charlotte and Mia were the only ones who noticed that the Queen and Joe were missing. When Charlotte saw the two come back in, she had a smile on her face. Mia noticed it as well. Mia and Charlotte looked at each other and smiled knowing about the two sneaking off together.

At the end of the night, around one o' clock, the Queen and Princess said goodbye to all their guests. Joe and Charlotte were close by watching very carefully.

"Wow Grandma that was a lot of people!" Mia was completely exhausted, "I'm going to bed."

She said goodnight to her grandmother, Joe, and Charlotte. A few minutes later Charlotte said goodnight and went to bed as well. Joe then walked the queen to her room. They reached the door; Joe kissed her hand and bid goodnight.

Hours later Clarisse still could not sleep. She was debating with herself on whether to go or not. She finally decided to go. She put on her robe and headed for Joe's room down the hall.

Joe also was not sleepy. At the moment he was out on the balcony looking at the stars thinking of his lovely Clarisse. A knock at his door brought him back to reality. Curious about who was at his door he went over and opened it. To his surprise it was the woman her just thinking about.

"Not that I'm unhappy to see you, but what are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep. All I kept thinking about was you and us." Joe tried to hide how happy that made him feel, but she could tell what he was doing. He led her inside and shut the door behind them.

"Did I wake you?" Concerned she woke him up.

"No, I as well was thinking about you." He confessed.

That made her smile. He took her hand and she followed him out onto the balcony. Clarisse didn't notice, but as they were walking toward the balcony Joe picked something up. They immediately got into the same position as they were earlier during the ball. Joe tightened his grasp on Clarisse when he felt her shudder because of the cool early morning air. Joe kissed the side of her head. He rubbed her left hand that he was holding. In his other hand he was playing with the object he picked up earlier.

"Clarisse," he waited for her to look at him. He looked deeply into her eyes and said, "I love you with all my heart..." as he was saying this, the object he had was now ready for its purpose. At the same time that he says his next line he slips a ring onto Clarisse's finger. "...will you marry me?"

The ring fit perfectly on her finger. A million thoughts were racing through her mind, whether she should say yes or not. But she knew the answer was yes when she looked deep into his eyes.

She realized that she hadn't said anything for a few moments and could tell Joe was worried. So she finally spoke, "yes, yes a million times yes!"

That brought his smile back and he kissed her deeply. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he put his arms around her waist. Joe broke the kiss and just stared at the love of his life.

"You know you can look at your ring now, if you'd like."

Clarisse smiled and finally looked at her ring. She told Joe that it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life. He responded, "It still doesn't even compare to your beauty."

She looked back at him, "could I stay here tonight, to be with you?"

Joe said nothing, just took a hold of her hand and led her inside, where Clarisse then went, took off her robe, and got into bed. Joe did the same. After they got under the covers Joe pulled Clarisse tightly in his arms.

"I love you so much Joseph"

"I love you too my Queen." He whispered in her ear, "sweet dreams my love." He kissed her goodnight and soon she was fast asleep. He kissed her cheek once more and fell asleep himself, with his beautiful love in his arms.