Here is the next chapter, it is a little longer. Enjoy, and please keep the reviews coming, they really help.

It was almost 2:00 pm when Clarisse realized she was hungry. Time flew by so quickly while she was riding Elizabeth. She put Elizabeth in the stable and started back toward the palace. She found Charlotte in the kitchen.

"Hello Charlotte."

"Hello your Majesty. How was your ride?"

"It was wonderful," she paused, "Charlotte were you able to find a time for me to call California?"

"Yes ma'am. In about twenty minutes you'll be able to call."
"Thank you."

Clarisse then began to make herself some lunch. She was trying to enjoy as much as possible before later this afternoon when she knew she would have to work again.

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"Hey, Joe?"

"Yes Princess?" Joe had just picked Mia up from school and was on his way back the consulate.

"How much did it cost you for Grandma's ring? 'Cuz it looks expensive."

"That is for me to know and no one else Princess."

"Oh come on Joe, I won't tell anyone. Promise."

"I made that promise too. Sorry."

"Okay fine. So, why am I going to the consulate with you?"

"Charlotte informed me earlier that your grandmother would be calling and I thought you would like to talk with her for a few minutes."

"Really? That's awesome! Thanks Joe."

They arrived a few minutes later at the consulate. The man sitting at the front desk called for Joe telling him the phone was for him. "Thank you." Joe took the phone and handed it to Mia. He thought it would be a nice surprise for Clarisse to hear Mia's voice.

"Hello?"

"Joes-wait you're not Joseph."

Mia giggled, "hi Grandma!"

"Mia, what a surprise! How did you know I was on the phone?"

"Well Joe picked me up from school and I wound up here instead of my house. He thought I wanted to talk to you. And he was right. So how is Genovia?"

The two talked for a few minutes about what has happened in the last couple of days. Joe was waiting next to Mia, smiling that she got to talk to her grandmother again.

"Well, I'm supposed to meet Lilly for another petition. So I'll let you talk to Joe...Love ya too...bye." Mia handed Joe the phone, gave him a goodbye kiss on the cheek, and left to meet Lilly. Joe took the phone into the other room where he was then alone. Then he spoke into the phone.

"Clarisse?"

"Oh Joseph! I love you so much! Thank you for Elizabeth, I love her, she is so beautiful. All the notes were so sweet."

"I'm glad you like her. And all the notes."

"I do, very much. So, did you dream about me last night?"

"Yes, I did."

"Well, I must confess that I also dreamt about you."

They talked for a while as if they were the only ones in the world. But then Clarisse had a meeting to attend and needed to say goodbye.

"I wish I could fly back to California to be with you. And to see Mia. I have a meeting I cannot get out of so I must go now. I love you Joseph."

"I love you too." They hung up, not wanting to say goodbye, so simply just said I love you. Joseph went to busy himself, trying not to think of Clarisse. Although Clarisse had other ideas. She went to her meeting, trying to pay attention. Then for the rest of the day she was busy 'til late that night after dinner. She then got ready for bed, thinking about Joe. She wanted to see him, to feel him, have him hold her in his arms. An idea popped into her head that made her smile. And then she fell fast asleep

Clarisse awoke the next morning, remembering about her idea from last night, and immediately needed to speak with Charlotte. She got dressed and headed down for breakfast. As she was done with breakfast, Charlotte walked in.

"Oh Charlotte, I need to speak with you."

"Yes your Majesty?"

"I would like to know my schedule for next week."

"All right. I can have it ready by this afternoon after your meeting with Parliament."

"Thank you Charlotte." Clarisse then left to begin her busy day. She went to her meeting with Parliament, and met with Charlotte afterwards.

"Charlotte I think we need to talk privately about a few things. Come this way." Clarisse brought Charlotte into her private office for their discussion. The two women talked for almost two hours straight. Dealing with Clarisse's schedule and some events that will be taking place in the next few months, such as Mia coming in the summer.

Everything at the palace was as usual now that the queen was back and everything was in order. And before Clarisse knew it, it had been almost two weeks since she had come back. Tonight as she was getting ready for bed, Charlotte walked in to discuss the next day's events with her.

"Your plane will leave tomorrow morning at 4:30 am. Is everything ready?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes everything is set. I just wish I did not have to get so early. However, it will be worth it. Thank you Charlotte, I will see you tomorrow morning to leave for the airport. Goodnight." Clarisse smiled as Charlotte bowed out.

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Mia woke up early and got ready to go over to Lilly's house for their big day. It was the last day of school and after it got over with, they were going to the main park to try to raise money for educational and teacher funds. They think teachers do not get paid enough money, so they want to try to help. It was the biggest thing they have ever done.

"I thought that me being princess would help get publicity for more people to show up. I guess I was wrong."

"Mia, don't think like that. We are doing great! Look how many people are already." Lilly was trying to comfort her friend. They actually were doing quite well; they had only been there for about 2 hours and had already risen over $300.00.

"I know, I just feel like I should be doing something more. I feel so helpless."

"Mia, stop it! You are doing enough as it is. You are leaving tomorrow, so technically you should be packing right now, but you're not, you are here, with me. Do you realize that this is the last thing we are going to do together before you leave!? We are doing great, and we are doing it together as a team. What more do you want? This summer you will be able to make such a difference in Genovia. So be happy here." Mia was shocked at her friend, and instead of yelling back, she just gave her a great big hug.

"I got an idea Lilly. How about after this is all done, we go out for ice cream?"

"Sure, as long as it is all right with her." And with that, Lilly pointed behind Mia because a few seconds ago Lilly saw someone that wanted to see Mia. Lilly had a smile on her face and turned Mia around to see whom she was talking about.

Mia gave a scream and ran over to her grandmother.

"Grandma what are you doing here!?" Mia was ecstatic to see her.

"Well I talked to Charlotte and cleared my schedule to come see you and Lilly's big fund raiser."

"But how did you know what we were doing?"

Clarisse winked at Lilly. "Oh I have my ways Mia."

Directing her anger/happiness towards Lilly. "You knew? You knew all along and didn't say anything?"

"Mia do you really think I would let the chance to go by and surprise you?"

All three laughed and visited for the rest of the day. They started to close everything up, to get ready to go home. They had risen over $1,000! Mia and Lilly were so happy everything turned out good.

Lilly and Mia were whispering to each other for a few minutes before Mia left for a second.

"Your Majesty? Did you want to go out for ice cream with us?" Lilly asked her knowing Mia was right behind her with someone else.

"Oh well, I'm not sure. You two should have some time together before Mia has to leave. I wouldn't want to intrude."

A voice came from behind her. "Well how about you be my date Clarisse and Mia and Lilly can be each other's date?" Joe was hoping she would now agree to go with them. Clarisse whirled around and starred straight into the eyes of the love of her life.

"Joseph! Oh my goodness!" All she could do was wrap her arms around his neck and hug him as tight as possible. And in response, Joe wrapped his arms around her waist holding her just as tight. After a few seconds, she realized she was in public, so she let go of Joe reluctantly, remembering no one knew of their relationship. "I think ice cream sounds like a wonderful idea."

"Great! We are all done here, let's go." Mia gestured towards the limo Joe had come out from. "I know this great little place where we can have our own private room so no one can disturb us."

Everyone ordered their ice cream and started discussing how well Mia and Lilly's project turned out. Lilly was still confused about the queen's little outburst with Joe so Mia explained everything to her while Clarisse and Joe were discussing the arrangements for their flight tomorrow.

Joe was fighting the urge to touch Clarisse. They were sitting close to each other, to where their faces were only inches apart. Even though it had only been two weeks, they felt like a lot longer to them.

"I hope we never have to spend that much time away from each other again." Clarisse told him, very low so no one else could hear.

"I will make sure of that. We'll always have the excuse that I am the heard of security and need to protect you at all times." They both laughed, and with that got Mia's attention.

"So Grandma, are you gonna stay at the consulate tonight?"

"Yes I will. Then we will come pick you up in the morning to go to the airport."

"Oh, that may be hard. I will not be at home. Mom is letting me stay the night at Lilly's."

"Okay, then we'll pick you up at Lilly's house tomorrow morning." She said with a smile, knowing that the girls were going to have a fun night with no sleep.

"Well it is getting late, so we should leave now. You ladies have a big day tomorrow." Commented Joe.

They finished their ice cream and then Joe dropped off Mia and Lilly at her house. Joe and Clarisse were now on their way back to the consulate. The ride was silent, as was their walk up to the doors. They came inside, Joe informing the guards that the queen will be staying there for the night, and she wishes not be disturbed. Joe walked Clarisse to her room, and closed the door behind him. His back was to Clarisse as he shut the door, and when he turned around, she was standing right in front of him with a huge smile on her face.

"Oh Joseph, I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too." He was not able to say another word because Clarisse covered his lips with hers. He had wanted to kiss her and feel her just as much as she had wanted him. Joe slipped his arms around her waist, deepening the kiss, while Clarisse wrapped her arms around his neck.

Breaking the kiss for air, Clarisse spoke. "Joseph, will you stay here with me tonight?"

Joe smiled down at her. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He kissed her once more and they walked towards the bed. "Wait, I don't have any of my clothes in here I-"

"Yes you do, I brought a pair of pajamas in my suitcase for you."

"Oh, so you already knew I was going to spend the night in here?"

"Let's just say I had a feeling I needed to bring them." She said with a teasing smile.

Clarisse went into the bathroom to change and wash off her make up, while Joe changed in the room. Joe was taking off the extra pillows on the bed when Clarisse returned. She went to turn off the light and then climbed into bed with Joe. She propped herself up on one elbow, facing Joe.

"You know I thought today was going to be like any other day, and then Mia ran over to me and said I needed to see something. She grabbed my arm and started pulling me towards Lilly. Then I saw you. You could have knocked me over with a feather. How were you able to get away?"

"Well, Charlotte and I made a few plans, and arranged my schedule for me to come out here."

"I think Charlotte will be getting a huge gift from me this Christmas. What would we do without her?"

"That is true. She has helped with so much." Then a yawn escaped Clarisse although she was trying to hide it.

"It's getting late, we should go to bed." Joe wrapped his arms around her holding her close under the covers.

"You're right. Goodnight my love."

"Sweet dreams." He gave her a kiss on the cheek and closed his eyes.

"Oh Joseph, by the way, since Charlotte has done so much, I was thinking of making her my made of honor at our wedding. Goodnight." She said with a smile then closed her eyes, and made sure to hear her fiancé's reaction, but do nothing about it 'til morning.

"What? Wedding? When-" but it was no use, Clarisse would not wake up. He figured he would find everything out tomorrow morning, so he did not dwell on it, but simply whispered in her ear. "You are so lucky I'm in love with you." He kissed her cheek again, pulled her tighter to him, and fell asleep.

"I love you too Joseph."

To be continued...