Based on the Garry & Julie Movie Commentary on the PD2 DVD . During Mia's "almost" wedding scene, Julie asks Garry if the scene where Joseph pulls Clarisse close was still in the movie. The answer was no, which begs the question: what was the scene she's talking about? Not having access to the clips on the cutting room floor, here is what I think the missing scene would be. What do you think? Challenge!
Joseph watched Mia re-enter the church, wondering what the determined Renaldi look on her face might mean. He turned to look at his Queen, still in the garden alcove, her back now to him. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then slowly made his way to her.
"You'll need this," he said quietly, offering his handkerchief.
She took it from him, then turned, allowing him to see the tears pooling in her blue eyes.
"How did you know?"
He inclined his head. "30 years. Haven't I always known?"
She dabbed her eyes and nodded. "Yes. You have."
Joseph decided to act as professionally as he could – there was less chance of deepening his wounds that way. "The Princess had quite a determined look on her face. Any reason I should be worried about what's happening in there?"
She looked up at him, searching for what to say. Finally, she decided on the truth. "I told Amelia that she should follow her heart, that she didn't have to make the same choices or same mistakes I did."
Her admission took Joseph completely by surprise. "You… you told her to follow her heart? What will become of Genovia if she chooses not to marry Andrew?"
"I will have a granddaughter who has a chance for real love and happiness. Unlike what her grandmother had." She started to turn away from him, but he caught her.
"Clarisse." He took the handkerchief from her, and wiped her tears himself. This was definitely a breakthrough, he thought.
She waited until he finished; then spoke. "Amelia can make her own mistakes, she can avoid the ones I made. I wouldn't wish her a life with a man she doesn't love, who doesn't love her, just to prove her love for her country. She deserves better than that, and Genovia shouldn't ask it of her."
"You'll get no argument from me over that. One unhappy queen is more than I can bear."
She smiled at him, but then her face dropped. "You won't be here to see it in either case."
He stiffened. "Perhaps we should get you inside."
"No, Joseph, wait. I've been thinking, no, actually, I've been feeling these last few days. What we have together is too important, too special for me to walk away from it after thirty years. I've realized that nothing I've worked for will be worth anything if I lose the man I love." She placed a gloved hand on his chest and looked up into his face.
"So, does this mean you're not granting my request for retirement?" He leaned his forehead against hers.
"No. I mean, yes, you can retire. But you can't leave. I want you to stay, I ask you to stay." She waited what seemed like forever for him to respond; his hands on her shoulders, the closeness of his face to hers, she could hardly breathe.
Joseph, too, was having difficulty breathing. Only moments ago he was a man walking away from the love of his life, now she was offering him the love he'd dreamed of since the day he'd met her. He raised his head, and with his finger lifted her chin to look into her eyes. "The duty you have to yourself…?"
"Far outweighs the duty I have to my country," she finished.
"And the Monarchy…?"
"Lies in Princess Mia's capable hands," she affirmed.
"And Mia herself…?"
"She's twenty-one, and much smarter than I was at her age. In fact, she may be smarter than I am even now." Clarisse reached up to touch Joseph's face, and he caught her hand in his. "No more excuses. I love you, Joseph."
Joseph pulled her close, and finally expelled the breath he had been holding. "Oh, my love," he sighed. He felt her arms tighten around him, thrilled by her touch and what it told him.
"Anybody got a twenty on Joseph?" the radio startled them both.
Still holding on to her he spoke into the mouthpiece. "I'm with the Eagle. We're on our way." Reluctantly, he released her. "Ready?"
She straightened her coat, and then smoothed his jacket and adjusted his tie. She cupped his face in both hands, and lightly kissed his lips. "Um, hmm."
He grabbed her hand and together they walked back into the church. Once inside the foyer, he kissed her quickly before letting her walk into the sanctuary alone. Too late, he realized that Charlotte had seen. He caught her wide smile, but sensing his embarrassment, she quickly masked her delight.
Joseph took his place near the door, where he could observe Clarisse proudly watching her granddaughter challenge parliament. He stepped up to protect her when the vile Viscount Mabery charged down the aisle. He found himself swelling with pride as Mia went on to change Genovian law and win over her people in a moving and thoughtful speech. This girl was going to make a fine queen, he reflected.
Joseph realized that the battery in his headset was dying, and switched it off, making a mental note to change it at the first opportunity. Then there was a murmur among the guests. What was happening now? Why was Clarisse speaking with Mia on the security channel? Damn, where was that second battery? He had to stop searching when he heard Clarisse call his name. He looked at her, seeing a twinkle in her eye, her hands nervously clasped in front of her. His eyes narrowed. What was she up to? His legs trembled as he walked up to her.
"Your Majesty."
"Dear Joseph. Am I too late to ask you to accept my hand in marriage?"
Had he heard right? Was that a proposal of marriage? He could tell from the mischief in her face that indeed she had risen to a challenge. He glanced at Charlotte, her lips moving "yes, yes, yes". He straightened himself up, and behaving equally as mischievous as his soon-to-be bride declared: "Well, I thought you'd never ask."
He didn't hear the cheer of the other security men and women posted around the church grounds as he passed his hatand dead radio to Shades. Without overtly displaying the sheer joy that he felt, he simply stated: "I'm going to a wedding."
