Hi, guys! Thanks so much for your reviews, they really encouraged me. These Character's do not belong to me ( I wish they did!) but I like to make up stories about them. I also don't know how you seat people at balls so I made it up. J

Clarisse buried her head further into the pillow, god she hated morning sunlight! she moaned rather ungracefully as the birds outside started to sing, waking Joseph from what had been quite a pleasant sleep. He opened one eye and glanced at his wife who had given up trying to get back to sleep. She was propped up on one elbow, staring at him, she smiled as he opened both eyes and yawned sheepishly.

"hard night?", she questioned, raising a perfectly plucked eyebrow.

"mmm. Yes", he smiled, propping himself up on his elbow so he was just inches away from her face.

"we have to get up you know!", she stated as his hand started to snake over her hip.

"yup, I know but do we really have to?", he pouted childishly as he tightened his grip on her slim waist.

"yes, we do", she said softly, pulling away and wrapping her night gown around her. She padded across the bedroom as Joseph gave a mournful sigh.

"oh and Joseph, darling", she said pausing at the door of there bathroom.

"yes, sweetheart", he said, reluctantly giving up and making his way across the bedroom to his closet.

"Queen's consorts never say "yup", they say yes. I do believe you've adopted Mia's native tongue".

"yes, thank you Clarisse. I'll try to remember that", he mocked.

"oh just get ready!", she laughed.

"yes, your Majesty. Of course, Your majesty. I love you your Majesty. You're the most aggravating person I know, your Majesty!", he said making, deep, sarcastic bows and backing into his closet making her laugh so much she felt a tear of mirth trickling down her cheek.

Never had anyone made her laugh like Joseph did, she loved this- every single moment.

Mia bounced into her grandmothers office, late as usual. Her grandmother was sitting behind her desk, scanning papers and letters from all over the world. Charlotte was behind her babbling some foreign language down the phone, getting a little aggravated at whoever was on the other end.

"hey, grandma ! How are you?"

"fine, darling but you are late," she looked up a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"erm, yeah bout that . You see - I - well I-".

"you were kissing Nicholas goodbye at the door and it lasted a little longer than intended. Queen's always get to the point, darling, always remember that", she laughed.. Mia's face reddened.

" it's ok darling. He is away for 3 weeks after all, I understand. Now we are going to get our hair done then a dress fitting , how are the arrangements for the ball coming along?"

"yeah, good", Mia lied.

"oh really?".

"Grandma , does a Baron come before or after a Count in seating arrangements?", she asked more than a little timidly, her grandmother had been over seating hierarchy so many times, she still couldn't get it.

"Mia, I've told you how many times? Oh really! Baron then Count. Clear?", Clarisse asked impatiently.

"crystal", Mia said, she decided asking her the other question about seating was out of the question.

The door opened and Joseph walked in. impeccably dressed, he still wore his black Armani suits and his specks hung casually in his breast pocket. He might have been old enough to be Mia's grandfather, he was in fact or at least she looked on him that way - she still thought he was hot! Charlotte , Clarisse and Mia had once had this conversation a few years ago, when Clarisse and Joseph hadn't even dared to show affection to each other, even with those who where and considered as family. Clarisse had scorned them both telling Mia he was old enough to be her grandfather and charlotte's father. That confirmed it for Mia and charlotte, Joe and Clarisse were sooooo in love ! Clarisse was jealous, ha!

Charlotte still hasn't paid that 20 dollars she owes me, thought Mia as josephs voice brought her back from reminiscing.

"Ladies, Paolo is here", he growled. He detested that man, especially when he slobbered all over his Clarisse. The woman in question laughed gently at her husbands reaction. She stood up and took her granddaughters arm and Joseph and charlotte followed.

"Catch up, Joseph," she said turning back to look at him, "you're not my head of security anymore, darling".

"I wouldn't let him near me if I had any hair, Clarisse and Mia", he said catching up , pushing in between them and offering an arm to each of them with a goofy smile on his face. "but then again", he continued, "I don't really care about the little hair I do have so I suppose that I'm not like you women."

"Grandpa, did you ever have any hair?".

"no, I don't suppose I did, shaved it all off. Never liked hair, apart from you Grandmother's.".

Clarisse blushed slightly, he was always complementing her and she was always embarrassed. She didn't know why, she just was. He escorted them to the dressing room, he was not going to let his wife out of his sight!

Ok, this is my chapter, what do you think? Please review it?

The next chapter is going to be comical, because there's gonna be Paolo slobbering over Clarisse and Joe lets his temper get in the way!

Please review and thank you so much to those who did!