None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney and neither do Valentino's. This is a cool chapter, or at least I hope so! Diplomatic dinner will be happening soon and then the ball ( don't worry TierraL there will be more of the dress and thank you for the reviews!) please R&R. thank you to all the wonderful people who review my story! P.S has anyone got any ideas as to what the ball could be in aid of? If you have please let me know. Thanks. Note: thoughts in italics.

This is set the day after the shopping trip.

Clarisse and Joseph made their way down to the corridor to their suite, after checking no one was around Clarisse propped herself up on the wall and removed her shoes. She had worn heels ever since she could remember but they still killed her, especially "Valentino's".

"sore feet, darling?", he questioned, stalling while she removed her shoes.

"yes, very sore feet", she moaned pulling a face, "do you think I could wear my slippers under my dress this evening?"

"umm no, Clarisse. I do not think you should wear your slippers to a diplomatic dinner, then they'd think you'd really let yourself go," he mocked.

"oh stop it and what do you mean "let myself go"?", she questioned walking slowly.

"I mean you were desperate to let me continue kissing you in the shop yesterday and you didn't even care who was watching," he said, willing her reaction. He loved this, talking to her, bantering with her, teasing her, kissing her, making love to her. He loved it- every single moment.

"what, you forced me!", she said in mock admonishment while she tried to suppress a laugh.

"is that the way of it your majesty, well really!", he said backing her up against the wall and putting his hands on her hips.

"what dress are you wearing this evening your majesty", he said kissing her finger tips while keeping her pinned to the wall with his free hand "or should I say is it low cut? I wouldn't want Lionel getting any ideas would I now", he raised a thoughtful eyebrow. She laughed and tried to duck under his arm but he was too quick and he had her pinned back , now he was kissing her neck.

"why are you asking?", she questioned, lifting his head and pushing him back so she could see his face.

"purely for security reasons, your majesty!", he grinned cheekily and returned to her neck.

"oh really?"

"really."

Come on Joseph, we have to get ready and honestly what if someone walked around the corner. What if it was Lionel? I'd feel terrible after leading him on."

"you what?".

"oh come on", she said pulling at his hand and heading towards there suite "lets make most of the free time we have before we have to entertain diplomats!"

Mia was trying to finalise plans for the looming ball but there was no way she could get the seating right - no way apart from asking her grandmother or Joseph and what was worse she had only an hour until the diplomatic dinner. There was nothing for it, she would have to ask her, oh god she'd kill her! She slumped towards their suite feeling as if she was going to face her death. She morosely put her hand on their door handle and timidly pushed it open. She immediately brightened and burst out laughing at her grandmothers bright red face. I sooo have to tell charlotte this one! Grandma is gonna get made fun of for this one! Clarisse jumped out of Joe's lap and straightened up her jacket. From the look on Joe's face he had really been enjoying himself and he wasn't all to happy about the interruption and from the look on Clarisse's, well - she looked as if retiring to a dark corner and dying was quite a fitting feeling at that point.

"err, I'm sorry for interrupting your "make out session" but I wanted to ask you something", she laughed and ducked, narrowly missing the pillow flung inher direction by a disgruntled Joe. She started to laugh and so did Joe.

"oh come on Grandma you have to find it funny, Joe does!" she said throwing herself down on their couch and putting up her feet.

"ok, perhaps you find it funny but-", she was interrupted by the phone ringing. She moved over to the desk to answer it and that gave Mia her perfect opportunity.

"hey Grandpa?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Duchess next to Countess or Duchess then Duke or both?", she whispered in an obvious manner.

"neither, Amelia," laughed Joe, "Duke after Baron, then Count's and Countesses then Duchesses next to Dukes. Ok?"

"yeah, well I gotta go", she said jumping up " and Grandpa, don't make Grandma late!"

"oh, be quiet Amelia," said Clarisse who had now hung up the reciever "oh and Amelia you forgot to thank Joseph for his help and Dukes come before Barons, not afterward. Nice try Joseph, you always were the original prankster."

"I just wanted to provoke a reaction in you my darling, remember I think you're so attractive when you're angry".

"oh shut up!", she said returning to his lap.

"I'm going, I've got the feeling I'm not really wanted", laughed Mia banging the door behind her.

The dinner went well and as the family said good bye to their departing guests Mia was half asleep.

"Mia, darling you look exhausted. Go to bed", ordered Clarisse with a kiss and hug goodnight. She did so, not to reluctantly.

"will we take a walk, Clarisse?", said Joe gripping her hand.

"yes, I'd like that."

They walked all through the rose garden, through the orange grove and right down to the edge of the lake. Where they sat down on the bench and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I wish we could stay like this forever", she whispered in a barley audible tone.

"me too, darling", he said pulling her impossibly closer.

"I love you Joseph".

"I love you as well, Clarisse with every inch of my being", me murmerred gently while he stroked her hair.

She was quiet after that and he was so lost in thought he didn't realise she had fell asleep. There was nothing for it, he would have to carry her. He gently lifted her, she was so light and looked so vulnerable, this was when he feared for her, when she was like this- when she was herself.

She stirred and wrapped her arms round his neck and settled her face in the crook of his neck.

"your knee", she muttered in protest and tried to move.

"it's ok sweetie, don't worry, my knee's fine," he knew she was right but he didn't care, his knee could give him hell for the next few days- she could give him hell for the rest of his life and he'd never, ever leave her and the best thing was- he knew she felt the exact same.

did you like that one? it was cool, huh? please R&R. yours, M.