Clarisse was so rushed off her feet trying to get things ready at the last minute. The press were gathering outside, it was 4pm and she still wasn't ready. A Ming vase had been knocked over, the orchestra were tuning up and Clarisse was about to lose it when Joseph walked in. she was gripping the sides of her head willing the headache to go away. She had dismissed Mia to go and get ready, she said she didn't mind and at that point- she hadn't, but now everything was quite frantic and Clarisse just couldn't cope.

"Clarisse, darling why don't we go outside and get you some fresh air", he said taking her hand and heading towards the terrace doors.

"no, Joseph. I can't, I have to get ready", she said frantically.

"calm down Clarisse. Everything's ok," he whispered.

"oh Joseph", she said nearly in tears " I can't do this anymore. I'm exhausted, the press are gathering, hounding me as usual! I'm not dressed neither are you, I haven't seen you all day. I -", he cut her off.

"come on lets get you upstairs where we can discuss this, Mia is coming down here anyway to check everything. I met her on the way here, and anyways charlotte's quite capable of dealing with things, aren't you charlotte?" he questioned turning towards charlotte, who nodded.

"Ok", she said giving in and making for the stairs.

They reached there suite and walked in, Clarisse flung herself on the couch and lay down eyes closed.

"do you want to tell me what's up?", said Joe, sitting beside her, slipping off her shoes and beginning to massage her feet.

" I'm exhausted", she whispered, rubbing her temples.

"I gathered that much," he said soothingly, "any thing else?".

"yes and no. Oh Joseph I'm sorry I didn't remember I just-", he cut her off.

"I didn't expect you too", he laughed, " you were run off your feet and anyway when was this day ever important to us? It was just an excuse to send you a bunch of flowers, just to cheer you up," he smiled gently and leaned over to kiss her. She put a restraining hand on his chest and looked into his eyes.

"thank you", she said seriously " thank you for staying with me", she smiled at him.

"you're welcome darling but how could I have left? Don't get me wrong I tried, I wrote my resignation countless times, I'd walk to your office determined to hand it to you and then I'd hear you laugh, or you'd smile at me. The smile that you seem only to smile at me and I couldn't. I eventually came to the conclusion I could never leave you no matter how hard I tried and then I resolved I would have to make you mine. So I waited - and here we are you're my wife, how could I have left when I was determined this was where it would end?", he said with a gentle, heart warming smile.

"oh Joseph, thank you for waiting. You're very determined and now that's by with-now you may kiss me but remember I have to get dressed."

"what are you wearing this evening, Clarisse?", he said, in between planting kisses on her neck and jaw line.

"a dress," she murmered, not really caring what he was asking, she suddenly felt better, much better.

"Clarisse, darling you have hundreds of dresses and I know you're not really interested but you best tell me or I'll stop", he teased, stopping at the base of her neck. It bugged her but he'd just have to wait.

"cad", she teased. Laughing, she pushed him off of her and sat up, straightened her hair and stood up. Leaving a rather bemused Joseph, walked across the room and stopped at the entrance to her dressing room.

"what? Where are you going?", he said, deflated and straightening up his shirt, " how can you call me a cad? I acted very honourably!".

"oh, your nobles oblige thrills me, really!", she laughed sarcastically.

"but I-", he protested, joining her in her dressing room.

"out!", she ordered, mockingly pointing her finger towards the door and turning back to the mirror as if she was waiting for him to leave.

"Clarisse, you can't just tease me like that!", he said, trying to keep a straight face and succeeding.

"no, Joe I wasn't teasing you. I'm not telling you what I'm wearing and you won't get it out of me, even if you threaten never to make love to me again!"

"I couldn't do that but it better be decent," he teased and grinned triumphantly as the make-up brush that was aimed at him bounced off the door frame and he caught it.

"I'm going to get ready, Your Majesty", he laughed, thrusting his hands into his trouser pockets.

"don't call me that, Joseph!", she laughed and walked towards him "I'm Clarisse, your wife not Clarisse, your queen."

"ah but darling", he said turning his back on her and walking towards the bathroom " you are, in so many ways."