None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney. Thanks for all my wonderful reviews and all those who are very encouraging. You're a great bunch. Please R&R.

she woke at 4am , Clarisse had never felt so languid in all her life, she just felt unable to sleep. She closed her eyes again, trying to get back to sleep which was proving elusive. Apparently Joseph had other ideas to prevent her from sleeping.Joseph felt her move restlessly, and pulled her closer.

"good morning", he whispered, letting his hand snake over her hip. She groaned and buried her head in the pillow.

"it's the middle of the bloody night and i cannot get to sleep!"

"oh well that's charming, Risse", he laughed, kissing the side of her neck.

"don't call me that, you know that annoys me", she mumbled.

"I know but my dear, that was the desired effect".

"why are you teasing me?", she groaned. She wanted to laugh but she wasn't going to give in easily.

"because I enjoy it but not as much as I enjoy this!", he laughed and began tickling her sides mercilessly. God he aggravated her but she really, secretly loved it. She was now completely awake.

"Joseph! Joe! No don't! please stop!", she giggled, fighting him off with her hands.

"what?", he said pulling her on top of him. She breathed heavily and smiled.

"don't tickle me, I'm very ticklish."

"I know. I love this", he said, suddenly becoming more serious and full of emotion.

"what, what do you love?", she whispered quietly.

"everything. Talking to you, laughing with you, teasing you, kissing you making love to you, all of it-every single moment", he said softly, placing a stray bit of hair behind he ear.

"we've waited long enough, Joe", she whispered, " and god, I love every single moment as well," she continued, laying her head on his chest.

"especially the last bit", she teased, running her hand down his chest in a desperate attempt to lighten the mood. Her conversation with Elisabeth had taught her not to regret it- it had always been drummed into her.

"what?", he questioned, confused, " oh you mean the "making love bit," he laughed.

"you know", he said, kissing her neck, " it's my favourite bit as well".

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Joe woke up to a hard knock on their bedroom door, he groaned a little and willed it to stop. Whoever it was, they were damn persistent! He untangled himself from his sleeping wife and reached for his night robe and wrapping it tightly round him, moved towards the door mumbling under his breath.

"what is it?", he growled, swinging the door open.

"hey, Grandpa!", Mia said with a cocky smile.

"oh Mia", said Joe, feeling bad at his reaction.

"oh did I interrupt", she laughed and swept into the room, winking at Joe.

"well, what do you want?", he laughed.

"it's 10 am, Grandpa and-", she was cut off by a night robe clad Clarisse walking into the room.

"oh Amelia it's you, darling", she said, running her fingers through her hair and opening her mouth in a yawn.

"are you tired grandma, Joe give you a hard time last night?", she teased. Clarisse lifted the nearest cushion and flung it in her direction.

"if you're just here to tease, then you've had your fun", she said sitting on the couch and picking up the phone on the coffee table. She ordered tea for herself, coffee for Joseph and some toast.

"no I'm here to remind you that in two hours we're opening the new children's own centre", she laughed.

Clarisse jumped up and tightened her night robe.

"oh I completely forgot!", she exclaimed, " I'll have to get ready, oh I'm sorry".

"grandma, chill! We've got 2 hours! And anyways I'm sure whatever distracted you was worth it, right Joe?", she said winking at Joe.

"was it Clarisse?", he chimed innocently, thoroughly annoying his wife.

"oh shut up!", she said making her way across the room and into her bathroom.

"we'll see you down stairs, Mia", she said turning to her grand daughter.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

On the other side of Pyrus, the Viscount was miserable, he could perhaps get near her today. If her damned husband wasn't there! Or perhaps if he got rid of her husband, it would be easier. An eerie smile played on his lips and he picked up the phone.

"janus, is that you?", he questioned, pointedly.

"yes", answered the raspy voice.

"I need you to carry out a job for me today, I know it's short notice but you'll be paid well".

"yes. Who?".

"Sir Joseph, Sir Joseph," he paused in aid of the gasp on the other line and then continued, " the queens consort. Meet me in the square. Clear?"

"y-y-yes", stammered the other man, clearly not comfortable with what he was about to do.

The viscount regretted it, truly he did but it was the only was to get near her, the only way.

Ahha, what did you think? Hope you liked it! I'll post another chapter soon! Please R&R.

Yours,

M.