Part Eleven
Clarisse rolled over in bed, throwing her arm up to ward off the rising sun streaming in the window. She must have forgotten to close the curtains the night before. Then she sat up, her heart thudding. Today was her wedding day! She was marrying Joseph! Unable to stay in bed in spite of the early hour, Clarisse got up and dressed. She would take Maurice out for his morning run. Emerging from her bedroom with the leash in hand, she was startled to find Olivia just coming in to her suite.
"Your Majesty!" Olivia gasped, looking at Clarisse and the lease. "What are you doing up so early?"
Smiling faintly, Clarisse said, "I couldn't sleep. I'm going to take Maurice out."
"Oh, but, your Majesty, you cannot be seen before the wedding! It's ... it's bad luck!" Olivia protested.
"Nonsense," Clarisse chuckled as she tried to put the lease on the puppy bouncing around her feet. The dog reminded her at that point of her grand-daughter! "It's not as if it's my first wedding. Besides, I'm not wearing my wedding dress."
"But ..."
"I won't be long, Olivia," and Clarisse made good her escape.
She idly followed Maurice as he sniffed at every flower and blade of grass. Eventually they ended up near the gazebo. Clarisse's eyes sharpened as she caught a glimpse of a figure on the other side, and for a moment she froze. Then, when Maurice yipped at the suddenness of her stop which tightened the collar around his neck, the figure came closer and Clarisse realized it was Joseph.
"You're up early!" she called out.
"Who could stay in bed on such a glorious day?" Joseph laughed.
They met in the gazebo and his lips were on hers. Clarisse dropped the leash and wound her arms around Joseph as she kissed him back fervently. "It IS a glorious day!" she admitted when she came up for air. "I hadn't really realized it, but now I know I must have been hoping you would be out here. Oh, Joseph, all night I kept having horrible dreams that Parliament had reversed its decision and refused to allow us to marry! I don't know what I would do if I lost you now ..."
"Relax, my love." Joseph held her close and added, "Clarisse, my darling, whatever Parliament might have said in the past or what it might say in the future, we were meant to be together. I committed to loving you long ago, and you fulfilled my dreams when you realized that you felt the same about me. With our wedding, we are going to celebrate our joint commitment to loving one another fully, completely, and as deeply we know how. It's a living commitment, reaffirmed each time we reach out to one another in pure joy, each time one of us is there to support or comfort the other, each time we share a newly uncovered insight or emotion. It is a commitment continually rediscovered as each day we become aware of how much love our hearts are capable of giving."
"Joseph, you're making me cry!" Clarisse protested. "Oh, I love you so much!"
His hand touched the tears sliding down her cheeks, brushing them away lightly. She felt him clasp a necklace around her neck as he whispered, "Just a little bridal gift ... Charlotte was supposed to send you out here later, but I'm glad you're early."
Before Clarisse could ask about the necklace, his hand continued to smooth down her neck and her throat. She promptly forgot everything as she revelled in his touch. Joseph rubbed her lips with his and nipped softly, teasing her with sensuous kisses that drove her crazy. Rupert had never aroused her as Joseph had. Clarisse's breathing quickened and her hands clutched his arms to keep her balance when her legs didn't want to hold her upright. "Joseph!" she gasped.
Joseph slid his hands around her back and clasped them as he held her close, willing their hearts to slow and cease the intense pounding. But before he could say anything, they were interrupted.
"Your Majesty? Joseph?"
Joseph's laugh was wry as Charlotte's voice was heard calling them. In a few moments, Charlotte was coming down the stairs and hurrying along the path to the gazebo.
"Your Majesty? Oh, there you are!" Charlotte said breathlessly. "I'm sorry, but ... Olivia sent me out to fetch you. Your bath is ready and she was worried about you being seen."
Clarisse sighed, then forced herself to step out of Joseph's arms. "Pretend you didn't see me, Joseph," she whispered, touching his cheek gently with her hand as she smiled at him. "All right, Charlotte, I'm ready to return. Oh, where's ...?" Just then, Maurice came racing up to dance around her feet. Clarisse chuckled. "WE are ready to return!"
"I'll see you later, Clarisse ... Charlotte." Joseph watched in amusement as Charlotte nodded distractedly and ushered the queen and the puppy back to the privacy of their suite.
Standing in the bathroom where Olivia had filled the tub and added scented oils, Clarisse looked in her mirror at her recently-kissed lips, soft eyes, and less-than-perfect hair. Oh yes, she looked and felt well loved! It was hard not to feel like a girl again in Joseph's arms. He never spoke of her figure which was not as slim as it once had been, or the faint wrinkles around her eyes. Instead, he made her feel completely and utterly beautiful. For the first time, Clarisse found herself looking forward to this wedding, knowing that the marriage which followed would far surpass any joyous dreams she had ever had. She touched the yellow topaz choker Joseph had given her, loving it and knowing that it would perfectly complement her wedding dress.
When she had finished bathing, Clarisse emerged to find that Olivia had laid out her lingerie. Her wedding dress was hanging close, ready to be put on after her hair had been styled. As she put on a robe, Clarisse could hear Olivia and Priscilla moving about the sitting room, talking quietly. Tying the belt, she opened her bedroom door and announced that she was ready for her hair to be done.
Priscilla had a breakfast tray ready which Clarisse could only pick at while the two maids did her hair. Then her dress was put on and she was swathed in a protective sheet while her makeup was done. When they were almost finished, there was a knock on the door. Olivia opened the door a crack, and Mia pushed in unceremoniously.
"Grandma? Grandma, is this ...?" She stopped and gaped at Clarisse.
"Good morning, Mia," Clarisse said, composedly.
"Grandma, you look GORGEOUS!"
"In a sheet?" Priscilla muttered under her breath as she put the finishing touches on Clarisse's makeup.
"Thank you, Mia. You look lovely too." Clarisse replied. "Except for your hair, of course. You WERE planning to do it today, weren't you?"
Mia stood in her characteristic pose, her hand up behind her back as she tugged on the long braid. "Well, yes, but Mom and I couldn't decide how."
Helen, who had followed Mia into Clarisse's suite, smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, I know I should have kept her away, but ..."
Clarisse waved regally. "It's not a problem. Now, as for your hair ... didn't Charlotte make sure you had a hairdresser this morning?"
"She's busy fighting with the flower people because they don't want to give you the colour you want." Mia said.
Before Clarisse could question that, Charlotte hurried into the room. "Your Majesty, the mauve roses you want to carry will be sent over to the cathedral in twenty minutes."
"Mauve?" Mia asked. "You mean, like purple?"
"A light purple." Clarisse nodded. "The Queen Clarisse rose."
"Wow, you have your own rose? Named after you and everything?" Mia was surprised.
"Yes. I'm sure you will too, some day. Thank you, Charlotte. Oh, and Charlotte, you look lovely," Clarisse added.
Charlotte blushed. "Thank you." Then she turned to Mia. "Your Highness, Chantal came to do your hair, but she couldn't find you. I'm afraid there won't be much time ..."
"Just call for her to come here, Charlotte," Clarisse said, standing up carefully as Priscilla and Olivia removed the protective sheet. "She may as well do it here."
"Yes, your Majesty," Charlotte crossed to the intercom system and moments later, another maid entered the suite.
Mia sat down and her hair was brushed out, then styled while she continued to talk to Clarisse. "Grandma, I know I said I wanted to be your maid of honour, but now I'm, you know, getting cold feet. What if I DO trip going up the aisle? My dress is a bit too long. Mom wouldn't let me get four inch heels, because she said I'd fall off them on the way up."
"I know you," Helen put in dryly from her position to the side. "I DID offer to tape up the hem!"
"Tape?" Clarisse raised her eyebrows.
Charlotte looked horrified and panicked. "You CAN'T do that! And now it's too late to get someone to sew it ..."
"It's all right if Mia just keeps her shoulders back and stands up straight," Helen said quickly. "Really, there's no need for a fuss ..."
"That's not what was bothering me, though. It was just the thought of that long walk by myself." Mia sighed.
"Well, I suppose we could change things, then, and you could walk up with Sebastian and Joseph and I could walk up together," Clarisse suggested.
"No, Grandma! You can't do that!" Mia looked as shocked as Charlotte.
Clarisse smiled. "It IS a second wedding, you know. It's not the same."
"It's not Joe's second wedding," Mia said. "Don't you think he'd like to see you in a veil and floating gracefully down the aisle towards him? Just like the dream wedding, you know?"
Her smile widening, Clarisse said, "Well, first of all, I'm not wearing a veil ..."
"You're NOT? You're crazy, Grandma! You HAVE to! Think of poor Joe ..." Mia persisted.
"Mia, it IS your grandmother's wedding, not yours. Normally a veil isn't worn for second weddings ..." Helen said to her daughter.
"Not even a little one, just down your back even a short way? Don't you have any more of that lace like your jacket?" Mia considered Clarisse's dress. "Hey, Grandma, I never said, but that dress is GORGEOUS!"
"Thank you, Mia." Clarisse glanced down at her champagne-coloured gown. It was simple, but elegant -- falling in graceful folds to her feet from a fitted bodice. A short, champagne-coloured lace jacket completed the ensemble. "Actually, I do believe there IS more of the lace. It's Genovian lace, you know. I suppose I could wear a waist-length veil just down the back."
Charlotte jumped into the conversation. "Oh, your Majesty, I think Joseph would really like to see you as a traditional bride, veil and all. You have that small tiara with the yellow topaz and diamonds that would match the champagne lace beautifully, and that yellow topaz necklace."
"Oh, very well," Clarisse said. "But we don't have much time ..."
"It's not a problem, your Majesty!" Olivia assured her as she scurried to fetch the tiara and Priscilla disappeared to find the length of lace.
"Now, Mia," Clarisse continued, a serene spot of calm and assurance in the midst of the chaos around her, "If Joseph has to stand up at the front as you say, then I'm afraid Sebastian Motaz will have to be there as well, so you'll just have to walk up the aisle by yourself. I'm sure you will be fine."
"But there'll be so many people ..." Mia grimaced.
Helen said, "I was always told to imagine everyone who was looking at me as wearing only their underwear, and the most ridiculous underwear I could think of. You know, like old men in sexy ladies' lingerie, lots of bright colours and sequins and feathers and things. You could try that."
The others all stared at her in disbelief. "A humongous roomful of women and men in UNDERWEAR?" Mia just about choked. "Now I WILL be sick."
Then Charlotte giggled. "Actually, now that you mention it ..."
Clarisse began to smile as well. "Yes ... the idea has merit ... I'm imagining a certain group of members of Parliament ..."
"In a thong," put in Mia, getting into the spirit of the fun.
"Or bikinis," Charlotte snickered, "imagine the fat old men in women's bikini tops!"
"Now SOME of them, like Joe, would be SPECTACULAR in a thong ..." Mia mused.
"AMELIA!" Clarisse remonstrated at the same time as Helen gasped Mia's name in horror.
"Just teasing," Mia grinned. "Okay, I think I'm gonna be all right with this now. Thanks, Mom."
Priscilla and Olivia both came back at the same time, and very quickly a veil was fashioned and attached to the tiara which was reverently placed in Clarisse's hair.
"Grandma," Mia said, solemnly, "you are stunning. Joe is gonna bust a gut when he sees you like this!"
"Mia ...!" groaned Helen. "PLEASE stop ..."
"It's time, your Majesty," Charlotte spoke up.
Clarisse nodded, and, as everyone paraded out the door ahead of her, Charlotte whispered to her, "You look simply beautiful ... Clarisse. If Joe wasn't already head over heels in love with you, he'd be falling now for sure!"
Clarisse chuckled, her hands clasping Charlotte's tightly. "Thank you. Thank you SO much, Charlotte. For everything. I just don't know what I'd do without you!"
"Then we'll hope you never have to," Charlotte returned, her own eyes suspiciously moist. "Come, your Majesty, your coach awaits." As they walked down the hallway, Charlotte continued, "We're all going in the limousine, but you'll be in the closed coach on the way to the church. We have the open carriages arranged to transport you and Joseph back to the palace following the ceremony. Princess Mia and the Prime Minister will be in the next carriage, and Mrs. Motaz and Mrs. Thermopolis in the third one."
"And you?"
"Oh, well, I'll get a ride back with Shades or ..."
"Charlotte," Clarisse stopped. "You are every bit as important in this wedding as Sheila and Helen! You will ride with them."
"But ..."
"You WILL ride with them. I AM still your queen," Clarisse reminded her gently.
Charlotte smiled faintly. "Very well, your Majesty. Yes, I will ride with them. Now please, we MUST get to the church on time!"
As she sat alone in the enclosed coach on the way to the cathedral, Clarisse tried to maintain her air of calm serenity. Yet inside, she was all fluttery, and her heart was pounding. In spite of not having thought this day even a remote possibility just one week ago and even in spite of having the control of her life taken out of her hands by a rather overbearing Parliament, she realized she was supremely happy for one of the few times in her life. She was also terrified when she thought of what the future entailed -- a future not only with her new grand-daughter, but now with a partner she had never before allowed herself to envision: a loving and beloved husband, a husband who was not only a good friend as Rupert had been, but even more: a vibrant, fully-alive husband who stirred her to the very depths of her being, depths never plumbed by her late husband and perhaps not even in the young girl she had been.
The coach stopped and Clarisse closed her eyes for a moment to gather her strength. When the door opened, she accepted a hand out of the vehicle and made her way through the cheering crowds, security guards flanking her as she stepped into the narthex of the cathedral and was shown the room where she was to wait. Mia, Helen, Charlotte and Sheila were already there, and Charlotte handed Clarisse the small trailing bouquet of mauve "Queen Clarisse" roses she had elected to carry. Mia had her own smaller bouquet of the same roses. The other three had corsages with the roses.
"Sebastian and Joseph have their corsages?" Clarisse asked, inwardly marvelling at the smoothness of her voice.
"Yes, your Majesty. I pinned them on myself." Charlotte said. "We're keeping Prince Pierre's corsage back until after the ceremony, as he is wearing his robes right now."
Clarisse nodded. Then Charlotte looked at the others. "It's time for us to be seated," she said.
Helen looked at Mia. "Remember, darling, you MUST keep your shoulders back and walk and stand tall or you're going to trip over your dress."
Mia rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mother!"
She and Clarisse stood at the back, Mia peeking through the partially open doors to watch the three women being ushered to the front. The chancel was decorated as the Archbishop had promised, a veritable bower of flowers. Flower arrangements hung from the ends of the pews and covered the walls of the nave as well. The pews were packed full of people.
White-faced, Mia looked at Clarisse. "I can't do it!" she stammered, terror in her eyes. "I'll be sick if I have to walk down there!"
"Mia ..." Clarisse hesitated. What was it Helen had advised Mia to do? Oh, yes. "Mia, you have to go. Remember, you're a princess. You can walk tall and proud ... and if you happen to catch someone's eyes, just imagine them in loud, brash lingerie. You can do it!"
Mia took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them and started walking. She made it safely all the way down the aisle, and only stumbled slightly on the step. Clarisse gasped faintly, but relaxed when Mia caught herself and moved smoothly into her place. The teenager still had a scared expression on her face, but when she looked over at Joseph and Sebastian and tried to smile, Clarisse knew Mia would be all right. In fact, at that moment, the smile widened to a grin on Mia's face, and Clarisse realized with amusement that her grand-daughter had just used her imagination. For a brief moment, the question crossed her mind as to who Mia had imagined and wearing what, then Clarisse promptly forgot her grand-daughter as the security guard nodded to her and threw open the doors. It was time.
As she walked down the aisle which had never seemed longer or more endless, Clarisse kept her eyes fixed on Joseph who was watching her with the same happiness on his face that she suspected was on her own. Dear Joseph ... how she loved him! And thank God for Sebastian Motaz who had suspected the love she herself hadn't, and had orchestrated Joseph's return in time!
Then she was at the steps. Joseph came down to meet her, and, taking his arm, Clarisse was soon standing in front of her son and the Archbishop, ready to commit herself to Joseph for the rest of her life.
The Archbishop smiled at the two, then spoke, his words amplified by the lapel mike he was wearing. "This is a day for celebration and thanksgiving -- the moment when, standing before God and all of us here, Clarisse Renaldi and Joseph Elizondo FINALLY pledge themselves to one another in the covenant of marriage. As with any aspect of life, marriage has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs and with full understanding of this, these two have come here today to be joined as one. Love is more than a feeling, it's a commitment. It's a commitment to work things out and to resolve the issues; to communicate when it's hard to and to forgive each other and start fresh each day. Good marriages take time and effort to build. They don't just happen. Clarisse and Joseph have demonstrated such a commitment over the years that have brought them to this point in their lives. At this time, others might ask, 'Who gives the bride in marriage?' I ask simply of Clarisse, do you come to this marriage of your own free will?"
"I do." Clarisse said tremulously, glad that she could reply in the affirmative with all her heart.
"And do you, Joseph, also come to this marriage of your own free will?"
"Most certainly I do!" Joseph nodded emphatically.
"By our presence here today, we accept responsibility for helping and encouraging these two in the new relationship they are about to enter. We are called to rejoice in their happiness, to be patient when they make mistakes, and to help them when they have trouble. Since their marriage is an extension and a continuation of the deep friendship we have all been privileged to watch grow, we now witness and bless their union and remember them in our prayers. Therefore, will all of you who witness this wedding give your blessing to Clarisse Renaldi and Joseph Elizondo, sharing with them the fellowship and joy of this new relationship and pledging your support to them in times of need? If so, say, "Yes, we will."
"YES, WE WILL!" came the loud affirmation from the congregation.
Pierre then began to speak, first reading from the scriptures. "In the Song of Songs, a biblical book of love, we hear, 'Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.' And reading from the gospel according to St. John, we hear Jesus say, 'As the father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.' You may have heard the statement that it is love that makes the world go round. However, without doubt, it is friendship which keeps our spinning existence on an even keel. True friendship provides so many of the essentials for a happy life. It is the foundation on which to build an enduring relationship, it is the mortar which bonds us together in harmony, and it is the calm, warm protection we sometimes need when the world outside seems cold and chaotic. True friendship holds a mirror to our foibles and failings, without destroying our sense of worthiness. True friendship nurtures our hopes, supports us in our disappointments, and encourages us to grow to our best potential.Many in Genovia were privileged to witness the birth of the friendship between my mother, Clarisse Renaldi, and Joseph Elizondo and to see this friendship grow into the love we celebrate today as they pledge to each other not only their love, but also the strength, warmth and, most importantly, the fun of true friendship. As Robert Browning said in one of his poems:
"Grow old along me!
The Best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first made:
Our times are in His hands
Who saith "A whole I have planned."
Youth show but half;
Trust God: see all, nor be afraid.
"Our times are in his hands!"
The Archbishop continued. "As time passes, remember that the best is yet to be. Your love should be firm as the ground beneath your feet, and as constant as the sky above your head. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come that you will need to face together. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear, for God is with you always, and your times are in God's hands. Clarisse and Joseph, your marriage is intended to join you for life in a relationship that offers you the hope and the promise of a love that is true and mature which will give you a deeper and richer life together. The way of such a life together is not easy, but your love for each other will guide and sustain you along it. Love is sharing together, talking together, and listening together. With this in mind, Joseph, do you choose Clarisse to be your wife? Will you share with her your joys and sorrows, your needs and dreams? Will you offer her the freedom and support she needs to fulfill her own life? Will you give of yourself that together you may grow?"
"I will. I offer Clarisse my love, my strength, my support, my loyalty, my hope in all the changing circumstances of life." Joseph's voice was husky but firm.
Then the Archbishop turned to Clarisse. "Clarisse, do you choose Joseph to be your husband? Will you share with him your joys and sorrows, your needs and dreams? Will you offer him the freedom and support he needs to fulfill his own life? Will you give of yourself that together you may grow?"
"I will. I, too, offer Joseph my love, my strength, my support, my loyalty, my hope in all the changing circumstances of life." Clarisse answered clearly and precisely.
Pierre smiled at them both. "By these answers, your purpose and willingness to enter into a relationship of enduring love is affirmed. Now, the heart of your wedding is the vow, the covenant you make to each other; pledging to do everything in your power to help each other achieve the fullest possible development, against all obstacles, forever. The vows you are about to make unite you as a couple, duly recognized by this country. Since you have stated your intention to share with each other your laughter and your tears and all that the years will bring, face each other now, take each other's hands and, by your promises, bind yourselves to each other as husband and wife."
Clarisse passed her flowers to Mia, who almost dropped her own bouquet in the process, mouthing her apologies. Then Joseph warmly gripped Clarisse's hands, surreptitiously smoothing his thumb over her skin. She could feel the nerves tingling, and tightened her hold. As he repeated his vows, he looked deeply into her eyes. "In the presence of God and before these witnesses, I, Joseph, take you, Clarisse, with my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my wife; to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, to love and to cherish, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again."
Clarisse's eyes were brimming, but she managed to repeat her vows in a steady voice, never taking her eyes off Joseph's.
Then the Archbishop took the rings from Sebastian and held them up, saying, "These wedding rings mark the beginning of a life journey together filled with wonder, surprise, laughter, tears, celebration, grief and joy. Rings are without edge or seam, having no beginning and no end, so they symbolize the perfection of love that cannot end. May these rings be a sign to you both of the continuing love you have finally pledged to one another today."
As he handed Clarisse's ring to Joseph, the Archbishop smiled and winked, then murmured the words Joseph was to repeat aloud as he slid the ring on Clarisse's finger.
"Clarisse, I give you this ring as a sign of my love, knowing that love is precious and fragile yet strong. May it always remind us both of our marriage."
Clarisse put Joseph's ring on his finger, noting that her hand was trembling. She steadied it, and repeated, "Joseph, I give you this ring as a sign of my love, knowing that love is precious and fragile yet strong. May it always remind us both of our marriage."
Then Pierre handed both of them a single red rose. Clarisse was a little taken aback, as she had not known about this part of the service. She glanced at Joseph, who had a slight frown of puzzlement on his face. Obviously he was unaware of the significance of the rose as well. Pierre smiled, whispered "I saw you both in the garden this morning and added this part!", then said aloud, "Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings, which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect and a public showing of your commitment to each other. The red rose is considered a symbol of triumphant love and a single rose has always meant the words 'I love you'. So it is appropriate that your first gift to each other as husband and wife will be a single rose. Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife."
They exchanged their roses, smiling at each other again and seeing the lovelight in the other's eyes.
Pierre continued"In some ways, it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are still holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow may seem no different than yesterday. But in fact, today you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life, the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage. I encourage you both on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion to place a rose on the other's pillow as a re-commitment to your marriage and a re-commitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love. In every marriage, there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt and be hurt by those we most love. It might be difficult sometimes to find words to say 'I am sorry', 'I forgive you', 'I need you' or 'I am hurting'. If you simply cannot find these words, leave a rose on the other's pillow, for that rose then says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words. That rose still says the words: 'I love you'. The other should accept this rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today."
Clarisse looked into Joseph's eyes, and they both nodded solemnly. Then they returned their attention to the Archbishop, who said, "Since you have promised your love to each other, and have exchanged these solemn vows and these symbols of abiding love, I now pronounce you husband and wife, according to the Spirit of God and the laws of Genovia. From now on, each of you will see your own experiences in a new light as your life together unfolds. May you have courage to love each other, not only as you are, but as you are yet to be, with a love that is always new. May your love so endure that its flame remains a sign of the fire within your hearts, and may that fire burn as long as the stars shine. You may seal your love with a kiss."
Joseph pressed his lips against hers, and Clarisse felt the heat from his body sear through her until she melted into his embrace, warm and willing. The kiss fed their hunger, but didn't begin to satisfy the needs that were raging inside them both. They only broke apart, colouring slightly, when everyone in the church applauded and Mia cried aloud, "Whoohoo!"
The Archbishop began the blessing, "Clarisse and Joseph, may your marriage bring you all the excitements a marriage should bring. May life grant you patience, tolerance and understanding. May you always need one another -- not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness. May you succeed in all important ways with one another and not fail in the little graces."
Pierre concluded with a wide smile, "May you look for things to praise, often say 'I love you', and take no notice of small faults. May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy. May you have love and may you find it loving one another. Go forth bound together by the love of God. Go with hope and joy and with a heart full of dreams, knowing that God is always with you. Amen."
The table for signing the church register was off to one side. Pierre and the Archbishop proceeded over to it, and Joseph and Clarisse followed. Charlotte and Sheila Motaz joined them, and in moments the marriage was legal in the eyes of the state as well as the church.
Then the Archbishop announced in a ringing voice, "We now welcome these two as a married couple, bound together by the vows they have made this day. Today is a new beginning in their lives, in the lives of those who love them, and indeed, for all of Genovia!" and again the applause in the cathedral was thunderous.
O o O o O o
In the open carriage on the way back to the palace for the luncheon, a security guard standing stiffly behind them, Joseph and Clarisse both waved with one hand which was holding their single rose while they kept the other hands clasped under cover of her skirt. They murmured in low voices which could not be overheard.
"You are my life, Clarisse," Joseph said huskily. "My love."
There was such a wealth of emotion in his voice that Clarisse felt a delicious warmth begin deep within her as a thousand tiny nerve-endings leapt into pulsating life.
"So many wasted years," she offered with deep regret. "Joseph, I love you so much ..."
"I find it hard to believe that joy like this is mine for the taking. I hope you have done the right thing marrying me, Clarisse."
"I only know that life has never felt so wonderful before, Joseph," she whispered softly
Then Joseph chuckled as cheers from the crowd broke the sensual haze surrounding them, and Clarisse blinked, raising her hand again in a wave.
"Later," came Joseph's promise, and she gripped his hand tightly in agreement.
Then he leaned over and swiftly kissed her, causing the crowd to roar its approval.
O o O o O o
When everyone met outside the doors of the palace ballroom before being announced for the luncheon, Mia was horrified to hear that she was supposed to walk in alone again. "But I HATE it!" she almost wailed.
"You did fine at the church, Mia!" her mother said, almost impatiently.
"Only when I did what you said," Mia grinned suddenly as she remembered that terrifying moment at the front of the cathedral, knowing that all eyes were still on her.
"What did you do?" Joseph inquired idly, playing with Clarisse's fingers which rested on his arm.
Mia dimpled. "Imagined you and Sebastian in hot pink bikinis."
Clarisse choked, as did Charlotte and Helen. Sheila began to giggle, and Sebastian looked askance. Joseph's eyes widened, and he said incredulously to Helen, "You told your daughter to imagine us in ... like THAT?"
No one inside the ballroom ever found out what had caused the gales of laughter which preceded the arrival of the bridal party, but it lasted a few minutes, and the Motaz' were still grinning as they were announced. Charlotte assured Mia that they would be waiting just inside the door. Mia nodded glumly, then plastered a smile on her face as she stepped forward. However, she forgot to keep her shoulders back and stumbled on her gown before the doors were fully opened, so Helen stepped up beside her and said they would go in together. Charlotte came in after them without being announced, then Clarisse and Joseph swept in to loud and prolonged applause. Clarisse overheard Mia questioning Charlotte as to why she had come in without being announced like the others, and Charlotte replied that she merely worked for the queen, she wasn't a wedding guest, as such.
"Yet she asked you to be a witness for her wedding?" Mia said skeptically. "I'd say you seem closer than just someone who WORKS for her!"
Clarisse leaned over and said in an undertone to them both, "She is closer, she just has a hard time accepting it." Before either could react, Clarisse and Joseph were greeting some of the members of Parliament who hurried up at that point.
Charlotte stepped out of the way and Mia and Helen tried to find a safe haven as well. Then Mia was trapped by a rather drunken Lord Fricker. Clarisse heard him say to her grand-daughter, "You're the one who set fire to me a few weeks ago! AND the one who then froze my hand by plunging it into the ice bucket ... and the absolute WORST thing that happened because of that incident is that NOW MY TIE HAS WATER SPOTS ON IT!" he finished in a wail.
Clarisse moved to Mia's rescue, but Charlotte was there first, taking the glass from Lord Fricker's hand and attempting to soothe him before Lord Crawley bore down on them and berated the inebriated gentleman.
Helen pulled Mia away, only to be greeted by Lord Palimore who harrumphed and pounded his stick on the floor as he said, "So, you are the one who raised our Princess without her father?"
Clarisse saw Helen's eyes flash, and stepped up quickly. "Hot pink bikinis!" she said to Mia and Helen. Without waiting for their reaction, she turned to the older gentleman. "Lord Palimore, I'm so glad you could attend our wedding. Where is Lady Palimore?"
"Oh, she's here, your Majesty. May I say that it was a lovely wedding, a lovely wedding indeed, for such short notice!"
"Yes, but I really didn't have much say in the matter, did I?" Clarisse replied evenly, looking him straight in the eye.
"Hmmph," he said again. "Bad business, that. We shouldn't have listened to the Viscount. Well, no hard feelings, your Majesty, you appear to be quite happy now."
"Oh, I am, Lord Palimore." Clarisse said softly. "I am indeed."
O o O o O o
Never had a luncheon dragged on so interminably. Although Clarisse was enjoying the unexpected visit with her grand-daughter, she was ever conscious of Joseph at her side. He didn't help matters when he tried to break her composure by making little comments for her ears alone about some of the guests at the lunch as well as his suggestions for what they could do once they were alone. Clarisse found the colour creeping up her cheeks at some of those suggestions, in spite of her determination not to let Joseph rattle her.
At last the luncheon was over. Clarisse retired with Mia and Helen to change into the burgundy dress they had given her, then, when she returned, it was time for the limousine to take Joseph and Clarisse to the hotel in Mertz where they planned to spend their short honeymoon. Clarisse kissed her son Pierre, thanking him profusely for coming and promising to keep in touch with a great deal more regularity in the future. With a loving smile, she pulled a single rose out of her bouquet and handed it to him, saying, "I'll remember about the rose!"
Joseph and Pierre shook hands, grinning at each other, as Clarisse hugged Mia and Helen tightly, saying she would see them in a few weeks when they returned to Genovia for the summer. Then Clarisse turned to Sebastian and Sheila Motaz, thanking them for all their help that day, and the preceding days. Joseph was profuse in his thanks as well, knowing very well that had Sebastian not kept him informed of the situation in Genovia, he would not now be married to Clarisse.
Finally Clarisse spoke to Charlotte. "We'll be back next Sunday without fail. I'm certain you will be able to cope with anything that might come up this next week, and we'll meet as usual that Monday morning in my office. Thank you, Charlotte, once more, and just let me assure you that I intend to follow Philippe's example, and help you in your quest. Goodbye for now."
"Good bye, your Majesty. Once again, I'm SO happy for you and Joseph."
Waving their good byes and accepting the congratulations of the crowds, Joseph and Clarisse finally escaped and the limousine sped towards Mertz. It had been a roller-coaster ride of emotions all week, but they both now had a glorious lifetime together ahead of them ... a lifetime of love shared and duty fulfilled.
The End.
A/N: Many, many thanks to all who helped me with this part as well as the last!
As for those who are worried about how this story will impact on the PD2 movie, I'll explain how it can still be close. As my interest is mainly Joseph and Clarisse, of course, I would hope the movie would have much more in it about their life together. As for Mia's future, the rule "queens must be married" has been abolished, of course, but Mia could STILL say she has never fallen in love by the time she is 21 (although I had thought THAT had been established in the first movie with Michael, so maybe Garry Marshall meant not REALLY in love. After all, not many people end up marrying their first love, especially if the first love is at age 15. That aside ...). The birthday ball could still happen, Mia could still meet Nicholas, the Viscount could still catch her crown and mutter that he would like to steal it. At the Parliament meeting the next day, the Viscount could bring up the eligibility of Nicholas for the throne (and his birthdate would be changed to be closer to Mia's, otherwise why would the Viscount have waited six months or more to make his move?) ... Mia could still overhear this, and be furious because he's trying to take the crown from her. Although there is nothing wrong with being single (!), perhaps Mia had confided her desire to fall in love to her grandmother ... so the picture show, etc. could still happen, and Andrew could be brought to the palace where Nicholas would also have been installed so that Clarisse could keep an eye on him! Maybe Mia would be trying to fall in love and marry to keep Parliament from being sorry they had revoked the law, or just because Clarisse tells her it is MUCH easier to do with someone by your side to support you. Anyway, MOST of the movie could be the same up to the wedding. Mia COULD merely change her mind, but I would hope she would do that before it got quite that far. Anyway, perhaps Andrew realized that Lady Elyssa suited him better, so they called it off together. The press would probably still think it was because of Mia and Nicholas spending the night outside, but so be it. Then Nicholas would come back, contrite that he had left Mia to face the storm on her own, and the coronation could take place on schedule. VOILA ... an edited but possible PD2 movie ... hopefully with a lot of Joseph and Clarisse and their married life included in it!