None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney. Thanks for all my lovely reviews!
They walked down the road together, holding hands. They could hear distant music and laughter from the village. She smiled , it sounded wonderful.
Joseph glanced at his wife, she looked amazing! Her dress curved every inch of her figure and swayed beautifully when she walked, coming to just above her knees. It was black and very low-cut, he didn't mind, not in the slightest.
"you look amazing this evening", he said, voicing his thoughts.
"thank you. You don't look to bad yourself", she laughed.
"I mean it, I'm finding it seriously hard to resist pulling you into the nearest bush!", he teased.
"it's that bad!", she laughed, blushing slightly.
"no it's good, very good", he grinned.
The music was beginning to get louder as they neared the square. He turned to her, noting the slight anguish on her more than perfect features. She self-consciously straightened up her dress, and sighed.
"you'll be fine", he comforted, " trust me, they'll love you!", he whispered kissing her one last time, " just like I do!".
"thank you", she murmured, " I hope so".
He took her hands and walked her through the side street past the children eating candy floss and playing games. Some of them shouted his name and he smiled back, making a face or shouting something. She smiled at his ability to make them feel special. One boy in particular ran up to him. He was small and skinny, maybe about 7years old. Josephs face lit up, immediately he opened his arms in a wide embrace.
"hello, Marco!", he laughed, squeezing the young boy tightly.
"uncle Joe!", Marco squealed.
"how are you, my little rascal?", Joe questioned looking down on him affectionately.
"I'm fine, I'm fine", he paused, he couldn't contain himself. He turned to the woman at his uncles side- his new wife, " hello, I'm Marco! Pleased to meet you! Mama said I shouldn't talk about adult's business but I was just bustin' to meet you", he said at an alarmingly fast rate. Joseph laughed and rubbed his nephews head.
"this is my new wife Marco", he said, wrapping his arm a round her waist.
"hello, Marco- I'm Clarisse", she smiled, " it's lovely to meet you too, I've heard so much about you".
"hell, I know who you are! You're the queen!", he squealed.
"Marco!", Joe scorned, " do not say hell and do not speak to Clarisse like that".
"sorry", he mumbled, his face turning red. Clarisse laughed richly.
"obviously has his uncle's disrespect for language", she laughed, " do not worry Marco, it's ok. I know I'm the queen.,"
His face broke into a big smile. She was a nice lady and she certainly made uncle Joe happy from what he had picked up in adults conversations.
"Oh, uncle Joe mama will be so happy to see you!", he said tugging on Clarisse's hand. She laughed and accepted the sticky hand he offered.
"lead the way!", Joe laughed. He was so happy at least one member of his family had taken a shining to Clarisse. He smiled at her, tightened his grip on her waist and leaned towards her.
"you're doing so well, my darling", he whispered. She flashed him an appreciative smile and nodded gently.
Marco led them to the square, it was quite lovely. Lanterns and coloured light were everywhere, a small band played lively flamenco music from a well lit corner, people were sitting at tables laughing and joking, drinking wine and eating food. Men and women were up dancing as all the people cheered them on from the edge of the wooden dance floor. She looked around, quite amazed by the community spirit and liveliness. Children were everywhere running and playing. She felt somewhat as if she didn't fit. Joe noticed the look of worry that had, again, crept onto her face.
"trust me, you'll be wonderful", he said kissing her cheek, " just be you".
"that's the hard part!", she laughed.
"no it's not", he frowned, kissing her temple.
"Mama! Mama! Look who's here!", shouted Marco to a large table no to far away. A woman, maybe in her forties looked up from the young girl she was talking to, towards Marco. Her face broke into a grin just like Joseph's and Clarisse recognised her right away from Joseph's pictures. She stood up quickly and ran towards her brother.
"Oh Joe! You're home!", she laughed jumping into his arms, " what a surprise!"
"hello, Marina!", he laughed, kissing her warmly on the cheek. Marina turned from him and smiled warmly at Clarisse.
"and this must be Clarisse! How wonderful to meet you", she smiled. Another two women and two men had joined marina now. Clarisse recognised them all again, they all had the same wonderful eyes as her husband.
"Hello, big brother!", the two men chorused, " nice to see you back", they laughed punching his arm.
"enough you two!", he laughed.
"Maria! Eva! My girls, how are you?", he grinned, pulling the two other women into a hug. He let go of them hastily and pulled Clarisse a little nearer, placing his hands round her all to familiar hips.
"brothers and sisters, I proudly present my beautiful wife!", he flourished, she blushed terribly.
"it's so mice to meet you", said Roberto, taking her hands in his, " I think we can safely say we're all so happy you and Joseph finally came to your senses!". she blushed again.
"thank you, it's lovely to meet you all, Joseph speaks of you all the time", she laughed.
"does he now?", marina questioned. She linked her arm through Clarisse's as the walked towards the table, Clarisse felt uncomfortable at first but she started to relax and began liking Marina very much.
They sat down at the table, Joseph introduced her to all of his very large family, proudly showing her off. They all excepted her with open arms, surprising herself she immediately felt comfortable among them. Laughing and joking. Joseph watched how relaxed she had become in ten minutes and decided it was safe to get them a drink. He stood up and she paused for a moment, suddenly feeling afraid.
"I'm just going to get us a drink, my darling. What would you like?", he questioned taking her hand.
"ermm, I don't know. You pick", she smiled.
"oh. The possibilities!", he laughed.
"are you going to try and get me drunk?", she questioned in mock admonishment.
"no my darling, just you relax!", he said, turning on his heels and heading to the outside bar. Clarisse watched him go and then turned back to Marina.
"he adores you, you know", marina suddenly said. Clarisse wasn't even alarmed, she felt as if she had known this woman for years.
"yes, he does and I adore him too", she said dreamily.
"yes, I can see that. God no more late night phone calls from my brother telling me he was desperately in love! What a relief!", marina breathed.
Clarisse laughed richly and scanned the bar for her husband.
Joseph stood at the bar waiting on their drinks, the men in the town all greeted him warmly. Everyone loved him, they all thought he was great.
Miguel watched his older brother for a long moment, watching laughing and joking with all the men as if he'd never been a way. He walked towards the throng of men surrounding the all-hailed Joseph.
Joseph noticed him immediately and half-smiled;
"Miguel!", he said, attempting to be warm.
"Joseph", he answered coldly, " you're back".
"yes, yes I am.", he said, feeling more than uncomfortable.
"oh right well, I'll see you later", Miguel said slumping away. Joseph caught up;
"hey Miguel can't we put this behind us?", he said, putting a warm hand on his shoulder.
"screw you Joe!", he growled.
"But Miguel, I've never done anything to you! Why are you so angry that I'm happy?", he growled back.
"get real Joe, you always want things you can't have, you think you're better than the rest of us!"
"that's not true..", he was too late. He had stormed off and Joseph didn't know why. He sighed, his little brother's stupidity was not going to ruin his night.
He made his way back to the table and placed a gin beside Clarisse, she sniffed it and frowned;
"ohh, you are trying to get me drunk!", she laughed.
"and what would be wrong with that?", he questioned sitting down beside her and running his hand over her thigh.
"oh nothing at all", she laughed.
"was that Miguel?", she questioned quietly.
"that was Miguel", he sighed.
"oh", she said knowingly, he didn't want to talk, not just now.
A familiar music started to play, and Clarisse smiled at him, this would cheer him up.
"you want to dance", he stated rather than questioned as he stood up.
"yes, the " wango's" our dance right?", she said, standing up belong side him. He took his hand in hers and led her toward the dance floor. She smiled gently as he placed a soft hand round her hip.
"I can't quite believe you're mine yet", he whispered in her ear. She laughed gently as he moved her effortlessly round the floor.
"I like being yours".
Miguel watched the scene from the edge of the dance floor, clutching his beer in his hand.
"vile", he muttered, " just vile."
Nasty Miguel! Please R&R.
Yours,
M