Non of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney, hope ya like it. neither does Gucci.

They walked up the road silently, holding hands. He kept looking back and then towards her. She paused a moment to take off her shoes which were now positively killing her. Picking them up, he watched her hoping she hadn't been hurt my Miguel's comments. She shivered a little, her sleeveless dress wasn't helping much.

"are you cold?", he asked concerned.

"yes, it's the breeze from the ocean", she said wrapping her arms around her shoulders and rubbing them. He immediately took off his suit jacket and draped it around her shoulders. She pulled it tighter round her and breathed in his cologne. He pulled her nearer and she snuggled in as they walked up. They were silent for a few moments, both knowing what each was thinking but unsure how to approach it, Joseph finally spoke;

"I hope Miguel's comments did not hurt you", he said gently, rubbing her jacket -clad shoulder.

"no, actually they didn't but they hurt you", she stated directly, looking into his eyes.

"can you blame me, I don't like people looking at you never mind saying things about you", answered.

"well, don't be, I'm not. I know he's your brother so try and patch things up. It really pained me to see the hurt in your eyes this evening", she said cupping his cheek and staring into his eyes as they reached the door, he opened it and she stepped into the warmth.

" I Know, it's just I wanted him too like you, to see how wonderful you are", he answered ruefully, taking a whiskey glass from the cupboard and pulling the bottle from the shelf.

"nightcap?", he questioned, turning to her. She shook her head;

"No but I wouldn't mind a cup of tea", she laughed.

"anything your Majesty", he smiled and put the kettle on the stove. She sat down at the table and watched as he made her tea.

"Joseph, people will never see past my title, I've had to accept that and so will you. I want Miguel to like me more for your benefit than mine so I'll try to make him see me but it's terribly hard, you know better than anyone", she said gently.

"I know , Clarisse", he said, walking towards the sitting room door-she stood up and followed, " I know very well".

He sat himself down on the couch while she wandered about the sitting room looking at his family pictures, he was flicking through the "Genovian Times", reading snippets of articles.

She ran her hands over a few of the pictures, there was one of all his family, Mia, herself she noted with smug approval. She looked over to the fire place and the breath caught in her throat. It had been years since she had seen it, she approached it slowly. Picking it up she studied it- she remembered that day very clearly. It was a picture of a very young Clarisse and Joseph with two boys-Pierre and Philippe. Philippe was 10 and going through his "Photography phase", he insisted on taking pictures everywhere he went, that day had been no exception. He had set the camera up by the lake, putting it on a timer. She remembered him clambering to his brother, Mama and security guard as the timer ticked down. Clarisse remembered Josephs' warm hand on her back, her smile looked real in this one-not fake, she had been genuinely happy that day. She recalled Philippe begging Joseph to be in the picture and Joseph finally giving in after they "played paper, scissors, rock" to decide. She smiled through the near looming tears, her little boy was so full of life. It suddenly occurred to her that the three men in that picture were the only men she'd ever loved.

"Joseph?", she questioned quietly. He had been watching her for the last minute but he didn't want to cut into one of her few happy memories.

"it's lovely, isn't it?", he said. He walked towards her and wrapped a loving arm around her shoulder.

"yes. It is. Look how young we are!", she laughed, through her tears.

"mmm, yes. I didn't even have hair then!", he said lovingly.

"I miss him so much", she whispered.

"I know you do, my darling but it's good to hear you say it", he said bringing her head to rest on his chest.

"we can take it home of you wish", he continued, taking it from her clammy hands and looking at it.

"no, I want it to stay here, I could only cope with seeing it once a year", she laughed gently.

"ok, what ever you want", he said stroking her hair. She was crying harder now and breathing heavily. She only did this sometimes, broke down like this -it was heart braking. He led her over to the couch and she rested on top of him, her head buried in his shirt-the first time she'd cried in months.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Clarisse woke early the next morning. She lay for a moment trying to get her bearings and then tried to sit up. Her dead weight of a husbands arm was draped across her stomach, she couldn't move. She laughed gently and lifted it of her stomach, it hit the bed with a thump and groaning a little he buried his head in the pillow. She wasn't hungry just yet, so she made her way out to the balcony taking in the early morning sun. it was breezy and warm. She leaned on the ledge and her thoughts began to drift to the night before or more precisely, to Miguel.

He'd been cruel about her but she wasn't intimidated by him, he just seemed messed up. She knew what people thought of her and it had ceased to effect her anymore but the look on josephs face. She'd felt so terrible for him. She decided quietly to herself she'd go and see Miguel, at least try and speak to him. She wouldn't tell Joseph of course, he'd never let her but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

She was till lost in thought when two strong arms wrapped themselves tightly round her waist. She jumped a little and then leaned back enjoying her husbands embrace.

"good morning, your loveliness", he laughed, kissing the side of her neck.

"Good morning to you too", she whispered, twisting her head round and into a passionate kiss. He pulled away and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"what do you want to do today?", he questioned.

"I'd like to eat", she laughed, " and then you can show me everything about you, the house you grew up in, your school. I want to know every detail".

"mmm, ok. I can't be bothered cooking and you cant actually cook", she hit him playfully and frowned, even though she was in complete agreement, " so we'll eat in the café".

"sounds good", she smiled, unwrapping herself, " I'm going to get ready", she said heading for their bathroom. He stood there for a long moment, still wondering how he got so lucky. She was married to him! He grinned at the thought. He turned and made his way back inside.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

They made there way down to the town, she was dressed casually in a suit, looking wonderful as usual. Her sunglasses propped on her nose, her hair rather more wind swept than usual.

"you look very casual and unlike you today", he commented with a laugh.

"oh! You can talk! This suit is a Gucci! And may I add I've never seen you in a white shirt or jeans in my life !", she laughed. He looked down at his shirt and shook his head.

"yes you have! I wear a tux to all the balls but never jeans", he scolded playfully.

" fair point", she smiled and grabbed his hand, "come on, I'm positively starving! And I like you in jeans", she teased, raising an eyebrow.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

They made there way out of the tiny café and into the blistering sun. He walked her along the tiny harbour and showed her their family boat. He showed her his primary school, his favourite place to play as a child. He recalled memories she couldn't even imagine, his childhood had been fun and lively, he'd lived like a child-she had been a queen in the making. He stopped at Diego's hotel and lead her inside.

"Joe!", Diego shouted.

"Hello, little brother", Joe teased.

"and Clarisse, you both look great", he smiled, " I'd offer you lunch but I'm heading up to Eva's. She's building another extension and Antonio wants my help. God! I wish Antonio and her would stop having kids!". Joseph rolled his eyes.

"never Happy with one was she?", he laughed.

Diego laughed and shook his head.

"Clarisse and I were just taking a walk, I could come up and help with the building", he suggested, " do you mind?", he questioned turning to her.

"No, no of course not!", she laughed, " lead the way."

How's Miguel?", Joseph asked as they made there way up the road.

"he hardly speaks to any of us, Joe. He says we took your side, he just doesn't talk".

"oh right", said Joe. Clarisse squeezed his hand, she hated seeing him like this.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Joe, his two brothers and Antonio had been digging for over an hour, Joseph was sweating. He was unbelievably fit and athletic for his age. He looked much tougher compared to his brothers.

"God! this heat's blistering", he moaned moping his brow with a dirty hand.

"take your shirt off", Roberto insisted, " we all have".

He shook his head. The pool behind him was becoming very good looking.

"I'm far too old", he laughed, "and I have a reputation to maintain".

"that's it", Roberto said. The three other men looked at each other, grinned mischievously. They bull dosed towards him and rammed him, back first into the pool with a fantastic splash.

Clarisse, Eva, Maria and Marina watched from the other side of the garden. Clarisse felt bad but she couldn't help laughing with them as her dripping wet husband emerged from the pool, growling something. He was very annoyed.

"well at least you cooled down!", Roberto laughed. He just glared.

"yeah and now you've got an excuse to take your shirt off!", Diego added, clutching his sides. They all loved to annoy the very composed, sullen Joseph-it had become something of a hobby over the years. He shook his head in defeat and undone his shirt, pulling it over his head. Clarisse began to make her way across the garden, this was getting interesting.

"God Joe! You might think you're old but you've got one hell of a body!", Diego teased.

"yes I have to agree", Clarisse joined in. Joseph raised a questioning eyebrow and taking the shirt from him.

"is that right your Majesty?", he questioned, resting his hands on her hips. She knew immediately what was coming.

"Joseph! Don't you dare!", it was too late- he'd rocketed himself back into the pool taking her with him. She resurfaced, oh she was going to really kill him! He came up at the same time, smiling smugly.

"not so cocky now are you Clarisse?", he said, exposing a cheeky grin. The rest of the family looked on, laughing desperately.

"I'll kill you", she mouthed, " you better get me out of here, or I mean it I'll kill you!". he laughed and grabbed her hips, she smiled desperate to burst.

"mmm, you look good wet". she blushed tremendously.

"I'm soaking", she moaned, " I mean it, you're so in for it!", she added, slipping into her grand daughters turn of phrase.

"here let me!", he said slipping his hand underneath her legs and lowering her onto the pool ledge. He turned to his brothers and sisters.

"I think I best get her home before she kills me!", he laughed, " can I borrow the car Roberto?"

"sure", he answered, chucking the keys at his brother.

"thanks, we'll see you all later!"

"you're dead", Clarisse muttered on the way out.

"No, my darling I'm wet!"

Marathon chapter, hope you liked it. Please R&R,

Yours,

M