Disclaimer: Princess Diaries and its' characters are the property of Meg Cabot and Disney. I am only responsible for the storyline contained here.

This short piece is set after the wedding in PD2, it's the first private conversation between Clarisse and Joseph as husband and wife.

They had broken off from the festivites for the first time since their marriage. It was good to be alone with his wife, but Joseph couldn't help but wonder why Clarisse had changed her mind so suddenly.

"Darling, something on your mind? You seem a little distant."

"I'm sorry Clarisse, it's just that I was deep in thought. It was only days ago when you turned down my advances, what changed your mind love?" Joseph sat, and pulled her next to him, directly in front of the garden fountain.

"Oh Joseph. There was so much I wanted to say to you that evening. Oh my love, it's not that I didn't want to marry you. It just wasn't the time. I had Mia to worry about. So much going through my mind, I couldn't think straight. I love you Joseph, I have for a long time. You have to know that it hurt me as well."

He looked deep into those eyes of hers and knew she was speaking the truth. He didn't want to be the cause of any hurt for her, and now he was sorry he had pushed her.

"And all that changed when we were in the chapel?"

"Yes my love. When Amelia stood up in that church and confronted Parliament, and the whole country, I knew then that she was ready. I knew she could do the job. I had my doubts, you know that. Somehow I thought that I would always have to be with her, showing her, guiding her, making decisions for her. I was wrong. She has grown so much over the past few years. I am very proud of her."

"Yes she has, as am I."

"Joseph I knew then that you would never have to be second in line for my attention again. It was never a matter of love or desire. I wanted you, I needed you beside me. I just wasn't sure how much I could give to you. Now that I trust Mia with her responsibilites, I can rest easy knowing my country is in good hands."

"She'll always need you Clarisse."

"I know that, and I am grateful she will. I am just relieved that she can do things on her own as well. I won't have to be looking over her shoulder all the time...well maybe every once in a while,"

Clarisse openly smiled and griped his hand even tighter. He smiled back at her, and realized that he had understood her reasons all along. It didn't matter now, none of it. They were together.

"I think we better return to the party, someone will miss us."

"Let them, just a few more minutes. I want to enjoy my wife a little." Joseph guided her mouth to his, and pressed lightly. He closed his eyes and concentrated on her touch. This time, she didn't pull away. This time, she openly kissed him back. That was how it would be from now on. He had always touched her gently, but now he found himself pulling her a little tighter, and pressing himself to her a little more forceful, and she...she did the same. They had waited so long to be able to do this.

"You have the rest of our lives to enjoy your wife, you know."

"I know, and I intend on pampering you in every way, every day my love."

"Joseph, were you really going to retire?"

"Yes, well from being head of security anyway. I knew I could never leave. I had planned on staying on and keeping myself busy with the minor details of things for a change, if Her Majesty approved."

"Oh, I'm sure she would have. And now?"

"Now I intend on spending all my time doing my favorite job."

"Which is?"
"Being your personal bodyguard."

She smiled even brighter, and as the sun set behind them they made their way back inside. His hand was no longer on her back though. It was firmly in her grip. It was her way of saying that although he would always be her bodyguard, something between them had forever changed. She intended on showing the world.