The Reception
As they left the cathedral. Everyone was there with the bird seed outside with Mia right upfront. As they took the steps to the reception area they were bombarded with bird seed. They shook the bird seed from their hair.
The reception was wonderful. They had a nice meal. Prime Minister Motaz, and Princess Mia made toasts to the happy couple. As the meal was over they began to dance. The dancing was most intimate for Joe and Clarisse. They danced without a care of who was watching or what they were saying . They were now married, and there was no need to hide their feelings anymore. They shared many dances alone with just their thoughts of one another. Once Joe's hand started to wander a little low and Clarisse brought it back up to where it belonged. She mouthed to him, "Behave."
Mia said, "Time to cut the cake." Clarisse said, "be nice Joe." "I will be if you are," said Joe. They both held the knife. This sent heat through both of their bodies. Right down to their toes. They cut the cake. "We'll each other the cake together," Joe said. "Yes, it feels better that way I can make sure I will not have cake all over my face," said Clarisse. "One, two, three," said Clarisse. They started off very nice, and then all of a sudden. Clarisse pushed the cake in Joe's mouth and up to his nose. So he decided, "You want to play dirty huh. Well two can play this game." They both grabbed at napkins trying to get the cake off their faces. Clarisse and Joe looked at each other and started laughing very hard.
Mia pulled her grandma to the side. "Grandma, the bouquet and garter throw is next are you ready, asked Mia. "Oh Mia, I don't have a garter that Joe can throw," said Clarisse. "Yes you do. Here take my garter. I do not have any use for it today." Mia led Clarisse to the restroom. She took off her garter and handed it to her grandma. "Mia, I am not sure about this." "Grandma it will be okay. Besides it could be a whole lot of fun for Joe." "Grandma, I want to thank you for helping me realize. I was making a mistake because I didn't love Andrew." "Your very welcome," said Clarisse. Mia hugged her grandma. "I love you so much grandma. I just want you and Joe to be happy." Clarisse and Mia reentered the reception about ten minutes later. The unmarried ladies stood ten feet from Clarisse as she threw the bouquet. "Oh my goodness," Charlotte exclaimed. She had caught the bouquet. Joe was unsure of what came next. Mia whispered, "Grandpa, get grandma a chair. You need to take her garter off and throw it." Joe was a little shocked at first, and then a start of a smile crossed his face. "This could be real fun," he thought. Joe went and got a chair, and he took Clarisse's hand. He helped her to sit in the chair. Joe knelt down in front of Clarisse. "Are you ready for this?" Clarisse nodded. Joe reached up her dress not quite sure how far he needed to go. His eyes were set on Clarisse to see if he was getting close. Finally he reached the garter. Clarisse received a shock of heat as Joe touched her leg intimately that high on her leg. Joe pulled the garter off her leg slow and his heart was beating as rapid as her heart was. He took a few minutes to look into her eyes and then took his turn to throw the garter. Low and behold he threw the garter, and a quite surprised Shades caught it. He was quite embarrassed. Charlotte sat on the chair that Clarisse had emptied, and Shades put the garter on rather quickly. They both blushed a rather deep red color.
Clarisse and Joe spoke to several guests and some of Parliament members and their wives. Many of Parliament congratulated them. Lord Palimore's wife, who was a friend of Clarisse's from childhood expressed her joy for them both. "Clarisse, I am so very happy that you have finally found love," she said. Helen and her husband had also came and gave their congratulations. Clarisse gave Helen a hug. "I am very happy for you both," said Helen.
Clarisse yawned. Joe said, "I believe it is time to go back to the palace." "Yes, I do believe it is," said Clarisse. She was rather a apprehensive about the next few hours. She knew Joe would be kind though.