At exactly eight that evening Joseph waited by the main entrance. She was late of course, not that he minded he was just glad she had agreed to come. Lost in his own bliss hr didnt notice her at the top of the staircase, drifting slowly down towards him she caught his eye and his very appriciative gaze. Reaching the bottom and taking his offered hand she smiled and he thought his heart had just stopped. She was magnificent, dressed formal/casual in a cream fitted trouser suit and light red top with matching scarf.
"You look truly beautiful" he said bending to place a tender kiss on her delicate hands, missing the momentary light blush that crept up her cheeks. "But your late"
"Thank you Joseph, You dont look so bad either and queens are never late..." And he didn't. He didnt. Wearing a black suit but a light blue silk shirt that rippled accross his toned abs and chest.
Raising to his full height and once again offering his arm they made their way to the awaiting car, a sleak black jaguar x type. "...Every one else is merely early, i know"
Laughing they descended the outside steps "Joseph, where is the limosine?" She asked staring at the beautiful car.
"I thought you might like to just be Clarisse for a night, this is my car." Opening the door so she could slide onto the smooth leather seat. Joining her in the front he started the car and pulled away. After a short drive to Pyrus and the well acclaimed new restaurant. Parking the car infornt on 'Round the World', Joseph got out and made his way to open the car door for her. Walking into the restaurant Clarisse held tightly onto Joesephs hand. It was not every day she walked down the street alone and without more security and it was quite scary.
"Good evening, Sir.." Then Clarisses turned her head towards the young meeter and greeter"..YOUR MAJESTY!"
"Good evening, is it possible to have a table for two ? and maybe to keep this a secret?" Joe asked handing the boy a rather handsome tip.
"Of course sir, madam. This way" They made their way to the back of the room, Clarisse keeping her head down all the way. Finally seated at the table they gave their waitress their order after Joe had once again bribed the young lady. Settling in to each others company they talked about this and that until their meals arrived. On her way to the toilets a older lady spotted Clarisse and made her way over to say hello and see the reigning monarch in real life.
"Hello Your Majesty, i cant believe you are here, me and my husband come her a lot. What do you think of the food ? I dint realise you were aloud out without ..."
Standing up again Joseph quietly but firmly suggested that the woman return to her own table and her husband who would surely be looking for her. She left but that didnt stop her telling others about it on the way. And not so slowly their table was surrounded by people.
"How does it feel to be queen ?"
"Will you be stepping down anytime soon ?"
"Can we visit the palace ?"
Joe had had enough, He summoned the waitress and attempted to pay the bill but as this was the queen the manager and owner had said that the meal was of course free and she was welcome back anytime. Sighing loudly and very annoyed that his plans had been ruined Joseph stood up.
"Would you all shut up and sit down!" Although it was said loudly it was not a shout and with Josephs stoic face and hard eyes the people began to leave slowly. "Would you care to take our leave, Clarisse?"
"Yes" Reaching the relative safety of the car they both sighed in unison. "Im so sorry Joseph, maybe this is not such a good idea."
"You dont have to be sorry, it is not your fault your a beautiful woman who every one wants to see. And i have to say i think i was a little stupid to think we could go out in public without problems."
"Thankyou." She notice his subtle compliment and the fact that he didnt mention hr being queen.He really was just seeing Clarisse.
Arriving at the palace the gates were swarming with press most likely to get a shot at the queen and to create some silly headline tomorrow. Queen DATES Dangerman!.
With this in mind Joe swung the car round and sped off in the other direction. He had an idea.
"Joseph where are we going ?" Getting a little frustrated with his secrecy.
"I would like to make it up to you. I am not going to say where so stop asking."
Five minutes later they pulled up outside a modern townhouse. It looked brand new and very expensive.
"Joseph what is this ?" She was in aww of the high windows and entirely see through walls.
"My retirement. My gift to myslef." He looked at her face, it changed from wonder to hurt and panic. "Clarisse are you ok?"
"Your retiring ? When ?" Inwardly thinking Joseph would be around forever even after retirment she had thought he would be with her.
"Not for a while, in a year or two. I am getting too old for this job and i will not put you in any danger." Realising they were still sat in the car he made to get out. "Come on let me show you round."
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The tour finished in the living room where they both sat with a glass of mulled wine. "You still dont look so well Clarisse would you like me to have the docor come here ?"
"No Joseph. I was just thinking, i thought that you would always be with me at the palace even afetr you retire, just a silly fantasy really."
Standing and walking in front of her he knelt down. "If you want me there every day after my retirement i will come every day. I made you a promise when Rupert died that i would never leave you and i never will so long as you want me around. But i had to start planning for the possability that you wouldnt want me."
With unshed tears she raised her chin and his and looked straight into his eyes. " I want you with me forever."
Without properly considering his words he asked what his heart longed to know "In what way? As you friend or your lover? Because i love you Clarisse and as much as i want to hold you at night and make sure you never have to be alone again i also love you enough to let you go if you dont want me, either way i will be there for you."
Now the tears rolled down her cheeks "I want you as my lover and my friend."
With those words out in the open he leant forward and pressed a chaste kiss on her lips, but hungry for love after so many years without she deepened the kiss. Rising from his position on the floor he went to sit beside her but she rose and took his hand. Leading him towards his bedroom. He stopped her at the door. "Are you sure about this? You dont have to do this, i am a patient man!"
"You have been patient, 30 years of patience for both of us." With that said they proceeded into the bedroom to show one another just how much love they held for the other and just how important they are.
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In the early hours of the morning after making love a few times Clarisse lay with her head on Josephs chest. "I dint tell you before but i love you too. I think i have for a very long time."
"Thank you. We have a difficult time ahead and i just want you to know that whenever you need me or you need some space you just have to tell me. Talk to me, i am here for you. I love you."
"Thank you Joseph and i have a question for you. How do we get back into the palace without being seen?"
"Well...I say we get up now and drive in. I doubt that there will be anybody remaining but i am pretty sure they will be back tomorrow."
"Yes i think thats what we should do, i also think i should release a statment tomorrow."
Sitting up and bringing her with him. "Saying what ?"
"That i have decided to get to know my people and country on a far more personal basis and from now on will be trying different restaurants ect. once a month and i would appriciate it if i could have privacy on those days but i will be willing to give a short interview the following morning. Then you can take me out whenever." She smiled widely at him at this point.
Could this really work ? Could we go out under that disguise ? Well its always worth a try.
"Whatever you want i will do." He stated honestly as he got out of bed to get dressed.
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Sneaking back into the palace was easier than they expected, there were a few cars probably reporters but by the looks of things they were asleep. Walking through the security and up the stairs Clarisse started to feel like a school girl out late on her first date, she slipped off her shoes and ran towards her rooms Joseph hot on her heels.
"What are you doing you will wake everyone up." He started to complain but when she caught his lips outside her door his head went blank. She didnt care what people thought or heard, she was happy. Stumbling throught the door and towards her bed they stopped frozen in the middle of a passionate kiss.
Cough "Well i came to see how your night went but as you said a picture is worth a thousand words, Goodnight Grandma, Joe"
"Mia, MIA, get back here! You cant say anything about this to anyone, doo you understand?" Clarisse asked her granddaughter grasping her upper arms.
"Of course i am just really glad your happy and took my advice." She turned to leave but stopped at the door " Look after her Joe"
"I will your highness. Goodnight" Mia finally left and Joseph turned to find Clarisse in the bathroom removing her makeup. "I am going to go to my own room. I will see you in the morning my love" He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and left.
Both dreamt of their future together and there night past.
