Special thanks to Monker, RevSue, Prettycrazy, NikNik4, mainer2121 and CJmynixMG for your reviews and encouragement.

This chapter is a bit lighter than some of the others and serves as a glimpse into the first day of married life for our favorite couple. I struggled with the chapter title a bit, so if you can think of a better heading, please let me know (I only changed it 3 times!).

I know the timeline with Mia and Nicholas is a little off as technically he doesn't profess his love until the day of the coronation, but in my little realm of reality, I had to mess with that a bit to fit my storyline - please forgive me! LOL

As always, your feedback is appreciated and helps determine the future of our favorite couple! Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Oh My!

"Oh my, Joseph – that was absolutely amazing." Clarisse had finally turned off the water. They had just spent the last half hour or so making love under the gentle spray of the shower.

"I can't argue with that, my love. So, what time is Charlotte expecting you this morning?"

She laughed, "You know, Joseph, you have had me so distracted in the last 24 hours or so that I have no idea even what time it is."

He closed the distance between them once again and kissed her on the neck, "Is that such a bad thing?"

She returned his kiss. "Most definitely not," She then sighed, "However, I do have some things I must take care of today; although I would much rather spend it with you."

"I understand, my dear, but once Mia is crowned Queen, promise me we'll take a few days away just for ourselves."

"That is a promise I can make. But now, I must attempt to get dressed and find Charlotte."

"I'm going to check on the security plans for the coronation today. How about we meet for lunch in the kitchen?"

"Oh that sounds wonderful; I'll see you in a couple of hours."

Things at the palace seemed almost normal with the Queen busily preparing for the upcoming festivities, Joseph attending to security matters; and, Mia, well she didn't seem quite herself.

"Mia, my dear, what's wrong with you? You seem very preoccupied today. You aren't worried about the coronation, are you?" Clarisse asked with concern.

"What, huh…oh no Grandma. Everything will be fine. I'm even getting much better with the arrow thing."

Clarisse smiled, "Well that's good to hear as I'm sure it would cause quite a stir if you set one of our guests on fire that night!" She teased her granddaughter good-naturedly.

"Oh Grandma, don't even tease about something like that. After the fiasco at the reviewing of the royal guard and the garden party incident, I don't think I could bear another embarrassment like that." There was alook of panic across her face.

Moving towards her, she put her arm around Mia, "You're right dear; it was not kind of me to tease like that. I do apologize. You are going to be absolutely wonderful."

Mia did not seem convinced and still seemed very preoccupied with her thoughts, "Well, let's hope you're right, Grandma."

Sensing she needed a little more convincing, "Mia, why don't you join Joseph and I for lunch? We're going to be meeting in about a half an hour in the kitchen. Joseph always cheers you up, right?"

A big grin spread across Mia's face, "Well, not as cheery as he's made you obviously. You're positively radiant today, Grandma - must've been that long shower this morning."

"Mia!"

"Don't freak out, Grandma. The maids know everything, remember! Olivia brought your tea up and noticed you were in the shower and then when she brought your breakfast up a half hour later, you were still, uh, showering." Mia was giggling uncontrollably now.

A flush had crept up Clarisse's face, "Well, I shall have to speak to Olivia about being a tad more discreet, won't I?" She tried to sound angry, but she was more embarrassed than anything.

Mia quickly covered for Olivia, "Don't be mad at her, Grandma, I asked when you were going to surface from your room and that's when she told me you had been showering for quite a while. She didn't mention anything about Joe, but seeing your face – guess we all know where he was now too!" With that statement, the giggles returned.

"You're sassing your Grandmother again, aren't you? Well, you seem to be feeling somewhat better – even if it is at my expense. So, should Joseph and I expect you for lunch?"

"Wouldn't miss it, Grandma. Thanks for cheering me up."

"Anything for you, my darling. But… (and there was definite warning in her tone), I don't want that story going any farther than right here, is that understood?" Clarisse gave her the best Queen tone she could muster.

Mia bowed low in response and tried to sound serious, although one look at her face would demonstrate she was anything but, "Of course, your majesty – it shall be our secret."

She swatted Mia on the top of the head, "You're sassing me again! Now go on and finish up and I'll see you in the kitchen in half an hour."

With that Mia rose up and gave her Grandma a quick hug and ran off to finish her paperwork.

45 minutes later

Joseph and Clarisse were already seated at the table when Mia came running in.

"Sorry I'm late…no wait, I'm not late – everyone else is just early, right?" She was grinning from ear to ear.

"I'm afraid that is once you are Queen, my darling. As you are just princess at this moment, you are most definitely late." Clarisse teased.

"I'm just practicing – consider it another Queen lesson. So what's for lunch – I'm starved."

"French onion soup, sourdough bread, various cheeses and fruit."

"Ok, well it's no hamburger and fries, but I guess it will do."

Lunch was served and the trio began eating. Clarisse had just started to eat her soup when Joseph slid his hand under the table and onto her leg and began gently rubbing it.

Clarisse jumped slightly at the unexpected touch and dropped her soup spoon. "Oh my!"

Joseph never even looked up but just slightly smiled as he continued to caress her leg.

"Are you alright, Grandma?" Mia asked.

"Oh, oh yes I'm fine. I guess the soup was hotter than I expected." She attempted, somewhat lamely, to explain her actions.

"Ok then, well I can blow on it for you if you like?" Mia teased.

"That won't be necessary, young lady. Just eat." All the while she was trying to focus on eating as Joseph continued to move his caresses higher on her leg. She would get him for this!

After a few minutes of silence, concealed caressing, and eating, Mia finally blurted out, "Ok, so I just have to ask you something."

Both Clarisse and Joseph looked up at her outburst.

"What it is it, Mia?" Joe asked.

"Well, it's Nicholas."

"What has he done now?" Clarisse asked. "I thought you two had decided to play nice since he refused to challenge you for the throne?"

"What? He hasn't done anything…I mean nothing bad - really…" she was beginning to ramble.

Joe cut in to her musings, "Mia, what is it you wanted to ask?"

"Oh Joe, we're in love and we are thinking about getting engaged!" There she had blurted it out.

Before Joe could respond, Clarisse cut in. "Absolutely not!"

"But Grandma…" Mia tried to interject as her face started to fall.

"I won't have it. Mia in a few days you are going to be crowned Queen and there will be so many new responsibilities and … Oh my!" Her tirade ended as quickly as it started with her jumping slightly and shouting again. Of course, Mia didn't know it but Joe had squeezed her thigh to get her to stop. She shot him a look that resembled daggers coming out of her eyes.

"Do you have something to add, Joseph?" She asked sternly.

He leaned over and whispered in her ear. After a few moments, Clarisse's expression softened and she nodded. She began to speak to Mia once again, but notably softer.

"Mia, my love. I think it's wonderful that you are in love with Nicholas and he with you. Perhaps you could invite him to dinner here tonight and the four of us could discuss future plans. I still think it's a bad idea to get engaged so soon, but perhaps we can reach a compromise after we all speak about this. What do you say to that?" She had used her best negotiation tone and it had worked.

"You mean it, Grandma? That's great. I'll go call him now. And, Joe, I'm not sure I want to know what you said and/or did, but thanks! You two are the best!" Her young enthusiasm was returning with full force. She kissed both of them on the cheek and ran out of the kitchen.

Clarisse turned on Joseph. "So – you think you're quite smart, do you?"

"I would never presume to think such a thing your Majesty."

"Oh don't start with the 'your majesty' line with me…a few minutes ago, you were making improper advances towards your Queen and then being insubordinate…why I might have to put a note in your file, young man!" She was trying to sound angry, but failing miserably as the look on Joseph's face was priceless as he tried to feign remorse.

He leaned forward and closer to her and, in doing so, moved his hand even farther up the inside of her thigh causing her to gasp. "I will gladly take any reprimand you have to offer, my Queen, as long as you will be the one doling out the punishment."

His advances and insubordination forgotten, she leaned in and kissed him. The kiss deepened as his caresses continued causing her to emit the most beautiful sounds he could ever remember hearing. She finally broke for air and rested her forehead against his. "Joseph, do you think we're doing the right thing?"

Momentarily confused, Joseph replied, "I can't imagine anything more right than this – well, except it might not be entirely proper in the kitchen during lunch time, but I'm always open to new things." He smiled.

She pulled back and playfully smacked him on the arm. "No silly – I was referring to encouraging Mia and Nicholas. They barely know each other."

"Darling, I'm not saying we should encourage them to run off and get married. Just not discourage them from pursuing what is in their hearts. Not everyone has the long'getting to know one another' period as you and I have had."

"So you believe this will be alright?" Her concern was evident.

"We will meet with them tonight. There will be dinner, dancing and discussion. I think asking them to spend a year getting to know each other while Mia adjusts to her new responsibilities is a small request and I think Nicholas will know that she is worth the wait. I may have to explain to him that if she is anything like her Grandmother (whom I waited for many, many, many years for) which I'm certain she is…a year will be a small price to pay for forever."

Smiling deeply at his compliment, "As usual, you are a very astute man, Joseph; and, for the record, one "many" would have made your point."

"It was for dramatic affect, my darling."

With that she stood and took his hand, "I think, my dear husband, we should retire to our suite for a little afternoon nap before the festivities tonight."

"But, I'm not tired, my love." He said as he trailed behind holding her hand.

Grabbing the bowl of fruit to take with her, she squeezed his hand and smiled, "Neither am I, Joseph…neither am I."

He couldn't resist. As thoughts of feeding fruit to Clarisse while lying in bed began to dance through his head, "Oh my..." was all he could say!