Chapter 16.

I'm finally finishing this story. The last chapter is a short one. Thank you for the reviews, favourites and follows.

16. Contentment

Joseph woke up and was temporarily disoriented. His sheets where different as well as the angle at which light came through the curtains. But then he realised, I am in Clarisse's bed. Our bed. We are married, we got married yesterday. When he looked at Clarisse, he noticed that she was awake and watching him.

"Hi..." he said a little shy.

Clarisse moved more towards him until her head rested against his chest. "This is a little strange isn't it?" She sighted and he felt her warm breath on his neck. "Yesterday morning we were still not on speaking terms, and now we wake up together."

Joseph chuckled. "Yes, it is. But you know, I am very happy and very, very content. Laying here with you."

Clarisse propped herself up on her elbow so that she could lean in for a kiss. "Last night was very nice."

Joseph pulled her close and moved his hands under the cover in order to stroke her back. "Mhh...it was. But you know, first times are not the best times if it comes to sex."

Clarisse kissed his chest and he could feel her smile upon his skin.

Then he realised the state of his body nowadays and he sighted. "Although I am happy to try again, I must confess that with old age... well... you know..."

"Your performance is not as quick anymore as it was when you were eighteen?" Clarisse asked while she kept kissing him at the same spot. Soft kisses, warm ones. "I did not notice anything last night."

"No, I was turned on very much. By a certain woman that has been in my mind for a while." He tilted her head with his hand so that he could kiss her on the mouth again. "I don't want to disappoint you."

"Joseph, I love you very much. I'm sure we will figure this out." She kissed him one last time and then she sat up and moved over towards the edge of the bed.

Joseph grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving. "Where are you going?"

"I would like to start our day. There is so much to do, and I'm looking forward to discuss everything." Clarisse smiled at him, freed her arm and walked towards the bathroom.

Joseph was confused by her behaviour, so he called her back. "Clarisse!"

She popped her head around the door. "Yes Joseph?"

"Whatever do you want to discuss? I hope that this isn't about Queen duties."

"Well, I do want to talk about some crown related subjects." She walked back towards the bed and sat down on the edge. "If you need to have a title now that we are married and if you want to take on some duties also."

"That's not why I married you!" Joseph started to get agitated.

Clarisse silenced him by pressing her index finger on his lips. Then she removed her finger and kissed him.

"I mostly look forward to talk about our life in the future." She smiled. "Where we will live. How and when we can go out together." She sounded very enthusiastic. "Maybe you want to introduce me to people that you love. We can visit them."

Clarisse's enthusiasm was promising. So, Joseph suggested, "Can we go on something like a honeymoon?"

Clarisse bit her lower lip. "Well, not right away. With the coronation and... Amelia still needs my support to get started." Then she smiled again. "But I am sure we can schedule something within a month or two."

Joseph grabbed Clarisse's arm again and pulled her on top of him. She stared to laugh out loud and he silenced her with kisses for a few minutes.

"You know. I barely can believe that you really are my wife now. And that even if it takes two months to schedule a honeymoon, I will still be able to be with you for a large part of the day."

Silence fell while they lay there together until Clarisse whispered. "And the nights."

"Mhh?"

"I will be with you during the nights." she repeated.

While Joseph stroked her hair, he replied. "And I am completely content with that."