Author's Note: FINALLY, here's the last chapter of this story! I've been busy in the past week, so I'm sorry if I've kept anyone hanging, but here it is! Thanx to everyone who has read and reviewed this story…and keep an eye out for my next story!

NB: the song lyrics are from 'The Way You Look Tonight' by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields

NB: The Princess Diaries belongs to Disney and Meg Cabot

Clarisse slowly opened and eyes and stretched, before turning onto her back and looking up at the early morning sky….wait a moment…she suddenly sat bolt upright and looked around. They must have fallen asleep on the blanket in the middle of the forest- exactly what had happened to Nicholas and Mia, she realised with a soft chuckle. It had been such a wonderful day yesterday, and falling asleep in the middle of the forest, a few metres away from the lake seemed to be the perfect way to end their anniversary…

She glanced across at Joseph and smiled- he looked so handsome both awake and asleep- but she didn't want to disturb him now…so she carefully slid out from under the blanket and stood up, shivering slightly in the crisp morning air. Joseph had been correct to make her change the evening before, she thought to herself as she walked slowly to the bank of the lake, although she had loved that dress…she couldn't wait to wear it again….

She smiled absently as she looked at the mist rising from the lake and thought about yesterday- it had been so perfect…she was glad that Joseph had loved his presents, but what he had had planned for her had surpassed her wildest dreams….the dress, the song…the wedding ceremony….

Her eyes welled with tears again at the thought of the wedding ceremony…although she had been perfectly willing to marry in front of parliament, in front of a million people on television, his plan had been what she had always wanted…a private ceremony with just the two of them, Mia, the Archbishop (who would have insisted on marrying them, she thought with a chuckle) and two witnesses…. Her first wedding ceremony had been chaos- she had been terrified most of the day, he had seemed distant and cool, and the expectations of an entire nation, not to mention her own parents, had been resting heavily on her shoulders….not that that had ever changed in the ensuing years…

But she could now understand Mia's need for privacy, although she herself had grown up in the public eye, being a bride at 18, a mother shortly after, and Queen Consort for many years. Clarisse was, deep down, very shy, and it had been hard to accept the constant intrusions in her life- not only from the press and the public, but by the palace system…

However, since her marriage to Joseph, she had realised that enough was enough…there were certain things that the public didn't have the right to see…and her marriage to Joseph was one of them. They had fallen in love outside the public eye, their relationship had been formed outside everyone's watchful gaze, and Clarisse knew that their relationship was, and would be, successful because it was outside the media circus….she only hoped that Mia and Nicholas would be able to keep their marriage out of the public eye…

She smiled at the thought of Joseph…no one, she thought intently for a moment, had made her feel as loved as he did yesterday, and in the things he did and said daily…Rupert, although greatly fond of Clarisse, had never been the type to show his feelings openly…and Clarisse had always had the feeling that she had never been his top priority…but with Joseph…he made her feel as if she was the centre of his universe, as he had been for her (along with Mia) for many years….Everything he had done yesterday had taken her breath away…

She almost jumped when she felt an arm creep around her waist, but when she felt his stubbly chin on her neck, she knew who it was. She turned slightly to smile at him.

"Good morning," she said cheerily as he turned her right around to look her directly in the eyes.

"Good morning," he murmured before cupping her face in his hand and kissing her.

"We stayed out all night," Clarisse chuckled when they broke a part. "We're getting as bad as Mia and Nicholas!"

"But I don't think we'll tell them about this, will we?" he asked teasingly as she turned to look at the lake again, while leaning gently against him.

"I never realised how lovely it was out here," she said softly as a group of ducks, disturbed by a noise in the forest, took flight off the surface of the lake. "I used to wish that I could come down here early in the morning…but I was lucky to walk Maurice alone without my trusty Head of Security with me!"

"I was doing my job, remember?" Joe protested with a grin. "But I do remember one time when you did manage to escape from me…and it wasn't the time in San Francisco!"

Clarisse looked at him, puzzled, for a moment, before her brow relaxed as she remembered the particular instance Joseph was talking about.

"That's right…I managed to give you and Charlotte the slip…and boy, were you furious when I got back," Clarisse recalled with a laugh……

It was a beautiful spring morning, a time when most people would be out in the sunshine, but two such people weren't- Her Majesty was hard at work in her study, and Joseph, her Head of Security, was sitting in the security room, keeping an eye on the cameras located in front of her suite, while watching basketball.

"I'll be working in my room all day, Joseph, so you don't need to stand outside," Clarisse had said that morning. "But I may go for a walk this afternoon," she added with a slightly flirtatious smile, and Joe had only laughed at her message.

"I'll see you this afternoon, then," he said before he walked away. But now, several hours later, he had to admit that he was getting bored. He sighed and flipped over to another channel on the television when the door opened, and in came Charlotte.

"Joe…we have a little emergency…Her Majesty is missing."

"What do you mean?" Joe asked, spinning his chair around and then standing up. "I haven't seen her leave her suite all day," he waved at the screen that showed the double doors of Clarisse's suite. "I think you must be joking."

"I'm not, Joe. I've been doing errands all day, and she asked me to come back at noon…but when I went in there, she wasn't there."

'Did you check the entire suite?" Joe, while trying to remain calm, was worried- they had had several threats on the lives of the King (when he was alive) and Queen, although it had been several years since the last threat.

He looked blankly at the television screens, thinking hard. Most of the security team had been given the day off, so there was no one he could ask to help look…

"Yes, I checked everywhere, and she's not there," Charlotte said, hurrying after Joe as he strode out of the room, and headed towards the suite.

"I'm sure she probably went out onto the balcony or into the garden with Maurice," he said calmly, not betraying the fear he was feeling.

"No, I checked everywhere…oh Joe, what if…"

"Don't say it," Joe said sharply as they walked into Clarisse's suite.

Sure enough, Charlotte had been telling the truth- there was still a partially full cooling cup of tea on the desk, and her papers were spread all over the desk, the pen weighing them down, so Clarisse had obviously only stepped out for a little while.

"We'll check the rest of the palace," he said simply after it became abundantly clear that Clarisse wasn't in her suite. "That will take a while…by then, I'm sure that she will be back."

An hour and a half later, they met back in Clarisse's suite, both feeling an increasingly heightened feeling of despair.

"I guess we'll have to contact the police," Joe said reluctantly, before walking out onto the balcony. He gazed out onto the widespread gardens that were her pride and joy, and wondered where she was…suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a slim, blue clad figure emerging from the forest. It was Clarisse.

"She's coming back," he shouted, running past an astonished Charlotte and out of the room. As he raced out towards the figure, his relief suddenly erupted into anger- what on earth had she been doing out in the forest on her own? She knew that there wasn't any security on that day, and anything could have happened to her!

"Joseph!" she cried delightedly when they came into earshot of one another, and Joe slowed down to a walk, taking deep breaths to try and keep his temper under control. "You must have had my idea…it's such a beautiful day!"

"Where have you been, Your Majesty?" he asked, his temper boiling but trying to remain calm. "Charlotte and I have been looking for you for nearly two hours!"

"I just thought I needed to go for a walk…I had been working all day, and I needed a break…and it was such a beautiful day out," she smiled and continued walking, but Joe was frozen to the spot.

"You can't do that, Your Majesty. I need to know where you are at all times," Joe said quietly, and Clarisse stopped short and slowly turned on the spot.

"Why do you need to know that?" she asked slowly. "Everyone knows where I am at all times…why can't I have a few moments of peace, without anyone intruding on my life?"

"Because there are people who are hired to protect you…and you weren't being particularly fair to me by running off like that today!" Joe said calmly, but with an edge in his voice.

Clarisse raised an eyebrow and her eyes began to sparkle…but not with joy, but anger.

"Don't you think I realise that? I've been protected for far longer than you've been working here, and you should give me a bit of slack in regards to privacy!"

"Your Majesty, I can't do that…it's part of my job to protect you, and that means watching you!"


"Part of your job?" Clarisse laughed bitterly. "I thought you were my friend…I thought you would understand I need time out from all of this!"

"I am your friend, Clarisse, but I also have a job to do!" he paused, before he continued, only he was now shouting. "Do you REALISE that Charlotte and I were almost out of our minds looking for you?"

Joe's anxiety and anger finally had release and, after a moment, he felt ashamed that he had shouted at the Queen, and the woman he loved. She looked slightly shocked for a moment, and then she shot him an icy look

"Really? Well maybe I should disappear more often! I just went for a walk BY MYSELF!" she screamed back, before she turned and walked back towards the forest with dignity, Joseph hot on her heels.

"You can't do that, Clarisse…you know you aren't allowed to do it!"


"Will you stop treating me like a child?" she snapped, turning and looking at him in anger. "I know what all the rules are- I've been living with it for over half of my life!"

"Then maybe you should know what you can and can't do…you had us worried…and that was very selfish of you! I don't want the responsibility of you being missing on my conscience!"

Clarisse felt very hurt for a moment, before a surge of anger propelled her to storm towards him. She stood in front of him for a moment, breathing deeply, before she let her hand fly, slapping him sharply on the cheek.

"You pompous jerk! How dare you talk to me like that! You're my Head of Security, and I am your Queen! You should treat me with respect!"

"At the moment, you don't deserve my respect, the way you're acting!"

"The way I'm acting? Have you seen the way you're acting?" she laughed sarcastically, before turning to walk away. He grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.

"What on earth do you think you're doing?" she asked, struggling against his strong grip, but losing miserably. He pulled her very close to him and they looked at each other for a moment, both breathing very heavily from their argument, before he pressed his lips down on hers. She struggled for only a second, before sinking into the kiss.

"Wow," she managed to say when they broke apart, and she almost staggered back a step. "I never thought…fighting and then….wow," she said incoherently.

"I'm sorry for what I said to you," Joseph said remorsefully- he sincerely hadn't meant any of what he had said but she, as she had many times before, had infuriated him so much that he had just snapped…not to mention the relief that she had been found…

She shook her head and looked at him for a moment.

"I'm sorry too…I know it was very selfish of me to do that…but I just needed a break," she sighed heavily as they turned back towards the palace. "I promise I won't do it again," she said repentantly, taking his proffered arm.

"I promise I won't get too angry…but, you have to admit, it was worth it…" he joked, and she laughed after a moment.

"Luckily you can't do that anymore," Joe began, pulling his arms tighter around her. "As your husband, I have the right to be at your side at all times."

"Yes you do…and I have the right to expect you at my side at all times," she said to him mock seriously, but her mischievous smile gave her away, before she sighed heavily.

"I wish yesterday didn't have to end…it had been so beautiful…."

"It doesn't all have to end, you know," he murmured into her ear as they walked back to clear up their spot. "I promised that I would compliment you every day…and I will….Like I said yesterday, the lesson we have learnt is that we don't have to hide anymore…we can appreciate every day we have together."

"Not that I don't now," Clarisse said as she scooped the blanket up in her arms. "Each day with you is special…after so many years apart, I cherish the time we have together…and I hope that Mia and Nicholas will do the same."

"They will," Joe said, putting an arm around and leading her back to the golf cart. "So, do you want to go back in the secret way, so nobody knows we've been out?"

"No," she shook her head firmly. "I don't care about who sees us or not…it's about time everyone accepted us as a couple!"

"You'd be surprised to realise that the palace staff accepted that a long time ago," Joe said casually as he sat on the other seat, and she gave him a surprised look. "The maids know everything," he repeated his favourite quote that he told to Mia, and Clarisse laughed.

"Well, I wouldn't be surprised if they don't know about this before we even get there…" Clarisse retorted with a smile.

The hallways were empty as they walked upstairs, towards their suite, and they were surprised to see Charlotte coming towards them in the opposite direction.

"Good morning Charlotte," Clarisse stopped when they reached each other, and smiled happily at her. "Thank you for last night…it was absolutely remarkable…"before she impulsively pulled the younger woman into an embrace.

"It was my pleasure," Charlotte said, blushing. "I'm just happy to help you two in anyway…did you have a good day?"

"The best," Joe said with a grin, squeezing Clarisse's hand tenderly, she turning to smile at him, as Charlotte watched them with a smile. She had been a silent witness to their secret romance, but she knew that they deserved as much privacy as they could get…

"By the way, Mia left a message- she's going to call back in half an hour."

"Goodness!" Clarisse said with a start. "I think I'd better have a shower before she calls again!"

Before she dashed off, however, she squeezed Charlotte's hand with a warm smile, well aware of what Charlotte knew, before literally hurrying down the hall, Joseph in her stride. Charlotte watched them disappear, and chuckled when she heard Joe say, before they turned the corner:

"Why do you need to have a shower? She isn't going to see you over the phone!"

True to Charlotte's message, the phone rang half an hour later, Clarisse picking it up on the second ring.

"Don't tell me you've been waiting by the phone!" came the cheeky and surprised voice of Mia.

"Don't be silly," Clarisse retorted with a chuckle. "We just happened to be here when the phone rang….Alright," she added when she heard her husband chuckle on the other extension. "We happened to see Charlotte, and she gave us the message."

"I know- I tried earlier, but you weren't there…where were you?" Mia inquired, but Clarisse decided to divert her- Mia wouldn't let them live it down if she found out that Joe and Clarisse too had spent the night outside.

"How is your honeymoon? I hope the weather is fine there!"

"Absolutely perfect- we've been swimming most days, and we're planning on visiting some of the little islands we come across on our cruise…we're actually thinking of going to Italy for a few days, depending on the security detail…all the boring details!" Mia laughed.

"But it's just been fantastic being together…"she sighed happily as Clarisse smiled, sensing the happiness in her tone. "But enough about us…how did yesterday go?"

"Horribly," Joe said from the extension in the bedroom. "Your grandmother didn't do anything, and I went over the top!"

"Very untrue," Clarisse rejoined back with a grin. "It was wonderful, darling…Joe surprised me so much…"

"Yes, I thought he would."

"You mean, you knew?" Clarisse asked

"Kind of…Shades leaked it to Nick, and Nick told me on the plane…but I knew that Joe would be fine…he's such a softy…especially when it comes to you," she added slyly, and the other two could only laugh, although Joe muttered, jokingly,

"Just wait until I see Shades in two weeks!" which only made the two women laugh harder.

"And Clarisse…I still can't believe what she did," Joe said softly, a catch in his throat, and Clarisse wanted to go over and hug him. "I can't believe that I'm appreciated that much…"

"You'd better believe it, Joe…you've been so terrific to me over the years and, although I only know some of the story, I can imagine you've been more than that to Grandma…" she stopped for a moment as the three of them silently held back tears.

"Anyway, "Mia continued brightly. "I guess you're both tired from yesterday…and a little let down, I imagine."

"A little," Joe and Clarisse said together.

"But there's still a little surprise that I've ….sorry, yes you too, Nick…we've cooked up for you…only it's not until tonight…"
"What?" they said in unison- Mia hadn't mentioned a surprise when she had left.

"Yes…Charlotte is in on it, so she will know what to do…so why don't you both dress up, and be ready for Charlotte at 7?"

"Alright," Clarisse said a little hesitantly- she was only a little nervous about what Mia had planned, although she knew that Mia wouldn't go over the top.

"Oh…Nicholas says to say hello…as does Shades- especially to Charlotte…and I'll call you in the morning…we're about to go jet skiing!"

"Have a great day!" Joe said from the extension and then hung up- he knew that grandmother and granddaughter deserved a few minutes of privacy.

"So, did everything go alright yesterday?" Mia asked, and Clarisse was touched at the tender tone in her voice.

"It went brilliantly, Mia…I never realised that he thought he didn't deserve this…or me…and was genuinely touched…but he…he was amazing…we got married, unofficially, again in the forest…just the two of us, the Archbishop, Sebastian and Charlotte…"

"Wow," Mia said softly. "Joe is such a romantic…this really sets the bar high for Nicholas for our first wedding anniversary…even though we haven't been a married a week yet!" she joked, and then sobered. "I'm really happy for you Grandma. I hope you both enjoy tonight, and I'll talk to you tomorrow. I love you both heaps."

"We love you too, darling," Clarisse said huskily before the two of them hung up.

After Mia's announcement, it seemed that the rest of the day dragged by slowly, although they enjoyed doing nothing…just wandering around in the garden, watching films, and just enjoying each other's company. But at the back of both of their minds was Mia's surprise….

"I wonder what she has in mind," Joe said on more than one occasion, which only fuelled the flames of curiosity for both of them. "I hope that it's not too wild…."

"I don't think she'd let it get that out of control…and, knowing Charlotte, she would have toned it down," Clarisse said with a laugh, not admitting that she too was a little concerned. Joe turned on the couch and looked at intensely at her before laughing.

"You're just as worried as I am!" he said teasingly, and she giggled along with him.

"Alright, maybe I am," she admitted sheepishly.

They eventually went to get dressed but, this time, it didn't take as long for either of them to be ready.

"Wow…you looked beautiful last night, and you look just as beautiful tonight," Joe whistled with admiration as Clarisse emerged from the bedroom wearing the dress and shoes he had given her the previous day. "And, amazingly, you're ready in less than an hour!" he gasped as he checked his watch, and she playfully slapped his arm.

"You'd better watch it, mister, otherwise you'll be in big trouble!" she said sternly, and then dissolved as he took into his arms for a long kiss. A knock on the door interrupted them, before Charlotte peered around the door when bidden to enter.

"Are you ready to go?" she asked as the two of them walked towards her, hand in hand.

"Where are we going?" Clarisse asked as Charlotte led them down the hallway. "I hope it doesn't mean we have to go out…"but she stopped her train of thought when Charlotte stopped in front of Mia's suite.

"This is where Mia's surprise is…oh, and these are for you," she handed each of them an envelope, their names clearly written on them. "Have a good night," she added softly as she discreetly continued on down the hallway.

Clarisse and Joe stood outside the suite doors for a moment, staring dumbly at the doors, before Joseph took a deep breath and turned to Clarisse.

"Shall we?" he offered her his hand, and she beamed, silently taking it as he led her into Mia's suite….

Joe closed the door behind them and switched on the nearby light as Clarisse gasped. He turned to see what she had gasped at, and was surprised at what he saw. There was a table set for two, with what was obviously their meal waiting, in front of Mia's fireplace, with an iced bucket of champagne and two glasses on a table nearby. Across the fireplace was a banner that read 'CONDGRATULATIONS GRANDMA AND JOE!", as her stereo system played soft music in the background.

"This is…"Clarisse began softly as Joe took her hand and led her to the table.

"Incredibly thoughtful of Mia," Joe finished as he held out Clarisse's chair for her, and then sat down opposite her. He looked down his plate

"It looks like she also planned our favourite meals!"

"Oh Mia," Clarisse said tearfully before Joe broke the moment by opening the bottle of champagne and pouring two glasses.

"A toast….to you, the most beautiful woman in the whole world…I can't believe I'm married to you!" Joe raised his glass to her as Clarisse, blushing, looked into her glass.

"I can't believe that I'm married to you…this last year has been the happiest of my life…"she replied softly with a smile before they clinked glasses and drank. "We might as well dig in- I don't think Mia intended this to be eaten cold," she said with a chuckle.

After they finished their meal, they sat back in their chairs and enjoyed the pleasant surroundings, and the soft music, before Joe picked up his envelope.

"I wonder what's in there?" he asked, and Clarisse picked up hers as well.

"We might as well open it and find out…."

Clarisse opened her envelope and pulled out a single piece of folded white paper; with Mia's monogram on the top…it was a letter.

"Dear Grandma,

By the time you read this letter, I'm hoping that you and Joe will be enjoying the surprise that Charlotte, Nicholas and I were planning…I know, I know, you would also be wondering how I managed to find the time to plan this in the lead up to my wedding, but I did…I know how special the first wedding anniversary is…and how even more special it is for you two.

Before Charlotte told me some of your story, I had no idea that you and Joe shared something special beyond friendship…I knew that you were close, but I have sensed, from time to time, something much deeper between you…But the amazing history that Charlotte told me…that was unbelievable! I was so happy for you on your wedding day, but now that I understand the path that had led up to this moment, it takes on greater meaning…you were meant for each other…and I can't (and won't) imagine you being with anyone else besides Joe.

You and Joe have been part of my life for only such a short time, but you two have done so much for me…believing in me, never giving up (when it seemed that I would), always encouraging and supporting me…without you two (as well as Mom and Lily), I wouldn't have made it as far as I have…and now I know how much I owe you two.

Joe makes you so happy, I can see that, and you make him happy…just the way he looks at you is clear enough to tell me that. It has been a privilege during the past twelve months to see you two together…I never knew my grandfather, but I feel that he wouldn't want you to be unhappy…and Joe makes you happier than even I can imagine…You have a special magic together, and I only hope that Nicholas and I have half of what you have shared…

Happy anniversary, Grandma.

All my love

Mia."

Clarisse looked up, tears spilling from her eyes, and was surprised to see Joe looking absently in the distance, traces of tears on his face.

"What is it, darling?" she put down her letter and walked over to him, kneeling beside him and putting an arm around him.

"Mia wrote me this letter…and it's…"he stuttered, handing her the letter with a smile. Clarisse reached over and retrieved hers, and handed it to him to read, while she read his….

"Dear Joe,

Happy anniversary Joe- by the time you read this, I'm hoping that you and Grandma are enjoying the little surprise that some of us put together for you. It was a pleasure to do this, particularly as you and Grandma have been so supportive of me for the past five years!

It was just a little token of my appreciation, respect and love for you- not only have you been incredibly supportive over the years, and never gave up on me but, more importantly, you have made my grandmother so incredibly happy.

I had no idea about the history between the two of you until Charlotte told me, but since then I have gained a greater appreciation of your relationship. I always thought that you were close friends, but with something lingering, but the wedding finally revealed what most people had known about for years…you loved Grandma very much, and vice versa.

I know that Grandma has had some rough times in her life, but it delights me that you were always there for her…and I love seeing her laugh when she's around you…and the clearly adoring looks she gives you…you have given her a whole new life, and I will never forget that!

Happy anniversary, Joseph Bonnell- you deserve this.

Love Mia."

"These were beautifully written letters," Clarisse said, wiping tears away as she put the sheet down. "I guess we never realised how much Mia relied on us…"

"You know who she reminds me of?" he asked as he pulled her up off the floor, and encircled her in his arms.

"Who?" she smiled at him, knowing what he was going to say.

"Not only you, but also Phillipe….he would have done the same thing."

"Yes, he would have," Clarisse said softly, looking over at Mia's copy of a photograph of Phillipe. He had been so encouraging of their blossoming relationship, and she knew he would have expected it to end up in marriage…

"She's a wonderful girl," Joe said softly, as Clarisse gently touched his face with her hand. "Anyway," he cleared his throat, as he tended to when he was emotional. "Would you like to dance?"

"Sure," Clarisse smiled at him. "But what…"she stopped when she heard a familiar tune come on.

"Someday

When I'm awfully low,

And the world is cold,

I will feel a glow

Just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight."

"Obviously she's been doing her research," Joe said huskily as they gently swayed to the music, and Clarisse chuckled.

"Obviously….but tonight has been wonderful…this was the perfect end to our anniversary."

"What on earth are we going to do for our second anniversary?" Joseph, pulling her close, teased into her hair and he could feel her shaking with laughter.

"I guess we'll have to think of that when the time comes!"

Joe gently tipped her chin to look directly into the beautiful blue eyes he had known and loved for so many years.

"I love you, Mr Bonnell." Her smile, already broad, widened further at her words.

"I love you too, Mrs Bonnell…you may not be Queen of Genovia anymore…but you will always be Queen of my heart…."

He leaned forward and kissed her long and tenderly, both of them feeling the connection they always had between them, and gotten even better in the year of marriage…

"Now I know what we can do to finish the evening off well…." Clarisse said teasingly, taking him by both his hands and leading him towards Mia's entrance double doors ….Joe laughed, knowing what she meant.

"You can lead the way, my dear," he chuckled as they closed the doors behind them. "But, happy anniversary, darling," he said so softly he was sure that she hadn't heard him, but she turned to him with a radiant smile.

"Happy anniversary, darling," she returned happily.