A.N: Ok, so you all have full permission to be extremely angry with me for such a delayed update. And I will happily hear all about it in your reviews that you will send my way once you have read this chapter. But in my defense, I will have you know that I have just finished exams and assignments and they go before this story. Sorry!

But here goes…

Chapter 28:

Joseph looked up for the hundredth time at the closed, white door. What was taking so long? He stood up from his seated position opposite and began to pace the long corridor once again. He felt as if he was going to burst. All the concerns and anxieties in his mind were rushing around like wildfire, and he attempted to put them out by moving.

It wasn't working. Why wasn't it working? He had felt worse before heading into battle, before escorting the Royal family to an unexplored location, so why was he this bad now? Perhaps because this was one situation that he had no control over. He couldn't do anything to help, nor could he do something physically challenging to keep his mind sane. All he could do was wait. And in Joseph's mind, that was not good enough.

"Joseph please restrain yourself, you're making me nervous", Clarisse said from beside his previously occupied seat.

Joseph looked over to his wife to find her rubbing her temples in irritation, head bowed, eyes closed.

Joseph walked back over to her, and placed his hand under her chin. He lifted her face towards his, before smoothing her hair back off her face.

"I am sorry, my dear, but I just do not know what to do with myself", he tried to explain, his expression emanating his worry.

"Ah dear Joseph, you are too used to being the knight in shining armor. For once can you not sit down beside your tired wife and keep her company?" Clarisse asked with a smile, lifting her hand to stroke his face lovingly.

"Of course, my dear", Joseph said briskly, before sitting back down stiffly.

Clarisse smiled compassionately before turning slightly in her seat so she was facing Joseph. She reached across and gripped his hand tightly, drawing his attention once more. He looked up with wide eyes and tight lips.

"Anyone would think she was in a life and death situation, Joseph", Clarisse said, shaking her head at his unusual behavior.

"Yes, well…" Joseph muttered before withdrawing his hand and staring blankly at his feet.

Something seemed to click within Clarisse as comprehension dawned on her features. She closed her eyes and sighed at her own incompetence at seeing what was wrong with her husband. Of course she should have known.

"I am so sorry Joseph, I should have known", Clarisse tried to explain, drawing Joseph's attention to her once more.

"But she is in the best care, so you have nothing to worry about", Clarisse reassured him, giving him one of her genuine smiles that made him smile in return.

"Of course, you are right", Joseph nodded, taking her hand once more and raising it to his lips.

He should have realized that this situation was much different, and that times had changed so they could do more. But then, he did often get caught up in the 'what ifs' that he forgot just how far he had come. Clarisse was always there to remind him though, and looking at her now as she sat on the edge of her seat in anticipation, Joseph once again remembered just how lucky he was.

The day of their wedding had been a couple of years ago now, even though it felt as if it was only the day before last. He remembered his feelings of overwhelming joy and love as he was finally united with the woman of his dreams. He remembered his insanity with the others as they celebrated the wedding when they were finally given the privacy. And finally, the thing he remembered most of all, and treasured just as much, was the night of their wedding, when they were finally made one.

They had been left alone in Clarisse's suite very late into the evening, but didn't know what to do with each other as they stared from opposite sides of the room. But as the seconds drew by, they slowly moved together like magnets, not breaking eye contact in the dim lighting of the room. They reached each other but didn't touch as they stood before the other, their eyes shining, hearts pounding.

"Joseph", Clarisse croaked out, shattering the silence.

"I have only ever been with one other", was all she said as she raised a shaking hand to touch his face lightly.

"As have I", Joseph whispered back, taking hold of her hand and drawing it to his lips where it lingered in his nervous hold.

Clarisse smiled awkwardly, "I feel like a young girl receiving my first kiss".

"As do I", Joseph whispered back, lifting his other hand to run down her cheek and neck to her slightly bared shoulder.

Clarisse laughed quietly, "a young girl?"

Joseph laughed at what she was pointing out; breaking the awkward atmosphere, before pulling Clarisse into a tight embrace.

"Maybe not a girl, but I do feel young again", Joseph breathed into her hair as his hands explored her back in a new way.

Clarisse pulled back out of his embrace slightly to look into his intense gaze. She lifted an eyebrow before leaning in to hover her lips just below his.

"Perhaps you should show me?" she suggested as her words breathed in to him, filling him with something he had not felt for many years, before briefly pressing her lips to his.

Joseph's face turned up into a large grin before pressing his lips to hers in a much more passionate kiss, one hand holding her head in place.

"I believe I will do just that", he murmured before guiding them both to the next room where they showed their love for each other in an entirely new way.

They had finally been completely joined in their love, and things had been wonderful ever since.

It wasn't long after their marriage that Princess Amelia's engagement to Nicholas Deveraux had been announced, followed by a very extravagant wedding that far out-did any previous royal marriage known to the country of Genovia. They were also joined in their love, making the royal family complete in its happiness and joy. Joseph also became known as 'Grandpa' to the young couple, making him feel complete within his new family, and bringing such joy to Clarisse that she actually cried.

They were all so extremely happy, even with the daily routines of a royal and all the appearances they had to make. But at least they were together! That was all that mattered to them all, no matter what hardships came up, they always had each other.

And so it came to now. Joseph looking into Clarisse eyes as they waited outside Mia's suite for any news. They had been there for many hours now, but hadn't moved in their vigil to be by their grand-daughters side when they were finally needed. She needed them now, just as much as she needed her husband who was currently by her side doing as much as he possible could.

"I am sorry, Clarisse, but I can't help feeling…" Joseph faded out, not finding the right words without sounding over-anxious.

"No, Joseph, I am the one who should be apologizing", Clarisse said sincerely, placing her other hand upon their clasped ones.

"I should have known how hard this was going to be for you, and been more understanding. I should have remembered just what had happened the last time you had to wait like this".

Joseph looked into Clarisse's eyes and felt comforted. He looked into her sparkling blue depths and felt amazed that her compassion and understanding ran so deep. He felt amazed that she remembered everything that meant anything to him, and that she was willing to be there for him, even when it seemed so trivial. He felt amazed, and humbled.

"Thank you, my dear, for everything; especially for understanding. I just need to remember that what happened was in my past, and that yes, this is entirely different so I should have more faith in those who are taking care of our grand-daughter right now. Just because I lost so much the day my wife gave birth, doesn't mean I am going to lose that much again", Joseph said quietly before leaning over and giving Clarisse a loving kiss.

"I understand Joseph, and we will be all right. Just as Mia will be; you will see", Clarisse murmured in reply, leaning her forehead against his as she cupped his cheek.

Just then, the door opened to show a beaming nurse who immediately began to beckon them into the room. Joseph's heart lurched in his chest before Clarisse stood, pulling them both to their feet and dragging them to the door.

Clarisse rushed to the bedside of her grand-daughter with many over-joyed exclamations as Joseph stopped in the middle of the room. His heart lifted as he took in the sight before him in the warm room.

Nicholas was sitting looking extremely happy as his pride filled eyes looked down upon his extremely exhausted looking wife, Mia. She in turn, was shifting her loving gaze from her husband, to her hovering grandmother, to the small bundle clasped to her chest.

It wasn't until her eyes lifted to meet with his that Joseph finally relaxed and let go of the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He moved forward on lead filled shoes to his own wife's side to gaze upon the new arrival. Gazing upon the life filled child as it squirmed in its mothers arms, Joseph's head finally cleared in time to hear the words spoken around him.

"Grandpa Joe, Grandma Clarisse, meet your great-granddaughter", Mia whispered, smiling up at the two with watering eyes.

"Oh, Mia…"Clarisse sighed, stroking the child's head gently as her own eyes filled with tears.

"Have you decided upon a name?" she then asked, looking up with renewed excitement to both father and mother.

"I wanted to check with Joe before we made it final", Mia said quietly, drawing Joseph's attention once more as he looked up in confusion.

"Why do you need to check with me?"

"We wish to call our daughter Isabel", Nicholas explains, smiling down on Mia as she looks at Joseph, watching his features as comprehension dawns.

Joseph feels his heart warm with love as he moves forward and gazes down at the small beauty before him. He reaches out and places his hand upon the child's small head, before looking up and meeting Mia's gaze.

"I would be honored", Joseph whispers as his eyes unwillingly fill with joyful tears.

Mia grins at him before looking up to her grandmother.

"Well then…Grandma, Grandpa, meet Isabel, my daughter".

Joseph felt Clarisse's hand clasp his as he gazed down at the small child, so he squeezed it in return, reassuring her that he was fine. All four adults then gazed down in silence at the beautiful young Princess, as their own thoughts swirled happily within their own minds. Princess Isabel was only a few minutes old, but had already reached out and touched the hearts of those around her. She would one day become such a Queen that would far out-do both her mother and great-grandmother, in every way. She would make them all so proud, no matter what she would do.

On this day, a pure treasure was born to the small but grand country of Genovia.

A.N: Ah…sweet Isabel… What a wonderful moment for them all! And guess what?! One more chapter to go! Please leave a review and let me know of any gaps that need to be filled to your satisfaction.