Author's Note: Thank you to all my loyal readers, I really appreciate your reviews! Thank you to: Captain Weirdo, Clarisse Renaldi, Poppinswannabe, addlogcon, tabby-fanny, as well as anyone else who reads it… You all rock!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

Clarisse felt a little drained after her spontaneous toast (although she had meant every word of it), as well as imagining hearing Phillipe's voice, and Joseph was concerned when she sat down, looking a little pale, and took several deep swallows of her wine.

"Are you alright?" he leaned over to whisper in her ear as Sebastian stood up to make his toast, and Clarisse smiled over at him as she rested her hand on top of his knee under the table.

"I'm fine… I'll explain later," she whispered in response, before turning to focus on Sebastian, keen to avoid Joseph's kind but probing look, trying to work out her feelings, which were currently confused and muddled…

At times, Phillipe was still a painful subject, although she wished it wasn't so- Mia deserved to know more about her father, and, for the first time since Mia's engagement, she wished he had been there to make the speech instead of her…

She was watching Sebastian intently, but she was also aware Joseph still looking at her, and Clarisse couldn't help but smile…

The most 'annoying', yet agreeable aspect of being married to her former Head of Security, as well as her best friend and love of her life, was that he knew her so very, very well… but, then again, it was just the same for her- she knew him much, much better than she had ever known Rupert, and she knew his strengths and weakness, which she often used to her advantage, but Joseph didn't care- he enjoyed spoiling her.

"You deserve it," was all he said whenever she protested. "Besides, it's a husband's duty to spoil his wife!"

"I'm sure most other husbands in the world would disagree with you on that," she replied teasingly, but secretly loving the fact that her husband was very different from everyone else… and most definitely a polar opposite to Rupert, something for which she always be grateful for.

The wounds Rupert had inflicted on her had healed, mainly due to time and Joseph's love and support, but she now preferred to keep Rupert in the past, especially around Mia and Joseph.

"You never mention him anymore," he commented one day. "Why?"

"In case you don't remember, just after we got married we had a massive argument about me mentioning him too much… remember?"

"Yes, I remember that, but I realise that I shouldn't have, as he was your husband and the father of your children… but Mia barely knows anything about him."

"I don't want him to think that he was…"

"We all know what he was, and Mia should know too… he may have been a good King, but he was also a rotten husband and father," Joseph said stubbornly.

"You don't sound biased at all," she retorted teasingly.

"I'm justified in that, aren't I… but I still think Mia should know what he was really like with you- she only knows him as a name… but it could help her understand you more…"

"I don't see what good it will do- he's dead," she said mildly, not interested in protecting Rupert and his reputation but, rather, Mia- as a modern, 21st century young woman, she had already been taken aback by Clarisse's arranged marriage at 18… Clarisse was rather worried about how she would react knowing that Rupert had ill treated her, and knowing that Clarisse had stayed, and stayed silent…

"Besides," he added with a sly grin. "She's always asking questions about our relationship- maybe this will show her how we… how does Mia say it?...'got together'?"

Clarisse only laughed at his reasoning, but she had to admit that he made sense.

"We'll see…" she had said vaguely, ending the conversation…

She hadn't realised she had been so deep in thought until she looked around and realised that both Sebastian and Nicholas had made their toasts, everyone was now talking in small groups, and Mia had suddenly sat down next to her.

"You looked like you were in a world of your own," she teased as Clarisse shook her head, and turned to look at Mia.

"I was just thinking…"

"Obviously," Mia grinned, not at all fazed. "I just didn't take you for being a daydreamer!"

"I never had the time when I was Queen," Clarisse said calmly, not admitting she had done her fair share of dreaming, especially about Joseph…. "It also wouldn't have been too professional to be discovered daydreaming during a session of parliament… boring as it sometimes may seem," she teased, knowing that Mia, who had the grace to blush, had done it on occasion. "Never mind… so, are you having a good time?"

"I am," Mia beamed, looking around the room happily. "This is what I wanted for my birthday, rather than the fancy party we had for my 21st!"

"That was a special occasion, and there will be other occasions where you will have a big party… but this…" she lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Is exactly what I wanted too… however, there would be a few people who would love to have more functions at the palace…"

Mia rolled her eyes at Clarisse's words, nodding knowingly.

"There's rather more than a few, Grandma, but, sadly for them, it's not going to happen!" she said stubbornly as Clarisse laughed, before she changed the subject. "But I am glad that you and my mother are here… and Joe and Patrick too," she added hurriedly as Joseph, who was in hearing distance, gave her an unimpressed look.

"We're all very glad to be here as well," Clarisse said with a smile, before adding: "Despite being trapped in our suite all day!"

"Oh yeah, that," Mia frowned slightly. "Don't worry, I'm going to be talking to Nicholas later…" causing Clarisse to add quickly:

"No, it was worth the wait… and it was a very sweet idea…"

"I bet Joe was getting pretty annoyed, wasn't he?" Mia grinned- she knew Joseph very well after seven years, and she knew he hated being indoors when it wasn't necessary.

"Yes he was- very," Clarisse couldn't help but chuckle at his expenses, still seeing him pace restlessly around the suite several hours earlier.

"I'm glad I wasn't around," Mia laughed loudly. "I just can't believe I'm 23…23 seemed so old when I was 15…"

"Just wait until you get to 30 or 40," Clarisse murmured with a smile. "We must seem ancient to you!"

"What were you like at 23?" Mia suddenly asked, and Clarisse was, at first, surprised and startled by the question, before she said simply:

"I found out I was pregnant on my 23rd birthday," blushing then chuckling when she saw Mia's expression.

"Wha-at?" Mia cried in the same way as Joseph had.

"With your father," Clarisse added calmly, well aware of what she had just said, but it had seemed like the right time… "I just thought you would like to know…"

"Oh wow," Mia's expression was awestruck as her eyes filled with tears. "Grandma, I'm so glad you told me… how did you feel?"

"Wonderful- I wanted a second child very much," Clarisse reflected with a tender, nostalgic smile. "It took me almost three years to convince your grandfather that Pierre shouldn't be an only child, and it's just as well I did…" she chuckled at Mia, blushing at the same time as she realised Mia was genuinely pleased that she had told her.

"I'm glad you told me that," Mia repeated as she leaned forward and took one of Clarisse's hands in hers. "It was beautiful and sweet… but thank you, Grandma, both for coming tonight, and that story…" before she leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, before skipping off.

Almost as soon as Mia left, Clarisse looking after her, she felt someone sit down next to her, and she turned to see Joseph sitting there.

"You and Mia seemed to having a good chat," he said casually, resting his hand on top of hers.

"Yes we did…. I told her about my 23rd birthday… she asked," she added, seeing Joseph's surprised expression. "It felt good to tell her."

"I know it meant a lot to her- I saw the expression on her face…"

"I know," Clarisse said simply, before changing the subject. "So, are we staying here tonight?" she inquired with a cheeky smile. "It seems convenient, although it might seem a little small for you?" she teased, and he laughed along with her.

"One night be alright," he replied just as teasingly.

000

After Lily's computer presentation, which was a virtual scrapbook of pictures from various times in Mia's life (courtesy of Lily, Helen and Clarisse), causing Mia to go very red, it was after ten when the party broke up, and Joseph was then glad that they were spending the night, rather than driving back to the beach house.

"That was a lovely night, wasn't it?" Clarisse called over her shoulder as she disappeared into the bedroom. She didn't hear his response as she stood in front of their built in wardrobe, but she was suddenly aware that he was standing very close to her, massaging her shoulders playfully.

"I told you you'd have to wait until later, madam," he murmured into her ear as she chuckled softly and turned to face him with a seductive, flirtatious smile.

"What are you going to do?" she replied, her eyes sparkling and he laughed as he leaned forward and nuzzled her neck, loving, as always, her scent- a combination of vanilla and her specially made favourite perfume.

"Just a moment," he growled playfully. "What were you daydreaming about during Sebastian and Nicholas' toasts?"

"Hmm…" Clarisse said teasingly, weaving her arms around his neck. "I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have you… how lucky I am that you're so very different to every other husband," she replied honestly.

"I can be like everyone else," he teased as he playfully ran his hand down the sides of her body before locking his arms around her waist.

"Don't you dare," Clarisse replied, a note of panic in her voice. "I love you the way you are- I was just thinking how… wonderful you are to me, and I don't want you to change!"

"I won't, Mrs Bonnell," he breathed, pulling her towards him. "As long as you don't change either."

"I won't," she murmured almost breathlessly as he nuzzled her neck again, his lips slowly moving downwards. "Mr Bonnell… are you trying to seduce me?"

"Is it working?" he mumbled as he unzipped her dress before running his hands through her hair, while she quickly unbuttoned his shirt and then he led her towards the bed, and she stretched languidly across it.

"It might be…" she said softly, before he pounced, laughing…

000

"This is amazing," she said quietly, much later, caressing Joseph's bare skin with one hand as she leant against his chest, listening to his heart and loving the fact that it, like the man, was steady, reliable and loving.

"What's amazing?" he asked, stroking her hair gently.

"That after two years, we're still so crazy about each other… still so…" she blushed in the dark. "So… physically attracted to each other…"she trailed off, still remembering how breathless he had made her feel before, as he usually did… Rupert had never made her feel like that… "I still feel the same way about you as when we met… or when I realised that I was in love… although much stronger…"

"I do too… but why are you surprised about us? We've had to hide our feelings for so long… but I don't think it's going to change anyway- you were, are and always be my ideal lady… and I don't want it too…"

"Neither do I- I love it," she admitted with a shy smile. "It's just that I…"

"You never had it with Rupert, I know, but every marriage and every man is different…"

"Lucky for me…" Clarisse said coyly.

"Me too… you are still a very beautiful woman, darling…"

"You sound surprised," Clarisse sounded amused in the dark.

"You know what I mean… and I'm sure that a lot of men still admire you (in fact, I've seen it in their eyes), and I'm sure that, if I hadn't been in the picture when Rupert died…"

"But you were, and everyone knew I was taken," Clarisse said proudly.

"But if I hadn't been, you could have easily remarried, and had all this," he said casually, trying not to sound jealous.

"No I wouldn't have," she said, so definitely that Joseph sat up and switched on the light.

"You wouldn't have married again?" he sounded so surprised that Clarisse sat up as well.

"No, I wouldn't have married again, especially to any of the men you're thinking of- they are all so much like Rupert was… spoiled, arrogant, self centred and viewed women as possessions… you saw how long it took for parliament to realise that I was intelligent… and I couldn't have lived with another man like that… Most of them would have married me for my supposed good looks," she rolled her eyes at the thought.

"But, really, I wouldn't have married them again because… I already had my heart crushed once, and I couldn't bear for it to happen again, so I would have accepted being alone…"

"I'm glad you're not going to be alone," he said protectively, cuddling her close. "I promise…" he tipped her face to look at him, and he looked serious. "I promise that I will never break your heart… As for your remark about your supposed good looks, you know as well as I do that you're gorgeous… but I was, and am more appreciative of your sharp mind, your kind heart and other numerous qualities… your looks were only a bonus," he joked as she blushed, looking down, before looking up with a sexy smile.

"I'm glad at least one person saw through my stunning looks," she teased as she moved closer and ran a hand down his chest, and he laughed before she leaned over and kissed him.

"I suppose BJ is right about one thing… we are still acting like newlyweds," he added before he pressed his lips down on hers…

00000

The three weeks leading up to their second anniversary passed quickly and quietly, and it was suddenly the morning of their anniversary, which dawned fine and bright. As usual, Joseph was awake first and, after waking up properly, he turned over and watched Clarisse sleep, as he usually did. He knew it annoyed her slightly when he did it, but it was something he loved doing, watching her sleep… He had had several relationships over the years, but none of them had meant as much to him as this relationship with Clarisse… He still sometimes couldn't believe that she had fallen in love with him, and had married him… two years- it was amazing, but it had been the happiest two years of his life…

"I know what you're doing," she suddenly said, causing him to jump slightly, and she laughed softly as she opened her eyes.

"You startled me!"

"I know- that's why I did it," she said with a wicked smile, before it broadened into a warm smile. "But I'll let you off the hook today- happy anniversary, my love…"

"Happy anniversary, my darling wife," he cupped her cheek in one hand, gazing at her happy face for a moment, before leaning over and kissing her.

"Two years," she marvelled, sitting up and resting her cheek on his pyjama clad shoulder.

"You sound surprised," he teased, putting an arm around her. "Didn't you think we'd last this long?"

"Mmm…" Clarisse pretended to look thoughtful, and then laughed. "Of course I believed in us… I just can't believe that it's been two years since we got married!"

She was very proud that they had made it, proving to everyone who had doubted them, but she had had no doubts about whom she had wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

"Neither can I- and, even more surprising, that we're celebrating in a very quiet way- just the two of us!"

"After the circus last year, I'm rather relieved," Clarisse admitted with a smile. "Not that it was an actual circus, it was lovely…"

"I know what you mean, and I'm glad that it's just us this year… but the wedding was beautiful… especially the bride…" he ran a gentle hand through her hair.

"I still can't believe that a woman who usually remained calm, cool and collected in times of crisis went to pieces with nerves over marrying (or remarrying in our case) the man she had loved forever…" Clarisse giggled at the word 'forever'. "…and to whom she had already been married to for almost a year!"

"You're never going to let me forget that, are you?" Clarisse looked embarrassed- she had been so excited and nervous, and it had been exacerbated by the dream she had had, that Joseph had kissed another woman- and only Joseph could have convinced her that it wasn't true.

"No, I'm not," he caressed her cheek again. "But not to tease you- I just couldn't believe that you were that nervous because of me! That you loved me that much."

"I always have and I always will… and," she added quickly, suddenly inspired. "As for my nerves, Mia wasn't exactly helping by her continual comments of 'you're so calm' and all that!" and Joseph laughed.

"Are you sure you don't want to do it again?"

"No!" Clarisse cried, slightly alarmed, before she saw that Joseph was laughing, and she collapsed back against her pillows. "You shouldn't do that to me on our anniversary!"

"Payback for startling me!" he replied mockingly, before leaning over and kissing her on the forehead. "So…" he teased. "Breakfast in bed alright for you?" he asked, climbing out of bed and stretching.

"Yes- as long as I do it for you," she replied, quickly exiting the bed as well, and he rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Can't you let me do anything for you?"

"Alright," Clarisse acquiesced easily, before reaching down under the bed and handing him a flattish package. "But before you do that, I want to give you this… it's simple, but I hope you like it."

"I'm intrigued," before he tore into it, and it turned out to be…a hammock! "I love it!" he dropped the package on the bed, and took her into his arms. "I'll be putting it up today, and you and I, madam…" he tapped her gently on the nose. "Will be spending most afternoons in it, watching the sun set!"

"With one of the numerous bottles of wine we've been given," Clarisse grinned- most of their friends had given them wine for their anniversary again, although Mia and Nicholas had added a pair of tickets to the latest show in Pyrus; Julie had sent new pictures of Sean, as well as a silver photo frame; and Annie had very cheekily sent an autographed picture of herself.

"Of course we're going to need a bottle of wine," Joseph grinned, before rummaging in his bed side drawers, and pulling out a flat box.

"This is for you…"
She opened the lid of the box, brushed away the tissue paper and blushed when she saw the lacy creation lying there as he laughed at her expression.

"I always wanted to buy my wife lingerie… this was the perfect opportunity!"

"I suppose I shall be wearing it tonight," she said grudgingly, but he could see, from the smile and sparkle in her eyes, that she liked it.

"You also have another surprise for later… but now I'm going to go and prepare our breakfasts… and you can get back into bed- that's an order!"

She laughed at the order, but collapsed back into bed as she watched him disappear out of the room- she was happier than ever, and while it startled her to believe that, it was true… she had never imagined this time of her life would be so happy and so fulfilling, or that Joseph and Mia would be permanent parts of her life- as husband and granddaughter respectively. She really was unbelievably happy- she only hoped that it wouldn't all blow up in her face…

"You're daydreaming again," came Joseph's voice from the doorway, and she looked up to see him coming in with a tray.

"No I'm not," she contradicted him stubbornly, leaning up against the headboard. "I was just deep in thought, that's all…"

"Mmm… by the way, we're the not the only ones who remembered our anniversary…" he carelessly tossed a paper onto her lap as he rested the tray carefully on the bed. She smoothed it out to see, on the front page, a blown up picture of them together, holding hands- they obviously hadn't seen the photographer as they were smiling at each other happily, and above the picture was the headline: '2 YEARS AND STILL TOGETHER!'

"At least it's more positive than last year," she said flippantly, squinting slightly as she perused the small article. "I can't understand why our anniversary would warrant the front page of the newspaper!"

"Well, James did say people are still fascinated by us," Joseph said thoughtfully, sitting down next to her. James the archbishop had visited a few days earlier, and he had been very impressed at the beach house.

"Now I understand why Phillipe was always bragging about the place… and I know he would be very pleased to know that you two are very happy out here."

"Very, very happy," Clarisse affirmed with a happy beam.

"And it keeps the riff raff and the press away," Joe added.

"Still getting unwanted attention?" James almost smirked. "I'm not surprised- everyone knew that you two were together, secretly, for years…"

Clarisse blushed with mortification at the thought everyone had known about their relationship.

"You don't seemed to realise that most of the population is very curious about you… especially since you are usually never seen in public, except on rare occasions… so that interest is the price you have to pay for being mysterious and the most interesting couple in Genovia!" he grinned at them mischievously before stepping into his car….

"True," Clarisse mused, recalling James's words. "It is endearing though.. I thought that, once Mia came to the throne, I would have been able to fade away into the background… with you, of course," she added as Joseph gave her an unimpressed look.

"I guess people thought we were a fairytale…" she added thoughtfully. "And I suppose we are… and I know we're going to live happily ever after!"

000

When they finally got up, it was almost lunchtime (much to Clarisse's feigned horror, although she actually enjoyed it), and while Clarisse insisted on preparing a simple lunch, Joseph strung up the hammock, out facing the beach.

"Let's try it… come out here!" she heard him call, and she laughed when she came out and saw Joseph comfortably ensconced in it, hands behind his head.

"Come on, join me!" he insisted, grabbing her hand and pulling her down to join him.

"This is bizarre," she finally said after readjusting herself so that she was leaning against him. "I don't ever want anyone to see me in this… it's very unladylike and strange… and I won't be wearing skirts when I do sit in here…"

"But it's fun to be suspended off the ground by a few pieces of rope," he teased, and she laughed as she relaxed a little, the hammock swinging gently from their movements and the slight breeze.

"Yes, it's fun, I'll grant you that… well, you've got this, and I'll be out the back in the garden, so we're all set… but how do we get out of here?"

"Easy," he said, rolling off to the side, and catching her when she followed suit, hastily putting her feet on the ground when she was able. She was, however, secretly pleased that he liked it, and she wondered what her other present was….

000

After lunch, the day was still warm and sunny, so they decided to spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach, like 'any normal retirees', Joseph joked, before adding "But we definitely deserve it!" and Clarisse laughed in agreement.

"We are very lucky," she sobered up, gazing out to sea once they had settled on their towels. "We're lucky to have each other," she patted his knee absently. "We're lucky to have our health, our family and our friends…"

"Yes we are," he agreed, before she looked at him, her eyes hidden behind her sunglasses.

"You think I'm silly, don't you?" she asked quietly. "To be so grateful for my second life with you and Mia, here… I'm just so afraid…" she looked away for a moment. "Afraid that it's all going to blow up, or that it turns out to be a dream…" she shuddered at the thought of that nightmare the night before their second wedding. "I feel silly," she trailed off, expecting him to laugh, but he didn't- he moved so that he was right next to her, and he put an arm around her shoulders before pulling her close to kiss her long and sweetly.

"Don't ever feel silly about that, baby- you, more than anyone, have more reason to feel distrustful about happiness… but, rest assured, I'm going to spend the rest of my life caring about and for you…when you're happy, I'm happy," he stroked her cheek gently. "And this, our marriage, is NOT going to blow up… we both know each other so well, and have faith in our relationship, so that's a solid base…as well as the fact that you're my best friend…."

"I'm your best friend?" Clarisse momentarily forgot about her sadness to focus on this- she had always known she had been the love of his life, a close friend, partner until they were married, then wife and lover… but best friend?

"Yes," Joseph said, a little shocked that she still didn't realise the significant place she had held in his life- he may have been 'one of the boys', but Clarisse had always known and understood him far better than his colleagues, even his own family did at times.

"Why do you look so surprised? You knew a lot more about me than anyone else in my life, so how you not be my best friend? Even now that we're husband and wife, you're still the one I want to tell everything too… unless…" his serious expression melted into a joking one. "Unless you're bored with me….?"

"No, I'm not," she cried. "I've known that you considered me that, but it's just the first time you've probably ever spoken it aloud… although, I like the title 'wife' better…"

He laughed, and then decided to tell her something else…

"I was going to wait until later, but…. Since you and I had a great time in London at that hotel…." Clarisse smiled at the memory. "I've spoken to a plumber and builder, and we're having our own spa installed, in the master suite, next week…"

He was a little sheepish while looking at her, but Clarisse's delighted expression told him what he wanted to know.

"Oh darling!" Clarisse beamed, throwing her arms around him. "That's wonderful… not only for us, but for your back and knees…"

"Ever the practical one," he murmured into her hair, before she pulled away and settled back on her towel.

"But a spa…" she sighed happily. "What, with that, the garden and the hammock, it's going to get harder and harder to leave!"

"That was the general idea," he teased, and she laughed. "But this is the life…"

"Yes, it is," Clarisse agreed, looking out to sea again with a sigh, and Joseph thought he could detect a hint of restlessness in her voice, something he wasn't surprised about… she had been very active up until she married him, and he had often wondered…

"Don't I keep you busy enough?" he pretended to sound injured.

"No, you do," Clarisse sounded surprised at his question.

"But…" he encouraged.

"I was just thinking about some of the charities I was involved with…"

As Queen, Clarisse had been patroness of quite a few charities, nearing 100, most of which Mia had assumed on her coronation, although Clarisse had remained involved, silently rather than active… she had been rather busy focusing on and enjoying her marriage…

"I want to get involved in some of them again… it's not that I don't love spending all my time with you," she added quickly, not wishing to offend Joseph. "But, they've all mentioned to Mia that they would like me back, and…. I just feel…"

"You need something more to compensate for how happy you are," he completed her sentence for her, not at all disapproving- in fact, he was all for it. "Before you say it, it doesn't sound silly or selfish- if you want to do it, I'll be behind you all the way."

"Really?" Clarisse crinkled her nose at him. "You do?"

"Of course… whatever you want, I want too… The only question is… what's going to happen to me?"

He was joking, of course, but Clarisse, always sensitive to his needs, looked slightly upset and mortified.

"I'm not going to abandon you… in fact I'm going to need you as well… I was thinking that we could use people's continuing fascination with us for a good cause… I'm on most of the boards, but with me (and my husband)," she smiled winningly at him. "If we could attend some of their fundraising events, we could raise a lot of money… but I'm sure Scott would welcome you back with open arms at the palace….I just feel that I need to be creative… you're not upset that I want to do some charity work?" she looked at him anxiously, and he laughed.

"No, my love, I'm not upset… in fact, I was wondering when you would want something more in your life- you were so active as Queen, and of course it's natural you need more than me… and charity work is perfect… we're still going to live here, though?" he pretended to look worried, and she laughed.

"Of course we will… and it's only going to be a little work… I like my retirement too much… I was just afraid that you were going to get bored long ago," she almost whispered, and he tugged her over onto his towel.

"I could never be bored with you, Clarisse," he chuckled. "I never have been, and whatever you want to do, I'm with you… Yes, I know that Scott is dying for help, but, like you, it's only casual and a little bit… I'm not going back to it full time…"

"Don't forget that Mia is wanting us on her board for the children's shelter as well…"

"True…" Joseph frowned thoughtfully, remembering something he had heard.

"As for your creativity… once this garden is finished, I was just thinking… Sergio has been looking for someone to work on his garden at the restaurant… he's been having a lot of trouble, apparently… I think you would be perfect to help him…"

"Really?" Clarisse looked delighted- gardening was one of her greatest passions. "Do you think…? I don't want to be paid or anything…"

"Rich enough, are we?" he teased.

"No, it would be my pleasure to do it," she replied simply. "But, do you really think he would even consider me?"

"Why not?" You did a magnificent job with your own palace gardens, and are still keeping up to date with maintenance, and this one… yes, I think he should consider you… Why don't we ask him tonight?"

"Yes!" Clarisse looked pleased- she had been worried Joseph would think that she was getting bored doing nothing, she loved it, but she also needed to spread some of her happiness around…. And, she thought sneakily to herself, some charity work might get some of the attention off them…

"But," Joseph concluded, standing up and stretching. "Now that we have solved all our problems, why don't we race down for a swim, and then relax in the new hammock?"

"You and that hammock," Clarisse chuckled as she stood up beside him, relieved. "I don't know whether buying that was such a good idea for me….. but… meet you in there!" she laughed, suddenly darting off, leaving Joseph to laugh… She really was something…