Author's Note: Sorry it's taken a while to update another chapter, particularly after I promised not to do it again, but I should be back on track again now!

Thank you to all my loyal readers- you all rock!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

Despite the inauspicious, tension filled beginning to the afternoon, the rest of Mia and Nicholas's visit was spent in a far different manner... Instead of Mia's admissions, Clarisse listening warily as Joseph became steadily more defensive, the women were close again while the men sat back and listened, Joseph still a little wary of Mia, before he suddenly thought of something else.

"Nicholas," he said in a soft voice, leaning forward and indicating Nicholas do the same- he didn't want either Mia nor Clarisse to hear this conversation. "Have you decided whether you're going to tell your uncle about the baby or not?"

Nicholas frowned thoughtfully at his question.

]
"I hadn't thought about it- we've been estranged since the engagement party, although I did send him a wedding invitation but.... Mia and I would have to talk about it, but I would let you know if we decide to do anything.... until then..."

"What are you two talking about over there?"Clarisse suddenly turned to look at them and Joseph grinned disarmingly at her.

"I was just saying to Nicholas that the next 7 months is going to be baby this and baby that," he joked, fibbing smoothly, as Mia made a face and threw a cushion at him.

"If you're not careful, Poppy, we'll spend the next seven months discussing what YOU and Grandma should be called!"she retorted before looking around. "So... you two have been here for... how long?"

"About 16 months," Joseph said quickly- although they travelled often, and spent the occasional night at the palace, they were both very happy at the beach which was special for a number of reasons- not only had it belonged to Phillipe, but it was also their first ("and probably last,"Joseph joked) home as husband and wife....

Clarisse had often joked that it was "the home for those who want to stay out of the spotlight", but he knew that she loved the place and was happier there, than at the palace, where there were constant reminders of Rupert and his infidelities. At the beach, on the other hand, there were no such reminders and the only memories present were those they were creating together.

"That long?" Mia brought him back from his thoughts. "I didn't think it was that long... anyway, I was wondering whether you two have made any changes around here, apart from the garden and the cool hammock?"

Clarisse and Joseph exchanged a glance, both thinking of the spa upstairs before Joseph grinned at the younger couple.

"We retirees are usually too busy to do anything..." he joked as Clarisse laughed out loud. "So we don't have much time to redecorate... but I did have a spa installed upstairs for your grandmother as an anniversary present."

"Really?" Mia's face lit up at that. "That is so sweet, Joe... why didn't you have one installed in the palace, Grandma?"

"I will admit that a spa would have been a useful tool after standing around all day," Clarisse smiled ruefully. "But, since I was watched like a hawk in regards to personal spending, a spa might not have been the most appropriate purchase... besides, I don't think my Head of Security would have been too thrilled at strange men being in my suite," she shot a sly look at her former HOS, who only grinned at her.

"Well, it's still a sweet gift for your anniversary... have you used it often?"

"Not often," Clarisse blushed. "We've had an eventful few months... but it was a sweet gift," she beamed over at Joseph as Mia looked at Nicholas thoughtfully.

"Maybe we should have one at the palace," Mia commented and Clarisse laughed.

"Would you get any work done at all once it's installed?" she asked pointedly and her granddaughter only had the grace to laugh.

"Maybe not.... anyway, to change the subject, what are you two doing for Christmas?"

"We'll be at the palace with you," Joseph said calmly, but Mia shook her head.

"No... maybe we could come here this time- it would be a different location, there's plenty of room and, for once, you needn't do the travelling."
"How many would be coming?" Clarisse looked intrigued.

"The usual- us four, my mother, Patrick and Trevor; Lily and Kip... Joe's loony family..."

"Hey, we're not all crazy!"

"Of course not, Joe... we could also invite Sebastian and Sheila, as well as Scott and Charlotte..."

"18 people!"Clarisse looked taken aback. "I don't know if we'd all fit..."

"There's a bed and breakfast down the road, as well as your supposed 'Guest house', but I'm sure most of them will only stay Christmas Eve...As for the cooking, I could arrange for the palace to do most of it, although Joe could probably help...."

"Oh could I ?"

"We'll see," Clarisse said non-committally but, secretly, she was intrigued by the idea- it might be nice to have Christmas at home...

0

"Wow, that was an afternoon and a half!" Joseph joked gently after they had waved the car down the track, and Clarisse nodded in agreement- while the afternoon had begun badly, it had changed when Mia had apologized, and then when she announced she was pregnant...still, it had been a draining afternoon in some respects. "So, how are you feeling, Great Grandma?"

"Great Grandma?" she smiled at the title. "No... but I do like Joey," she gave him a cheeky grin. "I can still remember when Phillipe called you that."

"He was only little, and Joseph seemed too formal for him," Joseph explained but Clarisse was still smiling at the barely disguised tender note in his voice- he really had loved Phillipe as his own.

"Mia tried to call you that too, but you wouldn't let her," she teased, winding an arm around his waist as he did the same with her.

"I made quite a concession by allowing her to call me Joe!"

"Nonsense- practically everyone calls you Joe, so it was NO concession... The only one who doesn't call you Joe is me..."

"By calling me Joseph, you make me sound and feel like a gentleman."

"You are, my love- always have been and always will be," she said as she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, before sighing and turning to watch Maurice playfully gambol in the garden, barking at some butterflies. "But, in response to your other question, yes, this afternoon was rather eventful, and I'm glad it's over," she admitted honestly, still feeling overwhelmed and drained, despite Mia's happy announcement.

"How are you feeling after what Mia said this afternoon?"

"I'm pleased that Pierre finally stepped up, and I knew how loyal Charlotte was to me as well as you being like a lioness with her cub... it's just a little overwhelming.

"I understand... I just got defensive because you deserve to be defended... and I'm still rather disappointed that Mia took so long to apologize, but I'm glad you're speaking again- I know it was killing you not be, despite your protestations to the contrary...."

"It's all over now," she said in relief before sighing. "I just hope that our run of bad luck is over for now- I know that the saying is all bad things come in threes, but I hope we can avoid that cliché..."

"We will, and we'll be back to normal in no time," he said reassuringly before she turned to look at him with a seductive smile.

"Who says we're not to back to normal now?" she teased, pulling away and running a hand playfully up his arm, suddenly re-energized. "I may have felt a little tired beforehand, but Mia made me realise that we have an unused spa upstairs..."

"Yes, that's a terrible way to treat my anniversary present to you," he pretended to look insulted as she laughingly led him back into the house....

00000

Unfortunately, Clarisse's hope for no more bad luck was dashed when, a few weeks later, tragedy struck when Maurice was accidentally run over by one of their bodyguards, who had been backing out the car out in preparation for Joseph and Clarisse's trip to do some grocery shopping. They were still inside, almost ready to go, when they heard a sudden screech of brakes outside and an anguished howl, sounding very much like a dog in pain...

"What the?" Joseph and Clarisse looked at each other quizzically before hurrying outside, and Clarisse gasped aloud when she saw Maurice, her beautiful Maurice, a present from Phillipe, lying so still on the ground...

"Oh no," she murmured, shrugging off Joseph's arm before dashing over to kneel down next to Maurice, and he whined pitifully as she gently stroked his head. She didn't hear what Joseph and the other men were saying, but she almost jumped out of her skin when someone gently touched her shoulder.

"Let's get him to the vet, honey," she heard him say quietly and she, with his help, blindly stood up as two other men lifted Maurice into the car.

It was a quiet trip into the vet's as Joseph, sitting in the front seat, looked back and watched Clarisse nurse Maurice's head in the back, stroking him (but careful not to touch the rest of him) and crooning softly to him... He sincerely hoped that Maurice, who had accompanied them everywhere (except when they travelled) and a special present from Phillipe that Clarisse adored, would be alright... Clarisse would be devastated....

He was immediately taken into surgery when they arrived, and Clarisse spent the time pacing the room anxiously. Maurice had been unintentionally relegated to the background since she had married Joseph, but he'd still always been there, accompanying them to the beach and playing on the sand, sitting at her bedside when she had been ill, as well as simply keeping her company over the years... but her favourite memory was when Phillipe had given him to her, a tiny bundle of white... he had been so adorable, and she had loved him instantly...

"Clarisse, sit down," Joseph gently tugged on her hand as she passed him again, and she reluctantly sat down next to him. "He's going to be alright..."

"I hope so," she said softly, squeezing his hand before the vet emerged, looking sombre, and Clarisse knew what the news was when they stood up.

"I'm sorry, we did what we could, but his injuries are too severe... he's comfortable at the moment, but it might be kinder to..." he trailed off, but Clarisse knew what was meant and, for a moment, she weighed up the options- she didn't want to lose Maurice, but she also didn't want her beloved dog to suffer... she knew what she had to do...

"Alright," she acquiesced in a quiet voice, looking directly at the vet. "Can I be there..."

"Of course..." before she turned to Joseph, her eyes full of tears, and he hugged her.

"Will you come with me?"

"No, but I'll be right here... You need to say goodbye alone..."

0

The trip back to the house was very quiet- Clarisse, her eyes red but her face calm, looked out the window as Joseph held her hand and watch her.

"I want to bury him in the garden," she said finally, still looking out the window and Joseph squeezed her hand gently.

"Of course... whatever you want, sweetheart," he said quietly.

Back at the house, she stood and watched the hole being dug, despite Joseph trying to get her to stay inside, and she trembled a little as, afterwards, two of the guards began covering the hole with dirt- it was hard to believe that, two hours ago, Maurice had been alive and well but now...

She and Joseph continued to stand there after the other men discreetly disappeared, Clarisse staring at the dirt covered mound, before wiping her eyes and kneeling down to place the freshly picked bouquet of flowers on the ground.

"Goodbye Maurice," she said softly. "You were a wonderful dog, and I'm going to miss you terribly..."

When she stood up again, she turned to Joseph, her eyes welling with tears again.

"I'm going to miss him, even though he may have thought I was ignoring him."

"Of course you are, darling- he was such a big part of your life... and," he added. "He knew that you loved him, even when you thought you ignored him... Come on," he said gently, putting an arm around her and guiding her back towards the house. "I think you could do with a cup of tea..."
"Good idea," she agreed, willingly guided into the kitchen and then into a chair at the table. Joseph waited until she was settled before walking over to fill up the kettle, pausing just after he had plugged it in and turned it on, before turning to Clarisse.

"I just remembered something that might make you feel better... do you remember when Phillipe gave Maurice to you?"

"Of course," Clarisse smiled gently. "It was quite a surprise, but such a dear thing to do- very much like Phillipe..."

0000000

TEN YEARS EARLIER

Clarisse was busy in her study, as usual, signing papers on a warm spring day- Rupert was out of the country for a few days on business (accompanied by his latest mistress, she assumed). Clarisse had stayed behind to fulfil her own duties (as well as fulfilling some of Rupert's), and she had to admit that she was relieved to be alone- she and Rupert were cordial to each other, but their relationship was far from ideal, and she was lonely... although Phillipe and Joseph helped a great deal in their own ways- Joseph with his love and support (as well as their secret relationship); and Phillipe with his high spirits and pranks... Still, at the end of the day, she was alone- she couldn't officially reveal and revel in her relationship with Joseph, and Phillipe was talking about moving out to the beach house.

She paused as she thought about Phillipe- she was a little worried about him... after Helen and Amelia had left years ago, he had thrown himself into his duties as Crown Prince, although managing to have a great deal of fun on the side, but he had shown now inclination to get married again.

"I've been married once and have a beautiful daughter, and I'm not interested in doing it again," Phillipe had said honestly when Clarisse had gently broached the subject.

"You have been married once, but you're going to be King..."


"Are you worried about future heirs to the throne?" he grinned.

"No, and you know I'm not like your father in that way... I just don't want you to be alone... you deserve to be happy..."

"I am, and I will be... but it's kind of like the pot calling the kettle black, isn't it?" he looked at her significantly. "You're married, but you're not happy with your husband- the man you love is your HOS..."

"Fine," Clarisse blushed at his words. "I'm not the best person to talk about love and marriage, but I don't want you to be lonely," she leaned over to touch his hand and he squeezed it gratefully.

"I won't be, but you're lonely, despite Joseph... maybe one day... but..." before, looking thoughtful, he abruptly changed the subject, to Clarisse's surprise.

The conversation had occurred a couple of weeks previously, but she was still concerned... She had also noticed that Phillipe was acting mysteriously around her, grinning whenever he saw her, but never saying anything. She had even asked Joseph during one of their walks in the garden, suspecting that he knew something, but even he stonewalled her.

"I don't know, Clarisse, but I'm sure it's not another one of his pranks," he said with a smile- he did know what Phillipe was doing, but he had promised not to say anything as it was a surprise for Clarisse...

Coming back to the present, Clarisse sighed as she looked down at her work again- she was never going to get anything done if she continued daydreaming, she told herself sternly. She was about to wade back into her paperwork when she heard her study door open, and he looked up to see Phillipe, Joseph a few steps behind, striding into the room, a cardboard box in his hands and grinning at his mother.

"Phillipe, what are you doing here?" she was surprised- she thought he was out for the afternoon. "What's in the box?" she asked as, after clearing a section of her desk, he set the box down in front of her.

"Don't you believe in saying hello? You always used to be such a stickler for manners," he teased as, behind him, Joseph grinned.

"Alright... hello, Phillipe," Clarisse smiled graciously. "So, what's going on?"

"Well, I was thinking about what we talked about a couple of weeks ago..."

"I'm not lonely," Clarisse protested but Phillipe looked at her knowingly.

"You may say it, but you need more in your life..." He refrained from mentioning her relationship with Joseph, but they all knew it existed. "So, I got you something that might help fill some of the void..." he smiled, lifting the lid as Clarisse stood up to look... and saw a tiny ball of white staring up at her with dark eyes.

"What on earth...?"

"Mama, meet Maurice," Phillipe smoothly lifted the tiny bundle out of the box and handed it to her. "I know you like the name, so..."

"Phillipe, what's this... it's a very thoughtful gesture dear, but..." Clarisse stammered as the puppy wriggled in her arms. "Is he for me?"

"Yes, he's for you," Phillipe smiled smugly as he stood back next to Joseph. "We may not have had a dog when we were young, but this is different... and definitely do NOT worry about Father, he's your dog, not his... look, I think he likes you!"

The three of them looked down to see Maurice gazing up at Clarisse, whimpering for attention before Clarisse smiled and, encouraged, the puppy tried to scramble up her shirt to lick her face... At that moment, Clarisse knew she had to keep him- not because of Phillipe, but because she had fallen in love with him... now there were three men who had captured her heart- Phillipe, Joseph and now, Maurice....

"Thank you, darling," Clarisse walked around her desk, little Maurice in her arms, to kiss her son on the cheek. " It was a lovely surprise, and I am going to enjoy him... even the training!" she laughed.

0000000

"Yes, I was a little worried Rupert would hit the roof when he found out about Maurice," Clarisse admitted with an amused smile. " But I also really didn't care."

"You didn't need to worry- Phillipe spoke to him, and it quickly became clear that you two had formed a mutual adoration society... the times I saw him following you around the palace..." he smiled as Clarisse looked nostalgic.

"Yes, he always liked following me around, and I could always hear him coming when his claws clicked on the floor," she chuckled as her eyes filled with tears.

"That's what you need to remember," he said gently, leaning across the table to clasp her hand in his. "All the good times you had with him... and you were the only lady in his life..."

"I know,"Clarisse said quietly, looking down at her hands as a tear rolled down her cheek. "It's just not helping at the moment...."

"I know, sweetheart," he said soberly, changing seats so as to sit next to her. "You're going to miss him for a long time..." before Clarisse snuggled up into his arms, her face buried into his shoulder and began to cry, mourning her dog...

00000

Clarisse was a little more subdued for the next few weeks, spending a great deal of time in the garden, particularly near Maurice's grave, and Joseph tried to make things easier for her, even breaking the news to Mia herself.

"Poor Maurice, he always loved chasing Fat Louie," Mia sounded sad for a moment. "So, are you planning on getting another dog eventually?"

Joseph sighed- the only time he had gently broached the subject, Clarisse had vehemently denied ever wanting another dog, but he also knew her feeling would pass in time... still, he would only ask again when Clarisse was ready....

"She says she doesn't, and I don't believe her, but I can't press the issue with her- Maurice was a very special dog and it will take her a little while to get over this..."

"I know..." Mia sounded sympathetic. "Maybe we should cancel coming out there for Christmas...."

"No, you don't have to do that- we're both actually looking forward to it, and planning it is actually helping her heal..."

"If you're sure...." Mia sounded uncertain.

"We're sure... Princess," he teased and they laughed together.

0

Sure enough, by the time December arrived, Clarisse was cheering up again- she still missed Maurice terribly, and visited his grave most days, but she was looking forward to everyone visiting for Christmas, as well as a charity function just a few days before the New Year.

"It's about time we made an appearance as a glamorous couple!" she had joked to Joseph when they had accepted the invitation. As for Christmas, the palace kitchens were catering for the day, Joseph doing a little at the beach, and while everyone Mia had suggested were coming, most were only staying Christmas Eve night, with the main house, the security boys house and the bed and breakfast a few kilometres down the road all full.

"So, it's definitely too late to cancel," Joseph joked as they drove into Pyrus to do their Christmas shopping a week before Christmas. "Although, I do wonder what would happen if we did..."

"I think you would get a whole heap of phone calls if that happened!"

"You would leave me to face the mob alone?" he looked mock insulted.

"No, but I'm sure they would all know that it was your idea to cancel," she teased before leaning over and kissed his cheek affectionately.

When they arrived in Pyrus, they split up for a few hours, each accompanied by a bodyguard, to do their Christmas shopping- something Joseph especially appreciated as, this time, he was planning a special surprise for Clarisse.

"What did you get me?" he teased when they met up at a busy café at lunchtime, both 'shopped out, although pleased with what they had brought the other.

"You're just going to have to wait and see.... and I mean that, as I've had them all gift wrapped, know what you're like!" Clarisse teased back and he laughed.

"I thought you would do that, so I did the same... anyway, any more gift shopping to do this afternoon?"

"No, I did it all this morning- all you have to do is make sure that your name is on all the cards."

"You really are an organised woman," he grinned over at her.

"That's why you married me," he quipped with a responding smile.

000

All too soon, it was the day before Christmas and, with everyone due to arrive in a few hours, Clarisse (with Joseph) was swept up in last minute preparations, including ensuring that all beds, both in the main house and the guest house, were made and a last minute vacuum session. Joseph had been decidedly unimpressed when Clarisse had jokingly suggested they could accommodate everyone if they shifted out of their bedroom into one of the spare rooms, but Clarisse understood why... While the rest of their lives were shared with their friends and family, their bedroom was the one place where they could close the doors and shut out the rest of the world... it was theirs and they treasured their sanctuary greatly.

She had also noticed that Joseph had been rather mysterious for the past few days, going down to the security house a great deal, and she was going to ask him about it....

"So, every thing's done," Clarisse murmured to herself as she accepted a cup of tea from her husband. "Houses cleaned, beds made, tree up and decorated, grocery shopping done...." She looked distracted, but she was invigorated by the planning and organizing she had done- it was one of the few things she missed about being Queen.

"It's going to be fine," Joseph said reassuringly, and she smiled at him.

"I know it will be fine... I was just thinking that planning and organizing events is one of the few things I miss about being Queen..."
"Hence your charity work and helping Sergio with his garden," Joseph said with a knowing look, before they heard the sound of cars arriving outside. "But now," he stood with a grin and holding out a hand to his wife. "We have some guests to greet!"

0

Within an hour, everyone (including Ben and Carrie, to Joseph and Clarisse's surprise) had arrived and, before the already cool weather got colder, BJ insisted Clarisse give them a quick tour of the half completed garden.

"I really haven't done anything in the past couple of months," Clarisse said modestly as she took them around, pausing a little longer at Maurice's now greening grave, but no one said anything- they had all heard the news.

Back inside, Clarisse delegated where people were staying- BJ and Lynn; Mia and Nicholas and Patrick and Helen were in the three rooms upstairs; Annie on the sofa bed, and others at the alternative destinations.

"You really are bursting at the seams!" Annie joked after dinner as she stretched out on the couch that would be her bed. "At least it won't be so noisy as in the guest house- Sean's teething and he's making a heap of noise on his own!"

"Which proves that he's related to you!" Julie retorted and the two sisters grinned at each other as Clarisse disappeared into the kitchen to ensure that there were enough plates and cutlery for tomorrow, Mia hot on her heels.

"So, Grandma... how are you?" Mia asked when Clarisse was available, and Clarisse turned to look at her with a smile- she was a little surprised to see that Mia seemed to be showing already but, then again, Clarisse herself had struggled to keep the weight on while expecting Phillipe...."I'm really sorry about Maurice...." She had wanted to say something for the past couple of weeks, but passing on condolences on the phone didn't seem right.

"I'm fine, and thank you," Clarisse smiled warmly, appreciating her words. "It was a dreadful shock, but I'm getting over it now... Joseph told me to remember the good times with him, and that's helping..."
"Would you consider getting another dog in the future?" Mia asked curiously, and Clarisse sighed- while she wasn't as against it as when Joseph asked her a few weeks back, she still wasn't sure she wanted another dog...

"I don't know- it's partly because of Maurice," she explained. "But it's also because we still travel a fair bit, and I hated leaving Maurice behind... Anyway, how are you?"

"I'm fine- the morning sickness can still be a bit full on, but I can't believe I'm putting on weight now... is that normal?"

"Of course, you are eating for two now.... but you look fine...."

0

It was midnight when when Joseph and Clarisse decided to retire for the night (quickly followed by the older couples), but the younger generation decided to stay up longer, their noise from the living room travelling up to where Joseph and Clarisse were getting ready for bed.

"It's nice to have a full house," Clarisse said with a smile as she climbed into bed.

"Even if it's bursting at the seams?" Joseph joked as he followed suit.

"Yes,"Clarisse nodded firmly. "Even if it's bursting at the seams- that's what Christmas is all about, and what I imagined a family Christmas to be."

"Even if my crazy family is involved?" Joseph teased, and Clarisse laughed as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Of course... especially when I'm married to the craziest!"she quipped, laughing, and he chuckled before leaning over to kiss her... "I just can't believe that Ben and Carrie came! I thought that their concern when I was ill was simply politeness..."

"Maybe they have finally changed their tune... but, believe me, I have no hesitation kicking them out if I have to... even if it is Christmas."

000

It was early the next morning when Clarisse slowly crept out of bed, careful not to disturb her husband and, after dressing warmly, met Sheila, Lynn and a bodyguard downstairs as they were going to church. Clarisse had always gone to church on Christmas Day, first with her parents, then with Rupert and the boys and then alone... She had only missed the last two due to enjoying her time with Joseph, but she had wanted to go this year- there had been so many blessings this year, both good and bad, and she was grateful... while married to Rupert, she had never imagined that this part of her life would have been so happy, but she wouldn't swap it for anything...

"Does Joseph know you're going to church?" Sheila whispered as they crept quietly out of the house, and Clarisse shook her head.

"No, I forgot to tell him... does Sebastian?"

"No...."

The house was still quiet when they returned an hour later, and Clarisse was just hanging up her coat in her wardrobe when she heard: "Where have you been?" from behind her, and she turned to see Joseph sit up in bed, looking at her intently but not angrily.

"I didn't want to disturb you, but Sheila, Lynn and I went to church this morning... yes, accompanied by a bodyguard," she added with a smile as she sat down on the edge of the bed and took Joseph's hand in hers. "I hope you're not annoyed..."

"I'm not annoyed... I could have come with you," he suggested, and Clarisse only looked at him.

"Do you really think you could have gotten up early to go to church with me?"

"Maybe not," he admitted after a moment's consideration. "Still, I should have gone with you...."

"You didn't have to, darling," she said, caressing his cheek gently with her hand. "I just wanted to go because I've felt very lucky for the past few years, including this year, and I'm just very grateful... Anyway," she stopped looking serious, smiling happily at Joseph.
"Merry Christmas, darling."

"Merry Christmas, baby," he returned the smile, pulling her further onto the bed to kiss her properly, and she kicked off her shoes to snuggle back into bed with him, warming up a little, before they were both startled by a loud banging on the doors, someone shouting:

"Hey, it's Christmas!"

"What the..." Joseph began, a little annoyed, as Clarisse smiled beside him. "Who...?"

"Annie....she must be excited... and no, it wouldn't be because of the presents... it's because she's here with her family... I don't think she sees them very often...."

"You're a very sensitive woman," he said gently before leaning over and reaching out into his bedside cabinet. "Before we need to get up again, I thought I might give you this beforehand....It's not the only one, though..."

"I have one for you too," Clarisse beamed, getting out of bed and retrieving a flat box from under her side of the bed. They opened them together, and they were both looking pleased- Joseph had given Clarisse a new release book from her favourite author, inscribed with ''Merry Christmas, my darling wife" while Clarisse gave him a black leather jacket.

"I've missed you wearing a leather jacket- you always looked so handsome and mysterious in it... I think you might have scared a few people in your time...."

"Oh do you?" he laughed, but before he had the chance to kiss her again, Annie banged on the door again, shouting: "Come on, it's time to get up!" and Joseph rolled his eyes as Clarisse laughed....

0

As it turned out, Annie's eagerness to have everyone up had a valid reason- she had prepared breakfast for them all- and had even set the table, Joseph noted in surprise, as the rest of the visitors arrived from the guest house or the hotel.

"You've definitely made the Bonnell family look good," BJ approved with a smug smile as, after numerous 'Merry Christmases' were exchanged, they sat down to breakfast, but Annie looked surprisingly modest when she replied:

"I just wanted to do something for Joe and Clarisse, just to prove that I'm still plain, ordinary Annie..."she paused before smiling impishly. "It was partly that and partly..."

"You wanted to get to the presents," Julie finished with a laugh and, unable to deny it, Annie laughed along with her.

"Scott and Charlotte arrived just as they were finishing breakfast, bringing all the prepared food from the palace, and Scott was just about to sit down to eat before Charlotte admitted that they had already had breakfast.

Due to Annie's organisational skills, the washing up didn't take too long and Clarisse soon found herself sitting on the couch between Joseph and Julie, watching as the present giving ceremony began.

"I think our host and hostess should get presents first," Julie said quietly as Clarisse made faces at a smiling, 8 month old Sean sitting on her lap, and she looked startled at that pronouncement.

"Maybe so, but Joseph and I have already exchanged one present each, so you all deserve to do it before we get another present!""

All too quickly, the clean wooden floor became littered with discarded wrapping paper, and people were saying 'You shouldn't have' in delighted voices as the large pile of presents under the tree quickly disappeared. Baby Sean was spoiled rotten, particularly by Clarisse and Lynn, but Mia and Nicholas were also given a great deal of baby presents as well as personal presents while Joseph and Clarisse were, on the whole, given joint presents, but Clarisse loved it.

There was a small silence at the end, when all the presents were opened and the room was crowded with people and presents, before Joseph cleared his throat and stood up.

"You may think the present giving is over, but I do have one more present I need to give, and it's for my wife... She's had a rather difficult few months," he explained as, eyes all on her, Clarisse blushed deeply. "So I had to search high and low for the perfect gift, but I think I may have found it.... I just need to go and get it....""

He walked out of the room, grinning at Clarisse as he went, and she was surprised but excited as well... what could he have got her?