Several weeks later, its a week before Christmas.
Everyone is getting ready for Christmas. They put the main tree up in the Palace a few weeks ago, but today Clarisse and the girls are putting the one up in her suite.
After getting showered and dressed Clarisse headed downstairs to the dining room, having breakfast with the girls, Greg and Marla, who stayed the night. Then they all went up and started on the tree while Greg disappeared of with Pierre. After a little while James and Lilly come up to help them while Charlotte wrapped up their Christmas presents.
Just before they finished decorating the tree Clarisse stepped back to check it out while holding onto a star shape decoration. Sofia and Olivia looked over at her as James wondered over to her.
"Grandma" James said while standing in front of her and put his hands up to her hands
Clarisse smiled down at him "Do you want to put this star on the tree for me?" she asked as he nodded "Be careful with it then Darling" she said bending over a little and made sure he had hold of it properly before letting go "Your Uncle Philippe made that one at school" she smiled and watched as he put it on the tree
"Mom" Sofia whispered making her look over at her "Are you ok?"
"Of course" she nodded and smiled back at James as he moved back over to her "Thank you" she smiled and hugged him as Sofia and Olivia smiled
"It's ok Grandma" he smiled stepping back
"I can't believe we are gonna be spending time together at Christmas as a proper family" Olivia smiled at Sofia then at Clarisse
"I agree" Sofia smiled while taking out another decoration "So much has happened over this last year, it's gone so fast" she smiled holding up ball and hung it on the tree
"It's gonna be the best Christmas" Olivia smiled while handing a ball to Marla
"I agree" Sofia smiled
"But" Marla smiled "Next year will be different too" she smiled at Sofia "With the new baby and all" she smiled
"Of course" Sofia nodded and looked at Clarisse "Are you sure your ok, Mom?" she asked again as Clarisse came out of her deep thoughts
"Pardon?" she asked looking at them
"I asked if you were sure that your Ok, as you seem to be in your own world today" Sofia said while looking down at the bag of decorations then back at her
"Oh I am fine" she smiled "Just thinking about some other stuff, nothing important" she smiled and stood back looking at the tree again as the girls looked at each other
They carried on putting decorations on the tree, then Clarisse stood back again not knowing Joseph had returned and was sneaking over to her. The girls knew he was coming up behind Clarisse and braced themselves for the scream, seconds later he grabbed her around the waist, making her scream, she spun around to hit whoever it was who just made her jump then stopped when she saw it was Joseph.
"What are you doing" she smiled while putting her hands on his sides and kissed him
"I thought I would surprise you and it worked" he chuckled and kissed her back, then gave her a cuddle before looking at the tree "I see you've nearly finished"
"Indeed" Sofia smiled watching them as Clarisse moved and stood next to Joseph "You missed the whole thing" she laughed while putting another ball on the tree
"Oh I don't mind" he smiled and slipped his jacket off while walking over to the bedroom, coming out seconds later "You've all done a great job though" he smiled standing behind Clarisse and kissed her shoulder while wrapping his arms around her waist
"Did you have a great time in London?" Olivia asked while looking over at them with a smile
"I did indeed" he nodded and felt Clarisse's hands on his "But I missed my family and couldn't wait to get home" he smirked and kissed Clarisse's shoulder again as Olivia smiled over at them then down at Marla
"We missed you too" Clarisse whispered while putting one of her hands up cupping his face as he rested his chin on her shoulder "Glad your home though" she smiled resting the side of her head against his
"Yeah" Sofia smiled over at them "So are we"
"Thank you" Joe smiled and admired the tree
Not long after the girls left, taking James and Lilly with them. Leaving Clarisse and Joseph alone. But just as they get talking, Clarisse gets a phone call on her cell phone, and puts it on speaker phone so Joseph can hear.
"Time is running out Clarisse" René sniggered down the phone "I will be there later on to meet with you to tell you what happens now"
"Sorry I am busy" Clarisse replied and covered Joseph's mouth with her hand to stop him from speaking
"May I remind you Clarisse that you are on my families land, there for we will meet later on" He snapped
"Um René, So sorry to disappoint you but the land is actually in my name not your families name, Rupert changed everything to my name before he died, leaving me everything so if I say we won't be meeting, we won't be meeting" she snapped "And if you try to enter my property I will have you removed and arrested" she said looking at Joe as he stood smiling at her "This crap ends now, you have nothing that will ruin me"
"Oh I wouldn't be so sure" He replied
"You don't scare me, so carry on and lets see what happens shall we?" she replied and hung up
"Oh my god" Joseph grabbed her around the waist and lifted her of the floor through excitement "I am so proud of you" he whispered between kisses
"Thank you" she smiled as he put her back down
"Your so sexy when your angry" he smirked down at her as she smiled
"Behave" she laughed and moved sitting down on the couch "Come tell me what you got up to in London?" she half smiled
"Well the normal for a stag party" he smiled sitting down next to her "What do you want to know?" he asked while looking at her
"Did you get drunk?" she asked
"Of course I got drunk, though when I can't get drunk with you it isn't the same" he chuckled while turning on the couch to face her as she tucked her legs up under her
"Did you meet up with any girls?" she asked looking at him as he lifted his head and looked at her "Be honest" she whispered
"Clarisse" he moved a little closer "Your still not sure, are you?" he asked
"I am trying Joseph, it's just you go of for a stag weekend and after what happened before, it scares me" she worried "And I keep having dreams that you are cheating" she sighed
"Listen to me" he reached over with his hand and cupped her cheek "There is only one woman for me and that's you" he whispered while taking her hand with his other hand "I learned my lesson last time baby" he said watching her look down "It's never ever going to happen again, I swear on our Daughters life's" he whispered as she slowly looked up "And yes I know I promised before, but this promise I plan on keeping"
They sat in silence for a few moments then Joe looked back at Clarisse.
"You want to know what I did last night?" he asked her
"What did you do last night?" she asked as he put his hand up pushing her hair back behind her ear
He half smiled and looked deep into her eyes "Last night I looked up into the stars and matched each one with a reason why I love you, I was doing great until I ran out of stars" He smiled when she giggled "See Clarisse, I can always make you laugh" he smiled as she nodded "I really do love you Clarisse and I will be forever sorry for what I done" he watched her as she put her hand up placing her fingers on his lips as he raised his eyebrow at her
"I know that" she nodded "Thank you" she watched him stand up and walk over to the cd player putting a cd on then grabbed the remote while walking back over to her "What are you doing?" she asked as he extended his hand to her
"Dance with me?" he said pressing play and dropped the remote on the couch next to her as their song started playing
She couldn't help but smile as she stood up while taking his hand, stepping closer to him and put her other arm up around his shoulders while looking into his eyes as they started moving slowly to the song he put his arm around her waist holding her close to him while holding onto her other hand, not taking his eyes from hers.
She smiled and whispered a line of the song as he bit his bottom lip "Do I look alright?" she smiled as he answered, singing along with the song. After a few seconds she buried her face in the crook of his neck as they continued dancing slowly to their song.
When the song finished Clarisse lifted her head while looking over at the cd player then looked back up at him with a small smile.
"What?" he asked with a smile
She smiled "You're mine and only mine, All rights reserved" She giggled
"Oh I am, am I?" he smirked as she laughed in his grasp
"You are" she smiled up at him again "I just lost all my doubts" she kissed him a couple times then smiled "I love you"
"I am glad, I love you too" he smiled and they stood kissing slowly as he wrapped both his arms around her
"Mmm" she smiled against his lips while putting her arms up around his shoulders placing one of her hands on the back of his neck "You're so delicious" She smiled and kissed him again
After a while Joseph came downstairs whistling to himself as he walked into the kitchen where everyone was sitting. Olivia and Sofia smirked at each other then looked back at him.
"Dad" Sofia smiled
"Hmmm" he smiled looking over and carried on whistling
"Where's Mom?" she asked
"Oh she's just making a call, she will be down in a few minutes" he sipped his coffee and moved sitting at the table
"Ahh ok" Sofia nodded and sipped her juice as Clarisse came in
"Here you all are" she said pouring some coffee then walked over standing behind Joseph "Are you all aware that it's snowing outside?"
"What?" Olivia gasped and jumped up opening the back door "Wow"
Within seconds they had all left Clarisse and Joseph sat in the kitchen to grab their coats and go out and play in it. Clarisse couldn't help but laugh as she put her cup down and walked over to the open back door to watch them.
"Clarisse" Joseph whispered coming up behind her
"Yeah" she answered turning to see he had her coat "Aww thank you" she smiled slipping it on "Are you not coming outside?"
"No" he smirked "You go ahead" he laughed and watched her walk over to the edge of the grass next to Sofia
After a few minutes Lilly came running over to give her a kiss then ran off again, as she ran off Marla rushed over to Clarisse nearly slipping when she reached her and grabbed hold of Clarisse's arm as they started laughing.
"Careful" Clarisse smiled while making sure she was steady "Can't be sending you home with broken bones, can we?"
"Nope" Marla laughed as Olivia ran over
Only when she reached them she slipped and landed on her knees, taking Clarisse and Marla down with her, Marla landed on her knees too but Clarisse landed on her bum and after the surprise of it all they all sat laughing as Lilly ran back over and gave Clarisse a hug.
"Are you alright Mom?" Sofia asked standing next to them with a smirk
"Yea" She laughed as Olivia and Marla stood up, then watched as Lilly ran off again
"Come on you" Joseph said rushing over and stood in front of her "I knew this was gonna happen" he said grabbing her hands and helped her up
"Maybe I should go inside" Sofia asked as she watched her Parents
"I think you should Sofia" Joseph said looking at her while still holding onto Clarisse's hands then looked back at Clarisse "And you too" he said looking at Clarisse "We don't want you breaking your wrist again"
"Right, Dad" Clarisse teased while smirking with Sofia
Joseph helped them both over to the stairs and inside, Clarisse went up and had a hot shower while Sofia sat talking to Joe downstairs. By the time Clarisse got back downstairs everyone was in and frozen trying to warm up.
She grabbed some Ice cream and wondered of upstairs to find Joseph sat flicking the tv channels in their suite.
"What are you doing?" she asked standing next to him in his recliner armchair and looked at the tv
"Just thought I would see if there was anything on" he smiled up at her "Are you eating my Ice cream?" he smirked as she looked down at him
"Actually Joe, its our Ice cream" she laughed as he grabbed hold of her and pulled her onto his lap "Alright, it's your Ice cream" she laughed as he kissed her neck and wrapped his arms around her waist
"Are you ready for bed already?" he asked while putting his hand on her knee
"I am" she nodded with a smile and put a spoon full of Ice cream in her mouth
"Tell me, did you get the Christmas plans done while I was away?" he asked gently rubbing her leg as she nodded
"I did" she smiled "Greg's Parents are coming here on Christmas Eve" she said looking down at the Ice cream tub "Shame Pierre and Charlotte aren't going to be here for dinner though" she said sadly while looking up at Joe "They are coming to Church with us then heading to Charlotte's family for dinner, but will be back later on"
"Oh" He whispered
"But Stephen and his family are coming for dinner and staying the day" she smiled
"Oh" he said again
"I know you don't like him Joseph, but this is our first Christmas together since he was 5 years old" she sighed
"I know, and I will make an effort" he smiled "Don't worry" he kissed her cheek while still rubbing her leg
"Thank you" she smiled at him "Do you want some?" she asked holding the spoon up with Ice cream on it
"Please" he smirked "It is mine after all" he chuckled as she smirked and fed him the Ice cream "Mmmm" he smiled
Clarisse smiled while slowly pulling the spoon from his mouth as someone knocked on the door "Come in" she smiled as Joe quickly kissed her then they both looked to see Olivia and Marla coming in "Hey you two" she smiled "Are you both warm now?"
"Uh huh" Olivia smiled while sitting on the coffee table next to them "Mommy" she smiled
Clarisse looked at Joe then at Olivia with a smirk "Yes Darling"
"You know Marla stayed last night?" she said as Clarisse nodded while putting the spoon in her mouth "And she's been here all day?" she asked as Clarisse pulled the spoon out
"Yes" she said looking at her
"Can she stay here again tonight, Please?" she asked while putting her hands together in front of her "Pretty Please"
"Well" Clarisse said looking at Joe then back at Olivia and Marla "Good job I already called her Parent's earlier then wasn't it?" she giggled as both the girls gasped "They said it was fine" she smiled as both the girls moved and hugged her while smiling
"Thank you Mom" Olivia exclaimed and kissed her while sitting on her lap
"Thank you Clarisse" Marla smiled and hugged her again "Your the best" she grinned while standing up
"Your welcome" Clarisse smiled "You spend so much time here, it's your second home so as I keep saying you are welcome to stay whenever you like"
"Thank you" Marla grinned
"In fact I am surprised you haven't started calling us Mom and Dad yet" Joseph laughed as Olivia giggled "You are like another Daughter to us after all" he smiled
"That is a good point actually" Clarisse smiled
"Alright can she call you Mom and Dad then?" Olivia asked climbing of her
"If she wants to" Clarisse smiled at them then watched them look at each other
"Thanks Mom, Dad" Marla smiled at them then rushed out with Olivia
Clarisse laughed while looking at Joe "We appear to have gained a child" she smiled
"Indeed" Joe nodded and kissed her a couple times "Mmm" he smiled kissing her again "You taste yummy" he chuckled
"Thank you" she smiled and had some more Ice cream "By the way, I wanted to thank you for reassuring me yet again earlier" she said looking at him
"No problem" he smiled while putting his hand on her thigh "Hope we can fully move on from any doubt though"
"Oh we are" she nodded "Don't you worry" she smiled
"Good" he smiled back and watched her a second "About dinner" he started as she looked at him "How about I go and get us all some pizza?" he asked while looking at her
"That sounds like a good idea" she nodded while leaning over and put the Ice cream tub on the table "Even if I did eat dessert first" she giggled while sitting back and put her arm around his shoulders
"That doesn't matter" he smiled and kissed her
"Alright" Joe smiled coming back into the suite "Dinners here" he smirked while putting the pizza's on the coffee table then headed over to the bedroom
"Yummy" Olivia smiled while opening one
"Thanks Daddy" Sofia smiled at him as he came back over and stood next to the armchair Clarisse was sitting in
"No problem" he smiled as Clarisse moved a little making space for Joseph
She watched him sit down "I poured you a glass of wine just in case you wanted something to drink" she smiled as he lent closer and kissed her
"Thank you" he smiled putting his arm around her back and kissed her shoulder as she smiled at him
"Here Mommy" Olivia smiled as Clarisse looked at her to see she was offering her a slice of pizza
"Mmmm" she reached over, taking it from her "Thank you" she smiled while sitting back and took a bite
"Anytime" Olivia smiled and watched them as Joe took a bite of Clarisse's slice then kissed her "Fia" Olivia whispered and pointed towards them as she looked up
"Aww" Sofia whispered while smiling then they both giggled
After everyone had eaten, Joseph got rid of the empty boxes then came back up and snuggled in the armchair with Clarisse as they all watched a film together. When it finished, the girls, Sofia and Greg all left to go back to their own suites.
As Clarisse brushed her teeth while humming to herself, Joseph got ready for bed. Putting something in his bedside table drawer he noticed the velvet red box that contained the engagement ring he wants to give Clarisse sometime. He stood up straight and had another look with a smile, when he heard the bathroom door open he quickly closed it and put it back in his drawer, closing it as Clarisse appeared.
"The bathroom is free" she smiled while standing next to the bed and put the lamp on
"Thank you" he smiled and walked over to the door as Clarisse turned the bedsheets down
When he came back out a few minute's later, he flicked the bedroom lights out and walked over to the bed as Clarisse slipped her glasses on and opened the book she had on her lap.
"I can't believe its Christmas next week" he smiled climbing into bed next to her
"I know, this year has gone so fast" Clarisse smiled while looking at him
"I still can't get my head around the idea that we are going to be spending it together as a proper family again" Joe smiled covering himself with the sheets as she looked back at her book
"Pierre was right" she nodded
"What do you mean?" he asked while she looked back at him
"Well New Years day he told me we would be back together by next year and he was right" she smiled
"He sure was" he smirked and lent in closer "I am glad he was too" he smiled and kissed her
"Mmm as am I" she smiled and looked back at the book as he sat watching her "Ok" she smiled taking her glasses off and closed the book "Reading doesn't really matter right now" she giggled placing them on her bedside table and turned back to Joseph
"Mmm really?" he chuckled as she moved closer and started kissing him "I love it when you get frisky" he laughed then kissed her back while wrapping his arms around her