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Sometime later, tomorrow is the big day.
Clarisse was awake very early this morning, and as not to wake Joe she got ready and disappeared downstairs. Sitting and going through some paper work in her office to keep herself distracted while everyone else slept. Not realizing the time till Joseph appeared with a tray of breakfast for her.
She smiled and checked the time "Wow its nearly half 9" she watched him walk around to her "And what is this?" she asked watching him put the try down on the table while she removed her glasses and placed them on top of her head
"I brought you a cooked breakfast as I know you" he smiled as he bent over and kissed her "If I didn't bring you anything you wouldn't eat at all" he smiled putting his hand on the back of her head as she looked up at him
"I'm not feeling hungry though" she said looking back at the breakfast
"Please eat Clari" he whispered as she looked back at him "Or you will end up being poorly and we don't want that today of all days" he smirked "Not with what tomorrow brings" he chuckled
"Alright" she nodded "I will eat something" she sat up
"Thank you" he grabbed a strawberry and fed it to her then kissed her
"Mmm thank you" she smiled watching him walk around to the front of her desk
"I am just popping out to get the rings, I won't be long" he smiled as she looked around her desk "What's wrong?" he asked watching her stand up
"I've lost my glasses" she sighed while looking on the floor, placing her hands on her hips "Hmmm I had them just now" He giggled as she looked up and watched him reach over grabbing her silk scarf "What?" she asked looking back up at his face
"Come here?" he smiled as she stepped closer to the desk meeting him half way "You are just to cute" he smirked putting both his hands up and removed them from the top of her head
"Oh" she exclaimed as he slipped them on for her "Thank you" she smiled
"It's alright, shall I just put it down to the stress of tomorrow?" he smiled taking hold of her scarf again
"No" she shook her head "Put it down to the excitement of tomorrow" she smiled and kissed him then watched as he stood back "Come here" she motioned for him to lean back over the desk "Best not let you go out wearing lipstick now, had we" she giggled while putting her hand up cupping his face and ran her thumb along his lips as he smiled at her "That's better" she smiled as she stood up straight
"Thank you my love" he smiled
He left with a grin as she ate her breakfast, not long after her friend Alice arrived with the dress to have a final fitting before tomorrow, and they disappeared upstairs with the girls and Amelia. Joseph arrived home not long after and headed to find Pierre to give him the rings to look after till tomorrow.
"Here you are" Joe said walking into the living room
"Yes, here I am" Pierre laughed while looking at him "Is everything alright?"
"Indeed" he said pulling the small box from his pocket "I just wanted to give you these for tomorrow" he handed them to him as he raised an eyebrow "It's the rings"
"Oh, can I have a look?" he asked looking at the box then at Joe as he nodded "Thanks" he opened the box and gasped "Um... did you want to make it through the service?" he asked closing the box and looked at Joe
"Yes" he laughed "Do you think she will like them?"
"Um" Pierre said having another look "You do know these aren't the ones you both picked right?" he closed the box and looked at him "She may kill you Joseph, you know this right?"
"I know, but its a risk I want to take" he nodded while sitting on the arm of the chair "Do you think she will like them? I had them made special just for us" he pointed to the box "One of a kind them" he nodded
"Wow" Pierre said putting the box in his pocket "Well I hope she will like them then" he chuckled "Nah just kidding, she may be surprised but I know she will love them"
"Thanks" Joseph smiled
"Risky move though" Pierre laughed
"It was a risky move I wanted to take" he nodded and they both laughed
A few minutes later Hannah and Peter arrived, and as Peter went of with Joe, Pierre told Hannah to go up to Sofia's suite where all the ladies were. She headed up and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Sofia said standing behind the door
"It's just me" Hannah said looking at the door
"My father isn't around is he?" Sofia asked
"No I am alone, why?" Hannah asked as the door suddenly opened and Sofia grabbed her arm pulling her in "What was that for?" she asked looking at Sofia as she pointed behind her, Hannah turned around to see what she was pointing too "Oh wow" She exclaimed seeing Clarisse stood in her dress "That's lovely" she smiled walking over "You look beautiful" She smiled and hugged her
"Thank you" Clarisse smiled as they parted
"The dress makes her look like a Greek goddess" Olivia smiled as they all looked at her "Well I am sure Daddy will see her as one tomorrow" she smirked
"That's because she is one" Sofia smiled at Olivia then at her Mom "I can't wait to see his face"
"Neither can I" Amelia smiled while having a snuggle with Ella "Oh do you have a dress for afterwards just in case you want to get changed?"
"I do, it's a lovely red one" she smiled
"Awww he loves red" Amelia smirked and winked at Sofia as Clarisse turned to Hannah
"Do you have all your something new, borrowed, blue and old?" Hannah asked
"I do, I have everything" she smiled "Sofia, can you come unzip me so I can out of this before someone else turns up?"
"Of course" She smiled and followed her into the closet as Hannah took Ella from Amelia
They stayed up in her suite chatting for a while then they all headed down for lunch, afterwards Clarisse and Joseph took Ella and Holly for a walk down into the village, standing outside the local shop talking for a few minutes when the lady Clarisse had saw before appeared.
"Hi again Karen" Val smiled at her "You know who this is don't you?" she asked her while looking at Clarisse
"Of course" Karen smiled "It's nice to meet you, Your Majesty"
Clarisse smiled "Have I seen you before?"
"You have" Karen smiled with a nod
"I thought so, forgive me for staring its just your face looks so familiar to me" Clarisse asked as Joseph looked up at her
"I get that a lot around here" Karen smiled "I was walking with two girls just down the road when you saw me before"
"Oh yes of course" Clarisse nodded "I remember now" she slowly nodded unable to take her eyes from the young lady "Are you a true Genovian?" she asked
"No, I was born in Spain" Karen nodded "Only just moved here a couple months ago"
"Ahh" Clarisse nodded
"I hear its your big day tomorrow?" Karen asked
"It is" Clarisse smiled
"Well Congratulations to you" She smiled "I must get back, I have a lot to do"
"Ok, well its nice to meet you Karen" Clarisse smiled and watched her walk away
"I can't shake the feeling that I have known her a while, her face" Clarisse said looking at Val "Looks so familiar to me"
"I had that when she first moved here" Val answered her with a shrug "Just one of those things I guess"
"Yea, I suppose your right" Clarisse answered
"We best get back" Joseph said as they both looked at him "We still have plenty of stuff to do"
"I know" Clarisse answered while looking back at Val "It was nice to see you again Val, see you in Church on Sunday"
"Of course, it's Ella's Christening too isn't it?" she asked
"It is indeed" Clarisse smiled "See you then" she smiled starting to walk off while pushing the pram and looked at Joseph "Would Grandpa like a push?" she smiled at him
"Ok" he answered as she stepped back taking Holly's lead from him "Thank you"
"Your welcome" she smiled walking beside him "I can't believe in nearly 24 hours I will officially be Mrs Clarisse Romano again" she smiled at him
"Aww I can't wait" Joseph smiled at her and stopped sharing a kiss with her
"It's gone so fast" She smiled with a slight blush as they carried on
"I agree" he smiled to himself feeling Clarisse's hand on his back
"You are ok with Stephen coming aren't you?" Clarisse asked while looking at him
"Well it was a surprise, but he is your Brother" he said looking at her "If he starts again though"
"Don't worry he has had a firm warning" she said looking at him
"Well I'm just telling you if he starts I won't take it this time" he said firmly
"Alright" Clarisse answered and looked ahead
They carried on home and as Sofia took Ella upstairs, Clarisse went to check on a few things with Charlotte. Joseph went to sort something else out then went to join them finding only Charlotte in the great hall.
"Where's Clarisse gone?" he asked while sitting next to Charlotte
looking at him she sighed "Telling one of the guys outside off" she whispered
"Oh" he said looking towards the door "What's going on then?" he said looking back at her
"Well..." she stopped hearing Clarisse's voice getting nearer then she appeared
"Tell me whats going on?" he said looking at her as she sat next to them
"I kind of changed my mind and now its not sticking to something" she said taking the file from Charlotte who sighed and rolled her eyes making Joseph laugh a little "Joseph tell me honestly" she looked back at him "If we had the dinner and reception in here" she said putting her hand on the table in front of her "Would everything fit? you know like the disco and dance floor?" she looked around the tables "With enough room for everyone to move in and out around the tables" she said looking back at him
"But I thought you wanted that outside?" he asked
"I did, I do, oh I don't know" she sighed and held her head in her hands as Charlotte and Joseph looked at each other then she lifted her head "You make the choice for me" she said standing up "Because I can't and I know I probably won't" she started walking away "I am going for a walk, I will be back" she looked towards Holly "Holly" Clarisse smiled as she lifted her head "Come on girl" she smiled heading towards the door as Holly rushed over
"Careful Joseph" Charlotte smirked "It could be a trap" they both laughed
"Hmm I can't believe she's trusting me with this" he slumped back in his chair
They sat in silence for a few minutes when he looked at Charlotte
"What?" she asked
"I have it" he nodded "We will leave it as she planned it in the first place, it will be just fine"
"Are you sure?" Charlotte asked
"Yes" he stood up "I am 110% sure" he nodded
"Alright, on your head be it" Charlotte laughed and got back to work
They both went of to do other things as Clarisse went for a walk around the gardens with Holly, being joined by Hannah a little while later. As they sat talking Andrew came over.
"Andrew" Clarisse exclaimed while standing up
"Hey" he smiled giving her a hug and lifted her of the floor for a second as she laughed
"Thanks for coming" Clarisse smiled while stepping back and looked at him
"This is Rebecca" he smiled
"Hello Rebecca" Clarisse smiled "It's nice to meet you" she grinned and kissed her cheek
"And same to you" she smiled "Thanks for inviting me"
"No trouble" Clarisse smiled at them "Have you see your Dad?" she asked
"Not yet, I have seen Olivia and Sofia" he smiled "Haven't seen Ella yet though" he sighed
"Oh well that will come, don't worry" Clarisse smiled remembering Hannah was there "Oh forgive me" she smiled turning a little "This is Hannah, Greg's Mom"
"Hello Hannah" Andrew smiled and kissed her cheek
They all stood talking for a bit when Joseph appeared, and wondered of with him as the ladies went back inside.
After dinner Clarisse disappeared outside in to the gardens to have a bit of peace, when Joseph came over and sat next to her on the bench.
"Finally sometime alone" he smiled putting his arm around her shoulders
"Indeed" she smiled and kissed his cheek "Glad Andrew could make it" she smiled at him
"I am too" he nodded "Thanks for inviting him"
"Oh it's ok, he is a part of this family" she smiled "We actually get on so its alright"
"Yeah I am glad about that" he smirked and rubbed her arm "Hey what do you make of his lady?" he asked while looking at her with a cheeky smirk "He told me she's only 25"
"Wow" Clarisse smirked at him "That's 20 years between them"
"Yea, I know" he chuckled
"Well if they are happy then its up to them" she smiled resting her head on his shoulder
"Indeed" he kissed the top of her head and checked the time "This time tomorrow we will be married"
"I know" she lifted her head and looked at him "It's scary isn't it" she giggled as he nodded "What time are you heading over to the guest house?"
"In a few minutes" he said looking at her
"Oh" she answered while pulling a sad face "Must you stay away"
"I must, if we want to do this properly then I must" he said looking at her
"I know" she sighed holding onto his arm
They stayed outside together for a bit then headed inside where Joseph left with the men and headed over to the guest house while the ladies all headed up to Clarisse's suite for drinks. However an hour later Clarisse managed to slip away and headed over to the guest house.
She knocked on the door and stood looking over at the Palace while waiting for an answer.
"Mom" Pierre exclaimed as she turned to look at him "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see Joseph" she looked at him as he smirked "I will only be a few minutes" she smiled
"Alright" he stepped back and watched her walk in and through to the living room where they were all sat around a table "Sorry men" he laughed coming into the room "But we have a party crasher here" everyone looked as she bent over and whispered something in Joes ear "Oi oi know whispering" Pierre smirked as Clarisse stood up straight
"Sorry guys" Joe smiled while putting his cards on the table "I have a matter I must attend to" he stood up as they looked at him and Clarisse
"Is everything alright?" Pierre asked as they both looked at him
"Yes, but I must attend this, carry on" he said looking at the table then left the room with Clarisse
"Oh well" Pierre smiled sipping his drink then sat down "Let's carry on with the game then" he said grabbing the cards
"I guess they just couldn't stay apart" Paul smirked
"I guess so" Pierre laughed and carried on playing the game
A few minutes later, they suddenly fell silent.
"Um.." Paul laughed "Is that what I think it is?" everyone listened
"They just can't keep their hands of each other can they" Shades laughed "Get in there" they all laughed except for Pierre and Andrew
"Oi" Pierre exclaimed while slapping his arm with the back of his hand "That's our parents up there" he said pointing to Andrew
Shades laughed "You have to admit it is pretty funny" he smirked
"It's disturbing that's what that is" Andrew said standing up
"Wow" Paul laughed "They are really going for it aren't they" some of the lads laughed "Maybe we should give them some privacy"
Pierre nodded "Yes I couldn't agree more" they all laughed and headed outside the front
"Do I have to leave" Clarisse sighed while lifting her head from Josephs chest "I don't want to"
"I know, I don't want you too either" he whispered while brushing her hair back "But tomorrow is just a few hours away" he smiled
"I know" she nodded and kissed his chest "I best get dressed and back over there before they send a search party" she sighed while climbing of the bed
Joseph watched as she got dressed then got up and dressed himself, taking her hand as they headed back downstairs and stood in the doorway kissing.
"Well it's about time you guys come down" Pierre laughed while walking over with the others
"Have fun did ya?" Paul smirked while walking past them
"Yes of course we did" Joseph smirked while putting his arms around Clarisse's shoulders "We had a lot of fun, thank you" he smirked as Clarisse wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him
"Yeah it really sounded like it" Shades laughed and patted Josephs back "Good on you" he winked and walked through to the others
"I'm sorry" he looked at Clarisse
"Don't be" she smiled and kissed him a couple times "Enjoy your game of cards and I will see you tomorrow" she smiled
"Of course, I can't wait" he grinned putting his hands up gripping her head as he kissed her slowly
"Mmm that's not fair" she laughed and kissed him back
"Now who isn't being fair" he grinned as she rushed away
"See you tomorrow" she hurried away
"Yes indeed" he answered and watched her hurry back to the Palace
She went back to the ladies as he went back to the men, both enjoying the night before the wedding, though they would much rather be spending it together than apart.