I know I haven't done this for a while, and I should do it every time, from now on I will :) Well will try to anyways hahaha But anyhoo I just wanted to say a big thank you to all my fans for reading and a bigger thank you to those who leave me awesome lovely reviews, you all ROCK!

This one comes with a tissue warning, I cried a little while writing it ha ha So I just wanted to warn you, that you may need one or two just in case. Plus you are going to see a different side to Joseph, but I promise you it won't last long ha ha

Here's till the next update, Enjoy and thanks in advance ;)

x

ooOoo

The following month.

Last weekend Clarisse managed to do her first travel meeting, with the help of Joseph. However after spending a lovely weekend in London they arrived home to the news that Joseph's Mother had passed away just hours before arriving home.

And now a week later, today is the day they all say their final goodbyes.

Waking up to find Joe gone again, the same as it's been every day since his Mother passed, Clarisse got up and slipped on her robe, standing in the bedroom door watching Joseph as he sat in the armchair with his arms resting on the arm rests. As Clarisse made her way over to him he put his hand up to his mouth, deep in thought while gently resting the back of two fingers against his lips.

"Joe?" Clarisse whispered while sitting on the coffee table in front of him, placing her hands on his knees as he looked at her.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" He asked while looking into her eyes.

"No," She answered, shaking her head a little "You didn't wake me," She added as he put his arm down "I just wondered if you wanted to come down for breakfast?" She asked.

"No." He answered simply.

"Come on sweetheart, you need to eat something?" She whispered "Maybe I could bring something up for us to eat in here, together?" She offered.

"I'm not hungry." He answered while looking down, closing his eyes.

"Ok," She whispered while watching him for a second then stood up.

Heading downstairs a few moments later she sat and had breakfast with the family before heading back upstairs, walking into the suite to find Joseph stood looking at himself in the mirror trying to do his tie.

"You're ready early," She said pushing the door up.

"Yeah, I have a couple things I need to sort out before leaving." He said, getting angry that he couldn't sort his tie out "Dammit!" He said before removing it and tossed it away.

"Joseph," Clarisse exclaimed as he stormed into the bedroom, grabbing the tie before following him into the bedroom to see him sat on the edge of the bed, his hands covering his face "Sweetheart?" She whispered while walking over and stood in front of him.

"I'm not going to bother with a tie." He said putting his hands down on his thighs as she undone the knot in it.

"You have to." She whispered while stepping closer and put it around his neck as he looked up at her "I will sort it out for you," She said half smiling at him.

"What would I do without you?" He whispered while putting his hands on her thighs as she sorted out his tie.

After a few seconds she nodded "There, all sorted."

"Thank you." He whispered while looking up at her and ran his hands up and down the back of her thighs a couple times.

"It's ok," She said as he made her step closer, wrapping his arms around her hips as he buried his face in the front of her robe "You're not alone today, I promise you." She whispered as she looked down at him and put her hand on the back of his head.

"Thank you." He whispered as she remained looking down at him, when after a few seconds he pulled back while taking her hands, kissing each palm before standing up "I will see you later." He said and headed towards the door.

"Joe?" Clarisse called after him but just watched as he carried on.

After getting dressed in her tailored black knee length dress and black tailored jacket she slipped on her shoes and headed downstairs to find everyone waiting in the foyer.

Leaving moments later they all headed to Joseph's brother's house where his Mother lived, and when it was time they left for the church. Sitting down as the priest started the service, Clarisse made sure she was sat next to Joseph as Lena sat on his lap, giving him a hug as he tried to keep it together.

As Clarisse lent passed Joe and Lena handing a tissue to his Brother's wife, Val, someone entered the back of the church, making everyone turn to look to see who it was. Sitting back after seeing Clarisse took a deep breath while looking at Joseph as he looked at her.

"Who is it?" He whispered.

"Roz." She answered, looking at Lena then back at Joseph as he nodded, looking down.

"May I continue?" The priest asked looking towards Joe and Henry.

"Yes, please." Henry nodded towards him.

Seconds later, Clarisse, the girls, Henry and Val all watched as Joseph made Lena stand up and started walking out the church.

Clarisse stood up quickly, taking hold of Lena's arms "Stay here with Olivia, ok?" She whispered and watched her nodding.

"Do you want me to go?" Henry asked as Lena moved next to Olivia.

"No it's ok, you stay here." Clarisse said looking at him and started walking away, looking over at the priest "Sorry," She whispered and rushed out after Joseph. Closing the door behind her she rushed down the path "Joe, stop please." She exclaimed and watched him stop, rushing to stand in front of him.

"I can't do this, I thought I could, but I can't." He said shaking his head while looking down.

"I know this is a hard day," She started while putting her hands up, cupping his face as a couple tears escaped his eyes "Oh come here," She whispered while moving her arms around his shoulders, giving him a hug as he lowered himself a little and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I'm so sorry, I'm trying to be strong for us all, but I'm failing." He whispered, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

"It's ok." She whispered and looked towards the doors as Henry came out, she shook her head to warn him not to come closer as she rubbed Joe's back.

After a few seconds Joseph stepped away from Clarisse and turned to face Henry when Roz came out, standing next to Henry.

"What are you doing here Roz?" Joseph snapped as Clarisse grabbed his arm.

"I came to say goodbye to our Mother, I thought that was obvious." Roz answered as Henry looked at her.

"Why? You haven't bothered with her for the last 10 years." Henry asked.

"I may not have been here, but I still loved her." Roz answered while looking at him then at Joseph "And I have every right to be here."

"You wanted nothing to do with her Roz," Joseph snapped, stepping forward as Clarisse rushed and stood in front of him, placing her hands on his chest.

"Don't do this Joe, not today." She whispered, putting her hands up onto his jaw "She's not worth it." She whispered, looking into his eyes, making him look at her "Listen to me Joe, she's not worth it." She said shaking her head as Henry moved Roz away.

"She has no right to be here." He snapped, looking down as Clarisse moved her hands framing his face.

"I know this, so does Henry and so does everyone else." Clarisse whispered, running her thumb along his cheek as she looked into his eyes again "Let's go back inside, give her a good service and say goodbye to a wonderful lady who didn't deserve to have a daughter like Roz." She said looking at him "Ok?"

"You know she never saw you as the Daughter in Law, right? To her you were her daughter through and through." He whispered while putting his hands on her sides.

"I know," Clarisse nodded "She told me." She said, stepping closer and hugged him "Are you going to come back inside?" She asked, rubbing his back and pulled her head back to look at him.

"If you come with me?" He asked as she nodded.

"Of course," She whispered, taking his hand and led him back over to the door as Henry came back out, she looked up at him with a small nod and they all headed back inside.

Sitting back in their seats Clarisse kept a hold of Joseph's hand in both hers resting them on her lap as they sat listening to the priest and Henry's speech to their Mother. Afterwards they moved outside and when the service was finished, Clarisse and Shades stayed behind with Joe as everyone headed back to Henry's house.

As Joseph stood staring at the white box that lay in front of him, Clarisse gave him some space and stood back, but kept an eye on him. Checking the time a while later she slowly moved and stood beside him, taking his hand in hers and locked her fingers with his, knowing that if she didn't do something he would remain standing there all night.

"Darling I think it's time to leave." She whispered as he looked at her, tears in his eyes and slowly nodded.

Letting go of her hand he moved forward, placing his hand on the box, closing his eyes "I will always love you, Mom." He whispered while lowering his head "Hope you and Dad are together and happy again." He added while opening his eyes "Until we meet again..." He added and turned, walking back to Clarisse.

Leaving moments later, they sat in the back of the limo in silence, Joe keeping his gaze away from Clarisse, staring out the window as she kept an eye on him. When they arrived back at Henry's he went to meet with his Brother and other family members as Clarisse went to find the children up in one of Henry's daughters bedrooms, with Olivia.

"Here you are." Clarisse smiled as she walked over and sat on the bed beside Lena and Henry's daughters.

"Are you just getting back?" Ashley, Henry's daughter asked.

"We are," Clarisse nodded while looking over at her then back at Lena as Olivia stood next to them.

"Is Daddy ok now?" Lena asked.

"Not really darling, but he will be okay soon, I promise." She slowly nodded.

"I hope I never lose you and Daddy," Lena whispered while leaning closer and wrapped her arms around Clarisse's waist, resting her head on Clarisse's chest as she looked up at Olivia.

She was about to say something when everyone looked towards the door after feeling a presence enter the room, only to find Roz stood looking at them.

"What are you doing here." Olivia asked while stand in front of Clarisse and Lena.

"I just want to see Lena," She said as Ashley and her sister stood of the bed.

"Well I don't want to see you," Lena exclaimed while standing of the bed, taking Olivia and Clarisse by surprise "I know who you are and you are nothing to me." She added as Roz looked at her, not realizing that Ashley and her sister had rushed downstairs to get their Dad.

"Do you really know who I am?" She asked, not taking her eyes from her as Clarisse put her hands on Lena's shoulders.

"Yes, you are the woman who left me in the hospital, hour's after you gave birth to me." She exclaimed as Clarisse and Olivia looked at each other "And I want nothing to do with you, EVER!" She exclaimed and ran out the room.

"Lena," Olivia exclaimed and rushed after her, bumping into Henry as he came rushing down the hall "Sorry Uncle Henry." She exclaimed and carried on after Lena.

Watching as she rushed away he carried on to Ashley's room "What's going on?" He exclaimed while coming in the room, seeing Clarisse and Roz staring at each other.

"You brought her up well." Roz whispered "Thank you." She nodded and looked at Henry "Nothing is going on." She said and slowly turned, walking out.

Watching her walk out, he turned back to Clarisse "Are you ok?" He asked.

"I am, thank you." Clarisse answered with a small nod "Where's Joe?"

"Oh he's gone to Mom's room, he wanted to look for something." He said.

"May I go there?" She asked.

"Of course, you don't have to ask." He nodded and watched her walk towards the door.

"Oh," She said stopping and turned to Henry "Thank your girls for me." She gave him a small smile as he nodded and watched her walk out.

After checking on Lena and leaving her with Olivia she headed to find Joseph, walking into the room slowly she pushed up the door and walked over to him sat at the desk, going through old photo albums.

"Can you believe she still has albums full of photos from our first wedding?" Joseph said not looking up as she sat down next to him.

"She did tell me when we got married in Bora Bora," She nodded and looked down at the album as he pointed to one of them at the reception with Pierre and Philippe "Wow, that brings back memories." She whispered.

"How old were they when we got married? I can't remember." He said pointing to another one of Clarisse with Pierre and Philippe.

"Pierre was 11 and Philippe was 8." She said and nodded with a small smile "All these photos bring back so many beautiful memories, not just of us all on our wedding day but of Philippe too." She said taking an album and opened it, not realizing Joseph was looking at her "That was such a beautiful day." She said turning the page, blinking away tears as Joseph reached over, cupping her cheek as she looked up at him.

"I love you so much Clarisse, thank you for being here for me." He whispered as she closed the album and turned in the chair to face him.

"I am trying to be strong for all of us, I really am." She whispered as he turned to face her.

"You shouldn't have to be, you've been through so much this last few months and I am feeling like I have failed you all this last week." He whispered.

"You haven't failed us at all, please don't say that Joseph." She said cupping his cheek, being taken by surprise as he lent closer and kissed her softly while moving his hand to the back of her head, deepening it, neither of them pulling away.

Several seconds later Henry knocked on the door and walked in, stopping as they pulled apart "Sorry, did I disturb something?" He asked as Clarisse turned back to the album.

"No," Joseph said looking towards him "What's wrong?" He asked.

"I just wondered if I could talk to you for a few moments, alone." Henry asked, looking towards Clarisse then back at Joseph as he lent closer to Clarisse and whispered something in her ear.

"I will be downstairs if you need me." She said, standing up and walked out the room.

As Henry and Joseph stayed up in the room chatting Clarisse went back downstairs and sat talking to Henry's wife, Val and a few other family members.

A couple hours later Henry and Joseph came downstairs, both a little tipsy.

"Here you are," Val said as they stood beside her "We were just about to send a search party."

"Oh you would never of found us." Henry smirked at her and slapped her bum.

"I think someones drunk maybe." She exclaimed and looked at Joseph "Are you too?" She asked as Clarisse stood up.

"Where is everyone?" Joseph asked while looking at her.

"They've all gone home," She said as Pierre stood beside her "Where we need to be going now." She said as he put his hand on her side "How much have you had?" She asked and watched as they both shrugged "Ok, come on let's get you in the limo." She said and turned to help him out, looking at him as he put his arm around her shoulders.

"Are you going to be ok?" Val asked as they all watched Joseph grab her sides, making her turn a little to face him.

"I think so." She exclaimed and grabbed hold of Joe's hands "We have Shades and Pierre just in case," She said looking back as they made their way out the door.

When they reached the car, Joseph pinned Clarisse back against the car taking her by surprise.

"Ok, I think you've had to much to drink." She whispered as he put his hands up pushing her hair back "Shall we get you home?" She whispered while looking into his eyes as he stepped closer, trapping her between him and the car.

"Ok Dad, that's enough." Pierre said while opening the car door and put his hand on his back.

"Let's get you home to bed, shall we?" Clarisse asked as he smirked.

"You want to take me to bed? Now that I can't wait for." He exclaimed while stepping back as Clarisse took a deep breath.

"Are you ok?" Pierre asked as Joseph climbed in the car.

"I am," She nodded "Thank you darling."

"Call me when you get home so I know you got home ok." Val said while standing beside her as Pierre climbed in the back.

"I will do." Clarisse nodded as Val lent closer and hugged her "Thank you, see you soon." She said pulling away and climbed in the back of the limo.

As they set of Clarisse helped Joseph with his seat belt, as Pierre checked his phone. Going to move away, Joseph grabbed hold of her hand.

"Sit beside me?" He whispered in her ear as Pierre slowly looked up "Please?"

"Ok." She nodded and moved to sit properly beside him and done up her belt.

"Thank you." He whispered in her ear, and kissed her cheek while putting his hand on her thigh, giving it a squeeze.

"Joseph," Clarisse whispered as she looked at him "Stop it." She added and took hold of his hand.

"There's a message on here for you from Livy." Pierre said leaning over to pass her the phone as she met him half way.

"Thank you." She said taking the phone, sitting back she gasped feeling Joseph's hand on her back "Joe what are you doing?" She said putting her arm back trying to grab his hand.

"I just wanted to touch you." He whispered.

"Behave please Dad, I am in the car you know." Pierre smirked as they both looked over at him.

Sitting in silence the rest of the way, Joseph fell to sleep as Clarisse held onto his hand. Arriving back at the Palace they managed to get him up to the suite, where Clarisse left him for a bit to call Val and Olivia to make sure Lena was ok. After she finished calling people she went and got some coffee, finding Pierre sat in the kitchen with Charlotte, who stood up when she saw Clarisse enter.

"It's alright Charlotte you don't have to leave because of me." She smiled and walked over, getting some coffee.

"It's ok, I have to leave anyway." She said and left, quickly.

"Is everything ok?" Clarisse asked while turning to Pierre.

"Yes," He nodded "Sit down if you want to."

"Thanks." Clarisse smiled and sat down, putting her cup down.

"Livy told me what Lena did today, make's me so proud." Pierre said while looking up at her.

"I know, I'm so proud and surprised at the same time." She said looking at him "She's only 11 and already got an attitude." She chuckled a little as he smiled.

"A bit like you then." Pierre smirked as she gasped and looked up at him "Grandpa told me you were the same." He smiled, teasing her.

"I suppose I was, yes." Clarisse nodded and looked at him.

"Dad will be ok won't he? I mean he took me by surprise on how he was behaving today." Pierre said not taking his eyes from her "And after what happened, are you ok?" He asked, reaching over and put his hand on her hand.

"I'm fine Darling, don't worry." She nodded, turning her hand, taking hold of his hand "And he will be fine soon I'm sure," She nodded "He's just having a hard time accepting that Mom has gone." She said and noticed a couple boxes on the side behind him "What's that?" She asked.

"Oh," He exclaimed while turning to them and stood up "According to Erica, they are from Henry, well Grandma really." He said opening the box "She had made an album for everyone, just didn't get a chance to give them to us before." He said taking out the last remaining three "Everyone else has there's, these are ours." He said passing her, hers and put Joes on the table between them.

"Awww bless her." She said softly running her hand gently over her name on the front.

"She is really going to be missed." Pierre whispered while looking up at her "I know she wasn't my Gran by blood, but that didn't matter she was my step Grandma and that was enough for me." He nodded while looking down and opened the album to see the first picture of him and Isabella at their first meeting "I remember that." He whispered, getting a bit upset and slowly looked up as Clarisse looked up "I think," He started while closing the album "I will look at this when I'm at home later on." He nodded.

"I'm going to look at mine later too." She nodded as Pierre's phone started ringing.

He took the call and stood up, moving beside the other box that they thought was empty, after thanking Livy he hung up and opened the box to find another album.

"This one is an extra one for you and Dad," He said passing it to Clarisse.

"Oh," She said taking it, opening it to find a message on the first page, reading it to herself before moving to the next page to find pictures of Philippe inside "Oh I had forgotten she had all these." She whispered as Pierre lent over, putting his hand on her shoulder.

After going through the whole album he stayed with her a little while then left, grabbing the albums she headed upstairs to find Joseph stood by the window with a bottle of whiskey in his hand.

"Joe?" She said as he turned his head, turning to see her put the albums on the shelves before turning back to him "How much have you drank?"

"Not enough." He slurred and watched her walk over to him.

"I think you've had enough." She said reaching out to take the bottle from him but watched as he moved his arm back "Joseph, give me the bottle."

"No," He said shaking his head and watched her step closer to him, putting one hand on his side and the other on his arm "I haven't had enough yet." He whispered.

"You've had plenty and drinking isn't going to bring her back Joe." She said looking up into his eyes as he stared down at her "She will hit the roof if she could see you now." She whispered and felt him put his free arm around her shoulders, placing his hand on the back of her neck.

"I love you so much Clarisse, please promise me you'd never leave me again." He whispered as he stroked the back of her neck.

"Of course I'm not going to leave you, whatever gave you that idea?" She asked, not taking her eyes from him as he looked down.

"Henry told me that he and Val are getting divorced," He said looking up into her eyes "Everything's falling apart, I'm so sorry I wasn't strong today."

"Listen to me Joe, nothing's falling apart and you don't have to be sorry for that, don't be silly." She said feeling him lowering his hand down her back "And you certainly didn't fail us," She said as he looked up in surprise "I know you were thinking about it." She said slowly running her hand down his arm, stopping at his wrist.

"See you know what I'm thinking, we are so perfect together." He whispered, burying his face in the crook of her neck "I love you so much baby."

"I love you too." She whispered, closing her eyes as he cupped her backside "Joe?" She whispered.

"Yeah?" He answered against her neck.

"Give me the bottle," She whispered while lowering her hand down his, taking hold of the bottle "Please." She added as he shook her head "Please I want to have a drink from it." Watching as he lifted his head and let her have the bottle "Thank you." She said lifting the bottle and took a swig from it before putting her arm behind her back.

"Can I have it back now?" He asked as she tried to step back.

"No," She said as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pinning her back against his chest "You've had enough to drink Joseph, you will regret doing this." She whispered as he lowered one hand down her thigh, making her look down.

"Take me to bed Clarisse," He whispered against her neck "Please."

"No," She said shaking her head, managing to place the bottle on the table away from them before turning in his grasp "Not when your like this I won't, no." She said cupping his face.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered, going to kiss her but stumbled forward as she moved a little.

Watching as he moved, sitting on the couch she put her hand up onto her chest as he laid down, closing his eyes.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered, opening his eyes to see her moving and knelt down beside him.

"You have nothing to be sorry for sweetheart." She said cupping his face with one hand, and held onto his hand with her other hand "Why don't you close your eyes and get some sleep, you will feel better after having a sleep." She said and watched him as he nodded and closed his eyes again.

A short time later she managed to pull her hand away from his, knowing he was asleep she covered him over with the blanket and slipped his shoes off. Going to get changed she came back in and sat in the arm chair watching him for a bit before going through the album that Isabella had made for her.

Staying with him through the night, keeping an eye on him until just before dawn. She headed downstairs to get some coffee, returning to see him sat up on the couch.

"Why do I get a feeling a made a fool of myself yesterday?" He said as she made her way over to the sofa and sat beside him.

"You didn't, you have nothing to worry about." She said passing him the coffee "Have some of that." She whispered while watching him take it from her.

After taking a couple sips he looked at her "I'm so sorry, I just remembered how I acted last night." He said "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be sorry," She said with a small smile "You have nothing to be sorry about," She said leaning closer and kissed him before sitting back.

"Thank you." He said watching her put the cup down on the coffee table.

"Come with me?" She said standing up and held out her hand.

"Where are we going?" He asked while taking her hand and stood up.

"To see that beautiful sunrise on a new beginning." She smiled back at him as she led him over to the french doors, opening them they made their way outside onto the balcony.

"I have missed doing this with you." He whispered as he stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders as she rested back against his chest.

"I know, I have too." She smiled as he kissed her neck.

As they stood watching the sunrise in silence, both feeling blessed to how lucky they are to have each other when Clarisse turned to him.

"I love you so much, you know that right?" She asked while putting her hands on his sides.

"I do, thank you." He smiled as she wrapped them around his waist "I love you too." He grinned.

"Good," She smiled and shared a romantic kiss with him, breaking it of with several small ones before looking into his eyes "Do you still want me to take you to bed?" She asked.

"Don't I always?" He smiled and kissed her a couple times before smiling as she led him back through to the bedroom, closing the french doors behind them.