Thank you to everyone reading this story, and to those who leave reviews. Y'all rock, THANK YOU!

xXx

The following week.

Pulling up in the driveway Joseph sat staring at the house for a few moments before getting out the car and headed up to the door. Knocking this time instead of using his key, as he waited he turned back to look at his and Clarisse's car parked side by side as Olivia answered the door.

"Daddy?" Olivia said when she saw it was him, watching as he slowly turned to her "Why didn't you just use your key?" She asked as she stepped closer and hugged him.

"I didn't think it was right." He said wrapping his arms around her "Is your Mom here or is she at the Palace?" He asked as they parted.

"She's here, she's hardly left the house this last week." She said stepping back to let him in "She's been upstairs decorating your suite and made a few changes down here too." She added while closing the door.

"What do you mean?" He asked and watched her take his hand, leading him through to the living room and pointed to the wall.

"I mean this and that..." She said and pointed to the wall behind them before turning back to the first wall in front of them.

Standing in surprise to see what she had done and read the first one out loud "Our House Rules. Start each day with a smile. Always tell the truth. Tidy your mess. Be kind & listen to each other. Laugh & be silly. Look on the bright side. Remember your manners. Never give up! Dream big things. Be respectful. Give a hug when its needed. And finally, break some of these rules, but only occasionally!" He said and finished with a laugh "That sounds just like your Momma." He smiled at Olivia and put his arm around her shoulders, kissing the side of her head.

"Yes and this one..." She said pointing to the other and started reading it out "Grandma and Grandpa's house rules. Kitchen open 24 hours. Expect to be spoiled. Dessert comes first. No parents allowed. Laugh-giggle-snuggle. Sleepovers welcome. Storytelling. Play lots of games. Bed time negotiable. Always have fun. Endless hugs and kisses. Cookies for breakfast are acceptable. And finally, What happens here, stays here!" She finished and looked at Joe as he chuckled.

"Sound's just like her too." He said looking at Olivia as she put her arms around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Please tell me you're coming home today." She whispered as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"I don't know yet, I am here too talk to her though." He answered softly and kissed her forehead "What else has she changed?" He asked.

"The wall behind us." She said stepping back and watched him turn to look "Well she had this room decorated on Monday then made the changes when it was done." She said looking at him as he read what it said on the wall to himself.

"Family. Like branches of a tree, we all grow in different directions... Yet our roots remain as one." He nodded slightly "That's true." He said looking at Olivia "What else has happened since I've been gone..." He asked.

"Come on and I will tell you." She answered and led him through to the kitchen.

After Olivia updated him, she left the house so they could talk alone. Heading up to their suite where he found the wall of the fireplace with lots of family photos over it, reading what it said to himself.

"The best thing about memories ...is making them." He finished with a smile and studied the photos for a few seconds before heading through to the bedroom.

Seeing two photos of himself and Clarisse, one above the lamp on her bedside table and one above his, with the writing "Happiness... is being married to your Best Friend x" On the wall above the bed.

Walking slowly over to the bathroom door, where she was washing her hands. "Hey." He whispered and lent against the door frame as she stopped and looked at him.

"Hey." She said and looked back down, to finish washing her hands.

"I like what you've done with downstairs and our suite." He said stepping back and looked into the bedroom as she looked at him and dried her hands "I love the new bed too." He said looking back at her.

"Well I thought it was time for a change." She said hanging the hand towel back up and lent against the sink while folding her arms.

"Can we talk?" He asked while looking at her as she looked down "Olivia told me you've hardly slept this last week, and hardly ate too." He said softly.

"Well I've not felt hungry, and you should no I can't sleep properly when you're not here." She said and looked up at him, her eyes meeting his.

"I know, I'm sorry." He said and offered her his hand "So? Can we talk?" He asked.

"Okay." She said and walked over to him, leaving her arms folded as they headed through to the suite.

"I really do love what you've done to that wall," He said pointing to the fireplace wall "And the one behind the bed." He said looking at her as she sat down one end of the couch.

"Thank you." She said resting her elbow on the back of the couch and looked at him "So did you think?" Clarisse asked.

"I did, did you?" He asked coming to sit on the couch beside her.

"I did too." Clarisse said nodding.

"What conclusion did you come to?" He asked.

"Well..." She started and took a deep breath "I want you to come home, but will understand if you no, you don't want to." She said looking at him "But at the same time you need to understand what you accused me off hurt me so so bad and though I forgive you, it's just going to take a while to forget it."

Reaching over he took her hand in his "First let me say how sorry I am that I have caused us both this terrible pain when if I had allowed myself to think rationally it could have all been avoided. Thank you for forgiving me." He said bringing her hand to his lips "I know that the forgetting will take longer and I respect that, I know I have to earn your trust back Clari and if you will have me, I would like to come back home. The cabin is nice this time of year but it's nothing compared to home and being with the love of your life." He said, never taking his eyes from her.

"This is your home too, of course I'd like you to come home..." She said looking at him "But I think we need to set some ground rules, before we go any further." Clarisse said looking at him as he remained holding onto her hand.

"Okay what are you thinking? He said nodding slightly "You want me sleep on the couch for a while?" He asked.

"Not the couch, but maybe the guest room for a while?" Clarisse answered.

"That's fair enough, what else do you have in mind? Wait if you want me in the guest room does that also mean that you don't want me to touch you?" He said pulling his hand from hers.

"Joseph, you accused me of cheating..." She started while looking at him "Something I would never do to you, you broke my trust, as I said its going to take time." She said.

"I know Clarisse, I'm sorry I seem to always be putting my foot in my mouth these days." He said looking at her.

"And I only said the guest room as it has a comfortable bed in there, the couch really isn't comfy." She said looking back at him.

"I suppose you are right, the guest room would be more comfortable but I would rather be in the same room as you...even if we do not share the bed. If you would be more comfortable with me in the other room however I will gladly oblige." He answered.

"Maybe for the first couple nights, then go from there." She said looking at him "I didn't ask you, what your conclusion was?" She asked.

"My conclusion was pretty simple to come to after about the first ten minutes of lying on the bed staring up at the black ceiling I realized what an idiot I was for ever doubting you, your commitment to our relationship, for doubting Shades', for questioning where I belonged...I was acting stupidly and I will always hate myself for allowing my thoughts to drift to such an unhealthy place but more than all of that I hate myself because I broke the heart of the woman I love most in this world, and the fact that she is even willing to give me a reprieve is proof of how undeserving I am to even have such a wonderful woman in my life." He said softly.

Studying his face as he spoke, only when he finished speaking she looked down for several seconds "Then why did it take you so long to come home?" She asked and slowly looked up with tears in her eyes.

Reaching up out of habit Joe brushed his thumb across her cheek wiping the stray tear away "I thought you might need more time after you didn't call again...I thought you might not want me to come back." He finished as tears brimmed his eyes.

"I will be honest, I didn't want you to come back. I hated you for what you did, but deep down I knew it would kill me because I love you to much to just close the door, all week I thought that this was it. I've not slept, and I haven't even laid in our bed since you left." She said blinking away tears.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart... you said it would kill you to just close the door, are you planning to shut the door gradually?" He asked.

"No." She answered while looking down and wiped her tears away "Unless you are?" She whispered not looking up.

"God no Clarisse, I never want to live without you in my life." Pausing his heart broke as he watched her crying on the far side of the sofa "Clarisse?" He asked causing her to look up briefly "I want to pull you into my arms and hug you, hold you if only until the tears stop, but I don't want to overstep your rules. May I?" He asked looking at her lovingly while waiting for a answer or sign to come from her.

Looking at him momentarily as the tears continued to fall, taking a deep breath she removed the cushion from her lap and moved beside him. Snuggling up to him as she rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his waist.

Releasing a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, he wrapped his arms around her pressing her tightly to him, closing his eyes he knew that this was a big step towards healing the wounds he had created in her heart.

After a few moments Clarisse put her hand up and wiped away her tears "I'm beginning to think we shouldn't of got married. We've had nothing but bad luck since." She whispered.

Pushing her back so that he could look into her eyes "Please tell me you don't mean that Clarisse? For me marrying you was the best thing I've ever done and not because of your title but because the woman behind the title makes me want to be a better man. Do you mean it?" He asked not knowing if he wanted the answer.

"I don't mean it the way you took it. Marrying you again was the best thing to happen to me, to us. And I know if it wasn't for you I really don't know where I'd be." She said looking into his eyes "I just meant that since we got married, after being together again for 12 years and nothing going wrong, we've had nothing but bad luck." She said sitting back for just a second before she found herself straddling his lap and cupping his face with both her hands "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me and I love you for it."

"I love you too Clari Bear." He whispered reaching his hands up to her neck drawing her closer as he pressed his lips to hers showing her how much she meant to him in that single kiss as she put her hands on his chest and arched her back slightly.

Moving her arms up and locking them around his neck, knowing how he felt she deepened the kiss. Breaking it of several seconds later and moved down his lap a little before resting on his body. Burying her face under his chin as she closed her eyes "Together is my favorite place to be." She whispered.

Holding her tight once more "Mine too." He whispered placing a kiss to the top of her head.

After several moments of silence Clarisse spoke again "Joseph?"

"Hmm.." He answered opening his eyes.

"I want you to stay in here tonight, I've missed you." Clarisse said as her body relaxed against his, her lids becoming increasingly heavy due to the lack of sleep over the past week.

"If you are sure?" He asked and felt her nodding under his chin.

"I'm very sure." She said softly.

"Ok then I will stay in with you tonight." He whispered while rubbing her back "Now I know you are starting to fall to sleep, I can feel you relaxing on me." He said as she nodded "Why don't you go to bed, and get some sleep?"

"Will you lay with me?" She asked, lifting her head to study his face.

"If you want me to?" He asked and watched her nodding "Okay, come on." He said watching her stand in front of him.

Taking his hand, she led him through to their bedroom where they both laid as sleep consumed Clarisse quickly in the arms of Joseph.

Several hour's later as Joseph sat drinking some coffee while going through his post, Lena came in. Not knowing he was sat at the counter she walked over and got a drink, where she stood and drank half of it.

"Was you thirsty?" He asked and laughed a little as she spun around to him.

"Daddy!" She exclaimed, putting the bottle down and rushed over, where she flung her arms around him "Are you home for good?"

"Yes I am." He smiled, wrapping his arms around her shoulders as Ally came in.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She said as they both looked over at her "I've just come to sort a few things out up in Her Majesty's office." She smiled.

"That's okay, you know where the key is?" He asked and watched her nodding "Great, by the way.. thank you for picking Lena up for us." He said with a smile.

"It's no trouble." Ally said and stepped back "I will be up in her office if you need me." She said and walked out.

"Where is Momma?" Lena asked while looking up at him.

"She's up sleeping." He said looking back down at her as she stepped back.

"Oh you know what we should do?" She exclaimed as he shook his head "We should cook her, her favorite dinner and then have a movie night... just the three of us." She smiled.

"Okay, but we will have to go to the store." He said as she nodded "I will go and let Ally know then."

"Ok great, and I will get changed out of my uniform." She smiled and rushed out the door as Joseph stood laughing.

A short time later they were both in the store, grabbing what was needed for Clarisse's favorite dinner. And as Joseph stood looking for the right sauce, Lena disappeared for a few moments.

"Daddy." She said coming back and stood beside him.

"Yep." He said grabbing a sauce before turning around.

"I think you should get Mom these flowers, and these chocolates too." Lena smiled as she put them in the trolly.

"Oh you do, do you?" He asked with a smile playing on his lips "Has she text you?"

"No." Lena gasped and started laughing while shaking her head "I don't even have my phone." She smiled "I just thought it would be nice, I know you like buying her flowers and she does deserve them today. Don't you think?" She asked and smelt the flowers for a second before looking back up at him as he nodded.

"Yes you are right." He smiled and put the sauce in the trolly.

"Great, and I will even let you take full credit." Lena smiled at him as he smirked at her.

"Well thank you." He laughed a little.

After paying for their shopping they headed back home, where Lena sat at the table to make a start on her homework as Joseph started preparing their dinner.

"Joe..." Ally said coming in the kitchen as he looked up "I have finished up in the office, and I have put the key back." She smiled putting a pile of papers wrapped in red ribbon on the counter "Please can you give these to Her Majesty when she awakes, it's nothing important." She said putting her hands on top of them "Just a few things that need to be checked and signed, plus a few letters."

"Ok I will make sure she gets them." He smiled over at her.

"Thank you." She said checking her purse to make sure she had everything "Okay I have everything," She said putting the strap back over her shoulder and stood going over things in her head "And everything is done, if she needs to do anything tomorrow and Monday then Charlotte will be at the Palace, can you tell her for me?" She asked as he nodded "Thank you and please tell her I will see her on Tuesday." She smiled while walking over to the door.

"Are you going away?" He asked as Lena looked up.

"Yes, I'm going home for a few days." Ally smiled and looked at Lena "See you all on Tuesday."

"Bye Ally." Lena smiled and looked back down at her homework.

"Yes, see you Tuesday." He smiled and watched her walk out before carrying on with the cooking.

A short time later Clarisse appeared as Lena looked up.

"Afternoon Momma." She smiled as Joseph looked over.

"Afternoon sweetheart," Clarisse smiled while walking around to her and kissed her forehead while rubbing her back then looked over at Joseph, as he smiled over at her "Hello." She smiled.

"Hello." He smiled back with a small nod.

"Something smells lovely, and these flowers." She said leaning over "Look beautiful." She smiled as she smelt them.

"They are from Daddy, he got you some chocolates too." Lena smiled as Clarisse stood up straight "And he's cooking your favorite dinner, so I hope you're hungry." She said smiling at her as she sat down beside her.

"Oh I am, thank you." She smiled as Lena looked back at her.

"Would you like a drink?" Joe asked.

"Oh just a glass of water please." Clarisse said as Lena jumped up.

"I will get it." She said rushing over to get a glass as Joseph laughed.

"Oh well thank you." Clarisse smiled as Joe grabbed the pile of papers Ally had left for her "What's that?" She asked.

"These are from Ally, and she said that she will see you on Tuesday." He said putting it down on the table in front of her.

"Aww," She exclaimed when she saw the ribbon "She is such a darling." She smiled up at him as he lent over and kissed her forehead "But then so is Charlotte of course." She smiled and looked at Lena as Joseph stepped back.

"Here you go Momma." Lena smiled while placing the glass of water down in front of her then sat back down beside her.

"Thank you darling." Clarisse smiled while picking it up and took a couple sips before untying the ribbon to go through them.

"Oh you should text her, I'm sure getting a text from her Queen will really make her day." Lena smiled at her as Clarisse sat back in the chair taking the phone from her robe pocket. After texting her she put the phone down on the table and started going through her letters.

"Are you okay?" Lena asked as Joe looked over at them.

"Hmmmm..." She said folding the letter and looked up "Sorry, what did you say?"

"I asked if you were okay?" Lena said again while looking at her.

"Oh of course, sorry darling." Clarisse said with a nod and sat up, putting the letter back in the envelope and moved on to the next one.

"Okay." Lena smiled and got back on with her homework.

A few moments later, Joe's phone beeped. Checking to see he had a message, after reading it he started laughing and looked up at them as they both looked over at him.

"Ally just text me and asked if you really wrote that text or if it was someone else." He said putting his phone back down as Clarisse grabbed her phone.

"I can't believe she done that." Clarisse smiled and dialed her number, putting the phone to her ear.

"Hello Your Majesty." Ally answered seconds later.

"Joe just said you text him, of course that was me who text you." Clarisse said while looking at her glass.

"Well I wasn't sure, as you've never text me before, it's always been a call." Ally answered.

"I know," Clarisse started while nodding "But I just wanted to thank you, so I thought I would text instead." She smiled.

"Well thank you for the text, it really made my day." Ally replied.

"You're welcome." Clarisse answered.

"Are you feeling any better now?" She asked.

"A bit, but I will be fine by next week. You're away now until Monday evening, aren't you?" Clarisse asked.

"Yes I am." Ally answered.

"Ok well enjoy your trip and I will see you at the office nice and early on Tuesday." Clarisse said smiling over at Joe as he stood smiling back.

"Of course, see you then.. Goodbye." Ally smiled.

"Goodbye." Clarisse replied and hung up as Lena closed her books "You were right, it did make her day." Clarisse smiled at her.

"Told you." Lena giggled and stood up.

"Have you finished your homework already?" Joe asked.

"Yes I have." Lena smiled as Clarisse stood up.

"I'm going to lay the table, where are we having dinner?" Clarisse asked.

"I thought in the dining room?" Joe answered.

"Sound's perfect." She smiled while walking over to the door.

"Would you like a glass of wine or something to go with the dinner?" He asked as she stopped and turned to him.

"A glass of wine is fine." Clarisse nodded and walked through to the dining room.

Laying the place mats out, followed by the napkins and grabbed the cutlery. Placing it down on the table as Joe came in with her glass of wine, followed by Lena.

"Dinner should be done in about half an hour." Joe smiled as he stood beside her, passing her her glass.

"Thank you." She smiled and took a sip as Lena started laying out the cutlery, making Clarisse step back out the way. Smirking up at Joe "I get the feeling she's after something, don't you?" She asked and looked back at Lena as she stood looking at them.

"I'm not after anything." She smiled and stepped closer, hugging her "I'm just glad to have both my parents back together, I'd do anything." She smiled and hugged Joe.

"Oh well thank you." Clarisse said and watched her rush over to the door.

"I'm going to go and get changed into my pajamas too." Lena exclaimed and hurried out the door, making both Clarisse and Joe laugh.

"Did she tell you we are having movie night tonight?" Joe asked while putting his hand on her back.

"No she didn't." Clarisse said shaking her head "Sound's fun though." Clarisse smiled and watched him head over to the door.

"Yes, it will be." He said walking out backwards as she sipped her drink.

After dinner and everything was cleaned away they headed up to the suite to watch a movie. And when it was finished, Joe turned off the tv as Lena lifted her head with a yawn.

"Did you fall to sleep?" Joe asked while tipping his head forward a little to look at Lena.

"No, but Mom did." Lena said stretching while looking at her then at Joe "Well I'm off to bed." She said while standing up "Night Daddy, and when Mom wakes up please tell her I said goodnight?" She asked kissing his cheek.

"Of course." He nodded and watched her walk over to the door, closing it behind herself.

Standing up a few moments later, as Clarisse lifted her head and opened her eyes.

"Oh... is the movie over?" Clarisse asked while looking at Joe.

"Yea, a few moments ago." He said with a chuckle while cleaning up the mess on the coffee table.

"Oh..." She said watching him, still feeling sleepy and yawned.

"I'm going to go and take this stuff down, make sure everything is locked and then I will be back up, okay?" He said watching her close her eyes.

"Okay." Clarisse answered, slowly opening her eyes again "I'm going to go to bed." She said moving to the edge of the couch and stood up "If I'm a sleep when you come back up, goodnight." She said while doing up her robe as he stepped closer to her, kissing her cheek.

"Okay, I'm going to have a quick shower when I come back up, but I will be extra quiet okay?" He said and watched her nodding while heading over to the door.

Smiling he headed down to tidy up and make sure the doors were locked before heading back upstairs, seeing her sleeping he couldn't help but smile. After his shower he got into his vest and shorts pajamas and slipped into bed carefully besides her. Turning off his lamp before tucking his arm up under his head when he felt Clarisse moving beside him, causing him to lift his head as she snuggled up to him.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"What for?" He asked, putting his other arm around her shoulders and started playing with her hair.

"For staying." She said lifting her head and looked at him sleepily.

He smiled, moving his head closer as they shared a kiss "You know I was thinking, if we can find someone to have Lena for a couple days maybe we could go to the beach house tomorrow?" He asked as she looked at him "Just the two of us?"

"I'd like that." She smiled and rested her head back on his chest "I will ask Pierre or Olivia in the morning." She smiled while extending her arm around his waist and closed her eyes "I have missed you."

"I've missed you too." He said kissing the top of her head and rubbed her arm.

After a few moments he felt her completely relax and knew she was fast asleep in his arms, smiling to himself he closed his eyes and soon drifted off himself.