I'm so so sorry for a late update, but here it is for you now :)

Thank you everyone for your reviews, I love them, thank you :)

xXx

-Part 2-

After a couple hours of going over paper work with Charlotte, Clarisse headed upstairs to get changed ready for her meetings after lunch. Walking through the door she couldn't help but smile when she saw Joe sat on the couch reading one of his books. Closing the door as he looked up, doing a double take as she turned back to him.

"Who are you? And what have you done with my Clari?" He asked turning his head to the side a little while raising his eyebrow, trying to be serious as she made her way over to the bedroom door.

"Do you like it?" She asked and watched him close his book "Its a chignon style, Rose done it for me." She smiled as she stood in the doorway, undoing the zipper on her skirt.

"Yes I do, it looks Victorian?" He smiled watching her.

"That's what I thought too," She smiled over at him "Stay there, I will be right back." She answered walking through to her closet.

"Okay." He answered while leaning forward to put the book on the coffee table.

After a few moments she stood in the doorway, and as Joe looked over she pointed down to her feet "Which shoes heels or flats?" She asked.

"Flats." He smiled "Why did you change for?" He asked.

"Oh because I have a couple meetings after lunch and it can get chilly where we are having them." She smiled and walked back over to her closet, slipping her other flat shoe on before coming back "That's much better." She smiled walking over to him.

"You look absolutely beautiful." He smiled as he reached up to take her hand as she lent over to grab his glass of water "That hair style really suits you." He smiled watching her take a couple sips of his drink before putting it back down.

"Thank you." She smiled and stood in front of him as he lent forward, putting both his hands on the backs of her thighs as he looked up at her lovingly "I missed you this morning." She smiled while putting one hand on his shoulder and one knee on the couch beside his thigh as he moved his hands up to her hips, raising her up slightly so she could straddle him on the couch.

"And I missed you too." He whispered between kisses while putting his hands up to cup her face as she giggled.

"I think..." She said looking into his eyes as he pulled his head back a little "We are going to go away next year for our Anniversary, then that way we will be together and alone, hopefully..." She smiled "The whole day."

"I love that idea." He nodded and pressed his lips to hers, letting it linger as he started moving one hand to the back of her head, only to feel her begin to push his arm away while breaking the kiss "What's wrong?" He asked, studying her face.

"I know you like placing your hand on the back of my head, but you are going to have to find somewhere else to put it this time Mister." She said smiling as he raised his eyebrow.

"Why?" He asked, putting his hand on her neck for a moment.

"Because my hair is done all nice and Rose isn't here to redo it after you mess it up." She said smiling and kissed him a couple times.

"Okay..." He said and smiled against her lips while moving his hand down her arm before wrapping his arms around her waist, as she locked her arms around his shoulders "Do we have time to spend at least 10 minute's together?" He asked.

"We do," She smiled with a nod as she moved one of her hands up onto the back of his head "Then we can have lunch together?" She asked.

"Mmm, I would rather have you for lunch..." He said leaning forward and buried his face under her chin to nuzzle her neck as Clarisse laughed.

Several hours later and finishing much later than she had planned, Clarisse made her way up to her suite. Realizing Joe was in the shower, she sat down on the couch to get comfortable, while waiting for him to finish.

Coming out of the bathroom, Joe stood beside the bed while grabbing the phone, to call down to Charlotte to see if she had any idea when Clarisse was going to finish. Just as he dialed the number, he caught sight of her in the suite. Putting the phone down he made his way over, standing in the doorway with a smile at the sight of her on the couch, her arms folded, her head tipped forward, clearly asleep, while her feet rested on the coffee table, crossed at the ankle.

Moving closer he sat down the other end of the couch and reached over, gently rubbing her shoulder to awake her, smiling as her head shot up.

"Did you fall to sleep?" He asked with a cheeky smile.

"I did." She said with a yawn while unfolding her arms and looked at him.

"Busy afternoon?" He asked with a smile and watched her as she nodded.

"It has been a very busy afternoon, one I didn't think would be but it has and.." She said motioning to her feet "Even though I have worn these shoes lots of times, my feet are still aching now." She sighed while putting her hand down on the couch beside her leg.

"Well pop them up here and I will rub them for you." He said patting his thigh.

"Oh that would be wonderful." She smiled while turning on the couch to rest her legs on his lap "Thank you so much." She smiled, trying to get comfortable again as he slipped off one of her shoes.

"Anything for you." He smiled, beginning to work his magic on her.

After a short while he moved onto her other foot while looking up at her, seeing her arm was covering her face and feeling that she had relaxed he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Hey come on Clari, wake up." He said rubbing the front of her leg to arouse her "We have dinner plans tonight remember?" He said smiling and carried on rubbing her feet.

"I know... and as much as I love going out to dinner with you, can we just stay here tonight?" She asked sleepily while moving her arm from her eyes to look at him "I would much rather stay here in the warm and have dinner in bed or something."

"As tempting as that sounds, I'm going to have to say no." He said shaking his head "I planned this weeks ago, and I know you've had a busy day but I really think we should go out to dinner tonight, just the two of us." He smiled rubbing the front of her ankle.

"Are you sure?" She asked and watched him nodding "Okay then.." She said nodding "We will go out for dinner."

"Thank you." He smiled "By the way, afterwards we are heading out of town to stay at your favorite hotel for two nights." He said watching her raise herself up on her elbows.

"Really?" She asked in surprise "But what about all the paper work and meetings?"

"I have already talked to Pierre and he's taking on anything that comes up." He said smiling "Besides Charlotte has cleared your days from meetings and such..." He smirked at her as she turned her head slightly and raised her eyebrow.

"But she told me I had a couple meetings tomorrow?" She said watching him turn slightly to face her.

"That was the plan, to tell you that you had meetings so you wouldn't question it." He smiled.

"Well I must say, she's getting better at lying these days." Clarisse smiled and then sighed "What about Amelia? She came all this way to spend time with us?"

"Well you know, what I've got planned..." He started as he ran his hand up and down the front of her foot and ankle "I'm pretty sure she isn't going to want to be there with us on this trip." He said smiling up at her.

"Well yes, that is a good point actually." She smiled and watched him move to hover over her while resting his hand on the couch beside her side and lowered his head, showering her with kisses as she locked her arms around his neck.

"Pierre!" Rose exclaimed, making him jump and look across the table at her "What time did you tell Dad to be here by?" She asked.

"I told him to make sure they were here by half 6, as we would be ordering at 7." Pierre answered as Rose checked the time.

"That was 45 minutes ago?" Rose exclaimed while looking up at him as he nodded "Well has anyone called him to find out whats going on?" She asked.

"No, not that I know off." Pierre said looking at her "He is meant to give me a missed call when they are leaving the Palace, so we know that they are on the way."

"But I'm starving." She exclaimed while shaking her head "This is not cool."

"I bet I know what they are doing." Cara said as everyone looked at her "It is their Anniversary and Mom's birthday after all." She said laughing as Rose playfully slapped her arm.

"Eww Cara!" Rose exclaimed as Pierre laughed and walked off.

"What?" She exclaimed while shrugging her shoulders "I bet they don't turn up either."

"Oh if that's the case, Pierre can I order food now then please?" Rose asked while jumping up and hurried after him "Please?"

Meanwhile pulling up outside in the car park, Clarisse looked around then at Joe as he stopped the car.

"It's very quiet here tonight." She said unbuckling her belt.

"Indeed." He smiled as they both climbed out the car.

"Please tell me you didn't do what I think you've done?" She asked as they met at the front of the car.

"Maybe." He smiled taking her free hand while stepping closer and kissed her "You are worth every penny."

"But Joe, you know how I feel about you doing that, It's not fair on the other people who want to have dinner here too." She said as they started walking over to the doors.

"Oh relax, for their Queen they don't mind." Joe said smiling back at her before opening the door, watching her walk past him.

"Still that's not the point Joseph." She said looking back at him as the Manager came through the doors.

"Ahh you have arrived." He smiled as Clarisse turned to look at him "Good evening Your Majesty, Happy birthday and Happy Anniversary to you both." He smiled and kissed the back of her hand.

"Why thank you, John." She smiled and watched him motion to the door.

"Go on through and we will be right with you." John smiled.

"Thank you." Joseph smiled as they started walking towards the door.

However walking through the door and taking a couple steps forward, Clarisse stopped. Putting her hand out in front of her, her palm facing up she turned to Joe with an questioning look as he just smiled and watched her look back at the family. Who hadn't even noticed they had arrived yet.

"Oh hey!" Amelia suddenly exclaimed and jumped up as everyone looked at her, then over at Joe and Clarisse, who stood surprised.

"Happy Birthday!" Everyone exclaimed.

"You finally arrived!" Rose smiled "Thank god."

"Yes," Pierre said standing beside them and kissed Clarisse's cheek "What happened with the call, Dad?" He asked with a laugh and stood back as Clarisse still looked surprised.

"Sorry, I completely forgot to do that." He answered and laughed while shaking his hand.

"We didn't think you were coming, actually." Cara said smiling as she hugged Clarisse.

"What are you all doing here?" Clarisse asked.

"Surprising you Mom." Pierre smiled and watched her look back at Joe.

"Did you plan this?" She asked.

"Guilty." He smiled while putting his hand on her lower back, kissing the corner of her lips "I'm sorry we won't be alone, but tonight, I promise we will be." He whispered "And I promise I will make it up to you then." He added, pulling his head back as Clarisse smiled and blushed a little.

"Well it's good to have you finally here." Rose smiled "Please can we order dinner now?" She exclaimed while grabbing Clarisse's hands.

"Give us a chance Rose, we haven't even had chance to remove our coats, or get a drink yet." Joe said smiling and looked at Clarisse as she slipped off her jacket.

"Okay." Rose answered and walked away, sitting at the table next to Cara.

"I love the dress Momma," Olivia smiled and pointed to the small bow on the side "And I am loving this bow." She smiled giving her a quick hug.

"Thank you sweetheart." She smiled and stepped back.

After dinner Clarisse thanked everyone for coming, before standing to talk to Pierre and Charlotte for a few moments. Sitting down beside Joe a short time later, where Cara watched as they said a few words to each other before sharing a kiss and Joe getting up to go to the bar. Seeing her chance she quickly moved and sat beside Clarisse as she sipped her drink.

"Hey Mom," She smiled and watched Clarisse as she looked at her slowly "Hello." She giggled.

"Hello darling, what can I do for you?" She asked putting her glass down before looking back at her again.

"I just wanted you to know something..." Cara started while grabbing Clarisse's hand and watched her turn slightly.

"Cara, are you okay?" Clarisse whispered, starting to feel a little concerned while putting her free hand up, pushing a bit of Cara's hair back behind her ear.

"Yeah." Cara nodded with a smile while looking into Clarisse's eyes before looking down at their hands as Clarisse rested her hand down on them "I know I haven't always been the easiest person to have around, but I want to thank you for opening your heart and loving me like I'm your daughter all the same." She said looking up with tears in her eyes "You've been more of a Mother to me than my own Mom, even when Rose and I were young you treated us with so much love and you and Daddy weren't even together then." She said nodding just a little as Clarisse put her hand up, cupping her cheek "I know I caused you a lot of problems over the years and I will forever be sorry," She whispered while looking up into Clarisse's eyes "I hope that you've forgiven me, or if not I hope one day you will?" She whispered as a tear escaped her eye.

"I forgave you the second after you said sorry." Clarisse whispered while leaning closer to her "Every time." She added and let her hand go, wrapping her arms around her shoulders.

"Why?" Cara asked softly.

"Because it's what Mother's do." She said smiling "You are apart of my family, always have and always will." She said and kissed the side of her head "I love you sweetheart." Clarisse added while rubbing Cara's back.

"I'm glad that you and Daddy got back together all those years ago and have stayed together." Cara whispered as Clarisse continued to rub her back "You're the best and I love you too, Mom."

As they sat hugging Joe returned to the table, smiling down at them while putting the drinks down. Taking a seat beside Clarisse as they pulled apart, smiling as she turned to him but left her arm around Cara's shoulders for several more seconds before letting her go.

"Is everything okay?" He asked, watching her lean closer and press her lips to his as she closed her eyes.

Pulling back a moment later Clarisse smiled as she opened her eyes and studied his face before whispering "Everything's fine." She smiled while taking his hand.

"Good." He smiled, bringing her hand up to his lips, kissing her palm as she smiled at him.

Several moments later Clarisse took Cara by the hand and led them over to a small table where Rose was chatting casually with Olivia. There arrival caused the girls to hush promptly and look up at them.

"What are you up too?" Cara questioned as she and Clarisse sat down.

"Nothing we were just having a nice sister chat." Olivia smiled "I couldn't help but notice the pair of you engrossed in your own little private chat a few minutes ago."

"Yes, we were sharing a mother daughter moment." Clarisse smiled and sipped her drink.

"Well we could all share a mother daughter moment if you'll agree to dance with us?" Rose teased.

"I would love to dance with you girls. Just don't request something crazy okay girls?" Clarisse smiled.

"Wow." Rose exclaimed in surprise as Clarisse laughed at her reaction.

"Quick, let's go request a song before she changes her mind." Cara giggled and stood with Olivia and Rose.

Hearing the change in music Joseph looked up to see his gorgeous wife dancing with their daughters, her face was so carefree as she danced with the girls. Even after all these years she was still the most amazing woman he had ever laid eyes on. Turning in his seat, completely mesmerized at the scene before him, he didn't even notice Lena had walked over to him, until she had took his hand.

Her gently pulling on it, brought him back to earth and his first reaction was to stand and follow her onto the floor, where he danced with Lena for a few seconds before she let Clarisse take over. Taking her by her hand, he twirled her around before pulling her to him, making her laugh and tip her head back a little as he wrapped one arm around her waist and held onto her hand with his other.

And after sharing a couple slow dances they left the rest of the family and headed to the hotel for some alone time, just the two of them.

xXx

This is probably not the ending you were hoping for? I am sorry about that, but I'm just not on that muse yet... maybe soon ;)