Hey everyone, thank you so much to you all for reading the latest chapter and a special thanks to bee-327, Chelsietx and Mariya (guest) for taking time to leave such lovely reviews. It is, and always will be, much appreciated. Sorry it's taken so long to get this one posted, I haven't been feeling it the last few days and have had a few doubts about this chapter. But I'm just going to go ahead with it, so I apologise if it's not as good and completely rubbish.
Anyway, thanks again. Here's the next chapter for you, hope you enjoy it…
"Here, let me take those for you," Joseph said and took Clarisse's blazer and handbag from her and walked over to the table, to place them down on one of the chairs, as Juana handed her, her glass of water.
"Thank you," Clarisse smiled.
"You're welcome," Juana smiled as Joseph made his way back over to stand with them. "If there's anything else that you need, don't hesitate to ask one of us."
"I won't, thank you," Clarisse smiled and looked up at her husband.
"Come with me, there's something that I would like to show you," Joseph smiled as he took hold of her free hand before leading her over to the open biofold patio doors and outside. To show her the breathtaking picturesque view of the city and ocean from the patio.
Making their way over to the railings around the patio, Clarisse let go of her husbands hand and put her hand out on top of the railings, where she stood completely awestruck over the magnificent view in front of them for a moment before finally looking to her husband. "This view is absolutely stunning."
"I thought you would like it," Joseph smiled as he stepped closer to her and put his hand on her back.
"Is where we are staying in this view," Clarisse asked as she looked back out at the view. Trying to determine where they were.
"Yes, but you can't see it from here," Joseph nodded as he turned his head to look out at the view while leaning closer to her and extended his arm out in front of them, pointing towards the middle of the city. "It's that way."
"Ahh okay," Clarisse nodded and looked out where he was pointing.
"You should see the sunsets and nighttime views. They are incredible, too. The stars, the lights from the city. It's simply stunning," Isabella smiled as both Clarisse and Joseph turned to her standing beside the patio dining table under the canopy.
"Yes they are," Vee smiled as she, Juana and Pedro all came out onto the patio carrying placemats, coasters, cutlery and anything else that they needed to set the table as Isabella messed about with her phone a moment before putting it in the back pocket of her jeans. "Hope you don't mind, but we are having dinner out here tonight."
"Of course we don't mind," Joseph smiled, slipping his arm along the top of the railings behind Clarisse as she leant back against it and placed his hand on her back. Just as his phone beeped. "I wonder who that could be," he said quietly and slipped his other hand inside his jacket to retrieve his phone from the inside pocket.
Removing his arm from behind Clarisse, Joseph took his phone in both of his hands and opened the message before glancing up at his niece, who was stood smiling at him, before looking back down at the message she had sent and smiled to himself. "What are you smiling at?" Clarisse asked, seeing him smiling down at his phone, and took a sip of her water.
"This," Joseph said, looking up at her while turning his phone to her, to show her the message. A picture of them both stood close to one another with his hand on her back, looking out at the view together. "Isabella just sent it to me."
"Aww, that's a lovely photo," Clarisse smiled up at him then across the patio at Isabella, now helping to set the table with her mother and aunt. "Thank you, Isabella. That was really nice of you."
"You're welcome," Isabella smiled over at them and watched as they both looked back up at each other.
"I didn't realise that she was taking a photo," Clarisse said as Joseph continued looking down at the photo on his phone.
"No, neither did I," he said and looked up at her while putting his phone back into the inside pocket of his jacket. "Which reminds me that we brought the camera with us to take photos."
"Yes we did," Clarisse smiled up at him as he leant to the side against the railing beside her and put his arm back along the top of it behind her. "It's in my handbag."
"We will have to remember that it's there and take some photos of everyone tonight," Joseph said and leant in close while putting his hand back on her back.
"Yes we will," she smiled as he gave her a quick kiss before she turned her head to look back over at his sisters setting the table. "Is there anything that I could do to help?" She asked.
"No, absolutely not," Vee smiled over at them with a shake of her head. "You are a guest in our home."
"I honestly don't mind helping," Clarisse smiled.
"No no," Vee smiled, "continue enjoying the view. We got it."
"Talking about the view," Juana said as she made her way around the table, placing down coasters to each place setting. "What do you think about the sunsets from the beach where you're staying, Clarisse?" She asked and looked up at them, just as she and Joseph glanced to one another. "They are beautiful, aren't they."
"Actually, she hasn't had chance to experience it from the beach yet, the balcony yes, but not the beach," Joseph smirked over at his sister as Clarisse looked down at the glass of water in her hands before turning her back to them to look out at the view, to hide the flush that now covered her cheeks. "We were going to go out last night but didn't have a chance too. You know, once we'd had dinner and cleaned up, it was too late. But we will."
"You've been here how many days now tío José and you still haven't taken tía Clarisse down to the beach to see the sunset? That's absolutely shocking," Isabella laughed as Vee and Juana smirked at one another before continuing to set the table. All three of them knowing exactly why they haven't yet seen the beautiful sunset from the beach.
"I know, I know," Joseph smiled and watched as Clarisse turned her head to him with a twinkle in her eye.
"She reminds me of Mia," Clarisse whispered, and they both chuckled.
"Me too," Joseph smiled as he reached his hand out in front of her for her glass of water and took a couple of sips.
"You have a lovely home, Vee," Clarisse smiled a moment later as she turned back to everyone and leant back against the railings beside her husband. "Very warm and welcoming, and this view is gorgeous too."
"Thank you," Diego smiled as he came out onto the patio carrying plates for everyone and made his way over to set them on the table before stopping and looking back over at Joseph and Clarisse. "It may not be as grand as yours is, but it certainly is to us," he said and averted his gaze to Joseph before looking back at Clarisse.
"Well I'm a strong believer that it's not about the building itself, or even the belongings we own. But it's more about who you share it with that counts," Clarisse smiled as Joseph put his hand back on her back. "Your love, your family. Home is where your heart is."
"You are so right," Diego nodded with a smile and began to place a plate at each table setting. "So tell me, have you got any plans while you're here? Or is it just a case of relaxing."
"We have a few plans, yes, oh that reminds me actually," Joseph said as everyone looked over at him. "Clarisse and I had a chat, and we would both like to join you out on the yacht on Sunday."
"Oh that's great news, it's going to be a great day," Vee smiled as all the children came out to join them, and Luna walked over to her. "Would you look at that? Was that what tío José and tía Clarisse got you?"
"Sí," Luna smiled, showing her the horse teddy that they gave her. "Marie-Rose got the same."
"Oh how lovely, I hope that you have all said thank you to them for your gifts?" Juana smiled as she looked around at all the children.
"Gracias," they all said in unison as Luna made her way over to Clarisse and Joseph and gave Joseph a hug.
"Yeah, gracias tío José and tía Clarisse," Andre smiled from where he was sitting on one of the garden chairs on the other side of the patio.
"Gracias tío José, tía Clarisse," Luna smiled, now wrapping her arms around Clarisse's waist.
"Oh, de nada cariño," Clarisse smiled, crouching a little while wrapping her arms around the girls shoulders, giving her a hug before standing up straight and leaving one arm wrapped around her shoulders.
"You know tío José, I never imagined that you would be the sort of guy who would actually go into a store and buy a teddy bear," Isabella giggled as both Clarisse and Joseph looked over at her before Clarisse turned her head to look at her husband still standing beside her. To see his reaction.
"Why ever not? I did it for you, Ana and Lucia when you were all younger," Joseph said with a laugh as Clarisse smiled down at Luna, who was still stood with her arms wrapped around her waist, and brushed her hand down over her beautiful long brown hair.
"Because you're a tough guy," Isabella laughed as Clarisse looked back up at her. "And tough guys don't buy teddy bears."
"Well this tough guy does," Joseph smirked. "And he always will."
"Aww Isabella, stop teasing your tío," Vee smirked. "He may come across as a tough guy, especially working as a Royal bodyguard and all, but I can assure you that he's nothing but a big softie at heart. Always has been."
"I can vouch for that," Clarisse smiled and turned her head to her husband. "He really is a softie."
"I'm still your bad boy though," Joseph whispered as quietly as he could and leant in closer to her, to press his lips to hers.
"Always," Clarisse smiled against his lips and watched him pull back as Luna looked up at them with a cheeky giggle before watching them both look down and smiling at her.
"Tío José, can you play twister with me and Luna," Marie-Rose asked as she walked over to him, Clarisse and Luna.
"Oh yes, can you," Luna exclaimed excitedly and looked up at Clarisse. "Can you play with us too tía Clarisse."
"How about tía Clarisse spins the spinner for us," Joseph said as he bent over, so he was at the girls level and pointed to the skirt of Clarisse's dress, "you see, she isn't really wearing a suitable outfit to play this game."
"Okay," Luna nodded and looked up at Clarisse with a smile. "You can be referee."
"Okay, perfect," Joseph smiled as he stood up straight and watched as Luna and Marie-Rose walked over to the table, to set their teddy's down, so that they could start setting up the game, before he looked up at Clarisse. "Is that okay?"
"Of course," Clarisse smiled, and Joseph put his hand on her back as they made their way over to the seating area. "I just need to remember how to do it now. It's been years since Pierre and Philippe were young and played this game."
"Oh it's easy," Joseph said, placing the glass of water down on the table next to the girl's teddy's, as Luis handed him the spinner board. "Gracias Luis," he smiled at his nephew, then turned to Clarisse while holding up the board. "All you gotta do is spin this and say what it lands on."
"Ahh yes, of course. I remember now," Clarisse nodded and took the board from him as he leant in closer to whisper in her ear while placing his hand on her side. "Before we begin, can I go and grab the camera from your handbag? I would like to have some photos of this."
"Of course," Clarisse smiled as he kissed her cheek and pulled back.
"Great," he smiled and looked to the children as Clarisse sat down on one of the double garden seats and placed the spinner board in her lap. "I'll be right back. Then we'll start."
"Okay," Luna smiled as she and Marie-Rose made their way over to Clarisse while Joseph headed off inside. "Do you love my tío?" She asked, sitting down in the space on the seat next to Clarisse.
Looking down at the young girl sitting beside her, Clarisse nodded as Marie-Rose stood in front of her. "I do, very much so," she smiled as she crossed her arms on the board in her lap.
"That's good because I think he loves you too," Marie-Rose smiled as Clarisse looked up at her.
"Is that so?" Clarisse smiled and reached out for her hand. "And how do you know that?"
"Because he's so happy and likes to kiss you," Luna smiled cheekily, and she and Marie-Rose giggled as Clarisse took her bottom lip between her teeth.
"Are you okay?" Marie-Rose asked as she snuggled closer to Clarisse and turned to rest back against her.
"Oh yes," Clarisse smiled, her tummy fluttering, as she put the spinner board down on the floor before pulling Marie-Rose into her lap and wrapped one arm around her, and her other arm around Luna. "Can I let you both into a little secret?"
"Of course," Luna smiled and turned to them on the seat as Joseph came back out and walked over to Vee, Juana, Isabella and Diego, who were all stood watching Clarisse with the girls. And when he realised what was going on, Joseph turned to watch them too. His heart bursting with pride over the interaction between his wife and two of his nieces.
"He makes me happy too," Clarisse whispered as she looked from Marie-Rose to Luna.
"Oh we know," Luna nodded with a smile.
"We can tell," Marie-Rose giggled and looked up at Clarisse. "You have a beautiful smile."
"Thank you," Clarisse smiled happily at the young girl.
"How cute is that," Isabella whispered as Joseph turned back to them all stood across the other side of the patio.
"She's really fitted in with them all, especially Marie-Rose, who is the shyest around strangers," Vee nodded.
"I know, I'm extremely happy that they have accepted her as tía Clarisse," Joseph nodded.
"Oh, José, there was never any doubt that they wouldn't," Juana smiled up at her brother. "I told you earlier, she's part of this family now."
"Thank you," Joseph said and glanced down at the camera in his hands before looking back up at his niece. "Um, Isabella, I was wondering if you might take some photos for us all tonight?"
"Oh, absolutely," Isabella smiled. "Tonight needs to be captured."
"I couldn't agree more," Vee smiled, reaching a hand out onto the top of his arm and rubbing it up and down a couple of times.
"Thank you," Joseph smiled and kissed his nieces cheek before handing her the camera and turning back to Clarisse and the girls. "Right then," he said, walking over to them with a smile, "because of my knee replacement and not being able to bend properly, I'm going to be playing with just my feet like I did last time. Is that okay with you girls?"
"Sí," Luna and Marie-Rose both said with a giggle.
"Okay then, let's do this," Joseph smirked as he slipped off his shoes at the side of Clarisse's chair.
"Yay," Marie-Rose giggled as she stepped down from Clarisse's lap and hurried over to the game with Luna to get ready to play.
"Are we all ready?" Joseph asked as he made his way over to join them at the mat.
"Sí," both girls exclaimed in unison as Clarisse couldn't help but smile at the scene in front of her. Watching how happy the girls were. And how different Joseph was around them. It's like he's a completely different person compared to how he is back home where he's so serious. Stern. Her bad boy dressed all in black.
"Great," he said and looked over at Clarisse. Their gaze locked a brief moment as he flashed her his gorgeous smile. "Spin that wheel, my love."
"Okay, children," Diego said a while later as he walked towards them still playing twister, "we are just about to start bringing everything out, so can you go and get washed up for dinner please."
"Oh no, papi, I don't want to stop playing," Luna exclaimed from the mat, "we are having too much fun."
"I know, but I'm sure our guests don't want to eat a cold dinner, now come on, please. Let's go," Diego smiled and started laughing as the ones still on the mat, including Joseph, fell into a heap on the floor.
"Oh no," Clarisse laughed as she put her hands together in front of her face and leant back a little, "what happened?"
"Tío José lost his balance and fell," Marie-Rose giggled as Joseph laughed from where he was now laid on his back.
"I didn't," he exclaimed playfully, "you fell first, didn't you?"
"Noooo," Marie-Rose giggled as Joseph grabbed hold of her and started tickling her as everyone laughed.
"Okay, come on now, or dinner will get cold," Diego laughed over at them.
"Okay papi," Luna smiled as she and the other children headed inside to wash up for dinner.
"I'm getting too old for this," Joseph said, still on his back on the floor, and put his hands on his chest as he tried to catch his breath.
"Admit it though, you had fun, didn't you?" Diego asked as he stood over his brother-in-law.
"Oh I did, and I always do have fun with them," Joseph smiled and looked up at him. "Seeing them is the highlight of my visits."
"And for them too, they love seeing and spending time with their tío José," Diego said and extended his hands out to him, "here, let me help you up."
"Thank you," Joseph laughed and took hold of his hands.
Standing to her feet, Clarisse straightened out the back of the skirt of her dress and watched as Diego helped Joseph up before making his way over to the table. "I don't know who was having more fun, you or the children," she chuckled as he stood in front of her and she briefly put her hands up to cup his chin in them before reaching up to give him a quick kiss.
"I know, I can't help it whenever I'm here," Joseph smiled and placed his hands on her sides as she smoothed her thumb over his lips, to remove the remnants of her lipstick.
"It's lovely to see," Clarisse smiled as she placed her hands down on his shoulders and gazed up into his eyes. "They really do make you happy, don't they?"
"They do," Joseph nodded and studied her face, "come on, let's go wash up for dinner."
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Clarisse asked and raised her eyebrow as he shrugged a little. "Your shoes," she chuckled and watched as he looked down between them at his sock clad feet.
"Oh yeah, I can't believe I forgot them," Joseph laughed and looked back up at her before moving to sit down on the seat behind her, to put his shoes back on. "Thanks for reminding me."
"You're welcome," Clarisse smiled as she stood watching him a moment before he got back to his feet, and they both made their way inside to wash up for dinner.
After everyone was settled in their seats, ready for dinner, Diego stood up at the end of the table where he was sitting and lifted his glass as everyone looked up at him. "Now, before we all tuck in to the delicious dinner that these two beautiful ladies prepared for us this evening," he smiled at his wife, sitting the opposite end to him, then at sister-in-law, "I would just like to say, from all of us here, congratulations on your marriage, José and Clarisse. We have so much love for you both and wish you nothing but love, peace, and happiness. And may you spend your days full of fun and laughter."
"A la pareja feliz," Vee smiled, and everyone raised their glasses before taking a sip of their drinks.
"Oh, and, welcome to the family, Clarisse," Diego smiled across the table at her.
"Thank you, everyone," Clarisse smiled around the table at everyone before turning her head to look at her husband sitting beside her.
"Gracias," Joseph smiled and leant closer to Clarisse, to give her a quick kiss as she rested a hand down on his thigh.
"Woohoo!" Isabella cheered, and everyone sitting at the table laughed as Clarisse and Joseph continued looking at one another a moment longer.
Tío - uncle.
Tía - auntie.
Sí - yes.
Gracias - thank you.
De nada, corazón - you're welcome, sweetheart.
Papi- daddy.
A la pareja feliz - To the happy couple.