On her way downstairs, Clarisse caught sight of herself in one of the many palace mirrors. She stopped short and took a look at herself: dust from the floor on her suit, wrinkled from slouching, and her face – tear stained, exhausted and troubled. She didn't want to face Joseph like that, so she quickly headed back to her suite, praying that she wouldn't meet anyone on the way.

Unfortunately for her, Shades was making his last rounds in preparation for the evening's party. She nearly bumped into him as she turned a corner.

"Your Majesty! I'm so sorry, are you alright?" Shades noticed his queen looking rather disheveled.

"Yes, I am, or at least I will be. Shades, would you do me a favor? Don't let Joseph leave tonight before I've had a chance to talk with him."

"Of course, Your Majesty, He's due out on the 10 pm train I believe. I'll handcuff him to a chair for you," Shades smiled.

Clarisse actually returned the Head of Security's smile, thinking of Joseph in handcuffs. She regained her composure and replied, "I'm sure he'll stay if you just ask him to, Shades. And I'm hoping he won't want to get on a train tonight."

Shades looked at his Queen, beautiful despite her rumpled clothes and wrecked makeup. He bowed slightly and simply said, "Yes, Ma'am, I'm sure he won't need handcuffs to persuade him." Then he carried on down the hall to complete his rounds. Clarisse could only stare after him, wondering if there was anyone in the palace who didn't seem to be rooting for her and Joseph.

A quick shower, fresh makeup, and a simple navy blue party dress with a powder pink silk scarf and Clarisse was satisfied that she would look all right in the dim light of the party. She chose a pair of diamond earrings, and then removed a small box from her bedside table. She carefully opened it and gazed at the contents.

Many, many years ago, when things were at their worst in Clarisse's relationship with Rupert, and when Pierre and Philippe were both being rebellious in their own ways, Joseph had given her a small pendant as a reminder that she wasn't alone, he would always be there for her. It was made of 18 carat gold, with their initials, C J, in diamonds, entwined around each other. He had told her to pin it inside her suit jacket any time she felt lonely or anxious, so she would remember that not only was he just a few steps away, but very near her heart. She turned the pin over and over in her hands. She had worn it nearly every day, unknown to anyone but herself. Tonight she pinned it on her scarf, in plain view, for all to see, but especially for Joseph. One last look in the mirror and a very excited and nervous Clarisse made her way to the party.

The ballroom was filled with young people Pierre and Charlotte's age, and Mia had also invited some of her generation. The lights were dimmed, and the music very loud and energetic. People were dancing and gathering around the large buffet tables, and having a wonderful time of celebration. Clarisse felt very out of place; this was certainly not the type of party she'd ever thrown, or even attended. Pierre caught her hand as she arrived.

"Mother," he kissed her on both cheeks. "You look beautiful, I'm glad you came. Can I get you anything?"

"Thank you, darling. I'm fine. Nice, er, um, party."

Pierre laughed at his mother's discomfort at her surroundings. "Thanks. Everyone seems to be having a good time." He paused and looked around the room. "Would you care to dance, or get something to eat?"

Clarisse squeezed her son's hand. "Don't worry about me, I'm a professional at these things, you know. I have some business to take care of, I'll be fine."

"Whatever you say, Your Majesty." Pierre watched his mother work her way through the crowd, and suddenly he knew where she was going. "Charlotte!" He called to his fiancée, and she came to stand at his side. "Mother's here and she looks incredible." He indicated Clarisse moving across the dance floor. "I think she's gone over to steal Joe away from Mia. Let's cross our fingers."

Clarisse had seen Mia ask Joe to dance, and smiled to herself at the memory of the first time Joseph had tried to teach Mia to gracefully move around the dance floor. Eventually, she had learned, and tonight she was the picture of grace and poise. Clarisse knew that as much as she had taught her granddaughter, Joseph had been an equally good influence. Now she stepped up to the pair on the dance floor and tapped Mia on the shoulder.

"Would you mind terribly, Amelia?"

Mia's eyes widened as she looked from her Grandmother to Joe and back again. She dropped Joe's hand and stepped away from him. "No, certainly. Go ahead." Mia backed away, but was quickly picked up as a dance partner by another lucky young man.

"May I have this dance?" Joseph asked.

Clarisse stepped into his arms, and noted with great pleasure the flash of surprise on Joseph's face as he saw the pin on her scarf. They began to dance, as they had countless times before, but this time it was different, Joseph could sense it. They spoke no words to each other, communicating only through touch as they glided around other couples, practiced and polished. When the song came to an end, and a rather raucous one began, Joseph suggested they get some air. He led her out the doors and on to the terrace.

"Joseph, let's walk." He nodded and held his arm out to her, which this time she accepted.

They walked in silence for a little while, Joseph just glad to be near her, and Clarisse trying to decide what she should say to him. They weren't afraid of silence, years had given them the gift of peace in each other's company. They arrived at the gazebo, beautifully decorated for the wedding and lit by strings of white rope lights. She turned to face him, and smiled softly and waited.

"You're wearing my pin." It was a statement and a question at the same time.

"Yes, I am. I've worn it on the inside all these years, every day. Tonight there is no other place for it but right here, for you and everyone else to see." She paused, trying to read the expression on his face. After so many years, Joseph had learned patience when dealing with his Sovereign, his love, and he betrayed none of what he was thinking. "Go on" he prompted her.

She looked down, almost embarrassed. "I was given counsel today by a man of the cloth."

"Hellfire and brimstone, I assume?"

The corners of her mouth turned up. "It was a very wise sermon, and I have come to believe that I have made a dreadful mistake."

"Are you planning on repenting, or just asking forgiveness?"

"Both, you see, I need to ask you to forgive me for how I've treated you. It was wrong of me, and I can't tell you how sorry I am that I hurt you. I never meant to, I guess I was trying to protect myself from my feelings. I've had to deny myself so long, I've been afraid of letting go. And I've been very unfair to you. Joseph, my love, can you forgive me?"

He sighed, clasping his hands behind his back. He paused, and with his head bowed, looked up at her and spoke deliberately. "Done. You are forgiven. Now let's move on to the repentance. How do you plan to change?" He still hadn't smiled, but Clarisse knew from their years together that he was enjoying teasing her.

"Well, I thought first I'd do this." She leaned in and kissed his lips, gently.

"That's a good start. What else?"

She took his hand, and breathed in deeply. "You once said that you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me. If that's still true, I was wondering if I was too late to ask you to accept my hand in marriage?"

Joseph looked at her, the blue eyes, the pale cheeks, and the perfect mouth, and as always when it came to Clarisse, he melted. He pulled her into his arms and held her. "I love you, Clarisse. And your hand in marriage is the greatest gift I could ever have hoped for."

Their kiss, deep and passionate, was noted with satisfaction by several interested parties on the terrace, spying. "Looks like we may have more than one wedding tomorrow" Pierre said to his niece and fiancée. They smiled and Mia yelled "Right on, Grandma!"

"Did you hear something?" Clarisse asked Joseph between kisses.

"Nothing, shh" Joseph continued kissing her and smiled to himself. "Right on, indeed".

The End

A/N The end has come, and it is a happy one sigh>. How much fun is writing fanfic about these two? I'm away for a couple of weeks, can't wait to see what y'all come up with while I'm gone.

theologygirl (aka Barb)