Hi everyone! This is less serious and sad then the last story and I hope you like it!

DISCLAIMER: The Princess Diaries don't belong to me, but to Meg Cabot and Disney, but the idea is mine.

It was a gorgeous summer day in Genovia, and things had settled down again after the coronation and almost wedding of Princess Mia, now Her Majesty, and the wedding of Her Majesty Queen Clarisse, and her loyal bodyguard, Joseph Bonnell. Mia was busy in a session of parliament, while Clarisse and Joe were free to wander around the garden.

"I'm so glad to be outside on a lovely day like this," Clarisse sighed contentedly, looing around at her pride and joy. She had always loved gardening, even when she hadn't had the opportunity, and she was looking forward to getting hands on again, especially now that she was no longer Queen. She glanced over at Joseph, her husband- that was another thing she couldn't quite get used to….her husband! She had loved him for so long, but had hidden it almost as long that it was difficult to believe the fact that they were married, or to be openly affectionate with him. "I definitely do not envy Mia sitting in parliament at the moment- I can imagine she'd rather be outside doing something with Nicholas!

"Yes, neither do I. I can remember the days when I was stuck in parliament, thanks to you, listening to another round of endless debates on the Winter Palace refurbishments!" Joseph mused thoughtfully, laughing at the look on his wife's face. He loved being able to call her 'his wife'- although their affection for one another had been an open secret in Genovia, and in the palace, for years, somehow, making their relationship official had been the best moment of his life.

"Oh really?" Clarisse stopped and turned to him with a mock cross look on her face. "And who was the one who had to stop them all squabbling?"
"Okay, you win," he said generously, taking her into his arms and giving her a long, loving kiss. "You always seem to win, you know!"
"That's because I used to be Queen, and I'm used to having things my own way!" She pretended to stick out her tongue at him, and he tried to kiss her again before she pulled away happily.

"Well, that's going to change, now that we're married," Joe growled happily. "No more spoiled Queen behaviour for you, my lady!"
"Oh, I love it when you act as if you're still my bodyguard!" she giggled (a former Queen giggling, she thought to herself!) and took his arm again as they continued their stroll around the garden.

"Do you know what Mia's doing tonight? I assume you still talk to Shades about her…and don't say you don't, Joseph Bonnell," she joked as he tried to protest.

"You know me too well. Alright, I think Mia and Nicholas were going out for the evening, on a date with Lily and that Captain Kip Kelly, I think. They hadn't decided on a destination, but I'm sure Mia will tell you before they go out!"

He was teasing at the last sentence, but he loved seeing the close and loving bond grandmother and granddaughter shared. Although they had only known each other for almost seven years, it was a deep and loving relationship, almost like the relationship between Clarisse and Mia's father, before his death.

"Very funny! You know, I've actually never been out on a date- even when I was betrothed to Rupert, he never took me out for an evening or the day. I just attended functions when he needed me."

Clarisse looked pensive for a moment, and then looked at Joe. "What usually happens on a date?"
"Well….I think it's just when two people meet for a social appointment…you know, a dinner or movies or something…" Joseph was trying to sound professional and like he knew, but Clarisse couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"It sounds like you've swallowed the dictionary! How long has it been since you went out on a date?"
"Not for a very long time- you kept me busy enough not to have a social life." Clarisse looked mock angry again, and then laughed.

"I guess I must have been a handful…..You know, maybe we should go out on a date."

"Why? We're married- and married people usually don't have to date- they're stuck with the person for the rest of their life……"Joseph began in consternation, and then stopped when he saw the impish look on Clarisse's face.

"I can tell you've got an idea that involves me, as usual," he said with a resigned sigh, and she looked at him in astonishment.

"Who else do you think it would involve- you are my husband…unless, you would like me to see someone….."
"No!" Joe almost shouted, and then smiled when he saw that she was teasing him. "Alright- so how would I go about organising this?"

For a moment Clarisse looked shocked.

"Who said that you were going to organise it? It was my idea, so I get to organise our date?"
"Hang on, why should you get to do it?"
"Alright- how about this for an idea. We both organise a date, and then at the end of both of them, we decide which was better, and whoever organised it is the winner. It's like a bet."
"A bet?" Joe looked at her a little suspiciously- Clarisse had never approved of betting when she was Queen. "What would I win, or you win if either of us won?"

Clarisse frowned for a moment, and then her eyes lit up as sudden inspiration hit her.

"I know! If I win, you've got to help me in the garden for a week!"

She laughed at the look on his face- while Joseph appreciated flowers, and put up with it because it was her passion, he rarely indulged in weeding or watering the gardens, and usually disappeared when she needed his help. Clarisse laughed, and then stopped as a thought struck her "But what if you win?"
"You play golf with me for an entire week!" he chuckled with glee- Clarisse found golf as boring as he did gardening. Either way, one of them was going to have a fun week.

"But I thought you didn't approve of betting!"
"This is a very innocent bet, my love, and we should have a little fun now that we're married….unless you're scared!" she looked at him slyly, and he was struck by an expression on her face that he had seen time and time again on Mia's.

"No I'm not- and we've got a deal," he said firmly, and they shook hands firmly on it, almost chuckling with delight.

"Who should we get to judge which was the best- or can we do that ourselves?"
"I think we can judge for ourselves- so we can start anytime you want."

Joseph thought fast- he needed time to plan, and consult with someone- preferably Mia, or even Shades.
"I'll have my date on Friday- I don't know when or how."
"Fine, I'll have Saturday. Oh, and I think we should be able to consult with two people in regards to this date….I pick Mia and Charlotte!"

"Rats….Okay, Shades and Nicholas!" They looked at each other in excitement- this was unusual, but they wanted to make each moment together count.
"This is going to be so much fun!" Clarisse giggled as they headed back towards the palace. "I can't imagine having done this with Rupert- but I'm glad it's with you," she softly kissed his cheek, and he put an arm around her.

"Me too."