Today is Christmas eve, and for the last 4 weeks her Royal Highness Clarisse has been in America with Queen Amelia, arriving back in Genovia just yesterday afternoon. They were only meant to be there for two weeks, so Amelia could spend time with her family, having an early Christmas with them before the big first one as Queen back home. But while they were there, Amelia became sick and had to remain longer than planned. And even though Clarisse didn't mind going and spending time with her Granddaughter, and taking care of her while she was sick, she's excited to be back home, with her love and handsome husband, Joseph, who had stayed home to prepare the Palace for Christmas while they was in America.

There has been a lot of changes in the Palace over the last year, one of them being the former Queen's marriage to her head of security, Joseph, who after years of denying him his dream, she finally gave in and asked him to marry her at what should of been Amelia's wedding to Andrew. The other being Amelia taking over as Queen, after years of preparing and many lessons she was ready to take over and rule Genovia, and Clarisse couldn't be more prouder. Then just a month after Clarisse and Joseph's wedding, and Amelia becoming Queen, she married Nicholas.

And now that they are all together back home, it's going to be an extra special Christmas.

After getting to sleep late, but needing to be up early, Clarisse slowly wakes. Rolling over she checked the time, seeing it was just a few moments past 7am, she rolled back and curled up in Joseph's warm arms. "Are you awake?" She asked softly.

"I am." He nodded "Good morning, my love." He whispered against her hair, placing a kiss to her forehead.

"Good morning," She smiled and tilted her head back, looking into his eyes. "It feels so good to awake in your arms again, I have missed this." She smiled, burying her face under his chin as she snuggled up to him once again.

"I have missed this too, and couldn't agree more.. it sure feels good to wake with you here beside me." He smiled, running the tips of his fingers in circles over her arm. Then moments later he watched as she pushed herself up on her arm quickly "What's the matter?" He asked.

"What day is it?" She asked, looking at him.

"Christmas eve, why?" He asked and watched as she quickly sat up, groaning to herself while pushing the sheets back. "Clarisse?"

"I'm late, I should of been up at six, how come the alarm didn't go off?" She moaned, rushing into her bathroom as Joseph sat up.

"Why are you late?" He called out while sitting up and watched as she came into the bedroom, brushing her teeth while mumbling something in answer. "I didn't understand a word of that." He smirked as Clarisse walked back into her bathroom.

A moment later, she came back into the bedroom to explain "Mia asked me to attend a Christmas breakfast this morning, she was meant to go but she's visiting her doctor so asked me to go in her place." She exclaimed while rushing back into her bathroom, pushing up the door behind her.

Shaking his head, Joseph climbed from the bed and put a call down to Shades informing him that she is running just a little late. After hanging up he grabbed a quick shower, getting ready himself. Sitting on the ottoman at the foot of their bed once he was done and watched as Clarisse rushed around to get ready.

"I can't believe I slept in." She exclaimed while grabbing her hand mirror and mascara, applying it as Joseph walked up behind her.

"Well you did have a late night after all." He smiled, remembering the night while placing his hands on her hips. "And I can't believe you are leaving me so early." Wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her back against him as she smiled, still applying her mascara "We have a lot of catching up to do after all." He whispered in her ear.

Clarisse couldn't help but bite her bottom lip, slipping the applicator back into the tube, slowly turning the top to do it up. True, she had to admit to herself that since they became husband and wife they have become a pair of randy teenagers and being away from him for 4 long weeks was hard. Placing her hand on his, she giggled as he nuzzled her neck.

Slowly she turned in his embrace a moment later "We will catch up soon, I promise." She smiled, looking up into his eyes as he moved his hands to her hips.

"I know," He nodded and kissed her a couple times "I best let you go before I get to carried away." He smirked, giving her hips a little squeeze before letting her go.

"Thank you," She smiled and put her mascara and mirror down before hurrying into her closet.

"I can't believe you are wearing red though, you know what that does to me when you wear red." He said, standing in the doorway and watched as she hunted for a pair of shoes.

Grabbing a pair of black court shoes, she turned to him "I'm sorry, I have to wear this today with it being Christmas eve." She said and looked down while raising one foot, slipping her shoe on as Joseph watched.

"I know," He nodded and watched as she slipped her other shoe on. "What time do you think you will be back?" He asked.

Grabbing the red matching portrait collar jacket, she turned to him "I should be back by lunch time." She smiled, slipping it on and doing up the buttons as he watched.

"Ok, we can have lunch together then?" He asked, watching as she grabbed her Christmas scarf.

"Yes, that sounds good." She smiled and walked over to him, slipping the scarf around her neck. "I can't wait." She whispered between kisses as he put his hands on her sides. "I love you."

"I love you too," He smiled and kissed her once again before she stepped back.

"I have to go, I will see you later." She smiled and hurried out the door.

Shaking his head, he couldn't help but laugh. Making his way out into the bedroom and over to the door leading to the suite where he stood watching her staring at the Christmas decorations.

Turning, Clarisse looked at him "When did you do this?" She asked, looking back at the huge decorated tree in the corner of their suite.

"Two weeks ago." He said, standing to her side and wrapped his arm around her waist as she looked at him.

"But I didn't see this here last night," She exclaimed while looking back at the tree in surprise.

"Well it was here," He said taking her hand "Come and look." He smiled and led her over to the tree, only looking back at her when he heard a gasp escape her lips.

"It's beautiful." She said, putting her hand up to one of the tree branchs.

"I have to admit, I felt sad putting it up without you here. It's our first Christmas together as husband and wife, I wanted it to be special and put it up together." Joseph said, and watched as she looked back at him.

"I know you did," She said softly while turning to face him "And I'm sorry I wasn't here to help you." She said while stepping closer, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as they looked into each others eyes "You have done an amazing job though, I love it." She smiled, placing one of her hands on the back of his head, playing with his hair a little.

"Good, I'm glad you do." He smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her close. "Do you really have to leave again so soon?" He asked, looking down at her lips momentarily before looking back into her eyes.

"I do, I'm sorry." She said sadly, before laughing out as Joseph nuzzled her neck. "Joseph, I really do have to go." She said, laughing as he dipped her back a little, growling in her ear.

"I know, but a man can dream can't he?" He whispered against her neck as Clarisse giggled. Raising his head a moment later, he took both her hands in his before placing his lips to hers, letting it linger for a moment before pulling back. "Come on, I will walk you down." He smiled, letting go of one of her hands as he began leading her over to the door.

xXxXx

A/N: I just wanted to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about my other two stories Time To Go and On The Beach. I am working on the next chapters for those, and will post them as soon as I have finished them.