Disclaimer: I love these characters as if they were my own, but sadly they are not. Whoever they belong to is one lucky, lucky person.

Chapter 4

Clarisse turned the doorknob and guided Joseph hand in hand into the suite they now shared. Sure, he had seen it before but now it had a completely new feeling to it – this was now home, a home he shared with his new wife. He smiled – there were so many memories to be made here, so much love to be shared here, and he looked forward to every minute of it.

She shut the large door behind them and turned around. It took maybe a half second for Joseph to press his body against hers, trapping her between the door and himself. They had been waiting for this moment since the first kiss they shared. They had waited for so long – loving each other had been hard throughout the years, but their love only managed to grow. Now, neither could wait for the moment they would become one. He kissed her, deep and passionately.

"Clarisse..." he whispered. He wanted her now more than ever before, and he knew the feeling was reciprocated.

Her arms wound around his neck and brought his lips crushing to hers.

"Let's not waste time, Joseph... we've wasted enough of it already."

She gasped as he lifted her off the ground and carried her to their bedroom. "Joseph!" she protested, "Let me down from here! You're going to kill yourself, and me too!"

"I'm carrying you over the threshold, my Queen."

"You're also breaking every bone in your body! Oh, thank you."

He placed her on their bed and smiled when she sat up, facing him, and patted the bed for him to sit.

"I think we need to talk, Joseph."

"I hope you're not regretting our marriage already, Clarisse. I don't think I could bare losing you."

"Regret our marriage? Oh, no, Joseph. Do not ever believe I regret us. I love you with every fiber of my being. I just wanted to tell you some things. Joseph, my first marriage... well, I know you saw what happened throughout most of it. Rupert and I were friends, but we were never in love. I know, Joseph, that you are the most wonderful, compassionate man in the world even if you don't let everyone see that side of you. I also know that you are in love with me. And now," tears were forming in her eyes, "now, Joseph, we can finally be together and share our love. I have waited so long for you to know how I feel, and now here we are... married."

"Yes, Clarisse. We're married. I can't believe it either." Joseph took his hands and wiped the tears away with his thumbs. He didn't want her to cry – she was so beautiful, it broke his heart to see her upset like that.

"It has been a hell of a day, Joseph," was all she could think of to say.

"Must have been a wonderful day in Hell, I suppose," he responded. He lifted her chin to look into her eyes. She was moments away from crying, from letting her tears flow freely. He smiled – he knew they weren't tears of regret or sadness, but of pure joy. "Let me kiss you, thoroughly... Let me make love to you all night long and then let me hold you into the early hours of the morning. Let me kiss every inch of your beautiful skin, Clarisse. Let me love you like you deserve to be loved – completely, honestly, wholly."

Her tears spilled onto her cheeks as Joseph kissed her. He loved her, he needed her, and he needed her to know he loved her.

He removed her jacket carefully as she tugged at his shirt. He needed her now, and she needed him too. His shirt was now free his pants, and carefully she undid the buttons, one by one. He grabbed at her blouse, pulling it over her head frantically.

Patience, Joseph, patience. Yes, she's your wife... but we don't want to force her into this. God, I need her though.

His frantic pace at removing her clothes made her increase her own. Shirts were ripped, zippers were broken, and a pile of useless, torn clothing was formed at the edge of the bed.

"Joseph, I love you. Love you... love you... love you..." she repeated into his lips as he kissed her. He was teasing her, she knew, making her want more and he was very willing to comply.

"You're so beautiful, Clarisse, but I already knew that." His lips found her ear, sucking and biting and tugging the lobe gently.

His hands searched for the clasp of her bra. He found it – and removed the offending garment as quickly as possible.

She couldn't get enough of him. She felt his hands travel down her sides, to her breasts, everywhere they could possibly touch, they did. She felt his length press into her, and she wanted nothing more than completion... nothing more than to feel all of him inside her in a declaration of their love.

"Joseph... let's take this slowly. This is love, Joseph... not lust. Make love to me, all night long."

"I love you, Clarisse."

"I love you, Joseph."

Joseph opened the sheets and they both slid in, making love until daylight ascended upon the palace. It was after sunrise when both fell asleep from utter exhaustion, holding each other close.

Clarisse woke just moments before Joseph the next morning. She couldn't explain it – she felt complete for the first time in her life. She shifted under the sheets, then reached out to touch his face. His hand closed on top of hers. This was it... this was the new beginning they both had hoped for. They could finally be together, together forever. Their lips closed in one last kiss, in one last promise of their undying love before they both started their new lives... together.

A/N: Well, that was the end. I had fun writing it - and I hope you enjoyed. Until next fan fiction...

-ilongtobelostinyou