One week later

Nicholas stepped out of the bathroom after finishing putting on his bowtie. "Mia, are you almost ready?"

"In a second!" Brigitte finished placing the crown on her head and then she looked in the mirror. She gently touched the ruby and diamonds around her neck and smiled. She did love Nicholas and she was happy! Things were going great and the ball was going to be even better. Celebrating the marriage of two Queens was something Genovia had never seen but was ecstatic about. Mia smiled at the two maids standing next to her. "Do I look presentable?"

They both nodded vigorously.

"I should say," a voice behind her said.

Mia turned around and smiled. Nicholas whistled. "Wow. You look amazing."

Mia hugged him tightly. "Thank you. You don't look too shabby yourself." They both looked wonderful. Nicholas in his tuxedo and Mia in a long, fitted, red gown with a train a foot long. She took his arm and they descended the steps, ready for a night of fun.

"Joseph, could you help me with this?" Joe fixed his bowtie one last time and then walked into the bedroom. Olivia had just gone out of the room to check on something for Charlotte, leaving Clarisse to fiddle with the clasp of the new necklace Joe had given her. Even from behind, he could tell she was going to look beautiful. He hooked the necklace for her, smiling. Her arm had been out of the sling for a day now and had healed beautifully. Her nightmares had ceased as well, much to both of their delight. Joe's thoughts were interrupted as she turned around. A tiara on her head, the necklace around her neck, and a smile on her face made his night all the more better already. He took her hands and stepped back, stunned at her appearance.

"I must say, my dear, I do not know if I have ever seen you look more radiant."

A glow seemed to surround her in the mauve, long, corsetted gown. The sleeves were long, coming to a point at her hands. The neckline, as Joe said, was perfect for the necklace to settle itself in. She blushed slightly and put her hands on his chest. "You look dashing yourself, Sir Joseph. The necklace makes the dress."

"No...the woman makes the dress." He pulled her close and kissed her gently at first, then deepened the embrace as she put her arms around his neck. Time seemed to stop around the couple until she heard the creak of the door. She pulled away and looked up at him.

"I am afraid we have guests to entertain tonight," she said softly.

Joe nodded and stole one more kiss from her. "We will finish that thought later."

Clarisse hit him playfully and he took her hand in his. "You, sir, are walking a very fine line."

"I thought you liked me that way."

Clarisse giggled and quickly covered her mouth to stop herself. It was very unlike her to giggle. "Joseph...you must stop this. Nicholas and Mia..."

"Are right behind you," a voice giggled behind them. Joe turned around and kept a tight hold on Clarisse as blushes crept upon both of their cheeks. Nicholas and Mia smiled at the couple. "Don't worry, we just came in," Mia explained.

"We didn't hear a thing," Nicholas said, hiding a smile.

"I could question you to make sure you are telling the truth," Joe said, his eyes narrowing in fun.

"But you won't...because you love us," said Mia as she walked up to her Grandmother and kissed her cheek. "You look awesome Grandma!"

"Thank you, my darling. And you look beautiful. Is that your present from Nicholas?"

Mia nodded and smiled widely. "Isn't it gorgeous?"

"I must say, he has very good taste."

Nicholas and Joe smiled at the two women. "Are they always like this?" Nicholas asked.

"Yes. One learns to get used to it." Nicholas laughed as he and Joe carried on a conversation of their own.

"Who made that dress....oh my word!" Mia exclaimed as she finally noticed the diamonds hanging on Clarisse's neck. "Where...did you get that necklace?"

"I guess you could say my Head of Security knows a little too much about me," Clarisse answered.

"Grandpa!"

Joe turned quickly from his conversation with Nicholas. "Yes?"

"This is amazing!"Mia exclaimed. She gently touched her Grandmother's necklace. "It looks gorgeous on you!"

"Thank you, dear."

Joe put his arm around Clarisse's waist and kissed her cheek. "I figured she deserved it. Don't you?"

Mia smiled as she took Nicholas' arm. "She most certainly does."

"Both of you deserve everything in the world," Nicholas said. "It will just take Joe and I awhile to get all those things so until then...let's go party!" The girls laughed and let the men lead them to the ballroom.

The party ended at one o'clock in the morning and both Queens were exhausted. As they and their husbands said goodnight to everyone, one person from the back of the room examined their movements closely. Silently he moved to the end of the line and waited his turn to say goodnight to the Queens. Mia and Nicholas were the first two he reached. Nicholas reached out to shake his hand. "Goodnight sir, thank you for..."As Nicholas finally realized who it was, he was too shocked to finish his statement.

"Nicholas?" Mia looked at the man as well and gasped. Joe and Clarisse said goodnight to the last couple and then looked over at Mia and Nicholas.

"What is it?" Joe asked.

Mia grabbed Nicholas' arm as the Viscount raised his hat. "Good evening, everyone."

Joe moved forward and took him by the collar. "You were told to never come back here again."

"Well, you see sir, I would not have but I seemed to have lost something the last time I was here. And I do not want to leave without it." He eyed Clarisse with lust and Joe pushed him up against a wall. Nicholas came over and put his hand on Joe's shoulder to keep him from doing anything that would put him in jail. Mia moved close to Clarisse and put her arm around her. She could feel her Grandmother trembling and held on to her tightly, in case she fell faint.

Joe's self-control was gone as he glared at the Viscount. "You will never...NEVER...get my wife. Now, I have told you many times and this will be the last...you are not allowed in this palace and will never come back here again...because this time, I got a restraining order against you. You sir..."

"Are under arrest. Come on, Viscount. Back to the station."A policeman and the shade man took the Viscount out of Joe's grasp and handcuffed him, leading him out of the palace, screaming and yelling that he was innocent. Joe thanked the shade man before he left and then moved over next to Clarisse.

"He's gone now...forever," he assured her.

"One can only hope," she said softly.

He took her hand and felt it shaking. "Clarisse...let's go to the room. You're shaking."

"I'm fine."

"No, you are not. Come on..." He motioned for Mia and Nicholas to follow and they did, worried about Clarisse.

"Grandma, are you sure you're alright?" Mia asked.

"Just fine," she answered. "You two get a good night's sleep."

"Yes, we'll see you in the morning," Joe said.

They hugged everyone goodnight, Mia hanging on to Clarisse a little longer than everyone else. "I love you," she whispered in Clarisse's ear.

"I love you too. Now go..."

Mia and Nicholas said goodnight one more time and then went up the steps. Clarisse took Joe's hand as he led her into the room. He pulled her into a hug immediately after closing the door. "I'm sorry he was in here."

"It's not your fault. He must have slipped in the back...kind of like you used to."

Joe looked down at her and smiled. "I thought I was the only one who knew about that."

"He must have just happened upon it. He is not as smart as you are, Joseph."

"Well, I'm glad you think so." He kissed her sweetly and took both of her hands. "I believe it is time for you to get into bed. It has been a long day."

"Yes, that's for sure." They moved into the bedroom and Clarisse sat down on the bed heavily. She was very tired. Joe took off his coat and bowtie. He sat down next to her and turned her around. "Joseph...what are you..."

"Shh, just keep quiet."

Clarisse did as she was told as Joe began massaging her back and shoulders. She immediately began to relax and sighed. "Thank you, Joseph."

Joe kissed the back of her neck as he took off the necklace, getting up to put it on her vanity. He came back and worked out the knots in her shoulders. He could tell how tense she was. When he finished, he felt her body slump against his. "Feel better?"

She nodded and he smiled, hugging her from behind. She put her arms over his and smiled. "Sometimes I wish we could just be like this all the time."

"You wouldn't want to be a Queen anymore?"

"Oh, I don't know. It just seems that we don't have any peace and quiet do we?"

Joe turned her around and cupped her face with his hands. "Not much, but when we do, I think we make the best of it."

Clarisse smiled and leaned forward, capturing Joe's lips with her own. "Thank you, Joseph."

"You're most welcome, Your Majesty." Clarisse leaned back and frowned. "I mean...Clarisse...darling, you know I'm joking."

Clarisse smiled again and then stood up. "I'll be right back." She kissed him lightly and walked into the bathroom. Joe smiled and finished changing out of his tuxedo. He climbed into bed as she came out of the bathroom. She turned out all the lights and climbed in next to him. He pulled her into a tight embrace, not letting go quickly. "Joseph? Are you alright?"

He let go a bit and looked at her. "I couldn't be better." He leaned down and kissed her deeply, thankful that the Viscount had not suceeded in his plans.

The next morning, Mia walked with Nicholas down to her Grandmother's suite. They knocked on the door and Olivia answered. "Good morning Your Highnesses."

She curtsied to Nicholas and pointed her fingers at Mia. They both laughed. "Are Grandma and Grandpa awake?" Mia asked.

"Yes, Ma'am. They are out in the gazebo having breakfast. Would you like me to tell Brigitte and Brigitta that you want to join them?"

"That would be perfect, thank you," Mia answered.

"You're welcome." Olivia hurried to find Brigitte and Brigitta to tell them where to take the breakfast trays. Mia put her hand through Nicholas' arm and smiled as they strolled to the gazebo.

"I'm just glad that your Uncle was caught last night."

"So am I. Uncle was making things very difficult for Grandma and Joe."

"Yes, he was. I am sorry for you though. You did spend a lot of time with him."

"That time was not well spent. Remember, he wanted me to sabatoge you."

"Oh, yes, that's right. Aren't you glad that you didn't?"

Nicholas stopped walking and put his hands on her waist. "Very glad." He kissed her for a few fleeting moments and then took her hand in his. "Now, let's forget about Uncle and have a wonderful day."

"Sounds good to me." They finished their trip to the gazebo and found Clarisse and Joe enjoying their breakfast.

"Ah, there you are. We wondered how long it would take you to walk here," Joe said.

"We decided to have a relaxing morning," Mia replied, smiling at Nicholas.

"Good," Joe said as he stood and shook Nicholas' hand and kissed Mia's cheek. Nicholas kissed Clarisse's cheek and then they all sat down to breakfast.

"Well, I just have to say this," Mia said, a serious expression on her face. They all sat back, ready for Mia to explode about something. "No, no, no, I'm not mad!" They all laughed.

"Go on, Mia, what do you want to say?" Clarisse asked.

"I just think that since this has been such a rough month for us, we all should go on a vacation."

"But, darling, we just got back from the honeymoon," Nicholas said.

"Yea, but I've taken care of everything with the children's home and I think it's about time another Queen had her break." She smiled at Clarisse as Joe took his wife's hand. "How does California sound?" Joe and Clarisse looked at each other and smiled.

"California? Where your mother lives?" Nicholas asked.

"Yes, and where I first met Grandma and Joe. I think it's about time we went back to visit, don't you Grandma?"

Clarisse smiled at her granddaughter. "I think it's a wonderful idea."

"Well, I guess I won't mind going back to Los Angelos," Joe said. "As long as I don't have to see that strange girl and her friends...what was her name...Lana Banana..."

Mia laughed. "No, I'll make sure we don't see Lana anymore Grandpa. What do you say, Nicholas, you up for a trip to the United States?"

Nicholas looked around the table and sighed. "I guess I have no choice."

Mia giggled and threw her arms around his neck. She kissed his cheek and looked at him. "We're going to have a blast!"

Thanks to all who reviewed! I really appreciate your kind words! Look for the sequel to A Tale of Love…coming as soon as I get to it! Thanks again!