Joseph had awoken from his dream wondering of it was fantasy or reality. He looked around and saw that she wasn't there but she was in his mind constantly. The dream he remembered was a very fond one. He had swept her off her feet, to her to his room, and made mad passionate love to her. His dreams always consisted of that but in different ways. He climbed out of bed, put on his pants and shirt, and went out into the warm spring air. When he turned to walk into the garden he saw her. She was walking into the maze with Maurice at her side, in her white silk pajamas which he loved to see her in. he quickly walked up behind her, but keeping a considerable distance so he wouldn't scare her. As he followed behind her his head became dizzy with the smell of her perfume mixed with her lavender body wash that he stepped on a twig which broke loud and scared her.

"Oh! Oh Joseph you scared me."

"My apologies madam. I had no intention of scaring you."

"What are you doing up this late?"

"I had a nightmare."

"Really? So did I."

He raised an eyebrow at her interested. He had never known the queen to have a nightmare or be up this late at night. She held her hand out for him which he happily took. He wrapped her arm under his as they continued their moonlight walk through the garden.

"Tell me about your dream."

"Tell me about yours."

"Well I was trying to romance the woman of my dreams. Talk her into marrying me."

"How is that a nightmare?"

"Because the woman of my dreams is already married and way out of my league."

"Oh… it sounds a lot like my dream."

"Really?"

"Yes I mean I do love Rupert but he's more of a friend than a lover to me. But the one I love doesn't even know how I feel."

"Maybe you should tell him."

"I would but I'm not sure how he feels about me."

She stopped for a second and looked into his eyes, and he knew instantly she was talking about him. He decided to see how this would work out so he played it coy.

"Well what would you say to him if you had the chance?"

"I would say… I love you more than life its self and I dream about you every night. You are the one my heart longs for what my heart yearns for. To be with you and only you for the rest of my life."

"Really? I mean well I know what he would say in this situation. He would say something like… I have loved you since I first saw you. You are the one who invades my dreams every night, the one I want to have in my arms, to hold, kiss, and love for the rest of my life."

"Do you really mean that?"

"Yes do you?"

"Yes."

He moved closer to her not breaking their eye contact, grabbed her arms and kissed her. He was a little surprised when she didn't pull away suddenly but deepened the kiss by sliding her hands around his neck. He slid his around her waist filling the void between them and he pulled her closer to her. He moved his kisses down her jaw to her neck filling his senses with her sweet aroma relieved at the fact they felt the same way about each other. She moaned gently at his kisses feeling at last the euphoria of true love.

"Clarisse my darling?"

"Yes Joseph?"

"I've wanted to tell you this for such a long time that…"

"Shh… "She put a finger to his lips "…let's not worry about that right now. The point is that I love you and I now know you love me. Oh Joseph I love you."

"And I love you. Come…"

He grabbed her hand again and led her back to the palace. She unhooked Maurice from his leash and he ran back into her bedroom. As Joseph grasped her hand she felt a jolt of electricity run through her and down her spine. He picked her up, and walked through the balcony doors until he reached her room. She locked the door, and joined him on her bed sitting a little awkwardly. Thank heaven she and Rupert were in separate rooms now so if he went looking for her he won't have to find her in Joe's room.

"Are you nervous?" he asked her while running his hand over hers kissing her fingertips.

"No..."

She took a hold of his hand and placed it gently on her breast.

"… Kiss me Joseph."

"Yes Clarisse."

He cupped her breast lightly but moved it in order for him to undo her pajama top. She moved from his hands for a minute so she could lie back. He gently got on top of her straddling her. He slid the pajama shirt from under her body, kissing her neck and breasts slowly as he could; he didn't want to go as fast as he did in his dreams, he didn't want to hurt her. Now that he had her he was never going to let her go. As his lips found hers again she slid off his shirt so she could run her hands over his bare back, gently sliding her nails down his back to his pants unbuttoning them slowly. He slid them off along with his boxers, and she slid off her pajama pants and undergarments. He kissed her feverish lips again as she whispered into his ear.

"Joseph… now."

He entered her gently and started a nice slow rhythm that was pleasing for the both of them. She could see the love in his eyes as his eyes met hers. His hands slid over her breasts again caressing them gently; his hands then moved to her arms sliding them behind her head, so he could start kissing her neck again which was bringing her closer to her release. She removed her hands from his, grabbing his back, pulling him closer to her as she reached her climax. He quickly reached his after hers, and then gently collapsed onto top of her. He slid out of her and they made their way up her bed, got under the covers, and he pulled her close to him. He stroked her arm in lazy circles, and kissed her forehead. She sighed deeply knowing now what it felt like to be totally and completely in love.