Thank you for your patience (my novel progress thanks you as well!) and for all the wonderful reviews and comments you have sent me. They are truly appreciated and feed my writer's soul!

This chapter concludes our story and I hope you've enjoyed the brief, but fun journey we've taken with Clarisse and Joseph.

For the legal stuff, you all know I don't own PD, C/J or Dirty Dancing...I've just played with them for a while for our mutual enjoyment.

And, finally, thank you to my beta, Viki, for her wonderful work. You guys have NO idea how much she helps me! So, Pussycat - thank you!

Without further ado...

Chapter 4: Epilogue: The Time of Our Lives

Joseph stepped into the large room, strains of Mozart flooding his ears the moment the doors opened. His eyes swept across the room, an occupational hazard derived from years in the protection business. He quickly spotted Shades along with several members of his security team spread at proper intervals throughout the room. Though they stood perfectly still, their eyes were vigilant…like his. Hundreds of formally dressed guests were twirling in time to a waltz, their bodies moving in an apparent choreographed motion. Their faces comprised a myriad of emotions ranging from excitement to boredom – for a few, mild irritation. Some hated official functions that duty required they attend – but one could not say no when invited to the Palace by the ruling family of Genovia. His thoughts took him back, for a moment, to a time when the head of that ruling family had exercised that right with him:

Hearing music from the open terrace door of the ballroom Joseph decided that it was the perfect time for a moment alone with Clarisse. Those times had been almost non-existent as she had been busier than usual planning a wedding, dealing with Parliament, training Amelia, and the normal responsibilities of running a Country. He watched for just a moment as the love of his life was transported to a world of her own as the music serenaded her. A smile erupted from his face as she began to move in time with the music, falling into step with an imaginary partner. Since that fateful night when their dance had taken their relationship to another level, every time he saw her dance – images of the way she looked and how she felt came flooding back to him.

Wanting to feel her body next to his, he couldn't resist the temptation she presented. As she twirled away from his direction; he moved quickly and stepped into rhythm with her.

"Oh!" Clarisse was surprised and elated that she was, once again, in Joseph's arms. Everything felt so right when she was nestled in his protective embrace. She laid her head on his shoulder to enjoy this gift of a private moment between the two of them.

That excitement quickly turned to regret, though, when his voice cut in as the music started to fade. "Have you been thinking about us?" He wanted to complete the perfectness of that night by getting her to agree to take his last name as hers – just like they had dreamed.

Clarisse knew that this moment held the potential to destroy the relationship they had built. She wanted nothing more than to be Clarisse Mignonette Renaldi Romero…she just couldn't take that step – yet. She lifted her head from his shoulder, took a deep breath and quietly responded, "Yes, I have."

She didn't have to say a word…Joseph could tell from the look on her face that her decision had been made. He couldn't fathom how she could turn her back on everything they had shared…on him. The rest of their life had been less than perfect – with vultures lurking round every turn to swoop in on any happiness that they might try to secure for themselves and steal it away. But that night – that night – had spoken of what could be between them. The love. The passion. The completion. That was a once in a lifetime kind of a deal and she was willing to walk away from that. She may be able to do that but he couldn't. He would rather leave than stay and feel that pain every day. "I see."

A very un-Queenlike feeling resembling something between panic and fear started to slowly fill her heart. She saw the look on his face and knew that he didn't understand. She wanted to say something – NEEDED to say something – but words wouldn't come.

"If you'll excuse me?" He had to get out of there before he said or did something that he regretted; not that he wouldn't already spend the rest of his life in regret…

He hadn't taken but a few steps when the fear inside of her reached a critical mass. She took a few hurried steps to catch up with him and grabbed his arm. "No…Joseph! You had to know what I was going to say! Mia needs me now – more than ever before. It's the monarchy – I mean as Queen, it's my responsibility. You know how it is."

Joseph just looked at her in disbelief. This wasn't about Mia. This wasn't about Genovia. This was about Clarisse and Joseph, dammit! How could she play the duty card with him? He understood duty. The difference was that he believed that as human beings they were also entitled to a duty to themselves. Perhaps she had thought that reminding him of her duty would make him see the difficult position she was in. She was wrong. "You were never just my Queen, Clarisse. You were the someone that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with."

She started to interrupt but his words cut her off.

"But…if you prefer that I see you first and foremost as my Queen…I shall oblige."

Her heart dropped into her stomach. As the other half of her heart and soul, she knew that she had finally done it…she had lost him. Needing to touch him at least one more time, she reached up and cupped her hand to his cheek as was her custom when she wanted to show him special affection when they were in public. "Joseph."

She had thought she might have gotten through as his head dipped slightly into her hand. She realized, however, that he was merely bowing to her as he spoke. "Your Majesty." Her hand withdrew quickly as though it sensed that it had no right to such an intimate gesture under the circumstances. Joseph finally broke the connection and turned and walked away.

A gentle tap on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts. "Yes, Charlotte."

"Joe, I know it's an imposition, but could I steal you away for just a minute?"

His eyes quickly scanned the room. Not seeing his target, he smiled at Charlotte. "Of course, anything for you."

A moment later he found himself surrounded by representatives from each department of the palace staff. "What is this?"

"An impromptu thank you party." Charlotte smiled. "To let you know how much we appreciate everything you do around here."

As Joseph opened each gift, he was touched by the thoughtfulness that had gone into each one. A bottle of his favorite scotch, a new Swiss Army knife and a framed picture of the entire staff were among his favorites. Less than ten minutes later, it was just he and Charlotte again. "Thank you, Charlotte, this was very generous – not necessary, but generous."

She smiled at him and held out one final package. "This one is from me. I didn't want you to open it in front of the others."

Joseph looked at her with mild suspicion. What had she done? "Is it going to explode?" He teased.

"No, but it has meaning and I don't believe you want to have to explain that meaning to everyone else."

With that cryptic explanation, she had kissed him on the cheek and left. Carefully opening the package, there was a small intricately carved box. Slowly he opened it and music began to play. His breath caught in his throat as he recognized the song…it took him back to another fateful night…

Joseph finished the fiery amber liquid, hoping that this glass would dull the pain in his heart that would not go away. Just yesterday, Clarisse had told him that she couldn't marry him. Oh she had wanted to tell him that she needed more time, but he wasn't hearing it. He felt like he had been waiting for her his entire life. He had faced more nights alone than he cared to count over the years; but the ones he spent with her had made up for those and more.

But now…

Now…there would be no marriage, no perfect life, no more shared dreams.

No Clarisse Mignonette Renaldi Romero.

He poured another glass and took a quick drink before shedding his shirt. As much as he would like to drink himself into oblivion, there was still work to be done – at least for another week or so. He had turned his resignation in today. The look on her face when he put the letter in front of her almost destroyed him. Taking another drink, he shook that image from his head. To acknowledge that she was hurting just as much as he was would lessen his anger; and, he wanted to be angry right now.

So caught up in his own thoughts, he didn't hear the door open inside his bedroom. "Joseph?"

At the sound of her voice, he turned to find her standing in the middle of the floor inside the spacious room. She was dressed in black – just like last time. This time, though, her eyes were filled with pain rather than love; despair rather than hope; and unshed tears of sadness rather than joy.

He needed to stay angry otherwise the pain might overwhelm him as well. "What do you want, Your Majesty."

She visibly recoiled at his use of her title; but he didn't care. SHE had chosen to be Queen over a woman; he was just following her wishes.

"Please, Joseph. I don't want to fight…once in a lifetime is enough."

"Then what do you want?"

"To dance."

At his shocked expression she clarified. "Just dance."

He stared at her…trying to determine her angle.

"One last time….please." Her head dropped to avoid his gaze and mentally prepare herself for his rejection. It had taken a lot for her to come here tonight, but the thought of never dancing with him again had made her put pride aside and ask for one last dance.

Joseph battled with himself. He wanted to…God, how he wanted to hold her. In the end, that need won out over punishing her. "Music?"

She looked up at his acceptance, grateful they were going to be given this moment. "May I choose?"

"Of course…" she made it so hard to stay angry at her.

She nodded and slipped the CD into the player and the music started. She stepped into his arms, assuming the traditional dance stance. It wasn't what she wanted, but she would take what he would give and treasure it to keep her warm on the lonely nights to come:

"I thought that dreams belonged to other men,

cause each time I got close, they'd fall apart again.

I fear my heart would beat in secrecy

I faced the nights alone, oh how could I have known

That all my life I only needed you."

He recognized the music,"Almost Paradise", from another movie. The lyrics seemed to be perfect for them – would be perfect for them had this not been their last dance. He pulled her closely, neglecting any official dance etiquette. Right now they needed the comfort that they only found in each other's arms.

Breathing a sigh of relief when his body came into full contact with hers, she closed her eyes to focus on feeling nothing but him and hearing nothing but the words that spoke of their love…of what they had…of what they were about to lose.

"And in your arms, salvation's not so far away…"

Oh how true that was. He could feel her heart beating next to his and wanted so badly to tell her that he would wait for her. No longer wanting to fight the emotions, he let the tears fall. She needed to know that he was just as miserable as she was. His chest was damp from her tears; but he didn't care.

"Almost paradise…"

The song ended. She lifted her face, placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "I'll never be sorry for what we shared." She then turned, leaving as quietly as she had come.

"Me neither…" he had whispered after her.

Brought back to the present, he was grateful for the reminder that Charlotte had given him. He never wanted to forget how close he had come to losing her. Each moment was one to treasure and he intended to make the most of all the moments they had left.

Some day he would have to get Charlotte to tell him how she knew about that night. But for tonight, there were more pressing matters. He wiped his eyes and returned to the ballroom and to his earlier mission. Finally spotting her hidden away at a table in the corner of the ballroom, surrounded by various heads of state, he made his way over to her – stopping only for a moment to speak to the conductor and hand him a CD. With a smiling nod, the Conductor agreed to his terms.

She looked breathtakingly beautiful as she conversed about what was potentially very boring subjects with people she only associated with due to her title. He loved the way her face lit up as he stepped up to the table. "Please pardon the interruption. I need a brief word with the Queen."

Conversation quieted at his request and he leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

The blush that covered her face was priceless, especially since the others at the table had no idea what he had whispered in her ear to cause such a reaction. She would scold him later, but for now, it was definitely worth it.

Standing to attention, he extended his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Clarisse decided that she couldn't be happier at this precise moment in time. Joseph was standing before her, looking incredibly handsome in his black tux and she was getting the privilege of dancing with him once again. "Of course. " Looking towards the couples at the table, she added "If you will excuse me."

They rose and bowed their heads slightly in acknowledgement.

Holding her hand, rather than escorting her with his arm, she felt a lot like Baby being led to the stage for the final dance of the movie. It was very difficult to control the many emotions running through her body. Once they were standing in the center of the dance floor, everyone quieted. The Conductor quietly handed Joseph a microphone and winked at Clarisse.

"Please pardon the interruption, ladies and gentlemen. First, thank you for being here this evening to share in the special occasion for the country and for your Queen. As is customary, the Queen always performs the last dance of the evening. Tonight however, the last dance will not be performed by your Queen."

He paused for effect, enjoying the slight gasp that emanated from the audience and the looks that started around the room, including one that Clarisse was pointedly giving him. He squeezed her hand in reassurance.

"Tonight I am honored to dance the last dance with an amazing woman, who has taught me so much about life and the sacrifices that must often be made for the greater good of a society. Tonight, I have the privilege of dancing with my new partner: Clarisse Mignonette Renaldi Romero."

Applause erupted from the audience as Joseph finished his small speech. He nodded to the Conductor who started the music. The lights dimmed and Joseph turned Clarisse to face him. "Trust me." He whispered.

"Now I…had the time of my life

And it never felt like this before…

Yes I swear…it's the truth

And I owe it all to you."

Clarisse felt his hands on her arm and back and she knew what was coming. The final dance in the movie had been a distant cousin to ballroom dancing and she was uncertain how it would be received by the people standing around her. She looked into Joseph's eyes and saw her future – saw love. So, for the second time that day, she decided to throw caution to the wind and just go with the moment. She did owe her happiness to Joseph and this dance would bring them full circle from where they started. She trusted him not to take it too far.

He saw the struggle and then the agreement in her eyes to play along with him in the dance. When his hands applied gentle pressure, she let her back arch and her upper body fall away from his in a circular motion. She heard a few of the younger generation, her granddaughter included, audibly share their approval of the move. When she came face to face with Joseph, she couldn't help but smile.

He returned her smile and then turned her body so her back was to him. Raising her arm, he let his slide down her arm and then her side, carefully avoiding areas he would tend to later. Their eyes were locked and it was easy to see both the love and passion they shared with each other. As the slow part of the music ended, Joseph took her hand and placed a small kiss on the tip of her nose before twirling her away to begin the dance that would signify the end to one chapter of their life and the start of another.

Apparently Joseph had watched the movie a few times, as well, Clarisse realized as he led her in the dance almost step for step as Johnny and Francis had done. She could hear the clapping in time with the music from the onlookers and took that as a sign of acceptance and encouragement. Letting go of any remaining fear, she dedicated herself to enjoying this dance fully with him.

Mia elbowed Charlotte. "Did you know Gramma could dance like this?"

Charlotte was beaming, her smile proud as she watched her best friend having the time of her life. After everything that had transpired between these two over the past few years and then being privy to the private heartbreak that Clarisse had finally opened up to her about, allowing the tears that she had kept tucked away for so long, Charlotte answered. "I think she can do anything she sets her mind to."

Mia looked at Charlotte in the dim light and saw that she knew things that she would never share with anyone. That was why she was her Grandmother's best friend. She smiled and then added, "Well I think she gets this from me!"

At the precise moment, Joseph pulled her close and looked lovingly in her eyes. Not only did it give him a chance to share with her just how special this moment was, but also gave them a quick chance to catch their breath. They weren't nearly as young as the actors who played in the movie and needed a few extra moments before they finished.

Clarisse felt his breath mingle with hers as they both tried to catch their breath. Before she fully recovered, he spun her out and back again, garnering a large smile from her and laughter from the audience at the playfulness they had never witnessed from their Queen before.

Break time was over and they resumed the dance. Clarisse was grateful, Joseph left out the "dirtier" aspects of the dance and kept it light and playful. Their joy was contagious and before long others had joined them on the dance floor to share in this special moment. As the jazz section broke out, Joseph kissed her hand and then stepped away. He executed a few moves that demonstrated he was an accomplished dancer as well. Clarisse remained in the center of the dance floor, smiling and watching her new husband show a side of himself that few had been privy to witness.

A few moments later, he rejoined her. They opted to skip the lift that was in the dance choosing rather to finish with a series of turns and flourishes that showed off some pretty fancy footwork. The applause was so loud now that you could hardly hear the music. As the music finally slowed , he pulled her close and mouthed the words, "and I owe it all to you."

She smiled brightly but shook her head. "No, Joseph…I owe it all to you."

The last notes of the music faded as the couple allowed the audience to witness a kiss that was far better than the one they shared at their impromptu wedding ceremony earlier that day.

Their kiss ended and they turned and made a bow to the audience who responded, once again, with thunderous applause.

They both knew that they were, in fact, embarking on the best time of their life.

Clarisse opened her eyes and stared dreamily at the man lying next to her. He had given her something worth more than all the crown jewels in Genovia. Today he had given her a future that she never thought possible. One with days filled with love, hope, happiness, promise and lest she never forget…

Dancing.

The End.