The Story of A Queen 2

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Author's Note: Thank you all so much for the great reviews for the first half of this story. I recently received a few reviews and it has inspired me! I am going to try some of the tips you guys gave so don't flame me if you see me slip up in some places. Please keep reading, and enjoy this second part of the story.

It had been 12 years since Nicole was born. Mia was doing a wonderful job as queen and Trevor was now 15 going on 16. Clarisse and Joe still lived in the castle and Lily and her husband were living in a guest house. Lily didn't have any children. She always told Nicole that she was the only little girl that she ever needed. Nicole had always been close to Lily and she treated her as her own daughter.

Mia is sitting down in the kitchen drinking coffee and reading a book. Nicole comes down and sits across from her.

"Good morning Nikki," Mia says as she sees her come down the stairs.

"Morning mom, I didn't expect to see you in here, " Nikki replies as she sits down across from her. She was like Mia in so many ways. Her mannerisms, her clumsiness, the way she handled herself in front of the other officials, she was her mother's daughter. The only thing she inherited from Nicholas was her intense passion for politics. She loved hearing about all the meetings her mother had with other countries and parliament.

"Yes, well, I needed a little time away from that office this morning. A person can only take so much of trying to decipher a meeting with Germany, France, and Spain all at the same time," Mia replies with a chuckle.

"Doesn't sound easy," Nikki replies as she takes a bite of her banana.

"Well, sorry that we can't talk longer but I need to get back to work kid," Mia says as she kisses Nikki's forehead, "Come up and see me later."

"Ok, I will," Nikki replies with a smile. Mia makes her way up to the throne room and sits in her throne with her chin resting on her palm. Looking around the room, she saw all of the great rulers of Genovia. She looked over and saw her father staring back at her through the painting. She followed the paintings until she landed on the one of her and Nicholas. It was always so peaceful in this room, she looked to the left of her, where there stood an empty space. Nicholas' chair used to be seated there. She was furious when they removed it all those years ago. She started to tear up and got up and leaned against one of the columns in the room. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Now here she was, twelve years later, with two wonderful children, a palace, her grandmother, her best friend, and a country that all cared for her, yet she was lonely. She wanted someone to hold her in his arms. She wanted to feel the warmth of his touch. Most of all, she wanted love. She wanted the kind of love that is only found when two souls are meant for each other. It felt that way with Nicholas, all those years ago. A tear fell from her eyes.

"Is this what you wanted for me Nick, to be a lonely widow for the rest of my life, always looking upon what we had as a fantasy and never being able to touch it again?" Mia says quietly as she looks over at the painting. She hears footsteps and wipes her tears quickly. It was her grandmother, now much older than she had been all those years ago, but still carried herself with great pride and dignity. She was quiet for a few moments as she looked around the room at the paintings. She hadn't been in here in such a long time.

"Hello Mia," Clarisse says as she continues looking at the paintings.

"Hi Grandma," Mia says trying to cover her sadness. They both stand in silence for a few moments.

"Mia, are you going to tell me what's wrong or do I need to pry?" Clarisse replies in the same tone as before.

"What makes you think there is something wrong?" Mia asks curiously.

"Three things. 1. You are in the throne room alone, but you aren't sitting in your throne. You only do that when there is something going on. Any other time you would be sitting over there. 2. You were obviously tearing up when I walked in. 3. I know my granddaughter all to well," Clarisse says as she walks over closer to her. Mia looks over at the painting of her and Nicholas and then of her alone.

"Is this how it is supposed to be?" Mia says as she walks over in front of the painting of her by herself and looks up at it.

"Mia, I'm not entirely sure I know what you mean," Clarisse replies in a concerned tone. Mia turns and looks at her.

"This painting of me. Is this how it is supposed to be?" Mia asks her softly as she turns around to face her grandmother, "Me, alone, for the rest of my life."

"Mia, you aren't alone. You have me, your two beautiful children, Lily, Joe and an entire country of people," Clarisse replies gently.

"That's what I keep telling myself. That's what my head keeps telling, but when I look at this painting, my heart says other wise," Mia replies as she looks back at the painting.

"What does your heart say Mia?" Clarisse asks softly.

"My heart tells me, that there is something missing. Something was taken away twelve years ago, and now there is an empty space. No matter what I do, or who I'm around it's still there. I know what it feels like to have someone and now I can't fathom the rest of my life being without it. It took time for me to get over Nicholas, and now I'm over his death. But one thing I will never be over, is the love that I felt, that happiness that I felt, when he was around me. The way it felt when he touched me or held me. The way it feels to have someone there with you, your partner for life. Grandma, for so long I have been going to these banquets, balls, and dinners alone. I look on at the other couples with envy wishing I could have that again. I don't want to feel that way anymore," Mia explains through her tears.

"Mia," Clarisse says softly as she walks over and embraces Mia, "I know how it feels to be lonely. I never wanted that for you, but it doesn't have to stay that way. One day, as I did, you may find love right under your nose, in a place you never expected."

"Grandma, I don't know if I can wait forever. I think that maybe I should try to get parliament to pass a bill for me to get married again. I need that. I can't wait until I'm no longer queen as you did. I can't wait that long. My heart can't wait that long. I need to know that I am free to marry again if I choose to do so. I'm not saying right away, but I am saying that, not just for me, but for future queens, for Nikki, for all of the women in Genovia, we should all be able to find love again," Mia says authoritatively.

"Mia, if you make that argument to parliament, then they will have no choice but to alter that law and allow you to remarry if you please," Clarisse says with a smile. Later that day, there was a meeting with parliament and Mia was ready to defend her case on the matter of this law.

"Queen Mia, are there any matters which you would like to discuss?" The judge asks.

"Yes, there is one," Mia replies confidently.

"You may proceed," the judge says.

"As you all know, the Genovian law states that no queen will remarry if her husband passes while she is in office. It has been the law for many centuries, but I believe that it needs to be altered," Mia begins, the parliament begins to make a bit of an uproar.

"Order! Continue please your majesty," the judge says.

"This law has prevented the marriage of so many queens. In this day and age, it should be removed. I don't want future queens to have to deal with this when or if they find another love after their husband passes. It is saddening for me to think that my own daughter may be denied happiness because of a law such as this. I can't let that happen," Mia explains sternly. They are all listening intently.

"Well, of course she probably has fallen in love and doesn't want this law anymore. Same selfish queen as always," One of the honoraries whispers to another.

"I agree that this law is out of date. We can hold a vote in order to amend it," the judge says.
"All in favor," he says.

"I.." several of the honoraries respond.

"All opposed," he replies. Only a few no's were heard.

"A queen will now be able to remarry if she so chooses," the judge replies.

Mia is back in her office that evening. Clarisse comes in.

"So how did it go today Mia?" Clarisse asks.

"Wonderful. It took some prying but I finally got them to change it," Mia says excitedly. At that moment, Nikki walks in.

"Change what, mom?" Nikki asks curiously.

"Do you remember the law that was in place that stated that a formerly married queen could not remarry while still in office?" Mia asks.

"Of course, Genovian Act 35-c," Nikki replies.

"Well, it is no longer in effect. It was amended today," Mia says excitedly.

"Wow. That's awesome," Nikki says as she goes and hugs her.

"Now, if you decide to become queen one day, you will be able to marry whoever you chose, whenever you choose," Mia says happily, "That's all I ever wanted for you."

"Thanks mom, but considering Trevor is in line for the throne it won't really affect me unless he steps down," Nikki says in a confused tone.

"Where on earth is that brother of yours? I haven't seen him in ages," Mia asks curiously trying to avoid the subject.

"I haven't seen him either," Clarisse says realizing her change of subject.

"I don't know where he is," Nikki replies. Just then Trevor comes in.

"Hey Trevor we were just talking about you," Mia says happily.

"Yeah, I was out in the garden reading this really great book. I got kind of sidetracked," Trevor replies.

"That's fine. Have a seat. There is something I want to talk to you two about," Mia says.

Trevor sits down in a chair beside Nicole. Mia stands up and walks in front of her desk and leans back on it facing the two of them.

"I want you to know that I love both of you more than anything in the world and I would never keep something from you unless I felt that you weren't ready to hear it. Now, I think its time that I told you both something very important," Mia begins softly.

"About 14 years ago, something happened to me, to our family, I lost my mother and stepfather in a horrible car accident," Mia explains.

"Mom, we already know this, you have told this before," Trevor says.

"There is something that I didn't tell you though," Mia says as she looks at Trevor with tears in her eyes, "They left behind me, their daughter, but also a son."

"So I have an uncle?" Nicole asks curiously.

"Yes, you do," she replies to Nicole.

"But I don't get it, this doesn't seem as important as you made it out to be," Trevor says confused.

"There's more. I took my brother in when he was little and Nicholas and I adopted him," Mia explains. Nicole was still clueless but Trevor was beginning to understand.
"Mom, are you saying that I'm your……brother," Trevor asks nervously, "and Nicole's uncle."

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Mia replies with tears in her eyes.

"Wow. All this time. I…I don't know what to say. Thank you. Thank you for taking me in and raising me as your son. That was so selfless of you," Trevor says as he gets up and hugs her.

"So you aren't angry with me?" Mia asks gently as she hugs him back.

"No. I don't know why you waited to tell me until now, but I love you Mom," Trevor says as he pulls away.

"Wait, this means that if Trevor can't be in line for the throne, then….." Nicole says suddenly realizing.

"It means that you are in line to be the next queen of Genovia," Mia says with a smile.

"This is fantastic. I can't believe this. I've always wanted this my whole life," Nicole says happily as she runs over and hugs her.

"I know sweetheart. You will make a magnificent queen. You have such a love for Genovia and its people. You care about the welfare of the people. I'm glad to say that you will be their next ruler if you choose to do so," Mia says as she hugs her back.

"So that means I don't have to be king. What a load off my shoulder," Trevor says with a sigh.

"Well, this is wonderful that everyone is happy. I have dreaded this day since I adopted you Trevor," Mia replies, "You guys can go now if you want. That's all I wanted to talk about." The kids hug her and then leave.

"Well done Mia," Clarisse says proudly, "That worked out much better than expected."

"I have been worrying about this day their whole lives. Now that its over I feel so much better," Mia replies with a smile.

The next day Mia is busy in her office. Lily is seated across from her reading off her schedule for the day. Nicole comes in just as Lily finishes.

"Hey girly," Lily says as she hugs Nicole.

"Hey Aunt Lily. Did you hear the great news about me?" Nikki asks excitedly.

"Yes I did. Very cool," Lily replies with a smile.

"It's beyond cool. It's amazing," Nikki says happily.

"It's great to see you so happy," Lily says.

"Hey mom, um…I had a question," Lily says as she turns to Mia, "I heard all the stories about princess lessons that Grandma gave you. I really want to learn more about becoming a queen, so, would you mind giving me princess lessons?"

"Nikki, I would love to. We are going to have so much fun," Mia replies with a smile.

"Really? That's great. I can't wait to get started," Nikki says excitedly.

"Well, first of all, read these books," Mia walked over and handed her several books. The exact ones her grandmother had given her to read.

"I better get started on these. Bye mom, bye Aunt Lily," Nikki says as she leaves the room with books in hand.

"She's so enthusiastic about everything," Lily says with a laugh.

"Like her father," Mia replies with a smile as she leaves the room, tears start to fill her eyes. She clears her throat fighting away the tears and then looks back down at the desk and begins working again.

"Mia, is everything ok?" Lily asks softly.

"Of course. I'm fine," Mia replies she says as she continues working.

"Mia, quit being queen for two seconds and let me be your best friend," Lily says gently as she stops Mia's hand from writing. Mia looks at her.

"The truth, I'm not fine. Something is missing Lily. I know that I am better off than so many others in this world, I feel so guilty for feeling this way," Mia says softly.

"Mia, what's going on?" Lily asks.

"The other day I was in the throne room looking at the paintings. I saw all the wonderful rulers of this country. Then I came to the one of Nicholas and I. Past that, I saw the one of me, alone. This person in each picture, although the same person, looked so much different. With Nicholas, I was happy and you could see the love we had for each other even through the painting. I looked at the other and I saw a strong queen, but that joy and happiness wasn't nearly the same as in the previous painting. I asked myself if that was how it had to be, if I was always going to be staring at that painting of my happiness, never being able to feel it again. I know that there are so many people here for me, but I need something else. I need someone to bring that joy back to me, so I can be a greater queen. Lily, I need love again. Up to this point, I haven't been able to find that because of the law. Now, I feel like I have a second chance," Mia explains.

"Mia, I know how you are feeling. You deserve this second chance, just know that even if you never find that love again, you have an entire country that is devoted to you," Lily replies.

"I need to get away from here for a little while. I think I am going to go back to San Francisco and stay at the mansion there. It's my home and I feel like being in a familiar place," Mia says softly.

"I will arrange for it. Do you want the kids to come?" Lily asks.

"Yes of course," Mia replies. Lily leaves and arranges for the flight, leaving Mia, ready for her new beginning

Author's Note: I hope you all liked this chapter. Now don't forget to review, I really enjoy reading them!