Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews. I enjoyed reading them and I am thrilled that you all like my story. Here is chapter 4 and I will get to work on chapter 5 as soon as possible. Thank you!-Maya

CHAPTER 4

Mia was sitting in her room, writing in her diary again. Whenever she's troubled, her diary is her most trusted friend. A friend that listens and never talks back. Although she sometimes wished her diary could talk back. As funny as it may sound, her grandmother was that diary that talked back. Smiling to herself, she thought Yeah, and boy can that woman talk!

Mia trusted her grandmother and told her all her secrets. Of course her own mom was there for her but Mia barely saw her. Her mother and step-father did visit but Clarisse was there all the time. Come to think of it, she needed her mom's advice now as well.

Closing her diary and placing it on her table, she stood up and walked over to her phone. A minute later she was speaking with her mother.

"Hey mom," she said sadly and Helen immediately knew something was wrong.

"Hi Mia, sweetie. What's wrong?"

"Umm, mom I..."she sighed and then continued,"...I don't know what to do about Andrew." She simply said, not feeling the need to explain it further. Helen knew all about it and could only say one thing to Mia.

"Sweetie, all you can do is listen to your heart. If you don't love Andrew then don't go through with the wedding. You can't marry someone you don't love."

"I know mom but Parliament expects me to go through with it. I can't ignore the law,"she said sadly.

"Mia, I'm sure there is something your grandmother can do to change that law."

Mia thought about it for a second.

"I haven't talked to her about that. I can do that today then. Thanks mom," she said with a little glimpse of hope in her voice.

"How is she doing, by the way?" Helen added.

"Oh, she's great. She accepted Joe's proposal and they are planning on getting married before me," she said and slightly smiled.

Mia was happy for her grandmother and Joe but she was also worried about her own happiness.

"Really? That's wonderful! Congratulate both of them from me and dad," Helen said.

Hearing her mother use the word "dad" seemed a bit odd but Mr. O'Connell was her new father afterall. She was still getting used to it.

"Ok, I will. Thanks mom...for everything," Mia said. Her mother's eyes filled with tears by hearing that. She knew what "everything" ment.

"I love you, sweetheart," was all Helen replied with.

"I love you too, mom. I'll call later again. Give my baby brother a kiss from me."

"I will. Bye sweetheart."

"Bye mom." She hung up and decided to go back to her grandmother's suite and talk to her about the marriage law.

There has to be something that her grandmother could do.

Walking to Clarisse's suite, Mia completely forgot that Joe was there. Opening the door, she saw Joe on the couch...on top of her grandmother!

"Oops, I'm sorry!"she gasped and walked out, letting the door slam after her.

Thank goodness they were only kissing she thought.

Back in Clarisse's suite, the happy couple was still shocked but then started laughing about it.

"Darling, you need to learn how to lock the door," Clarisse giggled.

Joseph sat up and took a deep breath as Clarisse straightened up.

"How was I suppose to know that I would be attacked by the Queen," he said, laughing. She gave him an evil look, playfully of course.

"Pardon me, sir, but the Queen never attacks. I believe it was you who was on top of me and not the other way around,"she explained.

Joseph stood up, straightened his black shirt and put his jacket back on.

"Very well, your majesty. We shall save the rest for the honeymoon,"he smiled at her. She was still sitting until he offered her a hand. She took his hand and stoop up, dangerously close to him. The look they exchanged said it all. He kissed the back of her hand and she smiled.

"Joseph, you do know that it is alright to kiss me now." He smiled at that and leaned in, touching her lips with his. His hands encircled her waist and the back of his neck was being caressed by her hands.

"I am well aware of that but I wasn't sure if you could handle it...Clarisse,"he whispered her name against her lips and she felt her knees giving in. She smiled against his lips, closed her eyes and lightly ran her tongue across his bottom lip. She felt him shutter slighty, which made her mission accomplished. It was her turn to tease.

"Darling the question is, can you?" she said seductively and walked out of her suite, leaving him wanting more.

Clarisse walked to Mia's suite, hoping to find her there.

She knocked on the door and was let in almost immediately.

"Mia, I am so sorry. Joseph should have locked the door,"she chuckled. Mia gave her a slight smile.

"Grandma, it's ok. I'm the one who should be apologizing. Next time I'll make sure to call first." They both laughed lightly and sat down on the couch.

Clarisse sensed that something was still bothering Mia. Mia didn't know how to ask her grandmother about the marriage law. They sat there looking around and at each other for a few seconds until Clarisse spoke.

"What is on your mind, love?"

"Well, I..."Mia began but wasn't sure how to ask properly, so she simply blurted it out,"...I wanted to know if you could somehow talk to Parliament about the marriage law."

"Mia, you know I would if I could. There is absolutely nothing that I can do,"she replied.

"Are you sure?"Mia asked.

"Yes, my love, I am," Clarisse lowered her voice. Mia turned her head and sighed as a tear ran down her cheek. Turning her head away didn't stop her grandmother from seeing the pain on her face.

"Oh my dear..."Clarisse sighed and embraced her granddaughter. Mia hugged her grandmother tight and continued sobbing lightly.

"This must seem so stupid to you...I'm sorry,"Mia said while Clarisse wiped her tears away.

"Not at all, darling. You have every right to cry but I am so sorry that I can't help,"she admitted sadly.

Having married a man she never truly loved might have been the right decision for her country but never for her personally. Clarisse knew what her granddaughter was going through and it broke her heart to see her like this. While Mia was calming down in her grandmother's arms, Clarisse decided that enough was enough. She wanted to speak with Parliament as soon as possible. She couldn't let Mia do this to herself. Her granddaughter deserved true love and happiness. It was time to change the law...even if it ment having to post-pone her own wedding.

I really hope that you liked this chapter. Please do leave reviews. I love hearing from you all!-Maya