Thank you for the reviews! Here's another….short and sweet….

Chapter 34

"So she was right?" Joseph asked while buttoning his jacket as he and his wife made their way down the long corridor to the grand foyer.

"Yes." Clarisse responded in a short, high pitched voice.

"When are they getting married?"

Clarisse looked over her shoulder to see if Charlotte was around. "He hasn't officially asked her yet. It's only been discussed as a future plan," she explained barely whispering.

"Ah, I see," Joseph said following his wife down the stairs and outside.

"Good evening Shades," Clarisse said cheerfully as they passed him standing by the limo.

"Good evening Your Majesty," he said as he opened the car door for them.

As Clarisse sat and stepped into the limo she was greeted by Mia, Nicholas, and Charlotte waiting patiently.

She put up her hand, "I know, I know I have no excuse as I'm not Queen anymore." They all laughed at her comment.

"I just want to point out that I was on time tonight so that's a point for me," Mia said.

"Ah let's not forget I was basically pushing you out of the suite, so I think I should get some credit," Nick added.

"Oh stop it," Mia retorted.

"You all look very nice," Clarisse said to them.

"Thanks so do you grandma, but you know my feelings about this outfit of yours as I expressed them earlier," she said with a grin.

"Question," Joseph cut in. "Do Nicholas and I have to sit in and watch the models on the runway? I was hoping we could watch some television and have a drink in the lounge area with the other men who are not….well designers and fashion people."

"I am all for that if you can get away with this Joe," said Nicholas hopefully.

"What? No, who is going to guard me?" Clarisse asked with her hand on her chest.

"Well Shades is there."

"Yes but to protect Mia and Nicholas if, he stays by her side," she said shooting a sarcastic glare at Nicholas.

Nicholas smiled.

"Well Lionel's here as well he should be able to…" Clarisse now shot Joseph a look that basically said "Really, Lionel?"

Joseph rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine I'll watch the show."

"Thank you," she said patting her husband's cheek.

"Besides it's probably better if it's me since you look like this tonight," he said acknowledging that she looked very nice."

Clarisse chuckled and slapped his leg.

"Good try Joe," Nicholas said as the car stopped.

"It was worth a shot," he said before he opened the door.

A few weeks had passed since the day of the fashion show. Shades had asked Charlotte to marry him and she in turn said "Yes!" Everyone at the palace was thrilled to know that these two would tie the knot someday in the near future.

Mia and Nicholas had an appointment with the doctor where they would be able to find out the sex of the baby. The decision to find out before the baby was born was an intense topic of discussion throughout the days leading up to the appointment.

"But Mia there are very few surprises in life, don't you think we should just wait and see when the baby is born?" Nick said as he tried to convince his wife of not finding out. Mia walked in her kitten heels with determination back to her office.

"Nicholas I want to know."

"But it will be such a moment when we finally find out."

"I'm sure either way it will be quite a moment when our baby is born," she pointed out.

"Yes of course but think of the anticipation and excitement. It'll be like a game."

"A game? Nicholas I don't think I'll ever view childbirth as a game even though you do get a lovely prize at the end."

"Mia please?"

"Nick I'm sorry I can't wait to see, it'll kill me."

"Fine, Mia but I don't want to know."

"What?" she said stopping in her tracks and looking at him. "You're going to make me keep it from you?"

"Yes, because I want the surprise of finding out when the baby comes." They walked into the office and the doors were shut behind them.

"Oh you know you and grandma and Joe, all three of you don't want me to find out! It's my baby!"

"And what it's not mine?"

She huffed and turned around so she wasn't facing him.

Feeling bad Nick took a deep breath and lowered his voice so it didn't seem as if he were yelling. "Look just go then to the appointment by yourself. Find out and don't let me know."

She turned around rapidly. "But you always come to my appointments."

"But I don't want the option of finding out right there dangling in front of me. Just go you'll be fine. He sees you right here in the palace so it's not like when you're done you can't walk back in to our suite and continue with your night."

She huffed. "Fine, whatever."

"Ok then I'll see you afterwards. Your appointment is at 4 correct?"

"Umm hmm," she said not looking at him.

He rolled his eyes and sighed heavily. He then walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her lower back pulling her close. "Well when he is done examining you and you get the info you are looking for come find me, but don't tell me."

She nodded and a tear that she couldn't control rolled down her face.

"Mia don't be upset, I'm not trying to be mean. I would love to go and you know I'll go to every other one, it's just by doing this we both can be satisfied."

"Umm, hmm," she said leaning into his chest.

"So now you can work for a few hours like you wanted to before the appointment," he said walking her over to her chair "and I'll be sure to catch you later. OK?"

"Ok."

"And no hints, that wouldn't be nice," he said with a smile as he shook his finger at her.

"Ok."

"Promise."

"Yes, I promise," she said smiling up at him.

"Good, no tears then. By doing this we both can be happy."

He kissed her and then left her alone to get back to her duties.

Mia sat there staring out of the large window by her desk. Was Nicholas right? She wouldn't want to admit it but she did think it was a nice idea to find out when the baby came. Plus it was so cute how he was making a big deal of the whole thing. Maybe grandma was right too? Maybe she should just wait and see if she would be having a little prince or princess of Genovia.