A/N: Just a short, sweet chapter... but hey, they're finally married! YAY!

Thanks to all my readers and reviewers- you all rock! Almost wrapped up- this has gone longer than I expected (as I've said millions of times) but then another idea has hit me and it just has to go into the story!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

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She was getting married...

The realisation struck Mia particularly hard as the doors opened and she stood in the doorway, faces and eyes on either side of the aisle turning to look at her, watching her make her way down the aisle to her groom. For a moment, she missed her father and his presence intensely- if he had been alive, he would be at her side, ready to walk her down the aisle (although, if he had been alive, all of this would have been totally unnecessary- she WOULDN'T even be getting married!) and give her courage about joining her life with someone else's...

Tears threatened in her eyes as she paused for a moment, missing him and her heart aching for what would never be, before Mia told herself sternly that she HAD to marry Andrew, he was a nice young man and he would be a good Consort, and that she couldn't allow the Renaldis, after three hundred years, to lose the throne, before she slowly stepped forward, a slight smile on her face.

Joseph watched from the sidelines and he realised that there was someone who was truly suffering more than him and Clarisse... the young woman was sacrificing her life and her happiness for the sake of the country, and while he was a loyal patriot, he had to wonder whether the sacrifice was worth it...

Meanwhile, down the other end of the aisle, Clarisse watched Mia's slow walk with a growing realisation that she couldn't let Mia do this, she must not let this happen... watching Mia was reminding her of how she had felt upon marrying Rupert, and she knew that the country was NOT worth the sacrifice her granddaughter was making...she was scared but she was trying to be happy...

She could also feel Pierre behind her, watching and Clarisse could feel that he was trying to remain calm and unbiased- as a priest, he had to be- but she knew that he disapproved of this just as strongly as Joseph...she disapproved of it too, but she hadn't known how to stop it...

Seconds later, however, Mia slowed right down and Clarisse, Joseph and Pierre all sensed that she couldn't do it, not if she wanted to maintain her own self esteem...and then there was consternation amongst the guests when she turned on her heel and ran back down the aisle and out the doors.

"Allow me," was all Clarisse had to say to Helen, bewildered and struggling with young Trevor, before, after exchanging an approving look with Pierre, she made her dignified way down the aisle, past Charlotte (and giving a few instructions) and out the door, not even looking at Joseph, although she knew that he would be hot on her heels.

"Grandma, I'm sorry... I can do this..." Mia immediately began apologising as soon as Clarisse stepped into the alcove where she was hiding but Clarisse, having spied the young woman trying not hyperventilate while on her knees, knew now, more strongly than ever, that this wedding couldn't happen.

"No," was all Clarisse said, firmly, and Mia immediately acquiesced. "Darling, listen to me," she continued, thinking for a moment how she would approach this. "I made my choice, duty to my country over love. It's been drummed into me my entire life, it seems, and now I've lost the only man I've ever really loved," and, almost instinctively, she turned to see Joseph standing near the entrance to the church and she felt pain tear through her. She wasn't aware of anything but Joseph in that split second, but Mia was watching her and she could see the tenderness in her expression, something she very rarely saw and she knew that hers and Lily's instincts were right- her grandmother and Joe were in love, very much in love, but she had to wonder what had torn them apart (and how they had managed to keep it a secret for so long)... hopefully not her, she thought guiltily before she realised that Clarisse was talking to her again.

"Mia, I want you to make your choices as a woman. Don't make the same mistakes as I did- make your own mistakes, there will be plenty of them, believe me," she chuckled for a moment, remembering some of her own mistakes over the years and wanting to lighten the moment before she gave Mia the advice she had been wanting to tell her since she had learnt about the wedding. "Now, you can go back into the church and get married, or you can walk away...Whatever choice you make, let it come from your heart."

Almost as she said the words, Clarisse was aware that she was telling herself the same advice- she had used her head when making her initial decision about Joseph, but her heart had know better and now... they were both suffering because of her and her silly decisions- why couldn't they BOTH be happy?

Mia smiled her grandmother and then hugged her fiercely, although knowing that her grandmother wasn't entirely comfortable with physical contact- she had had no idea that her grandmother had felt so strongly about this marriage and how she wanted to give her advice- but she appreciated every word that she had uttered and she know suddenly felt full of calmness, her struggle over and she knew what she had to do...

Clarisse waited a few moments after the girl, after stiffening her shoulders, had walked regally back into the church, waving briefly to the crowds waiting outside, before she followed- she sincerely hoped that she would listen and make a choice different to what people expected of her (and it was something that she should have done as well!) and that they (being the men in parliament- she had the people eating out of the palm of her hand after the parade) would allow her to do what she needed.

She only briefly looked at Joseph as she passed him- he gave her a small smile- but her heart leapt when, once they were inside the church (and away from prying eyes), she felt his hand on the small of her back, guiding her towards the church... maybe there was hope after all!

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Mia couldn't believe what she had done- after telling Andrew that they shouldn't have to get married (and appreciating the look of relief in his eyes- they would be friends, always), she stepped up to the podium and openly challenged the parliamentarians over the marriage law...something that she couldn't believe was considered and passed but once Nicholas had declined his chance (to the fury of his uncle), there was some confusion but then... Lord Palimore had stepped in and saved the day...It had all occurred in a matter of minutes, but it had seemed to last an eternity...

Clarisse, watching from the back of the church, Joseph nearby (and returning to his indifference), was so incredibly proud of her- she had hoped that she wouldn't marry Andrew (nice boy that he was) but to challenge the old law, suggesting a new law (and she wanted Sebastian Motaz knighted for his intervention) was amazing, she truly had the makings of a Queen, and it was entirely fortuitous that Nicholas had arrived and declined his opportunity, much to the fury of his uncle...

Joseph too, was proud, not only of Mia but of Clarisse- she had finally followed her instincts with Mia and he only hoped that she would follow her heart with him...not that he deserved it, considering his behaviour...

After her momentous speech and the passing of the new law, there was a lull in the proceedings- now there definitely would be no wedding involving the Princess, Mia silently rejoiced before she caught sight of her grandmother at the back of the church, smiling proudly, and she knew that it was her turn to help her grandmother and give her some happiness in her life...just because she hadn't had her fairy tale ending, it didn't mean that Clarisse couldn't... and, inspired, she looked around for one of her ever present bodyguards- HE would be the way to communicate her idea...

Clarisse couldn't believe what she was hearing- Mia was encouraging her to have her fairytale- and she was suddenly overcome with a number of emotions- disbelief, nerves, worry, joy, mortification and pride- before she realised that Mia was giving her the opportunity that she needed, the chance she should have taken a long time ago... but would he really forgive her? Would he, would he want to be with her after what had occurred two days ago...

After a moment, she looked at Charlotte and realised instantly that she knew what she was thinking and that she knew all about their romance... but the loyal girl hadn't said anything to anyone... she really was a treasure...but NOW it was her turn, her chance... and all she really wanted in life, now that Mia was 'safe' and poised to assume the throne as a single, capable young woman, was to be married to Joseph, the love of her life...

So, she straightened herself up, adjusted her jacket and walked to the middle of the aisle, well aware that everyone was watching her, but suddenly she didn't care... this was HER time...

"Joseph," she said quietly, but Joseph, wondering what Mia had meant when she had spoken via the ear piece, was there anyway.

"Your Majesty."

"DEAR Joseph," the tone of her voice changed and he looked up to see her smiling at him radiantly, tenderly, lovingly, tears beginning to well in her eyes. "Am I too late to ask you... to accept my hand in marriage?"

Joseph was momentarily frozen- was she, the Queen... Clarisse...actually proposing to HIM? In the church, in front of what seemed the entire country? Clarisse, on the other hand, was worried- was this too soon? Was he going to turn her down?

"I thought you'd never ask," he said gruffly and, moments later, they were arm in arm, walking down the aisle.

(In years to come, wedding guests would say that they had never seen the Queen so relaxed and so radiant, and while her soon to be husband seemed less emotional, they could sense that he was the happiest man in Genovia at that precise moment.)

It was true, they were both unbelievably happy and, for once, Clarisse was happy to let her guard down- he hadn't said no, he was going to be her husband and they would be together for the rest of their lives! It was true, Joseph was less inclined to show his feelings (particularly with most of these guests) but he showed his happiness in one way- pulling his soon to be wife closer to him just so that they were close... silly, he thought sheepishly, but Clarisse didn't seem to complain- in fact, as she felt him pull her closer, she turned slightly and gave him a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with joy.

It seemed too soon when they arrived at the altar, Mia and Sebastian on either side of the Archbishop, both of them grinning broadly, but it was Archbishop James' first words that startled both of them.

"My Lord Archbishop... I would like to take this man as my husband...if you please," Clarisse said in a strong, firm voice and both she and Joseph were surprised when he lifted his eyes heaven ward for a moment before smiling happily at both of them and murmuring:

"Finally," and they both realised that their love was probably more well known than they had realised- but James wasn't judging them... obviously, he approved...

The wedding ceremony was a blur for both of them (although Mia and Sebastian watched on with obvious delight- they knew that this was not only a moment in history, but a wonderful moment for a relationship that had been on going for longer than most people would have imagined), although when Joseph slipped a plain gold band on her ring finger, they both knew that this was now official, they were getting married...

Clarisse couldn't help but let out a gasp of joy when James declared them man and wife (she was Joseph's wife!) before she couldn't help but smile at her new husband- he seemed frozen, unsure what he was supposed to do- before she again took the initiative and leaned forward to kiss him... their first public kiss and their first as husband and wife... and both Clarisse and Joseph knew that they would never forget it!

"I am very pleased to present to you... Mr and Mrs Joseph Bonnell!" the Archbishop, who had moved from behind them to stand beside them, announced in a loud, proud voice and there was suddenly an impulsive wave of applause, starting from the front of the church and making it's way down through the other pews to the end of the church, including Joseph's formal colleagues and Charlotte, and Mia couldn't resist another "Woohoo!" but Clarisse was too happy to care, too happy to even try and chide her... before, with a gentle squeeze of her hand, she realised that he was telling her that it was time for them to walk back down the aisle as husband and wife, a walk she would be more than happy to do...

Sebastian and Mia exchanged a grin as they watched them walk down the aisle, hand in hand, Joseph growing more in confident with each step- no one could keep them apart now- while Charlotte, at the other end of the of the church was dabbing her eyes discreetly... they looked so happy, no one could deny that... Her Majesty had definitely had her happily ever after...