We didn't spend the entire night together. I danced with my friends a lot, and he let me be on my own, but when the stupidest songs came on he joined us. The DJ played "It's Raining Men" Joshua stole Sophie away from Kip. "You know I can't resist a pregnant woman," he teased. All the single guys danced around Sophie who wouldn't stop laughing. At the end, her new husband came up and kissed her. All the guys were being dramatic and made themselves to look heartbroken.

"That was great," I teased as he came back to the table, sweating.

"If you think that was great, wait until tonight darling girl," he said with a wink.

Oh good God. He was really thinking we'd sleep together tonight. Which really wasn't a bad idea because...well I dunno. I mean, the other boys I dated always wanted to have sex and I rejected them. But Joshua was different. I trusted him without question. From the first day I met him I trusted him. And I wanted him.

Did I really just say that? I mean that sounded so...romance novel-esque.

I sighed, "I never told you I was going back to Genovia?" I asked, surprised at my forgetfulness.

"Oh..." he said, clearly let down. "That's fine. Some other time then," he said kissing my cheek. "Wait here, okay?"

"No problem."

He walked over to the DJ and then came back to me, "May I have this dance?"

I stood up and walked to the dance floor with him. I could feel woman's eyes boring into my back. If looks could kill, I'd be dead a few times over. This reminded me of the time we went to that club with Brock. Brock had refused to dance and Joshua danced with me to make him jealous.

"This is for you," he whispered into my ear.

I waited for a cheesy pop song to come on, but it didn't. A KC and Jo-Jo song came on. All My Life.

Ohhhhh, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Ummmmmmm, I'm so glad
I will never find another lover
sweeter than you, sweeter than you
And I will never find another lover
more precious than you, more precious than you
Cause girl you are
Close to me you like my mother, close to me you're like my father
Close to me you're like my sister, close to me you're like my brother
You are the only one, my everything
And to you this song I sing
All my life
I prayed for someone like you
And I thank God, that I, that I finally found you
All my life, I prayed for someone like you

I hope that you feel the same way too
Yes I pray that you do love me to
I promise to never fall in love
With a stranger
You're all I'm thinking of
I praise the Lord above
For sending me your love
I cherish every hug
I really love you
You're everything I ever know
When you smile my face always seems to glow
You turned my life around,
you picked me up when I was down
And I hope that you feel the same way too
Yes, I pray that you do love me too
And all my life..........

He sang along with the song, singing softly into my ear so only I would hear him. And for once, I felt completely at peace.

We spent the entire summer together at the palace. He had been hired to help start the national rugby team. He would be working long hours, but it didn't matter. That only made it possible for him to have a room in the palace. With no questions. A lot of people who worked for us stayed in the palace. Not many, of course, stayed in the same wing as the young princess though.

We decided it would be best not to tell anyone about our relationship. Sure, people thought it was strange that after so much time he was suddenly showing up, but that happened a lot.

That is, people made up and patched friendships up a lot.

I was lazy that summer, I guess that is what love does to you. You don't want to do anything other than see that person. But he was busy during the day. He had to interview coaches and get Genovia's future team accepted by the International Rugby Association.

I spent my days by the pool. I had bought a black bikini to show off my perfect tan that Grandmere had complimented me on. It wasn't for show though because Joshua was working, and no one else was around. It was for me. It felt nice to know that I was out of my gawky teenager stage and I actually looked like a real woman.

"Hey there, gorgeous," a voice said behind me.

It sounded familiar. I looked back and saw him standing there. Standing in his old Ramone's t-shirt. His fitted jeans. His combat boots. His floppy hair.

"M-Michael?" I stammered.

He came up to me and sat on the lawn chair with me. "Yes."

"W-What are you doing here?"

He leaned in and kissed me. I slapped him. "What was that for?" he asked, kissing my neck.

"I am over you," I explained. "Go away."

"No you aren't," He said softly.

"Yes I am," I countered.

"Then why am I still in your dreams?"

I shot up and saw Joshua walking toward me. He waved and started running to me. "Hey darling girl," he said softly. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah," I stammered. "Bad dream."

"About what?" he asked. He was looking around to see if anyone was watching us. No one was. I always made sure I had privacy when by the pool.

"N-nothing." I lied. "Just a little shaky still."

"If I kissed you would you feel better?" he asked.

I smiled, "It'd be a start..."

I saw Dad coming toward us with a reporter. "Go away," I hissed to Joshua. "Sit on the ground."

"Hey Mia!" Dad called out, waving. "Joshua," he added, confused.

"Hey Dad!" I replied. Praying he would leave.

"Hi your Highness!" Josh called back

"Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"Finished up that final interview early," Joshua replied. "Thought I'd work out a bit in here and I found Mia."

"I see. This here is Concepta DiBiase. She's interviewing me."

I nodded, "That's cool. I was just going to go into the water though. Enjoy your stay here in the palace," I said, walking toward the water's edge. I dipped my toes into the cool water and questioned if I really wanted to go in.

But I had no choice. Joshua ran toward me and pulled me in with him. I came up from the water, gasping for air. "Joshua Alexander!" I screamed. I looked, Dad and the reporter were no where in sight.

"That's my name," he said pulling me toward him. I wrapped my legs around his waist.

"What was that for?"

"You looked too hot standing there...I had to cool you off..."

I smiled, "I could never be cooled off by you," I said softly, meaning something totally different than what he meant.

"Is my little Mia using sexual innuendo?" he teased, "This feels right, doesn't it?"

"More right than anything," I said hugging him tightly.

"Think we could just freeze this time together and never have to grow old or anything?" he asked.

I pulled back a bit and leaned my forehead against his own, "But don't you want kids someday?"

"We could easily make that possible," he said with a smirk.

"You honestly think I am going to have sex with you for the first time in my swimming pool, where I bring my guests, including my family?"
He kissed the tip of my nose, "Mia, I'll make your first time perfect, I promise."

I laid back into the pool, my legs still wrapped around his waist, "It'll be with you so of course it'll be perfect," I lied. I couldn't look at him when I told him this blatant lie. He didn't need to know about Michael. He already felt like he was in competition with the man he has never met. That would be why we hardly ever spoke the name.

"And there is plenty of time for us to do that," he replied. "We have all the time in the world."

"But we will," I promised.

He nodded, "Yes darling."

We kissed lightly, fearing my dad reappearing. Lord did I hate having to do this.

Now, you might ask why we were doing this in secret. The answer is quite clear. The public didn't want their princess to be dating someone un-Genovian. They wanted me to be with Rob still (and truthfully, he wanted to be with me again as well but I politely rejected him). And Grandmere didn't want me to marry too far out of the region. Also, Joshua was not Catholic.

This was pointed out one night in July at dinner. "Amelia, you haven't been dating lately," she pointed out.

I looked up from my salad and glanced at Joshua, who was sitting next to Grandmere (since he speaks French she enjoys speaking to him).

"So?"

"So I was thinking that you should maybe..." she started. My dad gave her a death look.

"What?" I demanded, getting annoyed.

"Maybe you should give that Rob a call...he was very nice and sweet, and Catholic. A perfect match. He's been trying to contact yo-"

"Who cares if he is Catholic?" I snapped, "That is the perfect match for a princess? Geez, if that is true then that cuts out MOST of the world's population."

"See, I'm helping you," Grandmere said as William cut her meat.

I rolled my eyes, "Grandmere, I don't want your help. I do just fine on my own."

She looked at Joshua, "Do you know any Catholic boys that would be acceptable for Amelia? Preferably Genovian, but she's not getting any younger. An Englishman would do."

I am freaking twenty two years old! Not really an old hag if you ask me.

He tried not to smile, "I know one fellow," he said softly. "He's very nice. I'll arrange a meeting. Maybe we could go to England next week. She could meet him then."

Grandmere put on her smug little smile, "See, even Joshua understands. That would be wonderful. Maybe you could even meet up with Wills?"

"He's Anglican, "I reminded her with a smug smile. Joshua and Dad tried not to smile, but they couldn't help it. They were two guys. Watching two women fight. So what if it was only verbal?

"I know that," she snapped. "But he is a very nice looking young man."

" He's in his early thirties, Grandmere. I would hardly call that young. And what type of man is unmarried at that point?" I asked, winking at Dad.

"A stupid one," she said, getting my point. "Well, at least meet this young man Joshua knows."

"I shall try my best."