A/N: Well this chapter is a bit longer. Sorry for the large paragraphs, I tried to space it out but FFN wouldn't hold the spaces. Now on to our regularly scheduled program.....

An hour later both Mia and Clarisse entered the state limo for the trip to the local orphanage. As they drove, Mia recognized the look on her grandmother's face.

"We're going to have a talk aren't we?"

"Yes we are starting with what was so bad at home that you felt the need to run away and more specifically, run away here."

"I, well, I told you that things were not going well. First of all, Lily is going insane. This is our senior year and she's becoming frantic about everything. She goes to school, goes home, and then locks herself into her room and studies all night. I haven't said more then three words to her since school started. Lily is the only friend I have and the only one I have to talk to. The thing with my mom wouldn't be so bad if she were around. Mom started dating again and it just happens to be a teacher of mine. It wasn't that bad at first, I mean the kids teased a bit but I'm use to that, but then came Thanksgiving. We went to his parents house. I have never met such rude people. Everyone started grilling me about the whole princess thing and on mom's works. They weren't nice about it either. Some things were down right nasty. Then mom and I overheard a conversation between Mr. O'Connell and his dad. The dad was yelling at Mr. O for bringing strange people in his house. We left right after that but the entire ride home Mom and Mr. O were fighting and then they got me involved so the three of us weren't talking to each other. He and Mom made up right after but she and I still weren't talking. Then about two days ago 5 week reports were sent home and I was failing Mr. O's class. He and Mom had another fight about that and I really got down into that one. I won't go into anymore detail but there was no way I could have spent a month in the same house where two people were always at each others throats along with mine. This was the only place I could think of to go where I would not only have a roof over my head but where I would be welcome."

"My dear you are always welcome here." Clarisse drew Mia into a hug. "You should have called though. It would have been a lot less strenuous on you as well as your mother."

"Mom would have simply said "Christmas is a time for family. I don't want you half way across the world on Christmas."

"I'm family. Don't I count?" Mia stayed silent. At that moment the car pulled to a stop and Joseph came around to open the door. He offered his hand first to Mia and then to Clarisse and they preceded up the stairs of a stone building with a title of "Crestwell's Orphanage for Girls and Boys."

"Your Majesty, welcome. Your Highness as well. I am pleased to meet you." The director of the orphanage, Miss Crestwell, curtsied to the pair.

"How do you do. Is everyone ready to begin the meeting?" Clarisse asked. As she did, a bell rang nearby. She jumped a bit. "What in heavens name is that?"

"I'm very sorry ma'am. That's the dismissal bell. The children are released from classes to get ready for lunch and recess." The thundering of feet could be heard overhead as the orphans filed into the nearby dining hall.

"Well the meeting can wait now." Clarisse entered the hall amidst the hordes of children. Cries went up from the diners.

"Her Majesty!"

"It's the Queen!!"

"Hello children." A collective greeting went up.

"How do you do Your Majesty." The girls gave a curtsy and the boys a bow. Clarisse felt a tug on her skirt. She looked down to see a doll-like little girl, about three. She had curly blonde hair and sweet blue eyes the color of the sky. An aid rushed over to grab her but Clarisse waved her back. She knelt down to the child's eye level.

"Hello there little one."

"'Ello"

"Whats your name?"

"'Livia"

"Olivia, what a pretty name. How old are you?" Olivia held up three fingers.

"Frwee"

"Three, what a lovely age. Now I believe its time for your lunch." Olivia shook her head and attached herself to Clarisse's leg. The aid ran forward again and again Clarisse waved her off. She picked Olivia up and settled her on her hip. "So you want to stay with me?" Olivia nodded. "Very well. Now I believe its time for that meeting." Clarisse headed back to the office with Olivia. Mia and Miss Crestwell followed. Joe hid a small smile and joined the rest.

"She was always a softy for little kids." He thought to himself.

A/N: Well there you have it. Now people have requested both longer chapters and quick updates but I can't give you both. Let me know if you have a preference, shorter chapters with quicker updates or longer chapters with once to twice a week updates. Thank you all who have reviewed!

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