Author's Note: I told you guys there won't be daily posting anymore. I am starting school and scheming to figure out how to get my books without dealing with lost Freshman

Note to Fizzie-Lizzie- SSSSH! No one else has mentioned it!

MIA:

I had the PETA photo shoot a few days after I left New York. I had made sure that I got my waxing appointment for the day before the shoot so that I wouldn't be all blotchy for the shoot. "Trust me, guys will drool," a representative. "You are the next pin up girl."

I rolled my eyes, "I doubt that. I'm only doing this because I am against fur and carnivores. Not to get fame and fortune."

"Oh, of course not. You already have that. We really appreciate it. You've become more well known in the past year so your support is really helpful, even more so than it was earlier. The world is looking for a good role model for young girls."

"And me posing nude for PETA is a good role model thing?" I asked.

"It's for a cause. Not for a music video or to get good press."

I smiled and looked around nervously. "Um, what exactly am I going to be wearing?"

She grinned. "Well, we are going to add a crown later," she replied.

"And I am going to sit out here wearing what?" I repeated.

"You'll have to talk to the art director," she replied, leaving me alone in a dressing room.

Why had I agreed to do this? Oh, right. Joshua had convinced me that it was for the better of animal-kind.

"Joshua, I don't want people to see me without anything on."

"They are very tasteful darling," he said kissing my cheek. "I promise. Not all of them are nude," he promised.

I showed him the picture of Pam Anderson where her vital areas are covered only by leaves. "Oh no?"

"Mia, no offense my darling girl, but you are not in the league of Pammy here."

I playfully hit him. "Fine. I'll do it. Have the papers sent over in the morning. You'll be back from Africa before the shoot, right?"

"Of course. And I'll even...I'll even go to the shoot with you. I'll knock any guys face off that looks at you in a sexual way."

I giggled, picturing Joshua in a fight. He was a proper English gentleman around strangers. "Only if you'll be there," I whispered before I fell into kissing him.

I had to make sure they covered up my tattoo. No one other than Michael knew about it.

The campaign was 'Royalty Against Cruelty to Animals'. Edward, in Cabonia had done a shoot earlier in the month. Princess Jacqueline of Chestport has as well. They wanted the new faces of royalty; Princes William and Harry were deemed too old (being in their early thirties and late twenties. Plus, they were totally carnivorous). Eddie and I had bonded over our distaste for animal meat. He went a bit further and was a total vegan. Jacqueline, I suspect, was only a vegetarian because it was fashionable. Plus, she had the opportunity to see Edward, who she planned on marrying (or so she told me).

They placed me in front of a backdrop of a famous shot of Genovia (painted by Monet himself). I was placed on my side (wearing only a pair of panties that would be covered up with a picture of the tiara that the world saw as mine (I had been seen wearing it on most royal occasions, and would wear it at my father's wedding as well)). My top was covered by a Genovian flag. The title for that one will be ' I'd rather be nude than wear fur'. Well, for one shot.

Then they put me in a room that they had used for the others earlier. I would be added into the shot. It was supposed to be us eating cake (get it? 'Let them eat cake'...French Revolution...) together and laughing (which is harder than it sounds. I'm supposed to look enthralled with something Eddie was doing. Hard to do when I have no idea what he's doing...oh, and harder when the cake tastes awful because it is made with all natural ingredients.).

That took all day. Of course, my father thought I was simply playing tennis with one of his aunts that day. If he knew I was going to help out PETA he'd flip. Or worse, he'd think Michael put me up to it. He would totally forget that little part of Joshua that he hated. The part that wanted ethical treatment for all living things.

"Hey Mia," a familiar voice said from behind me weeks later.

I turned and saw my ex-boyfriend, Robert. "Oh, hey there. How are you doing?" I asked politely. We were at the opening of the opera house in Genovia.

"I'm just great. The season is kind of winding down now so I have some more free time...to you know, see old friends."

I nodded, "That's great," I said taking a glass of wine from a waiter. "I'm going to be leaving soon to see my boyfriend in New York. His tour is almost finished so we can have some alone time."

"But why? Your father's wedding is coming up soon, isn't it?"

"Yes, of course. But we'll be returning to Genovia for the wedding festivities so I'm sure-"

"Your father has invited me to the wedding, you know."

I smiled weakly, "He mentioned it briefly. I'm sure you'll adore Michael as much as I do."

"He's your first boyfriend since..."

"Since Joshua?" I offered. "Yes. Michael and Joshua met last summer and they got along very well."

"Aren't you curious...you know, what else is out there?"

I gave him a look, "Like what, you?" I teased.

"No, what about Brock or...well, you know me?"

I couldn't help my laugh from escaping, "Robert, please tell me you are joking with me! I mean, no offense, but we," I said patting his shoulder in a friendly way, "Don't go well with one another. Not even as friends. Sorry."

"How would you know? You just go from serious relationship to serious relationship. How about a fling?" he asked, rubbing my arm.

How little he knew me. "Robert," I started with a sweet smile, "If you do not remove that filthy hand from my arm, I'll have to kill you. And trust me, I can make it look like an accident," I said walking away.

"Mia, what was that with Robert last night?" Dad asked the next morning at breakfast.

I rolled my eyes, "He thought I wanted to have a fling with him."

I heard Cammie laugh a little.

"So? Why not?" Dad suggested.

I looked at Cammie who looked like she wanted to smack him. "Um, because that isn't very princesslike?" I guessed, hoping he was sincerely asking for why I said no. Testing me.

"No, seriously. Why not?"

"I'm sorry, did you have Grandmere's brain transplanted into your head? Cuz, you are sounding an awful lot like her."

"Mia, I'm only saying...before you take on the responsibilities of being the ruler of this great country," he started, "I think you should play the field a little bit. Look at me, I had to wait until I was in my forties to find the right one-"

"Dad, you are an immature idiot. I am not going to have meaningless flings with COUNTLESS men just so I can settle down when I am the princess. If that is what I have to do," I started, "To be a proper princess, then I abdicate."

He rolled his eyes and laughed, "Mia, please. Stop being so dramatic. You will not abdicate."

I gave him a look. I would never be taken seriously, "I am leaving for New York tonight," I announced. "And will be spending the remainder of my summer there with him. Then at the end of September we will announce our engagement. That will be after your wedding, of course."

He looked at Cammie who looked amused. "Mia, you are not going to New York tonight. You have obligations to your people-"

"I'm really sure that they will be horrified if I am not attending the Royal Ballet," I snapped. "Excuse me though, I have some packing to do."

"Hey Mia," Michael's voice said on the other end of the phone. "When are you getting your ass here?"

I smiled, "Hey babe... That was romantic. I'm on my way to the airport right now. I'll be there in about seven hours. Will you be at the airport waiting for me?"

"I would go right now and wait the seven hours if I didn't think they'd arrest me for suspicious activity," he joked. "I'll be there though."

"Okay, be ready for the biggest hug ever."

He scoffed, "Oh please. You should be the one that is worried."

"Oh?"

"I've been bulking up a bit."

I laughed. "Oh?"

"Is that the vocabulary you have gotten there? Honestly, I cannot leave you for a minute without you losing all the big words I taught you."

I giggled, "Okay Michael, I have to go. We just arrived at the airport. I love you."

"Back at you babe."

Flying to New York alone is boring. That's the only way I could possibly explain it. I wish I was going commercial because then I could at least have an annoying person next to me. That would have been entertaining. But no. I had my Nordic bodyguard, his wife, and his baby.

At least I got to watch Brad Pitt and his yummy bare bum in Troy.

Lars carried my bags into the almost empty airport. I was wearing my big sunglasses that Joshua had bought for me ages ago (to hide from the press). "Do you see him?" I asked Lars.

"See who?" Michael's voice asked from behind me.

I turned and saw Michael standing behind me with his arms wide open.

I laughed.

"What?"

"Are you ready for that ginormous hug?"

I jumped onto him, knocking him to the ground, making us both laugh. "I really don't think you missed me all that much," he teased.

We stood up and straightened our clothes before he offered a proper knee buckling kiss. "No, not a bit," I teased after we parted.

"Wanna go back to my place and make out?" he asked, playing with my hair.

I pretended to think about it, "I don't know. I could swear-"

"Fine, I'm kidnapping you," he said, tossing me over his shoulder.

I let him carry me to the parking lot like (hey, I get a good view of his bum from that position!) that before Lars stopped us. "Princess, the media saw Michael here. They are waiting for you."

"How did they know I was coming here tonight?"

"Must have leaked from home."

I looked at my worried boyfriend. "So what? I'm not ashamed of Michael. It is common knowledge that I am dating him. Why wouldn't he pick me up? Let's go," I said holding Michael's hand tightly and protectively.

He wasn't used to the close scrutiny that I had grown accustomed to. Where suddenly everyone was curious as to my romantic situation. As to whom I was dating. Why was I dating this person? I had gone through this with Joshua, but he had been used to it. He saw the close scrutiny even noblemen in England were under. He understood. He took care of me and protected me.

But now, it was my responsibility to take care of Michael. But that was okay because he took care of me on other ways.

We stepped out into the cooling early September air. The city was buzzing with another Red Sox versus the Yankees series. I saw some people walking around tentatively with Sox hats. I really should have worn mine. Show some support for the tourists.

At first no one noticed me because I was dressed down. I had some ripped jeans and a grey t-shirt on. On my feet were an old pair of Doc Marten sandals. Princesses are not supposed to wear these kinds of clothes! Princesses are supposed to wear Chanel! Gucci!

Michael was wearing his tight jeans (can I say how much I adore tight jeans on men? Okay, on MICHAEL?), and a shirt that said "When I'm good, I'm very, very good, when I'm bad, I'm better".

"Do you know how adorable you look?" I whispered from behind my glasses.

"I try," he said with a laugh.

His laughter attracted the attention of a man with a camera. "Oops," I giggled.

We ran to the curb to get into a taxi. Lars was behind us with his wife and daughter; pulling a caddy along to drag all of our bags. "We'll meet you tomorrow, Lars!" I called back with a wave of my hand.

We walked into Michael's apartment. "Well," I started. "What do we do now?" I teased.

He winked and opened the door to reveal his darkened apartment. "Stuff."

"Like?" I asked, pulling off my sunglasses and tossing them onto a table by the front door.

"Stay here," he whispered.

I watched him as he walked into the kitchen and got something out of the fridge. "What are you doing?" I called to him.

"You'll see," he promised.

I watched as he went back and fourth between the kitchen and the living room.

"Come on," he said pulling me into the living room. "You must be starving."

I smiled as I saw two veggie burgers on some table trays. I made a cute face at him, "You are just the sweetest thing babe," I said kissing his cheek.

"And that is not all," he said pulling me further into the room. I looked at the TV and saw the opening credits for Star Wars.

"How perfect are you?"

He shrugged, "Just perfect enough for you I guess."

I only ate about half of my burger before I totally zonked out on Michael's shoulder.

MICHAEL:

It felt nice to finally have her on my shoulder. After all the touring was done I had all my time to think about her and how much I missed her. Looking at her, I don't know how I could forget how much I missed her. I mean, it had only been a month but that was a long month without the woman I love.

She made my shoulder fall asleep, but I didn't have the heart to wake her up and bring her into bed. She looked completely content right there on my shoulder. Would we be able to just relax like this when she is the leader of Genovia?

The next day we decided to get out of the city. I had bought a truck ages ago when I lived in California. I had always planned on selling it, but never really had the heart to take it out of the garage. It cost a small fortune to store it but I really didn't care. I loved it too much.

"Michael?" she asked as we got out of the city.

"Yeah?"
"When did you get a car?"

"I didn't. I have a truck."

"Oh, sorry. When did you get a truck?"

"Back in California," I replied, taking a turn.

"When did you become such a country boy?" she teased.

"When people with cameras started following me around New York," I replied.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, looking out the window.

I pulled onto the side of the road, "For what?"

"Because of me all these people are following you-"

"Yeah, sure, but Mia, remember something about my job? I'm a musician. Not a big one, never will be, but a musician no less."

"Are you going to regret this?" she asked as we got out of the cab of the truck.

I grabbed a blanket from the truck bed and spread it on the bed. "Regret what? Spending my life with the woman I love?"

She smiled, "How do you always know exactly what to say to make me feel good?"

I jumped into the back of the truck and reached my hand out to her, "I know exactly what to do to make you feel good too," I teased.

She took my hand and pulled herself onto the bed. "I do adore you boy. But when did you get your license? Did you get it-"

"When I was in California," I said quickly.

"Well, a lot of crazy things happened there huh?"

I rolled my eyes. She had no idea. "Yeah, I guess."

"Okay, now go into reverse and ease the gas lightly," I guided that evening. I was attempting to teach her how to drive. "Easy now babe," I said soothingly.

"I got it," she said looking in the rearview mirror.

I didn't bother looking, I trusted that she knew what she was doing.

Maybe I should have been outside directing her because she ended up backing into a tree.

She turned bright red, "Whoopsie!"

I laughed, "It's not a big deal-"

"I'll pay to repair it."

"No, it's fine. No big deal," I said looking at the damage. I had to laugh because she looked so nervous. "Mia, relax. When was the last time you saw me get mad over something so minor?"

She shot me an innocent look, "I know...at least let me treat you to dinner, okay?"

I sighed, "I'm kind of worn out. How about we order in?"

Her eyes widened as I opened the passenger side door for her, "I could cook for you!"

Oh God. "Um, sure, why not?"

MIA:

Why did I open my big fat mouth? Michael sat in the living room watching South Park re-runs while I attempted to cook Zucchini Risotto. I kept getting distracted though because my father was on the phone.

"Mia, Cammie needs instruction. You need to show her how to be the proper princess-"

"But she won't be a princess," I argued. "People don't really have to accept her. I mean, you are already-"

"Amelia, get back here and talk to her. Spend the week before the wedding bonding with your new mother-"

"Whoa, hold up. Amelia? My new mother?"

"You know what I mean."

"No, I clearly do not."

"You had my mother to instruct you."

"Wow, we are totally not on the same page here, Dad. I am discussing the fact that you called me Amelia and talking about a new mother? I am Mia, and my mother is in New York in a loft on Thompson Street."

He sighed heavily. "When are you returning?"

"Dad, I have not spent all that much time here. Believe it or not, I am American. This is my home. I want to spend as much time here as I can before I have to rule over a small principality."

"Amelia..."

"It's Mia," I corrected. Was he in an accident that caused him severe brain damage?

"Mia, we need you here. You are the hostess. Your little trip last year should have helped you sow your wild oats. This little fling you are having with Michael," he started, "Needs to be over. Over the past year you have flung your responsibilities to the side. Genovia needs to see that their future ruler has a head on her shoulders. Not someone who is merely interested in sex."

My jaw dropped. "Dad! How dare you classify Michael and my relationship on that!"

"You can't get married because the sex is good Mia. You have to choose your consort based on other things."

I shook my head, "Dad, I cannot even believe we are having this discussion. You actually think that I am choosing Michael simply because the sex is good? That part of my life is naturally none of your business so I won't even touch that subject. But I am choosing him as my consort, and you have nothing to do with that. I am in love with him. I have always been in love with him. Since I was like, eleven years old I have had a feeling that he was the one."

"What about Joshua?" he asked.

"Dad, stop this. You aren't playing fair-"

"I never have," he argued.

"Keep this up," I started, "And you won't get a chance to talk to me again. And that is a promise."

"Now you aren't playing fair," he argued.

"Maybe I take after you," I snapped. "I'm going to finish making dinner-"

"Oh come on Mia! Honestly, you are a princess! You do not cook dinner! He is supposed to take you to dinner, or make you dinner. Not the other way around."

I hung up on him right then. I made a decision not to talk to him until it was absolutely necessary.

"Everything okay?" Michael asked rubbing my back and I bent over the counter.

"Everything is fine," I snapped.

"If you say so," he said, kissing my cheek. "I'll be right back. I have to grab something down at the corner store. You'll be okay alone?"

I smiled, "I'll be fine babe. Perfectly fine. Go ahead."