Author's Note:Teenage boys, no matter whatdecade they arefrom, are obbessed with sex and what girls look like under their clothes. Sad, I know, but it's the truth. Even our sweet innocent Michael thinks about it.

I don't own anyone. I realize that I never say that. But I don't, and I have not owned anyone in my previous chapters nor will I in the future. So just remember this note 'cuz I most likely will always forget to say that.

Weeks continued to fly by, much to our dismay.The time we would have together was slipping away before our very eyes. I loved spending time with him, but he went to his new job every day after school with Kevin. "Maybe he's saving up to live his life with you," Tina suggested one late November day.

"Oh please," I said waving my hand at her. I would never have to worry about money. My inheritance was already determined upon my birth. I would either become sovereign ruler or remain the princess. The very fact that I was breathing made me worth millions of dollars upon my father's death.

But no one could know that. Only Michael could. He had to if I was to spend my life with him.

Michael and I still spent nights reading out loud to one another. "You have a nice voice," he said lying on his floor.

I smiled. I always smile now because of him. "Thanks."

"Very soothing," he said with his eyes closed.

"What is going to happen tomorrow?" I asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Thanksgiving?"

"Oh. It's not like it used to be," he started. "Mom saved all her ration coupons practically for tomorrow. It's the unofficial kick off for the Christmas season."

"Oh…"

"They start shopping for Christmas. We don't, we're Jewish," he further explained. "Well, my mom is Catholic...like you. But we kids are Jewish. My mom usually celebrates on her own for Christmas. Midnight mass or something."

I hadn't thought about that. "Christmas presents…."

"No…Hannukah," he replied easily.

I closed my book and bit my lip. "No, Christmas. It's my first without Mama and Papa…and Grandmama and Grandpapa…and Lars…and Simon. Where do you think he is right now? Do you think he will celebrate Christmas all alone?"

"I dunno," Michael replied uneasily. "What do you do for Christmas? All my friends are Jewish so…"

I smiled as I thought of our last real Christmas. We hadn't been truly effected by the war last year. They hadn't touched us yet. Now our palace was gone.

I had thought I would spend every Christmas from then on in my beautiful home. The Christmas tree would stand proudly in our grand hall with all of our presents spread out underneath. Last year Mama had given me a painting of her home in Indiana. Simon had given me an original copy of Little Women. Papa gave me a journal to write all my adventures in.

Grandpapa had given me a brooch with tiny diamonds in it. "Just right for a girl your age," he had said with a smile, his moustache curling up. I had hugged him so tightly, maybe I knew it would be the last we would be together for a long time.

Grandmama gave me a strand of pearls. "You are nearly sixteen. You will need these for your social season," she explained. "Can't have you going to all the balls without a proper set of pearls. Who knows what kind of young men you would attract without them!"

I had written each member of my family a poem. Even Grandmama was impressed with them.

"Mia? What did your family do for the holidays?" Michael asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Oh…well, Simon and I were allowed to open one present after we attended midnight mass at the National Cathedral. I always opened the one he gave me and he did the same…you know, with the gift I give him. Anyways, then he and I would pretend to go to sleep….but we were always too excited. We would sneak into our playroom and play Monopoly and card games. They always found us there asleep on the floor. But then they'd wake us for our presents. Mama and Papa were always excited about them. Both always put a great deal of thought into the presents…."

"What's wrong?" he asked, noting the change in my tone.

"I had almost forgotten about the holidays," I explained. "I was so focused on you…and how you are leaving in a little over a month-"

"Mia, don't think about it. I'll be back for you," he promised, sitting up on his knees so he was face level with me. "Forever. I love you, remember?"

I loved him more than I had the night I originally told him that. And I loved when he told me that back. "Michael, what am I to do when you leave? Why must everyone leave me because of this stupid war? Why are so many lives-"

"Close your eyes," he whispered.

I did.

"When we are apart just picture me. Like I am right now. Holding onto you. I'll be here always if you just picture it….and you can do that with your parents, with Simon. Just close your eyes and imagine them at a really happy time," he whispered.

I very suddenly opened my eyes, with my lips quivering I kissed him. "I love you so much Michael. When am I going to be with you again like this? What if this is only a mere moment in our lives? What if Grandmama makes me marry some stupid prince from a country that banished stupid royalty? What if-"

He stopped me with feverish kisses. He stood up, and I did the same so he wouldn't stop kissing me. Then we fell onto his bed. He pulled back once he was on top of me. "I would never do anything to disrespect you…" he started with a pained look. "But sometimes it's just…so…difficult, you know?" he said , letting his head fall into the crook of my neck. "I just love you so much baby."

That was his tender pet name for me. I called him sweetheart. "Sweetheart, I know. I would never disrespect you. But why are you stopping?"

He leaned on his elbows and sighed, heavily. "Because I love you. I can't let myself push you."

I tried to read his expression. "You are too noble at times," I teased, pushing his hair behind his ears.

"Not too many of us left," he agreed.

"I'm not asking you to be noble," I said huskily. "I want you to be Michael Robert Moscovitz. These are in fact different times than when our parents grew up," I said wrapping my arms around his neck. He was breathing really heavily now.

"Oh?" he asked with a smirk.

"Am I being too forward?" I asked with a laugh. "I mean….Oh God…I am so very different from the girl you first met, aren't I?"

"A good different," he agreed.

"I'm being a hussy. Grandmama always warned-"

He stopped me with another kiss.

"Michael, what is that?" I asked, referring to something poking me. "Were you doing homework in bed again? I think your pen is sticking-"

He rolled away and crouched down. "Sorry Mia."

I bit my lip, "What? Where'd the pen go?" I asked looking around for it. "I bet your father is going to be upset if you lost it."

AN: HAHA, what's gonna happen next? Tune in Next Week!