AN: Thanks to all my reviewers. I love throwing curve balls so I did and you liked it now here is a real love story. (Sigh) I'm a push over for romance and hope that someday my romance will come. But until then I can daydream (write) about it. Let me know how the chapters are. Too long, to short, dull let me know thanks RR

Tierra

The flight to the beach house was a four-hour flight by helicopter. The trip seemed to drag on to Mia she did not say much to and Clarisse's glances did not help the fact that Mia could not stop thinking about Nick. It was painful it hurt so much and yet it was such a relief to have seen him. Why? She did not know if he truly loved her or if it was all a game again but was even doing that? How much do I really love him though is it enough to continue on this way? I nearly lost my life over this bloody man.

"I hate love!" Mia said out loud not remembering where she was.

"Mia come on it can't be that bad?" Joseph asked before his wife could cut in.

"Sorry I was just thinking."

"No I want to hear this Mia. Maybe if you explain to us what exactly this is doing to you. You know your grandmother and I have been in similar situations for years."

"Alright since you two seem to be the experts! I'm so confused as to what I should believe. I don't know if I truly love him. How do I know this is not just some crush again?"

"Mia is it love?" Clarisse asked

"I don't know I was asking you?"

"I can't just explain love to you… It is a special feeling"

"Duh. I should have known that. I knew I did not love Andrew but I had a crush on Nick it all makes so much sense now! NOT" Mia added sarcastically

"Honestly! I'm getting fed up of this attitude I know your hurt and that you do love Nicholas because I have seen the same look in Joseph eyes, in love and heart broken. Mia if you want to get over this then just speak to him, in a civilized manor."

"You know as much as that sounds like the solution to the problem it still doesn't take away the hurt I feel. I don't want to speak to him I will just have to figure out how to move on without this conversation you keep asking me to have."

"I'm not asking you anymore Mia. You will speak with him, For not only your sake but mine too."

"Why are you so persistent about this and what does it have to do with you anyway it is not as if he hurt you."

"Mia your grandmother is doing all she can to help you. She may not be queen anymore but it doesn't mean she can walk away form her duties to you and Genovia. You need to listen to her advice."

(This is so unfair I'm a queen I have proven myself time and time again and yet people are trying to run my life these two people are sitting in front of me. Do I really love him is that why I feel this way? Honestly this is dumb! I guess I will just grow old alone and never find true love."

"Mia are you coming?"

"What?"

"Come on we are here."

Joe held out a hand for Mia to accept but she just grabbed the side of the helicopter and jumped out herself. And walked passed Joe and into the Manor it was beautiful just as she had imagined in her dream. Only the inside was much larger.

"Grandma where is my room I'm really tired and would like a nap before we do anything."

"Mia my dear we are here to relax there is northing to do here we are simply going to lounge about for a few days."

"Thank you but where is my room?"

"It is up the stairs and down the left corridor pick one."

Mia walked upstairs fallowed by two maids bringing her suitcases. She walked half way down the hall and entered fairly large room well large in that manner with a bathroom attached to it. Mia walked over to the bed and lay down and fell asleep.

Mean while Clarisse was busy going through the manor looking over the updates. Lost in thought pondering over a painting of her two sons when they were younger. When Joseph came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist

"Penny for your thoughts"

"Oh just thinking of all the memories this place holds. I hope Mia can one day have similar happy memories."

"Hmm"

"You know as well as I do that there are many wonderful memories hidden with the walls of this place."

"Yes I do know I remember only one very vividly though."

"My favorite one."

"Yes mine too."

(25 years ago)

"Clarisse I love you and I will wait till then end of time for you"

Joseph and Clarisse had been sitting along the beach it was a warm summer night but nothing special about the scene the clouds were covering the stars and Clarisse had been crying and her face was tear stained and her make-up smeared.

"I love you too. Thank you for coming with me."

They had just arrived at the beach house a few hours ago and already she and Rupert had had and argument and he stormed off this was supposed to be there anniversary trip. She had tried so hard to love him but could not it was only friendship. And making love to him was nothing but a duty. He had had too many drinks and wanted to be with Clarisse but got to rough with her.

"No Rupert go find your own room tonight. I cant not with you your drunk."

"You're my wife and we share a bed and as I be your husband I can ask anything of you "

"No Rupert not like this besides why didn't you just bring one of your mistresses if that's what you wanted?"

"This trip Clarisse is for our anniversary."

"Yeah did you expect love to come over night I have tried to love you for years and I have only been able to bring myself to love you as a friend. Now you can't honestly tell me you love me.'

"Well there are times Clarisse and now is one of them."

"He came over to her and pushed himself on her. It lasted only a few hours and then he was up and gone . Clarisse lie in bed crying finally she got up and walked into his office where he was pouring over several documents.

"I want you to go home I want to spend the rest of the time alone here."

"What?"

"You heard me just leave take everyone with you and I will call when I'm ready to come home."

"Fine I will Joseph it to stay of course and a few of the house attendants."

"If you must leave Joseph fine but don't leave another house attendant here I can take care of myself for a few days."

Rupert left in a fury with all the attendants except Joseph who was left behind fir security reasons.

"He can be such an evil man at times."

She held up her hands and looked at her wrists, which had some bruising on them.

"My word Clarisse did he do that to you?"

"Yes… I don't know why he even wants that now, he has his two sons and mistresses it is absolutely disgusting this thing with men"

"I'm sorry would you like to be left alone?"

"No never leave me… Promise me you'll never leave me"

"I promise, my darling Clarisse."

That night was the first night Joseph and Clarisse spent alone together.

"Hmm hmm… Your Majesty I…"

"Oh hello Nicholas. I was wondering when you would come out of hiding."

"Well now is as good of time as any I was wondering does Mia know I am here?'

"No and I don't want her to know until after dinner."

"Oh sorry to interrupt you." He turned to leave but Clarisse caught his arm

"I know she loves you. She has just put up these walls because of her hurt and I know in time they will come down. After dinner we are having tea on the terrace please join us then?"

"Alright. I will."

He left and entered the hallway and went down the right corridor and disappeared in time as Mia came around the corner and entered the room Clarisse and Joe were still in both looked alarmed as she entered had she just seen Nick he was in here only moments ago.

"Hello. Why do you too look like you have seen a ghost?"

"Oh it is nothing just surprised you did not sleep very long?"

"Well you see I can't. I have this desperate need to talk to Nick and I have a felling I'm not going to get much sleep. I think I will go call him and arrange something for when we get back and maybe that will help me."

"Mia don't"

"What?" Mia picked up the receiver and asked the operator for the palace.

"Mia because I want to spend time with you as you are and I don't want you to stress over seeing him right now. Please come with me for a walk."

"What? Oh yes hold on… May I speak with Lord Nicholas Deveraux? …What do you mean he left last night? Fine thank you." She hung up the receiver and turned to Clarisse.

"What do you two think your playing at?" with that she left the room and headed for her room.

Clarisse went to go after her but was held back by Joseph.

"No let her think what she wants until dinner. Its better for her to think things through Clarisse."

"I don't know what has gotten into her. This is not like her to act like this."

Later that evening Clarisse and Joseph were waiting in the dining room for Mia to come she was now fifteen minutes late.

"I'm going to go get her." Clarisse got up and left the room only to only to reenter seconds later fallowing Mia. She was wearing a light blue sleeveless dress that was made of silk it was casual but it clung to her hips and swayed ever so slightly as she walked it was beautiful.

"Sorry I'm late I was on the phone with my mother."

"Quite alright dear. Lets have dinner shall we?"

"Yes I'm starving." Joe added

Dinner went by pretty smoothly. They talked about Helen and little Trevor. All careful not to say too much about anything seeing as things were on thin ice as it is. Shortly after dinner was over and a silence had settled in. Clarisse shifted a little.

"Shall we go have tea on the terrace it's a beautiful night?"

"Yes" both Mia and Joe said they wandered out to the terrace and each took a cup of fresh tea Joe sat down next to Clarisse. Mia wandered over to the banister and leaned up against it her back to the rest of the company. Just staring out at the shore. Mia set down her and bent down and unbuckled her shoes picked up her teacup again and walked down the stairs and out to the wet sand. The two watched her go as Nicholas came out of the trees near by he thrust his hands into his pockets and fallowed Mia and wandered up next to her both stood silently. Just watching the ocean and the gazing out into the sky. Joe and Clarisse now certain things would begin to repair between the two.

"Why did you leave me?" Mia finally whispered, breaking their silence

"I thought you never wanted to see me again."

" Well I don't know if I want to now or not either. I really don't know what to feel Hmm and I thought it was because you did not love me?"

"No… Your Majesty I do love you. More that you will ever know."

"Mia, please no matter how angry I am towards you please call me Mia."

"Are you still mad?"

"You really need to ask? You ripped my heart out. I thought I loved you."

"Do you still?"

"What?"

"Love me?"

"I don't know what I feel right now. It's all so confusing. I my heart is torn into two it says I do love you more than anything in the world but the other half says are your ready to be hurt again because that seems like the only thing that ever happens to you."

"Well do you believe me when I say I will never hurt you again nor will I leave you."

"I suppose I do but for it to sink in and be reality I think we need time."

"Yeah, Mia I thought I had screwed up so bad and that I would never have the only woman I ever loved… " Nick began to choke up words becoming hard to say. I thought I would never have you close to me again and all I can do is think of you night and day. I love you…"

"Shhh…" she put a finger to his lips and then kissed them dropping her teacup her arms moved up around hit neck. His came out of his pockets pulling her in closer reassuring her that he loved her.

"Perfect" Clarisse whispered as she snuggled in closer to Joseph and wiped away a few tears.

"Yes dear it is just that perfect. Now we can really relax."

Mia was the first to pull away but not too far though she rested her head on his shoulder and began to cry. They stood in silence for a moment. Nick was the one to actually break the contact he pulled away and then picked up her hand interlacing their fingers his gently kissed it.

"Lets go for a walk" Mia snuggled in closer and the two started off on a long walk along the moon light beach.

"Mia I'm sorry please forgive me?"

"Nick I do forgive you but it will take time before my heart is fully ready for this. It won't just happen over night."

"Just as long as I can be near you and love you I will wait for eternity."

They walked for hours. Finally reaching a large log close to the water they sat down. Finally Mia reached over and began the kiss it was deep and passionate she found his arms wrapping around her they were falling back into the sand just kissing. The heat between the two was immense and the passion beginning to run deep. Mia woke hours later seeing the sun beginning to rise. She realized what had happened the night before.

"Nicholas… we were out all night again."

"Hmm… it was beautiful."

"Yes it was" she bent down and kissed him. "We should be getting back before they begin to worry about us."

"Alright." He got up and then helped her to her feet brushing sand from their clothes the walked back to the manor holding hands. They walked up the steps to the terrace to find the Clarisse was cuddled up next to Joe who where both asleep.

"Hmm… Do you think we should wake them?" Nick whispered.

"No need to wake us." Clarisse sat up and stretched as Joe yawned and stretched too.

"Am I safe to say things are beginning to repair themselves."

"Yes." Mia said as Nick kissed her cheek.

"Good. I'm glad. Now lets go have some breakfast ooo! Joseph we can't stay out all night anymore my body just doesn't agree with that."

"Neither does mine dear." He stood up stretching painfully.

"Hah you slept on a patio sofa. We slept in the sand." Mia said with a half laugh.

"Mia you didn't…?"

"No grandma just kisses under a star light sky."

"I would not expect anything of Mia Clarisse."

"Good. And you wont unless you're married." Clarisse said with a smile beaming across her face.

The next few days seemed to fly by. Mia spent most of her time with Nick taking walks along the beach. Watched by Clarisse and Joseph who too had their share of time to be with one another.

"Our time alone together seems to have gone by too fast."

"Yes Nicholas it has. But I'm glad things between you and Mia has worked out for the better. I admit I was very worried that this was the wrong way to go about it, but I took my chances and just went with the feeling that it would be okay."

"Yeah. Thanks for helping us."

"Well I admit there was something in it for me too. Mia happy again and back to herself means I am able to let her take control again and just intervene when needed."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you think Mia would like this?"

He held out the rings.

"Nicholas this is and engagement ring."

"Yes I love Mia so much I know I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Do you think she will accept them now?"

"Nicholas I… uh I don't know."

"Oh…"

"No it's not what you think. I know she loved you and you her but I don't know if she is ready and…"

"I will wait then."

"No don't just do what your heart tells you to do."

"Do you know where she is?"

"She went for a walk with Joseph. Come I'll show you."

Clarisse and Nick walked out of the parlor, out into the lazy afternoon sun they walked in the direction that Joe and Mia had gone in. coming around They caught up with the two. Clarisse went up to Joseph and linked arms with him and feel back a few steps and Nick walked up to Mia placing an arm around her they walked in silence for a few minutes fallowed by Clarisse and Joe who seemed to be getting slower and slower soon Mia and Nick where out of ear shot that's when Nick stepped in front of Mia and stopped her Clarisse saw this and nudged Joe. Clarisse motioned for them to go sit under a tree.

"Nick…"

He silenced her with a kiss and then moved down to his knees.

"I know that my life is worth living just being next to you. I love you and I always and forever will. Mia will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

She stood in shock as he was kneeling there in the sand on both knees holding out the ring. He mouth still open as she was trying to form words but none seemed to come.

"Clarisse is he doing what I think he?"

"Yes he asked me if it would be alright."

"Yes. Yes!" Mia bent down and kissed him soon the two had fallen into the sand and were kissing each other passionately. They fell over in the sand still kissing, Clarisse and Joseph where laughing and tears were streaming down her face.

"Words can not describe how I feel."

" I know dear. I know"

Mia rolled over and was now on top of Nick. Her hands cupping his face. "love you so much."

"What ever did I do to deserve you?"

Mia silenced him by bringing her lips to his. Clarisse and Joe still sat under the tree watching contently Clarisse snuggled up next to Joe as they watched Mia and Nick share kisses.

"I think we still have an audience." Nick said looking over to where Clarisse and Joe where sitting.

"Yes but I don't mind. I love you Nick more than anything."

"Well should we go back to the house and have some lunch before we have to leave this evening?"

"Yes"

Mia got up and reached for Nicks hand and the two walked over to Clarisse and Joe who both had huge smiles stretching across their faces. Mia reached for Clarisse and Nick for Joe to help them up.

" You know you two are pathetic."

"what I thought watching your engagement was special"