AN: Yes! I love my reviews you guys make me so happy! It is really encouraging. Okay so I think I have a few people to thank.
Pokimon go back and read chapter 6. I did not like how it turned out so I changed what really happened I wanted Mia to be really angry through a few more fits its just so much fun to write like that. Sorry for the confusion.
Queen-Chick Thanks so much glad you like this story as no this is not the end only the beginning!
Rane Sakura Thanks. I'm thrilled you like it so. But this story is only one of thousands on fanfiction I suggest you read more they are so much fun I like a lot of the story most of my reviewers have check my favorites list.
Rebecca glad I can through you through a loop I hope you enjoy the next few chapters
Thanks guys! I'm such a newbie at this stuff and to hear there people actually like my stuff it so awesome. Like I said this is only the beginning I love writing now. I hope you all like my next few chapters. Things will even out and then whoops another doozy. I will move into a little more of Clarisse and Joe in the chapters to come. Keep up the reviews.
Oh if any have Hotmail or IM I'm always on and love to chat Four made it back to the beach house as lunch was being brought out to the pavilion. They sat down not saying much. Mia still was a bit up in the air with all that had happened. It was only four days ago when she had told herself she didn't know what she felt about Nick. But spending time with him helped her realize how much she needed him. This was not like the crush she had on Michael in High school this was deeper, she could feel something more than just a girlish fling. Nick drove her wild made her heart jump, even race. It was he who brought down the walls Mia had begun to pull up, through all the Media and paparazzi. Yet he was one who hurt her so much too. It was he who helped her put up those walls and here he had just brought them crashing down.
"Mia, have you though about what will happen when we return home?" Clarisse asked breaking Mia's thoughts
"Well no I was planning on think of that when we got there."
"Well it is something we can discuss on our way home then."
"Why?"
"Well Mia it was just over a month ago you were going to marry Andrew and now Nicholas it might be better if we wait until at least the summer is over and then announce your engagement."
"Yes I see the point in that. Nicholas can we both be patient and wait that long?"
"Mia I would wait for an eternity if it meant I was to be with you eventually."
"Good now for more pressing matters when your engagement is announce I want to make sure your uncle will not get in the way Nicholas or try anything funny."
"He wont be near us to try a thing not even at my own wedding.'
"Well he will be invited to the wedding because he is part of parliament but weather he decided to accept the invitation and come it is up to him… and I do hope he doesn't come"
"Lets not begin the stress until we have arrived back at home we still have a few hours of our vacation left lets enjoy these few moments left" Joe stated
That was the end of that conversation and they moved on to the fact that Mia's ring was huge and gorgeous. Also Joe and Clarisse still laughed about the way the two looked on the beach earlier rolling around in the sand, sharing some quite passionate kisses. Joe teasing Clarisse about a few of their moments. Mia confessing she had walked in on at least a dozen of these little moments over the years. But soon the time had come and it was back to reality and life they all got in the helicopter taking one last look at the place before moving around the mountainside.
(Sigh) " That was too short!" Mia said.
"Yes well we will have to make a more regular use out of the place now wont we?" Joe added
"I think so." Clarisse smiled looking at Joe they too had had a more than wonderful time to themselves too.
"Here Mia lets move this to this hand so as not to give away our secret yet." Nick took Mia's left hand he had been holding and place the ring on her right hand.
"Good idea Nicholas, I hope that things will even out at home and soon you two can be together." Joe said as he pulled Clarisse in closer.
"I do agree I hope things will move quickly. I can't wait for more grandchildren too. Oh just to sit at home and play grandma all day would be so much fun. I missed out on your early years Mia but I promise to be here from now on."
"I love you Grandma. But I don't think great grandchildren will come too soon."
"Oh my Clarisse that's right we will be great grandparents!"
"Joseph what else would it make us? You know we are not as young as we used to be."
"Yes but that make me old! A great grandparent?"
" Don't say that because it make me old too."
Nicholas and Mia were laughing so hard now at that fact that Clarisse and Joe were arguing over being old and realizing Mia would make them great grandparents.
"I don't think its funny you two." Joe shot a sharp look at Mia and Nick.
"Oh But grandpa it is quite funny."
"Dear your feeling will change when Mia has children and you hold them close to you and you watch them grow up and they find their way into your heart the moment you first look at them."
Clarisse had almost gone into a dream like gaze as she remembered what it was like having her own children.
"Yes well I just don't want to be that old."
"You two are far from old. Grandma is only 57 and Joe you are only a year older."
"Ah well too old for my liking " Clarisse said as she snuggled into Josephs side.
The arrived home just before seven and the front gate was swamped with reporters. The helicopter landed and several palace guards came running up to it opening the door and ushered in the royals.
"What in heavens name is going on Charlotte?"
"I don't know your majesty I will go find out."
Now Charlotte had been with them during their little vacation but had remained hidden for most of it reading in the library occasionally she had dinner with them but for the most part she kept to herself.
Charlotte ran off into the palace ahead of the family surrounded by security. Upon entering the main hall Clarisse headed straight to her office fallowed by Mia, Nick, Joe.
"Your Majesty. Here." Charlotte handed her a news paper and turned on the television where a Genovian reporter came on
"The royal family has just retuned home form their quick vacation with their guest Lord Nicholas Deveraux. This is said to have been the wedding anniversary of Princess Amelia and Lord Deveraux. So soon after the royal wedding disaster a month ago the Princess has taken a new husband. Is there something behind the new husband so quick? If you all remember the little interlude with Lord Deveraux and the Princess a month ago."
"Turn if off Charlotte."
"What in the…"
"Mia now is the time not to lose it. We need to find it and a solution."
Clarisse picked up the newspaper and tossed it at Mia here this is what they were suggesting."
"Princess Amelia's quick wedding Royal baby due in the next 8 months!" Mia read aloud.
"Oh my… your kidding right they really didn't put that there did they?" Nick came rushing to Mia's side to look at the paper and sure enough it did.
"The doctor came for other reasons not because I'm pregnant! Where are they getting all this and how did they know Nick came with us? I didn't even know until…"
"Mia I said now is not the time to lose it."
"Well what the hell else do you expect me to do?"
"Joseph please escort Nicholas to his room please? Charlotte would you get us some tea Mia and I have a long night."
"Yes your majesty" Charlotte responded and left.
"Uh Clarisse would it be best if I just left for the time being until things smooth out?" Nick asked
"No just stay here if you leave you will only be bombarded by the press at your home."
"I can handle that. I really think it better if I wasn't here. If I leave maybe they will leave it be."
"No Nicholas just stay I will make a formal announcement tomorrow about you being our guest here at the palace. And as for your 'wedding' I will inform them of nothing only that you are acquaintances. Mia please lets sit down and do some damage control."
Nick and Joe left. Clarisse sat down at her desk just as the phone rang it was the Prime Minister.
"Hello."
"Yes your majesty I have just heard the news break. What are we going to do?"
"You did not believe it?"
"Well no I spoke with the Arch Bishop he said that there had been no wedding and I seriously doubted the Princess would just jump to marry the next man who pursued her."
"What a relief Motaz thank you now as far as what we are doing Mia and I are just sitting down for some damage control."
"Alright if there is anything I can do to help please don't hesitate to ask. Oh and parliament is in session tomorrow Lord Palimore just rang he said that there are things to discuss a few pressing matter."
"Thank you See you tomorrow then."
Clarisse hung up and gave a sigh then turned back to Mia who looked furious.
"Well?" She said
"Well what?"
"Mia I want you to take up the responsibility of addressing the press tomorrow I think it would be best if you did."
"Fine what do I say? You all suck and who ever made up these rumors has to be about as dumb as an a…"
"Mia… lets work out what is to be said tomorrow alright"
"Fine."
"I think it best to address the fact that you are not with child and then state the Nicholas is a palace guest whom I invited before your wedding for the summer. You to are not married just friends. Along those lines you should structure your speech."
"Alright I'm going for a walk I need to clear my head before I try to think about this anymore I may just scream."
"Alright please let me know what you intend to say tomorrow before the night is over though?"
"Not a problem." Mia left.
Joe and Charlotte retuned looking a little nervous about entering the room for they both knew how Clarisse and Mia's tempers could get.
"Thank you Charlotte. Your excused for the evening."
Charlotte left the room again and Joe moved over to his wife and placed his hands on her shoulders and began to rub the tension out. They hadn't even been home for and hour and she was already too tense.
"Clarisse things will even out and this will be old news soon."
"Yes but Joseph they said she was pregnant."
"Well we know she is not. And that is that and when they find out in nine months that she hasn't gotten any bigger or had a child they will see it for what it was a rumor."
Clarisse sighed and turned her head to look up at Joseph. He gently moved to her hands pulling her up he moved over to the couch sitting down first he then motioned for her to sit down next to him. Instead she lie down and put her head in his lap and closed her eyes he placed and arm over her middle and then ran his fingers through her hair. Clarisse placed her hand on top of his. Small tears had begun to form in her eyes and she trying desperately to not let them fall. Finally breaking down her body began to shake slightly and her tears fell.
"Shhh dear it will be alright." It was killing Joseph to see her like this she was such a strong woman. Never letting things like this get to her, but why now?
Mia came back a few hours later it was dark now and Clarisse had fallen asleep on Josephs lap. As she entered Joe put a finger to his mouth to make sure Mia was quiet. Mia moved into the room and sat down opposite Joe and Clarisse. She just looked at them for a moment seeing that her grandmother had a few mascara lines on her face and tissue clutched in one hand. It made her feel even worse. She too had been crying thinking about her first month as Queen it had been up and down the whole time and she wondered how her grandmother had handled it on her own for the past years even being Queen when grandfather Rupert it had to have been difficult.
"Joe I need to talk to her."
"In the morning."
"No Joseph I'm awake." Clarisse stirred a bit and rolled onto her side to look at Mia. "Do you know what you plan on saying?"
"Yeah. I need your help though I want you to be by my side."
"I will be there Mia."
"Well let us hear it Mia?" Joe said
"Here just read it see if it is okay."
She reached across the coffee table and handed Clarisse a piece of paper.
"Fellow Genovian's I would like to apologies for any misconceptions you may have recently heard. First and for most Lord Deveraux and I are not married and I will not be expecting a child. Second as to the reason Lord Deveraux accompanied us on our family trip to our Beach home is because he was invited by my grandmother earlier this summer to stay the summer as the palaces guest. Thank you."
Mia stepped away from the podium and walked back inside fallowed by Clarisse and Joseph. Mia did not say anything once the doors where closed she just simply walked up to Her office and closed the door. Once inside Mia sat down behind her desk and picked up the phone and called Lily's cell phone she was back a Berkley finishing Graduate school. The phone rang a few times and finally Lily picked up.
"Hello… who ever this is it better be the best news in the world or my best friend Mia or you're dead for calling me at 3:30 in the morning.
"Lily its' Mia"
"Hey… what's wrong you sound upset?"
"You haven't seen the news lately?"
"Oh yes I have and I did not believe it for a moment. Although everybody keeps asking me about it. I get really angry and tell them to buzz off…"
"Lily… I don't want to talk about it right now."
"Sorry is there something else I can do?"
"No I was just calling to see how school was going and wondering what new classes you have buried yourself in? Sorry I didn't think about the time I'll call you later."
"Mia are you sure everything is alright? Is this about Nick? Do you still love him?"
"Yeah it is and yea I still love him. I wanted to talk to you about him actually. He proposed to me while we were at the beach house.'
"He DID? Mia that is so awesome when are you going to get married?"
"Well not for a awhile at least not this year."
"Why not?"
"Did you not just hear the news and that fact that I just about married Andrew a month ago."
"Oh well things will calm down and be okay"
"I hope so I don't want to wait forever to get married but I have to get used to my new role and adjust a bit more before I feel comfortable with sharing my life with one more person in Genovia."
"Make's sense. Hey let me call you in a few hours I have a beginning course exam this morning and I need to sleep but I'll call you afterwards."
"K talk to you later."
Mia hung up the phone and relaxed in her chair a little before sitting up again and attacking the pile of paper work sitting on her desk.
Clarisse had found Joseph in the library reading she too had been busy with parliament that morning after Mia's press conference.
"Hello dear how was parliament?"