AN: okay I have acrylic nails on, and it is pain to type with them on! I would rip them off but that might hurt to bad? So my next two chapters may be a bit slower sorry until they come off I have a slower type speed. Oh well I hope you like this chapter. Mia is going public.

Oh did I mention I LOVE MY REVIEWERS yes I do I do I do! Well Jazz this is one heck of a story which used to be several small ones but now has become the biggest project I will ever under take. I love writing. If you want to chat ever look up my email and we can IM chat anytime, once again thanks to all who reviewed kudos to you, you make writing worth my time :0)

Oh Rebecca that was hilarious I actually thought about a chapter on that while reading your reviews LOL

The next month seemed to pass in a breeze for the young and in love couple and thankfully nothing had leaked to the press. Well only one thing the Viscount announced his retirement and named his successor Lord Nicholas Deveraux. Which did not come as a shock to any seeing as how he adored the boy. Mia was sitting in her office preparing for the autumn ball she was lost in thought remembering her first dance with Nicholas and how it had been all to short. Clarisse and several other people were busing about in the room with utter chaos on the brink of a massive break out.

"Mia…Mia are you listening to me?"

"Oh yes that will be fine" she said coming out of her daze

"Mia I know it is getting closer and closer but please concentrate this is your first ball you have organized and I need your approval. Plum tea set or rose set?"

"Grandma you hardly need my approval, I like the plum it reminds me of the autumn leaves."

"All right dear have you finished the dinner seating arraignments?"

"Yes here it is." Mia handed her grandmother a piece of paper with all the name is the order as the where to sit down her name at the top the Joe and Clarisse on her left side and Nicholas on her left then the rest of the guests.

" Good, this is nicely done Mia."

"Um grandma, I know we agreed on waiting until the spring to announce the wedding but I was wondering can we announce it tonight and then set the wedding in the spring?"

"Well it is up to you and Nicholas I think it would be alright if you two announced the engagement and then the wedding this spring would be nice. But only if you and Nick are ready to face the media on this."

"Yeah we discussed it this morning I think we are going to. I don't want to put it off any longer. It would be nice to just get married in a small reception nothing big. Tomorrow"

"Yes dear although that would be nice but you are the Queen and a small wedding would not be possible. Maybe we can discuss a winter wedding after the ball."

"Oh I don't want to get married in the winter though!"

"Well then my dear we shall learn patients and you can be married this spring. How about April?"

"Yes that would be perfect we could have a nice garden reception."

"Yes dear that sound perfect. The flowers will be in bloom and the air sweet."

"Sweet you wouldn't be talking about me would you my dear?" Joe walked in and leaned over the back of the couch to kiss Clarisse on the cheek.

"Funny Joseph… you go by handsome to me I was talking about Mia's wedding this spring."

"Oh already planning that?"

"Yeah so we can just have it done! I don't want to wait anymore"

Joe tried to stifle back the laughter but failed. 'Wait for what Mia?"

"Joe… to be out in the open about or relationship dork you should know the feeling. You are gross!" Mia through a pillow at him.

"Mia what do you think he was referring to?" Clarisse paused for a second and caught on. "Joseph!" she then through a pillow at him too.

"Hey… Hey… he said fending off the pillows being thrown and him by Mia and Clarisse.

"Wow hey that one nearly hit me." Nick said as he caught the pillow about to hit him "what are you two up to now? He smiled suspiciously at Mia and Clarisse.

"They were picking on and old man," Joe said

"Your not old because if you are I am to and I don't want to think about that."

"Nick what can I do for you my love?" Mia asked

"Oh Just come for a walk with me?"

"Nick I would love to but I can't I have so much to do before this evening."

"Mia go!" Clarisse said a little sternly.

"Are you sure you can manage with out me for a little bit?"

"I'm sure I will darling now I don't expect to see you back for a half an hour."

"Yes ma'am.'

Nick got up and held out a hand for Mia. Leading her out into the garden they walked in silence together for the most part. Being careful not to get to close they still did not want the press all over them and ever since they returned home from the beach house they seemed to be on a steak out. They walked for some time when finally the came to a clearing on the ground it was open grass and sure enough the cameras where at the gate watching. Mia turned to Nick.

"My grandmother thinks it is a good idea if we announce the engagement tonight, well in front of the press that is."

"I have a better idea." In a second Nick was on one knee holding out the ring. Mia could hear the reporters on the other side of the gates going nuts.

"Mia I know I already asked you once but will you marry me?"

"Yes Nick of course I will" She bent down and kissed him pulling him up into a hug and then they deepened the kiss. Nick pulled back and put the ring on her finger.

"Here you can wear this proudly now." He said smiling at her.

"Well that was a good way to break the ice for the public. I can only imagine the look on grandma's face if she is watching the news right now. Better yet I can't wait to see the look on your uncles face."

"Well I can only imagine that both will be shock besides my uncle doesn't know about us and your grandmother does."

"Yes Nick but she will not be expecting this."

"Yeah your right about that." He laughed, "Well do we waive to the press or do we turn our back on them?"

"Nah let them wait until tonight's ball."

"You can be so evil sometimes lead them on to believe that they are going to get a lot then only give them a taste."

"I am a tease, just you wait"

"Oh how long?"

"You will just have to wait." She said maliciously and she was playing with the buttons on his shirt,

"Well shall we head back to the palace or do I stand her and keep you in my arms and kiss you again?"

"How about both only the kiss first."

"I can do that." He leaned in closer for a passionate kiss. They laughed a little as they were kissing the reporters where whooping and hollering at them.

"Well we satisfied our crowd now lets go in and get ready for the ball." Mia said pulling in his tie a little. The two walked back to the palace hand in hand.

"Mia it is all over the news!" Clarisse said beaming at her granddaughter who had just entered her office.

"Yup I think it was the best idea Nick had and I loved it."

"What the second proposal or the kiss?" Joe teased.

"Both! Smart-alecky"

"Well Mia dear we have a lot to finish. Lets go finalize the orchestra selection and then we have hair appointments"

"Right then, well I will see you later" she said winking at Nick.

Clarisse and Mia left the room and headed off to Clarisse's suite where Paulo will be doing their hair.

"Grandma…. Is everything all right? You have been pretty quiet the whole time." Mia asked as she turned to her grandmother in the chair next to her."

"Oh no Mia I'm fine but I am thinking about the future. I think some changes are in order."

AN: Ok I am really sorry to leave you all here. But I have to rack my brain at the moment. It is on overload and it doesn't know how to move into this part of the story. I have a million ideas for chapters and stories to incorporate into this story. I will sleep on it tonight and maybe in the morning I will know what to do with it. No worries I will not stop or leave I just need to take a short breath on this chapter. It shouldn't be more than a day. Oh if you have any ideas let me know.