AN: So here is chapter 21. So right now I'm sitting in Garnet Runestar's kitchen and she is eating and I'm trying to get her dad to tell me the saying he always says when I come over in Tagalog. He spent time in the Philippines but he is being a pain, and well I can't remember what he says nor can he. Funny but that is what I am doing. So once again here is chapter 21.

The library was finished, Clarisse and Joe still in Spain. Mia had decided to really go away for a break to the beach house with Nick. She had called her grandmother and told her how to reach her if there was a need but other than that there was no need to be any other person coming with them all they needed was each other and Nick was a pretty good cook to so need for one of those.

Nick took a bite of the strawberry and then took a sip of the champagne and then crawled back onto the bed and kissed his sleeping wife. Kissing her so lightly.

She shifted a bit and realized he was kissing her she ran the tip of her tongue along his lips tasting the strawberries and champagne.

"Hmm you taste so good sir." She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him back onto the bed kissing him more passionately. Kissing him again and licking her lips. "Strawberries, and oh champagne."

"How are you this morning? You were so tired last night well all day you didn't look much like yourself?"

"Good it feels so nice to just relax and wake up knowing that I don't have a mountain of paper work is so nice."

"Yeah, so have you thought more about what I said the other day? About starting a family"

"I have Nick. I still think I need a bit more time. I'm still getting used to everything. I hope you're not mad at me."

"No Mia I'm not mad at you I love you too much. But I would like to start a family and when the time is right we will"

"Oh that is why I love you so much."

Mia pulled him back into the covers as they made mid morning love. They had spent a week in a paradise, there was nothing to do no important person to see and life seemed uncomplicated at the moment, however things for Joe's mother had gotten worse she was getting more and more unstable.

One morning she just didn't wake up. She has slipped into a coma and was determined brain dead. Those 3 extra weeks in Spain had been some of the difficult for them all. Joe was a near wreck and it was Clarisse's turn to help him through it all.

Clarrise had finally convinced Joe to come home and get some sleep. And a decent meal he hadn't slept or even eaten much in the past week. He finally came home and after a full meal he decided to down a whole bottle of the best single malt scotch he could find. And fell asleep in their room. Clarisse knew the pain he was going through all to well losing someone you love so much. It pained her to see him like this, only because she knew how much hurt he was feeling. She got up from the bed where she was lying next to Joe and decided to call Mia and see how she was doing,

"Hello;"

"Mia, how are you dear?"

"Oh well this vacation has been great until now. I think I ate something last night that made me sick. I threw up all this morning."

"I'm sorry sweet heart try some sprite and alka seltzer they work best."

"Okay, how are Grandpa and his mom?"

"Oh well he is not doing to well with it. Two nights ago she fell asleep and drifted into a coma and has not woken let alone shown signs of life."

"Oh I'm so sorry."

"Yes well when are you going back to the palace?"

"Tomorrow night. When do you think you might be back?"

"Oh I don't know, she may very well pass away soon or maybe not but I will let you know okay."

"Yeah well I miss you and I do need you around occasionally but there are things we can wait for, when it comes to family."

"Yes dear I know, but I promise not too much longer okay."

"Take care okay."

"Do my best, and Mia really if you are sick too much longer you should see a doctor to make sure you don't have food poisoning."

"Okay I will bye."

"Bye dear."

Mia hung up the phone as Nick came in the room with a tray in hand.

"Here some tea to help your upset stomach."

"Thank you. This has been the best two weeks here with you

"Talking to your grandmother?"

"Yes."

"How is Joe's mother doing?"

"She says worse."

"Oh that's to bad."

"Yes, but lets not dwell on it. I have had the best two weeks alone with you."

She sat her self up a bit and took a sip of tea.

"You know that was the best birthday present I could have ever gotten."

"Hmm really?"

"Yup."

"How about another one only this one will be a late present?"

"Well in that case my dear."

He smiled at her and took the teacup from her hands and set it back in the table. And began to kiss her placing delicate kisses all along her neck and jaw line. Finally climbing back into bed with her. She pulled him down for more kisses as they began to make love again.

Several hours late the two lay in bed cuddled up next to one another. Nick gently his fingers through her hair as she caressed his chest.

"Mia are you sure you're feeling okay?"

"Yeah why."

"Oh well you just lost a lot of your color this morning."

"Well I feel much better now well my stomach is a little upset still but nothing to bother me too much."

"Well I'm going to get up get a nice warm bath started for you, get some more warm tea and then we are going to drive home this afternoon. And if you are still sick I'm going to make you stay in bed until you see a doctor."

"Yes sir." She said sarcastically in reply and watched him get up and leave for the bathroom. A few minutes later he immerged from the bathroom and came over to the bed pulled back the covers and scooped her up and took her into the bathroom placing her in the tub.

"Hmmm this feels so nice." Mia closed her eyes and leaned back and began to relax. But soon he was joining her. He climbed in and sat behind her and began to message her neck and shoulders.

"Ohh even better."

"Your so cute when you relax you know it."

"Only when I relax with you." She pulled his arms around her and leaned back against his chest, still holding his hands that where wrapped around her.

After sitting in the water for a while Nick got up and drained some of the water and adding more warm water for her he wrapped himself in a robe and headed for the kitchen.

He pulled out the saltine crackers for her still upset stomach and made some peppermint tea for her. But they only helped a little bit so he decided to pack up things a little early and head for home. While she lay down resting.

"Okay my dear sweet Mia lets get you home, I have called Lily she is setting up and appointment for you to go see the doctor tomorrow."

"Oh Nick I'm sure it's just a bug or something."

"yes well I still want you to go to a doctors and so will your grandmother."

He scooped her up and carried her out to the car. Then climbed in and they headed back to the palace. It was a four hour drive but still worth the time spending with him.

Mia decided to use the cell phone and call Clarisse to see how things where for her.

"Hello," came a deep husky voice. A little distant for Mia to understand

"Grandpa is that you?"

"Oh Mia, Yes it's me, How are you your grandmother said that you where not feeling well?"

"Oh well I'm okay, But how is your mother?"

"She passed away a couple of hours ago."

"Oh grandpa I'm so sorry."

"It's okay Mia. She had fulfilled all she needed to here in this life and she went peacefully. It was just her time."

"Well grandpa I'm sorry for your lose, I was hoping to speak to grandma, is she around?"

"Yeah let me get her."

"Mia,"

"Hi grandma we are on our way home."

"I heard I call Lily to see if she will arrange our flight home too. She said you where going to the doctors in the morning. Are you still not feeling well?'

"No I'm still not feeling well, but I think it is only just a bug nothing to be worried about. Well when is your flight scheduled for?"

"we will be home day after tomorrow. Speaking of which that is the day of the annual Genovian Independence Day ball. Have you got every thing prepared for that."

"yeah did that before I left all that is left to do when I get home is to pick place settings and music. But everything else was done before we left."

"Oh good I'm glad to hear it."

"Hey how is grandpa really?"

"It has been really rough on him. His brother hasn't been much of help for the mood either, his sister can barely get her self up and He is to do most of the work. I try my best to do what I can but he is really hurting inside."

"I'm sorry."

"Well the funeral is tomorrow and then we will be home. I'll be home to take care of the two of you."

"Thanks grandma."

"Bye Mia see you soon."

Mia hung up the phone and reclined the seat.

"So how is she?"

"Well Joe's mom passed away this morning. The funeral is tomorrow and then they will be home the day after."

"How are you feeling now?"

"Honestly, like I want to throw up."

"Do I need to pull over?"

"Maybe in a bit, I'm just going to close my eyes and try and relax."

"I think you may have the flu. That's what it sounds like."

"Definitely a possibility."

Mia closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

AN: WAHAAAA! (Evil laugh) this is a sort of cliffy. But guess what it is one long chapter that I cut in half to get it up sooner. ; 0 )