AN: OKAY I'm so sorry for not updating sooner, but the 'sick' bucket and me have been friends all weekend long. Well feeling better now and able to sit up and type my next little piece for you all. Also today I began the process of setting up my very own web page. Which all my fiction will be posted on, I have a few stories that would not make it passed the security team working for fanfiction but will not be changing them just for that I happen to like them the way they are now and so all work, if you wish to view it will be up soon on my web page- Cheers Tierra

Slowly Mia dropped her walls and allowed her self to be sad for a while retreating to her room early in the day and hiding there.

November was creeping over the palace quickly, the snow consuming the grounds covering it in a white blanket. A month had now passed since the lose of the baby, and everyone was getting back into the swing of things. Picking up a pace again they where once again preparing for the winter feast which was to take place at the end of the month and then preparing for the upcoming events that where packed into the month of December.

Clarisse and Mia where had sat down for lunch. In a smaller dining room after a long day of going over some of France's diplomatic trade agreements on keeping it neutral between them and Spain.

"Grandma, I have been thinking."

"Yes,"

"I would like Nick to share the throne with me. I mean it would be a benefit, when we think of starting a family again he will be able to take on a lot more responsibilities and I would be able to be more of."

"Mia you don't need to explain it to me, I think that would be a wonderful it is a very wise decision also."

"Good I'm glad you like it, I was very worried you might not like it."

"No, no it is actually very wise, I mean if he is not able to do what you do then it would be left to me and I cant be picking up here and there while you have children it would tire me out faster than going back to doing it full time."

"Now all I need to do is to convince Nicholas to step up and take his place on the throne next to me."

"Well have you spoken to him about it?"

"Yes he doesn't know he understand my position but he is worried about his uncle getting in the way or trying something."

"What could he possibly do? Nicholas may be King but by blood you are the reigning monarch still with your husband as a king."

"Oh well that needs to be explained to him then. Would you help me do it?"

"No Mia speak with your husband and explain to him your feelings and what I have explained to you. He will understand."

"Thanks, well have you talked to uncle Pierre he said something about having something for us at the winter ball?"

"No, I haven't I didn't even know he was coming. I thought he was going to be here for the Christmas ball."

"I talked to him yesterday on the phone, we talked for about a half an hour. He thought it was funny, he was a bit shocked when I answered the phone he said he asked for her majesty and I said that is whom he got then he laughed and said hello to me. He was calling to talk to you but he ended up speaking to me and when he was called away on something. He hung up saying he would call you later."

"Oh well I have no idea what he has for us but it must be something he is never leaves his calling except for Easter and Christmas."

"Well it must be something then. He said he was bringing a guest. You don't think he is getting married do you?"

"No, he couldn't be well I don't know actually I mean he could have meet someone in Spain. But I doubt."

"Probably just a friend he works with."

"Yes well what are we doing the rest of the day?"

"Oh I am done for today, well all but the endless paper work."

"Well in that case I'm going to go find my husband, I think I saw him lost in a book in the library. I will see you later Mia."

"Bye"

Clarisse found Joseph exactly where she suspected him; in a large chair with single malt scotch in one hand a book in the other. She moved across the room and bent down kissing him on the forehead and took his drink from him; and drained the rest of it. In one swift gulp.

"Hmm long day?" he asked raising a playful eyebrow

"Yes."

He patted the little space left on the overly large chair, inviting her to sit down next to him.

"What is bothering you dear?"

"Oh Joseph its just, Oh well nothing really just tired."

"Worn out, is more like the it dear." Leaning in close he kissed her cheek. she rested her head on his shoulder. Taking in a deep breath of his cologne, he was heavenly, no intoxicating.

"Hmm I agree with that. And its only 1:30"

"Well why don't we go take a nap?"

"Ooh that sounds perfect but how about one right here? I don't think I could walk to the end of the hall with out being drained of the rest of my energy."

"Well as lovely as that seems dear, we would wake up aching and wondering why we had done something so dumb as that, with out thinking of what would happen when we woke. So come on I will carry you." Slipping one arm under her knees and then another around her back he firmly pulled her close to him and headed to their rooms.

"Your knee is going to be aching, you should just put me down, I will be fine."

"Nope just relax and let me finish carrying off my wife to our room. I will deal with the knee later. But for now I am enjoying holding my wife." He said kissing her nose softly.

AN: okay once again I'm sorry for making you all wait so long. Well here is a one of those in between chapters that some of you love so much. The next one will be much longer I was just wanting to get an up date for you all. -cheers enjoy Tierra-

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