Clarisse met Joseph at the door to Mia's suite and asked that he wait with Nicholas until she has finish speaking with Mia as well.

"Mia... Charlotte said you needed me dear?" Clarisse said as she entered the room.

"Yes Grandma… I wanted to say thank you. I'm sorry to have scared you like that and well everyone else too. I don't want to give up what I have…"

Clarisse sat down on the bed next to Mia. "My dear Mia there is nothing you need to feel sorry for. Now Mia do you really love Nicholas? Or is there something more?"

"No. I'm pretty sure I was in love with him." She looked down at her hands fiddling with the edging on the down comforter.

"Was.., Mia? You got to this state and I nearly lost you to this love… Do you love him still or are you trying to play a game and get out of this pain?" Clarisse gave her a piercing glare

"NO… I'm not playing a game or any tricks for that matter. I LOVE HIM! And I'm sure angry too."

Picking up her hands she gazed into Mia's brown eyes, swollen form tears and clouded with pain.

"Mia he is here. I think the two of you need to talk with one another. I think it is the only solution to this pain you feel."

"No I can't see him like this. I can't not after what he did to me."

"Mia what did he do besides break your heart?"

"Nothing just broke my heart and it feels more like he actually ripped my heart out." Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks

"Mia this is killing me to see you like this. Please talk to him a solve this I can't bear to see you fall to such a state and I can only feel somewhat responsible for this too. I have pushed you to hard." feeling concerned that she really has put Mia through too much too soon.

"No you haven't pushed me too hard. I just broke under this stress. Its not your fault believe me when I say that please."

"Mia then please speak to him. He is in the other room. I'll send him in alright."

"If that's what you wish I will."

"Thank you Mia."

Clarisse left to get Nicholas. Upon entering Mia's sitting room she found Joseph and Nicholas sitting on the couch in silence. Walking up behind Joseph she placed her hands on his shoulders and bent down kissing the top of his head. Taking in his scent and feeling herself relax just slightly from her overly stressful morning. Then moving around to the front of the couch. She glanced at Joseph then placed a fixed gaze on Nicholas who looked slightly nerved.

" She is ready for you to go in and see her Nicholas."

Slowly getting up he made his way across the room. Walking slowly up to the foot of Mia's bed he thrust his hands into his pockets and looked down at the floor. Examining the intricate patterns on the light blue Oriental rug beneath his feet.

" I guess I owe you an apology for not talking to you." He said softly looking up into her puffy brown eyes.

"You might say that. Why did you just leave?" She asked sounding hurt.

Remorse hitting him in the chest causing a pain to thrum though his heart, just hearing the agony in her voice. "I though that's what you would have wanted after I hurt you."

"Well you sure thought wrong." Mia could feel the anger rising in her. "Nick I love you and I thought we had communicated that with each other and you hurt me by just leaving. Without saying another thing to me. I though you did not love me and I then realized just how much I really loved you and needed you." Tears streaming down her face again.

"I'm so sorry Mia. I… It was all a misunderstanding. I love you too Mia more than life it's self and I can't live another day without you knowing that I will love you and will always and forever. I hate myself for hurting you." Pain drowning in his voice.

"Oh Nick!" Mia had got out of bed and ran to him. Wrapping her arms around him. She kissed him. He quickly responded a little shocked by her actions, but nonetheless he pulled her into a warm embrace and deepened the kiss.

oOo

In the other room Clarisse has settled herself on the couch with her husband's arm around her she cuddled into his chest. Silent as could be she was thinking what could only be going on in the other room.

"Clarisse darling, do think things are okay in there?"

"Oh I hope so. I have yet to hear anything alarming."

"Yes, But it has been almost an hour they have been in there."

"Alright shall we go check on them?"

"Only if you think it right we do."

"Come on Joseph."

Clarisse pushed herself up followed by Joseph; together they walked to the bedchamber door. Clarisse leaning against it to listening for voices but it was silent.

"It's quiet in there." She said softly turning to face him.

"Hmm" He just shrugged his shoulders and gave her a curious look.

Clarisse opened the door and peeked in and saw that Nick was on the bed still fully dressed except his shoes and Mia was cuddling up next to him. Both were asleep. She pushed open the door a little more and pulled Joseph in to see the couple a sleep on Mia's bed. Smiling at Joseph. She motioned for them to leave again.

"I think our problem has been solved dear." He said a grin growing across her face.

"Yes Clarisse I suspect it has. Now shall we follow their example? I haven't seen much or you lately and with parliament still hassling you about our marriage and helping Mia you seem to be running tense and close to the end of your own rope. I think my darling Clarisse it is time we too got some rest." Joe had his hands on her waist pulled in close to him. He kissed her nose and looked down at her.

"Yes, that sounds perfect." Clarisse put her hands on his arms and pulled him in even closer and kissed him on the lips with such passion.

"Lets go shall we." Joseph gave her a slight smile as he led her out of the room and off to their room.