September 15th, 2003

Living together was better than Mia had expected. Sleeping in his arms was utterly amazing. Granted, the press was pretty heavy and loved snapping off pictures, but security had been tightened. Today, she had a press conference to do. The usual Q&A for magazines so they can feel like they knew the princess even more.

"You look fine." Charlotte led Amelia down the hallway to the pressroom. Mia grinned weakly.

"Thanks. No boogers?" She asked. Charlotte chuckled.

"No." She said as they stepped out onto the stage. The flashes of camera blinded Mia. She gave them her princess wave and sat down. "May I present to you Princess Thermopolis Renaldi."

"Thank you, Charlotte." Mia smiled looking out into the crowd. She could see Michael and Helen standing in the back. "Thank you to the press for coming. I am very pleased to be here. Why don't we get started?"

"Princess Mia, Claire Underwood from Fox and Hound." Claire said, "What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment this year?" Mia smiled thinking about it.

"In business part of this year, I think everyone is pleased about our new exports and in the personal part of this year, me growing more as a person." Mia said flashing Michael a smile.

"Princess, Hester Grace from OK! Magazine." She said. Mia grinned weakly. She hated this woman.

"Do we see a wedding in the future? Maybe some children? It's Genovia tradition to have all of that by your twentieth birthday." Hester said. Mia glanced at Michael and then back at Hester.

"I am well aware of the Genovian tradition. I would love to get married and have children, but right now mending the fences between France and Spain are on the top of my things to do list." Mia said.

"What would you say if Michael proposed?" Hester asked.

"I would of course say yes." Mia smiled weakly, "One question only please."

"Next question." Charlotte said. Mia looked in the back for Michael, but he was gone.

"Connie Hall from Hello Magazine." She said, "are you going to be going back to the states any time soon?" Mia chuckled.

"When I love Genovia this much? I don' think so. Maybe for a vacation in a couple of years, but I have too much on m y plate right now." Mia said, "Next question."

"Princess Mia, Pierre Boulay from Bon Appetite." He said. "Our readers would like to know what your favourite dish is." Mia chuckled.

"My kind of question," Mia said. "I have to say I love roasted duck in pear sauce. You should put a recipe of that in."

"I will now." Pierre smiled. Charlotte cleared her throat.

"Princess, Your assistance is required back at the palace." Charlotte whispered, "Italy again." Mia sighed.

"I am so sorry everyone, but duty calls." Mia said, "It has been a pleasure. We must really do it again." She nodded to them and got up, "Where's Michael?" She whispered to Charlotte.

"I have no idea. Your grandmother is in the office." She said.

"All right." Mia sighed as she walked towards the office. She wished Michael had stayed around after the press conference.

September 30th, 2003

Michael ran his hand through his brown locks. God, he was so nervous. He stepped into the library where Clarice sat. He cleared his throat.

"Oh Michael. Do come in." Clarice smiled.

"Thanks." Michael said. It still felt so weird being so informal with her.

"What can I do for you?" Clarice asked.

"I wanted to talk to you about Mia." Michael said. Clarice smiled putting down the book she had been reading.

"That's a wonderful subject." Clarice chuckled, "What about her?"

"I would really like to ask Mia to marry me." Michael said. Clarice stared at him. "I ah, I didn't know if know if there was a tradition in Genovia or this family so...I thought I'd ask." Clarice was silent for a moment.

"The tradition is to ask for the queen and kings blessing in the royal family." Clarice said.

"Do I....Do I have your blessing?" Michael asked. This was freaking him out.

"Wait right here, Michael." Clarice left the room.

"Oh God." Michael stood there. He had fucked up didn't he? He sat down in the chair. He really did screw up. Clarice walked back in.

"Here you go, Michael." Clarice handed him a box.

"What's this?" He asked.

"An engagement ring. It has been in the Renaldi family for five generations." She said. Michael's eyes widened as he looked at the ring. It was huge.

"Wow." Michael whispered.
"I would be honoured if you would use this ring." Clarice said. Michael nodded.

"Thank you so much." he said.

"So," Clarice clapped her hands, "When are you going to do it?"

"Today maybe." Michael smiled. Clarice smiled back.

"Well, good luck then." She said.

* * *

Amelia got up from her sun chair. She was trying to get a last minute tan before the change of weather. She looked around as she went into the house. Everything was so quiet.

"Penny, where is everyone?" She walked up to one of the cooks.

"Your grandmother is in the library ready. Your mother is painting in the gallery." Penny said, "I have no idea where Michael is." Mia smiled.

"Thanks." This place was so big that you needed a map or maybe some walkie-talkies. Mia headed to the gallery. She could hear her mother's laughter, "Mom?"

"In here, Darling." Helen called out. Mia stood in the doorway. Michael was there painting.

"Are you painting, Michael?" Mia chuckled. Michael nodded.

"Just painting a picture for you." he gave her an impish grin.

"Put this on first." Helen tossed Mia one of her shirts. Amelia gave her a look as she put it on.

"Can I see it now?" She asked.

"Sure," Michael stepped out of the way. Mia walked over to it. it was a deep blue background and in white letters it read 'Mia will you marry me. Mia's eyes widened.

"Michael..." She whispered. She looked at Michael and he was down on one knee. "Oh my God." She looked at her mother. She was grinning form ear to ear, "Wh-Why?"

"Come on, Mia. We're at a great place in our lives." He said.

"But I'm eighteen." Mia said.

"So?" Michael smiled, "You know the press has been wanting this."

"So you're proposing to me because the press pressured you into it?" Mia whispered. Michael chuckled.

"I am proposing to you because I am in love with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want you to have my children." Michael took her hand, "I've been in love with you for so long. Please will you marry me?" Mia began to smile.

"That's what I wanted to hear." She said.

"So...Will you?" He asked.

"Yes I will." Amelia giggled as Michael slid the ring on her.

"Thank God." Michael stood up and gathered Mia in his arms. Mia closed her eyes. She was engaged and that's scared the crap out of her.

* * *

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