Thank you for your reviews. I am so glad that you all enjoyed it. After reading everyone's comments, I immediately sat down and wrote this chapter. Thank you once again, it's greatly appreciated! (My co-author is very busy right now and couldn't write with me but she will soon hopefully. Please excuse any mistakes that I might have made.)

CHAPTER 3

The next day Clarisse thought about her wedding once again. She wasn't quite sure when it was suppose to take place but she wanted it to move fast. She just couldn't wait any longer.

At that thought, Mia walked into her room and Clarisse was send back to the real world.

"Grandma, do you have a minute?" Mia asked as she closed the door behind her.

"Yes of course, darling. What's up?" Clarisse said proudly and Mia gave her a look.

"Since when do you say such things, grandmother?" Mia teased. Clarisse laughed lightly and motioned for her granddaughter to sit on the couch next to her.

"So, what's the matter?" Clarisse asked. Mia let out a big sigh, curled her legs under her and got comfortable, knowing that this may take a while.

"Well," she started,"I have been thinking a lot lately and I don't know what to do about Andrew. Grandma, he is an amazing man but something is telling me not to go through with it. My mind says Yes but my heart says No," she said sadly and Clarisse's heart went out to Mia. She could see the hurt and confusion in her eyes; hurt that was evident in her own eyes when she turned down Joseph's proposal. Then she heard Mia continue and decided to give her advice afterwards.

"I just don't know what to do. How does Parliament expect me to go through with an arranged marriage? I know you did that and I admire you even more for it but I'm not that strong. I can't ignore love but I can't ignore the law either."

Clarisse sighed and thought about what to say.

"I see what you mean. Darling, it will never be easy but you have to follow your heart." She needed to tell Mia that she accepted Joseph's proposal sooner or later. This was as good a time as ever. Maybe Mia will consider following her heart once she knows that her grandmother did.

"Mia, I have accepted Joseph's proposal," she blurted out and waited for her granddaughter's reaction. The room became silent for a moment until Clarisse spoke again.

"I...I couldn't wait anymore. He is the love of my life, Mia. I hope you understand and accept that."

Mia looked away and then back at her grandmother, who had a nervous look on her face.

"Grandma, how can you think that I wouldn't be happy for you? I'm just in shock but it's about time, to be honest," she smiled.

Clarisse let out a sigh of relief and squezzed Mia's hand.

"Thank you, darling. It's not as easy to admit, however. We are planning to get married before you and Andrew..." she stopped talking when she saw Mia's smile disappear at the mention of Andrew.

"Mia, listen to me my love. You are old enough to make your own decisions and all I can tell you is to follow your heart. It's all up to you and nobody will or can judge your decision. Whatever choice you make, let it come from your heart darling."

Clarisse wished she could ease her granddaughters pain but she believed that Mia could do this on her own. Taking a moment, Mia finally spoke.

"Thank you grandma. You always know what to say."

Clarisse laughed and said, "I've been hearing that a lot lately."

Mia let out a big sigh and leaned in to give her grandmother a hug.

"Thank you for the talk. I think I will go to my suite and think everything over. You helped a lot, as always. I love you," she said and gave her grandmother a quick kiss on the cheek before getting up and walking to the door. When Mia opened the door, she found Joseph standing there.

"Oh hi, Joe. Excuse me, I've got to go...," she walked past him but then stopped and turned around,"...oh and congratulations...grandpa," she smiled and walked away.

Joseph went into Clarisse's suite and closed the door.

"Grandpa?" he said out loud and Clarisse couldn't help but giggle. She motioned for him to join her on the couch and he happily did just that.

"Would you like something to drink?" she asked as he sat down and kissed the back of her hand. They were quite comfortable with each other but she still found herself a bit shy in his presence. He sensed her being a bit uneasy so he placed her legs on his lap and leaned back.

"No, thank you. I just came to discuss the wedding with you, my dear," he smiled warmly at her.

Clarisse tried to relax but somehow that man always made her blush.

"Which one? We have two weddings now."

"Ours, of course," he said.

"Oh, I am planning Mia's first but she is not sure about it." Her expression grew serious now.

"I don't know how to help her. All I could do was give her advice. I also told her about us, hoping it would help her to follow her own heart," she explained.

"I see. You did the right thing, my darling. It's all in her hands now," he slowly stroked her legs.

I am sorry that it's kind of short but I did have other things to do today. Hope you enjoyed it and please leave reviews. I love hearing from you all! -Maya