Author's note: I'm sorry it's been a while, but I've been working really hard on this and I thought that I might put it in two parts, as it's so big. Hope you are enjoying it, and sorry for the wait!

N.B The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me.

There was a short silence as Clarisse, Joe and Charlotte stood and stared at the young woman who had, only an hour ago, been Princess.

"Here I am, Grandma! But this doesn't mean that you aren't coming out onto the balcony with me!"

Clarisse was awestruck as Mia walked towards her- this definitely wasn't the shy and awkward teenage girl she had met six years ago, or the one who had had doubts about becoming Queen! This beautiful young woman, who exuded confidence, poise and exuberance, was definitely a Queen now and, for a moment, Clarisse felt sad that Phillipe hadn't been here to see this moment.

Mia stopped in front of her, and put her arms around her- she loved her mother and Lily dearly, but she wanted a hug from the one person who knew exactly how she was feeling- Clarisse.

"Congratulations, my darling girl!" Clarisse said softly into her ear, and then pulled away, much to Mia's surprise. "But first, there's something else I need to do…."

Clarisse stepped back from Mia and, after taking a deep breath and receiving an encouraging smile from Joseph, she did a deep curtsey for her new Queen. She hadn't done a curtsey since had first met her future parents-in-law, but this was her way of conveying her respect and admiration to Mia. When she looked up, Mia's eyes were full of tears as she pulled her into another hug.

Mia knew how much her grandmother had done for Genovia, and she didn't have to do it, but she also knew that Clarisse had wanted to show her support and encouragement.

"Thank you Grandma. That means more to me than anything else today- but now you can't do it anymore!"

"It's just as well. I didn't think my knees would pull me up after that!" Clarisse joked, trying to hide the deep emotions she was still feeling. It had been a more emotional day than she had imagined, but she knew that she was happier than she had ever felt in a long time.

"If you think you've got problems with your knees, my dear, then I don't know what you would call mine!" Joseph quipped from beside Clarisse, and she had to laugh- Joseph always seemed to know when she needed to laugh.

"Don't worry, Joe, I'm not expecting you to curtsey," Mia joked as, instead, Joe bowed to her. "I also don't expect you to do that again, Joseph. You're part of the family now, and family doesn't bow to me!"

"Speaking of family, have you spoken to your mother yet?" Clarisse asked.

"No, but she's the first person after the balcony…which reminds me, you have to come!"

"If you're sure…" Clarisse hesitated- she was more touched that Mia had come straight to her after her coronation.

"I am. It wouldn't be the same without you."

Clarisse was expecting to be walking behind her granddaughter through the ballroom, which led out to the balcony, but she was surprised when Mia stopped before she entered the doorway. Clarisse looked at her in surprise, but Mia only grinned and nodded her in.

There was an enormous round of applause as Clarisse stepped into the room, which ceased almost as suddenly as everyone either bowed or curtseyed to her.

"Why did you let me go first?" Clarisse asked Mia when they met in front of the closed double doors that led outside.

"I knew that you would think that everyone would forget you once I became Queen, but I wanted to show you that there will always be respect and admiration for you. You may think that my grandfather was beloved but, to these people," she waved backwards and then forwards to the doors. "You are the one who is beloved- they all love you."

Clarisse smiled, her eyes full of tears. Mia had been right- she had been a little afraid that people would forget her once she had stepped down, but this had proved that she would never be forgotten.

"Do you remember the first time you stepped out here, when you were Queen?"

Clarisse looked pensive for a moment- as King, Rupert went before her…but she could still remember the cheering from the crowd, although it had been much more sedate as they had still be in mourning for Rupert's father. Before she could explain that to Mia, however, the doors opened.

"So, I wait until after you?"

"No," Mia said simply. "We are going out together."

She was determined that her grandmother would share the spotlight today- it had been a highly emotional day for Clarisse, having to step down, and she wanted the people to remember how much Clarisse had done for Genovia, even sacrifice her personal happiness for many years.

Before Clarisse could protest, or even say anything, the doors had opened and she found herself walking beside Mia, out to a riotous reception. She watched Mia for a moment- she seemed to be taking this all in so calmly, just smiling and waving to the crowds. It was Clarisse herself who was surprisingly nervous and not at all prepared for the response they had received.

"Long Live Queen Amelia! Long Live Queen Clarisse!" she kept hearing people yell out as they continued to wave and smile at the crowds.

Mia watched her grandmother- she could tell how stunned Clarisse was by the reception. Mia knew that, deep down, Clarisse had never been ready to rule alone, but had risen to the occasion admirably and continued to be dignified and concerned about Genovia, even when personal tragedy had scarred her life. But now…she had Joseph, and Mia knew that she deserved so much more than being Queen…She deserved a life of love and happiness, which she would receive in abundance with and from Joseph.

Mia, suddenly inspired, stepped backwards for a moment- for just a little while, she wanted the attention to focus on Clarisse, and the crowd seemed to know that as the noise got louder. As the noise increase, Clarisse looked back in surprise- Mia was letting her bask in the attention for a moment! That girl was absolutely amazing, she said to herself before she glanced back over her shoulder again and saw Charlotte waving discreetly…it was time to go in.

"I owe you a hug later on," Clarisse whispered to Mia when they were back in the ballroom, before Mia was surrounded by parliamentarians and guests. Clarisse stepped back, momentarily feeling lost, before she heard someone cough behind her, and she turned to see Lord Nicholas standing there, looking nervous.

"Congratulations Your Majesty," he said nervously, and Clarisse smiled warmly at him. Whatever had had happened with his uncle the month before had long since been forgiven- she had the feeling that Nicholas hadn't fully supported his uncle's schemes, and she knew that he was, deep down, a nice boy…and he obviously made her Mia happy, which was all that mattered to her.

"Thank you, Lord Nicholas, for your kind words. I imagine you would have heard the other happy news…."

"Yes, and congratulations to both you and Joseph." He began to say more, but Clarisse didn't need to hear it.

"You don't have to apologise for anything, Nicholas. What matters now is that you make my granddaughter very happy."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said with relief, as she smiled indulgently at him. He obviously cared about Mia, and she sincerely hoped that they would be happy together.

"Mia is over there," she hinted discreetly, and he disappeared as she walked slowly around the room until she spotted Helen and Patrick.

"Congratulations," Clarisse said warmly when she was standing beside them. "She did so well," she looked fondly over at her granddaughter, who was now standing and laughing with Nicholas. "Phillipe would have been so proud of you."

"I know I am," Helen said, reaching for a tissue. "But you also look absolutely amazing, Your Majesty." Clarisse had to laugh

"Helen, I think it's time that you called me Clarisse- after all, you were married to my son, and you are the mother of my only grandchild! I too was very proud of her- she handled it much better than I did."

"Oh really?" she heard a voice behind her, and she turned to see Joseph smiling at her as he joined the group. "I think you did extraordinarily great well."

"Thank you, Joseph," Clarisse blushed as she slipped her arm into his- now that she was no longer queen, there was no excuse for hiding her obvious affection for her husband. Royalty never did that, she had been told over and over again during the early years, but now…on this happy day…it really didn't matter- not that she really cared!

"Mom! Mom!" she heard Mia call, and she watched tenderly as the two shared a long hug. "I can't believe it- I'm finally Queen!"

Mia was so happy and excited as she looked around at her loved ones, as Nicholas and Lily joined the group.

"As I was saying to your mother, we are all very proud of you today," Clarisse said, well aware of how dry it sounded, but she was still trying to find the right words to express her feelings. Mia smiled, knowing what her grandmother had been trying to say.

"Thank you, I appreciate that. Actually, I came over to tell you Grandma, that some of parliament wants to congratulate you," and she pointed to a spot on the other side of the room where there were a group waiting for her.

"I have to go, I've got some photographs, so I'll see you all at lunch!"

"Do I really have to go over there?" she murmured under her breath to Joseph as he walked her over to where they were waiting.

"Don't worry, darling. I'm sure they do want to congratulate you." And he was right- after a few moments of awkwardness, Clarisse clearly relaxed a little and was smiling at everyone- but where was Joseph? He had disappeared back to Patrick and Helen, to give her some time alone, but she kept looking over at him, before she excused herself and came back over.

"That was a short conversation."

"It's not over yet- I've come to get you. Why on earth did you leave me there alone?"

"I thought you might need some time to discuss Mia, without any civilians listening in on the conversation."

He was not overly fond of parliament- apart from Sebastian and some of them- not only because of their disapproval of their marriage, but the way they had treated Clarisse over the years. At times, she had come out of a sitting in tears, and he had had to try and calm her down after some inadvertent remark or continually questioning.

"Joseph." Clarisse stopped where she was and turned to him, a mildly shocked look on her face. "You are my husband, and I want and need you by my side- I don't think I could do this alone anymore. I don't care that there are people who disapprove of our relationship…the important thing is that we're together. I love you," she whispered the words in his ear as she took his arm again. "We're a team, and people are just going to have to accept that. Understand?" she looked at him again, her head cocked to the side, and he had to laugh, but he was secretly relieved that she wanted him with her. He just didn't want to stifle her- she had been a very independent woman for many years, and he knew that there could be some possible adjustments, but he had been surprised when she had settled very quickly into marriage.

"You are very commanding when you want to be, Clarisse."

"Ah, "she said, pretending to look wise. "This is only the beginning."

By the time lunchtime had rolled around, Mia had posed for a number of photographs for the press- she had agreed to pose on the understanding that there were no questions to be asked. There would be a press conference (a new idea she was introducing) later in the weak, after she had some time to work out what she was going to do.

After that, she opened parliament under her reign, and she didn't find it too bad, she mused as she stood in the position where her grandmother had.

She had been to many sittings of parliament as Princess, so being Queen wouldn't be such a shock. There was an empty seat where Lord Mabrey had been sitting, she remembered as her eyes travelled from one empty seat to the rest of them…and some of them were due to retire in the not too distant future…Maybe she could introduce women into parliament!

Finally, it was lunchtime and she was standing in front of the closed doors as…

"Announcing Her Majesty Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi, Queen of Genovia!" came and Mia walked tall and proud into the dining room. There were about 50 for lunch, and she could feel every single pair of her eyes on her as she walked to her position, between Sebastian and her grandmother.

"How are you feeling?" Clarisse murmured sympathetically as soon as Mia was settled- she could see that the poor girl was starving.

"Hungry and tired," Mia said simply, and then added. "But I'm going to have a sleep this afternoon."

"Wise idea," Clarisse said as she smiled over at Joseph, who was sitting across the room with Helen, Patrick, Lily and Nicholas. Not even Mia could prevent palace protocol from separating them from their loved ones.

"I know Joe wants to have a nap this afternoon- but what about you?" Mia whispered slyly as she began her entrée.

"Cheeky girl," Clarisse returned, before she was swiftly engaged in conversation with the parliamentarian beside her.

"Thank goodness that's over," Clarisse breathed a sigh of relief when she and Joseph met in the hallway after lunch. "I'm so glad I don't have to do that anymore!"

"Unless Mia is absent, at which point you will be expected to step into her shoes."

"But I don't want to think about that now," Clarisse said as she slipped her hand in his and they walked towards their suite. "So, are you going to have your nap?"

"Yes. What about you- are you going to join me?"

"Actually, darling, I'm not really that sleepy. I had a good night's sleep last night, and I didn't celebrate as heavily as other people I know," she teased as Joe lifted her hand to his lips. "So… I think I may wander out to the garden for a while, and then read a book. I think Mia was going to have a sleep."

"Actually," Joe began as they reached their suite, and Clarisse began to move away, heading towards the garden. "I'm not that tired either…I was just kidding this morning…so I might join you in the garden.

"You don't have to, you know," Clarisse said gently, but the delighted look on her face told Joe that he had made the right decision.

"I know that I don't have to, but I probably won't see you for most of the night, so I want so spend some time with you, my darling wife and Queen."