Chapter 4

AN: Hey everyone! I must apologise for the delay in updating, stupid exams! I probably won't update soon after this but please still keep with me! I love all the reviews! X

Last time:

Michael broke the kiss and whispered into her ear. "Happy Birthday, Princess".

The sun shone down brightly onto Mia's sleeping form. She rolled over, expecting to feel the warmth of Michael's body beside her, but instead she found an empty bed. Her eyes flew open, confused. She had fallen asleep at 6.30 with him next to her, and now she awoke 3 hours later and he was no longer there.

A note caught her eye on the side table:

"Mia! I had to go out to get something for your father; I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast later. Your grandmother says it starts at 10am". Mia smiled, and then lifted her legs from under the duvet, shuddering at how cold it was.

She was putting the finishing touches to her makeup in her bedroom half an hour later, when there was a knock at the door. Opening it she saw Kay standing there, looking nervous.

"Your grandmother has sent me to inform you that your presence is required shortly in the dinning room for you birthday breakfast" she said carefully in her British accent. Mia informed her that she would be down in a few minutes. "Oh and Happy Birthday Princess", Kay said kindly before departing. A smile formed once more on Mia's lips. "Happy Birthday Princess", those words would make her smile forever, reminding her of her new engagement. She placed the beautiful ring on her finger and made her way to the dinning room, prepared for anything that came her way during this day. At least she thought she was prepared…

Mia arrived outside the door of the dining room and heard many voices talking. She was confused; Grandmere had not informed her of visitors. She politely tapped on the door, and heard the voices become silent, followed by her Grandmere commanding her to come in.

She pushed the large wooden door open and stopped. Shock spread over her face.

"Oh. My. God!" she squealed. There, sat facing her, were the last people she has expected to see, and the people she had wanted to see the most.

"Amelia, do not use such language". Trust Grandmere to spoil the moment. She apologised before saying her hellos. Everyone was there. Her mother, step-father, half brother, Lilly, Jp, Boris, Tina! Everyone! Mia's smile broadened as she took her seat at the table and the chatter started up again. It wasn't until she was eating, while talking to Tina, that she realised one person was missing. Michael. He had said he would be back for breakfast but yet he was not. As though she had a telepathic link with him, her fiancée walked through the door at that very moment.

"Delivery for Amelia Renaldo" he called, walking into the room. Behind him were members of the staff carrying packages of all sizes and placing them in the empty space in the dinning room. Mia was stunned by the number of presents.

"Oh my" she uttered, before her Grandmere interrupted,

"Amelia close your mouth, it is un-princess like to leave it hanging open like that". Once again she had managed to spoil the moment. Michael walked over to Mia, sitting in the seat near to her. The staff left and the group continued to talk and finished their breakfast. Michael was sat staring at Mia, his glance shifting to her hand every so often, causing him to smile even more as he saw the ring laying there. Jp noticed Michael's gaze and followed it, his mouth forming an "o" and then turning into a smile.

"If everyone would like to make their way towards the grand ballroom, the present opening shall begin". Mia was confused. The presents were right there, why were they going to the ballroom? But she knew not to answer back to her Grandmere and so followed orders, linking hands with Michael on the way.

The doors to the grand ballroom stage, where they had been instructed to enter, were opened by two members of the male staff, Jake and Tony, and everyone filed in. They made their way along taking their designated seats, Mia and Michael in the centre, with her Grandmere and father either side of the two love birds. A red curtain was drawn in front of them, stopping them from seeing the main area of the ballroom. Grandmere had a smile on her face which was starting to scare Mia. She was about to ask what was going on when a drum roll started and the curtain slowly parted.

There, filling the floor of the ballroom was the largest pile of presents Mia had ever seen. She gasped, and looked at the expectant faces beside her. Remembering she was in Grandmere's presence she chose her word very carefully.

"This is amazing. Are they all for me?" She observed a sea of nods before turning her focus back to the presents.

"Antoine" Grandmere called to one of the men standing nearby, "I request you to bring Amelia her presents, one at a time. If you require assistance ask James to help you" referring to the shy looking boy standing to the side. Antoine nodded. And so it began. Present after present, the pile slowly getting smaller, the shock of some of the presents, the tears for others, and the squeals of joy following even more.

The last present had been opened and Mia was going around thanking each person in the room individually, when her Grandmere clapped her hands impatiently. "Amelia" she said, "if you would turn your attention back to the ballroom there is one present left". Mia turned around and nearly fainted.

Michael had left nearly an hour before, saying he would return as soon as possible. She had been hurt that he would leave her, but now she saw why. Standing there, in the middle of the ballroom, was Michael, in a tux, looking amazingly handsome. Behind him stood four other guys who Mia recognised as the other members of 'Skinner Box', Michael's band from back in high school. She took her seat as the band started to play. The tears started rolling again when she recognised the song they were playing.

"Princess of my heart" Michael sang. The first song he wrote for her. The one he played on her fifteenth birthday. She couldn't believe it. This was turning into the best birthday ever. What Mia didn't know was that the best was yet to come.

The guests had all adjourned to their respective rooms a few hours later, with the instruction to "dress formally" and return to palace foyer at 6 pm. Mia was standing in her wardrobe, looking at the new dresses she had received, wondering which to wear, when she felt an arm snake around her waist. She spun around and her lips met with those of her fiancée. She smiled into the kiss and he dipped her slightly as the kiss became more passionate. A knock at the door caused them to spring apart. Mia gave him another peck on the lips before opening the door; however no-one was there. She was closing the door when a small parcel caught her eye. She picked it up and walked back into the room.

"What have you got there?" Michael enquired, his arms wrapping around her once more.

"I'm not sure; I guess the logical thing to do would be to open it." And that is what she proceeded to do.

Once the wrapping had been taken off a small green box lay in Mia's hands. Michael smiled. He knew all about this, it was the next stage of the day, at least his part in it. As Mia lifted the lid she became confused. The box was empty. Mia turned to Michael with a questioning look. He kissed her, explaining that all would become clear as the night proceeded. She laughed and returned to her wardrobe in search for a dress.

After a while longer deliberating, Mia's decision lay between two dresses. One was a Red top edge pleated cuff ball gown, given to her by the Prime minister of France, the other a Lilac taffeta ball gown given to her by the Prime minister of England. It was a difficult choice; both were amazing dresses, long skirted with thin waists and strapless. She turned to Michael for help, but found him gone. The decision was down to her. After much deliberation she chose the lilac one, teaming it with white kitten heeled shoes and a lilac wrap. She also wore the silver snowflake Michael had given her all those years ago and, of course, her engagement ring. She was surprised no-one had mentioned it yet. She and Michael had decided last night that she would announce their engagement at dinner, and she couldn't wait to see their faces.

As she descended the marble steps to the foyer she heard gasps from the people below. Mia blushed when she saw their eyes were all focused on her. Everyone had assembled; the males in tuxedos, the females in ball gowns. Michael, who was waiting with everyone else, took Mia's arm through his.

Mia was talking to Lilly, asking what she had been up to when Jp asked everyone to 'please be quiet'. The announcement was them made as to where they were off to.

"For the next portion of the evening we shall we heading to the Genovian Royal Theatre" Whispers of excitement were heard from all before JP continued, "where we shall have the privilege of being the first to view the new show there". Mia was intrigued by the fact that she had not heard about a new show. She was certain Grandmere had told her only last week that the main Genovian theatre company was suffering 'severe money trouble' and would be unable to perform for many months. When Mia asked what the show was called, Jp refused to answer, saying they would have to wait and be surprised. The large group then divided into two limos, Mia, Lilly, Tina, Boris, Jp and Michael in one, everyone else in the other (Skinner Box's members were not accompanying them on this voyage).

As they drove through the streets of Genovia with a police escort, the talk in Mia's limo turned to their favourite memories together. They discussed the winter carnival, their own show staring Mia and Jp (and also Michael for the kissing scene), their numerous sleep-overs, and their disastrous dating. Tina and Boris were still together, though, according to Tina, marriage was not yet an option. After Jp and Lilly broke up they stayed friends and went on to have other relationships, though neither had found the right person and both were currently single.

During the journey Mia noticed how Lilly kept looking at Jp and laughing at his jokes, even if they weren't particularly funny. She started to realise what was going on, but decided not to mention it, at least not yet.

When the limo reached its destination the door was opened by Chris, the new driver, and the group stepped out into the night, only to be greeted by the flashing of cameras. Mia was used to the paparazzi now, she accepted that it came with the title, but it still scared her slightly when there were so many of them. Michael placed a reassuring hand around her before leading her towards the doors of the theatre.

Once inside they gathered together and the owner of the theatre appeared to greet them.

"Tonight ladies and gentlemen" He said in a powerful voice, "you shall be observing the work of an American theatre company. The piece is called 'Beauty and the Beast', and I have been informed that it is a favourite of our princess" at that he gestured to Mia, acting as though nobody else knew who Mia was. A smile broke out on Mia's face once more. They were taking her to see her favourite show, one she hadn't seen in years since it had never been preformed in Genovia. She couldn't believe it.

They followed the owner, who went by the name of Gustav, up the steps, and were instructed to form groups of four. Mia was joined in her royal box (which was in fact named the 'Princess Amelia box' after her Grandmere had insisted on it) by Michael, Tina and Boris. As they were sitting down Mia found a piece of gold parchment attached to her seat. She removed it and read it. As he saw her do this Michael's face lit up.

"Open the green box and remove the golden tissue paper inside. Take the key and place it into the small keyhole, turn and lift." Mia was confused. The green box was in her room, so why would the parchment be here, why not with the box itself, and who was it from? She sat down, thinking about the box. It was empty; there was no key, no golden tissue paper. She turned to Michael, wondering if he had any idea, and there he sat, holding the green box. She smiled to him gratefully and opened it. Inside lay a small golden key on golden tissue paper. She lifted the key and then followed the instructions. As she opened the trap compartment tears, once again, formed in her eyes. She felt a kiss on her cheek and turned, looking into Michael's eyes. He lifted her hair, removing the silver necklace from around her neck. Then he replaced it with the boxes contents. Dangling from her neck was a golden snowflake. She turned and kissed Michael passionately, then heard coughing beside her and blushed. Everyone in the box laughed quietly then turned their attention to the stage to watch the best production of 'Beauty and the Beast' Mia had ever seen.

Tina and Mia remained in the box during the interval, while Michael and Boris went to find theatre ice-cream.

"So… Did you tell him?" Tina asked the question she had been waiting to ask all day.

"Yer, I did, but it wasn't how you said it would be. Listen Tina; I'll tell you all about it tonight when we are back at the palace alright?" Mia explained, before the guys returned. Tina was left confused, wondering what more there was to it that Mia wasn't telling her. All was to be revealed after the show.

AN: So there you go. Yes I know I stopped abruptly, but I thought that was the best place to end. I would really like some advice on this story. I have some ideas as to what I want to happen, but if you have any suggestions please feel free to let me know, you will get credit for anything I use. As always reviews would be greatly appreciated, especially since I need something to keep me going through exam season! Thank you for all being patient with me, I will try to update sooner next time! xCoolkitten12x

PS: The ball gowns and the golden snowflake are all shown in my profile! x