A/N: Thanks to all my readers and reviewers- you all rock!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me
As everyone had predicted to Mia when she had left in September, the next few months flew by quickly, even faster than Charlotte imagined, even though she had been as busy as always with paperwork, managing the Queen's schedule, attending sessions of parliament (the Queen… Clarisse… preferred her to accompany her to take her own notes- parliament had their own, but she wanted another perspective as well) and travelling to Paris and London in October and November respectively.
Her Majesty kept in regular contact with the Princess, and both Charlotte and Joseph were a little surprised when she had insisted on accessing the internet and creating an email (which would be connected to Charlotte, so not to alert others to the fact that the Queen had Genovia had an email address) address.
"I have to move with the times, and creating my own email address is… moving with the times, isn't it?" the Queen looked from one to the other when she had suggested it, their surprise clear on their faces. "Well, Phillipe wanted me to create one a couple of years earlier but I didn't want to… and it makes sense to have one… doesn't it?" the Queen suddenly trailed off, looking uncertain.
"No one is judging you, Your Majesty, and it would be a good idea- but I will have to get one of our technical guys to come and take a look- we need to make sure that all the necessary security measures in place."
"Yes, Phillipe and Mia both mentioned that there were… hackers….is that word correct? That there were hackers that could get on line and… hack into your private emails and bank accounts… surely that's not possible."
"It is, ma'am but that's something that you don't need to worry about," Joseph said reassuringly. ""We'll make sure that all the necessary security measures will be in place…"
"It's something I probably won't use too often- I much prefer using the telephone- but…."
"You wanted to be seen to be keeping up with the times, which is wise, but you don't have to do that to prove that you're a modern woman," Joseph said calmly and it was the Queen's turn to look surprised but she didn't say anything more as she turned to Charlotte and changed the subject.
As it turned out, she very rarely used her recently created email account, still preferring to use the telephone, and while Mia had complained to Charlotte when waiting to connect to her grandmother, that her grandmother wasn't using her email, Charlotte could understand Clarisse's decision and tried to explain it to Mia.
"It's not as if she's not trying to keep up to date with the changes in the modern world- she more well read and more well informed than probably other people (which is necessary in her position)- but you also need to remember that she is also from a completely different generation, when technology was considered useless and unnecessary."
"I just thought that email would make it easier to keep in contact, rather than using the phone- those calls can be very expensive."
"I wouldn't worry about that, Princess Mia; and she will get used to using the email, eventually."
"Do you use email?"
"It's necessary for me- just imagine all the paperwork I would have to deal with if I didn't have an email," she joked lightly and Mia giggled along with her. "But, as with Her Majesty, there are quite a few security measure in place so that no one else can access my emails."
"Do you think you need to be worried about that?"
"Not necessarily," Charlotte began slowly, although there was always a small worry niggling in her mind about whether she should be dealing with delicate information on the internet- she knew that Joseph was paranoid about security measures, backing everything up and shredding anything not needed any more. "But it's always better to be cautious."
"Should I worry about my own emails?" the younger girl sounded concerned and Charlotte felt sorry for her- she didn't mean to make the teenager worry about her own privacy issues.
"No, Princess, you don't need to worry about that- you just need to be cautious as most people are, changing passwords and not giving private details away… you should be fine."
The Princess's return to San Francisco was much quieter than her departure at the beginning of the summer- the palace and the consulate in San Francisco had negotiated an agreement with the various press agencies that they would leave the Princess alone during the school year and not accost her on the school grounds, in her home or even when she was pursuing after school activities, including her job.
It had been easier to reach the agreement, Charlotte had been surprised, but both Joseph and the Queen hadn't been surprised.
"They know that if they want to attend any formal occasions here in Genovia, or whenever the Queen is in San Francisco, they have to be nice," was what Joseph said and Charlotte understood that.
Anyway, the school term flew by quickly- and, according to Joseph and the Queen, the Princess had a much easier transition back into school; sure, there were still the popular people who tried to make things difficult for her, but Mia, with much more patience and understanding, ignored them and went about school quietly and determinedly, with Lily and Michael, as well as a few other loyal friends, at her side. Of course, she had a detail of three bodyguards who had accompanied her to San Francisco (as a condition of Her Majesty's agreement to her education continuing in America, and at Joseph's careful vetting and insistence), but they weren't noticed by anyone or, if they were, no one made any comment on them.
Her mother had apparently started dating Mia's English teacher, Patrick O'Connell, and while there had been no word on how Mia felt about it (she never mentioned anything to Charlotte and not very often to the Queen) but Charlotte assumed that she probably found it a little difficult.
The afternoon off that Joseph had suggested had helped Her Majesty better than even Charlotte would have thought- she had been much more calm and relaxed and she had eased back on her paperwork slightly, although not as much as Joseph wanted, given her role and responsibilities. But there was something indefinable in her character, a change that somehow occurred over the past few months so she wasn't quite as sad as she used to be and Charlotte somehow the change had something to do with both Joseph and Mia, although she wasn't willing to share her theory with anyone, not even Scott, despite his continued attempts to find out more from Charlotte.
"I don't know anything and I'm not going to say even if I did know anything… and besides, didn't you get a warning from Joseph in regards to creating gossip in the palace?" she looked at him with an arched eyebrow and Scott had the grace to look ashamed.
"Yeah… I guess so… but surely…."
"No, Scott."
000
All too soon, it was a week before Christmas and the Princess and her mother were due to land in Genovia in a couple of hours.
Because it was the lead up to Christmas and the New Year's Eve celebrations, the palace was in an uproar (a controlled uproar, everything was well organised and had been for months) and Charlotte was the only one who was available to greet the Princess and her mother when they arrived, but the Princess wasn't at all bothered by the lack of ceremony- as soon as she stepped into the foyer and noted all the Christmas decorations on the walls and ceilings, she was more preoccupied with them than the absence of her grandmother or even Joe.
"Hi Charlotte… wow, these decorations are amazing? It makes the entire room almost….glow… they're so beautiful."
"Many of the decorations have been in the family for many generations- the star on the top of the tree, for example…."
"You have a tree?"
"One in the ballroom and one in the library, and I will show them to you once you have settled in… but on the tree in the ballroom, the star has been in the family since the 19th century."
"Wow, that's….really, really…."
"I hope I wasn't going to hear you say 'old'," came another familiar voice and Mia, Helen and Charlotte turned to see Joseph stride easily into the room. "Hello Princess, it's wonderful to see you again," as, to everyone's surprise, Mia almost dashed over and threw her arms around his neck for a hug.
"Hi Joe, yes, it's great to see you again as well."
"School treating you well?" he asked when Mia pulled away- he was surprised at the impulsive gesture (and wasn't completely sure that the Queen would approve) but he also found that he liked it. He also knew that school had been much better for her these past few months (Clarisse usually mentioned her latest news after the phone calls) but the Princess wasn't to know that.
"Oh yeah… yes, it's not as bad as it was before, there are still those who want to cause trouble….like those three girls I was telling you about… but most people have been fairly supportive."
"That's good… and the press?" He was more concerned about the press- yes, there had been an agreement arranged between them and the palace, but there were times when they could and would push the boundaries.
"Haven't heard anything from them…that's a good thing, I take it?"
"It's a very good thing. I just came to let you know that Her Majesty is currently occupied in a meeting but she welcomes you back and will come to the guest suite when her meeting is finished."
0
The reunion between grandmother and granddaughter wasn't as awkward as the first time- Clarisse freely stepped forward to embrace her granddaughter rather than wait for Mia to do it (Joseph had advised her of that months earlier and while she had been indignant- "I am trying, but it's hard for someone like me"- but when Joseph had pointed out that she had been affectionate towards her sons and Mia was her granddaughter ("I know that, but it's still hard"), she knew that he was right and that she had to make an effort as well (and she was serious about trying, she really wanted to) and it was easy enough to hug her granddaughter upon her arrival.
After a few minutes chat about school and what she had been doing, Mia suddenly turned a little apprehensive.
"Are there any public appearances this time?"
"Aside from accompanying me to the New Year's Eve Ball, there are no public appearances this time. It is the festive season," Clarisse reminded her with a gentle, teasing smile. "I'm not expecting you to participate in public appearances every time you're here… and I can see that you're relieved about that as well."
"Well…" she looked slightly abashed before her smile broadened. "Yes, you are very right, Grandma and I am kind of relieved….not that I don't mind participating in some public appearances on occasion, seeing that one day I will be back here…."
"Yes, of course."
"Anyway, what will the New Year's Eve ball entail? Will I have to wear a ball gown and makeup? A tiara? Will I have to make a speech or dance with the members of parliament? What will I have to do?"
Clarisse was a little taken aback at the flow of questions that were coming out of Mia- she knew the child could talk and ask many questions all at once, but it was still something that she had to get used to- and there was a pause when she considered what question she would deal with first.
"The New Year's Eve ball is one of the main balls of the year, and yes, most of parliament will be attending- it's a social occasion as well as a political occasion. We usually have it at the Winter Palace but…." she trailed off for a moment, her thoughts drifting towards previous balls with her sons and husband in attendance, as well as Joseph… "Anyway," she refocused her attention back to Mia. "You will be wearing a ball gown, makeup and the Rose tiara; you won't be making a speech; you may have to dance with some members of parliament- certainly the Prime Minister- but I have had Charlotte invite some younger people so that you will not feel so… isolated. All you really need to do is be there and talk to people when you are spoken to… it's really not so bad."
"I hope not," Mia said in a whisper, an uncertain expression flitting across her face for a moment before it disappeared. "But it should be interesting…."
000
Despite Mia's apprehension of the evening, the festive season turned out very well. Christmas was different- of course it would be different, considering that the Queen had lost her husband and her son in the past year, as well as reuniting with her granddaughter- but with the presence of a young person within the palace walls again seemed to change the atmosphere of the palace. Christmas was always a time of celebration (rather subdued while the King was alive) but this first Christmas with Mia….it reminded Charlotte of Christmases in her own childhood, as well as stories that Joseph told her of when the boys were young.
"His Majesty wasn't the most relaxed person in the world- he preferred to be working or off with his friends, but at Christmas, he did make the effort, especially when the princes were young and it was a little clear that he did love those boys- he was proud of them, certainly- and Her Majesty definitely adored them… I know it's hard to imagine her as affectionate as she was then, but she was- being married to the King and his transgressions didn't make life easier for her- and she will be again."
At the end of his story, he trailed off and Charlotte watched him for a moment- his expression was soft and tender, almost as if he wasn't thinking about the boys but rather, his boss, as she suspected he was. He was a very tough man, dignified, professional and calm, but there were times when he spoke of the Queen and revealed a completely different side to himself, a side that Charlotte loved seeing.
Yes, Christmas had certainly been a festive occasion and everyone, palace staff included, enjoyed the day (once the royal family had been served their meals, the rest of the staff gathered in the kitchen for their own Christmas celebration, the security men alternating during the day) but it was the New Year's Eve ball that was the biggest festive occasion and one that everyone looked forward to, especially the parliamentarians.
Guests began arriving around five o'clock that afternoon, all well dressed in ball gowns, jewellery that only was taken out for special occasions and black tuxedos, and Charlotte (who had showered and dressed quickly, having to be back to greet the guests) spent the time checking on the kitchen staff, security and greeting the guests.
It was always a busy evening, exhausting certainly, but Charlotte enjoyed the evening- particularly once all the guests had arrived and, aside from checking on security and the staff on occasion, she had the opportunity, while hovering behind the Queen with Joseph, to observe the people around her. She was considered background, nothing more (not that she minded) by most of the guests, but there were a few who spoke to her, including the Motazes, but she was more interested in observing everyone around her.
The Princess was acquitting herself quite well- the young people Charlotte had invited were pleasant and she seemed to be getting along with them in a corner of the room, and while she had to dance with the Prime Minister and a few of the more curious members of parliament, it was the Queen who was, as always, the belle of the ball, dancing with all the members of parliament and everyone watching her as well, either through envy, admiration or something more malevolent (particularly Viscount Mabrey and some of his cronies) and while Charlotte was concerned, she knew that Joseph was watching even closer than even she was.
"Everyone alright?" she couldn't help but mutter one time during the evening.
"Fine, everything is fine. No security alerts?" he asked, his eyes still on the Queen, who was dancing with Lord Palimore.
"Not that I have heard of."
"Princess Mia?"
"She is enjoying her group of friends…."
"You did a good job of selecting those people- they seem pleasant and seem to like the princess."
"Her Majesty organised the list of people she wanted to attend."
"But you helped," he turned and gave her a look for a moment. "Don't ever doubt your importance to the Queen- you are an extremely hard worker and a good friend to her."
"Thank you," she blushed.
Finally, the countdown to midnight finally arrived, and it was surprise to observe how many people (including some of the older members of parliament) counted along with the leader of the band- and it was even more surprising when, at the stroke of midnight, there were a lot of couples kissing.
"Happy New Year, Char," she suddenly heard from behind her, and she turned to see Scott standing there.
"Happy New Year, Scott," she responded, blushing, before allowing him to lean forward and give her a soft kiss on the lips. "That doesn't mean that we're not anything more than friends, though, you do realise that?" she added with a grin and he chuckled.
"Of course not. I know that."
"Where's the Queen and Joe?"
"Her Majesty is over there with the Princess," she pointed to the two in a corner, Mia's arms around her grandmother and the older woman trying not to look uncomfortable- of course, she didn't enjoy public displays of affection. "And Joe… I think he's in the security hub for his shift."
"It's a pity that they didn't meet…?" he grinned at her and Charlotte tried to scowl at him but she couldn't- it was New Year's Day, the beginning of a new year and while she would continue to discourage his questions, she wouldn't badger him about it tonight.
0
It was almost one thirty in the morning when the last guest left and the Princess and her mother retired for the evening. Much of the cleaning up had been started when the guests began to disperse, but Charlotte wanted to have a last minute check of the rooms before she retired.
She was just coming out of the library- which was as a neat as a pin- intending on checking on the ballroom, when she froze in the doorway, looking at the scene before her.
She hadn't seen Joseph since before the countdown, and she had already bid Her Majesty good night, assuming that she would have retired for the evening, but she was surprised to see them together, strolling arm in arm, obviously back from a stroll in the garden.
Suddenly, Joseph stopped and turned to Her Majesty, gently pushing her back until her back was against the wall, his body almost pinning her against it and his arms resting gently on her waist.
"What are you doing?" she could hear Her Majesty murmur, but there was nothing of anger or fear in her voice- it was something relaxed and tender.
"Giving you another New Year's Eve memory," he said just as softly before he leaned over and pressed his lips against hers and Charlotte, who was pressing herself against the door frame, not wanting to be seen, knew that she was invading their privacy but she just couldn't help herself… it was so loving, so tender, so sweet- and so clearly not the first kiss they had shared.
When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against Clarisse's for a moment, both of their eyes closed.
"Happy New Year, Clarisse," his voice was husky and tender.
"Happy New Year, Joseph…." her voice was breathy and just as tender... "That is a memory that I will never forget."
"Good… now, I will escort you to your suite…" and they continued their walk, still arm in arm, as they walked upstairs, Charlotte still leaning against the door frame, tears misting her eyes at the scene she had just witnessed… they were falling in love!