Kip

"The Royal Carriage approaches!"

Suki

"What did he say, Artie?"

"The Princess is coming."

"Showtime."

I got up off the Cathedral steps.

"Suki Sanchez here from the USA. A long way from home, but happily following a story that started in the streets of San Francisco. And is about to have a happy ending here in the small beautiful land of Genovia."

Mia

"Prepare for the arrival of Princess Mia!"

Nicholas

I was resting on the couch at Uncle Mabrey's.

Gretchen

I polished nearby.

Nicholas

"Psst." It was Gretchen.

"Sir..."

I sat up.

"I don't mean to talk out of school, but there's something you must know."

I faced her.

"Your Uncle called Elsie and set you up with that video."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" I questioned.

"I should have known." I pointed out.

"He's up to something. He was much too delighted that you aren't going to that Wedding."

"I must get to that Church."

"Yes, yes. But how?"

I slid my tux jacket on.

"Everything on four wheels is already rented for the Wedding."

"Oh, it doesn't matter. I'll run."

I picked my gloves up.

"No. No, it's too far. No."

Gretchen grabbed my hand.

"You'll take the bike."

"The bike? Gretchen, what bike?" I inquired.

"We don't have a bike." I pointed out to her.

"Your grandfather's bike."

Gretchen pointed to an old-fashioned penny farrier.

I rode down a Country road.

Clarisse

Prime Minister Motaz and me were greeting guests on their way into the Cathedral.

"Buenas tardes, Tanya."

"Buenas tardes, Su Majestad." Tanya greeted.

"Aqule presento mi tio que novicia de Rosario."

"Oh, how do you do, sear?"

"Oh, I do better if you and I get married."

Prime Minister Motaz stared.

"Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!"

We glanced at each other.

"I'm sorry. My Uncle learned his English watching the old Three Stooges movies."

He nodded his head.

"Sorry."

"Ooh!"

They walked into the Cathedral.

Nicholas

A Genovian Shepherd on a horse talks on the phone while herding his flock.

"Yes. Well... What...? You're not going to believe this. Lord Devereaux is riding up the road on a bicycle."

I got off the bike.

"Sir! Sir, may I borrow your horse?"

"Oh, he needs my horse."

"My bike is yours."

The Shepherd dismounted.

"How am I supposed to herd sheep with a bike?"

I got on his horse.

I galloped at full speed through the Country side.

Clarisse

The Cathedral pews were packed with guests.

It included members of Genovian Parliament.

Lilly

"Outspoken American activist, Lilly Moscovitz, the maid of honor, glides forward as a vision in pink."

"I'm a girl who loves black and is wearing pink."

Shades

I walked down the aisle, carrying the baby.

"Aw."

"Ooh."

Elsie

"And Duke Andrew's little Nephew, Viscount Ludlow, affectionately known as James of the Cherub Cheeks, comes down the aisle as the Royal ring bearer."

Mia

I opened the Cathedral door a crack.

"Hey, Joe." I whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I just wanted to say before I do this, I'm sorry you're retiring."

"Who told you that?"

"The maids know everything."

"Mm. Well, the heart does things for reasons that reason cannot understand."

"You're preaching to the choir."

I shut the door.

Joe knocked on the cathedral door.

"Princess?" He called.

"Yes?"

"Then you should know that Nicholas did not set you up at the lake."

I stared at Joe.

He had his back to me.

"You're sure?"

"The maids know everything."

Joe

Charlotte approached me.

"We're ready when she is."

Shades

Baby James pulled my sunglasses off my face.

I struggled to get them back on.

Clarisse

The female conductor led her choir at the front.

Footmen scattered Rose petals on the aisle.

All of the guests rose to their feet.

They turned to face the back of the Cathedral.

Mia

Guards opened the doors.

I stepped through.

I was wearing a fairytale white Wedding dress with a full skirt and long train.

The long train was being carried by two page boys.

The dress has lace sleeves, a high lace neck, and a lace veil flew down my back from my sparking tiara.

Andrew

I smiled confidently at my mother.

Mia

I nodded and smiled.

I started to slow down.

I came to a halt.

My smile had faded.

Clarisse

I looked anxiously down the aisle.

The conductor brought her choir to an undignified halt.

"Is this part of the plan?" Helen questioned.

"No."

Mia

"I..."

I laughed nervously.

I cleared my throat.

"I'm going to need a minute or two."

I handed my bouquet to a male guest.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The crowd murmured as I ran for the doors.

Elsie

"Now, the Bride is moving swiftly back up the aisle and out the door... Not the traditional route."

Clarisse

"Let me." I told Helen.

Mia

The press spotted me on the Cathedral steps.

I screamed.

"Princess Mia! Princess Mia!"

"Mia! Mia!"

"Princess Mia! Princess Mia!"

I ran off to a private garden terrace aside the Cathedral.

"Mia, come here!"

Helen

Trevor was crying.

"Helen." Patrick called.

"Honey, I'll be right back. I gotta change Trevor's diaper."

I waked off with him.

Clarisse

"Please be seated. There'll just be a momentary interlude. Thank you." I informed the guests.

"Do we rush after her?" Charlotte questioned.

"No. We never rush. We hasten."

I placed my hand on her shoulder.

"You'll take care of them."

"Yes, yes."

I hastened out of the Cathedral.

Charlotte

"Just- Just one moment." I told the guests.

Clarisse

"Out of my way!" I ordered.

I hastened onto the Cathedral steps.

"Long live the Queen!"

They were cheering.

Mia

I was crouched on the terrace.

I was trying to gather myself together.

"Ooh! Okay."

"Oh, my dear. Mia."

"No, Grandma. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I- I- I just need a minute."

"No."

"I can do this."

"No."

"I can't do this."

"I know."

Grandma placed her hands on my shoulder.

"Darling, listen to me. I made my choice... Duty to my Country over love. It's what I've always done, it seems. It was drummed into me my whole life. Now, I've lost the only man I ever really loved."

I looked over at Joe on the Cathedral steps.

Joe

"Anyone got a 20 on Joseph?" It was Lionel.

"I'm with the eagle and sparrow."

Mia

"Mia, I want you to make your choices as woman. Don't make the same mistakes I did. Make your own mistakes. There'll be plenty of them, believe me. Now, you can go back into that Church and get married. Or you can walk away. Whatever choice you make, let it come from your heart."

I chewed my lip in confusion.

I sobbed.

I hugged Grandma tightly.

Charlotte

I saw Mia returning.

"Excuse me."

"She's back."

I took her bouquet from a guard.

Mia

I took my bouquet from Charlotte.

I marched down the aisle.

Elsie

"The Princess is re-entering the Church. She's walking down the aisle. More like cantering down the aisle."

Clarisse

I hurried in.

I watched as Mia joined Andrew near the altar.

Mia

Andrew and me joined hands.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Duke Andrew and Princess Amelia in holy Matrimony. Commended to be honorable among all; And therefore is not to be entered into lightly but reverently, passionately, lovingly, and solemnly. Into this, these two persons present come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, speak now or forever hold their peace."

Nobody moved.

"I, Andrew, take you, Amelia, to be my Wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad. In sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

"I. Amelia, take you Andrew, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad. In sickness and in health. I will love you all the days of my life."

"Rings."

Shades gave us the rings.

"Do you, Duke Andrew, take Princess Amelia to be your lawfully wedded Wife?"

"I do." Andrew answered.

He slid the slender silver Wedding band on my left ring finger.

"Do you, Princess Amelia, take Duke Andrew to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do." I answered.

I slid the thick silver Wedding band on Andrew's left ring finger.

"By the power vested in me by the land of Genovia, I now pronounce you, Andrew and you, Amelia... Husband and Wife. Andrew, you may kiss your Bride."

We kissed.

I looked around me.

"Lionel..."

I beckoned to him.

Clarisse

"Your Majesty..."

"Hmm?"

"The Princess would like a word."

Charlotte held out her radio earpiece.

"Oh. Um..."

Mia

I was talking into Lionel's mic.

Clarisse

"Grandma..."

I yanked the earpiece.

"Just because I didn't get my fairy tale ending doesn't mean you shouldn't."

"Oh. Uh... Did you hear that?"

"Not if you didn't want me to."

"Oh, Charlotte. Uh... Oh..."

I cleared my throat.

"Well..."

I straightened my slate green silk jacket.

I stepped closer to Joseph with a coy look.

"Joseph..."

"Your Majesty."

He bowed.

"Dear Joseph... Am I too late to ask you to accept my hand in Marriage?"

Joseph cleared his throat.

"Well, I thought you'd never ask."

He turned away.

"Shades, you're in charge now. Good luck with Lionel."

Joseph handed Shades the hat and earpiece.

"I'm going to a Wedding."

Mia

"They're at a Wedding." Andrew whispered to me.

I was amused by him.

Clarisse

Joseph offered me his arm.

I put my hand on top of his.

I walked down the aisle with Joseph.

"I know it as short noice, but you were all dressed."

The guests murmured.

Charlotte

I watched happily as Queen Clarisse handed her bouquet to Mia.

Clarisse

I handed the bouquet to Mia.

"My Lord Archbishop, I would like to take this man as my husband, if you please."

"Finally."

I gave him a look.

"We have come together for another Wedding."

Helen

"What did I miss?"

"She got married."

"She got married?"

"Yes."

Clarisse

"With this ring, I thee... Finally wed."

Helen

"Now, the Queen's getting married."

"The Queen's getting married?"

"Yeah. To Joe."

Clarisse

I now pronounce you husband and Wife. You may kiss the Bride."

We kissed.

Mia celebrated.

She laughed.