Author's note: I've gone a little bit from where I was supposed to be, but I just couldn't help but put this chapter in!

Thank you to all my loyal readers- Captain Weirdo, addlogcon, Poppinswannabe, Clarisse Renaldi, tabby-fanny, Diva4Life and anyone else who reads this… you all rock!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

"Wow," Clarisse murmured to herself as they hurried out of the crowded restaurant, eyes and cameras on them, and headed straight across the street to their waiting car.

"Wow," she repeated as they settled back in their seas and the car pulled away from the curb.

"What's so 'wow' at the moment?" Joseph inquired, perplexed.

"I just can't believe what happened out there… and I wasn't as scared as I usually am… in fact, I found it rather thrilling… Obviously I've been spending too much time with you and Mia!" she laughed easily.

"Don't tell me you actually enjoyed that?" he was surprised that that was what she seemed to be saying- since they had gotten married, and she had stepped down from the throne, she had preferred to keep a low profile which, he had to admit, was a good idea…

She had been in the public eye because, as Queen, it had been necessary, but he knew that she, as a naturally shy woman, was happier and more relaxed out of the spotlight.

"No I didn't," Clarisse admitted with a smile. "But I must be FINALLY (after 40 odd years) getting used to everyone staring at me… and us… and I was also saying 'wow' because of you!" she looked at him with a wide smile. "This morning, you were hunched over like an old man, barely able to move and now… you were practically dragging me out of the café… Amazing!"

"Yes, I was rather amazing," he mused, a small smug smile on his face. "But I still would have put you first over any bad back… although, you might have had to carry me back into the house!"

"We would have seen about that," Clarisse said, non-committal, but before Joseph could respond, his mobile began ringing.

"It's Mia," he said after checking caller identification, before answering. "Hello Princess."

Clarisse had to smile at his inadvertent slip- although Mia had been Queen for nearly two years, Joseph still occasionally called her 'Princess' instead of Mia (although he always used her proper title at any formal occasions), but Mia didn't mind at all, knowing that he would always remember Clarisse as Queen, and she quickly adopted it as a nickname and private joke from Joe. Clarisse smiled, remembering that as she listened to Joseph's side of the conversation.

"Just calling to check in, I see… we're in Pyrus, actually- I had to go to the chiropractor- I hurt my back at BJ's… Yes, I'm fine now; my chiropractor only had to do a little manipulation…"

He paused for a moment, listening to Mia on the other end, before bursting out laughing, startling Clarisse, who had been looking out the window, enjoying listening to him talk to Mia.

"You cheeky girl, I'm not telling your grandmother that, she would be very embarrassed… do you want…" he paused again, grinning wickedly. "No, I thought you wouldn't… so did you want to talk to her?... No, you're calling tonight…" before he hung up.

"So, what did Mia say to you that would embarrass me?" Clarisse asked mildly. "I'm sure that it was rather cheeky, but you might as well tell me…"

"It was very cheeky," Joseph affirmed with a grin. "Alright… she wanted to know why I went to the chiropractor when you could have manipulated my back just as well or even better…" he trailed off, and she went red as a tomato at his meaning… Most of their friends and family got digs in about their love life, but for Mia to tease them so openly…

"It's just as well she didn't say that to me, then," she finally said when she recovered the power of speech. "She really is too much at times."
"Just like Phillipe," Joseph replied with a fond smile. "He was always like that."

"True," Clarisse agreed with a smile. "I always let him get away with it… but there was a time when I wondered whether I would speak to him like that again… if I would ever forgive him…" she finished soberly.

"Yes, I wondered that too," Joseph replied softly. "But, thankfully, something happened that brought you back together…"

"Yes, something… or, rather, someone, did," Clarisse replied vaguely, remembering what it was….

*********************

"What?!" Clarisse and Joseph said in unison, disbelief on their faces as they looked at Phillipe's Head of Security standing in the doorway… He had just let them know that Phillipe and his wife Helen were on the way to the hospital, about to have a baby…

"Does he want me there?" Clarisse suddenly asked, bringing herself back to the present.

"No, he just said he would let you know when anything happened… I have to go," he looked back, momentarily distracted by outside noise, before looking back at Clarisse and Joe. "I need to," he replied apologetically, and Joseph nodded understandingly, releasing him.

There was a silence after he left, and Joe turned to see Clarisse sinking into a nearby chair, surprise, stupefaction and some sadness flitting across her face. Her thoughts were muddled- she was happy for them, and secretly excited about becoming a grandmother, but yet she was also sad, reminded of her own lonely pregnancies… and they were still so young…

"Are you alright?" Joseph asked calmly, bringing her back to the present as he pulled up a chair next to hers and sat down.

"I'm fine," she replied vaguely, looking out the window for a moment before looking back at him. "My son is about to become a father… and I'm about to become a grandmother!"

"You don't look old enough to be a grandmother," he teased, reaching out and caressing her cheek gently, and she blushed under his gentle touch. "But you don't look very happy about it either," he said quietly, looking at her thoughtfully. "Let's go out into the garden."

"I really shouldn't," she protested weakly, but he only shook his head as he stood up and pulled her up by both hands. "I should go and let Rupert know…"

"Someone else will tell him," he said harshly, and he didn't care about the possible repercussions- he had seen the way Rupert had treated his wife over the years, and things had, for a time, been even worse since Phillipe's wedding, although it was improving slightly… At the moment, however, he didn't care if Rupert was the last person to know- he was on intent on distracting protecting Clarisse.

They didn't speak until they were out in the garden, Joe walking several steps behind her as protocol dictated but, as soon as they were out of sight of the cameras, he swiftly stepped up to walk beside her, and she slipped her arm through his, happy that he was there, as always...

"How are you feeling, really?" he asked gently after a few minutes.

"Really?" she sighed, still trying to work out how she was feeling. "Honestly… I don't know- I'm happy for them, and a little excited about being a grandmother… but Joseph, they're still so young, and I don't want them to suffer as I did… Phillipe is going to be King one day and I can't help but feel that he's trying to rush though all his other adult experiences before then…"


"I can understand how you're feeling… but you were far younger when you had your first child… and Phillipe is a very stead man, and he's going to protect them as best he can, with a little help…" he grinned, and Clarisse did too at the meaning. "But you raised a very kind, caring, compassionate man who will be a wonderful King… Do you know who he reminds me of?"

"Who?" she asked quietly.

"You," he said gently, and she had to smile at that- he had told that several times over the years, but she had always forgotten, or not believed him…

"You're just biased because… because of us…"


"Maybe I am, but it's true… So," he added as they strolled through the garden arm in arm. "Did you want me to stay with you while you wait?"

"Please," Clarisse said with the sweet smile he loved. "By the way, why didn't you want me to go and see Rupert…?"


"You know why," he looked at her directly, and she blushed. "This is the one time you are not going to be his verbal punching bag," he said sternly as she smiled gratefully at him, loving the feeling of being protected by him… both physically and emotionally…

000

Almost four hours later, Joseph, who was sitting in the Queen's study while Clarisse finished her paperwork, was startled by the ringing of his phone, and he answered it. Clarisse, while pretending to finish her work, had been on the edge of her seat for most of the afternoon, stopped the pretence and openly listened.

"Yes… yes… I see… yes, she'll be right there…"


He hung up, and turned to look at Clarisse with a serious expression, making Clarisse feel even more anxious then before.

"What?" she said a slightly hoarse voice- she didn't necessarily approve of Phillipe's marriage, but she also didn't want anything to happen to any of them…"Joseph, tell me!"

"Well…" he hesitated for another minute before he broke into a smile. "Congratulations, Grandma… you have a granddaughter!"

"A granddaughter," she repeated softly, a smile spreading across her face as she stood and moved away from her desk. She loved her boys dearly, but she had always wanted daughter, and now… she had a granddaughter.

She suddenly realised Joseph was still watching her, and when she smiled at him, he walked over and wrapped his arms around her. He usually didn't hug her unless she wanted him to, or there was a very good reason to, but the birth of her first grandchild was reason enough for him. Clarisse obviously agreed with his decision too as he felt her relax into his arms, her head resting on his chest. If anyone had happened to walk in on them at that moment, it would have been clear that they had deep feelings for each other, and that they were involved… in a way.

"How does it feel to be a grandmother, Grandma?" he murmured into her hair, and she chuckled gently.

"Why don't you ask me that AFTER I see the baby?"


"Alright," he replied, enjoying the moment between them, before she suddenly pulled away with a sigh.

"I suppose I had better go and let Rupert know…"


Much as she loved being hugged by Joseph, knowing her feelings were reciprocated, she and Rupert were still married and they now shared a grandchild.

"I don't think he's here, actually," Joseph said awkwardly, unwilling to tell her what he had heard that morning- that he wasn't in meetings, as Clarisse had assumed, but with his current mistress…

Clarisse eyes visibly saddened at the awkward silence, and Joseph's awkward words, and he suddenly realised that she already knew.

"You don't need to cover for him, I suspected he would be with her…" she sighed, and looked away for a moment. "So, I can go to the hospital… are you coming with me?"

"Where else do you think I would be?" he smiled in response. "But, I must warn you that it may be chaotic at the hospital."

"It'll be fine if you're with me," Clarisse said calmly, not at all worried.

000

As he had predicted, the entrance to the hospital was blocked by all of the Genovian press, as well as a few visitors. Thankfully, however, Joseph and Phillipe's Head of Security had expected that, and security was extremely tight in and out of the hospital, a group waiting around the entrance as the Queen arrived. Clarisse had been expecting this, but she was secretly relieved that Joseph was close beside her.

"We're almost there," he murmured in her ear as they finally made it to the entrance, questions from reporters being hurled from every direction, but she only smiled pleasantly at them, ignoring the questions. She had never been a skilled public speaker, unlike Rupert, and she refused to try and change- she was who she was, and that was it.

Phillipe was waiting for them when they finally made it to the heavily guarded maternity ward, beaming happily.

"Mama," was the first thing he said, and Clarisse smiled in reply, seeing her baby son again. "We need to talk…"


"Congratulations darling," she said before they hugged, Phillipe towering over her as he had since he was sixteen. The rest of the security team disappeared instantly as Phillipe led her to an open door, and Joseph was about to do the same when Phillipe looked at him with a grin.

"You don't need to disappear, Joe… Whatever I tell my mother, she will inevitably tell you too, so you might as well stay and listen for yourself."


"Alright," Joseph agreed quietly- a quick glance at Clarisse told him she approved of the idea, before he followed them into the room.

"So…" Clarisse asked anxiously, sitting down in the chair Joseph offered her, but her eyes were still on her son as she watched him close the door, before turning to give them a broad smile- he was ecstatic.

"They're both fine… Helen did great…"


"You… you were in there with her?" Clarisse was slightly stunned.

"Yes, I was," Phillipe beamed. "Anyway, we have decided to call her Amelia Mignonette…" Clarisse blushed at the use of one of her family names. "Thermopolis (after Helen) Renaldi…"

"Amelia…" Clarisse almost breathed the word- it was a lovely name, and it reminded her of a flower. "That's very pretty."

"Helen's idea," Phillipe said with a smile, before sobering up. "Mama, we have to talk… we haven't had the chance before, but…"

Clarisse smiled grimly to herself at his words- she knew why that was… she had secretly been avoiding him most of the time, only talking about superficial things when they did meet, but they had also been busy- she with her work, and he with Helen and his duties as Crown Prince.

"What do we have to talk about?" she asked flippantly, although she knew very well what was going to be discussed, and she wished they could avoid it. It had hurt greatly at the time, particularly given Rupert's behaviour as well as his own, but she had worked her way through it, with Joseph's support, and she was finally getting over it.

"About us… I know it must have hurt you when you found out about my wedding…"

"No it didn't," Clarisse said quickly, before she changed her mind- they had always been so honest with each other, and she wanted their relationship to be back to normal. "Alright, it did… very much."

"I'm really, really sorry for that, and I know that nothing will make up for the pain, anger and disappointment you suffered…"

"Thank you," Clarisse said softly, looking at her hands for a moment, still not wanting to talk about it. "Phillipe, we really don't need to talk about this…"

"I just wanted to apologise from the bottom of my heart," he said in a quiet tone, hating how unhappy his mother still seemed to be despite her protestations to the contrary, and Clarisse finally looked up and, seeing the remorseful look on his face, smiled.

"It's alright, Phillipe," she said in a wise tone. "You are my son, and children will inevitably do things that will hurt, anger and disappoint their parents… as you will inevitably find out about in the years to come," she teased gently, and he smiled sheepishly, "I will admit that both you and Pierre have done things over the years that have made me very unhappy, but I will never give up on you because of that, or stop loving you… I'm your mother," she said so quietly that Joseph had to strain to hear her.

"Thank you, Mama," Phillipe smiled, before Clarisse sighed.

"I'm just concerned that you're so young, and got so much responsibility on your shoulders…"


"You were eighteen when you married Father… and just 20 when you had Pierre," Phillipe reminded her.

"I know, but that was different," Clarisse said obstinately. "I knew I could handle anything that was thrown my way..."


But at what price, all three of them thought to themselves, knowing how much pain Clarisse had put up with over the years.

"Whatever… but I know that…but," he suddenly looked very grown up, and Clarisse knew she didn't have to worry about him- he would always do the right thing. "Thank you for your concern… I knew I could rely on you…"

"Always," Clarisse said quietly, standing up and walking over to him, before reaching out and gently touching his cheek with her hand as Joseph watched, moved, but feeling like an intruder. "Don't ever forget about that- I will always be here for you."

After a moment, Phillipe grinned at both of them.

"Do you want to see the baby now? Helen is resting at the moment, but you can see her later."


"Why else do you think I'm here?" she teased with a warm smile, and Phillipe laughed.

He led them down the hallway, before stopping in front of a large glass window, inside of which was obviously a group of cribs, and waving to a door next to it.

"The nursery's in here… let's go!"


"Do we need to scrub up?" Clarisse frowned slightly, and both Phillipe and Joseph laughed at the medical term she had tried to use.

"No, it's alright," before he opened the door and stood back to allow Clarisse and Joe through, only Joseph paused in the doorway, causing Clarisse to turn around.

"Aren't you coming in?"

"No, I don't think so- this is for you and Phillipe… but I will be watching through the window."

"Alright," Clarisse smiled before following Clarisse into the room, around the few cribs already there, to stop in front of one near the back.

"Here she is," Phillipe said softly, leaning over and picking up a tiny, pink blanketed bundle in his arms. "Sit down," he suddenly ordered, turning to her with a grin, and she looked surprised.

"Why?"


"You'll see," he smiled smugly as she slowly sank down in the only chair in the room.

"What's going…?" she began before he suddenly put the baby in her arms, startling her, but Clarisse held on firmly.

"I just thought you would like to meet Amelia," he grinned impishly at her, and Clarisse was about to respond when the little bundle moved, and she looked down, realising she was holding a baby… her granddaughter… who was looking at her very intently.

"She has your eyes," Clarisse said softly, visibly melting at the big brown eyes looking at her curiously. "And your ears," she added with a smile.
"I think she has your nose," Phillipe bent down slight, and Clarisse gave him a doubtful look.

"I don't think so- it's more like Helen's, really."


"No, no way- it's a miniature of yours- look," he insisted, and Clarisse rolled her eyes in exasperation before looking down at Amelia again, and examining her tiny nose.

"Alright, alright," she said after a moment's examination. "It does have a vague resemblance to mine…" before she leaned over and gently pressed her lips on the top of the baby's soft head.


"I told you!" Phillipe cried triumphantly, and she had to laugh at him while, outside, Joseph watched the scene with a warm smile He had been right to leave them alone, but he liked watching it from a distance… their relationship was finally beginning to heal, and it was partly because of the baby princess in Clarisse's arms… and Clarisse looked so happy to be able to tease and chat with her favourite son again.

"I always wanted a daughter," she confessed shyly. "And now I have a granddaughter."

"Yes, and she's going to be lucky to have you in her life…" and Clarisse blushed as Phillipe glanced at his watch. "Oh… Father should be here soon!"

Clarisse stiffened at the mention of Rupert- he had supposedly been with his mistress all morning…

"Did you managed to get onto him?" she asked stiffly.

"Eventually… left a message with one of his guys, and he called Phil a little while ago to say he was on his way…


"I'd better go," Clarisse said, suddenly standing up and, after kissing the baby again, loving the smell of a newborn baby, handed the baby reluctantly back to her father. "The paperwork is not going to itself!" she said in a bright tone. He didn't even ask why she was leaving so abruptly, but he didn't have to… he knew.

When she stepped back out into the hallway, Joseph stepped forward, ready to say something, before the sound of the elevator doors opening made them turn to see a group of black suited men step out, Rupert among them. Joseph could feel Clarisse stiffen beside him, before she turned and hugged Phillipe quickly- she didn't particularly want to speak to Rupert after his awful behaviour, even on the happiest day of their son's life, so she was determined to avoid him…

"I'll see you again soon, sweetheart," she said warmly. "Give my best to Helen, and your daughter…" the word sounded odd, yet lovely on her tongue. " Your daughter, Amelia is beautiful."


"Thank you," Phillipe said with a smile, and it again struck his mother how grown up her son was… and now he had a wife and family of his own…

**********************

"I know Phillipe would love know that you and Mia are just as close as you two were," Joseph concluded with a grin as they pulled up in front of the beach house.

"True… but he would be just as thrilled about you and me," she teased, unbuckling her seatbelt to slide over next to him, and slipping her hand under his jacket, stealthily unbuttoning his shirt as she rubbed her cheek against his jacket, and he chuckled as he gently took her hand.

"Are you suggesting we take up Mia's….?"

"Maybe," Clarisse almost purred. "But we're not going to say anything, are we?"

"Definitely not," he laughed as he opened the car door and stepped easily out, rejoicing in the fact that his back was fine, before turning to help her out. "Discretion is my middle name, my dear!"

"I know, except for…"

"Don't even mention that!" he said with a grin, before leading her up to the house….

00000

Mia's birthday was a week later, and while Clarisse had thought about inviting them out for lunch, they discovered that Nicholas had planned a small dinner party for her.

"Of course we'll be there," Clarisse quickly cried when Nick rang to invite them, and Joseph pretended to grumble in the background, but Clarisse knew he was only kidding- he adored Mia almost as much as Clarisse did (although Clarisse was always his number one), and he would do anything for her, something for which Clarisse would always love about him.

"You know, maybe we should get a helicopter pad installed at the beach house," Joseph commented as they drove back to Pyrus the morning of Mia's birthday. "We're travelling an awful lot these days!"

"True," Clarisse laughed ruefully. "But, you have to admit that most of our trips are worth the travelling!"

"Maybe," Joseph growled playfully in reply. "But I would like to spend some time at the beach house with you…."

"Hmm," Clarisse pretended to look perplexed, then smiled. "That sounds lovely," she stroked his cheek lovingly. "And it's what I want as well," she smiled thoughtfully, thinking about something. "You know, BJ was right about one thing…"

"How could he be right about anything… but what are you talking about?"

"That you and I are still acting like newlyweds," she giggled cheekily as he frowned at her but, restrained by their seat belts, couldn't do anything…

When they arrived at the palace, they were met by Charlotte who, to Joseph's consternation, chivvied them quickly through the palace, upstairs to their suite.

"What's going on?" he finally dared to ask when they were in the privacy of the suite, and Charlotte looked embarrassed.

"It's Nicholas's idea- apparently you two, and Helen and Patrick are surprises for Mia's birthday, and you can't be seen until tonight… Helen will be here in a couple of hours, and they'll…" she blushed slightly. "Be here with you."

"How criminal of us," Joseph murmured. "Are we going to go on the run as well?" he joked, but Clarisse was thinking of something else.

"What about Mia?"

She hadn't even spoken to her that morning- Joseph had reasoned that they would see her in a few hours, so she hadn't pressed the point.

"Nick has already conspired with Sebastian, and they're going to keep her busy all day, but they will be telling her that you both tried to get in touch with her, but couldn't get through…"

Clarisse frowned, not at all approving of the lying behind Mia's back, but Charlotte quickly interceded before she protested.

"It's not forever- just a couple of hours, and she will be so happy to see you all…"

"Okay, okay," Clarisse laughed ruefully. "I get the point- I was just worried that Mia was going to think that she was abandoned, but now that I know, I'm not going to lecture my grandson in law tonight!"

Joseph laughed at the protective note in her voice, but he could also understand it- until she was sixteen, Clarisse hadn't shared any of Mia's birthdays (and Phillipe had only had one or two), and she was determined to make it up to her now.

"I don't know whether this is such a good idea," he mumbled as he thought of spending most of the day in suite, no chance of going outside (although, he thought with a grin, he and Clarisse had spent most of their second honeymoon inside), and it was Clarisse's turn to laugh as she watched him pace, knowing that her usually active husband hated being inside unnecessarily….although there were exceptions, she thought with a grin.

"It should be only for a few hours, darling," she said soothingly, and he turned to stared at her sitting on the sofa.

"You've changed your tune!"

"I know, but I was more worried about Mia being on her own on her birthday- you just don't like being stuck in here for the rest of the day… two very different things," she pointed out, before a smile creased her features. "Besides, I know where you would go if you were allowed out of here…"

"Where?" he challenged, a flirtatious note in his voice.

"Straight down to the security room- that is, if I let you," she replied in just as flirtatious a voice, and he laughed as he sat down next to her.

"You know me too well," he sighed, and she smiled smugly at him as she rested a hand on his knee.

"You did a lot of observing over the years… so did I," she said simply, before he leaned over and kissed her.

000

Helen and Patrick arrived two hours later, and they were both looking just as confused when they followed Charlotte into the room, although they looked slightly relieved when they saw Clarisse and Joseph there.

"Welcome to our hideout!" Joe joked with a grin. "We're supposed to be non-entities until tonight!"

"I just hope Mia is alright," Helen said in a worried tone as she sat down in a chair opposite the fire place, and both Patrick and Joseph rolled their eyes and grinned at each other.

"What was that look for?" Clarisse demanded, unfortunately having intercepted the look.

"Nothing dear," Joseph said in a placating tone, but when she continued to stare at him, he knew he had to own up.

"It was just funny seeing you two so worried about Mia…"

"It's a maternal instinct," Clarisse defended herself and Helen. "You're not a mother, or grandmother, so you wouldn't know…."

The four of them whiled away the afternoon in the suite, careful not to make any unnecessary noise (especially as Mia's suite was next door, and they heard her in there several times), and it was just after five when Charlotte, accompanied by Scott, came back into the room, both dressed up.

"Are we free yet?" Joe complained- although he hid it well, he had been getting antsy, hating being cooped up… and Scott grinned, knowing that Joe was annoyed.

"Mia and Nicholas are downstairs with Sebastian and Sheila… so yes, you can go," Scott said quickly. "Her Majesty was rather concerned that neither of you had contacted her," he added as Clarisse and Helen opened their mouths. "But Nicholas told her that it was either the time difference, or you were out and about…"

"Don't you dare do that to me," Clarisse murmured as they made their way downstairs after getting changed. "But maybe you should go for a run before dinner," she teased, glancing over at him, knowing he had been growing increasingly fidgety all afternoon, and he only rolled his eyes.

"You can be just as cheeky as your granddaughter," he muttered, putting an arm around her waist and pulling her close as they walked into the dining room.

"Our granddaughter," she corrected in a hushed tone, before they saw Mia, standing with her back to them, talking to Sebastian and Sheila, both of whom were trying to keep straight faces. It was only when Joseph cleared his throat that she turned, looking confused…

"What the… oh my…. Grandma and Joe!" she shrieked loudly, causing them both to wince, and Clarisse to cover her ears with her hands. "I can't believe that you're here!" before she threw her arms around Clarisse, then Joseph.

"I think I'm deaf!" he complained when Mia pulled away, a broad grin across her face. "Why do women have to scream so loud?"

"It's just as well you don't have a hearing aid, Joe," she teased, before looking at Clarisse again. "But I can't believe it… I was beginning to wonder why you hadn't called me…."

"I'm sorry about that," Clarisse said apologetically, frowning slightly at a grinning Nicholas. "We were trapped, and only just allowed out…"

"Oh, I see," Mia said understandingly, before looking behind them and shrieking again.

"Does she always have to do that?" Joe complained again as they stepped aside so she could run to her mother.

"I'll make you an appointment for a hearing test on Monday," Clarisse said smartly into his ear, and he had to grin back at her- she was very quick when she wanted to be.

"That's the second time you've been a smarty pants… just you wait until later, madam," he breathed into her ear, and she laughed in reply.

000

The dinner was happy and fun and everyone had a great time, especially the birthday girl, who had been thrilled to have both Helen and Clarisse present, although she had pretended to pout at Nicholas for a little while when she found out they had only been a room away, much to Joseph's amusement.

"I don't know why you're sulking- you weren't the one stuck in a suite upstairs for most of the day!" he teased, and she giggled.

"Yes, you guys win on that score… but I'm glad you're here anyway…"

"So are we," Clarisse said quietly.

Aside from Helen and Clarisse, Sebastian and Sheila were also there, as well as Charlotte and Scott, and Lily and Kip Kelly.

"Most of parliament wanted to come," Nicholas pretended to look apologetic. "The only problem was that they weren't invited!"

"And they probably won't be again," Mia said decisively. "I spend enough time with them every day, and that's too much…. Not counting Charlotte or Sebastian," she added hastily, grinning over at them.

"Don't' worry, Mia," Joseph said calmly. "Clarisse put her foot down about 10 years ago about who was attending her birthdays, and no one has spoken to her since!"

"Good on Grandma!" Mia said approvingly.

After dinner, they were eating some of Mia's chocolate birthday cake (even Scott, who had complained that he had been full), when Clarisse stood up and gently tapped on her glass, drawing everyone's attention to her.

"See, Mia, that's how you get everyone's attention," she teased gently to Mia, who only laughed. "Anyway, I know Sebastian usually makes the first speech, but I just wanted to say a few words…. Most people would say that you don't need to make a toast at a 23rd birthday, but I disagree… I've only been doing this a few years, and I don't mind that I'll be doing it for a long time to come… as long as it's not in public, and I haven't had too many glasses of wine…"

Everyone burst out laughing at her joke, and Joseph felt a wave of pride- she hated making toasts or speeches that weren't prepared beforehand, but she always came up trumps with Mia…

"So… Joseph and I were talking about the day you were born a couple of days ago," she continued after a moment. "I remember that your father and I argued whether your nose was similar to mine or your mother's, and I had to agree that it looked like mine… unfortunately, I'm going to be wrong again- it's still like mine, and I can hear him saying 'I told you so!" and she paused again so that everyone could laugh again.

"I know it was difficult growing up with your father and I not in the picture," she said seriously, and Mia nodded slightly. "It was hard for us too, but… your mother," she smiled warmly at Helen. "Made the best decision possible and I'm so glad that you had a relatively normal childhood… thank you for that, Helen."

Helen blushed slightly.

"I know you wish your father could be here tonight, and so do I- just so he could see how beautiful, caring, lovely and compassionate, as well as very smart, you've grown to be- just like him…" Clarisse swallowed hard, tears beginning to fill her eyes.

"He would be so proud of you, and how you've lived your life… you've had so many challenges in the past 7 years, but you've cleared them all…."

"With your help," Mia whispered softly.

"But now… you're Queen of Genovia, married and happy… and I'm so proud of you, my granddaughter… and I always will be…. To Amelia!"

"To Amelia!" everyone echoed, raising their glasses to Mia, who was crying, and she smiled, before she stood up and walked around to Clarisse.

"Thank you Grandma… I love you," she said simply.

"I love you too, always have and always will, "Clarisse said softly, still trying not to cry, before they hugged, tightly...as, for a moment, Clarisse thought she could hear Phillipe saying…. 'I told you so…'