Title: My Blessing

Summary: Joseph brings both Mia and Clarisse home to meet his Family.

Eliza admiringly looked over Clarisse. "I trust that he's telling me the truth: That you make him happy..." Eliza fiddled with her left hand before slowly pulling the ring off of her finger- diamonds glittered around the big stone in the center. "The ring his father gave me… I want you to have it- to wear it…"

Disclaimer: I do not own Princess Diaries, nor do I own Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, I also do not own any of the Cast members. They belong to Meg Cabot and Disney & all of the other respectful owners. I do however own my writing, so please don't steal Johanna-002©.

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-01-

"Grandma," Mia said softly, "What were your parents like?"

Clarisse looked down towards her. Currently the both of them were curled up in her suite, on the couch. Mia's head was in her lap while Clarisse's fingers threaded and massaged through her hair.

"Why do you ask?"

Mia shrugged, closing her eyes at the feel of Clarisse's hands. "Curious."

"They were… cold." Clarisse said thoughtfully. "They made me do a lot of things I didn't want to do."

"Like marriage?" Mia inquired quietly.

Clarisse nodded. "Like marriage. I was nineteen when Rupert and I wed. I was betrothed to him from day one."

"Oh, Grandma," Mia cooed. "How sad. So, you never had a teenage experience? Never got to go on dates and to parties?"

"One story at a time," Clarisse said quietly. "My dad was very strict. He was the one who arranged for me to be wed to the crown prince. My mother, she was very distant. I honestly believe after my birth, she suffered from postpartum depression."

"Why didn't she get help?"

"Well in those times people could not simply reach out and get help for such a thing."

Mia shuddered. "So… Did you ever rebel?"

Clarisse smirked coyly. "Yes, on many occasions, yes,"

"No way!"

"You wouldn't believe this," Clarisse began with a smile, "but, what if I told you that in another life I had met Joseph?"

"Grandma…" Mia said with a questioning gaze upwards.

"Many years ago, Joseph was in the United States Army." Clarisse began as she ran a hand through her own hair. "He was stationed in Europe. He and some friends managed to find themselves in Genovia and that night I had the lucky privilege of meeting him at a bar-"

"A bar?" Mia squeaked as she sat up, "You went to a bar? Grandma you are so bad ass!"

"Who's a bad ass?" Joseph asked upon walking into the suite he now shared with Clarisse.

"Apparently grandma," Mia exclaimed with a smile. "I ask her about her parents and I get a surprise story about how you two actually met in a bar."

Joseph smiled, "Ah yes, she was wearing a gray dress- very low cut and very short, black high heels, and she had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen."

"Aww, honey" Clarisse smiled up at him, touching his cheek with her palm. He was leaning over the back of the couch. Joseph smiled down at her before placing a light kiss to her lips.

"Grandpa!" Mia shouted. "I want to hear the rest of the story, so if you please, take your lips off my grandmother."

Joseph smiled, placing another kiss on Clarisse's lips before taking a seat in the chair across from them.

Clarisse grinned, "Actually, we'll continue the story at another time. All this talk about parents has made me curious, Joseph, what we're your parents like?"

"Grandma, no fair!" Mia exclaimed with a huff.

"That's for interrupting a perfectly good kiss." Clarisse retaliated.

Crossing her arms, Mia lied back down, her head in Clarisse's lap, and looked over expectantly at Joe.

"Well," Mia huffed, "On with it. What were your parents like?"

"Hmm," Joseph pondered. "My dad died when I was eight, but he used to play the guitar and he worked as a police officer in Texas."

"The country, I didn't know you were a southern boy?" Mia exclaimed with a giggle. "I figured you were from Washington."

"No, born and raised in Texas. My mom used to sing in bars and grab gigs at parties and such. She does still sing occasionally. She's a retired nurse, so she has quite a bit of time on her hands."

"How old is your mom?" Clarisse asked. Her parents would have been in their late eighty's had they still been alive.

"Seventy-five," Joseph answered. "My dad would have been Seventy-seven."

"They we're young," Mia commented, referring to the fifteen and seventeen year age difference between Joseph and his parents.

"Yes they were. That's why my father joined the police academy. He had a family to think about."

"How many siblings do you have?" Mia questioned. Joseph didn't talk much about his family, other than his mother and his daughter. "I know you have a niece so…"

"A sister," Joseph said with a smile. "Dalia, her daughter's name is Lucita."

"Your family should visit, Grandpa!" Mia exclaimed. "It would be so fun."

"That's actually my reason for coming into the room," Joseph replied sitting up, turning his attention to Clarisse. "My mother called, Clarisse, and she wanted to know if sometime soon, if we could manage a trip out to Texas to see her. She really wants to meet you."

"What about me?" Mia asked hopeful.

"She'd like to meet you too, Mia, and I am sure you and Lucita will get along despite the fourteen year age difference."

Mia looked to her grandmother. "Can we fly out to meet her grandma… please?"

"Honey, I have no misconceptions about going to meet her." Clarisse reassured. "My problem lies with you and parliament. How are you supposed to do your duties while on Vacation?"

"I'll cancel the meetings." Mia suggested. "I'll tell them my mom is sick and that I have to fly home."

Clarisse glared at her.

"It's not a lie!" Mia exclaimed. "My mom is sick… with the flu…"

Clarisse sighed, "I don't condone lying Mia, especially when it comes to parliament." She looked up, silently conversing with Joseph before turning her attention to Mia once more. "But, it's important to Joseph, and to me, and we should take the time out of this hectic life to see his family… so yes, yes you may cancel your meetings with parliament and join us on our trip to visit with his mother."

Mia squealed. "When are we leaving Grandpa?"

Joe chuckled. He was a bit surprised that Clarisse had so easily let Mia cancel Parliament but, there were many things he had learned about Clarisse that had surprised him.

"I'll call my mother later to night." He promised.

Author's note: A re-write of my 'Welcome to the family story'. I decided to change the concept- Clarisse is wanting Mama's approval! I also wanted to keep some (Imaginary) facts: Joseph's first marriage and his daughter (Building Bridges). Please review; let me know what you think and I'll have the next chapter up soon.