Tiana walked up the pathway to her home after a long day at Ray's Zydeco Shack. She was only there for a couple of hours, but the unbearable humidity and rowdy customers made the day feel a lot longer. All she wanted to do was bathe and read her cookbooks for the rest of the afternoon.

She stopped by her flower bed to admire her freshly planted poppies when she noticed a basket covered with a large white handkerchief tucked away in the back. After taking a few quick glances to see if anyone was watching, she grabbed the basket and uncovered it, revealing many savory treats. There were different types of expensive cheese, loaves of French baguettes, fresh fruit, and a bottle of…Maldonian wine?

"Naveen…" she said under her breath. Attached to the wine bottle was a note, which confirmed her suspensions of the sender of the mystery basket. She read it aloud.

A few delicacies for someone who is just as delicate.

Naveen

Tiana hid the note in her bra as she carried the basket to the door. She felt her head spinning as she opened the front door and ran up the stairs. "Madame Reynaud!"

Tiana heard her name and stopped and turned around. "What is it Betty?" she asked feeling on edge

"I think it's best if you come back down the stairs, first." She did just that.

"Yes?" said Tiana

"Madame LaBouff-Ingram and the rest of your friends are waiting for you in the parlor room."

Tiana's eyes widened. "What do you mean? Why are they here?" her heart was pounding fast

"Your bridal shower is today. Mademoiselle Violet said that you knew about this for weeks…" said a confused Betty "I see that you bought some appetizers!" referring to the basket

Tiana began to feel lightheaded with anger. "She set this up, didn't she?"

"Indeed. She told everyone else that it was a surprise, but she said that you knew…you had no idea about this did you?"

Tiana shook her head. "Please tell them to leave." She turned to walk to her bedroom

"Madame they have been waiting for over an hour, your daily visits with your mother are usually shorter."

Tiana closed her eyes "Fine, I just have to take a shower and get freshened up first."

"No time!" said Betty "They have been waiting forever."

Tiana ignored the older woman as she went into her room to change.


"Tia those shoes are to die for!" exclaimed Charlotte as her friend opened her gifts. The bridal shower was beginning to become a gathering filled with constant 'oohs and aahs' from many women who obviously didn't get out of the house much.

Tiana smiled at the red shoes "I love the color."

Although she didn't know anything about the shower and was furious with Violet for planning one, Tiana was grateful for all of the nice gifts. She was also surprised that Mary and Ida showed up, maybe it was the quiche that changed their minds about her.

"Pumps are becoming taller and taller by the years! Next thing you know people will be buying six inches." said Mary

"Whoever walks in those without falling is brave." agreed Georgia, one of Tiana's childhood friends

"That color is lovely." said Violet "I heard that many burlesque dancers are wearing red now."

"Oh Tia open the pink bag by the table!" said Charlotte ignoring the mean-spirited blonde

Tiana grabbed the bag and opened it, revealing a see through teddy. All of the women let out different expressions.

"I borrowed your measurements from Ms. Eudora so that it will fit you perfectly. Don't worry I didn't tell her what it was for!"

"It's gorgeous Charlotte." complemented Frida "Where did you get it?"

"I had it shipped from a boutique in Chicago." Charlotte looked at her friend "Isn't it the bee's knees Tia?"

Tiana didn't know what to say, she had never wore anything quite like this let alone receive a gift that was so…personal.

"Oh Lottie it's swell. I'm just not used to receiving something this…revealing." She explained

Georgia snorted. "Really Tiana? Come on it's the twenties! There are many women embracing their sexuality for themselves…not just for their husbands either."

All of the women agreed.

"Listen, you can just wear it for you! Admire yourself in the mirror, Vincent doesn't even have to see it…although he might! You have the most perfect shape." added Ida

"Exactly, we don't always have to pleasure men at the drop of a hat! Thank God that we finally have the right to vote."

"Women have rights too!" said Frida

"Tiana you should come to the Women's Suffrage meetings with Frida and me. I believe they will help you loosen up about becoming a sexual being." said Mary

"By the way this wine is making me feel, I don't think Tiana needs any help in that department." laughed Georgia. "Girl what is the name of this brand by the way?"

Charlotte grabbed the bottle "Ganja…? What on earth."

"It's from Maldonia." Tiana felt her stomach do summersaults. "Thank you Lottie for my gift."

"Anything for my sister! With you wearing that teddy, I'll be an Auntie in no time!" everyone laughed

Tiana didn't not want to discuss children with Vincent so she decided to change the subject. "Does anyone want a slice of chess pie?"

"Oh sit down Tiana you haven't even opened the rest of your gifts." pointed out Violet

Tiana shot the woman a defying look. "I take it that you would prefer a slice of devil's food chocolate cake instead, Violet?"

All of the women desperately tried to hold in their giggles.

The blonde frowned at the comment. "Chess pie is fine."

Tiana smirked as she went into the kitchen to serve the dessert.


After walking everyone to the door and helping Betty clean up, Tiana went up into her bedroom and ran a cold bath. It was much needed after a long day filled with unwanted surprises.

As she lingered in the cool water, she thought about what happened a few days ago at Naveen's place. What almost happened? Why did she follow him out of the backyard? What would've happened if his valet didn't walk in when he did?

There were so many questions that even she couldn't answer, at least not at the moment. She thought about how she felt in his arms, his gentle touches, those passionate kisses made her shiver in bliss. Or was it just the cold bath water?

She quickly washed herself with a bar of soap and wrapped a towel around her body as she got out of the bathtub. As she rubbed her vanilla scented body crème on her legs, Naveen's face popped into her head. She smiled as she slipped on her emerald green nightgown and grabbed the note that was tucked away in her jewelry box from earlier that day. She read the short sentence over and over again blushing at the simple yet sweet words.

"Why do I feel this way about him?" she whispered as she put the note back under the jewelry box and climbed into bed.

A tear fell down her face as she picked up her French cuisine book and began reading where she left off. "I can't let this get to me…"

"You can't let what get to you?" said a familiar voice

Tiana almost jumped through her skin as she wiped her face. She sighed when she realized that it was just Vincent.

"Oh nothing, I was just referring to a recipe that I lost a while back…I wanted to use it one day." she lied

Vincent frowned. "Well, it's nothing to cry about." he placed his briefcase on the bed

Tiana rolled her eyes. "I thought you wouldn't be home for another three days."

"A little disappointed are we?" he got up to take his suit off "The case didn't take as long as expected, the suspect ended up confessing…the end resulted in another victory for me."

Tiana nodded her head. She was happy that he didn't lose the case or else his mood would have been fiery.

"That's swell." she replied as she flipped through her cookbook

"Indeed, that's why I want to move the wedding back a month."

Tiana's eyes widened. "What?"

"I know that we have been planning to be wed this month, but with the John Hawkins trial I'm completely inaccessible until late July."

Tiana froze, she didn't know what to think…was this a sign?

"I understand. Take all the time you need." she attempted to muster up a weak smile

Vincent caressed her cheek "I know how much you wanted to be a June bride."

Tiana shrugged her shoulders "Whatever works for you…"

He smiled as he went into the bathroom for a shower. As soon as she heard the water, she shot up from the bed to her vanity table and retrieved her note from Naveen and placed it against her chest.

"Why is this happening to me?" she said to herself in the mirror


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