A Son For A King II: A Family Dynasty
In A Series Of Words and Paper
"Oh mama I can't wait until we leave for Chicago tomorrow!" beamed Jasmyna, "Is daddy still coming with us?"
"He said that he should be able to now, baby." Tiana closed her traveling chest. "Do you have all your things packed?"
"Yes, Helina helped me with everything after my studies."
Just last night Naveen announced to the family that he would be able to join them on their trip to Chicago. Since he got word that two of his most important allies returned on his favor and with the country being heavily secured he felt comfortable enough to leave for the month that was required to leave. And he wanted to see his wife honoured as he was very proud of all of her accomplishments outside of her little bubble as a wife, mother and queen, but if something were to happen to his kingdom there would be no way of stopping him from returning and Tiana knew and understood this possible turn in events. She only hoped it wouldn't that far.
"Oh mama this will be the best holiday ever! I can see it now! Chicago! One of the best cities in the world. Home of the—
"The hotdog without ketchup!" James added.
"I was going to say the 'Windy City' instead," said the princess.
Tiana shook her head at her two oldest children. "Why don't you two come with me to see if the twins are done packing. Their poor nanny is gong to be having that baby any day now, and I'm sure she'll be pleased with the help," She got up and started out the room.
"You think papa is going to go to his physical appointment today?" asked Jasmyna, walking beside her mother.
"I think he will." Tiana answered.
The princess shrugged her shoulders. "I don't see the big deal with him being afraid of needles."
"Because they hurt?" James laughed.
"Oh, that's right. You're afraid of needles, too!" teased Jasmyna.
Tiana opened the door to the twin's nursery to see the boys packing toys into their trunks while their nanny was seated, rubbing her full belly.
She nodded at the pregnant woman before checking on her sons. "You boys packed enough warm clothes? It's a little cooler in Chicago in the autumn season."
"I have! Dhimani packed most of his toys!" Doji tattled.
"I've packed all of my warm clothes, mama! It's Doji who put his toy trains in his trunk." Dhimani tattled in return.
"Chicago has plenty of trains, Doji. We'll be riding on one to our destination!" Tiana smiled.
Doji's eyes widen in excitement. "Really?"
"Mm-hmm and there would be plenty more. So try to pack more clothes instead. I'd think you would rather save some space for your new toys," she said with a wink.
"New toys? What kind of toys do they have in Chicago, mama?" Both Dhimani and Doji asked, enthused.
Tiana laughed. "We'll just have to find out once we get there," she turned to James, "Baby why don't you go check on your brother—
"Here I am, mama." Domenic smiled. "I heard Dhimani and Doji all the way down the hall."
"Mama said that we're going to be getting new toys while in Chicago! Isn't that achidonza?" asked an excited Dhimani.
"I suppose, but I'm looking forward to visiting the museums! I was thinking we could visit the art and field museums first and then—
"Museums are so boring," Jasmyna rolled her eyes. "And if that's all we're going to see in Chicago then it will be no different than boring old Maldonia."
"And what makes you think you know all about what's boring and what isn't?" asked Tiana, who had a raised eyebrow.
James snorted, leaning against one of the dressers. "That's because she doesn't."
"Oh, shut up, James," Jasmyna rolled her eyes.
"Jasmyna…," warned Tiana.
The princess saw the stern look her mother was giving her and hung her head low, "I'm sorry, mama."
"It's alright, baby." Tiana tried to reassure the young princess, "But you need to really give everyone's activities a chance. We're going to be visiting all the shopping stores on State Street! You know you love the wear the latest in fashion!"
Jasmyna looked up at her mother with brighten eyes, "Really mama?"
"Mm-hmm." Tiana nodded. "Just wait and you'll—
Doji screamed out of fear, running over to his mother.
"What is it?" Tiana asked, growing concern.
The prince pointed at the eight-legged creature, "A spider! Mama! Kill it!" he cried.
Tiana saw the spider on the glass of the window, "Oh, it won't hurt you. They're after the bugs that are hiding here," She gently raised the window and the eight legged creature crawled outside, "See?", she then closed the window. "All better."
The boy hugged his mother, relieved. "Thanks mama."
Tiana returned the hug and kissed him on top of the head.
Dhimani laughed. "Ha! Doji is scaredy cat!"
"Don't laugh too hard, Dhimani," Domenic said with a smirk, "You're afraid of rabbits."
"I am not!"
"Yes you are!"
"No I'm not!"
"Yes, you are!"
"Boys!" Tiana stopped them, with a warning glare. "Cut it out."
"Yes mama." They both said.
()()()()
Naveen grunted in annoyance as he left the conference room with his valets Phillip and Duncan.
"I really need a drink," he said.
"Not before your appointment, sire!" reminded Duncan.
The king grunted again, increasing his pace.
"It is very important. Her highness pressed on it with us this morning." Duncan tried to keep up with the two younger men before him.
Naveen had to laugh at that as he stopped near the doctor's office. "How can you let a little woman like her scare you two?"
"Because she's your wife" Phillip laughed.
"And not to mention the queen of Maldonia!" Added Duncan.
"The woman may be small, but she will chew you out if you defy her," Phillip remembered his last failed attempt at trying to fool her with a day off so that he could get one just weeks before.
"That's my wife," Naveen smiled proudly. "Alright I'll go, but if 'Stripes' try to insert any needles in me. He's a dead man," he joked as he opened the door to the doctor's office.
"Dr. Lombardi?" Naveen sternly called out the man name.
The salt and pepper haired doctor looked up from his work at his desk before quickly standing, bowing. "You're highness! You've finally made it!"
"Yes, and I will like to get this over it with. I have some things to do," he said, not caring about the man.
"And I will try to make this very quick, you're majesty." The doctor bowed again, hating to have to do such a gesture to the one man he hate. "Have a seat on the table, will you?"
Naveen waved for his valets to leave before taking a seat on the table as instructed.
"So what do you want to know, doc?"
"Actually…," Dr. Lombardi smiled, holding the king's paperwork. "…according to your records you've already gotten all your vaccinations for the year so this will certainly be quick."
"Good." Naveen started to get off but the doctor stopped him,
"I still have to check you up. Now if you would change—
"Why should I change when I got all of my shots?" The king challenged.
Dr. Lombardi made sure to turn from the king's view before rolling his eyes. The man was just as difficult as Dr. Serpero told him he'd be. Then an idea suddenly came to mind.
"Her majesty spoken with me on fertility."
That caught Naveen's attention, "And…?"
"She seems to have mixed feelings over it," He picked up Tiana's information, taking out her birth control sheet.
Naveen frowned, getting off of the table. "What do you mean mixed feelings? What exactly did she tell you?"
The doctor smirked before facing the king. "She has her concerns," he walked over to the king and purposely dropped the sheet of paper which fell right in front of Naveen's feet.
Curiously, he picked it up and began reading the information.
Dr. Lombardi saw the way his patient's expression changed from arrogance to anger within seconds. He tried to pretend that he was concern despite being pleased by what he witnessed. "I'm sorry your highness, but you weren't suppose to see that—
"What the hell kind of a sick game is this?" Naveen furiously walked over to the doctor with clenched fists.
Dr. Lombardi now regretted his scheme as he saw the fuming king walking towards him with the crumbled paper. "Her highness wanted to use birth control for her own purposes, you're majesty—
"And you let her take them without my permission?" He asked his anger at an all time high.
"She's been using birth control way before I came here. In fact, she's been using it for nearly five years!" He confessed, also trying to save his own self from a possible royal beating.
Naveen stopped a few steps before the doctor as his heart stopped at the realization. Could Tiana have been deceiving him all this time? Shaking his head he took a step back. "No, she wouldn't lie about this."
The doctor was relieved to get off the king's punching bag list for now, but knew he would still be scorned for supporting the secret.
Naveen took a deep inhale and exhale as he tried to control how apoplectic he was becoming. He really need to face her with a clear head.
"Is there anything I can do for you—
"You can go straight to hell," Naveen swiftly opening the door, the impact caused the knob to crush a deep hole into the wall. He didn't know where his wife was, but at this very moment he wanted to confront her on this ugly secret she's kept from him for the past five years.
"Tiana!"
()()()()