A/N: Thanks for the review, but one reviewer caught my attention…Tonisaqt. I never really thought about the whole sewer thing(even though the 'baby' really wasn't a 'baby' yet), but it did make me feel sick in the stomach for about 30 seconds. Thanks a lot. lol. Oh, and there's mostly fluff in this chapter...think of it as the intermission of this entire story. Just a warning. lol. Enjoy and review!

Queen of Maldonia II

Strumming My Love In The Moonlight

Tiana stretched on the royal bed after hearing noises from the closet. She sat up and noticed that Naveen wasn't on the bed sleeping, but his lamp was turned on from his nightstand. Looking over at the window she saw the moon beaming bright in the night sky. It was still night out.

"Three forty-five in the morning?" Tiana asked herself, looking at the golden clock on the wall.

"Sorry for waking you." Naveen said, walking out the closet with his ukulele.

Since learning of the miscarriage Naveen has been back to himself and very supportive, to even canceling some local and all out of country appearances. His sternness was even gone, it was as if the Naveen she fell inlove with returned, but for how long is the question? Since it's only been several hours since learning of the devastating news.

"Since you are up…" He got on the bed and under the covers. "It's been a while since I've played my Annabella."

Tiana smiled. Annabella was the name her husband gave to the ukulele.

As he strummed the instrument, memories of their short marital life in New Orleans came to mind. She always wondered what life would be like if Kabir was still alive. Would their lives be as crazy as it is now? It probably would with all the racism, judging and there's the constant flirting her husband would be getting from the women customers. Not that she minded it since it brought in more customers. Then she thought about raising their children in the crescent city and how different their lives would be. James wouldn't be as bratty as he is and A'lia wouldn't have to worry about football (soccer). She would be more interested in baseball…

Naveen's voice brought her back to reality. Queen of three nations Maldonia, Giodonia and most of Theodonia, a mother of two and a wife to a powerful and respectful king. She never thought her life would be as crazy and hectic as this.

She smiled as she listened to Naveen singing Ma Belle Evangeline in Maldonian, and instead of saying Evangeline, he used her name in the song instead. It was always a privilege to hear her husband sing because he rarely did it.

As he sang with his eyes closed. She thought, 'He is such a beautiful man' His pajama shirt was open so she saw his very toned chest and abdominal, with a little hair just to make him more real...He was indeed the perfect man.

After Naveen strummed the final string he looked at his wife for approval. "So, how was it?"

"Beautiful." Tiana answered, smiling.

Naveen raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I can make the strings a little tighter-

"It's perfect. Don't change a thing about it…Even if its almost four in the morning."

Naveen laughed a little. "It is early" He scratched the back of his head. "I don't know why, but I woke up with this sudden urge to play this." He held the instrument. "It's been a while, you know…"

Tiana nodded her head.

"Oh how I missed my Annabella." He kissed the instrument.

"I'm glad you two found each other again." The young queen said.

Naveen smiled, laying his ukulele on the nightstand before turning off his lamp. The moonlight was shining through the bedroom window, making the suite very visible. He also noticed some the light shining on his wife, as if a halo glowed around her. Naveen was amazed.

"So beautiful." He said, mesmerized by her beauty.

Tiana saw the look in her husband's eyes. Noticing the love and lust in them.

The king took one of his wife's hands and kissed it.

Tiana put her other hand on her husband's smooth freshly shaved face, caressing it.

He kissed that hand with his eyes never leaving hers.

"You're so beautiful." Naveen said, slowly inching his face to Tiana's before pressing his lips onto hers. He used his arm to pull her closer to him.

She wrapped her arms over her husband's shoulders making her way on him, her nightgown raising up on her thighs.

Losing his balance, Naveen and Tiana fell onto their pillows. They looked at one another before returning to their kissing bliss. Naveen took off his pajama shirt before resting one hand on Tiana's waist and the other on her thigh. Tiana slowly pulled back from the kiss. Both breathing heavily.

Naveen looked up at his wife and saw the passion in her eyes. The moonlight really lit up the room, making it very easy for them to see each other.

"Let's make another baby…I'm ready." He said, now with both hands rubbing up and down her thighs.

Tiana lowered her face down to Naveen's. A moan escaped from his mouth. "Mmm…Tiana."

She put her finger over his lips as she rose up, feeling how ready he was under her. Her lips touched his left cheek. Naveen closed his eyes as Tiana kissed his right cheek.

"Mmm." He moaned as she kissed down his toned chest. "Tiana…"

She kissed down his six pack abs until Naveen stopped her.

"Tiana, come here." He said.

She did just that, laying beside him with a questioning look. "What is it?"

He cupped her face in his hands. "Let me take care of you." And kissed her lips.

"Mmm...But I want to take care of you…" Tiana's eyes rolled in the back of her head as she felt Naveen's lips on her neck. She was now under him.

"No…you've done enough of caring for me. Let me give you what you deserve. All of me." Naveen said, kissing down her breastbone. "But something is in the way." He slipped off her gown, pleased at what was underneath. "Yes, you need me to care…" He rubbed the sides of her waist "…for every inch…" He kissed down her breasts "…of this beautiful…" Then her abdominal. "…body."

Chills ran going down Tiana's spine with every kiss...

()()()()

Later that day...

Tiana was fixing up her hair. She thought about cutting it but decided to grow it back out. It was in finger waves in the front with the back of the hair in a bun.

Naveen walked back in from the balcony, straight over to his wife. Wrapping his arms around her.

"Mi beautiful benita…" He whispered, kissing her on the earlobe.

Tiana smiled. Having her husband's arms around her always felt good. "What time is it?"

"Ten thirty." Naveen answered, looking down at his watch.

Tiana widen her eyes. "It's that late?" She looked over at the clock. "Then why does this clock on the wall say it's only eight thirty?"

"I already made note for no interruptions." Naveen said, changing the subject. He changed the time just before Tiana woke up. "Don't worry. We will spend our entire day together; we deserve it."

"Where are we going?" Asked Tiana, letting him off this time.

"I'll let you guess where…" Naveen walked over to his nightstand, opening the drawer. Taking out a box. "Here." He handed it over to her.

"What is this?"

"Just open it." Naveen smiled.

Tiana opened the box and gasped at what she saw. "Naveen!"

He laughed. "I was going to give this to you for Christmas, but I decided that with it snowing why not give it to you now."

"It's snowing?" Tiana frowned, looking out the window. "How much is this worth? What kind of diamond…is this a black diamond? I never heard of a black diamond, or jem? What is this?"

Naveen always loved her reactions to his gifts. They were cute. "It's a black and white diamond ring. This particular black diamond was made in central Africa. It's what you're going to be wearing at the royal ball next month."

She blinked. "Next month?"

"Yes. I've told you about the royal ball."

"I can't go…I'm going to New Orleans." Tiana said.

Naveen groaned. "Tiana I need you at the royal ball. We are the king and queen of Maldonia correct?"

"I'm sorry but I can't go. I already been away from my restaurant long enough, and I can always go to the next royal ball in the spring." Tiana explained.

Naveen sighed, taking the ring. "Let me see your left hand."

She put out her hand for Naveen to slip the jewelry on her ring finger. "See how beautiful this ring look on your finger? Even with your wedding ring? Do you not want women to be green with envy at the sight of this?"

"Naveen..."

"And do you know how much this ring cost?" He said, easing his lips on her neck.

"Don't make me feel bad. You know I have a restaurant to look after." Tiana said.

"But you also have a duty here…as the queen of Maldonia?" Naven reminded her.

Tiana playfully rolled her eyes.

"Don't roll those brown eyes at me." He kissed her hand. "Please join me at the ball and you can leave for New Orleans the day after. In fact, I will like to join you and the children."

Tiana gave her husband a kiss. "I'll think about it." She went over to the doors.

Naveen followed her, putting his hand over the door she was about to open. "Thinking about it means a polite no and I will not take any of that." He wrapped his arms around her. "It's either yes, or…yes."

Tiana sighed. "Why are you making such a big deal over this? There are two royal balls a year. Missing one of them won't hurt."

Naveen rested his hand on her tummy. "But I would love for my expecting wife to accompany me."

"I'm not pregnant yet and I'm sure you can manage without me. You've done so on your out of town trips."

"Then I will have no other choice but to lock you in this room until I get a yes from you." Naveen demanded.

Tiana laughed. "That's against the law!"

"Not if a king is locking his wife for his own pleasure." Naveen picked her up.

"Oh so since you're a king you can do whatever you want, how ever you want to me? Your wife?"

"Pretty much." Naveen sat her on the bed. "If I can't get you to say yes while speaking then I guess I should hear it along with you moaning my name."

Tiana laughed as her husband's lips attacked her neck. "Why can't you be the romantic husband I got to see earlier this morning?"

"He can return. Once you say yes to joining me at the royal ball...and perhaps my romance was simply caused by the moonlight?"

Tiana crossed her legs. "I can't go to the royal ball."

Naveen used his own leg to get between hers. "Then I will panza you up until you say yes..."

A knock was heard at the door.

The king groaned. "I'll be right back" He walked over to the doors. "I thought I said no interruptions…" He stopped when he saw James at the door. "James I thought you were in studies?"

"Where's mama?" He asked.

Tiana sat up, seeing her son look upset. "James baby. What's wrong?"

The prince ran over to his mother, hugging her. "I don't feel so good."

Tiana checked his forehead. "Oh my goodness you're running a fever."

"My lungs hurt again." He whined, rubbing his eyes.

Naveen pressed the intercom. "Have the a doctor come in James' room now."

()()()()

In James' room

"He has a head cold, but I would like for him to stay in bed until its gone." Ordered the doctor.

Naveen look over at his sleeping son. "So he doesn't have the pneumonia?"

"No, but as a precaution from his last cold that led to it I recommend that he stays in bed."

Tiana kissed her son on the forehead. "You'll be okay baby."

Naveen sighed as a helper stood outside the door.

"Your highness. Baron Amaya just arrived in your office."

"I'll be there in a minute." The king said before walking over to his wife and son. "I won't be long." He kissed Tiana on the cheek. "And I will see you later." He kissed James on top of the head before leaving the room.

"If there is anything else you need. Just buzz me." The doctor said.

"Thank you. Tiana nodded her head.

Once the king made it to his office he found the baron standing by the desk.

"Good morning." Naveen said, closing the door.

"Good morning." Eduardo responded. "My apologies for interrupting-

"Oh, no." Naveen said, cutting him off.

The Baron nodded his head. "I like to thank you for having me stay. With everything that happened-

"It's fine. I read everything between you and my wife wrong. Making myself look like a fool." Naveen admitted, approaching his friend.

Eduardo smiled. "Again, I greatly appreciate everything you've done for me. Our friendship means a lot to me and I my apologies for causing any trouble between you and Tiana."

"Our friendship means a lot to me as well. And if anyone needs to apologize its me." Naveen extended out his hand.

The Baron shook it. "Thank you, my friend."

Naveen nodded his head. "You can stay here for as long as you want. Besides the school I know you still have some unfinished business here."

"Thank you." Eduardo said. "But there is something that I would like to share with you…about the royal ball."

"What about it?"

"I got a letter from my half brother." He handed it over to Naveen. "He may show up."

"Alberto?" Naveen raised an eyebrow, reading the note.

"He calls himself Albert now."

Naveen sighed after reading the note. "Faldi faldonza."

"I know you two aren't the best of friends. And you know how I feel about him."

"Alberto has always been…different. For as long as I known him."

"Let's hope he doesn't come with trouble." Said Eduardo.

"He knows what will happen if he tries anything." Naveen said.

"Well, I should find a coat to wear in this odd weather." The baron laughed a little.

"Autumn snow is very common in Maldonia. I thought you knew of this?" Naveen said with a smile.

"It's been too long since I can remember." Said Eduardo, opening the door. "Enjoy your snowy day my friend."

"I will." Naveen responded as he sat at his desk with the letter still in his hand. The last person he wanted to attend his royal ball was Alberto Amaya…who is one of his worse enemies.

()()()()