The Thrill Of It All II

A Bittersweet Meeting Pt 2

Everything happened so fast after the kiss. They had to leave right away for the evening departure which meant that if Jacques were to arrive back at the Montreuil Estate by dinner then he would most likely see the ship taking off without even realizing that she was on it.

Tiana's heart raced in anticipation as the ship moved further and further away from the sights of New Orleans. Still afraid that a police officer would take her son away so she held on to Daniel, who too watched the only home he knew disappear further and further away from him.

Naveen watched the two, pitying and envying them. Pitying that this nightmare won't be over until they hit Maldonian soil and envy simply because of their bond as mother and son. He wished with all his heart that Daniel was his and in a way he still felt that he was.

"Mama will we ever go back to New Orleans?" asked the young boy.

"I don't think so," Tiana answered.

"Does that mean we won't see daddy again?" he asked, sadly.

"Are you hungry? Because I am!" Tiana changed the subject.

"No, thank you," said the boy. "I want daddy."

Naveen looked over at Tiana who in return shook her head. He didn't understand the meaning and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I am," she answered. "Its Daniel who I'm concerned about."

"He'll be alright once we get home," Naveen said. "Sure the adjustment will be difficult, but he will do well. He's a very bright boy."

"That he is," Tiana agreed.

"Do you regret your decision?" he asked.

"Not at all," Tiana answered.

Naveen noticed the boy asleep in his lover's arms. "Would you two like to rest? This is going to be a four to five day trip."

She shook her head. "I'll lay him down. I'm not tired."

Naveen could see in her eyes that she was lying. "Alright. Let's go in the suite."

Tiana handed him the boy and walked along side him, noticing the lack of people in the ship. "Where's the rest of the people?"

"We're the only residents," he said. "Besides the staff."

"Wait, we're the only residents?" she raised a brow at him. "Did you buy your own ship?"

Naveen laughed at her inquiry. "Here's our suite," he opened the door.

"Naveen!" Tiana said.

"You want to order room service?" he asked with a small smile.

"Naveen!" she repeated.

He put the sleeping boy on his bed before taking Tiana's hand and walking to another room. " I rented this ship with the help Charlotte." he thought about the man who flat out refused to serve any 'darkie'. "My royal ships in Maldonia is much bigger and the rooms are triple the size of this one."

"That had to cost a fortune."

"Penny change for me, mi benita," Naveen brought her in his arms. "Now, about the room service."

She felt her stomach growl before kissing him. "Room service it is!"

()()()()

With Daniel and Max sleeping in the next room over both Naveen and Tiana remained in the room, both full from their dinner.

"I was surprised by how much you ate," Naveen teased.

Tiana rolled her eyes. "I didn't eat at all today and without having Florence or Jacques behind my back watching everything I put I my mouth I felt free." She playfully rolled her eyes at the untouched slice of wildberry pie. "Even though I know that my cooking would've been a tad bit better."

"Oh I believe you, mi benita," Naveen kissed her hand.

Tiana yawned.

"Tired?" Naveen asked.

"Mmhm and happy," she closed her eyes without a care in the world.

That was until...

"So you tried to leave me again?"

Tiana opened her eyes to see a furious Jacques standing by the foot of her head. She gasped, noticing Naveen laying unconscious on a nearby lounge chair. "Naveen? What did you do to him?"

Jacques laughed darkly. "I had my men slash his throat."

Tiana got out of the bed only to have her husband grabbing a hold of her hair. She screamed as he pushed her on the bed.

Jacques laughed again. "You know what? I feel like fucking me a whore tonight!" He jumped on the bed.

Tiana screamed as he pinned her arms down with one hand. Her legs felt heavy as she tried fighting his hand from pulling off her undergarment.

But Jacques was too strong and quickly removed her undergarments without any struggle. He laughed some more as he positioned himself between her legs. "Ready for more you little black whore?"

"Get off of me!" she cried and turned to see her dead lover on the lounge chair.

"Yes, look at him," Jacques whispered in her ear. "Look at your dead Maldonian lover while I'm fucking your brains out," he entered her roughly...

"Tiana! Tiana! Wake up!" Naveen shook Tiana out of her sleep.

"What?" Tiana opened her eyes to see a concerned Naveen staring at her. "Where am I?" she was dismayed. "Naveen?"

He saw how shaken up she was and knew what the dream was about. "You're safe here with me."

Tiana realized that she was having a nightmare and embraced Naveen in a tight hug. "It seemed so real. Everything..."

Naveen returned the hug and kissed her forehead. "You'll always be safe with me."

"I know...," she whispered, holding onto him.

()()()()

Maldonia:

Four and a half days later...

"Maldonia mama! This is Maldonia!" exclaimed a very excited Daniel who was bouncing on the backseat of the large car they were sitting in.

Tiana smiled at her son. "Yes, we are here! Now sit down before you fall over and hurt yourself!"

Naveen nodded and could see how happy she looked this time around. And hoping this time she would stay for good. He did noticed her wedding ring still on her ring finger and tried asking about it but she would simply blow off the topic and focus on her son. Once they were settled he would bring it up again with no interruptions.

()()()()

By the time they made it to the palace, officials and servants from left and right surrounded Naveen, leaving Tiana and Daniel left out. Naveen quickly realized this and took Tiana's hand and picked up Daniel.

"All of you go to the conference room," he ordered the officials. "I'll be down in fifteen minutes!"

"Fifteen minutes?" Tiana asked.

"I'm sorry but a personal issue has occurred and I really must handle this as soon as possible," Naveen didn't feel that not telling Tiana about the arrangement he had with his now deceased fiancee was important. But he knew that it would be a matter of time before Eliza's father would contact him.

"Herbert!" he called his main valet.

"Yes, your majesty?" asked the valet, smiling at Tiana and Daniel.

"I need the prince and queen suites available immediately and make sure to have some refreshments ready for those suites as well as the conference room," he instructed.

"Right away your majesty!" The man curtsied before running down the hall.

"While everything is getting ready for the two of you...," he opened the doors to his suite.

Tiana remember first walking through these doors and feeling confused at the time and thrilled to have finally left with the man she love. But this time was different. She was thankful to have such a man like Naveen to accept not just her again but Daniel, a child that didn't belong to him.

She only hope that he will continue to still feel this way if they go further into the relationship.

"Wow!" Daniel said in amazement. "This room is bigger than your room mama!"

"I know that this is sudden but I will see you two as soon as this conference meeting is over," Naveen kissed Tiana on the cheek.

"Look after your mother," Naveen told Daniel

"I will!" Daniel said, skeptical as to why he kissed his mother.

"And with Herbert taking care of everything, a servant or two will be at the door," Naveen said, closing the door.

Daniel sighed. "Its going to be boring."

"It'll get better. Why don't you—" she stopped when hearing a tap at the door. Opening the she asked, "Can I help you?"

"We're here for your dinner!" A servant pushed in two carts of food.

Two other maids pushed in more carts of food.

"Whoa!" Daniel's eyes widen. "So much food!" he licked his lips. "Now, where to begin?"

"How about from the beginning?" Tiana joked.

"Where is the beginning?" Daniel asked.

Tiana laughed.

()()()()

"I am sorry for your loss, Horace," Naveen said to Eliza's father through the telephone. "Eliza was a great woman."

The older man remained emotionless. "She was great at manipulating and meddling. But she was still my daughter whom I loved. I greatly appreciate you making her happy and for that I would like to make peace with your kingdom."

Naveen was surprised but didn't show in front of his men. "I'd like that."

"Good. I will come to your beautiful palace and personally sign the peace treaty. Life is much too short to start wars and scandals," said Horace.

"I will see you next week? Tuesday?" asked the Maldonian king.

"Tuesday sounds perfect. Until then King Naveen."

"And you, King Horace," Naveen said before disconnecting the call.

"I say that went well!" said Michel, the royal constable.

Naveen rose from his seat. "It has and with that said and done I will bid a goodnight to you all." He left the men in the conference room and hurried back to his suite, with his guards and valet not far behind.

"Your highness!" yelled the second valet. "Your highness!"

Naveen groaned and turned to the man. "What is it now, Richard?"

"Would you like for Claudine to accompany you tonight?"

The king suddenly remembered the concubine and shook his head. "She's no longer needed."

Richard raised his brows, not expecting that answer. "As you wish your majesty! Now as for tomorrow. You have five meetings and on top of that one press conference—

"Dammit Richard I just got home. Let me at least walk in my own bedroom before having to deal with minor activities!" He opened the door to his suite and slammed it.

"Tiana? Daniel?" he looked around and found neither in his suite. "Hmm. Where are they?"

()()()()

"This room is bigger than my room mama!" Daniel never saw another child's bedroom as big as his before.

"And here's your sugar station," Herbert, the older valet opened a door where it showed rows of candy and treats.

Daniel's eyes widen. "Wow..."

"A sugar station Herbert?" Tiana asked the valet who raised a brow.

"It was originally his highness's room when he was a child..." Herbert explained.

"I will have to speak with him about that," Tiana said.

"Yes, I agree," Naveen said, closing the door. "Don't like the sugar station?"

"Daniel loves anything involving sugar," Tiana crossed her arms.

"What child doesn't?" Naveen smiled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Did you see your room yet?"

"No...," Tiana answered, feeling awkward.

Daniel looked over at his mother and Naveen.

Tiana noticed and stepped away from the king.

"Would you like to see it?" Naveen asked, stepping closer to her.

"Come on Daniel...," Tiana reached her hand out for her son who in return shook his head.

"I want to stay in my room," said Daniel, looking over at the sugar station.

"Are you sure?" Tiana could tell when her son wasn't feeling like himself. "You want to talk about it?"

He shook his head. "I want candy...,"

"Is that all you want?" she asked.

Daniel looked at Naveen and back at his before shaking his head. "When are we going back home? I miss daddy."

Naveen read Tiana's face and could see that she was stuck on what to say to her son. "Daniel?"

"Yes?"

"Do you not like your room here?" he asked the boy.

"I like it a lot," answered Daniel.

"And there is much ground to over in the palace. I have horses and—

"Horses?" Daniel asked excitedly.

"Daniel...mind you manners" Tiana reminded him.

Daniel covered his mouth. "Sorry Naveen."

Naveen laughed. "So I was thinking that perhaps we could meet some of the animals tomrrow? IF your mother is alright you can also ride one of the horses?"

"Can I mama? Please?"

Tiana smiled. "Why not? But you do have someone there to...monitor?"

"My staff is the best! You have nothing to worry about and we'll be there to eperience it with him, I hope," Naveen stared into her eyes.

"Yes...," Tiana stared back with a weak smile.

"I can't wait!" Daniel exclaimed.

Without breaking his gaze Naveen says, "Herbert why don't you keep Daniel company while I show his mother her room?"

The man looked panicked. "Sire?"

Naveen laughed at his reaction. "You've dealt with children before."

"You and Prince Kanad as toddlers when the nannies were all ill—

"You will give Daniel whatever he wants and welcome him as if he is a prince," Naveen confirmed to his first and eldest valet.

"Yes, your majesty," Herbert bowed.

Tiana hugged her son and whispered, "I'll be back. I promise,"

Daniel nodded as his mother let him go.

"Young Daniel?" Herbert asked softly.

The boy turned and looked up at him. "Yes?"

"Would you like anything from the sugar station?" his hand gestured toward the treats

As the young boy opened his mouth...

"Don't give him more than two pieces of candy!" Tiana instructed as she walked out of the room.

"He should be fine," Naveen said, closed the doors.

"Are you sure? Because I'm taking a huge risk at leaving my son with a stranger."

"He's my head valet! And love children! He wouldn't hurt a fly!" Naveen took her hand. "And it looks like Daniel already has the upper hand with the poor man."

"Another thing I'm afraid of...," Tiana looked back at the door before they stopped at her double doors room.

"Welcome to the queen's suite," Naveen opened the doors for her.

Tiana gasped at the size of the room. It had to be three times the size of her bedroom at the Montreuil estate in New Orleans and it had short stairs by the bed.

"And I thought that my bedroom in New Orleans was huge!" Tiana smiled. "I love the bed, but those stairs..."

"You don't have to worry about that when you come sleep in my room every night," Naveen wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck.

"Naveen...," Tiana sighed, enjoying his lips on her. "I love you but right now we can't act this way in front of Daniel. Especially since I'm still married to his father."

That got him to stop his kisses and pull away all together. "It's up to you on how you want to deal with that situation."

"I do want a quick divorce and nothing from him," she turned to face Naveen. "But you know that he won't give up without a fight."

"Then we will fight harder," Naveen caressed her face. "You and Daniel are safe here. Your family is safe and Max the dog will also be safe once he arrives here...there is nothing Jacques can do to harm you."

"I appreciate everything you've done for me and my family," Tiana rested her head against his chest.

"And if he tries to guilt you back his way—

Tiana's lips stopped his from continuing with a kiss. "Mm. I won't go back there," she made sure he knew that. "He won't fool me this time."

Naveen pressed contined the kiss and deepened it when he lifted her slightly in his arms.

Tiana knew that if they kept at it that there would be no turning back so she ended it. "Mm..NAveen..."

Naveen respectfully pulled away. "You want to look at the rest of your room?" he asked, catching his breath

"No," Tiana said, also catching her breath. "I think...I think I'm going to cut this tory short and get back to Daniel."

Naveen understood. "Then we'll come back here when you're ready," he knew that she will stay with her son for the night.

"Thank you," Tiana said before giving him another kiss on the lips.

()()()()