The Humbled Prince

Accepting Fate Pt. 1

Tiana stood stunned. "Daddy filed for divorce? But why? What happened?"

"It's a long story that will be answered as soon as I get some rest. I left the day he..." She stopped, the entire experience was intense which got her feeling exhausted. "Tiana, I really need rest."

"You can rest! I'll call in for someone to take your things to your room!" Tiana said.

"Can I get a hug from my babycakes?" Eudora opened her arms.

Tiana smiled weakly, giving her mother just what she wanted.

"Oh, you're well over the halfway point now!" Eudora referred to her growing belly. "How is the baby treating you?"

"So far, so good. I get tired but that's about it."

"No cravings?"

"I use to crave beignets but now it's everything but it has to be with hot sauce!" Tiana released the hug.

Eudora nodded. "Mmhm. When I was carrying you it was anything and everything sugar!"

"Really?" Tiana was surprised since her mother never cared for sweets. "Have you been able to get in contact with Telese?"

"Not since she left for Paris with Charles."

"Paris with Charles?" Tiana frowned. "Charles LaBouff?"

Eudora nodded. "That's right, you don't know about Telese revealing about her daughter! That girl can't remember anything."

"Her daughter? Wait, what?" Tiana was confused at this point. She thought her sister had an abortion.

Eudora sighed. "Let me get settled in my room and I'll tell you everything you need to know. It's just that we've all been so busy..."

Tiana told a servant to bring Eudora's luggage to the room assigned for her parents and as soon as Eudora was in bed and finish drinking a glass of ice water she did as promised and continued about Telese.

"She's..." Tiana stared at the picture of Vivian her niece. "Beautiful. She has the shape of Telese's eyes and smile! But the rest is all Charles! Blonde hair, blue eyes, even his skin colour."

"I hope to God that she doesn't share her daddy's spirit, but I've seen first hand of the scummiest of men changing for the better."

Tiana raised a brow. "So they're in Paris! So close yet so far away. Do you have her number there?"

Eudora nodded. "Yes and seeing that you two aren't far we could always visit."

Tiana rolled her eyes. "If I can get Naveen to not be so overprotective. He doesn't want me doing much traveling."

"You are a princess and your husband is just being a man!" Eudora said. "Protecting his own is what they're supposed to do."

"Speaking of husbands will you tell me about daddy filing for divorce? Is it another woman? What did he do?" Tiana had to know.

Eudora closed her eyes and sighed. "It's what I did."

Tiana looked shocked at her mother. "What you did? What are you talking about?"

"I don't want to talk about it right now and please sit down!" Eudora exclaimed. "You have a baby in you!"

Tiana rolled her eyes at her mother trying to change the subject. "I'm feeling just fine, mama. But from the look in your eyes you seem miserable. Just tell me. I promise not to judge!"

"It isn't your job to do that anyway, babycakes," Eudora took her hand. "But if you really feel up to hearing this then I'll tell you everything. From beginning to end."

Tiana nodded. "I want to hear everything."

Eudora sighed. "It all started when I was fourteen and seeing a man who wasn't your father at the time. It was a young man who rubbed everyone the wrong way but like a young naïve girl I didn't care about that."

"Who are you talking about?" Tiana asked, confused.

"Jean-Vincent Facilier," Eudora answered.

Tiana was so shocked that she gasped.

Eudora continued...

...

1897

Fourteen year old Eudora was the new girl in town and already caught the attention of every young man she passed by. Being from Atlanta this city called New Orleans was a whole different world.

'Care to give a man a conversation?' she glanced over at a man who couldn't be no older than eighteen tipping his tall hat her way. His eyes were an unusual velvet and his frame was a bit too slender for her taste.

But there was something interesting about this man. Having no experience with men she blushed at the way he stared at her.

'Stop lookin' at me like that, sir?'

'Sir? I'm a nineteen year old...businessman. I can take care of you in exchange for a lifetime of your heart.'

'Charming,' Eudora said, unconvinced.

'You ain't from here,' he said, hearing her accent. 'Where you come from?'

'Georgia'

'Mmm...' Facilier grew aroused. 'From the peach state. Are you as sweet?'

'Most of the time.' She smirked.

'What's ya name?' He asked, clearly interested.

'Eudora.'

His eyes wandered her developing figure. 'What a beautiful name, Eudora. I'm Jean-Vincent!'

She frowned. 'Your mother gave you a French soundin' name.'

'I was named after my grandpappy. A white man with the same name.'

Eudora nodded. 'I should get goin'

'Want me to drive ya back?' He looked up at the dark clouds. "It's gonna storm soon!"

'I can walk! Thank you!'

Suddenly a lightning bolt struck hit a pole near Eudora, causing her to fly back, hitting a wall.

Facilier jumped out of the car.

'Shit! Eudora are you alright?' he asked as she stirred awake.

She looked dazed. 'What happened?'

'You were almost struck by lightning! Let me take you home!'

Eudora let him help her to his car and to her home.

'Thank you for saving my baby! I wouldn't know what I would do if something were to happen to her,' said Dolores, Eudora's mother.

'I was glad to be there when I was.' Jean-Vincent held his hat in his hands.

Dolores looked out the front door at the storm. 'Looks nasty out there. Why not stay for a while? Until the storm is over?'

'Oh, ma'am, I...,' he looked over at Eudora who gave him a warm smile.

Dolores followed his eyes and smiled herself. 'I'll fix y'all something to eat.' Giving them privacy.

Facilier went over to sit beside Eudora who never stop looking at him.

'I want to thank you for your help, Mr. Facilier,' Eudora said suddenly feeling shy.

He scooted closer to her and pressed his lips to her cheek.

'Jean-Vincent...' she scooted away.

But he scooted closer. 'Be my girl?'

Eudora looked into his purple eyes and found herself almost in a hypnotic state...

…

Eudora sighed. "I liked him and we saw each other for a few months. But then I had to help out with the bills so I got a job at the LaBouff estate as a maid and part-time seamstress. By then there were two new young men in my life, both around the same age as Facilier—

"Two more young men? There's daddy but who was the other man?" Tiana asked, surprised to learn so much about her mother.

"Let me finish!" She continued...

…

Eudora assisted her mother in sewing the rest of a tuxedo jacket.

'This looks good enough,' Dolores said as heels could be heard clacking on the floor.

'Oh that tuxedo jacket looks splendid, Dolores! Doesn't it, Eli?' complimented Mrs. LaBouff followed by her cocky son who remained silent. The older woman then chuckled. 'Just like his father! Try it on, dear!'

Dolores took the jacket from the mannequin before handing it to the young man.

'Dolores I was meaning to ask you about the party favours—

'I'll show them to you now, Mrs. LaBouff!' Dolores then turned back to her daughter. 'I'll be back shortly.'

'Yes ma'am,' she responded, turning away to collect the thread and other scraps of clothing that was on the floor. She then heard the door shut with a lock from behind. She slowly stood up and turned right into the muscular arms of the young man. 'Eli,' she breathed and felt his lips on hers.

'Eudora I couldn't contain myself any longer.' He pressed his lips on hers again.

'But our mothers,' she said through the kisses.

'We can run away together, daring! Just you and me!'

Eudora stopped him, with her hands on his chest. 'You know that can't ever happen! My mama needs me! I need her!'

'My mother is leaving me everything! Do you have any idea how wealthy I am?' Eli said. 'I've already taken over the family business! We can get married if you'd accept!'

'But you're a white man!' she reminded him.

'So?' he asked, not caring about their skin colour.

'You need to keep your family's businesses alive.' She put her hand on his cheek. 'I won't ruin that for you.'

'I'll make us work,' Eli was convinced. 'I never give up on what I want!'

Eudora sighed, seeing the determination in his blue eyes. 'I hope you can but I doubt it.'

They shared one more kiss before separating. She cleaned the remaining of the fabric before going to the kitchen to discard them.

As she headed to the door she heard a male voice reading what sound like scriptures from the bible. Eudora eased closer to the voice and found a handsome young man holding the very book she knew he was reading from.

'I didn't think anything from the bible could sound so beautiful' she admitted with a flirtatious grin. The man was extremely handsome and strong built with a dark brown wavy hair and full lips. He seemed surprised when seeing her and blushed a little.

'Uh, thank you!'

'You're new here I see,' she extended her hand. 'I'm Eudora!'

'I've seen you around with your mother. I'm James and yes, I am new here. Been workin' here for only two weeks so far.'

She walked over, her eyes still on him. 'You always read the bible like that?'

He closed the book. 'I have to if I want to have my own church someday!' He saw her skeptical brow and chuckled. 'It is a great honour to serve in the House of God.'

Eudora could tell that the man was very devoted to his cause and had to admire him for it. Not that many young men knew who they wanted to be. This one was certain.

'You becomin' a priest or something? It would be a waste if you are.'

James laughed a little. 'No ma'am. Just a pastor'

'Well, I should return to my work,' Eudora said with a weak smile. She extended her hand. 'It was nice meeting you...'

'It was nice to meet you,' he answered, accepting her handshake.

Eudora felt warm in her lower tummy. She flushed.

James nodded, letting go of her hand. 'I hope to see more of you, Eudora.'

She gave him a nod in return. 'You most certainly will.'

…

"We saw each other everyday after that, talking on our lunch breaks. I always looked forward to seeing him!"

Tiana always enjoyed the story of the first her mother met her father but again she was shocked about her other love interest.

"You and Big Daddy LaBouff were seeing each other?"

Eudora laughed. "He wasn't always Big Daddy. He use to be all muscle and red hair."

"And how would you know about him being all muscle and red hair?" Tiana raised a suspicious brow.

Eudora smiled. "He was my first!"

Tiana's mouth was now agape.

Eudora rolled her eyes. "Yes, your daddy wasn't my first but that's our little secret, okay? And at that time he was having a rebellious phase with his other two girlfriends!"

"Daddy had two other girlfriends?" Tiana asked as her mother nodded her head. She could never imagine her father being the womanizing type.

"Mhm but he never gave out as he claimed he was saving himself for marriage!" She shared.

"Ugh." Tiana didn't want to hear about her parents sex lives.

"But believe it or not he was definitely a virgin! Your poor daddy was so nervous and inexperienced," Eudora her head at the memory.

"That's all I need to hear," Tiana covered her ears. "So with you and Big Daddy still being friends to this day you must have ended your...whatever it was on good terms?"

"It was difficult but we came to an understanding. He soon married a pretty blonde with a selfish streak that produced two children. Charles and Charlotte. James and I married when I was seventeen and I gave birth to Telese by nineteen and five years later you! It all turned out the way it was supposed to be."

"Yes, it certainly did," Tiana agreed.

"Where is your husband?" Eudora asked.

"In a meeting with his father."

"Happy?" She asked her daughter.

Tiana put her hand on her pregnant belly. "Very."

Eudora smiled. "I can see how happy you are. You're glowing!"

"Naveen makes it in his power to keep it that way. Even if we have our occasional quarrels."

"To be young and in love." Eudora said sentimentally.

Tiana still couldn't believe that her father wanted to end the marriage. "Daddy wouldn't go through with the divorce. You obviously love him and he loves you!."

"I don't think love for me can overpower his love for God. Especially not after walking in on me and Facilier."

Tiana frowned. "You had an affair with Dr. Facilier?"

"He was there when your daddy wasn't, Tiana."

"How long has this affair been going on?" Tiana asked her mother.

"A year."

"Mama!"

"Tiana please hear me out! Your daddy and I have been having problems for years, but never discussed about it. He's always so busy and tired from preaching. I can't compete with God!"

"So you stepped out of the marriage with the Shadow Man of all men!" Tiana scolded, disgusted. "Any man is better than him! I wish it would've been Big Daddy. What am I saying? I wish it was with no one!"

"Your daddy ain't no saint either!" Eudora exclaimed. "Babycakes I told you this information because I know how open your heart and mind is."

"I'm surprised you didn't share this with Telese. Her mind is just as open!" Tiana felt that her sister and mother were definitely similar in that aspect.

"I'd share my story with you both. But that isn't the point. Through everything I accepted my fate."

Tiana sighed. "I should get going to seeing if the cooks are properly preparing dinner. You rest and I'll see you later."

Eudora watched her daughter. "You're not leaving after my story?"

"No, but I will give you some time to clear your mind and rest. I'll send a servant up for you," she said.

"You should rest yourself. A baby can take a lot out on you," Eudora said from experience.

Tiana didn't say another word as she left the room. Definitely considering her mother's advice on resting once she's satisfied with tonight's dinner preparations. And all that she's learned in one afternoon.

()()()()

Paris -

"Vivian hit her head pretty hard on her fall down the stairs. She suffered a concussion with no skull cracking or brain damage which is promising," the doctor explained in his heavy French accent.

"Promising? Did she wake up at all since being here?" Telese asked.

The doctor shook his head. "She vomit once but we are keeping a close eye on her"

"She asked if she woke up?" Charles asked, anxious to see his daughter.

"No." The doctor answered.

"I would like to see our daughter," Charles said sternly. "And I will have an American specialist come to look after her!"

"Charles!" Telese put her hand on his arm to calm him down.

But he snatched his arm away before walking into the room.

Telese apologized to the doctor before joining Charles in the room with an unconscious Vivian laying in her hospital bed.

Charles gently caressed his daughter's cheek. "Babygirl I need for you to wake up! You've got your entire life ahead of you! We've got many more dresses, dolls..." his eyes watered. "I want to see you grow into the beautiful young woman who will make her daddy proud when she graduates from Oxford! I went there!"

Telese remembered when he read her the acceptance letter and how proud he was. She can only image the pride he will have when...if Vivian is accepted.

But seeing her daughter laying unconscious in a hospital bed was like a living nightmare. It wasn't fair that she in this situation when all she's done was behave like a child when around conflict. She now regret confronting Charles instead of going upstairs with her daughter to comfort her.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Charles broke through her thoughts.

Telese heard the fear in his agitated tone. He could never handle any tragedies and didn't say a word when he rushed out after mentioning American specialists again.

"Oh, baby I am so sorry...," she reached out to touch her hand that remained still. Tears formed in her eyes. "I don't know if things would've went differently if I stayed in New Orleans instead of going to Chicago to birth you. But back then things were so...complicated. I mean if my mama and daddy raised you instead of..." she wiped away her teas. "I was so scared of how your daddy would've taken you away from me because...oh, baby I'm so sorry!" She broke down by the bed. "I hurt so many people with my fears and carelessness! You were so scared and instead of going up to your room with you I...if I was there for you when you needed me then you wouldn't be here!"

She cried so more as the guilt got to her; causing her lower abdominal to cramp up a little which made her feel worse emotionally.

Charles walked into the room, relieved. "There's an American doctor on his way here...Telese?" He hurried over, terrified. "What is it? Is Vivian alright?"

Telese shook her head. "She's still the same and it isn't about her. It's me."

He frowned. "You?"

Telese decided to not open up to Charles as he would never understand all she's been through to protect her daughter from his control and ruthlessness. Of course her plan of keeping Vivian from him failed but so did her judgment of Charles being a wonderful father. The only thing she seemed to be right about was his controlling ways as well as his prejudice heart for those who were seen as different.

"Nothing. I was speaking to Vivi out of emotions." She caressed the young girl's face.

Charles carefully placed his hand on Telese's back before circling his other arm around her in a hug. "She will fight through this and win."

"I hope so," she said and soon the monitor that was once beeping started to flat line.

They both looked over at the machine that showed lines across the screen.

"Oh my god!" Telese cried and Charles ran out of the room. "Doctor!"

The doctor and nurse rushed into the room to check on the young girl.

"What is going on with my daughter?" Charles asked the doctor.

Two nurses approached Telese speaking French.

"I don't understand!" she cried, trying to look around the doctors and nurses.

"I'm not leaving! I want to see my daughter!" Charles shouted as he was being pulled out of the room by two policemen.

Telese heard the machine beep several more times before flat lining again. And before she could ask what was going on she was pulled out of the room.

"No, my baby!" she cried.

()()()()

Twenty minutes later...

"We were able to revive her, but she is very weak," explained the doctor.

"This is why I am having another doctor look over her!" Charles exclaimed, angrily. "You people do not have the proper equipment for your patients it seems."

"I'll have you know, monsieur that this is the best hospital in Paris! And I am the best damn doctor in the country!"

"Well you sure as fuck don't act like one!" Charles snapped.

"Charles...," Telese narrowed her eyes at him. "Dr. Balmet is doing the best that he can for Vivian! He brought her back to life twice!"

"You stay out of this, Telese!" Charles warned before facing the doctor. "Now I don't want your hands on my daughter once Dr. Andrews comes here!"

"She is my patient and therefore I will be her doctor, Monsiuer LaBouff!" The doctor exclaimed as a nurse tried to quiet down the two.

"Dr. Balmet what is going on with Vivian?" Telese asked, wanting to get back to the real reason why they're at the hospital.

"Once the tests are complete I will have a better idea of what to do with her," he explained to Telese gently. "She is a child and with the smallest bump in the head for an adult could be harsher for an adolescent. Perhaps you two should get some rest at home and come back in regular visiting hours."

"Now you're kicking us out?" Charles asked, offended.

"No, he's only suggesting we rest," Telese said, suppressing her urge to not snap.

"Listen to your wife, Monsiuer LaBouff! You are going to run up your blood pressure and I'm sure you wouldn't want to worry your wife with everything that is going n at the moment."

Charles didn't say a word, too angry to respond.

Telese rolled her eyes, hating whenever people referred her as 'Charles' wife'.

The doctor continued. "She will be monitored at all times by the nurses and a doctor is on standby."reassurance.

But Charles shook his head. "That isn't enough. I don't want what happen to repeat—

"Rest assure Vivian is in good hands." The doctor said, looking serious.

"When is the earliest we can come back?" Telese asked, not wanting to leave her daughter.

"Seven." The doctor answered and noticed her hand rubbing over her lower abdominal. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she answered. "May we see our daughter?"

"Yes, you may but only for a few minutes! She's been through tough fight for her life."

Charles was already in the room when Telese walked in.

"You will be in good hands by the morning," he caressed his daughter's face before placing a kiss on her forehead. "I love you, babygirl."

Telese gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek. "I'll pray for you, honey. Sweet dreams. We'll see you in the morning."

()()()()

Once they returned home Charles went to fix himself something to drink while Telese went to call her mother.

"Hello?" James answered.

"Oh, hey daddy!" Telese tried to sound cheerful.

"What's going on over there in Paris? How's my grand baby?"

"About that," she began. "Vivian is in the hospital."

"Hospital?" James asked, concerned.

"She fell down the stairs."

"My God! Is she alright?"

"Unconscious but is stable."

She went on explaining everything else that happened and welcomed her father's prayers.

"Thank you, daddy. I hope the prayers work," Telese said, wiping her moist eyes.

"I will keep you and Vivian in my prayers." James said. "How is Charles holding up?"

"He's not taking it too well."'

James was well aware of his daughter's past with the LaBouff and couldn't stand that she was with him after everything that happened between them. And with him being a rich white man taking advantage of her he definitely didn't trust him. "You be careful over there."

"I will. Now how are you and mama doing?" She asked, wanting to change the subject.

"Your mother is in Maldonia with your sister. Who's getting ready to have the baby in about a month."

"Aw my baby sister. I really need her number." Telese said and wrote down the phone number. "Thank you daddy." She then hung up the phone and went down to the kitchen where she found Annette.

"Hello Annette."

The middle aged woman looked concerned. "Oh, Telese! Monsiuer LaBouff is upset! Crying in his office and drinking! I've tried giving him soup and sandwiches but he refused. You two must be hungry."

"I'll try getting him to eat with me," Telese picked up the tray. "Bring in the water. The last thing he needs is to get drunk tonight."

So Telese and Annette headed up the stairs with the food and drinks. It was difficult to really do much but she had to remain strong for her daughter and Charles.

"Charles?" Telese opened the door to music playing and Charles sitting at his desk holding a glass of what looked like liquor.

Charles was surprised to find Telese bringing him sandwiches. "Telese?"

"You need to eat." She put the tray on the desk.

He snorted. "I need to drink." He downed the beverage.

"Getting drunk will do no good especially on an empty stomach," Telese took the glass from his hand.

Annette excused herself out, closing the door.

Charles grasps her hips, pulling her onto his lap. "Are you going to feed me?" He smirked darkly.

Telese felt disgusted and got off his lap. "I don't want you hanging over at the hospital. You don't want Vivian waking up seeing you that way."

"She won't wake up," Charles got up and served himself another drink.

Telese stormed over to him, slapping the drink out of his hand. "Get a hold of yourself! Our child is fighting for her life in the hospital and all you can do is drink?"

"I drank when I lost you!" He snapped. "Now get the hell out of my office and let me have my booze to myself!"

"Of course you would take the cowardly way out!" She started out of the room but felt Charles take her by the wrist.

"You've got to understand why I did what I did at that time! I was a young man who wanted to climb the ladder as quickly as I could with no one getting in my way!" He stared at her. "Even in school I was the big shot there! And I realized that I couldn't reach to the top with just my father's businesses. I needed my own way and..."

"And that's where Ruth came in?" Telese rolled her eyes. "Well, congratulations on your wonderfully wealthy and successful life!"

"Wealth yes. Success yes. Wonderful life? Far from it," he said, loosening his grip. "Until I learned about our daughter who you hid from me for the first seven years of her life my own life was filled with booze and women. I even tried to find women who looked closest to almost exactly like you in the coloured brothels!"

Tiana rolled her eyes. "Sick considering there were coloured men who probably had her before!" She knew his dislike for black men and heard him laugh.

"You know that coloured men aren't allowed in even in the coloured brothels. And if they were then money would b an issue since they couldn't afford the cost of black whores."

Telese rolled her eyes.

"Why did you keep my daughter away from me?" He asked.

She was surprised by the change of subject but didn't show it. "You know the reason Charles!"

He sighed. "Yes, I blew everything between us day that! But it wasn't my fault that you hid our daughter! I would've taken good care of her if you told me!"

"And use every opportunity to get back at me for ending our...what am I'm talking about? We were young. It was nothing but child's play!"

"What we had was more than child's play Telese." Charles looked at her serious. "I love you and I never stopped loving you!"

Telese refused to look at him because she knew that his feelings for her were still there. "You weren't able to be man enough to fight for our love when it was returned."

"I was being a kid!"

"Oh, so now you were a kid when convenient?" she exclaimed. "You made me look like a fool out there and what made it even worse was when you went along with those boys when they suggested that I was a prostitute! When I saw the look in your eyes I knew it was over."

Charles sighed. "I grew up and realized my mistakes!"

"You wrecked every relationship I've had—

"No one deserved you more than I do!" Charles said possessively.

"The sabotaging, lying, murdering—

"I'm the only man who can have you, Telese," he stepped closer to her.

She looked up at him still hurt and bitter. "You were in an unhappy and loveless marriage. And you couldn't stand to see me happy."

"Seeing you with them one after another..." Charles was disgusted. "You were pure when I had you, and you tainted your body with the filth of those animals—

"Coloured men?" she said in bitter humor. "I couldn't help who I developed feelings for...? Look at me! I'm a coloured woman! I'm suppose to marry a coloured man!"

"And then you became engaged to that Sicilian piece of lard." Charles remembered and shuddered.

"Guiliano was the biggest challenge you ever had to face and like the coward you were you killed him in cold blood. When you killed him...you killed a part of me!" She gasped when he pulled her onto him. "Stop it!"

"You've got a lot of nerve saying that when all along you hid our daughter as if she was a dark secret!" His blue eyes glared down at her, both an inch apart.

Telese returned his glare. "I hid her because I knew you'd take her from me and use her as a pawn to get what you wanted."

Charles pressed his lips on hers, fighting to keep them together.

Telese put her hands on his chest. Trying to get herself out of his hold and once she did she slapped him across the face.

But Charles smirked, rubbing his left cheek. "You think a slap is going to stop me? I've got height and strength by my side! If I didn't love you I would've pinned you on this rug and I got what I wanted from you with no struggle!"

She knew he was right with him being six feet three inches with a muscular frame to her five feet five inches petite frame. "It didn't stop you before!"

Charles laughed. "If you're talking about our consensual rendezvous in the car the other night—

"I meant the evening Vivian was conceived," she interrupted.

His smile faded. "I was a heartbroken young hormonal boy back then! I felt that no man should have you but me!"

"And you still feel that way!"

"I've got self-control now!"

She rolled her eyes. "Your jealous antics says otherwise. I wouldn't be surprised if you were also responsible for Errol's sudden leaving."

"I had no control over that. He left on his own free will. Whatever you did obviously scared him away," he said, not caring for the man. "And you had the nerve to want someone from a country that is no better than the United States in terms of coloured people!"

Telese was about to contradict him when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her lower abdominal. "Oh!"

Charles caught her before she fell. "What is it?" He helped her over to the couch.

"Its my stomach..."

"Here..." he picked up one of the sandwiches from the tray and handed it to her. "You need to eat."

She smacked her lips. "Look who's talking?"

Charles grabbed a sandwich and took a bite. "See! I'm eating!"

Telese bit into her sandwich, tasting the ham and cheese. "Cheese on top of the bread. Very good."

"It's a favourite of mine." Charles said. "Most of the food from here is amazing! When Vivian is well again I will take you both to Mathieu's, very good place to eat."

Telese remembered her first date with Errol being at the restaurant but continued eating the rest of her sandwich and only finished half of her second one before feeling full.

"I want to apologize for hurting you, Telese," Charles spoke after they ate. "If I known then that my immaturity would cause the demise of our relationship then I wouldn't have went along with my friends at the time."

Telese shook her head. "It was fate that brought society against us Charles," she settled with his apology. The arguments were draining too much from her. "You were a young man who was climbing the social ladder and at such a young age you've accomplished it. Married your sweetheart—

"Ruth was never a sweetheart of mine," he smiled a little. "She filed for divorce and re-married as soon as our divorce finalized a day later. I never loved her and she never loved me. Our arrangement was strictly business and nothing more. I've always loved you, Telese. No woman has ever shook you from my thoughts, my heart." He reached out to caress her cheek.

Telese closed her eyes and exhaled, hearing every sweet word that hit her ears. He was always so good with words along with his touch, but his hand felt cold and untrustworthy.

"The best thing you've ever done to me was not tell me about our daughter then." Charles finally conceded.

She knew exactly what he meant by that statement but remained silent. A much younger minded Charles wouldn't even have time for Vivian with him making a name for himself. And he would also make sure to have the girl never know about her mother or her side of the family. The old Charles wouldn't even have let her know that he and Vivian were taking a trip to Paris.

"I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm especially sorry for the way Vivian was conceived. For everything," he apologized.

Telese exhaled at his apologies, taking them all in one by one. "Good night, Charles." She left the office.

Charles watched her walk away from him once again. "Goodnight, Telese."

()()()()

The Next Morning –

"Vivian woke up five minutes before your arrival!" Announced the nurse.

"Oh, my baby!" Telese exclaimed as she and Charles went into the room to see Vivian holding her doll and talking to another nurse.

Her blue eye brightened at the sight of her parents. "Mama! Daddy!"

Telese hurried over to hug her daughter. "Vivian!"

The young girl laughed. "I'm alright!"

Charles went to hug his daughter and kissed her forehead. "Of course you're alright! You're a LaBouff! We're survivors!"

Telese rolled her eyes.

The nurse smiled. "All vital signs look perfect! Her doctor will be in shortly."

"I'm here!" Dr. Andrews walked in with all smiles.

Charles frowned when he saw the man. "You're Doctor Andrews?"

"I believe I am!" answered the doctor, used to the reaction. "Are you disappointed?"

Telese looked up to see the man and was surprised that he was Charles' choice.

"But you're...," Charles then cleared his throat. He couldn't believe that the doctor was black.

"It's nice to meet you, Dr. Andrews," Telese shook the man's hand.

"Thank you...Telese?" He smiled at her, obviously attracted to her.

She smiled softly. "Yes, thank you for helping my baby. Both you and Dr. Balmet!

Charles didn't like the way the doctor was looking at Telese and stepped up beside her possessively. "Doctor...," He hated referring to this man as a doctor. '...Andrews, when will my daughter be able to leave the hospital?"

"I'd like to look over her for the next week—

"A week will not do!" Charles said sternly.

"Well as her doctor—

"How much would it be to have her home under care?" Charles asked.

Dr. Andrew thought about for a moment before answering, "Everything seems fine with her and she can leave as soon as this evening, but she must be closely monitored for the next week. I can look after—

"Not necessarily." Charles didn't want this man under the same roof with Telese.

"I'll get the paperwork together and sign some contracts to get this started," Dr. Andrew left the room.

Charles looked at the man in disgust. "That man will not be Vivian's doctor!"

"Why not?" Telese asked, knowing his sudden attitude. "You did hire him!"

"Yes daddy please! Dr. Andrews is very nice!" Vivian agreed.

Charles didn't want this man anywhere near his family. Especially around Telese.

Vivian then yawned. "I had a wonderful dream about you mama."

Telese smiled. "Really? What was it about?"

"You marrying daddy."

Telese looked at Charles then back at her daughter. "You did?"

"Yes, you both looked happy. I also had a baby brother!"

Telese thought about Charles's apologies last night and realized through Vivian's accident that he was a good father in his own way. "What if I told you that daddy and I will get married?" she smiled.

Both Vivian and Charles were shocked.

She shrugged her shoulders at the man. "Why not? We can exchange vows at the house and go along from there!"

Charles smiled goofy. "Sure, yes! We can get married as soon as tonight! I have to make some phone calls!" He hurried out if the room.

Vivian was thrilled. "Oh, mama it's like my dream come true!"

Telese sighed. "Let's hope so, baby."

()()()()

A/N: Naveen and Tiana will be back on the next chapter!