The Humbled Prince
New Orleans Ghost
Three Weeks Later – New Orleans
Naveen, Tiana, Telese and the children along with staff have all been in the Crescent City for less than a day and already seen more people than they attended to. Everyone left and right from their neighborhood and church all wanted to see the royal queen and princess since they've never seen some in person, better yet of colour. They were so popular that they also received an unexpected family photo. Though their mother soon made it obvious of planning it all along.
"It was interesting how everybody knew about us coming here!" Telese smiled knowingly at her mother.
"And really mama, why did we just take a family photo without you warning us first?" Tiana asked as they stepped into their parent's home.
"Y'all look good didn't you?" Eudora asked, smiling. "It was a good surprise right James?"
James raised his hands up. "I'm not saying anything."
Eudora opened her mouth. "James!"
"Grandma I like taking pictures!" Vivian added.
"And so do I!" Naveen smiled with arrogance. "I mean, who could deny taking photos of this perfect face?"
James laughed. "The overly confident prince!"
Tiana shook her head. "Exactly."
Telese smiled. "My husband is the same exact way and I find it very sexy!"
"Of course you'd find it sexy!" Tiana said. "You find everything sexy! Newlywed!"
"Oh don't act like you and Naveen weren't all over the palace—
"Telese" Tiana stopped her before she continued.
"What were Uncle Naveen and Aunt Tiana doing all over the palace?" Vivian asked, confused.
"Playing leap frog!" Telese answered, humoured.
Naveen frowned. "Leap frog is a horrible example to use."
Telese laughed. "Then what example would you use, Prince Naveen?"
"Hopefully it's reading the bible and praying to Lord and asking for his forgiveness!" James' bad joke broke their playful moods.
"Daddy..." both Tiana and Telese exclaimed.
Vivian laughed. "You two sound the alike!"
Demetrius threw his head back and begin his tantrum, wanting to get down.
"Alright, alright down you go!" Naveen put him down to run toward the sewing station
"Is anybody hungry?" asked James, scooped his grandson in his arm. "I'll fix something before I leave for the church. Come on lil man"
"You know my stomach is never empty!" Telese said.
"So that means I have to triple the recipe," James joked.
Telese gasped. "Daddy!"
He laughed, giving his eldest child a hug. "Demetrius is going to help out his old grandfather! We'll be back!" They headed to the kitchen.
Eudora watched and sighed. "Ya daddy is so happy to have ya'll here!"
"I'm happy to be here," Telese said.
"As am I," Tiana added, holding a sleeping Naiyah.
"You need me to hold her, mi benita?" Naveen asked.
She shook her head. "I just need to lay her down."
"She can sleep in your old room." Eudora suggested. "We have a new crib ready for her and another bed for Demetrius."
Naveen was somewhat disappointed and Eudora read it from his face.
"No hanky panky under this roof!"
"But we're married!" Naveen reminded her.
"There's a hotel if ya feeling the urges. Ya daddy already set the rules for everyone!"
"You know I won't be doing anything!" Telese walked towards the room that was once hers. "I'm assuming this is where Telese and myself will be sleeping in until tomorrow?"
"Why are you staying here for two days?" Tiana asked.
"That's how long I can stand being in New Orleans."
"Well that's too bad."
Vivian opened the door. "Wow, mama this was your room? It's so small!"
"It didn't look so small before I married your daddy!" Telese told her daughter as she walked inside the room.
"Which one?" the young girl asked, smiling knowingly.
"Shut up!" Telese said, she was too much like her.
Tiana went to lay her daughter on the bed before preparing the crib while Naveen got into the room and plopped on the bed, forgetting their sleeping daughter
"Naveen!" Tiana exclaimed.
"What? She's still asleep!" He whispered.
Tiana carefully picked up the sleeping baby and placed her in the crib. She then felt Naveen's arms around her.
"Are you angry with me?" he asked, placing a kiss on her neck.
Tiana closed her eyes. "I'm just tired."
"You can take a nap while I look after Demetrius." He rubbed his hand over her tummy. "He isn't so hard to look after when it's only him."
Tiana yawned. "That sounds like a plan. But I still have to take the clothes from the luggage and..."
"No more ands. You get some sleep. You barely got any the other night anyway."
"How did you know?"
"You were tossing and turning." Naveen kissed her on the neck. "Can you rest for me at least?"
"Naveen..." Tiana really needed to take care of the luggage.
"You need to relax and perhaps we can go out later. Just the two of us. We have servants for a reason!"
Tiana rolled her eyes. "Yes, Malene and the guards. I really don't see why she had to come when my mother is here!"
"I didn't want to tie your parents down with our children when we have people who are paid to do so. And Malene isn't the only nanny here!" Naveen pointed out.
Tiana didn't want to fight so she stretched her arms. "I'm not tired."
"What?" Naveen frowned.
"I said that I'm not tired. I need to go through these clothes and get Demetrius anyway."
"James has him." Naveen closed the door before she could walk out the room.
Tiana placed her hands on her hips. "Excuse me."
He remained in front of the door. "You have to get past me."
Tiana tried opening the door but was now in her husband's arms. "Naveen!"
"I will let you go if you give me a kiss," he said.
She raised a brow. "Just one kiss?"
Naveen put a hand on her lower back as he leaned forward to press his lips on hers.
Tiana kissed him back and relaxed in his arms. It was actually the first time she's done so since leaving Maldonia. The dreams she would have of her sister had to mean something. Charles was obviously dead so he can no longer be a danger to her or their family.
Her mind returned to her husband who she could feel firming up against her abdomen. "Naveen, are you getting aroused?"
"Yes?" Naveen said and continued on with their kiss.
As amazing as it felt to be in her husband's arms and kissing him she couldn't go through with it. "No, our family is in the kitchen, the baby is asleep..." She moaned when he started sucking on her neck. "Oh, Naveen..."
"Yes," he led them to the bed.
Telese opened the door and sighed. "And you talking about me!"
Naveen groaned in his wife neck. At the sound of Telese's voice "Why are you in here?"
"To save my baby sister from another possible pregnancy in the making!"
Tiana ran her fingers through her husband's hair. "There's always later..." She whispered.
"Mmhm!" Telese teased.
Naveen and Tiana kissed once more before parting and leaving the bedroom.
Telese followed them into the livingroom where James and Eudora were with Vivian and Demetrius. "Mama! Naveen and Tiana were doing the hanky panky in the room!"
"Really, Telese!" Tiana still felt embarrassed to mention anything intimate subject around her parents.
"Love between and a man and his wife is holy, mi benita! Isn't that right James?" Naveen asked his father-in-law.
"Couldn't agree more!" James answered. "And speaking of the godly love between a man and his wife Eudora is ready for the news on baby number three!"
"You're gonna be waiting for a long time because it ain't happening anytime soon!" Tiana confirmed.
"The first two were a surprise," Naveen reminded her, his arms around her.
"Tiana is the stick-in-the-mud as she claims to be, right Naveen?" Telese enjoyed teasing her younger sister.
"Oh yes! But she can be very dominate!" Naveen made sure to not make the same mistake as Errol on their last conversation with James. "She's a woman who gets what she wants!"
"She wouldn't be my daughter if she wasn't," James smiled at her proudly.
()()()()
Two Days Later...
"Are you sure that you'll be okay watching the children?" Tiana asked her husband.
"Of course!" Naveen said with confidence. "I've dealt with worse and I have the nannies here with me!"
Tiana didn't bother looking at Malene. "Well my mama is also here."
"Tia girl come on!" Telese shouted from the front door. "We gotta get out of here!"
Naveen brought his wife in his arms. "She's just jealous that her husband isn't here to give her incredible kisses."
Tiana accepted his kisses and affections while Malene watched in envy.
Telese saw the nanny's reaction and didn't trust her at all. "Yeah I'm jealous, but the help shouldn't feel the same way!" She blurted out.
Malene gasped and hurried out the room.
"I love you," Naveen told Tiana. "Enjoy yourself, alright?"
"I'll pray for you," Tiana joked. "Demetrius will be just as much as a handful as Naiyah. And don't forget to clean up that kitchen!" She smiled when he groaned. "Now you promised."
"Yes, yes, I know! I will do it!"
"We'll see," she broke from the hold and headed out the door with her sister. "And I love you, too!"
"Mmhm! I love you! I love you, too!" Telese got in the passenger side while Tiana got in the driver's seat.
()()()()
Despite getting looks from people who saw two young women of colour walking with a young blonde hair blue eyed girl down the busy French Quarter, the three all went shopping as much as they could but Vivian made it very difficult as she wanted any and everything in sight.
"Girl you are working my last nerve," Telese said, annoyed.
"But daddy buys me everything!" Vivian whined.
"One of the reasons why I get on him for spoiling you!" Telese loved Errol but like Charles, he would melt at the sight of Vivian's innocent puppy dog eyes and buying everything she asked for.
"Can we visit my other granddaddy, mama? And see Aunt Charlotte?" She begged.
Telese looked at her daughter as if she lost her mind. "No."
"Oh Telese," Tiana smiled. "We don't have to be there for long. Remember when use to visit grandmama?"
"I thought you'd be on my side!" Telese said.
"Please mama?" Vivian poked out her bottom lip.
Telese sighed. "Ugh! Alright but for five minutes!" Receiving a hug from her daughter.
"Thank you! Thank you!" Vivian exclaimed.
Tiana smiled. "Aw, how sweet!"
"And spoiled," her sister added as an older white woman approached them.
"Is this your child?" she asked in accent that told them that she was a visitor from Texas.
Telese looked at the woman in the eyes. "Yes ma'am she is.?"
The woman simply shook her ahead before walking away and muttering the words, "Disgusting mix breed."
Telese suppressed the urge to confront the woman and exhaled angrily. "I tell you about people from here!"
"There's some all over the world unfortunately," Tiana said.
Vivian was puzzled by the exchange. "Did she not like us?"
"Something like that," Tiana answered, disappointed but proud that her sister didn't do anything to the older woman. She definitely changed there.
"If it were a year ago...," Telese looked at her younger sister.
"I know," Tiana returning the look, thankful that it wasn't.
()()()()
Soluncia – Errol's Study
"I find it a disgrace to the kingdom that you would allow the new queen and princess to leave their duties in such a hasty matter! Especially with you two being married for a month!" The Duke said disapprovingly.
"My wife is taking her daughter to see her grandfather! What else am I going to tell her that she couldn't do it?" Errol was this close to bashing his brother-in-law's head in if he made another statement about his family's personal matters.
"Your wife should be in your suite, carrying an heir by now!"
Errol stood, towering over the man in a flash. "Who the hell do you think you are talking about my wife as if she's cattle?"
The duke coward away. "But sire you have to see where I'm concerned! The court will be expecting news of an heir shortly—
"I will speak to them when that time comes," Errol never brought up Telese no longer being able to have children and hope to keep it that way. Unlike Maldonia who is ruled by only Kabir, Soluncia had it's restrictions. Errol was king and still had a say over everyone and everything but he would also have to get it approved by court who were still old fashioned when it came to matters of the royal monarchy.
"You may leave! I still have a lot of work to do and attend a meeting in the conference room." Errol said.
The Duke bowed. "Yes your majesty." He then left the study, closing the door.
Errol picked up a photo of Telese and stared at it for a while. He really needed his wife at this moment but knew that her closure in New Orleans will be the only way for her to heal from her past demons, and Vivian seeing her grandfather was the first step.
"Soon Telese." He gave the photo a kiss before setting it back on his desk.
()()()()
New Orleans – LaBouff Estate
Tiana's car pulled up at the door of the La Bouff Estate and Telese suddenly grew nervous and anxious.
"Are you sure you're ready?" Tiana asked, turning off the car.
"I am," Telese answered, looking back her daughter's hand. "Ready to see granddaddy?"
Vivian nodded.
They all got out of the car and was greeted by the head housekeeper.
Vivian saw the full figured woman and smiled happily. "Ester!"
The woman grinned. "Hey baby! You all look beautiful."
Both Tiana and Telese smiled at the woman, knowing her as a friend of their mother's. The woman walked them all into the sitting room.
"Mr. LaBouff should be with you all shortly!" she announced. "Would you all like some refreshments?"
"Milk," Vivian was the first to answer.
"Water please?" Tiana said.
Telese rolled her eyes. "How polite and gentle-like, Princess Tiana!" She teased.
"Says the high and mighty Queen of Soluncia." Tiana fired back.
"Ladies! How glad I am to see you all!" Eli walked in with a grin on his lips. His eyes brighten at the sight Vivian. "Is that you Vivian? My have you grown!"
Vivian walked over to her grandfather and curtseyed. "Please to see you again, grandfather...
Eli laughed a little, feeling nostalgia all over again. "Quite the princess! Charlotte was the same way."
"Mmhm," Telese remembered. "And always dragging Tiana into her games."
Tiana shook her head. "How can I forget?"
Eli laughed. "You two were very close," he said, regarding Tiana and Charlotte's friendship.
"Granddaddy, I mean grandfather, where is Aunt Charlotte?" Inquired Vivian.
"She's married and lives in her own home now, Vivian. She comes over every now and then but with the new baby—
"She had a baby?" Tiana was surprised to have learned this.
"About seven months ago. A little girl name Emily Rose. She looks exactly like Charlotte...and Vivian actually!" Eli answered.
"Like me? Really?" Vivian asked.
"Of course, sugar!" Eli smiled lovingly at his granddaughter.
"Why don't we let Vivian bond with her granddaddy?" Tiana suggested to her sister. "We still have some shopping to do!"
"Yes..." Telese wasn't sure if she should leave Vivian with Eli even if he was never an issue.
"We'll be here the entire time, Telese," Eli said with reassurance. "You got your worrying from your mother!"
"I can't help but to worry about my child," Telese said.
"Amen to that!" Eli agreed. "You girls go on and do your shopping! I want to show Vivian all the toys I bought for her."
"More things to carry back home," Telese joked. "Come give mama a hug."
Vivian did as told before returning to her grandfather. "So, where are the toys? Do I also have dresses and hats!"
"We'll see about that, sugar!" Eli said as they walked up the stairs.
"Come on it won't be long," Tiana told her sister as they left the mansion.
()()()()
Meanwhile at James and Eudora's...
"I want mama!" cried Demetrius.
"She will be back shortly!" Naveen told his son. "You have to stay quiet or you'll wake up Naiyah!"
He had no idea how difficult it would be to watch two young children on his own. He didn't know how his wife could do it and still pull of her duties as a princess and wife.
Malene walked into the room after watching or so long. "Do you need any help?" She saw the crying toddler and an overwhelmed prince. "Let me hold him," she brought the young prince in her arms. "There, there little one!"
He stopped crying and rested his head on the nanny's shoulder.
Naveen scratched the back of his head feeling relieved and impressed. "Wow, there's something about how you and Tiana always gets him to calm down."
"All you had to do was pick him up and rub his face," Malene smiled, gently rubbed over his chubby cheeks.
"He's a big boy," Naveen watched.
"Who still needs to be nurtured," She finished and handed him the toddler who was now falling asleep. She made sure to rest her hand on his arm longer than she was suppose to so that he could notice.
"Thank you." But Naveen didn't noticed her advance and walked away with his son.
Malene sighed in disappointment.
"I saw what you were trying to do with my son-in-law."
She turned to see Eudora who didn't like what she just witnessed. "A man can be blind to the obvious but a woman can see everything."
"I beg your pardon?" Asked the nanny.
"Stay away from my son-in-law or there will be trouble!" Eudora threaten, walking over to her. "I know a tramp when I see one."
Malene smiled, convincingly. "The prince and I share a history."
"While my daughter and the prince share a future!" Eudora snapped back. "You go back to where you were staying. I can help my son-in-law with the children."
"But I am instructed—
"Out!"
Malene couldn't fight a losing battle and respected Eudora's wishes.
Naveen walked into the living room to see the front door just closing. "What was that about?"
"I told Malene the nanny to leave. You don't need her help when you have me!" She then went over to her bedroom door. "Lay the baby down and help me clean up the mess you left in the kitchen."
"What mess?" Naveen smiled, playing innocent.
"The spilled milk, toast crumbs, unwashed skillets, pans you promised my baby cakes you'll clean before she left. I know you have servants in Maldonia but in New Orleans you do your own chores! You know the drill."
"Then who will watch Naiyah? She's asleep in Tiana's old room."
"And she will stay in there until she wakes from her nap." Eudora smiled
"How would we even know?" Naveen tried his best to get out of not doing to task.
"You know she cries now lay that boy down and get in that kitchen!" Eudora ordered in a demanding but motherly manner.
Naveen mumbled to himself as he followed orders
"What you say?" Eudora quickly asked.
"Nothing!" He responded just as fast.
She shook her head, humoured. "Lazy behind!"
()()()()
French Quarter-
"Ignoring that last incident. I will admit that I actually miss the French Quarter!" Telese exclaimed.
"And how different it seems compared to how much our lives changed. You know, with our bigger than average homes," Tiana said.
"Palaces!" Telese corrected.
Tiana rolled her eyes. "Anyway, how do you think this dress will look on me?" She held up an orange sundress.
"You'll wear the hell out of that dress, girl! This cloche will also look good on you!" Telese picked up the matching hat. "A necklace or two will complete the look! You'll have Naveen all over you."
"That's nothing new!" Tiana said, making Telese laugh.
"Girl I know the feelin! Errol couldn't keep his hands off of me on the days leading up to me leaving! He even had to carry me off like a horny caveman at times."
Tiana smirked. "I'm sure you enjoyed being roughed up by your caveman."
"Mmhm yes! He's so big and wide." Telese moaned.
"Ugh! I didn't need to know that!" Tiana said.
"You know you like it!" she teased.
Tiana couldn't help but to laugh at her sister. "Why do you always do that?"
"Because I can!" She laughed.
"Tiana? Telese?"
They both turned to see William, a former suitor of Telese's standing before them.
"It's me, William!" He exclaimed as if it's been years they've seen each other.
"I know who you are!" Telese said, smiling. Though she still felt bitter towards him.
Tiana saw a ring on his ring finger. "I heard you got married."
"I am married. Happily."
"That's good," Telese picked up another hat. "It was nice seeing you." She was about to leave when the man stood in front of her.
"I heard you got married...to some European king..." His tone sounded jealous but there was noting he could do about it.
"I married a man who isn't afraid to fight for what he wants and believes in." She spat at him.
The comment hit William but he remained civil. "You know how dangerous the other fella was."
"Is that the only reason you came over here?" Telese asked.
"Bill, I was looking for you!" Spoke a woman in a modest dress. "Oh, hello ladies."
"Hello," Tiana answered politely.
The woman gasped when she realized who the women were. "You're Princess Tiana and Queen Telese!" She beamed. "The photos do you two no justice! You two are as pretty as magnolias in May!"
Telese saw the woman's small bump on her tummy and knew she was expecting a baby.
Tiana smiled. "Thank you...what's your name?"
"I'm sorry ladies," William apologized. "This is my wife—
"It was really nice seeing you two, but my sister and I should be returning back." Telese nodded at the two and left.
Tiana smiled, and nodded at the couple. "Excuse me!" She frowned as she hurried after her sister. "Telese! Girl slow down!" Seeing that she stopped by a bench, having a seat. "I'm sorry Tia but I couldn't stay there with that coward!"
Tiana sat beside her. "His wife seemed nice."
"She is very nice. Too nice and...pregnant."
"So what if she's...oh," Tiana remembered. "But Telese you can't act that way with every pregnant woman you see."
"I know but can you imagine if I ended up with him?"
Tiana stood back up. "Well you didn't! Let's go get something to eat."
"I'm not hungry. I'm just going to get Vivian and we'll leave on tonight's ship." Telese started walking.
"What? But you just got here!." Tiana couldn't believe her sister.
"I'm a new wife who needs to be with her husband. Vivian has to get back to school and I just need to get out of this damn country. I remembered why I hate New Orleans so damn much!"
Tiana shrugged her shoulders. "Fine. Let's go get Vivian." She was disappointed that her sister would even let William's wife being pregnant upset her. Though she could never understand the pain of having an empty womb. Never being able to carry another child. She couldn't imagine ever going through all her sister has and could only pray for her.
When they returned to the LaBouff Estate they noticed how quiet it was.
"Vivian!" Telese called out. "Eli! We're back!"
Ester ran out. "Mr. LaBouff and Vivian stepped out."
"What?" Tiana and Telese exclaimed.
Telese went to Ester's face. "Where did he take my baby?"
"He never said. Only that they'll be right back!"
"Ester!" A young man's voice called from another room upstairs.
Telese thought that voice sounded somewhat familiar. "Who is that?"
"It's Mr. LaBouff!" Ester said, running up the stairs.
Tiana and Telese looked at each other.
"Didn't she just said that Big Daddy left?" Tiana asked her sister.
"I don't know what the hell is going on here but I'm finding out!" Telese followed Ester.
The maid was just opening the door when she saw Telese up the stairs. "What are you doing up here, Telese?"
"Who's in that room?" she asked.
"Ester!"
Telese recognized the voice and pushed passed the maid.
"No Telese don't!"
Telese ignored her and walked into the room to see the back of a man who stood over six feet, wit blonde hair and looking exactly like someone who she thought died in Paris. "No, it couldn't..."
He turned. "Ester why did you..." The man stopped when he spotted Telese. His blue eyes staring right at her.
Telese couldn't believe who was standing in the very room across from her. The same room where her innocence was lost in by the same man who she witnessed kill himself.
"Charles?"
His lips formed a smile.