The Humbled Prince
New Orleans Ghost Pt. 2
"Charles?" Telese asked, shocked and terrified.
The blonde hair man, who's hair looked much shorter than she last remember him having stood with a smile. "You know my name?"
She heard his speech sounding slightly off and knew that the gunshot had to do with it.
Tiana made it to the room. "Telese, what are..." she stopped when seeing Charles. "Oh my god..."
He looked at Tiana and back at Telese. "Do I know you two?"
"Don't pretend that you don't remember..." Telese's voice cracked as the tears ran down her cheeks. "I thought you died..."
Charles frowned. "How do you know me? Ester, who are these women?"
"They are good friends of your father!" Ester answered.
"Daddy?" Charles seemed to beam. "Where is he?"
"He's just coming in!" Ester said, paranoid, glancing at the sisters. "You two have to get out of here!"
Telese stared at the man who was her husband, and noticed how much muscle mass he's lost. The strength he once used on her was now a memory.
"Ester!" Eli called from downstairs.
"You two really have to leave!"
Tiana took her sister's hand. "Come on, Telese..."
"You don't remember me?" She asked Charles, not understanding why she was hurt.
He stared at her again before slowly shaking his head. "No ma'am."
"What about Vivian?" She asked.
"Who's Vivian?" He looked at her as if she was nuts.
"I see you've discovered Charles," Eli said.
Telese was so furious that she hurried out the room.
Tiana figured what was wrong with Charles and left the room.
"Daddy!" Charles went to give Eli a hug who returned it.
"How are you, Charlie!"
Tiana hurried after her sister who was wiping away her tears. "Telese!"
"Where's my daughter!" She looked around. "Vivian!"
"Here I am, mama!" She jumped out to show off the brand new pink dress she was wearing. "Look at the pretty dress granddaddy, I mean grandfather got me!"
"It's pretty but we have to leave, baby!"
"Telese! Wait a second! Let me explain!" Eli said, rushing down the stairs.
"I'm sorry Eli but we have to leave!" Telese took her daughter's hand and walked out the door. Tiana followed until she heard:
"He doesn't remember anything after the age of ten!"
Tiana turned back at him. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, the gunshot wounded him and pretty much lost his adult life. He doesn't remember Vivian, Telese, Charlotte in his walking life, unless he sees her photos when she was a child. It's complicated because he somehow remembers me and your mother."
"My mother?" She asked, surprised at the mention.
He knew he accidentally revealed too much. "I apologize for that all you witnessed. I will have my help carry Vivian's things."
"But you mentioned my mother. Has she been here recently?" She remembered her mother mentioning the history she shared with Mr. La Bouff and wondered why she was here if they were only friends.
Eli sighed. "To only help me through this emotionally. I almost lost my son."
Tiana saw the pain in his eyes, she could only imagine the emotional downfall he was going through.
"If only he listened when I told him to stay away from your sister. That he couldn't force anything on her," he tried to explain. "I thought that with not helping him when he needed me would wake him up..."
"It wasn't your fault, Mr. La Bouff." Tiana said with reassurance. "You had no idea that he would try to take his own life."
"I knew what he was capable of. He's had blood on his hands before this. Instead of letting him pay for his crimes I paid them off for him with my money." Eli didn't know why he was sharing this much with Tiana. The warmth she carried was like her mother's. It was familiar and knew she wouldn't tell anyone else.
"It's not my place to tell Telese what she should do at this point—
Eli suppressed his guilt and tears. "I know and would never ask you to do such a thing, darling. My son is living through a mistake he will never be aware of."
"I should be leaving," Tiana said.
"There's a bag...," He stopped but continued, "...by the door. It's very light and has a few of Vivian's dolls. I will call Henry to carry out the rest."
Tiana grabbed the bag before leaving the mansion.
Charles looked out the window at the women and noticed a blonde girl walking with them. His blue eyes brightened. "Lottie! Hey Lottie it's Charlie! Do you hear me!"
"Alright Charles let's get you back to finishin' this book!" Ester lead him away from the window.
"My sister is outside!"
"Here's your book," she handed him The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz.
"My favourite book! Telese loves this book! Will she ever come over?" Charlie asked.
Ester frowned, realizing this was the first time he's ever mentioned Telese while awake.
"Who's calling for Aunt Lottie?" Vivian asked, looking up at toward the window that carried the voice and saw no one.
"Get in the car, baby!" Telese opened the backseat.
Vivian did as she was told.
"Telese!" Tiana stepped out with a bag, Eli with two more bags and a servant with some boxes.
"Here are Vivian's things," Eli said, putting the bags in the back of the car.
"You didn't have to." Telese couldn't look at him at the moment.
"I did and wanted to," he said. "But Telese, I would love to see my granddaughter again—
"Then you will have to come to my home instead! I refuse to ever step foot in New Orleans again after this!"
"Charles still loves you!" He added.
"He doesn't even know who I am! He doesn't even know who Vivian is."
The young girl frowned. "Who mama?"
"He was calling her Charlotte through the damn window!" She finally looked up at him.
"He calls your names in his sleep." Eli confessed. "It's strange. He doesn't remember when he's awake but asleep it's as if he's...himself."
"Grandfather what are you talking about?" Vivian asked.
"Goodbye, Eli," Telese said, getting into the car.
"There's one more thing I'd like to say in regards of your marriage to my son," Eli said. "I had it annulled in Paris. And legally you aren't even considered husband and wife in this country so you are free from him altogether."
Telese never even thought about the marriage and was surprised that he mentioned it to her. "How did you know..."
"Charles told me the day he called about needing more money. I was just surprised that you went along with it."
"I did it for..."
"I know."
She didn't bother saying another word to him as she went inside the car.
Eli opened his mouth the say more but shut it back.
Tiana witnessed the entire exchange and felt bad for everyone involved. Eli with the guilt he'll carry for the rest of his life and Telese, who said she hated Charles but could see that some feelings were still there. Though not love but as the father of her child; and after the hell he put her through, the hurt of losing him twice was too much for her this time.
Once everything was in the car, Tiana drove away.
Eli watched as his granddaughter waved at him, knowing that it will be a long time before he ever sees her again.
()()()()
James and Eudora's House -
Tiana, Telese and Vivian all walked into the house. Naveen could already sense the tension.
"Hey," he gave Tiana a kiss.
"Let's get everything in the luggage!" Telese told Vivian as they walked inside her old room.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"A lot has happened at the La Bouff Estate," Tiana explained. "Where's the children?"
"With James and Eudora at the church. They left a couple of hours ago."
"And you didn't go with them?" She asked.
"They wanted to go with them alone so I let them. Plus your mama said that I needed the break."
Tiana rolled her eyes. "You couldn't take care of them for a few hours?"
"I don't see how you do it and still perform your duties as a princess and wife!" Naveen said. "You're a super woman."
Tiana couldn't stay annoyed. Her husband greatly praised her for simply being a mother. "At least you tried." She gave him a kiss.
"We're home!" Eudora walked in with James who held both Demetrius and Naiyah. "They were so good at the church! Everyone loved them!"
James set Demetrius down. "This young man will make a great preacher!"
"Preacher for his future kingdom," Naveen said with a smirk.
James laughed. "No son! For the church!"
As Naveen was about to comment Telese and Vivian stepped out of the room with their luggage.
Eudora frowned. "Where are you two going?"
"Home!" Vivian exclaimed.
"You've been here for two days!" James was surprised to see his daughter and granddaughter leaving.
"It's long enough for us!" Telese gave her father a kiss on the cheek. "I love you." She then went over to Eudora and kissed her. "I love you." And finally to Tiana and Naveen. "Are you still driving us?"
"No she will not," Naveen answered. "I'll drive this time. Tiana will also come."
"So that leaves us with the babies again," Eudora said, hating to see her daughter and granddaughter leave. "Please stay at least for church!"
"I can't mama. I'm sorry," Telese saw how hurt her mother looked.
"I was hoping to hear my two song birds sing one last time," James said.
"Daddy..." Telese suppressed her tears and exhaled. "Dam...dang! I'll stay but will leave that afternoon!"
"Thank God!" Both Eudora and Jame embraced their eldest child.
()()()()
Later that night...
Both Telese and Tiana sat out on the back porch looking up at the stars. It was a silent night with the exception of crickets chirping and occasional frogs croaking yet it brought a relaxing and nostalgia bliss with it.
The sisters were sharing some of their childhood memories as well as secrets that not even their husbands were aware of. It was as if they were children again, laughing and reminiscing on the positive and negative of good old days.
"I remember when you tried to get me to convince mama and daddy to let you go to that freshmen dance," Tiana said.
Telese laughed. "I had re-did your hair with all those pink bows and had you wear that Easter dress—
"Oh my goodness that Easter dress, yes! It was one of the dresses Charlotte rejected and mama had me wearing that thing all day! I was so hot!"
"But you were still so cute!" Telese smiled. "Now back to that freshman dance. We made all of mama and daddy's favourites that evening!"
"Mmhm! Catfish and craw fish gumbo, red beans and rice was mama's favourite!" Tiana remembered. "You had me do the fried oysters, cheese grit cakes, pecan bread pudding!"
"Girl my mouth is watering!" Telese licked her lips. "And you were only nine or ten then!"
"I still can't believe we cooked so much! Charles had Ester and Bernadette also help!" Tiana remembered, looking over at her sister who was wiping her tears. "Telese? What's wrong? Is it about Charles?"
"No, yes, well, I forgot how innocent and young we all were back then," Telese sighed. "That was the night Charles and myself shared our first kiss."
"When you sneaked out after mama and daddy said you couldn't go to the dance anyway?" Tiana asked.
She nodded. "The real reason behind me going to that damn dance was to make him jealous! He did the same thing with me for his dance by going with that tramp Ruth." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, when I told him how angry I was about not getting to dance with Clarence Reynolds, he blew a fuse and told me that he was in love with me and only wanted me...," she then rolled her eyes. "And after a year of just kissing him he wanted to move to the next level but I told him that I wasn't ready. He said that he'd wait until I was. Meanwhile he was gettin' pussy left and right while 'waiting for me'."
"Well you eventually gave it to him...your virginity," Tiana pointed out.
"Like a gullible idiot. Not listening to mama about saving myself for a good man who will love me for the rest of my life," She looked over at her sister. "What's it like?"
"What's what like?" Tiana was confused by her inquire.
"Sleeping with only one man...do you ever get bored?"
"Not at all!" Tiana answered. "As you know Naveen was a very experienced man before we got married so he would introduce me to activities that works out for us both. I had no idea that I would enjoy almost all of them."
"Really...," Telese became very interested in the topic. "So you've done things with your mouth?"
"Yes," Tiana rolled her eyes.
"Mm! Look at my baby sister!" Telese said with pride. "Riding him is a must!"
"Definitely! As well as spooning, getting on all fours!"
"He needs that access girl but you mentioned that you only use your mouth. He have better be using his!"
"He uses his mouth rather skillfully." Tiana said without missing a beat. "He takes it very serious actually."
"That's what I like to hear!" Telese exclaimed but lowered her voice. "But you're never bored? What about him?"
Tiana shook her head. "Naveen doesn't seem bored. I never asked him to be honest, but whenever we're together he's always aroused."
"Every time?"
"Mmhm! I could be brushing my hair one minute and the next in bed with him..." Tiana found it funny as she thought about it. "And since you bragged about Errol's private, I will tell you that my husband is very blessed down there. And he's very skillful with it."
"He better be! Though if you really want to know size doesn't matter if he knows how t use it!" Telese said. "But I can already tell if a man is well endowed from the first time I meet them."
"How do you know?"
"His nose."
Tiana snorted. "What?"
"The nose is a perfect indication."
""That doesn't even make any sense!" Tiana laughed. "Where dd you come up with that?"
"Experience! Oh, and how long is his index finger?"
"I don't know! I've never really paid attention to it."
"Unless it's inside of you."
"We should stop talking about sex right now," Tiana quickly said.
"I'm sure it hurt like hell the first time." Telese smirked.
"He was very gentle and...so sweet and romantic. Making sure I was ready for him." Tiana sighed at the memory.
"Slick and ready!" Telese smiled darkly. "I bet Errol would've done the same if I was a virgin..."
"Errol is a man who would never want a virgin," Tiana said knowingly.
Telese raised her brow. "And how would you know?"
"Because I do!" Tiana smiled. "Now that I told just about everything about myself and Naveen then how about you? Are you afraid that you'll grow bored or he'll of you?"
"I have a few tricks up my sleeve to keep him interested," Telese looked up at the stars. "He's a real man through and through. None of that royal primp stuff Naveen does."
"My man loves to look good!" Tiana bragged.
"So does Errol but he also loves to sweaty and get dirty! He warned me of how filthy he'll get with his sports. Especially rugby."
"I'm sure you'll enjoy washing all that mud off all those muscles." Tiana teased.
"Hard and strong muscles!" Telese bit the bottom of her lip. "Mmm. I wish he was here with me right now..."
"I know you miss him." Tiana understood how she felt.
"His lips feel so good against mine, his hands, the way he gets rough..." She sighed. "If I could just feel his fingers sliding between my—
"Okay, too much information!" Tiana covered her ears.
"Whatever! You didn't have a problem sharing what you do with Naveen and what he does for you!"
"I'm pretty sure I know what you two do and it's beyond what Naveen and I do."
"I'm messin' with you!" Telese said, changing the subject. "So you said that you know some stuff about Errol..."
"What? Well, I mean, Naveen said that Errol needs a woman like you in his life. From the little he told me about Errol's family and his father you coming into his life is like the breath of fresh air he needed."
"What are you talking about?" Telese asked. "Did he say what else he knew about Errol's family?"
Tiana shook her head. "His father raised him...I don't know anything about his mother."
Telese sighed again. "Errol does speak about his father but never his mother. I wonder why?"
"Are you ever going asked him about it?"
"I intended on before but never got through with it. I guess I'll have to bring it up whenever we have some time to ourselves."
Naveen opened the door and walked out on the porch. "You ladies are still up."
"What time is it?" Tiana asked.
"After two o clock."
"Are you serious?" Telese stood up. "I should be getting some sleep. Vivian will be talking up a storm on the ship ride back home!"
"You're still going to church with us right?" Tiana asked.
Telese smiled. "Yes." Then went back into the house.
Naveen stepped out with his wife, putting a shawl around her shoulders and wrapped his arms around her. "It's kind of chilly out here."
Tiana rested her head on his chest. "Just hold me..."
He gladly held her and inhaled her vanilla scent with a hint of jasmine.
She exhaled. "Are you bored by me?"
"Bored? Where did this come from?"
"Just curious." She looked up at him. "I'm not the typical Telese. Outspoken, outgoing..."
"You carry those traits...not as frequently but you do!"
"And how about in bed?"
Naveen frowned. "When have I seen bored? You are the most irresistible woman I've been with. I'm the one who wonders if you're bored. I am the only man you've been with."
"You are all the man I want and need," Tiana said and both shared a kiss that quickly grew passionate. Their tongues danced in a heated battle, leaving a moan to escape out of Tiana's mouth. Just when she was feeling as desirous Naveen ended the kiss.
She exhaled, disappointed. "Why'd you stop?"
"To safely escort you back in the house," Naveen walked her back in. Locking and shutting the door.
Tiana smiled and gave her husband a hug. "I love you."
Naveen rubbed her back. "And I love you, mi benita."
She looked up at him before giving him another kiss.
He deepened it but knew that they couldn't go any further with their children being in the room they were sleeping in.
"Are you punishing me?" Naveen asked, kissing her cheek then neck.
She moaned. "I don't know..." Her hands on his toned chest. "We should be getting ready for bed ourselves."
Naveen pulled away from his wife, hands on her waist. "Too bad there are two many people in that room..." he hinted on their two children
"That's actually a good thing," Tiana smiled. "It keeps me from another possible..."
"Mistake?" Naveen said.
"No, blessing," she smirked.
"Blessing. I like that! We should use it on our other children!"
"What other children?" Tiana asked.
"You will give me five children. Three boys and two girl," Naveen caressed her left cheek.
Tiana laughed. "Keep dreaming! I'm going to enjoy myself for a while before setting up for another baby?"
"Vanity?" He asked, surprised by her statement.
"No, I want to wear dresses without worrying about a large tummy covering my feet. Or be able to walk without feeling like a penguin, or how about me pushing out a human being from my body?"
"It doesn't sound too difficult," Naveen joked and moved his head when his wife playfully swung at him.
"I may get pregnant again but not for many years," Tiana promised.
"How many years?" He asked.
"Two or three?" she answered.
"If that's what you want." Naveen gave her a kiss. "Now let's go get some shut eye."
"Good idea!" They headed toward Tiana's old room.
()()()()
The day started early for everyone as they dressed in their Sunday best for church services. It was a full house as everyone was aware of the royal families would be attending.
Tiana left the children with the nannies, particularly Simone over Malene who she didn't trust but decided to be on her best behavior since they were in the house of God.
Naveen noticed how dolled up and fancy looked, wondering if he missed the memo. He had on a suit but there were men in there dressed for a ballroom dance while the women wore hats of many sizes.
James begin his sermon by welcoming everyone to the church then moving on to scriptures of the bible discussing the importance of love and family.
Naveen listened as James spoke from the bible with people agreeing with him by using "Amen" or "Hallelujah". His own wife raised her hand and seemed to be drawn into it.
As meaningful as James sounded Naveen just couldn't connect to his words, they made sense as they were basic life advice, but it didn't move him.
As the choir broke into a song he felt that it was time for him to excuse himself out room for a moment.
"Does this church have indoor plumbing?" He remembered it not having it.
"Now they do after the generous donations you left. They're down the hall to your right," Tiana said through the loud singing.
He gave her a kiss. "I'll be right back."
"Alright," she continued to sing along with everyone else.
Once Naveen stepped outside he walked right across the street as he still felt suffocated from being in the 'house of God'. He couldn't wait for the service to end.
"Oh, your majesty!" Malene seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. "What are you doing out here?"
"Just needed some air," Naveen picked up a dandelion clock.
"Was it too hot?" she asked, stepping closer to him.
"I just needed space," Naveen was about to blow the weed but Malene already beat him to it, the white cotton hitting his face.
She giggled at his surprised reaction.
"You're still full games!" Naveen laughed himself. "Why couldn't you pick up your own dandelion clock? I was thinking of saving it for Tiana."
Malene did pic up one for herself and blew another at hm.
"Hey!" Naveen laughed.
She smiled, feeling her heart flutter at the sight of the prince smiling at her. "Looks like the air is doing you some good."
"I believe it has," Naveen exhaled. "Well, back to the church I go..." he stopped when hearing a beautiful singing voice.
"Whomever that is singing sounds wonderful," Malene said.
Naveen nodded, "That's my wife singing." he rushed back into the church, leaving Malene without a care.
Facilier watched from a distance in his car with his conniving mind calculating a thousand miles a minute. "Looks like that pretty boy prince has a new admirer."
Naveen back into the room where Tiana and Telese were performing on the stage along with the choir. She looked natural on the stage and really into the music.
I just can't give up now
I've come too far from where I started from
Nobody told me the road would be easy
And I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me
He didn't know how Tiana could do it but her voice always drawn him in to whatever she believed in. When the song ended everyone sat back down with James wiping the tears from his eyes, looking proud at his two daughters.
"My baby girls..."
Everyone clapped.
Both Tiana and Telese smiled at each other.
"Praise the lord for blessing us with such extraordinary daughters. We are all on this earth because of Jesus..."
Naveen tuned out James to his wife who was looking beautiful in her conservative but beautiful peach dress. It was the most covered he's sen her since they were dating. Even Telese dressed conservatively which was a shock within itself. If Errol could see her now. Especially in the ridiculous beaded hate she was wearing.
Morning services ended by eleven giving Telese and Vivian time to leave for Soluncia and giving their family a proper farewell.
"Stay another week!" Eudora said in her embrace with her eldest daughter.
"It's time for us to leave, mama. Too much has happened here."
"But you had a nice time despite that, right?"
Telese nodded. "I'll call you when we get settled in." She took Vivian's hand, walking over to Tiana and Naveen. "I love you both and want you to enjoy yourselves. Don't get into any trouble!"
"We should be tell you that," Tiana said.
They embraced. "We'll see you in a couple of weeks."
After Telese and Vivian said their goodbyes they, along with their help who carried their luggage aboard the ship and within fifteen minutes, it sailed off.
()()()()
James and Eudora's -
Eudora sighed, walking back into the house. "She's always kept her word."
"You know how Telese can get, Eudora," James said. "She was strong to have come here in the first place." He left for his room to change for the next service later that day.
"I'll lay the children down for their nap," Naveen told Tiana as he went to her old room.
Tiana watched as Eudora hugged herself, looking at the window. "Mama, you know the reason she left. Don't you?"
"I knew since yesterday when I saw the look in her eyes," Her own eyes watered. "I told Eli to not expose that boy to her!"
"It wasn't his fault. We heard him from upstairs and oh mama...he doesn't even remember her." Tiana stood beside her mother.
"Only in his dreams and when I read a page from his favourite book. That Oz book, you know?"
"Wonderful Wizard Of Oz," Tiana remembered Telese and Charles liking the book and them reading it to herself and Charlotte as children.
"Outside from that he doesn't know or remember anyone. Except for myself and Eli," Eudora explained.
"Wait so Charles is still alive?" Naveen overheard the two.
"Shh!" Eudora shushed. "James doesn't know and I want it to remain that way."
Tiana rolled her eyes. "Really mama? Keeping more secrets from daddy?"
"He doesn't need to know this one Tiana. Trust me!" Eudora said.
Tiana didn't agree. "I don't it's fair to leave daddy out."
"Perhaps there is a reason, mi benita," Naveen pointed out.
"There is Naveen and it's all for the best!" Eudora said before leaving for the kitchen.
Tiana crossed her arms. "I don't agree with this."
"This is between the two of them. There could be more to this!" Naveen didn't want any conflict involving his wife and hated that she knew as much as she did about the La Bouffs. He wanted peace while they were here but had a feeling that it will be the last thing they'll receive during their stay.
"The drama should stay in Maldonia, Tiana. Let us enjoy our time here. It won't long."
Tiana knew her husband was right. So she gave him a hug. "I won't mention anymore about Charles."
"Good." Naveen kissed her head.
"Anybody hungry!" James asked, coming out of his room in a different coloured suit.
Tiana smiled. "You look handsome in navy blue," she gave her father a hug.
"I agree with that, babycakes," he kissed her on the head. "Are you two hungry?"
"Don't you have to get back to church?" Tiana asked.
"Not for another three hours!" James headed towards the kitchen.
"Are you hungry?" Tiana asked her husband.
"For you," he smirked
She playfully rolled her eyes. "I meant for food."
"I'm always hungry," he took her hand as they walked in the kitchen.
()()()()
Soluncia – Four Day Later – Errol's Study
Errol was finally done with a contract he was holding off getting to until the end of the day. Tomorrow was the day he will pick up his wife and daughter, with help of guards and he missed him greatly. As he stretched his strong arms the door opened to a familiar voluptuous female who walked into the room.
"Adriane. What are you doing here?" Errol asked.
"Would you like a massage your highness?" She made sure to sound desirous for him.
Errol thought about it for a second and nodded "Why not? Today was stressful as hell."
The servant lit up and hurried over to begin massaging the king's shoulders. "Very tense."
"Oh, yes..." Errol moaned, always enjoying Adriane's massages, even if they did ended up sleeping together. But that was before he got married to the woman of his dreams Telese. Who was just as good with her hands and mouth for that matter.
When he felt Adriane's lips kissing his neck his eyes shot open.
"What are you doing?"
"I was giving you a massage." She kissed his ear.
"Felt like you were kissing me," Errol said sternly, sitting up. "Adriane when I accepted your massage I only wanted that. Nothing more."
She looked hurt. "But we use to always..."
"Not anymore. I'm a marred man who loves his wife. You remember the queen?"
"I apologize." a disappointed Adriane said.
He stood up. "It never happens again. You may leave."
The servant walked out of the office, embarrassed but not before bumping into Vivian. "Oh, your majesty. I'm sorry!"
Telese shook her head. "No, Vivian you say excuse me!"
"Excuse me!" She ran all the way to her father's study.
"Vivian stop that running!"
Errol heard his wife's voice and just as he was about to rush out the room, Vivian ran right into him. "Daddy! We're back!"
He lifted his daughter in the air. "I see!"
Telese smiled, walking in. "The ship ride arrived ahead of schedule!"
Errol put his daughter down and brought Telese in his arms before pressing his lips onto hers.
"How romantic!" Vivian watched.
"I've missed you," Errol kissed her again. "Is this a dream?"
Telese laughed. "Down boy! Our daughter is in the room!"
"You two go on and kiss! This is better than the fairy tail stories Madam Tilly makes us read."
"Mmhm. Go to your room and get some sleep. It's way past your bedtime," Telese told her daughter.
"Awe!" Vivian pouted as she left them alone. "I'm going to be getting married in ten years you know!"
Errol laughed. "She's exactly like you!"
"Too much like me!" She said, looking on his desk and seeing the newspaper in bold words 'Baby watch for the Soluncian Royal Couple'
"So we're on baby watch?" She asked.
"Hmm?" Errol asked, and followed her eyes. "Oh, yes we are!"
"Well I guess they'll be watching forever since it ain't happenin'."
Errol let her go to throw the paper in the waste basket. "It's nonsense."
Despite being happy to see her, Telese could tell that Errol had a lot on his mind, particularly news on the heir that will never come. "So everyone is pressuring you for an heir?"
"Not now," he said.
"You throwing away the paper isn't going to-
"Telese, you just got home and all I want is my wife tonight," Errol said boldly.
Telese couldn't disagree more because she wanted him just as much.
When they both ended up in their room and bed together soon after they made sure to go extra slow, their love making lasting a little longer.
Later as they lay together Telese was still awake and even though she felt relieved to get away from New Orleans and from her past she knew that another problem could be the possible demise of her marriage, and on top of that she still had to get her results of her cysts from Dr. Himmel.
She placed her hand over her tummy, the skin was soft yet underneath will never carry another child. She could only imagine Errol being a supportive husband long enough until he finally tells her that she will no longer be any use of him.
"I can't let that happen," she closed her eyes, tears suddenly leaving her eyes. "Please God please blessed me with a child for my husband." She felt pathetic for praying to God for anything. She was taught to never ask God for anything but love and forgiveness.
She hated herself for feeling 'helpless' and 'weak', but that was exact how she was feeling. Her husband's words of love, promises and support sounded beautiful but they were words that she's heard from other men before.
"Why do I have to feel insecure now?" she asked to herself.
"Insecure?" Errol said, still asleep.
She felt his arms pull her over to him and rested her head on his chest, listening to his breathing and heartbeats. An exhale left her mouth as she tried to relax her mind. It was the least she could do for herself.
()()()()
The Next Morning, Dr. Himmel's Office -
"There are no signs of cancer, or cysts but I would like to see you again for a check-up every month. Just to be on the safe side, your majesty," spoke Dr. Himmel.
Telese was relieved by the news but she had to know about her other physician. "Did you ever receive my medical file from France?"
"Yes, I received it and have looked it over. It is my honour to serve as your physician your majesty." He bowed. "Have you received any cramps since the last time we spoke?"
"No but what if they do come back?"
"If you don't mind me asking, do you have a menstrualcycle?"
"I do not. I've never had them much to be honest and after the surgery I was told that I will no longer bleed at all."
"Interesting," said Dr. Himmel. "So no occasional spotting?"
"Not a single one." Telese answered. "What's with all the questions?"
"It's required," Dr. Himmel closed the file. "You are all done. I'll see you a month from now."
Telese changed back into her clothes once the doctor left feeling pleased yet lost. As she walked out in the corridor a male servant called for her.
"Your majesty the king would like to see you in the Alpine Rose garden!"
She followed orders and met with her husband who was shirtless. For Telese it was time to roll her eyes yet again.
Errol boomed in laughter. "What? It's warm out here!"
"Bull! You just wanted to show off your muscles!" She said.
"How as your visit with the doctor?"
"It was good. He couldn't find anything but would like to see me once a month for testing."
Errol sighed in relief and pulled her in for a hug.
"Looks like good news!" The Duke interrupted. "When will the baby come?"
Errol groaned. "Get away from us."
"It is only a simple question." The Duke gasped when the king was now in his face. He swallowed a nervous gulp. "That can wait..." He coward away.
Telese wrapped her arms from behind her husband. "You didn't have to cause the man to wet his pants."
"The bastard should know his place."
"You know everybody is waiting for the announcement," Telese said. "We should tell them the truth."
He turned to her. "It's no one's business but ours." And put an orange flower in her hair. "My little fire lily."
She sighed. "Will this get you into any trouble?"
He raised a brow. "What are you talking about?"
"You know? Not having an heir to secure your family throne."
Errol stepped out. "Telese we already discuss this."
She walked around to face him. "You'll lose the respect won't you?"
"I love you, okay? You and Vivian are my happiness!" He caressed her face.
"But you need that confidence!" She exclaimed.
"I need you!" He fired back. "Dammit, get over here!" He grasps her arms, pulling her to him and pressing his lips onto hers.
Telese accepted his rough advance but had to remind him that they were outside barely in the middle of the garden. "We're in the open."
"I can't wait another moment, Telese," he scooped her in his arms. "Kennit!"
The large guard by the door stepped outside. "Yes your highness."
"Make sure no one steps out of that door!" He then went into the middle of the garden.
"Yes, your highness," the guard obeyed.
()()()()