Oh! Say! Let us fly, dear
Where, kid? To the sky, dear
Oh you flying machine
Jump in, Miss Josephine
Ship ahoy! Oh joy, what a feeling
Where, boy? In the ceiling
Ho, High, Hoopla we fly
To the sky so high

Tiana slowly rocked the newborn in her arms as she softly sung her favorite lullaby...

Come Josephine in my flying machine
Going up she goes! Up she goes!
Balance yourself like a bird on a beam
In the air she goes! There she goes!
Up, up, a little bit higher
Oh! My! The moon is on fire
Come Josephine in my flying machine
Going up, all on, Goodbye!

Tiana kissed the sleeping baby on the cheek before tucking her into her crib. She gently closed the door before heading to the master bedroom for bed. She almost jumped when she saw Vincent standing in the room removing his cufflinks. It had been this way for weeks now.

"How's Victoria?" he asked

She failed to greet him as she sat at her vanity table to brush her shiny dark locks of hair.

"What is your problem?"

Tiana closed her eyes as she tried to keep her mouth shut she was tired and wanted to go to bed. She continued to brush her hair until she stopped to lotion her legs.

"I know you can hear me." he said as he grabbed her arm. She yanked her arm back on reflex.

"Don't you dare touch me." she said looking at him straight in his eyes

"You will respect me in my house!" he shouted "I work hard everyday and this is what I come home to?"

"You haven't even been home in two months Vincent!" she snapped "You haven't even acknowledged our daughter!"

"She probably isn't mine at all."

She was taken aback "Have you even seen her? She looks just like you! How can you deny that?"

"I'll determine that for myself." he said placing his briefcase on the dresser "Just as how I'll determine if you actually hit my mother or not."

Tiana felt her heart beating fast.

"She probably deserved it." he smirked "She's been a bitch since day one.."

Tiana decided to change the subject "Why did you forge my signature on the birth certificate."

"Because I can." he stated simply removing his tie "Anymore questions?"

She narrowed her eyes "Yes. Why are you such an asshole?"

Without warning he struck her causing her to back into the dresser. He grabbed her waist pulling her closer to him.

"I hate you." she hissed

"I love it when you get upset. It does something to me." he said rubbing up the sides of her body "This nightgown is just the icing on the cake. Is this the one I bought you in France?" he pressed his lips onto hers

For some reason, she welcomed the kiss but it quickly made her feel cheap as he grabbed her derriere roughly. "Leave me alone Vincent." she pushed him off her, taking off her robe as she walked over to the bed pulling the covers back lying on the bed "I'm tired."

He eyed her body in the thigh length nightie and she wished that she would've worn something more modest as he climbed on top of her, pulling the hem up. "It's been months Tiana…" he whispered into her ear

"Go find your whores to satisfy you." she spat "How about Suzane? Or better yet Cynthia."

He grabbed her neck, for a moment before releasing his grip "What did you say? Don't fucking play with me Tiana." his tone was dark

Tiana inhaled deeply as she eventually gave up, she felt him harden against her thigh.

"Just take it." he said undressing before making sure he was positioned before entering her..

()()()

"How are you feeling?" Vincent kissed Tiana on her shoulder

She didn't answer.

"I apologize for being too rough." he said pulling the covers over them both "You just don't understand how good you feel inside."

She closed her eyes, attempting to tune him out

"I promise to work on my temper." he pulled the covers over them "For the sake of our daughter."

Tiana rolled her eyes knowing he didn't see her face, he was such a liar.

"So now you're claiming her?"

"She's a Richelieu through and through." he said proudly

Vincent noticed that wasn't responding. "Listen, I know how much you wanted to keep her name the same, but I just felt that this one is better suited for her...with more meaning. I had to keep the tradition alive…"

"By naming her after your father who you hated?" she sat up "It doesn't make any sense."

"To me it does!" he stopped trying to control his anger "Just leave it alone. What kind of name is Jamesetta anyway?"

"It meant something to me." she said holding back tears "After my parents…"

"Well they are both gone now.." he said pulling her back into the bed, he had her right where he wanted her "It's just us now. Perhaps when you birth a son." he kissed her along her neck

'When hell freezes over..' she thought

"With a name with such prestige, everyone will respect her...even though she's half Negro."

Tiana rolled her eyes.

"I got a new job offer as a district attorney." he began "Next week we're moving to South Carolina."

Tiana's eyes widened. "What?"

"Everything's already arranged. I'll be making more money, and our house there is twice as big as this one."

"I don't want to leave New Orleans." she blurted "My entire life is here…"

"You have no choice." he spoke harshly "You have a week to pack."

Tiana didn't know how to feel as she dressed the baby in the nursery. It was a bright sunny day and she was bonding with the baby everyday. She smiled as she watched how cute she looked in her frilly white outfit and hat.

"You are just the cutest little thing." she spoke to the bright eyed infant "Are you ready for your walk?"

The baby kicked her chubby legs in response.

"I'll take that as a yes." Tiana picked her up and walked down the stairs, where the baby carriage was waiting. "There we go.."

"Are you leaving madame?" Betty asked walking towards them "Do you need help with-

"Everything's already packed." Tiana said blankly "I'm just taking her for a stroll in the park before we leave." They were leaving for South Carolina today.

"Alright.." Betty said as she watched her walk down the sidewalk "But make sure you're back on time before your train leaves!"

The morning was lovely, people were out walking enjoying the sunny spring weather as she sat on one of the park benches with the baby still in the carriage looking up at the giant sassafras trees.

"I love the trees too." Tiana spoke softly "I used to try to climb them when I saw a little girl...but your granddaddy always stopped me before I could."

She sighed, backtracking on the memory. "He was always protecting me...just as I'll always protect you. I'll never let any bad happen to you…ever."

"If only I made that promise to you sooner.."

Tiana heard someone as she quickly turned to look behind her to see Naveen walking near her. She couldn't believe it. Was she going mad?

"Naveen?"

The prince smiled as he saw her beautiful face. "Tiana…"

Without thinking, she shot up and ran over to meet him halfway as they held each other for quite sometime, never wanting to let go. Tiana felt tears flowing down her face feeling his strong arms around her body. She felt him to make sure he was real.

"Is this reality?" she asked looking up at him

He pressed his lips onto hers "It sure feels like it."

Tiana pushed him away "Don't you kiss me!"

Naveen raised an eyebrow "What?"

"You left me here all alone!" she softly hit his chest, crying. "Didn't tell me where you were…"

"Tiana I didn't want to...it was by force!"

"Whatever." she said wiping her face, as much as she was happy to see him, she instantly felt some type of resentment towards him "I'm leaving New Orleans forever...without you."

Naveen didn't understand where she was going with this "What are you talking about?"

She walked over to the park bench to tend to the baby "A lot has changed since you were gone."

He saw her tending to the infant noticing the light features. "Is that Charlotte's new baby?" he asked. He remembered the blonde being pregnant before he left New Orleans.

"She's mine." she said bluntly "...And Vincent's."

Naveen felt his stomach drop. "When did all of this happen?"

"She was born two months ago." she stated trying not to break down "I thought for sure that it would be your child…"

He stood before her not knowing what to feel. "Wait, there was a chance that she could've been mine?"

She nodded her head as tears ran down her face.. "I'm so sorry Naveen."

"No.." he said as he held her close "It's not your fault...don't you dare apologize for something like this."

She melted in his arms and her hard resistance against him washed away. "I've missed you so much."

Naveen knew that she was beginning to soften towards him which made his heart leap. "I love you Tiana. Come with me to Portugal…"

That alerted Tiana "Your home country? But what about Jameset...I mean Victoria?"

He raised an eyebrow "Who?"

"My daughter."

"Of course Tiana, I would never separate you from her."

"No. I mean...that I don't want to keep her away from Vincent."

He closed his eyes "Please don't tell me that you are being considerate for that bastard."

"He's her father Naveen!"

"Tiana I do not care about all of that! I will love her regardless of her paternity...she's part of my heart as well." he said sincerely

She felt his sincerness and hugged him again. "I'm moving from New Orleans."

"What?" he looked down at her "When? Where?"

"Today." she said sniffling "To South Carolina."

"Why?" he felt his heart dropping

"Vincent got a promotion. I didn't know until last week."

"Do you want to go with him?" he had to ask her, he didn't want her to do anything that she didn't want to do

"I want you." she looked him in his eyes

He smiled as he held her tight "Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

"Achidonza!"

"What?" she laughed

"I'm happy!" he said kissing her "We will leave today. The last ship for Portugal docks at five."

Tiana felt her heart thumping in her chest, she couldn't believe this moment was finally here. But what about her loved ones?

"Wait."

"What's wrong?"

"I can't leave my friends! Genie and Vivienne! They are both in delicate situations..."

"I can take care of them." he assured "Anyone you love will be protected."

She kissed his lips joyful that everything would be alright "I love you."

"I love you." he said "Are you ready to go?"

"More than anything.." she stopped "Wait, I have to go back home."

Naveen was confused "Why? I can buy you everything new when we arrive at the palace."

"I have a box of keepsakes from my Mama's house. I can't leave them, it's all I have."

"Alright I will drive you there." he was unsure about going, but he just wanted Tiana to be happy "But we have to be swift."

"Vincent won't be home until seven tonight." she assured him knowing that he was worried "It won't take long at all."

"I'll be waiting here." said Naveen pulling up in front of the estate "Are you sure you don't want me to come inside?"

"I'm sure." she smiled "I'll be right back."

"Why are you taking the baby?"

"Quick diaper change. I left them all here too."

He nodded as he watched her walk inside.

The nursery was the first room she made it into as she placed the infant on the changing table, and cleaned her up quickly. When she was done, she placed her into the crib so that she could go into the attic to retrieve the keepsake box without surrounding the baby in the dusty environment. She found the box in the exact place where she left it before walking by the master bedroom where she spotted a slender gift wrapped box. She read the tag.

To Tiana, From Vivienne.

She smiled as she grabbed the gift and walked back into the nursery to get Victoria. Her stomach dropped when she discovered that she wasn't in her crib. Tiana began to panic.

"Betty?" she shouted as she walked down the hallway "Betty!"

She sprinted down the stairs as she shouted the housekeeper's name, with no response. Tiana searched every room downstairs before running back up the stairs into the nursery again. She gasped when she saw Vincent holding their sleeping daughter.

He was faced towards the window as he rocked her in his arms gently, clearly knowing that Tiana was close by. "What are you doing?" she stuttered

Vincent faced her direction pretending to be surprised by her presence. "I'm just spending time with our daughter, what's wrong?"

She knew that she couldn't tell him why she was so panicked, so she decided to play it cool "Oh nothing it's just time for her nursing." she lied

"She doesn't seem hungry to me."

"A bath will do just fine, after walking in the park all day-

"Cut the bullshit Tiana." he interrupted "You must think I'm stupid?"

She felt her body tense up. "What are you talking about?"

He ran his finger across the infant's chubby cheek "Why must you always do this Tiana...constantly undermining my authority. I always find out. Always."

"Give me my baby."

"For what?" he shouted "So that you can take her and leave me for that prince? She's going to be just fine here."

"I don't want to be with you anymore!" she shouted

He sighed "What happened Tiana? We are in love-"

"We used to be in love Vincent. But all of that changed the moment you thought that I was going to ruin your career." she stated bitterly

"I was in a different part of my life then. I wasn't ready for a child…"

"But I was?" she argued "I was scared out of my mind and you weren't making it better by hitting me every chance you saw fit!"

"Who are you talking to?"

"You!" she yelled "Listen, just give me my child."

"You not going anywhere with him." she saw the darkness in his steel blue eyes. She grew frightened.

"Watch me." she said as she went over to grab the baby, but he pushed her onto the floor almost hitting her head on the dresser.

"Never in my life have I seen such foolery." he said standing over her "I don't know what I ever saw in you." and just went he was about to kick her, the blond man heard the sound of a pistol cocking.

"Try it and you will never walk into another courtroom again." Naveen pointed the gun right at his head

Vincent realized who it was and laughed "Oh if it isn't Prince Naveen…"

"Save it." Naveen said with his finger on the trigger. "Put her in the crib."

"Go to hell." he said kissing the baby on the forehead "Better put that gun away before you end up in jail boy."

Naveen cocked the weapon once more before firing a warning shot into the ceiling "You have five seconds."

Tiana screamed.

"You're not going to shoot me." he said opening the window "Have the guts to screw my woman but don't them to kill me. Shame."

That was enough for Naveen as he shot him in the leg. Vincent instantly held the baby outside of the window. "Another shot and she's dead."

"NO!" Tiana cried as she rushed over to him

But Naveen had a plan. He placed the gun into his pocket before going over to Vincent, grabbing the back of his neck dragging him back into the room "Put her in the crib you bastard!"

He did as he was told as Tiana rushed and picked up the very alert infant, happy to be holding her again.

"Go out to the car Tiana." Naveen yelled with Vincent still in his grasp. He wanted to make sure they were both safe.

With one last glance, she left the room making her way out to the car. 'I hope he'll be alright.' she thought

Naveen punched him square in the jaw before throwing him into the wall "You motherfucker!" he yelled as he kept at it "You want to hurt a woman?" he kept throwing punches "Hit me a real man!" he said as Vincent laid defeated on the floor. He tried to stand up.

"Make another move and I will end your life." he promised "I will make sure of it."

Vincent stared at Naveen in anger as he watched him leave the room.

Tiana looked out onto the horizon as her New Orleans was fading away into the distance. It was bittersweet feeling. Everything she known and loved was floating away from her.

"I know you must have a million thoughts roaming through that beautiful mind of yours."

She turned to look at her love, smiling weakly. "I didn't get a chance to say goodbye."

He knew that she was talking about her loved ones. "Don't worry, I will take care of them. I'll have my father wire them money to take care of everything they need."

She sighed in relief "Thank you...for everything."

He gently brought her lips onto hers for a soft kiss. "Anything for you minha beleza."

"What?"

"It means 'my beauty' in Portuguese." he smiled

Her heart leapt at the translation. "Beautiful."

He wrapped his arms around her "Everything will be alright...you should join the baby in the suite and get some rest."

"You're right." she said as he led them to their room on board the ship. But as much as she was happy to leave, she couldn't help but to feel like she was betraying Vincent, even after what he done to her for years.

'I've got to get past this.' she thought

A/N: It's not over yet! At least a few more chapters before the ending! R&R!