A Son For A King

Visions

Naveen kissed Tiana's hand as they lay together in bed after making love. He was so happy to have her back with him that he decided to cancel his trip just so he spend more time with her.

"Never leave me again." He said.

Tiana opened her eyes, looking at her husband's honey colored orbs. "As long as you'll never leave me."

He hugged her, letting out a loud exhale. "Not having you here with me, like this was painful to my heart. And the vanilla scent you usually leave behind wasn't there either."

"Well, I'm back here now." Tiana smiled. "And you can smell all the vanilla you want from me." She ran her fingers through his dark hair, but stopped when she saw an unfamiliar gray hair. She pulled it out.

"Ouch!" Naveen said. "What was that about?"

Tiana laughed and joked. "Look who's aging so gracefully?"

Naveen raised an eyebrow. "A gray hair? But I am only twenty-six!"

"Oh it's completely normal Naveen." Tiana said. "You may not even get anymore gray hairs for another ten to twenty years."

Naveen sat up. "Faldi faldonza." And got off the bed, naked all, running in the bathroom to look in the mirror. His eyes heavily scanning his entire hair.

Tiana put wrapped a blanket around her, walking in the bathroom. "I now regret telling you about the gray hair. Only you would lose your mind over it."

"But Tiana, I cannot have a gray hair! I am much too young." He walked passed her, taking a hand mirror from her make-up table and pressing the intercom.

"Yes your majesty?" A helper answered.

"Bring in my barber…now!" He demanded, still looking for any gray hairs.

"He is on his way."

Tiana shook her head, getting a dress from the closet. "You done lost your mind."

"I really hope the barber doesn't find any grays."

Tiana rolled her eyes. "You better hope the barber doesn't see your naked behind!"

"Oh, right." He said as Tiana handed him some clothes. "But Tiana, I am such a young man." He sighed and looked at her. "At least you don't to worry about cracking."

Tiana frowned. "What?"

"You know, black doesn't crack. At least that's what the waiters use to say at the old restaurant in New Orleans."

Tiana shook her head. "Black doesn't crack?" She started laughing.

"It isn't funny." Naveen slipped on his boxers. "At least you gave our children hope in not having to suffer pre-aging." He pulled on his pants.

"I think you are overreacting." Tiana said. "It was only a gray hair! It isn't like you're dying!"

"I'm much closer to it than you are!" Naveen continued to look at his hair.

Tiana decided to change the subject. "Jasmyna is going to be three months old tomorrow. I was thinking that we could-

"What is taking that barber so long to get here!" Naveen wondered, blowing off his wife. "There has to be a way to prevent this from continuing."

Tiana sighed and tried to change the subject again. "You know Naveen. If it would make you feel any better. I have something-

"Perhaps if I have the barber cut my hair shorter then it could be less noticeable?" Naveen asked.

"It's only one tiny little string!" Tiana said, getting a little annoyed.

"A gray one!" Naveen took a seat on the stool by the makeup table. "Very soon my handsome features will start to wrinkle, like my fathers."

"Ugh. Shut up!" Tiana said, sitting on his lap, pressing her lips to his.

Naveen returned the kiss, rubbing her behind. But an itch in his nose interrupted them from going any further.

"Ah-chew!"

Tiana got up off his lap. "Ugh! Naveen!"

"What? You got on my lap, kissed me. I was enjoying it and I got an itch in my nose."

Tiana rolled her eyes. "I think you're catching a cold."

Naveen sighed, getting back up. "I am not catching a cold. I always get a little allergy around the autumn season."

Tiana pressed the intercom.

"Yes your highness?"

"Have Dr. Serpero come in the royal suite. Oh, and cancel that barber."

Naveen's eyes widen. "But-

"He is on his way. And I will notify the barber to not come in your suite."

Naveen folded his arms. "I do not need a doctor Tiana."

She rolled her eyes. "He can give you something for your cold...or allergies as you say."

Naveen walked passed his wife and smacked her on the behind before going to the door. "I have some phone calls to make." And opened it. He stopped when he saw a short elderly woman with shades on smiling at him. His eyes widen. "Mama Odie?"

"What do think?" She asked, and laughed.

Naveen bend over to pick her up. "I haven't seen you in years!"

"Oh boy put me down. I'm two hundred and three years old, not twenty-three!"

"It's so good to see you again Mama Odie." Tiana said, giving the woman a hug.

"Likewise my dear."

JuJu slithered on Naveen's arm, rubbing his head on the king.

"Nice to see you, too JuJu."

"When did you get here?" Tiana asked.

"About a couple hours ago." Mama Odie said. "Where are ya babies?"

"James is in soccer-

"Football" Naveen corrected.

"Right, he's practicing for the new football season already even if the real season starts in the spring."

"He is a beautiful boy. Just like his daddy" Mama Odie said.

"How do you know what he looks like?" Naveen asked and sneezed.

"Oh, careful with that cold. I'm not as young as I use to be." Mama Odie said.

A knock was heard at the door.

Tiana opened the door letting Dr. Serpero walk in. "Hello your majesty, do you need anything?"

"No, it was actually Naveen. He's coming down with a cold."

"No I'm not. I only have allergies." He said and sneezed again.

The doctor put his hand over Naveen's forehead. "You feel a little warm there your highness?"

"Faldi faldonza." Naveen groaned.

Mama Odie laughed.

Dr. Serpero took out a pill bottle and handed to Naveen. "Just take one tablet per day until you start to feel better."

"Now hold on a second there doctor." Mama Odie took the bottle from Naveen's hand. "That's all ya gonna do for him? Check his head and give him some pills? It's no wonder so many people are crazy des days."

"Madam I am a doctor, I know what to give my patients." Dr. Serpero said.

"Oh do ya really?" Mama Odie rested her hands on her sides. "All ya doctors are the same. None of you believe in natural herbs anymore."

"Your highness, follow my instructions." Dr. Serpero said, ignoring the woman.

"You know, Mama Odie is right. When I was pregnant with James she gave me some ginger for my cramps."

"Ginger is wonderful for pain, but too much can be bad." Dr. Serpero said, looking at the frowning snake.

"That's the craziest thang I ever heard." Mama Odie laughed.

"Look, I will not debate my forty years of studying medicine with some…witch."

"Watch your tone. She is a guest here." Naveen warned.

"I am sorry your highness, but I disagree with this woman."

"Her name is Mama Odie." Tiana corrected him.

Dr. Serpero gave up. "Alright then…you can take the pills or not. But recommend that you do." He looked over at Tiana. "You take it easy." He gave a back a small rub.

Mama Odie raised an eyebrow.

"I will be just fine Dr. Serpero. You go take it easy."

He nodded his head. "You all enjoy the rest of the evening." Walking out the room.

Mama Odie shook her head. "He will never learn." She handed Tiana the pill bottle. "Throw that junk away." And pulled out a small bottle with blue liquid in it. "Naveen, you take dis. It works better than any pill and it's natural. From earth."

Naveen studied the bottle before opening it. "Am I supposed to drink all of it?"

"If you want that cold out of you."

Naveen down the liquid in one gulp and shook his head. "Whoa...that's stronger than vodka."

"Yea, and it's works very faster then dem pills that medical doctor tried to give you." Mama Odie said, as JuJu slithered off the king.

"You see Tiana, I didn't need a doctor after all. We have Mama Odie here to heal my allergies." Naveen smiled.

"You had a cold, baby. Don't deny it." The elderly woman said, making Tiana laughed.

"Well since you are feeling better, then I guess you will join me and Mama as she meets our Jasmyna." Tiana suggested.

Mama Odie smiled. "Oh the lil princess. Let's get at it then! I have a gift for her."

()()()()

Kanad and A 'sharia walked hand and hand in his room, both sad that another day of being together has ended. He wanted his girlfriend to stay a little longer, but knew that it wouldn't be a great idea since she had a curfew.

Kanad looked down at his girlfriend and stopped walking. A'sharia looked up at the prince with a questioning look.

"A 'sharia, I know that you have a curfew, but if you could stay just a little longer-

"Now you know I can't do such a thing Kanad." A'shaira said, not wanting to leave herself. "I have class in the morning and Sophora will have my head if I came in late."

Kanad sighed, and caressed her face. "You are such a good girl."

A'shaira smiled. "Is that a bad thing?"

"No…" Kanad said, shaking his head. "I like that, a lot." He slowly wrapped his arms around her before pressing his lips to hers.

A'sharia wrapped her arms around him, deepening the kiss.

So many thoughts were in the young prince's head, that he didn't even notice himself walking to his bed. Both laid on it, still kissing.

A 'sharia's mind was just as confused. She didn't know whether to keep going, or if she should stop him. She then opened her eyes, her heart racing. "Kanad…"

He opened his eyes. "Yes?"

She smiled. "I'm ready." She began unbuttoning her shirt.

"Kanad!" A 'sharia waved her hand in front of his face.

The prince shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "What?"

She laughed. "You zoned out again. What were you thinking about this time?"

Embarrassed, Kanad scratched the back of his head. "I don't know."

"There you go with that answer again." She shook her head. "You know, I still can't believe that this is your bedroom. I thought rooms like this only exist in storybooks."

Kanad didn't hear what she just said as his mind was still on his fantasy. He decided to change the subject to avoid even more embarrassment. "The new football season is coming up."

"Already? Wow, I thought you were just practicing."

"I am, but I have to be in top shape if I want my team to win another championship." He said, taking her hand. "And I want you there for support."

"Now you know that isn't possible. I have several months left before I leave." A 'sharia said.

"I can arrange for you to come in some of my home games." Kanad suggested. "I want my girl there cheering for me."

"And I will, but what if another girl takes your interest." A 'sharia said, sadly.

Kanad shook his head. "You're the only girl who has my interest." He leaned over, kissing her. Putting his hand on her lap.

A 'sharia felt his hand and rested hers on top of his.

Kanad pulled back from the kiss. "I love you, A'sharia."

The young girl's eyes widen, surprised to hear those words.

Kanad was now regretting his confession after seeing her expression. "I'm sorry A'sharia. I didn't mean to scare you."

"You didn't scare me." A'sharia looked down at her hands before looking back up at the prince. "I love you, too."

"You do?" He asked.

She nodded her head.

Kanad smiled, standing up from the couch. "You will always be my girl." Both kissed again.

But she pulled away. "I should get going. You know how Sophora can get."

"You're right." Kanad walked them out of the room and into the hall. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow."

They kissed again.

Snickering could be heard from behind them.

The teens looked behind them and they saw Mama Odie. "Oh don't mind me. Go back to ya lil puppy romance."

Tiana and Naveen walked out of their room and stopped when they saw Kanad with A'sharia.

A'sharia's mouth was wide open as she saw Tiana. Kanad noticed and decided to introduce the two. "Hey Tiana, this is my girlfriend A'sharia. A'sharia, Tiana."

Tiana smiled at the young lady and shook her hand. "How do you do, A'sharia?"

"Oh your highness." She curtsied. "You're even more beautiful in person."

Tiana laughed. "Thank you." She was flattered. "Kanad told me you're beautiful, and I can see that he's right."

A'sharia's smile was wide. "I cannot believe that I shook hands and am speaking with the queen of Maldonia."

"And who am I, chopped liver?" Naveen joked.

"Oh no your highness." A'sharia shook her head. "It is always an honor to see you."

Naveen nodded his head, "Well, I would like for you two to meet an old dear friend of Tiana and myself. Mama Odie."

"Don't be so formal." Mama Odie laughed. "But it is nice to see youngins in love."

"You can see?" Kanad asked, as JuJu smiled at him.

"From here." She pointed to her heart. "That's all you need when it comes to seein' the real person for who dey are."

Jasmyna could be heard crying in her nursery.

"Okay ya'll I think we should give Kanad and A'sharia their time together. It was nice meeting ya."

A'sharia curtsied. "Likewise your majesty."

"Call me Tiana, sweetie." The young queen said before walking in the nursery, Naveen and Mama Odie followed..

A'sharia smiled. "She said that I can call her Tiana! And her accent is so cute! You can tell that she's from the southern part of the United States! And she's so proper."

Kanad laughed. "Yes, well let me walk you to the car." He took her hand, walking them down the hall.

Tiana picked up the baby. "Thank you Helenia."

The nanny nodded her head before leavening the room.

The baby looked up a t her mother and started cooing. "Jasmyna, I will like to introduce you to someone."

"Mama Odie!" James said, running in the room. He stopped when he saw the woman holding his sister.

"James, how was practice?" Naveen asked.

"It was great! Everyone loved the techniques I showed them. Coach even wants to add some of them to our plays."

"Good." Naveen said. "I knew he would approve of them."

Mama Odie touched the baby's face with her finger. "She is such a beautiful baby. She'll definitely be a lot like her daddy when she starts noticing boys."

Naveen's eyes widen. "Not under my roof!"

Mama Odie chuckled. "I'm messin' with ya boy."

James tapped on the woman's arm. "Mama Odie-

"James!" She said. "My have you grown. You gonna be a tall man like ya daddy."

"I think I'll be taller." James said.

"Strong genes from the Maldonian king." Mama Odie said, handing the baby back to Tiana. "But this lil gal here will definitely inherit her mama's beauty and work ethics."

"Good to know Mama Odie." Tiana said.

James took the woman's hand. "How long are you staying here for Mama Odie?"

The elderly woman felt a little faint.

Naveen was there to catch her. "Mama Odie, are you alright?"

"I just need a seat." The woman said.

Naveen helped her to the rocking chair. "I will have someone bring you some water."

James frowned.

Mama Odie began seeing flashes of light and an image of a baby crying. "Oh dear…" Then another flash appeared with James looking scared. She shook her head. "No…" And a black feather appearing.

Tiana grew concern. "Mama Odie, are you alright?" She asked, touching her hand.

Mama Odie then saw Tiana in her image, crying on a bed. "Oh no…there's bad spirits in this room, in this part of the palace."

Naveen frowned as James went by his side. "Bad spirits?"

Mama Odie nodded her head. "That was the reason I came here." She looked over at Jasmyna and at James. "But I reckon I'm too late to prevent it from happenin'."

()()()()