Even in the fuzz of her dreams, Tiana knew what he was doing. Or rather, what his tongue was doing. She gave a contented sigh and rolled over on her back, opening herself up to him, giving him all the room he needed. Naveen took the hint and continued licking between her thighs, but still he kept his pace slow and tantalizing.

Tiana was fully awake now, and reached down under the blankets, finding his curls with the tips of her fingertips. He took her hand in his, threading their fingers and rubbing along her thumb with his own. She laughed a little even as her breathing grew heavy.

It didn't take long before the pleasure washed over her.

What a way to start the day.

Naveen kissed along her thighs and then up her stomach. He poked his head out from under the blankets and gave her a wicked grin.

"Good morning," he said.

Tiana giggled softly and ran her fingers through his curls again. "A very good morning," she replied.

Naveen kissed and nuzzled at her breasts. "And did you sleep well, my love?"

She laughed again and dimpled when he glanced up at her. "No," she teased. "Did you?"

His hands had taken touching her breasts, and he shook his head, grinning, coming further up her body. "No," he said and kissed her.

Tiana sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, happily kissing him back. He was so warm, and it felt so nice to wake with him like this. If this was what their married life would bring them, Tiana could very easily get used to it.

"I love you," Naveen said, rubbing her nose with his.

"M'passionaza," Tiana replied.

He sighed happily and kissed along her neck and jaw. If he had known just how sexy it was to hear Tiana speak his native tongue he would have taught her a long time ago. "Say it again," he pleaded as he buried himself in her hair.

"M'passionaza, Naveen."

He shivered happily. "I love hearing you speak Maldonian."

Tiana played softly with his curls. "You said you'd teach me more."

"Does this mean you want another lesson?" Naveen rolled over to his side and propped himself up on his elbow.

Tiana nodded and brought him in for another kiss. "How do you say that?"

"Hmm? Say what?" He was too lost in her eyes to think properly.

"Kiss, silly."

"Oh!" He grinned and tucked a curl behind her ear. "To kiss is beiso."

"Mmm beiso." Tiana kissed him again, then held a finger against his mouth. "And lips?"

He smiled under her touch. "Lappre."

"And… this?" She traced her fingers down along his chest and stomach until she reached his hardness, making him gasp.

"Exhausted," he laughed, though he didn't push her away.

"Does that mean you want me to stop?" she asked, stroking him slowly.

Naveen gave her a lazy smile and shook his head. "No."

So she kept her slow pace. It was lovely to hold him like this, lovely to watch his smile growing like the dawn, and even lovelier still to have him shiver and shake as a climax took hold of him.

Naveen kissed her and then cuddled close to her side, resting his head on her chest while Tiana smoothed his hair back. She sighed happily, content to just hold her husband, and had to hold back a laugh at how much difference a day could make.

This morning she could happily wake up with Naveen beside her, but yesterday at this time she wouldn't have been able to. Tiana thought back to those other times they had been intimate with each other, or tried to be, because Naveen inevitably stopped it. What had he said was his reasoning?

Oh right - that they could take their time and not rush at it, so they didn't have to worry about someone catching them, so they could make love again and again, so that he wouldn't have to leave.

Tiana kissed his forehead. He could certainly check all of those off the list. It retrospect, though it had been hard, it had been the right decision for them. If they had been distracted, if they had been caught…. If he had had to leave….

Just thinking about it brought tears to her eyes, and Tiana blinked them away, holding Naveen tighter. If he hadn't been able to stay with her all night, if he hadn't held her after, and woken with her in the morning… god she didn't think she could take it.

But it hadn't happened that way, Tiana reminded herself. And it wouldn't. She kissed his forehead again and he murmured sleepily against her chest. They could spend every morning like this, holding each other and snuggling. If they weren't in a hurry to get to the restaurant that is.

The restaurant. Tiana's stomach jumped with excitement, and then again with nerves. In just a few hours they would either have her dream restaurant or they would have to look for another building. This wait was torture. She just wanted to know what would happen.

Of course she hoped that they could purchase the sugar mill. They had so much more money than she had had last time, the Fenner brothers couldn't say no to it. Then again, they had said no to her last time and there hadn't even been another offer on the building.

Well, whatever happens, Tiana won't leave the Fenner brother's office without saying a few choice words to them. Once she got to the office, that is.

There was a lot to do before then, and Tiana cringed inwardly because it was so SO nice laying here with Naveen like this. So what was she doing thinking of work?

She shifted a little. "Naveen?"

"Hmm?"

"What time does the boat dock?"

He chuckled and kissed along her breasts. "You're thinking about getting your restaurant, aren't you?"

"It's not that I'm not enjoying myself," she said, curling his hair around her fingers, "I just… I guess I can't help it. Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about, princess," Naveen said. He kissed his way up her body, grinning as their lips met once more. "You've been working towards this your whole life. Of course you're anxious to get started."

He kissed her and rolled them over so he was on top of her again.

"There is time enough for breakfast," he said, kissing and nuzzling her neck. "Unless you had something else in mind?"

Naveen wiggled his eyebrows and Tiana snorted pushing him playfully away. "Oh my god, I can't. I need a break."

His smile softened and he reached out to stroke her cheek. "Sore?"

Tiana blushed. "A bit."

"I wasn't too rough on you, was I?"

She shook her head and smiled. "You were perfect. Besides, it's uh.." she blushed again. "It's the good kind of sore."

He kissed her again, softly and slowly. "How about breakfast then?"

"Breakfast sounds great," Tiana said.

Naveen got out of bed and pulled on his underwear and pajama pants, fully aware of his audience's appreciative gaze. He deliberately slowed his pace, and found himself flexing as he dressed. Because, really, putting on pants required a lot of muscle.

"Aren't you going to get ready, love?" Naveen asked, looking for his shirt. "It's not like you to lounge about."

"I know. Just give me a minute," Tiana answered with a laugh as she stretched. "I don't think I can get up just yet."

Naveen couldn't help but look at his beautiful wife stretched out on the bed like that. It wasn't often that he saw her so relaxed, and it was lovely to see. The fact that it was him who had affected her like that wasn't lost on him either. He came back to sit on the bed and gave her another kiss.

"Let's order room service then," he said. "I'll serve you breakfast in bed."

"That's really not necessary," Tiana said. Flinching a little, she sat up at last, clutching the sheets around her. "See? I'm up."

Naveen frowned and shelved the idea of serving Tiana in bed for another time. "Let's at least get room service," he tried again. It seemed a little silly, but he wasn't ready to share her with people quite yet. Eating breakfast in their room would give them a little extra time before they had to go out into the real world again.

"It's fine, really," Tiana said. "I don't want to bother anyone."

"It's not bothering anyone, it's their job," Naveen countered. He tilted Tiana's chin to meet his gaze, where he gave her the best puppy dog eyes he could. "Let me spoil you. Please?"

He could see her resistance fading as she bit her lip. "Well, I don't know…"

Naveen had to laugh. Only his wife could act like this over something like room service. He kissed her once more and trailed his fingers down her neck, her bare shoulder and arm, then taking her hand in his.

"I know you are often ….disinclined to accept people doing things for you."

Tiana frowned, and Naveen raised an eyebrow. Alright, maybe he had a point.

He kissed her palm and held her hand in both of his. "But you know I like to do little things for you, and now that you're stuck with me, I'm afraid you're going to have to get used that."

Naveen grinned, and Tiana laughed. "I'm happy to be stuck with you," she teased, and squeezed his hand.

His thumb grazed along her wedding ring. "It's okay to take it easy, you know. And not fighting with me on these things makes my job a lot easier."

"And what exactly is your job?" Tiana asked.

"Being your husband," Naveen said, and reached up to stroke her cheek. "Taking care of you. Though I know you are thinking that you are more than capable of taking care of yourself," he added with a smirk.

"No I wasn't."

"Liar," Naveen laughed.

Tiana frowned again, caught in her own lie.

He kissed her and brushed the curls from her face. "I love how much pride you take in your work, and I know you will have a lot on your shoulders when we get the restaurant up and running. I know I won't be much help running the restaurant, but I can help take some of the burden by watching over you."

Tiana felt tears sting her eyes. She did sometimes feel like the world was on her shoulders. Even after knowing and loving Naveen for over a year now, she had been reluctant to share that burden with him. She had been so used to carrying it all by herself.

The thought of sharing it was a little terrifying, but as she let out a shaky breath, Tiana also found it freeing.

"And part of that includes room service?" Tiana asked.

"For right now, yes."

She squeezed Naveen's hand again. "I'm being ridiculous, aren't I?"

"Only a little," Naveen said warmly.

Tiana kissed him quickly, and said, "In that case I'll take an omelette and some coffee, please."

"With pleasure."

"Are you ready, princess?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Tiana said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

After the boat had docked, she and Naveen had quickly gone to the bank to cash their wedding gift checks, and then to the boarding house where they dropped off their things and picked up all the money Tiana had stored in coffee cans over the years. Yes they could have converted the pennies, nickels, and dimes into cash or deposited it as well, but Tiana had worked hard for every single one of those pennies, and dammit, she wanted to shove it into the Fenner brother's faces.

Mrs. Proulx, their landlady, seemed both excited and annoyed to see them. She wanted to sit down with both of them to fully explain the house rules. It was supposed to happen before they moved it, but with getting ready for the wedding, they hadn't had time, and now they were really on the clock.

Tiana apologized profusely to Mrs. Proulx while stifling her laughter at the same time, because Naveen was trying to simultaneously open the door for her while carrying the heavy box full of coffee cans.

He twisted and turned every which way, almost falling flat on his face one second, and the next almost dropping everything he was holding.

"Now we still have to go over the house rules," Mrs. Proulx said. "Oh please don't scuff the door!"

"Naveen, let me-"

"No, no. I've got it…. Just a little more.. Yes! Ah ha!" He grinned triumphantly as he pressed himself against the door, holding it open for his wife. "Ready to go, princess?"

"Yes, alright." Tiana said.

"The rules!" Mrs. Proulx practically screeched. "I haven't told you the house rules!"

"I know, I'm sorry, Mrs. Proulx." Tiana inched her way through the door, feeling extremely guilty. Normally she would have happily sit and listen to the older woman's rules and anything else she had to say (it was the polite thing to do, afterall) but Tiana's restaurant was calling to her, and it was hard not to run to it after working so hard for so long.

"We'll be back tonight," Tiana had said on her way out. "And you can tell us all about it then."

Mrs. Proulx only stared at them, clearly furious about being brushed off like that, but Tiana didn't worry about her for long, as the realization hit her that when they came back that evening, Tiana would have the building that would become her restaurant. Whether it would be the sugar mill or not, the next few hours would decide.

Sitting next to Naveen (who was still struggling with the box full of coffee cans) while they took the streetcar to Fenner Bros. Realty, Tiana found herself switching between hopeful and optimistic to cynical and despondent.

Of course she would get the sugar mill. She had worked too hard to not get it now! And she had never once doubted that she would get it in all those years of working for it! But that was all before it had been taken away from her, and so easily too. What would stop the Fenner brothers from doing it again?

Then again, things were different now. Tiana was a completely different person than she had been a year ago, and was determined not to let them get under her skin. Besides, as Naveen was happy to remind her, she wasn't alone in this anymore.

He would be there, and Louis said he would come too. There was no way the Fenner brothers would be able to say no with a ferocious alligator smiling down at them.

How wonderful it felt to have love like this in her life.

"Princess?"

Tiana blinked, coming back to the present. She, Naveen, and Louis were outside Fenner Bros. Realty, and it seemed they were just waiting for her to give the go ahead.

"Yes," Tiana said with a firm nod. "Yes, let's go in."

Once more Naveen struggled to open the door for Tiana while carrying the box of coffee cans. Louis rolled his eyes, but Naveen ignored him. He was Tiana's husband, and dammit if he wasn't going to be chivalrous and do every nicety that he could for her.

She smiled at him when he finally got the door open and that made everything worthwhile.

"Hello Mr. Fenner," Tiana said cooly as she stepped inside. "And Mr. Fenner."

The taller of the brothers blinked and adjusted his pince-nez. "Oh! Why, Miss Tiana! What a surprise to see you this fine morning."

Naveen bit back a number of insults he could have said to him and his brother who appeared out of the back room. But he held his tongue. This was Tiana's moment, and he was going to let her have it.

"You didn't happen to bring any of your beignets did you?" the shorter brother asked, looking hopeful, as if he hadn't destroyed Tiana's dream in one fell swoop. Naveen wanted to punch him in the mouth.

"No, I didn't," Tiana said, and both brother's eyes opened wide as they saw what she did bring with her. Louis walked in, completely blocking out the sunlight as he entered the door.

Nice touch, Naveen thought, and fully entered the building himself. Standing beside Tiana he, at last, set down all the coffee cans, exhaling softly with relief. They were getting heavy.

"I'm here for my sugar mill," Tiana said, and Naveen began to take the coffee cans out of the box to set them on the desk in front of them.

Louis crawled along to the side of their desk and watched the brothers with his arms crossed. A soft growl emanating from his throat.

Naveen bit back a laugh as the brothers scooted away from the alligator.

"Oh, the sugar mill?" the taller of the brothers said. He glanced at his brother and tugged at his bowtie. "Um.. about that…."

"It's um… well, it's not…."

"Don't you dare tell me that it's not available," Tiana said firmly. "You lied to me about it a year ago, and I will not be lied to again."

The brothers quickly glanced at each other. "We didn't… that is, we haven't…"

"I'm gonna stop you right there," Tiana said. "I know that the sugar mill is still for sale. Now, I have enough money for the down payment right here," she pushed the coffee cans full of money towards them. "And I have more to cover the rest of the expenses. It's not enough to cover everything, admittedly, but you and I can agree that it's more than enough."

When the brothers didn't reply, Naveen felt his fists clench. How could they still want to refuse her? These men were truly the scum of the earth.

"You will go get the paperwork for my wife to sign, yes?" he said at last. "Unless you want to make our friend angry…"

They looked at Louis once more who growled and bared his teeth. Naveen had only known these men for less than five minutes, but it was still a delight to see them cower in fear.

"Get the paperwork," the taller one said, nudging his brother with his elbow.

"You get the paperwork," the shorter one replied, nudging back.

"You can both get it," Tiana said. "We'll wait."

It felt like an eternity, but at last they returned the the papers for Tiana to sign and initial. It felt surreal, like a dream, but here she was signing the papers to own the sugar mill. Yes she would have to pay the rest of what she owed, but Tiana had always planned on that. And it wouldn't be a problem once the restaurant was up and running.

And now it could be! She really was almost there!

"Just sign here and you're all set."

Feeling giddy with excitement, Tiana signed her new name with a flourish. Done. It was finally done. All the hardship she had taken just to get to this point had been worth it. She felt like she could cry, but there was still one last thing she wanted to do.

"Wait," Tiana said. She turned to Naveen who was smiling so proudly at her. It took all her focus to not jump into his arms and kiss him full on the lips. "Here," she said, holding out the pen to him.

"Hmm? What's that for?"

"For you, silly. I want you to be my business partner."

Naveen was speechless as he took the pen from her. He had always thought of it as her restaurant, and her dream. There had been that brief moment when they were frogs on the riverboat when he had thought it could be theirs, but then Tiana had quickly explained that it was a dream she and her father had shared.

Even after they had both fallen in love Naveen had been afraid to hope that he could share her dream in that way. He knew that he was a part of her dream, and he was happy to be just that. Helping her get her dream and simply being there was more than enough for him.

"Tiana I… I don't know what to say."

"Say yes."

"Are you sure?" Naveen asked after a moment. "I don't know anything about running a restaurant."

"Naveen, I love you and I trust you," Tiana said. "There's no one else I'd rather be partners with."

His cheeks turned a light pink as he smiled at her. One of the Fenner brothers cleared their throats, ruining the moment.

"If you don't mind… We don't have all day."

Still smiling, he signed the paper right below Tiana's name. Then at last they gave Tiana the key to the sugar mill.

She grinned triumphantly at Naveen and he put his arm around her and held her close. It wasn't until they were all outside that he picked her up and spun her around while they shrieked for joy.

"This is real, right? It's not a dream?" Tiana asked as they stood in front of the sugar mill. Their sugar mill. "Maybe you should pinch me."

"I can do much more than that," Naveen said in a husky voice.

Tiana laughed and playfully slapped him.

He put his arm around her waist and squeezed tight. "I can promise you, princess, this is very very real." Naveen kissed her cheek. "So are you going to show me the inside, or are we going to stand here all day?"

Tiana smiled and wiggled the hammer Naveen had given her. "You know I came here ready to work!"

Naveen rolled up his sleeves. "Let's begin then, yes?"

"Yes."

Tiana inserted the key, turned the lock and opened the door.

Judging from the outside of the building, Naveen had expected the inside to be rotting and falling apart. Still, he hadn't thought it would be this bad. Cobwebs and dust were everywhere, not to mention all the rotting wood and the gaping holes in the ceiling.

But then Naveen glanced at Tiana and all his worries melted away. She looked so happy, it was hard not to share in the excitement.

She was about to walk into the building when Naveen took her hand in his.

"Wait I…" he found himself blushing again. "Let me carry you. Over the threshold, I mean."

Tiana turned and smiled sweetly at him. "You did that last night. Don't you remember?"

"I remember everything about last night."

It was Tiana's turn to blush then. She remembered everything too, and as they looked in each other's eyes, those memories (and desires) came flooding back. A shiver went down her spine. But no. They couldn't. Not now! There wasn't even anything they could lay on that wasn't rotting or covered in mildew.

That didn't make her want him any less though.

"Don't tell me this means you're going to want to carry me over the threshold every time we go through a doorway," Tiana teased.

Naveen gave her a half smile, and her heart melted. "It is tempting, but I was thinking more along the lines of...special occasions."

"Well," Tiana said. She took a step closer to him and walked her hand up his chest. The idea was silly to be sure, but at the same time it was tempting. And she had married a romantic man, so things like were to be expected. "This certainly counts as a special occasion."

Their arms were around each other now, and Tiana was glad for it. Naveen kissed her so hard her knees grew weak, but then she was swooped up in his arms and carried into the beginning of her dream. Their dream.

Tiana had always spoken passionately about her dream restaurant, but Naveen had never seen her shine so brightly as now. And despite all of the dirt and decay that surrounded them, he felt that he could see it too. This sugar mill really was the perfect building for a restaurant.

He could picture it all - the kitchen, the slick floors and beautiful table settings, the lighting and the chandelier. It would all be exactly as Tiana had always pictured it.

"We'll have a grand piano over here," Tiana said excitedly, "and this is where you and Louis can play for the guests."

Naveen grinned. "The acoustics will be perfect, too. Listen." He cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted, "Hello!"

"Hello?"

Tiana and Naveen both turned towards the front door. Eudora was peeking her head inside.

"Mama!" Tiana ran to embrace her mother. "We really got it this time! We signed the paperwork and everything!"

"I had a feeling you would," Eudora smiled. "I just came by to see it for myself."

"Let me give you the grand tour," Tiana said, even though she had done this once before.

Eudora and Naveen just grinned and shrugged at each other. There was no stopping Tiana, not that either of them wanted to.

Eudora wasn't the only person to stop by the sugar mill that day. It seemed like almost everyone who came to the wedding wanted to see just what their prince had given up his title for. The looks on their faces said it plainly enough. This? Really? Yikes…

But Tiana and Naveen just ignored them. Tiana was too caught up in the euphoria of finally owning the building she had worked so hard to get, and Naveen was too enamored by his wife's excitement.

More than anything, Naveen wanted everyone to just leave them alone so he could have Tiana to himself. He wanted to kiss her, he wanted to press her against the wall and make love to her. He wanted any number of things, but any time he had the opportunity someone else inevitably stopped by to say hello and congratulations.

Even when his own family came in Naveen was tempted to push them out the door. But Tiana welcomed them in, just like she had with everyone else, and there was a part of Naveen that wanted to show off the building to them too. To prove to them that it had all been worth it.

"Ravi, do you want to see a giant spider web?" Tiana asked, seeing just how bored the young prince was.

He perked right up. "Yeah!"

Tiana took his hand and led him off, leaving Naveen alone with his parents.

"This building certainly has a lot of… potential," Idhal said, rubbing some dust between her thumb and forefinger and wrinkling her nose. "I'm sure it will turn into a wonderful restaurant, darling."

"Yes, once you patch up the ceiling, and whatnot," Sunil added, glancing up at all the sun peaking through the wood slats.

"I know it looks like a lot," Naveen said, "but I have no doubt that Tiana and I can turn this into a palace fit for a princess."

Sunil laughed and patted his son on the shoulder. "I am sure you can."

"I can't wait to see all that you've done after we come back from our trip," Idhal added.

"Trip? Are you going back to Maldonia already?" Naveen frowned, though his heart skipped a beat at the thought. He would miss his family when they were gone (mostly Ravi) but with them across the ocean it would finally feel like he and Tiana were on their own.

"You're leaving?" Tiana called down from the balcony while Ravi stuck his head through the bannister.

"We're gonna take the train!" Ravi declared, excited by the prospect of travel and adventure.

Idhal nodded. "It seemed like a good opportunity to see more of America while we are already here."

"And there are a few things I'd like to discuss with Mr. Coolidge, as well," Sunil added.

Tiana blinked, while she made sure Ravi hadn't gotten his head stuck. "Calvin Coolidge? You mean the president?"

Sunil looked up at her as if to say 'who else?' Tiana mentally slapped herself. Once more she had forgotten just what kind of a family her husband came from.

"That should be exciting," Naveen said. "How long will you be traveling?"

"A few months," Idhal said. "But our last stop will be here in New Orleans before going back to Maldonia. So we'll be able to say a proper goodbye."

"Well, I'm sure you must be busy, making sure the servants pack everything for you," Naveen said, guiding his parents towards the door. "Be sure to send us some postcards."

But just as he was saying goodbye to his family, thinking he would finally have Tiana to himself, Naveen groaned. Charlotte and her father were coming up the walkway.

"Tia, Tia, Tia! You have to show me EVERYTHING! " Lottie squealed. "Every single detail! I don't wanna miss a thing!"

Naveen sighed. This was going to be a long day.

Tiana sighed contentedly as she and Naveen walked hand in hand the last few blocks back to the boarding house. It had been a long day, but she had never felt so alive! She had the sugar mill! She was married to the love of her life! She took another deep breath and sighed again as the twilight breeze cooled her skin. Life couldn't be more perfect.

Naveen squeezed her hand. "Happy?" he asked.

"Yes," Tiana replied. "So very happy."

"Good. Me too." He stopped her in front of the boarding house and brought her in for a kiss. "I love you."

"I love y-"

The door opened behind them and an angry Mrs. Proulx glared at them. "There you are! You're late!"

Tiana glanced at Naveen who shrugged. "Late?" she asked. "Late for what?"

"If you had listened to the house rules this morning, you would have known that dinner is served promptly at five o'clock and that anyone who is late misses out on their meal."

Naveen glanced at the pocket watch Tiana had given him those many months ago and grimaced. They were over two hours late.

Tiana could feel her anger rising. Meals were a part of the rent they were paying. It wasn't fair that they were being charged for something that they hadn't even eaten! Still, she knew she was powerless in this situation and was prepared to grovel at their landlady's feet (she was hungry after all), but Naveen spoke first.

"I understand that you are upset," Naveen said. "Such a busy woman as yourself must have her house in order. It is not unreasonable to expect everyone to follow the rules."

Mrs. Proulx nodded along.

"My wife is also a woman who appreciates order and logic," he continued, placing his arm around her shoulder. Tiana smiled good naturedly as he patiently explained Tiana's dream of owning her restaurant and all the trouble she had had getting it while following the rules laid out for her.

Mrs. Proulx didn't seem to care one way or another, but perhaps she had a little sympathy when he mentioned that building the restaurant would be their honeymoon and that they were very tired and hungry after working all day.

"Perhaps you can make an exception for us, just this one time, yes?" Naveen said and flashed his most charming smile.

To Tiana's surprise, Mrs. Proulx softened a little. "One. Time," she said firmly. "And don't go bragging about this to the other tenants either. They'll think I've gone soft."

Naveen grinned triumphantly at Tiana and held the chair out for her once they were at the table. He sat on her right side as they were served a cold chicken with collard greens and the driest cornbread Naveen had ever eaten. The entire meal was a disaster, and he didn't think it was just because it was cold.

He made a face at Tiana when Mrs. Proulx wasn't looking and she shushed him. But she seemed to feel the same way he did because she asked if there was any hot sauce to put on the food. Naveen nudged her foot with his under the table. She nudged him back.

"Was it just me," he asked softly when they were going up the stairs to their room, "or was that the worst meal you've ever tasted?"

"It was pretty terrible," Tiana whispered back, glancing down the hallway to make sure none of the other tenants could hear them badmouth their landlady. If every meal was like that one, she was sure it was a common occurrence, but she still didn't want to take any chances. "Maybe she was just having an off night."

Naveen laughed. "I doubt it. She seemed pretty pleased with herself."

And certainly pleased that she was finally able to explain all the house rules to the new residents. Rent was due first of the month. NO EXCEPTIONS. The front door was locked at 9pm and don't bother ringing the door after that because Mrs. Proulx would not let you in. Dinner was served at five and if you were late you missed the meal. Breakfast would also be served in the morning at 6:30, but lunch is on your own unless you made a request for it. There was a schedule for the shared bathroom where you could put your name down for the shower, and you must abide by the time frame allotted to you. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Then Mrs. Proulx almost gleefully explained that breaking any of the following rules would result in immediate eviction: no loud noises, no pets, no children, the common area must remain clean at all times, and most importantly the kitchen is off limits to everyone except Mrs. Proulx, which means no food in the rooms.

Tiana had grimaced at the last rule, tossing aside any idea she had of helping Mrs. Proulx cook for the 20 tenants staying in the house. She sighed turning the key to their room, reminding herself that even though it was a lot of rules to follow, it was also the only place to stay in their price range.

The only other option was to move back in with her mother, and as much as they both loved Eudora, they wanted to be out on their own. And really it wasn't so bad. Sure their room was a little more than a bed, a dresser, a vanity, and a nightstand, but what else did they need apart from each other?

Naveen closed and locked the door behind them, and immediately pulled his wife into his arms. Tiana hummed contentedly as he began to kiss and nuzzle along her jaw.

"You know this is the first time we've been properly alone all day." His words were deep and velvety the sound of temptation. "I've been dying to kiss you like this. To have you and lie with you again." His warm hands caressed her back and he began to pop open the buttons of her dress, one by one.

"I noticed," Tiana whispered, giggling softly.

"Am I that obvious?"

"Yes you are." She kissed along his collarbone and began to unbutton his shirt. "Especially when you want something."

He nudged her with his nose, bringing her lips to his. "I do want something." His lips were nearly on hers, she could feel their movement as he spoke, barely brushing against her. "I want you."

He pushed her dress off her shoulders and down her arms, where it landed in a heap by her feet, leaving her only in her shift. Naveen kissed her, claiming her mouth with his, and she moaned, pressing herself against him while she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Naveen looped his arms around her bottom and lifted her, her legs wrapped around his waist. It only took a few staggering steps before they fell into bed. But as soon as they hit the mattress it let out a squeak and creak, louder than either of them had ever heard before.

"Faldi faldonza," Naveen cursed under his breath. He tested the mattress by pushing on it with his hand. No matter how fast or slow, or what kind of pressure he used, each little movement made the mattress squeak loudly in protest.

"Seriously?!" Naveen cried out. "This can't be happening."

Tiana kissed him, but even that brought out a creak from the bed. "I have an idea. Help me get the mattress off the bedspring."

"We're going to make love on the floor?" he asked, climbing off her and pulling the mattress off the bed frame. He wasn't opposed to the idea. In fact, he was up for anything as long as they made love somewhere.

"No," Tiana answered and knelt by the bed frame. "Not yet anyway."

As she suspected, it was a terribly made bed frame. The only support it offered the mattress was a series of fifteen or so springs string from one end to the other. She tested them one by one, and confirmed the source of the noise.

"It's the joints," Tiana explained. "The springs are rubbing against the metal frame of the bed."

"Okay. So what do we do?"

Tiana glanced over at Naveen. He looked so disheveled with his hair mussed up and his shirt wrinkled and unbuttoned to the waist, exposing his undershirt. But he had such a look of longing and lust on his face that it was hard not to just throw herself at him, bed be damned.

"Go look in my toolkit," Tiana said, bringing herself back to the task at hand. "There should be a can of oil in there."

She'd never seen Naveen move so fast, and Tiana had to laugh at that. But she grew serious as she began to apply the oil to the spring joints. Naveen watched in awe as Tiana worked in the oil first on one side of the spring, then the other. When Tiana tested the spring, it was silent.

"You're amazing," Naveen whispered. He came around behind her and hugged her tightly, kissing along her neck again.

Tiana shivered at his touch. "Hold your horses, mister. There's still the rest of these to take care of."

Naveen only hummed in response, and she became caught in a web of long, slow dragging kisses along her neck. It was hard to think, even harder to finish fixing the bed, especially with his hands on a path to her breasts, cupping her and running his thumbs over the sensitive skin.

"You're terrible," she whispered moving onto the next spring.

"And you're stubborn," he whispered back. But she knew he was smiling as he dove his fingers into her hair, taking out all the pins that had kept it securely in place, sending her curls tumbling around them.

Only a few more springs to go. Tiana was trembling now at his touch, but he was right - she was much too stubborn to give in now. No matter how good his hands felt on her body, no matter how much it was making her gasp when he slipped one of those hands between her legs, no matter how much she wanted to turn into his arms and let him take her right there on the floor.

It was the principle of the thing, damn it. Though she couldn't help thinking that life would be so much easier if she wasn't so hardheaded.

Finally she finished oiling the last spring, and she leaned back into him, reaching back to hold his head while he kissed her neck. "Now we just need to get the mattress back on, and we can test it out," she gasped, blushing hotly as she did so.

That was all Naveen needed to hear. The mattress was quickly moved back onto the bed frame. Naveen wasted no time and pressed her into it, delighted that the only sound he could hear was Tiana's gasps of pleasure.

They didn't even bother undressing. He slipped a condom on and they both moaned when he entered her. They kissed hungrily and moved against each other. Tiana cried out his name and arched underneath him.

He captured her wild gaze with his own. "I want to see you come undone, princess. I want to watch you go over the edge with me."

"Y-you've seen it before," she panted.

"And I'll never grow tired of it."

The coiled tension in her was suddenly set free and she convulsed around him, her muscles tightening around him in a sweet unbearable rhythm. Then, and only then, once she had found her pleasure, did he take his own. He called out her name as he followed her over the edge.

He collapsed onto her, his chest heaving in unison with her own. He kissed her lazily along her lips, making her dimple. All things considered, Naveen thought this had been a very very successful test.

Later they had cleaned themselves up, completely washing away all the dirt and grime of the day, and now they were getting ready for bed. Naveen was lying naked under the covers, his hands behind his head watching Tiana at the vanity.

She was wrapping her hair in a headscarf. All the better to keep her hair moisturized, she had explained. It was mesmerizing to watch. The way her hands skillfully held up her hair and worked the fabric just so... It was one of the sexiest things he had ever seen.

Then again everything she did was sexy.

"What's that look for?" Tiana asked, glancing at him in the vanity mirror.

"Hmm?"

"You just have a look, that's all."

Naveen laughed. "It must be my, 'I'm so happy and in love' face. My 'I can't believe we're finally married' face." He turned to his side and patted the space next to him. "My 'I wish my wife would hurry up and come back to bed' face."

"So impatient," Tiana tsked, but she was finished anyway. She turned off the lights and slid under the covers, then kissed him on the lips. "You know patience is a virtue."

"I am plenty patient," Naveen countered, his hands already running over her nightgown. "Or have you forgotten that we didn't make love for a whole year."

"You're right, I'm sorry. You are a very patient man." She kissed him again, long and slow. "Hey, so I was thinking…"

Naveen hitched her leg over his waist and pushed her nightgown up, exposing her thigh. "About what?" he asked, and nuzzled against her chest. If she wanted to talk, that was fine. Naveen could multitask.

"What do you think about trying to finish building the restaurant by the time your family gets back from their trip?"

"Oh. That's…" He thought about the sugar mill as he had seen it today, practically falling in on itself. He had no doubt that he and Tiana could turn it into an award winning restaurant, but to do that in only a few months? "That's a lot of work."

"It's just that… it would mean a lot to have them there when we open."

"Of course they would want to come," Naveen said.

"But what I mean is, after they go back to Maldonia, would they even be able to come back? Traveling halfway around the world isn't easy, even for royalty." Tiana twirled her fingers in his hair. "And they've already been away for a long time. I don't know much about running a country, but I know you it can't run by itself."

"Well… hmm." She was right. His family usually didn't stay away from Maldonia too long. Already they had been away longer than he could ever remember. After they went back, who knew how long it would be before they could get away again?

"I know it'll be a lot of work," Tiana said, "but if we make a schedule and stick to it, I think we can do it."

Naveen smiled and kissed her. "If you think we can do it, then that's what we'll do."

He kissed her again, breaking it only long enough to slip her nightgown over her head.