Tiana rolled off Naveen, her curls fanned across her pillow and her chest moved up and down as she tried to catch her breath.

"Ashidanza, Tiana," Naveen said, also out of breath, and grinning like the fool he was. "If I'd known that was the reaction I'd get coming home from a week long trip with the Firefly Five I would have gone away with them sooner."

He turned and gave his wife a naughty smile. "Maybe I should take those trips more often, hmm?"

Tiana rolled her eyes, but she was smiling too. "Don't make a habit out of it, mister. I still need you at The Palace."

"Is that the only place you need me?" He asked, low and grovely, waggling his eyebrows as his hand moved between her thighs.

She laughed and turned to smile at him. Gosh but he was handsome. The way the sunset was streaming lazily into the open window behind him made his skin glow warmly. Just the sight of him took her breath away as much as his touch did.

Tiana licked her lips. She wanted to bite him.

Yes she had things to tell him, very important things, but now wasn't the right time, and it hadn't been right when she had picked him up at the bus station earlier either. Tiana certainly wasn't the type of person to put things off, but for news like this it did have to have the proper timing, right? Plus they had so many other important things to do first.

Opening her arms, inviting him in, she cooed, "Mmm, now that I think of it, there are a few more places that I need you."

Naveen grinned and happily took the hint. He rolled over and put his mouth to hers. It wasn't long before they moved as one again.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you missed me," Tiana murmured later, her head resting on his chest, lightly tracing her fingers over his warm skin.

He sighed happily, breathing her in, his nose lightly rubbing her temple. "Oh, I missed you terribly."

Tiana gave a happy sigh of her own as he absentmindedly played with her hair. She had missed him too.

"You had fun though, didn't you?" Tiana asked.

Naveen chuckled, and Tiana's toes curled at the sound. "Yes. All the music, and the crowds… I don't think I've ever heard Louis play so well."

"That's wonderful, sweetheart."

"The only thing that would have made it better is if you had been there."

She glanced up to find him with that pleading look that Tiana had learned all too well in the two years since their second wedding had taken place.

"Honey…"

"I know, I know. We already talked about it," Naveen said.

They had at that. And of course Tiana wanted to hear her husband and the rest of the band play their music. The thing was, there was just so much to do at The Palace. Even though it was only for a week, things kept piling up. It was impossible for Tiana to get away.

Naveen shifted a little and ran a finger down her cheek. "It would just mean a lot if next time you could come. I'll make sure there is more notice in the future so we can plan for it properly. Please?"

Tiana's stomach churned a little, thinking of her news she had yet to share. Their future together would change so much, and lord only knew just how much. If it was hard for her to get away now, just how much harder would it be then?

Still, when she looked in Naveen's eyes, her heart melted for him. He had given her so much, and asked for so little in return.

She reached forward and let her fingers brush against the stubble on his cheek. Despite feeling like she wouldn't be able to keep her word, she said, "Yes, alright. I promise."

"Thank you, princess." Naveen ran his hand down her throat, over her collar bone. Cupped her breast, bent his head, kissed her there. "You're so reasonable when we're naked."

"Don't get cocky."

"If I made a pun right now, would you throw me out of bed?"

"Better not find out," she said dryly, and pushed his head back to her breast.


Naveen whistled as he toweled off from the shower. Gosh but it felt good to be home. It had only been a few days, but that was enough to make him appreciate their little apartment above Tiana's Palace.

Tonight every small detail about it made him smile: the way the windows never stayed clean on the outside (this drove Tiana crazy), the creaky floorboards (which also bothered her incessantly), the pictures of the two of them hung on the wall (she loved), and one picture that was hung to cover a spot of wallpaper that always seemed to curl in the humidity no matter what they did (she hated).

Yes, it was all wonderful. He took a satisfied breath in, feeling his heart swell, which happily rewarded his senses with the smell of the late dinner Tiana was making. His grin grew wider - crawfish étouffée, if he had to guess. Yum.

Naveen quickly put on a pair of lounge pants and strolled over to their small but homey kitchen and stopped in the doorway, struck by the beauty of his wife.

She was wearing his shirt, and only his shirt, which was much too big for her, she was softly humming the song he had been whistling while she stirred the etouffee. Her hair was undone and quite a lovely mess from having his hands run through it earlier. It was just the way he loved it best.

Had she ever been more beautiful?

Coming behind her, Naveen wrapped his arms around Tiana's waist and held her tight.

"I hope you're hungry," Tiana said, warmly.

"For your food? Always," Naveen replied. Burying his face in her neck he pressed a soft kiss there. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she said with a sigh and leaned back into his embrace.

"So, you must tell me all about your week," Naveen said. "I have been very selfish by dominating the conversation." He stepped back and leaned against the counter to better look at her face. "I want to know everything that happened while I was away."

Tiana dimpled as she served up the étouffée and they sat at their little table to eat while she told him about her weekend. Naveen grinned between bites as she spoke. Even after all this time she still lit up when talking about their restaurant. He was once again filled with enormous love for his wife.

"Sounds like a productive week," Naveen said.

"Well, you'd be surprised how much can get done when a certain someone isn't causing all sorts of trouble for a few days." Tiana smirked good naturedly.

"Ah, Louis, you mean?" Naveen said with a twinkle in his eye.

Tiana laughed and stuck out her tongue at him, which he returned in kind.

After taking a few more bites, Tiana pursed her lips and took a deep breath. "Actually there is something important that I realized when you were gone."

"Oh?" Naveen asked, taking another bite himself. This étouffée was quite delicious. No surprise there, but after not having Tiana's food for a few days, it was all the more noticeable. "And what is that?" He prompted after she hadn't said anything.

Tiana hesitated, then took another breath. "I'm late."

"Late? Late for what?" Naveen furrowed his brows. It was well into the evening now, and while the city outside was just starting to get going, it was hardly a normal time for any appointment Tiana could have. And she certainly wouldn't be sitting here like this if she had somewhere to be. Still. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and made to stand up, "I can help you get ready-"

But she motioned him to sit back down, which he gladly did. He hardly wanted to leave his half eaten étouffée.

"Not that kind of late," she said.

"I don't understand."

"I mean…" Tiana fiddled with the tablecloth, creasing it in her hand and then smoothing it out. "What I mean is, me. I'm…. my monthly…. That's what's late."

Naveen's eyes widened, and he inhaled sharply, making him cough loudly and unexpectedly.

Tiana sprang to his side and thumped on his back until he could breathe normally again.

"Naveen, are you alright?" Tiana asked, worriedly.

Was he alright? Was she!? That was the proper question!

A thousand thoughts whirled through his head all at once. She was…she… she was late. That's how she'd put it. Only those two little words, but the power behind them was almost immeasurable.

His wife was late, which meant…. Well, it meant only one thing, didn't it? She was going to have a baby. His baby. She was going to become a mother and he, a father. They would start a family together.

Naveen felt his limbs start to tremble and shake with… fear? Excitement? Both? He wasn't sure. He couldn't seem to think rationally as he scooted off the chair and sank to the floor, leaning against the table leg, their meal long forgotten.

He was going to be a father. He didn't know the first thing about being a father or raising a child. Yes he and Tiana had talked about having children a long time ago but they both agreed that they would do so when they were ready, and he didn't feel ready! That was why they always used a condom.

Which. Wait.

"You're…really? But how?" he choked out, his voice a little hoarse.

She settled next to him on the floor. "Don't tell me you don't know how it happens," she teased, then instantly regretted it as Naveen's face didn't change from his open mouthed confusion.

Gently, she took his hand in hers. "I'm really not sure," Tiana confessed. "I've been thinking about it since I realized… I mean, we always use a rubber."

Naveen nodded mutely.

"The only time I can think of is…" She bit her lip. "Do you remember a few weeks ago when we went to that speakeasy?"

Did he remember? Well, bits and pieces if he was honest. He remembered Tiana's nervous excitement as they went in the secret entrance to the club that was serving illegal alcohol. Of course alcohol was never hard to find in New Orleans, but it still felt exciting doing something so brazenly against the rules. Tiana had clearly never done anything like this before, and it had been so much fun to bring out her wild side and let loose.

They had danced with no restraint to the music that flowed as much as the wine. And beer. And whiskey. And any other type of alcohol you could possibly think of.

That is of course, when his memories of the evening got a little fuzzy.

Naveen was no lightweight when it came to alcohol, but it had been a long time since he had partied this hard. And Tiana, bless her, well, it hadn't taken her much to get her significantly buzzed.

He remembered how sexy she had been. He hadn't been able to keep his hands off her. She must have felt the same because neither could she. They had necked in the club, and then some more in the taxi on the way home.

Once they had stumbled into the private entrance at the restaurant, they practically tore the clothes off of each other while tripping, falling, and laughing over each other on the stairs.

Then his memories were full of tangled limbs and wet mouths…. Position after position, including a memorable time with him on his back while Tiana used his tie to bind his hands above his head and around the slats in the headboard...

But he didn't remember if they had used a condom.

Naveen stared at his wife. She clearly didn't remember either.

"Achidanza…." Naveen whispered at last. "This… this changes everything."

"Yeah," Tiana agreed, cringing inwardly at how eloquent she was this evening. This was such a pivotal moment in their relationship, couldn't she articulate her thoughts better?

Then again, she still didn't really know what she was thinking even though she'd had more time to think about it than Naveen.

Naveen asked softly, "Did I hurt you or…." his hand hovered over her stomach briefly, then he swallowed, "Earlier. In bed. Did I hurt our baby?"

Our baby. The words hit her hard. She hadn't even said them out loud to herself yet, she'd been too afraid. Maybe that's why her eyes stung with sudden tears.

Tiana smiled and wiped them away. "No," she whispered. "No you didn't hurt our baby."

Naveen leaned his head back and sighed such a huge sigh of relief that Tiana could feel it too. When he smiled, she felt more of her tension slip away. It was only a soft smile, but that was enough for now.

"Good," Naveen said. "I'd hate for that to be our child's first impression of me."

Tiana snorted and covered her mouth, but that did little to stop the laughter from spilling out. Naveen tried to hold it in too, but it was no use. And soon she was in his arms as they dissolved into laughter.

"Oh froggy, I love you so much," Tiana said, hugging him tight.

"I love you too, princess." He kissed her temple softly and then at last rested his hand on her stomach. "When did you realize?"

"Not long after you left."

That first night on her own, after closing the restaurant, she had settled in with a book to read before bed, but found herself unable to concentrate. Naveen had a habit of making music wherever he was: singing, humming, whistling, you name it. Without that, it was much too quiet for her.

After a few more failed attempts to read her book, Tiana gave up and wound up their record player, hoping the music would help her mind relax, but it only served to make her lonelier.

It was then that she glanced at the calendar on the wall to remind herself that it was only a few days until her husband would be back. She hadn't even been thinking of anything else, so even now why the thought had popped into her head was a mystery.

Tiana remembered thinking, 'Huh, I should have had my period two weeks ago.'

Then, 'Well, that happens sometimes.'

Then, 'Except not to me. I've never been this late before.'

And then finally, 'Oh.'

Needless to say she hadn't gotten much sleep that night, or really any night since.

"Darling, I wish you had called me," Naveen said.

"It's not something you can share over the phone," Tiana replied, though she had thought about it. But then she imagined what would happen if there had been a bad connection, or if there was too much commotion to hear over the hotel lobby telephone, especially if the other band members were there and they had had a few drinks. Not to mention that the operator would be listening in.

"If you had asked me to come home, I would have."

"You were so excited about this trip. I didn't want to take you away from it," Tiana said.

"Tiana." Naveen cupped her face in his hands. "A trip means nothing to me if you need me. You always come first. Always."

She knew this. Of course she knew this. So why were her eyes stinging with tears again?

"Thank you," Tiana whispered with a soft smile. She leaned in and pressed a light kiss to his lips. "I'll keep that in mind for next time."

Naveen chuckled and held her close. "Next time, eh?" He rested his head on hers and laughed again. "How about next time we actually plan for it, yes?"

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," Tiana said and leaned into him further. "I… I don't feel ready at all."

"Me either."

Tiana closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh of relief. It felt good to know she wasn't the only one. "I thought that when this happened I would know how to balance work with a baby, but I just don't know how I can." She pulled back to look him in the eye. "Which means you'll have to be in charge of The Palace. Can you handle that?"

Naveen bristled immediately. "What! Me?! I…. No! Why?"

"Because I can't be raising a baby in a restaurant," she explained patiently. "It's too dangerous, even for the most well behaved baby." Tiana herself got cuts or burns on a regular basis. "Besides, I would have too much to do managing both things. Something would slip through the cracks. Standards would start to slip and everything and everyone would suffer for it."

She sighed again, this time a little wearily. "I can't let that happen."

Naveen knew he should be comforting his wife, assuring her that things would work out alright, turning that worry into something positive. His mind was stuck, however. The mere idea of him being in charge of Tiana's Palace was a terrifying one, even more so than being a father before he was ready.

Yes he had taken over from Tiana a few times: when she had been sick and he had practically forced her to stay in bed to rest; the few occasions when she had important meetings outside of the building; anytime Charlotte dragged her away for an afternoon.

But all of those times had been manageable because there was the knowledge that Tiana would be back soon, that it wouldn't be forever. And now she was asking him to run the restaurant without her? Naveen certainly appreciated her confidence in him, but there was no way it would work. He knew it, and deep down he was certain she knew it too.

There wasn't really anyone they could ask either. Eudora was a wonderful mother-in-law, and had on many occasions mentioned how much she wanted grandchildren, they couldn't ask her to watch a baby every day. Louis, presumably, knew even less than Naveen did about children, and Charlotte… well, as he had learned to say, 'bless her heart.' She would probably treat this baby more like a doll than anything else.

"We don't have the money to hire someone," Tiana said, "And even if we did, I don't think-"

"No," Naveen interrupted her.

"Huh?"

"I don't want that for our child." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I was raised by servants and governesses. I hardly ever saw my own parents growing up. It was… it was very lonely, and I was often unhappy."

That was one of the reasons he had acted out the way he had as a boy. Anything to get his parents attention, and most of the time the only thing that worked was when he was in trouble.

Naveen shook his head slightly to dislodge those bad memories. Resting his hand over Tiana's stomach again, he said, "I do not want our child to have that kind of life. I do not want them to feel that way. Ever. I want to be there for them. I need to be there for them. I…" He paused as a thought popped into his head.

Of course.

"I can do it," he said quietly, almost to himself.

Tiana smiled softly and kissed him sweetly on the lips. "See? I knew you could do it. And there's still time for me to teach you everything you need to know about running The Palace."

"No, no. Not that. I cannot run The Palace. It must be you, princess."

"But you just said-"

He cupped her cheeks and silenced her gently with a kiss. "I will be the one who takes care of our baby."

Tiana blinked in surprise as if she'd never heard of such a thing before. And honestly, she hadn't. "But you're a man," she blurted out.

"Yes, I am aware."

"But…" Her brows furrowed in thought. If Naveen watched over the baby, she could continue working at Tiana's Palace. Yes she'd have to take some time off when the baby was actually born but…. But would this make her a bad mother? Already she felt guilty for not being there for her child every day. But then again, Naveen was right. She had to run the restaurant. Without Tiana there, it wouldn't be Tiana's Palace.

And wasn't this what she had been worried about? What had kept her awake all week after she realized? Why she hadn't felt ready to take this step for two years? That she had worked too hard to make her dream come true only to have to give it up to raise children?

And now here was her husband offering her a way to keep her dream alive in a way she was almost ashamed to have never thought about before.

She placed her hands over his. "It's a lot of work."

"Yes. And I want to do it," Naveen replied. "I've come this far, haven't I?" And they both chuckled remembering how he had hardly known how to mince a mushroom when they first met.

"It's not very conventional," Tiana pointed out.

"When has anything in our relationship been conventional?"

Tiana bit back a smile. That certainly was true. "You might get teased," she pointed out. "People won't know what to think about it."

Naveen waved his hand dismissively. "I don't care what other people think. I only care what you think." He looked deep into her eyes. "So? What do you think?"

Tiana dimpled, and scooted onto his lap so she was straddling him. Suddenly, Naveen wasn't sure how he kept breathing. He watched her pretty mouth move, but for a moment he couldn't hear a damn thing over the rush of blood in his ears.

She pushed back his wild curls and touched their noses together. "I think I just might be the luckiest woman in the world."

Her thick thighs cradled his hips, and all he could do was lean back against the table leg and take it. Take her. Or rather, let her take him. She rolled her hips and his eyes rolled back in his head. Even through his pants he could feel the heat of her spread by the length of his shaft.

Naveen's hands found their way to her bare thighs, then under the fabric of his shirt she was wearing. He squeezed her ass and rocked her forward again. He licked his lips and then exhaled sharply as she bit him, soft and slow.

"You know what else I think?" She asked, pressing her chest against his, her teeth grazing his lower lip. She tugged slightly, and felt him shiver with arousal.

"What is that, princess?" he breathed.

"I think we should get up off the floor and go back to bed." She licked his lips where she had bitten them. "And then I think I should take off your pants and sit on your cock."

Naveen's breath caught, but he managed to give her that wolfish grin of his, sharp and anticipatory.

"What do you think about that, froggy?"

Gently, but with a playful forcefulness, Naveen positioned themselves so that Tiana was lying on her back on the floor. He lifted his shirt off of her, and tossed it aside. "I think," he purred, kissing and nuzzling at her breasts, making her giggle, "that you have exerted yourself enough for someone who is expecting. Let me take over from here."