Yeah, this chapter took a while because I had to pack a lot of stuff in without making it seem horribly lengthy. But hopefully it is worth the wait for y'all. Expect fluff. But fluff is good. Otherwise, it wouldn't be called fluff, it'd be called pins and needles. Anyways, read, enjoy, "etcetera, etcetera, etcetera!"
It was strange for Tiana to look around her house and think that this would be her last night here as a single, unmarried woman. Her luggage was packed and waiting on the boat in port that would sail her and Naveen away on their honeymoon. She tried not to think about that too much, though.
She was in the kitchen now, finishing up the gumbo. Naveen was sitting at the table reading a paper while Eudora mended a small tear in jacket he wished to bring with him on the trip.
"I will be gone from Charlotte's by eight," Naveen promised. "I will go get ready with my father and Nathaniel. A carriage will be here around that time to bring your mother and yourself to Charlotte's."
"A real carriage?" Eudora prodded. There was no hiding that excitement in her voice.
"Two, actually," Naveen corrected, "one for you to ride in with my mother, and one for Tiana to ride in. Naturally, my father will join you two after the wedding and I will join Tiana."
"I can hear Lottie now," Tiana laughed, rolling her eyes. "'Oh, Tia! Your carriage looks like somethin' right out of a fairy tale!' You do realize that by marrying me, you're attaching yourself to Lottie, too?"
Naveen nodded. "I think I can manage. Well you girls will have all the time you need to get ready. The carriage will come by again to take you to the church around half past eleven where I," Naveen wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her cheek, "will be waiting." He let her go, watching her blush before going back over to the table.
Tiana met Naveen's family and friends today. They all conversed to her in accented English, but sometimes they'd whisper to each other in Maldonian when they thought she wasn't looking. She was paranoid that they were talking about her, but Naveen soothed her fears when he told her that they were only whispering that they were a sweet couple and she was the best person for him on this whole Earth and they only said it in Maldonian because they did not wish to embarrass her.
"You wanna taste test my gumbo?" Tiana called over to Naveen. He eagerly hopped up and rushed over to the stove, gingerly sipping out of the spoon Tiana held for him. He nodded.
"Your gumbo gets better every time you make it," he told her.
"You wanna share that with the neighbors?" Eudora asked. Tiana bit her lip.
"Well I would but I did want to leave you with a little something while I was gone," she admitted. Eudora rolled her eyes.
"Baby cakes, I can cook a little; enough to survive, anyway. Besides I'm gonna have to get used to going without your cooking. You can't do it for me every day though I'm sure you will once that restaurant opens. And if I get too hungry or too lonely, Charlotte and Big Daddy will take care of me."
"I told you that you worry too much," Naveen whispered in her ear. Tiana stepped away from him and out the front door.
"Who wants gumbo?" she called into the night. Her neighbors started to make a beeline for Tiana's porch. Not a single one of them could help calling Tiana "Princess." To them, the people that had watched her grow up, she always was a princess. They were all ready to be in their Sunday best for Tiana's wedding. After the gumbo was consumed, they all trailed back to their houses, telling the happy couple that they were looking forward to the wedding tomorrow.
Naveen decided it was time for him to go to and get some sleep. Tiana and Eudora walked him down to wait for the trolley.
"Only until tomorrow," Naveen grinned. "I cannot wait to see you in your dress. You will be the one in white, yes?"
Tiana shook her head. "Oh, no, I forgot to tell you: Lottie got a hold of my dress and dyed it pink so we would match," she joked. Naveen gave her a quick kiss.
"Sleep tight, Princess. You too, Eudora." Naveen turned and stepped onto the trolley, waving to Tiana until she was out of sight. The two women walked back to the house, listening to the sounds of the night. Tiana smiled up at the two evening stars: Evangeline and Ray, silently thanking them for getting her and Naveen to this point.
The sunlight crept into Tiana's room, bit by bit. She dozed silently away, but the very edge of her mind was coming into consciousness. Her eyelids fluttered open but she didn't get up from her bed. Finally Eudora crept to her door and poked her head in the room.
"Mornin' baby cakes. Time to get up now. You're getting' married today?" Tiana sat up straight as a pin in bed in shock. "You alright, Tiana?"
"I think I'm gonna be sick," she admitted, hand covering her mouth. Eudora laughed.
"I was the same way on my wedding day. Just eat things with salt in them and sip some water and you'll be just fine."
Tiana's stomach was settled but her nerves were shot. She didn't have cold feet by any means, but getting married in front of all her human family and friends was a lot different than getting married in front of the creatures of the bayou. Sure, she was excited to be marrying Naveen and actually living like a married couple with him, but the ceremony itself was making her nervous. It got so bad that she took to waiting on her front porch with her wedding dress in one box and her crown in another. The cool-almost chilly-morning air helped calm her some as she nibbled at a biscuit. Her shoe box rested in her lap.
Eudora joined her as soon as she was dressed, her own dress in a box with the dress for the flower girl. She patted Tiana's hand.
"Just so you know," she began, "your Daddy told me that when you found a husband one day, he'd greet that boy at the door with a bloodied up apron and knife and a big ol' grin. Well, he really meant to use tomatoes. I decided I'd spare you that embarrassment."
Tiana laughed. "Thanks, Mama." Just then, their five-year-old neighbor Delilah-the flower girl-ran up to them.
"Tiana! Tiana! I just saw the horses!" she exclaimed, running up on the front porch. "They were this big!" she held her arms out as far as she could.
"That is big," Tiana agreed. "You wanna ride in the carriage with me to Charlotte's and get ready with us?" Delilah nodded eagerly, her pigtails bouncing. "Well go ask your Mama if it's alright. And don't run in front of them horses!" she added as she ran back over to her house. She was back in a moment with permission from her Mama and waited eagerly on the porch with them.
The two carriages were almost exactly identical. The first one was of dark red wood and gold trim. The seat inside was pure white and two men stood on the back. Sarita was seated in this carriage. The second carriage was ivory and gold trim with a read seat. Both carriages were pulled by men on white horses, both carriages had beautiful carvings and designs, and both carriages were prepared to carry them away to the La Bouff mansion. All of the men dismounted from their posts and went up to Tiana, bowing low. She blushed, reminding herself that she'd have to get used to that.
Sarita was helped out of the carriage by one of the footmen. "Do not be so nervous, dear," she told Tiana, patting her shoulder when she approached. Tiana had not realized her nerves were showing that well on her face. "My son will tease you for it, yes? But you can tease him, too. He could not even get his shoes on right this morning."
Both Tiana and Delilah had a good laugh at that. Naveen was very cute when he was nervous. She was just sorry she couldn't see it.
"Which box is your dress and crown?" Sarita asked.
"Those two right there. No, it's okay, I can…get them," Tiana trailed off. But the footmen had already taken the boxes from her and put them in the right carriages.
"It is good that you work hard but my son is right: this is your time to relax." Sarita, Eudora, and Delilah were escorted to the first carriage, Tiana to the second. The men mounted their horses again and with a jolt they were off. Her neighbors all waved to her as she passed. She waved back, feeling like a Princess in a parade.
Eudora must've read Tiana's mind because she turned around and called back to Tiana: "You're a real princess now, baby cakes!" The streets leading to Charlotte's had been blocked off so no other cars went the same way as they did. The people on the street stopped when they saw her and waved at her. There was no telling how many little girls started to shriek "Mama! Mama! It's the PRINCESS!" Occasionally, a photographer came out of nowhere and flashed a picture of her, but they always shouted their congratulations after her.
The La Bouff mansion was swamped. People were running in and out of the house and across the lawn with chairs, tables, boxes, linens, all kinds of things to set up for the reception there after the ceremony. Some were from Maldonia, others were from the city. Charlotte ran down the front steps and across the lawn when the carriages approached.
"Oh, Tia!" she squealed. "You look just like a princess out of a fairy tale!" Charlotte giggled at that. She knew how Tiana and Naveen met. Tiana was a princess out of a fairy tale.
Eudora and Sarita were assisted out of their carriages, as was Tiana. Delilah was being held up by one of the footmen so she could pet the horses.
"Well come on, Princess," Lottie said, grabbing hold of Tiana's arm. "We best get inside and get you all dolled up for Naveen." It was strange walking across that lawn: all the Maldonian workers stopped and either curtsied or bowed to her.
"They've been bustlin' about all morning!" Charlotte whispered to her. "It took them quite a bit of convincin' that Louis wasn't gonna do nothin'! They all stopped worrying when he started playing on his trumpet."
"Where is Louis?" Tiana asked.
"He's out back, getting ready to practice with the band." As if on cue, music from the backyard started up, with a trumpet leading the melody.
Tiana was smiling so much it hurt. How many pictures did this photographer want? They took a photo on the stairs, on the balcony, in the gazebo, with Eudora, with Sarita, with Eudora and Sarita, with Lottie; she finally got the photographer to stop when she asked if he could take a picture of her and Louis together.
"Oh, Tia!" Charlotte squealed when Tiana came back into the house. "The carriages are here!" Tiana's eyes bulged out of her head.
"Already?" she gasped. Her breathing became heavier.
"Tia, honey, you do still want to marry Naveen, don't ya?"
"Of course!" Tiana squeaked. "Of course I still want to marry him. I really, really want to marry him. I just really, really, really don't want to be in front of all those people and the photographers who are goin' to ask me a million questions about goin' from Tiana to Princess Tiana. Oh, God! I'm gonna be the Princess of Maldonia! I don't know anything about being a princess! Why didn't y'all make me do more of those princess tea parties when we were little?"
"Tiana! From the bottom of my heart I am asking you to please shut that trap!" Tiana did as she was told. "Now look, just forget that you're gonna be a princess. Did you fall in love with Naveen or a prince? Just think about him and you'll be fine. Now come on, your carriage awaits."
Eudora, Sarita, and Delilah were all waiting out on the front porch for her. All the workers were lined up on the path, waiting for the women to cross. Charlotte walked behind Tiana on the stairs, carrying her long train and everyone bowed or curtsied again.
Naveen, Naveen, Tiana chanted to herself as she was helped into the carriage. She rode alone again. Her bouquet rested in her lap as she rode toward the church. She wished the thin veil would hide her face a little more, but her view of the city around her was only partially obscured by it. A few minutes into the ride, she heard distant trumpets playing. Naveen had told her that for each royal wedding in Maldonia, they played a slow march on the couple's way to the church. A fast, upbeat tune played until the groom entered the church. Then the tune slowed into a slower, prettier, "flowery" melody for the bride. Then, of course, the traditional "Here Comes The Bride" would start up.
The crowd of people cheering and clapping were growing in volume but so was the music. It changed to the flowery melody, letting Tiana know that Naveen was waiting in the church for her. She smiled and waved to the people and the photographers. After all, she couldn't let the people of Maldonia see in their newspapers pictures of her hyperventilating and looking scared.
The first carriage stopped right in front of the church but Tiana's carriage stopped far back from them. Two lines of men in the same uniform and plumed hats as the men on the horses were lined up outside the door of the church, facing each other. Tiana watched Sarita be assisted out of the carriage. The doors to the church opened and the men brought out their swords and twirled them around in a large circle before touching them together, forming an arch. Sarita went inside and the doors closed.
"Why, you look lovely today, Tiana!" a voice said next to her. Tiana's head whipped around, happy to hear that voice.
"Mr. La Bouff!" she exclaimed. "Thank you! You don't look too bad yourself!"
He adjusted the jacket of his suit. "Well it is a very important day. I thought I'd wear my best suit just for you." He leaned in a little closer. "I think your Daddy would have been very happy to see you and to walk you down the aisle. I'm sorry he can't be here today. But since he ain't, I was wonderin' if you'd do me the honor of letting me walk ya down the aisle; seein' as how you're basically like a second daughter to me and all."
Tiana had to try hard not to let a little tear escape. "Thank you, Big Daddy!" she exclaimed, dabbing at her eyes with her gloved hand. He opened the carriage door for her and assisted her out of it. He gave her his arm.
"So, how're you feelin' right now?" he asked curiously.
"Excited. Nervous. Nauseous," Tiana admitted. Big Daddy laughed.
"Yep! Y'all gettin' married, f'sure." That made Tiana laugh. An attendant from Maldonia came over to help Tiana with her train. Eudora disappeared into the church, then Charlotte. Delilah was waiting anxiously with her basket of flowers and Nathaniel, the ring bearer. He was trying to put on a happy face, but he felt that six-and-a-half was far too old to be a ring bearer. That was for babies, according to him. He did brighten up when he saw Tiana. To him, she was still the best sister a kid could ask for. He was ushered into the church and then Delilah went in after him.
"Still nervous?" Big Daddy asked as they walked up to the doors. Tiana nodded. "Don't worry. That'll all change once you see your groom. Charlotte's Mama just about charged down the aisle, dragging her poor Daddy with her."
"Well, hold on tight and make sure I don't," Tiana joked.
The music changed, this time from inside the church. That tune that a lot of women waited their whole lives to hear be played for them. Tiana had never had that fantasy until after she met Naveen. The doors opened the swords twirled and Tiana and Big Daddy started forward. The door closed behind her. Her friends and family from New Orleans were on her left, beaming at the girl they had watched grow up. On her right, Naveen's family, friends, and a few foreign political figures watched her, too. Her eyes went straight to the front of the church where Naveen stood waiting a big, almost goofy grin plastered on his face.
Just like Big Daddy said, everything was fine once she saw him. She was sure she was walking at a pretty slow and even pace down the aisle, but sooner than she thought she was up there with Naveen. Big Daddy tossed the veil backwards, gave Tiana a kiss on the cheek, and joined Charlotte and Eudora. Tiana looked Naveen up and down.
"I think I've seen that outfit, before," she remarked. Naveen shrugged.
"Well, that is the only bad things about Maldonian weddings: nearly every man wears the same outfit as the groom. There is no originality."
Everyone's eyes were on Tiana and Naveen as the descended the steps into the backyard, but their eyes were only for each other. The band struck up a familiar tune to the couple's ears as they began to dance to it.
"This is much easier to dance to on solid ground than a lily pad," Tiana remarked.
"Yes," Naveen agreed as he spun her. He dipped her low. "But that dance still remains a favorite, yes?" He kissed her on the lips and then brought her up again, twirling her around the dance floor. Louis winked at them as they passed.
"Look how she lights up the sky," Naveen sung into her ear. Tiana laughed. After her dance with Naveen, she danced with Big Daddy while Naveen danced with Sarita, and then Dax and Eudora got their turn.
"Now, my son will drive you insane," Dax warned, "but the best way to fix that is to just give him a good smack upside the head, like this." Dax reached over to Naveen and smacked his head.
"Ow!" Naveen complained. "Do not give her ideas!" he called after them as they twirled away.
Tiana was asked to dance several times by some of Naveen's relatives and friends, but they soon got the idea that maybe they shouldn't when Naveen cut into the dance every time.
"I married you, remember?" Tiana reminded him. She stood up on her tip toes and whispered into his ear, "Twice!"
"What? I am simply reminding everyone that wishes to dance with you that you are a married woman."
Tiana rolled her eyes. "Maybe green isn't your color," she teased. He did consent, however, when Nathaniel asked to dance with her.
When they cut the cake, Naveen was kind enough to feed it to her gently. Tiana, however, got frosting on her finger and wiped it in various spots on Naveen's face, claiming he had gotten some frosting there. It was the truth.
After a while, Tiana had to take off her shoes they were killing her feet so much.
"I always forget how short you are without heels," Naveen teased. With the heels, she was above his shoulder but without them, three inches were chopped from her height.
"Maybe, I'm the one with the normal height and you're just monstrously tall," she suggested. Naveen thought about it and then shook his head.
"No, you are just short." She shoved his shoulder playfully but he was kind enough to lean down so she could get a kiss.
"All those gifts are for us?" Tiana asked, pointing at the table. Naveen nodded, then caught the look on Tiana's face.
"We can open…two tonight and wait until we get back to open the rest," he suggested. Tiana sighed.
"That'd be great! My head hurts just lookin' at all of them."
The best man and the maid of honor both made speeches, but Charlotte's wasn't much of a speech. She took one look at the crowd and at Tiana and Naveen and burst into tears. Alexander did a better job, congratulating the couple and promising Tiana that he had plenty of stories about Naveen he'd be happy to share with her.
Tiana knew that the party had perhaps gone on a little too long when she looked around and wondered aloud where Nathaniel went to.
"He went to bed an hour ago," Naveen reminded her. Other guests were slowly disappearing, too. Finally, the couple got the word that the carriage was ready to take them to the boat. They had to dodge more confetti and more camera flashes to get to the carriage, but it was a rather quiet ride through the city with Naveen's arm resting comfortably around her.
"You look beautiful, today," he said into her ear, giving her goosebumps.
"You didn't look too bad, yourself," she replied. When they got to the boat, Tiana was told by Naveen she wasn't allowed to walk. He insisted on carrying her all the way up the gangplank.
"You're ridiculous," Tiana informed him.
"It is tradition," he corrected. He set her down once they were on the boat. They watched the city as they floated past it. Tiana felt a strange kind of sadness. She had never been very far from home before.
"Stop worrying so much, Princess," he told her. He gripped her shoulders and kissed her on the forehead. "We will be back before you know it. Now," he scooped her up again, "I think we have some business to take care of. I wanted to take care of it after our adventures in the bayou but somebody-"
"Are you gonna talk all night?" Tiana complained. He hardly opened his mouth to speak again the rest of the night.
DO NOT PANIC! THERE IS ONE MORE CHAPTER! All though I'm sure none of you panicked at all.
1. Who else noticed that EVERYONE was wearing the same outfit as Naveen in the movie? His Dad, the royal entourage, his brother at the end of the film!
2. Y'all know Big Daddy would walk Tiana down the aisle.
3. Seriously, Tiana wears heels all the time and comes up to Naveen's shoulder. She is SHORT.
4. And Naveen was probably horribly dissapointed to realize that he wasn't getting ANY until after a public wedding. Can't you just imagine the look on his face?
Epilogue is next, then I will focus on expanding my other fic "Baby Mine."