The Prince And The Waitress
I Scratch Your Back, You Scratch Mine
Tiana was pleased that it was her morning off because unlike most of her none working days, she decided to spend the rest of it being lazy. Too bad it didn't last long. She grew bored and began cleaning the entire house instead.
Her mother had gone out for the day to deliver several dresses she made before returning home later to cook dinner since it was her night. Tiana decided to mince the vegetables for her due to her arthritis.
Tiana was currently finishing up moping the floor when a knock was heard at her front door. Before answering it, she made sure to push the mop bucket to the side. To her disappointment it Charles at the door.
"What do you want, Charles?" Tiana asked in annoyance.
"To apologize for being a jerk to you." He said, walking in without her invitation. "It smells good in here. Clean up?"
"Mmhm." She gave him a short answer.
"If we were married I would definitely appreciate coming home to a beautiful wife and a clean house." Charles smiled at the thought.
Tiana rolled her eyes while sighing. "Is this the only reason you came over? To give me a half apology and to discuss about a future that will never happen?"
Charles laughed. "Tiana you're so young, how do you know for certain that you don't share the same dreams as I?"
"Because I do, and you're not that much older than I am. You're twenty-one. There are a lot of women who would love to be your housewife. Why am I so special?"
"I already told you before. Why would I waste my time with women who aren't worthy enough for me?" Charles asked.
Tiana rolled her eyes. "Look, I'm in the middle of cleaning and my mama isn't home right now-
"Can't you accept my apology and start over?" He cut her off. "I really believe that we are a perfect match."
"We were never a match, Charles. We were barely even friends." Tiana tried to walk pass him but he blocked her. "What are you doing?"
"Why can't you see that I can make you happy?" He asked walking over to her.
Tiana stepped back until her back hit the wall.
Charles inched closer to her. "Just one more kiss Tiana. If we share a kiss maybe you'll see…" He put his hand on her waist.
"No Charles." Tiana turned her face and felt his lips on her cheek. She closed her eyes in disgust. "It's time for you to leave." She said firmly.
He sighed, stepping back. "I will leave you alone, for now, but don't think I'm giving up on you, Tiana."
"Get out!" She shouted.
"I'm sorry, Tiana." He said before leaving the house;closing the door behind him.
Tiana sighed in relief as she rested a hand on her stomach. Charles was a big muscular man and knew that she couldn't fight him if he ever tried anything. Just think of the kind of husband he would be if she did marry him. She shuttered at the thought.
After a few moments of getting her composure back, she returned to the mop bucket but interrupted by heavy knocking. This time she hesitated answering the door thinking it was Charles again. As she carefully opened the door she sighed in relief.
"Naveen?" She smiled a little.
Naveen returned the smile, but was taken aback by her smile which took his breath away.
"Come in." She stepped aside as he walked in. "What brings you here?"
"I wanted to check up on you." He simply answered before inhaling and exhaling the fresh scent of the house. "It smells clean in here."
"Yea I thought I'd clean a little to kill time. It's my day off." Tiana told him.
"And you wasted it by cleaning an already clean house?" He raised an eyebrow.
"It's better than just laying around all day doing nothing."
"I would much rather be doing nothing then waste any time cleaning this house. The last time I came here it was spotless." He said.
"Well you wouldn't know working if it hit you in the face." Tiana said.
Naveen smirked. "Why work on something that's already been worked on? Unless you have one of those cleaning conditions."
Tiana frowned. "I do not have a cleaning condition!"
Naveen put his hand under his chin, thinking of the word. "Oh yes! You have what they call obsessive compulsive disorder!"
"I do not have..." She stopped herself and closed her eyes. "You're testing me. Aren't you?"
He chuckled.
Tiana playfully slapped him on the arm. "So why are you really here?"
"Like I've said. To check up on you." Naveen answered. 'I better think of another reason before she kicks me out.' "Do you have anything-
"Hold that thought!" She said before going in the kitchen and washing her hands. She pulled out a knife and some onions celery and bell pepper.
He followed her into the kitchen where he saw her at work. "What are you doing?"
"Mincing." She answered, effortlessly cutting the bell pepper and taking out the seeds before continuing.
"Interesting…" Naveen was impressed at how much speed she was using to cutting the vegetables. "How do you go so fast?"
She smirked. "Wash ya hands and I'll show you."
Naveen raised an eyebrow.
"Go! Wash ya hands." She waved him over to the sink.
He did as told before standing beside her at the counter. "Where do I start?"
"Well first..." She stood behind him, placing her hands onto his.
Naveen closed his eyes at how close she was to him. 'Stay calm Naveen.' He mentally told himself.
"...you take the knife and let's start out with the celery." Tiana picked up the green vegetable. "Now make sure ya fingers aren't near the blade. You don't want to cut yourself." She guided him through the first cut.
Naveen's eyes lightened in excitement. "I did it!"
"Not so fast." She let go of his hands, returning by his side. "Now I want you to show me that you can mince."
"Oh?" Naveen grew a bit nervous. "I have to mince this entire celery?"
She nodded. "Mm-hm."
"Wow, um...okay?" He nervously grinned her way.
"You should keep ya eyes on the knife." She found his insecurity cute.
"Right." Naveen returned his eyes on the knife as he put pressure on the the utensil.
Tiana laughed a little before grabbing another knife and finished cutting the bellpepper.
'Don't fail me, Naveen. You can slice a green little vegetable.' He tried to convince himself.
Tiana glanced over at Naveen who looked to be struggling with cutting the celery and also noticed his finger close to the blade, but before she could warn him.
"Merde!" He cursed and put his bleeding index finger in his mouth.
She sighed. "Give me your hand."
Naveen looked puzzled at her before obliging.
She looked down at his finger "Let me fix that for you." And put it under the sink of running cold water.
The cold liquid felt good on the cut, but he couldn't enjoy it for long as the water stopped.
"Okay, sit down at the table." She gestured him over to the small table.
He sat on the chair as he watched her pull out a clear glass bottle with fluid in it. "What's that?"
Tiana didn't answer, pulling a chair over so that she sat across from him. "Your hand?"
Naveen looked over at the glass bottle and didn't see any labels on it making him grow cautious. "What is that?"
"Just something to clean the cut." Tiana put some of the liquid into a small cloth.
"Oh well if that's all that is..." Naveen happily gave her his hand.
Without hesitation she pressed the wet cloth onto the prince's finger.
Naveen's eyes widen as a burning sensation hit his cut. "Merde, merde, merde!"
"Watch your mouth!" Tiana warned.
He frowned. "You know what that mean?"
"Yes and I won't repeat the English meaning of it." She pulled the cloth away.
Naveen was impressed. "I apologize for using profanity in my native tongue." He said in sarcasm.
Tiana rolled her eyes. "The word is French, not Maldonian."
Naveen smirked as Tiana took care of his wound and couldn't help but to feel his heart thump harder for her. She was feisty but gentle and very patient. Much like a wife should be but he didn't imagine her being the average wife. He saw her living her dream of being a restaurant owner and him standing by her side and supporting her every step of the way.
He thought that coming to New Orleans would mean a meal ticket to a supporting lifestyle of parties and women, but now he saw Tiana in his dreams and him in hers.
'How much do I love you, Tiana.' He thought.
"Alright you'll live." She teased before returning to the vegetables. "I'll take care of the rest. You can-
"No, I want to learn." Naveen said looking into her eyes.
Tiana felt butterflies in her stomach when she felt his gaze. The way he looked at her scared her, but in a not so fearing way. She gave him a small smile. "Alright but take ya time. Not everyone can master the art of mincing." She bragged before showing off her mincing skills.
Naveen snorted, standing along side of her. "She who has arrogance…" With a hint of sarcasm.
"It isn't like yours, your royal highness." Tiana bumped her hip to his.
He chuckled a little. "You never answered my question on why you wasted most of your day cleaning the house?"
"Like I said earlier, I was bored by sleeping in. It's not like I can just lay around in my room all day and do nothing."
"But it doesn't make any sense. Cleaning a clean house is boring and dull, and you shouldn't waste a day off by cleaning." Naveen said as he finished mincing the celery. "There's a lot to do outside, it's a beautiful day and it's still early enough to take you out around the town?"
Tiana put the now minced vegetables in to bowl and rolled her eyes. "Taking me out around the town?"
"Why not?"
"Because I've been to just about every shop in town. At least the ones I can go to." She put it in the icebox. "Don't know why she wants me to freeze these." She said to herself, leaving the kitchen.
Naveen followed her into the living room. "Have you ever spent time with the bands. The artists? The dancers of the city?" He asked.
She raised an eyebrow. "No…"
"Then get dressed." He looked at her dress that looked bleached out. "Unless you want to go out looking like this-
"Okay, I'll be ready in a half hour. Just let me take care of this." She picked up the mop bucket.
"No, let me do that." He offered, picking up the bucket.
"Thank you." Tiana said before walking to her room.
Naveen watched as she opened the bedroom door. "You even make a simple walk to your bedroom dull..." He made sure to check out her behind. "…well maybe not so much."
()()()()
Tiana walked along side Naveen down the streets of the French Quarter feeling a bit excited about seeing a side of New Orleans she always ignored. Her friends have tried to get her to see the live bands, see the art galleries, but she never had an interest. Saving enough for her restaurant was her main goal and now that someone else purchased the sugarmill building she now had to wait even longer to buy a vacant building because the ones she was interested in were too expensive.
"Louis!"
Tiana jumped a little at the prince's loud way of calling over a heavyset man she saw play with him the other day.
The man had a huge grin that could light an entire building. His hair was short cut, his skin was dark brown and had a tummy as round as Santa Claus. He looked very…jolly.
"How ya doing, brotha!" He greeted Naveen with a high five before looking over at Tiana.
"Tiana, this is Louis, Louis, Tiana." Naveen introduced the two.
"How are ya doing, Tiana?" He extended his hand.
Tiana shook his hand. "Fine Louis and you?"
"Swell…" He answered before leaning over to the prince's ear. "She's beautiful." He whispered.
Naveen nodded his head in agreement. "I know..." He was proud to have Tiana with him.
"I was just about to blow on my sweet Giselle. Ya'll wanna join me?" Louis asked.
Tiana shook her head. "Oh no I don't do music."
"Then watch." Said Naveen, pulling out with ukulele and begin playing his magic.
Tiana couldn't hold back her smile as she watched Naveen strumming in the instrument.
Soon another man joined them with ginger hair and the greenest eyes. He wasn't dressed as nice as Naveen and Louis, and right away knew that he was Cajun by his accent.
"Woo hoo! Dem boys can play a tune, yeah!" He winked at Tiana before playing his accordion.
The music had a jazz and Cajun feel to it, attracting more people to stand and listen.
"Dem boys is good." Tiana heard someone from behind her say.
"Look at how sexy Naveen looks." She rolled her eyes at the fangirls she heard giggling and moaning for the prince.
Overall, the time she spend watching the trio play was very pleasurable and with the drummer and a pianist who wheeled out his piano over to join in made them all look like a real band. They sounded like a real band.
Soon the band began moving down the street, passing down the beach with most of the crowd following them. Creating a small party. To see the crowd of people laughing together, dancing, having a good time and sharing so much positive energy all due to the music really opened Tiana's eyes to a new side of New Orleans. It was always there, but she never paid any attention to it.
Once they were done with their last number the huge crowd applaud for them, including Tiana.
Naveen saw Tiana looking like she enjoyed herself and walked over to her.
"How was it? Did you have fun?" He asked.
"Yes, I've never listened to music that was so…so…" She couldn't find words to describe how she felt at the moment.
Naveen laughed. "It's really good stuff. I should bring some of my favourite records for you to listen to sometime."
"My phonograph doesn't work." Tiana said.
"Well I'll bring mine over." Naveen said, looking up at now night sky. "Beautiful night out. The moon, the stars."
Tiana's eyes widen as she realize that it was indeed night. "What time is it?"
"It's still early." Naveen said as the band played a slow Cajun sounding tune.
Ray stepped forward as the crowd awaited the next song. "This next tune we are gonna play will be a love song about my lost star, Evangeline." He smiled, thinking of his lover. "Ya'll see my Evangeline is my girl. She loved me just me as much as I love her, yea. But oneday I found her cryin' and I asked her why. She told me that she felt trapped and didn't know why." He looked up at the sky. "I didn't want her to feel that way so I asked her 'What is it that I could do to make ya feel free?'" He closed his eyes and sighed. "She told me to let her go, and I did." He returned his eyes to the crowd. "Ya'll know that sayin' if you love something den set 'em free, if dey come back den it's meant to be?" He then looked back up. "I did just that. But before she left, she told me that she will always love me and wheneva I gets lonesome to look up at the largest star in the sky and think of it as her. Because like a star, she will always be with me."
He began playing his accordion.
Tiana was very touched by the story. "Aw how sweet."
Look how she lights up the sky,
Ma Belle Evangeline.
So far above me yet I,
Know her heart belongs to only me.
J'et adore, J'et aime Evangeline,
You're my queen of the night,
So still,
So bright.
That someone as beautiful as she,
Could love someone like me...
Naveen watched as the moon beamed down on Tiana, making her even more beautiful then she already was. 'I have to dance with this angel.' He thought.
Love always finds a way it's true!
And I love you, Evangeline.
"Would you like to dance?" Naveen took her hand.
Tiana pulled her hand away insecurely. "Oh no, no I don't dance."
"It isn't so hard." He tried taking her hand but she turned away.
"I've never danced." She admitted.
Naveen found her insecure gesture very innocent and felt that with her teaching him how to mince he could return the favour. So he gently took her hand and stepped up to her. "Then I'll teach you."
She raised an eyebrow as he rested a hand on her lower back;pulling her closer to him.
"If I can mince, you can dance."
Love is beautiful,
Love is wonderful!
Tiana instantly stepped on Naveen's foot. "I'm so sorry."
It didn't bother Naveen the slightest. "Just take your time and relax." He then leaned over until his lips brushed her ear and whispered, "Let your body listen to the music for you…"
Tiana shivered as she felt Naveen's lips brush on her ear and soon felt a pleasant warm and 'tinglingness' in between her legs, a feeling she wasn't so much familiar with.
But that thought was quickly interrupted when Naveen made her do a spin before returning in his arms.
She was surprised at how good she was becoming. And for the first time while gazing into his honey coloured eyes, she saw a future with him. One where he was standing by her side in their restaurant. But she also saw herself supporting him as a musician, a prince and as her husband who held her in his arms. Protecting her from any harm and telling her how much he loved her.
She blinked her eyes quickly as she felt breathless. 'What is happening to me?' She thought.
Naveen glanced down her brown eyes and pictured her always in his arms; never wanting to let go. To make her feel safe and loved. Then another vision appeared to what looked like Tiana holding their son…son? He laughed at the thought of him being a father and wondered if she would also want a child in the future.
Love is everything, do you agree?
Mais' oui!
He eventually broke the gaze with him making her do a spin once more before dipping her under him. He thought she was the most beautiful woman on earth and that he was the luckiest man in the world to have her in his arms at this moment. 'I have to kiss her.' He thought. If she didn't know how he felt then perhaps a kiss would give her a confirmation of his love.
Look how she lights up the sky,
I love you, Evangeline.
So he lowered his face to hers and closed his eyes.
Tiana also inched in closer, feeling as if this was the right moment to kiss him. She's never kissed a man before and hoped that it would impress him enough to…wait!
'What about Lottie?'
She quickly pulled back from his hold, resting her hands on his chest to stop him.
"Lottie's gettin' herself one heck of a dance partner." She smiled, her heart still racing.
Naveen couldn't believe what was happening. "But-
"We best be pushin' on." She said, walking away.
Naveen disappointingly sighed and followed her. "Wait, Tiana!" He took her hand. "There's something that I need to tell you."
Tiana's eyes watered as she looked his way.
"I'm not in love with Charlotte. Never have been. Never will be." He confessed.
Her breathing stiffened. "But I thought that ya'll work things out." She hugged herself. "Ya'll make some sort of agreement-
"She already knows how I feel for you." He admitted.
"She does?" Tiana asked, feeling even more nervous. Was she really dreaming at the moment?
"Come with me." Naveen took her hand and led them away from the crowd to give them some privacy behind some large rocks. They remained silent for a few moments. Naveen was trying to find the right words on how he felt such as Romeo did with Juliet or how Mr. Darcy did with Elizabeth Bennet without sounding like an arrogant jerk about it like he did.
He couldn't believe he read those books, but it did work with getting his 'playthings'. But Tiana was different. She wasn't a plaything. She was the love of his life. The woman of his dreams, the other half of his heart. His future wife…if she'd have him.
'How should I confess my love to her?' Naveen's mind was calculating every possible way to make his confession sound as perfect and romantic as he could.
"I love you." Came out of his mouth and mentally cursed himself at how rushed it sounded.
Tiana covered her mouth with her hands after hearing the words leaving his lips. Did he really love her? And did she love him? That dance tonight tested her heart when she looked into his eyes, where she saw a future with him. Just moments ago they were impossible because she thought that he just wanted to marry a rich girl. But could she really love him was the real question? He's a very good looking man. The ideal man for most women. Tall, dark, handsome, charming and a prince. She remembered hearing Charlotte beam on wanting to marry a real prince and live happily ever after, but could she really do that with Naveen? He seemed like an arrogant womanizer when she first saw him. He couldn't be trusted before but now, after spending time with him, him defending her honour, actually talking to him, then the dancing, the eye gazing, the heart pumping and his confession. Could she really open up to accepting his love for her? And will his love only belong to her?
Naveen knew she had a million thoughts running in her mind so he stepped up, cupping her face in his large hand. His eyes never leaving hers. "Tiana, I know that I have a lot to prove to you, but let me tell you that my heart belongs to only you-
"I love you." She quickly said as tears ran down her cheeks.
"Mi benita…" He whispered before pulling her into a hug. Over joyed by her confession. "Do you really love me?"
"Yes, yes I do." Tiana said through tears.
"Then why are you crying?" He asked, pulling back to see her face.
"I don't know." She shook her head. "I've never felt this way before. I don't know—I don't know what to do." She held her head down. "And I've never kissed anyone."
Naveen smiled at her innocence and gently cupped her chin with his hand. "Then I'll show you how." He slowly leaned forward and pressed his lips onto hers.
Tiana closed her eyes as she felt his lips touch hers. And soon his lips touched her left cheek then right cheek before making it to her forehead. "I will teach you if you let me." Naveen whispered on her forehead.
Tiana exhaled at his gentle kisses and whispered back. "Yes."
He caressed her face before gazing deeply into her eyes. "Just follow my lead, you will know what to do." His lips touched her forehead once more before touching her nose. "Such a cute little nose." And slowly brushing over her lips. "Such soft beautiful lips." He then pressed his lips onto hers in a close mouth kiss.
Tiana found the kiss very easy and exhaled again. But just as she was growing confident, she felt his tongue parting her lips and soon entering her mouth. She heard about this kiss and was always curious on how it got it's name. Remembering his simple instructions, she soon found her tongue in his mouth. The tingly feeling she felt earlier during the dance returned, she was growing aroused by the kiss.
Naveen moaned and felt Tiana opening more to him, and as much as he wanted to teach her more he figured that it was best that he stopped for both of their sakes.
"I should take you home." He said in a husky voice.
Tiana slowly opened her eyes and blinked. "Why?" She wasn't ready for this night to end.
"It's getting late." Naveen looked down at his watch. "It's almost midnight."
Tiana decided that it was best that she did get home, but realized that the last streetcar already ran through this part of town. "How are we going to get home? The last streetcar already stopped by here."
"I have a car." Naveen grinned.
She raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you get a car?"
"You'll see." He smirked.
()()()()
Naveen explained to Tiana that he purchased a car earlier in the day and parked it in a secure lot. He didn't want to drive all the way to see her so he caught a streetcar. Tiana thought the idea was idiotic and would've rather him drive them into town, but Naveen wanted to show her the beauty of New Orleans, the way he saw it.
'At least she heard the music.' Naveen thought as he pulled up by her home.
He stepped out of the car and assisted Tiana out before walking her up to her front porch.
Tiana gave Naveen a warm smile before giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for such a wonderful night." She softly said. And when she saw the desirable look in his eyes, she couldn't help but to feel her cheeks flush.
"No, thank you for the wonderful night." Naveen wrapped his arms around her before pulling her into a kiss that began as very sweet but ended in passion.
Tiana could barely stand as she felt his tongue dancing in her mouth.
Naveen felt her body melt to his and grew aroused by her tongue dancing in his mouth. That was his warning and he stopped the kiss. Both breathing heavily.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked.
She could only nod her head 'yes'.
He caressed her face before giving her one last quick kiss. "I love you."
"I love you, too." She said and broke their love embrace by stepping back and walking into her house. "You drive careful out there."
Naveen gave her a grin. "I will." Before stepping down the steps and getting into his car.
Tiana watched Naveen until his car was out of her vision before closing and locking the door. Her hands rest on her stomach and closing her eyes.
'Could this night be a dream?' She thought. Did she really confess her love to Naveen? Did he really confess his love to her? Did they seal their love with a kiss and repeated their love again vocally?
Tiana quickly made her way to her room and fell right on the bed. Screaming into the pillows. She couldn't believe it. She was in love. She is in love with Prince Naveen. An arrogant, vain, spoiled, superficial...kind, wonderful, romantic and one heck of a dancer kind of man.
If the Tiana from a year ago could see herself now...She laughed at the thought.
She sat up to hug her pillow and proudly say. "I love you, Naveen."
Naveen finally made it back to his bachelor house and ignored whatever Lawrence was telling him. His heart was swollen for only one woman and it was to a waitress by the name of Tiana. He fell in love with a woman who he thought as dull and a stickinthemud. He wanted to marry this woman but knew that it was too soon to ask, or would it? Never mind that. Tonight he finally confessed his love for the woman he love and she loved him in return.
'Could this night get any better?' He thought.
"Lawrence guess what?" Naveen couldn't stop smiling.
"What is it, your majesty?" He asked annoyingly.
"I am in love!" He announced with dreamy eyes.
"With Charlotte LaBouff?" The valet asked excitedly.
"No, to a beautiful waitress by the name of Tiana." His heart thumped harder as her name left his mouth.
Lawrence raised an eyebrow. "You're joking, right?"
"No, I really am in love. She is mi benita! And the love of my life. I've never felt this happy!" He started back into his room where he proudly shouted, "I love you, Tiana!"
Lawrence watched as the happy prince closed the door to his bedroom and wondered if Naveen was going mad or was he really in love with a waitress.
"A waitress?" The valet frowned before his expression changed to a devious grin. "A poor girl? Oh King Kabir and Nagina will not like this one bit." He laughed. "Oh to be a fly on the wall when they receive the swell news"
()()()()
A/N: So Naveen and Tiana are finally together! Which means that there are about eight chapters remaining. I like to thank you all for taking the time to reading and reviewing the story. As you all know I didn't intend on posting it because I didn't feel that it would be any good to you readers. Glad that I was wrong on this one. Now here are some words I used in this chapter.
Mi benita - Maldonian for 'My beauty'
Merde - French and Maldonian for 'Shit'