Okay…I would have had this up much sooner, but I had driver's ed this week and I constantly had people over so I had no opportunity to work on this. My apologies.
I must take this opportunity to thank my fabulous reviewers! I didn't expect that at all, to be honest. I'm so motivated to write this now, you have no idea. Also, I want to make sure I have as much historical accuracy as possible for this piece, so if anyone knows any good sites about life in the 1940s that would be awesome, or if someone knows a bit about Mardi Gras please PM me. I'm so in the dark about it, and I'm not sure about when it starts. All I know is that it changes with Easter.
In response to a question about historical accuracy in the first chapter, yes, there were yachts and, in my opinion, cars then were somewhat speedy. Just warning you, this chapter is a bit out of the norm for me because it's just a bunch of letters. Keep in mind these aren't all of the letters Tiana and Charlotte wrote to each other, just some of the important ones. Hope you like it!
November 13, 1926
Dear Lotte,
We miss Evangeline here more than I could possible say. I want things to be normal again, like they were before…well you know. Naveen keeps going into the nursery and looking at the empty crib. I don't know what to do with myself. I have so much more free time, but all I want to do is take my baby girl for a walk or read her a story.
Is she being good? I hope she hasn't been too much trouble. Naveen forgot to tell you that she isn't done teething yet, but I guess by the time you read this it'll be a little late for that. I apologize for anything she may have managed to put in her mouth.
There's still no sign of Facilier. We're doing everything we can to find him, but it seems he has the annoying ability to disappear into thin air whenever he wants to. Guards have been sent down there to Louisiana to search, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Naveen's being his optimistic self about it, but I'm worried about him. He's throwing himself into this, and he hardly gets any sleep anymore. He means well, and I know he's just a protective father, but…he needs to think about himself too. I'm just so confused, Lotte, and no evening star's going to help me now.
Write back soon. I don't want to miss out on a single thing Evangeline does.
Love,
Tiana
December 23, 1926
Dear Tia,
Everything is going perfectly here. Little Eva finally started warming up to me after a couple weeks, and she's just a doll. You'll never believe what she did just last Tuesday! She started talking! Well…okay she didn't really talk. It was more like a lot of really slurred sounds all mushed (that's a word, right?) together, but she practically held up conversation with me. I said something, then she babbled, then I said something else, and she babbled again…It was just the bee's knees!
But, honestly, I more tired than Daddy after that time he decided to take kick boxing lessons. Little Eva doesn't trust the servants very much, and so I have to be with her at all times. How did you do it? Of course, you at least had Naveen to help you, but I'm just here by myself. I love the little rose bud, I really do, but I feel like I'm running a marathon every day.
At least Christmas is almost here. Your momma made Evangeline the cutest dresses you ever did see, oh they're just precious. Our big Christmas Eve party's tomorrow night, and I'll finally get to show off your little angel to the best of New Orleans society. Don't make a fuss, I'm just going to tell people she's my god-daughter. I have her outfit picked out and everything. Then Eudora's coming to spend Christmas day with us and we're going to do all the traditional family Christmas things. The chef's cooking up a big ol' turkey and there'll be hot cocoa and presents!
I miss you so much, and I know Evangeline does, too.
Hugs and kisses,
Charlotte
February 14, 1927
Dear Lotte,
Happy Valentines Day. Things are good here. Naveen's been so sweet today. He took us out on a boat in the pond and we spent the day relaxing and reminiscing. We even counted how many frogs we saw. He surprised me by making dinner himself, which would be a surprise any day, but it had an added hint of romance since he did it tonight. I don't know what I'd do without him, I really don't.
Evangeline's birthday's coming up. It doesn't feel right. The first birthday is supposed to be a huge milestone, something really special. I'm not even going to be there for it. I don't get to watch her go about her day and coo over how much she's grown and all of the things she's accomplished. I don't get to see her smear her face with a cake she really doesn't need anyway. I don't get to bake her a cake in the first place.
But, as I keep trying to remind myself, it'll all be worth it once Facilier is caught and she's back home safe and sound. It's only a matter time, we had a lead just last week and we've sent some men out to investigate. We're getting close, I can just feel it. Naveen's gotten cocky about it, which is definitely a good sign because he's coming out of that inferior state he's been in. It would be so much easier to live with him if he didn't need an ego the size of an elephant to keep him going.
Unfortunately I'm in love with him, so I'm kind of stuck.
Love,
Tiana
P.S. Evangeline's gift was sent out a few days ago. It should arrive sometime soon.
April 8, 1927
Dear Tia,
Guess what! Little Eva's started walking! She's practically running already. You know, for a while there I thought there might be something wrong with her since she was over a year old and still not walking, but I didn't want to tell you because I was afraid you'd think I messed up your baby. But now she's zipping all over the place like a directionally challenged racehorse and just having the time of her little life.
I discovered yesterday that she hates broccoli. Never feed it to her. I tried since it was last night's side dish, and she threw it down, started crying and yelled 'tree.' Don't ask me why. I don't have an answer. And that imagination of hers is just something. Her reasoning for not eating the broccoli was because she didn't want to eat the family of mini-monkeys living it.
She's gotten clever too, Tia. I can't figure out if it's the good clever or the bad clever. I was reading her book to her the other night, and she holds out her hands and says (in as few syllables as possible) that she would like to read it. I was thrilled, 'cause I never knew babies could read that soon and I thought she must be a prodigy or something, until I realized that as she sounded out The Frog Prince to me she was holding the book upside down. At least we know she's fantastic at memorizing things she hears.
Tata for now,
Charlotte
October 2, 1927
Dear Charlotte,
I'm started to lose hope. Ever time we get close to catching Facilier he slips right through our fingers. I always make the mistake of getting my hopes up only to have them dashed every time. I had really thought we'd have Evangeline home by now, but I don't think that'll be happening any time soon. Is it all right if you keep her just a bit longer, Lotte. I really hate to put that kind of responsibility on you, but it's all I know to do. I wasn't born royalty, it's Naveen who was raised to handle problems like this.
The real problem is knowing how long this could go on. At this rate, it could take years. I've already missed Evangeline's first Christmas, and her first birthday. I certainly don't plan on missing more.
Listen to the talk around New Orleans. Maybe he's there and we don't know it. You've got connections, see if anyone's heard anything about a Shadow Man running around.
Love,
Tiana
January 30, 1928
Dear Tia,
I know this probably isn't what you want to think about right now, but Eva's birthday is coming up again. I know you know, so we might as well address it now. She's already almost two years old. Time just seems to fly by doesn't it?
She's grown a lot, just went through a spurt I think. The little dear's getting kind of heavy to pick up, but she hates having to walk around by herself so she always wants me to carry her. She talks a lot now, too. I can't get her to stop sometimes! I guess she got that from Naveen, 'cause I remember you were never the talkative one. She tells me about all sorts of stuff, like what she's learned from the gardener or what she saw in her picture books. She absolutely adores picture books.
Eudora's been around a lot lately. Eva latches onto her like a spider to its web, and your momma's crazy about her. They look so sweet together. It's just like a classic grandma-granddaughter relationship, right out of a storybook.
Maybe you could try coming for a visit soon. I know you think it's too risky and all that, but how would anyone know? It could just be for a couple days, perhaps over Evangeline's birthday. I bet she'd love to see you. Just think it over.
Lots of love,
Charlotte
July 28, 1928
Dear Tiana,
Where have you been? It's been months and you haven't sent a single letter. Is something wrong? Did I do something?
Love,
Charlotte
September 1, 1928
Dear Charlotte,
A few months ago the delivery system transporting the royal family's mail was attacked and our personal letters torn through. I suspect it was Dr. Facilier. He didn't find what he was looking for, and I have determined it is best to discontinue any communication concerning political subjects with you. I hope your daughter is doing well.
Love,
Tiana
Charlotte set the letter down on the window sill and looked out at the street in shock. The city was busy, and the long line of cars moving steadily down the street was hypnotic. She forced herself to turn away and snatched the letter up again.
I have determined it is best to discontinue any communication concerning political subjects with you.
Evangeline was sitting on her new 'big girl' railed bed and playing pretend with her princess dolls. "You may kiss the bride." She declared as she knocked two plastic head together rather awkwardly. Her games were always the same. One of the girl dolls would be a damsel in distress, but the handsome prince would rescue her and they'd live happily ever after, just like in fairytales.
The hidden princess had grown up so much in the past couple years. She looked even more like her daddy, with delicate dark locks that were constantly held up in a frilly bow. She had the natural innocence the young were so blessed with, and lived in her own world where everything was magical. One day she was a mermaid swimming in the pool turned glistening lagoon, and the next she was a fairy flying through the mysterious backyard gardens. She spoke loudly and frequently, and spent as much time thinking about the wonders of the real world as she did creating her own. Was this little girl a political issue?
I hope your daughter is well.
In was a finalizing statement, a statement that meant defeat. Or did it mean nowhere was safe for the future queen to keep her secrets but in her mind? Either way, Charlotte knew something had changed, and her life had gotten much more complicated.