The Thrill Of It All II
To Live For Life
A year later...
Its been an entire year since Tiana lost her husband and since then she's been laying low with her son in New Orleans. She's also been trying to tell Naveen that Daniel is his son from making phone calls to writings letters but never got a response. She figured that he finally moved on with his life after the final call six months ago. It was frustrating and hurtful but for her son she had to accept the idea that life will only be about the two of them.
"Mama look up at that cloud!" Daniel broke his mother's musing.
Tiana followed her son's pointed finger and saw the bug shaped cloud in the blue sky. "A fly?"
"Nope," he laughed. "Its Ray! The firefly!"
"Ray the firefly?" Tiana asked, puzzled.
"Uh huh. A story Naveen told me about a firefly name Ray who was in love with a star name Evangeline but changed her name to Evangelina."
"Why Evangelina?" Tiana smiled.
Daniel shrugged. "I don't know."
Tiana sat up on the large blanket they had spread across the neatly cut lawn. "Are you hungry?"
"Look mama! Naveen's crown!"
Tiana looked up at the clouds. "It does look like his crown. Are you hungry baby?"
"I guess..." he said.
Tiana stood up. "Come on. We've been out here long enough. Let's make us some lunch."
"May we have beignets too?"
"Mm hm." she took his hand. "Let's run back to the house." she jogged but had no choice but to run once her son began. "Daniel you're running too fast!" she laughed.
The young boy giggled.
She was relieved when they finally made it to the door but then remembered, "We forgot the blanket!"
"I'll get it!" he offered.
"No, I'll get it. You get in the kitchen and tell Dorothy to get started with the sandwiches."
"Okay!" Daniel ran in the house.
Tiana walked back to retrieve the blanket and looked up at the sky once more but could no longer see the crown shaped cloud. She shook her head and began folding the material.
"You didn't have to fold the blanket."
She rolled her eyes before turning to see the last man she wanted in her presence.
"Why are you here, Derek?"
He smirked. "I see you've changed everything around here within a year. I wonder how Jacques would feel about it? Or was that his request as well?" he asked the question in sarcasm.
Tiana knew he was referring to her main answer to everyone's question at her husband's funeral using 'It was what he requested' throughout the day. "It actually was. Why are you here?"
"To discuss new employment," he said.
"What about it?" she asked.
"The economy isn't the best...in fact it stinks and..." he stopped, looking around. "Why don't we speak about this elsewhere? Its too open..."
"There's enough privacy here I don't see why we have to go elsewhere," Tiana crossed her arms, not trusting him.
"Its always been a pet peeve of mine?" He said.
Tiana sighed at that pet peeve. Jacques had the exact same pet peeve. "We'll go in my office."
"And I'll carry the blanket," he offered.
"I got it," Tiana walked ahead, not wanting anything from the man. It was bad enough that she had to deal with him on a business level and she understood why Jacques left her to take over his spot of the businesses. He didn't trust Derek.
After making sure the door remained opened and Derek was right where she could feel comfortable she asked. "What is it that you wanted to keep so private?"
Derek noticed her sarcasm. "Trying to be tough now that you are a widow to the wealthiest coloured man in America?"
She frowned. "What?"
"When I learned that he left you in charge of everything including Le Montreuil Glass company I honestly thought that it was a joke."
She raised a brow.
"How so?"
"Leaving you...a woman in charge of everything is like leaving a cat alone in a room with a plate of live fish. Its all going to end in disaster and as a man, and one who cares deeply about you I think that its best that you go by these two options."
"I'm listening," Tiana crossed her arms, remaining guarded.
"You give me everything to look after such as the companies, the money and every week I'll give you and the boy an allowance."
"Hell no...," Tiana simply said.
Derek chuckled. "Of course that would be your response...which leaves the second option," he smirked, "Marriage."
Tiana laughed. "Are you serious with that? Marriage? I would rather burn myself to death than ever consider marriage with you!"
"It seems as if your mother is on board of her daughter marrying another coloured man of wealth. I may not have as much power as my dear friend but I do have connections. And Tiana Montreuil-Conti sounds too perfect to turn down," he stood up from his chair.
"I don't want you, okay?" Tiana stood up. "Now get the hell out of my house!" she sure to raise her voice as loud as she could.
Derek laughed. "You really think that you're a threat to me? A woman? Now be a good little girl and accept my marriage proposal."
She shook her head. "Never going to happen!"
"Oh I know it will...and this time Jacques will not prevent that from happening." Derek stared at her. "Ever since the day I saw you in that Christmas charity dinner in that green number you were wearing I knew that I had to have you for myself. Of course Jacques also noticed you that night and vowed that you would be his wife. I was pissed, why? Because out of all the beautiful young ladies in the room he had to single the best one out. I was surprised since his type was promiscuous girls. His damned grandfather was also there putting ideas into his head. Making my dreams of you marrying me fade like a dream."
She looked at him, repulsed. "I wouldn't have married you even if you asked my mother and father at that time."
"I would've found a way for you to marry me," he said darkly. "A little girl should never walk inside an old abandoned sugar mill alone."
Tiana remembered the vision Mama Odie showed her of Jacques attacking her and shuddered at the thought of Derek doing the same thing.
"But seriously, who would marry you anyway? No man can top Jacques Montreuil...well, except me with him being dead now," he bragged.
Tiana walked around her desk and stood by the door.
Derek looked her up and down as he confidentially walked over to her. "So you're kicking me out?"
Tiana held her stance and was equally confident, and irritated. "Its time for you to leave."
He stomped his foot and was surprised when she didn't flinch at his actions. So he moved in closer on her.
She remained stoic.
"Marry me?" he asked darkly, inching closer to her.
"Mama!" Daniel completely stopped when he noticed how close Derek was to his mother. "Uncle Derek? Mama?"
Derek quickly drew away.
"Daniel!" Tiana cried, running over to her son, pulling him in for a hug."What are you doing up here? I thought you were eating lunch."
Derek cleared his throat. "Um, I should be leaving. Not much to do, um...I'll call you."
Tiana narrowed her eyes at him without saying a word.
He nodded awkwardly before leaving the room and home a minute later.
Daniel could sense his mother's relief and asked. "Did he hurt you?"
"No," she shook her head, standing up. "Did you eat lunch?"
"I started but wanted to eat with you."
Tiana smiled.
"I don't want you to marry Uncle Derek mama," Daniel admitted.
"I will never marry Uncle Derek," she confirmed to her son.
"Promise?"
"I promise. Now let's go eat!"
Once they made it to the dining room to eat Daniel had to ask, "Mama?"
"Hmm? Yes baby?" she asked, drinking a glass of lemonade.
"I miss Naveen," said the young boy. "May we visit him again?"
Tiana raised her brows and didn't know how to answer the question. She tried contacting the Maldonian king numerous of times by phone and letters with no returns from his end.
"May I call him?" Daniel asked.
"He's been very busy, baby."
"Well can we surprise him with a visit? Please?"
Tiana thought about seeing hm in person but was afraid of him rejecting her and their son after all the times she left him to be with her husband. And what would happen if they walked in on him with a new woman in his life? She didn't want her son experiencing disappointment from another man he looked up to.
"Sounds like a good idea to me!" Dorothy said, picking up the glass pitcher of lemonade from the table.
"You really think so?" Tiana asked, unsure.
"Yes!" Both Daniel and Dorothy said.
Tiana laughed. "All right! We're going to Maldonia!"
()()()()
Maldonia – Eight days later -
"Mama when are we going to make it to Naveen's castle?" asked an anxious Daniel while in a car.
"Soon," Tiana said, seeing them approaching the palace. "There it is! A few miles away and we're there!"
Daniel's blue eyes widen at the sight of the palace. "Jiminy Cricket! It's huge even from where we are!"
Tiana watched how excited her son was and only hoped that Naveen wouldn't cause heartbreak for her son. She really didn't know what to expect with him not responding to her.
When they finally made it within a mile from the palace, they had to stop due to a guard not recognizing the vehicle.
The guard quickly recognized Tiana and Daniel as Naveen's 'friends' and within fifteen minutes they were at the palace.
Herbert gave them a warm welcome as he was thrilled to see the two.
"I hope that you two will be staying for good?"
"I hope so!" Daniel beamed. "Where's Naveen?"
"Follow me!"
Tiana held her son's hand as they walked with Herbert down the long corridor. By the time they reached Naveen's office the valet turned toward the two. "He shouldn't be busy," and began knocking on the door.
The door opened to Claudine who smiled. "Hello Herbert."
Tiana frowned and couldn't help but notice Naveen holding a young child in his arm. Her heart stopped at the sight.
Daniel noticed the man as well as ran into his office. "Naveen!"
"Daniel?" Naveen was surprised to see the young boy. "What are you doing here?"
"I brought him here," Tiana said, trying to hide the pain she was now feeling.
Claudine smirked, walking over to the king. "Aw, look Naveen...Janette is asleep..." she took the baby from him and gave him a kiss on the check. "Thank you."
Naveen stared at Tiana while saying, "You're welcome."
Claudine looked Tiana up and down before switching out the door.
Herbert knew the two should be left alone and asked Daniel. "Would you like some treats from the Sugar Station?" he then looked up at Tiana for approval.
She nodded.
"Thanks mama!" Daniel said. "Take me now!"
"Daniel!" Tiana frowned at him.
Daniel changed his tone after seeing his mother's look of disapproval. "I mean...okay," he took the man's hand, leaving the room.
Naveen smiled. "You look beautiful."
"You have a baby?" Tiana blurted out
"Excuse me?" Naveen asked.
Tiana closed her eyes, embarrassed by her outburst but pressed on with the topic. "Is that why you weren't returning my calls and letters? You didn't want to tell me about this?"
Naveen frowned. "I don't have to tell you anything."
"Its called honesty," she said in frustration
"I can say the same for you!" he added.
"You obviously seem happy with Claudine and the baby so I will take Daniel who is also your child and leave it at that."
"Daniel is my son? How would you know?" Naveen was definitely sure that the boy was his, but he wanted to hear Tiana's explanation.
"Mama Odie's words...what she told me didn't make since at the time until I saw your portrait at Uncle Nicholas. You two look almost identical when I saw your portrait as a child..."
Naveen walked over by one of his windows, looking outside. "I always knew he was mine."
Tiana watched him in silence for a minute before walking over by him. "I'm sorry that I didn't see this before."
"Of course you would tell me after knowing for over a year..." he added bitterly.
"I tried but with Jacques dying—
"You wanted to protect him!" he shot a glare her way. "I'm going to see my son..." and walked pass her.
"Naveen please hear me out!" Tiana said in desperation.
"With what?" He raised his voice in irritation and bitterness. "You apologized from keeping my son away from me for over a year simply by protecting a man who almost killed you. Turned you in to an institution, beat, rape and threatened you repeatedly...god Tiana what do you want from me now?"
"I tried telling you about Daniel! I've called, written letters. But it seems as if you didn't want anything to do with us so I stopped."
"So you're blaming me?" he walked over to her face to face.
Tiana nodded. "Yes, partly. I understand you being frustrated—
"Frustrated is putting it gently."
"All right then...pissed! Pissed that I chose Jacques over you and I understand. I really do understand. When I planned on seeing him it was to talk like adults about the custody of Daniel but when he threw that news of being ill and dying it was a complete shock. And then he asked for me to stay and—
"You took care of your ailing husband like any wife would do. You've done nothing wrong," Naveen said for her.
"I know what I was doing was mainly for my son and for my husband's happiness at the end of his life. It seems as if he was his happiest during his last months on this earth. He had his moments but when your life is a ticking time bomb of course he'll be angry at times."
"Did he ever hit you during his illness?"
She shook her head. "No, he was kind most of the time and very apologetic. I forgave him and we became friends to a point where I did love him." she admitted.
"Or you realized your feelings."
"No Naveen. It was different. Everything was different during that time for all of us."
"I'm sure you've loved him so much that you continued on sleeping with him."
"You apparently did enough of that to produce a child with your concubine."
"My concubine? You were doing the same with your husband," Naveen fired back.
"And you were doing it with me!" Tiana reminded him. "No one was innocent in this. Except for Daniel."
"Daniel shouldn't be apart of this...travesty. And if you'll excuse me I'm going to spend some time with my son before you pull him away from me."
"How old is your...baby with Claudine?" Tiana asked before he left the room. "It seems as if you've moved on and made a new family."
He stopped and turned to look at her. "The baby isn't mine nor is Claudine. If you want to know where Daniel is then you can with me." he left the room.
Tiana sighed guiltily then followed behind him down the corridors. There were guards who remembered Tiana and were confused as to whether they should stay behind the two or only behind the king. To be on the safe side they remained behind the two.
Naveen stood by the entrance, waiting for Tiana to walk into their son's room before stepping in himself.
"Mama look at this candy bar!" Chocolate faced Daniel ran over to show his mother the box of Milk Duds.
"How much candy have you eaten already?" she noticed how much energy he had.
"Three!" he answered.
"Three!" Tiana repeated, not as excited as her son. In fact she was annoyed at the valet who was smiling nervously at her. "Three candy bars, Herbert?"
"I couldn't resist the young Daniel's face after the chocolate peanut butter cups, madame," was his excuse.
But Naveen waved that off, picking the boy up in his arms. "He's a growing boy and will be fine. Right Daniel?"
He nodded. "Mm hm!"
But Tiana didn't agree as she walked up to the both of the with her hand out. "Hand me the milk duds Daniel."
The young boy poked out his bottom lip.
"Put that bottom lip back in!" she ordered sternly.
And he did just that before handing his mother the box of candy.
"You'll have this back after you eat some real food," Tiana said.
Naveen put the boy down. "Why don't Herbert show you some of the newer toys you haven't played with!"
"New toys!" Daniel ran over to the train set with the valet not too far behind.
"A little candy won't hurt him," Naveen said, watching his son.
"And a little pushover-ing can get them into control of your house," Tiana added.
"Was that Jacques' way of thinking?" he asked, sarcasm in his tone.
"My mother and father's," she was very serious with her answer.
He turned to look back at her. "Well I guess your rules don't apply here. I wasn't raised that way nor has my father, or his father..."
"Your house, your rules," Tiana said. "But I am still his mother and he is still my child."
Naveen looked at her once more before walking over to where his son and valet were.
Tiana sighed, not feeling very welcomed since arriving at the palace. She didn't know if she could stand anymore of Naveen's harshness or sarcasm and wondered if it'll be this way as long as she was here.
So she eased out of the room without anyone noticing. She didn't know where she was headed to so she kept walking down the marble stairs. After several minutes of walking she sensed someone following her and when she turned to see the person she was disappointed that it wasn't Naveen. Instead it was a very bulky looking guard in military stance.
"Pardon me but why are you following me?" she asked.
"His highness ordered me to, madame," answered the guard.
"Why did he even bother?" Tiana said and wasn't expecting an answer from the silent guard.
"Would you like for me to escort you to your suite madame?" he asked.
Tiana shrugged. "Why not? Yes, please." She really needed to be alone after the way Naveen treated her.
()()()()
Later that evening Tiana was waken by heavy knocking.
"Excuse me madame? But the king would like to see you downstairs," said a soft spoken maid.
Tiana opened her eyes, slowly sitting up.
The maid's eyes widen. "Oh you're not dressed!"
She frowned at the woman. "Not dressed? I have on clothes!"
"No, you wore this earlier. You must have more dresses for dinner?"
"I uh...yes? I have more dresses."
The maid rushed over to the closet and saw the dresses. "Oh...beautiful!" and pulled out a garnet shade dress. "This is a lovely color! The king's taste is always exquisite!"
"Actually I bought that dress..." Tiana got out of the bed.
The maid ignored her her comment while pulling out matching shoes. "Beautiful! The king will be very happy. Come, let's help you with this to speed it up"
Tiana did a spin at her reflection. "I think I'm over dressed for meeting the king."
"You look perfect madame!" the maid beamed and opened the door. "Follow me!"
Tiana followed the woman out of the room and could already hear her son by the time she made it down the stairs.
"Everyone is in the second royal dining hall. The first is currently occupied for the ball later this week!"
"A ball?"
"Yes, his highness is celebrating his birthday! And everyone of the guests are from our allied countries!" the woman giggled before stopping at the closed doors where two guards stood.
Tiana watched the woman knock three times before the guards opened the door. All eyes in the room were on her as she made her entrance. Both Naveen and his father stood up.
Daniel smiled at his mother. "Its my mama!"
Nagina and Kabir also smiled.
"You look lovely this evening," Nagina complimented. "Doesn't she Naveen?"
Naveen's eyes roamed her from head to toe before answering. "She always looks perfection."
"Perfection indeed," Kabir agreed, eying the younger woman himself.
Nagina shook her head at his behavior. "So how long will you be staying, Tiana? I hope longer than the last visit."
Tiana looked at Naveen. "We'll see."
"There's an empty seat between Naveen and Daniel...if everything goes well I'm assuming that chair will be for our new queen," Nagina hinted with a wink.
"There won't be queens anytime soon mother," Naveen said flat out, hoping that it somewhat hurt Tiana.
It did hurt but she figured that he was also silencing his mother on the topic of marriage.
"That is very unfortunate for our family and our kingdom," Nagina said, sick and tired of her son's childish grudge.
"It is what it is," Naveen looked at Tiana who rolled her eyes at his behavior.
Dinner began as soon as the chef and servants brought in the dishes. It was very quiet during the appetizer and entrée portions, but during dessert Kabir was the first to compliment.
"Mm...very delicious baklava."
"I loved the honey flavour," Tiana added and smiled at the chef. "How were you able to not make this soggy? The combination of the cinnamon, honey and nuts were simply amazing!"
The chef's eyes brightened at the question making Kabir laugh.
"Eduard seems very surprised," Kabir chuckled.
"Yes your highness. No one has ever asked me about the detail of my creations," the chef said with a smile.
"Tiana is a chef, or so his highness has shared with me," Nagina smiled at her son.
Naveen looked over at his own son and asked, "How are you enjoying your baklava?"
"More please?" Daniel asked at politely as he could.
"Oh he is such a darling Tiana! Daniel is who I image to be if I had a grandchild," she winked at her own son.
"Mother shouldn't you be enjoying your dessert?" Naveen asked, annoyed.
"I'm stuffed. One is enough for me!" she gently pushed aside her dish.
"I am like Daniel...more please?" Kabir tried to imitate a child's voice but failed, causing Daniel to laugh.
Naveen had enough and stood up. "Well I have some calls to make before settling down."
"Will you tell me more of your funny bedtime stories Naveen?" Daniel asked.
He gave him a smile. "Of course. What I'm doing shouldn't take long."
Tiana also stood up. "Come on Daniel I'm going to help you with your bath."
"Nonsense Tiana!" Kabir interrupted. "We've got nannies for that!"
"Its all right. I'll do it," Tiana her her son's hand.
Kabir walked over to the young woman before clearing his throat. "I was hoping that you can spend some time chatting with Nagina and myself."
"Can we do it tomorrow?" Tiana asked. "I was hoping to catch up on some sleep."
"Then tomorrow it is! After breakfast!" he confirmed. Understanding her fatigue.
"And perhaps we could speak about what gowns to wear at this weekend's ball, yes?" Nagina added.
"I'm looking forward already," Tiana smiled. "Come on, baby."
Daniel took his mother's hand and waved his other one at the couple. "Goodnight!"
"Goodnight" The couple waved in return.
()()()()
"..and the little rabbit couldn't believe his well deserved achievements, and went home with not only a lifetime supply of carrots, but also knowing that with a little hardwork, you can achieve your goals!"
Daniel yawned. "That bunny sounds like my mama."
Tiana watched the two interact and was thankful that Naveen was done with the story as she was exhausted and ready to go to sleep. "All right Daniel that is all he'll tell you tonight."
"But I want to hear more!" Daniel said with his eyes closed.
"Your mother is right Daniel," Naveen agreed. "Plus what fun would it be if I told you all of my stories at once?"
"Mmhm..., the young boy said in his sleep.
Naveen was about to walk away when he heard his name from the young boy.
"Naveen?"
"Yes Daniel?"
"Will you be my daddy?"
Tiana closed her eyes after hearing the question.
Naveen knelt down to kiss Daniel on the forehead. "It would be an honour, son," he left the room without saying a word to Tiana.
She gave her son a goodnight kiss on the cheek before leaving the room herself. She spotted the Maldonian king and quickly followed him. "Naveen..."
"A year," he said.
"So much was going through my mind..."
He stopped and turned to look back at her. "A whole entire year you kept that boy from me!"
Tiana gasped when he grabbed her arms and pulled her onto him. "A year and you didn't say anything!"
"I tried calling, writing to you!" Tiana pushed herself back from him. "A year of contacting you—
"And yet it took you an entire year to come here? In person"
"So much was going on in New Orleans Naveen—
"If you weren't the mother of my son then I would've already had you thrown out of this palace!"
"What?" Tiana was shocked by his behavior and the honey coloured eyes that once shown love was full of hate.
"I can't even look at you without remembering all the times you've walked out on me!" he said.
"Nav—
"I can't stand the sight of you," he glared at her. "You're nothing but a selfish whore who used your marriage as an excuse to stay with him!"
Tiana lifted her hand to slap Naveen but he stopped her.
"Don't you even think about striking me!"
She pulled her hand away. "It was hard—
"Yes, it was hard to lay under him and under me! Yes, how hard it was to go between me and him! Him and me! Whatever we had together ended when you chose to stay with him on his deathbed!" he spat. "I was on cloud nine when you told me that he was dying! After all the beatings, murdering your child in front of me and his family at that dinner, locking you away as if you were the mentally unstable one and instead of saying fuck you when he asked you to stay with him you of course pathetically chose him over me! I would've given up everything for you!" he exclaimed, staring dead at her. "But you would rather lay under a man who treated you as if you were less than nothing."
"You had no problem getting on top of Claudine!" was Tiana response.
He snorted at her comeback. "She isn't my wife neither."
Tiana's frustration returned. "He's dead now Naveen! My husband is gone!"
"Yes, he left you. After all the times you crawled back to him he left you in the most permanent way a man can leave his woman," he opened the door to her suite and stepped out. "I don't know how long you plan on staying here but this is technically Daniel's home. You can stay for as long as he's here. Goodnight."
Tiana watched him walking down the hall with his two guards before shutting the door and falling right on the bed. The tears were already falling out as well as her pride, her heart completely broken. She knew that Naveen was right on the topic of Jacques was also sick at the thought of him hating her. She couldn't get the loathsome of his eyes from her mind which made her feel worse through his explosive episode. If this was the way Naveen was going to continue treating her then it is best that she leave.
"Tomorrow morning," she said.
Perhaps it was for the best that they go their separate ways.
()()()()
A/N: Ugh! I couldn't end it at chapter 30! I feel that there is more to write in terms of Naveen and Tiana's relationship, or whatever its called now. As you all can see Naveen is beyond pissed and who can blame him? But you have to feel somewhat bad for Tiana, right? At least I do. *does a Kanye West shrug * I don't know how this will end! We'll see if everything ends well or disastrous. The story should be wrapping up in three to five chapters.