Thrill Of It All II

Surprise Vows

New Orleans – A Week Earlier...

Derek woke up from an almost restless night to the sound of his help prepping breakfast downstairs. The ham lingered in his nose causing his stomach to growl a bit. After showering and dressing in his very expensive suit he was greeted by his favourite young maid, a girl who he could see was very fond of him and who also looked a lot like his Tiana if the right stylist can fix her up.

"Good morning Mr. Conti," she poured him some coffee. "Did you sleep well, sir?"

"I slept all right, Maddie," he lied, opening the news paper. "Damn crash."

"Millions have been effected, sir," she said in her Atlanta/Hatian accent. "I don't know anything about the economy—

"Thank you, Maddie," he interrupted, his eyes focused on a picture of Tiana, who was actually featured on the paper. He sighed pitifully at the thought of her on the other end of the table with him after a night of passion with her.

'Soon Derek...soon,' he mentally told himself.

Another maid walked in carrying a wrapped box. "This here is fa you, sir."

He looked slightly from his paper at the box before going back at the paper. "Put it in the den. I'll look at it later."

The woman began walking when he heard rattling from the box.

He brushed it off and began his breakfast.

As soon as he was done he decided to look at the box before leaving and was surprised to see it being from Tiana. Opening it, he found the necklace and ring he gave her along with a note.

Derek,

I couldn't go through with the marriage. Everything just seemed so familiar whenever you came over for the dinners and as much as I tried to overlook it I couldn't. Jacques played a huge part in our lives but I accept your forgiveness from the bad history we shared together. And I hope that you can find it in your heart to understand why I can't marry you.

I wish you nothing but happiness.

Tiana.

Derek through shaky hands read the note a second, third, forth and fifth time. Trying to see if he perhaps missed where it said that she was joking or wondered if his imagination was getting the best of him. Just anything but what he just read.

Maybe she was still at the Montreuil Estate?

Grabbing the keys to his car he didn't bother calling a driver. He drove himself to the large estate and rang the bell continuously until he grew desperate. He then picked up one of the larger stones that were beautiful surrounding the lawn and threw it at a window, shattering the glass into thousands of pieces. Not caring if anyone heard he lifted the window and climbed through it, falling into the living room.

"Tiana!" he shouted. "I know you're in here!" He ran up the stairs and opened the doors to every room of the house before finally getting to Tiana's bedroom.

"Tiana!" he opened the door, out of breath. "Tiana..." he looked into the bathroom and closets before falling onto a chaise. His breathing calmed immediately while his eyes watered up at realizing one thing, and that is Tiana was gone from his life forever.

Derek's hands flew to his face as he began crying. Another woman left him after losing it in with her.

But he wasn't going to give up until he have her back. There had to be a way.

Her parents have a nice looking home in the middle of nowhere.

He decided to go there next.

()()()()

"She isn't here baby," Eudora said.

"Bulllshit!" Derek spat before swiftly passing the middle age woman, opening the pantry door. "Tiana? I know you're in here!"

"Derek!" Eudora exclaimed, watching him rush up the stairs. "James! She called for her husband."

Derek opened the doors the closets and rooms, including the bedroom of James and Eudora shared.

"What the hell are you doing?" James asked, walking up the stairs. "Get out of my house!"

"I know you're hiding her!" Derek said.

"Hiding who?" James asked, irritated.

"Your fucking daughter! My goddam fiancee!" Derek exclaimed. "She can't be anywhere else."

"She isn't here son," James said calmly. "Now get out of my house or I'll call the police"

Derek waved at the man before leaving. On the way home he continued thinking of a plan get through to Tiana. He already knew that the only other location she could be is in Maldonia. But where exactly is Maldonia? And is rising his life really worth it?

"Welcome home, sir!" greeted his young maid Maddie.

"Where's Dorothy?" he asked, wondering why his housekeeper didn't answer the door.

"I apologize, sir," the Hatian housekeeper limped over to him. "Is there anything you need?"

"A drink. Strong and alcoholic" he walked up the stairs. "I'll be in my office."

"Maddie go get him something to drink," ordered the housekeeper.

"But mama he doesn't drink," Maddie reminded her.

"His fiancee left him this morning, baby. He only drinks when he's stressed," the woman said. "Now go fetch him a scotch and vodka."

Maddie nodded and was about to leave when her mother stopped her.

"If he offers you anything take it with no questions," she advised her daughter. "Now go give him his drink."

The young maid did as she was told and walked into Derek's office after hearing him answer it.

She gently handed the drink to the man.

"Thank you," he set it on his desk.

"Is there anything else you need, sir?" she asked.

"No," his eyes said as went back to the young woman. "Just a second."

She stopped by the door and turned to look back at him. "Yes sir?"

"How old are you now, Maddie?" he asked

"Nineteen."

He smirked. "Come sit with me."

The girl did as she was told, pulling a chair beside the man.

Derek gave her a look over and nodded. "Do you like nice clothes?"

"Nice clothes?" She raised a brow.

"Derek remained calm despite feeling irritated. "Yes, like dresses, hats, blouses, scarves—

"I like looking at them," she said, feeling self conscious about her answer.

Derek knew that Maddie would never leave him. The young girl was obviously in love with him despite her timid behavior, and for once in his life he will just have to settle for somebody like her. She was pretty enough.

"I've always found you attractive," he caressed her calloused hands.

Maddie stared into his light brown eyes, shocked. "Y-You...really?"

He nodded and stood up. "Why don't I take you shopping?"

She thought about her mother's advice about him offering her gifts and never denying them.

"And if you don't mind..." he left his office and returned minutes later with a beautiful royal blue sundress that he originally bought for Tiana. "Your first gift from me."

Maddie gasped, covering her mouth. "Its beautiful."

"Put on the dress and do something with your hair. I'm taking you on a shopping spree."

Maddie took the dress and hugged Derek. "Oh sorry!Thank you so much!" she apologized before rushing out the room.

Derek sighed. His plan with blackmailing Tiana may have not worked, but with Maddie here he was sure that he will build the girl up to being a real lady a lot like the girl of his dreams.

When they met a half hour later he was definitely certain that his housekeeper did most of the work at fixing up her daughter.

"You look beautiful, Maddie...but for now on you will be known as Madeline," he explained.

She smiled. "Its my name, sir."

"I figured," he locked an arm with her and winked at his housekeeper. "I will make your daughter very happy."

She grinned proudly. "I know you will."

"And who knows...," his eyes grew darker. "Perhaps in a month or two we'll be calling each other in-laws."

The housekeeper couldn't contain how overjoyed she was. Mentally making certain that this will happen.

()()()()

Present Day - Maldonia

Right after their reunion both Tiana and Naveen went to their own bedrooms to his disappointment as he would rather have Tiana remain in his suite. He didn't have to think of it long as sleep took over and dreams of having Tiana in his arms consumed him.

Tiana took a bath before getting into bed really debating whether she should go to Naveen's suite for the night. It wasn't as if she was going to sleep with him. All she wanted was to feel his arms around her, and share a kiss or two. Hearing him sweet talk her into going a tad bit further to a certain extent.

She got into her bed and tried to sleep but couldn't and knew why. She missed Naveen.

"Ugh" she sat up and put on a silk housecoat before leaving her room.

The corridors were silent with some guards by each door.

She had no problem getting to Naveen's double door suite as the guards were putting bets on who will go to who's bedroom.

"Hand me my fifty dontas!" one guard told the other.

Tiana found Naveen asleep on his bed and eased under the sheets with him, placing his arm around her as she scooted her back onto his front and fell asleep.

()()()()

Naveen woke up to the smell of vanilla under his nose and opened his eyes when he saw Tiana sleeping peacefully in his arms now facing him. She looked like an angel slowly inhaling and exhaling in her slumber. He lightly brushed a hair hanging from her forehead and placed a soft kiss upon her skin.

Tiana stirred a little, placing her hand against his chest while slowly opening her brown eyes.

Naveen gazed back at her with a small smile on his lips. "Good morning, mi benita."

"Good morning," she responded, scooting more into his arms. "I want us to always be this way."

He chuckled. "I would like that as well, but what will happen when Daniel comes looking for us?"

Her eyes widen. "Daniel!" But Naveen held her in his strong arms. "Naveen I have to get back to my room."

"He will find us eventually. Now let me enjoy your beautiful body in my arms for as long as I can," he said.

"What do you mean 'for as long as you can'?" she asked.

"Duty," was his answer.

Tiana didn't press anymore on the topic and the two lay in silence, enjoying the chirping of the birds tocc the sweet smell of the azalea flowers.

The two shared a few more kisses before getting up to dress and join everyone for breakfast and fortunately for Tiana, it was only her, Naveen and Daniel.

Soon after breakfast Naveen went on to perform his duties while an older attractive woman came to take Daniel for his lessons leaving Tiana alone to herself for some hours.

"So you really are here for your son and Naveen," Dejen said, standing in the threshold of the library.

Tiana instantly remembered the prince from the dance. "How are you doing, Dejen?"

"Your beautiful face just made my day a lot brighter," Dejen took her hand and kissed it. "I see you also enjoy books."

"I do but I was also looking around. Getting used to palace," Tiana said with a small smile.

"We can do that together," the price offered. "I remember having hundreds of hiding spots in my palace as a child."

"Oh?" Tiana crossed her arms. "Were you one of those recalcitrant type of children?"

Dejen chuckled. "I don't think I was, but my parents would've disagreed."

Tiana smiled as a servant ran into the room. "Madam Tiana?"

"Yes?"

"You have a telephone call from your mother."

Tiana said her goodbyes to Dejen before walking out the room with the servant and into another room closest to the conference room to answer her call. "Hello mama."

"Babycakes I had to hear your voice and know that you were all right."

"Of course I'm all right. You didn't have to call to know that. Where's daddy?"

"In the kitchen. Now about Derek..."

"I don't know want to hear about it mama!" Tiana said in annoyance.

"He came over here looking for you last week! He looked lost and heartbroken."

Tiana sighed. "I'm sorry but I couldn't marry him mama. I don't love him. Especially since he's carrying so many demons that he still needs to fix. I didn't want Daniel to witness anymore than he should and as for me I don't think I can mentally handle anymore men with split personalities."

Eudora sighed. "I'm actually glad you didn't listen to me this time around babycakes. Derek is a decent man, but I can't help but to feel that there's just something not right about him."

"You have no idea," Tiana said.

"So have you and Naveen worked everything out?"

"Yes actually and there is something you need to know."

"Uh oh..." Eudora prepared for more bad news.

"Its not necessarily an uh oh," Tiana said with a small smile. "I'm pregnant."

"You're...is it by Derek?" Eudora asked, hoping it wasn't.

"Oh God no! It's by Naveen mama!" Tiana had to laugh at her mother's voice.

"My baby is havin' a baby by a king!" Eudora shouted.

"Mama!"

"I'm sorry babycakes but how fortunate can you be? You already have a son with Jacques who was the wealthiest and powerful coloured man in the country and now you are carrying the king of Maldonia's child! I hope its a girl! No! Another boy! Just think, my grandson can be a king someday! I got to live to see that!"

"While you've already written off my child's gender..." Tiana began.

"Babycakes I have to call you back!" Eudora said.

Tiana rolled her eyes. "Please don't go telling the family yet mama!"

"Ya daddy is callin' me to try these...okras!" she quickly hang up the phone.

"Mama!" Tiana rolled her eyes, hanging up the phone. As she stepped out of the room she saw Daniel walking with his tutor.

"It my mother!" Daniel let go of the tutor's hand to get to his mother. "Mama!"

Tiana got down to open her arms for her son and embraced him. "How was your lessons?"

"It was okay. May I have some ice cream?"

"Not right now." she took his hand.

"Aw but daddy gets me ice cream after my lessons."

"Well I'm not daddy," Tiana said.

"And that is a very good thing!" Naveen could be heard from a distance.

"Daddy may we have ice cream?"

"Your mother said no," he smiled.

"Its not fair!" Daniel pouted.

"It is if you don't want to behave like the good boy I taught you to be," Tiana said.

Naveen leaned over to kiss her lips. "I was going to pick him up from his tutors."

Daniel raised a brow at the two. "You just kissed my mama."

Naveen nodded. "I did"

The young boy then looked over at his mother. "And you kissed my daddy."

Tiana nodded, but not as easily as Naveen. "I...did."

"So that means that you two are...friends?"

Naveen and Tiana gave each other a glance and smiled.

Daniel sighed. "Just tell me two are together already!"

Tiana raised a brow as Naveen laughed, picking up their son.

He then leaned over to kiss Tiana on the cheek and whispered, "You want to get married today?"

"What?" Tiana asked out loud before covering herself. "What?"

Naveen shrugged. "Why not?"

"Do it mama, please?" Daniel begged.

Tiana looked at her son, shocked. "You heard him?"

Daniel nodded his head.

Tiana raised her brows while looking back at Naveen.

"Elope with me?" Naveen asked, smiling.

"Elope?" she asked and heard Daniel asking what the word meant.

"Yes! We'll be married before lunch!" he looked at his watch. "Which begins in a half an hour!"

Tiana knew she loved this man and the sudden rush of excitement within her made her want this as much as he did. "Yes! I'll elope with you!"

"Achidonza!" Naveen lifted Tiana in his other arm before putting her back on the floor and quickly pressed his lips onto hers and took his hand with hers.

"Yay! We're getting married!" Daniel cheered.

"Sh!" both Naveen and Tiana shushed their son.

"Its a secret between us," Naveen said as they walked down the stairs.

"Oh okay!" Daniel shut his mouth.

Tiana shook her head.

Naveen took her hand and kissed it. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, anxious. "Because I want you to be my wife."

"Please say yes, mama," Daniel wanted more than anything for his parents to be married so that they could be a family.

Tiana smiled. "I've never been more sure about anything,"

"Good," Naveen stared into her eyes before kissing her again. "When we come back to the palace we'll come back as husband and wife."

"And son!"

"And son" Naveen kissed his son on the head. "A family!"

Tiana sighed in bliss at the sight of her boys. "Let's get married!"

()()()()

"Do you Naveen, take Tiana to be your lawfully wedded wife?" asked the judge, who was instructed to only use their first names.

Naveen smiled at his bride. "I do."

"And do you Tiana, take Naveen to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Tiana's eyes watered. "I do."

"And do you Daniel, take your father and mother to be lawfully wedded?" the judge smiled.

"I do!" Daniel said a little too loudly bringing out a chuckle from the judge.

"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!"

Naveen stared at the love of his life, who was teary eyed before him and gently placed a hand on her cheek.

"I vow to make only tears of happiness leave your beautiful eyes," he said before sealing their wedding vows with a kiss.