Author's Note: I got inspiration for this quick story in the opening scene when the girls were little.
Disclaimer: I do not own Princess and the Frog and its characters, they belong to Disney.
"Eudora!" Elijah LaBouff called out to his head staff member.
Eudora had entered the guest room that her employer was currently in.
"Yes, Mr. LaBouff." She replied, awaiting the next thing.
"Very important guests will be here at any moment. Make sure the girls stay out of trouble. And that they don't disturb us." He instructed.
Eudora nodded her head in understanding. "Very well Mr. LaBouff." She left the room and headed to the play room where two little girls were giggling.
"Mama." Tiana threw herself at her mother. Followed by Charlotte.
Both Tiana's father and Charlotte's mother had passed away. Eudora couldn't keep up with the rent and Charlotte was lonely. It just so happened to work out that Tiana and her mother could live at the LaBouff estate.
"We have important guests arriving girls. Please be on your best behavior you two." Eudora had instructed.
"Do they have kids?" Charlotte asked.
"I'm not sure to be honest." Eudora answered truthfully.
Charlotte turned to Tiana. "Let's play princess."
Tiana rolled her eyes as they always played princess. "Okay you're the princess and I'll be the sister."
Charlotte pulled Tiana out the door and Eudora watched them go chuckling to herself.
The royal family had just gotten off the ship and was now heading to the waiting car.
"Father, why must I accompany you on these trips? It is boring and there is never anyone there my age to play with." Prince Naveen folded his arms across his chest.
"Son, you are the Prince of Maldonia. It is important to know how to carry yourself in business relations."
"I am only 10 though. What kind of business relations do I need to know?" The prince turned to his mother.
"Son, these business relations help to establish friendships, partnerships and allies." She said, hoping it would make sense to her son.
"All the way across the sea?" The prince asked confused. This literally didn't make sense to him.
The king had given his son a stern glance. That was enough to end the conversation entirely. The royal family made their way to the LaBouff estate.
By the time introductions was made and established, the young prince was more than ready to leave. The group had been touring the estate when a peal of laughter caught his attention.
"Father, there are kids here. Can I go play with them?" The prince had asked.
The king turned to his host. "Mr. LaBouff, is this an imposition?"
Elijah shook his head. "Not at all your highness. Eudora please escort Prince Naveen and keep an eye on the three of them as well."
Eudora nodded her head then beckoned the prince to follow her. She led him through the estate and to the back yard where the girls were playing.
"Girls, come here please." Eudora called out. Almost immediately the girls started running towards the two. Only to come to a halt when they saw the prince.
Charlotte, without a shy bone in her body immediately introduced herself and held out her hand.
"I'm Charlotte nice to meet you." The prince shook her hand and let it go immediately.
Tiana was a little more reserved in her introduction.
"I'm Tiana, nice to meet you um." She paused. "Um, what's your name?"
"I am Prince Naveen of Maldonia. Nice to meet you." He took Tiana's hand.
The three appraised each other in silence for a bit. Then Charlotte had grinned big.
"I think we're gonna have fun with our new friend." She declared. Tiana nodded and Naveen just looked on.
Seeing as though it looked like they were getting along, Eudora had left.
"Did you say you were a prince?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes I did." Naveen confirmed, bored.
"Great. We were just playing princess and we need a prince."
"I do not think I want to play this game." He turned to Tiana. "What do you want to play? It is Tiana. Yes?"
Tiana nodded. "Yes that's my name. And did you wanna play restaurant instead?"
"How do you play restaurant?" The prince asked.
"Well it's just practice for me as I'm gonna own a restaurant someday. But you two place an order and I bring it."
"That sounds like a servant though. I have plenty of those at home." Naveen pointed out.
"It's not a servant. Hang on, let me go get the stuff so we can play it." Tiana scurried away to the play house to get what they needed, leaving Charlotte and Naveen to themselves.
Charlotte batted her eyes at the prince. "Is it true that any woman that gets married to a prince becomes a princess?"
"Yes that is true. But where is this going?" He asked.
Charlotte shrugged and had a sly smile on her face. Naveen just shook his head. Girls were weird.
Tiana had been busy setting up the restaurant which consisted of the table and chairs they used when she and Charlotte had tea parties. A nice linen table covering her mother had sewn. And the menu's Tiana herself had hand drawn. She set the table with plates, cups, silverware and napkins. When it was to her liking, she went to retrieve Charlotte and the Prince.
"Welcome to Tiana's Place. Did you two have a reservation?" Tiana was looking at a list in her hands.
"Yes it's for the Prince and Princess of Maldonia." Charlotte said too enthusiastically.
Naveen gave a bewildered look, this girl was certainly not the princess of Maldonia.
"Ah yes, right this way your highnesses." Tiana led them to the table.
The two took their seats.
"Here's the menu." Tiana handed them the menus.
"Do you have any recommendations?" Charlotte asked.
"All items here at Tiana's Place are very popular and are always ordered." Tiana had boasted.
"But what is your favorite?" Naveen had asked.
"My favorite is the gumbo. So I'd recommend the gumbo."
"I think I want something sweet though." Charlotte had said.
"Then I'd recommend the beignets." Tiana suggested.
"Wonderful, we will have the gumbo and beignets." The prince decided.
Tiana pretended to write the order down.
And so they played restaurant till Eudora had actually brought them food. She brought tuna sandwiches, various fruits, beignets and lemonade.
They continued playing after they ate lunch. And for the first time in a long time, the young prince actually had fun.
Six years had passed.
At 15 years old, Tiana was standing still as her mother was lacing her corset getting her ready for the evening.
"Mama, why do I have to participate in this?"
"Hush up Tiana and stand still." Eudora had scolded.
"But mama I don't even care about this type of thing. I just want my restaurant." Tiana stated.
"Tiana, this cotillion is beneficial for you. You may even find a husband. Mr. LaBouff has provided a generous opportunity. I don't need to remind you not to blow it. Besides it's time to let go of that silly childhood fantasy of owning a restaurant."
"It's not silly mama. I just don't want to be a housewife only." Tiana argued.
Eudora ignored the rest of what her stubborn daughter was saying and continued getting her dressed. A few frustrating hours later, Tiana along with Charlotte and other young women had been presented to society while their parents sat and watched them.
Tiana forced herself to keep a smile on her face as she had practiced. She didn't want to be here let alone participating in it. She had been waltzing with her partner and hit every note with ease. As much as she didn't want to be here, she didn't want to embarrass herself or her partner. And so, like a good daughter she had done what was expected of her. The rest of the evening went off without much fanfare, not to mention finding a husband.
In the Kingdom of Maldonia, a 16 year old Prince Naveen was annoyed with his parents. It seems like every day he was being introduced to young women in the hopes of finding a match. As annoying as it was, he was happy that he wasn't in an arranged marriage. At least he had a hand in choosing his wife. But it didn't really do anything to alleviate his annoyance.
Naveen was seated across from yet another would be suitor. They had been served various teas, scones and sandwiches. Having been introduced, the conversation had stalled. So Naveen had busied himself with sampling a sandwich. The girl across from him had reached for a scone herself. Man was this awkward. If they couldn't have basic conversation, there was no way they could marry.
The young prince took a bite of the next sandwich and for some reason it took him back to the day he played restaurant with those two girls. Even though he couldn't remember the other girl's name, he remembered Tiana. But that had been 6 years ago now. Why was he thinking about her now? Probably because she wasn't giving him weird looks the entire time like her friend was. Tiana had been serious and focused even though they were playing. The prince blinked. What in the world was happening? Why was he randomly thinking of a girl he met only once when he was a child?
The prince stood up abruptly. "I am sorry for the suddenness of my departure. Thank you for this afternoon. The servants will escort you when you are finished." He bowed then took his leave.
Four years had passed.
The LaBouff's, Eudora and Tiana had been escorted to the Royal Castle of the King and Queen of Maldonia. Elijah was in talks of having the land cultivated to expand his sugar cane business. The king had agreed as it would bring revenue to his country in addition to providing more jobs for his people.
"Chin up son, eyes forward. Our guests are arriving any minute now." The Queen said to her son as she stood next to her husband.
A 20 year old Prince Naveen was no closer to finding a wife than he was when he was 16. No girl kept his fancy and to make matters worse, he kept thinking of Tiana for some reason.
The guests had entered the grand hall. And the prince's eyes widened. Tiana was here in person. The girl he had thought about at least once a day for the last four years, was here in his home. It took all his control not to break character and go to her.
"Your majesties, thank you for having us in your home. We appreciate your hospitality." Elijah spoke up.
Formalities and pleasantries were exchanged. The prince's eyes darted to Tiana and she had the same wide eyed expression that he had. Was she just as delighted to see him as he was to see her?
"My dear, should we have a grand ball for our esteemed guests?" The Queen turned to her husband.
"A fantastic idea." The king snapped his fingers and a servant came forward.
"Arrange and make the necessary preparations for a ball. That is all." The king instructed.
The servant bowed and took his leave.
A few days had passed and the ball was underway. Charlotte had been on the dance floor dancing with anyone and everyone. Tiana had hung back, she was more focused on the food table.
After much debate and begging, she had been permitted to cook. She had been given free reign and had taken the lead in planning the food at the ball.
It looked likeTiana's hors d'oeuvres were a hit as this was the third time they had been refilled.
Tiana had been so focused that she hadn't noticed that someone had approached her.
"Tiana may I have this dance?" The prince held his hand out to Tiana.
The past few days of her being actually in his home had confirmed what he knew to be true.
A stunned Tiana looked up at the prince. "My liege, this is. There are other, more suited." She had been stumbling on her words.
"It is just Naveen, Tiana. And I do not care who is more suited for me here. I want this dance with you."
With such a bold declaration, Tiana couldn't refuse him. She handed him her hand and he helped her up and led her to the dance floor.
The two had danced and danced and danced. They matched each other's movements as if they had been partners for years. Even though they had never danced together.
The prince had been convinced that Tiana was the reason why he hadn't found a wife. None of the women he had been presented to was the woman in his arms. The woman he realized he had been in love with for years now.
"Tiana can I ask you a question?" He asked. Tiana nodded.
"Are you married?" He asked half dreading half anticipating the answer.
"Ah, that would be no." Tiana had a blush on her cheeks.
The prince wanted to leap for joy just then. But refrained from doing so. He continued to waltz with a bit more pep in his step.
"Why not?" I am sure you have been presented already."
"Well I want to own a restaurant and I guess it's not an attractive quality." Tiana replied, frowning a bit.
It's not that she didn't want to get married, but she didn't want to give up on her dream for the sake of having a husband either. She wanted her husband to be on board and even be a co-owner of the restaurant with her. All men had told her she was crazy and that she'd never find any man like that. It didn't help that her mother had this same sentiment.
The prince blinked rapidly. The girl he met years ago was now a beautiful woman. It was baffling to him that she wasn't married.
"Tiana you are very beautiful and there is nothing wrong with you wanting to own a restaurant." He said easily.
Tiana blinked, this was the first time she had ever heard anything like this. All this time she had been thinking she was the weird one, but she came to the conclusion that being goal oriented wasn't weird. She just hadn't found a man who understood her or her drive. Until now.
The two seemed to dance forever, so much so that both sets of parents had taken notice. The king and queen shared glances. Eudora and Elijah had only smiled.
"I think it would be a travesty not to have your talents front and center. If it is a restaurant you want, I can give you that so long as you become my wife." The prince looked directly into Tiana's brown eyes.
"How do you know I want you as my husband?" Tiana raised an eyebrow in challenge.
The prince chuckled, liking her sass already, raising his brow as well.
"Because you are not already married. You were waiting for me as I have been waiting for you."
Tiana looked to be thinking about what the prince had said. The more she thought about it, the more sense it had made to her. Naveen hadn't looked at her like she was crazy for wanting a restaurant. Maybe she was indeed waiting for him. Maybe this was fate after all.
"As crazy as it sounds, I believe that's exactly the reason." Tiana agreed.
"Not crazy. Call it fate. I believe we were destined to meet that day." The prince smiled down at the woman in his arms.
"And was it written in the stars that we'd be like this years later?"
They both knew he didn't need to answer that. And so he led her into a twirl. The two danced the rest of the night away into oblivion focusing on one another. They had been soul mates all these years without even realizing it.
Later that evening Charlotte had been in Tiana's room unable to sleep. Tiana couldn't sleep either.
"Tell me everything Tia." Charlotte had squealed.
"Well, we talked about marriage." Tiana started.
"Hold on, I think my ears are broken. Did you say marriage?" Charlotte had a sparkle in her eyes. Tiana never talked about marriage.
Tiana rolled her eyes, her sister and best friend could be so dramatic.
"I said talked, nothing else. Lottie, he didn't think I was weird for wanting a restaurant. He seemed to be on board with the idea. Encouraged it actually." Tiana said looking all starry eyed.
"So marry him then, you'll become a princess if you do." Charlotte stated.
"Lottie, being a princess was never my goal-."
A knock at the door had Tiana and Charlotte both pause. They looked at one another. Who could be here so late they both wondered.
Once Charlotte opened the door, the prince walked in.
"Evening Miss LaBouff." He bowed a bit, straightened, and then set his eyes on Tiana.
"I could not sleep." He admitted. "And it looks like you could not either."
Tiana smiled. "You can say that. Everything okay? Did you need something at this hour?"
"I need you to say yes to what I am about to ask."
The prince approached Tiana, got down on one knee and opened a black box with an exquisite diamond ring in it.
"Tonight confirmed what I have known. We belong together and it was no accident or coincidence that we met all those years ago. It was fate. Will you do me the honor of marrying me, becoming my wife, Princess Tiana of Maldonia?"
She didn't have to think about this in the least. This was fate.
Mouth quivering, Tiana nodded her head. "Yes, yes I will marry you Prince Naveen."
She gave him her left hand and he put the ring on her ring finger and stood up. They held each other not noticing a certain someone had left them.
The next day their engagement had been announced and preparations for a wedding were underway.
Weeks later, Tiana and Naveen had gotten married. The wedding had been lavish and expensive. The prince spared no expense when it came to his bride even though it took some convincing. Tiana had been fine with a simple wedding. But Naveen would have no such thing. Tiana finally conceded so long as she could cook everything for it. And so the wedding had been extravagant and filled with Tiana's delicious food. Celebrities and royal guests from neighboring countries had been present and the food was a hit.
Elijah sat next to Eudora with a smile on his face. "One of our girls is married, just have to work on getting the other one married."
Eudora smiled a bit at that sentiment. It was endearing that Elijah had thought of Tiana as his own as well. She pointed to Charlotte who had been talking to a prince of a neighboring country.
"Looks like that may come sooner than you know Mr. LaBouff." She said with a laugh.
Elijah shook his head. "Eudora I think it's time we had a talk."
This had Eudora's attention.
"We've known one another for decades now and I appreciate you being a mother figure to Charlotte all these years."
"Of course Mr. LaBouff. Charlotte is a wonderful girl. And it's been my pleasure bringing her up as well." Eudora put her hand across her heart. She had loved bringing up Charlotte.
"Even though you and Tiana have been a blessing in our lives, I think it's time you stop running the estate."
Eudora just blinked, was she being fired? After all this time? She wondered, Elijah continued.
"I think it's time to run the estate together with me, as my wife." He said smoothly.
"Mr. LaBouff, I-." Eudora started.
"We can get married here in Maldonia and have a fantastic honeymoon too."
Eudora had blushed at this. Years ago, she had been devastated beyond belief when she received news of James' death. Elijah had taken both her and Tiana in, in exchange for running his household. Before they had come to live at the LaBouff estate, she had sewn all types of linens for the LaBouff's. Eudora had been there with Charlotte's mother passed away in childbirth. Charlotte had various maids helping to take care of her, but she really started to blossom when Eudora and Tiana came to live with them.
In a way, they had been a family. With Elijah being a father figure to Tiana and herself being a mother figure to Charlotte. Eudora had supposed this was the next natural step in their lives.
"I think that sounds like a fantastic idea Mr. LaBouff."
Elijah smiled at this. He knew she'd say yes, his feelings for her had developed over the years and he had been more than grateful for her in is life.
"Wonderful. How do you think the girls will take it?"
"They've been wanting this for years." Eudora admitted.
Elijah raised a brow at this.
"Daddy, Miss Eudora!" Charlotte called while walking to the table. A young man was walking alongside her towards the table.
"This here is Prince Adan and we're wondering if we can arrange a meeting over tea with his parents as well?"
Eudora and Elijah looked at one another, their sentiment about marrying off their other girl was certainly in the works.
"That would be wonderful dear." Eudora smiled.
Months later, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen had opened 'Tiana's Palace.'
Charlotte was now a princess as she and Prince Adan had married. Eudora and Elijah had gotten married as well.
It looks like everyone had gotten their wish after all.
Outside of Tiana's Palace, Tiana and Naveen stood there looking at their restaurant.
"Well princess, what do you think?" Naveen turned to his wife.
"I think fate and chance meetings played a part in all of our lives." She said. They came together in a kiss.
"I could not agree more princess. We have each other and our amazing restaurant as well. To think, long ago we played restaurant and here we are years later actually owning one ourselves. I was impressed then, and I continue to be impressed everyday by you, my love."
"Amazing isn't it? Just goes to show to never give up on your dreams. I wasn't trying to impress you back then, but I'm glad I did. I'm happy we found one another and happy we are together now with our restaurant."
Naveen kissed his wife's forehead then reached for her hand.
They walked into Tiana's Palace hand in hand ready for another busy night.
A/N: Thank you for reading my quick drabble. Hope you enjoyed it.
Read and Review, please.
Thanks!