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Chapter Text

New Orleans, April 1926

"Tiana, mi benita, please I can't live without you I need an answer today."

"Naveen, you know I love you but…"

"But you want to stay here." Naveen sighed

"Naveen I can't just up and leave my family here what about my parents?"

"I told you they can come live with us in the palace."

"Naveen, I want to do so many things, I still didn't get the chance to open my restaurant."

"You won't have to work if you come back with me. Let me take care of you."

"As tempting as that sounds, I can't Naveen. I'm sorry I just can't marry you."

"I see."

"But, it doesn't mean that I don't love you because you know I do."

"Then marry me, come with me away from here."

"I…I just can't Naveen." Tiana hesitantly took off the engagement ring Naveen gave her

"No, no, keep it."

"I can't it belonged to your grandmother."

"Tiana, keep it." Naveen stood up from the chair he had been sitting in.

"I am leaving tomorrow at seven. If I do not see you before then, then I am leaving and never coming back." Naveen placed one more kiss on Tiana's lips. This one was different than the other ones; this was filled with fire, passion, and love. They both knew that this would be the last time they will ever see each other.

"Goodbye Tiana, I will always love you." Naveen turned to leave the house.

"Naveen wait." Naveen turned around only to be met with Tiana's lips once more. Then all of a sudden Naveen felt wetness on his face. He pulled away from the kiss and could see that Tiana was crying.

"I love you too, Naveen, never forget that." Naveen wiped away Tiana's tears.

"Goodbye, my love." Naveen said voice full of emotion.

"Goodbye, Naveen." Naveen left the house, closing the door shut behind him. Tiana stood up and rushed over to the door, she put her hand on the doorknob and as she was about to open it...

"Tiana?!" Her mother called

"Yes, Mama?" Tiana let go of the door and wiped away her tears.

"Come out back and help me with the garden!"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm comin'." Tiana looked back at the door one last time before going out back to help her mother.

Naveen sat in the back of the car as he looked back at the house.

"Your Majesty?" The driver called from the backseat.

"Hmm?"

"Are you ready to leave?" Naveen finally took his eyes off the house and looked at the driver through the rearview mirror. He nodded his head

"Yes, take me back to the hotel." The driver drove off, he noticed the young prince's solemn mood.

"Do not worry Your Majesty, there are plenty of women in Maldonia that will happily lay in your bed. You will get your mind off of Tiana in no time."

New Orleans, April 1936

Tiana was pulled out of her dreams when she heard her daughter's shrill cry.

"Go get her." Tiana's husband Isaiah mumbled. Tiana rolled her eyes and got out of the bed. She put on her robe and made her way to her two-month-old daughter Lily's bassinet.

"Is that my little girl?" Tiana picked up her daughter.

"Oh it's ok, Mama's here."

"Tiana, take her downstairs I'm trying to sleep." Tiana rolled her eyes at her husband's selfishness and left their bedroom. Tiana took the crying newborn to her nursery. Even though Isaiah insisted that Tiana let Lily sleep in the nursery, she always waited until their older children slept through the night before letting them sleep alone. Tiana sat down the handmade rocking chair that was a gift from Isaiah's grandparents, Eliza and Abraham. Isaiah never met his birth parents, he was raised by his mother's parents and they've been such a huge part of his life up until their death just before Lily was born. Their house was burned down while they were sleeping, of course, the police just thought it was an accident but everyone knows it was the Klan's doing. Eliza and Abraham were in charge of a secret civil rights movement and they had been receiving threats for months before the fire. Tiana looked down and saw that Lily was done with her feeding, she started to burp the infant. She loved this stage, so much bonding between mother and child. Once she heard Lilly burp a few times, she gently placed her in the fancy pink bassinette. Tiana that it was gaudy, she would sleep in it for a year or so, but Isaiah insisted...again. She looked at the clock on the wall and thought she get breakfast started. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen and went straight to work. In the midst of her cooking, she caught a glimpse of the piece of jewelry hanging from her necklace. It was the engagement ring that Naveen had given her. She has kept this ring a secret for the past ten years. Actually, it was ten years today to be exact when she let Naveen walk out of her life. After Naveen left Tiana didn't date anyone for almost two years. Then she met Isaiah, she tried to not fall for him but his charm worked on her. It was nice, being with Isaiah they didn’t date for long when he proposed to her and here they are, nine years later. After two years of marriage they had their first child Timothy, and then three years later they had another son David, and they just had their daughter two months ago Lillian, but Tiana likes to call her Lily pad.

"Mama." Tiana looked up and saw her youngest son David standing at the doorway.

"My little early bird, good morning baby." David walked over to Tiana and kissed her on the cheek.

"Good morning Mama." Tiana smiled at him.

"Mama, can we go see Nana and Grandpa today?"

"Maybe, go on and get washed up by the time you're done breakfast will be done."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And tell your brother to wake up." David then left the kitchen.

As soon as Tiana was finished with cooking Isaiah was walking down the stairs fully dressed in his uniform.

"Good morning beautiful," Isaiah said entering the kitchen.

"Hey, where are you going?" Tiana frowned.

"Work," Isaiah said as he grabbed a piece of buttered toast and took a bite

"But it's Saturday, I cooked us all breakfast, and I'm off this morning. I figured that we could take the kids to my parents before I had to open tonight."

"I know but I have some house calls to make Tiana. Tomorrow we can spend the whole day together."

"We have church tomorrow and then the restaurant."

"Tiana, I really have to go to work, you know we need the money. You know with the restaurant not doing so well with these times nowadays."

"Excuse you? My restaurant is doing just fine thank you very much."

"Baby, you know what I meant."

"Whatever just go to work."

"Are you sure."

"Yes."

"I love you," Isaiah said quickly before leaving the house. Tiana sighed heavily then made her way upstairs she went to Timothy's room first to see him still in his bed sleeping.

"Timothy James McQueen! If you don't get out of that bed right now!"

"Mama five more minutes."

"Timothy it's nine o'clock you have ten seconds to get out of that bed," Tiana said sternly before leaving the room. She then went to David's room to find him reading. Tiana smirked David was always reading whenever he got the chance.

"David come on baby breakfast's ready."

"Yes, ma'am." David put down and his book and walked downstairs with Tiana to the kitchen.

A few minutes after Tiana and David sat down Timothy came down and sat with them.

"Mama where's Daddy?"

"Daddy went to work David."

"Daddy's always at work why can't he stay home sometimes," Timothy mumbled

"Timothy watch your mouth."

"Mama you know it too, Daddy's never home I hear you when you talk to Aunt Georgia."

"That is enough Timothy now eat your food." Timothy sighed heavily.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"Mhmm." Timothy was always the "difficult" one even when Tiana was pregnant with him. He would kick all the time, Tiana was nauseous every day of her pregnancy, and he was born a week late. Tiana just knew she would have her hands full with her firstborn.

"Mama."

"Yes, David?"

"What's that on your necklace?"

"A ring baby."

"Who gave it to you?"

"Um…a very special friend."

"Was it Aunt Georgia?"

"Yeah, yeah it was her."

"Oh, I don't like her son, Mervin, his breath stinks." David frowned which caused Tiana to laugh

"David, be nice, remember what I told you if you don't have anything nice to say..."

"Don't say anything at all."

"Good, so after we eat breakfast we're going over to Nana's and Grandpa's for lunch."

"Do you think Grandpa will make us some gumbo and po' boys this time?"

"Maybe, only if you clean your room, David." Tiana smiled she was content with her life. She fulfilled her dream with her restaurant; she was blessed with three beautiful children, a supportive family, wonderful friends. The only thing that was missing was a loving marriage. Isaiah showed her his true colors after they were married but she can’t leave him. She knows people will talk about her and their children and she’s not entirely sure that Isaiah would let her leave him. Some days when it’s just her, she thinks back on what her life could’ve been like if she had married Naveen all those years ago, but she can’t dwell in the past; she made her choice and she has to live with that.

Chapter Text

Naveen sat in his office, looking over a messy desk drowning in proposals, budget cuts, bills awaiting approval, and the occasional fan letter sprinkled here and there. Naveen rubbed his temples, his eyes straining from the constant staring. He knew he needed to visit the eye doctor so he could get some glasses, but he didn't want to accept that he was getting older. A knock at his door pulled him out of his thoughts,

"Come in," Naveen blindly said as he continued reading his paperwork. His valet, Kocoum, entered the room with an elderly African man standing behind him wearing an expensive suit with a kente sash and a walking cane.

"Your Highness, presenting the Prime Minister of Shadonia, Adam Owusu."

"Thank you Kocoum," Kocoum bowed and left the room, leaving the two men.

"Your Highness, thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

"You know I hate it when you call me that Uncle Adam." Naveen walked over to the man and hugged him. Naveen's known the Prime Minister since he took the office when Naveen was five years old. Naveen's father, Ahmed, was extremely close to the Prime Minister until his sudden death five years ago. Ever since then Adam occasionally visits Naveen to catch up. "Can I offer you a drink?" The two men took a seat across from each other.

"Yes, please." Naveen waved over a royal butler who poured Naveen and Adam a glass of whiskey.

"To friendship and our beautiful countries, may they forever reign," Naveen said as the men raised their glasses.

"I see you are representing your heritage, as always." Naveen joked playfully. Adam laughed heartily

"You know I always have to represent my home country of Ghana."

"How are your parents, Uncle Adam?"

"They are well, my youngest children are visiting them now for the summer."

"That's great Uncle, how is Abena?"

"She's studying at Cambridge, she should be done with her studies next summer." Adam bragged, Naveen rolled his eyes.

"You should be used to it, nephew." Adam laughed

"Doesn't mean I want to hear it." Naveen teased

"I hear Her Majesty is with child, are you hoping for a boy or a girl?"

"Yes, we are waiting until the baby is born before we make an announcement." Adam nodded his head grimly

"I have a good feeling nephew, may your and the Queenbirth a healthy baby!"

"Thank you, uncle."

"Mhm, may you and your beautiful wife be blessed with many, many children." Adam raised his glass and Naveen nodded before taking another sip of his drink.

"So, to what do I owe this visit?"

"Well, we haven't made an official announcement, but my oldest son, Kwame, is finally getting married, to Anastasia, the Duchess of Ladaria."

"Ahcidonza! That is fantastic news! Butler! Pour us another drink, this is wonderful!" Naveen exclaimed, he's known Kwame since he was born and Naveen was ten. Naveen treated him like a little brother until his own brother was born when he was fourteen.

"Thank you, well Kwame and Anastasia, want to go on this American tour, they've never been and they wish to go visit New Orleans." Naveen cleared his throat

"I know you've been and I was wondering if you could accompany us. Show us around a little bit."

"Uncle Adam, I'm not sure." Adam nodded his head

"I understand nephew, I expect an answer no later than tomorrow. Kwame wants to leave for America no later than Monday."

"I will discuss it with my wife and have an answer for you tomorrow morning."

"Excellent! Naveen I must be on my way, it is my anniversary tonight."

"Congratulations Uncle, how long have you been married to Aunt Abena?"

"Forty-five years," Adam said looking at his wedding ring. "you know she told me no when I proposed to her the first time."

"As she should've," the men turned and saw Naveen's wife, Iyanla enter the office. Naveen met Princess Iyanla four years ago, he was attending a charity ball and was immediately smitten by her beauty, but that was pretty much it. he knew she was much younger than him and was honestly not very interested in courting her, not with Tiana on his mind and the pain of his heartache. A month later he noticed that she and her father, Rafik, would constantly visit the palace, Naveen's father, Ahmed and Iyanla's father sat the two down and told the young couple that they were betrothed to one another, he can remember the day so vividly,

Maldonia May 1932

Naveen was in his private gym working out, that seems to be what he's been doing ever since Tiana turned down his proposal. He's been locked up in either the gym or his room. His old friends would try to convince him to come out to the local bars and brothels, but Naveen can't bring himself to be with another woman so intimately after Tiana. Sure, he'll flirt with the help from time to time, but no one can fill his heart that way Tiana did. Naveen landed the final punch to the punching bag and began breathing heavily.

"Good job, Your Highness!" Khalid, Naveen's personal trainer praised, he passed Naveen some water which he graciously took.

"Thank you, Khalid," Naveen said absent-mindedly as he admired himself in the mirror. The door opening caught Naveen's attention, there at the doorway stood Princess Iyanla of Tysheria, her valet, Kaleena, and a royal guard. He could tell the sight of him shirtless and having just finished an intense workout made Iyanla uncomfortable. So, he decided to mess with the 18-year-old princess a little.

"Princess Iyanla, to what do I owe this visit?" Naveen asked with a smirk and flexing his muscles purposely

"Um, m-m-my father and His Highness the King, would like to, um, request o-o-o-our um, our presence in His Highness' office."

"Very well, please tell my father that I have to shower unless you wish to join me?" Naveen suggested wiggling his eyebrows.

"No." Iyanla quickly bowed ad hurries out of the room with Kaleena following her and giggling. Naveen laughed, he wasn't attracted to Iyanla sexually, he just liked bothering her.

A freshly showered Naveen entered his father's office, he always hated coming in here, it was like a shrine to his father, there was a marble statue of him right behind his desk and a huge portrait of the King from when he was ordained. He saw his father and Iyanla's father, Rafik, standing before Iyanla who was sitting in front of them,

"My son! Please have a seat," Naveen took a seat next to Iyanla who was avoiding his gaze.

"Good, now that we are all here, we have wonderful news to share!" Ahmed exclaimed

"What is this news father, I have many things to do."

"Rafik and I have decided to you two are to be married." Ahmed smiled, pleased with himself.

"Father, you are joking right?" Naveen asked the girl just turned eighteen, how would this look. Naveen turned to look at Iyanla who was fighting her tears.

"Why do you cry, daughter, this is joyous news. You are about to become a Queen of two countries!"

"Father, I already promised myself to Angelo-"

"Pff, Angelo? You mean the kitchen boy? Iyanla, you have can so much more with Naveen than a kitchen boy."

"But, I love him-" Iyanla was cut off by a harsh slap to the face which shocked Naveen, sure he's seen his father slap his mother and other female help but Iyanla didn't deserve it, just like his mother didn't deserve it.

"How dare you defy me! Go you your chambers, you have embarrassed me enough." Iyanla gave a shameful look to Naveen before running out of the room, sobbing.

"I apologize for my daughter, Prince Naveen. You will learn that women need to be reminded who's in charge." Rafik said as Ahmed handed him a glass of scotch. He held one out to Naveen who stared at his father angrily.

"What is the matter son, you should be used to it."

"I am not marrying her."

"Naveen!"

"Is there something wrong with my daughter?"

"She's fucking 18 years old, I'm 26! Almost ten years her senior!"

"Ah, it's the experience that is the problem. Listen to me son, I promise, the younger they are, the better. You can train her, I've had my share of younger girls share my bed. They keep you young!" Ahmed laughed Rfik joined in raising his glass

"Hear! Hear!" Naveen looked disgusted, he can't believe he used to idolize his father and his way of thinking.

"Prince Naveen, I can promise you she is clean, she has never laid with a man."

"We can get a doctor here to prove it, Hareem!" Ahmed called for his valet,

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Get the doctor so he can prove that Princess Iyanla is clean."

"No, no doctor, I am refusing the engagement, father. I do not want to get married."

"Naveen, but you must, you are 26, the law says you must be married to a Princess, before your 28th birthday. Now you already brought shame to this family before, you will marry Iyanla even if I have drag you down the aisle myself."

"What if I refuse to marry her?" Ahmed stepped up to his and stared him down

"Then you will be arrested for treason and put in jail," Ahmed said darkly.

"You would throw me in jail? Your own flesh and blood?"

"You do not know what I am capable of, just ask your mother. Now, you are going to marry Iyanla." Naveen stood tall, standing his ground against his father.

"SAY IT!"

"I will marry Iyanla," Ahmed smirked

"Achidonza, the wedding will be next week! Hareem, alert the press that there will be a royal wedding! Get the planners and prepare my bedroom for Naveen and his wife." Rafik smiled as he hugged Naveen who grudgingly returned it,

Maldonia May 19, 1932

Naveen stood at the end of the aisle in his royal attire, the wedding was held in the Maldonia Orthodox Church, It was a beautiful day for a wedding, the church was decorated in turquoise and gold, the country's official flower, white hydrangea was everywhere and the sun was shining brightly through the church's stained glass window. The wedding march started and all of Iyanla's sisters walked down the aisle, then Iyanla and her father appeared, as she got closer and closer to Naveen, he could tell that she was crying, he glanced at his father who looked disgustingly pleased with himself, his mother on the hand felt for her oldest son. When they reached the aisle, Iyanla bowed for her father and then Naveen. Rafik, took his seat and Naveen felt himself get sick, the pain in Iyanla's face was heartbreaking.

The wedding continued, there were various prayers in Maldonian and Tysherian, two different priests blessed the marriage, and then it was time for the kiss.

"Do you Princess Iyanla Anandi Suri of Tysheria take Prince Naveen Arosh Patel of Maldonia, to be your lawfully wedded husband and King, do you promise to obey him, to love him, to submit yourself to him?" Naveen hated the royal wedding vows, at first he thought nothing of it, but after being with Tiana he opened his eyes to how sexist he and his county is. His first role as King would be to change the vows.

"I do." Iyanla said shakily.

"Do you Prince Naveen Arosh Patel of Maldonia take Princess Iyanla Anandi Suri of Tysheria to be your lawfully wedded Queen, do you promise, to love her and provide for her and the future heirs to the throne?"

"I do."

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and woman. You may kiss your bride." Naveen felt terrible for the young girl, he could that kissing him was the last thing she wanted to do, but it is their duty. They shared a quick kiss and they could hear the snapping of the pictures and the quiet applause from the audience. Now it was time for the coronation, the Maldonian priest, conducted the official coronation, he called up Ahmed and had him stand next to Naveen, he said a prayer as he moved Ahemd's crown off his head and onto a pillow, he placed the smaller crown on Ahmed's head, then he spoke again in Maldonian as he moved Naveen's prince's crown off his head and placed the King's crown on his head. He said the royal proclamation and made Naveen the King of Maldonia. Then The priest called up Nadira, and she stood next to Iyanla, he did the same with the young princess and the soon to be former Queen of Maldonia.

"I here present to you Queen Iyanla your undoubted Queen of Maldonia and Ladaria. Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?" The congregation agreed, with each word said, the crown felt heavier on her head, she began to hyperventilate, Nadira noticed and gently grabbed the young girl's hand. She couldn't look at her, it was against protocol but it helped calm Iyanla down.

"Madam is your Majesty willing to take the Oath."

"I am willing,"

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of Maldonia, Ladaria, and of your Possessions and other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs."

"I solemnly promise to do so." Naveen felt for the young woman, he felt like they were signing their life away to each other. Then it came to him, that was he not asking Tiana to do the same thing six years ago, to sign her life away from everything that she knew to pledge her loyalty to a country that she's never heard off before he came into her life.

" Do you promise to love and protect Maldonia, to respect the throne and uphold the royal family's honor. To obey your husband, His Highness King Naveen of Maldonia and Ladaria. To conduct yourself as a Queen should for as long as you shall live?"

"All these things I promise to do."

I hereby present to you, Iyanla Anandi Suri Patel, Oueen of Maldonia and Ladaria. Long live King Naveen, long live Queen Iyanla. May the King live forever, may the Queen live forever." Naveen and Iyanla joined hands for the first time as husband and wife and King and Queen.

Naveen sat on the bed in the Royal Master suite, he was surprised at how quickly the royal help transformed the room. He knew that it was his duty to have relations with his wife on their wedding night but both of them were grieving the loss of their former lives. Naveen can never win Tiana's love back and Iyanla has now devoted herself to a man she doesn't even love. The doors to the room opened and Kaleena and Kocoum entered the room then Iyanla followed, her head was down low and she was wearing a gold silk nightdress with matching robe. Her hair was down her back and she was fidgeting with her fingers, obviously nervous.

"Thank you, you may retire for the night." Kaleena curtsied and Kocoum bowed before leaving the room and closing the doors shut behind them.

"I hope you are pleased with my appearance, Your Highness." Iyanla curtsied Naveen stood up and walked over to Iyanla, he grabbed her hands and made her stand up.

"You are my wife, not some maid, you do not have t bow to me or call me Your Highness, call me Naveen. " Naveen said soothingly.

"How do you want me?" Naveen looked genuinely confused for a moment.

"Excuse me?"

"From behind, on my knees, on my back? How do you want to take me?" Iyanla asked

"None of that will be happening tonight."

"But, father told me it is my duty to please my husband no matter what. He said he is going to look at the bed sheets to make sure we, you know..." Naveen sighed heavily, he couldn't believe her father's old way of thinking.

"I don't want you to sleep me out of duty and neither do I. I want to get to know you before we consummate our marriage." Iyanla nodded and then she shattered

"I hate my father, I hate him. I never asked for this. My heart belongs to Angelo, Angelo Bianchi. His father was Italian and his mother Tysherian, we promised ourselves to each other ever since we were young children playing together. I was five and he was seven when we met, but I knew then that I was going to marry him. His parents were royal tailors and he used to accompany them when they would come to work. When Angelo became old enough to work, he was placed in the kitchen and he loved it there. He used to make these mini cupcakes with the sweetest icing, but not too sweet. As a young girl, I loved sweets, so he would make sure to sneak a couple of treats before dinner. Mother would scold me when she would catch me and Angelo, but she never told my father, she knew that he wouldn't approve of me associating myself with the help. The first time he caught me and Angelo talking he threatened to have him and parents fired and forbid me from ever being around him. He said that if I was going to be a Queen one day, that I would have to start acting like it, which included not associating myself with the help."

Naveen internally winced at the comment, he too was like that before Tiana came into his life, he treated the help like animals instead of people. His father drilled into him that the purpose of the help were to be seen and not heard and if they ever defied you it meant termination or death since defying the King means defying the throne. Now that he thinks about it, Iyanla reminds him of Tiana, they have the same caring spirit for everybody even people who didn't deserve it, she wasn't a pushover, well at least Tiana wasn't one, she knew how to stand up for herself, but given Iyanla's upbringing, he knows that if she were born into a different family, she would be just as vocal as Tiana.

"Ever since I was a young girl, I've been trained on how to be a Queen, my father has been grooming since the first time I bled when I was ten years old, this isn't his first time trying to marry me off. When I was 13 he tried to get me to marry his old military buddy, his name was Alberto, one night he snuck into my room and tried to get me to lay with him, but before he could go any further, he died, on top of me. My father beat me so hard that next morning, he claimed that I killed him, that it was my fault that he was dead. That I seduced him and God told him to punish me for my whorish ways. Angelo comforted me whenever my father would go on his drunken rants and take his anger out on me or my mother, he would comfort me. One day, I got into between him and my mother, he was beating her mercilessly and as I was trying to pull him off of her, I scratched his face, before I could process what I had just done, he beat me with a cane so hard that I had bruises on my body. It took two guards to pull him off of me. My mother was so heartbroken that night I can still hear her cries echo against the marble walls of the palace. After my father calmed down, I was taken to my room to bathe myself for my father's next suitor. I was in my room taking a bath when Angelo came in through the service door, he got in the tub with me, with his clothes on and held me as I cried, and that night I laid with him. He was the only man that I've loved. The next morning my maid caught us, she told me father and ordered for Angelo to be executed for forcibly laying with me. I had to beg my father to cancel the execution. I think he liked seeing me beg on my knees. He agreed to cancel it, but he murdered Angelo's family." Naveen went wide-eyed he knew Rafik was a dark man but never knew him to commit murder.

"He had someone put gas in his home his mother, father, and his little brothers and sisters, they were all asleep at the time. His two youngest siblings, they were twins, they were only five years old.  I planned on renouncing my title so I could marry him. Angelo had purchased tickets for America and I was going to leave with him, he wanted to be a chef and make it big there because he knew that my father would never allow him to leave the palace. I was going to tell my father the day he announced our engagement.  When he struck me after he told us the news, I ran away from the palace, I went to the shipping dock to search for Angelo, when I got there my father had royal guards already there, they were about to kill Angelo, they said if I leave with him they will kill us both and make it look like it was a murder-suicide, or I could decide to marry you and they would spare Angelo's life but he could never return to Tysheria or Maldonia. Angelo made the decision for me and agreed to leave and never return, I hated him for it, if I couldn't have him, I would rather die. I know that Angelo will meet someone in America, there are so many beautiful women over there and I want him to be happy, to find love, but part of me wishes that he doesn't, that we will always have a piece of each other in hearts no matter how far apart we are." Iyanla cried into Naveen's chest and he just comforted her.

"Iyanla, I too understand, my heart may be with another, and I want her to be happy, to find another love, but we'll never forget each other just like you will never forget Angelo and he'll never forget you. We have to be strong for our countries and ourselves. I know today may have been one of the worst days of your life, but we have a duty to uphold and I know I'll never be your Angelo and you'll never be Tiana-" Iyanla picked her head up

"Tiana, that's a pretty name." Naveen smiled sadly

"She's an even beautiful woman, but those chapters in our lives are now over, we must move on for the sake of the country."

"My father expects an announcement for an heir soon,"

"I don't want you to lay with me if you do not want to. We can wait until we both agree we are ready to take that next step."

"But we are husband and wife, we are leaders, we are expected to have an heir."

"I know that, but if you're not comfortable, I don't want to force it. I will wait a year if we have to, I respect you as a woman, as a Queen, and as my wife, I will never make you do something you don't want to do."

"Can you last that long?" Iyanla blushed as Naveen raised an eyebrow at her in confusion, "I'm sorry for my question, its just that I've heard rumors of your...experiences."

"You do not have to apologize, we are equals. I will never hurt you the way your father did." Iyanla smiled tearfully. "Now, let's get some rest, we have a long day ahead of us. The public coronation and the meeting of our people." Iyanla nodded her head and Naveen kissed her forehead and then mentally kicked himself.

"I'm sorry I should've-"

"No, it's quite alright, we are husband and wife, and I liked it." Iyanla blushed she then made her way to the massive bed, Naveen soon joined her and he turned off the lights.

"Goodnight, Queen Iyanla," Naveen said trying to lighten the mood, Iyanla chuckled

"Goodnight, King Naveen."

"Abena has told me this story and you basically hunted the woman down and told her she was going to be your wife." Iyanla smiled

"Iyanla, it's always a pleasure seeing you. Pregnancy looks radiant on you." Adana grabbed her hands and gently kissed it.

" Uncle Adam, always the charmer."

"Why of course, Your Majesty. If I was 40 years younger, Naveen would have had to compete with me."

"Compete for what, praytell?" Iyanla questioned playing along with the older gentleman.

"For your love, of course," Adam said kissing her hand again, making the young Queen blush.

"Ah yes, Uncle Adam was just leaving," Naveen said which made Adam laugh loudly.

"I can take a hint nephew, I expect an answer by tomorrow."

"Yes, of course, Abinaza Uncle!"

"Goodbye, my dear,"

"Goodbye, Uncle Adam."

Once Adam left the room Iyanla turned to Naveen and smiled widely

"I'm guessing that you had a good visit to Dr. Arya?"

"Yes, I made it past the twelve-week mark." She said while placing a hand on her growing bump.

"So does that mean we can make an official announcement?"

"No."

"No?"

"I don't want to say anything until the baby is born, I don't a repeat of the last few times." Naveen looked at his young wife with sad eyes. This was Iyanla's fourth pregnancy, given the circumstances of their union, they didn't lay together until the night of their one year anniversary, that's when their first child was conceived, but shortly after they made the announcement Iyanla miscarried. Then four months later she was pregnant again, but right when she reached her seventh month she miscarried. Last year, Iyanla became pregnant again and she made it all the way to nine months, but after Iyanla gave birth it was discovered that the baby was stillborn. That was the hardest one for both Iyanla and Naveen to overcome, preparations had been made, the nursery was complete, the nanny staff was employed, and all of the gifts that the baby had received from family and political friends. The miscarriages also took a toll on their marriage. Naveen denies it, but Iyanla has noticed that with each miscarriage, Naveen pulls further and further away from her.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances of their union, Naveen and Iyanla have grown to love each other, he can still remember the first time that uttered those three words to Iyanla, it was after their first miscarriage,

Maldonia August 1933

Iyanla sat in the royal greenhouse watching over the gardens attend to the flowers, she loved sitting in here. Ever since the royal announcement that an heir was to born Iyanla had been receiving requests from the press to do interviews, appearances, and speeches. Her mother told her that becoming Queen would make the most intimate of experiences public, she didn't believe her, but now she understands. She has been so stressed and to top it off, her father was not helping the situation. Even before Iyanla became pregnant, Rafik would ridicule her for not producing an heir within the first few months of her marriage with Naveen, claiming that something must be wrong with her or to enlist the help of her a surrogate to carry a child for Naveen. Now that she is pregnant, all she hears from her father that the first heir must be a boy which is ironic coming from a man whose royal heirs are all girls. Iyanla doesn't think about Angelo as much anymore, she still misses him, but Naveen is her husband now and she loves, even though their marriage was forced, she couldn't think of any other person to spend this past year with.

As she got to know Naveen she's learned many things about him, like he loves looking at himself in mirrors, if walks pasts anything that shows his reflection he'll definitely stop and stare. She also learned that he is a wonderful dancer, singer, and ukelele player. One night she was awakened by him playing, he offered to stop if it was bothering her, but she insisted that he keep playing, eventually, it became a regular thing, Naveen would play and sing to Iyanla almost every night, it was soothing to her. She noticed that when he was very excited about something he would mainly speak in Maldonian which would confuse her slightly, she knew the langauage but now well enough to translate when he was speaking fast. He could say the same thing about her, when she was upset, which was rare, she would speak her native tongue. The two languages are similar but there are slight differences here and there.

Just as Iyanla learned things about Naveen, Naveen learned things about Iyanla. He learned that she is a gifted pianist and violinist, similar to her discovery of Naveen's musical talent, he was on his way to a meeting with Refik when he heard someone playing the piano, he went to go investigate and was surprised to see Iyanla sitting at the piano playing Beethoven. When she was done, Naveen applauded her, startling Iyanla, she apologized and Naveen convinced there wasn't a need. She expressed that her father said playing the piano was a waste of time so she would get her lessons when he was gone on trips. Iyanla expressed to Naveen if she wasn't of royalty she could definitely see herself being a musician or starting her own academy for underprivileged children who were  musically  gifted. Naveen learned that she was a fan of horror, being a huge fan of Frankenstein, Dracula, The House of the Seven Gables, and anything written by Edgar Allen Poe. She even enjoys horror films, such as The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari, Nosferatu, and recently Dracula.

Iyanla decided it was time for her go back inside, when she stood up she felt a sharp pain in her back. She hissed out in pain, which caught the attention of the gardeners.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Iyanla simply nodded her head, in too much pain to talk.

"I just need to lie down," Iyanla slowly made her inside the palace, each step becoming more and more difficult.

"Iyanla!" She turned around and saw her father approaching her, this was the last thing she needed

"Father, I am very tired. I must retire to my room for the rest of the evening."

"Yes, of course, you must get your rest so that your son may be strong and healthy when he is born." Iyanla opened her mouth to respond but instead let out a blood-curdling scream, she clutched her small but growing bump and fell to her knees, she felt something running down her legs and knew something was terribly wrong.

"Guards! Someone come help my daughter Goddamnit!"

When Iyanla woke up she was in the birthing room of the palace, she opened her mouth to speak but Kaleena stopped her and made her take a sip of water first.

"What happened, Kaleena?" Iyanla said barely above a whisper before she could answer, Naveen, Nadira, Ahmed, Saeeda, and Rafik entered the room.

"Mother, what happened?" Saeeda was quick to her daughter's side and started to run her hands through her daughter's hair. Iyanla could tell that her mother had been crying.

"Oh, my sweet, sweet Iyanla," Saeeda said tearfully. Iyanla looked around the room, Nadira looked like she was about to cry any moment, Naveen looked defeated, and Ahmed and Rafik looked disgusted.

"Naveen, is the baby okay?" Iyanla looked at her husband hopelessly

"Iyanla, the baby died, the doctor did everything he could-" Iyanla was in shock, she slowly reached for her bump and felt emptiness. She used to be able to feel her baby's presence, even though it was early in the pregnancy, she knew she was growing life inside her. She let out a broken sob and cried into Saeeda's shoulder.

"You two are very young, Iyanla," Nadira started "you could always try again when you both are ready."

"I have to make an official announcement and schedule a press conference," Ahmed said before storming out, Nadira followed her husband.

"You have failed me, daughter," Rafik started

"Rafik-" Saeeda started

"I am speaking woman, do not forget your place," Rafik yelled harshly "you can't even carry a son, just like your mother." he spat, which made Iyanla cry harder

"I am sorry I have disappointed you father, please forgive me," Iyanla said in between her cries.

"Useless! You should get on your knees and pray that your husband does not leave! Despicable tramp."

"Hey! You will not speak to my wife like that!" Naveen yelled

"Or what?"

"You will be thrown into prison for disrespecting the crown and threatening the Queen which is punishable by death." Naveen narrowed his eyes at his father-in-law. He has never felt such hatred in his for one person, he wasn't fond of his father, but Rafik takes the cake.

"Saeeda, let's leave now." Rafik stormed out of the room, Saeeda kissed her daughter on her forehead and hugged one more time.

"I SAID NOW!" Saeeda quickly stood up and followed her husband out of the room.

"Kaleena, you may go, but you're still on call." Kaleena nodded her head.

"I am so sorry, Iyanla." Kaleena left the room and gently closed the doors. Naveen walked over to the bed and got in with Iyanla and pulled her close to his chest and she sobbed.

"Shush, shush, shush, it is alright," Naveen said holding back his tears.

"You can cry, it is okay."

"A man should never cry in front of a woman, it is weak." Iyanla grabbed Naveen's face so he could look at her.

"It was your child too, it is okay to mourn." That's when Naveen broke he cried, they cried together, mourning the loss of their first child.

"I love you," Naveen whispered, Iyanla looked at her husband on one year, it was the first time he said those words to her and he could tell he meant it, not because of the tragedy but because they have seen each other in their rawest state and still choose to stay together.

"I love you too," She uttered back and the two them laid together holding one another until they fell asleep.

"I understand," Naveen kissed Iyanla's forehead before walking back to his desk.

"So, what was Uncle Adam doing here?"

"He stopped by to tell me that Kwame is getting married," Naveen responded as he put on his reading glasses

"That's wonderful news! I'm so happy for him and Anastasia."

"He also wants us to accompany him to America; Kwame and his fiancée never been and they want to visit before they get married."

"That sounds wonderful, when are we leaving?" Iyanla asked excitedly, Naveen looked at his wife shocked

"You mean you want to go?"

"Of course I want to go. I've never been to American, you know that!" Iyanla walked over to the huge floor to floor map of the world that Naveen had hand-painted when he first became King.

"I would only hear stories from my father. He used to travel to America every other month, New York to be exact, to visit his other family." Iyanla is the daughter of King Rafik of Tysheria, she is among the oldest of 7 daughters, not including the five illegitimate children in America. Rafik, met the American woman when he visited the country with some political friends. According to the story Rafik told Iyanla's mother, Saeeda, Rafik met the woman in the bar, they got drunk and one thing led to another, the woman sends Rafik a letter saying that she gave birth a son and he was the father.

"He would, of course, send them money, but he would make sure that once a month for about two weeks, he would visit that woman and their sons. I think that's why he went so much, Mother only gave him daughters and when my youngest sister, Fatmata was born, my mother lost the ability to have children, that's why he went to America in the first place. Then he meets this woman who not only gave a son but four more. When the woman died, my father moved his sons into the palace. To avoid a scandal, he said they're parents used to work in the palace and they died of diseases so he promised to raise them. It pained my mother, to see him and the sons that she could never give him." Naveen looked at his wife with sympathy, he understands how she feels, he watched his father have many affairs until the day he died.

"Sorry, I have gotten off the topic."

"It's alright, I understand."

"So, where are we going? Hollywood? Miami?"

"I believe our first stop is New Orleans," Naveen said and Iyanla squealed happily

"I have always wanted to go there, from what I've read the food is absolutely delicious," Iyanla gasped

"What? what's wrong is it the baby?"

"Come here!" Naveen rushed to his wife and she grabbed his hand and placed on her bump. She waited for his reactions when she gasped she smiled widely.

"See, the baby is excited too." Naveen looked at his wife with a sad smile and let a tear fall out of his eye. Iyanla reached up and wiped the tear off his face.

"I know this isn't the first time, but I still love this feeling, feeling life growing inside of me." Naveen looked at Iyanla with so much love in his eyes.

"I love you Iyanla, you are one of the strongest women I've ever had the pleasure of knowing." Iyanla gave her husband a sweet kiss

"I love you too, now how about I play a song for you." She said suggestively, "the piano room is empty and the doors lock." With this particular pregnancy, Iyanla has been initiating most of their intimate relations not that Naveen was complaining, he loved it

"You are going to be the death of me," Iyanla started to slowly back away from her husband.

"Well, you're going to have to catch me first."

"I'll give you a head start," Iyanla giggled as she quickly rushed out of the room. Naveen waited for a few seconds before chasing after his wife, he was quick out the door and he was pulled in for a passionate kiss by his wife,

"Hmm, you wanted me to catch you?" Naveen said huskily,

"So what if I did?"

"I'll have to punish my dear,"

"Oh really?"

"Mhmm," Naveen picked up Iyanla he rushed into the nearest room, kicked the door shut with his foot, and locked it.

Chapter Text

New Orleans, May 1927

It's been a little over a year since Tiana turned down Naveen's proposal, and she had fallen into a deep depression, her parents were so worried about her. The only time she would leave her room was to go to work but then she would come back home and get back in her bed. The times that she would eat, her parents had to force her. Until one day it had been almost two weeks since Tiana had left her room for food or work and her mother had had enough.

"Tiana!" Her adoptive mother, Betty, shouted as she slammed the door open, she marched into the room with a bucket full of hot water, a bar of soap, and a rag. She slammed the bucket down on the chair in front of her daughter's vanity.

"You are going to up and get out of this bed!"

"Mama, I don't want to. Just leave me alone." Tiana groaned as she turned over in the bed pulling the covers with her. Tiana's mother groaned in frustration.

"Tiana Mae Wilcox! If you don't get," Betty started to pull the sheets off of Tiana who was not going to let them go anytime soon. "your narrow behind from out this bed, so help me God I will drag you out myself." The tug of war battle ended when Betty was able to get the covers off the bed and Tiana hugged herself, the cold breeze startling her.

"Tiana, I will not accept this behavior anymore, now get your ass out of the damn bed! And wash up, this room stinks!" Betty added before storming out of the room. Tiana sighed, she did notice that she needed a bath, begrudgingly, she got out of the bed, thankfully the water in the bucket was still hot and proceeded to wash up.

When Tiana emerged from her room she saw her mother making breakfast and her father, Eli reading his newspaper and drinking his coffee, black, as he did ever since Tiana came to live with them. From what she remembers, Tiana came to live with Eli and Betty when her house caught fire and her parents died in the fire. That's what Betty told her, her whole life.

"Look what decided to crawl out of her room!" Eli teased, Tiana playfully made a face and kissed her father's cheek.

"Good morning to you too, Daddy." As she sat down, Betty placed her breakfast plate in front of her. Tiana didn't realize how hungry she was until her stomach growled loudly.

"Mhmm, serves you right for not eating for almost two weeks." Tiana tried not to eat fast but given that she hadn't eaten much food she finished her plate in record time.

"Tiana?"

"Yes, Mama?" Tiana said

"I need you to go to these places for me, down in the Quarter." Betty hands Tiana a list of stores.

"Yes ma'am."

"When you get to the stores just tell them you picking up for me."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And Tiana?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Wear that dress that's laid out on my bed. I made it just for you." Betty smirked as she sat down next to Eli.

"Thank you, Mama." Tiana finished her orange juice and was off to get ready to run the errands for her mother.

Tiana really wished she had accepted her father's help. He could at least driven her around the quarter so she wouldn't have to walk back home carrying several bags of groceries, fabric, and flowers. Tiana couldn't see where she was going and bumped into someone, which made Tiana trip and drop all of the bags she was carrying.

"Oh no, the eggs!" Tiana hurriedly checked the grocery bag to see that the eggs were now ruined and her mother only gave her enough money for the groceries she got.

"You betta watch where ya walkin' gal." An older white man spat before walking past Tiana but not without stepping on the groceries some more. Tiana sighed heavily as she tried to salvage what was left of the groceries. She knew her mother would understand but she would still be pretty upset that their money is gone. They might have to wait another week or two to buy more food. Betty's a seamstress and Eli is a pastor, it's not like the family is swimming in money.

"Excuse me, Miss, can I help you?" Tiana looked and saw a beautiful dark-skinned man with the most gorgeous smile. Tiana must've looked crazy because all she could do was stare.

"Hello? Did you hit your head? You know I'm a doctor." Tiana shook her head as she stood up.

"I'm fine, thank you." Tiana dusted off the skirt of her dress and she eyed the destroyed groceries once again. "My Mama is gonna kill me, that was all the money she gave me."

"I can help you buy the groceries, Miss?" Tiana eyed the man before rolling her eyes."

"I'm just fine, Mister. I don't even know your name." Tiana picked up the groceries that weren't completely ruined.

"Isaiah McQueen." He smiled, there goes that smile again.

"Look, you seem very nice, Mr. McQueen—"

"Isaiah, my friends call me, Isaiah."

"Mr. McQueen, I best be on my way. Nice meeting you, or whatever this was." Tiana marched off and Isaiah looked back at his friends who urged to go after Tiana. With a nod, he jogged so he could catch up with this beautiful stranger.

"You know I could buy those groceries for you, so you don't have to tell your Mama about these groceries." Tiana rolled her eyes.

"Mr. McQueen, I don't know you, you seem very nice but as far as I know you're some creep and my Mama told me not to talk to strangers." Tiana began to walk away when Isaiah grabbed her arm to stop her. What surprised Tiana more was that he was slowly caressing her arm.

"Well if you give me your name maybe we can get to know each other," Isaiah said wiggling his eyebrows, Tiana heard wolf whistles and saw a group of men who must be friends of this man. Tiana got an idea, she batted her eyelashes at the man and flashed him a playful smirk.

"Do you really wanna know my name?" Isaiah tried to hide his goofy grin and nodded his head

"Come closer, I wanna whisper it in your ear." Isaiah put on his best seductive smile and leaned in close.

"My name is…" Tiana stomped on the man's foot causing him to let out a painful groan and his buddies let out a roar of laughter.

"Serves you right for grabbing on me like that. Hopefully, you remember this the next time you try to talk to a lady. Now fix yourself up, since you're a doctor and all." Tiana stomped off leaving the man hopping on one foot and holding the other in pain.

"Damn, Isaiah, I ain't never seen a girl treat you like that." One of his friends said, Isaiah, looked up and couldn't but stare in awe as this woman marched down the street. So much confidence.

"I'm gonna marry that girl," Isaiah said he looked down and saw a shopping list next to one of the ruined grocery bags. He grinned as he got an idea.

When Tiana finally made it home it was raining cats and dogs, the flowers and fabrics that she was able to salvage were probably ruined by now and she was dripping wet. Right now she wanted to hurry and get out of these wet clothes. Tiana practically ran into the house, startling her parents.

"Oh Tiana, where have you been?" Eli rushed over to his daughter and ushered to sit down and took the soaking brown bag.

"I'm sorry, I bumped into some white man and dropped all of the groceries. I'm sorry, I could only save the fabrics and flowers, but they're all wet." Betty shook her head

"Don't apologize, baby, now go on and get out of those wet clothes and get in bed. I'll make you some soup." With Tiana back in bed, her mind couldn't help but think about Naveen, was he okay, did he think about her the way she thought about him, did he love her. She often thinks about how different life would've been if she had accepted his proposal. She'd be a princess, like an actual princess. Knowing Naveen they would probably have at least two kids by now. She was pulled out of her thoughts by a knock at her door.

"Tiana? Baby?" Betty opened the door and walked in while holding a bowl of soup. "I made you some soup."

"Thank you, Mama." Tiana graciously took the bowl of soup from her mother and took a spoonful.

"I know it's not as good as yours or your Daddy but I hope it'll do." Tiana playfully rolled her eyes

"It's delicious, Mama." Betty sat in her daughter's bad and the two sat in content silence.

"I miss him, Mama." Betty rubbed Tiana's knee

"I know honey. I know you do, but you made your decision and you can't go back in time. The important thing is that you get that restaurant." Tiana smiled weakly before taking another spoonful.

The mother and daughter heard footsteps and looked up to see Eli standing in the doorway frowning.

"Tiana, there's a boy here to see you, said you guys are friends."

Tiana walked out to the living room in her robe and almost gasped at the sight of none other than Isaiah McQueen, the man from the quarter, and what surprises her the most was that he was carrying grocery bags.

"What do you think you're doing here? How did you find out where I lived?" Tiana asked accusingly

"Tiana, do you need me to ask your friend to leave?" Eli asked eying Isaiah up and down.

"No, Daddy I'm fine. I was just about to ask him to leave. Go on to bed, I won't be long."

"I'll be in the room but I'll keep the door open." Eli glared at Isaiah before leaving the room

"You have five seconds to explain before I call the police."

"Hear me out, I want to apologize for the way I acted, it was uncalled for and I don't want you to think that I was just trying to get in your pants or something. To prove that, I bought the groceries that you dropped."

"How did you—"

"Your shopping list was on the ground so I went to the stores and got everything."

"It was almost $20 worth of food, how did you afford that."

"Don't you remember, I'm a doctor."

"That still doesn't explain how you found my address." Tiana folded her arms, ready for this man to leave.

"Um, Ms. Hattie, told me the address. I swear I'm not some stalker or anything. I just wanted to prove to you I wasn't just trying to, you know…"

"Get in my pants?" Tiana said accusingly while crossing her arms over her chest. "Well, thank you for buying the food. You didn't have to do that."

"I know, but I wanted to."

"Tiana! It's getting late, time for your friend to leave." Betty shouted from the back

"Yes, Mama!" Tiana turned back to Isaiah she couldn't help but blush at the way he was looking at her. It wasn't the same as the look from earlier, this one was more sincere. It's been a while since a man has looked at her like that. Tiana cleared her throat, seemingly pulling Isaiah out of his daze.

"I'll see you around, Tiana."

"Have a good rest of the night, Mr. McQueen," Tiana said, ushering Isaiah out of the house.

"Oh, you still gonna call me Mr. McQueen?"

"As far as I know you're still a stranger to me, sir."

"Well, then I guess we have to get to know each other then. Goodnight, Tiana. I'll be seeing you."

"Goodnight, Mr. McQueen," Tiana said while smirking, she Isaiah ran out of the house, immediately becoming soaked as he hopped into his car and drove off.

That was the first time another man besides Naveen made her smile, even if it was small.

August 1927

Just as he said Isaiah, come over every morning when he could, and ate breakfast for the past three months. After a while he would start to bring flowers, he stopped by at her job at the restaurant, much to the irritation of Buford, eventually, Isaiah asked Tiana to be his girlfriend and she turned him down…three times and every time she would say, "You know I want to focus on getting my restaurant."

Now, Tiana and Isaiah were sitting under a large gazebo in Isaiah's backyard, he lived with his grandparents, Abraham and Eliza Sterling, ever since he was a little boy. The two sat in a content silence while watching the heavy rainfall. Tiana insisted that the two of them spend the day together, which initially caught Isaiah completely by surprise, but he wasn't going to complain. The two of them were supposed to spend the day in the park but on their walk there, it started to rain.

They ended up running to Isaiah's house, them becoming completely wet. So, they decided, more so Tiana dragged Isaiah to the gazebo to sit the storm out.

"I love it when it rains." Tiana said absent-mindedly "My Mama said ever since I was a little girl that I would sit by the window and watch the rainfall. It's cleansing."

"When you have to go to work?" Isaiah said not wanting Tiana to leave. Tiana smirked at him

"I'm not going to work, I worked my last night at Cal's yesterday."

"Why? What happened? Did he fire you? I swear Tiana if he did something—"

"Calm down, Isaiah. I quit and I quit my job at Duke's too."

"Why would you do that? What about your restaurant?"

"Well, if you must know. I put down a deposit on the Sugar Mill. I'm meeting with the Fenner Brothers Monday and I'm gonna get my restaurant." Tiana beamed

"That's great, Tiana!" Before she knew it, Isaiah had pressed his lips against hers. As quickly as it happened, it was done. Isaiah looked extremely embarrassed and ashamed.

"I am so sorry, Tiana I didn't mean to—" Tiana gently touched Isaiah's cheek. She leaned in closer and they met in a sweet kiss. They both pulled away from the kiss, Isaiah was in a blissful daze Tiana was surprised with herself. Slowly but surely, she was finding herself falling in love with Isaiah. She never thought that she would move on after the love she and Naveen have—had, this was the first time that the idea of moving on didn't sound so bad after all.

November 1927

The restaurant was flourishing, the food was flying out of the kitchen, clean plates were flying right back, the band was jamming, people were crowding the dance floor. Tiana watched and couldn't help but be proud of where she is. She walked from table to table to check on each diner. She reached a table with a small family, a young girl, who couldn't be no more than six was looking at Tiana with admiration.

"Hello folks, are you enjoin' yourselves?"

"Yes, we are. Ms. Tiana, you are such a blessing and role model to us black folks." The mother said

"Thank you very much!"

"Our little girl here, wants to be just like you, isn't that right?"

"Oh really?" Tiana bent down so she was eye level with the young girl. "What's your name, cutie?"

"Leah Chase, Ms. Tiana. I wanna be a chef and have a restamurant just like you." The young girl beamed

"Well, Ms. Leah, if you put your mind to it then you can have a restaurant just like this. When she gets older, she'll have a job waiting for her here."

"Do you mean it?" Leah's father asked

"Of course, my only mentor was my Daddy, he taught me everything I knew. I would love to help. Enjoy the rest of y'all meal." Tiana said before going to the kitchen to make sure everything was running smoothly.

"How's it going?" Tiana asked the assistant head chef, Gladys. Tiana met Gladys while she was working at Cal's they both loved to cook and Tiana promised her when she got her restaurant she would be the first person she'd call.

"It's going great, Tiana. We about to serve the last table of entrees—Jimmie! I have the jambalaya and the gumbo ready to go."

"Great job, everyone all we have is desserts and then we can start shutting down the kitchen." Tiana beamed with pride another successful night with many more to come. One of the few black business owners and the only female with a successful restaurant such as Tiana's Place. Tiana felt arms wrap around her waist she leaned into the embrace and smiled

"Isaiah, if you don't stop you gonna get yourself in trouble."

"Maybe I wanna get in a little trouble."

"You better calm down before my parents see us."

"Now you know your Mama, wouldn't even be mad."

"You right about that." Isaiah unwrapped himself from around Tiana and then led her onto the outside patio. This might be Tiana's favorite part of her restaurant, besides the kitchen of course. She and Isaiah would walk out here on dance while gazing at the skyline of the City and at night it was beautiful.

"Tiana, I know we've known each other for a short time. But I feel this connection, that I've never felt with any other girl before. I love you, Tiana, with all my heart. Now, I was gonna do this on the stage but I know you can be kinda shy." Tiana went wide-eyed when Isaiah got down on one knee.

"Tiana Mae Wilcox, will you make me the happiest man in all of Louisiana and agree to be my wife?" Isaiah pulled out a black ring box and revealed a beautiful gold engagement ring with one singular impressive diamond on the band. Tiana had tears in eyes and she excitedly shook her head.

"Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!" Isaiah eagerly out the ring on her finger. He then picked her up and spun her around.

"Tiana Mae McQueen," Isaiah said with a wide grin.

"That has a nice ring to it don't you think?"

"Mhm, I love you, Tiana."

"I love you too, Isaiah."

This was the first time Tiana felt truly happy with a man that wasn't Naveen, and she was okay with that.

September 1928

"Thank you so much, Jimmy," Tiana said as she shuffled out of one of her worker's car.

"No problem, I couldn't let my pregnant boss walk home in the rain. I'd never hear the end of it from Isaiah."

"I know, that man is so protective. Well, I'll see you tomorrow for dinner service."

"See ya boss lady!" Tiana carefully made her way up the stairs, when Tiana hit her third trimester she could barely see her feet. Despite the challenges that came with being pregnant, Tiana was excited to meet her baby, it would be any day now. When she opened the door, she was met with the stench of cigar smoke. Every Friday night, Isaiah would invite his other doctor friends over and they would smoke and drink. As much as Tiana hated the smell of alcohol and smoke, she agreed to let him do it when she was at work, only if he would make sure that he would air out the house by the time she got back.

"Isaiah? I'm home!" Tiana closed the door she made her way to the kitchen and saw Isaiah and his best friend, Henry, sitting at the table.

"Hey, sweetie," Isaiah said he rushed over to his wife and kissed her gently.

"Hi son," Isaiah gently caressed Tiana's growing baby bump.

"Why are you so convinced he's a boy? It could be a girl."

"Not a chance baby, All McQueen men have a son first. I can feel it in my bones." Tiana rolled her eyes as she took a seat with the help of Isaiah.

"Excuse my husband, how ya doin' Henry?"

"I'm great, Tiana. How was dinner at the famous Tiana's Place?"

"Great as always, you know the Governor, he ate there tonight!"

"That's amazing Tiana!" Henry said, it could've been the alcohol but Isaiah didn't miss the sparkle in his eyes as his friend looked at his wife.

"Isaiah, you the luckiest man on earth to have such a beautiful wife like Tiana." Though Henry was addressing Isaiah, his attention was stuck on Tiana.

"Oh stop Henry, you'll find someone. You just gotta stop hangin' out at them juke joints."

"I might find me a wife, but they won't be like you."

"You know what Henry, I think it's time for you to go. You've overstayed your welcome." Tiana frowned at Isaiah's sudden change in attitude.

"Isaiah?" Henry stood up knowing what got his longtime friend riled up, so he decided to play with him some more. He leaned over kissed Tiana on the cheek. His lips being dangerously close to her lips.

"Good night, cher." Tiana saw her husband clench his fist and took it upon herself to usher Henry out of the house.

"Good night, Henry. I think it's best you be leavin' now."

"Alright, I'll see you around." Tiana closed the door when she turned back around Isaiah was standing in front of her.

"Ooh, you scared me, baby. Don't worry about Henry, he was being a jerk." Tiana kissed Isaiah but frowned when he didn't return the kiss.

"Why did you let him kiss you?" Tiana scoffed at her husband and rolled her eyes.

"Isaiah, I didn't know he was going to do that. It's not like I wanted him to."

"But you didn't stop him."

"It was over when it started. Isaiah, it's late, I wanna take a shower, come join me." Tiana reached up to caress his face but he still held his cold glare.

"Who was the guy that dropped you off?"

"Huh?"

"I saw you from the window, you rose here in some negro's car. Who the hell was it?"

"Isaiah, please. It was Jimmy, if you hadn't noticed it's pouring down raining and he didn't want me to walk home so he gave your pregnant wife a ride home. Now excuse me, I want to shower and get off my feet." Tiana tried to push past him but he slammed his arm up on the wall startling Tiana.

"Isaiah, you're scaring me. You're drunk come on let's take a shower and go to bed—"

"I don't believe you," Isaiah said darkly

"Isaiah, can you move your arm," Tiana said trying to sound demanding but deep down she was starting to fear the man in front of her.

"First you let some guy drive you home, and then you let Henry practically throw his tongue down your throat. I wonder what you let that nigga do who drove you home." Isaiah stormed off leaving Tiana enraged, how could he accuse her of something like that.

"Now you listen here!" Tiana stomped more so waddled over to her husband following him into the kitchen.

"I am your wife!" Tiana pushed Isaiah, hard. "You don't get to accuse me" push "of not being faithful" push "to my husband" push "when you're the one" push "who has these girls" push "practically throwing" push "themselves at you-" Isaiah backhand Tiana so hard that she fell to the floor. She was able to shield her bump from hitting the floor with one arm but that meant her head banged against the hardwood floor. She felt wetness run down her face. She put a hand to her face and felt a cut right on her cheek. Isaiah's ring must've cut her face when she saw the blood she started to sob. Isaiah was quick to Tiana's side and pulled her into an embrace. Tiana tried to fight and get away from this man, she wasn't even sure she knew him anymore. The Isaiah she knew would never put her hands on her.

"Tiana, baby I'm so sorry. Please forgive me, sometimes I get mad and I lose my temper." Isaiah kissed her forehead, Tiana wincing at the sudden action, her head still throbbing from it hitting the floor.

"Tiana, I love you, I promise I'll never hurt you again." Tiana avoided her husband's gaze. He grabbed her chin and made her look at him. "I said I love you and I'll never hurt you again."

"I love you too," Tiana said, mainly out of fear.

That was the first time Isaiah lied to his wife. That night, Tiana went into labor, with the help of Betty and Tiana's childhood friend, Georgia. Timothy Joseph McQueen was born on a rainy night on September 16, 1928.

June 1930

"I know I'm not crazy, Isaiah! I saw the way you were looking at my cousin!" Tiana whispered loudly, today was her parents' anniversary and Tiana decided to host the party at her home since they had space. During the party, Tiana noticed her husband's wandering eyes would land on her fifteen-year-old cousin, Mary.

"It's just your hormones, baby. It's all in your head." Isaiah pressed, the two of them were in their bedroom but they didn't want to bring any attention to their disagreement. 

"Isaiah, that's bullshi--" Isaiah grabbed Tiana by the front of her dress so he was looking straight at her

"What did you say to me?" Isaiah asked darkly

"I-I--" Tiana couldn't even finish her sentence when Isaiah slapped her hard across the face,  she instantly tasted blood in her mouth and that made her sick she quickly got out of her husband's hold and ran to the adjoining bathroom emptying her stomach into the toilet. Isaiah stood in the doorway and looked at his wife with disgust,

"Clean yourself up before you come back downstairs." Isaiah stormed out of the room, Tiama slowly stood up from her place on the floor and walked over to the mirror, the sight of her face was enough to make her cry. She grabbed a wet cloth and started to wipe off her face. Tiana winced as she wiped up the blood from the busted lip that was inflicted by her husband. Ever since that first time two years ago, the beatings were frequent and each time the pain lasted a little bit longer. 

"Tiana? You okay? Your Mama asked me to—" Georgia stopped herself as she entered the bedroom.

"Tiana," Georgia said with sympathy.

"I'm fine, Georgia, it's just a little bump. Nothing a little ice can't fix." Tiana said trying to convince herself self but she and Georgia knew better. There were bruises in the past that Georgia noticed and were difficult to hide even with makeup not to mention the busted lip she was now sporting.

"Tiana, you know I could say that you're tired because of the baby." Georgia offered, Tiana simply nodded her head tears freely falling from her eyes.

"Yeah, can you tell them I don't feel good?"

"Yes, get some rest okay?"

Later that night, Isaiah beat Tiana so brutally that she went into early labor. She lost the baby. That was the first time Tiana felt empty, true emptiness.

May 1935

After almost ten years of marriage, Tiana was exhausted. Not the way you would think a businesswoman would be, she was mentally, emotionally, and physically tired. Being the wife of one of the most powerful colored man in New Orleans, wasn't what it was all that cracked up to be.

"Mama?" Tiana looked down at her youngest son, David. He was born on a hot summer day on July 6th four years ago. The two of them were on their way back home from dropping Timothy off at his piano lesson. It was Isaiah's idea to put the boys in music, he said he wanted them to have a well-rounded education. Most things nowadays were Isaiah's idea.

"Yes, baby,"

"For my birthday present, I want a baby sister." Tiana laughed

"A baby sister? I don't know, that seems pretty tough. I'm gonna have to talk to Daddy about it first. I thought you liked being the youngest."

"I do, but I want a baby sister so I can protect her."

"Aw, that's sweet of you." Tiana froze, She saw two empty glasses sitting on the front porch. She knew that Isaiah was off today, but she wondered who would have been with him. She looked at David who distracted by the new flowers start were starting to bloom.

"David, go next door and see if Nate wants to play."

"Are you sure Mama? I didn't finish my book yet—"

"It's fine baby, not run along before I change my mind." David raced off to his friend's house across the street. Tiana made sure David was inside before entering her own house. As soon as she set foot in the door, she knew something was off. She made sure to walk quietly throughout the house. She made her way upstairs where she could hear a bed squeak. Her heart sank to her feet. As she got closer and closer to the bedroom she and her husband shared, she heard her husband's moans echoing down the hallway. She got the door and froze, she sighed heavily and decided to rip the bandage off and swing the door open she was met with her husband and her restaurant manager having an affair. Yvette quickly hopped off Isaiah and scrambled to find her clothes.

"Tiana, I am so sorry I didn't mean for this to happen—"

"Get the hell out of my house. NOW!"

"Let me explain—"

"You don't have to explain, get your clothes and get out! As of right now, you are fired!"

"Tiana, please!"

"Get out before I throw you out!" Yevette cried as she ran out of the McQueen residence. Tiana turned her attention to Isaiah who looked like he a little boy that was caught sneaking candy before dinner.

"You could at least have some decency and have your affairs in a sleazy motel." Tiana brushed past her husband and went to his dresser. Isaiah had put on his underwear by this point.

"Tiana, I'm sorry, this wasn't supposed to happen. I called her over to end it—"

"How long has this been going on?"

"Since you hired her last year." Tiana scoffed at her husband and started to grab his clothes and throw them on the floor.

"You lying cheating piece of a man. I can't believe I stayed with you this long."

"What the hell are you doing?"

"I'm helping you pack because you aren't staying here!"

"Tiana, I'm not leaving my house!"

"Well, I don't want you here so now what do we do? I'm tired Isaiah, I can't take it anymore!"

"Tiana, please! I promise I'll change!"

"You've been saying that for almost ten years!" Tiana yelled Isaiah approached her and she started hitting his chest.

"I'm tired of your shit Isaiah!"

"Don't hit me, Tiana!" He warned during her hitting his chest, Tiana scratched his face, hard enough to leave a mark. She immediately stopped too afraid to move. Before she knew it, Isaiah slapped her. He roughly grabbed her and threw her onto the bed. He got on top of her and started to grope her against Tiana's pleas and cries.

"Stop, Isaiah, get off of me." She tried to push him, but he just pinned her arm above her head.

Tiana was curled into a fetal position, she hasn't moved from her spot in hours. Shortly after Isaiah violated her, he left the house...again. Probably went to the bar like always. 

Nine months later, on February 22, 1936, Lillian McQueen was born.

Chapter Text

April 1936

“Judy and Leroy, you guys are doing appetizers and sandwiches. Doris and Angelo, seafood, and pasta entrees. Ruth and Frances, chicken and jambalaya. Vashti and Pearlie Mae, sides. Phyllis, you’re with me on meat and gumbo. Now no mishaps tonight, we do not need a repeat of last night.” Last night for Friday’s dinner service for the first time in Tiana’s Place food was sent back to the kitchen. To say Tiana was furious was an understatement.

“So, I’ll be cooking and running the pass, as well as Phyllis, yes?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“If I see anything but a clean plate coming back through these kitchen doors it’s gonna be a problem. Are we clear?”

“Yes ma’am.” The new hostess, Celia, entered the kitchen.

“Tiana, are you ready to open up?” Tiana quickly checked her watch and saw that it read 5:59 PM

“Yes, Celia open the doors and get these people seated. Waiters, waitresses, get out there and help. Before we send plates out there, they must be shown to me, first. Only excellence tonight.”

“Alright, we just served our appetizers to our first set of tables. Now we have entrée orders, from table 1, entrees Crawfish etouffee, fried shrimp po’boy, and jambalaya. Table 2, two orders of gumbo, catfish with a side red beans and rice and chicken and dumplings with a side of mac and cheese and collard greens. Let’s go people!” Tiana called out

Tiana sprung into action and started to get to work. She quickly minced some vegetables and winced, she and Isaiah got into an argument before she came to work and roughly grabbed her by her wrist. She was fine until now, the pain was starting to set in.

Naveen and Kwame sat in the cigar lounge of the Hotel. They arrived in New Orleans early this morning and they decided to relax since they wanted to go out to dinner tonight.

“So, how’s Iyanla?” Kwame asked hesitantly, Naveen sighed and took a sip of his scotch.

“She’s aright, all things considering.” The day the foursome left for New Orleans, Iyanla was complaining of stomach pains later that night, Iyanla had a miscarriage. It pained Anastasia to see her dear friend in such a distraught state. Naveen didn’t know what to say, he was beginning to think that Iyanla may never be able to have children and that thought made him nervous. Not because he wants an heir to the throne but because they’ve been so close to becoming parents and they’ve had it ripped from them every single time and it doesn’t get easier especially for Iyanla.

“I am so sorry my friend, the two of you will have children someday.” Naveen hummed not convinced.

“Thank you, Kwame, it’s hard. This is what, the fourth time? The doctor said that we can try again but, I don’t want to put her through another heartache.

“It will all work out, my friend.” Naveen downed the rest of his scotch.

“I will retire for the rest of the night. I’m sorry that we won’t join you and Anastasia for dinner.”

“It’s alright, Naveen. We’ll go to dinner another day.” Heels clicking against the marble floor made the two men lookup. Anastasia entered the room wearing an elegant white dress with a Shadonian sash across her body. Her hair was in natural puff showing her beautiful kinky curly hair.

“You look beautiful, my love,” Kwame said as he kissed her cheek.

“Thank you, darling.” Anastasia turned toward Naveen and smiled sadly

“I just left Iyanla’s room, the Doctor is visiting her now.”

“Thank you, Abinaza, enjoy your evening,” Naveen said going off to check on Iyanla.

As soon as Naveen made it to the floor he saw the doctor leaving the room.

“Dr. Arya,”

“Your Majesty, I just examined the Queen. I have some unfortunate news. The Queen’s body cannot handle a pregnancy, she may never be able to have children.” Naveen’s face blanched at the news, he knew that Iyanla has had difficulty keeping a baby but he at least had hope that they would someday have a child, even if it’s just one. Now, all his hopes of someday having a child, an heir to the throne just withered away.

“Thank you, Dr. Arya, how is Iyanla?”

“Her Majesty didn’t take the news well; her valet is still with her. I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty.” Naveen nodded his head solemnly trying to digest the words that had just come out of Dr, Arya’s mouth.

“I know this is certainly not the time—”

“Then why are you still talking?”

“I just want to let you know, I contacted your mother back in Maldonia, with the news, since The Queen cannot produce an heir, Her Majesty has begun prepping your brother, Raphael, to one day inherit the throne as King of Maldonia.”

Not wanting to talk talk to Dr. Arya, Naveen entered their hotel room he saw Iyanla lying in the bed under the covers, her valet, Kaleena was sitting by her side, brushing the young Queen’s hair.

“Kaleena, you are dismissed for the night. Thank you.” Kaleena quickly bowed and left the King and Queen alone. Naveen got undressed and put on his nightclothes before climbing into the bed, pulling Iyanla close to him. Iyanla turned around so she could face Naveen. When the two of them locked eyes she cried.

“Why can’t I have a baby?” She whispered Naveen brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her forehead. Usually, Naveen would know what to say but he was just as upset as Iyanla.

“Everywhere I go I see a woman who’s with child, I see the maids around the palace with their children playing, laughing, singing, and dancing, and I’m happy for them but I can’t help but be filled with envy. Sometimes I get so consumed with anger because the one thing I’ve been raised my whole life to do, my body can’t do it. Does this make me a bad person?” Naveen gently wiped away the tears off his wife’s face.

“No, no it doesn’t Iyanla. It makes you human, even though we cannot have a baby, we’re in this forever. I love you.”

“I love you too, can you keep holding me?”

“Of course.”

Tiana was on a high it’s been a few dinner services since she was in the kitchen cooking. Usually, she’s calling out the orders and checking the plates. Tiana was in the middle of cooking a pork chop when Celia entered the kitchen.

“Tiana,”

“Make it fast, Celia. We have a bunch of hungry folks out there.”

“There are some fancy type people out front.” Tiana raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“Fancy?”

“They said they’re, um-um—”

“Spit it out, Celia! Pork chops ready how much longer on the mac and yams?”

“Walking with sides now, ready to plate, Chef.” Pearlie Mae said

“Look, I don’t know how to explain it, you need to come see for yourself. One of them specifically asked for you.” Tiana sighed heavily, she took off her apron and tossed it aside.

“Phyllis, take over, I’ll be back.”  Tiana followed Celia out to the foyer, she now knew what Celia meant, these two were not dressed like most people in here. Tiana could immediately tell they weren’t from America. As she got closer, she squinted her eyes, she recognized the man but she can’t seem to remember.

“Oh! There she is Tiana! It’s great to see you again.”

“Excuse me, I’m sorry sir. Have we met before?”

“You do not remember me? Well, it has been ten years.” Kwame smiled widely, that’s when it hit her, she’d recognize that smile anywhere.

“Kwame?”

“Yes, of course! How have you been?”

“It’s been so long, and I’ve been great. Is this your wife?” Tiana asked gesturing to Anastasia.

“Not yet, she’s my fiancée, Anastasia, this is Tiana. I met her back when Naveen and I came here years ago.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tiana.”

“The pleasure’s all mine. Celia, please seat Kwame and his fiancée at our finest table on the second floor.”

“Yes ma’am, follow me please.” Tiana practically ran to the kitchen, Kwame wasn’t a prince but was still very important if she remembers correctly, Kwame’s father is a Prime Minister of a country not too far from Maldonia.

“Alright, we have some very important people here tonight. The son of a Prime Minister and his fiancée, let’s show them Nawlins style food.”  

“Who are they, Ms. Tiana?” Angelo asked while frying up some shrimp. Angelo was new to the team; he’s been in the States for about nine years and he moved to New Orleans last month after being in New York City. Tiana loved having Angelo on her team, his cooking skills were excellent, and they had the same thought process when it comes to food. He was young but had great potential, with some more practice and being under Tiana’s leadership, he’ll go places.

“It’s Kwame Owusu and his fiancée.”

“Of Shadonia? I’ve met his father, Minister Owusu. He has visited the palace I used to work at many times back in Tysheria.”

“Alright, orders in!” Celia announced entering the kitchen “For appetizers, they want the grilled oysters and the andouille sausage bites.”

“You heard her, let’s go on those appetizers, we only have two more hours until the kitchen’s closed, let’s finish strong!”

After serving Kwame and Anastasia the appetizers, they of course order the gumbo for dinner, and the beignets for dessert.  Tiana cleaned herself off before she made her way to the second to ask Kwame and Anastasia how they liked their dinner.

“Hey Kwame, how was the food?”

“Tiana, it was delicious! I was telling Anastasia, that when I first came to New Orleans with Naveen, your cooking was the best food I’ve ever tasted, even better than the chefs back home.”

“Thank you, Kwame, so what bring you back to New Orleans?”  Kwame smiled at Anastasia before looking back at Tiana

“Well, before we get married, we wanted to travel and no better place to start our vacation than New Orleans. I had heard of a colored woman who started her own restaurant here and of course, I knew it was you. So, I had to come back and taste your amazing food.”

“Kwame, you’re too kind.”

“Tiana, for once my fiancé is right, your food is absolutely amazing.”

“Hey! I’m usually right! I was right about you being my wife one day.” He smirked, which made the two women roll their eyes.

“This man swears that he knew I was going to be his wife the first time he laid eyes on me.”

“Hm, he used to say the same things to my friends, If I remember correctly, Mr. Kwame had to be asked to leave my restaurant several times for getting fresh with my co-workers.” Kwame cleared his throat nervously

“Much hasn’t changed, Tiana, trust me.  When I first met him was flirting with my cousin but didn’t know she was married with five children and pregnant with the sixth.”

“In my defense, Afrah wasn’t wearing her wedding ring and she was barely showing,” Kwame said with his hands up in defense.

“I was talking to Kwame and we were wondering if you would cater the food for our wedding?” Tiana went wide-eyed

“Are you serious? If you’re joking please stop pulling my leg.”

“Tiana, we’re very serious. The food is amazing, of course, we would pay for you, your team, and your close family to sail to Shadonia for the wedding. There will be proper accommodations in our guesthouse for everyone involved.”

“I would have to talk to my team and my husband about it first but thank you so much! When is the wedding?”

“It’s a year from now,” Anastasia smiled “we leave New Orleans in two months. So, think about our offer but we need an answer before we leave for the next destination.”

“Of course, you can give Celia your contact information before you leave.”

“Sounds great, we’ll love to hear from you.”

“Tiana, like we said, we will pay for everything you can even bring your family along as well. Money is not a factor.” Anastasia added

“Thank you so much, I’ll have an answer for ya by the end of the week! You enjoy the rest of your dessert, the band’s about to play one last song. So please, feel free to use the rooftop dance floor.”

Tiana could barely contain her excitement as she briskly made her way to her office. In the midst of her celebrating, Celia entered the room.

“Tiana? What’s going on?”

“Celia, come in quick and shut the door.”

“What’s goin’ on? You pregnant again?” Tiana rolled her eyes

“Girl, no. The Prime Minister’s son and his fiancée want us to cater their wedding next year.”

“Tiana, are you joking?”

“Why would I joke about that? It’s not set in stone, but if all works out we’ll be making food for some of the most powerful people in the world.”

“Tiana this is great news! We have to tell the staff—” Celia was about to race out of the room when Tiana grabbed her arm.

“Wait, wait, let’s not tell everyone just yet. I haven’t even fully agreed to do it.”

“Why the hell not?”

“I have to talk to Isaiah—”

“Is Isaiah’s name on this restaurant?”

“No, but he—”

“Does he pay for anything up in here?”

“Well, no—”

“Then what do you need to talk about?”

“We have children, Celia. I just can’t accept something like this without talking it over with him.”

“Fine, I guess that’s what happens when you get married. Us single women don’t have to worry about that.” Celia teased

“Whatever, you know wanna marry Lester.”

“Lester? His ole tired behind needs to take a hint and leave me alone.”

“You know he like ‘em young, you saw him all up on Peggy.”

“Girl, whatever. I was coming up to tell you that we finished serving the last table.”

“Great, remind people we close in one hour.”

“Yes ma’am, boss lady.”

“Dr. McQueen?” Isaiah’s head perked up from whatever file was on his desk.

“Yes, nurse?”

“The board needs to see you in the conference room. Immediately.” Isaiah sighed heavily, he knew whatever news these men needed to tell him wasn’t going to be good.

“I’ll be right there.” Isaiah marched to the conference

“Good evening, gentlemen. This is out of the ordinary to have a board meeting this late in the—”

“Just have a seat, Isaiah.” The heard of the board, Dr. Truman Hunter, demanded

“Yes sir, Dr. Hunter.”

“Isaiah, we have to let you go, as of today.”

“Excuse me?”

“If I may interject?” An old white man who sat next to Dr. Hunter said

“Who are you?”

“The new owner of this hospital, now there’s not enough all-white hospitals between here and Metairie. So, I bought the hospital. We’re tearing this colored hospital down and making a new one—”

“What about the patients?”

“Isaiah, the patients will be moved to a colored hospital in Jefferson.”

“This is bullshit, Truman and you know it!”

“Isaiah there’s nothing that we can—”

“You don’t have to explain, to the negro anymore, Isaiah—”

“Dr. McQueen, to you.”

“You best, watch the way you talk to me boy.”

“Boy? I’m a grown-ass man.”

“A man who is about to find himself in jail if he don’t fix his tone. You have one hour to get your ass out of my hospital before I call my buddies down at the station. Trust me, you don’t want me to do that.” With that Isaiah stormed out of the conference room without kicking a chair over.

Tiana was bouncing with excitement as she ran up the front porch steps. She unlocked the door and was attacked by the two oldest children.

“Mama!” The boys cried happily

“What are you two still doing up? Ms. Therese should’ve had you in bed hours ago.”

“She did, but we wanted to say goodnight to you.” David smiled

“Is she still here?” Tiana questioned searching the room for the nanny and Lily

“She’s with Lily in the nursery.” Timothy explained, “she said she needed to tell you something.”

“Okay, well, it is way past your bedtime. Now get on to sleep, we got church in the morning and you’ll be usherin’.” Both boys groaned dramatically.

“Mama, do we have to?”

“Yeah, Mr. Jenkins is mean to the kids.” Tiana chuckled, Mr. Jenkins’ been the head usher since Tiana was a young girl and he was the type of person to never smile.

“He’s not mean just stern, now go on to bed. I don’t want to hear any complain’ in the mornin’.” Tiana shooed her children off who raced off to their rooms. Tiana gave the room a good look over, she locked the door and then went upstairs to check on Lily. She was used to being home alone with the children, Isaiah worked late nights at the hospital.

Tiana entered the nursery and smiled at the nanny, Therese, gently placing Lily in her crib.

“Hi, Ms. Tiana, Ms. Lily just went to sleep,” Therese whispered,

“Thank you, Therese.” Therese and Tiana walked out of the nursery and went back downstairs.

“Did you get the envelope from the office?”

“Yes ma’am, but Ms. Tiana, there’s something you should know.”

“What’s going on?”

“A little bit before you got home, I got a call from a bar at the fancy hotel downtown. Isaiah’s there.” Tiana nodded her head understanding, this wouldn’t be the first time she’s had to drag her husband home in a drunken stupor.

“Okay, um. Do you mind staying here while I go get Isaiah?”

“Of course not, Ms. Tiana. I’ll be right here waiting for you two.”

“I’m so sorry, Theresè, I know you have your family to get home to—”

“Don’t you pay me no mind.”

“Thank you, Theresè. I’ll be right back.”

Tiana stepped into the lavish hotel bar and the tench of cigarette smoke and alcohol filled her nose, it didn’t take her long to find, Isaiah, he was slumped against the bar counter. She walked over to him and gave the bartender a weak smile.

“Thank you for calling, Jimmy.”

“Least, I can do Tiana, do you need any help?”

“No, I got him. Come on, Isaiah, wake up baby.”

“Hmm?”

“Get up, I gotta take you home.” Isaiah sat up and smiled drunkenly

“Tiana!” She quickly turned her head away, the smell of his breath made her nauseous

“Come on, it’s time to go home, can you stand up?” Isaiah nodded, he slowly stood up and stumbled his way outside to the car but not without assistance from Tiana.

“I love you, baby,” He declared with slurred speech

“I love you too,” Tiana said absent-mindedly, her main focus being getting her husband home in one piece.

“I wanna make another baby with you.” Tiana groaned in frustration; she had no idea how she was going to get this man down the steps. He was putting all his weight on her making this whole process extremely difficult.

“Let’s get you home, first—Isaiah!” It was too late; he had stumbled over his own feet and tumbled down the stairs in the front lobby. Tiana rushed to her husband while a man helper her husband

“Are you alright, sir?” Tiana froze, she knew that voice. She’d recognize that voice anywhere, she was hoping that her mind was playing tricks on her. Maybe her long day at the restaurant had her hearing things because she knows it couldn’t be who she thinks it is.

“I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine! TIANA! Let’s go!” Isaiah pointed and the man followed his gaze and couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Tiana?”

“Naveen."

Chapter Text

Chapter 5: Bittersweet Reunions

“I wanna make another baby with you.” Tiana groaned in frustration; she had no idea how she was going to get this man down the steps. He was putting all his weight on her making this whole process extremely difficult.

“Let’s get you home, first—Isaiah!” It was too late; he had stumbled over his own feet and tumbled down the stairs in the front lobby. Tiana rushed to her husband while a man helper her husband

“Are you alright, sir?” Tiana froze, she knew that voice. She’d recognize that voice anywhere, she was hoping that her mind was playing tricks on her. Maybe her long day at the restaurant had her hearing things because she knows it couldn’t be who she thinks it is.

“I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine! TIANA! Let’s go!” Isaiah pointed and the man followed his gaze and couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Tiana?”

“Naveen.”

“Tiana! Can you help me?” Isaiah slurred before standing but not without assistance from some of the hotel workers. Tiana rushed down the stairs and helped her husband out of the hotel, she put him in the car and she turned her back just hoping to see Naveen still there, but he was gone.

It has been almost a week since Tiana saw Naveen at the hotel, she tried to force that brief interaction of out her mind but she kept finding herself thinking about him. What was he doing in New Orleans? Was he with Kwame? Is he married with children like her?

Tiana gave herself one more look over the mirror. She and Isaiah were supposed to attend a birthday party for one of Isaiah’s colleagues—former colleagues. Tiana couldn’t erase the look on her husband’s face when he finally told her that he lost his job. Tiana could sense Isaiah’s shame and embarrassment every time she stepped foot into his office, which is where he usually spends most of his days. Tiana and the boys tried to get Isaiah to engage with them but it felt like a loss cause.

Tiana made her way down the hallway to Isaiah’s office, she could smell the alcohol seeping its way down the hall. She’s always hated the smell of alcohol even as a young girl. She hated the odor with every fiber of her being. When Isaiah drank and especially like this, she knew that she was in for a rough night whenever he awoke from his stupor.

“Isaiah?” Tiana gently knocked the door, awaiting an answer. After a few seconds, Tiana knocked again this time a little harder. The door slowly opened and Tiana let herself in, there were empty bottles and glasses all over the room. Sighing heavily, Tiana attempted to straighten up the room. She’ll have to remember to tell Theresè to clean up the office while they’re at the party.

“What are you doing?” The rough voice of her husband made Tiana jump. She placed her hand over her chest in an attempt to calm herself down.

“Isaiah, you scared me. I was just cleaning up a little bit.” Isaiah kept staring her down and it was beginning to make Tiana nervous.

“Where are you going dressed like that?”

“It’s John’s birthday, remember?”

“Should’ve known, my wife will take any excuse to dress like a whore.” Isaiah spat brushing past Tiana to plop down on the sofa in the office.

“Parading yourself around these men like you’re not a married woman! YOU ARE MY WIFE!”

“Isaiah—”

“I see the way those men look at you like you’re a piece of meat. You, just walking around parading yourself all over the place, giving them what they want.”

“Isaiah, I’m not having this conversation with you. I was just trying to clean up ya office.”

“Hmmph,”

“Whatever, Isaiah. You the one who bought this tight dress anyway. You had it made like this on purpose so you could ‘Show ya wife off—‘”Isaiah slapped Tiana, hard across the face, causing her to fall to the ground.

“Daddy?” A small voice called out, Tiana and Isaiah looked and saw David standing in the doorway

“Go on back to ya room, David. Your Mama and I are just talkin’,”

“David, it’s okay honey. I’ll be right in to tuck you in.”

“David go to ya room! Now!” Isaiah shouted, startling David and making the young boy run off. Isaiah walked over to his bar cart and poured himself another glass of whiskey. Downing it in seconds. He poured another glass and approached Tiana who had not moved from her spot on the floor, he placed the glass in front of her and she turned her head away.

“I told you to stop makin’ me mad, Hmm?”

“Mr. McQueen?” This time it was Therese

“What?” He barked

“The car’s here to take you to the party.” Isaiah, downed the glass

“Tell them I’m about to get ready.”

“Isaiah,”

“I’ve changed my mind, I’m accompanying my lovely wife to this party.” Isaiah smirked

The ride to the party was a long and quiet one. It was always like this with Tiana and Isaiah, there was rarely any communication between the two, they weren't friends anymore. Before when they were dating conversation used to flow so freely between the two of them now, it’s like pulling teeth to get a single word out of him. 

"When we get inside try not to use that southern drawl you tend to have." Isaiah said before getting out of the car. Isaiah opened the door for Tiana and led her inside the house. While Tiana and Isaiah were walking she noticed many of the women staring at her making side comments about her outfit.

"Isaiah you made it." Isaiah was greeted by a tall fair skinned man by the name of John Baptiste. According to Isaiah, he and John grew up together and went to Howard University. John Baptiste owns a very successful Sugar Mill and will find every opportunity to mention it.   

"Great to see you Johnny."

"You as well, and Tiana it always brightens my day when I see you." Tiana smiled, which Isaiah noticed and roughly squeezed her hip. Causing her to drop her smile.

"Yeah, you know John I’m lucky to have her.”

“That you are,” John replied giving Tiana a look that made Isaiah’s blood boil.

“Tiana, why don’t you go mingle with the other wives?”

“Oh yes, they are all in the library, gossiping about God knows what. Come Isaiah, how about we have a drink and a smoke.”

Tiana made her way to the library and immediately felt out of place. She doesn’t know many of the women there were at this party except for John’s wife, Millie, but Tiana can’t stand her.  

She made her way through the small crowd to get herself a glass of water.

“Tia!” The high pitched voice that she hates so much belong to none other than, Charlotte LaBouf, the girl was borderline obsessed with her. Her and her husband, Anthony, ate at her restaurant one Saturday night a year ago and the girl became Tiana’s number one fan. It doesn’t help that Anthony and Isaiah were childhood friends so, Tiana was stuck with the girl. At least she was better company than half of these women here.

“Move, I’m tryin’ to get through,” Charlotte said pushing past the women, when she came in sight Tiana sighed heavily, looks like Charlotte was pregnant…again. Tiana swears that girl is barefoot and pregnant twice a year, this is her sixth child with Anthony.

“Heffas,” Charlotte mumbled before wailing over to Tiana,

“Oh, Tia it is so good to see you.”

“You too Charlotte, and please call me, Tiana.” She emphasized hating the nickname

“Tia, you look amazing in that dress, did Isaiah get it for you?” Charlotte asked ignoring Tiana’s request

“Um, no he had it made for me, by Zelda Wynn.”

“That colored dress maker? She makes dresses for Josephine Baker and Ella Fitzgerald.” Charlotte gaped, Tiana wasn’t one to be phased by  material things but she loved making someone like Charlotte speechless.

“Yes, it’s an original, she only made one for me.”

“I know Isaiah is a doctor, but my goodness.”

“Well, you know how Isaiah is, only the best.”  

“I hear ya, Tia. Anthony only wants the best, especially for our little ones.” She affectionately rubbed her growing baby bump

“Well hello, ladies.” Tiana and Charlotte rolled their eyes, the one thing they can agree on, they can’t stand, Anna Randall. The alleged mistress of Mayor Maestri.

“Hi, Anna.”

“Hello Charlotte, oh and I guess congratulations are in order. How many children will you have now?”

“This is baby number six, but Anthony thinks we havin’ twins.”

“It seems every other year you either have a baby on your hip or in the oven.” Anna commented

“And Tiana, that is a lovely dress. You look very put together.” Anna said with a tight lipped smile

“Excuse me?”

“I’m just saying whenever I see you, you look so…plain.” Anna shrugged.     

“Anna, that says a lot for someone like you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh nothing, I just figured that someone such as you who spends a lot of time on your back and looking up at ceilings, would be so judgmental about what someone has on. Now if you’ll excuse me, me and my dress will be stepping outside.” Tiana walked away with Anna gaping like a fish

“Close your mouth, Anna, there are no men in here.” Charlotte said before waddling toward the food table.    

When Tiana walked outside, the humidity was more welcoming than the stuffiness of the library. She doesn’t understand why Isaiah insisted on attending these parties, they wouldn’t even spend any time together. Tiana looked at up the sky and immediately spotted the Evening Star. Tiana fondly remembers the stories her mother would tell her about making a wish on the Evening Star

“It’s worth a try,” Tiana mused “Please, please, please.”

“Excuse me?” Tiana turned around embarrassed that someone else was out here.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Just needed to get some fresh air.”

“Oh I completely understand, it was becoming quite overwhelming inside.” Tiana noticed the woman had an accent and from her attire she knew that she was some type of royalty. How did John know all of these people?

“I know what you mean, my husband drags me to these parties at least every two months.”

“Is your husband an important man?”

“He’s one of the few colored doctors here in Nawlins, so a lot of fundraisers, galas, well it’s an excuse for my husband to spend a ridiculous amount of money on our clothes.” The woman chuckled

“I understand, my husband is the same way,” She said taking a bite out of the food on her plate and instantly making a face of disgust. Tiana giggled

“I’m so sorry, forgive me.” The woman said apologetically while trying to politely spit out the food.

“It’s no problem at all, I always make sure I eat at home before I come to these parties.”

“The food here is very different than the food back home,”

“Where are you from?”

“I’m from Tysheria,” She sighed contently “now that I’m queen of a different country. I miss my country’s food. So full of spice and flavor, nothing like the food here.”

“Well, you’ve been eating the wrong food. You should come to my restaurant while you in town.” Tiana smiled

“You own a restaurant?”

“Yes ma’am, Tiana’s Place, right in the quarter. You and your husband should come by while your in town.”

“That would be nice and I assume your name is Tiana.”

“Oh yes, I’m sorry, I just started talking. I’m Tiana McQueen.”

“My name is Iyanla.” She smiled gently “Nice to meet you, Tiana.”

“You as well,” Tiana looked at Iyanla’s out and couldn’t help but thin about Maldonia, she remembers when she first met Naveen, he was wearing his regal clothes and the colors are almost similar. She continued to look at her dress and smiled warmly once she saw the small but noticeable baby bump.

“How far along are you?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I noticed the baby bump, I have three of my own. Two boys and a girl, I just had my little girl a few months ago.” Iyanla began to slowly panic while Tiana talked about her family, she thought the dress she wore had enough layers to cover her bump. She told Anastasia she still looked pregnant, if this woman could tell outside at night.

“Iyanla?” Tiana eyed the woman worriedly “Are you okay, do you need some water? Do you need to sit down?”

“I, um, I uh-I need to find—”

“Tiana?” The booming voice of her husband made her slightly jump, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Iyanla, “What you doin’ out here?” Isaiah asked approaching the two women

“I was just getting some air,” Tiana inwardly cringed when Isaiah possessively snaked his arms around her. She almost pulled away when he sloppily kissed her cheek. His breath reeked of alcohol.

“Who is this?”

“Iyanla, I must be getting inside, my husband is probably looking for me.” Iyanla gave Tiana a small smile before quickly going back inside the mansion.

“Hmm, she seems odd.”

“Isaiah,”

“Just saying, come inside, I want you to meet someone important.”  Isaiah started leading Tiana back inside.

“Who?”

“A King,” Isaiah said excitedly,

“A King?” Tiana hoped and prayed it wasn’t who she thinks it is. Isaiah, must not remember who helped him when he fell down those stairs. Once Tiana saw the group of men, she instantly regretted coming to this party.

“Naveen, this is my wife, I was telling you about.” Naveen turned around and his smiled dropped

“Tiana, this is Naveen, he’s a King of a country, Malbonia—”

“It’s Maldonia, my friend.”

“Ah, I’m sorry, Maldonia, Naveen this is my lovely wife, Tiana.”

“It’s nice to meet you Your Highness,” Tiana beat Naveen before he could say anything, he frowned before returning the smile.

“The pleasure is all mine, Isaiah, your wife is beautiful.”

“Isn’t she, Tiana give them a spin.” Tiana looked at the group of men and all of their eyes were on her.

“Isaiah, I don’t think this is the place—-“

“There you are!” Tiana looked up and saw Iyanla walking over to them, she gave Naveen a quick kiss and Tiana tried her hardest to not react, that’s the husband Iyanla was talking about. That means she’s the queen of Maldonia, and they’re pregnant. Iyanla doesn’t look a day over twenty, where did he meet her?

“Isaiah, this is my wife, Iyanla, Queen of Maldonia.”

“Ilala?” Isaiah questioned

“I-yan-la,” she enunciated, she glanced at Tiana and smiled

“Tiana? This is your husband?”

“Yes, and I was just introduced to yours.”

“Naveen, I met Tiana out in the garden, she has a restaurant right here in the city. We must go and eat her food. I am growing quite tired of the hotel food.”

“If you want good food, then my wife’s restaurant is the place to go. The line is wrapped around the block.” The people near by mumbled in agreeance.

“Tiana’s Place got the best po boy ever on this side of the Louisiana!” John said

“Her beignets are amazing too!” Millie, John’s wife added    

“Y’all are too kind,”

“Well, I guess we’ve found our dinner plans for tomorrow.” Iyanla,

“Tiana, Naveen and I are going around town tomorrow. You should show Iyanla around.” Tiana inwardly groaned, this is turning out to be an awkward situation.

“That sounds like a lovely idea. I would love to explore New Orleans,” Iyanla beamed she looked at Tiana with hopeful eyes

“Sure,” Tiana agreed flashing a smile

“Ahcidonza!” She exclaimed

“See, everything worked out!” A man walked over to Isaiah, a man that Tiana knows all too well, every time he comes around something goes down.

“Tiana, take the limo home, I’ll be there later.” Tiana whipped her head to look at her husband.

“Where do you think you goin’?”

“Out.” Isaiah said firmly

“Isaiah, I need to know where you goin’” Isaiah forced a smile before addressing the group.

“Excuse me and my wife,” Isaiah roughly grabbed Tiana’s arm and led her away from the group. Another gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by Iyanla.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Isaiah demanded in hushed tones.

“Your wife, in case you forgot.”

“Hm, you’re cute but don’t make me drag you out this party and you know I will. Now, you’re gonna go home now and I will see you in the morning,”

“I’m not ready to leave just yet,” Isaiah roughly grabbed her chin and forced Tian to look at him

“You leave when I tell your black ass to leave, now stop embarrassing me, woman.” Isaiah practically pulled Tiana back over to where Naveen, John, and their wives were sanding

“Johnny, we’re so sorry. We have to had back home to the kids, you especially with Lilly Pad missin’ her Mama, ain’t that right Tiana?” Tiana forced a smile Trying to keep up appearances

“Yeah, I know my baby girl misses me so much.”

“You have children?” Naveen questioned intrigued

“Yes, we have two boys and a girl, and we workin’ on that third boy. Ain’t that right, Tiana?” Isaiah boasted

“Mhmm,”

“Like I said gentlemen, it’s best that we get going.”

“We were just about to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ at least stay or that.” Millie pleaded, the woman was slightly drunk she was drinking nothing it champagne the entire night.

“as much as we would, we should. Naveen you and I will get together this week?”

“I wouldn’t miss it my friend, Abinaza.”

“Bye everyone,”

Tiana avoided looking at Isaiah the entire car ride home, she can’t believe the way he was acting in front of everyone, but then again, why should she be surprised.

“Abinaza? What kind of language is that?” Isaiah joked trying to are conversation

“Isaiah be nice, that is is language.”

“It’s crazy as hell, that’s what it is and his accent, it was so hard to understand—”

“It wasn’t that bad so please stop making fun of him.” Isaiah eyed his wife before letting out a chuckle.

“Oh, you want me to stop talking about your boyfriend?” Tiana kept looking out the window but on the inside she was freaking out, did he find out about her past with Naveen? She mentally went through of the names of people at the party who one, knew about Naveen and Tiana’s history and two, would’ve told Isaiah.

“Tiana, I promise you, even if you weren’t married to me. You ain’t his type.” The car pulled up in front of the McQueen estate “I’m going to handle something, I will see you tomorrow.”

“You’re going to see that woman again?” Isaiah sighed heavily

“Tiana, I don’t have time for your temper tantrum. Now get on out the car. Moses, can you open he door for my wife?”

“Yes sir, Mr. McQueen,” Moses quickly got out the car and opened the door for Tiana.

“You know Isaiah, I’m only gonna take so much more of your mess or I’ll—”

“Or what? That’s what I thought. Get the fuck outta my car.” Moses escorted Tiana out the the car looking at her sympathetically.

“Come on Moses, take me to Yvette’s house.” Moses nodded at Tiana before quickly getting back in the car and driving away. Tiana walked up the stairs to their house she couldn’t help but think this is not the life she imagined for herself.

“Mrs. McQueen, I’m surprised to see you home so early, the children went to bed not long ago.”

“Isaiah and I decided to leave the party early.”

“Where’s Mr. McQueen?”

“He had business to take care of, you are relieved for the night Theresè, thank you. I’ll have your check Monday before you leave.” Tiana said, Theresè got the hint and left the house for the night. Tiana checked on her children before going to her bedroom and got ready for bed. Tiana held the engagement ring in her hand, somewhere deep down she thought that if she ever saw Naveen again they could try again, but seeing him with his wife, he looked so happy and that’s what she wants for him, she thinks, no, she knows that’s what he wants for him. She’s a married woman and he’s a married man. What did she think, really? That after ten years he would still be single and waiting for her? She got married and had children, there’s no telling how many children Iyanla and Niven have, if he’s still the same Naveen as he was ten years ago they could have as many has four children at home and she has to be okay with that. She needs to let go of the past, it’s been ten years. If it didn’t happen then, it won’t happen know. Tiana pressed a kiss to the ring before tucking it away in her jewelry along with the hopes of ever being with Naveen.

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: Face to Face with the Past

Naveen hadn’t really been himself since he saw Tiana at John’s birthday party. He figured that she would have moved on, besides she was the one that ended things. He was more so surprised that she pretended to not know him. Naveen knew eventually he would run into the woman who broke his heart all those years ago. He would be foolish to think so otherwise, but at the very least they could be cordial. Right?

“Naveen!” Iyanla called out to him

“Hm?” Naveen looked at his wife who was sitting across from him, by the expression on her face he must’ve zoned out while she was talking to him…again.

“I am sorry, mi benita, what were you saying?”

“Do not ‘mi benita’ me, Naveen you did not hear a word I said.”

“That is not true, Iyanla.”

“Tell me what I said, dear husband of mine,” Iyanla mused

“You were talking about, um, Anastasia and Kawme’s upcoming nuptials, my love.” Iyanla couldn’t help but laugh

“That is not what I was talking about, dear husband, I was talking about spending the day with Tiana. I’m so tired of staying in this hotel.” Iyanla said pushing away her breakfast plate

“Shouldn’t you take it easy, I mean after the party the other night—”

“I’m fine.” Iyanla snapped slightly, after the party Iyanla had a breakdown in their hotel suite. She told Naveen about her conversation with Tiana while they were outside and she fell apart.

“Iyanla, as your husband I am only suggesting maybe we cancel—”

“And I’m telling you I’m fine. I need to get out of this room. If it makes you feel better I’ll bring Anastasia along,”

“Kaleena too,”

“Fine, then you have to bring, Gabriel with you.”

“Fine,”

“Fine,”

“Fine,” Naveen smirked at his wife before going back to his breakfast. Naveen thought about telling Iyanla about Tiana since seeing her at the party. He doesn’t want to add more stress to their trip. Iyanla looked at her husband again and noticed he was deep in thought, not wanting to press it now, she’ll ask him about it later.

Tiana and Isaiah walked into the lavish hotel along with baby Lillian being pushed in her carriage. Tiana decided to bring Lillian along, she doesn’t spend much time at home because of the restaurant and Timothy and David are in school. So, Tiana gave Therese a day off and spend it with Lillian. Isaiah spotted Naveen and Iyanla coming off the elevator along with Anastasia,  Kawme, Kaleena, and Gabriel.

“There they are, Naveen over here!” Isaiah waved, Tiana could remember a time when Naveen only wanted to be greeted by his title. Actually, that’s how they met, he came to her dinner and “demanded” to be addressed by his title and Tiana refused to serve him.

“Isaiah, my good man, so nice to see you again and your lovely wife Tiana.”

“Nice to see you again,”

“Who is this little one?” Naveen gushed making Lillian giggle

“This is Lillian, Tiana had her a few months ago. Couldn’t even tell, this is baby number three, hopefully, it’ll be four next year.” Isaiah boasted

“Three children?” Anastasia gaped amazed at how wonderful Tiana's body looked

“Do a Lil spin for them, baby,”

“Isaiah, I don’t think that this is the time for that.”

“It won’t hurt, just showin’ off what’s mine,” Isaiah bragged smacking Tiana’s rear end

“I hope it’s not too much but I invited my friend, Kwame, and valet, Gabriel,” Naveen interjected not much caring for the way Isaiah was treating Tiana.

“Not at all, the more the merrier. Come, let me show what New Orleans has to offer.”

“Ahcidonza, and then afterward, dinner.”

“That’s a great idea, you all can eat at our home.” Isaiah offered

“I have to be at the restaurant—”

“Oh Tiana, have Phyllis run the restaurant, that’s why you hired her.”

“But I—”

“Tiana, please, I would love for all of us to have dinner together,” Iyanla said

“Oh, alright, I guess I can take one day off.”

“Ahcidonza! Let us start our day.” So far Tiana was genuinely enjoying herself. Anastasia, Iyanla, Iyanala’s valet, Kaleena, and herself were walking around the quarter shopping, of course give or take a few royal guards that were monitoring their every move, it was a nice day. Isaiah doesn’t usually let Tiana hang out with her friends, to be honest the only people she sees on the regular are the people at her job and her parents. It was a breath of fresh air to have leisure time with women her age, she loves her children but sometimes she wants to be to herself before she had a family of her own.

Lillian started to get fussy and Tiana pulled the crying infant out of her carriage, soothing her.

“Oh, Tiana she is gorgeous.” Anastasia gushed

“Thank you, say thank you Lilly Pad,” Tiana cooed

“How many months is she?”

“She’s about to be three months next week.”

“Three months? I would’ve never guessed you had a baby three months ago.” Tiana chuckled, the tired infant slowly started to calm down after being held for a few minutes.

“Oh, so you just wanted Mama to hold you? Was that all?”

“I can’t wait until Kwame and I have our own—-” Anastasia stopped herself when she caught a glimpse of Iyanla barely keeping herself together.

“Iyanla, are you alright?” Tiana asked concerned

“Yes, I am fine. Let’s get some lunch shall we?” Iyanla and Kaleena walked ahead leaving Tiana and Anastasia behind. Tiana took the women to a quaint lunch spot she likes to visit when she and the boys eat during the summer.

“Excuse me, ladies, I have to use the restroom. Kaleena,” Anastasia waited until Iyanla was out of earshot before turning to Tiana.

“I’m sorry for what happened earlier, Iyanla has been having a difficult time the past week.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Please, do not mention a word of this to Iyanla. Iyanla, was pregnant before we came on this trip and during the voyage, she lost the baby.” Tiana gasped quietly

“Oh my goodness, I am sorry, and I brought Lilly with me. I should’ve kept her home—”

“There’s no way you could’ve known.” Tiana felt for the young girl, she can’t imagine being her age and already experiencing so much loss.

“So ladies, what are we doing after lunch?” Iyanla asked returning to her seat

“Well, we can go back to my house and get started on dinner?”

“That sounds splendid, besides I haven’t done this much walking since I was a young girl,” Anastasia added

“Great, just think of it as getting ready for the big wedding.” Kaleena teased, and Iyanla and Anastasia laughed. They noticed the polite smile on Tiana’s face

“It’s tradition in Shadonia that the bride dances with each married man in attendance including her husband while blindfolded. She has to guess which man is her actual husband,”

“Oh, Isaiah would lose his mind. He already gets mad if a man looks at me a certain way. He once punched a man rights in his jaw for smiling at me.” By the looks on the other women’s faces, Tiana knew she might have said too much.

“Does he get angry often?” Kaleena asked, earning a nudge under the table from Iyanla

“What?”

“Isaiah’s a busy man, his job is really stressful but he manages. We all have our vices.” Tiana said not wanting to speak on the subject anymore. Just then Lillian started to fuss, grateful for her daughter Tiana picked up the infant from the bassinet.

“Excuse me, ladies, I have to go change her. I’ll be right back.” Tiana quickly grabbed what she needed before scurrying away. Both Iyanla and Anastasia gave Kaleena a pointed look

“What?”

“Kaleena, why would you ask her that?”

“She is the one whose husband goes around punching men in the face.”

“We don’t know what goes in her marriage and it is none of our business.” The women straightened up when Tiana returned with the crying infant

“Well, Ladies we have to cut our afternoon a little short. I have to give Lillian a bath and she needs her nap.”

“No problem we can drive back, the royal guards won’t mind.” Iyanla offered    

With the men, Isaiah took Naveen to his favorite bar he used to frequent when he would get off of work. Isaiah, Naveen, and Kawme were playing a game of pool with Gabriel standing close behind keeping watch with the two other royal guards

“So, Naveen what’s like being a King? I can only imagine the number of ladies you pull,” Naveen and Kawme shared a look of annoyance, most of the day was spent with Isaiah bragging about his life or lack thereof

“Well, it is actually quite boring. Many meetings and documents to read.”

“Come on, man, you can tell me, I’m not gonna say nothing, believe me,” Isaiah smirked

“So, what do you do Isaiah? A lot of people seem to know you.” Kwame asked wanting to change the subject

“I’m one of the top colored surgeons this side of the Mississippi.”

“Wow, that is very impressive. I assume there are not many doctors that look like us,” Kawme commented

“No, I work at the only colored hospital in this city, before them white folks bought it,” Isaiah said bitterly before sinking the white pool ball into one of the holes.

“I remember my first time in New Orleans Tia—-“ Naveen stopped himself when he saw the way Isaiah was looking at him and figured out that Tiana didn’t tell Isaiah about him

“Tia, Tia, that is aunt in my language,” Naveen recovered Isaiah still not convinced nodded his head for Naveen to continue

“My Tia, she warned me about the way some Americans think about people of a different skin color.”

“Yeah, I’ve lived with it my entire life. That’s why I want my boys to be better than me. Maybe leave the South one day and go up North.”

“What is the difference?” Naveen asked genuinely curious

“It’s not that different but up North, it’s a better chance for a colored man to do something for himself without the fear of getting lynched just for asking for a bank loan. Let’s change the conversation, Hey Jimmie! Get us a round of shots, put it on my tab.”

“This scotch has nothing on Maldonian scotch.” Naveen mused, the men had long stopped playing billiards and were now in the cigar section of the lounge.

“Oh yeah, that stuff having you seeing triples,” Kawme joked  

“The Cigars are better too,” Naveen bragged, Isaiah resisted the urge to roll his eyes

“So, you don’t live in the villages or huts and things like that?” Isaiah asked  

“There are some places in the countryside that still have dirt roads but the capital city and surrounding areas are very much developed. Very similar to this city, that is why I loved it the first time.”

“Huh, never would’ve thought. I never heard of it, figured it was some run-down country.”

“Maldonia is small but a mighty country, we have leadership over three other regions, Ladaria, North, and South Shadonia. Our nation has one of the strongest militaries in the world.” Naveen said with a pointed look. After spending most of the day with Isaiah, Naveen was growing a dislike for the man. How he managed to marry a woman like Tiana baffled him.

Back at the house Tiana and the ladies were in the kitchen prepping the ingredients for dinner.

“Tiana, all of this food smells divine, Anastasia, you have included some of this cuisine in your reception. Your wedding would be the talk of the town,” Kaleena gushed as she sautéed the sausage and veggies for the gumbo. Anastasia was making the dough for the beignets and Iyanla was having a particularly difficult time prepping the collard greens

“Iyanla, you okay over there?” Tiana asked not taking her eyes off the Roux

“It is quite challenging, but nothing I can’t handle. An old lover of mine was a chef I learned some techniques from him.” Iyanla said fondly 

“Well, not to rush you but I need those greens in the pot soon. I want the food to be almost done when the men come back. Isaiah likes having his food ready to eat when he gets home.”

“Tiana, you do all of the cooking, do you clean too?” Anastasia asked

“Yep, since the restaurant isn’t open during the day, I use the entire day to clean, grocery shopping and I like to at least make dinner so that all the Nanny has to do is heat it up.”

“Well, with you doing everything do you even need a Nanny?” Kaleena teased

“She does some of the cleaning but once the kids get older and they can stay home by they selves, I won’t need her anymore. I used to take Timothy to the restaurant with me but when I had David, it was hard to keep an eye on both of them.”

“Where are your other two, I was so hoping to meet them,” Anastasia asked

“They’ll be home from baseball in just a little bit and then they going to my Mama’s house for the weekend.”

“Are they staying for dinner?”

“Yes, they’ll probably eat in here while us grown folk eat in the dining room. Iyanla, you got my greens?”

“Yes ma’am. We need a chef like you back in Maldonia, maybe His Majesty can add some of this food to the Royal Menu.” Kaleena complimented

“I will ask my husband to consider that, sometimes I grow tired of the rice at every meal. So, what exactly are we having for dinner? All this food is nothing like what we eat at the palace.” Iyanla questioned finally handing the chopped collard greens to Tiana.

“Nothing major, red beans and rice, gumbo, some collards, Mac and cheese, and sweet potato soufflé.” All of the women licked their lips in anticipation

“If ya don’t mind me asking, what do you eat in Maldonia?”

“We eat a lit of rice, it’s almost served with every dish, lamb is a huge protein in Maldonia, similar to how Americans eat beef or greased chicken?”

“You mean Fried Chicken?”

“Yes, Precisely! Also, Maldonia is off of the coast, so morska hrana or seafood is very popular,”

“That’s not Maldonian for seafood, I thought it was frutos de mar,” Tiana noted

“Well, we in Tysheria speak—” Iyanla stopped herself and raised an eyebrow, “How do you know Maldonian?”

“Hmmm?”

“You know the word for seafood in Maldonian, how?” Iyanla asked genuinely curious  

“Oooh, Tiana can you take us dancing one day this week. Kwame can’t stop talking about the jazz scene.” Anastasia gushed, Tiana mouthed a quick “thank you” to her before answering

“I don’t know if I can help you there, I got two left feet and I haven’t been dancing since before I had Lilly.” Despite the changing in the topic, Iyanla still wanted her answer. Maldonian is not a common language for anyone, especially an American to know.

“Your husband does not take you dancing?”

“Well, he’s a doctor so that means not a lot of time at home, and now especially since he’s working at a colored hospital across town, I don’t really see him except for the morning and night.”

“Does he come by the restaurant?”

“When he can,” Tiana said politely, she really didn’t want to talk about her marriage anymore, especially to a group of women she barely knew. Iyanla opened her mouth to speak when a loud roar of thunder rang through the house. Tiana looked outside and saw that it was pouring down raining.

“I didn’t think it was gonna rain today. The boys gonna be caught in the rain.”

“Mama!” Timothy and David shouted running into the home, clothes soaking wet. A strong gust of wind blew the front door wide open.

“Come on in this house, you gonna catch a cold.”  Tiana urges as she rushed over to them and closes the door.

“Go on and get out ya wet clothes, Ms. Therese will wash them and take a hot bath…together.” Timothy slumped his shoulders

“Mama do we have to?”

“Yes, now go on,” David ran up the stairs while Timothy stayed still upset about having to take a bath

“Little boy, you got until the count of one to get up them steps. One—” Before she could even finish Timothy ran off following David to their bedrooms. Tiana sighed heavily and walked back to the kitchen only to find all three women looking at her.

“What?”

“Remind me not to get on your bad side,” Kaleena teased

“Who knew cooking could be so exhausting,” Iyanla whined playfully

“You are having fun, yes?” Anastasia asked

“Oh, absolutely but now I have a better appreciation for the palace staff.”

“Don’t give them too much credit your majesty, they are not cooking like this.”           

Just as Tiana planned as soon as the last dish was being pulled out of the oven that’s when the men entered the home. Tiana quickly brushed off her apron and fixed her hair the best she could while she waited for Isaiah to greet her

“Hey baby,” Tiana smiled as Isaiah approached her

“Hello, my beautiful wife,” Tiana didn’t show it but she was taken aback by her husband’s greeting, he usually isn’t that expressive, well at least not recently, he used to; she wonders if it’s because they have company and the fact that his breath reeks of whiskey.

“Is the table set?”

“Yes, why don’t you all have a seat and I’ll bring the food out.”

To say that dinner was delicious was an understatement, this was the first time most of their guests were enjoying Tiana’s cooking and there were extremely satisfied. Naveen wouldn’t say it out loud but her food has gotten better if that was even possible. Oh how he missed her cooking, he’ll have to ask Tiana for some recipes.

“Tiana, your food is absolutely divine,” Naveen complimented Tiana blushed slightly, it always warms her heart when people enjoy her cooking.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. It’s an honor to cook for you and everyone else here.”

“Please, please, call me Naveen, no need for formalities.” Isaiah saw the look Naveen gave Tiana and didn’t like it one bit

“So Naem—”

“Naveen, sir, His Highness’ name is Naveen,” Gabriella corrected knowing the man did it on purpose

“Sorry, must’ve slipped my mind,” Isaiah said smugly, “ anyway why did you come here all those years ago? I mean you’re a prince you could’ve gone anywhere in the world, why New Orleans?” Isaiah asked, trying to figure out the King’s agenda.

“If I’m being completely honest, my parents kicked me out of my palace and took all of my money. I was how you say a ‘party boy’ in my youth, drinks, drugs, women and it wasn’t until my party ways almost cost me not only my life but that of my cousin’s.” Naveen said solemnly

“My parents had enough and shipped me off to America to find a job or marry a woman with a very wealthy Father. It wasn’t until I met Tian—”

“Until he met, Tina, remember Naveen?” Kwame quickly recovered

“Yes, Tina, short for Christina, she gave me a job as a ukulele player and taught me the value of hard work and for that I’m forever grateful,” Naveen said looking at Tiana who quickly averted her eyes elsewhere.

“Tiana, what are these fish cakes called? They are divine,” Gabriel asked   

“Those are codfish cakes, my Daddy taught me how to make them,” Once Tiana started talking about food you couldn’t get her to stop. The more she talked the more her accent started to come out, which Isaiah hated especially when it came out around guests; well, guests that Isaiah wanted to impress. Isaiah subtly reached under the table and roughly squeezed Tiana causing her to stop mid-sentence. 

Tiana looked at her husband and upon seeing the unpleasant look on his face she knew that he was less than pleased with her. She cleared her throat and silently went back to eating her food an act that didn’t go unnoticed by the women.

“Mama!” David called out running into the kitchen

“Boy, you know better than to be hollerin’ in this house,”

“Mama, Timothy ate my sweet potatoes,” David whined, bottom lip pouting profusely

“What did I tell you about that whining, now boy?” Isaiah questioned sternly

“Isaiah,” Tiana mumbled

“No, the boy needs to learn how to be a man. What did I say about that whining David?”

“Men don’t whine,”

“Now go back in the kitchen and finish your dinner.” Isaiah ordered

“But Daddy—”

“Get our narrow ass back in the kitchen I said!” He shouted making David run back into the kitchen. Isaiah quickly downed his scotch before pouring his third glass

“Baby, you might want to slow down on the liquor,”

“How about you worry about babying my boys,”

“Isaiah, please not now.” The last thing Tiana was Isaiah to start one of his drunken rants.

“Tiana is it time for those beignets, I couldn’t get enough of them the other night at your restaurant,” Kwame asked he desperately wanted to get on with the dinner so they could leave

“Yes, I’ll go get them. Therese!”

“Yes, Mrs. McQueen?”

“Can you clear the table please?” Tiana excused herself to the kitchen once she knew no one in the dining room could see her is when she finally released the tears that had been threatening to fall. Isaiah was utterly embarrassing her and the worst part is he won’t even remember anything tomorrow.

“Mama, why are crying?” Tiana froze at the sound of Timothy’s voice. How could she have forgotten they were still in the kitchen

“Mama are you sad?” David asked, Tiana wiped he eyes and put a face o for her sons' sake

“Mama’s fine, I’m just a little tired. Are your backpacks all ready for Nana and PopPop?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Okay go upstairs and wait for PopPop to come.”

After dessert, Isaiah retreated to his study as he always did, leaving Tiana to host everyone until they left.

“Tiana thank you for hosting us for dinner, it was Ahcidonza!” Iyana gushed

“Thank you all for coming to our home, I know it’s no fancy castle or mansion,”

“It was wonderful, Tiana. We will talk later about our offer?” Anastasia smiled

“Yes, of course. Y’all get back to your hotel safe now!” Tiana waved as they all entered the long black limo with the Maldonian seal on the doors. Tiana closed the door and finally exhaled, her father had already come by and got the boys for the weekend before Therese was excused from her duties, she had already put Lilly to sleep and Isaiah was in the study and he usually sleeps there especially after losing his job. Tiana started to straighten up before heading to bed herself

“Oh!” Iyanla exclaimed

“What is it?” Naveen asked concerned

“I left all the items I purchased today.”

“We are not far, Gabriel please turn us around back t the McQueen residence.”

Tiana was just about to head up the stairs when there were several knocks at the door. She was about to ignore them when they knocked again. Sighing heavily, Tiana turned back around and opened the front door, surprised to see Naveen standing before her

“Uh, Iyanla, left the goods she purchased?”

“Oh, yes I forgot all about it. Come in,” Tiana closed the door and went to grab the bags.

“Thank you again for dinner, Tiana.”

“The pleasure was all mine,” Tiana said formally Naveen turned t leave but if he didn’t say this now he wouldn’t be able to let it go

“Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Tiana, you know what I am talking about.”

“Naveen,”

“You pretended that you did not know me!” Naveen said loudly

“You need to lower your voice and if it hasn’t occurred to you, I am a married woman and you a married man.”

“That does not mean that we have to act that what happened all those years ago did not happen.”

“Yes it does, Naveen, and what did you want me to say? Tell my husband that I was almost engaged to a King?”

“Anything but that ‘Your Majesty’ bull shit, like what we had never meant a damn thing to you!”

“I’m going to ask you to please,  lower your voice.” Tiana whispered loudly “We are not the same people that were ten years ago.”

“So that means to hell with history?”

“Tiana!” Tiana whipped her head around to see Isiah slumped against the banister

“Hey, baby what you doing up?” Isaiah ignored Tiana’s question and stared Naveen down. He knew when a man was enamored with his wife and Naveen is no different than the men who openly stare down his wife and Isaiah didn’t like it one bit. Naveen could sense what Isiah was sending his way and decided to not even engage with him

“I was just collecting my wife’s items. I shall be on my way thank you for opening your home. Abinzaza!” Naveen said before leaving the house.

When Naveen returned to the limo, everyone could sense something was wrong.

“What took you so long?” Iyanla asked

“Isaiah didn’t seem too happy that I was back,”

“There is something wrong with that man, he makes me uncomfortable," Kaleena commented

“I do not think he treats Tiana kindly, it makes me worried,” Iyanla added

“Well, that is their marriage and it is frankly none of our frankly none of our business,” Naveen said dismissively

“Naveen,” Iyanla was surprised at her husband’s rudeness usually he was the complete opposite

“Iyanla, it is not our business.”

“I know but—”

“It is not our business.” He pressed, Iyanla dropped the topic not wanting to argue in front of their friends “Gabriel take us back to the hotel please and step on it.”

Chapter Text

It’s been a few days since Iyanla and Anastasia had dinner with Tiana and her husband and to say they were uncomfortable is an understatement. Something about Isaiah made them think he wasn’t the best husband for their newfound friend.

“Iyanla, I just had the most splendid idea!” Anastasia said waltzing into Iyanla’s room.

“Anastasia! Can you please knock? What if I was not decent?”

“Oh, shush, it’s nothing we women haven’t seen before anyway you’ll love what I have in mind for us to do today since both of our husbands are indisposed at the moment.” Naveen was pulled into a conference with the Maldonian militaries and would be in said meeting for at least three hours, thus canceling their planned day to themselves.

“Kwame, does not have plans for the two of you?”

“No, he’s talking to his father about some official Shadonia business.” Iyanla looked up from her vanity and frowned before she turned her attention to the two other maids in the room.

“You are relieved of your morning duties ladies, dismissed,” Iyanla said abruptly, she waited until the maids were gone before turning her attention back to Anastasia.

“Do you not find it troubling that both of our husbands happen to have meetings today about official business?” Anastasia sighed heavily before taking a seat on the bed across from her dear friend.

“Please do not utter a word until Naveen mentions anything to you.” Iyanla nodded her head urging Anastasia to continue “There have been rebellions happening in Shadonia, the people from the South wish to tear down the wall and North Shadonia has rebelled. Iyanla, people have been killed, and homes and businesses are set on fire.” Iyanla couldn’t believe what she was hearing she knew there was always strife between North and South Shadonia but never something like this.

“The people are also mad that Kwame is marrying me, someone who is not Shadonian.” Iyanla looked at her friend sympathetically, she knew what it was like being of a different nationality and marrying a well-known figure in a neighboring country.

“I am sorry, let us hope that things do not become too awful while we are away.”

“We can only hope.” Iyanla exhaled loudly

“So, what was this wonderful idea you have?”

“Oh, I was thinking we surprise Tiana at her home today. She did say herself that she does not have many friends. Would that not be nice?” Iyanla smiled slightly, she still couldn’t grasp why Tiana knew Maldonian, yes it was a small word, but it is not a common language.

“I do not know Anastasia; her husband seems like the type that would anger easily.”

“He is at work, Tiana said he’s a doctor we will be gone by the time he comes home,” Anastasia explained

“Why do you like Tiana so? It seems she is your new best friend,” Anastasia rolled her eyes

“Was it not you who begged her to cook dinner the other night?” She reasoned Iyanla shrugged her shoulders.

“What is the matter, Iyanla? You’ve been acting strange since we left Tiana’s house.” Iyanla wasn’t sure if she should share her worries about Tiana, she didn’t want to seem like she was being unreasonable.

“I just do not want to anger Tiana’s husband any further.”

“Iyanla, we will be fine, do not worry. Why would Isaiah be mad his wife is simply discussing food options for a wedding.” Anastasia smirked.

“You are simply impossible; you and Kwame deserve each other.”

“So, are we going to stop by Tiana’s or not?”

Tiana sighed heavily as she placed the linens on the clothesline, she could easily hire a maid, but she liked taking care of the house. It keeps her busy especially since the restaurant is only open for dinner, she doesn’t have much to do at home. Tiana goes to grab the next bed sheet when a pair of lacy panties fell out, she must’ve forgotten about this one, but when she picked it up, she knew instantly that it didn’t belong to her. They were too small, Tiana was never a big woman, but she’s always had curves even before having her children.

“Mrs. McQueen,” Therese called out, making Tiana jump in surprise and hide the panties in her apron.

“Yes, Therese?” Tiana turned around hoping the woman didn’t see the panties in her hand.

“You have a visitor in the kitchen, someone from the restaurant?”

“Yes, I was expecting him. I’ll take it from here, Therese, can you finish hanging these linens?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Tiana walked into the kitchen and smiled upon seeing Angelo, she remembers the first time she met him, he came to the restaurant after seeing the Job Posting in the newspaper.

“Angelo, thank you for coming over. I wanted to discuss this here because you are one of few cooks that I know can handle this opportunity.”

“You are very welcome, Mrs. McQueen.” He responded politely

“Angelo, what did I tell you about calling me that? Please call me Tiana.”

“Yes, Mrs. McQueen—I mean Tiana.”

“Alright, so I wanted to talk to you about something very important. I was given the opportunity to provide the food for a very important event and I want you to be on my team.”

“Are you serious? You are not, how you say, tugging on my leg?” Tiana chuckled.

“No, you are one of the best cooks I have, and I want you to be on my team.”

“That is amazing! Thank you so much! Do you mind telling me what is the event we will be providing the food for?”

“Well, we are traveling to South Shadonia to prepare food for Kwame and his fiancée’s wedding.” Tiana beamed.

“Shadonia?” Angelo blanched, Shadonia is right next to Tysheria, and he hasn’t been to his home country since…

“Angelo? Angelo?” He jumped breathing heavily “You, okay? You need some water?”

“Yes, yes, um I uh, where is your bathroom?”

“It’s just down that hall to ya left,” Tiana didn’t even finish her sentence before Angelo ran out of the kitchen, she shrugged her shoulders maybe he ate something earlier. She’ll have to ask him when he comes back. Tiana was about to make some tea when the doorbell rang.

She sighed in annoyance and went to go answer the door and blinked in surprise.

“What y’all doing here?” Tiana asked, confused, as to why Anastasia and Iyanla were standing on her porch.

“Uh, um we just wished to—” Anastasia mumbled through her words. Iyanla rolled her eyes; she knew that this wasn’t a good idea.

“We wanted to surprise you.” Iyanla finished for her friend.

“Oh, well it is a surprise.”

“I am sorry, do you have other guests,”

“I do, but please come in. Forgive me, the house is in a bit of a mess.” Tiana allowed the two women into her home surprised but nonetheless happy to see them.

“Tiana, if this is a mess then I wonder what clean looks like,” Iyanla teased.

“Oh, hush,”

“Just out of curiosity, what time will your husband return home?”

“Oh, Isaiah’s in Washington DC. He's teaching a group of black medical students.”

“Washington DC, isn’t that where your Ruler resides?” Iyanla asked.

“Presidents, Iyanla. America has Presidents, I’ve read all about them. Do say, what college is Isaiah visiting?”

“Howard.”

“Howard? What an odd name for a college. Is it well known?”

“It’s a private college for Colored People.” Tiana bragged slightly.

“Mrs. McQueen, I’m so sorry about—” Angelo froze in the doorway of the kitchen like all the air had been sucked out of him.

“Princess Iyanla, is it really you?” Angelo hesitantly stepped toward Iyanla, forgetting that there were other people around them.

“It’s Queen Iyanla of Maldonia, now,” Iyanla said stiffly,

“Your Highness, it is my pleasure to see you again.” Iyanla nodded curtly.

“Well, Angelo is a new chef at the restaurant, and I just offered him to be on my team of chefs for your wedding Anastasia.”

“It is nice to see you thriving in America. It is time for us to retire to the hotel. Our husbands must be wondering where we are.” Iyanla motioned for the Maldonian guards.

“But we just got here,”

“It’s time to take our leave, Anastasia. Tiana, thank you for opening your home.”

“Oh okay, well I guess I’ll be seeing y’all?” Tiana stated, surprised by Iyanla’s sudden change in demeanor.

“Goodbye Tiana, we will be in touch.” With that Iyanla left the McQueen residence with the guards and Anastasia in tow. Tiana looked back at Angelo who looked as if he’s seen a ghost.

“I’m sorry-Ms. Tiana, I have to—I’m sorry.” Angelo followed after Iyanla leaving Tiana just as confused as when the two women showed up ten minutes ago.

“Take us back to the hotel,” Iyanla demanded

“Iyanla, what is wrong?”

“Nothing, I’ve grown quite tired, and I wish to return to the hotel.”

Just before the limo can pull off, Angelo calls out to Iyanla. As much as it pains her, she stares straight ahead as if she heard nothing.

“Stop the limo!” Anastasia called

“Anastasia,” The young queen scolded

“This is your chance Iyanla,”

“Have you forgotten that I am not only a married woman but a queen of a country? I cannot be seen talking to him without my husband.” Iyanla whispered the last part

“Then I shall talk to him,” Anastasia determined as ever got out of the limo.

“Anastasia don’t!”

“I’m simply speaking to one of the chefs for my upcoming wedding.” When Angelo saw the door to the limo open, he immediately bowed. Being a kitchen boy he was taught never to look a royal in their eye until after they acknowledge you.

“You may stand up, Angelo. I do not bite,” Angelo frowned not recognizing the voice. He stood and tried to hide the disappointment on his face at the woman in front of him nothing being the love of his life.

“I know you were expecting another, but we both know that would be inappropriate to speak to the Queen without the presence of her husband in such a public capacity.” The realization hit Angelo like a ton of bricks. How foolish could he be to think that he would ever get to speak to Iyanla alone like when they were children?  

“However, there is nothing scandalous about speaking with the fiancé to the son of a Prime Minister. I am staying at the Hotel Monteleone at 7 PM when I’m finished having my evening tea with the Queen, King, and my fiancé. After that, the men and their valets go to the billiard room for cigars, pool, and whatever else they indulge in. You may come to the hotel at that time so you and your team of chefs may go over the menu for my wedding.”

Angelo nodded eagerly, understanding what the young woman was offering.

“Do not nod so earnestly, people will talk.” Anastasia scolded

“Oh yes, my apologies.”

“Have you told Tiana of your past—”

“No, I was sworn to secrecy when I was forced to leave Tysheria.”

“I will see you this evening Angelo. When you enter the hotel tell the receptionist you are a guest of Lady Anastasia. A guard will escort you to our living quarters.”

“Yes, Lady Anastasia. Thank you, Lady Anastasia.” Without a response, Anastasia went back to the limo to be met with an anxious Iyanla. She gave the young queen a reassuring smile.

“Please take us to the hotel, I’m sure our husbands are wondering where we are.”

“My lovely wife, we are to retire for the night. Do not wait up for me.” Naveen said as he kissed his wife’s forehead.

“Are you ready to lose Naveen? You know I’m the expert at the game of pool.” Kwame bragged.

“We shall see about that. Abinaza ladies, enjoy your evening.”

“Good night,” Iyanla and Anastasia called back. As soon as the door closed Anastaisa turned to her friend a soft smile on her face.

“Are you sure you told him the name of the hotel?”

“Yes, Iyanla and I told him to bring people with him.”

“Why?”

“Because I need to discuss my wedding menu.”

“Anastasia,”

“It needs to look like I’m actually meeting with him. I will be in my hotel suite. You and Angelo will be on the balcony, within eyesight of me, my valet, yours, and his team.”

Three knocks were heard at the door. Iyanla could feel her heart beating out of her chest. Anastasia ushered the girl onto the balcony before answering the door. Iyanla wasn’t sure how long she stood out there until the door opened.

“It’s a beautiful night Your Highness, but not as beautiful as you,”

“Angelo?” Iyanla uttered, her voice barely above a whisper. At that moment she was the young girl living in Tysheria and Angelo was the kitchen boy comforting her in her chambers.

“Your Highness,” he attempted to bow but Iyanla stopped him.

“It’s still Iyanla, Angelo.”

“Iyanla,” Angelo said as if testing the sound of her name on his lips. It’s been so long since he’s uttered her name. “I’ve missed you so.” Before she could stop him, Angelo engulfed Iyanla in a hug. For a moment, she relaxed into the embrace. He still smelled of peppermint like she remembered. When she felt his arms tighten around her waist she realized what a compromising position she was in. She gently unwrapped herself from Angelo’s arms.

“Angelo, did you forget that I am a married woman to the King.”

“Uh, I-I’m sorry, Iyanla I only wanted—it’s been so long.”

“Ten years, to be exact. Ten years of wondering if I’ll ever see you again. Ten years of not knowing if you are alive or not. Ten years of still being—” Iyanla stopped her, she touched her lips as if they were hot to the touch.

“Being what?”

“You know that I cannot say that, Angelo. We were children then and now we are adults. I have a husband; I am a queen—”

“You and I both know that our feelings for each other never went away. Ever since we were young, we both knew we loved each other—”

“Then why did you not write to me?! Why not send something that lets me know that you were not murdered as soon as I went back to Maldonia that night.”

“I could not risk my life, Iyanla! I was told never to contact you, or they would kill me! Just like my family was killed, by your father’s orders! My entire family was gone in an instant! Despite all of that, I still loved you. I am still in love with you. Now my question is, do you still love me?”

“Angelo,” Iyanla warned as the young man slowly approached her.

“Do you love him, Iyanla?”

“Angelo this is not fair. It’s not.”

"Do you love him more than me?”

“He is my husband—”

“That is not what I am asking you!!” Angelo yelled

“Do not speak to the Queen of Maldonia in that way!” As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted it. Angelo backed away from her.

“Angelo, I am sorry I did not mean it…”

“No, I think you meant what you said. Your Highness.”

“Angelo—”

“Have a wonderful trip, Queen Iyanla. It’s been an honor to be in your presence.” Angelo turned on his heels and left the room. Iyanla placed a hand on her stomach to calm her nerves, she gripped the railing of the balcony and tried to steady her breathing.

“Iyanla, what happened? Angelo stormed out of the room. Iyanla?”

“Angelo is no longer part of my life. I am the Queen of Maldonia I must focus on my husband, country, and producing an heir.”

“Iyanla…”

“That is my life and duty as a Queen. I shall retire for the night.” She said before storming out of the room, Anastasia following her.

“Iyanla!”

“The next time you have the opportunity to meddle in my life, don’t. Good night, Anastasia.” Iyanla slammed the door shut.

When Naveen returned to the room of his private apartment in the hotel, he was surprised to not only hear jazz music playing softly in the background, rose petals donned the floor, candles were lit, and his wife was lying on their bed wearing one of the many nightgowns that were the King’s favorite.

“What is all this mi benita?” Naveen asked as he undressed.

“I’ve missed you, Naveen,” Iyanla said. Naveen was surprised by his wife’s attempt to seduce him. Not to say that the couple does not have intimacy in their marriage, Naveen usually initiates when they are intimate. It’s a welcome surprise whenever Iyanla initiates.

“You’ve missed me? How much have you missed me?” Naveen crawled onto the bed kissing his way up her body until he reached her neck.

“Can I show you?” Iyanla grabbed Naveen’s face and kissed him passionately, she rolled them over, so she was straddling him. Naveen’s hands danced over Iyanla’s body. She finally pulled away breathless and lips swollen and puffy.

“Give me a child Naveen.”

“Iyanla,”

“Shhh, I don’t care what the doctor said. Give me a child, Naveen, please.”

“For you, Iyanla, I’ll give you anything.”

Chapter Text

When Iyanla awoke, she was grateful that she would be leaving New Orleans in a few days’ time. She looked over and frowned upon not seeing Naveen next to her. It’s not unusual that Naveen wakes before her but most times if it’s not too early he’ll wake her up and say good morning. Iyanla sat up and when she tried to get out of bed she winced at the pain between her legs. It was at that moment that Naveen entered their bedroom, he smirked at his wife’s predicament, Iyanla sent a playful glare his way.

“Do not just stand there and laugh, are you going to assist me?” Naveen chuckled as he walked over and helped Iyanla stand up.

“Are you okay Your Highness?” Naveen asked smugly.

“I’m fine, no thanks to you.”

“If I recall correctly, you asked for it, practically begging for it all night.” Naveen wiggled his eyebrows, Iyanla playfully slapped his chest, Naveen feigned hurt.

“You just assaulted the King; you do know you shall be punished.” Naveen said huskily,

“Mhmm, I don’t know if I have the energy to keep up with you.”

“Do not worry, I have enough energy for the both of us.”

“You are a fool,”

“But you love this fool,” Naveen kissed his wife’s forehead causing her to blush. She’ll never get over how the smallest things has her blushing like a schoolgirl.

“What do you wish to do on our finals days in New Orleans?”

“I want to throw a ball.”

“A ball?” Naveen laughed.

“Yes, it has been so long since we’ve thrown one and why not do it here?”

“And where would we have this ball?”

“Here at the hotel, there’s a grand ballroom right here. Although it is not as grand as the one in Maldonia, it will do. The end of this week before we set sail for Maldonia.” Naveen pondered, it may be a good idea to throw a ball, it would be nice for relations between Maldonia and the United States, especially now since Maldonia may need an ally.

“Then let us have a ball.”

“You mean it, really?”

“Who am I to deny my Queen her wishes. I am a pleaser after all,” Iyanla playfully scoffed at her husband’s innuendo.

“You are too much, Naveen.”

“Whatever you wish, Iyanla. This is your ball do with it as you please. I am off with Kwame for the rest of the day.  I will not be back until late, do not wait for me.” Naveen kissed his wife before quickly leaving the room.

The truth is, Naveen had been thinking of Tiana since that night he was at her home. He’s been busy with phone calls all last week over this rebellion that’s happening and with his one free day, he wants to simply check on a friend. That is all. If he remembers correctly, Tiana’s restaurant is open for breakfast on Fridays.

“Whoa! Didn’t see you there, boss!” Phyllis exclaimed as she nearly collided with Tiana while holding a pot of broth.

“Sorry,” Tiana said absentmindedly.

“You okay Mrs. McQueen?” Leroy asked.

“Yes.”

“You sure? You moving a bit slow today,”

“I said I’m fine! Now stop asking me crazy questions and keep prepping this kitchen! I’m going to my office.” Tiana stormed out of the kitchen.

“What’s wrong with her?” Leroy said out loud.

“I don’t know but something’s not right.” Phyllis

When Tiana finally made it to her office she slumped against the door and winced in pain. She gently touched her side and winced at the tenderness. Isaiah came back from his trip last night…drunk.

She slowly made her way to her desk before plopping down in relief. Her moment of reverie was short lived when Phyllis walked into the office.

“Phyllis…”

“You have a visitor.”

“Who?”

“Naveen.” Phyllis said plainly. Phyllis was one of the few people besides Tiana’s parents who knew about her relationship and almost engagement to Naveen. “Do you want me to tell him you’re busy?”

“No, no you can send him back.” Phyllis eyed her boss before going to retrieve Naveen. Tiana doesn’t know why but she felt nervous but she couldn't dwell on that feeling because a few seconds later, Naveen was in her office standing before her.

Last Week – Baltimore, Maryland

“So, can you fix my car or not boy?” The white man asked as he kicked the mechanic’s foot. The mechanic rolled himself from underneath the car.

“It’s gonna take me a couple of days sir.”

“So, what am I expected to do I have a real job I need to get to.”

“If you had brought the car in earlier sir, it would’ve only taken a me a few hours, but you said it’s been givin’ you that sound for ‘bout three weeks. It’s gonna take a while.”

“You saying it’s my fault? How do I know you ain’t do nothin’ to that car so that you get more money out of me?”

“Excuse me?” A voice cleared their throat. The mechanic regain his composure before wiping the sweat off his brow.

“Not at all sir. I just need two days.” The white man huffed before walking away.

“Excuse me sir!” The mechanic stood up and jogged after the man. “That’ll be $50.”

“$50? For what?”

“For me to fix your car, sir. Here at Jimmy’s Automobile Repair, the customers pay first.”

“I’ll pay you when you fixed everything boy.” The mechanic balled up his fist as the white man walked away.

“You’ve got to control yourself Jimmy.” A voice said behind him, Jimmy turned around and saw his father, reading his newspaper as he did every day.

“Pa, I’m tired of these white people treating me like that.”

“You don’t think I get it? I grew up in Louisiana. I had white folks younger than me, treating me like I was nothing. Hell, ask your mother she spent her whole life cleaning up after white women and they babies. We’ve got to rise above, now fix that man’s car by tomorrow—”

“Dad!”

“Tomorrow, and then he might give you a tip.” The older man, groaned as he stood up from the bench.

“You alright there, old man?” Jimmy teased.

“Yeah, I’m alright, you best get to work if you gonna finish that car by tomorrow.” Jimmy sighed heavily at the reminder.

“When you get home can you tell Rose I’ll be late tonight.”

“I will,” The older man grabbed this newspaper and lunch pail and started his walk home as he did every day for the past 25 years. James Jenkins moved to Baltimore shortly after he and his wife, Eudora, had their children, a set of twin boys and a little girl. The family made the move after a devastating house fire took the life of their youngest, a two-year-old girl. James and his family moved to Baltimore, which is where Eudora is from, and they’ve lived here ever since. James was able to open a Repair Shop in the city and not too far, Eudora found work with a local seamstress who ended up leaving the business to her when she retired. The Jenkins family made a nice life for themselves up North. They live in a large Rowhouse, much larger than their home in New Orleans. The youngest of the twins, Benjamin, went to Morgan State University, he went to school to be a teacher and is now teaching at one of the high schools in the city. The older of the twins, James Jr., or Jimmy, learned from James Sr., to be a mechanic. They both ran the shop together until James couldn’t move around as well as he used to.

Yes, James and Eudora have built a nice life for their family, but they can’t help but think about their daughter, what she would look like now, what would her dreams be, what she could’ve been or accomplished.

As soon as James entered their house, he was ambushed by three children.

“Grandpa!”

“Hey!”

“Y’all get off your Granddad!” Rose scolded the mother of the three and pregnant with the fourth.

“They fine, Rose!” James said as she walked to the kitchen, the three children clinging on to his leg.

“You may be fine, but they know better. Jack, Charles, and Tommy. Get off your Granddad, it’s time for bed anyway. Say goodnight.”

“Aw!”

“Hey, listen to ya Mama and go to bed. I have a surprise for y’all in the morning when you wake up.” The three boys beamed before saying goodnight and racing off to bed.

“I guess my husband is working late again?”

“Yeah…you know why he’s doing this.”

“I know, I just miss him and the boys miss him.” Rose said sadly.

“It’ll be worth it in the end.”

“Good things come to those who wait,”

“Ain’t that the truth?”

“Goodnight, Mama’s in the kitchen waiting for you.”

“Goodnight Rose.” James slowly made his way to the kitchen, the long days catching up to him.

“You should really, take it easy, you not as young as used to bed.” Eudora teased.

“What does that make you?”

“For your information, I’m not a day over 22.”

“If you a day over 22 then how am I?”

“You are still 50 my dear.” James kissed Eudora on her forehead before sitting down at the table.

“How was your day, Dora?”

“Good, got another wedding coming up but nothing I can’t handle. Someone wanted to buy the dress today.”

“Did you sell it?”

“No, I let her try it on but…I just couldn’t let go.” Eudora placed the plate of food in front of her husband, he grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on the back of her palm.

“I know, I know, I think about our baby cakes every day.” Eudora placed the mail on the table and sat across from her husband.

“We got a package today from New Orleans.”

“From who?”

“Your Cousin Mervin.” James opened the envelope and pulled out what appeared to be several newspaper clippings. When James saw the picture and the headline, he let out a broken sob.

“What’s wrong?”

“James, what is it?” Eudora demanded, not able to speak, James handed Eudora the newspaper clippings.

“Colored woman, Tiana Wilcox—” Eudora gasped as she read the headline “Oh my word!” Eudora cried “It’s her, it’s Tiana!”

“Naveen,”

“Hello, Tiana.”

“Um, what are you doing here? Is Iyanla with you?”

“No, I came alone.”

“Does Iyanla know you here?”

“Yes.”

“Is this about her coming over the other day?” Naveen raised an eyebrow.

“Iyanla and Anastasia came by; I didn’t know they were coming. They just showed up.”

“Oh yes, yes, yes, Iyanla told me actually. She sent me down here.”

“She sent you here?”

“Yes, uh she sent me down here to invite you to out ball.”

“A Ball?”

“Yes, we are throwing a ball, next week as it will be out last day in New Orleans.”

“So, you’re leavin’?” Tiana asked

“Yes, we’re on our way to California and then back to Maldonia.”

“Oh, well, it was nice seeing you…Naveen. I hope you and Iyanla enjoyed your time here.”

“It was wonderful to see you as well.” Naveen and Tiana stared into each other’s eyes for what seemed like an eternity, until Naveen cleared his throat.

“So, I guess you’ll be on your way then,” Tiana sat back down at her desk.

“Actually, I wanted to stay and talk…if that is okay with you?”

“Ummm, Isaiah doesn’t—” Tiana stopped herself, she doesn’t want to share more with Naveen than what he already knows. “You know what, that’s fine I have some time to spare.”

“Ah, that is perfect! I have time, you have time. We can finally share what we have been doing for the last ten years. So, how are your parents?”

“My Daddy’s still preaching and my Mama’s a maid now. She works for a hotel in the quarter.”

“That was the church you took me to?”

“Mhmm, I thought something would rub off on you,” Tiana teased.

“Hey, I have stopped my philandering ways as you’ve said.”

“Well, of course you have. You’re married!”

“Yes, but after I left—” a silence fell between the two of them, the elephant that they were desperately trying to avoid was creeping into the room.

“After I left New Orleans, I left a changed man and I have you to thank for that.” Naveen said looking deeply into Tiana’s eyes. Tiana quickly went back down to her paperwork.

“Well, you actually have Iyanla to thank for that, she’s the one you married.”

“Ah, yes she is the woman I married but you are—um ahem were the woman who changed me.”

“Tiana!” Phyllis said walking into the office, “We have a line of people waiting outside you ready to open?”

“Let them in, let’s get these folks fed.”

No matter how many times he’s watched her cook, Naveen is still amazed at the way Tiana moves around the kitchen. Anyone can tell that this place is her sanctuary, her happy place. He can recall the first time he tasted her food.  Naveen remembers the day as if it were yesterday.

Ten Years Ago

Naveen nearly moaned at the aromas filling his nose. The chefs back in Maldonia were great but he’s never smelled anything like this before. Tiana came through the doors of the kitchen holding two bowls full of gumbo. Tiana’s boss would kill her if he found out that was open and cooking after hours, but she saw the tall gentleman stranded out in the rain just as she was about to close, she couldn’t leave him stranded on the street and it’s not like she could do anything until it stopped raining. She let him inside and offered him some hot food at least until the rain slowed down.

“What is this delicious smelling food? I’ve never smelled anything like it before.”

“It’s my specialty, gumbo. Made it myself, tell me how ya like it. Now it’s fresh out so it’s still—” Before Tiana could warn the young man, he took a spoonful.

“Ahcidonza! This is delicious!!” The man eagerly ate the bowl of gumbo. Tiana stared as she sat across from him and ate her portion.

“Did you actually make this?”

“Yes.”

“This is delicious, why is this gumbo not on the menu. I do not see it listed?”

“Well, I don’t actually cook, Buford doesn’t let me. I’m just waitressin’.”

“You should be a Chef, if your food is any as good as this soup the line would be out of the door.” Tiana loves it when people enjoy her food, especially if they are this handsome. Naveen noticed the blush on the woman’s face. As soon as he saw, he couldn’t help but notice her beauty. He wonders what else she’ll let him taste.

“That was amazing…I’m sorry I never caught your name.”

“Tiana,” she replied softly.

“A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.” Tiana resisted the urge to roll her eyes, her assumptions were right. She made this man pegged since the moment she laid eyes on him.

“Well, the rain is letting up. You best be on your way to wherever you was headed.” Tiana said abruptly, regretting ever letting this man inside the restaurant. She got up to clear the table when Naveen grabbed her arm.

“Why don’t you come with me, I think I’m still hungry for something that isn’t on the menu.” Naveen smirked, but it was soon wiped off his face when Tiana slapped him.

“Take your slimy hands off of me! This is how you repay someone being kind to you, by being a-a-a-a sleezy, greasy—”

“Prince,” Naveen groaned rubbing the sore spot on his face.

“I don’t care what you are, get out and stay out!”

 “Naveen!” Tiana called out to the man who jumped in surprise,

“I said ya hungry?”

“Oh, my apologies. Yes, I could eat something.” Tiana nodded before quickly making another batch of pancakes and scrambled eggs.

“Here you go,” Naveen graciously took the plate, he doesn’t know if he was hungry or if he’s missed Tiana’s cooking that much, but he ate the entirety of the plate in a matter of minutes.

“Slow down, I can make some more.”

“I have missed eating your food. You can, as you say taste the love.” Tiana was grateful that her back was to Naveen.

“I make every plate with love,” Tiana deflected. Naveen scoffed.

“Yes, yes you do.”

“Tiana, there’s a customer asking to meet you. Wanna say how good the food was.” A waitress announced.

“I’ll be right there.” Tiana said grateful for the interruption as she swiftly left the room.

Tiana stood up a bit too fast and fell to the ground in pain.

“Tiana!” Naveen was quick to her side.

“I’m fine, just tired.”

“You’re not fine and you’re not tired. You just fell.”

“Just help me up,” Naveen grabbed her right hand and tried to lift her up but she gasped in pain.

“Tiana,” Naveen examined her wrist and saw it was bruised and swollen.

“What happened?”

“Nothing, I tripped last night and landed wrong. I’ll be fine, nothing a little ice can’t fix.”

“Tiana,”

“I said I’m fine Naveen! Now let me go.” Tiana tried to get up but Naveen, firmly held her in place.

“Excuse me,” Naveen waved over one of Tiana’s staff “can you get me some ice and a towel?”

“Yes sir.” Tiana glared at Naveen.

“So, you just gonna tell me staff what to do?”

“Hush.” Tiana blinked in surprise, “Yes, I am because you are injured and too stubborn to admit it. You’re welcome.” Naveen finished seconds later the waiter returned with a bowl of ice and a towel. Naveen quickly went to work, wrapping the ice in the towel and placing it on Tiana’s bruise. She winced at first but soon relaxed, feeling the cool sensation of the ice.  

“Thank you.” Tiana mumbled.

“Still as stubborn as ever, I see.” Naveen mused.

“I am not stubborn…but thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Tiana and Naveen locked eyes and it felt like she was 18 again. She had almost forgotten that they were sitting in the middle of the floor until a bowl hit the floor with a bang.

“I best go meet that customer.” Tiana said quickly, with the help of Naveen she stood up and left the kitchen.

At the end of the breakfast service, the restaurant was closed until dinner. Tiana had thought Naveen left when she didn’t see him in the kitchen or her office.

“Phyllis, can you open for dinner. I’m not feeling my best.”

“That’s alright Tiana. I hope you feel better.”

“Thank you! See you tomorrow for lunch!” Tiana left her restaurant and jumped in surprised upon seeing Naveen standing outside waiting for her.

“Naveen! What are you doing here?”

“I was going to offer you a ride home.”

“How did you know I was leaving?” Tiana asked, arms folded in suspicion.

“How do you say, I know you better than I know myself.” Tiana couldn’t let but let out a laugh.

“It’s I know you better than you know yourself.”

“Eh, same difference. So, what do you say?”

“Does Iyanla know you’re here?”

“Why does that matter?”

“Because I happen to like her and I don’t wany anything to be taken the wrong way—”

“Tiana, I am a friend simply offering you a ride home. Not to lay in bed with you.” Tiana felt foolish, Naveen has changed his ways ad seems to be very much in love with Iyanla.

“But the later offer still stands,”

“Naveen, I’ll walk home.”

“No, no, no, I am merely joking. Please, I insist…as a friend.”

“As a friend?”

“As a friend.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 9: As a Friend, Part Two

“Naveen I’ll walk home.”

“No, no, no. I am merely joking. Please I insist…as a friend.”

“As a friend?”

“As a friend.” Naveen opened the car door Tiana would be lying if she said she didn’t mind walking.

“I’m taking this ride from you,” Tiana declared, she got in the car and Naveen closed the door behind her “as a friend.” Tiana reiterated.

“Nothing more.”

Isaiah entered the restaurant beaming with excitement. He finally closed the deal on the old drug store and was going to start his private practice. This is the type of news Isaiah’s been waiting for ever since the only Colored Hospital was turned into a Whites Only one.

“Tiana! Tiana come out here, girl I got some great news!” Isaiah exclaimed; he planned on convincing her to leave work so they could go celebrate as a family.

“Hello, can I help you sir? We don’t open for another hour for dinner. Peggy, the newest hire called out

“Is Tiana in her office?”

“No sir, she left early she wasn’t feeling well.”

“What happened?”

“She didn’t feel like herself. Did something happen, her wrist was swollen and she was walking kinda funny.”

“No, she works too much. You know Tiana, can’t get that girl to slow down for nothin’.”

“Mhmm, yeah that’s Tiana for you.” Isaiah’s eyes roamed the young girl body, she couldn’t be a day over twenty-one.

“Are you new?”

“Yes sir, Mrs. McQueen just hired me to be a singer for the band.” Peggy smiled

“Oh you sing? How about you sing a little song for me?”

“Oh, I don’t know, we’re not open yet—”

“Is anyone else here?”

“No, the other folks went on a lunch break.”

“Then I don’t see the problem.”

Iyanla sat in her room she was actually quite bored. Naveen was in meetings all day and she hadn’t spoken to Anastasia since she arranged that night with Angelo. She should really apologize to her friend; she was merely trying to help.

“If I may speak freely, Your Majesty.” Kaleena spoke up

“Go on,”

“You should have dinner with Anastasia. I’ve quite missed seeing her and her valet, Gianna, has said the same thing.”

“You know, Kaleena that is a splendid idea, besides I need help planning this ball. We shall go to her room, she’s probably just as bored as I am. Come let us go.”

Of course, accompanied by her royal guard. Iyanla made her way to Anastasia’s room. When the door opened, she was shocked to see Kwame.

“Kwame? Are you not with Naveen?”

“No, I haven’t seen Naveen all day. Why?” Iyanla was not only hurt but shocked that Naveen would lie about his whereabouts, but she quickly pushed that thought to the side.

“Kwame, who is that—” Anastasia stopped when she saw the young queen standing on the other side of the door.

“Kwame, can you give us a minute?”

“Of course, my love. I will be going to the bar.” Kwame kissed Anastasia on her cheek before leaving the friends to sort out their differences.

“Can I come in?” Anastasia opened the door wider, allowing Iyanla and Kaleena to enter.

“I know it’s been some days since we have last spoken, and it is entirely my fault. Anastasia, I was incredibly rude to you and for that I am sorry. You’re one of two people that I trust completely. Please forgive me.”

“Talk to me like that again and not even the King of Maldonia will save you.” Iyanla let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding in.

“Oh, thank the gods. I thought we’d never talk again.”

“Do not be so dramatic, Iyanla. It was only a silly fight, but I will not intervene in your personal matters again. It was wrong of me to overstep.”

“No, it was wrong of me to even agree to meeting with him. That was old part of my life that I needed to let go.”

“So, what is this I hear about a ball?” Iyanla raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“Kaleena told Gianna.”

“Those gossiping hens. You are correct, I am hosting a ball next week in this hotel. That is also why, I came to you. I need your expertise in planning this ball.”

“Well, for one we must have Tiana cook the food.”

“Mhmm, are we sure? She would be incredibly busy.”

“I thought you loved her food, what is the problem now?”

“Do you remember that night we were at her house for dinner? She knew the Maldonian word for seafood.”

“And?”

“And, how would she know that? Maldonia is not even on most maps, how would she know that?”

“I do not know, Iyanla, but I would not think about it too much. Maybe she’s just a smart girl and wanted to learn a new language?”

“Maldonian?”

"I will admit, it is strange but do not stress over it. If it is bothering you that much then the next time you see her, ask."

“I’m not entirely convinced, but I guess she is your new best friend. I will drop it for now.” Iyanla joked.

“Oh, for goodness, you are my one true friend Iyanla no one else. Now let’s plan this ball, we only have a few days.” While planning with Anastasia, she couldn’t help the nagging feeling in the back of her head, where exactly was Naveen and why did he lie?

“Thanks for the ride home, Naveen. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, and do not forget about the ball next week. I am expecting you and your husband.”

“Oh, Isaiah will be going. He’s been bragging to his friends about how a King and Queen had dinner at his house.” Tiana went to open the door when Naveen stopped her.

“Please, allow me.” Naveen got out of the car

“Thank you, kind sir.” Tiana teased

“Anything for you, my lady.” Naveen laughed

“If you want to come in for a while, you can.”

“Ehh, I do not want to intrude and you and your family.”

“The kids are with my Mama and Daddy and Isaiah’s not home. I made some beignets this morning.”

“You should have started with the beignets. You know they are my weakness.”  Tiana unlocked the door and walked inside but Naveen stopped dramatically, before crossing the threshold.

“Naveen, you alright?”

“Is this some trap to lure me inside with promises of beignets?” Tiana dramatically rolled her eyes

“Naveen, no and it looks like you let yourself go there.” Tiana teased

“Let myself go?” Naveen closed the door behind him

“If I remember correctly, you weren’t as pudgy as you are now in certain places.”

“I beg your pardon, but I workout with only the finest and toughest fitness instructors straight from the Maldonian Army.”

“Whatever you say, I’m not sure what they feedin’ you over there in Maldonia but you might want to take it easy.”

“Oh, is this the treatment I get after ten years?”

Tiana doesn’t know how long she and Naveen talked, but it had to have been hours as the sun had already set and the streetlights were on.

“This is Ralphie,” Naveen said showing Tiana a picture of the now teenaged boy.

“Oh my goodness, he is so handsome. Is he anything like his older bother I wonder?” Tiana smirked

“Ha, ha, he is way more mature than I was at his age.” A solemn look came across Naveen’s face.

“Oh Naveen I’m sorry I didn’t mean—” Naveen shook his head

“No, it is not you. I find myself thinking about my life, ten years ago before I came to New Orleans. I was wreck less, rowdy, disrespectful to not only women but to my parents, the staff at the palace. It is a miracle that I am alive after the many nights of drinking and drugs. I was an awful person and what made me wake up was meeting you. So, I’m grateful to you and the person you are for changing me and making me a better man. I am truly indebted to you Tiana. You are an amazing woman and I hope we can be friends moving forward.” Naveen said genuinely.

“Wow, Naveen that is…thank you and I would like nothing more than to be friends.”

“Well, I must be going, it was nice to have this time to talk.”

“Yes, my Mama and Daddy should be getting here with the kids soon.”

Tiana walked Naveen to the door both of them hesitating knowing that once Naveen steps outside, the nice bubble they made for themselves will be no more.

“It was really…nice spending time with you Naveen. I enjoyed myself.”

“Does this mean we are officially friends?” Naveen asked jokingly

“Yes, Naveen we are friends.” Naveen closed the space between them and pulled Tiana in for a hug, catching her off guard.

“Naveen…”

“We cannot hug as friends?”

“As Friends.” Tiana confirmed. When they pulled away Tiana saw the familiar look on Naveen’s face. A look that she’s longed for from her husband for the past ten years. Naveen carefully cradled Tiana’s face un his hands, searching for her face for any hint of . Seeing none, Naveen leaned in, Tiana was closing the gap, their lips mere inches away when the sound of feet running up the porch steps made the two come to their senses and separate both not sure about what could’ve happened if their lips met in a kiss.

“Those must be the kids.” Tiana breathed

“Uh, yes very well. I shall be going. Abinaza Tiana.”

“Abinaza Naveen.” Naveen had to close his eyes to calm himself down. He used to love when Tiana spoke Maldonian to him. A knock at the door reminded Tiana that her parents and children were outside. Tiana opened the door and was met with the disapproving looks of her parents.

“Hey Mama, Daddy. Y’all remember Naveen, he was just leaving.”

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox.”

“Nice to see you Naveen.” Elias brushing past the man. Betty looked Naveen up and down not speaking as she entered the house holding a sleeping Lillian.

“Mommy why is Mr. Naveen here?” Timothy asked

“He was giving Mommy a ride home,”

“Is Daddy here?” David asked

“No, I don’t know where Daddy is he should be home before supper. Why don’t you and your brother go and get washed up?”

“Yes ma’am.” The two ran upstairs to get ready for dinner.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you.”

“Yes, I will see you and Isaiah at the ball.”

“Yes, we will be there.”

“Abinaza.”

“Abinaza.” Naveen walked out the door forcing himself not to turn around because if he did, he would run up those stairs and kiss Tiana. He shook the thought out of his head, he’s married to Iyanla, a wonderful wife who loves him with all of her heart and what does he do to repay that love? Naveen got in his car without a second glance and drove off.

“Tiana? Tiana!”  Tiana jumped she hadn’t realized she was still standing at the door.

“Yes ma’am?”

“Is dinner ready?” Tiana quickly made her way to the kitchen

“No ma’am, time got away from me while Naveen was here.” Betty hummed in disapproval.

“What Mama?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Mama, I know you.”

“And I know you. That boy left you here devastated, depressed, heart broken; you lost 20 pounds.”

“Mama, I did not loose that much weight.”

“My point is, be careful with men like him, they always get what they want and leave you high and dry. Like he did ten years ago and left me to pick up the pieces. You have a husband, don’t forget that.”

“I think Isaiah is the least of my worries, he seems to forget his vows every day.”

“He’s a man and he has needs if you focused on those needs instead of following that piece of a man around then maybe we he wouldn’t have those needs met somewhere else.” Tiana fought the urge to hold back her tears, if her mother only knew what has happened in her marriage, how Lillian was made.

“Mama, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. If ya not gonna help me then go home, if ya are then get this rice started so I can feed my family.” Betty gave Tiana one last look before doing what was asked. The last thing she needed was Tiana messing up her marriage with Isaiah.

Naveen entered the hotel room he assumed Iyanla was with Anastasia, as the lights were off. He smiled, he could take a shower and go to sleep before Iyanla returned. His victory was short lived when the lights to the room were turned on and Iyanla sat before him on the sofa.

“Iyanla, I thought you were with Anastasia.”

“Naveen, where were you today?” She asked getting straight to the point

“I was with Kwame, you know that amore.”

“Do not lie to me Naveen!” Naveen looked shocked, Iyanla has never raised her voice at him. “I saw Kwame today. You have lied to my twice, do not make it a third time.” Naveen sighed heavily.

“I was visiting an old friend, Ray.”

“Ray?”

“He was very kind to me when I first came here years ago. Offered me a place to stay. Unfortunately, he died before I left New Orleans and never got a chance to say goodbye. So, I found his family and visited his grave. I should have returned after that but I stayed and talked to his family and before I knew it was night. I am sorry, mi Benita, I should have called the hotel I shouldn’t have lied—”

“No, you shouldn’t have. You could have shared that with me and I would have given you all the space and time you needed.”

“I am sorry, do you forgive me?”

“I do, but lie to me again and it will be the last time.” Iyanla pulled her husband in for a hug. Naveen felt terrible for lying to Iyanla, but he couldn’t tell her the truth it would devastate her. To make it worse, all Naveen could think about right now was Tiana.

Chapter Text

Chapter 10: Little Fires, Part One

“Why are there so many lilies in here?!” Iyanla complained, she was never one to fret over the tiniest of details but with this ball being mere hours away she was on the edge.

“But, His Majesty said that lilies are your favorite flowers.”

“Yes, but too many are reminiscent of a funeral. Remove them at once and replace them with roses, white roses.” The florist stood and stared at the young queen, shocked at such a request.

“Did you not understand me? Remove them or I shall have you removed.”

“Right away!” The florist quickly started their task, and Iyanla sighed heavily.

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Is that the Queen of Maldonia, fretting over flowers?  I thought I was the high-maintenance one.” A voice said from behind her.

“Not now, Anastasia. The ball is tonight, and nothing is ready. Tiana and her crew have yet to arrive, they should have been here thirty minutes ago, the band is late, you’re not dressed, I’m not dressed—”

“Relax, everything will work out, it will be the finest ball New Orleans will ever see.” Iyanla smiled softly “Besides, I helped plan this ball everything I touch is fabulous.” Iyanla rolled her eyes.

“I should’ve known, you always find a way to give yourself a compliment.”

“Tiana!” Anastasia greeted, Iyanla turned and saw the restaurant owner walking toward them.

“My chefs are in the kitchen now. They’re prepping the food; I was told to meet you?”

“Yes, as my chef and newfound friend, I have a surprise for you.” Anastasia looked at Iyanla questioningly, just last week she was unsure of Tiana’s intentions.

“Oh, please you are far too kind—”

“Nonsense, follow me.”

“But my team—”

“Will be fine, come let us go.” Iyanla eagerly grabbed Tiana’s arm and dragged her out of the ballroom with Anastasia following close behind. Iyanla led Tiana to her separate room from Naveen, upon entering the room Iyanla could see Tiana’s hesitation.

“This is my room, not with Naveen. Sometimes he snores and I need my rest so whenever we travel, I get my own room.” She reassured.

“I don’t wanna be rude, but I really need to prep my team for tonight.”

“Oh, Tiana I already talked to your partner…what is her name Phillipa?”

“Phyllis,” Tiana corrected.

“Yes! That is it, she agreed that you should enjoy yourself and she will handle everything. So, I have talked to my tailors; I hope I got your measurements correct.” Kaleena and Gianna revealed a beautiful royal blue one shoulder gown with gold appliqués. Tiana was in awe; she’s never seen such a gown. Even with Isaiah showering her with designer dresses and clothes, never has a gown taken her breath away.

“This gown…it’s beautiful,” Tiana’s finger gently traced the gold appliqués too afraid she might damage it somehow. “I can’t wear this, Iyanla this is too kind of you.”

“Please, wear it.”

“Iyanla, I can’t wear this, how am I supposed to run a kitchen?

“Tiana, Naveen and I would love it if you and your husband were our honored guests for the ball this evening.”

“But…”

“Tiana, you have made our time so memorable. Wear the gown as a gift. I had it made for you” Iyanla urged, Tiana sighed it would be a shame if the dress wasn’t worn.

“Okay, I’ll wear the dress.” Iyanla and Anastasia gushed.

“We must start getting ready. Kaleena, draw Tiana the finest bath, use my oils. We only have a few hours before the event and we all need our hair and makeup done.”

“Makeup? Please don’t fret over me, this is all too much.”

“Nonsense, you have been nothing but nice to us since we’ve arrived. It’s the least I could do.”

Iyanla clapped her hands twice, then two maids emerged from the back and ushered Tiana to the bathroom to get her ready for her bath. Anastasia eyed her friend curiously.

“What are you playing at Iyanla?”

“Nothing, I am simply being the gracious host that Tiana has been to us.” Anastasia didn’t question it, but she knew when Iyanla had something up her sleeve.

“Just the other day—”

“It is a new day, is it not? Now, we do not have much time. We must make haste.” Iyanla said adverting her dear friend and rushing off to get ready in the other bathroom that was in the suite.

Tiana hummed to herself as she laid in the bathtub she’d be lying if she didn’t like the feeling of being pampered to. She is a woman after all, a small part of her likes to be tended to. She chuckled if only her mother could see her now, being treated like a Princess. A soft knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts.

“You can come on in,” Tiana replied and two young maids, Rani and Sahar entered the bathroom.

“Mrs. McQueen, are you ready to get dressed?” Rani said, bowing lowly

“Oh, no need for all that honey. I’m not someone y’all need to bow to,” Tiana brushed off

“But you are an honored guest of Queen Iyanla.” Sahar reasoned “It would be disrespectful of us to not treat you as such.” Tiana eyed the young maids, they were just doing as they were told.

“Oh alright,” Tiana stood up and jumped at the gasps that came from the other side of the room.

“Mrs. McQueen—who did that to you?” Confused, Tiana looked down at her body and sighed heavily

The ugly reminders of the type of man her husband is, out in the open. Some were old, never healing; some are new, the redness and swelling somewhat fading away. No matter how her body heals, a piece of Tiana breaks away and never returns. She’s learned to let go of the hopes of Isaiah changing.

“It’s alright, can you hand me a towel…please.”

“But, we must let the Queen know, you are not feeling well.” Rani spoke her voice giving away the sympathy she felt for Tiana.

“I told y’all I’m fine. Now, can I get the towel please. I would like to get dressed alone.” Tiana forced as she took the towel from Sahar. Rani and Sahar continued to fret over Tiana and her wellbeing. Tiana tired to get a word in but they young maids relented. Tiana felt her chest grow tighter and tighter, the air was quickly escaping her as she tried to calm down her panicked breathing.  

“I specifically told you two, to not bother Mrs. McQueen—-” Kaleena stopped in her tracks when she saw the scene in front of her, one she is not unfamiliar with.  

“Rani and Sahar, you are dismissed. Please go and prep Mrs. McQueen’s gown after that you are no longer needed for the rest of the evening.” Rani and Sahar bowed meekly before quickly excusing themselves from the room not before Kaleena stood in front of the door.

“You do not utter a word to anyone, if I hear that you did, I will have you severely punished.” The two sisters nodded their head and scurried away closing the door behind them.

“Thank you,” Tiana exhaled, finally feeling like the air was returning to her lungs.

“You’re welcome.” Kaleena said absentmindedly as she began draining the water from the bath, giving Tiana space to massage the expensive oils leant to her onto her body. Tiana winced as she massaged her arm, it was still healing from when Isaiah had grabbed her the other day.

“I shall prepare your dress Mrs. McQueen.” Kaleena said abruptly and just like that she was out of the room.

Tiana sighed heavily, this is the last thing she wanted. This is why she didn’t even want to accept Iyanla’s request at being her guest of honor. Now the whole night they were going to fuss over her. Tiana hastily threw on the robe and followed Kaleena to the adjoining bedroom.

Tiana stopped in her tracks when she saw Kaleena with a jar of a medicinal paste in her hand. Her senses picking up the herbal scents of lavender and eucalyptus.

“I used to assist Queen Iyanla’s mother with such…ailments. Hot baths, would help but only temporarily. The only true thing that ease the pain is a paste of my own creation. I always keep a jar with me. If you apply it to your bruises, it eases the pain.”

“Thank you.” Was all Tiana could say

“You are welcome Mrs. McQueen,” Tiana carefully applied the paste to her body and exhaled the cooling sensation of the eucalyptus easing her body of the pain.

“Kaleena, can ya help me put it on my back?”

“Of course, Mrs. McQueen.” Kaleena stepped in ready to help Tiana. She frowned seeing the scars that littered her back. They reminded her of the same scars that were on Iyanla’s mother’s back. It infuriated Kaleena nothing more than seeing a woman suffer at the hands of her husband’s abuse.

“Thank you Kaleena,”

“You’re welcome, are you ready to put on the dress?”

“What’s taking them so long?” Kwame complained. He and Naveen were waiting just at the entrance of the ball so that they can formally make their appearance as the hosts.

“I’d figure you would be used to this, I am sure your sisters have taken days to prepare for an event.” Naveen reasoned

“You see, that is different, I did not have to escort them, my future wife on the other hand, cannot enter the ball without her incredibly handsome betrothed on her arm.” Naveen rolled his eyes at his friend

“They say I am the one who is self absorbed.”

“Your Majesty, Isaiah McQueen has arrived,” Gael announced as Isaiah approached the two men.

“Hey, Naveen thanks for offering me that tuxedo but I think I’ll stick to my own. I don’t know what kind of stuff y’all use over in Maldonado.” Naveen held back his tongue for the sake of his wife. Iyanla would literally kill him if Naveen started a fight at her ball.

“No offense taken, my friend. We are happy that you graciously accepted to be our guest of honor.”

 Isaiah said smugly

“Maldonia is far from a third world country Mr. McQueen,” Kwame defended “She may not have the same buildings you have so ‘graciously’ showed us but she is the strongest county in the Mediterranean.”   

“Introducing, Queen Iyanla of Maldonia, Lady Anastasia Bangura, and Mrs. Tiana McQueen.” Naveen looked up and felt his heart skip a beat. He’s always thought Tiana was beautiful but seeing her in his nation’s colors…he thought he’d never see the day. Her hair was free and flowing. He’s always loved the rare times she’d let her hair flow along her back. The dress looked as if it were made for her body only, hugging her in all the right places. Motherhood has done her body well? Is that the saying Naveen has heard. His brain can’t figure it out because all the oxygen has left it.

It’s been a long time since Tiana has seen Naveen in her royal attire, it reminded her of when she first met him. But long gone are his boyish features, they are replaced with a fuller jaw line, his shoulders have become broader, a neatly trimmed beard lines his face. Tiana would be lying if she said she was no longer attracted to him. Tiana finally looked up and locked eyed with Naveen and it was like they were the only ones in the room.

“Naveen, Naveen!” Naveen was pulled out of his thought, Iyanla was eyeing him carefully

“Hmm, I am sorry mi benita. Your beauty took away my ability to speak.”

“My husband, always the charmer.”

“Tiana, you look…beautiful.” Isaiah said

“Thank you, Isaiah.”

“Just may make Lilly a big sister tonight.”   

Tiana’s smile faltered.

She could feel Iyanla stiffen beside her. Anastasia’s jaw clenched, but said nothing. Naveen didn’t move, but his hand subtly curled into a fist at his side. The warmth in the air, once filled with laughter and celebration, turned cold.

“Come now,” Iyanla said, her tone syrupy sweet with steel beneath. “Let’s not ruin the evening before it’s even begun.”

Isaiah chuckled, low and smug. “Just a joke, Queen Iyanla. You know me.”

Her eyes narrowed just slightly. “Yes,” she replied coolly. “I do.”

Tiana lowered her gaze. She could feel the weight of Isaiah’s stare on her body, feel his fingers pressing into her arm even though he hadn’t touched her. Not yet. Not here. But he would.

He always did.

She took a small step back.

Isaiah offered his arm. “Shall we?”

Tiana hesitated—just long enough for anyone paying attention to notice—but then forced a smile, the kind she’d perfected long ago. The kind that didn’t reach her eyes. She didn’t take his arm, though. Instead, she smoothed her gown and walked forward alone.

Behind her, Kaleena watched closely, her eyes hard. Anastasia exchanged a look with Iyanla, but no words were said. Not yet.

Naveen stood frozen, watching the woman he once knew walk beside the man who’d broken something in her. And as the ballroom doors opened and music swelled around them, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly, terribly wrong.

The crowd erupted into polite applause. The lights dazzled. The gowns sparkled.

But beneath the chandeliers and gold-trimmed elegance, no one saw the invisible bruises still aching.

No one saw the way Tiana’s shoulders tensed at the sound of his voice.

No one saw the way she flinched when he reached for her waist.

Except for Iyanla.
And Anastasia.
And Naveen.

And the little fires, long-smoldering, began to spread.

Chapter Text

“Now presenting Their Royal Highness, King Naveen and Queen Iyanla of Maldonia.” The announcer presented, Iyanla and Naveen walked out with practiced ease, Anastasia and Kwame were already seated on either side of Naveen and Iyanla.

Tiana and Isaiah were sitting at the head table as the honored guests, a title that Isaiah has been running with the entire night. Every time she glanced up, Naveen was already watching her. It wasn’t overt, but it was deliberate. A look only a woman would recognize—one meant solely for her. Tiana blushed at the intensity of Naveen’s gaze and forced herself to look down at her empty plate.  It was then that Isaiah stood up held out his hand.

“Let’s dance baby.” Tiana politely shook her head

“Isaiah, I’m fine, we can dance later. I want to see the first course being served.” Isaiah leaned down close to Tiana

“Get your black ass up, now.” He whispered menacingly. Tiana froze. The air felt thick, as if the room had dimmed around her. She could feel the smile on his face, but his fingers dug into her shoulders like a threat. She stood, not because she wanted to—but because she had to. Tiana took Isaiah’s hand and let him lead her to the dance floor.

They danced to the music and slowly other couples started joining them.

“If you ever embarrass me like that again, I’ll snap your god damn neck.” Isaiah said menacingly. Tiana pulled back but Isaiah was to firmly grab her waist to pull her back in.

“Don’t want to make a scene.” To others, it looked like a dance. A doting husband with his wife. But to Tiana, every touch was a brand. He wasn’t holding her—he was claiming her.

“Isaiah,” Tiana muttered out, she was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. “Isaiah, stop it.” Tiana was able to get out of his grasp.

“I need some air.” Tiana brushed past her husband, hitting his shoulder in the process. It took everything in Isaiah to not drag Tiana back by her arm, but he didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of Royalty. He scoffed before going to the bar, what he didn’t see was Naveen watching the entire scene from his seat, seething beneath the calm face he was showing; but not calm enough as Iyanla watched her husband of ten years, knowing his mannerisms and how Naveen reacted as confirmed her suspicions. Naveen was in love with Tiana.

“Naveen,” Iyanla asked sweetly, her tone too smooth. “Are you alright?” He cleared his throat and pulled a smile onto his face like a mask.

“I’m wonderful mi Benita.” Naveen pressed a kiss to Iyanla’s hand, but she wasn’t a fool. She knew that this was only to placate her for the time being.

“Tiana looks beautiful tonight, doesn’t she?” The question floated out like a compliment—but her eyes cut deep. Naveen raised an eyebrow and turned to her slowly.

“She does, but her beauty does not compare to yours, my lovely wife.” Naveen said, measured. Iyanla and Naveen exchanged a look one that said they’ll talk later.

The heavy double doors whispered shut behind her, muffling the ballroom’s laughter and string music. Her chest rose and fell as she pressed a hand to it, as if she could hold herself together with the pressure.

She didn’t cry. She never let herself cry.

Not where someone could see.

Not where Isaiah might catch her weakness and twist it into something shameful.

She walked slowly toward the courtyard’s stone railing, lit by flickering torches. The stars above were cold and far, and she hated how much she envied them. Distant. Untouched. Free.

“It seems we keep meeting like this.”

The voice was soft. Feminine.

Tiana turned quickly, wiping the corner of her eyes out of habit.

It was Iyanla.

She stood in the archway in a turquoise, gold and white gown. Proudly wearing Maldonia’s colors. Delicate embroidery catching the firelight. Barely twenty-two and yet already wearing the exhaustion of womanhood in her eyes.

And if it came to war—emotional or otherwise—she would not lose to a woman who looked away from her own plate and trembled beneath a man’s hand.

“I’m sorry,” Iyanla said gently, stepping into the courtyard. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I had a feeling I might find you out here.”

Tiana offered a polite smile. “You’re not intruding.”

Iyanla came to stand beside her, the silence between them tentative, but not uncomfortable.

“I always thought being queen would feel different than this,”

Iyanla murmured after a moment. “Like I’d suddenly be... full. Strong. Untouchable.”

Tiana didn’t reply. She knew that illusion well.

“I watched you in there,” Iyanla continued. “The way you carry yourself. Even when…” She paused, choosing her words carefully.

“Even when things seemed... tense.”

Tiana didn’t reply. She didn’t need to.

Iyanla tilted her head. “You and Naveen. You knew each other before, didn’t you?”

The question hung between them—not quite accusatory, but not casual either.

Tiana’s heart jumped in her chest. She opened her mouth, a lie already perched on her tongue.

“You don’t have to lie,” Iyanla said quietly. “I can see it.”

Tiana’s stomach sank. If Iyanla could see it... had Isaiah?

Iyanla gave a small nod. “There’s a familiarity in the way he looks at you. One I’ve never seen him give anyone else…not even me.”

Tiana’s gaze dropped to the stones at her feet.

“It’s not jealousy,” Iyanla said, softer now. “At least... I don’t think it is. It’s just—” she placed a hand gently over her stomach, “it’s hard not to notice when you already feel... not enough.”

“Iyanla—” Tiana started, but the queen raised a hand.

“I’m not here to accuse you. Or him. I know my husband is a good man... but he is also a man.” Her voice caught briefly, too practiced to fully break.

Tiana swallowed hard.

“I just need to know I’m not being made a fool,” Iyanla whispered. “That whatever lives in his past… stays there.”

Tiana’s chest ached. “I would never intentionally hurt you.”

Iyanla looked at her for a long moment, weighing those words.

Then she turned toward the doors.

Just before stepping inside, she looked back over her shoulder.

“Tiana... if there’s anything between you and my husband—bury it.”

“There you are!” a bright voice called.

Anastasia swept into the courtyard, her ivory and sapphire gown trailing behind her. “Are we discussing our significant others?” she teased, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air.

“They’re about to serve the second course, but I had to come say—the food is divine, Tiana.” Anastasia beamed, linking her arm with Iyanla’s as if the atmosphere weren’t ice-thin.

“Tiana, your husband is looking for you as well,” she added lightly.

Tiana gave a polite nod to both women. “Then I should get back inside.”

She disappeared into the glow of the ballroom.

Iyanla started to follow, but Anastasia’s hand shot out and caught her arm.

“What’s gotten into you?” Iyanla hissed, eyes sharp now.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Anastasia started, voice low, “but put an end to it.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Iyanla replied flatly.

“Oh please. Making Tiana your honored guest. Having her get ready with us. You’re not being welcoming—you’re keeping her close. Watching her.”

“I’m making sure,” Iyanla said, tone steel beneath silk, “that when I leave New Orleans, I leave with my husband’s heart. That it’s not still stuck here like it has been for the past ten years.”

Anastasia faltered. “Naveen loves you. You don’t have to make sure of anything.”

Iyanla raised a brow. “And if it were Kwame?”

Anastasia said nothing.

Her silence was answer enough.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Iyanla said, straightening her spine. “I must return to my ball.”

She turned and walked away, her crown invisible-but unshakable.

The ballroom shimmered with chandeliers and champagne, but Naveen couldn’t feel the warmth of it. His eyes kept drifting toward the doors. Tiana hadn’t returned since slipping out before the first course, and his chest had been tight ever since.

Isaiah, meanwhile, was already halfway to disgrace—slouched at the bar, loud, and waving a drink like a flag. Naveen clenched his jaw and turned to leave, only to hear a voice call out:

“Naveen.”

Kwame approached, his tone quiet but edged. Not formal—just familiar.

“Are you alright?”

Naveen hesitated. He hated lying to Kwame. He ran a hand down the front of his dinner coat and forced a shrug.

“I’m fine. I was just… looking for Tiana. Or Iyanla. Have you seen either?”

Kwame studied him. “No. But I asked about you, not them.”

Naveen’s lips twitched. “You always were too perceptive for your own good.”

Kwame gave a short laugh. “And you’ve always been a terrible liar.” His gaze flicked across the room toward Isaiah. “Is this about what happened on the dance floor?”

Naveen’s expression darkened. “The way he grabbed her. It was—disrespectful.”

“Disrespectful, yes. But this anger I see?” Kwame tilted his head. “It feels… deeper.”

Naveen looked away. “Come on, Kwame. Don’t start.”

“I’m just asking a question, not as a King but as my brother. Is it her treatment that has you pacing like this—or is it her?”

Silence.

“You’re married,” Kwame said more gently. “And I know you care for Iyanla. But I also know you. And I saw your face the second you laid eyes on Tiana again.”

Naveen exhaled through his nose, steadying himself.

“She made her choice and I made my mine.”

“Maybe so,” Kwame said. “But choices don’t erase feelings. Especially ones that were never settled.”

A heavy beat passed between them—one only brothers could share without speaking.

“Just… be careful,” Kwame finished. “Because feelings kept in the dark always find their way to the light.”

Naveen nodded once. Not in agreement—just acknowledgment. Because they both knew Kwame was right.

Tiana stepped back into the marble corridor, the ballroom's golden glow spilling through the open doors ahead. Her shoulders were squared, chin lifted, but her heart trembled like a fault line beneath her ribs.

The firelight and chill of the courtyard still clung to her skin.

So did Iyanla’s words.

“If there’s anything between you and my husband—bury it.”

“Tiana?” Naveen’s voice halted her steps.

He stood before her, eyes full of worry that struck her like a match to dry kindling.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly. Too quickly. “I just needed some air. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to actually enjoy the food I prepared for this ball.”

She tried to move past him, but he mirrored every step—gentle but unrelenting. A man who never knew when to let go.

“Naveen,” she hissed, “get out of my way.”

“I was looking for you,” he said quietly. “I was worried.”

“Well, don’t be. I’m not your concern.”

“Tiana, I saw how he grabbed your arm.”

Her eyes flashed. “I have a husband.”

“And I have a wife,” he bit back. “But I thought we’d said we’d be friends.”

“We were stupid to think we could actually do that and keep the past in the past.”

“So we go back to pretending we never met. That I never asked you to marry me!”

Silence. And then—

“You don’t get to do this,” she said tightly. “You don’t get to look at me like that, not after the choice you made.”

“I made?” Naveen scoffed. “You ran.”

“I was barely twenty! I wasn’t ready to be someone’s wife, let alone someone’s Queen!”

“And now look at you,” he said, voice rising. “Married to a man who walks all over you. That’s not the Tiana I knew.”

“Maybe the Tiana you knew died the night she let you go!”

That stunned them both into silence.

Naveen swallowed hard, voice low. “Yeah, maybe she did because the Tiana I knew would never let a man put his hands on her.”

Before she could think—before she could stop herself—her hand cracked across his cheek.

His head turned with the force of it.

She was breathing hard now, tears threatening. “How dare you,” she whispered. “I should’ve listened to my Mama. She warned me about you.”

He looked back at her, jaw tense, cheek reddening.

“Don’t worry,” he said flatly. “Tomorrow we leave New Orleans. You won’t have to see me again.”

He stepped closer.

“So you can go back to pretending this never happened. That none of it meant anything.”

Tiana’s eyes burned. She stepped forward, too. They were inches apart, breath mingling, past and present colliding like storm clouds about to break.

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them dared to speak the words caught behind their teeth.

His gaze dropped to her lips. Hers lingered on his. The space between them dissolved—almost.

Naveen leaned in, just enough for her breath to catch.

But Tiana turned her face away, just before their lips touched.

“We can’t,” she whispered.

His hand hovered, trembling, near her cheek.

The silence between them was shattered by footsteps.

A voice sliced through the tension like a blade.

“Your Majesty.”

They both turned, startled.

Gabriel stood several feet away, face like stone. His posture stiff with formal fury, one gloved hand clenched behind his back.

Tiana’s heart stopped.

“Forgive the interruption,” Gabriel said coolly, though his eyes were sharp. “But your Queen is looking for you.”

“Gabriel—” Naveen began, his voice lower, caught between command and guilt.

But Gabriel didn’t flinch.

“As your Hand, it is my duty to remind you that scandal has a long memory. Especially in a city like New Orleans.”

He turned to Tiana, gaze unreadable. “Ma’am.”

Tiana could barely breathe.

Gabriel stepped aside but didn’t move far. “I’ll give you one minute to decide what kind of King you intend to be tonight.”

Then he turned and walked back down the corridor.

Naveen stared at the marble floor.

Tiana’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I should go.”

And then she was gone, the brush of her skirts disappearing into the shadows of the corridor.

Chapter Text

The music swelled again as Tiana reentered the ballroom, her spine stiff, eyes scanning for anyone but him. Naveen. Her lips still tingled from what almost happened. And Isaiah—he was already two drinks past charm, teetering on the edge of spectacle.

How could she let it go that far? What about Iyanla? She trusted her and what does she do? She’s such a hypocrite, how could she let it go that far. She’s better than this, she knows she’s better than this. She shook her head not ready to face her husband even if he wasn’t on the verge of making a food of himself. She kept walking down the hall and down the stairs to the kitchen, she hasn’t seen her crew since they arrived to the hotel.

The sound of plates being set down and spoons banging against pots, made her feel at ease. She much rather be here than in the ballroom. The kitchen was her sanctuary. It always has been.

“There she is,” Phyllis teased in jest, Tiana gave a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“How y’all doing down here?”

“We’re doing pretty good and I think I’m giving my best Tiana impression if I do say so myself.”

“She is, she won’t stop at this point.” Angelo joked

“Alright, get your lazy asses—” Phyllis didn’t miss the look Tiana gave her before she cleared her throat, “I mean let’s keep up the pace people, we’ve served the cold and hot appetizers. We still have the two entrées and dessert.”  Phyllis nodded over Celia who took over the gumbo, Phyllis walked over to Tiana, not as her sous chef, but a friend.

“Hey, you okay?” Tiana nodded quickly, not trusting her voice.

“Yeah,” she whispered, the word barely there. “It’s a bit stuffy up there.”

“Oh okay—”

“I think something is burning, Celia! Hand me an apron.”

“But won’t you mess up your dress? It’s mighty pretty Ms. Tiana.” Celia spoke up

“Tiana are you sure—” Phyllis started, but she saw the look. The one that begged: Don’t make me go back up there yet.

“You heard the lady, Celia. Hand her an apron, give her two so when she’s ready, she’ll still be the Belle of the Ball.” Tiana mouthed a tearful thank you before jumping into gear. The rhythm of the kitchen came back to her like breath—hands steady, movements precise. Here, no one could touch her. Here, she wasn’t almost anything. She just was.

Naveen stood alone in the corridor, the echo of Tiana’s footsteps still lingering in the air like smoke. His heartbeat hadn’t calmed. Her voice still rang in his ears. That slap. Her eyes. The almost.

“You forget yourself, Your Majesty.”

The words came quiet, clipped—each syllable sharpened with restraint. Naveen didn’t need to turn. He knew that voice.

Gabriel stepped forward from the shadows, his expression unreadable, but his disapproval clear.

“If I may speak freely, Your Majesty.” Naveen nodded his head, but he knew Gabriela would say what was on his mind anyway

“Infidelity does not look good on you. What of your wife? Have you no shame?”

“Nothing happened, Gabriel. You saw that for yourself.”

“Yes, I did but I have seen other things as well and I cannot stand by and bite my tongue any longer.”

“Well then, speak your mind. Nothing is stopping you.”

“Fine. You’re setting yourself up for a scandal—one that could ruin your legacy. As King. As a husband. As a man.” Naveen exhaled through his nose, jaw tight.

“I am simply a concerned friend, you have seen the way Isaiah speaks and treats Tiana. It is not right.”

“Yes, I am too disturbed by the way Tiana is treated but You are the King, who also happens to be married to Her Majesty the Queen . I may be your Hand, but I am also your conscience when your actions endanger your legacy.”

“You are acting as if you caught me taking her in the middle of this corridor.”

“Which is why I am speaking to you now, before it turns into that. You are not that man, you are not your father. At least, I hoped you were not.” Naveen stood dangerously close to Gabriel, but he held his reserve never faltering.

“Do not compare me to that man. Ever again.” A silence between the men said more than anything else in this moment.

“I am sorry for angering you, but I am not sorry for my comment. You are growing dangerously close to becoming him, maybe even worse.”

“Watch your tongue.”

“You seem to forget that my father was your Father’s hand during his reign as King. I have seen and heard a lot during my time in the palace.”

“Tiana is different than a maid who happened to stroll past his study. She’s a-”

“Married woman with whom you had a relationship with.”

“She needs someone.”

“That someone cannot be you! You must understand.”

“I understand just fine! It seems you need to understand your place.”

“Fine, them as you Hand it is my place to say, you are King of Maldonia. A husband. A father figure to your people. Do not let a past flame blind you to your present duty.” Gabriel stepped closer, quieter now. “Your wife sees more than you realize. So does Tiana’s husband.”

Naveen looked away.

“If you cannot control your urges, then I refuse to sit by and watch as you set your life aflame for an old love.”

“You will step down as my Hand?”

“If that means I won’t have to watch you destroy yourself—then yes.”

Gabriel gave a slight bow and stepped back into the corridor’s shadows, leaving Naveen alone again—but this time, with the weight of truth pressing on his chest.

Isaiah caught Naveen at the edge of the ballroom, nursing a glass of wine he hadn’t touched. He grinned like a man who’d already won.

“You enjoying yo’self Your Majesty?”

Naveen didn’t answer, but his jaw did — clenched and shifting.

Isaiah stepped closer. Naveen frowned — the stench of alcohol was practically pouring off of him. ““You know, me being a doctor and everything, I’ve been to a lot of high-society events. But this?” Isaiah took another swig of his drink “T his takes the cake. Fancy food, open bar… even your Queen looks like she’s enjoying herself. Classy. Real classy.”

“Thank you, however I cannot take all of the credit. Iyanla was the one who put this all together”

“Speaking of wives, have you seen mine? She stepped earlier and I haven’t seen her since.”

“I do not know. Sorry.” Naveen said tightly.

“Between you and me, it looks like that dress was painted on her. You know what I mean?” Isaiah cocked his head, noticing Naveen’s tight grip on the glass.

“Relax man, I mean she is my wife. I can’t wait to get her back home.”

“Isaiah, I don’t—”

“Say man,” Isaiah went on, voice lowering like they were old friends sharing a secret, “I don’t mean no disrespect. Tiana’s fine, always has been. But your Queen? Damn. I wasn’t expecting all that. Real poised. Real... polished.” He chuckled to himself, swirling the drink in his glass. “I can see why you settled down. Between the two of them, though?” He looked up at Naveen, eyes gleaming with something mean. “Gotta admit, tough choice. I’d never pegged you for the type to like ‘em young. They sure are feisty though.”

Naveen’s silence was no longer calm — it was coiled.

“I’d be lying if I said I never wondered what it’s like to be with royalty. Y’know... see how the other half lives.” He leaned in, too close now. “But Tiana? She’s still got that fire. That mouth. She don’t belong on no throne — she belongs under—”

CRACK.

The glass in Naveen’s hand shattered. Red wine streaked down his palm like blood.

“That’s enough.” Kwame’s voice cut through the moment, firm and immediate.

He stepped between them, placing one broad hand on Naveen’s chest, the other angled just enough to brush Isaiah back.

“Naveen,” Kwame said evenly, though his tone brooked no argument.

Isaiah blinked, momentarily sobered by the sudden shift in atmosphere.

“Just a joke, man. Y’all are so sensitive,” he muttered, stepping back with a smirk. “Guess I’ll go find my wife.”

Kwame didn’t respond. His eyes were locked on Naveen, whose breathing had grown shallow.

“Come with me,” Kwame murmured.

Naveen allowed himself to be led, leaving behind the splinters of glass — and the scent of something unraveling.

Across the room, Iyanla stood still.

Champagne flute in hand. A practiced smile on her lips.

But her eyes? They had never left her husband. Not once during that entire conversation. She had seen enough.

Gabriel stepped quietly beside her just as the crowd began to buzz with fresh conversation.

“You saw it too,” Iyanla said, not turning her head. Her gaze remained fixed on the empty space where Naveen and Kwame had disappeared, her grip on the stem of her flute tightening ever so slightly.

“I did,” Gabriel answered simply. “And more.”

Iyanla finally turned to him. “Tell me.”

Gabriel hesitated. “It’s not my place—”

“I am your Queen, Gabriel and you will tell me what you saw.”

A beat passed between them.

“There was a moment,” he said carefully. “In the corridor. Before I arrived.”

Her stomach dropped, but her face remained neutral. “What occurred?”

Gabriel gave the barest of nods. “Nothing, I interrupted.”

Silence. Iyanla looked away, her eyes glinting beneath the weight of confirmation. “He’s slipping,” she whispered. “Right through my fingers.”

“He’s conflicted,” Gabriel said gently.

“Then I suppose it’s time I remind them both who stands at the top of this throne.”

Her smile returned like a weapon being unsheathed. “Thank you, Gabriel. You’ve always had impeccable timing.”

Tiana returned to the ballroom when her staff was bringing out the second entrée, the gumbo. Kwame and Naveen pushed past her, without as much as giving her a second glance. She wasn’t sure what bothered her more, that fact that he didn’t even look at her or that she cared.

Tiana smoothed her gown and stepped back into the ballroom air, still warm from chandeliers and expectation. She caught sight of Iyanla on stage, standing with the kind of practiced ease that only royalty could fake so well. A champagne flute in one hand, the other held just so on her belly — elegant, effortless, calculated.

Iyanla smiled. And then she began to speak.

“Tonight, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming so many talented people from across the world. But there is one woman, in particular, I’d like to thank.” Her voice rang out like silver, polished and graceful. “A woman of great resilience. Grace under pressure. Someone who reminds us all that you can take the girl out of the bayou, but you can’t take the brilliance out of the girl.”

Laughter rippled politely through the crowd. Tiana froze. Iyanla’s eyes never left her.

“She’s made quite the name for herself — as a chef, a hostess, and… in other ways.” She lifted her glass slightly. “To Tiana McQueen. For showing us all how to rise above.”

The room clapped.

Tiana did not.

She didn’t move. She didn’t blink. She just felt the floor shift, like something beneath her heels was coming loose. And when she finally looked at Naveen — he was already watching her.

Tiana froze.

Her smile, half-formed, faltered as Iyanla extended a manicured hand toward the stage.

“Tiana, please come up and say a few words. Let us hear from the woman who has such an impressive taste on our lips this evening.”

A hush fell. All eyes turned.

Tiana’s feet felt like they were made of stone, but still, she walked — chin high, shoulders squared. As she passed Iyanla, their eyes locked: one daring the other to flinch. Tiana took the mic.

“Thank you… Queen Iyanla. And thank you all for allowing me to share a piece of home with you tonight. I could not have done this without my team.”

Polite applause.

“I’ve always believed food is more than a meal — it’s a story. It’s love. It’s sacrifice. Sometimes it’s even silence when you need it most.”

That landed. Subtle, but sharp.

“I hope you enjoyed tonight’s menu. The recipes were passed down from women who endured more than I ever will. And I carry that — in every pot, every plate. Thank you.”

Applause swelled again. Louder this time. But it didn’t touch her.

Tiana didn’t look back at Iyanla as she descended the stage.

But Iyanla’s gaze never left her.

“If you enjoyed the food tonight, please go visit my dear friend’s restaurant Tiana’s Place. Tiana, thank you for welcoming me to your city. I am so grateful for our newfound friendship. To friendship!” Iyanla raised her glass and everyone else followed. She took a large sip of her champagne her gaze measure on Tiana as she took her seat next to Isaiah.

Naveen didn’t raise his glass.

He couldn’t.

The moment Iyanla said "To friendship!" and locked eyes with Tiana across the clink of crystal, something in his chest twisted.

He watched Tiana nod politely, her smile perfectly practiced. A masterclass in restraint. He watched Isaiah drape his arm around her chair like possession. And he hated it.

The champagne burned in his throat. He didn’t sip.

From across the room, Iyanla’s eyes flicked toward him. Calm. Cool. Calculated. She knew exactly what she was doing.

She was reminding them all — this is my kingdom.

And he... he was the fool. The weak one. The hypocrite choking on the consequences of a moment he hadn’t even let happen.

The toast ended. Applause rose again. And still, he couldn’t move.

He couldn’t stop watching her — either of them — Iyanla with her venom veiled in pearls, and Tiana with her strength coiled behind a smile.

He downed the rest of his drink in one swallow. He got up abruptly and marched toward his wife. Ignore the questioning looks he received from the other guests.

“We need to talk.”

“Naveen, we are in the middle of a ball and they haven’t served dessert yet.”

“Iyanla, now.” Iyanla sighed heavily before following her husband out of the ballroom.

The grand doors of their royal suite shut with a hollow thud behind them, the muffled laughter and clinking glasses of the ballroom vanishing like a dream. The fire in the hearth crackled low, casting gold and shadow over velvet drapes and polished marble.

Naveen stormed across the room, tearing at the buttons of his suit jacket, his hands jerky with restrained rage. “Are you satisfied?” he bit out, not turning to face her.

 “You have completely embarrassed yourself—and the throne.”

Iyanla’s jaw clenched as she stepped forward, her voice rising with fury.

“Do not give me that. I am the one who has abided by my vows. I have been honest this entire trip.”

He turned sharply. “What are you going on about?”

Her voice cracked as she threw the words like knives. “I know about you and Tiana.”

Naveen stopped. Completely. For a moment, only the low hiss of fire filled the silence. His head tilted slightly, like he hadn’t heard her right—or hoped he hadn’t.

“Did you think I was too naive to notice?” she continued, her voice quieter but colder. “You follow her with your eyes. She disappears, and so do you. And tonight—” She cut herself off, her lips trembling before she could finish the thought.

“Mi benita—” he started, stepping forward, reaching for her. She flinched away like his touch was fire.

 “Were you with her that day?” Naveen hesitated, the silence between them growing heavier with each breath.

“Iyanla—”

“Do not lie to me.”

“Let’s sit. Please. You’re not thinking clearly—”

“Answer me, Naveen!” Her voice cracked like a whip. His eyes searched hers, dark and pleading.

“No.” She blinked, stunned.

“If you are lying to me—”

“I swear it,” he said quickly. “I was not with Tiana that day.” His voice was low. Careful.

“Don’t make me a fool, Naveen.”

“I am not,” he insisted, his voice catching. “I’m telling you the truth.”

He reached for her again, pulling her into his arms. For a moment, just one aching second, she let herself rest there. The weight of it all — her doubt, her grief, her fear — crashed down like a wave.

“You’re lying to me,” she whispered into his chest.

“Mi benita—”

“You’re lying to me right now.” She shoved him away with trembling hands, her breath ragged.

“You are a liar, Naveen!”

He stumbled back a step, stunned, his hand falling away. The distance between them suddenly felt unbridgeable — not the physical space, but the weight of things unsaid.

The almosts. The unfinished moments. The things she saw but couldn’t prove.

And somewhere beneath all that… the truth she was already starting to feel in her bones.

“You are not thinking rationally, I will sleep in my suite tonight.” Naveen muttered as he left the room. Slamming the door behind him, Iyanla crumbled and sank to her knees sobbing uncontrollably, how she wishes they’d never agreed to come on this trip.

Tiana looked around the ballroom as her staff and the hotel staff passed out dessert to the guests. She noticed that Iyanla and Naveen left shortly after her speech

“His Majesty is not here.” A voice said from behind Tiana, startled to whipped her body around to see Gabriel standing before her.

“Oh, Gabriel. You scared me, I was actually looking for Iyanla. I wanted to thank her for everything this evenin’.” Gabriel’s expression was unreadable, but his eyes held a warning.

“I see. Where is your husband I may ask.”

“He’s callin’ our driver. I know my husband likes to have a good time, so I make sure we have drivers whenever we go out.”

“Ms. Tiana, I know that your situation I less than ideal but I must implore you, stay away from His Majesty the King.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You are a weakness for His Majesty and he cannot have any weaknesses. Including you.” Tiana scoffed

“Gabriel, I don’t know what you’re talking about but there is nothing between me and Naveen. If anything you need to be talkin to him, I’ve been faithful to my husband.”

“That is not what I observed tonight. You and I both know that.”

“Tiana, baby you ready? Moses is outside.” Isaiah said from behind

“Yeah, I’m coming.” Tiana gave Gabriel one last look before following her husband out the door.

The front door shut behind them with a heavy finality. Tiana slipped off her heels by the entryway, the silence of the house wrapping around her like a cold sheet. Tiana made her way upstairs to check on the children. First she went to David’s room who was fast asleep. She checked on Timothy who was still up, which didn’t surprise her.

“Hey baby, what you doin’ still awake. It’s late.”

“I wanted to make sure you got home.” Tiana smiled soflty, before coming into the room and sitting on the bed.

“Did you have fun with Gandma and Grandpa?” Timothy nodded his head.

“Mama?”

“Yes,”

“Why don’t we have pictures of you when you were little?” Tiana smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Well... not everyone kept things like that.”

“Oh, I asked Grandpa but he couldn’t give me an answer.”

“We’ll talk more about it tomorrow. Get some rest baby.” Tiana kissed his forehead

“Love you baby,”

“Love you too, Mama.” Tiana left then went to check on Lilly in her nursery. Therese sat there reading her Bible as always.

“Mrs. McQueen, did you enjoy yourself?”

“I did, everyone loved the food.”

“That don’t come as no surprise to me.” Therese complimented as she gathered her things. “I’ll see you Monday.”

“Thank you Therese, your check is on the table by the door.” Tiana walked over to the bassinet and smiled at seeing Lilly asleep. She gently touched her cheek then left the room. As she walked to her bedroom she could hear the music playing from he record player.  She groaned and mentally prepared herself as she crossed the threshold, closing the door shut behind her.

Isaiah, already undressed in his t-shirt and shorts and an already halfway finished glass of whatever alcohol he had stashed in the room, humming along to the song. Tiana ignored her husband as she sat at her vanity, taking off the jewelry. She would have to find a way to return the jewelry and dress to Iyanla before they left New Orleans.

Isaiah sauntered over to Tiana wrapping his arms around her.

“Dance with me baby.”

“Isaiah, you’re drunk.” She continued to get undressed, draping the delicate gown on the chaise. All she wanted to get in bed and forget that this night ever happened. Isaiah followed her and pulled her close to him, resting his chin on her shoulder. Swaying to the music.

“Come on, Tiana. Let’s make another baby, give Lilly a baby brother.”

“Isaiah, no.” She insisted, but Isaiah was persistent. He started placing gentle kisses along her neck.

“Isaiah, stop it. I’m tired.” Isaiah angrily pushed Tiana away him. Making her fall into the vanity.

“Bet if I was that King you’d have no problem sitting on his lap. Probably wouldn’t even think twice.” Isaiah took another swig.

Isaiah took another step forward, looming over her where she sat crumpled against the vanity. He flung the rest of his drink on her. Tiana flinched before she could stop herself — a pang of shame running through her body.

“Disgusting, I bet you liked parading yourself around him. I know how men like him roll, the only thing you’d be good for is laying on your back and spreading your legs.”

Tiana rose slowly, rubbing her wrist.

Isaiah stared at her, his face darkening with every word she spoke. Then, without warning—

SLAP.

The sound cracked through the room like a whip. Her head snapped to the side, hair falling into her face.

A beat passed.

Then another.

And then his fist came down.

Tiana stumbled backward, hitting the dresser hard. Her elbow clipped the edge, pain blooming down her arm. She didn’t scream.

She didn’t have time.

“Isaiah, stop—!”

He hit her over and over until she begged him to stop.

The silence between them stretched. Then, without a word, Isaiah turned and stormed out of the room.

The front door slammed moments later.

Tiana stayed frozen on the floor, her nightgown twisted at the shoulder, her lip split and bleeding. Her whole body hummed with pain — old and new.

In the hallway, she heard soft footsteps. She wiped at her mouth quickly.

“Mama?” Timothy’s voice was no louder than a whisper. “Mama, are you okay?”

She didn’t answer at first. Her throat was tight, her voice caught somewhere behind the lump of shame.

“I’m alright, baby,” she finally said, though it came out cracked.

Another pause.

“I heard yelling. And a loud bang.”

She stood slowly, steadying herself against the vanity. Her reflection looked like someone she didn’t recognize — or maybe someone she knew too well.

“Go on back to bed, sweetheart.”

Timothy didn’t move. “Was it Daddy?”

Tiana blinked hard. “You shouldn’t be out of bed, Timothy.”

He nodded, but his little shoulders didn’t relax. “I heard Lilly crying too.”

“I’ll check on her,” Tiana said, brushing past him gently, the ache in her body unbearable now that the adrenaline was fading.

“Go on, baby. I’ll be there soon to tuck you in.”

As she moved down the hall, one hand pressed to her ribs, the pain bloomed deeper — not just in her body, but in the quiet realization that her son had seen too much. Heard too much.

That maybe this was the moment when everything truly began to break.

Chapter Text

The sunlight slipping through the curtains is what woke Tiana.

She turned slowly, every movement tugging at sore muscles, a fresh reminder of the night before. Her body ached, her lip throbbed, and somewhere deep inside her chest, something felt… hollow. On the dresser, a breakfast tray sat untouched — eggs, grits, toast — still warm, but cooling fast.

The bathroom door opened.

“Oh, you’re awake, Mrs. McQueen,” Theresè said softly, offering a smile as she crossed the room to pull the curtains open fully. The light spilled in, cruel and golden.

“What time is it? I gotta get down to the restaurant—”

“It’s a quarter past ten.”

“What?” Tiana started to sit up, wincing. “I have to get ready and go to—”

“No, no. None of that,” Theresè interrupted gently but firmly. “I already called Phyllis down at the restaurant. Told her you weren’t feelin’ well. I ran your bathwater—you’re stayin’ right here in this room today.”

“But the kids—”

“I’m on my way to bring Lilly’s bassinet in here so you don’t have to walk too far, and I already got the boys covered. My grandsons are here for the summer anyway, they’ll keep each other busy.”

Tiana opened her mouth, ready to protest out of habit, but the fatigue pulled her back. She didn’t have the strength to argue. Not today.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Has Isaiah…”

Theresè moved toward the door, but paused

“No,” she said quietly, avoiding her eyes. “He hasn’t been back. Said he’s getting his private practice ready.”

“I see,” Tiana murmured.

There was a pause.

“Well,” Theresè said, her voice lightening, “you get on out that bed and into that bath before the water gets too cold. Should be just right by now.”

“Thank you, Theresè.”

“Of course, Mrs. McQueen.” She turned to leave hand on the door—

But Tiana caught a glimpse of her reflection in the vanity mirror.

She flinched.

“Theresè,” she called softly.

“Yes, baby?”

“Can you… can you cover the mirrors, please?”

She didn’t ask why.

Just gave a quiet nod and crossed to the linen closet, pulling out fresh white sheets. One by one, she draped them — over the vanity, the bathroom mirror, the long gilded one near the wardrobe. With each cover, Tiana felt her breath release just a little.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“If you need anything, I’ll be downstairs.”

Tiana waited until the door clicked shut.

She sat at the edge of the bed for a moment; hands folded loosely in her lap. The sheet over the vanity billowed softly with the breeze.

She stood slowly and made her way to the bathroom, limbs heavy and aching. Steam curled beneath the door, carrying with it the warm scent of lavender oil and vanilla.

As she stepped inside, she shut the door behind her.

And finally, she let her robe slip from her shoulders.

Into the bath she went — inch by inch — until the heat swallowed her whole.

The bathwater had cooled by the time Tiana finally emerged, her skin flushed and tender, her body still sore but soothed. She slipped into a fresh cotton robe and padded softly across the room, the hush of the house pressing gently around her.

Then, a soft fussing broke the quiet.

Lilly. As Theresè promised, Lilly’s bassinet was right beside Tiana’s side of the bed along with the rocking chair. God bless that woman. Lilly’s tiny hands were flailing in the air, her face scrunched in frustration. Tiana sat in the rocking chair, cradling her daughter with practiced care.

“There, there, baby girl,” she cooed. “Mama’s here.”

Lilly latched quickly, her suckling slow and rhythmic. Tiana leaned back, eyes closed, breathing in the scent of lavender and milk and innocence. For a moment, she allowed herself to disappear into this quiet. Into this bond that felt untouched by all the noise.

She looked down at her daughter — soft curls, wide eyes, perfect little fingers curled against her chest. And that’s when the ache returned.

“I hope you don’t grow up thinking this is normal,” she whispered. Her voice cracked, but she didn’t stop. “That this is what love looks like. I hope you don’t love someone who puts their hands on you and makes you feel small.”

Lilly blinked up at her, eyes slowly drifting closed.

Tiana pressed a kiss to her forehead, voice barely audible now. “You’re not gonna live like this, baby. I won’t let you.”

A knock at the front door broke the moment.

Tiana sighed, gently lifting Lilly to her shoulder to burp her as footsteps echoed up the stairs. She already knew who it was.

“Mrs. Wilcox, I already told you Mrs. McQueen is resting.”

“And I said, I don’t give a damn, I want to see my daughter. Tiana!”

“Ma’am, now I done already told you she’s resting. You tryin to wake the dead?”

Tiana sighed she placed Lilly back in her bassinet before slowly making her way to her bedroom door. She opened it and saw Theresè and her mother standing in the hallway.

“Tiana,” Betty gasped

“Mrs. McQueen, I was trying to tell your mother that you are resting and not taking visitors.”

“I told your maid here, that I ain’t no damn visitor, I’m her Mama.” The two ladies continued to bicker and Tiana rubbed her temples not wanting to hear who was right or wrong.

“Theresè, it’s fine.”

“Are you sure, Mrs. McQueen?”

“Yes, she’s only gonna stay for a little while.”

“A little—”

“Just for a while, Mama.” Tiana stressed. Betty huffed before walking past Theresè and into Tiana’s room, not without a side eye glance to the woman.

“Mama, be nice.” Tiana warned. Betty rolled her eyes before plastering a phony smile on her face and turned back to Theresè

“Thank you so much, Theresè, can I get some sweet tea or water, please.” Theresè looked the woman up and down before humming a response.

“Tiana, you really need to get a handle on that woman.” Theresè said as she walked further into the room, she stopped when she saw the cloth over the mirrors in the room. The vanity was in disarray, the curtains were barely open, only letting in a small amount of sunshine.

Betty’s smile faltered the moment her eyes landed on Tiana — or rather, the version of her daughter sitting in front of her now.

She blinked.

The bruising was worse in the light. A purple shadow bloomed high on Tiana’s cheekbone, deepening toward her eye. Swollen skin puckered along the corner of her mouth, cracked and faintly scabbed. Her bottom lip was split, still raw, though she could tell she had tried to dab it clean.

Betty’s expression hardened — not from pity, but something closer to irritation.

“Lord, Tiana,”

“Mama, I don’t think I can do this anymore.” Tiana lip quivered “I don’t want the kids, Lilly growing up and thinking this is normal. Cause it ain’t. Mama, I thought my life would be perfect, but if people only knew what happens in this room, this bed.”

“Tiana, baby I am so sorry. How long has this been going on?” Betty asked as she sat next to Tiana on the edge of the bed.

“Since we got married,” Tiana muttered

“Well, you just got to stop making him so angry.” Tiana’s head shot up and she looked at her mother with disbelief in her eyes.

“What?”

“Tiana, whatever you doing is obviously making him mad. SO you gotta just stop. Isaiah is a very busy man and you know he’s about to open his own practice. Actually, I was gonna talk to uou ‘bout maybe having someone else in charge of the restaurant. Both you and Isaiah can’t be gone all hours of the day and he is the man…” Tiana zoned out as her mother rambled on and on, she couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of her mouth.

“Get out.”

“What?”

“I said, get out.”

Betty blinked, lips parting slightly. “Now hold on, don’t go getting sensitive. I’m just sayin’—”

“I said get out, Mama!” Tiana’s voice cracked, but it was louder now — firmer, even if just barely.

She stood, robe cinched tight around her aching frame, fists clenched at her sides. Her chest rose and fell with quick, shaky breaths.

Betty stared at her like she was seeing a stranger.

“You really gon’ talk to me like that?”

“Yes,” Tiana hissed, voice low. “Now please, leave. You have overstayed your welcome.”

For a second, the only sound in the room was the low hum of the fan overhead.

Betty’s mouth twitched — caught between something like shame and disbelief. She stood slowly, smoothing the front of her dress with a sniff.

“Well,” she said finally, voice cool. “Don’t expect me to come running the next time he knocks you around.”

Tiana flinched — but didn’t look away. Didn’t move. Didn’t blink.

Betty’s expression faltered.

She turned without another word and walked out, the click of her heels echoing like punctuation.

Tiana stood there for a moment—silent, shaking, still hurting. She looked at her sleeping daughter, unaware of what just took place. She reached down and caressed her cheek.

“You not gonna be like me. I promise.” She whispered

“Your Highness, you must eat something.” Rani exclaimed

“And I told, you I cannot keep anything down. Now please go fetch Dr. Arya.” Iyanla moaned from her bed, she’s been keeping it to herself but the last three weeks, she has been suffering from nausea and barely having an appetite. She just thought it was from the stress of planning the ball but this morning, she has suffering from non stop nausea without having eaten anything since the ball last night.  

“Would you like us to call in His Majesty, the King?” Sahar offered

“No! No one tells him.” She groaned from her bed as another wave of nausea washed over her. There were several knocks at the door, relief came over Iyanla as she figured the doctor was here.

“Is that Dr. Arya?”

“No, it’s Lady Anastasia.”

“Leave us.” Anastasia ordered

“Do not leave, I am waiting for the doctor. I do not have tome to gossip.”

“Rani and Sahar are my maids and I am lending them to you. They obey me.” Anastasia turned to the younger maids, a stern look in her eyes.

“Leave us now.” They bowed before quickly scurrying away.

“Anastasia, what is it? Can you see that I am not well.”

“The doctor is one his way, he was in the middle of breakfast. What was that last night?”

“What are you going on about?”

“Iyanla, do not make me say it. Why did you treat Tiana in such a way? She is already in that marriage to hat horrible man and a night where she is supposed to be celebrated for her food, but instead you projected your marital issues onto her. You are my friend Iyanla but what you did last night was wrong.”

“First my husband and now you,” Iyanla groaned “what have I done to deserve this?”

Anastasia rolled her eyes. “You haven’t been betrayed. You’ve been told the truth. There’s a difference.”

She disappeared into the bathroom, returning with a cool cloth. She knelt beside the bed and gently pressed it to Iyanla’s forehead.

“You owe Tiana an apology before we leave New Orleans.”

“Anastasia, I’m not apologizing to her for something I didn’t do,” Iyanla muttered”

“You didn’t do anything?” Anastasia raised a brow. “You weaponized your title. You made her feel small on a night she should’ve been seen.”

“I cannot compete with her!” Anastasia sighs heavily, sometimes she forgets how much younger Iyanla is than her.

“You do not need to compete, you are the Queen—”

“He’s in love with her! I see it in the way he speaks to her. The way he looks at her, it is a look that I have not received in the ten years we have been married.”

“Naveen loves you, Iyanla! You must know that.”

“Yes, but he is in love with Tiana. You and I both know that.” Iyanla groaned as she felt another wave of nausea.

“I cannot even give him a child, how am I supposed to hold on to him when hers is stronger?” Anastasia sat on the edge of the bed, not having the words to comfort her friend.

“I am not enough for him.” She whispered to herself.

Anastasia stood slowly. “You are more than enough, Iyanla. But do not let bitterness make you forget that.”

Just as the door began to close behind Anastasia, another knock sounded — brisk, professional.

“Who is it now?” Iyanla groaned.

“Dr. Arya, Your Highness,” came the calm reply.

Anastasia opened the door wider. “She’s in bed. And she hasn’t eaten.”

Dr. Arya stepped inside, carrying his black medical case and wearing a gentle, unreadable expression.

“I’ll take it from here,” he said with a respectful nod to Anastasia.

Anastasia glanced once more at Iyanla, then slipped out without another word.

The room fell quiet again.

Dr. Arya moved toward the bed and set down his bag.

“Let’s see what’s going on,” he said, his voice low and kind.

“Tell me everything, from the beginning.”

Naveen sat in the courtyard, the warmth of the New Orleans sun doing little to cut through the fog in his head. Guards stood discreetly at every entrance, though he barely registered their presence.

His thoughts had been a tangled mess since the ball. If he was being honest, ever since he saw Tiana again.

“You know,” he murmured, eyes still fixed ahead, “eavesdropping on the King is a punishable offense.”

A familiar voice answered behind him. “Good thing I wasn’t eavesdropping.”

Gabriel stepped out from behind a row of hedges, smoothing his coat as he approached.

“May I?”

Naveen nodded. Gabriel lowered himself beside him on the stone bench. The silence lingered, companionable but weighty.

“I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you,” Naveen said after a moment. “It was disrespectful. You were only doing your duty—to me and to the Crown.”

“When my father became the late King’s Hand, I was barely ten. He had just returned from winning the war that secured our rule over Shadonia and Ladaria. And we had just buried my mother and sister — both taken by the sickness that swept through Damara. I was angry with him. Furious, even. For choosing service to the Crown over grieving with me. For bending the knee to a king who never once came to offer his condolences.”

He paused, a distant look in his eye.

“Then on my first day in the palace, a round-faced, loud little boy with jam on his fingers ran into me in the corridor. Couldn’t have been more than four years old. You grabbed my hand like we’d known each other forever and dragged me through every corner of that damn palace. From that day, I knew I’d follow you anywhere.”

Naveen let out a breath, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“I’ve watched you become the man you are,” Gabriel continued.

“You’re not your father, thank the Spirits. You lead with your heart—but sometimes, that’s the very thing that can undo a king.”

He turned to face Naveen now, his voice lower.

“You and Tiana cannot be.”

Naveen’s smile faded.

“I know you care for her. Maybe more than that. And I am truly sorry that timing wasn’t on your side. But this—whatever it is between you—it cannot become more. Not now. Not while she is married. Not while you wear that crown.”

Gabriel leaned back slightly, the weight of his words settling.

“You’re a good man, Naveen. But good men make terrible kings when they let temptation cloud their judgement.”

A long pause.

“I’m not here to scold you,” Gabriel added. “I’m here to remind you of who you are. And what the world will do to the both of you if you forget it.”

Naveen stared ahead in silence.

“Let her go,” Gabriel said gently. “For her sake. And for yours.”

Tiana laid on her bed, she just gave Lilly her last feeding of the night before laying her down for bed. She started out the window, her eyes finding the evening star. When she was a little girl, her father would tell her if she made a wish on the Evening Star, it would come true.  If she could only tell her younger self that there’s no such thing as wishing on a star that you only get through life with hard work and no one cares if you’re drowning not even your own family.

A knock at the door made her sit up.

“Mrs. McQueen, the boys wanna say goodnight.” Tiana got up, her muscles not as sore as they were earlier today. She creaked open the door, her sons standing there, a spitting image of her.

“Mama, are you feeling better?” Timothy asked

“Yeah, mama’s feeling a little better. You boys listen to Ms. Theresè?”

“Yes ma’am.” They said in unison.

“Maybe, we’ll have a picnic for dinner after y’alls baseball practice.” The two boys eyes, lit up

“Can we have po’boys?” David shouted

“And red beans and rice?”

“And beignets!”

“I’ll tell you what, you all tell me what y’all want and I’ll make your Mama has everything y’all need.”

“Will Daddy be there? “David asked

“I don’t know, your Daddy’s been real busy with getting his practice started.”

“He’s always busy.” Timothy mumbled

“Watch your tongue, he’s still ya Daddy.” Tiana scolded

“alright, y’all say goodnight to your Mama. You need to go to bed. I done already let you two stay up too late.”

“But the sun hasn’t set yet.” David pouted

“Good night my sweet boys.” David eagerly leapt into Tiana’s arms and giggled at the kisses she gave him. When it was Timothy

S turn he held back, he’s at the age where he doesn’t want to seem too affectionate.

“Come on baby,”

“I’m not a baby.”

“But you’re my baby.” Timothy hugged Tiana he grimaced when she kissed his cheek.

“Get some rest, I love you.”

“Love you too, Mama.” The two brothers said before racing off down the hallway.

“I came to tell you that Isaiah said he’s gonna be out of town for the weekend. He’s going to see…”

Tiana didn’t need her to finish, she knew all about the children he had out of wedlock. She found out about a year ago that he was two sons with some woman in Baton Rouge. She was looking at the bank statements when she noticed that he was taking out money once a month to send to his second family.

“Thank you, Theresè. Once the boys are sleep you can go home. I don’t want you missing that streetcar.”

“You’re welcome, Mrs. McQueen. Get some rest and don’t even think about going into that restaurant tomorrow.” Tiana playfully rolled her eyes

“Yes ma’am. Good night Theresè.”

“Good night.” Theresè gently closed the door. Tiana looked at the sheet hanging over the vanity. It fluttered gently in the breeze from the cracked window, like a ghost refusing to leave.

She had been hiding all day. For weeks. Months. Years.

She was done now.

With slow, deliberate hands, she crossed the room and pulled the linen free. The mirror blinked back at her—dim, a little dusty, but unforgiving in its honesty.

Tiana flinched at first.

Her cheekbone was still darkened, the edges of the bruise blooming yellow now. The cut on her lip had scabbed over. There were faint purple shadows under her eyes.

But she didn’t look away.

She pressed a fingertip to her bottom lip, then to her collarbone. Her robe slipped slightly off one shoulder, revealing an older bruise, one she hadn’t even noticed until now.

Still, she didn’t cover it. Didn’t cover any of it.

She held her own gaze, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m still here.”