The Thrill Of It All

Changing For My Son's Sake

A year later...

Tiana just finished feeding her three month old son when a soft knock was heard at the door. She looked over to see her husband walking in with the help of his cane. Another gentleman and Florence assisted him with his luggage.

"Thank you, Kevin and Florence," said Jacques.

"Anytime Mr. Montreuil," spoke the gentleman before leaving the room.

"You take it easy," Florence said with a smile, also leaving the room. "Dinner will be ready in an hour."

"Thank you…," Jacques then closed the door.

Tiana put the baby inside his bassinet before walking over to greet her husband.

"Welcome home, Jacques."

He hugged her with one arm, using the other as a support on his cane. "I'm happy to be back, darling. They immediately welcomed the deal." He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Daniel just fell asleep?"

"Yes he did." Tiana answered, watching Jacques walk over to their sleeping son.

Brushing a thumb over the child's forehead he sighed. "I never thought that he could get more beautiful everyday but he does." He looked over at Tiana. "I suppose he inherits that from his mother."

Tiana gave him a small smile, remaining silent. As much as she tried to find love for her husband she really couldn't. Naveen was still in her heart despite leaving him behind and even if it was hard she thought that she made the right choice by going back to her husband when she learned of his suicide attempt. She was thankful to learn that it wasn't life threatening but it did somewhat affect the left side of his body which left him with a cane. She also wasn't surprised that even though the doctor told Jacques that he would need his cane for the rest of his life, he made it a goal to eventually get rid of it once he was 'healed'.

She still dream of being with Naveen and wondered if he thought of her as much as she did of him. Her heart swollen when he finally did contact her since she left Maldonia. He was now king and much too busy for anything outside of his duties. She dreaded the day when she receives an invite to his upcoming wedding.

But she would doubt he'd give her anything with the way she ended their relationship…

…

Tiana held the receiver of the telephone in her ear while it rang. Just as she was about to give up the call, a Maldonian operator answered.

'Prince Naveen…five, six, two, nine,' she recited the code and within seconds the Maldonian prince answered.

'I was wondering when you were going to call.' Naveen said.

Tiana sighed, playing with her engagement ring. 'I won't be returning to Maldonia,'

'Please tell me that you're joking,' Naveen couldn't believe it.

Tears filled her eyes as she heard the hurt in his voice. 'I'm so sorry Naveen but Jacques needs me and I—

'Save it, Tiana.' Naveen cut her off before hanging up the phone.

Tiana hung up the phone; wiped the tears away and slowly pulled off her engagement ring. 'I'm so sorry Naveen…'

…

Present day…

"Tiana?"

She looked over at her husband. "Yes Jacques?"

"I asked how your day was at the restaurant?" He smiled.

"Oh." She started, "Busy…" She told him about the few hours she was at the restaurant that was still named after his grandmother. She was also on the working process of her own restaurant that would be called 'Tiana's Palace'. A name Naveen played with after she told him of the original name she and her father always went with.

"I'm very proud of you, darling," Jacques said, taking her hand with his stronger one. "You've managed to handle the restaurant superbly without it interfering with your duties as a wife and mother. You think that you can handle 'Tiana's Palace' the exact same way?"

She looked up at him. "I believe I can. Florence and my mother are godsend when it comes to looking after Daniel." She really was relieved to have both women in her life. Her father hated that she returned to Jacques and refuse to enter the estate even after an invite from the young man. "And it isn't like I'll be at the restaurants the entire time. I know where my important priorities are. And that's taking care of Daniel."

Jacques kissed her hand. "Dear, that sounds wonderful but I also want you to also do what makes you happy and I know that it's this new project on your new restaurant."

Tiana knew that he was being genuine and was thankful that he accepted her dreams. She remembered the day her husband woke up in the hospital and was surprised to hear that his very first words were the last thing on her mind during that moment…

…

Tiana sat at the bedside of Jacques, wiping his face with the cool wet cloth she and Florence brought from home. She's been in his room for the past week either reading or speaking at him. He looked at peace when he was asleep and wondered if the child she was carrying would end up taking after him while in a slumber bliss?

'…your restaurant,'

'What?' she asked, startled and surprised to hear her husband's voice.

'You can have it…I want your dreams to come…true,' he struggled the say, wrapping his hand around hers.

Tiana was speechless. Did she really hear him right?

'I want to…see you…happy, darling,'

Tiana set the cloth back into the bowl, putting her other hand over his. 'Jacques, that's the last thing on my mind right now,'

He slowly opened his eyes and smiled, 'Your happiness…is what I…live for…,'

Before she could question him, his doctor stormed into the room…

…

"Tiana are you all right?"

"Hmm?" She broke from her musing and shook her head. "Yes I'm fine…I was…"

"Thinking," he finished for her with a smile. "You do that a lot now."

Tiana felt his arm around her waist and his lips on her neck.

"I've missed you…two weeks has been much too long to go without you…"

She closed her eyes as she allowed him to continue his kisses. They've been sleeping together since she got the okay from her midwife but Jacques always made sure that she wanted to participate in the act, willingly.

"Why don't we lie down?" He suggested.

She did as suggested and cuddled in his arms.

"This is what I was looking forward to us doing today," Jacques said softly. "To have my wife in my arms."

"How is your…left…arm?" She asked carefully.

"It feels fine. Don't worry about it." He kissed her on the forehead. "You're so beautiful." He kissed her on the cheek. "You have no idea how thankful I am that you came back to me…"

Tiana sighed.

Though he hasn't hit her in months since her return he still had somewhat of a temper if she disagreed with him on certain things.

"…you were so beautiful the day you gave birth to Daniel. Seeing our son for the first time was the best day of my life, after our wedding." He kissed her on the cheek. "A true Montreuil through and through."

There was no doubt that the child was his. His blue eyes never changed and his sandy coloured hair made her know that the Montreuil blood will never be overshadowed from her own family.

"If we do have another child I certainly hope that it's a girl. Who will look like her beautiful mother," he whispered in her ear.

Tiana smiled.

He had a way with words and if he continued his sweet nothings then perhaps she could learn to love him…perhaps.

Doubtful.

She only prayed that he doesn't go back to his old ways. Since reading his grandmother's journals she could see why Jacques tried so hard to change his ways.

"I hope that she gets your eyes. They're beautiful," said Tiana.

"But yours are dark and lovely…I get lost every time I look into them." He caressed her neck. "I wouldn't mind us trying for a daughter." He hinted.

Tiana knew what that meant and even if he's been patient she wasn't sure if she was ready. "Jacques, I would love to have another child but I've got my hands full with the restaurant and with Daniel—

"A simple no would've been acceptable Tiana," Jacques rose back up and cursed when he almost missed his cane. "We've been having sex nonstop before I left for my business trip. We would've been successful by now if it weren't for…," He sighed. "I don't like you using that…that…"

"I'm not ready to go through that again, Jacques." Tiana sat up, crossing her arms, watching him controlling his anger. Out of fear she quickly apologized, "I'm sorry."

"Don't." He looked her way. "If you're not ready then you're not ready."

She raised an eyebrow. "So you're okay with me using the sponge?"

"Yes." Jacques reached out to take her hand. "We can lie together and…talk. Would you like that?"

Tiana closed her hand around his. 'He's trying,' she thought. "I'd like that…"

The two lay back in the bed in a spoon position. Tiana heard him inhaling and exhaling her vanilla scent with his hand rubbing up and down her hip and thigh.

Jacques was pleased at how relaxed his wife was in his arms, but when she stiffen at his obvious erection pressing behind her he tried to distract her by a subject change. "You know Celestine invited us to her wedding?"

"I've seen the invitation," Tiana said, afraid to move away from him.

"She's only marrying the old man for his fortune. He's about ninety so I doubt there would be a proper honeymoon." Jacques laughed. "She'll be moving to Italy and I say good riddance to the bitch."

Tiana knew that her husband couldn't stand his aunt after learning how much drama she kept within the family. And like her he also found it disturbing that Celestine tried to seduce her dead daughter's mourning husband. He cut her from his life and haven't look back sense.

"I think we should go just for the laughs." Jacques said, kissing his wife's ear. "Would you like that?"

"If you want to go then I'll go." Tiana didn't care either way.

"I believe that we should," Jacques smirked. "Not all the family has seen Daniel…and I would like to meet my new uncle."

She rolled her eyes. "Really Jacques—

"I wouldn't be surprised that when the old man is in his death bed her only concern will be his fortune. She didn't have a problem asking me about where all of mine will go to." He confessed.

"What?" This was a first for Tiana.

"When I was unconscious I was able to hear certain activities around me. Such as no you being the only person out of my family to have visited me. I don't know if it was the day before or an hour before you came to see me but Celestine came marched into my room with my doctor and all she asked was how soon it will be until I'm officially dead. Just so that she could get her cut in the Montreuil fortune…,"

…

'Really Celestine this isn't the time and place for you to be interfering with my patient's recovery,' scorned the doctor.

'Look at him! He's practically in death's door. Why not inject something to finish him off? I need my money,' said the heartless woman.

'Get out!' ordered the doctor.

'You know if I were twenty years younger I would've snatched him from that black bitch he's married to.' She laughed. 'She's the reason he's in this predicament so why not end his misery?'

The doctor frowned in disgust. 'This is your nephew you're speaking of.'

'Family means nothing to me. Money is life…," Celestine said, darkly.

…

"…I thought about what you said to her about not caring for Juliette. If I've known all that she's put that child through for money…" He sat back up.

Tiana slowly sat up, rubbing his back. "None of us knew then."

"But I was there at that house." He sighed, remembering what Franklin, Juliette's widower told him. "I swear if someone tries touching my son or daughter that way. I would kill them with my bare hands. No amount of money will ever be worth getting my children felt up on. The sick bastards."

She could see the guilt in his eyes. "Juliette is in a better place Jacques. She's no longer suffering and you shouldn't blame yourself for what Celestine put her through. God will take care of her when it's her time."

He shot her a dark glare. "God hasn't done much to protect you from me did he?"

Tiana put her hands on her lap, looking down at them, growing uncomfortable. "I'm only doing this for my son…" she mumbled to herself.

"What did you just say?" Jacques asked, not hearing her the first time.

She looked up at him with hesitation. "God led you to those journals. You've changed since then." Was her answer. A lie that saved her from a possible strike.

"I've changed because of you." He corrected her, reaching out to caress her cheek. "And though it may take a while for me to completely change to the man I want to be for you and Daniel, I still have a long journey to go."

Tiana put her hand over his, closing her eyes.

"The moment I opened my eyes and saw your face I thought you were an angel," Jacques admitted. "I know that I will never be the man you deserve but please don't give up on me. Everything I do is for you and Daniel. No more drunken booze, women, leaving you for long periods of time. I will never be my grandfather again."

Tears formed in Tiana's eyes. She heard him, but she couldn't believe him, not yet at least.

"I need your love to help me, Tiana. Will you do that for me?" He asked.

"Do what?" She opened her eyes, tears running down both her cheeks.

He wiped the tears away. "Love me? Continue to show me what it is all means."

"You should already know what it means by looking at Daniel," she told him.

"I'm already aware of loving our son, Tiana. All I want is your love for me. Will you let me in your heart? Because you're already in mine."

Tiana studied his hazel/blue eyes and saw how serious he was. "So much has happened—

"Do you feel anything for me?" He asked, desperation hinted in his tone.

'Besides hate? Fear? Confusion?' She thought. "It's going to take time."

"So you have no feelings for me?" Jacques pressed harder.

"Of course I have feelings for you!" Tiana answered. "You're my husband and the father of my child…I will always have feelings…"

"Then I have a lot to prove to you." Jacques confirmed, understanding her answer. "I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you. That's all I can say, Tiana."

Daniel's cries broke through and Tiana was thankful to leave the heavy subject.

"Did mommy and daddy wake you? Huh?" She kissed the infant's forehead.

Baby Daniel rubbed his face over her breast, opening his mouth.

"Looks like he's hungry." Jacques added.

Without warning Tiana pulled out her breast for the hungry child who greedily took the nipple in his mouth.

Jacques licked his lips before turning away from the intimate scene. Seeing any flesh from his wife always aroused him. One of the difficulties of controlling himself around her.

Tiana saw him turn away and pitied for him. He was trying to control himself that he made it quite obvious. If it were a year ago she was sure she'd be under him enduring his painful thrusts and irritating groans.

What a difference a year can make and she was relieved for the change.

()()()()

Later during dinner Tiana thought about her husband's struggling willpower as well as her pondering on possibly going through another pregnancy. If he was willing to change which it seemed like he was fighting to accomplish. Then maybe…

Stretching her arm out, she tried to taking her husband's hand without paying attention to the glass of water nearby, "Jacques—

"Goddamnit, Tiana!" He scooted his chair back after the full glass of water spilled on his trousers. He glared her way, grabbing a hold of her arm. "Why do you have to be such a clumsy…," He quickly stopped himself, letting her go and closing his eyes, inhaling and exhaling.

Tiana froze as her heart beat increased. Could she be wrong about the possibility of him changing? His eyes showed that man she was afraid of after all.

"I'm sorry Tiana," Jacques apologised, looking her way. "It was only water, nothing stainable."

"What's going on out here?' asked Florence, looking Tiana's way.

"It was nothing Florence," Jacques told her. "Could you fetch me some more water?"

The older woman raised an eyebrow.

"Please?" He added.

"I'll do it since you said please." She said to him before leaving the room.

Tiana picked up a handkerchief. "Do you need—

"Darling, its fine. I'm still alive aren't I?" He gave her a grin.

She didn't know what to say so she remained quiet. Jacques noticed.

"Don't fear me, Tiana," Jacques took her hand. "I lost my temper but controlled it. It was only water and you were only trying to comfort me. I appreciate it. Really I do."

The two remained quiet for the rest of dinner. It was when Jacques began standing when Tiana finally spoke up.

"Jacques?" She called him.

"Yes darling?"

"I was thinking about what we discussed on earlier…" She couldn't believe she still wanted to go through with it but if he was willing to change even after almost relapsing... "Florence can keep Daniel for a few hours while we, um…" She gave him a weak smile, feeling a bit awkward. "…I was getting somewhat tired of using that sponge anyway."

Jacques' eyes lit up. "You—you really mean this? Us together? Nothing between us? Not even that damned sponge?"

Tiana nodded, standing up. At least she hoped she meant it.

Florence walked into the dining room, surprised to see the couple still at the table. "I thought ya'll be upstairs by now. Here's your water Jacques."

Jacques grabbed his cane. "That won't be necessary, Florence."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

He wrapped his stronger arm around his wife's waist, pulling her to his side. "Tiana and I will be having our nightcap in our room."

Florence raised her eyebrows, eying the young couple. "So this means I get to look after little Daniel, eh?" She grinned, and saw the uncertainty in Tiana's eyes. "You all right, baby?"

Tiana nodded. "I'm okay."

Florence knew she was lying but left the answer alone. "All right. Ya'll head on upstairs and Tiana honey?"

"Yes Florence?" Tiana asked.

"The best way to try for daughter is to stay on you back and—

"That will be all, Florence," Jacques interrupted her.

Florence laughed. "I'll bring up the stronger wine?"

Jacques shook his head.

"Yes, you may." Tiana answered, noticing her husband's surprised expression.

"Very well." Florence smirked, leaving the room.

Jacques stared at his wife for second before asking, "Since when did you take a liking to strong alcohol?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "It's supposed to lighten the mood, right?" She only hoped that it would relax her enough to go through with this.

"It is…," his hand touched her lower back, slowly pulling her onto him before pressing his lips onto hers. "But you're enough to lighten mine."

()()()()

The Montreuil master bedroom…

"All right you two here's ya'll drinks." Florence finished pouring the wine into the glasses. "Now where is my baby?"

"Sleeping in his bassinet." Tiana smiled.

Florence carefully picked up the sleeping infant.

The concerned mother watched on. "He just ate so he shouldn't be hungry when he awakens but if he is—

"I've taken care of plenty a child honey," Florence laughed. "I changed ya husband's diapers!"

Tiana smiled at Jacques. "Well, Daniel's diaper drawer should be filled and—

"Darling, let Florence do her job before our wine loses its strength." Jacques laughed.

The older woman laughed herself. She noticed the change in the young man since Tiana left the first time. She only hoped that he stays this way for the sake of himself.

"Well ya'll lovebirds enjoy ya'selves." She winked at the two before closing the door behind her.

Jacques made sure to lock the door. "That should keep her from barging in."

"Yes..." Tiana said before drinking her entire glass in one gulp.

Jacques went over to her, taking her hand, his expression now serious. "Thank you for giving me another chance."

Tiana shook her head. "You don't have to keep saying that whenever we're...about to do something all husbands and wives do."

"But I know that I don't deserve this." His face hasn't changed. "You have my word on everything I've told you tonight." He raised his hand to caress her cheek, inching closer to her lips. "I will never lift another hand your way."

Tiana responded with a weak smile before accepting his lips onto hers. Though deep down in her heart she wasn't set on believing him, if ever.

She laid back on the bed as her husband's kisses lowered to her neck.

"I am a changed man, darling," Jacques unbuttoned her blouse.

Tiana closed her eyes. 'I hope so...for the sake of our son.'

The End

()()()()

A/N: I wanted to write an alternate ending to the story and have you all see what life would be like if Tiana did leave Naveen for Jacques out of guilt. I hated writing this particular ending but I had to get it out of my system and show that some people can change after a terrible tragedy. Unfortunately my grandfather, who was actually born in the early 1900s (long story on that one since I'm like, 80-90 years younger than he is! Let's just say that my grandmother didn't have any trouble conceiving children from the thirties to the early seventies and that she was much younger than my grandfather) never changed and kept at it with his behavior that eventually killed him. This story was based on many ancestors, the women who wrote journals on their marriages and life. I only shared part of the stories to you and I hope you enjoyed despite the violent content. Naveen was the only fictional storyline as well as the Montreuil name. I can't have you guys knowing everything! lol.

I'm not a person who supports domestic violence. It's a horrible crime that should've been handled much longer than forty-fifty years ago in certain countries. There are some parts of the world where it's still 'the way of life' and I feel so bad for the victims. No one should ever have to endure the physical and mental pain. It's inhumane. And to think that women didn't have family to return to back in those days in order to honour marriage. *sighs*

I'd like to thank every single reviewer who took the time to leave feedback and honest opinions. I truly appreciate what you all had to say. I also thank those who simply enjoy reading…I hope you've learned something from this story. It was a bit difficult to write since it's so close my heart literally.

Well I guess it's time for me to begin on 'A King's Heart'. The story I put on hold in order to complete this particular one.

Peace.