Later that evening, after straightening the living situation out, Eudora had an idea.

"Y/n, would you like to watch Tiana and I make gumbo?"

You nodded your head excitedly as the three of you walked to the kitchen. Eudora picked you up and placed you on the counter so you could oversee the kitchen.

-TIME SKIP-

As Tiana was carefully proportioning the spices and pouring them in the pot, you heard the door open and shut. Tiana raced out of the kitchen and her yell echoed through the halls.

"Daddy!" She screamed. 

"Evenin', princess! Is that gumbo I smell?" James said, humming softly as he walked into the kitchen, Tiana on his hip.

"Yup!" Tiana said. He placed her down as he approached Eudora and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Tiana gagged as she stepped on the stool and continued cooking. James turned and saw you sitting on the counter, silently monitoring your best friend. His eyes turned sad, remembering the fire he had to put out less than an hour ago.

"Hello, N/n!"

"Hi, Mr. James!" You said, giving him a small glance and smile.

He had a quick moment of realization. "I have a gift for you, N/n."

Your head snapped up from looking at the pot. "Really? What is it?"

James went back to the mud room and came back in carrying a case. He brought it over to the counter next to you and popped open the latches. A faint smoke smell wafted through the kitchen, mixing with the spices of the stew.

A shiny gold alto saxophone was nestled in the velvet interior, faint scratches seen around the edges and reeds in their covers. A couple of folders were slid in the side, sheets of music, finger charts, and warm-ups poking out.

You looked up at him in confusion. "What is it?"

"A saxophone. Your father's, specifically. He was a wonderful musician. When we were younger, Mrs. Eudora would make food to share with the neighborhood and he would bring his band over to play for everyone as they ate. They were spectacular. I hope that you decide to learn one day, just as he did." He began to shut the case, flipping the latches shut. "You don't have to, of course, I just thought-"

"Thank you, Mr. James. I promise I'll learn!" You said, smiling at him.

Eudora put a hand on James' back as she approached. "I'll put this in her room." He handed the black case to her and she left.

Everyone's attention turned to Tiana as she said confidently, "I think it's done, daddy." She kept swirling the wooden spoon in the pot, mixing the shrimp, tomatoes, and ingredients to perfection.

"Yeah? Are you sure?"

She hummed in return. Eudora returned and sat down at her sewing machine, foot pushing the peddle as she worked the pink fabric.

James smiled, crow's feet crinkling. "Absolutely positive?" He put his hands on his hips. You smiled, as you could see what he was doing.

"She said she's sure," you said teasingly. 

James took the spoon from her tiny hand. "Okay, I'm about to put this spoon in my..." he dragged out the last word as he slowly moved the spoon towards his mouth.

"Wait!" Tiana cut him off. She reached over and grabbed a bottle of Tabasco. Giving it a few shakes, she  mixed the sauce into the stew and scooped some for herself, sipping from the spoon. She smacked her lips as she judged it and gave a sharp nod to her father. "Done."

She fed her father a spoonful, and hummed, analyzing it. Tiana's grin turned to a frown as he thought.

"What?" She asked, doubtful.

"Well, sweetheart," James said seriously, "this is the best gumbo I've ever tasted!" He broke out into a wide grin, knowing he had tricked his daughter. He picked her up as she laughed and set her on his hip. "Come here. N/n, I would keep Tia close, she's got a gift."

"I could've told you that!" You giggled.

Eudora offered, "a gift this special  has to be shared."

You understood what she meant and raced to the door and burst onto the porch. "Hey, everybody, Tia made gumbo!"

A neighbor yelled, "ooo, that sounds good!"

Another called, "I got some hush puppies, N/n. Here I come!"

Everyone gathered on Tiana's porch as they ate the gumbo.  A man brought his ukulele and began strumming a tune.