It's been one week since Lucious and Cookie started dating her father still didn't know what happened with Barry or that she was no longer seeing him.
Candace and Carol knew something had changed but didn't question it as their own lives had been busy.
They were careful so her father wouldn't catch them together.it was getting difficult but Lucious and Cookie were willing to do what it takes.
"You've been my girl for a week and I can honestly say I feel like the king of the world," Lucious said.
"It's changed my life that's for sure." Cookie replied.
"You've changed my life too before you I never looked at a girl the way I see you," Lucious said.
"I would think you'd have a lot of girls after you." Cookie replied.
"Hey don't get me wrong sure there were girls interested in me but I wasn't with it," Lucious said.
"Why what was wrong with them?" Cookie asked.
"For the most part, they were shallow and thought that I would shower them with all the name brand things and in return, all they had to do was give me some.that's not the kind of girl I want I don't like easy girls or girls who act with what's between their legs more so than their brains will get them anywhere," Lucious replied.
"You sound like an old man who's ready to settle down." Cookie said.
"You don't have to be an old man to know what you want from life," Lucious replied.
"Oh, I see that now." Cookie said.
"I could have sworn you knew that before we started dating seeing as how your pops were pushing you to go to Howard and Medical school," Lucious replied.
"That life wasn't meant for me." Cookie said."
"Then tell me Cookie what was meant for you?" Lucious asked.
"To be with you to build a life set on your music." Cookie said.
"Yeah, I like the sound of that Cookie," Lucious replied.
"Me too I do." Cookie said.
"I plan to keep it that way," Lucious replied.
Lucious pulled her close to him forcing her to wrap her arms around him.
"Lucious you are a crazy boy." Cookie said.
"There are only two things I'm crazy about my music and you," Lucious replied.
"Yeah, you have shown me that since the day I met you Lucious." Cookie said.
"I don't hear any complaints from you baby girl," Lucious replied.
"What have I got to complain about?" Cookie asked.
"Nothing if I have anything to do with it," Lucious replied.
"Very smooth Mr.Lyon." Cookie said.
"And you're beautiful Mrs.Lyon," Lucious replied.
"I'm not Mrs.Lyon yet we've only been together a week." Cookie said.
"I know that but you know that I only want you in my present and future. one day this finger will wear a ring on it that will show the world that you are everything to me and that there is no girl alive or yet to be born that will ever mean to me what you do," Lucious replied.
Lucious still held her left hand and she looked at her ring finger almost as if she could picture it and feel it on her hand.
Lucious watched her looking down at their hands and smiled.
"What are you smiling about?" Cookie asked.
"You I'm smiling because I'm picturing you as my wife for real and I'm loving it," Lucious replied.
"I'm getting used to the idea of being your wife it's funny I couldn't picture that with Barry but you, on the other hand, I can see it." Cookie said.
"I'm not saying Barry is a bad guy but I don't think he would have made you happy you would have been bored with him," Lucious replied.
"I don't know about bored but I'm not sure id be happy." Cookie said.
"Well, you don't have to think about that anymore," Lucious replied.
"You're right I'm not thinking about that anymore I already know what my future is." Cookie said.
"Well let's go somewhere and get something to eat I'm hungry," Lucious replied.
"You're always hungry I don't know where you put it." Cookie said.
"It goes in all the right places in the end," Lucious replied.
"Come on let's go." Cookie said.
"Okay, where do you wanna go?" Lucious asked.
"I don't care just somewhere." Cookie said.
"Okay then let's go," Lucious replied.
They went for a nice drive like they usually do because they never knew where they might stop.
They found themselves in old town Philadelphia.
"Wow, I've never been here before." Cookie said.
"I've never been here either believe it or not," Lucious replied.
"So where do you wanna go first?" Cookie asked.
"How about we check out that shopping center," Lucious replied.
"Okay sounds good to me." Cookie said.
They toured the sights of Olde Town enjoying their time there. even going to some of the restaurants that served the old-style food the old way.
It was an adventure that they could enjoy not thinking about the violence and problems of their everyday lives.
It was an escape from the beginning of what they both planned yet haven't gotten to do yet.
It was another wonderful moment in the early stages of their relationship.
Lucious was treating her more and more like a queen and it was overwhelming and wonderful all at the same time.
"So what else do you wanna do now?" Lucious asked.
"I don't know let's act like tourists." Cookie said.
"Fine by me," Lucious replied.
They enjoyed going to the different old buildings the old town museum learning things neither of them learned in school.
It was another wonderful day they spent together.
Before they knew it it was getting dark so Lucious and Cookie headed back home.
Cookie walked into her house quick to head upstairs she sat in her room transfixed on thoughts of the day she had.
She got ready for bed it had been a long day she had closed her eyes and turned her back to her bedroom door when she heard a soft knock on her door she didn't say anything but she heard the door open and felt someone sit on her bed.
"Loretha you awake?" Carol asked.
"What's wrong Carol?" Cookie asked.
"Nothing is wrong," Carol replied.
"Then why did you wake me up?" Cookie asked.
"You seem different not like how you. were with Barry I'm wondering if it's because of Lucious?"Carol asked.
" Carol you and Candace saw the day I first saw him he's talented he performed at the rap party and the crowd loved it."Cookie said.
"I heard about the party but I had that sleepover at Shantel's house so I couldn't go," Carol replied.
"I know but that isn't why you're in my room so what's going on?" Cookie asked.
"I'm just checking on you I only ever see you at school barely at home lately," Carol replied.
"Carol I'm fine I'm happy and I'm a lot less stressed." Cookie said.
"Okay, I'm gonna go to bed," Carol replied.
"Alright good night." Cookie said.
Carol left the room closing the door behind her and Cookie rolled over and went back to sleep.
The next morning Cookie woke up getting ready for school all she wanted to do was keep the peace.
She didn't want to upset her father or disappoint him but the way Berry treated her the night of the rap party told her a lot about him that if he got angry with her he could seriously hurt her beyond just bruises.
Meanwhile, Lucious and Bunkie were talking.
"I can't believe Berry put his hands on Loretha he has Uncle John fooled," Bunkie said.
"Yeah guys like him have a lot of people fooled it was clear he didn't trust Cookie even though she didn't do anything wrong for him to not trust her. But it doesn't matter anymore because he's out of the picture and he's gonna stay out of it. "Lucious replied.
"Agreed I know I don't have a say in what either one of you does I buy I think Loretha is way better off with you than him. " Bunkie said.
"I plan on seeing her today hopefully her dad won't be around I don't want to get her in trouble," Lucious replied.
"He will most likely be working he's proud of his business his flexible work schedule and the fact he is providing for his daughters and most of all that he wants them to do better than he and auntie managed to do," Bunkie said.
"There is nothing wrong with that at all that's why I'm doing this so Cookie and I can build a lasting empire that would last for generations," Lucious replied.
"That's true he's not a bad man just set in his ways," Bunkie said.
"Yeah, I understand my dad was like that he loved his job and was good at it," Lucious replied.
Hours passed and Cookie Candace and Carol returned home from school after they had stopped at the corner store.
Cookie goes to her room and starts her homework. Once she was finished she got out of her school uniform changing into regular clothes.
After an hour she jogs down the stairs and out the front door walking in the direction of the record store.
Lucious driving down the street sees Cookie walking turns his car around and pull up beside her.
"Cookie where are you going?" Lucious asked.
"Oh my god, Lucious don't sneak up on me like that I was just going to the record store. Where are you going?" Cookie replied.
"I was hoping to take you on another drive," Lucious said.
He gets out of the car going to the other side opening the door for her she gets in he gets into the driver's seat and off they go.
"Where are we going?" Cookie asked.
"I was thinking we could go to a music festival in the park I've even got a picnic basket in the backseat," Lucious said.
"Oh, I heard that they are supposed to have a lot of acts performing until tonight at 10:00." Cookie replied.
"Yeah, I love to go to these festivals they are reasonable in terms of tickets, not that regular concerts aren't fun but these you get to bring your food and drinks if you want to and it's more relaxed then standing or sitting for hours in uncomfortable chairs," Lucious said.
"I've never been to one at all though I've seen the flyers for them when they have them." Cookie replied.
"Well, I think you'll enjoy this because they always put on great shows," Lucious said.
"We'll find out either way but I am looking forward to it." Cookie replied.
Lucious parks the car hurrying to the passenger side to let Cookie out and grab the picnic basket and blanket walking toward the concert stage to find a good spot out of the sun.
Lucious and Cookie set the blanket down and finally put the picnic basket between them they sat and watched as other people started to arrive picking places to lay down things.
Slowly but surely the park filled with people and on the stage people were setting things up. Once everything was set the announcer taking the stage followed by the first group to perform.
"These guys are good," Lucious said.
"Yeah they are you would be great up there." Cookie replied.
"You think so?" Lucious asked.
"I know so you are talented Lucious." Cookie said.
"Thanks, baby that means a lot," Lucious replied.
"No need to thank me Lucious I'm just telling you the truth." Cookie said.
Lucious opened the picnic basket setting out the plates water and food Cookie watched Lucious in between watching the different bands.
They ate their food in silence enjoying the performances.
Lucious stands up taking Cookie by the hand and they start dancing to the music other couples did the same all along the park it was very romantic Berry never did anything like this.
And at this moment Berry wasn't even a thought in her mind she found her soulmate in Lucious he had proven that he would protect her with everything in him.
And he showed her that the way he protected her from Berry.
As they danced they were in their world.
"You know how beautiful you are?" Lucious asked.
"My dad tells me and my sisters all the time. But hearing you say it puts away different meanings to it." Cookie said.
"Well I mean it your the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on and I'm happy beyond words that I will always get to call you my girl," Lucious replied.
"You are something else you know that?" Cookie asked.
"Yeah, I heard that a lot," Lucious replied.
They sit back down on the blanket continuing to watch the performances. Which were all good and Lucious was taking mental notes for when he would get the chance to rap again.
It was another great day for Lucious and Cookie especially getting away from things for a while though Lucious had his dream to be a rapper and owning his empire that he and Cookie would run together that their future children would one day be apart of.
Lucious found himself looking at Cookie remembering when his mom would talk about his father during her lucid moments telling him how she knew that Joe Walker was her soulmate and the only man she would ever love and how someday if he ever found a love like that hold it with both hands and never let it go.
Lucious turns his attention back to the stage. Out of the corner of Cookies' eye, she noticed Lucious staring at her smirking she to turned back to the stage.
"These guys are pretty good." Cookie said.
"Yeah, they know how to work the crowd the best people in music know how to engage the crowd making them part of the performance," Lucious replied.
"Kind of like how you were working for the crowd at the rap party." Cookie said.
"Yes exactly though I still have a lot of fine-tuning to do if I'm going to make our Empire happen," Lucious replied.
Talking about the future with Lucious always gave Cookie butterflies in her stomach thinking about the kind of life she would have centered around the music.
Lucious and Cookie eat some more from the picnic basket as they continued to enjoy the music playing.
People all around the park were enjoying the music as well.
It was a beautiful warm day that turned into a warm evening with the stars and moon shone in the sky.
"Lucious I'm having a great time I can't believe I waited so long to come to this." Cookie said.
"Better late than never right I enjoy shows like this because it's a great way to enjoy music and it helps me learn what it takes to get people to like your music," Lucious replied.
"That's not hard if you love what you do and have a passion for it. People won't buy the cassette or buy tickets if the person performing is the equivalent of sitting in a freshly painted room staring at the wall that wouldn't be worth the money spent." Cookie said.
"That's true and by the way, if anyone is willing to pay money to watch wet paint dry has to be extremely stupid," Lucious replied laughing.
"Yeah and boring too." Cookie said laughing.
"Most definitely," Lucious replied.
Lucious leans in and kisses Cookie their hearts race time stops again and they are in their world once again a place they never wanted to leave. The music continued to be the soundtrack of their romance yes they are young but that didn't matter to them their connection was deeper than anything they ever experienced with anyone else.
"Wow." Cookie said breathlessly.
"What you okay?" Lucious replied.
"Yes, I'm great." Cookie said.
"Good because I want us to have many more days like this," Lucious replied.
"You sure you can afford it?" Cookie asked.
"Yes, we can afford it don't forget what is mine is yours and I'm going to make sure we are always okay," Lucious replied.
Cookie looks at him smirks shakes her head and turned
to continue to watch the rest of the show going on.
Overall all the performances were really good and all the people in the park were enjoying the show. The energy of the people watching the show as well as the band's added to the fun of the situation.
Lucious scoots closer to Cookie wrapping his arm around her shoulder all the while watching the stage.
The concert stage was abuzz with the high energy of all that performed and it never died down no matter who was on the stage.
The music was like a drug for both of them it gave them a high nothing else in life compared to. And they were both addicted to the rush it gave them.
"Thank you, Lucious for this you're spoiling me you know." Cookie said.
"I know I am it's my job as your man and future husband to make sure you are taken care of. My dad did it for my mom and me your dad does it while you live with him there is nothing wrong with that a good true man does everything thing for his family being the provider and protector to make things easier for his family or in this case our family." Lucious replied.
"I agree with you it's important to take care of your family so long as you remember to take care of yourself. Sometimes people forget that but in the long run, you will remember once things start going sideways." Cookie said.
"True divine intervention at it's finest," Lucious replied.
"Do you have a guardian angel or devil watching out for you?" Cookie teased.