LUCIOUS & COOKIE: TUG OF WAR (REMASTERED)

THE PRIDE IN PARADISE

It's been three days since Lucious, and I remarried. Only a week has elapsed since we left the city, but I think that this has been the most amount of time any of us have taken off in a long time.

Michael left yesterday because he had to get back to work and Carol left too, cuz she doesn't want her kids to miss too many days of school. Things are running smoothly at Empire, but Vernon and the boys are heading back tomorrow because we all can't be gone for too long. Sharks are always lurking.

Lucious and I are staying behind for a few more days before we return to the full-time hustle and bustle that is our lives. Mal will be at the helm of the ship until we get back, while Vernon and Dre handle things in their respective areas of expertise.

Keem and Tianna are starting the European leg of their tour and Michelle's going back into the studio. Needless to say, everybody's going to be busy, so since this is our last night all together for a while we decided to spend it as a family at the beach house.

It's been far too long since we've had a real family dinner and of course Lucious wanted to hire a private chef to prepare it, but I told him not too. I haven't cooked for my family in years, and since I've been in such a great mood, I decided to do it myself. A chef's good, but there ain't nothing like the love put into food prepared by someone that cares bout you.

Everybody's outback by the pool, while Michelle and I are in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on our meal. We pulled together a hearty menu and I just know that everyone's going to be satisfied.

"Okay, the rice needs bout fifteen more minutes and then we'll be done." I advised, wiping my hands on a towel before placing it along the counter. "Come on, let's go on out here and check on these crazy folks." I declared as we made our way outta the kitchen and towards the back of the house.

The sun is beginning to set as we trapsed down the marble staircase and upon an absolutely magnificent view. A wedding gift from my husband. This house that is, and to be honest I don't think I'll ever get use to this level of luxury. Many a day back in Philly Lu and I dreamed about the day when money wouldn't be an issue, when we could buy anything our hearts desired, and it's still hard to fathom that day is upon us.

Mal, Dre, and Keem are in the pool with Lola and the baby. Vernon's posted in a lounge chair next to Lucious with a pen in hand, intently reviewing some paperwork that was faxed from the office earlier on today.

Michelle plopped down next to a sunbathing Tianna and put her earbuds in, then picked up a magazine. I strolled over to Lucious, who's stretched out in his lounge chair reading the paper, slyly inching down onto the edge of his chair, my lips brushed the side of his face.  Instantly he folded his paper down in front of his chest a grin along his lips, that quickly faded once he looked towards the pool and saw Hakeem tossing Laylah high into the air above the water.

"Boy, are you crazy! Don't be tossing her around like that!" He shrieked. "If you don't catch her or she slips out of your wet ass hands and falls under the water imma kill yo ass." He barked.

I popped his thigh, looking over at our two youngest in the water, he's so overprotective of her at times it's sickening. He acts like she's a porcelain China doll that will break with the slightest touch.

"Oh, relax Lucious, she's alright." I murmured providing Hakeem with an avenue to plead his case.

"Yeah, dad I've got her." He proclaimed, firmly holding her up in the air over his head and gazing up at her.

"Ain't that right ma-ma." He cooed, making the silliest face towards her, she giggled while trying to imitate what she saw him doing.

"Aight, play with me if you want...you heard me though." Lucious scolded, as Lola floated by on top of Andre's guiding arms. He's been working with her on her swimming since we've been here and is so patient, his eyes intently focused on her movements, Jamal waiting to receive her on the opposite end of the pool once Dre lets her go.

"Hey, dinners almost ready anyway so y'all go on and get out the water and start getting yourselves together....30, 45 minutes." I told them as Lucious sat his paper to the side and everyone began to climb the pool stairs.

I smirked at the feel of his tongue drifting up my spine before he kissed the exposed portion of my back facing him, while I continued issuing our tribe their marching orders.  His strong hands firmly glided onto my shoulders, and he began to massage. I lowly moaned, because I am a bit tense.

"I really didn't want you slaving over that stove all day long." He uttered while sliding up further into his seat and pulling me closer. My back now resting against his chest, he glided his hand across my thigh. "I don't want you talking bout you're too tired to play with me later on." He teasingly tossed my way, a grin upon his face.

Tilting my head to the side as he ran his hands up and down my arms, I addressed his statement. "I told you why I wanted to cook and I'm not gonna stop doing everything for myself just to conserve energy cuz yo ass is such a horn ball all the time." I jibbed, a smile on my face in anticipation of his response, as everybody continued heading into the house and he chuckled.

"But you love it though cause I damn sure don't ever hear you complaining through all that damn moanin' and screamin' you be doing." He countered.

I slapped him across his arm and couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, shut up you damn fool. You wrong for that cuz yo ass be panting and gruntin' like it's goin' outta style when I be ridin' you or throwin' dis ass back daddy...don't front." I taunted as we rose to our feet.

My husband wrapped his arms around my waist, pressed his junk right up against my butt, forcing us to shuffled back into the house together.

"We gone see. Keep talkin' all that shit and find out where yo ass ends up." He smirked, smacking my ass, before veering around me towards the kitchen before I could get a hold of him.

Dinner went perfectly...everybody stuffed themselves and there were smiles and laughs floating around the room the entire time because everyone's in high spirits.

I personally am floating on cloud nine. This is exactly what I'd prayed for all those years while I was locked down. Things are finally the way they should be and as of right now it seems as if nothing can go wrong at this point.

Looking around the table at those I love the most, suddenly a strange sense of dread began to set in the pit of my stomach, little did I know...a storm was brewing, and a dark cloud was approaching to rain on my parade.