A/N I know yall saw that Emmy photoshoot w/ Taraji and Terrence right? RIGHT. It was the most amazing thing ever. Well, that's where this fic series came from. I hate Lucious so much on the show but I'll be damned if Taraji&Terrence's chemistry is so strong you can't help but to root for Cookie and Lucious am I right? I know I hate myself too. But lets just pretend we don't hate Lucious, humor me for a few small one-shots that revolve around King and Queen Lyon, will you?
I don't own them. Wish I could own half of Cookie's wardrobe and confidence. No beta, I made all the mistakes. All of them.
First up: Birthday. Takes place sometime after 1.08. Anika never saw them so there' that too. Enjoy!
Over the years Cookie grew to hate birthdays. For her it was just another reminder of how long she's spent her life locked away. How much time she spent away from her family, time away from the outside world and time away from life. It wasn't always like that. Before she went away, she looked forward to her birthday, handwritten cards from her babies, a song or two from Lucious- followed by some mind-blowing sex. It was one of her favorite holidays. But, after spending 17 years locked up with the worst of them, her birthday only reminded her how much older she was getting, being away from who and what she loved.
So when she walked into Empire on the crisp November morning she wasn't expecting anything. She wanted to get through the day without a reminder or mention of what the day was. When she got to her office she was met with a single cup of coffee sitting on her desk, as she approached she picked it up with careful trepidation. She turned the cup in her hands as she read the side of the cup; Happy Birthday Cookie! – P. Of course Porsha knew, the girl was so damn nosey. Hopefully, she could keep the information to her damn self and not make a show out of it. She shed her coat and was preparing to sit down when she heard a faint knock on the door.
"Ms. Lyon?"
"Oh hey Malcolm. What's up?"
"I just wanted to let you know the security team will be over today to install the cameras, is there a time you prefer? We could do it this afternoon or wait till you're around this evening?"
"I don't know if I can trust you." She smiled.
"I'll personally see to it that your home is safe, I'll even stick around and show you how it works." He winked at her.
She laughed. "This afternoon is fine. " She reached into her pocket pulling out a key handing it to him. "If you steal anything, I will kill you." She deadpanned.
"Yes ma'am." He mock saluted her with a smile, and turned to leave. "Oh, and Ms. Lyon," Cookie lifted her head up to look at him, "Happy Birthday." Cookie's mouth dropped open as he walked out her office, he knew too? Who else in the damn office knew?
She got her answer as she breezed through the day with ease. No one had mentioned it; minus the text Jamal sent offering to take her out for dinner on Friday. She got a phone call from Carol singing an out of tune version of The Birthday Song and a text message from Puma that made her blush. That man would never give up.
Other than that no one said a word. There was one person she was banking on remembering though, and while it shouldn't have, it was bothering her that he hadn't said a thing. They had two meeting together, passed each other at least 6 times in the hallway and even shared small talk in the elevator and not one word. What made it especially frustrating was the not so simple fact that they were still fucking, even after she made the point of "no nookie" until he dropped Anika. Yet, here she was three weeks later still messing around with an engaged man. Though on her part, she told Lucious its not cheating because "they were married once." So of course he couldn't mention that it was Cookie's birthday, if he did Anika would know and when he tried to give her the old "I'm working late tonight" line she wouldn't believe him. At least that's what she told herself.
So imagine her surprise when she strolled into her office in the late afternoon to see a huge box on her desk. She looked around and closed to door so no one could see. It was wrapped in a deep maroon and she couldn't wait to tear it apart. When she opened it she was met with 4 other packages. The first; a Chanel bag she'd been dying to have. The second; a simple black pair of Christian Louboutin pumps. The third; an overly expensive cheetah bra and thong from La Pearla. The fourth; a maroon Hervé Léger bandage knit dress. At the bottom of the huge box a card was tapped to the bottom she snacked it off with a smile, already knowing who it was from. Here's to not looking a day over 25. Wear this and meet me at 6:30 pm at the address below. Don't be late. I'll know if you're not wearing the underwear. Lucious. She looked at her watch as it read 5 o'clock she had an hour to get home get ready and head out she welcomed the challenge, texting Malcolm on her way to let him know they'd have to reschedule her security plans. She arrived at the restaurant promptly at 6:30 and was surprised to find she was the only one there. On sight waiters had taken her coat, had a glass of champagne in her hand and led her to the small table in the center. There was a glow from the candlelight that was in the centerpiece and rose petals scattered all about. It was absolutely cheesy and she loved every bit of it.
The lights started to dim and Cookie began to look around having no sight of Lucious yet and it was awfully quiet. Then, she heard the faint playing of music and noise coming from something that sounded like a microphone.
Just then a single spotlight appeared in the corner to reveal Lucious backed by a full band playing "When We Get Married" by Larry Graham. Bringing her back to when he first played the same song for her birthday those 30 years ago. Changing the lyrics to fit their situation telling her he was going to marry her and spend the rest of his life with her. Instantly tears welled into her eyes and she watched him move towards her. He held his hand out to her and pulled her to dance, she graciously accepted.
"You remembered." She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and his went around her waist.
"How could I forget." He grinned, kissing her cheek.
"Oh, I don't know. 17 years in prison without a word, I just assumed."
"Come on Cookie lets keep the mood happy."
"I am. I am. I just really thought you'd forgotten."
"I could never forget the day my soul mate was brought into the world."
"Soulmate huh? What about Annnika?" She drew her name out with a scowl, which caused Lucious to chuckle and kiss her, as he smoothly deflected her question.
"You remember your 16th birthday wish?"
"Sorta."
"I do, you told me you wanted me to take you to Paris. You wanted the cliché experience. French pastries, paintings, sex on the Eifel tower." She slapped his arm.
"I don't remember that." She laughed.
"Oh yeah, right must have been me. "
"I remember now. You told me absolutely not."
"That's because I was stupid then."
"I'd argue you're still stupid now." She laughed and he playfully bit her lip.
"Well, I guess I'll take my stupid self and my stupid tickets to Paris and go home."
"Wait, what?"
"You heard me woman."
"You didn't."
Lucious pulled two tickets from his pocket and waved them in front of her, they stopped dancing. She grabbed them out his hands and read them, her hands shaking.
"Oh my God! LUCIOUS!" She squealed pressed her mouth against his, coaxing his mouth open until their tongues could meet. Lucious reluctantly pulled back to catch his breath. "Damn woman."
She smiled. "Sorry. I just. Are you serious? We're going to Paris? Together?" Lucious nodded at her.
"Yes. You and me, Cookie Monster." She jabbed his arm at the mention of the nickname. She smile quickly turned to a frown when a realization with her.
"We can't go to Paris, Lucious."
"Why the hell not?"
"Because. You're with Anika and there is no way in hell she'd let you go to Paris alone with me. Plus, when we go to Paris I want us to be together."
"We are together. We together right now aint we?"
"That's not what I meant Lucious. I don't want to be the one you are sneaking around with, I want to be able to walk around freely with you, go out with people around, kiss you in public. Not sneak around fucking in the bathroom on the 17th floor because no one goes there. I deserve more than that Lucious." She handed the tickets back to him.
"I suppose you are right." He took the tickets and put them back in his pockets, only to reach for something in his suit jacket.
"I know it wasn't the we planned but when does anything we do go as planned. So here it is."
He got down on one knee in front of Cookie and pulled out a box opening it to reveal a huge white gold, yellow and white cut diamond ring.
"Lucious what are you doing?"
"What's it look like I'm doing woman, stop asking so many damn questions."
"Lucious you can't."
"Cookie shut up and let me talk."
"I know I haven't been the greatest, I know you felt like I didn't care about you after leaving you in prison all those years, but Cookie you've got to know I love you more than life itself. Thinking about spending the rest of my life without you constantly drives me crazy and I couldn't think of any other woman I'd rather have by my side. I've made mistakes, and fucked up a lot but my heart has and will always be with you. So on today November 17th, 2014 I ask you Loretha "Cookie" Lyon, will you marry me. Again?"
"But Anika?"
"I-as you put it- "ditched the bitch"."
"You did not."
"Did so. Which is where this bruise came from." She looked to see the small cut on his forehead she didn't notice before.
"You're serious?"
"Completely serious, and madly in love with you. So, what do you say?"
She bent down to look him in the eyes, seeing that they were sincere.
"Of course I will."
Lucious slid the ring on her finger and stood up, grabbing her face pulling her into a deep kiss.
"I love you too, Lucious." She smiled against his lips. The song changed to something more upbeat to fit the mood as Lucious glided her along the dance floor.
"Wait, I have a question?" She asked.
"Shoot."
"How do you know if I'm wearing the underwear?" She smirked.
His lips curved into a smile.
"So you disregarded my wishes and wore another pair."
"No baby, I did you one better. I'm not wearing underwear at all."
Lucious eyes darkened as she untangled her arms around his neck and began to walk away.
"I have to go to the ladies room, care to join?" She laughed as she ascended the steps.