Day 18 part 2

After talking of the plan he carried his wife back to bed for a nap.

When the time came Jake was placed on a gurnee and covered up to be transferred out of the hospital by a hearse to a nearby mortuary then he transferred to a car and was driven to the club.

Lillian went strait to the club with Thomas. There she found a huge suite fully equipped with everything they would need till time for their next plan.

She got to work making something delish for her husband.

Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Caramelized Pears

7 tablespoons olive oil, divided

2 onions, peeled and sliced

1 whole chicken, cut into pieces

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon salt

3 cinnamon sticks

2 bay leaves, crushed

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh ginger root, peeled and minced

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons butter

2 pears, cored and sliced

2 tablespoons honey

[Directions]

Prep 20 m

Cook 1 h 8 m

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Heat 2 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook onions until softened and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer onions into a tagine. Layer chicken pieces on top of onions.

Combine turmeric, cumin, ground coriander, and salt in a small bowl; mix well with remaining 5 tablespoons olive oil. Spread spice mixture onto the chicken pieces. Add cinnamon pieces, bay leaves, ginger, and cilantro. Pour in 1/2 cup of water and cover tagine with a lid.

Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Melt butter in a skillet over low heat while chicken is cooking. Add sliced pears and honey and cook, while stirring, until honey has caramelized.

Remove tagine from the oven and stir in caramelized pears. Return to the oven and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Just as she was pulling out the dish her husband walked in.

"Mmmm what's that smell?" Jake said.

Thomas who was reading the paper stated, "Someone would not rest and decided to cook. Now I can honestly say I hate you big brother."

Jake laughed and went into the kitchen. He found his wife plating up food in serving dishes.

"Just in time set the table please." She smiled and his heart skipped a beat.

"Yes my love anything for you."

The two worked together to get dinner on the table.

Thomas, Jake, Charlie, and Lillian sat down and enjoyed the food she prepared. The men could not believe that a cute little girl could cook this good.

After dinner Jake took Lillian to the room to rest so he could talk to the guys.

"Why are you shutting me out?" Lillian said.

"I'm not. This is about business not our plans. You just got out of the hospital and need time to recuperate so you can play your part. Please darling listen to." He said kissing her forehead.

"Ok" she pouted and laid down.

He gently covered her with a quilt and walked out of the room.

She waited and got up and laid down on the floor so she could hear what was going on threw the crake under the door.

"Ok what's there to report?" Jake asked.

"Everything so far is on track. The lawyer said what we told him to say. Your father will get a few documents on Monday. The board meeting is set for wednesday. Are you sure you want your wife involved?" Charlie asked.

"Yes, I trust her. If she can tame this big bad wolf she can handle the old one too." Jake sat their.

Lillian felt proud at that moment. She was more to him them his basket of goodies. She decided to go back to bed to rest.

She still could not sleep but she did rest. When she grew tired of the bed she got up and left the room. The men were still talking so she went into the kitchen and made some camomile tea and took it out to them.

Jake spotted his wife with the tray and got up to help her carry it out."Why didn't you call me to help. Lillian you just got out of the hospital."

"It's just tea. I'm sorry." She hung her head like a scolded child.

He placed the tea on the table then pulled her into his lap as he sat down.

She would always welcome this feeling of being protected. She snuggled close to his chest. Charlie pored tea for her and she thanked him. The men had been drinking hard liquor so did not touch the tea.

They talk for several hours about old times and current events. She got a better in site into Jakes life. They even asked her question and opinion on different subjects.

As the even drew on she yawned. When Jake seen this he called it a night and carried his wife to the tub. He ran warm water and added bubbles and they both sank down to enjoy it.

After the bath he dried her hair and carried her to bed.

"I can walk, why do you insist on carrying me like a child?" She asked.

"I'm afraid." He said.

"Of what?"

"That this is all a dream and when you wake up you'll walk away. So if I carry you... you can not walk away." He then leaned in and kissed her.

She melted into his kiss and it went deeper and deeper. The need they had for each other was growing. He knew he should stop but couldn't. He needed to be inside her, close to her and he could feel her need for him just as strong.

They spent a few more hours in pleasing each other body before they had to stop and sleep in each other's arms.

As he watched her fall asleep wanted this feeling every night for the rest of his life. The feeling of belonging. The last time he felt that was when his Yamyam was still alive.

'Yamyam thank you for rasing me to recognize true love. I think you would really love my little red.' With this silent prayer he closed his eyes and slept.