AN: I'm so sorry for disappearing but a lot in my personal life happened but I have so much time on my hands now, I thought I might as well get back into! This chapter has no Bella in it.

Happy reading!

Flashback*

"Darling, please can you get me the stew pot on the top shelf, my back is killing me again. " Elizabeth asked her son Edward.

"Of course mom. Go rest, I'll cook tonight, it gives me something to do." Edward smiled at his mother, gently guiding her to her bed.

Edward went back to kitchen, peered in the fridge and grimaced. They had hardly any food left. A can of beans, one carrot,an onion and a beef stock cube. He would do the best he could, he knew his mom would eat anything he made with a smile.

He reached for the pot on the top shelf, turned the stove on and began to chop the onion and carrot, sautéing it in a bit of grease, and while the food was simmering on a low heat he went to check on his mother.

"Oh my boy, thank you for cooking tonight, my back is really sore. I'll be on my feet in no time. " Elizabeth told her son with a smile.

Edward knew the long hours and extra shifts his mom took didn't help the back pain,if anything it probably caused it. His mother was the hardest worker he knew, she held down two jobs and even though they battled, they always had a roof over their heads.

He knew his father wouldn't pitch in and help, so his mom took the responsibility of it all with a smile on her face.

His father. It left such a bitter taste in Edward's mouth, he hated the man with every breath he took. What sort of man would leave the woman he professed love for at her most vulnerable.

"Sweetheart." Elizabeth pulled Edward from his dark thoughts about his sperm donor. "What's wrong,you've been frowning at the wall for a few minutes."

"Sorry mum, was lost in thought. Would you like me to make you a hot water bottle?" Edward asked.

"Yes please, my boy. I can rest for about an hour and then I've got to go in. Jimmy said Eliza is home sick so I have to cover her shift."

"Do you think it's wise mum, you'll hurt your back more..." Edward tried to say,

"No my boy, I have to go in. Jimmy is already upset that I took a day off a few months back."

"That's ridiculous , you were really sick that day."

"Mhm. Don't you worry yourself, go finish the dinner and I'll get ready." Elizabeth gently said.

Edward checked the food and added the beans before adding some water. He rummaged through the kitchen and found two small potatoes, diced them and threw them in as well,along with the stock cube. It wasn't much but it was food. Thankfully a few days back he received a ten dollar tip and bought some fresh bread amongst other items they needed.

The food was nearing done 45 minutes later, just as Elizabeth walked in the kitchen, wearing her uniform. She had a slight limp and you could see the pain in her eyes, but she hid it well.

"It smells delicious." She smiled at Edward ,giving him a peck on the cheek as she walked past to sit at the table. Edward dished them up a small helping, leaving leftovers for tomorrow night. He served it with buttered bread and a cup of black tea.

"I was right, it tastes delicious too. My son the chef." Elizabeth teasingly winked at him.

Edward flushed in embarrassment,

"It's nothing much."

He felt his mom lift his chin with her index finger, "Listen to me, Edward. Learn to take a compliment, you made a wonderful dinner out of so little ingredients,for which I'm sorry. How about this, Friday I get my paycheck, why don't we go to that spice shop you like and get some spices and such, hmm?

Edward loved to cook. It got him out of his own head for a while, he was self conscious about his ability as he hardly,if ever, had ingredients to experiment with but his mother was his biggest supporter. When he was five, like all kids, he burnt toast and gave it to his mom who like a true champ swallowed it down with a huge smile.

"Will we have enou-"

"You let me worry about that. Come on,let's finish up and then you can walk me downstairs, Frank is picking me up at half 6." Elizabeth patted her sons hand before finishing her meal, she was about to stand and clean up but Edward nudged her out the way and took over.

"Thank you my boy for the lovely meal, I'm going to brush my teeth and then we can go."

Edward quickly finished up the dishes and wiped the counters and stove down.

"Come sweetheart."

Elizabeth and Edward went down the stairs, Edward excitedly going on about the spices he'd need and the meals he could come up with. Elizabeth listened to his chatter with a smile on her face, her son was definitely going places,she could see it.

A car honked and Elizabeth saw Frank was waiting for her with a smile on his face. He had a soft spot for Edward, his own sons off in College starting their own lives.

"Bye sweetheart,don't wait up for me alright? I love you." Elizabeth reached up and gave her son a peck on the cheek.

"Love you too mom. Be safe."

Edward watched his mom get in the car and he waved them both off, he pulled his jacket tighter around him as he felt rain droplets hit his skin.

He got inside and tidied as best as he could, swept the lounge which also happened to be his room. Edward let his mom have the room, after much debate that it should be him to have it as he was a growing boy. But he refused.

He was just sitting on the couch, going over his English assignment when he got a call on the cheap phone his mom bought him for emergencies only.

His blood ran cold.

"Hello?"

"Edward, I'm so sorry..."

It all faded and Edward got up just to fall to the floor as the darkness overcame him.

Flashback ended.*