oOo

Edward was standing in his kitchen, staring at the three avocados he'd bought. He liked avocado, but had no idea what to do with it. Did you cook it to make guacamole?

After he'd been working all morning, he'd gone grocery shopping around noon, just to get some fresh air. He had also decided that he wouldn't order in so often anymore. It was very unhealthy, after all, and Bella had told him that cooking was simpler than he thought.

Edward was nursing his second glass of wine.

There'd been no Glenlivet all week. A few glasses of wine, though not exactly good, were far better than downing glass after glass of whiskey.

He was staring out of the window and into the dark garden, but all he saw was Bella's lovely, pale face.

And then his phone rang, and he flinched before he darted to the table, stubbing his toe in the process. He usually wore jeans, a T-shirt or flannel shirt, and chucks or no shoes at all when he worked. It had been a no shoes-day, and he cried out "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"

He could feel the pain from his small toe in his whole body as he touched the accept button.

"Yes?" he hissed.

"Are you okay?" It was the sweetest voice in the world.

"Yes, ow, oww, fuck."

"Edward? What's going on?" Her voice was panicked now.

He took a deep breath and sat down.

"Oh, oh." He inhaled again. "Sorry. I stubbed my toe, and it felt like I had broken my whole foot. Leg. Body." He chuckled, now that the pain had subsided.

"Ouch. I know that one."

"It's okay now, I think."

"What did you do?"

"Jump to get my phone," he admitted sheepishly. "I couldn't wait to hear your voice."

"You're very sweet, Edward."

"Um…"

He felt the huge smile that spread on his lips. She was the sweet one!

"I think that it's actually you who's sweet."

"You do?"

Her voice was low and husky, and it made Edward's heart speed up.

"Yes, I do." He swallowed. "Did you get my message?"

"Yes," she said, and there was amusement in her voice. "Have you done anything yet?"

"No," he said. "No, I didn't dare to. I was hoping that you'd help me."

"Okay," she said. "What do you have?"

Edward rushed back to the counter and took a deep gulp of wine before he responded.

"Zucchini, aubergine, ginger, and three avocados."

"Whoa, three avocados? What were you thinking about doing with them?"

"I don't know. I like avocado."

"I understand that, Edward, but three of them? You might as well eat half a package of butter."

"What? Why? That's horrible!"

"Okay, what are we making?"

"I was hoping you'd tell me."

"Do you have rice, or pasta?"

"Wait."

Edward opened the pantry door and looked around.

"Yes," he said excitedly.

"Did you check the expiration date?"

Edward held the pasta box away from his eyes as he peered at it. He was going to need glasses one of these days, and he hated the fact, but he needed to see properly.

"Um… July 20th, 2009?"

"Throw it away, okay?"

"Okay. I have rice!"

"Very good."

"Now… take the ginger, and peel it. Then mince it."

"Mince?"

Edward set down the rice, which was still good for another few months.

"Um, yes, mince. Like when you… Oh, Edward."

"What? What?"

"Would you like me to come over and help you?"

Edward sat down on the floor.

"Yes," he whispered.

And with that, admitting he could not do everything on his own, or by himself, Edward felt relief.

oOo

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