Chapter 9 - Cookies

Later that day, Timo wheeled Eric into the main kitchen and helped him out of the chair.

“Gosh, my legs feel like stiff jelly,” Eric wiggled them around a bit.

“How’s the rib pain?” Timo asked.

“Doesn’t seem too bad unless I twist a bit or breath too deeply.”

“I’ll try to make it easy. Here’s the mixer. Tell me everything you need and I’ll grab it so you don’t have to move much.”

“I also don’t know where anything is, so okay. Two bowls, a measuring cup, spoons, butter, salt, brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, quick oats, chocolate chips, Reese’s chips, eggs and baking soda.”

“Reese’s chips?”

“Yes, it’s what makes these chocolate chip cookies so special.”

“I don’t think we have that,” Timo pulled out his phone. “I’ll send someone for it right now.”

“Okay, cool.”

“I’ll grab everything else you need. On that note, do you need a recipe for the amounts?”

Eric laughed. “Nope; it’s the only dessert I make, so I know it by heart.”

“Where did you learn it?”

Eric’s expression dropped. My… my mom… I used to bake with her when I was really little until she died in a car crash.

“These cookies sound special to you, then. Are you sure you want to make them?”

Charlotte’s face flashed through his mind, and he smiled. “I’m sure.” My mom would probably want me to make them for someone special.

“These are pretty good,” Timo said after taking a bite of a freshly baked cookie.

“Phew, that’s good; I was worried I was the only one that liked them. Now, hopefully, Char will like it too. How do I hand it to her?” Eric stared at the pan of cookies.

“I think a nice serving plate would work, but it's a while until she comes home, so I can put it in a box. You sit and relax; I’ll set it up for you.”

“Thanks,” Eric sat in his wheelchair as Timo worked and slowly drifted off to sleep.

“I’m home,” Charlotte called out from the entrance to her house. “Eric?” she mumbled his name, glancing around. “Maybe a greeting when I get home from work while he’s injured is a bit much to ask for,” she sighed and headed upstairs.

She knocked on Eric’s door. “Eric, are you in there?”

No response. “I’m coming in,” she slowly opened his door and peeked in.

Eric was asleep on the couch, his arm hanging off the side.

“Sleeping here and without a blanket,” Charlotte grabbed an extra blanket and draped it over him, tucking his arm in. “I don’t want you getting sick.”

“Mmm…” Eric’s eyes slowly opened. “Char?”

“Yeah, it’s just me; you can go back to sleep.” She pulled away, and he grabbed her hand.

“Welcome home…”

“Thank you,” Charlotte smiled.

Eric groaned as he sat up. "Sorry, I fell asleep."

“Don’t get up on my account.”

“I wanted to give you something,” Eric moved to stand, cringing, and she stopped him.

“Please, don’t move too much until you’ve healed.”

Eric pointed over to his table at the box.

“What is it?” Charlotte asked as she made her way over. She opened the box and her eyes widened. “You bought me cookies?”

“No, I made you cookies. Or at least I tried to; Timo did a lot of it.”

“You made these?” Charlotte eagerly bit into one of the cookies. “Oh my gosh, they’re so good. Soft and moist… and delicious. There’s a different flavour to normal cookies. What’s your secret?”

“Reese’s chips to go with the chocolate ones,” Eric smiled, relieved she liked them.

“Gosh, I could eat the whole batch, but I’ll have to cap myself at two.”

“Oh?”

Charlotte laughed. “Yes, or else I’ll pack on the pounds,” she lightly rubbed her stomach. “I have a sweet tooth, making it hard to stay in shape.”

“I should’ve guessed you don’t overindulge since you’re in such great shape,” Eric’s shoulders slumped. “I just wanted to give you something special as a thank you.”

She brought the box over and sat down beside Eric. “And I love it, but you don’t owe me any thanks. Unless you’ve forgotten, I kinda hit you with my car and you ended up badly injured. Honestly, most people would’ve made a big spectacle of it and sued me, but I had to practically drag you over here. And don’t you worry, I’ll make sure I savour every bit of these delicious cookies myself, unless you want one,” she offered him a cookie.

“I shouldn’t; I made them for you.”

“Okay, but you’re the only one I’d share these with.”

“Maybe just one.” Before he could reach into the box, she held a cookie up to his mouth, smiling. “Uh… I’m not so injured; I can’t feed myself.”

Charlotte pouted. “Indulge me a bit and at least let me feed you one bite, please.”

“Uh... Okay.” Not sure why she’d want to. He bit into the cookie she held up to his mouth and his cheeks flushed. “You’re right, it turned out good.”

She ate the rest of that cookie. “Yup, it’s so good…” She closed the box, set it on the coffee table, and stood. “Can I help you to your bed? It’s not good to sleep on the couch.”

He glanced up at her. She’s not going to let this go, is she? “Um, sure.”

She pulled on his arm lightly to help him stand. She positioned herself under his arm and wrapped an arm around his waist as they walked to his bedroom. Doesn’t actually help the rib pain, but she seems happy to help. He sat down on his bed. “Thank you.”

“Do you need help changing for bed?”

“What?! I mean… No… I’m good… Thanks anyway,” he turned his head away, hoping she wouldn’t see his flushed cheeks.

“Alright then,” she smiled. “Goodnight, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight and sweet dreams.” He watched her leave and laid back.

She closed the door to his room and turned to head to hers.

“Whoa!” she jumped back. Timo was waiting outside Eric’s room for her.

Timo smiled at Charlotte. “You seem happy.”

Charlotte coughed and forced her smile away. “Well, he made me something; of course, I’m happy.”

“You also came to see him right after coming home, even though I know you’re exhausted.”

“Who says I’m exhausted?”

“I do, and so do the bags under your eyes.”

Charlotte touched her face. “Wait, what are you talking about? I covered those up.”

“My point exactly. Besides, I know when I’m not around, you end up doing more because you’re afraid to ask others to handle things.”

“I’m not afraid to, I just—”

“Think others aren’t up to the task? I know. So…” They walked towards her room. What exactly is your plan for him? I know you want him here as he heals – which should take too long – but that look on your face says it’s something more.”

Charlotte sighed. “You’re acting like I’m doing something wrong.”

“Not wrong, per se… but if he’s here long-term, people will find out, and he’ll be in the middle of media attention.”

They stopped in front of her door. “What is it you’re actually warning me about?”

“They’ll find out why he’s here.”

Charlotte was silent for a moment. “Well, I hit him with my car, and if they find out, then they find out.”

“I think you’re underestimating the media. It may affect you more than you’d think. Who knows how they’d react if they found out he’s living with you after that event?”

“Quit worrying. Even if they think we’re dating, it’s fine; I wouldn’t be ashamed of that.”

“And I never thought you would be. Although, those adoptive parents might have something to say about it. You know how they get.”

“For all I know, they’d be happy I’m finally dating again, and then they’d hope for some grandbabies…”

“Don’t want to be a mother?” he picked up on her reluctance.

“I have no idea, but with how busy I am, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“But you’re in your thirties—“

“Which means there’s still time to decide.”

“Not much…” he mumbled.

“Oh geez, thanks for making me sound old.”

“Wait, that’s not what I meant,” Timo reached out to her as she rushed into her room, slamming the door shut. He knocked on her door. “Come on, Charlotte, I’m sorry. I’m way older than you!”

No response.

Timo sighed and headed off. She definitely wasn’t going to answer him tonight.

Charlotte sat down at her desk and opened the box of cookies. She took a deep breath of their warming scent and munched on a few more cookies.