#home cooked eds

[funeenefacts]

Eddy hates birds

[ncrdeeznuts]

Lonesome Road ED-E is so funny as a companion

Because it seems like Obsidian looked at base game ED-E and said "Yeah this companion sucks, let's show everyone that we can do better" and made way wayyyyy superior version to base game ED-E when it comes to almost everything.

Like going through base game ED-E's quest was the second most miserable experience I had playing fnv so far. But DLC ED-E's story made me both laugh and sad at the right moments. It's just delightful little robot

Base game ED-E is homophobic.

[emily1-johnson]

Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash

2 chicken breasts, sliced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Prepare the squash: Cut the squash in half, remove the seeds, and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 40-45 minutes.

Make the sauce: In a pan, heat the olive oil, sauté the garlic, then add the chicken until cooked through. Stir in the cream, Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper.

Serve: Use a fork to separate the spaghetti squash strands, mix with the Alfredo sauce and chicken. Garnish with parsley if desired

[techno-rat]

google dot com how to tell if this customer at work is trying to date me .

[midwestern-gorl]

Lunch 2/20/25

Fried rice! Made with leftover rice, rotisserie chicken, onion, carrots, peas, garlic, an egg, sesame oil, and soy sauce.

I was tired after my walk at the forest preserve so I needed something that would come together quick and warm me up!

[the-seeker-vyx]

Sometimes food is the enemy

Other days it's the remedy

Healing my relationship with food has caused me to seek out a grater understanding in so many other areas of my life

It's been such a long journey, but seeing myself actively living the lifestyle I've always dreamed of is still an inspiring affirmation

It's a lot harder on some days than it is on others. The ED thoughts are loud in my head. And other times, I can forget they were ever there. To me that is a victory

I still hope for better things someday and I know it will all happen in a matter of time

This is me. This is life. I'm going to be okay

Author: the-seeker-vyx

Photos: the-seeker-vyx

[emily1-johnson]

Easy 4-ingredient Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna Bariatric Latest Kitchen Recipes 2024 A simple and delicious crockpot lasagna using only four ingredients for an easy meal solution. Components : Jarred spaghetti sauce, 24 oz. Shredded mozzarella cheese, 16 oz. Ground beef, 1-pound. Frozen ravioli, 16 oz. Preparation Steps : Grease or spray your crockpot insert first. Arrange layers: half of the sauce, followed by ravioli, then beef, and cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients, keeping cheese last. Set crockpot to high for 3 hours or low for 5 to 6 hours. For the stove, combine all but cheese in a large skillet, add water, boil then simmer. On the stove, once simmered, spread cheese on top, let sit covered for melting. For the oven, preheat to 350°F, layer minus one cheese top, bake then add final cheese bake again.

[minlex]

Euuuuuergh my mom noticed Ive lost a bunch of weight I'm gonna cry

[midwestern-gorl]

Brunch 2/21/25

Omelette with red pepper, onion, spinach, and American cheese. Roast potatoes seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Woke up CRAVING McDonald’s, so this is my best effort at recreating their breakfast burrito meal with what we had.

[the-seeker-vyx]

Photo: the-seeker-vyx

[nineteenninety-six]

I hope I don’t send this 1000 times but tumblr glitched

Could you write with Jack abbot , like his neighbour (reader) knocks on his door and she’s like should I go to the er and he looks down and she’s managed to cut like her palm and he ends up stitching it himself (cause of course he has a kit) and like it would kinda be a plus if she was kinda scared of hospitals and stuff cause comforting jackkkkk

Pairings: Jack Abbot x Reader

TW: Medical inaccuracies. reader get injured. Jack stitches her up.

AN: I'm gonna reopen up my requests \O/

Hurried, rapid knocking on his door pulls Jack's attention away from the hockey game he was watching and he bites back a frustrated groan at the noise. He had a rare weekend off and that meant no disruption and he had warned all his friends and family about that, the only exception being emergencies.

The knocking quietened for a moment before it started back up, and then panic shot through him. He had his phone on DND and perhaps there was an actual emergency and no one could get through to him so they came to his apartment but a check through his phone showed no texts or missed calls.

Jack pondered for a few moments on whether or not he should return to watching the game or answer the door before he settled back into the couch, watching as Sidney Crosby dangle the puck through the Oilers defence and score a goal.

"Jack…? Please tell me you're in right now." 

Jack perks up at the familiar voice that comes through the door, it was his nextdoor neighbour. You guys weren't exceptionally close, friendly to each other, greeting each other as you passed by and sometimes you would drop off baked goods to him if you had extra or felt exceptionally neighbourly. He'd always thought you were attractive but he was a good couple of years older than you and he didn't want to misstep and make things awkward.

The panic and worry in your voice brings Jack to his feet and he hurries to his door hoping to catch you before you turn away. He swings the door open and finds you there with your right arm held above your head, hand wrapped in a tea towel that was darkened with your blood.

Relief bleeds into your expression at the sight of him, "Oh thank God, you're home."

"What happened?" Jack asks, hand automatically reaching for you injured one.

"Sorry to disturb you but I remembered you're a doctor and honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of hospitals." You wince. "I cut myself whilst cooking."

Jack ushers you further into his apartment, sitting you at the kitchen island before he collects the first aid kit he keeps underneath his kitchen sink.

"Let me take a look," Jack says as he settles into the seat beside you, gently resting your injured hand on the counter before he slips his glasses on to get a better look.

Your lips tug as you watch him slip his glasses on. You knew he was a bit older than you but the visual of him needing 'reading' glasses was a funny sight.

"Keep laughing and I'll send you over to the ED" Jack murmurs, eyes still on your hand, "I'll have you know that I'm a very capable doctor, glasses or not."

Your uninjured hand covers your mouth as you muffle the laughter that erupts at his words, "I would never judge your skills as a doctor, Jack."

Jack finally finishes analysing your hand as he straightens up and looks over at you, "Good because you absolutely need stitches."

You felt your stomach twist at his words and your lunch threatened to make an appearance. You hated hospitals and you always tried your best to avoid landing in one but it seemed like your luck had run out.

Jack watches your reaction, quickly figuring out why you reacted like you did.

"I have a suture pack, I can do it here if you'd prefer?"

"Oh Jack, I'll bake you a whole tray of muffins if you can do it here." 

Jack huffs a laugh at your words before he nods, "I'll go grab it. Stay here."

You look around his apartment whilst he's gone from the room. You can see his degrees hanging on the wall, along with pictures of friends and family, the ones where he's clearly deployed abroad sticking out to you. His place was comfy yet obviously showed the signs of its owner not being in it often, twelve hours shifts keeping him busy. 

"Snooped enough?" Jack asks as he returns to the kitchen with the suture pack.

"I didn't snoop," You deny, "I merely…looked. Analyzed."

Jack began to sanitize the counter, wiping it down, along with the chairs for good measure before he set up shop. 

"Okay, I'll rephrase my question." Jack says as he waves you towards the chair, "Analyzed enough?"

"Yeah, I learned a few things about you." You say as you settle down, setting your hand down on the table.

"Yeah?" Jack spared a glance at you before he put his glasses on and snapped gloves on. "This will hurt, I don't have anything that will numb the area and you'll have to survive off of ibuprofen or paracetamol."

You nod, you'd rather deal with the pain than go to the hospital and so to distract yourself you begin to talk.

"I didn't know you were in the military," You say as Jack flushes your wound.

You half expect Jack to give you a half answer or even not answer at all but he easily answers as he begins to stitch up.

"Yeah, joined straight after high school. Always wanted to go to college and become a doctor but the traditional route wasn't for me."

You pause before you ask your next question, "Do you think it was worth it?"

Jack paused what he was doing at your question, eyes fluttering up to yours before they flick back down to the instruments in his hands but he answers as he pierces your skin.

"I lost a lot. More than I ever imagined I would," Jack's words are gentle as he focuses on what he was doing, "But I don't regret it. I wouldn't be the man I am today if I didn't serve."

"Well I'll make sure I bake you your favourite dessert for veterans day. Just for you." You say through gritted teeth.

Jack pulls back with a smile which slowly erupts into laughter, "And what about Military Appreciation Month? What do I get for that?"

"Whilst I love that you believe in my skills and talents, I can't bake you something everyday for a month." You joke, "Were you thinking of something specific?"

Jack waits until he ties off the thread and snips the extra off before he answers.

"How about a date?"

You blink at Jack in slight confusion. Sure you thought your neighbour was attractive, his grey curls and light eyes made every woman in the apartment block swoon but in the years you had been neighbours, your interactions were minimal.

"A date?"

"You can say no, don't feel pressure just because I patched you up." Jack reassures you.

"No-no! I'd really like to go on a date with you," You reach over with your uninjured hand and rest it on his thigh, "Not pressured at all!"

"When are you free?" Jack asks.

"I feel like I should be asking you that instead considering your shift patterns," You say as you pull your hand back from his thigh and hold it out expectantly, "Pass me your phone and I'll give you my number."

Jack does as he's asked and you tap your number in, drop calling your phone so you also have his number before you return his phone to him.

"I'll text you." You smile at him.

"I'll look forward to it." Jack returns your smile, "Now let me wrap your hand before I send you back home."

[roskapanda]

I just succesfully turned on the dishwasher at my airbnb. It's a modern one, built in to the cabinets and all the dials are on the top inside edge of the door. I've never seen one irl before!

And for many this would not feel like an achievement at all. And it's not to me either, not these days. I've been doing laundry and dishes on my own since I was 15.

But you have no idea how hard it was to get here, to learn the basic operating logic of dishwashers and laundry machines entirely on my own. My mom was always angry at me for not doing chores without being told to do so but also, for so many things she never taught me how. Not in a way that I understood.

I knew how to plug in the looooooong tube to the central vacuum and kinda how to mop the floors, since I watched her do it so many times so I could imitate, and I always knew I needed to do all that on Saturdays but for the longest time I had no idea how to make the floor washing water in the bucket, or where all the stuff I vacuumed actually went. I was not taught why. I was just supposed to know or not care. As I was supposed to know how to use a washing machine, despite it being a terrifyingly complicated looking thing.

So yeah. for about 2 years after finally getting a laundry machine of my own (at 17), I just used one program, 40. It was the setting the dials were in when it came (ofc I got a used one) and dared not change anything, other than put it to 0 so I could open the hatch and take the laundry out and then immediately back to 40.

Also, a good part of the reason I was so scared to change anything was that our laundry cupboard in my childhood home had an instructions sticker pasted on the inside, with very clear instructions on what each of the symbols on a garment meant. And I could rarely find any that would match completely. So I was terrified of putting things inside the washing machine if they didn't. I didn't understand that only some of them were for washing, while other were for drying and ironing. I was not explained that. It was a chart and I interpreted it as a kid.

And that is the thing. I don't think my mom was somehow different or more "awful" than other moms in this matter. But I did need more extensive education, not just on what to use, but also on what NOT to use and also on what all of the things meant and what all you could do, even if not necessary. Because I left out a few words when I said my mom didn't teach me how. How does encompass it all to me, but to her I would probably need to say how, why, when, and for what reason.

I cannot learn otherwise.

And yes, this post is from an autistic person. I just didn't want to lead with it bc reasons.

[whilstiveputdownthisfic]

from Nick's IG stories

Sunday, October 29th, 2023; as of 3:05 p.m. EDT

and as of 3:06 p.m. EDT:

and as of 6:14 p.m. EDT:

[rainintheevening]

They're his children of course. Richard still recognizes them; it's only been two years.

And yet...

Peter is a man. Still six months shy of his draft papers, but he stands, walks, sounds like a man. He always has a pocket knife, he tips his hat to all the females, he sings in a baritone that will only get deeper and richer. The tea he makes is decent, but sometimes he drinks coffee now. He talks about horses and crops and reads Augustine. He can drive a car. He gives orders, and expects them to be followed.

They all look to him, to Peter. Helen calls him to open a jar, Susan questions how her hair looks, Lucy runs to him in tears. As for Edmund, he and Peter are curiously joined, they turn to each other with their laughter, their thoughts, their books and newspapers and letters. As often as his family swirls around him, Richard sees them swirl around Peter, a habit, he knows, born of necessity, but that doesn't prevent it from being strange. Even painful.

Peter moves to take the head of table, catches himself. They both start to say grace, stop, glance at each other. Peter takes the newspaper over breakfast, and is a page in before he remembers. And every time he apologises. Each time he smiles at his father, and it is warm, glad, even benevolent.

One of the first nights, shortly after Christmas, Peter finds him sitting in his old armchair, staring into the fire, after everyone else has gone up to bed. "Dad?" comes the question, and he looks up blinking at the tall man, lamplight crowning him in gold, blue eyes deep and dark with knowledge and certainty.

"I'm not who I was," Richard says, a confession, the kind a father shouldn't burden his son with he thinks immediately, but then Peter is down on one knee, reaching for the mangled hand, tender with the three fingers as he clasps strong calloused palms around them.

"Neither am I, Dad. None of us are." Peter's gaze is earnest, bright. "But you are still my father. And I will always be your son. I am forever grateful for that."

It is as if a great burden rolls off of his shoulders, and he finds no shame in leaning on Peter's hand to rise.

When the holidays end, and the four go back to school, Peter says I love you to each of them at the station.

If Peter is a man now, Susan is a lady.

She sits straight, she walks gracefully, she can cook anything as well or better than her mother. She reads the newspapers with Peter, she scolds Lucy for coming home with twigs in her hair and a tear in her stocking and wet shoes.

She talks less than her father remembers, and there is a woman's sadness in her gazing out the window or into the fire. She is also very admiring of the boys in uniforms, and Richard requests her arm on the way out of church with a father's righteous sense of protection.

But she is also gentler than he recalls, she does not shy away from his injured hand, she takes care of him without making him feel as if he needs care. She sits on a cushion by his feet as she braids her hair in the evenings, leans on his knee as she reads aloud, and Richard thinks, Not my little princess, but a queen now.

At the train station, she kisses him goodbye, and he hugs her close, and there are tears in her eyes as she says I love you.

Edmund is the closest to unrecognizable, the once-obvious four year span between he and Peter seemingly halved. He greets his father wordlessly, all shining eyes and bright smile, and his face is so close to Richard's own it makes his heart break a little.

Ed is no more little boy, he is tall, slim, oddly graceful, but his handclasp is strong. He holds himself the same way Peter does, with squared shoulders and lifted head, but he wears that nobility in a quieter fashion. He's quick to see, quick to hear, quick with a wisecrack that makes Peter laugh out loud. He plays the violin now. He returns the family Bible to the living room with an apology for having kept it since the summer holidays. He reads Agatha Christie as a personal challenge, whispers to Susan in French, and his chess games with Peter are fierce battles of strategy that Richard cannot keep pace with.

In discussions of the war and its movements, he is sober and considerate, he meets each of Peter's moods with a balancing counter, he has a way of phrasing questions that pull out stories Richard had never planned to tell.

A few nights before the children return to school, Richard sits up in bed, certain he has heard a faint cry, and he slips away from his exhausted wife to check on his children, remembering how Edmund had suffered from night terrors as a child, imagining little Lucy inflicted with some dark dream.

But all he finds is shadows in the boys' room, and quiet whispers—Peter's apologies, Edmund's reassurance, and allusions to things Richard has no context for. He lingers by the door, an outsider in his home, until silence falls, and he returns with morning light to find them curled together in Peter's bed, Pete with an arm over Ed, and the father's love is bittersweet.

They have fought their own battle over here, on the home ground, Richard reminds himself. In their own way they have each faced terror and learned to conquer or be conquered, but perhaps he can meet them somewhere in between. Only time will tell.

On the train platform, Ed hugs his father tightly, gives him a smile, tells him to keep out of trouble.

Lucy is the least changed, though she too is taller and stronger, and her eyes are deeper. She still sings, still dances, still tries to make friends with all the animals, still smiles and speaks kind and stares dreaming at the Christmas tree.

She still gives fierce hugs, still climbs into her father's lap, though her head comes up higher on his chest, on his shoulder.

But then he finds gaps in his library, and Lucy returns the medical books with a winsome apology, she asks questions about his practices in the field, she winces but does not shy away from the blood and broken things he speaks of.

Then she recites long poems, words spinning off her tongue until they become half song; she dances swift and graceful, she and Peter laughing and stepping and clapping and spinning in intricate patterns to the swing song on the radio; and it is she who, breathless, quotes Byron: "On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined!"

Her comfort is both generous and thoughtful, and she strokes her father's hair with a motherly hand that makes his eyes sting, and he kisses her fingers, looks up at her to whisper, "Don't- don't grow up quite so fast, my darling."

When she hugs him on the platform, Susan waiting for her, the boys already gone, she doesn't want to let go, and there are tears on her cheek, that he wipes away gently. "Be careful, Daddy," she whispers. "Get strong. Take care of Mummy."

"Yes, little mother," he smiles back.

And then they are all gone, and he takes a cab home, weary of his still-recovering body.

He will have to learn his children all over again, he thinks. But he is proud of them still. That has not changed.

[smiteswrites]

A Different Kind of Pain

Part One

Description: After losing a gem of a next door neighbor, Jack worries what the new resident will be like. Instead of a young obnoxious college kid, he meets you. Instantly struck by your warm nature (and good looks but he won't admit to that), Jack finds himself drawn to you in a way he hasn't experienced in years.

Tags: reader is a chemistry grad student bc i say so, shameless self insert, fem!reader, trying to avoid too many specific descriptors on readers appearance but i am new to this, reader is shorter than jack, widower!Jack, Jack talks ab therapy, trying to do justice to the fact that Jack is an amputee, but again I am not an expert, just some fluff and feelings, eventual smut, and so mdni 18+

A/N: Thank you all for the encouragement on the first version of this! It has been really really amazing to know people enjoy my ideas and writing and absolutely wild that y'all want more. I really love this idea and have many many plans for these two. I hope to get part two written and out this week. I am thinking around 3-4 parts total, but we shall see. This is starts similar to this post, but I made some changes and expanded quite a bit. I hope you enjoy and please send me asks/dms if you have any suggestions/comments/feedback on anything! I am always open to improving and learning.

gif credit - @iluvseb | divider credit - @cursed-carmine

Part One - 3k

Jack has been living in the left half of a red brick duplex, unit 101A, long enough to see a handful of tenants come and go on the right side, 102A. There was a college kid whose prefrontal cortex was just underdeveloped enough for him to be nothing but a pain in Jack’s ass. Needless to say, not his favorite neighbor. Then there was a young couple who were perfectly lovely until they had to move somewhere with two bedrooms to accommodate an incoming little one (Jack had been sure to give them his number in case they ever needed a friend in the ED). Most recently an older woman, Mrs. McAlister, who had regularly brought Jack all manner of baked goods and leftovers, had moved out and into her daughter's house. 

The unfortunate loss of Mrs. McAlister’s cooking meant that the right half of his duplex (and yes he thought of it as his by this point) was empty. Jack couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread creep in as he watched the last of Mrs. McAlister’s things be packed into a UHaul on Saturday afternoon. Would his new neighbor be another sweet elderly woman? Or would he get stuck with some obnoxious twenty something with no common courtesy? 

Fortunately for Jack, he didn’t have to wait long to find out. Housing got snatched up fast in a city like Pittsburgh, especially housing that was halfway decent and affordable, so it was no surprise that 102A was empty for under 48 hours. 

His first glimpse of the new tenant comes when Jack is arriving back home from a shift, just before 8 am on a Monday. He isn’t surprised to see a moving truck out front, nor is he surprised to see you directing the two movers on where to put furniture and boxes. He can tell you're young, in your twenties is his guess, which immediately sets his nerves on edge. Jack doesn’t think he can handle anymore house parties or loud hookups or trash left out. But you have a quiet, competent air about you that seems to indicate you aren't going to cause a ruckus. You appear to be alone, aside from the movers. He finds himself looking for evidence of a partner, husband, wife, without really meaning to. Forcing himself to not be overly nosy, Jack moves past the two men, now carrying part of a bed frame, and lets himself into 101. 

After a shower and the last of Mrs. McAlister’s roast (bless that woman), Jack is dressed in grey sweats and a black t-shirt, ready for bed. Despite the sleep threatening to overcome him, he finds himself looking out his window to check in on the status of your move. Apparently you had gotten here early, because he can see you handing the movers a wad of cash and sending them on their way. Before he really knows what he’s doing, he’s grabbed his prosthetic and is hurrying to get the damn thing back on so he can step back outside. He may as well catch you as you’re heading back inside, introduce himself, make sure he doesn’t need to be concerned about having another pain in his ass next door. It is the neighborly thing to do after all, he reasons. 

Another moment finds him a couple steps outside his door, clearing his throat to catch your attention from where you’re examining the front facing window of 102. 

“I’m Jack. Abbot. I’m in 101. Figured I should introduce myself, welcome you to the neighborhood and all.” He outstretches his hand, wondering if a handshake is still what people do these days.

Smiling, you shake his hand firmly and give him your name, he lets out a quiet sigh of relief. It is at this moment Jack finally takes you in fully. He was right, he thinks, you must be in your mid twenties, no ring on your finger, and certainly not a pain in his ass. You stand a handful of inches shorter than him, just enough that you have to look up to make eye contact. The smile you are giving him is radiant in a way that makes his stomach feel tight. He can see you’re flushed from the exertion of carrying boxes and helping to move furniture, and your hair has begun to fall from where you had it back. 

But even though you aren’t at your most put together, Jack is left feeling off balance, as he can only see you as the most raw and real kind of beautiful. The kind of beauty that comes with a bright smile, dewy skin, and pink chinks. The kind that has as much to do with physical appearance as it does a person’s character. The kind of beauty that reminds him of his late wife when they first met. Even though he is just meeting you, Jack likes to think his gut is usually right about people, and his gut is telling him that you are exactly the type of kind, caring, intelligent person that spells nothing but trouble for him.

“It’s very nice to meet you Jack! I hope the movers weren’t too much of a disturbance, it seems like a quiet little haven around here.” 

“About as close to a haven as you can get in the city,” he agrees with a small smile. “And don’t mention it, you weren’t a disturbance at all.” 

In the few minutes the two of you spend chatting he finds out you’re a fourth year graduate student, “A PhD in chemistry? You might just be a bigger masochist than me.” You somehow work nearly as many hours as he does, and he finds your work ethic dizzyingly attractive. You moved to the area in the hope of finding somewhere a little quieter, some place where you didn’t feel like people were packed in like sardines. You aren’t from PA, but you have a couple close friends in town and your family tries to visit often. You confirm his suspicions when you tell him you’re single and don’t have any kids or pets so there shouldn’t be any noise waking him up through the night.

“Actually, I’m an attending in the ED, usually on night shift. Sounds like you aren't home much during the day, but-” 

“Don’t worry Jack, I’ll keep it down during the day too. You can always bang on the wall if I’m being to loud,” 

He feels the corners of his mouth twitch up. “Thanks, sweetheart.” It slips before he can catch up to his mouth. Even though he knows he shouldn’t be giving you nicknames, and definitely not that kind, the pink that dusts your cheeks at the term of endearment is enough to make him want to call you nothing else. 

“Uh- listen I’ve gotta get to bed, but let me give you my number in case you need anything.  Neighbor or doctor wise,” he says, shooting you a wink. 

“Thank you, that’s very sweet of you doctor.” 

And god, he knows you mean it in a teasing way, but it does nothing to help the steadily growing attraction he feels towards you. He knows he is at least 15 years too old, and far too emotionally unavailable to even entertain the idea of being with you. He knows. But when you smile at him like he’s just offered to hang the moon and stars for you, he really doesn’t know what to do with himself. 

It’s just his number, no harm in you having it, and certainly no reason it has to have any underlying intention behind it. That’s what he tells himself anyway. 

He puts his number in your phone when you hand it to him, putting “Jack Abbot” as the name and “the guy in 101A and doctor at PTMC” in the notes for good measure. You thank him again, giving his hand a squeeze as he returns the phone. You say your goodbyes, and he retreats into his black out curtain and noise machine generated paradise. The last thing he sees before shutting his eyes is a text from an unknown number with your name, just so he can save your number too. 

You are going to be a pain in his ass alright, a kind he didn’t even think to be worried about. 

After your initial introduction, Jack assumes (worries) the two of you won't see much of each other. During your initial meeting, in an effort to reassure him you wouldn’t make too much noise during the day, you had inadvertently given him your schedule: 6:45 am leave for work, 7-5 ish suffer, 5:30 pm arrive home from work. With anyone else he would be glad to know that there would be no one next door to disturb his sleep, but instead he could only focus on the fact that he would rarely, if ever, run into you. 

His assumption proved to be correct for the first two weeks of your time in 102A, only seeing you on occasion as he left for work. But, about halfway through week three, Jack wakes up earlier than normal. By the time 5:30 pm rolls around and he’s supposed to be on call for another 13.5  hours, he feels himself starting to get restless. It’s a nice day outside with a high of 75 and a low of 52, the sun has set enough to cast an orange glow on the city, but not enough that it’s going to be dark soon, and Jack has a rare burst of energy. His therapist has been telling him some sunshine goes a long way, and he didn’t spend all that money on the fucking sports prosethic to not use it. 

By 5:42 pm Jack is in athletic shorts and a t-shirt, sports prosthetic on. He makes it about two steps out his front door, still adjusting the stupid prosthetic, when he senses he isn't alone. Straightening up, he realizes you’ve just come out of your front door as well. His gaze travels upwards from your feet as he makes his way to his full height. You’re dressed similar to himself in athletic shorts with a matching jacket, and he has to force himself to not linger on the exposed skin of your legs. When he does meet your eyes, he finds you smiling at him in a way that suggests you caught his little slip up, but are too polite to mention it. 

“Hey Jack! Are you heading out for an evening run? Well- I guess it would technically be morning for you, sorry,” You laugh at yourself lightly, cheeks coloring only the slightest bit. Whether it’s from embarrassment at the slip up or something else he can’t be sure. 

Either way, he gives you what he hopes is a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I still consider this to be evening. I am a proud night lurker, there is no part of me that wants to be waking up before 3 pm.” A small fit of giggles overtakes you, and he feels his smile turn into something more genuine. 

“But no, not much of a runner,” he gestures to his right leg where the prosthetic is on display. “I’m on call tonight and can’t do much besides hang out here, figured a walk might do me some good.” 

To your credit, your expression only falters slightly when you take in his leg, quickly recovering to match his eye contact as you listen. You nod, humming warmly in agreement, still keeping your eyes locked on his. “I have to agree. I’m also not much of a runner but I try to walk after lab most days. I think it’s a great way to reset after a long day.” 

“Sounds like you’re the evening walk expert then?” 

“Something like that,” you joke back. 

Jack knows that the conversation is winding down, it’s time for him to wish you a good walk and find a reason to hang back until you go on your way. Wait to see which direction you turn before beginning to walk in the opposite way. But Jack also knows that you’ve been looking at him with an attentiveness that, while he gives freely, is rarely if ever matched. If there were ever a sign of not wanting a conversation to end, he thinks the way you’re looking at him is surely it. 

Fuck it. 

“Well, I’m new to this whole walking for fun thing, maybe you could show me the best route to take?” 

Your eyes brighten, “Of course! I mean, obviously I’m new to the area, but I think I’ve found a good path. It’s about 30 minutes, if that’s good with you?” 

“Of course, lead the way,” he gestures forward with his hand, indicating for you to lead the way, leaning forward slightly as he does so. If you notice the way he stumbles forward slightly as his weight shifts on an unfamiliar right foot, you don’t say anything. But Jack swears he you’re biting the inside of your cheek to fight off a grin as you walk down the steps. 

Fucking sports prosthetic. 

The walk is… nice. Nicer than Jack expected. He can hear the birds chirping in the trees that are awkwardly implanted in the sidewalk. He can hear the sounds of the city too (sirens, honking, a plane overhead) but they’re less pronounced than normal. The two of you walk side by side as you lead him through parts of his neighborhood he’s never really taken the time to look at. You point out a café that apparently ‘makes a mean oat milk latte.’ 

“I hate to fulfill the old white guy stereotype, but I only drink my coffee black.” Self-deprecation as a form of self-defence, the oldest trick in the book. 

“As horrifying as that information is,” you begin, closing your eyes and placing a hand on your chest, “I also can get behind a black coffee, so if you’re calling yourself old you’re gonna have to call me old too.” You smile at him and make eye contact for only a moment before breaking looking at the pavement a few feet ahead of you.

“Besides, you have got to be the sexiest ‘old guy’ I’ve ever seen so I’d be wearing that badge proudly if I were you.” You put your hands up in mock defensiveness and accentuate your point with air quotes. 

He really isn’t sure what to do with himself besides laugh. Looking at you now, he could tell that even if you were uncertain, you were not the type of woman to let him get away with putting himself down. Nothing to do but admit defeat. 

“I think I’ll be quite happy with that title.” 

By the time the duplex is coming back into view Jack has learned that you’ve been walking everyday for years after a suggestion from a therapist. He’s learned that you “actually thought about going to medical school, but turns out biology and me don’t get along.” He’s also relearned more about chemistry than he ever hoped he would have to after asking the simple question “What does your lab research?” 

He had told you his own therapist had suggested he ‘get his ass outside’ more often, and that maybe the shrink was right more often than he wanted to give the guy credit for. He also shared one of his gorrier work stories and had been impressed when you were hanging on to his every word rather than going green. More importantly, he had only let himself spend about 3 minutes total looking at the way the sunlight caught your hair, or the way it framed your face as it fell from the loose bun you had it in, or at your lips as you spoke rather than your face, or at the necklace laying against the soft place where your neck met your collar bones. Just 3 minutes, not bad at all, practically a record. 

As you approach the front steps you hesitate, and he feels it too, he thinks. The uncertainty of where the two of you stand with one another. Jack knows where he stands, and he has a feeling he knows where you do too, he hadn’t been the only one with a staring problem. But even if Jack thinks he knows, he doesn’t really know. 

“Thank you for sharing your route with me, I think I was right to call you the walk expert.” He shoots you a trademark Abbot smirk, trying to put a lid on whatever feelings may or may not have been simmering during the past 30 minutes. 

“Anytime Jack, it was nice to have some company.” The smile you give him in return is softer, warmer than his own. For not the first time, and certainly not the last, he feels torn about how to approach you. He knows this feeling, he’s felt it before and it landed him in a world of heartbreak and pain. It was a place he’s worked hard to move on from, and thank god he can see now that while yes feelings, raw and vulnerable, can end in pain they are also what make life worth living. 

He isn’t sure where the two of you stand, after all you’ve barely started to get to know each other. However, he is sure that he wants to at least give himself the chance to find out, no matter how scary or stupid a choice it might be.  

“Well… maybe we could do this again sometime? I know my therapist would throw a fucking party if he got word of me not only being out in daylight but also socializing outside of work.” 

“I’d love that,” you smile wider now, staring at your feet briefly and rocking back on your heels slightly before looking back up at him. “I’ll be here a little after 5:30 pretty much everyday, join me whenever you like. Okay?” 

“Okay,” he feels his own expression melt into something so sickly sweet his cheeks hurt. “Goodnight, sweetheart.” 

“Goodnight, Jack.”

[realestateedcook]

Pompano Beach Real Estate Market

Pompano Beach Home Buyer’s Guide 2025: A Smart Investment in Coastal Living

Pompano Beach, Florida, offers the perfect mix of relaxed coastal lifestyle and long-term property value. Located in Broward County, this city offers quick access to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and major transit routes, while boasting direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and the sea, creating a truly coastal environment.

Homebuyers can choose from oceanfront condos, modern townhomes, and custom single-family homes in well-established neighborhoods.

Key benefits of buying in the Pompano Beach housing market:

Direct access to beaches, marinas, and water sports along the gorgeous sea

The city’s gorgeous beachfront views and relaxing lifestyle

Strong infrastructure and ongoing development

Excellent potential for both primary and investment properties

Access to shopping, dining, and entertainment within minutes

The city offers a vibrant life with access to relaxing and gorgeous coastal amenities, making it an ideal place to enjoy the best of seaside living.

This is a prime location for buyers looking for lifestyle, convenience, and appreciation potential.

Call today to explore available homes in Pompano Beach.

Local Market Insight for Smart Homebuyers

Pompano Beach currently offers favorable conditions for buyers. With increased inventory and longer days on market, homebuyers have more options and stronger negotiating power. The latest trend in the Pompano Beach real estate market shows sustainable growth and increasing attractiveness for long-term investment.

Current highlights:

Median home price is around $370,000 (Realtor.com), offering substantial value in South Florida

Average sale timeline of 108 days, giving buyers time to make informed choices

Low competition means buyers can negotiate without bidding wars

Ed Cook Real Estate helps you navigate these trends with up-to-date market data and strategic buying advice. We provide key insights to help buyers make informed decisions and buy with confidence.

Contact us for a free market consultation tailored to your goals.

Home Prices and Market Trends in Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach continues to offer strong opportunities for homebuyers, with the area experiencing rising popularity and rapid development. The median price per square foot is $282, with sellers accepting offers at an average of 94.5% of the list price.

Buyers can choose from a range of affordable condos, family-friendly homes, and high-end properties in well-established and emerging neighborhoods.

Market advantages right now:

Prices down 5.4% year-over-year

High inventory creates more negotiating room

Sellers increasingly open to below-list-price offers

Rise in investment opportunities as the local economy and real estate market continue to grow

Yes, it’s a buyer’s market. But it won’t last forever. Market conditions shift quickly, and the best deals move fast. Understanding the process when purchasing in a rising market is crucial for maximizing these opportunities.

Ed Cook Real Estate keeps you ahead with regular updates and expert negotiation strategies.

Call today for custom property alerts and personalized buying support.

Explore Pompano Beach Neighborhoods

Pompano Beach offers diverse communities to suit every lifestyle, from oceanfront living to quiet, inland neighborhoods. Experience how you can live in Pompano Beach neighborhoods, where comfort, convenience, and a vibrant lifestyle come together. Whether you’re seeking a luxury condo or a family-friendly home, there’s a fit for every budget.

Popular Broward County options include:

Ocean Blvd area: Steps from the beach, close to dining, parks, nightlife, and a variety of cultural activities

Inland communities: Spacious single-family homes with larger lots and lower prices, where residents enjoy access to community amenities

Gated communities: Added privacy, security, and amenities like pools, fitness centers, and organized events for residents

Each neighborhood offers something different: location, schools, access to water, investment potential, and opportunities to participate in local cultural activities.

Ed Cook Real Estate offers personalized neighborhood tours and insider guidance to help you find the perfect fit.

Property Types in Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach offers a wide selection of homes to match every lifestyle and budget. Whether you’re buying your first home or upgrading to a luxury residence, the options are diverse and location-driven.

Available property types include:

Condominiums: Range from affordable units to high-end towers with full amenities

Single-family houses: Found in both established neighborhoods and new developments

Townhomes: Modern designs with low-maintenance living and shared community perks

Luxury waterfront estates: Direct access to the ocean or Intracoastal Waterway

Amenities may include pools, gyms, security, and community parks. For residents of waterfront properties, diving is a popular activity thanks to Pompano Beach’s excellent conditions and nearby coral reefs and shipwrecks. Be aware of HOA fees and potential assessments when creating your budget.

Ed Cook Real Estate helps you evaluate all costs and match you with the right property more efficiently.

What to Know Before Buying a Home in Pompano Beach

Savvy buyers look beyond the listing price to fully understand the cost and fit of a property. Taking the proper steps early helps avoid surprises later.

Essential factors to consider:

Property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners’ insurance

Mortgage pre-approval and available loan options

School zones, commute times, and nearby amenities

HOA fees, association rules, and any special assessments

Ongoing expenses such as maintenance costs, association fees, and other regular payments

Full property inspection to catch issues before closing

Buyers may need to pay certain expenses upfront, such as down payments or reserve studies, so it’s essential to manage your money effectively and plan for both immediate and long-term costs.

Ed Cook Real Estate connects buyers with reliable lenders, inspectors, and local experts to streamline the process.

How to Navigate the Pompano Beach Home Buying Process

Buying a home is easier when you follow a clear, guided path. Ed Cook Real Estate streamlines every step with local expertise and personalized support.

Steps to a smoother purchase:

Get pre-approved to strengthen your offers

Proceed by completing the required application or inquiry form to move forward in the process

Research neighborhoods and property types with your agent

Tour homes and evaluate total ownership costs

Negotiate confidently with expert guidance

Stay on track through inspection, paperwork, and closing

We help you avoid delays, sidestep pitfalls, and close with confidence.

Financing and Incentives for Pompano Beach Home Buyers

Securing the right financing can significantly enhance your buying power. Pompano Beach buyers have access to a variety of loan programs and incentives.

Key options include:

Conventional, FHA, and VA loans with flexible terms

Down payment assistance programs for qualifying buyers

Incentives for first-time buyers and specific neighborhoods

Reduced fees or interest rates on select loan programs

Choosing the right lender is just as important as finding the right home. Ed Cook Real Estate connects you with trusted local lenders who understand the market and help you get approved quickly.

For more details about available financing and incentive programs, contact Ed Cook to access program details and application processes.

Understanding Association Fees and Rules

Many Pompano Beach properties are part of homeowners’ or condo associations. These fees support shared amenities and maintenance, but can impact your monthly budget.

What buyers need to review:

Monthly HOA fees cover services like landscaping, security, and pool care

Governing rules on rentals, renovations, and property use

Special assessments for significant repairs or community upgrades

A clear understanding of these costs helps avoid surprises after closing. Ed Cook Real Estate enables you to break down the details so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Community Amenities That Add Real Value

Pompano Beach communities often feature amenities that enhance lifestyle and long-term value. These shared amenities can significantly improve daily living and increase a property’s resale appeal.

Common amenities include:

Resort-style pools and fitness centers

Clubhouses, parks, and walking trails

Gated entries and on-site security

Private beach or marina access in select communities

Some amenities may incur additional fees, so it’s essential to factor these into your ownership costs. Ed Cook Real Estate provides complete transparency on what’s included in each community.

Contact us today to find homes with the features that matter most to you.

Maximize Long-Term Value with the Right Investment

Pompano Beach real estate offers substantial potential for appreciation and rental income. With the right property, buyers can benefit from both lifestyle upgrades and long-term gains.

What impacts resale value?

Location and proximity to beaches, schools, and transit

Community amenities and neighborhood growth

Property condition, updates, and curb appeal

Ed Cook Real Estate helps buyers identify properties with solid investment potential and strong resale performance, backed by local market expertise.

Why Work with a Pompano Beach Real Estate Expert

Buying a home is smoother and more strategic when you have a local expert by your side. Working with experienced agents provides valuable guidance and insights into property values, development plans, and investment opportunities.

Ed Cook Real Estate brings deep knowledge of the Pompano Beach market, ensuring you make confident, informed decisions.

What we provide:

Access to off-market listings and the best local deals

Expert negotiation and contract guidance

Insight into neighborhoods, schools, and commute options

Step-by-step support from the first showing to the final closing

With Ed Cook Real Estate, you don’t just buy a property – you secure the right home in the right location at the right purchase price.

Contact us today to begin your home search with a trusted local expert.

Florida Market Trends That Impact Your Purchase

Pompano Beach is part of the dynamic Broward County and South Florida housing market. Regional trends significantly influence pricing, inventory, and long-term value.

Key factors shaping the market:

Job growth and inbound population shifts

Ongoing development and infrastructure upgrades

Statewide changes in inventory and buyer demand

Understanding Florida’s broader market helps you time your purchase, evaluate value, and plan for the future.

Ed Cook Real Estate provides regular market insights to help you stay ahead of changes and make informed, strategic decisions.

Ready to find your ideal home in Pompano Beach? Contact Ed Cook Real Estate for expert guidance and a free consultation!