Love in a Bubble

Edward and Bella are in a car accident that renders Bella into a coma. Edward visits her every day, talking to her about anything and everything. While Bella sleeps, she plays out all of Edward's conversations as though they were dates; both falling in love in a bubble.

Beta'd by the lovely and wonderful Frannie Sunflower or Fran Walsh or My Beta Queen.

BUT this chapter is unBeta'd. Last weekend, I went to the Southern Meetup and hadn't finished either one of my stories. Bad me. So please, overlook all of my mistakes. I'm comma impaired.

And as always, I own nothing Twilight.

Chapter Nine:

BPOV

Dad walks in with Sue Clearwater behind him and looks at Jasper. Like the fear of God, Jasper throws Alice off him and she lands on her ass.

Dad frowns at Jasper playing with him and pointing his finger. "You need to pick up your girlfriend, Jasper. I won't have any domestic violence in my house."

"Yes, sir." Jasper quickly jumps out of the chair helping Alice up. "I'm sorry, Ali, I don't know what got into me."

She mumbles, "Chicken shit."

"Bella, do you mind if we have a word in the kitchen?" Charlie clears his throat. "And you, too, Edward."

I nod. "Okay, Dad."

Edward and I walk into the kitchen.

Charlie adds more harassment. "And Whitlock sit with your girlfriend on the sofa and don't do anything."

"Yes, sir."

He enters the kitchen with a smile.

Sue says, "It's so good to see you, Bella. I wanted to come to the hospital, but your father felt it was best to talk to you once you came home."

"Okay."

Charlie rubs the back of his neck, smooths his hair down and runs his hands down his mustache.

I shrug. "Well?"

"Well, you see, ah, Sue and I ... We ... Ah," he fumbles.

Sue looks right at me. "We've been dating for the past few years. After Harry died, I didn't fare well and your father would come to get me out of the house. He'd take me grocery shopping or do my yard work for me."

I question, "You started dating right after Harry died?"

Edward stands silently in utter shock.

Both Dad and Sue simultaneously defend, "No, no."

"No, Bella, we were friends for a few years. It took your father a long time to ask me out on a proper date," she giggles and pokes Charlie. "Seth used to make fun of us."

I smile. "How?"

"He'd make kissing noises whenever Charlie would leave the room. I'd ask him to stop and he'd get that last smooch in before Charlie came back."

"Seems like Seth was having fun with the two of you."

"He did, but Charlie has helped him through a rough time. They'd go fishing."

Dad clears his throat. "Ah, he talks to me. He was fourteen when Harry died."

I ask, "What about Leah?"

"Well, she was away at school and came home for a few weeks, but returned after we were settled," Sue answers.

"I'm sorry about Harry, Sue. I had asked Dad if he wanted me to come home and he told me to stay put"

"Thank you, Bella. And I did receive your sympathy card."

"I know, Dad told me … but he left out a few things."

"I wanted to tell you in person. But you needed to finish your goal," he sadly says. "I know, you were burning the candle at two ends with pushing yourself to graduate early and working at the bookstore."

"Dad, I would have come home if you asked me." I sigh and Edward wraps an arm around my shoulders.

"It was the proudest moment in my life to see you graduate, Bella." His voice wavers, "But to see you lying in that hospital bed not knowing if you'd wake up was …"

I wrap my arms around his waist and hold him close. "I'm fine, Dad. I'm here." I look up at him. "And the physical therapist says I'm a miracle."

Charlie smiles. "You've always been mine."

I straighten up. "Okay, you and Sue." I nod. "I like that."

Dad mirrors me. "Okay, you and Edward." He nods. "I like that. In fact, I've always liked Edward and Jasper."

From the living room, Jasper shouts, "You liked me?"

Charlie chuckles. "Yeah, Whitlock, I liked you. Why the hell did you think I was so hard on you?"

Jasper whines, "I thought you hated me."

"I had to keep you in line," Dad taunts Jasper.

Jasper and Alice stand in the doorway. "Man, and I thought you hated me." Jasper exhausts, "Wow."

Alice pokes him. "He likes you, Jazz."

Charlie mumbles, "Just don't let it go to you head."

Sue says to Charlie, "I need to get back to the Rez and start dinner." She carefully hugs me. "I'm so glad you're home and well."

"Thanks, Sue."

Charlie shakes Edward's hand. "You're awfully quiet, Edward."

"It wasn't my place …" Edward fades.

"Good man." He squeezes Edward's shoulder. "Bella, I should be home around nine."

I smirk. "Dad, why leave? I'll be fine. Honest."

He stares at me. "I can be here for you."

"You've always been there. Don't drive home late." I do kissing noises. "Go work your case."

Charlie and Sue blush.

~ooo~LIAB~ooo~

We eat turkey, steak and hamburger sandwiches with the leftover meat. I add cheese, mayo, lettuce and tomato with a side of mac and cheese while Edward watches in amazement.

"I can't believe how much you eat with that tiny body." He grins.

"I'm making up for all those days I didn't eat."

Alice giggles. "I guess you are, B."

Jasper takes a huge bite of his sandwich and mumbles, "I like a woman with a hefty appetite. It means you have passion. My Ali can fill a hollow leg." He wiggles his eyebrows. "And they love their man with lustful desire."

Edward cringes. "You sound like a soap opera."

He wiggles his eyebrows again. "Wait til you guys are healthy."

I sing, "Who says we're waiting?"

Edward blushes and gives me the most radiant smile.

~ooo~LIAB~ooo~

The four of us are full and comfortably sitting on the sofa. The movie finishes and Alice loudly yawns. "I'm pooped."

"You know, you two can sleep in my room. Why drive back? It's so late," I suggest.

Jasper stretches. "I kind of like that idea, if you're sure."

"Yes, there's a queen-size bed and extra blankets in the hall closet. I'm sure I have something for you to wear, Alice."

Alice bluntly says, "Oh, we don't wear anything."

I laugh. "Well, that settles that problem."

Edward looks at me. "I have a bag in the car."

"I'll go get it," Jasper offers, "Knowing Edward, he packed his robe and slippers."

Alice giggles. "And his dental floss."

Edward is beet red again.

"I like a man in a robe and slippers." I smile at Edward.

Jasper shakes his head. "He's found his equal."

~ooo~LIAB~ooo~

When I walk into the room, I find Edward all snuggled under the covers in a T-shirt and pajama pants, and I tease, "Any room in there for me?"

Edward lifts the covers. "Right here."

After I shut the light off, I follow the moonlight through the window blinds and crawl in as he holds me close.

"Are you comfortable?" I ask.

"Yes. You?"

"Yes."

Silence.

"What do you want to tell me, Bella?" he asks.

"I want you so much, but I know you can't really function in that cast and I'm limited in any kind of strain to my brain."

"It's fine. Holding you in this bed is enough for now."

I lean over and kiss him lightly three times on his soft lips. He deepens the kiss holding me tightly and I slide down his body adding friction. My leg hitches over him feeling his erection.

I joke, "Ooh, are you happy to see me or is that a banana in your pocket?"

He slyly smiles. "That's no banana, Baby."

"I don't want to tease you," I whisper.

"You're not."

He takes in a deep breath and exhales. "Bella, when you get your doctor approval, you can tease me all you want because I'm going to take my time with you." He runs his hand up and down my arm and cups my jaw.

I place my hand over his. "You feel so right." I kiss his palm.

He smiles. "Hey, I'm Chief approved."

I smile. "Yeah." I snort. "Can you imagine that he's been dating Sue for that long and didn't tell me anything?"

"Your father is quite the enigma."

"Your father is the MAN!" Jasper shouts. "And he likes me."

We laugh.

~ooo~LIAB~ooo~

In the morning, we surround the small kitchen table drinking coffee and eating stacks of pancakes. Jasper is quite handy in the kitchen.

I shovel in a whopping bite dripping in maple syrup, mumbling in a food high, "God, Jasper, these are really good."

He smiles. "I'm glad you like them. It's the little touch of vanilla that makes the flavor."

I nod.

Edward laughs. "Yeah, he's very proud of his breakfast menu. Jazz also make mean French toast."

Jasper proudly informs, "It's all in the spices. I like cinnamon with a touch of nutmeg."

Alice pokes him. "Who are you?"

"I'm all yours, Baby." He kisses Alice with a sticky mouth.

She coos, "And you taste … so … good." Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.

Edward complains, "You wanna take that into the other room."

Alice taunts and stares at Edward, "I could drizzle syrup all over you and lick it off."

Edward sighs and squeezes my hand. "That is what I live with."

I add, "Well, better than them fighting." I smile at Alice and raise my cup.

"Oh, they fight."

Alice giggles, "Then, we make up."

"And they're loud." Edward shakes his head.

Jasper points out, "It's all in the technique, like making breakfast, the right ingredients."

"And sound effects," Alice squeals.

I laugh and Edward rolls his eyes. "Yeah, try living with them. I slept with earplugs."

Alice grabs my hand. "All I have to say, we kept him from being geeky boring. The man has a personality and knows how to love."

"And he's talented," Jasper adds. Edward frowns. "I mean musically."

"I can't wait to hear you guys play again," I say.

"I meant to ask you, Bella … about your singing voice?"

I pout. "My father's been mouthing off again?"

"He told me you could sing."

I blush. "I'm okay."

Alice nods. "This is great. We needed another female voice."

I protest, "I don't think … I'm really not that good."

"Well, when you get doctor approved, we'll see about that," Edward warns.

Alice smiles, "You'll have a lot of auditions."

Jasper clears his throat and pretends to sneeze, "Lotsofsexlotsofsex."

And I think about my bubble thoughts.

~ooo~LIAB~ooo~

Whoo, what were her bubble thoughts? We're coming to the end.

~ooo~LIAB~ooo~