End of Chapter 10

I decided then and there, that I would do everything that was in my power to see that Bella had this type of peace every night. She would never feel loneliness again.

Chapter 11: Colorful (BPOV)

The next morning I stretched out my arms as I woke. I stopped mid-stretch. Something was not registering in my brain correctly. Last thing I remembered was laying on the couch with Edward watching a movie. I looked around myself, and realized I was in my bed. Did I walk up here? I don't remember Edward going home. I looked over toward my alarm clock to see what time it was, but it was blocked by a piece of paper with my name written across it in beautiful script. I knew that hand writing. I sat up quickly, snatching the note into my hands, and smiling widely.

Bella,

You looked so peaceful last night asleep that I couldn't bring myself to wake you. I hope you don't mind that I put you in bed before I left. I would have been happy just to crash with you on the couch, but in Charlie's frail condition at the moment, I didn't want to be the one to drive him over the edge by finding me asleep with you on the couch.

I have to drive to Seattle in the morning for my practice with the Youth Symphony (don't laugh), but I will be back later in the afternoon, and I will call you.

Your friend,

Edward

My friend. I had a friend. I wasn't alone anymore. I held the note to my chest and smiled. I ran my fingers along my lips feeling this alien emotion manifesting on my face. Happiness. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this way. It felt good. I could feel myself sitting taller as I felt the weight I had been carrying around all these months start to slip off of my shoulders.

I got up and went down the hall to help Charlie with his morning routine. When I got to his bedroom, the door was open, and his bed was empty. I looked to the bathroom, and it was unoccupied as well. Then I heard the sound of Charlie's voice from downstairs. He was talking to someone. A woman's voice mixed with Charlie's. I walked down the stairs looking for where the voices were coming from. The living room was empty, other than the tossled blanket, pizza box, and empty pop cans from last night. I wandered into the kitchen to find Charlie sitting at the table with a woman with short black hair. She was talking when I entered the room, and her back was to me. When I fully turned the corner, Charlie looked up at me, and the woman stopped what she was saying and turned to me giving me a smile.

"Why you must be Bella!" She said standing up and coming over to hug me. I looked at her with a shocked expression on my face.

"Yeah," I stammered out.

"I'm Sue. Sue Clearwater," she said with a smile.

"Sue!" I said more animatedly now. "Carlisle has told me so much about you. Can I get you something to drink or anything?"

"I'm good," she said. "Charlie already got me a cup of coffee."

I raised an eyebrow at Charlie and he gave a little shrug and a smirk.

"So, Sue and I were talking, and she was thinking she could swing through once a week to help out with the housework," Charlie started in trying to focus my attention on the business at hand.

"That would be so helpful," I said smiling at Sue who was grinning at Charlie. "I was doing so well with keeping up, but then things happen..."

"I understand," Sue said patting my arm. "When my husband got bad, my house would have fallen apart if it wasn't for my kids helping me out. It is hard doing everything on your own. Especially, when there is no need to. Why don't you give me a tour of the house, Bella, and we can figure out how we are going divvy things up."

"I would be glad to," I said. We started in the kitchen, and I showed her the supply closet where I kept the vacuum and other cleaning supplies. I pointed out the laundry room that was off of the kitchen. Charlie followed us into the living room, and I immediately started picking up the pop cans and the pizza box.

"I'm sorry about the mess this morning," I said quickly. "My friend, Edward, stopped by yesterday after school to check on me...us. We got a pizza...watched a movie. I was too tired to clean up."

"Edward was here," Charlie said with a gruff.

"Dad, he's just a friend," I said rolling my eyes. "We were supposed to do our presentation at school yesterday, remember? He was worried when I wasn't there. He only found out why I wasn't there right before school was over."

"That was very thoughtful of him to stop by and check up on you both," Sue said with a smile. "The Cullens are nice people."

"I'm going to settle in here why you ladies finish your tour," Charlie said settling into his recliner and picking up the remote.

"Do you need me to get you anything, dad?" I asked.

"I'm good at the moment, Bells," he said shooing us off.

I finished showing Sue the upstairs, and our conversation flowed easily. It was like talking to Mrs. Conner. We had the shared experience of taking care of someone with cancer. I wondered if this type of bond is similar to what war veterans share. Even if they were on different fronts, or even in different wars, they know what it is like physically, emotionally, and mentally for you. Sue and I agreed upon that she would just help out by doing the general cleaning weekly (dusting, vacuuming, mopping, etc.). I would do the beds and the laundry. We agreed that she would come on Saturday mornings starting next week. She waved and said good-bye to Charlie before she left.

"Sue's nice," I said chancing a glance at Charlie as I gathered up last night's trash from the living room.

"Yeah, it was a shame when Harry died," he said clearing his throat. "He was a good guy. I am glad to be able to help her and the kids out a bit."

"Thanks for agreeing to this, dad," I said lowering my head. "I am sorry that I couldn't...that we needed to..."

"Bells," he said sighing. "You're doing great, honey. You have taken such good care of me, and you are doing so well in school. You deserve to have some help. I know I have been prideful about this whole thing, and you haven't pushed me at all, but I am one to admit when I am wrong. Help doesn't equal pity."

"I think we have both been a little guilty in the pride department, dad," I looked up at him and smiled. "It is nice to let people in. It's nice to know there are friends who care."

I held out his hand to me, and I went over and sat on the arm of his recliner and laid my head down on his shoulder. We sat there for a while him watching Sport Center and absent-mindedly stroking my hair, and me closing my eyes and enjoying the tender gesture. For that moment, we were just a father and daughter enjoying a comfortable silence.

"I love you, dad," I whispered.

"I love you too, baby," he said and pulled me into his lap and hugged me close.

Just then the announcer on Sports Center started talking about the game tomorrow between the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals. A grin started to spread across my face and I looked up at Charlie.

"Care to make a bet?" I asked coyly.

"You're on, kid," Charlie said with a smile. "What are the terms?"

"I win, you have to eat whatever healthy crap I throw at you for a week," I said. Charlie rolled his eyes grumbling. Then he smirked and looked down at me.

"I win, and you have to spend an entire weekend doing normal teenager stuff," he said. I frowned. "Do we have a bet?"

"You're on," I nodded. "Speaking of tomorrow and normal teenage stuff. Edward and I have to make up our presentation on Monday. Would it be OK if I invited him over to practice tomorrow?"

"That would be smart of you," Charlie agreed. I hopped off his lap and picked up my phone off of the coffee table and dialed the number while walking towards the kitchen.

"Hello, Buttercup," Edward greeted. I couldn't help but giggle.

"Hey there," I said. "Oh crap! You said you would call me today. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

"Just a monotonous drive back from Seattle," he said. "I was just about to call you."

"I was wondering if you wanted to come over tomorrow and work on our presentation for Monday," I asked, and I still couldn't keep the pang of guilt out of my voice for missing on Friday.

"That sounds great," he said. "What time?"

"Ummm...just a sec," I said. "Dad, what time is the game tomorrow?"

"Noon," Charlie yelled back from the other room.

"Four?" I asked Edward.

"That is fine, but what game are you talking about?" He asked.

"Seattle vs. Arizona. There is a wager on the line," I said.

"I bet there is," he laughed. Then I heard voices in the background and a scuffling with the phone.

"Bella!" Emmett's voice rang through the phone.

"Hey, Emmett," I said. "What's up?"

"What kind of TV do you have?" He asked.

"Umm...a Phillips flat screen. Why?" I responded.

"What bribe will it take to get you to let us come over and watch the game tomorrow?" He pleaded. "Alice and Esme have this chick party going on at the house, and they are having it in the living room. The game just won't be the same not on a big screen."

"Emmett, don't be rude!" I heard Carlisle call out from somewhere in the car. "Charlie has been sick."

"Just a second Emmett," I said. I grabbed a pad of paper and pen and walked into the living room. I relayed the situation to Charlie. He nodded and grinned, and took the pad of paper and began making a list.

"You guys are welcome to crash, Em," I said. "I will email you my dad's demands. He's still writing, so it might take a while."

"Awesome!" Emmett cheered. "Here's Edward."

"Bella, you guys don't have to," he started.

"It's fine, Edward," I said. "You should see how intent my dad is about making the food list at the moment. Tell your dad to feel free to veto anything."

"OK," he laughed. "I guess we will be seeing you tomorrow at noon, then."

"I will see you then, and don't forget the presentation materials!" I reminded.

"I won't," he said. "Have a good Saturday, Bella."

"You too, Edward. Bye!" I said smiling.

I hung up the phone feeling energized. I walked into the living room, and picked up Charlie's completed list at his side. He must have been feeling revived as well, because he had a long list of foods.

"Are you sure you are up to these?" I asked. "Are you sure you are up to this?"

"Yeah," Charlie said with a smile. "I am actually looking forward to a manly afternoon with the guys...and my girl." He winked.

"They don't need to bring all of this," I said looking down. "I needed to go to the store today anyways, so I can pick-up the stuff to make some of these. I'll have them grab the wings. Beer, dad?"

"It's been a long time, Bells, and if Dr. Cullen is coming, then I have a supplier," he said with a smile. I shook my head at him and smiled at his giddiness.

I quickly made my own list and headed off to the store. I was excited about the prospect of cooking for more than just Charlie and I. I always loved to cook. I would make the sides for tomorrow. Loaded potato skins. A veggie tray. Baked beans with ham. I would also cook up Charlie's favorite dessert, Grandma Swan's apple streusel. When I got home from the store I sent Edward a quick text with their food responsibilities.

You guys are in charge of the carnivorous portion of lunch. Charlie wants brats and wings. He also wants beer. Let me know if that is OK with you guys. -B

We've got it! Carlisle said he'll bring enough beer to keep Charlie stocked for a while. -E

Those two are going to be trouble. I can feel it in my bones. -B

You know it. Looking forward to tomorrow! Go Seattle! - E

Grrrr... see you tomorrow. -B

A/N: Again, just missing the mark on Thursday. I have a perfectly understandable excuse this time. AngstGoddess003 posted not one, not two, but THREE new chapters today for 'Wide Awake'! Holy crow, that girl can write. Then I had to review them, of course. I do take reviewing seriously. Along with writing this bit, I have also read and reviewed over 30 new chapters this week, and my reviews are no one or two word acknowledgements either. OK, so I inadvertently stepped up on the soap box with that one. Ignore the lecturing author behind the curtain! I do love reviews, though. Thanks for getting me to 200 reviews already!

This chapter felt a little lame to me, and so I will probably throw another chapter out there in a couple days. Let me know what you think of it.