YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE

Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline

Edward had talked with his attorneys about sending flowers, condolences or any type of acknowledgement concerning Charlie Swan and his daughter's, but, was advised against it as it could be looked upon as a sign of remorse due to a feeling of guilt. That was the one thing they didn't need at the moment. Caius, Marcus and Aro, all three, questioned all of the Cullens, Hale-Whitlock and McCarty bunch to find out if anyone could come up with an enemy that would want to go to these lengths to cause harm to any or all of them.

The answer was no. No one came to mind for any of them.

"Have you seen any news and what is being said about the case?" asked Caius of no one in particular.

"I saw a report early this morning. They were comparing it to a possible O.J. Simpson type case." Answered Edward. "But, the big difference between that case and mine is that I am innocent. No one really knows for sure about him."

"That is the point I was referring when I told you don't send or say anything to or about the Swans. Don't do anything. If someone asks you out right your thoughts say something like 'it saddens the heart to know that of their loss and then 'no comment'. That is all that you need to say."

Carlisle at this point asks, "How long do you think it will take to get all of this resolved so we can go home?"

"Mr. Cullen, that is hard to answer. The case has just begun. We need to hire an investigator to check out all possible leads to come up with enough to create reasonable doubt. This will take time and money, unfortunately."

"I thought that would be your answer, so, my wife is going to look for a home for us to buy and we will move here for the duration. I would also suggest that the business that each are in to move your headquarters up here, but, maintain the offices still in California.

"We are not going to leave our son to face this alone." With that being said in conclusion, Carlisle looks around to the rest of the family members and friends. Each in turn nods their agreement.

So after the lawyers leave, everyone begins making plans to implement the changes in locations. They were going to be where Edward needed them.

CHAPTER 8: DO I HEAR A SIGH OF RELIEF OR NOT

Edward followed the advice of his attorneys and did nothing to acknowledging the burial of Renee Swan or the recovery of Isabella Swan. It went against the grain, but, his future was riding on how the public perceived him for they were the ones that would be trying him and deciding his fate. And, with the passing of time, he was starting to show the signs of stress.

It had taken time and effort for everyone to relocation and settle into a new place. Many of the clients wanted to know exactly what was going to happen if things worked out badly. Trying to reassure all that business was continuing as usual no matter what was a herculean act of portions anyone had ever imagined. But, all the problems were resolved.

It was amazing how everyone had managed to work together to get the business going in the first and the move was just like starting over again. Edward sat remembering how he had approached everyone years ago to start this business. It was nothing more than an idea filled with determination, but, it worked.

He and his friend, Emmett McCarty had studied auto engineering, Jasper, his brother in law, was the business major, while Rosalie Hale was the world's best mechanic and his sister was known for her fashion designs. The engineers designed engine components, Rosalie made them work, Jasper sold them and Alice made sure the company had designer clothing for race drivers that made a statement. Anyone outside of the group would shake their head wondering how it all could work, but, the fact is, it did work and all were making a profit with the business having a stellar reputation.

Hating the fact that he couldn't leave the Seattle area and had to let others deal one on one with the clients had him chomping at the bit. Everyone knew about his different run ins with Chief Swan and none saw anything in the subject matter that would lead others to think that he would be desperate enough to want to commit murder of the man's family. That vote of confidence from their clientele was uplifting, but, they weren't the people that would be deciding his fate when they did finally go to trial.

It had been six months since Renee and Isabella Swan had been attacked. Edward only had indirect information concerning what was happening with the Swan family from that time onward. Renee Swan had been buried while her daughter remained in the hospital. She had been traumatized to the extent that she wasn't responding to the presence of anyone. But, as time moved forward she begin to pull it together and started coping with the events going on around her. It saddened Edward still that all of the family had to go through such an emotional incident. He knew how he would feel if it had been his family.

He did hear that Isabella Swan had returned to Princeton to start her Junior year and was doing really well in her studies of law. No one had mentioned what area of the law she would be majoring, but, her grades were exceptional.

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The investigators that had been hired to follow up anything that might be able to clear Edward Anthony Masen Cullen of the charges he was facing kept coming back as nothing. In their minds, if this young man was truly innocent then someone went to a lot of trouble and expense to make sure he was convicted. He must have pissed someone off really, really bad.

The only early lead they had as to a car look alike was the client they had in Port Angeles since the car that Cullen was attempting to deliver that day was of their colors. But, as they investigated all information surrounding that company, everything and one was accounted for. They were all in Port Angeles awaiting the arrival of the new car.

Every point, every bit of information that Cullen had given to the attorneys was checked not once or twice, but, several times from many different angles and it all still came back with the same answer; NOTHING COULD BE FOUND TO PROVE HIS STORY. And this was the report that was given to the attorneys.

The scary part of this was that not just one detective agency had been hired to check out everything. Four of them had been from all across the country. Every one of them had the same report, NOTHING.

Now, the attorneys had to go back to the family and tell them this information. Also, let them know that the court date had been set. The case would be heard in another six weeks. That would put it at seven and a half months after the events took place. So, the problems between Edward Cullen and Charlie Swan had been taking place for nearly four years.

Caius called Marcus and then Aro to inform them about the contents of the last report. Stating they needed to meet with the Cullen to begin preparing for the trial. All agreed with Aro volunteering to contact Carlisle and arrange the meeting for later that day when everyone's schedule to accommodate the get together.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Charlie Swan was still feeling the effects of not having Renee with him and Bella was back at Princeton studying. Christmas is approaching and he still hadn't started with the decorations that his wife would have him hustling to get put up. He just didn't have the desire, but, wondered if he should make the effort for Bella's benefit since she would be returning for the holidays. Although, she hadn't mentioned anything about James coming with her. He was more than likely spending the time with his family.

He had gotten word today from the Seattle District Attorney's office that the trial against that bastard that killed his wife and attacked his daughter would begin in the second month of the New Year and he needed to inform Bella so she could make the necessary arrangements to be here since she was the main witness against Cullen. He hated that she had to come back just to go through all of that. It had taken weeks for her to pull together and start to live her life again. Then return to school and her studies. She was maintaining her four point oh average at Princeton and he was damn proud of her for that in spite of the loss they had suffered.

Reaching out to pick up the phone, he dialed Bella's number and waited. After a bit she answered, "Hello, Dad, are you okay?"

"Yeah, baby girl, I'm just fine. You know how things are right now, but, it's slowly getting better, I think."

"I know, daddy. I miss her, too." The sadness sounding in her voice.

"Do you want me to pick you up in Seattle or what are your plans exactly?" he asked.

"No, dad, thought I would rent a car that way I would be able to get around as I needed without being a bother to your schedule. And, before you ask, no James isn't coming. He's going to Europe with his family for the holidays. So, just you and me, I'm afraid."

"Sounds like a good combination to me." He said trying to inject a bit of levity in his voice. True be told he was glad that Bella had survived the attack. Then he begins to clear his throat a bit as a stalling tactic before having to bring up the subject of Edward asshole Cullen.

"What is it that has you hem hawing around, Dad?" she laughed a bit.

"Something that I really hate to mention, but, I think it better to tell you now so you can do what you need."

"Okay, what is it?"

"The trial will be starting in February."

"I see. Thanks for letting me know. I will let my Professors know so I can come home with all of my assignments that need to be done. That way I won't lose any time in my studies."

"Okay. See you soon." He said and then hung up.

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Bella hung up and sat for a long time staring off into space. Never realizing that the tears were slowly falling from her eyes, down her face, she knew this was coming, but, had managed to ignore it. Now it was fast approaching and couldn't be ignored any longer. She was going to have to relive that event over again, more than once as each attorney questioned her concerning what she saw.

This was the first Christmas without her mother and it was going to be hard enough on both her father and her. And, then the secret she carried was even worse. She didn't want to let her dad know that things were going wrong between her and James. It wasn't any one thing that had changed her feelings for him, but, after losing her mother things just didn't feel right. Nothing she could really put her finger on, but, reality knocked and she was starting to want to do things differently. Even she had a hard time expressing her feelings to herself. She knew that she would have to break things off with James, but, right now didn't feel like the right time.

Bella hadn't told anyone about keeping up with the happenings going on with the Cullen family. She was trying to find a reason why Edward Cullen would want to do what he did. Nothing made any sense and she was a very logical person. Things had to fit and make sense or she would keep worrying with them until they did. That was one of the reasons why she wanted to become a lawyer; she enjoyed the puzzle of putting things in their rightful place. And, too many, facts were out of place concerning the events of that day.

But, she would be strong enough to see justice done for her mother.

XXXXXXXXXX

Edward and Victoria were having lunch together when he got the call from his father that everyone would be meeting with the attorneys at three in their office. He said he would be there. After hanging up, he told Vic what the call had concerned and asked if she wanted to be there as well.

She said no that she had some other shopping to do since they had a wedding coming up in March. He laughed and told her okay.

Victoria hadn't been happy about moving to Washington, but, due to the circumstances she had moved anyway. And, the whole time had been more supportive than he thought she would be. He had really underestimated her and felt bad about it. That was why he had agreed for them to marry in March, not that he had any reason not to, it didn't matter when, but, he felt like it was too soon for some reason.

So, after they finished lunch each person went their own separate way. Edward was heading to the attorney's office to find out what the big meeting was about this time. It didn't take him long to get there and as he entered the outer office saw all of his family waiting.

The secretary ushered them into the office Aro was using when he was in town and asked if she could get them anything while they waited. All replied in the negative to which she left and closed the door quietly behind her.

"Dad, do—" Edward had started to ask what was going on when Aro along with Caius and Marcus came in.

After all of the greetings were out of the way, Caius got down to business, "We got the last report back from the detectives and they came up with nothing to support your story the same as the others. I'm not going to soften this, Edward, but, it is going to be a long, hard road to get a jury to believe you. It's not impossible, but, will be a challenge.

"We will be going to trial around the first of February, so, if there is anything that you have forgotten to tell us now is the time to do so. We are going to be working our butts off to get you ready and grilling the hell out your story. At times, you will hate us so bad that you will want to walk out, but, hang in there, it is our job and your life that we are trying to protect."

"So, it begins, the beginning of the end." Edward comments, but, says nothing else.

A/N: Everyone has been informed of the trial date. Does what is it about that day that seems to have Bella questioning the events? Edward and Victoria seem to be moving forward with wedding plans. Even though, she has been supportive, why didn't she want to attend the meeting? Any special reason why? What is it about James that has Bella wanting to break off their engagement?

But, who is so determined to railroad him into prison? For what reason what they have to want such revenge against him?

The family feel the need to uproot and move for however long to be with Edward through all of this nonsense.

I will be updating once a week on this story and hope that you enjoy it.

Please take the time to review to let me know your thoughts and opinions. I will answer back.