DAMNIT, WOMAN, I LOVE YOU

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.

Not knowing the passage of the time the letter and the key were still beside her open when Edward came home. He knew she was there due to the car being in the garage. Calling for her as he went through the house, he received no answer so decided to check her room. Opening the door he saw her asleep on her bed with dry tear tracks running down her face. It then he noticed the open letter lying next to her. He starts to reach for the letter out of concern and because he was curious as to who had written something to make his love cry. But, just as his fingers touched it Bella begins to move and slowly opens her eyes. Just in the nick of time Edward moved his hand back so she stayed unaware that he was about to invade her privacy. His jealousy was directing his actions because he thought the letter might be from the guy she had met earlier in the week.

He wanted Bella to stay with him instead of finding an apartment. He had an apartment up over the garage if she demanded that she needed to have her own place, but, at least she would be in a safe and secure area. A place he could be close in case she needed him and he could keep a close eye on her. That he had planned to discuss with her this weekend. Also, to tell her about the upcoming press conference scheduled for Monday. He wanted all things out in the open so she had no surprises coming at her.

"May I ask why you are in my room? And, how long have you been in here?"

"I had been calling for you for a good bit of time with no answer so I came up here to check on you. I knew you were home due to the car being here. But, was concerned when I couldn't find you after what had happened last weekend at your old apartment." He answered her.

"Well, as you can see, I'm fine. If there is nothing else would you mind leaving so I can shower and change? I'll meet you downstairs in a bit." She told him. With that he left the room. But, his need to know was about to eat him up alive.

CHAPTER 25: TIME TO PERFORM

The weekend passed quickly with nothing outstanding as far as Bella was concerning happening. True Edward and his family talked to her again about not going back to her old apartment or getting her old car. As they pointed out, again, that whoever broke in knew enough to know about her since it didn't seem to be a random type of break in. Too many things had been destroyed for no apparent reason other than to hastily remove them from their projected path in a search for something special; almost, like they had a specific item in mind and thought she had it. If that was the case then they knew even more about her such as the type of car she would drive and so forth.

Edward told her that if she didn't want to continue to live with him, per se, in his house, but, wanted an apartment for her own then to consider living in the apartment above his garage. It was a three bedroom place with full kitchen, balcony, living room and en suite bedroom bath master suite and one other full bath for the other two bedroom occupants to use. He explained that it was fully furnished or she could have it redecorated to her taste and get all new furniture that would be up to her. And, about the car, she could continue using the one she was currently driving or purchase another, again the choice was hers. But, for whatever she decided to do not go back to a danger zone just for the sake of doing it or feeling like she had no other options.

Of course, her dad had told her to give up the old apartment and let her car go and stay fresh at a new place. A place of her choice that wouldn't be linked in any way with Marie. For that he and the agents believed was behind the break in t begin with. They all felt that it would be better and safer for her to try to distance herself as much as possible from the upcoming undercover operation other than what was needed from her to maintain the cover.

After reading Marie's letter and then waking up to find Edward standing over her was a rude awakening of huge portions. She felt violated for a moment or so until she realized that he was merely checking on her since she hadn't answered his call from when he had arrived home and she was nowhere in sight. At first she thought that he had read part if not all of the letter that was lying next to her on the bed until she realized that he hadn't had the time. Quickly putting it away she knew that she needed to get that letter to her father because some of the content would be of help to him.

Bella also was shocked by Edward opening telling her about the upcoming press conference and what it entailed. That was a totally unexpected move coming from him. She questioned as to why he would be telling her about it. All he would say was the due to the position she had accepted working for the production company he felt that she needed to be in the know in case anyone in the company commented or asked her about it. She was wise enough to know there was more to it, but, he wasn't to the point yet to say. His attitude towards her was telling of the fact that he had deep feelings for her. Bella wasn't stupid and this was what she had set out to bring about so she could hurt him as he had Marie. And, thinking of Marie brought her mind back to the contents of her letter to Bella. Yes, from all of the signs, her plans are working very well. It won't be long before she will be in the perfect position to pull the carpet out from under him, as the saying goes. And at that thought she just smiled. But, what really surprised her was the fact that he asked her to be there with him for 'moral' support he said with his lopsided smile.

Sunday evening, no one was at the house and Bella had arranged to meet with Charlie out on the Santa Monica pier. It was time for her to leave and take the letter to Charlie for him to read and do what he needed to do to safeguard himself against all sides involved. Enjoying the drive in the early evening was mind cleansing for Bella. She felt lighter in spirit, at least, for the moment. Things were going to get heavy again shortly with giving her dad Marie's letter for him to read and they decide on a course of action necessary to protect themselves and to bring about justice as well.

She parks and then getting out of the car looks around to see if she can see her dad. At first there is no sign of him, but, at close examination she notices a shadow figure motioning for her to follow which she does. After a bit, she enters a café situated on the pier and sees Charlie seated in the shadows off into a corner. Stopping at a table near the door she picks up a menu to see about ordering something to eat while discreetly looking around at any other patrons that might be present. The waitress comes over takes Bella's drink order and then bringing it back gets her food order. During that time, Charlie gets up from his table as if walking towards the restrooms, but, stops while the waitress is still there and makes a hit on Bella.

"Hey, pretty lady, are you alone?" Bella looks at him for a moment as if shocked that he would even dare approach her, and then answers, "Yes."

"Then why eat by yourself, come keep me company while I finish my meal. Promise I won't bite." He throws at her with a bit of humor and a hopefully reassuring smile.

"But, I don't know you." She comments while looking to the waitress for help or reassurance of some kind.

The waitress looks at her and then at Charlie before smiling, "I have to agree with you Isaac, she is pretty." Then turning to Bella she pats her hand before saying, "Don't worry about Isaac here, he's harmless. If I was about fifteen years younger I might be thinking naughty thoughts about him." She chuckles while turning to leave and give Bella's order to the cook.

Isaac went her to the back for whatever his purpose had been and then returned to his table. But, before sitting down he looked over at Bella one more time with a raised eyebrow. With that look Bella quickly makes up her mind to move to the other table with Isaac and sits down. Not long after that her order is ready and served. The conversation throughout the whole meals was lighthearted on both sides with really no personal information being exchanged or asked for.

After they both had finished Isaac rises while asking, "Have you ever been down to the end of the pier at sunset?" Bella shook her head no because in truth she hadn't. "Well, come on, pretty lady, you have a sight to behold." He says while holding out his hand. With a slight bit of hesitation Bella puts her hand in his as he helps her to rise and then they leave after leaving the right amount of money on the table with a good tip each for the waitress.

Arriving at the pier end, they both lean upon the railing. "While, little girl, did you bring the letter?"

"Yeah." And she very discreetly hands it over to him so he can read it from the light that is coming from nature and the lamppost just above them. To the onlooker they would see two people enjoying the sunset, not what was actually happening. Charlie read the letter, had a quick inhale of breath before slowly rereading it again. He read:

'Hey, cuz, SURPRISE!

Remember how we used to make fun of the scenes in the movies where people would be reading a letter or watching a video that started off 'if you are reading this letter, or, watching this tape or video, then it means I am dead." Well, guess what? No truer words have been said at the moment, for if you are reading this then I am dead, but, not by any means at my own hand which is how I imagine they will try to make it look.

"Cuz, there are some things in my life that I kept from you, but, you have a need to know them now because many lives including your own, I think, depends upon you knowing the truth. For a good while now I have worked with the FBI as an undercover informant. The pay was lousy, but, the thrills were great.

Word came to the Bureau about a ring of thugs running human trafficking, gun running and drugs on the side. This information was submitted through a contact that happened to work for one of the movie studios here in town, but, didn't say which one before he was killed. So, several of us were assigned to the different studios to see if we could locate which one and get any leads as to who was involved.

"My cover was selling a script that I passed that I had written. It was a perfect in to be behind the screens, but, unnoticed unless I wanted to be. So, I got one of your screenplays which I knew would be my golden ticket. Remember, when that is what I wanted to do? Well, guess what? It worked. I met some amazing people. The one company that was truly interested and able to pay what I felt the story was worth was Fantasy Productions and Filming Studios.

"I met all of the Cullen's and they were absolutely fantastic, especially Edward. We dated and laughed and shared a really great relationship. My Edward and I became very close and fell in love with each other, so, we started talking marriage. Can you imagine me married? Yeah, I know, I needed to eat my own words.

"Anyways, I did discover the connection to the ones the Bureau was after, although, most of the company are unaware of the vermin within their mist. It makes for a nice cover up to be able to move from one place to another due to location work and no one suspecting anything. I managed to get on the inside circle much to my Edward's dismay. He was heartbroken and begged me to not associate with them. I had to tell him to let me live my own life. He finally told me that if I didn't want to change then I didn't want him. That nearly broke me, but, cuz, I still had a job to do. So, I had to let him do what he needed to do.

"But, they found out somehow, I nearly got caught getting out the evidence I needed to bring these assholes down. Enclosed is the key to the location of where everything is hidden and you know my habits, so, think, and you will know the location without me having to tell you. Please, get it to the necessary people by going through Uncle Charlie. But, warn him to be very, very careful of who he speaks with as these people have a mole at the Bureau; not sure who it is, but, there is a leak.

"I am writing all of this down so I can get word to you one way or another. Please take care. My friend has been asked to give this to you if I have dropped out of sight or he has received word of my death. But, he has been told to wait for a certain period of time just to avoid anyone connecting this letter as being in existence and the person it is addressed to. YOU, cuz.

"Please tell my Edward that I love him and will be waiting for him in eternity. We can have there what we couldn't here. Sorry, to put this burden in your lap, but, I can't trust anyone more than you.

Love you always,

Marie.

P.S. Tell Mom and Dad that I love them and when all of this can be told I do hope they will be proud that I was trying to do good. And, watch over my Edward as much as you can.

Bella quietly left while Charlie was staring off into the sunset with tears flowing freely and unashamedly down his face. She knew how her dad felt and no words could help ease the pain. Going back to her car she returned to the place she called home with the decision made to take Edward upon his offer of the garage apartment for she needed to be close to make his life a living hell for the pain he caused Marie and the position he put her in and left her there.

Monday morning broke with the sun shining and a slight breeze blowing to keep things pleasant for the moment. Edward was nervous as hell since he hadn't received any word or decision from Bella about her plans. His family was gathering so they all could go to the conference as a united front. Time approached for them to leave, but, no Bella. With his spirits sagging and at an all time low Edward left with everyone. One thing for sure lives would be changing and they were finally meeting the mystery person, Isa Swan.

Jessica hadn't had any luck getting an exclusive from Edward, but, she was amongst the front runners in the conference and Edward noticed her as he walked up to the podium. He looked around one last time and finally spotted Bella in a corner smiling sheepishly at him. Nodding he started to speak when from the opposite side of the room a door opened and in walked Caius D' Angelo with another person, an older man.

A/N: Marie speaks beyond the grave, but, did what she has to say make things better or worse for some people?

I hope you enjoy this story as much as all of you seemed to have done with my others. The reviews, alerts and favorites have been overwhelming. I thank you. But, if you are going to alert in some manner, then please take the time to review with your thoughts, opinions or suggestions.

Please take the time to review and I will be more than happy to reply.

NOTE: The date for my eye surgery has now been set and will happen on June 11, 2012. I do thank all of you for the many well wishes that you have sent and don't doubt about the stories as they will be kept up to date. I just might be a little slow for a day or so.