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.

"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.

CHAPTER 26: DUES PAID, NEXT PLEASE

With all of the noise and shouting flying back and forth, the room became suddenly quiet as everyone saw the door on the far side open and two men walk in. Thoughts begin whizzing the minds as to who these two might be, but, still not a word was spoken nor a sound heard from anyone or thing. As the two men walked towards the front where Edward Cullen stood people gave way so they would have clear path to traverse. During the whole time eyes continued to follow as they approached an area directly behind Edward.

As all parties were finally in place and the one in front facing the press with the press facing the front, Edward stepped forward to begin with his statement. "I have asked for this press conference as a means of settling an existing situation between Fantasy Productions and Filming Studios and the self proclaimed owner of the screenplay called 'The Road of Loneliness' by Isa Swan which was purchased in good faith for the purpose of making into a movie from one Marie Swan. It has been proven that Marie Swan had no legal claim to the mentioned screenplay, but, in fact Isa Swan is the true owner and writer.

"All of you are aware of the various comments, rumors and so forth that has been making the rounds in our community for several weeks now. Up until this moment I have kept quiet and from this moment onwards shall maintain my silence once again. However, the offer was put forth that if I would make a statement in regards to my relationship with the late Ms Swan and withdraw from the filming of the movie, giving up all benefits that might result from the same, then Isa Swan will allow the current existing agreement between Fantasy Productions and Marie Swan to remain valid and drop any further said action against the Production Company and Studio.

"It was also agreed that Isa Swan would stand before all of you after I have finished and confirm this agreement. But, at this moment I don't see her present.

"So, with all of that being explained, I do hereby state that when the purchase of the screenplay was made from Marie Swan, she and I did have a brief relationship. We dated a few times, but, realized that we would be nothing more than friends. Shortly after that she met someone that she had developed deep feelings, and, it was my understanding that he felt the same. As to what brought about the death of Marie Swan I have no idea. Some say she took her own life which I very much doubt since this young woman was too much excited with life itself. Some say she was murdered for reasons as yet unknown and that I do believe.

"Marie Swan was a beautiful person, both inside and out. She was a real person not like the fake Hollywood type that we all encounter in our day to day dealings and shall be a greatly missed friend. I do know that she did become depressed at one time as she and her boyfriend, for want of a better word, had a disagreement. But, the last time I spoke with Ms Swan she had indicated that things were going to be working out in the near future towards wedding bells ringing, were her words. So, it came as a great shock to hear of her demise and then to read about all of the suggestions that were coming forth from sources that felt they had to be heard. That was only one source that came close to the truth at any one time, and to this day I have no damn idea where she was getting her information. In fact, I would read her column just to be able to know what would be coming at me or my family in the near foreseeable future." Edward commented with a small chuckle with the rest of the room joining in since they all knew to who he was referring.

"Marie Swan and I loved each other as friends, nothing more and nothing less. I pray that if she was murdered, as I indicated that I do believe that was the case, that her murderer will be brought to justice damn soon.

"It is at this time I would like to say that I will turn the floor over to Isa Swan, but, -"

"Thank you, young man." Said the older gentleman that had entered with Caius D'Angelo at the beginning of the gathering. And with that being said both men stepped forward. Caius D'Angelo begins to speak, "Mr. Cullen and members of the press, I would like to introduce Isaac Swan, known through his writing as Isa Swan. Everyone assumed that my client was female and never once considered it to be otherwise." He offered as way of explanation.

The man D'Angelo indicated stepped more to the center of the stage, but, was glancing off into the crowd as if looking for something or someone. At least, that was the way it seemed to Edward. He looked around to see if he could locate the target that Mr. Swan could be watched, but, nothing stood out. After that slight pause Isaac Swan began to speak, "I know that a different type of statement was expected from the mouth of Edward Cullen, however, since his statement was within the guidelines required all rights are hereby relinquished to Fantasy Productions and Filming Studios as set forth in the original agreement between said company and Marie Swan, my cousin. With her being that close to me that is how she was able to obtain the screenplay in the first place without my knowledge.

"And, as long as the new portion of the agreement between the Production Company and myself are upheld then I step aside to allow work to continue unhindered from myself or anyone else." With that said Isaac Swan turned to Tangelo and motioned that he was finished and ready to leave without wanting to answer any questions. Both men left through a near exit without looking back.

The stunned shock that had reigned over the room at the introduction of Isaac Swan suddenly broke as questions begin to fly just that many seconds too late as he was gone. Edward and his family were a bit shocked by the currently presented facts as well. Jasper stepped up and thanked everyone for their time in a dismissal of the group and then ushered his family out the same side door that the two men had used just moments before.

"Did anyone see if Bella had left?" Edward asked as the door closed behind them.

"Well, I be damned. Who knew that that bombshell was about to be dropped?" said Emmett.

No one answered either question as they all got back into the limo that had brought all of them and headed back to Edward's. Edward worried about Bella's whereabouts, Jasper was puzzled by the statement Swan had made and everyone else rode in absolute silence due to the shock that had been delivered to them.

XXXXXXXXXX

Bella was waiting outside the D'Angelo offices when she saw Caius and her father pull into the parking lot. She greeted them with a smile and then they all went into the office together.

"Did we accomplish what you wanted, Ms Swan?" Caius asked of his client.

"To a certain extent, yes, it was achieved. The statement wasn't what I want exactly, but, it still fell in the area of what had been asked so it had to be accepted. You have done your job well, Mr. D'Angelo, and here is a check for the rest of your fee. I thank you for all of your time, patience and services in this matter." And with that Bella rose to leave with Charlie not far behind her.

A/N: What did you think of Edward's statement? Should it have been more or less? Why did Bella go ahead and accept it instead of demanding more?

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.

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