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.

The awesome and talented dowlingnana searched out my errors and corrected them.

"Charlie, I will be making an announcement very short about Edward and Bella's marriage as well as her attack and inviting any of the personnel that she works with to visit at the hospital to check on her. That should give you the opening you need to come and go without blowing your cover."

"Thanks, Carlisle, that will definitely help and make things easier in that regards."

Both men shook hand and Charlie left go back down to the studio while Carlisle prepared to release the newsletter to the entire staff concerning what he had told Charlie. In the meantime, he did call Edward to see how Bella was doing and if there had been any changes as yet.

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Felix North and Demetri Masterson were busy on a conference call with headquarters back in D. C. Everyone was trying to coordinate everything to grab Arturo Mancini and his bunch before anyone of them has a chance to disappear forever. Charlie Swan and his daughter Bella had done their jobs well and now it was time to bring all of it to a head.

Enough agents had been sacrificed to try to bring this bunch of criminals into custody. It was the closest they had even been able to get and they would be a fool to pass up this once in a lifetime chance.

"Been advised we are getting ready to leave D. C. tonight and will begin getting into place immediately upon arrival. Do not advise anyone of our plans; let it all come down as a surprise. Everything can be sorted once we have all of them under arrest."

"Yes, sir."

CHAPTER 37: NOT LONG NOW, MY LOVE

Days passed and it had been nearly a week since Charlie had been summoned to Carlisle's office and then the statement issued concerning Edward's and Bella's supposed marriage along with the information that she had surprised an intruder after returning home from work only to be attacked as she had entered the house. It further stated, without going into more details, that she was in the hospital in serious, but, stable condition. The information given said that if anyone who worked closely with the new Mrs. Cullen wished to visit regular updates as to her condition would be released and all notified as to when visitation would be allowed. Many of her coworkers were eager to visit the young woman so they could wish her a speedy recovery. But, some were curious to talk with her to get the inside scoop as to how she was able to get the elusive Edward Cullen to settle down and propose to her. That last had quite a few of the ladies puzzled as they each had tried on numerous occasions to attempt to gain his interest.

Charlie was impatiently biding his time for the proper time to be able to get to the hospital to check on his Bella without blowing his cover. He was also waiting for the timetable as to when Arturo Mancini was going to be taken down. But, so far no one had informed him of anything. They all had gone silent and unavailable. That had him a bit puzzled, but, no unduly so. Having aided with undercover work before he was aware that plans were being made and everyone must be getting ready to move into proper place to make their surprised moves so none would be able to escape. The person that had worked over his little girl would be his and his alone. Another meeting with Mancini was set for that evening after leaving the studio. He was determined at that time to get the information as to who the culprit had been without drawing any special interest to his line of questions.

Plans were being made by law enforcement and plans were being made a by a high ranking officer that enforced the law to bring an end to the illegal activities, but, to also bring justice for all of the victims that had been caught in the web these bastards threw out to catch the unsuspecting. All of the harm, death and destruction they have caused. The pain and misery to innocent lives.

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It had been almost a week since he had found Bella on the doorsteps and she had been rushed to the hospital. True her condition had stabilized, but, she was still in a critical state. Edward had refused to leave her for even a second. The family would come to spell him so he could go home to rest, shower, change clothes and eat; in general, to take an emotional break from the tension, stress and fear he was constantly facing. But, he refused to leave, not even, to go downstairs to eat. So, everyone took turns coming up to relieve him long enough for him to use the small shower down the hallway to clean up, change, shave and then return. As far as eating they would bring food up for him to eat. Even the doctors and nurses tried to get him to go home, but, no one was able to budge him from his position by Bella's side.

Edward was determined to be there when she woke up and be the first one she saw. He knew the doctors were about ready to begin a gradual reduction on her medication that had kept her in a medically induced coma to help reduce the stress of the pain she would have felt. Once they begin to do that she would be moved to a regular private room. Once that was done he would be right there with her just as he was now. No one really needed him at the studio. And, his dad was keeping him updated as to what was going on with Bella's dad and the reason as to why he hadn't been up to the hospital to see Bella as yet. To think that the people that did this to his Bella were the very ones that wanted her own father to murder her. True they didn't know who Charlie really was or the relationship he had with both Marie and now Bella, but, it was really ironic the way things were going.

Not really noticing the passage of time, Edward was surprised to hear his father's voice from the doorway. Looking over he saw both of his parents standing there looking at his Bella and then over at him. "How is she doing son?"

"The same. Nothing has changed and not expected to until they start to bring her out of her coma. That is going to be went she will really need us the most."

"Do you know when the doctor is going to begin the procedure? Or, move her to a regular room where we aren't so restricted as to the number of visitors at one time?"

"Don't know as yet, only that it will be soon."

"Son, why don't you go get cleaned up while we are here. We'll sit with her while you are gone and if there are any changes I'll have one of the nursing staff notify you immediately. I know that Alice and Rosalie are planning to be up here later this morning to bring you something to eat, but, now would be a good time to take a break. And, from the looks of you, I would say that it was really needed." Esme told her son, but, had the attitude that arguments weren't going to be allowed or accepted. So, with a simple nod of his head he got up to go down the hallway once again to take a quick shower and change clothing.

"He's taking this really hard."

"I know and carrying a lot of guilt as well. At this time I don't know what we can do to ease any of it." Answered Carlisle to his wife. They both sat close to the bed, one on each side of it while commenting on how Edward was feeling about what had happened to Bella. She had become a part of the family almost instantly and added to the fact Edward's deeply developed feelings for her; she was going to get all of the support the family could give her.

After a bit Edward reenters the room to observe his parents sitting with Bella quietly watching her and holding her hand. He clears his throat to alert them to his return and then muses aloud, "I wonder what the hell she is going to do once she learns what I have done? She frustrates the devil out me with her stubborn, independent ways. Never wanting to allow that others may want to help her just because they care. Always question the why's of everything and looking for underlying reasons of why something is done a certain way. Damn, I love that woman!"

It is at that moment, even though, extremely early in the morning, that Dr. Fields walks into the room. He notices right away Edward, Carlisle and Esme, but, has gotten use to all of the family popping in and out at will to be with his patient and her husband. "Well, Mr. Cullen, after conferring with your wife's other doctors we have decided that it is time to start waking her up. But, before we do we will be moving her down to a regular private room. Once there you all will have to remain in the hallway while she is situated and checked over after the move. So, are we ready to begin?"

"Yes. What do you need from us at the moment?"

"Just move to one side and begin to collect your wife's belongs that have accumulated during her few days with us. You can carry those down to her room while we take care of the rest." So, the process began to move Bella and get her settled in a more comfortable location. And, it didn't take long to gather everything belonging to Bella and Edward together, or, for the staff to get Bella ready for the move. Edward and his parents walked behind as her bed was wheeled down the corridors to the elevators.

Once they had her set up and all of the monitors reattached everyone was allowed back in. Once there they set about putting things away until they were needed. Edward had his dad to help him move the reclining chair over closer to the bed so he could use it from time to time to catch a nap next to Bella. That way he was close enough to always have a hold of her hand so she would know that she wasn't alone.

Carlisle and Esme left shortly after the move had been completed and they saw Edward and Bella settled. They would let everyone know where Bella could be located now that she had been reassigned a different room. But, before leaving Carlisle decided he would try talking with Edward about the media storm that was circulating at the present time concerning his supposed marriage and Bella's condition. But, as the first words came from his mouth Edward stopped him with the remark, "I'll deal with any and all of that crap after she has awakened. None of it is important anyway. She is the most important factor in this whole screwed up mess. I should have had a bodyguard assigned to her while I was gone then she wouldn't be lying there now.

"Dad, it tears me apart to see her this way. And, to have to face what was done to her and what lies down the road for her recovery is hard to handle, but, I will be with her all the way whether she wants me or not.

"Once she awakes I will start doing things differently. She is going to know how much I do care. How much I love her and that I would give my life for her, if she asked it of me."

"We all love her, dear. Don't doubt that, but, at the same time stop wasting your time and energy on your self-pity. You need to be strong for her sake."Esme informs him rather firmly. And with that she and Carlisle leave.

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Slowly, quietly, a rather large force of individuals begins to steadily arrive in Los Angeles. Their purpose and determination to bring down Arturo Mancini and company solid, the plans are made and each select group is quietly making their way to a pre determined location to await the arrival of the rest of their team.

For this one operation, Charlie's old buddies have had themselves reactivated. They were going to safeguard their old friend, but, at the same time make sure that the trash that had brought harm to their friend's family wouldn't escape capture. Not this time. Charlie along with his daughter and his niece had all done a damn good job on getting the ground work done and situated for this to happen with full confidence of it being a complete success.

They were aware of the fact that Charlie hasn't been able to get to the hospital to see or be with his daughter due to having to maintain his cover. If he didn't keep going as he started more harm and danger could be metered out and their prey would be gone.

The one last thing that needed to be done was to find all of the damn evidence that Marie Swan had gotten a hold of and hidden before she was murdered. No one was sure if Bella had found it as yet, but, they were damn sure that Mancini and his bunch hadn't. For if they had none of them would still be here, but, long gone by now and safely away from any chance of capture or arrest.

So, it was reasonable to assume that that was the one thing that was still holding Mancini here in Los Angeles. Those papers and other items must be one hell of a set against him for him to be that determined to retrieve them.

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After getting to the office, Carlisle asked for someone to have Isaac to come to his office. Once the word was received, Charlie walked into the door and sat down after making sure they couldn't be overheard and the door was securely shut.

Carlisle informed him of Bella's updated condition; about her being moved to a private room and the fact that the doctor was going to start decreasing her medication to allow her to come out of her coma. Charlie was delighted with the news and told Carlisle that he was just waiting for the announcement that friends could visit so he could go check on her without giving anything away at this point. He also informed Carlisle that his friends were being kept up to date as to how things were progressing with the job, but, that he was a bit worried because they seemed a bit preoccupied the last time he had spoken with them.

Carlisle asked if there was anything he felt they needed to be concerned or worried about to which Charlie told him no. He thought due to some of the indicators that a movement was in the planning stages and was about to be unleashed. And after a bit more discussion to which Carlisle handed over the script changes that had to have some rework so Charlie's cover was still intact at the studio the meeting was over.

Carlisle had been handling the rewrites since Bella wasn't able to at the moment. Of course, he knew that he wasn't producing the same line of material as what Bella would have, but, no one else seemed to be the wiser to the difference.

Things were beginning to move at a faster pace for everyone, but, little done the Cullen or Swan bunch realize just how fast.

A/N: Plans are moving forwards to bring down the Mancini and his band of misfits. Will the FBI capture the whole bunch including Mancini? Or, will he manage to get away? When will Bella wake up and what will be her reaction to what Edward has declared to the world?

This story is nearing the end with maybe one or two chapters left and an epilogue to close.

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.