I DREAM OF RAINBOWS

Disclaimer: The Cullen's, 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.

As he walked away he heard his brother saying his goodbye as well and then he had asked Mark to excuse Edward's behavior. And, with that Jasper had returned to his brother who was waiting at the table Jasper and Edward had been shown. But, as the two brothers were seating and anything could be said between the two of them they saw Mark and the lady with him rise and leave the restaurant.

Edward heaved a sigh of disappointment as he watched his beauty leave without an apparent glance back to him.

CHAPTER 9: BELLA STANDS FIRM

As the brothers continued on with their meal without further interruption, Mark Strollman and Bella have left the restaurant and is headed back to Mark's office. He had indicated without saying too much that he needed to talk with her before she continued on with her afternoon plans, whatever they might be. She just looked at him for a long moment before giving a nod and went with him to hear what he had to say.

Once back at his office and they both were seated Mark wasted no time in saying what he had to say. "I'm sure you recognized Jasper Cullen at the restaurant." And here he paused for her reaction, but, all she did was nod, before he continued, "Well, he and the man that was with him, his brother, Edward, are wanting to meet for dinner this evening which would be followed by drinks in the privacy of their suite to discuss the contract."

"Well, I'm sure that you'll have little to discuss since we've made ourselves clear as to what is desired in the contract. I mean you did give all of the information to Jasper Cullen and he was to include everything into the contract for the required signatures." Bella commented while not fully understanding why Mark had wanted her to come back to his office just to tell her this.

"Bella, the brother that was with Jasper is the CEO of the company and he indicated that he had certain reservations about some of the items you were wanting included in the contract. And, if I'm correct about my impression of what the man said then I need to know how you wish for things to be handled." Mark explained to her.

"Mark, I've told you and you've relayed to Mr. Cullen what my terms were and that is that. I won't give on any of the stipulations that I've requested. They aren't unreasonable and are very much in line for what most authors would like, or, have been able to do in the past.

"Now, with that being said I would suggest that you get a hold of Henry and Carson to have them go with you to this dinner and meeting."

"I'm sure that your appearance is expected and from what you're saying at the moment I'm to understand that you won't be attending."

"You're assuming correctly; I have no need to be present since my three representatives are fully capable of handling all of these details and you three know what I want. I won't accept anything less and nothing is to be withdrawn.

"They are the ones that approached us about making my book into a movie; we didn't go to them. Besides that, I'm in a very comfortable place financially that I don't have to be desperate to accept their offer on their terms." So, with that clearly stated Bella rose, said a pleasant goodbye to Mark and left, quietly closing the door behind her.

Mark sat at his desk as he watched one very stubborn, but, confident client, leave his office. He had a feeling that this evening was going to be a very long one and he was mentally preparing himself for a night of failure. But, as such thoughts began to enter his mind he called a halt to that particular path really quick. And he jerked upright from his slouching position when his mind clearly accepted all that Bella had said: it was true that they all had the upper hand over the Cullen's. So, with this new revelation he made the necessary calls he needed to do and then called Jasper's hotel after listening to the message that Jasper had originally left, to accept the invitation.

XXXXX

The two brothers roamed Seattle with Edward being intrigued with Pike's Place Market. He found that the information they had been given back at the hotel was acutely accudrate: Pike's Place Market did hold everything that a person could possibly want from dining places, variety of shops and street vendors of all kinds. The cost of items ranged from average to outrageously high, depending on the shop, the product and the manufacturer.

After a bit Jasper decided that he was ready to return to the hotel since he had had a very late night getting the contract ready for his meeting with his brothers and then add in all of the traveling back and forth. Edward told him to go ahead and he would see everyone later that he wanted to wander around a bit more instead of being cooped up in a hotel suite.

And it was while he was wandering around that Edward thought, from time to time, that he spotted the lady from the restaurant that had caught his interest. So, he decided to play detective for a while as he tried to track the lady. He wanted to find her and maybe, something could happen that would end up filling his time in a much more entertaining way than what was happening at the moment. Although, he did admit to himself that Pike's Place Market was interesting because of the various items that could be found and the difference of humanity that wandered throughout the place looking, purchasing and dining, that could be found all in one place. But, the icing on his cake was being able to see his target and then pretend to be a stalker, never admitting to himself that he was truly a stalker in reality.

As the afternoon passed on Edward realized that he was a failure at playing detective. His tracking skills stunk he told himself with a bit of a chuckle of how he had deluded himself into thinking that he could do what needed to be done to find and approach his target and for becoming so intent upon having one particular woman when in truth he wouldn't have a problem getting different ones all through the day with just the snap of his fingers, if he chose to do so. It was just something about this one that had him wanting none other, but, her.

Edward was realistic enough and vain enough to know that he was irresistible to women, young and old alike, and that he had to do nothing, but, glance at any of them to have one and all throwing themselves at him while vying with each other for his attention. He knew he was popular and considered to be the 'must be' person to invite and have attend any party. Once you have Edward Cullen attending, then you're considered to be part of the 'in' crowd.

So, with all of this knowledge and an inflated opinion about his importance in the world, especially, his world, Edward couldn't explain to himself why he was so interested in this one woman. What was it about her that left him wanting only her and no one else? As of the moment the thought of any other woman left him unmoved, but, the thought of having his target stirred the excitement in his thoughts, emotions and his body, especially, his body.

There was only one other woman right now that was getting under his skin and that was this author, Isabella Swan. But, Edward was convinced that all she had to do was be introduced to him and then once he turned on the charm that she would be putty in his hands. He was confident that once that happened then she would be willing to agree to whatever he wanted to offer her. That was what he believed would happen if he could catch the lady from the restaurant as well.

Time passed with Edward getting no closer, or, even coming near to catching another glimpse of the lady he was trying to get close to. So, stopping at one of the restaurants that boasted an outdoor arrangement, he ordered a drink while he considered his current situation. He hated to admit to failure, it just was in his nature to fail, but, he realized that he had truly failed and it was now time to return to the hotel. At least, his target had accomplished one thing for him, unknowingly, and not exactly what he had hoped, but, she had filled his time and helped it to pass in still an interesting way. In a way that he had never had to do, let along think about doing, in his entire life up until now; to chase after a woman.

XXXXXX

Bella had caught a glimpse of the man that had been with Jasper Cullen at the restaurant and who Mark had told her was the brother as well as the CEO of the company that was wanting to make a movie from her book. She didn't know if he knew who she was, but, from time to time she would see him not far behind her and she did wonder if he might be following her. But, just as quickly as that thought occurred to Bella she smiled at her own stupidity of that thought and dismissed such notion. He was probably there just to visit and perhaps, shop at some of the stores that were located within Pike's Place Market area.

'Although, he is one damn fine looking piece of the male species.' Bella thought to herself. 'Wonder if he's able to please and pleasure a woman?' She allowed her thoughts to linger a bit longer on the delicious man she had seen at the restaurant before dismissing all thoughts of him entirely. Bella had made her decisions very clear to Mark and knew that he along with Henry and Carson were quite capable of handling the details of the contract.

After getting everything she had come to buy Bella left and went home without further thought entering her head about the dinner and meeting that would be taking place later in the day. She was getting her home ready for the arrival of her two cousins. They were due to land in about two hours and Bella was going to be at the airport to meet their flight. The two ladies were coming to spend about a week with Bella and to get away from the hustle and bustle of L. A. All three were anxious to catch up with what had been going on in each of their lives since it had been a while since they had all been in one place together.

Bella was aware that Alice was wanting to check out a few places while she was here to see about opening an extension of her business here in Seattle. She had offered to locate a few places for her, but, Alice refused saying that she had to do it on her own since the place had to have a certain feel to it that only she would be able to detect. Bella smiled about that, but, knew what Alice was trying to explain to her. Her cousin had an uncanny sense about things like that.

After making sure that all was in readiness, Bella showered, changed her clothes, grabbed her purse and keys and then headed out the door without a thought one to the upcoming meeting.

XXXXXXX

Edward had gotten back to the hotel in time to be able to shower and change before meeting their guests down in the lobby. Jasper was already dressed and was beginning to pace as he had been waiting for Edward and wondering if he was going to make it back on time.

The two brothers took the elevator down to the lobby and spotted Mark immediately as he stood talking with two other men. Of course, the closer Jasper and Edward had gotten to them Jasper immediately recognized Henry and Carson. A quick hello and introductions conducted to his brother and all five men moved to enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Edward continued looking around as they all made their way to the restaurant before finally asking, "Where is Ms. Swan?"

"She won't be attending. Her decisions were made very plain to us and we are here to represent her. Once a final agreement has been reached then we'll let her know and she'll sign the contract. However, until that point is reached she felt that her presence wasn't necessary." Mark explained.

"I had expected Ms. Swan to at least have enough interest in her future to put in an appearance to handle her business." Edward said in a rude, commanding manner. His anger at the woman not having the common courtsey to show up for this meeting was becoming evident in his actions as well as his words.

"Mr. Cullen, I assure that there wasn't any need in Ms. Swan's appearance since we are her representatives and do know what her wishes happen to be. But, I would suggest that we leave any further discussions of the matter alone until we've finished a pleasant meal and then have adjourned to a more private location to hash over any and all things that seem to be giving you concern since you had to make the trip to Seattle with your brother to discuss the contract." Carson Darwell firmly suggests to the brothers, especially to Edward.

So, nothing further was commented in regards to any business and the conversation, though slightly stiff, did center around general conversation. And it was as all five men had finished eating and were entering the elevator that Edward happened to glance out into the lobby just in time to see the lady from the restaurant along with two other women appear in the lobby. But, before he could take any sort of action the doors closed and the elevator began going up to their suite.

A/N: It seems that Edward's interest has been captured by Bella. She saw Edward and has some thoughts concerning him, but, quickly forgot them as her excitement of having her cousins come to visit. As Bella, Alice and Rosalie enter the hotel and is spotted by Edward, even though, he wasn't able to get to her, will he skip the meeting to try to return to the lobby and introduce himself to Bella?

Your thoughts and comments as always are welcomed.