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.

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.

CHAPTER 10: STANDING RESOLVED

Jasper noticed his brother's actions as they entered the elevator with Isabella Swan's representatives and all the way through to the moment when the doors closed for them to head for the privacy of their suite. What was surprising was the look of disappointment that he had seen on Edward's face as the door closed on them. 'Why or what was causing this reaction?' Jasper was wondering to himself.

After reaching the suite and all five men getting comfortable the room was silent for a brief moment before Edward began, "So, Ms. Swan is determined to allow you three to decide her fate in regards to our making her book into a movie."

"No. No, she has made her position very clear to all of us as to what she wants, not desires, but, wants, concerning this contract. And, make no mistake, Mr. Cullen, she has made clear as well what our actions are to be in regards to anything that is discussed between us." Mark commented very firmly so the two Cullen men would know that they refused to be intimidated in any manner that might be used to try to get the contract bent towards Cullen advantage.

Jasper had remained quiet during this exchange, but, a smile was wanting to burst forth because the fireworks were indeed building to explode the moment Edward did meet Isabella Swan. He knew from the time Edward had spotted her, even unknowing who she was, and had set his sights on having a small dalliance with the woman while they were in Seattle taking care of business. But, the best was to come the moment Edward realizes that the woman he wants from the restaurant and Isabella Swan, the annoying author, were one and the same. Oh, the shock of that moment was going to be outstanding, Jasper was convinced and he truly hoped that his parents were around when it did happen.

"Are you telling me that something of this importance that could affect her financially she is content to leave all matters of discussion and decisions in your hands?" Edward asked in amazement that someone was willing to accept any decision concerning their future in outsiders' hands and not to be present to voice any sort of opinion whatsoever.

"You're misunderstanding what has been said Mr. Cullen. Our client has told us her position and she has informed us what is and isn't acceptable to her. Anything outside of those areas won't be considered by any of the three of us."

"Right." Edward dragged that one word out in a very unbelieving manner. Then he continued, "Why don't we start this discussion with you three telling me exactly in what capacity you do represent Ms. Swan? That way I feel that I'll have a better understanding of why she is comfortable with leaving such important decisions in each of your hands.

"And, then once you have stated that information I would appreciate you telling what Ms. Swan is willing to accept and what she is not. That way we'll have a starting point for discussion so we can come to an acceptable compromise that everyone will be able to live with." Edward remarked without making an attempt to hide his sarcastic tone from sounding in his voice and words.

"Mr. Cullen, if you're going to maintain your current attitude then I would say that we have nothing further to discuss." Carson Darwell, Bella's attorney, told the young CEO. And, after voicing his opinion Carson looked over to Mark and Henry to see what their reaction to his statement might be. He was rewarded by the fact that they seemed to be in agreement with him and was showing it by the nodding their heads.

It was at this point Jasper decided it was time to intercede since communication between both sides seemed to be heading down hill at a fast gallop. "Let's all take a deep breath and try to relax. We had a nice companionable dinner together and I believe that we can have a decent business discussion to where we all can come to a mutual understanding.

"I must say that my brother had a good suggestion about our starting point, so, I do suggest that we begin there and move forwards. But, before we start I'd like to have a word, privately, with Edward." So, with those last words being uttered Jasper rose and went over to Edward and grabbed him by the arm.

Both men left the room for a few minutes and that was when Jasper spoke harshly to his brother. "What the hell do you think you're doing? If it has to do with your disappointment of not being able to catch up with a certain lady this afternoon, then I wish you would get your thoughts above the waistline instead of letting them stayed below.

"But, if it has to do with Isabella Swan not being here so you can try to bully her then get the hell over that also.

"Now, let's get back in there and handle business like businessmen instead of you showing your ass." And with that said Jasper turned back towards the door and left Edward standing alone with his mouth slightly ajar since neither of his brothers had ever dared to speak to him in such a manner before now. However, he did concede the truth of what Jasper had said and did reenter the room, so, everyone could get through with the business at hand. It wasn't his problem if the Swan woman didn't feel the need to be present to protect her interest and chose to leave it in the hands of others.

Each of Bella's representatives stated their position as her attorney, financial advisor and as her literary agent. It was then that Mark told the other two men, "Now, as to what is open for discussion isn't quite clear to any of the three of us as Ms. Swan took our advice as well as another person's as to what would best serve her interests. All of that I relayed to Jasper Cullen who was supposed to have incorporated those requests, or, rather, stipulations into the contract.

"Please tell us what is causing you such concern about the contract itself that is giving cause that we are having to rehash the terms, as it seems we're about to do."

"I find that Ms. Swan's requests are a bit out of line with what is normally done with contracts such as this. We do -"

"Mr. Cullen, before we get any further along with this discussion let me save all of us some time and tell you that there will be NO compromise in regards to the stipulations that Bella wants." Mark paused there for a moment, but, as he saw that Edward was about to say something he raised his hand to halt any word flow and continued with saying, "Your company approached Ms. Swan, not she you, about wanting to do her book into a movie.

"She doesn't feel the need to change her mind and has given us the instructions that it would be as the contract now stands with all of her stipulation included, or, there will be no deal."

Those last few statements halt any words or movement from both brothers as they were completely stunned into a frozen state. However, Edward was the first one to recover enough to ask, "Did I hear you correctly? She refuses to any changes, or, to any softening on the terms, is that what you're saying?"

"That's it in a nutshell." Mark affirmed what Edward was asking.

"This is ridiculous. You are to call this bullheaded woman immediately and tell her to get her ass down here right this moment." Edward demanded.

But, instead of Mark, Henry or Carson reaching for their phone the three men rose to their feet and began moving towards the door as if of one accord. Once the three reached the door Mark turned to look at Jasper, then Edward, but, back to Jasper his look finally rested as he said, "Once your company is able to decide to accept the current contract then give me a call and we'll see about concluding all of this business. But, until then I would suggest that you see about getting your brother under control and explain to him how business is conducted." With nothing more left to say Bella's representatives left the two stunned men behind as well as a fuming CEO.

XXXXXX

While the meeting was taking place upstairs in the Cullen suite Bella, Rosalie and Alice were downstairs in the restaurant of the hotel having a good time. All three cousins were excited about being able to spend some time together since it had been several months since they had been able to do this. The three cousins were very close and very much interested in what each one was doing, so, they were especially happy to be able to have this time together.

The conversation during dinner remained light, but, would stray from time to time to the more serious of family catching up about other family members and their activities, and then back to the light and mundane once again. And, then when all three were through eating the conversation once more turned to what had been happening in each cousin's more immediate life.

Alice told of how her designs were setting the world of fashion a buzz, Rosalie spoke of the new film she was scheduled to start, but, Rosalie and Alice, both, spoke, "What about you?" They stopped, everyone laughed and then it was Rosalie that asked, "What is happening with you and the Cullen bunch?"

"Well, right now, Jasper Cullen is upstairs with his brother, Edward, meeting with my financial advisor, my attorney and my agent wanting to discuss the contract further. It seems that the stipulations I wanted is causing a bit of a stir with Mr. E. Cullen.

"I'm not sure what it is that's causing the problem, but, it doesn't matter. I took your advice as well as that of my people and told Mark exactly what I would accept and what I wouldn't."

"So, the war of words begins." Alice said with a chuckle.

"It would seem so. Oh, to be a fly on the wall right now to hear what is being said. Edward Cullen doesn't like not getting his way and I would say that with what you're wanting done in the contract is something that he's in conflict with." Rosalie commented.

"I have no idea what he might be objecting about in the contract, but, as I told Mark how the contract reads now, as long as it maintains my demands, then I'm content and will sign it. If there are any changes then he is to reject the contract.

"I did also remind him that it was the Cullen bunch that approached us to make the book into a movie, not the other way around. And, because of that we have the upper hand and the decisions are ours to make, not theirs."

"Smart move, cuz; smart move." Rosalie told Bella with a small smile being seen.

"I agree with Rosalie, it was a smart move, but, stand by your decision, don't give an inch otherwise from what I've heard around the industry he'll eat you alive."

"Oh, very true. He's a player and a very acute businessman that would take advantage of a weak niche he can find in your resolve."

Before any of the three women could say anything else Bella just happened to look towards the restaurant door in enough time to see Henry and Carson walk by closely followed by Mark. Mark did happen to glance into the restaurant and saw Bella sitting there with two other women; one he recognized as Rosalie Hale, his favorite actress. In fact, he had just seen a movie of hers, the Midnight Run, last night.

He said something to Henry and Carson who had doubled back to see what had stopped Mark in his tracks. Words were exchanged by the three men and then all eyes turned to look at Bella. It was as if of one accord that the three entered the restaurant and approached Bella's table. They knew that she needed to be informed of what had transpired in the meeting so she encountered no surprises.

Introductions were made and then Mark informed Bella of the problems that had arisen. She quickly told him, "Don't worry about. As I had told you before, it stands as I want it, or, it's no deal. They came to us, not the other way around. Go home guys and have a nice evening, at least, what's left of it."

A/N: Things didn't go so well during the meeting, so, Bella's people left and while they were in the lobby they saw Bella to which they informed her as to the outcome. No one has any idea what is going on between the two brothers that were left in the hotel suite. What do you think Jasper is saying to Edward, or, vice versa?

Your thoughts and comments as always are welcomed.