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.

He moved quickly, but, once more missed out by just a few nanoseconds as he watched the cab drive away.

CHAPTER 12: MEETING AT LAST

Bella was impatiently waiting for Edward Cullen to get his head out of his ass and show up for their meeting. She and Mark had arrived ten minutes early and now it was an hour later and still no sign of Edward Cullen. How the hell could someone run a business this way and make it into such a success as he had done.

She and Mark had arrived the day before and had been met at the airport by Rosalie who dropped Mark off at the hotel and then both she and Bella had continued on to Rose's home. But, Rose was met with a message waiting for her to do a return audition for a part that she was wanting to do. It was a chance to work with Emmett Cullen; this was the director that Rosalie had mentioned a couple of weeks ago when she and Alice had been visiting in Seattle.

It seemed that Alice and Jasper were getting closer and really into each other, but, not to the extent that Jasper was neglecting his job responsibilities. At first, while Jasper and Edward were in Seattle to try to get compromises on the contract and things didn't go exactly as Edward had wanted he tried playing the 'we've changed our mind' card which resounded back in his face, by Bella telling Mark to relay back to the Cullen's that that was fine by her. "Tell them that we aren't desperate enough to accept just any of their handouts." And, Mark did just that.

After that little tidbit had been delivered, Edward left Seattle in a huff refusing to have anything else to do with the whole situation. He told Jasper to deal with it, but, to get it done and over with so they all could move on. "That way Emmett will stay the hell off of my back." He yelled at Jasper just before walking out of the door and slamming it behind him.

Jasper did remain behind for two reasons; one, to get to know Alice better since he wasn't aware as yet that she lived in L. A. and two, to talk with Mark and, hopefully, Bella about the whole contract deal, so, everyone could live in peace. And, meet they did, over lunch, which led to Jasper learning the reasoning behind Bella's conditions.

With knowing this bit of information, he knew that she wasn't going to give on any points. She stated once more, "I won't lie about it, I would like to see my characters coming to life upon the big scene, but, at this point, I'm not desperate enough for it to happen. Financially, I'm comfortable, so, I don't have to accept any offers if I choose not to.

"You have to remember, Mr. Cullen, you approached me and my agents about doing the book into a movie, not the other way around. So, I would say that the advantage is with myself and not you or your company.

"You can tell your brother that I won't be browbeaten by him or anyone else. And, because of my financial situation I can pick and choose who I want to do business with and how I want to conduct that business. So, he can go piss up a rope for all I give a good damn because from what I can see, thus far, his behavior is that of a spoilt, petulant child who's unhappy for not getting his own way."

Jasper had listened to all that Bella had to say, agreed with her and asked her to give him time to get back with her. She and Mark accepted that and all had left the luncheon feeling as if progress had been made. And, as they were leaving Jasper happened to mention that he had been trying to get a hold of Alice that morning, but, she wasn't answering her phone.

"Alice and Rosalie have returned home. I dropped them over at the airport just before we met for lunch and our meeting. Chances are that the plane is now in the air and she's not able to answer." Bella informed him. She wasn't familiar with what Alice had or hadn't told Jasper about herself as yet since she pulled a disappearing act to spend time with Jasper.

It was surprising that Alice hadn't told him where she lived and just allowed the man to assume that she was a Seattle gal. Bella assumed that Alice was planning to get around to telling him, but, she had received an emergency call that required for her to return to L. A. immediately and Rosalie decided to return with her. Bella was sad to see them go, but, they had their own businesses that needed to be handled the same as she did; besides, they also had their own lives to live as well.

It was also possible that Alice wanted to see how serious Jasper Cullen might be about their relationship, by not telling him how to find her, other than here in Seattle. To see if he would make any attempt to locate her once she left to return home.

However, she did know that Alice had tried to call Jasper several times before having to leave to catch her plane, but, received no answer. And, Bella offered that information to him and watched as he checked his phone; that was when he saw that he had it on silence. But, he did see that he had voice messages. He smiled, thanked Bella and left while listening to his messages.

But, as Bella and Mark were turning away they observed Jasper coming to a complete halt and then he turned back towards them. Bella saw the puzzled expression on his face. "She lives in L. A. Jasper the same as you." Bella told him, saw him nod, smile and then he turned around once more to leave, only to hesitate again.

"I'll get back to you as soon as I can and we'll all meet in L. A. to get the contracts signed and then we all can move forward from there to get this project off the ground finally." And, with that said he did leave with his phone held once more to his ear and a smile that was becoming brighter with each message he listened to.

Jasper was as good as his word and did get back to Bella and Mark within a few days of his leaving Seattle. He had returned to L. A. to have a talk with Emmett and his parents, who, although, not involved in the day to day running of the company, did have a vested interest, silent partners like, in the company and did have a say in helping to decide impossible situations, about the contract.

Emmett demanded that the contract be signed by all concerned so he could get on with the making of the movie he wanted to make. He was wrapping up his current project and was wanting this one to be his next. As he explained to Jasper he was already holding auditions for some of the parts. "This needs to be finished!" He emphasized with the banging of his fist upon the table where everyone, but, Edward, was seated.

"Jasper, dear, call Isabella Swan and tell her that the offer is accepted as she wants it. Invite her to come to L. A. for the signing and, so, we all can meet face to face for the signing."

"Mom, why face to face?" Emmett asked a bit puzzled by the sly smile that was seen upon his mother's face.

"Because from what Jasper has told us concerning the trip Edward took with him to Seattle and the activities that occurred, I would say that our Edward is in for a very amusing, if not unsettling, rude awakening because of this young woman. She seems determined to go the way that feels the most comfortable for her and isn't afraid to stand by her decisions. Add to that she was wise enough to obtain advisors in the areas she needed in order to aid her in making wise choices and decisions as to which way to go. Then add to the fact that she doesn't hesitate to vocalize her needs, wants, desires, or beliefs. That is why I say our Edward is in for a very big surprise. Yes, a very big surprise indeed."

So, Jasper did as promised and called Mark, he had learnt his lesson about going to Bella first, to inform him about the pending meeting between all parties in L. A. A date that was convenient for all persons involved was arranged, and, now everyone is waiting for Edward Cullen, CEO of the company, to decide that he's ready to show up so everyone could get down to work.

Upon their arrival at the offices, Jasper had been waiting, as well as his parents, to be able to conduct the appropriate introductions and get the meeting started. Both Bella and Mark had been made to feel welcome and the conversation had flowed without stress or awkwardness when suddenly Jasper and his parents had been called away for some emergency which required their help.

It turned out that Esme Cullen was a renown director who had retired a few years ago while her husband, Carlisle, was a doctor and semi-retired. And it was that a medical emergency had arisen that his services were needed, but, with Jasper being an officer of the company and Esme, possibly needed to assist her husband, went to aid in what capacity they might be needed, that is why Bella and Mark found themselves sitting alone in an office, with no one other than the secretary, waiting.

Hearing the door to the office open all three occupants of the room look to see who is about to enter, but, their expectant expressions soon turn to disappointment since it's only Jasper returning. As he looks around his facial features become set into a stern looking mask and then he says, "I guess Edward is still held up a bit, but, why don't we go down to the café that down on the ground floor for a bit of refreshments while we're waiting for him to arrive.

"Mom and Dad are just about through with our small emergency and the casualty is now being loaded into an ambulance to be on their way to the hospital. I'll send them a quick text and have them meet us there."

Both Bella and Mark agree that it would be better than being stuck sitting with nothing to do, so, they all leave, but, not before Jasper tells the secretary to call him immediately that his brother arrives into the office. And, on the way out Jasper shows the couple around the different departments they have housed in the building.

Once they arrived at the café and were seated, Jasper did send off a quick text to his parents and was once more about to apologize for the absence of his brother, but, never got the chance because Bella asked, "What was the emergency? How serious could the situation have been that would have demanded a trip to the emergency room in an ambulance?" She asked in a very curious voice, but, yet, had sympathy that was reflected in her eyes for the unknown person that had experienced the need for medical treatment.

"It was serious, but, at the same time not really." Jasper answered with a quick chuckle and observed the quizzical expressions on the two faces that were seated across from him. "One of Emmett's staff members in casting went into early labor. So, as you see, it was serious, but, not really serious at the same time."

"Did she deliver before going or not? Didn't she have any early contractions to give her warning of problems or complications of any kind?"

"From what I understand there wasn't any warning whatsoever. Her water broke and her labor began. And, yeah, Dad delivered a baby girl to the happy mother.

"Of course, from what was said the baby being premature it will have to spend some time in the NCIU for a bit, but, Dad did say that everything looked just fine from what he could determine."

And, just as Bella was about to comment the arrival of Dr. and Mrs. Cullen forestalled her asking any further questions. And the couple took the empty seats as the waitress came over to take everyone's orders. But, once that was handled Esme was quick to comment on her still missing son. "Bella, honey, I'm so sorry about this mix up and all. I can only surmise that he's in a meeting which is holding him up to this extent." Esme offered the excuse. And, with that said no further excuse was uttered. In fact, Edward's nonappearance was left out of further conversation amongst all parties present.

Time came for everyone to return to the offices in hope that Edward had wandered in. Carlisle, Esme and Jasper, all, were fuming about Edward's behavior, but, were putting up a pleasant and united front to try to keep Bella and Mark comfortable for business to be handled.

And, as they all needed the head office Bella excused herself so she could go freshen up a bit. But, as she was coming out of the restroom door she ran into a solid wall of flesh. Swiftly looking up to see who she had ran into and about to offer an apology, the words froze in her mind as they never passed her lips; she was looking into the deepest set of green eyes that she had ever beheld. But, just as quickly as the thought about his eyes passed through her mind so did recognition of the man she had ran into: the missing CEO, Edward Cullen.

However, before she could say anything scathing to him, he recognized her as well and with a cocky smirk turning up one corner of his mouth, he comments, "Well, hello, what a very pleasant surprise, so, we finally get to meet. You're the one I saw in Seattle not long ago and spent a hell of a lot of time trying to get close enough for us to get to know each other better, if you know what I mean."

Bella reacts very quickly to his words by slapping the shit out of him without hesitation before turning and going back into the lady's restroom. She leans against the closed door trying to catch her breath as she heard angry mumblings fading as his footsteps were moving further down the hallway. And, it was in that instant, as his words fully registered with her, that she realized he was the one that she had seen stalking her from time to time in Pike's Place Market. Finally, as her anger, nerves and breathing return to normal she returns to the CEO's office to finish with this asshole and get the hell away from him.

She enters the outer office to find everyone missing except for the secretary who informs Bella that they are awaiting her presence in Mr. Cullen's office and motions for her to go on in. Bella doesn't hesitate in opening the door and coming face to face with the asshole once more.

Edward is standing close to the door with his back turned towards it while talking with the others that are in the room with him. As he hears the door open knowing that it must be the missing author, he turns while he is snarkly commenting, "It's about time you decide to grace us with your presence." And, once again without hesitation, Bella slaps the hell out of his face again.

A/N: Now Edward and Bella meet. I must say that it was some kind of meeting. How do you think the others are reacting to what happened between Edward and Bella?

Your thoughts and comments as always are welcomed.