STRUGGLES

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. She also makes the banners for each of my stories.

"In Chicago, I'm a senior, not a junior, partner in a law firm that handles client cases the world over. I'm good, damn good in fact, at what I do and I take on a case being fully committed to it. This case will be no different others than the fact that it concerns a person that is very dear to my parents and their close friend, Chief Swan.

"So, anything else other than what I've just told you is none of you damn business."

That statement left Rosalie as well as Emmett, Angela and Ben a bit stunned by the force that he delivered it. No one usually stands up to Rosalie in that manner and manages to leave unscathed by her.

CHAPTER 9: A FAMILY COMING TOGETHER

Charlie managed to clear his throat as a way of attracting the attention of everyone in hopes of relieving some of the tension filling the air at that moment between Edward and Rosalie. Although he understood why Rosalie was acting the way she was, some of the others present didn't. And, most were, even though friends, were unaware of Rosalie's complete background. She knew what it was like to be abused by a man, but, that was before Emmett entered the picture on a permanent basis.

Charlie had been the investigating officer that had found Rosalie's bruised and battered body while working a case underground. He had managed to get her up and quietly to a place where she could receive medical help without anyone else being the wiser. That is the special bond that Charlie, Bella and Rosalie have.

He stepped over to Rosalie and reaching out to her he drew her into a warm, fatherly hug as he knew that she was deeply afraid of losing her friend. After just a moment he spoke quietly and gently to her in almost a whisper that was so low it was hard for the others to hear, but, he told her, "Rosalie, don't you know that I would only have the best for my baby girl? I did my homework before asking Carlisle to ask his son to represent Bella. But, truly, I didn't ask without doing my own checking from time to time as Edward was establishing himself. His father and mother, both, wanted to make sure that he was well, happy and flourishing in his chosen field like normal parents want for their children." He paused for a moment as he noticed the shock that was upon several individuals' faces that happened to be close enough to hear the conversation.

Then he continued, "I did the same thing as their daughter, Alice, went away to begin her studies and start her career as well. I was in a very unique position to be able to keep tabs on the truth of their status better than anyone else could have and still stay unobserved in the background. That's what friends do for friends."

Both Edward and Alice had overheard what Charlie was telling Rosalie and turned stunned and very shocked faces towards their parents. Neither of the children had a single thought in their head at the moment of what to say to their mother and father.

"Charlie, is he really that good?" Rosie quietly asked.

"Yes, dear, he is. If anyone can help our Bella, it will be him. But, make no mistake about any of this; it isn't going to be a bed of roses. There is a rough and rocky road ahead for Bella and all of us that are going to be along for the long haul.

"She's going to need all of the love, help, encouragement and support that all of us can give her."

"Charlie, is it really going to be that bad for her?" Rosalie asked with a tone of voice that was full of fear, heartbreak, guilt and tears.

"Yes, Rosie, it's going to be that bad and worse because there is a death of someone that is really the abuser, but, others might make him out to be the victim instead of Bella." Emmett answered before Charlie could.

"But, why? She was the one that was being abused by that asshole excuse of what some might call a man. He controlled her in almost all forms of her life and took away her right to decide for herself. We all know this, so, how can anyone call her anything else other than the victim that was acting in self-defense of her life?" Rosalie demanded of the group in general.

"Rosalie, is it?" Edward asked as he began to approach her, then continued as she nodded yes, "From what I'm hearing from all of you, Mrs. Harrison never filed a complaint against her husband for any abuse. She never told anyone about the abuse.

"In fact, she lied to all of you when you did question her about certain issues you noticed or circumstances you suspected. All of this is going to make it difficult, but, not impossible to defend her allegations of self-defense when the time comes.

"Add to that fact that he had no say in her business or the handling of the business. In fact, from the little that I've surmised she refused any of his advances to be included in the running of the business. That can lead the prosecution to be able to say that he didn't have complete control over her.

"I will be going over everything in her life that can and will prove abuse on his part and self-defense on hers. But, I can't do it along and that is where I'm going to need your help, Mr. McCarty, as well as everyone else in this room that knew the couple." Edward quietly explained to Rosie and all of the others that were listening.

"Son, I can tell you right now without any hesitation that anyone that knew Bella, truly knew her, loved and respected her; not just because of who her father was, but, because of herself and because of what she accomplished on her own without asking for help from anyone. She studied hard and worked hard, the same as Jasper did, to start her own place and to make it the success that it is today.

"She had a dream and stayed the course to make it happen. Bella worked the kitchen while Jasper ran the business side of things. All of them are going to be willing to help you with saving Bella." Carlisle explained to his son.

"I understand that, Dad, but, it doesn't change any of the facts that it is going to be a damn steep hill that we're going to have to climb due to the existing facts as they stand at this moment.

"You and Charlie have seen enough of these types of cases over the years to realize this without my having to hammer it home to you.

"Now isn't the time or place to begin any type of discussion with each of you to discover any hints or clues that could help resolve and prove Mrs. Harrison's case. To be honest with you, I'm too tired to get started tonight, but, tomorrow will be a different story.

"What I need, and I sincerely suspect that all of you need as well, is a good night's sleep and then we all can get started first thing in the morning to begin unraveling the threads of this case to bring all of the elements to light in order to gain the right verdict.

"Each of you look dead on your feet and since nothing more can be done at the moment as Mrs. Harrison, thanks to her doctor, is in a medical coma for the time being. That in and of its self will prevent the police from harassing her for the time being. So, let's all get some rest as we each have a lot to do beginning as of tomorrow morning bright and early."

After some thought everyone, but, Charlie and Jasper decided they had to agree with Edward and began preparing to leave, but, had full intentions of being close by in case things changed in Bella's condition or they were needed to relief the two men staying behind.

XXXXXXX

Renee had a hard time pulling herself together after Charlie's phone call informing her about what had happened to their daughter. But, it wasn't long before all of the necessary arrangements were made for her and Phil Dwyer, her husband, to fly to Seattle. It surprised Renee that Phil had managed to get all of the arrangements and packing done without her being aware of his movements.

She was moving, speaking appropriately when spoken to, and doing all things required of her without really being fully aware as yet as to what was happening around her. Her mind was stuck on the fact that her baby girl was in the hospital due to that no good bastard that she had married, that she was fighting for her life, but, under the threat of being charged with murder if she does survive. It was too much for her to totally absorb at one time without freaking the hell out.

She did remember the ass chewing that she had given Charlie for letting this happen and then again for waiting so long before calling to let her know what had happened. In her eyes there was absolutely no excuse for that and she would inform him of that fact once more when she came face to face with him in greater detail.

Poor Renee was so upset over the situation concerning Bella that no matter how Phil tried to get her to interact with him and others around her it was a lost cause; she was moving in a daze. The shock she was feeling was proving to be very difficult to shake herself lose from.

Phil managed to get his wife to the airport, get them both onto the flight to Seattle, off again once they arrived at Sea-Tac, luggage collected, cab hailed and then to the hotel where he checked them in. It was after he had closed the door to their suite that she began to show any signs of coming to life and facing reality as she heard in a distance the door click shut. Without warning the tears and the sobs began to shake her entire body as she cried for what had happened to her baby.

Walking over to gather his wife close, Phil just held her while gently rocking her back and forth until the storm had started to calm down and subside some. It was at that point that he led her over to the sofa and they took a seat, but, the couple just sat there for a bit in complete silence.

"Phil, I need to get to the hospital. I want to know how Bella is doing and to check in with Charlie as to how all of this happened and what we need to do to get everything taken care of for her."

"Right now, Ren, we're just waiting for the car that I've reserved to use during our time here to arrive." Phil told Renee. Then he continued speaking, "Don't worry we'll make sure that she's okay before we leave. I've arranged to take care of business, when necessary, from here."

And with that said Renee just stared at her husband for a couple of heartbeats then she jumped at him, engulfing him into a great heartfelt hug of gratitude because of his understanding. It's then that the tears began again, but, she quickly explained that although sadness was still involved they were also tears of thankfulness for his generosity and understanding.

"Thank you, Phil, thank you so very much for knowing that I need to be near my baby girl right now." She kept saying over and over again and again, wanting to convey to him just how grateful she was.

"Don't worry about it, Ren, after all, she is my daughter in a sense as well, so, she's family and we need to take care of family. However, I would suggest that if you're able we get settled, changed and get on over to the hospital so we can see for ourselves how well she is doing."

A/N: Renee has arrived with Phil and they are getting ready to head for the hospital. What type of storm will erupt once Renee arrives at the hospital to check on Bella and then confronts Charlie?

Thanks for reading the story and hope you will enjoy it. Your reviews, ideas and comments are always welcomed.