Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Stephanie Meyers does. I do own this plot and storyline. I own my own original characters and a sweet little Chromebook I just love.

All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

AN: I'm posting this chapter early as a 'Thank You' for all the reviews and support. I haven't been able to reply to all the reviews I receive but writing and RL get in the way sometimes. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 19: Setting the Record Straight

EPOV

The next morning finds me sitting in my attorney's office, recounting events from the last eight months. Mr. Riley explains that because Laurent Henry was a bank employee, and facing serious jail time, he had cut a deal with the investigator. He confessed that Tanya had coerced him into helping her. Apparently, his mother works for the Mayor's office, and Tanya has threatened to have her fired if he didn't help.

He goes on to explain that this investigation will more than likely bring attention to the mayor and his employees, along with the judge that dismissed the case. The evidence is solid against Tanya and Laurent, and both will be convicted. It is more than likely that Tanya will face jail time, as well. He informs me that while I'm allowed to discuss the criminal case, since it was dismissed, I'm not able to speak about the civil case because it is still an ongoing investigation.

After Mr. Riley leaves, I review the documents that Mr. Jenks has drawn up for the sale of my restaurant; they are perfect. He will be delivering them to Mr. Whitlock today and once they are approved, the appointment for the closing will be set-up.

"Mr. Jenks, do you have a contact at the newspaper that you trust?" I ask, as a thought occurs to me.

"I do. What are you planning, Edward?" he inquires, sitting up a little more in his chair and narrowing his eyes at me. "As your attorney, I need to make sure that you aren't going to cause yourself any trouble."

"I want to set the record straight. It's time I tell my side of the story; clear my family's name," I spit out, getting upset at what the media is still saying about me and my family. There was another article in the paper, just this morning. They just can't seem to leave my family alone, constantly speculating that we have a vendetta against the Denali family. The latest headline insists that my father is wanting to run for mayor. I swear, they are digging deep for anything they can find, and if they can't, they just make shit up.

"Ok, let me make some calls and I'll let you know. Now, tell me about this move you're making," he demands with a smirk, and I do. I tell him everything about Bella, Cassie and the ranch, our experience with the camp weekend and how much it felt like home to me.

"Well, this Bella sounds like an amazing person. I wish you and your family the best of luck," he assures me as I'm getting ready to leave. "I'll let you know when you can do your interview and I'll even be there with you, to make sure that they don't ask something you can't or don't want to answer."

"Thanks, Mr. Jenks," I tell him, shaking his hand and leaving shortly after.

Once back in the car, I notice a text from my mother, I'm making lunch for everyone. If you're available, come on over.

I arrive at the house, along with everyone else. I know Alice has Wednesdays off because she usually works on Saturdays, but I'm not sure why the others, besides Emmett, are home.

"What are y'all doing? Playing hooky from work?" my father asks, trying to sound stern but failing, as a smile twitches on his lips.

"We could ask you the same thing, old man," Emmett rebuts smirking at my father. "When did you start sounding like you live in Texas?" he asks, laughing at my father's sudden southern drawl.

"That is exactly how he spoke when I met him," my mother clarifies, wrapping her arm through his, and kissing his cheek.

"I have some vacation days I need to use up, so I took today off to sign up for my Texas Certification Exam," Rose defends, looking around at the rest of us.

"That's wonderful, sweetheart," my father praises.

"There isn't any use in opening the restaurant when there's no customers," I state, turning to Jasper and raising an eyebrow at him as if to ask, what's your excuse?

"I'm hungry, and mom said she's cooking lunch," he tells us with a serious face. We all bust out laughing. "What? I didn't want to be left out," Jasper justifies, with a simple shrug of his shoulder.

"You are always welcome, baby boy," my mother coos, kissing his cheek. "I have a job for you, anyways. The realtor suggests that we repaint the kitchen. Can you take care of that when you have time?"

He turns to us, sticking his tongue out before replying, "Yes, ma'am. Emmett and Edward can help me do it this weekend."

"Good. Now, come chop some vegetables for me," she says, laughing at her boy's non-verbal bantering.

I love hearing her laugh again.

We all follow her into the kitchen and chat while she and Jasper prepare lunch.

"How did your meeting go, dad?" Emmett asks, drawing everyone's attention to my father.

"Good. They'll be releasing me from my contract as well as writing me a letter of recommendation," he replies, shrugging his shoulders like what he just told us isn't a big deal.

"Well, that sounds a little too easy. What did you say to them, Carlisle?" Rose asks, smirking at my father. "There has to be a story there. Let's hear it."

There are no secrets in this family.

"Well, since I know Eleazar has had his hand in the way I'm being treated at the hospital. I decided to use that today as leverage in order to help me get out of my contract. I figured that they would either do one of two things. They would either release me from my duties without any repercussions, or I was going to bring hell down on them." He explains further how he had requested a meeting with the hospital board the day before, which was scheduled for this morning.

"Dr. Aro asked what they could do for me, so I told them. I said, 'Actually this meeting is about what I can do for you. You see, in light of everything that Mayor Denali's daughter did to my son, and the subsequent retaliation that has been brought against my family. Don't you find it odd that all of a sudden I'm working ER shifts? That as a Pediatric Specialist and Head of the Pediatric Department, I'm suddenly being underutilized?

'Now, before you answer, let me just inform you that I've been made aware that Tanya Denali will be facing federal charges, and I don't think the mayor can get her out of that like he did the criminal charges. Once that comes out, I do believe anyone associated with the mayor and his office will be investigated as well. So, why don't you just release me from my contract with Seattle General, and in return, I will not contact my attorney and file a breach of contract case against the hospital. I can only imagine what type of publicity that would cause. I assure you, it will not be the good kind,' I told them all.

"Dr. Cooper didn't even know about the change in my schedule," he continues, telling us the rest of the story. "I explained to him how a few months ago I received notification from his office that I was being placed on the ER rotation schedule, and that I have been working in both departments since. He was clearly confused and irritated, asking if any of the other board members were aware of the change. Then, Dr. Aro tells him that they were short staffed in the ER, so he passed down the order, stating that it was from Dr. Cooper.

Dr. Cooper asks if any of the other department heads were given this same order, and Dr. Aro told him no, that it was only me," he says, relaying the conversation, as we all start to become angry.

"Oh, it gets even better," he says, laughing while holding his hands up, telling us silently to calm down. "Dr. Cooper asks him if this change was made before or after he went golfing with the mayor. Dr. Aro gets defensive, telling us he doesn't see how what he does on his personal time has anything to do with this matter. So Dr. Cooper tells him, 'It has everything to do with this matter. If your friend, the mayor, asked you to implement this change, then you broke hospital policy and are looking at facing a deception hearing. I highly suggest that you either tell us the truth here, or I'll have no other alternative than to suspend you until an investigation has been completed.' Then, Dr. Aro comes clean, telling us Eleazar told him he was to either cause problems for me or he would destroy his marriage," he finishes and by this time, we're all laughing.

"Dr. Cooper told me he would have the papers drawn up, releasing me from my contract along with a glowing letter of recommendation. He asked that this matter stay between us. He doesn't want it spread all over the hospital. He dismissed the rest of us from the meeting and then requested that Dr. Aro stay behind."

"That's awesome, Carlisle," Alice tells my father, tears of laughter running down her face.

"I'm happy everything worked out for you, Dad," I praise once I've calmed down.

After eating a lunch of stir fried vegetables and chicken over rice, we head into the living room. I'm really quiet and can't seem to figure out why I feel lost all of a sudden. I just know that something is bothering me.

"What's up, Bro? You're not talking much?" Emmett points out annoyingly.

"Not sure, just feel like something is...missing. I don't know. There is so much going on, and I have a lot on my mind," I reply, noticing my mother smile out of the corner of my eye. What's up with that?

"I think that since we're all together, we should use this time to call Bella and get the answers to any questions we may have," my father suggests, as we all nod our heads in agreement.

Dad pulls the house phone closer and dials the number to the ranch office, putting it on speaker so that we can all hear. "Swan Lakes, how can I help you?" Jessica answers, but before anyone else can say anything, Emmett opens his big mouth.

"You can let that little boss lady of yours know that the big man is on the phone!" he demands rudely earning a glare from my mother and a smack from Rose.

Thank goodness she has a sense of humor.

"Well, Emmett, if you would ask nicely, I might just go and find her for you," she snarks back. "You know, this is the fifth time you've called us since you've been home. Does Rose know that you are so bored that you're calling Texas twice a day? I'm sure she can put you to work doing something," she comments, snickering.

"Well, I didn't know he was bugging you all the time," Rose buts in, glaring at Emmett. "I think I can find some stuff for him to do around here."

"Dang, Jess, you're already telling on me?" Emmett pouts while she just laughs.

"Hold on guys, and I'll get her," she says, placing us on hold.

A few minutes later, Bella comes on the line. I notice as soon as she speaks that I feel better. "What can I do for you today, Emmett? Causing trouble are you?" she asks, you can hear her smile in her voice.

"Hello, Sweetheart. We're all here," my father greets before Emmett can get himself in anymore trouble. "We have some questions for you."

"Well, let's see if I have some answers for you," she jokes, and you can hear her giggles through the phone. Her amusement make me smile. "Oh, and Emmett, we don't mind you calling."

"Me first," Alice starts, bouncing in her seat on the ottoman of the chair that Jasper is sitting in. "I have a cat."

"Ok, and?" Bella asks, clearly confused by Alice's lack of explanation.

"Sorry, Bella," Jasper cuts in, knowing how his wife talks in riddles. "Alice speaks her own language and expects everyone to understand it. What she meant is, we have a pet cat, Gracie, and we need to know if we can bring her with us. We were not sure on your policies concerning animals as pets."

"Of course you can bring her," she declares, her tone becoming firmer. "Listen guys, let me make something clear. This is gonna be your home. If you step on someone's toes, they will let you know. Treat my house like you would your own home, please."

"Thank you, Sweetheart," my dad replies in gratitude.

"Just so you know, Cassie loves animals. If she had her way, Gracie would become her pet once she gets here. There are a few of us that have pets, we just keep them put up when the campers are onsite due to liability reasons."

"Thanks, Dear," my mother says, smiling over at Alice who is beaming with joy. "I just wanted to know if you need any furniture for the cabins or bunkhouse?"

"Well, the guys have been begging me for another couch in the bunkhouse, and there are three cabins that are still unfurnished," she replies, clearly thinking out loud. "I was gonna buy stuff for them, but just haven't had time. Plus, there is still some furniture in storage."

"Well, now you don't have to buy anything," my mother tells her. "We have enough furniture for all of that, plus some."

"That's great! I can't wait. Anything else?" she questions, and I become nervous all of a sudden.

"Um…..sorry….I hate to burden you, but I have a favor to ask," I stumble out hesitantly.

"Edward, what kind of favors can I do you? For you?" she replies with an embarrassed, yet sassy tone. Was Bella flirting with me? I definitely feel my smile grow.

"I found a really nice used truck online at that dealership you told Emmett about. I want to go ahead and purchase it before it's sold. But, I need someone to take a look at it and make sure that it's not a piece of junk. You know how pictures can be deceiving?"

"I can do that," she agrees quickly. "Email me the information today. After picking Cassie up from school, me and Jake can go by and check it out. I know the owner of the dealership and he won't sell me a piece of crap."

"Thanks, I really appreciate it. I'll email the information as soon as we hang up," I confirm, rubbing my palms on my thighs, needing to keep my hands busy.

"Hey, Bella," Rose greets, her tone excited. "Kate sent me the link and I signed up for the licensing exam. I gave them the address to the ranch so you should be receiving a package in the mail soon. Just go ahead and open it, and let me know when I'm scheduled to take the test."

"Will do," Bella confirms. "I'll pass that along to Jessica as well. If you need help making your arrangements, just let us know."

"I'll make the travel arrangements once I know for sure where the exam location will be," she explains. "Oh, I'll need to know where the closest DMV office is too. I have to get my drivers' license changed as soon as I get there."

"I'll have Jessica email you the information and send you proof of residency. That way you'll have everything you need and won't have to wait. I believe you can download the paperwork online to complete it ahead of time," she explains Rose.

"Thanks, I'm pretty sure the exam is going to be in either Houston or Dallas, but the registration form didn't say which location," Rose tells her.

"Ok, me now," Emmett blurts out. "Did little Miss. Heidi get to her appointment ok? And when are they fitting her for new AFOs?"

"She did and she should have them next week," she explains patiently to him. "I'm actually gonna see her tomorrow. I'm takin' her the goodies you overnighted." We all just look at him with slack jaws.

"What? She needed some stuff, so I got it for her and sent it to Bella," he explains, sounding offended that we would question him.

"Emmett Cullen," Bella growls out, sounding pissed. "That child does not need three pounds of pink M&Ms or ten coloring books. She also doesn't need an iPod, or whatever it is that I'm takin' to her tomorrow."

"We'll let you get back to work, Sweetheart," my father tells her because it looks like Rose is fixing to explode as well. "Thanks for everything and we'll talk to you soon."

"Y'all, too! Let me know if you need anything else. And Edward, send me the info so I can go check out your new ride," she says and you could hear the smile in her voice. "Bye, y'all."

No sooner does the call disconnect before Rose is on her feet, arms flying in anger. "Are you crazy, Emmett? What kind of parents do you think that make us look like? We're not those people, Emmett! We don't buy love, we give it. You need to stop and look at the impression you are making before I make an impression on you that will not be pretty," she screams, before storming off toward the kitchen.

"Emmett, man, I get that you wanting to let Heidi know you're thinking about her, but that was way overboard, dude," I add, before getting up and going into my father's office to email Bella the information on the truck.

As I sit down to draft the email and pull the information off the internet, I decide a little flirting isn't going to hurt anything. Let's see just how much she likes my email.