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.

Author's Note: I want to mention, again, that I never labeled this story as a romance. The story is about love, all forms of love. It is also about family and faith, overcoming the obstacles life throws at you to make you rise above to take on the challenge. I am not saying Edward and Bella will never get together, but THIS story is not about their love relationship, it is about their faith in love. Please be patient with me as the next few chapters are very emotional.

Chapter 20: The Truth Comes Out

Edward POV

It's been a long two weeks. After our call to Bella, I sent the information on the truck so she and Jacob could go take a look at it. It turns out that the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab, in red, is in excellent condition, per Jacob. It has low mileage and looks really nice from the pictures, both the ones on the internet, as well as the ones that Bella took and sent to me. Once I received her call that night, giving me the details, I called the dealership the next morning and purchased it. Jake has already picked it up for me and it is waiting at the ranch.

As of last Saturday, the kitchen, laundry room and dining room in my parents' house are now freshly painted. Jasper is still finishing a few other 'cosmetic repairs', as he calls them. They mostly consist of replacing some of the tiles and trim in the master bathroom.

This week, we have been using any extra time that we have moving Emmett, Rose, Jasper and Alice into my parent's house. All of their stuff is now in storage, along with mine. Since we are all living under one roof, we pretty much have one common thorn.

Emmett.

We're all about to beat him to death. It's like he completely reverts back to his teenage years. If it isn't the pranks and the teasing, it's his loud boisterous personality...early in the morning. Mom just says that he's acting out due to Rose leaving soon.

Rose is flying to Texas Sunday night so that she can take her exam on Tuesday for her certification. She wants to get there early so she can get her drivers' license changed as well and then rest up a bit before the exam itself.

Mr. Whitlock has a buyer for Jasper's company, and they are in the process of working out the details. The buyer is actually Mr. Whitlock's brother in-law, who owns an architect company and is looking to expand in the Seattle area.

I'm currently in the living room, laying back in the recliner, researching gluten-free recipes on my laptop. Like any other evening, my parents are watching the news. They say that it relaxes them; allows them to unwind. So I'm surprised when my mother shrieks, making me look up and everyone else run into the room.

I look at my mother, and she has one hand covering her mouth and another pointing at the TV screen. Tanya is on the TV screen, being led into the courthouse in handcuffs.

I don't believe what it is that I am seeing. My eyes are big and they blink in confusion as I look around at my family, hoping that they can offer some sort of explanation.

Once I realize what is going on, I just focus on the footage as it plays out. She looks horrible. It makes me chuckle knowing how she would never go out into public looking like she had just been dragged out of bed. I know that I should feel horrible for people who are thrust into these circumstances, but not this time.

"This is Q13 FOX with breaking news. Tanya Denali, Mayor Eleazar Denali's daughter, and Laurent Henry have both been arrested on federal embezzlement charges. These charges are stemming from an investigation by the FDIC. From the information we have been able to obtain, these charges pertain to the same case in which criminal charges were brought against them both back in October of last year. Those charges were later dismissed, without a trial. At that time, she was accused of embezzling over two hundred-thousand dollars from her ex fiance' Edward Cullen and his restaurant, The Port Side Bistro.

With this new evidence that the FDIC has, it makes you wonder why the charges would have ever been dismissed in the criminal case. This also increases the speculation that the Mayor of Seattle may have had something to do with them being dismissed. With the Federal Courts bringing charges up against her, they must have solid evidence to back it up. We'll keep you posted with the latest information as it becomes available."

"Well, it looks like everyone will know the truth now. I'm willing to bet that this is something that the great Mayor Eleazar Denali will be able to get her out of." Emmett turns his attention to me and shrugs. "You might not have to talk to that reporter after all, Edward. But, I bet we'll have about twenty of them on our doorstep within an hour," Emmett exclaims loudly, just as the phone starts ringing. "Don't answer that. You will need to call Jenks before you say anything."

Just as he finishes, my cell phone starts ringing "Hello, Mr. Jenks," I answer laughing.

"Well, I take it you just saw the news, then?" he asks me, clearly amused.

"I did and the house phone is already ringing," I admit, smiling as my family snickers around me.

"Well, don't answer it. I'll be there as soon as I can. And please, don't let your brother make a statement to anyone," he quips before hanging up.

"He's on his way over. He said not to answer the phone or let Emmett make a statement to anyone," I recall to everyone, laughing at Emmett's put out face.

"Hey," Emmett proclaims. "I said not to answer it first."

By the time Mr. Jenks arrives, the phone has been unplugged due to the constant ringing and there are news vans lined up along the curb outside.

My father greets him at the door, leading him into the living room. "How's everyone today?" he wonders. "Was that not a wonderful sight on the news?"

"It was, and we are doing well. How are you, Jason?" my mother replies, hugging him.

"I'm great, and Mary sends her best," he declares with a chuckle. He has been our family attorney and friend for many years.

"So, now that she has been arrested, am I gonna have to be dodging reporters until we can get the hell outta this town?" I request getting annoyed that Tanya's shit is making its way into my life again.

Seeing the annoyance and irritation starting to take over the features of my family brings back the guilt that I have been trying to overcome since arriving back in Seattle.

"Edward, we can do this one of two ways. Either release a statement to the mob of reporters outside, or to one news outlet. But remember, you can't comment on the new case, only the dismissed one as Mr. Riley stated before. I would recommend you step outside, with your family behind you, and answer their questions. They're not going to back off until after Tanya's arraignment. You and your family will have to lay low, for now," he declares to us.

I turn to my parents, wanting their opinion. They have been beside me through this whole ordeal and I want to make sure they're comfortable with whatever choice is made. This will affect them all as well. "Mom? Dad? What do you think?"

"Sweetheart, we are here for you no matter what. If you want to answer their questions, we will be right there beside you," my mother assures me, reaching out and taking my hand in hers. Their support has always been unwavering.

"Yes, Son. We're all behind you," my father adds, glancing around the room as my siblings all nod in agreement to his statement.

"I say answer their questions, Edward. You aren't guilty of anything," Jasper began quietly. "Hiding isn't gonna deflect them, so you might as well get it over with."

"I'll answer their questions now. Maybe they will back off a little then," I propose to Mr. Jenks. "Are you going to be with me to make sure I don't say anything I'm not supposed to?"

"Yes, right beside you. If you shouldn't answer a question, I will jump in with 'no comment'," he confirms.

"Well then, let's do this," I choke out, getting up. I am nervous as all get out, but I'm not hiding. I agree with Jasper, I just want to get this over with.

I walk out the front door with Mr. Jenks next to me and my family behind me. We are standing on the front steps when all the reporters start calling my name, screaming really. Mr. Jenks holds up his hands in order to get them to settle down. My nerves are at an all-time high and I can see how those celebrities lose their tempers and lash out at the paparazzi.

"Mr. Cullen will answer your questions, one at a time. We are not allowed to comment on the federal case, so please don't ask any questions regarding it," he announces firmly before pointing to the lady in the front. "First question?"

"Mr. Cullen was there evidence in the criminal trial?" the young blond lady questions.

"Yes, there was both surveillance video feed and documentation showing who took the money from my accounts. It just didn't seem as if the judge cared to look at the evidence," I vow, the anger of the whole ordeal starting to surface again.

"So, the judge never even let the prosecutor show the evidence?" an older gentleman quips, clearly astounded.

"No, Sir. The case was dismissed before the judge heard anything from our side," I relate to him. I can feel my blood pressure rising, but my father's hand on my shoulder helps to keep me calm.

"Mr. Cullen, did you ever cheat on Ms. Denali?" an older woman taunts me with a smirk. I am assuming that she thinks that she's fixing to break open a can of worms or something.

If they only knew.

I just smirk right back as I divulge. "No. Actually, when I went to confront Tanya about the missing money, I caught her in bed with someone else. So, it was actually her that cheated on me." She lost her smirk after that. Go me, I think to myself.

"Mr. Cullen, were you aware that federal charges were being brought against Ms. Denali?" a young guy solicits. Really? Did he not listen when Mr. Jenks explained we weren't going to answer those questions?

"No comment," Mr. Jenks cuts in, glaring at the boy. "As stated before, we will not discuss the current charges against Ms. Denali or Mr. Henry."

"Mr. Cullen, is it true that you have sold your restaurant and are now in the process of moving?" an older lady inquires. I take a deep breath before answering her. As I look at her again, I can see a little sadness in her eyes, as if she already knows that answer.

"Yes. The media and the Denali family have been relentless with their false accusations. Many have tried to do their very best at ruining our good name and reputation. My family, myself included, have been nothing but hard working people, who give back to the community in which we have been raised. The very same community that finds it easy to criticize and ridicule us. So, we, as a family, are making a change. Why would we stay in a city full of corrupt officials and deceitful media?" The older lady averts her eyes at my response, clearly admonished by her colleagues' work ethic.

"Mr. Cullen, do you hope that Ms. Denali is prosecuted?" the same older lady asks straightening her shoulders.

"That, is for a federal judge to decide, not me," I tell her more respectfully. "My family and I just want to be left alone so that we can move on with our lives."

"Mr. Cullen, do you believe the Mayor had something to do with the charges being dismissed during the criminal case?" the older gentleman from before questions.

"I know the Mayor slandered my family and me in the media. I know that he tainted my business, which, in turn, caused me to lose customers. Ultimately forcing me to sell my restaurant that I worked so very hard to build from the ground up," I argue, anger lacing my voice once again.

"Mr. Cullen, do you know how the Federal Courts may have received proof of Ms. Denali's embezzlement from an already dismissed court case?" another blonde female reporter pleas.

"We are not commenting on the Federal case, as I have already stated. This interview is now over. Please, give the Cullen's their privacy and allow them to move on with their lives. Thank you for your time," Mr. Jenks demands turning and ushering us back into the house.

"Fucking vultures," I grumble as I plop down on the couch.

"That was great, Edward," Mr. Jenks praises. "If any of you need anything else, please let me know." Jenks left soon after, wishing us a good night.

By the next morning, the reporters are gone and most of our weekend is spent indoors. Which only causes Emmett to annoy everyone even more.

On Saturday, my mother has us all packing up what wasn't going with us and placing it in the garage. She wants everything ready, just in case there is an offer on the house. Plus, it made the place look less cluttered. Which would make it more appealing for potential buyers. Her words, not mine.

Jasper followed my father to the dealership, so that he could sell his car. Since my father has already fulfilled all of his duties at the hospital, he could share a car with my mother for the time being.

On Sunday, all of us are just sitting around, relaxing. That is, until it is time for Emmett to take Rose to the airport. Which means that we are stuck listening to him whine the whole day and then sulk around when he returns from dropping her off.

I am so glad that bedtime came around quickly. I don't think that I can take much more of his antics. I am trying hard not to let the stress get to me, but I can feel it bubbling just below the surface. I really hope I make it through this without ripping someone's head off.