The One That Got Away

Chapter Twenty-One

For those of you who read the Get Your Southern On contest entries, this is my contribution. I am tickled at the results ... first place in public vote and third place for the judge's choice. I've decided to break this up into smaller, drabblish chapters and it will be continued. The contest contribution is the first six or so chapters, roughly. I don't know how long it will be, but I do have it planned. Thank you to Bridget for betaing this for me and for Clo, who created the banner.

Thank you for those of you who have read this! I hope you continue to do so! Without further ado ...

This is the beginning of the extension of the original contest entry. ALL NEW! Thank you for sticking with me and I hope you enjoy this!

Edward's meeting with Jenks and Charlie will happen next chapter. We're also going to go back to Bella and hear her thoughts about the whole Tanya situation.

After spending the morning with his kids and dropping them off at school, nearly avoiding all of the vapid soccer moms, Edward put in a call to both Charlie and Jason. He was doing laundry when his doorbell rang. Starting the load, he walked to the doorway, seeing Charlie on his doorstep. "Morning, Chief," Edward said, ushering him in.

"I got your message," he said gruffly. "That bitch sniffing around again?"

"Yeah. Her attorney called me, saying that she wanted to see the kids," Edward replied, leading Charlie to the kitchen. "Do you want some coffee?"

"You got that cinnamon shit?" Charlie asked, his mustache twitching.

"I only buy it for you," Edward chuckled, popping in a Cinnamon Bun K-Cup into his Keurig. He grabbed the cream and sugar, putting it on the peninsula. "Should I contact my attorney about this? I left a message on his voicemail."

"He won't be able to answer until this afternoon," Charlie said, taking out a pad of paper. "I saw him at the courthouse. But, it would be best to keep him appraised of the situation. Now, tell me what happened?"

"Yesterday, I got a phone call from this slimy lawyer, Aro Volturi," Edward shuddered, putting the steaming mug of coffee in front of Charlie. "He sounded like one of those snake-oil salesman, desperate to make a profit, using the desperation of his clients to fill his bank account."

"Aro Volturi is one shady attorney. So are all of the Volturi brothers," Charlie grumbled. "They take the seediest cases and somehow win. I don't think they are all that legal, if you know what I'm saying. Caius Volturi got that drug dealer, the one that murdered ..."

"Allegedly murdered," Edward snorted.

"He murdered them. Whatever, the drug dealer that murdered ten kids and caused several overdoses from his crap heroine, he got out on a fucking technicality," Charlie growled. "My guys were on the ball and Caius ripped the case to shreds. Be careful with Aro. Make sure that you're following every procedure when you're working and taking supreme care of the twins. Though, that's not a problem."

"It could be, Charlie. Do want to know how many hours I work in a week?" Edward argued. "My daughter complained last night that she never sees me. Tanya can use that against me and then ..."

"Whoa, relax Edward. She can't. Legally, she doesn't have a leg to stand on. She relinquished her parental rights," Charlie said soothingly. "You have the paperwork. You are their legal guardian with your parents as backup. Though, I would talk to the school and let them know that Tanya could come sniffing around."

"I'll do that," Edward nodded. "And what about the restraining order?"

"It's still in effect. She can't come within 100 yards of you, your parents, your twins or the twins' school without being arrested," Charlie said. "Anything else?"