Elizabeth Edwards to meet Rielle Hunter and child

[HMG] – In the latest twist of a story that has ‘Movie of the Week’ written across it in gold, John Edwards’ wife, Elizabeth has now decided to meet John’s mistress and love child face-to-face.

Although reportedly ‘heartbroken’ by her husband’s affair, the 60-year old former law clerk is desperate to avoid the ugly court battle that is sure to ensue if John’s former mistress, Rielle Hunter doesn’t achieve her demands for $18,000 a month in child support.

“As much as she hates that John has a second family, Elizabeth can’t stand the idea of Rielle going public with their dirty laundry,” a source tells the National Enquirer via Politics Daily. “She’s told John to have his lawyers call Rielle’s reps and say she’ll get what she wants. She is also going to meet Frances [Rielle's daughter with John] over the next few weeks.”

This change of heart is even more unexpected if you know that when John bought Rielle a home near their $2.6-million mansion in North Carolina, Elizabeth was so incensed, she packed a suitcase and was threatening to leave.

Elizabeth’s fears of a public court hearing became even more real after Rielle demanded an annual $214,920 in tax-free child support for the 22-month old child. Talks between her lawyers and John’s broke down at that point and have been stalled until now. John also refused to let her live in the house.

Just to add motivation, Rielle’s legal reps were threatening to take the dispute to the Superior Court of New Jersey, where Rielle now lives. And the risk of a snowstorm of career-wrecking headlines in the down-market tabloids has clearly made Liz change her mind.

“Elizabeth feels John and Rielle need to put their differences aside,” says the source. “Despite her anger at Rielle, Elizabeth knows Frances didn’t cause any of this. She sometimes breaks down in tears over Frances – All children need their father.’”

So the court date is off and Rielle will get rich. Is that the end of the story? I doubt it — stay tuned…