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Chapter Twelve: Trust Fund Baby

CPOV

"So Edward, what's on your mind, lad?" I knew perfectly well what was on his mind, but I'd be damned if I was going to make it easy on him.

Edward stood there, examining his feet for a second and then cleared his throat. Looking up and finding my eyes he began, "I have asked Bella to be my wife and she has agreed," he was being quite certain of himself, considering the circumstances and I had to hand it to him, quite the man to say this to my face at his age, "I m hoping for your blessings, sir."

"I see," I sighed, young love. "Have you any idea how the two of you, as young as you are and without any visible means will be able to support such a plan?"

"Well, sir... I thought I would finish my high school education before the wedding, of course. Then, Bella and I could move together to Madison or wherever I could obtain entrance to college." He shifted uneasily as he continued, "There, I could get a job and go to school while I supported Bella."

Clearly, he's not up to date with Bella's plan, I thought. Then I may have chuckled slightly, "Have you spoken to your intended about this course of action?"

"Ah, no sir. Not yet." Obviously.

"May I give you some advice, Edward?"

"Of course, sir. I'd welcome it."

"With women, but most especially with Bella, don't make any plans until you've checked with the source or things will never, ever turn out the way you expect them to." I stifled the laughter I felt bubbling just beneath the surface of my, hopefully, cool, sage demeanor.

"Sir?" Edward looked truly confused.

I smiled at him and motioned to the chair in front of my desk, "Have a seat, Edward."

He smiled back at me gratefully, "Thanks."

"Bella was crying her eyes out when I came home this morning, did you know that Edward?"

"No, sir I didn't."

"Apparently, your father was rather harsh with her yesterday and I'm still very unhappy about that."

Edward squirmed a bit in his chair, "I'm not especially pleased with him at the moment, either, sir."

I reached for my pipe, "Bella told me you had an unfortunate encounter with our neighbor?"

Edward squirmed a little more, "Yes sir, but..."

"I want to assure you, Edward that none of what she said was true. Her mother had been pestering me for months to spend time with her daughter, Eugenia. I confess that I took advantage of Bella's... situation to fabricate a relationship between us that does not and never did exist, for my own convenience. I beg your forgiveness for my short sightedness."

Edward cleared his throat, "I think you may be apologizing to the wrong person, sir."

I smiled, "Quite right. I shall be making amends directly," I smiled and winked at him as I continued with my plan, "I find that men in positions of power in their respective communities sometimes forget themselves, relying solely on appearances to form their judgments of others.. even though those appearances may not accurately reflect the realities of some situations. Don't you find this to be true, Edward?"

"Why, I believe so, sir. What would you suggest doing to correct such a situation?" he smiled back at me conspiratorially.

I smiled knowingly, Edward was definitely on board. "I think we should remind your father that things and people are often not exactly as they seem."

"Indeed, sir. What course of action do you recommend and how can I help?" I think his green eyes were actually twinkling at me.

"Well, I believe that appearances can be easily misconstrued by opinion, but often opinions can be overcome by wealth. All I require from you, young Edward is that you be completely honest with your father and stand your ground," I winked at him, "Do you think you can do that in the face of what will no doubt be a vicious verbal assault, for Bella's sake?" I grinned at him.

"Without a doubt, sir, anything for Bella!"

When Edward Masen Sr. pulled up in his motorcar to collect Edward he was fairly spitting with anger. I answered the door and insisted he enter.

"Mr. Masen," I motioned him into the parlor.

He tipped his hat and nodded at me, "Dr. Cullen, I presume."

"Edward and Bella are in the library upstairs as you can hear the piano Edward is playing for her."

"I apologize for my son's intrusion at this late hour, sir. He was forbidden to come here and his presence is evidently meant only as a show of defiance to me. I shall collect him directly and be on my way."

I moved to block his path, "I think it would be advisable for us to have a word, first. Please, won't you have a seat?"

He held his hat in his hands, and refusing to take off his coat, sat on the edge of the seat I offered to him.

"My niece was extremely upset yesterday. She said you had some harsh words for her?"

Masen cleared his throat, "Be honest with me, Cullen. The girl isn't really your niece at all, is she? She's a stray you picked up out of my front yard who you keep at your convenience."

I nodded, "No Masen, you're right, she's not my niece as I have no siblings. Although I do care for her as much as any niece I may have had. I am only her legal guardian," or I will be as soon as the paperwork clears.

His eyebrow raised, "Her legal..?"

"Yes, I would have had the paperwork started sooner, but there has been quite a bit of distraction around here of late. I don't keep her for convenience, Masen, I keep her because she's dear to me and because she had no one and no where to turn to when she came out of a coma in Cook County with amnesia."

Edward Sr. snorted, "I bet she's dear to you, Cullen. I am informed that you two live here unsupervised without a man servant or even a cook."

"Bella and I find no need for such services, though I have hired help to entertain from time to time. I'm sorry you find that practice offensive, Masen but there is no need for you to blame or chastise Bella for my lack of propriety."

Masen stood, meaning to end the conversation, "It is a serious oversight on your part, but even more unfortunate that the girl allowed herself to be taken in by it. I will collect my son now, Sir." He marched purposefully up the stairs and fairly burst into the library, where the music Edward was making stopped abruptly as Masen's voice boomed out, "Edward, it's past time you and I were going." He and Edward came down the stairs Masen leading the charge all bluster and fluster. Donning his hat and heading straight for the door, he managed to nod and barked, "Cullen." at me on his way out.

Edward gathered his things and then turned to me to wink. I watched them climb into their motor car, smiling at them, when I heard Bella's approach behind me.

"Don't worry, girl.. just wait, it will all be fine," I said, turning to find her expression somewhat confused. "Mr. Masen will be asking us to dine with them tomorrow... pleased, anxious and excited as a humming bird to make your acquaintance."

She raised an eyebrow at me and asked in a hushed tone, "Carlisle, whatever have you done?"

BPOV

"How do you do, Mr. Monroe?" I smiled at the portly man in a three piece suit Carlisle had presented to me as sweetly as I could manage.

"Very well, thank you, Miss Swan. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Your Uncle has been talking about you all afternoon, young lady. But I must say he's been quite underestimating you," he gushed.

"I'll take that as a compliment, sir." I smiled again looking to Carlisle for some confirmation which came in the form of a grin.

"Mr. Monroe's firm and I have decided to do some business together and he has insisted that we join him for dinner at his partner's home this evening, Bella. Will that be alright with you?"

I couldn't put my finger on it, but Carlisle's demeanor suggested he was holding something back from me, "Ah, Okaaay..." I smiled at him, "Well, I don't have any previous plans..." of course I didn't. Carlisle had made certain of that, insisting that I don the new dress he'd brought me from Ohio and get ready for an evening out impressing others with our 'quality', as he'd put it.

"Excellent!" Monroe exclaimed, "I'm sure you won't be disappointed. The Masens really know how to put on a nice meal and Edward is very anxious to meet you both."

"Is he?" I asked curiously. I turned my back to him to face Carlisle and mouth Edward my facial expression a question to which he responded affirmatively with a wide grin.

"Oh yes, when he found out that we had landed you as a new client, he was very excited!"

Me? I looked at Carlisle seeking an explanation.

"Yes, well after all Bella, you knew we had to eventually find a firm that was capable of managing your considerable trust fund."

Trust fund? Carlisle beamed back at me over Mr. Monroe's head and winked. I looked down into Monroe's happy face bubbling up at me, Of course. I should have known. I smiled down at him, shaking my head for Carlisle's benefit. "Does Mr. Masen know any details?"

"Why, no of course not. But, that's why we shouldn't keep them waiting too long, my dear. He's very anxious to meet you and your Uncle and start suggesting a plan to invest for your future!"

"I'll bet," I mumbled and Carlisle chuckled. "Just let me get my hat and gloves gentlemen." I scurried upstairs. Of course Carlisle would know that I couldn't wait to see Edward either.

It seemed to take forever before Mr. Monroe's motorcar was pulling into the long driveway next to the Masen's house. But finally, Carlisle opened the car door and beamed down at me as he helped me from the vehicle. Monroe preceded us through the doorway and I held back with Carlisle.

Elizabeth Masen answered the door, "Hello Herbert."

"So good to see you! Elizabeth! You are looking beautiful as ever!" he exclaimed as he eagerly kissed her cheek.

"Please, come in and introduce me to our new clients!" She smiled politely at him as he ushered Carlisle and then me towards the foyer.

"Mrs. Masen, this is Dr. Cullen and his ward, Miss Isabella Swan."

"Bella?" Elizabeth said, hardly believing her eyes, "Oh, Bella! It's so wonderful to see you my dear!" She gushed as she hugged me tightly. She chuckled, "Are you our new client then?" Elizabeth was quick enough on the draw.

"It would seem so," I blushed looking at Carlisle as the culprit of this scheme.

She paused to turn and face him, "Dr. Cullen?" She offered her hand to him, which he courteously brought briefly and briskly to his lips.

"Mrs. Masen."

"Please come in, Edward is just in the study with our son, clearing up a few ... misunderstandings," she turned to grin at me, "He's been going over some of your preliminary paperwork and looking forward to meeting you all afternoon." As she turned to close the front door behind her, I heard her quietly chuckle and mutter to herself, "This should be interesting..."

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