Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters. Copyright infringement is not intended.

Author's Note: You guys astound me. In less than 24 hours the story alerts for this story tripled and the favorites doubled, not to mention the reviews! I went to see a movie with my friend last night (When in Rome was really cute and funny. We cracked up several times) and when I got home I had 180 emails in my inbox between reviews and story alerts and favorite notification emails. I was in total shock! Almost all of the feedback has been nothing but positive. Just to let you guys know now, the only EPOV we will see will be from Edward's letters. If I do as I plan now, this story will be exclusively from Bella's POV unless I change my mind.

Thank you to our beta gal…AgoodWITCH.


3. Conundrum

I woke up in Edward's arms, relishing joyfully in his warm manly scent. I smiled, cuddling closer into his side, nuzzling my nose into the thin smattering of bronze hair that peppered his warm, hard chest. Last night had been magical, even if it had been a bit of a culture shock. Edward had taken me on dates to many amazing clubs and places over the past two weeks, but nothing prepared me for the amazing opulence of Tavern.

The smell as we walked through the door was more decadent and mouth watering than any I had ever encountered. I did my best not to gaze openly at the amazing display all around me of fine dark woods, and shimmering crystal chandeliers. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that every person dining this evening was dressed to the nines and I suddenly felt inadequate in my homemade dress. Yes, Alice was a magician with a sewing needle, recreating just about any dress she saw on the city street with near perfect precision, but I couldn't help but feel that these well to do people were painfully aware that my dress was nothing more than a cheap imitation of the clothing they wore.

We were led through another room before we were led to a table next to a set of large windows that looked out at the park beyond. Edward beamed at me throughout dinner as I did my best to present myself as a wife that he could be proud of, as opposed to embarrassed of.

The dinner was heavenly. I couldn't help but notice Edward's concerned expression at my stiff disposition throughout dinner as I tried to remember all of the social graces I had read about in the book Alice had borrowed from the library a few years back. I held myself tall and straight in my chair, trying to keep my posture rigid and regal like the ladies around me wearing fine silks and large diamonds. I struggled to remember which order I was supposed to use my silverware, fumbling as I tried to gaze at a nearby table to emulate what they were doing.

After about ten minutes of this, Edward got up from his seat to kneel at my side, taking both my hands in his and shifting my body to face his. He seemed to not care one single bit that he was creating a bit of a spectacle of himself. He leaned in close, brushing his thumb across my chin.

"Please don't change who you are just because you think you have to fit in with this crowd. I love you for who you are, not how well you can act like a stuck up socialite. I don't have much time with you before I have to leave, and I would really like to spend that time with the love of my life, not some high society china doll, okay? If you're not comfortable here, we can get up and go get a hot dog from a vendor and have a picnic, just as long as I'm spending that time with you."

I tried to fight back the tears that were trying to push themselves from between my lashes and failed miserably. He frowned, wiping away a couple with his thumbs before leaning forward to kiss my cheek.

"I love you, Mrs. Cullen…just the way you are. I am so proud to have you with me tonight, so please just enjoy spending this time together."

I smiled slightly and nodded, reaching up to rest my hand on his as it hovered by my cheek. With one last kiss on the cheek, he stood up and sat back in his chair, reaching across the table to hold my hand as he took another bite of his entrée. I took a deep breath and relaxed a bit more into my seat, slowly eating my delicious food and just savoring what little time we still had.

After dinner, Edward offered to go dancing, but I requested we return to our room. He looked worried, but when I smiled at him with a suggestive wink he beamed back, ordering the cabbie to hurry. When we got back to our suite, I gratefully kicked off my painful high heeled shoes and assisted Edward in removing his jacket, telling him to roll up his sleeves and get comfortable.

Meanwhile, I crossed to the beautiful brand new phonograph sitting atop the wooden credenza, beside which rested a selection of the new vinyl type discs that held the recorded music. I flipped through the selections, smiling when I came across a Cole Porter album. I always loved Cole Porter and daydreamed of dancing with a handsome man when listening to it on Rose's phonograph when we were younger. I gingerly slid the disc shaped recording from the paper sleeve, setting it carefully on the turntable and placing the needle on the edge of the black material. Soon the sounds of Night and Day filled the air.

I turned with a smile to find Edward watching just a few feet away with a contented smile on my face. He stepped slightly closer, offering me his hand gallantly. I took it, allowing him to twirl me into his arms where we swayed and turned seamlessly to the music. Soon our dancing turned to kissing, which turned to touching, and before we had gotten through the second song, we began navigating our way toward our bedroom where we spent our remaining waking hours savoring one another's bodies completely.

Edward was so exhausted, he didn't even stir when I rose from bed and took a shower in the bathroom. By the time I had finished dressing in my work suit with my hair pinned in the prim twist I always wore to the office, I resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going to get to see him before I had to go into the office. Technically, I was supposed to go back to work this morning, but my mission was to convince them to allow me the few more days off to spend with him before he leaves for months and months. When I had called the day of the wedding, they allowed me two days, but I couldn't bear the thought of having to leave him while I went into the awful office knowing I had so little time with him. I wrote a quick note explaining what I had to do before taking the second key to our room and rushing out to hopefully take care of my errand as quickly as possible and return to him.

****

Two hours later, I tried to hide my tears as I pushed my way back through the lobby of our hotel. I only had until the end of the lunch period to get back to the building or I was fired. Every time the choice before me echoed in my mind, I could hear Mrs. Salinger's ultimatum in my ear. "Bella, there will be no more time off for you. I will give you until the end of the lunch period to take care of the rest of your business. If you haven't returned by then, you shall be summarily dismissed and you can forget a letter of reference from Hannity and Associates."

I know what my heart wanted. I couldn't bear the thought of losing another second with him between now and when he would leave, but if I lost my job then what would I do? I needed to be able to support myself until he returned home. There was no way I could walk around with my head held high knowing everyone was labeling me a gold digger behind my back. I wanted to be a woman that Edward and I could both be proud of…I just couldn't lose my job.

Feeling the flood of emotions overwhelm me, I ducked into the restroom in the lobby so that I wouldn't make a scene, my sobs breaking free in the enclosed space with semi privacy. I lifted my hands to my face, sinking into a chair in the lounge area of the powder room, my chest convulsing with my heartache. After a few moments, I was surrounded by a calming floral scent as a soft hand rested on my shoulder.

"Are you okay, dear? Can I help with anything?"

I jerked in surprise, wiping at my eyes as I looked up at the beautiful middle aged woman with extremely kind, compassionate eyes.

I sniffed, pulling out my handkerchief and dabbing under my eyes, feeling embarrassed that I must look absolutely atrocious. "I…I'm okay, ma'am. I…I just have a difficult choice to make and I can't bear either option."

She rubbed my back gently as she scooted slightly closer. "Now, now, dear. It can't be all that difficult. Would you like to tell me about it?"

I sighed, enjoying the motherly touch from a stranger that was more comforting than any I had ever received from my own mother. "Really, in the end it isn't a choice. I just don't know what I'm going to do after he's gone."

She furrowed her brow, lost in my fluctuating train of thought as I began speaking as if she were aware of what was going on. I chuckled, shaking my head. "Sorry, you must be totally lost. Um, I am a newlywed, my husband leaves in just a couple of days and I've just returned from asking my workplace for the days off, even offering to work overtime to make up for it. Unfortunately, they just told me that I will be fired if I'm not back in an hour and a half. I can't bear the thought of losing any time with him, but at the same time, I need my job to support myself until he comes back for me."

The kind woman smiled, massaging my shoulder gently. "It sounds to me like you've made your decision. In the end, what is most important…love or work? I'm sure you could find another job, but it may be years before your husband can return to you."

I nodded emphatically, smiling through my tears at her. I'm sure one, way or another, I could find another job. It might not be as nice of a position as my current one, but surely I could find something.

"Thank you, ma'am. You are absolutely right. If all else fails, I can always get a job in a diner or something. He's definitely more important than that pompous Mr. Hannity and his almighty associates."

She raised an eyebrow, "As in Tom Hannity, from the Legal firm?"

I nodded. I was surprised when I saw her look turn into a smirk. "I happen to know Mr. Hannity personally, perhaps a phone call from my husband might persuade him to make a call down to personnel and straighten a thing or two out."

I gasped, looking up at her through wide, surprised eyes. "Oh, Ma'am, I couldn't ask you to do that. I wouldn't want to put you out or make you abuse a friendship."

She interrupted me, holding her hand up. "Please, it would make me happy to help. Why don't you tell me your name and I'll have my husband make the call as soon as we're done here today." She grabbed a small tablet of paper and a pen from her handbag, preparing to write.

"Just tell me your name and your position and I'll make sure that you get the time you need, sweetheart."

I sighed, casting a quick prayer heavenward for this angelic woman with such a kind heart that she would be willing to help a total stranger.

"My name is Isabella Swan…um, I mean Cullen, ma'am. I'm the secretary for Jr. Vice President James Damon."

She never got past my name in her notes as her pen stopped mid scratch. She looked up at me with surprised eyes before they softened into an even deeper kindness. A small smile peeked onto her lips before slowly spreading into a much wider smile.

"I am so glad I met you this way, Mrs. Cullen. I would be more than happy to help you sort out your employment difficulties. Let's get you to your husband for now though. I'll ride in the lift with you and walk you to your door."

I smiled up at her gratefully. "Thank you so much, ma'am. Might I be so bold as to ask your name so I can thank God for you by name tonight when I say my prayers?"

She snickered, stepping up to my side and wrapping her arm in mine, tugging me closer with a surprising affection. "My name is Esme, dear. Mrs. Esme Cullen."

I gasped, my eyes bugging out as I coughed a little, thanks to the sudden inhale. She chuckled next to me, patting my back sweetly before taking my arm again and leading me toward the elevators.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. Things are going to be just fine."

I took a deep breath hoping she was right.

****

We could hear the shouting long before we ever reached the door. I whimpered a little as Esme rubbed a soothing hand over my forearm.

"Trust me, Bella, this will be fine. You have me in your corner now, dear."

I sucked in a ragged breath before reaching out for the door handle with the key, pausing before I reached the keyhole.

"Do you think I should use the key, or should we knock so that they aren't caught off guard?"

Esme scoffed. "You are Mrs. Cullen and this is your honeymoon suite. You, my dear, do not have to knock."

I smiled before sliding the brass key into the hole and slowly turning it before pushing the lever to open the latch. The door opened slowly, making the loud bellowing sounds from within grow even louder.

"Edward, you are an important man. Your name and face are well known. Even if you didn't tell her, that doesn't mean that she didn't recognize you and is simply feigning ignorance."

I looked over at Esme a little worried she might agree, but she smiled back at me completely unfazed. The men still hadn't even realized we had entered the suite.

"Exactly! I am an important man who has the sense to negotiate and complete multimillion dollar business deals before lunch. I'm quite certain that I am enough discernment to make good decisions and I will tell you right now that marrying Bella was the best decision of my whole damn life! You do not know her. You have not met her, but once you do, you will see that you have completely misjudged her before she's had a chance to make any impression on you at all. She is a hard working, smart, caring woman. You have it all wrong!"

I heard a groan before the other man's voice replied even louder. "Do you even hear yourself, Edward? How could you know all of this about her after two weeks? You can barely get to know someone at all in such a short amount of time."

It was then that Esme cleared her voice, making our presence known and speaking up on the subject. "That's where I believe you are wrong, my dear. Hello, Edward darling. I seem to have made my first meeting with your lovely wife by accident in the ladies washroom downstairs. I discovered her in tears in the powder room and upon carrying on a conversation with her learned a great deal about her character before ever even finding out her name. As much as I was ill prepared to say so an hour ago, I can now say that I am very pleased with your judgment, son."

Edward's eyes landed on me the second he was aware of our presence and had rushed to my side in concern as his mother relayed her speech. He lifted a hand to my cheek, rubbing at the redness left behind from my tears only minutes before.

Meanwhile, Mr. Cullen stared at his wife in astonishment. "Esme…what…how can you say that? You just met the woman a few moments ago in a bathroom. Is she some sort of hypnotist?"

Esme shook her head, crossing the room to her husband's side. "Carlisle, did you mean it when you said that you trust me more than anyone in the world?"

"Of course I did, my love."

She smirked, gripping his arm and directing him to sit next to her on one of the sofas. "Then sit down and listen to what your daughter-in-law has to say. Once she's done, then you will have a chance to ask your questions. "

He sighed, running his hands through his well groomed, white blonde hair with a nod.

As they got seated, Edward led me to the other couch, his focus still solely on me. I wasn't even sure he heard his parents' exchange at all. "Are you okay, my love? What's wrong? Was there a problem at work?"

I sighed, nodding abruptly. "We should talk about it a little later. You need to work things out with your father first."

He shook his head. "No, you're my priority. What happened, sweetheart?"

I took a deep breath before I told him about what had happened at work and the ultimatum. I continued on with my crying session in the ladies room and how Esme comforted me even though she didn't know me, offering to call Mr. Hannity on my behalf before she ever knew my name. He smirked knowingly toward his mother as I told about her kindness, rubbing his thumb across mine as we held hands between us as I continued to tell of the events all the way up to our interrupting their argument.

He sighed, running his hand up to cup my neck. "Forget the job, Bella. You told me how horribly they treat you there anyway. I already told you, what's mine is yours. I can set up an account for you to live off of while I'm gone."

I felt my anger and embarrassment burn crimson on my cheeks as I sucked in a deep breath, narrowing my eyes at him. "Edward Anthony Cullen, have you not been listening to a single word I have said to you the past two days? I am not going to live off your money while you're gone. I've survived in this city for five years while supporting myself by sharing the bills with Alice and Rose, and I will continue to do so until you come home…end of discussion."

I caught a motion out of the corner of my eye, looking up just in time to see Esme's elbow jab sharply into Mr. Cullen's side. He let out a pained cough, looking over at her as she cast him an expression that silently screamed 'I told you so.'

Edward huffed, rubbing his hand across his neck. "I don't understand your aversion to this. You are my wife now. If I weren't shipping out you would move in with me and let me support you, so why can't I support you financially when I can't be here, and feel an even stronger need to do so, since I will be unable to care for you otherwise?"

I smiled, shifting toward him to run my hand along his cheek with a sigh. "You are an honorable man, Edward Cullen. I appreciate that about you so much. I really don't know how to explain it. I guess it's a matter of pride. I promise when you come home to me, I will move to Chicago with you or wherever you want to go and I'll let you provide for me as you wish, but until then I need to live my life here, with Rose and Alice, who are the only true family I feel like I have besides you."

He raised an eyebrow. "You can still live with Alice and Rose. I wouldn't dare ask you to leave them when you'll need them most, but maybe we could get the three of you out of that tiny apartment at the edge of Chinatown you're currently living in at the very least. Please, Bella, it would make me feel so much better to know that at least my money was keeping you a little safer."

I sighed shaking my head. "I won't take a penny of your money until you come home."

I was surprised when I heard a voice across the room. "Nonsense." What surprised me more than anything was the fact that it wasn't the feminine voice that I was expecting. I looked over to see Carlisle frowning at us, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"I'm sorry, to the both of you for how I've acted. My wife is an excellent judge of character, as is my son. Obviously, I've jumped the gun here just a tad. I apologize, Bella. I hope you understand though…" he paused, his brow furrowed as he tried to construct his thought into a coherent statement.

I completed it for him though with a smile. "I do. You love him and you were worried about him. I can definitely understand. He is lucky to have a family that cares so much." I shot a meaningful look at Edward as he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck roughly once more.

"Now, as for this work business," Esme began with a loving smile. "I think we can do better for you than working under James Damon. If I'm not mistaken, didn't Cullen Steel just open an East coast office somewhere downtown? Matter of face, I'm quite sure it's only a few blocks away from the Hannity offices. Perhaps we could find a more suitable position for Bella there." She hinted, looking meaningfully at her son whose posture grew tall as his eyes began to twinkle down at me.

I groaned anxiously. "That wouldn't be right either. I appreciate your suggestion Esme, but not only is that nepotism at its finest, but it is also unfair for a job to be taken from another candidate who needs the job when I already have one."

All three shook their heads at me in bewilderment. It was as if they were completely unaccustomed to someone saying no to them. Finally, Mr. Cullen stood from his seat, crossing to stand in front of me. I looked up shyly, not sure what to expect. He smiled down at me, extending his hand formally.

"We have not been formally introduced. I am your father-in-law, Carlisle Cullen and I do expect you to call me Carlisle."

My cheeks warmed as I reached my hand out to rest it in his. Edward sat next to me, looking like he just won the Congressional Medal of Honor or something with the amount of pride he was emanating. After a second, Carlisle released my hand before kneeling in front of me.

"Bella, I appreciate your need to be independent, but pride can be a dangerous thing. It has led many people into great peril. You are now my son's wife. It is now his God-given responsibility to care for you in every way that he can. For the time being, circumstances will not allow him to take care of you as he would like, but you should at the very least allow him to help you move into a better neighborhood and provide you with a better way to earn your keep as you are so determined to do. This is as much for him as it is for you. Do you want him going into a dogfight while distracted with worries over your safety and financial situation?"

My eyes grew wide with panic. That thought had never even occurred to me. "Oh, heavens no, I would most definitely not want that to be the case."

He looked over at Edward with a sly look of triumph on his face. "So then you'll agree to letting Edward provide for you, at least in part?"

I nodded, swallowing past the large lump now lodged in my throat. He smiled and nodded along.

"And will you also allow him to at least investigate to see if some sort of position is available at the New York office?"

I frowned, looking studiously down at my hands. I sighed before looking back up. "That still feels wrong. I shouldn't get the job just because I'm married to the CEO. It's unfair to other applicants."

He smiled at me with a devious twinkle in his eye. "I am confident that you are more than qualified, but how about if you applied for a position using your maiden name and not indicating in any way that you are a Cullen? Would you accept the job if you were hired on your own merit?"

I eyed him uncertainly. "Do you promise that there would be no unofficial coercion to ensure that I was hired for the position?" I glanced at Edward indicating that it was actually him who would have to promise. Edward smirked at me with a definitive nod.

I sighed again. "If it were completely unbiased, then yes, I would accept the position."

Carlisle smiled, rocking back on his heels before standing up. "Wonderful. Why don't you go apply right now while Edward, Esme, and I go take care of some last minute business that needs tending before Edward ships out?"

I glanced at Edward, hating the idea of leaving him again, but also knowing that if he had crucial errands anyway that we would be separated no matter what I chose to do. I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I thought it over before letting out a long, anxious sigh.

"What can it hurt? I might as well give it a try. Even before I married into this family, I had a great respect for the way Cullen Steel did business."

I got funny looks from everyone in the room as I cocked a crooked smile at them before locking eyes with Edward. "I told you the girls and I have been taking night classes to continue our education. Rosalie is studying mechanical engineering, much to the dismay of her classmates, but the school is allowing it. Alice is great with numbers; she's been studying finance. Meanwhile, I sort of found I liked the business course I took as an elective one semester. I knew nothing more than Cullen's reputation for quality first, but it was enough to wonder what it would be like to work for the new office."

I felt a little nervous, knowing that I could be making myself look guilty of everything Carlisle had been trying to accuse me of, but I wasn't going to lie. I had yet to do so with Edward and I wasn't about to start now. Edward smiled at me in wonder before leaning in to kiss me as he wrapped me in his arms.

"You never cease to amaze me, Bella Cullen. I am one very lucky man."

I scoffed out a chuckle before he kissed me again. A few tiny pecks later, he pulled away to go get dressed, leaving me alone with Esme and Carlisle. They both smiled at me before Esme crossed to my side, hugging me around the shoulders.

"I cannot express how happy I am that he found someone like you. I have never seen him so happy. Don't worry about the job. If you don't get hired on by some stroke of luck at Cullen, then we can always make that call to Hannity. We Cullen's are one of his most crucial clients. He wouldn't dare do something to make us mad. Either way, I promise you will have a job when this is said and done. Now go freshen up and get ready to put on your ideal employee face."

I hugged her tightly, so grateful to be blessed with such a wonderful woman as my mother-in-law. "Thank you, Esme, for everything."

She smiled. "Oh posh, it's the least I could do. Now run along and powder your face. We will meet you back here in a few hours. Good luck, dear."

I thanked her once more before disappearing into our bathroom to attempt to make myself look presentable again. Edward ducked in to give me one last kiss before they left, leaving me to head to the employment department at Cullen alone. I looked over my reflection one last time, making sure I looked as put together as humanly possible. I took in a deep breath, letting it out in a long sigh.

"Okay, Bella…you can do this. Go in there and make them want to hire you on the spot. Show Edward that he can be proud of his wife."

I smiled as I thought about the fact that I was his wife. I glanced down at the ring glittering on my finger a moment, wondering briefly if I should take it off for the interview. I dismissed the idea as soon as it came, knowing I couldn't ever bear to take it off, especially for an entire afternoon. With one last smile and a check of my teeth, I slid on my jacket and grabbed my pocketbook before leaving the room to grab a cab destined for the Cullen Steel offices near the financial district in Downtown Manhattan.

Author's Note: Alrighty guys, I did a bit of research and it wasn't unusual for women to be allowed to take classes like the girls have. They didn't always get jobs in the fields of study, but sometimes they did. I guess the colleges looked at it as making money either way. At any rate, it wouldn't be impossible for them to study in their particular fields.

So how many of you guessed it was Esme before I made the big reveal? Most of you probably, but it was still fun. I hope you all liked the chapter. I have enjoyed writing this even more than I expected so far…of course he's still home now and it's easier. At any rate, hope you liked it and I'd love to hear some opinions!!!