Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, but I do own the ridiculous hospital people. Nor do I own the hours of my life I used writing this story. They are dead. Like my plant. BUT, I have a spiffy pair of slippers. x3

This is a story inspired by a song… not hard to guess the song if you've heard it… but, yeah.

Have a good read!

"Carlisle?"

I looked up from buttoning my crisp white dress shirt to see Esme at the entrance to the small hotel room closet, a thoughtful expression on her beautiful face. She folded her arms over her bathrobe and leaned against the wooden doorframe then turned to face me, her caramel locks bouncing slightly from the movement.

"Yes dearest?"

"What dress should I wear? I fear dressing too flashy and being scoffed; yet arriving underdressed might reflect badly upon you. I am just unsure."

I couldn't help but smile at her sincerity and worry over what my fellow doctors and hospital benefactors would think of how she presented herself tonight. The patrons of each establishment as well as colleagues put together a dinner and weekend conference for those who were lead in their hospital from the entire state of Washington to gather together and celebrate their success as well as share medical advances and pointers.

Abandoning my stand at the opposite end of the carpeted room I tread over to stand by her side and peer into the vast armoire littered with two black business suits, an identical tuxedo to the one he was donning, a light ensemble, and dresses of Esme's that included two magnificent gowns that sparkled in the overhead light.

My arm rounded her waist and I placed a small kiss on her lips.

"Esme, you could wear a potato sack and look divine and no one would think it too flashy or unpretentious. But I am rather drawn to you in that inviting deep green strapless dress."

My free arm reached into the small enclosure, bringing out the desired frock and held it before the two of us. The intricate splash of beading under the bust was the only decoration on the rather simple yet engaging garment. Extending one of her folded arms she gingerly extracted the hanger while smiling at it and stepped out of my arm, placing one foot in front of the other as she made her way to the large bathroom.

"Thank you."

The door clicked shut and I paced back to the bed to put on the remainder of my tuxedo.

Five minutes later I found myself facing the strict white wood of the restroom door as my hand gripped the golden spherical handle and gave it a gentle nudge to swing it open. My eyes were instantly attracted to the unearthly beauty that was brushing the wavy tresses into a stunning coiffure. The silk material hung just off of her body, giving those who looked a small glimpse of the perfectly sculpted physique but not tight enough to reveal it to those who weren't examining. All in all, I was left speechless and motionless as I found myself content to watch my lovely wife prepare for the night. When my thoughts finished she met my eyes in the large mirror.

"Do I look alright, Carlisle?"

Her desire to impress these people struck me swiftly. I ambled over to her and grasped a simple layered diamond necklace laying on the countertop, putting it around her slender neck as I stood behind her.

"My darling," I stated as I kissed her neck, "you look wonderful tonight."

--

Time seemed to stop as we entered through the wide double doors into a brightly lit ballroom buzzing with trivial conversation. All eyes, it appeared, were geared in our direction and I recognized the gleam in the men's eyes as the very gleam I saw in women's eyes as they looked at me: they were all drawn to Esme like…well, a human to a vampire.

I threaded my long fingers through hers and gently tugged her forward, leading her to the group of men and women standing at a nearby table I was familiar with. The tap of her heels silenced when we halted at the beginning of the social semi-circle, where the chatter died instantly.

"Ah, Carlisle m'boy, how good to see you here with this exquisite young lady! I do not think I have net her yet…?"

I squeezed Esme's hand when the man complimented my wife and the smile I wore only grew larger than it was. The chief-of-staff for the hospital has never seen my wife before tonight, nor had any members of the hospital board.

"Yes, Carlisle, who is she? You never talk about a girlfriend and I just assumed since you were so young you were not married."

I glanced at one of the female board members while she spoke, trace amounts of jealousy laced through her curious words as she looked from our intertwined fingers to my face.

"Dr. Harburry, Ms. Riles, everyone," I inclined my head to the profiles gathered together then turned to stare into Esme's eyes, which were sparking far more beautifully than that of the crystals adorning her neck in the chandeliers' rays, "may I introduce my soul, my life – my wife," I brought her tangled hand in mine to my lips and kissed the back of her palm. "My Esme."

Her smile grew tender from the sincerity of my words and I drew myself away from her face reluctantly and drew an unnecessary breath.

"Esme, this is Dr. Harburry, the chief-of-staff of Forks' hospital, and board members: Mr. Leon Delontarro, Mr. Harry Gitty and his wife Amelia, Ms. Susanne Riles, and Mrs. Julianna Vern and her husband, Richard."

"I'm very pleased to meet you." Came Esme's reply, sweet and genuinely delighted to be introduced and receive introduction of the finely dressed individuals standing before her. The same sentiments were given back to her promptly and light conversation was struck up, this time including Esme and myself.

Hours passed as we strode back and forth upon the polished hardwood floor chatting with doctors from various Washington townships and their significant others, and being victims of open gawking from every single person in the room, even those married, became very tiresome.

My weariness and apparent aggravation of men staring at my wife must have been evident to Esme for I felt her small hand slip back to mine and pull me towards a vacant cloth covered table, sitting down in an elegant chair when we reached our destination.

Her eyes held my own firmly as she spoke in a direct voice. "Carlisle, are you alright? You seem aggravated – do these people bother you?"

My mood instantly lightened as her soft voice queried my professional sanity and I tenderly pushed a stray caramel lock of hair over her flawless shoulder, leading that hand up to cup her face.

"I feel wonderful tonight. Well, the lusty looks in your direction could lighten up considerably and half of these people could stop being pretentious – but yes, other than those two things I am alright."

Her hand came to rest on the one of mine that was holding her face and she removed it, turning it in her hand to hold it.

"Are you wanting to leave?"

I knew her well enough to know that that's what she wanted; she was finished here, whether because she really was or simply knowing that this scenario caused me discomfort, and she was just checking to see if I was.

Smiling, I stood up with her and wandered over to Dr. Harburry.

"Patrick, I have a slight headache so I'm just going to retire for the night. It was a well put together reception and I have met several people I think I will benefit from working with this weekend."

"I do believe you are light-headed because not a morsel of food has passed neither your lips nor your wife's! Sit and eat a bit Carlisle, don't abandon the fun quite yet."

I laughed good-naturedly at his attempt to get me to stay, but in the end I full convinced him that a good night's rest and some Aspirin would bring out the best me for the morning events.

I led Esme out of the warmly lit ballroom and into the expansive hotel foyer, evading nosey doctors and couples making-out on a chesterfield like hormonal teenagers. Their conduct made me want to push Esme to a wall and kiss her – but I shook my head of all thoughts. I was a reputable doctor but before that I was, and would always be concerning all matters pertaining to her, a gentlemen.

Our pace halted at the doors to the shiny elevator, our reflection staring perfectly back at us as if we were actually there, not where we were. I watched as Esme readjusted our hands to link our fingers and brought them up to her line of sight and just stared at my wedding ring. Ever so softly she let her left index finger trace the band, and jumped, dropping her free hand and our laced ones when the elevator binged to signal its arrival.

What I would give to have Edward's gift right now. That thought was soon forgotten as I realized that we were the only ones in the lift and I decided to just ask her instead of wondering and wishing I could know. Our shoes made stocatto sounds as they transferred their last steps from marble lobby squares to the soft carpet of the enclosure and I made the most of being alone for the first time in hours.

I watched as the little button lit up the number of our floor and waited impatiently for the doors to close, guiding Esme's form to a side of the box when they finally slid shut. I stood facing her, my body mere inches from hers and I stared down into her golden orbs.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking..." she bit her lip as she thought if she should tell me, ultimately resulting in coming out with it. "I am thinking how lucky I am to be married to such an extraordinary man, one who is selfless enough to take shifts for his coworkers or drive hours away just to assist in a difficult case, and always seems to have time for the wonderful family he has gathered and created along the long journey of his life."

So she had heard other doctors talking about the times when I had covered for them – and she wasn't mad. She thought I was the selfless one in this relationship? She was always looking after our family and cleaning the destruction left in Emmet and Edward's wake, who never complained of being lonely though she was left alone for most of the day and she never became irritated when I brought work home. She gave everything to those she loved with nothing expected in return. And again: I was the selfless one?

"I'm the selfless one, love? I do believe that I am a rather selfish being compared to you."

Her whole face softened and my dead heart failed again just looking at it. She was perfect. I lowered my forehead to touch the smooth skin on hers and my unclasped hand found its way to cradle her angelic face, my thumb moving back and forth across her cheekbone.

"Do you realize how much I love you?"

Her giggle filled my stomach with butterflies.

"If it's anywhere near to how much I love you, I could guess but that wouldn't even begin to tip the scale."

My lips crashed onto hers before the last word was even out of her mouth and she responded readily. The kiss was slow and passionate, our tongues dancing together to the music created by our habitual breathing. My body completely covered hers and the soft moan accompianed by her small hand gripping my hair, tugging me closer, almost completely broke my gentlemanly conduct in half. It was crazy how she could bring the desire hidden deep away right up to the surface with one small gesture or sound.

All too soon, though, the elevator smoothed to a stop and a loud ding prior to the large reflective doors sliding warned us of the end of this intimate moment in a rather public place. I unwillingly took a step away from her, uncomfortable when the new air hit the places on my body that were so recently pressed to hers.

Once out of the elevator I took my place at her side and we walked silently to our door, passing its threshold once the key was slid into the lock allowing us entrance. I struggled out of the formal jacket and caught Esme's eye as she just leaned contentedly against the wall, not too far from me. I was drawn to her person, and the fact that the crème coloured walls were making her green dress pop did not make taking off the sleeves any easier.

"That was unexpected, Carlisle."

I noticed her tone wasn't surprised but rather deeply gratified and that sent a spark of fire galloping through my body as desire and love for her took over. I froze then, mentally slapping myself. How did this even begin? Not that the kiss on the way up was anything but welcome and wanted, but how – oh, yes. Coupled with the fact that she had been looking gorgeous in just the bathrobe before she adorned the stunning gown, the men at the reception with the lustful looks in their eyes strongly urged the want to make it known that she was mine and only mine. The couple on the chesterfield added fuel and I can never restrain myself when Esme's face softens with love for me and the concrete words of affection that flow from her lips are strict guarantee that I couldn't control myself fully.

"Unexpected…yes." I finally wrangled free of the oppressive polyester and threw it aside, stepping to where she was in a mere matter of milliseconds. I placed my left hand where her neck met her shoulder and slid it down her arm to her elbow. "But not unwelcome I assume."

"Oh, of course not darling." I scooted closer as her hands ran up my chest and found a home at the back of my head, her fingers playing with my hair. "But tell me, truthfully, was my impression on your friends… how was that?"

Her face fell in confusion when I let out a small chuckle and promptly kissed her forehead. "Esme, you were wonderful tonight."

I accented the statement by kissing her right cheek, then the left and dashed my lips over the silky skin on her neck when my nimble fingers had taken the necklace and discarded it on the floor carelessly. With my arms wrapped securely around her waist I slowly led her backwards, kicking my shoes off near her abandoned heels in the process.

"Yes, Esme," I said in-between sloppy, desire filled kisses, "you," kiss, "were," kiss, "wonderful", two kisses, "tonight."

The final kiss was broken when our knees collided with the down comforter of the large bed, and I gently lowered her so she was comfortable then propped myself on my elbows as I hovered above her delicate form. My face moved so that the tips of our noses were touching.

"I love you…" My whispered words came out hoarse and quiet, the emotions getting the better of me.

"… And I, you, Carlisle."

And here states the fact that I hate grammatical errors but am NOT a robot so there are probably some, if not a lot, scattered throughout this piece of literature. Thanks for sucking it up and reading through all the way to the end where I apologize for everything!

Tid-Bit Information Time:
Guys are douches, and um…sometimes best friends should be sent to China for repairs. Because they're acting like douches also. Stupid douche-y world.

Thanks for reading!!!

Love to All,

Kat

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