TEAM FOREVER

Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.

My stories are being beta'd by dowlingnana and she is doing an awesome job. Thanks so much.

Most of you asked for it, so, here it is the next chapter following the marriage of Edward and Bella.

Six hours and a name change later, Isabella Marie Swan and Edward Anthony Masen Cullen becomes a wedded couple with the understanding that it is in name only. She has no wish to be tied down in a marriage with anyone, nor, did she wish to be backed into a corner by her childhood friend, Jacob Black.

Now, Edward knew that he had found a way to protect Isabella by foiling Black's plans for her, but, at the same he had a clear way to get to know her better and the time to convince her to accept him as her husband in more ways than just in name only.

CHAPTER 10: FACING THE MUSIC

It wasn't until after they were on the way back to L. A. that both Edward and Bella gave thought as to how they were going to break the news of their marriage to everyone. And, thrown into that thought mix was the realization that to all who were told, the reaction was going to be strong, stronger all the way to strongest. Shit, this was going to create a huge mess pile everywhere.

Finally, just before time to land Edward cleared his throat catching her attention and said, "Well, the first thing we need to do to make this appear real is to move you out of the hotel and into my home. You do realize that we are going to have to play the parts totally while out in public, correct?"

"Yes, Edward, I do. But, let me tell you now and remind you at the same time that it will appear that way only in public, not in private behind closed doors since marriage isn't amongst my list of needs, wants or desires. But, we both know the reasons why this was the best way to go to accomplish our own ends. And, I will do my part as the demand dictates." She tried to reassure him with a slight smile.

During the hours the two had spent together their conversations had covered many topics as it usually did when they were in each other's company, Edward had asked what Bella had done the day before to entertain herself since no one had seen her. With that opening Bella launched into a full description of what she had done and what she had found only to follow it up with the plans of what she was wanting to do with a building she had accidentally found. She continued on to tell of its potential and of all of the areas she wanted to incorporate into the new gallery. "It will be one of a kind and I believe will do quite well in the long run."

Edward had sat quietly the whole time she had been talking watching the emotions play across her expressive face while telling him about her plans and what she wanted to accomplish. Watching her eyes sparkle as she told her reasoning behind such an adventure choice after spending the day with Eloise at her school. And he had to agree that her idea was unique in that no one else had thought to try it. But, at the same time he realized that it would keep her in L. A. longer and give him more time with her so they could get to know each other better and he would have a chance to win her permanently. He was doing a lot of fist pumping with those thoughts.

"Why don't you ask Rosalie to help? She is an attorney and knows her way around this town. I'm sure she would be delighted to help."

"Don't worry about any of that. I do have my own people." She had answered a little more sharply than intended, but, that came from a past experience of men thinking she didn't have two brain cells working and needed the guidance.

"Whoa, tiger, it was only a suggestion since she might be able to clear some of the paperwork faster for you. No one was telling you what to do."

"Sorry, old habits and reactions die hard." Was her only reply. Now, that definitely had Edward interested in discovering the reasoning behind her reactions and remarks. But, that was for a different day and time. She had to learn to trust him first. And they had only had such a short period of time together both privately and professionally doing the challenge.

But, for now the plane was landing and they had a lot of things to do and prepare for. Chaos was about to be let loose upon the very unsuspecting. And with that thought, Edward had a quick smile as Jacob's face flashed across his mind.

XXXXXXXXXX

So far they had made it back to the hotel undetected by the paps or news groups that hung around the airport the entire time looking for a scrap of a story centering on celebrities: Anything that would give them another dollar or a boost up in their career. It amazed Edward that somehow fate had been smiling upon them since they had been about to stay under the radar in both Vegas and now while leaving the airport.

It was while they were in Edward's car driving to the hotel that Bella apologized for her shit reaction to his suggestion about Rosalie. But, he waved it off only to explain, "It was just a suggestion. My family is your family now also, true in the loose sense of the word, but, still family. Admittedly, Rosalie and Emmett aren't blood related, but, we all grew up together so they are still family.

"And, with Alice being a fashion designer and mom being an interior decorator you might want to consider using them to help get the insides of the building set up like you want it." As he had finished speaking they arrived at the hotel to collect Bella's things, check her out and head back to Edward's house.

Walking into the hotel both Edward and Bella went straight to the desk and explained that she would be relinquishing the room immediately. That after collecting all of her things she would turn in the key card. And, as fate would finally play the wild card, they came face to face with Jacob Black and Irina Starlyon as they were leaving the elevators with Edward and Bella waiting to enter. But, with the silent face off going on between the two couples neither realized that the elevator next to them had opened to unload its passengers which happened to be the Cullen family. And, seated off to one side doing an interview with the latest hot singing sensation was a gossip columnist for a local talk show.

The staring contest didn't last long before Jacob launched his verbal attack, "Where the hell have you been all day? No one has been able to find you and you totally ignore answering your phone, so, everyone calls me wanting to leave messages.

"You really have your nerve to ignore family and business associates the way you are doing: hanging out with persons that just want to use you. You real -"

That was as far as he got before Edward unloaded on him even before Bella had a chance to open her mouth. "You really are a piece of shit to be talking to my wife in such a manner."

"Your wife?! Damn, you are delusional to think that she would care to marry the likes of you and get caught up in your bullshit lifestyle, Masen. Isabella Marie Swan, you will com—"he was saying while reaching a hand out to grab a hold of Bella's arm as if to jerk her towards his position.

"Her name is Isabella Cullen, shithead. And you lay one finger on her now or anytime and you will regret it." Was the deadly warning coming from Edward. During all of this exchange not a single one of them realized the silence that reined in the hotel lobby due to the bomb that had been dropped on the world at the wrong time. "Now, get the hell out of our way so we can collect my wife's things and we can get on home to celebrate properly our wedding from earlier today." And with those last words uttered Edward stepped to one side while pulling Bella with him to step around Jacob and Irina to enter the elevator, push the button for her floor and everyone watched as the doors close shut.

With the shutting of the doors it was as if a release button had been pushed to let everyone unfreeze and begin talking all at once. The only two that didn't seem to react was one man and woman that had had the confrontation with Edward Masen and his new wife.

"Frank, did you get all of that on tape?" To which the cameraman nodded while still in a semi stunned state of mind. Something like that doesn't happen every day when it comes to the popular and well known. The woman was busily calling into the station before getting back to wrap up her interview.

Now the Cullen parents, the Whitlock's and the McCarty's quickly picked their dropped jaws up off the floor and rang for the elevator. Once it arrived they all entered and Alice pushed the button for Bella's floor. Arriving on said floor they followed Alice and Rosalie down to Bella's suite and knocked on the door.

Edward opened it and saw his family standing there. Shaking his head he told them to meet him and Isabella down in the lobby and to be ready to follow them home: That neither of them wanted to discuss things at this moment. He waited long enough to see his dad nod and motion for everyone to leave. "We'll wait for you down in the lobby, but, know that this is just the beginning. With that ballistic bomb you just dropped and a reporter sitting not far away overhearing everything, you are going to have a lot of people gathering very shortly shouting questions and trying to get answers."

"I know, Dad, I know."

After Bella had collected everything and had it all packed for the move, hotel personnel had been summoned to take her things down to the lobby where the family would get all of it loaded into their vehicles. Following not far behind, Edward and Bella took a moment before getting on the elevator to draw a deep breath to be ready for the storm that was gathering to greet them at ground zero.

XXXXXXXX

As Edward and Bella were riding together in silence towards the studio lot they each were remembering yesterday and last night with all of the reactions to their news. Now they were curious about how the producers and production company were going to react as well after the news was televised last night and this morning. Their marriage seemed to be broadcasted on every news outlet known to man.

Bella had been grateful to Edward last night and how he had managed to handle things once they had left the elevator to give a small press conference, then leaving the hotel, and, even after arriving at the house, getting her settled and then facing his family while she was unpacking. He had explained that he would deal with all of them while she adjusted to her new surroundings, but, that his family would be happy for them, but, they didn't need to know the true state of things. Bella agreed with that and left him to tell them what he chose. Later he had informed her of what had been said so she was prepared for any comments they might make or questions they might ask.

Just as they were nearing the studio gates the program on the radio changed to a talk show and again the big news was their marriage, "Well, good morning L. A. It seems that our town received quite the shock last night when Edward Masen announced his marriage to the world renowned art critic and artist within her own right, Isabella Swan. The couple stated that their romance started as they had agreed to be part of the new hit show Team Challenge and through surprise decisions were announced as teammates. Now, instead of being a team in one place they are a team for life, said a smiling Edward while looking lovingly down to his glowing bride of just a few hours.

"Of course, we have been told about a jealous encounter in the hotel lobby just before the press conference between the new husband and a long time standing suitor of the former Ms Swan. And, it was during that confrontation that the news of the marriage was made public.

"All of us here in the station wish these two the best for the future. Way to go Edward and Isabella."

And, with that final statement Edward had pulled into his parking space, got out, walked around to open Bella's door to assist her out for them to both walk into the studio together.

They entered to find a beaming crew, happy producers and delighted staff members all around. They good naturedly received the well wishes of everyone and heard how the publicity was doing wonders for the show. Everyone was beside themselves with joy over what had transpired. But, finally, all of the excitement settled down so everyone could get back to work and the next stage was explained, positions resumed from where they all had last been and the filming began.

A/N: Well, everyone seems to be happy about the marriage except for two individuals. What are they likely to do now to cause problems for our newlyweds? That is anybody's guess at this moment. Now on to the next challenge and who will be ahead at the end of that event?

Your reviews are always welcomed and I will be updating this story every two to three weeks due to the number of open stories I have going at the present time. As each come to completion then updating will become more frequent once again.