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.

"Working with her at the gallery getting the final touches in place, she never said or acted like something was wrong at any time." Commented Esme. "I do know that most of the day she had her phone off to stop the insistent ringing for this or that from her other managers. And from time to time she would turn the phone back own to check messages, both voice, text and email, before turning it back off.

"Any time we needed to have information from you, dear," she said talking to Alice, "I was the one to call and ask."

"The problem as I see it at this point is to know what Bella did or didn't see, or, know. Next, where she's staying and what is she going to do." Supplied Rosalie with her remarks.

CHAPTER 27: NEARING THE SHOWDOWN

Everyone offered suggestions with an agreement of some and rejection of others, it seemed that no one could form any sort of cohesive action to achieve the necessary goals. Finally getting tired of listening to all of the noise, the arguing and the talking over each other, Esme had had enough, so, she silenced them all with just one word uttered in her mother tone, "Enough!" Her tone was stern in the beginning of the word, but, finished a bit more softly with the rest of the word. However, it was all that was needed to hush everyone in the room.

"I'm going to handle this situation, but, only to the point of gathering the necessary information as to what Edward needs to solve his problem with his wife. The rest of us are going to stay out of it for now and not take sides. Is that understood?" She finished with that one question as she looked each person in the eye and receiving a nod before moving on to look at the next.

"But, Mom, how are you going to do that?" Was the doubtful question Edward asked. In his mind, the task would come to failure since Bella wasn't talking to anyone at the moment.

"I'm the one person that she might talk with concerning this mess that you've managed to activate, young man. The only thing that I've been doing is helping to get the gallery ready for the opening which that was completed earlier today.

"The only thing left to do is to follow up with the caterers and the musicians to make sure of the final details and that they are still going to be on time with everything. Otherwise, everything else has been done.

"But, to answer your question a bit more completely, she will consider that I would be the last person for you to talk with about this situation, and, that Alice would be the first. Therefore, that would explain why she isn't talking with either of you, but, she would assume that my call would be concerning the gallery. So, my call would stand a better chance of being answered than either of you two."

"How will you approach the subject with her if your excuse for calling has to do with the gallery? I mean, I've worked with the getting the gallery ready also, but, she still won't answer my call." Alice remarked.

"My dear, I've already explained why my call would be answered, but, as to how I would approach the subject concerning things in her private life with Edward will have to be played by ear. I'll wait until the appropriate opening presents itself." Esme calmly explained to her daughter.

"Edward, in the meantime I would strongly suggest that you continue try getting a hold of Bella. Even, if she doesn't answer the phone continue to leave messages about how important it is that you hear from her and strongly express how important it is that she doesn't believe whatever Irina might release to the press." Rosalie advised Edward.

With that last comment of Rosalie's Edward buried his head in his hands as he felt his headache intensify just from the thought of what the rag mags would and could do with a story like this mess up. All chances with Bella might be lost at that point. Surely there was something he could do or say to get her to talk with him. Give him a direction of what she did or didn't know or suspect. Then give him a chance to explain the whole ordeal and get things back on track.

Surely after all this time and all that they had shared over the last few months developing a closeness and the trust for their love to flourish, she would give him the benefit of doubt and allow him to explain things if the current situation was what had her upset? "I can't think of anything else that I've done to upset her some way. And, if some of this tension doesn't release soon my head is going to explode."

Edward was thinking to himself, or, at least, he thought he had been thinking those thoughts to himself until Alice asked, "Edward, is there something else that we need to know about for you to be making such comments?"

That question had her brother jerking his head up from his hands to stare at her as if she had suddenly grown two heads. "Oh shit, did I say that out loud?"

"Most definitely!" Was the reply from everyone as they started laughing at his reaction and this little bit of levity seemed to lighten the mood just a tad; not much, but, enough to Edward could feel some of the pain from his headache start to let up.

So, with a direction laid out and bit more visiting with other subjects being the center of attention other than the pink elephant in the room, everyone was able to help Edward relax a little more before leaving for the night. Edward was going to do as Rosalie had suggested while everyone else, but, his mother, was going to lay off of trying to contact Bella. Esme had a plan that was all her own and would be done in her own way. There wasn't any point in put all of the details out front or discussing it any further. Bella would respond as she got ready to do and that was when Esme would be ready to move forwards.

XXXXXXX

The next morning Esme returned to work at the gallery as she still needed to check with the outside agencies, the caterers and the cleaners, to make sure that all was still on time for the appointed time. She kept expecting Bella to show, but, as the day aged the young owner was a no show and this did start a concerned Esme to worry about the situation that Edward had told them about last night. Esme did try to call, but, received voicemail without a ring and she left a message, hoping for a return answer to her message.

However, that didn't happen as no one knew that Bella was no longer in town, but, had left on a business trip that led to her checking out new talent to display in her galleries. In fact, Bella wasn't really concerned about answering or checking her messages at the moment as she was more concentrated on dealing with her business. She was wanting and needing a break from the drama going on in Los Angeles California. Add to that fact that she had already made her plans for returning to Seattle after she got through with this trip until the new gallery opened next week. Everyone else could wait until she had a clearer idea of how she was going to move ahead with her life.

XXXXXXXX

"Are you telling me the truth? You really slept with Edward Cullen? He woke up and found you in his bed and then kicked your ass out? Damn, the picture I have in my mind of the look on his face is priceless." Jacob was laughing like a hyena with no control. He was laughing so hard that he was holding his sides because they were starting to hurt.

"Yeah, Jakey. I got my chance for a pay back to that bitch you're determined to bleed and control. Now, all I need to do is decide how I want to use this to get back all that I've lost. This is my chance."

"Your chance to do what, you crazy ass bitch?" Jacob questioned as he was halfway listening to her boasting about her feat. Then he quickly turned all of his attention towards Irina as the sudden realization hit him that Bella was now quite possibly was on the verge of separating from Edward. An opening for him to be able to supply friendly support and give her a shoulder to cry on to put himself close to her again and that would give him the opportunity to begin his suit of her once more without interference. It looked as if his world was about to right itself once again. Once that happened then he could get rid of this harpy bitch that he was using for his different needs in life that required attention. "Irina, I've told you many times not to call Bella a bitch; do it again and you will learn to regret it. That's the last warning I'm going to give you.

"Also, how are you going to use this unexpected happening to gain whatever it is that you're wanting? In fact, do you even know exactly what it is that you do want?"

"Yes, I do know; I want to have Edward back and to be able to be included in the same film projects that he's going to be in, to be seen with him and be his one and only. Of course, I will still maintain certain pleasure away from him as well. Are you interested to be included in my list of pleasurables after you get your object of desire under control?"

Jacob smiled at her as he thought about the things they do together and then answered in the affirmative. There was absolutely some things he knew he wouldn't ever be able to do with Bella no matter how much he tried to force the issue. She would rather be dead than bend to all of the submissive things he would want to enjoy. But, the bitch before him was game for anything.

"You haven't told me how you plan to use the situation to your advantage and mine as yet." Jacob reminded her.

"To be honest, I haven't quite decided that as yet. It is too good of a situation to just act without thought as that would lead to throwing away a long term advantage just for a quick fix. I don't plan to do that. I'm going to use this to achieve something for the long haul. Know what I mean?"

"Well, if you have trouble deciding about what is the right approach or way to handle things let me know and I'll be happy to help you come up with something." Jacob told her with a slight smile that slowly was turning into a smirk as his mind led him in a direction how he could turn all of this to his advantage and total control of everyone involved.

XXXXXXX

The approach of the Team Challenge finale was on the horizon the same as the gallery opening, but, as yet no one had heard anything from Bella. What was even more unsettling was the fact that she did call the gallery office and left messages there of what needed to be finalized, but, she never had direct contact with anyone to discuss anything.

Containers began arriving with all of the art work that Bella wanted displayed in the gallery; the RSVP replies to invitations sent out to individuals for the grand opening were being received to which it seemed that everyone invited would be attending and Eloise's art teacher was dropping in on a daily basis to begin hanging her classes art work in the children's section which was Bella's pride and joy of an idea to making this a gallery different from anything else worldwide.

XXXXXXX

Finally, the final episode of Team Challenge was airing and all of the celebrities were in their separate dressing rooms getting ready for the live segments of the show. Thus far no one had been able to have any sort of communication or contact with Bella other than to confirm that she was in her dressing room. She was refusing to see anyone.

A/N: Well, Edward, Bella and the other team members are all under the same roof, in the same place and getting ready for an appearance together for the Team Challenge finale. Who will be the winner and have the prize money awarded to their charities? Will Edward finally get a chance to talk with Bella? Will Bella even allow Edward time to talk with her?

Thanks to everyone for your continue support of my story and for taking the time to review.