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. And the idea for this chapter I need to give absolute credit to Dowlingnana who is not only my beta, but, my friend as well. Credit also belongs to her for doing the outstanding banners for each of my stories.

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.

CHAPTER 28: DIRTY LAUNDRY

Bella's phone rang and she recognized the ringtone and hesitated for only a moment before reaching out to answer it. "Hello, Esme, is anything wrong?"

"Well, dear, I do know that you and my son are having a few problems and I'm here to listen with an open mind if you ever want to talk to someone about the situation, but, that's not why I called. I just wanted to say 'break a leg' which is the good luck phrase in the entertainment world. Carlisle and I will be watching and hoping that your team has won. Wouldn't care to give me a heads up ahead of time, would you?" Esme laughingly asked.

Bella chuckled a bit and then answered, "Can't do that since we all have be told under dire threats to keep the outcome to ourselves. However, I'll tell you this, the outcome will be surprising." That was all that Bella would tell her. Then just before the two women hung up Bella whispered, "Thanks for not asking, and pushing for information and for just being a friend at the moment. I appreciate it very much."

"You're welcome, dear. The one thing you don't need is a bunch of people pestering you or plying you with questions about something that isn't their business unless you choose to include them. But, remember that I'm here, if or when, you need to share with an ear that is just for listening unless you ask otherwise." Esme quietly told the young woman that was her daughter in law, but, she loved Bella as if she was her daughter.

After the conversation ended and both had hung up, Bella sat back and thought back over the conversation that had just taken place. She appreciated the fact that Esme reframed from demanding to know what was happening and what Bella was planning to do even though it was evident that Esme was aware of the situation to some extent.

There had been several knocks upon her door and a call out to see if she was willing to talk from all contestants: Rosalie, Alice, Edward, Jacob and even the bitchy witch, herself, Irina. Bella kept her door locked, refusing to answer or unlock the door to allow anyone of them in near her. She didn't want to have to deal with excuses, pleas or gloating.

During the time she had left for her business trip and her return to Seattle until the time she needed to be back in L. A. Bella had had to put up with constant calls not only from the Cullen group, but, also, Jacob Black. He had heard he said from his team member that she might be rethinking her situation with Edward Masen Cullen. The message he had left since he couldn't get an answer ended with the question, "Do you want to meet with me and talk about it?"

On another call from Jacob since she hadn't responded to his many attempts was that she needed to grow up and move on. Another message reminded her that they were friends and that he's there for her if she needs him. In fact, all of the messages from Jacob were of pretty much the same contents and gave off the same undercurrents of trying to present a friendship atmosphere, but, still more interested in how he could use the situation for his own means. Bella had known Jacob since they were children and was very much aware of what he used to be, what he had wanted to do, what he had started out being and how he ended up and what he was off into from different areas that she didn't want anything to do.

Jacob likes to believe that Bella is blind to his illegal activities and to certain sexual tendencies that he prefers to gain his pleasure. Bella wasn't sure why Jacob thought, or, why he felt the need to hide some of his activities was beyond her understanding due to the length of time they had known each other.

With a sudden knock and shout out at the door to her dressing room telling Bella that it was five minutes away from show time managed to jerk Bella's mind away from her thoughts to the here and now. Bella was a bit nervous about how things were going to be playing out once she saw everyone on the stage. All she wanted to do was her obligation to the show and then leave. There was still the gallery opening that she needed to get through while here right after the show and then she was going permanently back to Seattle.

Checking on final time to make sure she was presentable Bella walks over to the dressing room door, unlocks it and walks out towards the stage manager who has seen her and then he motions where she needs to take a seat. Shortly, after the rest of the contestants come out and take their indicated places as well.

No one had a chance to speak to the others except on a very impersonal level due to the presence of all of the film crew and the host, Mark Majors, who happened to be the closes to all of them. As badly as Edward or anyone else might want to approach the subject of what happened that created the current tense situation, it just wasn't the time.

All last minute instructions were given, the countdown finished and Mark was opening the show by welcoming the audience that was tuning in to the finale. He continued to explain about how special this show was going to be and how the celebrities were present for answering questions of different happenings and to give their impressions about the challenges.

Everything moved forward and went really well when the filming stopped at the point where all three teams were in a neck to neck race to reach Mark to be the winner for their charities. During the showing each of the teams, from time to time, had told of any difficulties they had encountered in completing the challenge to be able to move on to the next one. And as the show proceeded it was never evident that a several day break was taken between doing the challenges. But, the sabotage that took place that concerned each of the challenges appeared on film to be all part of the difficulty that was assumed to be part of the challenge for achieving the completion of the task before moving on to the next one.

Neither Bella, nor, Edward commented about the behind the scene information they had knowledge about someone interfering with the stunts and it had had the studio heads worried. That situation seemed to have solved itself since there had been no serious injuries or danger to anyone; the different areas that had been messed with seemed to be designed more for causing delays of the filming schedule more than any malicious intent.

Mark would quietly talk with the teams while the commercials ran, so, no one was given the opportunity to talk quietly on a more personal level and this was frustrating everyone else, but, Bella. She was thankful for it and was able to relax to a certain extent.

"Welcome back and now we will talk with our different team members to get an update as to what they have been doing since completing the competition. We'll start with Edward and Isabella as this couple formed a more permanent union while doing our show." Mark commented with a smile and slight chuckle as he looked at Edward and Bella.

But, before either one of them could answer Irina jumped in to comment, "I don't know why you are asking such a question of them? They are going the typical way of all celebrity couples: heading for divorce court." And with that statement Mark Majors looked over at Irina Starlyon as did everyone else present.

Irina seeing that she had the attention of all continued as she was witnessing the surprised, confused and puzzled looks coming her way. "I mean after all, Eddie and I are back together again and their romance was just a temporary fire that flared up and then fizzled out as the spark was quickly dealt with and then burned itself out." She finished with a smile on her face because of how amusing and witty she thought she had been.

The other five contestants just stared at her as if she had grown two head. The same could be said of how the host and the crew members of the show as well were looking at the woman.

Suddenly, Edward spoke up and without preamble launched into a fury. "I don't know what mental ward you escaped from, but, let me make this as clear as I possibly can with witnesses everywhere; there is no us where a sleazy, lying slut like you is concerned." Edward turned towards the cameras and said, "I apologize for having to air her dirty laundry in public, but, I can't sit still and allow her to be lying about my relationship with my wife, Isabella.

"In just a couple of days this beautifully, generous hearted gifted woman will be opening a very unique gallery here in Los Angeles that will have a place for children that wish to try to explain themselves in an artistic form.

"The idea of this gallery was born due to an incident that happened in a hotel dining room at breakfast a few months back when Irina thought she was being accosted by a small girl that was really wanting to get to talk to Isabella. Eloise had recognized my wife because of Isabella's work in the art world. Of course, the child had been upset due to the sharped tongue shrew that is teamed with Mr. Black, but, Isabella was quick to soothe the child and to talk with her about art.

"My wife had talked with the parents of this charming child, found out where her school was and then paid a surprise visit to the art class at the school. It was as Isabella was taking a stroll afterwards that she came up with the idea for her newest gallery." Edward paused with a smile of pride showing upon his face and in his eyes as he glance at Bella, then he continued, "But, let me finish by clearing up one other matter since the lie was spoken.

"Not long ago Irina and I returned from a business trip which was late arriving and caused me to be late for a meeting that I was scheduled to attend.

"A car was waiting at the airport to pick us up and take me to the meeting and then home while taking Irina home as I went into my meeting. Unfortunately, she countermanded my instructions to the driver, we were both exhausted and somehow she ended up staying at my home.

"Isabella, evidently, had to work late since she wasn't home upon my arrival. And, I was too tired to deal with the mess Irina had caused so that is how she ended up spending the night.

"I awoke the next morning to find her in bed beside me and that surprised me greatly which caused me to fall out of bed onto the floor. And, upon questioning Irina I found out that after telling her, which I don't remember doing, to choose a bedroom to rest for the night she decided to help herself to mine after I had passed out." He finished speaking once again while looking directly into Bella's eyes wanting her to know that he was telling the truth. Then turning back towards Mark Majors and then the cameras he concluded, "I apologize for airing all of this during what should be a pleasurable show."

Mark didn't really know what to say, but, the whole incident took up more time that was available, so, instead of talk to the rest of the celebrities he went straight on into who was the winner of Team Challenge.

"Our winner of Team Challenge is-" Mark paused for effect before continuing, "No winner. The producers and studio heads have decided that each charity that our celebrities were playing for will each receive a check in the amount of $250,000.00.

"So, with that being said, I see we're out of time and I wish everyone a farewell and hoping to see you come next year. Farewell!" He said while waving goodbye along with the six persons on stage with him.

A/N: Well, Edward got to tell Bella how things had happened in a very unique way. Do we thank Irina for opening that door, or, do we kick her butt for the way she handled the situation?

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