A chaotic scene of rushing people greeted Bellamy when she opened the door to the TV studio. Voices echoed off walls as footsteps thundered about. Bellamy stepped into the madness, closing the door behind her. She zigzagged her way through the mayhem. Halfway down the main hallway, lined with photos of the talk show host and celebrities, Bellamy stopped one of the crew members.

"Hi, I'm looking for Teddy Mathews's room," she said.

The harassed looking man, pointed further down that hall.

"Third room on the left."

Before Bellamy could say thank you, the man was sucked into the storm of motion. Bellamy dodged her way to the room. She knocked and a male voice told her to come in. She slipped in, muffling the noise outside as she closed the door.

A man in his mid thirties, wearing a button down shirt, with the sleeves rolled up, jeans and converse, sat on the couch plucking away at a guitar. He looked up at Bellamy. He had thick, dark brown hair, that was messily pushed back, a handsome, youthful face and chocolate eyes. The family traits he had inherited from his father.

"Hey, Bells," her dad said, giving her a wide grin.

Bellamy crossed her arms and leaned against the door.

"Dad, tell me you didn't agree to have Eli Reed open for your summer tour," she said.

Her father's finger's continued to pick at the strings.

"Alright, I won't tell you that I agreed to have Eli Reed open for my summer tour," he said evenly.

Bellamy pushed herself off the door.

"How could you do this?!" she asked, walking about the small dressing room. "It's Eli Reed!"

"A fact I have already been made aware of."

"He's not even talented. He won a stupid singing contest and suddenly the world thinks that means he's a super star." Bellamy looked to her father. "Have you even heard the album he put out? He didn't even write it."

"No, I never got the chance to listen to his music. I chose him on a whim. No thought put into it whatsoever."

"I mean seriously, dad. Come on, choose someone who will actually last past this year. This guy is a one hit wonder. His greatest feat in life will be this album. At nineteen, he will have passed his prime."

Teddy was silent, looking at Bellamy with a blank look. She let out a loud breath and slumped into an arm chair.

"Have you finished judging my decision and someone you have never met?" he asked.

Bellamy made a face.

"Yes," she mumbled.

"Good. I chose him because he has a young following. He will broaden my audience. Get new blood in."

"But you are one of the biggest alternative rock stars out there. Why should you need a bigger audience or new blood?"

"My decision."

"Fine."

Bellamy let her head fall back, contemplating the ceiling. The small room filled with the sound of a lulling melody.

"Mom says she's going to miss you this summer," Teddy said.

"Mom's fine. She has her hands full with Hunter and Jacob."

"She sent a picture this morning of them in their soccer uniforms."

Bellamy raised her head and looked at her father.

"Did she tell you what they are calling themselves?"

Teddy laughed.

"Yes, the Tornado Twins."

There came a knock and a crew member popped his head in.

"We're ready for you, Mr. Mathews," he said.

Teddy stood and set aside the guitar. He stepped over to Bellamy and kissed her head.

"Love you Bellybear. I'm glad you're here. Rants and all," he said.

"Love you too, though I hate that name."

Teddy smiled.

"I know."

He slipped out of the room. Bellamy pulled herself from the chair and moved to the couch, picking up the guitar. She clicked on the TV. The screen filled with two chairs and the talk show host's smile. Bellamy's fingers danced over the strings as she watched the host excite the crowd.

"He is not only America's hottest musician," the host said, "but also the winner of five Grammy's and the son of legendary singers Kade and Lennon Mathews. Please give a warm welcome to Teddy Mathews."

The audience went wild as Teddy stepped out and waved to them. The screen cut to a shot of the audience and Bellamy smirked at the frantic and eager faces of the women. She kept mindlessly playing the guitar as her father chatted back and forth with the host, promoting his upcoming tour and the latest album. Half way through the interview the door to the dressing room opened and another crew member appeared.

"Ms. Mathews?" she said.

Bellamy looked up.

"Yup?"

"Darcey heard you were back stage and wondered if you would be open to joining in on the last part of the interview?"

Bellamy nodded and stood.

"Sure. How much time do I have?"

"Fifteen minutes. Wardrobe is just-"

"Don't worry, I remember," Bellamy said.

Ten minutes later Bellamy stood on the edge of the set, her short brown curls looking fuller and her makeup, though subtle, reapplied. Her father's warm laugh rang out and Bellamy could see the women in the crowd melting. The host turned to the camera, her bright smile on display.

"I have a surprise for you," Darcey said. "Along with Teddy today, I have someone who you all know. You've practically seen her grow up. Let's welcome Bellamy Mathews." 

Bellamy walked onto the set, a practiced smile on her lips, as she waved to the cheering crowd. Teddy stood up and hugged Bellamy before they settled back down on the couch.

"Bellamy," Darcey said, looking Bellamy over. "I have to say, you are just as beautiful as your grandmother Lennon."

Bellamy graciously took the compliment, giving a small laugh in response.

"Thanks," she said, her voice light and polished.

"Am I right in thinking you just graduated high school?" Darcey asked.

Bellamy nodded. Darcey placed a hand over her heart.

"I can't believe it," she said, with a dramatic sigh. "It seems like only yesterday you were taking your first steps on a stage."

A photo flashed up on the screen showing a twenty-one year old Teddy bent over a small one year old Bellamy, her fingers gripping his as she walked. Another photo flashed showing a five year old Bellamy, standing beside her father, a sea of cellphone lights behind them. Darcey looked back at Bellamy, as the screen continued to display photos of Bellamy growing up on tour, beside her father and mother.

"What do you plan to do now?" Darcey asked. "Now that you have graduated."

Teddy put an arm around Bellamy and gripped her shoulder, a proud smile breaking across his face.

"Bells, here has been accepted to Berklee College of Music." He turned to Darcey. "She heads there in the Fall."

This got a round of applause.

"Berklee," Darcey said. "My, that is impression. After that, do you plan to join in your father's footsteps and take to the stage?"

Bellamy shrugged and smiled.

"I'm not sure yet," she said. "For now, I know I'm touring this summer with my dad and in the fall I'll be back in Boston, with my grandparents. I'll be taking Grandpa Kade's classes."

"Well," Darcey said. "I'm sure I speak for everyone women out there, when I say how jealous we are of you. Not only do you get to travel with your father, but Eli Reed as well."

A photo popped up on the screen displaying a good looking guy with wild dark hair, dark green eyes and a lopsided smile.

Bellamy smiled, but the expression was forced.

"That's me," she said, putting on a carefree tone. "The luckiest girl in the world."

*****************

The SUV pulled to a stop at the Staples Center backstage door. Teddy hopped out and Bellamy followed.

"All I'm saying Bells, is you are going to be spending a whole summer around this guy," Teddy said, pulling the door open and stepping inside. "It wouldn't kill you to give him a chance. I don't choose people to tour with that I think will be a pain. Trust me, he's a good guy."

Bellamy nodded, but crossed her arms.

"Yeah, I get what you're saying," she said.

They moved through the wide hallways to the stage. Before them layers of seats spread out and raced to touch the ceiling. Teddy grabbed a guitar from a stand and lifted the strap over his head, starting to tune it. Workmen moved about, setting up the last details.

"Bells!"

Bellamy turned as a guy in his late twenties with messy brown hair jogged up the stairs. She crossed her arms and smirked.

"Well, well, well if it isn't Kennedy Charles Colfax," Bellamy said.

K.C. hugged Bellamy, then took a step back.

"Where you been kid?" he asked.

"Avoiding you. And my life has been all the better for it," she said.

K.C. laughed, the sound carefree.

"Hey, Bellamy."

K.C. turned and rested his arm on top of Bellamy's head. A man in his early thirties, with short brown hair, dark blue eyes and dimples walked onto the stage. From the old pictures Bellamy had seen, he was the spitting image of his father, Sebastian. He smiled at the scene. Bellamy ducked away from K.C.'s arm.

"Robbie," she said, "Tell you nuisance of a brother to stop annoying me."

"You're a high school graduate Bells," Robbie said. "I'm sure you can figure out how to make him stop all on your own."

He smiled and moved to talk to Teddy, a pair of drum sticks sticking out of his back pocket.

"The Colfax family is the worst!"

Bellamy straightened her hair as K.C. looked at her, his hazel eyes were beaming with mischief, his wide smile laughing at her. Though only two years younger than his brother Robbie, K.C. had the boisterous spirit of a teenager and liked to tease Bellamy like an older brother.

"It's good to have you back, Bells," he said.

"Is that because no one else puts up with you craziness?" she asked.

"No, I've had no else to pester."

She swatted his arm, bringing out a bright, infectious laugh. Bellamy crossed her arms.

"You could always pester Eli," she said. "I can't even believe dad decided to bring him on this tour."

K.C. shrugged and settled onto the edge to the drum platform.

"He's not too bad, Bells. He's quiet and cracks a good joke every now and then. You should get to know him."

Bellamy scowled.

"That's what dad said."

K.C. pinched her nose.

"Then you should do as your father suggests." He nodded off stage. "He's showing up soon. You could go make an effort." 

Bellamy didn't move, still battling the stubborn side of herself, a trait her grandfather repeatedly told her she got from her grandmother Lennon. K.C. raised an eyebrow and Bellamy rolled her eyes and tossed up her hands.

"Fine, I will go try and play nice with the pretty boy," she said.

"That's the spirit. He usually shows up at the main entrance."

"Okay, I'm off to meet America's current heart throb. Gag."

Bellamy turned away and headed off stage. She moved through the large arena, navigating the familiar hallways like a pro. As she reached the front entrance the roar of thousands of girls reached her ears. She took in a deep, calming breath and waited.

She didn't have to wait long until the volume of the crowd rose to ear splitting levels. A moment later Eli stepped into the arena, two body guards blocking him on either side. Bellamy braced herself, pulled up her practiced smile and walked towards him.

"Hi," Bellamy said. "I just wanted to introduce-"

She was cut off by one of Eli's body guards before she could finish her sentence.

"No pictures," the body guard said.

"Enjoy the concert," Eli said, already walking away.

Bellamy stood stunned, staring at the retreating back of the bodyguards. Once the shock was over she curled her fists, her expression dropping into deep frown.

"This was going to be a long tour."

****************

Howdy partner! (Yup, not sure I can pull off the cowboy talk, I won't do it again)

Notice any familiar characters?

This story would be about Bellamy and Eli's struggle as musicians. Bellamy knows the industry inside and out but has never performed herself and Eli deals with being new to the world of music. It would be about how they help each out, as well as facing ups and downs along the way.

It's not difficult to see where this idea came from. I think it actually started with Bellamy touring with her father and then her father became Teddy Mathews. It would be the meshing of A Second Chance and Every Second characters. It's how I imagined their lives being after the books.

Vote, comment, follow! Tell me what you thought! How wonderful was it to read Kade and Lennon's names again?!?!