*I do not own anything from Four Brothers nor do I have anything to do with any actor, character or anything of that nature involved with the film. My story is pure fiction and for your enjoyment.*

Chapter 1; I'll Try my Best to be Home by Then

I bundled up before walking outside into the frigid Detroit winter's air. I wrapped my scarf around my neck before slipping on my gloves. I walked out my front door, closing and locking it behind before heading down to Ms. Mercer's just three houses down. I did my best to keep from slipping on the slush that covered the ground. I smiled to myself as I reached the open front door; she stood there waiting just as she always did.

"Hi Ma" I grinned stepping into the warm house.

She caught me in a hug, "Hey Riley "

I tilted my nose up, smelling the warm sent of Ma's homemade apple pie. "Oh boy!" I smiled knowing exactly what she was cooking. I took my gloves off and scarf off before slipping my off my coat and laying them on the back of the couch.

"Are any of the boys around?" I asked following her into the kitchen

She pulled out an apple pie out of her oven "Nope, just us. They should all be visiting for Christmas though." She smiled, "Jack asked about you when I talked to him a few days ago. Bobby and the rest of the boys have asked about you every so often too."

I smiled to myself; I'd always had a crush on Jack. He and I were closest in age; he was the easiest one to relate to; incredibly funny and overall the sweetest yet corniest boy I'd ever met. I missed him; he was my childhood best friend. He was in most of my cherished memories growing up. Bobby, Jerry and Angel had somewhat adopted me as a little sister, keeping me safe from danger if anything was to happen. They would always come to my rescue if dad was beating up on me. I always thought of Ms. Evelyn as a mother, since I didn't have one of my own. I smiled up at Ma as she put a large slice of pie in front of me. "Thanks" I muttered taking some onto my fork and shoving it in my mouth. "Mmm" I sang pleased "Good as always!" I told her as she walked back over to table with a cup of coffee in her hand.

"Glad you like it, dear." She smiled taking a sip of her coffee. "How's school been?"

I finished chewing up the bite of pie before answering, "Good, good, feels weird being a sophomore in college. I'm doing well though, I like my new classes and I've made a few new friends."

She nodded. "I'm glad to hear that. Have you heard anything from your father?"

I shook my head, "No m'am. I haven't heard anything from him since this summer. He'll write a letter every now and then, but nothing serious. I always write one back, but who knows if he actually reads it…"

My dad had been in and out of jail and prison for as long as I could remember; every time he went in she was who always took me in. The boys help take care of me, made sure I was doing my homework and keeping up with my grades, things like that. When I stayed over, I used to always sneak into Jack's room at night to lay with him, he would always comfort me when I was scared or had nightmares of my dad beating me, something that was a typical in my house. Not long before I turned sixteen, my father got life in prison without parole, leaving me there alone. This was fine with me because I had Ma and the boys just down the street.

She shook her head "I should have adopted you, I'm sorry I didn't. I'm sorry you had to live with that sorry –" She cut herself off and threw her hands up toward the ceiling in surrender. "I'm just glad you're mine now!"

I smiled. "I was always yours, Ma."

I heard the phone ring and she got up to answer it, I ate the last bite of pie before putting my plate in the sink.

I overheard bits and pieces of her conversation, simple things like 'That's good' and 'I miss you too'. Last thing I heard was 'Yeah, she's here... One sec' I felt her tap my shoulder, I turned around to see her pushing the phone at me.

Who is it? I mouthed taking the phone from her, she said nothing she just nodded her head for me to talk, winked and returned to the kitchen table.

"Er, hello" I uttered into the phone dragging my hand threw my hair.

"Hey Riley " I heard Jack chime. I was almost positive he was grinning.

"Jackie!" I squealed biting the inside of my lip. "How are you? I miss you come home!" I laughed.

He laughed, "I miss you too, Rye. I'm okay, traveling with the guys. I've been really homesick the past few weeks, I've called mom at least once a day, if not more."

We both laughed. "Why are you homesick? Don't you have a girlfriend or uh, a groupie?"

He got quiet, he cleared his throat. "No"

I said nothing for a long awkward moment, "Oh sorry… I wasn't trying to be nosy or accuse you of anything."

"No, no it's fine Riley . Don't worry about it." He assured me quickly. He was quiet for another moment afterward. I listened in the background for a few moments. "Hey, Riley , I gotta go. I'm going to call you back tonight though; I might be coming home soon. At least, I hope to."

"Oh, okay." I muttered into the phone.

"Love you, Riley . Be safe and look after mom for me, I promise I'll call you tonight after my show." He said anxiously.

"I love you too, Jack. I'll wait up; you take care of yourself too." I said before hanging up the phone.

I glanced back over at the table to find Ma sipping her coffee and grinning at me. "You know, you two would be really cute together…" She pointed out still grinning.

I laughed "I don't know about all that, Mom." I said sheepishly, walking back over to the sink and began to clean the couple of dishes. "Did Jack tell you he was trying to come home soon?" I asked her, placing a soapy bowl on the other side of the sink.

She set her cup in the dirty side and began rinsing dishes as I washed them. "No, but I don't doubt he will be."

I laughed and finished up the dishes. "I have class tonight, Ma." I explained drying off my hands.

She rinsed the last dish and placed it in the strainer. "Oh, okay. If you want you can come by the house after class, I'm making supper later than usual. I have to run up to the convenient store for a few small things. I'll put you a plate in the oven."

I smiled, "Thanks Ma." I kissed her cheek before grabbing my coat and things, bundling up before I went outside. I gave her a small wave through the window as I walked back down to my house.