I was inspired to write this story several months ago when I visited Carmel. It is my favorite place in the world so far. I try to go once a year. I feel bad starting this story when I need to work on my other one as well but I couldn't get this one out of my head and it was taking priority. I hope you all like it and will let me know what you thing. It is not really like my other one.

"Can I get you something to drink before we take off? Soda, water or something stronger. Champagne?" The Stewardess smiled big. She could be my mom's age but she was wears enough makeup to be a teenager.

"Oh, champagne, please and thank you."

It has been four years since my last flight and I am nervous. Hopefully the champagne will help relax me. I know it is the safest way to travel but still if we go down or have an issue it is totally out of my control, nothing I can do. The last time I flew was to move to here, Phoenix, Arizona because of a job. It was also coming home. I had gone to school in Washington for a change of scenery. It also made me feel more at home because it was the city my parents took their last breaths. They had been out on a date when they were hit by a drunk driver. I miss them but they died together and I know they loved each other. They wouldn't have lasted long if either of them were left behind alone to mourn the other. I, on the other had had to mourn them alone.

"Here you go, miss. Enjoy and if you need anything else just press the button. I am Victoria."

"Thank you very much Victoria, I am Bella."

Thank you for choosing US Airways, This is your pilot, Eric Yorkie and I will be flying us to Beautiful Monterey, CA. This is flight 2651 and with the skies clear looks like we will get there in about 2 hours. As we taxi down the runway our flight attendance would like your attention for a few minutes. We are 4th in line so it shouldn't be to much longer. Please enjoy the flight ladies and gentleman.

Victoria put out her hand and I shook it. "Bella it is nice to meet you. I will be back around in a little. Just relax and enjoy the flight." She squeeze my hand in reassurance and walked to the front of the isle.

It was going to be nice to be out of touch with my world. I have friends but no one I would consider a best friend. It is hard to keep friends when you are working 60 hours a week. They tend to not understand why you go to bed as soon as you get home or why you can't hang out Friday night because you are putting in overtime on Saturday. But I have put in my time and have moved up the ranks as planned. I am in the perfect position to become the General Manger at the Biltmore in downtown Phoenix. It should only be about 4-5 more years and the position will be all mine. The current GM, Angela, insisted that I take this vacation because I haven't taken one in the last 4 years. I knew she also didn't want to look bad and like she was over working me. She knows I want to be her one day so she has been a great mentor and helped me every step of the way.

Angela knows I have no one to visit and no reason to leave town so she pretty much planned this trip for me. All I said was I wanted to see the Pacific Ocean, maybe be pampered and spend a few days at the beach, oh, I also wanted to go no where near Southern California because I didn't want to deal with the population or the traffic. She had picked Carmel, CA and once she knew where she was sending me she began to plan almost all my trip for me. So far I was enjoying her choices because I was already getting the perks of being in first class. Oh and the limo ride from my house to the airport was wonderful, not having to find someone to drop me off or pay for two weeks of parking at the airport was nice to not have to think about. Angela was shocked at how much I had to put and that quite a bit could go towards my two week trip. She had insisted I fly first class and have a hotel along Ocean Ave so I would be near the beach and the boutique shopping area. I didn't plan on doing much shopping because well I hate it but I figured I could window shop.

When I looked into Carmel I noticed it was right next to Monterey, CA where my mother's best from from high school and college lived, Esme Platt. Though she had married I didn't know her last name because my mom never updated it in her address book. Esme had come to visit us a few times and my mom had gone to see her as well. She had been at the funeral. I was able to arrange to have lunch for her. She wanted to do more with me but I didn't want to put her out or be too busy because I was supposed to use this trip to relax. It would be nice to see someone who knew my parents and could talk about the past with me. She did offer if I did get bored I could come over to her house and visit with her family. She let me know she had two sons and a daughter. I had never heard of them or knew she even had children.

We took off with out any problems and once we reached then 10,000 foot mark I couldn't wait to get my phone out and listen to my music and also try a few books out that I had downloaded. Victoria came by with two more glasses of champagne for me and also made sure I had some food like peanuts and pretzels. I had had a nice breakfast before leaving the house so the alcohol wasn't having to much affect on me but it did calm my nerves quite a bit. Once we landed I wobbled a little bit to get my carry-on but once I made my way off the plane I had found my footing. It was slightly overcast but I could see the edge of where the fog was being burned off.

I made my way to the luggage terminal and waited. As I was leaning against a column a pixy haired girl came around the corner of it and ran right into me.

"Oh my gosh I am so sorry." She grabbed onto me and steadied me. She was shorter than me but I could tell she was stronger.

"No worries, I am okay. Are you alright? You seemed to be in a hurry." I looked her up and down. I could tell she had money. Her shoes were real Italian leather. She had a real Louis Vuitton bag and the rock on her engagement ring engulfed her little hand.

"Oh Hun, don't worry about little ol' me. I wasn't paying attention where I was going. I am just so excited to be home. Are you from around here or are you just visiting?" She stationed herself near me and seemed to be waiting for luggage too. I had not noticed her on the flight but then again I hadn't been paying attention to anyone else.

"I am visiting. I am staying in Carmel for a couple of weeks. Seeing as we have ran into each other I feel I should at least meet you properly. My name is Bella and you are?" I extended out my hand.

"Alice Hale," she shook my hand firmly which was nice I hated meeting woman with wimpy hand shakes, "Well Alice Cullen soon to be Mrs. Jasper Hale the Third. Only a few more weeks. I can't wait. I have been planning my wedding for years and can't believe it is almost here."

"Congrats, I am sure he is a very lucky man."

"As I am a very lucky woman. He took what seemed forever to ask but he always said he would marry me when the time was right," She moved forward with the crowd as the luggage terminal started to move.

We waited in silence for our luggage. Alice's came first but she didn't leave she seemed to waiting for me to get mine. Once I had my bag she walked with me almost guiding me to stay with her.

"Bella I know I am a stranger and we just ran into each other but can I give you a lift to your hotel? It is the least I can do after charging into you like I did." She was bouncing slightly and I could tell she wouldn't take no for an answer. She also didn't seem like she would drive me off a cliff or a dark alley to get rid of me.

"I don't want to inconvenience you. Only if I am heading your way. I was just going to get a taxi."

"Oh, yes, I have someone I need to go see in Carmel so you will be on the way. Do you want to stop for lunch too? Please say yes, please. I just have a feeling about you Bella and if you are going to be here for a couple of weeks I can show you around and be a hostess for your trip. I will be busy with wedding arrangements but I am sure we can still find plenty to do." We stood outside her car, of course she had an Audi R8, she was dripping in money.

Again I just knew not to say no, "Um Alice, the thing is I am here to relax. This is the first vacation I have had in 4 years. I would love to see more than just the touristy stuff but I don't want to keep to busy. I was hoping to spend a few days at the beach reading and relaxing."

"Bella I promise I will take only the time you are willing to give me. So lunch?" She drove out of the parking garage. Paid the parking fee.

"Alright I guess if I won't be in the way and you will let me relax then I can hang out."

"Yay!" Alice rushed into traffic and then began to weave in and out of it as we headed to the freeway.

I really hope I survive this drive and the next two weeks.