Big kisses to everyone for all the wonderful reviews!!! Ya'll have been amazing! I can't begin to say thank you enough!

Katy your amazing! You help make my story sound so much better. What would I do without you? Micha your a gem for validating with everything you have going on. I feel truly blessed to have both of you apart of this!

Okay so Chapter 4 is brought to you by Aaron Neville's version of Who Dat? Yeah, I'm bringing a little New Orleans culture to everyone. Get out your white hankies and start a second line dance around your living rooms!

I own nothing! All belongs to Stephanie Meyer.

Chapter 4
Who Dat?
By: Aaron Neville

The next few months went by in a blur. Halloween reared its ugly head as the museum held a fundraiser to benefit the preservation of St. Louis Cemetery #3, a costume ball of course. A new event coordinator had been hired to oversee all the engagements the museum was to hold in the months to come.

Angela Weber came to us eager and ready to take on the job. I liked Angela and we seemed to click right from the get go. She was a shy, quiet girl from Orlando, FL but she was a firecracker with party planning.

For the Halloween costume ball, Angela, Jacob and I considered going for a group theme but that turned out to be a battle of the sexes. Jake wanted to dress as Hugh Hefner and Angela and I would be his playmates. The idea didn't go over too well with us. So, he ended up playing homage to the lead character of his favorite movie, Teen Wolf. Angela went as Hermoine Granger from the Harry Potter movies, and I went as Sookie Stackhouse from the HBO series True Blood. At least we had some kind of relative theme.

Once Halloween passed Thanksgiving had arrived. Charlie worked through the holidays so there was no reason for me to go home. Angela and I decided that we would spend it together. She was going home for Christmas and to her it made sense to stay in New Orleans. Not to mention the Christmas Gala for the museum had her bogged down with work.

Charlie visited for Christmas and it was nice to have him with me. I took him through City Park where he fell in love with Louisiana's own version of 'Twas the Night before Christmas', appropriately called 'A Cajun Night before Christmas'. He teased me saying next year for Christmas he was going to have an eight-foot alligator in the front yard pulling a sleigh. That would surely get the small town of Forks to talk.

Jacob went home to Arizona to spend time with his family. He was upset he wouldn't get to meet Charlie, but personally I was glad. Not a road I was ready to travel down just yet.

Before I knew it the New Year had come and gone. Jacob was still in Arizona, although he had insisted on coming back to New Orleans to ring in 2009 with me. I was perfectly fine sitting on my couch with a bottle of wine and Ryan Seacrest; which is exactly what I did, plus I had the company of Angela.

So now the city started gearing up for the biggest party in the world. MARDI GRAS! New Orleans practically shuts down during carnival time. Everyone comes alive and they are in full on party mode. It's unlike anything I've ever witnessed. Every year it just seemed to get bigger and more chaotic. Even the year after Katrina hit, tourism had been down but the party spirit was at an all time high.

Today was the Friday before the 'Super Krewe' weekend. The biggest and best parades were set to roll and wrap up another Carnival season. Work slowed since everyone was experiencing Mardi Grasitis. Angela had arranged for everyone in the museum to attend the Krewe of Endymion Extravaganza on Saturday night and I couldn't wait! The Extravaganza was a huge ball held in the Louisiana Superdome. After the parade rolled through the city it continued on into the superdome. Some would say Endymion was the best parade to see of all the Krewe's in New Orleans. They always had a celebrity Grand Marshall and bands that played until the wee hours of the morning. Yeah, it was going to be a long, sleep deprived weekend and I had my party hat on ready to take the weekend by storm.

I called it a day at three. I typed my out-of-office reply for my email when Jacob walked in.

"Hey, Jake! Are you ready for this weekend?"

"Listen, Bella, there's been a change of plans."

I looked up at him not understanding what could possibly come between Jake, beer, boobs, and beads.

"What? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, actually it's kind of a win/loss situation."

I scrunched my eyebrows together.

"What do you mean?"

"I just got a call from the curator at the Seattle Art Museum. I've been trying to persuade them to contract out some of their more rare pieces and they've finally agreed to it."

"Oh, Jake, that's wonderful!" I pushed myself away from my desk and made my way over to hug him.

"Yeah, it's kind of a huge break for me and for the museum."

"So if that's the win, I don't see where the loss is."

"I have to leave for the airport in about an hour and I won't be back until sometime Sunday."

Just because New Orleans had put the breaks on life during the Mardi Gras season didn't mean the rest of the world did.

"Well, it's alright. I mean, Mardi Gras comes around every year. Don't worry though; I'll rub it in how awesome REO Speedwagon is tomorrow night." REO Speedwagon was the big band that was to play at Endymion.

"I'm sure you will," he said as he smirked at me.

We made our way out of my office and down the hall towards the front door. I knew Jacob was talking because I could see his lips move, but I didn't register anything he said as I heard an all too familiar voice from the lobby.

Jake tried to get my attention by waving his hands in front of my face but I pushed them away as I tried to focus on the conversation that took place at Jane's desk.

"How you doing?" A man's voice asked Jane in his best Joey Tribiani impression.

"May I help you sir?"

She was unfazed by his pick up attempt.

"Is Bella Swan in?"

"Let me buzz her office. May I tell her who's here?"

At that moment I rounded the corner and stopped dead in my tracks.

"Emmett? Is that you?" I couldn't believe what I saw.

"Bel-la!" He moved away from the reception desk and made his way over to me.

I couldn't help myself. I ran to him and jumped into his arms.

"Oh my God, Emmett! What are you doing here?"


"Visiting you of course."

I couldn't believe it. Emmett was here, in New Orleans!

"Oh Emmett, that's wonderful. How long are you in town?"

"Till whenever. Football season is over with and there's not much going on for us until the draft is held in April. So I thought, you know, I've never been to Mardi Gras. I'll go down to the Big Easy and spend some much over due time with my favorite unrelated little sister."

I hugged his neck once again and I knew I had the cheesiest grin on my face but I didn't care. I had totally forgotten about Jacob until he cleared his throat.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Jacob Black, this is my very good friend…"

"Emmett Cullen," he said as he extended his hand to Emmett. "Bella's never mentioned that you are the Emmett Cullen."

Emmett shook Jake's hand while they both turned their heads to look at me.

"What? To me he's not the Emmett Cullen. He's just Emmett."

"So you work here with Bella, Jacob?" Emmett asked.

"Yeah, I'm the curator for the Indian Art Collection."

"That's awesome man."

"Yeah, I'm actually on my way out of town. Bella, since I'll be in Seattle tomorrow you should give Emmett my ticket to Endymion."

"Jake, that's a great idea! Em, we will have to get you a tux but it will be so much fun!"

I beamed at the thought of Emmett going to the ball with me.

"I'm game for whatever, Bells."

I smiled at him, still in awe that he was here, as he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into him. Jake looked astonished that I had such a close relationship with Emmett. I mean, we had been friends forever, but Emmett had always been like an older brother.

"Hey, make sure you bring him out to the Super Sunday party, "Jacob continued on. "I should be back sometime around lunch, right around the time you'll be waking up."

"Oh yeah, Emmett, it's a huge party down on St. Charles Avenue where bands will be playing and the parades will be passing by." I said as I explained to Emmett what Super Sunday was.

"Sounds like fun," Emmett replied.

Jake extended his hand to Emmett again. "Well it was really great to finally meet you. I gotta run before I miss my flight."

"Yeah, you too, Jacob."

Jake walked towards me and leaned down to kiss me but I moved my face away and his lips landed on my cheek. He stepped back looking hurt and confused.

I tried to convey with my expression that I wasn't too keen on PDA in the middle of the museum lobby or in the company of my old friend who I hadn't had a chance to explain everything to.

"Have a safe flight. We'll see you on Sunday?" I looked up at him and half smiled as the last part came out more like a question.

"Yeah, see you Sunday."

Emmett waved as Jake made his way towards the door. He turned me around so that I was face to face with him and I knew the game of twenty-questions was about to begin.

"What was that, Bella?"

"What do you mean? That was Jacob, a friend, saying goodbye."

"No, Bella, I'm a friend. And I can count on one hand how many times I've leaned in to kiss you. Of course I never aimed for your mouth like he was."

"Emmett, that's just how people down here in New Orleans say hello and goodbye to one another. What can I say? I've picked up on the habit."

"Yeah, picked up the habit my ass."

I looked at him and laughed. Same 'ol Emmett.

"So, you free to leave for the rest of the day?" he continued on.

"Yeah, actually I was just about to head home. I have off until Wednesday."

"So then I guess I'll be staying until Wednesday."

I hugged him again and kissed him on the cheek. "You don't know how happy I am to see you."

"Ditto."

"Okay well let's go. Please don't tell me you're staying at a hotel. I'd hate to know you're spending $300 a night on a room when I have an extra bed."

Emmett gave me one of his wicked little grins and said, "Heck no! I'm crashing at your crib."

We made our way to my car and laughed like we were two school kids. We got in and headed for my apartment.

"How far is your place from here?" Emmett asked as he changed the stations on my radio.

"Only about five minutes away. So in other words, not long enough for you to find a hip/hop station on the radio." I glanced over at him and grinned.

My apartment was located a few blocks away from City Park in a neighborhood called Bayou St. John. It wasn't like the typical apartment complexes that housed several hundred units. Ville St. John was a smaller development that had four occupants. It was very Melrose Place and just the right size for me; two bedrooms, one and a half baths and great views of the bayou from every room. Not to mention it was within walking distance to the popular festivals New Orleans held and coffee shops. If there was one habit I had picked up while in New Orleans it was drinking coffee.

I parked the car and Emmett and I began to make our way upstairs.

"This is really nice Bella," he said as he stepped inside my quaint little home.

"Thanks. It's small but it's just me so it's not like I need some grand plantation." I took him on a tour of all 1100 square feet and he genuinely seemed impressed.

"It's so you," he gushed as he grinned at me.

I smiled back and walked towards the guestroom. "Here is your room. Just put your things anywhere and make yourself at home."

"Thanks, Bella. Hey, I hope you're not upset with me for just showing up. I know I should have called but..."

I cut him off. "Emmett Cullen! Are you kidding me? I'm so happy to see you. Don't ever think I'd be mad at you for just showing up."

I walked over and gave him another hug. "You have no idea how much I've missed you, everyone for that matter."

"Yeah, me too."

"So are you hungry? We can go grab something to eat and walk around the city some."

"Sounds like a plan. Do you mind if I take a shower first though? I feel like I've got airplane funk all over me."

"Yeah go ahead. I'm gonna get changed myself. Let's plan to head out at about six. Sound good?"

He nodded his head and took off for the bathroom.

If felt good to have Emmett around. I felt like a kid again. It was hard to explain but I had a different connection with each of the 'Sovereign Six'. With Emmett, he reminded me how to let loose and act crazy. Em was always the first one on the dance floor and some how I was always the one he pulled out there to join him. He never cared what people thought about him. Emmett had a saying, 'Opinions are like assholes, every one's got one some just smell worse than others.' What a simple philosophy for life.

I went to my room and changed clothes. It was February so the days were a little warmer than the nights. I went with an off the shoulder brown top that cinched at the waist, a pair of skinny jeans that were tight at the ankles and ballet flats, all courtesy of Alice.

I headed into the kitchen to make myself a drink when my cell phone rang. I dug it out of my purse and the caller ID showed it was Angela.

"Hey, Ang. What's up?"

"Hey, Bella. You cleared out of work early today."

"Oh shit! Did anyone say anything?"

"No, as a matter of fact everyone else left early too. I only noticed you were gone because I went to your office to see if you wanted to go out tonight."

"I've got an old friend in town. What did you have in mind?"

"House of Blues, Better Than Ezra is playing at 11."

"Yeah I'm totally in. I'll just have to make sure Emmett is cool with it."

"So who is this Emmett? Jane mentioned something when I asked her if she saw you leave but you know how Jane is. She was no help."

I laughed. Jane had the personality of a brick wall.

"Emmett's one of my oldest friends in the world. He came down to surprise me. This is the first time in years I've seen him."

"Awe, that's sweet! Okay, well talk to Emmett and let me know if y'all are in. I'll get the tickets and meet y'all at the door at say 10:30?"

"Yeah sounds good. I'll text you and let you know for sure."

"K. Bye, Bella."

"Bye, Angela."

I sat my phone down and went back to my drink. Emmett emerged from the shower dressed like a Banana Republic model. Or I guess in this case, a J.A.Z. model.

"I see Alice supplies your wardrobe too."

He laughed as he checked himself out in the mirror on the wall in the hallway.

"You know it. I don't mind though. You can't deny my little sister has style."

"No doubt. Hey you wanna beer before we head out?"

"Hell yeah! What are you drinking? A girlie drink?"

"Ha ha. No, well maybe. Its amaretto and pineapple. Hey Emmett, a girl I work with, Angela, has invited us to go see Better Than Ezra at the House of Blues tonight. You feel like going?"

"Kick ass! I haven't seen them play since I was in college. I didn't even know they were still around."

"Yeah we catch them just about every time they are in town."

"Kind of like a groupie?" He laughed at his own joke as he grabbed a beer out of the fridge.

"No asshat, not like a groupie." I slapped his arm as he walked back into the living room.

"So it's not like the insane obsession you, Alice and Rosalie had with New Kids on the Block when we were kids?"

I laughed at that. We did have a crazy thing for them. We all thought that we would marry them and tour the world forever.

"Ugh no. But hey did you hear they've reunited and have gone back on tour?"

"Well then I guess the dream can still live on for you three."

"Doubtful. The one I wanted to marry bat's for the other team, if you know what I mean."

"Oh well. You win some you lose some."

He didn't know how true that statement was. Maybe he did. He was just as in love with Rosalie as I was with Edward.

"So what's good to eat around here?" he asked as he rubbed his stomach.

"What's not good to eat?" It was true. New Orleans had some of the best food in the world. "I was thinking we'd go to Mothers. It's a little place closer to the river but it's got some of the best poboys in the city. After we eat we should be able to catch a couple of the parades pass by and then we can head over to the House of Blues."

"Does Bourbon Street factor into any of our plans?"

"Emmett, I love you and all but I'm not braving Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras."

He gave me a little pout but I was not going to give in. Bourbon Street mixed with elbow to elbow people would not make for a good time.

"We will pass right by it on the way to the House of Blues. You'll understand then why I won't go down it. I guess you will just have to schedule another visit, preferably when nothing is going on in the city, to experience the urine filled streets of Bourbon."

"All right Ms. New Orleans tour guide. I'll take your word for it. Hey stand over by the door. I want to get a picture."

I walked over to the door and struck my best vogue pose. He held his cell phone up and snapped away.

"Sweet. Now when you call this picture will come up."

He pressed a bunch of keys on his phone then slid it into his front pocket.

"Alright Bella, you ready to…."

"Emmett don't you dare say it."

I was not about to rock out with my cock out.

Chapter End Notes:

YEA!!! A tiny reunion of sorts! I know it's not the one everyone is patiently waiting for but c'mon it's Emmett! And Emmett is a barrel full of fun! I know I left out the birthday reply Bella sent to Edward but did she even reply back? OOHHH!!

Okay please please please review!! Everyone's comments mean so much to me!! And join us over on the threads. We can speculate together!

Holly