A/N: Wow, a soon update, I just surprised myself. Guess that writer's block is gone and I think the story is finally in great progress again. Oh, and, btw, don't wonder … I'm not sure what happened to my separators, I used to use three dashes, now it's three 'o's. I know it look really weird, but … I wonder how you guys could read the other chapter(s), not sure how long they're gone, but I'm sure they were there at least the first few chapters? Anyways … enjoy reading =)

Disclaimer: I don't own Disney, Hannah Montana or the characters and actors/actresses, songs or movies used in this story!

Bigger Than Us

A Hannah Montana Fanfiction. OOC, AU, Liley

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We all sit in a circle in the grassland right beside the tents. Oliver, Joanie, Jackson, Alex, Miley and I. And we're talking. Talking and also getting to know each other.

"Alex … " I start, supporting myself on my hands, which are placed behind my back, arms stretched out, "tell us a little about yourself! I mean, I know that you are practically my rival in soccer and you're a good volleyball player. But what else should we know about you?"

"Alright … " the black-haired girl responds, and thinks for a short while: "where do I start? Like, brother or sister or hamster?"

I laugh shortly, "Doesn't really matter. Just more than we know. I'm curious!"

"Well … I'm in junior high year in Peak Shore High School, and as I told you before when we were playing soccer I'm in the school soccer team there. Apart from soccer, I love to do sports, all kinds of sports. Which is actually what I want to study once I finished school. And I love to hang out with my friends, who are also all into sports, so yeah. We're back to sports, hehe." she pauses for a short moment to let it sink in, but before anybody else can say anything she continues: "If you want to go back way more, well … I was born in Los Angeles and lived there 'til now and frankly I'm not planning to go away. I don't have any brothers or sisters, but parents, of course. And I'm seventeen. I think that's all there is to know about me."

Then another silence. Wow, I think that's even more than I expected, but hey, it's cool. She sounds like an … average teenager, who has a nice life, if you ask me. But sometimes, the more average a person seems, the more is behind this person's life. At least that's what I sometimes experience. "That was … a lot of information, Alex."

"What about you guys?" Alex then asks and counters, looking at Jackson first.

The blonde haired guy replies: "If I come up with that much … what's important to know about me? I'm Miley's older brother and I work at a place called Rico's in Malibu. And I'm also in junior high year in Seaview High."

"What do you do at your job?" Alex asks, curiously. Maybe they should save the small-talk for a date, haha. Jackson replies: "I sell beverages and fast food, so you can come check me - I mean the place out sometime."

Alex nods and smiles. Miley then says: "As usual, Jackson forgot a pretty important part, we're from Tennessee. And we moved here to California a few months ago."

"Oh, cool! That is awesome! And it explains the accent! Then welcome to California, you guys!" Alex immediately lights up. I think she's easily excited. But her smile is so inviting that if you look around, everybody has a smirk on their faces. I think she's also one of those people who can cheer you up easily, which I think is cool but hopefully not annoying. Alex keeps asking questions: "So where exactly are you two from?"

"We used to live on a ranch in Stewart. It's in the northwest of Tennessee, not too far from the Kentucky Lake and Clarksville." Miley's brother replies. I immediately exclaim: "Stewart? Like your last name?"

"Yeah, exactly. But it's just a funny coincident." Miley says. I nod. Really funny. The Stewarts who used to live in Stewart, hehe. Alex still smiles and now looks at the rest of us, then asks: "Then let me guess, you all lived in LA ever since you can think and you go to the same high school, of course. The typical clique who hangs out every day?"

Oliver speaks up first: "We're not a clique or a gang. We're friends. I'm really not into all the gossip and rumor thingy. But we're friends. Lilly and I have known each other ever since we can think and she's my best friend ever! And Joanie here and I, we're dating for a little over a year now."

"Yeah, we're pretty much the Malibu people here. Never been far away from home." I continue, "Miley and I are dating for a little over a month now." I smile and pull Miley closer, kissing her temple. "And I also love sports. I used to party a lot and do bad shit, but she changed me. Oh and my parents are going through a divorce." I add. Might just let her know, and Alex immediately turns sympathetic: "Aww, I'm so sorry, Lilly. That must suck."

I shake my head and smile. It's shitty but whatever, my mom is happy now without dad and he seems to be starting to loosen up a bit. "It's alright. Probably better that way. My parents went through a lot of crazy crap the last few months, so it's totally fine." I can feel Miley leaning into me and supporting me on a mental basis. I feel stronger when she's around and it feels nice.

Alex now looks at Joanie, who answers: "I think there was almost everything said about me. But like Truscott here, I love sports and I paint quite a lot." Oh, right … Oliver once told me that Joanie is such an incredible artist when it comes to all kinds of drawings. I would have never thought when I first met her. We were rivals and she was a little bit of a bully, so I always had a little edgy picture of her and not that of an artist …

"And I" Miley then completes the round, "I love playing the guitar. Actually, I love making music. I write music, and sing and I play, along with my daddy."

"Seriously? Oh my god, that is so fantastic! I would so love to hear you sing and play! And what kind of music do you play? Country? Since you're from Tennessee … " Alex exclaims. She is overly excited, isn't she? I still have to decide if it's annoying or not …

"I play whatever strikes my mood, doesn't necessarily have to be country music." Miley replies and laughs shortly. Hihi, my cowgirl. I decide not to say it out loud.

There is a short silence in which we all just enjoy the company of each other. Such a great feeling being away from home … with my friends and my girlfriend …

"So my dad is settin' up a campfire with smores tonight … do you wanna join us, Alex?" Jackson asks, now we all look at her, waiting for the answer she then gives us: "Absolutely! I'll just go to my parents for a short time and then come back in a while, alright?"

"Definitely, so we'll see you then, okay?" Miley's brother replies, making sure again that she will come. I smirk. He's so obvious, but it's alright. He deserves it. Alex laughs shortly and replies: "Okay, Jackson. Don't worry!"

ooo

"Thank you guys for helpin' me setting this lil' fireplace up." Mister Stewart thanks us all. Jackson was eager to see Alex again because he helped most. I think it's cute.

"Lilly, can you help me unpacking the food?" Mister S. asks me and I almost race toward him when he mentioned 'food'. Lilly and food is always a good combination. After that soccer match I am starving again!

I grab some of the food out of a cool box and hand it to Mr. Stewart. We don't just have a great campfire, but also a grill, so I unpack some meat, sausages, cheese for grilled cheese and a lot of other stuff. Last but not least marshmallows and cookies for smores as a desert, yummy! The food is already marinated, Mr. Stewart thought of everything to make this weekend perfect.

ooo

Alex just arrived at our fireplace and sits down next to Jackson. Before she does so she greets Mr. Stewart and introduces herself: "Hi, I'm Alex. Pleasure to meet you, sir."

"The Pleasure is all mine, Alex. I'm Robbie Ray Stewart." he shakes her hand and smiles a warm smile. After Alex sat down he looks at Jackson, all proud of his son because he met a nice and pretty girl. If only he would have looked at Miley the same way after he found out that we were dating. This is frustrating.

I look at my girlfriend to find her staring a hole into the ground and looking disappointed. She must be thinking the same thing I was just thinking. This is so unfair. I put a hand on her back and stroke her a little bit. She leans into me, snuggling close. I smile immediately, kiss her temple and then put my whole arm around her to pull her closer.

"Alright … kids, the food is ready so dig in, enjoy!" Mr. Stewart then says and Oliver and I are the first to jump onto all the yummy food and I start eating. Jackson, for a change, stays polite and contains himself from eating like a pig. Miley just laughs and even Mr. Stewart comments: "I wonder how you two don't choke on your food, eating like this!"

Oliver just replies with his mouth full: "Well acpfually I ufually do." without thinking what he just said. We all start laughing but Oliver just continues eating. He is worse than me when it comes to food, but it's normal, he is a guy after all.

ooo

Soon after we ate up all the delicious lunch we finally start putting marshmallows onto sticks and preparing the cookies for even more delicious smores. Yes, I love food and I love eating, go figure! My marshmallow, of course, is the first to catch fire, but I don't mind. I blow it out and put it between two cookies and then into my mouth. Clumsy as I am, only two-thirds of the molten mallow actually land in my mouth.

Miley looks at me and snorts, she leans close and whispers: "You're so cute, Lilly." and then she leans in, kissing the side of my mouth and licking away the rest of the marshmallow. I can't help myself, it did turn me on a little. Her delicate movements, her tongue, it's all so perfect. When she pulls back she locks eye contact with me and we both smile at each other shortly.

As we both snap back to reality Miley continues concentrating on her smore and I take a second marshmallow. I look around and see that only Mister Stewart was watching our little display of affection. He still looks at Miley, again very expressionless, but not disappointed, like he used to. He looks like he is in deep thought. Maybe he really thinks about loosening up. Or at least something alike.

ooo

Oh god, I think I have the biggest stomach-ache in the history of stomach aches. Stupid smores, I always eat so many, that I almost have to puke! God, I feel awfully bloated. Oliver is lying flat on his back, his stomach sticking out. I think he's going through a similar pain as I am right now. I also lie down on my back, closing my eyes for a second. I then suddenly feel a hand on my stomach, stroking it very, very lightly and carefully. I open my eyes and see my girlfriend smiling at me.

"So, you guys … I'll go back to my parents and my tent. I'm tired from all the soccer and volleyball today." Alex excuses herself and stands up. "Thank you for the nice fire and food. I wish you a pleasant weekend and I sure hope I'll see you around sometime!"

"Alex," Robbie Ray suddenly exclaims, "why don't you join us tomorrow on our sailing trip?"

"You should! It's so cool! Sailing … with us!" Jackson almost yells out. I snort and Miley shakes her head. She whispers into my ear: "I'm glad he's not obvious or anything … " I nod as a reply.

"Well, since Jackson leaves me no choice … I'd love to! Thank you for the invitation Mister Stewart." Alex replies, teasing Jackson but I think she does it in a very lovely manner. It's almost cute. Robbie Ray chuckles and replies: "It's always good to make new friends. See you tomorrow."

"Bye, guys!" Alex says and we all reply with a 'bye-bye' in unison. What a happy person.

There are a few moments of silence, where everybody is just smiling.

"Kids … can I have your attention shortly?" Mister Stewart's deep voice brings everybody back to reality. He sounds serious. I sit up and look at him.

He says: "Can you three leave me alone with my daughter and Lilly?"

Oliver, Joanie and Jackson get up without asking and walk away. Maybe to the water or something. What's going on?

Mister Stewart is now sitting with a round back, looking into the fire. He's wearing a very nice leather cowboy-hat which he has pulled deep into his face. I cannot make out his eyes. He seems to be thinking.

We both look at him, questioningly, waiting for what he has to say. He then looks up, directly at Miley and me. "Girls … I mean, Miles … Lilly … " he starts, but he seems nervous. I've never seen him like this. I mean, not that I have seen him that often before, but it's weird, he was always that correct guy, who just knew what to do … now he seems helpless.

"I uhm … " he starts again. We both are quiet and listening. Miley's dad continues: "I'm sorry, girls. I … " he pauses again. Is he going to say what I think he's going to say? No way! He continues again: "I didn't treat you the way a loving father should treat his daughter. And her … girlfriend … " The word 'girlfriend' was hard for him to phrase, but he did it. I smile and Miley just looks like she's absolutely flabbergasted.

"I was stupid and … your momma was right, Miley … you know that one day when Lilly also visited her at the hospital … she said she wanted to talk to me in private, and she told me something. Something I didn't think about afterwards until it hit me … she said that she was going to die soon … and that I should take good care of you, Miley, and Jackson of course, and that I should always support your decisions … I promised her to do so, but I didn't … " he pauses shortly and looks at me, than back at Miley.

"You're momma has obviously seen it, huh? That … love … between you two. Were you already … ?" he can't ask it directly, it looks like it's still paining him a lot, knowing that his daughter, 'who he raised so well', is in love with another girl. Miley answers: "No, daddy. We got together the day after momma … " she trails off as well. It's also hard for her to face the truth about her mom.

"Oh … okay … " again there's a short silence. Miley is fighting back tears again, she's thinking about her mother, I know. And I remember that day, it was a nice day, actually.

Mister Stewart continues again: "Anyways … I've been watching you two lately a little bit and … I've seen how … how happy you two are … together. And I think it is wrong for me not to support my daughter's happiness. So uhm … from now on … Lilly … Miles … you have my support, even though I cannot completely understand how this love can happen."

Miley jumps up and leaps into her daddy's arms. I smile. This is amazing. Mister Stewart actually came around. I stand up and walk over to him. "Thank you, Mister Stewart." I say. He shakes his head and says: "Let me give you a hug, Lilly." and he wraps me up in quite a bear hug.

Miley and I sit back down and immediately cuddle up together. Mister Stewart smiles expressionless after that. I know he's thinking about his wife again. It pains them so much, I could never imagine what they must be going through.

"Jackson! You guys can come back now!" Mister Stewart shouts and then he looks at Miley. He gets up and as the others come back we all look at where he's going. He's heading for the car and comes back with two bags. But not just any bags. Gig bags for guitars! I knew they would take them!

Miley takes her bag and gets out her guitar, so does her dad. His is a left-handed one. He says: "We want to tell a story … a story with music. Miley and I have practiced. What she didn't know was about my little speech now. I want to make sure that I'm always there for my kids, that I'm their solid rock … that doesn't just crumble … "

After both tuned their guitars Robbie Ray started hitting the strings and Miley joined in shortly afterwards. She was the first to sing the first few lines: "I didn't wanna listen to what you were sayin' … I thought that I knew all I need to know … "

When I'm listening to Miley's voice, I'm falling into a trance-like state. Her singing just packs me and doesn't let me go, until long after she stopped. Everybody listens carefully to what they were singing. Also Robbie Ray's voice is very captivating in a way … both of them sound very good together. It fits perfectly when they sing. It's actually like they're taking us through a story both of them have been through and want to share with us.

When their voices stop and the sound of the strings fade we all clap shortly. It was a very nice song about how their relationship is built up. Trust … love … support. I knew Mister Stewart is not an asshole, and he just proved it.

"I also wrote a song about momma. I've been working on it for a few weeks or so. It's very special to me and I want to sing it out for mom. I'm sure she's listening right now … " Miley then says, with wet eyes. I stroke her back and she starts playing and then also singing. It's the song which I heard before, soon after we started dating. I didn't know she was working on it that hard. But it's very cool, very sad but yet powerful. I'm also sure her mother is listening to her baby girl right now. I feel tears stinging in my eyes, so I close them and listen to the soft but raspy sound of my girlfriend's voice.

As she ends the song there's a very long silence. She lays her guitar onto the bag and cuddles up to me again. She sighs, and after a very long time, Miley is the first to speak: "I really miss her right now … "

It hurts me to see her like that. Her mother was such a loving person, it's cruel that she had to die. I stroke her softly. I can see Miley's dad nodding and he responds: "We all do, Miles … that's why we will hold together and I'm sure all of our friends will support us as well."

I nod and smile lightly. Oliver and Joanie nod and smile at the three Stewarts. Jackson then also speaks up for a change: "She was the most special woman in my life and she will live on in my heart forever. May momma rest in peace and never be forgotten." he stands up and gets some cups, fills them with soda and hands them to us all with a smile. Jackson raises his glass and says in a firm voice: "To momma! Let's let her live in us!"

"To Susan … " Robbie Ray chimes in and after that, everybody does the same. It's a very emotional moment, but the family needs it. It's great to see them cheering themselves up and it also feels great to be part of their lives, helping them getting out of their worst days.

We all drink a sip of the soda and after a long silence, we start discussing other topics to lighten up the mood again. They are the coolest people I've ever hung out with. It's their story what makes them so special, their loss that keeps them together so tightly. I'm glad I met Miley and I'm even more glad that we're dating and that her daddy now finally accepts us. I'm happy. A little over a month ago this was hard for me to imagine.

A/N: Okay, hopefully I can finish the next chapter soon. I really hope the separators will stay xD okay, I'm gonna shut up now and continue writing, haha ;D