I do not own the Twilight story or any of its characters or settings.

I just like messing with Stephenie Meyer's characters in my own plots!

Back at the Almost Beginning

Alice stood in the doorway between her apartment and the stairs leading down to the street. She looked carefully around her place before she headed downstairs to open her bar for the very first time.

Her apartment is small, but cozy with just enough room for her. To the immediate right from the door she was standing in is the living area. It held a three seated, black leather couch making a corner with a red, micro-suede chaise lounge. A flat screen television was attached to the wall with floating shelves next to it for all of the electronics that went with it.

Moving her eyes past the living area, she took in the kitchenette. There was a stainless steel microwave, stove, and refrigerator. It was just big enough for one person to work in which is fine with her because she doesn't cook much anyways.

The next room was the reason the kitchenette was so small. The bathroom was designed Alice's mother and fit for a princess. There was a large, square sink set into a quartz counter top with a brushed nickel faucet. The shower stall was across the room from that and housed five different shower heads. Her dad said he might run over for showers when he was on duty at the firehouse. The tub next to the shower had several jets along the sides and was big enough for three people to sit, two people to fool around in, or one person to float in.

The bedroom area was filled with her king size bed that she had since high school. She still loved it. It has gotten her through the cramps of her first period, slumber parties for her best three girls, excitedly getting ready for first dates in high school and college, several break ups with those same guys, and the first time she had sex. It was covered in her silvery blue, satin comforter that was made for her by her grandmother before she died. She could only see the parts that were hanging down because the top was covered in a mound of clothes that she had rejected to wear tonight.

Thinking of tonight, Alice shut the door and locked it. She ran down the stairs and bounced out of the street-level door. She was so excited and energized that she ran smack into her dad. He steadied her while his rich, baritone laugh filled the air warmed her to the core.

"I let everyone inside. Your mother is watching the bar along with your waitresses." He said resuming him thinking stance with his legs shoulder width apart and his arms crossed. He looked intimidating to anyone, well to anyone, but his little girl. Alice nodded her head subtly and stood next to him soaking in his strength.

"Alice, are you sure you want to do this?" Carlisle Cullen, the Port Angeles Fire Chief, asked after they stood with their backs to the fire house across the street for a few moments. "It is not too late to take that marketing job in Seattle."

"I want to do this, Daddy." She said again. She had said that phrase so many times she was thinking about recording on her phone so she could stop having to actually say it. "You want me to take a job all the way in Seattle? Seattle, you know, the where you would rarely get to see me. Besides, Dr. Gerandy will worry me to death giving me tons of pamphlets about avoiding stress." When he sighed, Alice continued. "Besides, it is too late to take that job because I own a bar. I own a bar that you helped me buy, that mom helped decorate, and that your guys helped me fill up with liquor."

"I just want you to be successful and happy in your life." He said giving her a hug around her shoulders. "You are my little girl and I only want the best for you."

"Then, be happy for me, Daddy." The small pixie said as she went up on her toes to kiss his cheek. "I'm happy and this bar will be successful, even if I only have fire fighters as patrons. Plus, working on the bar has helped me to set goals for myself and be healthier than I have been in a long time. I have wonderful parents, great friends, and a soon to be thriving business."

They were caught in their father-daughter moment bubble by her mum, Esme Cullen. She swung open the bar door and leaned against the door frame. "Are you two done having your moment yet? The childish ones are watching out of the windows. They are taking turns at faking your voices and having ridiculous conversations that are not at all appropriate. These firemen want beer. I am not the one with the liquor license, the ability to fill a glass from the tap, or the skill to open the bottles."

"That's what the waitresses are there to help with, Esme." Carlisle said laughing at his wife.

Alice just smiled sheepishly as she shook her head and headed in. At the door, she turned around. "Coming, Dad?"

"Of course, I am." He said starting to follow his daughter. "Question, since I did help buy the bar, do I get free drinks?"

She rolled my eyes and linked arms with her father as she laughed at him. "Mom would kill me, but you do get the half off daddy discount." Alice said as she closed the door behind them to go pour the Fire Pit's first beer for her dad.

Author's Note~

I am very excited about this story. I have had a couple of bad years & this story has helped me get the angst out. It takes a couple of twists and not everything is explained right away. Some things cannot be known until the end.

I don't have a beta, so all of the mistakes I own. If you find any big mistakes, send me a private message & I can fix it. I hope you enjoyed the first actual chapter of this story. Let me know what you think, like, love, or hate!

~KaliCali77