I do not own twilight or it's characters, nor do I own the songs included in this story. PLEASE STAY WITH ME THE CHAPTERS ARE GOING TO GET REALLY LONG! SORRY!

Chapter 8. Catching Up the Last Four Years.

It's been four and half years since I moved to California, and even though school took up most of my time and was stressful, life was perfect. Living with Emmett was better than I ever thought it would be, he went to great lengths to insure I was happy and healthy. He always made it a point to spend lots of time with me when he came home from location shoots. We spent the time we had together riding the horses, working on our trucks (yeah, he bought me one for my graduation from the RN program),playing poker and video games, drinking A LOT, and throwing parties like we used too; however the neighbors didn't appreciate it much (these people don't know how to party).

Not only had I become even more close with Emmett, but I had forged a very strong and close relationship with Esme. In the beginning she would drop by and see me while she was in town, visiting her sons. But, after a year of talking on the phone at least twice a week (usually because she would call me), and seeing her every few months, she began coming to visit me, even when her sons we not in town! I even spent a few spring breaks with her, either cruising the Bahamas, or going to Vegas, even Cabo once! I'll tell you for a mother of two, twenty something sons, Esme could party it up! I guess I filled the void she had by not having a daughter and she filled my void of not having a mother. Esme never expected me to be a different person than who I was, and she never tried to change me, but she definitely rubbed off on me. She had a grace and a aura that screamed "LADY", but she also was a country girl at heart. So, I learned from her, how to balance the two (well I tried to balance the two). Esme came to both of my graduations she was one of my biggest supporters. She always had encouraging words of wisdom, and was always there for me when I needed her. She was the mom I always wanted, but never had.

On my first day of school I met Alice. She is a very small, short black spiky haired, privileged, shopaholic pixie-like girl, that is two years older than me, and had more energy than one person should ever have. We sat together in our first class, and she asked me to have lunch with her (if only I knew what I was getting myself into!). From that day on, Alice and I were inseparable, as she was also with my wardrobe. She hated everything I wore and refused to go into public with me, unless she had dressed me! Emmett approved of her, and actually began to think of her as a little sister, since she was always at the house, he even gave her the nickname "Alice in wonderland" (he thought her energy was outrageous, and that she was a little "out there"). She stayed with me every time Emmett was working. Apparently she had a three bedroom flat in downtown, but felt lonely, so staying with me worked perfect for the both of us. Alice was a true California girl! She loved the mall, and pedicures, she had a purse and shoe obession, and did I mention she was very privileged? Her mother was the biggest agent in Hollywood, and her father owned a shitload of nightclubs throughout the country. She loved playing Bella Barbie and, even allowed me to teach her how a "redneck girl" would do things. She is the Ying to my Yang, complete opposites that just balance each other out. We helped each other through RN school, and then Nurse Practioner school. We even took the opportunity to work for Doctor Madikians, at UCLA, once we had graduated, so we would not have to be separated.

I called Charlie and Jake at least once a week. I missed them both severely but oddly enough I liked living in LA. I had a sense of freedom, and pride, I was living my dreams (well, part of them). And, Emmett made sure I flew back to Georgia for the holidays when he was working, and he would fly Charlie and sometimes Jake out for the holidays he had off. Alice even flew back to Georgia with me, and surprisingly, she liked Desoto.

Flashback

ALICE AT A PARTY IN GEORGIA

Charlie, Alice, and I pulled onto the driveway. Charlie had picked us up from the airport; this was Alice's first trip to Desoto. She had joked all week, asking me "is there running water and electricity?", or "do I have to use a outhouse?", "Will I have to bath in a horse tough?", "I'm not going to be forced peel my dinner off the road, am I"?. I would just roll my eyes while she snickered. I was the one snickering now. Her eyes were the size of saucers, and all that was coming out of that small but loud mouth of hers was, "wow….so pretty….oh look…wow….so beautiful….look at all the trees".

She looked at me when the trucked stopped in the front of the house. "This is where you grew up? It's so…so….amazing…I mean, there is nothing but fields and cows for miles…definitely no Starbucks or malls, but Bella….it's just so…so….well, amazing"

I just smiled, grabbed her hand, dragged her out of the truck and said, "You aint seen nothing yet Ally". I pulled her into the house and gave her a quick tour, before Jake and Charlie put all our luggage in our rooms.

"When did you start packing so much B?" Jake smirked at me.

"Don't ask me, ask her" I pointed at Alice. She had taken it upon herself to pack for me, and well, I have learned you don't fight with Alice. I knew I still had a lot of my clothes here at the house, so I really didn't care what she brought me, I wasn't going to be wearing any of it.

"Always be prepared, didn't you learn that in cub-scouts or whatever they have here"? Alice was starring down Jake with her hand on her hip.

"Yeah, well…we don't really need to be in cub-scouts here Alice…it's really like a way of life….so you kinda just learn all that "cub-scout" stuff from your grandparents and parents" he stuck his tongue out at her.

"Whatever!" she was now giving her the finger. Jake and Alice really liked picking on each other, it's something they did since they first met.

"Well, I leave you two….party is by Robertson's, we are all going there around 8:00pm….I guess I'll see you guys there" he waved bye, as he turned and walked away.

Alice began jumping up and down. "What do we do first Bella….this is so exciting…."

"Calm down Alice….How about you put these on and I'll take you for a ride on the Ranger (Polaris Ranger, a four wheel drive sooped up golf cart that goes over sixty miles per hour)." I threw an old plaid shirt and a pair of jeans at her.

"Oh no….I brought my own "farm" clothes….I'll meet you downstairs in ten minutes." she threw the clothes back at me and walked out of my room towards hers. I put on the clothes I had grabbed for her. Just an old pair of faded "Rockies" a off white tank top, and a cruel girl plaid, short sleeved, button up. I ran down stairs and began to tell Charlie our plans for the evening.

"I am going to take Alice out in the Ranger, and show her the property. Then around 8:00pm we will head over to the Robertson's….Embry, Jake, and Seth are throwing us a party……well it's really just their excuse to drink and use the field next to the Robertson's….Do you think you could go to the quick stop and grab Alice some wine coolers…I am not sure if she wants to drink beer and hard liquor."

"No problem Bells….it's going to be kinda embarrassing to by the wine coolers, but I'll just have to tell Faye, that they are for your friend from California….you owe me, big time….(he began chuckling)…..so I guess you plan on sleeping in your truck then, so I should expect you home till around 10:00am?"

"yeah, that 's if Alice will sleep in the back of the truck….hell, she might think she is "roughing" it!….You know-" I was interrupted by Charlie's widening eyes, and followed his view. There was little Alice in a red and white bandana-looking tube top, with a pair of daisy-dukes that looked distressed, a pair of cow-boy boots that looked more like high heels, and a gay-ass straw hat. I couldn't help it but I busted into laughter, Charlie followed soon after.

"WHAT?….what's so funny" Alice looked confused, as she frantically looked around to see what we were laughing at.

"Alice….you c-c-can't….we-wear t-t-t-that!" I was holding my sides and laughing so hard tears were streaming down my face.

"what? It's cute…very country….don't you like it?" She had her arms crossed and was pouting now.

"Alice, I don't want to hurt your feelings….but….that (I pointed)…is not country…it's….Charlie should I tell her? (he shook his head, mid-laugh, I began laughing harder)….Ally, it's…..well, it's something someone who lives in a trailer park would wear….we call it white-trash wear!" I had to sit myself on the floor, I was laughing so hard I could no longer stand.

"This (she waved at her outfit)…this cost more than someone who lives in a trailer park's trailer!….these boots alone cost seven hundred dollars!…you guys just don't know what fashion is!" she stomped her heeled boot on the ground and growled at us.

"look honey…maybe that's "country" in California, but it's not "country" here….it's something that you don't want to be (Charlie, went over and placed his arm around Alice's shoulders)…Bells and I don't want people to make fun of you…..down here in Georgia, people have different fashion tastes, sweetheart" Charlie was trying to explain in his softest voice.

Alice looked up at him with her piercing big blue eyes. "Really? People would make fun of me?….I don't want that…I don't want to embarrass you or Bella….I just wanted to fit in and look cute"

"Ally, I think you do look cute, huh, Charlie? ( he shook his head)…..But come on, let's see if we can make your outfit….fit in…ok?" I smiled my sweetest smile at her.

"I can't believe I am going to say this….Bella, I would love for you to help me pick out some better clothes". She looked almost pained by her statement, I think she even winced, when she said "better". I grabbed her hand and we ran upstairs.

Three hours later we had agreed on her outfit and we walked downstairs. Alice was wearing one of my old Aura plaid shirts that Jake's mom had bought me (it was pink, yellow, and white plaid…I don't do pink), she had a white tank top underneath it, and she buttoned it up to the button right below her breasts, the Tank top was cut low, so she had put on a really good push-up bra and had some cleavage showing, but not too much where she would end up looking trashy. Then she had tied the bottom of her shirt in a knot at her waist. She kept the Daisy-Dukes on, but changed her boots to a pair of pink, tall Fat-baby Ariat boots (Jake's mom had bought them too. Thank god Alice and I had the same size foot). We had ditched the hideous straw-hat. She actually looked like she belonged here in Desoto.

"Wow, Alice, this outfit is much better….you look like a Georgia Peach" Charlie smiled at her.

"Thanks Charlie!….I guess we are going to skip the Ranger tour, and head over to the party….apparently we won't see you tonight….we will be sleeping in the (gulp) bed of Bella's truck?"

"Don't worry Alice you'll be too drunk to care where you are sleeping" Charlie mock whispered to her, and then winked.

"Alright Dad, we are headed out…I love you" I gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, Alice did the same and gave him a weak smile and "bye" as we walked out of the house.

We walked out to my old pick-up (a 2004 red crew cab Chevy, with a huge lift kit on it, making it ridiculously tall. It had Nerf bars, KC lights, a brush guard and an awesome stereo system.) Charlie had bought it for me when I turned sixteen, it was used, but in cherry condition. Jake and I had worked on it, and made it the envy of every teenage boy, and most grown men in Desoto. I opened the door, jumped and then use that momentum along with pushing on the door and pulling myself up with the seat to get in. I put the keys in the ignition hooked up my I-pod, then turned to tell Alice how long it would take to get there and who would be there, but she wasn't there. I crawled over the bench seat and peered out of the window. If the sight of her all "White Trashed" out was funny, the image of her jumping trying to get a hold of the door handle was hysterical. I pulled the door handle and pushed the door open, she stood back with her hands on her hips scowling at me.

I was laughing uncontrollably again. "I am so sorry Alice, I didn't even think….here give me your hand I'll pull you up" I held out my hand and she took it.

"Ok, stop laughing! And on the count of three pull me in, I'll jump!…ready?…One….Two…Three….ugh….there….see that wasn't so hard, and NOT funny!" she was now sitting in the passenger seat fighting back a smile and a giggle.

"Your right…it wasn't funny….it was hysterical" we both burst into laughter. Once we stopped laughing, I told her "it's going to take about ten minutes to get there…if a girl named Leah or Emily comes up to you and gives you attitude tell them to fuck off….we don't like them…ok? (she nodded)…..stay around Me, Jake, Embry, or Seth at all times….Me and the guys will be able to dissuade guys from attacking you…..you are the "new meat"( I winked, she just rolled her eyes)….things can get a little wild out here, but you have nothing to fear, ok? (she nodded again)….there is going to be lots of alcohol….beer, moonshine, jungle juice…which you probably will really like, but if you don't there is wine coolers in the ice chest, also there is water bottle in there too, have a few before you go to bed tonight….people will be shooting guns, and there will be a big bon fire….I guess the thing you might appreciate the most is you don't have to worry about anyone, touching you inappropriately, or slipping something into your drink….everybody here has grown up with each other, and so people rarely do stupid shit……oh…and if anyone asks you to play a game of Tequila shot death match, say no…I don't think you could handle that much tequila……when we get there I'll set out our sleeping bags, so when ever you get tired you can just climb in the back of the truck and pass out…have one of the boys lift you up there though, I don't want you to break your neck….so you have any questions? (she shook her head no)…ok…well….I think that's all then…..oh, Ally? (she eyed me)…have fun and enjoy the craziness!" at that I turned on the perfect song. "this is too get us in the mood to party" I smiled as I turned on "Down on the Farm" by Tim McGraw.

Every Friday night there's a steady cloud of dust, that leads back to a field filled with pickup trucks.

Got 'ol Hank crankin way up loud, got coolers in the back, tailgates down,

There's a big fire burnin but don't be alarmed, it's just country boys and girls getting down on the farm.

Ed's been on the tractor, aint seen Becky all week, somebody said they seen them headed down to the creek.

Farmer Johnson's daughter just pulled up in a Jeep, man he knows how to grow them if you know what I mean.

'Ol Dave is getting loud but he don't mean no harm, were just country boys and girls getting down on the farm.

You can't have a lot of fun in a New York minute, but there's some things you can't do inside those city limits.

Aint no closing time, aint no cover charge, just country boys and girls getting down on the farm.

Well you can come as you are, there aint no dress code, there just a few ruled out rules that you need to know.

Don't mess with the bull he can get real mean, don't forget to shut the gate, stay out of the beans.

If it starts a raining we'll just head to the barn, were just country boys and girls getting down on the farm.

You can't have a lot of fun in a New York minute, but there's some things you can't do inside those city limits.

Aint no closing time, aint no cover charge, just country boys and girls getting down on the farm.

Aint no closing time, aint no cover charge, just country boys and girls getting down on the farm!

Oh let's get down y'all…… stay out of that hay…..

By the end of the song we were pulling into the field, Alice was singing along to the song, and literally was vibrating with excitement in her seat. Who knew a "valley girl" would be so excited to party in the back woods?

"Bella look" Alice was pointing at the trucks that were taking turns 4x4 through the mud.

"yeah, pretty neat huh"?

"What are they doing? It looks like fun!….there has to be over fifty trucks here….Oh look at fire! (she started clapping and bouncing in her seat)….Oh, this is going to be so much fun!….Bella can we…umm….what's it called again?"

"4x4 (four-by-fouring)?" I smiled at her.

"YEAH! 4X4.….can we do it?" I had never seen Alice more excited, not even during a sale at Bloomindales!

"Sure, but hold on to your "oh-shit handle"…that right there" I pointed to the handle above her head on her right side.

Alice squealed in delight as we plowed through the mud, streams of it flew onto the windshield and ran down the windows of the truck. A few minutes later we were out of the mud pit and I drove over to park between Jake and Seth's trucks. I hopped out of the truck and Jake helped Alice out. Once her feet touched the ground she was jumping up and down, clapping her hands. Embry, Seth, Jake and I just started laughing.

"ooooooh! What do we do next! Jake do you like my outfit? Who are these guys? Should I start drinking now? Do I get to shoot a gun tonight? Oooooooohhhh!yay! Turn up the music!"

"Calm down there pixie! Alice the guy who just handed you the Jungle Juice is Embry, and the other guy is Seth" I announced as Embry handed her a large cup of Jungle Juice, and kiss her outstretch hand. Seth rolled his eyes at Embry and just tipped his hat to her.

"Nice to meet you both…..mmmmm this is good…..is it strong?…and did you get this out of a trash can!!!!?…is the fruit just for decoration?" Alice still was vibrating with excitement as she drank the jungle juice, and talked a hundred miles an hour.

"Yes, the juice came from a trash can, but I bought the trash cans new from the store, and washed them with bleach…..it's just easier to make the juice in a trash can, it's hard to find this big enough container, and they are easy to move…oh and (he winked)…my jungle juice is always strong, Angel….the fruit isn't just for decoration, it's been soaking in the juice for a couple days….it soaks up the alcohol, so the more fruit you eat the drunker you'll get" Embry said while winking at Alice, and she blushed.

I Jake handed me a cup, and I gave him grateful smile. The began to set, causing the sky to look beautiful, purples and pinks filled the sky. Jake winked at me and ran over to his truck, I eyed him suspiciously. When he came back he had a huge smile on his face as he grabbed my hand and dragged me a few feet away from the trucks. "look at you girl" by Chris Ledoux, began playing and we began to dance. Embry politely asked Alice to dance and she took his hand as she handed Seth her cup.

The first line of the song began, and I laid my head into Jake's large warm chest. I looked over at Alice, she was standing on her toes, sway in Embry's arms. She had a blinding smile on her face as he sang the song to her.

Just look at you girl,

Standing here beside me,

starlight on your hair,

Looking like a dream I dreamed somewhere.

And look at me girl,

You got me acting just like a lover,

In an old time picture show,

How I got the part, I just don't know

But it's written all across your face, plain as it can be

You're the one that I was looking for,

Now your all that I can see.

And you mean everything to me, And I'd do anything, to have you stay forever,

I'm an ordinary man, but I feel like I can do anything in the world,

When I look at you girl.

Just look at you girl,

Walking here beside me

Misty morning light,

I see my own reflection in your eyes,

And you smile at me girl,

With eyes that tell a story,

That words can never say,

Telling me your love is gonna stay,

And were standing right together now,

In everything we do,

And if my world should come apart,

I'd still be lovin you.

Cuz, you mean everything to me, And I'd do anything, to have you stay forever,

I'm an ordinary man, but I feel like I can do anything in the world,

When I look at you girl…

Once the song was over, we walked back to Seth. "your Love" by Chris Ledoux began playing and I started west coast swinging with Jake, and singing along. Alice, came up and grabbed me by my arm, pulling away from Jake. Once we were a few trucks down she looked me straight in the face and said, "Ok so now I know why guys in California can't hold your interest! I have never felt so…..so….well hell…special?…when Embry was singing to me, it was like I was the only girl in the world!" Alice was blushing, and gushing at the same time.

"I think that, the jungle juice is getting to you…you always get all…."I need a man" when you drink (she gave me the stink eye)…I am not saying that Embry isn't an awesome guy…he is…quite sweet….but just remember we leave in two days…don't fall in love, Ally!" I winked at her.

"Hey, there is definitely something to the whole "country charm"…but that doesn't mean my pants are going to be charmed off….and I don't do "love"…you know that, I only do lust…that's it….and I can live with LUST for two more days" she winked "I am not like you Bella, I don't fall in love with guys I don't even know!…ohhh, McHottie, I've love you since I first saw you…oh wait I don't know what you really look like! Ohhh!" I smacked her in the arm and glared at her.

"Shut up Alice, I don't want that getting around! God it's embarrassing enough! And so what if I am in love with McHottie!…never mind….fuck off pixie!" She blew me a kiss, turned on her heel and shook her little butt as she walked back towards to the guys. "Save a horse ride a cowboy" by Big and Rich began playing, Seth picked Alice up and put her in the bed of his truck, once she was up there she began shaking her ass.

I leaned up against the truck next to Jake and Seth, Embry was too fascinated with Alice to pay any attention to me. "Looks like you can turn anyone into a redneck girl B" He began laughing as he tilted his head in Alice's direction.

"She is a wild one, isn't she?" Seth asked as he looked up at Alice, pretending to ride a horse and swing a lasso above her head.

"Yeah, I guess she is….but I had no idea!" I began laughing along with Jake. Then Alice summoned me, and Jake picked me up in one swoop placing my feet on the tailgate. Once up there I began dancing with Alice.

"SAVE A HORSE RIDE A COWBOY!…….RIDE A COWBOY….YEEEHAWW!" Alice started yelling.

The rest of night I introduced Alice to raccoon hunting, bonfires, and Jack Daniels. Embry stopped drinking to take care of her, which consisted of him basically carrying her everywhere. By the end of the night her plaid shirt was off and she was ridding around on Embry back screaming "save a horse ride a EMBRY!". He seemed to enjoy it though, he was going anywhere she wanted to go and was just shaking his head and laughing.

Seth Challenged me to Tequila shot Death Match, since he had not been able to beat my record. Alice decided she was going to be my cheerleader, and that Embry was Seth's. She would cheer. "G-O- go Bella, G-O go Bella!….Take the Shot, Take the Shot, man you are HOT!" Then she would make Embry say the same cheers for Seth. I kept having Tequila, shoot out of my nose! It was quite painful, but then I was so drunk I really didn't care. By the end of the game I gave Seth my hair tie, and he began throwing up. Once he was done he went to lay down in his truck, and we went to stand by the bonfire.

Leah, Lauren, and Emily were all sitting on Emily's tailgate, by the fire. I said hi as I passed by. Jake and I got into an intense conversation about Charlie's prize stud, and how many of it's foals look like they might turn out being champion cutting horses. Then all the sudden I heard, " WE, don't like you…..or your face!….that's right….I don't like your face!"

Jake and I turned to see a very wobbly drunk Alice, waving her finger in Leah's face. I ran over to her, apologizing to Emily.

"don't apologize Bella, WE(she point to me then to herself) don't like them" Alice was now swaying back and forth, trying to push Embry away. While Embry was trying to distract her enough, to get her to walk away.

"Alice it's ok…..calm down…..This is Emily, a very good friend of mine….she is Leah's cousin…..Leah ( I nodded at Leah and she nodded back)….and Lauren is Emily's best friend…Lauren (I nodded at Lauren and she gave me a shitty smirk)….now come on lets go see if Seth is ok" I began to pull Alice away.

Alice stopped and turned around, she waved her finger at the three girls and slurred, "Emily, you are ok…I am sorry I yelled at you…..but you, and you…..your lucky Bella, saved you, you don't want any of this (as she waved at her own body)" She then did a sharp turn and screamed. "I need a drink! Embry, take me to the Jungle baby". At that she jumped onto Embry's back and he took off towards the trucks. Jake and I burst into laughter.

"Sorry you guys, I guess that city girl, got a little too country tonight" I was still giggling.

"It's ok Bella….that (Leah pointed towards Alice) used to be me" Leah gave me a genuine smile.

"huh?" I was confused.

"Oh, Jake didn't tell you…I stopped drinking….I haven't touch alcohol since you left!….I guess I got sick of having broken noses" she started giggling.

"That's great Leah….and I am sorry I used to break your nose, like once a month….I should work on my temper" I ran up to her and gave her a big hug.

"hey, I deserved it….the alcohol made me a person I never wanted to be…plus, you at least would carry me to Emily's truck….I knew deep down that you felt bad about it….and really I was ashamed for the way I acted!" She was giggling again.

"Well, I am proud of you!….and it's so nice to see you Leah!"

"Yeah, it's nice to see you too Bella…it's nice to see that California hasn't changed you…Charlie is always telling my Dad, how good you are doing in school…..he's really proud of you, ya know?" Leah hopped back onto the tailgate.

"It's always to know (I smiled)….well I better go check on Alice" I waved to them as I ran towards the trucks. As I got closer to the trucks I saw, Alice sitting on Jake's tailgate, her feet dangling, and her hands flying all around her body; she must be telling a story.

"AND THEN!…..oooooohhhh!…..Bella punched the guy straight in the kisser!….it was outrageous!" The whole group was laughing with her.

"What lie are you telling now Alice?" I asked her suspiciously.

"Oh, just telling the boys about how you kicked that guys ass, you know Laurent…..that crappy actor Emmett always had over?" She was nodding her head frantically.

"yeah, that guy was the KING of douche-bags! He grabbed my ass during poker night….what kind of "friend" grabs your little sister's ass?" Everyone including me was laughing.

The night continued with drinking games, and Alice firing a shot-gun (scary!), the guys told her stories of us growing up, and Alice told them our stories. We all were the last one's up; by the time Alice decided to "hit the hay" Embry was holding her bridal style as she talked, drank, and laughed. He lifted here into the back of my truck and helped her get in her sleeping bag. Jake and I stayed up while everyone else went to sleep. Finally after we watched the sun rise, we climbed into our trucks and passed out.

The next two days, were spent recovering from a hangover, and showing Alice our farm. I taught Alice how to ride a dirt bike, and a quad. I even put her on a horse, then had a hell of a time, trying to get her off, she loved it too much. She went fishing in my pond with Charlie, one morning. And, loved driving the Ranger around the property. The boys came over and hung out with us both days. And then they all offered to take us to the airport for Charlie. Embry and Alice's goodbye was sweet, I really think she like him…and I would be surprised if he was in love, he sure look like it.

Once we got home Alice filled Emmett in on our trip. She told him she is a country girl now, and even brought home the clothes of mine she wore while we where there. She even asked Emmett if she could keep a horse at the house, if she bought one. Emmett was blown away by Alice's love of "southern charm" and most things country.

I hope you all are enjoying this story, loads of humor on their way! please R and R so I know I am headed in the right direction. plus if you have any suggestions that would make it funnier, please tell me! thanks