AN: Oh, hello... yeah, since ending AVCC, I've been writing this (what was supposed to be a NYE one-shot, but quite literally took on a mind of its own). Um, yeah. It'll be a fun... ride (you'll understand in a few chapters). I'm off a whole week from work (and still on break from school), so I'm gonna be pumping these chapters out, but I've written a little bit so far.

This is a companion fic to AVCC, so read that first or risk being mildly confused at certain parts!

I want to thank you all for the support for AVCC, I'm glad you all love this family like I do! It's fun writing them, lol. Enjoy!

December 31st 5:45 AM

The Cullen House, Forks, WA

The Cullen house was a frenzy of activity at 5:45 AM, the entire family hustling to load cars, sip hastily made coffee, and ensure nothing was left behind. The little kids—who were staying back with Nana, Carlisle Sr., and the undoubtedly regretting-it-already Siobhan and Liam—were still asleep, a blessing no one dared to disrupt.

We were on our way to Walla Walla, Washington, where Carlisle and Esme's longtime friends, Carmen and Eleazar, owned one of the most renowned wineries in the area, and they were hosting what Edward described as the New Year's Eve party of the year.

"They throw a legendary bash," Edward had said when convincing me to come along. "Last year was amazing. Trust me—you'll love it."

I wasn't entirely sold on the 7-hour drive to get there, but his enthusiasm—and the promise of wine—had been persuasive enough.

"I still don't understand why we couldn't just take one of those giant charter buses," Emmett grumbled, lugging a duffel bag toward his Jeep. "A whole family convoy feels like the Oregon Trail. Someone's definitely catching dysentery."

"Because no one wants to be trapped on a bus with you for seven hours," Rosalie shot back, tossing her sleek leather tote into the front seat.

Emmett grinned. "Your loss. I'm excellent company."

Edward and I emerged from the house, with me clutching a travel mug of tea and Edward looking annoyingly awake for this ungodly hour. "You sure you don't want to ride in the van?" I asked Edward, already dreading seven hours of Emmett's sense of humor.

Edward smirked. "Not a chance. You'll thank me when the van smells like James' feet by hour two."

"Hey!" James yelled from the porch, offended. "That was one time!"

"Yeah," Mike chimed in, "but it was legendary. The EPA got involved."

Carlisle waved a clipboard in the air like a frazzled camp counselor. "Alright, everyone, last call! Bathrooms, coffee, snacks—get them now or forever hold your peace. We're leaving in ten."

Esme, already in the driver's seat of the Ford Transit van, rolled down her window. "Angela, honey, grab that cooler from the porch. The one with the sandwiches."

"Yes, ma'am," Angela said dutifully, grabbing the cooler as Mike and James argued over who got the middle seat in the van.

I slid into the back seat of Emmett's Jeep, settling in next to Edward. The Jeep was surprisingly spacious, but it was clear this wasn't going to be a quiet ride.

"Comfy?" Edward asked, smirking as I tugged a throw blanket over our laps.

"For now," I muttered, glancing warily at Emmett. "But I give it ten minutes before I start questioning all life choices."

Emmett climbed into the driver's seat, clapping his hands together. "Alright, team, you ready for the best road trip of your lives?"

Rosalie groaned from the passenger seat. "Just drive, Emmett."

"Fine," Emmett grinned, revving the engine. "But don't come crying to me when you realize you're about to have the time of your life."

From the passenger side of the van, Carlisle waved his clipboard in the air one last time. "Everyone ready? Let's move out!"

Esme honked the van's horn as the convoy of cars began to roll out, each one packed with a mix of excitement, caffeine-fueled energy, and the promise of road trip chaos.

As soon as we hit the highway, Emmett had already set the tone for the trip. His "Ultimate Road Trip" playlist was a mix of rock anthems, '90s pop, and… The Macarena.

"Is this The Macarena?" Edward asked, incredulous, as Emmett started doing the dance with one hand on the wheel.

"Hell yeah, it is," Emmett said proudly. "You don't just listen to music, Edward. You experience it."

I laughed, leaning closer to Edward. "How does Rosalie not strangle him on a daily basis?"

"She tries," Rosalie deadpanned, slipping on a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

My phone buzzed with a text from Angela, who was riding in the van with Mike and James.

Angela: Mike and James are having a contest to see who can eat the most gummy bears without throwing up. Send help.

I snorted, showing the text to Edward. He smirked, shaking his head. "I give it another thirty minutes before Carlisle pulls over and threatens to leave them on the side of the road."

Meanwhile, Emmett was providing a running commentary on the scenery.

"Look at that barn," he said, pointing out the window. "That barn has seen things."

"Shut up, Emmett," Rosalie muttered, though I could see the faintest hint of a smile on her lips.

Then, he turned to me. "Alright, Bella. Road trip question time. Who's your dream celebrity hall pass?"

I blinked. "Uh…"

"Wrong answer," Emmett interrupted. "It's Ryan Reynolds. Everyone's answer is Ryan Reynolds."

Edward rolled his eyes. "This is why no one rides with you, Emmett."

"Hey," Emmett said, mock-offended. "She hasn't said no yet."

I grinned. "Fine. Ryan Reynolds."

"See? Told you," Emmett said, satisfied.

By the time we pulled into a gas station for a bathroom break about three hours into the ride, I was already regretting every decision that led to me being stuck in this car with Emmett McCarty.

"Why don't fish have sex in public?" Emmett asked, his voice oozing with mischief as he caught my eye in the rearview mirror.

I sighed, bracing myself. "Do I even want to know?"

"Because they don't want to cause a reef-er madness!" he hollered, slapping the steering wheel like it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. He laughed so hard he nearly snorted, and I swear my IQ dropped at least ten points just from being in his proximity.

"Oh my God," I groaned, pressing my forehead to the window. "You're singlehandedly destroying brain cells across America."

Rosalie whipped around in the passenger seat to glare at him. "One more fish pun, Emmett, and I swear to God I'm throwing you into the nearest lake."

"Come on, babe," Emmett said, his grin only growing wider. "Don't be shellfish! I'm just trying to keep the trip fin-tastic."

"That's it," I muttered, fumbling for the door handle as soon as the car came to a stop. "I'm going to the bathroom before my soul leaves my body."

"I'm coming with you," Rosalie said, already halfway out of the car. "If I stay in here any longer, I might actually kill him."

We slammed the doors in unison, leaving Edward alone to deal with Emmett. The gas station wasn't anything to write home about—faded signs, questionable cleanliness—but it was a refuge from the pun tornado raging in that car.

While we washed our hands inside, Rosalie shot me a knowing look. "If he makes one more fish joke…"

"I'll help you bury the body," I finished, completely serious.

When we made our way back to the car, I immediately noticed the gleam in Emmett's eyes. It was the look of a man who'd just discovered a new way to make everyone around him miserable. I hesitated by the door, debating whether I could get away with hitchhiking the rest of the way to civilization.

As I slid back into my seat, Emmett reached for his phone and grinned. "Alright, ladies, we're shifting gears. Next up: What's New Pussycat? on repeat."

"No," Edward said, his voice deadpan, his head tipped back against the seat like he was already planning his escape. "Absolutely not. I'm serious, Emmett."

"Too late," Emmett said, hitting play and cranking up the volume.

Rosalie groaned as she buckled in, throwing me a look that said, See what I deal with? Meanwhile, Edward shot me a desperate glance, mouthing, Help me.

I crossed my arms, glaring at Emmett. "If you don't turn it off, I'm not sharing my snacks."

"Not the snacks!" Emmett gasped dramatically, clutching his chest like I'd just stabbed him. "You wouldn't do that, Bells. You love me."

"I'm this close to proving otherwise," I said flatly, holding up my thumb and index finger.

Emmett laughed, completely unfazed, and leaned back in his seat. "Man, you two are no fun. Fine, I'll skip the song. But the fish jokes? Those aren't going anywhere."

Edward groaned, muttering something about needing divine intervention, while Emmett started queuing up the next monstrosity on his playlist. I sighed, leaning my head back against the window as the car pulled back onto the highway.

This was going to be a long road trip.