Well, this only took two years, but here is the next one.

I've worked over the older chapters just a bit, hopefully making them better. If you feel like you need to go back and read them again, please do so. I know I did.

I plan to post every two weeks.

Special thanks to Fran and Shahula for their help on this story. It wouldn't be the same without them.

And always, THANK YOU for reading and reviewing. Your messages of continued support, now and during my absence, mean the world to me, and I hope I don't disappoint from this point forward.

Tons of love, Jenn

*Bpov*

Nash.

I rushed past Jasper and Alice, welcoming the fatherly embrace that I'd missed for far too long.

In that moment, nothing else mattered.

I'd waited and wondered when I'd see him since I arrived in Chicago. In his arms, I found comfort and compassion. The tears flowed freely down my face. He whispered my name, and it was a bittersweet reminder of the last time I'd seen him; the day he'd left me behind.

Four years ago, I'd begged and pleaded for him to take me with him. He'd always told me to remember that I was nothing like my mother - to be cautious with my trust in her and to call him if things got too bad. After a sorrowful apology, he'd closed the front door behind him. I'd screamed aloud and told my mother how much I hated her for making him leave. I cried for days, and it was as if a part of me had died. A few weeks later, I met Angela, and over time, her friendship filled the void in my heart.

"I can't believe you're here," I whispered, looking up at him. He smiled, hugging me once more before releasing me.

"Look at how you've grown," he boasted. "You're a real beauty, Bella." His tender words warmed my heart.

"Thank you," I said, sniffling.

"Here, sweetie." Alice handed me a tissue. Her eyes were red and a little puffy.

"Thanks." I wiped my eyes and then my runny nose.

Nash looked behind me.

"Edward, good to see you, again."

He and Edward shook hands.

"Nash."

Edward winked and smiled down at me. Suddenly, I longed to be closer to him. The instant impossibility made my heart sink.

Nash cleared his throat.

"Bella, I was wondering if you'd like to spend a few days with me? It seems we have a lot to catch up on."

I nodded, smiling.

"I'd like that."

"If you want to pack some things, we'll leave when you're done."

"I'll help you," Alice quietly offered, stepping to my side.

"Sure."

After picking up some Chinese take-out, Nash and I arrived at his penthouse apartment. He showed me the guest room where I'd be sleeping and then we went into the dining room to eat.

"So," Nash began, scooping out some Orange Chicken from the container, "tell me how things have been over the years."

"Good." I shrugged. "I mean... until recently."

He nodded politely, chewing his food but staying quiet.

We ate in a comfortable silence for the next few minutes. When we were both full, we took our plates and the remaining food to the kitchen.

"Would you like to have our little talk tonight or tomorrow?" Nash asked, placing the dishes in the sink.

"Now, is fine," I answered, figuring it would be best to get it over.

I followed him into the living room, where he kicked his shoes off and sat down on the sofa, propping his feet up on top of the coffee table. I curled up in the chair across from him.

"How bad were things before you left?" He asked softly.

"Honestly, I thought everything was going fine. I had no clue we were broke, and my tuition ... Well I was devastated to say the least."

"Last I knew, your mom had a good paying job."

I nodded.

"Yeah, but her boyfriend moved in and didn't work for months."

He shook his head, briefly closing his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Bella."

"It's not your fault. I mean … You're not my ..." I stopped, realizing what I'd almost said, when in reality, Nash had been my dad when he lived with us.

He sat up, re-positioning himself.

"I may not be your father, but I cared. I still do, and it was careless of me to have entrusted Renee with something so valuable." I shrugged, internally agreeing with him. "The fact is, because of my lapse in judgement, you're not at school right now … And that's a bitter pill for me to swallow."

His words made me think of Angela and the plans that we'd made during our senior year of high school. Dreams that were shattered by my mother - not Nash. And I should never have trusted her either. I could have done something, too.

"I should have applied for scholarships."

He sighed. "Don't you dare take blame for this, Bella," he gently scolded. "None of this was your fault." He removed his feet from the table and placed his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands together. "I might have some news that will make this situation a little brighter for you though." I looked up, giving him my full attention, wanting him to continue. "See, I have a client who just so happens to be on the board at said college that you applied to. He and I go way back, and I may or may not have called in a favor." He paused, and I squirmed in my seat from anticipation of his next words. "Your first semester's tuition is paid in full, and classes start next week."

My mouth fell open.

"Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack." He smiled, and I jumped out of my seat, running over to him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Thank you," I chanted a few times before releasing my grip and sitting beside him.

He winked. "Anything to see you smile again, kid."

Seconds later, the realization hit me that in a few days, I'd no longer be here in Chicago but in Arizona; nearly two thousand miles away.

My heart sank at the thought of leaving Edward. What would happen to us if I agreed to go? Just yesterday, I'd boldly confronted him about how he felt about me. He'd confessed with the most passionate of kisses before asking me if I wanted him. Of course, I'd told him yes, and he promised to remedy the situation with Rose. We'd grown closer over the last couple of weeks, and today was one of the happiest I'd had in a long time. Now this bittersweet offering before me threatened to destroy everything.

"Bella?" Nash asked, concern covering his face. "What's wrong?"

"I ..." I paused, struggling to speak. "I don't know if I can leave." Him. The whispered words were barely out of my mouth when Nash hugged me tightly.

He sighed. "Bella," he said, looking me in the eye. "I know about you and Edward."

I gasped.

"You do? How?"

He nodded. "He told me himself that he cares a great deal about you, as do I. This is why I'm asking you to carefully consider pursuing things further with him at this time."

I frowned. "I don't understand. You think we shouldn't be together? I thought you liked him."

He shook his head. "I'm not saying that at all. Honestly, I think you could be good for one another. However, circumstances as they are right now, it's not the best timing. I think you should focus on your education and he has his own issues with which to deal."

"You mean Rose."

He nodded.

"Edward called me a few days ago, and while I can't go into the details of our conversation, he wants to make some big changes - ones that Rose isn't going to like. If things aren't handled properly, it could jeopardize everything for him."

I sat back, blowing out a deep breath.

"What things? Please tell me something, Nash."

"If Rose discovered that you two were together right now, while you're underage, he could very well lose his private visitations with Grace. I'm not saying he would, but it's a good possibility. Rose's attorney is an even bigger bitch than she is."

"Does Edward know about all this?"

"I warned him about your relationship, but we haven't sat down to talk in depth about everything. I wanted to talk with you first. "

"So, he doesn't know that I might be leaving in a few days."

He shook his head. "I figured that was something between you and me, and that was arranged right after Jasper initially told me what happened with your mom." He sighed, blowing out a deep breath. "Look, your tuition is already paid for in Arizona, and I even arranged it so that you could stay off-site, in my apartment a few blocks from campus. I'll set up a bank account for you, too."

I rubbed my face with my hands, mulling over the reality of the situation.

"Why does this feel like a bribe?"

"It's not like that at all, Bella," he said softly, rubbing my arm. "I'd never intentionally tear you and Edward apart when it's apparent how much you both care about each other. I've been around the block a time or two, and I've learned that if things are meant to be, no amount of time apart will change that."

I leaned against his shoulder. "What if you're wrong?"

"Impossible," he whispered, laughing and kissing my head. "But always know that I'm here for you no matter what happens, sweetheart."

After a few yawns, Nash and I parted ways for the night. Settling into bed, I quickly sent an email to Angela, informing her of what was going on and asking for advice. Just after I hit send, my phone buzzed from an incoming text message.

- I miss you -

Edward's words struck my heart and sent my emotions reeling again. After replying with the same response, I stared at the screen for as long as possible - my tearful and heavy-lidded eyes finally won the battle.

Over the next couple of days, Nash and I spent quality time together. He showed me around the city that he loved so much, and I'd never felt more loved and cared for by a parent. So what if he wasn't my real dad. Nash Whitlock proved that blood isn't always thicker than water.

I was sad to part from him two days later, even though he lived minutes away.

"Does Jasper know about Edward and me?" I asked as he drove us back to Jasper and Edward's apartment.

Nash nodded. "He suspected something, and I'm afraid my face gave it away. My son knows me too well. That's what we were discussing when you and Edward came home on Monday night."

I blew out a deep breath.

"What did he have to say about it?"

"Bella, he loves Edward like a brother, too. He's concerned, like I am, for the both of you and how this could potentially turn out."

I stared out the window, taking his words into consideration.

He cleared his throat as he parked the car outside of the apartment building.

"Have you made any headway with your decision?"

"Yeah, I think so," I began quietly. "And I should talk to Edward before you do... about the court thing. He may change his mind."

Nash looked over at me with the utmost amount of compassion. My answer must've been written on my face.

"I'll be here for you when you need me, Bella."

"Thank you, Nash."

And there you have it, folks. Thank you for reading.

Until next time...