All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer; I just like to play with her characters.

No copyright infringement is intended.

HUGE thanks to my betas darcysmom and twimom817 as well as my prereader EdwardsMyObsession1971. Without these ladies, this wouldn't be worth reading.

So this is the final chapter of Never Let Go – this is the ending I envisioned from the beginning. Kind of bittersweet for Bella and Edward and I hope you like it. See you at the bottom.

Never Let Go

Chapter Thirty-Six

Twenty Two Months Later ….

"How was your first day of class, baby?"

"Mmm, it was good … I think."

"Did you have any problems finding it?"

"No," I giggled. "I found the building just fine, Edward. You are such a worry wart."

"I want to make sure you're okay here, baby."

I'd been in L.A. almost three months. Edward found a great apartment for us to move into, not far from campus. I could ride my bike to class, and if we needed to go anywhere else, we had Edward's car. I was still learning my way around, but I was much better off than I was when I first arrived.

"I am okay here, Edward. You take good care of me."

"Good, because if I didn't, Charlie would have my ass."

"Yes, he would. And don't think that he doesn't check up on you."

"I wouldn't dream of it, baby. In fact, I'm counting on it."

"How was practice today?"

"Exhausting, as usual, but I think we're ready for the game tomorrow night. You're coming right?"

"Mmmhmm. I have my class in the morning and then I have to go and get your parents from the airport. They can rest while I'm in my afternoon classes and then we'll head to the stadium."

Edward was recruited by the Dodgers and signed a one year contract. He worked his ass off on a daily basis to keep up his grades and still play. Somehow he managed it all and still found time to take care of me – even though I was doing much better and didn't require looking after.

I spent two years at UDub before transferring to USC to be with Edward. During those two years I continued my therapy sessions with Claire in Port Angeles, and together we worked through my issues and fears until I felt like I could stay afloat without therapy. Edward was unfailing with his love and support, and although it was from afar, it was enough. I needed to heal without using Edward as a crutch and when he was removed from the equation, my progress was remarkable.

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out, baby."

"I sure do, Slugger."

Edward's days were filled with practices and games – both home and away. We hated when he had to leave for away games, but I wouldn't have traded his homecomings for anything. Most of his coursework was done online and he was still on track to receive his Bachelor's degree when I received mine. Edward's offer from the Dodgers was unexpected, but they needed a shortstop, and the scouts seemed to love Edward. It was an offer that he couldn't refuse and USC was willing to work with him and allowed him to play.

"I have to get some homework done, wanna keep me company?"

"Sure."

Most of our evenings were spent doing homework, and if we were home together, we did our best to keep each other company without driving one another to distraction – and Edward was easily distracted.

He was incredibly sexy sitting on our couch with his feet up on the coffee table. Edward was wearing basketball shorts and his gloriously bare chest was proudly on display. His laptop was perched precariously on his lap, but it was the pencil in his mouth that was driving me crazy. A notebook was sitting on the couch beside him and every now and then he'd jot down notes on whatever it was he was reading on the screen in front of him. He was so innocently sexy and he had no idea.

"What?" He asked, as he looked over at me on the other end of the couch.

"Is that eraser good?"

"Not particularly, why?"

"Because you're chewing on it and it's driving me crazy."

"In a good way or a bad way?"

"Oh, Slugger, I think you know exactly how it's driving me crazy, but unfortunately for you, you still have studying to do."

"You're no fun, baby."

"Oh …" I laughed. "I'm lots of fun, baby."

"Yeah? I think we should put that theory to the test."

"Oh ho! Oh no! You need to finish. Remember, good things come to those who wait."

"Yes, they do," Edward smirked. "They also come to those who never let go."

Fin.

A/N: Annndd that's all I wrote. If some of you are disappointed that there was no wedding and ride off into the sunset, I'm sorry. I'm sure that would eventually happen, but there is a lot of progress still for this couple to make before they get there. =)

So … I've started writing a new story but I don't have a date as to when I'm going to start posting it. As of now I have 7 chapters written and 6 of those chapters are with my beta and prereader. My prereader LOVES it so far and she's begging me for more. I'm crazy busy in the next couple weeks with work and vacation, but I hope to get a little writing done while I'm on vacay, but I can't promise anything! I want to get a little further along in the story before I begin to post because not long after I get back from vacation – school starts – for both me and my kiddo. So that doesn't leave me a lot of time, but we shall see.

SO … without further ado … here is the summary for "Learning to Live"

Two lives struck with tragedy struggle to find a way to live again. Can they get past the hurt and find their way to each other and learn together?

Bella moves to a new town and purchases an old house that needs a lot of work. The house isn't the only thing in need of repair. After befriending the Cullen's Bella is well on her way to having the house of her dreams and along the way, she meets a handsome, damaged man who needs her as much as she needs him. Edward is a jack-of-all-trades, but there is a tenderness to him underneath his standoffish persona. Bella wants to help him shed his rough exterior so they can heal together.