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

No copyright infringement is intended.

I forgot to mention last chapter – darcysmom has once again taken on beta-ing this project. HUGE thanks to her for her time and support.

Never Let Go

Chapter Two

"Come on, let's go play pinball."

Our fingers linked together, I followed Edward into the game room where we found Addams Family pinball – our favorite.

"You're first," Edward said quietly.

He really shouldn't have done that. I beat his score – badly. Thankfully, Edward was a graceful loser, and because he was my best friend I never rubbed it in. It's just how we worked.

"I can't believe you only have three days left of break."

"I know. I just … I just wish that I could stay here. My dad would love it, but it would kill my mom. He said I could come back whenever I wanted to – all I have to do is say the words."

"What does your heart tell you to do, Bella?"

I sighed and once again he linked our fingers shaking them between us.

"That I should stay with my mom for a while longer. She needs me, I have to stay. Yeah, I miss you and Charlie like crazy but she'd be in a strange place all alone and I can't do that to her."

A week later, I was sitting in my room in our cozy apartment reading a book when my mom whirled in with a smile on her face.

"What are you so happy about?" I asked.

"Well … while you were visiting your dad, I was working some extra hours at work. I met this wonderful guy while I was waiting tables. His name is Phil and he came to Vegas for the holidays because he doesn't really have any family to speak of and he wanted to have a good time."

"Uh huh … and?"

"Well, we kinda hit it off and he asked me to dinner. So we went out and really had a good time. He took me to a nice steakhouse and then he took me to see a show. He's such a nice guy, sweetie, and I just know that you'll like him too."

"So when is he coming over?"

"Umm … he's here now, actually."

"Mom!"

"Please, Bella?"

Phil was a nice guy. Mom said he was one of the nicer guys that she had met since leaving Forks. She dated a couple guys when we lived in Carmel but nothing serious, in fact she didn't even bother bringing them home to meet me. Phil was a first.

Over dinner he told me about himself. He was the head of the Athletics Department at the University of Phoenix in Arizona. He'd been there for three years and he loved his job. He was also the University's Head Baseball coach.

When Phil left to go back to Arizona, he and mom did the long distance relationship thing. Kinda like me and Dad and Edward – only mom's was a romantic kind of relationship – I think.

One of the first things I did when school started up again was get ready for the Spring Concert. Mr. C. had asked me to sing a solo and he said that if I had the time he'd work with me a couple days a week after school. At first I was intimidated by our sessions but as I sat and listened to the pianist play the song and Mr. C. carefully explained what I was looking at – it all began to make so much more sense. Then I couldn't wait for the days that I had those private sessions. Mr. C taught me more in those one-on-one sessions than I ever expected to learn. I came out of them learning how to read music, how to play a basic melody or harmony line on the piano, how to count, and most important – how to control my pitch.

I felt more relaxed with my second solo and while it was a lot longer than my first; it felt good doing an entire song on my own. I called my dad and told him all about it. He promised he'd be there.

The day before my concert, Dad called to say that he needed the address of the school because he would land and barely have time to make it to my concert.

"But you're still coming, right?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, baby girl."

The next night, I stood nervously in the girl's dressing room backstage. My mom said she'd bring my dad back as soon as he got there. The band and orchestra were playing before the choir sang and my solo was right in the middle of the choir's program.

I paced back and forth in the small room trying with everything I had to calm myself down. I was worried that my dad wouldn't make it and that would be devastating. I took a few deep breaths and chanted to myself that everything would be fine. My dad had never let me down before. I heard a knock on the door.

"Bella? Someone's here to see you," my friend, Angela, said softly.

I gasped when I saw Edward walking through the door.

"Edward!" I squealed. "Oh my gosh! You're here!"

I pulled him in for a quick hug and he laughed before I pulled back and our fingers found each other.

"Yeah, I'm here. Charlie told me you had a solo and there was no way in the world I'd miss it."

"Is my dad here?"

"Yeah, he's out sitting with your mom. He thought you'd want to see me more than him, so here I am."

I grinned.

"You are the best surprise. Ever."

Edward smiled my favorite crooked smile – one he saved only for me.

"Thanks. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I bet you were in here pacing the floor weren't you?"

I nodded sheepishly.

"Bella … you have the voice of an angel. Don't I always tell you that?"

I nodded again.

"I'm not lying. You are going to be great tonight. I bet you'll blow everyone away. Take a deep breath and relax."

"Bella?" I heard Mr. C. say from outside the door.

"Yeah?" I asked as he cracked open the door.

Mr. C.'s face looked a little panicked.

"We have a little problem. Our pianist came down with the flu and won't be able to make it tonight. She's the only one you've practiced your solo with and I'm a little worried that if I play and try to direct you it will throw you off. So … would you rather sing a cappella or should we remove you from the program? I don't want to force you if you're not comfortable."

"I can play," Edward said softly.

I looked at Edward worriedly. It wasn't his playing that worried me, I knew it would be great but like Mr. C. had said, I wasn't used to anyone else. I hated the thought of taking myself off the program – Edward and my dad had flown all that way to hear me sing.

"Bella … we can practice in here. There's a piano in here – just get me the music and we'll go over it until you're comfortable."

Mr. C. leaned in to me.

"Who is this kid?"

"Mr. C., this is Edward. He's my best friend from Washington. He came down with my dad to hear me sing tonight."

"Can he play?" Mr. C. asked.

I nodded. "Yeah … better than Ms. Mayer."

Mr. C. handed Edward the sheet music and told us we had about twenty five minutes so we had better get to work. We were good after the second run through – like an old sweatshirt – Edward and I just fit.

Mr. C. asked Edward to watch the choir sing from backstage and he told him he'd introduce him when he introduced my solo.

I vaguely remember Mr. C. saying my name and introducing Edward. Edward walked by me and took his place at the piano. I looked over at him and he was beaming at me. His eyes were warm and comforting and it was only in that moment that I knew I'd be okay. I took one more deep breath and nodded for Edward to begin. I ended on a perfect note and the audience began to clap and cheer. I waved Edward over and entwined my finger with his and we took a bow. Edward turned to me and smiled my smile and hurried off stage.

When the concert was over, I made my way out to the lobby where I found my parents and Edward waiting for me. Edward was holding a large bouquet of gerbera daisies.

"I'm so proud of you, Boo."

I smiled at Edward's use of a nickname he'd given me a long time ago. I'd forgotten he'd even called me that, but it made me smile.

"Thanks, Eddie," I grinned.

"Baby girl … that was damn worth the trip down here," My dad smiled widely. "I am so proud of you, Bella."

"Thanks, dad. I'm so glad you came. I can't believe you brought Edward with you too."

"He wouldn't let me come without him. Very insistent he was," Dad chuckled.

My mom hugged me and gave me the small bouquet of flowers that she had brought for me.

"Come on, let's go home. I made dessert," Mom said ushering us out of the auditorium.

I rode back to our apartment with Dad and Edward in their rental car. They told me they were staying until Sunday afternoon, so I was excited to have a little bit of time to visit with them. When we arrived at the apartment, I gave them the nickel tour. Our apartment wasn't very big, but it was clean, in a well-kept complex and the community was gated.

The high school I'd be starting at in the fall was just around the corner and I'd be able to walk back and forth to school every day. I was looking forward to high school.

After we ate dessert, Edward and I went into my room to hang out for a while. Dad and Mom wanted to talk, so Edward and I turned on some music and sat on the floor playing Speed and we chatted and laughed like we'd never been apart.

Edward and I ended up falling asleep on the floor in my bedroom. I woke up sometime in the middle of the night. Edward was still asleep and it looked like his duffle bag was set inside my bedroom door. I wandered out to the living room and there was an empty bottle of wine on the coffee table and a wine glass that was half empty. Everything was dark except for the nightlight over the stove. I peeked in the door to my mom's room and she was sprawled out in the middle of her bed snoring softly. I'd guessed that my dad had decided to let Edward sleep and he went back to his hotel.

I went back to my room and nudged Edward awake enough to help him crawl into my bed. He had done so much for me that night that the least I could do was let him sleep comfortably in my bed. I softly kissed his cheek and grabbed a blanket off the end of my bed and an extra pillow and went out to sleep on the couch.

I spent the rest of that day and night with my Dad and Edward. I stayed at their hotel that night so I didn't have to stay with Carlie. We had dinner and then my dad took us to Circus-Circus because Edward and I weren't allowed inside the casinos. So my Dad hung out with us while we played video games, pinball, and skeeball. My dad was actually pretty good at skeeball, and he and Edward might have gotten into a little competition over who could win me the biggest toy. Edward was triumphant – winning me an oversized panda bear that I secretly loved. Charlie took it all in stride and even offered to carry it around for me since it was roughly the same size as me.

The next morning, Dad had Edward and me up early. We grabbed some pastries and headed to Hoover Dam. I had been there once before with Mom and it was just as cool the second time as it was the first time around.

"Here, throw this and make a wish," Edward said, handing me a shiny penny.

"I thought that was only for wishing wells and fountains?"

"Maybe, but this is bigger so maybe you have a better chance of your wish coming true," Edward grinned.

I made a wish and flung my penny as far as I could.

Mom met us for lunch at the Hard Rock Café. It was actually a pretty cool place. I think Dad just wanted us to go somewhere where Edward and I would be distracted so that he could talk to Mom. They had tried to talk after my concert, but Mom didn't want to listen to what he had to say.

"I hate that they argue so much. It's all they do." I said softly as Edward and I looked at some of the music memorabilia on the wall.

"I know, Boo. Your dad just seems really worried about you. Charlie wants you to be safe, Bella. I want you to be safe."

Edward twined his pinky with mine and led me around the restaurant looking at various things until our food was brought out.

"You still planning on coming to Forks for the summer, Bella?" My Dad asked shortly after Edward and I returned.

"Umm, as far as I know yeah. I want to."

"Okay. You tell me when you want to come and I'll make the arrangements."

"Maybe after school gets out. I'd like to be there for Edward's birthday. Umm, I mean if that's okay with you, Edward."

Edward smiled widely at the idea.

"Yeah, Bella that would be great."

Dad promised that he would make the arrangements for summer as soon as he got home. Edward was happy that I'd be there for his birthday and I had something to look forward to. I hated telling them goodbye late that afternoon, but as they saying goes – all good things must come to an end.

Tears ran down my face as I hugged my dad and Edward goodbye.

"Chin up, Boo. I'll see you soon," Edward said sadly as he handed me a heavy envelope.

"My letters?" I asked, confused.

"Yup … it's tradition and I didn't miss a day." Edward smiled.

"Oh God," I said worriedly as I turned to run into my room and grab Edward's letters for the week from the box I kept them in under the bed.

"Here," I breathed, handing him the letters. "I missed yesterday and today, but next week I'll send extras to make up for it."

Once again, Edward linked our little fingers together and tugged on mine.

"I'll hold you to that, Bella."

I waved as I watched them drive away. I hated they had to leave but I was so glad they came.

I trudged back to my room and plopped down at my desk to work on some homework when my mom popped her head in the door.

"Did you have a good time with your dad and Edward?"

"Mmmhmm. I'm glad they came."

She nodded and looked at me sadly.

"What is it, Mom?"

"Bella, honey … Phil wants us to move to Phoenix."

"Mom … you've dated the guy for what, like four months? Most of that has been long distance. Don't you think it's a bit soon to be thinking about moving in with him?"

"Bella, he doesn't necessarily want us to move in with him. He wants us to move closer to him. As in we'd find an apartment or something in Phoenix and I'd get another job down there. We'll find you a nice school."

"Is that what you and Dad were arguing about?"

"We're going to go down there next weekend to visit. We'll check out the area and see what we think. How does that sound?"

"It sounds like you're avoiding my question. Is moving to Phoenix what you and Dad were arguing about?"

"Yes, but honey, your dad and I argue about a lot of things. He wants to give us money so I don't have to work so hard and so that you have things that you need. We don't really need material things, and we have plenty of money as long as we are frugal with our spending."

"So why are you guys arguing about Phoenix?"

"Because of the unknowns. What kind of a job I'll be able to get, where we'll find an apartment. Carlie won't be there to hang out with you when I'm at work and that worries your dad. I understand; I worry about it too, but you're my middle aged child. You're much more responsible and mature than your peers. Your dad just worries, honey that's all."

"Mom, you know he's only worried because he's so far away. He can't be here in fifteen minutes if I need him."

"Did you talk to him about that?"

"I did. Both Dad and Edward. They want to protect me from anything and everything that could possibly hurt me. They're fiercely protective that's all. I love them insanely for it, Mom."

"I know you do, sweetie. The other thing I talked to your Dad about was staying with him for more than a couple weeks over the summer. I know you want to, and I know your dad would love for you to stay there permanently so this is kind of my compromise."

I was so over the moon that my mom was going to let me stay with my dad longer than a couple weeks. I was going to stay for six weeks actually. I couldn't wait. I'd be in Forks for Edward's birthday and I'd be able to spend a lot of time with both Edward and my Dad.

True to my mom's word, we drove down to Phoenix the following weekend to visit with Phil and see the area. He booked us a room in a really nice hotel. It wasn't the Ritz, but it was nice. We left right after I got out of school on Friday, and we pulled into our hotel just before eleven that night. Phil met us at the hotel and got us all checked in and settled. Mom stayed down at the hotel bar with Phil for a while and I went back up to our room. I was exhausted and I promised Edward that I'd call him before I went to bed.

Hearing Edward's voice was so soothing to me. It had been less than a week since I'd seen him last and even less time since I'd last talked to him. I called him Monday afternoon as soon as I got home from school to tell him about our trip to Phoenix.

"Did you get there safe?" Edward asked after we'd exchanged our greetings.

"I wouldn't be calling you if I didn't, Edward."

"This is true. You sound exhausted, Boo." Edward said softly.

"I am. It's a long drive. Mom picked me up from school and we came straight here."

"Where is she now? With Phil?"

"Yeah. We're staying in a really nice hotel. Mom is downstairs with Phil and I came back to our room. Thank goodness Dad gave me a calling card."

"Yeah, no kidding. So … I hear you're staying for longer than two weeks this summer? That's good news right?"

"Yeah, I am. I can't wait until school gets out. Only three more weeks and then I'll be in Forks."

"I know I just saw you last weekend, but is it horrible if I say that I can't wait?"

"Not at all, Edward. I miss you and my dad so much already. I hate that I live so far away."

I spent the weekend hanging out with my mom and Phil. He took us all over Phoenix. He showed us an area not too far from his house where there were nice apartments and a high school that was within walking distance. Mom suggested we tour the apartments and see what they were like and I reluctantly agreed. The rent was about the same as we were paying in Las Vegas – maybe a little less. Mom took the information and asked if she could fax it back to them when she was ready to commit. I shuddered at the thought.

Phoenix wasn't much different than Las Vegas except for the lack of casinos. The weather was hot and dry and Phil promised us it was like that pretty much year round. Saturday night, we barbequed at Phil's house. His house was nice; a three bedroom, two bath ranch-style nestled in a nice quiet neighborhood. In the back yard he had a large deck and an in ground pool.

I asked Phil if he would mind if I put my feet in the pool and he encouraged me – telling me to take one of the cushions from the chairs to sit on. I could hear Phil and my mom talking about us possibly moving as I swayed my feet in the water.

A/N: Thank you for all the lovely reviews and continued support. I love reading your thoughts. =)