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 pre-reader EdwardsMyObsession1971. Without these ladies, this wouldn't be worth reading.

Never Let Go

Chapter Twenty-Seven

BPOV

Dad called first thing Monday morning to schedule an appointment with my therapist. Sunday night, we parted with the Cullen's and headed home. Edward made me promise that I'd call him if I needed him, but for some reason, I was bound and determined to make it through at least one night on my own. That was such a bad idea.

I woke up around 2 a.m. after having a nightmare. They all started out the same way – me walking into Phil's house and that man stalking down the hallway toward me. Sometimes, I'd wake up before he got to me and others … not so much. That night, the nightmares were worse than they'd ever been. As soon as I settled down and finally fell back asleep around 3:30, I drifted back into the same dream. Only the second time, instead of Phil finding me in the bedroom bent over my bed, it was Edward who found me bound and gagged. I opened my eyes long enough to see the look on his face.

I woke up screaming after that second dream.

"Bella … baby, you're okay." Dad said sleepily as he sat down on my bed.

He pulled me into his arms and held me against his chest as I sobbed. I don't know what time I finally fell asleep again, but my rest was fitful. Dad stayed with me the entire time, and when Edward came over to pick me up for school, Dad crept downstairs to let him know that I'd be late. Dad later told me that Edward wanted to come upstairs to see me, but he didn't want to wake me if I was finally resting. I finally woke up a little before lunch time and I showered quickly before gathering up my backpack and school supplies. Dad offered to take me to school, and he went in to explain to the attendance secretary why I wasn't there that morning.

The first appointment my therapist had available was eight a.m. on Tuesday morning. Dad confirmed the appointment and then called Carlisle and Esme to let them know. Edward and I would both be given a doctor's excuse, so school was taken care of. Edward stayed as late as he could Monday night, with the promise that he'd be back early Tuesday morning for the trip to my therapist in Port Angeles. Monday night wasn't any better than the night before had been, and eventually, I got up around 4 a.m., deciding it would be best if I gave up on sleep.

"Bella, you look tired. Have you been sleeping lately?" My therapist asked.

"No. The last two nights have been pretty brutal."

"How so? Have you been having nightmares?"

"Yes. I finally came clean to my family about what happened in Phoenix. Every time I fall asleep, I have the same dream. I walk into the house and he's … he's walking toward me."

"Bella, you're safe here and that's great that you've come clean to your family. That's a huge step for you. I'm assuming that you had that conversation on Sunday night?"

"Umm, no. That conversation happened Saturday night."

"Hmm. That happened Saturday, but you've only had nightmares the last two nights?"

"Yeah."

"What was different about Saturday night?"

I explained that Edward had been there with me after my confession, and that he had stayed with me all night.

"Edward … Bella was hesitant to tell you what happened to her because she was afraid of your reaction. How did you react to the news?"

"I knew it was something awful, but never did I think that it was as bad as the truth. It killed me to sit there and listen to Bella tell us what happened without being able to touch her and feel that she was there with me – that she was safe and well."

"So, was that the reason that you stayed with her that night? You wanted to know that she was there with you and that she was safe?"

"Yes." Edward whispered.

"Bella, how did you feel after your confession?"

"I … I felt vulnerable – and relieved. Dad and Edward proved to me that I had nothing to worry about. I was their main concern, and while they were terribly upset by what I had to tell them, they were incredibly supportive. My family has been amazing through it all – I've never felt so safe or so loved. It's just the nightmares that shake me now."

"Bella, how do you feel when you're with Edward? Do you feel safe with him?"

"Yes. I feel safe and incredibly loved. He takes care of me – he always has."

"How are things going at school? Are you getting more familiar with your schedule?"

"School is better. I've stopped taking my meds. That's what prompted the whole conversation Saturday night. I couldn't take them anymore. I felt like I was in a constant fog. I couldn't play volleyball, I couldn't dance – I couldn't focus. I was miserable … so I just stopped taking them. After a few days, I felt better. Edward noticed that something was different and finally finagled it out of me. I was so worried that he'd be upset that I was on so much medication."

"Why did you think Edward would be upset because you were on medication?"

"Because, I wasn't that girl. I never needed medication before. I didn't want him to think less of me because of it."

"Edward … what was your reaction to Bella's admission?"

"I was worried for her. I was there when she had her panic attack, I saw what it did to her and even more – I saw the light leave her eyes when she was taking those medications. She's better now that she's not taking them. I worry how long it will last, but if it makes her feel better and makes her happier, I'm all for it."

"So you supported her?"

"Yes, I did. She didn't feel like anyone else would understand, so I had to help her – I didn't want her to slip away from me again."

"You're referring to the year that you two didn't speak, correct?"

Edward nodded.

"Bella, were you afraid to tell your father about the medication because you feared him putting you back on them? Do you fear that he's like your mother and doesn't love you enough to make proper decisions where you are concerned?"

"No. I know my Dad loves me, and so do Carlisle and Esme. They make their decisions based on what would be best for me. Mom loves me in her own quirky way, but things with her have been … tough … since I came home from Phoenix. But …" I sniffled, "Edward has this … overwhelming love for me. It's a love that transcends everything."

Edward reached over and wiped away the tears that had fallen down my face. I held one of his hands in mine, and his touch was warm and comforting. Once again, it felt like my life line.

"Bella, I worry that you are so dependent on Edward. I think it's great, Edward, that you are so supportive and loving toward Bella, but I am concerned that Bella is perhaps cowering behind you when she should be facing things on her own."

"I can assure you that's not true. Bella's been so brave and she's been through so much that I haven't been there for. It's not that I didn't want to be there, but for one reason or another – I wasn't. She's been through so much alone, but she doesn't have to be anymore."

I looked up to find my therapist eyeing us much like my mother had not long ago.

"Back to these nightmares, Bella. We know what triggered them, but we need to focus on how to help you move past them. I can prescribe you something to help you sleep at night, but that's not a good long term solution."

I nodded.

"It's a mental thing. I need to remember that he can't hurt me anymore. He's in prison far away from here, and even if he wanted to find me, I have people around me that would never allow him to come near me."

"That's an excellent thing to remember, Bella. I want you to continue to write in your journal and if you need to talk again, give me a call, but I think we're done for today."

As Edward and I walked to the car, I squeezed his hand, silently thanking him again for being there for me. I'm sure he would have rather have gone to school than listen to my therapist analyze the events of the past few days. I know I would have.

"Want to get something to eat before we head back to school?"

"Sure." I replied weakly.

"Baby, you did good today."

"I … I just feel like she was analyzing everything about us, Edward. She looked at us like my mother did that morning. She was so pissed off that she found us asleep together in the living room and it pissed me off. She's got no right to judge us."

"I know you're upset, but you shouldn't let it get to you, baby. Charlie doesn't pay her to counsel you on your love life. He pays her to help you through this ordeal because you wouldn't talk to anyone else about it, but now that you have … maybe you don't need her anymore."

EPOV

Bella was quiet on the ride home from Port Angeles. I could tell that she was trying to process everything her therapist did and didn't say. Once we were back at school, I walked to her locker with her and kissed her temple gently before telling her I'd see her later.

I hated that she was so upset by the end of the conversation with the therapist. She did seem to have the same opinion as Renee, but that didn't matter to me – you shouldn't have an opinion on something you can't understand.

I saw Alice and Jasper in the hall during passing period and I asked them to check in on Bella. Tired and emotional could be a bad combo for her, and I couldn't keep an eye on her all day because we only had four classes together. I'd have to depend on Alice and Jazz for the other three.

When the final bell rang, I headed toward the gym, ready to meet Bella before volleyball practice began. She came out dressed in her t-shirt and shorts, and I sat down next to her as she began her stretches.

"I'm okay, Edward. I know I was quiet after we left the doctor's office, but I'm usually like that after I leave a session. I have too much stewing in my head and it usually takes me a bit to sort it out. It's much easier for me to have sessions on the weekend when I don't have school to think about but I didn't have that luxury today."

"I know, baby. I only wanted to make sure that you were all right."

"Thank you. I know I said it earlier, but I meant it. For everything … for being there and making sure that I was okay and for loving me. I love you, Edward."

"I love you too, Boo. Have a good practice and I'll see you later?"

"Yeah, I'll meet you outside the gym after practice."

I was anxious and fidgety by the time Bella walked out of the gym. Tossing the ball around with the guys should have eased my anxiety, but it didn't. Bella walked out with a couple of the other girls and she was laughing and smiling. Her mood was a definite turnaround from earlier that morning.

"Do you want to head home or over to my house?"

"My house to shower and then to your house for dinner?"

"What about Charlie?"

"He had a meeting in PA late this afternoon, and he said not to expect him for dinner."

I waited in Bella's room while she was in the shower. I settled in to her oversized chair and pulled out the book we were reading for English. If he was home, Charlie probably wouldn't allow me to wait in Bella's room for her, and I tried to go back downstairs, but she pouted when I turned to leave the room and she whispered her plea for me to stay.

The phone rang on her bedside table, and I figured it was Charlie calling to see if she was home yet, so I answered not wanting him to worry.

"Bella?"

"No, this is Edward. Renee?"

"Oh, hi, Edward. I wasn't expecting you to answer the phone."

"Sorry. Bella's in the shower, so I answered thinking that it might be Charlie and I didn't want him to worry about her."

"That was thoughtful of you. How is she?"

"She's good. How are you doing?"

"I'm as well as can be expected, I guess. I still have a long way to go. Listen, Edward, can you ask Bella to please call me when she gets a chance? Phil and I are heading out to dinner, but I wanted to catch Bella if I could."

"Sure, but couldn't you wait a couple minutes? I'm sure she'll be done soon, or I could …."

"No, no need to disrupt her shower. Just ask her to call me back before she goes to bed tonight, okay?"

"Sure, Renee … will do."

"Thanks, Edward."

I hung up the phone thinking Renee was acting strange on the phone. Since her return from Phoenix, Bella had a very tenuous relationship with Renee – at best. Thankfully, Phil had walked into the house before anything worse happened to Bella, but Renee wasn't so lucky. Bella told me that her mom wasn't even conscious when she told her goodbye and left with our dads for the airport. Maybe that had been for the best.

I was still sitting on the bed, lost in my thoughts when Bella entered the room.

"Hey, Slugger. Everything okay?"

I turned to see Bella standing there, brushing out her hair, covered only by her plush robe.

"Umm, yeah. Your phone rang and I answered it in case it was Charlie. I didn't want him to worry, but it wasn't Charlie … it was your mom."

Bella froze.

"My Mom?"

"Yeah." I nodded.

"Did she say what she wanted?"

"No, just that she wanted you to call her back before you go to bed. She was going out to dinner with Phil."

"Oh."

I stood and moved toward the door.

"I'll let you get dressed. I'll be downstairs when you're ready, Boo."

"Edward … stay. Please?"

"You still need to get dressed, Boo. Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't ask if I wasn't sure, Edward."

Not that I didn't want the opportunity to see my beautiful girlfriend naked, but I didn't know how well that would go over with her. I fought so hard to let Bella set the pace, but sometimes she was irresistible and I found my fingertips itching to touch her. I rose from the bed and kissed her softly before taking my seat in the corner again. Bella watched me with a small smile on her lips before gathering her things to change. I tried not to stare at her. My brain wanted to focus on the book I'd been reading, but my eyes kept straying to Bella's figure across the room.

She kept her robe on as she changed. Bella giggled as she stepped into her panties and pulled them up her legs.

"Somethin' funny over there?" I asked, peering over my book.

"Don't think I don't know you're over there peekin' at me, Slugger."

I groaned.

"You're killin' me, Boo. You want me to stay, but you don't want me to sneak peeks?"

Bella giggled the sweetest giggle and it was quite literally music to my ears. I hadn't heard her giggle like that in a very long time. It was carefree and pure – like her. Maybe she was slowly finding her normal.

"Edward?"

"Hmm?" I asked, breaking out of my haze.

"Thank you for being so patient with me. I know I say it a lot, but I really mean it. I thought it might bother me more … to change, in front of you, I mean. Your mom was the last person to really see me and I … I was so embarrassed. That was a few days after I came home from Phoenix. I know I was a mess then …."

"Bella …" I crooned, crossing the room to stand in front of her. "You're beautiful. There is nothing about you to be ashamed of – you have to understand that."

"If I'm beautiful, it's only because you make me feel that way, Edward."

Her words were almost a whisper, but if it really was me that made her feel that way, I never wanted to stop. Ever so gently, I raised Bella's chin so her eyes met mine and I leaned down to kiss her softly. It was nothing more than a soft peck on the lips, but when I pulled away from her, the sweetest blush stained her skin as she stood before me wearing nothing but her robe.

"Edward …."

"Hmm?"

"I … umm … still need to get dressed."

"You do?" I asked, leaning down to kiss her again.

"Yes," She giggled. "I do. Especially if you want me to go over and have dinner with your parents."

Grudgingly, I stepped away from Bella and went back to the chair by the window. I forced myself to pick up the book I'd been reading and stare at the words on the page instead of my gorgeous girlfriend who was no more than ten feet from me wearing jeans and a bra and was in the middle of pulling a shirt over her head.

"Are you staring at me again?" Bella asked, tugging at the hem of her shirt.

I quickly moved my eyes back to the book.

"Admiring – yes, staring – no."

Ten minutes later, I convinced Bella that she looked good enough for dinner with my parents and we were on our way. Fifteen minutes into dinner, my dad was called into the hospital for a trauma. We were finishing dessert when Charlie called to say that he was still in his meeting and that Bella should stay with us instead of going home and being alone.

"Esme … I'm so sorry, I don't want you to go out of your way …." Bella apologized as she helped my mother put clean sheets on the guest room bed.

"Nonsense, Bella! It's fine. Don't you worry your little heart. We're happy to have you here."

Once they were done, Bella slipped into the bathroom to change into the boxers and t-shirt I'd given her.

"Will you be okay in here?" I asked, sitting on the bed.

"I don't know."

Bella looked worried, and I knew what she was worrying about.

"Boo, I'm just across the hall if you need me."

Bella crawled into bed and I tucked the blankets up around her.

"Stay here with me until I fall asleep."

I couldn't deny her anything, so I rounded the bed and lay down next to her, wrapped my arm around her and breathed in her sweet smell. I don't know how long I was there with her, but it didn't take her long to fall asleep. It took me longer to pull myself away from her. I closed the door softly behind me as I crossed the hall to my own bedroom. Lost in my own thoughts, I hardly noticed my mom coming up the stairs.

"Is everything okay, Edward?"

"Oh, hey, Mom. Yeah, everything is okay."

"Did you get Bella settled in?"

"Yeah, she's asleep. She asked me to stay with her until she drifted off, so … yeah."

"My sweet boy," Mom smiled, patting me on the cheek. "Wake me if you need me."

Unable to shut off my mind long enough to fall asleep, I grabbed a book and settled in on my bed. A glance at the clock told me it was well after three a.m., and I knew I needed to get to sleep. I had just snuggled into my pillow when I heard the screams from across the hall.

A/N: So Bella is getting better but she still has a long road ahead of her so we'll see how she handles it.

Thanks for reading and I'll see you next week!