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 and my pre-reader EdwardsMyObsession1971 – without these lovely ladies, this wouldn't be worth reading.

Never Let Go

Chapter Thirty-Five

Prom may be considered a rite of passage, but graduation is the pinnacle of our formative years. It's the culmination of years of hard work that have finally paid off. For Edward and me … it would be the last time in months that we would be in school together.

After prom, time seemed to move at warp speed. Our days were filled with studying, practices, games, more studying, and life in general. Edward and I tried to spend as much time together as possible. I managed to go to every home game, and when the Forks team went to the State Championships, I was there, cheering on my favorite Slugger.

Edward's last high school game was bittersweet. The scout from USC even came to the game and presented Edward an award of excellence and congratulated him for officially accepting his scholarship to USC. When Edward introduced me to the scout, he was excited until he saw the scout's disapproving look.

"Don't worry about it, Bella," Edward told me later.

"I'm not worried, Slugger. I just don't want you to take other people's opinions to heart."

"I won't, babe. When someone says something like that, I remember how you always seemed to focus on how you felt instead of how your mom felt when she was against us. I remember how strong you were, and I know that other people's opinions don't matter."

Edward still wasn't crazy about the idea of leaving me in Washington, but I think he was honestly starting to look forward to USC.

The morning of graduation, my stomach was in knots. I'm not sure why, but I was going to blame it on the fact that I was worried I'd trip as I was crossing the stage to accept my diploma. Edward and his parents were meeting his grandparents in Port Angeles for breakfast, Dad was at the Mill taking care of some things, and my mom and Phil hadn't arrived yet.

To get my mind off my nerves, I decided to start a load of laundry and settled down in the living room with a book I'd bought a few days before when Alice and I had gone shopping for Edward's graduation and birthday gifts. The book was so engaging I hadn't heard the knocking on the front door.

"Who is it?" I hollered.

"Open the door, Bella! It's me!"

Alice's voice was like bells, and I felt relieved that it was her. Bring alone didn't bother me so much anymore – I was much more comfortable with being outside of my locked bedroom when I was home by myself.

"Alice! What are you doing here? Didn't you have stuff to do with your grandparents?"

"Nah … well yeah, I do, but they're not here yet. Anyway, I thought I'd come over and help you get ready."

"Alice … you do know that graduation isn't for another seven hours right?"

"I'm well aware of that fact, Bella. I thought you'd like to be ready by the afternoon in case a certain someone wants to spend a little time with you before we … matriculate."

I looked at her wide eyed.

"Really, Alice? Matriculate?"

She rolled her eyes at me and reached out to tug on my arm.

"Come on, Bella. Time's a wastin'!"

I sat on the toilet facing the wall as Alice dried my hair. I was probably sitting in the same position that Alice had sat in through my entire shower. While I washed and exfoliated, Alice chattered happily about the party that her parents were throwing for everyone that night.

"Alice … what were you talking about when you said in case a certain someone wanted to spend a little time with me before graduation? What do you know that I don't?"

"Bella," Alice tsked. "Haven't you talked to Edward today?"

"Of course, I did. I didn't talk to him for hours on end, but yes, I talked to him."

"And he didn't mention anything about taking you anywhere?"

"Nope."

"Hmm … I was sure that Jasper mentioned something …."

"Alice, if Edward's planning a surprise, why are you and Jasper discussing it?"

I jumped when I heard my phone ringing in my room, and my sudden movement made me burn my head on the damn curling iron that Alice was wielding on me.

"Ouch! Damn it!"

"Oh, Bella, I'm sorry!"

I held my head as I ran to my room to answer the phone.

"Hello!" I said gruffly.

"Baby? Are you okay?"

"No, fuck. I burned my head on the curling iron."

"How did you do that? You hardly ever use a curling iron."

"One guess," I smirked.

"Fuck. Alice. I'm going to kill Jasper."

"What? Why?"

"Because. I have a feeling I know why she's over there torturing you."

"I'm glad someone knows the answer to that because I sure as hell don't."

"She didn't tell you?"

"She doesn't know, Edward. I mean she knows that you want to take me somewhere this afternoon, but she doesn't know the details."

"I should have known that Jasper would tell Alice."

"Edward … she's his girlfriend, you can't ask him to keep secrets from her."

"I know. It's just … I wanted to surprise you."

Edward sounded so sad at the thought that whatever he wanted to do and wherever he wanted to take me wouldn't be a surprise.

"I'll still be surprised, baby."

"Tell her what time you're going to pick her up and let her get off the damn phone so I can finish getting her ready, Edward Cullen!" Alice yelled from the doorway.

Edward chuckled on the other end of the phone.

"I'll pick you up around 2:30, baby."

"Okay. Hurry, I think I need you to rescue me from Alice."

"Tell her I said to stop abusing my girlfriend … you're already beautiful, you don't need all that crap she wants to put on you."

I laughed and knew that repeating what he'd told me would do no good what-so-ever.

Alice managed to curl the rest of my hair without any further mishaps, and I had to admit that my hair did look good when she was done. My usually straight hair hung in soft waves. She pinned half of it up and away from my face with only a few tendrils framing my face.

"Edward loves your hair like this."

"How do you know?" I asked, raising my brow at her.

"Because it's how you wore your hair the day you moved away. He keeps a picture from that day in his wallet. Did you know that?"

I shook my head.

"Bella … he loves you so much. I'll never forget the first day that I met him – you were all he could talk about. He showed me that picture, and it melted my heart. It was written all over his face that his heart belonged to you – even if he wasn't ready to admit it yet."

"Thank you, Alice. You're a good friend to him, and I'm glad that of all the people who came into his life when I wasn't there for him, you did."

"I know good people when I see them," Alice grinned. "Now enjoy your time with Edward. By the time you get back, the craziness will be ready to begin."

"Thanks, Alice."

"Anytime, Bella."

I sat on the swing on the front porch waiting for Edward. It had been so long since I'd sat there, but it was a gorgeous day outside, and as I stepped outside the door, the nicest breeze came through and I couldn't help myself.

"Hey," Edward grinned as he leaned up against the railing.

"Hi."

"You look beautiful."

Edward's crooked smile was breathtaking. He looked so happy – his eyes a vibrant green.

"Thanks. I don't know if it was worth getting burned for, but if it makes you look at me like that again, I'll curl my hair every day."

Edward laughed and collapsed onto the swing beside me, pulling me into his arms.

"Are you ready for this … today?"

"I have to be. We're graduating whether I'm ready or not."

"True. Come on, baby. I want to take you somewhere."

Edward took my hand and pulled me from the swing. He was quiet as he drove along the narrow highway. I wasn't paying attention to where we were going, I could only pay attention to him. Time was slipping away from us and I wanted to memorize the lines of his face, my memories would be the only part of him I'd have in the coming months.

After Edward shifted the car into park, he slipped his hand into mine and squeezed it slightly.

"We're here."

I looked around to see that we were parked at First Beach in La Push. It had been a while since I'd been there, but not much had changed – with the exception of me and Edward. It was the very same place that Esme had brought us when I told Edward I was leaving again. No matter how much sadness took place here, Edward and I agreed that it was one of our favorite places.

I worried for a moment that Edward had brought me here to tell me that he'd changed his mind, whether it was about school or us, but the smile he wore told me I had nothing to worry about.

We walked hand in hand down toward the water. The beach was pretty deserted because it was the middle of the week, and most of the schools were still in session.

"You're probably wondering why I brought you here."

"Well, the thought had crossed my mind," I giggled.

"I wanted to be in a place that we both loved. A place that means something to the both of us – we've always been honest with each other here and I don't think that will ever change do you?"

"No, I don't think it will. Why?"

"Because … I may be going to USC and you going to UDub, but that doesn't mean that I love you any less, Bella."

"I know, Slugger. That doesn't make me love you any less either."

"Bella … I hate that we're going to be so far away from each other, but I want you to know … I need you to know that I love you more than anything. If there ever gets to be a time when the distance between us gets to be too much, I need you to be honest with me and I promise to be honest with you. I don't want you to hesitate if you need me for anything, okay?"

"I promise, Edward," I murmured.

"I refuse to say goodbye, baby. When I leave, it'll be a see you soon, not a goodbye."

"Edward … we don't have to do this now. We still have time …."

"Do we? I'm leaving in three weeks, Bella. The coach from USC called and wanted to know if I'd come down and train until school starts. I told him yes because he needs to know I want this, baby."

There it was. Suddenly the wind had been knocked out of my sails. I only had three weeks left with Edward before he left for USC. The news certainly wasn't something I'd been expecting.

"Of course he does, Slugger. No, you told him the right thing. If all we get is three weeks, then we have to make the most of them right?"

"You're not mad?"

"No. How could I be? You're leaving to do something that you love, Edward. I understand that, but I don't have to like it."

Edward turned abruptly and pulled me into his arms.

"We'll be okay, Bella. I promise. After everything we went through so I could have you back … I won't let go easily."

We stood on the sand, rocking in each other's arms, speaking softly and kissing.

I needed him. I needed the reassurance that his being gave me. So I begged him to take me home. No one was at the house – Dad was at work and would be going straight to graduation from the mill. Mom and Phil were staying in Port Angeles and were planning on meeting us at the school. We still had a couple of hours, and that was all we needed.

"Are you sure that we'll be alone?" Edward asked as we closed the front door behind us.

"My dad's at work. We have time, Slugger."

That was all the encouragement he needed to follow me up the stairs.

With the door closed behind us, Edward stood against it and ran his hand through his hair.

"What's wrong?" I asked, sidling up to him and running my hands down his chest.

"Nothing, baby."

"It's got to be something, Edward. I know you."

"It's just … I want to savor this moment. I don't know when we'll be here together like this again."

"Edward … stop. Don't think like that. We're here now, and that's all that matters. Don't worry about things you can't control."

I leaned up and gently pressed my lips to his.

Edward's arms wound around my waist and pulled me to him as he deepened the kiss. Slowly, carefully – reverently we removed each other's clothes before stumbling onto my bed. A tear slipped down my face as Edward sank into me. I wanted to hang on to the feeling of him for as long as I could, so I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and held him to me.

"I'm right here, baby."

"I love you so much, Edward."

"I love you too, Bella. As long as we hold on to what we have right here, right now – we'll be okay."

"I don't know how to let you go," I sobbed.

"You don't have to, baby. You don't have to."

Three Months Later …

"Edward, stop." I sniffled.

His fingers were relentless against the sensitive skin of my belly. We'd been lazing in bed since we woke in each other's arms and the minutes were slipping away from us.

I'd spent the last three weeks visiting Edward in Los Angeles. He showed me around the USC campus and I tagged along to several of his baseball practices. I could see that he was happy here, but the smile on his face when he saw me emerge from baggage claim was etched in my memory.

"I only have you for a little while longer."

"Edward, you have me forever."

"Yeah?" He smiled.

"Yeah."

That smile was everything I needed.

I boarded my plane back to Seattle that afternoon with tears in my eyes, but my heart was content knowing that Edward was where he needed to be, and I was getting there. We could live with the separation for a little while longer if it meant we'd both be healthier in the long run.

I managed to settle into life at UDub. I had a decent roommate and two pseudo brothers who shadowed me wherever I went. I spoke to Edward on a daily basis. Even if it was only for two minutes to say I love you or I miss you – we talked. Hearing his voice and those three poignant words was the balm my soul needed to get through another day.

Every day I made a point to sit and write a letter to Edward. I thought it was apropos that I write to him every day and mail them once a week. I never mentioned it to him, but after the second week, he started writing back. Some letters were sweet and others were sexy and left me longing for him. When the first of November came, I began to count down the days until Edward came home for Thanksgiving.

"My flight gets in at 2:20, are you sure you can pick me up?"

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

"I can't wait to get there … I miss you so much, baby."

"I miss you too, Edward. One more day."

I was an hour early when I stepped into baggage claim, but I didn't care.

"Bella, I told you we'd have plenty of time. Traffic wasn't bad at all."

"I'm sorry, Emmett. I didn't want to chance it."

"It's okay, Bella," He laughed. "I didn't have anything better to do this afternoon anyway."

Both Emmett and I still had homework over the holiday weekend, so we brought our books with us and made the most of our time while we waited for Edward's plane to land. As the time for Edward's plane got closer, I stood and stretched and went to check the arrival boards. My excitement skyrocketed as I read that his plane had already arrived. I turned back to see Edward giving Emmett a one armed hug, and I hurried over to them.

"Bella," Edward breathed as he swept me up in his arms.

"Hey, Slugger."

I wrapped my arms around Edward and breathed him in. He looked tired, but the smile on his face told me that he didn't care. He was happy to be home, and I was happy to have him in my arms.

"Ready to head home?"

"I'm already there, baby. But I would like for you to show me around UDub before we head to Forks."

"You want to see UDub?"

"Yeah … you got to take a tour of USC, now it's my turn, baby. I want to see where you spend your time."

"Edward … your parents are expecting …."

"My parents … are expecting me to make sure that you're okay, Bella. I need this, Bella … please."

I nodded, and we followed Emmett toward the car.

Hand in hand, we strolled around the campus of UDub. I showed Edward the buildings where my classes were and I showed him the library where I spent a great deal of my time. Lastly, I showed him my dorm room. Thankfully, my roommate had already gone home for the holiday and we were left alone in my room.

"It's just like you said it was," Edward whispered as he looked around the room.

There were pictures of us everywhere. I think my roommate hated the fact that I had so many pictures that ranged from Edward and me as kids to a photo booth picture we took at the Santa Monica Pier the day before I came home from L.A.

"This one's my favorite."

Edward was holding a picture of us lying in the hammock in his backyard. Neither of us had any idea that the picture was being taken. We were lying nose to nose, and our pinkies were entwined.

"Mine too." I admitted.

The photo was so simple and sweet. I remember when Esme gave it to me. It wasn't long after Edward had left for L.A., and I was missing him pretty badly. I was at the Cullen's, visiting Esme and we were baking cookies to take to the hospital – a surprise for Carlisle. I looked up from my task and stopped cold when I saw the hammock swaying in the breeze outside. Esme wrapped her arms around me and told me that she had a surprise for me. When she came back with the picture, I was left breathless. I didn't have words for how much it meant to me.

"Everything was so easy back then. You were so sweet and innocent. You were like this breeze blowing around me – your warmth –I missed it so much when you were in Phoenix. I miss it now that you're here and I'm in L.A."

"Am I not sweet anymore?" I grinned. "I know I'm not innocent anymore, but that was your own doing, Slugger."

Edward looked up and grinned back at me.

"That's not what I meant, Bella. Of course you're sweet – I don't imagine that would ever change. As for your innocence, - or mine, well, I can't say I regret that at all."

"Me either," I whispered. "I love you, Edward."

"And I love you, sweet girl."

We made love under the covers of my small single bed and cuddled together for as long as we possibly could. Our parents were expecting us to arrive sometime that evening, but we had long since missed out on dinner.

"I guess we should get on the road, huh?"

"Yeah, but I'll drive. You should rest, you look tired."

Edward snoozed in the passenger seat as I drove us toward Forks.

"You're so beautiful."

Edward's words were so random and unexpected that I couldn't help but smile at him. I reached over and took his hand in mine.

"I'm glad I'm home."

"Me too."

"Thanks for never letting go, Bella."

Tears welled in my eyes as I squeezed his hand.

"Never," I whispered.

A/N: The end is SO close … just a few short pages left. They will post shortly. Thanks for reading.