Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from the Twilight Saga—they belong to Stephenie Meyer. And I do not own the song, "The Reason," by the band Hoobastank. Hope you enjoy.


I've found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

--Hoobastank, "The Reason."

Edward:

Alice had told me she had seen Bella upset.

And driving.

Danger is always following her. But, I knew what had happened, and I knew I had to be there for Bella, just as Jacob had been there for her when I had …left her.

I didn't waste a moment, and arrived to where she was sobbing rather quickly.

I didn't wait for Bella to see me; I opened the driver's door and held her in my arms. Like a small child. I could feel, hear…her heart breaking.

Had I caused this much pain in the past?

"Bella…shhh..." I whispered against her ear, brushing my fingertips through her hair, down her small back. She didn't stop sobbing though, and I didn't mind. I held her tightly.

I never wanted to lose my Bella again.

I never wanted to see her cry like this ever again. For a moment, I wondered what Jacob had said to her to make her so upset, but… I knew that it was best…for his sake, that I remain blind to the problem.

Alice drove my car home, as I took over Bella's truck and drove slowly….for her sake.

I wondered what Charlie would think when he saw Bella this way. Would he jump to conclusions and think it was me? I sighed, nodding to myself…

Bella's hands never left my shirt; she never left my side. She tucked herself under my arm and cried. I felt so helpless.

I didn't know what would make her happy. I didn't know what words would cause her more pain.

When we arrived to her house, she looked out the window confused. Perhaps she thought I would take her to my house, but I knew… that she should be home. She would need to sleep off the tears.

"I'll meet you upstairs." I whispered and kissed her gently on the cheek.

She nodded, wiping some of her tears away. It didn't help though. Her beautiful face was red; puffy.

"Bella? What happened?" I was waiting for Charlie's thoughts to go directly to me.

"Bella!" Charlie called again when she didn't reply. I knew she was having a hard time gripping words.

"We just…had to… say goodbye." I heard her whisper.

I knew this deep down.

I waited for Bella to come up the stairs, and the moment she closed the door, she slid down to the floor and cried, curling her knees to her face. I picked her up gently and placed her on her bed; her hands wrapped around me and didn't let go of me.

"Please…" She sobbed. "Don't go."

"I won't go anywhere, Bella." I whispered against her wet face and kissed her forehead.

I wondered what Jacob had said. What she had said…

I hated feeling so helpless. I wanted to wipe her tears away. To wipe her sadness away…

I closed my eyes and began to hum her lullaby in her ear. Her sobs reduced to hiccups after an hour or so, and she was asleep.

I kissed her cheek as she sighed and murmured my name in her sleep.

I wanted her to know that she could cry when she wanted to. That she could let herself go with me.

I wouldn't leave her.

I wouldn't turn her away.

And just in case, when she awoke…

I had grabbed a box of tissues.