Disclaimer: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse are the property of Stephenie Meyer

Author's Note: Short, but sweet. Happy reading!

Disclaimer: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement intended. No profit is being made from this endeavor.

It will be as though I never existed.

I sat up gasping for air, the covers falling around me. I looked around the dark room frantically, only relaxing when a pair of cold arms encircled my waist. I took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. I felt Edward's lips against my hair. Relief flowed through my body.

"Bella? It was only a dream," he said, concern evident in his voice. I nodded, not trusting my voice quite yet. "Do you want to tell me about it?" he asked. "You didn't say anything this time."

I was hesitant to tell him because I knew how much it would hurt him, but if I kept quiet he would feel like I didn't trust him. I decided just to get it over with. Chances are I was going to have the dream again anyway.

"I dreamed of you leaving," I said quietly, feeling my heart hurt as his eyes tightened in pain. I smiled at him the best I could, trying to soothe him. He smiled back in appreciation of my effort, tightening his arms around me.

"I have caused you so much pain," he said in an agonized tone. "I don't know how you have managed to forgive me for that." I reached up and laid my palm against his cheek.

"I forgive you for leaving me because I love you, and because you promised never to do it again. I wish I could stop dreaming about it because it is over, and it really isn't something that I like to relive." I looked into his eyes, trying to convey the depth of my emotions. "Give me a little time," I said in what I hoped was a reassuring tone. "The dreams will stop."

He didn't look convinced. "I really wish that I didn't affect you like this," he said quietly. I looked at him, trying desperately to string words together to tell him how much I needed him.

"It's not your presence that creates this, it's the loss of you," I said, feeling as though I was making very little sense. "I feel safest when you are here next to me, helping me realize that I was only dreaming. Besides," I said matter-of-factly, "The dreams are much less frequent than they were before."

His face relaxed a bit at my words, and he leaned down to kiss me gently. "I'll never leave you again," he vowed, sincerity ringing in his voice.

"I know you won't," I said, lying down again and curling closer to his body. He began to hum my lullaby, and I drifted back to sleep, a smile on my face.