I know the dream doesn't really make sense, but it was what came out as I was writing. Enjoy!
"You aren't blood, you aren't family." The man told them, crossing his arms, a smug look on his face. Elsie took a deep breath before responding.
"It isn't only blood that makes a family. It's love. We may not be blood related, but we love each other. We're a family, and we always will be." Elsie told him. The man shook his head, pulling Tom and Sybbie with him.
"It doesn't matter, I'm still taking them with me." Elsie turned around and saw Charles behind her, shaking his head before leaving, and Elsie knew he wasn't coming back.
Elsie sat up abruptly, panting, sweat dripping down her back, the end of the nightmare still in her mind. She ran her hand through her hair, breathing deeply. Charles sat up, watching her get out of bed and walk over to the window, sitting down on the bench. He sat in bed for a moment before getting up and walking over to sit next to her. He took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips. She looked at him and sighed.
"I'm sorry I woke you." She said quietly. He shook his head, pulling her close to him.
"You didn't wake me. I was already awake when you woke up. Tell me about your dream." Charles said, putting his arm around her shoulders. Elsie sighed again, wrapping her hands around his arm.
"A man appeared, telling me Tom and Sybbie weren't family because we're not related by blood. I tried telling him it doesn't matter that we're not related by blood, it's love that makes a family. He said it doesn't matter and took them away from me. I turned around and you were standing there, shaking your head, and you left, and I knew you weren't coming back." Elsie told him. Charles held her tighter, pulling her closer to him.
"I'm not leaving. I promise." Charles told her.
"I can't lose you. Any of you. Not when I just found you." Elsie said, tears tolling down her cheeks.
"You won't, Elsie. Not anytime soon. I promise." Charles told her. Elsie nodded, looking up at Charles. He leaned down to kiss her, resting his forehead on hers.
"Let's go back to bed." Charles said, standing up and pulling Elsie with him. She nodded and followed him to bed, pulling the covers tight over her. Charles pulled her close to him, wrapping one arm around her waist and the other around her shoulders. Elsie held one of his hands tightly in hers. They both fell asleep and didn't move for the rest of the night.