Edward wills himself to run faster than he ever has before. He knows what it was like when he tried to live his life without her. He can't do that again. He can't lose her. Even if she never remembers their life before she was changed, even if she only ever wants to be his friend, he'll take it.

Within minutes he is skidding to a stop at the edge of meadow. The flowers are no longer in bloom and the grass is not as lush as in the summer time, but the surrounding trees are lovely in their autumnal colors. They fade, though, in comparison to the beautiful woman standing in the middle of the field.

Finding her truly there, and not already gone from his life, makes him sag against a tree in relief. Her back is to him, and he simply watches her for a moment.

"I know you're here, Edward," she says.

"May I join you?"

She nods her head, and he approaches her slowly, afraid she may still disappear from right in front of him. He comes to stand behind her.

"Are you alright, love?" he asks softly.

Her head is bowed. She's shaking it slowly from side to side as she turns around. She takes a tiny step closer to him, fitting her toes inside where he has planted his feet. It's an intimate stance, bringing her closer to him than she's been since before her change.

"I was going to leave," she says, staring at the middle of his chest. "Eleazar said I was welcome there."

"I know. Alice slipped just now, and I saw."

"I can't –" she starts, her voice full of pain.

"Shh. Shh, love," he says, tentatively placing his hands on her shoulders. "It's okay. You don't have to make any decisions right now."

Then, she lifts her gaze, and he's taken aback by the anguish he sees there.

"Bella?"

"I can't believe that you all were willing to sacrifice yourselves for me."

"Like Alice said, you've been a part of our family for a long time. We protect one another."

"It's not just that. I can't believe how wonderful you've all been to me ever since I woke from my transformation. Even though it wasn't what everyone expected."

"You're with us. That's what's most important."

"Mostly, though, I can't believe I didn't remember you, Edward. Us."

"Didn't? Past tense?" he probes, not daring to hope.

"I think it must have something to do with my shield. As I've gotten better at expanding it beyond myself, I've gotten some glimpses, feelings. I didn't know exactly what they were. But now I think they're memories. After I shielded Emmett's hand, I had a sense of being hugged by him. After I covered Alice, I experienced a sense of happiness and friendship that is beyond what I've felt since my change. And, Edward, now, after shielding you for so long –"

She'd be weeping now if that were possible. "Edward, I want to say that I love you. But what I'm feeling, it's so much more than that! I need you in order to breathe. Without you the sky is the wrong color." She looks down at her feet. "I'm so bad at this! I don't know how to describe it!"

"Bella," he says, placing a finger under her chin and coaxing her to look at him. The smile on his face is breathtaking, "Oh, Bella. That's the mate bond. You feel it? Truly?"

She nods frantically. "I can't be away from you. It hurt just running here without you."

He must be sure, though.

"You're not just saying that? It's not some ill-placed sense of obligation?"

"You know I was planning to leave. God, it hurts to even think about that now."

He pulls her into a crushing hug and swings her around, laughing.

When he sets her down, she can't get the words out fast enough. "I'm so sorry I pushed you away! I'm sorry I did things that hurt you. God, I'm so sorry I had Jasper take me on my first hunt!"

He laughs some more. "Stop, Bella. Just stop. None of that matters. You remember now, and I'm the happiest man in the world."

His hand glides along her jaw as he leans in slowly. His lips on hers are tender, reverent; fitting for a treasure once lost, now found.

Cjesmom - I hope you enjoyed it! I sure had fun writing it.

Thanks again to my beta (and a fabulous cheerleader), EdwardsFirstKiss.

Thanks to the uber-talented MarieCarro Vanadesse who made the gorgeous story banner.

Thanks to OnlyInValhalla and mama4dukes for talking me off the ledge once - okay - twice.

Thanks to Deonne DEagan for her work in coordinating FAGE 11. Be sure to check out all the other stories, including the one written for me by TwiAddictAnne, Heartbreak Boy. It's fantastic!

Drop me a review and let me know what you thought of this little tale.

As ever, Twilight belongs to S. Meyer. No infringement intended.