When The Snow Settles - Justin Bieber Fanfiction

In Winter's Glow

Disclaimer: I will occasionally switch the "POV's" between Justin and Emma, to give you guys insight on how they're both feeling between really intimate moments. 

Justin's Point of View:

I didn't expect this, any of it. Emma had been asleep on my shoulder for the last ten minutes, her breathing steady and soft as my mom's voice filled the room, reading aloud from A Christmas Carol. The fire crackled gently, casting a warm glow over the room. I sat there, a little overwhelmed by the moment, my arm wrapped around her shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world. But it wasn't natural—not for me, not right now.

There was this pull, something about her that I couldn't shake. The way she fit against me, the way she still smiled the same way, with those dimples, after all these years. The quiet girl next door, book in hand, who had always been just Emma to me, was now... something more. And I didn't know what the fuck to do with it.

Especially because of Serena. God- Serena. 

But even before this moment, in the library earlier, something had changed. Halfway up that spiral staircase, in that brown dress with the black bow in her dark brown hair, she bathed in the morning light streaming through the tall windows. It was like she belonged there, glowing against the backdrop of worn-out books and towering shelves. I don't know why it hit me so hard, but seeing her like that, I was stunned. She'd always been a bookworm, but I never really noticed the way she came alive in a place like that. She looked so beautiful, so... content. I couldn't take my eyes off her.

My mom's soft laugh broke into my thoughts, pulling me back to the room. "She's gorgeous, huh?" she said, keeping her voice low so as not to wake Emma.

I nodded, barely able to find my voice. "Yeah, she is," I replied quietly, glancing down at Emma's peaceful face resting against my chest. Her features softened in sleep, the light from the fire playing across her skin, and I couldn't deny it—she was stunning. In a different way than Serena. Not in the polished, picture-perfect, Instagram-ready kind of way. But in a real, effortless way that made it hard to look away.

"She's always been good for you, Justin," my mom added, her eyes catching mine over the top of her glasses. "Even back when you two were just kids."

I swallowed, unsure of what to say. The room felt too warm all of a sudden, the fire making it cozy and stifling at the same time. "What do you mean?"

Mom sighed, closing the book for a moment. "When you left for California... you didn't see it, but she was devastated. Took it real hard. She was quiet, but I could tell." She adjusted her glasses again, her expression softening. "She's been through a lot. Don't lead her on, honey. I know you've got a life out there, but she still feels something, whether she admits it or not."

I opened my mouth to protest, but nothing came out. My chest tightened, and I looked down at Emma, sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the storm going on in my head. I didn't want to hurt her, not again. But what could I say? That I'd just realized there was something here, but I was only in town for the month? That I had a girlfriend waiting for me back in LA? It didn't feel right. None of this did.

"I'm not trying to lead her on," I finally muttered, though I wasn't sure if I was convincing myself or my mom.

She gave me a knowing look, standing up and patting my shoulder before heading into the kitchen. "Just... be careful, Justin."

I watched her go, my heart sinking deeper as I turned my attention back to Emma. She shifted a little in her sleep, her head leaning more into me, completely unaware of the chaos running through my thoughts. She looked so peaceful, like she belonged right here. But I didn't.