A Love Across Worlds

Chapter 13: A Second Visit

Bella's POV

George was coming back to Forks. After my visit to the Burrow and meeting his family, he'd promised to visit again soon, and this time he'd planned an entire week in Forks. Knowing he'd be here with me felt like a dream, and as the day of his arrival drew closer, I could barely contain my excitement.

When I finally saw his familiar red hair and wide smile as he walked through the door, everything else faded. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling the warmth of his embrace and the steady beat of his heart. He held me close, whispering, "I missed you, Bella."

"I missed you, too," I replied, pulling back to look at him. "It feels like it's been forever."

We spent the next few days exploring the town, sharing quiet moments by the beach, and laughing over silly things. George charmed Charlie all over again, joining him for early morning fishing trips and spending lazy afternoons around the house, chatting about life, plans, and the future.

One evening, George and I were sitting on the back porch, the stars scattered across the sky, when we heard a car pulling up the driveway. I felt a strange sense of familiarity, a prickle of unease as the engine stopped, and someone stepped out. I stood, peering through the dim light to see a figure walking up the path.

It was Edward.

He looked just as he had the last time I'd seen him, his face unreadable, his eyes intense as they met mine. George moved beside me, his hand slipping into mine, steady and reassuring.

"Bella," Edward said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I needed to see you."

"Edward," I replied, my voice stronger than I'd expected. "What are you doing here?"

He took a hesitant step forward, glancing at George before his gaze returned to me. "I realized that leaving was a mistake. I thought it was what you needed, but I see now that I was wrong. I wanted to give you a chance to be safe, to live a normal life, but... I can't let you go. I still love you."

The words hung in the air, heavy with everything we'd once shared. But as I looked at him, I felt a sense of distance, of something that had faded with time. My heart had moved on, found peace and happiness with George, and I knew that was where I belonged.

"I'm sorry, Edward," I said, my voice gentle but firm. "Things have changed. I've changed. When you left, I had to rebuild my life, and in doing so, I found someone who truly makes me happy. I'm with George now, and I don't want to go back."

Edward's expression shifted, a flicker of sadness crossing his face. He turned to George, his gaze sharp. "And you... do you even understand what it means to keep her safe?"

George met his eyes, calm but resolute. "I may not know everything about the threats you're referring to, but I know how to love her, to be there for her in a way that lets her be herself. I'm here for her because she chose me, and I'll protect her with everything I have."

Edward took a step back, a quiet resignation settling over him. "I understand," he said softly. "I see now that I was too late. Bella... I'm sorry for everything."

He looked at me one last time, a mixture of regret and acceptance in his eyes, then turned and walked back to his car. I watched him go, feeling a strange sense of closure, as if a chapter of my life had finally come to an end.

George wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as we stood there, surrounded by the quiet of the night. "Are you all right?" he asked, his voice warm and gentle.

I nodded, leaning into him. "Yes. I am. Because I know I'm where I'm meant to be."

He pressed a kiss to my forehead, his hands resting on my shoulders, grounding me. "I'm here, Bella. I'm not going anywhere."

As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I felt a deep sense of peace. I had found something real, something lasting, and for the first time, I felt free from the shadows of the past. With George, I knew I was home.