I woke up frightened and screaming. Apparently George had heard me, as I heard footsteps coming down the hall. I was embarrassed, and between the nightmare and thunder, I was slightly frightened still. I tried to pretend I was asleep when I heard George walking into the room.

He knelt down next to the couch and whispered, "Aurora, please, I know you're awake..." I looked up at him, sitting myself up and biting my lip harshly. His hair was slightly messy. You could definitely tell it had been slept on, and it almost made me smile to see him as vulnerable as he was. "I'm so sorry for waking you up, sweetheart..." I whispered faintly. I wasn't quite sure if he had even heard me at first, as he had hesitated slightly. "It's alright. I promise." George stood up and reached out his hand for me to take. "C'mon, sweetheart. You can sleep with me tonight." I almost protested, but I decided to keep my mouth shut instead. To be truthful though, I was a bit nervous. I had never actually slept in the same bed as a man before, let alone George. I knew nothing sexual was going to happen, but for some reason or another it still gave me butterflies.

I crawled into his bed and laid there for a second while he got in as well. The mattress was much more comfortable than the couch, and somehow, I already felt a little safer just lying there next to George. I was just about to fall asleep, when I felt George's arms gently wrap around me and he placed his head a few inches from mine. "You don't have to be afraid of anything anymore, sweetheart." I bit my lip again, trying not to cry. "From now on, I'll always be here to protect you. Now, goodnight, Aurora. I love you..." He whispered softly. "Goodnight, George... I love you, too..." I whispered.

Though I felt safer wrapped in George's arms, I was still a little scared. I was scared of what my father might do if he found out and what everyone might think, but I tried to push those thoughts out of my mind. They didn't truly matter right then anyway. The only thing that mattered was that I was with the love of my life again, and I truly couldn't be happier about it. And on that note, I slowly fell asleep.