Ella's hands trembled as she held the diary, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she shouldn't return. She had told herself countless times that she needed to move on, let William go, and live in her own time. But the pull was too strong, the need to see him again, to tell him how she truly felt, too overwhelming. It had been days since she last left him, but it felt like a lifetime.
Her apartment felt suffocating. The walls seemed to close in on her, the world outside her window too loud, too fast. The modern world, with all its conveniences and promises, felt hollow without William. She couldn't bear it any longer. She needed to see him. She needed to know if he felt the same way.
Taking a deep breath, Ella opened the diary and let its magic wash over her. The familiar sensation of being pulled through time enveloped her, and moments later, she found herself standing in the garden behind William's home in 1965.
The air was cooler here, fresher, filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. She glanced around, her heart racing, knowing she couldn't delay any longer. She had to tell him. She had to be honest.
Her feet moved before she could think, carrying her to the small path that led to the house. As she approached, she saw him—William—sitting on the steps, staring off into the distance. His handsome face was shadowed by something she couldn't quite place, a melancholy that tugged at her heart.
"William," she called softly, her voice trembling.
He looked up, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw her. "Ella," he said, standing quickly, his expression a mixture of relief and confusion. "You came back."
She swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotion. "I couldn't stay away," she admitted, taking a few hesitant steps toward him. "I… I needed to see you."
William's brow furrowed, concern flickering in his eyes. "What's wrong?"
Everything. The words bubbled up inside her, threatening to spill out, but she hesitated. How could she explain the turmoil in her heart, the longing she felt for him that was too deep, too consuming to ignore? She had to, though. She had to tell him the truth.
"I love you," she blurted out, her voice shaking. The weight of those words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.
William stared at her, stunned. His mouth opened, but no words came out, and Ella's heart sank. She had feared this. She had feared he didn't feel the same way, that she had misread every tender glance, every stolen moment between them.
But then, William took a step toward her, his hands reaching out to gently cup her face. His touch was warm, grounding her in the reality of this moment. He looked into her eyes, and she saw the truth there—reflected in the depth of his gaze.
"I love you too," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.
Ella's breath caught in her throat, and she felt tears spring to her eyes. She had wanted to hear those words for so long, had dreamed of this moment in her mind, but now that it was real, it was almost too much to bear.
They stood there for a long moment, the world around them fading away as the weight of their confession settled between them. Ella felt her heart soar, but at the same time, a deep sadness gnawed at her. Because love alone wasn't enough. There were so many complications, so many reasons why they couldn't be together.
"I don't know what to do," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I want to stay with you, but I have a life in my time. I have people who care about me. My family… my friends…"
William's expression grew solemn, and he nodded, understanding the impossible choice that lay before them. "I know," he said quietly, his hands dropping to his sides. "I've thought about this too, Ella. We're from different worlds. We can't pretend like that doesn't matter."
Her heart ached at his words, but she knew he was right. They couldn't ignore the reality of their situation. She belonged in the present, in a time where William didn't exist. Staying in the past, with him, would mean giving up everything she knew—her family, her future, her entire life.
But the thought of leaving him behind again, of never seeing him again, felt like a knife twisting in her chest.
"There has to be a way," she whispered, her voice breaking. "There has to be something we can do."
William sighed, running a hand through his hair. "If you stay here, Ella, you'll be giving up everything. Your family, your career… everything you've built. You'd be living in a time that isn't yours."
"I don't care," she said, her voice more forceful than she intended. "None of that matters if I can't be with you."
William's eyes softened, but there was a deep sadness there that made Ella's heart clench. "I don't want you to give up your life for me," he said quietly. "I don't want you to look back one day and regret this decision. You belong in your time, with your family. They need you."
"But I need you," she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks.
William's expression crumbled, and in an instant, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him. She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt as she clung to him, wishing she could freeze this moment and never let it go.
"I don't know what to do," she repeated, her voice muffled against his chest. "I don't know how to choose."
William stroked her hair gently, his voice a soft murmur in her ear. "We'll figure it out," he promised. "We'll find a way."
But even as he said the words, Ella could hear the uncertainty in his voice. Because deep down, they both knew the truth—there was no easy solution. No matter what they chose, someone would get hurt. Someone would be left behind.
They pulled back slightly, just enough to look at each other, and for a long moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with emotion, the weight of their situation pressing down on them.
Finally, William spoke, his voice low and filled with emotion. "If you decide to stay, Ella… I'll do everything in my power to make you happy. But if you choose to go back… I'll understand. I just want you to be happy, even if it's not with me."
Ella's heart broke at his words, and she shook her head, unable to fathom a life without him. But the reality of staying in 1965 terrified her. Could she really give up everything she knew for a love that, no matter how deep, existed in a time that wasn't hers?
"I love you, William," she said softly. "But I'm scared. I'm scared of what it would mean to stay."
William nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "I'm scared too," he admitted. "But love is worth the risk, isn't it?"
Ella stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew he was right. Love was worth the risk. But was she brave enough to take that leap?
They stood in silence, the weight of their decision hanging between them. The future was uncertain, and the path ahead was daunting. But one thing was clear—no matter what happened, they loved each other. And that, in the end, was all that mattered.
"I'll stay," she whispered, the words trembling on her lips as if she couldn't quite believe she was saying them. "I'll stay with you, William."
William's eyes widened, surprise and joy flickering across his face. "Are you sure?"
Ella nodded, her heart pounding. "I'm sure. I love you. And I don't want to live in a world without you."
With a soft, relieved smile, William cupped her face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her. The moment their lips met, Ella felt a rush of warmth flood through her, as if everything had fallen into place. The kiss was slow, tender, filled with all the love and uncertainty they had for each other. And in that moment, Ella knew—no matter what challenges they faced, they would face them together.
When they finally pulled apart, William rested his forehead against hers, his breath warm on her skin. "We'll make this work," he whispered. "I don't know how, but we will."
Ella nodded, her heart full. "Together."