Emma woke up late that morning, 'too late', she thought to herself rolling to her side, she shifted the cannula to be more comfortable in her nose. She used to hate it, always having something on her face and not being able to get it off, but now it's just another part of her. She looked at the clock, 11:04, late. She wondered why she wasn't roused earlier when Dylan woke up, she thought about the night before, given the circumstances, it was a wonderful night. She made her way to the door, that's when she saw it.

"Emma, sorry to leave you to an empty house… Norma showed up early this morning, and she's taking Norman and I to see Caleb… I'll call you later okay? -Dylan" She once over'd it and placed it on her bag, she was happy that things seemed to have gotten better.

She made the bed look as presentable as she could, then she rushed out to her little red bug to head home, she was hungry, but eating their food when they weren't home didn't feel right, plus, she would be needing to get a new oxygen tank soon, this one was feeling dangerously light.

Down at the other end of White Pine Bay, Dylan had watched as Caleb broke down in front of their mother, pleading for forgiveness, and in his 21 years of being alive, he'd never seen Norma have such a normal reaction, she hugged her brother and forgave him. Things would never be normal between them, but it was oddly satisfying to see his parents together and not screaming at each other, regardless the complicated situation it was.

Norman, on the other hand did not look happy with this rekindled relationship at all. That was his mother, and it was meant to be just her and him, like they always talked about, why couldn't she see that yet?

Dylan turned to look around, the cabin really was in a beautiful location, about twenty feet from where he was standing, there was a large and beautiful lake, it was much less barren and empty than Arizona where he used to live, 'Don't get me wrong, I didn't mind the weather though, but this place has a better person… I mean people.' Dylan broke his trance from staring at the lake, Norma and Caleb were both sitting on the ground talking, Norman was kicking sticks on the ground, he figured no one would mind if he stepped aside for a moment.

Emma was just coming from her room when the phone rang. She had called her father last night to tell him the situation, well, most of the situation, and William Decody was an understanding man and he told her to have fun, and that his thoughts were with Dylan and Norman. "Hello?" She didn't get a chance to look at the phone before she answered it.

"Hey, it's Dylan, sorry for running out on you this morning, Norma came back and there wasn't much time to do much anything but follow her." He laughed nervously.

Emma glanced at the letter still sitting on the top of her bag, it made her smile to know that he took the time to write it for her. "Oh, don't worry about it Dylan, I'm just happy she's home, and talking to Caleb again. It sounds like things went well?" Emma had known about Caleb for a while now, Norma had let it slip in front of the three a few months prior, the way Dylan acted around her for a while, she tried to always make it up to him, after all, that didn't change anything between them.

"Yeah, they did. I just wanted to say thanks so much for all your help last night, it seriously meant a lot to me… us I mean." He looked around to see that Norma and Caleb were standing up and talking now.

"No problem Dylan, it was my pleasure, really!"

"I want to make it up to you though Emma, why don't you say we have dinner one night or something?" He tried to play it off as smoothly as he could, he never had problems with the ladies before, why should he start now.

Emma's heart skipped a beat. "Really, I'd like that very much!" she paused, "Oh, before I forget, I left pretty quickly this morning, so I wouldn't be in the way if you guys got home, and I kind of took your clothes with me, sorry." She looked at the folded clothes on her bed. "Don't worry I washed them and everything." She hated this when she got nervous she started to ramble. 'Breathe Emma.' She thought to herself.

"Okay, good! Awesome! And oh don't worry about it Emma, just text me or something when you're gonna bring 'em over. And cool, how does Thursday sound?" He almost held his breath as he waited for her answer.

"Thursday's good!" She said excitedly. 'I know it's just a thank you, but I'm excited.' She needed to calm down a bit, after all it was just Dylan, tall, muscular, sweet Dylan. 'S t o p.'

"Okay great, yeah you can just give 'em to me then if you'd like, kill two birds with one stone." He laughed.

"Sure, sounds good, and Dylan?" She bit her lip waiting for him to reply.

"Yeah?" He didn't know what she was going to say, and that made his heart beat faster.

"I-I'll text you later." She stuttered out, she didn't know what she had planned on saying but that was a lot easier for her to get out.

"Definitely." He had to admit he was a bit disappointed with it, he didn't know what he expected, or if he expected anything, he just knew things were different between her and him since last night, he wasn't sure if it was good yet, but as he walked back to his big blue truck, he decided it was.

Thursday came quicker than expected, and Norma inadvertently threw a wrench in his plans. After all the fuss with sheriff Romaro being shot, and Caleb not being tabooed anymore, Norma decided that she was going to throw an impromptu dinner for everyone. God knew she loved to cook, and this was the perfect occasion.

Dylan made his way down the stairs to see if Emma was still at the front desk, he looked at his watch, it was only four, and she worked until four forty five on Thursdays. He stepped into the little lobby. "Anyone home?" He stepped into the office.

"Oh gosh, Dylan sorry, I had just stepped out to grab refill this." She lifted up her purple water bottle.

"It's fine… Slow day?" He looked at the wall, many of the keys were still on the board.

"Yeah, not one person checked in or out today. So essentially, the slowest." She went back to her place behind the counter, she hadn't forgotten about their plans tonight.

"Hey, so Emma, about to night.." he paused. 'Oh no, he doesn't want to go anymore.' She thought. "Norma has decided to go all out on a big dinner for the family tonight, and I can tell she won't take no for an answer." He looked down, he felt like she would think he was cancelling on her.

"Oh, Dylan that's fine! You should have dinner with them!" She was so happy that things were going so well. "I have your stuff in my car I can give it to you before I leave, which is very soon actually." She smiled at him, he deserved to have something nice going on in his life for once.

He looked at her, she was just getting up to switch the sign from open to closed. "Actually Emma," she turned around to face him.

"Yeah?" she placed the sign back on the door now marking the motel was closed.

"I was wondering if you'd like to join me, and obviously this doesn't make up for it, and you're practically family anyway, and it's not like Norma wouldn't love another mouth to feed-" he could his face getting red as he continued to talk "-I'd love for you to join us."

"I'd love to join you Dylan." She smiled, the room felt about ten degrees warmer, but he had actually wanted her to stay for him, and he called her family, how could she say no to that.

"Awesome." He breathed a sigh of relief. "She's started cooking, so we can head up whenever." He offered.

"Sounds good," she opened the door, the air was just starting to get that September nip to it, "I'll grab your stuff."

He followed her to the car to give her a hand. And they walked up to the house together, of course Norma was delighted to see Emma, telling her to make herself at home, Norman stood by her side peeling vegetables, she was surprised though to see sheriff Romaro there, holding his arm in a sling.

"Got shot at." He smirked when he saw her staring.

"Gosh, I'm sorry, I hope you're okay!" She felt horrible.

"Yeah, perks of being an officer." She heard Norma scoff from the sink, she offered her help, and when Norma declined she made her way to the living room where Dylan was sitting on the couch with the television on, his feet up on the coffee table.

"Hey." She smiled when she walked in, looking to see what was on.

"Miss Decody, you look wonderful tonight." He smiled winking at her, causing her to cover her mouth and laugh. "Come sit, I don't usually bite." This caused her to smirk again.

"Thank you Mr. Massett, this is the same thing I always wear, but thank you." She sat on the couch next to him, but she was careful not to get too close, just incase. "When did we get so formal with each other?" She teased. He just smiled at that.

Caleb showed up a few minutes later causing more excitement to this growing dinner. "Hey Dylan." Caleb walked in and gave him a quick hug. Caleb seemed like a really nice guy, he was quiet, and he obviously cared a great deal for his family. "Emma, it's always a pleasure to see you too." They had only met once or twice but when she stood up to say hello, he pulled her into a quick fierce hug to which she responded with equal enthusiasm.

"Caleb, is that you?" They could hear Norma call from the kitchen.

"Yeah, I'm in the living room with Dylan and Emma." He called back to her. A few moments later she walked in wiping her hands on her apron.

"I'm really glad you could make it Caleb." She said earnestly, although it was strange to see him again, she was glad he was a part of her life. With Norman not doing so well, and her struggle to build a relationship again with Dylan, it was nice to see a friendly face.

"You too." He looked around. "It's a nice place you got here Norma, I couldn't help but notice… Do you still play at all?" He gestured to the piano.

"Well, god it's been a little while, and I'm probably not too good anymore." She hesitated. Dylan gave Emma a knowing look.

"Play something for me Norma Louise." He asked. "Please?"

"Oh, alright." She smiled and sat down. "I don't know… Do you remember this one, from when we were kids?" She started playing, just chords at first, but then she started to quietly sing a long. "Although, we're apart, you're part of my heart, but tonight, you belong to me." She paused, "Come on you remember this one right?" Caleb smiled and sat next to Norma at the piano.

" 'Course I do." She started to play and sing again, she taking the melody, and Caleb taking the harmony.

"Wait down by the stream, how sweet it will seem, once more just to dream in the silvery moonlight. My honey I know (I know), with the dawn that you will be gone but tonight, you belong to me, just a little old me." They finished singing and the room was silent.

Emma could tell that he inherited his singing voice from his parents definitely, it was almost entrancing to hear them sing together. All the while Dylan stood by her, he had never seen his parents interact in this way before. He had to say that it made him feel really good inside, no fighting, and his father hadn't tried to hit him as Sam did, it was all perfect in that moment. Emma silently squeezed his arm, and leaned over to whisper, "I can see where you get your singing voice from." That caused him to shudder as her breath tickled his ear.

"That was amazing Norma!" Emma exclaimed before Dylan could have a chance to react to what she had said.

"Thank you sweetie," She turned to Caleb, "you too Caleb." She turned to face her small audience. Alex was standing against the doorway, and for the first time she thought ever, she saw him smiling. Alex was not an emotional man, but this smile reached his eyes causing his entire face to be lit up.

"Truly beautiful Norma." Alex said from the door.

"Yeah mom, good job." Dylan said from the couch. This caused Norma to almost tear up, Dylan never called her mom, and she took it whenever she could get it, it truly warmed her heart.

"Yes mother. Very good job. Don't you think the food needs tending mother?" Norman said from the other doorway. He did not like all of these people taking his mother's attention away.

"Thanks honey! Yes, I'll be right in." She got up and walked past Alex to get into the kitchen. They all felt a slight mood shift, jealous Norman was never a good thing.

Dinner went on mostly without a hitch, and of course Norma did not disappoint with her cooking as usual. After dinner, Emma offered to help Norma bring in dishes. "Sure sweetie, just set them in the sink, I can have Norman wash them." She turned to Norman.

"Of course mother." He smiled innocently at her and walked into the kitchen.

"Well, I'd better be going." Sheriff Romaro said over the top of his coffee mug.

"Oh, are you sure you can't stay longer?" Norma questioned from her seat.

"No, I really should be going, but thank you so much for everything tonight Norma." He stood up and pushed his chair in. He hadn't realized that Caleb had already left, he knew that it was his cue to go as well.

"Well at least let me walk you to the door." Norma smiled and walked after him.

"How much do you wanna bet they kiss?" Dylan elbowed Emma as he heard the footsteps fade towards the door.

"Well, if you factor in all the flirty glances, and many "accidental" arm brushes, I'd say his chances are pretty good." While yes she was talking about Alex and Norma, she also meant the recent chemistry she could feel between herself and Dylan. She was afraid to admit it at first, but she realized that she liked Dylan.

"Oh yeah?" He asked, could she be picking up what he's been hinting at?

"Yeah, I think so." Emma said almost dreamily. Norma came walking in right at that exact moment.

"Tonight was really great, thank you for being here with us Emma." She could sense that she had interrupted something, she had her hunches but she was trying to figure out what was going on between Emma and Dylan. 'I know there's something.' She smirked to herself.

"Thank you again Norma, for having me." She took that as her cue to leave too, it was getting late.

"Here let me walk you to your car." Dylan said suddenly standing up, he wanted to finish what he had started talking about with her before Norma came in.

"Sure, I'll just say a quick goodbye to Norman." She peaked her head into the kitchen. "Bye Norman!"

"Oh, you're leaving?" He dried his hands and walked over to her. "It was great seeing you Emma." He hugged briefly.

"You too Norman." She watched as he headed back over to the sink. Then she turned to the door. Norma had followed her youngest son into the kitchen to help wash dishes.

It was much colder outside than it was during the day time. Dylan offered her his coat and she, with very minimal protest, put it on. He walked close to her to shield her from the growing wind.

"Thank you again for inviting me tonight Dylan, it was really lovely to spend time with, your family… and you." She looked up at him from the side of her little red bug.

"Emma… the pleasures mine, really." He couldn't help but notice how cute she looked in his jacket, or how cute she looked in general. 'Screw it.' He thought. "Emma, would you like to go out again sometime, like on a date?"

She couldn't believe it, he'd finally done it. "I thought you would never ask." She looked down at her feet.

"Great! Awesome. Good." He laughed apprehensively, 'This girl…' He smirked.

"Okay, good. Call me or text me, I'll make sure to keep my phone near me." She could barely contain herself, Dylan Massett had just asked her on a date! "Oh! You're jaket, here." She started to slide it off her shoulders, but Dylan's hand stopped her.

"Keep it for now, it looks good on you." He flashed his winning Massett smile, causing Emma to shiver despite still having a coat on.

So guys after the first chapter what did you think? There is still a lot to come for Emma and Dylan, so please like and leave a review! Thanks guys :)

"Thank you." She smiled and unlocked the door to her car.

"Hold on." Dylan put his hand on the door frame to stop her from opening it. "Come here." He didn't want to kiss her yet and risk ruining the moment, so he settled for a hug and pulled her in close to him.

Emma could not think of a better place in the world to be than in Dylan's arms while wearing his coat. His strong muscular arms held her steady in place, for she feared if he hadn't her legs might have given way beneath her.