Alex had finished up his paperwork a little earlier than normal so he started to head home. He had been thinking about asking Emma to help him with setting up a ceremony for Norma and him. He would stop by when Emma was working at the motel next. He pulled up into the driveway to the house and parked his truck. Getting out he glanced over to the motel office which he didn't see anybody in. Assuming Norma is up at the house he makes his way up the stairs. He took out his key to open the door that was locked. He walks in and closes the doors behind him. It was very quiet. He looked over to the living room to see Norma was laying on the couch sound asleep.

The blanket was halfway falling off her body onto the floor so he went over and covered her up. She looked to be sleeping so peacefully so he left her be. After all she didn't get much sleep last night. He was happy that she was getting some rest. He headed up the stairs to get a shower and change into some clothes.

Alex stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel wrapping it around his waist. He stepped out of the bathroom to the room heading for his suitcase. He wished he had a dresser here with his clothes in it. Maybe in time he thought to himself. He got dressed and went back downstairs to see if he could figure out something for dinner. Norma was always cooking for him, maybe he could wip up something for them tonite. Although it wouldn't be nearly as good as Norma's dinner, he would attempt it anyway. He searched through the fridge for something. He found some chicken. He could do something with this chicken. He started pulling out a bunch of cooking utensils and a cutting board and searched the cabinets for a baking dish. He must have been a little loud with the pans because he heard a voice from behind him.

"Alex?" Norma called from the living room.

He put the baking dish down and cursed himself for waking her up. He made his way out to her. She was sitting up now holding her blanket in her hands on her lap.

"I'm sorry I woke you up, I was just about to make us something to eat." He sat down next to her.

"That's okay, I need to get up anyway. What did you say you were doing? Cooking? You know how to cook?" She asked groggily.

He raised his eyebrows. "Really? You think I can't cook?"

She playfully punched him in the chest. "I'm kidding. I bet you will make a wonderful dinner." She tried to sound truthful.

He could see right through her. He shook his head and smiled. "You'll just have to wait and see I guess..."

She scooted over closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on the top of her head. "Did you get some rest?"

"Yeah. You need to stop keeping me awake all night." She joked.

He rolled his eyes. "Right. That was all me. I'm so sorry." He said sarcastically and laughed at her silliness.

"I better get back to my dinner." He said as he got up from the couch.

"Alright I can't wait to eat it!" Norma yelled to him as she watched him head back to the kitchen. "How much longer because I am hungry?"

Alex laughed as he heard her yell from the couch. "Not much!" He lied. He was just starting.

Norma then got up and tip toed her way toward the kitchen. She snuck up behind him as he was preparing his dinner to go into the oven. "Is it ready yet?" She whispered.

He turned around and grabbed her by the waist. "You better get out of here. It's never going to be ready if you keep distracting me."

"I'm sorry. I'll let you do your cooking then." She smiled to him. "So, have you heard anything about my car yet?"

"No, actually. Nothing, other than it will be ready tomorrow. New tires and a security system installed. I'll bring it here as soon as it's done." He opened up the oven placing the chicken inside.

"Okay." Norma answered.

"I'm sorry I didn't find out anything about who did it. I'm going to keep trying."

"I know you are. It's okay, it's not your fault. I don't even care. I know I have you to protect me, I'm not scared anymore." She told him.

"I don't want you to be scared." He grabbed her hands in his, bringing them to his lips and kissing them softly.

Norma placed her hand on top of his. "Thank you, Alex. I am going to go check on the motel and lock it up for the night. I fell asleep and never went back." She told him.

"Okay. I'm going to finish up dinner."

Norma went down to the motel to make sure everything was okay and locked up the office. As she was walking out she saw headlights heading into the parking lot. As they got closer she could see it was Dylan's truck pulling in. She ran over to his truck as it stopped.

"Hi honey." She approached his side of the truck as he was getting out.

"Hi Mom. How are you?" Dylan was happy to his mother.

"I'm good. Alex is uh, making dinner, would you like to join us?"

Dylan smiled. "Sure. That sounds good..." He paused for a moment and smirked. "Wait, you said Alex is cooking? Your not cooking?"

Norma smiled so wide she couldn't control herself at the thought. "Yeah."

"Well, I can't wait to see this." He told her and started to walk with her up to the house.

"Emma was by earlier, she asked for you." She told him as they made their way up the stairs.

"Yeah, I caught up with her. Thanks."

"Is something wrong? She seemed...different. is there something going on?" She questioned him.

Norma opened the front door letting them both inside.

"No, everything is fine. I promise." He told her and followed her into the kitchen.

Alex was preparing a salad at the counter. Cutting up some tomato's and throwing them into the bowl of lettuce. He turned around to place the bowl on the table. "Oh, hey Dylan. What's going on? We're about to have dinner, are you joining us?"

"Yeah I am. How are you two doing? Is everything okay? Mom, where is your car? I didn't see it when I pulled in." Dylan asked remembering what his first thought was when he had pulled in and saw her standing there but her car wasn't in sight.

Norma looked down a second before responding. "It's uh, at the shop. Needed new tires." She didn't want to tell Dylan the truth because she didn't want him to worry. So, she just went with her first instinct which was to only tell half the truth. She looked to Alex who met eyes with her also.

Dylan nodded. "I see."

"Come sit down while dinner is cooking, I'll get us some iced tea?" Norma told Dylan and led him into the living room. "Sit." She told him and disappeared back into the kitchen for the drinks. "Would you like some iced tea, Alex?" She opened the refrigerator and grabbed some glasses from the cabinet and set them down on the counter.

Alex walked to her. "Sure." She turned around and handed him his glass. "Thank you." She leaned in close to him and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "We will be out here."

She set the glasses down and sat down at the other end of the couch. "So are you back home for good now?"

"No, I was just stopping by. Checking in, you know."

"Oh."

"Everything's seems to be going pretty okay over here, huh?" Dylan asked curiously.

She gave him the happy genuine Norma smile again. The smile he loved to see. The smile he has only seen a few times in his life. It made him happy.

"I'm happy for you guys. But, um, when exactly are you guys getting married? You're still getting married right?"

"Yeah we are. We decided to hold off for a bit, but, uh, I'm not exactly sure when. But I will definitely let you know so don't worry?"

"Yeah. Sounds good." He smiled.

Alex took this opportunity while Dylan and Norma were chatting in the other room to send a quick text to Emma. He sent her a message asking if they could meet up tomorrow at lunchtime to talk. Also that he needed her help with something. A few minutes went by and she had responded with a yes. He let out a deep breath and slipped his phone back into his pocket. He needed to get this marriage going. He couldn't wait to make Norma his wife.