37.
~ Norma was glad to see her son when she picked him up from school. She decided to leave work early so he wouldn't have to go to the after school program. All the news coverage of Gemma Harper had scared her. She just wanted to have Dylan home safe with her. She'd called up to the hospital in Portland to check on Norman during her lunch hour. The nurses had told her how well he was doing. That he'd been very well behaved for all the tests. When they put her youngest on the phone, he seemed his normal self again.
"I'll be there in a few days honey." she promised.
She wanted her baby back home more than she could stand. Her life felt oddly empty without him in it. If felt like she had no purpose anymore. She'd never been separated from him for so long and she knew Norman must feel just as empty without her.
When she and Dylan arrived home, she called the hospital again. The nurse said Norman was engaged in another round of tests but that he was doing fine.
"Okay, can you call me if there is any change? Wake me up in the middle of the night if you have to. It's fine." she told the charge nurse.
"We will, Mrs. Bates." the nurse said brightly.
She hung up the phone just as Alex Romero's SUV pulled up in her driveway.
She wasn't at all surprised to see him. She felt a little guilty for thinking about that kiss this morning instead of worrying about Norman or the missing Harper girl. Everyone else in town was scared and upset over the news of a kidnaped child, but Norma had been distracted by the memory of Alex and her on the front porch. It had been difficult to not smile when she thought about it.
"Deputy Romero!" Dylan called out happily and let Alex into the house.
Norma peered over to her living room and saw that he didn't arrive empty handed.
"I brought pizza." he explained holding up the two large boxes for her to see. "Figured you could use a night off from cooking."
~ It ended up being a lovely night in with the three of them playing an old board game. Norma quickly lost to her son and Deputy Romero's ruthless desire to win.
"You're too polite." Alex accused her playfully.
"Maybe." she agreed. "Any news about the girl?"
Alex looked at Dylan.
"Hey, Buddy." he said. "I rented us a movie to watch, I know you're better at setting up the VCR than me. Want to get it ready?" *
"Okay." Dylan said eager to impress Romero. He rushed out of the kitchen and into the living room.
Alex made sure Dylan was out of ear shot before he talked to Norma.
"Nothing." he whispered. "Cadaver dogs have been brought in."
Her eyes were wide at this news.
"You think she's dead?" Norma whispered.
"I hope she's not, but it's been twenty-four hours now."
"Do you have any suspects? Please tell me it wasn't just some random person." Norma breathed.
"In my opinion, the parents seem unlikely. We still have to consider them of course." Alex explained. The memory of Joyce Summers and those children buried in her basement came rushing back to his mind.
He looked at Norma, her expression concerned, but trusting of him. He got the same feeling from her that he had around Gemma Harper's mother. Both of them were women who could never hurt their child. Who would rather die themselves before any harm came to their offspring.
"How's Norman?" Alex asked. "I didn't ask first thing, I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. The nurses told me before you came over that he's doing very well. I called at lunch and talked to him." she said sadly. "He wants to come home."
Alex saw she was depressed at being away from her youngest.
"It's harder on you than it is on him." he told her.
"Well, he's in a strange place with people he doesn't know. Being tested for who knows what." Norma said not bothering to hide her annoyance. "If I didn't have to work I would be there with him."
"I know." Alex said quickly.
"It's just so frustrating." she confessed. "If something is wrong with him, I don't know how to fix it. I don't know how to make it better."
"You made sure he's getting the right kind of help." Alex said. "Remember what happened with Dylan and Shelby? You didn't just ignore it, or try to fix it on your own, you made sure your kid got help from people who could do something."
Norma looked back up at him. Her face showing she wasn't convinced.
"You're a good mother." he whispered. "Trust me on that."
"Jurassic Park!" Dylan shouted from the living room.
Norma's eyes widened and Alex sensed she was mad at him.
"Jurassic Park?" she questioned in a judgmental tone.
"What? What's wrong with that? He likes dinosaurs." Romero asked innocently.
"It's too scary, Alex."
"It's not that scary."
"Yes, it is. I read the dinosaurs in that movie are too realistic."
"Wait, this isn't the movie with the purple dinosaur that sings?"
"Alex! You know this is too scary for Dylan. He's only six years old." she hissed.
"Well, I'll make sure he knows dinosaurs aren't real." Alex said plainly. "That they're make-believe."
Norma looked so annoyed at this he couldn't hold back a smirk. He started to put the pieces to their board game up so he would't be tempted to laugh.
"He'll be fine." Alex said at last. "I promise."
"Okay, if he wakes up in the middle of the night with nightmares, I'm going to blame you." she said. "If I'm not getting to sleep neither will you."
"Promises, promises, Mrs. Bates." Alex sighed.
He didn't wait this time for her to fire back at him. Didn't wait for her to roll her eyes or even be annoyed with him. He leaned close to her and kissed her lips just like he'd done that morning. Her mouth felt warm and perfect on his and when he pulled away, he saw her features looked softer. The worry lines over her brow had vanished.
"Lets go watch the movie." he said with a nod to the living room.
~ Norma had to confess it was a good movie. Dylan didn't seem at all bothered by the dinosaurs attacking children. Instead he thought the whole thing was pretty cool.
"If you like that, you're gonna love Star Wars." Alex told him when the movie ended.
Norma secretly hated the movie coming to an end. She and Alex had gotten slightly too comfortable on the couch and somehow she'd wound up resting her head on his chest. She didn't remember his arm going around her, but she found that that's exactly what happened. His arm was around her shoulders, his fingers locking with hers and they were far too cozy when the credits started to roll. Norma could have gone to sleep, she'd been so comfortable.
As soon as the movie ended, Norma shifted herself away from him before Dylan saw. He'd been so enamored with the movie, that he hadn't seen them together.
"Yeah, we can watch Star Wars." Dylan said happily. "Tomorrow night!"
"Alex, that movie might…" Norma couldn't resist the urge to worry about her son being afraid of it.
Romero turned to her and, feeling that her fears were silly, she refused to finish what she was saying.
"We have to promise your mom you won't get scared of Dinosaurs or Darth Vader." Alex said the child.
"I'm not scared." Dylan said sounding slightly offended.
Alex glanced back at Norma. Their eyes meeting for a few seconds. She would be glad when Dylan went to bed so that they could be alone.
"Dylan, why don't you go brush your teeth? It's almost bedtime." Norma said glancing back at her son.
"Okay." he agreed.
"I should go to." Alex said and stood up.
"Wait." Norma said in surprise. She watched Dylan go to the bathroom and shut the door before she could speak freely.
"Alex, you don't have to leave." she whispered. "I mean, if you wanted… wanted to stay over."
"I've been awake for almost thirty hours now." he admitted sadly. "I need to go home and get some rest. I have to be at the Sheriff's station in the morning for a briefing on Gemma Harper."
"Oh." Norma sighed.
"Look, don't say anything to anyone about what I told you tonight. About Gemma Harper." he said picking up his jacket so he could go.
"I won't. Thank you, for coming over and for dinner." she said politely.
"It was nice, wasn't it?" Alex agreed.
"Yeah." she grinned.
"Not much of a date night, but as soon as Norman's home and things with the missing girl are settled, I can plan something more impressive for you." he said.
Norma felt her cheeks grow hot. She wasn't used to the idea of a man planning anything for her. This thing with Alex still felt so new and fragile. It would break if it were handled to quickly.
"I would like that." she admitted honestly.
"Good." he agreed. "Do you want me to come by the house in the morning? Just to check on the two of you?"
"Yes." she said plainly. Her honesty with him showing no signs of slowing down.
"Okay." he agreed.
She waited for him to kiss her good bye, but he didn't. Instead he pulled on his jacket and collected his keys. He was turning to go and Norma felt her heart might break.
"Alex?" she accused sharply.
"Yes, Mrs. Bates?" he asked innocently.
She grinned, at his mischievous teasing. As if she had no control of herself, her hands were pulling on his jacket and bringing him close to her. Alex wasn't leaning down to steal a kiss this time, so it was up to her to do the stealing. She craned her neck up slightly and kissed his lips softly.
Where his kiss had been efficient and effective, like he'd kissed her everyday, she kissed him delicately on the lips at first. A tease that quickly lured him into her. She deepened her kiss, her lips moving over his with an ease and comfort she didn't remember feeling before. Her skin pricking hot as their lips moved together. His mouth wanting to take command over hers and she recklessly surrendered to him.
His hands were touching her face. His strong fingers were over her jaw; holding her prisoner in an embrace she didn't want to escape.
He finally pulled away slightly and she had to tell herself to breathe. Her breath coming hard and her mind slightly confused from lack of air.
"I need to go home." Alex said weakly. She could tell he was exhausted, but didn't want to leave her.
"Okay." she whispered. "Okay."
"I have to get some sleep." he added.
"I know."
"I want to stay."
"Go, home." she said. Her smile coming back again. Her body feeling lighter for some reason after their kiss. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Before you take Dylan to school." he agreed.
He leaned down and kissed her good night quickly. His lips felt hard at the reluctant goodbye.
"Okay." she laughed and her face was too warm.
"One more." he teased and kissed her again. His body half way out the front door.
Norma was only slightly offended at his audacity.
"You're pressing your luck, Deputy." she teased.
"Maybe." he agreed.
She watched him leave for the evening. Glad that if he couldn't stay the night, he would be back in the morning.
* Remember this story takes place back in 1998. Back then we had to go to places called a video store to physically rent a VHS tape movie. Dark times. Very dark times.
Thanks to all the reviews! I really love hearing your feedback.
Yes, we will see Emma again soon. No, this Joyce Summers isn't Buffy's mom. Good catch though. Yes, there will be Normero sexy time. No, Keith Summer's won't be back, but the house and motel will come into play again. Yes, there will be Normero conflict soon and yes, there will be Normero fluff in the form of a super romantic date night.