Author's notes: I have no excuses, except that I lost inspiration for writing. I have no idea where I'm actually going with this story, I'm open to ideas. Reviews are helpful to let me know if I'm on the right track or if I should delete this altogether.

I'm sorry, this isn't edited yet.

I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 2: Deception and Heartache

Before Dr. Clark could even utter another word, Dylan rushes out of the office and sprints to his truck. With a squeal of his tires, he races with one destination in mind. As he tries to steers with his left hand on the wheel, Dylan uses his right to frantically pull his phone from his jacket pocket.

Holding his phone, Dylan presses the first saved contact and quickly puts it on speaker before tossing it to the passenger seat. "Emma!" He shouts over the sound of his truck's motor loud enough for her to hear, but yet still be safe enough to now have both hands on the wheel as he drives.

"Emma!" Dylan yells again, while increasing his speed.

"I'm just getting in my car, I'm on my way to your mom's. I know I'm late, but I'll see you there soon!" Emma responds all at once without taking a breath, missing her boyfriend's frantic tone.

"NO! STOP!" Dylan roars, grabbing for his phone that he tossed aside.

Emma halts her steps in an instant. "What's going on?" She asks in confusion, concerned about the command in his voice.

"I'll explain everything, I promise. Just go inside, I'll be there about 30 minutes and if my mom calls don't answer." Dylan calms his demeanor over the phone, but the anger and anxiety are beginning to grow stronger.

"Yeah, ok." Her voice now barely audible. "I'll be here." Emma adds, but she's disappointed when all she hears is a dial tone as a reply.

Taking a deep breath, Emma closes her car door and makes her way back into the house. Too on edge to do anything else but to continuously run different terrible scenarios in her mind, Emma takes a seat and holds her breath until her boyfriend comes home.

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Emma immediately jumps to her feet when she hears tires kicking up gravel in their driveway and screeching tires. When she rushes to the front door, Emma is there just in time to greet her boyfriend coming inside and slamming the door behind him.

"We're not going to Norma's!" Dylan says sternly through a clenched jaw when he comes face to face with his girlfriend, hands balled into tight fists.

Emma takes a step backwards and realizes her boyfriend needs time to cool down before confronting him on what exactly has gotten him into the state he is in.

She watches patiently with a concerned look on her face as Dylan paces around the living room, continually venting his apparent frustrations. "She has truly lost her mind. I know she always has her own agenda, but this? It's like she has no concept of what he's capable of. I just can't believe this! We're not going over there anymore, never again! I'm so done! I never want to see either of them again!"

After another 20 minutes and yet another missed call from Norma on both her phone and her boyfriend's, Emma takes a deep breath and takes a step closer to Dylan. Reaching her arms out, she stops Dylan in front of her and cups his face in the palms of her hands. The gentle movement instantly calms him. "Take a breath," she whispers carefully.

With a deep inhale, Dylan allows his eyes to shut momentarily before once again meeting her troubled stare. "I'm sorry Emma," he replies quietly while slowly removing her hands from his face. "I need to explain."

Emma nods in response, waiting for him to begin when the moment was interrupted with a familiar ring. "It's your mom again. Dylan, what is going on?"

"Norman isn't at the facility." Dylan states, with building tension in his face.

Emma flashes a tiny knowing smile. "Is this why you're so upset? You know Norma said she was signing him out to celebrate Alex's job, plus the opening of the bed and breakfast."

With a shake of his head, Dylan takes a step backward. "No, you don't get it. Norman has been checked out, permanently."

Emma's eyes open wide in surprise and terror simultaneously. "Permanently?" She whispers in shock. "I don't understand. The last time we spoke to the doctor, he said Norman's in patient treatment is ongoing."

Dylan scoffs with narrowed eyes at the mere thought of Norma being so careless. "Norma thinks she knows more about his condition than the doctors." He sighs, taking a seat on one of the comfortable chairs in their living room. "I went to speak to Dr. Clark today. He told me the news Norma never bothered to tell me."

"That's not it, Dylan." Emma speaks cautiously as she nears her boyfriend's chair, sitting on the coffee table in front of him. "I'm sure this is why your mom was calling both of us. She wants to share that Norman is home."

"This isn't good news Emma," he states sternly with a roll of his eyes. "Norma is not supposed to be removing Norman from the only place that is making him better. She's always so selfish with her decisions, not even thinking about my brother's wellbeing or any of the safety issues his behavior causes."

Reaching her arm forward, Emma leans over and touches his hand with her fingertips. "Let's talk to your mom," she whispers.

"You're not going anywhere near Norma or Norman. Hell, I don't even want to be around there." Dylan sighs as he moves his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose between his right thumb and index finger. "I'm just stuck with them."

Emma stands up abruptly, walking away from her boyfriend before she turns her back to him completely. "We're back here again. I thought we established that I am a part of this family too."

"Stop taking things so personally," he stands to follow her. Once he reaches her, Dylan places one of his palms lightly onto the small of her back. "This isn't your fight and it's definitely not your burden." Noticing Emma remains unresponsive, even to his gentle touch, he steps away.

Feeling his hand leave her body, Emma shifts her position until she's facing her boyfriend again. She crosses her arms in a sign of opposition and narrows her eyes at his all too familiar words. "So, you've learned nothing from our previous conversations. You haven't changed at all, like you pretended to."

"Stop it Emma, you don't get it and you never will. You think because you've helped with Norman a couple of times you know better than me how to deal with this situation?" Dylan's voice starts to grow louder. "You only get a glimpse of what Norma is like, so you probably think she's some supermom or something, while in reality there is not one thing that woman does that doesn't benefit herself in some way. Norman is following in her footsteps. Manipulating everyone around him, just like his mother." Dylan squares off and crosses his arms in response to Emma's own defensive posture, mirroring her frustration as well even though they share an opposing view. "I'm sick of cleaning up their messes!"

Emma's stance doesn't change. In fact her anger rises and before she can truly think about what she's going to say next, Emma says something she instantly regrets. "You mention she only does things for her own benefit, but she had you. After the worst of circumstances, Norma put aside her own pain to bring you into this world. How is that sacrifice selfish?"

Dylan uncrosses his arms and drops them to his sides in shock. His jaw drops slightly ajar and his eyes change from their typical baby blue to bright sapphire with dampness collecting within them. Emma truly hurt him and all she wants to do is take it all back.

"Dylan, I'm so – I didn't – " Emma immediately tries to say upon seeing his broken face, but she stops her words when she realizes Dylan quickly stride out of the room without a response. Racing after him, Emma grabs for his arm just when he reaches for his keys off the counter.

Dylan instantly pulls his arm back from her grasp, still remaining silent.

As her boyfriend paces toward the door, Emma yells to him in an attempt to stop him from leaving. "Dylan! Please stop! Please don't leave! We can talk about this – I'm"

When his hand touches the doorknob, Dylan briefly turns around to address his distraught girlfriend after her words stop mid-sentence. "You used a situation I'm most sensitive about against me to win an argument when there wasn't a competition, Emma." His voice trembles a bit when he speaks, but then quickly and awkwardly clears his voice as he tries to cover up his vulnerability. "That is exactly something Norma would do," he sighs while briefly looking down before making eye contact with Emma again. "I wasn't expecting that from you and to be honest, I can't be around you right now. Norma has thrown Caleb in my face ever since I knew he was my true father. She did this to make me feel grateful to her for my existence, in reality I've always been her punching bag." He pauses again, disappointed in realizing he's still not over all of the hurt that has been inflicted upon him over the years by the one person he was literally born to trust the most in the world.

"I just realized all of this time I've sought her approval, even when I wasn't recognizing it." Dylan chuckles out of bitterness. "But, I think I'm done with that thought now. I never needed her or Norman to be my family, only you. We were a family." With those words Dylan opened the door and started to walk toward his truck, almost feeling lighter after his confession.

"What do you mean, we were a family?" Emma whispers as she hears the roar of Dylan's truck interrupt the silence of her thoughts. All Emma wants to do is run after her boyfriend and reassure him that she is his family, but she holds herself back even though it kills her to do so. He'll return to her, right?

XXXX

As time ticks away, Emma waits and stares at her phone in hopes Dylan will return at least one of her multiple messages. She's been sending non-stop messages to him in attempts to reassure her boyfriend how deep her love is for him.

Other than just literally waiting for her phone to chime, Emma realizes her need to discuss this situation with someone. Dylan is always her go-to person to vent to, but now he's the subject of her thoughts.

Sure, she's made friends in college. However, they don't know enough about Dylan after meeting him just a few times. And she can't speak with her father about this, because he'll either judge Dylan or her for what she said to him.

Obviously, Norma is not an option either.

The only other person she can think of is, Alex Romero. It may seem like a strange choice, but Romero respects Dylan and their relationship. Romero has become a voice of reason for both of them, even stepping into a father type role for Dylan.

There's a catch though, a couple actually. One, Romero may have his hands full dealing with this change of Norman moving in. After all, according to Dylan his brother was released only this morning. Secondly, can Romero keep their conversation a secret from his love? He's weak in the knees for Norma, willing to overlook almost everything she does that most people would question.

Emma only thinks about it for a few moments before she throws caution into the wind and dials Romero's number.

XXXX

"Norman, can you go to your room for a bit? I have to talk with Alex," Norma flashes a tense smile toward her youngest son while gently touching her

Norman huffs with a spark of jealousy, irritated his mother is not wanting to spend more time with him. "Yes mother," he responds sternly. He then stomps out of the kitchen and approaches his room, though he doesn't go inside. Instead he slams his bedroom door shut to give the illusion he has listened to his mother's request, but in reality Norman tip toes to a corner where he can remain unseen by the other 2 adults having a discussion in the other room.

"Norma, what is going on?" Alex demands, while still keeping the volume of his voice down to avoid the prying ears of Norma's son. "Why isn't he at the facility? Why is here?"

"Let's have a seat," Norma offers while moving the chair from the table for him. As he sits, Norma pulls a chair for herself facing him and close enough for her to take his hand into her's. After they settle, Norma flashes another strained smile. "I really didn't think you would react like this. I thought of it more as a happy surprise, but I realize now you're caught off guard and I should've been more respectful."

Before continuing, Norma takes a deep breath and squeezes his hand a little more. "Norman has been released, isn't that great news? I know we talked about it being just a temporary visit, but it turns out its permanent!" She giggles happily, almost like a child on Christmas morning.

Seeing her so delighted, how could he not be distracted? A tiny grin appears on his face in response to her happiness, not really to the part where Norman has suddenly become a permanent resident in their house.

After a few moments Romero lets the news sink in about Norman's homecoming, he now has questions. "The doctor just released him? When do his outgoing therapy sessions start?"

Norma pauses, trying to think of an answer her love will accept. Sure. Technically the doctor didn't formally release her youngest son. And maybe the true reason Norma signed Norman out of the facility against protocols is because the doctor denied her request for a 3 day temporary release, but a mother knows best. Norman just needs a little TLC from his mother to be healed. "Um… actually Norman did so well at the facility, the doctor just said if he wishes to see someone he can check in occasionally with a local therapist. Isn't that great?"

Red flags shoot off in his head at Norma's words. This can't be correct. According to the doctor mere months ago, Norman was nowhere near ready to leave treatment. Norma wouldn't lie about something like this, would she? With a small shake to his head, Alex dismisses his negative thoughts and decides to take this as an opportunity to maybe improve things with Norman. That doesn't mean Alex won't be skeptical of the boy's behaviors, or be naïve of the young man's intentions. He'll sleep with one eye open if he has to.

"You've built such a great father bond with Dylan. It's truly been a wonderful thing to witness," a tear drops to her cheek as she continues to speak. Alex quickly uses the pad of his thumb to wipe the wetness from her cheek. "Dylan has never had a true sense of family throughout his whole life," she sighs trying to hold back more tears. "I'm just so happy I can give Dylan this after all he's been through. We are now a family. You, me, and my sons. Oh and my daughter, Emma. I mean it's only a matter of time with her and Dylan." Norma giggles again with a bright smile. "I'm just hoping you'll be able to build a bond with Norman like you do with Dylan."

"I'll try my best, love." He's able to squeak out before Norma throws herself onto his lap to embrace him properly.

They both miss the darkened look of the young man hiding in the corner, who has heard every word of their conversation and who is currently squeezing his hands into fists.

"Speaking about Dylan and Emma, I haven't heard from them. They were supposed to come here so we could all celebrate Norman's homecoming." Norma says with concern, pulling back a bit from Alex's embrace. "I've been trying to reach them for quite a while now. I've been so wrapped up in our talk, I need to try them again. I'm getting worried."

The moment is interrupted by a chime of Romero's phone.

XXXX

Can you talk? And please don't tell Norma. I'll explain – Emma

Romero glances at his phone, seeing an unread message from Emma. Without hesitation he reads the message and then excuses himself from the room, advising he needs to call work.

Walking outside, he takes a seat at one of the picnic benches they have placed outside. His heart beats a little faster out of concern.

"Emma?" He asks immediately when the young woman picked up the call.

"Thank you for calling me." Emma sniffles over the line, causing the man to be even more on edge. "I can't talk about this with anyone else."

"Emma, what's wrong?" He softens his voice. "Norma has been worried about you and Dylan. Are you both alright? Where's Dylan?" His questioning must have triggered Emma because he now hears her sobbing thru the phone.

"I said something so terrible to Dylan." Emma continues to cry, trying to get out the words but at times the sound of her sniffles make it difficult to understand. "What if I can't repair what I broke tonight?"

"If there is one thing I'm sure of Emma, it's that you two will be able to heal whatever happened tonight. Do you know why I think that?" Romero asks, keeping his tone lighthearted and hopeful despite feeling sad for the young woman.

"No," her voice only slightly above a whisper in response.

"Because there will always be ups and downs in relationships, well, in life if I'm being completely honest. It's inevitable you'll have some struggles as a couple, Emma. But, it's the rough moments where you find out how strong your bond is." Alex hears the young woman's sobs turn into tiny sniffles, causing him to grin from ear to ear. He sits up a little straighter on the bench he's been sitting on, in the realization he's actually helping this situation.

Romero never thought he could be a parent. As the years passed, nothing changed his mind on that fact until he met Norma. During the many conversations with Dylan and now this talk with Emma, maybe he's been completely wrong this entire time. If he can have this type of fatherly connection with both Dylan and Emma, why couldn't he build something with Norma's youngest son too?

"You may want to also give him some time too. Dylan sometimes needs to step away for a bit to think things thru for himself. I know it will be hard, but maybe hold off sending him messages until the morning. Allow him to cool off a bit."

"Ok. That sounds like a good plan. Thank you," Emma says gratefully. "I just needed to talk with someone."

"Of course Emma," Alex reassures. "Oh, before I forget. Norma was trying to reach you and Dylan about coming over tonight. Obviously something happened between you two, which for some reason I get the feeling this had something to do with Norma. Am I right?"

"You're right." The young woman hesitantly agrees, not wanting to elaborate with specifics. Besides, even thinking about what she said to Dylan makes her physically ill.

"Ok, I won't ask. You may want to send Norma a brief message, because she's concerned." Alex sighs before slowly breaking the news to Emma. He probably should just wait until Norma can tell the young couple, but a little heads up can't hurt. "She also wanted to tell you both something."

"You mean about Norman being home? How is he?" Emma doesn't realize with her simple response, she inadvertently stirred up an issue between the older couple.

"How did you find out about Norman being home?" He asks cautiously, unsure if he really wants to hear the answer.

Still distracted by her own argument with Dylan, Emma continues to share information that maybe she shouldn't. "Dylan went to the treatment center earlier today and spoke with Norman's doctor. I'm sure Norma told you she signed out Norman from the facility permanently."

"Yes, she mentioned that." Alex simply replies, curious if there is more to the story.

Not picking up on Alex's shift in tone, Emma continues. "Dylan was so upset Norma signed the release papers for his brother, against the doctor's advice."

And there it was, Norma's deception.

"I'm sorry Emma, but I need to go." Alex blurts out prior to hanging up the phone. Emma is experiencing her own struggles tonight, she definitely doesn't need to hear his growing anger.

Instead of rushing inside to confront the woman he loves, Alex elects to remain outside and re-evaluate the trust he thought he had with Norma.

As the minutes pass, Alex continues to question whether the advice he gave to Emma applies to his relationship also.

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Thank you for reading!