"Did you know Norman came to see me this morning?"

"No. He must have done it while I was out. He didn't tell me anything. What'd he say?"

"Well, he thanked me for everything I've done for him."

"Well, that's nice! That's a nice thing for him to do."

"Then he told me that you and I can get a divorce now. That-that he's gonna get a part-time job and pay for his own insurance."

"What?"

"Yeah. He thinks I manipulated you."

"Manipulated me how?"

"Fill in the blanks."

"You mean he knows we're sleeping together?"

"I-I think you have to tell him the truth, Norma. That-that we're together, and that we love each other and that is not gonna change."

"Okay, but-it's just, it's too soon, it's too soon!"

"Well, it's not gonna get better! Waiting is only going to make it worse. I mean, what-what are you trying to accomplish here?"

"I will know when the time is right. And I don't like being pushed into making a decision by either of you."

"Making a decision?"

"An exchange of information. You know what I mean."

"No, I don't know what you mean."

Silence lingers between them as Alex identifies the meaning behind her words.

"If it's a choice, you-you gotta figure out your choice."

Norma stares back at him admittedly.

"I gotta get back to work. Lock the door when you leave."

She watches him go.

"I'm not giving you up."

"Well, then you gotta tell him."

She didn't come here to argue. She had missed him like crazy and was expecting him to be just as excited to see her. Something inside her throbbed. It hurts her when he's indifferent and tries to play the stoic cop that no one's ever capable of hurting.

Norma stands on his porch as she watches him drive off. But just as he was about to turn the corner, his SUV suddenly stops. Norma's heart quickens when she sees the SUV turning around and heading back towards his driveway.

She can't stand when he's upset. Something inside her despises it the most. Alex hops off the SUV and walks around it, stopping right in front of it; not daring to break eye contact with her.

There he stands, looking back at her with troubled eyes, eyes that resemble the one of a child in need. They don't dare to look away, as if they're both daring each other to see who will surrender first.

But she can't allow Norman to come between them. They had spent two weeks alone, discovering what's like to be in love for the very first time. Learning to cope with a new set up. Having the whole house to themselves and being able to love each other freely with no remorse.

Something had shifted the moment she told him he had to go back to his place and pretend, even if it was for a few days, that it was all fake for Norman's sake.

It was already hard the moment she had to tell Alex that Norman was coming home. Thanks for discussing it with me. She couldn't stand the thought of him being mad at her or upset at something that she did out of the goodness of her heart. It's never been her intention to hurt him but she knows that this is hurting him more than he cares to admit. It's hurting both of them and she couldn't just stand back and watch.

She breaks eye contact for a little bit as she descends the few steps on his front porch. He's still standing in front of his SUV, still looking at her with troubled eyes. His body language reflecting the affliction towards the situation and straight anguish of it all.

Norma stands in front of him, her body close to his but not enough. They continue to stare at each other, challenging one another. He hates that they've been forced to deal with Norman's issue this way. He hates that he didn't wake up next to her this morning. He hates that he had to go back to his lonely home without his wife. He hates being dictated what to do because someone else's incompetent way of dealing with things. He hates it all.

But more than anything, he hates the way she's looking at him. There's sorrow in her eyes and turmoil. He knows she hates when he's upset. He knows that. And he despised himself for making her feel any less. She'd walked through that door excited to see him and he had done nothing but let Norman's words bother him to an extent.

Before he can register it, his hand darts out, wrapping itself around her waist and pulling her to him. She willingly accepted, surprised that he wanted to have her close after their small argument not even five minutes ago.

But she can't help the little sigh of relief that escapes her the moment her body's resting passively against his. Her arms wrap around his neck naturally, and she buries her face into the crook of his neck when she feels his hand keeping her head in place.

He indulges her scent, realizing how much he'd missed it after only one day. He presses his lips against her cheek, pampering her face with sweet kisses.

"I missed you a lot," he tells her gently, glad when she squeezes him in response.

He squeezes her back, tighter than she did. Her arms hardened their grip around his neck, nuzzling her nose deeper into his neck. He wanted nothing but to feel her close.

"So much," he whispers hotly in her ear, pressing another light kiss there.

Norma pulls back, enough to find his eyes but managing to keep her arms tightened around his neck. Their eyes connect for a second before the hand on the back of her head pulls her in, crashing their lips in an instant.

The cold air surrounding them turn warm and pleasant. Their lips dancing together at a very slow pace, the kiss utterly innocent and genuine. His hand keeping her head still. The tip of her nose cold as it brushes lightly his cheek.

He breaks the kiss and keeps his forehead pressed against hers. His hand glides down, reaching the small of her back and she finds his eyes again.

"I'm not giving you up," she murmurs quietly, her voice almost inaudible. "I just-I need time. He's been here for a day. I think I deserve time to figure all of this out."

He drops his gaze a little and shakes his head. "It's been a day and he's already threatened our marriage. How much longer until he goes divulging around town that our marriage is fake? He pretty much told me to divorce you before he exposes our fraud, Norma. He's not playing games. The question is, are you?" he asks softly, looking straight into her blue eyes. "Is this a game for you?"

"No!" she exclaims rapidly, feeling hurt at his lack of trust in her, in their love. "Of course not! How can you say that?"

He shrugs. "I don't need him telling me what to do and how to do it. He needs to know that this is real."

Hey eyes widen and she sighs. "I know that. I know. But it's too soon, Alex. I'm—"

"You're what?"

She lets go of him, turning around and stepping away from him. It aggravates him that she's letting Norman come between them. That she's not giving him his place.

She still has her back turned on him, her hands placed placidly on her waist. Tears are threatening to fall and she takes a deep breath, trying to hold them back.

"Norma," he calls out for her, wanting her to turn around. "I just-I don't want anything to come between us. And this? You're allowing Norman to have a say and I don't like it."

She turns around, furry reflected in her wide eyes. "I'm allowing— Seriously, Alex? Is that what you think?"

He raises his shoulders. "What do you want me to think?"

"I want you to understand that he is sick and that I need time to figure out how to tell him! It's not that easy, Alex! It's not!"

"It's as complicated as you make it out to be. He didn't hesitate to go tell me this morning-I'm sorry, to demand our freaking divorce. That doesn't bother you? That doesn't make you want to tell him the truth right away? I mean, why-why wait?"

Shaking her head, she adds. "You're not a parent. You wouldn't understand."

He raises his eyebrows and she instantly regrets her words.

"Wow."

"I'm-," she sighs, transferring her hand to her forehead. "I didn't mean in like that."

He looks away and she sees clearly the minute his jaw clenches with anger. The words had slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them. He's still staring into space and she despises it. She walks closer to him, the rocks beneath her feet suddenly making too much noise as silence crept between them.

He knows she's close but he can't take one look at her. She always manages to rub it in his face. You're not a parent. As if he had to be one to understand when someone is manipulating him. When a spoiled brat is demanding he divorces his mother only because he wants to. He doesn't have to be a parent to know that Norman will do whatever in his power to keep her away from him.

Taking a deep breath, he finds the courage to face her. He tries to ignore how fragile she looks just now. How helpless. He'd surrender at her feet in an instant. But not with this. Not right this second.

"I didn't know you had to be a parent to easily identify when someone is trying to destroy your marriage," he tells her coldly, the look on his face read nothing but indifference towards the situation and perhaps, towards her.

"Alex..." she mutters lowly, her body moving closer to him. She hates not being able to stop herself from ruining everything for herself once Norman was in the mix.

"It's okay, Norma," for a second she thinks that he's given up on trying to force her to tell Norman the truth. But her face falls when he continues to talk and she senses this had taken the wrong way. "Do what you want. I'm not a parent. I'll never understand. Just let me know when you finally decide to confront your eighteen year old son. It could be five years from now, it's up to you. Take your time. Take all the time in the world."

He went to turn around but she stopped him, her small hands grabbing roughly his forearm, turning him back towards her.

"Stop!" she exclaims angrily. "Stop that!"

He looks back at her with an unreadable expression. It makes her even angrier. "Stop!" she demands again. "Bring my husband back to me and stop acting like the Sheriff Bulldog you once were! Stop trying to act all superior and pretend you don't care! You know it makes me angry and that's why you do it!"

She was so right.

"It's always been me and him," she starts, trying to calm down and using a softer voice. "Even when Sam was around, it's always been me and Norman. You have to understand that this is all confusing to him and he needs time to let everything sink in. He's sick and he's compulsive and explosive. You don't know how he's like. How angry he can get."

But he continues to look at her indifferently, his teeth hurting from the continuous act of his jaw clenching. He's so mad at Norman. He couldn't care less if he was sick. He just wants Norman to stay out of their private lives and business.

"Baby, I'm not trying to hide you from him. Not on purpose. I promise you I'm not. I don't want you to think that, please," her voice soft and pleading, creating the magic spell on him, the one that makes him surrender to her and be at her feet. "I wish things were different and that I could confide in my son, knowing that he'd be happy for me. I want nothing else but to share my happiness with him. To tell him how happy you make me," her voice breaks and Alex stops grinding his teeth together. "I want him to know that I've found someone that makes my world go around, that you're the reason why I wake up with a smile on my face. Why I sing love songs in the middle of the day and why I can't stop smiling even if you're not there."

"Norma..." he finally speaks, his tone free of anger and guilt. He closes the distance between them, his big hands cupping her delicate face.

She's crying now. Her tears rolling down her cold and rose cheeks.

"I hate that I can't do that. I hate knowing that I never will. That he'll never approve of our relationship. I hate that he won't ever be happy for me," she cries softly, her hands resting lightly on his waist. "I hate it all. I hate it all."

He kisses her forehead and encloses her in his arms. She continues to cry, her head buried in the crook of his neck again. He's whispering sweet nothings into her ear. His lips kissing lightly her head, his eyes closed as she continues to cry. She was right. He'll never understand.

"Shhh," he kisses her temple, leaving his lips pressed against her skin. "It's okay."

He didn't realize this is how she felt. That Norman had this power over her even when it came to their relationship. He never meant to be so harsh or indifferent towards her. He's just pissed that this situation has escalated to this.

"I just don't want to lose you," he confesses with a shaky voice. "I'm... I'm afraid that you'll divorce me just to keep him happy."

Norma hears this and her heart breaks for him. He sounds so scared. She pulls back, her cheeks wet, her nose red and eyes puffy. She looks incredibly adorable and he couldn't help but love her even more.

"You believe that?" she asks incredulously. He says nothing but wipes the tears from her feathery cheeks. Seeing as he's not responding, she scoffs. "You really believe that?"

She goes to pull away from him but he holds her tightly to him.

"Don't," he pleads, not wanting her to pull away from him.

"Tell me," she demands.

"Try to understand where I'm coming from," he sighs, keeping her in his arms. "I'm-I'm scared of losing you."

Her eyes had softened as he spoke. "You're not going to," her hands move to grab him by his neck. "You have to believe in this."

"And I do," he confesses, looking away. "I'm not doubting you. I'm not. I just-"

"Look at me," she moves his face, forcing him to lock eyes with her. "Do you love me?"

He scoffs at her, her question undoubtedly ridiculous.

She smiles at him. "Answer me!"

"Of course I love you, you idiot," he murmurs with a grin on his face, finally smiling at her. She giggles and rests her forehead against his. "I love you more than anything."

"And you know I love you, right?" her fingers caress lightly his chin.

He narrows his eyes, stretching his mouth as he pretends to think it through. "Uh..." his hands find her waist, pulling her to him, forcing her to close the gap between them. "I might-I might need you to remind me..."

Her arms wrap around his shoulders delightfully, that graceful grin planted on her face, enlightening it at full speed.

But she looks at him as if it was the first time they were seeing each other. Her mind goes back to the first time she laid eyes on him. God, was he intimidating. She had forgotten how to breathe. She never knew if it was because he had almost exposed her or because his stoic demeanor had intimidated her for the better.

"It took me a long time to find happiness," she tells him, her eyes fixed on his brown orbs. "I'm not letting anyone take it away from me."

It. He knows she means him. They both had had a fare share of affliction and suffering throughout their lives. Sometimes it feels like life had been waiting to link them somehow, have them find each other to simply erase all turmoil and agony from their past, and simply replace them with nothing but true happiness.

His hand easily tucks a good chunk of hair behind her right ear, his eyes packed with nothing but devotion and admiration for her.

"I'm telling him tonight," she breaks the silence. "And I don't-"

"No, no," he interrupts her. "It's okay, you don't have to. I understand why you were-"

"Sheriff!" her voice louder than his. He stops talking immediately, almost pouting at her. "It's okay, really. He has to know. I'm not wanting to spend another day away from you."

"Are you sure?" his voice soft and serene.

"What? That I don't want to be away from you?"

He smiles. "No. That you really want to tell him now? Maybe we should wait... I don't know, until he's better?"

He knows what it sounds like. Five minutes ago he was angry that she was hiding the truth from Norman but now that he knows how she truly feels and knows that she's not giving him up, maybe it wasn't so bad if she decided to wait. He'll give her all the time she needs. Because he won't ever do anything that would make her want to choose between them. She is worth it. This amazing, strong woman is completely worth it.

"I want to," she murmurs. "I want him to know. It's important than he does. I have to talk to him either way. I'm not letting this slide. I can't believe he had the courage to go talk to you and tell you that we need to divorce."

He shrugs but didn't say anything at all.

"I'm sorry he did that," she leans closer, connecting her lips to his.

"Don't be," he tells her after breaking the kiss. He transfers his mouth to her forehead, pampering her with tiny, sweet kisses. "It's not your fault."

She squeezes him, sighing comfortably as he continues his ministrations. She's scared. She would be lying if she says she isn't. But she's not alone anymore.

"I love you," she says in the smallest voice, almost sounding like a lost little girl. "I'm happy I proposed to you."

He had buried his face in the crook of her neck and she felt him smiling upon her skin when she said that.

"I love you," he tells her in all honesty, his voice never softer than that instant.

She looks at him in awe, cherishing how perfect it sounds coming from him. How lucky she is to have found love. Real love.

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing that," there's a newfound sparkle in her eyes and Alex notices it right away. God, this woman owns him.

"I won't ever get tired of saying it," he grins widely, his lips aching to touch hers. He kisses her and loves the way she always cradles his face when kissing. He can't also help when his hands glide down her lower back, resting gently against her bottom.

He pulls her to him and she lets out a low hum in her throat, deepening the kiss. Tongues dance at a perfect tempo, their bodies swaying at the rhythm of no music, their hearts beating as one.

"Do you have to go back to work?" she whispers, nipping his bottom lip. He groans lightly, squeezing her hips.

"I-I do," he mutters, his lip still caught between her teeth.

"Really?" she asks seductively, letting of of his lip, grinding her pelvis against him, feeling his growing arousal through the thick fabric of his jeans.

"Mhm," he dares to say, not meaning it at all. He wants her. He wants her now.

"Well, I think-"

She squeals the second he lifts her off her feet, his hands tightly gripping her ass as he adjusts her posture. She laughs happily and wraps her legs around his hips, the heel of her boots clinging to his back painfully.

Once he knew she was secured in his arms, holding her tightly to him, he roams up the steps of his porch, kicking the door shut with his foot once inside his cozy and warm home.

Yeah, he had to be at work, but first things first.