I do not own Bates Motel.
But, in some ways, I do own a Dylan. And I love him so much.
Yeah, Whatever
Emma
So Caleb was probably leaving after this run.
Which sucked.
Because even though he was a broken shell of a person, he was still . . .
The only dad I have.
Who actually wants me.
Likes me.
Doesn't treat me like crap.
And Dylan was a little bummed. A little morose.
But least they were going to do this thing for Emma first.
Emma.
Emma and her open, warm heart.
Her bright eyes. Her ready smile.
Caring nature.
Emma.
So fragile. But tougher than anyone else alive.
And not out of spite or defiance or hate.
Just because she was.
Just the thought of her made him feel happier, more relaxed.
Hopeful.
And he wanted to hear her voice.
So he called her.
Pacing aimlessly, trying to keep warm on the cold pavement of the truckstop parking lot.
Canada. Damn.
He called her.
Emma.
"Hello, Dylan."
Mm, I like the way that sounds.
He grinned, not worried about anything for the moment.
She answered.
She answered quick.
He momentarily drifted back.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Dylan?"
"Yeah?"
"This is Emma . . . DeCody."
"Oh, hi. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I, uh, just wanted to thank you . . . for getting all the, uh, pot plants out of my car the other day."
"Oh yeah. Sure. Thanks for bringing them. Uh, how did you get my number?"
"Oh. I, uh, just took it off of Norman's phone. I hope that's okay."
"Oh, yeah. Sure. Of course."
"Well, okay. Have a good day, Dylan.."
"Yeah, you too, Emma."
"Bye."
"Bye."
"Helloo, Emma."
I like the way that sounds.
He felt silly and free.
Like a person.
Because of her.
Emma.
"I like how we're being all formal with each other now."
I thought I was flirting. Mi'lady.
Like the weight of the world wasn't weighing on his shoulders all the time.
Like he didn't have to be a big, tough badass all the time.
"I just wanted to check in on you, see how you were feeling."
Woman warrior.
"Are you cured?"
Am I joking with her about her terminal disease?
"Yeah, yeah, no more CF."
Yes, I am. Because she likes being treated normal.
And I'm going to make it better.
They chatted, her talking about her dad letting her be at the motel office.
God, how depressing.
But knowing it was better for her than sitting at home waiting to die.
Him teasing her.
". . . sitting in that office."
Her clearly delighted.
Oh man, this is a great feeling.
Her asking about him.
"Will you be home later?"
Mm, miss me?
Him skimming the truth.
" . . . on the road a few days . . . delivery . . . extra money . . ."
I'm going to buy you some new lungs, baby. Sound good?
She was curious, of course.
". . . the farm?"
Because she cared.
"Yeah . . ."
And he . . .
". . . expensive . . ."
. . . had to tell her a baldfaced lie.
". . . barn and, uh, stuff."
But it was necessary. So she wouldn't know.
So she wouldn't owe him for anything. Ever.
". . . beautiful little spot, Dylan."
"Yeah, it is."
Not as beautiful as you though.
Smoosh.
"Anyways, um . . ."
Where was I?
". . . just call and tell you that . . ."
'Cause that's what I do now. I call and I tell you stuff.
". . . need me for anything . . ."
Do you need me, Emma?
" . . . am . . ."
Always here for you. No matter what. I promise.
". . . completely unavailable."
There. Joke.
And she liked it.
Yay.
Even responded with one of her own.
". . . not have an emergency while you're gone . . ."
Haha, yeah, don't do that, okay?
And then he was casual.
"Perfect."
Cool.
"Alright, take care of youself."
Light.
"I'll . . ."
Miss you.
". . . see you in a couple of days."
Because he knew he had to let her go.
"Okay."
And he really didn't want to.
He could literally just stay on the phone with her all day.
Talking.
Joking.
Bantering.
Listening to her laugh.
Emma.
"Safe travels."
Oh, that's cute.
"Thanks . . ."
Stay.
". . . bye."
"Bye."
He lowered the phone, heart and mind, for just a second, lighter than it had been.
The chill air warmer around him.
Oh man, that was great.
It was lighthearted and fun and easy.
It was clean and innocent and relaxing.
It had made him happy.
She made him happy.
She makes me happy.
And I'm going to make her happy.
I'm going to get that money and she's going to get the lung transplant and be okay.
And then she can go and do whatever she wants in life.
And not die.
Yeah, that's just what he was going to do.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just about."
Emma.
Such a good scene when they're on the phone. Dylan forgets he's a grown, serious guy and goes total cinnamon roll.
Thanks to the ever loyal Lana Brown and WordWeaver81. You're very kind. :)