Norma exited Alex's SUV later that night, making her way over to the drivers side, and dropping a gentle kiss on his lips.
"I feel really good that we opened up to one another today" she smiled, kissing him two more times on the cheek playfully.
"Me too" he replied, swaying her hips back and fourth in his hands, looking into her crystal blue orbs.
"Why don't you let me walk you to your door, it's pretty dark out" he offered, hooking arms with her.
Norma didn't reply, she just lay her head on the side of his arm, smiling peacefully.
They finally made their way to her front door, when she suddenly turned to him.
"On second thought, do you want to come in for some coffee?" she grinned, opening the door with her house key.
"I'd love too" he accepted slyly, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck.
"It's going to be really challenging to put on a pot of coffee with your lips latched to me" she giggled, spinning towards him and smiling.
He gave up and slid his hand in hers as they walked into the kitchen.
The pair were immediately and unexpectedly greeted by Dylan, all Norma could do was stand speechless as his eyes drifted to her and Alex's interlaced hands.
He stood in front of the pair, a sandwich in his hand, looking at them while chewing.
"What's this?" he asked, nudging his head up at their still entwined hands.
"Um...we're kind of...dating" she answered coyly, a small smile creeping on her face.
"That's cool" he answered calmly, walking back to the kitchen table, retrieving his dirty dish and placing it in the sink.
Dylan walked back to face the two, he cleared his throat. "Well...I guess I'll leave you two kids alone" he grinned, exiting the kitchen and soon enough the house.
When he heard the front door close, Alex immediately turned to Norma, an almost angry expression on his face.
"You didn't tell him we were dating? Don't tell me you haven't told Norman..." he huffed, rubbing his forehead with his fingers.
"Well...I didn't know how they would react" she shrugged innocently, starting her coffee maker.
"Norma, we've been dating for a month now. One would think you would tell the closest person to you" he said, taking a seat at the table.
She took two coffee mugs out of the cabinet and sighed, dropping them on the counter.
"Look, I'm just a little on edge...I don't know how Norman is going to take the news" she replied, already frustrated from Alex's anger.
"Take the news? Norma, he's a seventeen year old boy" he claimed.
"You don't understand" she muttered, running a hand through her hair.
"What? Are you afraid? Or...are you ashamed that we're dating?" he asked, immediately sounding offended.
"Alex..." she started sternly.
He stood from the table, walking into the hallway. Norma quickly sprinted after him, clutching his arm before he could get his hand on the doorknob.
Alex just glared back at her. "Where are you going?" she asked sadly, her eyes holding self disappointment.
"I'm tired. I'm going to head to my room" he huffed, she didn't stop him as he walked out side.
She slid back against the front door, placing her head in her hands. Norma knew she should have told Norman that she was dating Alex, but she couldn't risk his safety. Her son was overly protective of her and would have no problem taking Alex down. She sat conflicted, if she broke it off with Alex she'd be able to protect him from Norman's rage, but if she continued to see him, Alex could get hurt...severely.
Norma headed back to the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee and sitting at the kitchen table. She wanted nothing more than to head down to Alex's room and collapse in his arms.
"Mother?" she heard suddenly, snapping her head forward to see Norman walking into the kitchen.
She knew he couldn't see that she was upset, he would just worry. Norma stood up and pulled him into a tight hug. "Hi, honey" she cooed, kissing his throat.
"I've missed you, mother" he said sweetly, his voice as pure as ever.
"I know Norman, me too" she grinned. "Do you want me to make you some hot chocolate?" she offered, already moving towards the lone pan on the stove.
"That sounds good" he smiled, taking Norma's vacant seat at the kitchen table.
"I remember when you were younger. You would have these weird nightmares, always running to me in the middle of the night. I would always get up and make you hot chocolate" she giggled, putting the hot water on to simmer.
"Yeah and you used to put "magic dust" in the mix to keep the monsters away" he chuckled, now playing with a loose thread on his sweater. "What was that anyway?" he asked.
"Oh, you know, it was just a pinch of cinnamon" she turned back to him, smiling, placing the hot mug in front of him.
She took a place across the table from Norman, watching him sip from the mug slowly.
After a few moments of silence, she figured it would be best to ease into the honest truth. Norma and Alex were happily together and that's all that mattered. She felt so good telling the truth to Sage and Alex, she couldn't pass up being honest with her own son. She cleared her throat uneasily.
"Norman?" she asked softly.
"Yes, Mother?" he replied attentively, gazing at her with his sweet green eyes.
"Honey, you know I love you right?" she smiled, placing her hand on his across the table.
"Of course mom. And I love you, your everything to me" he grinned appreciatively.
All she could do was carry the same big smile on her face, grateful for such a wonderful son. Though Norman's blackouts were still a problem, that didn't mean she loved him any less.
She sighed in nervous anticipation. "Can I tell you something?" she muttered.
"Anything in the world, mother" he answered, drinking from his cup.
"Well...it's just that...I've been seeing someone" she admitted, a hand drifting to the back of her head.
"I see. Who?" he asked, his expression neither happy, angry, or sad.
"Sheriff Romero" she sighed, biting her lower lip.
"Do you love him, mother?" he asked.
That question made her sink a little bit. Did she really love him? He had always been their to comfort her and cover for her. There was something about the way Alex looked at her, like she was the only woman in the world. He treated her with the utmost respect, something she wasn't used to from men. Whenever she saw Alex, her stomach twisted in knots.
A weak smile graced her lips as she nodded slowly. "I think so" she whispered, laughing at the admission.
"Well...I suppose that's the only thing that matters. If he is good to you, that's all that matters to me" he said, making Norma's heart beat faster. She stood then, making her way over to her son. He rose and pulled her into his embrace.
"Thank you, sweetie" she mumbled into his chest, kissing him on the corner of his mouth.
"Sure thing, mother. I'm going to head upstairs to bed" he smiled, kissing her cheek and breaking the hug.
"I love you honey. Goodnight"
"Goodnight" he replied, walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his room.
Norma breathed a heavy sigh of relief. She still didn't feel at ease though, something was still not right. She walked into the hallway, grabbing her coat from the hook and heading outside. Slowly, Norma descended the steps of her home and made her way down to room 11.
Norma stood outside the door to Alex's room, absentmindedly she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and knocked on his door. If she listened closely, she could hear footsteps in his room leading to the door. When he opened up, his tired eyes shot open to see her.
"Norma? Is everything okay?" he asked groggily, brushing a hand over his head.
"Everything is fine. Can we talk?" she asked, her fingers tugging at the sleeve of her coat anxiously.
"Sure. Come in" he answered, obviously still angry with her.
"Why don't we go for a walk?" she offered, stepping away from his room.
He stepped back inside, quickly slipping on shoes.
"Fine" he said, shutting his door behind him.
He stood locking his room, still wearing a white t shirt and a pair of plaid pajama pants.
She grinned at his attire, but quickly wiped the smirk away when he turned back to her.
Soon enough, they made their way to a beautiful spot overlooking a lake.
"So, what did you want?" he questioned, remaining short with her.
"I told Norman we were together" she admitted.
"Really?" he asked in disbelief.
She nodded, keeping her eyes fixated on the lake.
"He came home a little while after you left and I just decided to tell him the truth" she explained calmly.
"That's all I wanted" he muttered, kicking the pebbles at his feet.
"I feel at peace now that he knows" she replied.
He looked at her, the way the moonlight was hitting her face highlighting every feature.
"I'm sorry I made you upset, Alex. You've done so much for me and have been so amazing through all of this shit, I couldn't ask for a better man" she smiled, rubbing his cheek with her thumb.
"I love you" he replied, tugging her to him, dropping a slow kiss on her lips.
She pulled away, gazing into his eyes.
"I love you too, Alex...so much" she smiled happily, letting him sway her back in fourth.
He left one more quick kiss on her cheek, slipping his hand in hers.
"Wanna head back home?" he asked, glancing one last time at the lake.
"Will you spend the night with me?" she replied, resting her head on his chest.
"I can't say no to that" he grinned, kissing the top of her head.
Together they walked in quiet bliss on their way back to the motel.
