Sorry for the long wait...this is the 20th chapter! I have come a long way with this story and am so, incredibly thankful for my readers. Your comments and views make my passion for writing Normero fic grow everyday. I have decided to incorporate Dylan and Emma into the story more. I hope you guys like my character development so far. Warning: Updates will take a longer time because I have a heavier school workload. I'm trying to please my readers and get good grades as well. On a side note, if you guys haven't checked out me and Ezzillion's new RP story, Love in the Realm of Forgiveness , please do! This is my first collab story and her first Bates fic. She is amazing! The way she writes for Alex Romero will blow your mind, she is incredibly spot on with his actions and emotions. Ezzillion, if your reading this, I have had an absolutely splendid time writing with you so far! Xoxo - MJ123

It was later that night, there was a full moon hanging high in the sky as Alex stepped out of his SUV. He eagerly trotted to the motel office to see Norma. He stepped inside, his eyebrows knitted in confusion when he didn't see her at her usual spot, the front desk. "Norma?" he called out. Ever since the Caleb situation, he had been overtly and unapologetically overprotective of Norma, his main goal was to keep her safe and out of the hands of evil.

"Back here" she replied, he felt his heart rate and anxiety float back down to there normal levels as he realized she was simply in the back office. He made his way in the back and grinned as he saw her bent over a cardboard box, rummaging through for something. He paced over to her slowly, wrapping his big arms around her waist. Norma felt heart convulsing as she felt his touch. She spun on the wedge of her heel to face him. "Hi" she smiled, one of her dreamiest smiles that lit up her entire face and made Alex wonder how one human being could hold the features that she had. Her fingers drifted upwards, playing with the little hairs at the nape of his neck.

"How was your day at work?" she asked, feeling goosebumps come alive and flair all over her skin as his hands massaged her lower back softly.

Alex grinned, he loved when she inquired about his day at work, it showed him that she truly cared about him and his chosen profession. Most of the woman he dated didn't care about what he did, they didn't want to get involved in the details of such a high risk and difficult job. Most of his ex's only saw the finer, happier pieces of White Pine Bay. Norma...Norma had seen it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of the seedy small town. Her shock value was practically non-existent whenever he went into detail about his day as Sheriff, no matter how brutally graphic it was, Norma just shrugged her shoulders and praised him for taking on such a challenging job. Norma actually made him feel important...something that not many people could do. Alex knew it was brave of him, doing what he did everyday, but it was nice to hear it from the one person that actually mattered to him.

"It was interesting. I actually delivered a baby today" he laughed, keeping his grip tight around her waist. Norma's eyes pondered his face, her lips twisting into a surprised grin. "How did that happen?" she asked, sounding intrigued. She took him by the hand and led him over to the couch in the back office, they sat and she got ready to listen to him.

"Well, I was sitting in my office doing the usual paperwork when Deputy Lynn called for me. She was freaking out saying that there was a woman in the backseat of her car on the highway, she was about to give birth and Lynn had no idea how to deliver because she isn't done with training yet. So, I got in my car and sped to the disclosed location, found the woman and sure enough, I delivered her daughter. I drove her to the hospital after that and then went back to work" he explained, tugging Norma onto his lap.

Norma smiled and looked back at him, smiling. "How on earth do you know how to deliver a baby?" she asked, reaching up to graze his cheek. Alex smiled and basked in the feeling of her fingertips.

"When I was around 20 years old and just starting out on the force, I had to attend these training classes. One of the final things they taught us how to do was emergency childbirth. We had to watch a video and then take a test. It was probably one of the easiest things I learned how to do. I just never thought the information would come in handy, but now I know it was worth it" he smiled, reflecting on his early deputy days.

"Your such a hero" she sighed in awe, leaning deeper into his chest. "I'm practically dating a sheriff and a doctor mixed in one".

"I guess you could say that" he replied, pulling her face down to his and leaving short kisses on her lips. "You make me so happy, Norma" he said truthfully, rubbing her cheeks with his thumbs. She smiled adoringly, loving the things he said to her. "You make me happy too" she giggled, kissing his neck.

Suddenly, their necks both craned towards the front office as they heard the door snap shut. "Hello?" they both heard a feminine voice project. Alex looked at her with question in her eyes. "It's just Emma, she's getting ready to start her shift" Norma reassured him, rising from his lap and making her way to the front. She spotted Emma and smiled. "Hello, Emma. How are you honey?" she asked sweetly.

Emma gave her the classic innocent smile. "I'm well. And you?" she asked, wheeling her tank behind the front desk so it would sit near her feet. "Doing great" Norma answered, now standing in front of the desk, watching her get situated.

Alex came out a second later, walking towards Norma and standing next to her. "Sheriff Romero" Emma greeted him, keeping the smile plastered on her face. She had heard rumors around town that the two were now an item, she just couldn't believe it. For the past few years, Emma kept note of the fact that they had harbored this extreme sexual tension between one another but it never seemed like it could happen. Looking at them now, she couldn't help but think that they were a cute couple.

Alex managed to give her a small smile. "Emma" he returned the gesture, pleasantly. "How have you been, how's your father?" he asked, leaning against the desk. He'd known Will Decody for many years, they used to fish together. Emma grinned and cleared her throat. "I'm fine. My dad is great...the shop is doing fairly well with business so that's certainly a component in his mood" she laughed, now logging on to the motel computer and setting up the reservations.

"That's good to hear" he replied, still holding the half smile on his face. He turned back to Norma and reached for her hand. She clasped her hand into his hesitantly. "Emma, are you going to be okay by yourself?" she asked protectively. Norma knew that she was a maternal figure for Emma, she loved the role. If she had been lucky enough to have a daughter, she'd have wanted her to be just like Emma, kind, responsible, and sweet.

Emma nodded. "Of course, I'll be fine. I texted Norman over an hour ago and asked if he was going to work with me tonight, but he never responded" she sighed, clicking on her phone to check if she had any missed calls or texts from him. "Did he go out tonight?" she asked Norma, assuming she would know.

Norma thought, checking her own phone. She scrolled through the text thread between her and Norma, seeing if he had told her of his plans. "Let's see...ah, here it is" she began, reading the text and clicking her phone off, slipping it back in the pocket of her cardigan. "He's at the library, studying for some test he has on Monday. I don't think he can use his phone in there" she answered.

"That explains it" she concluded, reading the reservation book. "Anyhow, I'll be fine here, no need to worry" she smiled, looking at Norma and Alex's entwined hands.

"Okay, well, we're going to head out for the night. I will probably be back in a few hours, but if you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to call or text me" she reassured, heading out of the office with Alex. Emma nodded as she watched them leave. Norma and the Sheriff were one hot item.


Norma drove her Cadillac up and over the numerous narrow roads of White Pine Bay. Alex sat in the passengers seat, his eyes glued to Norma's content, peaceful smile. Eventually, she turned to him and brushed a loose piece of hair out of her face. "Do you want to go get a drink somewhere?" she offered, her blue orbs returning to the road ahead of them. He simply nodded and reached over to place his palm on her thigh, she glanced down at his hand and smiled. He reached over with his free hand to turn on the radio, attempting to find a good song. When he found something suitable, he leaned back and rested his head on the seat. Norma was lightly singing along to the song he found.

Alex looked over at her, his eyes hazy from his long day at work, he was aching to unwind. "You sound pretty" he cooed, watching her lips move to the gentle flow of the music. She just looked over and grinned at him, admiring how peaceful he looked in the moment. She pulled into a practically empty bar parking lot. The only vehicles around was a cherry red jeep parked next to Norma's car and a blue corvette at the end of the lot. She shut the engine off and tapped Alex's shoulder, he had gently dozed off as she drove.

He shuttered, slightly disoriented. "What is it?" he asked, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Norma giggled at his already groggy voice. "We're here, honey" she smiled, leaning over to plant a kiss on his lips. He grinned when she pulled away and unbuckled his seat belt, opening his door and getting out to stretch his tired limbs. She left the vehicle as well, locking her car in the process. She made her way to the bar entrance and held the door open for Alex, he entered and smiled at her. "Thanks, gorgeous" he winked playfully. She rolled her eyes and shook her head as she followed behind him, linking arms.

Once they entered the bar, Norma scanned for an empty table. Her eyes widened a bit when they set upon Dylan, sitting at the far side of the bar with an attractive redhead, they were holding hands across the table. She tugged at Alex's arm a bit, getting his attention. "Look" she said, her eyes glued to her son.

"Do you want to go over and say hello?" he asked, moving his arm around her waist. She nodded as she began walking towards his table with Alex latched attentively at her side. She cleared her throat when the pair approached his table. Dylan's eyes shot to his mother in both surprise and shock. "Oh, hey Norma. Sheriff Romero" he smiled, nodding towards them.

Alex just smiled at the young couple awkwardly. Norma piped up, looking at her son, "Hi" she smiled. "Who's this?" she asked, motioning to the girl he was across from, shooting her a polite and inviting smile.

"I'm sorry" Dylan said, he looked at his date. "Julie, this is my mother, Norma. Mom, this is Julie...my girlfriend" he announced, mumbling the last part. He had been seeing Julie for a few months, but was extremely hesitant to bring her around his dysfunctional family.

Julie grinned at Norma, taking her in. She outstretched her hand and shook kindly. "I've heard great things about you, Mrs. Bates" she smiled, eyeing her. Norma returned her grin, she flashed her gaze at Alex. "This is my boyfriend, Alex" she said, introducing him to relive the awkward tension.

"Hello" she smiled, shaking his hand as well. "Would you two like to join us?" she offered kindly, motioning to the empty space in front of their table.

Norma looked at Alex for clarification, she was all for getting to know Dylan's date. Alex glanced back at her with a small smile. "We'd love to" Norma answered, reaching back to pull two chairs away from a vacant table. Dylan took a deep, internal breath. This was bound to be a long night.

Let me know what you think of this chapter, I aim to please! - MJ123 xoxoxo (: