Well, here it is. The next chapter of Black and Blue. It's taken a while to write up and edit, and I'm so sorry about that. I understand if some of you have stopped reading, but I wanted to let you guys know that I'm far from being done with this story. To those of you who are still reading, I would really appreciate a review or two, just to get a feel for how your liking it thus far. Please leave me any suggestions if you have them. Anyway, enough of me, I hope you guys love this new chapter. PM me for comments, questions, or ideas, I check my account everyday at least twice so I always get notifications. Enjoy, love my readers :)

Norma woke up the next morning peacefully. Her and Alex's previous encounter had been wonderful. The sex between the two had became so much more amorous and passionate, it wasn't all about the climax anymore but the intimacy in between. Once Norma started to stir, she realized something was missing...Alex's arm wasn't wrapped around her waist in it's usual spot. She shot up in bed immediately, looking to her opposite side to see empty sheets.

Norma rose and reached for her robe at the edge of the bed. It wasn't like Alex to just disappear, but she knew he hadn't left her home because his coat and shoes were still in the room. She shook her hair out of the messy state it was left in and eased her steps into the hallway, in search of him. Once she made her way to Dylan's old room, now transformed into a guest area, the sound of his voice became evident to her.

Pressing her ear against the wooden door softly, Norma tried to decode his conversation.

"Okay...I don't know how soon I can make it out. Yeah, let them know that I'll make it. I just...I can't believe it".

She couldn't began to believe her ears, Alex sounded like he'd been crying. Never in a million year had Norma ever thought that he would be the kind of man to shed tears. Alex was a fighter, it took two years for her to really see the true him. His voice was now weak and broken...and she was ready to help automatically.

Norma slowly opened the door to the guest room and spotted Alex perched on the edge of the mattress, the phone in his hand. She watched as he hung up and entered the room, now making her presence known to him. "Alex, honey" she started, compassion coated in her sweet voice.

Alex's head turned to see her and he automatically felt embarrassed. He knew his face was red and his vulnerability was obvious, out in the open, something he was definitely not comfortable with. He took in a deep breath, rubbing his face with his hands, and sitting up straighter. "Good morning" he greeted, like nothing had changed.

She said nothing in reply, just made her way over to the guest bed, and planted down next to him. Norma entwined her hand in his and attempted to look into his eyes, but he wouldn't budge, so she settled her blues upon his cheek. "What's wrong?" she asked, tightening the grip on his palm.

"Nothing, nothing is wrong Norma" he lied, twisting his head away from her in shame. His feelings were never easy, especially when they were being showcased in this manner.

Norma took a deep breath and rolled her eyes softly. "Honey, please don't lie to me. I know there's something going on. I heard your voice...you sounded like you were crying" she admitted, crossing her legs, and preparing to force the truth out of his thick exterior.

Alex held himself together and sighed audibly. "My cousin passed away this morning" he admitted, feeling his heart sink. Norma gazed at him with the utmost sympathy and empathy, she reached over and entrapped him in her arms. "Oh Alex, I'm so sorry" she said, kissing his cheek, and staying latched to his waist.

"It's uh-it's fine, Norma" he sniffled quickly, standing from the bed and walking back towards his room. She rose and quickly trailed behind him, why was he acting so weird? Is this how Alex handled grief? Once she hit the bedroom, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Why don't we talk about it?" she offered, still withholding her face painted with sorrow.

Alex held her stare. He wasn't one to talk about his feelings. Hell, he wasn't one to deal with things like greif. But he loved her, truly loved her, and that meant he had no other choice but to open up. He let out a sigh and plopped down on her mattress, his head against the pillow. "Come over here, first".

Norma complied, pattering over to the opposite side of the bed, and snuggling herself beside him. She rested her head on his shoulder and draped her arm across his hard chest. "Now tell me what's going on" she pushed lovingly, turning to face him.

"Well...I was really close to my cousin and he passed away today. That's about it" he explained, obviously distancing himself from her compassion. Norma shook her head with a pair of plaintive eyes. "Honey, I know there's more to the story. How were you two close?" she questioned, dropping a kiss on his chest.

He huffed and locked eyes with her, feeling his heart soften by looking into her orbs. "His name was Chris. We were only two years apart in age and once my grandparents adopted me, I saw him a lot more. He was...uh...Chris was like my best friend growing up. We were close up until I came to White Pine Bay, then we only started seeing each other on assorted holidays and awkward family occasions. I just feel like a pile of shit because we were in a fight last time I saw him" he paused, taking another deep breath. "You see, I owed him a large sum of money because he lended me around $6,000 to pay off my tuition for college".

"Oh, I'm sure he still loved and cared about you, Alex. Money doesn't alter love" she replied, attempting to soothe him. She ran her fingers around in a circle on his chest.

Alex nodded slightly. "Yeah...I guess you're right, but I can't help feeling guilty. Anyway, he died in a fatal car accident early this morning. His wife, Tula told me over the phone that the funeral is on Sunday".

"That's awful. I'm so, so sorry, Alex" she exclaimed, leaning up to kiss his lips. "Are you going to go to his service?".

He nodded, tightening his grip around her waist, and kissing her temple. "Yeah. It's actually up in Phoenix" he said, pulling her up on top of him. Norma couldn't believe it, what a small world it was.

"That's ironic. I actually lived there before I moved here" she exclaimed, latching her hands to his shoulder blades.

"Really?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well then, would you mind accompanying me to the funeral?".

Norma thought for a few seconds. It was really important to help Alex, plus he sounded kind of desperate in asking her to join him. He was always there for her, he came with her to therapy for God's sake. Now, she knew she needed to be there for Alex. "Of course I will come with you" she said.

"Good, because I wouldn't want to go without you by my side" he admitted, kissing her cheek and pulling back to look into her eyes. "We need to head out tomorrow night if we are going to make it in time for the funeral. It's going to take almost a day to get there" he explained.

"Alright. We'll leave tomorrow night then, I'll have Norman stay with Emma or Dylan so he isn't alone here. How long do you think we'll be in Arizona for?" she questioned.

"Would 3 days be alright? I figure it will take two days to get there and back, and of course we have to attend the funeral" he said, rubbing at her warm skin with the pads of his thumbs. Norma nodded and smiled sadly at him.

"I really appreciate you coming with me, Norma" he cooed, clearing the hair out of her face.

"I will always be here for you, Alex. No matter what, I will always be here".

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