Well. Here it is. Another installment of Black & Blue. I've missed writing for this story so much. I just ran out of plot idea's for quite some time. But have no fear, there will be plenty more of this story to come. And I really hope you all like it. Sorry for the long wait. Leave me some reviews and let me know what you think. As always, happy reading! - MJ123 :)

It had been a month since Norma and Alex returned home to White Pine Bay after their trip to Arizona. Their relationship started to get more realistic and sail away from the honeymoon phase. They would have their fights here and there but always make up without any further issues. Since they got back to Oregon, Alex had been thinking about taking their relationship to the next level. A level he felt they were both ready for.

It took him three and a half weeks to find the perfect engagement ring for Norma. A princess cut with no exceptions, she deserved the best. He believed it was the right time to propose because he really did love her more than anything.

Alex had dropped by the motel office one morning and slid the black ring box inside her maid uniform pocket. She never wore it anyhow, he tried to think of more clever ways but couldn't find anything else. He went back again after work and saw her through the front office window, tapping away at her laptop. He entered, a smile immediately rushing to his lips once he was in front of her.

"Hey. How has your day been so far?" he asked, taking her hand from across the desk and kissing the back of it.

She grinned as her hand began toying with his fingers. "It's been okay. There have been a lot of reservations because of that damned beach volleyball tournament. I'll tell you, the things some guys will do to see woman jump up and down in bikini's is astounding to me," her laugh sprung from the back of her throat as she made her point.

"I'd pay to see you in a bikini jumping up and down, it's not that weird," he said, his smile turning seductive in no time.

She rolled her eyes and scoffed at his words.

"How was your day? Any heavy crimes you wanna tell me about?" she asked, putting the last few files away in the desk drawer. She shut her work laptop and rested her head in her hands as she watched him from across the desk.

He shook his head and looked outside, "Nah, the only crime I should inform you about is the throw up outside Room 6," he lied, his mind had been racing all day long, thinking of the perfect ruse to make events fall into place and go his way.

She groaned and grabbed a bucket and mop from the closet in the back office, "I just don't understand why someone would leave it there like that. I know this isn't The Hilton but still, show a little class."

"I know, people should have some common decency. I could knock on the door and read them their rights if you want," he offered up with a smirk on his face.

She laughed a bit before walking to the door, "No, I think arrest would be a little bit of an overreaction."

"Wait a sec," he said, taking gentle hold of her arm, "You should wear your maid shirt, it's gonna be pretty messy out there, I wouldn't want you to catch anything if that person had the stomach flu or something."

A smile reached her lips as she dropped the mop to the rest at the wall, "Always thinking of me," she murmured, taking the abandoned maid coat off the wall hook and dusting it off, "Wow...I haven't worn this thing since we first opened."

He rested an elbow on the desk and watched her, "Why don't you check the pockets?". His heart was beating so loud it was a wonder she couldn't hear it. He was so incredibly nervous about his proposal, it was driving him insane.

She immediately glanced up at him, bewilderment chalked all over her face, "Check my pockets?" her voice sounded almost amused by his order.

His expression dissolved to a more serious one, as he stepped closer to her. "You know, sometimes when you find old jackets or pants there could always be spare money in the pockets," he said, looking at her right pocket, which held the black jewelry box.

Norma scoffed playfully and dropped a hand in the left pocket, only pulling a few pieces of lint from the bottom, then moved onto the right pocket, surprised at what her fingers grazed. It felt like something foreign...velvet, maybe? She tugged it out and immediately her heart stopped beating. It was a small black velvet jewelry box, she didn't attempt anything, just looked up at Alex, shock was her main expression.

He was quick to retaliate, gently taking the box from her hand, and getting down on one knee all while holding eye contact. "Norma Louise Bates," he started, opening the box to show her the engagement ring, "Will you marry me?".

Her hands clasped over her mouth as tears sprang from her eyelids, this wasn't her first proposal, but it was certainly the most meaningful. She could tell by the tone of Alex's voice that he was being sincere. Her head nodded yes erratically as she was still too astonished to say anything more.

He took ahold of her hand and slid the ring on her finger, a soft smile on his face. He rose back to his feet and took her face in his hands, "I love you very, very much and I want to take care of you for the rest of my life," he promised.

She sniffled and wiped her eyes, though the tears were still flowing. Her breathing was still erratic from the crying, "I love you too, I wanna be your wife more than anything," she admitted before letting more happy tears flow. He clutched her to him and kissed her jaw as he consoled her.

After a few moments, she pulled away, a huge smile on her face. "We're getting married…" she said, it sounded like the words were foreign to her. "Oh my god," her breath hitched and her eyes lit up as she looked at him, "I'm gonna be your wife!".

The sheer excitement in her voice made him feel the same way. "I'm really excited," he agreed with a chuckle, leaning in to kiss her again.

"Just one thing, though," she said, her voice lowering to a more hushed tone, "I think we should keep it on the down low for a little while. I don't wanna tell Norman and Dylan right away."

He nodded and looked around to make sure no one was coming, "I understand," he said, his hands moving to rest at her hips, "You think I could still come up tonight? Maybe celebrate our little secret?".

"Of course," she murmured, kissing his cheek, and taking him by the hand. She was so excited, her and Alex together, always there for one another no matter what. She'd needed security for a long time and she longed to give him everything she could.

If they planned accordingly and that ring stayed firm on her finger, this would be one of the greatest experiences either of them would experience.

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