Author's Note: I know the previous chapter has been really intense. Believe me, my anxiety was high while I was writing it. But thank you for reading it and leaving reviews. They do really mean a lot to me ;) And don't worry, I didn't abandon this story. It's my first, so leaving is not a good option.
Anyway, sorry to have you waiting so long. I have half of this written already right before I published the previous chapter but couldn't continue writing it because of personal stuff. This is the fifth chapter and I do hope y'all will enjoy this sappy romantic Normero. This chapter is especially dedicated to my fellow writers, Aretaic, GeneHarl0w, heldogterji, and deviatedrift.
Please leave review if you feel like it. They really do help me and motivate me a lot. Thank you! I love you all! ;*
The usual disclaimer applies.
Summer...
"Hey, you're home early," She deadpans, putting the grocery bags on the kitchen counter.
Alex's smile slowly fades when he recognizes her mood. He reaches for her, clasping her arm, "Hey."
Pressing her palm against her face, she lets out a heavy sigh, leaning back against the counter.
He moves closer, encircling his arms around her now fragile frame, burdened with all the sorrows in the world. For the past few months that they've been living together, it's no question to Alex anymore that whenever Norma comes home like this, it has something to do with Norman. Obviously her visit with her son didn't go well, it was enough to make her feel such grief.
"He doesn't want to talk to me, Alex," she sniffles softly, burying her head against his bare chest, "How long will this take? I miss him." she utters the words in agony, looking up at him.
"I don't know. But I know it's not gonna take forever. We just have to wait."
"I don't understand," she murmurs, slightly pushing him away from her and turning towards the counter. "He told me he's better off alone. He doesn't have feelings for me anymore, he keeps pushing me away," she pauses pulling out two quarts of ice cream and a box of what looks like a cone from the grocery bag, "It's nice that he reconsiders going back there because of what happened. But why can't he just accept it?"
"He'll be fine. He'll accept our relationship soon, just have a little more patience."
She glances at him with hope in her eyes. "I brought us ice cream," she flashes a smile changing the subject in their conversation. He chuckles softly. "I actually got cones. I don't know why I did, I just felt like it."
Norma hands him the box to unwrap it as she manages to open a pint and stirs to find an ice cream spoon inside the cabinet.
"I uh, got something to tell you."
"Hmm?"
"I really am a unicorn."
She stops, "What?" Her mouth drops open when she finally takes a look at him. Then she giggles at the sight of him holding up a cone on his forehead.
"Well," stepping towards him with a bashful smile, she winds her arms around his neck, staring into his caramel eyes, before giving him a quick peck on the lips, "I'm not giving up a unicorn. I'm not giving you up, and I never will."
He returns her kiss gently, his hand travels down at her arms until he reaches for her silken palm.
"The ice cream is gonna melt," Norma whispers softly, releasing the hold on his neck.
Alex remains, admiring the breathtaking view of his wife scooping the ice cream from its pint and putting some in the cones. How in the world did he get so lucky as to gaze on such a beauteous work of art, is the question he asks himself every time he looks at her.
"Here you go, Sheriff Unicorn." She teases him flashing him a smile, giving him a piece of coned ice cream.
Later that night, before the married couple gets ready to head to bed after their late dinner, Alex tidies up the paper works he had taken home from his office.
"Alex, what are those?" she questions, a sudden curiosity striking her and finally breaking the silence.
"It's the new schedule."
"Is that why you were home earlier?"
"Yeah. We started following the new schedule today."
She doesn't say anything more, just stares deeply at her husband–a kind of look that tells him she has been making some plans that will surely happen in no time.
"And done," He starts, moving to where he's been standing long enough to feel the tiring effects of his work, "I'm going to take a bath." he continues, making his way towards the bathroom and leaving her alone in the room. She sighs in quite disappointment at the exhausted look she's seen on his face, thinking maybe she could give her husband a massage when he comes back.
While Alex takes his bath, Norma looks to the papers to check everyone's schedule since she knows his husband's officers. She is the sheriff's wife after all.
"…'Deputy Shawn Carson'." She reads before turning to the next page.
"…'Deputy John Fletcher's, looks like he doesn't have off tomorrow"
Then she continues.
"…'Deputy Mike Chapman's Schedule', 'Wednesday and Friday'… 'off'."
"Gotcha!" She grins mischievously before reaching for her phone and dialling the deputy's mobile number that's written on the given schedule.
"Hi, good evening," She greets as soon as the deputy answers his phone, "This is Norma, Sheriff Romero's wife."
Alex leaves their home 20 minutes earlier, assuming that he would be at his office 5 minutes before call time. As soon as he disappears from view, Norma phones Deputy Chapman to continue their discussion from the previous night, after which she phones Dylan.
"Mom?" he answers on the first ring.
"Dylan, do you still own that cabin in the woods?"
"Yeah."
"Good, do you have a tent?"
"A tent?"
" Yes, a tent, Dylan. A canvas supported by poles and secured by ropes fastened to pegs in the ground," she replies sarcastically.
"Gee, Norma, calm down, I know what a tent is." The annoyance in his tone is obvious but then he adds, "Why do you need it?"
"Do you have one?" she asks again
"I'm not going to answer that unless you tell me why."
She sighs exasperatingly. "I need it tonight. There's something I have planned for Alex and I need a tent. Just tell me where the hell your cabin is and I'll go get it myself."
"Okay." he responds expecting the typical mood Norma has.
Alex has been wondering all day why his wife has been acting so strangely ever since the night before. He is somehow worried that she might be keeping something from him again. It isn't impossible, though. Albeit they have both promised that there would be no secrets between them, he knows Norma well enough to know she might well do so. But he still trusts her and she him. He aches, knowing when it comes to Norma's life, she's used to facing all her troubles by herself, which he hopes had changed since they have been together.
It has been 18 minutes now and Alex is still trying to phone Norma. She hasn't been answering which makes him feel more anxious. He looks at the clock, 5:22 pm. He'll be staying at the station until 7 pm tonight due to the changes in their schedules, but he's more than willing to go home early to know what's happening with Norma. Just as he was about to phone her again, someone knocks at his door's office and opens. It's Regina.
"Your wife's outside the station, sheriff," she plainly informs him.
Without a word, he immediately rushes out of his office.
"Norma, what are you doing here?" His wife presence stuns him for a moment when he gets out of the station, "Why weren't you answering my calls?"
"Get in!" She trills excitedly, waving her hands that instructs him to climb in the car.
"What?"
"Just get in, Alex."
"Norma, I-"
Before he continues, Norma cuts him off. "Don't worry, I already told Regina to cancel everything you still have to do. We're going somewhere. Come on!"
He stares at her for a moment. And without a word, he climbs into the car. He's dying to know what his wife has been up to. She's been acting even more strange since they woke up, like she's hiding something. As they're driving, Alex shoots her a suspicious look.
"Alex, stop staring at me like that," she shrugs, "Just trust me okay? You'll like it. I promise."
"Why weren't you answering my calls?"
"Alex," she says softly, "I don't owe you an explanation. But this, whatever may happen tonight will answer that question. I promise, okay?"
"Okay." is the only answer left for him to say.
"Aaaaaaand," she drags out the word, "we're here." she coos, smiling at him as she pulls over the car.
He jumps out of the car, flabbergasted, looking around. They parked at an almost unfamiliar view he knew, remembering the bay near the town where he and his mother used to go to when he was still a kid. He looks at Norma who is heading for the back seat of the car and seems to be reaching out for some grocery bags. Then his attention's back to the whole sight of the place. The sun is about to set.
"Come on, Alex, follow me."
He follows her as she told him, albeit the look in his eyes is still clueless. She guides their way to some pieces of collected wood building up a fire near a tent.
"Surprise!" she says enthusiastically; her eyes are sparkling in excitement as she places the bags at corner of the tent. "Oh, I thought we'll miss the sun set. Come on, let's go for a walk." She takes his hand to lead the way, but stops as she notices he's not following.
"Alex, what?"
He stays silent, staring at her.
She sighs softy, releasing his hand, "It's just that, we haven't been spending a lot of time together to just enjoy ourselves. You've been busy catching criminals, we're too focused on your medication, and getting Norman better. We didn't have a chance to get out of town or do anything away from all of these things. I…" she lets out a nervous laugh, "I miss you, Alex."
Stepping forward, he chuckles affectionately, "Get over here," gesturing his hand, she moves close, resting her head against his chest, "So you planned all this? Is that why you've been acting so weird?"
"I am?" She asks looking at him.
"Yes." He murmurs giving her a quick peck on the lips. Even the slightest change in Norma's behaviour, he notices.
"I haven't seen the sun set for so long."
She turns her head in the direction he's staring at.
"It's beautiful."
"It is," he agrees meandering the gaze from her exquisite eyes while he was still holding her. They stand together like that for what feels like forever.
After they watched the stunning view of the twilight, Alex helps Norma to prepare the grill she bought this afternoon. She grabs some meat and patties from the grocery bag to broil them on the grill. They sit together on the camping chair Alex has set up for them, waiting for their food to be cooked. They eat and share laughter together under the fixed luminous point in the night sky and big bright moon.
"It's time for marshmallows!" she eagerly exclaims, jumping out of her chair.
Alex can't help but chuckle to his surprise, "Marshmallows?"
"Yes! What's the bonfire for when there's no roasting of marshmallows? That is what this night is all about, sheriff. Plus, don't unicorns love fluffy stuff?" she teases him, poking the marshmallows onto the stick and giving it to Alex to roast.
"I still have another little something," she walks toward the tent and brings out a guitar.
"You know how to play guitar?" he questions, slightly surprised that not only can she play piano, but the guitar as well.
"A little. Caleb. He taught me how when-…" she doesn't continue, remembering how close they used to be before he hurt her. "How about you, do you?"
"Well, if you only knew, I never suck at anything," he scoffs at his own answer taking the guitar from her. Sheriffs have talents too.
"So…" he plucks the string of the instrument and starts singing…
"She may be the face I can't forget
The trace of pleasure or regret
May be my treasure or the price I have to pay…"
Norma's face lights up as she giggles intoxicatingly and happily.
Alex stops strumming the guitar for a second or two to flash a quick smile to Norma.
"She may be the song that summer sings…"
He continues as Norma's laughter turn into a few more loud ones, "You're out of tune, Alex."
He thwarts, waving his hand off of her, "Shoosh! Stop it, Norma. I'm trying to focus here," shooting her a look, keeping his fingers on the strings.
"Okay," she says trying not to burst into more laughter.
She listens to him singing, watching his calloused hand play while she hums along. The comforting sound of his voice isn't something she was expecting, which makes the night even more special to her, to them. Tonight is just all about them.
After Alex had finished the song, they start to roast the marshmallows Norma has prepared and share stories and tremendous laughter… laughs that are full of love. And love that never fail to be shown.
Tonight is indeed special, Alex thinks, thankful for having Norma in his life. If there is one thing that Alex adores a lot about his wife, it's her unpredictability and doing whatever she feels like. That's mostly why he fell for her. She does things her own way.
"So, you got all this set up?"
"No. I got one of your deputies to help." she answers simply, winking at him.
He chuckles in his surprise, "What?"
"Well, last night, while you were taking a bath, I had a chance to take a look at your schedule then I suddenly had this idea." She swallows before she continues, "So I saw Deputy Chapman's schedule and called him since he was off today. I can't do all of the work myself, you know."
"And you called Regina to tell her I'll have my duty dismissed early?"
"Yes."
"And this tent?"
"Oh, it's Dylan's. I got it from his cabin."
"And the guitar?"
"It's Chapman's."
"Okay."
"So you think, you're the only one who has connections huh, Sheriff? I've got contacts too." she smirks at him raising an eyebrow, beaming with pride.
He chuckles softly and so does she.
Norma's mouth drops open as she looks up at the sky. "Is that a shooting star?"
"What?"
"Oh, it is! Look, Alex, it's a shooting star!"
Alex looks up at the sky, seeing the unexpected rapid moving meteors. He glares back at her only to find her eyes closed. It amuses him how she believes in making a wish upon those falling stars.
Opening her eyes, does she says the words with a dreamy look: "I've always wanted to see a shooting start when I was a kid. But I thought it would never happen. Tonight is perfect, Alex, isn't it?"
He lowers his head to level his eyes at her, holding her gaze, "You're perfect," he whispers, before softly pressing his mouth against hers.
She opens her lips meeting his waiting mouth, as if she were expecting this to happen and has herself prepared for it. She winds her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Slowly, her hands strokes down his torso, undoing his belt before she takes his uniform off.
He grabs her ass, feeling shivers of arousal shoot through his body, before tightening his grip, devouring her every soft moan slipping from her mouth.
"Is this what's the tent for?" he teases in between kisses, his hand slides underneath her dress.
"Yeah," she nods, catching her breath.
They move together towards the tent, not breaking their contact. As soon as they get inside the tent, his hands makes its way up her back to to unzip her yellow floral dress. Her heart is beating fast now. She deepens her osculation against his temple, reaching back, she unclasps her bra before moving to lie down. She slowly spreads her legs, revealing in his audible gulp at the realisation that Alex has her panties ripped already at the fastest he possibly could. Without wasting any more time, Alex moves to settle between her legs, kissing the delicate column of her neck. His fingers brush against her nipple before his mouth follows, lips pressing gentle kisses.
"Oh," she breathes, reaching up to thread her fingers through his hair as his hand follows the curve of her stomach, down towards the dampness before slinking down her body.
Grabbing her hips, he presses his lips between the inside of her thighs feeling the warmth of her wet heat.
"Yes." She breathes as she arches up almost violently, her arousal is intensifying as he teases her sensitive flesh.
"Oh, I think I'm gonna come," she murmurs breathlessly, tugging him up to her.
"No, not yet,"
"Alex, just move, please," she shamelessly implores.
And he complies, like he always does when she asks something of him, pulling down his jeans and boxers before towering over her. She immediately wraps her legs around him as he slowly rocks his hips against hers, easing his way inside her. He thrusts gently at first before slowly speeding up. She meets him thrust for thrust, clutching his biceps as she feels her body starting to tighten. They both groan in their beautiful orgasm. She suddenly kisses him swallowing every little sound he makes.
"Ah," she whimpers in the softest manner, her eyes drifting shut as nuzzles her nose at the crook of his neck.
"Do you still want me to sing?" he asks teasingly and she leans back to stare at him.
"Please," she whines shaking her head as she taunts him.
He chuckles wordlessly as he gives her a quick peck on her temple.
"This is going to be a long night," she smiles wickedly at him, licking her lips.
A/N2: I didn't want any spoiler at the top so I'm putting these notes here.
The song's title included here's "She" by Elvis Costello. I'm not sure if Alex really sings but I want to think of him like that because his aura's don't suck at anything. ;P
The characters added are just in my mind. ;P
TBC...