Author's Note: I am very verrrryyy sorry for update really late. Not gonna lie. I've really had a hard time writing this chapter (you may figure it as you read). Also, I am still very hesitant upon posting this since I'm not sure if people are still interested in this. I am not well too confident about my writing as well. Anxiety is just kicking and kicking me.

Meanwhile, since I can't update much in here, I am currently collaborating with deviatedrift and it's "I'll String Along With You". If you haven't read it, you may want to. It maybe something that could catch your interest too. And a big SHOUTOUT to my friend, deviatedift for helping me brainstorm on this more and always encouraging me continue this.

Reviews are very much appreciated. So please please leave!! :) I may need it to boost me up xx And thank you so much if to those who haven't given up on this yet and are still waiting. Love you! xoxo

Disclaimer: Bates Motel and its characters are not mine. The A&E owns them.

It's almost 12:00 am now and Norma's still sitting at the waiting room, tapping on her foot unconsciously and squeezing on her own hand to ease the antsy feeling she has since they got in the emergency. It was dreadfully painful for her to see her husband in such shape. She didn't see this coming. Not now or ever when her hopes are set high since she's rest assured he's getting better. Her hair now in messy curls, makeup almost not visible; she's in distress. However, Dylan and Emma both decided to stay with her disregarding the fact that they're still on their wedding dress and suite.

"Norma Bates-Romero?"

The doctor calls out as she abruptly makes her way to stand from where she's sitting at. She looks at the doctor steadily.

"He's better now," he plainly smiles before he continues, "But he needs to be monitored. We'll have him transferred at Portland by tomorrow as requested by Dr. Walter, since he's his doctor, after your husband has taken the rest he needed. But for now, I'd like to discuss a few things with you."

His hand gestures at the certain corner of the room, inviting her to move a little for a privacy. She complies to do so. He starts, "By what we've seen tonight, I suggest you should start looking for a bone marrow donor for him immediately. A family member is the most possible match. He'll be taking some tests once you get to Portland."

"I- I don't understand," her breathing now fast as she starts to tremble, "He was supposed to be better; he's responding well."

"I'm sorry but something may have gone wrong with the medication."

"'Gone wrong', what exactly do you mean, I'm confused."

"There is a huge possibility that the treatment may have stopped working and his body may have stopped taking them. But you still have other options. Dr. Walter could explain this better once you get to Portland. I already talked to him and he's reviewing on your husband's case now. As said, there will be also tests to be done once you get there."

"Okay. Thank you." Norma timidly says, trying still to comprehend everything she just heard.

"Your husband would like to see you, if you may excuse me." The doctor politely tells her before he leaves.

She glances at the direction where Dylan's at and meet his eyes before Norma starts crying in disbelief. Her tremor lips compress, burying her face at the palm of her hand. This could not be happening when he's responding well. Cancer is a relentless and a quiet traitor. The treachery of it is uncontrollable. For a long time, one may have been doing well and getting better until you know its mutinous cells have already entrenched and keep growing inside the body. Norma cannot understand the greed of it.

"Hey," Norma quips, standing at the doorframe of Alex's hospital room, hands on her hips. He smiles at her. She then walks towards him, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling better."

He flashes her a smile and holds her hands in which comforts her after everything she knew. He knows the situation might have cause her to feel unwell, worried even that it might affect their baby. Then he remembers the event they should be celebrating about—Dylan and Emma's wedding, guilty that the attention was taken away from the lovely celebration, when suddenly, they were rushed in the emergency.

He sighs, "I'm sorry I ruined the wedding."

"You didn't," Norma whispers at him gently, "It was already done when it happened. Just go take a rest." Leaning down, she softly places a kiss on his lips.

"Do you need something?"

"Yeah, come here. I need you near me."

Alex moves a little to give Norma a space and share on his hospital bed. She graciously grins at his designation and climbs on the bed to lie next to him. Resting her head on his bare chest, she starts humming him a song to somewhat divert her thoughts. Distracting herself seems to be her forte when something bad always happen. She cannot grow weak in front of her ill husband.

"Alex?"

"Hmm?"

"You'll get better."

Moving to a more comfortable position, he encloses his arms around her. And she feels it accords with what she just said. She feels it protecting her from pain and weariness life is throwing at her right now.

She keeps humming…

"Alex?"

He doesn't answer. She realises he may have fallen asleep already. Norma then sincerely pecks a kiss on Alex's cheek. As she fixes her eyes on him, she takes a deep breath before her tears begin to fall from her sight. She clasps his hand and kisses it.

"I'm not gonna let you die. I won't."

The next day, as soon as Alex was awakened in the morning, he's immediately transferred as requested by Dr. Walter. Dylan, together with his now wife, Emma followed after since they had to get their clothes change and pack their stuff as was instructed by his mother. Norma stayed with Alex all throughout. As much as she may need Alex now, she knows he needs her more than ever. They're a team together. Albeit the day they have promised to be there for one another in sickness or in health is just for Alex's insurance, deep down, they both knew they meant it. The moment Alex put her his mother's ring in hers, she realised they were down for something else, that he is maybe sincere. As afraid that she's not going to be good for a marriage anymore, she chose to ignore. Until the silence of her home, without Norman in it and with only the two of them living together, broke what she didn't want to believe in.

After some of the tests that was given to Alex, Norma sits with him on his new hospital bed after a discussion with Dr. Walter.

"Dr. Walter confirmed we should find you a donor. Do you know anyone who could match with you?

"I- I don't." He whispers, ignoring her glance.

"Your-… your dad is still alive. Do you think he'll match?" She carelessly inquires, unaware of the tension between her husband and his own father.

Alex feels his blood course through his vein.

"No, Norma. We are not going to ask help from him."

"Alex…"

"Can we just drop this?" His tone raises, enough for Norma's eyes to widen. "I'm sorry, I really want to take a rest right now."

"Okay." She plainly responds, understanding his mood. It might be another side effect of the medicine that he's irritable. She moves from her seat as she continue to speak, "I'll just go home and get your stuff. Dr. Walter said you'll be staying here for days—I don't know how long. But until you're better. It's a long drive, it might take me a while so Dylan and Emma will be staying here with you. If you need anything, just tell them. I'll be back, okay?" She leans to kiss him before she exits the room.

Norma's maternal devotion instinct can drive anyone crazy at most times. She's overprotective and is most when her youngest son is involved. She's willing to do anything for the people she cares about. Now that her life has completely changed, her role isn't just about maternity anymore but also includes spousal equivalent. And there is no way in hell Norma would not do anything about Alex's condition. Just like how it was with Norman, she won't let him be taken away from her nor die. She has to do something.

Norma leaves the house as soon as she packs everything she and her husband may need. Without any second thought, she promptly drives fast heading on a structural building of a penitentiary. Albeit unfamiliar, she still decides to get in. Luckily, she's the wife of the town's sheriff and she can use that as an excuse to take a visit.

The coldness of the yellowish ceiling as well as the lifeless painted walls greet her. She could hear the silence standing still in every corridor as prisoners are probably out in their own cells, working on the field. Albeit the unwelcoming atmosphere terrifies her a bit, her mind is still pinned to the only reason she went here. To talk and settle with Alex's father about his condition.

As she is sitting inside the visiting room, an old man in a gray hair comes in.

"Hi. You're Alex's father?" She uncertainly asks, her deep blue eyes staring at the postured man. She doesn't know him except he's her husband's father and former sheriff in the town.

"Yeah." He answers her, standing and staring at her. An idea coming up to him about her identity, unsure if he's seen her before. Only he recognizes her when a realisation hits him. She's the woman on the newspaper with her son, acclaimed to be his newfound wife on Winter Light Festival.

"I'm Norma Bates. Alex's wife." She introduces herself. Norma gestures her hand, an invitation for him to sit in front of her. He complies to do so. Without any other minute, she opens her mouth to speak.

"Well, I'm just gonna make it quick," Norma begins, "My husband, he doesn't know I'm here. I don't know if you're aware but he's got Leukemia. It's deteriorating. I went here because Alex needs a bone marrow transplant. And you're his only relative I know so I thought maybe I could ask you to take a test if you're match with him and be a donor."

She looks directly at his eyes with a hope before her husband's father could look away from her. He uncomfortably shifts on his position, his face puzzled. His heart stings at the information about his only son. This time, his ego cannot defend his guilt for some part. Alex have been distant to him since his wife died, let alone his son is blaming him for her death.

He leans his elbow on the table.

"Please. I- I can't lose him now." She whimpers in a discreet tone, keeping herself calm and low.

Then he meets her waiting eyes for an answer, finally facing her.

"Please." Norma helplessly begs, reaching for the old man's hand.

"Okay."

"Thank you." She sighs in relief, "Well, his doctor said that if you do it you'll be released for a test by tomorrow. You will be specially picked up with some of the officers here."

"Will my son agree to this?" He inquires cautiously, not disregarding how their last meeting ended.

"I'm sure he will." She confidently utters, albeit knowing her husband's protest upon the idea.

"Good morning," Norma brightly greets her husband, opening up the curtains as the sunlight reflects in the room.

"Good morning."

"Here's your breakfast. It's just avocado cereal but it's great. I heard avocados fight blood cancer so you better eat a lot." She assures him, giving him a tray of a bowl of cereals she made before he's awaken.

"Thank you." He sits back taking the bowl form her hand.

"Also, I brought you fruits yesterday. They're in the fridge. Don't you just think it's nice that they actually have mini fridge in this room? It will probably cost us a little higher amount but it's fine," she enthusiastically tells him, letting out a small laugh, "I don't feel comfortable not having anything in here that is kitchen-related. It will drive me crazy."

"Probably." He chuckles at the very thought.

Times like this, Alex wonders where her energy is coming from. She's always so full of light even on the murky days. She always leaves everything behind her; she's good at it. At least that's how he knows she survived.

"Where's Emma and Dylan?" Alex questions her remembering the young couple who stayed with him yesterday.

"They're home. They're taking care of the motel since I can't. I can't have it closed while we're here. I mean, it's summer. People go on vacation," she explains before she ships on her own coffee.

"Norma," he unreadably utters, his eyes clouding a little.

"What?" She reads his worried eyes, "I'm fine, Alex. I'm totally fine," she convinces him, not wanting him to distraught about anything. Besides, he needs to be strong for the surgery he's not even aware about.

They both sit quietly while having their breakfast.

Norma glances at her husband and she hurt a little seeing his weak frame. She always used to enjoy watching him eating her food. But maybe not now that he's ridden on bed, ill. 'This is just temporary' is all she tells herself. Before her mood could completely change, she opens her mouth initiating a conversation.

"Remember when I cleaned your wound when you were staying at the motel?"

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure I didn't smile if that's what you're going to bring up for the million times."

"Lord, you're still denial."

Alex softly chuckles when he sees her rolling her eyes on him. "I'm just pretty sure I didn't."

"No, no," she giggles protesting, putting down her mug as she sits next to him. "You did, Alex. You did. And you know what, my heart stopped."

"But I wasn't going to arrest you."

Norma chortles all the more. This man and his silly comments have so much way to her. She sure loves to laugh, but it's very different with Alex. It's almost ecstasy yet it's so affectionate. She feels as if it's a shelter.

"I know. I don't know, I just felt something different about you when you did. Probably because I really thought your face was paralyzed. I was surprised."

Alex steadily glares at her for a little long time yet Norma hasn't stop yet. When she realises she's the only one laughing in the room, she suppresses and smiles at him with such fondness. She leans forward and playfully kisses him at the side of his lips.

It's late in the afternoon when one of the nurses has her check-up rounds. Norma wasn't around while the nurse entered Alex's room. It only lasts a few minutes and Alex is thankful for that since the assigned nurse is very chatty.

"All set." She flashes Alex a smile. "Congratulations, Mr. Romero. Your bone marrow donor matched." The nurse carelessly tells him, not knowing he doesn't even have an idea about everything that is going on behind his back.

"What?" his expression completely disoriented. "But I didn't have any-"

"It was your father." She cuts him off. Yet before the nurse could say more, Norma appears in the doorframe with some documents on her hand.

"Hey. What's up?"

Alex clears his throat darting a cold look at Norma, "She just told me my dad is my bone marrow donor."

Norma feels herself shudders. She doesn't know what to say. She pulls a fake smile, not showing any irritation yet deep inside her, she wishes to throw a tank of oxygen to this garrulous lady. Everything about the transplant was supposed to be made confidential, yet one of the stuffs spilled on her husband right before she talks to him. Her mood is flaring. Not wanting to cause any talk, she takes a deep breath and manages to be polite as much as possible.

"Can you kindly excuse us for a minute?"

"Yeah."

"Thank you."

The nurse exits the room and Norma locks the door immediately.

"Norma, what the hell?" Alex exasperatingly breaks the awkward silence that filled the room seconds ago. His blood running cold. He is furious.

"Alex…"

"When are you going to tell me that you talked to him?"

"I was going to tell you. I was supposed to tell you that's why I'm here-"

"Oh, really?" She trails off. His tone arctically indifference.

"He is concerned with you," She swallows, trying to explain in a calm manner, avoiding another set of argument.

"No, he is not. And we're not going to do this."

"Alex… I get it that you're mad at him but sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and reconcile and move on."

"No, this is not how it works here. You don't get to decide about the things that has something to do with him."

The tension between them grows stronger as his words infuriate Norma.

"What do you mean 'I can't'? This isn't just about him, this is about you. This is about us. I am your wife and I'm carrying your child. What do you want me to do, let you die without even trying anything for you? Do you want this child to grow without meeting his father?"

Alex then becomes motionless as his emotion struggles.

"I know this isn't planned. But it's already here."

"It's not about that-…"

"Then what?" Norma couldn't take this any longer. He's taking all of his frustration on her and it's too much. She feels all her own emotions boil, answering to what Alex has been giving her for the past few seconds.

"He drove my mom to kill herself!" He spits the word bitterly.

"Well, I'm sorry. But… it already happened and you need to put it behind you."

"Damn it, Norma, you don't know a thing! You don't know what it's like to watch your mom suffer-"

"Excuse me?! I just wanted to help." She howls as Alex's choices of words continually cut her into pieces. It's like she doesn't know who she is talking to; he is like a different person. He's like a stranger who has never made her feel safe.

"Well, you're not."

She almost freezes. Her mind abruptly contemplating when a jittery feeling rushes through her whole. She feels an old wound opened. Her marriage is now starting to fall apart. Again.

"The point is I need you to trust me, to help you. I can't just do nothing and sit and watch you suffer. It's gonna kill me. The thought of you being slowly eaten up by a cancer kills me, Alex. It is killing me!"

Norma sharply breaks down, trembling on her knees. Her voice echoes inside the room. She wonders if their conversation can be heard outside. Yet she doesn't care. This is her fighting for her marriage, this is her fighting for the man she is willing to lose everything with. If fate fights her for this, she's sure as hell she will fight back too.

As soon as Alex realises he's been too hard on her, he starts to calm down. He curses himself for what he just caused her.

"I'm sorry…" he apologizes, approaching her.

"Don't." She coldly tells him, stepping back a little. Her gesture is telling him not to follow as she disappears from the room sobbing.

Norma is awake when Alex opens the door. She's unreservedly lying, trying to regain her strength from the trauma her body's just gone through. She brightly smiles at the sight of her husband carrying their child to her.

"Awww. Look at her, she's so pretty." Her voice still weak as she carefully lifts the infant from Alex's bare hands, cradling her against her delicate upper body.

"Yeah. She has your eyes."

"And she has your eye lashes, big daddy." She dimples at her husband who is letting out a small chuckle.

"Alex, thank you for this…"

Alex kisses Norma on her forehead. He's never felt a more compelling accomplishment than this, besides, well, marrying Norma Bates. His world just become bigger and greatest.

The baby sneakily yawns making them both giggle.

Alex opens his eyes to see Norma in a blast, standing beside the fridge. The perfect curve of her showing in his view. Her light blue, sleeveless dress is made impeccably for her matching her milky skin. He enjoys the view for a moment before she takes a turn.

"I'm sorry." He plainly tells her as soon as their eyes met.

"It's okay. I'm sorry too. I didn't know it was that… deep."

Norma walks towards him, grinning as if a terrible disagreement didn't happen hours ago. She accommodates herself beside him as she takes his hand.

"How'd you sleep?"

"It was fine."

She helplessly looks at him, her eyes threatening to weep. He pecks a kiss on her forehead, his hand caressing her face.

"You're not going to lose me. Okay?"

"Okay." Norma muffles, slightly sniffing.

"I-… I'll do the surgery."

"Really?"

"Yeah… I just want to talk to my dad first."

"Okay."

He encloses his arm around her waist. He feels her entire body quivers. Recognizing the familiar breathing she heavily takes, he holds her tighter. She must have felt so scared, so insecure, and hurt from their quarrel yesterday. And it torments him. He did not mean any of that but words that are said cannot be unheard… how he wishes he could do that for her.

"You have to believe me I did love her."

Alex looks at his father. Steadily. And he wasn't looking back at him. He could tell him insincere.

"Why weren't you there on her funeral day?" He drops the question like it is an interrogation. He aches at the bitter memory of seeing his mother being rushed in the hospital, being engraved without his father he should be mourning with. All of these, he was absent. Which proved him more, he's the reason why she decided to end her life.

His father moves, confronting his deep eyes. His lips trembles, looking for the exact words to say.

"I couldn't stand seeing your mom in the coffin… I couldn't stand my guilt."

"Then why didn't you have her name removed on that ledger?"

"Because… because your dad is a coward." His eyes now becoming red. "I'm sorry, son."

Alex nods as he struggles on the inside. He's been wanting to hear that for a long time. Yet now that he heard it, he feels nothing about it.

"I'm only doing this for my wife." As Alex holds himself, he stands up. "Listen, once the operation is done, I don't ever want to see you again."