Maybe This Time

Chapter Fifteen: The Confession

Frozen.

I just stood there. I stood there staring at him. My eyes began to fill up with tears that I could no longer see Alex clearly. It was all a blur. I was in love with the man standing in front of me but for some reason, I couldn't say it. I was just standing there as he kept calling my name in front of me at his door. The moment he moved forward to place his hand gently on my arm, I jumped. He startled me. I was in a "moment" of some sort where I completely blocked everything out. A small tear rolled slowly down my rosy red cheeks. I didn't even realize I was crying or about to cry.

I think he noticed the tear rolling down my cheek because he went from concerned to really concerned in a matter of seconds.

"Norma--what's the matter? You're not acting like yourself. Did something happen?" His tone was soft but he was very worried about me. It was perfectly clear. It was like he didn't even care that I just hurt him. I broke him.

The moment I realized he was now comforting me, I burst into tears. I could barely see his handsome brown eyes through the tears but his hand still held onto my arm. I looked down at his hand then back at his face. I couldn't believe he would still care after what I had done.

"Al--Alex, why would you continue to be caring and loving? I hurt you. I--I hurt you bad! But you still want to be concerned for me?! Why?! I'm no good for you... I'm toxic! I hurt everyone who matters most!" I sobbed while I stood there in front of him on his porch. I was shivering from the cold, so cold that my lips were turning purple. The tears just wouldn't stop. They fell from my big blue eyes down my cheeks and toward the front of my blouse.

Alex didn't say a word. He just stood there, he was listening to every word that had escaped my lips. But regardless of what happened, what I did, screaming at him to leave after he confessed his love, he still wanted to reach his hands to my face. He moved closer, placing his hands that smelt of his aftershave and whiskey onto each of my rosy cheeks. He wiped each warm tear with the tip of his thumb. This was unreal. This man is now wiping away my tears. As much as I wanted to lean in and cry into his arms, I couldn't. I needed to apologize for being harsh the other night. I looked straight into his eyes, they were locked. Like nothing else mattered. I sniffled and began to feel the tears building up again.

"You deserve so much better, Alex.." I spoke softly and just above a whisper. "I am so sorry for hurting you.."

Then he leaned in closer, moving his fingers to wrap them around the back of my head with his thumbs still on my cheeks and he pressed his lips against mine. I pulled away so that our lips were just inches apart.

"Alex, can't you hear me? I'm no good..."

He kissed me again and then I'd pull away again.

"Alex, please..." I whispered.

"Norma, just shut up.." Alex finally spoke but within seconds after he clashed his lips against mine.

I gave in.

I kissed back but harder and more passionate. I let a soft "Mmmm..." like sound escape me as I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck. He pulled me back so that we were no longer in the cold and just inside the door frame. While passionate kissing, he brought me all he way inside the house and turned us around so that his back was facing the front door. He took his right hand off my cheek to reach behind him to close the front door. I broke my arms away from his neck so I could strip off my maroon jacket while we continued to kiss. I threw it across the room then placed my hands onto his warm cheeks.

Alex kissed me harder then dropped me down onto the couch just behind us. He climbed on top of me, wrapping his fingers around my wrists, only to roughly pin them back against the arm of the couch over my head. The feeling I had growing in the pit of my stomach was so strong. It was a good nervous yet excited feeling. I was so pleased that he had no problem taking my apology but I know he was grateful I stopped by. It was like he was gulping down his whisky just waiting for me to come flying into his driveway. I felt as if he no longer gave a shit about my apology because he knew I loved him and he understood why I turned him away. Out of fear. That fear was not due to him hurting me but the other way around. I didn't want to hurt him. He was the only man (other than Dylan) that wanted to protect me. Norman was no longer around to protect and love me. He needed the help because just before he left for the facility, he already lost his way. I could no longer protect him. So all I have is my oldest son and Alex.

Alex was slowly pressing his entire weight against me and it felt incredibly good. I missed his touch, his controlling attitude while in bed, the way he kissed me, his love, his kindness, his random kisses on the back of my neck while I made breakfast in the morning. I just missed him. I broke away from the kiss, looking into his eyes with my wrists still pinned against the arm of the couch and I smiled at him.  "I love you, Alex..." I smiled even bigger, biting my lip and my heart beat grew faster. Then that's when Alex smiled so bright and I knew all was right in the world.

"I love you, Norma Louise.." He moved my wrists back down so that my hands could roam free. I allowed a loud giggle to escape me as I placed my hands onto his lower back. I pulled his tight fitting black shirt up over his head and threw it onto the floor. Kicked off my black heels and wrapped my legs around his waist. Placing both of my hands onto his cheeks, I leaned in to kiss him when I saw his smile become much wider.

"What?" I asked in a soft loving tone.

"I knew you would come back to me..." He spoke with such love in his voice. I knew he meant it. I knew he loved me and I knew I loved him.

"I couldn't stay away. The moment you walked out that door, I thought about running after you. But I was scared. I was scared coming here tonight. But I realized that I was so deeply in love with you and I couldn't hide it anymore.." I looked deep into his eyes as I confessed my love. This moment was perfect and turned out much differently than I had expected.

Then there was a loud crash coming from outside. We both jumped, he grabbed his gun off the side table and had me stand behind him while he checked from the front porch. I, of course, am not the best listener so I followed behind him. I realized my car windows were smashed all to hell. I saw before he did. I flew down his porch stairs and to my car in his driveway.

"Norma!!"

"What?! Someone broke my car windows!! What the hell is going on?!" I shouted back at him as it was clear someone did this on purpose.

He ran after me, pulled me away from the car and searched around for any suspects. He turned himself back around and grabbed the middle of my arm. His eyes were wide and he looked frightened. "It doesn't matter, there could of been someone waiting out here to hurt you! This all could of been some set up to get you outside or the both of us! I'm the sheriff, you let me handle this..you don't just run out here like that. Especially now that it's dark..."

"Jesus Christ, Im not a child, Alex..." I huffed and rolled my eyes.

"Norma... Just let me handle it..."

He walked around the car, checking for anything else suspicious. Then that's when I saw the note.  A note on the drivers seat.

"Alex....there's a note here..." My heart was racing a mile a minute. I opened the car door because if I hair reached in, I'd probably slice my arm on the broken glass stuck in the window frame. I picked it up slowly, shaking the little pieces of broken glass off the sheet of paper. The writing was all in black permanent marker. I could smell the odor, like a black sharpie marker. I just read it as tears filled my eyes and he ran toward me, looking at the note while he stood next to me. He reached into his back pocket, grabbing his iPhone. He dialed the station within seconds after he read it. This was serious. It now looked as if Bob's men were looking for revenge. This was all just a warning. Something else was about to happen and I had no idea what or when. There was no doubt that Alex would be staying with me until they figured out who the hell had the nerve to do all of this.

When it came to me, Alex became this intense person and protective. I mean, extremely protective. He most likely will not allow me to be out of his sight. But, to be completely honest, I was okay with that. He could keep me safe. I also have Dylan who has connections as well. He could possibly figure out who did this. Some bastard is lingering around White Pine Bay to hurt me. It's like this madness will never end. There is always some whacko around here that wants to hurt me or someone I care about. Thankfully, Norman is in a secure and safe environment. Although, I still have to worry about Alex and Dylan. Not just myself. I'm so scared.

"Mrs. Bates,

I understand that you had something that belonged to my boss, Mr. Bob Paris..and after making a deal, he suddenly disappeared...where is he? We want information or else there will be bigger consequences. Not just some broken car windows."