Ghosts of The Past

Chapter Six: Dreams

It had been difficult for Alex, being around Emma and Dylan. They were young and in love and living the life that Alex wanted with Norma. They were parents. They would be able to watch Kate grow up, and they would be able to grow old together.
"Maybe try taking her on a nice date." Emma says, packing Kate's lunch.
"Em, if he doesn't want to keep things going with Rebecca then he shouldn't have to." Dylan says, pouring coffee for himself and Alex.
"I'm just saying, if he really wants to move on, he should put in some effort. Take her on an expensive date." Emma says, zipping the lunchbox.
"You don't have to take me on expensive date. You don't even have to put in effort. Perks of having a dead wife." Norma says playfully, nudging his arm.
"Maybe I don't want to move on." Alex says, drinking his coffee. Emma stops what she is doing and turns to him.
"Alex it's been five years-"
"And I still love her like I did the day I met her." he says, staring down into his coffee.
"Some people never move on. It's fine, Em." Dylan says, standing up.
"I'm off to work." Dylan says, walking to Emma. Alex glances over at Norma who is watching with a smile as Dylan kisses Emma.
"Give Katie a kiss for me." he says, grabbing his coffee.
"I'll see you later." he says to Alex before walking out of the room.
"Alex? Would you mind waking Kate up?" Emma asks.
"I've got to shower." she adds.
"Yeah. Of course." he mumbles, watching her walk to her room. He makes his way to Kate's room and opens the door to find her asleep in her bed.
"Look how precious." he whispers to Norma as they walk inside. She kneels down beside Kate, gently pushing her hair from her forehead.
"Our kids would have been so cute. Don't you think?" Norma asks, looking back at him.
"They would've had your blue eyes." he says.
"But they would've had your lashes." she adds, standing up.
"They would've been beautiful." he whispers, kissing her. He looks over at Kate and smiles.
"Katie bug, wake up." he whispers, shaking her arm gently.
"That's not how you wake a child, Alex." Norma says with a smile.
"Show me." he says, stepping aside. She kneels down beside Katie and begins kissing her cheeks and tickling her at the same time.
"Wake up Katie bug!" she says in between kisses. Katie starts laughing and opens her eyes, hugging Norma.
"Good morning, darling." Norma says, picking her up.
"Morning grandma and papa." she says, reaching to hug Alex's neck.
"How about you get dressed." Alex says, setting her down.
"I'll pick out an outfit." Norma says, bending down to open her dresser drawers. She eventually decided on a baby pink dress with a white lace collar and pink bubble sleeves.
"Very beautiful." Alex says, watching her twirl around the room so the bottom of the dress poofs out.
"And these shoes?" Kate asks, pulling out black flats.
"Very good taste, my dear." Norma says, helping her put them on. Alex smiles sadly as he watches Norma interact with the young girl. His heart hurt with the knowledge of all of the things that can't happen due to Norma's death.
"Will you do my hair, grandma?" Katie asks, holding out a brush.
"Of course. Here, sit." she says, sitting on a rocking chair. Kate sits in front of her and Norma expertly french braids her hair into a crown on top of her head. Once she is finished, Kate looks into the mirror with a smile.
"I look like a princess." she says with a giggle.
"Is she ready?" Emma asks, walking in. She stops when she sees her daughter. She looks at Alex with confusion.
"Did...you do her hair?" Emma asks with surprise.
"Say yes." Norma says quickly.
"Yes." Alex says, glancing at Kate who is giggling at Norma. Norma puts her pointer finger up to her lips, quietly shushing Kate.
"Wow. That's...I can't even do that." Emma says, touching the perfect braid.
"Why do you know how to braid hair?" she asks.
"I just...." he trails off.
"Mommy we are going to be late." Kate says, pulling at Emma's hand.
"Right. Okay. I'll be back in like an hour. I have to go to the store after I drop her off, so."
"Yeah that's fine. Take your time." he says, standing up. She nods, putting Kate's backpack on Kate's shoulders before leaving.
"Bye papa." Kate says on her way out. She turns around and whispers quietly.
"Bye grandma."
"Bye darling." Norma says, waving her off. As soon as Alex hears the front door shut, he turns to Norma.
She smiles mischievously and grabs his hand, pulling him to the guest room where Alex is staying.
"I think it's about time we have some well spent alone time." she says, placing a kiss on his lips. He laughs and shakes his head.
"You're very bold, Mrs. Bates." he says softly, kissing her jaw.
"It's Mrs. Romero." she says, pushing him down onto the bed and crawling on top of him.

They lay in bed, their sweaty bodies intertwined. Her head lays on his shoulder while her hand plays with his chest hair like it always does. Alex places a kiss on her forehead before sitting up, ignoring the uncomfortable, cold air that rushes between them as their bodies separate.
"We should get dressed." he says, slipping out of bed and pulling his clothes on. Norma slides out of bed and follows, slipping on her underwear.
"Yeah. It would be pretty weird if Emma walked in and found you laying in bed by yourself, completely naked." she says with a breathy laugh. He turns to her, his eyes scanning her body.
"What?" she asks, pulling her dress up. She turns her back to him and he zips up her dress without hesitation. She turns back to him and lays a hand on his chest, stroking the fabric of his t shirt.
"Something's wrong." she says.
"I want to feel the need to put effort into our relationship." he says, cupping her cheek.
"Alex-"
"I want to have to take you on expensive dates to apologize for saying something dumb. I want to make bed decisions with you." he says, stroking her cheek.
"I want to...walk down the street holding your hand and not look like a crazy person talking to myself. I want to have kids with you and...and I want to talk to Dylan and Emma about you. I want...I want..." he trails off.
"What?" she asks.
"I want you alive." he whispers, stepping away from her.
"This can't be healthy for me. Talking to my dead wife. I can't...I..." he stops, not being able to bring himself to say it. Her blue eyes search his face and she smiles softly. The smile slowly fades away as realization dawns on her.
"Are you breaking up with me, Alex Romero?" she asks softly. His brown eyes search her blue ones, still trying to find an answer as to why this was happening to him.
"I could never leave you. You might be dead but I...I could never break up with you." he whispers.
"But I can't have you here talking to me like you are. This can't be healthy. You need to go-"
Before they can say anything else, Emma walks in, finding him staring at a wall. He turns around to face her, his eyes still red and tear filled.
"Are...are you alright?" she asks.
"No." he says, walking around her out of the room.