Hiding In Plain View: Normily

Chapter 11: Babysitter Romance

Chapter 11: Babysitter Romance

The hospital was crowded. Everyone was running about and Norman seemed to be getting not only cranky but very irritated with the circumstances. It took hours for doctors to diagnose and try to find what was wrong with Norman. Emily and Mingus waited patiently in the waiting room until finally the doctor came out to see them.

"Miss Kinney. Norman seems to have acquired a hernia from picking up heavy things He has to have surgery to remove it. But he should be okay in a few days. please make sure he doesn't lift up anything heavy. And that he's well supervised we don't need a stitch being blown open."

"Can we see him. I really hope we can see him right now. I need to see my dad." Mingus says through worried eyes and sad lips.

"Of course you can see your dad. Right this way please." The doctor leads them back into the room where Norman's room, where he's laying on the bed half drugged and watching T.V. Emily immediately feels terrible about the circumstances and sits by the window to give him space. She feels this is her fault even though it was Norman's idea to act like a child. Norman seems happy to see them. Mingus just happy to see his dad. And Emily, well she just sits there feeling terrible.

"Hey kiddo. How is everything going?" Mingus can tell his dad is over drugged by the way that he is slurring his words.

"I'm fine. How are you? Are you okay?"

"Never better son. Emily, why are you hiding from me by the window. I want to see your gorgeous face next to mine. I need you." Emily hesitantly walks over to Norman. She knows he's drugged and could possibly say something he shouldn't say right now in front of Mingus. But she's giving him the benefit of the doubt considering she hurt him. "there is that gorgeous woman I love. Mingus, did I ever tell you how much I love Emily?"

"Only every other day of the week dad. But I think we should talk about how you're feeling right now. Are you sure you're okay to stay the night? Do you want me to stay? I could stay if I'm allowed to. Or maybe Emily could stay and keep you company. I hear she's a great babysitter." Mingus smiles at Emily making a jarring joke at her for Beth's character. Norman who is way too high right now to understand what's happening, is sitting there glaring at both Mingus and Emily for the outcome of the whole conversation.

"Are you fancying my girl Mingus? I will have your head for that you little fart. On second thought I don't want your head. I'm going to take your iPod instead. I hope you're okay with that, even if you're not I'm taking it anyway." Emily and Mingus laugh at Norman's absurd threat. They really can see how drugged he is now. On his stomach is a small scar from where they took the hernia out. And Em can't help but feel very bad at this point, knowing that he never is going to be able to live that scare down.

"Dad why do you refer to her as your girl?I just don't understand." Emily can see a trap being set. She only hopes that Norman, in any mind, can keep his wits about him and keep the secret.

"Your dad is just drugged. He doesn't mean anything by it Mingus, we're just friends honestly."

"Now hold on a minute. Emily I do remember you saying you loved me. Was that a lie? Why would you lie to me? I love you, does that mean anything to you? Or am I nothing just like all the other guys?" Norman seems to be coming down a little bit from his high, but not enough to fully understand what's going on.

"What is he talking about Emily?" Mingus give Emily a questioning look, and she just doesn't know how to respond at this point.

"Mingus, I just don't know what to say right now. If your dad was in the state, I don't know if he'd ever tell you, but Mingus what your dad is trying to say is that we... Huh, we kind of fell for each other a lot at Comic Con and well were sorta together." Mingus looks puzzled at Emily. He doesn't know why they hid this from him. All he knows is that he kind of likes the idea of having Emily as around.

"Why is that such a big deal? I like you. I know he really likes you so, I guess it's really cool. Least he's not dating all those women who are jerks and try to take his money. You're honest and that's what I like about you. I just hope this works." Emily seems really relieved that Mingus likes her and that he's okay with all of this. And she hopes that it all works out for them. She really likes Norman and Mingus, and that's all she really wants, is just to have them in her life.

"What's with these damn lights? And what are you to sitting there like ducks? Can we just get a bowl of ice cream already and do some yoga? I'm really really tired right now is all." Although Norman doesn't make any bit of sense, both Mingus and Emily can appreciate that he wants ice cream and to do yoga. Even though neither of them really believe he's up to do any of those things at this moment.

They sit there for the rest of the night, but soon the nurse tells them that they must leave. Emily drives Mingus home, and she stays the night to make sure he's okay. Waking up the next day they rushed to the hospital to check on Norman, who has seemed to significantly come back to reality and not be so high as he was last night.

The whole day Emily just keeps thinking about how this whole relationship is going to work out. She just wants to be with Norman and not have to worry about her parents or others especially the people on TWD. She knows that if they don't like the relationship, Norman might change his mind about being with her.

Mingus keeps Emily company as Norman sleeps due to medication. They talk about his schooling, his mom, the places he's been, and all the things he wants to do when he's older. She's amazed at how driven Mingus can is, and really hopes that he gets to do what he wants when he's older.

This bonding time, Emily believes, is the most important time that she's going to have with Mingus. She wants him to understand how she feels about Norman and him. She knows Mingus is very protective of his father, but is willing to let him be happy if he can see that his dad is.

What Mingus is in the cafeteria, Emily and Norman share a nice heart-to-heart conversation about him.

"I see you two are getting along nicely."

"He's really something, Norman. I really like him and you know, I just want to be happy. And I want him to be happy and you to be happy. I just hope this can all work out. Because I really care about the both of you, and I don't want to try to live life without you guys." She leans over and kisses his lips. This is their first intimate moment that they've had since before Mingus got home. Norman gives Emily a stern look after she pulls away. But then soon laughs as he sees her up pouty face emerge.

"I hope it all works out too. I really love you Emily. I wasn't lying when I said that. And I know Mingus really likes you too. And you know, I really think it can work out. I really do. I just have to talk to your father first." He kisses her again and then looks into her deep in her blue eyes. He can see them like the ocean and he wants to reach out and see if he can feel the soft sand upon her skin. She's too perfect for him. She seems so full of life. And you know, that's all he really wants. He wants life back. He wants to feel like he's living like he used too. "You know what, this is a perfect babysitter romance novel. I just love you so much. How much do you get paid?"

"Hmm... Per hour it's a kiss but for you, I charge two full nights. Including romantic dinner, a bubble bath, a back massage... And you know, a little bit of snuggling time with you. That's what I charge."

"Damn woman. You are not cheap at all."

"I know. Because I love you so damn much."