So over 9,000 reads on this story!!! WHOOP!! I honestly never believed that this story would actually get that many reads! I've learned through the world of fanfic that people are more interested in Daryl than Norman, which makes absolutely no sense to me. How could you not like Norman?! Without him there wouldn't be a Daryl! That role was made for him.....literally!!

Okay so quick question. What do you guys think about me making a twitter account specifically for my readers so we could talk to each other! We could talk about the story, you could keep up on me when I talk about updating (I'll tweet when I'm writing the next chapter and when I'm updating.) We can just talk in general. If you guys ever had any questions about the story or any ideas you could always tweet me! I used to be able to talk to a lot of you on here but now that they took the chat bar away it's more difficult and I just figured a bunch of people had twitter!! I miss talking to a lot of you guys!! Anyway let me know in the comment section below!!

Reedus kisses for everyone!!!!!! Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

--

I had about a week left before I went home to New York. Home. It was sort of weird calling New York home. I was still trying to get used to it. I hadn't seen Norman since he came over and I made him ride Midnight and that was a couple days ago.

My family was currently preparing for a bonfire. Nothing big just them, me, my grandparents, and a few cousins. I was kind of excited. I really did want to see them, but secretly I just wanted to go be with Norman. After being away from him for three months I felt myself starting to crave him.

My mom had me out searching through our yard and part of the woods for enough fire wood for tonight. They were getting up there in age, my parents, it was crazy to me though how they seemed to keep going. My mom had my brother when she was 22 and me at 38.

She was now 64 and my dad was 66. Both of them were retired and now just enjoyed the country life. It was crazy to me to think that my boyfriend was only 20 years younger than her. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts of Norman. Thinking of him just made me miss him even more.

I walked around the yard without any shoes on feeling the soft dirt squish between my toes. I had a nice pile of wood set up by the fire pit and I was planning to go searching for more. I didn't want to have to get more tonight just in case we ran out.

My phone beeped and I dropped the wood checking my text messages. "So, my family and I get to come to the bonfire tonight!" I read the text from Lyndi. I quickly texted back "Hell yes!" I went to hit send when I was interrupted by a phone call and Mingus's face popped up.

I smiled and answered the call. "Mingus!" I exclaimed and I heard him chuckle on the other end. "Mandy!" he exclaimed in return. I had talked to him a couple times since I had been down here. I knew he was missing both Norman and I. I sat down on a log.

"What's up, buddy?" I asked while running my bare feet through the dirt. I heard him sigh. I knew something was bothering him. "Have you seen or talked to my dad since you've been down there?" he asked. I ran a hand through my hair before answering.

"I've seen him a couple times, but other than that I really haven't talked to him, why?" I asked him. I looked up to see my dad coming out of the back door and he cocked his head to the side. I waved him off letting him know I was fine before turning my attention back to Mingus.

"I haven't talked to him in a while," he said his voice soft. I felt my heart drop a little as my hand came up and I clutched the necklace Norman had given me. I bit my lip waiting to see if he would continue but he didn't. "How long is a while?" I asked him.

I heard him sigh again and I now truly knew this was bothering him. "A couple weeks," he said. I had to think a little. I had done the math. I had been here approximately a week which meant Norman hasn't spoken to Mingus even before I had got here.

I bit my lip again and tugged on my hair a little. "I'm sorry, buddy. I know that sucks. I haven't heard from him in a couple days, but I'll tell you what. The next time I see him I'll tell him you called and I'll make him call you right away, okay?"

I felt a smile creeping across my face as I waited on his response. "Thanks Mandy," he said. I felt my smile grow bigger. "You're welcome, bud. But hey I gotta go! I'll call you a little later," I said. "Alright! See ya Mandy!" I chuckled. "Bye Mingus."

I hung up and started looking for more sticks and branches for the fire. I heard a car door shut but I ignored it thinking that it was my grandparents, my cousins, or Lyndi. "Norman! It's good to see you. Are you looking for Mandy? She's out back," I heard my mother's voice.

I froze a little. Even though she had only met him once she seemed to be very fond of him. Yes, I had told her that we were together and she seemed perfectly okay with it. I had just left Mingus out of it until a little later. I figured letting her sink in the fact that I was dating a guy who was 18 years older than me would be easier before throwing out that he also had a 13 year old son.

I turned around just in time to see Norman walking down the back porch steps with his hands stuffed in his pockets. I placed mine on my hips and looked at him. "You," I said. Norman cracked a smile. "You," he mimicked me. He was now standing in front of me.

He went to put his arms around me and lean down to kiss me but I pushed his head to the side and he took a slight step back. "What? I can't touch you or kiss you now that your parents are around?" he asked me. I shook my head hoping that this wasn't going to turn into an argument.

"No, it's not that," I said trying to avoid his eyes now that he seemed a little irritated. "Then, what is it?" he asked. I sighed and placed a light hand on his bicep. "When was the last time you talked to Mingus?" I asked him. I watched as his face fell.

"It's been a bit," he whispered. Now he was the one avoiding my eyes. I placed my other hand on his shirt and gripped it lightly. "He misses you," I said. Norman nodded slightly. "You talked to him?" Norman asked and I nodded gripping his shirt a little tighter.

"Yeah, I've talked to him a couple times. Actually I just got off the phone with him and he sounded very upset," I said while tugging him towards me. I watched as his familiar smirk ghosted across his face. "Now go call your son," I whispered against his lips before pushing him backwards.

He glared playfully at me. I reached into his front pocket where I knew his phone always was and held it up in front of his face. "Go on now. He needs his father," I said. Norman started going through his phone. "I'll get you later for that," he said while walking off for more privacy.

"Norman, please stay for dinner and the bonfire," my mother said as he walked past her. I watched as he nodded before I heard a faint, "hey Boom." I chuckled and shook my head before dropping it and looking at my feet. I heard someone else approaching me.

"He's a man of few words, isn't he?" I heard my mother ask. I looked up at her and nodded slightly. "You could say that. He's not always like that. I think he's just nervous and plus I just kind of put him in his place," I said. I watched as my mom's face filled with confusion.

"Why is he nervous and why did you put him in his place?" she asked. I sighed a little and looked down at the log I was previously sitting on. "Mommy, I think you need to sit down for this," I said while guiding her to the log to sit down while I sat beside her.

"Uh oh, you called me Mommy. You haven't done that in a while. This ought to be good," she said. I felt a small smile come across my face as I grabbed her hand in mine. "You guys make him nervous. Not that you're doing it purposely. I think it's just the whole meeting the parents' thing."

My mom chuckled and nodded slightly before squeezing my hand. "Why did you put him in his place?" she asked. I knew I had to tell her. I couldn't keep it from her any longer. "Mom, I told Norman to go call his son because he hasn't talked to him in a while."

I watched my mother's face trying to see how she was taking this. I watched a smile come across her face. "He has a son?" she asked. I nodded. "Yes, his name is Mingus and he's 13," I said. I watched my mom's face again as she took in more information.

"That doesn't bother you?" she asked slowly. I shook my head. "No, he's a cool kid. I really like him and he likes me. I actually just got off the phone with him," I said. My mom nodded again before pulling me into a side hug. "Well if you're happy then I'm happy."

I let out a breath that I didn't even know I was holding. I hugged her back. "Thanks mom," I said. She smiled and stood up. "If you'll excuse me I still have food to prep for tonight," I stood up. "Do you want some help?" I asked but she shook her head.

"No, that's okay. Besides Norman is heading this way and he's got a smile on his face," she said. I turned around and sure enough he was headed back this way. I watched as my mom stopped and squeezed his arm. They spoke in hushed tones before Norman bent down and kissed her cheek.

I felt myself smiling even though I had no clue what they were talking about. I met Norman halfway and he wrapped his arms around me. "How was the phone call?" I asked him. Norman's smile grew. "Good, I've missed him," he said. I chuckled a little.

"See I knew I was always right," I said with a teasing tone in my voice. Norman rolled his eyes and squeezed me. "So, what is your mom making for dinner?" Norman asked. I honestly really didn't know. "Squirrel," I stated. I watched Norman's face contort a little. "Are you ever gonna stop making fun of my character?" I chuckled. "Nope."

~~

The bonfire went good. I got to see my grandparents and I apologized for ditching them the first night I was there. My cousins showed up who have had babies of their own and I couldn't help but love on them all night. I loved little kids. They always made me happy.

Now everyone had left except for Norman and of course my parents. Norman and I were sitting by the slowly dying fire. Mom had brought us out a bag of marshmallows and a blanket. "I'm supposed to be acting like I'm losing weight. These marshmallows aren't helping," Norman said while popping another one in his mouth.

I chuckled while chewing on me savoring it. This was definitely something I missed about Georgia. You couldn't make fires in New York. Norman grabbed the blanket that was lying across our laps and slung it around his shoulders. I sighed and looked at the fire.

"Come here," Norman said. I looked over to see him holding his arms out to me. I scooted closer to him and he wrapped his arms around me engulfing me in both his arms and the blanket. I relaxed into his side and laid my head on his shoulder. He let his head rest on top of mine.

"Thank you," I heard Norman whisper. I wrapped an arm around his waist and squeezed. "For what?" I asked. Norman shifted and I felt his lips on my head. "For making me call Mingus. I wasn't neglecting him I've just been busy and then you showed up and I ju-."

I cut him off by putting my finger on his lips. "Shh, you talk way too much," I said. Norman smiled before kissing my finger and pulling me into him more. "Mingus isn't mad at you nor am I. He just called me today and I heard how heartbroken he sounded and I told him I would make you call him. I guess I just had to give you a swift kick in the ass."

Norman let out an airy chuckled before kissing my forehead. "Ya know, you still haven't properly kissed me since I've showed up today," Norman whispered. I pulled back so I could look at him. "Really now?" I asked him. Norman's hand found the base of my neck and he pulled me towards him.

I felt a familiar spark when his lips touched mine. I sighed into the kiss and as Norman's fingers wrapped around my loose curls and pulled me into him more. It felt like a jolt of lightning ran through my body as his tongue pressed lightly against mine.

I pulled back and rested my forehead against his. "It's getting late," I whispered. Norman chuckled. "Is that your way of getting rid of me?" he asked. I smiled a little. "No, I wish you could stay, but I also know my father and mother are watching us from the window."

Norman and I both turned and right as we did we watched the curtains fall back into place causing us both to laugh. "I feel like a teenager sneaking around trying to see my girlfriend without her parents knowing," Norman said I leaned in to kiss him one more time.

Norman made it last longer than the first one and by the time I pulled back I swear I was seeing stars. Norman stood up and pulled me with him. We walked around to the front of the house and he leaned against the hood of his truck. I whistled and ran my hand over it.

"I've always wanted one of these," I said admiring the old truck. I felt Norman's arm wrap around my waist and pull me into him. "Oh yeah, why's that?" he asked. I looked up at him for a quick second before looking back at his truck. I tapped the hood before looking at him.

"Well I've always wanted to ride in one and hit the back roads of Georgia and just blast some music. Maybe bring some Sour Patch Kids along," I said. Norman's eyes lit up when I mentioned Sour Patch Kids. "That sounds interesting," he said. I chuckled.

"It's the simple things," I said while pushing myself away from the truck before I started drooling over it. Norman pulled me into him one more time and I wrapped my arms around his waist. I liked that he was about seven inches taller than me. I pulled back.

"Alright, you seriously have to go before I won't be able to tell you no," I said while pushing him back a little. Norman chuckled and kissed my forehead before stepping around to get in his truck. "Night babe," he said as he started it. I gave a small wave as I watched his taillights get smaller and smaller.

--

So what do you think about me starting the twitter page? And what do you think Norman is going to do now that Mandy has basically told him her 'dream date?'

Comment, follow, fan, vote, add to reading list, and spread the word! Reedus kisses for everyone! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx