AUTHORS NOTE:

A Quick Dasey Christmas Story inspired by Adele's Hello From the Other Side. I don't imagine it being more than 10 chapters. Just wanted to finanlly complete a Dasey story since I love them so much honestly. I hope you all enjoy. :)

Everyone would be excited to see her. Well, not exactly everyone. She hadn't come home in four years. Hell, she hadn't stepped foot in Canada in four years, but she was here now, almost regrettably as if she wasn't freezing to death from all the gorgeous, but deadly icy snow outside, she'd turn back around and high tail out of there. But she couldn't and wouldn't so instead, knocked on the familiar front door until she was greeted by a much more matured and excited Lizzie.

"Casey! Oh my gosh I've missed you so much you have no idea!" Lizzie had to have grown an inch taller from when Casey had last saw her. Her usually medium length hair was now cut short to an a-symmetrical bob which fit her more matured face surprisingly very well. She was dressed casual in acid washed jeans and a white long thermal. Casey could tell she was still her tomboy, little sister at heart.

"I can tell by your death grip" Casey joked as she warmly hugged her sister back. She swallowed back the guilt of basically abandoning her sister after all these years. They embraced for what seemed to be forever, however Casey didn't mind it at all. It made the cold seem so much more bearable. "Okay, I'm done for now. I'll at least let you warm up by the fireplace before smothering you with more 'I'm mad at you for never visiting, but love you for being here now' hugs!" That made Casey laugh and bite back even more guilt vomit. I'm a terrible sister. While Lizzie helped Casey with her bags, Casey tried to remain undetectable wondering who else was in the house. Of course she'd failed miserable as Lizzie coudld see right through her. "He isn't here." Lizzie had said casually though it caused Casey to blush and grow rather flustered. "No one else is actually, but I'm sure they would have been if they'd known you were actually coming." How much guilt would Casey have to gobble down tonight? Her track record wasn't the best. Over the past four years she'd always exclaimed how much she missed the family and how she was going to visit during the holidays, but every holiday would come and she'd plan a new excuse each time. She forced a smile as she removed her red cashmere scarf and leather jacket from her fitted frame. "It's fine really. I don't have the best track record I know, but hopefully me being here now can make up for some of the time lost."

Lizzie smiled and gave Casey another warm embrace. "Well I don't care. You're here now!"

"She's really here?… Well of course I can't believe it Liz, she hasn't been home in ages… Of course I missed my daughter what are you implying? I didn't tell her to move across country!… Well of course we will be home soon… No, let her unpack, I will talk to her when we return… Love you too sweetie." Click.

Unlike Casey, Derek could hide his emotions and actions. Of course he had been listening to Nora on the phone with Lizzie. Of course he could put two and two together with their conversation. And of course he was freaking out and mixed emotions about it. But Nora would never know because again, unlike Casey, Derek could fake it until he didn't want to.

"So how about this for Dad? He probably doesn't need another regular tie so lets try to make him into a bow tie sort of guy." He'd said casually peering from around a isle. They were in the mall Christmas shopping for the family and since Derek was a horrible gift giver, he'd decided to tag along with Nora for her last minute gift shopping. Nora practically jumped at his suggestion. Not because the bow tie was that hideous (is orange and black a thing after Halloween), but because she was obviously still in a trance knowing her oldest daughter had finally graced them with a visit after all these years and oblivious to the fact that Derek had been zeroing in on her conversation and did not use all the time to pick out the crappy bow tie he held in his hand.

"Derek… Casey's back." She uttered watching his face for a crazy reaction. He wouldn't satisfy her with nothing other than a shrug and a "Oh. Pleasant surprise." If her mouth had been more wide open, he could pull out Halloween through her throat. She clearly was not aware of the train-wreck destruction of madness going through his head at the moment and he was more than a little pleased because of it.

She'd finally closed her mouth, swallowed, and readjusted. "I don't know what happened between the two of you, but I'm not that clueless. I know it has something to do with why she hasn't come to visit these passed couple of years. This is going to be very weird and very complicated, but I am so pleased to hear that I get to see Casey again and would love it if you two can fake nice until after the holidays. This is the best Christmas gift I've received in four years, Casey's return. I'd like to see my gift next week on Christmas please." Nora tried to come across as stern, but Derek could sense the nervousness and confusion in her voice as well. Though he couldn't promise her a good behavior report (hell, he didn't know how he was going to act towards Casey when or if he decided to see her), but he could rub her shoulders in an attempt to say 'I will try my best to fulfill your wishes." Nora squeezed Derek's hand in approval of shoulder rub then placed the bow tie down in disapproval of his 'never really was going to give dad but needed a cover up' gift.

"That is something I think your father could go without seeing next week."

She hadn't seen him.

She'd unpacked most of her things in her old room though she had made reservations for a hotel room just three miles from home just in case it got uncomfortable. She had been hugged, mushed, and cried over by a taller and deeper voiced Edward, a pre-teen taller, longer sleeked amazing haired Marty, a playing it cool though obviously excited George, and a tear struck I never want to let go mother. She had heard all the wonderful things that had happened in her absence like Lizzie making the girl's soccer team and possibly being scouted by TSU's college team for a scholarship next year, Edward's new obsession with the photography team, Marty's timeless princess obsession, and Nora and George's memories of their six year marriage anniversary party Casey missed(The guilt will never go away). She'd told them about her new life in California as a professional back up dancer and part time catalog model. They'd all eaten a great dinner and she'd insisted on doing the dishes (though her mother opposed yet gave up in the end) and yet still, no sign of him. Apparently it was unlike Derek to miss a family meal as Edward kept hinting through dinner despite the "Shhh, don't make Casey even more uncomfortable and filled with guilt" look everyone was giving him at the table.

She'd taken a shower, tied up her long, healthy brunette hair, and threw on a tank top and fitted shorts before sneaking downstairs. Just as she expected everyone had retired to their rooms possibly already knocked out asleep. It was a little after one in the morning. She couldn't sleep. Something about the negative effects of nostalgia of her room made her wish she hadn't missed out on her reservation. She crept over to the refrigerator for a glass of milk to possibly knock her out like a baby. She would never know why she didn't hear keys jingle or the front door open (possibly too deep in her own thoughts), but she could see the irritation of her eyes as a brighter kitchen light than the one in the fridge was flicked on. She didn't know what made her heart beat faster; the sudden lighting change or the sight of Derek Venturi.

"I see the other side still can't resist a warm glass of milk before bed." He uttered.