I Will Remember You

Casey Venturi woke up at 7am on Christmas morning. There was always something special that she loved about waking up early every year. When she was little she would go downstairs before her mom got up. She would just stare at the presents wondering what was inside them. Her sister, Lizzie would come down an hour later and they would make guesses at what was in them and whom they were for. It had become a tradition, and she intended to keep it, even though she had her own family now.

"Derek." She spoke softly to her sleeping husband. He seemed to stir a little but did not wake up. "Derek. Its time to wake up." She spoke a little louder but got no response.

"Derek, I am having the baby…"

Derek shot up and wiped his eyes. He looked at the clock and then at Casey. "Nice try, Case. I have been doing some reading. Little Derek isn't due for another 3 months-- at least."

"It got you up, didn't it?"

"I was getting up anyway." He smiled at her and leaned over a planted a tender kiss on her lips. "Why are we awake so early? It's 7. When I was a kid, we woke up around 10 on Christmas."

"Well, I thought we should get a early start. We need to have plenty of time before we go over to Mom and George's."

"Yeah, whatever." As he said this, he seemed to be drifting back into sleep.

"Derek!" She said this in a way that reminded them when they were teenagers.

"I'm awake."

"Oh, come on. I wanna know what you got me for Christmas."

"Who says I got you anything?"

"Because I am the mother of your son… and you know that if you didn't it would be a huge hormonal smack-down."

"True. Remember when last month I forgot to get you those pickled cheese-puffs you wanted? You locked yourself in the bedroom and would not come out until I went to get them." He started chuckling. "That was pretty funny. You were all like 'Derek, I want my cheese-puffs or else I'll never talk to you again. I'll move out of the and take your son with you.'" He looked over to Casey who was not laughing.

"That's not funny."

"Oh, it was hilarious Case."

"Fine, DER. If you want to make fun of me in my hormonal state, maybe I will just take your present back to the store."

"Case."

"Or maybe I will just live with my mom for awhile." Now she was crying.

"I would miss you."

"I am sure you find other sources of entertainment."

"Casey, I wasn't making fun of you." He was trying to calm her down but it was no use.

She got up and headed towards the bedroom door. "I'm going downstairs. You can sleep in if you want." She said this bitterly as she slammed the door.

Derek sighed. She had always been melodramatic but now that she was pregnant, she was 5 times worse. Sometimes he wondered why he ever chose to marry her. It was not likely when they were 15. They hated each other, well-- at least that's what they had always said. Derek never really hated Casey. He just could not stand her. Somehow, when they were 18, they fell in love. Casey actually fell for Derek first. She would make up silly excuses to be with him. No one in the family, including Derek, could figure out why Casey was nice to him all of a sudden. After a year, Lizzie and Edwin caught on. They told Derek, and of course, he had been clueless to the situation. At length, Derek realized that he liked Casey more than just a sister or a friend. They decided to go out their senior year—with their parents' permission. They had secretly been hoping they would get together. Now, here they are… married with a baby on the way. Where did the time go?

Derek decided to go and apologize to his wife. He went downstairs. He smiled when he saw Casey sitting in front of the tree. Many times when they were living together with their parents did Derek found her in that same spot. That is where they first talked about being together—6 Christmas mornings ago.

"Casey, what are you doing? Do you realize how early it is?"

"Nope, I like it. Why are you up this early though?"

"I could not sleep."

"Oh."

"It's your fault, you know."

"It's my fault that you cannot sleep?"

He sat down by her and they both sat by the Christmas tree.

"Yep." He said giving her a smirk/smile.

"Well, it's your fault that I toss and turn at night. I used to be a very sound sleeper."

"Why do you toss and turn?"

"Why can't you sleep?"

"You first." Casey told him.

"No, you go first."

"Fine, on the count of 3, we will state our reasons at the same time. I have seen it in movies and it usually works."

He chuckled but agreed to do it.

"Derek, you count."

"Okay, 1"

Casey took a deep breath.

"2"

Both Derek and Casey looked very nervous.

"Should it be on three or after 3?" Derek asked Casey. He was slightly dreading the fact he had to confess.

"Lets make it after." She smiled at him nervously. They both laughed.

"3"

"…"

"I'm in love with you!" Exclaimed Derek.

"I love you." Casey said.

They just stared at each other for a couple moments. Finally Derek started to speak.

"Really?"

Casey bit her lip. "Yeah."

"So you would not mind if I kissed you?"

She shook her head. "Not at all."

He leaned in slowly and his lips met hers. It was a sweet and simple kiss, but there were fireworks. Definitely some spark. They pulled apart and gazed into each other's eyes.

"I love you too, Casey."

Derek walked over and sat by Casey. They just sat there in silence for a few moments. "Case, babe, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I believe you, but you don't seem to understand my feelings."

"Your right, I don't. I'm not a woman and I'm not pregnant."

"Exactly. You have no idea how it feels and so you need to be more sensitive."

"Do you want me to get a maternity suit?"

Casey smiled a little. "No, but just try to be a little more nicer to me and the baby."

"I will try my hardest."

"Thanks, Der. I love you, you know."

"I think I do. But I want proof."

"Proof, huh?"

He nodded his head and smiled.

She leaned in and gave him a kiss. It was full of passion and love. He wrapped his arms around her neck and she played with his longish hair. They pulled away after a few minutes.

"You know I love you too, right?" Derek asked.

"MM-Hmm."

"Good, lets not fight anymore."

"Okay."

"Do you want to open my present now?"

She rolled her eyes. "Of course…"

"Oh, I can't wait to see Lizzie, Marti and Edwin. I have missed them so much." Casey declared as she climbed in their car.

"Yeah, It'll be nice to see everyone."

"Oh, come on. Don't tell me you don't miss your little sister? I know you too well. You are just as excited as I am." They pulled out of the driveway.

"Fine, I miss them very much and I want to see my family. Are you happy now?"

"Overjoyed."

"I'm glad."

Casey opened her mouth to say something else, but a car suddenly pulled out in front of them. A scream came out of Casey's mouth and then she was silent.

Derek woke up about an hour later. He tried to remember what happened but his head hurt.

"Wait, there was a car and we crashed and Casey screamed. Casey." He turned to look towards the passenger seat. Casey was sitting there in her seat belt, but she had a gash in her head. Her head was bleeding profusely and she did not seem conscious.

"Oh My gosh. Casey, wake up! You're ok. You're going to be just fine. Don't leave me, Case. Please don't." He had to call 911. He remembered that he never carried a cell phone and neither did his wife. He rushed out of the car and into the street.

"Someone call 911! There has been a car accident. My wife is not waking up! She might be dead! She's carrying a baby! Someone please help us!"

As soon as he saw someone using a cell phone to call the ambulance he went back to Casey. He tried to get her out of the car, but his own injuries made him weak. He bent down to her stomach. "Hey baby, this is Daddy. Don't be scared. Mommy will be just fine." He gave her stomach a quick kiss and looked back up to his wife. "Case, It's Derek. Don't die on me. I lov…" He passed out on the pavement next to his wife.