In Canada (where I live) the Life with Derek movie titled Vacation with Derek comes out tomorrow, so I thought it was time to post the first chapter of this story since I've been writing my own version to give us the Daseyness I'm sure Disney won't allow us. After tomorrow, I will be able to progress since I'll have actually seen the movie, so the rest will be based mostly off of the scenes in the movie along with the additional original ones I will add. This will definitely be a major spoiler story for the movie, since I'm going to twist many scenes to my liking or leave them canon as I see fit, so if you don't want to be spoiled, I suggest you watch the movie first :)
Thank you for your interest and happy reading!
I do not own Life with Derek or Vacation with Derek.
"KIDS! HURRY UP!" George shouted from the bottom of the stairs, jacket already on. Frustration from trying to fit so much luggage in such a small vehicle had left him far past his patience quota for the day. Family trips of seven for two weeks to a remote lake was not doing wonders for his cholesterol levels.
"We're not kids anymore!" Edwin and Lizzie shouted in unison.
Starting high school in the fall was turning them into touchy teenagers already. They didn't accept any cracks towards their age and wanted to be treated as adults at only fifteen. They definitely weren't as hard to handle as the eldest were at any age. However, over the years, they had grown to tolerate each other and even speak civilly on a regular basis.
Casey was in her room, checking her list to make sure she packed everything. Her suitcase was neatly compartmentalized by frequency of use and timing of use. Those that were needed right away were on top whereas the items that would only be used once a week say, were on the bottom. All bottles were in plastic bags to guard against spills and she had a small bag of entertainment to bring in the van for the five hour drive. They were heading to a lake near Kearney and it was quite the long drive. Nora's mother lived there and asked them all to visit. Or so they thought.
Derek's packing was a little more…spontaneous. He threw a bunch of random objects like deodorant and extra socks in, sifting through his clothes deciding which ones based on smell rather than significance. He dropped them all in his hockey bag which luckily had been cleaned the day before since pregnant Nora's nauseous stomach could not handle the foul smell any longer. Finding his brother outside his room at the perfect moment, he thrust it on top of the bag Edwin was already carrying to take it downstairs. Edwin merely grunted, knowing that he was in no position to argue. Lizzie simply rolled her eyes as she followed, putting her sunglasses on and her headphones in to prep for the long drive ahead.
Derek smirked, noticing Casey's door was still shut. He nudged it openly quietly, having had much practice over the years, and slipped inside without her noticing. She turned from her stuff to place her list notebook back inside her top desk drawer. Derek snuck up to her suitcase.
Unfortunately, he didn't have much time to compromise so he simply picked up the first article of clothing to inspect it obnoxiously.
"Hmm a little skimpy for you isn't it, Casey? Grandma will be so proud." Derek drawled with a mischievous grin, causing her to whip around and screech in annoyance as she watched him finger her red bikini.
"Der-ek! We're going to a lake for crying out loud. I need something to wear."
"Well you better keep looking because this definitely doesn't count. Who are you wearing this for? Expecting to have a summer romance of oh two weeks? What would Trudy think of this?" he teased.
She rolled her eyes, her arms crossed and her foot reflexively tapping, a sure-fire hint that her patience was thinning. "There might be hot guys there. I'm single, and TRUMAN is not a worry anymore."
"You guys broke up? When?" Derek asked, his teasing gone and genuine curiosity replaced as he dropped the bikini back into her suitcase. He knew how to read Casey well, but she always made it obvious when she was going through a break-up so he definitely wouldn't have missed it.
She shrugged, zipping the case closed. "A few weeks ago. I never should have gone out with him again anyways. I saw him with another girl, not doing anything, and even the thought didn't bother me. I knew the relationship was pointless if I was that uncaring about it. So I ended it." she explained, tugging on the handle to pull it off the bed. Derek stuck an arm out to stop her action.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, looking into her eyes for confirmation. She wasn't a good liar on a regular day, but her eyes gave her away like nothing else.
She smiled a little, sighing. "I really am. I'm ready to move on. I've been moving on from this relationship since it started so it's really more of a relief now than anything."
Derek nodded and dropped his arm, placing his hand over hers on the handle.
"I'll take this. If you carry it down those stairs, we'll probably have to make a hospital trip and I don't think my dad can handle any Klutzilla moments postponing this drive. I guess he hasn't met the in-laws yet so he's stressed out."
Casey followed him gratefully, holding the hand he touched in her other to try to stop the tingling. She couldn't pinpoint what it was in the conversation that suddenly changed the atmosphere but the gentle guy she had seen caught her off guard once again and usually messed with her sensory system.
Derek left her suitcase at the trunk where George was trying to manipulate everyone's things into. They had rented a van for the trip since on a regular basis they would just use two cars if they were all going out for something, which didn't happen often. But there was no way they would pay double the gas or risk the eldest running off into town with the car everyday. The family was there to visit and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. They would have to suck it up and stay put.
Edwin was not impressed when they clambered into the car.
"So what, you make me carry your stuff but you offer to take Casey's? How is that fair? She would have taken her own if you hadn't!"
Derek chuckled. "Where's the fun in that?" he countered with an eyebrow raise. Then realized the predicament of seating. "Um what do you guys think you're doing?"
"Sitting. Enjoy the backseat bro, that's what happens when you take too long to get ready." Edwin replied cheekily.
Derek grumbled and made his way to the back. It was cramped and Marti had already claimed the window seat.
"Derek, sit by me!" she cried when he went to take the other window seat. He sighed and sat on the hump, unimpressed.
Casey tried to hide her smile as she sat by the window. She set her bag by her feet, situating it comfortably, until her bare leg brushed his. She flinched away embarrassedly even though it was purely by accident. Sheesh, when did she get so nervous around him?
George finally got into the car and the driving began. It was going to be a long trip.
"Der-ek! Can you please turn down your headphones? Not only are you going to be properly DEAF by twenty, but I can't hear my own music!" Casey complained from next to him.
Nora and George exchanged glances. They really should have decided on seating prior to getting in the car. They never would have put Casey and Derek together if they had the option.
"Well maybe because your battery is dead." he commented, nodding towards the blank screen. Her eyes widened, frantically pressing buttons to try to bring it to life again.
"UGH! Now what am I supposed to do for the rest of the drive? It's only been an hour!"
"And there's still the trip home, and the two weeks itself." Edwin added unhelpfully.
Casey groaned, crossing her arms in a huff at her situation.
"Shh. Marti's sleeping." Lizzie said in a very zen voice. Her music was working fine and her sunglasses on so she was very relaxed. Plus she wasn't squished in the backseat against her nemesis.
Casey settled down and looked out the window. She had tried reading earlier but soon found out that it made her nauseous on the highway. Most of her 'activities' involved reading (picking classes, books, magazines) so she could either snack, listen to music, or look out the window. But they were stopping at the next station for gas and a recharge so she had no need to start eating yet. And it was obvious the music situation was out unless she wanted to listen to the trash Derek was.
That gave her an idea.
"Derek…" she whispered. His music was blaring and everyone else was consumed in their own they probably wouldn't have heard the conversation anyways.
"What do you want?" he asked irritably, somehow hearing her regardless to the noise exploding in his eardrums. His irritation was not at her, but more because this trip was already not how he pictured. He didn't have good view of the window and had nothing really for entertainment. He couldn't exactly pull out his guitar in the van or start shooting a puck around. His patience was thin.
"Can I have a headphone? I'm so bored." she whined pleadingly.
"Won't it hurt your nanny ears?" he countered amusedly, irritation forgotten.
"Well you could turn it down a few notches." she suggested sweetly, looking up at him with a charming smile.
He sighed, turning down the volume and passing her a headphone. He changed from his hardcore rock to The Fray. She squealed happily and relaxed in her seat, glancing out the window blissfully.
Derek smiled a little. Casey was so easy to please. Kendra had always asked for all the bells and whistles and Sally spent all her energy trying to change him into someone who confesses his feelings at every opportunity. But with Casey…he knew how to do things right.
He just usually chose not to.
It wasn't until they stopped at a gas station about an hour later that he realized she was asleep on his shoulder, her hair draped over her face.
Everyone else in the family clambered out of the car eager for sugar and a bathroom break. Nora beat them all to it, at six months pregnant she was a balloon with a very small bladder. She also had insane food cravings which George pacified like the patient man he was. Derek gently nudged Casey.
"Case, do you want anything to eat or drink?"
She sighed, snuggling closer. "Something warm and sweet…. you smell so nice today." she mumbled into his collarbone. Derek unwound her hold on him and pushed her gently to the side, placing a small pillow from her bag against the window to lean her there comfortably.
Derek jogged over to the Tim Hortons, hoping that the desire to keep her sleeping against him was just because he was cold or sick or something. Not because he liked being so close to her. He had never really had the opportunity before.
Since they were out of chamomile tea, he got her a hot chocolate and cookie, not caring if she complained about the calories. She could afford a few. He was the first back to the car since Edwin and Lizzie were contemplating chocolate bars and Marti was trying to convince George to buy her some toy while Nora was paying for the gas.
Casey was awake but still leaning on the pillow when he returned. She sat up slowly when he plunked himself beside her. She was surprised he didn't go and steal Edwin or Lizzie's seat, or even Marti's. Maybe the thought hadn't crossed his mind.
He passed her a warm cup and she drank readily, her taste buds being ignited by the sweet chocolate taste. She hummed in pleasure and saw him crack a smile before sipping on his own coffee and leaning back in the seat.
"You should really get up and move around. Your legs must be stiff." he commented.
She shrugged. "I'm okay for now. It's only been a couple hours and I've done plenty of fidgeting."
He nodded, drinking again.
The others made their way back to the car, laughing and talking loudly, interrupting the serene mood Derek and Casey had been living in for the past few minutes. Derek sighed and put his coffee in the cup holder, settling back in to start his music. He passed Casey a headphone absent-mindedly as she placed her own cup in its rightful holder.
The car fell quiet again once it hit the road. It was drizzling out so it was easy to fall into just listening to the car putter and shake on the road and watch hundreds of twin trees glide by. Nora and George were talking quietly, occasional chuckles exchanged, and Marti and Lizzie were sleeping while Edwin was engrossed in his Nintendo.
Derek noticed that Casey was asleep on his clavicle again. How did this keep happening? He fidgeted a little to get more comfortable but it caused her to slump further onto his shoulder, her arms automatically winding around his middle to hold herself steady. She sighed and snuggled into his chest, once again inhaling his scent.
He didn't wear much cologne so he was rather surprised that she noticed anything. Her face was resting against his neck now and her patterned breathing signalled that she was most definitely asleep.
No one else in the car noticed their intertwined position so Derek wrapped an arm behind her as well to keep her from slipping. Her hair too smelled wonderful.
He brushed his thumb on the exposed skin on the side of her waist. Her shirt had ridden up slightly in all the movement so he had full access. Her skin was so silky smooth. It was nice. She really took care of herself well. Her skin was flawless, her body toned perfectly and everything always clean and smelling fresh. She always looked good, with or without make-up or fancy clothes.
Derek chuckled to himself as he remembered when he tried to help her deflect Ralph's affections one time. He had to try really hard to make her look mildly unattractive and even with her hair a mess and sweats hanging off of her and his dirty laundry smell on her, she still wasn't very repulsive. Even Ralph didn't care about her appearance. It was like it was impossible to make her look bad.
Derek hadn't really looked to the future much besides university. All he thought about was the parties, the hard work and the hockey. He loved meeting new people and university with only knowing Casey was the perfect opportunity. He hadn't really thought that among the new friends and girls he might actually find his future wife.
He didn't really think much about the white picket fence scenario but he did love kids and planned on having a few mini-Derek's running around eventually. He didn't know how he would ever know when he found that person to share it with for sure. After all he at one time thought he might marry Sally but now that he had moved on from her he saw how incompatible they were. They were great together for a time, and she definitely affected him a lot, but they had grown apart so much without even realizing.
But he really hoped that whoever he ended up finding could be as wonderful a wife as Casey would be to someone someday.
As much as he ranted and raved about how annoying she was and dramatic and uptight, she still managed to hold many guys attentions for more than her looks. She was a challenge. She was interesting. She had a wide range of interests and tried her best at everything and cared a lot about other people. She wasn't intentionally funny but had a spark about her that couldn't be put into words. She was just very honest, trusting, real. You could depend on her and she always was loyal to her friends and family, sticking up for them whatever trouble they had gotten themselves into. She was ambitious, a hard worker and insanely intelligent. Any man would be blessed to be with her.
Derek felt his sappiness getting the better of him so reverted his thoughts. When did he start thinking about Casey so much? It was only the first few hours of this vacation and already she was infecting his thoughts.
Well truth be told he thought about her a lot: when he would prank her next, what homework assignment she could have possibly found to do so early in advance, what she was thinking about, if she liked anyone, how far she had gone with Sam….okay so not all were his business at all, but still. The point was she was in his thoughts a lot. It wasn't HIS idea to bring her into his life. He put full blame on his dad and Nora for that one. Even Casey hadn't agreed right away to throw herself into his life.
Thinking back to Operation Disengagement, he found himself further amused. That was the first day they met. Their parents had let them spend plenty of time getting to know the other kids, but only when one eldest was not present. Derek hadn't realized until later that it was his parents planning it that way, not Casey's refusal or mere coincidence, so he still went to meet her with a chip on his shoulder.
However much his dad had warned him that Nora's daughter was an attractive girl, Derek thought he had just been being nice and that his perception on the attractiveness of the younger race was skewed because of his overly sappy feelings for her mother. His flirty fourteen year old self hadn't realized he was about to meet the most beautiful girl he had ever met.
So realizing rather quickly that the only way to avoid doing something impulsive, he decided to test her, repeatedly. She continued to pass every single time, somehow always matching his clever quips or manipulative actions. He was still trying, but the effort had been lacking in the last few years, changing to more helpful and for entertainment than to irritate or infuriate. He was giving her a backbone, more of one anyways she had always been good at speaking her thoughts, but managed to have fun doing so. Isn't that what brothers were for?
Derek shuddered. Casey would never be his sister. Ever. Maybe it was because upon that first meeting his attraction to her would make him a sick individual. Maybe it was because they fought so much. Or maybe it was because…well…he wasn't going to think about that one.
Somewhere along the line, Derek must have fallen asleep because he woke up cuddling with Casey. His face was nestled in her hair, her head tucked under his chin as he had both arms holding her to his chest. They had finally arrived at the country club and again the family was oblivious to the intertwined position in the backseat.
Marti pushed past Derek before he could wake Casey gently so he ended up pushing her against the window, his arms bracing his body from crushing her as her eyes flashed open to meet his. Their faces were mere inches apart thanks to the close proximity from before and the sharp intake of breath hinted she was scared, as if her wide blue eyes didn't give it away.
"Sorry." he muttered under his breath, not sure exactly what he was apologizing for.
"It's okay." she replied quietly, running a hand through her hair nervously as Derek backed off of her and got up to climb out of the van.
They got out, grabbed their stuff, and made their way to the cabin without glancing at each other.
Well this trip was already shaping up famously.