The Other Parents

Ch. 1 Accident

Author's Note: This story is in a total different format from my other stories. It will be like I'm telling you the story. I hope everyone enjoys. And please ask questions if you are confused. Thank you to all who gives this story a chance. Reviews help me write. I already have about five chapters on paper. Thank you again and please enjoy.

Cindy

Derek and Casey are both 18 years old and Seniors in high school. Nora and George were out on their monthly date night. They left Derek and Casey in charge of their younger siblings. Edwin and Lizzie are 14 and in their last year of middle school. Marti is eight years old and in 3rd grade.

George left the kids money to order pizza. Casey rented some movies since they all were expected to hang out together. Marti fell asleep right after the first movie. Derek carried Marti upstairs and tucked her in. Edwin and Lizzie fell asleep on the second movie. Derek woke them and told them to go to bed. Casey fell asleep on the last movie. Derek planned to wake her when the movie was over but he fell asleep too.

Casey woke to the phone ringing. She looked over at the clock thinking it was morning. But it was only two in the morning. Derek woke and saw Casey answering the phone. Derek rubbed his eyes watching Casey talking. Casey turned white and dropped the phone. Derek picked up the phone and was shocked to hear that his Dad and Step-Mom were in a serious car accident. Casey seemed to be in shock. Derek quickly called Emily and asked her if she could come next door. Emily called Sam to drive Derek and Casey to the hospital. Emily agreed to keep an eye on the three sleeping children.

Sam drove as quickly as he could. When they arrived at the hospital a police officer greeted them. He took Derek and Casey into a room and told them that George didn't survive the accident. The officer took Derek and Casey to say goodbye to George. They uncovered George's body. Casey broke down in tears while Derek swallowed back his tears. The Police officer left them.

Derek went to the left side. "I don't know what to say to him." Derek mumbled. Casey wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. "George you were a good man, a good husband, a good father, and a good Step-Father. I'm going to miss you. I promise to look after Derek, Edwin, and Marti." Casey said. Derek sighed and said. "I can't." Casey nods and they leave together.

The officer escorted them to the ICU. A doctor was waiting for them. The doctor quickly greeted them and then said. "Mr. Venturi, Miss McDonald I am so sorry Mrs. Venturi isn't going to make it. We're shocked she's held on this long." Casey started to shake. "Hey Case come on let's go see Nora." Derek said softly. They both knew this would be the last time they saw her. Casey stood next to her Mom. Derek stood behind Casey keep her steady.

Casey just kept getting paler. Derek moved to go to the other side of the bed. He grabbed Nora's hand he knew he had to be strong for Casey like she was for him with his Dad. "Nora I'm not a musy person as you know but right now I'm regretting a lot. I regret not letting you hug me more and I wish I would've told you how much I love you. The only peace in my mind right now is that you and Dad will be together whereever it is you go. I promise you Nora I'm going to take really good care of our family. And I don't just mean Edwin and Marti. I mean Casey and Lizzie too." Derek finished and kissed Nora's cheek.

Casey whispered. "I love you Mom." Nora flat lined. Casey was in shock so Derek helped her leave the room. Sam drove them home. The drive was quite. Emily greeted them as soon as they walked in the door. Emily's Mom had come over to. Everyone kept asking if they could do anything for Derek or Casey. Derek just shook his head. No one could make this better. Sam had kept Emily update so she knew George and Nora were both gone.

Emily tried to get Casey to talk but Casey wouldn't say anything. Everyone sat silently in the Living Room. Marti came running down the stairs and asked. "Where's Daddy and Nora?" The little girl asked. Derek wasn't sure what to do. He thought for a minute and then asked Emily to wake up Edwin and Lizzie. It was almost six.

Casey finally seemed to snap out of her daze. "Could you leave us for a while?" Casey asked. They all left with Emily and her Mom promising to come back after they told the other kids. Edwin and Lizzie both still looked really sleepy. At first they were confused and then worried. "What wrong?" Lizzie asked. Derek sat in his chair and pulled Marti into his lap. Casey sat on th couch between Edwin and Lizzie.

"What's going on and where are Dad and Nora?" Edwin questioned. "There was an accident." Casey spoke softly. "Are they okay?" Lizzie asked. Derek sighed and said. "No they aren't okay." "But soon they're be better right?" Marti asked still full of innocence. "No Smarti Dad and Nora are in Heaven with the Angels." Derek answered.

Lizzie started crying first. Casey moved to hug her. Edwin rushed over to Derek. "Tell me this is a bad joke." Edwin said. Derek just frowned. "Are they ever coming back Smerek?" Marti questioned. "No Smarti they can't." Derek answered. Marti satrted to sob. Derek stood up with Marti still in his arms. Derek looked over at his brother who had tears in his eyes. Derek pulled Edwin into a hug too. Derek looked over to see Casey and Lizzie still hugging. Derek motioned Casey to him. Casey moved towards Derek still holding Lizzie tightly.

Edwin saw Lizzie sobbing. He moved and took Lizzie into his arms and whispered. "I've got you Liz." "I've got you too." Lizzie whispered between sobs. Derek now had his arms around Casey. "We'll be okay right?" Casey asked crying again. "Yeah Case we will be I promised your Mom." Derek answered.

The five consoled eachother until Emily and her Mom returned. Emily's Mom had them all breakfast. None of them were hungry but they tried to eat some. Emily's Mom was asking about who needed to be contacted. Derek got a list together for Emily's Mom to make some calls for them. But both Casey and Derek had to make the hardest calls. They had to call their other parents. Both had issues with their other parents so they weren't sure what to expect.

Casey called Dennis first. He promised Casey he would be on the first plane he could get. She knew it would take him a while to get there from New York though. Derek then called Abby. She was visting a friend just an hour away and had actually planned to surpise her children with a visti.

After breakfast the kids took turns showering. Everyone refused to use George and Nora's shower though. Abby rushed in and found Marti first. She scooped the heartbroken little girl into her arms. Next Edwin greeted Abby. Derek appeared with Casey and Lizzie at his sides. Abby moved and hugged Derek. "Oh girls I'm so sorry." Abby said softly to Casey and Lizzie. They both nodded.

When Dennis arrived Abby was making dinner. All five kids told Abby they weren't hungry. But Abby said they needed to eat and keep their strength up. Abby knew the next few days would be really hard on all of them. Dennis ran right to Casey and Lizzie. He hugged and kissed them. "My poor girls." He said as he hugged his crying daughters. He couldn't believe Nora was gone. She had been his first love. Dennis interoduced himself to Abby. Then he greeted the Venturi kids offering his condolsonse.

The kids all went upstairs early. Abby said she would bunk with Marti. She hoped her presents would bring some reassurence to the little girl. Dennis decided to just sleep on the couch. Abby read Marti a story. Marti told Abby her fear that someone else would die. Marti had fallen alseep so she decided to check on the other kids. Lizzie was asleep as was Edwin. Derek was listening to music and Casey seemed to be down stairs.

When Abby went back into the room Marti was awake and crying. Abby tried her best to calm her down but she was so upset. Abby was unsure what to do. Casey had been walking by and looked in. Casey quickly calmed Marti who fell back asleep. Abby realized she barely knew her daughter. Casey told Abby if Marti woke up again to come get her or Derek. Abby was overwhelmed and hugged Casey thanking her.

Derek was in bed asleep when he heard Edwin's knock. They had always hated sharing a room but now everything was different. Lizzie also ended up in Casey's room. Some how they all slept through the night.

Early the next morning phone calls and deliveraries started to arrive. Dennis and Abby tried their best to take care of things. George and Nora had almost all their funeral arrangements already made. All that was left was the flowers and music. The children quickly agreed on Lilies.

The next day was a long day of vistiation. All five kids were completely worn out. The next day would be the funeral. The kids were dreading the next day. They decided to all camp out in the Living Room. Casey offered her room to Dennis for the night. Edwin offered his room to Abby so she wouldn't have to sleep in Marti's small bed. They all went to sleep with the same thoughts. What will happen next?