Accidentally Yours
Author: Krys Yuy
Summary: Future-fic. After a series of failed relationships, Casey decides she doesn't need a man to have the family she's always longed for. But through a quirk of fate, she may find everything she's ever wanted when she accidentally discovers the identity of the sperm donor.
Pairing/Characters: Derek Venturi/Casey MacDonald
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I own none of the Life with Derek characters used.
Author's Note: A twist on the pregnant Dasey storyline. I've read so many stories with this concept, and I was like – well, what if neither of them knew the other was the father/mother? XD Setting for total chaos and humor, but eventually, romance will bloom. Also, I know, I know – why did I start another story when I have "One Week Matchmakers"? Well, this idea just wouldn't leave me, but I promise it's only these two. I'll most likely be updating one and then the other, in that pattern. Not too much dialogue in this chapter as I was trying to establish the setting of their adult worlds. Things will pick up though, I promise.

Chapter 01 – According to Plan

Casey slammed her office door harder than necessary, but found she didn't really care if she startled her assistant. Flower bouquets and balloons had littered the work stations outside and when she had turned away from one sickening sight, there was only another in the next direction she looked in. It reminded her that she couldn't escape this day or the horrible memories it brought. She dreaded it – or rather, she dreaded the pitying looks co-workers shot her and the comfort phone calls from friends, which were supposed to be sweet, but made her feel even worse. She hated it.

Another Valentine's Day spent alone and miserable.

Her annoyance left her jittery and unable to stay still. She paced the carpeted floor of her office before she finally stood stationary, staring out at the gorgeous view from her office window.

When she was a teenager, she had made a list of the goals she wanted to accomplish. And, thanks to hard work and perseverance, she had succeeded in checking off most of the items. At the age of twenty-seven, she was already an integral part of Star & Moon Publishers, having worked her way up from a non-paying internship. She was now one of several sought-out editors on the publishing team. Her articles had been printed in prestigious magazines and her first book published two years ago had made #1 on the New York Bestseller's List. Her second novel was due to be released soon.

Any items having to do with her ambition and career path had been crossed off. The more personal aspects, however, didn't have such luck. She had hoped to be married by twenty-four or at least in a committed relationship. She had also wanted two kids, a boy and a girl. She imagined having the girl first at twenty-five or twenty-six. Then perhaps a few years later, she and her husband would try for a boy. The plan had made perfect sense when she was fifteen.

But the bitter aspects of reality hadn't registered then.

Since that time, her heart had been broken too many times than she cared to admit. Sam and Max had been her only high school boyfriends, but nothing had ever come of it. She dated guys on and off throughout the years but there were only three men that had ever truly impacted her life. Her first serious relationship once she crossed the path into true adulthood had been sophomore year at Harvard when she had accidentally bumped into a former classmate from Sir John Sparrow Thompson High School. She and Noel had lasted for two years, but had parted in the end; their goals in life too different and not enough time for each other as they chased their dreams.

Then, fresh out of college, she had fallen for Jared Davis, an up-and-coming author she met through the publishing company. She had just been hired full time after completing a satisfying internship there during her senior year. Jared had been charming in a way that was almost eerily familiar, and he had treated her like a queen the first few months. The fourth month, however, she discovered he didn't think they were exactly on exclusive terms. She had left him without a word and he never bothered to call back.

The hardest and most painful time, though, had to be her relationship with Dean Summers. He had picked up the pieces of her that had been left by Jared. They had started out as friends before it turned romantic six months later. He had been absolutely perfect for her. Charismatic and sweet, he was the ideal boyfriend. They were even engaged for a time. But the honeymoon didn't last. It was difficult and heart-wrenching, but both sides reluctantly accepted it, and they ended a three and a half-year relationship a week before Valentine's Day. He hadn't wanted kids. But Casey wanted a family.

So here she was – a successful career woman, but no one to come home to. She had spent the last two years virtually alone and buried in her work, unable to take another chance with her heart. In recent days, especially with the anniversary of her break-up with Dean, she had come to think about how she desired a family. She saw friends who had paired off and had kids or were currently pregnant. She saw them with their families – saw how their children looked up at them in adoration and her heart ached.

She was only twenty-seven, friends and family told her. She still had plenty of time to find Mr. Right and start that family she always wanted. It was true, of course, but she was so tired of waiting, of having the courage to go out there, only to be burned by trusting someone. Besides, if things had gone according to plan, she would be a loving wife and happy mother of at least one by now.

Casey stared at the people and cars on the street below, going on with their daily lives. They were moving forward, but she felt like she was stuck in pause and no one was bothering to help her press the play button. She didn't want to wait anymore.

Casey strode over to her desk and sat primly on her leather seat. She cleared her tabletop of unfinished work and set it aside carefully for another day. Instead, she opened her files drawer and flipped through the tabs quickly. She reached for the folder at the very back and pulled it out discreetly, even though no one could possibly see what she was doing.

She spread out the three different information sheets on her desk, biting her lip. It was completely crazy; a part of her knew that. But another part told her it was what she really wanted.

At first, she had only investigated it because she was still reeling from her break-up with Dean. She had done as much research as she could, even visiting a bank in the city. They had given her several different applicants' forms, copies of course, to take home so she could peruse them as long as she wished. That had been nearly two years ago. She had long since returned the forms… except for three.

The same three that she was now staring at in both longing and apprehension. For some reason, she never had it in her to return the finalists she had picked from the pile the bank had given her. It was entirely insane, and she figured the idea had been implanted in her because she was so lonely and broken after she and Dean went their separate ways. But months – years – had passed and the idea had never fully gone away. It wasn't a question of money, she had plenty of that. It was a question of whether she truly wanted it or if she was just using it as some kind of escape, some kind of excuse.

Perhaps a tiny part of her was thinking selfishly, but Casey also knew that when she thought of having her own child staring up at her with a chubby face and cheeks, tiny toes and fingers, her heart melted.

Casey shuffled the three forms in front of her, perusing every detail of information for what had to be the thousandth time.

A lawyer, an athlete, and a former marine.

Aside from their occupations, their features were also varied – the lawyer with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, the athlete with brown hair and brown eyes, while the marine had black hair and green eyes. She went over their stats and personal comments carefully, even though she already knew them by heart now. She bit her lip again as she stared at the applications that could change her life.

Casey's hand hovered briefly over the athlete before she moved it aside to grab the lawyer's paper.

"And we have a winner," she said softly.

–

A few months later…

Casey waited nervously as her fingers tapped against the marble countertop of her loft apartment. She held the results of the test in her left hand and found she couldn't stop smiling. She hadn't felt this happy in months. The phone rang three times before the person on the other end picked up.

"Hello?" The voice sounded breathless.

"Hi Lizzie!" It was so good to hear her little sister again. "Did you just come back from a run?" she guessed knowingly.

"Casey?" Lizzie's voice perked up on the other end. "Yeah, I just finished a two-mile run around the neighborhood. How are you?"

"I'm fine," she replied quickly, her fingers tightening on the cordless phone. Better than fine. "How are you?"

"Busy with the team, but it's not every day I get a call from my big sis over in America. Is everything okay?" Casey could picture her sister's eyebrows creasing together in concern.

"Of course! Everything's great," she reassured her. "Perfect, in fact. Why do you ask?"

"You sound excited."

If it was possible, Casey's smile grew even wider. Lizzie was always one to notice the little things. "Well, I wanted you to be the first to know." She held her breath.

"What is it?"

Casey practically burst out the news, unable to contain herself any longer. "I'm going to have a baby!"

–

Derek didn't think life could get any sweeter than it was now. He stretched on a lounge chair by the pool, soaking in the rays from the sun. Hockey season was on hiatus and he fully intended to enjoy his break with parties and generally kicking back. Of course he'd be training on the side – couldn't get behind his teammates, could he?

It was a rather heady feeling, knowing he had done what he set out to do. He was a professional hockey player and was as rich as he said he'd be when he was in high school. He laughed at those who thought he would amount to nothing. Sure, he had never been the best in school, particularly in the sciences, but sports were his domain. He had obtained a scholarship at a university with an excellent hockey reputation. After college, he graduated with a business degree, but had been recruited to the Maple Leafs. He had gained all the perks expected from becoming a star athlete and his popularity was the same, if not bigger.

His life had a long string of girls who came and went, but never stayed for any long periods of time. His longest relationship had been six months and she had been the one to break up with him. Crazy, but true. Anna had seen something in him, claiming she wasn't who he was looking for. He had no idea what she was talking about, but she was adamant that their relationship not continue. They parted as friends and kept in contact once in awhile. She had been perhaps the most mature of all his past girlfriends as well as the most mysterious.

Currently, he was single and just looking for a fun time. When was he not? He was content to stay a bachelor for the rest of his life. He couldn't really see himself settling down, not anytime soon at least. Though he had to admit, seeing his teammates with their families after games made it feel like he was missing something. Wives would give their husbands congratulatory kisses as the younger kids jumped up and down in excitement. The older kids would give their dads hugs and pats on the back. That feeling would disappear, though, as soon as he was surrounded by fans and his girl of the week (day?) came up to hug him and he would wrap an arm around her waist. That was as far as he let it go – his rule about public displays of affection still as strict as ever.

He had broken it off with plenty of girls who thought he was just being silly. He knew they only wanted to get on TV or in the papers. So if he was caught by the paparazzi in a kiss with one of his many girls, it had always been something she initiated. He never went past an arm around the shoulders or holding hands in public. Holding hands was even pushing it.

He shook his head and wondered what he should do that weekend. It was strange having his schedule freed up. He never really got used to that feeling after the final game of the season. June always signified time he could have for himself. He supposed he could call up some of his fellow hockey bachelors; see if they wanted to hang out at the beach. He expected a few of them might call him first. From experience, he knew a few of his teammates with a calmer domestic life would invite him over for family barbeques.

Derek was contemplating calling his travel agent when his cell rang. He sat up and grabbed it off the side table next to him. He flipped it open without looking at the caller ID and brought it to his ear.

"Venturi here," he said, moving his sunglasses to the top of his head.

"Derek, that's not how you should answer the phone."

His eyes widened and he laughed. "Dad! It's been awhile – how are you?"

"Just fine, champ. How about you?"

"Kicking it back and living the good life. Y'know, the usual." Derek stood up and began walking around the pool aimlessly. "So to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Well, Nora and I were wondering when your next visit was going to be."

He winced, knowing he had made it back for last year's Thanksgiving, but had to skip Christmas. He sent presents, but he knew his family was probably still miffed about it. The hockey season had kept him from returning to where he had grown up, but his family had come to a few of his games. The last time he had seen them was a game two months ago.

"I don't know –" He scratched the back of his head, and thought of his free schedule. "– but I was going to stop by for awhile this summer."

"You think you can come over this weekend and stay awhile?"

Derek shrugged, even though his dad couldn't see it, figuring he could reschedule the Bahamas trip he was thinking about. "Sure, it's not that big a deal. Is something going on?"

"Nora and I thought it was time for a family get-together. It's been so long since all you kids were under the same roof – it gets a bit lonely."

"Dad…"

"Oh, don't mind me. We've just been so nostalgic lately. We're so proud of you guys though. Doing what you love…"

"Dad, is someone dying?" Derek deadpanned, wondering why his father was getting so sentimental.

"What? No!" He could already see his dad acting flustered on the other end. "Can't a father want to see his children?"

"Sure, sure." Derek rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand and stared out at the scenery from his backyard. His home was in the hills so it had a fabulous view of the city below. "I'm still guessing that there's something happening, though."

"Well, Casey has some really big family announcement."

Derek paused in running a hand through his hair. "Casey's going to be there?"

"Actually, she's really the one who encouraged the family get-together. Nora and I hate to bug you guys – we know you're so busy and all, but Casey's taking some time off from work to be with us for the summer. Obviously, the season is finished and you're free too. We already wanted to invite you kids, but all we needed was a push from her. She specifically asked us to persuade everyone to be there."

"She actually wants me there?" he asked, surprised.

"She wants the whole family to be there, and you're family, Derek." His father sighed. "I really wish you two could get along."

"We do."

"I suppose it's gotten better from before, but I swear, when the whole family gets together, it's like we go back in time and you two are in high school again."

Derek grinned. "Yeah, that's our way of getting along." The sun beat down on his body and he sat at the pool's edge, dipping his feet in to cool off. "So a big announcement. Is she engaged to that Dean guy or something?" He tried to recall details about his stepsister's life and was surprised to come up with such a short list of things he knew.

"They broke up two years ago, remember?" Derek could hear the sigh in his father's voice. "She was very choked up about it. Depressed for months."

"Oh." Derek wondered why he never knew that. He tried to move past the awkwardness. "Well, she's not going to announce her latest boyfriend, is she? 'Cause if she is…"

"All I know is that it's huge news. Lizzie knows, but Casey wants to tell everyone else face to face."

"Hmm…"

He couldn't help but be curious. He never really knew what was going on with his stepsister. He had only ever seen Casey on the holidays, and she had never seen him play a professional hockey game. Living in two different countries wasn't exactly the ideal setting for meeting up. Not that they would even if they could. Theirs was a complicated relationship. They didn't hate each other – in fact, they had learned to get along pretty well before they headed off to different universities. They could still get on each other's nerves, and at home, fighting was a way to get back to a familiar pattern of behavior. Their fights were never serious, only petty things like the remote control or the bathroom – stuff that had once seemed so important. He knew her teenage-counterpart like the back of his hand, but realized just how little he knew about adult Casey.

"So I can count on you then?" His father's voice brought him back from his musings.

"What?"

"You can come this week?" his father repeated.

"Oh – oh yeah, definitely," Derek replied, nodding. He slid into the shallow end of the pool, relishing the feeling of the cool water against his heated skin. "I'll see you then, Dad. Say hi to Nora and Smarti for me."

"Of course. Goodbye Derek."

"Bye Dad." He heard the soft click at the other end of the line and flipped his phone closed. He tossed it onto his lounge chair and completely submerged himself under the water. He began swimming laps as he thought of the family visit.

Everyone under the same roof again for more than a day? That was definitely going to be interesting. He supposed it would be refreshing to see them face to face. He was still blown away by how grown up Edwin, Lizzie and Marti looked. Of course, they were all adults now, but when he thought of them, he couldn't stop himself from picturing the little kids he reluctantly babysat as a teenager.

Edwin was working his way up to business executive at an important ad company in the city. Lizzie helped coach her alma mater's soccer team, while running a private gym near home. Marti had just finished her freshman year at a small arts college, but it was well-known for its fashion program, which is why it had been her first choice. All in all, the kids of the Venturi-MacDonald household were accomplishing their dreams.

Derek's thoughts turned to Casey. She was some big-shot at a publishing company with an author career on the side. He actually felt a kind of loss, realizing how far they had drifted apart. They hadn't exactly been the best of friends, or friends at all, but they had learned to tolerate each other. When they teamed up, it was actually with surprisingly good results. He wondered what her big news could be.

He stopped at the edge of the pool, putting his elbows up and resting his head on his arms. Whatever it was, it was sure to be emphasized by Casey's flair for the dramatic – one thing he knew that hadn't changed. He pulled himself out of the deep end, exercising his arm muscles. He'd get the family visit over with, bond a bit with the siblings, hear Casey's announcement, and leave the following week for the Bahamas. Sounded like a foolproof plan.

After all, Casey's news didn't involve him. He'd do the obligatory congratulations and they would go their separate ways again.

Nothing to it.

To be continued in Chapter 02 - Changing Times
I hope you guys got that Casey was debating artificial insemination. I didn't want to directly reference it, since I wanted to see if you guys could infer it from my writing. I'm sure some of you may be confused, but issues will obviously be cleared up as further chapters are written. Please review so I know there are people actually liking this or not. Thanks so much for reading!