Note: This is a three-shot companion piece to 'The Walls that Continually Change'. If you haven't read it, though,you just need to know that Casey's room is now in the basement. It's Christmas-oriented (because it was started in December!) but it will dim into the background, you won't feel it after this chapter.
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Big-hearted
The first song he wrote for her was the funniest by far. It even included her name. She remembered flinching at how horribly tacky it was. She was surprised Derek was even capable of writing such an abysmal song, let alone corny.
Then again, maybe it shouldn't have been so surprising. He had warned her.
Still, she found herself humming the song quietly under her breath as she washed dishes and did the laundry. Granted, she was always careful around him. The frustration from all the ribbing he had endured from her was bound to make an appearance. So yes, she made it a point to be extra careful.
But she couldn't help it. Decorating a tree wouldn't be decorating a tree if you weren't singing a song at the same time. Every time she caught herself singing the words 'bird' and 'Casey', she'd make an effort to sing a Christmas tune at the top of her lungs. Much like she was doing at the moment.
"Not so loud," she heard Marti yell from behind her. She turned around to see the little girl covering her ears purposefully and scowling at her.
"Sorry, Marti. Trying to get into the spirit," Casey apologized.
"Why are you putting up the tree by yourself?" Marti inquired, bringing her hands down once she was sure Casey wouldn't start again.
"'Cause no one else wants to help," she answered in mild irritation. It was already mid-December and no one had decorated the tree yet.
"Lies!" Derek cried as he came down from his room. He approached them and smirked.
"Casey's a perfectionist, Marti. She'll bite whoever puts an ornament in the wrong branch, if that's possible," Derek explained as he picked up his kid sister and hoisted her on his shoulders.
"It is possible," Casey scoffed, turning her attention back to the tree in order to prevent herself from doing something stupid like kissing her freshly-showered-and-delectably-handsome stepbrother. He was wearing the new shirt she had bought him the other day. She was right; green was a very fitting color on him.
"No it's not," Marti said determinedly from behind Derek. "You just have to put a lot of balls and it'll look good no matter what." Casey looked at the pair and noted with slight amusement that Derek was nodding his head vigorously in agreement.
"Marti, there's more to Christmas tree decoration than lost of balls," Casey clarified, tugging on her tangling foot. "It's about the lights and the special ornaments and the garlands. It could even have very few balls and still be a very pretty tree."
Derek and Marti approached so that they were side to Casey, and Derek shook his head casually.
"What do you mean no?" Casey sighed, turning her full attention to them now. "I'm telling you. You just don't have the aesthetic touch, Derek."
"I'll have you know, Casey, that I do have the aesthetic touch. Right, Marti?" Derek said, feigning offense.
"Right!" Of course Marti would agree, even if she was propped up on Derek's shoulder in a rather vulnerable position.
"That's how we do it in the Venturi household… lots of balls." She exhaled exasperatedly at the silly innuendo, wondering how Derek can simply overlook the fact that Marti, who was 8 years old, was in perfect earshot.
"Go eat some cake, Derek," Casey dismissed.
"Gladly!" he said happily. "But I'm serious about the balls." He winked at her on his way out.
And really, how could she resist him? A small smile appeared on her lips as she quickly turned to face the tree to conceal it.
She continued decorating the tree as she heard Marti's loud squeals and Derek's rather convincing threats of losing control. She remembered witnessing that particular move the first time and completely freaking out. Derek had actually been offended she would think he'd ever put his Smarti in harm's way. She never questioned him about it ever again.
A while later, when Derek and Marti were probably finished with their cake, she saw Marti scurry along upstairs and heard her open her bedroom door and a few moments later, shutting the bathing room. It wasn't long before she heard the shower start running.
She proceeded in her Christmas tree scheming when she felt someone's presence behind her. She spun on her heels knowingly, and saw Derek propped casually on the armrest of the couch, smirking at her.
"There's another box of balls in the garage, you know," he said offhandedly, eyeing her work disapprovingly.
"I won't need it," she insisted stubbornly.
He laughed, grasped her hand and pulled her to him. "Now Casey, Christmas is for everyone."
She didn't pull her hand away but narrowed her eyes. He tugged on her arm to get her attention. "Seriously?"
"A pretty tree matters," she pouted.
He shook his head disbelievingly but smiled nonetheless. "Alright, Case. I'm gonna let it slide this year, but next year…"
"Yeah, yeah!" she bounced happily. With Derek on her side, she wouldn't need to put up a fight. She leant down and kissed him. Having the house to themselves for the whole day was rather rare. Aside from Marti, who was easily distracted, they were pretty much alone.
Unrestrained, Derek placed both his hands on her waist and brought her closer. Her hands leisurely tangled in his hair as the kiss grew deeper. They were at it for while, until they heard the front door's lock clicking. They pulled apart hastily and Derek bolted for the kitchen. She quickly attempted to fix her probably messy hair and tried to stifle her laugh. She wasn't very successful.
"What are you laughing at?" Edwin asked as he entered, Lizzie close at his heels.
Casey only laughed harder. "Sorry, just remembered something." Casey was proud to say that she sounded convincing. If only Derek had witnessed it; he'd be proud.
Speaking of the devil, Derek entered the living room looking as composed as ever. They had been hiding their relationship for a month and a half now and they seemed to be getting sloppier everyday. She made a mental note to talk about it with Derek later.
"Ed, tell Case we like our trees full of balls."
Edwin didn't even hesitate. "We like our trees full of balls."
She wondered if it was some Venturi tradition she hadn't ever noticed before today. It's not like she had lived with them for that long. It had been, what, three years?
Come to think of it, the two last Christmas trees were rather filled up.
"It's true, Case," Lizzie added. "I decorated the tree with parrot here last year and he was unstoppable."
"Hey!" Edwin cried at the insult. Lizzie simply shrugged and walked to the kitchen. Edwin was quick to follow her.
"I'm not a parrot," he said, running after her.
"Then don't repeat what other people say," Lizzie snapped.
Derek just laughed. "Wow, Lizzie. Someone's bitter today."
"I'm not bitter," she muttered, her words getting lost as she entered the kitchen.
Before Casey could process anything, Derek swapped a kiss on her forehead. "I'll get you that other box in case you change your mind." He left for the garage, leaving a surprised Casey behind. Derek wasn't a man of little affections. He didn't do cheesy. He didn't do cute things.
The song had been mostly for comedic purposes.
Shrugging it off, Casey focused on the tree in front of her. Resigning to do it her stepsibling's way, she started to fill the tree up randomly, not really caring seeing as it should be full anyway. It wasn't long before Marti came down from her shower and helped her. Lizzie and Edwin joined her soon after.
As she grabbed random ornaments, she picked up a little yellow bird. She smiled and on impulse, stuffed it in her pocket instead of hanging it up.
Unfortunately, it didn't go unnoticed. "Why'd you take that ornament?" Lizzie asked suspiciously. She was saved from answering when a cold breeze filled the air. Derek had opened the door to the garage. He trekked his way to the living room and slowly dropped the box at the foot of the tree.
"Thanks Derek," Casey said grudgingly, hoping Lizzie would forget about the ornament.
"Awesome!" Edwin said, opening the box with newfound enthusiasm. Derek fell back on the couch and simply watched.
"Aren't you gonna help?" Casey entreated, eyeing him grimly.
"I don't do trees. But I'll be happy to supervise," he retorted with a roguish smile.
"Insufferable," she muttered under her breath.
"Just the way you love me, Case." She tried not to blush at his last words, but it was difficult. He was looking at her intently. She was sure he just trying to make her feel uncomfortable.
Honestly, Derek found entirely too much pleasure in her discomfort. This wasn't the first time.
She was almost sad to realize that Derek will probably never lose his cockiness. Almost. She'd be lying if she said it wasn't part of his charm.
A charm she had irrevocably fallen for. But that wasn't here nor there.
"Case, you didn't answer my question," Lizzie suddenly said, a smug expression on her face.
"I like it, alright? I'd like to keep it. I'm sure you guys won't mind," Casey said dismissively, inwardly cringing at her choice of words. Why couldn't her sister just drop it already?
"Well, which one is it?" Lizzie persisted.
"It's an animal ornament. Why are you insisting?" Casey answered, getting agitated.
Lizzie laughed. "'Cause you're all nervous about it." Her sister had definitely spent too much time with Edwin and Derek. "Well, show us which one."
Having caught on, both Derek and Edwin gestured in encouragement.
"This is silly," she huffed as she pulled the little bird out of her pocket. Silly and embarrassing. Derek laughed and sent her a knowing look before commenting.
"A little bird?" he said, in mock-surprise. "What could that possibly mean?"
"Probably that Casey is weird," Edwin said. Casey would have accepted that answer, but Derek wouldn't be Derek if he didn't milk it all.
"Perhaps," Derek said, bringing his hand to his chin in a mock-reflective gesture. "Or the bird means something to her. What do you say, Liz?"
Lizzie played right along with him. "Very likely. Marti?"
"Maybe it has to do with the song she's always singing!" she said obliviously. As opposed to everyone else, Marti hadn't stopped decorating the tree.
Casey's eyes widened. She recovered too late; Derek had noticed her deer-caught-in-the-headlights expression.
Damn, she was in for it.
"A song, you say?" he said with a falsely cheery voice. It was obvious he was trying to contain his laughter.
"Yes."
"And how does this song go?"
Casey groaned inwardly, crossing her fingers, wishing desperately that Marti wouldn't remember.
"Chirpy birds are all I need, baby… baby…. baby," Marti sang, perfectly in tune. Derek's eyes rose in surprise and shared a look with Casey. How much had Marti heard?
Much to Casey's dismay, Derek decided to check. "That's all you remember from the song, Smarti?"
She nodded. "There was another word… sounded like Amy but I'm not sure."
"Actually there's no Amy in that song… just, baby," Casey lied, relieved that it didn't sound like a total lie. Marti's face scrunched up in thought but finally shrugged in acceptance.
"I don't really remember, really," she said.
"S'alright, Smarti. Casey has pathetic taste in music anyway," Derek finished as he burrowed deeper into the couch.
"Pathetic taste, uh?" And then it hit her. Pathetic – that was the word she had used to describe his song. And he was throwing it right back at her. She observed him carefully, trying to detect any sign of offense, or possibly hurt, but found none. There was just a smug smile gracing his lips.
Oh, she was definitely in for it.
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It was dinner and Casey was still avoiding him. It was amusing, her fear. She knew he knew and it made her nervous. Ah, to think of all the things he could say, the taunting remarks, the insults, the teasing. The latter was the best. It took approximately three days to figure out it was a much more enjoyable extension to their fighting. They'd always end up getting both riled up and then realizing how silly it was. The heat carefully mingled with the affection created an all-too-addicting feeling he strived to experience.
With Casey.
He moved his mash potatoes around in his plates, deeply engrossed in his thoughts when someone elbowed him from the side.
"Say no, bro," Edwin muttered, trying to be discreet. Derek, having no idea what Edwin was talking about, nodded dumbly.
"Do you wanna go, Derek?" Nora asked. He shrugged in apology.
"Sorry," he said. He was glad to see that Nora didn't make much of his refusal. His stomach plummeted when he saw Casey's crestfallen face. He tried to catch her gaze, but she quickly looked away. Before he could take back his answer, Lizzie made an announcement.
"My class is singing a choir piece on Wednesday, does anyone wanna come... No? Alright," she said quickly, resuming her eating.
"Wait, you're singing in a choir?" Edwin asked as he spit some of his food out.
"Edwin!" Casey cried out in disgust.
"Sorry, she just took me by surprise."
"My class is singing," Lizzie corrected, almost growling at the same time. "I'll be in the back, you can't even hear me. It's not worth going," she added hastily.
"Liz, why would you wait 'til now to tell us? You know I can't on Wednesdays," Casey said in mild anguish. Derek felt himself smile a little at Casey's fretting habits.
"It's fine, don't worry about it," Lizzie said reassuringly.
"What time is it at?" she asked hopefully.
"Six," Lizzie mumbled.
"Um… I think I can make it. I can drive Ed and Marti while I'm at it."
Shit. Derek groaned inwardly. She left him out. What did he refuse to? "Six is fine with me too," he added quickly, shooting a confused glance at Casey who was steadily ignoring him now.
Lizzie grumbled but accepted her sister's proposal.
When they finished dinner, Casey was the first one to excuse herself. He watched her leave, her head bent low and striding purposefully forward. He turned his attention back to Edwin.
"What exactly did I refuse?" Derek questioned apprehensively.
Edwin rolled his eyes. "You know how Nora and Casey are crazy about these community fairs and festivals. They didn't even organize this one and they still want us to go. You did good by listening to me, bro. I was lookin' out for you."
It barely took a second for Derek to register what Edwin just told him.
The winter festival.
The one Casey had been none to happy about attending since her arch enemy was organizing it.
Honestly, he'd never seen Casey dislike someone as much as she disliked Alexis. "She's a complete fraud of a philanthropist," Casey had griped vehemently. He was still contemplating the meaning of that sentence. He also knew that Alexis was a bit of a bitch. He'd witnessed some of the things she'd said and done to Casey just to upstage her, and really, the girl was a character.
Emily had to literally sit with Casey for an hour, convincing her that she had to be the bigger person and show up.
"Edwin," Derek grumbled through his teeth. "You do realize Casey is going to kill me, right?"
"Dude, I don't even think she'd want you there. Relax," Edwin dismissed, moving out of his chair. Derek stood up at the same time and smacked him on the head. "Hey! What was that for?"
"Don't look out for me next time, little bro," Derek muttered as he climbed up the stairs. He didn't want to be too obvious by going to see her right away. He'd give it a few minutes.
But only a few because he didn't want her riling herself up before he had a chance to explain himself.
And boy, was he whipped.
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Author's Note: I got a bit of free time, but I just couldn't write the 4th chapter of 'Out of Things Left Unsaid'. And this was ¾ done so I said 'What the hell?'
EDIT: I just changed 'Marty' to 'Marti'. I didn't know that was how you spelled her name (thanks Crescent!). Anyway, I'll revise the fic once again later. I must study now!