Let me start from the beginning. When it all started. Let me supply the facts.
The relationship started before the wedding. Derek threw a party. Casey went. Neither realised who the other was or that they would soon be family. The party, like every one Derek throws, got rather out of hand. Things happened. Nothing too bad, Casey and Derek just had a bit too much beer. She and Derek made out. Apparently he abandoned all of his friends at the party because of her.
A few days later he called her, but she was swamped with last minute wedding preparations, so she told him where she was and he came to see her. He helped her with the arrangements and they talked; discovered their connection. They're more like each other than everyone realised, and different enough to have the right spice that is needed in a keener and a slacker's relationship.
That was three years ago. Now there isn't a better couple around. It's almost as though they're married already. They sneak into each others rooms to sleep in the same bed together.
Speaking of marriage; they have to wait until they're both twenty to get the engagement ring our great grandmother, who died when Derek was about three, left him in her will. He was allowed to get it once he reached twenty years old. He gave Casey a ring which didn't cost the earth, and which she wears on a very long chain that tucks under her bra cleavage and hangs loose in her top so it won't slip out accidentally.
But with Casey's impending pregnancy belly about to show the ring might have to come out because people will see it anyway when her big belly makes her clothes stretch and tighten over her bump.
It looks like everything will come out at the same time. And soon.
What a disaster.
I've promised to take some of the heat for it. How could I? Well, Derek is my brother…and he had me in a headlock at the time.
Knowing this family…that means I will have to take most of the rap. Dad will blame me for setting them up and for keeping it secret for them for three years. True I only knew for two and a quarter, but still.
I have to console Casey. She's worrying about telling them. Apparently Derek isn't sufficient comfort. And worrying is about as good for the baby as it is for its parents. Casey reckons she and Derek will be disowned when the rest of the family finds out.
I don't think so, personally. Dad and Nora might not like it, but they wouldn't go that far.
We're working on how to tell them. Derek thinks we should just tell them outright, but that's too brief and he only suggested it because he has no subtlety. I suggested going to them separately; Derek goes to dad and Casey to Nora. Casey is deluding herself, saying that we don't have to tell them until the baby pops out; she thinks we can hide the pregnancy in bulky jumpers etc. Unfortunately she normally wears well fitting clothes so I think Nora would notice if she suddenly started drowning in jumpers.
Somehow I think we'll go with my plan.
I also hope no one else in this family finds my journal. I'd never hear the end of it if they found out I kept this journal.