Disclaimer: I don't own Life with Derek

CHAPTER 4

As the McDonald-Venturi's debarked from the plane, almost everyone was talking excitedly; however, Derek was quiet and felt sick. He told himself it was the plane ride, but his conscience nagged at him. This is not a big deal, Derek thought. I can do this. I can see Casey and act like everything's normal. And then there she was with a big sign reading MCDONALD-VENTURI. Derek can't help but smirk. Such a keener…And more beautiful than I remember.

"Afraid you won't be able to find me, Spacey." Derek smirked.

"Actually, I was hoping the airport would lose you instead of the luggage," Casey bit back.

Derek stepped closer to Casey's side, "You'll never be rid of me, Case," Derek breathed softly in her ear. Casey's breath hitched at his words and physical closeness, but he moment was over as her mother and Lizzie wrapped her in bear hug. Everyone was talking all at once, and Casey had to pretend the moment never happened.

At Casey's performance the next night, Derek was continually amazed at how beautiful a dancer Casey was. She really belongs here, Derek thought as a pit formed in his stomach.

Back stage Casey noticed flowers had arrived during the performance, a bouquet of white daisies and violet tipped white roses adorn her vanity. You take my breath away, the card read. No signature. Who could these be from, Casey wondered. My family would have signed their name. Who else…Jesse. It had to be. Casey groaned internally. While Jesse thought he was being subtle with his attraction to Casey, to Casey it had been glaringly obvious and unreciprocated. Ug, I should throw these away, thought Casey but a voice nagged her to keep them, and she did.

After the performance, Casey's family went out to dinner. She was feeling very loved with all the compliments and felt reassured about the big announcement she planned on making. Derek had been quiet again but no one noticed. He also was planning on making an announcement tonight but was thinking of chickening out when Casey suddenly proclaimed, "I have an announcement." Not to be outdone, Derek jumped up and exclaimed "I have an announcement, too."

"Uhh, okay," George said and looked at Nora who gave him an equally blank look.

"I'm going first, Derek"

"No you're not Princess. You've been center of attention all night," Derek argued. They stared each other down and suddenly blurted at the same time,

"I've decided to re-enroll at Queen's for Spring semester."

"I was accepted at NYU for next semester."

"WHAT!" they screeched locking eyes.

"Uhh, I think you both need to sit down," admonished George. For once they sat, stunned at each other's news.

George was looking at Derek with disbelief, "Now Derek, did you just say you were transferring colleges?"

"Yeah, they have a great film program and men's hockey team."

"And just when were you going to discuss this with me?"

Derek mumbled sorry now that he was the center of attention, "I hadn't really planned on discussing it. I entered a short film in a contest and won. The judge said he had attended NYU and suggested I look into it. I applied and was accepted for the Spring semester."

Nora broke into the conversation to impatient to wait for Derek and George to finish. "Young lady, just when were you going to discuss your decision with me?"

"I wasn't going to, and it's already settled." Casey replied confidently with just a hint on pleading in her voice. "I've had a great time the past couple months but I don't want this as a career, and I missed you guys so much."

"Oh Casey," said Nora her voice breaking, "Why didn't you tell me you were miserable. Of course you can come home."

"Thanks Mom."

Nora gently hit George in the arm giving him a look which prompted, "I'm proud of you Derek for doing so well and if you want to go to school in New York then I support you."

"Thanks Dad."

"Can we order dessert?" asked Marti.

AN: Thanks again to those reading, alerting, and reviewing!