So I got going and I decided I should be a little nicer here since I am being cruel and keep leading everyone on. So read it and let me know what you think.

The sun broke through her curtains and shone on her face. She grumbled as she sat up even though she couldn't have asked for a better day really. There was some movement out in the hallway.

She stretched as she rose and went out to see what was going on.

Vicki was trying to get into the bathroom to have a shower while her boyfriend kept asking her for things then finally scooped her up to kiss her.

"Casey, it's fine, we've survived the battle."

She grinned as she leapt at him and started kissing him. "Does this mean we can survive anything?"

He smirked, "well I hope so."

"We're going to try at least."

"Since we've managed to win the fight against the parents and all around our life is going well."

Casey looked at him with admiration. "Yes, we won. We have managed to show that we are not just the typical fling. We're serious."

"I'm serious about you."

He grabbed her and pulled her into the washroom.

"Time for a shower," he smirked seductively.

She brightened. "Well, since no one is home…"

She smiled. She liked Glen. He managed to bring Vicki down to a somewhat manageable level. Together they disappeared into the bathroom. Casey smiled and started to make her way down the stairs.

Her mother and her aunt were sitting amicably in the living room, sipping their coffee.

Casey made her way to the kitchen, letting the two women chat.

"Are you excited for her?" Fiona asked Nora.

Nora smiled. "I will be happy for her no matter what she does. She has grown up to be quite a lady. She has gone through so much and she just kept strong through it all."

"Well Max is a good guy," Fiona said thoughtfully.

"Yeah, he is, I just wonder if Casey will be treated the way she should. She always was a romantic and I would hate for her to not have it or forget what its like."

Casey frowned as she listened to them.

"I just hope that their fighting has stopped. It could have been nerves I suppose."

Fiona laughed. "Sure, I guess."

"It just was a little strange for me to look at them and see them forever when they came to tell us about being engaged. The body language didn't quite indicate that they were the lovie dovie couple they should have been."

"Weren't you telling me that they were always fighting? I was assuming it was not the kind of Casey and Derek constantly fighting but the fighting with screaming and shouting and tears."

Casey sighed as she sat down. Her mother had a point. These were the things that she was noticing now that made her feel certain that she had a right to her feelings of doubt about the wedding. For her, with her parents having been divorced, she wanted to make sure she didn't end up like her parents.

She ran through her thoughts trying to figure out when she began to feel the dread about getting married. She then noticed that there were so many signs that maybe she could have walked away sooner or maybe she and Max could have gone through them together. She just wanted to feel like all her inner turmoil made sense.

She sighed again, sipping her tea. Maybe she would be able to have her feelings all sorted out before the next day when she would actually be able to just go through with all that was planned.

Her mom came into the kitchen to probably get more coffee.

"Hey Casey," she said as she kissed her on top of her head.

"Hey Mom," she said, smiling at her.

Her mom cocked her head at her. "Are things okay Case?"

Casey put on a brighter smile. "Of course they are," she said.

Her mom rubbed her arm. "Are you sure, because I get the feeling that there's something bothering you."

Casey shook her head. "It's nothing."

Nora gave her a motherly smile. "Alright, but you want to talk about anything, you know you can come to me."

Casey leaned into her mom.

"When you were getting to married to dad, what were you thinking?"

Nora laughed. "Well, I was young and in love and for the time my idealism was enough to buy me many years with your father. I did love your father but then we wanted different things and we sort of just grew apart."

Casey took in the information.

"Why do you ask?" Nora asked her.

Casey shrugged. "Well you know, you just get all curious around this time and you wonder about the sanctity of other marriages."

Nora looked at her carefully. "Casey, finding out why others got married wont help you if you are wondering why you are getting married. If you are having doubts, it is completely natural. Every woman goes through them."

Casey leaned her head on her mom's shoulders. "I figured that was what it was."

But inside Casey knew it was a lie. She was in love with Derek and she was going to marry Max. She was in a complete mess.

Nora hugged her again. "Don't worry Case, whatever happens, we'll be there."

Casey gave a genuine smile, knowing that her mom seemed to know that there was some doubt in her mind about marrying Max.

In the next moment the doorbell was ringing then Emily was in the kitchen engulfing Casey in a tight hug. Lizzie was with her.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Lizzie grinned. "Well, its time for the girls to hang out. You need time to just relax now. We're going for lunch, some spa time, and then we will take you to the rehearsal."

Casey smiled. She had to love these girls. It was exactly what she needed. Some time to relax before she was taken over by the stress of the event. Everyone kept telling her that this was supposed to be her day, well; she would let her friends and family take over so she could try and enjoy it.

Vicki came down and joined them.

Nora tempted them with some breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. There was a lot of laughter as they joked about the days when Nora surprised them all with the big breakfasts when she cut down her hours to become a full time mom only to go back to work but kept the hours down.

Lizzie made her go and get ready. She changed into a black skirt with golden flowers along the hem and a white tank top with a half sweater, the one that hugged her chest and ended just below the chest.

She was grabbing her purse when she felt her chain fall from her neck.

She gasped as she went to grab the ring. She frantically looked around her room for a chain but couldn't find one. She sat on the bed and looked at the ring.

She sucked in a deep breath.

Casey was busy reading her book and taking notes for the paper that she was working on for the end of the term.

Suddenly she heard a knock at her door. She was about to get up when she heard the door open. She smiled knowing that it was Derek. She knew it was him before the door opened.

She turned and smiled.

He came over to her and started kissing her neck.

She dropped her book.

"My my, someone is in the mood."

He smirked at her. "Well I was busy with practice all week and I've missed you."

She smiled into the kiss. "I missed you too."

"Let's watch a movie, share some popcorn, make out, and just spend some quality time with each other."

She smiled as she let him drag her downstairs. She went through the movie selection while Derek made the popcorn.

She held up the movie she picked. He rolled his eyes. "A chick flick?"

"Does it really matter?"

He shrugged as he sat down on the couch and put the bowl of the popcorn on the table. She popped the movie in and joined him on the couch. They were content to enjoy the quiet night together.

They lay on the couch together, Derek stroking her hair, holding her close. For her, that was the safest place in the world for her. She wouldn't trade it for anything.

Casey sat on the edge of her bed. The ring was in between her fingers. She rolled it, staring at it. So many memories brought up. She placed a hand on her chest.

She slipped the ring on her right hand. She would have to buy a new chain for the ring, hopefully she would have some time to do it that day or maybe she could just wait till she was back home and she could take one from her jewelry box.

She stood, took a deep breath and went back downstairs where the girls were eager to go.

"Alright, let's go ladies," Vicki said as she grabbed her purse.

Casey smiled as she linked arms with her sister to get dragged out of the house. They were almost at the door, just past the stairs and Lizzie was slipping on her shoes when the front door opened.

"Alright, I'm ready to go," Lizzie said, standing tall.

Vicki laughed. "Good, spa here we come."

Emily went out the door and as Casey was about to pass through she felt the old familiar presence she did when.

"Hey ladies," he smirked.

His smile froze on his face when she passed him.

"Derek," she said. Everything melted, everything felt like there was a fleeting chance of becoming right. She didn't have doubts about anything because there was only him. Just Derek. Her Derek.

No more words were said. The girls dragged her down the front steps and she was forced away from Derek. His ring on her finger, back on again, like the old days.

Derek, she called out mentally. Come back! Save me!

Alright, now I have to really start ducking. I did bring Derek the real person into the story… trust me, there will be more… there is so much to b worked out… so, let me know what you think, please, I'm dying here… From the few people who have reviewed I know that they're hooked, but really people, I don't know if all this is working, so give a holler, love it, hate it, anything!