A/N: Sorry for the long delay. School and moving is extremely hectic. Here is chapter 4!
~B~R~I~N~G~M~E~D~O~W~N~
Casey looked at the boat hesitantly. She wasn't too sure if she wanted to go on it, afraid she could get tossed off the boat in the middle of the lake. Nora had opted out of going due to her pregnancy and Casey was sorely tempted to make up an excuse and stay with her. George was already on the boat getting everything ready to get going. Edwin and Lizzie were standing calf deep in the lake splashing one another while Marti was turning around and around on the beach, digging her little toes into the mud.
Derek snuck up behind her, slinging an arm haplessly onto her shoulders. "What's wrong, Space Case? Are you scared of the big scary boat?" He was shamelessly mocking her.
Despite herself, Casey felt herself blush. Ignorant of the curious looks her sister and younger step-brother were giving the pair, Casey didn't pull away quickly. Still staring at the boat she just shrugged. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of making her angry. Gently removing Derek's arm from her shoulder she glanced at him. "I don't like boats. They could sink. Or I could get thrown off and be left behind in the middle of the lake." She was surprised that she even admitted that to him.
Derek looked at her wide-eyed. Casey never admitted anything to him, especially not a fear. He squeezed her arm in what he hoped was a comforting manner before awkwardly shuffling his feet and glancing out at the clear water. "Ya know if anything like that happened I'd jump in there after you." He muttered before glancing back at her. To his surprise, Casey smiled at him happily.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but, thank you, Derek. That's surprisingly very sweet of you." A small blush still graced her features, and Derek couldn't help but admit it made her look breathtaking.
With that thought Derek scoffed and started walking up to the boat, tossing over his shoulder, "Well, don't get used to it, Princess!" Little did either of them know Lizzie and Edwin had watched the entire exchange with a lot of interest.
~W~I~T~H~D~E~A~D~F~L~O~W~E~R~S~
Edwin grasped Lizzie's hand and dragged her a little ways further back into the water so the gentle current was lapping against their knees. George was happily oblivious to the events occurring between his children and step-children. Marti had crawled onto the boat and was happily sitting on George's lap as he fastened a dark purple life jacket on her that had Tinker Bell proudly displayed on the front.
Derek was lounging on the back seats, making himself comfortable, cracking open a bottle of water and guzzling half of it. Casey had a dazed look on her face, staring at the spot that Derek had just been standing. Edwin stared at Casey before shifting her gaze to Lizzie. "There is definitely something going on between those two. Casey didn't get mad at Derek for putting his arm around her. From the looks of things⦠Derek was being nice to Casey."
Lizzie nodded in agreement. "What do you think has changed between those two? Maybe they are finally noticing the UST between the two of them?"
Edwin cocked his head to one side. "UST?"
Lizzie gave an over-dramatic eye-roll with a sigh. "Unresolved sexual tension, Edwin. Haven't you noticed it? It's obvious they are attracted to each other and are just fighting it. It's so obvious I'm surprised mom and George haven't picked up on it."
Edwin looked sheepish. "Oh. So you think they are starting to recognize their feelings for each other?" Lizzie just nodded. "Do you think we should help them?"
Lizzie shook her head. "No, I think this something we should just watch and see what happens. If we're wrong something horrible could come out as a result." With that Lizzie waded back to the shore and dried off with her towel enough to slip her sandals back on. Edwin was still out in the lake with an odd expression on his face. "Aren't you coming, Ed? Or are you staying here with mom?" With that Edwin hurried back to the shore and threw his sandals on. Lizzie laughed before tugging him to the boat.
~B~R~I~N~G~M~E~D~O~W~N~
George kissed Nora on the cheek lovingly. "Are you sure you'll be ok being at camp by yourself? If you want I can see if one of the kids want to stay with you."
Nora laughed and shook her head. "No, George, I'll be fine! It's not like I've never been pregnant before. Go have fun with the kids. This gives me time to take a nap and get some reading in. Make sure all the kids, and yourself, wear a life jacket. Don't forget sunscreen, it's important. Make sure you have bottles of water in the compartment on the floor. Don't go too fast."
George smiled at her, love clear on his face. "Of course, dear. Everything will be fine, and enjoy your time alone. I love you!" With that he headed off to the boat wear the five kids were waiting. Edwin and Lizzie were sitting together, casting glances back at Casey and Derek. They were sitting next to each other without fighting. Marti was on Derek's other side, happily tucked against her big brother. George took a moment to sneak out his camera and snap a quick picture of it. It wasn't very often they were all like this, smiles on their faces and no fighting or arguments. Little did he know that would eventually be one of the first pictures in Casey's scrap book, and also one of her favorite pictures.
What George didn't notice were the shy, secret looks the eldest were sending each other. Casey was biting her lip, her heart racing being so near him. Had it always done this, and she was just now noticing? Derek was acting cool and collected, focusing most of his attention on his baby sister. That didn't stop him from sneaking glances at Casey, his eyes following the cut of her swimming top. The way it hugged her just right. His arm still tingled from wear it had rested on her shoulders a good thirty minutes before.
George climbed onto the boat, instructing the older four to put their life jackets on. Marti loudly exclaimed, "I already have mine on, Daddy! My sunscreen, too!" Everyone chuckled at Marti's enthusiasm. She was basically jumping in her seat. "Hurry up, everyone! I want to go! Daddy, can you make the boat go super-fast like it does in the movies?"
"Marti, it goes fast but I won't let it go that fast. I don't want to risk the wind just picking you up and flying all the way back to Nora!" George playfully replied. Marti just giggled and clung to Derek.
"Smerek wouldn't let anything bad happen to me, Daddy."
Derek grinned a grin that only a proud big brother could have. "That's right, Smarti. Smerek is always here to save the day!" Casey watched the exchange with a soft smile on her face. Lizzie and Edwin were shifting, getting a little bored just sitting there.
"Can we go yet?" Edwin asked.
"Yes, of course." With that George put on his own life jacket and revved up the boat. The engine roared to life and slowly the maneuvered between the other docked boats before racing off to the middle of the lake. George obviously knew what he was doing, he controlled the boat probably better than when he was driving the car.
The wind rushed all around them, causing all their eyes to tear. Marti squealed with happiness as the wind ripped her hair around her face, clinging to Derek's arm. She watched with awe as the boat caused white waves to shoot up behind them. Casey clung to the side of the boat, the fear of being flung off settling back into her stomach. Without either of them realizing it, Derek's free hand snaked around Casey's. He rubbed soothing circles on the back of her hand to calm her down. Casey leaned closer to Derek, feeling safer the closer she was to him.
Edwin and Lizzie watched the lake on either side of them. The view was truly incredible. The sky was clear, with only a few white clouds gracing the sky. Distracted, they didn't notice what was going on behind them. They figured nothing could be happening with Marti squealing and making random exclamations about what she saw. Finally the boat slowed down and George turned to look at the kids. "Anyone want to jump out and swim for a little bit?" Marti shot up out her seat.
"I do, Daddy, I do!"
"Ok, but you need someone to go with you."
Marti looked back at Derek, and seeing his hand laced with Casey's, a sly grin appeared on her face. "I want Casey AND Derek to go in with me!" Realizing they were holding hands both yanked them apart. Casey was blushing furiously and started to protest, but then Marti gave her puppy eyes and she caved. Derek knew he never had a chance to say no to his Smarti. Marti grinned in delight before sitting on the edge of the boat. Making sure the area was clear, George lifted up a flag that signaled to other boats there were people in the water. Making sure it was visible, George gave the O.K. for them to get into the water. Marti jumped off the boat and with a large splash landed in the water. Edwin and Lizzie decided they wanted to go in as well and jumped off at the same time.
Casey was a little more hesitant. She didn't want to risk getting run over by some careless boat driver. Noticing her hesitating, Derek scooped her up into his arms. Before she could even scream in protest, she was tossed overboard. With a loud shriek and a plopping sound, Casey was in the water.
"Der-ek!" Casey exclaimed when she surfaced. Derek just smirked and shrugged. Then he too jumped off and joined his siblings into the water, splashing Casey in the process. This turned into a huge splashing war which George watched in amusement. He then snuck out his camera again and took pictures. He knew Nora would want to see this. All the kids looked blissfully happy. What really caught him by surprise were the adoring looks that Casey and Derek were giving each other. He had a suspicion they didn't even know they were giving each other those looks. With a small smile, George finally called the kids back onto the boat.
"Let's get back to Nora, guys. We can come back out tomorrow." Marti pouted a little but grudgingly got back onto the boat, George helping her back into the boat. The older four followed suit, all exhausted from swimming and playing in the lake. Taking down the flag, George got into the driver's seat. Going a little slower than he had on the way out, they headed back to the dock.
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