AN: Alright, alright, so I'm an awful updater. Honestly, I don't even know why you are all still putting up with me but hey, definitely no complaints here. I am loving this story, and hoping to get to a really awesome part where I can just make time stand absolutely still so I can write it all out.
Unfortunately, I am in marching band, which consumes about 18 hours of my day. Horrible, I know. Especially having to work out in this 90 degree something heat everyday here in Texas. This Tropical Storm Erin gave us a lucky break with the thunderstorms though Nonetheless, my parents and I came to the ultimate decision that on Monday, I would be quitting band. I'm terrified to do so.
Disclaimer: Sometimes, at night, I dream I own the show. Then, I wake up and laugh at myself.
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"Can we go to the park?" Casey held her chin high, defiantly. Her voice was meek due to the lack of use. Her small frame stood before them, fearful courage glittering her eyes.
Derek's eyes skipped between Lizzie's and Casey's in a matter of seconds, his mind racing. He looked at her, had he not been taking care of her every day, he would never have guessed she was unstable. She wore a light pink and yellow sun dress, her hair done neatly, half up and half down- held with a small butterfly clip. He'd seen Lizzie in the outfit once before, before the accident, before Casey went into lock down.
"Awe, Case, sure!" Lizzie glanced at Derek once more before jumping from the sofa and going to take Casey's hand. Casey looked at Lizzie uneasily and smiled, then, turning her eyes back to Derek, she put her hand out before her.
"Case, we really don't have to go if you don't want to. If it's too soon or anything, we can sit inside, I can read you a book or something." Derek was shocked. He wondered if she was up to something.
A) She had never said a full sentence like this in almost 2 weeks.
B) She got dressed up, on her own, without any of their help. She was able to do her own hair and everything.
C) It didn't take her near as long as it used to to get ready as it did before the accident, but she still looked amazing.
Casey's chin rose again and she shook her head, reiterating her open hand by thrusting it up and down at him. Lizzie looked at Derek and nodded to him, hoping he would take Casey's hand.
Derek sighed and stood from the chair. He nodded at Lizzie without meeting her gaze.
"Alright, Case. Let's go." He smiled briefly taking her hand. As her grip tightened on it, she met his eyes and smiled broadly at him. His smile grew and he laughed a little.
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Derek looked back in the rear view mirror as he drove. Lizzie sat next to him in the passenger seat. He grimaced at the memory of Casey refusing to sit next to him.
Her eyes turned from happiness to utter fear as they tried to guide her into the seat. She had begun whimpering and turned into Derek's arms as Lizzie met his eyes, hopelessness filling them. They heard the sobs racking through Casey's body and Derek wrapped his arms around her, murmuring that everything would be okay. He had nodded his head towards the back door to Lizzie. She opened it and Derek slid Casey into the seat with ease. She hiccuped a few times, her tears subsiding, and still clung to Derek's hand as Lizzie buckled Casey in from the other side of the car. It was then silently decided that Liz would sit up front with him.
Derek watched as Casey's eyes danced at the images passing by. His apartment was close enough to walk to the park but they figured it would be easier to just drive with Casey, not wanting anything to set her off.
Finding the park, he pulled into one of the closest parking spots he could find. He looked in the rearview mirror once again before unbuckling himself. Lizzie was out the door and opening the back one when he realized that Casey's lips were moving, with nothing coming out of them. She looked unsure as she continued to move her mouth. It looked irregular, like she was concentrating on forming the incoherent words.
"You want to go on a walk, Casey? We can go on one of the shaded paths, maybe sit down on the grass for awhile." Lizzie spoke enthusiastically, hoping Casey would agree.
Casey nodded her head slightly, watching as Derek removed himself from the car. As Derek stood up and straightened himself out, he ran his hand through his hair. Feeling the cool breeze, he was thankful he had thought ahead and brought his leather jacket for Casey. Moving to the trunk, he opened it and pulled the jacket out. Moving to the other side of the car, he placed the jacket on Casey's shoulders. She froze before allowing Lizzie to help her arms go through the sleeves.
"Oh, Case. That jacket definitely looks good with your outfit today." Derek smirked at her as she grimaced at him and looked down at herself. Bringing her head back up, she smiled largely at him. He offered his right hand out to her, the ring on his middle finger catching the sunlight. Her eyes caught the sight of the ring and accepted his hand, placing her hand in front of her for Lizzie's. Lizzie smiled and grabbed the open hand.
"This is going to be so much fun, isn't it, Derek? Today is just so pretty. The perfect day to do this!" She laughed as Derek's eyes rolled and he nodded his head in agreement, smiling at her.
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They walked silently along the path, every so often Lizzie or Derek would murmur something to Casey or the other. Pointing at simple things, like squirrels and flowers, Casey would draw the attention of her company from their own thoughts to nature's greatest gifts.
They held each other's hand ever so carefully, making sure never to let go of Casey's. She would stop walking and stare up at the sky, or the trees that made a canopy above their heads, almost like they were in a forested home. The roof being the trees, the squirrels being their pets- as skittish as they may be, and every image surrounding them being their pictures, plastering the walls around them, never letting them forget this moment.
"Casey? Where would you like to stop and sit for a bit?" Derek broke the silence, but only speaking loudly enough for Casey and Lizzie to hear. Casey bit her lip and didn't answer. Just as they crossed over a small wooden bridge, where a small creek ran below their feet, she pointed at a spot. Derek's eyes followed her small finger and saw a clearing, lined with flowers. He looked back at her, her eyes filled with hope, and he nodded. Lizzie led them, and sat on the ground. She spread herself out, her elbows propping up her upper body as she let her legs lay in front of her.
Derek and Casey followed. He followed suit and laid down a small distance away from Lizzie. Casey stood, looking down at her two siblings. All three were silent for minutes. Just as Derek was about to nod off to sleep, a sound made him open his eyes and look around. Lizzie had done the same, and they both looked in front of them. Casey sat in her seemingly normal position, her knees were pressed against her chest and her arms were wrapped around her legs, holding them in place.
Casey stared into their eyes, and lowered her eyes.
"Thank you." She whispered, allowing a few tears to slip from the corners of her eyes.
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Lizzie had just left the apartment. She had to go back to her place, needing to do her neglected homework.
Derek cleared the table from dinner and washed the dishes quickly.
Casey sat on the couch in her pajamas, staring out the window watching the world pass by.
Derek, wiping his hands on a drying cloth, came to sit on the couch next to Casey, leaving a respectable distance between them. He felt the need to still give her space, just so she wouldn't be set off. He threw the cloth and propped his feet on the coffee table in front of the couch.
Casey moved slightly, removing the distance between them, and placed her head on his shoulder, his right arm wrapping around Casey's shoulders.
Derek smiled to himself as he joined her in watching people; businessmen and women, college students, families. All scurrying to their homes, to where they belonged. And at that moment, while Derek combed his fingers gently through Casey's hair, he realized where he belonged.
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As soon as Derek heard her, he remembered her in the car before she got out- when she was moving her mouth awkwardly, trying to form words. She was practicing talking? He was stunned. He watched her carefully, her hand never moving to wipe the stray tears that still donned on her cheek.
She met his eyes and slowly crawled to sit in between Lizzie and him. She smiled at Lizzie and waited for Lizzie to return the smile, before placing her head on her knees again, watching the water of the creek flow over the rocks.
Derek and Lizzie both lay back down on the soft, green grass below them. The clouds above them passed with ease, a slow, methodic rhythm. Once again, Derek's eyes began to drift close. He closed his eyes and listened to the wind blow through the trees, he listened to the babbling brook, he listened to the steady breathing of the girl sitting beside him. Suddenly, he felt slight pressure and weight being applied to his chest. He opened his eyes and glanced down. Casey had laid her head on his chest.
Casey lay on the soft, green grass below her, placing her head onto Derek's chest. The clouds above her passed with ease, a slow, methodic rhythm. She closed her eyes and listened to the wind blow through the trees, she listened to the babbling brook, she listened to the steady heartbeat of the boy lying beneath her.
Suddenly, she felt herself slightly falling.
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AN: This chapter was honestly the easiest chapter for me to write. I loved every second of it. As you can see, I made this one super long. I just really couldn't contain myself. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it.
I swear, I really do have the next chapter FINISHED. I am going to wait till tomorrow afternoon or evening to post it though.
Love love.
-Mari