Disclaimer: I don't own LWD :'(

The next morning, Casey woke up confused. She didn't remember going to bed the night before, so she figured that Derek must have put her to bed. She smiled to herself and got out of bed. She took a shower and called Derek to remind him that they were going Sam and Emily's for dinner and that they would meet there. After she hung up with him, she went to pick Jake up from her mom and George's.

She parked in the driveway and noticed Edwin getting out of his car at the same time. She got out herself and was heading for the house, she was used to not talking to Edwin.

"Casey! Wait!" Edwin called. Casey stopped and turned around slowly. She looked at him curiously. "Last night, I had a lot of time to think. And I realized that I was a jerk to you all of these years. I'm sorry." He said. Casey narrowed her eyes and stayed quiet for a moment before responding.

()()()()()()()()

"You what?"

"I just want this to be over and done with." Casey whined. She and Derek were in Sam and Emily's living room while they waited for their friends to bring in the drinks.

"Casey. Come on. Don't you have self respect?" Derek asked. Casey glared at him for a second, then rolled her eyes.

"What's going on?" Emily asked as she and Sam walked in with four glasses of iced tea. They set the glasses down and sat down across from their friends.

"Casey here," Derek pointed at her. "has forgiven Edwin already. After one day!"

"What is the big deal about this?" Casey sighed. She looked at Emily, who nodded to let her know that she agreed with her.

"Casey, he needs to suffer. After everything that he has put you and the rest of the family through."

Casey looked appalled. "Derek, we all already suffered. Even Edwin, believe it or not."

"Casey," Sam started. "I hate to say it, but Derek is right. Besides how do you know he's being sincere? I mean after six years of thinking he's right, he all of a sudden asks you to forgive him after his girlfriend threatened to practically dump him." He stated.

"Yes. Yes!" Derek exclaimed. "See? Sam is exactly right."

Emily glared at her husband. "Sam. You are not exactly helping."

"Ugh." Casey screeched. "I just want this stupidity to be behind us once and for all." She glared at Derek. "And if you really care about me, you will let this go." Then she got up and walked out of the room. Derek stared after her.

He looked at Sam and Emily. "Am I a complete jerk for wanting to punish Edwin?"

"Yes." "No." Emily and Sam said at the same time. Emily looked at Sam and rolled her eyes, then she looked at Derek seriously and said, "Look, Casey is right. You leaving hurt everyone, and it hurt Edwin almost as much as it hurt Casey and Marti. You're his big brother, he looked up to you. And sure he shouldn't have held Casey responsible for so long, but I don't blame him for needing to take his anger out on someone. Being a father, I would expect you to be a bit more understanding now."

Derek sighed and got up to find Casey. He found her in the bathroom with the door closed. He gently knocked on the door.

"Casey. I'm sorry. Please come out." He called. "I promise to let this thing with Edwin go. Just please come out." After a moment, the door finally opened and Casey walked out. She had red eyes and she was wiping her cheeks with a tissue. Derek wrapped his arms around her.

"Do you promise to be nice?" Casey asked as she looked up at him.

Derek hesitated. "I...I promise." Casey nodded and smiled. She and Derek went back to the living room.

()()()()()()()()

Later that evening, Derek decided to take Casey and Jake out for hot chocolate. Once they got their beverages, they decided to take a walk around a nearby park since it wasn't too cold outside. Across the street, Derek noticed an outdoor skating rink. Their were people skating around, but it wasn't too crowded.

"How about we go skating?" He asked as he motioned to the rink. Jake looked to the place his dad pointed out and got really excited.

"Yeah! Let's go!" He exclaimed happily.

"We don't have skates with us." Casey responded.

"Oh that's fine." Derek said. "We can rent skates." Casey looked skeptical.

"Come on mommy. Please?" Jake pleaded, showing off his best puppy face.

"Yeah. Please?" Derek imitated Jake's puppy face. Casey laughed at the site.

"Oh, alright. Let's go."

After getting their skates, the three of them sat on a nearby bench to put them on. They got up and made their way to the ice. But before Casey got on the ice, she grabbed Derek's arm.

"I have an embarrassing confession to make," She began. "I can't skate."

"Really?" Derek asked, a little surprised. "Is that why you always made excuses when I wanted to take you skating?" Casey nodded. "Well then. Now is the perfect time to learn." Casey's eyes widened in shock, but Derek ignored her and looked down at Jake. "Hey sport, will you help me teach your mom how to skate? I can't do it without you."

"Sure dad." Jake responded happily.

"Alright." Derek looked back at Casey. "Now let's get on the ice. Don't worry, you won't fall." He said when he sensed her panic, and then muttered to Jake. "At least not yet." Jake laughed. When Casey didn't move, Derek grabbed her hands and gently, but with a little force, pulled her onto the ice. She whimpered a bit but gave in.

"Casey, breathe. I'm not gonna let you fall." Derek promised. Casey looked into his eyes and could see that he was telling the truth. She finally relaxed a little. Derek held onto her hand while Jake grabbed his mom's other hand. They both led her further into the middle of the rink and stopped.

"Okay bud. I think I can take it from here. Why don't go and do something fun for a change." Derek said. He looked at Casey and winked. Once Jake skated away, Derek led Casey slowly around the rink. When she was about ot fall, he caught her waist and held her tightly against him. Derek looked into her eyes and was about to lean in to kiss her when he was interrupted.

"I'm sorry, but is that your son?" A girl that looked like she was about 14-years-old, pointed across the rink. Jake was on the ground beside another little boy, both crying.

"Here," Derek gave Casey's hand to the girl. "lead her over." He said and quickly skated over to Jake. When she knew she didn't need to worry too much with Derek around, Casey looked at the girl and smiled sheepishly.

Not being injured, Jake was on his feet in minutes and was back to skating around the rink. Casey tried her best to avoid a moment with Derek like the one they had earlier.

Later, Derek drove Casey and Jake home and promised to see them the next morning. After she put Jake to bed, Casey sat down on the couch and thought about the feelings that were coming back to her.

I'm thinking of bringing in a new character into the story and I need some help in choosing a name, so if you don't mind giving me ideas on female names. First and Last :)

R&R please...