Let the drama begin!

Derek pulled up in front of the house. Getting out of the car, he ran around to the other side to help Casey out. She was starting to expand a bit. Of course, to him she looked perfect, but to her, well, she looked like a blimp.

It had been three weeks since they'd had their heart to heart. The best three weeks of Derek's life. He had talked to his Dad the next day, wanting him to pave the way to Nora before they sat down with them. George had said he really wasn't surprised. He said that he and Nora had even commented on the relationship that had been developing between them. They did admit to it being unconventional, but then the whole situation was rather unconventional in itself.

They had told their close friends and they had steadfastly stood beside them, but they hadn't felt the need to flaunt their relationship at school. It wasn't that they were keeping it from others; they just didn't care one way or the other if those insignificant people in their lives knew.

And to top it all off, tonight his team was playing for the championship. It was a goal that he had worked towards for four, long years. He would be playing before a sold out crowd in the biggest game of his life. The adrenaline was already pumping so fast through his body that he nearly dragged Casey up the stairs and into the house.

"Derek, if you haven't noticed, I'm really not up for running sprints at the moment," Casey said as she pulled her arm out of his grasp.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?" he said looking concerned. When she smiled and shook her head yes, he breathed in relief. "It's just that I'm so pumped for tonight. It seems like I've waited forever for this, and now I can't believe it's actually happening. And might I add, that with my good luck charm there," he said as he pulled her close, "there's absolutely no way I can lose."

She reached up to kiss his lips softly. "I think it has less to do with me and a lot more to do with your ability, but I'll take the complement."

Just as she was about to kiss him again when Nora came in and exclaimed, "You're home! Casey, I've been waiting for you to get here. You got some mail that I've wanted to open so badly. It's a letter from Boston College."

Casey immediately pulled away from Derek. "Really, where is it?"

"I laid it on the desk in your room."

Casey started up the stairs, Derek following closely behind. When she reached the letter she picked it up and closed her eyes. She knew that it didn't really matter what the letter said because she was resigned to the fact of going to the local university, but still she knew she'd be devastated if she didn't get in.

"Come on Case, open it," Derek urged.

Slowly as to not rip the envelope too badly she slowly opened it and pulled out the letter.

"Well?" Derek asked, growing impatient.

"I got in. They said that my application was very impressive and that there would probably be scholarship money available should I choose to attend there."

Derek pulled her into his arms once again. "That's great Case. You were accepted into your first choice. That's quite an honor."

"Yeah, big honor," she said dryly. "Listen, I'm tired. I think I'll lay down before the game tonight. Wake me up an hour before you're leaving and I'll get ready and ride down with you."

"Sounds like a plan! Listen, I really am proud of you. See, even people who've never met you can tell how special you are."

Derek gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead and turned and left the room. Yeah, real special, Casey thought to herself, so special I can't even go.

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They pulled up in front of the rink. Killing the car, Derek didn't move to get out. Casey looked at him waiting for him to move or say something, but it didn't happen.

Finally giving up on him she asked, "Are we sitting out here all night, or are we going to go in?"

He turned and grinned. "We're going in. It's just that, I don't know, it almost feels like I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Everything in my life is perfect. You know, you just wonder sometimes, is this too good to be true?"

"I know exactly what you mean. But take it from an expert, just go with the moment. Right now is all we have and who knows what the future will hold. We just have to take what's given to us and run with it. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. You've earned tonight. More than anyone that will be on the ice tonight, you've earned it. Now, I came hear to watch you win a championship, not get frostbite sitting in a parking lot."

She reached for her door, but Derek stopped her. "Listen, I know I tell you all the time, but I've got to do it again. I love you so much. This wouldn't mean anything, if I didn't have you here with me. I can't imagine experiencing anything without you anymore. It's like there isn't a Derek anymore. It's Derek and Casey. Well, actually it's Derek, Casey and baby," he said smiling as he reached over and placed his hand on her stomach. "All right, I'm shaking off the sentimental Derek. It's time for hockey Derek to take over. Let's get in there so I can smash some people."

Casey laughed and they walked into the arena hand in hand.

"Walk me to the locker room. I need my Casey fix for as long as I can get it," he said raising his eyebrows. Letting go of his hand, she shoved him playfully and was about to respond when Derek's coach came up.

"Derek, glad you're here. I want to show you something." He motioned for them to follow him to the arena where he pointed to a group of men sitting together close to the ice. "Those are representatives from the top six hockey universities in Canada and the United States. They're here to see one person tonight and that's you. I'm not trying to put any pressure on you, but they're already fighting over you. You play well tonight and you can name which school. Plus, playing for one of those schools, well you're almost guaranteed a career in the big leagues." The coach reached over and placed both his hands on Derek's shoulders, "The sky's the limit, Derek."

"Thanks coach," Derek managed to get out as the older man walked away.

Derek looked at Casey in awe. "Can you believe they're all here just to watch me play? I've dreamt about this my whole life and now, it's finally happening. Talk about pressure."

Casey could feel the knot forming in her stomach. "That's great Derek. I'm so happy for you, I really am. Listen, I'm going to go find a seat and let you get ready. Sheldon and Emily should be getting here and I told them we'd sit together."

She turned and began walking away, but Derek reached out and stopped her. "Hey, are you okay and what? No good luck kiss?"

Casey tried to put on her best happy face. "I'm fine, just nervous I guess. Come here," she said as she reached her hands behind his head and pulled him close. "Derek, you go out there and play like you've never played before. If anyone deserves to live out their dream, it's you. Show those university reps what they came to see." She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips, closing her eyes and lingering for a moment. She wanted to remember this forever, the love radiating from one to the other. Finally, she pulled away and wished him, "Good luck!"

Turning she began walking away. She already knew what she had to do, but it didn't make it any easier. She knew that Derek would get offers from each of those six schools and then when he realized that he would be leaving her, he'd turn them down. She knew he'd tell her hockey was hockey and that he could play it at the local university just as easily as at some high profile school, but she couldn't let him do that. He had given her life back to her and she wasn't about to take his away from him. And once again, her heart broke for what seemed like the millionth time in the last few months.

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Naturally they had won, seven to three. Derek of course had been named MVP, scoring five of the goals himself. Casey knew she had to go back there and see him, congratulate him. She had asked Emily to come with her and to please go along with whatever she had to say.

When they reached the locker room door Derek was standing outside, surrounded by the reps. Each one was taking their turn handing him their card, gushing over his play and telling him that they'd be getting in contact with him soon.

Casey stood in the background not wanting Derek to see her. She didn't want Derek to bring her into this. She didn't even want the reps to know that she was in the picture. Finally, they had all disbursed and Casey and Emily headed towards Derek.

Derek's eyes lit up when he saw Casey walking towards him. "Boy, did my good luck charm work her magic tonight, five goals and the MVP trophy. This calls for a celebration. Some of the guys are going out for pizza and then over to Sam's. Let me grab my coat and we'll head that way."

Before Derek could go back into the locker room, Casey stopped him. "Listen, I'm kind of tired and I'm not really up for a celebration, but I don't want you to miss out. Emily and Sheldon are going to drive me home."

"It's no big deal, I'll just tell Sam you're tired and that we're going home."

"No Derek, that's not what I said. Emily will take me home. Now, I want you to go out and have fun. You deserve it."

Derek looked at Casey quizzically. He knew something was wrong, he just couldn't figure it out. "Listen, really, it's no big deal, we'll…"

"What part of no don't you understand? I said, go, have a good time, you deserve it more than anyone I know." She smiled genuinely at those words. It was true, after everything he had helped her through, he deserved everything good that came his way.

Before he could reach her to give her a kiss she had turned and grabbed Emily by the arm and headed out of the arena. She just kept telling herself that she was doing the right thing and that somehow, someway she would have to find a way to live her life without Derek.