Disclaimer: I do not own Life With Derek.

Author's Note: Thank you guys, who've reviewed. You all make me sooo happy, it's not even funny. lol Luckily, I'm not one of those people who are like: REVIEW OR NO UPDATES. ...because its worth it too write, even if I have a few readers. Thank you, dahlings.

Chapter Ten

I made my way back to Canada. Only on that trip down did I really realize how popular, famous, I really was. "Derek! Derek!" I heard so many fangirls, and I think some fanboys cry out to me. I bitterly signed autographs for them. It had taken me a while to track down my family, but all that hard work was un-needed, they lived in the same house they had always lived in.

The walk up the driveway and to the door was the longest walk I've ever had to face. I had on a long, black leather trenchcoat, sunglasses, and a hat. I looked like I had walked out of a Sherlock Holmes book, as Sherlock Holmes. Well, kind've. I rang the doorbell. Nora answered. "Derek?" she muttered and dropped a glass cup she was holding in her hand.

I took off my glasses and looked her in the eye. "Hey, Nora."

She fell into my arms in a faint. I had ended up laying Nora down on the couch, draping a cold towel over her head. My father, George walked into the room minutes later.

"Derek?" he eyed me over to make sure I really was. "Derek, my son." He raced over to me and hugged me tightly.

"Hi, Dad. Can't breathe."

"Sorry, Derek. What happened... to Nora?"

"She fainted when she saw me, like most of my fans do," I laughed, but the joke wasn't funny for my dad. "So, uhm, where's Casey? I'd like to see her."

"She moved out," George said, "after school with her daughter. Some prick got her pregnant, I swear when I get my hands on him..."

I winced. "Easy, tiger," I whispered.

"Hey, dad, have you seen my-" it was Edwin. He was tall, his hair a black mess, and he was surprisingly muscular.

"Edwin? Is that you?" I smiled, "Come down here."

"Derek? Oh man! This is so cool! I have a ton of friends that want to meet you."

"Yeah, Edwin, that's nice, but I don't want to meet fans. Come give me a hug." Edwin raced down and hugged me. When did he get stronger than me? His hug was too tight.

"Wow," I laughed and punched his shoulder. "I've missed you. Last time I saw you, you were sixteen. You've grown, a lot."

"We missed you, I'd be lying to say otherwise," Edwin muttered, he looked just as surprised as everyone else to see me. ...but then again, who wouldn't?

"Where's Lizzie and Marti?"

"Lizzie is picking Marti up from school," George said, ruffling my hair. "I wish you hadn't left."

"Well," I smirked, "I have this for you." I handed him a check for $100,000. "For all the days you raised me."

George's eyes widened. "Derek, this is a lot of money."

"Dad, I have a lot of money. I can afford to give a lot to you."

xxxx

I was in my room, flipping through old comic books I had found under my bed. "Derek?" the door opened slowly. "Why didn't you return our calls?"

It was my dad. I shrugged. "I was busy, scared. I had run away from home. Thought you'd yell. I don't know."

"We just missed you."

"Yeah," I muttered, "I missed you guys too. I guess."

He walked over and sat next to me on my bed. I pretended to still be reading my comic. "How long are you staying?"

"I'm not sure." I shrugged, still looking at my comic.

"Well, Casey is coming over Friday night for dinner. If you want to see her."

I looked at him and smiled. "Alright, thanks dad."

He nodded and stood up. "I'll let you read, you seem pretty engrossed in that comic." He left my room. Everything was so awkward between everyone. We could hardly face each other. Casey was going to be here in two days. Should I wait? Should I get a glimpse of my... was it a girl? That's what my dad had said. What was her name? Did she look like me or her mother? My stomach did a flip. I wouldn't lie that I was a bit excited.

All night my cell phone rang like it was off the hook. My voicemail was full of people wondering where I was, inviting me to parties, some financial stuff, I just rolled my eyes and turned my phone off. I liked this feeling of people not knowing where I was. As long as Edwin, Lizzie, or Marti didn't say anything. Well, I hadn't even seen Lizzie or Marti yet. Marti would be twelve now. Where did the time go? I snuggled into my blankets, they still smelled the same way I remembered them. I swore I still could smell a hint of Casey's perfume, but it may've been my imagination.

The next morning I saw Marti.

"Smarti?!" I laughed and she ran and hugged me.

"Marti, Derek. I'm too old for those names." She stood up and placed her hands on her hips, matter-of-factly.

"You'll still be my Smarti," I whispered and ruffled her hair.

Despite her stubborn-ness, I knew she was happy to see me. She gave me a smirk of her own before sitting down at the table for breakfast. I inhaled sharply and sat down next to her. I tapped my fingers on the table, I wasn't very hungry, but Nora insisted she make a huge, feast-like breakfast for me. Nora was in the kitchen and Marti had her head on the table. Edwin was drinking a protein shake and then heading off to work. He was ten times the jock I had ever dreamed of being. Not only did he still play hockey and soccer, but football and he has a scholarship. I was proud of Edwin.

Then, there was Lizzie. She was rushing down the stairs in a pink miniskirt, a white cami, a jean jacket, and pink flipflops. Her hair was long and brown with a touch of blonde highlights. Her tomboy stage was over? She looked a bit like Casey, but apart of Lizzie took my breath away. She flipped her hair and then stared me in the eye. "Derek?" she whispered. I stood up and she tackled me with a hug. "You broke Casey's heart."

I nodded and pulled Lizzie away from the embrace. "I know."

"I know the baby is your's," she whispered in my ear, "but its okay. I've kept your guys' secret."

"Thanks," I said.

Lizzie smiled and spun on her heel and sat at the table.

"Hey, Liz," I said quietly, "you got really pretty."

Lizzie nodded, "I know Derek. ...but I'm not like Casey. I'm not going to fall for you because you compliment me."

"Casey wasn't like that either," I added. ...and she wasn't. Casey and mine's relationship was just different. We were confused about eachother.

"Hey, Lizzie. Does that whole thing... still, you know... get you down?"

Lizzie shook her head. "I'm over it Derek, you can't let things get you down." She winked at me. I remembered saying that to her.

"Were you and Edwin ever like me and Casey?"

Lizzie shook her head. "We kissed once, a long time ago, then we realized we were just good friends. Did you know Edwin is engaged?" She laughed, "It's a secret though. You see, George hates the girl. Thinks she's too obnoxious. Seeing though, as you've kept the secrets about you and Casey you can keep a secret about Edwin."

I nodded, "God knows that."

"By the way, George told Casey you're going to be here Friday."

I paused. "What did she say to that?"

"Nothing. She said she's still coming."

I sighed with relief. "Good. I think me and her need to talk."

"You're probably right."

xxxx

Friday night was as awkward as ever. I was shaking and sweating, I closed my eyes tightly. I was going to meet a little person that was my own flesh and blood. She would be... how old? Two and a half? Would she like me? Does she know me as her father? I could feel the blood racing in my veins. I was Derek Venturi, I was famous, every girl wanted me, I was rich, and I had a kid. What would the press say when they found out about this? Wait, was I really thinking about this? Was I more worried about my reputation than my own step-sister, her feelings and my kid?

I ran my hand through my hair. I jumped when I heard the doorbell ring. I debated sneaking out the window, but I wasn't juvenille anymore. I had to face my past. I had to face everything I had ever feared in my life... and that thing was Casey.

I heard chattering downstairs as I opened my once bedroom door and stepped out into the hall. I started down the stairs. I was halfway down when I made eye contact with Casey. I waved slowly. "Hi," was the only thing that escaped my lips.

Then I heard another voice. "Oh my gosh! No way! You're Derek Venturi! My kid sister loves you. I knew that Casey's family was Venturi's and that she had a step-brother, but I never knew that you were the Derek Venturi! This is so cool. Can I have an autograph maybe?" The man grabbed a piece of paper out of his pocket and then wrapped his arms around Casey's waist and kissed her cheek. "This is so cool, baby," he whispered in her ear. My heart sunk, but I could understand how she could've moved on from me. In a way, so did I. How many girls have I slept with since I had become somewhat of an idol? Yeah, I couldn't count. Casey probably thought of herself as another notch on my belt as sad as it was, in a way she was correct. The more I thought about it, the more I figured, I had cared for her a long time ago, and the only reason I felt this way was because of the history together... and maybe for the fact that Casey had been my first love. Maybe the only girl I've ever loved. That was three years ago, and I had to face that a lot of that wasn't there anymore. So, I focused back on her boyfriend's question.

I sighed. "Yeah, I'm the one, the only. I'll be pleased to give you my autograph."

"Maggie is going to love this so much. Thank you."

I nodded and continued downstairs.

"Mommy?" the voice was so little, so quiet, and so high pitched. My heart raced. A little bundle sat up on the couch and looked around.

Casey looked over at me as she walked over to the little girl. "Hey baby," Casey cooed at the little girl and picked her up. Surprisingly, she looked like me, my mouth, nose, but she had Casey's blue eyes, the same kindness and beauty that Casey had showed in them. The girl's hair was dark, like Nora's color, but her hair was long and had the most gorgeous little ringlet curls. "Meet Uncle Derek." Casey said, the girl in her arms as she walked over to me.

Uncle Derek. The words hit me hard, maybe it was best if that's the only way this child knew me. Maybe I was never meant to father this child.

"Hi," I muttered and poked her nose. The girl giggled.

"Her name is Daphne," Casey said looking me in the eye. "Too bad her father was never around for her." The last words were like a stab in the chest, funny, because I think they were supposed to be.

"Some guys are just pricks," Casey's boyfriend added and then extended his hand for me to shake. "I'm Kent Torell by the way. Pleased to meet you Mr. Venturi. Its such an honor."

I nodded and signed his paper for him. Wow, this was going to be a long night. I turned my attention back to Daphne. "Can I hold her, Casey?"

Casey nodded, I think against her better judgement, she understood. I could tell she was the same old Casey I'd always known. She handed Daphne to me and I just smiled. "Hey there, cutie." Memories of holding Marti came rushing back to me. The same with Rebecca. I stared at Daphne and smiled. She giggled and hugged me tight around the neck. I could see Casey with her arms crossed and a half-smile on her face.

"Au natural," she whispered, barely audible, but I heard it anyways.