Disclaimer: I do not own Life With Derek.

Author's Note: This is the last chapter and its very short, sadly. I'd've made it longer, but I think it sums up everything, and there's not much more I could've added.

Chapter Thirteen

Now, I'm twenty-six. I'm happily married to one Lizzie MacDonald, now Lizzie Venturi. I'm still in my band, and we're still on top of the world. Daphne is seven and a half, and I have two more lovely, daughters. Magedelena and Isabelle, they're twins, and only a few years old. I've spun my life in a different direction. I won't lie, I am extremely happy. ...but my mind often drifts off to Casey. I go with my family and we visit her gravesite on her birthday and on Daphne's.

I miss Casey. One should never have to die so young and on such terrible terms.

So, that's where I am now, on Casey's what would be twenty-sixth birthday. My heart is pounding in my chest. How long have I been standing there? I could almost feel the hard Earth pounding beneath my feet. It had been my fault, all my fault and I would never let myself live it down. I had to live with it every day, and sadly, because it was my fault, my mistake. Casey had died, because of me? I had hurt her so bad. Everytime I saw her grave, I cried. Not just for her, for me, our family, our daughter, and how much her life could've been different.

Daphne laid a single rose by Casey's tombstone. My heart went out to her and she grabbed my hand. "For mommy," she said, quietly.

"For mommy," I repeated.

Lizzie wiped a tear from her eye and looked down at the ground. They had been best friends, long ago. I chewed on my lip.

I thought back on my record deal, that I did for fame and fortune.

I thought about my gigs and my struggle to the top, that I did for glory and success.

I thought about how much of a player I had once been and the parties, that I did for fun.

I thought about the drugs, that I did for distraction.

None of this would've ever happened if it hadn't been for Casey. I smirked, I wish she were still here. I think we all needed her. It meant something to me, something big that she called me before she killed herself. Was I the last thing on her mind? Did she regret me? I inhaled sharply and squeezed Daphne's hand.

I may've ruined Casey's life, but she made mine worth living, even in death.

I looked over at Lizzie holding tightly onto Maggie and Belle and then I glanced down at little Daphne, she stared up into my eyes and smiled. I smiled back and then though, this, this is what I did for love.

Fin.