The holidays were just around the corner, as indicated by the Christmas music blasting through the speakers of the health food store. Casey didn't mind it, but as Derek pointed out, it was only November 3rd. The store had been a wonderful outlet for Casey's stress in the past several weeks. It was a routine that was beautifully organized into floor walking to ensure that the stock was arranged with the labels correctly facing forward and assisting customers with any questions or concerns. Casey had taken the manual home to thoroughly study and take notes of the products and their uses and benefits. She was particularly drawn to the vitamins and was always willing to jump on the free samples the sales reps would bring every Saturday. The health benefits and research made her consider possibly looking into being a doctor.
"Let's take it easy there, Case. You only just started university, and you have already changed your major twice." Derek said while munching on some All-Dressed chips. Casey snatched the bag away from him.
"I have not changed my major. It's still business. I am just debating on what could be my minor. There are just so many fascinating things to learn, and I don't want to make a mistake." Casey explained and ate a few of the wonderfully savory chips. Derek shoved his hand into the bag and took a messy fistful for himself, leaving a trail of crumbs in his wake.
"Der-rek. This couch barely survived the buffalo dip you spilled last week; now crumbs? If I get bugs, you will be stuck with the bill of getting an exterminator." Casey warned while dusting and collecting the chip fragments with her hands. Derek gave her a skeptical look.
"Why would you need an exterminator? Just get an old shoe and kill em as you see em," Derek said and toed off his shoes. He stretched and wiggled his toes beneath the dingy and sweaty socks he wore. Casey pinched her face.
"Not on the coffee table, please, and it doesn't smell like you are using the odor eater shoe balls I got you," Casey complained, and she slid farther away from him on the couch. Derek rolled his eyes.
"Look, Case. I am who I am. A slob and ruggedly handsome. It's all part of the package deal, and just because I love you doesn't mean I am going to use every flowery thing you get me." He said and swiped the chips bag back.
"The things I give you aren't flowery and-" She stopped as soon as what he had said sunk in. She stared at the man who was happily munching away while watching a survivalist show. He had just told her he loved her. Just like that. A two-second blip in a sentence. Casey had always imagined it would be during a romantic stroll in a park or at a beautiful dinner, but this made her stare open-mouthed at him. He felt her shocked gaze and looked over, still chewing, and asked, "What?"
"You just," Casey began and shook her head to clear her thoughts. "You just said you love me like it was the most normal thing in the world."
"Oh yeah, cuz it is." Derek reasoned. Casey just blinked at him, and so he sat up. "Casey, you are loud and passionate, and sometimes witty, and I love you. I know it's not the big romantic gesture you always dreamed of, but that's because this is real." He said with a smirk. Casey had to blink back the burn of tears at the back of her eyes. Derek yelped in panic.
"Jeez, I'm sorry. No tears, please." Derek said and was surprised to see Casey laughing."I am not crying because it's not the big romantic gesture. I just realized you might be right this time." She emphasized the last bit and leaned over to kiss him. "I love you too, and your slobbish, obnoxious, rugged handsomeness," Casey said with a sly smile.
"Hey, I never said 'Obnoxious,'" Derek protested but quickly gave up when Casey hooked a leg over his lap and straddled him. He kissed her deeply and mindfully wiped his fingers on his pants before running them through her hair. Casey hummed along to a catchy Christmas tune, still feeling lighter than air in knowing that Derek loved her.
"Aw, young love." An elderly patron commented as she saw Casey practically gliding through the aisles. Casey smiled and flushed a bit.
"Hello, ma'am, is there anything I can assist you with today?" Casey asked politely, and the woman took Casey's right hand and patted it affectionately.
"Oh no, sweetheart, I just came to get my usual kidney supplements, but you can just keep being in love. It's so beautiful, and not enough young people are aware of it." She encouraged and then turned back towards the registers. Casey smiled warmly at the woman. She hoped one day she would be a wise stranger telling young people to please keep on being in love.
"So, Casey, who is the lucky guy?" Came a familiar voice. Casey spun around to see her mother and George grinning from ear to ear. Casey felt a fresh swell of panic.
"H-hey. What are you guys doing here?" Casey asked while going to hug her parents.
"Well, Simon is old enough now that we can leave him at a sitter, and we thought to surprise you and Derek!" Nora explained, her grin never leaving her face.
"Oh, that's great!" Casey said with a plastic smile. This time away from home had been away for Casey and Derek to escape the past that tangled them in the labels of step-siblings. Now that past was coming in for a surprise visit, and Casey felt her newfound joy deflate.
Thank you all for your wonderful reviews and advice, and a special thank you to Lucy. I look forward to your reviews each Wednesday and appreciate the help in telling me the chapter posted with code.