Author's Note: Thanks for the great reviews! I have to comment that SteffieWeasley26 had an excellent idea that I post a version of this story in Derek's POV so we can all know what's going on in his head. I love the idea, and I may do it eventually (if anyone else wants to give it a try, feel free to!), but for now I've decided that the epilogue for this story will be in Derek's POV, since this story is almost over. Thanks again, Steffie, for the great idea! Okay, on to the story. Enjoy!
Apparently, "awhile" equaled two months later.
By then I was five months along, and wearing a huge sweatshirt to school everyday. I had quite a stomach then, but being so slender to begin with, my Mom said that I didn't look that big for five months along. Which was good, since I figured I could actually pull this whole thing off without the whole school knowing I was pregnant. I only had a week of school left.
So I was sitting at my desk at home, doing some history homework by myself, when I heard Mom call up to me, "Casey! Phone!"
I was puzzled. I didn't really have friends at school, so who would be calling me? I worked my way down the stairs, holding my stomach, and sat down on a chair. Mom smiled and handed me the phone. I gave her a strange look. What was she smiling about?
"Hello?" I asked into the phone.
"Hi, Casey," came a slightly timid reply. My jaw dropped at the sound of the voice on the other end of the line.
"Emily?" I asked, even though I knew it was her. I would never had expected her to call me in a million years.
"Yeah," she gave a nervous laugh. "I, uh, just wanted to apologize."
"No," I said quickly. "I mean, you have every right to be mad at me—"
"But I'm not," she interrupted. "At least, not anymore. I mean, yeah, Derek's hot, but there are plenty of other hot guys around here." She giggled. "Plus, I mean, you and Derek aren't that big of a surprise when you think about it."
I felt my cheeks heat up. "What?"
"Well, two good-looking, how do I put it… expressive teens living in the same house together? Something's bound to happen," I could hear a slightly teasing tone in her voice, something so Emily. "You took look cute together."
My cheeks burned then. "Oh, we're not together," I shook my head violently.
To tell the truth, I didn't know what we were. He was really into the baby. He even told it jokes and stories sometimes. He was very protective of me. He came into my room every night to say goodnight. We made out sometimes. We hadn't had sex in awhile, though. We almost did a few weeks ago, but Derek was paranoid about hurting the baby and didn't feel comfortable with it. I know, Derek turning down sex. I didn't know whether to find it endearing or take it personally.
He hadn't had one date, though, since I found out I was pregnant.
"Oh," Emily seemed surprised.
"Yeah," I said, feeling more than a bit awkward.
"So…do you feel like shopping tomorrow after school?"
I grinned. I had my friend back. "I'd love to."
We made plans and then chatted like old times. It was so nice. I hadn't realized just how much I had missed her. As soon as our conversation ended and I hung up the phone, Derek burst into the room.
"I passed! I got my driver's license!" he pumped his fists in the air triumphantly.
"Oh, congratulations," Mom went over and hugged him.
Derek grinned, pretty much on a high.
Then, I felt it. "Oh my gosh!" I gasped.
Mom and Derek both turned to me. I stood up, my hand on my stomach and I looked up at them in wonder.
"I just felt the baby kick," I breathed.
"Oh, honey!" Mom had tears in her eyes as she came over and hugged me tightly.
It had felt so strange. But wonderful, at the same time.
"It must have heard its daddy's voice," Mom said wisely as she released me.
I looked over at Derek, whose face held an expression of awe.
"Come here," I said to him softly.
He put his license on the table, the little card now completely forgotten, and sidled up against me. I took his hand and placed it on my growing belly.
"Talk to it," I encouraged.
Derek gave me an unsure look, but looked down at my stomach. "Hey buddy… your Mom and I are looking forward to you coming into the world. I'm going to teach you to be a little hockey player," he grinned. "Everyone else is looking forward to seeing you, too."
And it kicked.
Derek's eyes grew round and he stared up at me wordlessly. I smiled almost giddily.
"Wow…Case…" I had never seen Derek at a loss for words before. I searched his brown eyes, seeing a mixed of emotions, mostly complete awe. He pulled me gently into his arms, hugging me tightly.
"We're really going to be parents," he whispered into my ear, as if just truly realizing it.
I laughed, and looked over at my mother. She had tears running down her cheeks.
"Oh, Mom," I pulled away from Derek and went over to give her another tight hug.
"What's with the gushy hugging?" Edwin came into the room.
"The baby kicked," Derek said slowly, still processing it.
Edwin looked intrigued. "Whoa."
Mom wiped the tears from her eyes as we broke apart. "Edwin, go get your father and Lizzie for me, it's time for dinner." She gave my hand a squeeze before going to get dinner out of the oven. I glanced over at Derek. He still looked kind of dazed. I smiled, soundlessly pressing a kiss to his cheek and sitting down for dinner because I was starving.
Dinner was all talk about a baby shower (Marti was at her mother's house). Mom and Lizzie were going to throw one for me, they decided. I protested because I didn't have any friends that knew about my being pregnant, except for Emily of course. But Mom said she would just invite family. And Emily, too.
"It's females only, right?" George looked at his wife.
"Yes, plus the father," Mom nodded towards Derek.
George looked relieved but Derek looked a bit apprehensive.
"What do I have to do?" he asked.
I smiled gently at him. "Just help me open the presents."
"Presents?" Edwin suddenly became interested.
Mom smiled. "For the baby."
"Aw," Edwin said in a "shucks" tone of voice.
So, it was settled. Mom and Lizzie were going to coordinate a baby shower. I was glad I didn't have to do anything. But, of course, I was a bit nervous about what exactly Mom and Lizzie were going to plan.
That night, I couldn't sleep because my stomach kept rumbling. Apparently, the baby was hungry. Derek must have heard me up or something, because he came into my bedroom, which my Mom now made me keep open. She was getting a bit over-protective about the baby, I think, and felt better with my door opened. I didn't mind it, though.
"What are you doing up?" he asked. He was wearing his pajamas, but I could tell he hadn't fallen asleep yet. It was almost 1AM.
I sighed. "The baby wants food."
Derek smirked. "He's definitely a Venturi."
I rolled my eyes at him good-naturedly.
"What does he want?" he asked, becoming serious again.
"I don't know. I need to go look downstairs," I told him, moving over to the door where he was standing.
The two of us went into the kitchen, and I rummaged through the fridge. Nothing seemed appealing. I went through the freezer. Suddenly, I knew what I was craving.
"I wish there was ice cream," I pouted, shuffling through the practically empty freezer.
Derek sighed. "I'll go to the store," he grabbed his dad's car keys.
I raised my eyebrows. "You will?"
"'Course," he said. "Dad told me after dinner that I could use the car whenever I wanted now. Well, as long as he didn't need it. And I doubt he needs it at one in the morning."
I smiled sweetly at him. It was really nice of him.
"What kind? Mint chocolate chip?" he asked.
I grinned. He knew what I liked.
"I'll be back in a few," he told me with a wink.
"Wait, Derek," I said, walking over to him before he went outside.
"Yeah?" he looked at me expectantly.
Impulsively, I leaned over and gave him a deep kiss on the lips. When I pulled back, he looked surprised. I smiled. "Thanks, Derek."
He gave me a nod and a smirk back, and shut the door behind him.
Little did I know, that was almost the last time I would see him.