Disclaimer: I don't own any of this- "Life with Derek" or "Don't Worry Baby" by Brian Wilson for the Beach Boys, or the movie "Clueless". My only profit is the fun I had writing this story.

Chapter 3- The First Dance

"Where are Casey and Derek?" Nora asked George anxiously. "Weren't they right behind us?"

George looked at his watch. "We left the house an hour ago. When I looked back, Derek was helping Casey into the car. They should have arrived right after we did."

"George, what if there was an accident?"

"Nora, I'm sure they're fine." George was silent for a minute, then took her hand and looked at her earnestly. "Nora, I think you should prepare yourself for something. I've sensed it all day- Derek and Casey are not only still attracted to each other, but I think it's very intense. From the way they were acting right before we left, I have a feeling that they're late because they are finally coming to an understanding with each other."

Nora was quiet for a minute, and then sighed. "I know, George. It was obvious as soon as they walked in the door. They may not have understood it when they were kids, and may not have realized it while they've been apart all of these years, but it's obvious that they are waking up to it now. George, what will we do?"

"Nora, there's nothing we CAN do. They're adults. It doesn't matter anymore that we're married if they get together. But I should tell you that I think they've both known the truth for a long time, they've just been in denial about it."

"Okay, you're right about their relationship. I think I've known for some time that they wouldn't be happy unless they were together. But I'm talking about tonight, George. This is where they grew up. Tonight could be uncomfortable, and it's Lizzie and Sean's night, and they deserve to be happy too."

George looked up as he saw Derek and Casey enter the room. "Well, they're here. We'll just have to trust them and hope everyone has a happy ending tonight."

Nora looked up to see Derek and Casey walking towards them. Casey had her arm in Derek's and they both wore very contented smiles, but that was the only evidence that there might be anything going on between them. That is, until they sat down at George and Nora's table.

"Dad, Nora, we need to tell you something. It's very important but I want you to know that we won't let it affect Lizzie's night. But it's important that you know right away…" Derek stopped and looked at Casey "…that I'm in love with Casey."

"And that I love Derek, too. We're going to be a couple." Casey interjected. "But we'll try to be discreet tonight, at least not too obvious. I know it's awkward, since we're stepsiblings, but.."

"Honey, that doesn't matter anymore." Nora put in quickly. "You're not telling us anything that we hadn't guessed already. It's okay, and I'm happy for both of you. But I do appreciate your discretion tonight. There are a lot of people here tonight who would be taken aback, and I'm glad that you're sensitive to that."

Derek sank his head down on the table with relief. "Thank God. You've no idea…I've tormented myself over this for years, and I was so afraid that you wouldn't support us. Not that we needed it, but we both wanted it." He looked up, took his dad's hand, and shook it. "Thanks, Dad…Nora."

George shook his son's hand firmly. "I know better than anyone how important it is to find the right woman, and spend your life making her happy. I'm proud of you, son, and I'm happy for you, too."

At that moment the concierge came over to the table and got Derek's attention. "Excuse me, Mr. Venturi, I just wanted to inform you that everything in your room has been taken care of as you requested."

Derek reached into his pocket and tipped the man. "Thank you."

When the concierge left them, Casey was blushing furiously and Derek smiled sheepishly at George and Nora. "I said we'd be discreet, but we did think it would be best for us to have some privacy tonight. I'm sure you understand."

George and Nora nodded blankly. "We'll be spending our nights here at the hotel until I return to Montreal on Sunday," said Casey. "But we'll be at the house with the family during the day. We'll tell the rest of them about this tomorrow, okay?"

"That sounds fine, dear. But are you sure…"

Casey pulled her mom aside. "Mom, I know it seems like this is happening too fast. Two hours ago I had no idea that Derek returned the feelings that I have for him. But Mom, we've loved each other for years. God knows we both fought it, but it's real, and it's forever. In fact, Derek's already mentioned the "M" word."

At that, Nora gasped, but Casey reassured her. "He hasn't officially proposed yet, Mom. But he will. And I'll accept. It's what we both want." Casey hugged her mother. "Mom, please be happy for me. It's the right thing for us. I can finally be glad that I'll never love anyone else the way I love Derek. I can finally stop pretending and be open with him."

Nora was crying, but smiling and laughing. "I am happy for you, Casey. I've prayed for years that you would both find your way back to each other. I always knew how it was."

Casey laughed. "Well, you know how I love Jane Austen, but didn't you ever wonder why my favorite movie has always been "Clueless" instead of one of the more accurate Austen movies?"

Nora laughed. "Of course I knew. I just always wondered if you did!"

Derek walked up at that point. "You're talking about chick flicks at a moment like this?"

Casey took his arm. "You know the one that I always tried to get you to watch with me?'

"The one that I never did?"

"Yeah, well, babe, you might have saved us a lot of lonely years if you had."

Derek groaned. "Don't tell me that. I just couldn't watch a mushy movie with you, I would have been too vulnerable."

Casey grinned wickedly. "Mushy movies make you vulnerable, eh? I'll keep that in mind."

Derek took her hand. "Speaking of being vulnerable, I did promise you a dance. Shall we?"

Casey adjusted his tie and let her hand rest on his chest, then looked him in the eyes. "Oh, yes."

Derek led her to the dance floor and took her in his arms as the music began to play.

"Oh, it's been building up inside of me for oh, I don't know how long.

I don't know why but I keep thinking something's bound to go wrong

But she looks in my eyes, and makes me realize and she says:

Don't worry baby, everything will turn out all right

Don't worry baby, don't worry baby."

It was the most intense moment of their lives- listening to lyrics of a song that said what their hearts and minds were thinking, knowing as their eyes never left the other's exactly what the other was thinking, holding each other and knowing but not able to physically act upon it yet…at least not in public…but maybe that just made the moment that much more special to them both anyway- the looks they gave each other told the story as much as touches and kisses, if not more. They belonged to each other and this was the first of many dances. They were inevitable, and all of the inequities in the universe, at that moment at least, seemed to have righted themselves.

AN: Please review!