Chapter 24: Secrets
"Your turn, Daws." Derek said, sitting on the other side of the coffee table as they played Candyland.
"I've never played this game before."
"You've never played Candyland?"
"No."
"Okay...You're going to pick a card." Derek explained. "And whatever color or place is on the card...you're going to move your piece there."
"Blue." Dawsyn held up her card, her face still looking tired from the day before.
"Move your piece to the next blue square." Derek instructed.
"Okay." Dawsyn moved her piece.
"Do you want something to drink, kiddo?"
"No." The child replied. "I still have apple juice."
"Make sure you drink it all, okay?" Derek said, worried that she would become dehydrated again.
"I will." Dawsyn rolled her eyes.
"You're just like your mom." Derek laughed.
"That's what everyone says." She smiled.
"Because it's true."
"I know."
"Alright. My turn." Derek smiled, picking up a card from the game board.
"Why did you stay the night here the other night?"
"Why...What?"
"You spent the night the other night." Dawsyn sighed, taking another card.
"Because you were sick." Derek replied.
"Where did you sleep?"
"I um...The floor. I slept on the floor."
"You slept on the floor?" Dawsyn looked up, her piece in her hand. "Why didn't you sleep on the couch?"
"My back...I slept on the floor because my back hurt." Derek replied.
"That's weird."
"No it's not. The floor is good if your back hurts."
"It sounds uncomfortable."
"I had blankets."
"Whatever."
"Whatever." Derek laughed, picking up a card and then moving his piece up.
"When is my Mom getting home?" Dawsyn asked.
"She has to work until ten." Derek answered.
"Seriously?" Dawsyn frowned.
"Sorry."
"I'm surprised she didn't take the day off since you were here." Dawsyn replied.
"Why would she do that?" Derek asked.
"She gets all giggly and stupid around you." Dawsyn replied, moving her piece up on the colorful board.
"No she doesn't." Derek laughed, completely aware that it was true.
"Yeah she does."
"Oh really?"
"Duh."
"Duh." Derek repeated, imitating the little girl.
"Copycat."
"It's your turn."
"Right..." Dawsyn lifted a card.
"We can finish up this game and then it's your bedtime." Derek told her as she moved her piece closer to the end.
"I slept all morning."
"I know...But...Mom's rules."
"I could pretend to be asleep when she gets here." Dawsyn replied as Derek felt her head.
"You could...But you need your rest."
"Do I still have a fever?"
"You're still a little warm." Derek replied.
"You won."
"Bedtime."
"Oh Tickity tocks..."
"Do you want to sleep down here or in your bed?" Derek laughed, starting to put away the pieces of the game.
"This, coming from the doctor that slept on the floor?"
"I told you my back hurt." Derek helped her off the sofa.
"I still think that's weird." Dawsyn replied, handing Derek her juice. "The hard floor is comfier then the cushion couch just seems...weird."
"I'm weird."
"Yes you are." Dawsyn giggled tiredly.
"Okay kiddo." Derek laughed. "Let's go...Upstairs."
"Fine." She sighed dramatically.
"I can't have your Mom being mad at me for not getting you in bed on time."
"Why, do you want to kiss her and hug her?" Dawsyn teased, walking up the stairs.
"No...I don't..."
"Can you turn my light on?" Dawsyn said, walking into her bedroom.
"Sure." Derek replied, turning on the bedroom light as they walked inside.
"Will my Mom be here in the morning?" Dawsyn climbed into the bed.
"She sure will." Derek answered, covering her up with the blankets.
"Okay."
"I'll be downstairs if you need anything."
"Okay." Dawsyn coughed.
"Do you want some more juice?" Derek asked, kneeling next to the bed.
"No." Dawsyn shook her head.
"I almost forgot..." Derek smiled. "I have a secret to tell you before you go to sleep."
"What kind of secret?" Dawsyn asked, holding a stuffed bear close to her.
"A very very secret one."
"I'm eleven...I know what a secret is."
"You have to promise not to tell anybody. Not even your best friend."
"I tell Sadie everything."
"You can't tell her this."
"Okay...fine...just this once."
"Okay...Ready?"
"I'm ready." She yawned.
"You..." Derek smiled, knowing this would make her happy. "Are going to see the Jonas Brothers."
"Not anymore... Mommy grounded me."
"I know."
"So..."
"I'm taking you."
"You're taking me?" Dawsyn gasped beneath her covers. "How?"
"I bought the tickets from your Mom." Derek answered.
"You did?" Dawsyn's face lit up.
'I did."
"Derek! Thank you...thanks...thank you!" Dawsyn clapped her hands, holding them out for Derek to hug her.
"You're welcome." Derek laughed, leaning over, hugging her. "You can't tell your Mom."
"She would be so mad."
"That's why we're not telling her."
"I'll keep a secret...I'm really good at that!"
"Okay. Good." Derek smiled. "Now...Sleep."
"Okay...but can I get a poster at the concert? Please!"
"Sure."
"I'm so excited."
"Remember...no telling." Derek said. "I'll tell your Mom when it's time."
"Okay...but this is going to be the longest month and a half ever!"
"Goodnight Daws." Derek laughed, heading for the door.
"Goodnight Derek." Dawsyn shivered, watching as Derek shut the door.
I called it! I wonder how Meredith will react if or when she finds out...