AN: We are now in the present. Well sort of, this story starts off right when Derek is at Casey's door. So there isn't any confusion we're going through the closing scene of Chapter 2! I hope you're enjoying this fic and are understanding it! I've been waiting for a song that sang out for this chapter n' this was the one that caught my eye! Reviews are great!

Truly Madly Deeply

-I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy-

"What am I doing?" He thought to himself. "This is insane. What am I going to say? I don't even know what to say!" Derek's thoughts were bouncing around in his head so loudly he didn't seem to notice the door in front of him open to a very surprised Casey, holding her purse and keys.
Casey smiled at Derek weakly, she could feel her knees buckling as he gave her a small smile she'd never really seen. It amazed her that after all the things that had changed their lives so many times that he still had something new up his sleeve each time she saw him. "Hi Derek, I ummm I was just..." He put his fingers to her lips. What was there to say that she needed to? She'd always said it.

-I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need-

"Case there's so many things I've left unsaid the three years we've known each other. So many thoughts and feelings and words I wanted to tell you...but I never knew how." She stared at him, her mouth opening again before his eyes locked with hers. Causing her to lose all thought of what she could possibly say to him."I'm herre to tell you Case...that when I kissed you today...I felt it...from you for the first time in years...and I think you felt it to." Casey broke the gaze and looked at her feet.
"I did..." She said in a barely audible voice, yet he still heard her. He smiled slowly, she didn't see his smile.
"I hope so..." She looked up, tears coming from her eyes, leaving trails across her dry cheeks. He brought his thumb up and whiped a tear away.
"Derek what is it that you're here to do except say what you've already said?" Casey choked, unsure of how to word her question. Unsure if she wanted an answer. Positive she wanted him to stay. Her throat hurt from controlling the sobs she wanted to escape so badly.
"I want you Casey...I want you to love me, I want you know..." His hand rested on her cheek and neck, their faces inches apart. "That I love you." He whispered. She gasped.

-I love you more with every breaht, truly madly deeply do...I will be strong, I will be faithful cause I'm counting on a new beginning, a reason for living, a deeper meaning...yeah--

Taking his other hand Derek placed it on the small of her back, pulling her so close to him she could feel his breath against hers. Their eyes never leaving each other. -I wanna stand with you on a mountain.- Derek's lips met Casey's, the sparks flying. The kiss deepening, Caseys' arms finding his neck. -I wanna bathe with you in the sea.- Casey could taste both their tears in the kiss, Derek could only sense Casey's need and want for him. Her love and His love. -I want to lay like this forever- Derek's hand left Casey's face and also closed around her waist, pulling her in as close as she could get. The kiss still lasting. Their breath still holding. -Until the sky falls down on me.-

The two broke apart, their lips on fire from the passion of their kiss. His arms still around her waist, her hands on his chest. He'd said it. He'd told her. He'd announced it to her for the first time in three years. The heat and passion wasn't all they had, they had love that not many knew in real life. She smiled, biting her bottom lip. Unsure of how to say that she loved him back when he'd never listened before.
"I love you Derek Venturi." She said slow and quiet, letting it out before pressing her lips against his again.Derek smiled against her lips, the kiss holding so much more than a simple kiss for the two."And I always will." Casey finished as they broke the kiss. He winked at her and she lightly smacked him. There was so much they'd missed because of his fear. But then again they'd made it hadn't they? They had come so far from where they'd started. Two fifteen year olds forced under the same roof.
"Casey MacDonald...will you marry me?" He whispered in her ear, kissing her shoulder lightly, sending shivers through her spine.
"I will." She said simply as their lips met again. It'd taken three years. What was next?

-And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky, I'll make a wish, send it to heaven and make you want to cry-

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Brushing a strand of hair from her face Casey MacDonald stared intently at the pot of boiling pasta in front of her. Her nights hadn't been full of sleep, they'd been full of her, Derek,and Tracie...a family. The ring on her left ring finger sparkled, catching her eye once again. Admiring the small but beautiful gem she sighed. Derek Venturi...her Derek. She hated being sappy and she detested being unconstitutional in any way,but when it came to Derek it just seemed she couldn't help it. Whenever they were together it felt to her as if she'd walked into a very romantic movie or fairy tale. Never seeming truly realistic, which made her need to pinch herself. It was amazing to her that she was now living with Derek and Tracie under one roof, without their parents marrying to cause it. It truly shocked her. He'd said it. He said each and every time he saw her, as if he was attempting to make up for all the lost time. It made her smile just thinking about it as she stirred the pasta, her eyes not quite focusing as she listened to the sounds of Tracie's movie, Aladdin. Her heart fluttered at the sound of the front door opening...Derek.

-The tears of joy, for all the pleasure and the certainty, that we're surrounded by the highest power, in lonely hours the tears devour you-

Derek's eyes caught Casey turning around from cooking. She was wearing a simple pair of shorts, a tank top, and her hair was half up. He smiled at her with genuine love his eyes. His Casey. His. He couldn't get enough of it. Here they were, a tiny family living in a two bedroom apartment. He was amazed with himself, the way he'd told Casey he loved her, the way he proposed. What amazed him most is not once did she pull away or freak on him, she just loved him back. She loved him back. He set his backpack on the couch, kissed Tracie on the forhead and walked towards Casey, wrapping his arms around her waist as she turned around once again to stir the pasta, settling his chin on her shoulder.
"Fluffy love stuff," He whispered in her ear. She smiled. "I love you..." He purred in her ear. She never understood his necissity to say fluffy love stuff or how he had seemed to turn from emotion switch off to emotion switch on high. But she didn't mind. She nuzzled her head against his in response. Silence. It was a game and she laughed inside. "Case...I really do..." He said, kissing her neck and ear. "I want to marry you and make more beautiful kids with you.." He smiled against her neck as he kissed it. Casey was getting it too. Turning around she smiled and pressed her lips to his, his arms enclosing her waist.

-I want to stand with you on a mountain, I want to bathe with you in the sea,-

The two pulled away, wrapped in each others' arms, in each other's warmth. Casey basked in the warmth that was her fiancee. The plans for the wedding were set. The wedding was in a week. Their close family was coming, including Casey's real father and Derek's real mother. They were shocked at their quick response to the invitations, but none the less happy. For the time being at that.
"Tracie baby, dinners ready." Casey smiled and pecked Derek on the cheek and neck before she set a plate on the bar, Tracie climbed upon the stool.
"Just butter and salt right?" Tracie asked delightedly with a toothy grin. Derek ruffled her hair, she may have been a girl but she was her daddy's and for the two of them that was affection.
"Always and forever," He said.
-I want to lay like this forever, Until the sky falls down on me-

"Daddy do you love mommy now?" Tracie asked with her mouth full. Derek placed his hands around Casey's waist, both of them facing their daughter.
"Always and forever babe." He said kissing Casey and staring a Tracie afterwards who had made a little grimace face that still could not hide her smile.
"Good cause I can't wait to wear my pretty purple dress!" Tracie exclaimed excitedly, the parents had to laugh at the Marti side of their daughter.
"Always and forever babe." Derek whispered into Casey's ear. She squeezed his hand and smiled.

-Oh can't you see it baby? You don't have to close your eyes, Cause it's standing right before you, all that you need will surely come-

Casey's eyes closed with ease. Her baby girl was safely sleeping in her bed. Derek's arms were wrapped around her waist and her world was at peace. It had been this way each night for three weeks. Fast for a wedding planned and an engagement announced. But neither of them were about to wait any longer than they had to in order to belong to each other and only each other. Athought...it seemed they always had and always would, no matter what a little piece of paper.
"I love you baby, forever." Derek whispered into Casey's ear, kissing her softly yet passionatly on the lips. She melted and wrapped her arms around his neck with ease, it fit so perfectly.

-I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy-

The night was calm although New York stayed up late Casey lay happily in the arms of her one true love, her other half...Derek Venturi. Casey Venturi had an interesting ring to it and Casey couldn't wait for it to be permanent. Her heart was in everything that involved Derek. Her heart was in everything in her life right now. With a deep sigh she snuggled closer to the naked body of Derek. His scent sending shivers down her spine as they fell asleep.

-I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, I'll be everything that you need-

Staring at the naked figure in front of him, covered in sheets and sleeping peacefully against him Derek couldn't think of anything in the world more amazing. He was in awe of this woman in his arms. Her smell of peaches and cream overwhelmed as he kissed her neck and ran his fingers up and down her back. Only a week until she shared his name, only a week til they could say forever. He smiled against her skin and pulled her sleeping figure closer, sleep overcoming him. Dreams of his wedding, his little girl in a bouncing dress handed down by her aunt, and his beautiful bride surprising him with her gown. He knew it would be amazing.

-I'll love you more with every breath, truly madly deeply do...-

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tbc