Disclaimer: I do not own the song Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now by The Starting Line (yes I know it's a remake)
Chapter 6
-Looking in your eyes, I see paradise, this world that I found is too good to be true-
The morning was bright and surprisingly the sounds of birds chirping overwhelmed the sounds of the bustling city below the Venturi family. The family whose wedding was in two hours and yet all three remained in bed. Derek's eyes flickered open to see Casey smiling at him, her eyes connecting with his.
"Morning beautiful," He said, she smiled wider and pressed her lips to his. Pouring her heart into the kiss.
"Morning," She whispered, running her fingers down the side of his face and smiled contentedly as he gripped her hand in his and kissed it. Looking at the clock she side and gently crashed their lips together once more. Two hours was barely enough time but in this family they were used to it. Five minutes was a luxury many mornings. Casey giggled.
"What?" He asked, sitting up and revealing the six pack he'd worked so hard to achieve. Something she realized he hadn't had when they were sixteen, she sighed.
"I was thinking about how Tracie is going to be a mini Marti today." She said, kneeling behind Derek, putting her arms around his waist, her chin on his shoulder. He kissed her cheek.
"Sadly...it's so true. And her aunt's only nine, only a SIX year gap." He said. Casey laughed and jumped out of bed, throwing a pair of jeans at Derek.
"Let's go babe, we have to be there to meet the family in half an hour," She said, switching from her pajama bottoms to jeans. He threw his pants on and wrapped his arms around her bare waist, kissing her shoulder and neck as she unfolded a tank top. "Oh, babe we'll never get out of here if you keep doing that." He smiled against her soft skin and grasped her ring finger which held the diamond on it.
"Two more hours." He whispered into her ear, kissed her cheek and headed to the bathroom for a shave. Casey stayed back in the room for a moment going over her reflection in the mirror.
-Standing here beside you, I want so much to give you this love in my heart that I'm feeling for you-
Casey let out a small sigh as she contemplated the image that reflected herself. Gently she pulled her silky brown hair into a ponytail, something that would tie her over until she reached her mother's capable hands. She may have been a basket case when it had been her aunt's wedding, but she and her mother had matured, as had Lizzie. She was in good hands. Casey stared at the ring once more, watching it glint in the light that was capturing it just right. A smiling spread across her lips.
"Mommy!" Tracie shrieked running into her room. Casey chuckled at her daughter who had her purple dress pressed tightly against her chest.
"What is it baby?" She asked, picking up the three year old and balancing her on the hip as she walked down the hallway to look for socks in the laundry basket. Tracie held the dress up in her mom's face, Casey blowing bits of the skirt away.
"Can I wear it yet?" She asked, determination to wear her dress now clearly in her dress. Casey shook her head and set her daughter on the couch as she searched for a pair of clean socks.
"Not yet baby, go get your clothes on and give mommy the dress." She said to her very capable three year old. With a frown on her face Tracie hopped off the couch, leaving the dress behind and ran down the hall.
"DADDY!" Tracie screeched, Casey shook her head with a laugh. Derek would have a hard time saying no to his baby girl. With that last thought Casey smiled at the realization that in only two hours, which wasn't very long, she would be Casey Venturi...and her world would be complete.
-Let them say we're crazy, I don't care about that. Put your hand in my hand baby don't ever look back-
Humming the bars to the song Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now Derek walked into the hallway, only to be met by a shrieking Tracie. He smiled at her as he realized Casey wasn't letting their daughter where her purple dress just yet, he smirked at her.
"Lil T, no dress, not yet, go get your cat t-shirt and whatever pants you want and we'll get dressed thought ok?" Tracie stopped in the hallway and hugged her dad around the neck, as he had knelt down to her eye level.
"Otay," She said, bouncing off to her room. Leaving her father to smirk at his fiancee, Derek 1, Casey 0 for the day. Casey simply rolled her eyes and slipped her tennis shoes on, the dress in one hand, a coffee cup in the other.
"We're going to be SO late." She said with exasperation. He smiled and kissed her on the forhead, stealing a sip of her coffee and putting his own shoes on. Casey threw a t-shirt at him. "You're too sexy to be wearing no shirt." She gave him his own smirk back at him and called for Tracie who dashed into the room with her pants on backwards and her t-shirt on perfectly. The parents stifled their laughter while Derek swung her onto his shoulders, they left. Headed for their wedding.
-Let the world around us just fall apart, maybe we can make it if we're heart to heart-
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-And we can build this thing together, stand in stone forever, nothing's gonna stop us now-
The girls bathroom was in chaos. Marti had been put in charge of her mini twin as she seemed to be the one most likely to be able to control the little girl. Casey had almost laughed out loud at the thought, Marti barely had control of herself but atleast she'd grown out of her beloved belief that she was a feline.
"Mom!" Lizzie cried as she realized she'd caught her dresses fabric in the zipper. Casey dashed over in her heels and white dress to catch her sister before she tripped in frusteration. The problem was solved and Casey returned to her chair so that her hair could be finished. In a half hours time she would be Mrs. Derek Venturi, she smiled.
Nora Venturi stared at her daughter with admiration. She'd known what it had done to her daughter to lose Derek when she was sixteen, and over such a thing. Nora had to say they'd grown up and they'd raised their daughter well and continued to do so. Casey's dress was pure white, strapless and flowed effortlessly. It was around her, the train was beautiful and her half brother's, Damien and Jason, from her father were carrying it. Nora had been impressed, Andrew had decided to come to his daughter's wedding. Nora had been sure that it was futile to invite him because he would make some pathetic excuse. Nora had been sure it would be just like when she was married to the man, pointless to try. She smiled wider and ran a hand down her daughters arm with motherly affection. She could see tears glistening in her eyes as well.
"Oh mom..." She said with a smile as the tears attempted to pour out, Casey stopped herself. Mascara smears at a wedding, no no. She smiled at her mom and hugged her.
"I thought you and Derek would never figure each other out," Nora said smiling and hugging her first born child back, she didn't know why it'd taken Derek so long. But Nora had been the only one who knew how far his love went from that first day.
"I love him so much mom...thank you." She said squeezing her mother's hand in her own. Her mom nodded and pushed back a few tears of her own that were popping up. Lizzie stood up and joined the two, staring in awe at her sisters hair. Casey's hair had been curled and twisted up, but the curls still fell everywhere. It was so elegant, angelic even. Lizzie sighed, she knew her sister was gorgeous...but today she brought a whole new meaning to the world.
"Perfect Case, you're perfect." Marti and Tracie entered the room her their matching lilac dress with Tracie's basket of flowers.
"You first little princess." Casey said, pecking her daughter on the top of her head and pushing her gently through the door as her small group settled in their seats, through the crack she saw Derek.
-And if this world runs out of lovers we'll still have each other, nothing's gonna stop us, nothing's gonna stop us now-
Derek's heart lept and attempted to jump out of his throat as he stood in front of all the people. His mother was dressed in an almost too elegant white gown, Derek knew it was one of her many tactics to be above the rest, he snickered to himself. His mother was not the one he would be seeing today, it would be Casey. The most fantastic woman he could have ever met. He smiled. Then the doors opened and his heart did another little flip. Tracie looked perfect like an angel as she skipped down the isle, flowers flying in all directions like there was no tomorrow. He had to face it, his three year old daughter was in heaven.
Marti and Lizzie came out next, Lizzie was on the arm of Edwin, the two sixteen year olds looked so grown up. Derek was taken aback as he saw how careful Edwin was being with Lizzie. And Lizzie...well Derek had never seen her with make up but she fit it perfectly, her lilac and white strapless dress fit her figure and matched Edwin's suit. Derek saw chemistry and he was sure that he and Casey were the only ones who were seeing it. He smiled and nodded at his brother, whose hand slapped his shoulder and squeezed, a smile and nod of approval as he stood behind his brother next to his father. The best man was also walking the bride down the isle, this had been Casey's major thing.
Next came Marti and Nora, their dresses matched to the T save the size difference, each wore a smile that he hadn't seen before. Almost a smile of it's about time. Marti took a leap at the end and hugged her brother, he hugged her back as she placed a kiss on his cheek. Then the doors opened wide. Nora, Marti, and Lizzie were in place with their small bouquets, Edwin and his father behind him. Lizzie playing the maid of honor as well as the one who had to go after Tracie for that was how Casey planned things, just a little different.
And there behind those doors was Casey in all her glory. Her white. On the arm of Sam she walked to the music, the slowness filling the room as she took each step. Her eyes connecting with Derek's she didnt look at anything besides him, his eyes holding her, pulling her to the destination. I didn't know I could love someone so much until now. Casey and Derek both thought at the same time, her feet moved and Sam held her arm to him, he knew the chemistry to the two, he knew they were soul mates. Meant to be. And he knew that Casey had wanted him to be the one to walk her down the isle because he had been the only one who knew. Emily had refused to come to the wedding, she was with Sam but seeing her long time obsession marry the friend who moved wasn't on her to do list. Casey smiled at Derek, recieving one in return. She loved him and he loved her, they were perfect.
-I'm so glad I found you, I'm not gonna lose you, whatever it takes to stay here with you, whatever it takes is what I'm gonna do-
Sam and Casey reached the pulpit, reached Derek. Taking both her hands in his Sam held Casey's gaze for a moment before kissing her on the forhead.
"You reached him, you've got him." He winked at her and let her hands go, taking his place behind Derek next to the other two men in their lives. She smiled, sniffled back a tear and took Derek's outstretched hand.
"I love you," She whispered to him as they were asked to face each other. Never breaking their eye contact.
"I love you so so much," He whispered back to her, she stifled a giggle as they played their game. She realized they should be listening to all that the priest was saying, neither of them heard a word of it.
-Let them say we're crazy, what do they know? Put your arms around me baby don't ever let go-
The two were pulled out of their game when the priest asked "Do you Derek Anthony Venturi take Casey Roxanne MacDonald to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold..." Derek cut him off.
"I do, now and for eternity." He smiled at Casey, tears filling her eyes as she took in the words.
"And do you.." Casey too cut him off.
"Always and forever, I do." She said. Derek smiled widely at her and winked at her, she stifled yet another giggle. They weren't being very "professional wedding-like" and they knew it, making it all the better.
"I now pronounce you Husband and Wife you may now," Derek dropped Casey's hands and wrapped them around her waist, pulling her into a passionate kiss, tasting her. She dropped her bouquet, throwing her arms around his neck. "Man and Wife," The priest huffed a bit and snapped his bible shut, rolling his eyes. The only thoughts going through his mind was that he was glad he was getting paid for performing this ceremony on such a rebellious couple. The crowd stood and applauded. The two seperated, Casey laughed and wiped some lipstick from the side of Derek's lips and kissed him again, only to wipe away more. Tracie dashed at her parents, leaping into her father's outstretched arms.
"Family together forever?" Tracie asked excitedly. They nodded at her.
"Forever and ever babes," Derek said, kissing Tracie on the forhead and Casey's lips, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling him to her. The cameras began snapping.
-Let the world around us just fall apart, baby we can make if we're heart to heart-
The reception went off without a hitch. The newlyweds got a bit more into their cake smashing then necissary but nonetheless it was what they wanted. The dancing was amazing, the music fantastic. Lizzie and Edwin danced much of the night, talking it away, not realizing the photographs that were being taken at the time. Tracie spent much of her time following Marti around as the two planned what they were going to do together while her parents were away on their honeymoon. Tracie herself had no issures staying with her grandparents and aunts and uncles. She loved it. Derek smiled at Casey and took her hand, wrapping one arm around her waist, holding her hand tightly he led her across the dance floor.
"Mrs. Venturi," He said to her, receiving a million dollar smile.
"Yes?" She asked as he spun her once, her dress flowing.
"I do believe I'm in love with you." He said, kissing her on the lips as they danced.
"Oh dear, what will my husband say?" She giggled, he kissed her cheek and pulled her closer.
"He'd say, do you love me back?" Casey's eyes widened, her love visible in her eyes. She pressed her lips into his, he kissed back equally as passionate.
"Well then I'd have to say yes," She said. He smiled at her, she rested her head on his shoulder. So perfect.
-Oh all that I need is you, all that I ever need, all that I want to do is hold you forever, forever and ever-
Slowly relatives that they'd never met but invited anyway began to disperse, saying things about late flights and hotel rooms. Derek and Casey were too busy dancing on the floor, their three year old daughter in between them to notice. They were lost in each other's eyes as they laughed at Tracie's silly antics and hyper activity that made them truly believe she was a Mini Marti, earning her the nickname MiniMart. They laughed. Nora's eyes glowed with love for her children and grandchild, who could have thought so much happiness could come from married step-siblings. Then the notion hit her and George with full force. Those kids, those adults weren't step-siblings in anyway, shape or form. They never were, Their love began the day they met. There wasn't a sibling feeling for each other in their bodies. Nora pressed herself into George's chest and kissed him.
"They're so happy," She smild at him as he hugged her close.
"So am I," He whispered, kissing her again.
-And we can build this thing together, stand in stone forever, nothing's gonna stop us now-
The dance floor was now completely empty, save the Venturi-MacDonald family. Although the only MacDonald left on the floor happened to be a very disheartened Lizzie standing next to the half eaten cake, when someone tapped on her shoulder, she spun around. Edwin.
"May I have this last dance?" Edwin asked, curtsying, Lizzie laughed and bowed.
"But of course, this last one since it seems you've had all the others." Which wasn't quite true as her and Casey had danced with each man in their immediate family. She laugehd as Edwin spun her across the floor.
"Liz, you look beautiful tonight..." Edwin stated. Lizzie just laughed, throwing her head back much in the same way her older sister did at times.
"And what do I look like every other night Ed?" She asked, a playful smile playing across her lips. He began to stutter.
"Well...y..yu..you are ll..always...gorg...gorgeous," He swallowed. Lizzie laughed. "B...bu..but tonight you..you ju.." He was stopped, his words cut off, as well as his mouth. Lizzie had pushed their lips together, Edwin closed his eyes. They stopped dancing. Wrapping her arms around his neck she pushed themselves closer. Edwin held her in his arms, his arms firmly around her waist.
"I love you Edwin Venturi," Lizzie whispered as he pressed his forhead into hers as the kiss ended.
"Good," Edwin said, putting his finger under her chin and bringing their eyes together in contact. "Because I love you too," He said before pressing his lips to hers again. All the while their family was snapping photos of moments that Derek and Casey too had shared, moments that had led to a child.
"Mom?" Casey asked, a smile dancing on her lips as it had much of the night. Nora nodded. Those kids would get a talk their siblings never did, but had led them to where they all were now. Smiling, in love, happy.
-And if this world runs out of lovers we'll still have each other, nothings gonna stop us, nothings gonna stop us now-
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tbc
