I'm gazing through the open blinds at my children.

Derek is sitting on the edge of the bed, one leg dangling over the side while gingerly spooning soup into Casey's mouth. She tried to feed herself, but she doesn't have enough strength in her arms yet. She's barely able to talk, and even though I'm grateful that she woke up, I can't help but feel angry and resentful.

I can see her smile at something he said, but then I can see her giving him a seething look just as quickly.

I'm sure she would be smacking him if she could. Some things never change.

Despite the reservations I have towards Derek, they do look kind of cute together. But I'm still terrified that he'll hurt her. I've seen him with one serious girlfriend and countless dates. And even though he appears to like them in the beginning, he always ends up bored. He's a teenage boy. That's what he is supposed to do, but Casey is my daughter, and I refuse to let her get hurt.

I can feel Dennis move to stand next to me. I cross my arms like I'm protecting myself, though I don't know what from. This is Dennis we're talking about. I was with the man for twenty years; married for sixteen. And while the end of our marriage was anything but perfect, he's one of the best men I've ever known, aside from George, that is. And I know that I should trust his judgement when it comes to Derek. But that is much easier said than done.

I clear my throat before speaking. "She…ummm…she didn't want me. She wanted Derek."

To my surprise, Dennis chuckles, and I have the sudden urge to reach up and scratch his eyes out. But I've been going off on him for days because he's constantly trying to defend my stepson. I know how he feels about Derek.

And I think I'm so angry because he knew before I did.

About a year and a half ago when he came to visit, he told me that he could see it. I laughed over the phone and said 'don't be ridiculous. They hate each other.'

But he could still see it. How could he see it?! One time! He saw them together one time, and he instantly knew.

I live with them for two years, and it never occurred to me that the fighting was something more.

"It's young love, Nora," he speaks, looking at me sideways with a somewhat amused gaze. He lowers his voice, "talk to him. Let him say his peace, and if you still feel like he's messing around…then I'll go buy a gun and threaten him within an inch of his life."

I chuckle at the thought. "Tempting," I say, before wrinkling my brow in confusion at something else that has been bothering me. "Do you know when Derek gave Casey the ring?"

Dennis sighs, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his suit, rocking back on his heels. "I've been trying to figure it out myself."

"They were fighting like crazy when I dropped them off at the airport."

"They were fighting the morning of the cruise, too. But on the other hand, he did risk his life to save her," he finishes. He does make a good point. Everyone keeps reminding me of Derek's sacrifice. For that alone, I should be giving him a thousand chances. "And as for the ring, I can't be certain, but I'm pretty sure she wasn't wearing it when she fell in. By the time we pulled her out of the water, there it was…shimmering in all its glory."

"I don't understand it..."

"Maybe some things aren't meant to be understood, Nora," Dennis says to me, gazing through the blinds with a blank expression. "We just have to trust in it and stop analyzing every little aspect. Otherwise, we would drive ourselves crazy thinking about it."

I bite on my bottom lip, sighing. Maybe Dennis is right, as hard as that is for me to admit to myself. I look straight ahead once more, just in time to see Derek leaning forward to kiss Casey lightly on the lips.

It's hard to watch considering the doubts that are constantly plaguing my mind, but I have to admit that it's better than the screaming. It's better than the tears and physical fighting.

They physically fight sometimes.

Derek has had a scratch or two before, and one time he had an actual handprint on his face, though he wouldn't tell us where it came from. But I already knew. Sometimes, Casey can't control her emotions, especially when Derek is hell bent on pushing every last button she possesses.

But I've never seen any physical signs of Casey being hurt, aside from the occasional wrestling match.

However, there was one time when they were arguing (like they always do) over sexism in the house. She was digging into his last nerve, so he tossed her over his shoulder. I had zero idea of what he had planned, but when he through open the front door, I had a pretty good idea.

He tossed her off the front porch, sending her flying through the air, until she landed in the yard several feet below.

Granted, there was two feet of snow on the ground to soften her impact but seeing her soaring through the air from my spot in the kitchen, had been hilarious. I chuckle at the memory. The thought of them together is so ridiculous, that I can't stop myself from laughing.

I'm laughing so hard that Dennis is looking at me like I've lost my mind. I can see Derek and Casey turn my way. They can clearly hear me, and I'm pretty sure that everyone within ear shot is beginning to think I've lost my mind.

Maybe I have. I've been feeling my sanity slipping away ever since I got that terrifying call to let me know that our kids were on the brink of death.

I suddenly sober in that moment, trying to force myself to put everything into perspective. They are alive. That's all that really matters. It's time for me to stop fighting the inevitable.

"I think Derek and I should have that little chat now."

"And that's when I told him to kiss my ass."

I open my mouth, letting Derek spoon feed me soup. He's telling me about the doctor he got into it with for not going home and getting some rest after being discharged from the hospital. I'm glad he never left me except for that short while, but I do wish he would have listened. While he does appear to be doing fine, the dark circles under his eyes are a bit shocking.

Of course, I'm sure I look much worse. I don't even want to gaze into a mirror and find out. I shudder at the thought.

Right now, I'm finding it a chore to eat. Surprisingly, I'm not very hungry and it's a bit difficult to swallow. But Mom and Derek insisted that I try. At least that's one thing they both could agree on, and I was more than willing to go along with it. If it stopped the bickering for two seconds, I'd try to shove a damn brick down my throat if that's what it took.

From the moment I woke up, I only had eyes for Derek. I tried not to. I really did.

Mom was standing next to me, and I think she was expecting me to set the story straight and tell her that Derek was delusional and there was nothing between us. When she witnessed the exact opposite, and the way he kissed me on my lips…the way I let him, she was more hurt than angry. I really hope she does get over it soon. I hate seeing her like this.

I'm half scared that she's going to forbid me to see him. But it won't make any difference. I've never been the rebellious type, but if that's what it comes to, I'm afraid I'm going to have to be.

I can see her staring at us through the open blinds, her arms crossed. She looks away every now and then whenever she notices me looking at her.

"Either I'm boring you to death, or your Mom is staring daggers. Am I right?"

I turn my head back to Derek, nodding it slightly and smiling. "H…how did you know?" I say, forcing myself to get the words out. Talking is extremely difficult right now, but I've been silent for far too long.

Derek gives me a heart stopping grin. It's the first full sentence I've been able to speak since waking up. "Nice one, McDonald. I knew you'd find your voice eventually. You always do."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I grit, breathing deep after talking quickly.

"It means you're a big mouth, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

I give him my best seething look, but I've shamelessly missed the little jabs. After all, his words are much tamer than they used to be. Normally, he would have called me a bitch and walked it off. I guess 'big mouth' isn't so bad.

"I…I can't believe you called me ugly."

"Now why in the hell would I call you ugly? You need to get your hearing checked."

I shake my head quickly, recalling the sweet speech he was telling George the moment my body finally chose to wake up. "You said I was ugly when we first met."

Derek barks out a laugh, and I try to keep from smiling. He looks so gorgeous, even with the black rims around his eyes. "I said your retainer was ugly. You, on the other hand, were a total knockout. I'm guessing you didn't hear all the lovey-dovey shit I said in between, huh? Only you would focus on the bad stuff, so you could yell at me."

"You also called me a nerd," I finish, making a point before plastering my face with a smirk. "But I loved you, too. Even when you were being a giant ass from the beginning."

"Is that so?" Derek asks, leaning down to lightly kiss my lips. It's the dozenth kiss he's giving me since I've woken up, and I haven't fought a single one of them. Each one is gentle and romantic. As nice as they are, I'm yearning to feel his arms around me, pressing into me with the same urgent need we had experienced so often not long ago.

"I love you, Derek," I say with all sincerity.

"Love you, too…nerd," he finished with a wink.

I narrow my eyes, jutting my bottom lip out in feigned annoyance. He's still my Derek, even if he has gone soft recently.

Just then, I can hear my Mom laughing hysterically. Derek and I turn our head in confusion at the exact same time. She's standing next to my Dad, and he's looking at her like she's gone completely insane, too.

"Your Mom really isn't taking this well."

No…no she isn't.