Ch 8

" Ca…Case you…you look beautiful." Derek had never seen any woman look as beautiful as Casey did right then. He didn't know if it was the dress she was wearing, or the smile on her face, or the fact that he had never loved someone as much as he loved her. It was crazy to think that The Derek Venturi was made speechless by Casey, but Derek knew that he wouldn't change this moment for anything.

"Well you don't look so bad yourself Mr.Venturi." Casey was walking down the stairs and Derek couldn't help but be mesmerized by her gentle voice.

Derek gave Casey his famous smirk and then wrapped his arms around her. Casey loved the feeling of warmth and safety she always got when she was in Derek's arms. They said there good-byes and thank-yous to Emily for her help and then got into Derek's car.

"Derek where are we going?" Casey said in an excited voice.

"Oh no. You are not gonna get it outta me, it's a surprise."

"Aw come on Derek, tell me." Casey said in her most innocent voice she could muster.

Derek then turned to Casey and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. He then pulled away and said, "Sorry, it's a surprise.

7:20 pm outside of a very fancy restaurant

"Oh. My. God!" Casey was in aw as Derek led her to the front of Le Amore. "How…I mean…Ah, Derek this is unbelievable!" It was the newest, most elegant restaurant around. Every girl she new had bee dying to go there, including Emily, Lizzie, and her mom. As she looked at Derek she could sense her excitement increasing. Derek simply gave her a warm smile and led her inside.

Casey and Derek were led to a corner that was lighted by candles. The table was set for two and the walls around them were covered with small red flowers. There were beautiful paintings hanging on the walls and every one was dressed formally. Casey looked at Derek and as he saw the joy in her eyes he knew he would do anything to make her happy.

"Derek this place is amazing, but you know you didn't have too."

"Case I love you and nothing could make me happier then to see you happy."

"Oh Derek, I love you." Casey couldn't believe this was happening to her. She used to have such an ordinary life. And now, she has a boyfriend who is her step brother, her parents don't now of her relationship, she sneaks out almost everyday, and yet she is still happy as long as she has Derek. Looking at Derek she could see so much love in his eyes it overwhelmed her. Ever since she was little she had always wanted to find love and now that she's found it she realizes that it was better then she could ever imagine.

"Hey beautiful, our food is here." Casey snapped out of her thought and looked down to see the food was already at their table.

"Oh, sorry Derek. I guess I was just deep in thoughts."

"That's ok. You know you are very beautiful when you are thinking, although I think you are always beautiful." Derek could see Casey blush and so he just smiled at her.

"Derek do you ever wonder if we'll make it."

"Case, I don't have to cause I know we will."

"But Derek, our parents still don't know about us. I love you. don't get me wrong cause that'll never change, its just…well…I guess I'm still nervous of how our parents will react."

"Casey, look at me. I love you and I will never let anyone separate us. I know how you feel but I love you and our parents will just have to understand…We both got into the same university with full scholarships. We're set so you don't have to worry ok."

"You know Derek, I think a reason I love you so much is because of your what Derek wants Derek gets attitude, especially when it comes to us."

" And here I thought you loved me because of my toned body of a god." Derek smirked.

Casey couldn't help but giggle. "Well that too."

Casey was having the best time but soon the dinner was over and she found herself in Derek's car. The food had been amazing and the music was so romantic. Derek was extra charming tonight and she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed that it was over.

As if knowing what she was thinking Derek asked, "And why are you sad baby?"

"Oh it's just…you know the night is over,"

"And who said the night was over?'

Casey couldn't hide the smile forming on her face. "Oh, and where are we going now?"

"Ahh…my dear Casey, I still have a few surprises left."

10:05 on the docks

Casey didn't know what they were doing, Derek had blindfolded her a couple of minutes before they arrived to their destination. She could now feel the wind blowing across her.

"Ok my dear. We're here."

Derek then undid the blindfold and as Casey saw what was in front of her, he could here her gasp. Casey was speechless. They were on a small white boat that had lights around the railing. There were rose petals all over the floor and suddenly the boat started to move. Then Ride of Your Life began to play.

"Casey may I have this dance?" Derek held out his hand to her and she accepted.

Derek placed his arms around her small waist. He breathed in her soft perfume and gently pulled her closer to him. He had never met anyone like Casey and he knew he never would. Looking down at her he was mesmerized. Her skin was like porcelain and her hair was like silk. Her lips were plump and she had put her mint lip gloss on, he had to struggle to not just kiss her that instant. But as he looked into her beautiful crystal blue eyes he fell into a trance and he could feel their lips getting closer together.

Casey wrapped her arms around Derek's neck. In his arms she felt like nothing could go wrong. She looked up at him and knew that there was no one like him. She brushed Derek's hair with her right hand and could feel the tingle it sent through her body. Derek had a tam and his hair was now a medium length, where you could see that it was wavy. It wasn't till Casey looked into Derek's hazel eyes though, that she knew that he was the one.

As crystal blue met brown so did Casey and Derek's lips. It was a gentle yet passionate kiss. Derek pressed his lips against Casey's more and Casey held onto Derek tighter. She could feel Derek's tongue asking for entrance and she immediately accepted. Both of them felt the passion and the love in the kiss and knew that they had found love.

Derek then gently pulled away. He took a step back and could see that Casey was confused. At that moment under all the billions of stars he looked at Casey and knew that without her he would never feel complete. He knew he loved her, and he knew that she needed to know just how much.

"You know Casey, I would never have imagined my life like this before I met you." Derek looked into Casey's eyes and he could sense she was nervous at what he would say. "The only thing I used to think about was hockey and girls. Every one always thought that I had the perfect life, but they were wrong. I was never truly happy and even though I used to date a lot of girls I always knew they would never mean anything to me…" He looked into Casey's eyes and he could see all that they had been through to get to where they were at that moment, together. "And then you came along. You questioned all my actions and rules, you didn't care what other people thought, and you never gave into me. For the longest time I tried to tell myself that I couldn't fall for you…But Casey you mean the world to me. You've changed me but all for the better. Because of you my grades are better, I'm a better friend, I'm a better brother…Case because of you I'm a better person." Derek looked into Casey's eyes and he knew that she was the one. He knew that he could never loose her. He placed his left hand on Casey's arm and with his right hand he gently pulled out a small black box. "I know that our relationship is one with a lot of risks but I've learned that the best things in life usually are. Casey you are the best risk I could ever take…so I need to know will you take the risk of being my wife?"