Author's Note I know I'm definitely not writing as quickly as I usually do, my comp has been acting up and I almost got writers block! It's a disease amongst us writers. And it sucks, but don't worry. Meg helped me get out of it before I fell in too deep. Thanks Meg! You always find a way to shed light on things I don't see! This chapter is a bit shy of one thousand words, but it too is important. This chap was much more enjoyable to write than last chap, and I hope you enjoy reading it. It is NOT the final chap. I wouldn't do that to my readers. I still have a few more things to clear up. ENJOY. R&R

DisclaimerDerek placed his hands on my shoulders, then bent down to whisper in my ear. "All of it can be yours, I just need a 'play date' for the night." I smiled and as I was about to leave out the door with him my sister Dye-my-hands-yellow, woke me up. Dreams are wonderful, but alas I shall never own Life with Derek.

Derek circled the block five times before actually slowing his pace. He tried to sort his thoughts out, but all he could think of was how he had told Edwin something he never even admitted to himself. Nothing in this world could erase what he said. What if Edwin told her! I don't want her to know it, not yet, not now…Oh god!

He turned back and ran to the house. Casey was looking down at him funny from her bedroom window. Lizzie was standing next to her. His heart jumped and he rushed in the house, up the stairs, and into her room. She turned to him and still had that twisted expression on his face.

"Were you exercising?" Casey questioned.

"What?" He asked in an aggravated, huffy breath.

"Did you go jogging?" Derek shook his head no and bent over, putting his hands on his knees.

"No. Did Edwin talk to you?"

"Uhm. No?"

"Okay." He stood up straight and left a confused Casey in her room. Edwin was in walking down the stairs that led up to the attic. "Ed! Come to my room."

"Kay bro." Seconds later they were in Derek's room with the door shut and locked. "What is it?"

"Remember our conversation before I left?"

"Yeah, about that, I-"

"Don't tell Casey or Lizzie or anyone, okay?"

"About that, I-"

"Edwin, please tell me you didn't tell anyone."

"I told Lizzie. I was shocked, what was I supposed to do?" Anger flashed through Derek, but he was frozen. Part of him wanted to smash Ed's head in, but something was holding him back. "She said she was going to tell her and then you came back." His eyes widened. Lizzie is still in the room with Casey.

Derek barged into Casey's room, again, and pulled Lizzie away.

"Derek what is your problem?!" Casey exclaimed in mild fury, crossing her arms.

"I need to talk to Lizzie."

"Well Lizzie said she really needed to tell me something."

"No she doesn't" Derek looked down at a frightened looking Lizzie, "Do you?" Her eyes got big and she shook her head no.

"Auugh!! Derek, you're such a jerk! What if she really needed to talk to me?"

"She'll come to you later." He said forcefully as he dragged Lizzie into his room and shut the door. Derek crossed his arms and looked menacingly at Lizzie.

"Derek, Casey needs to know." Lizzie said softly.

"I'd be the one to tell her then wouldn't I?"

"I wasn't going to tell her that you loved her."

"Then what do you think you were going to say, because honestly, I can't even believe I said it."

"Me either, but Edwin said you looked like you were serious about it. I was just going to tell her that I thought you were pretty serious about her." Derek glared at Edwin.

"If I tell her that I loved her I would have to commit to her. I don't want that." Derek stated sharply.

"You said you didn't want her to leave." Edwin said simply, almost mockingly. He turned and looked at Edwin, trying to think of an excuse for his quick words.

"Derek, do you really love Casey?" Lizzie asked.

"Yeah, I want to know that too." Casey said in the doorway. Derek hadn't even heard it open. He turned and looked thoughtfully at her.

"I-"George popped in the doorway.

"Hey guys, what's going on? Planning a party?" He joked, and then laughed.

"We're just talking George." Casey said, turning towards him. George nodded his head.

"Well, err, have fun." He then barreled down the stairs and Casey turned to Edwin and Lizzie.

"Edwin, Lizzie, you guys are sweet but me and Derek need to talk…" She turned to Derek. "Alone." The two younger kids left the room and Casey shut the door behind them. Derek sat down on the bed and she walked up to him. He looked up and her and she was smiling down at him. Her face was a bit red. Is she blushing, or is she angry?

"Casey, I don't know how I feel."

"I do."

"What?" He raised his eyebrows.

"If you told me how you felt, I promise that I won't think you were committing." Very perceptive MacDonald.

"Right…" He stated in misbelieving.

"I wouldn't I swear! I've been doing some thinking-"She started, but Derek interjected.

"Predictable." He sighed out. Casey rolled her eyes and continued.

"I don't want commitment yet either."

"You don't?'

"No."

"Why do you think that?" Derek questioned her intently, curious to what her reasons were.

"Well…Being with you has showed me that I have no idea what the future holds. I have to live life one day at a time. Sometimes, just an hour at a time. It's not always about plans, and I don't know if you'll fit into those plans ten years in the future, just because you fit into them now. I know I could meet someone better for me…but for now, I like it the way it is…because right now I-"

"I love you Casey. I want you, and right now, only you." He put his hands on her hips and pulled her in between his legs.

"Derek I think I love you too." They just looked at each other with unreadable expressions.