"I can't believe this shit." Charlie was pacing the floors though he was probably exhausted from standing up a good majority of the day. Officers kept coming to the house asking questions, and assuring the family that Bales would be locked away for a very long time. A detective had observed survellience, and discovered Bales had been hiding away in the back rooms. Watching every move the family had made. And Casey had to be vaccinated with a tranquilizer to calm her down from her hysterics from where she had made her discovery. It was him in her room that night, she sobbed breaking anything within reach. Disgusted with herself that she had enjoyed it.

Unlike Troy Allen who had become immensely distant in all the happenings, Derek held her close wiping away her tears tenderly. "I still don't think I can take it back." She had meant her engagement. "I'm the one who loves you, not him. I know I'm no prince charming or as wealthy. But I can give you plenty of love, and affection. I'll promise you loyalty and warmth for the rest of our lives." She hugged him close, even though she was shocked from his open display of his affection for her.

She then felt tears coming on the verge again, and excused herself out of the room. She went into the kitchen, seeing Troy Allen looking into his coffee. She went to leave. "Please don't go. I know I haven't exactly been sympathetic for the last few days, I've just been thinking too hard. I know you have feelings for Derek, but I'm the one who'll be able to take care of you, and give you the attention you deserve. I do love you please know that before you decide to give back the ring." And Casey sat down wondering, if love and warmth, outweighed love and affection.

Twelve Years Later.

It was a sunny mid-December afternoon, and the sun glimmered off the snow. Casey smiled as she watched her children playing together in it. Casey went to get her jacket, her left leg lagging behind her. Even after all the treatment, having her cancer be depleted, thank God for that. But she had adapted a permanent gimp in her left leg. It didn't hurt, but it was nerving at times. She threw on her scarf and hat, taking on the blustering cold. "Come on guys, dad wants to meet us at the mall for lunch and Christmas shopping."

She had five kids, and it sometimes still surprised her.

Charlie (named after her big "brother"- 11

Tomas- 9

Kim & Sarah – 6

Lauren (which surprised her husband, for she named her from her husband's maiden name.) – 2

The younger of the children made a lot of noise on the way there. That's what made Casey glad about spacing them out a bit. For the older ones were trying to calm them down.

She spun into the parking space in the middle of the lot, and waved as she saw her stepsister Marla exiting out of her car. "Hey, what are you doing here?" Marla sighed, gathering out her own mass of children. "Last minute Christmas shopping, you?"
"Same." "Wanna get something to eat, and we'll do it together." Casey smiled as she raced her and all her children to the entrance. Kim and Sarah had to try and dive into the fountain as they always did when they went to the mall, but Tomas ran over and pulled them out, only getting their hands wet.

It seemed really quiet in the food court as the two families got there. But then a "Surprise!" could be heard vibrating off the walls. Casey looked at Marla, who looked back at her, and smiled. "Happy birthday." She turned and saw Troy Allen standing behind her. "Oh my God, I never thought I'd get to see you again." She hugged him close. He smiled, "It just took me awhile to see that all I wanted was for you to be happy, and that's with Derek." "I'm glad you did. I've missed you terribly." She hugged him again, and kissed his cheek.

Casey was then greeted by her family, and friends. Everything was set up in the food court to look like the scene where her and Derek had gotten married. She laughed, even though she knew she wasn't the only person to get married in King's Island.

It swooned her, and she went on a search to look for her husband. Only to find him standing in an empty hallway, as if waiting for her, leaning his head against the concrete. "Hey you." He looked up at her, and gave her his trademark smirk. "Hey." "What are you doing back here?" "Just thinking." "About what?" "How we got here." "Not sure, but it's been a real good run hasn't it?" He took her hand in his kissing each finger. "I love you." She smiled, "I love you too." And she kissed him, and he kissed her back with just as much passion.

It was sweet, powerful, loving, indulging, but altogether a little too friendly.

I hope you liked it guys….Any questions message me or read the author's note lol.