A/N: After many years, this will be the last chapter I upload. Thank you for the reviews. One of my favorite things about writing for Life with Derek is the fact that Dasey shippers are the most passionate readers I have ever come across. I love it! Also, there is a great tribute on YouTube: Derek and Casey / Yellow (S 1-4 Tribute) by MsLyraGW for those that have not seen it. It's definitely worth the watch. Thank you!
3 Weeks Later
Derek gazed down at the little bundle in his hands. His new brother, Simon, had been home for an hour and was already drawing all of the attention to himself. He couldn't necessarily say he was angry about that. The past 3 weeks had gone better than he imagined it would (especially after George and Nora's initial reaction to the news, which left little to be desired), but the uncomfortable level continued to skyrocket, especially when he and Casey were in the same room.
He had to affectionately admit that this moment transported him back to when his parents brought Marti home. Despite being only 10 at the time, he couldn't get enough of that little girl, and she's had him wrapped around her finger ever since.
Derek rocked back and forth in his recliner at a slow pace; Simon's head resting in the palm of his hand. He'd be lying if he didn't say he was a little freaked out by the whole thing.
The new baby was a complete McDonald-Venturi mix right down to Casey's eyes and Derek's nose. It gave him a glimpse as to what their own children would look like someday. An affectionate smile touched at the corner of Derek's mouth as he kept his focus on the newest member of their blended family – the first member to actually be blood related to every single person in the house.
It made him nauseous to think that he and Casey now shared a sibling, but it would never change how they felt for one another.
As usual, everyone was buzzing around the house, aside from Nora who had given birth only two days ago. However, she continued barking orders from the couch. Today was not only the day of Simon's arrival; it was the day that Derek and Casey were leaving home.
The timing couldn't be more perfect, or worse, depending on how you looked at the situation. Casey was knocking suitcases down the staircase like boulders while George loaded the Prince with whatever Casey literally threw his way.
The cycle went on for several minutes before his oldest step-sister trudged down the steps with anger etched into her stride. "De-rek! You haven't helped at all and we're behind schedule. According to my itinerary, we have approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes to make it to campus and check in. I will not be late!"
"Chill, Princess. I'm on baby duty," Derek smirked while holding Simon up above his head to shove the little 7 pound bundle into Casey's face. "You wouldn't rob me of this utmost important bonding time with our little bro, now would you?"
Like he suspected, Casey immediately melted, waving her hand in a manner that indicated how precious the moment was. "He is cute, isn't he?"
Casey grabbed the baby from Derek's arms and kissed Simon's tiny cheek several times as she walked to the door. "George! I have more bags that need to go in the car! Make sure you arrange the luggage accordingly!"
"Yes, Casey," he could hear his dad say in an exhausted sigh.
Unbeknownst to her barking orders, Casey once again smiled while hugging the baby close. Derek put a finger to his mouth, drinking in the site. It was the sweetest moment he'd ever laid eyes on, though he would never voice those inner thoughts out loud.
The brunette walked over to Nora and gave her the baby, giving her mother a kiss on the cheek. "Now are you sure you have everything?"
"Of course," Casey said while picking her notebook up off of the coffee table and going through the checklist once more. "I've been packed for an entire week. I'm ready."
"Oh, Casey," Nora said while choking back tears. "This is really it."
"Don't cry, Mom," Casey said with tears in her own voice. "My whole future is finally happening."
"Ladies!" Derek said while hopping up from his recliner. He put an arm around Casey's shoulder like he had done so many times in the past prior to their current relationship status. He and Casey had officially became a couple 20 days ago, and she was already planning their 'monthaversery.' "We'll be home almost every weekend. A 50 minute drive is nothing. Let's hold the tears, shall we?"
"Eh," Nora shook her head. "Derek's right. I'll see you both soon, and make sure that you call us when you get settled in."
"We will."
Casey and Derek said goodbye to the rest of the family. Derek quickly jumped into the driver's seat while Casey hugged everyone for an unnaturally long time. He, himself, had to get away from all the goodbye gooiness that made him want to throw up.
As they pulled out onto the street, tears still threatening to pour down Casey's face, Derek slipped on his sunglasses, hiding the roll of his eyes that he couldn't hold back if he tried. However, he placed a supportive hand on Casey's knee, squeezing lightly to let her know that he would always be there for her.
She turned her gaze to him and offered a loving expression that softened his hard heart like it had so many times in the past.
"We're going to be okay," Casey stated, holding a question behind the testimony of her words.
"Of course." He laced his fingers through her slender ones, squeezing slightly. "I love you, Case."
"I love you, too."
As they drove to their new life that awaited them at Queens University, they traveled in comfortable silence. Derek's thoughts drifted to his years spent with Casey. His lips tugged upward at he drove with his wrist draped over the steering wheel and one hand grasping both of hers. Memories were sliding through his mind at a rapid pace…
Derek recalled the first time he had met her and how that tiny sky blue dress clung to her curves as she gazed up at him with the same amount of excitement he had felt in that same moment.
He remembered the pain in his chest when she had dated Sam, and Derek faked the 'male code' in an attempt to thwart his best friend's advances. To this day, Sam had no idea he drudged up the stupid rule on a whim.
Derek thought about her standing up against a bully three times her size in pursuit to save him from getting his face rearranged…or the time she had ruined dinner when her father had come over to visit.
…the time she cried before prom and he left Sally because Casey was more important in that moment – she was always more important.
Or the time she let him hold her close while they danced, only to let him make love to her the very next night.
The moment that she told him she loved him; words he thought he would never hear.
During their four years together, they had both dated countless people. Some great…some not so great. But before they experienced any of those past relationship, each one were all destined to fail; doomed from the very beginning…
Because there was a spark that lit the fire only Casey could ignite.