AN: I don't own LWD

Chapter 12

Casey POV

Ever since Derek's big announcement of our dating, everything has been perfect. Derek is the greatest boyfriend I could ever ask for. If you had asked me two years ago if I would ever enjoy being with him I would have laughed with disgust. Now that we really know each other and connect, I couldn't imagine being with anyone else.

Derek was sweet, kind, gentle, caring, funny, adventurous, exciting, and romantic. Of course we squabbled once in a while when he pulled a prank or two on me, but now they were lighthearted squabbles with tickling and kissing. He surprised me daily with his sweet and romantic ways; whether it was a sweet card stuffed in my locker, or just a simple, genuine compliment.

Valentine's Day was quickly approaching at this time, but for the first time ever, I didn't care. Everyday with Derek felt like Valentine's Day so I didn't need the holiday for the epic romance to come out. A week before Valentine's Day I was in my room studying for a French quiz I had on Monday when I heard a knocking. "Who is it?" I asked. "Lizzie!" She replied. "Come on in!" Lizzie quickly entered my room and shut the door behind her. "I need your sisterly advice." Lizzie started as she sat down on my bed. I scooched my chair closer to her. "Ok shoot." I said. "Well we have a Valentine's Day next week and I'm nervous. My friend Jamie is going and I think he wants to dance with me. I want to dance with him too but one I don't want to be awkward in front of him and two I have no idea what to wear!" Lizzie finished, looking at me for advice. "Well for the being nervous around Jamie part, my advice is to just keep calm and relax. Jamie likes you just as you are, so you don't need to do some grand thing to impress him. He's probably just as nervous as you, so relax and have fun, soon enough you will both feel calm and everything will work out great. My advice on the clothes is to wear something you feel comfortable, confident, and good in. I can help you look through your closet with you or maybe we could go shopping tomorrow." I replied. Lizzie's face brightened with a smile. "Could you take me shopping tomorrow?" She asked. I was so excited, I loved shopping. "Of course! We will have so much fun!" I said excitedly. "So what are your plans with Derek?" Lizzie asked. "I don't think we have any plans. We haven't talked about it and he is so romantic to me all the time, I don't need him to make a huge deal of it. I know he hates Valentine's Day so I'm not gonna make a big deal of it." I replied, feeling completely fine with my Valentine's Day plans of having no plans. "Wow Casey not worried about doing something romantic for Valentine's Day? Derek must be something special to you." She said walking out of my room. I chuckled and returned to my studying.

Derek POV

I listened to the whole conversation between Lizzie and Casey. I know eavesdropping is wrong, but I was just passing by and couldn't help but hear. Casey was sweet to say those things about how good of a boyfriend I was, and it was sweet that she didn't want to make a big deal of the holiday because I hated it. But this year I actually had a reason to be excited about the holiday because I was with the best girl in the whole world. I wanted to celebrate our first Valentine's Day together with something nice.

I decided to take her out for a nice dinner, and get her a really nice present. I made reservations at the really nice Italian restaurant and I bought her a pretty silver necklace with a silver heart covered in diamonds. It cost me a lot of paychecks from Smelly Nelly's, but Casey was worth it. The next night I slipped her an envelope formally asking her out for Valentine's Day. I could tell she got it because I could hear an "Aww!" from next door which soon followed a Casey running in, then hugging and kissing me.

Casey POV
Valentine's Day arrived quickly and I was very excited for my date with Derek. Love just seemed to ooze the hallways of school and it felt magical. Emily was excited for her date with Chris, Lizzie and Edwin were ready for the dance, Marti was excited to see her mom, and Nora and George were excited for their date.

When I got home from school, I started getting ready almost immediately. I decided on a black mini skirt, nude tights, and a ready sleeveless tunic, with a black cardigan over it. I straightened my hair until it was pin straight and I put in stud diamond earrings. When I came downstairs I found Derek was ready too, looking handsome in a gray suit. "Hey beautiful." He said, gently kissing my cheek.

We headed off on route to our valentine's dinner.

Derek POV

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?" I asked Casey as we drove along the highway towards the restaurant. I could feel her blushing when she replied; "You may have mentioned it once or twice. You look very handsome too! In fact I think that it's safe to say that I have the cutest and handsomest boyfriend ever." Now I was the one blushing and I suddenly felt very blessed.

Soon after we reached the place. I quickly hopped out of the car and ran to Casey's side and opened the door for her. We walked in hand in hand and quickly were seated. The service was great and we were able to order our food pretty much right away. We both ordered spaghetti and meatballs.

We were having a great time just being together, enjoying each other's company. We were telling stories about our childhoods before we all met.

"And then Edwin completely fell down the hill after slipping on a piece of ice! " I finished my story and saw Casey crying with laughter. We shared so many good stories and things to each other that I never wanted the night to end.

Before we left the interest I gave Casey her necklace, and she had tears brimming in her eyes. "Case please don't, you know how I am with tears." I begged her. "I know, sorry. It's so beautiful, thank you." She said happily. I stood up and put it on for her. I brushed her hair to one side so I could clasp it on, as I did that I gently kissed her bare neck. After I finished putting it on she grabbed my face and pressed a deep kiss on my lips.

"I love you Casey." I said, looking into her eyes, knowing this was the first time I had ever said it. She look stunned with happiness. "I love you too Derek." She replied sincerely and we kissed again.

At the end of the night I think it was fair to say that it was a Valentine's Day I would never forget.

Casey POV

Derek and I fell deeper in love everyday. There was always something new to discover about the other. Derek found my quirks and I learned his fears. This made our love grow even stronger. I could look into his chocolate brown eyes all day every day and never get even remotely tired. They way his chestnut brown hair was perfectly tousled and the way he got little side dimples when he smiled. The thing I love the most about him, besides his huge heart, was the way he looked at me and knowing that I had the most perfect man in the world.

He was my best friend and I was so glad that I had him. His love slowly erased Truman's damage day by day.

March came quickly, which meant that Derek's birthday was coming up soon. I wanted him to have the best birthday ever so I did some research to make sure that happened. I took up a part time job at the bookstore downtown to pay for my surprise. I was also really bad with surprises so I made sure to avoid any conversation that related to Derek's birthday.

Derek POV

Things were going great with Casey. It was a quite the advantage to have your girlfriend right next door. She was great, sweet, kind, and perfect. Of course I hadn't gone all mushy and spent plenty of time playing hockey and watching zombie movies with my team mates. However I started to play in games harder and better knowing that Casey was in the stands cheering me on. She had become quite the cheerleader, wearing face paint in our school colors and cheering extra loud for me.

However as March began and hockey ended for the season I found that Casey was becoming increasingly busy and elusive. I have never doubted her before but the way she seemed almost guilty made me nervous. One night I decided to ask her what was going on.

"Hey Casey where are you going? Why don't you just stay here and watch a movie with me?" I asked her casually. "Uhh I would love to but I can't Der. I have to go love you." She said trying to escape but I blocked the doorway. "Where are you going Casey?" I asked again in a more serious tone, straightening up. "Are you cheating on me? I asked, finally asking it out loud. She looked stunned then burst out laughing. "You're joking right?" She said booming with laughter. "No I'm being serious. You've been avoiding me lately and have been looking guilty." Her laughter quickly subsided and she took a slow step forward towards me. "Derek I would never cheat on you! I love you!" She exclaimed putting her hands on my arms. I couldn't look at her, so she took two fingers and lifted my chin to look at her. She then cupped her hands around my face and looked me deeply in the eyes. "You believe me don't you?" She asked softly. "I do, but where do you keep going that you're not telling me?" She sighed then replied, "I got a job at the bookstore downtown. Now I really have to go or I'll be really late. I love you" She then brushed my lips with a kiss then ran out the door.

I felt more confident in my girl, but hoped she would be back to normal.

Casey POV
I can't believe Derek thought I would cheat on him. My mind was distracted all night but luckily things would all be good when I could give Derek's birthday present to him on Saturday and explain everything.

On Saturday morning I woke up early and snuck into Derek's room. He was still sound asleep looking adorable as always. I sat down on his bed and started shaking him. "Not now Smarti" He said groggily keeping his eyes closed. "Wrong girl" I said in a singsongy voice, gently kissing his face. I could feel him smile as I kissed him and his eyes opened. "Well in that case, now I'm up." He said grabbing me and rolling me over.

After our little make out session we went downstairs to find that Nora and George had made Derek a huge breakfast. "Happy Birthday!" We all yelled unanimously. Derek's face lit up with a huge smile. "Thanks guys." He replied sitting down and digging right in to his huge breakfast. "So what are your plans for today?" George asked after taking a bite of his bagel. "Well I think Sam, Ralph, and I were going to check out that new action movie, and then my lady and I are going to get some food."

I smiled knowing what I had in store for him.

Derek POV

"That part where the man's head got blown off was sweet!" I laughed with Sam and Ralph walking out of the movies. We said our goodbyes and I headed home, desperate to see Casey.

I walked in the door and found Casey waiting on the couch for me. She even dressed for my birthday, wearing one of my Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys that looked adorable huge on her. She walked over to me and gave me a big deep kiss. "So where do you want to go for dinner?" She asked me. "I was thinking the Sport's Pub?" I suggested. "Sounds good" She replied with a smile.

We ate my favorite meal honey barbeque chicken wings and fries. Casey looked adorable with sauce on her chin and I quickly wiped it off with the pad of my thumb and she giggled. This is how life should always be. I was full to the brim when the waiter came out with a chocolate lava cake with a sparkler on top. I looked at her surprised and she simply surprised, "I called the other day and made a birthday reservation. I figured that you'd want to come her." I loved my girlfriend for knowing me so well. "Now it's time for your presents! Hopefully this will explain my guilty behavior" And with that she handed me two envelopes. Inside one was four tickets for the opening day Maple Leafs game, and in the other envelope was two tickets for my favorite band in concert for next month. I was completely shocked and overwhelmed. "Casey no! You did not do this for me!" She just nodded with a proud smile. "But but- this had to cost a fortune! I can't take all these" I exclaimed. "Derek you are the best person I know. You are sweet, funny, and have a huge heart. You are the best boyfriend I could ever have and you deserve all of these tickets. I was avoiding you because I didn't want to spill the surprise and I took up more shifts to afford them. Take the tickets and invite anyone you want." She said sincerely. "I love you so much!" I replied kissing her deeply on the lips. I then handed her one concert ticket. "I want to take you to the concert!" "I can't wait!"

After we left the restaurant we took a walk downtown. It started to downpour but we could care less. We ran through the streets hand in hand, I picked her up and twirled her around. We laughed and kissed while the cool rain poured down our backs.

I knew that this birthday was one to remember forever because of the special girl I got to call mine.