AN: I don't own LWD
Warning mature language!
#36 Changed and Over
Derek Venturi grew up a very successful, but busy man. He flew all over the world, with his beautiful wife Casey constantly by his side. They lived happily together, and resided in sunny Los Angeles when they weren't off on another business trip. Casey would sometimes go home to visit the family, but Derek never had the chance to fly home. In fact, he hadn't been home since he graduated from university, about 8 years ago.
Now it was coming to be Nora and George's 16th Wedding Anniversary, and Casey and Derek were headed home to celebrate with family and friends. Derek was excited to see his old town and family, he had seen Edwin and Lizzie a few times in the past, as they came up to visit once in a while, but Derek had not seen Marti since graduation and was excited to see her again. While Casey and Derek were packing for the trip, Derek went to make a call to see if he could surprise Marti. Derek called Nora, "Hey Nora, I was wondering if you could do me a favor." "Derek, nice to hear from you. You and Casey are still coming right?" She asked, happy to hear he step/son in law's voice. "Yes definitely, we are actually just packing right now. I wanted to see if I could surprise Smarti and pick her up from school when we fly in tomorrow." Derek asked hopefully. There was a slight pause over the line before Nora replied, "Uhh I don't know Derek. Marti usually likes to drive herself to school and sometimes friends, maybe you can just see her when she gets home from school." Nora said nervously, "Why?" Derek asked, getting curious. "No reason, I'll see you two tomorrow." The two hung up and Derek quickly shrugged it off, he figured high school still ended the same time, he would still surprise her.
The next morning, the couple headed off to the airport nice and early. The flight was pretty pleasant and the two were greeted with warm welcomes from Nora, George, Edwin, and Lizzie. "It's so good to see you." Nora said as she squeezed the two together in a tight hug.
They picked up their luggage and drove home. Derek was happy to find that his room remained untouched, as if he had never left. He flung his bag on the floor and hopped on the bed, just taking a minute to readjust to being home. He looked at his watch and saw that Marti would be getting out of school soon. He got up and padded down the stairs, while putting on his jacket. He scooped up George's car keys from the front table and quickly called out, "I'm out to go pick up Marti!" He was opening up the door, when Nora quickly popped out from the kitchen, "Derek, maybe you should just wait for her here. She has her own car and likes to hang out with friends. You should just let her come home when she's ready." Nora advised. Derek shot her a dubious look, "Nora, she's my baby sister. I want to see her, and I know she's going to be happy to see me." He then walked out the door and drove off to the high school.
He got there right as the bell rang, and kids were pouring out the door, all chattering happily about their plans for the weekend. Derek parked the car and got out, leaning against the car coolly. He watched the doors like a hawk, trying to find his baby sister. Suddenly he saw someone he thought looked like her, but decided it couldn't be the girl in front of him. The girl had long brunette hair with blue streaks through it, short, denim shorts, a tight black crop top, and a small leather jacket. The girls face was covered in dark, thick makeup. He was about to move on, so he could keep looking for Marti when he heard another male voice call, "Marti!" from the doors, and Derek's eye suddenly fell to the voice, and saw that in fact he was calling to the girl with heavy makeup. Marti smiled and turned around to the mystery boy. The two started kissing deeply, and Derek suddenly felt the need to rip the boy and his baby sister apart.
"Marti!" Derek called walking up to her and her friends. As Marti broke away from the boy and turned to him, Derek noticed that her face immediately dropped once she saw him. Derek smiled and jogged up to her. "Hey surprise!" Derek said, attempting to hug her before she swerved away. "What are you doing here?" She asked quietly, her voice cold and distant. "I'm here to celebrate Dad and Nora's anniversary, and I came to surprise you. Let's get ice cream." Derek said. "No. Leave me alone." Marti snapped. "Smarti," He started, leaning over to touch her, and she shrugged away again. "Don't touch me." She said sharply. The boy then spoke up, "Hey man, why don't you just get out of her and leave her alone." He said, stepping in front of Marti. Derek mocked, "Man, why don't stay out of our business." He said, trying to push the boy out of the way. "Derek stop. Toby let's go." Marti said, grabbing the boy and quickly walking to his car, where the pair quickly zoomed off. Derek was baffled, ran his hand through his hair. He turned back to the car and drove back home.
It had been a few hours and dinner was ready. The family, minus Marti were all eating at the table when the front door slammed open. Everyone's head turned and saw Marti casually walk through the door. As Marti saw Casey she smiled and ran to hug her. Derek finally had to say something, "Seriously Marti, what the hell?" Derek asked standing up. Everyone, looked at him, shocked. Derek took this as a sign that he could continue. "What was that back at the school?" Derek asked. "Derek." George scolded. "No Dad! She treated me as if I was a stranger, gave me an attitude, and was basically having sex outside the school with some boy!" Derek yelled, exasperated. "That kiss with Toby? Oh c'mon Derek you did more with girls during class and in the house! And you know what I didn't want you to pick me up because I don't know you anymore! So why don't you leave me the hell alone!" She screamed back, picking her bag back up and storming out the door, shutting it with a loud bang. Everyone was stunned, and silent, Derek quickly ran out the door to follow her. He was relieved to see she hadn't taken the car, and was even more relieved to see that he could still her silhouette in the distance. He jogged up to her to talk to her.
He quickly caught up to her and reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her. "Marti, please talk to me." Derek pleaded, and she slowly turned to face him. When she turned around, he found her faced streaked with makeup and shiny from fresh tears, and Derek swore he could feel his heart break a little. "Marti." He whispered. "What. Are you happy now?!" She asked coldly, and Derek was taken aback, truly at loss for words. "I said, are you fucking happy now?!" She yelled louder. "Marti, what are you talking about? I'm here to see you and I just want to spend time with my family and baby sister." He said, searching her face for answers. "Why? You never come to see us! I know Casey had to drag you here! You didn't come back voluntarily! I never see you anymore. You don't know one fucking thing about me anymore!" She yelled, her face darkening. "Marti, of course I wanted to come back, you know me, no one, not even Casey, could force me to do something. And I do know you, you're my Smarti." He shrugged with a half smile. "Derek, I'm seventeen! I'm not a little baby anymore, and you know nothing about me as I am now! It was like as soon as you graduated from college you wanted to start over and have nothing to do with us. With me." She finished quietly, looking down at her feet. Derek finally understood. "That's what this is about?" He asked softly. "You know how much that hurt? It really fricken hurt. It was like you ditched me and didn't want to see me anymore." She said honestly. "I'm so sorry Marti, that's not what I wanted to do at all. I got my career kick started, and then time just slipped from me. I started getting lazy with scheduling vacation and then it just became too hard. I'm sorry." He walked to her and pulled her in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry." He whispered softly in her ear. "Don't disappear again. Please." She whispered back in reply. Derek kissed her on the crown of her head in promise, and vowed that he would get connected with his old life again.