Disclaimer: Life with Derek owns me- I mean, Life with Derek doesn't own me… I mean, I don't own Life with Derek!

Can I Help? Part II

Normal

"This is a big day, Derek," Casey said quietly with suppressed excitement, her arms around him. The morning sun shone through Casey's bedroom window. The two of them stood in their pajamas on a Monday morning, a few days after they had decided they were "officially" together.

Derek tried to squirm away and roll his eyes. "It's no big deal, Case… it's just school," he told her, holding his hands up, exasperated at the deal she was making of it.

"Just school? Just school? Derek!" Casey smacked him lightly. "It's your first day back after how long? It IS a big deal!"

"Casey! It-"

"I'm so proud of you," she murmured, pressing her lips to his in a chaste kiss. Derek's expression changed instantly.

"Well…" he started, wrapped his arms around her. "Maybe it's sorta a big deal…" He wiggled his eyebrows at her. She just smacked him playfully and pushed him out of her bedroom saying that she still had to get dressed. "Okay, okay," he surrendered. "But I get the bathroom first!" With that, he sprinted out and off to the bathroom.

"No! De-RECK!" she cried out in frustration, only to be answered with his muffled laughter from behind the closed door. Still, she couldn't help but smile a little as she picked her clothes out for the day.

Downstairs, Nora and George heard Casey screech at her stepbrother and looked at each other.

"Should we…?" George started.

"No," Nora said, shaking her head. If there was a problem between them, she was sure Casey would come racing down the stairs to complain about it… why go to her? Then something dawned on her.

"Georgie… How long has it been since you've heard that?" Nora asked him.

George continued to read his paper and sip his coffee, then answer distractedly, "I don't know, a few weeks…" a lightbulb went on "since before Derek got sick. Do you think he's finally…?"

But before he even finished his sentence, Derek came bounding down the stairs. A wet towel flew at his head and Casey's voice followed, "Augh! You're so- GROSS!"

Nora and George watched, happy to see their living dead son more of the living and less of the dead. Derek plopped down at the table. "So, what's for breakfast!" he said obnoxiously. "Ed! Get me some breakfast!" he called over his shoulder. When Edwin didn't appear, he looked around and then at George.

Nora swallowed her excitement at seeing him healthy again and answered, "Edwin and Lizzie had to go in early today… It's good to see you up and running again, Derek."

"Mm," he grunted, disinterestedly, searching the cabinets. Finding the cereal, he filled his bowl and poured milk on the giant mound. He was just finishing stuffing his face when Casey pranced down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mom! George!" she greeted cheerily. Nora looked over at George in surprise again, this time at seeing her daughter in such a good mood. She had been getting worried since the other night because, even though Casey hadn't had any more episodes, she hadn't been completely Casey either.

Just when Casey went to grab the cereal, Derek stopped her with an 'uh-uh!' She gave him a look. "Bus is leaving, princess," he teased, walking to the door and dangling the keys over his shoulder. Casey made a strangling action with her hands, let out a frustrated cry, and stormed out after him.

Nora and George chuckled to themselves, each sipping their coffees, delighted that things finally looked normal again.

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a/n: I know, this is a really short chapter. I wrote it really quick in between my paper, reading my school book, and cleaning my room, so if it's not up to par, I'm sorry! I just had to put something up and this is as far as I could get in the time I have so I hope you enjoy it. I'll keep writing whenever I have the chance, and don't forget, I put up my progress (and my excuses) in my "bio" when I can't post a new chapter.

My thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter! Latisha C I can't believe you went back and found that chapter you didn't review! Honestly, you should get an award for reviewing every chapter. I really appreciate it.

And ummbo you are the official 100th reviewer! Thank you for reviewing, and for the love! xP

ShaynelovesCONVERSE I have to give you a personal shoutout too because you were so close to being reviewer 100! I'm flattered that you feel my stories actually have some purpose. Thanks so much:-)

And of course everyone else! I love to hear what you think, but you know that by now!

Much love kids… I think my a/n is as long as my chapter lmao. That's how much I care!. xD