A/N to follow. This is the final chapter. Enjoy!

I do not own Life with Derek.

A Few Years Later…

"Casey, you were the one who suggested this."

"Why did you agree?" Casey whined.

"Because you were right." Derek reminded her.

She still grumbled as they made their way through the doors.

"What's yours say?" he added casually.

"Hmm…" She flashed her card of paper to him and suddenly he grinned. Her eyes widened.

"Derek, we are not fifteen anymore! Heck, were not even eighteen anymore! We are not going to fight over-"

But two minutes later they were rough-housing in a rather familiar aisle while someone from their past looked on with amusement. This time Casey jumped into his arms and he caught her to his surprise, supporting her as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She grinned evilly and kissed him earnestly on the mouth. Plan forgotten, Derek held her to him. She ran her hands down his chest before releasing herself and diving for the window seat. Derek tackled after her but she already had strapped herself in, laughing.

Derek couldn't help but grin at her, joining her laughter, as he saw that wonderful spark of indignation in her eye she got whenever she beat him.

"Men are so easily distracted." she taunted.

He smiled. "If I remember correctly, the other day when we were at the grocery store, if I hadn't stopped us, we might have needed to spend more time in aisle seven…"

Casey gasped, giggling, smacking him in the arm. Aisle seven carried baby food.

They finally reached the place they hadn't been in years. Nervously, Casey knocked. When the man opened the door, Derek felt a small thrill of fear that he might have a heart attack. Instead he invited them inside hoarsely, unable to believe his eyes.

Dennis had aged quite a bit, but there was something about him that appeared healthier than he used to be. Looking around, there was quite a change in the décor even though it had only been a few years.

"So…what brings you two here?" he asked after passing them water.

Derek grasped Casey's hand. "Dennis, we felt the need to tell you in person. We're getting married."

Dennis' eyes showed their surprise and shifted immediately to Casey's hand that was wrapped around Derek's. The engagement ring on her finger was beautiful: weaved white gold with diamonds interlacing around one larger one. It was very Casey, delicate yet exquisite.

"Wow…congratulations." he said slowly, looking at the pair in awe. He knew back when they first got together that they wouldn't be breaking up anytime soon, if not ever. But it was still surprising seeing his accurate prediction.

"We wanted to invite you to the wedding." Casey blurted out. Derek chuckled under his breath at her impatience and then winced. It appeared Casey stepped on his foot.

Dennis was taken-aback. Had her memory been damaged all those years ago? Did she forget everything that happened? "I'd be honoured and I want to thank you guys for coming down to tell me in person. But I'm not sure I can accept the invitation."

Seeing the look of disappointment on Casey's face caused him to falter. Why did she want him there so bad?

"Casey… uh Derek…" he added, remembering that they were soon to be one. Although even as an outsider back then he had realized that they were more often considered one than two separate parts. "I want to come. But I don't think it would be wise. I…I'm still recovering."

Casey's eyes snapped up to his. She looked to Derek who was smiling broadly. He clapped him on the shoulder proudly.

"For how long?"

"Wait, what are you talking about?" Casey asked in confusion.

Dennis smiled. He had wanted her to know, but hadn't seen her since that night. He tried to keep it that way. His daughter meant more to him than his own happiness. He wanted her to be safe and free from pain.

"Casey, I've been going to AA. I'm a recovering alcoholic now. I haven't touched a drop of alcohol since that night here." he confessed finally.

The tears spilled from Casey's eyes, her face shining with beautiful excitement. Derek squeezed her hand, looking just as impressed, only no tears of course.

"Well that's great! I'm so happy to hear that! But you don't have to worry about the temptation at the wedding, it will be alcohol free, or we can make it if you would come." she explained excitedly.

Dennis shook his head. "I don't want to impose, although I appreciate the generosity."

"Dad, we want you there. I'm not saying I want to restart everything…" she admitted, tearing her gaze from his. "But I would really appreciate if you would make an appearance. And… don't feel obliged to walk me down the aisle. George is already doing it. Just as a warning." She stared at the table in shame, peaking at him between her lashes.

Dennis nodded, letting her words sink in. She had already asked her step-father to take over the cardinal role of the father in the wedding. He supposed that was to be expected. But he still felt a dose of disappointment.

"Think about it. I'm going to freshen up." Casey said, squeezing Derek's hand before leaving the table.

Dennis turned to his potential son-in-law. He was eying him almost sympathetically. He realized slowly the younger man could read him well.

"You did all that to make things better, not fix it." he reminded him gently.

Dennis nodded. "I don't want her to forgive me too quickly, if at all. I don't think I should come. I'm not saying anything would happen. But its hard enough seeing her when the last time I did she was so angry with me…and then so scared…" he exhaled. "That week you guys stayed with me…seeing the pain she had gone through because of me and my actions…I can never forgive myself. The more she hates me, the less I have to hate myself…"

Derek bobbed his head in supposed understanding.

"I'm surprised to see you here actually Derek. I figured if we were alone in a room together you'd kill me."

Derek chuckled. "Well I think it would upset Casey. And I'd never leave you alone with her. Try not to take it personally. I've always been a little…protective of her."

Dennis burst out laughing at this remark. A little? Anyone glanced at her and Derek would get up from the table across a room.

Casey came back out, surprised to see her father in hysterics. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen him laugh that hard.

"Um what's up?" Casey asked, settling in next to Derek who immediately wrapped his arm around her waist. She leaned towards him unconsciously.

"Your fiancé has gotten funnier over the years. I forgot how much he loves you." Dennis said, a touch of affection in his voice.

Casey smiled up at Derek rather than at her father who made the comment. He sighed, ready to confess the tough stuff.

"I really need to apologize properly to the two of you." Dennis told them honestly. It had been years in the making, he had chosen multiple versions of the speech, but in the end it just came out honestly. "I have never had a problem with the idea of the two of you being together. I know I said some unforgivable things…"

Had he really said all that? What had been wrong with him?

"I just…was angry at myself. I couldn't believe all that I missed. I hated the fact that Derek, who you had known for only a few years, knew more about your childhood and your whole life, than I, the one who had been there the whole time, did. Not that I was really there. And that's something I have to live with for the rest of my life."

"It was scary too. It was obvious Derek was the most important man in your life and who you loved despite all the things he had done for you. I knew I could never get you back because of everything. But I saw the way you brightened when he was in the room, the life in your eyes I hadn't even seen when you were a kid on Christmas, confirmed it. And even though I hardly know you Derek, I saw her bring out the good in you. After everything I heard about you, and after meeting you, you always seemed to surprise me when it came to Casey. One second you were making her life a living hell the next doing anything to make her happy. What you guys have is true love. I believe that. I've seen the changes in both of you, even now. You're different. But for the better."

They both nodded, smiling happily at his remark.

"So does this mean you'll come celebrate this love at our wedding?" Derek asked him.

Dennis looked at him in surprise. He figured Derek had only complied because of Casey. But the truth was in his eyes. He wanted him there too. Although his intentions still were solely for the woman beside him, the fact that he didn't completely hate him, were enough.

"I'll be there." Dennis agreed, smiling. Casey beamed.

Derek watched her, the corner of his mouth turning up in a loving smile. It seemed as though finally, the past could stay in the past, and they could focus on the present and future.

Forgiveness was in the air, but they would not forget the reasons for the parting of ways.

And as Derek gazed over at his soon-to-be wife, he knew he would never forget a single moment with her.

And that, like she was to him, was a God send.

THE END

And that's it!

I really, really loved writing this and interacting with you all. Huge thanks to my loyal readers and especially reviewers who I got to chat with while I wrote this story and who threw in suggestions/input that really helped motivate me. I appreciate everyone, as well as those who favourited/alerted it or me. Thank you so much for your continued support and enthusiasm. It truly means the world!

To those who are unaware, the term recovering alcoholic is used for anyone who suffered from alcoholism, even if it's been five, ten, thirty, fifty years since they had a drop of alcohol. However many years ahead this chapter is is up to you as the reader. I tried not to use any indicators to their age while writing it so you all could place it where you like. And I know a few people wanted Dennis killed or permanently gone from their lives, but I feel like there is enough people in the world without a father and I felt he deserved to at least attend the wedding. Whether or not they see him again after that, or if he really makes it there, is up to you. I like leaving a little bit up to the imagination so readers can get their own satisfying ending :)

Thank you all once again. It has been a blessing sharing my writing with each of you.