The Reunion
Disclaimer: I don't own LwD
AN: I suck at ending, so here, have this!

Chapter 8:

Derek knew how Casey felt about his kitchen. So he gave her a reason to use it. He called up the family and invited them over for dinner before one of his upcoming games. They had things to discuss, that much was obvious, and it had been a while since they were all together. And this way, Casey could cook to her heart's every desire, which earned him a few brownie points. He loved watching her float around his kitchen while she was mixing, slicing, dicing and making his house smell the way a real home should.

She had gone to the grocery store earlier that particular day, grateful it was a weekend and that she didn't have to work. She brought all the needed ingredients and stocked up his fridge like he had never seen it before. She started with something simple like making some rice and a green salad. She boiled a few cobs of corn and seasoned some chicken cutlets before breading them and prepping them to be fried later on. She then went on to make a potato salad before she started baking cupcakes as well, because why not?

In the afternoon the family arrived all together, filling up Derek's living room. He liked the way it looked with his family there. His huge condo usually looked too big for just him. He always thought he should move to a more homier place, but it was suddenly starting to feel right.

Lizzie and Marti helped Casey set the table and soon they were all sitting around, pilling their plates up high with delicious food that Derek had been waiting for all day.

"So, when are we going to talk about the elephant in the room?" Edwin spoke first, raising an eyebrow, while looking around the suddenly still table.

"Edwin!" George reprimanded his youngest son.

"I'm just saying," He shrugged. "The rock on Casey's finger is blinding me from across the table!" he complained while adding another spoonful of potato salad onto his plate. He licked his lips in anticipating for the first bite. He too had missed Casey's cooking.

"I would also like to talk about that actually," Nora added politely from her spot, unable to keep her silence any longer. They had mingled and caught up about normal basic things earlier. But nothing serious. That conversation was being held for the dinner table.

"Casey, would you like to explain?" Derek asked, smirking from his seat across from her.

The seating reminded him of his high school years when they all lived under the same roof; Nora and George were on the ends of the table and the kids filled in the middles. But this time he was allowed to play footsy with Casey under the table, because it was his house, and that was all the reason he needed to brush his foot against hers.

"Not particularly." She whispered, paling a bit while pulling her feet back out of his reach. She pushed her salad around her plate quietly, obviously worried about the conversation that needed to happen.

"Can I be the flower girl?" Marti asked, filling the awkward silence quickly.

"Marti, you're too old to be the flower girl," Lizzie pointed out.

"Hey! She can be the flower girl if she wants to." Derek stepped in, defending his baby sister as always. "Unless..." he started with a devious smile, "You want the job, Liz?" he asked with a soft chuckle, knowing Lizzie would not be up for the job.

"No!" Lizzie claimed. "I'm way too old for that!" And she was, she was in college after all. That was unheard of.

"Come on Derek, Liz is the maid of honor," Edwin corrected his brother with a half-smile directed towards Lizzie.

"I don't know Liz...You might have to compete against Angela for that spot." Derek teased. He could totality have this conversation if it continued like this.

Lizzie gasped, clearly offended by his words turning to look at Casey as if she had make the comment. "That's wrong! I've known you my whole life, Case" she argued, looking actually worried that her position in the wedding court was at stake.

"But not by choice kiddo," Derek added, pointing at Lizzie with his fork.

"Guys, slow down." Nora chimed in, relaxing the rowdy children. She turned to face Casey with a seriously concerned face. "Is there even going to be a wedding, sweetheart " Nora asked. Because the kids were making plans and Casey hadn't said a word about it.

Casey stared back at her mother stunned. She was unsure of what to say. She didn't know what to tell them. "We... uh, haven't talked about that yet." She admitted clearly her throat, clearly feeling awkward.

"But, most likely," Derek quickly added because he was going to marry that girl. He knew it.

"It's still new..." Casey countered with a shrug. She was trying to tone down the wedding buzz that was floating around the table without denying it.

"No, it's not." Lizzie scoffed, surprised Casey could even say that.

"This has been going on since you two met." Marti added, before chomping down on an ear of corn.

"No it hasn't." Casey fought, annoyed that they all sounded like Derek.

"Yeah it has, Case," Edwin added with a soft nod.

"Told you!" Derek beamed across the table, grateful that he wasn't the only one who had seen it.

"So, are we going to get the story or...?" George prompted the pair. Because before they got married he would like to know how all of that happened. How did they get there? Marriage was a big deal!

"Floors all yours babe." Derek winked while finding her foot under the table again.

Casey sighed, putting her fork down. "Long story short: I asked Derek to pretend to be my husband at my reunion so I didn't look like a total loser in front of all those people. He gave me a ring to make it more believable, and let me kept it. I realize I loved it, because I love the idea of being with Derek. And then yeah we talked about it and that's a thing now I guess. Oh and the media kinda found out about it so… yeah." She finished.

"Well then," Nora said after the table had gone completely quiet.

"So, does Derek need to propose? Will there be another ring?" Edwin asked concerned. "Because I could gladly take that one off your hands if-"

"No more rings! That one cost enough to feed a small island." Derek groaned, remembering the price.

"Well jeez Derek, you need to monitor your spending! How do you expect to start a family when you'r-" George added.

Start a family...with Casey. He couldn't wait for that. Or actually, he could. He didn't exactly want to share her with kids just yet. He had just gotten her to himself. They didn't need to rush anything. But eventually a family with Casey was exactly what he wanted his future to look like.

"Georgie... He wanted the best for Casey. I think it's kind of sweet." Nora said with a soft approving smile.

"It is a beautiful ring," Lizzie admitted, ogling the ring on Casey's finger, hypnotized by its shine.

"I want a diamond ring too, Smerek." Marti beamed, using his old nickname to her benefit.

"Yeah?" Derek laughed, knowing Marti's trick. "Well, when a guy has decided to deal with you for the rest of his life, maybe you'll get one," Derek teased his sister, who glared at him with an epic pout.

Dinner went on. They all ate, praising Casey's cooking while teasing her and Derek relentlessly. Until it was time for Derek to head out. He had to get to the rink before the rest of the family for warm ups and such.

"I'll see you guys at the game," he told the table, bending down to press a kiss to the crown of Casey's head.

"That's how you're going to say goodbye to your 'wife'?" Lizzie asked, concerned.

"No. That's how I'm going to say goodbye to my fiancé," Derek smirked, liking the way it sounded coming from him. He was glad they were skipping the whole dating thing. They had enough of getting to know each other throughout the years. It wasn't needed. He knew exactly what he wanted. And clearly, it was Casey.

"Oh come on Derek. That was cheap," Nora added in, with a sly smile. Clearly she had been supporting Dasey for some time as well.

"Kiss her. Kiss her!" Marti chanting and the rest of the ladies, minus a blushing Casey, chanted quickly

"Such pervs," Derek groaned, rolling his eyes, but leaned forward to press a quick chaste kiss to Casey's pursed lips. "Goodbye!" He yelled at the table before actually exiting this time around.

"So," she squealed, "Who wants cupcakes?" She asked, trying to get the attention off of herself.

A Few Months Later...

"You happy now?" Angela's assistant Lilly asked with a glare as she dropped a freshly printed magazine onto Angela's table with disgust.

Instantly Angela's eyes went wide with excitement. Of course she was happy. She had been waiting all day for this! She pulled the still warm magazine into her hands, flipping through to page 22 where she knew the pictures alongside the short article were.

"Yes, actually. Thrilled," she beamed, clearly proud of herself as her eyes skimmed over the glossy page with pride.

"You're a bad person." Lilly replied, shaking her head, taking a seat across her boss, who she was convinced was pure evil.

"I rather call myself cupid, actually." Angela huffed, returning her eyes to the perfect article in front of her. The picture was perfect! Tasteful, and simple. A PR rep's wet dream actually! And the couple looked amazing, happy and completely in love.

"Cupid? Really?" Lilly laughed.

"Hey, they needed a push!" Angela defended herself before closing the magazine and looking up at Lilly.

"She told you they were together. I just don't understand why you had to-"

Angela cut Lilly off quickly. "No." She growled. "She lied to me. You don't get it, I know Casey. I know every one of her ticks. She lied to me that night..." Angela trailed off, still hurt about it. "But that night," she perked up, smiling. "Casey and Derek, ugh, it was just so obvious. More than usual! That they're meant to be." Angela shrugged, convinced that she had done the right thing.

"Are you going to tell her?" Lilly asked.

"Tell her what?"

"That it was you? That you ran the stories about them."

"Maybe... eventually." Angela nodded, promising that she would.

"How do you even know that it worked?"

"Because I just received my invitation to the real wedding. And we're having lunch tomorrow." She smiled, looking very proud of herself.

"So you think she's going to tell you the truth?"

"I know she will," Angela nodded.

Later on that Day...

"Hey Prince Charming." Casey started the second she heard him walk in. "Did you know we're on the cover of this week's People magazine?" Casey asked Derek before looking up at him.

"Do I look good?" was all he asked while dropping his duffle bag by the door. He kicked off his shoes before making his way towards her.

"Ehh, you've looked better." Casey teased, tilting her head up to meet him in a quick kiss when he reached her.

"Let me see," he declared before taking the magazine from her hands.

The picture on the cover was of the pair stepping out of a lush Toronto night club a few nights ago. They were hand in hand, laughing at something or another. Casey looked flawless in a mini dress and heels with a long black trench coat while her brown long locks were wore straight down. Derek simply wore a dress shirt with too many buttons undone and a pea coat. But they looked... well they looked like a candid of any famous couple on any cover of a magazine. It amazed him how well they fit the mold they were thrown into.

"I look awesome," he shrugged, throwing the magazine onto the coffee table. He wrapped his arms around Casey's frame before pulling her into his lap, keeping his hands locked on her hips.

"How'd the dress fitting go?" He asked casually.

Casey stifled a giggle but answered him. "It's perfect and ready to wear." She beamed after wrapping her arms around his neck. Everything was falling into place and she couldn't wait.

"Did you bring it home? Can I see it?" He asked excited.

"No way. You know the rules."

"Oh come on," he groaned, "We're not doing any of this the traditional way, what difference does it make?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.

"A lot!"

"Hey..." he started, cupping her face with a free hand, "Are you okay with all of this?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" She asked, narrowing her eyes out of concern.

"Because you didn't get the proposal you wanted, and it's been kind of crazy last couple of weeks with the wedding and the media..."

"Hey... it's not normal," she shrugged, "But we aren't either. So yeah, I'm cool with it." She promised before pressing her lips to his for a long lingering kiss.

"Cool." He breathed out, more relaxed this time. "Hey, I was thinking," he started while tucking her hair behind her ears, "What do you think about Cerek?"

"No." Casey replied quickly before ducking into his neck to litter his skin with kisses and to distract his ridiculous idea of getting them a new name.

"McTuri?" He bargained.

"NO!" She growled against his skin, biting down on the soft skin to prove her point.

"Fine. We'll continue to sound like a stupid flower," he gave in, melting under her kisses. He could deal with it.

AN: So, that's a lot to take in huh? The family's reaction. The fact that they were sort of engaged in the end. The fact that Angela was the one who ran the story (Gasp! You were all thinking Sharon had something to do with it, weren't you?!) The fact that they were getting married! And I saw how you guys liked Derek's reaction to Dasey so I had to add that last part in.

And we have finished yet another story together my friends. But do not fret! I have already started a new Dasey fic, called The Coffee Shop. (Because every fandom needs a Coffee Shop AU and we seemed to be missing one from what I saw?) Look out for it the next few days. And as always, I still update Snap Shots if you need even more of me!

Thanks for all the support on this one. You guys are the best =)

So there you go. What do you think? Who knew a simple High School reunion could cause so much trouble?!