Dasey (Derek and Casey) Life With Derek

Reuion.

It was a few days before Casey was available for us to see her. I went and got things with Emily at our loft and I still refused to think of a name which frustrated some nurses but maybe that was my silent hope. That our child would be named by us both. Emily picked out a few choices of comfy clothing and I got toiletries for her even though the hospital had them I just wanted her to have pieces of our place.

Arriving back and seeing everyone still waiting around and Ed and Lizzie with Marti coming back after school. I felt complete but also angry and I knew we would address these feelings in a more controlled environment. The doctor told us she was strong enough to see us but he looked over and said she is asking for you. I smiled from ear to ear.

Seeing Casey laying  in that bed with cords in her arms and a monitor. It made me sick but she smiled at me and I went over to her and held her hand.

"Guess I look bad."

"You are beautiful!."

"Haha you're a sight for sore eyes."

"I thought I lost you there for a minute."

"For a minute you did..."

"OUR BABY!."

"He's fine...he's so healthy and growing..."

"Where is he!?."

"He's in the nursery."

"Can I see him..did you pick a name?."

"I wanted to wait for you."

"Thank you babe,you knew I'd make it?."

"No...but I knew you wouldn't give up."

We paged the nurse and she brought our son in and as soon as Casey held him she cried and cradled him. She soothed him and herself as I held her and my boy. Casey and I talked about what the name should be but Casey made it easy and once the birth certificate was signed. We invited the family to hear the name.

"We have a name picked out."

"Really Derek? And Casey?."

"Don't keep us in suspense."

"Yeah Smerek what is it!."

"His name is George."

I looked over to my dad and he started to well up and smiled at us both.

"After me?."

"Yeah dad.."

"But why?."

"You cared about us when no one else did..you have been our rock."

"We love you George."

"Can I hold him?."

"Course grandpa."

I handed my little man to my dad and Emily,Tess and Sam bought gifts from the Walmart down the street to the hospital for the baby. When they came back they saw everyone in tears.

"What'd we miss?."

My dad was so happy and Nora looked over to Casey. Then at little George and my dad and we knew she had more complicated feelings but in that moment she smiled.

"Casey May I hold him?."

"Um...sure mom of course."

Nora held him and then Lizzie,Ed and Smarti with Sam,Emily and Tess being last. And afterword we both took Sam and Emily to the side while everyone cooed over George and asked if they'd be god parents. They both agreed immediately.

The hours flew by and everyone left with not much time for Casey and Nora to properly speak or Lizzie. When the room was quiet and the nurse took our son my dad hugged me and Casey. They left and the nurse said Casey would need to stay for observation but otherwise in a day or two we can go home.

"I can't believe my mom showed up and the whole family.."

"Makes me mad that this is what brought us in the open to talk."

"I agree but who ended up giving me blood?."

"It was Lizzie actually..."

"She did...my god that's so surprising ...."

"She said you are still her sister."

With those words Casey began crying all over again and I held her and just kissed her forehead. I knew it meant a lot for her and heck for me too. But I didn't know how to begin worrying about all this when it's also compounded stress for her. Casey and I are new parents and need support and I am not sure we will fully get it but I want to try.

After the discharge we went home tired with a thankfully sleepy baby George. Once home we were surprised by everyone who set up a dinner and they took George in his room to tuck him in. Casey thanked everyone and my dad explained that Nora wanted to do something and he kept a key to our place so this was last minute. He apologized if he over stepped a boundary but I was thankful nonetheless.

"Casey...I'm sorry honey..I'm your mom and I let you down.."

"Mom..."

"No listen I know we have a long road ahead and you don't have to let me back in...but I hope you do.."

"Thank you for this.."

"Course baby."

Nora and Casey simply cried and hugged each other. I talked with Edwin and Lizzie who were still prickly but they were warming up. Casey didn't say a word she just hugged Lizzie who buried herself in her hug and hung onto her.

"I love you big sis I'm so sorry."

"I'm sorry too Lizzie."

Suddenly everyone was hugging and it was uncomfortable but it was also warm and  I remembered those embarrassing family hugs. This felt alright to me and I looked over at Ed and Smarti who just smiled my way. My dad was holding back some tears. Nora was smiling and we forgot about the food. Casey went and checked on sleeping George. By then the cold food was popped into the microwave for a makeshift dinner for everyone. Ed stole Lizzie's chicken breast and she licked it as payback. It was so easy to fall back into family dinners and those awkward feelings faded. The tension cut by Ed and Lizard being just sibs to one another.

"Everyone dig in already."

"I call the leg!."