Chapter 4

Dinner Time

"Family, Derek and I have something to tell you," Casey said.

"What," they all said.

"The thing is that…" Casey wasn't able to finish her sentence because Derek finished it for her.

"Casey and I are going out." Everyone was silent. No one knew what to say. "How long has this been going on," Casey's mother asked?

"About a month." Casey responded.

"Why didn't you guys tell us sooner," Derek's father asked?

"I don't know, we just thought that waiting to tell people was the right thing to do," Casey said. She really wanted to know what they thought about this but their expressions were unreadable. "Are you okay with this?" She pointed towards her and Derek to show them what she meant by 'this.'

Casey's mother and Derek's father both looked at each other. They could tell that they were figuring out what would be the best response. "No we're not," they finally said. "you guys are step-siblings after all."

They were both afraid of this. "why? Who cares if we are stepsiblings? We love each other and that's the only thing that should matter."

"We're sorry but we can't let you guys do this. This is incest we're talking about here. Incest is illegal you know."

"But we're not blood related," Casey tried to explain. "Incest only counts when you are blood related and besides, George hasn't even adopted us yet, and you haven't adopted Derek, Edwin, and Marty yet."
"Sorry guys, we just can't let you guys do this. I mean, what do you think people will say when they find out that you are dating your step sibling?"

"No one has to know about this. We can keep it quiet as long as you want. We just want to be together; we love each other!" Casey was annoyed that her parents were being so unreasonable. She also didn't get why Derek wasn't saying anything. "Please understand, we really want to be together!"

"I'm so sorry Casey but we still can't let you guys do this. Our decision is final so don't try to change our minds."

Casey was angry now. Derek was too. "I can't believe you guys are being so unfair. I will never forgive you and if you guys expect us to talk to you guys ever again, don't count on it," Casey yelled. "Come one Derek, we're leaving!" Casey stormed off with Derek following behind her. They heard their parents calling after them but they wouldn't stop. They just kept on going. They were both very mad at their parents for acting this way.