Derek Shepherd does not have a favorite child. If you asked him, he would say he loved his three children just the same. His heart could burst with pride and love for all three. Each of them were distinct in personality and character. He swore he didn't have a favorite, but every now and then they'd each do or say something that made him love them a little more.

The Shepherd children had energy. Lots of energy. They get it from you. That's all you, Shepherd, he could practically hear Meredith tell him. She had been on call that night and the kids had a particular hard time getting to bed. They built a fort in their living room and insisted on staying up late making smores by the fireplace. Ever the doting father, Derek gave in. One night wouldn't kill them, besides they were on break from school. Besides, these were memories he'd keep forever. Just him and his three kids.

After finally putting his two youngest to bed, he checked in on Zola. The eight year old had a vast collection of books in her room including one titled, My First Book About the Brain. Derek had purchased it for her on a trip to Los Angeles when he was at a conference. She had asked him about a million questions about what he did and how the brain worked that he found it only appropriate that he bring this back to her.

Any other parent would've brought home a toy, but he knew his daughter would appreciate this so much more. He wouldn't trade the excitement on her face when she first saw it for anything in the world.

"Only you would bring that book home," Meredith had said in between bursts of laughter when they were getting ready for bed.

Derek only shook his head, "You're just jealous because she's showing an interest in neuro already."

Derek walked into Zola's room as she was coloring in one of the pages, "Hey Zo, lights out. It's late."

He sat next to her as he looked at her page, "What are you coloring?"

"The nerves," Zola said as she kept her eyes on the page, "Did you know they help you feel everything?"

She was cute when she concentrated. She stuck her tongue out and answered any question all while staying focused on her task.

Derek smiled, "Oh I see. Maybe you can finish coloring this tomorrow morning. Your brain needs some sleep."

Zola sighed, "Okay daddy."

She closed her book and put her crayons back in her box. Derek took them and placed them on her night stand as she shuffled in between her sheets.

Derek began to tuck her in and sat next to her again.

"Momma likes her job, right daddy?" Zola had asked. He and Meredith made it a point to show that they both loved their jobs and that Meredith worked hard to do what she loved. She wasn't perfect, it wasn't easy but she wanted to set an example.

Derek nodded, "She does. And she's pretty great at it too."

"I'm gonna be a brain surgeon", Zola yawned,"I think I would love being a brain surgeon."

"Really?" he asked with widened eyes.

"Mhmm. I want to be like you and mom. I want to save lives and fix brains like you. I love the brain," she mumbled as her eyes began to droop.

Derek smiled as he leaned in to kiss her forehead.

Derek Shepherd refused to have favorites, but right now at this moment, Zola Grey Shepherd was pretty close.

Bailey sat silently on the boat across from his father.

He was excited to join his father on an early fishing adventure on their own without his sisters for the first time. He kept begging his dad for a trip all on their own for some time.

"Please, it can be our man time?" the seven-year old said. Derek knew the feeling of growing up with sisters and without his dad so he agreed. They were both up by 5 am, careful not to make any loud noise that could wake up the girls. Meredith had seen the father/son duo off knowing they'd be out almost all day.

He had chatted all the way to the lake about soccer and school. His team had won a tournament last week and he could still not get over it. His friend had made the winning goal with his assist and it was all he could talk about the entire car ride.

As soon as he and Derek boarded the boat however, he fell silent.

With the help of his father, he set the fishing rod and casted his line.

Derek carefully observed his son. Bailey was sitting on the boat staring out at the water. He was wearing one of Derek's old Bowdin caps and a dark green jacket. He sat up straight and held on tightly to his blue fishing rod. His eyes scanned the lake from one end to the other. He sat on his seat quietly and made no noise. His gaze seemed very distant as he concentrated. His brows furrowed and his lips pouted just a little.

"He looks just like you when he's mad or concentrated," Meredith laughed.

"Bailey?" Derek called to him.

The blonde blue-eyed boy turned his head.

"You're quiet." Derek mulled.

Bailey looked back to the lake and then back at his father.

"I don't want to scare off the fish!" He whispered.

Derek chuckled, "Ah, I see."

They both turned their gaze back to the water. Bailey squinted as he looked down to see if there were any fish visible?

"Do you think we'll catch anything?" He whispered.

"I think so," Derek replied, "we just have to be patient."

Despite his current state, patience was not a quality Bailey had. He wanted everything now and fast. He was a quick thinker and was always up on his feet ready for the next thing. He was a bundle of energy that was often a little too much to control. Definitely all you, Shepherd, Meredith had laughed.

Derek closed his eyes for a moment before Bailey stood up.

"Dad, I think I caught one."

He stood up and carefully made his way to help his son.

Bailey stayed calm and collected as Derek made his way behind him.

"Okay, let it tire itself out before you reel it in."

Bailey waited a little and then began to reel in his fish focused on the task at hand. As soon as it hit the surface, Derek helped him unhook it. Bailey smiled the entire time. He was proud of his accomplishment.

"Bails, this is a pretty big fish! Nicely done!" Derek beamed.

Bailey smiled, "Can we take a picture for mom?"

Derek looked down at his son, "Heck yeah! We'll even put it on the fridge!"

Bailey's smile wouldn't falter.

He may not have any favorites, but Derek Bailey Shepherd was pretty close to becoming his favorite.

A scowl. She had a scowl on her face with her worried little brow. He was in trouble and he knew it.

"Ellie, it has to come down. If it keeps growing, it'll fall over and hurt someone."

The little girl had her arms crossed as she stared at her father. Derek had been meaning to cut down the tree that was too dangerous to have near the house. With work and the kids, he'd been putting it off but it was near the point of falling over. Ellis was absolutely furious and had threatened never to speak to him again if he cut it down. Derek was sure she would keep her threat and attempted to reason with her.

Ellis stomped her foot as she continued to stare him down, "It's a living thing, daddy!"

Meredith watched from the porch with a mug in her hand as she bit her lip to suppress a giggle.

Derek looked up at her and shook his head, "You know she's as stubborn as you!"

Meredith chuckled and raised her eyebrow, "Serves you right."

Derek sighed. This little girl had him wrapped around her finger and she knew it. The look she had on her face was the same look of defiance his wife would give him when she was determined not to budge. And Ellis didn't budge either. She kept her stance with her arms crossed waiting to see for her dad to give in. He'd give in. She'd win this round because she always won. She was her mother's daughter.

"Fine. We'll leave it up another week."

Meredith couldn't contain herself and laughed. He was too easy.

Ellis grinned but kept her arms crossed.

"And you have to plant a new one!"

Derek laughed. There was that little tone again. The one that sounded just like her mother's tone when she wanted something.

He wanted to leave the area clear so Bailey could also enjoy the view of the land from his room. This was as close to a compromise as he would get with Ellis so he gave in.

He sighed and placed his hands on his hips, "Fine, but I'm moving it a little farther away so Bailey can see outside his window too."

Ellis smiled, "Fine."

She uncrossed her arms and clasped her hands behind her as she twirled her body just a bit.

Damn it. This little girl owned every little part of him. He swore he didn't have favorites, but at this very moment Ellis Grey Shepherd was pretty damn close.

"Make room," Meredith ordered as she sat on his lap on the lounge chair on the porch. He was reading a medical article outside in the cool breeze of Seattle.

"You know I bought you a chair of your own," he said as Meredith enveloped her arms around his middle section. She settled her head by the crook of his neck and exhaled loudly.

"Yeah, but this one's more comfortable," she mumbled.

Derek chuckled and placed the magazine on the table and embraced her.

He closed his eyes and rested his chin on top of her forehead. He hummed as she tucked herself a little further and he rubbed her back up and down a few times. He was completely content with just laying out on the deck with his wife in his arms and his kids safely inside.

These were rare moments between the two. Moments that reminded them that they were still here. In their house, surrounded by the trees Ellis refused to have cut down, close to the stream where Bailey learned to fish, and in the house where Zola decided she would be just like her parents.

With their kids safely sleeping inside, he could silently admit one thing. He had a favorite, and her name was Meredith Grey.