This morning when I woke up next to my beautiful wife I began to think about what my life would be without her, and my 9 beautiful children. Addison was okay but she just wasn't the one for me. As I was walking downstairs I began to walk I heard the children excited about something and I didn't know what was going on. When I got downstairs with Meredith we began to find out what was going on just to find out it was something that Meredith and I have been expecting for weeks and that was Tyler, and Elizabeth's first steps. My children are growing up so fast. It seems just like yesterday when they were born now that they are 8 months old. I can't believe that Zola is in college, Bailey in junior year, Lex and El in sophomore year, Hannah in freshman year, Luke and Amelia in 5th grade next year they will be in a different school from where they are now.

"Dadda bubba" asked Beth. "Oh baby girl its coming mamma is making it for you." I told my little girl. "I poop" said my son. I can't believe that they already know these words. My children are my life, along with Meredith. But what shocked me is that Zola is engaged to Fred her on and off again boyfriend. I know that she did have a plan to be a doctor but now she is going to be a nurse in a few years. But she recently started working at the hospital as a LNA and she is going to night classes at school after a 6 hour work day getting more experience than some of the others in the nursing major. "Dad I have to work tomorrow and I'm the nurse on your service." Said Zola. "Zo you're working with me tomorrow?" I asked her. "Yes daddy also Freddy is coming over for dinner tonight." She told me. With my children growing up too fast I haven't had the time to except that they wont be with me forever and I won't be around. Just like my mother who recently took ill again and is here in Seattle under Meredith and Maggie's care. "Hey dad don't forget Annabelle is coming over tonight." Said Bailey. Annabelle Riggs is Bailey's new girlfriend even thought his uncle is Annabelle's uncle. Bailey doesn't really consider Annabelle Riggs his cousin because they aren't related at all and Megan Hunt and Nathan Riggs think its fine for them to be together even though it's kind of creepy but being 17 and growing up well there's not much to stop young love. "Dad Franklin is coming over tonight, as is Mike." Said Ellis and Lexie. My daughters who are going to be 15 in 3 months. I don't like the idea of turning 53 and losing my children to growing up.

"Oh Derek It's okay that our children are growing up so fast I mean we still have each other until we die." My wife said to me. "I know Mere but I don't like the idea of losing our children to love, college, and other things." I told her. I hope when the kids are out of the house they will still remember Meredith and I even when they have their own family. "Daddy why are you so sad." Asked Amelia. "Mia I'm sad because you guys are growing up to fast." I told my daughter. "NO I don't want to grow up I want to stay 9 I wish I was 5 again but that is never going to happen." She told me. "Why do you want to be 5 again is it because you were able to spend time with both your mother and I?" I asked. " Well actually that's when life seemed simple and I could sit in your lap and be your little girl but it's hard to do that now because I'm bigger than I was four years ago." Amelia told me. "It's true dad I miss the days when you would let us sit in your lap, you letting us pretend we were doctors, going to dance classes as a family and just being the young happy Shepherds we once were," all 7 of my children said. I told my kids that we could still do all of those things like going to family dance classes again Meredith and I miss going to the dance classes or to dance recitals.

Tomorrow night is Ellis's ice skating recital and I'm looking forward to seeing my little girl who isn't so little anymore skate for the finals that are coming up in the next few weeks. I can't believe that summer came and went September went by fast and now tomorrow is November first. Tonight is the night I enjoy just as much as Christmas as I get to dress up with Meredith and the kids. Zola likes to do a Halloween fashion show before we got trick or treating or to a party. This year I'm dressing up as A race car driver, Meredith is dressing up as a teacher, Zola as a bride because it fits her plan in 18 months, Bailey dressing up as captain James T Kirk from Star Trek, Lexie as Daisy Duck, Ellis as tinker bell, Hannah as a princess, Luke as Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, Amelia as Princess Leia from Star Wars, baby Tyler as Mickey Mouse, and baby Liz as Minnie Mouse. I enjoy these moments with my family and in a few years I could be enjoying these moments with grand children. Just to think I'm old enough for grand children is hard for me because I have two little kids and one ready for marriage and starting a family of her own. I'm just going to take what ever time I have with my older children and enjoy them as I have plenty of time with Luke, Amelia, Tyler, and Liz. When I went to bed I had a dream about the future and it turns out perfect in every way possible.

A/N: so here is Derek's point of view watching his kids grow. Derek's dream will also be discussed later on in the story.