Derek smiled as he slung his bag over his shoulder. Though he knew that he should be nervous about meeting Erin's children for the first time, he was trying to keep himself in a positive frame of mind, since he knew that that could make all the difference for how things went. Penelope happened to step out of her office as he went to leave, and she gave him an encouraging smile as she waved to him. He gave her a small wave back, the smile on his face wobbling a little when he saw that Dave had also come out of his office, giving him a small glare. Ignoring the look, he took a deep breath and went out to the elevators.

As he waited for it to arrive, he felt someone come up next to him, and he glanced out of the corner of his eye to see Alex standing there, a conflicted look on her face. "Is there something I can do for you, Blake?" he asked, keeping his tone as neutral as possible, knowing that there was still underlying tension between Erin and her.

"Is she doing okay?"

He took a deep breath as he turned to face her, wondering what he should tell her that wouldn't betray Erin. The reconciliation between the two had to be natural, otherwise it had the potential to blow up in all their faces once more. "I think so. She's sad about the way things ended with Dave, but we're starting to put our family together. I'm meeting her children tonight."

"Good luck with that. Truly. Her children have always been protective of her, because of Alan. But don't tell her that I told you that."

He chuckled as he reached out and patted her shoulder lightly. "You know, you could come over some evening, and start to thaw the wall of ice between the two of you. I think that she would be more than happy to reconcile. I don't know if you know what she went through, but I know that she is trying her hardest to make amends with those she's wronged. And I wouldn't be doing my best by her if I didn't suggest that you try to accept the olive branches she keeps holding out."

"I don't think that I'm quite in the space where I can do that just yet. But I grow closer to that point."

He nodded as he patted her arm once more, stepping towards the opening elevator doors. "Our home is open to you any time that you want to come over."

"Thanks, Derek, I'll try to keep that in mind."

The doors closed before he could reply, and he slipped to the back of the car, knowing that more people would be getting on as it descended. There should have been ample time to think about what he would say to her children, but he got stuck in thoughts of Erin and how she had looked at him as she had left early to get ready for the evening ahead of them. There had been a sweet look of contentment on her face that told him she was happy for this meeting, since it meant that they would be one step closer to a blended family.

In a slight daze, he made his way to his truck, thinking ahead to what the evening might entail. He knew that he would most likely have to impress her youngest, Tabitha, first, since the baby of the family was always the hardest to win over. And he knew that he would have a problem getting close to Bruce, since it appeared that they didn't share many interests, not like him and Dave. Still, it would be worth the effort, he knew, since they were a part of Erin, and that meant they would always be a part of their lives together.

Somehow, he made it home, though he did the drive on autopilot, his thoughts completely consumed by his new family. Parking next to Erin, he looked around the lot to see if there were any unfamiliar vehicles, but he didn't notice any, which told him they most likely weren't there yet. Taking a deep breath, he plastered on the happiest smile he could summon and whistled a jaunty tune as he made the short walk from the parking lot to the building. After letting himself in, Derek made his way up the stairs, using the physical exertion to help focus his breathing and thoughts. By the time he reached his floor, he found himself much calmer, actually looking forward to the meal they were going to share.

Unlocking the door, he went in and breathed in the delicious scent of ham cooking. "I'm home, Erin!" he called out as he set his bag down and hung his coat on the hook. "Do you know what time they'll be here?"

Erin came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel as she smiled in his direction. "Tabitha called a few minutes ago and said that they were just getting under way, which means they should be here in about twenty minutes. And that is perfect timing, because the scalloped potatoes will be ready to pull from the oven just then, so we can sit down right away. I managed to find a fifth chair in one of the closets, but it's going to be a tight fit around the table. Unless you don't mind having me in your space while we eat?"

"Do you really need to ask me that, darlin'?"

She blushed a little as she shook her head, and he chuckled, holding out his arm to her. Erin sighed a little as she went over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist as her head came to rest on his chest. "There are just some times when I feel a little insecure, still. And this is really for the most ridiculous reason, Derek. Someone left a gift for us with my assistant."

He guided her over to the sofa, helping her to sit before resting his hand on her bump as he looked into her eyes. "What sort of gift?"

"A gorgeous knitted blanket. And I know it's not from Penelope, because…"

"Let me guess, she dragged you to the craft store when you were shopping together, and made you pick out something that you liked for the baby?" She nodded against his chest, curling her hand into his shirt as she snuggled in closer to him. "So, who do you think left it, then?"

"I'm not certain, because there wasn't a card or anything. I left it in the bedroom, so we can look at it once the kids leave. I know this is your first child, Derek, and we really need things for the baby, but…I don't think that I'll be up for having a baby shower? I think that Penelope is sort of planning one for us, but if you could please ask her to not?"

"That is perfectly all right. But she'll also probably just keep gifting you with things for the baby. That was what she did with JJ, at least." Derek lowered his head and kissed the top of her head as she made a small sound of agreement in the back of her throat. "I also don't want to get your hopes up, but I think that there is a slight thaw happening in someone's heart. They asked me not to tell you, but I had to let you obliquely know, so that you can continue holding out those olive branches."

"Yes," she whispered through a yawn. "I am going to take a quick nap until they get here, if you don't mind my using your chest as my pillow."

"How could I ever mind that, Erin?" She shrugged as he scooted back further on the sofa and then he patted his chest, inviting her to stretch out and recline on him. As soon as she was curled up on him, Derek started to run his fingers through her hair, listening to her breathing quickly even out as she drifted off to sleep. It was a bit awkward to have her sleep on him, since he had planned on going through his email and whatnot before her children arrived, but then he realized that this was the perfect opportunity just to rest and be with her.

He woke up a short while later to the sound of the buzzer and the timer on the oven. Shaking Erin's shoulder, he helped her to sit up before standing and going over to the door, allowing her children to come up. "Derek? I need your help taking the ham out of the oven."

"Be right there," he replied, turning from the door and walking over to the kitchen. "If you want to let the kids in while I get everything on the table?"

"Of course," she replied before kissing him softly. "I love you so much."

Derek was taken aback by the passion in her voice, and he could only nod as he watched her head out of the room. He knew that his heart was resting entirely in her being, and he didn't know when that entirely happened. Letting out a contented sigh, he pulled on the oven mitts and took out the ham, going over to the table and setting it on the table before also putting the scalloped potatoes there as well. After that was done, he pulled the pitcher of water out of the fridge and filled their glasses as he heard the low sound of voices fill the living room. A weirdly nervous fluttering started in his stomach, and he set the pitcher onto the counter with a dull thud as he went out to join them.

"Hello," he said evenly, looking between the three children, his three stepchildren, and saw that they were looking at him just as nervously, and he smiled a little as he turned his focus onto the oldest of the trio. "I'm Derek. You must be Karen." She nodded and shook his hand firmly, reminding him so much of Erin in that moment that he began to relax as he introduced himself to Bruce and Tabitha. "The food is on the table, so if you'd like to follow us into the kitchen, we can talk and eat?"

"Mom, you made your scalloped potatoes?" Bruce asked excitedly, and he watched Erin nod as she let her arm come to rest around her son's waist, walking in tandem with him, Karen following closely behind.

"Karen doesn't know what to make of all this," Tabitha said lowly. "She was expecting an engagement ring for Mom this Christmas, not a new brother or sister, and a stepfather that we've only heard about in passing from her. How did this happen?"

He looked at Tabitha steadily. She was still the baby of the family, until the new baby arrived, but there was that same steel in her gaze that Erin wore when she was searching for the truth of a situation. "There were decisions to make that even I don't understand fully. Dave didn't want a child this late in his life, and well, I've always wanted a family. This is my chance at that, and I love your mother all the more for making this a possibility. She could have chosen to walk this road alone, God knows she's strong enough to do so, but she indulged my request to take care of her and the sprog."

He blinked back quick tears, not realizing that that admission would call them to the forefront. Tabitha nodded as she took hold of his hand, allowing him to guide her into the kitchen. Everyone else was gathered around the table already, and Erin looked up at him, still talking to Karen, a brilliant smile on her lips. Derek nodded a little as he let go of Tabitha's hand, taking his seat next to her. "So, Grandma and Grandpa will be staying at my house, along with Derek's mother and sisters for the holiday season. I know that there's more than enough room for all of us, but I want to allow everyone to have the opportunity for space. And I really want this to be an amazing Christmas?"

Derek slipped his hand off the table to cover her knee, squeezing lightly to offer her support as he looked around the table at her children. There was no hint of them being recalcitrant or angry, which helped to relax him even more. "I think that you'll like my sisters," he said lowly. "And I know my mom will like having more people to spoil."

"Okay," Bruce said. "But we can call your mom by her name, yes? I don't know how I'd feel about having to call her grandma right now."

"We would never force you to do something you don't want to do, Brucie. I'm just asking that you try to get along with everyone. I know that this is really hard to grow accustomed to, but I hope that eventually we can all feel like we're family."

"Of course, we'll try, Mama. After all, that's what family does. It grows and includes," Tabitha said quickly, looking to Derek with an open, loving, look on her face. "And if more people want to include us, the better." Derek nodded as Erin covered his hand with hers, squeezing sharply as she drew in a shuddering breath, happiness shining from her face. And Derek knew that this truly was the first step forward in their becoming a family.