Having a family of your own was never something you thought about. Not often, anyway. Derek, on the other hand, had always wanted a family and to have at least a few kids.

He always talked about how fun it would be to start and have your own traditions with your kids whenever the time came.

It all started with Zola— the classic birthday traditions, Christmas traditions, etc. It always made Derek so happy to do anything and everything that would make Zola happy.

HIs happiness increased not only when the news of you being pregnant with Bailey came, but with the knowledge that there’d be one more kid to partake in your family traditions.

It was all even better when you found out you were pregnant with your third child. Derek never thought he’d experience joy like this, but he was always proved wrong.

Fast forward to the present, and you have three kids together. Zola, Bailey, and Ellis; all of whom are your pride and joy.

This is your eighth year of making and decorating gingerbread houses around Christmas time, and for the kids (and Derek) it’s just as fun every year.

They’ve each got their own house to decorate while you and Derek decorate one together. Sure, the frosting and candies are an awkwardly sweet amalgamation, but the kids are having fun, and that’s what matters.

“Wow, guys. Your houses are looking good. I think they’ll all look better than ours.” While that’s not true in the slightest, as a parent, you have to know that sometimes, a little white lie is enough to keep them calm. Derek has definitely learned that throughout his time as a father.

“Daddy, look at mine!” Ellis is only a few years old, so she’s still in a stage where she’s very enthusiastic about… well, anything.

Derek looks at her house sitting on the table in front of her and sees the bright red and blue frosting covering the roof, along with yellow gumdrops lined up wherever they can fit. “It looks great, sweetheart. Definitely better than mommy and daddy’s, that’s for sure.”