Derek had only been a chaperon to one of his children's school field trips, and once had been enough. When Cullen was in kindergarten Abby fell pregnant with the Hale's second son and Child Nikolas rendering her unable to cope with the travel and stress of handling multiple children in the latter months of her pregnancy due to being placed on bed rest. Having already signed up as one of the parent volunteers for the class that left them with one option; Derek.

It wasn't like Derek was out of touch with Cullen's schooling because he truly wasn't. He spent every night listening to his son talk about his classmates, and proudly displayed everyone of Cullen's art work in his office and gushed over to anyone who would listen. It was more like logistics made it more sense for Abby to be in primary charge of Cullen's schooling. With the high school and elementary being basically neighbors it made more sense for Cullen to ride in and be picked up by Abby.

It came as a great shock when Cullen walked proudly into school holding his father's hand that day. Today Cullen's class was going to be going to their end of the year field tripe to the local zoo. While the children were overly excited Derek was all but amused. He had never been around so many children before, and between the noise and the smells his wolf senses were going on over drive. As it were the children were running around the classroom pulling out toys, paints, and simply rough housing with each other waiting for the school but to arrive. Derek was on the verge of a migraine. He now understood the reaction of his family at the prospect of being a chaperon. Abby had argued that one day out of bed rest wasn't going to cause harm to her or the baby. Isaac had spat his milk all over the place, and both Scott and Stiles doubled over in laughter with tears running down their faces.

"Daddy," Cullen pulled on his father's pant leg to get his attention. "I want to show you the room daddy."

At the sight of his son's happy and hopeful face Derek quickly stopped his brooding. "Sure buddy lead the way." Cullen to great pains into showing Derek everything in the room that was 'his'; this included his chubby, his chair, and the variety of toys that were his favorite to play with, and Derek loved every minute of making sure to praise everything his son said.

The others, however he was not impressed with. To start he was the only make chaperon and was trapped in a room filled bored and hormonal housewives. It didn't take werewolf senses to feel the lust they were emanating. Inspite of his many reminders that not only was he married, but he was most certainly happily married with a baby on the way some of the women were very persistent.

"You must be Cullen's father." One of the mothers approached Derek. He took note that three of her previously buttoned buttons on her blouse were now unbutton and her breast clearly visible. He shuddered. "We haven't seen you here; Abby normally attends these things. I hope everything's okay?" The intent was clear. She wanted to know if there marriage was in trouble.

"Oh yes everything is fine. Abby's been put on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy with our second child." Derek was very pleased with his answer. He had thought that it made it loud and clear that he was off limits. He was wrong.

"Oh congratulations!" The woman gushed her words void of the typical jovial tone that accompanied that form of response. I take it that Abby hasn't been doing well. This must be very stressful for you. Left to take care of a sick wife and a young son. It so important that you find ways to relax, and find some alone time."

"No not at all. I have a very large and supportive extended family who have been more the gracious with helping out with the household. Besides I'm happy to do it. The way I see it Abby's got it much worse."

"Awe well aren't you the sweetest thing." The women ran her hand up Derek's leg and he nearly jumped out of his seat to get away from her. Luckily the other mother's weren't as bold, but he could still hear the hushed whispers.

If Derek thought the hormone driven moms were bad he was underestimating what being in charge of five overly indulged boys could be. Not that the children were bad bas; it was more like they were mischievous. To start once they all unloaded from the bus and arrive at the zoo each parent was given a map and told they could go their own way. That's where Derek's troubles began. With each boy wanting to see a different animal Derek was stuck with each one of the calling out their favorite animal at him in the hopes that he would pick theirs. After pulling a part a mini wrestling match between two of the boys Derek announced that since he was the adult he was going to be the one to pick.

The snake house was a story all on its own. To start two of the boys refused to go, and Derek had to spend a good fifteen minutes convincing them there was nothing to be afraid. All was going well until it came to feeding time and the boys watched a snake eat a mouse whole. That scared the crap out of them and sent them into a crying fit that drew the attention of all of those passing by. Derek had to give each boy a cuddle, and Cullen hid his face in his father's neck.

The petting zoo was its own special brand of hell. With so much stimulating all around them the boys couldn't keep still and waiting was out of the question. He found himself running around the pen chasing one boy or another in the hopes of stoping them from scaring the animals and to get them in some kind of order.

The truly horrific part of the day came when Derek had to take all of the boys to the gift shop. Unfortunately Derek was having so much fun with Cullen looking at the toys that he lost track of his group. A blind panic came over him when he realized that not only were the not in the store there weren't in the visible area. With all of the different smells floating him around him, and the very potent smell of the animals Derek had to rely on his sense of hearing. It took him well over a half hour to find the other four each of whom had found their way back to their favorite animal.

Derek was never happier to be home. After setting Cullen up in the kitchen with a snack he made his way up to his bedroom to check on Abby.

"So how did it go?" Abby paused the tv and patted the spot next to her on the bed.

"Never again." Derek crawled his way towards Abby an hugged her resting his head on her bump.

"The children couldn't have been that bad." Abby ran her hand through Derek's hair soothing him.

"And their mothers. I don't know how you do it."

"I bribe them. Bubble gum normally works." Abby answered with sympathy.

Derek's eyes were dropping when he he heard the tell tale yell of his son.

"Daddy come play with my tigers." Cullen called from his room for his father.

"Where, where does he get the energy?" Derek groaned rolling out of the bed to join his son in play time.