The next morning Callen got the kids up while Brook made pancakes. When they walked into the kitchen both kids eyes got huge.

"You two hungry?"

They both just stood there not sure what to do. Callen picked Michael up and put him on a booster seat so he could reach the table. Megan climbed up on a chair herself.

"I hope you guys like pancakes." Said Callen.

Neither kid said anything as they started to eat. Callen cut up Michaels so he could start eating. Megan ate one and pushed her plate away.

"Megan you can have as much as you want."

"Really?" Big brown eyes looked up at Brooklyn.

"Yes really." Brook brushed some hair out of Megan's face and put two more pancakes on her plate.

The kids looked at Callen's plate heaped with bacon.

"Yeah your dad has a thing for bacon." Both kids laughed at this. Callen only shrugged.

Once breakfast was finished Callen headed to the Mission. He wanted to pick up paperwork they could do from home. Hetty told them to take a day or two and get the kids settled. Brook put a DVD in for them to watch and joined them on the couch.

"Do we really get to stay here?" asked Megan.

"Yes you do. We signed papers back in DC that make you our children. That's why your last name was changed to Callen."

"Our mommy and daddy didn't want us." Megan wouldn't look at the tv but Michael was on the floor having a blast watching the lion king.

"Why do you say that?"

"They were always fighting. Daddy said he was too busy to be bothered with us. Mommy spent a lot of time on the phone with her friends."

"Megan I promise you we want you."

She looked up at Brooklyn her eyes huge. "You're not going to be too busy for us?"

"No matter how busy we get we will always make time for you. Plus you have a lot of aunts and uncles to meet yet that will want to spend time with you too."

"Ok." Megan then moved as close to Brook as she could and snuggled into her. Brook wanted to cry. These kids had been thru hell not only from their foster parents but from their own parents too. She and Callen would have their work cut out for them getting these two to trust again.

THE MISSION.

"So G how are the kids doing?"

Callen sank into his seat. Everyone gathered around to hear about the kids, even Granger.

"Well they have almost nothing. I don't know if the fosters kept a lot of it or not. Megan has bruises from her fosters hurting her. She didn't think she was allowed to eat more than one pancake this morning." He ran a hand over his face. "Michael seems to be doing better with everything."

"Those poor children." Said Hetty.

"As soon as I get home we're going to take them shopping for clothing."

"I'm glad I got them jammies." Said Nell.

"Thanks about that by the way." Callen looked around the room. "The second Megan saw us she launched herself at Brook. I have photos." He handed Nell his phone and in a few minutes they were on the big screen.

"They are so cute." Said Kensi.

"Look at those eyes." Said Nell about Michael.

"G you need any help just let me know ok?"

"Thanks Sam."

They looked at all the photos and commented on each one. Hetty suggested a meet and great that weekend so the kids could meet all their new aunts and uncles. Callen agreed hoping it would make the kids feel less alone.

Nell got Callen their paper work and Hetty told him to take the rest of the week unless they really needed them to come in. If they did she told them to bring the kids with them and she would look after them.

Callen got home to find the kids taking a nap. "Hey babe how are the kids?"

"Good. Callen Megan told me that her parents didn't want them. They mostly ignored them."

"Well that explains a lot."

"I don't think that they had much to begin with. Which is strange because her parents seemed like such nice people the few times I spoke to them."

"A lot of people have two sides."

This really angered Callen. He didn't understand how anyone could treat their children this way.

"Megan asked if they were really staying with us."

Callen pulled Brooklyn into his arms and just held her.

"Mommy can I have something to drink?" Megan stood in the doorway to the kitchen holding onto her teddy bear.

"Sure sweetie how about some juice?" Megan smiled at her and sat at the table to drink her juice.

"I'll go get Michael ready to go." Said Brook. Callen sat down with Megan.

"Where are we going?" Megan asked quietly.

"We're taking you both shopping for new clothing."

"Really?" Megan seemed surprised.

"You both need lighter clothing sense its warm here most of the year. Plus bathing suits if we're gonna take you to the beach."

"I can't swim." Said Megan.

"Don't worry you'll learn."

Michael ran into the kitchen and climbed up onto Callen's lap. "Hi daddy."

"Hey buddy. Ready to go shopping?"

"Yes." Michael looked up at Callen a huge smile on his face.

"Daddy can I get shoes like Mommy has?" asked Megan. Callen looked down at Brooklyn's flip flops.

"Sure you can."

"Can I have pink ones?"

Callen laughed. "You can have any color you want."

Four hours later they were home. Callen lugged close to ten bags into the house. Megan skipped ahead of him in her new pink flip flops. Michael was asleep in Brooklyn's arms.

"I'm going to put him to bed." Said Brooklyn as she walked past Callen.

Megan followed Brook into the bedroom. "Mommy can I play with my dollhouse?"

"Sure baby just don't wake Michael up ok."

"Ok."

Sam and Nell had gotten her a huge wooden dollhouse with all the furniture and little items it needed. Megan loved it.

"I'm going to call my mom and let her know about the kids."

"Yeah good idea."

"Hey mom, is dad there?" "Can you put the phone on speaker I have something to tell you."

"Ok Brook it's on speaker."

"I just wanted to tell you your grandparents."

"We're what?"

"Callen and I adopted a brother and sister."

"You did what?" Brooks mother shocked.

"Megan and Michael, I'm emailing you photos now."

"Oh Brooklyn. When did you bring them home?"

"Yesterday. We flew to DC to get them. Their parents were agents."

"Brooklyn I hope you know what you're doing?" said her dad.

"Dad we know what we're doing."

"Well your aunt Meg will love finding out your girl has the same name."

"I never thought of that. I need to call Meg."

Brooklyn finished up her call with her parents. They planned to come visit soon. She then called Meg.

"Hey Aunt Meg guess what?"

"Well Cricket I have no idea. Why don't you tell me."

"Callen and I adopted two children. Michael who is 4 and Megan who is 6."

"Oh my." Meg laughed. "Well I guess I need to start packing."

"You really want to come out here?"

"Honey I promised you I would. Plus it gets too cold out here for me."

"Ok, Callen and I will fix up the spare room for you."

"Don't you worry about me. I'll call a realtor and find a place close to you. This old woman needs her own space."

"Alright, let me know when to expect you."

Brook hung up and looked at Callen. "Well my parents are less than thrilled, but Meg is ready to come out and help us."

"That's good. Michele told Sam she'd be happy to baby sit for us if we need her too."

"We need to get them enrolled in school. Megan should be in first grade and Michael preschool."

"I'll call Hetty tomorrow see what schools she thinks would be best."

Megan and Michael came into the living room.

"Hey guys what's up?"

"We're hungry." Said Megan.

"Well let's go see what we have for dinner." Said Brooklyn. They made mac and cheese. Megan helped while Michael and Callen watched. After dinner Callen spent time with the kids while Brook got all their clothing put away.

After dinner the kids ran to their room to play. Callen and Brook sat on the couch to get caught up with their paperwork. They could hear the kids giggle from their room. It was a nice sound. At 8 Brook got the kids bathed and ready for bed.

"How about I read you a story?" said Callen picking up on of the books Nell had bought.

Megan climbed into the bed with her brother and was all eyes as Callen sat on the floor to read. Brook snuck out of the room and grabbed the camera. She took several photos of them from the door way. By the time the story was over they were both fast asleep.

Callen picked up Megan and put her in the top bunk and covered her up. He turned to find Brooklyn watching him.

"What?"

"Nothing." She smiled up at him. "It's just nice to see the kids happy."

"Yeah Megan is starting to relax."

The phone rang and it was Gibbs. He wanted to check up on the kids. Callen told him about their parents and how they were treated. Gibbs had known them well and never would have thought that.

The next day Callen got called in to work.

"Just go we'll be fine."

"Ok call me later."

"G go to work." Brooklyn pushed him out the door.

"Mommy where's daddy going?" asked Megan.

"He had to go to work and catch some bad guys."

"Oh ok."

"So what do you want for breakfast? I can make pancakes again or cereal?"

"Pancakes." Yelled Michael from behind his sister. Megan nodded her head and smiled.

"Ok pancakes it is."

After breakfast Brooklyn took the kids to the park. It was only a few blocks away. They acted like they never played outside before. Once they got the hang of things they had a blast.

When they got home Hetty called to say that the kids had been enrolled in a school 15 minutes from the house. The kids would start Monday but could come visit any day that week to meet their teachers.

"Guess what guys?" Brooklyn looked at the kids. "You start school on Monday."

"I don't have a book bag mommy." Said Megan. "Mine ripped and got put in the trash."

"Well I guess we need to go shopping. The school is supposed to send us a list of what you both need."

Megan seemed excited about school. By 3pm Brook had a list emailed to her from the school.

"Ok guys we got the list do you want to go shopping for your school supplies?"

Both kids ran to get their shoes. Brook called Callen to let him know they were going shopping. He was disappointed he had to miss out on the trip but the case was a bad one and he didn't know when he'd get home.

At the store Michael sat in the car while Megan walked next to it holding on to the side. She picked out everything in pink she could find. Michael was happy with a box of crayons. For preschool he only needed a pillow and blanket for nap time which would stay at school in his cubby.

"Mommy look." Megan held up a Hello Kitty back pack and lunch box. "Can I get them please?"

"If that's what you want sure." Megan beamed. Brook told her to hold them up again and she snapped a pic to send to Callen. "Let's send that to daddy so he can see what you're getting."

Callen's phone pinged and he opened the text to see a photo of his little girl with the biggest smile on her face. He showed Sam.

"Great feeling huh G?"

"Sure is Sam."

"So you and Brook still trying for one of your own?"

"Yes we are. I'm happy with what I have now but I'd still love to see her pregnant at least once."

"I'm glad you got your family G."

"So am I Sam."

Kensi and Deeks had just left their interview when Kensi stopped short and looked in a shops window.

"Kensi I know you love to shop but we are working." Said Deeks.

"Deeks look." She pointed to a photo frame that had the words *My Family* carved into it. "Let's get it for Callen. Nell printed out those photos Callen showed us we can put the one of the four of them in it and have it on his desk for a surprise."

Deeks had to admit it was a nice idea. They bought the frame and hurried back to the Mission. Deeks called Nell to make sure that the photo they wanted was the right size for the frame. It was. Nell met them at the desks and they had the frame and photo all ready when Callen and Sam got back.

Callen dropped into his chair and his jaw dropped. He picked up the frame and smiled.

"Do you like it?" asked Kensi from besides him.

"Kensi I don't know what to say."

"Deeks and I spotted the frame this morning, Nell took care of the photo."

The photo was taken back in DC. Callen was holding Michael and Megan was standing in front of Brook. They all were smiling.

"It's perfect. Thank you."

Kensi beamed. She was thrilled that Callen liked the gift so much.

"So Kensi you ready to make a little Mutant Ninja Assassin of our own yet?" Deeks said.

Kensi looked at him and blushed.

"Man I don't need to know those things you two." Complained Sam.

"Oh come on Sam, we'll make you godfather."

Sam thought about this and started to laugh. "I just hope the kid ends up looking like Kensi."

This made Kensi blush even more. Deeks loved it.

It was almost one am when Callen got home. He checked on the kids then grabbed a shower. Brooklyn woke as he was getting into bed.

"How's the case going?"

"Good we got the guys. Have to talk to them yet but it was too late and Hetty decided to let them stew overnight. Good thing is I don't need to be there for that so I can spend the day tomorrow with the kids."

"They will like that. We should go to the beach."

"Ok. Deeks and Kensi got me a frame that says my family on it and Nell printed a photo from DC to put in it."

"That was sweet of them."

"Never thought I could love those kids as much as I do."

"Tell me about it."

"Sam asked me if we were still trying for a baby?"

"If it happens it happens. I'm happy with our family but I'd still like a baby."

Callen snuggled up against his wife and fell asleep.

The next morning the kids ate cereal then went to the living room. "Ok guys time to get changed if you want to go to the beach." Said Brooklyn.

They scrambled off the couch and ran to their room. Callen was waiting with their bathing suits. They had gotten them buckets and sand toys too. They were so excited on the ride they were bouncing in their seats. Brooklyn remembered the camera so she could take lots of photos of them.

The kids got quiet as soon as they got out of the car. They both stared at the water.

"Well you guys ready?" asked Callen.

Michael put his arms up wanting to be carried. Callen picked him up and grabbed one of their bags. Brooklyn handed Megan a bag too and grabbed the rest. They really needed to get a wagon for all this stuff.

Callen chose as spot close to the water and they put down the blanket. Megan took Michael by the hand and they walked close to the water. Brook quickly took a few shots. They looked so cute standing there just looking at the water holding hands.

"Ok guys come on over and get ready to swim." Said Brooklyn. They pulled off their shirts and shorts and Callen put flotties on both of them.

He walked them out to the water and Michael jumped right in laughing and splashing him. Megan stood in the water and just looked at it. Brook took more photos then went to join her.

"It's ok Megan you can get wet." She took her daughters hand and led her deeper into the water. Megan shivered.

"It's cold." She then got quiet and ran a few steps before leaning over and grabbing something. "Look mommy." She held up a huge shell.

"Let me see." Brooklyn checked to make sure there wasn't anything living in it. Nope it was empty. Megan was so excited with her find.

"Can I keep it?"

"Of course you can. Let me get a photo of you holding it."

Brooklyn went to the blanket and grabbed the camera. Megan held the shell up and smiled. Michael went over wanting to see the shell too. Brooklyn took several shots of them looking at the shell.

Callen showed the kids how to body surf and Michael loved it. Megan was more cautious and was happy just playing in the sand. They built sandcastles and Brooklyn took them for a walk looking for more shells. Michael was so happy when he found one even though it was small.

For lunch they got burgers from one of the food trucks then went back to playing in the sand.

Brooklyn's phone rang around two.

"Brook good news I'm on a flight out your way on Saturday morning. Plus I found a house only two blocks from yours that's for rent."

"That's great Meg. The kids start school on Monday it's in the neighborhood."

"Oh good. I can't wait to meet them."

"We have them at the beach now. It's going really good."

Callen had the kids back in the water but Michael was starting to get tired. Soon they packed it in and headed home. Michael was asleep by the time they got home. Megan was too excited after her day at the beach. She put her shell on her dresser where she could see it from her bed.

"Did you have fun today?"

"Yes mommy."

"Megan did you want me to get a photo of your parents? You can put it up on the wall."

"No mommy, your my parents now." Megan gave Brooklyn a hug. "You've done more with us in a few days than they ever did. We never go to go anywhere. We were just told to be quiet all the time."

Brooklyn looked up at Callen who was done putting Michael to bed.

"Megan is there anything special you really want to do?" asked Callen.

Megan looked up at him. "Can we go to the zoo?"

"Sure we can. Plus there is Disneyland, you can meet Mickey Mouse."

Megan smiled and gave Callen a hug. "I love you daddy."

Brooklyn had to wipe the tears over that one. Callen looked like he was about to cry too. "I love you too pumpkin."

Megan decided she wanted to take a nap too and climbed the ladder up to her bed. They decided to let them share a room for now then move Megan to the other spare room once they were ready to have their own space.

Callen followed Brooklyn into their room and pulled her close to him. "How could they just throw away their kids like that?" asked Brooklyn.

"I have no idea. We have a lot to make up for."

Callen held Brooklyn for a few minutes. Brooklyn finally pulled free and went to start dinner. Callen called Sam needing someone to vent to and to get his ideas on things to do with the kids.