'Um, can I have your attention please everyone' said a very nervous Eric, he was never one to like being the centre of attention, much preferring to stay in the background, he blushed furiously as the room went quiet and everyone looked at him expectantly
'I know I got to be best man by default but I would like to take just a minute or two to make a small speech, I probably wouldn't have been Marty's first choice to be his best man but because of limited choices he got stuck with me, but I don't care, I love him and I love Kensi and I, I, well I just wanted them to know that…. Thank you' he sat down abruptly, his face still bright red with embarrassment at having to make a speech.
Callen stood up next and cleared his throat 'it's not very often we get to pull one over on you Kens, we've all tried over the years but never pulled it off until today, the look on your face was priceless, it was almost worth the months we've had to endure of Deeks planning today, and my god, can that man talk! That said, I have never seen you look as beautiful as you do today Kens, all I ever wanted was for you to be happy and its obvious Deeks makes you happy. I feel honoured and privileged to have been a part of today; I wish you all the continued happiness in the world' he said raising his glass.
'I hate speeches' Sam growled as he stood next 'but I agree with Callen, you look beautiful Kensi, and Deeks, you're family too but if you ever fu.. Screw up and let one day pass without putting a smile on her face, you better hide' he softened his words with a smile.
'Short but sweet there Sam' Mike Renko said as he stood up laughing 'So, here we are, my best friend all grown up and married' he smiled at Kensi, they'd been partners for a short while and whilst there had never been anything romantic between them, they had bounced off and supported each other unconditionally 'I just want to say I hope you know how lucky you are Marty, but by the look on your face you know exactly how lucky you are, and Kens, you'll never find a man better than him for you, so I hope you realise how lucky you are too, and lastly I hope you have a long happy life together filled with love and happiness and maybe a couple more cousins for Holly along the way' he laughed as he bent and kissed Kensi on the cheek and patted Deeks on the shoulder
'Ok, ok, no more speeches' Deeks laughed 'I have a couple of things I do want to say though, I do want to thank Gibbs, Tim, Tony, Abby and Ziva for flying in to celebrate with us, outside of our team there are very few people I trust and I know it means a lot to my wife that our whole family could be here today so thank you' Gibbs gave a nod in acknowledgement, Tim, Tony and Ziva smiled and Abby clapped her hands excitedly.
'For Eric, you are so wrong buddy about not being my first choice for a best man, If things were different, then yes you would have been joined by Callen and Sam and I would have had the three best men in the world standing by me but never think for one second you're not as important to us as anyone else, you are and you did me proud today and I hope I get to repay the favour for you and Sarah one day'
To Callen, Sam and Mike, if I had a dollar for everytime one of you warned me or threatened me to treat Kensi right, I'd be a very rich man' he laughed 'nothing will ever replace Kensi's dad but she couldn't have had three better men to give her away, and thanks for trusting me enough to give her to me, I promise you with everything I've got I will never stop loving her' he reached for Kensi's hand and held it tightly
'To Nell and Sarah, wow, you look beautiful and without you two, I would never have gotten to this stage, thank you for everything, little miss Holly and Lauren, you two are the prettiest little helpers in the world, you did a brilliant job today so I know you're going to be the best cousins ever right? Uncle Marty and Auntie Kensi are going to bring you back something really special because you did such a good job' Holly and Lauren beamed at him, he had a natural flair with kids and Lauren and Holly was no different, they adored him.
'Julia and Hetty, or should I say mom, because that's essentially what you both are to us, Julia thank you for accepting me into your family so easily and Hetty, I don't know what to say to you, you amaze me, you gave me a home, you gave me a family, you gave me Kensi and you've given us today and the rest of our lives together, there are no words big enough to tell you how much I love you, just as my child will grow up with Aunts, Uncles and cousins, he will also have the best Grandma in the world' his voice broke on the last sentence and he rushed to Hetty's side, bent down and enveloped her in a huge hug, Kensi joined him and hugged Hetty too, when they finally let her go, she shooed them off with a wave of her hand but the smile on her face and the tears rolling down her face portrayed just how much the young agents words had affected her, it was true, she thought Deeks was a cheeky bastard but she was proud of him, she was proud of all her adopted children.