Kensi stretched out lazily in bed, reaching her left arm across to feel for her new favorite snuggle buddy when she felt cool sheets. A moment of silence and her brain put together what had happened earlier that morning. All three kids had woken them up that morning around seven, complaining about being hungry and Deeks had rolled out of bed and assured her that he had it and she should sleep in for a little longer. She couldn't deny that her body was still catching up with taking care of three kids and then on top of the recent nightly activities that were happening with her partner… It was a blissful type of exhaustion and one she would rather keep if it meant life could continue on as is. Climbing out of bed, Kensi quickly dressed and did a quick run through the bathroom to brush her teeth, tie her hair up, wash her face, and put the minimal makeup on for the day. It was Sunday, so there was no urgency to actually try on her appearance, especially considering that Deeks had made many a remark that she was gorgeous without ever trying. A blush crept up her neck and into her cheeks at his previous words. She really wasn't sure what she had done to deserve him, but she would be damned if she ever let go now.

Finished with her morning routine, Kensi headed down the stairs quietly having heard some whispered giggles and the background noise of some cartoon show. Suspicion sank in as she made it to the bottom of the steps and saw Deeks passed out and belly up on the sofa with all three kids muffling giggles as they put various forms of makeup on his face. Will was armed with eye liner and drawing pictures on his forehead, while Elijah and Isla had different colors of lipstick and smearing them on his nose, lips, and cheeks. Kensi had to stuff her fist into her mouth to muffle her own laugh. Clearly the kids had been fed and they had all moved into the living room to watch some cartoons and Deeks had fallen asleep sometime after.

Quietly pulling her cell phone from her back pocket, she snapped a few pictures of the scene before the kids looked up, matching versions of anxiety and worry on their faces for having been caught. Kensi gave them all a reassuring smile and put a finger to her lips to keep them quiet. They all visibly relaxed and returned the smile, remaining quiet as she had instructed them. Silently she held up her hands for them to copy and smiled huge. The boys caught on faster and Isla followed suit and Kensi snapped a few more pictures. Then she moved in closer to get a few close ups of Deeks' new face artwork. Once she was done with the phone camera, she held out her hand for the makeup, still smiling to show them she wasn't angry at all and then she stuffed the items in her back pockets. She silently urged the three kids to move away from Deeks and return to their seats watching cartoons, though looking sheepishly guilty and excited all at once. Finally, Kensi backed away to the stairs again and this time made her presence more known.

"Gooooood morning, everyone," Kensi smiled brightly and winked at the kids just before Deeks flew up from his sleeping position looking very bewildered.

"Morning," he said gruffly back as he stretched his back out some.

The kids all giggled and tried not to stare at their handy work.

"How about we go to the beach today?" Kensi asked with a large grin and Monty got to his feet and padded across the room with a short 'woof' of approval before the kids joined in with a cheer. "I'll get you kiddos ready while Deeks cleans up the breakfast mess and grabs his board." She hoped the suggestion would allow him not to see a mirror before they left.

Her plan was futile because only five minutes into getting ready she heard Deeks from the other floor.

"What – how?!" His voice was squeaky and comical, eliciting an eruption of giggles and laughs from the three children and Kensi. Seconds later they all heard him coming up the stairs and Kensi shouted a playful order to the kids.

"Run!" She half laughed and shouted as she hoisted Isla into her arms and they all scattered on the second floor to run and hide.

It took several attempts and at least another hour before Deeks was cleaned up and the kids settled down enough to finally walk the few blocks to the beach.

"So I thought today maybe we could try some boogie boarding," Deeks offered to the boys with a grin. "We can rent a few and it'll be step one toward surfing."

"Yeah!" Both boys picked up their pace the last remaining stretch of the way as the water came into view.

"I'm just gonna rent us a few boards and we'll probably go over there," Deeks said pointing to a small stretch of smooth sand with some smaller waves.

"You're sure you'll be able to keep an eye on them both at once?" Kensi asked, her brows knitted in worry.

Deeks closed the few steps distance between them and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. "Yes, mom, I'll get vests for them and they won't leave my sight."

A thrill ran through her at his kiss and it took real effort to roll her eyes at his words after a moment. "We'll wait nearby there and build a sand castle then."

Deeks nodded and followed the boys to the rental shack for the boards and helped them each pick out an appropriate size and then whatever style they wanted. Once they had both vests and boards, they headed back to where Kensi and Isla had spread out a variety of multicolor buckets and shovels. They both looked up when the boys neared and waved as they tiptoed into the cold water. The girls giggled as the boys jerked back out of the water and back in to adjust to the temperature difference.

Kensi had to admit that she did lose herself in watching Deeks instruct the boys in the more shallow waters, how to rest their weight onto the boards just as a wave came behind them to ride it in, but luckily Isla was completely engrossed building her own impressive castle that spanned a few feet. She had to give the toddler props for creativity and ingenuity, assuming that maybe she had gotten this skill from her biological father who had been a civil engineer. The boys tired out after a couple of hours in the water and even Isla was nodding off a little as she filled her biggest bucket with sand. They had just turned in the boards and vests when Kensi's cell phone shrilled, shifting their attention for the moment. Kensi moved a half asleep Isla from one arm to another so that she could answer.

"What's up, Eric?" She asked, already knowing that something must have come up for work.

"We need you both in here," Eric said, his voice tight with tension. "We've got a missing kid."

"We're leaving now," Kensi nodded, her voice at once serious. Hanging up the phone she shrugged Isla higher up onto her hip and shared a loaded glance with her partner. To Deeks credit, he never asked any questions and hoisted Elijah onto his one hip and took hold of Will's hand as they hurried at a fast walk back to the house to get the kids changed and into the car that was already packed with not two but five go-bags as they speeded off to OSP.