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-Hazel
Nineteen long hours later, she cried for the very first time. It was, without a doubt, the most incredible sound he'd ever heard.
Deeks held her as Kensi slept, the baby girl warm and light in his arms. She was just so goddamn beautiful, Deeks couldn't bear to take his eyes off of her.
Light brown hair. Blue eyes. An olive complexion.
The perfect combination of the two of them, wrapped up into one magnificent little girl.
Olivia. His daughter.
He tugged the beanie down slightly, making certain it was lying perfectly centered on her face, which glittered in the mid-morning sun that streamed in through the shutters. Deeks just kept touching her, as if to ensure that she was actually real- not just a figment of his imagination.
But, low and behold, each time his fingertips gently graced her face, Deeks found that she truly was there. This tiny, perfect little person that they'd created.
Ten fingers, ten toes. Two eyes, ones which he couldn't see while she slept, but still assumed were there.
His gaze drifted over to where Kensi slept silently, his eyes intently watching the slow rising and lowering of her chest. Her mouth was just the tiniest bit ajar, her face still glossy with a subtle sheen of sweat.
It had been a long night for the both of them.
He didn't really mind though. In the past, Deeks had always hated hospitals. But as he sat there with Kensi and Olivia, something just felt so different. They were bringing new life into the world, which was vastly different than feeling the possibility of it being taken away.
Their trips to Pacific Beach Medical usually consisted of a few GSWs, a couple of broken hearts, and a lot ofblood. Not pink blankets, flower arrangements, beanies and stuffed teddy bears.
Never did he think any of that would really become his reality, but there he was. Witnessing it. Feeling it. Experiencing it.
Loving it.
"Hey there."
His head snapped away from Olivia's, his eyes transferring over to focus on a newly awakened Kensi. She wasn't doing anything besides just smiling at him, her voice sleepy.
He couldn't help but beam right back.
"Hey babe."
Kensi sighed, still grinning. "How's she doing?"
He chuckled softly. "Sleeping, like a rock."
She lifted both eyebrows weakly."Hmmm. Our little girl definitely takes after her father."
"And her mother."
Kensi's smile expanded, her eyes still drooping.
"Touche."
She pushed herself up in bed, yawning and rubbing her eyes.
"Can I see her?"
Deeks didn't want to give her up, not yet anyways. But as Kensi shot him puppy dog eyes, reaching both arms out in front of herself, he couldn't help but consent.
"Sure."
Standing up, Deeks closed the short gap between them, gingerly lowering Olivia into Kensi's arms. The child didn't hardly move during the handoff, instead just remaining completely docile.
He scooted his chair close to the side of her bed, leaning one elbow on the cot as he studied his wife and daughter. Kensi stared down at her face, still in awe.
"She's perfect, Deeks."
He leaned even further into the bed, turning his head to one side.
"I know."
Kensi's eyebrows furrowed just a bit, her gaze still focused on Olivia's face as she spoke.
"What should her middle name be?"
"Huh?"
She smiled as their daughter yawned, contracting her hands into tiny little fists.
"I dunno. I just think she needs a middle name."
"Well..." He scratched the bottom of his chin, staring down to the floor. "I do have one in mind."
"Really?"
She'd been bracing for a brainstorming session, but not a suggestion.
Deeks just nodded, fiddling with the watch on his wrist.
"Katherine."
Based solely from the way he stated the words- with a strong, flaming sincerity, Kensi knew that it wasn't just some name he'd pulled out of nowhere. No, this held meaning, and lots of it.
"Why?"
Deeks lifted his head, both eyes nearing dampness.
"It was my mother's name."
Kensi dropped her chin, blinking slowly at his revelation.
"Your mother?"
He simply nodded, lifting one hand up to wipe any stray tears from his face. For a brief moment Deeks had forgotten about the black eye he'd acquired back with Joey, and winced at his not-so-gentle movement.
"You never talk about your mom," Kensi said, her tone caring rather than accusatory. "I don't know anything about her."
Deeks didn't lift his eyes to meet hers.
"She's gone. Has been for awhile. It never seemed important to bring up, I guess."
"Of course it's important, Deeks." Kensi would've grabbed his hand if she could've. "So tell me about her. Katherine was her name?"
He nodded slowly, clearing his throat before beginning.
"She, um... she was great, actually. As great as one can be, under the circumstances, I guess. My dad was an ass, but she always tried to cover it up. She never wanted us to see how awful he could become. Which was, ya know... really awful. That was why I protected her. It was always my job to keep her safe- she didn't have anyone else looking out for her."
Kensi forced herself to speak in a low whisper, hoping Deeks wouldn't hear her voice crack as she spoke.
"That's why you shot your dad, isn't it? To protect her?"
"Yeah. It just had to be done," he said, finally locking eyes with her. "He was going to kill her."
"And you stopped him."
"I did."
Kensi didn't even have to prompt him with another question. Deeks could see her about to ask it, so he just offered it up.
"She died, six years ago. Stroke."
Kensi's face fell, her voice shaky.
"I'm so sorry."
"It was a long time ago." He shook his head, fingers fumbling with the edge of her quilt. "But... it's just hard. I always hoped she'd get to see me have kids one day. Be a dad. Do some good."
"She would be proud."
"I like to think so."
Kensi pressed her eyelids shut, forcing the tears to stay at bay.
"Olivia Katherine Deeks."
"Hm?"
"That's her name," she stated, the words simple yet firm. "It's settled. Olivia Katherine Deeks."
He smiled halfheartedly. "It has a nice ring to it."
Kensi nodded, squeezing Olivia just the tiniest bit tighter in her arms.
"It does."
Deeks chuckled, staring at the floor. "She would love you."
The comment seemed to come out of left field- Kensi hadn't been expecting it in the slightest.
"What are you talking about?"
"My mom," he murmured, eyes wide and innocent. "If she was still alive, I know that she'd love you. You're just... amazing."
He wasn't allowed to do that. Turn her into a blubbering mess without so much as a simple warning.
Kensi tried her best to hold it in, smiling wide and stumbling over her words.
"I don't know, er, I mean... thank you."
He grinned toothlessly, allowing the expression to light up his bruised features.
"Of course."
"Papa Marty? Mama Kensi?"
There was a quiet rap at the door, an inquisitive pair of eyes peeking through the threshold: Eric.
He didn't wait for an invitation, and instead just came waltzing in with Nell, Callen and Sam all following close behind.
"Hey guys!" Kensi whispered, beaming as they entered. Deeks stood up from his seat beside her, chuckling once he saw the gift bag Eric was clutching.
"You guys really didn't have to get us anything."
He gestured around the room to the multitude of flower arrangements and various presents that decorated the small space.
"Well... I'll just add it to the pile, then."
Eric sat the bag down against the wall, returning to his spot beside Nell. She didn't remain still for long though, quickly gravitating across the room towards Kensi.
"Oh my gosh, Kens. She's absolutely gorgeous."
Deeks walked over to the foot of the bed, standing beside Sam.
"Takes after her mother."
Nell's eyes lit up as he chimed in. "Do you guys have a name?"
Kensi's face illuminated, her smile widening as her eyes caught on Deeks' silly grin.
"Olivia."
He nodded. "Olivia Katherine Deeks."
Nell squealed, Eric smiled, Sam chuckled and Callen puffed his chest out like a proud uncle.
It all seemed right.
"Oh!" Deeks exclaimed suddenly, a thought popping into his mind.
"Nell- could you hold Livie for just a minute?"
Kensi looked almost alarmed, her eyes narrowed. "Wh-what's going on?"
He just winked in her direction, flashing a crooked smile.
"Don't bite, momma bear. You'll get her back in just a minute. I have a little... surprise for you."
A confused grin tugged at the corners of her mouth as Nell reached forward, lifting Olivia out of her arms with ease. She backed away, making room for Deeks to take a seat in the chair beside Kensi's bed once more.
He was clearly hiding something behind his back, forcing Kensi's imagination to run rampant.
"What is it?"
His grin expanded as he whipped out a small, wrapped rectangular box.
"A gift."
"For me?"
"Yes, for you."
"Why?"
Deeks shrugged. "A… push-present, of sorts."
"Because I had a nineteen hour labor?"
He smirked. "Yeah, something like that."
Kensi remained frozen for a short moment, her hands resting atop the bow in the center.
"Open it!" Nell exclaimed quietly over Olivia's head, nodding eagerly.
The three men of the team watched from the foot of her bed, each person curious but not allowing it to show through too much.
"Open it," Deeks added, reassuringly.
Kensi bit her bottom lip before pulling off the bow and tearing through the wrapping paper, her fingers slowly pulling the top half of the box away.
Her breath hitched as she got a full view of what was lying inside. A million different expressions flashed across her face- confusion, concentration, alarm, concern, and then, after a moment... pure shock.
"Oh my god."
One hand flew up to cover Kensi's mouth entirely, her eyes damp.
"Did you-"
"Yes."
"But, Deeks... this means-"
"Yes, it does."
Again and again, Kensi's fingers continued to gingerly trace over the present lying in her lap. After a long moment of complete silence, she lifted it up slowly so the rest of the team could see, her cheeks stained with fresh tears.
"It's-it's an NCIS badge."
Deeks grinned widely, eyes sparkling.
"It's mine."
