Chapter 16 Kensi's 21st birthday!

It was the middle of June and Marty was staying late in his classroom. After all the students had left, he carefully closed the door and sat down.

He dialed Donald Blye. "Hello Marty, it's good to hear from you. Is Kensi nearby?"

"No, I wanted to speak with you in private. Do you have a few minutes?"

"I do, may her mother join us on the call?"

"Yes, that would be ok."

"Hi Marty, Julia here. Is it time for the ask?"

"Well, let's not beat around the bush!" Marty exclaims. "Is this the Marine way?"

"Straight to the point son," Donald points out.

'Well, yes. I am hoping to ask Kensi shortly before her 21st birthday. If she says yes, we might do a similar thing to what we did last year at her 20th party. Do either of you have any objections to me asking your daughter to marry me?"

"None," Julia says.

"No," Donald adds.

Julia also adds, "In fact Marty, I you don't do it soon, I think she may beat you to it. She is so ready!"

"Well, I wasn't asking for that info!"

"I know, and don't tell her I said so, please."

"My lips are sealed! Do either of you have any advice or comments?"

Neither one did, except for WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

That Saturday Kensi and Marty were taking another day in SF, this time they were going to bicycle across the Golden Gate bridge, stop for lunch, then bicycle back. They had rented a Honda CRV with a bike rack on the rear, and two bikes with rear luggage carriers. Marty would carry the picnic basket with the food, Kensi would carry a smaller bag with the drinks. They parked again at Ghirardelli square (plans for here after the ride) and rode west towards the bridge.

The views were stunning (Alcatraz etc.), the wind whipping (at minimum a windbreaker is needed), sky a brilliant cobalt blue, the ride exhilarating! They thoroughly enjoyed the day; Kensi and Marty were finding the SF Bay area to be more and more to their liking. They especially enjoyed the sweet treats at the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Factory after a day of adventure in San Francisco!

LATE JUNE – THE BEACH, LOS ANGELES

They had just finished a lunch of tacos – fish, beef, shrimp, your choice. Marty had sent Kensi off in search of ice cream. (He knew she wouldn't find any given where they were on the beach.) As he waited for her return he sank to his knees, sitting back on his haunches with a small blue velvet box on the sand between his thighs. He could see Kensi returning from her search.

As she approached, he could see disappointment in her eyes. He was planning to wipe that emotion away! As she drew near, she said "I couldn't find any," with a slight frown.

"Come here, let me give you a hug," Marty said softly. He grasped her hands and pulled her to her knees. When she was settled, he dropped his gaze to the blue box – her eyes followed his.

"Marty, what is . . . Oh My God, Marty," she whispered. "What are you doing?" she said even softer.

"Kensi Marie Blye," he said. "When we met, I knew you were someone special. And I knew I was in big trouble."

She chuckled, but a tear was slipping down her cheek.

"But I didn't care. Fortunately, Jack went his merry way, and you allowed me in, to start our friendship. It wasn't long until I realized that I loved you – a sentiment that grows deeper every day. Now, I have given you my heart, fully and completely. Since the heart is a vital organ, I see only one solution to my predicament."

Kensi is full-on crying at this point!

"Kensi, will you marry me?" He smiles lovingly at this point and waits.

Her frown and disappointment are gone; replaced by a smile that grows second by second.

She nods eagerly, finding her voice she exclaims,

"Yes, I'll marry you Martin Andrew Deeks! Yes! OMG, now we've done it! You make me so happy Marty; I can't believe I ever lived without you. Now that you are here, and we are together, I don't want to ever let you go!"

"You make me just as happy, Kens! And I am not going anywhere, ever!"

They fell into each other's arms in a tight embrace and proceeded to kiss until the need for air forced a momentary separation. Then she realized, "Marty, do you have something for me? In that box maybe?"

"Oh, the box, yes, where is it now?"

He fishes the blue box out from between his legs and opens it. The sight dazzles her.

"Marty, it is beautiful."

He grasps the ring; first he takes her promise ring off and places it on her right ring finger, then slides the new engagement ring on her left ring finger.

He holds out his left hand to her, "Do you want to do the honors?"

"Yes," she whispers. She slides his promise ring off his left hand and replaces it on his right hand. "There, we are officially engaged, and I am the happiest woman on the planet!"

Now they are both shedding tears. They embrace again, for more kisses!

"Let's go see your parents," Marty suggests.

"Ok," she agrees.

Twenty minutes later, they pull up in front of the Blye home. Julia dashes out the front door, Donald is right behind. Kensi can barely exit the car before she is engulfed in hugs of love. Someone was expecting this!

Kensi and Marty are hustled inside, they sit around the kitchen table and tell all about the happenings of the last two hours or so. Julia and Donald are thrilled.

"I've never seen you happier, baby girl!" Donald declares. Julia agrees.

"So, now we can start planning a wedding." Julia expresses.

"I thought, you know, the courthouse," Marty whispers.

Kensi glares, Donald shouts, "What the hell!" and Julia gasps in horror.

"Just kidding," Marty grins.

"You'll get used to him," Kensi mutters, with a smirk.

At Kensi's 21st birthday party they pull off an announcement as they did a year ago with the promise rings. It seems like every year they have a big announcement. What will next year bring?

Marty also announces that for now, he is focusing the start of his career on teaching at Stanford. Kensi will probably be making her choice known around Christmas or New Years. Something else to look forward to.

The rest of the summer is filled with surfing, wedding planning, teaching, school prep etc. When it's time to leave and go back to Stanford they still haven't set a wedding date. Marty suggests Kensi's 22nd birthday – next summer. There are advantages to not interrupting the school year. Kensi thinks about it, they discuss it several times and finally agree. Kensi's birthday it is.

Then Kensi says, "Wait a minute, I know I'm not a little girl, but I'll get cheated out of a birthday celebration, cake, presents and all."

Marty voices reassurance, "Love, I will make it up to you EVERY year, I promise!"

"Promise?"

"Yes, I promise!"

"Ok then, let's plan for my 22nd birthday – and make it special!"