Chapter 21 Road trip & wedding

Kensi and Marty had planned to drive down to LA one week before the wedding to make final touches on the plans. They would stay at the Blye home until the night before when Marty would stay with Chester and the guys. But now with Sofia and Afonso in the mix, things changed a little.

They took the slower, more scenic route down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). They stopped a couple of times at particularly beautiful beaches and played in the surf; Marty had brought along a short boogie-board and they played around with it. When he or Kensi would fall into the surf the kids would laugh, having a great time.

They stopped at San Simeon and toured the Hearst Castle. Then onto Pismo Beach where they stayed the night. They got an early start the next morning, stopping in Santa Barbara for some sight seeing and souvenir shopping. Then on to grandma and grandpa Blye's home.

After everyone got settled, Kensi and Marty drove to the beach venue for the wedding. They sat and watched the waves, reminiscing about all the happenings of that first summer, the first time they met.

"Marty, remember what you said to me after our first make out session in my hammock?"

"I think we'll be amazing!" He replies.

"Yes, and I said – me too!"

"And we are!"

"Yes, we are!"


The wedding was the opposite of many extravagant affairs, but it was beautiful in its simplicity. As the guests were being seated, a guitar and harp duo provided music. This was a husband-and-wife pair that had first been heard by Syd – Kensi's maid of honor. When the wedding party started down the aisle a 2nd guitar and a violin joined the musicians. The wedding party consisted of:

Syd-Maid of Honor / Chester-Best Man

Cam-Bridesmaid / Roger-Groomsman

Valerie-Bridesmaid / James-Groomsman

Wendy-Bridesmaid / Adam-Groomsman

Sofia-Flower girl / Afonso-Ring bearer

Henrietta Lange-Officiant

When the wedding party was in place, a trumpet joined the musicians, playing the Wedding March, and Kensi and Donald appeared. She was resplendent in a summery white dress which stopped just above the knees. She had a tiara of wildflowers and carried a mixed wildflower bouquet. Her earrings were simple white diamond studs. Her makeup was light and natural. She wore slingback sandals on her feet. (She had considered going barefoot but the 3 ladies vetoed that) Her smile was as wide as the Pacific Ocean! Beside her, Donald was a very pleased papa. In the front row Julia's smile was a face breaking affair!

Marty awaited her at the altar, his eyes misty at the sight headed his way, his grin also a mile wide. He wore a sky-blue button up short sleeved shirt over sand-colored tailored slacks. Simple sandals adorned his bare feet. His hair, styled by pillow, his face, scruffy of course. Kensi loved his look!

When the time came, they each recited vows they had written themselves.

MARTY: When I first saw you, I was struck; I'd never seen a more beautiful young woman. You moved with such grace; I couldn't avert my eyes. If I wasn't embarrassed for staring, I should have been. But you were taken, damn. I waited; I tried not to be too obvious that I was waiting for Jack to implode – I really did try.

Then he did, and I tried to take my time. Well, something worked because here we are. And I am the luckiest, happiest man on the planet.

Kens, I promise to adore, respect, honor, support and LOVE you forever. You alone. Always!

Kensi: When we met on this very beach, I saw a cocky, full of himself, surfer who was never serious. But there was something I couldn't identify at first between us. It bugged me because instead of going away it grew . . . and grew . . . and grew. I was nervous because I just knew that you and Jack were headed for a clash. But you are right, you waited pretty much on the sidelines. Then it happened.

When Jack imploded at my 18th birthday party you stepped up, not aggressively but quietly. You just were there, supporting me on what should have been such a happy day. Well, it started out happy, then went to hell, then you put the pieces back together.

Once we started spending time together, and I came to know the real Marty Deeks, the rest was all falling downhill.

That is why they call it FALLING IN LOVE!

I did, I am, I always will be. FOREVER in love with you, Marty! You alone. Marty & Kensi. ALWAYS!

The bride was kissed, tears shed, dances danced, pictures snapped, cake smashed, bouquet & garter tossed and off they went on their Caribbean honeymoon.


Two days later Donald and Julia took their own road trip north as they took Sofia and Afonso home to Stanford. They took a day to set up Julia's apartment; the schedule was not all laid out yet as to when Julia would be at Stanford. That detail would await the honeymooner's return. In the meantime, Donald, Julia & the kids were staying in Mr. and Mrs. Deeks apartment. Julia was thrilled to be using her Portuguese again; with the kids' help, the language was quickly coming back. Donald on the other hand was feeling like he was living in a foreign country. He was not at all sure this was such a good idea.

Also, no one had noticed a man in a nearby building watching the wedding ceremony intently. He had on a dark grey hoodie to hide his face and was viewing the proceedings through a high-powered set of tactical binoculars. He had a scowl on his face. Next to him was another man, similarly, dressed watching also. This man was a lip reader as he was reciting what he could see. Kensi was facing his way, so he caught her vows perfectly. The 1st man was not pleased, not at all. Someone his family wanted had been stolen away. If he had anything to do about it, this would not made him so ill that he had to stop and puke in a trash can as they walked out.


IN THE CARRIBEAN

Kensi and Marty were having the time of their lives. The beach was pure white sugar sand. The sky clear blue with an occasional cloud drifting by. Their ocean front room was like a palace fit for a king and his queen. No surfing; but paddleboarding, kayaking, parasailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. They took two scuba lessons and knew they had found another water sport to love. Marty found a mermaid costume and secretly bought it for next Halloween. Their week was finished before they knew it. They would have to come back here!


As Kensi Deeks (Blye) was becoming more and more happy with her life, Donald Blye was becoming increasingly unhappy with his.

Being more and more ignored in conversations in his own daughter's home as his wife catered to the needs of two young children, ate away at him day by day. He didn't know how this was going to work; he was losing control of his very life! What the hell could he do? Even Kensi didn't seem to need him anymore, she had Marty and now two young kids. Then there didn't seem to be enough demand for sniper rifle training, thus no need for his services at South Bay.

He was caught in the age-old dilemma many veterans face. Highly skilled, thoroughly trained and disciplined, and nobody needs or wants you!

What the hell is his country coming to? Wait . . . is this really his country anymore? If not . . . then what? He has some serious thinking to do, where to do that?


When Kensi and Marty return home from their honeymoon, the three of them set about getting the kids settled and into a routine. Donald returned to LA and waited there for Julia's arrival back home.

They find a preschool that will accept Sofia and Afonso in three weeks. So, Julia plans to stay at least that long and see the kids settle into that routine before returning to LA.

Kensi returned to her working routine at South Bay; Marty returned to Stanford, prepping for the upcoming school year. Things are going great.

Julia and Donald communicate every other day or so. She tells him of her extended stay due to preschool, and the kids' adjustment needs. He is not too happy but seems to understand. The last week of her stay up north she fails to connect with him; he's probably out somewhere, probably busy. She stays with Marty, Kensi and the kids as long as she can then heads south.

When she pulls into the driveway Donald's car isn't there. She enters the house, "Donald, I'm home!" She repeats her call twice. No one replies.

She tries his cell; it rings on his bedside nightstand, almost out of battery. It hasn't been charged in a while. She searches the house, yard, garage; no sign of him. A few dirty dishes in the sink, a few soiled clothes in the hamper. A few clothes gone; most still in his drawers.

DONALD BLYE IS GONE!