Chapter 25 Family matters

"Daddy!" Kensi dashes to Donald and throws her arms around him. "How did you know where we were? We were looking all over for you."

"Ah, baby girl, if I told you I'd have to kill you. I think Marty would be pissed!"

"Damn straight I would be!"

"Well, daddy, let's get you home. Mom can take care of you. You're going to be on parole until they sort out exactly what happened today. Hand me your sniper rifle, it's evidence now, and your sidearm."

"You're taking all my toys?"

"For a while. You will get them back if you behave." Kensi smirks.

LATER THAT NIGHT

"Kens?"

"Yeah."

"Are you going to take some time off? You know, to decompress?" Marty asks.

"I hadn't thought about it, why?"

"I mean, this was a pretty intense couple of days. And you were right in the middle of it."

"I don't know what I would do with myself."

"One thing, I don't think we have spent as much time bonding with the kids as we should. At least I haven't." Marty admits.

"But, the lady from CPS told me not to worry about that. They might find a good home for them next week. You never know."

"They have a good home," he posits.

She looks at him. "What are you saying, Marty?"

"Our home is a good home."

"Marty, we are foster parents . . . well, we're working on being certified. It's a temporary thing."

"Kens, is that all you want?"

"Ah . . . we agreed that this is what we would do, right?"

"Yes, we did agree. But I have been thinking, and I think I'd like more . . . you know, adoption maybe? Something permanent, for the kids?"

"Adoption?"

"Yeah, does that sound crazy?"

"Frankly, yes." Kensi croaks out.

"I'm just thinking that Sofia and Afonso deserve a home, and parents, where they are loved and this is a stable environment."

"We are stable, and we love them. Maybe we just need to express it more? Is that what you're saying?"

"Yes, in part. Let's just drop it for now."

"I'm sure," she mutters.

"1-4-3," she whispers in his ear. "Good-night babe."

"1-4-3, good-night sweetheart."

Kensi talks with Wendy and Valerie and they give her the green light to take off for up to two weeks. Marty checks his schedule and signs out for one week himself. They sit down for a family conference, to decide what they would like to do together. They decide on:

The Monterey Bay Aquarium,

Tour of SF, emphasis on fisherman's wharf (with rented strollers),

Golden Gate Park (strollers again).

The week goes swimmingly; by the end they realize that Marty was on to something i.e., they had not previously done nearly enough 'family stuff'. They really needed to pay more attention to that. Kensi took responsibility to schedule some family time and an activity at least every other week, hopefully every week. This turned out to be a real morale booster, one they didn't even know they needed!

The kids responded beautifully. At the aquarium they could not get enough of the sea otters. Their antics threw the kids into fits of laughter. The seals were a close second, the kids tried to mimic the seals barking. When the seals picked up on that, a crowd gathered at the glass to the enclosure; a group of kids on their side and a group of seals on the other side. All barking at each other with the parents doubled over, laughing. Halfway through that day, Kensi and Marty wished they had rented strollers for that day also. Lesson learned.

The next day they had strollers and another issue raised its head. Now, the kids were always wanting to get out of their stroller to see this or that up close. Then back in the stroller . . . then back out . . . then back in . . . .. Fisherman's Wharf was especially interesting – there was something fascinating to see or touch every 10 yards or so. Little something to buy here, something to see and explain there. Exhausting! It was only with the promise of a hot-fudge sundae at the end of the tour that they all made it through. Sitting down at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory at the end of the day they all were tired, happy and hungry – the huge sundaes took care of the latter. Fortunately, driver Kensi stayed awake because everyone else fell asleep in the car on the way home. She had found a techno radio station in the bay area which helped!

After they got home and the kids and Marty were tucked in their wee little beds . . . yes Marty, she barely got him inside he was so tired; Kensi did some research on their intended activity for the next day. Golden Gate Park blew her mind. They had planned on renting strollers again and touring the park on foot. She downloaded a map of the park, printed it out, studied it carefully and decided they had better do Plan-B tomorrow. Problem – they had no Plan-B! Oh well, she and Marty will discuss over breakfast. Before slipping into bed beside her husband she wrote a note and taped it to the fridge saying she cancelled the alarm on the bedside clock and she would explain at breakfast, then actually cancelled the alarm and got in bed. Marty murmured something to which she responded "Good night, Marty, I love you!" He said something that sounded like "You too, night princess!" He slipped an arm around her waist, spooning her. They were asleep in minutes.

When they awoke in the morning, both decided on a relaxing, close to home day. Nobody complained.

Halloween was exciting, their kids first with their foster family. They dressed in costumes and took the kids around the neighborhood trick-or-treating. Kensi had taught them to say "trick-or-treat" in English and they performed well. They had talked this over ahead of time; the candy and other treats that they gathered would be stored away and dished out gradually over the next few weeks so as to avoid any sweet rush. Everyone understood, grudgingly. After getting back home they played some games until bedtime.

Thanksgiving was also a first, in an important way. It was Kensi and Marty's first as 'parents' to plan and prepare an important celebratory, holiday meal. When looked at from that direction it was a big deal! Kensi's dad, Donald, was still confined to southern California from the events earlier in the fall so Julia was unavailable except via phone for sympathetic advice. And she freely gave advice.

After ½ hour of trying to get things under control with husband and two 3 ¾ year old children helping in an apartment sized kitchen Kensi called a time out. She divided up the tasks so everyone would know what to do, and what NOT to do.

She turned preparation of the turkey over to Marty. They had purchased a fresh bird on Tuesday; it had been fully prepped at the grocer. All they had to do before roasting was 1) decide what to do with the giblets (gravy?), 2) decide if they wanted stuffing stuffed in the abdominal cavity of the bird or just in a casserole dish (who knew where the word 'stuffing' came from?), 3) rub the bird with the desired spices, and 4) place the bird in the roasting pan and into the oven. Thereafter, Marty needed to check periodically and baste the roasting bird to keep it moist. He could certainly do that, right?

The kids helped Kensi cut up fresh green beans and place them in a kettle on the stove ready to cook. Next, they washed potatoes, cooked them, peeled them, then produced real mashed potatoes from scratch. Garlic mashed potatoes were discussed and it was decided to add that spice sparingly. Then they peeled carrots, cut them into bite-sized pieces, then into another kettle on the stove top ready to cook.

The aroma of roasting Turkey in the kitchen – entire apartment really – was driving everyone crazy.

Just before mealtime the kids (all with Kensi's supervision) got the rolls out of the fridge, put them on a cookie sheet covered with foil, and placed them in the oven below the bird so they would warm up. Then they set the table with the best China on top of the finest tablecloth, complete with everyone's chosen beverage in their finest glasses. They all helped bring the food to the table, they took their seats and dad (Marty) prayed. Then they all said what they were thankful for:

KENSI: "I'm thankful for my family; both here around this table, and at home in southern California. I'm glad my daddy was found safe and is spending today at home with mom."

MARTY: "I'm thankful that Kensi and I were able to step up and be a family for these two beautiful children . . . Sofia and Afonso. Welcome to our home kids, it's yours too now!"

AFONSO: "I'm thankful that I can feel safe, and for the friends I have made in pre-school. And for my sister Sofia, I love her!"

SOFIA: "I'm thankful for my new mommy, Kensi. (Kensi blushes) I love her! And I'm glad my brother isn't having bad dreams anymore. I love my brother!"

Both kids said their thanks slowly, but in very good English. They had come a long way. Kensi did still converse with them in Portuguese on occasion as she liked keeping her bi-lingual status in good shape. Marty was even learning a little Portuguese even without actually trying. Old dogs can learn new tricks!

Kensi and Marty had been planning for Christmas for weeks -along with her partners Wendy and Valerie and their husbands. The three couples were becoming good friends. They decided to have a Christmas party at South Bay on December 24 – Christmas Eve. They reached out to area schools and asked for recommendations of students who were at risk of not having a happy holiday. After reviewing the recommendations, they selected 30 kids and invited them. 25 of them accepted and attended. South Bay had advertised widely and collected a wide variety of presents for the kids. After some age-appropriate party games, then refreshments, Santa arrived and gave out the presents. The 3 couples were all dressed as Santa's helpers. (Kensi had kept her 1st year Mrs. Santa costume and it was a hit!) Everyone went home happy. Merry Christmas to all!

For Sofia and Afonso another first – first Christmas with Kensi and Marty. The 3 ladies that had virtually planned the whole wedding as Kensi was seeking another career path had gone to bat for the 2 darling kids. The presents they collected would supplement what Kensi and Marty had bought. Some had gone with them to the party that Sofia and Afonso attended at South Bay; the rest sat under the tree at home.

Since the South Bay party had been on Christmas eve, Christmas at home was on the morning of the 25th. Somehow, they managed to keep the lid on the excitement until after a gulped down breakfast. Then they all sat around in front of the tree and in turn passed out and opened presents. Kensi and Marty had kept gifts to each other to a minimum as they were concentrating this special day on Sofia and Afonso. The 2 kids were overwhelmed with the generosity displayed by the pile of presents. They never imagined that so many people would care for them. By the time all presents were opened, all eyes were misty.

While the kids were playing with their favorites, Marty and Kensi slipped into the 2nd bedroom and looked around.

"Marty, where are we going to put all their stuff?"

"No clue! We need a 2-bed apartment."

"Is there one available for us to move into?"

"I don't know, I will have to ask Roger."

"Aren't he and Cheryl coming over later for dessert?"

"Cheryl said they would. I can talk with him then. Is a 2-bed enough?"

"Wait. What are you asking, Marty?"

"Well, we don't yet have any children of our own, so to speak. And, before too long Sofia and Afonso will need and deserve bedrooms of their own."

"Whoa there, lover boy. I hear maybe two conversations there. I'm not sure either are appropriate over eggnog and cookies. Maybe we should find some alone time and talk? Maybe under the covers in front of an open fire?"

"Well, Kens. #1 we don't have a fireplace, #2 we don't talk much under the covers, it's not necessarily quiet but it's not talkie-talkie. Get my drift?"

"Yes, sweetheart. Any bright suggestions, Rudolph?"

"O, you are hot tonight!"

"Ha-ha, and I haven't had any eggnog yet."

"Nor are you under the covers." Marty smirks.

"I think we need to start with 2 toy boxes. That's simple, right." Kensi smirks.

"I bet they have some at the mall."

"Ýou and Afonso have fun."

"What?"

"Sofia are staying home and playing dollies!"

"Oh, ok."

At the Christmas day evening get together at the Deeks apartment Marty and Roger talked briefly about apartments. Roger sent himself a note to check on the availability of larger units.

James overheard and commented that he knew of some nice 3 & 4 bed units on the market in San Jose; that would change the commuting from Kensi to Marty. That had not previously been part of their discussions. Then again, their current apartment was part of Marty's deal with Stanford. There was a lot to think about. Not the least of which was children of their own. The next year should be exciting!