Chapter 27 Family Expansion?

It had been a quiet evening at home for Kensi and Marty and the kids. He had made lasagna for supper; she put together a green salad and the kids helped prepare the garlic bread for the oven. They mutually selected a wine from their extensive wine list, soda for the kids, and thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the company of their cozy little 'family'. After a couple of PG movies Afonso & Sofia were put to bed and Marty & Kensi did their night-time routine and now were snuggled in bed.

"Marty?"

"Yes, love."

"I would like to talk about the kids, I mean their long-term status with a permanent family. I think they deserve some permanence in their lives."

"I think they deserve that too. Are you thinking about adoption, or something else?"

"I'm thinking that we should explore adopting Afonso and Sofia. Right now, they are Portuguese citizens. I have no idea what it would take to adopt them so that we are a legal family. You heard Sofia at Thanksgiving dinner . . . she loves her new 'mommy'! And I can say without a doubt that the feeling is mutual. How are you feeling, babe?"

"I am feeling much the same, though I think you are a little ahead of me. But I am getting there and I totally agree with you – let's start the process and see where it leads. I can feel Afonso and I bonding, but I think it's rather natural that you girls are on a somewhat faster track. I think it's human – Girley – nature!"

Kensi lightly smacks his chest, "Watch it mister!"

"Ouch!"

"Wimp!"

"Hey, with all that self-defense teaching and working out, you really pack a punch! I have to stay on your good side."

"That's a good idea, I'll nudge you if I sense you going astray."

"Great, now where do we begin?"

"Do you have some faculty friends who teach immigration law who you can talk to?" Kensi wonders.

"I think so, I will explore that tomorrow. What about the actual adoption process? Do we start with CPS?"

"I would think so, I will call our case worker and see what she says." Kensi says.

Marty interjects, "Wait, what about the kids? We better talk with them, don't you think?"

"Whoa, we better! What if they don't want to be adopted and forced to become American citizens?" Kensi responds.

"Let's do an after dinner talk tomorrow. Is your schedule compatible with that, Kens?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

THE NEXT EVENING

After a quick game of SORRY, won by Afonso, they sit on the living room floor and talk.

Marty starts: "Kids, you know that Kensi and I are taking care of you as foster parents. That is a temporary thing and can change at any time." He looks at Kensi who nods and takes up the talk.

"Marty and I have talked, and we would like to become your permanent parents, so that you can't be taken away from us. But, to do that we need to know if that is something you would like to do, or not? Do you understand what we are saying?"

Sofia speaks up, "Then you would be my mommy forever?" Her lower lip is quivering.

"Yes, sweetie." Kensi's eyes start to mist over, her breathing quickens. She opens her arms and Sofia rushes into them; they give each other a massive hug.

Afonso looks at Marty, "And you would be my dad?"

"Yes, I would. Is that something you would like, Afonso?"

"Yes, I would like that. I was really scared at first, but now I feel safe. I like you a lot, and Kensi too!"

Mirroring Kensi and Sofia, Marty and Afonso hug tightly. After letting Afonso go, Marty continues "Kensi and I will start by making some phone calls and start the process. We will tell you what is happening every step of the way so there are no surprises. Is that, OK?"

Everyone nods, Kensi continues "I think we should celebrate with some ice cream!"

"Of course, you do!" Marty exclaims.

The kids cheer and rush to the freezer.

Between classes the next day Marty is in Roger's office when one of the immigration law instructors walks in.

"Deeks! I heard you wanted to speak with me, or at least someone about immigration law. What's up?"

Marty explains the situation with Afonso & Sofia, starting with their meeting in the San Jose precinct. He ends with the desire to adopt the kids including the children's tacit agreement. He asks, "Is USA citizenship mandatory? If so, how do we go about that?"

Roger is fascinated as he listens; several possibilities rush through his head.

Marty's peer responds. "Wow! This would be a perfect project for 2 of my senior students. And, we could even combine it with 2 senior students of "Family Law" to address the actual adoption part of what you and Kensi are trying to accomplish!"

Roger interjects, "This is the kind of thinking I want my instructors to show more of. This kind of collaboration will enrich the student experience here at Stanford. Bravo gentlemen!"

Marty is amazed, "Wow, this is way more than I expected to accomplish today. Thank you so much! Where do we begin? Roger, would you like to be involved?"

Roger answers; "Not initially, though I would be interested in being kept in the loop as things progress,"

Marty's peer (Carl Powers) suggests; "What about forming a small steering committee to oversee the project? Maybe myself, Marty, someone from Family Law, and a 4th as recommended by Roger?"

"I like that," Marty assents. "Roger?"

"I'm game; I would recommend you ask James of SJC. He started this ball rolling, didn't he?" Roger pipes up.

Marty admits, "He did, and I think that's an excellent 4th member, if he agrees."

Carl is on board with everything. He adds, "What if we added you, Roger, to the distribution list of all steering committee minutes etc.? Would that be enough to keep you in the loop?"

"Yes, great idea, thanks."

Carl says, "I can have my secretary start organizing things and schedule our 1st committee meeting if that's OK?"

"Ok with me," Marty replies. "Roger, could you recommend someone from Family Law to serve with Carl & myself?"

"Yes, I will get Carl a name or two."

Marty arrives home feeling really good about the start he's made to their adoption project. He finds Kensi and the kids comfortable on the couch. Kensi's eyes are red, it looks like she has been crying, Afonso and Sofia are plastered to her side. He hustles over to her and kneels down in front of her, slowly rubbing her thighs.

"What's wrong babe?" He asks softly.

"The lady from CPS doesn't support our adoption request."

"Well, what does that mean?"

"She says she is going to fight us; she's going to try and find another permanent family for Afonso and Sofia."

"Did she say why?"

"She wouldn't answer that question. She just glared at me, packed up her things and left."

"What is her name, have I met her?"

"We met her briefly at the police precinct in San Jose, you probably don't remember her. She was not happy that the kids were snatched from her grasp. I remember her muttering something about "more illegals" before she stomped off in a huff."

"Kens, we can fight this, I'll get on it tomorrow. BUT I had a great day!" He relates his news to Kensi, hoping to cheer her up some. He succeeded a little bit.

He and the kids decided to order pizza for supper; afterwards they all cuddled on the couch and watched The Little Mermaid – a go to family favorite.

Then it was off to bed for all.

"Kens, we will get through this, I promise. We have tons of support on our side. She may be able to throw a roadblock or two in our way, but we will persevere! Trust me, sweetheart!"

"I do trust you; it was just such a surprise – I was caught totally off guard, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. Tell you what let's do. Let's have dinner with some friends tomorrow evening, I'll set up a sitter for the kids. We can talk and strategize about this. I'm sure someone knows this bitch and can advise on how to proceed. What do you say?"

Kensi grudgingly agrees.

Marty draws her close kissing her forehead, temple, neck, clavicle, then lips. The kiss deepens, tongues duel, finally Mr. Deeks makes slow, sweet love to Mrs. Deeks. For a bit the troubles of her day are forgotten as she melts into his strong, supportive, loving arms.

"Good night, Kens, 1-4-3!"

'Good night, Marty, 1-4-3-2!"