A/N: A Tumblr conversation with glenncoco4, mama's-broken-heart, Psyched, and ejzah gave me a random burst of inspiration, and I somehow managed to churn this out in about 90 minutes! It's been way too long since I've finished anything, but here it is! Let me know what you think! Enjoy!
"Sadie! Wash your hands before you grab your hair stuff!" Deeks called after his eldest daughter as she ran down the hallway.
"Okay Daddy!"
"We do not want a repeat of the syrup incident," he reminded Kimi, who was still gumming her waffle pieces with her 3 little teeth. He secured the wrap around his torso, attacked Kimi's hands and face with a baby wipe, and maneuvered her into the baby sling. "Too many tears," he lamented, referring more to his wife's than his little girl's when they'd had to cut two inches from her curly locks.
At the sound of feet pattering toward him, Deeks took a seat on the well-loved ottoman, putting him at the perfect height for handling Sadie's hair.
"What are we doing today, kiddo?"
"Ummm, piggytail braids!" Sadie deposited the hair ties and brush at his feet.
"What was that?" he prompted the almost five-year-old, with a little tickle to her tummy.
"Piggybraids please Daddy!" She responded in a near-shriek, causing Kimi to fuss. "Oops, sorry!"
"It's okay Princess," Deeks said, which worked for both his girls, calming Kimi while inspecting the hair products for stickiness.
Once the tools passed inspection, Deeks began brushing through the bright blonde locks.
"Hair tie please," Deeks requested once the first pleat had been formed. Once he secured the end, he looked up, surprised to find his wife at the edge of the room, toddler on her hip, and her phone in her hand, capturing the moment.
"What?"
"Nothing," Kensi insisted. She came over and kissed both girls on the head before kissing her husband's lips. "I didn't think anything could make me love you more, but I was wrong." The second kiss they shared was heated, but lasted just a moment, as their two-year-old requested a greeting as well.
Kensi set Sean down beside Deeks and gave everyone one last round of kisses before pulling away reluctantly. "If I don't leave now, I'll be late for my meeting. You guys going to be okay?" She teased, knowing her husband was well versed in kiddie-juggling.
"Of course!" Sadie cried out, always happy to help watch over her younger siblings. "Ow, daddy!"
"Sorry Sadie," Deeks rubbed the base of her skull where he'd pulled the braid a bit too tight. "Better?"
"Yes. You going to be home for dinner, Mommy?"
"Yes, I will. I can't miss Sketti night!" Spaghetti night was everyone's favorite in the Deeks household.
Sadie and Sean cheered at the prospect, and waved goodbye to Kensi as she left.
"Sadie, hair tie."
"Hair tie what?" She asked, in the matter of fact manner that reminded Deeks so much of Kensi.
"Sorry Baby Girl. Hair tie please." Sadie handed it off and Deeks fastened the last braid. "Okay, lemme look. Spin!"
Sadie turned and Deeks repressed a frown at the slight unevenness of the two braids. Hopefully Sadie wouldn't notice and request a redo. She could be quite particular when she wanted to be.
"Looks good!"
"Thank you, Daddy!" She reached to give him a hug, barely managing to reach him with Kimi strapped between them.
"You're welcome. Let's go get your siblings ready and dressed so we can head off to school."
"Oh, can I help? I pick Kimi's clothes!" Sadie ran off before Deeks could answer and he laughed.
Not wanting to be left out, Sean chased after her, "I help too!"
Deeks looked down at his youngest and gave her a soft kiss as he made his way to the bedrooms. "Let's go make sure they don't empty your whole closet trying to agree on something," he chuckled.