Chapter 2 - Celebration

The team was settling into their routine. Each member was working off the rust either in the gym or at the firing range. And of course there was the never ending paperwork. Nell had popped down on a break and was now standing in front of Deeks' desk. Deeks looked up to see a scowl on the analyst's face.

"Velma, you're scowling. Beale eat your Oreos?" No response. "Why do I think I did something wrong?"

"It's more what you haven't done - yet!" Nell relaxed her stance, "You promised that we would have a party in the fall after you got married. That was eight months ago."

"Been a little busy, Nell. You know, faked death, life on the run, bombs in the Middle East, rescuing Nate, et cetera. So how do we go about correcting this error?"

"Let me plan a party. Give you two the party you didn't have. I can even include Kensi's mom in the process."

"To be fair, we had a lovely reception down at Pendleton. I suggest that you bring this up with my wife and I will support her decision." Deeks had learned early on in their partnership, acquiescing to whatever his wife wanted was key to a happy life.

Nell nodded and went off to find Kensi. Deeks chuckled to himself, he hopes Nell knows that there better be cake.

Deeks was enjoying a rare day off doing what he loved: surfing. Kensi had accepted an invitation to have lunch with her mom where they were going to go over plans for their reception. They had not really spoken about their wedding and the conflict surrounding it. Julia regretted her stance on Pendleton that caused her to miss the ceremony. Her fears about Don's friends were unfounded, as several of them had asked about Julia at the Memorial Day event. Kensi also regretted not trying harder to get her to come. It was that regret on both their parts that now enable them to speak about it. Julia thought a quiet lunch at her house would make easier for both women to speak honestly.

"Kensi, I am so sorry for not being there for your wedding. I can't believe I allowed old wounds from the past to get in the way of your special day."

"Mom, I'm sorry too. I just had a lot going on and Deeks and I needed to keep things quiet. And then there was the whole time we were away…." Kensi paused. She could only imagine what her mother had gone through when she got the notification of her death. But then when the two of them showed up at her door, alive, the shocked look on her face was something she would never forget. It took a couple of days for Julia to calm down. At first she was happy, then angry, then relieved. It was a lot to deal with.

Regular dinners together had started the healing process for both women. And now planning the reception, with Nell, would help cement their relationship moving forward. Julia loved Marty. She would always be grateful to him for bringing Kensi back into her life. And from what they were able to tell her about their time away, he took great care of her daughter. They were quite the pair. So in love and best friends. She laughed at their banter but looked on with pride at the respect Marty had for Kensi and how much he loved her.

Two weeks later under a star filled sky, the team from OSP were dressed in their finest and gathered at Duke's in Malibu. Julia Feldman and Nell found a place that Kensi could agree to. Special but not too stiff. Duke's event room offered a beautiful view of the ocean.

It was going to be an intimate evening. A sit down dinner, including a small wedding cake. Deeks kidded his wife, only she would wind up with two wedding cakes. Then dancing. Eric was happy to volunteer his services as DJ.

Hetty opened up the wardrobe department to the couple and did what she loved to do, dress them up. She remembered that Kensi loved the tux Deeks wore on the Queen Mary. And she had a special surprise for the groom. A salmon colored chiffon dress. It was sleeveless, with a form fitting bodice, drop waist and flowing skirt. Nude peep toe heels finished her ensemble. Her hair was curled and swept to one side. Kensi insisted on only wearing her infinity necklace, her rings and the earrings her mom gave her. Same as her wedding day.

Deeks was standing by the bullpen, much like he had when he was waiting to head out to the Queen Mary. He suddenly heard a familiar buzzing. He hadn't heard that sound in quite some time. Early on in their partnership, it meant Kensi was near. As they became involved the buzzing had slowly been replaced by their love and the magical connection they shared. He looked up to see a vision in chiffon heading towards him. Much like that night years earlier, Deeks was speechless.

"Um ... Kens ... I...wow...just wow." A blush started to creep up her neck and blossom across her cheeks. He offered his left hand to her and pulled his bride to him. They looked into each other's eyes. Deeks' fingers wrapped delicately in her hair, then proceeded to the back of her head and pulled her into a kiss.

Kensi sighed into her husband. She suddenly felt light headed seeing him in the tux, remembering the first time she saw him in it, stealing a picture for herself. "You're still a sight in that suit." This time there was no need to steal a picture. She grabbed one of the support staff passing by to take a picture of them. A picture was taken with both phones so that they each had a copy. Hetty texted Kensi asking for a copy as well.

Deeks chuckled. "It's nice to be able to appreciate your beauty publicly now. And you are a beauty. Stunning actually. What do you say Kensalina, we don't want to keep our friends waiting." With that he offered his arm to his bride and off they went.

Hetty watched from her office. She still marveled how they kept their secret for so long. Looking at them now, it was all there, right in front of her. Once upon a time, there was someone special to her. Sadly, she chose her career. She is so proud of Kensi for heeding her warning. Hetty vowed when the two showed up alive in New York to always protect them and their marriage.

The evening was magical. The room was decorated with tiny lights along floor to ceiling french doors that offered a panoramic view of the ocean. The weather was warm enough that the doors were open to a patio. Small tables and more lights dotted the area. It was the perfect place for the cocktail hour. The wait staff moved effortlessly through out with hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Later, dancing under stars would be enjoyed.

A sit down dinner offered a choice of beef, poultry and seafood. But what had Kensi most excited was the cake. A two tier lemon pound cake with raspberry filling. It wouldn't be her team if they didn't encourage the couple to smash the cake in each other's faces. But in spite of money being waved around, the couple behaved. Although Kensi might have wavered for a second, the look from her husband guaranteeing payback if she even tried, kept the cake sharing respectful.

At Kensi's request, Eric cued up "Wonderful Tonight." This time it was Kensi who led Deeks to the center of the dance floor. It would always be their song and again, Deeks quietly serenaded his bride. It was perfect. The team danced the evening away. Sam and Michelle, and Eric and Nell were enjoying being together. Callen had invited a colleague to be his date. Nancy had gone through a tough divorce and was raising three kids on her own. A night out was just the break she needed. There was nothing romantic between them, just two friends celebrating with their co-workers. Everyone was having a ball.

During a break from dancing, Deeks took his wife's hands and led her outside to the patio. With the sounds of the ocean in the background, he gathered her into his arms and kissed her. It was long, slow and full of the love he felt for Kensi. As Kensi came up for air she looked at Deeks. There was a look in his eyes that she couldn't quite read.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Can't I kiss my wife?"

"Of course you can kiss your wife. In fact, I insist that you kiss your wife. Often. It's just the look in your eyes."

"The look? I hope the look you see is the love I have for you. How happy I am to finally be living the life I thought we would be living when we got married last year. The team is comfortable with us being married, you and your mom are doing better, and things are good for me at LAPD."

At the mention of her mom, Kensi looked at Deeks. She has been thinking recently about his mother. Any conversation she tried to have with him was always cut short. And other than the one time she spoke with the woman when Deeks was shot, there has been little contact that she knew of. Kensi thought it was time to have a serious discussion about his mother and soon. But not tonight. Tonight it was their night and she was going to enjoy it. She gave Deeks another kiss then pulled out of his arms, grabbing his hands and dragging him back inside.

"I want some more cake!" Deeks just laughed and allowed Kensi to pull him along. He loved this woman with all his heart and wouldn't change a thing about her.

All too soon, it was time to head home. Everyone had slices of cake to take with them. Hugs were exchanged and the team dispersed into the night. Deeks turned to his bride and without a warning, scooped her into his arms and carried her to their car, Kensi's giggles drifting off into the night.

Love was definitely in the air.