Time to make progress on the main issue. Adriana are you still with us? lol
Even as he thought about what Julia said he responded to his mom's comment about dinner and/or a drink saying "Oh great. Be nice mom!" Secretly he was happy for what Barb said. He and Kensi had wondered how they got along and neither mom would speak of it. Finally getting home with dinner (he remembered at the last minute) he yelled out "princess I'm here. Dinner is served. As they were eating, and talking about the day at LAPD he blurted out "what kind of music do you listen to when you aren't blaring techno? I know you have other tastes but I never hear them."
Giggling she offered "you're gonna think this is silly."
"Nope, remember I was in a band and we played sets from the 50's & 60's, the 70's and then current stuff. Even a few original numbers written by our drummer."
"You sure?" Getting a nod and smile she went on "the Beach Boys and a little Jan and Dean. Daddy loved 50's and 60's music especially Beach boys and I got hooked. I always kidded him that our dad-daughter dance at my wedding would be to 'Help Me Rhonda' my all-time favorite. Why are you asking?"
"Never would have thought it. We used to have a lotta requests for their stuff when I played. As to why, just trying to find common ground for us on long trips or boring stakeouts." Nailed it, hah!
1 WEEK LATER
Deeks got a text saying 'drawings ready-Hetty Ok'd us leaving. Let Julia and Barb know-45 minutes s/NJ.
Everyone arrived at the appointed place and time. Hetty had announced to the group that Mr. Deeks was handling something for her but, looking at Kensi added that he would be home on time. Kensi smiled and nodded. Deeks hoped she wasn't curious. When he got there, Barb and Julia were already talking up a storm of to the side and informed Marty they were going to dinner together when they were done here. Before Deeks introduced Nell, he got the strange feeling his mom and Julia were cooking up something. As he finished the introductions, Nell's cousin (Mike Jefferies) came in and said "good afternoon." Nell made introductions and then Mike pulled out the drawings and laid them on a table for all to look at. He let them talk and ask questions as they looked at each. Deeks saw the one he liked but had some questions. "This one here, each of the rings have pieces of engraving on the inside. What do they signify?" Smiling, jeweler reached for another drawing and laid it out.
"When you put the rings together they form the shape of a fern on the inside and the words 'today, tomorrow' are on one band and on the other are the words 'and the next'. This made Deeks smile as he looked at Nell and nodded. She had found audio and video of that day on the ice. Going on, when the 2 rings are fitted together they loosely resemble a crown, especially if you are looking for it. The small dark stone is to signify something that struck me the second I looked at Kensi's picture." All of them just smiled knowing exactly what it meant.
Deeks announced that this was the ring he preferred but was afraid it might be pushing too fancy for her. Nell's cousin just smiled as he was sure that would be the one. The first of the women to respond was Barb. "I think it is beautiful. I don't know Kensi as well as the rest of you but I can't imagine her not loving it. It appears to be essentially simple in design but when you know the background it becomes an amazing piece of jewelry and I don't see anything that is too much. Remember she is also beautiful so the ring should reflect that also."
Nell nodded and said "I agree. That ring is something that Kensi will adore. She will understand everything it means and pushes it past everything to 'special' something every woman wants in her engagement ring."
Deeks then asked "can you put the date of engagement on the engagement ring and the wedding date on the other one when we have them? Oh- - -and also she prefers white gold to silver. Is that a problem for the bands?" Getting a nod of agreement to both questions and a smile he added "great." Marty gave him the date of the 'planned engagement' and went on to say I will call you by Wednesday if a change of date is necessary so save that till the end." Getting a smile and a nod he replied "thanks."
Julia then offered "it is amazing. You have captured the essence of them. I see ups and downs and struggles but all the while when put together they fit perfectly and the ring does become truly special because the 2 pieces fit together perfectly, just like them."
That did it for Deeks who, as he tried not to blush and lost the battle, said "the last question is cost. I get a feeling this might be an issue."
"Stop right there Martin" barked his mom. "Julia and I have already decided something that we can give you for an engagement gift that will eliminate that issue."
"That's right" Julia added then went on "I will give you my old engagement ring from Donnie (she still wore the other one on her right hand). As close as she was to her dad, that will be something important to Kensi."
"And, about the only decent thing the bastard gave me was a nice ring so I will add mine to the mix-thus the joining of 2 families into one. Use any stones you want in the ring and anything else plus the bands can be sold and used to offset the cost of the new piece. Is that something you can do? We can drop off the rings first thing tomorrow. And now you have something that is truly special. All we ask is you let us tell her about the significance."
"That should work. Marty's right. The cost would be about $2,000 more than his target price. I'm sure your rings will bring it in under that and as long as it's close I'll agree that is the most it will cost you."
Deeks was speechless. He just stood there mouth open and Nell started giggling. She reached for her phone to take a picture. After snapping it she announced "this is the first time I have ever seen Shaggy speechless. I had to have this picture."
That relaxed everyone. Following were handshakes for the jeweler and hugs for all 3 women. Julia was sure she saw some moisture in Deeks eyes and as she hugged him she whispered "if she says no, I will spank her. Like you the ring is amazing. Thank you for including me."
Then his mom said "I have finally been able to do something nice for my boy. It seems poetic that that ass of a former husband could end up doing something good. It will serve as a reminder to you both that you are better than that. I'm glad you let me be part of this."
Nell simply said "well played Shaggy, well played." They both understood what she meant. It was from a case shortly after Kensi returned from Afghanistan.
"Wow" he finally squeaked out. "I truly appreciate your help-all of you. Mom, what you and Julia just did is something I will never forget. Kensi will be floored with both the gesture and the significance of what you have done." Then he wiped his eyes quickly as he feigned pushing his hair out of his eyes and adding "ok were good to go then. When can it be ready?"
"10 days at the latest. It depends on what the ladies rings look like and how they are set."
"That works. Nell we can now finalize everything as we discussed and the date is good for the people we need to help prep. If you need, I'll give you my credit card or you can pay for the pieces that we are renting or purchasing and I'll write you a check. That work?"
"We'll see. Maybe I want this to be the engagement present from Eric and me. I'll let you know when we have everything and see what the total is."
Deeks and the other 2 ladies just looked at Nell. Deeks finally gave her a big grin and a hug and said thank you Nell and be sure to thank Eric also. The jeweler thought wow, this couple must be special people to be getting all this help. There has to be a great story there. Wonder if Nell will tell me?
The time couldn't go fast enough for anyone and they were all pretty sure Kensi had no clue. A nagging feeling about a proposal maybe, but not the rest. The 'ring committee' was really wondering about her reaction when she heard about the history of the ring.
Ok, here we go, the proposal and everything around it. All will be revealed? By the way so you know dancing to 'Help Me Rhonda" at a daughter's wedding is a true story. I hooked my daughter on the Beach Boys and that was her song of choice. She kept telling me it was going to happen and I didn't believe her. She remains a smart ass to this day!