The Road Home

Chapter 7 Home and Loved

TWO WEEKS LATER

Marty, Sophia and Monty are sitting by the pool of their hotel in Great Falls, Montana. They are here to finally meet Kensi. Sophia is beside herself with joy and anticipation. Marty is having his hands full with his daughter and his dog. He's not sure which is better trained. He thinks it is probably the dog. Marty had drilled into Sophia's head multiple times what was going to happen and what he expected her to do and not to do. He was confident she understood and would do her best.

Marty had a knock down / drag out with Hetty over being excluded from the op to bring Kensi back to reality, up to this point. The only working weapon at Hetty's disposal was the fact that agents Callen & Hanna were also excluded. Those two were not happy either. In their more sane moments (few and far between) all three agents did understand Hetty's reasoning, but it hurt. A lot.

To add insult to injury, neither Callen nor Hanna were here either. Hetty would deal with that upon her return to LA; maybe she will spend a month in Tuscany and let things cool off a bit. Hm, that sounds good.

Amy/Kensi was making good progress with her memory. Much of it was back. The biggest obstacle to all her memory returning seemed to be that so much of the past 7 years + was horrific! There was a lot she did NOT want to remember! It was hoped that with the proper support, and the love of her man and 'daughter' that continued progress would be made. Either way, she was going home.

The meeting had been carefully set up at Amy/Tina's home. Monty would not be present initially, just Marty & Sophia. No one knew for sure how Kensi would respond.

Physically she was doing very well. She had regained almost all her weight, her cuts and bruises were all healed, her bones had all mended. She looked and moved almost normal.

Emotionally was another case. That is where the unexpected might well occur. Rick, Tina & Cheryl would be standing by for emotional support if needed. Pins & needles was the sitting arrangement of the day.

Marty & Sophia knocked on the front door. Tina answered and ushered them to the living room then retreated to the kitchen. Amy/Kensi had been seated on the couch when they entered. She rose, took a step forward and gave each of them a brief hug and kiss on the cheek then sat back down. Marty sat in an overstuffed chair opposite her with Sophia on his lap.

Silence ensued. No one knew what to say.

How are you seemed stupid.

Good to see you again seemed rude.

The weather's been nice was preposterous.

Specific emotions? Don't touch yet.

Silence reigns.

Sophia can't take it any longer. She cups her daddy's ear and whispers, "I think she is scared."

Marty nods.

She whispers again, "Can I go talk to mommy Kensi?"

Marty nods and smiles.

Sophia walks over and climbs into Amy's lap. Amy responds by embracing Sophia lightly around the waist, not smiling yet. Sophia places both palms on Amy's face, turning her head so they can look at each other eye to eye. Sophia peaks:

"Mommy Kensi, I love you! I have waited a long time to see you. I prayed every day that you would come back to daddy and me. I'm glad that the bad man finally let you go. Now we can go home and be a family. Would you like that? Oh, Daddy loves you too, a lot!"

Amy now is crying, tears streaming down her cheeks. She finally speaks. "Why do you call me mommy?"

"You are my 2nd mommy. My 1st mommy died in a car crash and went to heaven. Daddy Marty took me in and cared for me. Because he loves me & you so much, you are my 2nd mommy. Is that, Ok?"

Both of them glance at Marty and see him shedding tears also. Sophia speaks again, "can I give you both a hug, please?"

They slide to their knees, and with Sophia between them they have their first family hug. The adults were crying like babies. Sophia had done her job.

Marty & Sophia stayed in Great Falls for a long weekend, they saw Kensi daily at least once. The comfort level between Marty & Kensi gradually increased, though they admitted that they had a way to go. The biggest sticking point was if they were ready to jump into living together. They really weren't, but the presence of Sophia was a problem. She would not understand the hold-up. One solution seemed to be larger living quarters where each of them had their own bedroom. Another fix was for Kensi to stay on in GF, while the Marty/Kensi relationship matured, through visits and communication as frequent as possible; but that was long-range, not a good option. Sophia was unlikely to like or understand anything less than her family being intact. What to do?

The key seemed to be Kensi's memories. Until she gained enough of her memories back in regards to Marty and her relationship with him, she would have a hard time living as a couple/family. Sophia would see through all that. That would take some time, how to move that along?

As they thought about it they realized that Kensi had not yet spent any time in LA; on the beach, watching Marty surf, doing beach stuff with Sophia, playing with Monty. It was decided that Marty & Sophia would go home for 2 weeks and prepare the apartment for Kensi's arrival. Kensi would stay with Tina, preparing to move. Then Kensi would come for 2 weeks and spend time in LA with her 'family'. Marty would have alternate sleeping arrangements for himself ready if needed.

As hoped, after 2 weeks apart Kensi was really ready to be with Marty & Sophia. And after 2 weeks in LA, she was ready to stay 'home'. Admittedly, the relationship needed continued construction; but what one doesn't need that early on.

A major hurdle was FORGIVENESS. Kensi needed many reminders that the team, and especially Marty, did indeed forgive her for all that had happened. While they didn't feel that she had done anything requiring forgiveness, she needed that reassurance and reminder that they did forgive and love her. Sophia played a key role here; she daily told her mommy that she loved and forgave her. This finally sank in.

Kensi was finally HOME!