I'll be home for Christmas.
Once again Callen had bought the biggest tree he could find in the Great Los Angeles area. Mac and Anna stood and watched as he fought to get it into the corner next to the fire place. This would be Anna's first American Christmas and Callen was determined to make it one to remember.
"Your dad is crazy."
Anna giggled. The Christmas trees she had before were never like this. She was so excited to decorate the tree and to go shopping for presents.
"Ok that's it." Callen stood back and smiled. The tree took up so much room it's branches hit the wall and the fireplace opposite it.
"Guess we should put the lights on." Said Mac. She started to hand a balled strand to Callen and he wrapped them around the tree. It took twenty minutes to get the lights on. Once they were on they plugged them in and stood back.
"Well Anna what do you think?" Mac stood there with her hands on her daughters shoulders.
"It's so pretty."
Clara sat in her baby rocker and clapped. Mac laughed looked like Clara approved too.
"Ok time for ornaments." Callen pulled out a box and opened them. "Anna these are all very old so we have to be careful with them so they don't break."
"Ok daddy."
It took them most of the afternoon to put the ornaments on the tree. While they had been in Romania they had searched little shops for any more ornaments. They had found about a dozen small ones. Those were given to Anna to put on the tree. She took great care making sure they looked just right.
When the doorbell rang they were surprised to see Hetty there.
"Oh the tree looks lovely."
"Callen loves the big ones."
"I brought you something for the tree." Hetty handed Callen a heavy wooden box. He slid the top off and was surprised to find a stained glass star. "I found that in the attic the other day. I'm not even sure where it came from."
"Hetty it's perfect."
Callen carefully put it on the top of the tree. Once the star was in place the lights from the tree flashed off the glass star and they had a light show on the celling. Anna stood and looked up at the tree in amazement.
"I also brought this for my girls." Said Hetty. She handed Anna a little stuffed snowman and gave one to Clara.
"Thank you Grandma Hetty."
"You are welcome my dear."
"Momma what is it?" everyone laughed.
"It's a snow man."
Anna seemed confused.
"You know G I think we might want to take a road trip this year."
"I think your right."
Hetty took everyone out to dinner that night. Anna loved doing anything and sat watching all the people in the restaurant. The waitress handed her a candy cane after they ate and Anna's eyes lit up.
"Thank you."
Once home Callen made a call and came back to the living room. He nodded at Mac as he sat down. They wanted to keep things a surprise for Anna. The girls watched a cartoon then Clara got her bath and put to bed. Anna sat and just looked at the tree till it was time for her to go to bed too.
Mac called Kensi and she and Deeks loved the idea. At work on Monday Kensi and Mac snuck out at lunch to pick up a few things for the kids. They made all their plans at work so the kids wouldn't have a clue till they got to where they were going. Friday after work they piled the kids into the cars and started driving. Anna watched a movie on a tablet most of the ride. She fell asleep at some point so when the car stopped Callen had to wake her up.
"Anna wake up little one."
She looked around and blinked. Everything was white. Deeks had pulled up next to Callen's car and Donny was out standing in the snow.
"Snow daddy." He had a huge smile on his face and picked up some snow quickly dropping it when he realized it was cold.
They had rented a small cabin for the weekend and quickly got everyone in side. "Tomorrow you get to make your own snowman Anna." Said Mac.
Her eyes were huge and she looked down at her little stuffed snowman. Kensi was surprised that Mac and Callen had wanted to do this. Neither of them liked the cold one bit.
After dinner they got the kids settled in with a movie. Kensi held Lilly who was now eight months old. She kicked her legs and made baby noises at the movie. Clara was fast asleep in Callen's arms before the movie was half over. As soon as the movie was done they got the kids in bed so the adults could have some free time.
Kensi poured out the wine and they all settled in just to enjoy the quiet.
"So seriously who would have thought we'd be sitting here right now?" asked Deeks.
"Not me." Said Callen. He slung an arm around Mac. "I can't wait to see what Anna does in the snow tomorrow."
"We packed a sled. There's a small hill behind the cabin." Said Kensi.
"That should be fun." Mac leaned back into Callen.
They all turned in soon afterwards knowing it was going to be a busy day tomorrow. In the morning Deeks made pancakes for everyone. Then they pulled out the brand new snow suits for kids. Anna got a pink one, Lilly purple, Clara peach and Donny blue. First thing up was building a snowman. Callen explained the basics. The snow was perfect for building a snow man and soon they had a base rolled. An hour later the snowman had a face and was wearing a hat and scarf. The kids were put around it and Kensi took some photos.
Deeks decided that sled riding was next. Donny loved this. Of course he was also enjoying just eating the snow too. Anna was less sure about the sled. Callen got on it with her and she screamed the entire ride down the hill.
"Ok sledding is out." Said Mac. Anna was too scared to try again. Donny on the other hand loved it and wanted to ride himself.
"Next year buddy you're still too little to go alone." Said Deeks.
Mac showed Anna how to make snow angels. That seemed more her speed and soon there were snow angels all over the place. Clara loved the snow and sat in it tossing some up over her head and giggling as it landed on her head.
Kensi handed Mac Lilly to hold. Once the baby was out of her arms she made a huge snow ball and tossed it at Deeks head. He turned around just as she threw and got hit right in the face. He stood there snow dripping from his face giving Kensi a look that meant trouble.
Kensi ducked and tried to run but was soon tackled into a huge pile of snow. Donny started cheering and tossing his own snow balls. One hit Callen who decided to dump pile on the little boy who shrieked with joy. Anna joined in and soon they were all coved in snow.
Mac stayed out of it and kept Lilly and Clara out of the snow battle.
"Ok I'm freezing. I need hot coco." Said Kensi.
"Mommy I'm hungry." Said Donny.
"Looks like its lunch time then." Said Deeks leading the way back inside.
After a lunch of grilled cheese and soup the kids were ready for a nap. Kensi and Deeks took the sled to have some fun in the snow themselves leaving Mac and Callen to watch the kids.
"This was a great idea." Said Mac snuggling into Callen.
"Yes it was."
Callen wrapped both his arms around her. "Anna said you're going to take her Christmas shopping this week."
"She can't wait." Mac started to play with Callen's hand. "She says she wants to get you something special."
"Any idea what it is?"
"No clue."
They had asked Anna if she wanted to do Romanian traditions or American ones. She chose American ones. They would of course have a traditional Romanian Christmas with Sara and Victor on Christmas Eve. Christmas day they would celebrate and American one.
"I think I may have found you the perfect gift this year." Said Callen watching the fire dance.
"I already have everything I need."
"Well I can't return this one so you'll have to accept it."
"Yes dear." Mac said laughing.
An hour later Deeks and Kensi came back. Both looked way colder than they should have.
"Deeks I am not explaining to Hetty why you have frostbite where you shouldn't." said Callen trying not to laugh.
"Hey we make room for sex whenever we can." Deeks shook snow out of his hair and headed for the shower.
By the end of the weekend everyone had enough of snow for a long time. The kids all slept the entire ride home.
It was midweek before Mac was able to take Anna shopping. They got gifts for Sara, Victor and the boys. Hetty and Granger and stuff for Clara. Anna couldn't figure out what to get her dad. They were in a card shop when Anna picked up a photo frame. It said *WE LOVE YOU DADDY* Anna held it out to Mac and smiled.
They headed home and found Callen watching the game with Clara asleep on the couch next to him. Anna snugged next to him and Mac went into the bedroom to wrap the gifts. When she got to the frame she pulled out some photos of the girls. There was one with them looking at the camera and smiling. Mac slid that in and put the frame into a box wrapping it before Callen could see it.
She still had no idea what he could have gotten her. Mac had gotten Callen tickets to six basketball games. He would of course take Sam as Mac had no real interest in the sport. She carried the boxes out and put them under the tree. Callen looked over them all and smirked at her.
"So how many of those are for me?"
"No peeking Callen."
Anna giggled at him and Callen tickled her. Anna tried to get him back and they woke up Clara who started crying.
"Way to go Callen." Said Mac lifting up their daughter. "Hey baby did daddy wake you up?" Clara stopped crying and looked up at her mom and yawned.
They had to work till Friday then Hetty was giving them till New Years off unless there was a big problem. Everyone planned on staying in the city so they would be close if needed.
Kensi and Deeks talked nonstop about spending their first Christmas with Lilly. Sam just shook his head at them and concentrated on his paperwork. By Friday everyone was ready for their time off.
Mac and Callen took the girls to meet Santa at the mall. Clara screamed the entire time. Anna sat there and looked up at Santa with her mouth open. The photo was priceless.
They headed home after dinner and the girls were still upset over Santa. "Well that was a bust." Said Callen.
"Let's make sure we don't take them to see the Easter Bunny." Said Mac.
"Good idea."
"I wonder how they will handle Disneyland?" added Callen.
"No idea."
Christmas Eve they piled the girls into the car along with the gifts and drove to Mac's parents' house. Hetty and Granger were already there. Granger was having an in-depth conversation with Victor over something when they walked in. Mac and Callen put some gifts under the tree while Anna ran to see Sara and get a cookie.
They passed Clara over to Hetty so that Mac could help her mom get the food ready. Callen joined the men and was handed a drink. Vlad and Micha were laughing over who was Anna's favorite uncle. After dinner Sara started handing out the gifts.
Hetty got a box of assorted teas from the boys and a new tea cup from Sara. Granger got a new lock box for his gun. He kept hinting that the lock on his old one had broken. Victor and Sara handed Callen a box which held a very expensive watch.
"It is shock proof and water proof." Said Victor. "Good for your line of work."
Callen slipped his old watch off and put the new one on.
The girls got new outfits and toys. Callen disappeared for a moment and came back in with a surfboard for Anna.
"This is from your Aunt Kensi and Uncle Deeks. They promise to teach you how to use it."
Anna's eyes got huge. She loved to watch people surf when they went to the beach. The board was a small child size one and had purple dolphins on it.
Finally Callen handed MacKenna a small box. She figured it was jewelry. When she opened it there was a key faub inside.
"Please tell me you didn't buy me a minivan."
Granger laughed at this loudly. Ok he may have been a bit drunk by now. Callen had been teasing Mac that with two kids she needed a minivan to haul them around in.
"Go outside and see."
Everyone followed her out the front door and tried not to laugh as they watched Mac stop short and just stare at the car in the driveway complete with a huge red bow.
"I don't believe it."
"It's the one you wanted right?"
"Callen how did you…" Callen stopped her with a kiss.
"Just tell me you like it."
"I love it."
Sitting in the driveway was a brand new white Dodge Charger.
"I cannot believe you got me this." Mac went over and let herself in to the car. She laughed and started it up.
"I hope the color is ok." Said Callen leaning into the car. "We can always get it painted."
"It's perfect. I love the white."
"You know if you really want the minivan."
Mac punched Callen lightly in the arm.
JULIA'S HOUSE.
Donny was running around with a candy cane chasing Monty most of the evening. They finally told him if he didn't go to bed Santa wouldn't come.
Lilly was already upstairs fast asleep when Deeks carried Donny up and tucked him in with Monty to watch over him.
Once back down stairs Deeks joined the women in the living room. He pulled out a box and handed it to Kensi.
"Open this on now."
"Deeks I can wait till tomorrow."
"Kensi just open it."
Kensi huffed at him but opened the box. It was a picture frame with five photos in it. The largest one was one of Kensi and Deeks, and then there were one of Donny and one of Lilly. The last one was an old photo of her mom and dad.
"Oh Deeks I love it."
"I figured you could put it on your desk at work."
"I love you." Kensi kissed Deeks. She then grabbed an envelope off the table and handed it to him. "Ok open one of yours now too."
Deeks opened it and found a certificate for the local surf shop.
"It's from both of us Marty." Said Julia.
"Wow that's a big amount."
"Well you keep talking about three different boards. This way you can get the one you want." Said Kensi snuggling into her husband.
Just then Deeks phone pinged. There was a text from Callen with photos. One was Anna holding her new board smiling. The other one was Mac sitting in her car grinning like a fool.
"Looks like the board was a hit." Said Deeks.
"I still can't believe Callen got her a car."
"Well Hetty was involved with it." Said Deeks.
Julia sat back and watched them for a few moments before heading upstairs to bed. Donny would have them up early and she wanted to be well rested.
She turned the lights off and left Kensi and Deeks bathed in the twinkling lights of the tree. How she wished Donald could have been there to see his family now.
In the background the song I'll be home for Christmas played softly.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!