7x11 Cancel Christmas - 2
It was 4:30pm on Christmas Eve when Roberta Deeks let herself in to her son's house with a call of his name. She wasn't at all surprised to see Kensi with him. She'd waited as long as she could stand to make the drive in, since it was their anniversary. But it was Christmas and her son was in love with a wonderful girl, and he wasn't in jail, so she was excited. It had been a hell of a year.
She had pulled Martin in for a strong hug; he always gave such great hugs, before turning to the strong federal agent and pulling her into a similar embrace. They hadn't had much time together, but Roberta adored her already. With a kiss on her cheek she finally let the girl go and looped one arm through Martin's and one through Kensi's to walk into the kitchen.
"Now, I know we're having Christmas dinner with your friends, which I'm very much looking forward to meeting. But we can't go empty handed. So we're making Christmas cookies. Martin, can you please get my bag and the groceries out of the car for me." It wasn't a question and her son knew well, so quickly darted out of the kitchen.
"Are you sure you want me in the kitchen with you?" Kensi asked with apprehension and Roberta fought the urge to laugh. Kensi's adventures in the culinary arts had proven to be a humorous topic of conversation during their first meeting.
"Yes. I'll be here, I won't let anything go wrong." Roberta smiled placing a loving hand over Kensi's. She didn't know the details, but recognised the signs, to know that Kensi hadn't had an easy, simple childhood. Kensi and Martin were similar in that way, and Roberta though that was probably one of the reasons they worked so well as a couple. They understood each other on so many levels.
"Besides, this is a Deeks family tradition. And you're family, so you're not getting out of it."
Roberta chose to ignore the tears in Kensi's eyes. She may not know the young girl well, but she knew her well enough to know that drawing attention to them was the last thing Kensi wanted. Instead Roberta busied herself in the kitchen pulling out all the equipment she'd need. Martin entered moments later and Roberta found herself fascinated with the silent exchange between her son and Kensi. At the sight of her watery eyes Martin raised one eyebrow in question, Kensi smiled and shook her head slightly and with a quick, subtle squeeze of her hand Martin went about unpacking the groceries.
Later, the cookies were in the oven and Roberta sat with Kensi enjoying a cup of hot cocoa while Martin walked his scruffy but loveable pooch. She looked around the house and noticed even more signs of Kensi. She hadn't stopped thinking about the conversation they'd had while Martin had been locked up in that horrible cell.
"Have you moved in officially yet?" Roberta asked gently.
"Not yet. I haven't talked to him about it yet either." Kensi replied calmly, no sign of irritation or that she was uncomfortable in anyway. So Roberta pressed on.
"Why not?"
"Well, although I spend far more time here than I do at my place, I think it's important that I keep my apartment. We spend so much time together. Work, home, dates. We're together 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And sometimes that becomes a bit much. Don't get me wrong, I love Deeks so much, and I love being with him..."
"But everyone needs time to themselves." Roberta chimed in with a knowing nod. Most couples get that time away when they go to work, but Kensi and Martin spent all day at work together in a professional capacity then had to transition into a couple at night. At times, she imagined, that could be quite taxing.
"Exactly. Just last week, we were annoying each other and I just knew that if we didn't get a break we'd start fighting. So after work, I went back to my place for the night. It was just what we needed. And it was so nice coming home the next night." Kensi smiled as she sipped her cocoa and Roberta couldn't help but watch her. She knew the smile was on her face, but she couldn't help it. She really did love this girl. "What?" Kensi asked suspiciously and Roberta nearly laughed out load.
"I just like that this is home to you. I like how strong you are. And I love how much you love my son." Roberta wanted to take Kensi into her arms, but settled for a gentle pat on her hand.
"I do. I really do."
"I know that sweetheart."
"I do want to talk to him about something else though, and soon."
"Oh?" Now she was intrigued. Kensi was staring at her mug and fidgeting with her fingers. Whatever it was, it was important. And Roberta was dying to know.
"I used to be so skittish. I'd balk at the idea of marriage and kids. I haven't had much luck with family. But yesterday at work, Marty mentioned something about marriage and he stumbled all over himself trying to get out of it because he was scared of how I'd react. I don't want him to be scared of talking about our future together. I want to talk about it. Just because we're not ready for it yet, doesn't mean we can't talk about it." The look on Kensi's face could only be described as anguished. It was clear this was something that upset her greatly. She had so much love for Martin. They'd have that future together, Roberta was sure of it.
"I think telling him that is a great idea. It would make him so happy. What a wonderful Christmas gift." Roberta smiled and the oven beeped. The cookies were ready and Christmas celebrations were starting. The conversation between Kensi and Martin would happen, but for now, it was time to celebrate.
((((((())))))))
Christmas morning in the Deeks household was warm and happy. Marty Deeks had never had a happy family Christmas before, and just as he'd always hoped, it was wonderful. His mother had insisted on making breakfast. A breakfast as grand as the Christmas dinner she wouldn't be cooking this year. So when it was time to get ready for the day, it came as no surprise to Deeks to come downstairs and find the love of his life still sitting at the dining table engrossed in her breakfast. He couldn't help but smile as he watched her blissfully devouring her massive plate.
"You do remember that we're going to be having a huge Christmas dinner in a matter of hours right?" He joked with a smile as he chuckled lightly. Kensi rolled her eyes and it only made him laugh harder. "We still have to pick up your mom, Kensi."
Kensi looked longingly between her plate and the clock on the wall and Deeks took pity on his girlfriend.
"I'll go get her. You finish your feast and get ready. I'll be back soon."
"Thank you baby, I love you." Kensi mumbled around a mouthful of food and Deeks laughed as he head out the door. The drive to Julia's house was familiar now. He'd spent many dinners there over the years. Even before he and Kensi decided to be brave. He really liked the woman he hoped to one day call his mother in law.
Julia had been surprised to see Marty on his own but had greeted him with a loving hug and a kiss to his cheek. He took the gift bags she carried and walked her to the car. They had a fifteen minute drive back to his house and Deeks planned on using it wisely.
"So, I'm actually glad Kensi couldn't come with me today, I was hoping for a chance to talk to you on our own but figured it wouldn't happen for a while." Deeks spoke nervously as he wrung his hands on the steering wheel.
"Is everything ok Marty? Are you and Kensi OK?" Julia asked with worry as she turned in her seat to face him.
"No no, everything is fine. It's just... At some point in the future, not any time soon believe me, but at some point... I want to ask Kensi to marry me."
"Why do you sound guilty about that, Marty?" Julia asked with a smile.
"I don't know. I don't mean to." Deeks laughed nervously before continuing. "It's just... I can't talk to her dad. And I know that if it were possible, it would mean a lot to Kensi if I did. So I'm coming to you."
"Are you asking for permission to marry my daughter some day, Marty?" Julia's voice was soft but gave nothing away and Deeks swallowed heavily as he nodded.
"Yes. Yes I am."
"Marty, could you pull over for a second please?" Julia asked and Deeks could feel the sweat start on his forehead. There was very little traffic, so he pulled over quickly and turned off the car. He sighed as he stared out the front window. "Marty? Please look at me?" Julia asked gently and reached for his hand. Deeks turned towards her and Julia felt genuinely horrendous for the doubt and sadness she could see in his eyes.
"Marty, you are a wonderful man. My daughter loves you so much. I can see it every time she looks at you, every time she speaks of you. I saw it long before you two finally got your act together." Julia smiled and Deeks chuckled lightly, casting his eyes down briefly before looking back up at Julia. "And I have always been able to see how much you love her. It's in everything you do and everything you say. It's in all you are. And it always has been. You are a good man, and you are good for Kensi. Some day, I would be honoured to have you as my son in law. So would Donald." There were tears in both their eyes as Julia finished. She smiled gently at Deeks before leaning across the console to hug him gently. Deeks sighed with relief as he squeezed her back.
When they pulled apart they both laughed lightly to ease the emotion in the car and Julia patted his hand gently again.
"We better get back, or Kensi will think I ran away with you." Deeks joked as he pulled the car back on to the road. Julia regarded him quietly for the last five minutes of the drive. He really was such a sweet, caring man. But she could see the deep routed pain in his eyes. Marty Deeks had clearly had a rough life, but now had a chance at happiness and love with her daughter. Her daughter who loved him just as fiercely as he loved her. They both deserved to have a long and happy life together, and they'd have that future together, Julia was sure of it.
((((((-)))))))
Kensi spotted Deeks from across the crowded room. They'd been having a great day with Sam and his family. Her mother and Roberta were getting on really well, maybe even a little too well. Kensi suspected they were conspiring with their heads together like that. A wedding and grandchildren were probably being planned but Kensi didn't care. Instead her focus was on her man. He was holding up the wall across the room, just watching the fun happening around him. There was a look on his face she couldn't quite decipher, and it scared her. Kensi thought she knew every expression by now. So making her way around the hustle and bustle of the Hanna home on Christmas Day, Kensi slipped her arm around Deeks's waist as she stepped up beside him.
"Hey baby." She smiled as he turned towards her, and wrapped her other arm around him.
"Hey there. Having a good time?" Deeks tangled one hand in her hair at the back of her neck and cupped her face with the other.
"I was just about to ask you that. Why are you standing over here all by yourself?"
Deeks lowered his gaze to the floor between them for a moment before looking up at Kensi again. He dropped his hands, and Kensi dropped hers, as a serious expression came over his face.
"I was just thinking about how close I came to losing all this." He whispered and Kensi grabbed his hand to pull him further away from the party.
"You were never going to lose us, never going to lose me, I would have got you out of there no matter what. I would have never let you get hurt, baby." Kensi said fiercely and stepped closer to him to wrap her arms around his neck. Deeks immediately engulfed her in his arms and placed a gentle kiss on her lips before resting his forehead against hers.
"Thank you. I love you so much." Deeks whispered, tears were pooling in his eyes but Kensi knew he'd never let them fall.
"I love you too." She whispered back and tangled her fingers in his hair.
"Thank you for forgiving me." His voice cracked and Kensi's heart broke.
"Oh baby. There's nothing to forgive."
"But I lied to you." He was barely holding it together and it was killing Kensi to see him in so much pain. Filled with doubt and fear. She never wanted him to feel this. Never.
"No you didn't." She whispered as she brushed the hair off his forehead and looked deep into his eyes. "You told me baby. In the car, while we sat outside that Russian spa, you told me all about Boyle. You think I haven't learned by now how to read you? My man who never says what he means." She smiled trying to bring light to this heavy conversation.
"You knew even then?" Deeks asked with disbelief.
"I had an inkling. I didn't know for sure until I met Tiffany. There's no version of you that would have walked away and let him hurt her." Her fingers trailed down his cheek and across his nose. The bruises and cuts had healed, but she still remembered the sight of them as she clung to him on the dock. The evidence that an evil man had touched him again. And she hadn't been able to stop it.
"I couldn't." He choked.
"I know baby. It's one of the many reasons I love you." Kensi leaned in and kissed him gently. She hoped he felt everything she couldn't say right now as her lips pressed against his; that she loved him, she trusted him and believed in him. She forgave him despite the fact that she felt he hadn't done anything wrong. And that no matter what, she would always stand by his side. He wouldn't lose her. Not today, not tomorrow, never.
"I love you too." Deeks whispered against her lips before taking them in a kiss far deeper than anything they'd ever shared in front of others. But right now, neither of them cared about the other people in the room. All that existed, was each other.
Across the room Julia Feldman and Roberta Deeks stood shoulder to shoulder watching as their two children laughed and kissed and just exuded happiness and love.
"I'm glad I booked a hotel room for tonight. I do not want to be the reason those two are kept apart tonight." Roberta laughed. She and Julia had hit it off right away. They both recognised the love they had for their children in each other, and for each of them that was enough to strike up an instant friendship. They'd chatted and schemed all day about a future they were both determined to ensure Marty and Kensi would get to have together. They daydreamed together about grandchildren, and laughed about a wedding they'd both already mentally planned. Phone numbers were exchanged and plans were made. A family was forming. The Blyes and the Deeks.
"I give it six months before they're calling us to tell us they're pregnant." Roberta smiled as she turned to Julia.
"Either that or they'll tell us they've eloped. We're never going to get a wedding out of them." Julia nudged Roberta as the two turned toward the kitchen.
"That's ok. As long as we get the kids." Roberta laughed as she refilled their wine glasses. Julia glanced over her shoulder again at her daughter and the love of her life. Kensi's head was on Marty's shoulder, her face turned toward his neck and her eyes closed. Marty was holding her close, his cheek resting atop Kensi's hair. They looked so happy, so content and so deeply in love.
"Six months? Yeah. I think you might be right."
So that is my last take on the Christmas episode. I hope you all liked it and I hope you all review.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed and followed this week. Hope to hear from you all again.