A/N: Hi amazing people all around the world! I apologise for the delay. I think that school has jinxed everything. First, the Doc manager didn't let me updates and then my laptop was acting weirder than usual. Until tonight. SoI decided to update while I still can.

Also, please note that I'm a teenager who has no idea how to take care of kid, let alone a baby. Everything written in this chapter in regards to Fern and how Deeks and Kensi take care of her is a combination of movies and other fanfics I've read. So if there are any Mamas out there reading this story, please tell me what I'm doing wrong. I would really appreciate it.

Now is time for me to stop talking and let you read chapter four.

Enjoy!

The sun rays that passed through the drawn curtains were enough to wake Deeks up.

The first thing he registered was something warm pressing against his side. He looked at the mass of black curls spread on his pillow. Kensi. His lips turned into a smile as he remembered the events of the previous night. Finally, they were going somewhere with their thing. He just hoped that this time would be different than their usual 1 step forward 5 steps back. It would be a real shame. He then looked over at Fern who stared back at him. She was awake and in a sitting position chewing at the little stuffed white bunny that was among the many that Hetty had supplied them with. Monty was laying near the crib too, watching over her, something he's been doing since yesterday.

He then realised that he wanted this. To wake up with Kensi in his arms and their child sleeping in his or hers crib. It was not the first time that he had thought of him and Kensi like that. He'd always wanted to make a family of his own and had begun having dreams of him and Kensi hand in hand, walking in the beach followed by a little boy and a little girl who were the right combination of them both.

"You're thinking too loud. Some people are trying to sleep over here." Kensi said, her voice husky from sleep. She snuggled even closer to Deeks, burying her nose in his throat.

"Why, I would have never thought that you were the cuddle type."

"I'm not."

"Your nose in my throat, your leg curled with mine and your head in my chest would beg to differ."

Kensi sighed and untangled herself from Deeks. "Happy now?"

Deeks didn't offer an answer. Just watched as Kensi leaned over Fern's crib to place a kiss on the top of her head before leaving the bedroom, probably headed to the bathroom to begin her morning routine.

When Kensi emerged from the bathroom 30 minutes later she was surprised to not find Deeks in the kitchen preparing breakfast but was still in bed, sprawled on his stomach playing pick-a-boo with Fern who couldn't stop giggling.

Kensi leaned against the door frame imagining, not for the first time in the last four years, that it was hers and Deeks' daughter or son he was playing with. She can't pinpoint when exactly the dreams had begun, but what she can describe is how she feels when she wakes up. Happy. Content.

"You gonna stand there forever Kanselina? I have breakfast to make and we have a Fern to bath, feed and entertain. And I need to use the bathroom."

"You're such a baby. Actually, calling you a baby is an offence to Fern. You're much worse that a baby, you're an annoying man." she said as she picked Fern up and left the room. "Let me give you some advice Fern. All men are pigs who should not be trusted and..."

Deeks laughed at Kensi's antics. Of course she would advise Fern to do such thing. "Don't listen to her Fern. Not all man are like that."

"Do you think that we should go over there?"

"Wait until I take some more pictures. They're so cute."

"You do know that this is considered borderline stalking, right?"

"I know but look at them. They need to realise how perfect they are for each other and what better than showing them what the rest of the world sees."

"Ok, you got your proof, now let's go greet them before they make us or we'll never hear the end of it." Eric said to Nell. They had decided to spend the weekend at the beach, like they did almost every weekend since they got together. No one knew about their relationship, well except for Hetty. She was the one who practically got them together, dropping hints here and there.

"Ok. Oh wait. Kensi is standing up."

"I told that they were going to make us out sooner or later, they're trained federal agents for crying out loud!"

"Wait, she's not coming towards us. She's going to the food truck."

"Thank god."

"Oh no."

"What now?" Eric whined.

"Look at all these women who have surrounded Deeks. Kensi is going to be pissed."

There were four women around Deeks clearly flirting with him. Deeks tried to turn them down as gently as possible, but they didn't seem to get the hint.

"It's the baby. It is literally a ladies magnet. I was once babysitting my sister's son and I took him for a walk at the park. There was not a single woman in that park who didn't ask for my number or at least flirt with me"

"Is this a humble brag?"

"No it's not."

"Well it sounds like one. Kensi saw them. She's jealous. I wish I had some popcorn with me because this is getting pretty good."

"What do you think is she going to do?"

"I don't know."

They saw Kensi make her way towards Deeks. Deeks was too preoccupied with removing a blonds hand from his knee to notice her. Kensi sat next to him and did something that neither Nell, Eric or the ladies had seen coming. She placed her left hand on the nape of his neck and when he turned around, she kissed him. Nell somehow managed to get her fingers moving and snapped a few pictures of them kissing.

The afternoon found Monty, Deeks and Kensi sitting in a bench, Fern playing with Deeks' hair, watching the waves hit the shore. They had spent their time in the beach walking alongside the shore or playing with Fern in the sand. Deeks even build a sandcastle for his "two princesses", as he said, before Monty ruined it while chasing another dog.

Fern apparently was afraid of birds, because when a seagull flew over Deeks' head she began crying and it took them a lot of time to calm her down.

Around noon, after they fed Fern her bottle, she started whining, an indication that she wanted to nap. They had left the stroller back at Deeks' apartment, thinking that it would be hard to manoeuvre it in the sand. They only had a sling which Kensi strapped to her chest. Deeks positioned Fern so that her head was laying down on Kensi's sternum. He then opened the beach umbrella and put down some beach towels for Kensi to sit.

"You should go." he heard Kensi whisper after some time.

"Go where?" he whispered back, confused.

"Surfing."

"You wanna get rid of me Kens?"

"No. All I'm saying is that Fern is going to be out for a couple of hours. You could use the time to surf. Unless you don't want to."

"I want to. It's just..." he scratched his neck. "I haven't surfed since before the... Sidorov case. And it's been so long that I'm afraid I've forgotten how to surf."

"Don't be ridiculous. Surfing is like second nature to you. And every time I've watched you, you looked like you belonged with the sea. I'm sure that once you hit the water, you'll forget all your worries and let the waves lead you."

"That was really poetic Kens."

"Don't get used to it."

"I think that Fern is making you a little soft around the edges."

"Deeks, don't push your luck."

Kensi divided her time into three parts. When she wasn't watching Deeks surf, she was either playing with Fern (her nap only lasted half an hour. Kensi couldn't blame her though, the beach was too noisy) or throwing away a tennis ball for Monty to catch.

It was around five the afternoon when Deeks left the sea.

"You think we should get going?" Deeks asked as dried himself with a towel.

"I'm not letting you get seawater and sand all over the precious leather seats of my car."

"Come on." he pleaded.

"No. Firstly, help me stand up." she demanded while stretching her right hand. But Deeks instead of pulling her up, he bent over and removed Fern from the sling.

"Hey baby girl." Fern leaned over to him trying to grab a strand of his hair. Deeks shook his head from left to right making a few drops of water land on Fern's face making her giggle once again.

Kensi then appeared with a tissue and dried Fern's face before she picked her up.

"You're wet, you can't hold her. What if she catches a cold?"

"Kensi you worry too much."

"Well excuse me for wanting to return her healthy to her parents."

"Callen was right. You're even scarier when you're into full Mama Bear mode."

"Don't call me that." she said as she picked Fern's bag and put it across her shoulders. "I'm going to find a bench under a tree to protect Fern from the sun, while you get our stuff and your surfboard back to the car. And I find any trace of sand I'm going to snap your favourite board in half. Come on Monty, let's go."

Deeks found Kensi and sat down next to her, but not before taking Fern from her. Fern immediately reached for Deeks's hair, playing with it. That made him wonder where her little white bunny was. But before that, there was something more important he needed to ask Kensi.

"How about I-"

Deeks didn't get to finish his sentence, as Kensi's stomach growled so loud a few heads turned their way.

Deeks laughed as Kensi's face turned red from embarrassment.

"What I was going to say before the monster that lives in your stomach interrupted me, is that we should get something to eat. My timing is once again perfect."

"Shut up. And I don't think that Fern would appreciate you taking away your hair. She seems mesmerised by them."

"Of course she is. My hair is perfect. And don't pretend like you have never imagined about getting your hands through my golden locks."

Truth be told, she had. A lot but she was not going to tell him that. His ego did not need another boost.

"In your dreams, Shaggy."

"Every single night, Kanselina."

"Whatever. I'm going to get us some tacos from the food truck over there. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."

"You wound me."

Kensi just rolled her eyes and began to walk towards the truck. She placed her order, paid and turned around to look at Deeks only to see him surrounded by many women.

I swear I turned around for only 30 seconds.

She felt her insides turning violently. She was not jealous, was she? She had no reason to be. It's not like she and Deeks are together or anything, but then why does she have the urge to go there and rip the head of every bimbo who's in three feet of Deeks.

"Because you love him and want him for yourself." said the little voice inside her head.

It was not a lie. She loves him and wants him, but she wouldn't be Kensi if she wasn't afraid that he would abandon her lile all men she ever cared about did.

You know what he would never leave you.

She does but she can't help it. She just hopes that Nell and Eric find Fern's parents quickly so that she and Deeks can talk. Deeks means so much to her that she's willing to try to make their thing work.

She was pulled away from her thoughts when the truck owner handed her the food. She saw a blond putting her hand on his knee. She felt the anger making her blood boil and her head blur. Deeks hadn't noticed her, so she slipped onto the empty spot next to him. She put the food on her lap and when Deeks turned around to acknowledge her, she did the only thing that in her mind seemed like the right thing to do. The hand that was not holding the food steady on her lap, cupped the back of his neck and before she could talk herself out of it, she kissed him.

It was just a peck, but it was enough to set every cell on her body on fire and let her wanting more, when she reluctantly pulled away.

Deeks looked genuinely surprised and his eyes were just a shade darker.

"Hey babe, miss me?" she asked innocently, picking Fern from his arms, because he still hadn't recovered from the kiss and she was afraid that he would drop her.

"I... um yeah." he replies, awkwardly stretching the back of his head.

"I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to our daughter."

"You're the wife?" said one of the women.

"We're not married yet, but I'm the mother of his children."

"But you're nothing like her." said another one pointing at Fern.

No shit Sherlock. "I just hope that the son we have on our way takes after me." She rubbed her stomach for emphasis.

"Oh." said a brunette and left, followed by the rest.

"That was... wow." Deeks said. Well, attempted to.

"Which part?"

"All of it?"

"Is that a question?"

"I...um-"

"Hey guys, Monty." he heard Nell say before he could utter another word. He made a mental note to thank his little friend later.

"Hey Nell, Eric." Kensi greeted them back.

"How are you guys doing with the baby?" Nell asked as she petted Monty.

"She's no trouble at all. Have you been able to track her parents yet?"

"Unfortunately, no. No one has reported a missing toddler. Can I hold her?"

"Sure."

Nell took Fern from Kensi's arms and held her against her chest. Fern let the bunny slip from her fingers and grabbed Nell's sunglasses.

Eric reached for the bunny before it reached the ground and then held it before his face, moving it from right to left while making silly noises. Sunglasses long forgotten, Fern was now smiling at Eric's antics.

Nell was laughing too, but not at Fern. She was laughing at Deeks and Kensi who looked like deers stuck in headlights. Eric had two older sisters who both had children so he knew how to act with them. As on cue, Fern stretched her hand towards Eric, clenching and unclenching her palm making it clear to everyone that she wanted to try Eric's embrace next.

It was only after that, that he noticed the looks on both Kensi's and Deeks' face.

"What? I have a niece and two nephews. I've babysitted many times before."

"When were you when Hetty assigned her to us?"

"Um... in OPS? Guys, I think she's falling asleep. "

"You're right. We should better leave." Kensi said and rose from her seat to take Fern back.

"We should leave too. I'm starving and I've been craving Eric's homemade pizza for days." Nell looked over at Eric and saw him blush. He has never been good at hiding his feelings, but she just hoped that her teammates did not pick up on her slip so that her's and Eric's relationship would remain secret for a little while longer.

Luck was not on Nell's side today as Kensi's eyebrows arched and her lips turned into a mischievous grin.

"Later." She mouthed to her.

"See you guys on Monday." Eric managed to say as Nell tugged his hand and pulled him towards her car.

"You think they know that we know?"

"Nell might."

"Either way, Sam and Callen owe us 20 bucks each."

"I'm going to take a shower." Deeks told Kensi when they entered his apartment.

Kensi just nodded and went to the bedroom to lay Fern down on her crib. The moment she tucked her in, she heard her phone ring from the living room. She cursed under her breath and then glanced at Fern who didn't even flinch at the sound.

Kensi then ran towards the living room to answer the phone.

"Blye."

"Hallo Kensi."

"Mom? Hi."

"How are you doing, darling?"

"I'm good. How are you?"

"I'm good too. I'm waiting for you to come?"

"Where?"

"At my house. We were supposed to have dinner and catch up."

Kensi slapped her forehead with her palm. She had totally forgotten about it.

"Kensi I understand if you have work to do. We can arrange for next week."

"No, I'm not at work."

"Ok then, did Marty finally ask you out?"

"Mom!"

"What? He cares about you, you care about him even if you don't want to admit it, I don't see where's the problem?"

"The problem is that he's my partner and friend."

"One more reason for you to start dating."

"Mom, please drop it. My head is already messed up as it is, I don't need you lecturing me too."

"Honey, that's my job. Anyways are you- Is that a baby's cry?"

Fern had unexpectedly started crying. Kensi started walking towards the bedroom.

"Yes." She placed her cell phone between her ear and shoulder and practically ran to the bedroom.

"What are you doing with a baby?"

"It's a long story."

"Do you want me to come over?"

"Yes, but I'm not at my place. I'll text you the address."

"Ok, see you then."

"Bye mom." Kensi quickly texted her Deeks' address and picked Fern up.

"Kens, is everything ok?" She heard Deeks say from behind her. She turned around to face him.

He had a blue towel wrapped very low around his hips, giving her a very good glimpse of his muscular, and also very tanned, chest. His still wet hair was sticking to his forehead and he was smiling at her mischievously.

"Enjoying the view?"

Deeks words brought her back from her steamy fantasies.

"Shut up." she replied and tried to ignore him as she rocked Fern back and forth. He made it easy for her, as he returned to the bathroom to put some clothes on. Had it not been for the baby she would have jumped on his bones were he stood.

Julia knocked 15 minutes later. When Deeks came out of the bath dressed (much to her disappointment) she informed him about the phone call and that her mother would be coming over. Julia and Deeks had met a few times before, since she reconnected with her mother almost two years ago. The older woman had taken a liking on Deeks and she thought that he was perfect for her daughter so every time she met either of them, she did everything in her power to nudge to each other.

"Hallo Mrs. Feldman"

"Marty, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Julia? Calling me with my last name makes me feel old." she told him before she placed a kiss on his cheek.

"You shouldn't. You look stunning as always. Anyone would mistake you for Kensi's sister instead for her mother."

"Always a gentleman."

"Mom, I'm here too." Kensi interfered.

"I know that sweetheart." she said and hugged her daughter. "Now, who do we have here? Is she your daughter Marty?"

Kensi had not managed to put Fern to sleep this time.

"Why does everyone assume that? She's not my child. We found her in a dumpster, when we were running surveillance on a bar. Our tech guys haven't found her parents yet."

"That's awful. She seems such a cute baby. Who has the heart to throw a baby in a dumpster. Poor thing. Can I hold her?"

"Sure." Kensi replied.

When Julia made a move towards Fern, she turned around and hid her head in Kensi's neck.

They laughed, making Fern giggle.

"I never thought I'd see the day were you would be holding a baby. It suits you."

"Mom." she warned.

"Ok, ok."

Some time during the two hours Julia was over, Fern fell asleep while resting in Kensi's arms. When she excused herself to go and put her down, Julia thought it was the right time to talk to Deeks in private. The older woman had taken a liking on Deeks and she thought that he was perfect for her daughter, so every time she met either of them she did everything in her power to nudge to each other.

"Don't give up on her."

"Excuse me?"

"Kensi. Don't give up on her. She has these walls around her heart and you're the only one who seems to know how to get past them. You mean a lot to her."

"She means a lot to me too."

"I can see that. You just need to prove that to her."

"I'll do my best."

"I know you will." she said as she grabbed her coat. Deeks stood up too and helped her.

"And Marty, in case you were wondering Don would have liked you. You're a good man, you make Kensi very happy and you truly love her. That's all Don would have wanted from you."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Kensi darling, I'm leaving."

Kensi appeared a second later.

"Goodnight mom." she said as she stepped into her mother's embrace.

"Goodnight Kensi."

"Marty."

"Julia." he replied as he kissed her on the cheek.

"Before I forget, I expect you for dinner next week. Both of you." she said and then left.

"You wanna watch a movie?" Kensi asked. It was too early to go to go to bed and she needed something to occupy her mind instead of Deeks' and Julia's conversation. She needed some time to process everything that she had heard.

A couple of hours before dawn, Deeks was awoken by some sort of noise which didn't sound like his own screaming and was definitely not coming from his snoring partner tucked into his side.

Which left Fern. Who was crying.

Deeks managed to untangle himself from Kensi without waking her up. She did however seem to miss him as she whispered a barely audible Deeks and snuggled into his pillow.

Deeks leaned over Fern's crib and picked her up. She didn't smell funny, so he crossed the need of changing her diaper off the list of the possible reasons why she was crying. He then proceeded to rock her back and forth while whispering sweet little nothings.

When after 10 minutes she didn't go to sleep, he decided to bring in the big guns. He had to wake up Kensi.

Apparently he didn't have to, as he heard the bed sheets shifted behind him before he felt her hand rest between his shoulder blades.

"Was about to wake you up. I've been trying to put her to sleep for the past 10 minutes, but she doesn't seem to want to. You try too and if she doesn't sleep this time either, I'm calling Sam."

"Do you have a death wish?" she asked as she took Fern from him and placed her face first on her chest. Kensi rocked from her heels to her toes, while murmuring a lullaby her father used to sing to her when he put her to sleep.

Deeks stared at Kensi. He still couldn't get past the fact that his partner was so good with children of all age no matter what she thought.

He just wished that she could look at herself right now, how tenderly she held Fern, the way her lips turned into a smile as she hummed something that sounded like an old lullaby. He watched as she lay Fern gently on her crib, covered her tiny body with the blanket and then dropped a kiss on her forehead.

"Like I said, a natural."

"You jealous Deeks?"

"Of a baby? Please, give me more credit than that. I get that she's cute with her tiny fingers and that contagious giggle, but she's not a threat. And why exactly are we talking about me? It's you we have to talk about."

"What about me?"

"You, Kensi Marie Blye are good with kids."

"I guess it's the innate mother's instinct."

Spending time taking care of Fern has helped her realise that kids are not that bad.

"You're not denying it?"

"No."

"So what you're saying is that you like kids, of all ages?"

"Maybe."

"And you'd like to have kids of your own some day?"

"Maybe. Now get to bed cause I'm too tired to listen to you anymore." she said as she made herself comfortable under the covers.

"You know, my offer still stands. I can help you make those little ninja assassins you seem to like so much."

"I'll think about it."

"I'll be damned."

TBC...

Kensi is evolving people!

One more chapter after this one and then the epilogue. I can't believe that we're reaching the end.

Thanks for reading!

Until next week!

~F