AN: First off, sorry that this wasn't updated yesterday, I fell asleep before the chapter was done :/
That night, Elijah chose their movie to watch and it came as no surprise to Kensi that he chose Cars. She was thinking of him when she pulled that one from the shelf and she was happy to see that it was worth it. When he noticed that movie in the pile he had begun bouncing off the walls and squealing like crazy while trying to explain to both Deeks and Kensi who his favorite characters were and his favorite parts.
"We've only seen this movie about a million times now," Will rolled his eyes theatrically, making Kensi and Deeks grin.
"How about we pick up this living room and get everything ready while Deeks here cooks us up some tacos," Kensi suggested, hoping her partner wouldn't mind cooking so she didn't have to burn their second dinner in a row.
"I lobe tacos!" Elijah began bouncing again and Kensi made a mental note to hold off on so much sugar for him.
"We should ask Deeks nicely though," Kensi suggested and they all turned to give him a pleading or pouting face before he caved.
"How can I say 'no' to all those sad faces," Deeks ribbed good naturedly. "But I think I'll need a helper… Could you help me, Will?"
Will nodded with a shy smile and gravitated toward Deeks.
"Great!" Deeks said with genuine enthusiasm. "Let's see what we have in the fridge to work with."
Both parties split ways to get their tasks done with the adults trying to make more of a game for each task. By the time the living room was clean, Will was setting the table for everyone and Deeks was putting the finishing touches on building tacos for each person with requests for some ingredients from the kids. Kensi couldn't help but grin at the image of her partner taking instructions from a two and three year old. He seemed to take the kids in with their comments with an easy stride that made him appear to be an old pro. Once he was finished, she helped him carry over plates of tacos and then place them around the table before setting Elijah up on his booster seat and Isla up in her big girl style high chair. They all ate with gusto with appreciative noises and Deeks had to bite back a chuckle. Kensi seemed to already be rubbing off on these kids if their messy eating, talking with full mouths, and very verbal appreciation for the food was any indication.
"Everyone say thank you to Will and Deeks for making us such an amazing dinner," Kensi said, leaning back in her own seat. Elijah quickly erupted into praise about the tacos being the best ever and Isla erupted into babble that everyone took as a thanks. "You boys did a great job."
Deeks tried not to blush at the open compliment from his partner. They didn't come often and he soaked it up like a sponge.
"Ice 'eam?" Isla asked anxiously.
"You already had some today, sweetie," Kensi said calmly. "Maybe tomorrow we can have some more."
"No ice 'eam?!" Isla's voice rose in disdain and sadness.
"Sorry, hun," Kensi ran a hand through the girl's curls. "Not tonight."
Deeks had to sit back and admire the firmness in which Kensi spoke because a, this was ice cream they were talking about and she was being a hypocrite and b, it had to be tough saying 'no' to a child you only want to make happy. As if on cue, Isla broke into full wails of toddler-esk agony and Kensi frowned in deep thought.
"I'm not changing my mind, Isla," Kensi said softly but with authority. "Now dry these tears."
Kensi swiped away the tears and hoisted the girl up into her arms.
"There's always ice cream tomorrow and right now we have a movie to watch, but we won't be able to if you keep crying," Kensi pointed out, swaying from foot to foot until the cries quieted and were replaced by soft hiccups and sniffles.
Deeks' jaw dropped as his brain finally caught up with the scene. His partner really was an amazing mother-figure.
"How about we men clean up so we can watch the movie?" Deeks directed his question to the boys and they nodded eagerly but remained quiet.
Kensi nodded and smiled her thanks to him and he smiled in return. When everything was thrown into the dishwasher and leftovers put away they all piled back into the living room to watch the movie. Outside of Elijah quoting the words and sound effects of the movie through the entire thing, everyone seemed to really relax and unwind. Isla sat curled onto Kensi lap while sucking away at her thumb while Elijah and Will sat in the middle between the two adults. By the end, Isla was fast asleep and even the boys were nodding off with their heads bobbing front to back. It was a testament to just how tired they all were that the boys trudged up the stairs with no complaint when Kensi declared it bed time.
"Can you tuck them in?" Kensi asked Deeks as she followed after the boys.
"Uh, sure," Deeks shrugged. He followed the boys to their room when Kensi split off to Isla's room. Once in the room, Elijah passed out on the lower bunk without even making an effort with the covers and Will was sorting through a drawer for some pajamas.
"Elijah's clothes are on the bottom two drawers," Will offered as he fumbled into his own pajamas and crawled up the ladder to his own bed.
"Thanks," Deeks said, but stepped closer to the bed to pull the blankets back and then over Will.
"Are you gonna be here tomorrow?" Will asked sleepily, already rubbing his head into his pillow.
"I don't know," Deeks answered, unsure if Kensi would want him there another day.
"I hope you are," Will mumbled, his eyes already shutting. "I like you and I think Kensi likes you too."
"I like you a lot too, bud," Deeks answered back honestly, running a hand over his dark hair as the boy nodded off. He moved back to the dresser with one last look at the sleeping youth and pulled out some pajamas for the youngest boy.
"Need a hand?" Kensi asked softly from the doorway. Deeks startled at first and then nodded. Between the two of them taking turns adjusting Elijah and shimmying layers off then on they were able to slide him under his blankets without ever waking him. After they pulled back to the doorway and down the hallway a few steps they finally turned to face each other. "Thank you, Deeks. I couldn't have done today without you."
"What are partners for, partner?" Deeks grinned, giving her an out to diffuse the mood. "I should probably get going though."
Kensi tensed for a second before she recovered. "You could sleep on the couch, if you wanted. I mean it is late and Monty looks zonked."
A million and one teasing remarks came to mind, but he bit down on his tongue. "We are both pretty tired, actually."
Monty eyed them both like they were crazy before dragging himself into Kensi's room across the hall.
"Or we could just both be adults and share my bed with Monty," Kensi smiled. "But I get the right side."
"Yeah, yeah," Deeks mumbled good naturedly. "We'll see."
Deeks eased past her, shedding his borrowed shirt, shoes, socks, and finally pants.
"Deeks!" Kensi hissed in outrage at his boldness.
Without missing a beat, Deeks fell back onto the bed and then positioned himself on the right side, already pulling the blankets over his body and settling in for sleep. Kensi only gaped at him momentarily before scowling and crossing the room to her dresser to grab some pajamas to change into from the safety of her attached bathroom. When she came back out it was his turn to stare dumbly at her with the larger t-shirt that barely skimmed the tops of her thighs.
"Scootch," Kensi ordered with her arms crossed over her chest.
"No," Deeks replied, trying to keep a straight face as he gripped the sheets beside him.
"Deeeeeeeeeks," Kensi whined, stomping her foot in consternation.
"You're gonna have to make me," Deeks grinned.
"You're so gonna wish you hadn't said that," Kensi glowered, starting toward him slowly, her eyes already raking his position for a weakness and also taking in his beach tanned body that was toned by the ocean. Just when she made a quick jerk of motion toward him he garbled a yelp before flinching over to the other side and before he could return to the right side she quickly took it over. "Thanks partner!"
"Heeeeey!" Deeks whined, giving her a full on pout.
"Nuh huh," Kensi grinned. "Not gonna work on me."
"Spoil sport," Deeks muttered, trying to make himself comfortable on his own side of the bed.
They both settled down and because of the long day and despite the nap, sleep over came them and despite both parties attempts to sleep on their own sides and apart; sleep found them curling up together.
DKDKDKDKDKDKDKDKDKDKDKDKDKDKDK
Kensi was startled awake when her cell phone buzzed on her night stand and nearly vibrated itself off the surface. Before it could tip over the edge she swiped it up and glanced at the caller ID before answering.
"Good morning, Hetty," Kensi grumbled sleepily into the phone as she glanced at her digital clock that read 3:01AM.
"I'm sorry to wake you, Ms. Blye," Hetty replied. "But the team is needed at OPS as soon as possible. An urgent case has come up."
"But what about – " Kensi asked, immediately thinking of the kids.
"Why don't you bring them in for the time being and we'll keep an eye on them here," Hetty answered before Kensi could finish. "I'm sorry to impede on your weekend with them though."
"They're actually here on a permanent basis now," Kensi said, remembering that she hadn't told her boss about that yet.
"That is great news then," Hetty replied, sounding genuinely pleased. "We'll see you all soon then."
"Yeah," Kensi murmured before hanging up. "Deeks, we gotta get up."
"N'ready go sool," Deeks mumbled and rolled into her side, throwing an arm over her body and pulling her in.
"De-eeeeeeks," Kensi whined as she blushed. As good as being in his embrace felt, she had to pack a lot of kids stuff and then get them all into the car. "Hetty called – "
Deeks jerked up, looking almost fully awake. "Hetty?!"
Kensi bit back a laugh and nodded. "A case has come up and we need to go in."
"But what about – " Deeks started and Kensi chuckled, amused that he had the same thought she did earlier.
"They're coming with," Kensi said simply before wriggling out of the bed and padding over to her dresser to get some clothes for the day. "If you need stuff from your place, we can always meet up at OPS."
"Nah, I've got my go-bag," Deeks yawned and climbed out of bed, throwing on his jeans from the day before so he could go out to the car.
Kensi waited until she could hear his footsteps going down the stairs before she quickly changed out of her pajama shirt and then began quietly collecting items she would need for the kids from their rooms while they slept on. They might as well get as much sleep as possible before she tried to rouse them for the car trip. She was just carrying down a small duffle with some toys, clothing, diapers, and other miscellaneous stuff she might need when she saw Deeks in the kitchen packing some snack foods and sandwiches into another bag.
"I thought they might need something to eat while they're waiting around at OPS," Deeks piped up, looking a little nervous at what her reaction might be.
"That's a great idea," Kensi answered honestly, and for the hundredth time in the last week she was glad he was helping her out even when he didn't have to. "Thank you."
"Anytime," Deeks smiled, relaxing some. "You don't have to keep thanking me, though you're more than welcome to."
Kensi rolled her eyes. "Could you take these bags out to the car then and I'll grab one of the kids."
"K," Deeks nodded, finishing up his own food packing before lifting the bag from her shoulder and heading out to the car. Kensi climbed the stairs and headed straight for Will, making the mental plan of going from oldest to youngest. Lightly rubbing Will's shoulder, she roused him till he was staring blearily at her. "Hey, I've gotta go in for work, but I can't leave you and your brother and sister here so I thought we'd do a field trip to where I work."
Will nodded sleepily and fumbled to get out from under his blanket and to the top of the ladder. Slightly concerned that he would just fall down the ladder, Kensi raised her arms to lift him down and he wrapped his arms around her neck, easily falling back asleep. She couldn't set him back down now that he was asleep so she adjusted him enough so that she could carry him down. When she made it down and at the front door, Deeks was just jogging up the few steps.
"Want me to take him?" Deeks asked, already offering his arms.
"Nah, but can you get Elijah?" Kensi asked quietly.
Deeks nodded and moved past her and up the steps. Between the two of them they were able to get all three kids in car seats and buckled up.
"I think in the future, we may have to make kid go-bags," Deeks suggested and Kensi couldn't help but agree. Normally their turnaround time was around ten minutes, but with the kids it was more like twenty.
"That's a very good idea," Kensi agreed, feeling more tired for all the effort to get everyone and everything ready. "Do you think Callen and Sam will like them?"
"I think they'll fall head over heels for these kids, just like I have," Deeks said softly back as he glanced back at the three sleeping kids.
Kensi's heart leapt into her chest and it began beating frantically. It sounded like he felt the same about the kids as she did and for the first time since she'd gotten that life changing call, she felt like maybe she could do this parent thing and get it right – with her partner by her side.
So...Thoughts?