A/N: A bit shorter this time. We hope you like it.
Three o'clock came sooner than anyone had seen coming and Deeks pulled Kensi from her computer just in time to go and get Will. They had both agreed earlier that they would both be there for the first week of drop offs and pickups, to prove to him that they were indeed in this for keeps.
"We'll be right back guys," Kensi called as they headed for her car. When they arrived at the school they were a few minutes early so they parked in the small lot and walked around to the front of the school to wait.
"Is it bad that I've actually missed the kids today?" Kensi asked as they casually waited by a tree.
Deeks grinned and shook his head 'no'. "I've actually missed them too, but this is also good for them to meet other kids and socialize."
Kensi guffawed and crossed her arms over her chest. "You're already beginning to sound like one of those dads that read 'Parent's Digest'."
Deeks' stomach did a flip at the term dad and his timid grin clued her into the keyword that she had let slip.
"You are a good father figure for these kids, Deeks," Kensi smiled over at her partner. "Will especially, needs a man like you in his life and he already worships you."
"Thank you for giving me a chance to be a part of these kids' lives, partner," Deeks said in earnest. He found himself leaning in closer to his partner so that they were only inches apart and staring at the other intently. Deeks was just debating on whether or not kiss her when the school bell rang and made them both jump apart a little. He cleared his throat and focused his attention on the front door as after a few seconds kids began spilling out to run to their waiting parents. Only a minute passed before Will was among them and searching anxiously for them. Both adults waved their hands in the air to catch his attention. Once Will caught sight of them, he beamed and raced toward them and nearly took Deeks down with the wrapping of his arms around his knees. "Hey there little man, how was your first day?"
"It was okay I guess," Will hedged, trying to hide that he did indeed have a good time.
"How about we get a small cone of ice cream on the way back and you tell us all about your day," Kensi offered, holding her hand out to him. Will gladly took it and grabbed Deeks' hand with his other hand as they led him to the car.
They mostly listened while Will went from quiet to talking a mile a minute, keeping them well entertained with his stories of playground adventures and a lesson on penguins.
"Did you that penguins fall in love once and that's it!" Will rambled after he had finished his cone. "Kinda like how Deeks loves you, Kensi."
Both adults coughed to cover their embarrassment. "Look we made it back to OPS!" Deeks said a little too eagerly. "We're only gonna be another hour and you can play with your brother and sister and we'll be down the hall."
Will nodded and rushed into the room to join the other kids.
"So what do you wanna do for dinner tonight?" Kensi asked, breaking the silence as they headed back to their desks.
"You mean, what am I making all of us for dinner?" Deeks teased, nudging her in the side.
Kensi rolled her eyes and some of the tension left her body as they eased back into their routine of easy banter. "Fiiiine, if you insist on cooking. What are you making us?"
Deeks looked thoughtful for a moment before he settled on an option. "How about we grill out burgers and hot dogs. We could even invite the guys and Nell over to partake. I think we could all use a short break from this case to eat a good meal with some good company, mainly, mwah."
"Yeah, yeah, sure," Kensi chuckled. "Sounds like a plan. I'll mention it to the guys."
"Just make sure you mention that you won't be the one cooking," Deeks grinned and wasn't fast enough to dodge her punch in the arm. "Ow!"
"Big baby," Kensi muttered as they cleared the main area. "Hey guys, you wanna come over for barbeque tonight?"
Callen and Sam shared a hesitant look until they saw Deeks pantomiming that he would be the one cooking and they both nodded enthusiastically.
"Sounds great," Sam said, trying to make for his earlier hesitation.
"What time?" Callen asked.
"Couple hours from now?" Deeks half asked.
"Great," Callen said, returning his attention back to work. "We'll both be there."
"Good," Deeks smiled and moved closer to the stairs. "I'll go ask Nell and Eric.
Roughly an hour later, Kensi and Deeks were packing up their bags and headed down the hall to grab the kids.
"How about we stop by your place first and then I'll take my car to go get all the food we'll need?" Deeks offered, already mentally tallying the food they would need for the night.
"You can call it our place, you know," Kensi smirked, earning her one of his genuine bright smiles that always made her stomach flip. "You wanna start moving your stuff in this weekend?"
Deeks was certain she had no idea what her words meant to him and he had to fight not to wrap his arms around her and swing in circles in his excitement. No need to scare her off just yet.
"That sounds good," he said instead, trying to keep his cool. "I should maybe swing by my place to pick up a few necessities though to get me through the week."
Kensi nodded her agreement just as they arrived at the daycare door. It only took seconds for their legs to be wrapped in their charges arms after the door swung open.
"Ken-i!" Elijah squealed at the same time as Isla ran into Deeks' legs shouting a garbled "Dee".
Will was behind his brother and sister, smiling sheepishly but looking happy to see them both.
"Time to go home!" Deeks called, hoisting Isla up into his arms while Kensi did the same with Elijah.
"Guess who's coming over for dinner tonight, guys?" Kensi asked, trying to engage them in the moment.
"Who?!" Elijah squealed while the other two looked just as interested.
"Uncle Callen, Uncle Sam, Aunt Nell, and Uncle Eric," Deeks filled in with all the excitement he was feeling. This was what families did, right? Have barbeques with close friends while playing games and chasing the kids around. If it wasn't, Deeks wasn't sure what was. Just maybe he could start showing Kensi just how well they worked together off the job a little bit more. With a stupid grin and a plan, Deeks kept his spirits up as they headed to the car and then to their home.