Hey guys! Sorry this chapter is a little later than usual. As always, thank you for all the support given to this story. You guys are amazing!

I don't own NCIS LA.

Enjoy!

Chapter 8: Thanksgiving with the Parents

Kensi glanced over at Deeks in the passenger seat. He was bouncing his leg up and down, fiddling with the tinfoil that covered the apple pie he'd made earlier that day. Kensi struggled to keep a smile from growing on her face.

"You seem nervous," she commented.

"Me? Nervous? Never," he laughed, but even that sounded nervous.

Kensi scoffed. "Oh, really? You know I think—I think there's like a bead of sweat…right…there," she teased, laughing as he swatted away the finger she trailed down the side of his face.

"Okay, maybe a little nervous," he admitted.

"Why? Deeks, you've met my mom before. Several times. And she knows we're dating." She reasoned.

"Yeah, but this is the first time I've seen her since we got together, and this is like Thanksgiving, it's bigger than our usual 'I make dinner while listening to you two comment on Top Model'."

Kensi reached over and placed a hand over one of his comfortingly. "It'll be great, okay? My mom loves you. She's really excited for this,"

Deeks nodded, a little smile on his face as she Kensi pulled up into the driveway behind her mother's car.

"You'll be fine, promise." She smiled, then leaned over and pressed her lips to his.

He cupped her face, gently returning the kiss, making Kensi's insides turn to mush.

"Better?" she whispered as she pulled away.

"Much," he grinned.

"Alright, let's go," Kensi grinned and climbed out of the car, a more enthusiastic Deeks following behind her.

Without bothering to knock, Kensi entered Julia's house. The whole place smelled of food and Kensi could hear noise coming from the kitchen.

"Mom, we're here!" she called.

Her mom came around the corner, wiping her hands on her jeans, smiling hugely. Her mom came up to her and gave her a great big hug.

"Oh, it's so good to see you, Kensi," her mom said, releasing her. "It's nice to see you too, Marty. So glad you could come,"

"It's nice to see you as well, Julia," Deeks grinned, all nervousness gone as his usual charm and grace with people took over.

Kensi just about rolled her eyes at him and his earlier, unnecessary nervousness.

Julia took the pie from Deeks and headed towards the kitchen. "The turkey's almost done, and then we can eat,"

Kensi hung up her jacket up by the door, Deeks following suit. Deeks intertwined his fingers through hers and together they headed into the kitchen after Kensi's mom.

"The food smells amazing, Julia. Did you make this all yourself?" Deeks asked as he cut the turkey once it was done.

"I did," Julia said, a hint of pride in her voice, and Kensi had to agree. Her appetite was growing the more she looked at the freshly-baked rolls, the mashed potatoes and gravy, and the large bowls of corn and green beans.

"You shouldn't give me all the credit though, Marty." Her mom continued. "That apple pie looks fantastic, and I know Kensi didn't bake it."

"Hey," Kensi protested. "You never know,"

Deeks chuckled. "Kensi, about the only thing you can make is cereal,"

"That's not true," she pouted. "I can make toast. And anything that can be heated in the microwave—"

Deeks silenced her with a quick peck on the lips. "I was teasing, Fern," he whispered with a smile. "Calm down,"

Kensi sighed and rolled her eyes, but couldn't keep the smile off her face.

As he worked to slice up the turkey, Kensi helped her mom set the table.

Once they were out of earshot, her mom smiled at her. "He makes you happy, I can tell."

"Yeah, he does," Kensi agreed, glancing up at Deeks over in the kitchen, watching as strands of hair fell in his eyes as his hands worked.

"He's a good man," her mom said. "I'm so glad that you have him in your life. There is no doubt in my mind that he loves you. I can see it, the way he looks at you. He looks at you like…"

"Like what?' Kensi prompted.

"Like you're the only girl in the world," Julia smiled and Kensi couldn't help but smile back.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

"Thank you for dinner," Deeks told Julia as he and Kensi were putting their coats on.

The sun had set a long time ago. They had finished eating a long time ago, too, but they had spent a long time talking, laughing, and Deeks listening to Julia tell embarrassing childhood stories about Kensi. Each time Kensi got defensive, flustered, and embarrassed, Deeks would hold her tighter and give her a kiss on the cheek, and go ahead and tell an embarrassing story of his own to make her feel better.

"Oh, thank you, Marty, for that wonderful pie."

Deeks chuckled. "You're quite welcome."

Kensi groaned. "You might have to carry me out to the car. I'm still stuffed, I feel like I'm going to explode."

"Well, if you insist," Deeks said, then scooped a surprised Kensi up into his arms bride style.

"Deeks, I wasn't serious!" Kensi tried arguing, but she broke off laughing instead, leaning her head against his shoulder.

Deeks caught sight of Julia, who was smiling at the two of them. He winked at her, and she gave him a knowing smile.

"Goodnight, you two," Julia, opening the door so Deeks could carry a still smiling Kensi out. "Drive safe,"

"We will," Deeks promised. "Goodnight, Julia. Happy Thanksgiving,"

"Night, mom," Kensi said her own farewell.

Deeks carried Kensi outside, Julia shutting the door behind them. Deeks climbed into the driver's seat after putting Kensi in on the passenger. Once in his seat, he turned to look at his girlfriend. With her hair down, her mismatched eyes twinkling playfully, a smile on her lips, he couldn't help but feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

"You're doing it again," Kensi told him, though he hadn't a clue as to what she was referring to.

"Doing what again?"

"Looking at me like…that." She said, still vague.

"Like what?" he asked.

"Well, my mom said something to me. She said you looked at me like…like I was the only girl in the world." Kensi replied.

"You are," he agreed with a smile. "For me, anyway. I can't even imagine being with anyone but you."

"You know, five years ago, if somebody had told me that I was going to fall in love with a scruffy, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, beach boy I wouldn't laughed in their face,"

"And now?" he asked quietly.

"And now I can't imagine anything different." She smiled, and it took all of a second for Deeks to lean in and kiss her.

And he kissed her like she was the only girl in the world.

So there's chapter 8! I know the chapters have been a little shorter, but I hope you guys enjoy them nonetheless =)

I will update as soon as I can!

Thanks for reading!

-DaughterOfPoseidon333