Life is what you make of it…one thread at a time
TAPESTRY
Boatshed
Henrietta Lange sat in a rocking chair up on the balcony of the boatshed. She was slowly rocking back and forth, looking down into the main area. The whole place had been rearranged for the day. It was Thanksgiving, and the sounds of everyone watching the Football game came up. She couldn't help but smile as she reached over and picked up the cup of tea she had and took a sip of it. Setting it back in place she resumed her rocking. She looked over each couple. Nell and Eric, Nate and Rose, Sam and Michelle, Callen and Joelle, and Deeks and Kensi. Each one brought back memories to her. She looked over at Eric and a pregnant Nell. She was leaning against him as he ran his hand over her stomach. Nell was 7 months along and they knew they were having a daughter. Kensi and Deeks had always been there to help them with their relationship, even when they weren't on solid ground either. But Hetty remembered the day Nell and Eric repayed Kensi and Deeks in their own way
Beach House 2 years ago
Everyone had gathered in the large hall of a gigantic beach-front mansion to celebrate the one event everyone at NCIS was waiting years for. It was finally the day that Marty Deeks and Kensi Blye were getting married. The ceremony was over and the reception was in full swing. Eric had recommended a DJ friend of his to play at the wedding and the dance floor was full of activity. Kensi and Deeks sat at their table, joking with Sam and Callen as Nell sat at a nearby table, enjoying watching her friends be happy. She felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw it was Eric.
"Hey, everything is ready to go." He said.
She smiled. "You ready for this?" She asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be. You?" He replied.
"We've been planning this for months. Of course I am." She grinned at him.
"Then let's do it, Rockstar." He said as he held his hand out to her.
She took it and stood up. They walked out to the dance floor just as the last song had ended. Eric walked over to the DJ and grabbed the mic.
"Excuse me, everyone. I would like to ask everyone to clear a space on the dance floor for a few moments." He asked. The floor cleared as people looked on with curiosity.
"Kensi, Deeks. You have been close friends and family to both Nell and I for many years. We spent days trying to figure out how to repay you for all the memories you have given us with your friendship." He said.
Nell took the mic. "So we decided the best way was to give you some memories of us to remind you of today." She said.
Eric took the mic and handed it back to the DJ. He then nodded to the DJ who started playing a song called Booty Swing by Parov Stelar
As the opening Piano played Eric bowed and Nell curtseyed to each other. Nell started first, placing her hands on her hips and moving her feet to the beat. After a few moments she stopped and Eric did the same
Now, Arab sheikhs on the burning sands,
Come into their harems and clap their hands,
Said, "Come on, girls, are you ready to play?
Let's have a little more of that swingin' today."
Now, in the land of Fu Manchu,
The girls all now do the Suzie-Q,
Clap their hands in the center of the floor,
Saying, "Ching, ching, chop-suey, swing some more!"
Nell and Eric came together, each wrapping one arm around their waist and holding the other one out as they started to swing in a circle.
Now, geisha girls in old Japan,
Wink behind their peacock fans,
Since they learned to say, "Yeah!
Let's swing it like Amelican's swing swing dance!"
When the trumpets started to play they broke apart and started dancing shoulder to shoulder, spinning in circles and moving their feet so fast it looked like they were rubber. The people in the reception started clapping to the beat as they watching the performance.
Now, Gypsy caravans have changed their mode,
They truck down the Romany road,
With their hi-de-hos, and their hey-hey-diddle,
Doin' the swing on the Gypsy fiddle.
They spun in circles opposite of each other, then came together with his arm sticking out. She wrapped her arm around his as they walked a few steps before resuming their amazing footwork. Deeks and Kensi were grinning ear to ear watching.
Them eastern wisemen know the story,
Of the swing with Oriental glory,
They stroke their beards and grin,
Sayin', "Swing, little children, till the dawn comes in!"
Now, geisha girls in old Japan,
Wink behind their peacock fans,
Since they learned to say, "Yeah!
Let's swing it like Amelican's swing swing dance!"
Gypsy caravans have changed their mode,
They truck down the Romany road,
With their hi-de-hos, and their hey-hey-diddle,
Doin' the swing on the Gypsy fiddle.
Continuing their routine until the music faded out they spun around one more time and pulled each other together, staring at each other's eyes as the place erupted in applause. Both Nell and Eric were breathing heavy and sweating.
"You think they liked it?" Eric asked, smiling.
Nell rolled her eyes, looked off to the side and smiled. "Um, yea. I think they liked it." She said.
Everyone came up to them, congratulating them and giving complements. Nell explained they went dancing one night and thought it would have been a perfect gift to perform at Kensi and Deeks' wedding. They had spent the past 2 months every weekend taking dancing lessons to prepare for it.
Boathouse
Some noises brought Hetty back to the present as she looked down and saw that Deeks was taunting Sam when his team scored a touchdown.
Hetty found herself going back to the day that Sam would easily admit was the proudest day of his life. The day his son graduated military school and was accepted into the Navel Academy
Mission
Everyone was gathered in the Mission this Saturday afternoon. Kensi and Nell were busy preparing the table with snacks as Sam, wearing his dress uniform, paced and Called tried to calm him.
"Dude, you are going to wear those shoes out before he gets here if you don't stop." Callen said.
"Can't help it,G." Sam said.
"Can't really blame him." A voice came behind them. Sam and Callen looked over.
Deeks strode up wearing an LAPD Dress uniform.
"Deeks, you didn't need to dress up." Sam said, grinning slightly. Deep down he did appreciate the gesture.
"I gotta get some use out of it every once in awhile." Deeks smiled as he tried to adjust it. "Still a little tight though." He said.
Sam shook his head as Callen smirked.
"Besides, I know this is a special day for you." Deeks said, serious.
Sam reached out his hand. Deeks took it and they both shook.
"I appreciate it, Deeks." He said.
Eric came down the stairs. "There are here" He said.
"Ok. Places everyone." Hetty said as everyone gathered behind Sam.
Sam took his spot at the end of the hallway, standing straight.
The Door opened and in walked in Michelle and Kamran walked in, followed by Aiden in his academy uniform. Michelle and Kamran walked over and stood behind Sam with the rest of the group as Aiden walked up, stood at attention and saluted Sam.
"Midshipman Fourth Class Aiden Hanna, reporting as ordered, sir!" He said
Sam returned the salute, pride beaming in his eyes.
"At ease." He said as they dropped their salutes. Sam grabbed his son and pulled him into a hug.
"I'm so proud of you son." He whispered.
"Thanks, Dad." Aiden whispered back as they rest of them clapped.
Boatshed
Hetty looked over to Nate and Rose, sitting on the couch. She knew neither of them were big sports fan but it was nice to have them all the same. He sat back on the couch, his legs crossed and one arm thrown over the back of the couch and the other holding her hand. She curled up against him, laughing at Deeks and Sam's relentless trash talking. She thought back to the day Nate returned…for good.
Mission, 6 months ago.
It was late evening when the door to the Mission opened. Callen walked in leading Rose down the hallway.
"Wow, this place is beautiful. I saw the boatshed but this is where you guys actually work?" She said.
"Yep, this is home. You should feel special. Most people don't even know about this place." Callen said.
"So why did you bring me here at 8:00 at night?" She asked.
"Because I asked him to." A voice came from the stairs.
She looked over and saw him for the first time in 6 months. She couldn't contain herself.
"Nate!" She exclaimed as she ran over to him and threw herself at him as soon as he got off the stairs.
"I missed you." She said as she squeezed him.
"Me too." He said as he leaned down and kissed her.
After a few moments of being in each other's arms they separated.
"How long are you in town?" She asked. A question she asked every time she saw him.
"Baring the big quake finally hitting, I'm going to say the rest of my life." He said.
Her eyes widened. "Are you serious?" She said.
He nodded. "I've done what I have needed to do. I'm through traveling all over the place. I want to settle down." He said.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me." She said as she pulled him into a kiss.
They both stood there for a few minutes, kissing each other when they heard Deeks give a howl. They broke the kiss and looked up to see the whole team standing on the balcony watching them.
"Welcome home, Nate!" Nell said, smiling.
"Thanks, guys." Nate said. "Now if you will excuse us. We have some catching up to do." He said as he held his hand out for Rose.
"Don't go anywhere." She said, a tear welling up in her eye.
"Never, Rose. I'm not leaving you, ever." He said as they walked out the door.
Boatshed
Hetty returned to watch Callen bring over a plate of drinks for everyone before taking his place on the couch with Joelle. Seeing them together brought many memories to Hetty, but one stood out.
Callen's House
"Don't you find it weird that Callen is actually inviting us over to his place?" Deeks said as Kensi followed behind him.
"Maybe a little bit. But be nice." She said, whacking him in the head.
"Ow!" He said, almost dropping the plate of food they were bringing.
Kensi knocked on the door and Callen answered.
"Hey guys, Come on in." He said as he opened the door. "Everyone is in the backyard." He said as he closed the door behind him.
As Kensi and Deeks walked toward the back she whispered out of the side of her mouth. "Furniture." She said.
"What?" Deeks said.
"Furniture, he has furniture." She said.
"Oh, right. I noticed that too." He said as they stepped into the backyard. Everyone was sitting around the picnic table as Sam was working on the grill. Kensi set the plate of food down with the rest as Deeks sat down and grabbed a beer that Callen offered. Kensi plopped down on his lap, took the beer, drank from it, before giving it back to Deeks.
"Now that we are all here," Callen said, "We have an announcement."
Joelle stood up and grabbed Callen's hand.
"I've asked Joelle to marry me, and she has accepted." He said as Joelle raised her hand to show the ring.
Everyone started smiling and offering their congratulations with pats on the back and hugs to both of them.
Later that evening after the sun went down everyone was inside watching a moving while Callen sat outside, just looking out at the stars. Movement next to him snapped him out of his trance as he looked over to see a bottle offered to him. He looked up and was surprised it was Deeks.
"Thanks Deeks." He said as Deeks sat down and took a drink of his own bottle.
"Anytime bro." He said. He stuck his bottle out to Callen. "To the end of bachelor hood" He said.
Callen clinked his bottle to his and they both drank.
"It's crazy. All my life I've been so used to being alone. Ever since Sam set me up with Joelle she has changed me. I mean look at me, Deeks. I sleep now, I own furniture, I don't take things apart for the hell of it anymore." Callen chuckled.
"I know what you mean, man. Kensi has the same effect on me. That is why you know Joelle is the one for you. When you find she doesn't just complete you, she makes you a better person." Deeks said.
"I should thank you, though." Callen said.
"What for?" Deeks said.
"You and I have never really seen eye to eye. When you came in I tolerated you because I trusted Hetty's instincts. But watching you and Kensi over the past few years really showed me how important it is to not only have someone you can trust on the job, but someone to come home to afterward." Callen said.
"That means a lot, coming from you," Deeks said, finishing off his beer.
"We should get back before the women send a search party." Callen said, finishing his beer off too before standing up. He pulled Deeks up into a hug, Deeks clapping him on the back. They both walked back inside and joined the rest of the group in the living room.
Boatshed
Hetty looked finally to Deeks and Kensi. Deeks' mood changed when Sam's team started to stage a comeback and Kensi was trying not to die laughing at the change in her partner's mood. After a few moments Deeks stood up and walked up the stairs to Hetty.
"How is our little man doing?" He asked, quietly.
Hetty looked down at the 7 month old that was curled into her arms, sleeping away. She flashed back to the day the newest member of the family joined them
LA Mercy General Hospital
The entire team sat in the waiting room, everyone except Deeks who was wearing a channel into the ground he was pacing so much.
"Deeks, chill out. They will be fine." Sam said.
"Both Julia and Hetty are in there with her." Callen reminded him.
A nurse walked up to him. "Mr. Deeks?" She asked.
Deeks almost ran up to her. "Yes. How is she? Is she ok? Did he make it?" He asked
She smiled. "Both of them are just fine. Your wife is getting cleaned up and moved to a room. While we wait I can take you to see your son."
Deeks breathed deep as he started to relax a little. He thumbed toward the rest of the group.
"Can they come with? They are family." He asked.
"Of course!" She smiled, "Right this way." She said as she led them to the nursery.
Even though Deeks had never seen him before he knew instantly which one was his son. He pointed him out to the rest of them. Nell covered her mouth to keep from crying.
"He is so cute!" She said.
Sam placed a hand on Deeks' shoulder and squeezed.
"Congratulations, Dad" He said.
The nurse returned. "Kensi has been moved to a room with her mother and Miss Lange. You can go see them now. We will bring him in shortly." She said as they followed her to the room. Kensi was asleep as Julia sat on one side of the bed and Hetty sat on the other. Both of them smiled when they saw Deeks walk in. Deeks walked over to Kensi, leaned down, and kissed her forehead gently. Her eyes fluttered and opened.
"Hi there, Kensalina." He whispered.
"I hate you." She whispered back.
"You don't hate me." He said, chuckling.
"After spending hours in labor, right now I hate you." She said.
"Well I love you. Our son should be here any moment." He said.
Right on cue the Nurse rolled the crib into the room. Hetty helped raise the bed so Kensi was more upright. The nurse picked up the baby and gently handed him to Kensi.
"Deeks. He is beautiful!" She said, fighting back tears and losing.
"Of course he is. He gets his looks from his mother." He said, sitting on the bed next to her.
"Now, maybe. We both know he will be a lady killer like his dad." She said, nudging him with her elbow.
"Have you two decided on a name?" The nurse asked.
Kensi looked up at Deeks.
"Marty. I know what you want. It's ok." She smiled to him.
"You sure?" He said. Kensi just nodded.
Deeks reached down and picked up his son and walked to the far corner of the room. He whispered low, so that no one could hear him.
"Hi there, big guy. You know me. I'm your dad. I've been talking to you for months now but now you are here. I've promised you a lot of things over the past few months. But I want to make one last promise to you. I promise that I will do everything to be a good Father to you. I don't have anyone to look up to so I am kind of playing this by ear. But I know I'm not alone. You have two Grandmothers that will do anything for you and a whole bunch of Aunts and Uncles to play with. You will even have a few cousins soon, I'm sure. In fact my entire family is here. And I know they want to meet you."
He sniffed, fighting back tears. He rubbed his eyes with his arms before continuing.
"There is just one person who is missing. And I wish everything that he was. But he is here in spirit. It is a spirit you will carry with you always. You have some big shoes to fill, big guy. But I know you will make him proud. I love you, Donald." Deeks said as he kissed his son on the head.
He walked back over and gave him to Julia for a few moments. "Mom. Meet your grandson, Donald." Deeks said. Her eyes widened and teared up.
The whole group gasped a bit when they realized the significance. Deeks had named his son after a man he would never meet. Kensi's father. Kensi was crying when she pulled Deeks to her.
"I love you." She said as she kissed him.
"I love you, too." He returned.
"He will make you proud, both you and Dad." She said.
Deeks smiled, embarssed.
"No one was really supposed to hear that." He said.
She pinched his arm. "I just finished labor but that doesn't mean I can't read lips anymore." She said, laughing.
Julia passed Donald on down the line, letting everyone say Hi to the newest addition to the family.
Boatshed
"Oh, He is just as content as can be." Hetty smiled, replying to Deeks' question.
"Do you ever regret not having children of your own, Hetty?" Deeks said, kneeling down.
"What woman at some point in her life would not want to have a child, Mr. Deeks?" She nodded gently.
"There are times, yes, where I do regret. Fate decided to deal me the card that prevented me from bearing children. But I know that even though I will never have my own child I know that when I am gone I will continue to live on through all of you, and through him" She said, gently patting Donald's stomach.
"You have raised us right, Hetty." Deeks said, a slight smile on his face. He stood back up.
"You just let me know when you decide you want a break." He said.
"I will, Mr. Deeks. But for now, I am fine right where I am."
He smiled and went back downstairs to join the rest watching the game again.
Hetty thought back to an old friend of hers from many years ago who gave her a crucial piece of advice that Hetty carried with her to this day.
Life is like a tapestry. It is woven by your actions and your memoires. It is up to you, however, to choose the threads that go into it. As such, you are the weaver of your own legacy.
Hetty looked down at Donald and smiled. Her tapestry was coming together nicely
This was a compilation of smaller scenes that didn't really work as stand-alones so I decided to combine them. Again I wanted to try to focus on everyone instead of one pairing. So there is something for everyone. If I messed up anything in the Sam and Michelle flashback (which is a very likely possibility) then I apologize.
Thank you for Reading, Reviewing, Favoriting , Following and your continued enjoyment of these. 20,000 k views here I come!