NUTSHELL
"Hurry up! We are going to be late!" Kensi's voice rang out.
"We are coming." Deeks said as he led their 4 year old son out of his room.
"Where are we going, mommy?" their daughter asked.
"We are going to go see your Aunt Nell and Uncle Eric." Kensi said as they walked to the car. Deeks helped get the children buckled in and then climbed in the passenger seat.
"Will Uncle Sam and Aunt Michelle be there too?" their daughter asked.
"Yes, they will sweetie." Kensi said as they pulled out of the driveway.
"Have you heard from Callen?" Kensi asked Deeks.
"I spoke to him a few days ago. He was going to try to make it but he wasn't sure." Deeks explained, staring out the window.
"He had better. He knows how important today is." Kensi said.
20 minutes later
Kensi pulled up to the curb and turned the car off. Walking down the path to them was Sam and his family. Deeks got out and unbuckled the children. They were excited to see Sam and Michelle.
"Uncle Sam!" they both yelled with excitement.
He scooped them up into his arms.
"Man, you two are getting so big. I'm not going to be able to do this much longer." He said.
Michelle gave them both hugs. "How are you two doing?" She asked.
"We are doing good. Just taking one day at a time." Kensi asked.
Kamran said hi to the children as Aiden stepped forward.
"So I hear you are a Lieutenant now?" Deeks said.
"Yes, sir." Aiden said with a smile.
"Don't sir me. We are proud of you." Deeks said as he shook Aidens hand.
Nate and Rose arrived soon after, greeting the whole group.
"Anyone else coming?" Kensi asked Sam.
"I doubt it. Let's wait 5 more minuets and then we can go." Sam said
"There is no need to wait, Mr. Hannah." A voice said behind them. They turned around to see Grainger and Callen standing there.
Sam had a big smile as he greeted his partner.
"Good to see you, G." Sam said.
Kensi hugged him. "I thought you said you couldn't make it." Deeks said.
"Granger was able to get me here. Sorry we are late though. We had to make a stop." Callen said as he turned to the side, revealing now the presence of a short old woman.
"Hetty?" Kensi was stunned.
Hetty, cane in hand, slowly walked toward them. "It is so good to see you all again." She said. The children both jumped at the chance to see their Grandma.
"Kids, calm down. There will be plenty of time to visit Grandma." Deeks said.
"Shall we go?" Hetty said.
They all walked up the pathway before stopping at a particular marker. They all gathered around it.
Here lies Eric Beale (1982 - 2014) and Nell Jones(1985 – 2014)
Loving Friends, loving family
Their spirits will always live on
Sam opened the bouquet of flowers he brought and handed out two flowers for each person. One by one they knelt down and laid a flower on each grave. Kamrain and Aiden started. Then Michelle. Rose and Nate were next. Nate kept his usual stoic face but everyone knew on the inside he was devastated. It was a rough time when the Operation Psychologist needed one himself. Rose gripped his hand as he knelt, staring at the names on the stone. After a few moments he stood up.
Callen was next, running his finger over their names, silently talking to them before returning.
"I hope you saved room for some more." A voice interrupted all their thoughts.
Everyone turned to see the familiar faces of Abby, McGee, Gibbs, and Leon Vance.
Sam handed extra flowers to them.
"By all means. They would be glad you are here." He said as he gave Abby a hug.
"Even though I hate this city, I would never miss this for the world." She said, trying to fight back tears as she took her turn, signing to them. McGee, Gibbs, Vance, and Granger all followed.
Hetty took a step forward. "Please help me."
Sam and Deeks helped lower Hetty to her knees. She laid the flowers down and started to speak to them quietly in German. Even though half the people could understand her they blocked it out of their minds. This was between Hetty and them.
After a few moments she nodded to Sam and Deeks. They both helped her back to her feet. Deeks looked to Kensi and nodded silently.
Tear welled in her eyes as she laid the flowers down, running a hand on the stone. She stood up and kissed the stone before moving back with the children.
Deeks stepped forward and knelt down.
"Hey guys. Sorry I haven't come sooner. The little twins have been keeping us real busy. I wish you could see them. They are getting so big soon I can't call them little any more." He wiped a tear from his eye.
"I am so sorry. I should have been there to protect you. You both should be happy with your own little ones running around. But your not, and I am to blame..." he couldn't finish as he broke down crying. Kensi knelt down next to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"It wasn't your fault, Marty. There was nothing anyone could have done." She whispered to him.
"I know. It still doesn't make it any easier." He said.
Taking the roses he laid them down on the graves.
"I miss you both so much." He said.
They turned to their children.
"Eric, Nell. Come say hi to your Aunt and Uncle" Deeks said as their children came over to them.
"They are good kids. And they know you will watch over them. I love you two." Deeks said as he kissed the stone and backed away.
They all stood in silence for a few moments before Granger and Callen left and returuned with a small table and a cooler.
They set the table up and fished glasses from the cooler. Callen pulled out a bottle of champain and opened it, pouring each glass as Granger handed them out.
"To Eric and Nell" Sam said, raising his glass.
"To Eric and Nell" Every one repeated as they drank to their friends.
We chase misprinted lies
We face the path of time
And yet I fight
And yet I fight
This battle all alone
No one to cry to
No place to call home
My gift of self is raped
My privacy is raked
And yet I find
And yet I find
Repeating in my head
If I can't be my own
I'd feel better dead
Lyrics by Alice in Chains
This was partially inspired by the Forever Young series by DARWIN51. Very well done series (even if it is incomplete)