A/N: Densimber day 31. Thanks for all the comments on recent chapters!
Kensi sat with Sophia and Caleb cradled between the V of her legs, sorting through a box of New Years trinkets. Sophia pulled out a noisemaker and immediately bopped Caleb on the head with it, cackling at yelp of surprise. He stared at her in shock for a few seconds, then started laughing too.
"Sophia you blow on it," Kensi said, around her own laughter. "Look, like this." She demonstrated putting the appropriate end in her mouth and blew hard enough for the curled end of the trinket to pop out.
Sophia's mouth dropped open in delight and she immediately grabbed the noisemaker from Kensi, stuffing the wrong end in her mouth.
"Pease?" Caleb begged, making a grabby hand towards Sophia.
"Don't worry, sweetie, you can have your own. You want green or blue?"
Caleb took a blue one, following Sophia's example and sucking on the wrong end.
"Hey, how's it going? I've got snacks," Deeks announced, appearing from the kitchen with a tray of lunchmeat, cheese, crackers, chips, and strawberries.
"Enjoying the noisemakers," Kensi said. Then amended as Caleb pulled the soggy toy out of his mouth. "Or at least the paper."
"Sounds about right." He made up bowls of snacks for the twins, carrying them over to the coffee table. "Hmm, I wonder who wants some strawberries and string cheese."
Caleb and Sophia immediately scrambled over at hearing their favorite foods and descended on the bowls as if they were starving. Kensi came over to join them, sitting cross-legged while they munched away.
"Eat," Sophia said, offering Deeks a bite of a half-eaten strawberry.
"Thank you, my lady," he said and snapped up the berry, pretending eat her fingers too, resulting in more giggles, and a fair amount of strawberry juice smeared over Deeks.
"Teese!" Caleb held up a gnawed-on cheese stick for Deeks to sample.
When all the food was gone, the twins settled back in Kensi and Deeks' arms. It was only 7:30 or so, but they were already flagging a little bit.
"You know, later we'll watch some fireworks and maybe eat some cake," Deeks said. "You know, cause you're too young for champagne."
"Loud," Caleb said, covering his ears.
"Yeah, the fireworks are loud. But they won't be on the TV," Kensi assured him.
"Adagawe TV?"
"Yep. And at midnight, a giant ball will drop. Except you'll hopefully be in bed looong before that," Deeks added in an undertone.
Rosa had left for a party with Steven and some of her college friends a few hours ago, so it would be just Kensi and Deeks to ring in the new year.
"Somebody didn't make it," he whispered half an hour later, nodding to Caleb, who'd fallen asleep with his thumb tucked in his mouth and a shredded noisemaker in his other hand.
Kensi took a quick picture, adjusting Sophia who wasn't far behind Caleb.
"Let's get them to bed, then we can really celebrate," she suggested, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Ooh, I'll get the white noise machine and champagne."
By nine, the kids were finally asleep after some protesting, three books, and Deeks singing "Sunshine on My Shoulders" five times.
Settling on the couch with a glass of the promised champagne, Kensi curled up against his side.
"This has been a really good year," she mused. "Exhausting and crazy sometimes, but good."
"Yeah." Deeks tilted his head back against the couch, his smile soft and reminiscent. "We've spent a whole year with the twins, got to see them walk and start talking. Rosa's had an amazing year in college. We both don't hate our jobs." Kensi snorted and nudged him with her shoulder. Turning his head to look at her, he added, "And I got to spend all 365 days with the most amazing woman in the world."
"That—is really cheesy," she told him, cupping his cheek and kissing him once. "And also one of the sweetest things you've ever said. I've loved living this year with you too and I can't wait for next year with you."
"Now who's cheesy?" he teased, his eyes bright and full of love. "Happy New Year, baby."
"Happy New Year."
Drawing his face to hers, she kissed him deeply, sealing the wish with her love.