A/N: Written as the Densi twins fic approached their first birthdays. Or at least the birthdays I've given them.
"Come here, Sophie!" Deeks encouraged, holding his hands out towards Sophia. She moved one foot forward and stopped, wavering and almost tipping forward.
Kensi sat cross-legged about ten feet away, Sophia standing between them on shaky legs. She'd been standing for about a week now; Caleb, who took to most physical activities more quickly, started a few days before that.
"Yeah, just a little further," Deeks said.
"Da," Sophia said, arms extended from her sides as she struggled to remain upright. Her legs trembled, knees folding beneath her, and she finally lost her balance, plopping down hard on the carpeted floor.
Sitting to the side, Caleb clapped his tiny hands enthusiastically in encouragement of his sister. Sophia huffed, turning to look over her shoulder at Kensi with an offended expression.
"That was so good, sweetheart!" Kensi praised her. She scooped her up, hugging her tightly. "I'm so proud of you."
Pushing himself up onto his knees, Caleb stood up and took a few halting steps before he found his rhythm and walked the rest of the way to Deeks. He caught him in his arms, lifting him in the air just as he had every time Caleb had managed the feat.
Sophia squawked in apparent outrage, pushing herself out of the comfort of Kensi's arms. Using Kensi's knee to steady herself, she stood up once more, taking steps with determination in her eyes.
Kensi hurried over to crouch beside Deeks with her phone, capturing Sophia's first successful steps. He held his breath, afraid to say anything and ruin the moment. When Sophia reached him, she fell into his chest, and he tucked her close, hugging her tight. Kensi hugged her from the other side.
"That's my girl," he murmured.
Caleb voiced his approval in a series of jargon, patting Sophia's hand with his.
"Nothing like a little rivalry to inspire, huh?"
"I guess that's just another thing they got from us," Kensi said wryly.
"Rosa's going to be sad she missed this," Deeks sighed.
"At least she can watch the video. And I bet Miss Sophia will be happy to give another demonstration." Kensi squeezed Sophia's foot, and she smiled, showing off a row of perfect white teeth.
After a couple more minutes, Caleb crawled out of Deeks' lap, swiftly followed by Sophia. They crawled over to the play kitchen set against one wall.
"You know we're going to be in real trouble when they get this walking thing down in a couple weeks, right?" he asked.
Kensi sighed heavily, hugging him around the waist. "At least they haven't learned how to climb yet."