@densi-mber prompt: Decorating the Tree
“Drive faster, Kens. We’re going to be late!” Deeks said as he looked down at his watch.
“Thank you, detective.” She snapped back at him. She turned right and passed the infamous LAX sign. “We are really not all that far.”
“Well, it’s a good thing we can park anywhere with the tags on our car. At least we won’t get towed.” Deeks laughed. “You doing alright back there, Kamran?”
Kamran Hanna, Sam’s youngest, smiled widely as she stuffed her face with her In-n-Out Burger. “Yes, Uncle Deeks! I am, thanks for taking care of us today and picking up my brother. I know my Daddy appreciates it.”
“Of course, we love spending time with you.” Kensi remarks from the driver’s seat.
“Drive. If we’re late, Aiden and Sam will have our heads for dinner.” Deeks snickers back at her.
Five minutes later, they’re pulling the Audi up to the terminal’s curbside, and Aiden’s waiting in uniform.
“We’re here!” Kensi says as she jumps out of the car. “Good to see you, Aiden.”
“You, too, Aunt Kensi.” Aiden says as he pulls her in for a hug. “You too, Uncle Deeks.”
Deeks sticks his hand out and Aiden shakes it in return. “You too, buddy. Let’s get your bag in the car. We have a surprise for you in the backseat too.”
Aiden smiles and opens the door, Kamran nearly knocks him over as she throws herself into his arms. “AIDEN!”
“Kamran. It’s so good to see you! Come on. Aunt Kensi and Uncle Deeks have a whole day planned for us apparently. We’re meeting Dad and Uncle Callen for dinner later.”
Later that day, after successfully picking out the largest tree in the group, Aiden and Deeks had propped it up in the corner of the living room. Kensi and Kamran were in the kitchen sticking the Stouffer’s Lasagna into the oven. Elf was playing in the background, and Deeks was sporting his infamous ugly Christmas sweater.
“What’s next?” Aiden asked as he cut the netting to let the tree’s branches fall into place.
“We light this baby up!” Deeks replied as he handed him a string of lights. “Can you handle this while I set the table for dinner, and then we’ll start decorating it.”
“On it.” Aiden replied as he took the string of lights and started from the top of the tree.
Kensi walked in smiling. “Looks good boys.” Deeks kissed her forehead grabbing the stack of plates from her hands.
“I’ll set the table. You and Kamran can start getting the decorations out.”
“This is kind of fun, isn’t it?” Kensi asked as she looked up to Deeks. He smiled softly in response to her and tilted his head, he couldn’t read the thoughts that were going through her mind. “I mean, I know Sam asked us to take care of them today, to you know, distract them from Michelle. Especially with it being this time of year, but... taking care of some kids, going Christmas shopping today, going ice skating and now decorating a Christmas tree. And our impromptu family coming over for dinner? Maybe it’s just me... But in a few years, I don’t know maybe it could be our kids.” Kensi says as she shrugs her shoulder.
“You know, I think it’s super cool these two call us Aunt and Uncle. I mean, Uncle Callen is one thing.... I didn’t think we quite qualified for that status in the eyes of Sam Hanna.... But I guess we do. And the kids actually like us.”
“They do like us. They haven’t stopped smiling all day.”
“Do you think we’ll be good at it, Kens?” Deeks asked as he started to set the plates all around the table. “The whole, kids thing?”
“Sam and Michelle did it. And had our jobs. Obviously there are risks, but neither one of us....I, uh, we will be great at it.”
“I think so, too.” Deeks replied as there was a knock on the door. “To be continued, I’ll get that.”
Deeks opened the door to Sam and Callen gracing his front steps. “Nice of you to join us, boys!”
“That class, took forever.” Callen said as he handed Deeks a pack of beer. “I brought some adult refreshments.”
Deeks laugh as he handed one of the bottles to Callen who made his way to go give Aiden a hug.
Sam stood back and smiled. “Thanks, Deeks for taking care of the kids today. I, can’t think you enough.”
“Any time, man. They had a blast today. We’re just starting to decorate our tree.” Deeks answered as he watched Sam shift his weight from the left side of his body to his right. “Ok....What is it, what did we do wrong?”
Sam laughed and shook his head. “Nothing. I got a text from Kamran saying she was having too much fun and to come a little later, she loved spending time with her Aunt Kensi and Uncle Deeks. I just wanted to ask you, if you and Kensi, have you ever thought about having a family?”
Deeks shrugged in response, shutting the front door. “We, uh, have.... But you know, it’s not the easiest thing with what we do.”
“Michelle and I, we knew the risks. We don’t regret it. Not a single thing.”
“I know, but you and Michelle, you guys were good at it.I don’t know if I’m cut out for it.”
Sam grabbed Deeks shoulder and pointed him in the direction of Kensi. She was laughing as she and Kamran pulled ornaments out of the storage containers and were quoting lines from Elf.
“Do you see that smile on Kensi’s face right now?”
“You guys are going to do just fine. Trust me.” Sam said as he squeezed Deeks shoulder. “Kamran, come say hello to your father!” He bellowed as he made his way to where the festivities were taking place.
Kensi walked up to Deeks, smiling softly, wrapping her arm around his waist.
“What did he say to you? You have this look on your face like you’re going to explode with happiness.”
“Oh, nothing. I was just watching you with Kamran. And you know, I think we’ll be good at it.”
“I think so, too.” Kensi responded.
“Alright, I’m famished. Where’s dinner?” Callen bellowed from the couch.
“I’ll pull it out of the oven.” Kensi answered as she kissed Deek’s cheek and made her way into the kitchen.
One day, he said to himself. But for now, he was going to relish in the makeshift family he had in his home. One day.