Chapter 14

Author's Note- So this is it. The FINAL chapter of Put Them Back. I really hope that you all loved it and that this chapter delivers on everything you hoped it would. I want to thank you all for all your reviews and help you have given me. Your reviews really do help me to continue. Thank you for reading this.

Disclaimer- Only the characters you do not recognize from the original CBS show NCIS: Los Angeles are mine. The rest are completely theirs.

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Deeks sat down on the picnic blanket that was covering the almost white sand with Max following suit. For the next ten minutes neither of them said a word, they just focused on the sun setting over the ocean, the sky multiple shades of red. There wasn't really anything they could say to each other, all had already been said. There was something different in the air, everything felt different to what it usually did when the two men where alone together. There was not one hint of awkwardness, nervousness or even unsureness. It was almost as if they were feeling the exact same thing, that thing being only and purely love.

The end of summer was near and it had been a good one for both. Neither of them had experienced anything like it. It was nowhere near a normal summer, it was life changing. Before arriving at Yosemite Deeks didn't have a son and Max didn't have a father. Everything was different and to some extent dull.

Fern was the light of Deeks life, but also the only light in his life. She was his little princess and his little cowboy. She was the perfect mix between a boy and a girl. They did everything together but as they grew together Deeks' long for Max grew. Each time he taught Fern something new he would imagine what it would be like teaching them both that. Knowing he had a son and had no idea where he was or what he looked like ached his heart. He had dreams for days in a row about what his life would be like with his son. Now that he had Max he knew that nothing could come between them and the memories they had yet to share.

As the years went on and Max grew older, he started becoming independent, he didn't need Kensi as much as he used to and this led to him wondering and that to wanting. He wanted a father, a person to laugh with, play catch with, someone to teach him things about the world that Kensi in no way could. Sam, Callen and Eric were strong and dependable men in his life but it wasn't what he wanted. They weren't his father and as much as he tried he couldn't pretend they were anything near him. He wasn't sure what his father would be like but he had his hopes and now that he finally knew his father he had not been let down. Deeks made a mark on his heart and Max was not going to let that mark fade.

Staring at the darkening sky tears filled the bottom of both their eyes. All they ever wanted, all they ever needed was right there. That family picture that was advertised everywhere had turned out not to be a fake. Families actually existed, real ones, and they were finally apart of one. Their dreams had come true.

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Fern watched as her mother observed herself in the long mirror, pulled a face and tugged at the bottom of the dress she was wearing uncomfortably. The dress was knee length, had short sleeves that were barely covering her shoulders and it was a light shade of blue. Fern had picked it out for her, the sole purpose being that it would bring out the blue in Deeks eyes. Kensi's hair was tied up in a messy bun with a few loose strands of her fringe curving at the sides of her face.

Fern smiled, she was beautiful. She thought back to the first conversation she had had with Kensi where she held back everything she truly wanted to say just because she hated the fact that she'd had hurt Deeks. Now she was helping her get ready for a date with him. She was practically handing her over to Deeks with ribbon on top. She was the perfect gift.

It was the last day they had in Hawaii, the next day they had to fly back to land then begin their long road trip back to LA before school started. When it was her and Deeks on a long road trip she would've done everything in her power to try and stop it but now she was excited. She had a sibling she could tease, joke with, laugh at, create conversations with and most importantly bond with. She also had parents, plural. She had two parents she could talk to. She had a family.

However, the complete fate of that family had now been left in the hands of both her parents tonight. What they decided, what they wanted would determine how the family would end up. And Fern hoped with all her might that they would make the right decision for both themselves and the family. They had to fall in love tonight again but more than they ever had. They had to embrace it. They were the two people on earth who needed to be together. They needed to be together more than Bonnie and Clyde, Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun, the princess and the frog, Beauty and the beast. They needed to be together more than any real life or fictional characters could ever need to be together. They were the two people who needed to be together more than anything. If Kensi did not realize that that night then all life in the universe would be doomed forever, at least to both Fern and Max. There was no other excuse for them not to be together. Fern had seen it, Max had seen it and running from that amount of powerful love was impossible.

"You look beautiful mom."

Kensi turned and smiled at her daughter, "Thank you Fern."

"I love you mom."

Kensi widened her eyes at Ferns words. She had not yet heard her say that. I love you. It was shocking. She felt her heart melt as she watched her daughter shrug and smile sheepishly at her. Kensi smiled wide letting Fern see her joy radiate into the air.

"I love you too Fern."

Fern took Kensi's hand and pulled her out the door with her. They made their way onto the beautiful sandy beach. Both girls smiled as they felt the soft sand tickle against their feet. They walked slowly across the beach laughing and talking as they watched the sun set slowly.

Finally, Fern stopped and smiled. Kensi looked at her uncertain then followed her gaze; Deeks was standing a few yards away wearing shorts with a formal shirt and tie beside a picnic blanket and basket surrounded by a few bright burning candles. Kensi smiled when she saw him wave self-consciously. She looked at Fern again and blushed. Max appeared next to Fern and the twins both laughed.

"Go mom!" Fern said pushing her in the direction of her father. Kensi gave them an awkward smile and walked over to Deeks.

"Can't we just stay here, hide behind a rock and watch them?" Max begged slowing his walk to delay the time they had to get off the beach. Fern tugged on his arm pulling him along with her before she gave in to him. Deeks had given them some cash and they were to walk to the main beach, have dinner and hang out in the arcade. If they had their way they would stay and watch the events of the night between their parents take place from a distance, but they knew they had to give them space. What was about to happen was personal.

"Hi," Kensi said shyly, approaching Deeks.

"Hey… You look wonderful tonight."

"Thank you."

"I like you're hair like that."

Kensi giggled, "Thank you."

"Would you like to sit down?"

"I would."

Deeks took Kensi's hand and they both sat down, close together because it was the only way to dodge the candles.

"Funny how time flies, huh?" Kensi said while nearing the end of her meal.

Deeks smiled widely. "And how much can change with it."

"Things get torn apart and pulled together again by it."

"It's both beautiful and tragic."

Kensi smiled wide and put her hand on Deeks' chest, "Do you think we've made it, past the tragic part?"

Deeks eyes trailed away from Kensi in thought. "Well," He finally said, "we have two very passionate teenagers; I think the tragic part is only beginning."

Kensi laughed in agreement although she hoped what was to come with her children would be nowhere near as tragic as her life as a teenager. She hoped that Max and Fern would stand by her and Deeks until they reached the end of their lives and even after that too. She hoped she had been and would be a mother that both could be proud of, that they would both remember her and everything she stood for, for the rest of their lives. She wanted her children to live the best life they possibly could. She wanted them to make the right decisions and end up happy. She knew she couldn't control that; she could only be a good mother to them.

The rest of the meal went perfectly; she could not stop noticing how nervous Deeks was. She also noticed that she was being quite shy too. It was almost as if they were back on their very first proper date. She remembered everything about it perfectly. It amazed them that they could spend hours on end together every day at work and want to do nothing but shut each other up but when it came to the idea of a date everything in them was shaken. It was awkward, there was that feeling of not knowing, it was almost fear. That time after the date they just laughed about it and made up for it in their room. This time it was exactly the same but they both knew it was somehow more serious than their first one. They had a family behind what they were doing, not just a career.

Deeks packed up the basket and blanket refusing to let Kensi help. They left everything in the same spot on the beach and began walking along the sand.

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Sitting on the sand back at the main beach the twins were talking and laughing; enjoying their time together before summer came to an end. It may have been the best time they'd had together all summer. They had almost forgotten all about the date they had set up for their parents… almost.

"So Max?" Fern said after the latest laughter had turned into a silence.

"Fern," He replied.

"Where do you see yourself in ten years?" she said attempting a new topic.

Max stared at her uncomfortably for a few seconds. Just when she had decided that it wasn't the best idea and she should probably change the subject, he answered.

"Well I've never told anyone but I guess I can trust you not to blurt it out. Mom will probably kill me when she finds out but I have been inspired by Uncle Sam and I guess I want to be a Navy SEAL."

At Max's surprise Ferns face lit up and she held her hand up for him to high-five her. He returned the gesture and raised an eyebrow at her.

"I guess wanting to serve and protect this country is in our blood."

"You too?"

"Not as hardcore as that but maybe I've been around them my whole life I actually want to be a copper."

The twins laughed once again, this time making their stomachs hurt. They both had a pretty good idea of how their parents would take their job interests as the words were said by both more than once; 'I don't want my children to live a life like this'. They couldn't help it; after all it was in their blood.

"So do you want children?" Fern finally asked.

Max shook his head, "I haven't really thought about that yet. It seems like a really scary thing to think about at the moment, but maybe, if I find the right mother for them and you?"

"I do, I am just a little bit afraid of babies, they always cry when they see my face."

Max chuckled, "I think that happens to everyone but your own one will smile when he sees your face, at least that's what people say."

"I hope you're right."

The two focused on the almost black sky again quickly thinking back to the date Kensi and Deeks were on. As much as they tried not to they couldn't. It was too exciting. They were to curious.

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Walking along the beach letting the small waves crash over their feet Kensi and Deeks were silent; not that uncomfortable awkward silence but that kind that is comfortable and is just there because there is nothing to talk about.

Deeks suddenly stopped walking and tilted his head up slightly. Kensi followed his gaze and couldn't help but notice how beautifully the stars were lighting up the sky.

"Do you remember that night when we bought your house and I forced you to sit on the roof with me and we ended up falling asleep and staying there the whole night?"

Kensi smiled back at Deeks remembering that night perfectly. They had woken up the next morning, tightly wrapped in each other's arms with terrible back aches although they couldn't stop smiling because of the amazing night they had had. "I do."

Kensi grabbed Deeks hand and entwined their fingers before pointing up at the sky with her free hand. "Do you remember those two baby stars?"

Deeks didn't have to try following her finger; he knew exactly where they were. The two small stars that were brightly shining close together were what he looked for every single time he saw the sky filled with stars. "We made a wish…"

Kensi nodded. "That just like those two baby stars-"

"We would stay in love together and burn bright, just like them," Deeks finished for her.

Kensi tightened her grip on his hand and rested her head on his shoulder. Deeks breathed in deeper than he ever had, untangled their fingers and stepped away from her. Kensi's confusion made Deeks' heart skip a few beats.

He had no idea what he was doing or even how to do it.

"Kens…" He said getting on to his one knee. Kensi felt more butterflies in her stomach than all of the ones she'd ever felt put together. "Do you want to make that wish come true, stay together, in love, burning bright like those two stars above our heads?"

Kensi felt tears forming in her eyes, "Deeks?"

Deeks pulled the small black box that he'd held onto for almost twenty years out of his pocket, held it in his palm, and opened it revealing a diamond that the candle light behind them reflected off of making it shine brightly.

"Kensi, I'm just as terrified as you are but I want this, I want you and I want our family. Kensi you know how much I love you and if you don't I will show you every day until you're certain it's true. Kensi, I am asking you now if you want this and our family… Will you like to become my wife?"

Kensi couldn't stop the tears that were falling out of her eyes now. Deeks, the love of her life was kneeling in front of her with a ring in his hand asking her to marry him. It was everything she had ever wanted, all right in front of her and she was speechless. As much as she tried to speak she couldn't, nothing would come out, what could come out? She didn't know what to say.

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Fern was awoken by Max and Monty jumping on her bed. It took no time for her to realize what the excitement was about. "What happened?" She asked quickly as she jumped out of her bed.

"I don't know!" Max said. "They have to be together because the other rooms are all empty."

"Let's go see if we can see them through the glass door on their balcony!" Fern exclaimed and ran out the door and out of the house with Max following closely behind. They found a Rain drainage pipe against the wall and without thinking about possible injuries they climbed up to the balcony.

"What the heck?" Max said when they found the door open and no one in the room. Fern shrugged and leaned against the railing, scanning the beach for any sign of them but she found nothing.

"They have to be around somewhere," she said, not wanting to give up.

"Good morning kids!"

The twins shared a confused look, being certain they had heard Kensi's voice but having no idea where it came from.

"Up here!"

They quickly realized it was coming from the roof and found a way up, finding Deeks and Kensi curled up to each other in a thick blanket with a few pillows surrounding them. They both quickly joined into the cuddle.

"What did you say, mom?" Max asked.

Kensi smiled wide, held up her left hand and smiled widely. Seeing the ring the twins both shouted with glee. Their aim for the summer was to get them both back together but having them engaged was even bigger. They had finally done it.

"Fern?" Max said, grabbing her attention.

"Yes?"

"It looks like we put them back!"

Deeks and Kensi watched in amusement as their twins high-fived each other. Indeed they did, they put them back together after so many years.