#it’s baby time

[ejzah]

It’s Baby Time, Part 3

***

As the euphoria started to fade just a tiny bit, reality set in. Giving birth wasn’t exactly an elegant business. There was a lot of blood and other…stuff surrounding them. Not to mention his hand, and clothes, which were trashed. More importantly, Kensi was still sitting in the middle of floor in only his t-shirt; she had to be freezing.

“Hey, let’s get you against the tub,” he suggested, noticing Kensi lilting to the side. He glanced around the bathroom, which was hardly a comfortable place to rest. “I guess we could get you in bed, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea to move that much before Sheila gets here.”

“Yeah, I don’t think I could move if I wanted to right now,” Kensi agreed. Together, they managed to get her, and the babies, shuffled back against the tub, a couple towels behind her for cushion. He grabbed several more bath towels from the cabinet—they’d be absolutely destroyed after this, but Deeks thought it was a worthwhile sacrifice—and laid them over Kensi’s legs.

“Are you ok? I mean, relatively speaking. You’re not in extreme pain or going to pass out?”

Kensi shook her head once, head falling to the side. One of the babies gave a high pitched cry, instinctively rooting against Kensi’s shirt. They were starting to move more, little fingers reaching aimlessly to explore their new world.

“Oh, are you hungry already, Sweetie?” Kensi whispered softly, that awe back again. She looked up at Deeks, already trying to wriggle free of one sleeve. “Can you help me take this off?”

After a significant amount of maneuvering, they finally got the shirt off, and Kensi let out a sigh of relief as she cradled both babies against her bare skin.

Deeks couldn’t tear his eyes away, marveling at seeing of their twins in real life, not just a blurry sonogram, to feel their fingers curl around his. And he marveled at Kensi’s strength.

“I’m going to call Sheila again and let her know what’s going on,” he told Kensi, reluctant to take his eyes off them for even a second.

“She’s going to be mad we’re putting her out of business,” Kensi joked. “And then you need to call—

“—Rosa,” they said together.

***

“Well, I shouldn’t be surprised that you two decided to make an early and very surprising arrival,” Sheila Balthazar said, speaking to the babies as she held a stethoscope to the little boy’s chest. She shot Kensi and Deeks a smirk. “From everything I’ve heard, your mom and dad are handfuls too.”

After helping deliver the placentas—Deeks was vaguely relieved he hadn’t needed to do that part himself—Sheila let Kensi and the babies have a little more skin time before having Deeks cut their umbilical cords.

Now, Kensi was tucked into bed, the baby girl in her arms while Sheila finished their physicals. She’d already weighed them, checked their reflexes, and breathing.

She tilted her head, shifting stethoscope diaphragm a few millimeters to the left. After a few more seconds, she reswaddled the baby, handing off to Deeks, who cradled him to his bare chest.

“They’re both small, but that’s normal for twins, especially when they’re a little early,” she explained. You have two beautiful, healthy babies. Congratulations, Kensi and Deeks.”

“Thank you,” Kensi murmured, wiping a few tears from her eyes. Deeks reached for her hand, and squeezed it.

“And good job to both of you with the delivery. I’m so sorry I couldn’t get here in time.”

“Well, fortunately, we had a good teacher,” Deeks teased, nuzzling the top of the baby’s head. Then more seriously, he nodded to Kensi. “What about Kensi. You said there wasn’t any tearing and everything else looked good, but should we be doing anything else.”

“Yes. You should all rest,” she told him gently. “Right now Kensi’s body is doing exactly what it should be. I’m going to stay overnight, like we discussed, just to monitor for any changes. For now though, I’m going to clean up that bathroom while you snuggle these babies.”

Deeks started to get up, but she pointed a finger at him, her glare firm.

“You stay put. You’ve already done enough, and believe me, you’re gonna need the rest.”

Deeks sank back onto the bed, nodding to Sheila in thanks. He glanced over at Kensi, who was doing a terrible job of not laughing at him.

“Oh shush. You ready to call Rosa?”

“Yes! I feel bad that we didn’t do it sooner,” Kensi said.

“Well, we were slightly occupied. Besides it’s probably a good thing that she didn’t see when everyone was covered in blood.” Deeks pointed out as he hit Rosa’s picture in his phone.

Kensi wrinkled her nose. “Oh yeah, that’s not a first good look,” she agreed.

“Besides, she probably was in the middle of a class when all this went down.”

The FaceTime dial tone rang a few times, before Rosa picked up, audio connecting before the video.

“Hey Rosa.”

“Hi Marty. Is everything ok? You don’t usually call me in the middle of the day,” she said.

“Everything is fine,” Deeks told her, keeping his voice calm and reassuring. “But, uh, we do have a surprise for you.” He turned the phone so the entire bed was in frame.

Rosa frowned for a second, then her mouth dropped open. “Oh my god, you had the babies!” she shouted. “When did this happen?”

“Like an hour ago?” Deeks tilted his head. “Maybe less. Kinda hard to tell. Time’s a little nebulous right now.”

“In true nature for our family, they decided to show up early and fast,” Kensi said, shifting against her mound of pillows. She glanced at Deeks briefly, her smile soft and fond. “So quickly, that Deeks had to deliver them.”

“Oh mi dios,” Rosa whispered, covering her mouth. “¿Estás bien, Kensi?“

“Yeah, I’m fine. I mean, fine for just having pushed two babies out with very little warning,” Kensi amended. Rosa still looked concerned. “I promise I’m ok. Sheila said we’re all healthy.”

“Thank goodness.” Rosa smiled, putting a hand on her cheek. “Are they girls or boys? No wait, don’t tell me. I want to find out when I get there,” she said, speaking almost as fast as Deeks could in heightened moments. “I’ll be there in an hour and a half. Maybe less.”

“Don’t you have another class?” Deeks asked, his dad side kicking in.

“There’s no way I’m going to ethics when I have two siblings waiting at home. The professor’s cool anyway. He’ll understand,” Rosa said. By the way the video shook, he guessed she had already started for her car, at a fast pace.

“Alrighty, then. Drive carefully, see you soon, and we love you.”

“Love you, Rosa,” Kensi called out softly.

***

Deeks heard the door open and shut roughly and hour and forty minutes after they hung up with Rosa. A minute later, a breathless and excited Rosa popped her head through door.

She hesitated, seeing that Kensi and the twins were sleeping. Deeks gestured her in, rising to meet her with a hug.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hey. I’m glad you made it.” Deeks gave her an extra tight squeeze, before gestured to the bed. “You want to see them?”

“Oh, I don’t want to wake them up.”

“It’s ok,” Kensi slurred, pushing herself up a little. “I’m just dozing. Come sit down.”

Rosa gingerly sat on the very edge of the bed, looking uncertain now as she peered at the little blanket covered bundles on Kensi’s lap.

“Rosa, meet your brother, Caleb, and your sister, Sophia,” Kensi introduced them.

“Oh, they’re beautiful.”

“Go ahead, you can hold them,” Kensi encouraged her. Rosa didn’t move, her expression shifting to one of uncertainty.

Deeks shifted onto the other side of the bed, scooping up Sophia. “Here, Rosamund, you won’t hurt them.”

“But they’re so tiny,” she whispered.

“I know, but it’ll be ok.” He carefully shifted Sophia into Rosa’s arms, which shook a little as she gathered the baby against her chest.

She ran her index finger along Sophia’s cheek, who made a soft sigh-yawn in response, one of her minuscule hands blindly reaching out. “Oh.” A tear slipped down Rosa’s cheek along with the soft exhalation.

“Are you ok, sweetie?”

She nodded, a few more tears falling. “This is everything I’ve ever wanted,” she finally said. “I’m just so happy.”

Kensi wordlessly wrapped her free arm around Rosa’s back, tugging her close

“We are too,” Deeks murmured, embracing Kensi, Rosa, and the twins. He tucked Rosa’s head under his chin, marveling at the family they’d created.

***

A/N: Did I just give Kensi an incredibly easy (relatively speaking in terms of speed and pain), if crazy birth experience? Why yes, I did.

I hope you enjoyed this little story!

[jodithann827]

One Night Stand (Revised)

10/13

Rated: This Chapter Teen/ Ao3/ @today-in-fic

Friday, Feb. 14, 1991

Scully Residence

“Dana, you will never guess what I just heard–” Melissa exudes excitement while exploding into the room she used to share with her kid sister, the one that Dana recently planted roots in again. Upon entering, she sees her sister, hunched over the queen bed. Her face is puckered, paler than usual, which is saying something given her ivory skin. There’s a slight sheen of sweat currently adorning her upper brow, and her eyes are closed, pinched tight. Melissa rushes to her side, immediately dropping to the floor in front of her, taking her sister’s sweat-soaked hands in her own.

“Dane, what’s going on? What’s wrong,” concern plastered all over her face.

Dana takes a deep breath and exhales, ever so slowly. When she can manage, she promises her sister, “Nothing’s wrong Missy, don’t worry. I think it was just a cramp,” her voice is shaky and a poor attempt at reassuring the elder Scully sister. Missy gives her a skeptical look but stands, without a word, and sits next to her on the bed. Dana was ever so thankful Missy had been home over the past few months. After high school and a short stint at the local community college, Melissa had become somewhat of a drifter, a world traveler in her words. She was constantly popping in and out of town at a moment's notice. However, ever since Dana divulged her pregnancy, Missy seemed to be sticking closer to home, and Dana was extremely grateful. Growing up, Missy was Dana’s confidant, and when she learned about the pregnancy, it was like no time had passed between them. Melissa became the person Dana was able to depend on the most during this scary time. Missy was the one Dana called when she was feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. She’d gone to just about every doctor appointment with her, and Melissa was judgment-free when Dana started researching adoption. Above all else, Melissa was the only one in her family who knew the whole story of Dana’s one-night stand and just how hard she had fallen for William.

When she’d finally disclosed her pregnancy to her Catholic family, she’d chalked it up to a simple mistake that she was acknowledging; a stupid decision, and that was that. Her family had reacted as expected. Her naval captain father was disappointed, as she’d always been a daddy’s girl. Her homemaker mother was shocked, not that she’d been having sex, Maggie wasn’t clueless, but shocked that she’d been careless. Her older brother made no bones about the fact that he was disgusted by her actions, and her younger brother was indifferent to the situation. Melissa loved her and supported her. She saw right through Dana’s stoic stance and questioned her about the encounter the first chance she’d had. Dana came clean about that night. Meeting William with no last name, dancing, talking, and the sex. Melissa, true to form, had started yammering on about fate and soulmates, which is when Dana stopped listening. Her parents never knew the extent of it, but Missy was the one who, on lonely and difficult nights, would stay up, consoling her sister, wiping away her tears.

“Earth to Dana,” Melissa’s words bring her out of her daydream.

“I’m fine Missy, I promise,” Dana insists, hoisting herself off the bed. She wasn’t in a standing position for more than five seconds when a sudden gush of warm liquid began aggressively falling to the floor, soaking everything from Dana’s feet to the carpet.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say I don’t think you just peed your pants,” Missy sarcastically says, staring at the look of pure shock on Dana’s face. Recovering, Dana rolls her eyes at her sister.

“Your due date is still a week away,” Missy states the obvious as if Dana doesn’t know this, as she runs to the hall closet to retrieve towels.

“Well I guess the baby doesn’t have the right calendar in there,” Dana retorts back, half in jest.

“Shouldn’t we be freaking out? Or going to the hospital or something?” Missy questions while trying to salvage the floor of the bedroom.

“I’m fine, MIssy. I am a doctor you know–”

“Yeah yeah,” Missy replies, cutting her sister off quickly. “You’re a forensic pathologist, not an OB. I’m going to get mom.” As she’s saying this, Scully bends over, another contraction evident by the look on her face.

“Fine,” Dana concedes, “but we don’t have to rush. The statistics of first time labors–”

Again Missy cuts her off while guiding her rambling sister from the room. “Quote statistics to me on the way to the hospital.”

St. Joseph Hospital

Friday, Feb. 14, 1991

“See, I told you there was no rush,” Dana tells her sister, who sits in the chair by her bedside. Once they had gotten to the hospital, Dana was taken to triage and checked. Her contractions were far apart and she was only 3 centimeters dilated. However, because her water had broken, they decided to keep her. Once admitted, Maggie, Dana’s mom, had called Captain Scully who was out at sea, while Melissa helped Dana get settled. Now they sit, some patiently, some not, while they wait for the newest Scully to make their debut. Dana’s currently listening to her mother ramble on about babies and diapers and breastfeeding. Dana loves her mother fiercely, however, she didn’t necessarily want to hear it. It had taken Maggie some time to come around to the idea of Dana’s pregnancy, unlike Melissa, who embraced it immediately. Maggie wasn’t thrilled with the idea of her unmarried daughter having a baby. However, she was extremely thankful when Dana had not chosen abortion, but other than that, her behavior came off as very indifferent. Dana still has a hard time reading her, however Missy, being ever the empath, senses Dana’s discomfort.

“Mom, it could be a while. Do you want to go home and get some rest?” Missy gently suggests, smoothing out Dana’s blanket.

“Oh no, I couldn’t leave my baby,” Maggie responds, ruffling Dana’s hair, as though she’s been magically transported back to kindergarten.

“How about going to get something in the cafeteria? You have no idea how long Dana will be at this,” Missy gently continues pushing, giving her mother a look. After a minute Maggie relents, kissing Dana on her head. “I’ll be back soon.”

“What can I do for you?” Melissa turns to her sister, once it’s just the two of them in the small hospital room.

“That was plenty, thank you. I love her Miss but I don’t know how I can do this with her hovering,” Dana replies. Melissa scoots onto the bed to snuggle up next to her baby sister. Dana makes room for her, hooking her arm through Missy’s.

“I think she freaked out a bit when you started talking about adoption. She secretly wants you to keep the baby. I know Mom and Dad were shocked…” Dana interjects the mother of all eye rolls. “Okay, shocked is putting it mildly. I think she’s come around to the idea of a baby, but knowing you’re still considering giving the baby up, well, it’s hard on her too.” At this, Dana casts her eyes downward.

“What?” Missy asks though Dana remains silent.

“Dane? What’s going on? Something you’d like to share with the rest of the class?” Still no response from her sister.

“Dana!” Melissa repeats sternness overtaking her voice. Dana looks up at her sister, revealing the tears in her eyes.

“Missy, I don’t know what to do. I am so conflicted,” she finally confides.

Melissa pulls her sister into an embrace. “Talk to me, Dana.”

Dana takes a deep breath, attempting to calm her shaking hands. “I see him all the time, Missy. I see him in my sleep at night and when I’m awake and daydreaming. That night was always more than a one-night stand to me. We had a connection, from the minute we started dancing. I was so scared by what I was feeling. I pushed him away. I never thought I would be doing this at all, let alone on my own,” she leans her head on her sister’s shoulder. “I want to do what is best for this baby because I love it so much, which is crazy in itself because I haven’t met it yet. I just don’t know what the best is, Missy. I know I have the time off from the academy after the birth, but then what? How do I go back to Quantico and care for a baby? An adoptive family could give him or her the best possible life.”

“But?” Melissa probes.

After what seems like an eternity, she whispers, “But I don’t know if I can do it.”

“Dana, I can’t tell you what to do. You know I believe that everything happens for a reason. If you decide that the best home for this baby is with another family, then so be it. Mom and Dad will have to learn to live with that. However, if you think that you, being the mother, are the best thing, then I will support you; Mom and Dad too, I know it. No one can make this decision for you Dana. I know how much William meant to you and still does, but you have to decide for yourself, and you alone.” Dana nods, wiping a lone tear falling from her eye.

“I’ve never been this emotional,” she excuses it away. Missy smirks, knowingly. “I’m sure it’s the hormones.”

St. Joseph’s Hospital

Saturday, Feb. 15 1991

Exhaustion. That’s all she feels. She feels it in her bones. She feels it in her hair. She feels it in her soul. Going on eighteen hours she was still at it. Her contractions were close together and she was at nine centimeters, but she was losing seam quickly.

“It hurts, it hurts so much,” Dana sobs into Melissa’s side.

Maggie, standing on her daughter’s other side, feels utterly helpless. Wiping a damp cloth over Dana’s forehead, she suggests an epidural one more time.

“I told you, I don’t want it,” Dana pants, an edge to her exhausted voice.

“Dana, you're going to wear yourself out,” Maggie tells her, a matter of fact. “You haven't even started pushing yet,” Dana says nothing, lacking the capacity to argue. Maggie opens her mouth, but in a burst of adrenaline, Dana interrupts in a harsh tone one she would never use with her mother under any other circumstances. “Mom, if you tell me one more time that you know best because you had four kids…” A contraction hits suddenly, halting any more words from leaving Dana’s dry mouth. Maggie smiles, not taking Dana’s behavior personally.

A knock at the door interrupts the moment. Dr. Clemons pokes her head in. “How are we doing Dana?”

“I can’t do it anymore doctor. I’m done. I’m ready to stop. Tell the baby I changed my mind!” She whines, pushing her head back into the pillow.

Dr. Clemons gives her a warm and comforting smile. Making her way towards the bed, she pats one of Dana’s knees. “Let’s take a look and see how you’re progressing because I can tell the baby you’ve changed your mind, but unfortunately they can’t change their mind. Ready or not, it will be here soon.” She goes about her business as gently as possible. “You’re at 9.5 centimeters, Dana. I’d guess you’ll be ready to push within the next half hour. How are the contractions?” Unable to speak, Dana looks toward her mother.

“Am I allowed to speak now?” Maggie asks, jokingly. “About every two minutes.”

Satisfied, Dr. Clemons nods. She tells Dana she will check in within the next thirty minutes, then leave the Scully women to wait some more.

Another vicious contraction hits and Dana lets out a sound, something between a howl and a moan. Once it passes she lets out a sob. Usually one to be in control of her emotions and her body, she feels the most out of control she has ever felt in her life. “I want this to be over Mom. I can’t do it,” she cries from the exhaustion, pain, and emotions she hasn’t even begun to process.

“I know my baby girl, I know. You’re doing an amazing job and I promise you, it’s almost over,” Maggie comforts her daughter as best she can.

“I wish he was here,” Dana cries to no one in particular. Maggie’s taken aback, her hand going to her mouth and eyes traveling to her other daughter.

Missy leans into her sister, whispering words of comfort. “I know Dana, honey, I know. If he were here he would tell you you’re doing an amazing job. That you’re the strongest person he knows. That he is so incredibly proud of you. That you are about to bring a precious little soul into the world; this tiny bundle that you will love with all your heart, enough for the both of you, you and William.” Melissa soothes her, all the while looking into Maggie’s eyes.

Snapping out of her shock at her daughter’s revelation, Maggie adds, “Your sister is right, Dana. You are so strong. You can do this. We’re right here with you. We’ve got you. It will be over soon.”

Little did Maggie know that it was only the beginning and that it would take another three hours of pushing for Dana’s baby to make its way into the world.

St. Joseph’s Hospital

Saturday Evening, Feb. 15, 1991

Dana lays snuggly in the big hospital bed holding her new daughter in her arms. For as slow as the labor and delivery seemed to go, the time since has sped by. Maggie and Melissa had excused themselves fairly quickly after the birth to give Dana some alone time to process everything she’d been through. They claimed they were going on a search for caffeine and to all the Captain.

Dana lays the baby in front of her and slowly unwraps the blanket, as though she’s meticulously opening a present on Christmas morning. She had already counted fingers and toes, but she wants another look at her perfect girl, because that’s what she is, the epitome of perfection. She picks up the naked baby, clad only in a diaper, and places her inside her hospital gown, relishing the moment the delicate skin hits her own. She places her nose atop the infant’s head and breathes in the newborn baby's smell. Perfection is the only word Dana has to describe this moment.

“Well, what do you think?” The rhetorical question leaves her mouth as she drops a kiss on the crown of the baby’s head. The bald head was soft and smooth. “It’s been about forty minutes,” Dana continues. “We’re doing okay so far, don’t you think?” The baby lets out a faint grunt. “Tough crowd. I think we're doing okay so far. I mean, you could use a little help with the whole latching thing, but I think you’ll get there. What are your first impressions of me? I mean, I know it’s all new for you. It’s new for me too, but I don’t think I’m doing too badly yet.” She finds herself slowly caressing the baby’s back. “I can’t believe you’ve been growing inside me for the past nine months and now here you are. Boy, were you a surprise! I wasn’t exactly expecting you.” Dana closes her eyes, fighting back tears.

“I owe you an apology. I’m sorry it’s just me. Your dad, well, I don’t know him well, but I can tell you that he’s something special. We had this indefinable connection and so of course I got scared and messed it up. I would like to think that if he knew about you, he’d be here for you. I want to do what’s best for you, baby, that’s all I have ever wanted these past nine months. I considered giving you to another family because they would probably do a better job raising you; they’d be better equipped, that’s for sure. I also thought about keeping you, but thought that was being selfish on my part. My friend Ellen and your auntie Melissa both said I would know what to do when I met you and even though I’m second-guessing myself, I know they’re right. I’ll probably second-guess myself a lot throughout your life, especially in the beginning. Just know one thing, my tiny baby. Please never doubt how much I love you, little one.”

She’s interrupted by a soft knock at her door. Looking up, she sees Melissa and their mother, back from their coffee journey.

“How’s everyone doing in here” Missy asks. She and Maggie slowly make their way into the room.

Patting the infant’s bottom, Dana assures them that they’re doing alright. She scoots a bit, making room for Maggie to sit on the bed. “This little one and I had a serious discussion while you were gone. We talked about a lot of different things.”

Dana looks up at her mother, then shifts her gaze to her sister, before finally landing back on the squirming bundle still tucked against her skin.

“I know it’s not going to be easy, but at the end of the day, I’m her mother and she belongs with me; with our family.” she chances a glance at Maggie, only to see love and tears in the older woman’s eyes. “I’m terrified, mom. I’m scared and I’m going to need help. I know you and Dad are disappointed—“

“Shush about that,” Maggie cuts her off. She places a hand in Dana’s hair, stroking it gently. “She is here and she is yours, and that’s all that matters now. You are her mother, Dana. We love you and we love her. We will support you in whatever way we can.”

Tears cascade down Dana’s cheeks, some splashing directly onto her daughter’s head, causing the three women to smile.

Melissa, who is silent up until this point, makes her way around to the other side of the bed, sinking onto it, next to her sister. “What are you going to name her?” She whispers, noting the baby’s eyes drooping closed ever so slowly.

Dana looks down at her daughter, smiling the first genuine smile since she’d entered the world.

“Emma. Emma Melissa Scully.” Dana looks at Missy, the widest smile forming on her lips. Melissa smiles back, knowing their lives will forever be altered from this point forward.

“Welcome to the world, Emma.”

[noodles-and-tea]

Haha… yeah… that’d be crazy…

[climbingthefloors]

obsessed with this baby hippo from thailand's khao khew zoo.. she has been so utterly betrayed by the world

[shrubsparrow]

It's in the eye of the beholder

[knightofleo]

Fresh Pipe-Cleaner Baby

[wasabi-gumdrop]

local ladies man’s signature move totally useless against autistic monster enthusiast. more on Kabru’s fumble era at 6

[liquidstar]

If my mom sees a significant amount of blood she gets lightheaded, and has fainted on some occasions. Once it happened when we were kids, I wasn't there to witness it but I heard the story from my dad. Basically my brothers, around 7 or 8 at the time, were playing outside while my mom was making their lunch, and she accidentally cut her finger. It wasn't anything serious, but it drew a fair bit of blood and she passed out. My dad saw this and rushed over, but he didn't really know what to do so he just sort of started slapping her to wake her up (not recommended, but he had no idea and panicked)

At that exact moment my brothers both came in from playing, and all they saw was our mom unconscious on the floor and our dad slapping her. So, like, without even saying a word to each other they both just INSTANTLY start whaling on him, like, full blown attack mode to defend our mom. Which obviously didn't help the situation, but she did wake up and everything was fine.

Now our dad says that he's actually really glad they attacked him over what they thought was going on, because it means he raised good boys. And I still think that's true, they're very good boys.

[hamletthedane]

The movie Wicked is proof that any source material can be vastly improved by simply making the intense female friendship much gayer + the mutual male love interest both wildly bisexual and lowkey down to just be their third

[yujateaandpi]

Fanart for @noodles-and-tea’s precious Twins in Time AU comic! These goobers rotate in my head every day.

[anothersuperstition]

there was a summer i started collecting knives…

[ejzah]

A/N: I just realized that Kensi’s due date would likely be late December to early January, which aligns with a whole lot of pregnancy fanfics.

***

It’s Baby Time

Deeks whistled softly to himself as he sprinkled a mix of shredded cheese Swiss and cheddar cheese on top of the egg-filled skillet on top of the stove. A couple slices of bread were in the toaster, and should be nicely crispy by the time the eggs were finished.

He heard a soft sound, and looked up finding, Kensi leaning in the doorway. She smiled when he noticed her, coming farther into the room.

“How long you been there?”

“A few minutes,” she answered.

“Well, you have perfect timing, because breakfast is almost ready,” he told her.

“You know, this is everything I’ve ever hoped for,” she sighed, wrapping her arms around Deeks’ waist from behind.

“What, me in my boxers in the kitchen?” he joked.

“Nooo. You cooking us breakfast in our kitchen on a Saturday morning with nothing to interrupt us. Our Pastry Babies.” She kissed the base of his neck, sending a pleasant shiver across his skin. “And also you in your boxers,” she added impishly. One of the hands on his torso crept lower to pass over her stomach.

“Mm, I always knew you married me for the floor show.”

Kensi didn’t protest, one hand drifting up to play in his hair. He made a quiet sound that might sounded embarrassingly close to a purr. “Baby, I love where your mind is going, but you’re gonna need to tone it down before I burn something.”

“Oh, I’m fully confident in your ability to engage in a little…distraction and cook that frittata to perfection,” Kensi disagreed. She eased up anyway, kissing his neck one final time. Deeks missed the press of her bump against his back as soon as it was gone.

She wandered away to let him finish cooking. When he brought their two plates out a few minutes later, she’d settled down at the table, her feet propped up on a second chair while she absentmindedly rubbed the farther point of her stomach.

“Breakfast for my ladybird, Croissant, and Doughnut,” he declared, setting a plate full of eggs, mushrooms, broccoli, onion, and cheese in front of Kensi. She immediately dug in, cutting off a large piece with her for.

“You’re lucky your dad spoils us, otherwise you’d be getting cereal and pop tarts most mornings,” she said after her first bite, speaking directly to her stomach.

Beneath the fabric of her shirt, her stomach moved in a slow wave-like motion as one of the twins responded to her voice. With only a few weeks to left, the babies were especially active, though Deeks couldn’t imagine how they had room to conduct their summersaults and tap dancing sessions.

“Hey, give mom a break. She’s trying to feed you,” he chastised them teasingly. He couldn’t stop himself from brushing his fingers over Kensi’s stomach. He felt an answering push back that he thought might be a head.

“Ooh, that was a good one.” Kensi laid her hand over his, taking a momentary break from her meal. “I swear they act up even more with you.”

Deeks grinned, dipping his head to kiss Kensi’s stomach before he turned to his own plate. Kensi had slowed a little, not having much room for food with two nearly grown babies taking up space, so they finished about the same time.

“You know, you don’t have to wait on me hand and foot all the time,” Kensi reminded him when he started to clean up a few minutes later. “I’m supposed to keep moving around. You know Sheila said it would help during labor.”

“And you get that movement during your daily walk. I truly don’t mind at all,” he insisted.

“I know. I just don’t want everything to fall on you all the time.” Deeks raised and eyebrow as though she’d said something ridiculous no she glared back at him. “Marty Deeks, don’t you dare try and pretend that you wouldn’t run yourself completely ragged for us.”

“Maybe just a little,” he admitted. He flashed a winning smile, drawing it out until Kensi couldn’t maintain her glare any longer. “I like to though.”

“Even when it’s three in the morning and these two are tag-teaming diaper changes and feeding?” She pointed at her stomach.

“Especially then.” He knew it wouldn’t be easy, as they’d discussed many, many times, but he truly was looking forward to those late nights. After believing they’d never get to have biological children, he planned to bask in every moment.

It didn’t take that long to straighten up the kitchen again, and as he leaned down to put the skillet back in the oven, he felt a hand slip into his back pocket. Even 8 months pregnant, Kensi Blye could still sneak up on him as well as ever.

He shifted out of his crouch, Kensi moving with him, her hand staying mostly in place. “You looking for something in particular there, Kensalina?” he asked mildly. She squeezed in lieu of answering, letting out a pleased chuckle when his hips jerked back automatically into her hand. He turned around, to face her, finding Kensi grinning up at him.

“I know something else that will keep me active,” Kensi said in a low tone that instantly sent a shiver through him. She crowded him into the corner, between two cabinets, stretching up to kiss him.

Deeks parted his lips, leaning back while Kensi explored his mouth. He settled his hand on her lower back, giving her the freedom to slip her hand under his shirt. Her palm traveled the length of his back, then she tugged insistently at the hem of his shirt, her mouth growing more purposeful against his.

He groaned quietly, unable stop a soft whine from escaping when Kensi pulled away. Her eyes gleamed playfully as she dropped his shirt to the floor, smoothing her down his chest and stomach in a mirror of the path she created on his back. When she reached his hand, she curled their fingers together, guiding him back from the counter.

“I’m pretty sure that’s not what the midwife meant when she said activity,” Deeks drawled, his voice hitching ever so slightly at the way she looked at him.

“Maybe not.” She danced closer for a second, whispering into his ear. “But at least I’ll be laying down.”

***

Kensi woke up in a nest of pillow, the quilt pulled up to her shoulders, and the bed empty. She shifted a little, smiling at the memory of Deeks’ fingers ghosting over her skin. She would have liked to snuggle a little bit, but she knew Deeks had a running list of tasks he wanted to accomplish.

With her due date quickly approaching, they’d spent the last few weeks getting everything ready for the birth. Miraculously, despite the twins and her age, Kensi was deemed a low-risk pregnancy, and they’d ultimately opted for a home birth. Deeks had taken some convincing with that one, but he’d come around once he realized how much more comfortable she was with Sheila compared to the other providers they met with.

They had a section of the garage reserved for the birthing pool (a term that always made Deeks grimace), tarps, jugs of water, blankets, and dozens of other items they would need before, during, and after she gave birth.

Years ago, the thought of all the preparation, making decisions about baby furniture, car seats, and blankets vs. sleep sacks would have overwhelmed her. Now, she found it oddly enjoyable. Maybe it was the further proof of the two little miracles she and Deeks had created.

Shifting closer to the edge of the bed, she finally made a move to get up. She grabbed one of Deeks’ t-shirts on the way to the bathroom, which was just big enough to cover her bump and all the important bits. Though, since it was just her and Deeks around, it didn’t really matter that much.

Kensi puttered around the bathroom while the water warmed in the shower. Really, she’d have liked to take a bath for the dull ache in her back that seemed to be a constant. Instead, she settled for a few stretches and shallow squats, using the vanity for balance.

On her third squat, she felt a strange sensation, almost like a pop, and then a thin stream of liquid ran down her leg. She stilled in mid-squat, staring down at the clear liquid, the pressure in her back suddenly more intense than a few moments ago.

“Well, crap,” she muttered to herself.

***

A/N: I know I’ve written Kensi going into labor before, but I realized now it’s actually canon and had to write it again. And, take the opportunity to continue my twins madness.

Thanks to @mashmaiden for encouraging my insanity!

So sorry for the rather uninspiring title. There will be a second part to this story.

[chalkrub]

autumnal chill....featuring the girl

[noodles-and-tea]

I don’t know if it’s just because of Alex’s personal voice quirks or whatever but Bill and Stan talk in quite a similar manner and my personal head canon is that Bill does it on purpose to mess with Ford :(

[canisalbus]

✦ Picciriddu ✦