What Rule 12?

Chapter 18 (Epilogue)

(4 years later)
*Ellie POV*
It's been four years since Nick and I got married and found out that I'm pregnant and life couldn't be better. Leo is now five and we had another boy who is now three. We named him Bennett Jack. Nick told me how he wanted to honor Jack for helping the two of us get together so we made Jack his middle name. We also have a little girl who is one who we named Makenzie Fern in honor of Deeks and Kensi. Speaking of them, they had a little girl who is now three as well and named her Hetty Evangeline. They also do not work for NCIS LA anymore. Hetty retired three years ago and when no one from the team wanted to take over for her they all found new jobs. Kensi and Deeks moved to DC and joined this team. Gibbs retired two years ago and spends his time watching his three grandchildren. McGee was going to take over for Gibbs but he then decided to leave and go to a less dangerous job so I took Gibbs position. Nick is the Senior field Agent, Deeks is now an NCIS Agent and Kensi is still an Agent. We also have two privies who have been part of the team for a year. Ducky passed away last year so we no longer have a historian. Casey still works in forensics and Jimmy is still the ME. Jack also still works here but part time. She and Gibbs finally got married and she enjoys spending time with the kids as well. Today is a Saturday so we don't have work, but we are all getting together for a family get together which we do quite often. This time my family is coming from Oklahoma to join us. We are actually on the way back to our house now because we had to run to the store and get a few things. Once we get home, Nick gets Mackenzie out of the van while I help the boys out. They each grab a bag or two that they can carry and I grab the rest. We go inside and to the kitchen.
"Mommy, when is grandpa and grandma arriving" Leo asks
"I don't know. Ask daddy" I say
"Daddy" Bennett says
"Yes bud" nick asks
"When is Grandpa getting here? I want to show him my boat I got from the store" Bennett says
"He should be here soon along with pa and Mimi." Nick says
"They're coming" Leo asks
"Yes. We told you yesterday" I say
"I forgot" Leo says
"Me too" Bennett says
"No" Mackenzie says
"Is that my fern" we hear
"Uncle Deeks" Leo cheers
"Deeks, Kensi how did we not hear you come in" I ask
"Ninjas" Evangeline cheers
"Evi" Bennett squeals
"Benny" Evie squeals back
"My daughter is too young for this" Deeks says
"You're the one who said that our children would be dating." Nick says
"Yeah well I don't like it" Deeks says
Deeks takes Mackenzie from Nick's arm and the two of them take the kids outback. Kensi then comes over to me.
"You need any help with anything" she asks
"Nope. Just waiting on Gibbs because he said he'd do the grilling today" I say
"Okay. Well we better go check on the children" she says
"Yeah" I say
We go outback and McGee, Delilah, Johnny and Morgan are there.
"Did you guys come straight to the back" I ask
"Yeah. Morgan heard the screaming and wanted to see the baby" McGee says
"Mackenzie isn't even a baby anymore" I say
"No but to a 8 year old one is a baby" Delilah says
"Did Deeks complain about Bennett and Evangeline again" Casey asks walking out from the house
"How could you tell" I ask
"Because he's over there trying to stop them from hugging" she says
"Come on Deeks let them live. They're only three" I say
"No" Deeks says
"Martin Deeks stop it right now or I will convince Ellie to change the middle name of fern" Kensi threatens
"Fine" Deeks sighs
Him and Nick come over and I take Mackenzie from Deeks.
"Who all are we waiting on still" Casey asks
"The palmers, Gibbs and Jack, my parents, and my brothers" I say
"The Palmers have arrived." Jimmy says walking in
Him and Brena come over to us and Victoria runs over to Johnny and Morgan. A few minutes later Jack, Gibbs, and my parents walk out from the house.
"Hey Ellie" mom says
"Hey mom. Hey dad. Where are my brothers" I ask
"Oh yeah they couldn't come. They all got held up at work last night" she says
"Okay. Hi Gibbs and Jack. Gibbs the meat is in the house. Just needs to be grilled" I say
"Alright" Gibbs says
Nick takes Makenzie back from me and walks off with the guys. The girls and I take seats and start talking.
"I still can't picture Nick being a dad to a girl" Delilah says
"Yeah. It definitely is different" mom says
"Yeah but it's adorable. She is definitely a daddy's girl. He loves getting her dressed for the day and he always puts a bow on her that matches her outfit. I'm sure when she gets older he'll be doing a lot of tea parties" I say
"Of course he will. Deeks does a tea party at least once a day if not more" Kensi says
"You see, your dad never had to do that with you because your older brothers always bed you rough housing" mom says
"He's lucky" I say
We stop the topic, but continue to talk.
*Nick POV*
The ladies all sit down and start talking so I head over to Gibbs and the guys follow me besides Ellie's dad who goes over to the kids.
"There's my favorite princess" Gibbs says
He goes to take her from me but I turn.
"Nope. Not until you're done grilling." I say
"Whatever. How has work been going for all of you" Gibbs asks
"I got promoted again at work so I'm a promotion away from being a manager" McGee says
"That's good. I mean you are great with technology" Gibbs says
"Works been fine for all of us. Ellie loves being in your position but I know it gets stressful for her at times" I say
"I'm sure it does" Gibbs says
"Here Gibbs I'll take over grilling for you" Jimmy says
"You sure Palmer" Gibbs asks
"I'm positive" Jimmy says
Gibbs steps away and takes Mackenzie from me and then walks over to the rest of the kids.
"So Deeks, why don't you want Evangeline dating Bennett" McGee asks
"Because" Deeks says
"That's not a good answer" Jimmy says
"Deeks, they're only three. You have time. Once they are 16, if they love each other then maybe they can date. For now just let them be best friends. I think it's cute that they like each other" I say
"Ugh fine" Deeks gives in
Jimmy finishes with the food and we call for the kids. Everyone gets food and then we sit down.
"This is nice" Barbara says
"Yeah. We try to do it twice a month" I say
"Sorry we cant come out more" Richard says
"It's okay dad. You guys have your own life and other grandchildren who live a lot closer" Ellie says
"But it is nice when we get to see the two of you" Jack says
"I agree" Barbara says
"Grandpa. I got another boat from the store" Bennett says
"You'll have to show me after dinner buddy" Gibbs says
"Be careful Nick you're soon going to have a boat in your basement too" Delilah says
"That's not happening. If he wants to build a boat he can go to Gibbs's" Ellie says
"I don't want to build boats" Leo says
"That's okay. What do you want to do" I ask
"I want to be a super hero. Like mommy" Leo says
"Mommy's a super hero? Tell me more" I say
"She helps people. When people are in trouble she helps them. She also captures the bad guys. Did you know that daddy" Leo asks
"Really? Wow. I guess mommy is a super hero" I say
Ellie leans over to Leo and whispers something in his ear. He then gasps and smiles.
"Daddy you're a super hero too" he asks
"I guess" I say
"I have two super hero parents" he cheers
"Awe that's adorable" Casey gushes
"A kids imagination at its finest" Brena says
We continue to share stories and laugh for a few more hours until people start leaving to put kids to bed. By 8 o'clock everyone is gone and our kids are asleep.
"Tonight was fun" Ellie says
"Yeah it was." I yawn
"Nick it's only 8 o'clock. You should not be tired" she laughs
"Yeah well we have three kids who have a lot of energy. Leave me alone" I say
"Alright. Let's clean up then head to bed" she says
After twenty minutes everything is cleaned up and locked up and we are under the covers.
"I love you Charlie" I say
"I love you too Luis" she says
"I'm happy Gibbs burned rule 12" I say
"What rule 12" she smirks
I laugh and give her a kiss. She curls into my chest and we both drift off to sleep smiling about how we both got to where we are today.