FINALLY finished this one. Sorry it took so long and that this chapter is likely overly long. I just couldn't seem to wrap it up. I really never expected it to go on the way it did, but it's done now and I can get back to TG. Thanks to those of you who have been reading and reviewing. As always, I really appreciate it.

xxxxx

Affter entering the house, Eric and Nell immediately gravitated toward the children. Eric began helping Aiden and Brian with the train and Nell introduced herself to Becky and chatted with her and Kamran as they petted and played with Monty. Callen watched with interest, a small smile on his lips.

"Dare I even ask what's going on inside that brain of yours, Mr. Callen?" Hetty asked.

Callen shook his head then turned towards Hetty. "I'm just happy the kids are having a good Christmas. It's just too bad it's all going to end after today."

"That's not a very positive attitude for Christmas Day," Hetty said. "Where's your sense of Christmas magic?"

"I'm afraid Christmas magic only exists in my dreams."

"Surely you had some nice Christmases?" Hetty asked. It wasn't anything they had ever really talked about. She knew he'd had a very hard life and she bore her share of the blame for it. She'd done the best she could by him once she had gotten him out of the system, but she knew it didn't make up for his earlier years of suffering.

Callen didn't answer her at first, seeming to be deep in thought, then he smiled at Hetty. "You gave me some very nice Christmases. I always appreciated that."

"None before that?" she persisted.

Sensing she was bothered by it, Callen strove to reassure her. "They weren't so bad, Hetty...anyway, it was a very long time ago."

"Yes...yes it was," Hetty nodded sadly. She knew there was nothing she could really do to make up for the losses in his life, but she would never stop trying. Above all else, she wanted him to be happy.

xxxxx

Deeks arrived back at the house about an hour later and he wasn't alone. Accompanying him was a young couple. "Hey everyone, I'd like to introduce you to some friends of Kensi and mine. This is Sarah and Brandon Edwards. They're going to be joining us for Christmas dinner. He proceeded to make introductions before heading back to the kitchen. "I need to check on the food."

Callen watched as Deeks went into the kitchen and Sarah and Brandon went over to Eric, Nell and the children. "Wonder what that's all about?" he asked Hetty softly. "I thought this was going to be only a team celebration."

"Do a few more people make a difference?" Hetty asked. "I'm sure there is more than enough food."

"No, it's not that," Callen said, feeling silly. "It just struck me a little odd is all…never mind." He sat for a few more moments and then got up. "I'm going to see what Deeks and Sam are up to. Can I get you anything?"

"No, no, I'm fine," Hetty said with a shake of her head.

"Okay…" Callen headed out into the kitchen where Deeks and Sam were talking quietly together. They stopped when he entered the room. "What's up, guys?" he asked, suddenly feeling like an intruder.

"Nothing, G," Sam said with a smile. "How are you doing?"

"Good...is there something going on I should know about?" he asked suspiciously.

Deeks sighed. "Maybe?"

Sam gave Deeks an annoyed look. "Really, Deeks?"

"Well, I don't see the point of keeping it a secret," Deeks said with a shrug.

"Maybe because I don't want to get his hopes up if it doesn't work out," Sam said.

"What's going on?" Callen asked with a smirk. "Trust me, Sam, if I don't get what I want for Christmas, it won't be the first time."

"There was something you wanted for Christmas?" Deeks asked.

"No, Deeks. Now tell me what's going on, since my partner obviously isn't going to."

"Our friends...they recently finished all the qualifications to adopt a child," Deeks stated, getting right to the point.

"A child as in one," Callen said, not willing to get his hopes up.

"One to start with," Kensi said, coming into the kitchen. "They both want children very badly. They're not able to have any naturally."

"Oh, so…"

"I called them and told them about Becky and Brian," Kensi said softly. "They wanted to come here to meet the children."

"So, maybe…" Callen began.

"It was just a thought," Deeks said, "but we didn't think it could hurt to have them come here and see if anything could develop."

"Thanks," Callen said, giving a heartfelt look to Kensi and Deeks. "I realize that it might not work out, but...it means a lot that you two are trying to help. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Deeks said, his blue eyes filled with emotion. "You and I come from different places, but we both know what it's like to have a rough childhood. I'd love to get these kids into a loving environment, if it's at all possible."

Callen smiled and nodded, then bowed his head, blinking back the sudden tears which he felt welling. That would be the very best Christmas present he could imagine, both for him and for Becky and Brian.

xxxxx

Dinner was finally ready and Becky and Brian both looked amazed at the amount of food on the table. Brian, especially, ate a ton, in spite of the amount he had eaten for breakfast. "He probably thinks it will be a really long time before he gets to eat food like this again," Callen whispered to Sam.

Sam nodded sadly, knowing that his friend was likely right, and not even wanting to think about them going hungry or that his partner had experienced similar things as a boy. "Maybe it won't be." He knew that Callen was keeping a sharp eye on the interactions between Sarah, Brandon and the children. They looked like they were getting along very well, but who really knew about such things?

"Can someone cut my meat, please?" Becky asked shyly. Her eyes were on Callen, but he wasn't sitting near her.

"I can do it for you, sweetie," Sarah said. Deeks had strategically seated her beside Becky and Brandon was seated next to Brian.

"Thank you," Becky said, smiling up at Sarah.

Deeks and Kensi shared a smile which Callen caught and it caused his hopes to rise despite his attempt to keep a lid on his emotions. He was no stranger to disappointment. At least the kids had no idea of what was going on.

"Anyone want dessert?" Deeks asked when it seemed everyone was done eating. "Or should we wait a bit and rest our stomachs?"

Everyone agreed to wait and complemented Deeks on a delicious meal. After the meal, he said he had to go run another errand and headed out while Callen and Sam cleared the table and the others went out to the living room.

"So, I'm sorry about earlier," Sam said as he handed Callen a freshly washed dish to dry. "I shouldn't have tried to keep that from you."

"I get it, Sam," Callen said as he carefully wiped the plate, "but you should know by now you don't need to protect me."

"Old habits," Sam said with a shrug. "You're my partner...I'm always going to want to protect you. It's instinctive. I'm pretty sure it's the same for you."

"Yeah, you're right," Callen said, smiling at his partner, knowing that it was true. They were family...brothers...Protecting each other was just something they did.

xxxxx

"Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas, everyone!" Callen had to look twice to see that the Santa Deeks from his dream hadn't just entered Kensi and Deeks' living room. Although, honestly speaking, there was little, if any, difference between the two. Deeks had managed to score a very authentic-looking Santa Claus outfit, identical to dream Santa Deeks.

"Santa!" Becky squealed in obvious delight. "I can't believe you came!"

"I don't think he's here for us, Becky," Brian whispered to his sister, a guarded expression on his face.

"Yes he is. You're here for us, aren't you, Santa?" Becky asked.

"Of course I am, darling. I'm especially here for you and your brother."

"What about Kamran and Aiden?" Becky asked, looking worried.

"We already had our Christmas at home," Kamran reassured the little girl with a smile.

"Do you have presents for us, Santa?" Becky asked, hopping from one foot to the other, unable to contain her excitement.

"Well yes I believe I do have some gifts for you," Santa said. He began rummaging through the laundry bag and came up with some small gifts for the children, toy cars and action figures, a Barbie doll, puzzles, some paint sets, coloring books and a large set of crayons, stuffed animals and a few other assorted things. "I have two more gifts for you that wouldn't fit in Santa's sack. I'll be right back."

"More presents?" Becky said, wide eyed. "Brian, we never got so many gifts before."

"Or such nice gifts," Brian said. "It's pretty cool." He also looked very happy but didn't show his emotions as exuberantly as his younger sister.

"You'll have to tell me what I owe you for all this stuff, Sam," Callen whispered to his partner. "You did a great job."

I don't want any money, G," Sam said. "I wanted to do this. Besides, Eric and Nell got a few things as well."

"How did they even know about the kids?"

Sam shrugged. "I guess Hetty must have told them."

"They look really happy," Callen said, his eyes on the children. "I'm really glad they at least have today…"

"Maybe more than just today. Even if it doesn't work out with Kensi and Deeks' friends, Hetty is involved now and she has connections, G… maybe she can help."

"Yeah, maybe," Callen said.

Just then, Santa came back into the living room carrying two large boxes, one which he handed to Becky and the other to Brian.

"Thank you, Santa," Becky said, as she immediately began to tear into her package. When she opened it, she looked at the box in wide-eyed astonishment before pulling out the American Girl doll. "She's so beautiful. I love her!" She hugged the doll tightly against her chest. "I never thought I could have anything as nice as this."

"Sam?" Callen looked at his friend in astonishment. "You didn't find that in a drugstore…"

"No, I didn't," Sam said, as he looked proudly at his daughter. "Kamran always took very good care of her dolls, G. She's just like brand new."

Callen swallowed hard as he looked over at Kamran who was watching Becky, a happy smile on her face. "She's quite a girl, Sam...I don't even know what to say."

"It was all her idea. She wanted to do it."

Callen nodded, knowing how proud Sam was of Kamran. He knew Michelle would have been very proud of her as well. "You and Michelle did a great job with your kids."

"Thanks G," Sam said, tears welling in his eyes. "I see more and more of her mother in Kamran every day."

At that point, both men directed their attention to Brian who was ripping open the wrapping paper covering his box. When he had uncovered his package, he stared at astonishment at the train set. He looked up at Santa, knowing it was Deeks, looking as if he was going to cry. "Thank you so much...I'll take really good care of this."

"You're welcome, lad," Santa said, giving Callen a shiver down his spine. He immediately recognized the train set from Deeks' bar. He gave Kensi a questioning look and she looked back at him with a smile on her face.

"Well, Santa must be going now," Deeks said. "Merry Christmas, children. Merry Christmas, one and all."

Callen stared at Deeks as he left the living room and then smirked to himself. Maybe there really was some Christmas magic to be found after all.

xxxxx

"That was a really nice thing you did for Becky, Kam," Callen said as he hugged Sam's daughter goodbye.

"I wanted to do it, Uncle Callen. I have so much and they have so little. It was the least I could do."

"Your mother would be very proud of you, sweetheart," Callen whispered, kissing Kam's forehead. "Merry Christmas."

"I hope so," Kam said, looking a little bit teary. "I would want her to be proud of me."

"You don't have anything to worry about."

"Merry Christmas, Uncle Callen. I hope they find a family to love them."

"Thanks, Kam. I hope so too."

xxxxx

The house emptied out quickly with only Callen, Hetty and the children remaining. Becky and Brian were playing by the tree in the living room, while the adults were enjoying coffee in the kitchen.

"So...Callen asked after a bit of time when no one had brought up the subject of Sarah and Brandon. "Did they say anything?"

Deeks and Kensi looked at each other and both broke into smiles. "They love the kids, Callen," Kensi said happily.

"I've already been in contact with Debra," Hetty said. "She is going to speak with the Edwards couple tonight and check into their credentials tomorrow, just to be sure their qualifications have been completed. If they are, they will be free to take the children home with them tomorrow."

"Really?" Callen asked, afraid to believe it could be true.

"Really, Mr. Callen," Hetty said. "If everything works out for them all, they could officially adopt the children in six to 12 months."

"That...that's great," Callen said, once again having to hold back tears. It was the happy ending he had often dreamed of as a child. He knew what it was like to be in these children's shoes and couldn't imagine anything better for them.

"We'll be able to keep tabs on the kids, too," Kensi said to Callen, "so you'll know how they're doing. You'll even be able to see them sometimes. We'll have cookouts and things like that."

"That's great, Kens...thanks," Callen said.

"But for right now, I think we'd better get them to Dovecote with us," Hetty said. "It's been a long day. I daresay all of us could use some sleep."

"I think you're right, Hetty," Callen said, then looked at Kensi and Deeks. "Thanks for everything you did. I can't tell you how much it means."

"We wanted to do it, Callen," Kensi said. "I'm just glad it seems to be working out for them."

"Me too," Callen said, smiling.

xxxxx

The children were amazed at the size of Dovecote, but as Hetty had predicted, they were all pretty tired and settled down to sleep soon after they arrived. Callen slept in his old bedroom and the children were given one of the many guestrooms with two twin beds, Hetty rightly predicting that they would want to remain together. The next morning, Hetty made chocolate chip pancakes which the children loved. "I don't think we're going to get food like this again for a really long time," Brian said, trying to make the last few pieces of his pancake last. "I wonder where we'll be going next…"

"Don't worry about that now, Brian," Callen said. "Just try to enjoy today, okay?"

"I have a wonderful surprise for you children," Hetty said. "I managed to get us tickets to the afternoon matinee of the Nutcracker this afternoon."

Becky's eyes lit up joyously. "Oh thank you!" she said excitedly. "Someday I want to be a dancer. Maybe I'll even be able to take lessons."

"In your dreams," Brian said. "No foster family is going to pay for you to take dancing lessons."

"Maybe they will. You don't know," Becky said, her expression changing from happy to sad in an instant. She looked at Hetty hopefully. "You have a very big house...maybe we could come to live with you?"

"Oh dear, I wish you could," Hetty said, with genuine regret. "I'm afraid I wouldn't be a suitable parent for the two of you. It really wouldn't be fair."

"We don't care if you're old," Becky said as Hetty chuckled at the child's bluntness.

"Becky, shut up!" Brian said. "She doesn't want us...nobody does."

"Come now, children, that's enough," Hetty said. "We're going to have a very nice day and I don't want you worrying about where you're going to go next. I have a feeling it may be somewhere very nice."

"Don't think that's happening," Brian muttered under his breath, but he didn't say anything else and their breakfast was finished without further incident.

xxxxx

Brian sat in a chair in the corner of the children's boutique, looking miserable as his sister tried on yet another dress. "Oh my God," he said to Callen. "Are we going to be here forever?"

"Probably not quite that long," Callen said, though privately he'd also had enough of the boutique. Hetty had insisted on buying the children some nice clothes to take with them, which had been quickly accomplished with a minimum of fuss. However, Hetty was having fun searching for the perfect dress for Becky to wear to the ballet and that was proving to be time consuming.

"How many dresses can she try on?" Brian asked. "A million?"

Just then Becky came out of the dressing room wearing a red velvet Christmas dress trimmed with white lace and finished with a big bow in the back. "Do you like it?" she asked, twirling around. "It's the most beautiful dress I've ever had."

"I have to agree," Callen said, admiring the dress. "You look very pretty, Becky."

"Thank you," Becky said smiling. "This is so much fun. I wish we could live with you forever, Auntie Hetty."

Hetty smiled, touched by the little girl's proclamation. "I wish you could too dear," she said softly. "But come now, it's getting late. Let's pay for these things and then we'll be off to the ballet."

Brian rolled his eyes as Callen patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Hetty took me to see the Nutcracker the first Christmas after she took me in. I pretended to hate it, but secretly I really had a good time," he whispered.

"I heard that, Mr. Callen," Hetty called back even though she and Becky were several feet in front of Callen and Brian.

"I figured you would," Callen said with a smirk.

xxxxx

The Nutcracker proved to be a success with both children in the end. Becky especially loved the beautiful costumes and graceful ballerinas and Brian enjoyed the sword fighting and the battle of the mouse king. Afterwards, they went out for ice cream sundaes and then got back into the car.

"Are we going back to your house now, Auntie Hetty," Becky asked tremulously.

"No dear," Hetty said smiling at her reassuringly, "but I do think you'll be very happy with your new foster home." She had spoken with Debra several times during the day and everything was in place for the children to be placed with the Edwards couple.

A half hour later, they arrived at a nice one-level home. Both children reluctantly walked up the pathway to the front door. "Come now, children," Hetty said. "I have a very good feeling about this home."

"That's because you've never been a foster kid," Brian said. "You don't know what it's like."

From inside the house, a dog started barking. "Oooh, they have a dog," Becky said, her eyes lighting up.

"They probably won't let you touch him," Brian stated. "Or if they do, he's probably a mean old thing who will bite you."

"You're a mean old thing," Becky said, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.

"Everything's going to be okay, kids," Callen said. The idea of surprising them was backfiring. He rang the doorbell and Sarah opened it moments later, a happy smile on her face.

"I'm so happy to see you," she said, looking at the children. They both stared back at her, seemingly in shock.

""We're staying here… with you?" Becky was the first one to get her voice back as she walked towards Sarah tentatively. "Really?"

Sarah nodded, her own eyes filling with tears. "Yes, really," she said, "and hopefully for a very long time."

Becky threw herself into Sarah's arms. "Oh I'm so happy," she exclaimed.

"I'm very happy too, darling," Sarah said.

Brian stood outside the door, still looking very wary. "Why would you want us?" he asked finally. "Why wouldn't you want a baby?"

"Are you saying you don't want to be here?" Brandon asked softly, coming up beside his wife. "We've wanted a family for a very long time, Brian. The age of the children doesn't matter to us. In any case, we think this is perfect, a boy and a girl. It gives us a ready made family. Are you willing to give it a try?"

Brian hesitated as if thinking it over and then smiled. "Yes...I think I'd like that very much," he said. He then turned to Callen. "You knew we were coming here?"

Callen nodded. "We thought it would be a nice surprise. I'm sorry if it wasn't the best idea."

Brian shook his head. "No, it's fine. It's good...It's really good."

"Did I hear a dog barking?" Becky asked.

Brandon nodded and smiled at the little girl. "It's our dog, Rusty. He's a golden retriever, very friendly. "Would you like to meet him?"

Becky nodded eagerly. "I'd love to meet him."

"He's in the kitchen. I'll go get him."

"Forgive my manners," Sarah said as she focused on Callen and Hetty. "Please have a seat. Can I get you anything? Coffee or tea? Something cold, perhaps?"

"No, I'm good, thank you," Hetty said as she sat down on the sofa. Callen sat beside her and also said he was fine.

A few moments later, Brandon came into the living room with Rusty on a leash. The dog was bouncing around and wagging his tail excitedly. "Oh he's so pretty," Becky gushed, looking at him. Unafraid, she approached the dog. "Hi Rusty, you're such a good boy." She petted him and he licked her hand.

Brian then walked toward the dog and gently stroked his head. "How old is he?"

"He's just a little bit over a year old," Brandon said. "He's a really good dog." He then took the dog off the leash, seeing that the children seemed to be totally comfortable with him.

"Maybe we should get going?" Callen whispered to Hetty, thinking it would be good for the new family to have some alone time to get acquainted.

Hetty nodded. "A very good idea, Mr. Callen."

"We're going to head out," Callen said as he got to his feet.

"We'll have the children's Christmas gifts sent here tomorrow," Hetty stated.

Becky diverted her attention from the dog and went over to Callen, throwing her arms around him. "Thank you… thank you so much for helping us to find a family."

"You're very welcome, sweetheart," Callen said as he returned her hug. "You be a good girl, okay?"

"I will. I'll be a very good girl," Becky said, looking up at him solemnly.

"Thank you, Callen," Brian said, extending his hand to Callen in a grownup manner. "We really appreciate what you did for us."

"I'm glad I could help," Callen said. "Take care."

Brian nodded and then thanked Hetty as well. Becky went over to Hetty then, looking emotional. "Thank you for taking us to see The Nutcracker, Auntie Hetty. I'll never, ever forget it."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, dear," Hetty said as she embraced the little girl. "I'm sure we'll see you again."

"Really?" Becky asked.

Sarah nodded. "We can have them over to visit, Becky, cookouts, things like that.

"And if it's okay, I would love to have the two of you visit me, as well." Hetty said.

"And you too?" Becky asked, looking at Callen.

Callen nodded. "Of course."

With that, final goodbyes were said and Hetty and Callen went on their way, secure in the knowledge that the children were finally in a good place.

xxxxx

Callen visited with Hetty for a while at Dovecote and then, he headed back home. As he walked through the closed bar, he was suddenly startled to see Santa Deeks sitting at the bar, sipping a drink. "San...Santa Deeks? What are you doing here?"

"Santa Deeks? Really Callen?" Deeks asked as he faced his friend.

"Oh, I...I was just kidding around, Deeks," Callen said, feeling the heat going to his cheeks. "What are you doing here?

"Besides the fact that it's my bar?" Deeks asked with a grin. "I was waiting for you. I wanted to hear how the kids made out."

"Good," Callen said. "Really good. Your friends seem like great people, Deeks. Thank you for helping to set this up."

"You're welcome, Callen," Deeks said as he went behind the bar and got Callen a beer. "And you're right. Brandon and Sarah are really good people. This should keep the kids from having the kind of childhood you had, especially Becky with her being so young."

"Don't you mean the kind of childhood we had, Deeks?" Callen asked. "Your wasn't any picnic either."

"That's true," Deeks said quietly. "But, I still had my mom. That was my one constant no matter what else happened."

"And eventually I had Hetty," Callen said, nursing his beer. "I'm glad these kids got out of the system while they're still pretty young though. I'm glad they're going to have a real family." It would have been his dream to be placed into a good family with his sister. It hadn't been in the cards for them though. However, he was happy it had worked out for Becky and Brian.

Deeks nodded, realizing Callen didn't want to talk about his childhood. "Well...I guess I'll be heading home. Like I said, I just wanted to make sure the kids were okay."

"They're more than okay," Callen said. "I think they're going to be really happy." He stared back at Deeks and finally voiced what was on his mind. "Uh… Deeks? Why are you dressed up as Santa Claus?"

Deeks chuckled. "It's a surprise for Kensi. The jolly old elf is going to pay her a special Christmas visit tonight."

"Oh okay...enough said," Callen said, not wanting to hear anymore about whatever Christmas shenanigans Deeks had planned for Kensi. "Goodnight, Deeks."

"Goodnight, Callen," Deeks said as he headed to the door of the bar. "Ho, Ho, Ho. I hope you have a very happy new year, lad."

With that, Deeks headed out and Callen stared at the closed door long after Deeks had left. Finally, he shook his head and headed upstairs to his apartment. Deeks had just been messing with him. Santa Deeks was just a dream, a part of Christmas magic. In any case, he wasn't going to question it. Brian and Becky had gotten their happy ending and that was all that really mattered.