A Thousand Years

Blindfolds and Apple Juice

"A blindfold, Callen? You can't be serious." I say as I stand by the passenger side of the car.

"I don't want you to figure out where we're going! I'm not going to drive you off a cliff." Callen says as he ties it around my head.

"Now you've got me worried, Callen." I joke as he helps me into the car.

"Have I been here before?" I question.

"I'm not saying anything!" He says as he closes the door.

Callen hops into the front seat and starts the car. He pulls out of the restaurant parking lot and merges with traffic.

"We're on the 101." I say as I sink my head into the headrest.

"How'd you know that? Can you see?!" Callen asks worried.

"Ha! So we are on the 101!" I say with a snort.

Callen laughs along. "You're always good at making me fall for that kinda stuff. But that's it, Kensi Marie Blye. You're not going to find out where we're going until we get there."

Callen turns up the radio, and the song "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri begins to play.

Tears begin to form in my eyes, making me glad that I'm wearing a bandana to cover them up.

It's our wedding song. It's our song. Deeks and I danced as husband and wife for the first time to this song. This song holds so many memories.

"You're not allowed to cry, Kensi." Callen says out of the blue.

"How did you know I was crying?" I ask with a sniffle.

"I'm your friend, Kensi. I know you like your my sister. Today is supposed to be fun. Deeks would want you to be happy!! Besides, we're almost there!" Excitement clings to his voice.

After what felt like eternity later, Callen finally puts the car in park.

I begin to take off my blindfold when Callen swats my hands away from my face.

"My day, my rules. You're not taking that off quite yet, missy." Callen says as he hops out of the car.

Callen helps me get out and he begins leading me away from the car.

"I can't smell salt." I say sniffing the air.

Callen laughs as he helps me walk further towards our destination.

"We're not by the ocean, I don't hear any cars..." I say trying to figure out where we are.

"You'll never guess, Kensi!!" Callen says with a laugh.

"Are we there yet?" I ask.

Callen ignores my questions and we continue our walk down what I think is a trail.

After what seems like ten minutes, Callen stops me and takes off my blindfold.

I open my eyes, and to my surprise I see all my friends, Nell, Eric, Michelle, Joelle, and mostly importantly Liam and Iris, who's cuddling with Eric.

They are all sitting on a picnic blanket in the middle of a huge, green field.

"This is amazing, you guys!" I exclaim as I put my hand over my mouth in shock.

There is enough food to feed an army, maybe two.

I sit down next to Liam, who immediately gives me a hug.

"Mommy!" He says as wraps his little arms around my neck.

"Hey buddy!" I say as I plant a kiss on his forehead.

"You guys went to so much work! This is incredible! Thank you!" I say as tears flow down my cheeks.

"This was all Callen's idea." Nell says with a smile. "He even planned the whole thing!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Callen says shooting a glance at Nell. "Does that come to some sort of surprise? I plan a lot of things!!"

The entire group laughs.

"Sure, Callen. Whatever you say." Nell says with a wink.

"This is amazing, G. Thank you." I say with a smile.

"Who wants a drink?" Eric says as he pulls out a bottle of sparkling apple juice.

"I didn't want to get arrested for public intoxication or drinking in public, so I brought apple juice." Eric says while unscrewing the cap.

"That's alright with me!" Joelle and I say in unison.

"I hate apple juice." Liam blurts out.

The whole group laughs as Eric pours us all a glass.

"To Marty." Callen says raising his glass.

I smile. "To Marty." the whole says in unison and we clink our glasses together.

After we eat most of the food and drink all of the juice, we begin to pack up when I look up at the sky.

I see a shooting star.

I close my eyes and begin to make a wish.

"What are you doing?" Nell asks as she stands beside me.

"Making a wish. I saw a shooting star." I say as I finish making my wish.

"What'd you wish for?" She asks.

"If I tell you it might not come true." I say still staring at the darkening sky.

She pats me on the back.

"He's going to be coming home, Kens."

•
•
•
•
"Who said you could drive my car?" I ask Eric as he throws me the keys.

"Callen - t-told me that is was-"

"I'm messing with you, Eric!" I says as I nudge his shoulder. "You can drive my car anytime you want." I say with a smile.

Eric pulls me into a hug.

"The kids are all strapped in!" Michelle says as she closes the car door. "And sound asleep."

"It's pretty late," I say glancing at my watch. 20:00. They're usually in bed my 19:00.

"It was so nice seeing you again!" I say as I pull Michelle into a hug. "We'll have to do lunch together sometime!"

"That'd be great!!" She says with a smile.

Callen approaches my car and gives me one last hug.

"Thank you so much, Callen. This really meant a lot to me." I say as I pull him into a hug.

I hold onto him for s good 30 seconds before letting go.

"It was my pleasure, Kensi." He says as he pats my shoulder. "Drive safe." He says with a wave.

I hop into the front seat of my car. I glance in the rear view mirror and see both Liam and Iris sleeping.

I smile and start the car.

I begin to drive home and secretly wish that Deeks was at home so I could say my wish came true.