How Green Becomes Wood

"And the acceptable items are only the ones which belong to you," Dark repeated cautiously, staring down his brother who was currently trying to decide if he wanted to laugh or apologize.
 
"Uh-huh, uh-huh, and the ones I get permission for!" Alec agreed eagerly. "I understand! Thanks, Uncle Cooger! This is awesome!"

Xander glared at Cooger. "You." That was all he said.

"Ah, yes, perhaps I should give out mine," Ciara said hesitantly, watching the bedazzler. She had no idea what it was, but from everyone else's reactions, it looked like Trouble.

To Daizi, she gave a large, exotic sampler of fine teas around the world, each tea carefully sealed to preserve its freshness.

To Dark, she gave a very nice, rather high-end gold watch. It was by far not the most expensive watch on the market, but it was more than most would pay for a watch.

Xander received a framed vintage poster from the 1800's that showed a number of horse breeds in their "ideal" conformations.

When Alec eventually put down the bedazzler to open his gift, he received a book on Ikebana, the Japanese art to Flower Arranging. It was beautifully done and an excellent study and learning tool.
 
When Daizi opened her present, even blind she knew the scent of tea and thanked Ciara heartily for it, knowing she was going to love them. The sight of the watch made Dark pretty relieved about the money he and Daizi had spent on her pen, and he tried it on as he thanked her. Truthfully, he wore a gold pocket watch most days, at least when he was going out--- Daizi had given it to him last year, but he knew he'd wear it when the pocket watch felt like too much. And it was beautiful, he couldn't deny that!
 
The twins opened their gifts from Tristan, having lost them in the shuffle of others. Xander received a book on Taoism, basically a "Taoism for Dummies" book, though not in so many words and with a sleek design. Alec received a small vase that was designed to start avocados, including a small, three-prong basket that held the avocado in place without damaging it. Tristan promised that if he could keep the plant alive, he'd gift him a pot to plant it in.

Ivy's gift from Tristan was a beautiful book copy of "The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh," and a DVD set of the original animated TV series. Her gift from Ciara was a toy puppy that was nearly as big as Ivy and sat up. It was an Educational toy with all sorts of buttons and colors and squeezable hands and feet - or paws - and lots of sensory things. Cirara was quite proud of finding something so Educational that also looked to be fun for a toddler no matter how hideous it looked to her.
 
Dark and Daizi thanked Ciara and Tristan on Ivy's behalf. They didn't normally watch TV with her, but they guessed occasionally putting on Winnie the Pooh with her might be nice when they really needed her to be still and quiet for a few moments. The puppy immediately interested Ivy, and she quickly grabbed at it, accidentally making it sing.
 
Last edited:
"I put batteries in it," Ciara explained, wincing at the noise. "I thought you might not wish to go buy more for Christmas."

"It is colorful," Tristan remarked as Alec said much the same.

"I hate it," Xander murmured, but kept his voice low.
 
"Thank you, that is very thoughtful." Dark said, his face truly unreadable as he watched the heart in the center of the dog light up.

Daizi turned her head slightly to the side, eyebrows furrowed, "Why is the dog British?"

Cooger bit his tongue to keep from laughing thinking, well hell, his mechanical crab ain't so bad now! He stole a glance at Lex, needing to make eye contact with someone about this.

Ivy was utterly enthralled.
 
"Is it?" Ciara asked. "I had not noticed. I hope Ivy enjoys her new toy."

Lex caught Cooger's eye and bit her lip to keep from laughing. She gave him a slow headshake. Don't! Laugh!

Tristan subtly rubbed his chin, his fingers covering his mouth.

Alec clapped his hands. "I think that's everyone, right?" he asked brightly. "Did we miss anyone?"
 
Ivy grinned up at her, holding onto this horrible blue dog, and babbled.

"We ain't never getting that thing away from her," Cooger laughed.

Dark turned to Ciara kindly but unemotionally, "I believe I have it under control, but if it would please you to be busy, I am certain I can find you a task."
 
"I fear for her parents' sanity," Lex murmured to Cooger, watching Ivy with the dog. "I think they'll give her the crab to get a break!"

Ciara considered the answer. "Very well. As long as you are confident, I see no reason to interfere, but I am willing to lend aid if you should need it."
 
Cooger chuckled, "Give her the crab sounds like condemning her to some sort of torture. But I am curious to see if she likes it!" He looked over at Tristan, "Dude, I gotta tell ya: On one hand, your gift to the kid may not be the one which immediately caught her attention, but it certainly is the one her folks are most grateful for!"

Dark nodded, "If I find myself drowning, I will fetch you with the utmost gratitude. It should relieve you to know Daizi and I were able to do much of the prep work yesterday and the table is already set."

Sitting at the arm of the couch nearest to Ciara, Daizi smiled to herself at the way her husband and Ciara spoke to each other. They were so formal, it was so endearing. As Dark went to the kitchen, Daizi turned towards Ciara and asked, "How have you been? We haven't been able to catch up recently."
 
Lex snickered. "Yeah, it kind of does, but I bet she'll love it when she's not overloaded with choices."

Tristan smiled at Cooger. "I hope she will eventually find room for a bear with very little brain and his wide cast of friends, and I hope her parents will find some respite in the slower pace of older shows. I am curious, though, why a crab?"

"Good," Ciara said with a stiff nod. She turned at Daizi's question. "Things have been well. My boss was most confused as to why I requested this time off. He had forgotten I had family to attend to, and, thankfully, work is usually quiet at this time of year."
 
Cooger scooped Ivy up and sat her on the floor so she could do exactly as she liked, "To be honest with ya, I chose the crab because when I saw it, I thought I'd have loved to play with it as a kid. Looked fun as hell." He held up the crab for a moment and then set it down besides Ivy, who was looking around at all the adults from this new angle.

"I'm very glad you were able to join us," Daizi said earnestly, "I nearly slept through last Christmas, so I'm glad to actually have a functioning brain this year."
 
Last edited:
"It does look like a fun toy, and it is one of the lesser annoying ones," Tristan agreed.

"I want to get a pot and stick the crab in it," Lex grinned. "Hey, down there, Ivy! How's the view?"

Ciara dipped her head in a nod even though Daizi could not see it. "Last Christmas was... eventful. I was honored to receive an invitation to this year's get-together. I see your friends are not here, though. The Hollis' family."

Toby and Alec were sitting in the corner of the room trying to figure out how the bedazzler worked. Xander was near them looking through a book, but it was clear he was trying to keep an ear and an eye on his brother.
 
"Personally, I'd have designed it so the music was optional, but what can you do," Cooger shrugged and then playfully elbowed Lex, "That crab ain't for eating, show some respect!"

Ivy grinned up at Lex and then started crawling towards her brothers, but on her way she stopped short, something catching her eye, and crawled towards Tristan instead, curiously touching the wheel of his chair.

"They're in England this year," Daizi explained, "It seemed about time they actually go and visit Sally's mother. They did send gifts, though, we now all have matching t-shirts saying Mama Bat, Baby Bat, and so on."
 
Lex smirked at him. "What are you going to do about it, hmm?"

"Hello, there," Tristan greeted her. He set the lock on his wheels so she couldn't accidentally push them and squish her fingers or pinch them. "Do you like the shiny wheel?"

"Oh. That is very," Ciara paused, looking for the proper word, "thoughtful of them. I am sure Sally's mother was appreciative of their presence, as well."
 
"I'll give you the crab," Cooger attempted to tease but then made a face, realizing that sentence also sounded very wrong given the nature of their relationship, "I'll find a different sort of punishment."

"Ah!" Ivy giggled, standing up and really exploring the spokes. She had been around Tristan before, but it was so rare the chair always astounded her.
 
Lex clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing, not wanting to explain this to anyone who might ask. "A different punishment might be better," she rasped breathlessly, still fighting down laughter. "I want to ask for details, but I don't think I dare."

"Yes, those are wheel spokes," Tristan told her, leaning on the arm of his chair to watch her in amusement. "Lots of very shiny spokes."

"Is she alright?" Ciara asked, her forehead crimping in a line of concern, not certain of the propriety of letting a child feel around a man's wheelchair.

"Oh, she's fine," Tristan assured her. "I don't mind. It's good to let her satisfy her curiosity with someone she knows, after all."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top