How Green Becomes Wood

Ivy was still snuggled up to Alec, enjoying all of the stories. Since all of them included added braille labels so Daizi could read them to Ivy too, she liked to run her fingers over the bumps and babble, since it's what Mama did.

When Dark came inside, he smiled in his little way to see his children so at ease with each other and he felt almost bad for interrupting.
 
"That's right!" Alec praised Ivy when she was done "reading" the braille. He wished he could read it, too, and he hoped she picked up how to read it. "Very good!" He noticed movement and looked up to see Dark. He smiled broadly and asked Ivy, "Ivy, what is this?" He tapped the book, hoping she'd get the idea. "What is it we're looking at?"
 
"Ah-ba," Ivy babbled looking at Alec with big, loving eyes as she nuzzled her cheek against his arm.

"Have you been reading with your brother Alec?" Dark asked, walking up to them, and hearing his voice, Ivy's face lit up.

"Baba!"

"Hello, my darling girl."
 
"Ivy, do you want Ba to read you this?" Alec tried again, holding up the book so she could see. "Do you want Ba to read you a book?" He hoped she would say the word herself, but if she didn't, he'd just tell Dark instead of babbling on foolishly.
 
Ivy took the book from him and held it up towards her father, "Book! Baba!"

His eyes lighting up, Dark went to sit besides them, "Ivy-Qadira! What a clever girl! Would you like Baba to read you a book?"
 
Alec grinned proudly. "Books are the best!" he stated. "I can hardly wait for Mama to finish work so Ivy can reveal her new word." He handed Dark the book but didn't make Ivy move, letting her choose to crawl over to Dark (and expecting she would) or stay with him while Dark read.
 
As expected, Ivy crawled immediately to her father and, rather than sitting at his side, went directly and uncarefully into his lap, making him wince, although he recovered himself quickly enough, "She will be absolutely delighted and so proud of you, Hummingbird. And luckily, she only has about half an hour left of her day."
 
Alec stretched out his legs and then stood. "I hope you two enjoy. Thanks for sharing your books with me, Ivy! It was very nice to read together. Now I have to go read homework problems to myself."
 
Dark stayed down with Ivy, reading her one more book before just holding Ivy in his arms and talking with her. Reading to her was great, playing with her was fun, but most of all he loved holding her close and talking to her, even though she could only say five words. It was the way she looked at him, her dark hazel eyes filled with so much love and trust as she snuggled into him.

Soon enough, Daizi finished her work day, and she came downstairs stretching deeply. Upon being alerted where her husband and baby were, she went over and joined them, worming her way underneath Dark's arm.
 
Xander came in about an hour later after having stood outside in the cold, fresh air for ten minutes. He was now frozen solid, but he could breathe without smelling the stain now. He hoped he didn't smell of stain. He really didn't want to shower just yet, but he would for Daizi's sake. He went straight to the kitchen and started heating the water for some tea. Heat needed!
 
When Xander came inside, Dark, Daizi, and Ivy all greeted him, but when he hurried off for tea, they snuggled back down. He had brought the cold in with him, and they were quite content to stay huddled together where everything was warm and cozy.

"Ivy-Qadira," Dark murmured to her, ruffling her hair, "Would you like another story?"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top