How Green Becomes Wood

"She got me a guitar strap," Milo answered, while the adults in the room chuckled politely at Peter's story, "and yeah, I can get the bag my mom bought me. I really like it."

"Wait," Elle said, setting the camera down on the coffee table and sitting down across from Milo, "Before you do, I have one thing for you."
 
Peter, Xander, and Alec politely scooted farther out of the way to give them plenty of space, all very curious to see what would happen. Alec then picked up the camera and waited to see if it was a picture moment, feeling Milo would appreciate that.
 
"Oh, okay?" Milo replied, confused as to why this particular gift was being given separately from the rest, especially when the rest of his presents from her were really great. He didn't need anything else, it had already been a great birthday.

From her pocket, Elle took out a small box tied with a ribbon. When Milo unwrapped it, all he found inside was a single key. After staring at it for a few moments, he asked, "What is this?"

"A key to my apartment," Elle told him, suddenly feeling anxious for reasons she couldn't quite name. It made her look a lot like her son.

"...In Albuquerque?" Milo asked, "I thought you were renting a house? It was pink."

Putting her hand on his knee, she told him, "I was. But my lease was up, and I could have renewed it... But I didn't. I moved here, Milo. My apartment is only fifteen minutes from here." His breath catching in his throat, Milo stared at his mom, stunned into silence as he pinched the key between his fingers. When it was clear he wasn't able to say anything, Elle continued, "That's why I said we'll see about you visiting New Mexico, because I don't live in New Mexico anymore. I live right here. Look," from her pocket she pulled out her wallet and handed him the new, paper copy of her license since she hadn't received the plastic one yet, "There's my address."

"Is this real?" Milo asked, his eyes wide.

"Yeah, Bug," Elle told him, "I wanted your friends all here so they'd get to know too. I couldn't take you away from them, they're so good to you. And I want you to get to have them."

"But you loved your pink house."

"I did, but I love you more." Elle told him.

"What about your fish?"

"Here's here," She assured him, "and I have a job here, and I'm already connected to all my resources, so you don't have to worry."
 
Alec took a picture as Milo opened the box, capturing his confusion and Elle's guarded hope. When Elle told him everything, there was only one reaction. "Wow!" Alec whispered, his eyes wide. He was almost crying but managed not to, his heart brimming with gladness. He remembered in time to snap several quick pictures. "Milo! You get to stay! And have your mum! It's awesome!" He reached over and hugged Peter since he couldn't hug Milo right now, camera still in hand.

"That's terrific!" Peter cheered, accepting Alec's hug. "And so close! That's really, really awesome!"

Xander said nothing. He felt as if a weight he hadn't realized he'd been carrying had been removed, and a tightness in his chest eased. Milo was staying. Here with friends and family and stability and a safety net if anything did go wrong. It was the absolute best of both worlds. He looked away, unable to take the weight of everything and needing space to breathe. His eyes found a patch of white wall, and he focused on that while breathing. His emotions were all incredibly positive, but his expression had scrunched up in an effort to control himself, so it looked like he was holding back a frown of disproval.
 
Milo looked at his friends, eyes wide, glad, relieved, and still a bit confused, but he couldn't think of anything to say. His gaze lingered on Xander for a moment, and then he looked back at his mom, "Am I moving into your apartment?"

"That's something for all four of us to talk about," Elle replied. She and Milo's grandparents had talked about it some, and they had proposed a plan where he originally would only stay with her at the weekends, as she got settled, and then eventually move in fully, but they wanted to be able to talk to him about his needs and desires instead of just telling him what was going to happen. We was seventeen now, after all, and they felt he deserved that much.

"Can I stay with you this weekend?" He asked.

"Of course you can," Elle promised, squeezing his hand. Once she did, Milo made a tiny noise and hugged her tightly, just like he had when he saw her after school. He couldn't be totally sure, but this seemed like it might just be the best day of his life. This was one sudden, unexpected, rare day where he got everything.
 
"Oh, gosh," Alec whispered and hugged Peter tighter as a few tears escaped. "Dang it, I'm going to embarrass everyone! But it's so... it's so perfect."

Peter patted his back gently and didn't stop grinning. This was a very good day indeed! He was so happy for his friend!
 
The moment may have lasted longer, but then the doorbell rang, and the old, decrepit little dog leapt up as quickly as her old bones could manage and she started yapping. Milo's grandfather, who didn't quite know how to deal with strong emotions, cleared his throat awkwardly and said, "Sounds like the pizza's probably here."

Squeezing her son one last time, Elle whispered, "I love you, Milo," in his ear and then pulled away. Once she did, Milo sat still, looking at the key to his mother's apartment, and then tucked it away in his new pholio so he wouldn't lose it.
 
"I got it," Xander said, standing up and going to the door to collect the pizza. It was nice to have something to do if only for a moment.

Alec had the presence of mind to snap a picture right before Elle let go of Milo. It was off center, but it managed to capture both of their faces and the moment. He took a couple more shots of the gathering and then set the camera on the table before he could accidentally go through Milo's film.
 
Milo's grandmother got up and started distributing drinks to help everybody settle themselves a little bit. Although Xander went to get the pizza, Milo's grandfather still followed, because he liked to pay and tip in cash.

"How long have you been in town?" Milo asked his mother. Before, he had thought she only just would've arrived, but now he realized that probably wasn't the case.

"Just under a week," Elle answered, "I really wanted to see you sooner, but I wanted to tell you today, and you would've realized something was up if I met you when I first landed. You're too clever."
 
"That's true. He's got top marks in practically everything," Alec grinned, having finally released Peter. "Especially English, and his art! He works hard, and it shows."

Peter elbowed him before getting up to help Milo's grandmother. "You sound like you're trying to be a character reference for his first job or something."

"Oh, well, in that case, did I do a good job?" Alec asked with a cheeky grin.
 
Xander pretended to consider the question with great care. "My mama, possibly," he finally concluded. "Otherwise, nope. Just me. It opens a lot of doors to a lot of parties with a lot of food."

"Oh, yes, he just hops from party to party," Alec said dryly as he snagged a piece of pizza.
 
"That's what I meant. You go to parties for food, I go to parties to take pictures, but even with those benefits, they're still a party," Milo said, "and since they're still a party, neither of us go to many."
 
"It takes all sorts," Elle chuckled, before taking her pizza and once again retreating with Milo's grandparents to give the teenagers time to themselves.

After a few moments of eating pizza, Milo said, "I don't know what to do with myself now," but for once it was a positive statement.
 
"I don't blame you," Alec chuckled. "I think sitting and chomping on pizza for a while is good for me, but what do you want to do after? What's the first thing that comes to mind?"
 
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