How Green Becomes Wood

"That's true too," Daizi sighed, eating some of her own ice cream since Ivy seemed to be eating hers fine now, "I just worry. I wish her life could always be like this, where everyone is kind to her and she doesn't have to worry about keeping herself safe, but I know it can't be, and isn't healthy if it could be."
 
Alec grinned and nodded as he scooped up another bite of ice cream. "Today was amazing! I had a fantastic time, and I think we tired out Ivy and Enkidu."

"Enkidu is so out of it," Xander chuckled. "It was a great day."
 
"I bet he has," Alec said.

The twins finished off their ice cream and cleaned up. Once they were clean, then they helped clean Ivy up, which was a more difficult task.

"At least she seems to like ice cream," Alec noted.
 
"So long as she doesn't have to touch it, right?" Daizi said, ruffling Ivy's hair, "I love the little bob she has now, it's getting so long. One day we're going to actually cut her hair for the first time." She lingered for a moment, curling the ends of Ivy's hair around her finger, and then said, "I have the taxi service saved, so if you're both ready, I can call them."
 
"Aw, Mama, can't she keep growing it long? How long can a toddler's hair get?" Alec asked with a grin. "It's so incredibly cute."

"Must be a nightmare to keep brushed," Xander said. "Yeah, I think it's taxi time. The website says well-behaved pets are allowed. You're well-behaved, right, Enkidu?"
 
"I don't want to cut it yet, but eventually we'll probably have to. As long as she lets us brush it, and most of the time she does, it isn't a problem, but if it gets long and she starts fighting it, then we'll probably need to." Daizi explained, "If she never fights us on her hair, I'd probably let her grow it until she asks for it to be cut. Just like with ear piercings."

Enkidu lifted his tired head and dropped it into Xander's lap while Daizi called the taxi service.
 
Soon enough, the taxi arrived. Since Daizi had mentioned they had a stroller, a dog, and needed a car with a car seat, they company had sent a car able to easily accommodate them so there were no issues. Ivy was a little bit hesitant about this new car, but she was so tired she didn't fight for long over it.

After a much shorter drive than the walk had suggested, they were home again, and once Ivy had been taken out of this car seat, all she wanted to do was snuggle in her mother's arms. She had no interest in play, no interest in a snack, or books, or anything, she just wanted to be held. "Did we eat everything in the picnic basket?" Daizi asked, stepping out of her shoes as they stepped in and helping Ivy to touch the salt, "Otherwise we need to put what's left in it away."
 
"There's nothing left but crumbs," Alec informed her. He and Xander had made certain of that. "There are a couple of Ivy snacks. I'll put those away really quickly."

"You and the Mini can chill. We've got this," Xander assured her.
 
"Snuggle away!" Alec said happily as he went to put things away.

Xander took a minute to give Enkidu a rub-down to make certain he wasn't bringing anything into the house. Then he gave Enkidu a pat and sent him off to do whatever he wanted.

Kiki came scampering down the stairs, mewing excitedly. Once she found Alec, she climbed up his pant leg and attached herself to his shoulder. Alec supported her gently and told her he was very sorry for not taking her to the park. Maybe next time, after they'd had more practice with her leash and harness.
 
Daizi just went to the living room and curled up in her favourite chair, holding her sleepy baby in her arms. It was a feeling that hadn't gotten old, and she hoped it never would as Ivy continued to get bigger. Occasionally Ivy would murmur something, but even though she stayed awake, she was quiet and relaxed.

About an hour or so later, Dark came back home, quietly slipping inside. He didn't know what his family had gotten up to while he was gone, but he was never the sort of man to step inside and immediately call out to see who was around. Instead he came inside, took of his shoes, touched the salt, locked the door, and simply poked his head first into the kitchen before heading towards the living room so see who was around.
 
Xander and Alec were in the kitchen, sitting at the table with papers spread out around them. When Dark walked in, both tensed, instantly holding their hands over their papers, looking as though they had something to hide. When they saw who it was, they relaxed.

"Hi, Ba!" Alec chirped happily. "Mama's in the living room with Ivy, who may or may not be asleep."

"Good day?" Xander asked, idly folding a piece of paper into an airplane.
 
Xander flicked the airplane at Dark, and it looped once before wobbling its way into a nosedive. "Making plans," he said, looking beyond Dark to make sure no one was in the doorway.

"A lot to plan for!" Alec said cheerfully. "So many things to plan for." He shifted one of the papers "casually" onto the top of the pile so Dark could "accidentally" see it. It was labled "Father's Day" and had drawings and scribbles of plans, including clowns and party balloons.
 
When he saw Xander's gaze, he glanced behind him. The he turned back to the table and picked up the page Alec had so clearly meant for him to see. After a few moments he said, "I would not recommend going through with this one." Then, dropping his voice asked, "Are you also planning for Mother's Day?"
 
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