How Green Becomes Wood

They all fell back into chatting: Zeinab and Amira made great effort to include the twins, Saladin tried somewhat but mostly focused on his new granddaughter and Daizi, and Neha hardly spoke to anyone, unless it was to try to explain something a little better or if she felt like she had a particular insight she deemed useful or interesting.

Of course, Daizi's father still continued to make pointed comments against Dark, which he didn't respond to, but made Daizi visibly uncomfortable everytime. Zeinab was the only one who would sometimes challenge him on it, but also largely let them slide, for the sake of keeping the peace.

Eventually, she sighed happily, and glancing out the window said, "Goodness it's gotten late. I would stay longer, but we've got a very big day tomorrow--right baby Qadira? Ah but she's sleeping, what an angel!---So I think we better go. There is cooking to do, anyway. Xander, Alec, it was so good meeting you!" She clapped her hands brightly and then went over to Dark, who was still sitting, and bent to kiss him on the cheek, which he accepted out of respect, "Get some sleep, Zalmi, you look like you are going to drop dead! Honestly. You have never learned to take proper care of yourself, habibi," then she went and hugged Daizi tight, but their goodbye was whispered.

Despite what he had been told, Dark stood, knowing somebody had to take them home (they had rented an airbnb, for kitchen use. Daizi had offered to let them stay at the house, but had been refused), but it was close to the hospital and wouldn't be an issue.
 
Alec smiled and told everyone how lovely it was to meet them. He held back a little, trying to gauge what each person would find appropriate. Xander stayed against the wall as if he was glued to it. He spoke only when directly addressed, more than willing to let his brother do all of the talking. He did wonder how Dark was going to get all five of them home and if someone had called for Cooger or a cab or something. Things were going to be very interesting on that drive. Alec wondered how he and Xander were going to get home, but he didn't speak up with the others in the room.
 
While the family was together in the hospital, it had become Cooger's job to bring all their luggage to their nearby lodging, followed by running errands to find all of the ingredients they needed for the big sebou feast. It wasn't his favourite way of spending a day, but it helped out the family, which was enough motivation. Since then, he had just been lingering nearby, and had gotten himself a milkshake, and browsed online for minivan rentals, so when Dark sent a quick text that they were ready to leave, he was able to pull up in just a little while.

Once the family had exited, Daizi sighed and flopped back down in bed (Ivy was in her cot, which had been moved closer to the bed). After a moment or two, she held her arms up and gestured for the boys to come over, "Thank you for being good... I knew you would be."
 
"I've missed them," She said, "it's hard being so far away from them... But I," she squeezed her eyes shut and fought back a scowl, "it's hard my father still hates Dark so much. I just wish..." She reached her hand over to lay it on Ivy's chest, "I'm very impressed with how well you bit your tongue, Xander."
 
"I think I might have chewed a hole through it," Xander said sourly. "But if that's what you want, that's what I'll do."

"We'll be going home once everyone else is settled, but do you need anything before we go?" Alec asked. "You'll soon be surrounded by people who want nothing more than to wait on you hand and foot, all day, but is there something you want from us? I figure we'll be kind of at the fringes for a while. Not that we mind it! There's just only so much room in your room or at your side," Alec chuckled.
 
"It's not what I want, it's what Dark wants. He thinks yelling and arguing with him will just make it worse. And since it affects him most... I've got a similar sized hole, or a larger one, since it's grown over the years," She shrugged, "You can just be here. That's all. Until Dark or Cooger comes to get you, just..."
 
Alec gently took her hand and squeezed it. "Don't worry. We'll be here as long as you want."

"Mini looks better," Xander told Daizi, trying to raise her spirits. "She looks... healthier and... red and bloodied."

Alec gave him a look. "Red and bloodied?"

Xander reddened and shrugged awkwardly. "You know, like she has a lot of good blood in her veins."
 
"It's not her blood." Daizi said, brushing her finger against Ivy's cheek, "but I'm glad she's done well on it. She's got the same blood type as Dark, so he wants to donate a ton of blood to have on hand for her. The nurse said it's unnecessary."
 
"That's good news," Alec agreed happily. "Very good new, indeed! Well, she looks strong and healthy. You, on the other hand, look like you could use a good nap. You are still pretty as can be, but tired."

"You really know how to flatter a person," Xander said dryly.

"I do try," Alec said and stuck his tongue out at his brother.
 
"I think it'll be a while before I get any sleep that could be described as 'good,'" Daizi told them, "even once I'm home, it'll be months before she sleeps through the night. Most babies don't start sleeping that long at a time until, like, three months or later, and since she's born six weeks early, she'll get all her milestones six weeks late. So we won't be sleeping for some time."
 
"That's going to be rough," Alec sympathized. "I'm sorry. Well, maybe you can sleep some during the day. We'll e extra quiet when we're home in case you're napping. Hopefully, when you're home, your naps will at least be a little better than here."
 
"I'm certain it will be. And Dark will be able to sleep, too. He's too big for this room. I want him to spend the nights at home, but I also want him here with me, and I can't have both. Tomorrow will be a good day. Tomorrow is a big day," She smiled almost wistfully, "I can't believe Ciara got them here. I can't believe she tried for us."
 
Alec smiled and patted Daizi's arm. "I don't see how she could have turned a blind eye after seeing how devastated you were. That would take a cold, hard heart, indeed! But tomorrow is going to be a big, special day! Marvelous!"
 
"I'm really happy Ivy gets to have it like she's supposed to. I still wish she could have had everyone in the family, and that Ciara and Sally could come, but the room just isn't big enough." She smiled, and pushed herself up so she could lean over and give Ivy a little kiss, "I can't believe you're almost a week old, Hummingbird. You're doing so good."

Dark came back inside, then, having successfully dropped off the in-laws, looking like he had survived an ordeal. He came over to Daizi and asked her a question in Arabic, and after she replied with a mild blush, he mumbled, "close your eyes," before kissing Daizi deeply. They could say what they wanted about him, nothing was going to change the way he felt about her.

"Okay," he said, a few moments after pulling away, "You can open your eyes. Cooger is downstairs if you are ready to go home, otherwise I will take you when you are ready. The family likes you, by the way, even Saladin."
 
Alec smirked but did close his eyes even though he wasn't as "grossed out" by PDA as Xander was. When Dark said they could look again, he said, "We can go with Cooger. You look like you've had enough driving people around for one day. I'm so relieved they like us!"

"Don't know why. We aren't exactly likable. People are usually too jealous of our awesomeness to like us," Xander said with a straight face.
 
"Well, the aunts learned to like Dark, and he didn't bother trying to be nice like you both did," Daizi mentioned, moving to make space for Dark on the bed.

"Alec is likable," he said, giving Xander a slight smirk as he settled in beside his wife.
 
"I knew he was the favorite!" Xander grumbled good-naturedly.

"We should be going and let you rest," Alec said, chuckling. "Be good!"

"Come on, favored child," Xander said, leading the way out of the room.

"Right after you, lesser child," Alec said cheerfully.

They headed out to find Cooger and head home.
 
Daizi made her goodbyes to the twins, laughing, and then once the door was closed, she fell against Dark, snuggling up with him. Her father could continue to hate him, she was never going to change her mind.

Cooger was waiting out by his truck, and he gave a mild wave when he saw them, "Hey there. How were the Wahids?" Actually, only half were Wahids, he didn't recall what the maternal aunts' surnames were.
 
Last edited:
"Excitable and loud, but cheery," Alec told him.

"A couple were grumpy, but the new baby distracted them," Xander said, climbing into the truck.

Alec smiled and climbed in next. "We were all on our best behavior."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top