How Green Becomes Wood

She immediately and willingly hugged him the moment he leaned into her, and stroking his hair like she always did, said, "No, hush, habibi. Don't apologize. You don't have to apologize."

Dark looked at Xander with the same expression he had when he had looked at Mrs. Anderson, but he did have the ghost of a smile, which he hadn't had before, "I am glad you feel safe with us. You are always safe with us, in our home. Our: Mine, and Daizi's, and Alec's, and yours, and Ivy's. I would fight for the two of you, or more."
 
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Xander blushed slightly and looked away.

Mrs Anderson nodded. "I think we have made a lot of progress in this session. Thank you, everyone, for your honesty." After a brief pause, she asked, "This has been a very emotional time, but may I please speak with Dark and Daizi privately for just a moment?"

Alec took a deep breath and slowly sat up, pulling away from Daizi reluctantly. "I guess we could wait just outside the door."
 
"Oh, sure," Daizi said, hesitantly, slowly releasing Alec before sliding back against Dark and holding his hand tightly. It seemed anytime a professional wanted to speak to them about the twins, they received a well-meaning lecture about what really they should be doing.

"You should find some water," Dark said, drying his face with one hand, "I am sure we will be out in a minute... She is probably going to wake up soon, she does not normally sleep so long."
 
"There is a water fountain just out in the hall, two doors to your left," Mrs. Anderson told them.

Xander stood up and led the way with Alec following close behind.

Once they were gone and the door closed behind them, Mrs. Anderson said, "I wanted to thank you again for coming in today. Many truly well-meaning parents forget that they need to take time to do these sorts of things. You have your priorities very well balanced, and I wanted to assure you that despite this current setback, you two are doing a very good job with what you have been given."
 
"Thank you," Dark said, but Daizi squeezed her eyes shut and slumped against his shoulder. It certainly didn't feel like they were doing a good job: yes, she wasn't in control of people's reactions, but she had distabilized the entire family by saying what they were going to have the baby call her. She should have thought ahead, had a discussion in advance, or... Something? It didn't really feel like parents who did a good ended up in a situation where the kids felt like they needed to leave because they were excluded from the "real" family. And she had tried so hard to still spend time with the twins, even when it meant missing out on a bit of sleep.
 
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Mrs. Anderson watched Daizi for a moment. "What you are feeling, Daizi, both now and about your baby, those are completely normal feelings. I don't know if that helps, but you are not alone. If you would like, I can get you the names of a couple of support groups for premature births and for adoptive parents. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who understands. You are doing very well so far, very well indeed." She glanced at her notes. "I did have one question I wanted to pose to you both more as a matter of curiosity."
 
"I don't know," Daizi replied gently, although she forced herself to sit up properly, "I don't really have the time to go anywhere."

Dark watched her and squeezed her in close, but responded to the therapist, "What is your question?"
 
At this question, Dark sighed heavily. Yes, in retrospect, he could understand that question. He had him in class. "At present, he is not listed as having an IEP. It is not terribly shocking that something like that has been missed," He paused, when Ivy began to fuss in her carrier, but when Daizi bent to get her he continued, "his biological mother was busy, and young... We should have paid more attention, especially since I had him as a student, but there was so much going on in his personal life at the time, and so much since then, I think any symptoms you may have noticed, we overlooked under the circumstances."
 
"That is completely understandable," Mrs. Anderson assured him. "I am not in a position to officially diagnose, of course, since I have only met him just now, but I would guess," she put emphasis on the word, "that it is not a severe case. However, it may be beneficial to explore those avenues, if you feel it is worthwhile." She checked her clock briefly. "I am afraid our time is up, but I would like to emphasize with you both that it is my sincere belief that you are both good parents. As with any relationship, parenthood is not as straightforward and simple as we might wish it to be, but you are doing well."
 
"Thank you. We will mention it to him," Dark said, standing and gathering their belongings while Daizi held Ivy, knowing she was probably hungry but not entirely certain what to... do about it. If they were at home, it'd be easy, if they were anywhere else she would find a quiet spot, but they were leaving a therapist's office after a difficult time.

Still, she diverted enough attention to Mrs. Anderson to thank her before leaving the room. Then she found Dark's arm and let him lead her out, because carrying a baby and using her cane to guide herself seemed like a disaster.
 
The twins stood by the water cooler a short distance away. Well, Xander stood. Alec sat on the floor next to him hugging his knees. Xander noticed Dark and Daizi first and nudged Alec with his knee. Alec looked up and scrambled to his feet, brushing himself off quickly.

"Time to go home?" Xander asked wearily.

"Home would be good," Alec agreed quietly.
 
"We can go home," Daizi said, astounding herself by how relieved she was to hear them call it that.

"Is she okay?" Dark asked, also wanting to go home, but not wanting to risk their collective sanity by being in a car with a screaming baby. She wasn't that worked up yet, just a little cranky, but that was never a stable place to be.

"It's only a twenty minute drive or so," Daizi replied, "How about you pull the car around with the boys and I change her, and then she'll probably be settled enough for the trip."
 
"There's a family bathroom just down the hall. Those usually have changing stations, right?" Alec suggested. "Do you want someone to be your eyes? I can help you get set up and then step out again."

"What's to set up with a changing station?" Xander asked, mystified.

"They are flat on the wall and sometimes hard to find," Alec told him. "Plus, they sometimes have clips and things to hold the baby still so they don't roll off."

"Oh. Sounds complicated."
 
"Oh, yes, if you could show me," Daizi said, realizing she would have probably found it difficult to find and set up on her own, "Thank you."

"They do not normally have them in Men's Bathrooms which I find particularly frustrating." Dark gripped, handing Daizi the diaper bag, "Do you want to try pulling the car around, Xander?"
 
"Okay, it's this way," Alec told her, leading the way. It was only a little farther down from the water cooler, and once inside the rather spacious room, it was easy enough for him to locate the tray attached to the wall and fold it down for Daizi. He led her over and showed her where it was before stepping back out of the room to give Daizi and Ivy privacy.

Xander blinked in surprise and took the keys. "Sure!" He headed out eagerly to locate and drive the car.
 
Daizi always took longer than Dark did to change Ivy. It was just more difficult for her, but it provided more than enough time for Dark to get Xander situated in the car and give him the brief time behind the wheel.

At least they had uncovered the problem, Daizi tried reminding herself, while she and her daughter were essentially alone. Through the door, she could be heard speaking to Ivy, although her exact words couldn't be made out. Really, she was just saying all the typical things parents say to babies, but for once, it was obvious she was forcing herself to sound cheerful, having not yet shook off the upset of the session.

But, soon enough, she came back out with Ivy snuggly in her carrier, "Alright," she said, "Now we can go home."
 
Xander drove with ultimate care, guiding the car around to the front of the office building where Daizi would come out. It wasn't a long drive, but it was a bit nervewracking being in a parking lot with other cars coming and going, but he enjoyed it.

Alec looked up as Daizi came out and managed a smile. "They should be out front now," he said. "Ready to go, Ivy?" He started walking toward the front door.
 
"I think she is very confused about where she is," Daizi said, allowing herself to smile a little bit, "Don't worry, habibti, we're going home to Ivy's house now." She smiled down towards the carrier before saying, to Alec, anxious she would have accidentally wounded him further, "It's not just her house, but we have to form word associations."
 
"Word associations?" Alec asked cautiously. He was actually more curious about the need to say things like than then hurt about the actual words. He'd heard a little about word associations, but he wasn't sure how they worked or were practical.
 
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