How Green Becomes Wood

Of course Daizi couldn't see Alec's motion, but the sound of it gave her a pretty good idea of what he was doing, and laughing she asked, "Is Alec being silly? Is he really silly, Ivy?"

She wiggled a little bit, since it was about as much as she could do, but watched closely before dropping her head back down and sucking on her hand.
 
"Of course, Alec is silly. It is one of Alec's defining character traits," Alec said cheerfully. He pushed himself into a sitting position and remarked, "I wonder if Ivy will like one of us more than the other, or if she'll like Xander and I equally. I wouldn't mind either way, I'm just curious."
 
"I don't know," Daizi replied, reaching out to stroke Ivy's cheek, "I guess we'll find out. I hope she likes me and Dark equally, or if she has a favourite she's subtle about it."

From back where he was standing, Dark chimed in, "Right now, at least, you are her favourite. You feed her and she heard your voice before anyone else's."

"I hope you are not upset by that," Daizi said, still laying flat so she was as close to eye level with her daughter as was possible, even though it was a meaningless difference on her end.

"No, but it is true, at least for now," He replied, coming to sit on the floor with them, "but it is hard to predict who she will like more and if she will like someone more. If she grows up quiet and pensive, she will like me more, if she grows up loving bright colours and music she will prefer Alec..." He shrugged, "Right now, she could still be anyone."
 
"That makes sense. After all, she's learning how to people from scratch," Alec said cheerfully. He stretched and moved over carefully to give Dark more room. "Maybe she'll like me more when she's younger, but as she grows up, she'll like Xander more. Maybe she'll be a fighter like him!" He pushed his lip out in an annoyed pout. "But first I have to convince him to be in the band with me. It's no fun with just me and Peter."
 
"She is not even aware she is a person yet," Daizi cooed, stretching forward to kiss Ivy's head before continuing to initiate play.

"Why do you think he does not want to participate?" Dark asked, sitting back, "I know he was hesitant about the idea in the first place. Maybe he is like me and does not like the attention. Or you just have not found the way to pull him back in."
 
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Alec didn't argue with Daizi, but he felt a deep assurance that Ivy knew she was a person. Even if she wouldn't remember this time when she was older, even if she didn't know what kind of person she was, he felt certain she knew she was a person. There was absolutely no way he could prove it, and when he'd mentioned it to Xander, he'd gotten a puzzled look and a, "wouldn't the adults know what they were talking about?" So, he gave up and kept the thought to himself. Did it really matter if she did know or she didn't? Likely not, so why push?

To Dark, Alec shrugged. "He still can't let go of the idea that a hobby has to go somewhere or result in something despite seeing what you do and the fact that my art certainly isn't going to be getting me anywhere anytime soon."
 
"Well that is not his fault. We are constantly told everything we do needs to be productive, which is why we have so many people only reading books if it means they can complete challenges or finish a book every week, or only feel like they can engage in creative writing if their goal is publication, and nobody does anything just for themselves. You cannot even play video games anymore without being told you should stream it online." He looked down at Alec sympathetically, "I have no idea how to help you convince him otherwise. The whole world is oriented that way, or much of it is."

Daizi was listening to their conversation, but didn't really engage in it. She was too busy playing with her baby, because even though Ivy couldn't really play back, and she couldn't see her face, it was still fun to hear the little movements and squeaks. Honestly, now that Ivy didn't scream the whole time she was on her tummy, and found it bearable for about ten minutes at a time, the hardest part of it was giving it those minutes before scooping her back up, because all she wanted to do was snuggle the little baby.
 
"Well, maybe I can convince him that he's... training his mind or something," Alec said, nodding thoughtfully. "If he really doesn't want to, I'll drop it, but I think he would have fun. If he could just loosen up a little."
 
"That sounds like you're describing Dark," Daizi teased, giving into her desires and picking up Ivy. Still, to keep to this exercise time, she lay back and put Ivy on her chest like Dark would, "You can tell him its an excuse to spend more time away from a screaming baby, if it helps."

"Or that well practiced musicians can busk on busy streets to make extra money. He still is trying to save up for a car, right? And he plays guitar in your trio. Well, that is the perfect instrument to hit the streets with," Dark suggested. He hoped Xander would find a way to enjoy something just for what it was, and not for what it could do for his future, but until then, it seemed like a decent enough suggestion, and not a false one.
 
Alec brightened at that. "That's a great idea! And maybe two guitars would bring twice as much interest. I don't really want to play on street corners, but maybe we can arrange a trade. He plays with us for fun, and I'll play with him to get money which he can keep for his car!"
 
"See, it is at least a temporary compromise," Daizi smiled, "until either he learns to love music for the sake of music or you decide you like earning a little extra cash. But it'd be nice if he decides to like it, then the three of us could all play together. And when Ivy gets older, she can find her instrument, too. Then, only Dark will be left out. He technically knows how to play guitar, and I tried teaching him piano, but it's never been something he's kept up with."

"I used to be interested in learning violin, but I am not sure if I will ever have the time, and it sounds horrendous for the first few months," Dark admitted.
 
"It could work," Alec agreed with a smile. "I'll try that angle." He paused and sniffed. "I smell cookies! But not done cookies, just cooking cookies." To Dark, he said, "If you want to, I think you should do it! Even if it does sound bad for a while."
 
"I'm very excited for those cookies," Daizi said, still flat on her back. With one hand, she stroked Ivy's, and then chuckled and said, "I still can't believe she lived inside of me. That I grew her."

Dark nodded in agreement, "It is difficult to fathom. But I watched her on the ultrasounds, I can see the connection. You did a fantastic job, darling." Looking back at Alec, he said, "I am unsure I have enough time to learn something new like that, unfortunately."

"Babe, you're on paternity leave, you've got plenty of time."

"Yes, I am on paternity leave because we had a baby, she sort of takes up much of my time."

Daizi shrugged, and probably would have laughed had she been able to see Dark's face. It was his normal expression, but he was looking down at her from a seated position, so the angle was amusing. Since she couldn't see it, though, she just grinned at him and said, "Practice while she sleeps."

"A poorly played violin sounds like a cat who is both in heat and dying," He said blandly, "It would wake her."

"Then practice in your shed! Alec, back me up on this," She stayed lying flat but subconsciously scooted so her head was closer to Alec and her feet were closer to Dark, "Or hire a tutor and go to their place, sound awful there and then when you start sounding good, play here. The three of us on violin, harp, and piano would sound beautiful! And doesn't... Rose, the music teacher at your school, she plays violin, right? You said you like her, have her teach you."
 
"I think it is a grand idea!" Alec agreed enthusiastically. "You should always take time for the things you want to do, the things that bring you joy. Sure, Ivy takes up a lot of time and always will, but you still need to be you, right? And you could play in your shed, or you can learn from your coworker! I bet she would appreciate the extra income should you pay her for lessons, too. If you have the will, you should find your way!"
 
"After I go back to work, though, I will have much less free time again, and I do not know how I would keep up with it, then."

"Oh my god. Darling," Daizi laughed, both exasperated and endeared, "Your worst trait is how you always express an interest in something and then find a million reasons why you can't do it! You spend two hours a day working out, even now, you can find a little extra time a week to learn a skill you've always been interested in. You don't have to be scared of it. Come here," She held up one hand, and when Dark shifted close enough she touched the back of his head and brought him closer. Briefly propping herself up, she kissed him quickly and then lay back down, "You don't always have to be self-sacrificing."

He sighed, looking down at her. It was impossible to argue with someone who was his definition of perfect. "I will think about it," he said.

"That's enough. For now. But I think it would be wonderful to be able to make music with you, since our collaborations have historically been incredible."
 
Alec smiled and shook his head. Before he could say anything, though, he heard the distant chime of a timer. "Oh! The first batch of cookies must be done!" He scrambled to his feet and trotted to the kitchen as fast as he safely could.

Xander had just slid the tray out of the oven and spotted his brother coming. "Nope, not ready yet. They need two more minutes to cook, and then you need to let them cool." He carefully slid the tray back into the oven.

"Aw, why do I have to let them cool?" Alec pouted, slumping against the counter.

"Because otherwise, you'll burn your mouth again and not be able to appreciate any flavors for at least a week," Xander pointed out.
 
When Alec scrambled out and ran downstairs, Daizi laughed, finally sitting up, "Cookies are done, I guess."

"No, they would still need to cool," Dark pointed out, standing before helping Daizi to her feet and taking Ivy from her. It was about time for it to be his turn, he guessed. She was worn out from her strenous exercise and it was time for her to settle down. It was true Daizi was probably her favourite, but he felt she slept a little better when he was holding her, a fact he attributed to his larger, warmer arms and slower heartbeat. She almost disappeared when he had her. He wanted to go downstairs to await them, but instead he looked down into those big sleepy eyes in that tiny face and couldn't resist sitting in the rocking chair with her, "We do collaborate well," he murmured.

"I'm going to go be with our boys," She said, going over to kiss him one last time before slipping downstairs. She stretched as she walked into the kitchen, "Thank you for baking, Xander. They smell amazing."
 
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"It's cool," Xander told her, keeping an eye on the timer. "Should be done... now." He turned off the timer and started to open the oven.

"Are they done yet?" Alec asked, hovering at his back.

Xander gave him an irritated look and elbowed him back. "I can't tell with you latched onto me like that. Give me some space before you get yourself burned."

Alec pouted but moved back so Xander could pull out the tray and set them on a hotpad. "Well? Are they?"

"Absolutely perfect," Xander told him, carefully testing one. He caught Alec's hand as it reached out. "No touching! It needs to cool."
 
"It's cool," Daizi repeated, unable to help how amused she was by how Xander had responded to her, "Dark is hanging out upstairs for a little while. Hopefully he will lay her down in the bassinet in our bedroom and a take a little nap. He's still not sleeping well."
 
"Gee, I wonder why," Xander said dryly. He got a small plate and carefully moved three cookies onto it before setting it on the counter.

"Now?" Alec asked, eyeing them.

"No, not now!" Xander huffed at him. "Maybe he should exercise for an extra couple of hours before bed then use lavender soap. Maybe it'll put him to sleep."

Alec stopped watching the cookies long enough to stare at Xander through narrow eyes. "Have you been stealing my night-time lavender body wash?"

Xander didn't look at him. "Noooo..."
 
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