How Green Becomes Wood

"That would be nice," Daizi said, and hurried to change so she could wear something she could take off before changing into her dress that wouldn't mess up her hair. Then she sat back down in the hair and handed Sally her hair brush, "I can't believe that I... I don't know, that we're here. Dark and I, I mean. I knew deep down that I wouldn't feel like it forever, but for a long time it seemed like I'd never be ready for anything like this again."
 
Sally smiled as she took her time brushing out Daizi's hair. She'd always enjoyed having her hair brushed, and she hoped Daizi felt the same. "The world spins so fast, doesn't it? And change is sometimes so constant that when things stay the same, that's when it feels strange. Good change, bad, it's all the same, really, in that it brings us to a new place in life."
 
"I can't believe Ivy is so old already. I still remember holding her in my two hands..." She sighed, rolling her shoulders back as she felt her scalp tingle from the brushing, "It's weird knowing she's about 5 months old, but we're not having those milestones yet because of when she was born. In this room. She needed help breathing and now she's almost able to roll over."
 
"Don't worry about the milestones. Looking for the milestones means you will miss the journey in between," Sally told her, still brushing. "Ivy will reach them in her own time, just as every baby does. Some sooner, some later, and when she rolls over, you'll blink and she'll start to crawl." Sally chuckled softly as she gathered Daizi's hair in her fingers. "Nothing makes time go faster than watching a child grow. They make the clock spin!"
 
"After so many years of wanting her I'm not too worried about them. I'm just glad she's growing at all. Just the other day, I went and got one of her onesies from when she first came home, when she first was allowed to wear clothes. I couldn't believe she used to be able to wear it." Daizi sighed, a small smile lighting up her face, "I can hardly fathom she's the same person who used to grow inside of me. I don't get that same, dreamy, 'I can't believe this is real' feeling I used to have, but sometimes when I pick her up or am nursing or am having a very enlightening conversation it's almost startling to remember that this is forever."
 
Sally brushed Daizi's hair up into an updo that looked as though it might fall at the first breath of wind, yet it was surprisingly sturdy. The pins helped. She worked slowly and carefully. "There is only ever one thing I wish you could see," Sally admitted quietly as she worked. "I don't even wish for you to be able to see Ivy. No, I wish you could see your own face or your husband's when you look at Ivy. The expressions you have... it is a new definition of love and beauty."
 
"She's so much more than I thought she'd be," Daizi said softly, "and she's just so loving. She really... And I know part of it is the knowledge that she's 50% of him, and that's special to me, but even if she weren't genetically related to us at all... It's like, she sees us and it's the best moment of her life, every time. And one day that'll change, I know that, but... It's just a different kind of love than I've ever had for someone. It's different from how I love my boys, it's different from how I love her father, or you, or my father, or my aunties or cousins, and it's because she is different. She's never learned there's a reason to be withholding and I--" She laughed and tipped her head back slightly, "I can't talk about it or I think I'll cry. And for Dark to get to experience that kind of love, after everything he's been through..."
 
What could someone say to something like that? Especially when they are choked up and trying not to cry, as well. So, Sally said nothing, only squeezed Daizi's shoulders lightly and finished her hair while trying not to sniffle in an unladylike manner. She finished Daizi's hair with a light spritz of hair spray just to keep the fly-away in check and stepped back.

"There. You look absolutely radiant," she told Daizi.
 
"Thank you." Daizi turned back to face her, then widened her eyes and stood up, "Wait, I should put on the dress and give you the full effect." Excited, then, Daizi stood up, grabbed the dress, and hurried into the bathroom. A few minutes later she stepped out in the gown that looked like it was made for her, "Okay. So this is," she turned slightly to one side, "The look. I haven't dressed up like this since we went out together."
 
Sally clapped her hands together like an excited schoolgirl. "Oh, darling! You are so fabulous you look as though you stepped right off the silver screen. Dear Dark will not have the slightest idea what to do with you."
 
"Well I hope he has at least part of an idea," She teased, smoothing the front of her dress, "I hope the clothes I sent with him look nice with this, but I guess it won't matter to anyone but him. We won't be taking pictures. What do you think, Hummingbird?" Daizi walked to the crib in their bedroom and gently lifted her baby, "Does Mama look nice? I'd dress you nicely, but I intend for you to be near to sleep by the time Baba comes home."
 
Sally chuckled and took the opportunity to quietly wipe her eyes and clean up her makeup a bit. "Well, other than the shoes, you are perfect. Is there anything else you need from me before I leave you two to your romantic night?"
 
"I can't decide if it's worth putting on shoes. It feels strange to be so dressed up and barefoot, but we never wear shoes inside." Daizi said, while Ivy carefully studied her face which now looked different, "But no, I think I'm all settled now. Thank you so much for helping me, Sally. I wouldn't have been able to put all this together for him without you."
 
"I suppose you could always wear your nicest socks," Sally smiled. She touched Daizi's elbow briefly. "Have fun! I'm going to go keep an eye on our sons. And my husband. He might cause even more trouble than those three boys put together."
 
"The best thing for nervousness is distraction, and I'm sure he'll have plenty of that," Sally said cheerfully. "Now, forget about all of that and pretend for an evening that you are childless. In the good way. I'll see you tomorrow!" She let herself out, leaving Daizi to her final preparations before Dark got home.
 
Daizi made her goodbyes and then once she had gone, put the food which needed to be cooked into the oven, and turned on low music. She knew it was a little cliche, but wanting it to be really perfect, she spread rose petals and waited, having just enough time to feed Ivy and lay her down before she expected Dark to arrive.

When she heard the sound of Dark's car, she quickly lit the candles and then hurried upstairs so she could walk down them as Dark stepped inside.

This plan worked well enough to utterly stun and dazzle him when he entered.
 
Meanwhile, at Peter's house, Xander and Alec had settled in well enough. Alec was still nervous and on edge, but Mr. Hollis had treated them like they'd been coming over to their house for years. It was reassuring in a way. They gorged themselves on pizza from several different pizza joints and put together a ranking system to try to figure out the best pizza. Then they sat and played video games and board games while eating snacks and talking about the games.
 
Daizi led Dark to the table where they enjoyed their shared dinner. She took out the wine Sally had given them the first time she visited, and they were far too focused on each other to even relish the simple fact they were able to eat together without any stress or anxiety filling their minds. Miraculously, Ivy went to sleep earlier than usual, which freed them for a true evening just to them.
 
Sally, true to her word, kept the twins distracted. Peter did a marvelous job by himself, though he was actually just in it to enjoy the time with friends, but whenever interest seemed to lag, either Sally or Jack had the next thing to do right at hand. Xander had a blast, and once he relaxed, so did Alec. None of the four boys had any idea of the ulterior motive, which was just as well.
 
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