How Green Becomes Wood

"Oh yeah?" Cooger asked, "Maybe I'll come out to that. Check up to make sure you're still up to snuff."

Dark stood up, "Come on, Ivy, I may feel a bit like death, but you still need your playtime."
 
Around the mid-afternoon, Dark needed to go and take a nap, although he was, more or less handling things well.

That evening, after Ivy had gone to bed, and Dark and Daizi were in their bedroom, Daizi sat on the edge of the bed, "How much do you really remember?"

"Bits and pieces."

"Do you remember the fireworks?"

Dark looked across the room at her as she traced the designs carved into their bedpost, "I do. I remember what we talked about, too."

"And?"

He pulled on a fresh shirt and came to sit beside her, "I want it even more acutely. I want you to name me, so I can hear you call my name without recoiling from it."

Daizi turned towards him, taking his hands in hers, "Then I'll name you, Goose. And it'll be the greatest name any man had ever had."

"I do not need it to be the greatest name," He smiled, brushing her hair out of her face and behind her ear, "I just need it to be mine."
 
The twins enjoyed their quieter day, talking a little about what had happened the day before an how next year would be even better, but mostly they just enjoyed having some time to spend with each other with nothing to do and nowhere to go. That didn't happen as often anymore. The day ended all too soon, and they headed for bed with perhaps a little more grumbling than Ivy. The next day was a new day and back to the usual routine.
 
When Ivy was down for her second nap, Daizi slipped outside and called Sally, knowing it coincided with her lunch break, "Hey, Sally, how are you?" Daizi asked, but the moment the pleasantries were out of the way, she said, "I think I had the weirdest and most romantic fourth of July of my life."
 
"That's exactly why I called," Daizi said, lounging on the swing bench, "I've never celebrated the Fourth of July before, and Dark certainly hasn't, but his doctor prescribed him a new medication which made him able to handle it, with some... pretty strong side effects, and it was bizarre, because he was so innocent and I wondered if it was what he'd have been like were he a child who got to enjoy childhood, you know? He wasn't exactly acting like a kid, but he had that freedom to him, which I've seldomly truly experienced."
 
"That must have been so sweet! If a little strange to see," Sally agreed. "I cannot say I have ever celebrated the Fourth of July, either, but it is difficult to escape the fireworks. Was he able to handle them this year?"
 
"With the medicine, yes," Daizi said, "And the medicine also, apparently, removed enough of his inhibition that he stared inappropriately at me, and when he was called out on it, he went on this dramatic tirade about how much he loves me and how beautiful he thinks I am. And then apologized for going on the tirade. I don't remember everything he said, but he called himself my acolyte."
 
"Oh my! That is so romantic," Sally sighed. "And surprising, yet not. I have seen how he looks at you, and I do believe that if it was physically possible, his eyes would turn heart-shaped like a cartoon. That man is devoted to you in ways most women can only dream of."
 
"He's said stuff like that before, but the fact it came out then, in front of everyone... I don't like being called beautiful, normally, and he listens to me and refrains, but he was so adamant and apologetic..." She sighed happily, "So I knew he really, really meant it, and I know he was high, but... And then, during the fireworks, Sally, he asked me to name him. We've done a lot together and said so much fo each other, and I thought nothing could be more intimate than him helping me to have our child, but that? It's a whole different sort of trust, I think."
 
Sally actually gasped softly. "Did he really? Oh, Daizi, darling, that is so precious! A moment like that I would want to preserve forever." She sighed wistfully, incredibly happy for her friend. Then, after a moment, she couldn't help a tiny joke. "Are you going to have a naming party?"
 
"He did!" Daizi practically squealed, "and it's so much pressure! Naming Ivy was hard, but we didn't know anything about her. It was a name she'd grow into. I know everything about Dark, I need to find a name worthy of him. But I know it's out there. We're keeping his initials, and I know what his birth name was so I know what not to pick, but..." She sighed, so excited and feeling so connected, "I don't think he'd be the type. I'm not even sure if he's going to tell anyone. But he's just gone by his initials for so long."
 
Sally chuckled, "Well, he would not be a part of the naming party. The naming party is purely for the one picking the name, so it would be entirely for you, but I did not expect you to want to do one. Having the initials to work from certainly helps to narrow things down. I am so excited for you, darling! What a beautiful thing, truly beautiful."
 
"Oh, I had never heard of that before!" Daizi exclaimed, "No, I don't think I would. It's only fair for him to know his name first. But I do... I love him so much I actually struggle to cope with it, I keep thinking how much I want to marry him, and then I remember we're already married."
 
"I suppose that would be rather awkward, trying to remarry a man you are already married to, but that is far better than the alternative, I suppose," Sally mused. "Having a marriage you desire to escape from. Of course, I suppose that is why some people have a vow renewal. They have drifted away from each other and desire to come back together once more."
 
"A vow renewal?" Daizi repeated, taking some time to think about it, "Do you need to drift away from each other? Because that might... I mean, he's getting a new name. It's only right to marry him under that name, certainly."
 
"Hmm? Oh, I do not think you need to drift away. I think that is the main reason people do it, but it is not the only one," Sally replied. "I've never really looked into it much, but I suppose one of you getting a new name is as good a reason as any to have one."
 
"And we've been through so much these past two years..." Daizi said, beginning to really like the idea, "And it's our tenth anniversary in November! Oh, Sally, I'd be able to propose to him!"
 
"That idea suits you two and your relationship to a T!" Sally approved. "Absolutely marvelous. And since I gave you the idea, may I assume I am invited to attend? Possibly even contribute in some way?"
 
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