How Green Becomes Wood

"You have nothing to thank me for," Daizi replied, holding Alec's hand as tightly as she dared. When they said they viewed her family as their own, at least some of them, her eyes filled with tears, but she smiled brightly at them, not coming anywhere near to letting go or pulling away. "Well." She swallowed, "Luckily, we all have plenty of time to get to know each other. They won't be strangers forever. And however your aunt and uncle feel about me, I know how I feel about them. I would be honoured to be your Mum's family."
 
"I guess we'll just have to ask them how they feel," Alec said with a wobbly smile. He glanced at Dark and then reached out a hand to him. "Family is... wonderful. The best thing we've ever been given."

"The best Christmas present ever, and it all started with a twisted ankle," Xander said lightly, sitting back and taking his hand back.
 
Having spent the entire conversation slightly looking over them all, Dark leaned into hold Alec's hand. Daizi had said enough for the both of them, thankfully: he couldn't have been as eloquent. There wasn't family on his side to speak of, except for Cooger, who was different. His father-in-law despised him. Family was complicated and messy. "I am glad to get to share it with you," He said, and gave a nod to Xander.

"There are more painful ways to join a family," Daizi joked, wiping her eyes with one hand as she rested her shoulder against Dark's.
 
Alec squeezed Dark's hand gently. "Yes, there certainly are, but I love the family we've gained. I am... I am really, really looking forward to next week."

Xander gave a slight nod. "Same."
 
"I am too." Dark said, squeezing Alec's hand back, "I am so grateful for all of you."

"I love you both so much," Daizi said, almost amused how this afternoon began with such a mess of flour.
 
After a few moments of silence, Xander cleared his throat. "So. We have the guest list sorted, the besic idea of a menu sorted, and the after-party sorted. Are we missing anything?"
 
"Well..." Dark replied, furrowing his eyebrows, "Sort of. In the past, so I suppose, once, we celebrated December 15th, the day you first came home. Now we also are going to have the day the adoption is finalized. Going forward, are we going to celebrate both days, or pick one?"
 
"Pick one," the twins said simultaneously.

"I'm in favor of adoption day," Alec said.

Xander shook his head. "The 15th makes more sense. That's the day we came home. Adoption day is more like a formality."

"True, but adoption day is also the day we officially unify as a family," Alec pointed out.

They looked at Dark and Daizi for a choice.
 
Daizi hadn't before considered only celebrating one, and now that it was the clear preference, she frowned, trying to think of what would be better. "I guess... it comes down to what you value more, the day it started or the day it was solidified. We didn't know what was ahead of us on the fifteenth. When it's finalized, we'll have decided to take it, however it comes. If you think about it, wedding anniversaries are the day of the wedding, not the day you first met. We celebrate birthdays not conceptions."

"At the same time," Dark advised them, "Practically. We also have Ivy's birthday in October, and Halloween, and the first day after October ends is our anniversary. We should also consider if we want every October to be as hectic as it is this year."
 
The twins glanced at each other. "Oh boy, it is pretty hectic... Hmm. I think maybe the 15th might be a better choice logistically, and maybe raise a toast to adoption day," Alec suggested.

Xander nodded. "I'm in agreement with that choice."
 
"That's a good plan," Alec said while Xander nodded in agreement. "Now all we have left are the details. Like what we are actually going to eat outside of just the theme."
 
"Luckily we have a bit more time for that, although not much," Daizi replied, sitting back, "But, I know we have a plan for what we'll be making for Ivy's, so if on our side we make something different, that way our guests won't be eating the same foods twice a few weeks apart."

"They will grow weary of seeing us," Dark joked.
 
"I work very hard to keep the menu from repeating too often," Dark said indignantly, "Do you want to see my planner? I have been keeping track of every dinner we eat since before you moved in."
 
"It is meticulous," Dark said proudly, getting up, "I am sure you both have homework to get to." Bouncing Ivy up onto his hip, he walked towards the living room, and took out his phone to send a quick text to Tristan:

Hello, Tristan. Our adoption of Alec and Xander is finalizing next week, and afterwards we are having a small get-together at our home. We would love to have you, and will be sending out more formal invitations as soon as we can, but I wanted to reach out in advance and know if it something you would be interested in, so I have time to rent a wheelchair ramp to make our home more accessible to you.
 
The twins smirked, both amused and proud of Dark and his dedication to... well, everything he chose to take responsibility for or an interest in. In a much better mood now than they had been all day, the twins finished off their bread and went up to their room to get started on their homework.

After a few minutes, Tristan's reply came through. I would be delighted to come! I have nothing that should interfere with my attendance that week. Thank you for the thought of the ramp. I am sorry to put you through that inconvenience, and if you would like, I can pay you back for the rental fees.
 
I would not have you do that, nobody else needs to pay to attend. There is nothing to apologize for. Dark replied resolutely, and after a moment sent a second test, "Ivy's birthday is on the thirteenth, we will also be having a party for her here. You are invited then, also, but if it is too much too quickly, I understand."
 
Thank you. I look forward to attending! To Dark's second text, he replied, I cannot give you an answer for Ivy's birthday at the moment, but I should be able to within the next day or two. I hope that will work for your planning purposes.
 
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