How Green Becomes Wood

"Alright, cool." She replied with an easy shrug, a little relieved. After a few moments she shifted her weight and cautiously asked, "I know this is a question without a good answer, but... do you need anything?"
 
"No, I don't think so, but thank you for asking." Alec considered again but again shook his head. He couldn't think of anything Sloan could provide, but he appreciated her for asking. "Thanks, Sloan, for always being there."

"Yeah. You're pretty damn patient," Xander said with a nod. "Sorry we - I - tend to test that. A lot."

Impulsively, Alec reached out for a hug.
 
"What are friends for? It's not like you've not been there for me." She replied, ignoring the small difficulty of Crystal the year before, but that was water under the bridge, "I mean, you got suspended defending my honor. And you threw a big party for me because I got cheated on." She hugged Alec willingly, squeezing him just for a bit because she did feel for him and then let go. "I don't know what you'll do next year, after I've graduated. Who is gonna keep your heads screwed on?"
 
Alec heaved a big sigh as he pulled away from the hug and patted Sloan's arm. "To be honest, I don't know. It'll be like going to the park for the first time without a parent."

"We're going to run wild, that's for sure," Xander snorted. "We'll see you around."

Alec looked over Sloan's shoulder and saw Emma hurrying away. Odd. He'd thought she wanted to see him. Maybe not. He turned to follow Xander to the van.
 
"Maybe I'll convince Claire to spy on you for me." Sloan chuckled, and waved, "See ya. Take care of yourselves tomorrow, okay?"

At home, the moment the door was opened, the rich, comforting aroma of Daizi's soup could be smelled. She had considered waiting until tomorrow, but guessed they may have preferred their own comfort foods then. Anyway, there would be leftovers, so they could have more soup tomorrow, too.
 
The twins walked in and paused, sniffing. Was that what they thought it was? They hurriedly took off their shoes, touched the salt, and chucked their bags in the direction of the stairs.

"Mama, we're home!" Alec called as if their clattering and thumping wouldn't make it obvious.

"Ba? Enkidu?" Xander called curiously.
 
"Upstairs with her father being changed, just funny how you asked about the dog before your sister," She replied with a little grin before wrapping Alec up securely in her arms, "You're very welcome, habibi. I thought you needed it."
 
"I figured I'd hear her jingling around here somewhere," Xander replied. "She calls out with those bells first."

Alec stayed in the hug, closing his eyes and breathing deeply of Daizi's comforting smell. Safe and home.
 
"It is all in hand, I promise," Daizi assured him as Dark came down with Ivy, chatting to her casually.

Of course, when she spotted her brothers, she chirped happily, and Dark came over to them, "Hello," He said, "How was school?"

"Dark and I were talking," Daizi said, now that her husband was there, "We think it might be good if you stayed home tomorrow."
 
"School was alright. Awkward. Yeah, we'd... we'd really like to stay home, please," Xander sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.

Alec let go of Daizi finally and held out his hands to Ivy, smiling. "Hello, you little chirping thing! You're like a bird, aren't you?"
 
"I will call you out," Dark promised, handing Ivy over to Alec and she quickly snuggled into him, smiling brightly up at him. Untouched by everything else happening in her family's lives, she had nothing but love and happiness to give to them. Well, that, soiled diapers and drool.

"She's our Hummingbird," Daizi said contentedly, "even though those aren't songbirds."
 
"Thanks," Xander said. He hesitated a moment, feeling as if he was supposed to say more, but nothing came to mind. Instead, he went to the stairs and picked up their backpacks to deal with them.

"Hummingbirds do make cool noises with their wings as they fly. Does that count?" Alec asked, nuzzling Ivy.
 
"I suppose it does, but she doesn't make those sounds either," Daizi sighed, "We started calling her Hummingbird before she was born, when I just felt her little flutters and her heart beat was so quick over the machines. I can't imagine calling her anything else, besides all of the things we call her."

"I think she missed you," Dark said, going with them to the living room, "She always does. It will be nice when you are home all week."
 
Alec held Ivy out enough to look at her. "You and me, we'll hang out a lot next week, okay? And Xander can come, too! Hmm. And maybe we should take the opportunity to do something together, me and him." He hugged her again gently.

Xander came back down and asked, "Is Enkidu up for going on a walk?"
 
"She would like that," Daizi said, listening to Ivy's little jingles and coos. Ivy had one hand in her mouth and was grinning sweetly at her brother, watching him intently with her dark hazel eyes. They really did look a lot like her mother's.

Dark turned to him, "He is always up for a walk. Would you like company?"
 
Alec smiled at Ivy and kissed her forehead. "You are the cutest baby to ever exist!"

Xander almost said no but then nodded. "Yesh, sure, if you're up for it." He got Enkidu's leash and called him over. "Let's go for a walk!"
 
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