How Green Becomes Wood

Daizi couldn't help but smirk crookedly, "Wallah! Are you saying I'm going to have to get someone who is apprehensive about letting someone else care for them to relax and understand they are welcome here? But I have no experience with that!" Chuckling and shaking her head, she stretched out her legs and said, "Dark is not home with dinner yet, I am sure you have time to make yourself feel more presentable, whatever that means to you."
 
"I look like I just crawled out of bed," Alec stated. "But I don't look nearly as cute as you," he told Ivy, lifting her up higher and then hugging her again.

"That's because you did just crawl out of bed, but no matter what, you'll never be as cute as her," Xander told Alec.

"Hmm, fair," Alec agreed. "Fair enough, I suppose. Still, I can be cuter than I am now." He gave Ivy a little toss, kissed the top of her head, and set her down. "I'm going to go change."
 
"I don't know if anyone can be as cute as her," Daizi smiled, "although, she crawled out of bed earlier than you did. Or was gently lifted from bed and then set to crawl free. Go change, and if she arrives before you're down, I'll stall for you."
 
"Thanks, Mama!" Alec started hurrying for the stairs. Then he came back, grabbed Xander's sleeve, and started pulling him along.

"Hey, I'm fine!" Xander protested, following along reluctantly mostly to stay attached to his sleeve.

"Your hair looks like an anime character. You should at least brush it," Alec told him.

Xander frowned and ran his hand over his hair. Upon feeling it, he followed Alec less reluctantly.
 
Daizi chuckled and scooped Ivy up into her arms, "What do you think, habibti? Should I make Ivy more dressed up too? Maybe I will. Yes, maybe Mama will." Giving her a little kiss, she brought Ivy upstairs, dressed her in a somewhat nicer onesie, and carefully brushed her hair into two tiny pigtails. "There. Lovely." She nodded before nuzzling her nose to her baby's and bringing her back down.
 
Ciara pulled up to the front of the house and took a moment to check her makeup and hair briefly. No signs of smudges or running. Good. Then she picked up the small box on the passenger seat and stepped out of the car, pristinely perfect in her usual two-piece skirt suit, solid black this time with small, delicate golden accessories. She walked up to the front door, her sensible black heels clicking as she went. She knocked lightly, took a step back, and waited.
 
By the time Ciara arrived, Dark was back home, and he answered the door dressed in his usual attire. At least he was always dressed for mourning, and always dressed well. "Hello," He said, stepping to the side to allow her entry, "Please, come in. I hope traffic was bad."
 
Ciara glanced at him. What an odd thing to hope for a guest. She moved past the thought and gave him a little nod as she carefully stepped inside. "Thank you." She paused and pulled a pair of plastic shoe covers from her purse. She used one hand on the wall to balance herself as she carefully slipped them one on each shoe. She was still uncomfortable going barefoot, but she was atempting to respect Dark and Daizi's house rules as best as she could.
 
Dark watched the confusion on her face and then, after thinking for a moment said, "Was not bad. My apologies. I am sure you can imagine..." He gestured hand aimlessly, supposing she could understand the emotional toll, but didn't want to speak of it just yet. Once she was fully inside, he shut the door behind her.

From inside the living room, Daizi said, "Who is that, Ivy? Do you want to go see? Is that your Auntie Ciara?" and soon also appeared in the front hall, holding Ivy who peeped curiously at Ciara. She didn't look quite as ready for the occasion as her parents, but there were bats on her onesies, at least. "Hi, Ciara," Daizi said, "Thank you for coming. Ivy, can you say hi?"

After staring with her wide, dark-hazel eyes that matched her mother's, Ivy waved hello and then turned and pressed her face against Daizi.
 
Ciara gave Ivy a small, awkward wave in return and a formal smile. "Hello, Ivy. Daizi. Thank you for making the time for me. It is... an unfortunate day. How are Xander and Alec?"
 
"Thank you for your kindness and consideration for them," Ciara said with a little dip of her head. "I know some would say that it is only to be expected, but I still wish to express my gratitude."

Xander came down, then, no longer looking as though he had only recently climbed out of bed. "Hey, Aunt Ciara."

"Xander, hello," Ciara greeted him.
 
"Perhaps a glass of water if it is not too much trouble," Ciara said, following Dark's gesture. "Thank you." She sat on one of the chairs and tucked her feet under the chair.

Alec came galloping down the stairs and skidded into the room. "Aunt Ciara! Hi! Welcome!" He moved forward as if to hug her but stopped himself. She was not a hugger. "It's nice to see you."

"It is nice to see you, as well. I am sorry it has been so long," Ciara apologized.
 
With a nod, Dark went into the kitchen to fetch Ciara some water while Daizi sat Ivy down on the play mat and then sat on the couch, "It's really easy for time to get away from us, any of us. We could have invited you over more, too."

Returning, Dark handed Ciara her glass, "You will be seeing more of us than you may desire over the next few weeks, that will make up for it."
 
"Thank you," Ciara said, taking the glass. "Yes, there is quite a lot coming up. Numerous social events to cover the entire family. I am looking forward to them." She took a sip while the twins sat down, both clearly eying her. In an unusual display of mischief, she set the box on the table in front of her but did not immediately address it. "Little Ivy, she is now a year old, yes?" she asked politely.

Xander leaned back and forced himself to look only at Ciara. Alec tried to be polite, but he kept glancing from her to the box and back again.
 
"Not quite yet," Daizi smiled, "In ten days she will be. Have you not received your invitation to her birthday yet?"

Dark noticed Ciara's more playful side, and a distant light in his eyes lit up and choose to further distract the conversation, "Most of Daizi's family is coming for her birthday."
 
"Yes, I did, I was rounding up a little," Ciara admitted. "I am looking forward to attending. Thank you for including me. Oh, and I am pleased to hear that your family is able to come. How many members?"

Alec bit his lip and carefully leaned back, interlacing his fingers as he waited. Xander didn't move. Not even a twitch.
 
Daizi sighed, "There's going to be... My father, Saladin, my aunts Neha, Zeinab, Fadia, and Amira. Amira is unmarried, Zeinab is widowed, and I think Fadia's husband is staying home, since he and my father work closely together, and he wants to keep an eye on the buisness. My biological uncles are coming, but only my Uncle Hassan is bringing his wife. Neha's sons are coming, but most of their wives are staying with their children, although Marwan, who was my brother's best friend, is bringing his wife and their children, Fadia's daughters are, with their husbands and children..." She squinted, attempting to recall anyone else, "I think that's it? I would need to double check."
 
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