How Green Becomes Wood

"I will try to." Dark answered as honestly as he could. By the time Alec came downstairs again, he was working up a sweat and making full use of the punching bag in the basement.

Meanwhile, Daizi was still working on preparing food for their many, many guests with Ivy in the high chair with a bowl of cereal and a spoon so she could 'help.' Her initial plan had been to give her an upside-down pot and a wooden spoon and let her bang on the pots like a drum set, but she didn't want to disturb Alec, so this sufficed. As she cooked, like she so often did, she sang along to the music she had playing and danced, which kept Ivy's attention more than 'helping' did.
 
"Mama, I'm here," Alec called, trying not to make her jump. He went over to give her a quick hug and then turned his attention to Ivy. "Look who's up and looking happy! What's that you have there?"
 
"Hi Alec," Daizi replied, turning to hug him back, "How are you feeling?"

As always, Ivy's face lit up at the sight of her brother and she gladly held out her spoon to him while blowing raspberries.
 
"Better, thank you," Alec said, smiling. "It was good to be down for a bit, and now I'm ready to help however I can!" He blew a raspberry back at Ivy and took her spoon, thanking her for it. He waved it as he sang along to a verse in the song and then handed it back to her.
 
Ivy giggled at her brother while Daizi requested he help start washing the dishes since they had a lot to get through, "Once I'm finished cooking for today, you can help your father decorate, but there's no point starting that before the kitchen is clean."
 
Alec complied with Daizi's request and tried to help, but when Xander came in a few minutes later and found Alec trying to wash one-handedly, he shooed him aside and took his place without alerting Daizi to his presence. (Unless she picked up on his footsteps.)

"How much more cooking do you have to do?" Alec asked as he started cleaning up behind Daizi and bringing Xander the dishes. "I shall happily help decorate! I'm good at decorating."

The doorbell rang, and Lex stood on the porch in jeans and a sweatshirt, her hair up in a ponytail, and holding a small, badly wrapped box. The black and white polka dotted wrapping paper was crooked, and one part clearly patched where it had torn.
 
"Of course! But it's going to be a pretty big shindig, and I don't want to add any extra fuss," Lex said. She held out her gift, uncertain how to help Daizi know where it was. "It's not a big thing, but I thought it could be helpful and maybe make you laugh a bit, but some people might get offended."
 
"Oken it with your husband so he can tell you what it is," Lex said with a grin, putting it in her hands. "I think it'll be pretty useful. Do you need me to bring anything tomorrow?"
 
"Oh?" Daizi asked with a crooked smirk, running her hands deftly over the packaging, "I'll be sure to do that. Thank you. And no, there is no pressure to bring anything, I think we have it all well in hand right now."
 
"Was that Lex?" Alec asked curiously.

"What's that?" Xander asked, studying the box. "It looks like I wrapped it. Possibly while half asleep."

"I like the black and white," Alec defended it with a smile.
 
"It was Lex. She said it's a gift for me I may find amusing or useful, others which may be offended by, and that I should open it with Dark." Daizi replied, scratching her cheek, "But he's busy, so I have to wait."
 
The twins stood staring at the gift. There were other things to do. Other things that needed done. They should be doing those things. They stayed staring.

"What if I went and mentioned there was something that needed his attention?" Xander suggested.
 
"Okay." Xander trotted across the house and thundered down the stairs in a way only teenage boys could. "Ba! Ba? Baaaaa! Mama got a package and needs eyes. Can you give her eyes?"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top