How Green Becomes Wood

Zeinab looked at Ciara for a moment and then said, "I can imagine how busy you must be. My boys are always so busy. That's why none of them came here, they could not get off work. I told them, ya hamar, you will not be on your death bed saying you wished you had worked more! But what do I know, I am only their mother." She called over to Dark so she could take Ivy from him and sent him off again and once she held her great-great niece in her arms again, she looked down into her little face and said, "I know she is delighted to have so many relatives around."

Cooger squeezed her hand back, not letting go immediately as he teasingly said, "Well, you're enough of an aunt to them to threaten my brother with a baseball bat when he dared speak to one of 'em."
 
Ciara inclined her head. "I suppose there is wisdom in that, yes. Ivy certainly does seem to be greatly enjoying herself. Perhaps I could make a little more effort to be around."

Lex snorted, not pulling her hand away, either. "In my defense, I saw a stranger with a screaming child, and I did not immediately swing. I gave him a chance to explain."
 
"Oh, I'm sure she'd love that, wouldn't you habibti?" Zeinab asked, using the towel's hood to further dry Ivy's hair while Ivy cooed and looked curiously at both women. "See, she says she would. More time with your Khalaty Ciara? Of course!" She smiled at Ciara, "I love when they're freshly washed like this. I don't know what it is, they're just so clean."

"You," He pointed at her with his free hand in mock accusation, "saw a child on someone else's property and saw the property owner investigate. If a strange, upset child appeared in your lawn," He leaned in slightly, grinning, "would you just stay inside?"
 
Ciara looked back at Ivy with equal curiosity. "I do not think I have been around a freshly washed child since my siblings and I were young. I am afraid I do not understand the attraction, but I would not wish to rob you of your joy."

Lex grinned and used her forefinger to capture his pointing finger so now she held both hands. "That depends. Does the child look like a real child or a changeling of some kind?"
 
Zeinab looked into Ivy's face and then turned her around to face Ciara, not quite handing her over but definitely offering, "It's the only time you're absolutely certain they haven't gotten into something." Ivy, being half held out, wasn't sure if she should reach out to Ciara or try to hold onto her great-great aunt, and in her confusion, just made cute little noises and yawned.

"Well I don't know," Cooger murmured, looking nowhere but in her eyes, "It's your relative."
 
Ciara leaned back a little, her eyes widening when she realized she was being offered a baby. "No, thank you. I could not possibly take any time with her away from you. You need far more time with her today than I do."

"Hmm. With my relatives, that is still not a safe bet thay they aren't aliens or changelings," Lex murmured, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she looked right back at him. "I suppose I'd go out just to be sure."
 
"Your very gracious nephews are allowing me to stay in their room, so I don't need to say goodbye at the end of the party," Zeinab pointed out genially.

"Right, so you go out, and immediately you're threatened with a bat. Helluva way to say hello," He shrugged, still holding her hands, "You could argue he lured the kid over, but it was daylight. Take one look at 'im and you'd know his powers don't work in daylight."
 
"This is true," Ciara said, frantically trying to think of another good reason to not accept the child being offered. "However, many of the others will be leaving, yes? Perhaps they should hold her instead."

"What can I say? I like a memorable entrance," Lex smirked, looking into his eyes. "And, again, at least I didn't swing. The whole giant vampire in daylight slash dark magician thing did give me pause.
 
"She doesn't bite," Zeinab very slightly teased, choosing not to mention some of the horror stories Daizi had shared.

"I don't know if you or he is luckier that you didn't swing," He chuckled, "At least it wasn't Daizi meeting the kiddo."
 
"I am sure she does not," Ciara agreed. She glanced around and said, "Oh, it seems Sally wishes to speak with me. Please, excuse me. It was wonderful to speak with. I hope we can again before you leave."

Lex snorted. "Fair enough there."
 
Ciara beat a hasty retreat to Sally, looking as dignified as ever even if she was running away from the possibility of holding a baby, and struck up a quick conversation. Sally looked a bit puzzled, but willingly joined Ciara in conversation about the merits of work related events and their impact on fundraising and grant efforts.

Lex narrowed her eyes slightly, not losing her smile. "I haven't got a clue. What do you think?"
 
Lex leaned into him, smiling devilishly as their bodies pressed together. "Yes. It's the highlight of my week to see you for playdates, but I gotta admit... I'm feeling a little bored with our games lately. Candyland is fun, but I'm thinking of maybe giving twister a try."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top