How Green Becomes Wood

Depends on your view, I guess," Xander said thoughtfully. "I always thought the moon was happier than the sun. The sun looks like its angry and all by itself, and the moon is usually surrounded by stars. Thats just me."
 
"If it is your mother describing me, then she would certainly compare me to the moon, then, but that is because she is charitable." Dark replied, "We made Ivy's middle name Hala because Daizi has never been able to see the moon."
 
"I do not imagine your lives revolve around either of us," Dark told him with a small chuckle, "If it does, you should work on that. I would suppose the three of you are your own individual stars and we're all in one galaxy."
 
"I am always glad to talk to you," Dark promised him, rising to his feet, "I am going to go and try and pull the house into better shape before Cooger arrives." Then, once more ducking under the doorframe, exited the shed and went back inside.
 
Xander watched him go before turning back to his work. He was satisfied he'd bought Daizi some time to catch her breath, and now he had a lot to think about. A lot. Dark's honesty was hard sometimes, but Xander appreciated it. He wanted it. What they'd talked about was heavy, between Dark and Daizi, but if he took it one piece at a time, he could process it.
 
A little while later, Cooger came over with his usual warmth and high energy with a dessert tucked beneath one arm. When he turned to Dark, though, he let himself be a bit more muted as he asked, "Hey man, how're you doing?"

"...I am fine, how are you?"

"Aw, shoot, I'm great. Same old, you know, but I'm glad you're doing good today, buddy." Cooger said, lightly bopping his friend on the shoulder, "And I brought my fishing pole!"
 
Xander came in when he heard Cooger's truck pull up and entered in time to hear the comment about the fishing pole. "Fishing? Pole? Where are you going to fish around here? Or are you kidnapping him and taking him fishing?"
 
"Gonna go fishing for your sister," Cooger said proudly, setting the dessert he brought down on the counter, "See, your folks keep saying they think the kid'd stand up on her own if there was something to motivate her, but if they put something she wants on a table, she'll just pull herself up on the table, and if they told it, she'll pull herself up on them. So I figure, if I put her toy on the fishing pole, we can dangle it above her and then she'll have to stand up to get it."

"what."
 
"I like it," Xander agreed. "What if you let her pull herself up on something and then move the pole away from it? Like put the toy on the table, attached to the pole, and once she's up, move the toy away? Should work perfectly."
 
"That might get her walking..." Cooger said, tugging at his beard considering it, "That's not a bad idea. But I think she's got to learn to stand up first. No point in walking if she can't stand up again when she falls."

"That." Dark frowned, "Cooger, no. That will not even work."

"Like hell it won't!"
 
"Sure it'll work," Xander agreed, "But I don't think she's got to learn to stand up first. Standing up on her own means walking, but she doesn't know walking yet or how fun it is. Once she figures out walking, then she'll want to stand up so she can walk wherever she is." He glanced at the clock. "I gotta go pick up Alec from work."
 
"We are not fishing for my daughter." Dark said blandly.

"Sure we are, she'd love it!" Cooger said with a laugh, "Where is the kitten anyway?"

"She's here," Daizi said coming down the stairs with her, "What are we doing?"

"Nothing."

"We're gonna put her toy on a fishing rod to get her to stand up," Cooger said brightly, "Wouldn't you love that, Kitten?" Ivy squealed with delight, reaching out with both hands to her uncle and Cooger gladly took her into his arms, "See, she'd love it!"
 
"Where would we even put her?" Dark asked, pushing his hair back, "Go pick up your brother, it is more sane there than here."

"Aw hell, brother, you're not gonna prevent your baby from hacing a good time are ya?" Cooger asked, bringing Ivy into the living room and plopping her down to play with her.
 
Xander didn't really want to miss whatever madness that was about to be unleashed, but somebody had to go get Alec. He drove to the flower shop, but Alec wasn't waiting out front as usual. He waited a minute before getting out of the van and heading inside.

Tristan looked up from checking a customer and smiled. "Hello, Xander. Alec is in the back getting his things. He'll be out in just a moment."

"Thanks," Xander said, moving to stand in a corner. "Mind if I wait here?"

"Of course not!" Tristan assured him.

The older woman glanced at Xander and smiled at Tristan. "Such nice boys you hire."

"I agree, Ma'am," Tristan chuckled.

The older woman paid and headed out. Xander opened the door for her so she wouldn't have to struggle with her bouquet and the door. Alec came out a few minutes later with several small, square, decorative boxes, one of which had a small bouquet of autumnal flowers like sunflowers, orange roses, and crysanthemums among others.

"What is all that?" Xander asked in confusion.

"These are unusable, so Uncle Tristan said I could have them, and this is for the table," Alec said happily. "I thought it would be a nice surprise for Ba and Mama, even if it isn't black."

"It'll be a surprise alright," Xander said, eying the boxes.

They headed home, and Xander told Alec Cooger was there on the drive while Alec told him about some of the interesting customers they'd had. When they got home, Alec handed Xander the boxes so he could give their parents the flowers.
 
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