How Green Becomes Wood

Ivy looked down and as if just now realizing what she was doing, squeaked in surprise and then looked up at her parents.

"Yes, my darling, we are seeing this," Dark told her, "Great job, Ivy."

Letting go of the toy with one hand, she put her now free hand in her mouth and gurgled, wide-eyed.

"What, habibti?" Daizi asked with a little laugh, "Do you think you're stuck? Ivy isn't stuck, she's standing! All on her own!"
 
"Five bucks says she stays like that until her legs give out," Xander said, watching Ivy along with everyone else and willing to intervene if she seemed too distressed.

"Five bucks says she figures out how to get down all on her own," Alec retorted.
 
Daizi scooted closer to Ivy and held her arms out wide, "Come here, Hummingbird. Don't give your brothers the satisfaction of making money off of you, come walk to Mama!"

Ivy looked at her hesitantly, "Mama?"

"Ta-'a-ly! Yalla!" Daizi said sweetly, beckoning Ivy over.
 
"Hell, stop taking all the good bets," Cooger laughed, lingering on the ladder until Ivy figured out what she was going to do so he didn't throw things off. "Guess I'll bet five, one way or another she's gonna get to her Mama."

"That is an easy best," Dark said, resting his arm on his bent knee.

"That's why I only put five on it, it's just about as sure as bets can be so nobody'd take it if I made the number higher."

"Ta-'a-ly," Daizi cooed, scooting in just a bit closer, "Come here, Hummingbird!"

Ivy watched her Mama, visibly trying to figure out what to do. "Mama," She murmured, sticking her arms out. It was just about then that Enkidu stretched, waking up from a very satisfying dog nap, and spying the tiny human standing in the center of the room, went over to investigate. Just as Ivy was about to try and take a step, a big sweet dog face was looking at her, and in surprise she stumbled backwards and fell softly and painlessly down onto her butt.
 
"I'll take that bet," Xander said to Cooger. Then, when Ivy fell, he snapped his fingers and held them out to Cooger. "Pay up. Alec, you too."

"I'll get you later," Alec grumbled. He went over to Ivy and grinned at her, giving Enkidu a good petting. "How did that feel?"
 
"Hey, I said one way or another she's gonna get to her Mama, I never said she's walking there. We're not done till she goes somewhere else." Cooger argued, "Ivy, Kitten, go say hi to your Mama."

Ivy was sitting dazed for a few seconds, eyes wide and confused, but then she began to giggle when Enkidu sniffed her face, his whiskers tickling her. She looked up at Alec with a big grin and then rocked forwards so she could crawl to Daizi who was still waiting with open arms, curling up in her lap.

"See," Cooger nodded his head, "Told ya."
 
"Eh, you said she was going to her mother first, there was no mention of seeing a dog and a brother first," Xander argued. "Besides, Mama moved forward, making herself a more welcoming target."

"I don't know, I think Cooger wins this one," Alec grinned.
 
"Nuh-uh, don't you twist my words. I said one way or another, she's gonna get to her Mama. This counts as another way."

"I think he is right, Xander," Dark said, whistling Enkidu to come over, "He never claimed she would not be interrupted first."
 
"Honestly, I'm just surprised your dad took my side. Normally he's all about making me suffer." Cooger chuckled. Then he nodded to his friend and good naturedly asked, "You sure you're doing okay?"

At that question, the light in Dark's eyes dimmed again and his body imperceptibly tensed while Ivy stood, once more with Daizi's help, to pet Enkidu. "Yes, as I said before I am fine."
 
Alec tensed, watching Dark worriedly. He bit his lip, instinctively trying to think of how to make things better. How to help him feel better.

Xander glanced toward Dark. Then to Cooger and Daizi. "Am I the only person who's hungry?"
 
"Yeah, we should eat," Daizi said, touching her husband lightly on the shoulder before handing Ivy to him. There wasn't a lot people could say, so hopefully their almost-thirteen-month-old would work her magic. "We were so busy getting Ivy-Qadira to stand."

"And she did a whole lot more than that too, didn't she Alec?" Cooger asked, slapping the teen on the back before offering one hand to Dark to help him to stand up.
 
"I can't believe she said my name!" Alec cooed. "I gotta tell everyone! I'm going to text them. Becky and Tom and Sloan!"

"Sloan's going to be excited," Xander agreed, heading back to the kitchen. "Becky will go bonkers. Better to text her now rather than tell her in school."

"Agreed and agreed!" Alec chirped.
 
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