How Green Becomes Wood

"I think I just do not understand barons of any sort," Dark said as they pulled into the restaurant, "but somehow I expect I will say that and then learn the Hollises are related to some distant Baron and then we will all be invited to a palace. Although I do not know if Barons have palaces."
 
The twins both laughed at that idea.

"I think some barons these days just have the name and the bloodline but no, like, real power," Xander remarked. "At least, that's the impression I got."

Alec hopped out of the car first with Xander right behind. "I hope they do invite us to a palace!"
 
"It must depend on where they are barons," Dark mused as he exited the car and went around to Ivy's side, "I would not mind visiting a palace. I generally take issue with what palaces represent, but I cannot deny I love architecture. Versailles was gorgeous, for all that it was."
 
"We will be okay," Dark promised, taking Ivy out of her seat and carrying her inside with the diaper bag. Because they were just going to sit down and eat, he didn't bother with bringing the stroller.

Sure enough, although the restaurant was busy, there was enough space for them and they didn't need to wait for a table. Ivy was just beginning to wake up again when they were settled, so after the drink orders were placed, Dark excused himself to go change her diaper again, coming back just in time for them to order their meals.
 
The meal went well with Alec and Xander talking almost exclusively about the aquarium in hyper detail. They relived every moment with joy, even Xander, though he was trying his best to restrain himself and conceal how much fun he'd had.

After dinner, Alec almost fell asleep on the drive home, and Xander wasn't much better. They got home, helped Dark with Ivy's car seat and diaper bag, and wandered inside.

"Mama! Mama, we're home!" Alec called, walking in the door first. "Enkidu! Here boy!"

Xander yawned as he touched the salt. "Here we are!"
 
"Welcome home," Daizi replied, coming up to greet them with Enkidu trotting at her heels. She was wearing the pajama shirt Amty Zeinab bought Dark. As always, she wore shorts under it, and as always, they were completely hidden by his shirt, "Did you have a nice day out?"

"It was really nice," Dark replied, touching the salt and helping Ivy to do so while she squirmed and squealed at the sight of her mother.

"Mama! Mama!" She screeched, holding her arms out.

Immediately taking her into her arms, Daizi murmured, "I'm here, habibti! Was that so fun!"
 
Alec knew he shouldn't, but he felt embarrassed when Daizi wore stuff like that. It was so... taunting? Was that a good word? But it wasn't supposed to be! And he knew that! Especially not for him! So he did his best to never look anywhere but her face and smiled at her, genuinely happy to see her. "We all had so much fun! If she could, she would tell you all about the jellies!"

"They were pretty cool, but I liked the mantarays better," Xander stated.
 
"The jellies?" Daizi asked, bouncing Ivy on her hip, "What were those like, baby?"

"They float delicately," Dark replied, kissing Daizi on the cheek and walking towards the living room so they could all sit, "You would like them."

"What are the manta rays like?"
 
"Like a flowing magic carpet," Xander said in a description that sounded more like something Alec would say. He flopped in a chair. "Or like many, many pieces of a magic carpet that join to make one big one."

"I liked either the sea lions or the belugas best," Alec stated, getting comfortable.
 
"I know about sea lions and belugas," Daizi said with a smile, sitting down next to Dark and stretching her legs over his lap, "I've gotten to hear sea lions before. They're quite loud."

"We saw a show where they did tricks."

"Did they honk for you?"

"I think it's called barking, but they did, yes."
 
"It was great, Mama! So fabulous!" Alec proceeded to tell her all about the show and, from there, explained about everything they'd seen at aquarium. He was exuberant as so very happy, telling her all about what Ivy had liked and how Dark had seemed when looking around. He showed her his penny, Xander showed her his, and once they'd run out of words, Alec asked Daizi to tell him all about what she'd done while they were gone.
 
Daizi listened closely to their stories, feeling the pennies in her hands---Dark gave her his and Ivy's, too---taking care to feel their unique designs before handing them back. As always, she asked questions as they spoke.

When they asked her about her day, she told them, "I didn't do much, honestly. I took a long bath while listening to a podcast, I used a hair mask, I took a nap. I ordered takeaway for lunch and dinner because I wasn't going to cook. Enkidu got a nice long walk. I just enjoyed having the house to myself."

"I am glad you were able to have such a relaxing day," Dark said warmly, bringing her hand to his lips.

"I needed it," She replied, "and I'm glad my flock were having their own great day so I didn't need to feel guilty about doing only what I liked."
 
"Flock? Like sheep? But I thought we were ducks," Alec asked with a frown.

"No, we're goslings, and flock works for birds, too," Xander reminded him.

Alec lit up happily. "Oh, that's right! I'd forgotten. We are a flock."

"Right," Xander said, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, sounds like a nice day. I bet Enkidu enjoyed the time off, too."

"What podcast did you listen to?" Alec asked curiously.
 
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