How Green Becomes Wood

Ivy smiled and snuggled into his arms, "I am sure she will, and she will dream mostly of wrapping paper rather than toys."

Cooger watched Ciara with a new-found admiration, "Yeah, I didn't think so either. Good for her."
 
"I imagine she will," Ciara agreed.

Lex glanced between Ciara and the twins. "You know, I can really see the family resemblance, biologically speaking. Especially between her and Xander."
 
"It's funny that you see it more between her and Xander when Xander and Alec are identical," Cooger mused while Dark walked off, gently bouncing Ivy. She wasn't yet ready to be brought upstairs, but it was definitely cuddle time and not playtime. "She does look a lot like them."
 
"The no baby talk thing, absolutely," Cooger agreed, "I wonder if she's ever got into fights like he has, though. And Xander don't have those manners. He ain't rude, but he can be a bit. Ungentlemanly. Not that I'm judging, look at me. And my folks are attorneys."
 
A hint of a blush colored Lex's cheeks, and she smiled back at him. "You are corny," she told him, but she couldn't help her smile or leaning in just a little closer to you. "This year has definitely been one of my better ones, too."
 
"I'm allowed to be, every once in awhile," Cooger said, hoping he'd remember the way she blushed at his words. After a few moments he checked the time, stretched, and made a little show of looking out the window, "It's getting kind of late. Looks like it may start snowing."
 
Lex leaned back to see out the window. "Hmm, it does look that way. You said the roads were pretty bad coming out here. They're only going to be worse going back, aren't they?"
 
"Not to mention the grown cats, the chickens, and Millie...Although I guess it's a pretty good thing I anytime I leave the house this time of year I make certain they're provided for in case something happens and I can't make it home."
 
"Ah, excellent foresight," Lex smiled. "I suppose, then, you don't have to make it all the way back home... if you don't want to."

Seeing things were wrapping up, Ciara felt it was safe for her to take her leave. She stood and politely announced her intentions before gathering up her items. The twins thanked her for coming, and Alec gave her a quick hug, not lingering for her sake.
 
"What, are you expecting me to sleep in the truck?" Cooger teased.

When it was time for Ciara to go, after Daizi and everyone else had said goodbye, Dark walked Ciara out to her car. He was certain she could manage, but he still liked to be sure, and it gave him a few moments with the cold air on his face away from the noise of the party.
 
"I guess that is one option," Lex nodded. "A bit cold for that, don't you think You'll come out an icecycle. That's not a good option, I wouldn't think."

Ciara was politely grateful for Dark's company as they walked to her car. She placed her new gifts into the back and then turned to him. "I am sorry for your loss. Of family, home, and country," she said bluntly. "I cannot pretend to fathom the depth of what you feel, but I see that you continue to keep your head above the proverbial waters."
 
"And what do you recommend?" Cooger asked, running his fingers up her arm.

Ciara's statement took him by surprise, and for once it showed on his face. After her words sank in he nodded stiffly and averted his eyes, sticking his hands deep into his pockets. It had all been there below the surface, churning, swirling, consuming. It was only December and had already been a long, cold winter. "I do not believe you were meant to know about that," He said quietly, but wasn't particularly shocked she knew. Details like that were easy enough to find if someone really wanted to. After taking another moment, he simply said, "It has been twenty-five years." He guessed she knew that, too, but it was all he could think of to say.
 
Lex resolutely ignored the shiver that accompanied Cooger's touch. "Well, I suppose there are a couple of couches you could crash on for the night," she commented. "Or, if couches aren't your thing, I can think of one, soft, warm bed that might appeal to you."

"I know," Ciara said, calm and quiet as always, but not dispassionate. "Your name along with a few others crossed the desk of a coworker of mine, and he mentioned it to me with consideration to our relationship. Something to do with an anniversary piece a paper wishes to run. Twenty-five years is a long time, but I do not think it has been long enough to heal all wounds."
 
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