How Green Becomes Wood

"I hope someday you get the chance to try it," Alec told him and flopped down on the couch.

Now that the shennanagains were over, or at least paused, Xander sat down next to him and settled in.
 
"I do not know who would have strong enough shoulders," Dark replied, putting his arm around Daizi and settling in for the evening.

Although it wasn't typically her interest, Daizi suggested they put on an episode or two of a tv show or a movie to kill the last few hours before the new year.
 
The twins agreed and quietly discussed/argued what they should watch before they settled on something everyone - their parents included - would enjoy. They set it up, but after half an hour, Alec had fallen asleep half laying in Xander's lap. Xander was technically awake, but he was zoned out.
 
Dark and Daizi stayed up fine enough. As a man with chronic insomnia, staying up to midnight wasn't a big deal, and often the pair of them would stay up that late so they have some time just to themselves without fear of intrusion. They didn't wake Alec or bother Xander, though, they just let the movie play out, snuggled up to each other, until finally it was about ten minutes before midnight. Then, Daizi gently nudged Alec so he, hopefully, wouldn't miss it, but if he stayed asleep, they wouldn't force him up.
 
"Hmm? What?" Alec grunted, waking with a start.

"Nearly midnight," Xander told him, stretching as he came alert.

Alec sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Oh! Yes. Happy-"

"Not yet."
 
Dark switched the TV to a good countdown and sat back to wait. He personally would've chosen to stay sitting, but when it came to the final ten-second countdown, Daizi grabbed his hand and all but pulled him onto his feet.
 
The twins happily counted down with the clock, Xander getting into it despite his efforts not to. "Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! ONE!" They cheered and hugged each other. "Happy New Year!"
 
"Happy New Year!" Daizi cheered and then turned to her husband, stretching up to kiss him. As she pulled away, she whispered, "Happy Birthday, Ghalib. I love you."

"Thank you," He replied, "I love you too."
 
Aelc wrapped his arms around both Dark and Daizi and hugged them. "Happy New Year! I'm so happy I get to start a new year with you guys."

Xander stepped over and hugged his parents quietly, stepping away again so fast it almost seemed like a figment of imagination that he'd ever hugged them in the first place. "Let's make it an awesome one, yeah?"
 
"It'll be even better than last year," Daizi promised, shifting to hug Alec too. Both she and Dark recognized Xander's had joined in, but with his quick getaway, they both decided not to mention it. It was by all means enough to simply feel it.

"We are beginning a whole new decade together, not only the year," Dark added, stepping back after a moment.
 
"That's crazy!" Alec said. He shook his head. "I can hardly believe it's true. I can hardly believe we're here. That we're still here. All of us." He smiled as he looked around. "It's really nice."

"I wouldn't want to go through a new decade with a different group of people," Xander stated.
 
"Alright, Mama," Alec agreed, smiling up at her. "Good night. And good morning! See you eventually tomorrow." He turned to leave but paused. "Oh! And, happy birthday, Baba."

"Happy birthday," Xander agreed. "See you later today."

The twins headed upstairs, Xander choosing to spend the rest of the night with his brother rather than down in his little sanctuary in the basement.
 
"Thank you," Dark replied. He and Daizi waited for just a little while downstairs together. It was another decade for every person alive, but in that moment it was really resonating with them. It was the start of the second decade of their marriage, the first decade they began as parents, and the start of the fourth decade Dark had been alive. There was a lot to dwell on and appreciate, enough to keep them up much later than they ought to be. But, Daizi shifted, kissed her husband on the cheek, and said, "We should get some sleep."

The next morning, she was downstairs with Ivy in the kitchen, preparing a fairly light breakfast because it was her husband's birthday and she knew he loved to sleep in.
 
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Alec came scampering down the stairs first. "Good morning!" He reached out to take Ivy and swing her around. "Good morning, Ivy! It's a whole new year! And a new decade!"

Xander yawned and he clumped down the stairs. "It's too early," he moaned.

Alec ignored him. "So! What's the day's itinerary? When are we leaving? When do people show up at the place?"
 
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