How Green Becomes Wood

"From what your father described, this man walked in, got down on one knee, and begged your father to 'consider him.'" Daizi explained, "He presented a single rose and everything. From how it was described to me, Dark explained he's married and too old, and the man suggested I share."
 
"We're not going there to bother him," Daizi said, letting Ivy go for a moment before picking up wide pink ribbons to tie bows into her hair, "You can come if you like, I suppose, but only if you'll be nice. Do you not have therapy today because of the holiday?"
 
Xander heaved a sigh. "A man proposes to my father, and I'm not allowed to give him a hard time? I guess I might as well stay at home." He took a bite of apple. "Nah. I was told the only reason I'd need to come is if I wanted to give the horses cards. I declined."

Meanwhile, Alec was standing at the window watching as Emma pulled up in front of the house. He did a happy little jig and hurried into his shoes. As Emma was walking up to the door, a hired car pulled up behind hers. She looked at it, puzzled, and went to knock on the door right as Alec opened it.

"Happy Valentine's Day!" he chirped.

Emma smiled. "And to you! You look really nice today."

"Thank you," Alec smiled. "I'm sorry if my hair looks a little strange. It's the price I pay for growing out the colored bit."

"It's going to look so wonderful once it's all out," Emma assured him. She glanced again at the car.

"I couldn't have you driving us around, could I?" Alec said. He picked up the box and called into the house, "Mama! Xander! We're leaving! I'll be back later!" Then he gabbed his coat and walked out with Emma to the car.
 
"Because someone proposed to him you can't give him a hard time, he's been through enough." Daizi teased, and then turned her head and called back, "Have fun! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

After she tied the second pink bow in Ivy's hair, Daizi asked, "What does it mean to give a horse a card?"
 
Xander snickered at Daizi's advice. It was good advice. To her question, he said, "They meant like those dumb cards we used to give each other as kids. You know, in school, you had to give those cheap little things to everyone so that no one would feel left out. That was the theory, anyway."

~~~

"So! Where are we going?" Emma asked as Alec held the door open for her.

Alec smiled. "You'll have to wait just a moment!" He hurried around and got in on his side. The driver waited until they were buckled and then set the car in motion. Alec set the box carefully down between his feet and pulled a small envelope from his pocket. "Okay, first, you have to open this or else I think you'll be disappointed."

"Disappointed? Why?" Emma asked, confused, but Alec just indicated for her to open the envelope. She did and pulled out a handmade coupon. "Good for one meal outside?

Alec smiled bashfully. "I can't afford a really nice restaurant, and it's far too cold for a picnic, so we're going somewhere I think you'll like, but it's not particularly fancy. I wanted you to know I'm not trying to be cheap."

"Oh, Alec!" Emma giggled. "Thank you. That is so thoughtful of you." She leaned over and kissed him.

Alec tingled all over at the kiss as he returned it.

"Hey, now, none of that in my car!" warned the driver.

Alec and Emma both blushed and kept to their own sides of the car until they arrived at Panda Express. Emma laughed when she saw where they were. They were the nicest dressed people in the fast food restaurant, her in her long black dress with an embroidered blazer and wide black belt, and him in his black pants and blazer and dark red button-up shirt. They ordered and sat in the plastic seats, talking and laughing and occasionally holding hands. After that, they went to the mall where there was an indoor light display set up for all who wanted to walk through, a clear leftover from the Christmas season that had a lot of pink added to it for a new event. They walked here and there, enjoying themselves and taking their time. Alec bought Emma some chocolates while they were there, and she shared it with him. Afterwards, Alec gave her the gift he'd carefully picked out. A terrarium designed to look like a hillside with tiny dogs playing under the "tree." She loved it, absolutely loved it, and thanked him very enthusiastically.
 
Daizi furrowed her eyebrows, turning her head to the side slightly, "Is that a thing? I don't think we ever did that in my schools. At my US high school, we had candygrams and flowergrams, though."
 
Xander shrugged. "It was in elementary school. It was stupid. Candygrams and flowergrams sound a little better. Maybe even more embarrassing." He turned away. "Anyway, you should go check with Ba about the potential interloper and what sort of schedule you all will be keeping."
 
"Har har, never heard that one before," Xander said dryly. "You know, I'd have driven you, if you wanted. I don't mind." He pointed at Ivy. "You be good. Give him a hard time for me, okay?"
 
"I think Dark has the carseat," Daizi replied, picking up the diaper bag. It was a short enough trip she didn't anticipate needing it, but having it and not needing it was much, much better than the alternative. Shortly after, the car arrived, so Daizi said goodbye and took the short trip to the flower shop.

When she and Ivy arrived, Dark was away from the door with his back to it, helping a few customers. Not knowing where he was, Daizi slipped up to the counter and quietly asked, "Would you mind telling me where my husband is? But don't alert him first."
 
Tristan smiled. "Hello, Ma'am and little Ma'am. It's good to see you." He described exactly where Dark was and, with permission, put a hand on her elbow and turned her in the right direction."
 
"Thank you," Daizi chuckled, walking in the direction of where Tristan had pointed her to. Once Ivy squirmed in recognition, Daizi set her down and, kneeling at her side, handed her the flower, and said, "Go to Baba! Go show Baba your pretty zahra!"

Excited to unexpectedly be seeing her dad, toddled over to him as quickly as she could, jingling and babbling as she went. His back still turned, Dark thought how odd it was that baby sounded like Ivy, since it didn't occur to him his daughter could possibly be there, because why would she be? When Ivy tugged on his pant leg and said, "Baba!"

Turning his head and actually seeing Ivy, Dark nearly broke his neck from the intensity of his double-take. Immediately forgetting the customers he was talking to, Dark lifted her up, "Ivy-Qadira! What are you doing here, Tifla?!"
 
Tristan watched in amusement until he needed to help the next customer. This family was truly ridiculous in how cute and precious they were. They really were the perfect family. Oh, he knew they had ups and downs, and they had their issues and fights, but that was part of what made them the perfect family in his eyes. They always found a way to make things work, and it wasn't always "my way or the highway," or all hidden behind closed doors to make it look like something it wasn't. It was amazing to behold.
 
The customers Dark had been helping really didn't mind finding themselves ignored, since this toddler was clearly his child, and frankly neither of them expected this large, intense man to have a child he was so sweet with. Much less one who appeared with pink bows in her hair!

"Ah-wa!" Ivy said, holding out the flower to him.

"Is it for me, Hummingbird?" Dark asked, looking past her for just long enough to see Daizi before taking the flower, "Thank you, Ivy, you are so sweet."
 
Tristan smiled and turned his attention to his customers. He stepped up his smile and tried to work faster, pushing his tired body harder. The finish line was in sight! And Dark deserved this happy time with his family. He could manage for a while alone, and Ivy's appearance had brought an instant good mood over the customers. They didn't mind slowing down a bit.
 
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