How Green Becomes Wood

"This," Ivy said, grabbing one of the blocks after looking at them for a few moments. Grabbing the one she felt was best, she added it to the tower and then made a delighted noise, looking at Xander closely to see if she had done it right.
 
Although Ivy did not remove the block, the way she babbled seemed to indicate she wasn't the most pleased with that placement, although she continued to stack for a little while longer before growing bored and walking off in a way which would seem rude if she weren't so young.
 
Although Ivy played on her own for a little while, she kept looking back at both of her brothers, or towards the front door, and eventually wandered back to Alec, tugging on his pant leg.
 
"Alright, up!" Alec said, lifting her up in the air. "Here we go!" He considered asking her to say the words, but after her crying fit, he didn't want to push his luck.
 
"I know you're worried about Mama and Baba, but they always come home, don't they?" Alec asked soothingly. "They'll always come home. Promise." He refused to look at Xander for that statement. Ivy didn't need to know about the times when parents didn't come home.

Xander said nothing. He started making an arch as best as he could.

"Meanwhile, we get to play together while we wait," Alec told Ivy. "And, you see, soon, Mama is going to have to go away to work. She'll leave in the morning, and then come back to play with Ivy in the afternoon. And you'll have so much fun!"
 
Quietly, Ivy shifted in Alec's arms and leaned in to give him a hug. She stayed there for a little while, watching and listening to him. Eventually she started getting restless again, and a bit fussy, but wasn't having another tantrum.
 
Alec gave her a big hug. "How about we watch one of the videos Uncle Tristan gave us? The one with the yellow bear and the pink piglet and the red tiger?" he suggested. "And there's a grey donkey! Would you like to watch that?"
 
Tugging on his hands slightly, she did her best to avoid being sat down, and with a grumpy little look on her face. Thinking things through as best as she could, she touched her tummy.
 
Back
Top