How Green Becomes Wood

"I know a little bit," Milo mumbled, "There are some things you just have to learn, sometimes. We once had our car break down when we were driving in the desert, but we were able to get it driving again."
 
"People aren't interested in fixing what's broken," Milo mumbled, thinking of the lyrics to one of his favourite songs.

The rest of the day went by easily, and after the bell rang, Milo sought out Xander so they could head out. He knew his friend was going to offer to drive him home, but it was a good day and he looked forward to biking. Still, it was nice to leave the school with him.
 
Xander was looking for Milo, as well, and relaxed when he saw him coming. "Hey. Want a ride?" he asked. It was a nice day, so he expected Milo to say no, but he'd always offer.

"I should learn to ride a bike. It would probably be useful," Alec remarked thoughtfully as he walked beside Xander.
 
"It's a bit far to nlbike to work, but I bet I could go other places," Alec agreed. "I'll put it on my life goals list!"

Xander opened the door and held it for them. "I can't wait to see him on a bike. And I'll be counting to see how many times a week I have to help him get unlost."

Alec stuck his tongue out at Xander.
 
"I could probably teach you," Milo mumbled, as they stepped outside, "and you just need to put a tracker on---" As soon as they stepped outside and his eyes focused in the light, he fell silent and took off in nearly a run towards a beat up old car he saw parked right out front.
 
"A tracker on?" Alec started to say when Milo fell silent. And then Milo took off, leaving them both of them confused.

Xander instinctively took a few steps after Milo, instantly assuming trouble, but then he realized what was going on and stopped.

"Oh, is that his mother?" Alec asked in surprise. "She's here?"

"Looks like it," Xander said, pleased. Then he frowned. "Hope everything's good."

Alec grinned and nudged him. "She's here for his birthday! It's very good."

"I hope he can get his bike in her car," Xander mumbled, eying the old car. "Maybe we should hang about and see if he wants us to pick it up for him?"

"Might be good. We can walk toward the van very slowly," Alec said.

Xander nodded and started walking. Looked like pizza and tarts were off for tonight. Shame. He was really looking forward to that, but this was better.
 
When Milo hugged his mother, he nearly knocked her off balance purely from the excited force. Hunched over so he could have his face against her shoulder, he mumbled, "I thought you couldn't come."

"I wanted to surprise you," Elle told him, stretching up onto her toes to try to properly hug her very tall son. She looked better than a year ago---she had gained a bit of healthy weight, her dyed hair wasn't grown out to show multiple inches of her roots, and she just looked well, "Happy birthday, Milo."

"How long are you here?"

"Awhile," She promised, and with his face pressed into her shoulder, he couldn't see her delighted grin at how long she'd be there.
 
The twins hang back for a while, but Alec finally walked over, still keeping a respectful distance back. "Welcome back, Ma'am!" he called. "Milo, Xander wants to know if you want us to pick up your bike for you or if it'll fit in the car. So you don't have to worry about it over the weekend."
 
Elle quickly dryed her eyes before greeting Alec warmly, "Hello! It's nice to meet you---you must be Alec, I've seen so many pictures of you and your brother. And that's okay about the bike, I've got a bike rack."
 
Alec smiled at her brightly. "Yes, Ma'am! It's nice to see you again. We met very, very briefly like a year ago, but it was... chaotic."

Xander heard the words bike rack and went to fetch Milo's bike. He wheeled it over to them and examined the rack before hefting the bike up onto it and making sure it was secure. "Good to go," he told them. He gave Milo a smile and a nod, pleased for him. "See you later."

Alec gave another wave and moved toward the van again. "Drive safe and enjoy your visit!"
 
"Oh, thank you," Elle said, surprised Xander had helped, "You're so polite!"

"I'll see you---" Milo began, but then looked quickly between Xander and his mom, suddenly not knowing what his plans for the evening were. He was looking forward to pizza and tarts too, but now his mom was here.

Reaching up to put a hand on his shoulder, Elle said, "You're still going to Milo's party, aren't you? His grandparents were telling me all about it."
 
Xander and Alec paused, and Alec glanced at Xander. "I guess, yes," Xander said slowly. "If it's still on, yeah, I'll be there. Thought you two might want to hang out instead."
 
"I'll be here for awhile," Elle told them, feeling incredibly cheeky, "Your grandparents have known I was going to be here today for a while, so they had you schedule it for later in the day so we could have a few hours just us before the party starts."

Milo stared at her, an amazed, delighted, and shy look on his face, "That's awesome."

"Is Xander the only one going?" Elle asked, "I'd love to meet more of your friends."

Nearly swallowing his tongue, Milo immediately asked, "Alec, do you want to go?" And then stared at the floor, "That's rude, I'm sorry."
 
"Oh!" Alec blinked, caught flat-footed. "I'd love to come! Um, although I might have work tonight. I need to double-check. I'll text you later?" He would honestly love to go, but he hadn't been originally invited, and he wanted to give Milo an out if he needed it.
 
"Okay, cool, yeah," Milo said, not knowing what to do with all his excitement and bewilderment at his mom suddenly being there after she had said she couldn't make it. "Um, yeah. Yeah. Just let me know, okay?"

"We'll see at least one of you later," Elle said, "Milo, do you want to go get ice cream?"
 
"Bye!" Alec waved. He waited until they were in the van before asking Xander, "Do you think he's going to be okay? Or is he going to explode?"

"More like implode," Xander said, checking around carefully before pulling out. "I think he'll be okay. Just needs a bit. Are you coming to the party?"

"I don't know if Milo wants me there, but if he means it, absolutely," Alec replied. "I'll give him an hour and then text him."
 
Milo got into his mom's car, stunned into silence. Elle got into the driver's side and began driving to the ice cream place she had scouted while waiting for school to let out. Pretty used to her son's moods, she just put on quiet music.

By the time she pulled into the parking lot of the ice cream shop, Milo's swirling thoughts and feelings finally coalesced and he asked, "Mom? Are you moving me again? Is that why you're here?"

Elle smiled softly and squeezed his shoulder, "No, Bug, I'm not."

"That's not why you said I should invite more of my friends?" Milo asked, looking at her, "You're not gathering them so I can say goodbye?"

"I promise you it isn't."

Milo stared at her and then looked down at his hands, "I don't know if I'm relieved or disappointed."
 
Once the twins arrived home, Alec happily gushed to his mother all about the day and the hoped-for party he might be going to. Then, with careful thought, he texted Tristan and asked if he could have the day off. If it was inconvenient, he would still go in and work, but if it was alright, he'd take the time off in case Milo did want him at the party. Tristan agreed since Alec did not often ask for time off, so he had some time on his hands.
 
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