How Green Becomes Wood

Daizi named the street name they needed to head towards, unfolding her cane and trusting one of the twins would push the stroller. It was another thirty minute walk, but a safe one. "I'd say your father will be disappointed we got ice cream without him, but he and Cooger always get food without me when they hang out."
 
Alec snickered as he took over walking Enkidu while Xander pushed the stroller. "Then we should have decided to go out and get something that would make them jealous!"

"Nah, pinics are more fun," Xander stated.
 
"I really like the day that we've had," Daizi said, tapping her cane as they went, "Anyway, he always claims every dessert is too sweet, but he also always is disappointed when he doesn't get one."
 
"We once had olive oil and pistachio ice cream," Daizi told Xander, "He loved it, I didn't like it very much, but we've only found that one time. I'm pretty sure he still thinks about it."
 
"There are worse things you can do for him," Daizi agreed as they arrived at the ice cream shop. Once they found a table, Daizi sat down and went into the diaper bag for her wallet. Handing her debit card to the twins, she said, "We can't bring Enkidu inside, so you two go in and order first, then I'll take Ivy in."
 
"We could just tie Enkidu out here long enough to all go in and order together," Alec pointed out. "Or Xander can order for me, or I can order for him. Wouldn't that be more efficient?"
 
"I suppose so," Daizi shrugged, "I don't mind if it's a bit inefficient. I don't want to leave Enkidu unattended, but if you both know each other's orders, one of you can wait here with him while the rest of us order."
 
"I'll stay out here," Xander said. He plunked down and looked at the dog. "Why are you so hairy? We could take you more places if you weren't so hairy."

Alec went in with Daizi and Ivy. He, of course, ordered a bubblegum flavor that had bits of bubblegum in it. For Xander, he picked out a nice orange and cream flavor.
 
Daizi went with a raspberry-lemon sorbet and bought Ivy a tiny little scoop of chocolate ice cream with rainbow sprinkles in a cup. After they received the ice cream, they went back outside to rejoin Xander.

"Ivy-Qadira, do you think you can eat your ice cream by yourself like a big girl?" Daizi asked, setting down the ice cream cup on the table so she could get a bib from the diaper bag.
 
Ivy's eyes widened at the sprinkles, having never been given them before. After staring at them, she reached out to grab some. When her fingers dug into the ice cream though and it was cold, her excitement at the rainbow sprinkles was replaced with her holding her fingers out to her mother, eyes wide and starting to brim with tears from the shock.

"What's the matter, Ivy?" Daizi asked, hearing Ivy whimper. "Do you not like it?"
 
"She stuck her fingers in it, and she doesn't like the cold," Alec said, trying not to laugh. He reached out and gently took Ivy's hand, guiding it toward her mouth. "Here, Ivy. Try licking it. It's okay. It's good! But you should use your spoon, not your fingers."
 
"Oh no, Ivy," Daizi chuckled, "Is it cold? That's okay, habibti!"

Ivy turned her face away from her fingers, starting to cry, "No! Mama!"

"Do you want me to help clean your hands? Come here, Ivy," She said, lifting up a paper towel and also reaching out to Ivy, "I know, ice cream is really cold!"
 
Xander chuckled and handed Daizi another napkin. "I guess this is where she learns that not all food is grabbable."

"Kind of a confusing lesson with a family where half of the food is finger food," Alec smirked.
 
"That is true," Daizi chuckled as she helped clean Ivy's fingers for her before spoon-feeding her a scoop of ice cream. The taste of it alone made her stop crying, so Ivy handed the spoon to her, "I sometimes worry she'll be picked on at school over how much she'll grow up eating with her hands. Or worse, mocked by adults who don't understand and just think she's being impolite."
 
"Nah, she'll be fine," Xander assured her. "It's pretty obvious what is and isn't finger food, and by the time she hits school, she'll know not to dunk her fingers in ice cream."

"Maybe they'll make fun of her some, but she'll always have a great mom to make her feel better," Alec told her.
 
"I know that she won't be sticking her fingers in ice cream, but I also know we'll send her to school with our foods." Daizi said, smoothing Ivy's hair, "Kids are mean, especially to people who are different."
 
Alec smiled. "Yes, but kids can also be fabulous, and I bet she'll have some amazing friends!"

Xander just grunted, trying not to let his pessimism get the best of him.
 
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