How Green Becomes Wood

"That is exactly what I was going to suggest," Dark said putting on his sunglasses. Then, from out of the diaper bag, he handed a tube of sunscreen to his sons without a word, expecting they'd know exactly what the next step was.

"There's a nice stroll by the pond," Daizi suggested.
 
The twins worked on slathering themselves up with sunscreen, helping each other with any hard-to-reach spots. Then, they both flipped out their own sunglasses and slid them on. Black ones for Xander, pink heart ones for Alec. Then it was out of the car and helping their parents get the things they needed. Today was going to be a good day. They could feel it!
 
Once Ivy was out of the car, Dark carefully applied sunscreen on her and put on her hat. Then put on her hat. Then put on her hat. Then put the hat away in the diaper bag.

"Ivy-Qadira," Daizi said, "Do you want to ride in your stroller?"

"No!"

"Do you want to walk with us?"

"Ah!" Ivy nodded, and looking around at all of them decided to hold onto Alec's hand, because he happened to be nearest.
 
Growing up in the family she was, Ivy had been hearing music since before she was born. She was sung to at least once a day and had a whole set of toddler-safe instruments she played with. So, she knew what singing was. Unfortunately, she did not quite know how to do it herself.

This did not stop her from trying.

"She does not seem to agree with you, Xander," Dark said while Daizi tried not to laugh and Ivy loudly exclaimed one or two words from songs she knew in between nonsense babbling.
 
"Sing, sing, sing!" Alec cheered, swinging her hand gently in time to their singing. "Here we go a singing!"

Xander just heaved a sigh and followed along behind them. "As long as no one asks me to sing, then fine. All is happy and singing."
 
Dark and Daizi stood behind all of them, quietly ushering them along. Dark pushed the stroller while holding Enkidu's leash and Daizi held his arm. Neither of them spoke over Ivy and Alec's singing or Xander's grumbling. The sights and sounds of their three children enjoying their time were too delightful to interrupt.

About halfway around the pond, Dark paused for a moment and nodded towards the water, "Look. Ducks, and geese too."

"I packed frozen peas, so we could feed them in case they were out."
 
"Let's go see the birds!" Alec cheered and urged her to run toward the pond, keeping hold of her hand so that nothing would happen like her running straight into the pond by accident.

"There aren't going to be any birds around if you keep that up!" Xander warned.
 
Ivy squealed in delight and gladly ran with her brother, laughing as she went with her two little pigtails bouncing with her.

Immediately, Enkidu wanted to run with them, but Dark gave him a command to settle him because if he let the dog do as he wished, the birds surely would flee.

"Are they close to the edge?" Daizi asked, going into the diaper bag to the peas.

'"Near enough, and theyll come closer once they see the food in the water."
 
Alec ran with her until they were close and then drew her to a stop. "Okay! Time to settle!" he told her and crouched down. He made little shushing noises. "The birds don't like loud noises. Noises scare them! So if we're quiet, they will come to us. Mama is bringing them food. They love food!"

Xander made it part of the way before noping out and hobbling to the nearest bench. He could have made it to the pond, but there was a lot of day and park time left. He didn't want to use up all his energy in the first bit. Besides, too many people would probably annoy the birds, too. Maybe he could chill here with Enkidu or something.
 
"The birds will come to us," Alec promised her. "We just need to be quiet a little longer."

"Yep, just taking a break while I can. I think I have a better view of the birds back here, anyway," Xander assured him. "Want to leave Enkidu with me?"
 
Last edited:
Since she had put on her favourite off-roading cane tip on, Daizi made her way slowly, carefully, but capably down towards where Alec and Ivy were waiting. "Here," She said, holding out the bag of peas, "You can feed them."

"That is probably for the best, if it is not a problem for you," Dark said, "He will scare them all away."
 
"Thanks, Mama!" Alec said, taking the bag. "Look, Ivy! Bird treats! These will make the birds come closer." He opened the bag and made a face at how cold the peas were before taking a small handful and tossing it out onto the water. Then he offered a few peas to Ivy. "Toss them on the water!"

Xander took Enkidu's leash and rubbed his ears. "Sorry, buddy. Neither of us is allowed to chase away the birds today. Maybe another day."
 
After watching her brother, Ivy reached out and scattered the peas on the water. She didn't do as well as Alec did, and they didn't reach out as far, but it was enough and soon all the fowl were swimming over and pecking at the water to get the peas.

Hearing the quacking and honking, Daizi took a handful and tossed it towards the sound.

"Mama," Ivy giggled, putting her hand over her mouth and stomping her feet.

"Are they being really silly?"

"Yeah!"
 
"Good job, Mini!" Alec grinned. "Good throw, and good staying quiet! I'm very impressed." He tossed out more peas, hitting the halfway point between how far Daizi threw and Ivy's short throw. Then he gave Ivy more peas. "Thanks for bringing peas, Mama. This is great!"
 
"Anytime I know we're going somewhere there might be ducks, I try to bring peas," Daizi said, tossing another handful at the same time as Ivy.

"It reminds me of the day Daizi proposed to me," Dark mused as he came up behind them, "Do you remember that, Alec? When it was the four of us at the park?"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top