shimmerandsing | The shoe is on the hand it fits.

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dakota

The shoe is on the hand it fits.

Alison had been fidgeting about this for a while. Quietly. As much as she hated asking for things -- particularly when she already had so much and had been given so much -- there was something on her mind that she just couldn't shake. The nursery that Robbie and Miyuki set up for the babies was wonderful. She had no complaints at all. But, there was something missing.

Every time she was in the room and every time she imagined herself with the twins after their birth, she saw herself with one tiny infant held against each shoulder and sitting in an old fashioned, wooden rocking chair. Rocking them to sleep; feeding, nursing.

All the chairs in the stores and catalogs she'd seen lately had been the new, modern kind with all sorts of mechanical looking, moving parts. Not at all what she wanted.

Dakota had made beautiful furniture for the babies so far. The crib and changing table he'd given them was breathtaking. The work he'd done on the little bridge over their koi pond was lovely, too. She had no doubt in her mind that if she asked, he could make her exactly what she wanted.

But, he and Rogue were on vacation. And they'd already abused him enough with the koi pond.

She sighed to herself as she stepped out the back door and carried a cup of warm tea down the steps and out toward the pond. She wandered barefoot across the grass and marveled at how quiet it was. Longshot had gotten up early this morning to take the kids out on a horseback ride. A couple of horses had to be borrowed from camp to carry them all, but Alison had yet to see them deny Longshot anything.

She discovered she wasn't alone at the pond, though. Dakota was sitting on one of the benches overlooking the koi pond. Glad for the company and amused by the coincidence, Alison wandered over to sit by him.

"Enjoying your handy work?"

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Dakota had been enjoying the quiet. He loved his kids dearly, but they seemed to have taken vacation to mean something along the lines of make much more noise than they would have. Rogue was probably still lazing about in the bedroom. She had up late the previous night. Dakota did not feel an ounce of guilt that it had been his fault.

He had been looking over the pond and lost in thought as Alison approached. So lost in thought he jumped slightly. He looked over his shoulder and gave a rueful grin. "Maybe a little."

He shifted over from sitting dead center on the bench and patted the bench. "Have a seat. It's a nice spot here."

"Thank you." She dropped into the empty space and stretched her legs out in front of her, crossing them at the ankles. Her tea cup balanced nicely on her knee.

"I like this place. I'm glad you guys put a bench here. It looks over everything really nicely." She smiled at him and rubbed the slight baby bump starting to show under her shirt. Now that she was sure it was there, she couldn't leave it alone.

"You guys did great work. Thank you again."

"Ah. It was no problem." He scratched his shoulder idly. "Longshot was so determined to make everything the best that we couldn't say no."

He gave a half-smile. "Though when your little ones start getting mobile, you might want to put up a fence or something. Let me know. I can figure something out that matches the surroundings."

He looked out at the pond. It really was peaceful here. It would be hard to put a fence up and not ruin the look, but he could probably figure something out.

"Considering Longshot's genes are involved, it might not be too long before they're outrunning me." She chuckled. "So, I appreciate the offer. I'll definitely let you know."

"You do great work. That bridge is beautiful," she smiled and tried the keep the wistful tone out of her voice.

"Shiny toys that make noise," Dakota suggested. "Lucky has a toy lazer pistol I won for him at a carnival. It keeps him amused for hours. Creeping around and scaring random X-Men with loud lazer blasts, but it works."

Dakota looked at the bridge and didn't particularly see the beauty. It was solid and sturdy. Those were his only requirements when he set out building it. The tips of his ears may have been burning, however. "Uh, thanks. It was just following some diagrams and stuff though."

"I'll keep that in mind. Since sounds don't bother me, it might not be a bad strategy. Possibly drive any guests we have batty, though." She chuckled. Some remote controlled cars might keep them entertained. She'd have to get three, though. Then they could race their Daddy.

"You're too modest. It's a good thing your friends and family have restraint. Otherwise you'd never get to leave your workshop." She grinned at him. "The crib you made us is probably my favorite piece of furniture in the castle."

"They don't? Then I'll let Rogue know who she can buy all the noisy toys for." He scratched his chin. "Fifty million pieces okay, too?"

Dakota looked down his bare feet. He was trying real hard not to shuffle them on the ground. "Well, since you're gonna have twins, I'll probably need to make another. I think I got some good wood squared away."

She gave him a mock glare. "Sure, if you're going to stick around to pick all fifty million pieces up. Uncle Dakota."

"Well... they'll probably not mind sleeping together while they're in the crib. They were snuggled up together for nine months in cramped quarters, after all." She smiled and did a little foot shuffling of her own. "Of course..."

Spit it out, Alison! "If you're looking for a new project... "

"Nope. That's the joy of being an uncle. I can dump the presents and run," he countered with a small grin.

He nodded. "How it happens on the rez a lot. Though if you want another one, let me know."

Dakota blinked and looked at Alison curiously. She was asking him for something? That was rare. Her request for a matching dresser to go with her bed seemed like she had to force it out. Especially how she scampered away after asking. "What do you have in mind?"

Alison squirmed slightly in place and hesitated a moment, taking a sip of her tea. Rogue was going to kill her. Wood working did not a vacation make.

"Um..." She set her tea cup down on her knee and fidgeted with it as she examined her feet. "Well, I don't know if it's something you're interested in making. I've been looking in stores and such, but they don't have anything like what I was hoping for. But, I know you're on vacation so... it can wait. Or, I can find something similar somewhere..." Mrrr.

"I've been, ah, looking for a good rocking chair..." She shrugged and peeked at him. "The ones in the stores are ugly."

It was an interesting sight to see Alison fidget. He made no comment on it because it would probably scare her right back into the castle. He raised an eyebrow at what she hemmed and hawed about asking for.

"Hmm. I could do one. What kind are you looking for outside of not ugly?"

She hadn't really expected him to eat her face or anything, but his calm acceptance relieved her. She released a soft breath and managed to smile a little.

"Well... the ones in the stores are the new, modern kind. That look like regular square chairs with some kind of mechanical bottom that makes them rock. I like the old fashioned kind. With the curved rockers on the bottom. With the footrest ottoman-thing separate, not attached."

She peeked again. "That make sense?"

Any face-eating of Alison was strictly left to her husband. Though it was nice to see her relax.

He nodded. "Old fashioned, I can do. I'm not all up on the technology stuff. Want it in a painted color or in a natural wood like the rest of the furniture?"

Alison smiled happily and nodded, curling her legs up underneath her body and turning a little to face him. The grass was a little chilly on her toes, anyway.

"I like just the natural wood look. It works really well for the crib and changing table. I really appreciate it, Dakota. The new ones just look strange and uncomfortable."

She blushed a little and shrugged. "I wouldn't ask, but I can't get the idea of rocking my babies to sleep out of my head..."

All of Dakota's embarrassment was hiding in his toes, so his feet were nice and toasty. He didn't really see why they thought his stuff was so good. He just made it to last. Heck, he compared everything he did to stuff he saw on New Yankee Workshop.

"Well, since you have two coming, I might make the arms a bit wider. Easier for resting you arms against. The seat might be a little wider, too. Makes it easier to find a comfortable position according to my sisters."

He grinned a little. "It's okay to ask, Alison. I like doing woodwork."

"I have complete confidence in whatever you come up with. I've loved all the furniture you're made for us so far." She smiled genuinely. All the store made stuff she had seen since seemed to come up lacking compared to his work.

"I know. I just don't want to be greedy. You've already done a lot for us. And I know your lovely wife wants to spend your vacation relaxing with you." She grinned and shrugged. "I can't blame her. I feel the same way about my hubby."

"Thanks," he said as his cheeks colored a bit. Dakota did things because he wanted to see if he could do them. Not really for any of the praise. Though he wouldn't ever say the praise was a bad thing.

"My lovely wife has gotten a lot of undivided attention this vacation. What with the kids being distracted by all the other people running around. I think she won't mind too much. Especially since she'll get some time to go-erm, chat with you."

He grinned.

"You're welcome." She let the compliments drop there. He was getting squirmy and she knew how that felt. Rather recently, in fact.

Then she laughed and shook her head. "Are you implying we gossip? I have never done such a thing."

"Besides.. why gossip when there's shopping to be done?" She grinned.

Dakota stopped squirming. He was supposed to save all his squirms for his wife anyway.

"Not implying, no," he replied smoothly. "More of saying it politely. Considering I did hear you two talking about Longshot's clan and then comparing husband butts in the span of ten minutes."

He groaned and sat back. "If my daughter starts talking about her new best friends Lady Visa and Mastercard, I'm going after you, Alison Blaire."

"Well, then the fault lies entirely with you and Longshot for having such noteworthy butts." She smirked and shook her head. It was a good thing he only heard the butts conversation. Some of the other ones delved into more scandalous territory.

"Who me?" She laughed long and hard at his expression. "What makes you think Rogue hasn't already taught her the joys of deficit spending?"

Dakota blushed again. A little harder than before. "I... err, thanks. Or... is that supposed to be sorry?"

He would, of course, die on the spot if he ever heard the more scandalous topics.

"Yes, you. I don't have to crawl into bed with you at the end of the night. And I was happily ignoring her teaching Gloria Jean that until this second."

"I'll accept either answer. Don't worry, you're not being graded." She grinned.

"I suspect the damage is already done, but I'll be sure to give her a nice, solid lecture on good credit scores and 401k retirement options before our next venture, okay?" Perfectly innocent smile. Oh, yeah. She's been practicing that one.

"I thought that you and Rogue were grading us." He shifted a little on the bench. Maybe if he stayed here for awhile, he would get a flat, unremarkable butt. Then again, his wife would probably figure a way to fluff it back up properly.

"Okay," he agreed. "Bore her so she's scared of spending money. It'll make my life so much easier when she becomes a teenager."

"Only when you're not around to hear it," Alison answered pleasantly and chuckled at his continued squirming. The contrast between her husband and Rogue's was massive where compliments were concerned. Dakota blushed and squirmed. But, if Alison had complimented Longshot on his butt, he'd have dropped trou and flexed for her.

"Sorry to tell you this, but little girls have built in money-spending genes. They may be dormant now, but once she hits sixteen all bets are off." She gave his arm a little sympathetic pat. "At least we're training her to find the good stuff!"

"Could send out a warning flare when you do? So, I know when to duck and take cover." There were other contrasts between Longshot and Dakota. Dakota hoped in vain that they were never discussed.

He squinted at her in mock-severity. "Good stuff meaning expensive?"

"What fun would that be? Besides, the curiosity would drive you nuts. Admit it." Oh, they were discussed. At length. Literally.

"The good stuff isn't always the expensive stuff! We're not that shallow." She was that immature, though. And proved it by sticking her tongue out at him.

"Nope. Not interested in the least." Dakota sniffed and settled more firmly against the bench. Because he knew there might have been hand gestures for emphasis. That would be bad. Another kill him instantly moment.

"I saw my on-line bill for the last shopping run. I know how deep you guys dig." He raised his hand up, putting his thumb against the tip of his nose. Then he wiggled his fingers at Alison. So nyah nyah.

"Riiiight."

She chuckled a bit. And fiddled with her teacup. After a second, she asked. "How, uh... how bad was the bill, exactly?"

She had made her usual protests during the trip, but they had done quite a bit of spending none-the-less.

"I know I am," he said with a nod. "I'm talking about me."

He watched Ali get a little nervous. "Not bad, really. I also know it was my wife who was using the cards the most. Don't worry about it."

"Well, if you insist. My curiosity would certainly get the best of me, if the positions were reversed."

"Well..." She smiled a little. "Maybe we'll just window shop next time. Actually, we could take Lisa looking for this 'show horse' she wants. Make John's wallet cry this time."

"Well, you should know your husband does talk about you. Not really gossiping when I don't dish on my own wife, though." It was very hard for Dakota to keep a straight face. But he managed through sheer force of will.

He reached over and grabbed her wrist gently. "Ali, it's okay. From what I heard, all you girls had a good time. From scaring stork clerks on down. It's nice to see everybody happy. There's no good price tag on that to say too expensive. I was just teasing."

Then he slowly withdrew his hand. He might have broken some cardinal rule about touching an Alison Blaire. He would take the punch to the nose if it made her feel better.

"He does not!" She wrinkled her nose at him and shook her head, amused. Longshot would be interrogated when next she saw him, though, just to be sure.

"We had a lot of fun," she agreed. "I can't tell you how happy I've been, having everyone here with us. I don't ever want you or anyone else to think I'm ungrateful for anything."

There was no nose punching. He'd have to do something a lot more aggravating than touch her wrist to trigger that impulse. She sat back and relaxed some.

"Does too," Dakota countered in his best imitation of Gloria Jean at her most obstinate. Though without the arms crossed in front of the chest and no pouting either.

"We're happy to be here. The kids are having fun, and Rogue and I can occasionally have grown-up conversations with other adults. Well, ones that don't revolve on the X-Men saving the world. It's been real nice."

She laughed at his impression. She had seen the real thing just once. It had been late and after a full, long day. Gloria Jean didn't throw tantrums often, that Alison had observed.

"I can't remember the last time I thought about the X-Men saving the world. I think I'm pretty well past all that." Hopefully, anyway.

"All I want to do with my life right now is have my babies. And sing." Not that the last one was at all new.

"Well, when you live on the grounds, you hear it quite a bit. Rogue can't quite let go, but at least we live on the far side of the estate now. Away from Attack for Death Cove at least." He shrugged. It was at least the part of the estate that got the fewest visitors.

"Speaking of singing because I can't talk about the baby thing, any record deals out there after your single did well? Or at least what I could figure from Miyuki talking about charts, pies, and idols."

"A few offers. There's one label I'm looking at that releases heavily in Japan and Europe." She smiled and shrugged. "My old label called, but I hung up on them."

"I have enough material for another album and then some. But, I'm a little nervous about promoting it once I do. Unless I want to call it the 'Pregnant With Twins' tour."

He chuckled. "You did, huh? Good for you."

Dakota didn't know why it was good exactly, but it sounded like it should.

"Well, doesn't it take time to record and mix and all that? Promotion could come after little Laertes and Anna make their debut." He was definitely kidding about the names. He didn't think many people needed his name anyway. Rogue's was nice, though.

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The shoe is on the hand it fits.

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