This is a future fic where Ed & Oswald married and have a family. They are raising Martin, of course. And they also end up raising a daughter. Ed & Oswald's daughter, in this fanfic, is inspired by Enigma, who is The Riddler's daughter in the batman comics. You see her take on the persona of Enigma later in this story.

What was a home? A place? A space?

Or was it an experience? A sanctum. A warmth. And undying love.

Family was deeper than blood. It was trust, it was compassion. It was the strength that pushed you forward. The desire to put someone before yourself, before all else.

Oswald had known how that felt. He was the weed in the garden that grew and grew under the warmth of his mother's love. Grew into a little monarch that smothered all of the haughty flowers with his strong roots.

Roots that he built this home with.

It had started Edward.

The wanderer, lost soul. The man who'd had never had a home. Who had carved one out from the fabric of their love.

Love wasn't quiet. Love wasn't easy. But it was warm and forgiving. It was the anchor that kept you steady in the eye of the storm.

It had started with Edward, his first true love.

But this home wasn't built in a day. It stood for years, bare boned and empty waiting to be filled again.

This home had started with Edward, but it was built with Martin.

The little prince, the soldier who had brought Oswald's heart home from war and healed him, sewn it up so that he could love again.

Martin was the glue that bound them. The brick and mortar. The steady ground when the earth began to shake. The one who steadied the roaring seas when Ed and Oswald's ghosts came back to haunt them in the dead of night.

Yes, this house was built with Martin and it was brought to life with Circe, mother nature's startling gift.

Small delicate. Brave and curious. Oswald was so afraid to bring her into this world. Their world. A world full of monsters. But Ed swept her into his arms and danced amongst the stars like she was made just for him.

Born on a rainy night, she was the rainbow after the storm passed. The last piece to this glorious puzzle.

No, home wasn't built in a day. This home was built brick by brick from love, tears and endless devotion.

This home with roots so deep it would take more than wind or fire to tear them from the ground.

"Did you know that today is your unbirthday?" Edward paced back and forth, twirling once in the middle of the kitchen, slow dancing with this great love of his.

"Of course, you did. You're very intelligent." He kissed the tiny nose.

"Say, what never asks questions but is often answered?" He lifted the little bundle of joy, so that her lips barely brushed his ear. "A doorbell? Gosh, you're good at this!" Ed gathered his daughter back into his arms, watching her raised her arms joyfully as soon his face came back into view.

She spoke to him with a babble of nonsensical words, the dimples in her cheeks rising with every little smile. Ed kissed her forehead "Don't worry sunshine your food is almost done."

Ed once thought that he would never meet anyone more beautiful than Oswald. Circe had proved him wrong. Circe was a perfect mix of him and Oswald. Soft green eyes, tousled brown locks, pouty lips, Oswald's long sloping eyes lashes and Ed's steep nose.

A soft ding drew Ed's attention away from Circe's whimsical green eyes. He placed her into her highchair and snapped the bib around her neck. He dipped a spoon into the food and placed it against the inside of his wrist. Perfect temperature.

Ed pulled at chair in front of the high chair and watched Circe bounce joyously, waving her arms in the air at the prospect of food, excited baby gibberish pouring from her lips.

He dipped the spoon into the mush and carefully fed it to her, letting her wrap her chubby little fingers around his fingers every time he brought the spoon close to her face.

"You're really hungry today, huh?" Ed wiped a bit of the baby food from her face with the swaddle. "Probably because you and Martin solved all of those puzzles. Exercising the mind can be just as vigorous as exercising the body."

Circe replied with a delighted "mmm" as she quickly took another spoon of squashed bananas.

"Well, Goldilocks. Let's see if you can finish this whole bowl." Ed tapped her nose with the pad of his finger, watching her burst into a fit if giggles.

"Someone's been eating my porridge, said Papa bear." He offered another spoonful, which was gladly taken.

"Someone's been eating my porridge, said ma-"

"Papa!" Circe shrieked cheerfully.

The spoon stopped in midair. Ed blinked, mouth hanging open.

"What?" He stared at her dumbfounded. What was he doing? Had he just asked a legitimate question to a baby?

"Papa," Circe said softly, tapping her hands of the tray of the high chair again and again.

Ed pointed to himself wordlessly. "...Me?"

She clapped her tiny hands and bounced gleefully in the highchair.

Ed set the bowl down as quickly as he could. "Oswald, Oswald, Oswald!" He cried as he dashed out of the kitchen. Only to catch himself a moment later and turn around quickly to run back into the kitchen and grab Circe from the highchair. "Oswald! Martin! Family meeting!"

"She said Papa!" He exclaimed, holding Circe up like she was physical evidence.

"I'm Papa!" Ed said proudly, pointed to himself with his thumb. "I'm Circe's first word."

Oswald slowly turn away from the agenda he was filling in carefully. "That's great dear. But you already know that she said Dada to me last week. So, you are her second word."

Ed waved a finger at his husband. "Dada is not a real word, Oswald. Papa is in the dictionary."

"You just can't deal with the fact that Circe named me first." Oswald teased, rising from his desk and turning to face Ed.

"You can keep your non-dictionary affirmed title. But I am still Circe's first official word." Ed countered smugly.

Circe reached toward Oswald, grabbing the air while mumbling "dadadada". He took her from Ed carefully and ran his fingers through her feathery brunette locks. "See what I have to deal with?"

"Hey don't try to win her over-" Ed stopped himself, turning to see their son in the doorway. Ah, reinforcements. "Martin, is Dada in the dictionary?"

A large grin spread across Martin's face as if he was trying his best to suppress his laughter. 'Is this what this family meeting is about?' He quirked a brow as he signed to his fathers.

"So your father can brag about something?" Oswald grinned coyly, while rocking Circe slowly. "Isn't that, what half of the family meeting are about?"

"Hey, hey hey!" Ed interjected. "For your information, this is family meeting in about Circe. Not me." He crossed his arms, glaring at Oswald as he watched him stick his tongue out at him. Ed paused to stick his tongue out back at his menace of a husband. Thus, leaving Martin to wonder which of the three of them was really the parent here.

"Circe said Papa today. Her first official word. Or her second word, for the sake of making Oswald feel better," Ed finally added while gesturing to Circe as if he had just announced her entrance into the room.

Oswald rolled his eyes.

Martin gave Circe a thumbs up, signing 'good job' to his little sister soon after. He took one tiny wrist in his hand and raised it up, so he could tap his hand to hers for a high five.

Martin glanced over to Ed, a little smirk rising to his lips. 'First word. Second word. It doesn't matter.' He signed to the both of his dads, locking eyes with Ed the longest. 'She's going to learn to sign before she can talk. I'll make sure of it.'

Ed extended and arm to shake his son's hand. 'Challenge accepted.'

Oswald had initially been concerned about the age gap. Martin was a late thirteen when Circe was born. But now, as he watched an eighteen-year-old Martin hide behind the couch as Circe counted to ten, he wondered what he was worried for in the first place.

"7...8...9…"

Ed snatched her up before she could finish. "I found you!"

She uncovered her eyes and tried to squirm out of her father's grasp. "Papa!" A string of giggles floated from her lips like a balloon rising in air. "I'm not hiding."

"Doesn't matter. I still found you." He held her close and twirled her playfully.

Circe locked her arms around Ed's neck and leaned back, her hair falling around her face in wispy streaks as their spin came to a halt. She laughed and laughed, her voice and Ed's mingling together as the melody of their glee filled the walls of Van Dhal mansion.

Ed placed her back on the ground, straightening her little green dress. "Alright, so who are we finding?"

"Martin" Circe said with earnest as she placed her fist in the palm of her hand. There was no doubt that this was a very serious mission. "But I don't want you. Daddy is better at finding."

Oswald's eyes peeked over the newspaper to watch Ed place the back of his hand over his head like a damsel in distress.

"However, will I deal with the rejection," Ed cried in mock despair.

"Papa, papa no!" Circe pulled at Ed's pant leg desperately. "I still love you. You're just not the best finder."

Ed sighed overdramatically, face brightening in an instant. "I guess I can forgive you,"

He was playfully shoved aside so Oswald could pick Circe up in his place.

"Move, Mr. Second-rate-finder." Oswald flashed a teasingly smug grin. "We have a mission complete."

"Yes!" Circe raised her arms as Oswald brought her over to the closet and placed her on the ground. They opened the door together. "Is Martin in here?" He asked her with a very convincing mask of curiosity.

"No!" Circe placed her hands on her hips and shook her head.

He took her over to a large decorative vase and lifted her, so she could peer inside. "How about here?"

Circe burst into a fit of giggles. "Martin can't fit in there, Daddy! He is too big."

"Oh, you're right! Silly me." Oswald shrugged comically. He placed Circe back on the ground and lead her over to the couch. "Maybe he is…"

Martin jumped out from behind the couch and gathered Circe into his arms, lifting her high as she laughed, kicking her legs frantically. "Martin, I found you! I found you!"

Martin nodded to her and placed her on the ground. 'Now it's your turn to hide,' he signed to her, watching her nod eagerly in response.

"Hold on, one minute." Oswald interrupted. "Circe, you did a great job at finding Martin. I am very proud of you," Oswald grinned at his little daughter. "But-" His voice became a little sterner. "I told you that when Papa got home you were going to tell him why you got in trouble at school today."

Circe hung her head and nodded. "Yes, daddy." She played with her fingers nervously and looked up at Ed with the saddest puppy dog eyes.

Why did Oswald have a feeling this wasn't going to go how he would have like it.

"Oh Circe," Ed beckoned her over to him. "What did you do?" He tried his best to keep a straight face while looking into her sad little eyes.

Circe looked down at her feet at pouted her lower lip. After an overdramatic little sigh, she made her confession, "I-I stold something."

Oswald gritted his teeth together when he saw Ed's eyes light up. Oh, this was not happening.

He felt Martin squeeze his shoulder to try to calm him.

"Stole."

Circe gave him a puzzled glance.

"You stole something. The correct word is stole." He corrected her gently and she nodded her head, eyes lighting up. Perhaps she was not going to be scolded after all.

"Can you show me?" Ed asked her curiously. Circe nodded her head and took his hand to lead him upstairs.

Oswald glanced over to Martin, forcing a smile. "Excuse me for a moment."

Martin nodded. He could read both of his fathers like a book and he knew far too well what was about to unfold. There had been quite a few little squabbles over him in his youth, all of which had ended pleasantly. There was no use going to bed angry. Especially in this house.

'You might have to entertain Circe for us…' Oswald signed to Martin, guilt washing over his face.

'It's okay. I came home to spend time with her anyway.' Martin signed back and tapped Oswald's shoulder reassuringly. 'Take your time. We'll be here, playing.'

Ed's eyes widened with wonder as he looked upon all of the little trinkets Circe had hidden in a plastic little chest. "You stole all of these and only got caught for one of them?" He took both of her hands in his. His face glowing with wonder like a child on Christmas morning.

"Mhm" Circe nodded proudly.

"What a clever little cookie. He tapped her nose with the tip of his finger.

Circe glowed under the words of praise. "Look, Papa. I have so many." She dug through the collection ecstatically.

"I can see that. Can you tell me how you-" Ed paused when he heard Oswald clear his throat.

Ed glanced up to see his husband standing in the doorway, arms crossed, lips pursed, with a stern look painted across his brow. He was definitely in trouble.

Ed shut the little trunk of trinkets and placed a hand on the small of Circe's back. "Hey. Why don't you go grab Martin, huh? It's your turn to hide remember."

Circe looked at Ed, then to Oswald, then back at Ed again. She nodded slowly, seeming a bit uncertain about the situation.

Sometimes Ed had wished that she wasn't so perceptive.

"Daddy and I are going to make snacks and hot chocolate for you guys. We'll come back to play later, okay?" He stroked her chin and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Okay, Papa." She nodded more enthusiastically now and dashed out the door in search of her brother.

"You can't put ideas like that into her head." Oswald chided in a hushed voice, casting a frown to his husband.

"Says Oswald Cobblepot, the man who named our daughter after a mythical witch." Ed rose a single brow and flashed Oswald a teasing smile. He dropped a few marshmallows into the hot chocolate and topped it off with a swirl of whipped cream.

Oswald rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Ed was much too clever when it came to letting the kids get away with things. "You agreed on that name."

"Of course. She's a brilliant, powerful little lady. Oswald, she's five. She is going to be a bit mischievous. Let her have fun."

"That's exactly my point, Ed," Oswald hissed back. "She is five years old. I can't exactly teacher how to shoot a gun yet." He threw his arms up into the air in exasperation.

"We're not exactly America's sweethearts. I have enemies. So, do you. What happens when she crosses the line with someone dangerous and we're not there to protect her?"

"Oswald, she's a child." Ed pressed again as he stirred the chocolate into the second milk filled mug.

"This is Gotham, Ed. Nobody is safe. Nobody is spared."

Ed felt his stomach churn when he caught a twinkle of uncertainty in Oswald's eyes, hidden beneath the stern gaze. Oswald was scared. And he had every reason to feel that way.

"So what are you going to do? Lock her up until she's forty?" Ed's eyes softened. He placed and hand on Oswald's hip, as if by touch he could draw some of the tension from Oswald's being and take it on himself. Every burden was theirs to bear together. "I know that there are risks involved. Those were risks we decided to take when we chose to have her." He drew his husband toward him. "But we can't deprive her of a normal life. I would do anything to protect Circe and I know you would too."

Oswald and swiped a hand over his face and released a sigh, some of the static tension flowing away from his body with it. "Alright. But you better have a breakout plan for me when I get locked up, because if any of those kids get mad and put their hands on her I might end up with one hell of a sentence."

Ed smiled, leaning in to place a quick kiss on his husband's lips. "You know I've got you covered."

Oswald hummed against his lips, pressing another quick kiss to Ed's lips after they had parted.

Ed felt a weight on his leg and pulled away to look down. A pair of curious green eyes glanced up at him.

"What comes down but never goes up?" Came a little voice from below.

Ed broke from Oswald gently and dipped down to pry the little girl off of his leg and lift her into the air. "Rain!" He spun her above him like she was a little plane in motion.

"Yes!" She giggled, kicking her feet haphazardly.

"Not in the kitchen!" Oswald scolded, grabbing one of the hot chocolate filled mugs before it topped over.

Ed lowered Circe and held her against his chest so they could see eye to eye. "I put sprinkles in your hot chocolate and extra marshmallows in Martin's."

Her face glowed with childish excitement. "Thank you Papa!" She kissed his nose and reached over his shoulder, trying to grab to cup. Oswald quickly intercepted, plucking the cup off of the counter and gently pressing into her hand.

"Thank you, Daddy." Circe took the cup carefully and sipped the sugary drink.

"You're welcome darling." Oswald pressed a kiss to Circe's forehead and rose a bit on his toes to leave a kiss on Ed's cheek.

"Don't make a mess, you two," Oswald chided gently, smiling all the while. "I'm going to go get your brother."

Ed gave Circe a secret wink and walked over to the fridge.

Ed moved his rook into position and glanced up at his worthy opponent. 'So how is Metropolis treating you? I heard that it's hideous compared to Gotham.'

Martin snorted. He plucked a knight from the board a moved it into position. 'It's a lot brighter, cleaner, and more fast paced that Gotham. It's kind of odd, actually.'

Ed chuckled as he pondered his next move. 'Gotham is in our blood isn't it?' He signed back to his son, as they often did when they were alone.

'I suppose. I'm always glad to come home.' Martin grinned brightly. 'I miss you and Dad. And Circe, of course. But the semester is already moving faster than I expected.'

'We miss you too.' Ed paused, finally moving his next piece. 'I know that you are staying focused. Top of the class, as usual. But you are always welcome to come home. Even if it is just for the weekend. We all miss you. Oswald especially'

Martin nodded, following up with his next move on the chessboard quickly. 'I had a feeling. He has written me so many letters and he texts me every day.' Martin bore a little amused grin. 'Now that things are slowing down more. I think I will come back more often.'

'Perfect. Feel free to bring your homework. If you ever get stuck on something we can work on it together, like we did when you were a kid.'

'Thank you, dad. I'll keep that in mind.'

Ed glanced at the clock. It was way passed their bedtime.

'I think we should turn in' Ed signed to Martin with a sheepish grin. 'We've played three times and we still haven't broken our stalemate. I think I've made a monster.'

Martin chortled and nodded to his father. 'I'll put everything away, you head to bed.'

'No need, I can help.' Ed gathered some of the chess pieces and placed them into the box.

Martin stilled his hand as he went to grab the board. 'No father, I insist. I'm going to be up for a little longer reading anyway. Good night.'

'Don't stay up too late.' Ed leaned across the coffee table to ruffle Martin's hair as he did when he was still a little one. 'Good night.'

Ed Found Oswald sitting up in their bed, with his reading glasses lingering near the end of his nose, eyes lost in the pages of a book.

"You didn't have to wait up for me." Ed began to undress, piece by piece, gathering his night clothes from the armoire soon after.

"I wanted to." Oswald placed the book aside and pulled the blankets back so that Ed could climb in beside him. He folded his glasses and carefully set them on the nightstand.

When they were both settled Oswald turned off the lamp on the nightstand and snuggled himself behind Ed, drawing him close to his body. "I'm sorry, about earlier." Oswald murmured tentatively. "I may have overreacted."

"It's okay." Ed whispered back. "I'd rather you be honest with me."

Oswald shifted a bit and sighed uneasily. "You and I, we might not have had the best of childhoods." Oswald left a kiss behind Ed's ear and drew him closer to his body. "You more so than me." He whispered and carded his fingers through Ed's loose curls. "But we didn't run the rest of being gunned down as leverage."

Ed could feel the sadness, the anxiety in Oswald's voice seep into his skin.

"I love her, Ed. I really do. You saw what I went through with Martin-" Oswald's voice trembled as he spoke. "I can't bear to go through that again."

Ed turned around slowly so that they could look into each other's eyes. "I know, Oswald. But you won't." He placed a hand on Oswald's cheek, stroking softly. "Because this time, you have me. And I have you. We're a team remember?"

Oswald nodded slowly.

"I never thought I would be here." Ed admitted. "With you." He felt something in his chest sink. "I never thought I could be a father." He could not tide back the tears that were gathering in the corner of his eyes. "To Martin, or to Circe. How could I give them the love and sincerity that I never knew? How could I shape them into magnificent people when I had such a hopeless mess of a childhood? When I grew into a hopeless mess of a man."

"You're not-" Oswald drew his brows together firmly.

Ed silenced him with a single finger. "I watched you, Oswald. Watched you love Martin, cherish him, lift him up. I learned from you. No one could have done it better." He smiled at his husband, tears staining his face, eyes glowing with sincerity from the deepest depths of his damaged heart. "If I am going to continue to try to be half as good as the father you are, you need to believe in yourself. Believe in us."

Oswald took Ed's face in his hands and gently kissed the tears away. "I do believe in us. I believe in you. I hope you know that I will do anything to protect this family, you included." He gentle ran his fingers through Ed's hair, then down his jaw. "Childhoods be damned, you are a gift. A brilliant, marvel of a man. Don't you ever tell me otherwise." Oswald brushed their lips together, easing into a slow, passionate kiss.

"I trust you, Edward Nygma." Oswald whispered as soon as their lips parted. "I could have never done this without you." Oswald placed a soft, chaste little kiss to Ed's lips.

Ed smiled at him, leaning in for one last kiss.

"Now roll over so I can spoon you." Oswald whined sleepily. "Tomorrow is another early morning."

'You don't have to do this, Martin. I know how important your schooling is to you. It's very important to me too. I want you to do well.'

'Father, please.' Martin signed to Oswald and laid a hand on his shoulder.

When he had his little boy gotten so tall?

'I want to be home with you and Circe. I've already transferred all of my credits to Gotham University. It seems like a nice campus and it will be easy for me to commute from here.'

Ever since the incident things had begun to unravel and Oswald was puting all of his energy into keeping everything together.

'I'm sorry' Oswald signed back, a worried frown washed over his face. 'I should have taken ahold of everything. I should not have made you feel like you had to leave-'

Martin squeezed Oswald's shoulder to interrupt his hurried signing. 'Dad, it's okay. I missed you. I missed home. I want to be here. If it so happens to be at a time when you need me too, then maybe it was meant to be.'

Oswald watched Martin's hands move, glancing up into his eyes every so often to find the same loving gaze.

He drew his son into a tight hug.

"Martin you are always welcome. I am sorry that I misinterpreted." He pressed his face into his son's shoulder, calming his stirring nerves with the comfort of their shared warmth. "Thank you."

Never in Oswald's life had he ever thought he would be trying to coax a sobbing five-year-old from behind the door.

Every little whimper put a crack in his heart.

"I want Papa! I want him!" She wailed, eyes red, cheeks flushed in sorrowful frustration.

"I know, Circe," he cooed to her. "I want Papa too. But he's not here. We can only wait until he comes home."

"But daddy, when is his coming?" She hiccupped, wiping a cluster of tears out if the corner of her eyes. "When?"

No one had prepared him for this. There were no parenting books that instructed you on how to calm your child when your husband was locked in Arkham. All you could do was stay strong; cradle them to your body and wait out the heartbreak.

"Circe...I don't know. I don't know when he is coming home. I'm sorry." He heard a gut-wrenching sob that drove the nail deep into his heart.

"What if we go and see him?" Words he instantly regretted. Five-year-olds were far less forgetful than one thought.

Finally, a pair of teary green eyes peeked out from behind the door. "C-can we?"

"Y-yes." He couldn't go back on his word. Not now.

The door was tossed open and she scurried into his arms. Oswald lifted her shifted, drawing her close to his body and pressing a kiss atop her little brunette head. "Today?" She whimpered against his shoulder.

"Not today, my love. It's too late. They won't let us in. But in a couple days, I promise that we will go."

He felt her face nuzzle into the side of his neck and exhaled. What had he done?

Circe slept with him every night.

She came to him one night when she was scared. Then again, another night and another after that. When Ed was here, he may have tried to turn her away. To have her sleep in her own bed, because that was a transition she would have to make eventually.

But right now, he needed her as much as she did him.

Circe curled into Oswald's side, head laid against his chest.

"She searched the world far and wide," he murmured into her ear, his fingers running through her hair. "And she finally found the prince. But he wasn't who she thought he was. He was beautiful on the outside but on the inside, he was calloused and rotten. A black hole, empty and loveless."

Circe drew closer, resisting the droop of her sleepy eyes. "What happened to the princess, daddy?"

Oswald brushed a loose curl from her forehead. "She suddenly felt so lost in the world. But someone took her hand and lead her back into the sun's light. The prince's sister, the witch. The girl who had taken the world's sins and anger as knives to her flesh. She wasn't perfect. She too was broken, but she was kind and loving. A diamond in the rough. Right then, the princess knew that she had known her true love all along. She just didn't see it."

Circe smiled against the fabric of her father's shirt, letting herself become engulfed in his scent, his warmth. "Were they happy? The princess and the witch?" She finally let her eyes flutter close.

"Yes, very happy."

"No guns allowed." Boomed the voice of an expressionless guard.

Martin rolled his eyes and pulled the revolver out of his waistband, laying on the table.

"Arms out."

He begrudgingly obeyed the command, raising his arms as the impassive man patted him down.

"You too, Cobblepot."

"It's Mister Cobblepot, you uncultured swine" Oswald passed Circe to Martin, watching her wrap her legs around his waist and gaze around the hall curiously. She waved her little hand at a nearby guard, receiving nothing but a blank stare. What was wrong with these people? Were they void of all human decency? Oswald may have pulled a knife on someone without a second glance. But even he had standards.

He let the low life pat him down excessively.

Martin raised one hand, lifting his pinky and forefinger to make a dog shape. He moved his middle and ring finger up together, bringing them back down to tap his thumb as the dog 'barked'. "Woof! Woof!" Circe called. When the 'dog' swooped forward to nip her nose she giggled.

A loud buzz signaled the door opening.

"Step forward" The guard said gruffly. Oswald shot him a venomous glare. He placed a gentle hand on the small of Martin's back to lead him forward into the empty room.

There was an anxious nostalgia that seeped from the walls of this place. Poisoning the blood in Oswald's veins. Whispering wicked words into his ears. condemned condemned condemned

He pulled a chair out for Martin and sat beside him in front of the rickety old table. His eyes were locked on the door across the small room.

"Is Papa coming?" Circe looked to her father hopefully, while squirming anxiously in Martin's lap.

"Yes, my love." Oswald reassured her. He extended his arms to take her as Martin passed her to him. The warmth of her little body against his was a subtle comfort for them both.

A loud buzz on the other side of the room sent a wave of anxiety through Oswald's system.

"It's Papa!" Circe whispered eagerly. She was bouncing up and down in Oswald's lap before anyone even came into view.

What would she see? The warm, loving man that she knew? Or a hollow shell of her father?

The door swung open. Two guards move forward, roughly escorting their victim into the room.

And there he was, the love of Oswald's life, Martin and Circe's father. Hair mussed, lip split, right eye marred with bruises.

He and Oswald locked eyes, lost in a soft adoring gaze, laced with an anxious sorrow that reverberated through the structure of this place.

It didn't last long. Because, Ed was completely captivated by another pair of gleaming green eyes.

"Papa!" Circe leaned in toward the table to reach out to Ed.

"Circe," Ed spoke softly, as if he wasn't sure if this was reality or a pleasant dream.

Every speck of color hiding in the corners, floorboards, slow beating heart, of this terrible graying place had come alive in Ed's smile.

Oswald and Martin had managed to coax a smile from him with every visit they made, but neither of them had managed to be this successful. Oswald's stomach twisted and tangled with a mess of bliss and dread. They would be coming back, that was certain. But at what expense?

Ed struggled to free himself from the guards' hold. He was yanked roughly into place, almost toppling over.

"Ah- okay, okay. Can't a man talk to his daughter after eight months?"

Eight months. Eight agonizing, tear filled months.

Oswald would have to press his legal resources harder to resolve this terrible mishap.

Before Oswald was able to make a bitter remark to Ed savage captors, Circe spoke for him.

"Hey you! Don't hurt my Papa!"

She brandished a small fist. Her bright green eyes searing with frustration. "Didn't your Daddy teach you good manners?" She scolded the guards as they roughly pushed Ed toward the chair.

Martin patted her little shoulder. When she looked to him he signed "You tell them, little sis."

She nodded fiercely at her brother.

This drew a soft chuckle from Ed. Oswald could hardly remember the last time he had heard him laugh.

"Hello Ed," Oswald said gentle, smiling adoringly despite the anxiety that was crawling beneath his skin.

"Hello, Oswald." Ed said just as softly, the corners of his dark ringed eyes crinkling from the intensity of his smile.

"Is this a family meeting?" Ed joked weakly, smile never vanished from his chapped lips.

"You can call it that." Oswald smiled, reaching out to take Ed's hand in his and run his thumb along the back. "It's been so long since we all have been together. We have missed you."

"I've missed you too." Ed let his eyes close momentarily as his savored the small touch.

"And you Martin." He smiled to his son.

Martin smiled fondly and nodded his head.

"And you Circe." Ed's eyes locked with hers, still painted in awe. Like if he were to blink she would disappear in a heartbeat.

"Papa…" Circe repeated softly, face aglow with pure bliss.

"No touching!" Roared a voice from behind. Breaking the intimate moment.

Ed flinched visibly, cowering as the voice ranged throughout the room.

Oswald rose his hands, doing his best to douse the flame in his eyes. Circe took this opportunity to climb from Oswald's lap and race over to Ed.

"Papa, I missed you!" She raised her little arms, waiting to be lifted. Ed looked up nervously to the guard behind them. Circe's patience seemed to have run out because she placed her hands upon Ed's knees and began to climb into his lap.

"No touching!" The voice called out gain.

Circe mis-stepped, falling back toward the hard cement floor. Oswald instinctively lunged forward to grab her, but Ed had swooped her into his arms and drawn her to him.

When the guard rushed forward Oswald slammed his fist on the table, hard enough to bruise. "Touch her and I'm filing a lawsuit!" He growled, rage seeping into his eyes like the growing flame of a forest fire.

The man stopped in his tracks.

Circe flinched as he raised his voice and he felt a pang of regret. He reached out to stroke her head. "Sorry, my love. You tell papa everything you did today."

When the guard moved forward again Oswald whipped his head back. "I'm not touching him." He hissed under his breath, trying his best not to stress Circe out in this terrible unwelcoming environment.

"Sir, the policy is-"

"Do you want to talk to my lawyer?" Oswald hisses maliciously.

But Circe did not seem bothered. The joy she felt from seeing Ed seemed to outbalance anything else around them. "S'okay Daddy." She grinned at Oswald and turned to look at Ed with the warmest smile. She placed her tiny hands on his face and traced her fingers over the bruise beneath his eye with the gentlest touch. "Papa who has gave you these booboos?" She whispered, sorrow creeping into her eyes.

"It's okay Circe. Don't worry about me." Ed rubbed the tip of his nose to hers and pressed a soft little peck to her lips. "I'm just happy to see you."

She giggled and kissed him back, tossing her arms around his neck to draw him close.

Circe pushed Ed back quickly and he glanced at her with a puzzled expression. "No, no, no!" She exclaimed while waving her little fists in the air. "I'm going to kick them really hard."

Ed tossed his head back in laughter. "I'm so lucky to have someone strong like you to protect me!" He remarked, quite convincingly while tapping the tip of her nose with a fingertip.

"Mhm!" She put both hands on her hips and puffed her chest out. "I'll kick all of 'em. Right Martin?" She glanced at her brother for affirmation.

Martin broke his smitten gaze to nod his head the pair. 'Circe and I made the cookies that we sent you last week. Right Circe?'

"Oh yes!" Circe nodded vigorously. "I put the chocos in the cookies." She explained, using her hands for emphasis. "Martin mixed them. Daddy helped me make the circles. Daddy baked them because the oven can burn you."

"Well, they were delicious." Ed hugged her close and placed a big kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, Chef Circe and Chef Martin. Papa's right though. Don't touch the oven. It's dangerous."

Ed nodded in Oswald's direction. Oswald felt a tug in his heart. Even at the shallow depths of this low, Ed was there as his partner parent.

"Okay Papa, but-!" Circe bounced up and down with excitement.

"What is it Circe?"

"Can you tell me...Once you have me, you want to share me. Once you share me, you don't have me anymore. What am I?"

Ed rose his brow, clearly taken by surprise. He tapped his chin and looked up as if he was thinking intensely. Fatherhood had made him very good as this game. "A secret!" he said dramatically, as if he truly had just thought of it at the moment.

"Yay!" She clapped her hands elatedly. "Good job, Papa."

Ed rose his hand to give her a high five. "You're getting very good at this."

"Yes," Oswald interjected. "She asks me one every day. Sometimes two...or five."

It was less than a second before the entire room was filled with the sound of their laughter.

A serene state of bliss that neither of them had felt in a long time. This was happiness. This was what home really felt like. Warm, whole and full of love.

"Times up!" A gravelly voice tore through the mirage of euphoria that had engulfed the four of them.

Ed smiled sadly at Oswald, reaching to grasp his hand a squeeze lightly despite the booming voice of the guard in the background. "Thank you, darling."

Oswald squeezed back, releasing his partner's hand before they could be torn apart. "No, this was the least I could do. I'm sorry."

Ed shook his head. "There is nothing for you to apologize for."

Oswald forced his best smile, despite the heaviness of the moment. He had to be strong for Circe, Martin, and Ed.

Oswald ran his fingers through his daughter's hair gently. "Give Papa a kiss, Circe."

She nodded and leaned in to give Ed a sweet little peck.

Ed buried his nose into her hair one last time then stood slowly. Oswald moved with him, taking Circe from him carefully.

"Times Up!" The guard growled again.

Circe drew closer to Oswald and looked around anxiously when she noticed Martin rise from his seat, as well. "Daddy, I want to stay with Papa longer." She tugged at Oswald's collar.

Oswald stroked her hair trying to sooth her. "I know Circe."

Martin gave Ed a warm smile, a bit of sadness lingered in his eyes. 'It was good to see you father. Thank you for writing back. As promised, I will come again soon,'

'It was good to see, Martin.' Ed signed back. 'I look forward to your visit.'

Circe finally caught on and began to squirm wildly. "Daddy, no, no no!" She cried, trying to pry herself from Oswald. "I want to stay!"

"I'm sorry Circe. We can't stay any longer." Oswald rubbed slow circles on her back, trying to calm her.

"No!" She sobbed. "No daddy, no! We can't go." She pounded her little fist onto Oswald's chest, her tears leaving little speckles all over the lapels of his suit.

"Circe, it's okay. We'll see each other again. Papa loves you" Ed tried to soothe her. When he moved in to place a hand on her back he was ripped away by the fierce grip of one of the guards.

"Time's up." The guard repeated, looking straight into Oswald's eyes now.

"Give us a minute!" Oswald growled.

Martin took a struggling Circe from his grasp, holding her close to his body and swaying back and forth in effort to comfort her.

"Can't you see that she is suffering?" Oswald lashed at the man, his fist curled so tightly that he could feel the press of his nails into his palms.

"Not my problem." The man deadpanned as he began to drag Ed away.

"Ed, we'll be back I promise."

"I know, Oswald. I'll wait for you."

Those words took his breath away, crushing his chest. "Ed, I'll be back. We'll be back. But you know…" Sorrow seeping into his eyes like the low tide crawling onto the sand. "I can't bring her every time. Not like this." His voice faded into a whisper.

"I know." Ed whispered back, sorrow trickling from Oswald's eyes to his with the crash of a wave.

Circe's broken sobs echoed in the background as Martin ushered her from the room.

"Good bye, my love."

"Goodbye, darling." Oswald reached for him.

A guard moved forward, to pull him away and Oswald whipped his head back. Eyes burning with an unquenchable rage. "Don't touch me!" He growled.

He turned back again quickly to see Ed being pulled out of the room.

Oswald felt something squirming in his stomach, like a fly caught in a spider's web. Was this a test? A vicious trial of his conscience? Was he supposed to feel guilty for choosing Circe's wellbeing over Ed's?

But it wasn't a choice. It was a feeling. And instinct. It stirred in the most primal part of his being.

And Oswald knew that, if she had to, his mother would have done the same for him.