December 8th, 1958
Alphonse had never been so glad to be back in Central. The familiar city was a welcome and wonderful sight from the train. Elicia had seemed to be a little calmer as the days had gone by on the train, especially once they crossed the border back into Amestris, though the brief truck trip across the border had her trembling. Arriving home would hopeful help even more with the healing process.
Either way, it made Al feel better! Even better was the sight of Alyse standing on the platform as they disembarked from the train. Their daughter launched herself at them, hugging Elicia tightly. "Mom! I'm so glad to see you."
Elicia hugged her back just as tightly. "I missed you so much," she replied.
"I was so worried," Alyse admitted as she stood up just enough so they could look each other in the face, then she looked up at Al. "Grandma's already got dinner on. I came with the car."
Al got a much needed hug from his daughter as well before they all headed to the car and then went on to the house. The sight of their front door was an even more welcome sight than Central. "It's good to be home," he smiled as he closed the door behind Alyse and Elicia. They were back in their own little world, and it felt cozy and safe. He hoped Elicia felt the same.
"Elicia?" Gracia's voice came from the kitchen as the door clicked. "Alphonse? Is that you?" A moment later her head appeared around the corner, immediately followed by Elicia's mother as she latched onto her daughter even tighter than Alyse had, if such a thing were possible. "Oh my baby..."
"I'm okay Mom," Elicia replied softly. "Or at least...I will be," she amended honestly.
"I know, I know." There were tears in Gracia's eyes, but Al was pretty sure they were tears of relief. He could imagine only too well what Gracia had gone through hearing only about the kidnappings, and whatever information had been passed on to Breda. "Well, it's over now isn't it?" Gracia finally stood back. "Welcome home. Let's have dinner shall we? It's just come out of the oven."
"That sounds great," Al smiled as he took his coat off and hung it up, then helped Elicia with hers. The house smelled wonderful, and a little familiar home cooking sounded like just the thing after so long away!
Dinner did not disappoint. Gracia's cooking never did. There was her fantastic quiche, salad, fresh warm bread, and a cinnamon streusel apple pie for dessert! Al was glad that Elicia seemed happy to be home. She certainly ate more than she had at any time since her rescue; which amounted to a normal helping instead of picking at her food. Al certainly ate his own share! Drachman food had certainly been tasty, but it just wasn't the same.
As he sat there, wondering if he wanted to try and make it to the couch instead of lugging their suitcases upstairs, a familiar rubbing and purring sensation began along his leg. Al looked down and spotted Elektra and Orestes sitting underneath the table, begging incorrigibly. Chuckled, Al reached down a hand to pet whichever cat got there first. As it turned out it was Elektra. As she stepped out from under the table, Al studied the cat curiously. "Gracia, has Elektra been stealing Orestes' food? She's getting kind of plump."
"No," Gracia replied, though the tone in her voice made Al look up. She looked sheepishly apologetic. "Elektra got out while you were gone. She was only gone for three days but it looks like she found herself a mate while she was out."
A mate? Al looked back down at his house pet, who was rubbing frantically against his hand for more petting. "So I guess we're expecting kittens," he sighed, then chuckled. It wasn't as if Al didn't like kittens! "Any idea who the father is?"
"I'm guessing he's the long-haired black tom I've seen lurking around lately," Gracia replied. "Elektra keeps watching him from the window. I think he moved in down the street a couple of months ago. I'm sorry, Alphonse. She slipped out when I was taking out the garbage."
"It's all right," Al assured her. "It's the cat's own fault. I'm sure in a couple of months she'll be wishing she hadn't been feeling so amorous!" Orestes had been neutered as a kitten, but the surgeries offered for fixing females were still rare and highly experimental and Al had not felt like risking it with his sweet indoor cat.
"Or he hadn't," Elicia joked weakly, smiling.
"That too," Al smiled back, glad to hear her joking about anything. "It looks like our first grandchildren will be feline."
"Better the cat than me," Alyse snorted delicately, grinning as she stood and started to clear the table.
"I wasn't aware that was even under discussion," Al looked sharply up at his daughter.
Alyse giggled. "I was joking, Dad. Vince and I haven't even talked about the subject so don't get your tail bent over it."
"Don't give your father a heart attack on his first night home," Gracia chuckled as she also started clearing the table.
"I suppose I'll save it for later," Alyse agreed, vanishing into the kitchen.
"So she's still seeing Vince," Al looked over at Gracia for confirmation. He wasn't surprised necessarily, but her daughter has been seeing the Captain exclusively for about nine months, which was long and far away the record for longest lasting boyfriend.
"She is," Gracia confirmed simply before following her granddaughter into the kitchen.
"Alphonse," Elicia gave him a warning look.
"Hey, I'm not going to do anything," Al assured her. "He's the best choice she's made yet." Really, Al had no complains about Captain Miller. The man's reputation had proven to be as nearly spotless as his military record, and Al hadn't scared him off. "I was just curious."
"Sure you were," Elicia smiled, the last word breaking off with a yawn. "Oh I'm looking forward to sleeping in our bed tonight."
"It's been too long," Al agreed. Train berths, no matter how classy, were not nearly as comfortable as their own bed. "Are you ready?" It was still fairly early, but that didn't mean much. Especially given how much energy she was clearly devoting to keeping calm a lot of the time.
Elicia nodded as she stood. "Definitely," she agreed. "Though I hate to duck out on Mom and Alyse after they put this whole meal together."
"Don't mind us," Gracia called out from the kitchen. "I'm sure you're both exhausted. Go enjoy yourselves and relax."
"I'll be back tomorrow, don't worry," Alyse added in such a similar tone Al couldn't help chuckling.
"Shall we?" Al dragged himself out of the chair - much to Elektra's annoyance - and offered his wife an arm.
"Let's." Elicia followed him willingly upstairs.
It was almost a cleansing experience to get ready for bed together in the old routine. For a few minutes it was as if nothing had happened, and Al relished it as he got into shorts and a shirt for sleeping and Elicia slipped into one of her warm nightgowns.
She paused though, hesitating as her hands went to the wig on her head. She slept with it off of course, but she seemed reluctant to take it off now.
Al crossed the room and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "It's all right," he said softly. "Do you want me to find your hat to keep your head warm?"
Elicia paused, looking in the little mirror above the dresser with an unsure expression. Then she shook her head and lifted the wig off. There was fuzz on her head now, though it could hardly be called hair. At least it was something. Al wished it weren't so of course, but he didn't find her at all repulsive or less than herself for it. Hair grew back. "I'm okay," she finally said.
Al smiled, knowing she could see him in the mirror too. "You're beautiful," he replied honestly. "You're always beautiful."
"Even when I'm curled up in a corner a weeping, shivering wreck?" Elicia asked skeptically.
Al kissed her neck. "Then you bring out my protective male instincts," he argued, "So yes."
Elicia turned around in his arms and leaned against him. "I can live with that."
"Good, cause I'd hate to think what I'd do if you couldn't," Al hugged her gently. He wouldn't lie to himself, he missed doing more, but Elicia was so jumpy that anything too confining or overly sexual sent her to pieces. Al could wait. "Are you up for cuddling?" he asked hopefully. At least she could go to sleep well. He knew that she was still likely to have nightmares, but he wanted to do everything he could to try and keep them at bay.
Elicia looked up at him and smiled softly. "Yes...please."
December 9th, 1958
Edward would really have preferred to have their first day back off from work, but Breda's office called first thing in the morning telling Ed that he and Roy were expected to report in and give Breda a face to face account of just what had transpired in Drachma; especially anything that could not be transmitted in any public capacity such as letters or telephone wires.
"Sorry," he apologized to Winry as he came back into the bedroom and started getting dressed. "Breda calls."
"It's all right," Winry sighed as she watched him. "I was half expecting it."
"Still, dragging a man out of bed with a beautiful woman just to give a military report?" Ed smirked as he leaned over and kissed her. "It's just wrong I tell you."
"Well get it over with and hurry up and come home," Winry chuckled as their lips parted. "Lawrence knows I'm not coming in till after lunch."
"Lucky you," Ed pulled on pants and a shirt then went hunting for clean socks. "Tore's got school right?"
"Yes, but he doesn't have to get up for another half hour," Winry replied. It was going to take them all a little time to get back on schedule. "I'm planning to call the school and explain the situation so he can have a little more time to get caught up on the schoolwork he took with him."
"That's good." Ed sat down on the edge of the bed with socks and boots. "He was ahead on it the first week. I doubt it'll take him long to catch up. He's smart."
"He is," Winry agreed. "I think they'll understand though. Hopefully being back in the routine will help him get over what we found out."
Ed paused. Tore had been much less sullen and surly on the train than he had on the way back to the Embassy in Drachma, but that didn't mean he was just over it. Ed knew that. "That's another report I need to file today," he sighed. "I'll go over to Investigations and talk to Sciezka." He was sure Elicia wouldn't be in for a while. "Then I'll see if Tore wants to get back to the alchemy lessons this afternoon."
"Give him a little routine distraction?" Winry chuckled. "I think that's a good idea."
Ed stood and headed for the door. "It's tough to lose anyone, even if you saw the truth coming." He flashed a smile before he left. "I'll see you later, beautiful."
He decided to walk over to Headquarters despite the cold weather. After Drachma, even a lightly snowy day in Central felt balmy! It also left Winry with the car if she and Tore didn't want to run around in the cold.
Roy was waiting in the outer office when Ed arrived. The room was busy even early in the day, but then that was normal. Feury, Falman, and Roy were chatting. Franz looked up and smiled when Ed walked in. "Good morning," he chuckled. "Glad to be back?"
"I'd be happier if I'd gotten to sleep in this morning," Ed replied to his son-in-law. "Nice to see the place didn't fall apart while we were gone."
"Oh we can usually handle things without you," Franz smirked.
"Funny."
The door to Breda's office opened and an Assemblyman walked out. Feury cut off his conversation with Roy to look at them both. "You guys can go on in now."
Breda was shuffling papers around when they entered, but set them down looking glad to be done with them. "It seems you had an eventful trip," he commented wryly. "Would you like to explain to me how it is you managed to avoid direct military offense despite taking the law into your hands... as usual?"
Roy chuckled, but let Ed answer as they sat down on the couches in the office. "A little attitude and a lot of diplomacy," was Ed's rather cheeky response. Then he sobered and began to explain the situation in detail, starting with the negotiations before that point and what the Drachman government wanted, as well as their political split on the issue. He covered the details of the kidnapping, the rescue, and then the decision to go back and deal with Tamirov themselves when the Drachman government offered no further support or action.
"I can't say I blame you," Breda sighed. "Headache as it's caused me. I know as well as you do how much trouble that would be unchecked. Too bad they don't."
"Oh they do now," Roy finally cut in. "When Elkhov heard what we had to say he made us get up in front of the Council and explain ourselves."
"So I heard," Breda nodded. "So just what is it you said to save your asses?"
"Our fearless leader has such confidence in his subordinates," Ed quipped. "They got a little background into Chimeras and unchecked taboo alchemy and the specifics of what we found as far as what's palatable for public consumption, then Roy here spun them a beautiful political scheme to convince the alchemists of Drachma that working with the military would be infinitely safer and more profitable than continuing to work in opposition."
"They were definitely listening by the time I was finished," Roy smirked. "Elkhov seemed reasonable mollified and the Chairman almost looked pleased."
"Only almost?" Breda asked archly.
"Well I think he was still worried we'd tanked things," Ed admitted. "He and Elkhov are the ones heading up the movement to get the alchemist's cooperation instead of just wiping them out."
"I'll want this all written up of course," Breda said when they finished. "But all in all it sounds like the mission itself was a success despite the complicating factors."
Ed was relieved. "I'm glad you think so. We were just glad to get out of there. Have we missed anything interesting the last couple of weeks?" It had been more of a challenge to get news on the train.
"I've had a few chats with them about you, yes," Breda commented then. "So I suspect you'd like to know that your assessment of the situation seems to match theirs."
"How reassuring," Roy commented.
"It should be," Breda retorted. "Otherwise we'd be looking at a much stickier political situation. Given that the instigation for the whole mess was the kidnapping of the girls while you were there at the government's invitation, they would much prefer that this whole thing be suppressed, quieted and that everyone move on."
"Sounds good to me," Ed shrugged, resting his arms along the back of the couch. As far as he was concerned the issue had been dealt with before they left. He was just glad he hadn't royally screwed up the mission! Someday he really wanted to go somewhere and do something without ending up in the middle of something complicated.
"I've had enough of Drachma to last me a lifetime," Roy snorted.
"I thought you'd feel that way," Breda nodded, relaxing a little. "Frankly, I'm hoping it's the last I hear from them for a while. I'm still surprised Elkhov thanked me for sending you."
"Thanked you?" Ed asked, startled.
"Oh yes," Breda smirked. "He said you were the most excitement the government's had to deal with in quite some time. It really shook up the Council."
Shook them up, huh? Ed chuckled. "Good. Now maybe they'll actually do something."
Alphonse made it in to Headquarters mid-morning. He didn't have anything officially scheduled for today so he wasn't particularly concerned about going in a little late. He had enjoyed breakfast with Elicia and Gracia before leaving his wife safe with her mother. He stopped by his office only briefly and grimaced at the paperwork waiting despite knowing that Miriam Golan had things well in hand. Then he went upstairs to Breda's office. The wait was surprisingly short.
"Haven't had too many people up here since I finished with Roy and Ed a little while ago," Breda admitted.
"Ed and Roy were here?" Al hadn't heard about that. He sat down in the chair across from Breda.
"I called them in," Breda replied with an apologetic expression. "I figured you'd rather be at home with Elicia. Was I wrong?"
Al thought about the two times last night that Elicia had woken up from nightmares. They hadn't been full flashback attacks, but it had taken time to calm her each time and get her settled before he went back to sleep. "No, you were right," he agreed, taking no offense at Breda's decision.
"Good," Breda looked relieved. "I didn't want to insult you by not having you come in too, but I wasn't even sure if we'd see you today considering. I didn't want to put any pressure on you."
"I appreciate it," Al smiled. "Don't worry about it."
"I won't then," Breda smiled. "So, what did you come in for anyway?"
"Time off," Al admitted, getting right down to the point. "I'd like the rest of the month off. I know we just got back into town but after everything that's happened I... well I'd just like to spend some time with my wife." It sounded lame coming out like that now, but Breda's expression was sympathetic.
"How's Elicia doing?" he asked.
Al sighed. "Better. Physically she's all right. She's still pretty shaken up though. One moment she seems perfectly normal, and the next she's in tears or panicked. It was pretty traumatic, so I can't say I'm surprised but... it's tough."
"What about what they tried to do to her...the alchemy?" Breda asked, as if he didn't entirely understand what had gone on there.
"They injected her with chemical compounds as part of the process of trying to turn her into a chimera," Al explained, fighting down the angry urge that returned every time he thought about it. "But we were talking about that on the way home. It's possible that Ren, or another Xingese trained alchemical doctor, might be able to deal with the compounds safely."
"Have you been able to talk to anyone about it yet?" Breda sounded hopeful.
"Will and Ren are coming to visit over the holiday." Al was glad for it. He had been looking forward to their visit in the first place, but this just made things even better. "They'll be here in just under a week. Unfortunately that means they're already on the train so unless they call at a stop we won't be able to ask until they arrive." Given she seemed all right so far, that shouldn't be a problem, but that didn't mean Al wasn't concerned!
"Of course take the time off," Breda scoffed. "Golan's got your work covered right now, and Elicia certainly needs you more right now than we do. Not that we don't need you," he added quickly.
"I get the point," Al smiled back. Still, he was glad someone cared about his feelings lately. It was nice to be appreciated. "And thanks, from both of us."
"Don't worry about it," Breda held up one hand. "Give Elicia our best and we'll make sure to have dinner together sometime soon. Or Nancy will skin me," he added the last with evident amusement.
Al chuckled. "Well we can't have that now, can we?"
December 14th, 1958
Will was feeling a little anxious by the time they reached Central. He had been looking forward to the trip for months, but ever since he had heard the news about the kidnapping of his mother, aunt, and Riza Mustang, he had been a little on edge! Their rescue had been a relief, but he hadn't known the whole of it. When he had called his parents' house a couple of days out and gotten the details he had grown concerned again. His mother had almost become a chimera?! Ren had assured him that she could probably handle the situation with alchemy, but that did not stop him from worrying nearly as much as his father likely was; they were rather alike that way!
His father met them at the train station. "Welcome back," Alphonse was smiling as he hugged them both. "How was Aerugo?"
"Fascinating," Will chuckled, "And much quieter than your stories."
"Well I should hope so," Al snorted. "Shall we go? Did you eat on the train?"
Will snorted as he grabbed Ren's bags. "Before coming home to your house? Do I look crazy?"
His father smirked. "Good. Your grandmother, sister, and mother have been baking up a storm this week."
"What have you been doing?" Ren asked with an amused little smile.
"Staying out of the way."
Will chuckled as they followed his father to the car and got in. It was strange to think of it only as his parents' house. It was home but not the same way it used to be. Traveling with Ren, where ever she was had quickly become home. It was almost a full year since their wedding; a fact that had snuck up and surprised him a few days ago. Not the date, but the realization and the relief that it had come so naturally, and it was just what he had hoped.
When they arrived at the house Will happily put up with the barrage of female family hugs! His Grandmother, as always, though he looked in excellent health, his mother hugged him tighter than he remembered, though she felt so small in his arms. He was probably just imagining it after everything she had been through lately and his fears. "Love you, Mom," he said softly before they parted.
She smiled back. "Love you." Then she got out of Alyse's way.
His sister's hug was just as eager. "You don't visit nearly enough," she scolded playfully then looked up at him with a little smirk. "So, am I an aunt yet?"
Will felt his face flush red and he stared a moment, slack-jawed and caught off guard by his sister's statement.
Ren saved him. Well, not quite. She laughed at him instead. "You should see your face, dear," she smiled. "No, not yet," she answered Alyse's question, not flustered in the slightest. "Work before pleasure."
"Ren!" Will looked over at his wife, trying not to feel mildly horrified that his wife and sister were having this conversation.
"Get used to it," Al chuckled. "Your mother and Winry have conversations like this all the time."
"All women do," Gracia teased gently. "It's a fact of life."
"I did not need to know this," Will groaned. "So, Dad mentioned there was dinner?"
"You haven't changed a bit," Alyse chuckled.
"Before we do," Ren cut in, surprising him. She almost never cut into a conversation. Will looked over at his wife, who had turned to Elicia. "If I may, there is something I would like to attend to first."
His mother looked startled, then touched, and a little nervous. "Of... of course, Ren. That would be wonderful if... if there's anything you can do."
Of course! Feeling foolish, Will followed his mother and Ren into the living room, and stood out of the way with everyone else as Ren pulled out the scarf and wrapped it easily around her hand with practiced precision. "This may feel a little strange," she said soothingly as she placed her hand on his mother's chest bone. "But it shouldn't hurt. I'm going to see what I'm working with and then, if I can, I will try and neutralize the compounds so the body can get rid of them safely."
Will was glad it was Ren doing this. As familiar as he and his father were with complex compounds, transmuting anything inside the human body was much more complicated, and he knew Ren wouldn't even attempt it if she didn't think it was safe.
"All right," his mother nodded and then closed her eyes. It wasn't necessary, but Will got the feeling it made it a little easier for her.
From that point watching become rather uninteresting, even to an experienced alchemist. Everything was going on inside Elicia's body, and that meant there was nothing to see aside from being able to get a sense that alchemical energy was being used on a very controlled level.
Will's clue that anything was happening was the one he was used to; sweat beads appeared on Ren's brow as she sat there, seemingly at rest. It was several minutes before his wife opened her eyes, refocused, and removed her hand. Will hurried to her side as she wobbled slightly. "Thank you," she smiled up at him before turning back to his mother, who had opened her eyes and was looking at Ren with timid curiosity and a hint of hope.
"Well?" Elicia asked.
Ren continued to lean against Will a little as he sat down on the couch beside her. He noticed his father coming up on the other side to his mother. "It's done," Ren smiled. "I split the remaining elements into their component parts, allowing the body to absorb anything natural to it, and the rest I diverted out of the bloodstream and into the digestive system. They are harmless there and should pass from the system without any difficulty in the next day or so."
Al's arms slipped around Elicia as tears sprang into her eyes. "Thank you, Ren," she replied softly. "Thank you."
"I knew you had good taste in girls," his father chuckled, clearly as choked up emotionally.
Ren looked pleased. "It was my pleasure, and my honor...and my family," she added the last quietly.
"How do you feel?" Al asked Elicia.
"Relieved," she admitted, leaning back into her own husband. "I didn't want to become a... something else."
"There's no danger of that now," Ren assured her. "Though now I could certainly use that wonderful meal I smell!"
Will chuckled as he watched his parents stand and head for the table. "You're amazing," he whispered in Ren's ear before helping her to her feet.
"You've seen me do this kind of thing before," Ren pointed out.
Will shrugged. "Yeah, but this is something else and you know it." She had assured that his mother would not be irrevocably changed by alchemy, and she would not have to fear for her life.
Ren kissed him. "Like I said, this is my family."
Alphonse enjoyed the cheerful evening with his family, especially with the unbelievable relief he felt knowing Elicia was going to be fine now. Tamirov's work would not haunt them. Or at least, not in physical form. Elicia seemed happier than she had in weeks as they all ate, cleaned up, and talked afterwards.
Though it was far from a late night. Alyse left first, going back to her apartment. She had work in the morning. Ren was the next one to tire, apologizing but heading upstairs to get ready for bed. Not that Al could blame her after as much alchemical energy as she had needed to control earlier. Gracia and Elicia both headed up about the same time, leaving Alphonse and Will to themselves.
"Well that's a pleasant surprise," Al chuckled as they got drinks and settled down in the living room. "When was the last time we talked, just you and I?"
"It's been a while," Will admitted. "Writing and the phone just isn't quite the same is it?"
"No," Al agreed. Will and Ren were hardly in one place more than a few weeks, often less. "How's the research going?" he asked curiously. Will's alchemical research was an area Al had always wanted to know about, given his own experiences with it. Ed had performed a perfect soul attachment to save him as a boy, and Al himself could put parts of his soul temporarily into other things, but it was an instinctive level for him. The nature of the soul and what could and could not be done to it with alchemy was what Will was trying to figure out.
"As far as conclusions go, not much yet," Will admitted, sipping from his bottle of soda. "But a lot of what I'm finding is fascinating stuff. Xing and Amestris have plenty to say on the subject. Creta has some interesting resources if you dig back far enough into their ancient history. Aerugo was the pleasant surprise. I found some old legends from way back in their tribal cultures talking about ceremonies that involved souls. I haven't translated it all yet, but it might have some clues."
Al settled back and listened as Will eagerly went on about what he had found and some of his suppositions and hypotheses. His son was clearly excited and enthused about what he was working on, and confident that he would eventually get some answers despite the nature of his topic. He was energetic, relaxed, and clearly happy with life. Al watched him for nearly an hour before he couldn't help chuckling.
"What?" Will broke off in the middle of a story about one of their recent research trips to one of the ruins in Aerugo. "Something funny?"
Al shrugged. "I was just thinking, married life agrees with you."
"How does that have anything to do with what I'm talking about?" Will chuckled, though he looked slightly embarrassed.
Al grinned. "Do you have any idea how many times you've said 'Ren suggested' 'Ren and I went' and 'Ren was right about' in the past hour?"
Will's smile returned. "I hadn't been keeping count," he replied. "That bad huh?"
"Worse," Al teased. "Though I'm glad to hear it."
"Yeah well, when we're living off what she makes as a doctor I don't have much room to gripe do I?" Will replied lightly. "She's so supportive of my work; helpful too. She's got a great instinct for dealing with the intangible when it comes to alchemy."
Given her teachers and family, Al wasn't surprised by this. "You make it sound like it's all about the research," he commented.
Will seemed to catch that he was still being teased. He laughed. "It's not all about alchemy," he quipped, "It's about Ren. The research is just something we both do on the side."
"Oh, of course," Al nodded sagely. Though that was certainly how it sounded listening to Will talk! "That's how it should be."
"So I noticed," Will replied, and from the look in his eyes Al got the feeling Will meant from watching his own parents. "How's Mom doing? Really I mean. I've never seen her so subdued."
Al sighed. He had known the question would come up eventually. "She hasn't left the house since we got home," he admitted. It wasn't just that Elicia didn't want to go anywhere; she was afraid to. She had physically frozen trying to go out the front door on two occasions. The military psychological counselor had come to the house to talk to her for her first session. Al explained it all to his son, glad to be able to talk to someone who would understand his frustrations. Besides, Will needed to know. Alyse had been here for enough of it. She and Gracia had both been witness to a couple of Elicia's flashbacks.
When he was done, Will looked a little floored. "Suddenly this doesn't seem strong enough," he commented, gesturing with his pop bottle.
Al sighed, smiling weakly. "Doesn't does it?" He'd purposefully avoided drinking anything on the train outside of his usual preferences. He'd had plenty the week Elicia was in the hospital and almost everyone else was off dealing with Tamirov. It had finally been all he could do to keep himself in check. Meditation and rest had failed him. Since coming home things had been better, and it hadn't really been anything he wanted. He chuckled. "There's a couple of beers in the back of the fridge.... behind the cheesecake."
Will smirked back as he stood up. "Which do you want? The beer or the cheesecake?"
"You mean I have to choose?"
"Good point."
December 16th, 1958
Edward always looked forward to the winter holidays. It meant spending a few weeks with Ethan and Lia. It was pretty much impossible to get just Ethan anymore. Ed did his best not to press. He knew why they were still technically just dating, despite being inseparable. Taking it slow was a good thing, especially since this was their last year at East City University. Ethan was already passed the usual undergraduate work and into a full load of medical classes and working shifts at the hospital while Lia was in her last semesters getting her education degree and doing student teaching.
They both looked exhausted when Ed picked them up from the train station, and were happy but quiet through dinner. What Ed found curious though was the odd occasional glances Ethan shot in his direction; nervous, as if he wanted to say something but wasn't sure how to broach the subject.
Over tea in the living room, Ed did it for him. "So what's this news of yours?" he asked, looking Ethan in the eyes. "You've looked like you wanted to say something all evening." And since he didn't see any new jewelry on Lia's hands, he was pretty sure it wasn't an engagement.
Ethan almost spurted his tea across the room then chuckled. "I must be out of touch on my bluffing," he chuckled.
Lia reached out and squeezed his hand. "Go ahead. It's not bad news after all."
Ethan looked between Ed and Winry and smiled uneasily. "One of professors has gotten me that offer to work at a hospital for the next two years, paid, to finish up my training."
"Well that's great news," Winry exclaimed. "Why the worry?"
"Well the thing is, it is in Xing," Ethan replied. "The East side of Xing, and that's two years full-time stint. There wouldn't be enough time off anywhere in there to come back and visit."
"Is that all?" Ed blurted out, chuckling at his son's concern. He understood it, but two years was hardly a lifetime! "It sounds like a fantastic opportunity. Where else are you going to have that much access to alchemical doctors?" That was, after all, his son's area of specialization and they had discussed the possibility before though it had been a couple of years.
"That's what I told him," Lia chuckled fondly. "It's the perfect opportunity."
"So you don't mind?" Ethan asked.
"Mind? Of course not," Ed shook his head. "It's not like there aren't phones or post offices in Xing, and you're a much better correspondent than I ever was. Besides, it's just two years, and you said it's paid for?" He certainly wouldn't mind that!
Ethan nodded. "Salary job while I finish training. It's much further East in Xing than the Imperial City is, but even Ren's heard of the doctor I'd be working with. He has an excellent reputation."
"Then we should be celebrating," Winry smiled. "What about you?" she looked at Lia then curiously.
Yes, what about Lia? It was certainly a good question!
Lia was still smiling. "The government of Xing has been trying to find people qualified to teach Amestrian and Amestrian history. Since we have so much trade going with them now, it's in higher demand."
"That's perfect," Winry replied. Ed had to agree. It was good work and experience for both of them, and he wasn't at all surprised that they would be going together. He would have been stunned if they had willingly put that much distance between them!
"I'm glad you like the idea," Ethan was clearly relieved. "I still want to come back and set up practice in Central, but I just couldn't imagine passing this up."
"What would you be doing?" Ed asked curiously. "What type of hospital is it?"
"Regional, out in one of the more rural provinces actually," Ethan grinned. "There's a lot of travel out to the smaller towns too, to help with local clinics and deal with patients who can't make it in to the hospital for whatever reason. Doctor Saito is an alchemical specialist, but a lot of his work is dealing with some of the more unusual medical issues that the regular doctors can't always handle, and the tougher cases."
"Sounds like Resembool," Ed joked, "Only a much longer trip."
"Pretty much," Ethan nodded, "But I think they don't have as many sheep."
"I think you're right," Ed smirked at his son's sarcasm. Rural Xing; well there were worse places to be. It did sound like a great adventure for a young doctor and teacher. "Hope your Xing's not too rusty."
"I've been practicing," Ethan grinned. "Last time I talked to Ren she said I sounded less like a foreigner, more like a city guy. Not like I'll ever be mistaken for Xingese anyway." Not with his pale golden hair and gold eyes. His skin was fairer than even Ed's still, more like Winry's.
"I'll settle for sounding like I speak the language better than a high school student," Lia chuckled. "I'm getting there. If nothing else, this will be fantastic practice."
"What do your parents think of it?" Winry asked Lia.
Ed noticed a momentary falter in Lia's smile. "They think it's a great experience," she replied, "But they wish I wasn't going so far away." It sounded like there was something else that should go at the end of the sentence, but she stopped and looked a little embarrassed. Ed didn't say aloud what he thought probably went there. He knew the Swansons didn't mind Ethan, liked him fine really, but Lia following him to Xing for two years when there were other good jobs, and they weren't engaged after three years together.
He could see why they might be a little concerned. He, however, wasn't. "They'll get used to the idea," he smiled. "Chances like this don't come up every day. When will it start?"
At that, Ethan looked a little uneasy again. "They want me there as soon as I graduate," he said. "We won't even have time to come home."
"Then I guess we really can't miss watching you graduate then can we?" Ed replied. Not that he had planned to! Ethan was the only one who had gone to college, and Ed had no intention of missing watching his son's recognition for having completed that step in his education.
Ethan grinned. "Does that mean I can arrange to have anything I don't take to Xing brought back here with you?"
"You're as conniving as I am sometimes aren't you?" Ed snickered.
"Hey," Ethan shrugged nonchalantly, "I did learn from the best."
