September 21st, 1966
Ethan watched with a feeling of fond warmth as Lia finished changing Eamon's diaper. Her golden hair glistened, freshly washed and still just slightly damp, and even in comfortable knit pants and a simple top – today in different shades of lavender – her curves made him want to find a way to get a little time alone with her.
"There we go, handsome," Lia giggled as she picked up their son and kissed his cheek. "All done. Now you and your sister can have a nice big breakfast!"
The nine-month-old boy giggled, and in Ethan's arms, Lily laughed with her brother.
"You know, there was a time I'd be jealous if you called any other guy handsome." Ethan leaned over and kissed his wife. "But I guess I can make an exception in this one instance."
"It's only because he looks so much like you," Lia teased, leaning back against his shoulder. "I can't believe how fast they're growing."
"Maybe they'll get taller than me," Ethan chuckled. He could hope right? Chances weren't good for Eamon being much taller than him, but Lia's father was, so it was a possibility. "You ready for breakfast?"
"Famished," Lia rolled her eyes as she headed for the door. "I'll be so glad when they're weaned!"
"It's coming," Ethan promised, trying hard not to laugh. They had started supplementing milk with baby food already, and that helped. It also meant Ethan got to be part of the feeding process, which he rather enjoyed. "Though I'm going to miss it I think."
"You?" Lia looked back at him. "You're not the one who has to deal with having milk vacuumed out of your chest."
Ethan stifled another laugh. Laughing would just get him in trouble. "Yeah, but I like the other things it's done for you in that area."
"You're impossible." Lia shook her head and kept walking.
Ethan followed her downstairs, the smell of breakfast hitting his nose on the stairs; sweet rolls, bacon, eggs…. "Wow it smells like a feast down here!"
His mother and father were both at the table. Dad was reading the paper, Mom was laying out what was truly a lavish breakfast spread. She smiled when they came down. "Well it looks like the whole family is finally up."
"Smells heavenly," Lia added appreciatively.
"Well you didn't think I could let today go by without something special," Winry chuckled. "Happy Anniversary you two."
Ethan grinned. He should have expected something; he just hadn't really thought there would be a special breakfast in honor of the fact. It certainly hadn't been discussed much with everything going on lately. "Thanks, Mom."
"Got anything special planned?" Ed asked, grinning over his morning cup of coffee. "Four years isn't something to sniff at."
"Still deciding," Ethan admitted as he settled Lily into her highchair as Lia did the same with Eamon. "If the weather's good we thought we might take the kids to the zoo."
"Well that sounds like fun," Winry smiled. "Though I think your father means, did you want to do anything just the two of you? We're happy to watch Eamon and Lily for a few hours."
"Really? That's great!" Ethan was looking forward to a trip with the kids, but the idea of a few child-free hours, just the two of them… "Do you remember how to be childless?" he looked at his wife.
"Maybe," she giggled as she picked up the warm bowl of baby oatmeal and spooned some up, holding it out to Lily, who happily took the bite. "I'm sure it'll come back to us."
"I'm sure you'll come up with a romantic way to spend the evening," Winry chuckled.
"Yeah," Ethan laughed, taking up Eamon's breakfast. "Though isn't that how we ended up parents in the first place?"
His Dad snickered, but Lia rolled her eyes. "Oh was it?" she asked. "I thought that had something to do with you missing me for a year and a half."
"How about you two have that conversation someplace romantic and private?" Ed laughed.
"Nah," Ethan grinned. "It's safer this way."
"So you seem to think," Lia retorted. "I wouldn't make any bets on that."
"Depends on the outcome you want." He grinned as he watched Lia's face flush. Ethan knew it would be a bit longer before they wanted to try for any more kids – especially with the two adorable little handfuls they already had! – but he considered the private argument much more dangerous in that respect!
"Depends," Lia smiled a little too softly; the way she did when Ethan knew to tread lightly. "How badly do you want to live to see our fifth anniversary?"
The trip to the zoo with the twins turned out to be as enjoyable as Lia hoped it would be. Even as small as they were, the kids were excited by all the different shapes and types of animals. They laughed at monkeys, giggled at seals, and stared with interest and possibly awe at lions. Lily seemed to like birds, while Eamon didn't want to leave the wolves.
"Maybe they remind him of Daia and Pir," Ethan chuckled.
The day turned overcast near the end of the trip, and Lia was just grateful to make it back to the house without the whole family getting rained on.
"Oh I'll put them to bed," Winry insisted when they got in the door. "You two should get ready and go out and enjoy yourselves!"
Lia was perfectly happy to take a quick shower. Then, while Ethan was taking his turn, she had to try to decide what to wear. She wasn't even entirely sure where they were going! Finally, she settled on a simple blue dress that fell to just below the knees. It flowed loosely from below her midriff and she felt it was fairly flattering. She'd been going to aerobics classes with Alyse and Ren three times a week for a few months now, and finally she felt a little more like herself from before she got pregnant. Other than the rather noted difference in the size of her chest.
"You look… radiant."
Lia turned and saw Ethan standing in the bathroom doorway in nothing but a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. There was appreciation dancing in his eyes. She felt warm, and couldn't help giggling. "You used to be more bashful, you know."
"Well I'd like to think I've grown up since then," he replied with a rakish grin, but the pink on the tips of his ears and his cheeks gave him away.
Lia crossed the room and kissed him, hands resting lightly on his chest. "And how."
September 24th, 1966
It was funny how one of the reasons he'd left Cecilia was because of the lifestyle; too much drinking, too much smoking… and here he was, sitting alone in a bar having a drink and a smoke. At least tonight he wasn't stuck in Central. The mission out West had been a relief after months of missions that kept him too close to home.
Not that he minded Central, or the Elrics, but lately the entire city had made him feel almost claustrophobic. Ever since he broke it off with Cecilia there were uncomfortable moments if he ran into her friends in the store. He never ran into Cecilia herself, thank goodness.
Still, everyone's lives were going along just fine, and they had other people to occupy their time. Tore didn't blame them for having less time for him; good relationships took effort, and he'd rather see everyone else's marriages succeed. Marriage, family, kids… he couldn't help but feel jealous, just a little, for having missed out on them so far even though Tore knew he wasn't ready to settle down yet. He'd run from it hadn't he?
He'd thrown it away, thinking he and Cecilia couldn't have that. It wasn't really how they worked but… what if he'd been too hasty? Not that he could do anything about it now. Cecilia didn't want him back. She'd made that perfectly clear. And… when he was clear headed, he knew he didn't want her back either.
There were two girls he'd felt a spark with that he knew could be love…could be something more. At least, when he let himself think about it. He'd probably blown both chances there too. Charisa had a new beau… a serious one. Raul Valentino was everything she could have ever wanted that he wasn't. And he was there, in Creta, with Charisa. Then there was Noelle… but that had been barely a two week fling. He hadn't even written her after he met Cecilia. At least, not after the first time she'd gotten insanely jealous upon finding one of Noelle's letters. He'd stopped writing. By now, a beautiful, talented girl like Noelle would have figured out Tore wasn't reliable enough to wait for.
"You know you really need to stop looking so glum. It doesn't suit you."
"Hard not to I-" Wait who? Tore looked up into the face of the woman standing behind the counter. A very familiar, rather sexy smile, graced him. "Lilah!"
"Took you long enough," she chuckled. "What are you doing all the way out here? On a mission?"
Tore was glad the bar wasn't too busy. He nodded. "Yeah. Almost done actually. I have to head back to Central tomorrow night."
"You don't sound too happy about it." Lilah said, sounding genuinely concerned.
Tore shrugged. "Long story, old story. How've you been? New job?" They were a good bit south of the last town he'd known her to live in.
Lilah chuckled. "Yep, new line of work. I got on here when we came South during the war, and now I'm the regular evening bartender. It pays pretty well, and my sister likes it better that I'm not working at the old job anymore."
"How is she?" The last time Tore had seen Lilah and Cassidy, her sister had been severely mentally impaired for years.
"Much better," Lilah's smile widened. "One of the Alchemical doctors from Xing insisted on having a look at her, and whatever he did to her helped. She's not fully back to the way she was as a girl, but she's much better."
"I'm glad," Tore smiled, sipping his beer. "I'd love to get a chance to meet her… again I mean." This time maybe it would be more of a meeting.
"That'd be great," Lilah agreed. "You want to come by when I get off shift? We can catch up."
"Yeah, I'd like that." It was definitely better than spending the night alone, or shacked up in some strange girl's bed – cheaper than a hotel room. Somehow, the idea of asking to sleep with Lilah – especially considering her previous line of work and their history – seemed kind of strange. It was odd that asking a former professional whore to sleep with him would seem inappropriate. Maybe it was because her sister would be there or something.
"Great," Lilah nodded. "I've got another couple of hours, but Cassidy likes to wait up. So there's usually a snack or something waiting when I get home."
That sounded good too. Tonight, Tore would be grateful for a friend.
"It's hard to picture Cal married," Lilah chuckled. "But good for him! I'm glad he's happy," she said, sipping a cup of hot chocolate.
Tore, looking through steam of a cup of the same, grinned. "It's almost too sickeningly cute for words sometimes, but Alyse is good for him. She's got him well trained and almost domesticated."
"He sounds like a dog," Cassidy commented with a smile as she sipped her own cocoa from where she was curled up on the floor of the apartment wrapped in a warm quilt.
"Only a little," Tore admitted. "He's actually pretty much the same old Cal, without the need to find himself a girl."
"It's tough to find a woman who'll really appreciate a guy like him," Lilah agreed.
She means like me too, he realized. Except it seemed difficult to decide what that meant. Women loved his company… he just hadn't had much luck with anything resembling long term relationships.
"Well, I'm going to sleep," Cassidy stood, stretched, and smiled as she took her cup into the kitchen. "Good night, Tore. It was nice to see you again."
He watched her go. Cassidy was so innocent and sweet, even now. He was glad she was better. She might still act a little like a twelve-year-old in the innocence department, but at least her mind was catching up with her body.
"So, what's eating you?"
Tore looked over at Lilah, who had an expectant look on her face. He knew what she was asking. "I thought that was a bartender question," his mouth quirked in a wry smile.
"I'm doing some free overtime," Lilah smiled gently. "You looked like you'd swallowed something nasty earlier tonight. Though, knowing you, I'd say it had something more to do with a girl than a bad meal."
"I've had my share of both," Tore quipped, then winced. Oh yeah, that sounded good. He took a long sip of chocolate, and went ahead and told Lilah the story, from the first time Cecilia approached him for a threesome, to their rather wild nights, to the mistaken proposal and breaking it off before it was too late. What was in that hot chocolate anyway? He wasn't this forthcoming even when he was drunk!
"No offense, but she sounds like a bit of a nutcase," Lilah said when he finished. "I don't mean to be mean, but that girl has a lot of issues that have nothing to do with you. You're a nice guy, but I think that would have been a disaster of a relationship long term."
"Nice to know someone else agrees," Tore said. Edward and Lilah agreed on something… how about that! "I still feel guilty about it, even months later."
"It takes time," Lilah agreed as she yawned. "Man it's late. We should get some sleep," she said as she stretched, cracking her back.
Tore nodded and looked around. Lilah didn't have a couch, and it was only a two bedroom apartment. "Sounds good but…"
"You can have my bed," Lilah shrugged easily. "I'll bunk in with Cassidy." She took both of their cups and headed for the little kitchen.
"Lilah I…. this is going to sound strange," Tore blurted out. "But I ah… would you mind if we … shared the bed? Not did anything just…" Man he sounded like an idiot! Why had he asked her that?
She paused, then smiled. "Tired of sleeping alone?"
"It's been torture," Tore admitted. Not having someone in the bed with him still felt wrong now. He smiled sheepishly. Too late to take it back now. "I'm just tired of being by myself." He really didn't want sex tonight, just company.
"I think that'll be fine," Lilah agreed after a thoughtful moment. "Go ahead and get ready for bed. I'll be there in a few minutes."
Tore didn't argue. He went into the bedroom and stripped down to shorts. In a show of meaning what he said, Tore pulled on one of his military undershirts too.
True to form, Lilah's sleepwear was as un-representational of her past employment as anything else; a warm flannel nightgown that went all the way to her ankles. "Maybe I should've made you eat more," she chuckled when she came in. "You look a little thin."
Tore shrugged, ignoring the twinge of irritation he felt at the statement. He'd long ago learned that it was just her way. "I'm all right," he commented neutrally in reply.
"All right," she chuckled. "I'm sorry. I'm being a busybody aren't I?" She crossed the room and sat down on one side of the bed.
That was the signal Tore had been waiting for. A bed big enough for two, the woman always had a side preference. He sat down on the other one. "It's all right," he replied. "It's nice to know someone cares." Funny for it to be a woman he'd now seen three times in five years.
Lilah snuggled in under the faded blue quilt and stretched out, resting her head propped on one elbow as she looked at him. "Someone who isn't family?"
"Yeah, pretty much." Tore knew his friends and family cared, but at this point he kind of expected them to. Even Cal counted as family if he considered that Cal had married Tore's foster-parents' niece. That made him what…a foster-cousin-in-law? Or something confusing like that. Friend was good enough. He lay down and pulled the blanket over himself, giving her plenty of personal space on the bed. Just having another person there was comforting.
Lilah reached up and turned off the light.
Tore closed his eyes and slipped his hands behind his head. The bed was comfortable, and smelled like lemon scented detergent. Not like those too-clean crisp hotel sheets. He felt the bed shift as Lilah apparently got comfortable. He wasn't ready when someone warm sidled up against his side. "What the…?" He opened his eyes and in the dark could barely see her beside him.
"Sorry," she smiled. "My bed. I don't suppose you have a masculine aversion to cuddling?"
"Umm… no." He just hadn't expected it. "I just didn't think you were the cuddling type." He lowered one arm and let it slip around her flannel-sheathed narrow shoulders. She felt pretty good there; warm, female… uncomplicated.
September 26th, 1966
He couldn't wait! Jean felt like he was floating, and that the world was rushing a hundred miles a minute as he hurried down the street. And yet, it seemed to take an eternity to get there. He had to tell Noelle. She had to know. He... well he had to get there first. He made himself slow down to avoid getting run over. Dying would kind of ruin the day.
Violetti's was Noelle's favorite restaurant, so he was grateful she had picked today's stop. It wasn't too far away either. Still, Jean was breathless when he arrived. He looked around, hoping to spot his girlfriend quickly.
"Jean!" Noelle called, waving from what had they had claimed as 'their' table. "You look like you hurried. Did you start out late?"
"No," Jean shook his head, grinning as he joined her and sat down. "I just... I have good news. And I couldn't wait to get here."
Noelle's smile was big as she reached across the table to take Jean's hand, "Well then, spill out the news! Don't just leave me hanging!"
"I'm being promoted." Jean couldn't help gushing. "I'm a First Lieutenant!"
"That's great!" Noelle nearly squealed, jumping out of her seat to give Jean a hug. "Congratulations."
Jean hugged her back tightly. "That's not all," he chuckled. "They've offered me a chance to transfer to Central Headquarters." That was where everyone wanted to end up, the fact that he had the chance was little short of a miracle, especially these days.
"Oh wow!" Noelle said, her jaw dropping open. She was speechless for several moments before blurting, "That's… that's great! I mean, that's what you've been wanting, right? You're going to accept, right?"
How could he pass up a line like that? "Only if... you'll accept me," Jean replied, taking both of her hands in his. "I want you to come with me, Noelle. I can't leave if it means leaving you behind. Come with me... please, be my wife?"
"Oh my gosh," Noelle whispered, completely taken by surprise at the question. "Are you… I mean… You would really choose me over Central?"
Jean's heart fluttered at the expression on her face. "Of course I would!" he exclaimed. "Noelle... there's nothing in my life I want more than to spend it with you."
Her eyes softened as she smiled, "I really want to spend mine with you as well."
Oh thank goodness. He could breathe now. Jean pulled her close and kissed her. "I love you, Noelle," he breathed as they parted.
"I love you, too," Noelle answered, before her face turned scarlet. "I never really answered you did I? Gosh, I'm so brainless, you ask me to be your wife and I leave you hanging!"
"So are you going to say yes?" Jean chuckled.
"Yes!" Noelle laughed, giving Jean a peck on the cheek.
"You just made me the happiest man in the world," Jean assured her. He was sure of that. How could the man to win Noelle's heart not be? "I'm sorry it's such short notice. They want me moved in... well, in the next month." That really wasn't a lot of time.
"They don't waste their time, do they?" Noelle said with a grin. She moved her chair closer to Jean and seated herself. "What are you wanting to do? Did you want me to stay up here and then come join you, or did you want me to… to come down with you? I could probably find somewhere to live in Central while we plan a wedding… Gosh, when did you want to get married? I haven't even thought about that!"
"I ah... hadn't thought that far," Jean admitted. "I want you to come with me but... I think if we eloped your parents and aunt and uncle would never forgive me." He blushed. "So, it's up to you. I want you to have the wedding you want."
Noelle chuckled at the thought of her family's reaction if she eloped, "You're probably right. Dad would get done with you and hand over whatever is left to Uncle for another round. I'd have to deal with Mom." She gave a comical grimace before turning serious. "I.. really don't know what I want right now. Is that bad?"
"No. I mean it is kind of sudden," Jean nodded. "We just have to decide soon if we're getting married now, before we leave Buzcoul... or if you want to get married in Central."
"What would you prefer? Other than to just get the marrying part over with," Noelle teased, her eyes dancing.
"No fair," Jean shook his head. "I asked you first."
Noelle looked down at her hands in her lap for several moments before answering, "I know what I've dreamed about for a wedding since I was little, but that will take time to plan and it seems unfair to make you wait longer. I already feel like I've made you wait longer than anyone should wait. And… and, it'll be your wedding too, so you should have some sort of say for what happens. I'm perfectly all right with something different than what I dreamed about growing up as long as we get married." She looked back to Jean with a smile, "I hope I'm making sense and not just babbling senselessly."
"Can you be both?" Jean chuckled. "Look, if what you want takes planning, I'm fine with that. So we move to Central, and you plan whatever you want, and when it's ready we'll get married. I'm sure we can find a place to live and... if you insist, I'll live on the couch and you can have the bedroom until it's official." Much as he'd be quite happy to just start sharing a bed, he wasn't going to suggest it.
Color rose to Noelle's cheeks as she smiled and looked to Jean, "Sounds like you have things figured out. Then again, you've had a little more time to think about this. I've got so much running though my mind right now it's hard to grab onto one thing."
"I've had the run over here," Jean laughed, feeling a little silly. "I just... I spend a lot of time thinking about you generally so... maybe I'd figured out more than I thought."
Noelle laughed as well, "When you put it that way, what you have planned sounds fine." She stopped suddenly and pressed her hands to her cheeks, "Oh my gosh, you asked me to be your wife and we're going to Central!"
Jean's laughter nearly doubled for a moment. "I did and we are! Should I be worried that you're so surprised?"
"No, it's just starting to sink in!" Noelle giggled.
"I'm sorry I don't have a ring or anything," Jean apologized. "I've been meaning to look, but I rather suddenly ran out of time. Maybe tomorrow we can go and you can pick out whatever you like?" And he really did mean whatever.
"I'm free after work tomorrow," Noelle smiled, reaching for Jean's hand. "Unless we have a crazy patient day and a flour incident again."
"We can always play with flour later," Jean teased, reaching out to take her hand. "After all, I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities."
