December 5th, 1970

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Heymans Breda grinned broadly as the target downrange of the rocket launcher on his shoulder exploded in a shower of little bits.

"You always were one for explosive power over finesse," Riza Hawkeye Mustang smiled as she stepped up beside him. "Though in this case I'd have to say it's pretty effective."

"A General should know how to make use of all available resources," Breda chuckled as he shouldered his weapon, feeling a bit sorry he was out of ammunition. He always felt more like himself lately when he was doing something constructive… or destructive. Maybe that was why Riza had invited him out to the range.

"Of course," Riza replied with a knowing expression. "And I think we've used up all of our available resources. How about lunch? My treat."

"Do you need to ask?" Breda grinned as they turned and headed towards the firing range's main building to return their weapons. It was a private range, one where Riza taught marksman classes to members of the military as well as civilians with the proper authorization. There was also a club house, which served a good meal if you could afford it. Breda knew he and Riza were both past the point where they needed to worry about affording it. There was something to be said for comfortable living.

Riza chuckled softly. "Well I wouldn't want to get you in trouble with your daughter."

Breda scoffed. "I swear, she's worse than her mother." His heart still hurt when he thought of Nancy, though lately Breda thought it hurt more that it wasn't with the keen agony that it had once been. Two years had already come and gone since the morning he had awakened to find his wife had simply passed away in the night, right there beside him. "Besides, Niam and Denise's wedding is less than two months off. I won't look like a washed up old man at my son's wedding.

"Well you don't," Riza replied. "The way you're walking now I don't think anyone would get you'd had that knee replaced."

Breda nodded. "Funny thing, my bad knee is now my good knee. If I could convince them to replace the other one, I could probably run again." After months of recovery and physical therapy that he didn't really want to repeat.

"One of your life goals?"

"No, not really." Breda shrugged. "But it would be nice not to limp when the weather gets cold like this." Most of his limbs ached these days, but not as badly as they had last year.

"I know what you mean," Riza admitted, massaging her fingerless-gloved hands. "I can only shoot for so long in this weather anymore."

"At least your eyesight's as sharp as ever." Breda envied her that much. Of course, there was a lot about Riza that never seemed to change. Older perhaps, she was one of those women who had taken care of herself and aged far better than a lot of her peers. The inevitable lines that came with age were minimal, and made her look elegant and distinguished. "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" Riza asked as they reached the weapon's lockers. "Not manage to look like an old man? Really, it's pretty easy for me."

"Very funny." Breda put up his weapon. "I mean, it's been five years." Five years since Roy died in his all-too-appropriate blaze of glory. For Breda it had only been two since he lost Nancy, but he felt stuck, like the world kept going on around him and trying to be in it felt fake, or distant, or like it wasn't always worth the effort. Not as bad as it had once. Fits of melancholy were better than constant depression, but it was hard.

Riza's eyes softened as she put up her rifle and led the way out the other side of the room into the main part of the club house. "By keeping busy mostly," she admitted. "I still teach these classes, and I have the dogs, and I still have my family, who has proven repeatedly that they still need me." She smiled at that last. "I haven't really had much time to feel sorry for myself, and after everything I've done in my life, it seems a waste to start now."

"So you've never considered looking for someone else."

At that, Riza actually laughed. "Now there's a question. No, not really. I'm busy and I'm extremely particular."

Or peculiar, Breda thought to himself. He had to admit it would be highly unlikely that anyone could ever stand up against Roy.

"What about you?" Riza asked.

Breda shook his head. "No I… I guess maybe I shouldn't have asked. I don't want anyone else." But that didn't stop him from being lonely. There was something about that depth of relationship that just couldn't be filled in, not even by his children.

"It's all right," Riza said, not offended, as they reached the dining room in the clubhouse and sat down at one of the small white-cloth covered tables. "It's hard to live alone again. Maybe that's why at our age people get so nosy about other people's lives," she grinned.

"I thought that was every age." Breda looked at the lunch menu. "Though if that's an invitation to be nosy, how are things with Maes and Elena?"

"Very busy," Riza smiled. "Of course, with two teenagers and Rochelle turning thirteen in a couple of months, who wouldn't be? Actually, there's talk of sending Elena down to Bueáire for a couple of months this summer, and possibly longer or later again in the year for diplomatic work. Maes and the girls are definitely planning to go with her this summer, and they might do some time abroad later if it goes well. Roy is still debating if he wants to go this summer or spend it in Resembool training with Ed again."

"Ed, or Trisha?" Breda suggested with a sly grin. A summer in the country with his girlfriend learning alchemy sounded like the kind of summer a teenage alchemist would be all for.

"Oh he's not even hiding the fact that Trisha is one of the reasons he's having trouble deciding between Resembool and summer in Aerugo." Riza looked up as the waiter came over, and ordered a turkey sandwich and hot tea.

Breda ordered a roast beef sandwich and coffee. "Sounds like things are heating up over there," he commented. Of course, in the Mustang family, he supposed 'heat' was normal.

"Within reason," said Riza. "Roy's got more patience and forethought than most boys his age, and Trisha's a sensible, mature young woman."

"Then they've got more self-control than most," Breda shook his head. He knew twenty, thirty, even forty and fifty year olds who couldn't claim that much maturity or patience.

"Something going on I should know about?" Riza asked with a raised eyebrow.

Breda snickered. "Should? Not necessarily. I'm just wondering when Charisa will catch on that I already know she and Closson hooked up a couple of months back."

"You're sure."

"Oh, come on, Riza. I don't care how long ago it was we were that age, some things never change. I can tell just by looking at them. They may think they're being subtle, but the way he looks at her even when he's over would tell me that much. That and the fact that at least a couple of times a week Charisa tells me she has 'plans with friends' and then doesn't come home until morning."

"So this is enough evidence to put them in bed together." Riza didn't sound skeptical, just thoughtful, but she was clearly questioning his deductive reasoning.

"You watch them together for five minutes when they think no one's looking," Breda offered. "Closson's been in love with Charisa for years, and that hasn't changed. And as independent as my daughter is, she doesn't give up on feelings for anyone easily. The fact that they're friends again after so long proves that well enough. If I needed more evidence that they're an item I think Closson's regular visits and how much he's gone out of his way to help out around our place – and the fact Charisa wants him there – is more than ample evidence. He's certainly not hanging out because of 'me.'"

Riza nodded, convinced, though she smiled. "What? Maybe he thinks you're cute."

Breda snorted. "And maybe cats will fly."

"So if you know, why don't you just say something?" Riza asked as their drinks arrived.

"And ruin their fun?" Breda shook his head. "If they wanted me to know, they'd have said something. If they're still figuring out what this new relationship is, I don't want to butt in. All that matters to me now is Charisa's happier than she's been in months, and at least it's always clear where you stand with Closson. He'd rather die than hurt her."

"That may be the most sensible speech I've ever heard from a father about his daughter's love life," Riza admitted.

Breda picked up his coffee, and snickered. "So either I've admitted my daughter's an adult, or I'm finally going senile."

December 7th, 1970

Puffs of breath frothed white in the air and vanished in the growing darkness as Reichart walked across the sparkling white ground towards the top of the hill. Most of it, he knew, was the frost-covered grass, but there had been a light dusting of snow that morning that had left him fretting all day that the sky wouldn't clear for tonight's celestial double feature. It just happened, according to astronomers and those who studied the weather, than tonight they could expect to see two rare sights in the skies over Resembool; a meteor shower 'and' a rare sighting of the northern lights.

He knew that hilltops all over Resembool would be spotted with people tonight, there were even plans for a town viewing out along the lake shore, with plenty of hot drinks and food provided. Most of his family was planning to be there.

Which was entirely why Reichart had invited Deanna to watch it, privately, with him on a quiet little hill not far from her family's dairy barn.
Reichart had come prepared; with a blanket to sit on that would keep them warm, a thermos of hot chocolate, and fresh hot apple tarts from his mother's kitchen wrapped in napkins for nibbling.

As he hoped, he arrived first on top of the hill, and he had time to pick just the right spot to spread out the blanket – on the lee side of the one rock outcropping at the top of the hill, which was perfect to break the wind so they'd be warmer, but it left the sky open to full view.

This was much better than the crowd in town, Reichart thought as he looked around. He didn't want all of their classmates around tonight; though he was sure everyone in Resembool's senior class would be out tonight. If he was lucky, they wouldn't be missed. Though if they were well, it was a small town and everyone knew everyone's business before long anyway. His parents knew where he was tonight, and that was enough to curb the worst of any rumors.

Of course, he fully intended to start a few of his own; all true.

"Art!"

He turned and saw Deanna coming up the hill, waving one hand as she smiled out from under her soft, fuzzy white hat, the rest of her wrapped in the warmth of her lavender winter coat.

"You made it," he grinned hugging her warmly as she reached him.

"As if I'd be late for this," Deanna chuckled, kissing him softly. "It's going to be amazing. I'm just glad we finished milking in time."

"Silly cows, having to stay on schedule," Reichart grinned back. "Come on, I've got everything set up."

Deanna beamed as he held her hand as she sat gracefully down on the old quilt. "It's great," she replied, taking the hot chocolate he offered her and sipping it.

Reichart settled down beside her, glad the cold made snuggling another perfect evening pastime. "I brought these too." He unwrapped the tarts. "Since we're not taking part in the town feast."

"Mmm. Your mom's tarts are fantastic," Deanna agreed, taking one and not even blowing on it before taking a nibble of the flaky, buttered crust.

"Yours are just as good," Reichart argued loyally. They really were. Deanna always made them just how he liked them. Which was probably why it was a good thing she was often too busy at the dairy to cook them too often, because he really enjoyed eating them.

"But she does something different with the apple," Deanna replied, even as she smiled at his compliment. "I should definitely ask her about her recipe, if you think she'd share it."

Given it was that recipe that had won his mother several baking competitions at the last year's Harvest Festival, Reichart could see where some of the women in town might have been reluctant to share their secrets. "Oh I'm sure she won't mind."

"Really?" Deanna asked hopefully.

"Really." Of course she wouldn't mind. Deanna was already like family… and Reichart was about to get rid of the 'like.' He reached one hand back into his pocket, as if he was warming it. "Mom likes you. If you asked, I'm sure she'd be happy to share her recipe."

"That's nice of her," Deanna replied. "I'm glad. I really like your mom. I'm glad she likes me."

"It would be a bit awkward if she didn't," Reichart agreed, grinning. He brought his hand back out again as casually as possible. The moment's near perfect. "Though I can't imagine how anyone could meet you and not love you."

Deanna chuckled. "Oh I'm not sure she loves me."

"Well, not the way I do," Reichart smiled, cupping her cheek in his free hand, keeping her smiling eyes on him. "And I do love you, Deanna." His voice softened.

"I know you do. I love you too," she replied.

"Enough to spend the rest of your life with me?"

"Well of course," she replied. "I've told you so before." They had, in fact, discussed the future many times in the past couple of turns. They had dreams, plans… but always in the future and someday.

"Well I had to ask," Reichart smiled back as he brought up his hand and caught her gloved left hand in his right. "Because I'm asking you now, for real, Deanna… will you marry me?"

A moment's surprise in her blue eyes, then a smile, a laugh, and she looked down at his hand, which held hers, the ring caught between two of his fingers, sparkling up at her in the last rays of sunset. It wasn't fancy, a simple gold band, pierced with soft diamond cuts all the way around, the top denoted by a small diamond set in a ring of tiny sapphires, like a flower. "Oh, Art… it's…"

"Perfect, like you," Reichart suggested. It wasn't fancy, just beautiful, and that was Deanna too. Elegant, but not plain. Lovely, but not flamboyant.

Deanna looked back up at him and kissed him full on the mouth. "Yes," she finally murmured. "Yes, I'll marry you. I don't want to give up everything we've planned for so long," she added with a wink.

Reichart's cheeks pulled tight with a grin he couldn't have gotten rid of if he tried as he removed her glove, and slipped the ring on her finger. It was definitely going to be impossible to miss tomorrow, and that was fine with him. It was a visible reminder to all those other guys in school who didn't think they were really 'that' serious, that Deanna was his, and she was going to be his for the rest of their lives. "I'm glad. It's hard to live a dream planned for two without your other half."

Deanna snuggled into his shoulder as he put his arm around her, smiling alternately down at the ring, and back up at him. "So just how quickly did you want to start living that dream?" she asked playfully.

"We're graduating in a few months. We can get married this summer."

"So soon?" Deanna asked. "I don't mind, but is that really all right?"

Reichart smiled. How to explain he was the only member of his family who didn't seem to feel any need to run off and prove himself? "Why wait? There's nothing more I want than to spend the rest of my life right here in Resembool with you, Deanna. We can build our own house and raise a mess of kids, just like we've talked about. I mean sure, there's no reason we can't travel a little, together, but everything I really want is right here… in my arms."

"Who can disagree with logic like that?" Deanna teased as she kissed him again. As their lips parted, her eyes went wide. "Art, look!"

Reichart looked up, momentarily having forgotten the other reason for sitting on this hilltop. Full dark had set, and with it, the northern lights were visible. As he watched, the first streak of a meteor split the sky. Seconds later, another zipped in and out. "It's beautiful," he agreed, giving Deanna's shoulders a squeeze. He lay down, bringing her with him as they snuggled down on the blanket.

It was definitely the most comfortable way to watch the night sky with his fiancée.

December 8th, 1970

His brother was engaged? His younger brother was engaged. Coran tried not to stare at the phone. It wouldn't do any good.

"Hey, you okay, Cor?" Reichart's voice came over the line.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Coran replied. "Just surprised. You move fast. Congratulations."

"We've been together for years," Reichart chuckled. "We've practically had our life planned for a year. I just didn't see any point in waiting."

It made sense, Coran admitted. Reichart and Deanna had done nothing but make eyes at each other and spend every spare moment together through most of high school. They both would find it easy to work in Resembool, they were a lot alike in what they wanted. He'd never thought it anything but a good match. He just hadn't expected Reichart to getting around to proposing to a girl before he did! "You're right," Coran smiled. "So I guess I'll be coming home this summer."

"You'd better," Reichart laughed. "I can't imagine getting married without you here. You'll bring Gale, right? Deanna insisted I make sure you bring her too."

Coran hadn't realized Deanna and Gale got along quite that well. Not that he objected. Of course he wanted to bring his girlfriend. "I'll make sure to tell her," he promised. They would both have to get time off.

"Great. Well, I need to go. Talk to you soon."

"You too." Coran hung up and leaned against the wall of the hallway off which sat the bedrooms above Garfiel's shop. Good for Reichart. He was happy for his brother, but he still felt slightly uneasy and it took him a moment to really pinpoint why. "I wonder what Gale will think."

"About what?" Rake poked his head out of his room. "Your little brother popping the question to his girl?"

"About you listening in on phone conversations?" Coran retorted before relenting. "I guess I just wonder if she'll want to know why…"

"Aha," Rake snickered. "This isn't about your brother, it's about you. Though that's a really good question there. Why haven't you proposed to Gale yet?"

"Why haven't you proposed to Patty?" Coran sniped in return.

Rake's grin slipped. "Oh come on, you know the answer to that."

Coran sighed. Patty's uncle and father were both overprotective. Neither of them knew that Patty and Rake had been sleeping together and were very fond of each other. Of course, this was the first time Rake had even admitted that he might consider it. "So you'd actually do it, if her family wasn't an obstacle?"

"Well I…." Rake's face flushed. "I've thought about it… in passing. We're both okay with how things are right now."

Coran shook his head. "You're hopeless."

"Coran, I'm here!" Gale's voice up the stairs interrupted the conversation.

Saved by the date. It was time for dinner. "Well, talk to you later," Coran grinned and vanished downstairs before Rake could say anything else about it. "Let's go," he said – perhaps a little too cheerfully – to Gale when he got downstairs.

"You okay?" Gale asked as she slipped his arm in his and followed him outside.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Coran assured her. "Great actually. I just got a call from Art. He and Deanna got engaged last night." Might as well just tell her.

"That's great," Gale smiled immediately. "When's the wedding?"

"Sometime this summer," Coran replied, trying not to look like he was watching her reaction. "You're invited too of course."

Gale's smile widened. "I wouldn't miss it. Was that what you and Rake were talking about? I couldn't quite hear you."

"Yeah," Coran confirmed. "I just got off the phone a couple of minutes ago."

"Well I'm happy for them," Gale continued with a nod as they turned the corner and headed towards their favorite restaurant. "They're a good couple."

"You're not… jealous or anything?" Stupid. Why did I say that?

Gale looked over at him. "Should I be?"

"Well no…I just wondered." Coran shrugged.

Too late. Gale smiled as if she might have figured out why he asked. "I think every couple moves at their own speed," she replied. "Not that it wouldn't be nice to be asked someday, and to actually get married. Just when the time is right."

And not because I'm feeling insecure because my brother did it first. "Sounds nice," Coran smiled back, relaxing. Okay, at least he wasn't suddenly expected to propose! Not that he didn't want to. He'd just have to decide the time very carefully now, so it didn't seem too soon in comparison. "I'm sure it'll be perfect."

"Well you have plenty of time to plan, so it better be."

"Yes dear."

Gale blushed first. "I like that."

Coran gave her arm a squeeze. "Me too."

December 13th, 1970

Tore set the mail down on the table when he heard the knock at the door. "Come on in, Charisa," he grinned as he turned to the door. He was looking forward to tonight. Dare was staying the night over at Cal and Alyse's, so they had the apartment to themselves, and Charisa wouldn't have to sleep on the couch, which was where she slept if she stayed over and Dare was home.

"You're in a good mood," Charisa smiled as she came inside, carrying dinner; takeout Xingese. "What have you been up to today?"

"Oh, not too much," Tore grinned as he caught her up for a quick kiss. Once again he felt a brief twinge of guilt that he was glad Dare wasn't home, but they always behaved themselves in front of Dare. He knew they were friends, he knew they were fond of each other, but there was a level of propriety to be maintained in the presence of his four year old son. "Dare and I cleaned up the apartment then we went to the park. I dropped him off at Cal's a couple of hours ago."

Charisa slipped out of his arms to set the food down on the table next to the mail. "Is that one of the invitations to Niam's wedding next month?" she asked.

Tore glanced at the open envelope. "It is," he replied. He'd been pleased to be invited. He liked Niam and Denise, but he hadn't assumed he'd make the list just because he was friends with Charisa. "I'm planning on going," he added.

"Well you should," Charisa agreed as she started pulling out the little boxes of Xingese food. The apartment filled with the scent of pork dumplings, rice, and beef and vegetables. "It's going to be beautiful."

"So Alyse tells me." Tore was beginning to think there wasn't a good wedding in town that Alyse wasn't the planner for anymore. She was certainly always busy. Cal griped about her bringing work home cutting into their 'personal' time on a regular basis.

"Well she'd know." Charisa finished and sat down as Tore sat down across from her.

Well, now seemed a good enough time to ask the question he had been wondering before she showed up. "Are we going together?" Tore had little doubt that the invitation was more than just a thank you for helping take care of Breda, and being Charisa's friend. Niam was certainly smart enough to figure out that they were more than just friends. What the question meant, really, was if they were they actually going as a couple.

Charisa's chopsticks paused over the dumplings for just a moment before she snatched one and put it on her plate. "Well, no one's going to think twice if we show up together right?"

"Well of course not," Tore replied, going for the beef first. "I guess, I was just wondering if this means it's all right if people know we're a couple now, openly, not just friends." He'd kept it quiet not only for decency's sake, but because Charisa hadn't wanted it out. It was soon after her divorce, it could cause stirrings and questionings at work that she couldn't afford. She was nervous too, he was sure, about how long it would last or if it would even work out at all.
Tore would have said she was overreacting a little, but after Raul he couldn't blame her for being cautious. He hadn't wanted Dare to get any ideas if it might mean hurting him later if Dare got it into his head that Charisa should be his mom, and then it didn't work out. Not that Tore had any intention of letting Charisa get away again if he could help it.

Though at the moment, she was clearly nervous. It wasn't her expression, but the way she worked her chopsticks with a little too much focus. "I hadn't thought about it," she said after a moment.

Or you didn't want to. "You know I won't force the issue," Tore promised. "But I think a lot of people we know have figured it out even though we haven't said anything." Cal was one of them. He'd ribbed Tore about it enough; though never where anyone from work would hear them. "If they didn't approve, they'd say something."

Charisa nibbled on a dumpling, and Tore didn't say anything else for a few minutes. He'd give her time. That was always key with Charisa; she couldn't be forced into anything. If he was patient, she'd do things her way in her own time. After all, hadn't his patience and caring brought her back into his arms when Raul had turned out to be such an ass?

Tore was contemplating seconds before Charisa looked up at him with a nervous smile. "Sure," she said. "We can go together."