Chapter One: Well that was illegal
The thing of it was, she was pretty and she knew it. She had her father's good looks, his dark mysterious slanted eyes, his raven black hair, and his smile not to mention that damned smirk. And damn it, she knew how to use it all just like her father. She was sarcastic, witty in her own way, sweet, caring, charming, and annoying.
Over the last eight years she'd grown into a stunning young lady, well mannered, well dressed, well educated, and nearly as good an alchemist as he and Alphonse were. Then there was all the volunteer work she did at the Central City Zoo. She would be a fine prize for any young man wishing to catch her interest and sweep her off her feet and Edward Elric didn't like it one bit. Not one bit at all.
Lily Mustang, his baby sister was only fifteen, too young to have a boyfriend or even think about dating. He found himself glaring at any boy giving her a smile in the street or the market or anywhere for that matter. He glared at any boy looking like he was going to come and talk to her on the off chance they might ask her out. Al and Riza thought he was being over protective. Roy sided with him, thankfully, and Lily simple gave him a knowing smile and tolerated every bit of it, never said a word or asked him to leave her alone.
Edward had talked to her about boys but didn't dare talk sex, he shuddered at the thought of that conversation and figured Roy or Riza could handle it. They were after all their parents, it was their department. He just warned her. He even asked if she liked boys, was interested in them. She'd teased him of course but honestly admitted she did like boys but wasn't interested in dating at the time.
And now Edward wished they were younger again, during the time when Roy and Riza were first married. Those had been the best years of his life, so warm, so happy, and everyone seemed to stay in one place for weeks on end where as now it seemed they were running around like headless chickens.
He and Al were state alchemists, Roy was a Major General, Riza was a Lt. Colonel, and Lily was attending finishing school here in Central and helping out at the Zoo.
Today was the first day Edward had been home in a whole month and only Roy was home, reading in his arm chair, wearing the glasses he'd finally broken down and gotten, out of uniform. His Dad looked up and gave him a smile, setting his book aside. "Something bothering you Edward?"
"There's a white owl in the backyard on the clothes line." Ed muttered.
Roy sighed with a nod. "Yes, its wing was broken and Lily found it while you were gone."
"We have a new cat too." Ed added. It was true, aside from Al's cat, Janie, who amazingly got along with Lily's fox Logan, and Riza's dog Black Hyate, there was a calico kitten in the house. It only had three legs but seemed to get around pretty well, well enough to foul up Ed's feet when he entered his room this morning.
"An orphan she found at the animal shelter." Roy replied. "No one wanted it so she brought it home."
"And the weasel in the shed out back? That can't be good with the owl out there." Ed asked with a perked brow.
Roy smirked. "Now that I have to agree with but we tried having it in the house, it just made a mess. Apparently the Zoo didn't want it and someone donated it so they gave it to Lily."
"Uh huh, we getting a privet zoo going here?" A dog, two cats, a fox, an owl, and now a weasel, not to mention the goldfish in the small aquarium in the den, plus five people, Ed felt like this house was almost too small and it was bigger than their last. If this kept up they'd need an estate.
"I hope not, I told her one more animal and that's it, at least until we get a bigger place to live. Riza and I have been talking about it off and on." He paused. "She might get a transfer after her promotion."
Edward frowned. That was different, strange. "But they can't separate you two, you're married."
"She might resign too,"
Okay now that didn't make sense at all. His adoptive mother was career military, she loved her job, and she was her husband's right hand. "Did I miss something big while I was gone that no one cared to tell me about?" He did call, just like he'd promised so many years ago.
Roy only smiled. "Not-"
The front door slammed open and closed, cutting him short. High heeled shoes thudded upon the wooden foyer floor, the sound of a bag being dropped, a heavy sigh. It couldn't be anyone else but Lily. And just before he could get up and say hello, welcome her home, she ran passed the living room entrance and up the stairs.
"She's been doing that a lot lately." Roy muttered with annoyance. "Doesn't even bother to come say 'hello' anymore."
Edward perked a brow. That wasn't like Lily, she always said hello and he'd told her last night he'd be home today, something she couldn't wait for. Hmm… he wondered what was up.
"Might as well sit down Edward she'll not be out of her room for at least a good ten minutes." Roy sighed as Logan made his first appearance of the day.
The fox trotted up to Ed as he retook his seat upon the sofa then licked his hand when he offered it. He rather liked Logan but the fox had taken to Lily as his prime master and they'd raised him like they would a dog. He was a very faithful companion and followed Lily nearly everywhere. And he'd grown up so beautiful, a nice, sleek, soft ginger coat, white at his chin, paws, and tail. He was still very playful too.
"Hey Logan, are you a knight yet?" Ed asked.
"I haven't thought about that in years." Roy said fondly with a smile. "He must be by now."
"We'll have to ask Lily when she comes down." Ed replied, hearing the front door open again and two sets of voices echoing off the foyer walls. One was Al's and the other was male but he didn't recognize it.
"She should be home by now. I'll get her why don't you just wait in the living room, to the right." Al said.
"Thank you," The stranger replied and appeared in the arch way. It was a young man about Ed's age with dark brown hair, blue eyes, tall, lanky, wore glasses, and had a very handsome face, well dressed in a gray three piece suit. Bookworm type, Ed guessed. And the man looked a little nervous upon seeing them.
"Lily, you have a visitor." Al called up the stairs.
"Thank you," She called back. "I'll be down in a minute."
"'K," Al replied and trudged off to some other room down the hall.
Ed tried to keep the glare from his face; he really tried as he rose from his seat. "And you are?"
"Edward," Roy said softly. "Don't be rude."
"Um I-I'm Jason Mathews." The man replied. "I work in the accounting department at the Zoo."
So Ed had a name and a profession. "And how do you know my sister?"
"Ed, she volunteers at the Zoo, remember?" Roy asked and Ed could tell he was smirking, giving Ed that 'You're a moron,' look.
"Yeah," Ed bit. "I know that, but how does she know him?"
"We eat lunch together sometimes." Jason replied. "And she's helped out in accounting a few times. She's really good."
Roy rose from his chair. "Excuse us for being rude Jason, I'm Roy Mustang, Lily's father and this is Edward Elric, her older brother."
Jason nodded with a smile. "Pleased to meet you, Lily's told me about her family. You all sound very nice."
Ed secretly smiled wickedly inside at Jason's blatant tension. "Oh really, she's not told any of us about you. Has she Dad?"
Roy cleared his throat. "No, but that doesn't mean anything at all."
Bullshit, Lily told them nearly everything and her biggest secrets she confided in him not that there were many, actually very few.
He heard Lily run down the stairs and watched her come into the living room with stern eyes. Ed looked her over once and decided she wasn't leaving the house with this boy looking like that. She wasn't leaving period. She'd changed into a pretty blue dress, perfectly tasteful, but one he'd never seen before. It was sleeveless and fell just below her knees. Her hair was down, and she was wearing the slightest hint of makeup, just eye shadow. While very modest to Edward it screamed 'touch me' and that wasn't something he could abide.
She smiled with a soft sigh. "Hello big brother, I didn't think you'd be home until around seven tonight."
Ed smiled pleasantly. "I caught an earlier train."
"Well I'm glad, hello Daddy; have a good day at work?"
"Fair, Lily is there something you want to tell us?" Roy replied.
Lily smirked in Mustang fashion. "Well it seems you've met Jason already, so I'll skip the introductions. We're just going to the park for a walk, to talk about the new policy being passed at the Zoo for employees, and then we're going to get dinner."
"I-I promise t-to have her home no later than eight pm." Jason offered shakily. He must have caught on that Edward didn't like this for he was giving him a wary look.
"So it is a date." Ed said. Damn it he knew it, he just knew it. Well he bet he knew how to stop this little problem.
"Yes, I suppose it is." She replied, "Something wrong?"
Of course there was! Ed made his move, advanced upon his little sister, caught her shoulders in his hands, and pulled her closer as if he were going to give her a hug. She blinked up at him, seemingly started. "I missed you so much, how can you do this to me?" He asked, letting his hands slip up her shoulders to her neck and then her cheeks.
"Edward?" She asked with confusion. "I missed you too, but what do you mean?"
Ed could feel Jason easing away slightly and brushed Lily's bangs from her eyes. "Don't you remember Lily?" He asked. "That's okay, I forgive and I'll remind you." Then he kissed her soundly upon the lips and held her head still, not that she moved away. She did let out the softest of whimpers.
When he pulled away she had the most bewildered expression upon her face, slanted black eyes wide and blinking.
"Um I-I think I-I should g-go," Jason stuttered.
"Mm, I think you should." Ed replied, giving him an evil smile. Yes! It worked! He was hardly able to contain his glee.
"I'll walk you to the door," Lily replied softly as if she didn't know what else to do and led Jason into the foyer.
Ed grinned with satisfaction as he sat upon the sofa, glancing at Roy. His adoptive father was utterly stunned then sighed, removing his glasses from his face and sat with his forehead in his hand.
Suddenly Lily was back and leaning against the archway, arms folded at her chest, smirking. "You know Edward, incest is illegal. Although we're not blood related… If you liked me that much why didn't you just say so?"
"Wow Ed… I had no idea you wanted Lily for yourself, no wonder you've been so over protective." Roy said, lifting his head. "Keep this up and all of Central will know you've got a thing for your little sister."
Edward's smile fell. Great they were tag teaming and ganging up on him again; he really hated it when they did that. "I do not, I was just-"
"But that kiss felt so real big brother. Why I almost couldn't breathe." Lily teased and came to sit beside him. In fact she curled up with her feet under her and her head resting upon his shoulder, arms slipping around his. "And you did promise to marry me after all."
Ed was stuck and they were taking advantage of it but he knew they were only teasing. They had to be; at least he hoped they were. Roy probably was but Lily... they were pretty close and suddenly Ed had a terrible thought. Oh for the love of alchemy, when he ever going to learn?!
Lily lifted her head. "Oh calm down, I'm only teasing, but you deserve it after you scared off my date…" She grinned. "I wish you could see your face."
"I thought you weren't dating Lily." Roy said with a hint of worry.
"Well Jason's practically harmless and he was so nervous when he asked… He's nice, smart, sweet, kind, but I suppose now he won't want to talk to me." She sighed with a frown. "I wonder if that means he won't want to be friends anymore either."
Now Edward felt a slight twinge of remorse. "I'm sorry; you could explain to him that I'm just protecting you. You're too young to date."
Lily merely shrugged. "It's alright Ed. So how was the trip?"
They'd have to talk later, one on one; he decided and slipped his arm about her shoulders. He wasn't out to take her friends away and she didn't keep many, hardly any at all preferring animals to people most of the time. "Boring, I like it better when Al and I are assigned together."
"It couldn't be helped this time Edward." Roy said softly. "Anyway I'm glad you're back since I don't think your mother and I can keep our little secret a secret much longer."
Ed and Lily both gave him an expectant look. "We'll tell you at dinner," Was all Roy would give them.
"Is something wrong?" Lily asked, sitting up.
"No, we just want to talk to all three of you at once and since dinner is the only time we can seem to get all three of you in one room at one time, that's when we plan to talk."
"This about Mom's promotion?" Ed asked.
"And a few other things," Roy confirmed with a smile. "I can't tell you without her and Al."
"Daddy?" Lily asked.
"It's alright, it's nothing to worry about."
"Okay," She replied and snuggled up to Edward again. Logan leapt upon the sofa and pawed at her leg, giving her a soft whimper. She smiled and reached to pet him. "Oh Ed, I got some new pets, want to see?!"
"I saw," Ed replied. Damn was that the only thing that could get her so excited anymore, new pets and talking about animals? What ever happened to alchemy? It had to be that damned finishing school Roy enrolled her in. She used to badger him and Al incessantly about learning new alchemy before attending that school.
"You saw the kitten, weasel, and owl already? Damn, I wanted to show you myself." She pouted.
"I don't know their names." Ed gave her.
Lily smiled brightly, lighting the room up. "The owl's name, and it's a snowy owl by the way, is Wynn. The weasel's name is Gunter, and the kitten is Runa."
Better names than the goldfish had, they were Baxter and Giselle. He would have just called them simple names like Pokey and Goldie. One fish just kind of poked around and the other was more yellow than orange.
Dragging Alphonse from the home library for supper wasn't easy. He had something he was researching and didn't really want to leave but upon Lily and Ed's tugging and tricks of slight manipulation to get the book from his hand, they got him to the table.
Lily broke the soft silence before Edward had a chance too about ten minutes into the meal. "Mama, Daddy says you have something you want to discuss with us but he wouldn't say anything until you and Alphonse were here. Well, we're all here now so may we hear it now?"
Riza set her fork aside and looked toward Roy who sat at the other end of the table. She smiled softly. "Of course, as you know I am up for a promotion very soon and a possible transfer. I am planning to resign should I get a transfer. I don't wish to leave any of you and your father here for months, possibly years on end."
"I don't get it Mama, Daddy's a Major General, can't he do something to keep you here with us?"
Ed rolled his eyes and glanced at his little brother. Al had the same knowing look. Even after all these years Lily thought their Dad could do anything and everything, move mountains and walk on water. They knew it wasn't that simple even if Roy did have a sizeable amount of influence and power, even if he was good friends with the new Fuher. Hakuro had moved right on up to take Bradley's place after he'd resigned due to a scandal involving Gran and several other higher ups. It wasn't entirely on Bradley's head but to keep it quiet he agreed to resign.
"Well it seems they feel they need Riza's talents and hard work elsewhere." Roy replied with annoyance. Clearly he wasn't thrilled with the prospect of his wife being sent away from them. Edward wasn't either, he'd miss her. "And she'll need to stay here where the best doctors are."
"What's that mean?" Lily asked but to Edward she didn't seem all that surprised. Hmm… "Mommy what's wrong?"
"Roy you promised,"
"I don't think we should hide this from them. If anything they'll keep you from overworking and over taxing yourself." Roy countered sternly.
"What's going on?" Lily demanded. She had that look, the same stern one Roy had when he wasn't going to take no for an answer. "Does this have something to do with your headaches?"
Edward shook his head. He didn't understand, why didn't anyone tell him about these things? "Headaches? Why is it I'm the last to know about these things?"
Riza sighed, nodding. "I've spoken with a few doctors here in Central, found one I can trust utterly. I believe you'd all remember, Dr. Hiasen."
Lily groaned softly. "Get a new one Mama, he's crazy."
Once again Ed and Al exchanged knowing looks and this time smiles. Lily hadn't liked doctors and she still didn't like Hiasen despite the fact that he really was one of the best doctors in all of Amestris.
"Poppet, I trust him," Roy replied. "He is good."
"I don't care; he'll poke and prod Mama." She protested. "He's a patronizing old fart."
"It'll be fine," Riza assured her. "Now what's this I hear about Edward scaring off your first boyfriend?"
Nice change of subject, too bad it wouldn't work, Ed mused. Lily never let them skate around something, ever. He had to agree with her this time. If Riza needed a doctor for headaches it wasn't something to be simply and vaguely discussed. It might be serious.
"Uh uh, Mommy,"
"Lily let it go." Roy chided gently. "I won't let anything bad happen to your mother, you have my word."
Lily sighed and smirked. "Big brother scared Jason Mathews off and stole my first kiss all in one shot."
Al's fork clattered to his plate. "Brother!"
"Well it worked," Ed shrugged. They'd be talking about Riza later tonight, no matter what, for now he'd let it rest. "He went away, there was no date. I really don't see the problem."
"Ugh, you're sick you know that? I can't believe you kissed our little sister. A first kiss is special Ed, something to remember always and forever."
"Oh I'm not forgetting it." Lily said with a very evil and twisted smirk.
Roy choked upon his tea down the table. When he settled down he asked, "So Ed's that good huh?"
Ed gaped, he couldn't believe...
"How he heck should I know Daddy, I've never kissed or been kissed by anyone before, though it was rather interesting, stole my breath away."
"Please tell me that was from the shock." Al pleaded.
"Probably," Lily replied.
Riza sighed. "Edward, I know how much you care for Lily but don't you think you could have found a different way of intervening... something less impulsive and rash?"
Ed shook his head. "Nope," Truth was, he'd enjoyed it more than he cared to admit. It wasn't because he wanted to date her or anything as such, he just found kissing Lily pleasant, liked her reaction, liked scaring off Mathews, and well it had been his first kiss too. He'd always thought he'd kiss Winry first but Al had snagged her, not that he minded, they were cute together. At least he and Lily would both be able to have something special between them, something they could joke about later on as time wore on.
"So you really do like her?" Roy teased.
"NOT like that!" Ed snapped. Jeeze, what was with them? "Look if she's going to date someone it'll be the right someone, someone who won't hurt her and can measure up to the challenge."
"Someone you approve of?" Al asked with disdain. "Then she'll never have a date and die a spinster."
"Oh no I won't." Lily injected with a little grin. "Daddy has to have some grandkids to spoil, right Daddy?"
"Not for awhile Lily, please, allow me a few years."
Ed smiled, "What afraid of getting old Dad? You're what forty now? That's not old."
"Maybe not, but too young to be a grandfather and Lily's only fifteen. She should at least finish finishing school and become a state alchemist, gain a few ranks first."
"I'll make sure she does," Ed replied. If he had it his way she'd be at least twenty before she started dating and every boy who dared to look her way would have to be screened.
"Oh I bet you will brother," Al muttered. "Lily, I say wait a few years and don't let Ed bully you or anyone you want to date. You can't help who you fall in love with and who's he to step in and tell you who you can and can't. Love is special, shouldn't be tampered with."
"Wow Alphonse you've turned into a romantic," Roy said with a smile.
"I'd like to think so," Al said happily.
Lily sighed, and asked softly, "May I be excused? I have to feed the animals."
Ed looked at her plate, "But you've barely touched your dinner,"
She shrugged, "Not really hungry, you can have it." She pushed her plate toward him and turned expectant eyes toward her father.
Roy perked a brow and sighed. "Alright, make sure to take Black Hyate for a walk when you take Logan."
"I will," Lily replied rising. "I couldn't ever forget him, he's Logan's best friend, aside from me."
When she was gone Al, Riza, and Roy all exchanged worried glances and Edward, yet again felt left in the dark. For crying out loud he'd only been gone a month. "Okay now what did I miss?"
"Did you notice brother?" Al whispered from across the table. "Lily's thinner,"
Well no he really hadn't, he'd been on guard duty and boy warding. "Uh,"
"She's not really eating much any more." Al said. "And she isn't practicing Alchemy, or really doing much with school. She was in the choir but left, quit tutoring; she doesn't go out really except to the zoo and locks herself in her room most of the time. I tried to talk to her but she always changes the subject."
"Frankly Edward she won't even talk to Roy when he asks her point blank what's wrong. They had an argument a few days ago and when she says she's going to the library to study she doesn't. Havoc's tailed her a few times and she always goes to the park and just sits alone." Riza added. "It only grew worse when you left on your last mission."
"She disappears for hours on end Brother, she's even skipped school."
Ed frowned, glancing at Roy. He and Lily never fought; Roy was like a veritable god to Lily. She'd do everything and anything he ever asked her, had shadowed him for the last eight years and even confessed to Ed that she wanted to be just like him, couldn't stand to let him out of her sight ever since she'd been kidnapped, let alone disappoint him.
What they were telling him went against what she'd told him. Roy wanted her to go to finishing school, wanted her to become a great alchemist, wanted her to be well and happy. "Could it be a small phase or something?" He asked. He'd been through a few, maybe not exactly like what she was doing but a few phases where he was antisocial and wanted to be left alone for a week or two.
He waited for Roy to speak, to say anything because where Lily was concerned Roy typically had something to say, some opinion or thought. Roy removed his glasses and rested them upon the table, rubbing his face tiredly. "I don't know Edward; she won't talk to me anymore. I can't even tell if she's angry with me. I was hoping you might be able to get something out of her, find out what's bothering her. I know she tells you more things than she tells anyone else."
Ed nodded, "Okay, I'll talk to her tonight." He caught the longing and pain in his father's eyes and it was something he didn't ever want to see again. They'd all suffered through enough and found peace, prosperity, and happiness over the years, he'd figure out what was wrong with his little sister and make her happy again.
"It's like she's letting go of her goals Ed, like the things that she once strived for mean no more than spent ashes in the fireplace." Roy breathed. "That's not like her."
After dinner Ed saw Lily in the kitchen long enough for her to do the dinner dishes and while his back was turned to answer the phone, she slipped away. He searched her room, the house library, the study, the yard; he even went to the park and couldn't find her. Roy, Riza, and Al hadn't seen her since she'd come to collect the dishes and reported that she always seemed to vanish into thin air after dinner.
It might have been a few years, but Edward still remembered all the hiding places within this house and tried there. He didn't find her until after Alphonse had gone to bed and Roy and Riza were looking over some paperwork, speaking quietly in the den. Lily however, was curled up in the hide away storage closet under the stairs.
Ed smiled as he pulled the small door shut behind him and sat beside her. She wasn't in the dark, had a candle lighting the small space and a book in her lap, a pen in her hand. "Hey, so this is where you've snuck off too. I've been looking for you all evening." He paused, looking around. For some reason it seemed a lot bigger the last time he'd been in here and he didn't know if it was due to growing a few inches or if they'd simply added more things in here.
"I thought you didn't like small enclosed spaces."
Lily shrugged, closing her book. "I don't, I still hate them, but this is the only place I can hear what Mommy and Daddy talk about when they think we're all in bed asleep. Sometimes you have toface your fears to get to the truth. They don't tell us everything you know."
Ed was surprised. Her tone hinted anger and if he didn't know better, loathing. He sighed, reaching for her hand. "Well they are entitled to keep some things to themselves."
Lily smirked coldly, setting her book and pen aside, moving to her knees. "Oh you mean like Mommy fainting while on duty half a dozen times, or that it's not just headaches plaguing her. That she's been really sick, vomiting a few times and they haven't reported it to the higher ups. Or that they are both scared for her? That they've been lying to us for several months, telling us everything is fine when it isn't."
Ed blinked in shock. "D-does Al know?"
Lily shook her head. "Nope,"
"So that's why you've been skipping school, avoiding everyone, and lying about where you're going, because you're upset?" He asked.
Lily looked away, falling back to her rear but she didn't reply.
"Lily,"
"We're getting a set of tigers soon, at the zoo. The female is supposedly pregnant and I was told I'd get to help when she has the cub."
Edward sighed, now she wasn't going to talk to him? That wasn't going to fly, not with him. He wouldn't let her shut him out. He tried a different approach. "So what else have you learned?"
"We might move in to a bigger house so if incase Mommy gets really bad there will be someone here to take care of her, a live in nurse. Daddy said he'd rather use the extra space for something else."
"Anything else?"
"Not really, Daddy's up for a promotion too, full General and he's not to thrilled with some of the things going on in parliament. Hakuro's mentioned making Daddy Lt. Fuher after his promotion because he's got more sense and his head about him better than anyone politically and some of his policy proposals are the best Hakuro's seen in years."
"Well that's good,"
"Yeah, Daddy's moving up." Lily muttered. "May I sleep with you tonight Ed?"
Ed nodded, slipping his arm around her shoulders. "Of course," She still hated to sleep alone and since Riza and Roy had married she'd not really been able to sleep with Roy. Ed knew she missed it but she never complained and he didn't mind her sleeping with him. She didn't kick him, barely moved at all, and never stole the covers. Also she was close when she had nightmares, close where he could soothe her and calm her down enough to sleep again. And as much as she seemed to have grown up she was still a little girl.
But something else was bothering him about her, the way she'd said Roy was moving up. Typically she'd be beaming with pride but not tonight, it was just odd. Was she still angry with Roy?
"Go on up to bed, I'll be up in a minute."
Lily nodded and picked up her book and pen, then crawled passed him and snuck up the stairs.
Edward waited a moment then decided to take action and confront their parents after a fashion, having the beginnings of a plan.
Roy looked up as he entered the den. "Find her?"
Ed nodded, pocketing his hands. "Yeah, she was under the stairs."
"The stairs?" Riza asked worriedly.
"Yeah," Edward bit. "Apparently that's the only place she can learn the truth in this house. You know lying to us isn't right or fair. It hurts and it hurts to have to hear from Lily that it's not just head aches, that mom's been fainting and really sick." He narrowed his eyes. "I won't let you do this to us."
"Edward," Riza said with a hint of fear in her eyes, fear that scared Ed enough to make him back away a step. His heart clenched inside his chest. It was that bad… they were going to lose her, he could…
"M-mom…"
She smiled, "We didn't say anything because we didn't want to worry you. I'll be alright, Ed."
She was lying, he could tell. He could see in Roy's eyes and hers, no one had that kind of fear without it being truly bad. He swallowed. He was going to lose another mother, Al and Lily were too and they needed both Riza and Roy. It… it wasn't… "Damn it! Just tell me what's wrong!" He shouted clenching his fists.
"Ed, please, we don't know, that's why we haven't said anything." Riza said in her stern commanding but soothing and soft way. Soft yet firm, that was Riza... unless she was pissed. "We didn't want to scare you." Then she smiled that brilliant smile he knew had taken his father's heart and held it captive. "You really think I'd let something take me away from you, Al, Lily, and Roy? You four would only get in to trouble if I weren't here to keep you all in line."
It didn't help. "Mom,"
"I promise, son, as soon as we know anything we'll talk to you three first." Roy promised softly. "You should get some sleep, you look tired."
But Edward didn't want to go to bed, he wanted to know everything, felt they were still keeping something back from him. But he knew he wouldn't get anymore from either of them tonight.
"I'll hold you to that," with that he made to turn and head up the stairs but went to the sofa and wrapped his arms around Riza's shoulders, embracing her tight. He really did need he, he'd come to depend upon her and Roy as much as he depended upon Al over the years, and Lily too. "I love you; I don't want to lose you Mom."
Riza's arms slipped around him. "I'm not going anywhere Edward and I love you too. Get some sleep."
Ed lingered a moment longer, then moved to Roy, giving him a hug before heading up the stairs to bed. Lily was already tucked in with Logan curled up at her feet and the kitten, Runa, was resting upon his pillow like she owned it.
He changed for bed then perked a brow at the kitten. "That's mine you know?"
The kitten merely yawned and lay her head down. Not happening. Ed reached down and lifted the kitten, gently placing her beside Logan, let the fox handle her, he was tired and wanted a cat free pillow.
Sighing he lay down and closed his eyes, hoping sleep would come soon and tomorrow everything would be alright. He didn't like coming home to things like this, thought they were passed all the bad things, thought they'd suffered enough and paid enough to gain happiness.
