Chapter three: 'Birthday wishes and truths.'
Sixteen years later…
Helena was sat at her desk sighing heavily; she wished this day would end, even if it was her sixteenth birthday and she was going to have a party later that evening. Right after dinner with the colonel, he had asked her to dinner to 'celebrate' her becoming a state alchemist. She looked down at her watch and the certificate that was in front of her, 'Blossom Alchemist Helena Elric' the paper said, she smiled wondering why the new fuehrer had chosen such a cute name for such a serious alchemist.
She jumped as the phone rang suddenly. She picked it up after clearing her throat.
"Hello? Blossom Alchemist Helena Elric speaking, how can I help you?"
"Happy Birthday to you too."
She smiled as the all too familiar voice echoed down the phone. "Ahh Colonel Mustang, what do I owe this pleasure?"
He smirked down the phone at her, "I was just wondering if you were still okay for dinner tonight."
"Yes I am," she replied trying to stifle giggles.
"Ah, good. Also would you be able to wear that cute little dress I bought you for your birthday?"
"Sure, I know you're dying to see it on me, Riza said that you had spent ages trying to find it for me."
"Not to mention tons on it," he joked.
She grinned, "So you still picking me up at five then?"
He laughed and smiled, "yeah, I'll meet you outside your office at five. Make sure you're ready."
"Mhmm, I will be ready. I'll see you soon."
She hung up and sat back in her chair sighing happily. She couldn't help the way she felt, his grin made her melt under it. His voice caught her by surprise. She looked up at the clock, it was four o clock. Crap, she had only an hour to get ready. She got up quickly and dashed into her cupboard and got changed quickly out of her uniform and into the little black dress that Roy had sent over earlier that day.
She emerged from the cupboard just as Riza stepped into the office.
"Wow, the colonel has great taste," she said grinning.
"I'm glad you like it Lieutenant, can I ask you a favour?"
"Sure."
"Could you help me sort my hair out please? I can't get it right."
Riza smiled at the sixteen year old as it reminded her of her own youth. Planning to go out with someone for dinner, acting like a schoolgirl with a huge crush. She stepped behind Helena, grabbing a hairbrush and styling it into a ponytail which fell over her shoulders, the blonde fringe modelled on her own style, even if it was longer than her own.
"You really like the colonel, don't you?" she asked after a moment.
Helena blushed deep red, "Me, like him, you must be joking."
"Really? It's not what I heard from your mother the other day. She said you were really excited about the dinner."
"Its just dinner between two friends…" Helena started before she was interrupted.
"I know you like him Helena, I see the way you look at him, stealing glances when you can, and I also see the way he looks at you." She smiled at the young girl in front of her and finished fixing her hair, "listen, just keep your cool tonight, he may surprise you, he can be a real gentleman."
"Thanks Riza," Helena replied.
They continued talking for the remainder of the time, Helena grinning animatedly at Riza as a knock came at the door.
"Oh my god! It's him!"
Riza grinned, "Just relax, and have fun. I'll finish off here Major."
Helena smiled back and pulled the door open where a tidied up colonel stood in front of her with a huge bunch of flowers. She took them and thanked him before handing them to Riza to put in water.
He grinned at her, "You look even more beautiful than I imagined Helena."
She blushed furiously as he held out his arm to her. She wrapped her arm around him, not believing what was happening, it was like a daze to her.
"Colonel, where are we going?"
"You'll see," he replied and stroked her hand softly, making her heart beat furiously.
He noticed her face flush slightly as they walked outside to the waiting car. He opened the door and let her step in before he slid in next to her.
"I hope you're looking forward to this," he said as they drove to the outskirts of town.
She looked back at him and nodded, smiling at him. She leant back in the seat, her hand lying against the cool leather of the upholstery. Before she noticed what happened, Roy's hand brushed her own, making her blush even more than before.
They talked for most of the way about politics and the prospect of Roy's promotion to the fuehrer's aide, until the topic took an unexpected shift when he passed a small box to her.
She picked it up, looking curiously at him before opening it. Sitting inside was a gold ring, with the most beautiful pink crystal inlaid with small white diamonds set in a flower shape.
"A flower for the Blossom alchemist," he smiled.
She looked at him, "it's beautiful. Thank you."
"Think nothing of it; nothing's too good for you."
She blushed even redder than before; she took it out of the box and slipped it on. The light reflecting off the perfect little diamonds. As she went to say something, he leant in towards her and kissed her softly, her melting under his touch. When they broke apart from each other, she had a huge smile on her face and red cheeks to match.
"I hope that told you something Helena." He said after a couple of moments.
She looked at him, "is it telling me that you love me?"
He flushed slightly and nodded.
"I have for so long Helena, since I've seen you grow from a child to a young woman, I don't care that there are nearly thirty three years between us, I love you and I don't care who knows."
They pulled up at the restaurant and got out, walking inside and was seated. They ordered dinner and spent the evening talking about the prospect of a relationship between them. When they'd had the last of the dessert, Roy went and paid the bill, before coming back and holding his hand out and leading her outside back to the car. They drove up back to the HQ and walked inside, smiling at each other.
"Wait," he said after a moment, "before we go in I want to do this."
He leant in and kissed her passionately, pulling back only for breath.
"Happy Birthday Helena," he said.
She smiled and replied, "thank you Roy."
They took each others hands and walked to the parade grounds where a marquee was set up. Music could be heard playing and laughter from everyone who was obviously getting drunk.
They stepped into the tent holding hands. As everyone noticed the new arrivals, they all cried "happy birthday Helena!" before noticing that the colonel was holding hands with the newly stated Blossom alchemist.
People started congratulating them, although Havoc wasn't exactly amused. Truth be told, he'd liked Helena way before the colonel was interested but had resigned himself to the fact that she was in love with Roy and not him. Another who wasn't amused was a fairly short blonde.
"Get your hands off my niece Colonel!" he shouted as he stepped forward. Al grabbing him as he pulled his sleeves up.
"Nii-san, will you relax?"
"HOW CAN I RELAX WHEN YOUR DAUGHTER IS HOLDING HANDS WITH A MAN WHO IS OLD ENOUGH TO BE HER FATHER!?"
Al looked at Ed and whispered, "nii-san, she's not really my daughter remember?"
Ed calmed down at that point, not before making a comment about Roy going grey before he has a kid.
Helena looked mortified at Ed. Not believing what she was hearing. She only calmed down when Al passed her a box. She opened it, revealing a silver locket.
"Read the inscription Helena," Al said after a moment.
She looked on the back of the locket showing a small inscription.
To my darling daughter Helena, I hope this will help you to remember your father Sirius; he was the sweetest man I met. Unfortunately he was taken from you and I before you were born, the day he died was the day you were born. I love you so much, inside is a picture of me and him together on our wedding day…
She stopped reading, tears trickling down her cheeks.
"Father, what does this mean?"
"Helena," Al replied, "when you were a baby I found you in Lior, your mother had been killed in an explosion and your father was already dead at that point. When I found you I saw a small child in need of parents so me and Rose adopted you as our own, I'm sorry we lied to you, but we do love you, and we don't love you any less than your brothers Sameth and Fletcher."
"So what is my real surname?"
"From the investigation, Maes found that your mother's surname was Black."
Helena looked from Al to Rose, then to Roy. She stood there for a moment before turning and running from the marquee in tears. Roy went to go after her but Al stopped him.
"It's best to leave her for now Roy, give her time to calm down. This is a huge shock for her."
Roy looked at Al, "but I can't just let my love be alone right now, I must talk to her…"