May 17th, 1986
Ethan and Lia had forgone asking Randy to meet them at the train station in East City. Having lived there for four years while they were in school themselves, they had no problem making their way to the apartment complex just a couple of blocks off the ECU campus, where Randy and Lily lived. The building had clearly been remodeled since the last time Ethan had been to East City, but then many things had changed. Life was like that.
"It's a little like the old days," Lia smiled at him as they walked side by side through the park between the bus stop and the apartment building. It was a beautiful afternoon, and Ethan liked how the dappled sunlight shot occasionally halos around her head of pale blond hair. "We could be back in college on our way to eat."
Ethan chuckled. "You in something cute that will make me jealous from all the men staring. Me… underfed and overworked. Not much has changed has it?"
Lia smiled and nudged him with her shoulder. "Not a thing."
Randy met them at the door to the second-story apartment, smiling but obviously tired. "Welcome to our little slice of heaven." He stepped out of the way so they could enter.
Ethan set their bags down by the door, getting his first real look at the home his daughter and her husband had made for themselves, and the two children who would soon enter the world. The living room into which they stepped was cozy, but not cramped, and surprisingly uncluttered for the home of two college students and musicians. The primary colors were cream and a muted slate blue, with light-stained wood floors. The kitchen was open aside from an island between it and most of the room, and also lightly colored in natural wood. Through a door past the kitchen Ethan could just make out an open bedroom that looked like the master. Another small hall off to the right had three closed doors. The artwork on the walls was mostly musically themed.
"This is lovely," Lia smiled. "Where's Lily?"
"In the bathroom." Randy looked apologetic. "Would you like to see your room?"
"Sure," Lia replied before Ethan could say a word. Instead, he picked up their bags again, impatient as he was to see his little girl, and followed Randy and Lia to the right, where he took them into the door furthest at the end.
"This is usually the practice room," Randy explained, "But it's also the guest room."
Ethan could see why. It barely fit a full-sized bed in the corner, just big enough for two guests, with enough room for chairs, music stands, and the desk and racks that held sheet music and a variety of instruments and cases, as well as the equipment needed to maintain and care for all of them. "It'll do nicely," he assured his son-in-law, and tried not to smile too much when Randy relaxed.
"We appreciate you putting us up for the next few weeks," Lia elaborated in a friendlier tone, as if Ethan's comment wasn't quite enough.
"You have no idea how much I appreciate you coming this early," Randy replied fervently.
"Is everything all right?" Ethan asked, not sure he liked the tone of Randy's voice.
"Oh…yeah. Lily and the babies are fine. That's what the doctors say anyway." Randy nodded. "It's just a lot to get ready for, and she's supposed to stay off her feet except for necessities. I'm glad school's out. Maybe she'll finally get some rest before the babies get here. I'm just…"
Ethan gave in and put a hand on his son-in-law's shoulder, and smiled sympathetically. "We get it. We've been there."
He caught Lia's approving smile out of the corner of one eye. Randy didn't see it, but he smiled at Ethan. "Thanks. I know. That's why I'm glad you're here, though Lily's taking it all more calmly than I am."
At that moment a call of "Randy!" from the other room sent him bolting out the door.
"Coming, honey!"
Ethan turned to Lia, who was smiling. "It's nice to be needed."
Lia reached out and squeezed his hand. "It is. Let's go see just how much."
If nothing else, Ethan expected they would be moral support and help around the house. He remembered Lia's first pregnancy, but his own experiences with childbirth were different enough he hadn't been as panicked as most new fathers, and his ability to use medical alchemy to help ease her through the delivery had made it an easier experience. Randy had none of that.
Not that his experience made Ethan feel less of a shock when he entered the living room and saw his daughter for the first time in several months, her belly distended with third-trimester twins, Randy hovering around her like a hummingbird to a flower as he got her settled comfortably on the couch, feet up.
Lily saw him and her face lit up even as she laughed. "You should see your expression, Dad."
Ethan shook himself mentally, and smiled as he followed Lia across the room. Naturally, his wife got there first, and hugged her daughter, meaning Ethan had to wait. "I'm your father, I'm allowed." He bent down for a hug as Lia finally moved out of his way. "You look radiant."
"I feel exhausted," Lily admitted as she hugged him back. "I'm so glad you're both here. There's still so much to do, and I can't help Randy with most of it."
"Well your apartment looks amazing for so-much-left-to-do," Lia assured her as they took seats in chairs as Randy went over to the kitchen and fetched a glass of water and a plate of cheese, carrots, and what looked like some kind of trail mix of nuts and dried fruit. He placed it on the coffee table in easy reach of Lily, who beamed at him before taking a piece of cheese.
"I'm glad," Lily continued. "The babies' room is painted, but half of the furniture isn't built, and I don't have all the baby clothes organized yet and put away. So many things need to be washed or sanitized, and without knowing when the babies will come…"
"It's hard not to go crazy," Lia nodded in understanding.
Ethan did the same. That was the trick with twins. They were much more likely to come early, and need extra care. Lily was thirty-two weeks now, but that meant that the babies could come anytime from a few days from now—not very desirable—to a month, but they were unlikely to make it to forty weeks. "Does your physician have an estimate?"
"So far the best we have is 'not this week,'" Randy replied. "They're quite content where they are for now."
"Good. Do you mind if I…" he held up one hand, indicating he'd like to get an alchemical appraisal of the situation. That was one of the reasons he was here, and her doctors knew he was coming. There wasn't an alchemical obstetrician in East City yet, and it was just another safety precaution.
"No, please," Lily smiled. "Say hi to your grandkids."
"It's too bad you can't use alchemy to tell gender," Randy commented as Ethan knelt down again next to his daughter, pulling out one of the gloves he used most often for a basic medical "scan" of a patient.
Ethan chuckled. "You know how much parents would pay me if I could tell them the gender of their babies for certain before they were born?" He could take an educated guess, but it wasn't like he could physically see what they were in the womb. Determine health, sure, but not so easily if they were boys or girls. He concentrated then, placing his hand gently on Lily's stomach, and letting the tiniest bit of alchemical energy flow through him, and her. As curious as he was about his grandchildren, he started with her health and was relieved to find that, aside from the usual exhaustion, and the flow of nutrients to the womb, Lily was doing very well for carrying twins and they did appear to be snuggly in place. No effacement, no dilation. Just two little beings, growing as fast as they could, with strong little heartbeats. One of them took offense at the closeness of his hand to his-or-her leg and kicked at him. Outside, Ethan felt the tiny thump under his palm. "Everything looks great," he commented as he opened his eyes and removed his hand. "You're doing wonderfully, sweetie."
"I've been spending a lot of time floating in the pool," Lily admitted. "The campus indoor pool is very clean, so I've been doing laps and just floating in the deep end a lot. It's been so nice on my back, though I've gotten some funny looks from the girls on the swim team," she chuckled. "When the complex's outdoor pool opens, I'll use that. It's just downstairs between the buildings, so it's a short waddle."
"That you're not making by yourself," Randy commented.
"I think there are enough of us to make sure that happens," Lia assured Randy.
He nodded, pacified. "I'm sorry, would either of you like something to drink… or eat?" he blurted out belatedly, looking embarrassed.
Ethan decided not to harass him about it. "Water, or tea, would be great. Don't worry about a snack, I thought we'd bring in something for dinner tonight, our treat."
"Water for me," Lia chimed in.
Randy and Lily both smiled, and Lily looked slightly dreamy. "Can it be Aerugean, please? We haven't eaten out in almost a month."
"Whatever you want," Ethan assured her. A month?
"We've been saving money by doing all our cooking at home," Randy explained as he poured them both drinks. "Even with both of my jobs, and our scholarships, there's not a lot of room for unnecessary luxuries, you know? We're trying to save up as much as possible for when they get here."
Lia nodded. "It's hard to save sometimes, when you don't have a lot to start with."
Though Ethan's medical income, and Lia's teaching had put them in a better place than the young couple, he was glad to hear they were being responsible. Of course, he and Lia had also been living with his parents, which had helped them save quite a bit; Money that Ethan fully intended to use to help his children get a positive start in life. "Well, tonight, we feast," he grinned. "So, where am I picking up food, and what would you like?"
"Get out paper," Randy chuckled. "Your daughter's going to have a long list."
Lily didn't even give him a dirty look, she just shrugged. "Holixo's is my favorite. They've only been open a couple of years, but they're almost as good as Mrs. Mustang's cooking. I'd like-"
Ethan snagged the pad and paper Lia pulled out of her purse with a thankful nod and started scribbling as Lily listed off everything on their menu she liked, and wanted. It was not a short list. "And you?" he asked his son-in-law.
"Just some of their peppered beef street tacos," he replied.
"Why don't you go with him?" Lia suggested. "That's a lot of food to carry, and you can help him decide what we want."
Oh great, his wife was putting him in charge of picking her food. "You sure that's a good idea?"
"I trust you." She looked at Randy. "Don't worry. Lily and I will be fine here."
They wanted mother-daughter time. Ethan nodded as he stood. "Sounds great. Come on. Let's go before they get busy with the dinner rush."
Randy looked nervous, but he nodded in agreement. "Of course. It's not too far from here. Just a few blocks actually."
On foot, Ethan realized. Though he didn't say anything until he and Randy were out of the apartment and back out on the street. "So, how do you plan to get around town with a family of four?" he asked as they walked to the restaurant.
"I haven't had much luck finding a good car," Randy admitted. "Either it's too old, too broken, or too expensive. We can afford a small car payment, but the down payments are killing me."
"I'd like to help with the down payment," Ethan told him. "That is, if you don't mind. I couldn't promise you new, or stylish, but a reliable family car doesn't need to be either of those things."
To his credit, Randy didn't bluster or try to claim it wasn't all right for a man to accept an offer of help from family. "Thank you," he replied simply. "It would really take a lot of stress off both of us, especially Lily. Her doctor actually came to our place for last week's visit, because she didn't want Lily walking that far or taking the bus to her office."
"Tomorrow." Ethan nodded. "You and I will go look at the cars you've been looking at, and see what kind of a deal we can swing with the dealers." With Ethan's checkbook, he suspected that would be a whole lot easier. "Then we don't have to spend the next few weeks walking everywhere for food."
Randy smiled. "Great! If we get any less sleep, I'm not going to be much good for walking anywhere."
"Oh, you're going to lose more sleep," Ethan assured him, "For years, but it will be worth it."
"And I should believe you because…"
"Hey, you like how my daughter turned out don't you?"
"You make a very good point."
May 25th, 1986
There really needed to be more songs about traveling with friends, Edward considered as he hefted his suitcase up into the rack above his bed in the sleeping car berth he was sharing with Alphonse. Tore and Will had booked the one right across the hall. On their way to another ancient alchemical research site, full of wonder and possibility, it made him feel younger than his eighty-seven years.
The idea that he might get to argue loudly with some Kartosian idiots put him in a good mood too.
Ed had been in Central barely two days. He had just had enough time to arrive, say hello to everyone who wasn't going with them, and then meet up with everyone at Franz' house to discuss how everything was supposed to go. Or, at least, what their aims were. No one was under any illusion that this would be quick and simple. One did not argue with Kartosians easily. Ed had seen a few, mostly in Creta. They were tall, towering folk, mostly blond, though it varied. They put him very much in mind of the peoples he'd studied a lifetime ago on the other side of the gate, from the Nordic cultures. In fact, Edward had privately packed his old journals from that time, just on the odd chance they might be useful.
He and Al had both laughed when Al admitted he had done the same.
With just enough time for last goodbyes, Ed returned to the platform, even if it was mostly to watch everyone else hug goodbye. Winry had stayed in Resembool.
Not that he went hug-less. Elicia and Gracia had brought him and Al to the station that morning, and he got warm heartfelt embraces from them both.
"Stay out of trouble, Edward," Gracia smiled as they parted.
"Do you really think I'd to anything stupid, Gracia?" he asked.
"No, but I promised Winry I'd say it," she admitted. "Somehow, you do seem to find yourself in the middle of chaos, no matter how simple a trip is supposed to be."
"I live an exciting life." Ed gave her one quick kiss on the cheek. "Be well, Gracia. I'll see you when we get back." And in the fall, assuming she continued in her usual good health, for her one-hundredth birthday. Ed and Winry had already scheduled to come up for it.
"I can't wait to hear all about it."
It was time to round up the rest. "Come on, fellas," Ed grinned as he mimed grabbing collars. "If you stand around hugging your wives all day, we'll miss the train."
"You're only saying that because you left Winry at home and you're jealous," Al chuckled, but he let Elicia go.
Tore and Will, who had actually already kissed Charisa and Ren goodbye, followed. "We've got time," Tore assured him, before he smiled smugly at Ed. "Don't get used to barking orders again. Remember, I'm in charge of this mission."
"And you're welcome to it!" Ed laughed. "If it all blows up in our faces, at least, for once, I won't have to take responsibility for it."
"Won't you?" Tore asked. "You trained me."
"In alchemy, not diplomacy." Ed smiled. "Everyone knows I'm never to be trusted with anything diplomatically sensitive."
"It's true," Al nodded as they boarded the train. "All Ed ever does is blow stuff up, or get blamed for things he didn't do."
"Yeah. At least they could wait until I actually do something before they blame me for it."
"Why are we bringing you again?" Al asked.
The four of them gathered in Ed and Al's berth, sitting on the beds.
"As if you'd do something like this without me." Ed leaned back against the wall behind the narrow bed. "Besides, what other well-known alchemists could they send that Kartos might have even heard of?"
"And here I thought Franz was just trying to keep you two out of official business in Central," Tore quipped.
"Is there anything going on in Central we'd want to stick our noses in?" Ed asked curiously. He certainly hadn't heard of anything lately that made him want to storm back into Headquarters and do anything about it. He had been retired for twenty years.
"Nothing you didn't start." Tore leaned back, settling into a more comfortable looking position. "This is the most interesting thing that's come across my desk in months outside of the usual run-of-the-mill chaos that is the State Alchemy branch."
Ed gave a short, barking laugh. "Still blaming me for everything are they?"
"Blame, credit, it's all about the same at this point," Al shrugged. "They'll all be singing a fictional version of history when Ian's movie comes out anyway."
"How is that coming?" Ed asked, curiously. He hadn't had a chance to swing by the set during his brief time in Central, but he hoped to on the way back, if filming wasn't done by then.
"I can't imagine it's accurate. I think half of that story's still classified." Will pulled a bottle of soda out of his bag and popped it open.
"Not as much as you'd think." Al's comment surprised Ed. "I mean, most of it takes place after our triumphant return, other than a few critical flashbacks to our hunt for the philosopher's stone. So it's about our early escapades as new Generals and war heroes. Your steamy romance with Winry," he added, winking, "and a few other adventures. It's all shortened of course. Jumping time is a wonderful thing, but it does keep to the basic truth in most places. The writers did a good job."
"Who wrote it?" Ed asked. "We might want to consider them for biographers if they make us look good."
"Pretty sure they'd have to lie to do that," Tore snickered.
"Depends on how you feel about risk takers who don't know when to give up."
"Given I'm the only one of us with a respectable upbringing," Will chimed in, "I'd say you all fit in that category. But seeing as you've all been military brass, people must like you. They keep promoting you."
"And sending us off on missions where we could've been killed," Ed objected, though it was all in good fun.
"I'm pretty sure we insisted on most of those," Al replied.
Ed shrugged. "Fair enough." He glanced over at Will. "A drink sounds good. Did you bring enough for the rest of us or do I need to send an errand boy down to the dining car?"
"And which one of us would be the errand boy?" Will laughed as he reached into his bag, bringing out three more colas and handing them over.
"Tore, of course." Ed grinned and opened his drink. "He's the youngest."
"But Will's the lowest ranked," Tore pointed out. "The only reason he's even got rank at all is because he joined up for the Drachman campaign."
"Fair enough." Ed grinned. "We'll just send you both." He held up a hand, forestalling the beginning of two loud objections. "My treat."
Tore was on his feet in a moment. "Well, why didn't you say so? I'm famished."
Ed and Al exchanged amused looks as Tore and Will took Ed's cash and left the berth. This was going to be a fun trip.
