Chapter 5: Plans within plans
Roy left Dr. Hiasen's office and found Riza's room. He gave her the bad news that she was going to have to stay the night. She wasn't too thrilled about that but didn't put up a fuss. She did however ask him to head home and stay with Ed and Lily. He was a little reluctant but nodded and went to find them after giving her a kiss goodnight.
When he found them he sighed heavily. Both held the air of terrible worry. He had to tell them, they had a right to know and he needed them, would need their help. But he didn't want to do it here.
"Let's go home," He said.
"What about Mommy?" Lily said in a tiny voice.
"She has to stay the night Poppet." God she sounded so small like that, so needy.
Lily and Edward said nothing, just followed him out.
The ride home was silent as the grave, not even the sound of the car seemed to reach Roy's ears.
At home Lily and Edward cleaned up the dinner mess. He tried to assist them but they sent him away and he found himself in the study at his desk with a glass of scotch in his hand, staring at the family photo taken after he and Riza were first married. Lily was wearing a pretty blue sun dress, Ed and Al in shorts and t-shirts, and Riza in white dress with her hair down and blowing in the wind, looking up at him with a smile.
Maes had taken this one for them. It had been a beautiful summer day with them visiting Maes here in Central. That had been a wonderful day with a visit to a near to the country for a picnic where the boys showed everyone some of their alchemy talents and all of the children played in the tall grass and wild flowers.
At some point Ed came to tell him goodnight, and he heard both Ed and Lily's foot falls heading up the stairs.
Memories, all good, all annoying, and even some of the not so good and bad flooded Roy's head as he downed an entire bottle of scotch. He was going to lose her. Things had been good for far too long, things had been happy and peaceful for far too long and by the time he looked at the clock and decided he'd better get to bed, his liquor addled mind had convinced itself that a person like him had been fortunate to have had so many beautiful years and now it was time that he paid the price. That price was to lose yet another wife in a painful way, to watch her suffer, and to have his daughter distance herself from him to the point that he didn't know her anymore.
By the time he had reached for the second bottle, he had convinced himself that it would only be a matter of time before Lily hated him. He'd made her a promise he might not be able to keep and she violently needed promises to be real, always had. Then he'd lose Edward and Alphonse soon after. It was his fate, the exchange for all the lives he'd destroyed in the war so many years ago.
Just as he was lifting his glass to his lips, he broke down and began to weep silently. He placed the glass upon his desk and removed his glasses, covering his face with his hand. He didn't hear the door open nor the soft foot falls of his daughter's feet, but he felt her warm, slender hand upon his shoulder and her other gently tugging at the one covering his face.
Roy sat back with a sniffle and tried to smile. "What are you doing out of bed Poppet?"
Lily's slanted; onyx eyes took in his desk and the empty bottle of scotch, the newly opened one and shook her head. "Daddy," there was a note of sadness in her voice. "You shouldn't drink like this." Her hand tightened around his.Then she wiped his tears away, gently.
Roy lifted her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss there. "I know,"
Lily pushed his chair back from the desk, thankfully it was on wheels so she could, and held out her other hand. "Come on, I'll help you to bed."
He smirked. "Don't think I can make it,"
"No," she whispered.
"Alright," he paused. "Do you hate me?"
Lily blinked at him in bewilderment. "No, I could never hate you. I'll let that stupid question slide on account that you've been drinking."
Roy nodded and got to his feet, swaying a little, his head swimming. "I might have drank too much. It's your mother's fault; I used to be able to drink more."
Lily wrinkled up her nose. "Let's get you some headache medicine and something to eat. You don't want to have hangover so bad you can't get out of bed in morning."
Roy smirked, "You taking care of me now?"
"Always," She replied, tugging him toward the kitchen.
Roy sat at the kitchen table while she made him some eggs and toast, sipping water. He'd already taken headache medicine and he was beginning to feel a little better but those thoughts and feelings kept swimming inside his head. He should tell her about Riza, he really should. She could tell Edward now or in the morning, but… He knew how it would go. First she'd be upset, her eyes wide and disbelieving then she'd cry and think it would be her fault. Everyone would have to assure her it wasn't, then she'd have to watch her second mother, the only mother she'd ever known waste away and her heart would be broken.
No he couldn't tell her, not just yet. He didn't want her to have to feel that kind of pain just yet, didn't want her to feel what he was suffering. And good god he didn't want to get her hopes up only to have them crushed into dust and blown away by the wind.
Lily placed his late night meal before him then sat beside him at the table. She reached for a section of the previous morning's paper and began to read.
"It's getting colder out. I think it's about time we called the chimney sweep so we can start fires in the fireplaces."
"Eat Daddy," she muttered.
"I think I'll do that tomorrow," He replied before biting into a piece of toast. Lily had put confectioners sugar upon it with cinnamon instead of regular sugar or jam. Quickly he chewed and swallowed. "I'd like to teach you,"
Lily lowered the paper and held out her hand. "May I see one of your gloves?"
Roy nodded and pulled one from his pocket and watched her get up and turn on one of the burners upon the gas stove. She slipped his glove on and snapped. His reaction time was a bit slow, but he was on his feet fearing the house exploding… only it didn't. He stood astonished as the blue flames worked as if they'd merely turned on the stove, not just the gas. That took some skill, it took practice and while it hadn't taken her brother too long to master that one, he'd figured it would take her a tad bit longer.
But… how did she know?
Lily plucked the too big glove from her hand and placed it upon the table. "I listened and watched you teach Edward and I read his notes before he encrypted them. Oh and figuring out your code in your old journals and notebooks wasn't that difficult, not for me at least."
Roy eyed her as she sat down and resumed reading the paper, then he smiled. "I can teach you more than just lighting stove tops."
Lily merely shrugged. "Sure, but eat for now."
"You don't have to learn it if you-"
"Eating requires that the food is put into your mouth, chewed, and swallowed. Can't do that if you're talking." She muttered.
"My, aren't we cranky," he remarked.
Lily perked a brow only but said nothing more. When he was finished she took the plate to the sink then returned for his hand. Roy let her help him up the stairs and to his bedroom. "I'm going to the bathroom, when I come back you had better be in bed Daddy," And before he could counter her order, she was behind the bathroom door, closing it.
He sighed and changed for bed, his head feeling a little better, his body feeling a little better, and crawled in, removing his glasses and placing them upon the night stand.
When Lily returned Roy noticed a white tipped tail trailing her and suddenly there was a fox upon his bed. He blinked at Logan as he walked to the end of the bed and made himself comfortable with a yawn. Man, if that fox ever decided to bite someone it might really hurt, even if he was domesticated. He still couldn't believe they had a fox living with them.
Lily removed her house robe and pulled the blankets back on Riza's side and began to get in. Roy frowned at that, "Are you sleeping with me tonight?"
"You shouldn't be alone," She whispered.
Those four little words warmed him and nearly broke his heart. And then he nearly wept as she curled up to him like she had when she was a little girl. "It's kind of strange; you're not so little anymore."
"You're not so young anymore."
Roy chuckled, slipping his arms around her. "Okay…" He sighed. "So that Jason character, he seems rather impressed with you."
"I know," She replied with a hint of arrogance.
"He seems nice."
"He is,"
"And he's an accountant, interesting. Do you want to date him?"
Lily shrugged. "I don't know… not really, just thought he was nice but after awhile he kind of gets boring. I don't mind talking with him on a friendly basis, but… Why am I having this conversation with you right now?"
Roy snorted. "Embarrassed?"
"It's kind of uncomfortable," she admitted. "And I really don't want to talk about it at the moment."
"Hmm, well," He pulled the blankets up around them. "You're an amazing and beautiful young lady Lily; just make sure you find someone who will treat you as you should be treated."
"I will." She promised with a yawn. "Drinking won't make it go away."
Roy stilled and closed his eyes. "I know,"
"Then why?"
"I… I'm not sure."
"I don't mind you drinking, I just don't like seeing you drunk Daddy. It's not good for you."
He didn't need a lecture, then again he supposed this wasn't really a lecture or admonishment, Lily was just worried, afraid to lose him. He did know better and it had been a long while since he'd been really drunk, years even.
"Poppet why won't you tell me what's wrong?"
"Because I'm alright." She breathed.
"No, no sweetie I don't think you are. I can't fix it for you if you don't tell me what's troubling you."
"What if I need to fix things on my own?"
"Then…" He sighed. "I'd say I'm proud of you for wanting to do that, but sometimes some things are much bigger than we are and sometimes we all need help and it's not a crime or sin to ask for help."
She was quiet and Roy turned his head to place a kiss upon hers. "I'm here for you Poppet." He felt her shift, snuggle closer, heard her shuddered breath, then felt something damp upon the shoulder of his pajama shirt. She didn't utter a word more, just cried herself to sleep. That was alright, she didn't have to talk. Her weeping alone confirmed more than the little signs that there was indeed something bothering her and he felt letting her cry upon his shoulder, not pushing her, was one step closer to her finally telling him.
The next morning found Roy back in the infirmary alone. Ed and Lily were still at home in bed, sleeping, and while his hang over wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been, it was still a screaming monster. Riza being as intuitive a woman as she was recognized it right away. She rebuked him then allowed him to take her home.The day after Ed and Lily awoke was like any typical Sunday, quiet. Everyone seemed to have their own things to do but by the evening they were all in the den. Riza was reading, Roy was playing chess with Lily who had Logan curled up in her lap, and Ed watching while playing with Runa upon the floor. The sounds that filled the air were the turn of a page, the click of a piece upon the glass chess board, the soft thud of the kitten pouncing, and the phonograph playing a soft classical.
"Check mate," Lily said softly, as if her voice might disrupt the peace in the air.
Roy blinked then smirked. "Well I'll be damned, you finally beat me."
Ed perked up. "No way, no one can beat you." But the proof was there plain as day.
Roy shrugged. "Guess she was sneakier than me this time."
"Congratulations Lily," Riza said with a smile.
"Thank you Mommy," Lily replied. "I think I'm going to go to bed early tonight. "I have school tomorrow."
Roy glanced at Riza then nodded. "Do you think you're ready to go back?"
"I don't want to fall behind; big brother do you want to play?"
Edward nodded, placing the string he'd been playing with Runa aside. "Yeah, in a minute. I gotta do something first."
Lily merely nodded and began to re-setup the board as Ed rose and went into the kitchen.
Roy wondered what it was that Ed had to do, but didn't ask, just watched Lily as she carefully finished and lifted Logan like a small child. The fox yawned and lifted his head to lick her chin. He smiled as she smiled and kissed her fox's head. He wished he had his camera handy for moments like these.
Gently Lily placed Logan upon the floor and he immediately trotted over to Runa, taking her string into his mouth and headed out of the study.
Lily yawned then leaned over and lay her head upon Riza's shoulder, slipping her arm about her middle. "Night Mommy,"
"Good night Lily,"
Then Lily was up and coming to him for a hug. Roy gave it to her then watched her leave. Roy sighed and sat back in his chair with a lazy stretch. "She beat me,"
"I saw," Riza replied with a smile as she picked up her book again.
Roy grinned and slipped from his chair to sit beside her, plucking the book from her hands. "Do you really want to read that when you've got me to read? I know you love reading me."
Riza let out a soft laugh. "Edward will be back in a moment and you know what he'll say."
Roy nodded but tipped his head and sought her soft neck none the less. She was warm, always so warm and smelled so delightful. "Think I care,"
"No," she whispered.
Roy almost purred as her fingers ran through his hair. He lifted his head and found her lips, seeking her tongue for a deep kiss.
"Are we going to play chess or should I just go to bed so you two can play tonsil hockey in peace?"
Roy pulled away with a smirk as Riza gave him her 'I told you so,' smile. "We'll play Edward."
Ed nodded and sat in Roy's abandoned seat.
"And we'll finish this later." Roy promised his lovely wife.
"I'm sitting right here Dad," Ed muttered.
Riza chuckled, snatching her book from Roy's hand.
Ed sighed an hour into the game. Why was it he always lost most of his pieces to his adoptive father. It never failed no matter what strategy he took. He supposed he was too impulsive and he usually lost all of his pieces to Lily too.
Roy smirked as he made another move and captured one of his son's knights. "I would think you would have figured out by now-"
"Oh shove it," Ed muttered.
Roy chuckled. "You'll beat me… the day you grow taller than me."
Ed glared, "Bastard," He looked up. "I'm taking some leave and taking Lily with me. I think a trip to Resembool or Acroya, or somewhere nice might be good. It might also give her a break from anything that's bothering her here." He sat back. "And I kind of promised her I'd take her somewhere when we got older, just the two of us." Well it was all of those things but Edward had other agendas in mind as well.
Roy motioned for him to make his move. Ed knew he was going to get beaten in this game anyway, so just made a random one. "I'll take care of her, keep her close and not let anything happen to her… I won't make that mistake again."
His father nodded though his brows furrowed. "That's not what I'm worried about." He paused and moved a piece upon the board. "What about school?"
Ed scoffed. "Like she really needs finishing school. It's a bunch of crap they're teaching her, she's already a lady if you ask me which you didn't." He moved another piece.
"I didn't think I had too. I am after all," Roy moved another piece. "Your father. Check mate."
Ed shrugged. "Yeah so, you still didn't ask me. I think that's part of her problem,"
"Me not asking you your opinion of sending her to school?" Roy asked incredulously.
"No, that school. It was all fine in the beginning Dad, but after a month or two Al says she stopped practicing alchemy. Don't know for sure if that's entirely it, but I'm just going to get her away for a bit. I think a small trip for a week or two won't hurt her and it'll give me some time alone with her."
"Edward," Riza began softly. "What are you really doing?"
Ed huffed in disbelief. "What makes you think this is more than just taking my little sister on a promised trip?"
"Because we know you and usually you have double motives." She replied with a smile. "What's going on?"
He could counter that. "What's going on with you?" When neither of his parents answered he rose. "I thought so, well good night. I'll see you in the morning." And he hurried out and up to his room. He didn't care if they approved or not, he was getting Lily out of here for a week or two and he was going to discover her secret, try to locate this damned doctor if he could, and seek some advice from an old friend.
Lily sat staring out the window in her homemaker's class, bored, uninterested, and more entertained by the wind blowing the tree limbs outside. It was a pretty day, sun shining, leaves all the pretty fall colors, and she wished she could be outside instead of in this stale room with other girls her age who were more concerned about finding good husbands and performing their duties to their families and reproducing, making good homes. This sort of thing used to mean something to her but now it left her mouth filled with ash and dirt; was unappealing. She was only here for appearances sake, and to keep from worrying her father.
The whispers from the girls seated around her would have gone unnoticed save for one of them giggled and mentioned a name that ever colored her suddenly dull world. "Wow Edward Elric is even better looking in person than in the paper."
"Miss Mustang," Her teacher called.
Lily tore her gaze from the window to find her eldest brother standing at the front of the class room. She smirked slightly from his expression of nervousness and bewilderment of nineteen giggling and whispering girls obviously swooning over him. He might not have known it, but he was rather attractive and being a famous state alchemist with a stable job within the military, made him quite the ideal item for any girl to want to catch. She supposed he'd never really paid too much attention to the young ladies they passed upon the streets of Central but their eyes and whispers hadn't gone unnoticed by her.
"Yes," she asked.
Her teacher smiled. "It seems your brother is here to pick up you."
Lily frowned, closing her book, letting her eyes shift to Edward. He merely smiled with that 'I've got something up my sleeve' look.
Sandra, the girl who sat in front of her turned as she closed her note book and stacked her books upon her desk in a neat and orderly manner. "Lily, he's really your brother?"
Cindy, the girl who sat beside her leaned upon her desk with her chin in her hand. "He's so handsome, think I could get a date with him?"
"I called him first," Sandra whined. "Back off,"
Lily rolled her eyes. "Yes, he's my brother and no neither of you have a chance with him. You'd have to know something about alchemy." It was rude of her perhaps but she smiled as she stood and walked down the isle to the front of the room to meet her brother. Knowing how those two worked and knowing Edward, he'd tire of them quickly and it was just be a waist of time for them all. She wouldn't dare subject Ed to their flirtatious antics in a million years.
Edward took her books from her hands with a slight smile. "Ready?"
Lily nodded and followed him from the room and down the long narrow hallway, glad to be free of the boredom. "Why'd you come?"
Ed grinned and stopped at a display table for the sewing class, setting her home makers book upon it before taking her hand and holding up her note book. "Anything important in this?"
Lily blinked in surprise as he led her away from her text book. "I'll need that book-"
"For what, you don't need to be here. So anything important in this?" He interrupted.
"Notes," She replied in confusion. Didn't need to be here? "Ed what's going on, you know Daddy will be upset if I just walk out of school."
"Relax, I took care of that." He replied half dragging her to a trashcan several feet down the hall. "Are you sure there's nothing you need from this?"
"Uh, just my history notes," What was he going on about? What had he done or taken care of? "Big brother,"
Ed tossed her notebook into the trash can with a smile. "I need you to clean out your locker, hey where's Logan?"
What the hell was going on, clean out her locker?! "Logan's outside in the courtyard waiting for me." She replied, tugging upon his hand. "Edward stop, what is going on?"
He grinned nefariously. "It's a surprise; show me where your locker is."
Lily frowned but led the way to her locker upon the first floor near the office. Edward pulled over a trash can and once she had it opened. Then he began pulling out her notebooks, asking if she had anything important in them. When she replied notes and homework he chucked them away and pulled out her books and school bag.
She watched with perplexity as he rifled through her bag pocketing her pens and pencils, throwing away her note cards, ruler, and school planner. Then her bag was shoved into her arms as he picked her books up from the floor and took them into the office, leaving them upon the receptionist's desk and came back to her with that same knowing, and all too sneaky grin.
He took her hand as the receptionist hurried from the office. "Hurry," he said beginning to run, yanking her along.
"Wait Mr. Elric!" the receptionist called.
Lily yelped as he slammed the front door open and they burst down the stairs into the court yard. "Logan!" Ed called. The fox lifted his head, cocking it to the side then leapt to his feet to chase after them as they ran through the front gates of the school.
Lily was shocked when Edward rounded the corner and pulled open the door of an awaiting cab for her. This was insane, so unlike him, and she still wasn't sure what was going on. Oh she could guess he was stealing her from school, but why?
Logan leapt into the back seat of the cab before she climbed in and sat. Edward followed and told the driver to head for the train station and that's when Lily had to object. "No don't, what's going on?"
The man looked back over his shoulder and waited. "Staying or going?"
"Going," Ed replied. "Ignore her I'm the one paying you."
"Brother!" Lily snapped. "What the hell are you doing?"
Ed chuckled. "Rescuing you from utter boredom and taking you on a small adventure. Don't worry Dad knows and will look after the animals."
"But-"
"Hush and enjoy it. You'll like where we're going, though it might be strange at first it will be well worth it. Come on Lily it's intrigue and adventure with your big brother or staying in stuffy class rooms staring out the window all morning."
Well she'd choose her big brother any day but that wasn't the point. "What did you do pull me from school?"
"Yep, you never have to go back. So it's just a matter of hopping on a train, taking in the scenery as it passes for a few days, letting the wind blow through your hair, and enjoying the ride."
Lily sat back shaking her head. "Ehh, what about the Zoo?"
"I took care of that too," He replied happily. "And you said you weren't going back for awhile anyway."
"And clothes?" She asked. Okay as much as she liked the idea, she was sure where ever her brother had gone on his last mission he'd hit his head or something.
"Took care of that too." he pointed to the small suit case, his suit case, resting upon the floor boards. Logan was sniffing it intently.
"And Mom and Dad?"
"Took care of them,"
"You've been busy this morning," She muttered. She just bet he took care of their parents; more like held left them a note and skated out. He'd done that before and boy would their Dad be pissed when they contacted him or came home. She could see the glare now; hear her Dad's voice lecturing them both.
"Trust me everything's in order and cleared."
He was definitely up to something, she could smell it, see his plans within plans in his confident cocky grin.
