One Big Military Family
Author's Note: This is my very first on going Royai fic! I had a lot of random ideas for how I wanted to do so I hope it actually turns out decent. I actually got the idea before seeing episode 25 and I liked how it turned out so much I decided to keep the first chapters the way they were and I'll figure things out from there. There are only a few spoilers I actually know of cuz I'm relying on the Adult Swim schedule, so go easy on me.
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or the characters. I just like writing fics about 'em. :)
THANK YOU TO ALL REVIEWERS! I appreciate all you guys reviews! Seriously:)
Arrieth- That's right. LOL. NO miniskirts! But there is so much more to look forward to now!
Cashmeritan- Glad you like the fic. And now, two chap updates to enjoy!
Shadow Dreamer 27- THANK YOU!
Unexpection- Glad you like it so far. Thankies!
The Air Alchemist- Same as above. LOL Glad you love it so far.
Chapter 9: Just Another Birthday Party
Watching Lee Mustang grow up was quite possibly the most interesting experience of Ed's life. He wasn't exactly around much to see Elysia grow up, though Hughes constant pictures made up for it, but watching a kid grow up was actually something to remember. He and Al stood outside Mustang's house and grinned widely when Riza opened the door and smiled at them. "Hey boys... Roy isn't here yet." she said. Ed nodded as she led them inside.
"Yeah, we figured. Hughes dragged him off earlier to get pictures developed from what I heard." said the young blonde and when they entered the living room, Lee was sitting on the floor, giggling and clapping his hands as Havoc, Breda, and Fuery played with him, making goofy faces and sounds. Falman was sitting on the couch, shaking his head in a knowing manner and just watching. If anything, Black Hayate found it interesting. "You guys look like idiots." Ed informed with a laugh. The group looked at him and Havoc waved a hand at Ed in a dismissive manner.
"Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do." he informed and went back to making faces at Lee who bounced about and giggled excitedly. Riza shook her head and turned to the boys.
"His birthday is coming up. You boys are coming, right?" she asked. AL nodded his head anxiously.
"Of course. Its not everyday a kid turns one." he said cheerfully.
"Not to mention Mustang threatened us." said Ed. Riza just smiled.
"He adores the boy." she informed and walked over to the group, picking up Lee, much to their dismay.
"Aw c'mon, colonel! We weren't done playing." said Breda and Riza gave him a look.
"You men should be ou buying him a gift if you want to be of real help." she informed and kissed the top of her son's head. "Its time for this little guy to take a nap." she said. The boys noticed her fondness towards the boy and smiled.
"I'll take him up if thats ok." said Al. Riza looked at the boy and then her son before nodding and placing the boy in his arms.
"Just go lie him down upstairs. I'll bring him up a bottle." she said. Al nodded and Ed followed him up to Lee's room. The little boy was babbling to Al, obviously excited about what he had to say, though the Elric's had no idea what he was saying.
"You know, the kid looks so much like Mustang it kinda scares me what he'll grow up to be like." said Ed as they watched the boy lie in his crib, tugging on his feet. Al grinned.
"I doubt he'll be just like the General. Mrs. Riza won't allow it." he said. Ed laughed.
"Good point." When Riza entered the room, Lee began whimpering and raised his arms towards her. "Is he ok?"
"Course. He gets like that sometimes. Mostly when he sees something he wants." she answered as she picked up the boy and cuddled him before giving him his bottle. The whole time he was sucking on his bottle, Lee's amber eyes stayed on his mother which made Ed asctually begin to miss his mother in a way. He excused himself and went, meeting the men downstairs as they lounged around the living room.
"What're you guys still doing here?" asked Ed and Fuery smiled.
"We were invited over and we're waiting for the General." he answered.
"We're not too sure why we're here though." added Breda. Ed frowned a little, but nodded. It was always hard to figure Mustang out. Sitting down, Ed allowed Black Hayate to lie his head on the boy's knee in a method of showing concern.
"Something wrong, Edward?" asked Falman as the young man absently stroked the dog's head. Ed shook his head.
"No... I was watching Hawkeye with her kid... It kinda reminded me of mom and back home." he answered. There was a silence and Havoc glanced over at him, an unlit cigerette appearing in his mouth.
"Speaking of which, what's the deal with you and Miss Rockbell? Haven't seen her around here at all. " he answered. Ed suddenly stiffened. Uh oh... he managed to lie to Winry for nearly two years, continuing to tell her that he and Al would eventually come back home soon.
"She's busy with the automail business." he said quickly.
"So in other words you haven't told her the truth." The group turned their attention to Roy, who had walked in, a knowing smile on his face as he walked in, tossing his jacket to the side and dropping on the couch, letting out a relieved sigh. "She's gonna catch on soon."
"I don't need you to rub it in, General." grumbled Ed. Roy looked at the boy and shook his head in a knowing manner before sighing and standing up.
"Anyway, you men are all going to be here this weekend, right?" he asked cheefully. The men grinned and nodded in agreement and Roy nodded and grabbed the bag that he had with him. "Anyway, all that put aside, i've got awesome news for all of you."
"We're getting raises!" asked Havoc excitedly. Roy was silent and grinned a little.
"Something like that." he answered. "Someone felt it was time for you men to get the promotions you deserve." he informed. Riza was premoted up to a full colonel; Havoc was made a liuetenant colonel and was ready to parade around his new metal with pride; Falman finally made it to second lieutenant; Fuery became a first lieutnant, and Breda was premoted to major. the men greatfully took their symbols of higher rank and pay checks, Havoc latching onto Mustang with a hug and decleration of never ending loyalty before being dragged out by Breda.
"You managed to get them all premotions?" asked Ed and Roy grinned.
"That group has been loyal to me for years. I want them to follow me to the top and that involves them making it up on the ladder as well." he informed and grinned. "So, what're you getting Lee for his birthday?"
It was amazing how many people made their way over to the Mustang house that weekend for Lee's birthday. Hughes had a field day with it, whipping out all the pictures of Elysia he had managed to squeeze into his wallet and running over to every new comer he could. That day, Ed learned Mustang had three older sisters, all whom had made it and he was avoiding contact with, and the old General from Eastern was actually Hawkeye's grandfather. He managed to kidnap Lee from all the fun and thought it would be interesting to play a game of chess with Breda while holding the boy and trying to get him to understand, only to have Lee continue trying to grab pieces to teeth on.
"Uncle Roy!" called Elysia and Roy looked around before looking and grinning down at Elysia, who held a package up at him. "I got Lee a nice present." she said brightly. Roy grinned and knelt down, patting the girl on the head.
"Thanks, sweetie." he said brightly and looked around for Maes, who was taking random pictures and actually managed to get some people to strike poses. "We need to calm you dad down so we can get to the gifts." he said. Elysia giggled.
"Daddy is very happy for you." she said and clapped her hands together. "Congradulations, congradulations, congradulations! Daddy told me to say it to you cuz he wants good things to always happen for you." she said brightly. Roy just grinned at the girl.
"Thanks hun." he said and stood up straight to go calm down his best friend. Gracia shook her head as Maes randomly grabbed Roy and placed Lee in his arms, taking a quick picture and then shoved a veryreluctant Roy towards his sisters.
"I tihnk Maes is having more fun here than the kids." she said and turned to Riza who was leaning against the kitchen counter, watching with an entertained smile.
"I didn't think all those people would come." she said and pointed over at the two older men playing with her son. "You see them, that one man is Dr. Marcoh."
"He was with you guys during Ishbal wasn't he? I think I heard Maes and Roy talking about him once." said Gracia and Riza nodded.
"He was. But he's a very kind man and Roy is fond of him." Deciding to lighten things up a bit, she moved and put on some musicm laughing a little when Elysia quickly grabbed a hold of Al's hand and forced him into dancing with her- a kodak moment on Maes' behalf. One of Roy's sister's had taken Lee and was dancing around with him, a fond smile on her face and Havoc had even dragged Riza out to dance, just because Roy was trying to get away from the youngest of his sisters. Ed was more than entertained by all of this and even grinned for a few pictures Maes had him pose for.
Around the time for cake, everyone had settled down a bit and Lee sat in his high chair, looking curiously around at all the adults before a nearby balloon caught his attention. Ed rolled his eyes when Roy took the balloon from the boy and when the child burst into tears, a few snickers were heard. Especially considering Roy's response to the crying. The only way to actually silence him was the cake, which Gracia had baked for the occasion.
"This has really been fun, hasn't it Ed." said Al brightly from where he and Ed sat. Ed nodded cheerfully, his mouth full of cake.
"Nothing could ruin my good mood." he chimed when his gift to Lee was opened and revealed a small water pistol. It was actually pretty humurous considering Maes had managed to get a hold of tiny replicas of Roy's alchemy gloves and gave it to the child as a gift. Lee waved the gun around and at one point even pointed it Havoc and pulled the trigger while babbling. Maybe he remembered all the instances he saw his mother do the same thing. As they finished up with the gifts, there was the ringing of the door bell that caught Roy's attention.
"I thought everyone was here?" said Riza and Roy grinned. He whispered something to her and got up, answering the door. Ed paid no attention to it until he heard Roy clear his throat.
"This is a little gift for Edward." he said. Blinking and wondering what the man could possibly have had delivered to embarass him, Ed turned and nearly chocked as he stood quickly under the intense glare of the young blonde woman at Mustang's side.
"Winry!"
