Living with Edward was quite a new experience. Elysia had never thought much about what it would be like to be married. She found that Edward liked to complain a lot and be difficult just to give Oscar a hard time. Elysia thought he was childish but eventually got used to it. She questioned him once about it but Edward just told her the old man liked being upset with him so it was just his way of helping out. They soon fell into a routine. Edward went to headquarters each morning and returned before it got dark for dinner. He would often come by for lunch to admire Elysia's work then would go back. Elysia spent most of the day painting and drawing. If she was feeling less than inspired she would take walks in the park or go to visit with Edward. She was always welcomed at headquarters. If Edward was busy she would visit with General Armstrong or have tea with Riza.

There was a lot to learn and compromises to be made. Edward told her she could do whatever she wanted with the townhouse but could not touch his study. Elysia didn't mind and enjoyed the free rein but she didn't take advantage of it. She thought the townhouse was fine. It had been decorated by Oscar's wife and it suited Elysia, she saw no need to go through the trouble. Though there was one thing Elysia had to have. An art studio. Edward of course complied and she was given the top floor of the townhouse. Edward did most of the work, removing walls so the studio stretched from the back of the house to the front, allowing Elysia views of the yard and the front street. It reduced the number of rooms in the townhouse but Edward liked the idea of being able to tell people to take a hike because he didn't have enough rooms to put them up in.

Edward reduced his nights out going to the tavern. He still went but he didn't stay out for long and went to the more respectable establishments, where the older and retired officers liked to spend quiet evenings playing cards, reading the paper, away from nagging wives and older children asking for money. He often brought officers back with him to the townhouse, especially if they had been too loud and got kicked out of those respectable establishments. Edward may have been a General but his and Havoc's antics could only be tolerated so much. Elysia didn't mind. She usually spent her time in the studio. When she did venture downstairs to brave the cloud of smoke in the sitting room she was always welcomed. The officers always included Havoc, Falman and Fuery. Breda, the only one from Mustang's old command that wasn't stationed in Central, would make a special appearance once in a while. When General Breda was in town from Western Headquarters with his wife, Edward and Elysia's townhouse was quite lively. Elysia really liked Breda's wife. She was always laughing and joking with the other officers. She could really hold her own with them with her own dirty jokes and card playing skills. She was very loud and cheerful and Elysia became close friends with her. Elysia was disappointed that she lived out in the west but they would often visit Central.

Most of the guest were older than Elysia. She didn't mind it. It was a welcome relief to her. She had never cared for many of the girls she had gone to school with. To her they just seemed very shallow and many didn't care for her in return. Elysia didn't come from a rich family and was known to be in the favor of the Fuhrer. It didn't help that many of the young ladies she went to school with came from families that had supported Fuhrer King Bradley and barely survived his fall from power. Elizabeth Armstrong, the only person she could stand, came to visit in Central more often now Elysia was living there. One evening Elysia threw a dinner party for Elizabeth, inviting the young Dr. Jol Haren, much to Edward's annoyance. Edward knew what Elysia was up too and questioned her about it. Of course Elysia feigned innocence and explained that Elizabeth didn't care too much socializing with a lot of officers around. Edward let Elysia have her way and managed to escape the dinner party after being bored out of his mind. To him Elizabeth talked too much and Jol Haren was just duller than dirt. No wonder Elysia wasn't interested in the doctor. I've got more personality in my little automail finger than he does in his entire being, he thought conceitedly. He had arranged for Havoc, Falman and Fuery to drop by for some "military strategizing" and they spent the rest of the evening in Edward's study "working". (Meaning they spent the evening getting drunk and playing cards. A little too loudly that Elysia explained to her guests that they were just really into military strategizing.)

When Edward went off to inspect the other headquarters, Elysia went along, meeting even more officers and Generals. She knew Edward was a great General, but she was surprised how well respected he was amongst military command. Edward came for inspections as the strict General. Everyone was sharp, neatly dressed and saluted smartly but it wasn't done begrudgingly. He was respected and admired and Elysia was proud of the fact that her husband had earned their respect.

Sometimes other officer's wives would visit Elysia. She often found these visits tiring because all the wives would talk about was when Elysia and Edward would have any children. They had only been married a year and had talked about it but they were in no rush. If it happened it happened. Elysia wanted children, but she was tired of the topic always being the focus of the officer's wives. Elysia found she much preferred the company of Edward and the other officers when they visited. They were more amusing and were not so worried about their lack of children or the decor of the townhouse. But she had to be polite and entertain their wives when they came along. The wives did provide more insight into the life of an officer's wife. She learned most of the wives had to navigate around their husband's moods and tempers that would often flair up spontaneously. She was also not the only one who had to deal with the nightmares of her own husband. Many of the officers had fought in the Drachman war. There were some who had also been in Ishbal. Elysia took comfort knowing she was not the only one and learned another lesson.

Elysia learned that it was not wise to sneak up on Edward. She tried to do so one day. She came up quietly behind him as he was smoking on the balcony looking out over the garden. She put her arms around his shoulders and was grabbed roughly by her arm and pulled around to face him.

"Oh shit! Elysia don't sneak up on me like that," Edward said releasing her arm quickly and smothering her in a hug. With her head against his chest she could feel his heart racing. She held him tight. He had startled her and she was slightly afraid that he was upset at her about something. Knowing he wasn't she was more relieved knowing that than angered for being handled so roughly. This was one of the things Breda's wife had warned her about and she didn't pay head to.

"I'm so sorry," he said and kissed the top of her head. "A squad I was leading was ambushed. All the men were killed and they tried to use me as a hostage."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know," Elysia said looking up at him. "I mean I did hear Breda's wife say something about it..."

"No, there's nothing for you to be sorry for," Edward told her reassuringly. "I've just got to learn that it's okay to let my guard down when I'm home."

For the most part the townhouse was quiet. Elysia and Edward were able to enjoy the quiet moments together. But they both needed their own space. Elysia was up in her studio most of the time and Edward, when home, spent a lot of time in his study. Elysia found that Edward had an extremely focused mind when he set to studying. She was able to slip into his study, stretch out on the leather couch and just watch him as he read. He didn't look up or even acknowledge her presence. She often brought her sketchpad in and would draw Edward as he sat reading. She was also able to take naps, wake up and find him still studying. She was amazed by his ability to concentrate without being distracted. She wished she had the ability. She could easily be lost in her art but it happened in spurts throughout the day and would only last for an hour at the most. Edward could read for hours without a break. He woke her one day as she napped on the couch.

"Hey," he said quietly, gently shaking Elysia. Elysia opened her eyes and smiled. "How long have you been here?"

"I don't know," Elysia said sitting up to look at the clock. "Three hours."

"And you were here the whole time watching me?"

"Um hm," Elysia said groggily as she lay back down.

"Do you come in here often?"

"Yeah, this is the first time you noticed."

"I'm sorry. When I start reading I'm not easily distracted."

"It's okay. I like watching you."

"Do you now?" Edward said and leaned in to kiss her. Elysia put her arms around Edward pulling him closer and they made love on the couch.