"Hey Ed!" A voice called out. "Ed! Wake up!"
Edward opened his eyes. At least he thought he did but when he did he couldn't see anything. Everything was hazy, like he was standing in the middle of fog. It was cold and damp like fog but he didn't actually feel it on his skin. Looking around he tried to locate the person that had awakened him and stopped as a familiar face came into view.
"How you doing Ed?" Maes Hughes asked sauntering up to Edward.
"Okay," Edward said not sure if he should run away screaming or pinch himself to wake up. "How are you Lieutenant Colonel?" He asked calling Hughes by his title out of habit.
"Lieutenant Colonel," Hughes said. "I thought I got promoted to Brigadier General."
"Yeah, after you were killed," Edward exclaimed. "How would you know you were promoted?"
"This is your subconscious talking so of course I would know." Hughes said laughing. "There's a rumor going around you've fallen in love with my little girl." Hughes added seriously.
"Well, she's not exactly little anymore," Edward said.
"Edward, she will always be my little girl," Hughes answered back smiling. "So is it true?"
"Yes," Edward said hesitantly and felt complete relief when he saw Hughes smile grow wider.
"I'm glad. You were a good kid, Edward. You grew up too fast but you were a good kid and I knew you'd become a good man. There is no one else I'd like to see my little girl with. Promise me you'll take care of her."
"I will," Edward promised. Hughes smiled at him and patted Edward's shoulder.
"Good man," Hughes said as he faded into the fog. "Because you know if you don't I'll rise from the grave and haunt you." Edward laughed.
"I'm serious," Hughes said as he faded away.
Edward woke up with a start. He sat looking at the ceiling, thinking about his dream. He knew it was all in his head but he was glad Hughes had given his blessing because he knew if Hughes was still alive he would have done so. Sure, he would have given it after chasing Edward around Central shooting at him. Then after Maes had caught up and had Edward in a headlock he would have given his blessing. Edward wasn't going to let Elysia go. He wasn't going to throw away happiness. He had paid his dues for the mistakes he made. It was time for him to take advantage of the peace and tranquility that he had helped build for Amestris and for him that peace was with Elysia.
She knew that you couldn't bend people to your will. If you did the person would either break and they would no longer be the same person you had known. Or they would snap back at you and rebel, forever changing your relationship with them. Gracia started to cry thinking how her own parents had not approved of Maes, their distaste for the military made very clear. But Maes did not let that come between them, always being respectful to Gracia's parents and never appearing in front of them in uniform. Gracia remembered fondly how much she liked seeing Maes in uniform though. He was very dashing and she couldn't blame Elysia for falling for Edward. He was handsome and she had known him for years. People change, Gracia thought. I've been too hard on them, only focusing on Edward's bad habits. It was wrong for me to try and force Elysia to ignore her heart. A mother should support her daughter.
"Mom, are you okay?" Elysia asked. She had just walked into the sitting room and found her mother crying. Gracia dried her eyes and looked up at her daughter.
"I'm fine," Gracia said. "Come here, I need to talk to you," she said patting the sofa. Elysia walked over and sat next to her.
"Elysia," her mother started. "I just want you to know I'm sorry for not being very supportive of your feelings for Edward."
Elysia smiled at her mother. She was so relieved to hear those words that she didn't hesitate to take her mother in her arms.
"Thank you," Elysia said as she felt her mother embrace her too. "What made you change your mind?" She asked as she pulled away from her mother.
"I was reading through the letters your father wrote me," Gracia said reaching for a box on the table in front of them. "He used to write three or four letters a day when he was in Ishbal. When I got letters from him, I often got several large packages. He was a very accomplished writer," Gracia said ruefully. Elysia smiled too. This was the first time her mother had ever opened up about her father. Elysia appreciated it. She wanted to hear more.
"He didn't hide anything from me about the war or his work. I knew he was supporting Roy and I supported your father's choice in return. Oh Elysia," she sighed closing her eyes as she remembered her husband fondly. "He was a good man. I miss him so much. There will never be anyone to replace him. I've allowed my grief to turn into bitterness losing him. It's not what he would have wanted and he would want you to be happy."
"Thank you, mom," Elysia said through her own tears. "I can't imagine what it was like for you. To lose someone you loved so much."
"You almost did," Gracia pointed out. "I'm sure you're tired of the excuse that Roy and I were just looking out for you. Edward is a more high profile person and more likely prone to be a target. But even if you had feelings for Jol an accident could befall him as well. I'm sorry," Gracia said taking her daughter in her arms one more time.
"You do know that if your father was still alive he would have given Edward a hard time. Maes was very protective of you and a very good marksman. I told him he was being ridiculous but he kept two guns, fully loaded by the front door in anticipation of the day when the boys took notice of you."
Elysia laughed. She thought how funny it would have been if her father was still alive standing at the door as Edward came over. She wondered if he would be more accepting of Edward having known him for so long.
"Would you like to read the letters your father wrote to me?" Gracia asked.
"Yes," Elysia said breathlessly. She reached out to take the box of letters from her mother. After what Edward and her mother had just told her about her father, Elysia felt closer to him than ever before. It was a wonderful feeling to actually know and understand your own father. He had been such an enigma. This person that at some point given her life, that had their blood flowing through her veins. She hadn't fully realized what a cold, empty void that had been left in her heart not knowing what her own father was like. It was now being filled with warm, happy memories. She was now feeling that he was even more so a part of her and that he was watching over her.
"Has Edward asked you to marry him?" Gracia asked hesitantly.
"Yes," Elysia said as she nodded. "He asked before he left to Risembool. He'll be returning tomorrow and he wants to talk with you. I think he's a little nervous."
"Well, I haven't been exactly the warm and caring mother lately," Gracia said. "Tell him there's nothing to worry about. Of course it's your decision whether you want to marry him or not. But I do appreciate that he wants to talk to me first before taking my only daughter away."
It was a couple of days before Edward would be going back to Central. He had spent most his time with his nephews and nieces. Al and Gloria had kept him entertained by having guests over for dinner. There were a lot of old friends still in Risembool so whoever hadn't been to Al and Gloria's, ended up inviting the family and Edward over to dinner. The neighbors had to endure five wild kids running amok but it was worth it to have the Fullmetal Alchemist, General Elric, in their homes to brag about. Edward took the opportunity to make a trip out to Youswell. He needed a few materials to make something and hoped he could find what he needed there. He tried to visit with Kayal inconspicuously but it was nearly impossible. Kayal had grown up to be just as loud and overbearing as his father. But was very happy to see Edward again and made him feel welcomed. He spent a couple of days in Youswell and with the help of Kayal found all that he needed, returning to Risembool satisfied with his trip.
"You have no taste whatsoever Ed!" Al exclaimed when he saw the ring that Edward had made.
"What are you talking about?" Edward asked looking down at the ring. "It's nice. Don't women like large diamonds? It was the biggest one I could find."
"But its way too big, she'll never be able to lift her hand. Let me see that," and Alphonse took the ring from Edward. Al clapped his hands together, with the ring in the middle, producing a bluish, white light. When he was done, he opened his hand and showed Edward the new and improved ring. Edward took it laughing. The ring did look a lot better. Al had reduced the stone so instead of one giant stone there were three. He also managed to form the stones to reflect more light and slimmed the gold band down. Al carefully dusted what wasn't used for the ring onto a cloth from his hands.
"Seriously, Ed. You never had a creative side and you never paid attention to detail. Everything you do is always rushed and crudely done."
"Yeah, who cares, as long as Elysia likes this one," Edward said examining it in the light.
"She's lucky I got to that ring first. She would have been too embarrassed to wear it."
"Probably," Edward said admiring the ring again knowing how nice it'd look on Elysia's hand. "Hey, want to inscribe something on it for me?"
"Sure," Al said. "What do you want it to say?"
"Sorry you're stuck with the world's biggest asshole," Edward said trying to sound serious.
"I can do that," Al said reaching for the ring. Edward moved it out of his reach quickly.
"I'm kidding," Edward said.
He had made Al promise not to inform anyone when his train would be arriving. The only one who knew was Elysia and Havoc. Al didn't think it a good idea at first. He didn't like his brother going off alone. But he knew that was ridiculous. Edward was a grown man and quite capable of taking care of himself so Al promised. He was just happy to be able to return Edward to Elysia in better shape then when he came to Risembool. When Al had picked up Edward, he was still very pale and thin. But looking his brother over as they stood upon the train platform, Al was satisfied. His brother had regained some weight and hours spent in the sun playing with his nephews and nieces gave him a nice golden tan. Al knew Elysia would be happy to see Edward looking so well.
He put Edward on the train and wondered how long his brother would wait till he married Elysia. Edward had told him he had proposed but a date hadn't been set. Of course he knew Edward and Elysia hadn't really had much time to even consider the details of a wedding and suddenly Al had a sneaky suspicion about his brother. Edward had seemed a bit anxious waiting for his train to arrive. He had a look on his face like he knew something that Al didn't. When Al questioned him, all his brother said was he was just anxious to see Elysia again and to make sure Havoc hadn't fucked anything up. He's up to something, Al thought. I should be prepared to hear from him in a day or two about it. He's so impatient and easy to read. He's probably going to elope with Elysia. So Al prepared himself for the call from his brother that would announce that he was married.
Of course Al was right. Edward didn't want to wait any longer. Already he and Elysia had been separated for nearly three months, though the last month had been his choice visiting Risembool. But he didn't see any reason to wait and he wasn't in the mood, no, he didn't have the patience to wait any longer while a wedding was prepared. There was only one thing that he would have to do before he could marry Elysia. He hadn't talked to Gracia yet. She had visited a couple of times while he was in the hospital but there were always other visitors around there weren't much of a chance to talk. Elysia had told him that she had a good talk with her mother and Gracia was happy for the two of them. But Edward felt it was best that he talk to Gracia too. That she should hear it from him how much he cared for her only daughter. He was making himself nervous just thinking about it. He didn't know how to begin but it had to be done. It should be done, out of respect for Gracia and Maes.