Okay, those of you who read my profile knew ahead of time that I wouldn't be updating on Friday. Today was quite almost as hectic. But here I am! Sorry for making you guys wait, but my life had a late minute schedule slapped on courtesy of overbearing relatives.
Today I got covered in melted chocolate, and somehow didn't notice. No wonder I was getting such strange looks. My poor clothes, luckily it came out. Note to self, dark movie theaters and a box of chocolate candies might have the ability to somehow spill without your notice, and melt all over you. I was laughing the whole way home. Even though now I need to buy a new purse, mine got ruined by chocolate. Darn it all. I liked that purse.
Chapter Nine
"That one there?"
Edward nodded, jabbing at the glass again. "Yeah. Can I see her?"
The shopkeeper nodded and walked around to where a small door was affixed to the back of the glass enclosure and fiddled with a set of keys before inserting one into the lock. Opening the door he reached in to seize the squirming bundle and draw her out before shutting the door again. Walking back around to where Edward waited he held her out.
Edward's face was a permanent affectionate smile as he took the wriggling puppy into his possession. Drawing her close he looked her over for only a second before he was suddenly laughing as the puppy began to wash his face with her wet pink tongue. "Hey, now!" Ed laughed and held the puppy out enough so that she could no longer reach his face, but she tried.
"She really likes you. I never thought though that you'd be one for dogs, sir." The shopkeeper smiled.
Edward eyed the puppy with a smile. "She's not for me. But I don't mind animals."
"Oh, she's a gift then?"
He looked the puppy over. She was a beautiful creature, a lovely Dalmatian. Her spots were newly acquired according to the shopkeeper. Those mocha brown eyes she turned on him begged him to let her continue bathing him while her tail wagged in a blur. "Yes. She'll do nicely." He said, and hugged the puppy to his chest, granting her clear access to start washing his neck.
The shopkeeper laughed at Edward's resigned expression and waved him over to the counter. "Who's she for?" He asked as he began filling out the ownership paperwork so Edward could sign.
"Someone very special to me." Ed smiled as he kept a firm hold on the wriggling but happily bathing him bundle of puppy.
The shopkeeper nodded with an approving smile, "very good sir." He said, and slid the paperwork towards Edward, along with a pen. "Just sign there," he pointed, "and there. And then she's all yours, with money of course."
"But of course." Ed grinned as he began to sign.
"Do you need anything? Food, collar, leash?"
"Just a leash." Edward cracked a grin as he said, "I've already gotten the collar." As he finished signing and counted out some monetary notes onto the counter he grinned down at the puppy. "You're new daddy thought the collar was for me. He can be a bit stupid, but don't worry, he has a big heart."
The puppy of course didn't understand, and continued to wash Ed's neck as he smilingly recalled that incident.
"What's my real gift then?" Roy asked, holding up the midnight blue and silver fastened collar. "You doing kinky things for me?"
Ed rolled his eyes, and withheld the urge by some amazing feat of strength, to bash the man on the head with his automail fist. "Does that thing even look like it would fit me?"
"Then what is it for?" Roy asked, spinning it around one ungloved finger slowly while he gazed at the indignant blonde sitting next to him on the loveseat.
It was nearing midnight, and Daphne had gone to bed about an hour earlier, and the two of them had remained out in the sitting room drinking wine, and finally celebrating Roy's birthday. Well, the part of Roy's birthday where mothers should not be involved.
"You'll see soon enough." Edward replied and shifted closer to the man beside him, swinging around so he straddled the other man's legs. "There's something else I want to do right now."
Edward was rudely snapped out of his happy little memory as the puppy in his arms somehow managed to strain up far enough to lick him across his nose. Spluttering and wrinkling his nose he glared down at the puppy. "You're just like him, interrupting my thoughts incessantly." He told her, but not unkindly.
"Here, I have some choices for you." The shopkeeper said, bringing over several leashes for Ed to choose from while he stamped the paperwork and put the money away into the register.
Edward perused them only briefly, before choosing one of supple black leather. "This will do nicely." He said, and the shopkeeper bagged the item.
"Do you need a carrier for her?" He asked, handing the plastic bag over after slipping the ownership documents into the bag as well.
Ed shook his head and transferred the Dalmatian's weight into one arm and took the plastic bag in his free hand. "No, it's not far." He said and thanked the shopkeeper before walking out of the brightly lit and cedar scented pet store.
Out on the crowded street he tightened his grip around his tail wagging bundle and started walking. "Now you don't struggle." He told her sternly. "Your daddy won't be thrilled if you come home all dirty because I had to chase you down an alley or something."
The puppy merely barked at him playfully, but hung limp in his arm as if she understood the command.
Edward smiled down at her, and toted the bundle back to Roy's house. He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the structure looming up ahead of him. The puppy wasn't heavy exactly, but she was warm, and it was making his side sweat. Walking up to the front door he put the plastic bag down so he could pull out his key, unlock the door, and get them inside.
Once he'd managed to get the door locked he set the puppy down. "Don't run off." He told her sternly and pulled off his boots and black jacket. Setting his keys aside he pulled out the leash and paperwork from the plastic bag.
"Come on then, stay with me. You can't be getting lost." Edward said and began walking down the wide hallways. As the puppy bounded after him, nipping playfully at his heels, Ed smirked but tried to ignore her.
Walking into the kitchen Ed held the swinging door open long enough for the puppy to enter before walking over to the trash. Tossing the plastic bag away he began to rummage in one of the cupboards. Pulling out two dishes he filled one with water, and one with some leftover bits of meat from the previous night's dinner.
"Here, you stay here and eat and drink." Ed told her as he put her in front of them. "I'll be back in a few minutes." And although the puppy couldn't understand, Edward left her there while he ran the ownership papers up to the room he now shared with Roy. Grabbing the collar from where Roy had put it on one of the dressers, he attached the leash to it and set it aside again.
As he was coming out of the room, a guest room door down the hall opened. "Hey, I thought I heard someone come up." Daphne said with a smile as she walked out clad in faded blue jeans and a black long sleeved shirt.
"For a while." Edward smiled at her. "I'm supposed to be back already. My half hour lunch break is turning into anything but." He said and walked over to give her a hug.
She pulled away with a grin. "I'm sure you can manage to smooth things over with him."
"Oh I will." Ed said with a confident smile and walked down the hallway with her, arm in arm and began to descend the stairs.
"So why the late lunch?" Daphne asked curiously.
"I'll show you." He grinned and began to lead her to the kitchen. "Just pretend you saw nothing. I'm just glad you decided to stay a while longer so I have someone to watch her for today until we get home."
"Her?" Daphne asked curiously, and followed Ed into the kitchen. As she noticed the spotted puppy her face broke into a soft motherly look and she cooed happily. "Awwa-ah, Ed!" She swept over to the puppy to pat her head with a grin.
"Think he'll like her?" Edward asked as he sauntered over, hands in his pockets.
"She's a doll!" Daphne simpered as she took the puppy in her hands, and soon was under the same treatment Edward had been back at the pet shop.
Ed laughed with her for a while. "Don't spoil her, just watch her for me, please?"
"Of course!" Daphne agreed readily as she was being washed. "Does she have a name?"
"Not yet, I'm letting her new daddy name her once we get home." Ed grinned, "so you're okay? I have to get back before I have an even longer lecture from him. I'm already in for it as it is."
Daphne nodded. "Of course, go on. We'll be fine, won't we?" She said, turning to the Dalmatian puppy.
Shaking his head with silent laughter Edward turned and left. Hurrying for the door he pulled on his black jacket again, grabbed his keys, and was out the door.
He fairly ran the whole way back, but he was a mess of smiles when he did make it back up to the office.
"Did you get it?" Hawkeye asked with a smile as he walked in panting, but beaming.
He nodded out of breath, "yeah."
"What is it?" Havoc asked curiously.
"A female. Dalmatian." Edward smiled and chuckled as they clapped. "Yeah, I thought the female thing was fairly ironic myself. Give him a girl to still love, and try my best not to be insanely jealous of a puppy."
"Well not to break up the happy moment," Hawkeye smiled, "but you're late, and he wants to see you."
"I hope you made up some sort of pleasant excuse."
"I told him you were constipated." Hawkeye smirked.
Edward snorted and rolled his eyes. "Gee thanks. You're a real lifesaver."
"I do my best, sir." She replied sweetly. "Survival of the cunning and wicked, my dear Major."
Edward rolled his eyes, "stop trying to steal my thunder." He retorted and shot her a wink before heading over to the door of Mustang's office. Throwing it open he closed it behind him whilst saying, "sorry about that. The food must have been off. You've no idea how constipated that stuff can make you."
Roy looked up at him, doing rather well at hiding a smile. "What was it? I'd rather not get it myself if it has affected someone with a stomach like yours so adversely."
"Oh you know, that meatloaf stuff." Ed waved a hand nonchalantly as he walked nearer.
"Funny, there wasn't any when I went down earlier to look for you."
"Well good, I'm glad they caught on that it was making people ill." Edward smirked as he flopped down onto the black couch he'd loved since he was a young teen.
Roy rolled his eyes. "Out with it, Fullmetal. I know you didn't eat down there. Where'd you run off to?"
Edward smiled at him innocently. "Are you accusing me of trying to fool the man I love?"
"I am." Roy smirked at him, and gave him a reproachful look. "Where'd you go?"
"You'll see." Ed smiled at him. "Don't force me to ruin a surprise, else you're sleeping on the couch."
"That's not a punishment." Roy scoffed. "It's like camping, or something. Guys like camping."
Edward shrugged, "but there is that little catch of me not being there with you."
"Right." Roy knew he'd been had. Sighing in the manner of one who'd been defeated, and knew it, Roy picked up his pen again. "Well I have a mountain of stuff to do, seeing as how I took three days off to go play pin-the-tail on the State Alchemist and whack piñatas."
"You know that Pinako didn't really mean it when she thought you looked like the donkey's ass under that blindfold. Her vision was obscured, and it isn't that great anyway." Edward defended as a smile danced on his lips.
"And her swinging that club at me instead of the piñata was an accident too?" Roy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course." Edward got up to walk around behind Roy. "She just needs time to get used to the idea that State Alchemists are going to be a constant part of her remaining years." He assured him, and leant down to place a swift chaste kiss on Roy's cheek.
"She won't have many left if she comes at me with a club or a needle again." Roy grumped.
Edward grinned at him and patted his shoulder as he walked away. "Back to your work, sir. I'm going to go get some lunch now."
"What?!" Roy asked before Ed could reach the door. "You just-!"
"No I didn't." Ed smirked, and quickly let himself out before Roy could make orders otherwise.
Walking out into the main room again, where Breda and Havoc were chatting to Fuery about something, he took a seat with a sigh. He was a bit tired.
"Does the puppy have a name yet?" Fuery asked, always one for dogs.
Edward shook his head and leaned back in his chair with a bit of a yawn which he tried, and failed, to stifle. "I thought her new daddy should name her when we get home tonight."
"You're bringing her in tomorrow, right?" Fuery pressed.
Edward nodded. "We'll have to. Daphne is leaving tomorrow morning. If we leave the puppy at home she won't learn any manners being alone so much. Besides, Black Hayate could use some company."
"She's leaving?" Breda asked with a frown.
Ed nodded. "She has things to check up on back there. Wants everyone to know she's still alive. But I know she plans to come visit again in a few weeks."
"She never used to visit at all. I was talking to Riza," Jean began in a low tone so his voice wouldn't carry to Mustang's office, "apparently she's only seen Daphne once before. And that was well before any of us knew him. He wasn't even a Colonel back then."
"I could believe that." Edward mused, glancing towards Roy's office door, still closed. "I think all of this has brought all three of us closer."
"Hughes would have been happy." Fuery said, a bit sadly.
"Yeah." Breda agreed, "all the times he used to bicker with Roy about having a family. Now he finally has one."
Edward nodded. Yes, Roy did have a family now. A family he didn't want to part from again. And today it just grew by one member.
"Ed? Snap out of it, boss."
Ed jerked out of his daydream and stared at Havoc. "Hm? Sorry, I'm still a bit tired."
"I asked when the wedding is."
Edward laughed lightly and shook his head. "He's not proposed to me yet." He said, and suddenly stood. "I'm going to go get something to eat. Anyone care to join me?"
All three of them shook their heads, claiming to be not hungry.
So Edward left alone to go hunt down some food for himself. As he walked he thought about the question of a wedding. Raising the hand his engagement ring had once been on, he dropped it suddenly. As odd as it was, he missed the weight of the band and stone. He hadn't even realized it weighed anything until it was gone. He wasn't sure if Roy even still had the ring. He hoped… but he resigned himself to waiting to see for himself. He knew he'd accept if Roy asked him for a real engagement. There were no doubts in his mind about that.
Waiting was hard though. Going from being engaged, even if in a farce, to not being so… it was more difficult a situation than some might realize. It was like there was a sense of belonging missing in his life.
In the mess hall he got a tray, piled a plate with food, and went to find an empty seat.
No one disturbed him, and he wasn't sure if he should be grateful for that or not. But he sat for nearly an hour slowly eating at his food, and thinking all the while. When he was done, he left alone, still deep in thought. His steps led him back up to where the others were, and where they were currently all in the process of starting a game of Breda's choosing. They seemed to take turns choosing what to occupy their time with, and today Breda had chosen a game of truth or dare.
Edward had to admit, from where he stood, and where the bar of being impressed rested, he'd need a twenty foot ladder and a telescope to even see the bar.
Yet he sat down anyway and allowed himself to be coerced into joining in the pointless game.
"Okay, so Edward, your turn. Truth or dare? Truth? Well okay, if you insist." Breda rambled quickly.
Edward glared, "but I didn't-"
"Now boss, no changing in the middle of the game." Breda chastised.
Said boss gave a resigned sigh. "You're lucky it takes me two more seconds to attack than it does Mustang, else I would. I'm too tired though to bother."
"Ouch." Havoc grinned.
"Have you ever kissed a girl?"
Edward blinked at him. "Yeah, my mother." He said shortly and turned to Hawkeye, obedient to the game. "Truth or dare?"
"Dare." She smirked back at him.
"I dare you to kiss Jean Havoc." Edward smirked, and met her surprised look evenly. "Survival of the cunning, was it not?"
"I do believe it was." She smirked back at him. "Very well." She said and got up, marching over to Havoc. "Don't look so shell shocked," she snapped at him, "pucker up."
Edward clapped politely while the other men whistled or gave other vocalizations of approval as Riza bent down to kiss Havoc full on the lips.
And so the game continued, getting progressively loud and at certain points, downright R-rated. It only stopped when other people came into the office, but once they were gone, the game was back in full force. A complete stop was only achieved when Roy himself came out and told them to quit making so much noise.
They agreed meekly.
However he walked over to rest his hands on Ed's shoulders. "It's time to go home."
Edward looked over at the clock in surprise. He was right. In fact, they were fifteen minutes overdue to be leaving. He hoped Daphne wouldn't be worried, or that dinner wouldn't be cold by the time they got home. "I guess so." He said, quickly rising to his feet.
As the others got ready to leave as well, Edward and Roy left together.
Once they had reached the open streets and taken to their usual sidewalk home, Roy linked their fingers together while Edward sidled up closer to him.
"You seem tired, are you feeling okay?" Roy asked in concern after they'd gone perhaps a quarter of the distance.
Edward nodded. "Fine. I just haven't been getting much sleep." As Roy started laughing he threw a reproachful glance the man's way. "Oh shush. It's not because of that."
"Then what?" Roy asked with a wicked smile still planted on his face.
"It's just that the sleep I do get, it feels as if I'm not getting any REM sleep. I keep thinking about something in my sleep, and when I wake up I'm thinking about it." Edward explained.
"What is it you're thinking about so much?" Roy asked, "are you worried about something? Missing Al? We can go visit sooner than this weekend if you want. Your automail isn't bothering you is it?"
Edward couldn't help the laughter as it bubbled up and out. "No, it's none of that. You sure can blather on and on when you want."
"Then what is it?" Roy pressed, wanting to know everything about his Edward that might be causing him to lose restful sleep.
Edward looked over at him, and shook his head. "It's nothing I want you to be concerned about. Trust me, this isn't something I would want to tell you. The end result, while possibly having the outcome I would want, would not be as I desire it."
Roy frowned at him, "very well. But don't drive yourself crazy over it. You're a bit hard to handle when you go crazy."
"I won't." Ed stopped, smiling up at him. "I promise." Giving him a quick kiss, since they were on the sidewalk of an open road, he then started walking again.
They both arrived home, late, but in one piece.
"There you two are." Daphne smiled as she intercepted them at the front door. "I was wondering what kept you."
Edward tugged off his jacket and set aside both his and Roy's keys and tugged off his boots while Roy explained.
"I ran late at work." He said, pulling off his own boots. "Ed waited for me."
"Dinner's on the table." Daphne said with a smile and turned to Edward. "I need to speak to Ed alone though for a moment. You know, mother stuff. Have to give him "the talk" before I leave tomorrow."
Roy rolled his eyes, "just don't frighten him off. I've chased him down once already. While I wouldn't mind doing so again, I'd rather keep him here anyway." He said and started off down the hall.
Edward chuckled and looked over at her. "Did she behave?"
Daphne nodded, "she's already housebroken too I realized. Good thing you have plans to fix up the back yard. She'll be using it."
"I plan to start on that Friday. I'm taking the day off." Edward said and then looked around. "Where is she?"
"Up in my room. I put her there while I cooked, just in case you two came home early. I thought about putting her in your room, but in case he went in there…"
Ed nodded. "I'll go get her after dinner before we retire for drinks and our poker game."
"Sounds fine, she's really well behaved already." Daphne remarked, "she hasn't howled or barked at all."
The two of them walked towards the dining room, still chatting quietly to themselves.
"Oh, and about that talk," Daphne said as they paused before entering, "I know you won't ever purposely hurt him. So we'll just skip that awkward talk, shall we?"
"Sounds nice to me." Edward replied, and they entered.
They took their seats, and commenced dinner.
"Tell me about this business of yours." Edward asked across the table at Daphne.
She nodded and twirled her fork in her pasta. "It's been in the family for generations." She began, "actually once I retire, the vineyard will become Roy's. Which will suit him just fine because half the wines he buys come from my vineyard."
"They're the best." Roy said casually.
"I'd love to come see it one day." Edward said, fascinated. He'd never really been to a vineyard before.
Daphne smiled eagerly, "I'd love to have you visit! Both of you."
"We'll have to set a date then." Roy smiled agreeably.
"You mean it?" Daphne asked him with a teasing smile.
"Ed wants to go, there's no way I am letting him go alone. Not with all those desperate women in that town."
"You know you're the only one I look at." Edward smiled at him.
"I know."
"You both can come, and I'll be glad to have you there." Daphne said happily. At one time, she'd been worried that once ownership of the company passed to Roy, he'd sell it for profit and that would be the end of the family business.
Now?
Now she knew that it would be in good hands. She knew without a doubt that Roy wouldn't sell it, they'd become closer as mother and son. Besides that, she was fairly sure that Edward would throw a fit if Roy ever attempted to sell it.
As dinner ended, Daphne kidnapped Roy to the sitting room, while Edward made an excuse he couldn't recall to run upstairs.
Letting himself into Daphne's room, he was promptly under attack by a tail wagging and licking puppy who could only reach his knee when she stood up on her back legs. "I hear you've been a good girl!" He praised, hoisting the Dalmatian up into his arms. "Now let's go bring you to your new daddy and get you a name."
Somehow he managed to avoid getting his face cleaned again by the purely happy puppy in his arms. Toting her back down the stairs he bore her into the sitting room. Roy had his back to them, and Daphne made no mention of them entering as she finished grabbing a wine bottle and three glasses.
Quietly Edward snuck over to Roy, and with an evil grin, held his tail wagging armful up to the back of Roy's neck.
The puppy did exactly as Ed had predicted she would.
Roy jumped with a startled yelp as a wet tongue was swiped across his neck. "What the f-!"
Edward laughed, and laughed even more at Roy's stunned look as he spotted the puppy. "I couldn't resist." He chuckled and offered the puppy to Roy. "She's yours. Now you know what that collar is for."
Roy took the puppy numbly, ignoring Edward who was currently saying, "your daddy can be so thick headed sometimes."
Instead, he had locked eyes with the happy and wriggling bundle. "She's beautiful." He said softly, and set her down in his lap to drag a hand back across her head and ruffle her ears while holding her still with the other hand.
"You like her then?" Edward asked, kneeling down in front of them.
Roy nodded mutely, and picked the puppy up to hug her to him, still petting her gently.
Daphne winked at Ed as she walked over, and Edward smiled at her before turning back to the puppy and Roy.
"Ed," Roy began, turning his eyes back to the awaiting blonde, "thank you. Really, thank you. She's perfect."
Edward smiled and reached out to lay a hand on the puppy as well. "She doesn't have a name yet. I thought I should let you choose."
"Akilah." Roy decided, running his hands over the puppy again as she attempted to wash his face.
"I think this deserves wine." Daphne said, sitting with them and passing the glasses out.
Roy released his new puppy to bound around the room while he drank wine, dealt the poker cards, and laughed at the puppies antics.
Edward smiled with his success. Roy really liked his gift, and he couldn't be happier. It was just one more step to giving Roy the family he obviously wanted. This family needed a dog, that much he knew.
"I swear I am going to win before I leave." Daphne said as she eyed the cards in her hand.
"Keep dreaming." Roy laughed, and tossed a few chips onto the growing pile. "Betting twenty."
"We can count." Edward informed him, "raising you ten." He said, tossing on a chip.
"Check." Daphne almost groaned.
And so the poker battle continued as the hours passed, and two bottles of wine were depleted from Roy's stores.
"Mind just shipping me a box when you get home?" Roy asked as the remaining wine in the second bottle was shared between the three glasses.
"Sure, I'll bill you once I get back."
"You're making me pay?"
"Until you own the place yourself, yes. I am allowed to make money off of your good taste." Daphne grinned, and turned to Edward. "If you ever want anything though, I'll discount you dear."
"Hey!"
"Thank you, that's kind of you to offer." Edward grinned, ignoring Roy's indignation.
"How come he gets a discount?! I'm your son!"
Daphne smirked, "because I said so?"
"Unfair. Charge Ed's account instead of mine." Roy insisted.
"Hey!" Edward laughed, "you fund me anyway. What difference is there?"
"You don't even know." Roy sighed.
"You fund him?" Daphne asked.
"The majority of his funds I supply. The rest come from military funding in general." Roy explained. "I have somewhat of a soft spot for making sure he has enough money that he never has to worry about anything."
"Awwah." Daphne cooed.
Roy rolled his eyes while Edward laughed.
"Okay, seriously. I'm about to slaughter you two." Daphne said, turning back to her cards.
"None of us are good at bluffing, are we?" Edward remarked.
"That's why we're playing here at home." Roy grinned and looked at his cards. "Check."
After another hour, Akilah was asleep in front of the fireplace which was flickering a calming heat out over them all. It was only then, that Daphne won.
"Yes!" She exclaimed triumphantly.
Roy and Ed both groaned audibly, and ducked as she swiped at them.
After several minutes of Roy and Daphne taunting each other, she excused herself for bed, and left the two of them and the puppy downstairs.
Edward turned to Roy as he came to sit back down on the floor with him after clearing up the cards, empty wine bottles and glasses. "You really like her then?"
"Akilah?" He asked, and at Ed's nod, smiled. "Of course I do. Is that where you went today?"
"Yeah, I picked her up. I had my eye on her for a few days before I… well, before I left. She just seemed to suit you." Edward explained and stretched with a yawn.
"She's a wonderful gift, Ed." Roy assured him.
"I wanted you to have a family. Dogs are good family." Edward said thoughtfully, watching the sleeping Dalmatian.
Roy smiled, "she's not the only one I want in my family." He said, and took Edward's hand in his. "Edward, I love you. I want you by my side always. Please, stay." He continued, and drew out the engagement ring he'd kept with him since Ed had given it back, "stay with me. Marry me."
Edward watched as the ring was slipped onto his finger again, and then quickly snapped his head up to meet Roy's searching eyes. "Yes." He said as he broke into a grin. "I'll marry you."
Several minutes later, Akilah stalked in an almost offended way out of the sitting room in search of a quieter place to keep resting. After all, puppies needed their sleep if they wanted to grow into healthy adults. Those two were apparently already healthy and quite energetic adults, she'd leave them to that.