It was still dark when Elysia felt the gentle stroke of a cool, metal finger running down her back. Next she felt her hair brushed away from her neck and the soft kisses that made her heart race. It never failed even though she desperately wanted to sleep.
She knew it was normal to be attracted to one's husband but it seemed to be more than that; more than just love. It felt like an obsession sometimes. However, Edward didn't always help as he easily convinced Elysia to wake up so he could really kiss her.
Elysia didn't know how the other officer wives did it; how they bragged about feigning sleep. She could never resist Edward. But who wouldn't, she thought. She always caught the glances of other women following him even after they had walked past several feet. She couldn't leave him alone without some woman trying to flirt with him. Edward never noticed and was usually suspicious of other men looking at Elysia the wrong way. Elysia felt there wasn't much merit for Edward to be jealous. She wasn't a good looking General, with unique golden eyes and hair who was thirty six but looked twenty six. As far as appearances went, any stranger would hardly guess there was a twelve year age difference between the two of them.
Elysia had her theories about Edward. As to why he attracted so much attention. She had a feeling, that if certain events had not propelled him into the spotlight, he would still receive a lot of attention. His father was a Philosopher's Stone; a stone capable of literally fulfilling anyone's wish by ignoring the laws of alchemy. It had been sought after and fought over. People devoted their lives to it; people had died for it. But no matter what pain it brought, those who went in search of it were possessed by the need to have the power the stone could bring; they were obsessed with it. Elysia didn't want to think she only loved Edward because the blood that ran through his veins might have some trace of the Philosopher's Stone but she couldn't help but wonder. It made sense that he would; he was after all a living Philosopher Stone's son, who healed unusually quick, which she had learned from Dr. Knox, having treated Edward many times through the years. Edward was never sick; no colds, no stuffy nose, no coughs, no fevers - unless he was recovering from some wound but it always faded within a day or two - and he hardly aged like Hohenheim.
It scared her a little. She thought of his fears of turning into Hohenheim, of leaving his family. But that was not what scared Elysia. She could see it in his eyes, his loyalty and his love. He was never one to back down from something. Whatever he wanted, he went for it and got it. He wanted his brother's body back, he got that. He wanted to see his way through the end of the Drachman war, he survived. He wanted to be with Elysia and wouldn't let anything get in his way. He wanted a family and he wanted to be there for them; he was and he always would be. Elysia's fears were superficial, of growing old before Edward. He would always be older but Elysia knew a time would come when she would look older than him. She didn't want to die before him. Not that she wanted Edward to go first - she wouldn't be able to live without him - but she was afraid of leaving him alone. No, she had to be honest with herself. She was really afraid of him moving on without her. He was always so strong. She knew he could handle her death; he could handle anything. She tried not to think on these negative thoughts; they were too confusing and it hurt. She was only twenty four with a long life ahead of her. There was no reason to worry about the future at the cost of the present. But the thoughts would haunt her from time to time no matter how hard she tried to ignore them.
The minutes passed into hours and Elysia completely lost herself within Edward's embrace. It was so easy to do and she was grateful he could help erase her thoughts she kept hidden from him. The last thing she remembered was sighing contentedly, slipping back into a restful sleep in his arms, no longer troubled by anything. A couple hours later it was the calls for her from the other room that woke her out of her dreams to disentangle herself from Edward.
"It's okay," Edward whispered, brushing his lips against her hair. "I'll go."
Elysia was torn. She wanted to go herself but she also didn't want to get up or for Edward to leave. She was so warm and comfortable but they were parents; their daughter took priority over their need for rest, even if it was an active night.
Elysia rolled over as Edward slipped out of bed, found his pajama bottoms and pulled them on. "Why do you spoil me so much?" She asked with a grin, thinking how Edward usually insisted on checking on Erika at night so she could sleep or waking up early when their daughter did.
He came back and kissed her. "Because I have more stamina than you," he said with a wink and a lopsided grin.
Resisting the urge to grab him and pull him back into bed with her she threw a pillow at him instead. He was just too damn cute when he teased her but she was a little sensitive of her body image since having Erika. Sure, Edward with his rock hard abs and lean physique who worked out everyday had the stamina but did he have to flaunt it? At times she felt self conscious next to him. She had lost most of the weight she had gained while pregnant but those last ten pounds wouldn't budge and she mourned the loss of her flat stomach. It wasn't that bad but one always sees themselves differently than others do. Edward didn't mind, telling her he liked that she now had more curves than she did when she was a bony twenty year old. In fact, he could hardly keep his hands off Elysia since she had Erika.
Of course, Edward with his abnormally quick reflexes caught the pillow and tossed it back gently. When Elysia deflected the pillow she found Edward on top of her and he started kissing her. She threw her arms around him until...
"Mommy! Daddy!" Erika was getting impatient. Sometimes she can be just like her father, Elysia mused as Edward sighed and pulled away.
He left the room and Elysia could hear him talking to Erika, placating the little toddler. She could hear her little girl bouncing in the crib, anxious for daddy to lift her out. Elysia smiled. She always loved watching father and daughter together. Edward could be a softy when it came to Elysia but with Erika he was just a pile of mush, always letting the little girl have her way and always devoting his time and attention to her when she demanded it. But she was not always in need of a lot of attention.
Erika could be very quiet and calm, playing by herself for hours on end. Her eye brows pulled together in concentration - looking very much like Edward - as she tried to figure things out on her own, always patient up to a point. When she reached that point she would get frustrated and demand with her limited vocabulary that someone help her. Her stubborn streak would only show itself if she was determined to figure something out on her own and someone offered to help when she didn't want it. There were many occasions when she would grab a block away from Elysia or Edward and announce, "I do!" then continue what she was working on.
Erika was very much like Edward, always insisting on doing things for herself if she was capable. She was also very gentle and easygoing like Edward. The long train rides to Resembool to visit Al and her aunt and cousins never bothered her. She would toddle around on the train, inspecting everything curiously or she would sit and watch the country fly by content with the view. Erika could also be very soothing with her own gentle touch. Elysia often found herself falling asleep, soothed by Erika stroking her hair when she was trying to rock the little girl to sleep.
Elysia finally dragged herself out of bed to get ready for the day. She was hungry and always enjoyed breakfast with her husband and daughter.
It was a typical day. Erika went to work with Edward as she usually did when he wasn't going to be busy with meetings. Elysia would be by for lunch then would take Erika home for a nap. With mornings to herself, Elysia usually spent them painting, either in her studio or at the park. It was a beautiful day so she decided she would go to the park. Edward walked Elysia to her favorite spot then headed to headquarters with Erika on his shoulders. They were such a cute figure Elysia had to quickly sketch the two before they disappeared within the trees.
Once she finished fleshing out the rough sketch she set up her easel and a canvas she had recently started. She mixed a couple of colors on a palette then set to work.
Edward began work as usual when he reached headquarters.
He visited with Havoc for an hour. He visited with Armstrong for half an hour. He talked with Riza to find out what Mustang was up to. She was unusually quiet… for Riza. But she made herself crystal clear when she threatened him with a bullet between the eyes when he asked how much longer she planned to keep her torrid affair with Mustang a secret.
He left for his own office quickly almost afraid she was actually taking him seriously. It wasn't the first time he teased her about Mustang and she usually ignored him. But Riza seemed tense and tight lipped when it came to Mustang that morning. Edward figured he'd find out soon enough what her deal was and made a mental note to tell Mustang that his babysitter was threatening superior officers.
There was a blanket and some toys behind his desk that were for Erika to play with as he finally settled down to read through the daily reports. About an hour before lunch the Captain - who was his secretary and sat outside his personal office - brought in paperwork to be signed. When the Captain left, Edward recruited his daughter to help.
He liked to have a little fun with his staff so he would let Erika doodle along where he was supposed to sign. He did this often to make sure the Captain was paying attention. It made more work for him, having to retype everything for Edward to sign all over again but that was all part of the fun. Served him right for leaving Edward alone with the paperwork.
He was at his desk with his daughter sitting on his knee, taking her job very seriously, when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Edward said as he pulled another sheet of paper for Erika to sign.
The ever loyal Jean Havoc walked in, sporting his new stars and stripes as a Brigadier General that he'd recently received. He didn't want the promotion but Edward threatened him with bachelorhood forever if he didn't accept, tired of his older friend clinging to the Colonel rank for far too long. But Havoc liked Colonel Havoc. To him it just rolled over the tongue smoothly instead of the more laborious Brigadier General Havoc.
"Don't I see you enough?" Edward said, trying to look and sound bored of his friend's constant presence, as he slid aside a piece of paper that Erika got a little too carried away on and brought another in front of her.
"I came to borrow your official paperwork signer," Havoc said indicating Erika. "Somebody," Havoc stressed, looking straight at Edward, "likes to delegate everything to me."
Edward smirked. "She's busy in case you haven't noticed. Are you so old your eyesight is getting that bad now?"
"I'm not that old," Havoc said offended. "I'm only ten years older than you."
"And you look twenty," Edward joked.
"Yes, well, fuck you, sir," Havoc said with a half ass salute as he sat down in front of Edward's desk.
"Excuse you, asshole," Edward said covering his daughter's ears. "Watch what you say in front of my daughter."
"Please, I happen to know her first word was shithead," Havoc said trying to hold back a smile.
"Look, I told you that in confidence. Elysia still doesn't know and I'd like to keep it that way," Edward said removing his hands from Erika's ears.
"I promise not to tell if you offer something in return."
"Like what?" Edward asked.
"I'd like your permission to be betrothed to your daughter. I figure when she's twenty I'll be what, pushing sixty, I'll still be in my prime."
"You sick fu..." Edward put his hands back over Erika's ears. "You sick fuck. Hell, no."
"Well, it was worth a shot. I had to give you the opportunity of making me an official member of the family before I get engaged."
"It's about," hands back over his daughter's ears, "fucking time," he smirked.
About two years ago Colonel Rebecca Catalina had transferred to Central... and she was still single. Of course Havoc, knowing of the transfer before anyone else could get to her, was the first to welcome her to her new post. The two had flirted with each other quite a bit through the years whenever Havoc accompanied Edward on inspections at Eastern headquarters. Both had been too busy with their careers and the distance had prevented more than just flirting.
The first year things moved slowly for them, Havoc was hesitant, waiting for Mustang to strike out of habit, and Rebecca wanted to establish herself in Central first as a competent officer and not as Havoc's latest cream puff of the week. As they became more serious Havoc joked she only said yes when she realized she'd never outrank him and the best way to boss him around was to date him. But he didn't care, he was all too happy to oblige. He was tired of Edward being the only disgustingly happy person at Central headquarters.
There was another knock at the door.
"What do you want?" Edward asked, irritated they were being interrupted. The door opened and a nervous Lieutenant stepped in.
"Sir," he said saluting. "The..."
"Didn't the Captain outside tell you I was with the Brigadier General?" Edward demanded before the poor Lieutenant could get a word in.
"Yes, sir," the Lieutenant trembled.
"So why did you feel it was safe to interrupt knowing that?" Edward asked using his General's this-better-be-damn-important voice.
"Sir, I'm sorry, sir," the Lieutenant stuttered, having a very good reason for interrupting in his own mind but wishing it hadn't meant suffering the wrath of General Elric. "It's just the Fuhrer has requested your presence immediately and he warned me that it should be given within five minutes or I'd be demoted."
"Alright, go back and let him know I'll be there shortly," Edward said irritably.
"Yes, sir," the Lieutenant said as he saluted and backed out of the office quickly.
"Here, take Erika," Edward said as he stood up and went around his desk, handing his daughter to Havoc. He went back and gathered the paperwork he was 'working' on and straightened it out not bothering to hide his daughter's handiwork. "Elysia will be by later for Erika. Leave a message for her with the Captain that she'll be with you and give him these," Edward said handing the pile of paper to Havoc.
"Yes, sir," Havoc said standing up and following Edward out of his personal office.
"I'll be with the Fuhrer," Edward told the Captain and swept out of the outer office.
Havoc sauntered over and carefully placed the paperwork on the Captain's desk. The Captain looked at it and sighed, already knowing what was in store for him.
"When Mrs. Elric arrives let her know her daughter will be with me," Havoc said as he walked by to leave.
"Yes, sir," the Captain said resigned to starting all over again with the paperwork. He pulled out fresh pieces of paper and started to roll a sheet into the typewriter that sat in front of him.
"Oh, Captain," Havoc said pausing at the open door.
"Sir," the Captain said looking up curiously.
"You can request a transfer to my unit. I don't have any kids," he said as he left shutting the door behind him, smirking.
"What does that matter?" The Captain muttered as he looked back down to start retyping the paperwork, knowing working under the Brigadier General was just as bad. He neglected his own paperwork, his staff forging his signature just to get something done, he was constantly late, took extremely long naps and his staff usually covered for him when he would sneak out of his office for even longer lunch breaks with Edward. But the Captain knew nobody would ask for a transfer from the staff of two war heroes. Everyone knew that just because they were stuck behind a desk, ignoring the more mundane tasks of the military, they were definitely not slackers.