Edward was never so relieved to be home before. But it wasn't enough for him to get any sleep as everyone else seemed to be doing well on their own.
Elysia fell asleep, exhausted, with little Erika held close in their bed. He stayed up watching Elysia and Erika as they slept. It felt like months since he'd seen his daughter. Within three short weeks - which felt like a lifetime to him - she had grown and it felt like he missed so much. He swore he would never be gone for that long again.
Not wanting to wake Erika and Elysia, he went off to his study, where he sat alone in the dark now, lost in his thoughts.
It had been quite an emotional return to Central that was all a bit overwhelming. He had to remind himself over and over again that the events had not been his fault. But watching Gracia earlier that day, with tears in her eyes, welcoming her daughter home... he couldn't help but feel that because of him once again Gracia almost lost another loved one.
He lit a cigarette. He didn't really want one. It was something for him to do so he wasn't dwelling so much on his self inflicted guilt... and fear.
He remembered how excited Richard was when he finally met his little sister. On the train platform he had finally extricated himself from his mother and Edward had met his son halfway to introduce brother and sister to each other. After the brief greeting, Richard went off with Erika and a man who he assumed was Erika's husband. They had not been formally introduced. In fact, he didn't even speak to Erika on the platform at all.
It was hard watching Richard leave with his mother and the man that had been his father for sixteen years. Edward felt neglected, forgotten, like he'd never see Richard again.
He managed not to dwell on his insecurities during dinner. It was an unusually lavish affair put together by Oscar and his wife Lucinda, the maid and butler, who were overjoyed to have Edward and Elysia back. He felt he did a good job remaining upbeat and easy going. Even Al didn't suspect anything. He just put it on the back burner of his mind and enjoyed dinner with his wife and daughter, along with Gracia, Al and Gloria, their kids anxiously awaiting their father's return in Resembool with their grandparents.
The evening ended early. The townhouse had plenty of room for his extra guests and everyone was settled comfortably. He liked having everyone close. But it also made Richard's absence more pronounced.
It was quiet as everyone slept; almost too quiet… and lonely.
Richard had been a constant companion while they were at Briggs and he was already missing his son. The stillness and his inability to sleep had him thinking wild thoughts that Erika was going to run away with his son.
"Remember you don't have automail anymore."
Startled out of his thoughts he looked up and saw Al standing in the doorway.
"What?" He asked not completely understanding what Al had said not exactly in the here and now.
"The cigarette," Al motioned towards his right hand.
He looked down. The cigarette he had lit had burned down to a small stub and was quickly burning its way through the paper and tobacco, trying to get at his fingers. He put it out in the ash tray and swept away the pile of ash that had been left by the half smoked cigarette.
"Something wrong, Brother?"
"No," Edward said trying to sound casual.
"You don't fool me," Al said studying him thoughtfully. "I could see it in your eyes all evening."
Edward sighed and sat back, thinking he needed to work on his acting skills. But he might as well confess. There was no way he could avoid Al now.
"I'm glad to be home; that I can be with my family… but without Richard it feels like we're incomplete."
Al understood. He was anxious to get back to Resembool to see his own kids. He also knew that Edward and Richard had quickly formed a strong bond while at Briggs.
"I know Erika is his mother," Edward continued, "and she would want to spend time with him after this mess but I'm sitting here scared that she's going to run off with him and I'll never see Richard again."
"I can understand why you would worry about that," Al said stepping into the study and leaned against the arm of the leather couch. "But I think you're getting worked up over nothing. You'll see Richard again. He's still in town after all," he added with a smirk.
"I know," Edward sighed feeling foolish… and grateful for Al's common sense. It was always easy for him to offer advice and words of comfort; he just didn't understand why he couldn't use it to talk some sense into himself.
"Come on," Al said getting up. "You look tired. Try to get some rest."
Edward nodded in agreement and stood up. Halfway through as stretch he stopped. Al looked at him having heard the knocking sound as well. A second later there was another knock.
"Who would stop by this late?" Al asked.
"I don't know," Edward said leaving the room with Al close behind.
When he opened the front door he was surprised to see Erika standing on the front stoop. "Erika!" He exclaimed.
"I hope I didn't wake you," she said nervously.
"No, I was awake but what are you - ?"
"I wanted to speak with you. We didn't get a chance earlier…"
Edward knew why. It was pretty obvious they had both been avoiding each other. But he didn't know what was so important she needed to talk to him so late at night. It worried him.
He stepped back and opened the door wider. "Come in."
Erika stepped through and paused when she saw Al.
"This is my brother, Alphonse," Edward said shutting the door. "I don't think you two had a chance to meet before we left for Briggs."
"Hello," Erika said.
"Hi," Al said in return as they shook hands politely.
Edward brushed by and escorted Erika into the sitting room. Al followed, intending to continue on back to bed when Edward caught his sleeve and their eyes met. He could see that his brother didn't want to be left alone with Erika; that Edward didn't trust himself not to lose his temper. Al thought it probably would be best if he stuck around.
"Would you like something to drink?" Edward offered.
"No, thank you," Erika said.
Edward motioned for her to sit and he sat across from her, with Al still standing, out of their way, not wanting to make Erika even more nervous then she already was, but still remain close enough to offer moral support for Edward.
There was a moment of awkward silence when nobody spoke. Then, finally Erika broke the silence.
"I just wanted to say thank you, Edward," she began her voice trembling slightly with nerves. "Richard told me everything that happened and you don't know how grateful I am to you and your brother," she added glancing at Al, "for bringing Richard back."
"He told you everything?" Edward asked sounding uneasy as he looked up at his brother.
"Yes," Erika said. "It's all very confusing and… and disturbing," her brow furrowed in confusion as she looked at the floor then back up at Edward. "You are okay?"
"Uh, yeah," he said. "No permanent damage. He concern for him was enough to tell him that Richard did in fact tell her everything. He hoped she didn't ask for any further details. It was something that would likely take the whole night to explain.
"Good," Erika said observing him carefully to assure herself he was telling the truth. Edward was relieved she didn't pry any further.
Then she stood up. "Well, I just wanted to say thank you for risking so much and… I'm sorry."
She moved to leave but Edward stopped her. "Erika, wait."
She backed away from him, looking up with wide, frightened eyes. He didn't think he was that intimidating but guessed she had an idea what he was going to ask next.
"Were you ever going to tell Richard… or me?"
He had gotten the whole story from his son. It angered him that it seemed Erika had no intention of telling Richard who his real father was if he hadn't found out on his own.
She swallowed and straightened her shoulders, her eyes never leaving his but now devoid of all fear. "No."
Edward stepped away from her. Her eyes filled with tears and she opened and closed her mouth as if to explain but instead, she left, the door shutting noisily behind her.
He could only stand there, staring at the spot where she had given him such a blunt yet honest answer.
"Brother?"
Edward jumped having forgotten Al was in the room. A minute later he found himself shaking his head with bitter amusement.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I should thank Russell. If he hadn't kidnapped Richard, I might never have known about my own son."
"You don't know that," Al said slightly perturbed by Edward's admission. "Richard said Erika told him he could meet you when he was ready."
"He knew the truth since he was twelve, Al. Are you going to tell me Erika didn't have some influence in making him wait?"
"That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"
"You heard her, Al!"
Al sighed, silently agreeing with his brother that it was probably the truth. "But what can you do about it?" He asked. "It doesn't matter anymore, what's done is done. Sure, she was wrong to not tell you," Al added when it looked like Edward was going to interrupt, "but now you know you have a son and Richard knows you want him in your life. Build on that and move on."
Edward laughed. "Once again, oh wise sage," he said sarcastically, "you are right." He slowly made his way to the stairs to head back to bed. "However, this is not going to help me sleep at all tonight."
"No," Al said with a comforting hand on Edward's shoulder. "Maybe not tonight but it will get easier."