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The cries in the middle of the night forced Ella out of her sleep. She had wanted to get immediate sleep as soon as Mandy was born, but the baby wasn't letting her. For some odd reason, though, Ella didn't mind too much. She walked over to the crib in her bedroom, lifting the newborn out of her crib.

"Mandy, Mandy, Mandy," Ella smiled a little. She checked her baby's diaper, making sure it was clean, before she removed her shirt and began to breastfeed. Ella was still wearing maternity clothes, too, because she couldn't fit into her old clothes. Another thing Trisha was right about. "Please tell me you're not going to keep me up every night like this." her baby cooed and suckled in response.

Ella sat down on her bed while continuing to breastfeed. At night, she was left all on her own with the baby. She knew that if needed, Trisha would come and help her, but Ella just couldn't bring herself to ask. Her mother had done so much already..

Mandy fell asleep after she finished feeding, but instead of putting her back in the crib, Ella just placed her on the bed next to her, surrounded with a pillow barrier. She decided now was the best time as any, completely awake at this point, to read the letters that Roy had sent.

Dear Ella,

Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong? I didn't mean to upset you, but you knew I had to leave for school. I don't know if I'm passing, I've been getting C's on all my tests. I'm worried; dad is threatening to throw me out of school. I'm only going to school because I want to buy you a real nice house in central someday.

Love, Roy

P.S. My roommate, Maes, has a really nice girlfriend that you gotta meet.

Dear Ella,

So, I take it you're way too pissed to write me. I tried calling, but no one answered; I think maybe your phone is disconnected or something. There's this nice girl named Riza who's been tutoring me, but I don't think I'm gonna make it in school.

Love, Roy

Dear Ella,

I started at basic training, and I think I'm doing really good! Maes started with me too; we've been competing with each other. I know you would think that's stupid, but if that gets a rile out of you, at least I can get something.

Love, Roy

Dear Ella,

I'm a major! It's so awesome, and I'm thinking maybe I can get a higher rank someday. I don't know if you want to talk to me, or if you even want to see me ever again, but I really would like to hear from you.

Love, Roy

Ella sighed, putting all the letters away. There was nothing she could do at this point; if she wrote him now he would be wondering, and she would have to explain it all.

Looking down at her sleeping daughter, Ella knew she was doing the right thing.

Seventeen years later.

"Are you sure you wanna do this? Go with me to Central?" Eighteen–year old Ian Rockbell asked his best friend, Mandy. His red hair turned even redder in the sunlight, and his sky blue eyes stared down at his friend's black ones.

"Of course I want to go with you. If I don't get out now, I never will." Seventeen–year old Mandy Elric said. Her long curly brown hair was in a ponytail, and she had a duffle bag thrown over her shoulder.

"I just don't think you should leave without telling your mom goodbye, and you know it's illegal for you to join if you're not eighteen yet. Maybe you should wait, think on it, maybe for a year." Ian suggested.

"Ian! You know as well as I do, mom's not gonna tell me a thing about my dad. I need to go find him, and I know he's in Central." Mandy argued.

"But do you really have to join the military with me to do it?" Ian asked.

"I'm gonna need something to do while I'm trying to find him," Mandy shrugged. "What better than the military?"

The two walked down the path until they reached the train station, boarding it before anyone could stop it. That's when Ella found her last letter.

Dear Mom,

I know you don't want me to know anything about my father, but I have to know him. What if I have some freaky disease and it's from him? What if I need a new kidney? I know he's in Central, I just have to find him.

Love, Mandy

P.S. I'm joining the military with Ian, please don't try to stop me.

Ella looked out the window, determined to stop her daughter from leaving, knowing that if she joined the military the only person she would find was Roy.

The train departed in the distance, a horn blaring to signal it.