Dear reader,

I don't know why but this idea literally kept me up last night and I couldn't stop thinking about it until I had finally written down something. I feel like Trisha's and Hohenheim's relationship is relatively ignored and I needed the chance to explore it in my own way, hence this story. Just a warning there will be plenty of fluff and angst as the story progresses. I hope you enjoy!

~Strix

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

Chapter 1: The Lost Becomes Found

"Ed, I really need you to clean out the attic. We could use the space," started Winry. She looked intently at Ed, a baby on one hip with their other child tugging on her pants for attention. Ed looked down at his son, a smile lighting his face as he reached down to ruffle his blond hair.

Closing his book he slowly got up. "Fine," he huffed, "but on one condition."

"And what would that be?" asked Winry, a thin eyebrow raised.

"You have to make me your apple pie," Ed exclaimed with a large grin. He could already taste the sweet pasty gracing his taste buds.

"All right, but we should invite Al, you know how hurt he'd be if he learned I made it without him here."

"Okay, I'll give him a call after I'm done," replied Ed as he began to walk up the steps towards the second floor. He could hear his wife addressing their eldest as he made his way up. "Do you want to help mommy make a pie, Maes?" He could hear the high pitched exclamation in response as he went to pull down the ladder to the attic.

Walking up the steps, he breathed in the musty air and sneezed. Dust swirled through the air in a swirling vortex as he moved through the cramped space. A thin coating covered the stacks of books and boxes that were haphazardly heaped on each other. Sighing, Ed bent down and began to work, creating several piles, some for items designated to the trash and others that he would have to ask his wife about.

As he worked he found himself reminiscing about the past. Many of the items in the attic, though dusty, still had the ability to bring old memories to the surface. He found Winry's wedding dress protected in a garment bag which was hung on the rafters. The metal facets that decorated the white fabric glistened in the light emitted from the bare bulb in the ceiling. He remembered how much she had wanted to add her own embellishments to the gown, with the help of Granny Pinako. The intricate metal flowers she had crafted on her sash had shined brilliantly in the light of the ceremony. He smiled at the memory, a blush appearing on his face as he remembered the night of. It had been worth the wait, it was also the night Maes had been conceived.

A small bird figurine on a stack of thick novels caught his attention. He picked up the delicate structure reflecting on how he had made it all those years ago. He had modified the statuette until it had reached perfection. He remembered how he had shyly given the gift to Winry as a present for her seventh birthday. She had given him a small kiss on the cheek in appreciation which began the crush he had denied for so many years after.

The memories came and went as he ventured further into the confines of the attic. Stirring up miniature dust storms as he went. Finally, he approached the back of the cramped space and spotted an ornate chest pressed against the wall. He could just make out the initials T.E. before he felt his heart stop. He stumbled over and slumped down before chest, hands shaking as he opened the clasp, He hesitantly opened the lid and glanced at the items it held.

Inside he found several garments, pressing them to his nose he took a deep breath. Even after all of these years they smelled just like her, homemade pies, summertime and wild flowers. Removing the top layer of cloth, he found the two miniature horse statues that he and Al had made when they began to practice the art if alchemy. Placing these aside he found a small jewelry box, engraved with T.E. + H.E. inscribed on the top. Opening the top he found a scarce amount of jewelry in it.

The last item in the chest appeared to be a collection of brittle pages, bound together in a leather cover. Opening to the first page Ed surveyed the contents and felt his eyes widen in response. He didn't know how long he spent in the attic but the smell of pie wafted up to him and footsteps could be heard climbing up the stairs.

"Ed are you done yet? I already called Al, he's on his way with Mei." Winry stated before she saw Ed crouching in the corner. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly, making her way over to him. Glancing over his shoulder she could see Ed's pained expression as he looked at the small book.

"Winry, did you know this was here?" Ed asked in an unsteady voice. She looked at the small trunk, her eyes lingering on the delicately engraved letters.

"No, granny must have put this here when your mother was living here. What is it?"

"Letters that she wrote… to my father."

Winry felt her breath leave her body in a sharp exhale. This was amazing. To think that the last months of Trisha's life were documented right here, in a chest in their attic. "Oh Ed," she breathed.

"Yeah, I haven't had the chance to read anything yet. I think I should wait for Al, it would only be right if he was here too," Ed replied in a soft voice.

Their conversation was interrupted by the tinkle of breaking glass from downstairs. Winry jumped to her feet and hurried down the stairs while Ed quickly gathered up the contents of the chest, carrying it with him down the stairs. He set it down on the kitchen table before moving towards the source of Winry's voice.

Arriving on the scene he found a broken crystalline vase next to a crying Maes, who was being comforted in a soft voice by Winry. "What were you doing with the vase?" asked Winry in a soothing tone.

"I just …wanted to see how it looked in the sun. Nina likes the colors," explained Maes haltingly as his sobbing slowly subsided.

"I thought we told you not to touch glass."

"It's okay Winry, I'll have this fixed in a moment," announced Ed as he finally made his appearance known.

He clapped his hands and laid them on the broken pieces. A look of surprise entered his expression as he remembered that he could no longer use alchemy. "Oh that's right," Ed muttered, rubbing a hand through his hair. "Al can probably fix it when he's here." Winry gave him a look of sympathy, knowing how much it still hurt him that he wasn't able to transmute materials as he had in the past.

"Uncle Al is coming?" asked Maes excitedly. Winry nodded, causing her son to jump up and down with joy. Nina giggled from her position in her play pen.

"That's right I still have to finish dinner, Ed would you mind watching the kids while I finish?"

"Of course Winry." Ed bent down and scooped up Maes, causing him to laugh. Winry walked into the kitchen. The sound of sizzling and the clash of metal could be heard coming from the room as she resumed cooking.

Ed settled Maes down on the floor and let Nina out of her play enclosure. He took out some paper and crayons and instructed the kids in making basic transmutation circles. Winry rolled her eyes from her position in the next room as she eavesdropped. She knew how much Ed wanted at least one of his children to inherit his skills as an alchemist though, she felt the same with her ability as a mechanic. Winry would always argue that it was much too early for them to learn because of the dangers it posed. Ed's only response would be to tell her that they could be even greater than he was if they learned from an earlier age. This was a constant point of disruption to an otherwise happy marriage, it was one of the few arguments that Winry allowed herself to lose.

Ed surveyed the finished results of his children's work. Nina's composition was less then desired, where the circular structure appeared egg-shaped, but considering the fact that she was only two he gave her a pass. When he saw Maes' work, his eyes widened in surprise. There, colored in blue crayon, was a perfect circle. The lines and symbols were perfect. He applauded both of their efforts and promptly hung them on the wall.

A doorbell resounded throughout the house, disrupting Ed's lesson. Maes leapt to his feet and ran to answer it. His squeals of delight could be heard as Ed got to his feet. Nina toddled over, joining her older brother in greeting their uncle and aunt. Ed approached the door and greeted his brother and sister-in-law. Al and Mei were both enthusiastically talking to the kids as they made their way into the house.

Winry peeked her head out of the kitchen, acknowledging their guests. "You made it! Dinner will be done in five minutes. Ed, I need you to move the chest and set the kitchen table."

"Could you…" Ed trailed off. He was about to ask them if they could watch Maes and Nina, but there attention was already fully focused on the children. Ed grinned and left to set the table. The chest sat there, as a solemn reminder of what he had recently drudged up from the attic. He moved it on an end table. It could wait until after dinner, he thought, knowing it would bring up painful memories for both him and Al. He wiped down the table and set the dinnerware.

Winry came into the room, bringing with her a roasted chicken, which she promptly set in the middle of the table, giving him a look. He followed her into the kitchen before she turned on him. "Are you going to tell Al about what you found?"

"After dinner, I don't want to destroy our dinner over it," replied Ed in a quiet voice. Winry nodded her head in agreement before handing him a plate to put on the table. Setting down the plate he went back into the living room. "Food's ready," he announced.

"Great I'm starving!" said Mei as she went into the dining room, holding Nina.

"You're always starving," replied her exasperated husband as he followed her lead, Maes' hand in his own.

Soon everyone was seated. The sounds of eating and conversation reverberated throughout the house, creating a warm environment. Al talked about his research in Xing while Ed talked about Maes' and Nina's duel accomplishments in creating transmutation circles. Mei focused on eating, sparing quick responses when the conversation turned to her. Winry focused on feeding Nina while discussing improvements that she had made to various designs of automail she had been working on. Once the main course was done, Winry went to get the apple pie, much to Al's pleasure.

Maes and Nina were both sleepy by the time desert was served. Nina finally dozed off in her high chair, after consuming every savory morsel of her serving. Winry picked up the sleeping Nina, wiping off messy fingers and a sticky mouth before bringing her to her bedroom. "I'm not going to bed until Uncle Al does his alchemy," murmured Maes as he suppressed a yawn.

"What am I doing with my alchemy?" asked Al with a slight tilt of his head.

"A vase was broken earlier and I told Maes that you might be willing to fix it for us," explained Ed.

"Of course, where is it?" Asked Al. Maes answered by grabbing his hand and dragging him to the shattered vase in the living room.

"Do you think you can fix it?" asked Maes, a pleading expression filling his face.

"Hmm, I don't know, do you have all of the pieces?" replied Al with a gleam of amusement in his eyes.

"Umm, I think so," answered Maes as he look back at the pieces.

"Alright then, stand back." Al clapped his hands together and placed them over the shards of glass. They flew together seamlessly while Maes applauded.

"That was awesome!" exclaimed the exuberated Maes.

"Yes, well now it's time for bed, come on, say good-bye," Winry insisted as Maes let out another yawn.

Both Al and Mei bent down to give him a hug before Winry took his hand and led him to his room.

Both Al and Mei looked at Ed expectantly. It was clear that something was on his mind. During dinner he kept glancing in the corner of the dining room, a perturbed expression gracing his features.

"What is it?" asked Al with a knowing look.

Ed's face became serious as he thought about what he had found. "I was cleaning out the attic today and I found something. Hold on a moment, I'll go get it." He said as he entered the dining area to retrieve his mother's only possessions.

Ed came back moments later with the chest in hand. He placed it on the coffee table in the living room before gesturing for Al and Mei to sit on one of the couches. Winry joined them and sat on the other loveseat with Ed. Al examined the truck, a look of shock appearing on his face as he noticed the initials.

"Is that what I think it is?" asked Al in an awed voice.

Ed nodded as Al went to unlock the clasp. Opening it he found the clothes. His initial reaction was identical to Ed's. He brought the cloth to his nose and inhaled deeply, eyes closing as he visualized his mother, breathing in a scent he thought he would never smell again. Placing the clothes aside he reached in for the small statues, grinning at the memory of when they had first presented them to her. He took out the jewelry box, surveyed the contents and placed it next to the other items. His hands shook slightly as he carefully held the book for all to see. Opening to the first page he looked up sharply at Ed as he read the words printed in a delicate script on the brittle paper. "Have you read this yet?"

"I waited until you got here," replied his brother. Al's eyes filled with gratitude as he glanced back down at the small book. "I don't think I can read this, here you do it." He handed the book to Ed who took a deep breath before reading his mother's final letters.

There we go, I hope the introduction wasn't too long. I plan to make this story relatively short and sweet. Thank you for reading and stayed tuned!