Hello again everyone. After pondering over what I should write about, I came up with the idea to fight 'Father' again. But this time, in Drakes old world. This story takes place as if the 'New Adventures' story never took place. Drake and Jess never had more children, so there are only the three from 'The War' story. I hope you enjoy the story.

The Blade Alchemist: Father Returns

Family Picnic

Thirteen Years After The Promised Day

Drake POV

I was sleeping deeply in bed next to my wife, Jess. I was having dreams about the old days when Ed, Al, my wife and I were traveling together on our quest to stop 'Father'. As much as I hated all the troubles we had gone through fighting 'Father' and the homunculi, I really did miss the days we traveled together. It's now rare that we get to see each other anymore. Due to my wife and children all being part wolf, we had to live in Resembool, away from any towns or cities. Ed and Winry had two kids, and now live in Rush Valley, where Winry owns here own shop. Al had moved to Xing with May and have one child, and are now expecting their second in a few months.

I was woken up by my wife getting out of bed and walking to the restroom. I let out a yawn, sat up, and began stretching. I looked at the bedside table and saw the group portrait of the brothers, Winry, granny, and my family and I. A tear came to my eye when I looked at granny. She had sadly passed away two years ago, and we were all heartbroken when she left us. "Morning honey." Jess said mid yawn. I turned around to see her walking up stretching her arms. "Morning wolf. Sleep well?" She finished her stretch and nodded. "Yeah. You?" I smiled and turned back to the photo.

"Yeah. I was dreaming about the old days. I really miss those days, hon. We should schedule a day for us all to get together again." Jess climbed on the bed behind me and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Yeah, we should. I miss those days too." She leaned around and kissed my cheek. "So whats the plan for today hon?" she asked. I thought about it for a minuet. "You don't have any orders to fill today?" Winry had taught Jess quite a lot about automail. When granny had passed away, Jess took over her customers and orders. "No, not for the next few days." I returned to thinking about what to do. "Well, how about a family picnic? It's been awhile since we had one."

"I like that idea. Lets do it. Wanna go to the lake?" I thought it over, then nodded. "Sounds good. Me and the kids can take some poles and fish while we're there." She smiled and kissed my cheek again. "It's perfect. You go wake the kids, I'll make the lunches." I turned around and gave her a kiss on the lips. "Will do, hon." We both got up and left the room. I walked over to Sarahs room and knocked. "Sarah, you awake?" I heard yawning, then footsteps coming to the door. The door opened and there stood my thirteen year old daughter. "Am now, dad. Whats up?" I placed my hand on her head and ruffled her hair.

"We're going for a picnic this morning. Go ahead and get dressed." She smiled and nodded. "Alright dad. I'll be down in a few." She closed her door and I woke up the other two, Elizebeth, Liz for short, and Justin. I walked back to my room and got changed. As I was putting my pants on, my plain silver pocket watch fell out. I stayed a State Alchemist for eleven years after the Promised Day, but two years ago, I retired. Mustang, who was a General at the time, gave me the new watch as a retirement gift. I slipped the watch back into the pocket, then walked downstairs to help with the lunches. I walked up and kissed my wife. "Hey honey, I've got this. You go upstairs and change."

She nodded and walked out of the kitchen. "Hey dad, where are we having the picnic?" Justin asked. "At the lake. So can you go out to the shed and grab the poles?" He nodded and walked out the front door. "Hey Liz, can you go grab a large blanket from the closet for us to eat over?" She yawned, then went upstairs. "And Sarah, can you get some tea going? For now, and the picnic?" She smiled and nodded. "Okay dad." I finished with the sandwiches, then went to the pantry for the crackers. "Hey dad. Can I bring one of my alchemy books with me?" Sarah asked and I nodded. "Yes, but I thought we could do some fishing while at the lake."

"Oh I'll fish dad. But I would like to study some as well." I chuckled. "Of course. And knowing Justin, he'll want to as well." I placed the crackers in the basket and got the cheese from the fridge. "Got the blanket dad." I turned to see Liz holding the blanket I asked for. "Thanks. Just set it on the table for now. Can you give Justin a hand with the poles?" She nodded and walked out side. "Tea's ready dad." I nodded and grabbed some cups from the cupboard. "Hey honey." I heard Jess call from the room. "Yeah?" I hollered back. "Don't forget about the umbrella." I mentally face palmed, I had indeed forgotten it. "Thanks hon. And the tea is ready."

"Okay hon. Be right down." Jess answered. "I got the umbrella dad." Sarah stated and went outside. The phone suddenly began to ring. "I got it!" I hollered as I walked over and picked it up.

"Ganters residence."

"Hey Drake. It's been awhile."

"Oh, hey Ed. How are things with you?"

"Good. Shops as busy as ever. What about you guys?"

"Just fine. We're heading out for a family picnic this morning."

"That's good. Me and the family were planing on coming over for a visit next week. That okay?"

"Of course. Just tell Winry no apple pie."

"I'll give her the message. Tell everyone we all said hi."

"I sure will. You do the same Ed. It'll be good to see you guys again."

"Same here, Drake. See you guys next week. Bye."

"Bye, Ed." Click.

"Who was that hon?" I turned to see Jess walking down the stairs. "It was Ed. He and the family are coming over next week for a visit." She smiled and nodded. "That's great. I can't wait to see them again. It's been over a year now since we last saw them." I sighed and nodded. "Yeah. It has. It's just not the same anymore, is it?" She sighed as well, walked over and gave me a hug. "No. We really need to get everyone together again." I nodded and kissed her. "Yes, we do. But enough of that for now. We got a picnic to go to." She smiled and we both went to the kitchen. "Got the poles dad, but one of them broke." I turned to see Justin holding one of the poles that was broken about a foot from the tip. "It'll still work. Just not for the bigger fish. We'll make do."

We got everything ready and left the house walking down the road. "Hey guys. Uncle Ed and the family are coming over next week." I stated. All three kids turned to me and smiled. "That's great dad! I miss uncle Ed and aunt Winry." Liz stated. "Yeah! And Zack and Ashley too!" Justin followed. We walked for about an hour till we got to the lake. "You guys go ahead and mess around. Me and your mom will get set up guys." I stated and they ran off. Me and Jess layed the blanket out and sat down on it. "Honey, can I ask you something?" Jess asked and I turned to her. "Uh, yeah. Why can't you?" She set the basket to the side and snuggled next to me.

"Honey, it's been two years since you left the military. And you have yet to find out what you want to do. My working with automail more than pays the bills and such, so you don't need to work. But you do nothing but take care of the house and kids. Don't you want to do something for yourself?" I sighed and thought about it. "Well, not really. I would like to do something, but I don't know what. Really, the only thing I know is alchemy. And I really only know how to use it in combat. And there's not much in town for me to do. To tell you the truth, I have thought a couple times about going back to being a State Alchemist. But….those days are over. I want to stay home with my family."

Jess let out a sigh. "Hon, over the past few months, you've been a little down. I can see you're bothered about not having anything to do. If you want to do something, then do it. None of us will be mad, even if you go back to being a State Alchemist. Just find something. It's depressing to see you down like that." I smiled and nodded. "I'll think on it hon. I'm gonna take a nap, okay?" She smiled and nodded. "Okay. I'll hang around the kids. I'll wake you when it's time to eat." We kissed, then she got up and went down to the water with the kids. I layed back and closed my eyes, sleep slowly taking me.

I was dreaming of old times again, but this time of the day we met Ling in Rush Valley. He had sent his two guards after Ed and Al, and they damn near destroyed the city. Jess, Ling and I were sitting at the restaurant table talking and getting to know Ling. I WILL CALL UPON YOU TONIGHT. That voice! I jolted up out of sleep and immediately looked around to see where the voice came from, but saw no one. Jess and the kids were about fifty feet away at the lake edge. Was I just dreaming? But I know that was his voice. There is no mistaking it. I rubbed my face and shook my head. "Honey? You okay?"

I looked up at my wife and smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a weird dream is all." She looked at me worried. "You sure?" I smiled, pulled her down, and kissed her. "I said I'm fine. It wasn't a nightmare, just a weird dream. Not one I was expecting so it shocked me is all." She smiled and kissed me back. "Okay hon. You ready to eat?" I pulled my watch out and checked the time, 11:43. I was asleep for about two hours. "Yeah, lets eat." She nodded and turned to the kids. "Hey kids! Lunch!" They all ran up to us and sat down on the blanket. Jess pulled the sandwiches out and handed them out to everyone. I pulled out the tea and poured a glass for everyone.

"So Justin, Sarah, hows the alchemy coming along?" I asked. "It's coming, dad. We're starting to get into the more advanced stuff now." Justin answered. "Any idea what you want to do later down the road?" Justin bit into his sandwich and swallowed. "Well, me and Sarah both thought about starting an alchemy school once we learn enough. We wanted to see if you want to help." I smiled, nodded, then turned to Jess. "Well hon. Looks like I found something to do." She smiled back and kissed me. "I'm glad hon. But that's a few years down the road." I chuckled and shook my head. "Not really. They can show me what they know, and if they are good enough, we can start in as little as a year."

Justin and Sarahs faces lit up and they smiled. "Can we mom?" Sarah asked and Jess sighed. "Yeah, sure. If you know enough. Me and your dad will talk about it." They both nodded and continued their lunch. I was happy as well, but my mind kept going back to the dream. It was just a normal dream, then it suddenly stopped, and I heard that voice. I will call upon you tonight? What does that mean? "Honey?" I was taken out of thought and I turned to my wife. "Yes?" She tilted her head. "Are you sure you're okay?" I chuckled and nodded. "Yes, I'm fine." She smiled, and we all continued our lovely picnic.