Full Metal Alchemist: The story after:
By: Kathy Rhodes,
Chapter 1,
Ten years after the loss of Ed's Alchemy and the start of his family, Ed was quietly enjoying the simple life without it. With his brother in the east coming in for a visit, Ed was doing everything he could to help with his arrival. Suddenly a large wrench hit Ed on the top of his head and he fell out of his hammock.
"Yow, Winry! That hurt!" Ed exclaimed, rubbing his head.
"You know you should be helping out, too," Winry said, holding her favorite tool. "Even the kids are helping out, they're really excited."
Right then, their eight year old son, Michal, and their five year old daughter, Amy, came running down to their parents. Michal had on overalls and a plaid shirt, while Amy was in shorts and a tee-shirt. Both had beautiful blue-gold eyes and blonde hair. Amy's hair was short, while Michal was sporting a very small braid.
"Daddy, Mommy!" Amy cried over the small hill.
"Uncle Al and Aunt Mei are here!" shouted Richard, just as the said couple came over the hillside.
Mei was wearing her country attire, a nice tee-shirt and some jeans. Al was dressed in a plain button up shirt and also some jeans. Al had both suitcases. Mei was holding a child, hers and Al's. Ed's eyes widened as he came up the hill.
"Al, you didn't tell me you had a kid," Ed said in awe. He looked up to his brother and grinned. "So which is it? Boy or girl?"
Al looked at the little child and softly stroked his baby's head. "It's a little girl," Al said proudly.
The child, about 3 months old, opened her tiny gold eyes and smiled. It was a very weak smile. Her little black hair seemed to be just as lively as her mother's. Her hands reached out of her tiny blanket and reached for Mei's and Al's.
Mei looked at the child fondly. "Her name is Show Mei, little plant." Ed looked at Al with questions in his eyes. Al just said, "What? It's a cute name."
Ed held up his hands and laughed, "I didn't say anything. Let's go inside, Winry and the kids have been working hard to get your rooms ready."
Al looked over, eyebrows raised, "'Winry and the kids'? What were you doing, nee-san?"
Ed looked down the hill at his hammock and Al followed his gaze. "Need I say more?"
Al laughed and so did Ed. It felt good to be with family.
The dinner table was full of life and laughter. Winry was talking with Mei and Ed with Al.
"She's three months? Wow that goes by quick doesn't it?" Ed said.
"Yeah," Al said. "She's growing so fast."
Amy was the only one quiet as Rodger was shoveling food in his mouth. She kept pushing her food around, but ate a little bit as to not attract any attention. She looked up.
"Mommy?" Amy asked timidly.
Winry pulled away from her conversation. "Yes?"
"May I be excused?"
Winry raised her eyebrows but did not comment. "Sure, dear. Just don't wake up the baby."
Amy nodded and leapt off of her chair. She then walked briskly out the door.
Something's wrong Ed thought as he watched his daughter out of the corner of his eye.
Amy's walk soon became a run as she reached her father's favorite place: his hammock. She then jumped on top of it and looked into the stars. She let her long blonde hair flow off the side of the hammock as she thought.
Show Mei? She's really cute, but she can't do anything. All she's done is sleep since she got here. Well, there was the time she got here, but she looked really weak. Is she dead?
Amy opened her really tired eyes in a panic. She sat up and held onto her knees. She buried her face so she could concentrate.
What if the trip in the desert killed her?
Amy then started to cry. She didn't want her first cousin to be dead. Just then, Ed came over to the hammock and put Amy on his lap. Amy turned her tear-streaked face to her father.
"Daddy?"
Ed looked upon his little girl with care. "Yeah, sweetie?"
"Did Show Mei die?" Amy cried.
"No, sweetie. What made you think that?"
Amy looked down and twiddled a little bit. "Didn't you say that they had to cross a big desert?"
"Yeah."
"Well," Amy twiddled some more. "I looked up desert. It said that they were extremely dangerous and should be avoided." Amy looked up, about to cry again. "Did the desert kill Show Mei?"
Ed looked at his daughter and then laughed. Amy was really upset. "Did it?"
Ed looked down. "No, Auntie Mei would not let her do something that would kill her."
Amy smiled and hugged Ed. Ed hugged her back. He then looked at the lens and mouthed "It's all right."
Al, Mei, and Winry were all looking through Al's alchemy-made contraption. Mei looked at Al. She looked like she was about to cry. Al held her.
"I know, I know" Al comforted her. Winry looked at them, puzzled. "What's wrong?"
Mei looked at Winry, tears staining her face. "If we didn't bring Show Mei here, she would have been killed."
Winry was shocked. She knew that Ed and Amy could hear the entire thing.
Ed blasted through the door holding Amy in his arm. She was cradling onto his neck for dear life.
"Everyone down to the basement! NOW!"