March 5th, 1976
"He's such a beautiful baby, Art," Winry cooed as she cradled her newest great-grandson in her arms. The newborn squeaked slightly, but was mostly asleep now that the drama of birth was behind him. "They've all been."
"Must be the genes," Reichart teased, though his tired smile was busting with pride as he looked at his second son… his third child.
"Well that's true," Winry acknowledged, smiling back. "Your father was a handsome little guy, as were all of you boys. I can't speak for Ed. I'm afraid he's too old for me to remember that far back."
"What do you mean I'm too old?" Ed joined them, leaning over Winry's shoulder for a good look. They were all standing in Reichart and Deanna's living room; the mid-morning sunlight spilling across the floor.
"Just what I said," Winry smiled sweetly.
To his credit, Ed didn't point out that they were almost exactly the same age. Instead, he shrugged. "Mom always told me Al and I were the cutest babies ever. So it would stand to reason that the rest of the family would be just as cute, right?"
"Of course." Winry looked down at Cailean, who seemed quite happy in his great-grandmother's arms. "How's Deanna?"
"Doing fine, as usual." Reichart's proud face beamed even more. "I don't know how she does it, but she's so calm about the whole thing."
"Well it's already old hat, right?" Ed commented with a smug grin.
Reichart chuckled, not looking at all embarrassed. "Well, there is that."
Given they already had three, and Rhiana was only going to be four in June, Winry could only shake her head in wonder, and hope Deanna and Reichart had really thought it all through. Of course, they had said from the beginning they were looking forward to kids, and if anyone could manage them cheerfully and efficiently, it was Deanna. Rhiana was three-and-three-quarters, and little Owen was just a little further than that from being two, but Deanna always had time to take care of her toddlers, and still help out a little around her parents' Dairy Farm and take care of her house.
Winry was almost envious. Not that she felt she and Ed had lacked anywhere in their two-working-parent household, but Winry could remember a few days she had –never seriously- wondered if Sara, and Aldon, and Ethan were going to survive until dinner. Though she had always decided that they were worth all the trouble of birthing them. "I hope you appreciate how fortunate you two are," she commented with a gentle smile.
"Oh I do," Reichart assured her with a very firm nod. "Trust me."
Winry smiled, and reluctantly gave the baby back up to his father's arms. "Does that mean you're still planning on more?"
"This takes planning?" Reichart asked, grinning as he gathered his youngest in his arms.
"Take that as a yes," Ed quipped.
Winry elbowed her husband in the ribs. "Well I wish we could spend more time with him while he's this tiny."
"Oh it wouldn't be fair to hog you." Reichart smiled. "I think Trisha would like to have you around too."
"I know Sara will," Winry chuckled. Her daughter was no more ready to be a grandmother than Winry had felt when Aldon had called and told them he and Cassie were expecting. Even though Trisha and Roy had been married for two-and-a-half years, the entire thing still seemed a bit hectic every time Winry talked to Sara on the phone. Winry suspected that might just be her daughter. Though reports said Roy had turned into a fussy mother hen, which was driving Trisha a little nuts too. "This trip is as much for pleasure as business."
"I still can't believe you're doing it."
"Well it's about time I did," Winry replied, trying to sound calmer than she felt inside. When they went to Resembool next week, the primary reason was to sign the paperwork that would give Coran and Gale official control of the business end of Rockbell Auto-mail. While Winry knew they would still consult her on everything for years to come, it was so very difficult to retire even that much. She would still make auto-mail. She couldn't imagine not making and designing it, but the running of the business would no longer be hers to stress over. In some ways, it was a liberating thought, and in others, sort of scary.
"Definitely," Ed agreed, his arms sliding around her waist from behind and he pulled her close. "It means I'll get to spend even more time with you."
"I thought you were trying to talk her into this," Reichart quipped.
Ed glared at his grandson for several seconds even as Winry chuckled. Then he laughed too. "You're getting too smart for your own good. About time. You've got to be able to keep a step ahead of the next generation."
March 6th, 1976
"Are you really sure you want to do this?" Sara asked with an exasperated expression as Ian finished tossing his books and magazines in a box. She still wasn't sure she believed Ian's announcement that morning that he had found a great apartment and was moving half way across town that afternoon.
"Absolutely," Ian nodded firmly as he closed the box and slapped on some packing tape. "Think about it, Aunt Sara. I'm in and out at all sorts of odd hours with my shooting schedule. I'm not in school anymore. There's no reason you should have to put up with the chaos. Besides, there are half a dozen other actors who work at the studio regularly living in this apartment complex. I won't have to borrow your car or hitch a ride with you anymore. It's within easy bussing of the studio if I can't catch a ride too. I haven't spent hardly any of the money I've made so far, so I can afford it. It's cheap."
Sara had already heard the total. It was more than reasonable, and the complex in question wasn't a high rent area, but it also wasn't considered unsafe. Besides, Ian could take care of himself. Still, after having him here for the last couple of years, it was difficult to watch him moving out so quickly. And, she had to admit, Sara wasn't entirely sure that a healthy part of his decision was that Ian was tired of having to answer for his whereabouts every time he came home. Yes, he had a busy work schedule, but that was also augmented by a healthy dose of personal life. His own place meant not having to ask to bring a date over, and not having to worry if he changed his mind and stayed out late.
He wasn't her son, and Sara couldn't very well tell the almost-nineteen-year-old that he wasn't allowed to do what he wanted, but that didn't mean she liked it.
"I know," she finally replied, "I'm just not sure this is the best idea. Have you talked to your parents about it?"
"Yeah, I mentioned it to Dad," Ian replied with a casual shrug. "He seemed okay with it."
Probably giving in to the inevitable. Well, Sara could only hope that Ian, somehow, had a little more common sense than Aldon had had at that age. Given he wasn't madly in love with anyone, Ian might actually be a little better off. "I wish you'd given us more notice," Sara finally said. "But I hope it works out."
Ian paused long enough to turn and smile at her. "Thanks, Aunt Sara. And I'm sorry I didn't. The opening came up without warning, but it's perfect timing really. We're doing a bunch of night scenes coming up, and we'll be shooting outdoors. If you want to come over and see the place sometime, you're all welcome to come over."
"Nice to know we aren't being alienated," Sara quipped, before yanking her nephew close in an impulsive hug that threatened to crunch his ribs… entirely on purpose.
"Not… at all," Ian grunted, but he returned the brief hug. "I know James won't miss me keeping him up till three in the morning practicing lines in my room."
"Oh you might be surprised," Sara replied. "Just stay out of trouble okay?"
Ian's grin was not at all reassuring. "Trouble? Come on. I don't know the meaning of the word."
Ian looked around his new apartment with a feeling of exhilaration, coupled with a subtle undertone of still dissipating disbelief. It hadn't taken much time to move at all, all things considering, once a couple of his friends from the set showed up to help. And now almost everything he owned in the world –which he had to admit wasn't all that much- was unloaded and mostly unpacked. He'd had to pick up a few things for the place like dishes, linens for the bed and stuff like that, but it wasn't a huge amount all things considered, and he thought the place looked pretty good.
It wasn't a big apartment, not at the price he was paying for it, but it worked. The place only had three rooms; a bathroom, a bedroom that wasn't much bigger than a walk in closet, and a combination living room and kitchenette.
What it did have, was reasonably high ceilings and the far wall of the living area was nothing but to-the-ceiling high windows that let in a lot of light and had a great view of the park across the street, giving the illusion of being somewhere other than the middle of Central. It was also a top-story corner apartment, which meant while he had to worry about his neighbors below and next door, he didn't have anyone above him or on the other side.
The walls were a faded, pale green color that Ian was sure had once been painfully vivid. He was already thinking about painting, but he had no idea when he would have time. At this point, he was just glad he had managed to pick up a second hand bed and mattress off a friend. He was definitely going to have to hit a few thrift stores or yard sales to see if he could find some good, comfy furniture. Ian supposed he could go to a store and buy new, but he couldn't see the need to spend the money for a spotless new sofa when all he was going to do was have friends pile in to hang out and eat and play cards and maybe watch TV.
That was another perk of the apartment complex. They had actually had all the apartments wired for television. Ian had a second-hand set for that too, so he could keep up with what was on TV, what was popular, and just keep abreast of news and the acting market.
Yes, it would need decorating to make it homey, but it was all his space to do with however he wanted. It was a new but very appealing reality.
It was all his. No one to tell him to clean up, or where to put things. He could keep his dishes in whichever cabinet made the most sense to him, not his aunt. He could come and go at whatever hour worked for him, as long as he wasn't late for a rehearsal or an audition or filming. He could spend his money however he wanted, as long as he had enough for rent, bills, and what he knew was going to be a very steep food budget. He had shot up multiple inches in the past couple of years, and while his height seemed to have finally stabilized, he was often ravenous and just keeping weight on could be a challenge. Ian had thanked Grandpa Ed more than once for the fabulous metabolism he had inherited.
With the unpacking done, Ian found himself with a particular quandary; what to do with himself right then. He had already shared the moving with his friends, but now he was alone, really alone, for the first time ever in some ways. He had never lived in a house with less than four people in it. And while the apartment building was hardly empty, it wasn't the same as sharing space.
Ian had the urge to call someone. His hand was on the phone, dialing before he had even realized consciously who he wanted to call.
The phone on the other line rang three times before it picked up. "Hello?"
"Hey, 'Rey." Ian grinned, glad to hear his brother's voice. "How's it going?" He was glad he'd managed to actually catch his brother, who was in his second year at ECU and often busy.
"Good," Urey replied. Behind him, Ian could pick up the sounds of other people speaking.
"Am I interrupting a party?" Ian teased, though his curiosity was piqued.
"Only if a study session counts," Urey chuckled.
"I hear women."
"Girls go to college too, Ian."
"And they're in your room?"
"More than half the class is women," Urey's tone made it clear he wasn't entirely amused. "I thought it would be fun to take a class on Ancient and Modern Comparative Ethics. You'd be surprised how many women are into that kind of thing."
Ian had to admit, he was. He'd never thought about it. "Are they cute?"
"Do you ever think about anything else?"
"Food."
"I've missed you, Ian." Urey chuckled softly. "Word from Mom is you're getting your own place."
"Wow, word travels fast." Ian shook his head. "I just finished moving in actually. Whole place, all to myself."
"Is it bigger than our old bedroom?"
"Slightly."
"Then it's bigger than my dorm room," Urey sounded amused. "I'll have to come crash at your place next time we're in Central then. It'll be less crazy than anywhere else."
"Yeah well, you'd better wait until I have furniture if you don't want the floors," Ian warned in good nature. "I'm not sharing the bed."
"Second spot already reserved?"
Ian paused a moment. He hadn't expected that kind of quip from Urey. He didn't sound angry though just… questioning? Expectant? "Not at the moment," he finally replied, trying to keep the reply casually flippant. "Why? You scored lately?" He winced at his own voice. He hadn't meant to sound challenging.
Thankfully, Urey just laughed. "Sure have."
"What?" Ian almost dropped the phone in shock.
"I scored 100% on all my midterm exams," Urey finished, still chuckling.
"That's not funny."
"I think it's hilarious," Urey replied. "Come on, Ian. In all seriousness, I've had a few dates, but that's about it. I don't have time for much else anyway. Neither do half the girls I like hanging out with."
"So what's the topic under discussion currently in your Ethics class?" Ian asked, honestly curious but trying to shift the conversation.
Urey snickered. "Male and female equality."
March 12th, 1976
"Brrr, it's chilly!" Winry commented, grateful for her warm winter coat and fur-lined hat as she and Ed stepped out of the Central train station.
"Always nice to be back in Central, isn't it?" Ed grinned and kissed her exposed cheek. "Makes a guy grateful for the improvements in weather-protection considerations in auto-mail."
"Well it's nice to know my work is appreciated," Winry smiled, feeling a little better. Ed had been making little comments like that a lot lately, and she knew it was his way of helping her be all right with this business decision. Winry knew it was the right thing to do, but that didn't make it easy. Granny Pinako had worked, and run, Rockbell Auto-mail well into old age.
And yet, Winry had to remember that Granny hadn't been that much older than she was when Winry had gone to Central, and a lot of the business growth had been her doing, not Granny's. Now, Winry wondered at the fact that Granny had never once complained. Slowly, much less officially before her death, Rockbell Auto-mail had shifted more and more into Winry's hands.
Winry preferred to do the official transfer while she was still healthy and very much alive. That, and it had grown so much and the times had changed even more. There was a lot more to do to make the legal change properly.
"So where's our chauffeur?" Ed teased, setting both of their suitcases down on the ground.
"Be patient. I'm sure she's coming," Winry scolded without any real bite. "Sara promised she'd be here. If she's late, it's because someone at Central HQ is screwing up and needs to be put in their place."
"Probably a student," Ed grinned. "I knew her transfer over to education and training was a good idea."
"She's certainly happy there," Winry agreed. Her daughter loved to growl about –and gloat over- the quality of her students, both State Alchemists and potentials taking the classes in the hopes of passing the State Alchemy Exam. "Just the same way you and Al were."
"There are days I miss it."
"Hey, you still have students!"
Winry turned and smiled at her grandson as Ted, hauling another couple of suitcases, huffed up behind them and looked at Ed with consternation.
"Really mouthy ones," Ed grinned at Ted, who had begged to come along to Central and had gotten permission from his parents only by getting all the school work for months ahead from his teachers, and swearing to send it all back. Fortunately at least the first week of his trip was spring break, so that was some work he wouldn't be missing.
"So really, nothing's changed."
"And there's my other one proving my point." Ed turned and Winry did too, seeing Sara coming through the parking lot, still dressed from HQ, looking professional, but smiling.
"I get paid to be mouthy," Sara pointed out with a wink. She grabbed a suitcase. "I've come to understand why you were so good at this job, Dad."
"Are we going to quip all afternoon or are you just waiting for my nose to fall off?" Winry asked, shivering slightly as she cut off the playful banter. "You can make jokes in the car."
"She's right, of course," Ed backed her up, and soon they were trucking through the parking lot and piling into Sara's car.
"So how's Trisha doing?" Winry asked curiously as they pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards Sara and Franz's house. "And Roy?"
"About ready to drive us all batty?" Sara suggested with a sigh and a shake of her head. "I think I'm glad I'm not working my old job right now. Roy's jumpy as a frog, and Trisha's been relegated to office work until she takes leave. Their place is about as ready as it's going to be, and I know they're excited, but now that it's almost here I think they're both a little overwhelmed with the imminence of the whole thing."
"So par for the course," Ed commented. "But there's no real reason for alarm right? You said Trisha was doing just fine."
"She is," Sara assured them. "No complications whatsoever. They're just young, and it's going to majorly change their lives just as it does everyone else's."
Winry could agree with the truth in both halves of that statement. They were young, younger than Sara or Ethan had been certainly. Though a little older, more settled, and this was definitely more planned than Coran had been for Aldon and Cassie. But both being state alchemists, it would be more like Sara and Franz's life challenges. "How long is Trisha planning to stay home with the baby?"
"She hasn't decided," said Sara. "Mostly because she isn't sure that she won't discover she wants more time off. She's being smart and waiting and seeing how things go the first couple of months before deciding if she wants to trust the baby to someone else's care."
"Fortunately she's got aunts and an uncle who would make good babysitters." Winry doubted Roy's sisters were babied-out enough by their little sister to not want to take on that job, and even James worked occasional baby-sitting jobs. Winry knew Tore and Charisa used him regularly to watch over their two little boys when they wanted to go out and didn't want to just dump them on Breda all the time.
"And Grandmothers who want their turn as well," Sara admitted, though she twitched.
"Something wrong?" Winry asked, though she had a good hunch.
"I'm not old enough for this," Sara admitted, smiling ruefully. "I'm happy to agree that they are, but that doesn't mean I am!"
Winry laughed. "I felt exactly the same way when all of you started having children. Though by the time Ethan got there I was well used to enjoying and indulging my grandchildren."
"You're indulgent?" Ted snorted from the back. "I'd hate to see what you call strict grand-parenting."
Winry turned her head enough to grin at the men in the back seat. "Yes, yes you would."