A/N: I present Chapter 2, now with 50% more Mei Chang. Both these segments, taking place in 1922 and 26, are real short, so I combined them for this chapter. It's still really short though (The first few segments are drabble-y but the next one is longer). I hope you enjoy it!
Harryswoman: Thank you so much! :) I'm so happy you liked the chapter! Especially because I decided to post it because I haven't been able to get a new chapter of A Painless Lesson written yet and therefore I haven't edited this story in a while and wasn't sure if anyone would like it. So thank you, I appreciate it a lot!
1922
"Edward. If you take one more picture of me, I swear I'll take that camera apart and use the pieces to create something less horribly annoying."
"Aw but this thing is cool!"
"Stop being such a kid!"
Ed and Winry were sitting on the porch of the Rockbell home on a bright, windy spring afternoon, Winry cradling their napping baby son. Lin and Lanfan were again visiting. Lin was practicing with his sword on the lawn in front of the porch and Lanfan, who had been sparring with him, was now sitting by Winry. Ed and Winry were expecting their second child and everyone had been glad the time they had free to visit coincided with the due date. Al had joked it was a miracle his brother's children hadn't been born early on account of their father's impatience like he still held happened with Dominic's grandson. They all hoped he at least wouldn't be born late causing Lin and Lanfan to miss it. Ed had gotten a handheld camera for the occasion but quickly found it was so fun he was using up all the film. Al had had to remind him dryly to save some for when his child came around.
"I had my picture taken once." Lin commented lightly, wiping his brow and joining them on the porch. "When I was corrinated. Man that was horrible. Felt like hours and they wanted me to open my eyes. But I look all shifty and stuff when I open my eyes."
The front door opened and Pinako walked out.
"Are you still on with that thing boy?" She asked Ed. "If you're out of film when the tyke's born your mother will roll in her grave. My son and his wife too."
"I know, I know! Al already bitched me out about it."
"Speakin' of, Al should be here any minute…"
"I'm here, I'm here!" came a shout from down the road. Al was pelting toward them, with Mei and Xiao Mei running behind him. Ten years back in his own body had made his figure full again and he could now easily outrun his older brother, let alone the smaller Xingese woman. They reached the front porch gasping, continuing a conversation with shallow breaths.
"I still say it's your array that needs work!"
"No way! It's just that I've never been as good as you at feeling the dragon's pulse, is all!"
Their bickering was cut short when they noticed everyone else was grinning.
They joined the family, blushing slightly as they sat down with everyone else on the porch.
"Brother, did you remember to leave some…"
"Film. Yes. I fucking know already."
"Oh, uh, by the way…" Al changed the subject nervously. He gave Lin a significant look to which he responded with a puzzled expression right back. "Lin can I, uh, talk to you for a minute?"
"Uh, sure Al. Let's go inside, then." He smiled at Lanfan. "Don't worry I'll only be gone a second."
Al led Lin to the back of the house where automail parts were scattered everywhere. Careful not to break or knock over anything, they sat on two stools devoid of machinery.
"So, what's up, Al?" Ling asked turning to him.
"Well…it's about Mei…I…I plan on asking her to marry me."
"Al, that's great news!" Ling exclaimed. He put his hands together and bowed slightly. "I humbly pray for the union of our families." He said, the traditional saying on such an occasion in Xing. Al, used to Xingese customs from his time spent there, returned the bow. Solemn formalities over with, they both smiled widely at each other.
"I'm so glad you're okay with it!" Al said relieved. "I wanted to make sure. I mean you are her older brother and all…"
"Couldn't ask for better!" Ling assured him. "She's been so happy here with you. When you came to visit us in Xing she was the happiest I had ever seen her."
"R-really?" Al stammered, taken aback.
"Really. I knew then her heart lay out of our country and I had a feeling she'd want to join you when you went back home. She's the only one of my siblings I care about and I just want her to be happy, which she obviously is with you."
Al smiled. "Al right, then. Thanks Lin. I'll ask her today."
"Be quick about it. I'm not good at keeping secrets!"
"What!? But you kept secrets from Greed!"
"Greed is not my sister about to be proposed to."
1926
"It's a girl!" Winry announced brightly to the small assembly outside the door. She led Ed, Lin, and Lanfan into her brother-in-law's master bedroom where Mei was lying, exhausted. She held a small infant with patchy black hair like hers. Al was sitting next to them on the bed stroking his daughter's hair, his arm around his wife's shoulder. His expression was comically similar to the one he had petting stray cats he had found as a boy.
"Well done, Mei." Lanfan said warmly.
"Yeah, my first niece, this is exciting!" Ed said gleefully, hugging his brother and sister-in-law in turn.
"Mine too!" Lin affirmed. He too went up to hug his sister and pat his brother-in-law on the back soundly.
"What are you talking about, Brother?" Mei laughed, breaking away from the hug. "Plenty of our older brothers and sisters have children!"
"Yeah, I don't consider people who tried to assassinate me my siblings, thanks." Lin responded stepping back from his assault on Al's back.
"I bet Roy, Dan, and Trisha will be happy to meet their cousin." Ed commented when it was his turn to hold his niece. On cue two small running footsteps were heard crashing toward the room.
"Speak of the devil…"
Two small boys, both with their father's shaggy golden hair, ran into the room. An equally blond little girl toddled in behind them.
"I wanna see the baby!" the elder of the boys demanded.
"Ya, baby cuz!" his little brother backed him up.
"Okay, but be gentle kids." Winry said anxiously. The next few hours were spent keeping the toddlers from poking and prodding their new cousin while she slept and Mei rested until there was a knock on the door.
"Come in! Door's open!" Al called. There was the sound of the front door swinging open and soon a large figure walked cautiously into the doorway of the bedroom.
"Pardon my intrusion." The man in the door addressed them in a quiet, gruff voice.
"Scar!?" Ed cried, bristling. Winry attempted a faltering smile, but did not protest.
"Brother please calm down." Al pleaded.
"But…!"
"I know." Neither of them had forgotten or forgiven what he had done.
"I'm sorry, everyone…" Mei said, looking especially at Winry. "I asked Al to call him."
"It's okay, Mei." Winry told her. "We'll never be on good terms with him, but he's family to you and we don't grudge you that. He has a right to see your baby."
"Thank you. But, I'm surprised you got here so fast, Mr. Scar." Mei said, turning to him. "Al only called you this morning."
"I happened to be close by. It only took a few hours by train." Scar informed her. "Marcoh and Yoki should be stopping by sometime tomorrow. Marcoh is quite a ways farther from here than me and he has to make sure Yoki actually shows up." He looked around at the family. Ed was barely containing his anger. Winry was not even looking at him. Al, true to form, looked ready to play peace maker at a moment's notice. The two boys were staring at him in awe rapidly asking their father who he was over and over again. Mei was smiling contentedly at him, happy both for the safe birth and that her old friend could make it to see her newborn daughter. "Understandably, I think I am not entirely welcome in this house. I'll take my leave." Scar said, turning to go. A few steps into the hallway, he turned back to face Mei. "May Ishballa bless you and your child, girl." He said, and left.
