Okay. Where to start... Um, school, work...yeah. That pretty much explains the lack of personal time, a.k.a. writing time. I was really hoping to get this posted sooner, but life decided to throw large tests, a college-level essay, and work after school on most days and on the weekends at me. All in nearly one go. *Sigh* But, here it is. Chapter 3. Enjoy! ^^

Disclaimer: Uh, yeah. I got nothing but my laptop. But even that was bought by my Dad and under his name. So I guess I just use it? Pooh...

~Aquamarine~

Chapter 3

"Edward, dinner will be ready soon, okay?" Roy peaked his head into his son's room. He blinked then groaned softly at the mess of blankets hanging precariously from the end posts, stuffed animals sprawled about the floor.

Carefully entering the room, lest he trip and kill himself, Roy took only two steps in before giving up. "Ed, come on out, please." Roy asked, sighing as his eyes swept over the mess yet again, this time looking for a small form.

Something shifted beneath the blankets. There! Mustang grinned, eyes taking on devious glint before they matched his mock-teasing tone, hands behind his back as he rocked back and forth. "Where oh where could Edward be?" He paused, grin deepening as the little lump squirmed in barely-controlled excitement.

"Hmm..." Roy placed a hand on his chin, his posture that of contemplation. He knew there was a golden eye watching him from between blankets. "Well, he doesn't seem to be here, so..." He shrugged, turning for the door. "Guess no dinner for Eddie."

Blankets nearly exploded from the spot of the little lump, a dark blue, orange, and gold blur padding over to him, small arms wrapping around large legs from behind. The toddler whimpered, gold eyes pleading that he was here now and he really really wanted to be fed.

Roy's eyes softened and he bent down to pick Edward up, a hand under his bottom, the other on his small back as they made their way down the stairs. "Alright, kiddo, time for dinner." The sad frown was quickly exchanged for a happy smile.

When at the bottom of the stairs and through the small gate keeping Ed from climbing up or down the stairs, Roy placed the tyke down in the living room and left for the kitchen. Ed pushed himself rather unsteadily up to his feet and barely managed to get over to his small group of toys that always stayed downstairs and busied himself with them.

Small blocks soon littered the floor. Some were different shapes and colors, others were cubes with letters on them, also of a variety of colors. Hmm...which one goes where? He remembered putting the different blocks into the bigger box with the same holes in them before with Daddy. But since Daddy was busy with getting food, he decided to try it himself.

His first few tries proved unsuccessful, but soon he realized something. If the green didn't fit in this hole or this whole, then... Golden eyes lit up as the block finally slipped through the hole. Edward giggled loudly, hands clapping as he managed to figure out which went where. Now to show Daddy!

Roy looked up from the mashed potatoes he was stirring as he heard small feet hurry to his side. At first he thought something might be wrong. But that thought vanished when he saw the wide, bright smile on his son's face.

"What is it, Ed?" Roy asked, kneeling down to Edward's level. The boy pointed avidly out the door. He assumed whatever had gotten the blond boy so happy was in the living room. He glanced at the food on the stove before giving in to the insistent pull to his hand.

"Da!" Ed sounded, stumbling over to the box of wood with the shapes inside, picking it up, and hauling it over to his father. Roy took it and looked at it, wondering what was suddenly so special about it. Then he remembered there was space inside. He gave Ed a considering look before unhooking the latch and peering inside.

Edward clapped, laughing as a smile spread across Roy's lips, recognizing the gesture as happiness. When his father turned this happiness towards him, placing the box down and pulling him into a hug, he knew his father was happy he had been able to do it all by himself. By himself!

"Good job, Ed!" Roy grinned, pulling back to pat Edward's head. The boy giggled and clapped again, nearly squishing Roy's nose for the third time. Not that he would cause any harm, but it was rather uncomfortable.

"Mmm!" The child's face suddenly contorted into something akin to disgust, a hand slapped precariously over his nose and mouth. Roy tilted his head at the strange change of behavior. It went unexplained until he smelled the smoke.

"Shit!" Roy cursed under his breath, too preoccupied with racing to the kitchen to stop the food from burning to catch the dirty word before it left his mouth like he had done numerous times before while in the presence of his son. He couldn't even begin to count how many times he had been chastised during the first month of having Edward. Hughes was not kind to 'potty mouths when around children. Might as well dump shit on 'em too, while you're at it.' 'But you just cussed, Hughes!' 'Neither of our kids are here right now! And you know that's not the point...'

Edward followed after his father, catching on to the panic and beginning to feel it too. His large eyes began to wet, both from fear and from the smoke filling the room. It hurt his nose and eyes, but he also didn't want to leave Daddy to fend for himself.

All went silent for just a moment. He turned his head to the sink, eyes transfixed on the small drops of water falling from the facet.

'Water'

"Wah!" Ed tried. He'd heard his father talk about water quite a bit. Had even gotten to try some often enough to become familiar with its taste and texture. He didn't like how it always got away from him. No matter how many times he had told it not to run away, to stay and play with him, it would always leave, coming back later when Daddy said it was okay.

Water was a friend, as Daddy had put it. Someone to trust to put out a...fii-yuuur. Fier? No...fire. Yah! To calm down a fire until there was no smoke left, meaning it was friendly again. Hmm...if the silver thing didn't want to play with the water, could he and Daddy play with it?

Ed pulled on his Dad's pant-leg, trying to get his attention. Roy glanced down briefly, swearing yet again when he realized Edward was too close to the still flaming food for comfort. He tried to pick him up and get him out of the room, but the blond toddler dodged his hands, running over to the sink, trying to hop while not falling. His small hand pointed to the sink.

"Wa-wa!" Ed said urgently, trying to get his point across. If only he could say it right, like how Daddy did! Roy blinked, looking between Ed and the sink.

"Water?" It took him a moment. Roy's eyes widened when realization hit. "Oh! Water!" He raced for the sink, turning on the water flow and pulling the hosed nozzle from its base, stretching it over to the stove not a few feet away. After turning the stove off and dousing the top of it with plenty of water, Roy turned off the sink and replaced the hose with a weary sigh. His back to the cabinet, he slid down to the floor, instantly taking a scared Edward into his arms to comfort him.

Ed placed his head under Roy's chin, huddling close, body shaking from the adrenaline and fear that was still coursing through him but beginning to ebb away, leaving him drowsy. They sat there for a few minutes before Roy's eyes snapped open.

He gripped Ed's sides and pulled him away just enough to see the young boy's face, eyes lighting up with mirth. "You-you said your first word, didn't you? Just a few minutes ago." Ed looked at Roy through half-lidded eyes, trying to wake up enough to attempt to understand what the man was saying.

"Can you say it again, Edward? Can you say it for Daddy?" Roy asked, eyes pleading for an encore. It took Ed a few moments to pull himself together enough to use his voice. "Wa...wa?"

"Yes! Wa-wa!" Roy pulled Ed back into a hug, the now fully awake boy giggling at the praise. "Oh that's my good boy!"

"Wa-wa! Wa-wa!" Ed repeated, squealing as nimble fingers tickled his sides, causing his body to spasm in delight. Roy hopped to his feet, holding Edward out at arm's length and spinning. The toddler waved his hands, eyes shut, mouth as far open and pulled as wide as it could into the largest smile Roy had never thought possible.

After a few spins, Roy pulled the boy closer and kissed the top of his head, a few laughs bursting through his lips here and there. Ed settled in Roy's arms, a smile still on his lips and eyes closed softly now. Rising and falling, Edward's small chest slowed, signaling he had fallen asleep.

Roy rested his head atop Edward's, a smile sporting his lips. He took a step toward the living room only to flinch at the lingering smell of smoke. Hesitantly he turned around, tired eyes landing on the sorry excuse for food. It was more comparable to soot. His eye twitched. It would be one hell of a mess to clean up. That and he would have to wait even longer to feed both himself and Edward now that he had to start from scratch.

He glanced down at the sleeping body in his arms, snuggling subconsciously closer to the large source of warmth. Checking to make sure there wasn't any risk of an emergency while he was gone, namely more fire, he deemed it safe and left the kitchen, vowing to clean it later.

Gently, he carded long fingers through soft gold hair, pride rekindling in his veins as he remembered the wondrous moment of "The First Word." He conveniently 'forgot' about there being a fire at the time, embarrassed that he had almost burned down his own home. He could just imagine headlines now:

'Ironic Twist of Fate, Famous Flame Alchemist Burns Down Own Home!'

He rolled his eyes and let out a breath, just grateful his son was safe. Bumping Edward up for a better grip, Roy climbed the stairs. The black-haired man turned on the light and groaned at the mess the year-and-a-half year old had made earlier that day. It seemed Hurricane Edward had made its rounds today.

Carefully he stepped over and around various toys, holding his son close to his chest as he finally made it to the boy's bed. Silently he cursed to himself as a few toes and his left shin throbbed from the several run-ins with plastic and wooden objects.

With a fond smile, Roy placed Ed onto the bed, pulling the covers over his small form. Today had been a long day for both of them, despite Roy having a day off from work. He had tried to go into work, but when Riza stuck the barrel of her gun right up against his forehead and calmly told him to stay home and spend the day with his son, he merely nodded. Roy could still feel the soreness in his eyes from going cross-eyed for a few moments too long when trying to stare at the gun too close for comfort.

Deciding it would be easier for both of them, tired as they were, he would make a large breakfast in the morning. Blowing his short, black bangs from in front of his face, he knelt down and kissed Edward's head. "Goodnight, Edward, my son."

FMAFMAFMAFMAFMAFMAFMAFMAFMAFMAFMA

"Ed!" The boy kept running through the house as though he hadn't heard.

"Edward, get back here!" Still nothing. An excited laugh escaped his tiny, pale lips as he ran, arms straight out like the airplanes he had seen on T.V. the day before.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Ed squealed as he was abruptly picked up, grinning widely as he was pulled into his father's embrace. He was bounced up and down a few times, throwing his hands into the air and waving them around.

"Alright, Ed, it's time to go over to the Hughes'." Roy told him, one hand under Ed's bottom, using the other to hold a small bag of toys Ed liked to play with while over there. Ed became excited quickly, almost flying out of Roy's grip. Thankfully he was used to these sudden bouts of energy and merely pushed the small child closer to his chest. Ed wrapped his arms around his father's neck, giggling with glee.

Today they were going to his best friend's house. It was Saturday and both had the day off. So, they decided to get together and let their children play while they talked. Ed was beyond excited. He loved going over to the Hughes' and had quickly grown familiar with the name and what it would lead to.

Roy buckled a bouncing Edward into his car seat in the back, then climbed into the driver's seat. He buckled himself in and started the car, pulling out of the driveway and driving down the necessary streets. Though it took a little longer with traffic, they arrived at the Hughes' residence in tact.

Ed nearly exploded out of the car after he was unbuckled and placed down on the ground, racing Roy up to the house. Still too short to ring the doorbell and too impatient to wait for Roy to ring it for him, Ed took to knocking, or in his case, pounding, on the door.

The door opened slowly, revealing a young woman with short brown hair and kind, sea-foam green eyes. Her smile brightened the air around her, projecting a friendly warmth. Ed had almost immediately taken to her. He had been a little nervous and shy at first, as was to be expected when meeting a stranger, but that had quickly faded as he had gotten to know her.

"Welcome, Roy, Edward. Come on in." Gracia Hughes opened the door all the way, moving aside so they could enter. Ed dashed inside, already on a hunt for the youngest Hughes. Roy exchanged amused looks as he placed his bag down and she closed the door.

"Here, let me hang up your coat." She offered, hand outstretched. Roy kindly sidestepped and slipping his jacket off, hanging it up himself. "Thank you, Gracia, but I must object to having a wonderful woman such as yourself hang up my coat."

Gracia blushed lightly at the compliment. Had she not been used to her husband's constant string of compliments that, truthfully, sometimes got really embarrassing, she would have blushed a little deeper.

"You're not here for even a minute and you're already flirting with my lovely wife?" A voice joked from the open kitchen doorway. Leaning up against the door jam, stood Maes Hughes, arms folded, yellow-green eyes sparkling in silent laughter. Especially at the look on Roy's face. Anyone else would have just seen a slight twitch on his face and call it a day, but the two military men had known each other for nearly a decade now. Maes had learned how to read the man, and Roy him. So it was with a grin he saw the faint trace of a blush on his best friend's cheeks. Very faint but very much there.

"Eeeeeeeh!" Two voices squealed, small feet padded through the hall, one small body running into Roy's legs, the other running into Maes'.

Just as fast as they had arrived, they were gone, chasing each other through the house. It wasn't common for kids to be this mobile at this age, but none of the adults had the heart to keep them from having fun by limiting their mobility. Not yet, at least.

Gracia left the two to make some coffee and tea, not even needing to ask either of the men's preferences in beverage. Maes and Roy sat in the spacious living room, smiling at the funny sounds their children were making. Tray in hand, Gracia placed the mug of coffee and cup of tea onto separate coasters on the table, taking a seat beside her husband. She leaned against him, smiling at the Colonel sitting on the smaller of the two couches.

"So, how have things been, Gracia." Roy asked conversationally, taking a sip of his tea. While at work he went through what seemed like several cups of coffee just to stay awake in the morning. But anywhere other than work, he liked to drink soothing teas. He had his mother to blame, as most of these teas had originated in Xing where she herself had come from before moving out to Amestris.

"I certainly can't complain, Roy." Gracia answered sweetly. Just as she stood up to put the tray back into the kitchen, they all heard a shriek, followed by a wail. Instinctively they jumped to their feet, racing to see what had happened. One thing was for sure, Elysia was crying about something.

The adults followed the sound, running through the house. It stopped suddenly. Maybe Ed had somehow gotten Elysia to calm down?

Then it started again, louder and filled with panic. There was no doubt now where it was coming from, but how had she managed to get out front? Maes nearly slammed open the door, holding back from throwing it open only to avoid being chastised about it by Gracia. That though left him the moment they laid eyes on the scene before them.

"Ed." Roy stated dumbly at his son as he slowly walked over to a cloaked figure on the sidewalk.

"Edward! Get back here!" Roy tried again, but the child acted as though he hadn't even heard him. His arms were raised up, as though asking the strange figure to pick him up.

"No!" Roy snapped out of his daze and sprang forward, snatching his son up from under his small arms and close to his chest. Midnight blue eyes flickered upward, the perfect angle to see up into the hood. His breath hitched as an image flashed before his eyes, a beautifully intricate symbol, but before he could ask what it meant, something told him whoever this was would know, they were gone in the blink of an eye.

Roy stumbled backward, landing on the grass. It wasn't until his son began to squirm in his arms, eyes blinking open blearily as though just waking up from a nap, that he realized he was holding Edward a little too tight.

"Oh! Oh, sorry, Eddie. Are you ok?" Roy asked, smiling down at his son. He seemed a little sluggish, but he was more awake now. Ed nodded, snuggling closer to his father, clutching his shirt in tight fists. Roy sighed and, gently this time, hugged him closer. He started at the hand on his shoulder, following it up to the calm, worried eyes watching him and his sleeping son.

"Roy?" Gracia tightened her grip comfortingly, "let's get inside, alright?" Unable to think of anything else to do at the moment, Roy merely nodded and accepted her help getting to his feet. He followed Maes, who was now comforting his daughter and Gracia back into the safety of the Hughes home. The moment the door was closed behind them, the tension that had gone unnoticed before melted away into a tired and confused atmosphere.

"Who the hell was that?" Roy wondered as he sat down on the soft couch, sinking into its calming embrace.

'…and why did that symbol seem so familiar?'

Alrighty then! The results for the poll!

As of Monday October 26th, 2009 65% of voters voted for Aquamarine to be my main focus! Congrats everyone! This story will be the one I update each week! I'll be posting more polls throughout the story to get your opinion on it, so please vote when the time comes. Thanks again for voting!

Please be kind and review. Thank you! ^^