Author's Note: I had hoped to have this posted a couple of days ago so I could post the main chapter today – 5/20, RoyEd Day. Unfortunately, real life snuck up on me. Oh well. Happy RoyEd Day! The next main chapter will be out in as few days as I can manage.

Chapter Six

Dear Führer Mustang,

Thank you very much for loaning me your first edition Rosarium Philosophorum. I must admit that I was delighted when you offered to have Edward bring it with him to Resembool this week, and have been pouring over it constantly since it arrived, much to my neglected family's dismay. I have seen the woodcuts reproduced and referenced in other texts many times over the years, and it's quite a thrill to see them in their natural habitat. Rest assured that I will keep it safe, and see it returned to you in the same, pristine condition that I received it.

On the home front all is well, though Granny Pinako had us a bit worried a couple of weeks ago. She suddenly became unusually cranky, keeping to herself, eating very little, and working herself to distraction, refusing to tell us what was bothering her. Then last week right out of the blue she decided to take off to Rush Valley for a few days, no prior warning, and was out the door and on a train inside of an hour. Winry called her friend Paninya and her old boss, Mr. Garfield, and asked them to keep an unobtrusive eye out for her, which they were only too happy to do. They reported back with the news that Granny was stepping out with an old flame who shall remain nameless, living it up out on the town. She came home just a few days ago happy and recharged, back to her quirky old self.

Winry and the kids are fine as well. Due to Granny's little holiday, the shop has been very busy with repairs and refits, so most of the child care has been left to me. Maes and Sara are endlessly entertaining. I can't believe how fast they are growing up. Sara seems to be getting taller by the minute, and is fast becoming Maes' chief accomplice instead of just his sweet, tag-along little sister. It's gotten to the point where if the house suddenly becomes too quiet, Winry, Granny, and I all brace for some kind of impact. Between the three of us we can usually keep the little monsters out of trouble, but it isn't easy, and they are getting better at pulling the wool over adult eyes. These days I often find myself wondering how my mother managed as a single parent, all on her own. Bringing up healthy, happy children is a challenging job, even with backup.

Maes starts school in just two months, and is looking eagerly forward to it. His Kindergarten teacher is an old friend of ours, and knows that our little boy is quite advanced for his age – he's been reading and writing since he was two years old, though his handwriting is atrocious. She assures me that he won't be bored in her classroom. Much of her program includes cooperative learning interactions, in which she expects Maes to take a leadership role. I just hope that Maes doesn't lead his classmates where their teacher never expected them to go. He has a tendency to deliberately choose the path most likely to cause maximum chaos for unsuspecting adults, and then he stands back to cheerfully observe the effects.

Brother tells me that he will be heading back to Central by the end of the week. He wants to pay a visit to Tim Marcoh to talk to him about something that has been bothering him for a while, though he artfully avoided telling me exactly what that might be, the brat. I let it go, because he doesn't appear to be in ill health, and because he seems quite content lately - for obvious reasons. I hope I didn't sound too much like an overprotective parent when I spoke with you on the phone. I realize that Ed is more than capable of looking after himself, but he has a deceptively gentle inner nature that is easy to wound, and I can't help but worry.

And there I go again, switching to parental mode. The way I feel right now, I suspect that Maes' and Sara's future boy and girlfriends are in for a particularly difficult time. But in all honesty Roy, I am completely comfortable with your interest in my brother. I can't remember the last time he has been so at ease and relaxed. He is happy, and that is everything I wish for him. And I have you to thank. However long this may last, short term or long, I know he will not regret a moment of it.

As usual, I am enclosing a few photos. The one of Sara and Edward hanging upside down from the tree branch is a little blurred because Winry's scream startled me – and practically shattered my eardrums - when she saw what they were doing. It's been quite a while since she's been motivated to threaten my brother with a wrench, but she came very close that day. Personally I think she overreacted, her protective mother instincts on high alert. The branch was only a metre or so off the ground, and I know that my brother would never allow our little girl to come to harm. He's very careful that way, particularly with the people he cares for the most, so Winry had no real need to worry.

Still, I don't blame her. It's hard to stand by and watch without reacting while someone you love is taking what you perceive as a serious risk, but I'm sure you'll agree that more often than not, the things most worth having can only be gained by taking big chances. Everyone deserves to decide for themselves whether or not to reach for the brass ring, even when it's hard to tell whether or not it might be out of reach. You never know until you try.

All the best,

Alphonse Elric.