Still January 2nd, 1968

"Oh my god I'm never going to let you touch me again!" Alyse wailed, for lack of anything better to scream, as agony ripped through her. Agony of the worst degree. There could be no worse pain it was possible to experience. Stinging tears flooded down her cheeks. "I can't…I can't do this anymore," she gasped, breathing deeply and trying to recover her cool. She felt almost immediately foolish. Stupid hormones; stupid pain!

Cal's ashen face didn't make her feel better. He looked ill, though she could tell he was trying his best to hide it. The façade had been slipping all day. He swallowed. "You can do it," he replied, throat dry and hoarse. "You're doing great."

"How is this great?" Alyse snapped.

"Hey, I'm just trying to be supportive," Cal replied, looking stung.

"All right now," Ren spoke right over them, her voice calm but firm. "Just a few more pushes and you're finished. Focus, please."

Alyse felt her face flush though she was sure she was too red and sweaty for it to be noticeable. What is wrong with me? She didn't have time to think about it. Another contraction, more bearing down, pushing…pushing… breathe, remember to breathe… and done for a minute. "Damn it, that hurts!"

"I noticed," Cal's face looked odd, and Alyse had the brief presence of mind to look at the hand of his she held…and the deep red crescents her nails had dug in his hand in several places.

"I'm… oh wow…"

"Don't worry about it." Cal bent forward and kissed her forehead.

"I see a head," Ren commented, smiling as she stood up. Alyse could barely see her over her belly. "Almost there."

"You were saying that… an hour ago," Alyse panted.

"That is almost when dealing with babies," Ren replied, seemingly unfazed. Alyse couldn't imagine how Ren was looking forward to doing this for a third time! "Give another good push or two like that last one and you will have yourself one lovely little baby here shortly."

It sounded so much less painful when she said it that way. Alyse silently vowed to make it less pushing needed, not more. "Okay."

The vow lasted until the ripping agony hit once more. Ohmygodohmygodohmy… "Aaaaah!" she cried out and collapsed against the pillows behind her. "No more!" she sobbed. I'm such a wimp! How did I ever think I could do this? What if the baby never comes out? What if I…

A small cry caught her attention. Alyse opened her eyes.

Ren stood by her feet, cradling a small squalling pink handful. The cord was cut and tied, and Ren was smiling, first at the child, then at her. "Good work! You have a gorgeous little girl."

A girl… her baby was a girl. Alyse felt herself begin to relax a little more; from exhaustion mostly. It was over… at least, the worst of it. And now that squalling, beautiful baby girl was here and hers! No, theirs. Alyse looked up at Cal. Words died on her lips as she saw his expression. He was… crying? "Calvin?"

Cal's hand was shaking. He brought up the other, wiping tears away on his wrist. "I'm okay," the words came out thick with emotion. Then a smile slowly came to his face. "You did it, 'Lyse. You were… incredible."

"I was a whiny brat," Alyse argued tiredly. She couldn't give it much emphasis.

"You were a woman in labor," Ren chuckled as she brought the naked, crying child around. "You want to hold your daughter?"

"Well yes!" Alyse reached out, and Ren laid the baby on her chest. Alyse's hands gently held her there. The fluttering heart, the healthy sound of working lungs, damp hair plastered to her head. "Hello baby," she cooed in awe. "I'm glad you're here."

Cal leaned over close. "She's… wow. I can't even come up with a good word for how awesome she is."

"I think awesome is a pretty good one," Alyse admitted tiredly. "So, daddy, which of the girls names we liked do you think fits her best?"

Cal looked surprised. "Well I….don't know," he blushed, looking at her. Alyse couldn't help but wonder what he really thought of the looks of their newborn baby. He looked worried for a moment, and then his expression softened. "Gloria."

Alyse smiled. "That's exactly what I was thinking."


So just how long do you plan to sleep? Cal stared down at the swaddled infant asleep in his arms. He was settled comfortably in the easy chair in the corner of their bedroom, trying hard not to drop off himself, and just grateful that the chaos had died down. Getting Alyse cleaned up, the bed sheets changed, the stream of family visitors eager to meet the newest member of the family and offer congratulations… Cal was just grateful it was too late for neighbors to come by!

Alyse had eaten a light, late dinner after a shower and promptly fallen asleep as soon as family had left them alone. Cal had assured them that they would be fine, and he could take care of Gloria, even though he was nervous. But to have the quiet, he figured he could hold a baby for a while.

He hadn't counted on his arms going half-numb, but somehow the sleeping face of his baby daughter made it worth it. Gloria Fischer… the most beautiful baby ever. The feelings of pride and love in his chest were more than a little overwhelming, but Cal was getting used to it. He had fretted and worried for months, and he was still worried, but now, with her here, a warm little angel in his arms, he was kind of looking forward to it all as well; watching her learn to walk, and talk, and beating up on her unworthy boyfriends in high school. He was sure when she was as gorgeous as her mother he'd have to intimidate plenty of them.

Gloria shifted and gurgled softly, and yawned without ever waking up.

Damn I've gone soft. She's just too cute. Cal smiled and kissed his daughter's head. But then, he reasoned, I've always had a soft spot for girls, right? He had to admit, he was kind of glad their baby was a girl. His own past with his father had been a father-son dynamic that didn't seem to apply to girls, and it made it much easier to be happy about fatherhood. "You've got me charmed already," he chuckled softly. "I'm definitely in trouble."

The door creaked open softly, and Elicia's face appeared around the corner, smiling. "I'd say so," she agreed quietly. "How are you doing?"

"Just fine," Cal replied, speaking as softly as he could. There was one lamp on for light, but otherwise the room was dim. He suspected a good portion of the family had finally gone to bed themselves; it was almost midnight. "They're both sleeping like angels."

As if to prove him wrong, Gloria's little fists twitched, and then her face screwed up and she began to whimper.

"Making a liar out of your old man already?" Cal looked down at his daughter.

Elicia chuckled. "I'd say that's the hungry face."

"Oh. So…what should we do?" Cal lifted the baby up gently from where she had been snuggled.

"Well if she's finally hungry, it's time to wake Alyse and let her do what mothers do," Elicia pointed out calmly.

Right… sometimes Cal forgot that breasts actually had a functional purpose that did not involve enticing men. "Can you ah…help?" He felt embarrassed, but Elicia just came over and took Gloria so he could actually get leverage and stand up. "Thanks." He turned and went over to the bed, leaning across his empty side to the left, and putting a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Alyse, honey? The ah… baby's hungry." Wow, that sounded so strange to say.

Alyse stirred, and rolled over slowly, smiling sleepily up at him. "Okay." It took a minute to get her set up, sitting up with an extra pillow for support. Cal could do little else to help but watch as Elicia helped Alyse get Gloria settled at her breast for the first time. "So here's what you do," Alyse giggled, then gasped slightly when the baby latched on tightly. "And… wow you're good at it."

Cal couldn't help chuckling. "Smart girl, you catch on quick."

"And hard," Alyse winced, but she was smiling none the less. "This is the weirdest thing I think I've ever felt."

"I can only imagine," Cal admitted, sitting down on the bed beside her so he could watch. Gloria seemed to have figured out eating fairly immediately, as she was already sucking away at Alyse's breast – a favorite plaything Cal had been denied for months already for their sensitivity. Now, he had the feeling it was going to be a long while before his wife's chest was something he could touch again. "You never let me do that," he teased, smirking.

Alyse's cheeks turned pink. "Calvin!"

Elicia laughed. "Well, she certainly picked up feeding without any difficulty. Sometimes it takes a little while for them to figure it out."

"So my girl's a genius huh?" Cal grinned. Okay, so it was something relatively small in the grand scheme of things; who didn't figure out how to eat after all? But right now, it seemed like a big deal.

"Well she certainly knows how to get what she wants," Alyse replied. "Have you had any sleep?" she looked up at him.

Cal shook his head. "No," he admitted, smiling. "I was watching you two sleep."

"No wonder I felt safe," Alyse teased. "Have you even had dinner?"

Food… Cal had made sure Alyse had eaten but he hadn't really had anything himself. "Oh, well I wasn't really hungry, you know? I just…"

"Forgot?" Elicia stood, a knowing expression in her eyes. "You need to take care of yourself too you know. I'll go get you a snack."

"Oh… thanks." Cal felt bad for making more work, but his mind hadn't really been on food. He had other things to think about.

"Don't worry," Elicia shook her head. "It's no trouble. You've had a busy day." Then she was gone, leaving them alone.

"Busy is an understatement," Alyse giggled, then relaxed, her head listing sideways until it rested against Cal's shoulder. "I feel so sore, but somehow it's not as bad as it seems like it should be."

"Maybe our daughter works magic too," Cal suggested, slipping his arm gently around her shoulders. "Do you feel like you could do this all over again tomorrow?"

"Don't even think about it," Alyse looked up at him sharply, then giggled. "I don't want to have another baby right now. But… maybe in a couple of years."

After all that agony, she wanted to do it again? "Then Gloria is magic," Cal laughed. "You told me earlier today I was never going to be allowed to touch you again."

Alyse's cheeks flushed again just slightly. "Well… maybe I was speaking a bit hastily."

She was just too cute like that. "Thank goodness," Cal chuckled as he leaned down and kissed her.

January 4th, 1968

"I hate that it's already time to leave," Ethan admitted as he gave his mother a good strong hug. "This has been a great vacation."

"We're going to miss you," Winry admitted, hugging her son back tightly. "It's been so nice having everyone together for this long. You should come back for the Spring Sheep festival."

"If we can get off," Ethan sighed, smiling regretfully. "I don't think Lia will be able to though. We may have to wait until summer, when school lets out."

"That's true." Winry hated sometimes that the family schedules were not conducive to this kind of get together all the time. As it was everyone was heading home on the train. It was one of those things that made Winry a little homesick for Central. "We'll expect you in the summer then. I'm sure Eamon and Lily will love it when they can play outside more."

"Oh bet on it," Ethan chuckled as he turned away to get his family loaded on the train. "Love you, Mom!"

Winry watched as Ethan helped herd the twins off the platform and disappeared on the train. Sara and Franz and their kids were already loaded, as were Cal and Alyse with their adorable little girl, Will and Ren and their two, and even Tore and Dare. The family took up a car all on its own really. So much for family being just the three of us, Winry glanced over to where Ed and Al were sharing a rough, brotherly hug. We've built quite a family, haven't we guys?

"See you in a few months?" Elicia asked as she came up and hugged Winry too. "Talk to you before then of course."

"Well of course," Winry chuckled. "I don't know how we'll keep busy without everyone here."

"Oh you'll find plenty of things. I know you," Elicia shook her head. "Especially in the spring when it's garden planting time! Maybe we'll be able to come out and help then."

"That would be fantastic," Winry agreed. "I've never seen Edward so excited about planting and laying out a garden before." Ed had all sorts of plans for the gardens. There would be several: one for fruits and vegetables and herbs, and one in the traditional Xingese style – a full meditation garden – as well as the general landscaping around the house with more traditional trees and flowering bushes. He had even talked about putting in a small orchard.

"Which is why we definitely have to see him at work," Elicia chuckled. "Take care, Winry."

After a final flurry, everyone except for Winry, Edward, the dogs, and Aldon and Cassie and their kids, was on the train, and the train was pulling away.

"Well, I guess things are going to be quiet around here for a while," Aldon chuckled.

"Too quiet," Reichart sighed. "I like it when everyone's here."

"Me too!" Ian replied, bouncing from toes to heels. "It was fun!"

"And loud," Coran replied with a shrug, his hands in his jacket pockets. "I like everyone, but I'm kind of glad we're going to get things back to normal a bit."

"Not entirely," Aldon cut him off. "You're going to have some work to do."

"On what?" Coran looked curious.

Winry smiled. Coran's biggest presents hadn't come under the tree.

"Come on back to the house and we'll show you," Ed chuckled.

It was a curious and excited little parade that walked back to the Hill House – as it had come to be called to differentiate it from the other Elric/Rockbell house – and up to the garage.

"What's in here?" Coran couldn't help asking as Ed opened the door.

"You'll see in a moment," Winry chuckled.

As the door – which Winry had rigged to be automatic – opened, the second parking spot clearly held a motorcycle; a little used, in need of work, but good quality and a classic brand. It was a dark almost-black green with chrome highlights and a leather seat.

Coran's mouth dropped open. "That's for me?"

"When you get it fixed up," Aldon grinned. "It's yours. Every guy needs a set of wheels right?"

Coran's stare turned into a huge grin and he pumped one fist. "That's awesome! Thanks so much." He hurried over to it, clearly hungry to get his hands on it. Immediately he started checking it out.

Winry couldn't help giggling. Another gear-head in the family all right. "That's not all," she spoke up.

Coran immediately looked up. "You're kidding. I thought the presents came last week."

"Not the big ones," Cassie smiled.

"If you want it," Winry continued, "I've arranged an apprenticeship for you with a well known auto-mail mechanic in Rush Valley."

Yes, Coran's eyes could get bigger. "You're kidding. Grandma that's fantastic! Of course I want to go! When do I start?"

"This summer," Winry chuckled, glad to see him so enthusiastic.

"After school's out and you've had time to get that bike fixed and learn to ride it," Aldon added.

"Right, that makes sense," Coran nodded agreeably. "Wow! This is… really something."

Aldon walked over and put a hand on his son's shoulder. "Every guy needs to get out on his own sometime."

Coran's smile slipped just a little. "I… feel like a jerk."

"Well you have been kind of an ass lately," Reichart smirked.

"Art!" Cassie glared at him before turning back to her eldest. "Your father and I both think you're ready for more freedom, and some real responsibility. You've got talents, and you should explore them. No one expects you to stay in Resembool forever."

For a moment, his lip trembled, then Coran turned and hugged his father, then his mother. "Thanks Dad, Mom. I won't let you down. I promise."

Winry felt a tear in her own eye. Coran was so much like the other men in the family, right down to the drive to mature beyond his years, the impatience to get moving, and the need to go out and do something with himself. She didn't blame him for needing a change of venue either. When she looked over at Ed, he seemed to be thinking the same thing. His eyes met hers, and he winked.

"I know you'll be a fantastic auto-mail engineer," Aldon smiled. "Just do your Master a favor and argue with him less than you argue with me, okay?"

Coran chuckled. "Sure thing, Dad; I'm pretty sure I can do that."


"I'm going to get a snack from the food car," Cal said as he stood up. "Are you hungry? Do you want anything?" he asked his wife.

Alyse, cuddled warmly in the corner near the window, a pillow to lean against, and Gloria bundled in her arms, smiled. "I'd love a snack. I'm starved!" She had been told she would be hungrier after her baby was born; breastfeeding took even more energy than carrying the baby. She had believed them, but the reality was something else!

"I thought you might be," Cal chuckled. "I'll be right back." He left the car.

Sitting across from her, Ren looked at Will and poked him with one finger.

"What was that for?" Will asked. Michio and Minxia were in the next berth, playing with Eamon and Lily.

Ren chuckled. "What do you think?"

Will sighed, a bemused smile crossing his face as he stood up. "All right. I get you. I'll be right back with food. Don't die of starvation while I'm gone." He gave her belly a pat.

"You'd better hurry," Ren smiled. "I make no promises."

"Very funny, your highness," he said as he left.

Alyse couldn't help giggling. "It's nice to see Will so well trained."

"Well he's had plenty of practice," Ren smiled, her hand resting where Will's had just vacated. "Though I think you got Cal trained it record time," she chuckled.

"Would you believe I didn't really have to?" Alyse asked. In her arms, Gloria gurgled and blinked up at her. "I mean, there are small things, like not leaving socks on the couch, but he's always been good about taking care of me and conscientious of our relationship." She stroked the baby's cheek with her finger, and Gloria nuzzled it. "I was actually surprised how well he's held up through the last few months though. There were times I didn't really feel or act much like myself."

"Pregnancy makes a girl pretty crazy," Ren admitted, smiling.

"You seem fine," Alyse couldn't help pointing out. She had to admit she was a little jealous of how together Ren seemed even when Alyse knew how crazy the hormones were.

Ren shrugged. "All those years of meditative techniques my mother taught me," she admitted. "And now, plenty of practice." Her smile was kind. "If you ask Will, he'll tell you in private I can be as much of a whiny bitch as anyone else; especially in the later months, when I'm more of a balloon than anything else."

Alyse felt slightly embarrassed. Did Ren know other women had thought the same thing?

Apparently Ren could read her expression. "So I'm not the only one who thinks I look pretty silly at full term huh?" she winked. "Don't worry about it. When I had Minxia Will kept making stuffed panda jokes."

"Why only with Minxia?" Alyse asked curiously.

"Because I told him if he didn't stop he wouldn't have to worry about us having any more kids," Ren replied with too-sweet innocence.

Alyse laughed, imagining the look on her brother's face. No matter how that line was taken, it wasn't good for a man's sex life. "So he stopped."

"Mostly," Ren smirked. "Anytime he starts in on it usually a question about his wardrobe will get him to shut up."

Given her brother responded almost instantly to any comment on his physique from his wife - good or bad – Alyse could see how that would work. "And men call us vain," she giggled. "Cal's surprisingly weight conscious; not that he'll admit it in public."

"Maybe it's an alchemist thing," Ren giggled. "Or a State Alchemist thing."

"Or a husband thing," Alyse suggested. "Though I guess we'd have to ask Sara about Franz as the only one in the family we could rule out as being a State alchemist, or an alchemist at all."

"That's true," Ren nodded thoughtfully. "Though he's a military officer, and we know he works out a lot, so he might not be a good test subject. Don't we know any average guys?"

"Well I guess you could call some of my school friends' boyfriends and husbands average," Alyse had to think about that one for a moment. "And there's Aldon's buddies in Resembool. Some of Ethan's college friends are average. Most of them are in decent shape I guess, but nothing like the muscles you see on the State Alchemist guys, or most of our family," she conceded. Her father and Uncle Edward's alchemy teacher's truism about training the mind and the body both had been pounded so far into the Amestrian alchemist culture now – as well as the general family psychology – that she didn't spend much time around guys who didn't at least try to take care of themselves. "I guess we're just spoiled," she smiled.

"You can say that again," Cal grinned as he opened the door and came in, holding two bottled drinks and a plate with sandwiches. "I hope you're still hungry."

"Yeah," Will chuckled as he came in right behind Cal. "You ladies don't eat this stuff, and I swear I'll finish it off myself."

Ren shared a look with Alyse, then rolled her eyes. "You try it, William, and we'll have a little talk about how well you need to behave on the next family holiday."

"Behave?" Will scoffed. "Don't pull that one on me, Renxiang." He sat down and held out a sandwich to his wife, leaning close to her ear, though Alyse could still hear what he said in the small space. "Who was it who was griping to me yesterday about not being able to keep away from the dessert table?"

Ren's face turned a washed-out crimson just across the top of her cheekbones. "Give me that," she glared at Will. "One more word on the subject and you're sleeping in the luggage rack."

Will laughed. "Yes dear."

Alyse turned her attention to Cal, and her food. "Thanks," she smiled, shifting Gloria with one arm so she could actually reach the food. The baby fussed. "Oh, easy sweetie."

"I'll take her," Cal offered, switching out food for child with what was already becoming practiced ease. "It's okay pretty girl. As soon as Mommy gets fed, you get fed."

And as soon as Mommy gets home, Mommy's hitting the gym. Alyse took the food gratefully and began to eat. If she didn't know almost everything was going into breast milk and right out again into her child, she wasn't sure she could make herself eat that much. "Yep," she smiled. "Just be patient, you're welcome to all of it."

Sometimes, Alyse wondered if Cal could read her mind, or if he really just did know her that well now. He leaned over and kissed her before she took the first bite. "Have I told you how beautiful you look today?"

January 6th, 1968

Finally the house was all cleaned up from the holidays, including removing and replanting the holiday tree outside on the hill so it could continue to grow unmolested. All the rooms were cleaned up, beds made, and ready for the next time they would have occupants.

Ed could deal with the emptiness and quiet, even if it was a little lonely. That was okay though. He had plenty of projects to keep him occupied for a while, especially thanks to one of his favorite holiday gifts. The one Winry had gotten him particularly. He looked around the empty living room then headed into the study. He paused outside the door, nudging the sleeping Pir with his feet. "Come on, buddy, you can keep me company."

The dog looked up, wagged his tail, and followed.

Sitting in the study, proud and stately in the middle of the desk, was a brand new top-of-the-line typewriter, and a stack of fresh, white, quality paper. It was a thing of beauty, Ed considered, as he sat down and slid a sheet of paper into it. For years, ideas had floated in his head, and the spark of creativity had occasionally flickered. Now, he finally had the time, and the inclination, to put it all down on paper. It didn't really matter that everyone would assume most of it was fiction, since a good bit of it would be. But that was okay, it was definitely going to make for a great story! He was just glad no one in Europe would ever read it!

The Quest for Immortality by Fritz Heidrich, page one.

Allen Edwards stood on the sweeping hill overlooking the city, his long, blond hair swept back by the swift gale. The enemy was down below somewhere; with two things he desired more than anything; the lovely Whitney Rochelle, and the fabled goblet said to contain the magic that could bring immortality to whoever possessed it. If they fell into the hands of Fuhrer Hall, Allen knew the Continent was doomed. "We've got to stop him," he said to his brother with determination.

Beside him, his younger brother Harry blinked his golden eyes and looked up with adoring confidence. "You're right, Brother. What are we going to do?"

Allen grinned. "What we always do, Harry. We're going to win."


Author's Note: Fin on the family holiday. New adventures beginning next week!