A.N.: Thanks for the votes!! Keep voting please! I'm glad for the comments, and I'm struggling to keep this story up to date just for you. I noticed that last chapter few people reviewed; maybe I should hurry up the conclusion of this fic. I deleted my rant one day after 'cause I don't wanna future problems.I'm so tired; well better go straight to the story.
Chapter's rate: PG.
Warnings: Language. Beware the grammar mistakes – my beta reader Suzuku90 is on vacation.
EDIT: A late prologue was placed in the chapter two - it was the contest - sorry for the mess with the chapters, but I beliave that you will like the new addict.
Chapter 8: "Surprises"
They were trapped. Alphonse looked at his father at his side, so unnerving, so strangely calm. Soldiers entrapped them inside of an abandoned mine. Surely those soldiers were after Edward. He knew that his brother was safe and protected, or else why the soldiers were after him?
The boy could heard explosions from outside. Their barrier alchemically created was going to ruin. If I weren't with my father I could fight. He glanced at him one more time and saw that the old man moved and was working on something in the other side corner. His father was an excellent alchemist, but he never saw him in combat. Since this trip started, he never saw that man upset. Al tried to call him, but the last explosion opened an entrance in their improvised shelter.
Angry voices ordered them to get out with hands raised. And then it happened. A strong and sharp light – from alchemical reactions – left him blind for a few moments and then a new explosion. He heard the confusing sounds of steps, shoots mixed with soldier's voices. He felt a hand pulls him out, and he followed that hand far away. Behind them, part of the roof tumbled down sealing the entrance. When they stopped, he could see clearly, and they were alone. The soldiers didn't follow them.
Hoheinnheim sat to catch his breath. "They won't follow us awhile."
"What was that?" the huge suit of armor stepped in front of the bearded man.
"I used some materials that we can find here on this mine to create a strong reaction to cover our escape." He sighed.
"Thanks, Dad. If weren't you…" suddenly, Alphonse noticed that several flaming torches were lighted illuminating the ghost corridors "Wait, how we can have light here?"
"Someone passed by here before us, son. Hurry, we need to get there before them." The bearded man stood up.
"Where are we going?" Al glanced down his father and some small dirt spots on his father's shirt attracted his attention. Looking it up better, he noticed that they weren't spots. They were bullet holes. His father got shot. "Dad! Y-you got shot!"
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine." Hohennheim grinned and headed to the corridor.
"W-what? What are you?" shocked, Alphonse couldn't understand how that was possible.
"I'm a monster, Alphonse."
Morning came and annunciated its coming with the first rays of light. The peaceful town wakes up early every day, because each hour of light is precious in places at mercy of the wild weather. Roy heard the noises coming from downstairs, precisely coming from the kitchen, where Melissa and her assistants should be preparing the breakfast for the guests.
That night was quite rough; he tried his best to hide from Edward that Alphonse called. Ed wasn't called a genius for nothing; he knew that his husband was up into something. Truly deep inside the older man, he wanted to tell Ed. But the blonde was pregnant and it could only cause more problems to his health. Yesterday Roy called Major General Grumman from East City to help find Alphonse. That old man was his only ally that had the power needed to this task.
The raven man felt that Ed wasn't curled up to his chest as always, Roy rolled up to the blonde's side of the bed. It was empty. Exasperated, he opened his eyes and quickly sat upright. When he saw the blonde staring at him from their small couch near to the fireplace, the raven man could sigh in oblivion.
"Good morning." Ed smiled and his voice sounded rough.
"Good morning…geez baby, just now you scared me to death." Roy got his own blanket and wrapping his body with it then sat beside the teen. "Why are you up so early in the morning?"
"I was just wondering… the facts that happened to us, Al, and our babies." Ed leaned his head on Roy's shoulder "Despites the fact that these little devils inside of my stomach decided to don't let me sleep."
"Come here." Roy pulled Edward to his lap and enveloped them with his blanket. "Melissa said that until you get used to the sensation, it will bother you. Maybe a song can distract them."
"Wait, are you going to sing? This will enter to the list 'Things that I still don't know about Roy Mustang', you can't be serious." Ed grinned and kissed his husband's cheek.
"I can sing, just a few songs, but I can sing. My father used to sing to me lullabies when I was a kid." Roy cupped Ed's chin and leaned down to kiss his lips.
"You're full of surprises…that's why I married you." Ed grinned.
"Just because of this?" Roy shoved his spouse with butterfly kisses.
"Hum… let me think…"
"You devious shrimp, come here." Roy pulled Edward to a tight grip and kissed him repeatedly. Suddenly Ed's stomach growled claiming its morning food.
"Sorry. I'm eating for three and we are damned ravished." Ed grinned.
"If our children are just like you, I'll go bankrupt," Roy chuckled "But I'm afraid that Melissa didn't finished the preparations."
"Babies, did you hear your dad?" Ed rubbed his belly "How are we going to call them, its better than just 'babies', though."
"Since we don't know the genders… it's hard to decide." Roy placed his hands over Ed's belly "We can call them Edward Jr. and Roy Jr." the older man chuckled.
"Not my children moron!" Ed yelled.
"We still have time, for now just 'babies' is fine. All that I want is my family healthy, safe and happy. Today we are going to see your new doctor."
"Don't remind me..." the blonde grinned "What about that song? My stomach is getting impatient..."
"Okay if you insist…" Roy started with a low soft voice while fondly rubbing Ed's precious belly.
"Summertime, and the living is easy
Fish are jumping, and the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich, and your mommy is good looking
So hush little baby, don't you cry.
One of these mornings, you're gonna rise up singing
You're gonna spread your wings and take the sky
But till that morning, there is nothing can harm you
With your daddy and mommy standing by."
Major General Grumman was seated on his favorite chair, in the living room of his house. He grabbed a cup of his old brandy and savored its taste. Wife and daughter were gone on a charity dinner leaving him to the peace of home. He was too old for that. East city was so cold that night, so he preferred the fireplace and his brandy to heat up his old bones. When he finished his cup a knock on his door broke the silence.
He went to attend it and someone of his past was in front of him. He smiled and invited them to enter.
"Sophie! What a beautiful surprise! Please, come in."
"When did you start to call me Sophie, Archie?" she smiled and entered.
"You have a good timing as always, my wife and daughter went out." he accompanied her till the living.
"It didn't change after twenty years." She said looking around to that room.
"Yes, it didn't. I like it as it is. You surprised me, maybe your visit here it's because you're concerned about Roy I presume?" he grabbed a cup for her "Brandy?"
"Yes please." She smiled "I know that you are protecting him as long as you can, but this time I'm afraid that I could lose him forever." She sat on the sofa.
"You never confirmed if he is my son, but I love him if he was my own children. I'll protect him until my death Cherry." He handed the cup.
"I can't say it, I told you twenty years ago." Sophie poured her brandy "I need your help… I don't want him married to that 'thing'."
"Are you sure about this? Edward is a pretty boy and brilliant alchemist. I heard that he likes to help people and has a pure heart."
"He's a man, for God sake! How Roy could do it? He impregnated a boy, married him and now is a fugitive from military." She glared at him.
"Roy know what to do, he's a grown man. Don't worry about him."
"Did you already know that? Then you approve his behavior?"
"We are going to be grandparents Cherry. We should be happy and proud of our son." The old man sighed "Just like us years ago, he did everything for love."
"I can't accept it, I just can't… because of 'us' Robert died!"
"You husband always had a fragile health."
"I'm tired of this conversation! I'll do the things on my way, with your help or not." She stood from the sofa.
"I can tell that deep in your heart you saw love in our son's eyes. Don't you dare to take away his happiness just like you did with us years ago."
"I don't want my grandchildren raised as children of two fathers."
"Please give a try to Edward, I'm sure that you will see that I'm right."
"Perhaps I could if-" the telephone rang and Grumman went to attend it in other room. After a few minutes, he came back with a frown on his face.
"I'm afraid that you'll have to meet Edward and Roy soon. Someone told to the military that they are on Polaris town."
Breakfast finished, Edward went to Nina's room with Melissa for his daily lessons. Melissa has been a good source about babies and pregnancy. He learned how to take care of his growing belly, baby care and health. Her elder children were lovely kids and every afternoon had been playing games with the pregnant blonde.
Later that day, they went to the local hospital. It wasn't big, but they liked its appearance. Roy was concerned about the new doctor, because it wasn't usual to see a male pregnant. Just for precaution, the small blonde was using girls' clothes.
The time of their appointment came, and 'Mrs. Eddie Mustang' was called.
Dr. Rendell was a very old doctor, his face showed confidence and kindness. He greeted the couple, and asked a few questions.
"Dr. Rendell there is something that you should know…" Roy started but the doctor interrupted him.
"Before you could continue Mr. Mustang I have to apologize. Your wife is with seventeen weeks and I'm afraid that I can't be her doctor, because I'm going to retire soon." He said and picked up the phone's receiver "Marta, please tell him to enter."
"But who will assist my wife?" Roy and Ed exchanged looks.
"I'm only attending women with advanced pregnancy, but my assistant is very skilled and I trained him very well in the past months. He will give assistance to your wife." They heard a knock on the door "Come in!" the doctor demanded.
"Excuse me Dr. Rendell."
A few pounds heavier, standing in front of them was Dr. Knox.
"You!" Ed pointed at him.
"Colonel Mustang? Major Elric?" he looked at them astonished "What are you doing here?"
"Do you already meet each other?" Dr. Rendell was surprised.
"Yes in the military." Dr. Knox quickly answered.
"Oh, really? Perhaps you should talk with more privacy in the adjacent consult room about the military times!" the old man smiled and pointed to the next door. "If you don't mind Dr. Knox, I need to check Mrs. Williams's progress."
Dr. Knox nodded and called the couple to the other room. After properly seated in chairs they started to talk.
"What on earth is going on here? Why Major Elric needs an obstetrician?" he frowned.
"I'm the one who wanna know what are you doing here." Roy crossed his arms over his chest. "Are you with the military yet?"
"Okay, I'll explain first. I wasn't an official military doctor. My contract finished and left the morgue. My parents lived here and I thought that was a good place for restart a new life." He sighed "When you sent me that two xingian girls, I remembered that take care of the living was the reason that made me study medicine."
"I see. So, what have you been doing?" Roy glanced down Edward who was paying total attention to the doctor, arms wrapped protectively around his tummy.
"Dr. Rendell is my old teacher from college, he received me here and since the past year he has been teaching me obstetrics. I like it, women in labor sometimes are scarier than dead bodies but it's funny at all." The doctor chuckled, he really seemed happier than the last time.
"I trust you because you saved my life in Ishbal. I think that I can share with you our 'little' secret." Roy reached Ed's flesh hand and placed his own atop of it.
"Who's fucking so small that can't be seen with a microscope?" Ed yelled at his husband.
"I wasn't talking about you Ed…" Roy looked meaningfully at Ed's belly, who only frowned. After a few silent moments the raven man finally spoke. "Ed is pregnant with twins, my children."
"It didn't surprise me." Dr. Knox rested his elbows atop of the table.
"What? Did you ever saw a fucking man pregnant?" the teenager was becoming angrier with the unnerving doctor habits.
The doctor rose from his chair and went to the door to check it. Seeing that was safe he locked it and closed the curtains. Roy searched for his gloves on his pocket, friend or not, if the doctor try something against them he should be prepared.
"You don't need your gloves Roy." Knox calmly spoke and sat on his chair "Eight years ago, I examined dead bodies that suffered transmutation before the death. These bodies contained a uterus-type organ which was being used to produce humanoid things." The doctor paused and the couple exchanged concerned looks "I can tell that it was a 'thing' because the shape was different and 'the thing' drained the life from its receptor."
"I never heard about this experiment." Roy was starting to understand why the military is after Edward.
"It was a Class A top-secret experiment realized in the Fifth Laboratory. Other doctors couldn't explain the cause mortis so they brought those bodies for me. They wanted to create super-soldiers that could be easily produced inside of a receptor body alchemically prepared. Because of its high metabolism it normally enters in collapse and the receptor dies as soon it is inserted on their body." he explained.
"I didn't get it, what my babies and I have to do with this fucking sick experiment?" Ed didn't want to hear more about the military.
"Let me finish my explanation. They tried many times, women first and then men. Men seemed to resist more than women, but the final result was the same. They abandoned the experiment and it was forgotten. If one of those super-soldiers could come to life, it probably should grow five times faster than normal human and possibly more strength and resistance than any athlete." Knox gazed at Roy who was pondering each one of his words.
"That's impossible, human transmutation is forbidden… it's against the equivalent exchange law." The blonde clenched his fists; he and Al have been suffering a lot because of that night's mistake.
"You should know the answer. You are the first one who successfully did it." Dr. Knox gazed down at Ed's belly.
"Shut up! All that we wanted was our mother back!" A flush of hormones and anger flowed from the blonde, large tears was falling from his eyes. Roy came closer and embraced him tight.
"Please, let's stop this conversation. Ed is very nervous now, maybe its better go home." Roy kissed the teen's forehead who was sobbing on his shirt.
"I'm reading here that you're without medical assistance for almost a month, I think that I can give to Edward something to calm his nerves down and I can examine him today." Dr. Knox rose from his chair and grabbed a small bottle from his medical cabinet "Edward, please take two of these pills. It will help to calm down."
"I-it won't hurt the babies?" Ed grabbed the bottle which was presented to him.
"No, these are vitamins and natural substances that have calming effects. When you cool down I'll examine you and see if your babies are okay." The doctor smiled slightly.
Maes Hughes was reading the newspapers on his office desk. Since Roy's abrupt retire and escape, he was the new Colonel and became the head officer of his best friend's office. It was past midday; time to go to the cafeteria and share the latest pictures of his lovely Elysia with the other officers. When he finished he saw a missing part of his newspaper and thought that was a good idea finish it before lunch.
The man calmly picked it and started to read when he saw something that left him startled. "Carbonized body found out this weekend in East City was identified as the former Fullmetal Alchemist…" he didn't finish the headline and hopefully wished that Roy could attend the phone.
"Can you see it?" Dr. Knox asked.
"I think that I can see it, could be this?" Roy pointed to the ultrasound screen, which was the newest examination that could help doctors to see inside of the human body.
"It is Edward's bladder, Roy. If you look under it you can see the baby's head. Now I will show the other twin." He moved the probe along Ed's belly. "Here, this is the head and we can see its heart beating. They're small for their age, because of the restrict space inside of Edward's abdomen." He explained.
"Again the small shit? Does is everything okay with them?" the blonde glared annoyed at Dr. Knox. His arm was jabbed with a needle, he had to pee in a cup, he was tired, starved and finally his belly has been probed by the doctor.
"Everything seems normal, you're a proud mommy of two healthy babies." the doctor grinned.
"Can you say their gender?" Roy asked while patting fondly Ed's head.
"It's a little early for that, but with my experience I can risk a guess." He moved again the probe "I can be wrong, but at least one of these babies is a boy, thought."
To be continued.
