Chapter Ten
The next day they arrived in Central, and the first thing that happened, was that Hughes took Edward to his apartment. Mustang had said something about filling out paperwork, and he and Riza went their separate way from Hughes and Edward. When Hughes and Edward get to Hughes' apartment and walk in they're greeted by the woman whom Edward had seen in the photograph.
"Welcome home, Maes," says Gracia, with a warm smile as she hugs Hughes. Hughes kisses her forehead as he hugs her back.
"Thanks Hon," says Hughes, before stepping back and motioning towards Edward, who was standing in the doorway looking a little awkward. "Gracia, this is Edward Elric. He'll be staying with us for a few days, until we get some stuff sorted out with this case in Lior. Edward, this is my beautiful wife, Gracia."
"Welcome to our home, Edward," says Gracia. That's when Edward notices her stomach.
"Whoa! Your stomach is the size of a melon!" exclaims Edward, in awe. Then he blushes, because he realized that he was being rude. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"You're right though," says Gracia, as she rubs her stomach lovingly. "There's a baby inside me belly and she's been making a big fuss lately. I think she's ready to come out and see the world," says Gracia cheerfully.
"Wow. Really?" asks Edward, amazed by what he was hearing. He'd never seen a pregnant woman before. As he's looking at Gracia's stomach, it moves! Edward jumps back and points at her stomach. "It moved!" he shouts, in surprise. Her stomach moves again.
"Oh, I think you may have startled her," says Gracia, rubbing her belly again.
"How did I startle her?" asks Edward, feeling guilty.
"She can hear everything that's going on out here. Sudden loud noises startle her sometimes," says Gracia.
"I'm sorry," says Edward, guiltily.
"It's okay. Do you want to feel her move?" asks Gracia.
"No way! That's creepy!" says Edward, holding his hands out in front of him. Gracia smiles warmly and grabs Edward's right hand and pulls it up to a spot on her stomach.
"It's not creepy, just feel," says Gracia. Edward waits for something to happen, and then it does! He feels something bump his hand. "Wow, that was a strong kick. She must like you already," says Gracia.
"Did it hurt you?" asks Edward. He couldn't imagine being kicked from the inside. If it was anything like being kicked from the outside, it probably hurt a lot.
"No, it didn't hurt," says Gracia.
"Maybe we should let Edward get his things unpacked. Edward, you'll be staying in the guest room," says Hughes, before picking up Ed's suitcase and leading him back to a bedroom. When they go in, Edward looks around. It was a nice room, with a full sized bed, and a night stand with a lamp next to it. Under the window was a dresser with a vase of flowers sitting in it. On the other wall, across from the bed, was a desk with a small lamp and a pen holder full of pens. On the wall closest to the door was a small book shelf full of books, but when Edward looked at the titles he found that they were mostly fiction books, and none of them had anything to do with alchemy.
"Well, here's the room, I hope it's okay," says Hughes.
"It's great," says Edward.
"The top drawer of the desk has some stationary and envelopes in it, feel free to use any of it, if you want to write letters or whatever. If you need a stamp, just ask me, I'll get you one," says Hughes.
"Okay. Thank you Mr. Hughes," says Edward, before walking over to the bed and laying his suitcase on it and opening it. When he does, he notices the camera Al had made him pack.
"Just because I'm not going with you, doesn't mean that I don't want to see the country. So take a lot of pictures for me. Okay?" Al had said, when he had given Edward the camera. Ed picks up the camera and looks at it. He didn't really know how to work a camera.
"Oh! You have a camera! Did you plan to take pictures of everywhere you went?" asks Hughes, excitedly.
"My brother wanted me to, but I don't know how to work this," says Edward, holding the camera out for Hughes to see. Hughes takes the camera and opens the back of it.
"Well, you don't have any film yet, so you won't be able to take any pictures," says Hughes. Edward turns back to his suitcase and digs around until he finds a box.
"Is this it?" asks Ed. Hughes takes the box and reads it.
"Yeah, this is it. Okay, so to put the film in, you take it out of the packaging," says Hughes, as he opens the box and pulls out a roll of film, before demonstrating how to put the film into the camera.
"How do I get the pictures out?" asks Edward.
"You have to take the film to a camera shop. The camera shop has a dark room, and they can get the pictures developed for you, but they'll charge you to do it. Or, if you'd like, I can develop them for you whenever you come to Central. I'll do it for free," says Hughes.
"Really?" asks Ed.
"Sure! Besides, I want to see some of the pictures you take for your brother," says Hughes.
"So, how do I take pictures with it?" asks Ed.
"That's easy! You just look through this little spot here, point it where you want, and then push the button. Afterward, you have to wind the film with this little wheel here," says Hughes, pointing at everything on the camera as he speaks. Then he hands the camera to Ed.
"So, what do you want to take a picture of first?" asks Hughes.
"Can I take a picture of you and Gracia? I want Al and my mom to see some of the people I meet," says Ed.
"Of course! Right this way," says Hughes, pulling Edward out of the room and taking him into the kitchen, where Gracia was standing at the stove stirring something in a large pot. "Is that stew? Smells delicious, Hon," says Hughes, before giving Gracia a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you. Edward, you like, stew right?" asks Gracia.
"That's my favorite!" says Edward, excitedly. Al would be so jealous if he found out that Ed was getting stew today.
"Good. I'm glad to hear it," says Gracia, with a warm smile.
"Actually, Ed wanted to try out his camera, and asked if he could photograph the two of us," says Hughes. Gracia looks down at the camera in Ed's hands.
"Of course! Where would you like to take the picture, mister photographer?" asks Gracia, before turning around and turning down the heat on the stew so that it wouldn't burn.
"Um...I don't know. I just thought I had to take a picture," says Ed, confused. Did it matter where they were? He remembered being photographed with Al and Winry when they were little, but those were pictures of them playing and stuff. They usually didn't even realize they were being photographed until it was over.
"How about we go to the living room?" suggests Hughes.
"Okay," says Gracia. Hughes leads Gracia and Edward to the living room where Hughes and Gracia stand together in front of the fire place. Hughes had his arm around Gracia's waist and Gracia was leaning into Hughes and they both had a hand on Gracia's stomach. They both had smiles on their faces. Edward smiles at the happy family before lifting his camera and looking through the view finder, as instructed by Hughes earlier, and once he had Hughes and Gracia centered he pushes the button.
As soon as the camera flashes, Gracia's face distorts into a look of pain and she gasps before clutching her stomach. Hughes catches her as she begins to fall. "Gracia!" he shouts, concerned.
"I think my water just broke!" gasps Gracia. Edward had no idea what that meant, but it didn't sound good. Anything breaking usually wasn't a good thing!
"What do we do?" asks Edward, alarmed. He was a little scared. Then he notices a puddle of liquid forming around Gracia. It was clear, and looked like water. Was that what Gracia had meant?
"We have to get Gracia to the doctor. I'm going to call the doctor. Help Gracia get to the couch while I call the doctor and let him know that we're coming," says Hughes, before rushing out of the room. Ed lays the camera on the coffee table before walking over to Gracia and helping her to her feet.
"Are you in any pain, Mrs. Hughes?" asks Edward, as he slings her arm over his shoulder so that he can help her to the couch.
"I'm okay for right now, Edward. Thank you," says Gracia, breathlessly, as she sits down on the couch. "Could you be a dear and go turn off the stove and place a lid on the stew? The lids are in the cupboard next to the stove."
"Sure," says Edward, before running to the kitchen to do as he's told. Once he was done with that he goes back out to the living room to find Hughes helping Gracia into her coat. He had a suitcase next to his feet.
"Edward, grab your coat, you'll have to come with us," says Hughes. Ed nods and grabs his coat from the coat rack and slips it on.
"I'll take her suit case for you, Hughes," says Edward, grabbing his camera and slipping it into his pocket – he wanted to take a picture of the baby when it was born – before picking up the suit case.
"Thanks, Ed. Come on, now. I've called a cab, it should be waiting outside," says Hughes, before helping Gracia to the door.
A few hours later, Edward was sitting outside in the waiting room, watching Hughes as he paced back and forth. He hadn't taken a seat since the doctors had told him that Gracia was fully dilated – whatever that meant – and that he would have to wait in the waiting room until the baby was born. The last Edward had seen Gracia, she wasn't looking too good. She was pale, sweating, and obviously in a lot of pain. Unable to handle seeing her in so much pain, Edward had gone out to the waiting room. Hughes had come out about an hour later and explained to Edward what was going on.
"I'm going to go find something to eat," says Edward.
"Okay. I'll send a nurse to find you if anything happens while you're gone," says Hughes, obviously distracted.
"Do you want anything?" asks Ed.
"No, thanks though," says Hughes.
"Okay," says Edward, before leaving to find the cafeteria. Once there, Edward gets a sandwich and some juice, before taking a seat at one of the tables. While he's eating, a nurse walks over to him.
"Are you Edward Elric?" she asks.
"Yeah," says Edward.
"Mr. Hughes said to let you know that 'it's a girl' and that when you finish eating you're welcome to come in and see her," says the nurse.
"I'm ready to see her now," says Edward, pushing his tray aside, appetite forgotten.
"Right this way, then," says the nurse, before turning and walking out of the cafeteria. Edward follows her through the double doors in the waiting room, and down the hall to a room. When he gets inside, he finds Gracia and Hughes cooing over a small bundle in Gracia's arms.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hughes. I've brought Edward in," says the nurse. Then she turns to Edward. "If you want to hold the baby, you need to wash your hands in that sink, and put on those scrubs," says the nurse pointing to a sink and scrubs over in the corner.
"Okay," says Edward. The nurse walks out of the room, and Edward stands in the doorway, awkwardly. Hughes looks up at Edward with a huge grin on his face.
"Hey there, Edward. Don't be shy, come see our daughter," says Hughes, motioning with his hand to come over. Gracia looks up at Edward and smiles warmly. Edward nods and walks over to the bed, cautiously. He didn't want to scare the baby.
"Her name is Elysia," says Gracia, as Edward looks down at the small bundle. The baby was looking at him with wide, green eyes. "Would you like to hold her?"
Edward holds his hands out in front of him. "I'd better not. I don't want to hurt her," says Edward, nervously.
"Nonsense. Go wash your hands and put on those scrubs," says Hughes, pulling Edward over to the sink. Edward pulls off his jacket and washes his hands, before putting on the scrubs over his clothes. Then he sits down in the chair and watches nervously as Hughes carries the small bundle over to him.
"You really don't have to let me hold her," says Edward nervously.
"Sure I do! Now, hold your arms like I am," says Hughes. Edward makes a cradle with his arms, just like Hughes and watches as Hughes nestles little Elysia into his arms. Edward looks down at her, surprised that she was so light. "Just watch her head," says Hughes, as he readjust Ed's arms a little so that he's supporting her head better. "There! See? It's easy."
"I guess," mumbles Edward, woodenly. He was afraid to move a muscle, or even speak. She was just so little and fragile. Edward looks down at Elysia who was staring up at him with a look of wonder on her face.
"Say hi to your big brother, Ed, Elysia," coos Hughes, just as something flashes. Edward looks up, startled, and sees Hughes holding the camera Ed had brought.
"Can't let this moment be passed up. Your family will be thrilled to see you holding such an adorable little baby," says Hughes, proudly. Ed looks back down at Elysia, who had closed her eyes and fallen asleep.
"She likes you, Edward. You'll have to make sure to come to Central, often, and pay her a visit," says Gracia.
"That's right. And I expect you to bring your brother one of these days too," says Hughes. "I'm sure he'd like to meet our little Elysia."
"He would. He likes small, cute things," says Ed, a little more comfortable, now that he was holding Elysia, and obviously not hurting her.
"Where you from, Edward?" asks Gracia.
"Resembool," says Edward. "It's a little place in the east."
"It sounds like a nice place," says Gracia.
"Only if you like farms," snorts Edward. "And being up in the mountains."
"We should visit there," says Hughes. "it sounds peaceful." Edward remembered Winry and Al, and all of the fun they used to have, playing in the river and exploring the woods and stuff. It was a nice childhood.
"It is," says Edward, fondly. He suddenly missed his mom and brother. "I'm going to go call my mom and let her know I've made it to Central, okay."
"Alright," says Hughes, walking over and taking Elysia. Edward removes the scrubs before leaving to find a phone. When he does, he calls home, and Al answers.
"Hello?" asks Al.
"Hey, is mom home?" asks Ed.
"Hi, Brother!" says Al, excitedly. "Mom's putting clothes on the line. Guess what! We got a new letter from dad! He's heading to Youswell next."
"Okay. That's good to know," says Ed.
"Are you in Central yet?" asks Al.
"Yeah, and you wouldn't believe it! The family I'm staying with just had a baby! I'm actually at the hospital right now!" says Edward, cheerfully.
"Really? What'd they have?" asks Al, excitedly.
"A girl. Her name is Elysia. And I got to hold her," says Ed, proudly.
"Wow! What was it like?" asks Al, in awe.
"She was little, and she didn't weigh very much. She was really soft too. Mrs. Hughes said that she thought Elysia liked me," says Ed.
"That's so awesome, Brother! Did you take pictures?" asks Al.
"Yeah. I'll show you next time I come home," says Ed.
"When will that be?" asks Al.
"When I leave Central. I have to stay here for a few days though. I got caught up in something, and Colonel Mustang is making me stay here," says Edward.
"What'd you do?" asks Al.
"Nothing!" snaps Ed. "I got framed somehow! Just, don't tell mom, okay?" asks Edward.
"Okay, I won't," says Al.
"Alphonse, who's on the phone, dear?" Trisha could be heard in the background.
"Ed called! Do you want to talk to him?" asks Al. Then Ed could hear the phone being shuffled, followed by his mother's voice.
"Hello, Edward," says Trisha.
"Hi mom," says Edward. He could feel his chest tighten at his mother's voice. He missed her a lot. All he wanted to do was go home and see her, maybe even just give up his stupid quest to find Hoenheim. If that bastard wanted to stay gone, who was Ed to try to make him go home?
"How are you? Did you make it to Central?" asks Trisha.
"I'm good. Yeah, I made it to Central. I'm staying with a nice family," says Ed.
"Really? Who?" asks Trisha.
"Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes, and his wife, Gracia," says Edward. "Oh, and their new baby, Elysia."
"They have a baby? Are you sure that it's okay for you to stay there then?" asks Trisha.
"Yeah. Mr. Hughes insisted," says Ed.
"Okay, then you just be polite, and help them out whenever you can," says Trisha. "I know you'll do those things. You're a good boy."
"I will," says Ed.
"That's my little man," says Trisha, proudly.
"I have too go. I'll call you tonight when I get back to the Hughes' house," says Edward.
"Okay. Good-bye, Edward. I love you," says Trisha.
"I love you too. And Al too. Tell him that for me, okay?" asks Edward.
"Of course," says Trisha. "He loves you too."
"Okay. Bye," says Edward, before hanging up.
End Chapter
A/N: Thanks for reading chapter ten! Wow, can't believe I made it to chapter ten already! Or that this chapter is 8 pages long! Whoo hoo! Okay, so I have no idea where this chapter came from...my fingers have a mind of their own...hope you guys liked the chapter. Um...the camera thing...I have no idea where that came from, but it seemed like something Al would ask Ed to do... Sorry if Ed seems OOC...I just figured he would act the way he's acting in this chapter in the situations presented. The next chapter should shed some light on what Roy is keeping Ed in Central for...That was supposed to happen in this chapter, but my fingers took over...oh! Before I forget...I'm thinking about having Ed lose his arm...partially because someone mentioned that the metal arm was sort of his thing...and partially because its been bugging me that I made him lose the leg instead of his arm...so...review and let me know if you object to this or not...Hmm...i guess that's it...Review and let me know what you thought. Ask questions, make suggestions, whatever...thanks! Sayonara! =]