Meet the Havocs

"Mama! MAMA!" Jean yelled when he walked into the front door of the store.

There was something so cute about a grown man yelling for his mama. Dara smiled broadly while he held her hand tightly and pulled her around the store in his search for his mother.

"Son, what's all the yelling about?" his father asked when he walked in the front door.

Dara turned to see what her husband would look like in twenty or so years. She blinked in surprise staring at his father who was definitely responsible for his looks. The hair was much shorter but the same shade of sandy blond and there were a few wrinkles at the corners of his deep blue eyes that were gained from years of happiness. She would definitely like to see Jean earn those smile lines over the next twenty years.

"Hey, Pop! This is her. This is Dara, my wife," he said proudly, presenting her to his father.

"It's nice to meet you," his father said to her, shaking her hand politely while giving her a familiar thousand watt smile like she had seen on her husband's face.

"It's definitely nice to meet you," she rejoined, returning the captivating smile.

"Jean! JEAN!" his mother exclaimed with unbridled delight, rushing to him.

"Mama!" he bellowed excitedly, picking the small woman up and swinging her around.

"Stop that you, silly boy!" she lovingly chided him, slapping him on the chest. "Put me down. I want to meet my daughter in law."

Jean did as he was ordered by his mother and put her down. Mrs. Havoc was the same height and build as Dara. Her blond hair was pulled up and twisted into a tidy bun on the back of her head. Her bright blue eyes were the same color as sapphires and sparkled just as beautifully. She looked kind and gentle as she held open her arms to give her new daughter-in- law a hug to welcome her.

"She's beautiful, Jean," Mrs. Havoc complimented, looking at her with approval and love. She pressed her hand against Dara's belly, inquiring, "How far along are you, my dear?"

"The doctor said about six weeks. I'm so glad we're here, Mrs. Havoc," she said, hugging the woman again as tears came to her eyes.

"Mama, Dara's parents are dead. She's been alone for a while so –" He stopped talking when his mother waved a hand to shush him. He forgot that women understood these things and did not need explanations especially where emotions were concerned.

"Now, dear, why don't you come with me? I'll make us some coffee and we can get to know each other," Mrs. Havoc proposed, leading her to the back of the store that connected to their house.

Dara felt so comfortable with her new mother-in-law. It was so nice to have a mother again. The fact that it was her husband's mother made it even more special.

"Do you like to bake?" Mrs. Havoc asked, preparing the coffee.

"Oh, baking is my life. And that's not an overstatement. I can mix up something if you like. It won't take long, and I don't mind," she offered with obvious zeal.

"The pantry is all yours. See what you can find and surprise me," his mother good naturedly suggested with a big smile.

While Dara was poking around and gathering ingredients, she explained about the bakery her parents owned. As she worked, she continued to talk, spilling her whole life story while her mother-in-law patiently listened. By the time she was ready to put the raspberry jam cookies in the oven, she had told her everything all the way to the present point of when they arrived this morning. Dara poured two cups of coffee and brought them to the table to sip while the cookies were baking.

"I am so proud of my son. You are the sweetest thing," Mrs. Havoc gushed, patting Dara's hand.

"You have a wonderful son. I'm so glad he chose me," she responded, smiling contentedly.

"Now let me tell you a few things about that boy when he was young."

Dara could hardly wait to hear this. His mother regaled her with stories of his youth and made her laugh until she cried at times. He was the typical rambunctious boy who loved to climb trees and play in mud. He would stick frogs and snakes in his pockets, forgetting to release them at the end of his busy day of play. They would inevitably scare the living daylights out of his mother when she found them while checking his clothes. As he got older he became fond of silly pranks, half of which he would fall victim to himself. The most memorable occasion of a prank that backfired, literally, was when he put fireworks in the outhouse then developed a sudden upset stomach. That was not a good day for anyone involved.

Dara was crying again from laughing when Jean and his father walked in. She got up to greet her husband with a hug, and he held her close, kissing her cheek.

"Oh, Jean, it's okay. You're mother has just been telling me stories about you. I bet you were thankful when indoor plumbing came along weren't you?" she inquired, her whole body shaking in his arms as she laughed.

"Mama!" Jean whined, his face turning pink. "How could you?"

"Oh, honey, calm down. She's your wife for pete's sake. Here have a cookie," she said, taking it to him and shoving it in his mouth. "I think I'm going to ask your wife to start baking some things for us to sell in the store. I believe everyone will like them."

"Really?" Dara asked, completely thrilled with the idea.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," his father added, grabbing two more cookies from the tray.

"Well, darling, it seems you've got a job to keep you busy," Jean said, hugging his wife to his side.

Dara could barely sleep that night from sheer excitement. She could not be happier or love her new in laws more. She would be baking again and not just recreationally. Her husband was by her side, and she was going to be a mother. It was all so incredibly wondrous.

"Hey, Dara! Can you make some more chocolate chip cookies? We're nearly out," Mrs. Havoc informed her with a proud grin.

"Of course," she answered enthusiastically. "I'll start on those now."

Dara was as pleased as she could be. She had been baking her goodies for the Havoc General Store for a month at this time. Her baked goods had become a real hit with the townspeople and more and more people were coming in every day to buy them. The store was getting so busy the Havocs jokingly threatened to move her into a place of her own to have her business. By this time she was about ten weeks pregnant and the reality had definitely sunk in with the horrible morning sickness that seemed to last all day some days. She baked all day in the Havoc's kitchen since she would be right next to the store. It was fun to be able to receive frequent visits from her husband who would steal kisses, hugs, and cookies from her. She went home exhausted every day but it was the satisfied, content kind of worn-out.

Today Dara had a wonderful surprise waiting on her doorstep. She was greeted by a short blond and a tall suit of armor that she had not seen in over two months. Tears of joy flooded down her face as she hugged them. She had an idea of what Mrs. Havoc felt like when she saw her son after a long separation. Quickly herding them into the house and into the kitchen, she unpacked the basket of baked goods she had brought home. Edward swiftly demolished every single crumb before she even had the water heated for the tea. She knew Jean would bring anything that did not sell home with him which was a good thing since the boys were here.

"I couldn't believe it when Mustang told me Jean resigned and you two moved out here. Are you happy? You look happy. This was probably the best decision he's ever made," Edward rambled elatedly. He was thrilled to know they had moved away from Central and all of the subversive matters that were taking place. They were all in danger on a daily basis there, but at least Dara and Jean had gotten out before things became so terrible.

"Is it true that you're going to be a mother?" Alphonse asked with childlike excitement.

"Why yes, it is. I'm just over two months pregnant," she said, patting her abdomen which was still flat.

"So you found out right after we left huh?" The sadness was evident in Edward's voice.

"You didn't leave because you wanted to." She put her hand over his, squeezing gently. "But you're with me now. I'm so glad you're here. Jean will be thrilled to see you. Guess what? We even have a room for you this time. It can be your room whenever you come to visit."

"That sounds great," he rejoined with a smile.

"Would you like a tour of the house? Then we can go to the general store to see Jean," she said, holding Edward's hand as she led him through the house.

Edward was comforted by her incessant chatter. He was soothed by hearing about their tranquil, mundane life that was so damn perfect because it was so boring and routine. The last two months had been pure hell. He wondered if he should even burden Jean with the events that have transpired. Hughes was dead. Fuhrer Bradley was a homunculi. Mustang's group had been separated and sent to the far corners of Amestris. On and on the list went of horrifying revelations and events. He had come here seeking solace from the pain that was threatening to drive him insane. Outside in the backyard, he broke.

Dara gasped with astonishment when Edward unexpectedly grabbed her and buried his face against her chest. She could feel his body shaking, then he unleashed a mournful cry that chilled her blood. There was so much agony in that desolate sound. Her arms twined around his shoulders, pulling him close. She untied his hair, raking her fingers through his long blond locks to calm him. Her tears began to fall in response to his overwhelming sorrow that he could not seem to bear alone.

Alphonse stood next to them with a hand on each of their backs. He had to do something, some small gesture to show that he was there for them. If only he could shed tears. If only he could embrace them. Dammit! One of these days he would have his body back. Edward had promised, and big brother always kept his promises.

Dara held on to the emotionally wounded young man in her arms until his body stopped trembling and his breathe quit hitching from the powerful sobbing he had endured. She kissed his forehead and wiped the remaining tears from his face with the hem of her long dress. Her eyes moved to Alphonse, and she reached up to touch one of the cold, polished plates where his cheek would be. If only there was some comfort she could offer him.

"Come on, let's go see, Jean," Dara said, taking them both by a hand to lead them to the store.

Halfway there, Jean saw them down the street and ran to greet them. He gave Edward a warm hug and welcomed Alphonse the same way. Despite knowing the boy's predicament, they still treated him as fully human because the most human part of him still existed and needed to be nurtured.

"I'm so glad to see you guys! It's great that you came to visit!" he exclaimed with sincerity.

They took the boys inside to meet his parents who accepted them as just another part of the family. After eating dinner at Jean's parents' house, they returned to their home with their visitors.

Dara made hot chocolate for them and filled a tray with treats. She took it to the living room and sat it on the coffee table.

"Jean, there's something the boys need to discuss with you. I'm a little tired so I'll take junior and myself up to bed," she announced, patting her belly. She kissed Edward on the forehead and hugged him. She hugged Alphonse as well. After making it a habit, it did not seem so bizarre anymore.

"I'll walk up to bed, sweetie," Jean offered, taking her by the hand to lead her to their room. "You could stay. I know you would like to listen and know what's going on."

"No, that's all right. I really am ready for bed. Besides, I think they need that time alone with you. Kind of like a father-son thing," she said with a smile.

"I love you. You're so smart. It's one of the many reasons I love you," he murmured, kissing her briefly then going back for a longer, more intense kiss.

"I have all the emotional intelligence. You're no dumb blond, you know. I love you too," she returned the heartfelt sentiment.

"I'll be up as soon as I can," he assured her with one last kiss.

Dara smiled and watched him leave. She dressed for bed and slid in between the cool yet inviting sheets. Her body ached, and she was exhausted. The morning sickness had been strictly in the morning today. It was getting better and would hopefully end soon. She patted her belly with the vision of all things pink and blue revolving around in her head like a child's mobile. Falling asleep easily, she dreamed of the baby she carried within her.