Okay, so this is a long chapter… and that is because It's Milo's birthday! Now this REALLY didn't fit in the timeline at all, but I wanted to include it, and I knew you guys would want to read it too. It's nothing to special, because I still had to find a way to tie it in with the plot (which was a pain in my ass.) but it's something. Anyways, enjoy the chapter
I don't think I specified, but the girls' birthday is February 12th
Disclaimer: I do not own FMA or any of its characters.
Chapter 14
An entire month later, Ed was still stuck on what Roy had told him. How he was already so much older than him. How he never had siblings… Ed wanted to give him a big family... It was the least he could do… He wanted Roy to be happy, and the more and more he thought about it, the more he realized he wanted another baby too.
It was Milo's birthday, April 28th. He was a year old. An entire year. It was unbelievable how much he'd grown in such little time. By now the girls were approaching the two month mark. Roy had returned back to work, and Ed somehow managed to take care of the children.
Roy had gotten the day off to celebrate Milo's birthday. They planned a party for him, but Roy and Ed were too tired to have guests over, it was just Milo and the girls.
Al, Winry, and Trisha sent a package full of presents for Milo, and some hand-me-down clothes for Oliver and Louisa as the girls had already out grown many of their clothes, and Roy and Ed found themselves dressing Ollie and Lulu in their brother's old clothes.
Their hair had grown longer, but it was still for the most part a black puff on the tops of their heads. Their piercing blue eyes had slowly darkened to a hardened gray-black, like charcoal… Now they were actual clones of Roy, his spitting image.
They laid in the living room on their stomachs, practicing holding their heads up. Milo and Roy sat in front of them, keeping an eye on them. Milo held up a toy shaking it in front of his little sisters.
"Luhloo!" He called shaking it. "Oll-Lee" He held the stuffed felt rattle in front of her face.
Ed laid across the recliner, watching his kids and husband.
"Do you remember saying you needed a break?" Roy asked turning to face Ed.
"Uhh… like a month ago? Yeah…"
"Do you still want one?"
"What are you getting at…?"
"Well, you still owe me one day when I have you all to myself… we could head off somewhere, get Hughes to watch the kids…"
Ed shrugged, "I mean… where would we go?"
"You've been itching to go out on an adventure… why don't you choose…"
Ed appreciated what Roy was trying to do, but all he really wanted, was to be knocked up. He could only imagine Roy shooting his— he couldn't get carried away, if he let on that he wanted a baby, he'd never hear the end of it… but he wanted it so badly, "Yeah, that would be nice… but what if we just stayed in a hotel on the other side of town…" Ed blushed avoiding eye contact, "We haven't…" He felt Roy's heavy gaze on his face. "We… I mean, it's… been a while, ya know…?"
Roy smirked, then shook his head, "believe me, I know…" He watched as Louisa dropped her head on the floor, tired from exercising her neck. Ollie's legs squirmed behind her, she rolled slightly on her stomach. Her head was propped back on her shoulders, she looked like she was doing a yoga pose.
When Louisa raised her head again Milo pressed the rattle against her mouth, she turned her head away or at least tried to.
"Milo, stop." Ed said sternly, "Can't you see that she doesn't like it… Lulu is your baby sister… you have to be nice to your baby sisters…."
"Losa and Olhev!" He said in understanding.
Roy nodded that's right, "Your little sisters Louisa and Oliver…"
"…Well anyways, I think it's a good idea, but I don't want to go just yet…." Ed said, staring at the kids.
Roy sighed in defeat, "When would you like to go…?"
"In a month maybe… I don't want to leave the girls just yet…"
"We left Milo with your brother for our honeymoon… he was around the same age…."
"He was four months old…"
"And…?"
"Those are substantially different ages… They're still… so young so little, they're… our precious little girls… and we've only left Milo alone that one time, you remember how bad it was when we got back…" Ed said, staring at his kids endearingly.
Roy saw the sentimental look on his face, "Alright… alright, but I'm gonna hold you to it… when the girls are four months… we're going to go… no matter what…"
Ed bobbed his head, "deal… Now Milo are you ready for your birthday lunch?" Ed asked, sitting up in the chair.
"da Mommy!"
Ed smiled, "okay…"
Roy picked up the girls and sat down at the table holding both of them in his arms. Milo held onto the hem of his mother's shirt, following him around the kitchen like a little shadow.
Ed was cooking macaroni for him, it was his favorite food… and what he requested for his birthday lunch. When it was all ready. He put Milo in his high chair, served him a bowl of macaroni and took Lulu from Roy and bottle fed her, while Milo ate his lunch. Roy fed Oliver and they made chit-chat with their son asking him questions about his birthday.
When the kids were finished, they moved to the living room, they put all the gifts Milo had received in a pretty pile. Ed was sitting beside the girls who were laying on their stomachs. On the other side of the coffee table, Roy sat with Milo.
"Okay, Milo… now you just rip it open." Roy said.
He stared at his father curiously, examining one of the parcels. It was wrapped in bright blue paper with little lions on it. The label said from Al and Trisha.
"Roy, why don't you help him?" Ed said while distractedly trying to help one of the girls who was fussing.
Roy pulled one end of the package open, "See Milo… just like that." The boy's golden orbs stared at his father in awe.
"Milo baby… Open it…" He cooed at his son.
"He's such a little space ranger…"
"He's pretty much off in his own world." Ed said with a smile still watching their son who began to tug at the wrapping paper.
Milo pulled the paper off, revealing a book. The cover looked like it was a kid's drawing of Resembool. Milo held it up to show his parents, "Milo's first alchemy book." Ed read the title aloud.
Roy leaned in closer to examine it, "written by Alphonse Elric, with artwork from Trisha Elric…"
"That's amazing!" Ed said excitedly. "Uncle Al wrote you a book Milo!"
"da!" He said excitedly, flipping open the cover and looking at the pages,
"Trisha's really a good artist…" Roy said looking at the pages.
"We'll read this for bedtime tonight Milo… how does that sound?" Ed asked.
He hooted excitedly and closed the book. Now that he understood, he tore open presents, revealing toys, clothes, and more books. It wasn't much… but he loved the thrill of opening gifts.
Soon the pile of presents disappeared, leaving only wrapping paper in its place. He played with his presents, content. Milo was distracted for hours, while Ed and Roy tended the girls and tidied up when they could.
Milo put down a red toy car he'd gotten and was standing against the coffee table looking for more presents.
"You opened all your presents Milo… There's no more to open…" Roy said tousling his curls.
Milo either didn't understand his father, or didn't care. He kept looking for more presents. He started to tear the wrapping paper apart into smaller pieces, making an even bigger mess.
"Hey! Stop that. Mommy and I have to clean that mess. If you make it any bigger, we'll make you clean it Milo." Roy said sternly.
"Dahdy" Milo said, turning to his father
"Yes baby?" Roy asked, bundling up scrap paper into a ball.
"Moar…"
"More what, Milo?"
"Prrrsnnnttts."
"There aren't any more presents…"
Tears pooled in Milo's eyes he dropped his head back and began to wail loudly.
Ed rushed into the living room from the kitchen, "What happened?" he asked frantically.
Roy sighed, "Milo's just being a brat."
"Milo stop that, you'll wake up your sisters…" Ed snapped.
Milo listened rubbing his eyes, whimpering slightly. "Mommeeee"
Ed made his way towards the nursery, but was stopped short at the stairs. Milo tugged on the tail of his shirt, "Mommy…" he said softly, rubbing his eyes.
"What Milo?" Ed asked looking back at him.
"Bed…" he muttered rubbing his eyes.
"You're ready for bed too?"
He nodded, Ed picked him up, holding him on his hip. Milo curled around his mommy, holding tightly, resting his chin on Ed's shoulder. He carried his on up to his room. Roy followed behind, into Milo's room to listen for story time.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
One month later
Ed had been flitting about the house, always trying to catch Roy's attention. He would hover near Roy, and stare at him, sometimes he would get caught, in which case Ed always dropped his gaze embarrassed but Roy would only smile.
He tried everything, he said flirty things, he would do flirty things. Most of the time he wore one of Roy's t-shirts and nothing else, in hopes that it would push Roy to the limit, and make Roy want to take him right then and there. But even when they did do it, Roy made sure he wore protection.
"You're acting like a child…" Roy said one night, looking up from his book. The girls and Milo were asleep upstairs.
"What?" Ed asked stupidly, he was caught off guard.
"Yeah, like Milo when he's too embarrassed to ask us for something… so what is it that's bothering you...?"
"Nothing…" Ed trailed off
Roy stared him down, "Don't give me any of that 'nothing' bull-crap."
Ed sighed, "I just…" He paused carefully thinking through his next sentence, "I thought… you wanted your one full day alone with me… You said we were going to go to a hotel…" He whined, only slightly.
A huge smirk spread across his face, "I thought we were waiting for the girls to turn four months…"
Ed blushed, "Well yeah… of course we are..."
"If you wanted, I could give it to you right now…"
He blushed again, "No… that's okay… and you don't have to be so dirty… geez."
Roy shrugged and went back to reading his book. Ed watched him while shifting uncomfortably in his chair. He tried to get his attention without being obvious. Roy peered over the top of his book, making eye contact with Ed. "What?"
Ed averted his gaze, his face reddening, "nothing…"
Roy closed his book, sitting up with a sigh, "For the past month you've been flaunting around, following me like a lost puppy dog… Every time I confront you, you tell me it's nothing. So what is it that you really want?"
Ed bit his lip. He started to writhe under Roy's gaze, tugging at his t-shirt, trying to pull it over his thighs. Suddenly the huge shirt seemed way too small. He blushed, stammering, "I… I"
Roy stood up, walking towards him, inching his way closer and closer. Ed continued to stammer, "I don't… I mean…I-I…"
Roy placed his hands on either side of the chair, leaning against it. He put his knee in between Ed's legs, Roy whispered into his ear, leaning down close, "What is it that you want?"
"I want your babies…" He gasped, covering his mouth.
Roy smirked and purred lustfully, "I can give you a baby… and many more after that…" He picked up Ed and held him by his thighs. Ed had his arms wrapped around Roy's neck. One of his hands slid down the waistband of Roy's pants as he began to feel him.
Roy carried him up the stairs while Ed continued to rub him and kiss his neck and chest. He stepped off the staircase and onto the creaky board. The house erupted into cries.
Both Ed and Roy sighed, their evening plans coming to a sudden halt. Roy let go of Ed as he slid down onto the floor. Roy went into the girls' room, and Ed tended to Milo.
He crouched down beside Milo's bed where he sat crying, rubbing his eyes.
"Mommaah!" He sobbed.
"Shh. Baby… I'm right here…"
Milo leaned into his mother's arms, his eyes half open. Ed patted his head and ran his fingers through his thick curls, gently massaging his head. His sobs faintly subsided and he fell asleep with his head in the crook of his mother's neck.
Ed laid him back down in his bed before placing a kiss on his forehead and going to the nursery. Roy was leaning over the crib, their daughters staring back at him. "They won't go back down…"
Ed looked into the crib, the girls smiled up at their parents and gurgled happily, "Ollie, Lulu…" he said with a sigh. Ollie giggled excitedly while Louisa stared at him curiously. He sighed, pulling a book off the shelf and picked up Ollie.
Ed sat down in the rocking chair "Can you put Lulu in my lap?" He asked, shifting Ollie into his left arm. Roy put Lulu in his right arm he held them close in his lap. They rested their heads on his chest, looking at the book in his hands.
"Milo's first alchemy book… but it's alright if I read it to you girls…" Ed cleared his throat, flipping to the first page. It was Trisha's picture of a meadow. "The first rule of alchemy is the law of equivalent exchange, which goes hand in hand with the principal of severity. With every action…"
Roy sat on the floor in front of them listening to Ed read, watching him intently. The girls started to nod off, their heads resting on their mother's chest.
Ed closed the book, yawning. "Roy… would you mind helping me?" He asked shifting slightly.
Roy stretched and got to his feet, taking Ollie from his arms and placing her in the crib. Ed stood up, tugging his t-shirt down his thighs awkwardly and placed Lulu in the crib.
Roy wrapped his arms around Ed's waist, burying his head in his neck, nipping softly.
"Roy… not now… now I'm not… in the mood…"
"You've been parading around for a month now…"
"And now, I'm tired after putting the kids back down…" He replied with a tired smile. "The right time will come…"
Roy almost whimpered, "I want to see you knocked up, pregnant with my babies."
Ed rolled his eyes, blushing. He leaned up and kissed Roy, "I will be… another time…"
"Tch. You're such a tease…" Roy purred.
Ed kissed him again, and pulled away sliding to their bedroom.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The next week, Ed discovered his theory on Roy's behavior had been correct, they tried almost every night. After finding out Ed wanted another baby, the younger blonde couldn't move without having the shadow of his husband following behind him. He was always feeling up Ed's stomach and hips.
Milo would see his father, and how affectionate he was towards his mother, so he started to do the same thing. If Ed was sitting on the couch Milo would crawl into his lap and rub his tummy gently. Or wrap his arms around Ed's waist in a hug, burying his face in his mother's lap.
He wasn't exactly sure why his father did it, but perhaps mommy was sick, and Milo only ever wanted to make his mommy happy. If he was sick, he wanted his mother to get better as soon as possible.
Roy was at work, the girls were napping upstairs and Milo was curled in Ed's lap, chattering gibberish to his mother. He ran his hands through Milo's curls absently.
"Mammah!" Milo said
"Mmmhmm." Ed replied distracted.
"Mamaaaaah!" He repeated, thrashing about now.
"What baby?" Ed looked down at his son snuggling in his lap.
"Isa Daddy!"
"You saw daddy? When did you see daddy?" Ed asked smiling.
"Nooooh!"
"Now? What are you talking about? Daddy's at work… silly boy…" He ruffled Milo's hair. It might've been time for a haircut.
"No!" Milo pointed towards the mantle where there were countless pictures of Roy.
"Oh… well… that's just a picture of Daddy… he's still at work."
"Woaaak…. Woooa…. Woah."
Ed tickled him gently, "Work… work, work." Ed said kissing him.
"Are you ready for a nap sweetie?"
Milo shook his head, curls bouncing, "Nooo! Daddy!"
Ed rubbed his temples, irritated. Earlier that morning he and Roy had made plans for him to come home at lunch and see if they could finally have some time alone, but Milo must've overheard, and now he would throw a fit if Ed tried to put him down.
"Daddy won't be home until late."
"Luch! Luch! Luch!"
"We already ate."
"Daddysssss luch hooome!"
"You want Daddy to come home for lunch?"
"Is, is home, luch…"
"Why don't we call and ask him if he's coming home…" Ed really hoped this worked.
"Da!"
Ed got up and went to the phone hanging on the wall in the kitchen, he dialed Roy's office number. It kept ringing and ringing without anyone picking up… crap. That could've only meant he was already on his way home.
The front door opened and Ed hung up the phone.
"Daddy!" Milo ran to him wrapping his arms around Roy's legs.
"Oh Milo… you're awake… where's your mother…?"
Ed stepped out of the kitchen, "Guess who overheard us this morning…" He crossed his arms.
"Milo just wanted to see me…" Roy said picking up their son.
"Da! Daddy! Da!" he kicked his legs excitedly.
"It's nap time Milo… can we take a nap?"
"Play!"
"I'm tired… I'm not in the mood to play…" Roy said glancing at Ed. "I'll put you down for a rest, we can play later…"
Milo put his hands on either side of Roy's face, "no daddy, no!"
"Yeah baby, Mommy and I need to rest too…" Roy started walking upstairs to Milo's room.
"The girls are already asleep… be quiet…" Ed said sitting down on the couch.
Roy nodded. When he got to the top of the stairs he stepped over the creaky board and into Milo's room.
A while later Roy reemerged, closing the door quietly behind him. He went down the stairs and sat at the end of the couch by Ed's feet with a sigh.
"We need to be quieter when making plans from now on."
Roy nodded in agreement, "definitely…" He fell silent, "So… did you want to get busy?" He asked.
"Actually… I've been thinking about that… we should stop trying… for a while…"
"What? Why?" Roy sounded taken aback.
"Well… I mean… remember how… I had that map… and it was my next lead… We agreed I wouldn't go at the time because I was pregnant… but now I have the chance… I was thinking you me and the kids could vacation to a hot spring that's nearby… and then I could start working again… if I'm pregnant… I would have to sit idly for nine months… my research is at a standstill until I follow this lead."
"Oh… well alright… as long as I still get to knock you up afterwards…"
Ed blushed and rolled his eyes… "Yeah… so anyways… when do you have time to go away for a weekend…?"
"Uhm… like next month, I think would be good…"
"Yeah?
"Mmhmm… then you can get your research done… and I can impregnate you…"
"You're so fixated on that…"
"Of course…" Roy pulled Ed into his lap and wrapped his arms around his midsection. He checked the clock on the wall, "Mmm… I'm gonna have to take off… putting Milo down for his nap took more time than I thought…"
"Okay… did you get lunch?"
"No… I'll be fine…" He said standing up and kissing Ed goodbye. "I might be home later tonight… so you don't have to wait up.
"O-okay…" Ed watched him leave, then closed the door behind him with a sigh.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ed sat on the couch, his heart thumping. The kids were already asleep. Roy was working late. He stared at the stick waiting five minutes for it to tell him whether he was pregnant or not. He just wanted verification… over the last few weeks he had become more emotional, and felt nauseas, when eating, or when he smelled something overwhelming. He knew already, but he needed verification, he needed proof.
He couldn't let Roy know… they were leaving on vacation next week… if Roy knew he was pregnant, he would cancel their trip and Ed would have to put off his research for another year. A pink plus appeared on the stick and Ed dropped his head into his hands. Of course he was happy… but this was just really bad timing. He grabbed the stick and went to the front door, he needed to throw something… he wanted to be angry. He opened the door, raising the test above his head. Roy was walking up the steps to the house.
"Oh hey… I didn't think you'd be up… and I especially didn't think you'd be waiting by the door for me."
Ed dropped his hand, tucking the pregnancy test in his back pocket and adjusting his shirt, tugging it down, praying Roy hadn't seen it. "Yeah… well… you know me…"
"I do know you… I'm married to you, and not once have you waited for me at the door…" He wrapped an arm around Ed's midsection pulling him close and kissing him. "So what were you actually doing?"
"Oh… just… smelling the fresh air…."
"Smelling the fresh air? Hmm, you're weird..." He stepped into the house closing the door.
"I'm not!" Ed yelled blushing.
Roy put his things down, "All the kids asleep?"
"Yeah… they're all down…" Ed said with a sigh.
"Mmm, then what do you say we make another one…" Roy wrapped his arms around Ed's waist, pulling him close.
"No… I have work to do next week!" he pushed away. He was terrified Roy saw the test, or felt it in his pant pocket, but at the same time, he wanted him to know… he wanted to tell Roy the good news, he wanted to hug and kiss him, so they could both be happy.
"You're right… you're right… there's no telling what trouble you'll get yourself into… wouldn't want you to endanger two lives…"
Ed felt like he had a lead weight in his stomach, "Y-yeah…."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
They got off the train, Ed held Louisa in his arms. She sucked on her fingers while looking around at all the people on the platform. Roy was holding Ollie in his arms and clutched Milo's hand tightly. He was terrified of somehow misplacing one of the kids…
Ed turned to face Roy, "So… what's the deal… we're taking the bus to the hot springs?"
"The bus… no."
"What's wrong with the bus?" Ed asked, adjusting his hold on Lulu. Her dark eyes focused on her mother.
"The kids will get sick… with so many people and germs— we're going to rent a car…"
"That's expensive..."
"Don't worry about it…" Roy replied casually walking to the rental desk, leaving Ed with Milo, Lulu and the luggage.
Ed sighed. Watching Roy from a distance. He'd remained undiscovered so far… he was only about a month along, a month and a half at most, he couldn't be sure.
It was June 15th, the girls were four months old. They were holding their heads up now all on their own, and they were becoming more and more talkative, both the girls were very observant, they loved to listen to their parents talking, and watch their facial expressions.
When they laid on their stomachs, practicing holding their heads up, (which Milo had effectively dubbed 'tummy time') The curly headed boy would lay down beside them and talk to them or make funny faces at them, trying to get his little sisters to laugh. The most he could manage from them was a smile.
Roy walked back to where his husband and kids stood waiting for him to work everything out. He jangled the keys in his hands, "We're all set…" he said, looking at Ed. He turned his head to smile at Ollie. Bouncing her in his arms slightly.
"You ready?" He asked smiling at Ed
"Yeah." Ed said shortly, standing up. Milo held his mother's shirt tightly in a balled fist.
Roy grabbed the luggage, "Can you carry the diaper bag?"
"Yeah…" Ed picked up the bag swinging it over his shoulder.
"Is something wrong?"
"We need carseats." Ed said snappishly.
"I already paid to rent them."
"Well I wouldn't know then…" Ed replied snarkily
Roy kept his mouth shut as they walked to the parking lot. It took them a while but eventually they found the right car. It was small, and black, in the backseat were three car seats already installed.
They strapped the kids in, then put then Roy put their bag in the trunk. Ed sat up front with the diaper bag down by his feet.
Roy slid into the driver's seat, "So, what's bothering you?" He asked, turning on the car.
"Nothing…"
Roy sighed, "I don't want to play this game Ed… can you just tell me?" He asked pulling out of the parking space, and starting on the dirt road, that wound up the mountain.
"Mama!"
"Fine, you really want to talk Roy? Let's talk about the fact that you never discuss the finances with me!" This was bad, Ed knew it was the hormones making him crazy. If he wanted to keep his pregnancy secret he was gonna have to tone it down.
"Mommy?" Milo asked
"I didn't realize it bothered you… I thought that I was just taking some stress off your shoulders."
"Well, I appreciate your intentions, but you're only doing the opposite."
"Mahmee!"
"I'm sorry. I didn't know. You want to talk about it?"
"Mommy?"
"What, Milo?!" He asked, turning around to face the kids strapped in in the backseat.
"Oo wov daddy!"
"You're right, I do love daddy." He smiled and turned to face the front again. "I just want you to let me in on our financial stability…"
"Well, we've got money… you seem to forget our occupations… and obviously if we're talking about having another child, we don't have anything to worry about."
There it was, the mention of a baby, Ed felt sick to his stomach, "Oh..."
"Yeah, 'oh' is right, I mean, if we were going through troubles of any sort I would tell you."
"Pull over…"
"What?"
"Pull over." Ed repeated through gritted teeth. Roy did as he was told and Ed pushed the car door open quickly, leaning out and throwing up.
"Are you okay?" Roy asked leaning over, rubbing his back gently.
"Yeah… must be the altitude…" Ed said, sitting up and closing the door again.
Roy eyed him curiously, "You sure you're feeling alright…"
"Much better now… let's get to the hot spring…"
Roy started driving again.
"Daddy! Mommy sss sick!"
"Mommy was sick… he's feeling better now, huh?"
Milo nodded, his curls bouncing wildly.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Once they'd arrived at the hot springs, Roy parked the car. Ed unbuckled Milo and set him down. Then took out Ollie, holding her close, supporting her neck. Roy was on the other side of the car, getting out Lulu.
Milo held onto his mother's free hand. Ed swung the diaper bag over his shoulder while Roy got the bag from the trunk. They all headed inside the little hotel. It was fairly nice, in a serene, remote location. Mountains surrounded the inn on all sides.
Steam could be seen rising from back of the hotel, "do you think that the kids are gonna be able to go in the springs?"
"Normally they have cooler ones… so hopefully the kids can play in the water too…" Roy said, smoothing over Lulu's hair.
They entered the small villa, approaching the front desk. There was a young man, probably around the same age as Ed, sitting contently. He had brown hair and glasses, his face was covered in pimples and freckles. He was rather… dorky looking.
Roy leaned against the desk, "Hi, we're t-"
"The Mustangs… you're the only guests booked for the weekend…"
"Is there something wrong with the Inn?" Ed asked
"No, but, not many people know a lot about this place." He handed them a small book. "That's pretty much all the information on the Inn, including activities and such."
"Thanks… uh… is there a cooler spring… like for children?" Roy asked
"Yeah, it's around 95 degrees, that's the only spring children are allowed in." The desk manager said eyeing their kids. "Kids and pregnant women aren't allowed in the hotter ones… but I guess you don't have to worry 'bout that last bit…"
Ed's stomach dropped. "Thank you…"
"Enjoy your stay… if you have any questions or need anything don't be afraid to ask."
"Which room is ours?" Roy asked
"Doesn't matter… choose whichever one you want…"
"Oh-kay…." Ed said, adjusting his hold on Ollie
"I'm sorry, but are those your kids?"
"That's a stupid question" Roy replied sounding irritated.
"Oh, divorcee huh?"
Ed snarled, "You don't think we could be married? Or that these could be our kids?"
The guy behind the desk looked terrified. "Sorry… You're just… both men…."
"Is there a problem?" Ed asked, still glaring.
"Uhhh No… Sorry…." The man replied.
"It's okay Ed…" Roy said placing his hand on Ed's lower back.
"Mommeee! I wan sim." Milo whined, tugging on his mother's shirt
"Ok baby… we'll swim…" Ed led the way down the hall, they opened various rooms looking for their favorite. They chose the one all the way at the end of the hall, it had walls on opposite sides and then a screen door leading to the hot springs. As well as a screen door leading to the hall.
"Well… I guess the kids are sleeping with us on the bed…" Roy said dropping their bag. He laid Lulu down on the bed. "Should we get these kiddos dressed for the hot spring?"
Ed set Oliver down beside Lulu, "how are we going to manage all three of them in there at once?"
"We'll figure it out… don't worry about it…" Roy was digging through the bag searching for Milo's baby swim trunks and the girls' little bathing suits.
After they were all changed, Milo tugged his parents and sisters out the door the springs. Ed leaned down testing the water of a smaller shallower spring, "this must be the kid one… it's warm… hardly."
Ed slid into the water, holing tightly to Ollie. Milo was about to crawl in after his mother.
"Milo honey, wait for daddy to get in first…"
Roy crawled in, his arms wrapped around Lulu tightly, as if he was afraid she would melt through his arms. Ed sat down, holding Ollie on his lap, she splashed happily flailing her limbs clumsily. Roy put Lulu in Ed's lap. He held the twins who were both splashing now, flinging droplets of water everywhere. Roy helped Milo in and held him in his lap as he splashed too.
"This is good…" Ed said with a smile, as Ollie and Lulu slapped their hands against the water.
"Yeah they'll tire themselves out… plus it's been a long day of traveling… They'll go down easy… and we'll have lots of time for ourselves." He almost purred that last part. "We can get in the hot spring, and make it even hotter."
Ed's face flushed red, "uhh, yeah…" He had to think of a way to get out of this and fast.
They'd been in there for about half an hour. The kids still happily played in the warm water.
Roy looked up at the sky, "It's getting dark… I think its bedtime…"
"Nooohh!" Milo hooted in protest
"Yes Milo, we'll swim some more tomorrow…" Ed said trying to convince their son.
"Noooh!"
"Stubborn like your mother…" Roy said.
"What?! He gets that from you!" Ed stood up holding the girls tightly in either arm, "c'mon Milo. It's time to get out…."
Roy stood up holding Milo by the waist.
"Noh Daddy Noh!" He screamed kicking his arms and legs.
"Milo, knock it off." Roy said sternly, raising his voice.
The boy was silenced, but only for a moment. His eyes pooled with tears and he began to cry. Lulu and Ollie stared at their brother, while their mother dried them off and redressed them.
Milo continued to cry, "mommy… mom-eee" he wailed through choked sobs.
"Milo I'm busy with your sisters, stop crying and listen to your father." Milo shut his mouth, almost immediately. Roy dressed him in his pajamas and then laid him in the middle of the bed. Ed placed Ollie and Lulu on either side of their big brother.
Ed laid down on one side of the bed, Roy laid down on the other, snuggling their children in between them, waiting for them to sleep. Ed tried to pretend to drift off too, in hopes that Roy would forget his plans for their late night soak.
Ed kept his eyes closed as he heard Roy get out of bed, he came around to the other side. He shook Ed gently, "Hey… they're asleep."
Ed sat up, "O-Okay…" Roy pulled his boxers off, wrapping a towel around his mid-section he headed out the back towards the hot spring. Ed lingered longer, placing pillows on either side of the girls, taking his and Roy's place if they rolled over in their sleep. He placed a few on the floor—just in case.
"Ed…" Roy called from outside.
"C-coming…" He said quietly. He tiptoed outside, slipping on his swim trunks. Roy was already getting in the hot spring. Ed sat on the edge of the spring, his knees pressed against his chest.
"Aren't you gonna get in?"
"It's a little h-hot…"
"You'll adjust… and why are you wearing your shorts?"
Ed looked down at the steaming water. "Umm… I don't… I don't really want to…"
"You were the one who came up with the idea of the hot spring." Roy reached for his hand and kissed his palm, then his wedding band. He tugged on his arm gently, "oh c'mon…"
Ed pulled his arm away, recoiling from the hot water, "Roy I can't. I really can't."
His eyes widened, "You're pregnant." He stood up, "how long have you known?"
Roy was, surprisingly calm.
"Just… just a week…"
"Why didn't you tell me when you found out?"
"Because I knew you'd cancel the trip… if I told you…"
"Mmm… well you're not wrong." Roy pulled himself out of the spring and sat beside Ed, rubbing his shoulder comfortingly.
"I need you to listen for a minute…" Ed said pulling his arm from his shoulder, "I still need to go on that lead…" Roy's eyes flashed briefly, "I really can't sit around for nine months, twiddling my thumbs. I'll go crazy, I know you're worried… but I promise I'll be fine. I'm already months behind on my research…"
Roy's face was straight, for the first time in a long time Ed couldn't tell what he was thinking.
He sighed, "I'm not… I'm not comfortable with this… but if it's something you feel you have to do… then I guess, you gotta do it… I mean, we're already here… so you might as well…"
Ed smiled, "Your… permission means a lot to me… otherwise I would've just snuck out when you were sleeping."
Roy had an unamused look on his face.
"Joking… I was only joking." Ed nudged his shoulder.
"How far along are you…? A month…?"
"More or less…"
"Have you been… alright… like any nausea before today?"
"Yeah… a bit… mostly at night… I would sneak to the downstairs bathroom to throw up so you wouldn't hear me…"
"Ugh… must've been awful… I'm sorry, you should've told me…" Roy placed his hand on Ed'sthigh, rubbing gently. "Anyways, we should probably go to bed. Since it'd be better for you to get up early tomorrow morning… so you can leave before the kids wake up."
Ed nodded, "yeah, okay…" He stood up, "Hey, I'm sorry I ruined your plan for us to relax in the hot spring…" He stood up
"Hmm? It's fine, I mean… you're already pregnant… that's what we were trying for, right?" Roy got up and wrapped the towel around his waist. "Anyways… I'm happy…"
He leaned down to kiss Ed's forehead and they walked back into their room seeing their kids take up the span of the bed.
"So… where are we going to sleep?"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Whew! Longest chapter thus far. I feel like I ran a marathon (Pffft. I would never) I'm sorry if you felt this chapter jumped around a lot, (It did) because I had a very specific time line, and it's all messed up because of Milo's birthday. (We love him anyways) But! Ed is pregnant, I bet you saw that coming! I hope you guys don't feel like that's all that happens in this story, but usually every chapter is written like two months later, so I write two months at a time… just keep that in mind… Anyways, hope you liked this chapter, Love you all, thanks for the support and leave a review (PLEASE)! What do you think is gonna happen next chapter?