Chapter 14

*Two Years Later*

"EDISON!" I screamed as I searched for him. The sirens had gone off which meant that another Cretan force was trying to enter Central city. Allison was already sleeping in the shelter that Roy Mustang had created for my family to use but Edison was nowhere to be found. I searched everywhere. I finally decided to look outside the window. Edison was in the front yard.

He was just looking up at the sky. I scooped him up and ran back inside. The war had finally hit Central. It had been two years since I had seen Alphonse and heard from Edward. I figured they were fine even though I was worried about them. I made it to the shelter when I heard the front door crash open. My heart raced. I knew that living in Central would be dangerous, but I was now scared for my life and my children's life. I shoved Edison into the shelter and closed the door. I then grabbed the gun hidden in the bookshelf. I wasn't going to let my children die, even if I had to die in the process.

I carefully snuck down the hall and I could see two men in the house. Neither was wearing Amestrian soldiers' uniforms so I assumed they were soldiers from Cretan. I carefully sneaked to the end of the hall and tried to listen to what the men were saying.

"Brother, maybe she got out before the army got here." I knew that voice. It was someone I knew but I couldn't place it.

"You could be right. I hope she's not here. Come on we have to check." I knew that voice as well. I peered around the corner and saw two red haired men. But when one turned sideways I saw golden eyes. The eyes had fire in them that I knew. I fell backwards and crashed into the book case. I felt a sharp burn. I looked at my hand and saw that I had sliced it open. I grabbed the cloth on the bookcase and pressed it to my hand.

"Shit." I whispered to myself. They thought I was gone and now they know I was in the house. I heard their footsteps coming up the stairs and I reached for my gun. I grabbed the gun and held it tightly to my chest. My hand that was sliced open was clenched to my side. I figured they could probably smell the blood and I waited for them to round the corner at the top of the steps.

I could hear their footsteps slow. I breathed in a huge breath and swung out from behind the fallen bookshelf just to stand there in shock. I knew the two men in front of me. I felt the gun fall from my hands as I fell to the ground.

"What the hell is going on?" is all that I could muster. I felt one of the men kneel next to me and grab my hand.

"How the hell did you do this?" He asked as I pulled my hand back.

"You haven't answered my question Edward." I could feel tears falling from my eyes. I looked up at his golden orbs. Even though his hair was a vibrant red and he had a beard, I knew it was him. He looked at my face and I wiped my tears away.

"We are in the middle of a war. And both Al and I are in the military." He said as he ripped a piece of cloth from my shirt. He then carefully wrapped it around my hand and tied it tight.

"Winry, where's Eddie and Allie?" I heard Alphonse ask as he peered into the rooms.

"They are in the hidden room. Why?" I asked. Alphonse's hair had turned back to the original blonde.

"Again I ask, what the hell is going on?" I turned to face Ed. He was still looking at my hand. There was an alchemy circle on the ground from my blood. He then clapped his hands together and placed them over my hand. I could feel the wound on my hand heal. When he unwrap it, the skin was red, but it was basically healed.

"Winry, Alphonse is going to take you away from here. I have to fight." He said as he stood up. I followed suit but he wouldn't look at me. So I grabbed his hand. He stopped and refused to face me. I then let go of his hand and looked down.

"I don't want to lose you." I whispered. He then turned to face me. I felt his hand lift my chin and forced me to look into his eyes. They showed fear but at the same time they showed intensity and fire. I felt tears fall from my eyes and he wiped them away.

"Winry, I am terrified as well, but you won't lose me. I promise that." He whispered into my ear. I figured it would be awkward to show intimacy, but I wanted him to try. I looked up at him. His face had matured since I had last saw. His height had increased as well. He was no longer Ed from my childhood. He was Edward the adult. He was my future. I saw his eyes flicker with the same emotions. I knew he still loved me as I loved him. He pulled me into a hug and I didn't want him to let go.

"I love you." I whispered into his ear. I could see him smile. I didn't have to hear him say the words I have had longed from him to say. I could feel his emotions radiant in his hug. But he let go too soon.

"Win, I have to go." He said then he turned to his brother. "Al, I will need you to shoot me in my arm. Alright? Then you guys go and I will walk outside, tell them that you betrayed us. Eventually, I will lead them to Mustang and reveal myself. You know where to take them right?"

"Yeah, be safe brother." He said as he grabbed his gun.

"Wait," Edward turned back to face me, "Winry I want t see my kids first." Edward looked completely serious. I knew he was. So I turned and walked down the hallway. At the end of the hallway is a floor to ceiling bookshelf. This bookshelf contains tons of books; however, I only use nine of them. I pulled out a series of six books from the shelf. I heard the lock release and I pulled the bookshelf open. Inside revealed a room. It was small and had three beds which made up the majority of the room. On the far wall was the escape. It was a chute that led underground.

On the far bed, Edison was sitting and holding his sister. When I walked in they both looked up. Allison looked and got out of the bed and ran to Alphonse.

"UNCLE AL!" She screamed as he scooped her up into his arms. I turned and looked at Edward. His eyes were focused on Edison. The little boy who sat on the bed with crossed arms. Edward then clasped his hands together and placed his hands to his head and changed the color of his red hair back to blonde. I know it would only be for a little while, but I liked him better with blonde hair.

When Ed's hair finished changing, I saw Edison's eyes widen. He knew who that was. He then got up and walked over to Edward and stood at his feet crossed arms.

"Are you my father?" His first words ever and he spoke them to his dad. Edward looked at him and smiled, while we all stood in shock.

"Yes." Edward replied to his question. Edison then kicked Edward in the shin. "OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR SHORTY?" Edward screamed. Edison then kicked him again.

"DON'T CALL ME SHORT! I'M FIVE AND WE ARE SUSPOSED TO BE SMALL!" Edison retorted to his father. We all laughed.

"Daddy?" I heard Allison say. Edward stopped jumping and rubbing his shin to look at his daughter. She reached out her arms and he took her. "Are you here for good?" She asked him. The color form his face faded.

"No. I have to go again. But I promise I will be with you soon. Alright?" He said. She then looked down a nodded. "Allie, I have to go so you and Edison and your mother can be safe. I always keep my promises." He said to her as reassurance. She then hugged him and he looked so confused. He hugged her back slightly. This was the first time Edward had seen his children. I could see a tear form in the corner of his eye.

"Edward?" I asked as he set down Allison. He then looked at me. I could see the sadness in his eyes just as I could read almost every emotion. He then shook it off and motioned for me to follow him.

"Win," He said to me as we went into the hall. "I have to go. I've been for a while and I need to head back." He was always leaving. I could feel the tears swell up. This was the first time in five years I had seen him and I wanted it to never end. I then wrapped my arms around him. He then slowly pushed me away.

I wanted him to return the hug or something. He just looked sad. I turned to walk back to the room. I wasn't going to say bye, he promised me he wouldn't die. As I was walking he grabbed my wrist and turned me around to face him.

"What Ed?" I wasn't very happy. These were the last moments we were together for a while and he wouldn't even return my hug. He then gently cupped my face and leaned in to kiss me. I wanted the kiss to last forever but it was a soft gently kiss. He pulled away and I longed for more.

"Winry, you know that…." He started but I cut him off by kissing him. I slowly pulled away.

"I know Ed. Just be safe alright?" He smiled when I told him this. I hugged him one last time and went back to the room. Edison and Allison had shoes and coats on, as well as their travel bags. Alphonse was already heading out the door.

"Win, take the kids down the chute. I already threw your bags down it." He said as he left. I knew something was about to happen. He was going to stage the betrayal. I shooed the kids to the chute and grabbed Allison. Edison then hopped up on had onto my legs.

"Alright, remember to hold your breath okay? I'm going first. You immediately come down after me alright?" they both nodded. I slid down the chute and landed in the pool they had created at the bottom. I turned and saw Allison and Edison heading straight towards me. I barely caught them when I heard a gunshot ring through the house.

As I got the kids up on the path, I could hear Alphonse hit the water. He made his way over to the side and helped me out of the pool. Then he fished my bag out. We had to walk the path until it connected to perpendicular one a few yards ahead. If I wanted to head to central command I go right, if I wanted to head north, I go left.

When we made it to this path I turned to Alphonse. "Where to?" He just looked at me confused. "Which way? North or head to central command?"

"Well we probably should go North." He said as He headed towards the left. I saw the look her gave to the right. He wanted to go to Central command. I walked over to him and placed my Hand on his shoulder.

"Go help Ed." I told him. He looked at me then smiled.

"I would, but brother wants me to help you and Eddie and Allie out of the city to meet up with Pinako. She's been fine and waiting to see you again. She has a car waiting outside of the tunnel."

"Go to Central. We will be fine getting to the end of the tunnel. Just go and make Ed is safe." I said. He then hugged me and my kids and left. Allison wanted to follow him but I grabbed my child and led her the opposite way.

After a while, I could hear another set of footsteps besides mine. I knew someone was following us. I then knelt down and looked at my kids. "Look you guys keep going. Edison use alchemy and make a wall in between us. I don't want anyone getting you two. Grand ma will take care of you two I promise. Just make sure to keep along this path." I handed Edison the light. Then I pulled them into a hug. "I love you two so much. Don't forget it." I could feel my tears swell in my eyes. Edison then grabbed Allison and led her away from us. He then turned and quickly drew an alchemy circle and created a wall that would stall whoever was following us.

I just stood and looked at the wall. My tears fell as I had to say bye to everything I care about. I knew nothing was going to be good. I then felt something hit me. I tried to struggle but I felt a gun in my back. I stopped and then felt something hit my head. As my world went black, I could see the men who had hurt me. I then hoped that they wouldn't be able to get pass the wall my son had created to protect him and my daughter.