AN: Everything worked out well with my daughter. It was scary for a while if that abscess would have burst it would have been a lot worse (We could have lost her). But everything went great, now for the healing process. SO I can sit back now and relax some and write on this story to try to get it finished. Thank you for your patience.
My Heart is Heavy chap.25
The next morning was Saturday and Edward was at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee when the back door opened and Al came through it followed by Brenda. Looking up he grinned a sly grin "Well good morning Al." Al's head shot up as he looked guilty of doing something wrong and getting caught "Uh…..Yeah…..Good morning brother." Ed held his coffee cup up "Coffee?" Al smiled slightly as Brenda stepped forward "Sure coffee sounds great" she said smiling a huge smile like the cat that ate the canary or in this case the girl who molested his brother. Edward knew the look on Al's face all too well because he had the same look the day after he slept with Windy and didn't want Al to know.
Edward noticed the little soft touches and loving looks between Brenda and Al and it made him smile that his brother had found someone. He had waited so long for Al to find someone to love that happiness was bubbling up inside of him. Winry entered the kitchen and Brenda smiled at her as she touched Edward's shoulder and walked by "Well you two look like you're in good spirits this morning." She gave Brenda a sly smile "Did you have fun last night?" Al turned a deep shade of red and Brenda's eyes shyly lowered to the table "We covered a lot of bare subjects last night we needed to get out of the way." Edward chocked on his coffee trying not to laugh and Al's eyes shot to him knowing Edward knew exactly what Brenda was saying. So he jumped into the conversation "Uh….Brother were here to help you today with what needs to be done" he smiled changing the subject. Still chocking some and chuckling as Winry patted his back Ed nodded "Al….right."
Al and Brenda chipped in that day along with the children and they cleaned the house and caught the laundry up. The phone rang a short time later and it was Mustang informing Edward that Steven was now a State Alchemist. Since Mustang had become Fuhrer he had not given State alchemists names like The Flame Alchemist or Fullmetal they were just known as State alchemists. He found it was better that way and the named alchemists were the ones associated with the past wars not the new younger alchemists. But Steven had defiantly followed in his father's footsteps being the youngest at fifteen to become a state alchemist. Although Edward had him beat by three years Steven was the youngest in this generation of alchemist's.
Mustang's smug voice annoyed Edward as he laughed on the phone "If I were to give him a name I would have to say determined mouthy alchemist would probably be the name for him." Shaking his head and holding his temper Edward just sighed as Mustang threw out another remark that sent Edward to his breaking point "Oh yeah I forgot to put in determined LITTLE mouthy Jr." His laughter made Edward's shoulders tense as he tried to hold his composure but the fifteen year old in him took over as he flailed his arms and screamed "DAMN IT YOU OBNOXIOUS POMPUS ASS! JUST WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING LITTLE? I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW I'VE GROWN THREE INCHES YOU FUCKHEAD!" Mustang couldn't contain his laughter as he let it flow holding his sides "That was too easy Ed." Edward let his temper cool for a moment as he reached up and scratched his head 'Damn him. Why do I always let him get under my skin?' Mustang smiled as he leaned back in his chair "You know Ed you can grow up all you want but to me you're always that young gifted alchemist that was a pain in my ass for so long." Hearing such words come from a man who one minute Edward wanted to smack the crap out of to the next minute when they we're fighting he worried so much about he sighed "Yes Fuhrer you haven't exactly been the most pleasant person to be around either but I could never ask for a better friend." Mustang's smug voice carried through the phone as he sternly replied "I wouldn't exactly call us friends Ed." That was something neither one would ever admit to each other "But I feel the same about you as well." Edward then chuckled knowing that this was the way he and Mustang communicated to each other "Alright then we'll leave it at that." Feeling he had made his point Mustang switched the phone to his other ear "Fair enough Elric. I'll have your boy home soon before I send him on a mission. I want him to come for a visit because he's worried about Winry."
Edward's eyes moved to his wife as he watched her move about the kitchen careful not to knock her belly on anything "How is she Edward?" Mustang asked bluntly but concerned "Uh" Edward said quickly in a fast exhale then he calmed his mind of anything going wrong and in a stern voice "She's fine. Tell Steven she's fine and not to worry. I'm keeping a close eye on her." With that Mustang knew she was in good hands but then again she always was when Edward was around "I'll tell him then but I'll have him on the first train tomorrow." Mustang said his fair well's as Edward thanked him and hung the phone up. He hadn't meant to worry Steven and he didn't want the boy to think he had to come home but it would be good to see him because he missed his son.
After getting everything situated the brother's finally had time to sit down and talk. As they did Al explained he'd be leaving next week to go on a mission that Mustang wanted him to do. But he reassured Edward he would be back in two months to be here when the babies were due. He also explained to his brother that it would be hard being away from Brenda for that long seeing how now their relationship had went to the next level. Edward reassured Al he would keep an eye on Brenda while he was gone. She was after all Winry's midwife so he would be seeing a lot of her.
Four days later Steven exited the train at the Resembool station and started his walk to the Rockbells. On his way he met up with Caroline, Nina, Ed and Al as they walked home from school. "BROTHER!" Caroline yelled as she ran up to him and hugged him tightly like she hadn't seen him in years. The Elric children were always so close when they lived on the other side it was new to them to be separated for a long period of time, especially Caroline and Steven because they were so close in age. He Leaned back and looked at her "Hey it's good to see you sis." He smiled as she looked at him "You look good Steven." She noticed a certain glow about him and he seemed more mature although her brother had always been years ahead of his age. Nina walked over and hugged him as well "We have missed you brother." He stepped back and looked at her and smiled "Have you gotten taller Nina?" Seeing his sisters only made Steven feel more relaxed although at the rate they were growing he knew he and his father would soon have to worry about boys flocking around them. That was something Steven really wasn't looking forward to these were his sisters and he didn't think any boy would be good enough for them. He only knew that whoever came to court them better treat them with the utmost respect or they would have to deal with the older brother and the crazy father. A combination he thought any boy would want to avoid. He then turned his attention to his younger step brothers as he bent down and patted their heads "You two look in tip top shape. Has father been training your butts off?" Al smiled widely "Yes when he has the chance." Edward then looked up "I have decided to learn to make automail like mom. I find it fascinating to create limbs for people who have lost their own." Steven knew Edward was Winry's child as he smiled widely and placed his hand on little Ed's shoulder "I bet you'll be great at it." They all continued to walk to the house and when they got there Melissa spotted Steven "Teven….Teven your home!" She yelled running to her older sibling and grabbing his leg. Just then the front screen opened and Edward stepped out seeing his oldest a tear formed in his eye as he walked down the steps followed by Al. Getting closer to Steven he then hugged him tightly "Good to have you home son." Steven smiled and hugged his father "Good to be home father." Leaning back Edward patted his shoulders "Good job on your state alchemist exam." Edward looked down to see the silver pocket watch hanging from Steven's belt loop. As Al walked up he smiled "I see you knocked the Fuhrer's socks off with what you had in mind then?" smiling a sly smile Steven replied "Uh you could say that…literally." Edward and Al smirked at each other figuring he would tell them later what he did but for right now Steven had one person on his mind as he looked at his father "Where's mom?" Edward's heart skipped a beat when he said that and he smiled softly turning to the house "She's inside sitting on the couch with Brenda talking." Steven smiled and started to walk towards the house and up the steps of the porch as he reached in his coat and pulled out some wild flowers he had picked along the way home. Entering the house Winry saw him come around the corner of the doorway her eyes widened and she stopped her conversation in mid-sentence as Brenda's eyes followed her gaze. A huge smile crossed her face as she tried to stand only to have him rush forward "NO! Please don't get up." He said bending down and hugging her "I did it mom." She tightened her hug on him and tears flowed down her face "I always knew you would Steven." He leaned back and presented the flowers to her "I saw these on the way home and thought of you." She smiled 'Smooth talker like his father' She grinned as she took them "Thank you Steven." Brenda reached for them "Here I'll put them in water for you." She said taking them and standing to go fetch a vase and some water. After she left the room Winry patted the couch eagerly beside her "Now.. Sit and tell me all about it." Steven sat down and began to tell Winry all about the exam and how he did in it and she listened intensely as he talked. Their relationship was a special one and Edward and Al noticed it right off when they came back. Steven and Winry had clicked together perfectly it was like they were connected in some way. Ed and Al listened to their conversation from the kitchen where every once in a while they would hear Winry laugh and tell Steven how brilliant he was. Edward never thought in his wildest dreams that their relationship could have progressed into this beautiful one they had discovered. But it warmed his heart that they had found their peace in such a crazy situation.
About a half hour later Steven walked into the kitchen next to Winry "Mom's tired so I'll help her upstairs for a nap." Edward got up and walked over and placed his hand on her stomach "Are they getting a little rambunctious in there?" Looking at him her eyes filled with love as she stared at him and smiled "They never calm down. It's like they constantly fight over space in there." Edward chuckled "Well then I suggest you go lie down." Kissing her cheek he watched a Steven helped her up the stairs and he sighed to himself 'Please God I know I have never believed in you but if your there I just ask that you get her through this.'
"Brother" Al said softly seeing Edward's far off stare "Are you alright?" getting his thoughts back where they belonged Edward smiled "Yeah Al I'm fine." He said turning to walk back to the table to sit down while Brenda turned to Al "Well Al there's a few hours left in the day what do you say about a picnic." Al's eye's shifted to Edward and he waved his hand "Go. We got this here. Go have some time with your girl Little brother." He said as he sat down and grabbed his cup of coffee. Al stood up and took Brenda's hand "Shall we then?" She smiled lovingly at him "Yes" standing they said their goodbyes to Edward and left out the back door to go to Brenda's to pack a picnic basket. Although Edward knew they would probably never make it to the picnic as he chuckled.
It was then that Steven entered the kitchen carrying Edward's old red jacket. Surprised to see it Edward stared at it in Steven's hands for a moment "Where did you find that thing at?" he asked reaching out for it "Mom had it hanging in her closet. She said you used to wear it all the time." After Steven handing it to him he held it up wondering where on earth Winry had found the jacket after he left "Yeah I did." He said smiling remembering all the times he had fought in the jacket. He sat it on the table as Steven sat down in the chair "That jacket holds a lot of memories for me, some good and some bad." Steven stared at his father's face as Edward bit his lower lip then picking his coffee cup up he took a sip. Steven smiled slightly at Edward "Would you mind if I wore it father?" Edward's eyes widened slightly then softened as he stared into Steven's glossy eyed stare to wear something that had belonged to his father and seen so much action. Edward shook his head slowly from side to side "I wouldn't mind at all if you wore it son. Come to think of it this jacket was always lucky for me. I would be proud to have you wear it." Steven stood up quickly and took the jacket sliding his jacket off his shoulders he then put the red one on. It was a perfect fit like it was made just for him to wear and Edward smiled "Look's good on you."
The rest of the day was spent with Edward and Steven catching up then training with Al, Ed, Caroline and Nina while little Melissa tried to stand on her chubby legs and do kicks. They all watched her and chuckled as Edward walked over and showed her how to balance. She picked it up quite fast as he thought about having two more to teach here in the next few years.
Dinner time rolled around and Edward and the girls began to prepare dinner as Steven kept Winry and the rest of the family occupied with stories of his trip to Central. He told them about how he had scared the shit out of the Fuhrer with a rubber snake in his desk and that Mustang had cursed him and told him he was just like his father the little devious shrimp as he chased him all through Central command and everyone cracked up till he almost flamed the whole east side trying to catch Steven. Let's just say Steven slept with one eye open that night at the Mustang house. But Mustang got him back the next morning by making him sit in a high chair for breakfast. He had enjoyed screwing with the Fuhrer while he was there and although Mustang wouldn't admit it he enjoyed messing with Steven sort of reminded him of another young alchemist he knew.
Everyone sat down for dinner as Edward took Pinako a plate to her room. When he entered the room the old woman stared at him as if she had something on her mind and patting the bed next to her "Ed sit down with me for a moment." Edward knew by her voice she was being truly serious as he sat on the edge of the bed and she slightly smiled "Boy you have grown into a fine man and you've kept your promise to me about making Winry happy." She took his hand in hers "I want you to know I have little time left Ed. I feel death creeping in swiftly and I don't know how much longer I'll be here." Edward's eyes gazed into hers "Don't talk like that Granny." He didn't want to believe it that she might be gone soon. He smiled a huge smile "You'll out live us all." She lowered her gaze and softly replied "No Ed I won't. I figure I have just a few more days." His eyes widened and he stood up quickly "NO! I won't hear you talk this way." Pinako could tell it was hard on him and she wanted to tell him first "I need you to prepare Winry Ed. This is going to be hard on her especially in her delicate state." With his back turned to her the tears flowed down his cheeks and she could tell this hurt him deeply as he stood there staring out the window not knowing what to do. "Edward Elric you look at me right now!" she said sternly as he turned quickly at the tone in her voice "Yes Ma'am" She inhaled deeply at the sight of tears flowing from his eyes and she held out her hand to him and as he took it he realized just how frail she was right now. Gazing up at him with pride in her eyes she smiled softly "You children were always the joy in my life. Even though you and Al were always traveling the countryside like maniacs I always loved you as if you were my own. When you disappeared I knew one day you would come back but then after that both you and Al were gone and there was a hole in my heart for the longest time. Winry had her boys and named them after the both of you and it was like having you both back." Tears began to flow down her cheeks as Edward inhaled deeply at that sight and moved closer to her "But when I saw you two and your children that day walking up the road when you returned I knew my boys were finally home for good." Leaning down quickly Edward hugged her tightly. Pinako had been like another mother to them when they lost their mom and now he was about to lose her too and his heart filled with such sorrow as she pushed him back some to look into his eyes "You have beautiful children and I'm glad I got to meet them. That boy of yours Steven will be a force to be reckoned with in a few years. Keep a tight leash on him like I tried to keep on you while you were here. Teach him like Izumi and I taught you and Al about life and people and don't let him stay away from home like you did children grow up too fast that way and they get hard in the heart." Edward knew she was talking about him when he used to roam the countryside "Yes Granny" He nodded as a tear rolled down his cheek. She looked up at him one last time "I'm glad Winry's boys found a father in you Ed they are good boys and they love you and I know you love them."
"I do Granny" He reached up and wiped his eyes and she smiled at his vulnerability she saw in him now because she knew he had grown out of the unreasonable, ego maniac he used to be and he was now in touch with his own feelings "I know you will do right by them and teach them well." She leaned back and closed her eyes "Now my boy go and be with your family I need to rest before I talk to my granddaughter tonight." Standing there staring down at her all Edward wanted to do was hold onto her a little longer but he knew she wasn't much for lingering things out so he inhaled deeply and dried his tears and his cheeks filled with air as he tried to say what he wanted to come out of his mouth. His cheeks turned red as he struggled with the words and she opened one of her eyes and raised a brow at the way his face looked "You have something to say Ed?"
"UH…..I…..Crap…..I .." struggling with the words they finally escaped his lips quickly "I love you you old mini hag. She relaxed and leaned back against the pillow and whispered "I love you too you microscopic shrimp." With that Edward turned quickly and almost ran for the door as he opened it and found himself running like a child from something that had frightened him to his core to the front door, swinging it open he ran into the middle of the yard where he stopped and completely broke down falling to his knees feeling helpless and numb. He couldn't imagine life without the old hag in it. She had always been there for him even when he was being a pain in the ass. Yes he avoided coming back so many times because this was all they had left to call home. 'But now home would be different without her' He thought putting his hands to his face as he sobbed into them. "I can't do anything. This is life and it sucks. Why? Why now? Why does she have to go now?" He whispered to himself as he sobbed into his hands 'Winry is not going to take this easily. It will scare her deeply to lose granny right now.' Something inside him stirred deeply as he found a new strength to stand up and he had determination in his eyes as he looked back at the house 'I have to be strong for her now more than ever.' Straightening his shoulders and taking a huge deep breath, reaching up and wiping the tears from his eyes he started to walk back into the house. This was the point in Edward's life where everything he was hinged on his strength and compassion and his shear will to bring his family into a life where so much was going to be lost.
OMG! Does anyone want to read the next few chapters? This story is going to take some heavy blows here shortly. I didn't mean for this chapter to be so long but I have a feeling the next few will be too.