Disclaimer: Looks around and searches her whole flat…. nope no FMA for me

Thanks a lot for everything. Next chapter will be that last from this fiction but not from this universe as there will be sequel-one shots.

TenshiShanai.

Chapter 24 – His happiest day

October 2nd

It was still warm outside and a light wind breathed through the room. So many years lay between the last time the bed's occupant had been lying there and now. He sighed and opened his golden eyes. Hohenheim hadn't changed much in the room. The books were still there but standing in the shelf and the desk was free of any scribbles and papers. Only the bed – now big enough for two – had changed. Ed smiled and looked up to the window. Roy must have let it open in the morning before he went outside to help preparing for the wedding. The young man was 8 months along and walking was difficult for him. He stayed normally inside until somebody came and walked with him over to the Rockbell house where everyone was engaged in work even Nina. She would carry the rings to the altar and Elicia would be the flower girl. Both girls were excited and couldn't wait that the day would come. Tomorrow at noon would be the ceremony and then his younger brother would be married with his best friend. He sighed and sat up. His unborn child used this moment to kick him in the stomach. The blonde rubbed the place and looked down.

"Are you hungry as well?" A second jolt followed the first. "I'll take that as a yes." He stood up carefully and made his way out of his former bedroom. He waddled down the stairs holding his back. He was glad that it wouldn't take long now until his boy would be born and he could walk properly again. He walked through the empty living room into the kitchen where the grim doctor sat with a mug of coffee and a newspaper. He looked briefly up and then down again.

"You're sweating. Are you alright?" Ed got himself a mug and poured some water in it before he opened the fridge to search for something eatable what wouldn't take long to make.

"I'm fine. Walking is exhausting and it's a bit warm outside." He found some sandwiches with a note that stated that these sandwiches were only for him and sat opposite from the doctor. He had his third sandwich down as he looked to the doctor.

"Hey doc, how long do you think it will take until he pops out?" He sipped some of his water and waited for the doctor to answer him.

"When you make what I say, you will have to wait another month until he 'pops out'." He folded his newspaper and looked directly in Ed's eyes. "But there is still the chance for a premature birth. Tell me immediately if something hurts. Do you understand, Ed? This pregnancy isn't as easy as the last one where you were damn lucky if you ask me." He helped himself with a sandwich. "I don't want to loose the two of you." He bit into his sandwich and drank some of his coffee. Ed couldn't count the times when Knox had told him he didn't want to loose him and his unborn child. The blonde figured that it had something to do with the case from so long ago but didn't say anything. He was grateful that he had the grim doctor on his site helping him to end his pregnancy on full term. He sighed and got another sandwich before he leaned back against the cold wall chewing silently.

Nearly an hour later opened the front door and heard his daughter talking in the living room. There were other people as well what he could hear from the different footsteps.

"Ed?" His husband called from the other room.

"I'm in the kitchen with the doc." Moments later Roy, Nina and Hohenheim entered the kitchen. The little girl hugged her daddy's big belly and kissed the place where she thought the baby would be.

"Aunt Winry allowed me to try my dress on. It's beautiful and I look like a real princess. It's dark red and has a red ribbon and I'm wearing a crown. Daddy you should see it." Her dark golden eyes sparkled. The blonde stroked over her head and smiled. He was sad that he couldn't help them so much with the preparation but Dr Knox had him on bed rest. He was just allowed to move around the house and there only in his bedroom, the bath and the living room and kitchen, normally with Knox around him or Roy. He wasn't allowed to go outside alone and walk through Resembool.

"I will see it tomorrow before the wedding. Remember I'm the one who makes your and Elicia's hair." He bent down to kiss the top of the dark hair. Roy could see that his younger lover had wanted to see her with her dress but it couldn't be helped. He sighed and bent down to kiss Ed's cheek. Hohenheim leaned against the doorframe and smiled. Soon both of his sons will be married and starting a life on their own. "I'll make some lunch now if you want." The elder blonde walked over and saw the empty plate on the table. "Or aren't you hungry?" Ed smiled up at him.

"I would appreciate something warm and he would so, too." He gestured to his belly where the little boy still moved and kicked. Hohenheim nodded and got a pan and a pot out of the counter and took some vegetables and chicken out of the fridge. Roy got their daughter in his arms and kissed her cheek as well.

"Come on Princess Nina, we're washing our hands and face for lunch." He kissed her again and say left the kitchen.

"How far are you with the preparations?" Hohenheim looked over his shoulder to answer his eldest son's question.

"We're nearly done. Just the chairs und the tent and the party could start." He laughed and got back to his cooking. "You should see Winry. She's treating Al with a wrench that he will do everything right. It's amazing." Ed smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Yes, amazing." He stood up and put the plate into the sink. He walked out of the room.

"Where are you going, Ed?" The blond alchemist looked back to the dark-haired doctor and rolled his eyes.

"I didn't know that I needed permission to go to the toilet." He went outside to make his way upstairs to the major bathroom. There was a toilet downstairs but he wanted to be where his daughter and husband were. He opened the door and saw Roy helping Nina, who was standing on a small stool, to wash her hands and face. He grinned at both of them. The older man looked up and smiled back. He got a towel and dried the little girl's face and hands before he dried himself with the same towel. He walked to Ed who was still standing on the threshold and kissed him full yon the lips. The girl giggled and run over as well, hugging her daddy.

"You know there was a reason why I came up here." Roy got the hint and they left the bathroom for Ed and walked over to the bedroom what had been Ed's room years ago. Ed joined them minutes later. He leaned his head against Roy's shoulder while they sat on the bed.

"I wish doc would let me go outside. We have been here for two days and I couldn't even visit her." He sighed and closed his eyes. The dark-haired lover knew who Ed meant. He stroked the younger man's arm and hummed a song. Then somebody knocked on the door but before they could answer the door swung open revealing Dr Knox who looked at them and sighed.

"Come down the lunch is ready. You don't want to let it getting cold." Ed grunted and stood up holding his back. He couldn't remember that it was so difficult with his little girl. Roy got Nina from their bed and they walked downstairs.

After lunch Hohenheim and Nina walked back to the Rockbell house and the lovers where alone with the dark-haired doctor. Ed was lying on the couch in the living room reading a book he had found in the book shelf in his old room. Roy sat in the armchair next to him and Dr Knox remained in the chair in the kitchen. The older lover watched the younger one before he made a decision and walked over to the elder man. Dr Knox was back reading another magazine.

"Dr Knox?" The elder man looked up his face stern as ever.

"What?" Roy swallowed. He didn't know why this man made him feel like a child all over again.

"I… err… I thought when I would go with Ed. He could come outside and has not to sit here. I mean a little walk wouldn't hurt him, right?" He looked hopeful to the doctor who sighed and worked his jaw.

"Where do you want to take him?" Roy smile despite himself.

"To the cemetery. It's not so far from here." Knox's dark eyes looked into Roy's and he nodded.

"Be back by dusk. Don't want him to get a cold because he his too long outside." The dark-haired Brigadier General nodded and left the kitchen to tell his lover the good news. The blonde was still reading his book and hadn't moved a bit. Roy bent down and removed the book from his husband's grip.

"Hey I wanted to read that, you know." The older lover kissed him to silence the younger one. "Huh?"

"I talked to Knox. We'll make a walk." Ed smiled and sat up.

"How? I mean normally I'm just allowed to walk from here to the Rockbell's and back. He even prefers it when somebody comes with a cart." Roy kissed him again and shrugged.

"Don't know. But we have to be fast or he will change his mind again." Ed nodded and the older lover got their jackets and they left the house. Ed stretched and yawned. He didn't know that fresh air could be so good. They walked a bit until they came to the wall that surrounded the small cemetery of Resembool. Roy took his lover's hand in his and they walked over to the grave of Trisha Elric. Fresh flowers were lying in front of the tombstone.

"Oyaji must have let them here." The young man stroked with his right hand over the tombstone. "Hey mom. Long time no seen." He swallowed and wished he wouldn't take hormones that made him cry every day. His lip was trembling. It had been so long that he had been here talking to her. He remembered the time when he got some bones from her grave to defend Sloth and the day he came back to Resembool to tell her that they made it. He sobbed and Roy embraced him. He sniffed and whipped the tears away. After he had swallowed some times he was able to speak to her again.

"This is Roy. We are married and our second child is on its way." He laughed silently. "I know that it's not quiet normal for a boy to be able to give birth but a miracle made it possible. Nina. You would have loved her. She's so hyper. She's laughing all the time and running around. I hope that our boy will be a bit calmer." He laughed again and felt Roy's lips on his temple. "I'm fine mom. It couldn't be better. Al and I talk again and tomorrow is his wedding. Lots of things had happened and now we are able to live the life we wanted all the time." He bit his bottom lip and blinked new tears away. "Sometimes I wish you would still be here but Oyaji said… He said that you are here with us. Not physical but in our hearts. I think that's the only cool thing he ever said." He whipped new tears away. He kissed his fingertips and pressed them to the cold stone. "Love you mom." The lovers walked back to the Elric home where Dr Knox waited impatient for their return. At dinner time the rest of the family joined the three men.

Ed was sitting on the bed with his daughter in front of him. He braided the hair and rolled it up so that he could pin it on the head with small roses. Elicia had her hair done and was now with Winry next door to see the bride getting dressed. He rubbed his stomach. The heartburn had increased the last night and he wasn't able to sleep properly. Roy was up with him and got a wet washcloth to whip the sweat off Ed's forehead. He just hoped that he could make it through the wedding ceremony without disturbing it. Nina's hair was done shortly after and she hopped from the bed to dance around in her dress.

"Thanks daddy." She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. He smiled but the sweat gathered on his forehead again. The girl raised an eyebrow. "Is everything all right, Daddy? You're sweating." He closed his eyes but smiled.

"I'm fine, Nina. I'm just a little warm." He let out a breath and stood up. The blonde took his daughter's hand in his and made his way into the next room. They knocked and waited to be allowed to come inside. The door opened and Pinako stepped outside eyeing Ed and let them in. Winry wore a white sleeveless dress and her hair was up with just a loose strand fallen into her face.

"You look beautiful." Winry smiled at Ed's comment. She swirled around like Nina had done before. She walked over to him and hugged him as tight as the belly let them.

"I'm so glad you're here today. I threatened Al that I wouldn't marry him if you two wouldn't make up." Ed grinned up to her – damn high heels.

"I know how stubborn you can be. That's nothing new to me." He rubbed his belly and swallowed. Was the heartburn increasing? He sighed and looked into her eyes. Her blue eyes were huge and he could see that she was concerned.

"I'm fine Winry. It's just the heartburn. It's annoying but you will see that on your own." He looked up. "Soon, I hope." She blushed and bit her bottom lip but nodded.

"I hope so, too. Even if I thought that I would be the one of us to get pregnant first." He looked down to his huge belly and rubbed it.

"Me too but you can't deny miracles."

An hour later the wedding vows were exchanged and the couple kissed soundly. Ed leaned his head on Roy's shoulder. Today was his brother's happiest day and he was happy to be able to share it with him. All those years they weren't near each other were (mostly) forgotten. He sighed and whipped the tears from his cheeks – the hormones he told Roy – and stood up to congratulate the newly weds. His back was aching but he made his way over. He smiled but the sweat was gathering on his forehead. Roy held him and kissed his temple.

"Don't overwork yourself, Ed. Go inside and lay down for a while. They will understand." Ed looked up into the single black eye. It was Al's wedding day for god's sake. He didn't want to lie down. He shook his head and congratulated the couple. They both saw that something was wrong with Ed.

"Nii-san, you should lie down a bit. You're sweating."

"He's right, Ed. Listen to your brother."

He sighed heavily and looked between the three of them.

"It's a complot, isn't it?" He rubbed his belly. "Fine I'm lying down but keep a piece of cake for me or two, okay?" They nodded and Roy helped his lover back into the house. The stairs were though to climb but Ed could at least lie down in one of the guest beds. The dark-haired man pulled the blankets back so that Ed could lie down. The blonde was about to stretch out on the bed as Roy saw a large red spot on the sheets. He leaned down and whipped over the spot. He looked at Ed, who was already lying on one side, his eyes half closed. The taller lover sat next to the blonde and whipped between Ed's legs.

"'s not the right time, bastard. I'm tired. You wanted me to sleep so don't start something." He swallowed and dragged his legs on the bed.

"I wasn't about to do anything Ed." He looked at his red fingertips. "You're bleeding." Ed's head jerked up and he looked worried at Roy.

"You're kidding me Roy. I can't… That's not right…" He got a hand between his legs as well and felt the wetness. He looked at his fingertips which were a little red. Roy stood up.

"I'll go get Dr Knox. You lie here and wait." With that the older man was out of the room and down the stairs. He spotted the elder man immediately. He was chatting with Hohenheim. The men were friends from the minute they saw each other. He walked over to them and tried to be as casual as ever. He didn't need the other guests to know about Ed's condition. He tipped on the elder man's shoulder who turned around with his ever-present scowl. His expression changed immediately as he saw that Roy didn't look good and that something seemed to be wrong – wrong with Ed.

"He's bleeding."

"Where?"

"Between his legs." The dark-haired Brigadier General swallowed heavily. "He didn't feel right but he didn't want to listen to me." His eye held a lot of emotions at the moment – concern, sadness, tiredness but most of all angst. Dr Knox patted on his shoulder and nodded.

"Go and find Susan and Pinako. I will need there help if it is something bad." Roy nodded and made his way over to the said women as Knox walked slowly to the house. Why hadn't he seen it? He was stupid to let Ed make a train ride of two days just to get to his brother's wedding. Family is important but not important enough to risk your health and the health of your unborn child. He shook his head on his way upstairs. He walked inside the room where Ed was lying. He had his hands over his eyes and sobbed loudly. The doctor sat next to him and stroked over his head. If he had a weak point it was Ed. Long ago he promised to help every male who came to him and was pregnant. He sighed and patted the blonde's shoulder as well as he had done with Roy.

"Come on, Ed. We need you to get out of your pants so that I can examine you properly." The young man sniffed and nodded. He sat up and pulled the pants down before he stand up and removed them with his underwear. The elder man helped him to get comfortable again. Ed spread his legs so that the doctor could lie between them. He examined him carefully.

"Is it bad, doc?" He could hear that Ed was worried. He sighed, best to stick with the truth.

"It is. The blood comes right out of your womb. We need to get him out, now." Ed whimpered. Premature birth was the last thing he wanted. "Don't be afraid. You're eight months along. He well developed. He will be fine." Ed nodded. What else could he do? Everything was already decided. He couldn't keep his boy longer in his womb. They hadn't even decided on a name yet. The tears were running freely down his cheeks as the women and Roy came upstairs. Knox had trapped a blanket over Ed's lower body to prevent him from cooling down too much from the blood lost.

"What's wrong, Knox?" Pinako stood next to the dark-haired man.

"Get a surgery room ready. We need to get the baby." The elder woman's eyes widened and Susan gaped behind them. "Prepare the anaesthesia, Susan." The women did what he had told them and went outside. Roy was still standing on the threshold.

"Doctor?" The elder man looked at Ed's lover.

"We need to make a C-section to get the baby. Then we will look forward. But it's possibly that we have to remove the uterus." Roy was numb. He had been selfish and let Ed be selfish despite knowing the risk. He nodded.

"Do everything what is possible to help Ed and the baby." The doctor just nodded and went outside as well to see the progress and change his clothes.

"Roy. Please come over here." Ed's voice was weak from the pain and the shock. The dark-haired lover took his hand in his.

"I'm scared, Roy." The taller man kissed his forehead.

"Everything will be alright. You will see in less then an hour you will hold our baby in your arms." He kissed him again before he stood up. Ed dragged on his sleeve. His golden eyes were watery.

"We haven't decided on a name yet. I want you to name him. I gave Nina her name, now it's your turn to give a name to our boy." Roy nodded.

"Alright. But you can't complain later if you don't like it." He laughed quietly and Ed smiled.

"I'll find a nickname for him. Be sure of it." Roy bent down again to capture the soft lips again. Dr Knox was leaning on the doorframe.

"Carry him over. We're ready." Roy nodded and got Ed into his arms. The younger man reached his hand out and stroked over the patch.

"It's a promise. You name him and I'll give him a nickname." Roy kissed his fingers as he laid him down.

"I promise." The older lover left the surgery room and Ed went to sleep with the help of anaesthesia.

Thirty minutes passed before the cry of a new born child rang through the house. Roy got up from his spot on the stairs and looked upstairs where his lover went through surgery. Susan walked out of the room with a small bundle in her arms. She gestured for him to follow her and they both went into another room with doctor's equipment.

"How are they?" She smiled and laid the baby on the exam table.

"Your baby is fine. He is fully developed and started to breath as soon as he had left the womb." She washed the blood off his body and cleaned the face. "As for Ed…" She sighed. "They need to cut out the womb. The bleeding didn't want to stop. But he will be alright. Dr Knox and Pinako are with him. Everything will be alright." She dried him off and got a romper suit from the shelf as well as diaper and a new blanket. She measured him and wrote the numbers into the child's pass. Roy knew the procedure from Nina's birth and soon she would ask him the question he had thought about a long time.

"Did you think of a name?" Roy nodded and swallowed.

"Nathaniel. Nathaniel Elric-Mustang." She nodded and wrote the name on the cover of the pass and got the little boy from the exam table.

"Here is your papa, Nathaniel." She laid him into Roy's arms. He was sleeping and smiling.

"He's beautiful." The boy had a patch of blind hair but his eyes were closed so that Roy couldn't see which colour they would be.

"He's exhausted. When Ed is lucky he will be awake even before his son needs to get fed for the first time." She stroked over the tiny head. He was even smaller as Nina and the girl had been small. Roy kissed the small forehead. Suddenly the door opened and the elder man walked inside with a smile on his lips.

"Everything is alright. He will sleep for a little while but at least we could stop the bleeding. Another three days and he will be able to walk around again." Roy grinned and bowed his head.

"Thank you so much, Dr Knox." A single tear rolled down his cheek but he could whip it away before anyone could see it.

"So what's the name of this little guy?" Roy swallowed and looked to Knox.

"Nathaniel. I think Ed will be happy with it as he is able to give him a nickname." Knox nodded and patted Roy's shoulder and went down. He met Al in the kitchen on his way outside.

"What happened?" The elder man winked and opened the door to the garden.

"You have a nephew waiting upstairs, but I would think it's better if you would let the one father wake up before every one sees the child." He laughed hearty and went outside.

Ed awoke feeling stiff and sore in places he didn't want to feel sore. He looked around and saw Roy sitting on his bed with a bundle wrapped into a blue blanket.

"Hey you're up. Welcome back. Your son was waiting for you." He smiled and craned his head to see the new born child.

"How is he?" Roy laid the bundle into Ed's arms.

"He – Nathaniel – is fine but very sleepy. I think he waited just for you." Ed stroked over the head and fingers.

"He's beautiful." He kissed the child's cheek. "Nat, you're beautiful." Roy snickered. "What? You promised I could give him a nickname." Roy just nodded and kissed Ed's forehead.

"I'll go get the rest of the family. They have been waiting as well."

Soon the room was full of congratulating people. Al was standing behind them watching the scene. He was sure that today was Ed's happiest day as well as his own. He smiled and walked down into the kitchen to get the last piece of cake they had left especially for Ed.

AN.: I'm tired as hell but I'm happy to have finished this monster of a chapter. Next week the epilogue. Bye, bye. Hope to see you there… Ah! Before I forget it. Could you leave a review? Yes? Oh great!!