Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal alchemist.
Warning: May be a hanky alert in this chapter for some.
A/N: Please leave review and let me know how it is.
A daughter is a bundle of firsts that excite and delight, giggles that come from deep inside and are always contagious, everything wonderful and precious and your love for her knows no bounds.
*~Chapter Twenty Six~*
"Oh hello Miss Izumi, how are things going? How are you holding up?"
Izumi just smiled and happened to look over, seeing the darling baby girl wobble and laughed. She happened to look over and her face brightened. What was it about that girl that just made her want to pinch the child's cheeks? She didn't know the child and yet she found herself smiling despite herself.
"It's been years since I've had to deal with my baby and all but you know how I told you about Ed and Al? They are always getting into unforeseen trouble and their commanding officer is doing little to keep them from that. I'd guess that's the perks of being a state alchemist though is that you can't be told off that often."
Linda laughed.
"They get told off plenty. My grandson is their commanding officer and I hear enough about the older blonde one thanks to him. I'd say one day, they are going to realize how much they care for each other."
Izumi just sighed watching the girl fall over again although this time when she went down, she bumped her head a little. She was amazed when the girl cried for half a second before pushing herself back up to get the shovel she had been playing with. She turned to Linda with a look of surprise.
"Oh she does that. Not a crybaby by any means and my grandson tells me to have her wear a helmet. She took it off within the last hour though and has been putting dirt in it. She's fine though. She only hit her head a couple of times so far and each time, she hardly has cried."
"You are a tough girl," Izumi told her with a smile.
Kelsey paused in the dirt she was digging to beam.
"Tuf me," she said with a big smile.
Izumi laughed before turning back to Linda who was wiping up the excess dirt from Kelsey's clothes. The woman laughed as well seeing as how the girl was getting dirty quickly and turning to Izumi, she laughed once again when Kelsey ended up putting dirt in her own shirt.
"Kelsey, you're gonna need a bath sweetie. Your daddy did say that you were going to be making a mess if you were allowed but I never thought he was serious when he told me you put dirt EVERYWHERE!" Izumi joined in the laughter and Kelsey laughed with glee before turning back to the dirt.
"She's cute. I can see though that she's going to get blonde hair oddly enough."
"Probably because the one that fathered her has the genes. That and my side has turned out some pretty blonde children. Her eyebrows are light so she's going to end up with that color indefinitely. The only question I want answered is when that is supposed to happen."
Izumi nodded.
"She must be adored," she thought aloud.
Linda nodded with a chuckle.
"Kelsey does get people loving her no matter how they are. Gets me happy that my grandson didn't give her up for adoption after all." At Izumi's look she continued. "My grandson is a single parent and he first thought of adoption but from what I hear, one look at her after the birth and he couldn't do it no matter what everybody else thought. He even named her right then and there. I love the name though. Kelsey Ann. I told him to name her something strong though so I'm happy."
Izumi nodded.
"Kelsey is going to be a handful when she's older. Just think when she gets married and has a daughter of her own."
That wasn't something even Linda wanted to think about at the moment.
"She is great but I don't want to concentrate that far into the future until I have to get used to the other fact. She is my great granddaughter and I always want to think of her as the youngster that caused my grandson to throw up several times a day or the sweet girl that never gets into trouble first."
Izumi nodded, not being able to blame her.
The next time she would hear about that little child would be the day she heard the news. Kelsey was dead and somebody killed the sweet baby. No longer was there thoughts of what she would do when she was older because somebody took that chance from her. Izumi seethed to think that they took the chance from her even turning three. How could somebody be a monster like that? It was then when Linda tearfully told Izumi that the girl was actually her blood niece and that her grandson's mother was hers as well. If that hadn't been worse, the woman had never cared much for her son nor the granddaughter she would have had had she let herself be. It was horrible to think about but the fact that Izumi cared about the little girl without knowing in the beginning made her appalled.
She came to love that girl and didn't even know she was related, but one thing was for certain. She would never forget the innocent look of the child that never did anything wrong.
Kelsey was just that innocent.
"Hey Ed, we heard today is the big day!"
Ed turned and saw that Havoc and Breda were here. He turned back around and groaned wishing it wasn't so but then what could he do? He was so nervous when all of this was going to go down in only about an hour in half from now. They had gotten everything ready and Izumi had went outside to take a walk, saying she would be back within the next hour. He really really wanted to marry Roy and he wished the day would come sooner but he was a wreck. Not only would he be considered married afterwards, but he'd have a whole entire family to look after. What if he failed? What if he couldn't keep them together and something happened to Roy? What if his unborn baby got hurt? He couldn't take that sort of pressure and was at wits end just thinking about it.
His brother kept him from pulling at his hair though and grabbed a brush to put it in its usual braid. Ed didn't say anything to him which on any other circumstance would have been surprising except for the fact that Al knew how much Ed was going through at the moment. It was the big day for him and he had to have been feeling the jitters. Roy was fine though. Of course, he had been told to take a small nap since the baby didn't want to give him a chance to sleep at all. Al knew that it would be better after today though because he was either A going to be forced on bed rest or B he was going to be forced to see a doctor and find out his options to get some sleep. He was twenty four weeks and five days. In two days he would be another week closer to the due date.
"Ed it's okay to admit you're scared. I get scared too you know? I may not admit it all the time but I do like it when I get to talk about my fears or worries I have and I know you told Roy to do the same thing. Can you tell me what's bugging you now?"
Ed looked up for a moment until Al had him look forward again so he could finish up with the braid. He loved his brother but he wanted this to come out more than a half assed job. Ed sat there deep in thought for a moment before quietly agreeing with his brother.
"I want to marry Roy and I love him so much Al, the problem is the worry I have that I may either lose him and the baby or I will end up failing him. I know it's silly but I can't help thinking about that. They are going to be a part of the family and I only want him to stay safe and-"
"Look boss but you may not have realized back then, you helped him a tremendous amount without even thinking. You helped him to see that he could remember Kelsey and he doesn't have to be sad when he does anymore. You have been keeping him safe and making sure that he hasn't been getting hurt. Hell, you kept him from a potentially bad case of hypothermia and you love him to bits and I know you both will love that baby. Just don't do anything stupid thinking that you aren't good enough because I know you are good, he knows it, and so does your brother. If you can't see it now, then I suggest you reanalyze everything in your head."
Ed looked thoughtfully at Havoc before quickly nodding. Of course that was true. He did help him and everything but he didn't do it to achieve anything. It was then that he realized just how much he loved him and really wanted to be with him for eternity. He made a silent promise then that he would always be there for him no matter what it was. He would fight anything and everything to be with him and he would not miss a single thing.
"Thank you Havoc and thank you Al. I do see it and now that I do, I feel a little silly."
Al just laughed and Havoc put a hand on Ed's head, forgetting that Al had been working on it for a reason. At Al's glare, Havoc suddenly thought better of it and decided to get out of there as fast as he could to go see how Roy was doing.
Someone over there was bound not to want to kill him when this day was through.
Roy was busily trying to remain inconspicuous whilst checking himself out in the full length mirror. His stomach oddly stood out even in the suit and he found an increasing amount of anxiety the closest it came to the wedding. Looking down, he tried to remember what the baby usually was if it was pointing out like this. He knew that they said that it wasn't true and the most accurate way to tell was the ultra sound but he had a feeling like he had with Kelsey and then he had been wider not out in the front like this.
"Hey, the baby isn't causing some trouble or anything?"
Roy looked up spotting Izumi and shook his head.
She looked almost nervous and he could tell that she had something on her mind. Closing the gap, she looked down and smiled a little, seeing the bump. He didn't say anything even though he had wanted to because even though he was going to, it died in his throat seeing her worry about something.
"I saw Kelsey when she was about a year and two months old. She was with Linda and playing in the dirt with an old cushioned helmet that she had taken off. She was a tough cookie though and smart. Even though she didn't know how to crawl, she was walking so well and I thought she was so cute. But the next time I thought I'd see her again, it turned out that she had died. I got pictures of her often and smiled at her obvious cuteness but it wasn't the same as seeing her and when people think to put things out there like that, they don't realize what I did. They saw pictures and heard her story but they didn't know her nor did they watch her. Don't ever get down about talking about Kelsey because it was you that gave her life and a good one at that for all those years. I also know that you are my half- brother. She told me that too but it doesn't change many things. I still hate state alchemists and I don't like the military. But of course I'm always going to be there for you if you need a hand alright."
Roy nodded and pulled her into a hug. She was probably waiting to be able to say that for a long time now and it was so imbedded along with the last memory of the sweet innocent girl that she had to share it now. He was glad though. She was really good with kids and helped with Ed and Al when he wasn't there so he supposed it was just as good if not better.
She continued though, and he was pushed out of his thoughts.
"You are getting married to my former student so don't hurt him. Be good and don't miss the chances to love him with all your heart, mind, and soul. Don't you die on him either because I know that you know what happens when someone leaves and I don't want you leaving in any way, shape, or form. I care about him equally as I do with you and I don't want either of you two to be hurt alright? You are my older half-brother and I already told you that I understand but that won't keep me from kicking your butt."
Roy finally nodded with a smile.
"I won't leave him nor will I make him sad. Don't worry about me Izumi and the fact that you're in fact, my half-sister only means you could kick my butt to keep me in line." He winked and she nodded before turning back to the baby bump.
Whistling she gave him a small smirk.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were carrying a boy."
"That's not exactly true you know. I heard a bunch of people who were like this when they were pregnant with their daughters." She only looked more smug when he finished however.
"I was this way when I was pregnant with my son and if I wasn't mistaken, you were definitely wide when you were pregnant with Kelsey. You aren't wide now so ignoring the fact that there's people who have been exceptions, I'm going to bet it's a boy. Oh and even if you already had a baby shower, you're gonna be having another one soon. My husband and I are gonna plan it and you may not like it but it'll be good for you two."
Roy nodded, not bothering to complain. He was already big enough without hearing comments that he soon enough was gonna look like he would pop. Izumi soon enough decided that they should be prepared for the wedding which was going to be going on in about thirty more minutes.
"Don't fret, just get ready while I make sure Ed doesn't try and get cold feet. You know what weddings make people do," She gave him a playful smirk which he returned and then headed out leaving him alone once again.
I wonder if Hughes would be happy knowing I'm finally going to be married and have a family of my own, he thought. He always did brag about his wife and daughter although in this case, I don't think any of us are the wife of the relationship. He paused thinking that it was him carrying the baby and hoped nobody made a comment about that at all. He shook his head as though to forget ever thinking that and went back to looking at the mirror for the moment. He was definitely bigger although not as big as he knew he was going to be.
"Hey sir, looks like you have finally gotten ready."
"Havoc of course I am but you had better bet that I am going to shamelessly murder you if even think about running anything through my hair. Oh and you can blame the baby for the earlier mishap."
Havoc groaned.
Of course the baby had to pick the perfect timing to make Roy sick. He was okay though and happily considered calling the baby evil although he would have to face Roy's wrath with all those pregnancy hormones and thought better of it. He would wait until it was born and then do it. Until then, he just laughed and shook it off like it was no big deal.
"Have you and Grace finally decided to get together?"
He groaned only louder this time at the mention.
"She said it's best if we see other people. I don't get it though. You are getting married and you obviously see more action then I do!"
"Just be quiet Havoc, the baby finally settled down and stopped moving so much. I think he or she is sleeping." He trailed off to place a hand on his stomach and Havoc grinned.
"I think it's more of a he sir."
Roy glared and Havoc thought better of continuing his thought. With a gulp and a tiny laugh, he quickly decided to leave before Roy finally discovered that he could still use alchemy without a circle.
Ed nervously stood at the altar and waited for the time where he would finally be married. He tried to appear not to be but he could see Al giving him a look to calm down. He nodded and turned to face the front again only to see Roy coming towards him. He froze realizing that the pregnancy had made him definitely hotter. Roy may not think so because he was the one carrying the weight equal to that of a twelve pound bowling ball at the moment but it didn't make it any less true. Once Roy was on the opposite side of him, he couldn't help but let a silly grin grace his lips.
The preacher cleared his throat once the music died down and began.
"To all present I say: We are gathered here, not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is! We do not create this marriage, because we cannot. We can and do, however, celebrate with Edward Elric and Roy Mustang the wondrous and joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their lives, and the commitment they make today."
People in the stands were silent but hanging on to every word. Roy watched how Ed seemed to twitch a little in his anxiety and quietly took his hand, giving him a small smile of encouragement when he finally looked his way. Ed found himself smile as well, before going back to staring at the preacher who was marrying them.
"Ultimately there comes a moment when a decision must be made. Two people who love each other must ask themselves how much they hope for as their love grows and deepens, and how much risk they are willing to take. Commitment may well be a fearful gamble. Because it is the nature of love to create, a marriage itself is something which has to be created, such that as we come together in marriage, we become a new creature."
Ed silently agreed. He would risk anything to keep Roy with him and he knew that they didn't always know how much they cared and loved each other, it was always there. It grew and over this last year alone was when he realized how much he couldn't live without the other. The preacher continued in his speech and Ed realized with a silent grin that Linda and even Izumi even, had a sense of humor and irony he hadn't even imagined. They picked the perfect passages that really seemed to fit them.
"The only real security is not in owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting, not in hoping, even. Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what was in nostalgia, nor forward to what it might be in dread or anticipation, but living in the present relationship and accepting it as it is now. Relationships must be like islands, one must accept them for what they are here and now, within their limits - islands, surrounded and interrupted by the sea, and continually visited and abandoned by the tides."
Ed realized how true that was as well. Looking back in what was nostalgia for a daughter that had died had left Roy very unhappy for years but only now that he was starting to let her go was he finally feeling better. Now that he wasn't looking back in nostalgia and only of the happy memories he had been able to make with the young child, he was very happy.
The priest turned to them and had them repeat their vows.
"I take you to be my spouse, in equal love, as a mirror for my true self, as a partner on my path, to honor and to cherish, in sorrow and in joy, till death do us part," Ed said giving Roy a nervous smile that became more once he neared the ending.
"I acknowledge my love and respect for you and invite you to share my life as I hope to share yours. I promise always to recognize you as an equal individual and always to be conscious of your development as well as my own. I shall seek through kindness and understanding to achieve with you the life we have envisioned." Roy smiled back genuinely and Ed couldn't help but return it, feeling his nervousness finally ease. He could do it. He loved Roy with all his heart.
Next came the rings and Ed was more than happy with this part.
"I give you this ring as a visible and constant symbol of my promise to be with you, for as long as I live." He placed the wedding ring on Roy's finger as he said this, smiling broader and seeing that Roy was certainly glowing today.
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that I will always be a faithful partner to you."
The preacher came forward again and this time said, "You may now kiss".
Ed was sure he mumbled, "Finally," before he crashed his lips upon Roy's, holding him around the middle and laughing when their over joyous unborn child kicked in excitement. This was a day he would be unable to forget. He loved Roy and he knew that Roy loved him. They were married now and joined through not only this marriage but also through their love for each other. Why he would ever want to forget something like this would be a thought he would never consider because it would be the day never forgotten along with the memory of when he first laid eyes on Roy. He smiled and kissed him again as if to remind him that he was and always will be there for him.
It seemed that the baby was equally happy for that promise.
After the small reception and everything, Ed never thought he was so happy. Roy was asleep in his arms and seemed to be out like a light. Kissing him lightly, he laid his hand on his belly and felt the small kicks with a small grateful smile. He smiled remembering how Linda had said earlier that she was happy that they were together and everything but didn't want to hear anything when she was trying to sleep.
Roy seemed more embarrassed about that than him and grinned realizing why. Roy was definitely a screamer and it would be normal that he was embarrassed during that. Ed frowned realizing that he was a little pale tonight. If he was that way in the morning, he was going to be seeing the doctor. Ed didn't care what excuses he gave either.
Laying back down, he wrapped his arms around Roy's waist tightly. Smiling, he finally allowed himself to fall asleep to the rhythmic breathing of his spouse and the constant heart beating in his ear.