Author's Note: I do not own FMA or its characters. This is set after the end of the manga and is slightly AU. This was previously posted as a part of An Apple a Day.

On a Summer Afternoon

Laughter was the predominant sound ringing out in the afternoon air. It was a joyous occasion that they had gathered for, and that was evident to everyone there. The backyard of the Rockbell-Elric residence had been filled with chairs and tables for the reception. It was a small wedding really, just family and friends, but that was more than enough people to help them celebrate. There was an arbor covered in roses where the ceremony would actually take place, and Roy had spent most of the morning setting up the chairs in front of it.

Right now though, Roy was busy keeping the groom from succumbing to a bout of nerves. Not that he had anything to worry about. Chris had been in love with Trisha since the two of them were toddlers. They had gone from being childhood playmates and close friends to a couple in love over the years. And as much as both Roy and Ed complained about the idea of being related to one another (even if it was only by marriage), they both were happy for their children.

Roy had somehow gotten tasked with keeping an eye on Chris and his two groomsmen, Edwin Elric and Daffyd Almsley. Edwin was Trisha's older brother and the oldest of Edward and Winry's children while Daffyd was a friend and co-worker of Chris' from the military. Both of them served under one Lieutenant Colonel Rowan Mustang, who just happened to be Chris' older sister as well. Both Chris and Rowan had gone into the military as alchemists. Of course, that was a little different these days than it had been when he was State Alchemist.

It was hard for Roy to believe some times just how much time had past. Back when he was trying to overthrow the government, Roy wouldn't have dreamed of being at his son's wedding. He honestly hadn't believed he had been alive at this point. And there were times that it felt like it was just yesterday when the Elric brothers had been roaming Amestris searching for the Philosopher's Stone. But those days had long passed.

He smiled at the trio of young men. Edwin, taller than his father but looking very much the same as a teenage Edward Elric, teasing Chris about joining the family. Like his father, Edwin was an alchemist, though he had not become a State Alchemist. Instead, he preferred to wander around the country just helping out where needed and working as a jack of all trades. Daffyd was tall and quiet, but with a grin and mischief in his eyes. The young man had been transferred onto Rowan's team almost a year ago, and he had quickly become accepted as a friend by both Mustang children. There was some attraction between Daffyd and Rowan, but neither of them seemed to be acting on it just yet.

And then there was Chris himself. Chris took mostly after his mother in color with sandy blond hair and fair skin, though he did have Roy's dark eyes. There was just a hint of curl to his short hair, and Roy had no idea where in the family tree that came from. His son was laid back and easy going for the most part, and many people missed the fact that he was also extremely sharp and observant. More than anyone else in the family, Chris reminded Roy of Riza's grandfather. Funny, charming, and underestimated. Chris had proven a number of times that he was a force to be reckoned with, including when he'd earned his title as the Wind Alchemist at eighteen with his ability to manipulate air currents.

They were the future of the country, and Roy liked what he saw. He wasn't worried about the mistakes of the past being forgotten anymore.

"Honestly, you're almost as bad as they are." His wife's voice made him jump.

Riza stood behind him wearing a slight frown. "You were supposed to have them in place two minutes ago. We're just about ready to start."

She raised her voice so the boys could hear her. "Or do you just want to skip the wedding?"

Riza really was much better at marshaling the troops than he was. Within minutes she had the boys in play. Then it was their turn to take their seats in the front row of guests next to Winry. Edward would join them once he had escorted Trisha down the aisle. As the bridal procession began, Roy linked his hand with Riza's, absently running his thumb over her wedding band. The bridesmaids consisted of Lixue Yao, Trisha's best friend, Rowan. Both young women looked exotic with their dark hair and their Xing style dresses the color of jade. Behind them followed Trisha herself on her father's arm.

Trisha was clearly her father's daughter. She had taken after Ed in her coloring with dark golden hair and amber eyes, though her hair had a wave to it that neither Ed nor Winry had. She was also an alchemist, but Trisha was a medical doctor as well. Her interests lay in combining healing alchemy from Xing with modern medical science. As she walked down the aisle, her eyes were locked on to Chris, and Roy doubted that she was seeing anything else. He knew that all he really remembered from his own wedding was Riza's face.

It was a simple ceremony. That was what the children had wanted, and it suited them. Roy would admit to being a little misty eyed when Chris and Trisha exchanged their vows. Both because he was proud and happy for his son and because he was remembering his own wedding. Riza squeezed his hand and smiled. Days like this reminded them both why the fight had been worth it.

Theme: Thread of Fate