Edward and Alphonse were sitting on the train heading home. They weren't the only ones. Several other soldiers from Risembool were also on there all in their Amestrian blues. Edward sat forward and looked eagerly out the window as the train slowed down to stop at Risembool station.
Edward saw the crowd and looked through it for his wife. "Look Al! There they are!" he yelled as he saw Winry holding Ben in the back of the crowd. She was pointing to the train and talking to the baby, who was almost a year old. Ben had on a red t-shirt and Winry was in a light purple sun dress.
Al saw how his brother was. "Go ahead. I'll grab your trunk." Al motioned his head towards the exit. The station manager opened the door and pulled the ramp down.
Edward walked quickly and weaved through the crowd. He locked eyes with her, and she waved up her hand. Edward finally made it to her and they embraced each other. Winry started to cry and told him "Welcome home!". He breathed in the scent of her hair and then pulled away so he could see her face. He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her. She pressed her mouth to his in a tender way. He pulled away when she adjusted the baby on her hip.
Edward's attention shifted to Ben. "Hey there. I've waited a long time to meet you." Edward reached out his hands and slowly picked him up and placed Ben on his hip. He hadn't held someone this young before so he was copying how he saw Winry hold him. Edward touched Ben's face finally able to feel it. Ben was confused but didn't seem frightened.
"I've been showing him your pictures so he would know what you looked like," Winry told Edward. Winry then spoke to Ben. "See, this is Dada. Remember? Like in the pictures."
Alphonse caught up to them carrying two trunks. He set the trunks down and Winry hugged him. Al then looked at Ben being held by Edward. "Wow Brother, he's like your double."
Edward looked proud and then proceeded to lift Ben and place him on his shoulders. Winry was worried. "Careful Ed! He's still really little."
"Don't call him little! And he 's fine. I think he likes it." Edward bounced a little and the baby laughed. "Let's head home," Edward started walking with Winry at his side.
"I guess I'm carrying both of these," Al sighed as he picked up both trunks but he understood. Edward wanted to interact with his son so they would know each other.
They walked down the road until the yellow house came into view. Edward still had Ben on his shoulders who seemed to be enjoying the ride. "I can't wait to get out of this uniform," Edward said. Wearing wool was hot in May.
"Just wait a minute. I want to get pictures of you two in uniform. I only have a few that the military sent. I'll go grab the camera." Winry ran ahead and went in the house and retrieved the camera.
Edward sighed but he knew this moment meant a lot to Winry so he was happy to do a few pictures. Winry came out and took a picture of the three boys. After that, Al took their picture. "This is your first family photo so smile Brother." Edward gave a sly smile and they were done with pictures.
After the pictures, Ben started squirming and groaning. "Oh you want down?" Edward said as he picked him up off his shoulders and onto his hip again but Ben was still squirming.
"Oh he walks now. So set him on the ground," Winry informed him.
"Awww man! I missed his first steps," Edward groaned.
Winry tried to console Ed "Sorry, he just did this last week. I knew the letter wouldn't reach you in time. But there are plenty of firsts that you won't miss. His first birthday is in 2 weeks. I already have his party planned."
They all went inside the house and immediately the Elric brothers began to drool. They walked into the kitchen to see Granny cooking stew. She turned around and smiled "Welcome home boys! Dinner will be ready soon".
"Thanks Granny," the brothers told her.
Riza came up and hugged them both. "It's good to see you two again," she told them. Al and Ed admired her new arm. Al really liked that it seemed more feminine and sleek.
The brothers went upstairs with their trunks and got out of their uniforms. They then sat down and had dinner with the family. Winry was feeding the baby while the others ate. Edward felt guilty eating while his wife had to spoon feed the baby. "Win, do you want me to do that so you can eat?"
"No it's fine. I'll eat after he's done. Enjoy your meal," Winry said as she put another spoon of stew into the baby's mouth.
Al was grateful. "This is the best meal we've had since before we left."
"There's apple pie for later. I made it during his nap today," Winry told them.
"YES! I was hoping you would say that," Edward said.
They waited to bring out the pie until Winry had her share of stew, and then Riza served it. This was also part of her therapy to rehabilitate her arm. Then Riza also continued her therapy by feeding the baby his portion of pie.
After dinner, Winry was doing dishes and would accept no help from the boys stating that they could start helping tomorrow. Today they could rest. Ben went to play with his toys in the living room while. Edward sat on the floor next to him and tried playing with him. Ben wasn't sure about them playing together but warmed up a little.
Granny came in and watched them from her chair. "You know, Edward, I wanted to tell you something." Edward looked up at her from his position on the floor. "I know I was hard on you and Winry for getting pregnant so soon but I'm happy that you did. Having him here and watching him grow gave us a reason to be happy even when the world seemed hellish."
Edward cheeks pinked a little and he turned away. He wasn't used to these kinds of conversations that came from the heart. "I'm glad you helped Winry with him. Thank you for doing that." Edward let out a sigh. "I still feel bad that she had him without me here. I don't know how I'll make it up to her."
"You don't need to make it up to her. She was happy to have him as any mother feels. But as a mother, there are a few things that she might want that you could give her," Granny Pinako.
"And what's that?" Edward asked intrigued.
"She wants what every new mom wants. A hot bath to herself and a day to sleep in," Granny told him.
'Well, I can give her that,' Edward thought.
Winry came out of the kitchen. "There are my boys!" she exclaimed and the little one ran to her.
"Momma!" Ben yelled and hugged her leg. She picked him up.
"I didn't know he said momma," Edward sighed. There seemed to be so much he didn't know about his own son. It was discouraging.
"Well that's the only word he knows. The doctor said that he would focus on walking or talking first. And he picked walking," Winry explained. "And it's time for this little one to go to bed." Winry and Edward took Ben upstairs and Winry showed Edward how to change a diaper and put the baby's pajamas on. Then Winry asked if Edward wanted to read the bedtime story.
"Sure, I'll read the bedtime story," Edward told her. She directed him to the rocking chair and told Ben to pick out a book. Ben brought the book to her but she brought him and the book to Ed sitting in the chair. Ben sat in Edward's lap and Edward read the book to him. Winry sat on the floor watching the interaction. Then after the book, Ben looked at the pictures again while Winry and Edward talked about the day. Edward was relieved to be home but he realized he had so much catching up to do with parenting.
Winry put her finger to her lips. "Shhhh. He's asleep." Edward looked down to see the baby asleep. Winry took the book and Edward put Ben in his crib.
Edward and Winry looked down at him. Edward was amazed that they created something that precious. "Winry, you're incredible. You kept him healthy and happy while I was gone. Thank you. I'm sorry you had to do this without me here."
"Ed, it's fine. You had to go. We all have our duties. And mine was to take care of him. But I am happy that you're home." Winry took Edward's hand and they left the baby's room and went into their bedroom.
About 15 minutes later downstairs….
Alphonse sat in the living room with Granny Pinako and Riza. "I guess it takes a long time to put the baby down." He glanced at the stairs waiting for Ed and Winry to come down.
Granny Pinako had good ears and had heard the doors open and shut upstairs. "The baby's already asleep. Edward and Winry are probably reconnecting."
Al and Riza blushed. Al shook his head and said "I don't need to know that. Ugh."
Riza tried to take Al's mind off of them. "Why don't we play some card games, Alphonse?"
"Yeah, sounds good." Al got the cards and couldn't wait to play. He didn't want to think of Ed and Winry doing that.
Upstairs.
Edward and Winry embraced each other while sitting on the bed. His weary heart finding comfort in her arms. He nuzzled her neck and then he started kissing her neck and moved up to her mouth. They kissed tenderly then turned into desperation. She put her hands through his bangs and found his hair tie and slowly pulled it out. He pulled from her mouth and back to her neck. He whispered "Do you want to?"
"Yeah, just one request," Winry said. He stopped nuzzling her and looked in her eyes. "Do you mind wearing a condom? I'm just not ready for another one yet." She lowered her eyes embarrassed by her request.
Edward put his finger under her chin and raised her face up to look at him. "Of course I'll wear a condom. I'm not ready for another one either. So don't worry." Winry was relieved. She opened the drawer table and got out the box.
And before long, they shed their clothes and became one with each other. They were loving and tender with each other taking their time getting to know one another again. Winry felt her pleasure spot while Edward pumped into her until she felt her release. Then something sparked in Edward and he thrusted hard and fast into her. She seemed to be enjoying this rougher side of him. He kissed her hard and continued thrusting. She grabbed his ass and pulled him deeper. And finally he felt himself let go and slowly come down off his high. He laid his head next to hers and breathed deeply. "Sorry," he said about being rougher than usual.
"It's fine. I enjoyed it," Winry rubbed his back. "It felt like you were more manly. I don't know how to explain it. But it was sexy."
Edward raised himself and looked at her. "Woman, you're incredible. I love you."
"I love you too," Winry kissed him gently and he pulled out. They got in their pajamas and went downstairs to play cards with Riza and Al.
The next morning, Edward heard Ben cry in his room. It was around 6:30. Winry started to wake up and Edward put his hand on her shoulder. "I'll get up with him. You get some sleep."
"You sure?" Winry said sleepily.
"Yeah, I was already awake. Get some rest," Edward kissed her and got up. He grabbed a tshirt and slipped it on while walking to Ben's room.
"Hey buddy, let's get you out of there," Edward picked Ben up out of the crib.
Ben looked disappointed but still reached out his arms. "Momma?"
"Shhhh. Mommy's asleep. Let's go downstairs and I'll make some pancakes." Ben seemed pleased. He liked pancakes.
Edward made the coffee and started on the pancakes while Ben played with some toys. Alphonse came down the stairs. Edward saw him and poured him some coffee. "Couldn't sleep in either, huh?" Edward asked.
"No, the bed is too soft. Isn't that crazy?"
"Naw, we're used to getting up early too. Did you have any dreams?"
Alphonse sighed. "Yeah, not very good ones either."
"Yeah, same here. I woke Winry up on accident." Edward groaned. "So I want her to sleep in today."
The brothers talked while Edward flipped pancakes and sipped on coffee. Then Al about spit out his coffee. Ben had brought him a toy and a stench hit him. "Ummm.. Ed. I think your son needs you."
Edward turned around. "What are you talking about? He's fine. Oh." Edward walked over to Ben and smelled it too. "Al, take over on the pancakes." Ed picked up the baby and headed upstairs.
"Yes sir." Al would rather flip pancakes than deal with changing a dirty diaper.
Edward set the baby on the changing table. Ben was still holding a toy and looked up at Edward. He wasn't so sure of Edward changing him. Edward unsnapped the diaper. "Ugh… kid. That's gross." Edward removed the dirty one and wiped him clean. Edward powdered him and put on a clean one. He picked Ben to help put his pajamas back on.
"Momma!" Ben exclaimed. Edward looked back at the doorway and there was Winry. He panicked.
Winry laughed. She knew the smell. "Did you make a mess for Daddy?"
"A mess? That was a disaster." Edward told her. "Sorry if we woke you."
"It's fine. I wanted to make sure you were doing okay," She picked up Ben and kissed him. They went downstairs. "Oh Al, that's so nice of you to make breakfast."
"I started the pancakes!" Edward exclaimed.
Al rubbed the back of his head. "It's true. But my pancakes will be better." They sat down together as a family and ate breakfast like they had never been gone.
Two weeks later was Ben's birthday party. Roy Mustang had shown up a few days before to be with Riza but was happy to partake in the festivities. Izumi and Sig Curtis came to the party and stayed for a while. They had visited Ben a few times so Ben was familiar with them. He smiled when he saw them at the train station. Izumi and Sig were really happy to see the Elric brothers back from their journey.
After eating a cake that Winry had made from scratch, Edward and Winry helped Ben open his presents. His favorite was a plush puppy from Edward and Winry. He liked that the plush puppy looked like Black Hayate because he was allowed to snuggle this one as tight as he wanted. He refused to put it down and carried it with him.
Edward was sitting at the kitchen table talking with Roy and Winry while eating another slice of cake. Ben came up to Edward with his puppy and pulled on Edward's shirt. When Edward kept talking, Ben said loudly "Dada!"
Edward dropped his fork and looked at Ben. "What did you say?"
"Dada!" Ben said and opened his mouth and pointed to the cake.
Edward picked him up. "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! HE SAID IT! He said DADA!" Edward set him in his lap and reward him with giving Ben more cake. Winry's eyes were moist. Ben was finally seeing Edward as a dad, not just another man. Roy was happy to see the family bonding and he had something to talk to the Elric family about.
Epilogue:
Roy had offered Winry a job in Central. Many soldiers were coming home without limbs and needed her expertise. She and Ed agreed and moved to Central a few months after Ben's party to help serve the soldiers. Edward stayed at home for 6 months and went back to work for the military as an outside contractor just like Winry had agreed to. Edward was in the engineering department and helped develop vehicles for flight. Gracia and Izumi helped with babysitting Ben so the two could work.
A year after moving to Central, Winry was pregnant again. Granny retired and moved in with them to help with the baby. They had a healthy little girl who favored Winry in appearance. Edward was ecstatic to be with his wife during her pregnancy and labor. He loved seeing a new life enter the world, especially one that he created.
Alphonse had gone back to Xing to study Alkahestery with Mei. They married several years later and had children of their own.
Roy and Riza moved in together in Central. Riza continued her therapy with Winry until she was fit to be on her own. They married and continued being close friends to Winry and Edward going on date nights together. Roy and Riza also had a little girl that became close friends with Winry and Edward's daughter.
Gray moved back to Central and worked with Edward as an engineer. They became good friends and Edward helped him learned how to control his alchemy.
Erza Scarlett stayed in the military and worked with Maria Ross. They had grown close while serving together.
Edward had bad dreams for a while but they eventually lessened over time. Winry was right there to comfort him. She had more understanding of what her patients were going through, and this made her a great caretaker. Ben and Edward became inseparable. Ben loved his father and when he got older, he never remembered his father not being there, and this made Edward glad. Edward learned in order to appreciate the good times in life, you had to go through some rough times. Ed was a great father to his children and a great husband to his wife and was grateful for how his life played out.
This is the end! I am so excited to have completed my first multi chapter story. I hope you enjoyed it. I really admire military families and all that they go through.
What inspired me to write this was wondering why Edward would come back the same year he went west. In the official guidebook, Edward and Winry got married the same year he left for the West. So he must have come back rather quickly. This made me think that maybe war broke out, Granny or the dog passed away, or Winry was pregnant. Well there's my two cents into this. I'll be writing more stories regarding these theories so keep an eye for them.