March 1922

Ben 3

Lucy 7 months

Edward and Ben were waiting at the train station for Uncle Alphonse and his girlfriend, Mei to arrive. Ben was on Edward's shoulders because his legs hurt. Ben then heard the train whistle and yelled "Look!". Edward bounced him on his shoulders. He wasn't sure if he or his son were more excited to see Alphonse.

The train pulled to a stop, and out stepped Alphonse and Mei, who had her strange cat on her shoulders. Al had recently gotten a letter from Edward stating that he should give Ben a lot of attention since he seemed jealous of his little sister. Al put his suitcase down and hugged his brother. "It's been a while," Al told him.

"Yeah it has but you'll be here for a while, right?" Edward.

"That's the plan," Al had told Edward that he would be staying for a while but didn't tell him why. Edward figured Alphonse had wanted to help with the Alchemy Society or work on their next book together.

Al also remembered the other reason he was here. He greeted Ben who then reached his arms out. "Uncle Al!"

Edward took the squirming toddler off his shoulders. "Hold on kid! I don't want to drop you!"

Ben clung to Alphonse. He was so happy to have another person to play with besides his father, who had been his primary caregiver since Lucy was born. His mom had to feed the baby a lot so he didn't get to play with Winry as much.

Edward and Mei said hello to each other. Mei also said hello to Ben and Ben just clung to Alphonse. Edward then decided to carry Al's trunk so Al could carry Ben home.

They arrived to the Elric home, and Winry met them at the door holding Lucy, who had just woken up from her nap. Mei talked to Lucy and then held Lucy. Winry was surprised. "Wow Mei, she doesn't usually let other people hold her. " Lucy only let Ed, Winry, and the babysitter hold her. Winry was happy for the break. It would be nice to have some extra hands to help with the kids.

Alphonse tried to say hello to Lucy but received a scowl from Ben. Then Ben wanted down and dragged Alphonse to his room to show him his toys. Al could see the jealousy.

Edward made dinner and once the chicken and dumplings were ready, he went to rescue Alphonse from Ben. "Hey guys, dinner's ready."

Ben ran downstairs, and Al sighed "I wonder if you were like that towards me."

"Huh? Oh the jealousy. No way!" Edward shook his head. How could he not like his brother.

"How can you be so sure? Do you even remember being that young?"

"Well no but do you?"

"Not at all. I'm sure he'll grow out of it." Alphonse said.

"I hope so. He got all the attention for a while and now he has to share it. I think he misses Winry but Winry couldn't help it. She had to nurse the baby. At least now the baby eats some soft foods so I can feed her."

Alphonse put a hand on Edward's shoulder. He could tell it hadn't been easy. "So I gather no more nieces or nephews for a while."

"Hell no! I don't even know how Mom did it. We were only a year apart! I can't imagine 2 kids in diapers at once," Edward shook his head.

The brothers went downstairs. They took their seats, and Edward fed Lucy her applesauce while everyone else ate. Once Lucy was done, Edward ate his dinner, and Alphonse picked up Lucy. Alphonse could feel Ben's glare but Ben was also eating his dinner. Lucy looked up at Al. Alphonse smiled at her, and then the tears started flowing and Lucy started wailing.

Winry sighed "Oh Lucy, it's just your uncle Al." Winry got up and took her daughter. She sat down and patted her on the back until she calmed down. Ben smirked. He was glad Lucy didn't like Alphonse so he could spend more time with him.

Mei offered "I can hold her again."

"No, you finish your meal. I can eat while holding her." Winry took a spoon of dumpling and gave it to Lucy.

After the kids were settled in bed, the adults talked at the table while Edward was cleaning the kitchen. Alphonse and Mei decided to tell them the truth of their visit. Alphonse told them "Well, Mei and I have decided to get married."

Edward about dropped the plate he was washing. Winry jumped up and hugged Mei. "I'm so happy for you two. Finally I'll have a sister in law."

Edward collected himself. He came over to the table and shook Al's hand. "Congratulations. I can't believe you didn't tell us."

Alphonse's face seemed to sadden. "Well it's complicated."

Mei looked downcast too and explained "I will have to abdicate my position, and I won't be welcome in my country anymore unless I'm invited by Ling."

Edward and Winry sat down. They were dumbfounded.

Mei continued "My family doesn't approve of me marrying Alphonse. He's a foreigner."

Alphonse put his arm around her. "So she made the announcement just before we left. So we aren't going back to Xing."

Winry realized "So this is a permanent stay. Not just a visit." Al and Mei agreed. Winry continued "Well I'm happy that you both are here. And Mei gets to be part of our family."

Edward choked on his tea. Mei was going to be with them FOREVER. But he realized they could use her knowledge for their books. And he would see Alphonse more. This could be a good thing.

Edward and Winry went upstairs to bed while Al and Mei stayed up to talk more. Edward and Winry went to bed earlier because parenting two young children was exhausting. Edward got in bed next to his wife and they kissed each other. He told Winry "I didn't realize how easy it was for us to get married. Everyone was happy for us."

Winry sighed. "Yeah I know. I feel sorry for them. It wasn't an easy decision. To choose who you love or to choose your country."

Edward looked at her. "Well I would've chosen you."

Winry smiled. "Yeah I guess I would choose you, too."

"What the hell Win?"

Winry kissed him. "I'm just teasing."

"Fine. I'm so tired."

"Me too." Winry sighed. She picked up her book knowing she would only get through a page before falling asleep. She looked at Edward. "I love you but no more babies for a while."

"Agreed. I love them but I have never been so exhausted. I don't know how Mom did it with me and Al. And the old man did NOT help out."

"Yeah, I'm glad you help out. I mean you even learned how to cook. You make some of the best chicken and dumplings."

"Thanks sweetheart." Edward took his book from the nightstand. 'Damn, she actually complimented me.' He wasn't used to this. He said "Good night."

"Good night." They kissed again and read their books until they fell asleep.

Author's note: I like posting the kids ages at the top so you know what they are. And with Mei abdicating the throne to be with Alphonse, I think this would be a likely scenario. It's happened in history already. Queen Elizabeth's uncle gave up the throne in order to marry who he wanted. And I doubt Mei's family would want her to marry a foreigner. But Mei and Alphonse are so cute together.