Summer 1924

Ben 5

Lucy almost 3

Ed and his family along with Alphonse and Mei were invited to vacation in Xing at a hot spring resort owned by the royal family. Mei was invited by the emperor so she could attend. Because of her abdication of her family place, she had to be invited to come back to Xing.

The Elrics arrived to the hot spring resort after a long train ride (the train was finally finished) and then a carriage ride. Up the side of a mountain. They stepped out and were greeted by the innkeeper, who showed them to their rooms. The adults made sure to take off their shoes and before entering on the tatami mats. Mei and Alphonse had given them some education, though they had to remind the children.

When it was dinner time, they went to the hallway just outside the dining room and there was Ling and Lan Fan to greet them with Lan Fan holding an infant. They greeted each other and Ling looked down at Ben. "Hello there young man."

Ben looked Ling up and down in his formal emperor attire. "Your clothes are weird."

Edward slapped his forehead in embarrassment. Winry yelled "Ben, that is very rude! You should apologize."

Ling shook his head. "Not at all. I think your clothes are weird too." Ling laughed at him. Ben was confused. "Anyways, who is the sweet girl?"

Winry was holding Lucy, who dug her face into Winry's neck even more. She shook her head and almost cried. "I'm sorry, she's very shy."

"Oh well. I'm sure I'll see her face before she leaves. Anyways, let's drop the formalities. I'm excited that my friends are here. And we can enjoy each other's company."

Edward exclaimed "Hell yeah, let's eat. After all, you still owe me for that room service."

Ling laughed. "Oh don't you worry. You will be paid back with interest. Let's go eat."

Alphonse, Ben, and the men started towards the dinner tables that were low to the ground.

Mei told the women. "Men! I swear they think with their stomachs." The other two agreed.

Winry looked at Lan Fan. "I didn't know you two had a baby. Congratulations."

Lan Fan quietly said "Thank you. Her name is Setsuna, and she is 6 months old."

Winry laughed and repositioned Lucy on her hip. "Oh, that's a fun age. Their personality starts to show." The ladies followed the men.

After dinner, Lucy calmed down and followed her brother out to play in the garden. Edward and Winry sat on the edge of the ledge of the inn that led into the garden. Lan Fan had to excuse herself and Winry happily volunteered to hold the baby. Winry cooed and bounced Setsuna on the her legs. Setsuna laughed. Edward laughed right back at her, and then told Winry while he looked Setsuna "It's been a while, huh?"

Winry was confused but realized what he meant. "Yeah, it has. Hasn't it? Lucy is almost 3. Still feels like yesterday but some days, it feels like an eternity. Like we've always had them."

"Yeah, the days are long but the years are short," Edward sighed.

"Wow. That's true. Did you think of that?"

"No, I heard it from someone."

Winry grinned slyly, "I figured you couldn't make something like that up."

"And why is that?" Edward said annoyed.

The baby started to laugh at Edward's annoyed face which caused Winry to giggle. Winry handed Setsuna to Edward, who lifted her above his head. She laughed even more and Edward brought her to his lap. Winry loved seeing that interaction. She started thinking. "Edward, what do you think about adding one more Elric to the world?"

Edward looked at Winry, and his cheeks turned pink. "Well… ummmm.. yeah. I think we could do that."

Ling sat next to Edward. "Already getting baby fever over here?"

Edward exclaimed "WHAT?!"

Winry's face turned red. "It's not like that at all!" even though she knew it was.

Ling took Setsuna and took the Elrics on a tour around the garden.

Later that night…

Edward and Winry got their kids in bed and told them a bedtime story. They kissed them goodnight and went to their room which was only separated by a paper screen door. The futons were different than the beds they were used to but the kids seemed happy. Edward and Winry got into the robes provided putting the left flap over the right side. Winry was excited to go to the hot spring. She was ready to relax after the hectic traveling.

Edward and Winry walk out of their room in their robes and a servant was there to stay and watch the children. Winry snuck her arm and wrapped it around Edward's arm. Edward felt a sense of contentment with his wife next to him as they were on this journey together.

Mei and Alphonse greet them at the changing area to the hot spring. Mei explained "This side is for women and this side is for men. You see, these symbols mean male and female."

Winry was sad that she wouldn't get to share the hot spring with Edward but she was also happy to not see her brother in law naked. Or the emperor of Xing for that matter. Winry and Mei start undressing in the women's area. Winry snuck a peak because she had wondered. 'Oh so they are brown.'

Mei had also done the same thing to Winry. 'So they are pink.' They had both been looking at each other's breasts and noticed that their nipples differed in color.

Mei had a strong lean body, and Winry was disappointed in herself. The baby weight with Lucy was never fully gone. At least her stretch marks were gone but her body was never going to be the same. But, she reminded herself that Lucy and Ben were worth it. And that her husband still admired her body, and she admired his even though he hadn't kept up with working out either.

Edward and Alphonse met Ling in the spring. Edward climbed in and let out a great sigh. "ThIs feels incredible." Alphonse and Ling laughed at him, watching Edward relax in his first hot spring. He sunk down into the water until it reached just below his nose. He didn't care but this felt amazing.

Mei and Winry got in the water. Winry yelled at the wall. "Hi boys!"

They returned her greeting and the men and women had their separate conversations though careful knowing that the other side could hear as well. Lan Fan joined them after nursing the baby to sleep.

After a long soak, the couples retreated to their rooms for the night. Winry took her hair down and felt her face. "My skin has never felt so soft. Feel it!" She grabbed Edward's hand and brought it to her face.

"Yeah, it's soft." Edward brushed her cheek and brought her hand to his face. "Feel mine." They looked into each other's eyes and their gaze softened and they kissed gently. Their lips lingered and Edward slowly pulled away watching his wife slowly open her eyes. "I wonder if your skin feels soft here," he said as he slipped his hand in her robe to rub her breast. Winry moaned quietly.

Winry opened her robe for easier access and was enjoying her husband touching her when she realized there was a just a thin paper screen door separating them and their children. "Ed, the children are just through that screen."

"Then we'll have to be quiet." He slipped a finger to rub her pink nub. Winry started breathing heavier and her hands went through the opening in his robe and she felt his member and started stroking it. They disrobed and laid down. They felt each other, confident they were making the other feel aroused. They knew each other well at this point. Edward moved to be on top of her and thought of their earlier discussion. "Is it in? I mean, your diaphragm."

Winry eye's opened wide. "Oh no, it isn't! Give me a minute."

Edward stayed. "Well, I mean, do you want it in?"

Winry remembered their conversation. "No, it's fine. I want this." She pulled his member toward his opening. "I think this could be the best souvenir that we could bring home."

Edward chuckled at her and slid into her. He kissed her mouth and pumped deep and slow. He pulled away still pumping and groaning in pleasure.

"I love you," WInry said looking up into his golden eyes.

"I love you, too," Edward said. There was nothing like the feeling of creating life while in love with each other.

He kissed her and then changed his rhythm to a faster pace. Winry struggled to be quiet as waves of pleasure were traveling through her. Edward would slow down and change his angle. He then put her legs against his chest and she started feeling herself. He pumped into her, feeling her fingers rub her spot until she climaxed. He slowed down until she caught her breath. Once she came down from her high, Edward moved faster. He moved her legs back to his side so he could penetrate deeper. And then finally he felt his release. They got into their sleep clothes and snuggled until sleep overcame them.

The next day, Edward and Ling were talking about marriage and family, when Edward asked what had been on his mind. "Why could you marry Lan Fan but Mei couldn't marry Alphonse? I mean, Lan Fan isn't royalty, right?"

"Correct. Mei's clan is very old fashioned. They may have hurt Alphonse if Mei had not abdicated. I'm sorry that it had to come to that. But they seem happy together."

"Yeah, they are." Edward smiled. "Hey, why did you really invite us out here? I mean, the vacation has been great. But there has to be a reason."

"I don't know whatever you could mean by that. I just wanted to show my friends a good time." Ling said.

Just then they heard Mei shout happily "Sister!" Mei held a woman a few years younger than her.

Edward then understood. This was a fun trip but it was also meant for Mei to see her sister again without her clan knowing. "You sly dog, you!" Edward said and Ling smirked back.