October 1925

Ben 6

Lucy 4

Winry 7 months pregnant

Mei 8 months pregnant

It was a crisp fall day but clear out. Perfect for the annual Harvest Festival in Risembool. The Elrics had switched homes so Edward and Winry and their growing brood were back in the Rockbell house and Al and Mei had moved into the Elric home that Edward had rebuilt with a lot of help. It was a further walk into town but the Rockbell house was larger and had more rooms to accommodate a larger family.

Edward, Winry, and their two walked into town late in the morning to go to the festival. Edward and Ben in matching black sweaters. Winry was wearing her purple sweater with her white jacket that she had received from Edward a long time ago. The littlest one was in a pink sweater. They arrived to the festival and almost immediately split.

Ben yelled "I want to go play the games!"

Lucy yelled "I want to pet the lambs!"

Winry and Edward split up with the children. Edward took Ben to play the games and Winry took Lucy to see the lambs that children could pet. They were used to doing this by now. The children had different interests. Plus, it was nice to get to know each child individually.

Winry took Lucy to see the lambs. Winry knew the farmers, and the girls were greeted kindly. The farmer's wife even offered Lucy a bottle to feed a lamb. Lucy took the bottle and the lamb drank quickly. Lucy was thrilled to feed the lamb. "Look mommy!"

"Awww. That's so sweet Lucy," Winry told her daughter. She rubbed her extended abdomen, feeling the love for the unborn child and the one that was feeding the lambs. She was content seeing her family grow.

After spending time feeding and petting the lambs, Lucy and Winry went to look at the other animals that were being shown. There were cows, sheep, goats, and chickens. Lucy loved the animals, and dragged her mom around to see them all until Winry's feet couldn't take it anymore.

"Lucy, let's get some cotton candy," Winry said trying to dissuade Lucy from the animals.

"Okay!" Lucy said as WInry lead them to the cotton candy stall.

Winry and Lucy sat down and ate their cotton candy and WInry got some water to drink. Winry's feet were sore and a little swollen from walking around and being pregnant. They felt some relief as they sat.

Lucy was pulling her cotton candy in puffs and stuffing them in her mouth. Her hands became very sticky. Lucy went to wipe her hands on Winry's jacket but Winry's momsense kicked in.

"No Lucy! Don't wipe your hands on my jacket!" Winry exclaimed and backed away from the child.

"But my hands are sticky," Lucy told her.

"Hold on a second," Winry pulled a hankerchief and poured some water on it. She had Lucy wipe her hands clean.

"See! Now your hands are clean. Don't use mommy's jacket for that. This jacket is very special," Winry told her.

"Why?" Lucy asked.

"Well, you see, I was wearing it when Daddy proposed to me."

"What does propose mean?"

Winry smiled. "It's when a man asks a woman to marry him. So I was wearing this when Daddy asked me to marry him."

"Ohhhh," Lucy smiled.

"Hello ladies. Can I join you?" Edward asked.

Winry smiled. "Of course you can. Where's Ben?"

Edward sat next to Winry. "He's off playing with some friends."

"Daddy!" Lucy said loudly.

Edward turned his attention to his little girl. "Hi sweet pea. How were the animals?"

"Great! I got to feed a lamb with a bottle!" Lucy told him excitedly.

"Aw. That's sweet."

"And Daddy, when I grow up, I want you to propose to me so we can get married." Lucy smiled really big.

Edward's face fell and Winry held back a laugh.

Winry composed herself and explained to Lucy that daughters and daddies could not marry each other but that she would find the right person one day.

And Edward added "One day very far into the future."

Lucy was disappointed and sat with her arms crossed. Edward turned to his wife. "What brought this up?"

"Well I was wearing this jacket when you proposed to me," Winry said.

Edward thought hard. "Really? I don't remember."

"Of course you don't!" Winry said.

Edward scoffed "Well there were more important things on my mind at the time. It took a lot to ask you, you know!"

Winry sighed. She knew it was hard for him to do that. "I know but at least you have gotten better talking about matters of the heart."

Edward blushed a little. He wanted to change the subject. "So ummmm.. How are you holding up? I mean, like your feet. Do they hurt?"

"Yeah, they always swell when we walk into town now. But I'll be fine with some rest and maybe you can rub my feet when the kids go to bed?" Winry asked with a pleading look in her eyes. Edward raised an eyebrow but looked at her belly. She was doing the work of creating life.

"Oh fine," Edward gave in.

Winry smiled. She rubbed her abdomen in response to the kicks and punches that were going on inside of her. "It's really moving in there." She grabbed Edward's hand and he felt the bumping against his hand, which was proof that something was living in there. Edward and Winry shared a moment together.

"I wanna feel!" Lucy said. Winry took her hand and placed it on her belly. Lucy felt the movement against her hand and was thrilled.

Edward was grateful for his family and then wondered about his other family. "Have you see Al and Mei yet?"

Winry shook her head. "No, they're probably enjoying their peaceful mornings while they last. I'm sure they will be here in a bit." Their peaceful mornings were about to be over with a new baby.

Edward looked up from his seat and saw them. "Hey Al! About time you got here."

Mei and Al walked up to Edward and Winry. "Hey brother. We couldn't miss lunch with you guys."

Edward looked at his pocket watch. "That's right, it is lunch time!" Edward got up and offered to get Winry lunch while she sat at the table. Mei sat down too while the men and Lucy went to get food. Mei and Winry shared pregnancy talk. Mei was smaller than Winry even though she was further along. This didn't bother Winry because she was just happy to be pregnant. And Winry shared her most valuable pregnancy advice which was how to get your husband to rub your feet.