AN: Shorter than usual. Sorry! I had to put in something dealing with Hughes being gone and Gracia. I am a huge fan of Hughes, so this is some what my paying of respects to Hughes. As…dumb as that may sound. Hope you like this one. REVIEW onegai!
Chapter Eleven
Every year, Central's workers took a nice picnic. This time of year was around. All the workers were enjoying their day of relaxation. Some kicking back on blankets, other at tables in the park. A few people had spouses there with them. A few people had even children with them.
Ed was lying on a blanket staring at the clouds which sailed overhead. One took on the distinct shape of an elephant. Ed chuckled lightly to himself. An elephant, eh? Another sailed by reminding him of a blast of flame. He shuddered.
"Damn you, Mustang. You are mocking me with that cloud aren't you…?" Ed shook his head with a smirk. "It'd be just like you too…"
"Edward…?" Winry asked sitting down next to Ed.
"Nothing. Just thinking…"
"Did it hurt?" Winry giggled. Ed scowled and tackled her to the ground.
"Did it hurt?" Ed mocked Winry. "No. Not at all!"
"Are you sure…?" Winry couldn't help it. It was just too tempting.
"Why, you! YES!" Ed laughed as well.
…………
Riza sat on a blanket shaking her head at the younger couple. Young love… Riza thought to herself while glancing at Jean as he was drinking with some of the guys in the office. Joking, slacking off, having a wonderful time… Riza thought slightly bitterly. She didn't notice the woman who had sat down next to her until she looked over. She jumped slightly.
"Oh, jeeze! You scared me Gracia…" Riza laughed placing her hand over her thundering heart. Why am I so jumpy…?
"Oh…golly! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. How are you doing, Riza?" Gracia asked gently.
"I'm fine. Doing pretty well. And you? How are you doing?" Riza asked showing concern for the other woman.
"We're…getting by." Gracia nodded and smiled lightly. "Has it really been five years?"
"Wow. You're right. Five years. It still seems like just yes-" Riza caught herself and looked over at Gracia. Damn it, Riza. Don't bring that up…
"No. It's all right." Gracia smiled, seeming to have almost read Riza's mind as she stared off at the horizon.
"Hmmm. How is…Elicia doing with all of it?" Riza also turned her gaze off towards the horizon.
"She'll ask me from time to time why her daddy had to leave us…but, she copes pretty well with it." Gracia nodded.
"I see…"
"How are YOU doing? With Roy's death?" Gracia asked looking at Riza.
"Moving on. Slowly, but surely. I miss him." Riza sighed.
"It's always hard." Gracia looked back at the horizon. "Looks like you and I finally have more than one thing in common…"
"What's that?" Riza asked looking at Gracia.
"We both lost the men we loved." Gracia smiled at Riza sadly through tears.
Riza nodded. It was definitely true. They had. Riza sighed and hugged Gracia. Both women stared into the setting sun smiling sadly. They would have loved to have seen this sunset with us… Riza thought as they watched the sun go down.
