Well here is some more for all you hungry fans of this fic. And so you know, I have edited the first chapter so it is more detailed now and hopefull better. Enjoy. FMA isn't mine period.
Winry brushed through her hair but found no energy to put it up so let if fly about her head. She had cut a portion of it off finding it much too long to be getting on with. Grace had gone through the stage of pulling at things and that included mommy's hair.
Grace had already ventured outside with Den to no doubt get herself in trouble. The ever watchful dog kept his eye on her and pulled her out of any danger, like when she nearly fell into the river; fascinated by her reflection.
When she entered the kitchen she became aware of the odd colour of her grandmothers face. Her face was a blush but it looked like one of guilt.
'Grandma? Is everything all right?'
Pinako looked up and smiled slightly, 'Of course Winry dear. Isn't it a nice day?'
Winry made a noise of agreement and poured herself some tea. It was indeed a sunny day but clouds had appeared on the horizon. It would rain later and considering the heat it would be a storm. She hated such ominous weather.
'We…we will be having a visitor come by shortly,' Pinako said, talking into her cup.
'Oh yes, who?'
Pinako was having difficulty answering. She lit her pipe and took a few puffs, only preparing to answer when Winry made a point of clearing her throat.
'Anthony is coming by.'
'Anthony….Anthony…his name rings a bell…' Winry muttered to herself. She tapped one nail against her cup as she thought. Then it clicked.
'I remember. Didn't he loose his wife pretty soon after they were married? Why is he coming for a visit?'
'Says he needs a hobby. Something to stop him feeling lonely. So he is going to take up auto-mail and hopes we will start him off.'
'Auto-mail is life and not a hobby. You know that better than anyone grandma!'
This wasn't going well. Lying in the first place was bad enough but for it to be failing.
'Be gentle with him dear, he just wants something to do,' Pinako sighed, trying to calm Winry down. It would be bad for her to demonstrate her temper straight away.
Winry merely shrugged, blissfully unaware of the intentions Pinako had for this meeting. It was for her own good after all.
The train sped through the passing countryside and Edward grew ever restless. He urged the train forward but it did not speed up. People kept looking toward him, probably because of his over sized hat that was hiding him from the prying eyes.
From under the brim he saw a military uniform place itself on the seat in front of him. Then another but this one was female. He resisted the urge to look up to see their faces, but knew who they were when they spoke.
'I'll be glad to get back to Central,' Brosh commented.
'It is much quieter nowadays. I still prefer the countryside but we have work to do,' replied Maria Ross.
'Why do we have to keep an eye on them? They are only looking at red water aren't they?'
Ed ears pricked up.
'Yes but they need to be kept an eye on. Since it was us that let them escape we now have to make sure they don't go too far.'
'How did they meet that Rose girl?'
'I'm not sure. I think it was quite by accident. After she left the Rockbell home Russell offered to look after her. Huge crush as far as I can tell.'
'But she has a baby!'
He heard Ross growl slightly 'Some men are quite happy to take on the responsibility of a child.'
'Well there's one person I don't think ever could, he doesn't even know. Especially when the mother is…'
'Brosh, Ross, come sit with us over here,' one of the other military personnel called and they left Edward alone. It had been quite a time to eavesdrop. Perhaps they were talking about Mustang and Hawkeye. It was difficult to picture them as parents, or even Riza heavily pregnant wielding a gun.
The rest of the journey was quiet. He was one of the only people left by the end and he preferred it that way. He was waiting for someone to report him for looking suspicious.
It was good to hear Rose was doing okay. That should have meant she got Wrath away safely as well. It cleared up a couple of the questions that swirled in his mind. Still, he was on the edge of his seat as he began to recognise the countryside around him as a world he had explored as a boy along with Al and Winry.
The train rattled to a halt and he almost ran off. Yet as he landed on the platform he didn't know what to do with himself. The train left behind him and all fell quiet bar the far off sound of a dog barking. Was that Den? Could he really sound that angry?
'You have to make sure all of your equipment is in the best condition it can be in otherwise you risk loosing precision,' Winry sighed.
'Mmm hmm,' came the reply.
'I don't think you've listened to a word I have said have you?'
'I'm listening to every word Winry; I just think it's dull.'
'It was you who wanted to learn about auto-mail!'
'I didn't. Your grandmother said you wished to teach someone and could you practise on me. You are a good teacher don't get me wrong, but this subject…'
Winry shut of listening to him as she bubbled inside. Her grandmother was trying to set her up with someone after all. It was so low she felt like screaming her lungs out, but that would upset her daughter and she didn't want that.
'Let's just talk shall we? About anything you like, about Grace if you wish. I'm all ears.'
Winry sighed again and looked at Anthony. He was very much the tall dark and handsome stereotype that all women were supposed to love. However it was a lost cause on Winry for she had fallen for someone who was certainly not tall and dark.
'Don't you miss your wife Anthony?'
She hadn't meant to be so brash but it was too late to take it back. His face fell and his shoulders slumped. He nodded slowly then looked right at her.
'I crave company Winry. She left a hole in my heart when she went. I was hoping that you could someday fill it.'
'But why me? I have child that is not yours.'
He paused for a brief moments before saying, 'You know the same pain I feel.'
Den had sensed the pain in the air and had begun to bark viciously.
It was now Winry who fell into an uncomfortable silence. It was true they had both lost someone at the moment they loved them most, but her pain was different. Anthony's young bride was lost forever but Winry believed Ed was coming back. Until she had proof to not believe anymore she would never give up.
'I am not the one for you Anthony. Also, I have taught Grace about her father. You would confuse her if you came along…'
After another painful half hour he left. Grace was playing in the front yard with Den. She looked up at Anthony and his stomach lurched. Would his own child ever look up at him? He stroked the little girls head but she merely looked back at him confused. He walked away a broken man but would accept later on that being rejected was the best thing to happen.
Winry regained her composure and put the equipment away. She was not angry at her grandmother anymore but felt sorry for her. Pinako would forever feel sorry for Winry if she could not accept that Winry would not give up. All had fallen quiet outside.
She looked out on the front yard and realised Grace was not there. She fled to the back garden but she was not there either. Den was lazing in the shade. If Grace had stumbled down to the river…
She ran as fast as she could calling her name, but then she heard her daughter laugh. She looked down to the river and halted. Someone was holding onto Grace with all the protection he could muster.
