Nope, still not the last chapter but I'm sure you will find this one satisfying...least I hope you do. Its a big responsibility writing Ed/Win and getting it right. People wanted to see a big reunion and what happens in the years to follow, so that what will be coming shortly.FMA isn't mine.


He stood in the doorway and did not want to enter. Al sat playing with Grace in what looked like a perfectly natural state of affairs. Ed had accepted that this young being was his but all the same he was at a loss at what to do. He had not yet embraced Winry as he had everybody else. He looked at her body and tried to picture what she was like pregnant. He had spent two years wanting nothing but to feel warmth again, her warmth. But something felt awkward now, an intense guilt for leaving her with this responsibility.

Winry was conflicting inside. She wanted to jump for joy knowing Ed was with them, but he was distant to her. Even when he was shorter then her she had felt his overwhelming protection. Now he was taller then her, bigger then they had known him, but he was vulnerable. When he had seen her on the hill he had helped her to her feet then carried on to the house in search of Al. This was to be expected, their bond was so powerful. Even now though, after spending much time with Al, he hadn't given her a second glance.

'Dada home,' Grace chirped, squealing with delight as she made her uncle smile. Al had treasured her as a part of his brother that was present. Now he treasured her for the very life she was. A happy, carefree, delightful little life that meant so much to many people.

Ed placed himself next to Al and Grace dropped herself into his lap. She had accepted Edward into her life as if he had always been there. In a sense he had been, his spirit and memory dwelling within the very walls of the Rockbell home. Of course it was also down to Winrys determination not to loose hope.

At the time, Winry sat alone in her room, cradling a pillow. She wanted to throw herself into his arms but his distant feel stopped her. She had choked back tears throughout the day, burying herself in work while Izumi cared for Grace. Edward hadn't once tried to hunt her down. She wanted so badly to hear him tell her how much he had missed her. Perhaps he had found someone and was finding the right time to tell her he couldn't face being a father, or perhaps one day a husband.

She laughed quietly. Edward as my husband? The very thought made her stomach dance. They had played being husband and wife, with Al as the baby when they were children. Then when alchemy came along nearly all play time had vanished. She had turned him down for the last time because of his height, what excuse did she have now should the question come up?

The door creaked open and she whirled round. It was Izumi and she groaned quietly.

'Not the welcome I expected,' she laughed, but knew why it had been so.

'I'm sorry Izumi. I was expecting someone else.'

Izumi placed herself on the bed next to Winry. 'I know you were for you have been for a long time.'

'You don't think…he…'

'No Winry dear, I don't think he found someone else. Edward was always far too distracted to notice girls. Took him long enough to realise you were a girl didn't it?' she laughed.

Winry gave a half hearted smile, then it vanished and a face of pain reappeared.

'It must be quite a shock for him to find out about Grace. Don't think any of this is your fault.'

'He…,' she began to cry, 'won't even look at me.'

'Maybe he feels bad.'

Winry halted crying and looked at Izumi questioningly.

'Winry, he left you to care for a child alone. Least that's how he may see it. How could he ever make it up to you?'

Winry sat and took in this prospect. Perhaps Izumi was right. Not knowing what else to do, she would make it clear she didn't care he hadn't been there, and make sure he knew she appreciated his return.


Edward had taken leave again and sat once again by that fateful riverside. Hidden in its depths was the truth about how he achieved his return to his world. The gate had taken this knowledge and it was fair trade. He realised it was selfish to wish to have such knowledge again; it was not like he would ever go back. All the same he had grown attachments with people who had helped him so much.

Of all the people he met in Munich, he never came across an equivalent Winry. He had met Hughes. Al, Gracier and he suspected he had spotted another Mustang. His father had to stay in Munich and he had no other. Winry of all people was never to be seen. She may have been in London which he had visited briefly but never really explored. Perhaps if he had met her he would have been more prepared for the emotions that were violently running through his veins.

Sensing someone behind him he breathed in the familiar smell of pipe smoke. He knew the small stature of woman that stood behind him as if she was his own grandmother, who he had never met. His real grandmother and grandfather had been struck down by a fatal illness early on in their lives leaving their daughter, his mother, with only her husband.

'Granny, I've missed that smell,' he sighed.

'You hated this pipe Edward, no need to lie to me,' she replied.

'No, I really did. That smell, as well as your cooking, is home.'

She took a puff and slowly blew out before asking, 'So is this really your home?'

He took a while to reply. He knew the answer; it was simply a question of how to tackle an answer.

'It took me a while to realise. Major Armstrong made it clear to me that I would always be welcome here, so it was my home. For a while I would say once I got my limbs back I would have no need for you and Winry, for that I am sorry. I did need you, all of you, to get me through. Wherever people love me…that is my home.'

There was a pause, Den barked quietly in the background. The waters were the only other sound to be heard in such a peaceful place.

'It's good to hear you say that. I will admit I began to loose hope, but luckily for you I was one of the only people who did. Everyone will be arriving tomorrow now they know you are here. I would take some time to yourself tonight while you can,' she turned to leave, 'go for a walk.'

By the time he had stood up she had returned to the house. He had planned to pluck up the courage to talk to Winry, but Granny had sounded commanding rather than suggestive. He shoved his hands in his pockets and slowly began to walk along the waters edge to once again loose him in thought. He didn't feel guilty leaving Al, who had fallen asleep reading Grace a bedtime story.

One day Ed hoped to flow as naturally with the baby, his baby to be precise. He swelled with pride when he looked into her golden eyes and wondered how his father could have left him and Al. Ed, for all his wanderings, would never forget he has a role as a father. He knew why his father had left and had forgiven him, but they had never discussed how much it must have pained him.

And to leave his wife who adored him so much. Trisha had lost many people in her life, her parents, her best friend in the form of Sara Rockbell and her husband. Still she had never shown any sign of despair or of her illness. She had remained strong throughout it all but Ed had seen that look in her eye that haunted him. That look of loss, of hurt, of waiting for the unlikely to happen.

Had Winry been just the same? Had she quietly cried to herself at night wishing that he could hear her? Sometimes he swore he did hear their voices, talking to him in prayer. He had heard her voice, quiet and pained but always full of love.

After he had seen Grace many things had fallen into place, including the teddy bear incident. Somehow something was trying to tell him what was happening in his world while he was away. The signals had not been clear enough at the time. Even if he had been directly told he had a child he wouldn't have believed it.

He could not picture Winry pregnant but he could picture her in a doorway, waiting for him to come home each and every day. It seemed only natural for a child to appear. This image filled him with hope for it showed that he could picture life with Winry. Yet the picture could not tell him how happy she was. Would she ever forgive him?

He heard the thump of running footsteps behind him. He turned just in time to catch her in his arms. The power of her impact through them both to the ground. She was sobbing like he had never heard before and he couldn't speak. She cried his name over and over and he clung to her as if she would slip away at any moment.

Finally the sobs that racked her slim figure ebbed away and he body relaxed. He buried his face into her neck and intoxicated himself in the smell of her silky hair. Her skin was soft and clear and still as pale as it had ever been. God, how he loved her.

'Do you?' she asked lifting her head to look down on him.

After realising he has said it out loud Edward went into mild shock. The face above him slowly grew more frustrated at his silence and he wanted to laugh at how much Grace was the pair of them.

'It appears so,' he sighed.

That was enough for Winry. She didn't want him to say the words again, it wasn't like him, but if she knew it to be true it was enough.

'Oh Edward, I waited so long for you. You promised me you would come back and you did.'

'Of course, when have I ever told a lie?'

She raised an eyebrow. Life slotted back into place and they spent the next few moments teasing each other as they had spent many years doing.

'There is no better than me after all,' he bragged, suddenly turning serious.

'No better at what?'

She honestly didn't know at first. Then as she felt the heat grow between them she giggled and blushed.

He flipped them over so he lay on top of her. Her beauty really stood out in the moonlight and he once again saw how she had bloomed into a woman. His heart pumped and emotion urged itself to become physical.

He bent down to kiss her. When they had kissed before it was slightly awkward and they were both highly embarrassed. Now they kissed with a passion only a couple so in love could muster. She hadn't forgotten his taste even after all this time and he hadn't forgotten the warmth of her lips pressed against his. Breath began to escape both of them yet they did not care.

'Winry,' Ed whispered between kisses, 'I need…to be…in you.'

'I think I'll die if you don't touch me,' she managed to gasp.

They made love there by the river, ignoring the fact they were outside. They entered their own little world and nothing could have stopped them such was the need to be together. The air was warm and flowed with the scent of the forest nearby. It was like some wonderful dream they were sharing between each other but the feel of his solid form deep within her confirmed fantastic reality. She squirmed with delight and cried his name when she peaked. He collapsed on top of her and breathed heavily into her hair as he recovered.

That night he cuddled up next to her as they shared a bed not caring who knew. Toward the morning light Grace had woken and demanded to curl up in bed with them. The three lay there with much life to go, but happy to spend it together.


Stick with me, there is more to come soon.