Chapter 3: She's a Strong Girl
When the four returned to Winry's house the delicious aromas of Pinako's home cooking brushed against their noses. Naturally, Edward was the first at the table. However, Pinako would not let him savor any of the dishes until everyone was at the table, which would account for his moaning.
"Argh!" Ed cried out, dropping his head onto the table. "What the hell are they doing?"
A few seconds later he could hear the fierce sounds of hoarse coughing emanating from a bedroom up stairs. He listened for a moment then watched as Pinako quickly put down a bowl of rice pudding and rushed up the staircase. Confused, Edward followed after her.
"Grandma, Kara having an attack!" Winry cried as she met the two in the narrow hallway and then quickly ran in the opposite direction, towards the bathroom.
They entered Winry's room to find Kara cradled in Al's arms, sweating profusely.
Al's voice became very pitchy, "I don't know what happened…"
"She'll be fine," said Pinako, calmly. She took Kara from him just as Winry came back with a small, plastic, inhaler.
Edward watched, as calmly as Pinako, from the doorway. Then she placed it to Kara's lips and pressed firmly on the button. Slowly, Kara's breathing became normal.
"She just had a little too much excitement today, that's all." Pinako smiled, stroking the young brunette's hair out of her face while she gently wiped the sweat from Kara's forehead.
"What was wrong?" Al questioned after placing Kara in Winry's bed.
"She just has asthma, is all. She's a sweet girl and tries so hard to hide it; but every now and then it catches up to her." Looking back, she softly closed the door. "Let's just let her rest."
The worried group made their way down the staircase, taking a seat at the table as Pinako began to disperse a small portion of everything to them, except young Alphonse.
"I think we should wait until she wakes up." Alphonse suggested just as Ed reaches for a dinner roll.
"Nonsense," Pinako broke in. "She wouldn't want you to wait on her account."
"Well…" Edward licked his lips, picking up his chopsticks, "works just fine for me!"
"Brother…" Alphonse stopped him once more. "That sounded really mean."
Edward paused; going back over his previous statement, he gave a heavy sigh. "You know I didn't mean it like that Al."
"You know… I've seen that happen before but each time feels like the first." Winry broke in as she took a sip of iced tea.
"Mmm… but that's… just natural…" Edward mumbled, barely audible through the mouthful of food he had crammed in his mouth.
"That was awesome Grandma; we should have Ed and Al here more often." Winry smiled while she assisted Alphonse in clearing the table.
"Hey, everyone," Kara's faint voice entered the room. She seemed a bit apprehensive.
"Well, good morning." Alphonse chimed as soon as she came into view.
"Good morning! Don't you mean good evening." Winry giggled.
"Kara, would you like something to eat? We still have quite a few leftovers."
"That sounds nice. You wouldn't mind?"
"Not at all, I'll be right back."
Kara walked into the kitchen to join the others, who had just finished the last of the cleaning from dinner. She gave a small yawn as she pulled herself up on the counter Edward had just wiped with a dish rag.
"How the hell are you still tired? You slept for two hours." He grinned wholeheartedly.
"Ed!" Winry growled throwing an empty egg carton at him.
Kara giggled, "It's alright Winry; Edward's probably exhausted because it's passed his bedtime." This time both girls laughed.
"Ahahaha…" Ed snapped sarcastically. "Get you ass off my clean counters." When she teasingly refused, he picked her up and she gave another giggle as he placed her firmly on the floor.
Their eyes met and Edward paused, gazing deeply into her emerald, green, eyes and she began to blush.
"Ooo… Kara, we should show Ed and Al our garden tomorrow." Winry suggested.
"That's a great idea Winry. You'll love our botanical garden!"
Winry's comment woke Edward from his trance. "No thanks," he interrupted pulling a chair out, taking a seat then placed his chin on the backrest. "I don't do flowers, sorry."
"There not just flowers," she bent down to his level and offered him a sweet, warming, smile. "Please Edward."
"Yeah, Brother, it would be fun."
Admitting defeat Edward agreed and Kara gave him a quick hug as she jumped to her feet in excitement. Kara and Winry quickly left the room in high spirits; Edward could hear Winry whisper a comment to Kara, who giggled at it as the marched up the stairs.
"I heard that!" He yelled over his shoulder, clearly lying to himself. "I wish Winry would finish my arm so I, at least, have two. I feel… incomplete."
"Well, you kinda are. Maybe she hasn't, yet, because she knows as soon as you get it we'll be leaving." Alphonse remarked following his golden haired, older, brother out of the kitchen and towards the stairs.
"The sooner I get my arm back the better."
"Edward, take this up to Kara for me, will you?" Pinako caught him at the base of the steps and handed him a glass plate with, what looked like, the remains on their dinner.
"Yeah… sure thing."
"She looks forward to your visits you know. She just wants you boy to stay as long as you can, is all."
"…Yeah. Well, g' night, Aunt Pinako." Alphonse bowed, then continued up the staircase.
"Good night boys."