In Times of Peace

Chapter One

Yuery's Seventh Birthday

Fuhrer's Country Mansion

Early Afternoon

It had long been a tradition for everyone who had known Ed and Yuery from the beginning to attend the birthday party of not only Yuery, but his siblings.

This birthday was no different. Izumi and Sig Curtis, along with Pinako Rockbelle had arrived yesterday and were staying in the guest suite. Jean Havoc, and his new wife Rebecca, arrived next. Then Kain Fuery and Sheska Harris. Followed by Maria Ross and Denny Broch. Heymans Breda arrived with Alex Armstrong, Russell and Fletcher Tringham right behind them. Gracia Hughes, along with Elicia and Ana, arrived last.

Yuery was excited to have everyone visiting at once they almost never stayed at the country mansion commissioned by Fuhrer Grumman when he insisted that everyone needed privacy once in a while, even the country's leader. It was absolutely better for a party; the garden was set up with tables and there was still plenty of room to play.

Once everyone had arrived and settled in, Yuery began opening his presents. Yeye and Nainai, as usual, gifted him with several books. Dad and Mom had given him the new train set he had been wanting. Nonna Izumi and Poppy Sig had given him some sturdy boots and a hunting knife (Dad and Nonna had then gotten into a quiet argument in the corner of the yard before they returned, both frowning). While they were debating, Jean and Becca gave him their gift, a giant teddy bear nearly as tall as he was. Granny Pinako gave him a couple of sweaters. Kain and Sheska gave him more books. Maria and Denny gave him some toy soldiers. Heymans gave him a couple of board games. Alex, a new journal. Russell and Fletcher had made him some carved exotic animals that they had seen on their recent travels to Xing. Gracia and the girls had given him more blocks. Uncle Al and Aunt Mei arrived a bit late, with a giant ball that Yuery could sit on and bounce. Then William, Maes, and Trisha had given him a stuffed bunny family.

After the presents, which Yuery was sure to thank everyone again, the children ran off to play on the lawn for a little while before they ate lunch and had cake. Once the children were happily playing, the adults sit to visit for a while before they all eat.

Edward and Winry were busy cleaning up the wrapping paper left everywhere, but Roy, Riza, and Izumi came over to help them so that they could enjoy the party as well. "We're spending the rest of the summer here." Roy explained to the others. "Alex is handling the office for us, and frankly we haven't had a stress-free family vacation…well ever."

"We haven't spent much time together as a family the last few months, we can't keep up like this." Riza said. "Roy and Edward are important to this country, but they are important to this family as well."

"Yes, Edward was so disappointed when he missed Trisha's first steps." Winry said with a sad smile. "I told him it couldn't be helped sometimes. After all, I missed it with both Yuery and Maes!"

"Stupid meeting drug on for hours." Edward grumbled. "Why did it have to take so long for everyone to agree that they all agreed to begin with?"

"Politics Edward." Mei said with a sigh. "Trust me, Ling would be the one to speak to on the matter. Every time I speak to him, he's complaining about not having enough family time."

"I thought running a school was hard." Al said, "Well it is. We barely get time to eat dinner together some days, but still, I can't imagine."

"Family is the most important part of life! I am more than happy to take on this workload to allow our esteemed leaders the chance to bond with their families." Alex boomed. Everyone nodded at him, hoping to skip one of his speeches.

Luckily, at that point Elicia and Yuery ran back over to ask if they could have food now. Gracia and Izumi told everyone else to stay seated before they went into the house to get the platters of food, joined by the maids to help them carry everything back out.

The children rushed back over to eat, helped into their seats by various adults, and soon the patio was filled with the sounds of laughter and cutlery. Conversations were blended and overlapping, the most obvious that of Yuery and Elicia as he excitedly confirmed that he would be attending her school in the fall.

A few hours later

The party broke up eventually, and since the summer house was only a twenty-minute drive outside of Central, most of the guests left. Al and Mei, Izumi and Sig, and Pinako were staying for a few days.

The mansion was smaller than the one in Central. Two stories, with ten-bedroom suites and eight public rooms, including the kitchen, living room, dining room, a study, a playroom, library, parlor, and sunroom. Thanks to its smaller size, the staff was smaller as well. There was no staff at all that lived in the mansion, and the two maids and gardener that kept the place clean when it wasn't in use only came by once a week.

Roy had arranged for the maids to help with the party and clean up, but otherwise he asked that they keep to their normal schedule to give the family time together. Once everyone was gone for the day and the party was cleared away completely, the family settled down together to spend the evening catching up and playing with the children.

Pinako and Winry were discussing automail upgrades, while Trisha cuddled in Pinako's lap already half asleep. Roy and Sig were busy playing with Yuery, William, and Maes as they chased them around the room. Riza and Izumi were discussing the plans they had for the rest of the summer, while Tad decided to slip out of his mother's arms and into Izumi's. Mei excused herself to go lie down for a while, while Edward and Alphonse caught up.

Tad's birthday was in two weeks, and the same group was invited. Al and Mei would be staying with them for the remainder of summer, however both Pinako and the Curtis' were going to have to return to work then come back again for Tad's day. To avoid the mounting cost of repeated travels, Roy had offered to cover the train tickets.

The three all agreed, before they started getting the kids upstairs to put them to bed. Yuery, William, and Maes shared a room across the hall from their parents, Trisha was still in a crib in Ed and Winry's room. Roy and Riza's room is next door to Ed and Winry's, like Trisha, Tad was still in a crib in his parents' room for now. Al and Mei's room is at the other end of the hall.

"I'm making pancakes in the morning." Roy said as the adults separated at the bedrooms after tucking the boys into their beds. "No arguments. I'll let everyone else sleep in."

"Dad. Do you really think you can handle all five kids and breakfast? That's a lot for one person." Ed asked.

"I've been doing this for years Ed, and I'm looking forward to get the chance to make breakfast again. One of the biggest downfalls to the mansion is that I don't get to cook for my children." Roy said seriously.

"Okay, well if, you're sure." Ed replied.

"Ed, Roy wants to let us sleep in, stop arguing with him." Winry said.

"Alright." Ed said. "If you need help though, let me know."

"I will. I know you well enough to know you'll be down before we're done cooking anyway." Roy said with a laugh. Ed had gotten better at letting others help over the years, but he was still very much determined to take the bulk of responsibility for childcare.

"I love you all, goodnight." Al called down the hall before he shut his door. He knew his brother and father and if they weren't cut off now the conversation would go on for another hour.

"Yes, it is time for bed." Riza replied. "Good night Ed, Winry, have pleasant dreams."

"Good night Dad, Ji Mu." Ed said before finally retiring to his own room. He continued to fret over his father attempting to juggle five kids and making breakfast while everyone else stayed in bed. He knew he would end up going down to help. They all knew it. However, it so still refreshing for them to have this time with no one watching over their shoulders at everything they did.