Chapter 16: Talking
A/N: Sorry it's been a while since I updated this but I've been busy, not only away from my computer but with another fic. I finished the one that was the second one I ever wrote finally, took long enough but 101, 638 or some words is great after all the time, and it's great but I enjoyed finishing it, so now it's time for an update here.
I found out about a great feature here, it's called 'Story Alert' so if I only have one chapter of a story I read and I want to continue reading it I can set it up so for every new chapter it tells me. You can even do this for my story, I recommend it with the unusual updates lately but I'll try to be regular on updates but here goes the story.
(Ed)
Winry was happy about the wedding, so happy she lost her voice. She was extremely happy, and that was something I was glad to have caused, her to be so happy that is, not the voice part. That is usually my fault though; she yells at me a lot.
Winry had been talking with Pinako for a while. Al seemed to be spending time with Molly a lot. I've been left by myself thinking about the future. I guess when I was off on my own I found the answers I've always been looking for.
I sat on my bed and laid back and sighed then I heard the door crack. "Hey Winry, come on in." She walked in.
"I have a whole Ed needs to talk sense, so I left and came to talk to you." I smiled; I was beginning to like her sense.
"I just wanted to talk to you about the future and stuff like that." I replied.
"Me too, you seem worried about something; what is it?"
"My mother was so great to me, but my father was gone, and I don't want to anything like him." I said trying to be solid and myself but it was hard at this very moment.
"Edward, of course your mother was a wonderful person and she took good care of you and look how you turned out. Your father made many huge mistakes in his life and caused problems but that's it."
"But our lives are so similar, my dad and I are blood relatives, and very alike. I am just afraid that I'll turn out like him." I answered afraid.
"Edward, you're nothing like him."
"That's what you say Winry, we both looked for the philosopher's stone, we both are alchemists and we both put many people in danger because we're alive, we've both seen the other side of the gate, we both seem to leave our wives for extended periods of times with out telling then, and caring about how they feel while they're gone. Face it we're alike, I just afraid I'll turn out like him."
"Edward, genetics make up your physical appearance not how you are. Being around someone causes your personality to arrange around them, since you were barely around your dad that is why you aren't like him, I've talked to Al when you were gone, he tells me you did worry about me. You also searched for the stone not mainly for your own gain, but to correct the mistakes you made for another. It's nothing like you're father, he purposely made and used the stone for his own gain, if you haven't realized it, you still have a metal arm and don't care if you were like your father you'd do anything to succeed even if you knew what it meant." Winry explained to me.
"I know but…" She kissed me.
"No buts Ed, any more questions?"
"Just one, what are your plans for children?" I asked.
"I don't know Ed, maybe two boys a year apart and a daughter, does that sound good." She said smiling.
"It does, the boys will have someone to compete with the girl to have someone to protect her and comfort her. It sort of sounds like our life,"
"Exactly like our life, wonderful and designed to be make sure that theirs is happier, we'll make sure that we stay together and protect our children and teach them the lessons we've learned and make sure they don't make those mistakes." He nodded.
"If I could, I would make sure the philosopher's stone was gone for good, and no one knew of it, or fanaticized about its idea." Winry nodded and she hugged me.
"All things have a purpose, whither well or bad they have a purpose that is evident at the end, without the stone Al wouldn't have a body and you wouldn't have a leg."
"Hey insulting yourself isn't nice, really after not having a soul go through my leg for so long even though it's flesh I can't feel flesh there, if I touch the skin with my hand that's the only difference, and it really wasn't worth it to get it back, only Al should have made the trade off; I have less problems with automail then my human leg, it burns, needs to be cleaned more often, smells bad, and hurts when touched too hard, it's a problem. I get what were saying years ago."
"Hey flesh is nice too, Al could tell you that because he knows that feelings nothing is harder than something, because he can tell you that he loves even scent his body gives off, and the feelings and everything, be more appreciative Ed." She said smiling. I enjoyed her explaining to me things from so many perspectives, she didn't hold back a bit about how she felt. If she was sad she cried, man, she'd beat up on things; I admired that about her, not ashamed to show her feelings. She's right I'm becoming like her after years of this.
Al burst in the door, "brother, Molly is trying to walk and I can't find Winry!"
"Al, I'm right here." She said, Al had a find brother sense too, he always knew where I was except that would cause problems, memo to self, transmute a lock on the door, or teach Al how to knock on doors.
"Oh sorry Winry, didn't see you there, or think to find you here."
"Well expect it from now on. Winry is mine Al, and I am going to keep her by my side forever."
"Wouldn't being by her side get annoying after a while, I mean I find being with the same person for a extended period of time annoying." I looked at Al suspicious of what he meant.
"No; it won't Al because when you love someone, it doesn't bother you that you're with them, you enjoy it and I know I do. It's like the years you were in the armor, it never annoyed you being with your brother, and it never has only having Ed to play with." It's a good thing Winry can solve Al's little slip ups here and there or I might be tempted to hurt him. She squeezed my hand signaling me 'to stop being so tense' in her words.
"But what about Molly?" Al asked returning to his first and previous topic.
"As long as she's not in any pain Al, she's fine to walk, and it's really good for her." Al nodded and excused himself from my room.
"I haven't thought about it but what about house arrangements?" I asked her.
"I don't know, I was thinking about moving staying her, as a sort of central base here. We don't really have a steady life style Ed; we are alchemists that work for the military so we can't be stationed at any one place long, so no use positioning ourselves anywhere."
"You plan on staying with the military as a main career?" I asked.
"Not as a warrior but an on-call defensive alchemist, strategist and automail expert yes." I smiled at this, I was proud of the things she did for the military, I knew Pinako didn't really like it but she was helping in the military like her parents before her except she was much more apt to protect herself, shields, alchemy, and me; she was as safe as anyone could be and like we said earlier, she wouldn't make the same mistakes as her parents, she'd help the enemy but only those who were taken from war to be healed. "You?"
"Hadn't thought about it? What do you think?"
"It's not really my choice, I think they'd like to have you back with them, but knowing you're against fighting since the previous accidents, I don't see what you can do?"
"What's that suppose to mean, you're a girl, and an alchemist and you have no limitations."
"Defensive alchemy, strategist and automail expert; all of which you don't have."
"I'm sure there's something I can do for them."
"Well we don't have to worry about that for a while. You could always work in teaching alchemy, since Izumi is getting very old in years and refuses to teach anyone anymore."
"She's hurt you for that one." I replied. "But I whole heartedly agree with you, teaching alchemy is something I'd be great at."
"You're an amazing teacher Ed, we both could start like a school that offers a large range of alchemic talents."
"The Tringham Boys with their agricultural alchemy, you're metal alchemy, my defensive alchemy, the Fuhrer's fire alchemy and the water alchemist Mali we could teach anything."
"We've made some great friends but what we have to make sure is that they understand the seriousness, and the rules of everything." She laid her hand on my metal shoulder.
"Trust me Edward, they will. You and Al are living monuments that show what happens when you defile life. Though we can't teach equivalent exchange but they must understand the exchange for objects and materials in alchemy." I nodded. "To live through that all, you have to be pretty amazing people, and you are. If learning from all these experienced people doesn't show them to stick in their place what can."
"Nothing is the answer, the forbidden title, the dangers and problems dad had and deaths of those who tried it didn't scare us away and in the end nothing did." Winry pulled herself around to my back and put her head to my shoulder.
"No, but only someone who is completely idiotic would attempt that after seeing what it did to you Al, anyone with half a mind wouldn't think to attempt it. Even the homunculi know that their prorogated lives are dying with the death of the stone, nothing lasts forever without a price." I nodded as Winry whispered in my ear.
"You could take to a much happier hobby." She said happily.
"Like what?"
"Writing everything you know down, you won't live forever Ed, share your knowledge, keep a record, for our family, and the future and all who think to go against destiny again. It might be hard on you and Al to write it all down but it's the best thing for the whole world."
"You're right but your use of happier was pretty bad."
"Yeah I guess, I wasn't thinking about my word choice very much, just what should be done. I'll help you write it too."
"Good because you played a very important part all along." I said to her making her smile.
"Man Edward, you are becoming a bit of a softie."
"Not soft enough to not be able to spar with you, and also do alchemy."
"I don't remember being strong minded part of alchemy."
"Hey for array alchemy you have to. But being on that topic, when did you cross over the gate?"
"I have no clue, I asked Izumi her only answer was because of the hope alchemy is makes anything possible even giving me the will to do array alchemy, no other possibility." I nodded.
"So what about a wedding dress for you?"
"What about it?" She asked.
"I was wondering if you were going to make it yourself either with sewing, or alchemy or buy one." I asked curiously.
"I don't know, I think I just might let auntie Pinako take care of creating the dress; it would be special if she did it."
There was a knock at the door, I sighed and Winry just smiled and nodded. I think I'm going soft too but hey a harsh world does that to you. Actually that makes no sense but whatever I was tired of being interrupted. "What you want?" I said a bit irritated.
"Sorry to bother you, but I'd like your and Winry's help." Winry came over to the door and opened it more than a crack, which I glared at her. She kissed my cheek and sat next to the couch with Molly next to her.
"It seems to be okay, it's not infected now, it's just healing, it's a bit red and I don't think that we should take care of the automail quite yet. Just is patient, Ed never seemed to be with me and creating automail?"
"Why should I, I knew what you could do and how fast I expected you to get better each time."
"Edward, automail is a bit like alchemy, you can work up to something but sometimes there's a line that can't be crossed; like the time it takes us to set up your arm." Pinako scolded.
"At least you didn't mess up you're shoulder, shoulders are the hardest thing to create because of all the tiny muscles that need to be matched in the rotator cuff it's hard. (The only reason I know that is my dad is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Ju-Jitsu so when we exercise and stretch he needs to know the main muscles and how to work on them.)
"I didn't." She put a finger to my mouth. "I really didn't mean to do that to myself, but it was for Al."
"Edward, we know. No need to state; I made the point because it's the hardest thing to create, not for you to feel guilty or upset because of it, so stop." I nodded, I knew she knew.
"So how is my leg looking Winry?" Molly asked.
"It's healing pretty well, so what do you think I should do about my dress?"
"I don't know if I had talents like yours I'd defiantly make it myself but that is just my idea because I see everything from the outside."
"Winry, I think that you should make it too, that way it's completely perfect for you. Who knows your body and what you like better than you?"
"That would be…" She looked at me and raised an eye brow.
"Say anything and I'll be forced to silence you." I smirked at this, interesting. "Behave."
"Fine." Honestly, I know that I know Winry just as well as she knows herself. Every pain she's suffered I've been there, and I've always helped her through it, inside and out I know her as well as she knows herself.
"So why don't you and brother get materials from town to make things from your wedding." Al suggested.
"How about it, I think making everything for the wedding sounds wonderful, and very special."
"Okay, let me get my train pass, so we can go." She nodded and I went to grab my train pass, and then Winry came back in with hers and a bag to hold all her stuff in. "Ready." She nodded and I took her to the station.
After a long train ride we arrived at central, and we were welcomed by our old friends. "Hey, it's Major Edward Elric, and Major Winry Rockbell." Lt. Ross said coming up to them.
"She's Winry Elric to you, Lt. Ross. We're engaged to be married. We're in town picking up things." I said defending her.
"Congratulations Major Edward Elric, we're so happy for you; and you Miss. Winry." Lt. Ross said.
"Are you going to tell anyone else in central?" I looked at Winry, and she shrugged. I wasn't sure if she wanted everyone to know. She's usually one to stay out of the main light.
"Maybe just people we know but not everyone." I answered.
"Let's go tell Garcia first, she'll be happy about good news." Ross suggested.
"I think she knows." I replied.
"How?" Bloch asked.
"She met us at our home during the party of a while a go while we were dating, I think that she suspected it." I answered.
They arrived at Garcia's house. I knocked on the door. "Edward!" Elicia said happily jumping on me.
"It's great to see you too Elicia, where's your mom?" I asked.
"I'll get her." Little Elicia grabbed her mom's hand and dragged her inside the house.
"Hello Edward, Winry, Lt. Ross, and Bloch; what brings you here?" Garcia asked.
"Edward and I are here to tell you about our engagement."
"That's wonderful Edward, I'm sure Al is happy for you two. So what's your plan for the future?" Garcia asked.
"Edward and I are going to start an alchemy school for those who want to learn how to do alchemy." Winry answered.
"That is after we get married and get everything situated, we're going to move to central and have the school here." I told her.
"Why don't you come in, Major Armstrong is going to be over soon to watch Elicia like he does once a week when I leave to go shopping." Elicia smiled at this.
"Okay, we'll wait," I said. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it."
"Major Edward Elric, how are you? I didn't expect to see you here." Armstrong said.
"I'm fine Armstrong, we're here visiting Garcia and Elicia and telling them the good news." I said sitting on the couch next to Winry who was next to Elicia who was smiling.
"What's going on in Reisenbool?" Armstrong asked.
"I'll let Winry cover this one; I'd rather not be hurt." Winry just looked at me, and I put my arm around her. Winry simply held out her left hand to Armstrong's face.
"Is that a…?"
"Yes it is it's an engagement ring from Edward for me. We're engaged to be married sometime soon, no specific date yet." Winry chimed in. "It's only June, we have time."
"You have a lot of time Edward, but just because you have it, don't mean you want to wait. You're in love, and always will the faster the better. Marriage is an entirely different level of relationship; you shouldn't wait because the longer you wait the harder it becomes to take the step forward, and I would know, putting things off never works." Garcia advised.
"How about the third of October?" Winry asked.
(Winry)
Ed's mind went blank and he looked at the ground. "What's wrong with Edward?" Elicia asked scared. I rubbed Ed's back, completely ignoring whatever the girl was saying.
"Edward it's a time that means a lot to me, and you." Ed's fists got tight.
"How could it, the day I left, burned down our house, left you, how could it mean so much to you? Doesn't it hurt you like it does me?" I took his hands in my own.
"Why should it Edward, you're back. You wanted to remember it, even though it hurt you didn't you. To heal you have to bring up memories. You leaving meant so much more then you and Al leaving me with Pinako it was a hopeful day that you would come back in one piece happy, with Al. Though it never happened like that, the day when you lost all that was yours; it meant that you needed something else. What hurts makes us stronger, you should know that." I told him.
"I know, but why then?"
"Because it's in mid fall when all nature harmonizes and is beautiful. Great things come when others leave, even healthy plants, Al in whole, for every pain, new beginnings, that is why."
"I admire your sense of enjoying the good and bad; it's amazing."
"Thank you." I said blushing. I turned back to the people in the room to see Elicia's wide eyes enjoyed our lovely moment; Garcia was smiling happily, probably missing her time with her husband, who I knew how she felt to be without someone, but when Ed left he was in danger and I would worry but her, he's in a better place so she's happy and moves on. Armstrong was crying and picked Ed and I up and hugged us.
Then he dropped us on the floor, I stood up and UN wrinkled my outfit because falling does cause a problem with hurting me but I've gotten strong. Ed offered a hand up and I took it and we returned to the couch.
"Well we can't stay long, we have a lot of shopping to do, and we need to find a place to stay." Ed said, not thinking that they would offer us a place to sleep.
"Edward, why don't you and Winry stay here as long as you're in town, it's the least we can do after letting us stay with you when we were far away from home, won't you let us?" Ed laughed and rubbed his head.
"I wouldn't want to imply on you Garcia." Ed said.
"Not a problem, Elicia would enjoy company. Just come back before midnight so you don't wake up Elicia."
"Thank you so much Garcia, we'll be sure to do that." I said taking Ed by the arm and walking out of the house. Ed and I bought tons of materials for my dress, his tux and dresses for Molly, Al, and Pinako. I decided to take care of Molly because she'll be staying with us for a while, she can't take care of her leg very well, it could get worst.
"So we bought enough material for 5 outfits, who are they for again?" Ed asked quite exhausted.
"You, me, Molly, Al and Pinako; I didn't want them to take care of this all since it's our wedding."
"How did we split all the prices again?" Ed asked, since we still had two split funds from the military and I was still being paid while Ed wasn't working, I took most of the payments. As long as the bubbles protect the alchemists I get paid, and Ed he doesn't but hey he will when he goes back eventually.
"I took care of Molly's, Pinako's and mine while you took care of yours and Al's remember?"
"I wrote it down; I'm just tired, sorry."
"Don't apologize I wrote it down and read it off, I'm just as tired as you are." I said yawning, and laying my head on his when we sat on the bench. "Are you going to mind if Molly stays with us?"
"Really, I don't get a choice, your house, you pay the bills, your work and our friend but she's nice, sweet and sensitive and she likes Al so she's fine in my books." I smiled at this.
"They really do get along good, don't they?" He nodded. "Let's go, I'm tired and I can see you are two. I bet that automail seems a lot heavier at night, right?"
"I can't tell the difference, so many years without flesh on my arm and I can't really tell the difference between its weights, it's always weight, I can't tell the difference between my left arm and right."
"Interesting, well let's go, it's almost 10:30." He nodded and we carried all our stuff back and fell asleep on the couch with all the things piled on top of us.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait but I extended it for good makings, review please. Aniecä