Not in chronological order, but the boys' ages will be listed at the top of every chapter.

Edward 14, Alphonse 13, Yuery 4 ½ mos (about a week after meeting Hughes)

Rash

Edward was NOT prone to panic. He wasn't. No matter what Al thought on the subject. It was just…he wanted to take good care of this baby, he had promised he would be the best dad possible. He read the books, and he followed all the advice given to him by the random park moms. Well, not all the advice, because Yuery was tiny and helpless and there was just no way he was ever making his kid sleep alone. Other than that one park mom who said he should have his own room, he followed all the advice.

He fed Yuery whenever the boy was hungry, he barely even complained about how all his clothes smelled like milk by the end of the day…or that he was now buying milk on a daily basis. It was for Yuery after all, and babies had to have it because they were little and didn't know how gross it was yet. So, Ed was doing everything right. He didn't even take the baby out when it was overcast ever since they'd gotten caught in that storm.

Clearly though, he had done something wrong. He knew that he had failed. Yuery had a rash. A red painful looking terrible rash all over his bottom. Ed didn't know how this happened! He made sure to change Yuery frequently. He even made sure to put powder on the baby's butt after Mustang said they needed it. Yet, here was the evidence, plain as day. He had somehow left the diaper on too long, or didn't use enough powder, or some other step he wasn't aware of and now Yuery was suffering.

Ed was frustrated with himself. He wasn't sure if he should call the doctor or take him back to the hospital. Was this an emergency? He didn't want his little boy to suffer needlessly. Then Ed remembered that Mustang said if he had any baby emergency concerns he could call. How was he going to properly explain this over the phone though? Wouldn't it be better to show him? It was Sunday, and Ed didn't want to wait until tomorrow to ask Mustang's advice.

Decided, and a bit panicked, Ed quickly diapered then redressed his son before he grabbed the diaper bag and rushed out of the apartment. Al followed behind, making sure to grab Ed's watch and keys for him as they went over to Mustang's house. Al had no idea what was wrong, only that Ed said it was an emergency.

They reached Mustang's house quickly, Ed pounding on the door while Al nervously bounced foot to foot. Mustang answered his door quickly, as Ed pushed passed him to get to the living room. He wanted to get Yuery into a dry diaper as possible. Roy followed them into the living room, curious what had thrown Ed into a near panic.

"I messed up somehow. I don't know what I did wrong, maybe I need to get up in the night more often, because I messed up and now he's got a rash and it must hurt." Ed rushed out as he held his diaperless child to show Mustang.

"It's a diaper rash Edward. A minor one at that?" Mustang asked with a frown as he reached out to take the baby.

"YES!" Ed wailed. "I use the powder and change him all the time! I don't understand, what did I do wrong?"

"Well, first, you chose to become the sole caregiver to a miniature human who can do nothing for himself." Mustang began as he laid the baby down to place a new diaper on him. "Then, you fret over anything and everything that happens to said human."

"What?" Ed said, finally stopping his pacing to frown at his boss.

"I would say the likely culprit of this rash however is the switch in washing powder. You did say you bought a different kind last time because they were out of your brand the other day when Fuery mentioned it."

"You were paying attention to our laundry conversation?" Ed asked as he sat down and pulled his son back into his arms. "So, the washing powder caused this?"

"Likely so, yes." Mustang said. "Here, give me a moment. I use the same brand you usually do."

"Is Yuery okay?" Al asked hesitantly from the corner of the room near the bookshelf. He had tried to stay out of the way while the other two were talking about the baby. Judging by Ed's panic it must be a bad thing and he hoped the baby wasn't going to have to go back to the hospital again.

"Yuery is fine Alphonse." Mustang said as he came back into the room with a tub of soap. "Here you go Edward. If you run out before the store restocks just let me know."

"Thank you Mustang." Ed said as he set the tub carefully in Yuery's bag and grabbed out the baby's bottle.

"When you go to the pharmacy, ask them for the diaper cream. It will help clear up the rash and keep him comfortable." Mustang continued. "It may help to let him sit diaperless for a bit between changes at least once a day too."

"Should I be doing that anyway? I try to put a new one on quickly so he doesn't pee on himself." Ed asked, and Al nodded.

" It's true. He pees on himself pretty quickly. The other day he accidently peed in his own face while Ed was drying him off and he had to take a second shower." Al said.

"Al! You promised not to tell anyone I let that happen!" Ed whined angrily.

"It happens." Mustang said with a shrug. "It wouldn't hurt him any. Are you staying for lunch?"

"Sure, okay. Thanks Mustang." Ed said with a smile.

"I'm going to go get that cream stuff okay Brother?" Al said as he slid toward the door. Ed was looking at him in that way that meant he was about to ask Al to hold Yuery for a minute. He wanted to avoid another argument about it, so he decided to offer to run the errands. "Here give me the washing powder and I'll run home to rewash his diapers after."

"Thank you Al." Ed said as he handed his brother the soap tub and a handful of bills. "Will you pick up some more milk and something for dinner while your out?"

"Okay." Al said, happy to escape before the baby was offered to him.

"Come on Ed, I'm making bacon sandwiches." Mustang said without a comment on Al's obvious behavior. They had already spoke on the matter at great length and Ed was troubled enough without bringing up Al's refusal to hold the baby.

"Thanks!" Ed said. He felt a lot better now that Mustang told him how to fix the problem. He still felt guilty over making the child sick to begin with, but at least it was easy to fix.

He watched as Mustang fried the bacon, then helped chop the tomatoes and lettuce, while Yuery babbled in his sling. They sat down to eat before Mustang continued the conversation. "Edward. Things happen sometimes. Like rashes and colds and even minor cuts and bruises. They don't mean you're failing as a parent. You are doing a remarkable job of caring for Yuery."

"I have to do my best for him, I promised." Ed replied, and Mustang nodded.

He knew how important promises made were to the brothers especially Edward. "You are doing your best for him Ed. Just remember to take care of yourself too."

Ed and Yuery left shortly after Ed insisted on helping with the dishes. Mustang showed them out before shutting the door silently promising himself to watch over the boy to ensure he didn't neglect himself in his pursuit of caring for everyone else.