A New Beginning

Chapter Eight

Izumi

November 1st

Reseembool

As they had the month before, when Severus was informed that Winry was in labor, he immediately delivered Edward, Roy, Yuery, and William back to the house in Reseembool. Winry was still out in the yard with the other children when they arrived, the eldest two boys ran to her excitedly, having missed her and their siblings after being separated for the last couple of weeks.

"Mom! Mom! We magicked here." William said as he hugged her. "It's the best way to travel. Why don't we use magic all the time?"

"That isn't practical Baby. We can't bother Mr. Severus like that, he isn't a car service." Winry laughed as she hugged the boys to her.

"But we get to magic to and from school every day." William pouted.

"Well, school is much further away than anywhere in the country William, you would not be able to come home everyday without it." Ed interrupted. "It's also arranged by the school."

"It's okay Will. Once I can use magic, I'll take you wherever you want to go." Yuery offered, to his mother's amusement. Though his father and Mr. Severus both shook their heads in his direction, so Yuery was fairly certain his Dad was not going to let him use that spell for a long, long time. He decided it would be best to change the subject. "When's our new baby going to be here?"

"It will be a few hours still, Mom called early just in case we were delayed." Dad smiled down at them. "Changing the subject doesn't drop the subject. Yu, appararation is very advanced magic. You will not be making any attempt with it until your teachers, and I feel you are ready. I mean it."

"Yuery." Severus cut in as he saw the boy's mulish expression. "When done correctly apparition is perfectly safe…done incorrectly leads to splinching. Do you know what splinching is children?" Both boys shook their heads with wide eyes, and Severus looked in Ed's direction long enough to get a nod of approval before he continued, "It is when you leave part of yourself behind. It can be as little and unimportant as part of an eyebrow, or as serious as a limb or an organ."

"Is that what happened to your leg Dad?" Trisha asked as she walked up with wide eyes.

"No." Dad shook his head, "No, and it looks like we need to have this talk again later. It was an alchemy accident not a magic accident, Trish. Boys, do you remember what I said about the taboo?"

All three boys agreed they did, though Ed led Maes along with him and Trisha to the house to once again explain why certain arrays were forbidden. Winry watched them go inside with a sad frown before returning her attention to the boys. "Just assume that like alchemy, there are some things in magic you will have to wait for and some that are forbidden. Unless I assumed incorrectly Severus?"

"No, the same concept applies." Severus agreed. "Would you like me to watch over them for a while? You seem to be uncomfortable at this point."

"Thank you, Severus. Why don't we all go inside now? It is time for the children to have lunch, and I may need to go lie down now. This little one doesn't seem inclined to wait much longer."

"Is our baby coming now Mom?" Will asked excitedly.

"Not yet. Soon. Go get some lunch for now, Granny and Nainai just finished making sandwiches." Mom replied as they made their way inside, Tad and Sarah trailing behind. "Al and Mei will be back in about an hour, the baby won't come before then at least. They took Sovann down to meet Grandma Trisha and Andromedas."

Roy, who had gone to help his wife serve lunch, asked where Ed and the smaller children had gone as soon as they came inside. Winry was quick to explain, then Roy excused himself and his son to join Ed in the conversation. Meanwhile, Riza helped Sarah as the boys served themselves. Pinako frowned at Winry before insisting her granddaughter head upstairs. Severus smiled down at Elizabeth, before grabbing a plate for himself as well.

"Cissy and Draco send their best." Severus said as Riza began feeding her daughter, now that her grandchildren were settled. "She sent along a baby gift as well. It matches the quilt she made for Sovann."

"Thank her for us. Liza certainly loves her own quilt. You could bring them to visit when we return to the city." Riza smiled, as Yuery looked up excitedly. "Yes, Yuery, I see no reason why Draco can not come for a visit. We will be here for at least another week, possibly two though…actually, with the way everything has been lately perhaps Roy and I should arrange returning to the city over the weekend."

"That can certainly be arranged. Would young Thaddeus and Elizabeth join you or remain here?" Severus asked.

"I would not ask Edward and Alphonse to watch over them, no. Their hands are full as it is. Alphonse and Mei intend to remain another week before returning to Xerxes, which will leave Edward and Winry alone with the children." Riza replied. "We will talk about it again later."

"Edward and Winry seem very capable in handling and protecting the children, though I understand your concern." Severus nodded. He knew she was concerned about their safety with the breech that had occurred recently. Hagrid had not been a threat, and he had agreed easily enough to take a vow, but the Amestrians were naturally concerned that others would follow. The house itself was warded and magic hidden, otherwise none of them would consider leaving them here without back up.

Though the military command center was also a short five-minute walk from the house as well, which made them all feel better about it as well. Jean Havoc would keep the family safe; he knew enough about the threats the Family faced to know to be on high alert whenever they were in town.

Roy, Edward, and the younger children rejoined them to eat their lunch before Riza could say anything else. Maes, Trisha, and Tad all looked subdued as had the older boys when they had heard the story of Edward and Alphonse's mistake. All of the adults hated having to explain it to them, but none of them were willing to risk any of them attempting anything dangerous like that. Ever. The risks were too high. Before anyone could be drawn too far down the memories from it all, Al and Mei returned with the baby Sovann.

Roy was immediately distracted by the arrival of his youngest grandson and his second son. Ed jumped up nearly as quickly, offering Mei his seat as he smiled down at the baby before slipping away to check on Winry.

"We weren't expecting you back so quickly." Roy said as he lifted Sovann from Al's arms and smiled at the couple. "Not that I'm complaining about your arrival."

"It's a bit colder than I expected. I did not want the baby to catch a fever." Mei replied. "We introduced him to the family, Alphonse intends to return after lunch. Unless the baby will be arriving soon?"

"We should have a bit longer, I would think." Riza said. "Certainly, enough time for you to return to your visit… would you like us to mind Sovann so Mei can join you?"

"Actually… Dad, would you mind coming with me? I understand if you want to stay here- "

"Of course, I will join you, Alphonse." Roy said before Al could continue. They had grown close again, which Roy was grateful for, since he had feared that distance would keep his younger son from bonding with him again. Al, of course, still had no true memories of those missing years, but he had long memorized his journals from that time and had made a point of spending as much time as possible with his family until it was almost as if he hadn't lost those years.

Al nodded gratefully, before suggesting they grab their sandwiches and head out. He wanted to be sure to return quickly, not wanting to miss when the new baby arrived, and also wanting a chance to spend time with his Dad without the chaos that having a large family caused. The two of them headed out of the door before Tad could notice and fuss about not going. Severus excused himself to return to the city, after they promised to call to let him know when the baby arrived.

Meanwhile, Pinako assured Ed and Winry that the new baby would likely arrive before dinner. Ed smiled happily, before he turned to Winry. "I don't want to jinx it and delay the baby or anything, but you know if they come today… Dad's going to have to start celebrating his birthday again, at least for the sake of his grandchild."

"I know." Winry said, "It was the second thing I thought of this morning when I felt the pains start. The first thing was 'Edward better get here on time, or he's changing every single diaper for the first six months.' The third thing I thought of was that the kids were going to be excited."

"I change diapers all the time anyway…But I'd never miss a birth unless I was like kidnapped or something."

"Don't say things like that Edward! You know now I will have nightmare about that happening. You've been kidnapped often enough." Winry said with a frown.

"I haven't been kidnapped in ages. Not since I got a desk job." Edward said with a shrug. "It will be fine. Granny, please remind Win that I can handle myself."

"I will do no such thing. You've been nothing but trouble from the start young man. Have you been maintaining your leg properly?" Granny asked.

"Seriously. Are you trying to get me in trouble?! I am an adult; I know damn well the importance of automail maintenance thank you very much." Ed yelled.

"I make sure he cleans it every night before bed." Winry added with a smirk at her husband, who looked seconds away from ranting before forcing himself to calm down.

"I feel so picked on right now. I should go find people who appreciate me, I'm going to check on the kids." Ed grumbled, before he left. He was not really as upset as he made out to be, but he did want to check in on the children to be sure they were behaving and let them know their mom was fine.

Roy and Al had returned and started dinner when the baby finally arrived later that afternoon. Riza and Mei had been sitting with the children, helping them with their homework when Pinako appeared downstairs. "Your mother is resting now, however your father would like me to tell you that you have a new sister."

Yuery, William, and Maes all cheered together while Trisha clapped and rushed over to explain to Sarah why they were excited, and Tad danced happily. Riza and Mei smiled at the children's antics as they packed away the workbooks, before Roy and Al appeared in the doorway to ask if the baby had arrived.

A few minutes later, Edward appeared downstairs with the wrapped bundle that was his newest daughter. "Hey guys, come over here and meet Izumi." Ed said as he sat on the couch and was swarmed by the children. As usual Sarah held the baby first, followed by Trisha, then Tad, then Maes, then William, and finally Yuery. Elizabeth and Sovann were also introduced to the baby, placing them next to Ed so they could see the tiny girl.

After the children had all had their turn, and Al, Mei, and Riza had each held her, Ed carried the baby over to Roy. "Hey Yeye, meet your birthday twin. Now you have no excuse. Next year we celebrate it again." Ed placed the baby in his Dad's arms and Roy found he wasn't as unsettled by the idea as he had been the last few years. "Like we said about Sovann. It's time to heal and let go of the past. They are our future."

"I can think of no better reason to celebrate." Roy said in return.