Edward leaned back, making himself as comfortable as he could on the wooden bench in the train car. After all the years of travel, one thing that had never gotten more bearable was the hard train seats. Even now, Ed still struggled with how to relax on the hard wood without growing sore.

He propped his legs up on the bench facing him as his hands unconsciously drifted to relax in the pockets of his overcoat. He closed his eyes and relaxed his muscles, feigning contentment in hopes that his mind could trick his body into being comfortable for the rest of the commute.

His hands relaxed further into his deep pockets, until his left hand hit something smooth and thin, and he pulled out a folded enveloped tucked down in the pocket.

Ed shouldn't have been surprised, it had been an annual tradition for twelve years now; yet the letters had a magical way of appearing when he least expected, especially during the chaotic years he and Al spent trying to regain their bodies.

Ed carefully unfolded the envelope and read his name and the year written, as they faithfully always were, on the back of the envelope. It had been almost two years since Al had gotten his body back and they had returned home, and well over twelve since their mother's death had occurred, becoming the catalyst to everything that had happened to the brothers since.

As a young child, Ed never would have guessed where his life would lead him and where he would be now, on the eve of his eighteenth birthday. He could hardly believe it himself, just how well things had turned out for him and Al. Especially not after all the close calls, moments of despair, and dead ends. They had come out on top and Edward would never forget the family and friends who had helped him and al get there.

Speaking of which, he glanced out the window, only to find his own reflection and a blank abyss of nighttime staring back at him. His train shouldn't be more than an hour out from its destination; Central City.

Ed has been back once or twice since he had retired with Al to the countryside, and while he much preferred the quiet quaintness of Resembool, there was something about the hustle and bustle of the capitol city that had become comforting and familiar over the years. Of course, the people he was going there to meet certainly had something to do with it.

Not long after Ed had received his certification and began showing up at Mustang's office to receive his missions, the rest of the team had taken quite an interest in their newest team member. Ed couldn't blame them, looking back on it, he was a twelve year old scruffy kid who could take down a city block with a clap of his hands. Ed had avoided their chumminess as much as he could, he didn't want anything to do with the military or its employees. And one day, during some small office party—Ed couldn't even remember the military holiday it had been for—Havoc had tried to goad him into at least trying some of the alcohol they had on hand.

After Hawkeye had thoroughly admonished the second lieutenant, Havoc had relented, but made Ed promise that the team could take him out for a drink on his eighteenth birthday. Ed had agreed, partially just to humor the man, and also because he was convinced he would only be employed by the government for a couple months then he'd never have to see the military again or make good on that promise.

But, over the years, things had changed. Mustang's team had become something of a surrogate family to him and Al. And Ed knew how important it was to keep a promise, especially to those who had helped and welcomed him so much over the years.
Speaking of which…

Ed blinked away his thoughts and focused on the letter in his hands, his mother's familiar script staring back at him. He had made a promise to his mother all those years ago that he would make good on his promise to get Al's body back. And he had done it. Ed didn't believe in the afterlife, not in the slightest, but still took comfort in knowing that he had kept one last promise to his mother. At least it made reading her letters that much easier.

My Dearest Darling Edward,

Happy birthday to my little man, who I am sure is not so little anymore. You're not much of a boy anymore, Edward, you're beginning the life of a young man. I can't believe you are an adult now! It just doesn't seem possible. Writing your previous letters, I thought couldn't imagine you at age ten, twelve, but imagining you at eighteen is quite the thought! You're officially an adult, I'm sure beginning to take on all those new responsibilities. I hope you aren't too overwhelmed, sweetheart. It's your eighteenth birthday, it's a milestone, and I hope you do something special to celebrate, you deserve it.

I smile as I write this, imagining all the possibilities of where you are in your life right now. You know, I was your age when you came into this world and into my life, and changed it all forever. I have been blessed to know you these last few years, and I wonder now, do you understand the deep and unconditional love a parent has for their child? Do you have a child of your own? Have you already gotten married, and if so, to whom? I see the way you blush when little Winry is around, and sometimes you shove her or argue with her, and I know you may be embarrassed that you have a bit of a crush on her, but I hope by now you have learned that that is certainly not the way to treat the girl you love. I'm sure you know that, but it is always good to have a mother's advice. If there is a girl in your life, tell her you love her, don't beat around the bush, and if you have feelings for her, tell her! She won't wait around forever, sweetheart.

Oh, perhaps I am jumping the gun a bit here. Who knows where life has taken you? You have so much potential. Have you traveled? The amount of possibilities at your fingertips are unlimited, I can't help but get overwhelmed, thinking of them all. Perhaps you have gone to college in Central City. You know, Central was one place I never got to see. I was born and raised in Resembool, and never travelled too far from home. Perhaps you have taken after your father and are planning to travel all over the country! Or perhaps you have taken after me, and decided to stay in Resembool, heading a shop in town or tending to one of the fields, or perhaps helping Pinako with her business, as I'm sure Winry is doing as well.

Well, wherever this crazy life may have taken you, I hope you are happy, sweetheart. I hope you know that is always the most important thing in life. Be happy and surround yourself with those you love. Happy birthday, my little man.

Love forever and always,

Mom

Edward sat back, and looked out the window to see the faint glow of Central City reflecting off the overcast clouds. Central City for a time had been a home away from home. Even though he had spent less and less time there after the Promised Day, he still knew the city as well as anyone could be familiarized with those twisting city blocks. It wasn't Resembool, but in a way, it was still like home. And that was because of the people he had met there, who made it feel so.

Havoc had been healed and reinstated, Breda would be there, as loyal as ever, Falman had relocated to the north, but Fuery would still be there to celebrate as well. Maybe they could even get grouchy old General Mustang to join; after a drink or two and some banter, the old general might actually be tolerable.

Ed smiled down at the letter held loosely in his hands and smiled. He thought about how nice it would be to see Mustang's team again, the men who had acted as older brothers to him and Al through their journey.

It had been hard, but the brothers had found their own family over the years. The Hughes family, Mustang and Hawkeye, the rest of the team and even more of the soldiers, and the Curtises and Rockbells, of course.

And Winry. Ed didn't want to put her in the same category because he didn't exactly know how to define their relationship. Over the past two years they had grown incredibly close, despite Al's good-natured but annoying teasing and the few times Pinako had almost walked in on them while Winry gave Ed "maintenance checks" and offhandedly reprimanded Winry for being unprofessional. Ed knew he would have to define it soon, and he was ready to take an even bigger step. He would be leaving for the west in a few months and he needed to know Winry would still be there when he got back. He couldn't expect here to wait around if he didn't give her a reason to.

Ed wondered what his mom would think of all this as he looked down at her letter. Falling in love with the girl next door, would she have ever seriously guessed that? Ed figured she probably would have; she had that sort of intuition. Then again, it took him much longer to realize it than he should have anyway.

Nevertheless, the past two years, Ed had been looking forward to the future for the first time in a long time. Al had his body back and was finally back to normal health, making plans to head to Xing soon. Ed would be on his way to the west as well. And between them, more family and friends than either brother could count.

Ed leaned back and watched the city draw nearer. He always wondered if his mother would resent him for all he had done; first to disgrace her after death, then to so carelessly lose Al's body after promising to protect him. But after all the turmoil, all they had gone through, they had made it to the other side, happier and stronger and surrounded by more friends than they ever could have imagined, and Ed knew, well he hoped, that after all was now said and done, his mother, or her spirit, or whatever part of her that might somehow impossibly still exist, was happy for him and all they had accomplished. She had been right after all; he and Al had never truly been alone.