Promotion
Disclaimer: I do not own FMAB
Ok, so here is chapter 6. I made it longer than some of my other ones. Slight bit of citrus in this chapter but nothing too heavy...yet.
Hope you like it!
The next day
"Winry, wake up, we're about to pull into Central." Ed said as he shook her slightly. Winry's eyes fluttered open, her pupils wide before she rubbed the sleep from them. Winry stretched out a little before feeling the sudden jolt of the train indicating its stop. They all got off the train and Roy drove Ed and Winry to Ed's home in Central.
"You have three hours to get ready for the test, that's when I'll come by and pick you up Ed, understood?" Roy said as they got out of his car.
"Understood." Ed said before they walked into the house.
"Well I see you cleaned up a little." Winry chuckled.
"Smartass." Ed chuckled before scratching his chin and feeling the long stubble.
"Shit, I need to shave." Ed growled before going up the stairs.
"Why?" Winry asked as she followed.
"I already know I look a lot like my father did when he was my age, I don't need the facial hair to add to it." Ed said in an annoyed tone before going into the bathroom and mixing up the cream. After a few moments Ed was clean shaven yet again and wiping off his face before he smelled something from the kitchen.
"What are you making Winry?" Ed asked as he left the bathroom.
"Lunch." Winry said coyly.
"I could guess that." Ed said rounding the corner into the kitchen and seeing the pot of soup.
"Alright, you caught me, I'm making soup." Winry teased. Ed laughed as he walked over to her and she hummed quietly as she stirred. This felt normal and right for them and they relished the moment.
3 hours later
Roy honked his horn once and Ed got up from the couch after he and Winry had spent only an hour cleaning up the place, mainly the bloody spots from when Al lost his leg.
"I'll be back as soon as I can." Ed said as he walked out the door.
"You better be." Winry mock threatened. There would be three days of testing, followed by a day to wait for the results. And since Ed and Al had done nothing but study for the last few years, Ed was up to date on current theories and equations. Winry busied herself with cleaning the rest of the house, a nervous habit she did when she didn't have automail to work on. She accidentally knocked the stack of papers to the ground and they scattered all over.
"Damn it, Ed's gonna be pissed if I don't organize these." Winry panicked. A part of the stack remained intact and she saw they were organized by date in an ascending order.
"Looks like I'll have to look at them to get them in the right order." Winry sighed as she picked up three papers, turning them over to see the dates but stopped when she saw what was on the paper. It was a drawing of her; she was roughly about seven and was playing with Den in the grass. She stared at it for a moment; the detail astounded her, and then set the drawing down.
"I'll have to flip them all over and look at the dates to get them right." Winry said, in an almost giddy tone.
3 hours later
Ed exited Roy's car, exhausted from the written part of the exam and then the long wait to know if he would go on to the next day, the interview. He was pleased and not too surprised when he found out he would be going on. He walked into his home to find it even tidier than when he left and Winry sitting on the couch, reading by the looks of it.
"I'm home, if you couldn't tell." Ed chuckled as he closed the door behind him and walked over to the couch. A sniffle came from Winry.
"What's wrong?" Ed asked, taking a seat. He usually didn't ask her such stupid questions, when the answer was semi-obvious, but this was out of nowhere.
"Promise not to be mad?" Winry asked.
"I promise." Ed said, nervous as to what she was going to say.
"When I started to clean after you left, I accidentally knocked the stack of papers on that shelf over there and scattered them." Winry said pointing to the now neat stack.
"Ok…" Ed said confused as to what she was getting at.
"A small part remained intact, and I just looked at the dates to see how they were organized and well…I had to look at all of the drawings to get them in the right order." Winry said. Ed understood and blushed slightly.
"I'm not mad, I just feel stupid for hiding them. You're my fiancée for crying out loud. Thanks for organizing them and telling me." Ed said, pulling her close.
"And here I thought you were going to get all pissy at me." Winry giggled.
"I'd be mad if Al or May told you." Ed chuckled before catching the smell of dinner in the air.
"Dinner smells great." Ed said with a smile.
"Typical Ed." Winry giggled as they went to the kitchen.
"I already know a few pictures I'll want to draw." Ed said slyly as they dished up the ham.
"Oh really?" Winry asked, scooping mashed potatoes onto her plate.
"Yup, when this is all round." Ed said, placing his hand on her flat stomach.
"So you can laugh at me later?" Winry scowled.
"Are you not getting my hint?" Ed said as he raised an eyebrow and then Winry understood, blushing bright red at her stupidity and the prospect of having sex and getting pregnant by Ed.
"Not until the honeymoon Ed." Winry teased after recovering.
"I know; I believe I was the one who said that rule." Ed chuckled as they took a seat at the table.
"Shut up and eat." Winry giggled.
The next day
Ed woke up early, knowing it would be another long day. He looked over to his sleeping fiancée and smiled at her calm face. Ed got up and stretched a little before going to the shower. After he was clean he walked into his room to see the bed was empty.
"Well, Winry's up." Ed said as he walked out of the room and was instantly bombarded with the smell of French toast.
"Morning Ed." Winry chirped from the stove.
"Morning." Ed said, still tired. After eating he went back upstairs and got dressed. Just on cue a honk sounded from outside.
"Well, I better get going. See you later Win." Ed said as he left. Winry sighed as she knew the next day of boredom would ensue with Ed's departure, and with nothing to do around the house, she decided to get more acquainted with Central.
"Well, if I'm going to live here, I better know my way around." Winry mused to herself before she went up to the room to get dressed.
Ed sat outside the room, bored and thinking over answers that he could possibly give if it was in fact an interview. He saw a lot of people about his age that were signing up at the registration booth to join the military, but hardly anyone his age was testing to be a state alchemist.
"Eyeing the competition?" Roy's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Don't they all start as Cadets?" Ed asked.
"Yes, until they go through training, then they'll be either Privates or Specialists. Then they work their way up the latter." Roy said.
"When did you enroll?" Ed asked curiously.
"When I was a few years older than you are now." Roy admitted.
"How quickly did you climb the latter?" Ed asked again.
"Not too fast, since I started as a Major, but it took me quite a while to get up to Colonel." Roy chuckled.
"Is that why people always give you a rash of shit, and your group, because you're all fairly younger than them and high ranking?" Ed asked.
"In essence. Riza was gifted and needed as a sniper, that's how she climbed up. The others all managed to go up the latter with quick and hard work." Roy said boredly.
"Shouldn't you be in there judging this thing?" Ed asked.
"I can choose to watch, not judge." Roy chuckled.
"Edward Elric." A man called. Ed stood and walked in, seeing an all too familiar chair in the middle of the room.
"Take a seat Edward." Fuhrer Grumman said kindly. Ed sat in the odd chair just as easily as he had before.
"Now, why do you want to rejoin the military?" Grumman asked. Ed thought for a moment before finding his resolution.
"This nation is still struggling after the uprising five years ago, and since I was a part in stopping that uprising, I feel a sort of responsibility to help make this nation better. I want to help protect our nation from anything as horrid as that, I want to protect this nation from our hostile neighbors that grow more and more hostile by the minute, but mostly, I want to help in making this nation better and less corrupt than it was before." Ed said. Ed could see Roy smiling from the stands and give him a slight nod of approval.
"Spoken like a true soldier. Very well, I expect something twice as phenomenal tomorrow as your demonstration than what you did last time Edward." Grumman said kindly. Ed bowed respectfully and then was dismissed from the room. As he walked outside he couldn't help but notice the small group of men that all seemed to stand in place.
"What's gotten into them?" Roy asked from behind him, expecting Ed to jump.
"Nice try. I have no clue." Ed chuckled before walking over.
"What's got you boys all stirred up?" Ed chuckled.
"You're no older than us so don't address us as if we're younger than you." One boy responded angrily.
"And to answer your question sir, she is what has us all stirred up." One boy said and pointed to a blonde girl in a white summer dress with a white sun-hat on. Ed looked closely at the girl before he caught sight of two gold studs and two gold cuffs in her left ear, a red stone distinguishable in the jewelry.
"Hey Winry!" Ed shouted, making all the men except Roy jump. Winry turned to the sound of her name and started walking over.
"You know that angel?" one boy asked.
"That angel is my fiancée kid." Ed snickered as their jaws dropped.
"You got out early I take it?" Winry cooed before noticing the other men around all red and stiff.
"Yeah, since it was just one question really." Ed said.
"Ok, what did you do to make these guys all scared?" Winry asked.
"I didn't do anything." Ed chuckled.
"Why do I find that hard to believe?" Winry said sarcastically.
"Miss, are you really his fiancée?" one boy finally plucked up.
"Yes." Winry replied, seeing all of them let out a groan.
"Let's go home Win." Ed said with smile. Winry walked out of the group with Ed right alongside her.
"I want to explore Central a little." Winry said.
"Winry, I believe it is about four or so miles from my house to here, didn't you get enough?" Ed asked.
"Only four or so miles worth. I want to know Central as well as I know Resembool." Winry replied with a huff.
"I promise when Al comes to take his test we'll do all the exploring you want ok." Ed said in a tired voice.
"And you'll take me out more often?" Winry asked.
"Provided I'm not busy and you're not busy with running that shop you want here in Central, yes." Ed said. Winry smiled up to him as they walked back to the house.
The next morning
Ed awoke that morning to find his still sleeping fiancée I bed with him. He smiled, knowing how she would usually be awake before him and making breakfast. Just as he went to sit up Winry sprung on him, pinning him beneath her, his hands under him from the sudden action.
"Morning." Winry cooed.
"Morning, you were planning this weren't you?" Ed gasped, trying to wriggle free. It wasn't until then that he noticed Winry was straddling him, her heat pressing right against his clothed length. Winry looked down at him in surprise at his hardness.
"How can you be hard already?" Winry asked.
"Morning wood babe." Ed said through almost gritted teeth. Winry smirked and ground her hips against his, making him let out a groan.
"And you're not making it any easier." Ed growled before Winry pressed herself against him and kissed his neck.
"I'm your fiancée; I'm not supposed to make you flaccid." Winry whispered hotly into his ear before nipping his earlobe. Her hands began to tickle their way down his torso, admiring the well-developed, rippling, muscles under her fingers and making them twitch as she went. She found his weak spot when she got to his lower abs and scratched him, making him thrust at her and feeling his length grow.
"Let's see, how can I torture you this morning?" Winry giggled lustfully.
"Win, I have the alchemist stuff this morning in about two hours." Ed whined. Winry started to kiss down his torso and upon reaching his spot licked and nibbled. Ed finally freed his hands from beneath his and Winry's weight and flipped them so he was on top of her, his hands holding her arms above her, their bodies flush against each other.
"Shit." Winry snickered before Ed started to kiss her neck, nipping the juncture where her neck and her shoulder met. He continued his path down, kissing her breasts over the shirt and hearing her moan in need.
"Ed…" Winry whined and she thrust her chest up, making her body arch deliciously. Ed smirked, went back up and captured her lips in a heated kiss before climbing off of her.
"I'll make myself breakfast today, you've been spoiling me." Ed chuckled as he walked out the door. Winry glared daggers at him before getting up and going to the kitchen.
"That wasn't fair." Winry pouted.
"Yes it was. Equivalent Exchange, remember." Ed chuckled as he ate his eggs and toast.
"How was that…?" Winry started.
"You teased me, I tease you. You found a spot on me that I didn't know about and I in turn found your spot that isn't really quite surprising." Ed replied.
"Oh, and what spot is that?" Winry said annoyed.
"Your breasts." Ed said before getting up and going back to their room and changing. Winry let out a frustrated sigh before she heard his footsteps descending the stairs. Quietly she stood and hid until he reached the bottom of the stairs before walking out from her spot, grabbing him by his belt loops and pulling him forward into a kiss, her hands sliding down just enough to frisk him before pushing him away and going up the stairs.
"See you when you get home." Winry said coyly. Ed gathered himself from her surprising assault and then calmed himself before walking outside and seeing Roy pull up. Riza was in the car, as was a sleeping James.
"You look flustered Edward." Riza said as Ed got in the back seat.
"Women and their ways." Ed groaned as he took a seat, making Roy let out a laugh in complete understanding and Riza snicker.
"She's just doing part of her job, and obviously it's working." Riza said quietly and casually. Ed grumbled in the back as Roy chuckled, and soon enough they arrived.
"They changed things up a little, now the alchemists testing are permitted to be in the same room at once, it makes finding them easier so we're not waiting for forty five minutes." Roy said.
"It also allows us to judge the competition huh?" Ed chuckled.
"You could say that yes. It gives the other alchemists an idea of what they could be up against and what they could be working with in the future." Roy said as they walked in.
"How many are left?" Ed asked.
"Of the fifty that started only twelve are left, and only four will make it." Roy said. Ed smiled as they walked to the room before parting ways, Riza and Roy going to the stands with their son who was just waking up, and Ed went straight into the room where he saw nine others, all were older than him, but he wasn't too surprised by this.
"Only two more to arrive." Ed mumbled as he leaned against one of the walls. He could see that four of the other alchemists were women while the others were all men, meaning only one of them might make it and three men should make it. It could go fifty-fifty, but either way, he would be one of the four that made it. Ten minutes later the last two alchemists made it.
"Alright arrange yourselves from oldest to youngest." Grumman demanded a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Alright, who's the youngest here?" one man asked.
"Anyone younger than nineteen?" Ed asked, earning shakes. Ed stood in his spot as the others all lined up.
"How did a brat like you even make it this far?" the same man asked in an arrogant tone. He was only two people ahead of Ed.
"How old are you?" Ed asked.
"Twenty four, the one testing now is thirty seven, and she's doing well. You haven't answered my question." The man hissed.
"You're only five years older than me, but you probably don't have the same experience as I do, and that's all I'm going to say." Ed said with a smirk. He knew why Grumman put him in the back, so that he could be the finisher and show all the older members the power of the youth.
"I doubt you've even left home yet you brat." The man growled as another went up.
"I left home at age eleven after my mother died and my father ran out on us a few years prior to that." Ed growled.
"So you're a sad little loner, how cute." The man pestered.
"No, I have my brother who's only a year younger than me, plus my neighbors that took us in for a while. But still, I've always had to fend for myself and my little brother." Ed said before looking away from the man until he went up. Ed would admit, the man was skilled, but he knew he was better. Another woman went up and as Ed watched he was sure she would earn a spot, the way she made water with nothing but the moisture in the air was flawless and then used it and the minerals in the ground to make weapons and sculptures was nicely executed. And then it was his turn.
"Now Mister Elric, show us what you can offer as a state alchemist." Grumman said in an almost giddy tone. Ed knew he had wanted to see what he had learned over these last few years; Grumman knew them well enough to know that he and his brother would be doing research.
"Certainly your excellency." Ed said before clapping his hands together, a ring let out. From the corner of his eye, Ed could see James's fascinated little face. Ed smirked and then pressed his hands to the ground, ten streaks of lightning danced out a good ten feet before they formed pillars that started to rise up a good distance before spreading out into a platform on the top and from the edges of the platform metal bars rose and bent inwards to form a steel cage, the finishing touch were the spikes that protruded from the bars both in and out. The audience was stunned to say the least; the arrogant twenty four year old man had his jaw hanging open. Grumman stood with a smile on his face.
"Excellent show Edward. How did you do that?" Grumman asked.
"My soon-to-be sister-in-law taught my brother and me alkahestry, which is different than that of alchemy. In alchemy, we use the tectonic pulses, in alkahestry, they use the flow of energy that goes through the earth at all times, or the dragons pulse as they call it. Since I know both, merging them is rather easy." Ed said casually.
"Well done Edward. The other members and I have a few things to discuss about the other eleven contestants, but just know Ed, what you demonstrated today, both the merging and the ability to transmute without a circle, though most of us knew that already, has earned you your title back, with a bonus, but that will be stated in your letter tomorrow. You are all dismissed." Grumman said, earning a salute from the twelve participants. Moment that the alchemists left the room seven of the eleven turned and faced Ed, all of them men, the woman didn't want to get involved.
"You have a gift kid, how long have you been studying?" a woman asked.
"Since I was five." Ed replied.
"Fourteen years of study and practice, nice devotion." The youngest woman, twenty one, said desirably. Ed ignored it and looked back to the men who were glaring at him.
"What?" Ed asked.
"You have ties with the military don't you?" one man asked.
"Yeah. I used to be in the military." Ed said.
"Impossible." Another, the arrogant twenty four year old, growled. Ed peeled off his shirt to show the scar.
"I got that when I used to have an automail arm, but the real arm was returned to me on the promised day. I can't give to many details, but I was and will be again the Fullmetal Alchemist." Ed said, earning gasps from the group.
"I knew your name sounded familiar. Why did you leave?" one man asked.
"When you lose your ability to do alchemy, you can't exactly be a state alchemist, but the details of how I regained my abilities are off limits." Ed said walking away.
"So would you like to go out for dinner some time?" the youngest woman asked.
"I'm engaged." Ed said kindly before walking off.
"Nicely done Ed, want a lift home?" Roy asked chuckling.
"Sure Roy." Ed said with a smile as he noticed the others glaring.
"They're just jealous that you got appraised in public and the ok. The letter is being done up right now, as are a few other things. Anyway, time to get you home to that charming little fiancée of yours." Roy chuckled as Ed blushed slightly.
"I'm never going to hear the end of it am I?" Ed asked as they left. Once they pulled up to his home he got out of the car and walked up to his house cautiously. He did not know how Winry would be after this morning and needed to be prepared. Ed opened the door slowly and then walked inside; he heard the car pull away just before he closed the door behind him.
"So how did it go?" Winry asked from behind him, making him jump slightly.
"How did you get there?" Ed asked confused.
"I was waiting here since I heard the car pull up." Winry giggled. It was then that Ed noticed her state of dress. She was wearing a black tube top with her navy blue miniskirt, obviously no shoes.
"It was well; Grumman pretty much said I'm in right there after I demonstrated." Ed said, regaining his composure.
"Ed, don't be shy." Winry giggled as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Sorry, but you can just be too damn tempting." Ed replied.
"That's the point Ed." Winry replied as she nuzzled into his chest, she felt him relax and let out the breath she could tell he was holding.
"So I've done a little investigating and found that a house on this side of the street and down the block has a shop attachment and was thinking we could move there when you get your funds." Winry said as she let go of him and walked to the kitchen.
"Oh really." Ed chuckled as he watched the way her hips swayed with each step shamelessly. Why not, she's my fiancée after all. Ed chuckled mentally as he followed her to the kitchen.
"It was also a pretty big place too, plenty of room." Winry said with a mischievous smirk.
"Room for what?" Ed asked.
"Kids." Winry replied calmly.
"Ah." Ed said with a smile.
The next day
Ed had received a call from Roy that morning saying he needed to get to Central command immediately. Ed had left in such a hurry he didn't have breakfast, but Winry half way expected this.
"Thanks for the ride Riza." Ed said as they pulled up.
"No problem. My husband was handling matters that he could not leave work for." Riza said. Ed walked into the Brigadier General's office and took a seat before instructed too.
"Good thing you know the drill by now. Anyway, here's your letter from the Fuhrer saying that you've been reinstated and receive your name again as the Fullmetal Alchemist along with your old pocket watch, but here's another letter from the Fuhrer on a different note that you might be interested in." Roy chuckled.
"What's that in your hand?" Ed asked as he took the two envelopes and watch.
"Oh, this is a letter from the Fuhrer saying I've been promoted to Lieutenant General for all my deeds in the rebuilding of the nation and Ishval." Roy said.
"Two whole ranks for rebuilding a small faction, nice. What else did you do?" Ed chuckled.
"Brought six traitors to justice." Roy said.
"Makes sense, were they in the military?" Ed asked.
"Correct, sad to see them go, but we can't have traitors running a nation." Roy said.
"True." Ed said as he opened his first envelope, scanned over it, and then went on to the second envelope.
"By decree of Fuhrer Grumman, this document and the medals included with it verify that a Mister Edward Elric, otherwise known as Fullmetal, is hereby promoted to the rank of Colonel for his duty four years ago on the promised day and the uncovering of the conspiracy the senior staff at the time had been plotting and saving the nation of Amestris with the aid of his brother, Roy Mustang, Riza Hawkeye, and his father Van Hohenheim." Ed read aloud before continuing to read on in shocked silence.
"You know this means you'll need to be donned appropriately." Roy said with a smirk as Ed grimaced.
"You mean the Amestrian Blues right?" Ed sighed.
"Correct, and the tailor is waiting, so let's get moving. Also, the Fuhrer and few friends and their families, myself and my family included, would like to come over for dinner, in celebration of your return and promotion." Roy said as he shoved Ed out the door. Jean Havoc collided into Ed.
"Hey there kid; long time no see, and shit you've grown." Jean chuckled staring eye-to-eye with the young man.
"Thanks. Roy, I need to let Winry know so she doesn't conk me over the head with a wrench." Ed said.
"Fine, ten minutes." Roy said understanding his predicament.
"Who is this Winry girl and why do you need to call her?" Jean asked interested.
"My fiancée and because of the surprise visit from the Fuhrer and company." Ed sighed, shooting a glare back to Roy who smirked.
"Hey Roy, may I join in on this?" Jean asked with a smirk.
"Sure." Roy said. Ed rolled his eyes as the phone rang.
"Hello, Elric residence, this is Winry." Winry said over the phone.
"Hey Win." Ed said.
"Hey Ed! Good news?" Winry chirped.
"Yes and uh a surprise I guess." Ed said.
"Surprise first, then good news." Winry replied with a light giggle.
"Well, the Fuhrer, and a few friends of his with their families are coming over." Ed said.
"How many?" Winry asked. Ed looked to Roy.
"Prepare enough for twelve extra people." Roy said.
"Let's go with a rough estimate of twelve." Ed said.
"Good god, twelve people. Ok, so what's the good news?" Winry asked.
"Obviously I'm in, but I got promoted to Colonel." Ed said with a smile.
"This girl has him good." Jean chuckled quietly as they watched Ed talk to his fiancée.
"Apparently so, and from some times when I've had to pick him up, she apparently is making him…well…itch if you get me." Roy chuckled making Jean let out a laugh. That's when they noticed Ed blushing.
"Yeah that sounds great hun, see you later, bye." Ed said as he hung the phone up.
"Good thing the calls aren't monitored." Roy laughed.
"Shut up." Ed sighed.
"I'm actually interested to meet this little fiancée of yours." Jean chuckled.
2 ½ hours later
Ed was glad that this whole mess was almost done, though he was still a little pissed about being in nothing but his boxers. The jacket and pants and boots were the main bits that had to measured out, the shirts were just a matter of what size he wore. Once the wool and fleece were cut to the right measurements as per his measurements and sewn together, and all the other adornments that went on a typical blank jacket and pants, they were put in the wash and dry.
"You will be provided with three spares and a black one for formal occasions, it will need to be cleaned at least twice a week and ironed just as much." The tailor said sternly.
"Got it." Ed said with a smile. Ed had memorized the way that everything on the uniform was buttoned or zipped, that he had to tuck in his shirt, much to his disliking, and the other requirements.
"So Roy, how did you convince the Fuhrer to let you and Riza be married?" Ed asked boredly since his uniform was still not dry.
"We said that we could still keep things strictly business at work and our personal lives out of work. Grumman laughed and said Riza was able to do that, and that I would need to learn. Grumman has always been pushing us to get married, so it wasn't that hard, it just took a lot of pestering and reminding and so on. We've lived up to our word, only discussing our son every now and then if he's being watched by my aunt while we're at work or if he's on the premises and is in the daycare area they added for those who have children and can't find someone to watch their kids while at work." Roy explained. Before Ed could respond clothes were hurled at him and he was told to dress. Ed pulled on the socks before the pants, still finding the weird skirt thing that was sewn on a hassle; before he buttoned, zipped and belted he put on the light blue shirt, not feeling up to hassling with the skin tight black shirts that were issued today, buttoned it up and then tucked the bottom into the pants before continuing on with his pants and then placed the jacket on, placing the stars, medals, and other accoutrements. He buttoned up the jacket and pulled his braid out from under the jacket.
"Good thing we don't have some hair policy." Roy chuckled making Ed roll his eyes as he pulled on the white gloves.
"Hey, now you look like a soldier, don't forget the watch." Jean chuckled. Ed grabbed his watch, hooked the loop onto a belt loop and placed it in his pocket, the chain hanging out.
"Excellent, now we can inform Grumman and his party that we are ready." Roy said as he stood.
"Your other uniforms will be ready by tomorrow." The tailor said.
"Thanks." Ed said with a smile and salute before leaving with the others. Once they all met up with the others and got into their cars it wasn't long before they arrived at Ed's home. Winry opened the door before he even got to the stairs and her eyes widened at two things, the amount of people and Ed. Well damn that damn myth is true. Winry mentally groaned before catching Riza give her a knowing smile.
"Evening everyone, your excellency." Winry chirped with a small bow before welcoming everyone in. As everyone entered Ed was relieved to that Winry had organized the entire home, cleaning up his clutter from the previous evening when he was engulfed in research yet again. He tried not to be, seeing as how his fiancée could get the better of him at any given moment, so he thought just spending about two hours nightly on research would be enough, until later on his career, but Winry would understand.
"What is that heavenly scent?" Grumman asked as he sniffed the air.
"That would be the fourteen pound ham and maybe the cherry and honey glaze I've made." Winry said shyly.
"What is for dinner by the way, other than the ham?" Roy asked.
"Well there's rice with stir fry vegetables, along with noodles and vegetables for those who don't want rice, dumplings, wantons, and pot stickers, again, variety, and for dessert there's homemade vanilla ice cream and apple pie." Winry said, doing a check list and counting with her fingers, not paying attention to the other men that were beginning to drool.
"Pie." James said impishly.
"The ham should be ready in about twenty minutes, and the rest of the food is on low so it can stay warm." Winry said. Everyone nodded and took their seats while Winry went back to the kitchen.
"How the hell did this kid score that?" Jean laughed.
"I grew up living next door to her." Ed said, rolling his eyes. Jean reached into his pocket for a cigarette.
"Please no smoking in the house." Winry said from the kitchen. Jean stared in awe.
"How did she know?" Jean asked, taking his hand out of his pocket.
"Beats me." Roy chuckled. Riza rolled her eyes before standing and going into the kitchen.
"I saw that look by the way." Riza said quietly.
"So that myth is true damn it." Winry giggled quietly.
"Yes, it is. Though the way you hid it was nicely executed. I reacted the same way when I first saw Roy in the Amestrian Blues." Riza said with a light chuckle.
"Should we be concerned?" Jean chuckled.
"Why is that?" Ed asked.
"Your fiancée and Roy's wife are in the kitchen, and I can hear them giggling about something." Jean said.
"My wife giggling, now that is a rarity." Roy said as he stood.
"No coming into the kitchen until dinner is ready Roy." Riza and Winry both said sweetly.
"I believe we have cause to worry gentlemen." Roy said sarcastically, the other women rolled their eyes before letting out light laughter. The sound of shuffling could be heard in the kitchen and light ring of silverware being handled in the kitchen could be heard, the light creak the stove door made when was opened and the warmth that spread out into the living room along with the mouthwatering aroma filled the air just before the phone rang.
"I'll get it." Winry said just as Ed stood. Winry zipped around the corner and answered the phone.
"Hello…oh hi May!...Yes…Well, what did you expect, how's Al…you've been doing what?...Oh, alright, I thought you were maybe healing too fast and it could mess up the cables and nerves…wait, did he ask you?...Alright, well he still needs more recovery time, and I don't care what he or Ed say, that's final…good, you agree with me…ok, see you in a few days, bye." Winry chirped before hanging up the phone and walking back into the kitchen.
"That woman's head is harder than yours Fullmetal." Roy chuckled.
"You have no idea." Ed snickered just as Winry walked back to the doorway.
"Dinner." Winry said before moving to the side to avoid the mob. The men all took their seats, their wives and family next to them who did take a little while longer. Jean was sitting between Ed and Roy, and a seat was obviously left open for Winry to take a seat. After Grumman gave a toast to Ed the meal started and Winry blushed at all the compliments she received. Half way through the meal Winry got up to place the pies in the oven before resuming her seat and meal.
"So Ed, once your brother goes through his tests and inevitably becomes a state alchemist as well, you can have four other members on your team." Grumman said before taking a drink of his water.
"Ah yes, I forgot we got teams." Ed said smirking.
"Yes, anyone from Private to Major can be in a Colonel's team, and Majors are allowed to have a certain number of staff to their aid." Grumman said. Ed smiled just before a timer went off. Winry got up and went to retrieve the pies from the oven. She let them rest as everyone finished off their meals and relaxed for a little bit, though she couldn't help but notice the three mischievous children that were eyeing the pies like a wolf eyes a lamb. With five minutes before serving Winry took out the ice cream so it could soften a little before going back to the living room and calling them. Winry dished up the pie and ice cream and served to everyone before getting herself a portion and joining them at the table.
"My goodness, this pie is incredible." Grumman said with a smile, earning nods from everyone at the table.
"Thank you Fuhrer Grumman sir." Winry said with a slight bow. After they all finished the pie they all returned to the living room, Winry started to hang back in the kitchen until she felt someone tap her shoulder.
"You've done a lot already, come on and join us." Ed said.
"But the dishes…" Winry started before Ed placed his gloved finger over her lips.
"Can wait until everyone leaves, and I'll even help." Ed said with amusement in his tone.
"Alright." Winry said as she pushed his hand away from her mouth and walked into the living room. Riza looked up and smiled as they entered the room.
"Finally you join us. Can't overdue it now, or you'll have no fun at all." Riza said with a smile.
"So I've been told." Winry said with a gentle elbow to Ed's ribs before they took a seat.
"You two are awfully young to make such commitments, with Edward here joining the military and you wanting to open up an automail shop here, which would be wonderful, do you think you should be getting married so early?" one of the women asked sincerely.
"Honestly ma'am, we've both been through some pretty rough experiences that no teenager should have to go through, let alone children. I lost both of my parents in the Ishvalan civil war, and Ed lost his mother to an epidemic that spread through Resembool around the same time as the war, and earlier that same year their father walked out on them." Winry said in a soft tone, knowing it was a touchy subject for Ed.
"Accompany that with me joining the military at twelve after I recovered from receiving an automail arm and leg, which I still carry, and then all the experience that brought me, and her getting drug in as a hostage, well, I'm sure we are able to make these commitments, after all, we've been rather committed to each other through all of that." Ed said. The two other women in the room gasped at the short history about them while Riza bowed her head in respect. Riza and Roy, more than anyone, knew what those two had been through, the hell they had faced together and risks they were willing to take for each other.
"On a lighter note, how long have you two known each other?" one of the women asked after a few moments of silence.
"Pretty much our whole lives." Ed and Winry replied.
"How did you guys meet?" Jean asked.
"We were either two or three, at least that's when I remember meeting Ed. See, Ed's father was an old drinking buddy of my grandmothers, and he occasionally liked to visit from time to time and stay for a while. Trisha, Ed's mother, came over one of those evenings looking for him, worried that he had gotten into some sort of trouble, seems to run in the Xerxesian side of the gene pool, and my parents and grandmother being hospitable people, invited her, Ed and Al in. Al was still a baby, so it had to be when we were two. They made us sit next to each other, saying we played all the time when we were babies, but you know how those memories go as fast as they come. I think we played for a little bit and after that I don't really remember much." Winry said, turning a little pink.
"You fell asleep on me. I tried to push you off but mom said that wasn't the nice thing to do, so I sat there for another hour before I fell asleep. Next thing I knew I was waking up in my own bed." Ed chuckled.
"Did you guys go to school together?" one of the men asked.
"Yeah, had the same class too. See school out there isn't very mandatory since it's mainly a farming town. It was harder for Al and I to go to school after we lost mom and dad, that's when we left and found my teacher Izumi, where we probably learned more from her than we ever did in school." Ed chuckled.
"Ed was always reading alchemy books when he was supposed to be paying attention." Winry teased.
"Guilty." Ed said. They continued their idle talk for another hour before the tired children began to whine.
"Thank you for the wonderful dinner." Grumman chuckled, the others all giving a slight bow.
"And thank you for the interesting company." Winry said with a bow.
"Fullmetal, you start your duties once your brother receives his certification by the end of the month. An office will be arranged for you." Grumman said.
"Yes sir." Ed said with a salute.
"See you and your brother later Fullmetal." Grumman said with a wave as he got into his car, the other getting into their and leaving.
"I have a feeling Ed will be in for a shock tonight." Riza said calmly, almost comically.
"Oh, how so?" Roy asked, Jean leaning in.
"You two may not have noticed, but Winry had the eyes for him the moment we arrived. That damnable myth about men in uniform." Riza said with a light chuckled as she cradled her son's sleeping head on her shoulder.
"Oh, that myth. Oh damn what have we left Ed to deal with." Jean laughed.
"Relax Havoc, Ed's a young man now, I'm sure he can handle that." Roy said. Jean laughed as they continued on, and though he would never admit it, he was jealous of Ed.
Winry was washing dishes while Ed dried them, after he took of the jacket and rolled up the sleeves of the light blue shirt. Once they were done with all the dishes, they let them dry and a wicked smile formed on Winry's face as they entered the living room and sat on the couch.
"What's with the…" Ed started but was silenced by Winry's lips. He decided to just let it happen, not that he was really opposed with what was going on, and pulled her onto his lap, making her straddle his lap, each leg on either side. The kiss deepened as Ed tilted Winry's head back a little to allow deeper contact. He pulled away, leaving her gasping as he started his venture down her neck, kissing the pressure point as he felt her fingers grip his head.
"Might I ask what brought this on?" Ed chuckled as he nipped her collarbone.
"You know what they say, women can't resist a man in uniform." Winry purred before pushing him back just a little so she could duck down and kiss his neck, her tongue dragging across his Adams apple before she started to unbutton his shirt. Ed smirked and quickly pulled her down as he lay on the couch before rolling and pinning her. Winry craned her neck just enough so that she could bite his lower lip and drag him down to her, earning her a thrust and making her moan at his action.
"You're just making it damn near impossible for me." Ed growled lustfully.
"Ed, that's the point. That way I know that we'll have a wonderful honeymoon." Winry giggled as she wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him impossibly closer. After a little while more of passionate making out, Ed groping his fiancée just to ease some of the building tension they stopped with a chaste kiss.
"We have an early train tomorrow. We should pack up and get ready." Ed said as he reached behind him and unwrapped her legs from around him.
"I hate when you're right." Winry sighed as she got up and went to the kitchen to put all the dishes away as Ed went up to change. He came back down the stairs in nothing but his sleeping pants and walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her slender waist as she put the last dish away.
"I love you, you know that right." Ed said as he pulled her close. Winry turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck loosely.
"I love you too Ed." Winry said as she leaned up on her toes and kissed him on his cheek. They walked up to their room and after Winry changed, Ed not looking for course, even though that was pointless, they crawled into bed, Winry's arms wrapped around him, her head on his chest and his arm around her shoulders while the other rested on her hand on his stomach.
So...what did you all think? Hoping you liked that it was a bit more lengthy than my other chapters thus far. Anyway, next friday I'll post chapter seven. Until then, please R&R!