Same Ol' Grind

Disclaimer: I do not own FMAB

Sorry if this is short. I've been bogged down with a lot of homework as of recently. May or may not have something by next week, but I will do my best.

Enjoy.

2 days later

Ed walked into his office that morning and for some reason the amount of work that lay ahead of him didn't seem to bother him as much. He could also tell that by the look on his subordinate's faces that they too felt the same way. Though they may only have a few minor cuts scraps or scars, war had changed them drastically. They carried themselves differently too. The stack of papers that lay on their desks carried a sense of normalcy.

"It doesn't seem nearly as tiring after the hell we went through." Amy chirped.

"No kidding right. Compared to the war, this seems like vacation." Phillip chuckled. They all took their seats and began the work that seemed to just fly by. Before they even knew it, it was lunch.

"Colonel, where are you going?" Alexander asked.

"I'm going to spend lunch at home today." Ed replied before walking out the doors and drove home. Upon arriving to his home, Winry was already waiting for him with Joseph all ready to go.

"You remembered." Winry smiled brightly as she got Joseph arranged in his seat in the back of the car.

"How could I forget?" Ed smirked.

"Oh, I only reminded you several times." Winry said playfully.

"Is that all?" Ed asked sarcastically as they drove to a nearby café. As they ate, they talked, and Ed tried to avoid the subject of work.

"So what's it like at work?" Winry asked and inwardly Ed cursed.

"Same old same old. It's kinda a relief after the hell I went through." Ed shrugged. Joseph giggled as he ate his food, making his parents smile at his wonderful innocence. After lunch, Ed drove them back home and then went back to work, arriving on time.

"Enjoy your lunch Colonel?" Phillip asked.

"Yes, but now time to get back to this paperwork." Ed said as they buried their noses deep in their work.

The Next Day

Ed had no sooner walked into his office when a call had come in.

"Is it an antiwar group?" Ed asked as he and Amy got into the car.

"Yes." Amy said.

"Wanting the military dogs to pay for their crimes against humanity?" Ed asked dully.

"Correct again sir." Amy replied.

"Idiots." Ed mumbled.

"You're on a roll sir." Amy teased. Ed smirked and rolled his eyes as they arrived. An hour standoff engulfed the town, with an occasional warning shot from each side.

"Pushing papers back in the office is more entertaining than this." Ed said as another shot went off.

"This is just a group of civilians who formed this group after the war because they believe violence is wrong." Alexander said.

"So they're shooting at us?" Ed asked.

"Since when do rioters make any sense sir?" Phillip pointed out.

"He makes a valid point." Al conceded. Another ten minutes passed before one of them left their hiding place and stood center of the area. No shots were fired.

"Attack!" The rioter shouted. In that instant, as they swarmed out and into a single clustered area, Ed formed an alchemical cage around the unsuspecting rioters, sufficiently trapping them.

"Not your best plan, but hey, what can you expect from a bunch of halfwits." Ed shrugged.

"You dare to insult our intelligence you dog?" The leader shouted.

"Well, considering that this dog and his pack just caught you…yeah, I dare to insult your mediocre intelligence." Ed laughed. The rioters stood there in anger and shock.

"Take them away." Roy barked.

"Well, you can't expect everyone to be happy after the war. There always has to be that group of people who makes it hell for the rest of us." Ed sighed.

"Yeah, no matter what you try, there will always be those who have to find something wrong." Roy chuckled before they went back to their cars and then back to the office.

2 Days Later

Ed could understand the veterans of the military much more clearly now than he had before. Adjusting back to civilian life was more difficult than it had seemed, and while he didn't show any signs of trauma, he figured that by now, he was practically immune to it because of his life, but there were those time when the memories would flood back.

"Sir, are you alright?" Makuto asked.

"Hmm…oh, uh, yeah." Ed replied, looking back to his work. Al gave his brother that all too knowing look. He didn't bother him though, Al knew better, and he was having his own difficulties adjusting still. The day drug on and by the time Ed finally got home, he couldn't exactly remember what all had happened other than the work and meetings.

Joseph giggled and Ed snapped back to reality. Walking into the living room he saw his wife and son playing peek-a-boo and couldn't help but smile. Winry looked up to her husband and smiled at him.

"What has you in such a good mood?" Winry asked.

"Just relieved to be home." Ed replied.

"Ah, had one of those days." Winry replied knowingly. She had learned over time not to continually bother him with questions, sometimes, just simply waiting until he wanted to tell her was better, and also, just simply understanding when he didn't want to talk about whatever was on his mind was better as well. As Ed removed his coat and sat down next to his wife and fifteen and a half month old son, Winry smiled up at him.

"Hey Ed, I have some news for you." Winry said as he rested his head on the back of the couch, eyes closed.

"Hmm…" Ed asked, his eyes remaining closed, but his brows quirking in curiosity.

"I'm pregnant again." Winry replied. Ed's eyes snapped open and he gazed at her with sudden surprise.

"Come again?" Ed asked almost disbelievingly.

"I'm pregnant with our second child Ed." Winry repeated slower. Ed sat there for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in before finally he smiled at her.

"That's fantastic hun!" Ed said as he stood, pulled her up into a hug. They then looked to their firstborn and picked him up.

"You get to be a big brother now Joseph." Ed said as he kissed his sons forehead. Joseph tilted his head in a confused manner.

"Brover?" Joseph asked, earning smiles from his parents. They set him down and Winry helped him walk to his crib in his parent's room.

"I still can't believe he's walking." Ed said as he walked with them. Joseph was still a little wobbly, but he could almost walk without any help at all.

"Well, he was talking and speaking whole sentences before he was one, and he started to walk when he was eleven months old. That's why he didn't and still doesn't like the stroller." Winry sighed.

"True. But I'm sure by now he doesn't need it that much." Ed replied.

"Not for short distances, but after walking a while, he gets very tired." Winry replied as she picked up the tot and set him in his crib while Ed grabbed his son's pajamas and handed them off to Winry before she changed him.

"You know that this means we're gonna need to start toilet training and getting him use to sleeping in his own room." Ed said.

"I know. Tomorrow, after you're off work, we'll go furniture shopping and take him with us of course." Winry said as Joseph dozed off.

"Sounds like a plan." Ed replied before they too went to bed.

Ok, come on, who saw that coming? Also, I hope that this last bit helps explain where Joseph is in the development of things. I plan to continue his stead growth with a few jumps as I continue.
Again, I will do my best to get something up by next Friday, but no promises. Until then, please, R&R.