Konnichiwa! SakuraLetters here. Not much to say for this chapter. Hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I, SakuraLetters, own nothing here but the plot and the baby. Fullmetal Alchemist belongs to the brilliant Hiromu Arakawa, not me. Carrie Underwood owns the song "Temporary Home", which provides the inspiration for this fic. Pre-chapter quotes come from the middle of the song.

Windows and rooms that we're passin' through.

-"Temporary Home", by Carrie Underwood

Winry counted the money again, making sure she hadn't missed a single cenz. After mooching off of Mr. Garfiel's kindness for damn near three years, Winry had finally managed to save up enough money to buy that apartment she had found in Central, plus enough to live on for roughly half a year, leaving her time to either set up a shop or find a job. Just a few more months, and everything would be ready for Winry and Erika to move to Central. A childish part of Winry squealed in happiness at the thought of seeing Mrs. Hughes and Elysia and Miss Riza again. Maybe I should send them a letter, let them know I'm moving to Central soon…

With that thought in mind, Winry gathered up the money and placed it back into the wooden box her mother had given her years ago. "Save enough, and one day you can have a beautiful wedding," she had said. Winry knew she would probably never have a wedding. There was only one person she wanted to marry, and he had practically dropped off the face of the earth a little over three years ago. Winry shook her head, trying to prevent her thoughts from following that particular path. She grabbed a pen and some paper, and sat down on the bed. As she debated how to start the letters, Erika toddled in, holding her teddy bear (which she had affectionately named "Mr. Snuggles").

"Mommy? What'cha doing?"

"I'm writing a letter."

"To who?"

Erika threw Mr. Snuggles onto the bed and yanked herself up. She crawled over to her mother (rather awkwardly, seeing as she was dragging the bear with her) and then sat down on her legs.

"Just to some old friends. Remember the story Mommy told you about Mr. Hughes?"

Erika's face brightened as the name clicked. "Yep! You said he was always taking pictures."

"That's right. Well, Mommy's writing to his family. His daughter is missing her daddy, too."

Erika's smile faded. She saw her mother's face; it was sad too, but she couldn't keep the questions from bursting out. "Where is Daddy, Mommy? Didn't he want me? Doesn't he love us?"

"Erika, your father loves us very much." He loved me, and I know he'd love you. "I know he would have been thrilled to know you were coming."

The two-year-old's face displayed a curious expression and she tilted her head to the side. "'Would have been'? Doesn't he know 'bout me?"

Winry tried to smile a happy smile for her baby girl, she honestly did. What resulted, however, was a sad smile that barely attempted to hide the sorrow the young mother still felt. "No, sweetie. He disappeared before I could tell him." The tears welled up again. There wasn't a trace of doubt in her mind; if Ed had known, if he hadn't disappeared, he would have spoiled Erika rotten. The thought of Ed acting like Mr. Hughes was enough to force a choked laugh out of her throat. It was an odd mix of bittersweet and comical.

"I don't hate Daddy, Mommy."

That pulled Winry out of her thoughts. She wasn't sure if she had heard the word "don't", and fear immediately washed over her. Would Erika hate Edward like he had hated Hoenheim? Did she have to take after him in that aspect?

"What?"

"I don't hate Daddy."

Relief washed over Winry. Erika didn't hate Edward. Now, she could only pray that that wouldn't change.

"Mr. Garfiel said that Daddy hated his daddy for leaving him and his mommy and Uncle Al."

Winry almost blushed in embarrassment as she remembered that she had accidently let that slip out when she had been having one of several breakdowns when she first arrived in Rush Valley.

"I'm glad you don't hate your father, sweetie. Now, come give Mommy a hug."

Erika was more than happy to oblige, practically jumping into her arms. As Winry held her daughter, that evil voice in the back of her mind started listing off a multitude of reasons why Erika didn't feel any disdain for her father. Edward had watched his father walk out of his life. Erika had only ever seen her father in pictures. Edward had been old enough to remember watching his father leave. Erika hadn't even been born yet. Hoenheim had walked out on his family, knowing full well he had children. Winry hadn't even known she was pregnant until roughly two months after Ed had left.

Still, it was comforting to know that history wouldn't repeat itself.

Please review! I have to get going; I have to do a presentation on my trip to Japan soon. See you!

-SakuraLetters