So I decided that I should finally finish posting all of these chapters. Guess what everybody? I'm on Spring Break! BOO YA! And, because I luffs you all, I decided, instead of going anywhere, I would stay home, relax, and update FANFICTION! Whoot! ..Okay, on with the story.

Lips of an Angel

Chapter Three: Meetings and Goodbyes

Ed spent hours making sure he looked presentable for his lunch with Al. He felt a bit stupid for making such a fuss over his appearance, but he couldn't stop fidgeting. He frowned as he looked in the mirror, taking in the dark circles under his eyes, the ones that had been there for days now, and his hair that had been pulled into a poorly done braid. He sighed and re-braided his hair once again, before finally giving up.

He pulled a dark blue jacket over his black tank top, and then threading a black belt though the loops of his jeans. He looked different than Al remembered and he knew it. He hadn't dressed the same since he moved in with Roy. He didn't know why, it was just the way it was. He pulled on black tennis shoes and walked out the door, locking it behind him.

Golden eyes drank in the world around him as he walked to the café. He hadn't realized until that moment that couldn't remember the last time he had been outside. He vaguely remembered walking to work, but he hadn't actually enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors in years. The thought of work made him smile a bit; Roy was at work that day, and Ed wasn't. A small victory, but, since it brought Ed an minuscule amount of happiness, he would take it. That was, until the thought of how Roy would whine about having to work more than Ed popped into the blond's mind.

Ed sighed, continuing on his way, wondering if he would make it to the café before Al. He wasn't sure if he would prefer it or not. He was scared and excited all at the same time. He was nearly shaking as he spotted the building that was his destination. In front of the café, there were five tables, umbrellas up to shade the customers from the sun. Ed was just entering the outside dining area when a voice called to him. "Ed!" Said Elric stopped dead in his tracks, looking over at the table placed directly in the middle of all the others. There sad his brother, Al, waving him over.

Ed's feet seemed to have melted into the cement, and brain and voice box seemed to have been disconnected. He couldn't move, he couldn't speak, he could barely form a thought. He just stared at his younger brother, drinking in the sight of him. The younger Elric didn't look much different, except maybe that his hair was a bit longer, and he looked older. He had also developed the laid back style of the residents of Resembool. Ed swallowed hard, before a single choked word escaped his mouth. "Al."

Realizing that his brother wasn't going to come on his own, Al went over to him. "Brother, it's so good to see you," he said with a smile. Ed mentally shook his head- Everything seemed wrong to him; everything seemed strange and unnatural, and maybe it was. He hadn't realized he was crying until arms wrapped around his shoulders. Still crying, he hugged back, but soon pulled away, looking at the ground.

"I'm sorry," Ed whispered, ashamed. "I shouldn't be crying, I'm.. I'm weak."

Al frowned at him, pity clear in his facial expression. "Brother, you're not weak. And I was crying last night, remember?"

Ed nodded, still not adverting his gaze. Al sighed and grabbed his brother's hand, pulling him over to the table the younger Elric had previously occupied. Ed soon found himself seated in a chair, Al sitting across from him. Ed's eyes refused to look up from his hands until he felt tiny arms wrap around him. He looked up, surprised, into big blue eyes. "Don't be sad," a small, high voice told him.

The one hugging him was a little girl, probably only three or four. Her light brown hair was pulled back into pig tails that fell just passed her shoulders. Ribbons curled down, entwined with her hair. She wore a light blue dress, which complimented her eyes. The oceanic orbs were filled with sadness and pity for Ed. The elder Elric suspected that the little girl would be the type of person to truly care about others, and try her hardest to make their lives better.

Ed looked at Al with confusion. The brunette was smiling back at him as though this was all completely normal. "Who..?" Ed trailed off.

A boy, who seemed to be only a year or two younger than the girl, pulled on the sleeve of the girl's dress. "Come on, Sis, I don't think he likes it..."

The girl reluctantly released the bewildered Ed, and the elder Elric turned to inspect the boy. The boy's dirty blond hair fell into his eyes where it wasn't pulled back into a short, ponytail at the nape of his neck. His eyes were brown, rimmed with dark blue. He had a frown on his face as he stared back at Ed. The boy then turned to Al. "Daddy, who's this?"

Ed felt like he was falling again- Al was a father. He had been for years, and no one had bothered to inform Ed. Winry must have been impregnated shortly after her marriage to Al. Ed finally felt that he had reached the end. In all honesty, a small part of him had been filled with hope of bing with Al again, but that hope was shattered now. Ed felt the bitter sweetness of the moment consume him. He couldn't be angry, and he couldn't really be sad. The children were beautiful, perfect. Just like their father.

Al smiled at him, that perfect smile of his. His eyes filled with warmth and love. "Well, Josh," Al said, addressing the boy. "That is your Uncle Ed."

Josh tiled his head to the side. "Uncle... Ed? That guy that Mommy showed us pictures of?" Al nodded the affirmative as the little girl rushed over, hugging Ed again.

"I'm Rayne!" she said cheerfully. Ed blinked at her, still in shock.

"Hi Rayne.." he said. She smiled at him and climbed into his lap.

"Brother, these are my kids," Al said, directing his warm smile at his brother. Ed looked over at his brother, seeing the happiness radiating from the man.

"Al, they're.." He looked down at Rayne. "They're beautiful..."

Josh made a face of disgust. "Ew! Am not!"

This brought a small chuckle from Ed, and Al laughed along. After they stopped, Rayne got her father's attention. "Daddy, you promised you'd take us to the park."

Al smiled at her. "And I will, after we eat."

Rayne beamed at him. "Okay!"

After eating, the group found themselves in Central Park. The kids were playing on the equipment, while the Elric brothers sat on a nearby park bench. They watched the kids play, an everything was peaceful. At the same time, though, Ed felt a tugging in his mind; he needed to talk to Al.

"Al..." he started softly. "Why did you call me last night?"

Al looked over at him with a frown. "I already told you that, Brother."

"But you have kids."

"I know that, Ed, but that doesn't make me content," Al said, locking eyes with his brother. "I love my kids, and I love Winry- I really do love Winry, Brother, but I love you more. Can you understand that?"

Ed shook his head. "No, I can't." It was barely a whisper. "Because there's only been you.."

"Brother, why do you stay with Colonel Mustang if you don't love him?"

Ed shrugged. "It's been like that for so long, it's almost natural. Besides, he helps me forget..."

"About me?" Al asked softly. Ed shook his head.

"About us," he corrected and then paused. "Al, how could you even think of leaving Winry for me? You have kids."

"I'm sure they'd understand, Brother," Al replied, sounding sure of himself. Ed shook his head angrily.

"And what if they didn't? Better yet, how do you think they would be treated by everyone else?" his tone was harsh, but he kept quiet so that he didn't bother the kids or any of the other families at the park.

Al's face fell. "But it's not their sin.."

"People don't care about that! Children are punished for their parents' sins all the time! They'll end up isolated, tortured because of us! Do you really want that, Al?!" Al was crying quietly by and point, and a tear ran down Ed's cheek. "I never thought you'd be so selfish.."

"What's wrong?" the children had come back. They were standing in front of the brothers, looking sad and lost. Rayne was holding a bouquet of dandelions limply in her hand, and Josh had a rock that sparkled with the crystals imbedded in its rough surface.

The Elric brothers looked up at the children, suddenly ashamed. Al held out his arms to them. "Come here." The children obeyed, climbing onto their father's lap. He smiled, wiping away his tears. "Daddy's fine, he's just really happy to be able to see Uncle Ed again."

Rayne crawled from her father's lap to Ed's, presenting him with the flowers. "Don't be sad.."

Ed hadn't realized that he was crying once again, and, even now, he didn't wipe away his tears. Instead, he pulled the girl into a tight hug, and she hugged him back, smiling sweetly. He looked teary-eyed at Al. "You have a beautiful family, Al."

Al's tears had returned as he nodded. "I know, Brother..." then, more quietly, he said, "You're a part of it too, you know.."

The children looked confusedly from their father to their uncle and back again. They couldn't comprehend what was going on, or why the men were crying. All they knew was that they didn't like it- They wanted them to be happy. Rayne hugged tighter to her uncle, and Josh snuggled into his father's lap. They looked at each other, hoping for answers, but finding nothing.

After a while, the tears stopped, and everything was quiet. It was beginning to get dark out, and Josh had fallen asleep. Rayne stared at her brother and father with heavy eyelids, half asleep herself. Finally, the silence was broken. "We should both get home," Ed said quietly. Al nodded in agreement, and they both stood up, picking up the children as they did so.

Ed walked Al to his rented apartment, still carrying Rayne. Al's train wouldn't be leaving until the next day. After putting the kids to bed, the brothers turned back to each other. Al knew that his brother wouldn't be staying long. He was sure he had his children to thank for Ed staying as long as he had. "It was nice to see you again, Brother," Al said with a smile.

Ed was looking at the floor as he nodded. "It was nice to see you and meet the kids."

"I'm not going to see you again, am I?" It wasn't really a question; both men knew the answer. "Goodbye, Brother."

Ed felt like he was exploding. He couldn't hold it in anymore. He pushed Al up against the wall, crushing their lips together. There was no hesitation from the younger brother before he was kissing back. They bother knew that this was their last chance.

Ed pulled away a minute later, staring into his brother's eyes. Al's face was flushed as he stared back. Ed pushed away, driving Al further into the wall for a second. The older brother looked at the floor, not daring to meed Al's eyes. "Goodbye, Al.." He sounded sad, and Al knew it was forever. As he watched Ed walk out the door, he knew that it was unlikely that he would ever see him again. He wished he could change the past, change the future, but he also knew when to accept his fate. His beloved brother was gone from his life.

SAD! So.. Next chapter's the epilogue.. And believe me, it doesn't get any happier. You guys can stop reading now if you so choose, but please review.