I long to go home Chap 3
Winry walked into the waiting room where Jade and Crystal where playing some sort of game.
" Come on girls lets get something to eat." She smiled at both of them as they jumped up and followed her.
Jade was a very outspoken up front child " So Winry do you love my-" she looked at Crystal " I mean our dad?"
Winry began to fidget a little "Uh, yes I do."
" That's great because I know he loves you very much." Jade said while pulling the strings on her dress together to tie them.
Winry thought this would be a good time to get some answers " Jade was Edward ever married?"
They stopped at a small café and went in but Jade answer only kept her wondering " No he has never been married and come to think of it he's actually never dated anyone."
They ordered their food and sat down Winry was curious about the ring still " Do you know why he wears a wedding band then."
Jade didn't hold nothing back she knew her father loved Winry he had always made that very clear to everyone and she wanted him to be happy. So she began to explain something Winry would find the most romantic thing she ever heard.
Jade put her sandwich down and looked at Winry " If you look closely at the ring you'll notice it actually two there. A big band and a smaller one that sits on top of the bigger one. I think the smaller one goes with the one he has carried in his jacket pocket for as long as I can remember. I saw it once it had a huge diamond in the center it was beautiful." Jade took a bite of her sandwich then continued her story.
" My dad told me my mom got him completely wasted on wine one night and then she put on a blonde wig I never understood that till I saw you. He said he was so drunk he envisioned her as someone else. The next morning he was so mad at what she had done that he left the clan. Only to came back six months later after hearing about Uncle Al's wife that's when he found out my mom had me so he stayed. My mom tried to get him to marry her but he told her he didn't love her. So she left us you know he always told me I was the best thing that came out of that night and the only thing he regretted was that he felt like he cheated on you. I remember when I was three and I first noticed the rings on his finger. He used to tell me his wife was an angel and she lived in another world know I know he was telling the truth. "Winry had tears flowing down her face " Oh Edward" she jumped up and told the girls to get their stuff " I have to go talk to him come on girls."
When Winry got back to the hospital and into Edwards room everyone but the kids was in there.
Winry walked in and Edward looked at her " I'm glad you're here" Then he turned and looked at everyone else "I have to explain my actions to everyone and you Winry so please let me get through this."
Edward took a deep breath " You all know I have a daughter I want to explain what drove me to make such a bold move to come back." Everyone listened with anticipation.
"Jade's mother knew I loved Winry so she got me so drunk one night and put a blonde wig on in my drunken state I saw Winry so one thing led to another." Edward glanced at Winry " When I woke up and figured out what she had done to me I was so furious and I told Al I was leaving." Edwards eyes began to tear up.
Al stepped forward "Ed disappeared for a while then after he found out about my wife Serene dying he came back. I had to tell him that Noah had Jade and out of a sense of responsibility he stayed."
Edward began to talk again " I don't ever want my daughter to know this next part because she shouldn't have to carry it around. After she was born and I told Noah I wasn't going to marry her." Edward choked up so Al took over again.
"We saw Noah throwing a basket into the river one day and that's when we heard the baby cries of a baby. Ed ran down to confront her while I jumped in and pulled Jade out." Al stopped and looked at Edward.
Edward lifted his head and through gritted teeth "She tried to kill my daughter because things didn't go her way. So I took Jade and Al and I left with our children and from that day I swore I wanted nothing to do with her or her clan." Everyone was shocked at what Edward had just told them.
Edward continued " Last week they showed up on my porch telling me they had arranged for my daughter to marry some stranger and her and her husband would have gotten money." He took a breath and continued.
"That night" then he began coughing so Al continued.
"We drew transmutation circles to figure out how to come home. Then Noah and Thomas busted through the door and he pointed a gun at Ed. Ed grabbed the barrel and warned Thomas about the ricochet but he didn't listen and the bullet hit Noah and killed her so Ed used her energy to open the gate and send us through."
Edward looked at Hawkeye " After they were gone I was shot I don't know how I got off the floor but I did. I walked over and kicked him in the face the next thing I knew I had the gun and pointed it at his head and pulled the trigger killing him instantly. Then I used his energy to open the gate again I killed someone for my own selfish needs." Edward dropped his head " I never believed in killing before but I couldn't let them get their hands on Jade."
Hawkeye walked up to the bedside " It's okay Edward you had no choice he would have killed you if you wouldn't have done it. It wasn't a selfish need it was a father protecting his child for a second time." she looked around the room "We all have killed innocent people for lesser reasons yours was a justified one."
Edward smiled a soft smile not really sure if he understood " Thanks lieutenant" Then he looked at Winry.
"Winry" She had tears flowing down her face " Why are you crying?"
She blurted " Because Edward I thought you had gone on with your life without me." she put her hands to her face.
"Winry look at me please." Edward said putting his hand up with the ring on it. Then he pulled the first band off " This band goes with the ring I carry in the pocket of my jacket" He turned to Armstrong standing next to his jacket "Major can you hand me the box in the left breast pocket of my jacket."
Armstrong nodded and did as asked he passed it to Falman who passed it to Hawkeye who handed it to Mustang who gave it to Edward. Edward opened the box and looked at everyone of his friends then back to Winry.
"Winry I wear this ring for you" he placed the small band back in the box with the beautiful engagement ring and closed it " I have waited ten years to ask you this and I don't know if it's to soon."
Winry jumped forward "NO! Edward it's not to soon what did you want to ask me?"
Edward looked into her eyes " Winry I want you to be my one and only wife."
There was a "AHHH" that came from the back of everyone they all turned and looked at Havoc. He was startled he had said that out loud at that point "I-I'm sorry my bad"
Everyone's attention went back to Winry who was now smothering Edwards face with kisses between every yes she could spit out.
"Ok everyone let's give them some time alone." Mustang said ordering everyone out.
When everyone had gone Edward got a serious look " Winry you know I'm a package deal right?"
"Edward I don't believe you just said that. You know I accept you and your daughter or I would have never agreed to marry you. Besides she needs a mothers love like Crystal needs her father love."
Edward thought for a minute then started laughing "Hey if we have another girl can we name her sapphire or emerald."
"EDWARD!" Winry slapped his shoulder then got a strange look on her face "Do you want another one?"
Edward winked at her "Hmm, It's going to be fun trying."
Winry smiled " Get some rest I think your delirious again." She turned to walk out of the room and stopped " I think your right it will be fun." then she walked out.
Edward just got on thing out of his mouth "Grrrr, yeaaah."
Later that night Edward awoke to someone in his room trying to focus his eyes " Who's there?" he asked cautiously.
Hawkeye walked out of the shadow "It's just me Edward" she was holding a bowl " I thought you might like some stew and some conversation. You looked a little out of sorts about the things you told us today."
Edward sat up " OH BOY! Stew this hospital food tastes like crap thanks lieutenant." he said holding his hands out for the bowl.
Hawkeye sat it in front of him on the tray " And no I didn't put milk in it."
"Great!" Edward started to dig in but dropped the spoon.
"Here let me help with that." Hawkeye picked up another spoon and scooped some soup into it and started to feed Edward spoonfuls of soup.
"It's good Lieutenant." Edward said wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"Edward I wanted to tell you what you did was very brave and I know you don't believe in killing but sometimes that's all we can do." getting another spoonful and putting it in his mouth "Ever since you were young you have always helped people no matter what and to protect your daughter by killing someone is a fathers duty."
"I know but killing someone wasn't what I had planned. I shouldn't have to take a life to save my daughter. I just feel like it was my fault they had to die." Edward opened his mouth for another bite.
Putting the bite in Edwards mouth "They made their choice Edward and forced your hand. I suppose Noah knew what you were capable of didn't she?" She gave him another bite.
Edward swallowed the bite "Yes she did and your right I would do anything to protect my family."
Hawkeye gave him another bite "Well then there you go, so Edward let it go you can't dwell on the people who have been killed you can only move forward and protect the ones you love." She stood up " I should be going now but I hope you understood what I said."
As she turned Edward smiled "I do understand and thanks for the stew and pep talk."
"Your welcome Edward now get better and go home." Then she left and Edward picked up the spoon and munched down the rest of the stew.
The next day Hawkeye walked into Mustangs office "Sir another women disappeared."
Mustang clasped his hands in front of his face "Another blonde I suspect?"
Hawkeye lowered her head "Yes sir."
Mustang stood up and slammed his hands on the desk "DAMN! That's ten women in two years."
It seems blonde women had been disappearing for the past two years. No one really knew what had happened to them and something was always left behind of theirs a purse, a scarf, a necklace. They had no clue where these women went or if they were even still alive. Hawkeye had volunteered a few times as bait for the person but Mustang had refused and protested.
"What was left this time?" He asked as he starred out the window.
Hawkeye laid the item on his desk " A hair clip Sir."
"I see, still no clues found?" he asked studying the clip.
" No Sir" She felt like they were letting these women down.
"Alright keep me posted I'm going to see Fullmetal." he said waking past her.
Hawkeye glanced up at him " Yes they might be letting him out today."
Mustang turned around to her "You really shouldn't be out on the street, remember you're a blonde too."
She shot him a look "Thank you for your concern but I have my guns, that's more than I can say for those other poor women."
After that they both headed for the hospital. Hawkeye drove as Mustang scanned the streets for suspicious characters.
They arrived at the hospital and went to Edwards room where they found him arguing with the doctor.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T RIDE THE TRAIN?" he was yelling at the doctor all he wanted to do was go home.
"The train ride wouldn't be good for you. You need at least another weeks rest then you can make the trip." the doctor informed him.
Edward looked at Mustang and Hawkeye "Great where am I going to stay I sent Al and Winry home with the kids already." He sat on the bed "Now their kicking me out of the hospital." He gathered his strength and stood up " Well I guess I'll just make the trip" He doubled over as a sharp pain hit him "DAMN! That hurt's" he wheezed out.
Mustang and Hawkeye both went to catch him then Hawkeye looked up "Come on I'm taking you to my apartment to recover for a week then you can make the trip."
"Wh-What" Mustang was shocked.
"He needs somewhere to stay and while I'm working he can rest." she shot a look at Mustang "Right!"
Mustang still didn't like the idea of Edward staying with her for a week. But maybe it would be good with this kidnapper out there.
"Thanks Lieutenant are you sure it's okay?" Edward asked her seeing the look on Mustangs face like he wanted to fry him where he stood.
"Yes Edward it's fine I have a spare room that's all yours." She could use the company because lately she felt lonesome in her bigger place. She knew she should have kept the other one but she hoped Mustang would have figured out his feelings for her by now.
They got in the car and Edward turned to Hawkeye "Hey Lieutenant what do you have to eat at your place?"
"Hmm, dog food." she said laughing on the inside at the face Edward made.
"Ugh" He pulled money out of his pocket "We need to go shopping."
So they headed to the market where Hawkeye and Edward proceeded to shop while Edward threw everything sweet and chocolaty into the basket.
" Edward don't you think you should get some actual food?" she picked up a candy bar "Oh can you get me this?" she threw it in the basket.
"That's the spirit Lieutenant." Edward said smiling as he went down the aisle pushing the basket " You need to let loose Lieutenant."
Hawkeye began to follow Edward as he strutted playfully down the aisle " So Lieutenant what should we get to drink with dinner ?" he held up two bottles of wine " Red or white?"
Then he looked at her hair "Uh, maybe we ought to skip the wine."
" Edward just buy the wine I'm going to be working late all this week so don't worry." then she turned and walked to the front of the store.
After he grabbed a few more things he went to the check out and paid then he smiled at Hawkeye "Come on Lieutenant were all set."
Mustang was still a little hesitant on Edward staying with her 'Am I actually jealous?' he thought to himself.
Hawkeye helped Edward unload the groceries and put them away then she showed him the spare room " I'll be gone till about seven so if you need anything just call me." she then turned to an older Hayate " Keep an eye on him boy."
Edward fell face first on the bed "Don't worry I'm going to be sleeping with all the medication they got me on"
"Goodnight Edward I'll see you later!" He didn't answer all she heard was snoring so she covered him with a blanket and left to go back to work.