Edward arrived back in Kiva on a train loaded with supplies. He got off the train in a fresh uniform looking well rested. He felt kind of guilty once he saw his team. They all looked a little worn. "I'm back! And I got a shit ton of supplies. Not just for them but some items for us too. But first let's get the new staff settled in."
The fresh doctors and nurses were shown to the medical tent. The former team was relieved to finally have the help they need. Exhaustion was clearly outlined on their faces. The social workers were also there to provide aide. They would help play with the children and other tasks that the adults needed.
The animals were unloaded. Edward grabbed the reins of two large horses. Fuery was astonished. "I've never seen horses that big."
"Well these are horses used for farming, not for riding. These can pull a plow. I figured not only do we need to feed people, but they need a fresh start with farming. I also brought seeds from Amestris. I got potatoes, wheat, and oats. Here, grab this one's reins and follow me."
Edward and Fuery brought the horses to the village, where he saw Mila. Mila stopped what she was doing and ran to him. She got to him and saluted out of breath. "Sir!"
"At ease," Edward laughed.
"I'm so glad you've returned. And look at these fine creatures," Mila saw the horses.
"I figured they could use them here for plowing their fields since their horses perished. Who is willing to take them in with a barn?"
Mila brought the head villager and they figured out who would take which animals. Amestris had also donated, chickens, goats, and of course sheep from Risembool. Edward also had Mila inform them of the seeds that were brought. The villager said they would need to plant soon as the ground is soft enough.
Edward got an update from Havoc about what had happened while he was gone. Two more villagers had died due to malnourishment. Unfortunately, it had been too late for them to be saved. But everyone else was making significant progress. Even the family that was outside of the town was doing very well with their food deliveries. Edward figured he could bring a few chickens to them to keep so they could be more self-sufficient.
That night, Edward saw Mustang and Breda heading to the fire. He summoned them to help him with the special deliveries for the crew. "Perfect timing. Some of these are heavy. Here Mustang." Edward dropped a box in Mustang's arms. Mustang jumbled the box due to it's weight but he steadied his arms quickly.
"What the hell is in here?" Mustang asked.
"Just some goods for the team. They've worked hard. They deserve it," Edward insisted.
They brought the boxes to the fire. "Alright, team. I'm sorry about my absence but I hope I can make it up to you. I brought you a few items that will make this job a little easier to handle," Ed told them.
Mustang opened a crate and peeked in. "It's booze."
Edward yelled "Hey! That's for them to open!"
Havoc stood up and quickly grabbed a bottle. "It's whiskey! And not the cheap stuff! Damn colonel! You know how to make a man happy!"
Everyone else gathered around the boxes to see what treasures were hiding in them. Grey and Havoc were thrilled when they found the cigarettes. There was also foot powder, laundry soap, body soap, shampoo, and some packaged snacks.
Edward also brought a few packages to Maria and Mila. "Here. These are from my wife."
Ross opened the small box to see perfumed soap, shampoo, and menstruation products. Ross and Mila blushed while Ross told Ed "Please thank your wife for us."
Mila asks "Oh, how is Mrs. Winry doing?"
"She's doing great. Her job is going well at the Veteran's hospital. She's also really enjoying having Nik at the house," Ed told them. "Here's a picture of them."
Winry and their three children were outside, and had finished having a picnic. Edward had taken the photo before he left. Ross looked at the photo. "Nikolai has already put on some weight."
"Yeah, he's a eating machine. He's doing really well. I'm hoping he'll catch up now that he's getting regular meals."
Fuery asked "Was he behind?"
"Just a little bit. He sits up really well. Due to the malnutrition, he's behind in crawling and a few other milestones but not too bad," Ed then recalled what the doctor said about development issues but he didn't want to bring that up at a time like this. The team seemed to be reenergized.
Mustang saw the picture of Ed's family and brought out the latest one of his son. Riza took the baby to the park. He was standing while holding onto Riza. "Look! Charles is already standing."
Edward, rather than countering in their usual competition, smiled with content. "It happens so fast, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does," Mustang agreed. He continued "Riza wrote to me. She is going to invite Winry and the kids over to our home."
"Winry would love that. She would love to talk with Riza. Though I hope your house will still be standing. Thomas is a ball of energy these days," Edward commented with pride. An active boy is always something he wanted.
"Oh I'm sure Riza and Winry will keep him in line. Those are women you don't want to get angry," Mustang said.
Edward agreed. He then asked Mila "How are Boris and Olena doing?"
"They are going to adopt Olena officially. I'm glad you put them in touch with a judge to help out. Another family is going to take Boris in."
Edward was happy that they were going to have new homes but disappointed that they were going to be separated. "That's great. Though I'm surprised they didn't take both in."
"There's another Kivian family that is going to take him in. So they will still be in the same neighborhood. It's a very tight knit community. My mother is teaching them Amestrian for now until they are more fluent in it. Then they can go to school together."
"Good. I'm glad they will still see each other. Sounds like they'll be close," Edward was relieved. They had been through so much together. It would be a shame to separate them at this point.
The teams sat by the fire and enjoyed their whiskey, and home goods. It made the difficulties they had been through more bearable. The next day would begin with a new operation. To not only feed the hungry but help this community have a fresh start with new crops and livestock.
A few weeks later in Central, there was a knock on the door at a large white house with blue trim. Riza answered it. "Winry, you all made it." Riza opened the door wide for them.
Winry came in with the baby on her hip and a large diaper bag and purse. The two kids came in with Thomas holding a suitcase. "Yes, I'm glad we made it. Traveling with three kids is no joke. Though Thomas was such a good helper."
Riza looked at Nikolai. "He's so cute Winry."
"Thank you. Can you hold him? I have to get my bag from the cab." Winry gave him to Riza, and she bolted for the cab. The driver had already taken her bag out of the trunk and was waiting to be paid. Winry gave him the money and went back in the house after retrieving her suitcase.
Winry had her hair clipped up behind her head. It was in the same fashion as Riza used to wear it. It seemed easier to manage while running after toddlers and changing diapers.
Thomas asked Riza "Where's Charlie?"
"He's taking a nap so keep it down. He'll be up soon," Riza answered. "But I have something for you two. I bought you some coloring books and a new ball to play with outside. Thomas went outside to play with the ball while Lucy stayed inside and colored.
Winry took Nik back from Riza and noticed something about her that was different. "Riza, your hair! It's so short."
"Yes. I needed a change. It's just easier with Charlie. He can't pull it as much," Riza explained as she felt the back of her head where her shortened hair was.
"It's like when we first met," Winry commented.
Just then, Riza heard the cries coming from upstairs in the nursery. She excused herself and went upstairs to retrieve her baby. Winry sat on the ground with Nik and got a toy out of the diaper bag that he loved. He seemed to be adjusting to playing on the floor.
Riza came down with Charlie and sat on the floor with Nik and Winry. Lucy put her crayons down and joined to watch the babies meet each other. There were awkward looks at each other and Nik was intrigued. He hadn't seen another infant before. He reached out and touched Charlie. Charlie babbled and Nik giggled in return. They babbled back and forth and then returned to playing with toys that were presented to them.
Riza got the camera out and took pictures. "It'll be nice to send a photo to Roy and Ed. They would really enjoy it."
"Yeah, it would definitely cheer them up. I know Ed's really missing being at home," Winry said.
"So Winry, how did this happen? Roy didn't give any details."
Winry saw Lucy get bored with the babies and head outside to her brother. Winry sighed. "Well, long story short. Ed and I were actually trying to have another one but it just wasn't working out for whatever reason. So when Ed went over there and saw Nik, whose parents had died, he took him in. He did tell me that he tried to take him to an orphanage but the orphanage wasn't in good condition. And you know Ed, he has a heart of gold. He has a tough exterior that tends to hide it but underneath that, he cares deeply. He bonded with Nik, and he couldn't let go. So there you have it in a nutshell."
Winry wasn't sure how much Roy had told Riza about the deplorable conditions of Kiva so she had to be careful in how she worded things. She trusted Riza but she had promised Ed that she wouldn't say a word to anyone else.
Riza smiled. She had enjoyed Winry's story. "Well he has a good home now. His future looks much brighter."
Charlie started to crawl to his mother. Nik looked up from his toy and saw this. Nik put his hands down and shifted his legs under him. He couldn't quite figure out how to go forward though. Winry was excited. "Look at him! This is his first time on all fours." Winry borrowed Riza's camera and took a picture.
Riza was surprised at Winry's excitement. Winry had to explain that Nik was a little behind due to malnourishment so any milestone he passed was celebrated. They spent several days together doing things around Central. Winry was grateful. Her kids were having fun, especially when Riza took them to small zoo that Central had built. Winry and Riza had some wine time together after the kids were in bed. It felt refreshing to get away from her ordinary life for a little while.
Author's notes: Welcome back! I'm so grateful for the reviews from Golden Flame. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter. Also, I'll be taking a short break from this story. 503 week is coming and I'll be focusing on getting a few things ready for it. What is 503 week you ask? It's Edward and Winry week on tumblr. Get all your EDWIN gratification, whether it is fics or fanart. I know several that are planning to release a few things that week, and I plan on having a few things ready too. So stay tuned. I'll post any fics on here for it.
A story note: Edward grew up in a farming town. So I figure he has some knowledge of keeping animals and farming so he would know what animals to bring. But he will rely more on the villagers for farming. Though his mom did keep a vegetable garden, it's not the same as a whole field.