Hi, guys. Here's the second chapter. I hope ya'll are liking this story so far. Oh, to answer any questions about ages you may have. Remember this takes place 3 years after the movie. But here are the answers anyway:

Edward Elric: 21

Alphonse Elric: 20

Violet Bennett: 21

Edward Bennett: 4

That's why Ed is so calm and mature…on the outside. And well, Al has always been the calm brother. (SPOILERS!!!) And I like to believe when Al crossed the Gate to our world so he could be with Ed, he changed into the proper age he should've been, which would've been 17 (he's one year younger than Ed).

Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist

We rejoin our brotherly pair in Violet's home. They have been staying with her for two weeks. Although to Violet, it seemed like the Elric brothers are enjoying their stay, looks can be deceiving. If the truth be told, one Elric brother was feeling quite melancholy. Ed knew that deep down that what Al was trying to say was in fact true, but Ed would not acknowledge it. While Ed grew farther and farther away from the kind woman, who generously let he and his brother stay in her home, and her son, Al had been spending a lot of time with Edward while Ed, being as anti-social as usual, was inside in his room looking out the window at them outside. Violet would always be outside with Edward and Al as well. Al could feel his brother's eyes staring at them when he would play with Edward, but he ignored it and went along with getting to know Violet and Edward.

It wasn't until the tenth day of their stay that the question both brothers had been wondering about appeared. It happened when Violet asked them to accompany her and her son to the local food market. They both accepted. As Violet when about her shopping, Ed and Al sat down on a wooden bench that let them both keep an eye on Violet and Edward who had gone to play with his friends in the town square. Ed was looking up at the sky, his eyes and face both seemed distant as though he was not there in mind. Al, on the other hand, was keeping tabs on Violet and Edward at all times. Yes, he was damn good at multi-tasking. He saw a man bump into Violet. The man tipped his hat and apologized with a slight bow. Violet also apologized with a slight bow as well.

Clumsy girl, Al chuckled, mentally, at the event.

That's when the question appeared in his mind.

Al looked at his older brother and asked with genuine curiosity, "Brother,"

"Yeah," Ed answered still looking at the sky.

"Where's Edward's father?"

Ed was taken aback by the question. He looked at his younger brother with the same curious look. They held each other's gaze for a few minutes. Al knew that Ed was thinking the same thing now that he brought it up.

Ed looked down at the ground and replied, "I…I don't know. Maybe he's…on a business trip."

Ed wasn't sure where the father of the unruly boy who shared the same name as him was. He was going through all of the possibilities of Edward's father's whereabouts frantically. So was Al.

Al tried to give his own opinion on the subject, "Maybe he's…umm."

He couldn't think of any reason besides the obvious one, but he didn't want to say it. Neither did Ed.

Al tried again, "Maybe he's…umm…umm"

"Oh come now, you two can't be that ignorant," a feminine voice said.

Ed and Al both jumped off the bench and turned around when the voice spoke. They came face to face with three women, all around their 30s or so, who were standing behind the bench the brothers had been sitting on. The one who had spoken had red hair that was in a bun and piercing blue eyes. She stood in the middle of the two other women who both had brown hair and green eyes, twins obviously.

"What do you mean?" asked Ed with his voice slightly raised.

The red haired one spoke again, "How long have you been staying with Ms. Bennett and her son?"

Al responded, "Ten days. Why?"

She continued, "And you have yet to see a man of the house. It should be obvious to anyone."

The woman on the left stated at that moment, "Edward Bennett doesn't have a father."

The woman on the right continued her twin's explanation by elaborating, "Violet came to this town 5 years ago already pregnant and no father for the baby in sight. Before, she lived with her aunt in Berlin then she came here. Probably couldn't handle the gossip. I mean 16, pregnant, and no husband. Have she no shame."

The trio of women laughed mockingly. Ed and Al both growled in defense of Violet. What the woman were saying may or may not be true. But it wasn't right to gossip about other people especially if that person was Violet. Violet was a nice, caring, thoughtful, and beautiful person.

"That's enough of your malicious gossip, ladies," said another feminine voice with more authority in her tone.

The trio looked back and scurried away quickly. When they left, another woman, who also looked in her 30s, appeared. She had short black hair, blue eyes, and a mole beneath her left eye. (A/N: Sound familiar?) She smiled at the brothers. Alphonse stood still, caught off guard by the kind gesture. Ed, however, narrowed his eyes still suspicious of the woman.

"I apologize for their childish behavior. It's been 5 years and they still can't get over old news. Oh, my name is Meredith Russ."

She stuck out her hand to greet them. They both shook her hand and introduced themselves.

This woman seems to know something about Edward's father, Al thought

Al decided to go on his gut feeling and asked, "Was what the ladies said about Edward's father true?"

Ed also wanted to know about that but, he was too scared to get an answer.

Meredith sighed and responded, "You shouldn't dwell on gossip. But if you two are that curious you should ask Violet herself to get the truth."

Al looked behind her and said, "I think that man behind you is trying to get your attention."

She turned around, smiled, and waved.

She explained, "That's my fiancé, Danny Bloch. (A/N: that sound familiar?) I have to be going. It was nice to meet you Edward and Alphonse Elric."

She walked away for a few steps then stopped to turn around and said, "I'm glad that you two are here. I've been watching Violet for the past few days. She hasn't been this happy since Edward was born."

And with that parting statement she left.

Violet finished shopping a few minutes later. She walked over to the town square to tell Edward it was time to leave. She walked over to Ed and Al and nearly bumped into Ed in process. She was carrying too many bags, they were blocking her vision. Luckily, Ed held her up before she lost her balance by holding her arm and waist. Al took the bags out her arms, but Ed didn't release her and Violet didn't move either. They just stared at each other dumbfounded. Edward and Al looked at each other then at Ed and Violet. Then Al coughed slightly. Violet and Ed were knocked back onto reality by this and realized what kind of position they were in and that they had been looking at each other. They both backed away with a thick blush on their cheeks. Ed took half of the bags that currently resided in Al's arms. The foursome walked home in silence. As usual, Ed and Al were behind Violet and Edward. Al wanted answers to the question that wouldn't leave him. Ed, however, would rather not dig into it.

When they got home, Al, Ed, and Violet started to put away the groceries. The fact that Edward couldn't reach any of the cupboards annoyed him so he retreated to his room. When everything was put way in the correct places, Ed and Al went to their rooms as well, leaving Violet to cook their dinner. They learned a few nights after they started staying there that Violet preferred to be left alone in the kitchen when doing the cooking.

Ed was reading a book when Al brought up the subject Ed had been hoping he wouldn't.

"Brother, do you think that we should ask Violet?" Al enquired.

Ed responded while still reading his book, "No."

"Why not?" Al rolled over on his side to face his brother.

"Because it's not our business," Ed put down his book and repeated his brother's action.

Al raised his right eyebrow to indicate otherwise. Ed grunted in response.

"This is the only way we can settle it once and for all. If it's false then what really happened happened. But if it's true then there is still a chance."

Ed stood up and said with anger and irritation in his tone, "Why must you keep denying what happened? It happened okay. I was there. I saw it. I had a front row seat."

"Brother, I'm not denying what happened. I'm just saying there's a chance…"

"No, Al! How can you be so comfortable with putting hope on this?" Ed's voice was getting louder with every sentence.

"I'm not. It hurts me too. You weren't the only one affected by it. So stop being so selfish!" Al's eyes were started to form angry tears.

Ed's voice went down to a whisper, "I'm not trying to be selfish. But…but you weren't there. You didn't see…" he sighed and decided not to finish the sentence, "And you remember how close we were."

When Ed said "we" he didn't mean he and his brother. He meant another "we".

More than you'll ever know, Al thought.

"You didn't…you didn't know how much I…" Ed tried to complete his sentences but, his heart kept breaking every time he tried to explain.

"But I did. I could see it. Remember we were close too. Just nowhere near as close as you were. She was the closest thing I had to a...well know after...her," Al explained.

At that moment, Al wanted to tell Ed what he had been keeping for 5 years. He wanted to tell him so badly. Maybe that would convince him, but Al had promised. So all he could do now was honor that promise.

Al was brought back to reality when Ed sighed and stated, "I'm going outside for some fresh air."

He walked out the bedroom door closing it behind him. He went down the stairs very quietly, not wanting to disturb Violet. When he passed the kitchen he looked into it and found Violet giving Edward a taste of whatever was for dinner. Edward gave her a thumbs up and Violet smiled. It was a peaceful scene. It demonstrated how a mother and son should relate to each other. With that pleasant memory locked in his mind, Ed walked out the door.

As Ed sat down under a large oak tree that resided in Violet's backyard, he thought about his own mother. He thought about everything that related to his mother even the bad memories of he and his brother's creation. All the happiness he and his brother felt when she was alive and the pain they had to go through when they had to get rid of the creation that resembled their mother. And with those memories of his mother came the person who wouldn't leave him alone after all this time. But Ed knew deep down that he was a little glad that he had the memories come back to him. It showed him that the person's existence never faded.

A half hour passed and Violet called Ed for dinner. Everyone was already at the table waiting for him. Dinner was for the most part quiet, give or take a few sentences passed around the table. The brothers' assisted Violet in washing, drying, and putting away dishes. Violet, after that, sent Edward to bed. Edward was reluctant.

"But I not even tired. Can't I stay up?" Edward said trying desperately to convince his mother.

"I'm sorry sweetheart but, I want you to be to be well-rested for tomorrow. Besides mothers know best," Violet said in a matter-of-fact voice.

Edward huffed and unwillingly retreated up the stairs.

Violet turned around and eeped in surprise of the Elric brothers still at the table.

"Oh…umm…is there something you two wanted?" she asked with scared smile.

Alphonse was the one to respond, "Actually, we wanted to know where…don't take this the wrong way but…where Edward's father is. We haven't seen him and you're not wearing a ring."

Violet's eyes widened slightly, but then she smirked a small smile. She sighed and sat down at the opposite of the side the brothers were sitting and said, "If we can be honest with each other, I wondering when you were going to ask that. I can guess you heard of the town gossip of Edward's father."

"Is it true?" Al asked.

Violet smiled a sad smile and said, "Yes. Edward doesn't have a father. I mean of course he has one but, we aren't married or live together."

"Did…did he leave you?" Al choked out.

This question made him feel uncomfortable asking because if so, then she went through the same thing their mother had. Al could still remember the waiting their mother had done for their father. It made him sad to this very day. Ed didn't want to ask any questions and Al knew that so he would be asking all the questions for tonight.

Violet looked at the table while she answered, "To be honest, I don't know who Edward's father is."

Ed and Al were surprised by this information.

Violet raised her head and looked at the Elric brothers as she made clear of her words, "I guess I should explain. As I said on your first night of staying here, I lived with my sister when our parents died. But when I was 14, I left to go live with my aunt in Berlin. You see, my sister was already past the proper age to marry and she had someone she loved and wanted to marry. So not wanting to be burden by being in her way, I left. My aunt generously took me in. She had no children of her own, she couldn't have any, and also her husband died many years before I came there. She was lonely and I wanted to ease that. After a living with her for a year, I wanted to journey. A few weeks after I turned 15, I told her I was going to take a trip to find myself. She told me it was a good idea and that she had gone through something similar when she was my age. I told her that I would be gone for about a year. She told me she would be waiting. So I left that week. Funny thing is, that I don't remember anything of the year I was gone. Nothing at all."

The brothers sat motionless, intrigued by Violet's story. But on the inside, they were going crazy especially Al.

Violet continued, "The last memory I have is getting on the train to somewhere. The next thing I remember is waking up on the side of a deserted road. It was night when I woke up and it was raining. It was very dark; there was no moon showing. I couldn't even see my clothes, but I could feel they were soaked. I walked into the nearest town. Weird thing was that the clothes I was wearing weren't mine. I figured I must have changed at some point. The luggage I had before was gone so I got new clothes from the townspeople. They threw away my old clothes. The townspeople also bought me a ticket to go home. They were so nice to me. I thanked them and left. When I got home, I told my aunt what happened. She thought I should've gone to a doctor but, I protested. Two weeks later, I was going down the stairs in my aunt's house with the laundry under one arm when I suddenly collapsed and fell down the flight of stairs. My aunt took me to the doctor. It was there that I found out."

Flashback

I was lying on the small cot with my aunt beside me when the doctor came in.

"Well, good news. There is no concussion or bruising for that matter. You're a very lucky girl," he said in a tone that indicated otherwise.

"But I'm afraid that I found something else. Madam, can you come here?" he asked.

Violet's aunt took a few steps forward then Violet grabbed her aunt's arm and protested, "Wait, if there something you need to tell my aunt that concerns me then you can tell us both. Is it bad?"

The doctor replied, "Well…it could be. If you want it to be."

Violet's aunt held up her hand and said, "It's alright. You can tell us both."

The doctor nodded, "Alright. Miss…it is miss correct?"

Violet nodded a slow nod.

"Miss, it seems that you are three weeks pregnant."

Violet's aunt stiffened and Violet's grip on her aunt's arm tightened.

Violet, taken aback from the news, said, "What? No. I can't be. No. No. No."

The doctor nodded and confirmed, "Yes, I made sure. You are."

Violet's aunt held Violet who couldn't believe it.

"But…but," Violet tried to complete her sentence, "But, I've never been with a man before."

The doctor said, "Your aunt said you can't remember an entire year. It most likely happened then. While we are on the topic of your amnesia, you may get your memories in a few days, weeks, maybe even years, or not at all. To get back your memories, if you want them back, I would suggest retracing your trip. Perhaps something will jog your memory."

The doctor left the room closing the door behind him leaving Violet and her aunt to converse.

"I'm sorry…" Violet was cut off.

Violet's aunt smiled at her and said, "It's not your fault. Besides, this is a good thing."

"It is?"

"Yes, you are going to bring in new life to this world. That is the greatest thing you can ever do as a woman."

Violet remembered that her aunt couldn't have children. So Violet would have the child, for her aunt. Besides it's not like she had a choice.

"Alright," Violet replied and put a hand on her stomach.

End of flashback

"It wasn't long that word spread that I was pregnant. The gossip was very quiet at first but, when I started to show that's when I would walk down the streets and hear very clearly that women were talking about me, my unborn child, and the fact that there was no father around for the baby. It got to the point where they would talk about my aunt. That's what got me angry. So to spare my aunt from all the gossip, I left. That's when I found this small town. As the pregnancy went farther, I decided to give the baby up to adoption. There was a woman who looked after me while I was in my delicate condition. Her name was Meredith Russ. She had a relative who could take care of the baby. So when the baby was to be born, it would go to them. On one condition, I was to name the baby. I went into labor in the late morning and the baby was born a few hours after. They told me it was a boy so I named him Edward. I was in a room alone except for Edward and Meredith making sure he was okay. She was smiling at him nonstop so I wanted to see him.

Flashback

"Meredith?" Violet asked.

"Hmm?" she answered while holding Edward in her arms, singing a lullaby to him.

"May I hold him?"

Meredith was slightly taken aback from her question. But she couldn't deny her request.

She turned to face Violet and smiled at her and replied, "Sure."

She walked over to Violet's bed and gently handed Edward to her then walked to her original place to organize the things that had been left there.

Due to Edward being passed to another, he woke up, but he didn't cry. Instead he looked at the woman holding him. Violet smiled at him. He kept looking at her in fascination. Then he smiled at her and stretched out his arms to reach Violet. Violet's eyes widened at her newborn son. This action made by Edward made Violet realized that Edward was her son. And that no child should ever be away from their mother. With that realization in mind, Violet decided to keep her son.

"Meredith?" Violet called.

"Yes?" She answered.

"I'm going to keep him, Edward I mean." Violet announced.

Meredith turn around quickly with surprise. She couldn't believe that Violet, 17 year old Violet, was going to raise a child by herself.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

Violet answered as she was still looking at her son, "Yes, I'm sure."

Violet held Edward closer to her. Meredith could see that Violet would never change her mind. She could also see Violet already looked like a mother because of the glow of maternal love Meredith could see that was radiating off her.

End of flashback

"I'm trying to raise Edward to be a gentleman, but I must be honest it would be easier to have a man around to help. But even if that doesn't happen, I wouldn't mind. All that matters is that Edward is here with me." Violet concluded with a smile and tears forming in her eyes.

The brothers were astounded by Violet's story. Though they could never understand all the pain Violet had gone through, they understood a small part. Ed felt sympathy for Violet and the troubles she had gone through. What Ed didn't want to dwell on was the part of her trip she took when she was 15. Al, on the other hand, wanted to know more.

"You really can't remember anything?" al asked.

Violet shook her head in response.

"Whenever I try, I get a very painful headache. Like something is preventing me from my lost memories." She answered.

Ed was the one to speak next, much to Al and Violet's surprise, "Maybe it's a good thing that you don't remember. Maybe something terrible happened when you gone and your mind is blocking the pain."

He whispered the next part, "Like the identity of Edward's father. Maybe the way you became pregnant was through a terrible way."

Violet smiled at Ed causing him to blush, "I have considered that. But I would still like to know. Just to solve the mystery. I wouldn't bother him if I knew his identity. I would just like to know."

The Elric brothers understood completely. She wanted to know so she wouldn't have that burden on her for the rest of her life.

Ed inquired another question, "So why the name Edward?"

Violet smirked, "Good question. The night before I went into labor, I was sleeping dreamlessly when…it was faint but, I could still hear it…a voice whispered, "Edward". I woke up immediately after that. I liked that name, it seemed very handsome. So I knew that if the baby was to be born a boy, his name would be Edward."

"So why are you so open with telling us all of this?" questioned Al.

"Honestly, I've never told anyone about all of this. I not sure why, but I trust you two. I know you won't try anything funny with me or my son. There's just something inside of me that tells me that you two are good people. And it feels like I can tell you two anything. It's unusual."

Not in the very least, Al thought.

Violet looked to her left and announced, "It's getting late. We should go to bed."

The brothers nodded and all three climbed up the stairs to their rooms. Ed and Al stayed up for a few hours to go over what Violet had revealed. Ed reluctantly agreed to briefly talk about it, but he wouldn't go jumping to any conclusions. Though deep down he knew that he wanted it to be true, but once again logic stood in his path.

Al sat up and began, "Brother, I really do believe it's true. I mean what more do you want? It's been admitted."

Ed defended, "But what about them? Obviously it means…"

Al cut in, "I'm not sure about that part but…"

Ed interrupted, "No, Al. You can't rationalize that."

"But…"

"End of discussion," concluded Ed.

Al gave up…for the time being. He would win this war against his brother's stubbornness. He just had to find a way to make sense of all of this. But for right now he needed his sleep. Ed, much like the first night he stayed, was having trouble sleeping. He thought over what had been revealed that night. Once again the memories came back even stronger, but Ed didn't protest to them being showed. He watched every single one unfold in front of him. Save for the dreadful memories that made Ed want to curl into a ball and die. There was one memory that favored to being showed that night. He played this one over and over. It took place in front of a river that was glowing because of the light from the full moon...

"Why do you always watch and protect over me?" the person asked

"Because I would never forgive myself if any harm came to you."Ed replied.

He savored the vision of the person's profile being shown through the moonlight. They seemed to give off an enchanting glow off their skin. Ed had never seen such beauty. The luminosity also made the person's eyes seem radiant with its color being able to be shown so clearly.

"I appreciate that. But how do you know that you're enough to protect me? I'm vulnerable. You know that and yet you're not tired of me." The person responded.

"I do get frustrated sometimes. But I promise nothing bad will ever happen to you."

"Thank you," the person bowed, "I'll do my best not to burden you with that promise."

Ed smirked and turned to leave. He knew that the person would follow him. They would follow him to the ends of the world if he told them to. What caught him off-guard was the sudden warmness in his left hand. He looked behind him and saw the person looking down at the ground while holding his hand to guide them through the darkness. He smiled and enjoyed that moment.

Ed relished the feeling of the memory made that night. Once again, he thought over the memory. This time he only shed one single tear. His heart was still shattered from the awful memories so it still hurt to see the memories of that person that has haunted him for years. But as time passed his heart was healing very, very slowly. Sometimes he thought about not healing at all, but then he remembered the promise he made all those years ago. So he had to respect that promise but, he sometimes found it impossible to keep it. Even as he slept, his mind would not let him in peace...

"Why?! Why didn't you you save me?! You promised!" screamed the person.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I should have done more. I'm sorry!" Ed tried to apologize.

"Sorry won't change anything! You lied to me! You promised!" the person continued to scream at Ed.

Ed's heart was breaking in to even more pieces. He knew that the person was right. Sorry wouldn't change a damn thing. He should have done more.

Ed then woke up from his nightmare. He was sweating and he could feel the tears that had shed while he was dreaming. Ed tried to go to sleep once again, but it was hours before he was graced with gift of slumber. Even though Ed, and everyone for that matter, thought no evil was near, they are about to be wrong.

I know it seems like I'm torturing Ed for the fun, but it has to do with story. Remember I love Ed. He's awesome. Don't worry it's going to get a bit happier in the next couple of chapters. Don't forget to review. Can anyone tell me the people from Fullmetal Alchemist that had a guest appearance in this chapter?

'Til next time,

waitingforEdward