Disclaimer - I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist

Chapter Thirty-Eight - Til Death Do Us Part

Two years had passed since Nick had defeated the homunculi and returned to his home village of Resembool and life had pretty much returned to normal for the young man. He'd stayed in touch with all his friends in Central via letters and phone calls and he'd also made several trips to the capital city in order to visit all of them, especially Kaori.

The separation had not affected their friendship, in fact quite the opposite had occurred. The two had grown even closer since Nick had given up military life and left Central. Apparently not having to constantly worry about his safety had done wonders for Kaori's feelings for him.

Now, two years later, Nick was in the room that had been his as a child, packing his belongings for yet another trip. The difference being that he would not return from this one. After the ceremony this afternoon, he would not return to his childhood home, except for visits, since he was pretty sure that his parents and most assuredly Aiya would protest if he dropped completely off the face of the planet.

Nick had finished packing and was sitting on the edge of his bed when he heard a light knock on the door. Knowing immediately who it was Nick called out in a soft voice, "Come on in Aiya, I'm decent."

The door opened slowly and Aiya entered the room.

As his sister walked across the room Nick again marveled at how much she'd changed over the years. She'd been born with blonde hair but as she aged it had changed to a deep shining chestnut and she was now often told that she resembled their deceased grandmother Trisha.

"So what can I do for you?" Nick asked his little sister as she sat down on the bed beside him.

Aiya stared at the hands that she held clasped in her lap and didn't answer.

Nick leaned over and stared up into her down turned face. "All right, tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong," Aiya said quickly.

"Don't give me that," Nick said. "You can't hide your feelings from me. I've known you too long. Now spill it."

Still staring resolutely at her hands Aiya took a breath. "It seems like I just got you back and now you're going away again."

Nick nodded. "I thought that's what it might be. Don't worry Aiya, it's not like I'm leaving the country or anything like that. Hell, I'm not even leaving Resembool so don't worry. I'm sure you'll see more of me than you want to and now you'll have someone to gang up on me with. A brand new sister to aid and abet you in your torture. You'll like that won't you?"

Aiya gazed up at her brother and forced a smile. "Yea, it'll be great."

At five o'clock that evening Nick left his house and headed for the church. Everyone else had already left but Nick had stayed behind since he'd been warned by both his mother and hers that it was bad luck to see the bride in her gown before the wedding.

As he walked out the front door he whistled for Keeva.

Moments later the large furry dog came bounding around the house and ran up to him. Aiya had tied a large red ribbon around the dog's neck and Nick pulled a ring out of his pocket and tied it to one of the ribbon's ends.

"All right now Keeva," Nick said as he straightened back up. "If you lose that you and I are both dead so please don't."

The dog barked at his master.

"Come on then, we'd better get going. I don't think they'll be happy if we're late."

Nick walked to the church at a leisurely pace, since he had an hour to get there before the ceremony and as he walked he thought about what he was about to do. And with each thought he grew increasingly nervous, which didn't make sense seeing as he'd already faced down several homunculi and a crazed serial killer.

"I'm so weird," Nick thought to himself.

Keeva whined as if agreeing with him.

"Hey," Nick snapped playfully. "You keep out of this."

When Nick and Keeva arrived at the chapel they were met by Nick's dad, dressed in a black tuxedo. Ed walked over to his son and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Are you ready for this son?"

"Yes," Nick replied without hesitation.

Ed nodded. "Come on then, we'll take our places."

Nick nodded and followed his dad, with Keeva at his heels.

The guests were all seated, talking amongst themselves while they waited for the ceremony to begin. The building was packed with people many of whom were dressed in military uniforms. General Hughes, Gracia and Elicia sat near the front with Winry and Havoc and his friends were a few seats back from them.

Nick and Ed were standing at the front of the church.

Suddenly the room grew quiet as a piano began to play from somewhere out of the scene. All eyes turned toward the back of the church as the doors opened and two people walked inside.

Kaori was dressed in a beautiful white gown with a flowing veil held in place by a wreath of flowers placed upon her ebony hair. The veil was down, covering her face from view and she had her arm looped through her father's. Mustang was wearing his dress uniform as he walked his daughter down the aisle.

Nick watched from his place at the front of the church as Kaori and Mustang walked toward him. Once they reached the front, Mustang turned to face his daughter, raised her veil and kissed her forehead lightly. Then he took her hand and led her over to Nick.

Nick reached out and took Kaori's hand.

"I love you," he mouthed as she turned to face him.

"I love you too," she returned.

When it came to the part of the ceremony where Nick was to give Kaori her ring, he gave a short whistle and Keeva came walking down the aisle from the back of the church. The large white dog walked up to his master and sat down in front of him.

"Good boy Keeva," Nick said quietly as he removed the ring from the end of Keeva's ribbon.

As Nick took the small golden ring from the end of the large furry dog's ribbon there came a collective "Aaah," from the crowd. There was some whispering amongst the guests about what a great idea it had been for the groom's dog to be the ring bearer.

When the ceremony was over Nick and Kaori were the last to leave the church and as they exited a voice called out, "May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Elric."

"Present arms!"

Gen. Hughes, Col. Havoc, Maj. Fury, Lt. Griffon, Lt. Fox and Sgt. Knight stood in two lines, on either side of the steps and as Nick and Kaori descended the soldiers all raised swords and held them in the air over the heads of the newlyweds.

Nick and Kaori walked through the honor guard and approached the spot where their parents were standing together. However they stopped short when they heard the sounds of their fathers' voices raised in argument. Hawkeye and Winry were standing a few feet away from their husbands and looking thoroughly embarrassed by them.

"I know this is your fault Edward," Mustang accused, glaring at his daughter's new father in law. "I know you encouraged your son to go after my daughter, just for spite."

"The hell you say," Edward exclaimed. "Like I wanted to be linked to you in any way."

Nick's gaze immediately went to the spot off to the side of the churchyard where the two men were standing and his hand went to his forehead. "Couldn't they have at least waited until after the reception? They're making a scene."

Keeva stood beside his master and Nick had half a mind to order the dog to go after the both of them. That would teach them to behave themselves however Nick refrained from doing it and the argument continued, loudly.

Nick shook his head as he turned back to face his new bride. "You might be sorry you did this."

"Never," Kaori said with a smile, taking Nick's hand and giving it a squeeze. "We can deal with them."

Nick's gaze shifted back to their fathers for a moment and then he looked back at Kaori. "Are you sure?"

In answer to that question Kaori leaned forward and gave Nick a kiss.

"Okay," Nick murmured from around her lips. "If you really think so."

A/N - And now Ed's son is married to Mustang's daughter. Poetic justice if I ever saw it. Hope that you enjoyed. The next chapter will be the last.