November 16th, 1963

Alyse,

I'm sorry it's been a while since I wrote. I did get your last letter, but things have been kind of nuts lately. I'm not really sure how to explain most of it either. A lot of it's combat, or sitting around in the cold freezing and waiting for combat. Fighting chimeras isn't the same as fighting soldiers, or other alchemists even, though you'd think fighting animals would be easier.

I guess the most interesting news would be that I ran into some folks from my hometown. That includes Valeria. It's funny, but I think I must have run through how I'd deal with her hundreds of times in my head over the years, and it just wasn't that way at all. She doesn't mean anything, and after seeing her I actually sort of pity her. She married a jerk, had four kids, and then the cheating bastard got himself killed even before the invasion started. She doesn't even look like I remember. This probably sounds terrible, but I also felt kind of justified. At least I've done what I said I would. Anyway, we got her and her kids out of the war zone. I'm not sure where they are now. A mutual acquaintance told me recently they headed South to stay with a friend who left town years ago.

The other person we found was my mother. I'm glad she got out, but she was ill and she passed away the night we found her. I'm not sure if it's some kind of sick joke on the part of the universe, or a blessing of some kind that I got to talk to her in person one more time. She gave me more good advice in that one conversation than she did my entire childhood. It seems weird that I miss her now more than ever, when I almost never visited at all after leaving town. It makes me wonder if I was any better a son than my dad was a father or husband. It makes me uncomfortable.

I hope you don't mind my writing you all this. There really isn't someone around here I can talk to, and writing it out to nobody just seems stupid. Besides, you're a good listener and you know the story. It's nice to know someone living who cares is on the other end. Thanks.

Regards,

Cal

November 19th, 1963

Will was grateful for the occasional special treatment the State Alchemists received. While it wasn't much, he was appreciative of anything that made things a little easier. He had never been soft. He was fit, and the last few months had put him back to where he'd been in high school, if more muscular, but that didn't mean he was prepared for the rigorous cold. The parts of Xing he enjoyed had been closer to Central in climate, and he really enjoyed the warmth of Creta. This far north was definitely not to his liking. He'd dealt with it before of course, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it. Research in Drachma had best been done in the summer!

Now, a bit north of North City in a smaller town called Prestown, he was glad that the alchemists had been offered rooms in the local hotel, at no expense to the military. Given they had just pushed the Drachmans out of the town, Will wasn't surprised. He was sharing a room with Derrick Tringham, who seemed to be very much a younger version of his father. They got along well though. If not for the fact that Kane had left Maes Mustang in North City – technically assigned to protecting the medical facility and having never changed the order – they would be sharing it three to the room.

"It's still hard to believe he left him behind," he commented to Derrick. Maes was the current topic of conversation.

"Maes was not happy when we left," Sara – perched on the edge of Will's bed – commented with a sigh. Her injuries had fortunately healed up quickly. "I don't think he realizes that Kane is doing him a favor."

"A favor?" Derrick looked puzzled as he sipped a bottle of soda. "How so?"

Sara looked like she would rather not say more, but she shrugged. "He's not in top form, especially not for him. He's already been injured twice. And, frankly, he's too invested in this on an emotional level."

"Aren't we all?" Derrick pointed out. Will sat quietly, listening to the discussion.

"There's a certain amount of distance a good soldier, and especially an alchemist, has to keep to make sound judgments on the battlefield," Sara pointed out patiently. "On top of having the necessary focus to pull of transmutations and often work in tandem with another alchemist and making sure you don't hit your own men. What we do requires a level above in concentration from most others. I think, for Maes, this isn't just about fighting Drachma. He always wants to prove himself, and with him that's not always good. I think Kane just wants him to take the time to think a little and refocus."

It made sense to Will. Apparently it did to Derrick too, since the younger guy nodded. "He is pretty intense."

A knock at the door made them all look up. "Come on in," Will called. It didn't sound like the Sky Fire Alchemist. He had a rather distinct knock that Will knew by now.

The door opened and an office aide came in carrying what looked like a telegram. "I've got a message here for Lieutenant William Elric?"

Will had been given First Lieutenant status when his uncle passed him. "That's me." He stood up from his chair and walked over, taking it. "Who sent it?"

"It came into the main communications office in North City this morning," the private commented. "I was ordered to bring it to you directly instead of sending it on with the mail."

A telegram, from home most likely, that Breda's office had seen fit to send on more urgently. Ren! That was the only news he could imagine getting pushed through so quickly. He practically ripped the telegram getting it open!

William, last night at eleven fifteen Ren gave birth to a beautiful boy. He weighs six pounds even and is nineteen inches long. Both are well. It was a relatively easy delivery. Minxia is enchanted with her brother. Ren says that his name is Michio, like you agreed. They will be coming home from the hospital tomorrow. Love, Mom

It took a moment for Will to realize his hands were trembling, just slightly, and his eyes were damp. But he was smiling.

"So are you going to tell me about my newest cousin?" Sara teased, obviously as aware of what the telegram likely held as Will had been.

Will laughed. "You can go," he finally dismissed the private. "Thank you." Then he turned to Sara. "I have a son." It seemed a wondrous thing, even already having one darling daughter, that he should have a son. "His name's Michio. I… on man I need to call Central!" He needed to talk to Ren himself. He had the overwhelming urge to hear her voice, know for himself that she was fine, that their children were fine.

He heard Sara laughing as he bolted out of the room to go find a phone. Let her laugh! He pelted downstairs three at a time and nearly ran into the man who owned the small hotel at the bottom of the stairs. "Excuse me, sir," he blurted out. "I need to use your phone… please."

The balding man looked at him with some amusement. "Sure. Must be important. You can use the one next to the front desk."

"Thank you!" Will resisted the urge to hug the man as he continued around the corner and picked up the phone.

"Operator, how may I direct your call?" A female voice came over the line.

"Operator, please put me through to the military hospital in Central." Will would have just dialed it himself, but he didn't know the hospital number off the top of his head.

It took several minutes to get from one operator to the one in the hospital, and then get himself transferred up to the maternity ward. The nurse went to see who was available.

"Hello, Will?" He recognized his mother's voice at once.

"Mom!" Will smiled. It was good to hear her too. "I just got your telegram. I had to call." The words came out in a rush. "How's Ren? How's Michio? Can I talk to Ren?"

Elicia started chuckling on the other side. "I'm sure you can talk to Ren in a few minutes. She's just about finished feeding your son. I can put Minxia on if you like."

His daughter; Will felt warm inside thinking of his family. He hadn't talked to any of them in so long! "Please."

There was a short pause and then it was clear who was on the other end as the babbling began. "Daddy! I miss you! I have a brother! He's cute and little and he cries really loud, but he doesn't do it a lot so that's okay. Mom says his name's Michio but I can call him Mich if I want. He doesn't seem to know that's his name yet though. Grandma says that's normal. Mom says if I'm really good she'll let me help changes his clothes and diapers and stuff when we get home!"

"That's great, sweetie," Will smiled, the emotional knot in his throat tightening as he listened to his little girl babbling excitedly. Even in the time he had been gone, her vocabulary and diction had improved. Her fourth birthday had been only a few days ago, when he still hadn't had a phone to call home.
Minxia babbled for another minute before she got off and Elicia took the phone back. "Did you enjoy having your ear talked off," she asked?

"I feel like I've missed so much," Will admitted, swallowing. "She's grown so much in just a few months."

"She likes to help in the kitchen now," his mother chuckled. "Okay, here's the woman I know you really want to speak to."

"You know I like talking to you too, Mom," Will objected, though he didn't complain when he heard the phone shift again.

"Hi Will," Ren's voice was like music for his heart; a soothing wash that took him away from where he was and transported him into her arms. At least in his mind. "I'm so glad you called. I wasn't sure you would be able to."

"We're in Prestown," Will told her. "Just got here yesterday actually. The man who owns the building we're staying in let me use the phone. I just got Mom's message and I nearly ran the poor manager over looking for the phone and…and damn it I'm babbling. How are you? How's our son?"

Ren giggled. "We're fine, Will, though Michio has quite the appetite. You'd think I hadn't been feeding him the last nine months."

Will chuckled. "Good for him. He'll grow like a weed."

"You keep saying that when he's a teenager trying to eat us out of the house," Ren teased, though she sounded happy and relaxed, if tired.

"I will," Will promised. He had certainly done the same to his parents after all. Not that he would mind as long as his kids were healthy and happy. "I miss you so much. I'm sorry I wasn't home."

"It's not your fault," Ren replied patiently. "You're doing something important. I'm glad to know you're safe, and I am so glad you were able to call. I can't wait for you to get to meet him."

"I can't wait either," Will replied, though he knew it would still be a while. He felt better now, for having called, but also impatient. "Tell them both I'll be home as soon as I can. I love you."

"I love you too," Ren answered, and there was a small kiss sound on the other end of the line. "Call again if you can sometime. We love the letters, but hearing you is so much better."

"I know, I will. Talk to you again soon." He couldn't bring himself to say goodbye.

When he finally hung up, he noticed Sara and Derrick were standing there.

Sara smiled. "Sorry to call you away already, but Kane wants us for a meeting. You ready?"

Will nodded. "I am." Ready, and with a new determination to end the war as soon as possible. "Let's go."

November 21st, 1963

"It's amazing how much he looks like Will, even with darker hair," Alyse marveled as she tucked her just-bathed nephew into a warm, fuzzy-footed sleeper. Ren had left the hospital yesterday, and Alyse had volunteered to come stay a few nights at her house to help out. Of course Grandma and her mother would be over a lot too during the day, but Alyse wanted to help. She loved her niece, and now her new little nephew. Minxia was always an inquisitive, clever child. Michio was sure to be little different if he was anything like his father.

"It is," Ren agreed. "He already has similar expressions. Which is good, I think. It makes him easy to figure out so far." She had just finished taking a bath herself while Alyse had helped Minxia get into her pajamas and then bathed Michio. Having helped when Minxia was little, Alyse sometimes surprised herself that she knew a decent amount about taking care of babies.

Alyse chuckled as she handed the boy to his mother. "That's good. I grew up with Will and sometimes figuring him out was interesting." She couldn't help but feel just a little envious as Michio snuggled immediately into his mother's embrace.

"I'm ready for my bedtime story!" Minxia grinned as she bounced into the room holding a large book with colorful pictures. "Can I read it to you, Aunt Alyse?"

Alyse smiled. Reading was something else Minxia was starting to do. The books had only a few words for each picture, but Minxia was proud of every page she read on her own. "Of course!"

She sat down in the living room of her brother's house; a rather enjoyable mix of Amestrian and Xingese decorating that somehow all balanced to create a relaxed and yet tasteful and current environment. Minxia dropped down beside her on the couch and began to read and Alyse did her best to focus on The Playful Lion. It didn't take long to get through. When she was done, Minxia hugged her and then Alyse helped put her to bed.

When she came back downstairs, Ren was sitting down, Michio latched firmly on her breast, sucking away hungrily. "Thanks so much for you help today," she smiled. Since it was a weekend, Alyse had not had to go into work.

"I was glad to do it," Alyse smiled, sitting down across from her sister-in-law. The last couple of days had been eye opening for her as well, in a couple of ways. The first being that this was the first time she had ever witnessed a child's birth. Ren had invited her and Lia to do so, and Alyse had decided to take her up on it; pleased and honored that Ren wanted her there.

While she had known, academically, what was involved, witnessing birth first hand had been a moving experience. She had a new respect for Ren too, even on top of the sisterly affection they already shared. Ren had stayed so calm through the whole thing, despite her obvious discomfort, and in the end, there was that tiny, wrinkled, pink-skinned crying child that was still somehow one of the loveliest things she had ever seen.

"Well I'm still allowed to appreciate it," Ren chuckled. "Will was such a help with Minxia. I could do it on my own, but I admit it's nice to be able to take it easy."

"Well you should be allowed to after doing all that work," Alyse smiled. "I can't imagine how I'd handle it."

"You find out when you find out," Ren smiled. "I didn't know until I had Minxia."

Alyse sighed and chuckled softly. "Well I think it's going to be a while before that happens." I'd need to have a boyfriend first. She hadn't been on a date since Vince broke up with her, well not that really counted. She suspected if she had called their evenings hanging out dates Calvin Fischer would have panicked like a goose come holiday season.

"You have time," Ren smiled understandingly. "In the meantime you're welcome to play with mine all you like."

"Thanks," Alyse replied with amusement. That offer helped them both after all. It was still strange to realize that, while she really wasn't ready to have them now, she did want a family, and not when I'm grown up or maybe in a few years. She was tired of just dating. The one thing she had learned from her time with Vince that she did not regret; she wanted long term. She wanted stability. She wanted a man she could settle down and raise a family and feel fulfilled with. So why is my heart wrapped around Calvin?

"I know that look," Ren commented. "You're thinking again. Got someone on your mind?"

Ren knew her too well now. Alyse saw no point in arguing that it could be what instead of whom. "Yes," she admitted. "I got another letter yesterday, finally. It was the longest one yet, and the most personal; at least on his end." She wouldn't say what specifically, but his admission of his insecurities and worries – and the comment about being able to write to her – had left her feeling warm inside, but once more confused.

"That sounds encouraging," Ren replied as she shifted Michio, who seemed to have dozed off, and was no longer eating. She readjusted her shirt. "Have you written back yet?"

"I'm planning to work on that tonight or tomorrow," Alyse replied. "I'm just not entirely sure what I'll say yet. After this one, I'm grateful, but a little worried. He's been through a lot lately… personally; more than just in combat."

"I see. Well then it's a good thing he has someone to talk to doesn't it?" Ren smiled.

Alyse nodded. "Of course, and I'm grateful it's me… I just still wonder if I'm crazy to read anything more into this."

"After Vince I can understand why," Ren replied. "But I've never seen you hesitate on anything you really wanted. Eventually you'll have to say something and discuss this or he'll figure it out anyway."

This was also true. Normally Alyse was very decisive about what she wanted. But she had thought she knew what she wanted, and had been close, and yet way off on one thing; the boy. Vince hadn't worked. Some part of her brain said Cal shouldn't work either, but the times they spent together, the way they could talk now, more upfront and relaxed, it was definitely the basis for something. And yes, Cal would figure it out if he hadn't already. He was too experienced not to. "Yes, he will," she conceded. "At least, nothing really needs to be said until after the war." Right? "It's something I'd rather talk about face to face."

"That's reasonable," Ren agreed. She shifted and stood. "He's out. I think I'm going to put him in his basinet."

"All right," Alyse watched her go, then stood up and went to put on hot water for tea. She would make sure to write back to Cal tonight, so he wouldn't have to wait too long for a reply. Personal correspondence of that nature deserved as immediate a response as possible.

As she waited for the tea to boil, Alyse realized something. I worry about my father, and Will, and the family. I haven't given barely a thought to Vince, even though he's up north somewhere. Yet a lot of my thoughts are drawn to Cal. That, if nothing else, said quite a lot.

Dear Cal,

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. You speak so well of her, I would have liked to have met her sometime. Your run in with Valeria sounds like it was difficult. Running into exes after a difficult end is often painful. I'm sorry you had to go through it, but I'm glad it seems to have gone all right. No, I don't blame you for feeling justified, but I'm glad you felt sympathy. As I have said before, you sell yourself short sometimes, but there's a lot about you that most people don't appreciate enough. She didn't, and she lost out on a lot more than just you. If you weren't at least a little sympathetic though, you wouldn't be the caring guy I know hides behind that casual façade.

I'm touched that you feel comfortable writing to me and telling me these things. I promise, not another soul will know the contents of what you write to me. Just as I have never divulged anything personal I have learned in our conversations.

My family is well and sends their regards. While you may hear before I send this, or may not, my brother's new son was born a couple of days ago. He's quite cute, and surprisingly well behaved. Of course, give him time and I am sure he will learn to be as adventurous and clever as my brother. It was an easy delivery, and I am staying over at their house for a few evenings to help Ren out with Minxia and Michio and some of the things around the house so that she can relax and rest. I enjoy it. Especially spending time with Minxia lately. She's so inquisitive, and starting to read. She loves to play games and is so much like a small adult at moments. I didn't do a whole lot of babysitting growing up; I was usually too busy. But I'm enjoying getting to spend time with her.

I hope you're staying warm. I can't imagine the food is great. My father and brother's last letters both complained about military cooking, and Uncle Edward's note straight up complained about how awful it was. When you come back, I'll make you something delicious to make up for it. Got any favorite dishes? You did know I can cook right? I just realized I'm not sure it's ever come up in conversation. I'm not quite as good as my mother or Grandma Gracia, but I've never had any complaints.

Take care. I hope this finds you quickly. I received your letter with surprising speed, so I guess communication delivery lines are running fairly well right now.

Fondly,
Alyse

November 23rd, 1963

"Aunt Lia, I'm done with my homework," Trisha said as she put the pencil down on the kitchen table in her family's kitchen.

Lia went over to look at her work. Trisha didn't have a lot of homework, but occasionally mathematics gave her a little trouble and tonight's assignment had taken a while after dinner. She picked up the sheet and looked over the equations. It only took a minute. "Much better," she smiled. "You got them all right this time."

"That's because your explanation made more sense than my teacher's," Trisha smiled. "I wish you could be my teacher."

"Isn't that what I do at home?" Lia chuckled, giving the sheet back. "I teach history and composition, not mathematics. And I'm not certified to teach elementary school. That's a lot more subjects than I teach, and all in one class."

"But you're good at it!" Trisha sighed, putting the paper in her book bag. "It just makes more sense the way you talk about it. Like when daddy helps me with my homework."

Ah, now that was a whole different story. Lia gave her a quick hug. "Well I'm glad to know I'm almost as good as your daddy is at helping with homework. So, now that you're all done what would you like to do now?" It wasn't quite bedtime, though James was upstairs putting on his pajamas. Or at least, Lia hoped he had. She could hear him playing with toys in his room. Sometimes he remembered, and other times he got distracted by fun things, like most little kids.

It was a trait she found as endearing as Trisha's surprisingly patient way of listening when Lia explained something. That, at least, she seemed to have gotten from Franz, despite being so very much like Sara a lot of the time. Or perhaps, as she had heard from Edward and Winry, Trisha really was a lot like Sara, who had apparently been a very well behaved, patient, polite little girl for most of her childhood.

Ever since Ethan and the others left, Lia had been spending a lot of time with Trisha and James. While Gracia and Elicia usually watched James during the day and Trisha was at school, Lia often took them in the afternoons, evenings, and regularly spent the night there, or had the kids at the Elric house with her. With Ethan gone, her only responsibilities at the house were making sure the dogs and the cat were taken care of, and everything stayed generally neat. That was easy when she was the only one there. It was great for getting grading done, but it got lonely quickly.

Though having so much time with her niece and nephew only whet her appetite for a family even more. She had been eager and happy when she and Ethan decided it was a good time to go ahead and start trying for a child of their own; one that would almost certainly be only the first. Lia had always wanted siblings, and Ethan agreed that two would certainly be agreeable; he enjoyed having a brother and a sister himself, even with the age difference.

It hadn't happened before the war broke out, and while she regretted that slightly, Lia knew it was better this way. Ethan would have been heartbroken to miss the pregnancy and the birth as much as meeting their child. He had gotten into the idea surprisingly easily, given how cautiously he had taken every other step of their relationship.

For him, children are a known quantity. Ethan loved little kids. He had helped deliver Coran, and Trisha, and plenty of other babies even before he finished his collegiate training. He knew more, probably, about labor and delivery than Lia did, though she and Alyse had been there while Ren was having Michio.

After witnessing that, Lia understood her husband's relative comfort with the idea. He already knew about all that, unlike most men going into starting a family. He was used to kids around and loved his niece and nephews.

"Aunt Lia?" Trisha's little hand waved in front of her face.

Lia blinked then shook herself slightly. There she went, dreaming about Ethan again. "I'm sorry, sweetie, I was just thinking about something."

"About Uncle Ethan," Trisha asked with a knowing grin. "It's okay. I think about Mommy and Daddy and everyone a lot too. But they'll be okay. Mommy said in her last letter they're doing really well."

"You're right," Lia smiled back. "I bet they're all doing great." When Trisha said it so confidently, it was easier to believe in her heart. Even knowing Ethan wasn't on the front lines right now, and his last letter declared him safe, healthy, and well-fed… well, that didn't mean she didn't worry. Who knew what could happen in a war. "Come on," she stood up. "Let's go find your brother and how does hot chocolate before bed sound?"

"Sounds great!" Trisha beamed then hurried out of the room. Lia heard her feet as she ran up the stairs and couldn't help smiling. Even with their parents off fighting, even with so many people risking their lives and so much danger not so far away, children still had time to be positive, to see the bright side, to have confidence that good would win.

Lia promised herself she would continue to do the same.


Author's Note: Another little Elric! Michio (pronounced in Amestris "Mih-key-oh"), nickname Mich (pronounced between "Mick" and "meek." So a soft lifted I more than IH or full EEE).