Chapter 17

Edward and Flynn were eventually married. Flynn resigned from the military completely to stay home so they could begin their family. They stayed close to Roy Mustang being two of his biggest supporters as they and the rest of the team pushed him to the position of Fuhrer.

Once Roy made it, he began to put into action all of the promises that he made through the years. He overturned the dictatorship and destroyed the military rule. He was determined to change the government into a democratic republic to offer the people freedom and prosperity they had never known. He even changed his title to President. Jean Havoc was brought back to be a member of his personal cabinet of advisors whose other members included Ed and Al. Riza Hawkeye was still his personal bodyguard and leader of the security team which consisted of Breda, Falman, and Fuery. Sometimes it was unclear who was in more danger and needed protection from whom when those three were on the job.

Flynn was still Mustang's next door neighbor. At least they lived in separate houses now. As a matter of fact, they were all neighbors. Mustang had built them all sprawling mansions to show his gratitude for helping him achieve his long time goal of being the ruler of Amestris. The only problem was that he had basically constructed a massive compound on which they all lived together. At least they had plenty of property around their homes to give them some semblance of privacy.

Flynn was working in the garden with her oldest child, a seven year old boy named Keegan who had his mother's dark red hair and father's golden eyes. She showed him which things were weeds so he wouldn't pull up anymore of her flowers. A deep sigh of contentment escaped her lips as she gathered the flowers he had pulled to make a bouquet out of them later. She heard the bubbling laughter of her second son, Alastair, who was sitting beneath the ancient oak tree in their yard playing with a litter of fuzzy kittens his cat Mirabelle had given birth to six weeks ago. He reminded her of his Uncle Al because their personalities were so much alike. Otherwise he was a perfect blend of his parents with his strawberry blond hair and hazel eyes.

"Hey, honey!" Ed yelled out the back door, stepping out onto the porch.

Flynn stifled a laugh when she saw his biggest fan and their three year old daughter, Quinn wrapped around her father's leg. Quinn loved her father fiercely and had earned the nickname Velcro Girl because whenever he was around, she was stuck to him. The child had his beautiful golden hair that flowed in long curls down her back. Her eyes were a surprising onyx color. Flynn had assured Ed that was from her father; he had those amazingly dark eyes and her dark red hair. He believed her since the child had his hair color. If she had been born with black hair, he would have been convinced that their neighbor had jumped the fence and been playing where he shouldn't.

Ed reached down to peel the child from his leg, settling her on his hip. When she was comfortably positioned, her tiny arms immediately wound around her father's neck and her cheek was pressed against his. "Quinn, sweetie, Daddy needs to breathe," he wheezed, loosening the girl's grip on his neck. "Honey, lunch is ready. Bring the kids in."

"Come on, boys! Let's go!" she announced, standing up with her basket of flowers. She didn't have to tell them twice when it came to getting them to the dinner table.

"You've got such a beautiful family," a familiar deep voice complimented.

"Hello, Roy. Why don't you come in?" she asked without even turning to look at him. "Are you hungry?"

"Starving," he answered, taking her arm in his to walk with her to the house. "I really envy your husband. He's got a wonderful life."

"He knows. If you could learn to control yourself, you could have a family too," she teased, giving him a sideways glance.

"Flynn, I'm just not suitable to be a husband. Besides, I've got too many plans and ambitions to have time for a wife," he said completely serious.

"You're right about that," she responded. The man still had big ideas and more changes he wanted to make to the world. Always striving, always pushing for more. She wondered if he would ever be satisfied or happy with anything.

"You picked up a stray I see," Ed commented when he saw Mustang following her in.

"Yeah. He just looked so pitiful and lonely I couldn't help but bring him inside," she said, yelping when Roy slapped her on the behind. Some things never change.

"Uncle Roy!" Quinn squealed with glee, running into his arms.

"Hey, Princess. Miss me?" he asked, kissing her on the cheek.

"Oh, Uncle Roy, I just saw you yesterday," she retorted, rolling her eyes.

"My god, you're like your mother," he muttered, kissing her again.

"I know! Isn't it great!" she exclaimed proudly. She wiggled out of his arms and ran to the table to join her brothers.

"So what brings you over, Roy?" Ed asked suspiciously. He knew Roy wasn't one for random social visits.

"Whatever it is can wait until after lunch. Now go sit down and let's eat," Flynn ordered.

"Yes, Mom," the two grown men quipped sarcastically.

Great. Flynn had five children instead of three.

Author's Note: I know it's a short chapter, but it's a turning point of the story transitioning it from one phase of their lives to the next. The continuation and their new beginning is dedicated to Heaven's Angel of Death. Thanks!