I'm sorry this took so long, I've been a bit busy… I just kept putting off writing… anyways, it took me a while to decide what I wanted to put in this chapter… I wrote and rewrote a few times. After trial and error I found the direction, also with input from my sisters… AAAND! I've found your guys' name suggestions very helpful! (As those of you who submitted them will notice). Anyways, thank you and enjoy the chapter. (Sorry I didn't post this yesterday morning… I literally fell asleep at my computer.)
edit: One more thing, I wrote this chapter, catering to you guys... you all loved watching Roy try to handle the kids on his own... so... I wrote it again!
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or its characters.
Chapter 18
Milo's arms wrapped around Ed's swollen stomach in a hug. He peered at his father from the safety of his mother's lap. "Why is mommy so big?" He asked staring at his father inquisitively.
"Well Milo… mommy is growing a baby inside of him."
Milo gazed at his father, unblinking, "How 'id the baby 'et in there, daddy?"
Roy was at a loss for words. Ed looked at him raising an eyebrow, "Yeah daddy, how did the baby get in there?" There was a warning undertone in Ed's voice.
Milo stared at his father expectantly, "… I put it in there…" Roy replied hesitantly.
"How?" Milo asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Well…" Roy began. Ed glowered, warning Roy to watch what he said. "Well…" He paused. Milo stared with interest. Roy was at a complete loss for words, "Well sweetie… it happens when I love your mommy…"
"Love… Mommy?" He asked, now looking up at Ed. "Mommy?" He asked Ed for verification.
"Something like that…" Ed grumbled.
Milo stared up at his mother, his eyes filled with fascination. "'oes it hurt, mommy?" He asked, rubbing Ed's belly.
Ed shook his head, "Not in the way you'd expect sweetie…" He replied with a smile.
Milo pressed his ear up against Ed's belly. His parents sat silently watching him. There was a fuss that echoed downstairs. "Oh… Milo, get off… Daddy and I need to go get your sisters…"
The golden eyed toddler crawled off his mother's lap hurriedly. Ed heaved himself up, which was not an easy feat, being as big as he was for four months along. Roy was by his side, offering him support as they climbed the stairs to the nursery. Ollie whimpered from the crib while Lulu cried, rolling back and forth.
"Look at my girls… getting so big already…" They were six months old now… almost seven. Roy reached down, pulling Lulu into his arms. He rocked her gently cooing to her sweetly.
Ed hooked his arms around Ollie's neck and back, scooping her up and pressing her against his chest. He rocked her gently in his arms. "Shh. Ollie." She blinked away tears, peering up at her mother at the sound of her name. "I bet you pretty girls are hungry… aren't you?" Ed said, looking at Lulu in Roy's arms.
"Let's go get some breakfast…" Ed said smiling at his girls, "You're probably starving… huh?" Ed asked. Ollie gurgled in response, clapping her hands excitedly. Lulu hooted and blew spit bubbles down her chin. Drool oozed onto Roy's hand, which he ignored, used to it after having three kids.
Ed clung to the banister, carefully scaling down the stairs, Ollie entangled in his free arm, his large belly sticking out in front of him.
Roy followed behind talking to Lulu, saying sweet things to his beloved daughter. He sat her down in a highchair at the table. Ollie sat beside her in another high chair. Ed got various foods out for them, bananas, which unlike Milo, they didn't seem to care for. Cheerios, and two small dishes of yoghurt.
Milo stood in the kitchen, watching his mother and father assisting his sisters. "Mommy, I hungey!" he declared.
"What is it that you want to eat?" Ed asked. Roy helped Milo to sit at the table beside him.
"Chips!"
"No Milo. You can't have chips for breakfast." Roy said, "How about some cereal?"
Milo was silent in consideration before nodding his head vigorously, curls bouncing wildly. Roy quickly tied it up, he had become quite skilled, in the past months and was now able to tie up Milo's hair in a jiffy.
Ed set down the bowl of cereal in front of his son before sitting down at the table across from Roy. He sighed tiredly, rubbing his belly affectionately.
"Our anniversary is next week…" Roy said.
"Oh yeah…" Ed mumbled, "I almost forgot…"
"What do you want to do?" Roy asked
"Mmm…" Ed trailed off. He lifted his head, peering at Roy and the kids. "I'd like to do something with the kids…"
"Like what?" Roy asked holding up a spoonful of yoghurt for Oliver.
Ed shrugged. "What are fun things to do in town? We never really go out with them anywhere… I think they'd have fun."
Milo gasped excitedly, "Daddy!" He squealed, while trying to crawl off of his seat at the table.
"Milo sit down and eat…" Roy said, sounding a bit frustrated.
"I will!" he squealed. He ran off, both Ed and Roy sat waiting for his return. He came back holding a book. "Daddy! Look!" he said handing the book to Roy and trying to crawl back into his seat.
Roy stared at the cover, cartoon animals, sitting together, the title read, 'a day at the zoo' "You want to go to the zoo Milo?" Roy asked, absently flipping through pages.
He nodded his head while raising a spoonful of cereal to his mouth.
Ed got up, dampening a washcloth. He wiped Ollie's face which was just covered in yoghurt. She started to fuss and squirm uncomfortably. "Almost done Ollie…" He said. Ed pulled the washcloth off her face and kissed the top of her head, "There… all better."
She cooed happily while sticking her hand into the bowl of yoghurt and then sucking it off her fingers. Ed sighed, grabbing the washcloth again.
"Well Ed, what do you think of the zoo?" Roy asked offering another spoonful to Louisa.
"The zoo would be fun… but do we have a stroller? There's no way I'm carrying either of the girls through the whole park…" He wiped the mess of Ollie's hand and grabbed the spoon, presenting her with a bite. She eagerly leaned forward, messily eating.
"Are you sure you'll be okay…? I mean we'll be walking around all day and—"
"I said I'll be fine Roy, you worry too much…"
"I worry within reason… I just… I know how much this pregnancy has been hurting you…"
"Do you now? Do you really know?" Ed asked, sounding rather spiteful…
"Well… I see it…"
Ed nodded, "I'll be fine. Milo wants to go to the zoo, I want to take our kids to the zoo before we're house bound with the new baby…"
Roy nodded, "Alright… when do you think we should go?"
"Today Daddy! Today!" Milo yelled excitedly.
"Don't yell Milo…" Ed said. He looked at Roy, "We can go today I feel particularly limber today…"
"Yay!" Milo squealed, making both of his parents smile. "Luhloo! Oh-lee! We go to the zoo!"
"But first eat your breakfast Milo…" Roy said, feeding Lulu another spoon of yoghurt.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ed and Roy got out of the car, leaving their three kids buckled in the backseat. They went around to the back, Roy opened the trunk and pulled out the stroller, setting the latches up so it wouldn't fall apart.
"Now for the girls…" Roy said. Ed went to the left side of the car and Roy to the right, opening the doors and unbuckling their kids. Milo was the first out. He bounced excitedly, eager to go into the zoo already and see the animals. Ed unbuckled Louisa and pulled her out of the car.
"Hurry Mommy! Hurry Daddy!" He whined eagerly.
"Milo be patient!" Roy scolded, still unbuckling Ollie.
Ed placed Lulu in the stroller and buckled her in. He crouched down to her height, "Are you excited baby…?" He asked, running his fingers through her dark hair. She smiled a toothless grin at her mother.
Roy, having finally gotten Oliver out of her seat, placed her in the other seat of the stroller and buckled her in. "Okay, are we ready?" Roy asked, taking hold of Milo's hand.
"I think so…" Ed replied, while tucking a blanket over Oliver's legs. She kicked excitedly.
"YES!" Milo shouted eagerly.
Ed pushed the stroller and the five of them walked to the entrance of the zoo. There was a short line. They stood waiting for their turn to pay the entrance fee. They scooted up to the counter. Milo jumped excitedly, ready to bolt through the gate. Ed held him back by the hood of his jacket.
"Hello…" Roy said, pulling his wallet out of his pant pocket. "Three children—"
"How old are the little ones?"
"One, and these two are six months…" Roy said, pointing to the girls with his thumb and pinky.
"The little ones are free then!" The woman said chirpily.
"Oh-kay…" Roy replied, "then two adults…"
She pulled two tickets out and slid them across the counter, "That's fifteen even." She said.
Roy pulled out a few bills, sliding them towards her. She handed him back the change, "Enjoy your time!" She said happily. Ed let go of Milo and he bolted through the gate.
"Milo!" Roy groaned. He had already disappeared in the crowd.
"Roy, go get our son!" Ed whined, his voice filled with worry.
"I'm going…" Roy said, sprinting into the crowd.
Ed trailed behind pushing the girls, trying to follow after his husband and eager son. He finally caught sight of them. Roy was crouched down holding onto Milo's shoulders. Their son avoided his father's gaze.
As Ed approached he managed to make out some of what Roy was saying, "-ilo, you can't run off like that… what if you got lost…? Mommy and I would be very upset if we couldn't find you again…"
"Den you 'oudn't have a babe boy!" Milo said, finally meeting his father's gaze.
"That's right…" Roy shook his head, "You can't scare us like that, sweetie…" He tousled Milo's hair and placed a kiss on his nose. He stood up, holding tightly to Milo's hand.
"Everything alright?" Ed asked.
"Yea Mahma!" Milo squealed.
Ed smiled, "You ready to go see some animals?" Milo nodded his head, curls bouncing wildly. "What do you want to see first, baby?" Ed asked.
"Mmm… 'ions!"
"Okay, we'll go see the lions…" Roy said.
Ed looked around there were no signs pointing down the various paths, there were a few cages by the entrance, mostly housing various birds.
"We need a map…" Ed said, still glancing around for any sign of direction.
"Oh! There were some at the entrance… I'll be right back… Milo wait here with mommy." Roy headed back towards the ticket kiosk. Ed stood waiting, holding onto Milo's hand, and the stroller with the other.
A zoo worker approached Ed, "Afternoon sir…"
Ed didn't say anything, he just stared at the man waiting to hear what it was he wanted.
"I'm sorry about this sir, but there are no outside vehicles allowed in the park…" The man glanced at the stroller.
Ed was silent in disbelief, "Are you serious?" He asked, irritated.
"You're gonna have to rent two strollers from the zoo…"
"And why would I do that when I already have a stroller here?"
"It's the rules, sir…"
Ed sighed and unbuckled Lulu, pulling her into his arms. Milo held tightly to his mother's pant leg. Ed reached in and unbuckled Ollie, wrapping his arms around her tightly. The security guard stood watching intently.
Ed began to step on the switch that made the stroller collapse. He pushed down on the handles, nothing happened. "What?" He grumbled, clearly frustrated. He continued to step on the pedal getting continually more aggressive and irritated.
"Sir?" The security guard asked
Ed snarled, "What?" He glared at the man.
He stayed silent, afraid to speak.
Ed scoffed, "You tell me, that I can't put my children in this stroller, so I'm taking care of it." Milo hugged his mommy's leg.
"Everyone follows the same rules sir…"
"Yeah well, not everyone is pregnant trying to deal with three kids!" Ed snapped back. Tears spilled down his cheeks, people were starting to stare now, but Ed didn't care, he was pissed and this man wasn't making his life any easier. The security guard kept glancing at Ed's stomach, looking confused and rather scared.
Ed felt a hand placed on his lower back. He looked up, seeing Roy standing beside him. He pulled Oliver into his arms, relieving some of the weight Ed had to hold.
"What's the problem here?" Roy asked.
"This stroller isn't supposed to be in here… it's an outside vehicle."
Ed sniffled, wiping his eyes with his wrist.
"Oh forgive me, would you like to carry our children around the whole park?"
The man stayed silent, looking between the two men and the children.
"Then we'll be on our way thank you very much." Roy rubbed Ed's back gently, he leaned down and pecked Ed on the lips, his hand gently stroked his swollen belly.
The man stared, lingering a few moments longer before he scoffed, turned away, and headed off in a different direction. Roy fixed the stroller, and placed Ollie back in strapping the buckle around her waist.
Ed slipped Lulu in and fastened the strap. Roy pushed the stroller, Milo hung onto Ed's hand tightly
"—ucking homophobic piece of trash… making my husband cry…" Roy grumbled under his breath.
"What do you mean?" Ed asked, looking up at Roy.
"Did you see how many other couples brought strollers in? That man was giving you a hard time on purpose…"
Ed was silent in consideration, "You took care of it…" Ed placed his hand over Roy's which was grasping the handle of the stroller so tightly his knuckles were turning white. "You don't need to be mad… lets just go see the lions…" Ed said reassuringly.
"Yea!" Milo shouted, "Lions daddy! Lions!"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
They'd been at the zoo for two hours before they were done seeing all the animals. Roy toted a screaming and kicking Milo in his arms.
Ed and Roy were tired and now irritated, "Milo, we're going home. Throwing a fit isn't going to change that." Roy snapped angrily.
Milo started to cry, his screaming subsided. Choked sobs escaped his throat. Tears dripped from his golden orbs.
"Neither is getting mad, Roy." Ed said with a sigh.
Roy shook his head, "I know… I'm just… frustrated."
"Keep it together we'll be home soon…"
"Mah—ma" Milo gasped between breaths.
"What baby?" Ed asked, looking at their son. He wiped at his eyes and reached both arms towards his mother.
"Roy, I'll take Milo… you push the girls."
Roy put Milo in Ed's arms and he began to push the stroller.
Ed was wiping Milo's face with his hand, trying to get all the tears off his cheeks. "There you go sweetie…" He said with a smile, "You can't cry… We had a fun day at the zoo, you don't have any reason to cry!"
Milo sniffled and nodded, wrapping his arms around his mommy's neck. He buried his head into Ed's shoulder.
"Are the girls doing okay?" Roy asked
Ed peeked over the stroller, looking at the girls, they were both fast asleep. "Still asleep…" he said.
They passed through the exit of the zoo, and headed to the parking lot. They found the car and Ed buckled in Milo.
They piled into the car and went home.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ed sat on the couch. He was dressed and ready for his day out with Winry. She had called a few days in advance, to plan a visit to Central. She wanted to go shopping for Trisha and the new baby. Ed was anxious and eager to get out of the house and get a break from the kids.
There was a knock on the door and Ed shot up excitedly.
"I'll get it!" Milo called, running to the front door. Ed walked to the door, opening it. Milo peered around the door, shyly.
Winry smiled "Ed!" She held open her arms for a hug, "You're huge! Are you sure you're not pregnant with twins?"
"As far as I know…" Ed replied. "And you you're glowing! How far along are you?!" Ed asked, eyeing her stomach.
"Oh… six months," she said glancing down at her belly. "And you?"
"Four… almost five months." He replied.
Winry nodded, she was silent in thought before speaking, "Are you ready to go out?"
"Oh yeah!" Ed said. Roy appeared beside him, picking up Milo and holding him on his hip.
"Are you heading out now?"
"I think so…" Ed replied, "Where are the girls?" He asked.
"Eating a snack in the kitchen…" Roy said.
"Can I see them… before we go?" Winry asked.
"Oh… yeah…" Ed stepped aside, letting Winry into the house.
She smiled at Milo, ruffling his long curls, "I'm gonna convince your mommy to let me give you a haircut…"
"No…" Ed cut in, "Not happening…"
"We'll see…" She said with a smile. Winry stepped into the kitchen, "Oh! The girls are so big!" "Six months old?"
"Yeah… almost seven…" Ed said stroking each of the little girls' heads with his hands.
"Oh! Hello, Louisa and Oliver…" She said, leaning over her pregnant belly. "which is which?" She asked sheepishly.
Ed rubbed Louisa's head, "Lulu…" He tousled Oliver's hair, "Ollie."
"Oh! I hope I have another little girl!" She cooed looking at her nieces.
"No boys?" Ed asked
"Al thinks we're having a boy… but I'm sure it's another girl…"
"What about you guys…?"
"It's gonna be a girl…" Roy said.
Ed rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest.
"You don't think so Ed?" Winry asked laughing.
"No… he's just always been right thus far… it gives him a fat head."
"More for you to look at…" Roy cooed.
Ed shook his head, "Are you ready now Winry?"
She smiled and nodded, "ready…"
Ed grabbed his coat.
Roy followed him to the door, still holding Milo.
"Have fun." He said, leaning over. Ed looked up at him and Roy pecked him on the lips.
"I'll be back later…"
"Mm. Take your time…" Roy said.
"Bye Mommy! Bye Aunnie Winn-ee!" Milo said excitedly, waving his hand.
"Bye sweetie, I'll see you later." With that, Ed left closing the door behind him.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winry and Ed went to a few boutiques, finding cute dresses for their daughters.
"So… are you excited?!" Winry asked, folding a yellow onesie over her forearm.
"Of course… I can't wait for this little bugger to be out…"
"Yeah? Has this pregnancy been particularly hard on you?"
"Well… the morning sickness comes and goes… but lately I've been achy…"
"Hmm… can't say I relate… I don't have any aches, sores… sickness, nothing."
"Did you with Trish?"
She shook her head, "a bit of morning sickness… not much else…"
"You're one of the lucky ones…"
Winry nodded and smiled, digging through a pile of sundresses.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ed had been gone nearly forty-five minutes. Roy sat on the floor playing with the girls who sat opposite of him. He held up 'Milo's first alchemy book' reading it to his daughters.
"Daddy!" Milo interrupted, placing a hand on his father's shoulder. And stepping on Roy's knee.
Roy sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "What is it Milo? I'm trying to read to your sisters… it's rude to interrupt."
"Daddy… I'm thirsty."
"Where's your sippy cup?"
"'s empy!"
Roy sighed, "Okay… sit with your sisters."
Milo sat down in front of his sisters and began to talk to them.
Roy found Milo's sippy cup and filled it with water. There was a loud thump and then crying.
"Daaa-deee!" Milo called over one of the girls' crying.
He sighed, "I'm coming sweetie…"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ed lingered at a pair of matching sundresses. They were plaid, one was green and white, the other was yellow and white.
"You gonna get those for the girls?" Winry asked fanning out the skirt… "They're adorable…"
Ed nodded, still looking at the dresses.
"And if you have another girl as Roy suspects… you can hand down these clothes."
Ed nodded again, "Yeah… I'm sure he's right… He always is."
"Do you have any names in mind?"
"No… not really… have you?"
"I've been thinking along the lines of flowers… Lilly, Rose, or Violet… I like all those names…"
"Does Al have any ideas?"
"Only boy names… I think his favorites are Asher, Ian, and Noah… or Noren? Something like that…"
"Those are all cute names… I hope you get your wish, I hope you have a girl…" Ed gushed.
"What do you want?"
Ed shrugged, "I don't care really… I just want them to look like me… thus far they're all mini Roys… Just one blondie… and I'll be happy… it'd be a bonus if they had my eyes too."
"Can you imagine though… a blonde hair, golden eyed little girl… so cute." Winry said with a smile.
Ed laughed, "She would be adorable..."
Winry pulled down the sundresses Ed was looking at, "Let me buy these for the girls… my treat…"
"Oh no, Winry… really, we can affor—"
"It's not for you… for the girls… I insist."
"Well I'm gonna get you something then…"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Roy held Ollie, rocking her back and forth he cradled her head, shushing softly, trying to get her to calm down. Louisa whined on the floor and Roy hurried to find something to entertain her, before she cried too; 'cause when one of the twins cried, the other cried.
"Milo give Lulu your sippy cup." Milo did as he was told and placed his cup in his little sister's hands.
Roy shushed Oliver some more, bouncing from foot to foot gently, trying to calm his daughter. He kissed her temple, gently caressing her head. Her crying finally subsiding.
"Milo what happened?" Roy asked, "Why was your sister crying?"
Milo looked down at his feet sheepishly, "Asssiden daddy… it was assiden…" The little boy was tearing up, he obviously felt bad.
"Oh no baby… you're not in trouble…" Roy said, kneeling down beside his son. He wrapped his hand around the back of Milo's neck, gently rubbing his nape with his thumb, "I just want to know what happened… okay? If your sister is really badly hurt we need to go to the doctors…"
Milo nodded and sniffled, "I give… Ollie…" He sniffled again, "A kiss an' she fall back… hurt 'er head… daddy, assiden!"
Roy nodded and kissed Milo's forehead, "Oliver is gonna be fine baby… just a little bump on the head…"
Milo nodded and eyed his sister, sitting in his father's arms. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, "Sorrreee Oh-lee."
"Very nice… such a good big brother…" Roy said with a reassuring smile. Roy set Oliver down next to Louisa and then picked up the book he'd been reading. As soon as he held it up he had the attention of all three of his children. He began reading again.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ed followed Winry into the tool shop, she gushed over new models and what not.
"How long has it been since I bought you a bunch of new tools…?"
"Years!" She squealed excitedly. She looked around staring at all the tools… "I almost don't want to get any knowing I won't be able to use them for a few months…"
"You don't work when you're pregnant?"
"More like I can't… Al kept complaining about how worried he was… eventually he told Oliver and asked his opinion… the two of them teamed up against me."
"I know how you feel! I mean… I'm aware Roy only wants what's best for me… but he has no idea how boring it can be when you're pregnant and not allowed to do anything!"
"Ugh. It sucks…" Winry whined, examining a wrench.
"At least with the kids I'm kept busy… but…" Ed sighed, "When pregnant I need a break… being up on my feet."
"It kills" Winry sympathized, "With Trish it was terrible, but… like I said, I'm so grateful this baby hasn't caused me any problems…" Winry set down the wrench and picked up a screw driver, examining it closely. She sighed and put it down, "I'll take you up on this offer after I have the baby… how about we go to lunch instead…?" She asked.
"Oh, sure! I could eat!" Ed said with a chuckle.
"Do you have to rescue Roy from the kids anytime soon?"
Ed shrugged, "I'm sure he's handling whatever the little tykes throw at him… he told me to take as much time as I needed…"
Winry pulled Ed to the front door, she looked at the man behind the counter, "Hey! We'll be back in a few months… wait for us." She tugged Ed out the front door, a little bell jingled behind them.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Roy set down bowls of macaroni on the girls' highchair trays. "Milo, lunch is ready." He heard the sound of a toy clatter to the floor.
Milo appeared in the doorway of the kitchen. His blue puppy dog, Ish tucked under his arm. He struggled to pull himself onto the booster seat. Roy helped him up and set a bowl in front of him.
"Daddy! Spooooon!"
"Right…" Roy grabbed his son a spoon and set it down on the table.
Roy sat down, relieved, finally able to take a breath. For a split second with all his kids occupied he managed to relax. He rubbed his face tiredly and heard the all too familiar sound of a bowl clattering to the ground.
He groaned, afraid to look at the mess. "Who was it Milo?"
Milo hooted, "Oh-lee did it!"
He heard his daughters gurgling and squealing excitedly. Reluctantly he looked at the mess. Macaroni was scattered across the floor, the bowl upturned on the floor. Oliver had macaroni covering her tray. Her fingers were covered with cheese. Both she and Louisa were giggling.
"Ollie…" he groaned. Louisa scooped noodles into her mouth with her fingers. She picked up her bowl, raising it up. "Uh no. Lulu, we don't throw food. We eat it." Roy pulled the bowl from her hands and she started to fuss. He placed it on the table out of her reach.
Roy got to his knees and picked up the bowl, then he began to pick up each noddle and place it back in the bowl.
After cleaning up, he put the bowl of dirty floor noodles in the sink. He gave the girls some crackers, to munch on instead of noodles. Milo happily ate his mac and cheese. Soon after lunch the kids were ready for naps. He took the girls upstairs and rocked them to sleep while reading them a story. Milo sat quietly on the floor of the nursery.
Once the girls had fallen asleep, Roy put them in their crib. He picked up a sleepy Milo and carried him to his bedroom. "I'll see you when you wake up Milo…" Roy kissed him on the cheek and pulled the covers over his shoulders.
He stepped downstairs two at a time, eager to have just a minute to catch his breath. How Ed dealt with this everyday was a mystery to him. This was a whole new level of difficult from when they were on vacation.
The phone started Ringing and Roy's free time suddenly came to a halt. He answered the phone, "Riza… Oh, Ed's not home right now… Really? No way, of course…" Roy glanced at the watch on his wrist, "Can it be before one? Okay!"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ed and Winry walked up the front steps of the house, bags in hand. "Are you gonna be staying with us?"
"Oh no… I've been here a few days already… My train is in a few hours…"
"I only ever see you for a day at a time…" Ed whined. He opened the front door, "Do you need a ride to the station?"
"Mommeee!" Milo squealed excitedly. He wrapped his arms around Ed's legs. Then he heard it. A bark, and a whimper, then nails scraping against the wood floor. A small puppy appeared around the side of the couch.
Ed was furious… "Where's daddy?" Ed asked, looking around the house.
Milo shrugged, "dunnoooh!"
"Yeeeaaah… Ed, I'm gonna get going…" Winry said nervously, turning around and heading back down the house steps.
"I'll call you Win." Ed said closing the door. "ROOOOY!" He yelled angrily. He dropped his bags to the floor. He picked up the puppy by the scruff of its neck.
"Mommy no!" Milo whined, afraid of what his mother might do. He held onto Ed's leg, trying to hold him back.
"I'm not gonna hurt the puppy baby… your father on the other hand… I can't guarantee his safety."
Milo seemed reassured by this. He released his mom and Ed rushed up the stairs as fast as he could manage with his large belly. He practically kicked down their bedroom door. "Roy!" He circled the room dropping the puppy dog on their bed. He checked the bathroom and the closet. Roy was nowhere to be found.
He picked up the dog and walked to the balcony, "Where are you? Stop hiding!" Ed stomped, frustrated.
"Moommeee! I wan puppy!" Ed went downstairs and put the puppy down. It scurried, nails scratching on the floor as he tried to gain traction. Milo excitedly patted the little puppy. It licked his face and wagged its tail.
Ed went back upstairs. He opened the door to the nursery. The girls slept in their crib, Roy sat rocking back and forth in the rocking chair.
"You bastard!" Ed whispered angrily.
"I wasn't sure how you'd react…" Roy whispered back.
"You're hiding in here so I can't yell at you?!" Ed scoffed, "Get downstairs. Now." Ed whispered. He left the nursery and went downstairs, sitting down on the couch.
A few minutes later Roy left the nursery quietly closing the door behind him.
"What the hell?!" Ed barked.
Roy jogged down the stairs and sat on the floor in front of Ed. "Riza asked if we could take one… Her dog's mate just had another litter."
"That doesn't mean we need one…" Ed said spitefully.
Roy grabbed hold of Ed's hands. He rubbed the back of Ed's hands with his thumbs. "Sweetie..."
"Don't "sweetie" me…" Ed scowled. He tried to tug his hands away, Roy tightened his grip.
"No… c'mon… you've always liked animals… you said you couldn't have them because you were always traveling around… now you're not…"
Ed sighed and rubbed his face, "Roy…" He started, he sounded distressed.
"Look how happy Milo is… he loves the puppy… the girls will too… when they wake up…" He latched onto Ed's hands again.
"I'm gonna be the one who ends up taking care of it… and with four kids… four young kids nonetheless."
"Don't look at it as such a negative thing… the puppy will be a distraction, keep Milo busy while you have to look after this little girl and Ollie and Lulu…" He rubbed Ed's midsection affectionately.
Ed was silent. Small yips and giggles echoed throughout the house. "I don't know…"
Roy rested his head on Ed's lap. He continued to gently stroke Ed's belly. "Listen to that laughter… besides… You'd have to tell Milo he has to get rid of that dog…"
Ed sighed, "You're such a smooth talker… fine, fine. But, you're training the thing… I don't have time…"
"Oh believe me, I know… after spending a day watching those kids… everyday they're more of a handful."
Ed chuckled, "yeah… yeah…" he gently tugged on Roy's hair, running his fingers through Roy's dark locks. He leaned downward, trying to kiss Roy over his swollen stomach.
Roy leaned up and kissed him gently.
"Mommeee! Daddeee!" Milo squealed. The curly haired boy's parents broke away. Milo struggled to hold up the puppy who panted and waggled its tail excitedly. "Nae! Calsees!"
"Calces?" Roy asked, "You want to name her Calces?"
Milo nodded vigorously.
"Like… Calx?" Ed asked, "metal oxcide…?"
"Sounds like it…" Roy replied.
"Where did he learn that?" Ed asked.
"The books I read to him probably…"
"What have you been reading…?"
"Just some alchemic theory books… the term must've been mentioned." Roy looked at Milo, "Make sure you thank your mother for letting you keep Calces…"
"Tank you Mommy!" Milo said, putting down the puppy. Calces ran off to explore. He crawled up the couch and stretched his head upwards so he could kiss Ed.
"You're welcome baby…" Ed kissed Milo again, "Go watch the puppy… make sure she doesn't pee anywhere."
Milo excitedly skipped away. Roy watched a grin plastered on his face. "He's so adorable…"
"I think he does need a haircut…" Ed admitted.
"He does…" Roy agreed, "It's about time you caved…"
"I just love his curls…"
"They're still gonna be there… besides… just give him a trim…"
"Winry wanted to do it… maybe the next time we see her…" Ed said, dropping his head back.
"How were the girls today?"
"Trouble… Milo accidentally hurt Ollie's head so she was crying—"
"She's okay, right?!" Ed asked.
Roy heard the panic rising in Ed's voice, "She's fine… just a little bump…" That made Ed relax a bit, "Do you have that little faith in me?" Roy asked.
"No… I don't doubt your parenting skills… I just worry… you tell me our daughter hurt her head, of course I'm gonna worry."
"Speaking of our daughters… they're gonna be crawling in a month or so…"
"Yeah?" Ed asked, smiling.
"Ye—" there was a loud thump, then Milo giggling. Roy continued, "Yeah… they get on their hands and knees… those girls are rearing to go…"
Ed nodded in agreement. "It's only gonna get harder from there…"
Roy laced his fingers around Ed's neck and pulled him towards him, placing another kiss on his lips. Ed finally pulled away, wanting to catch his breath.
"How was your day with Winry? Buy anything?"
"Oh yeah!" Ed replied happily. He stood up, and went to where he placed his bags at the front door. He pulled out the dresses.
"Those are cute…"
"I know… Winry bought them for the girls…"
"Mm." Roy ran his fingers over the fabric. "cute…"
"And this is for you!" Ed pulled out a pack of briefs, handing them to Roy.
"Wow… underwear, I'm thrilled."
"You don't like to go shopping… and you need more underwear so I did you a favor."
Roy looked at the pack of underwear, "I was expecting something a bit more… exciting…"
"I was trying to do something nice for you…"
"Yeah… and underwear shopping is such an intimate thing…"
"Well, I'm your husband and I had children… your children it doesn't get much more intimate than that… does it…?"
"Still… this is embarrassing…"
Ed scoffed, "I try to do something nice for you… and you're a jerk." He pulled the package of briefs out of his hands. "You're so… so—so unappreciative." Ed teared up. "I'll never do anything nice for you again…" Ed said, angrily throwing them back into the bag.
"No Ed…" Roy reached for his hand, tugging back into his lap. He wrapped his arms around Ed's arms and shoulders.
Ed squirmed in protest, "Tch. You asshole…! Let me go…" His tears pooled over, spilling down his cheeks.
"No," Roy said. "I need you to hear me…" He kissed Ed's temple. "I'm thankful… you saved me time… doing something I hate doing… I'm sorry I was an ass about it… it's just embarrassing thinking about you and Winry picking out my underwear…"
Ed sniffled, "Why does it matter…?"
"Well... like I said… it's intimate, you shared that intimacy with Winry…"
Ed wiped his eyes, "She probably thought they were for me…" He leaned his head back onto Roy's shoulder. He closed his eyes. They could hear the puppy skittering around the house. Milo's heavy footsteps chased after.
Ed sighed, "Oh… it's been a long day…"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
So much happened this chapter! Yay! I hope you liked it, It was fun to write, after I found a definitive direction. Anyways. Thanks for reading. I love and appreciate all of your guys' dedication and support. Please continue to read and favorite, follow, all that good stuff. Please please please review, it really gives me a lot of motivation.