This chapter was relatively hard to write, just because I knew what I wanted to happen, but it was a matter of filling up the rest of the space, like the other 3,000 words… An eventful chapter, I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or any of its characters.
Chapter 19
Roy sat at his desk, shuffling through paperwork. He gathered it into a nice pile and placed it in a labeled folder. Riza had become very anal about the filing system and organization of the paperwork, if Roy slipped up she threw it away, making her superior officer redo all his work.
Roy sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He pulled another stack of paperwork in front of him and sighed in discontent as he worked diligently on the fresh pile. He was scurrying to get his work done months in advance so he could help Ed with the new baby and the kids, after all Ed was six— almost seven months along now. Roy had even been saving up leave so he could take a few extra weeks off. Ed would need all the help he could get.
He glanced at the clock sitting on the edge of his desk. He sighed tiredly; it was only 9:36. He'd been at work an hour. This was going to be a long day.
His eyes drifted over to the pictures sitting on the left hand corner of the desk. In one photo, Milo, Oliver, and Louisa sat side-by-side. Milo, who was in the middle, had a huge grin on his face, while Lulu stared blankly at the camera and Ollie chewed on her fist, her eyes unfocused.
Roy's eyes trailed over to the other picture of him and Ed. In the photo he was laughing, his face frozen in a smile. Ed's back was turned to the camera and he was looking up at Roy, his face stuck in a scowl, as he yelled at his husband. As they had been posing, Roy thought it funny to grab at Ed's ass, which caused his small husband to turn and scold him, mid picture.
He was lost in thought, dazed thinking of his family. The phone on his desk began to ring, snapping him out of his stupor. He answered, "Colonel Mustang…" he heard sobs on the other end, "Ed?" He asked.
"R-Roy…" Ed sobbed.
"Ed, what's wrong?! Are you hurt? Why are you crying?"
Ed sniffled, still crying hysterically, "Something is wrong…"
"What's wrong?" Roy asked again.
"I'm a terrible human being…" Ed wailed, "Th-ere is something… w-wrong with this baby and it's all… m-my fault." He said through choked sobs.
Roy felt relieved it was nothing urgent, only his paranoid husband. "Ed… you're not terrible…" He paused, "Did you have a nightmare again?"
Ed erupted into cries once more on the other end of the line.
"You don't have anything to worry about… the doctor at the hospital and Oliver both said the baby was fine."
There were loud sniffles, "W-will you come home?"
Roy glanced back at the clock, 9:41. "I'm trying to save leave for you and the baby…"
"I don't… c-care…" Ed managed.
Roy was silent in consideration. "Alright, I'll be home in twenty minutes… just… calm down… everything is fine… you're fine… okay?" Roy asked.
"Okay…" Ed replied, his voice rising as if trying to keep himself from crying.
Roy hung up the phone. He stood up and grabbed his coat off the back of his chair, as he slid his arms through.
The door to his office opened and Hughes slipped in. "Hey Roy, I need that— where are you headed?"
"Home… I need to go take care of Ed…"
"Is everything alright?" He asked.
"Yeah, he's just… freaking himself out…"
"Oh…?" Hughes said questioningly
"Yeah… for some reason when he's pregnant and he gets to be this far along he has these night terrors… they really get to him…" Roy grabbed his keys off the desk.
"So you're going home?"
"Of course… Ed needs me…" Roy swung the keys around his finger, "but I'll see you tomorrow…"
"You sure about that?"
"What? Yeah of course…" Roy said, opening the door, to the hallway. He left the office and headed for home.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When Roy got home, Ed was sitting on the couch, his arms wrapped around his bulging stomach protectively. His hair was tied up in a sloppy bun. The kids sat on the floor, playing with blocks. Milo was explaining the shapes to his now seven soon to be eight month old sisters.
Roy closed the front door causing Ed to jump up. He ran hurriedly to Roy's side. The pregnant blonde wrapped his arms around Roy's neck in a hug.
"Daddy's home!" Milo squealed, running to his father, wrapping his arms around Roy's legs.
Roy leaned over slightly, stroking Milo's curls. He straightened up, his hands came to rest on Ed's shoulders. "Hey… how are you feeling?"
Ed shook his head, burying it into his older husband's chest.
"Hon—" Roy began.
Ed shook his head in dismay, he lifted his head, only to reveal tears streaming down his face. "It's awful… what I dream… why do I have these thoughts Roy?! Why am I tormented this way?"
Roy placed his hand on the back of Ed's head, his other hand gently rubbing his back, "I don't know…I'm sorry…" Roy placed a kiss on top of his head. They remained unmoved in each other's embrace.
There was a tug on Roy's pant leg. He looked down seeing little Lulu, on her knees pulling on her father. Ollie was standing, clutching tightly to her mother's leg she wobbled unevenly, gurgling excitedly and drooling. Milo was still hugging tightly to his daddy's leg.
"Alright Milo… let go now…" Roy said softly. He patted his son's dark head. Roy reached down and picked up Louisa. He scooped up Ollie in the other arm. She nuzzled into her father, wiping her slobber across his uniformed chest.
Ed stood staring at their daughters in Roy's arms. He straightened up and ran his fingers through Ollie's dark hair, which was still very short. He leaned in to give Lulu a kiss, she puckered her lips, placing a sloppy wet kiss on her mother's lips. Ollie leaned in too, placing one on Ed's cheek.
Milo hugged his mother's legs, "Mommy 're you happy? 'Re you done crying?"
Ed smiled and nodded slightly, "Of course I'm happy, sweetie."
"Mommy just gets scared sometimes…" Roy offered.
"Isss…. Dah why err home daddy?" Milo stared up at his father. "no'mally, you don' come home 'til dinnertime…"
"You're right… but I came home for mommy…" Roy said. He set the girls down on the floor, they crawled back to where they had been playing with Milo.
Milo smiled, "Welcome home daddy!" He reached his arms upwards, signifying he wanted to be lifted up. Roy hooked his arms under Milo's shoulders, picking him up. Milo gave him a kiss then kicked his legs. Roy placed him back down and he ran and sat to play with his sisters.
Ed's gaze was fixed on the kids. He didn't notice as one of Roy's arms wrapped around his waist and the other rubbed his belly gently.
Ed felt the familiar sensation of fluttering in his stomach. Relief poured over him and he began to cry.
"Ed… what's wrong?" Roy leaned in, nuzzling his head into the crook of Ed's neck.
"Nothing…" Ed said shaking his head. He wiped at his eyes, "I'm just…" He sniffled, "I'm so over this pregnancy… I have mood swings left and right… I cry all the time… at everything…"
"She's probably ready to come out too…" Roy said, stroking his stomach.
Ed teared up, "But… I'm so afraid of that… what if… what if something is wrong with her? I have so many nightmares… they all seem… so real…" Ed wiped at his eyes again, "If there's something wrong with her, I'd never forgive myself…"
"Ed… she's gonna be fine… remember I told you… all of our children are fighters… they're strong. She will be too… you've felt this way for every pregnancy… and look…" Roy gestured over to their kids. Ollie was trying to slam a circle block through the triangle hole. Lulu was watching intently and Milo was trying to help his little sisters. "They're all perfect… perfectly fine, perfectly healthy… you have nothing to worry about…"
"B-ut this time…"
"This time nothing is different." Roy said. He pressed their foreheads together, gently stroking Ed's cheek. "Stop freaking yourself out… it scares me to see you this way… alright?"
Ed nodded his head vigorously.
"Good." Roy said with a smile. He let go of Ed and sat down beside his children, he began to play with them.
Ed plopped back down on the couch and watched.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A week later
Ed was sitting on the couch beside Roy. It was Saturday, he had the day off, thankfully. Ed had been feeling stiff and sore since that morning. His back was killing him, he bent and stretched trying to relieve the aches to no avail. He squirmed on the couch uncomfortably.
"Your back still giving you problems?" Roy asked, bouncing Louisa up and down on his lap. She hummed excitedly and giggled.
Ed nodded solemnly, rubbing his lower back. "This is really bad… I've never ached so much in all my life." Ed grimaced as he leaned back into the couch.
"Well… just take it easy… don't want you to throw out your back…"
"Dah-dee look!" Milo called. He was standing in front of Calces the little puppy was bigger now, the top of her head reached Milo's shoulder. She stood wagging her tail, panting. "Sit!" Milo commanded. Calces did as she was told, gazing at Milo.
"Wow Milo! Did you teach her that all by yourself?" Roy asked
Milo nodded, beaming at his father's praise. "Mommy look!"
Ed was pushing himself up off the couch, his hand still resting on his back as he tried to stand. Ed nodded his head without looking up, "Yeah… give me a minute baby…" Ed took a shaky breath.
"Ohh-leeeee!" Milo squealed, "No!" His little sister gently tugged on Calces' tail, getting the dog's attention. The dog turned to face Oliver and licked her face. "Donnnnn't" Milo whined, "Daddy!"
Oliver was giggling as she gripped onto the dog, to hold herself up, Calces still giving her kisses.
"Milo, Ollie can play with the dog too… it's alright…"
"Nooh!" He hooted.
Ed finally managed to stand up with a grimace, he held tightly to the couch for support. His bulging belly stuck out. "Milo, none of you will have a dog if you can't share… she belongs to the family, not to you…"
"You alright Ed?"
Ed's eyes were squeezed shut as he nodded his head.
"You don't look it…" Roy placed Lulu on the floor and stood up.
"I'm fine…" Ed let go of the couch and almost fell backwards. Roy caught him in a flash. "I feel feverish…" Ed said.
"Here lie down…" Roy said, trying to help Ed to the couch.
"That'll make it worse…" Ed replied. He clutched tightly to Roy's forearms. "Tea… I'm gonna make some tea…" Ed let go of Roy and wobbled to the kitchen. His husband lingering close behind. The kids could be heard gurgling and cooing at the puppy, who panted excitedly.
Ed grabbed the kettle and stood at the sink, filling it with water.
"Do you need to go to the hospital?" Roy asked.
Ed shook his head, "No…"
"Are…. You sure?"
Ed shot him a glare.
"It's just… you've been in an awful lot of pain lately… your back has been giving you trouble especially…"
"So…?" Ed asked turning off the faucet.
"So… I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried…"
"And it's a proven fact that you worry too much." Ed replied
Roy wrapped his arms around Ed's belly, stroking gently. "Well… you're so big already… and you still have another month before the C-section… are you going to be able to put up with this for that long."
Ed paused, squeezing his eyes closed. His hand flew to his stomach and he huffed for air.
"Ed!" Roy was frantic.
Ed shook his head, "I'm fine…" He stayed keeled over, reeling for breath. He straightened up and wobbled to the stove, putting the water on to boil.
Roy stared at Ed, his face covered in concern. Ed looked sickly, tired, and beat down.
Ed leaned against the counter avoiding Roy's gaze. He felt awful, his back ached, his stomach had been hurting. Like he was having major cramps. They were both silent.
A loud excited squeal resounded through the house. Calces ran through the kitchen, Milo chased after her.
"Careful sweetie…" Ed said.
"I know mommy!" He said, still running.
Roy remained silent, still watching Ed like a hawk.
"Roy… I'm fine." The water started to boil. Ed turned off the stove and pulled the kettle off. He got his cup ready and strained the herb leaves he'd become so accustomed to drinking. He went and sat at the table.
Roy pulled up a seat beside him, "I know you hate hospitals… but I'm only concerned for your health… and our daughter's health."
Ed grimaced again, his hand flying to his belly. "Guh…" He groaned in anguish. The cramps had returned, suddenly it hit Ed like a ton of bricks, "We need to go to the hospital…"
"You're agreeing with me all of a sudden…"
Ed shook his head, tears pooled at his eyes, "I'm in labor… I can't… believe this is happening again…" he whined. "It's too soon… it's not time… I'm not ready…"
"The kids…" Roy said.
Ed groaned as the contraction subsided. "We can't take them with…"
"Do we have a choice?"
"Call someone… if they can get here in fifteen minutes we'll be okay… I think…"
"You're in labor! We don't have time!" Roy exclaimed.
"Yes we do! If they come they'll be bored to tears and you'll have to sit with them…. I want you to be with me."
Roy caved. He got up and hurriedly dialed Hughes' number. "Maes! It's me… Would you mind watching my kids for a bit… Just to the hospital… Ed's in labor. Yeah, can you get here in fifteen? Great see you then…"
Ed didn't have another contraction in the span of time it took for Hughes to arrive at the house, but when he and Roy got in the car, he immediately tensed up, his body trembled with pain. Roy sped off towards the hospital.
They were only about five minutes away. Ed teared up in the front seat.
"Ed, what's wrong?"
Ed sniffled, his hand rested on his belly. "It's not time yet… This baby… they're not supposed to arrive yet..."
"Well she obviously had other plans, Ed… what do you want to do? Keep her in there?"
Ed shook his head, tears falling down his face. "What if there's something wrong? What if—"
"Don't… you're just freaking yourself out now. We're almost to the hospital… the doctor will perform an emergency C-section… she'll be alright."
Ed sniffled. He wasn't sure that was true, but he knew he was freaking out Roy, so he kept his worries to himself.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A few minutes later they pulled into the hospital parking lot. Roy helped Ed out of the car and into the building. They went to the front desk, Ed was given a wheel chair and the two of them were whisked away to the maternity wing.
Ed was given an epidural, and then was rushed into surgery. Roy sat beside Ed, the whole thing feeling surreal. It reminded Roy of when they were here for Milo's birth, but to Ed it must've been different since he was in labor this time.
Roy sat waiting beside Ed who looked like he was on the verge of breaking down, even with the epidural he still looked worried and scared and his face was crossed with unease as he lay still, his eyes heavy with tiredness.
Roy held Ed's hand up to his face, rubbing his knuckles against his cheek. It felt like forever, but eventually choked sobs sounded throughout the room. It didn't sound normal, very hushed and hefty sobs, instead of the ear piercing cries they'd become accustomed to.
"Nurse, do a full exam, make sure the baby is breathing alright…" The doctor said
Ed's head lolled over, "I-I…is my baby okay?" He asked, tears spilling down his cheeks, staring at Roy with glazed eyes.
Roy wondered the answer to the question himself, he was unsure, the baby seemed fine. He only nodded, "The nurse is taking care of her."
"Him…" Another nurse in the room corrected. "It's a boy… not a girl."
"A-A boy?" Roy asked.
"Yes… congrats…"
"A…. booooy." Ed huffed, his voice heavy with relief, his eyes fluttered shut.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ed was passed out. Roy sat beside him, clutching tightly to Ed's hand. Suddenly Ed jolted awake.
"M-my baby? Where is he?" Ed asked, looking around the room.
"He's not in here…" Roy said.
"Where is he?" Ed asked again, "Is he alright?"
"They're giving him some sort of an exam to make sure of that…"
"Have you seen him yet?"
Roy shook his head, "Only when they took him away…"
Ed settled back into the bed. Tears pricked his eyes… "He sounded…"
"…different…" Roy offered, "quieter… it wasn't really like he was crying…"
"Ohh." Ed whined, "I want to see my baby…"
"Shh… it's alright… he's fine… I'm sure of it… I'm sure…" Roy repeated. His hand gently stroked the top of Ed's head.
"He's premature… what if he's not alright?"
Roy shook his head, "They would've told us by now if something was wrong with him…"
They sat silently, each left to their own thoughts.
About twenty minutes later, there was a knock on the door and a nurse wheeled in a crib with a sleeping baby.
"Okay… so… there's good news, and… a bit of… well… bad… news…" she said.
"Your baby is not premature… as you so claimed in the paperwork… are you sure you're not mistaken on the conception date?" She handed a clipboard to Roy.
He shook his head, "No… that's right… we were trying around this time… weren't we Ed?" He offered the clipboard to Ed, but his focus was on the baby.
"Mmhmm." He replied absently.
"Okkaaay." The nurse said… "Then we're not sure about that… He would be three months premature… are you sur-"
"Yes." Ed interrupted, still staring at their sleeping son.
The nurse didn't seem to believe them, but she moved on, "Well… there is… something… a bit…" She paused, "Strange…"
This caught Ed's attention he looked at the nurse, finally breaking his gaze away from the baby. Roy listened, glancing at their sleeping son.
"Well… something— we're not sure what, is wrong with his vocal cords… he's… physically mute… I'm sorry… I'll leave you alone now… please if you have any questions direct them to a doctor or nurse…"
"Thank you…" Roy said, she nodded closing the door.
Ed was staring at their son, asleep in the crib. Roy grabbed his hand, "Ed…"
Ed sniffled. Roy hadn't realized he'd been crying. "This is my fault… this is all my fault."
"No… no it's not."
Ed nodded tears dripping down his face, "it is… its okay if you blame me."
"No Ed, I would never."
"You told me I shouldn't go… I was stupid and I didn't listen… I should have listened…." Ed wiped his eyes with his wrists.
"Ed. Listen to me now." Roy said, almost sternly as if trying to catch the attention of one of their children.
"We have him. He's healthy and alive…" Roy said. "So he can't talk. It's an obstacle we'll have to overcome… he'll learn to communicate in different ways… he'll learn sign language… we'll learn too… whatever it takes…"
Ed sniffled, nodding, "I just feel like this all could've been avoided if I hadn't touched that stupid transmutation circle…"
"Please don't blame yourself… you had a hard enough time as it is… It's not like you knew…"
Ed nodded wiping his eyes. He stared at the baby who was still asleep. He was bundled in a blanket and his head was covered with a small blue hat.
"So he's not premature… that's good… really good…" Roy said, breaking the silence that had settled between them.
Ed nodded in agreement. "It really makes me wonder what all that transmutation circle did… obviously… it sped up his development…"
Roy got up and lingered over the crib… "And… he's a boy..."
Ed smiled, "How does it feel to be wrong?"
"Honestly… I couldn't be happier…"
"You wanted a boy?"
Roy shrugged, "I wanted a healthy baby and husband… that's exactly what I got…"
Ed grinned ear to ear, his gaze shifted back to their son. "Do you think he'll ever talk?"
Roy shook his head, "I don't know… we won't know for a while…"
The little baby shook, twitching awake. He blinked, adjusting his eyes to the light. Roy smiled, still standing over him.
"He's awake." He gently lifted him up into his arms.
"Can I—" before Ed could finish asking the little boy was in his arms.
Ed cooed to him and the baby stared up at him, "Hello there…" Ed leaned down and kissed the baby's forehead, "Well aren't you a cutie…"
The baby blinked, bright blue eyes stared at Ed intently, before glancing around. Ed pressed his lips once again to the baby's forehead. "Mm. He smells so good."
Roy smiled. "He needs a name… have any in mind?"
Ed shook his head, "do you…?"
"Well… last time I suggested one… I was shot down."
"What are you talking about? You're the one who named Ollie and Lulu…"
"I mean, when I suggested Theodore for Milo, you immediately said no."
"Well… I don't like that name… give me another one…"
"Well… Jasper…"
Ed looked thoughtful, "Mm... it's alright…"
"Well… I thought we were having another girl… I didn't pick out any boy names…"
"How about… Aiden?" Ed offered.
"Aiden?" Roy said questioningly, "no… he doesn't look like an Aiden."
Ed glanced down at their son who was still staring around the room, he reached for his hat, "I'm almost afraid… he's… he's gonna have dark hair… I already know it."
Roy sat down beside the bed, leaning in close. The tiny baby's eyes darted over his father's face. Ed stared at the baby's face, "he already looks like you… same face shape and everything…" Ed pulled off the blue hat revealing a head that was covered in light blonde hair.
"Oh my gosh! Roy!" He said excitedly.
Roy smiled and stroked the light hair, "it almost looks like he's bald."
Ed chuckled, "He's a miracle…"
"Greyson…" Roy said.
"What?"
"What about Greyson? Greyson Elric-Mustang…"
"We can call him Grey… I love it!" Ed said beaming. He met Roy's gaze and they leaned in for a kiss. The tiny baby watched his parents intently from his mother's arms.
They broke apart, "Grey…" Roy said, "I'm your daddy…" Roy held out his finger and the tiny boy gripped on tightly, Roy shook his hand up and down, "It's nice to meet you."
Greyson stared at his father's finger curiously. Ed smiled and chuckled, "he's so cute."
"A little blondie… just like how you always wanted." Roy pecked Ed on the lips and smirked.
Ed nodded, gazing at the newest member of their family. There was a light knock on the door, "Come in…" Ed said.
The door opened and a flock of dark haired children entered the room. Milo ran in excitedly. "Mommy! Daddy!" He said running and diving into his father's lap.
Hughes held Lulu in his arms, she was sitting up alert, when she saw her parents a smile spread across her face, she started to coo and hoot excitedly. Ollie was holding tightly to Hughes' other hand and had one arm wrapped around his leg. He helped her to walk and she clumsily stumbled towards her parents excitedly gurgling and drooling down her chin.
"Oh my babies!" Ed cooed, making all his children wail with excitement. Milo crawled onto his father's lap and sat on his knees peering into his mother's lap. "Is dat de new baby?" He asked.
"Yes… sweetie, this is your baby brother Greyson."
"A brother?" He asked.
Roy nodded, bouncing him slightly on his lap, "Yes, your brother…"
"I thot it was anuder sister…" He said
"So did we honey…" Roy replied.
"Gaaaay-sin?" He asked.
"Yes. Greyson…" Ed answered with a smile. Do you want to see?"
"So you had a boy?" Hughes asked setting Lulu down in Roy's lap and pulling Oliver off his leg.
"Yes…" Roy said, snaking an arm around Louisa's waist. "He's mute." Ed flinched.
"What?" Hughes asked incredulously.
"Yeah… there's something wrong with his vocal chords…" Roy added.
"That's… I'm sorry…"
"Oh don't be…" Roy waved him off.
"Well… did they say… what's wrong…?"
Roy shrugged, "They don't know…"
Ed grimaced, and stared at little Greyson in his arms. The baby stared back at him, with wide eyes completely oblivious to his mother's guilty conscious.
"Hon— Ed?" Roy gently shook his shoulder. "You alright?"
"Oh… Yeah… I'm… okay…" He cleared his throat.
"Well…" Hughes began… "I think I'd better be getting home soon…"
"What? You've hardly been here five minutes…" Ed said.
"You were zoned out… It's been about twenty minutes…" Roy replied.
"Really?" Ed glanced at the clock on the wall, Roy was right. "Okay… well I guess… we'll see you soon… thanks for watching the kids…"
"Of course… couldn't exactly have them sit around here while you were both in the surgery room…"
Roy nodded, kissing Lulu on the cheek. "Yeah, well it was kind of last minute… we really appreciate it…" Roy adjusted his hold on Milo. "Sweetie, sit on the bed with your mother… be careful of the baby…" Roy helped him clamber onto the bed.
He sat beside Ed, contently, looking at his little brother. Hughes put Oliver down in Roy's lap and his arm hooked around her waist as she gurgled and drooled, smiling up at her daddy. "Thanks again." Roy said, kissing the top of Ollie's head.
"No problem, oh and congratulations… I guess… I won't be seeing you at work for a while."
Roy shook his head, "but if there's any paperwork you need me to sign… or look over, feel free to stop by or send it my way…"
Hughes nodded and waved his last goodbye before finally leaving, closing the door behind him.
Greyson's eyes drooped sleepily as he glanced between his mother and brother. The little boy yawned, tiredly. Ed rocked him gently side to side.
Milo stared at the baby and then looked up at his mother. "Mommy what does moooot mean?"
"Mute?" Ed asked, Milo nodded, "Well… it means quiet or silent."
"Grrr-eeey is moooot?" Milo asked.
Ed felt a pang of guilt, he bit his bottom lip, fighting back tears. He nodded, "Yeah… he is…" Ed looked up at the ceiling, his eyes throbbed as he tried to keep from sobbing uncontrollably. "Roy…"
Ed leaned over and Roy hurriedly sat the girls on the bed. He placed Greyson in Roy's arms.
"Are you alright?"
"I… n-need… a minute…" Ed pulled the blanket off his legs and shakily stood up. Using the bed for balance, he pulled his sweater off the hook and slid it on. He stepped out into the hall, leaving the kids and Roy in the hospital room. The door shut quietly behind him, he pressed his back up against the wall and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Tears slid down his cheeks. He sobbed quietly, sniffling to himself. There was a tap on his shoulder and he wiped his eyes and sniffled.
"Sir? Is… everything alright?" A female nurse smiled kindly at him.
Ed nodded, wiping his nose, "Oh… yeah… I'm sorry…" he shook his head.
"First time parent? We have a lot of them who cry… nothing to be ashamed of…"
"Actually… I have four…"
"Oh wow!" She said enthusiastically, "You're so young…"
Ed nodded in agreement, still sniffling, "Yeah… the first was… an accident… and the other three after that… were—"
The woman nodded in understanding... "Well, I wish you luck with your wife and new baby…"
Ed blushed, "Oh no… I'm not… I don't—"
"OH!" She gasped, covering her mouth. "You must be the man married to Colonel Mustang… you're the couple with the—" She stopped herself. "I'm so sorry…"
Ed felt a headache coming on, "There's nothing wrong with my baby!" He yelled angrily, the woman looked rather nervous. "So he's mute, he'll never talk but he's not at a disadvantage for life! He'll overcome this, so don't you dare treat him as if he's disabled!" He scowled and then retreated back into his room. Roy was staring at him wide-eyed, holding a sleeping baby in his arms, the kids sat silently gazing at their mother.
Milo was the first to speak, "oooh, dey made mommy maaaaad!" He giggled, hiding a smile behind his fingers.
Ed couldn't help but smile at his son.
"You okay?" Roy asked.
Ed nodded, "I just…" He sighed, "It felt good to let out some steam…" He walked shakily to the bed and sat down cross-legged. "Come here…" He commanded to his children. Milo crawled into his lap and sat contently, looking up at his mother. "Oliver…" he called softly. The tiny girl's head whipped around and she crawled up the bed towards her mommy. "Louisa…" A smile spread across her face and she gurgled happily, drool dripping down her chin. Ollie plopped down in Ed's lap as Louisa crawled towards him.
Roy smiled and looked down at baby Grey in his arms, "So… you certainly told that nurse what's what…"
Ed sighed, "It's like you said, he can't talk… it's not a disability and I'll be damned if people try to coddle my son because of it."
Roy smiled and chuckled softly. He placed a kiss on Grey's head. Ed watched them intently, his eyes lingering on his newborn son.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Okay. Tell me what you think. I bet nobody saw something as drastic as making their son mute happen. I debated a number of side effects, being blind, or deaf, but… I really couldn't bring myself to do it… It was hard enough making Greyson Mute… I almost switched it again last minute. Please tell me your thoughts in a review, Love you all lots, thanks for all your support. See you next chapter!