Wow, so okay, 7965 words 20 pages. I'm sorry this took so long to get out, I've been balancing school and writing, (The scale has been tipping towards writing though.) Anyways, please enjoy this chapter that I'm not posting at 4 in the god damn morning… (Be proud of me!) I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or characters.
Chapter 28
"Okay Milo, we have your presents. Sit on the couch, Mommy and I are going to go get them…" Roy said.
Milo sat on the couch excitedly, his black curls bouncing, big gold eyes watching excitedly. "C'mon Cal!" He patted the spot beside him and she jumped up on the couch, curling up. Lulu and Oliver climbed onto the other side, sitting beside their brother.
"No. Calces has to come with me, she has a present to give you too Milo." Roy snapped his fingers and Cal got up to follow him.
Milo squealed, "What'd you get me Cal?!" He was leaning off the edge of the couch reaching for his beloved puppy.
Ollie and Lulu sat together, hand in hand. Both of their dark charcoal eyes were focused on their father.
"Girls make sure your brother doesn't peek."
Lulu nodded.
"Oh-taaay!" Ollie sang in response.
Roy left to the office with Calces where Ed wrestled with ribbon, little tiny Grey sat watching his mother with observant eyes, he chortled and croaked a laugh every once in a while. Cal made herself comfortable and curled around Grey, like a pillow, if he were to fall he would fall on her.
"You alright there, hon?" Roy asked.
Ed sighed, "I'm not sure how to wrap this stupid tiny toy… I was just gonna put a bow and some ribbon it, but the ribbon is tangled beyond belief and now I'm irritated and frustrated." He sighed tiredly.
"It's fine" Roy said with a chuckle, he picked up their infant son, holding him close, pressing gentle kisses to the top of his head, stroking his blonde hair.
Ed sighed and put a bow on the toy train, leaving it at that. He picked up the blue rubber ball and held it out to Calces who sniffed it cautiously before taking it in her mouth. He took the other small model toy train and put another bow on this.
"Roy, this isn't fun… little kids like opening presents…" Ed whined, looking at the two toy trains which were both unwrapped.
Roy picked up one of the trains and held it examining it, he offered it to Grey who took it and shook excitedly in his father's arms. He then proceeded to suck on it.
"See? Greyson doesn't mind that it's not wrapped."
Ed sighed "it'll have to do…" He struggled to get to his feet.
"Ready?" Roy asked. Ed nodded and he opened the office door adjusting his hold on Grey.
"I'm sorry your birthday presents are late Milo…" Ed said.
"Is okay Mommee!" Milo squealed, at this point, he uncovered his eyes. "Cal what do you have for me?!" He asked.
Wagging excitedly, Cal made her way to Milo, still carrying the ball in her mouth.
"Give. Give it. Caaaal giiiiiive." Milo whined. She dropped the ball into his hand. "Ooh a ball!" Milo raised his arm.
"Not inside the house!" Ed said holding up his arms
"Milo listen to your mother." Roy said sternly and the boy's arm fell, the ball dropping to the floor and rolling away. Cal scurried to pick it back up and she wandered away, ball in mouth.
"This next one is from your brother and sisters." Roy said. He kneeled down, holding Grey on his knee. The baby boy was contently chewing on the train.
"Where is it?" Milo asked
"Your brother is chewing on it…" Ed said.
"Greeey…" Milo whined, "Can you give it to me?"
Grey didn't give it.
Milo reached over and pulled it from his brother's mouth, he fought to pull it from his brother's hands.
"Milo let your brother have it, he's happy right now." Roy said.
"Daddy is' my toy!" Milo said through gritted teeth. Finally he pulled it away.
Grey's face fell. Whispy gurgles of cries escaped his throat. Large tears fell from his round golden eyes.
Roy sighed, "Milo, you don't behave like that. You have to share with your brother and sisters." He held Grey close, the baby's head rested on his shoulder as he pat his back and cooed to his son.
"Milo you can't just take what you want... It doesn't work like that… you ask nicely…" Ed said, looking at his son, who was avoiding his gaze.
Eventually, he slid off the couch and went to where his father paced around, still trying to get Grey to stop crying.
"Dahdee…" Milo said softly. His father didn't respond and continued to pace, still speaking to Grey in a hushed tone.
"Daddy…" Milo tried again, a little more confidently.
"Hm? What is it Milo?" Roy asked, looking down at his son.
"Um…" Milo looked up at his father, "I-I wanted to play with Grey." He said reaching for his brother's little foot. He was just barely able to grab his toes.
Grey looked down at his big brother, hearing him and also feeling his toes being tugged on. Their matching golden eyes met and Grey began to smile a toothless grin. Making Milo smile too. The little baby began to chortle and croak with laughter.
Roy ran his fingers through Grey's blonde locks, giving him a smooch on his cheek.
Milo sat down on the floor and Roy set Grey down beside him. The black haired brother ran the train along the floor. "Choo. Choo." Milo said. Grey snorted and chortled making noises that were his version of laughter.
Milo giggled and smiled running the train up his brother's legs.
Grey began to squeal and scream, a scary noise to anyone who might've been unfamiliar with the boy. Wispy giggles and laughter filled the room, Milo continued to impersonate the train for his brother.
"Chooo. Chooo." Milo squealed, giggling.
"Here Milo, here's your other present…" Ed said, holding out a blue toy train, in contrast to his red one.
Milo held the blue one, "Thank you mommy!" He said, giving his mother a hug and a kiss.
"Grey now we can both play trains!" Milo squealed excitedly. "Which one do you want?" He asked, holding up the blue train engine and the red one for him to see.
Grey reached for the red one, Milo gave it to him.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four days later
Ed sighed sitting down on Oliver's new exam bench.
"What's the matter Ed?" Oliver asked.
"Oh. Nothing. I'm just tired of having to do this it seems like I never get a break."
"Well, I don't want to say it's all your fault, but isn't that mostly your fault?" Louis asked.
"No." Ed said, throwing a stabbing glare at Roy who was standing a few feet away.
He wasn't even paying attention. He stood at the window, staring out, watching something.
Oliver was talking, speaking about the baby and how big it was, Ed wasn't listening. He was watching his husband. Roy straightened up and moved to the phone. He began to dial, Ed watched all the while his husband was oblivious to his observant eyes.
Oliver was holding a stethoscope to Ed's belly. He gasped and covered his mouth. Tears filled his eyes.
"What is it babe?" Louis asked worriedly, he rushed around the side of the couch to his boyfriend. He brushed hair out of his face.
Oliver threw his arms around his neck in a hug. He was smiling and laughing with relief. "There are two babies… one could be ours."
Louis kissed his cheek and hugged him back. His hands were shaking.
Ed felt dizzy, lightheaded… Roy was still on the phone, he couldn't hear what was being said but he was at the window again as if watching something.
He slid off the bench. He felt weak, woozy. He clumsily stumbled towards Roy.
"…yes. I'm not sure, they're just—"
"I think I'm gonna fain….." Ed passed out, luckily he was close enough to Roy, so he was able to catch him, the phone fell to the floor.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When Ed woke up, he was home safe, the bedroom was pitch black. He rolled over to switch on the bedside lamp. When his eyes were adjusted he looked at the clock, it was 3 a.m. He got up out of bed and wandered downstairs partly for a glass of water, partly to search for his husband.
He opened the door to their bedroom. The hallway light was off, so were all the downstairs lights, save for a lamp. He could hear Roy's soft snore. He crept down the hall and stairs, only to find Roy asleep on the couch. He had brought out the phone from his office. It now sat on the coffee table.
Calces was asleep by the front door. Since they'd been back from South City, Roy commanded her to guard it at night. Ed would like to say that Roy was being paranoid, but it gave him peace of mind knowing anyone who tried to get in would come face to face with a dog ready to protect her family with her life.
Ed gently shook Roy's shoulder, "H-Honey?" the pet name felt foreign on his tongue. Roy stirred and then sat up panicked. He looked around frantically, after seeing only Ed he seemed to calm down.
"What's wrong?" Ed asked worriedly, he'd never seen Roy so… paranoid.
"Nothing…" Roy rubbed his eyes and sat up.
"You fell asleep out here? Did you want to go to bed upstairs?"
Roy shook his head "I was out here with Grey for a while, then I put him to bed and came back down here… and… what time is it?"
"It's three in the morning…" Ed answered casually.
"Did you just wake up?"
Ed nodded.
Roy reached out to rub his belly, gently stroking, "Are you feeling alright? You fainted at the appointment… I carried you home."
"I'm fine… who were you talking to… on the phone at Oliver and Louis'?"
"Maes." Roy sad casually.
"Oh. Is he coming to visit?" Ed asked
"Possibly…" Roy answered, stretching. "More importantly…" He pulled Ed onto the couch to sit with him. "There are two babies in there… I was right."
"I don't think both of them are ours."
"Me neither…" Roy said
"Maybe I'm just being really hopeful that I didn't ruin their lives…" Ed said with a tired sigh.
Roy hugged Ed tightly, "Why do you always blame yourself? You keep it all bottled up until you break down… that's not healthy." Roy rubbed his shoulder
Ed blushed, "Don't be so sappy!" After fending off his husband he sighed.
Roy pressed Ed's head against his shoulder, and ran his fingers through his hair, "Tell me what's on your mind."
"I dunno… I just… I feel like one of these babies has to be theirs… or else I would be really letting them down… I don't want to disappoint someone else… This seems so simple. I should be able to do this much for them… but… what if I can't even manage that?" Ed asked through stifled whimpers
"You're Edward Elric. You can do anything. You lost two of your limbs and that didn't slow you down… then you got them back… and now you've given birth to our four children, simultaneously raising them and working as a state alchemist. I have no doubt this will be among one of the easiest things you've done…"
"It's not up to me… it's up to fate! I have no control over this situation and it drives me crazy!"
"Shh." Roy said wanting to maintain the silence within the house. They both stayed silent listening for their children.
Roy spoke again when he decided none of the kids had woken up from their mother's passionate outburst, "I know… it's hard to sit back and just let things happen… but that's what you have to do sometimes."
"I feel the same nervousness I had with Greyson… and that pregnancy… was just…"
"You were on edge the entire time." Roy finished for him
Ed scoffed.
"Why are you so sour? It's hardly 3:30 in the morning" Roy yawned, his head lolled over on top of Ed's.
"No. Don't fall asleep." Ed whined.
Roy groaned, "I didn't have an all-day nap. I had to take care of the kids while a certain someone rested." He mumbled into the top of Ed's head.
"Thank you." Ed wrapped an arm around Roy's neck pulling his head down to his own. He kissed gently, "You can go back to sleep if you want."
Roy wrapped his arms around Ed and pulled him down with him. Roy laid on his back on the couch. Ed was near the edge and had to curl towards his husband in order not to fall on the floor. Roy's arm wrapped around his shoulder holding him in place.
"This isn't what I meant…" Ed struggled to sit up.
Roy pulled him back, holding him closer. "Get comfy." He murmured.
Ed was blushing, but Roy's eyes were closed, so he adjusted and got comfy, he was snuggled into Roy while his arm wrapped around his shoulder protectively.
"Are you worried?" Ed asked.
"'Bout what?"
"You tell me… You have Cal at the door every night. I saw you watching something at Louis and Oliver's house… what did you see?"
Roy took a deep breath, "I'm tired."
"Is it something to worry about? Was it Barnabe?"
"I don't know." Roy mumbled.
"Roy." Ed said sternly. "You have to tell me. Our kids could be in danger."
"Their windows are locked." He answered.
"Put my mind at ease." Ed pleaded. His eyes were begging, but Roy was still laying with his eyes closed, his face stoic.
"I have told your brother, Oliver, Louis, and I've called Maes. He's looking into Barnabe."
Ed sighed and then got up. "You're no help…" He wandered into the office, deciding if he was going to be up this early he might as well try to get some work done.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
He'd been sitting at the desk for an hour. The lamp was on, lighting the room with a warm glow. Roy's even snoring coming from the couch was a comforting sound. Ed hadn't gotten any work done, instead he wasted time balancing pencils on his belly.
He wanted to think, and work, but he had nothing. No ideas. The pencils began to roll off his belly and into his lap as he sat up.
"C'mon… think of things!" Ed commanded himself.
He rubbed his eyes and took a deep breath. His heart began to beat faster and he wasn't sure why. He felt like something bad was about to happen. The house was still and silent and the air felt thick with energy. It was practically buzzing in Ed's ears.
He heard glass break from somewhere in the house. He got up out of his chair and opened the door to the office which had already been open a crack. Roy was sitting up, alert. He noticed Ed in the doorway of the office. He got up and motioned for Ed to stay where he was. Calces was already running upstairs to investigate.
Of course, Ed didn't listen, he watched Roy creep up the stairs silently, and then he followed. They skipped the creaky step and Roy began to run down the hall as silently as he could manage.
Ed, still followed, with less speed and more caution. He pushed open the doors to his children's rooms as he went seeing Milo still asleep, next the girls' they were both fine, asleep in Ollie's bed, snuggled close. Cal sat on the floor beside them. Her tail wagged as Ed glanced at her and he gave her the sign to stay.
He saw Roy go into their bedroom very quickly and then come back out, he glanced at Ed, acknowledging him. They both jumped when they heard Greyson's wail coming from the nursery. He screamed, a gurgly – raspy sound. Not very loud, but still frightening to those with an untrained ear.
Cal came sprinting from the girls' room and managed to beat Ed to the nursery, she began to growl, a low and menacing sound.
Roy was standing frozen in the doorway to Grey's room when Ed got there. Then Ed saw why he stood unmoving; in the nursery by the crib he saw Barnabe holding Greyson, trying to shush the baby, who was screaming, red in the face reaching for his parents.
Ed covered his mouth to keep himself from shrieking. He felt tears pricking his eyes listening to his baby crying, he couldn't do anything. That sick bastard was touching hisbaby.
"It's good to see you Ed." Barnabe said. "I s'pose yull be wanting our baby back."
Ed didn't say anything. His eyes were locked on Greyson.
"Put my son down!" Roy said through gritted teeth.
Barnabe looked angered at first by this. He glanced between the boy's parents, a grin spread across his face, and he dropped the baby.
Ed screamed as he saw Greyson falling. Then there was a loud pop that seemed to fill the room and Greyson was in Ed's arms, before he'd hit the floor.
Barnabe was gawking, in awe and confusion. Roy and Ed were both thrown off guard but at this point they were just relieved Barnabe didn't have their son. Ed held Grey tightly kissing his head and stroking his blonde hair. The little boy's cries were raspy and quiet in his mother's arms, he was shaking. A mixture of tears, snot, and spit began to soak through Ed's shirt. "It's okay. It's okay…." Ed kept repeating this phrase, comforting his son as well as himself.
Roy was on Barnabe in a second, Ed watched as he punched him in the stomach, causing him to keel over, Roy then kneed his chest, and kicked his legs out from under him. Barnabe fell flat on his stomach. You could hear him wheeze as the air left his lungs, obviously winded.
Ed was amazed as his husband took down the towering man with ease, he snapped back to reality and went to the girl's room to get them. When he opened the door he saw Milo sitting at the foot of their bed, he and Louisa were both trying to calm a crying Oliver.
"Mommy!" Milo said "Wha's happening?" He asked looking at his crying brother.
"Grey is just a little scared is all." Ed answered
"Whe's Daddy?" Lulu asked
"He's in Grey's room. Kids we need to go to Auntie and Uncle's house. Right now." He helped them up.
"Wha- Wha abo dadddeee?" Ollie asked through sobs.
"He's fine… he'll meet us there…" Ed helped them all to get up and out of the bed. "Roy." He called down the hall.
"Call the general." Roy shouted back.
"Kids downstairs to the office." Ed ushered them towards the stairs. He picked up Ollie in his free arm and carried her down the stairs. Milo held Lulu's hand as he guided her down one step at a time.
"C'mon, kids… hurry." Ed said, setting down Oliver. He bounced Grey gently, trying to comfort his son.
Milo hurried, still holding Louisa's hand. They finally reached the last step and Ed guided his two toddlers and son into the office.
"Okay." Ed said closing the door behind him. "Okay." He repeated. He was panicking, and trying to calm himself down. "Okay…. okay"
"Mommy?" Milo asked.
"Hmm?" Ed answered. He reached for the phone and dialed the general's number. It rang only a few times.
"What's wrong?" Milo asked.
"Hello?" The secretary asked flatly
"Hi… this is the Fullmetal alchemist calling for the general… it's urgent."
"He's not at the office this moment." She replied.
"The Brigadier-General needs to speak with him."
"And you're not the Brigadier-General, are you?"
"Well no but—"
"I'll tell the general you called and he'll get back to you as soon as he's able" She hung up the phone
Ed scoffed irritated, he dialed Al's number, it being so early in the morning there was no answer. He hung up the phone again and sighed. He felt like panicking now. He was worried about Roy… or rather for Roy.
Before he could finish his thought, the door to the office opened, Ed pushed all the kids behind him. His free hand balled into a fist. Roy entered, closing the door behind him, Ed let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
He flung himself onto Roy, hugging him with his free arm.
"Daddy!" Milo gasped excitedly, running to his father.
Roy gave a reassuring smile to Milo as his arms snaked around Ed's waist. He pulled away, so he could look at his son, still sniffling in his mother's arms, "Is he alright?" Roy asked, pulling Grey into his arms, petting his silky blonde hair.
Ed nodded, his eyes drifted and he noticed his husband's knuckles were red and bloody, "Are you?" He asked.
"I'm fine."
"Daddy, wha- happen?" Louisa asked toddling over to her father.
"We'll talk about that later Louisa." Roy said, he patted her on the head, then leaned over and placed a kiss on her face.
Now that Ed's arms were free he picked up Oliver and coddled his frightened daughter. He pet her dark bangs out of the way so he could place kisses on her forehead and cheek. He whispered reassurances to her, 'its okay,' 'there's nothing to be afraid of,' 'daddy and I will keep you safe.'
"What did you do to Barnabe?" Ed asked, having finally calmed Ollie.
"I'd rather not say… in front of the kids, but… he won't be getting up for a while."
"As long as you won't get in trouble…" Ed mumbled.
"Did you call the general?" Roy asked, pressing another kiss to Grey's head.
"I did but they didn't put me through…"
"Did you tell them who you were?"
"I'm not important enough to get through…"
"Did you tell them I was your husband?"
"I told her you needed to talk to him but she said I wasn't you so… she hung up."
Roy went to the phone and dialed the general's number rather angrily.
"Brigadier General Mustang for the general" Roy was silent, waiting to speak with the general. While he waited he placed gentle kisses on Grey's cheeks and temple. The baby stared up at his father with wide gold eyes and a tear-stained face.
"Tell me why the hell Barnabe just broke into my house!?" Roy barked angrily into the phone. "Luckily."
Ed cringed, as Roy spoke, his tone was angry and he was not having any of whatever the general was trying to feed him.
"You beg me to take this job, I uproot and move my whole family, and still I'm not valued enough— No."
"Mommy…" Milo tugged on Ed's shirt.
"What is it sweetie?" Ed asked looking down at his son.
"Where's Cal?" Milo asked, looking around the room.
"I'm… not sure, hon." Ed said calmly.
Milo began to tear up, "Daddy… Daddy." He rushed to his father. "Calces is out there!"
"Milo, she's fine." Roy said, adjusting his hold on Grey. "Just… my son." Roy said to the general.
"Where is she?" He asked again, tugging on his father.
"Milo, daddy's on the phone…" Ed said, setting Oliver down before he sat down on the floor. He groaned as his muscles pinched and ached from the added strain of his belly. Oliver crawled back into her mother's lap, and Ed patted her back and stroked her hair comfortingly. Louisa made her way over to her mother and sister and sat beside them.
Milo went to the door of the office to open it.
Roy adjusted so he was holding Greyson on his hip. He held the phone against his shoulder with his chin and pushed the door closed before Milo could open it.
"Daaaaadddddeeeeee" Milo whined, Roy only shook his head in response as he was still on the phone, "Buh Daddy, Cal is out there all alone!" Tears started to drip down his face.
"Ed, could you—?" Roy asked, nodding his head towards Milo, who was now beginning to cry.
"Milo, come here…" Ed said kindly.
Frantically wiping his eyes, Milo made his way over to his mother. He sniffled and wiped his nose on his sleeve.
"What mommy?"
Ed restrained the impulse to scold him for wiping his nose on his shirt, "I wanted to thank you, sweetie."
"Why mommy?" Milo asked, leaning into his mother.
"You were very brave, baby."
Milo blushed, and looked down at his feet.
"I'm so proud, you went to go and check on your sisters… you took such good care of them." Ed gushed his praise to his son.
"I have to be a good big brother…" Milo said, still blushing at his mother's words.
Ed ruffled Milo's hair. "Right now… I have to tell you kids what's going on, it's kind of scary so I need you to be brave again…"
Milo nodded.
Ed pulled Ollie out of his lap and put her on the floor in front of him. Louisa moved to her side, holding her hand. Milo sat on the other side of Oliver.
The children were all staring at Ed, one pair of eyes a match to his own, the other two, identical to the man he loved most in the world.
He took a deep breath, sorting through the information appropriate to tell his children, "A man got into the house…" Three small gasps. "Daddy and I took care of it… and now he's up in Grey's room…"
Ed watched as three dark haired heads turned towards where their father stood, on the phone, their brother watching sleepily from Roy's shoulder, he smiled tiredly noticing his siblings looking at him.
"Grey is fine… Daddy is taking care of it…" Ed said. "I don't want you kids to be scared, alright?" He smiled, trying to reassure his children.
"Wha- happens when daddy goes back to work?" Milo asked.
"Well… daddy won't be going back for a while…" Ed answered.
"Why?" Ollie asked.
"Because daddy and I had an argument with… someone… while we were in South City."
"Mahma… I wan Cal…" Lulu said whimpering.
"Oh, baby don't be scared…" Ed said wiping Louisa's eyes, "it's okay… I'll talk to daddy…" Ed left his kids seated on the floor at the far end of the room.
"I don't care… I'm done dealing with this… I'll put in for a transfer it's no sweat off my back. I'd rather move and wash my hands of this mess…" Roy said angrily.
"Roy…" Ed interrupted.
He spun around to face Ed, dropping the phone and holding it to his chest, "What's up, babe?"
Ed blushed slightly at the name, "The kids are freaking out… they want Calces…" He said looking at Grey, now asleep in his dad's arms. His forehead rested against Roy's neck. He was breathing softly his cheeks rosy, his blonde hair brushed away from his face. Ed gently stroked his golden locks.
"I know…" Roy said.
"Where is she?" Ed asked, dropping his arm, his gaze still lingered on the sleeping blonde angel.
"I put her in our room…"
"Why?"
Roy glanced over at their kids, he noticed they were listening. He leaned in towards Ed, whispering to him, "she needs a bath, she's covered in blood."
"Is it… hers?" Ed asked, choosing his words carefully so as not to upset the kids.
"No, it's Barnabe's"
"Roy what did you do…?" Ed asked
"Well… skimming over gory details… I chained him to the wall…"
"You can't leave him up there… he'll get out."
"He doesn't know alchemy," Roy said shaking his head. "Plus I already said, he's not getting up for a while…"
Ed shook his head, "Just… get him out of our house, get him out of our lives…" Ed said with a tired sigh.
"I'm trying hon." Roy said.
"I know…" Ed said looking up at him. He stood on his toes to kiss Roy, Ed pulled away only after running out of breath.
"Well…" Roy said breathlessly, "Thanks for that… I'm going to sort this out."
"Want me to take Greyson?" Ed asked, eyeing their sleeping baby.
"No… I've got him… I feel better having him here in my arms."
Ed smiled knowingly before going back to their kids. He sat on the floor. "Calces is in mine and daddy's room…"
"Les geh 'er" Ollie grumbled.
"No sweetie, we're not leaving this room."
"why nah?" Louisa asked.
"Because I said so… we're going to stay here…" Ed said.
"Dah' guy is still upstairs Lulu!" Milo said frantically, "We have to stay here safe with mommy and daddy."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
They stayed in the office, the kids eventually fell back asleep, as did Ed.
Roy's conversation with the general hadn't gone well, he was upset that this even happened. The general called East City headquarters and they were sending over a unit to take Barnabe into custody.
Roy sat with his back pressed to the office door. It was now light outside, sunshine poured in through the windows.
He held a sleeping Greyson in his arms. Roy was fighting off a bout of sleep when he heard a hard knock at the front door.
Calces started barking from upstairs. Greyson woke up in a fuss, he huffed and squirmed in his father's arms, trying to sit up so he could look around.
Roy stood up and adjusted his hold on Greyson so he was holding him on his hip. The boy seemed content with this and quit fussing. As Roy left the office he noticed Ed stirring beside their children on the floor.
He opened the front door to find three men in body armor.
"Brigadier-General Mustang, I presume?" The man in front said.
Roy nodded, yawning, Grey began to blow spit bubbles down his chin, so he took his sleeve and wiped it up.
"We're here for a one… Colonel Barnabe?"
"Upstairs… last room on the left… you're gonna need alchemy to unchain him…" Roy answered
"I'm an alchemist" one of the men stated.
Roy stepped aside to let them in. The three wasted no time heading upstairs.
Ed got up and left the office, closing the door behind him.
He stood beside Roy, "Who's here?" He asked
"East City military."
Grey squirmed excitedly, wiggling in his dad's arms as he caught sight of his mother. Roy kissed him and gently tugged on strands of his blonde hair.
Ed smiled at Grey
"What was that last night?" Roy asked, his gaze fixed on Greyson.
Ed gasped as he remembered, "I told you! Remember I tried to show you when he moved the bag of cheerios."
"Like that?" Roy asked in disbelief. "Just like last night? Or this morning—whatever."
Ed nodded, "Well it was out of his reach… and he managed to get them… Al said he was getting into things he wasn't supposed to while we were away."
Roy pinched the bridge of his nose in concentration, "You're telling me our seven month old son can transmute space?"
"Well… the space between molecules…" Ed corrected looking at Greyson.
"He transmuted himself… through empty space?!" Roy's jaw dropped.
"I don't know… that's what it looked like!"
Grey gurgled contently and more drool spilled from his mouth.
"You're the expert here…" Roy said, wiping Grey's mouth again.
"I mean… I guess…" Ed mumbled.
"it's not an I guess question… it means—"
"You want me to research our son?" Ed asked, his tone turning harsh.
"No… well if you only publish it as 'subject x'…"
"No." Ed said flatly.
"I'm just not sure what you're going to do… if you don't specify much other than subject x is a person, they won't suspect it's our baby." Roy stroked Grey's blonde hair.
Ed sighed and looked at Grey who smiled at him. "Maybe… I dunno…"
"Another, thing…" Roy said, "We should start teaching the kids alchemy…"
"Wow… you're just full of good ideas today." Ed said
The office doorknob began to turn and they could hear their three kids arguing back and forth about opening the door. When they finally managed to open the door Milo came out first followed by the girls.
"Mommy is it safe now?" Milo asked.
"Umm well." Ed answered.
"Go back into the office" Roy commanded he was staring up at the hall over the balcony, he could see Barnabe being escorted out of the house.
Ed took Grey from Roy and quickly rounded up the kids into the office. He closed the door as he saw the three men with Barnabe leaving the house. Two of them continued out the door with Barnabe, and one man stuck around to talk with Roy. At this point, Ed opened the door to the office and the kids busted out eagerly.
"Daddy, can we get Cal now?!" Milo asked. "I can hear her barking."
"Not yet sweetie…" Roy said, momentarily halting the conversation he had with the man. He reached for Grey, and Ed clumsily maneuvered so he could take him.
"Um. We may need you both to come and testify against him… just keep an eye on the mail for a summons…" He fell silent, before he frantically added, "Sir." Realizing the man in front of him, holding a baby, with mussed hair and all, was his superior.
"Alright… Thanks…" Roy said.
"Is he going to be kept in jail?" Ed asked.
"Of course. You'll be completely safe… oh and just in case we were wanting to give you this… the number for our base, if you have an emergency, we're the closest… who can do anything… besides yourselves." He held out a small card with a bunch of names with departments and numbers scribbled onto it. "Resembool is a small town, definitely not a high priority in security, but perhaps it's time to reconsider."
"Thank you… again really…" Roy said taking the card.
The man nodded and left their house.
"Mommy I wan Cal!" Milo yelled.
"Stop that Milo." Roy snapped. "How many times do we have to tell you no"
Ed got on his knees in front of the kids, he managed to stifle a grunt from the pain. "Do you not believe daddy? If he says she's okay, then she's okay…" Ed tried comforting the kids.
"If she's okay why can I not see her?" Milo asked
"…because…" Ed was at a loss for words he looked to Roy for help.
"Because we said so Milo, now go get your coat and shoes on."
"Why?"
Roy sighed in frustrated defeat.
"It's okay, Roy…" Ed said comfortingly, he turned back to his kids, "Milo… Lulu… Ollie… you're going to go to Auntie and Uncle's house now…"
"Aren't you coming?" Roy asked, adjusting his hold on Greyson.
Ed shrugged, "I need to clean up some things here…"
"Well… I'll drop them off and come back to help."
"Roy, it's fine… we can't just push our kids off onto my brother anytime it's convenient."
"I don't want to leave you alone…" Roy said. "Besides given the circumstances, I think it'll be fine…"
Ed sighed and stood up. His hands rested on the small of his back, as he moved slowly. With his free hand, Roy helped Ed to steady himself.
"I don't want to leave them alone…" Ed said, his eyes flickering towards their children.
Roy nodded in understanding
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ed ran a bath, not too hot, not too cold, something Cal would hopefully consider a comfortable temperature. "Alright, Cal. Get in" Ed nodded to the tub, which was filling with water rather quickly.
She stared at her master, testing where he might draw the line.
Ed sighed, her white fur was stained sticky with blood. It was around her snout and legs. She must've tried to help… but from what Ed had seen Roy didn't need much help.
"Calces. In the tub." Ed pointed, he raised his voice a bit which scared her into submission. She jumped in the tub. "Good girl." Ed said, patting her on the head. Her tail dropped and her ears went back as Ed carefully and methodically began to drench her with water.
Red began to drain from her fur as Ed dumped more water. He got some soap and rubbed it in his hands before scrubbing Calces' coat.
"We'll have you all nice and clean, then you can see the kids again." Ed said to her. "You're so good Cal… such a brave obedient girl." Cal's tail began to wag, and she turned awkwardly in the bathtub to look at Ed.
Ed chuckled. He pat her head and then began to carefully wash her snout.
Slowly and with lots of soap and effort, Calces' fur began to turn white.
When he was finally done. He held his back standing up with a pained grunt.
He felt arms snake around his waist and Roy kissed his cheek and temple his hands began to circle his large stomach. "Thank you for giving her a bath…" Roy said, placing a kiss on his neck.
"Mmhmm." He said flatly.
"What? Not happy to see me?" Roy chuckled, placing a final kiss on Ed's cheek.
"I thought we agreed you'd stay with the kids." Ed replied, breaking free from Roy. He grabbed a towel and began to dry off Calces.
"Let me do it… you take it easy…" Roy said.
"You haven't slept at all…" Ed began to dry Cal, finally he yanked the towel off. "Okay shake."
She stared at him blankly.
"Shake Cal," Ed began to shake his body, trying to get Cal to copy him. "Shake… shake…" He sighed in defeat as Cal watched him blankly, still unmoving.
"Don't stop." Roy purred.
"Go away…"
"That's so rude… I only mean to offer comfort or help…"
Ed sighed, "I'm trying to work… I'm tired… my feet hurt but there's still things to be done.
Roy backed him out of the bathroom and onto the bed, helping him to sit down, "What do you need done?"
Cal jumped out of the tub and shook in the bathroom then she trotted out of the bedroom shaking as she went.
"I'll do it, it's not a big deal." Ed said shrugging beginning to stand up.
"No, I can help out"
"You really should rest and I—" Ed was cut off.
"Please!" Roy snapped, raising his voice, he cleared his throat, "please Ed, I only mean to help" He said in a much softer tone.
"The nursery needs to be scrubbed for blood." Ed answered.
"Okay… You stay put right here I'll go do that…"
"Roy." Ed called after him as he ran out the door. He pushed himself up off the bed, holding his back as he stood up. "I want to help, I'm afraid you'll miss some…" Ed said following him out into the hallway.
"Alright…" Roy said with a sigh.
"I'll go get supplies…" Ed started towards the stairs.
"Let me, you should avoid going up and down as much as possible…" Roy dashed off.
Ed tsked then decidedly dried the floors of Calces' drips He had to go to their bathroom to fetch a towel, and was just awkwardly getting to his knees when Roy returned.
"What are you doing?" He asked, chuckling, he paced around Ed, assessing the situation. "Do you need help getting up?"
"No you asshole!" Ed barked. He sat back on his heels and began to wipe the walls and floor, ignoring Roy.
When he realized his attempts to get attention from his small and agitated husband were failing, Roy gave up and retreated to the nursery.
There were a few spatters of blood on the floor and even fewer on the walls. Roy cringed remembering what he'd done. He'd almost lost control, he wanted to block it out and forget the anger, it was so unlike him, he was rather scared of himself, and he hated that Barnabe is the root of the angry memories.
He didn't want his kids to be scared of him and when he'd returned down to the office where they'd holed up, he heard his children whimpering through the door as he turned the knob. Even though he knew their fear was of someone else, Barnabe specifically, it still felt real.
When they were relieved of their fear, seeing Roy. They all rushed to his side, this provided some comfort, consoling himself, melting away his distress, worry, and anger. The burning rage he had felt inside had dissipated. Everyone was fine, just like he and Ed always promised each other.
"It's fine."
Roy's thoughts were interrupted. Ed was standing in the doorway, averting his gaze, and looking instead at the wall and floor where Roy had been working.
"I think you got it all…" He elaborated nervously. Ed felt rather guilty about snapping at him.
Roy was just staring, his unrelenting gaze was heavy on his fidgeting partner. He looked around, inspecting his work.
"Yeah" he said with breathless satisfaction.
"Should… we," he cleared his throat, "should we go get the kids?" Ed asked
"Yeah… that sounds about right" Roy said. As he passed Ed in the doorway he leaned down and pecked him on the lips while simultaneously pulling the towel from his hand.
"Something the matter?" Ed asked, finally looking up to meet his gaze as they slowly pulled apart.
Were they that in tune, that they could now tell when the other was insecure? Roy cleared his throat and in doing so also cleared his mind.
"Nothing…" Roy wrapped his arms under Ed's pulling him close into a hug. He placed a couple of kisses on Ed's cheek before resting his head in the crook of his neck.
Ed wrapped his arms around Roy's neck in response, they just stayed in each other's embrace for a while, until Ed pulled Roy's face out of the crook of his neck.
"If you're feeling better we should go get the kids." he said with a smile. Ed pressed a kiss to his lips and cheek.
Roy nodded in response, but he didn't move.
"Are you alright?" Ed asked again, Roy's head had once again returned to the crook of his neck. Ed ran his fingers through his jet black hair, while gently placing kisses along the side of his head. "I'll go pick up the kids... you can stay here and sleep…" Ed said, he managed to move to the bedroom, Roy clung to him the whole time.
Finally, they made it in and Ed sat him down on the bed. "I hope you feel better…"
"Is Al expecting us?" Roy asked, breaking out of his daze.
"Well eventually," Ed shrugged.
"Stay with me…" Roy pulled Ed onto the bed, so he was straddling him. He kissed his chest and began to grope his butt.
Ed blushed and looked towards the door, "we've been really active lately… I don't know why—"
"That's not true!" Roy protested "We do foreplay but we haven't gone all the way in… a while." He said
Ed rolled his eyes. Roy nuzzled his forehead into Ed's chest, placing kisses on his belly over the material of his shirt. "Before we get the kids… please…?"
Ed was blushing brightly. He decided to indulge his husband and he wasn't sure if it was due to the fact that this was the ideal time to relieve and ease themselves, or if it was because Roy was still kneading and tracing his butt.
Ed felt an ache in his gut, he groaned for release, Roy knew he had him right where he wanted him. He watched as Ed bit back a whimper, and his eyes fluttered shut.
Roy kissed and nipped at his soft pale skin. His hands slid up Ed's abdomen under his shirt, eliciting a moan from his husband who was still perched over him. Roy pulled his shirt up and over his head, smiling at the revelation of skin, and the bulge of Ed's belly.
Ed blushed as the cold air hit his back, sending shivers up his spine. He wrapped his arms around himself tightly, this was embarrassing. Not to say Ed didn't believe he had the pregnancy 'glow' everyone gushed about, but when he was naked he couldn't feel it, he felt, bare, vulnerable.
Roy began to sit up and push Ed back into the pillows. He kissed, pecked, and bit, making Ed's lips raw.
The phone on his nightstand began to ring Roy picked up the receiver and dropped it, ending the call without ever breaking away from his husband.
"That might've been important," Ed mumbled into their kisses.
"Then they'll call back." Almost as if he'd asked for it, the phone began to ring again. Roy hung it up— again. He had to refocus on Ed, who looked vaguely annoyed with him.
"What?" Roy asked innocently.
"They called back." Ed answered, irritation lurking as a warning undertone.
Roy sighed and his head dropped and for the third time the phone began to ring. "What?" He picked up with a bark.
Ed flinched, and then propped himself up on his elbows.
"Yes… Col-" Roy paused and cleared his throat correcting himself, "Brigadier General Roy Mustang, State Alchemist Edward Mustang."
Ed felt his cheeks redden at that. No matter how much he heard it he couldn't get used to it which is why he referred to himself as Elric-Mustang… even though technically, he wasn't.
"Milo Mustang, Louisa Mustang, Oliver Mustang, Greyson Mustang… Yes… we are… well possibly—" Roy glanced at Ed, and began to gently caress his belly. "Mm. A few months…"
Ed began to slide out from under Roy. Somehow he managed to creep away, he found his recently discarded shirt and put it back on.
"Thank you… Sorry about my rude— that's alright…" Roy was smiling, "thanks, bye." Roy hung up the phone
"Who was that?" Ed asked.
"Someone from East who has been assigned to the case… asking who was in the house, verifying information…"
Ed pulled on a sweater that had been hanging in the closet. "Let's go." He said sliding his arms into the sleeves.
"We were just gonna—"
"I don't feel like it…" Ed said, "I don't feel attractive and when I see you it just makes me jealous…"
Roy grumbled and got up off the bed.
"Hey, once these babies are out of me I'm all yours…" Ed teased.
"That's what? How many months?" Roy asked
"Let's go…" Ed said dismissing Roy's whining.
"Foiled again…" Roy joked snapping his fingers.
Ed laughed, smiling as he watched his husband switched into a fresh shirt one that didn't smell like cleaning supplies.
"I'm glad you're laughing." Roy said.
"Ugh. Don't be a sap." Ed groaned.
Roy chuckled and placed a kiss on his temple. The parents headed out to fetch their children, and relieve Alphonse of the craziness of their kids.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This chapter felt so long I thought it would never end :) Haha, anyways, another successful chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it please leave me a review with your thoughts. Thank you all so much for your support. I'll try to get the next chapter out sooner. I'll really really try.