Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Family ( Chapter 10 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Author's Note:

If you don't review then I have a tendency to forget that this site is here. So please review and I'll make sure to update!

 

 

Chapter 10: Family

 

Alphonse had been worried when he called his ex-sister's phone number to find that she didn't answer. He was even more disturbed when she wasn't at home. Luckily he had the key she'd given him. Hearing the front door open, the suit got up from his seat on the couch. He'd been calling around, trying to see if anyone had heard from her. “Brother you're back. I was hoping that…” Then he saw her. Behind his sibling was a curly haired girl, looking extremely happy.

 

“Brie! I was so worried about you!” He stepped forward, and without giving him a chance to say anymore, she moved her to wrap her arms around him. She was crying but it seemed to be tears of joy rather than sadness. He was surprised by her forwardness. But at the same time was thankful that she seemed to be alright.

 

“I'm fine Al.” She said, smiling up at him. Her eyes were indeed full of salty droplets, but they were accompanied by an elation he'd never seen in them. It beamed from her as if someone had lit a bright lamp from within. Turning to her husband she asked, “So do you want to tell him or should I?”

 

Edward was grinning as she moved back to his side. “I think I should get to let him in on it. Don't you?” She nodded before laying her head on his shoulder, content with the way things were working out. “Al, you know that I never got around to sending those divorce papers in. And I think you know why.”

 

Receiving a knowing look Alphonse affirmed, “You did it because you're in love with her.” He glanced to the woman at his sibling's side. “Jacob and you have the same heart. That's why you couldn't just let her go. You never stopped loving Brie, even though you can't remember your past with her.”

 

Knowing that was what he thought, the alchemist continued. “You're right. I do love her and so we've decided not to go through with it.” He touched Briana's stomach gently with his real hand, not wanting the cold of the metal to penetrate through the cloth to her skin. “We want to make this work, for the sake of the baby.”

 

If it would have been possible, the armored face would have shown the shock that was being felt by the soul within. “You mean that…” His voice portrayed the impression very well. Peering down to his sister-in-law he asked, with the same disbelief, “But Brie, why didn't you tell me?”

 

Shaking her head she smiled. She hadn't even told Ed why she'd kept it such a secret. “Because, if things hadn't have worked out I was going to leave.” This earned her a scowl from the man at her side. “You acted like you didn't want me around at all. So I wasn't going to bother you with a child. I didn't want him or her to feel as though they weren't loved by both parents. And you had told me in no uncertain terms that you were not Jake.”

 

He pressed his lips tightly against her forehead before trying to apologize. “I can't believe I made you think that I would make our child feel unwanted. I would never, never do that.” His thoughts went back to his own father, who had abandoned his family. It had left their mother alone to raise the brothers. “I'll always be here for you and this child.”

 

Smiling, she kissed his cheek. "It's alright Ed. All that matters is that you're with me now. But..." She turned to her in-law. "I need to ask you if I can move in here. Ed thinks he needs to keep an eye on me. However, I want to make sure it's alright with you. I'll understand if you don't want me to. It is your place after all."

 

Taking a step forward, he held out his gauntlet to her. When she slipped her hand in it, he gave it a gentle squeeze, knowing how to from years of practice. "Of course I don't mind sis." He reveled in the smile she gave him when he called her sister. It was his way of welcoming her into the family.

 

 

That night she stayed at her apartment. But the next day they moved her furniture over to Al's place. His front room had contained two beds, one for him and one for Ed. The back room had been for guests. But they placed her larger mattresses in there, taking down the old frames.

 

The desk which had been Jacob's was also moved in there. That meant taking out the small one that Alphonse had, but he didn't mind. It had just been something to fill up space. Brie wanted to keep hers because it had been where Jake did most of his writing and so was special.

 

Other than clothes, they left everything else in the efficiency. It really wasn't all that much, just the dining table, chairs, and a dresser. Mustang knew some people who could use the stuff. He said they would be sure and pick it up before the end of the month, when the rent ran out.

 

It wasn't until that afternoon that the threesome realized there was one last decision to make. Al was sitting in the living room reading. Edward and Briana were in the back bedroom. She was fixing the bed, spreading out the old blanket she'd had forever. “What's wrong? You haven't decided that you don't want me here. Have you?”

 

Raising his head quickly he shook it. The alchemist was sitting on the desk, which was something his old self would have never gone for. “I want you here it's just that…” How could he tell her this? He wanted her near and yet… “I can't remember ever having been with a woman.”

 

A smile spread across his wife's mouth. She was carrying his child, but he still felt like he'd never done anything. “It's alright.” She soothed, moving so that she stood before him, placing her hands on his legs. Looking up into his eyes she thought, `At least that means I was his first.' She had wondered about that. “You don't have to sleep in here if you're not comfortable with it.”

 

Running a hand through her hair, he thought that she must be an angel. She was so patient with him. `She is exactly what I've been needing.' When she started to pull away he stopped her, not letting go of her hand. Hopping down off of he desk he brought her close to him. “I do love you.”

 

As he pressed his lips against hers she closed her eyes. `I hope you're not doing this just for the child. If it weren't for that, would you want to stay with me?' But she wasn't willing to ask him. She feared what his answer might be. Besides, she was pregnant so it didn't matter what he'd do if she wasn't.

 

Al walked in just about the time they parted, carrying one of the kittens. “His paw got caught in something. Can you fix it Brie?” His voice quivered as he looked down at the feline. It was apparent that it was in pain. “My hands are so big, it's hard to try and help him.”

 

Those words struck a nerve in the alchemist. His wife could see it in his eyes. “It's alright Al. Hand him here.” Taking the cat gently, she touched its paw which earned her a hiss. “There now little one, it'll be alright. Al, why don't you get me the first aid kit, some water, and a rag?” Taking a seat on the bed she stroked its little head. “Oh and get a towel to wrap him in.”

 

When its master had left the other kitten came into the room. She turned her head from side to side, watching her friend. Hopping up onto the bed she gave a slight mew. Touching its back, Briana smiled. “It's ok, your playmate is going to be just fine.” Glancing up to her love she added, “And so will your brother.”

 

Ed scowled slightly. “It's my fault. I know he doesn't say much but I know he feels it.” Sliding down beside her on the bed he studied the small fuzz-ball she held. “I asked him once if he hated me. He said he never could but… then I left him for three years. He's got to at least be mad over it.”

 

A slight smile spread across her lips. “He loves you, end of story. Sure he might have been mad at one time or another, but not over that. Not over what you and he did. And you couldn't help getting amnesia.” Kissing his shoulder lightly, she continued. “Jacob hated his automail. Said there was so much he couldn't do.”

 

A look of shock came over his face but just then Alphonse walked in with the needed supplies. Kneeling at her feet, he held up the things she'd asked for. It was obvious he was worried about her small charge. “What were you two talking about brother? You seem upset.”

 

Taking the towel and rolling the kitten in it Briana decided to try and explain. “We were discussing you.” That earned her a stern look, although she ignored it. Instead she continued with her work. “Ed knows that it hurts you that there are some things that you can't do.”

 

Both men started to say something but she stopped them by holding up her hand. “I was just saying that Jacob felt the same about his automail. Edward, you use it in your work. But for him it was nothing more than a nuisance.” Cleaning the paw with the water she clarified.

 

“He didn't know alchemy and so couldn't transform it like you can. When it gave him problems he couldn't go running to Winry to have it fixed. But that wasn't what bothered him.” Drying the fur gently she continued. “Like when he accidentally forgot and touched me with it during the winter.

 

“We had been outside strolling in extremely cold weather and when we got back home he touched my arm with it. Naturally it hurt.” She shook her head with a smile, wrapping the injury with a small piece of bandage tape. “He kept apologizing for something that wasn't his fault. I loved him anyway. No matter what he did I loved him.”

 

Turning to the man at her side sighed, “And no matter what you do Al will love you. He'll get mad at you over stuff, that's natural. No telling how many times I got upset over Jacob and his messes. But I never stopped caring about him.” She kissed his cheek to prove her point. “Even if he did turn into you.”

 

Alphonse studied his sibling for a long moment before speaking. “Brother I'm not mad at you over this. Bringing back mother was our choice, not just yours. The only time I do get upset is when you keep blaming yourself for something you didn't do.” He turned to Brie who had cleared her throat. She held the kitten out to him which he took.

 

“Don't think that because your so big that you can't do things like this.” She told him, laying a hand on his shoulder. “You just have to know how to go about it. I learned a long time ago how to handle injured animals. Everyone has their limits sure, but that doesn't mean you have to look at them in a bad way.” She smiled. “You'd be able to handle animals at the zoo with ease. Just don't try and drag those big cats home!”

 

The threesome laughed at that thought. It was true that Al might consider one as gentle as a kitten. But then he asked a question. “So where did you learn how to deal with hurt animals? Did your parents teach you?” He saw her face fall and regretted the question. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…”

 

“No.” She shook her bowed head. “It's alright, you didn't know. My parents were killed when I was very young. My father was an alchemist who had gotten into something too deep I guess. The case was never solved.” Letting out a heavy sigh she added, “My grandmother taught me about animals. Had to with the way Wyatt kept dragging them in for her to help.”

 

Ed seemed to tense at her side. Instantly the air seemed thick. “Have you told him yet?” She frowned and turned away. He wouldn't allow that. Taking his hand he turned her head back to face him. “Brie, why haven't you told him? He's got to know some time or another.”

 

Biting her bottom lip she peered into those golden eyes. `I haven't told him because I don't want to break his heart like you broke mine.' But she wasn't about to tell him that. “I'm sorry Edward. It's not exactly easy to explain. Like I said he knows about Jake but Wyatt thinks he's dead.”

 

Alphonse was surprised by that. `She told him that her husband died? But why not tell him the truth?' Letting the squirming kitten go, he asked, “You told him that Jacob died?” She shook her head. “But then… why would he think that he died? Does he even know about the baby?”

 

Clenching her teeth she wished this conversation were already a mere memory. “I told him that I lost my husband. I never said that he died, but that's the way it was taken.” The stares on her showed that the second question also had to be answered. “I did tell him about the child.”

 

That was enough to enrage the alchemist. “What? That jerk knew before I did! I can't believe this!” Glaring at her he remembered what she'd said, “If things hadn't have worked out I was going to leave.” Cooling off slightly he brushed away the tears that had yet to fall from her eyes. “It's alright. I understand.”

 

Turning to him, she wrapped her arms about him. `This is my husband. This is Jacob.' That thought helped her to say what she did. “Thank you Ed. I'll call him tonight…” Then she remembered something to her horror. Backing away she frowned. “I'm supposed to meet him for a date tonight.”

 

She knew he'd want to go with her and had to think quickly. “I'll go ahead and call now to cancel.” The last thing she wanted was for those two to get together. They didn't hate each other but they certainly didn't like each other either. Standing she went to the kitchen where the phone was located.