Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Stay ( Chapter 16 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

Chapter 16: Stay

Edward watched as her face contorted with pain and frustration. “What is it? What's wrong?” He sat up when she didn't answer. Instead tears began to slide slowly down her cheeks. Her hands were grasping her legs desperately. The words of Dr. Mayodan came back to him. “More than likely, if your wife wakes up, she'll never walk again.”

Now the horrible truth was entering Briana's mind as well. “I can't feel my legs Edward. They… The nerves were damaged, weren't they?” When he nodded with a grim expression, she fell back against the pillows with a devastated groan. Closing her eyes she willed herself to wake from this nightmare.

But the tears kept falling, nothing seemed to change. `I've lost the baby and now the use of my legs. My life may as well be over.' She tried to think of the good things, but it didn't seem to do much good. After having cried for several long minutes she managed, “Then I'm a useless cripple. I would have been better off dead.”

“No.” Ed breathed, putting his arms around her tightly. He allowed her to press her face against his chest. “Brie don't talk like that. You're alive, that's all that matters.” But she shook her head, her tears soaking through his shirt. “That is all that matters. I don't even have two legs to stand on. But I'm alright. I made it through.”

Pulling back slightly she peered into his golden eyes. “That's different. You've got automail. I can't even get that, not while I still have my limbs.” Her heart was beginning to falter once more. She realized he still had things that had to be done. He wasn't Jacob; his world didn't evolve around her. “Please… just go.” She whispered, turning her head from him.

`Why? Why send me away, now of all times?' Shifting her onto her side, he moved into the position they'd been in the evening before. “I'm not going anywhere. We'll get through this. Don't worry about anything. I'll take care of you.” But she pressed her face into the pillow. “What is it? Don't you want me to?”

Turning to look at him over her shoulder she sighed. “You've got to take care of Al first. That's been your goal since long before you met me. It's better if you go now.” She tried to remove his hand from her waist, but it remained firmly in place. Swallowing hard she said something she never thought she would, “Ed, you never asked for this. You didn't marry me so I'm not your problem to bear.”

His grip around her loosened slightly. “I thought…” He pulled her in tighter. “No Briana, you can't turn me away that easily. I know I'm not Jacob. I know I'm not everything he was and I'm sorry. But I do love you and I won't leave just because things get hard. Al and I will work something out. But for now you need me and he'll understand that. He won't want to leave either.”

“Oh Ed.” Closing her eyes, she sighed. “I'm tired.” The IV was still gone from her hand, leaving her even weaker than she would have been. Salty droplets still slid silently onto her pillowcase. The stress was too much for her frail body to handle. “Will you be here, when I wake?”

Before answering he pressed his lips against the back of her head. “I'll always be here.” He lifted himself slightly so he could see her smile. Then resuming his position, he tried to find some comfort as well. `I may not have been the one to marry you, but there's no doubt that my heart did.'

Edward stirred when one of the nurses nudged his shoulder. “Mr. Elric, I'm afraid you'll have to move now. We've got to reinsert the IV.” She was the one who had spent so much time taking care of them. That was the only reason he was willing to comply with her request.

It was only when he stood that he realized there was another person in the room. Standing in the corner, observing without saying a word, was Alphonse. Stretching his arms over his head, the alchemist yawned. “Hey, I didn't expect to see you here so early. What time is it anyway?”

The younger sibling shook his head with a long sigh. “It's almost lunchtime brother.” He wasn't surprised when the elder glanced at the clocked with a shocked expression. “Winry went down to the cafeteria a few minutes ago. She said she'd bring you back something.”

Turning to the bed, Ed watched carefully as the tube went back into his wife. She was pale, paler than he liked. “Why didn't you come in to do this sooner? Don't you think she needed it?” His anger was rising, as he studied her frail hands. “Why wasn't it done this morning?”

After she'd finished, the nurse peered back at him. “She was resting peacefully. She needed to be calmed down after what all she learned earlier. We didn't want her going into shock.” As she walked out, she added over her shoulder. “I've seen you go days without eating. I'm sure she could stand a few hours.”

Collapsing into the chair he stared at Brie with a weary expression. The rise and fall of her chest was the only movement he could see. “She was awake Al. Last night, she turned over. I wasn't dreaming, was I? It seems like she's come to so many times but when morning comes she's just lying there.”

Placing a gauntlet on his shoulder the armor gave it a slight squeeze. “It's alright brother. This time it wasn't a dream. One of the workers came in and saw her. She was awake and speaking normally. They gave her some medicine a few hours ago to add to her strength, but it was supposed to make her sleep. It should be wearing off soon though.”

A tired smile crossed his face as he leaned back with relief. Then a grim expression came over him as he remembered his new dilemma. “She can't feel her legs Al. Her first thought, after crying, was about us, about how we need to continue our search for the stone.”

“But Brother…” The voice from within the suit was strained. “We can't… We won't… will we?” He was relieved when the blond shook his head. Kneeling down he looked at his sister-in-law and laid a hand lightly on hers. “She is quite a woman, isn't she brother?”

The grin returned to Ed's face. “Yeah, she is and we're lucky to have her as family. Although I can't say the same has been true for her. Knowing us hasn't exactly been the greatest thing.” Leaning forward he remembered the face Envy had chosen to wear while taking the life of an innocent child.

“But she loves you.” He turned as Winry came into the room carrying two cartons of food. The stress had worn her down considerably. However the news they'd received when arriving today had brightened her outlook. “I brought you a hamburger. The other meat was questionable.”

“Thanks.” The alchemist took the lunch from her and opened it. Taking a bite he realized just how hungry he really was. It was true that he hadn't bothered to eat for several days. Now he was starving. “I guess you're right Winry it's just that… it would have been a lot easier if I hadn't become a part of her life. She would have been better off with that Wyatt guy.”

Shaking her head, the mechanic smiled. “You're being silly Ed. Briana loves you, not Wyatt. She was only considering his offer because she needed help with the…” Her sentence trailed off, leaving the room silent. Taking a seat in the chair on the other side of Brie she stared at her food.

“If it weren't for me she might still have the baby. Envy might never have gone after her. He wouldn't have known whose child it was.” Swallowing hard, his brow furrowed. Staring down at his already half eaten hamburger he felt anger toward himself. “If it weren't for me…”

“Ed.” Briana turned her head to look at him. Blinking a few times she frowned. “Don't talk like that. I love you, no matter what. Please don't blame yourself. It was that man who did this. He would have found out sooner or later. I'm glad it's you taking care of me instead of Wyatt.”

Setting his food aside he scooted forward in the chair, leaning in close. He gave a slight smirk, trying to make it seem upbeat. Gently he tucked one of her curls behind her ear before placing his flesh palm against her cheek. “How long have you been awake?”

She shook her head slightly, her blue-green eyes alight with her love for him. “Since the nurse made you get up. I wasn't completely awake but I heard everything.” Glancing at the clock she frowned. “And what excuse do you have for staying in bed so late anyway? You should have been up hours ago.”

This was the Brie he wanted to see. This was the woman he cared for, who made everything seem better. Those eyes with that voice were his wife, not that shell he'd been sitting beside all these weeks. “I know. I just wanted to be close to you. Are you upset with me?”

This was the man she married. It didn't matter what his name was, he was still her husband at heart. “No, if you had've gotten up sooner I would have too.” Glancing up at Al she winked. “Thanks for wanting to stay. And Winry…” Turning her head to the blond she added, “Where's my hamburger?”

The mechanic laughed, tears of joy running down her face. Leaning over she gave her friend a very tender hug. “I'm so glad you're alright. We were so afraid you wouldn't wake up.” Moving back she pointed to the bag of liquid with a tube coming out. “I'm afraid this is the best you're gonna get for now.”

Rolling her eyes Briana turned back to the alchemist. “Why don't you take her out for some real food? At least you two can eat something decent.” When she saw he was about to object she held up a hand. “I'm alright really. Al will stay here with me and from the looks of your face you could use a good meal.”

Edward frowned but took a quick glance at Winry. `It's true, she needs to eat better. We've been eating out of the hospital cafeteria since it happened.' But he still didn't want to leave. “How about if she and Al go out instead? I don't mind this hamburger. It's enough for me.”

Brie sighed before answering. “No, I want you to get out of this dreary room. You probably need to go home, take a shower and change clothes.” When she saw the expression on his face she questioned, “Have you been up here this entire time?” When he nodded she scowled. “Ed, go home and get cleaned up.”

He motioned for the mechanic to go on out into the hallway. Leaning down close to her face he pressed his forehead against hers. “Are you telling me I stink?” She giggled which seemed to make his heart soar to new heights. He kissed her lips before straitening up again. “Alright then, I'll see you later. Love you.”

She realized he'd do just about anything she told him to if it would please her. “Love you.” When the door was closed she turned to Alphonse with a frown. “You two can't just end the search because I got hurt. You've got to keep going until it's over. Both of you deserve that.”

Taking the seat his sibling had vacated, he shook his helmet, “We can wait. What matters most is making sure that you get better.” Taking her hand into both his gauntlets he tried to covey his smile into his voice. “You're family, and what's more your brother's true love. You give both of us strength, so we need you.”

She peered beyond those hollow holes and into the glow that was behind them. `They need me?' Aloud she admitted. “It may take awhile. But I suppose I could see about trying to walk.” Touching her leg she tried to believe what she was about to say. “After all, the Elric's do the impossible don't they?” She frowned when she realized, “But I'm not an Elric. My last name is still Everson, what Jacob called himself.”

Shaking his head again Alphonse tried to uplift her spirits. “But that's just a technicality. You're brother's wife, and that makes you an Elric.” When her lips didn't change he added. “Brother has already thought about it. But he wasn't sure if you'd want to change it from what it was with Jake.”

Rolling her eyes, Briana realized what was going on. “He thinks I love Jacob instead of him.” Al only shook his head. “He thinks I love Jake more than him?” To that question she received nothing. “Tell me.” A nod without any words, which meant he wasn't supposed to talk about it. “But...”

Who did she love more? If she had the choice between the two who would she pick? `It's not really an issue, is it? But I suppose for Ed it is. Of course it would be a major deal for Jacob, if he were the one here now. He was always so jealous.' Closing her eyes she tried to think.

Jake had been the one to open her heart. His whole world had evolved around her, and making her happy. Nothing else seemed to matter to him. Edward, however, had his sibling to think of. His first duty was returning Alphonse to his rightful body. Before she'd come along it hadn't mattered what it cost him.

Brie knew she was coming between him and his goal. That was the last thing she wanted. Even if she walked away now, or rather went away now, the damage was done. His heart would be broken, not to mention the devastation it would have on Al's. Even if he didn't care for her in the same way, he did care. But who did she love more, Jacob or Edward?