Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Reunion ( Chapter 24 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 24: Reunion

 

His palm was on the back of his head with his face turned toward the ground. When he did raise it so she could see his features, she reached out a hand to him. A wave of relief came over Al as he stepped forward to give her a warm hug. She smelled of lilacs and honey, a combination of her shampoo and the snack she'd had earlier.

 

Breathing in deeply, he savored the moment. Her hair was soft against his arm, her grip loose and yet somehow tight at the same time. It was just as he'd imaged it would be. She was warm and sweet, like the springtime and thus seemed to match her personality well. “We did it sis.”

 

Leaning back to peer up into his eyes she realized why he'd been aloof at first. `But he doesn't look a thing like him.' It wasn't the physical aspect, but the aura Alphonse gave off. It was so different that it set the man who had injured her and her in-law apart. “Yes you have. I'm so happy for you.”

 

Winry stepped out onto the porch, polishing a piece of metal she'd been working on. “Hey Brie, what if we...” Glancing up, she stopped mid sentence. `They're back.' Her heart seeped to leap up into her chest as she took in the sight. Alphonse opened his arms, allowing her to rush into them, dropping her project completely. “Oh Al!”

 

He could feel her tears against his cheek as she hugged him close, happiness overtaking her. She smelled just as he supposed she would, machine oil laced with the scent of metal. He wouldn't have it any other way. Her hair was slick, although not oily, as one might think.

 

`They finally did it.' Pulling away from him she smiled, drying her eyes. Swallowing hard she turned to Edward. When he took a step toward her she frowned with the realization. Her tone changed when she addressed the alchemist, “I guess this means you're back to normal too?”

 

He caught the hint of disgust in her voice. `She could tell by the way I walked.' Scratching his head he grinned. “Yeah isn't it great?” Just as he'd expected, he received a knock to the head with her wrench. Moaning he touched the wound gingerly. “You don't have to be that way about it.”

 

The mechanic thrust out her chin before striding away from him. Pinako watched from the porch, puffing on her pipe. “Well boys it's nice to have you back in one piece. Although I must say Ed, it's a real shame about that automail. We made a fortune off of you.”

 

Briana laughed. “Yeah but with this new invention of Winry's you'll be able to open a whole new market.” Lifting her skirt she showed the men her braces. “They're attached to my muscles so I can move them. She hasn't figured out the knee part yet but I'm sure she will.”

 

Stooping down Ed inspected them closer. Touching the metal lightly he frowned. “The stone got used up changing us back. I'm sorry.” His head was bowed for only a moment before he felt her fingers run through his hair. Looking up at her, he saw the warm smile she wore along with the comforting glow in her eyes.

 

“Doesn't matter. I've got you, Alphonse, and with Winry's help I can walk. I don't need it. What I need is you.” Without allowing him to answer, she pulled him into another kiss. The younger Elric grinned as he picked up his bag and headed inside the house behind Pinako.

 

 

Closing the downstairs bedroom door, Edward gave his wife, who was already sitting on the mattress, a smirk. “You look beautiful.” He murmured, taking a seat beside her. Pushing her hair out of the way he leaned over and kissed her neck gently. “I love you Brie.”

 

Smiling, she rolled her eyes. She was stiff, although he didn't seem to sense it. He was too caught up in simply being reunited with her. “I've gotta go get changed.” She told him, reaching for her crutches, which were leaning against the bedside table. But he stopped her before she was able to take hold. “What is it?” She asked, looking at the hand on her arm.

 

“Why do you have to go anywhere? Aren't we married? I can help you.” Shifting behind her, she allowed him to tug her top off over her head. He pressed his lips against her back lightly before reaching for the nightshirt she'd laid out. Slipping it over her slender form he grinned. “Was that so bad?”

 

Shaking her head, she glanced at the pants she'd also chosen. They were loose but would cover her legs completely. He also noticed them and frowned. “You don't have to wear those, what you've got on reaches down to your thighs anyway.” Pulling off his own shirt proved that there was no disfigurement.

 

Touching where his shoulder had held a mark, her brow furrowed. His skin was perfect, just the way it should have been. “No scar. I thought… I guess I expected you to have one.” Swallowing hard she glanced at his leg. “I suppose it's the same way right? No scar?”

 

Smiling he nodded as he unfastened his belt and pulled off his pants to show her. “See, good as new.” His grin faded when he saw how dismayed she seemed by this fact. Placing a hand on her face he peered into her blue-green eyes. “What is it? Darling what's wrong?”

 

She turned away and bowed her head. A tear began to run slowly down her cheek. `What's wrong with me? I should be happy for him. But…' Clearing her throat she made a request which tore at her own heart, making it bleed. “Maybe you should sleep upstairs Edward.”

 

“No.” He breathed. Shifting so that he was pressed close to her, he took hold of her hand. “Why? Why don't you want me here? Brie please… I need to be with you. I can't bear to be in the same house and not even be in the same room. I need you right now, don't turn me away.”

 

Shaking her head she moaned. “But Ed… your legs. If we share a bed then my braces might cut them. You don't want to have a scar because of me do you? I couldn't stand to hurt you. I thought… I thought it wouldn't be so bad because you'd still have the other marks. But now you're perfect, I can't mess that up for you.”

 

Placing a hand on her chin, he forced her to look at him. “What about all those times my automail cut you? It didn't seem to matter to you then if scars were left on your legs. Why are mine different?” Her eyes filled up with tears, breaking his heart and forcing him to try a different tactic.

 

“I was so afraid you'd be upset because I'd been restored when Al was. I'd give anything if you had been the one in that room with him instead of me. I feel like I've let you down and now you ask me to leave.” Taking a breathe he asked, “Tell me the truth Brie, is that why?”

 

Briana's mouth opened as she tried to find the words. Wrapping her arms around him she began to sob. “Oh no, please don't think that! You've never let me down Edward. Never.” Pressing her lips against his she continued. “I don't want you to go I just… don't want to hurt you.”

 

Hugging her tightly he begged, “Then don't send me away. Let me stay with you forever.” Bowing his head into her shoulder he pleaded. “I'll figure a way to put the scars back. I'll do anything, just don't make me leave you alone again. I've already done that once before and I don't want to make that mistake again.”

 

Smiling, she shook her head. “I don't want that beautiful skin marred and certainly not by you. You can stay but… my legs, they look terrible. Not all of the redness had gone down where Winry connected the wires. And I've still got stitches on my hips so it looks horrible.”

 

Edward pulled back from her. “Let me see.” He directed, moving to sit on the floor. Leaning back she unzipped the skirt and tugged at it until it came off. He studied the connections closely one at a time. He was able to see how they went through the flesh to the muscles below.

 

Moving upward along the leg he saw the bandaged stitches she spoke of. “The wires are connected under the skin?” She nodded. He returned to her foot which she moved, proving the ankle joint worked well. Standing again, he smiled. “It looks fine Brie but from what I've been told this was your idea.”

 

Bowing her head, she admitted, “Yes.” When he'd returned to sit beside her, she faced him warily. “I'm sorry Ed but I… I wanted to do this and I knew you wouldn't approve unless you were right there, hovering over me. It would have made things harder, so I asked Winry not to tell you.”

 

The alchemist sighed heavily. “You're right.” Leaning over, he threw back the cover on the opposite side of the bed. “I would have been right there beside you. But I guess I can understand why you didn't let me know. So I'll forgive you this time.” He lifted her into his arms.

 

Carrying her around to the mattress bridal style he bowed over to tuck her in. After doing that, he went to turn off the light, then climb into bed beside her. Wrapping his arms around her, he sighed again. “I missed you while I was gone. I kept reaching for you and you weren't there.”

 

Briana smiled, snuggling in close. “Of course not, I was here, reaching for you.” Closing her eyes she gave a silent prayer of thanks for his safe return. “I think I've been driving Winry crazy. When I'd call out in the night she'd have to come down here to snap me out of it.”

 

“But she did?” Ed asked, receiving an `um hum' as his answer. “Good, I was worried about you. I think Al was too. He kept mentioning how you still didn't sleep well.” Kissing the back of her neck he inhaled deeply musing at the scent. `Al was right, she smells like lilacs.'

 

“What are you doing?” Brie questioned, feeling his breath against her skin. “Are you sniffing me?” When she got the same mumbled response she'd given him, the brunette laughed. “What is up with you and Alphonse? He did the same thing when he hugged me today. Have you two turned into dogs?”

 

Nipping the back of her neck produced another giggle. “Maybe.” He mumbled, doing it to her again before pressing his lips against the same spot. “He just got all his senses back, so he notices things like that. He said you smell like flowers but I think it's more like heaven.”

 

Turning over so that the area was out of reach she smiled, ignoring the pain in her hips. “How would you like it if I did that to you?” When he got a devilish glint in his eye she shook her head. “Never mind, don't answer that.” Putting her head against his chest she sighed. His skin felt so warm against her that she wondered why she hadn't noticed it before.

 

Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that they'd been separate for a few days, or maybe the lack of his cool automail. Whatever it was, she reveled in his closeness. It allowed her to drift off to into a sleep without nightmares. She was at peace for the first time in a long while.

 

 

“Brie.” A voice called through the white void. When she turned, she could see her beloved husband. Rushing forward, she embraced him. He smiled at her the way he used to. “Darling I've missed you so much. Has that dog of the military been taking good care of you?”

 

Her brow furrowed as she studied his face, and then noticed that his hair was in a ponytail. “Jacob? Is that you?” She received a nod before he pressed her against his chest. Laying her head on his shoulder she sighed. “Yes he's been wonderful but… What are you doing here?”

 

He laughed just as he had so many times before when she would ask what he considered a silly question. “I'm here to see you of course! But tell me, is he really taking good care of you? Is he everything you want him to be? If not I could come back, if that's what you want me to do.”

 

Briana thought for a moment. `This can't be but…' Stepping back so that she could see him again she knew he had to be Jake. Her eyes slid away from him. “He… does almost everything except that… well sometimes I wonder about him. But he's getting better. His actions are less guarded than they were.”

 

Catching hold of her chin he frowned. “Which would you want? Really and truly? Do you want me to come back?” His heart faltered when she didn't answer, it was obvious by his face. “Tell me Darling. Because if you want, I'll come back and you won't have to worry about Ed ever again.”

 

“But…” She turned her head away. “Alphonse and Winry would miss him if he were gone. A lot of people would and I wouldn't want that. They've been so kind to me.” His stare hadn't wavered. He wanted a truthful answer from her, although it seemed she was reluctant to give any at all.

 

“Which do you want? If none of those people mattered, if there were only going to be you and one of us for the rest of your life, who would you choose? Don't think about everyone else, think only of yourself. I know that's hard for you but try.” His voice wasn't cold, instead it was stern. “Try.”

 

Closing her eyes she thought back on all the memories she held of each. Both had their good sides just as both had their bad. “You have to understand. Edward… he had more than just me to think of. But when I was injured and in the hospital he was right there by my side.

 

“You've never had anyone else so placing me at the center of your world was easy.” Finally looking back at him she managed to continue. “For him it was different. He made me a part of his life when it was already full. He's done the best he knows how and… And I…”

 

Shaking her head she wasn't sure she could do this. “Jacob I love you, and I always will but I think… If given the time the two of you will merge. I can already see it in the way he looks at me. I'm sorry but if I had to make the choice it would be him… Please understand.”

 

He gave a slight nod before turning to walk away. Stretching out her hand she tried to run after him. “Please don't take it like that!” Tears began to fall as the distance between them grew. “I'm sorry…” Stopping, salty droplets still streaming, she breathed, “So sorry…”

 

 

When she began to stir Edward closed his eyes pretending to be asleep. He'd heard her side of the conversation. `Probably those pills Winry gave her for pain. They make her talk in her sleep.' But he couldn't hide the smile that crossed his lips. Even in her dreams, she'd chosen him.