Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Celebration II ( Chapter 27 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 27: Celebration II

 

After their orders were given, Edward cleared his throat. “Well Al if you want to I guess we could try and locate those girls.” He didn't sound very enthused by the idea, but rather felt that he was obligated to at least offer. But when he saw the expression on his sibling's face he scowled. “What is it?”

 

“Nothing.” Alphonse told him, his tone being very distinct. He didn't want to talk about the way that woman had spoken of his sister. “I guess your friend found one of her own kind.” It was enough to make his stomach churn. `Her own kind, as if Brie is different from everyone else.'

 

She peered at her in-law. It was painstakingly obvious that whatever had happened was not to be spoken of in front of her. With a sigh, she shifted to stand. “I think I'll go to the ladies room before our food arrives.” Locking her knees, she took her crutches in hand, Ed already having moved to help her.

 

“Will you be alright?” When she nodded, he realized that she'd made a slight movement toward Al with her head. After watching her go, he sat back down and turned to the other man. “What happened back there on the dance floor? You seemed to have been having a good time.”

 

Taking a drink, Alphonse tried to figure a way of putting it so that there would be no explosion. However, much to his displeasure, there would be no getting around that. With reluctance he explained, “The one I was with mentioned that… that Brie had found one of her own kind.”

 

That did it, the fuse was lit. Of course the younger could have tried to lie, but he'd never been very good at that as a suit. Now, with expressions, he was even less likely to pull it off. At that moment it didn't matter, the rage was burning in those golden eyes for all to see.

 

“Her own kind, what the hell does that mean?” The alchemist's voice was raised and so they received several glares from nearby tables, although he didn't seem to care about that. In a lower, but still irate tone, he continued. “Where do they get off saying something like that?”

 

Checking back over his shoulder, Alphonse was relived to see that she was apparently in the restroom and hadn't heard. “Brother would you please keep your voice down? That girl didn't have the right to say something like that, but Brie doesn't have to know. Just let it drop ok?”

 

Slamming a fist against the table, Ed gritted his teeth. `He's right, Brie doesn't need to find out about this. It would upset her.' Glancing around he tried to locate either of the two women, but neither were anywhere in sight. “Fine, but I don't want them anywhere near us.”

 

“Agreed.” Al, told him with a single nod. Shifting in his seat he caught sight of the man who was in the wheelchair. He was sitting, at a table by the entrance, with another gentleman who was dressed in a suit. They seemed to be going over a handful of paperwork. `I guess we could have been more understanding.' He thought with a roll of the eyes, a habit he'd picked up from his sister.

 

 

Standing in the handicap stall, Briana leaned back against the wall and took in a deep breath. `It was silly of me to scold them like that. After all I was jealous of him and that… tramp. But did they have to be so rude?' Just before she moved to unlock the door she heard a voice she recognized.

 

“It's too bad they're with that cripple.” It was, without a doubt, the dark-haired girl who'd been dancing with the younger Elric. Checking her burgundy lipstick in the mirror, she pulled out a small bag of makeup. “I mean, what could they possibly see in her anyway?”

 

Laugher echoed off the walls, making Brie shiver. “I don't know.” The taller woman was saying. “She's dragging them down. You know I bet they could have a lot of fun if they didn't have her.” Her own face needed touchups as well. “What was their problem anyway? What did you say?”

 

Shrugging, the other ran a hand through her locks. “All I said was that she'd found someone of her own kind. You know that guy in the wheelchair. I thought he'd be happy about it.” Her tone had become sour. “You'd think they'd want her to find a guy more her own type.”

 

“Yeah.” Her friend sighed, adding a layer of powder to her cheeks. “I thought we had them for sure. However…” Closing the compact she gave a slight moan. “he was awfully short, and quiet, like he was in a shell or something. Five more minutes and I would have broken it though.”

 

Leaning her head back, Briana wanted to scream. But the conversation continued, leaving her to listen in. “I'm sure you would have. But they've got that little freak with them. They're both so handsome, why keep something like that with them? Don't they know she's pulling them down?”

 

Brushing her strawberry-blond hair, her ally sighed. “I guess they don't. It's a pity that guys like those get stuck with a weirdo like her. Especially when they could be so much more.” Giving her lips one last smack together she smiled. “Oh well, let's go. There's plenty of others out there.”

 

Once she heard the door close Brie slammed her fists against the wall behind her. Hot tears were in the corners of her eyes. `No, no, no. You can't cry. Not here, not now.' She could have slapped herself for giving in to the pain. As the salty droplets rolled down her cheeks she covered her face with her hands.

 

They were right, and that was what made it so bad. Her heart told her that their words were true. With a moan, she dried her face before leaving the stall to check her appearance in the mirror. Pressing her fingers under her eyes, she managed to remove the last traces of redness.

 

The way back to her seat seemed to have become longer since leaving the table. Was it just her, or were her legs hurting more now then they had been? Noticing her trouble, Ed came to her aid. “Are you alright?” If they would've been alone he might have added a `Darling', but would not do so in public.

 

“I'm fine.” She assured him, sitting down with his help. In the distance she could see the two women, already working another set of men across the room. She cringed at the thought of those tramps having had their hands on her boys. `But they were right. They would have more fun without me.'

 

Edward moved to sit next to her. Slipping a hand behind her, he rubbed the small of her back soothingly. His face was etched with worry. `Did she hear me?' He hardly noticed the young lady who had come up to their table. Glancing up he saw her warm smile. “Yes?”

 

“Oh.” She mumbled, realizing he was addressing her. She brushed back her brown locks, which were streaked with red-blond highlights. Her grin widened when Briana saw her. Happiness seemed to burst forth like a dam breaking. Leaning down she hugged her old friend's neck. “Where on earth have you been girl? The two of you just disappeared without a trace!”

 

Putting thoughts of the two vixens aside, she embraced the woman before her. “Oh I don't know where my head has been.” She motioned for her to sit down then turned to the Elrics who were both in a state of shock. “This is Andrea. She knew us back in Brook Haven.”

 

That bit of news caused Edward to tense up mentally. Leaning so that only his wife could hear, he whispered, “Well then maybe you should explain what happened. I mean… about me.” He smiled to the brunette nervously. This was the first person he'd met who'd known him as his prior self.

 

Nodding Brie rolled her eyes. `Sure put it on my shoulders why don't you?' Aloud she said, “The reason we left was that… well you know the situation with Jacob. As it turns out Al here,” She motioned to her in-law. “is his brother. When he showed up Jake's memory came back.”

 

A thoughtful look passed over Andrea's face. “What does that have to do with why you left so quickly?” Taking a glimpse toward the man at her side she wondered about him. `He looks so strange. There's a newness about him, but why?' Glancing to the blond she noted his change in demeanor.

 

Clearing his throat the alchemist found himself becoming more uncomfortable as the silence stretched out. “I left, without her.” He refused to watch the expression on the girl's face. “The morning after seeing Al I woke up with my memory back but the years with Brie were gone.”

 

“Gone?” Swallowing hard, she tried to comprehend the pain her friend must have gone through. Switching her attention to Briana she ventured to ask, “But then… what happened? You followed after him obviously. Did you manage to make him remember or not?”

 

Shaking her head, her curls bounced. “No, he still can't recall that time together. However,” Laying a hand on his she smiled. “Edward does love me, just as much as he ever has. Oh that's right I forgot to tell you his name. It's Edward Elric, he's a state alchemist.”

 

With a sigh of relief, Andrea allowed her shoulders to relax. “Well then I guess everything's worked out alright. So you're living here in Central?” When she received a nod she almost exploded with joy. “That's perfect! I'm planning on moving here. I've got a shop so that I can open my very own store where I can sell my drawings!”

 

“That's wonderful.” Briana was so happy for her. It had been something she'd wanted to do since they'd been children. When the music in the background changed to a slow song she suggested, “Alphonse, why don't you take her to dance? I'm sure you'd both enjoy it.”

 

His face went flush with embarrassment. He'd been checking out this new girl since she'd first approached the table. All he could do was nod. Standing he took her hand, and began to lead her to the floor. But she paused, “Why don't you come too?” Seeing the change in Briana's eyes she gave a slight laugh. “I saw you cross the room Brie, I'm sure with him to hold on to you'd be fine.”

 

As the younger Elric led his partner onto the floor, the elder studied his wife's face which had gone white. “What is it? Are you upset because she saw you?” She let out a breath she'd been holding as he rubbed her back. “Why don't we go have a dance? I won't let you fall.”

 

She smiled, before leaning over to kiss his lips. “Let's.” She answered, allowing him to help her to stand. As they prepared to move from the table she gave a short explanation. “I guess I just wasn't sure how to tell her. To be honest while we talked I'd forgotten I had a problem. But then her reaction was so… so her.”

 

With a slight laugh, Ed put an arm around her waist, leading her toward the dancing figures. “I like her already, and I think Al does too.” He motioned to his brother, who was glowing with excitement. `They're laughing and talking like they've known each other for years.'

 

“She has that effect on people.” Brie giggled, knowing what he'd been thinking. When his golden eyes locked with her blue-green ones the world around seemed to melt away. There was so much love and contentment in him that the flame seemed to ignite her own heart.

 

As they swayed to the music he found himself in a trance where no one existed save for the woman he so passionately desired. In that instant it seemed as though everything were normal. It was as though there had been no accident, no memory lost, no time, and no space, only each other.

 

Peering into those hazel orbs, Alphonse felt as though he'd found a whole new world. Her laugh echoed in his ears like the song of an angel. If there was no such thing as love at first sight, then what could this possibly be? `Some lovely dream?' If so he wished it never to end.

 

Andrea also found herself wondering what was happening. She'd always been so careful to guard her heart, to shelter it from the pain that affection could bring. Yet here she was opening it to a guy she'd only just met. `To be broken at the hands of this man would still be heaven.'