Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Morning After ( Chapter 29 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 29: Morning After

 

“I can't believe you!” Briana chased her husband around their small living room, dressed only in her robe. “Give me that thing right now!” As she lunged at him, her hand stretched out, he dodged to the side, still laughing. “Jacob you jerk! Give me that picture this instant!”

 

Rushing to the opposite side of the table he held it above his head, grinning from ear to ear. “I think you look beautiful.” The photo in question was one he'd snapped only a few minutes earlier while she was in the shower. Pressing it to his lips, he fell to the floor as she collided with him.

 

She was beginning to regret the instant camera she'd given him the week before. Snatching the snapshot from him, she tried to get away herself but found his arm looped firmly around her waist. Tumbling across the floor, he managed to get on top, pinning her to the ground. The glint in his eye was annoyingly familiar.

 

“Awe, what's wrong? My Baby doesn't like having her picture taken?” He chuckled; pulling it from between clenched her fingers. Then, seeing an opportunity he leaned down, kissing her neck. Her moan only served to encourage him further as he worked his way to her shoulder.

 

“Promise me you won't show it to anyone?” He grunted an affirmative, still concentrating on warm flesh. As the phone rang it was his turn to groan. When he didn't move she pushed against his chest. “I've got to answer it. Now go hide that where no one will ever find it.”

 

Begrudgingly he complied, shifting so that she could get up. Studying the photo in hand he gave a smug grin. `Well I might not have won the war yet, but at least I won the battle.' With that thought in mind, he went into their bedroom to stash away his spoils of war.

 

 

Edward looked at the snapshot for a long moment. Surely it was him who'd held the camera, at least that's what he hoped was the case. He'd found it when going through one of the journals. It had fallen out on the floor, face down. Upon picking it up he'd found himself somewhat shocked.

 

True he should have been getting ready for work. However he'd wanted to research his past life with her during any free time he might have. The best way he figured of doing that would be to read the material he had written down during those years. It would give him more insight into who he had really been, rather than who people thought he was.

 

He heard a soft moan as she turned over to look at him in a uniform which resembled the one he used to wear. A sweet smile was left on her face from the night before. She stretched out a hand to him, just as she had in the moonlight. With a grin he moved to take it, showing her the picture that was held in the other.

 

“Oh.” She groaned, laying back and putting an arm across her eyes. Shaking her head she laughed. “I can't believe you found that thing.” Shifting again so that she could see him, she gave a playful frown. “You really shouldn't have snapped it in the first place. It wasn't proper.”

 

He chucked, relieved that it had been him. “Well I've never been known for being proper.” Leaning down, he kissed her lips briefly before reminding, “You've got to get out of bed. We've both got to go to work. Or have you forgotten? I'm sure Al and your friend are already up and ready.”

 

Snuggling down under the blanket, Briana nodded. “Yes of course they would be. They're both early risers while the two of us are bums who like to sleep in.” She giggled until he threw back the covers, at which time she scowled deeply. “Oh Edward! It's cold, give those back!” She reached for them but they were just beyond her grasp.

 

“You've got to get dressed.” He told her, pulling a shirt and skirt out of the closet. As she sat up, he tossed them onto the bed beside her. Opening one of the drawers of the dresser he retrieved a fresh pair of underwear and a bra. Handing them to her he stretched. “I've got to brush my teeth and fix my hair, alright?”

 

She nodded, looking at the mess of tangles, although, it was still back in a ponytail. “Fine I'll go ahead and get ready.” Covering herself until he'd left the room she realized he'd placed the photo in his pocket. A flush came up into her cheeks. `That man will never change.'

 

 

Alphonse watched as his brother crossed into the restroom. With a smile he turned to their guest. “I guess they finally decided to get up.” She glanced up from the breakfast she was cooking, an easy grin spreading across her lips. Al continued setting the table with the needed plates and silverware.

 

“You know…” Andrea started with a small giggle, placing a finished egg on the platter beside the stove. “Jacob used to hate milk. He said anything secreted from a cow couldn't be worth drinking. Is Edward like that too, or was it just while he didn't have his memory?”

 

Laughing, the younger Elric shook his head. “Brie asked the same thing. No he doesn't like milk. I'm not quite sure what it is but he's never liked the stuff, not even when we were kids.” Noting that, he decided to pull the jug of orange juice from the icebox to drink instead.

 

After a few minutes of silence the door to the bedroom re-opened and out came Briana. “Morning.” She called before continuing on to the bathroom. Knocking on the frame she called though. “It's me, open up.” When he did, she stepped through, closing it behind her.

 

He was in the middle of braiding his hair. Apparently having it hanging was something he'd only intended for that one night. When he'd fastened it off, he shifted behind her and began to comb her curls. Meanwhile she brushed her teeth, forcing him to pause while she spit and rinsed her mouth.

 

“You look beautiful.” He murmured as she studied the lines under her eyes. They were there from the constant stress rather than age. Pulling the locks back, he nipped at her neck gently. With a slight frown he picked up her bottle of cover-up. “You'd better put some of this on.”

 

Briana scowled, noticing the mark he was referring to. “You haven't left one of those in a long time.” When his brow furrowed, she giggled. Touching his cheek with one hand, she kissed the other. “I'm glad you had reason to. It's been awhile since we were together, hasn't it?”

 

He grinned warily. For him it had seemed like it was the first. He couldn't remember the last time, since it had been before he'd regained his memory. “That night, when Al found me, that was when it was, right?” Although he couldn't recall, she'd mentioned it once or twice.

 

“Yes.” Her voice was low, her eyes gazing at him in the mirror with a new glow. Covering the mark completely using the makeup she sighed. It seemed as though the connection between them which had been severed was at long last repaired. Dabbing on some perfume she sighed, “We really should have gotten up in time to take a shower.”

 

Kissing her temple he grinned. “I already have.” Wrapping his arms around her waist, he nipped at her ear. He was pleased when she giggled. Oh if only he didn't have to go to work. “I can smell breakfast. I guess we need to get out there before it gets cold.” Although it was his suggestion, he didn't move for the door.

 

Shifting against him she grinned, knowing he'd rather stay right were they were. “Ed, we must go eat before you have to leave for the office.” When he moaned she laughed, turning and reaching for the knob. Once it had opened she started out, feeling his fingers rubbing up under the back of her shirt. “You're such a child.” She told him playfully, pulling away.

 

“Perhaps.” The alchemist murmured, leading her toward the table which was already set for them. “Good morning.” He greeted, taking a seat after having helped his wife to one. Andrea grinned, putting the gravy in place. “It looks wonderful. Did you make all this yourself?”

 

“Yes.” She answered, slouching into the chair Al had pulled out for her. After they'd said a short prayer she mentioned, “I was thinking that I could see about staying in a motel until I find a place. That way I wouldn't be putting anyone out.” As soon as she'd finished talking she saw how the younger man's face fell.

 

“That's not necessary.” He assured her, passing the eggs to his in-law. “We don't mind having you here. Do we brother?” His grey eyes pleaded for his sibling not to say something without thinking. He'd been known to do that, as was well noted in military documents.

 

Swallowing the bite he'd taken, Edward looked to his wife and then at the woman. “Of course we don't. I'm sure we could see about finding a daybed somewhere and set it up in the living room instead of having the couch.” He could feel the feminine hand of his love squeeze his thigh in thanks.

 

“So what will we be doing today then?” Briana asked, picking up a piece of bacon. Her friend had always been a good cook and it was well appreciated. Everything tasted so delicious. Of course that might have had more to do with the fact that she didn't have to cook it.

 

“Well I was hoping that we could go down and set up the shop. Maybe by next week we could be ready to open.” She glanced at the alchemist who was eating his egg silently. “That is of course if you were going to help out. If not, I'll have to get you to teach me how to work the books.”

 

Ed took a drink of his orange juice. “She'll be able to go with you. It'll probably do her good to get out.” He glanced at the artist with a smirk. “Besides she'll be better off with you than sitting here alone all day. I'm sure you two will have things up and going before long.”

 

Andrea smiled, knowing he was overprotective of his wife. Had she only known what they'd gone through since she'd last seen them, she would have understood. “I'm glad, I could use the help.” She'd never been very good at math and would have needed to hire someone. At least this way she knew who it was, and could trust them. “What time do you get off?” Her query was directed toward Al.

 

“We should be home sometime this afternoon. I'm never sure exactly when since I have to finish whatever paperwork they give me.” He grinned at his sibling for a moment before continuing. “Of course brother will probably get out of doing too much since it's his first day in the office.”

 

Ed scoffed, “Not if Mustang has anything to say about it.” When he felt his spouse's glare on him he turned to her with a questioning stare. “What? You know it's true. He'll probably give me extra just to make some sort of point.” Her gaze didn't soften even in the slightest.

 

“Edward, he's done a lot for us.” With a sigh, her voice changed. “He let you take time off to see after me. Then he arranged to let you bring as many books from the library as you needed here so I wouldn't be left alone. I don't believe he's nearly as bad as you think. Maybe you should give him a chance.”

 

With a moan he consented, “Fine, if that's what you want.” Anything she asked of him, he'd be willing to do, even if it meant calling a truce with the Colonel. With a sigh he stood and moved to place his hands on her shoulders. Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. “Have fun, I'll see you this afternoon.”

 

Alphonse bowed to both women before following his brother to the front door. Looking back he saw a sight he hoped would become familiar. Beautiful hazel eyes glistened as they locked with his grey ones. This did not go unnoticed by the other man who was also pleased by the circumstances.

 

Somehow it seemed that overnight things had changed. The air was clearer. The feeling of foreboding had lifted from them. It was a glorious change that was well disserved. It was as though their world would see spring once more. Perhaps the long and terrible winter had finally passed.