Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Work ( Chapter 30 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 30: Work

 

“I don't see why I can't just walk.” Briana complained to her friend from her seat in the wheelchair. Her arms were crossed over her chest, a frown firmly set in place for the whole world to see how indignant she was about having to ride. “It's only a few blocks, I'm sure I could make it that far.”

 

Andrea laughed, while pushing her along the sidewalk. The sun was out, giving way to a bright warm day. “You could but then you'd be too tired to help me get things ready. Now listen, quit complaining and just enjoy yourself. Later I'll let you push me around for a while.”

 

Brie threw back her head to look at the girl. A grin crossed her lips much like the ones her husband gave, “Sure, we'll see what Ed thinks of that.” Rolling her eyes she realized, `I'm picking up his habits!' Shaking her head she glanced at the shop signs. “See there it is! I could have walked!”

 

 

Picking up the phone he dialed. Once he'd received the typical greeting he questioned, “Yes I'm trying to find out if apartment 912 is available.” When he got an affirmative he grinned. “Alright then, this is Alphonse Elric and I want to rent it… Yes I know I am already renting one but I need another.”

 

After everything was arranged, he hung up with a smile. Edward came into the office, carrying two cups of coffee, one back and the other flavored with milk and sugar. Brie didn't drink it so no one had bothered making any that morning. The elder could tell by the expression on his siblings face but chose to ask anyway, “Come up with anything?”

 

“Yeah.” Taking the diluted liquid, he watched the steam curl upward. He was glad it was just the two of them sharing this room. Mustang had seen to that. The colonel didn't want too many questions being asked about the sudden change in the Elrics. He was planning on putting off the military report and hiding it so there would be no investigation.

 

Sitting down Ed peered at the stack of papers on his desk. `I hate having a desk job. But it keeps me close to Brie.' That, in his mind at least, was the only compensation. Of course his wife would disagree. However, he much preferred being out among the people, even if it meant risking his life.

 

Glancing to Alphonse another thought presented itself, `It keeps him safe too though. If I were to start going on missions he'd want to go too. I couldn't let him get hurt again. I've got to protect him.' Turning back to the stack of papers he frowned. `Even if it means doing this.'

 

 

“Are they under here?” Briana asked, opening the bottom cupboard and finding what she was looking for. It was dark, so it was hard to see. “Never mind.” She murmured as her friend came through the back door carrying a chair and placing it in the middle of the room.

 

“Find them?” Andrea asked, already standing on the stool and twisting the bulb that was already in the socket. Handing it down, she took the new one from the brunette. Once in place it turned on, blinding her momentarily. “Remind me to turn it off at the switch before changing it next time.”

 

Laughing Brie moved aside so that her now boss could get down. How many times had she done that herself? “Alright, but you know we do have to see back here. At least none of the ones in the front room went out. That would be a real problem. You'd have to get a ladder just to reach `em.”

 

Nodding the owner smiled. “True. I'll probably have to have Al's help when those blow.” She blushed slightly. “That is, if he'd be willing to.” Returning to the table where they'd spread out the files she cleared her throat. “Why don't you tell me some more about him? He seems…”

 

“Nice?” Her friend assumed, taking a seat and glancing through one of the folders. “He's a lot like his brother and yet, exactly the opposite. It's strange the way they play off of each other. I suppose it's like a balancing act they've been practicing since their mother died. You can't separate them.”

 

Andrea sighed, picking up a pen and twirling it between her fingers. “I didn't realize they'd lost their mother. What about their dad, is he gone too?” The woman across from her shrugged, concentrating on the task at hand. “I guess it was hard on him then, having been apart those three years.”

 

Setting aside the forms, Briana frowned. “Yeah, I think it was. He refused to believe Ed had died, so maybe in a way that made things easier, but not by much.” Placing her face in her hands she felt the oncoming depression and tried to fight it. “That night, when he first located us, Edward didn't even know him. It wasn't until the next morning that his memory came back.”

 

Leaning over, the artist prodded for further information. “What happened to you then? You told me yesterday that he didn't know you but you never said…” She could hear the sobs and felt a pang in her heart. Standing she moved behind the girl, embracing her gently. “Oh Brie I'm sorry.”

 

She shook her head quickly. “No, no, it's not your fault. I just get this way sometimes, you know that. But oh Andrea, he looked at me like I was some sort of tramp because we were in bed together! I didn't know what to do. Before he left he threw his ring at me. I wanted to die.”

 

“No.” The other woman breathed, holding her tighter as the weeping continued. `She's always had a fear of abandonment. It's probably because her parents died when she was young.' They hadn't known each other then, but rather had met in junior high. “It's alright now though, because you're together again.”

 

Allowing the tears to keep falling, the brunette sighed. “But… I… I was pregnant Andrea. When that monster attacked me, I was carrying Jacob's child. Now I'll never have another chance.” Instantly she realized she'd said too much. Roy had warned her never to speak of the assault.

 

Instead of trying to cover her tracks she simply began bawling even harder then before. She knew if she tried to go back and change things now, it would only make things worse. After all, couldn't a human who had done something so horrid also considered a monster?

 

“Hush now.” The artist soothed, not having picked up on what had truly been meant by the word. She stroked her friend's hair like a mother would do a small child. In a way it did seem to calm her. “It's alright, you two still have each other. That's all that really matters.”

 

Secretly she wondered at the name used when referring to the baby's father. `She said Jacob's child. Yet all this time she's been saying Edward, even when talking about back before.' Shaking her head, she tried to put the thought aside. But it did seem strange that such a mistake should occur.

 

Briana had grasped onto that as well. She shuttered as the tears seemed to gain force once more. `They're the same. They are the same… They are!' But all this remembering was getting to her. The two men seemed so different and yet so much alike. It was the same as she'd described Ed and Al.

 

The phone rang noisily against the wall. Andrea looked up at it and then back to her friend who waved her on. Moving to pick up the receiver she tried to remember why she'd gone to the trouble of already having it connected. “Hello Andrea's Art Gallery. How may I help you?”

 

Slight laughter came through. “This is Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, and I'm calling to enquire after my lovely wife.” He smirked toward his sibling who was grinning, having heard her greeting through the other line. “Can you tell me please miss, with whom am I speaking?”

 

Rolling her eyes, the artist glanced to the woman at the table. She was in no condition to talk to her husband. “You know very well who this is Ed, and your wife is doing just fine.” When the brunette lifted her head she shook her own. “Do you have a message for her? She's kind of busy at the moment.”

 

“Yeah.” Shifting in his seat he wondered at her tone. Something was definitely off. “I'd like to speak with her if you don't mind.” Silence met his ears which made him scowl deeply. “Look Andrea, put her on the phone this instant or I'm coming down there myself.”

 

Al hung up his line, not wanting to hear anymore. There was a shuffling and then the gentle, albeit cheery, “Hello?” She'd dried her eyes and was trying desperately to put on a straight face. It was hard to do but she knew he had to work. One false move on her part and he'd call it a day.

 

He was glad the office was a private one for the Elrics other wise he wouldn't have used the loving tone he did. “Brie Baby, are you alright? You don't sound like yourself.” It was apparent she was stifling a sob. “Darling, do I need to come down there and get you? Is it too much?”

 

“No.” She managed before hiccupping. `Great now he'll know I've been crying.' Holding the receiver firmly in hand she continued, “I'm fine I just… hick… I was just feeling a little blue. Don't worry… hick… it's ok now. Andrea's helping me. Please don't… hick… come. I'm having fun.”

 

He leaned back with a long sigh, putting a hand to his head. `Yeah you sure sound like it…' The last thing he wanted was her upset. However he'd have to leave her alone sometime and he did need to work. Bills still had to be paid. “I'll try and get off early though, and meet you at the shop. Ok?”

 

“Mmm… hick.. hmm. I love you.” She murmured, wishing he could just take off and come to her aid. Although that was her desire she knew they needed his paycheck. When Al had been armor things like heating and water hadn't cost him nearly as much. Now there were three flesh and blood humans living in the apartment. The amount added up quick.

 

“Love you.” Edward breathed into the phone. It didn't matter if Alphonse heard him or not. The younger wasn't like everyone else; Ed could be himself in front of him. Hanging up he shifted the papers on his desk. “Let's get this junk done so we can get out of here.”

 

“Right.” He nodded, pulling a stack that was marked urgent in front of him. Before long however he wondered aloud, “I suppose we could take them a couple of burgers for lunch if you wanted to.” Glancing at the clock he saw that would still an hour away, but it was a nearer goal than that afternoon.

 

“Good idea.” Ed murmured, flying through the group of documents before him. If the incentive was strong enough, any amount of papers could be done quickly. `Don't let her have a nervous breakdown because of this. If she does I'll never forgive myself for agreeing to her going back to work.'

 

Of course his fears weren't entirely unfounded. However by the time he was thinking that, Briana had quite overcome her depression. It was like the waves of the sea crashing into her ever now and then. But sure enough they would ebb back out again, leaving her to recover.