Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Breakfast ( Chapter 42 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 42: Breakfast

 

Alphonse was standing over the stove cooking the eggs. Around his ankles rubbed the cat which had not caused the earlier fiasco. It was purring for all it was worth, beckoning him to drop a scrap or two. However the younger Elric was a slightly better cook than his sibling in that he didn't spill things everywhere.

 

However when Andrea moved past him he tensed slightly. But instead of going on about her business she leaned around him over the food and smiled. “Smells good.” She murmured with the voice of an angel. Her closeness made him stiffen even more as she lingered for a moment.

 

Gulping he tried to clear his mind and continue cooking. As she moved on he let out a sigh of relief. He listened as she hummed a merry tune. `She's happy that Briana's back.' That alone would have been enough to please him, but he too was overjoyed by the recovery of his in-law.

 

Glancing toward the hall he shook his head. “They'd better hurry. This is almost done.” But he knew they needed time alone together. He regretted the fact that Mustang wanted her to report to his office and give him a detailed account of what had happened. `She hasn't even told us yet.'

 

Andrea shifted past him again and went to knock lightly on the door. “Breakfast.” She called, not waiting for a response. Her steps seemed to have lightened considerably. “Do you think he told her about Jacob coming back?” The artist questioned in a low voice. She'd already realized that Ed had taken over once more by the time they'd returned.

 

Al nodded slightly. “I think she knows.” But come to think of it, he wasn't really sure. `Will he take over again?' That worried him because Jake had said in no uncertain terms that he was not his brother. He feared loosing his sibling again, but how would his new sister react if that happened?

 

“Morning all.” Briana greeted cheerfully as she rounded the corner, coming into the kitchen. She stood beside the younger Elric, breathing in the delicious smells that rose from the skillet. “Mmm.” She mumbled, although she would have been contented with anything after several days of only sliced bread and chucks of cheese.

 

Wrapping one arm around her waist he gave her a quick squeeze. “Nice to have you back sis.” He told her, looking down into her beaming face as she hugged back. Releasing her he moved the eggs from the pan onto a nearby platter. “I hope these taste as good as they smell.”

 

Laughing she picked up the plate and headed toward the table with it. “I'm sure they do.” Her heart was soaring once more. Ed had successfully pulled her back from the brink of another mental breakdown. Hearing the tune her friend was humming she mentioned, “You're in a good mood.”

 

“Of course!” Andrea exclaimed, embracing her tightly. She'd been worried that Brie wouldn't come back at all, although she wouldn't say so. Knowing the other woman had lost the baby and use of her legs the first time, how could the artist not expect the worst? “I missed you!” She affirmed, not having let go.

 

“Breathe…” The brunette murmured, feeling as though she were about to be crushed. When she was released she gasped for a few breaths. “I missed you too.” She finally managed, holding her still heaving chest. A smile crossed her face when the other girl frowned. “But it looks like you took good care of my boys.” She gestured toward Al and his sibling who was now standing in the kitchen with him.

 

“Yeah.” Andrea sighed, glad to have been of some service at least. She didn't realize it but had she not been there the two would have been more reckless in their search. The woman gave them someone to watch after, forcing them to keep cool heads in an extremely stressful situation.

 

Since the Elrics were still talking in the other room Briana whispered. “I saw Jacob last night. He came back.” She noted the lack of shock on her friend's face and realized why. “He's the one who knew where to find me, wasn't he?” A solemn nod was her reply. Turning back to look at her husband she smiled. “I love him Andrea, and I don't want to loose either one of them.”

 

Her friend stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Brie what's going to happen now? Is Jake coming back?” The other woman shook her head briefly. “Do you want him to?” She was taken aback by the tears the glistened in the corners of those blue-green eyes.

 

“Al needs Edward, and so do I. I honestly don't know what I'd do if anything happened to him now. Maybe they'll merge and everything will be ok. But if not I'd have to choose Ed. He means so much to so many people. I couldn't take him away from them.” She quieted as the men headed their direction.

 

They sat down, and during prayer the blond took hold of his wife's hand, which was in her lap, giving it a gentle squeeze. He smiled at her when it was over and they'd said `amen'. It was such a relief to finally have her home and walking. “I think we should take a vacation.” He announced to the family.

 

Alphonse glanced up at him. “Maybe we should go to Resembool…” His eyes grew wide as he realized what both siblings had forgotten. Getting up quickly he made his way to the phone. “We forgot to tell Winry that Brie's back!” He'd been the one who'd had to tell her when she'd called a few days prior.

 

“I'm surprised she didn't hop on a train so she could come help.” Briana muttered with a slight smile. She hadn't even thought about the mechanic, except when the braces were first removed. After that the only two people on her mind had been the Elrics, excluding even Andrea although she wouldn't tell anyone that.

 

“She was in the middle of a major automail surgery or she would have.” The alchemist informed her, taking a bite of his eggs. Mulling over the thought a bit more he added, “I think she said something about coming as soon as it was done. But you'd have to check with Al on that.”

 

Andrea remained quiet during the chitchat back and forth about the woman she new little about. She wasn't sure if this Winry had been something more than a friend at one time or not. It wouldn't have been a big deal were she not falling in love with Alphonse herself.

 

“She's like a sister to them.” Brie explained, snapping the artist out of her thoughts. She could tell what was going on behind those hazel eyes without anything having to be said. “They grew up together so she's just basically another member of the family. You'll have to meet her.”

 

Her friend blushed but nodded. `It drives me crazy the way she does that. It's like she's reading my mind.' Pushing her food around her plate she sighed. “There's still so much work to be done before the shop can open. But I'm sure the three of you will have a wonderful time.”

 

Edward frowned. “Who said you were going to stay behind?” Both girls turned to look at him. “The shop can wait. We've all be under a lot of stress and it's about time we took a break. We'll stop by Resembool but I think Briana should get the final say in where we vacation.”

 

Blinking she stared at her husband. `So forceful…' A smile slipped across her lips as she leaned over giving him a kiss on the cheek. “I'd like to go to Port Shuster for a while. It's where my grandmother grew up, right by the ocean. I've never been there but I've always wanted to visit it.”

 

With a sigh Alphonse came back to have a seat. “Well she says she want's to see your legs, to make sure there was no damage when the braces were removed.” He didn't sound too enthusiastic, knowing his in-law didn't want to be prodded on. “But other than that she was thrilled.”

 

Nodding the alchemist leaned back in his chair. “Alright we'll stop by there first and then we'll head for Port Shuster.” That earned him a questioning glance from his sibling. “It's by the sea. Brie wants to go back there. I think it will do the four of us some good to get out of Central.”

 

The younger man turned to see that the woman he was falling for was frowning. “What's wrong? Don't you want to see the ocean, or are you afraid of the water?” But she remained silent to his two part question. Taking her hand in his he asked in a compassionate voice, “What is it?”

 

Sighing Andrea peered at him. “I don't have the money to go anywhere right now, and it's so far.” She murmured, and then shifting her gaze to his sibling added, “You've both done so much for me, helping me out with the bills and all. I don't want to take anything else from you.”

 

Ed scowled, “You're not taking anything from us.” He knew she wasn't ungrateful, but she also wasn't one to take advantage of generosity. With a smirk he finally came up with a comment that would work, “You're coming along to keep Al busy so Brie and I can spend some time alone.”

 

Alphonse changed several shades of red. “Brother!” He was mortified by what his sibling was suggesting, even if it might be true. With a breath he apologized, “I'm sorry but what brother means is that we'd love to have you along. It's no trouble at all really. Scieszka can watch the cats.”

 

Overcoming her own blush Andrea answered, “Well if you insist.” She glanced toward her friend who was smiling knowingly. `Don't look at me like that! I'm not falling in love! I'm not… am I?' She was confusing herself and had to drop the thought all together to keep from embarrassing herself.

 

Finishing her breakfast Briana stood to put her plate away. “I suppose if I'm going to face Mustang I really should look my best.” A hand caught hers as she turned to go. Peering toward her husband she could see that he too was finished and would be following her. “I can fix my hair myself you know.”

 

Rising he took her dish, stacking it on his own. Leaning in close to her ear he murmured, “I know.” His hot breath sent a shiver down her spine which he found very amusing. “No need to hurry though, he'll be there all day if Hawkeye has anything to say about it.” To himself he added, `And she always does.'

 

Brie laughed as she parted ways with him, her heading toward the bathroom while he deposited the dishes in the sink. As soon as he was done however he was right behind her, looking in the mirror. She was gently brushing her curls back from her face, trying to bring them back into a half ponytail.

 

With a sigh he wrapped his arms around her, setting his chin on her shoulder. “I don't ever want you out of my sight again.” He muttered, gazing at her reflection. In her mouth she held tightly to a clamp that would go in place assuming the stray hairs were to ever quit falling.

 

“Let me.” He said at last, after her having failed at the attempt several times. Taking the locks from her he could see what the problem was. While they were clean it also meant that each strand seemed to be loose from the others, making it difficult to keep them all together.

 

As he finally managed it, she offered him the clip. “I can't do anything with it.” She sighed, feeling his fingers run along the base of her scalp once he was done. “You're gonna tangle it.” She warned, shifting from him so that he wouldn't do more damage than good.

 

“I guess we're ready then.” The alchemist's words were both halfhearted and dreary. He didn't want to go anywhere unless it was on a train out of town, away from everyone. Of course he didn't want to escape his brother or Andrea, they were different, they were family. Perhaps he felt that way about the artist because it was how Jacob had felt and without his knowing it, the merge was already beginning.