#pregwin

I hear her start to say something, but I slam the phone onto its base without waiting for her response. I turn around just in time to see the door opening, and my breath catches in my lungs.

“Winry? Are you home? I was looking for you at the train station, but no one had seen you. I was starting to get worried. Are you in the–”

I step out from my hiding spot behind the wall and give him a tentative smile.

“Surprise.” I hold my hands up timidly, unsure of his reaction.

He blinks and drops his suitcase on the ground, his eyes going wide.

“I, um, know it’s a shock, but…” I glance down at myself and feel my cheeks go pink. “Yeah.”

“Is… Are you… Is that…”

He struggles with his words, and I shift my weight.

“Ed?”

“Is there a baby in there?”

He points to my watermelon-sized belly and looks up at me, expectantly.

I cross my arms over my chest and feel sarcasm leak into my veins.

“No, Edward,” I bite out. “I just got fat while you were gone.”

“Really?” His eyebrows rise, and I want to hit him.

“No, you idiot!” I glare. “I’m pregnant.”

“Well, then why did you say–”

“Because you phrased it so stupidly,” I cut him off. “Why would you ask it like that?”

“I don’t know! I just got here after five months of being away, and you look like you’ve got a pumpkin under your shirt–”

“A pumpkin!” I screech. “I’m not nearly that big!”

“I didn’t say a large pumpkin!” he fumes. “Cut me some damn slack, Winry!”

Suddenly, I want to cry. I feel the familiar ache in my jaw and the stinging in my eyes. I turn my head and try to control it with some deep breaths, but the hormones and the stress I’m dealing with are too much.

“No, no, no!” Ed says suddenly, jumping to my side. “Don’t cry, Winry, please.”

“I can’t help it,” I hiss, swallowing the lump in my throat. “You c-called me a pumpkin!”

“So? I love pumpkins,” he supplies quickly. “They make great pies and cakes. You can roast the seeds, and they make great jack-o-lanterns.”

“You’re not helping,” I snap at him. “I just wanted to surprise you. I thought you’d be happy, but…”

“You think I’m not happy?” he says quietly, his hands coming up to cup my face. “Winry, you’re having my baby. We’re starting a family. I’m beyond happy. I’m absolutely thrilled.”

“Really?” I swipe at my cheeks and look up at him.

“Absolutely. I’m sorry if I reacted badly. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I knew it would startle you,” I admit. “I was expecting you to freak a little.”

“You’re not a pumpkin.” He kisses my forehead. “You’re beautiful.”

“Are you sure? You should probably see my stretch marks before you start making any claims like that,” I mutter.

“Fuck that,” he replies automatically. “If your skin had to stretch a little to accommodate our kid, so be it. That’s not going to change the way I see you. You’re my wife, which means you’re the prettiest girl I know.”

I feel new tears threatening to leak out, and I take a quick breath.

“I missed you,” I confess, burying my face in his chest.

“Not as much as I missed you.”

“Mmm.”

“Wait.” His head pops up. “Do I smell apple pie?”

“Yeah,” I lean back and look at him. “It’s in the kitchen. I also made some roast beef.”

“God, I love you.” He grins at me. “I’m starving.”

“It should still be hot.”

“I love you even more than I did a second ago.”

I giggle at him, but it gets swallowed by my groan as a pain shoots up my back.

“Are you okay?” He looks down at me, concern flooding his features.

“I just need to lie down,” I mutter, pulling away from him. “Come find me when you’re done eating and we can talk, okay?”

“Yeah…”

He lets me go slowly, and I waddle over to the couch where I carefully sit down and lie back on the pillows. I close my eyes and release a sigh. A few minutes later, I flinch when something touches my feet. I open my eyes to find Ed arranging them in his lap and then holding his plate in one hand and his fork in the other.

“What are you doing?” I ask softly.

“I don’t want to eat alone,” he announces. “And your feet look like they could use some elevation. After I’m done eating, I’ll rub them for you.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I tell him. “You’ve been travelling all day. I’m sure you just want to go to bed and get some sleep.”

“Actually…” he mutters around a bite of food. “There’s something I do want to do in bed, but there’s not a lot of sleeping involved.”

My cheeks burn, and I distractedly rub my hand over my belly.

“That is, if you’re up for it,” he amends quickly.

“I want to,” I admit, stealing a look at him. “But…we’ll have to be creative. I can’t do it on my back.”

“Don’t worry about that.” He gives me a devilish grin. “I’ve had plenty of time to think about other positions. This pregnancy thing just gives me a good reason to test them out.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“Hey.” He narrows his eyes at me. “You married me remember. You knew what you were getting into.”

“Yeah, I did.” I smile to myself. “And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

“I love you, gearhead.”

“I love you more, alchemy freak.” I nudge him with my foot. “Now, finish eating. We’ve got stuff to do.”

He grins at me and starts eating faster. I relax into the pillows and watch him.

Mr. Garfiel looked up at her as she crossed through to the workshop. “You don’t look well dear.” He clucked at her, nodding his head.

She groaned in agreement as she threw herself down at her stool. Another wave of nausea bubbled up her throat, but she bit it down. This isn’t happening. This definitely isn’t gonna happen in front of him.

“I hope you’re taking good care of yourself,” now he was being sly, giving her a knowing look, “You know I hate to see you sick.”

She didn’t even look up, but she was sweating through her coveralls. “I’ll be fine, I think that’s the rest of it.”

“Mmmh, maybe for today.”  She ignored his remark and that was the end of it. They worked silently while Mr. Garfiel’s phonograph played music through the room.

It wasn’t until a couple hours later that Garfiel got up to make some sandwiches and tea for lunch and announced he was going to pick up a few parts in town. Winry wasn’t paying attention when he left her some food and tea on her worktable. It wasn’t until she heard him arriving back into the workshop and go upstairs that she noticed the plate by her elbow. Her stomach rumbled, and she ate the entire sandwich, leaving the tea that was cold.

She got up and stretched her back, twisting her neck around to work out all the kinks. Unzipping her coveralls down and tying it around her waist, she trudged upstairs into the kitchen for a fresh cup of tea. She noticed a white paper bag sitting on the counter that had her name on it. It was in long looped cursive letters, so she knew it was from Mr. Garfiel. Thinking it was a pastry, she opened up the bag to find a pregnancy test.

Winry was shocked. He must have picked it up from the drug store when he went out earlier. Her ears burned from embarrassment. They both knew what was going on, but she was too stubborn to admit it. So, he did it for her. She wasn’t sure if she should yell at him or thank him.

Winry had been feeling funny for exactly 12 days now. She had been keeping track. Naturally, anyone who was working close to her would notice too. But, coming to terms with the possibility that she was pregnant was something she couldn’t grasp yet.

Edward and she had been living in Rush Valley for a year. They moved in together after their wedding, though their lives were far from settled down. Winry and Mr. Garfiel were transitioning into a partnership, which was a huge step for Winry. It meant a lot more work, more clients, and moving into a new workshop. And Edward had recently left on a trip to Aerugo, or somewhere, she could hardly keep up. He was still researching and collaborating on projects with Al, which kept him a very busy man.

Neither of them is ready for something like this. Something like a baby. They just invested in a new home! How can they afford a baby?

Deciding there was no use in diddle dallying, she took a paper cup from the pantry they usually save for large gatherings and went straight into the bathroom with the test. Forcing herself to pee took some time and concentration, but she managed. And now it was time to wait.

Leaving the cup with the stick on the bathroom counter, Winry decided to make a new pot of tea. She couldn’t sit and wait in there with the test. It was too much anticipation. So many things were going through her head, she couldn’t keep up with all the scenarios.

She was sitting at Garfiel’s small kitchen table when he walked back in. At least he had the decency to look sorry.

“Winry, please don’t be angry, but you’ve been driving yourself, and me, crazy for the past two weeks. You need to know for both of our sanities.”

“Well I already took it, so you can relax now.” She snapped.

“And?”

“I don’t know. It’s in the bathroom, I haven’t seen it yet.”

“Oh, well then.” He peered into the bathroom from where he was standing. “Do you want me to get it?”

“Sure.” The last thing she wanted was to know what was on that test. What she really wanted was to throw that test out the window and go back to work like nothing was wrong. Forget today ever happened.

Garfiel came back holding the test out with a napkin. His face was puckered up like he was trying to hold back a smile. He held it out for her to take it.

“No! I can’t do it!!” She covered her face with her hands, “You look at it!”

“Alright, if you insist.” He made a show of looking at it, as if he didn’t get a peak in the bathroom.

“Well?” Winry looked from between her fingers, gulping down the giant wave of nausea. “What does it say?”

“You’re not pregnant!”

“What? How is that possible?” She snatched the test from his hand. It read positive. Holy shit.

“Surprise!” Garfiel was giggling now, “I would break out the champagne, but you’re not allowed anymore sweetie.”

Winry just stared at the stick. Her eyes were stinging, and her head hurt from holding in her tears. She couldn’t believe this, she was pregnant. What the hell. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my-

“This is good news sweetheart,” Garfiel’s tone was now low and soothing, he was rubbing her back now “You and Edward will make great parents.”

She looked up at him and started sobbing. He cooed at her and let her cry on his shoulder.

“Ohhh, honey, it’s ok. It’s going to be ok.” He kept rubbing her back and rocked her back and forth like she was a baby.

After a few minutes of crying all over Mr. Garfiel’s shirt, she sat back and wiped at her eyes. He pulled a frilly handkerchief out for her and she blew her nose into it. Garfiel set a glass of water in front of her and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“What’s the matter? Why are you so upset?”

“I don’t know,” she sniffled, “I don’t know what to do.”

“Oh well, you’ll figure it out. Isn’t that what all parents do?”

“Yeah, but, we’re not ready! We’re so busy, and,” she paused heaving in a breath, “a-and we’re so young! How am I going to raise a baby, and have time to work on my automail, and start a new business? This is the worst timing!”

Garfiel paused for a second, “Well, I’ll help with any of the business and automail orders,” he reassured her with a pat on her hand. “And besides, you know that Edward will be there too.”

Winry was shaken by the mention of Ed’s name. Of course she had discussed having kids with Ed before. She wouldn’t have married him if they weren’t on the same page. They agreed it was something they both wanted down the line when they were older and more settled down in their careers. But this? Ed had just turned 20 in February, and she was still 19. He had so much work he had to finish before he could properly raise a family. Not to mention he loved what he was doing, more so than when he was traveling to get back his and Al’s bodies. She couldn’t tear him away from that. It would kill her to know that she was the reason for his unhappiness.

“I... I can’t do that to Ed.” She said softly, Garfiel almost didn’t hear her. “Things are going so well now, how can I expect him to leave what he loves for a life stuck at home all the time?”

Not really knowing what to say, Garfiel just kept rubbing her back. He knew Ed was a wild spirit and a passionate person. Sure, he loved what he did, but he also loved Winry a lot too. Garfiel remembers when Winry first came back to Rush Valley after Ed left to the west and Ed would send her letter after letter detailing his travels. And most nights Winry would wait downstairs, claiming to be working late on a rush order but was really waiting up for his calls. Then, one day Edward showed up on their doorstep a few months early from his trip to Creta. His reasons were because his automail was in need of maintenance but Garfiel knew. Edward was lovesick, and they were married in less than a month.

“I think you and Ed should have a conversation about this.” He told her “And I believe you’ll be surprised by what Edward would and wouldn’t do to make you happy. Besides, this is a happy moment Winry! You’re going to be a mother!! How exciting is that! So, stop that crying.” He dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief. “How exciting! I have so many people to call!” He got up and pranced down the hall where the phone book was.

“Hey! Wait a second! You can’t tell anyone until I’ve told Edward!” She yelled after him, “He’s already going to be upset that you found out before him!”

Instantly, I feel my lips pucker. When was the last time she washed her hair? I mean, I love her, but fuck that’s oily.

“No, don’t kiss me,” she groans. “I’m gross.”

I don’t say anything because, if I did, I’d have to agree with her, and I’m certain that wouldn’t go over well.

“I need to shower,” she confesses. “But it’s hard to move carrying this around.”

She nods to her very rounded belly, and I see her lips pout.

“I look like a beached whale,” she grumbles.

I sigh and move my hands up to massage her neck where it meets her shoulder.

“You’re thirty-six weeks pregnant, Winry. You look like you’re about to have a baby.”

“Well, I’m ready to have it now,” she fires back. “I’m tired of…of being tired,” she looks up at me. “And of sweating all the time, and of having to waddle everywhere like I’m some kind of duck person…and I want to drink a beer when Granny visits for a change.”

I raise my eyebrows and she looks away.

“Well, at least some wine,” she amends. “And I’m ready for every inch of my body to stop feeling like it’s been stretched beyond reason and for my spine to go back to normal.”

“Winry,” I say softly.

“It’s not fun anymore, Ed,” she announces, meeting my eyes again. “Mostly…this hurts.”

I see her lip quiver, and a muscle in my jaw ticks as helplessness flashes through me.

“My feet are puffy,” she goes on. “My clothes don’t fit right… Den won’t fit in my lap.”

I don’t bother mentioning that technically Den can’t fit in her lap even when she’s not housing a tiny person in her belly.

“I want to have sex,” she breathes, her head dropping back against my stomach. “And not the oral kind.”

I feel my cheeks turning pink, but I just swallow and don’t say a word.

“You’re really good at it,” she goes on, reaching up to squeeze my hand on her neck. “But…it’s not the same. I miss…you.”

“Believe me, Win, the feeling is mutual,” I tell her, my voice thick with sudden arousal.

She’s quiet for a minute, and I’m afraid she might’ve fallen asleep.

“Winry?”

“I’m here,” she whispers. “Talking about this isn’t making me feel better.”

She sighs and starts to stand. I quickly move to help her, giving her my arm so she can balance.

“Let’s just go to bed,” she sighs.

I glance at the clock on the wall and look down at her again.

“Actually,” I start slowly, “if you think you can stay awake a little longer, I had an idea.”

She looks up at me suspiciously. “What?”

“Well…I know it can’t fix everything that’s bothering you, but…how would you feel about letting me wash your hair?”

“Wash my…” She blinks.

“You said I was welcome to play with it,” I remind her, thinking back to conversation from months ago on a night when I caught her combing her fingers through mine.

“Um…are you sure?”

“Of course.” I lean down and press my nose to the skin behind her ear. “I know how to manage long hair, Winry. It’s no problem.”

“Okay then.” She nods. “Sure.”

Since I have her approval, I slide one arm around her waist and grab the chair from her work bench with my free hand. I have her stand outside the bathroom while I figure out the best arrangement, and then I help her into the chair which I have positioned facing away from the sink.

“Lean back,” I instruct her softly, after I get the water running at the right temperature.

She moans as I pull her masses of blonde hair into the bowl, getting them good and wet before turning off the faucet. I then begin plying her with shampoo.

“Edward,” she gasps after a second, and I pause.

“What? Are you in pain?”

“No,” she replies dismissively. “Not any more than normal. Don’t stop.”

I go back to working the soap into every inch of her hair before spending extra time just massaging her scalp. She lets out a soft noise, and I look down at her face to see her eyes are closed.

“Are you falling asleep?”

“Maybe just a little,” she mumbles sleepily. “God, your fingers are magic.”

I almost laugh. She’s said that several times in the past few months, but never in a situation like this.

“Try to stay awake, okay? I’m almost done and then we can go to bed.”

I seriously do not need her to fall out of her chair right now.

“Okay,” she yawns, and I turn on the warm water to being rinsing out the flowery suds.

When all the soap is gone, I use a towel to squeegee as much of the water out of her hair as I can before having her lean forward in her seat so I can twist her hair into a towel wrap.

“Bedtime?” She looks up at me as I pull her to her feet.

“Yeah, Winry.” I scoop her up in my arms. “Let’s go.”

I get her into bed and tuck her in before leaving briefly to turn off the bathroom light and make sure the house is shut down. When I come back, she’s curled onto her side with one pillow supporting her belly and another between her knees. The towel around her head is coming loose, so I grab my hair brush and sit down on the edge of her mattress beside her hip.

“You should come to bed,” she tells me, reaching down to put a hand on my knee.

“Let me do one last thing, okay?”

She rolls her eyes at me but smiles as she rests her cheek on her pillow.

For the next half hour or so, I gently brush out her hair. She has a lot of it—more than I do, but for the most part it isn’t tangled at all. When I stop, it’s mostly dry and almost looks like it’s glowing in the lamp light.

I tug the towel out from under her head and toss it behind me before leaning down to kiss her temple. I get a nose full of her shampoo, and I grin. I may not be able to help with a lot of what she’s struggling with right now, but I’ll do what I can.

I run my fingers through it a few more times before leaving it spread out across Winry’s pillow. I then strip off my clothes and pull the tie out of my own hair, freeing it from a haphazard bun, and climb into bed beside her.

As I reach over her to turn out the light, I hear her mutter something.

“What?” I whisper, dropping my ear to her lips.

“I said, thank you, Ed,” she murmurs, her soft breath tickling my neck. “I feel a lot better.”

“Good,” I say, relief leaking into my voice. “I love you, Winry.”

“I love you, too.”

“You’ll be a great mom.” I slide down under the covers.

“Thanks. Now, go to sleep, Dad.”

My stomach drops at the word, and I swallow hard. Sometimes, I forget all that it means for her to be pregnant. What it means for me, anyway. I’m so caught up in how she feels and what she needs…

I lower my head and move it until our foreheads are touching.

We’re in this together. We’re going to have a baby. A family.

I reach out and rest my large hand on her belly, forcing a slow breath, so I don’t start crying. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want this baby. (Not since Al and I got our bodies back.) It’s hard to believe it’s really happening.

Unless something goes wrong.

I feel my body tense, and my breath catches in my lungs. That, or I’ll be a shit dad. It’s possible. Every father figure in my life has failed or fallen. How am I supposed to know what to do with a kid?

Oh God. I’m not ready. What am I gonna do?

Winry’s hand finds its way to mine, and I instantly feel calmer at her touch.

“Sleep, Ed,” she whispers. “Everything is fine.”

I exhale at her voice and pull the sheets up over my shoulder. She’s right, of course. I know I’m going to be okay. I have Winry to help me. And Al and Granny. I have nothing to worry about.

“Right.” I nod and rub the back of my neck, glancing at the stairs. “Well, I’m going up to bed… Are you coming?”

“In a minute,” she answers, her voice suddenly weary.

Her entire body looks ready to crumple, and there’s a tremor in her hand when she reaches up to brush her bangs out of her eyes. Her bloodshot, puffy eyes. Fuck. I hate whatever this is. And I hate being helpless.

“Actually, I’m going to shower first,” I tell her quietly. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Yeah.”

I’m hesitant to leave her alone. She was in the house all day with Den, but when I peeked into her workroom, it didn’t look like she’d gotten much done. Not that I can really tell. Honestly, I think she might’ve just slept all day until she needed to make food.

Maybe I should call Granny to come check her out. Just to be safe. Though, with the way she’s been biting my head off today, she’d probably throw a wrench at me for even suggesting she see a doctor.

I shower quickly and shut off the water before pulling back the curtain to get a towel. I jump when I see her standing at the sink.

“Winry!” I sputter. “Next time knock or something!” I grab the towel off the bar and wrap it around my waist. “How long have you been in here?”

“A few minutes,” she whispers without looking up, and my stomach drops. “I was going to say something.”

“Hey…” I take a small step toward where she’s tightly gripping the sides of the sink. Her head is bowed, making her hair hang down in the bowl. “Are you okay?”

“Oh my God, Ed!” she snaps, her head whipping around. “Would you quit asking me that! I’m fine! I just… I…” Her anger dissolves into tears, and I clench my jaw as she wraps her arms around her stomach. “I don’t…”

“It’s okay, Winry.” I reach out to put my hand on her shoulder, but she twists away.

“I told you I’m f-fine,” she sniffles.

“But–”

“I’m going to bed.” She turns and scurries out of the room, her shaking hands wiping at her face.

What in the actual fuck is going on?

I dry off grumpily. I don’t know what’s up with my wife, but I’m pissed as hell. Not at her, necessarily, but just this whole damned situation. I hate seeing Winry in pain, but especially when I can’t do anything about it. This is a fucking nightmare.

I throw the towel over the shower rod and walk across the hall to our room. It’s dark inside, so I shut the door quietly and pad over to the bed. When my eyes adjust, I see Winry is curled up on her side, so I get in slowly in case she’s already asleep. I’m fixing the sheets, when her tired voice pipes up.

“Ed, are you naked?”

“Uh…yeah?” I glance down at myself under the sheet and then over at her. “Why?”

“Why?” she repeats softly. “Why?” She rolls over in a huff and glares at me.

“Yes. Why?” I frown. “I always sleep naked.” At least, I have since our wedding night. “Is that a problem?”

She blinks at me in the dark before her face contorts.

“That’s it,” she tells me with a trembling voice, as if she’s struggling to control her rage. “Get out.”

“What?” I jerk back.

“You’re banished. From the bed. Now go.”

“Winry, you can’t banish me,” I growl at her, my irritation leaking out. “This is my bed, too!”

“Edward, I’m serious. Go sleep on the couch!”

“The couch?” I sit up and frown at her. “What the hell? Because I’m naked?”

“Yes!”

“Okay. What the fuck? I don’t–”

“Does it look like I want to have sex tonight?” she interrupts me, cutting a hand down her front.

I look her over and take in her oversized t-shirt and shorts.

“So?” I feel my brow furrow. “We don’t have to have sex. Just go to sleep.”

“I can’t!” she hisses. “Because you’re naked. And I–”

“You’ve seen me naked plenty of times, Winry. Why is it a big deal now? Are you on your period? What’s–”

“No!” she cries over me. “It’s not that!”

“Then what?” I glare at her. “Tell me what is going on. Why are you acting like this?”

“Because!” she screams, and I see her eyes start shining with tears. “Because I…”

“What?”

“It’s…I don’t know.” She shakes her head slowly and closes her eyes. “Ed, I’m scared…”

I watch the fight drain out of her as she ducks her head. I reach out and put my hands on her shoulders, and her hands come up, resting on my chest.

“What’s going on, Winry? Talk to me.”

“I’m…”

“You’re what?” I urge gently, sliding my hands around her back. “You said you were scared. What are you scared of?”

Her forehead drops to my collarbone, and I feel her words come out in puffs against my skin.

“I’m pregnant.”

My heart stutters in my chest, and I freeze.

“Ed?” She looks up slowly, and I realize my mouth is hanging open.

“You’re… You are?” I swallow. “You’re pregnant?”

She nods, and new tears slip down her cheeks.

“Is that…” I take a quick breath. “Is that why you’ve been…”

“Such a mess?” she finishes softly.

“Well…yeah.”

“Partly.” She nods. “I didn’t how to tell you. And…well my hormones are out of control.”

That explains the mood swings.

“I’m sorry about snapping at you. And all the crying.” She leans back, and I use my thumbs to wipe her face.

“Winry…”

“I only started suspecting a week ago, but…I’m pretty sure.”

“Okay.” I nod. “Okay. Yeah.”

“I was going to wait until I was positive. But…” She takes a shallow breath. “I wanted to tell you, but then I… If it turns out I’m not… I didn’t want you to think…”

“Fuck, Winry.”

“I started stressing out about it. I didn’t sleep well last night, and then this morning I just felt so crabby…”

“I noticed. Anything I said seemed to upset you,” I mutter.

“Well, you don’t have to be mean about it,” she chokes, her face crumpling with new tears.

Shit.

“I just… Winry, I didn’t mean…”

She buries her face in my neck, and I sigh, holding her close. Her crying jag lasts a few minutes, until I settle us down into the bed and cover her in the sheets.

“I don’t know why I’m so sensitive,” she murmurs when she finally calms down again. “I know you weren’t being mean, but I…”

“Shh.” I press my lips to her forehead. “You need to sleep.”

“Are you happy, Ed?” She looks up at me. “I mean…about the baby?”

“Over the moon,” I tell her honestly, stroking her cheek. “A little surprised, maybe. But yeah. I’m very happy.”

“I…I just…”

“Sleep, Winry.” I tuck her face back into my chest and start rubbing her back.

Today was a rollercoaster, and as thrilled and stunned as I am by her news, she has to be exhausted. I wait until I feel her breathing even out before I roll onto my back. She moves with me, her cheek pressing against my pec, her arm curling around my abs. When she’s settled, I look up at the ceiling. I feel her soft breaths sliding over my skin, and I let out a slow one of my own.

I’m going to have a kid. With Winry. We’re going to be fucking parents.

I’m going to be a father.

I take a second to let that sink in before I look down at her, my hand resting on her small back.

God. I’m so lucky.

I feel a smile tug at my lips as I lean down and kiss her hair. She makes a cute sleeping noise and shifts so her head is against my shoulder. Then I fall asleep with my adorable, pregnant wife in my arms.

“My back hurts,” she mumbles. “And my feet are all puffy. I… I just want this baby to come, so I can breathe without hurting.”

I grin, and put a hand on her round belly.

“And so you can meet the baby,” I remind her.

“Well, yes,” she mutters, shifting slightly. “But… I’m just so uncomfortable.”

She groans, and I watch her face twist in pain.

“What is it?” My voice is panicked. “Is it the baby?”

I can’t help it. I’m on edge all the time these days. I think my anxiety awaiting this baby is worse than it was for Yuriy. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but now that I know what to expect, I expect it constantly.

“No,” Winry grumbles, still wincing. “It’s just my back again. I think she’s kicking my spine.”

“You mean ‘he,’” I correct her softly, relaxing back into my pillow. “It’s a boy.”

“Ed, just because you want it to be a boy, does not make it a boy.”

Like she hasn’t said that a million times.

“But it should be a boy,” I counter. “Yuriy needs a brother.”

Her face softens, and her hand comes up to my cheek.

“I know you want him to have a brother. You want him to have what you have with Al, and that’s beautiful, but…it could very well be a girl, Edward.”

“I know,” I sigh. “But if it’s a boy, we already have the name picked out.”

“No. You already have the name picked out. I never agreed to Hughes Greed Elric. And I won’t. It’s a terrible name.”

“Winry, you haven’t even thought–”

“I like Hugh,” she interrupts quieter. “Hugh Elric is a good name.”

I stay silent after that. I can’t argue with her, not when she made her point…and her name is decidedly better than mine.

“But we still need a girl’s name.”

“Nina,” I say automatically.

“Ed…” Her voice gets soft. “Won’t that make you sad?”

“Maybe…yeah,” I admit after a minute. “But it would be a good sad. Did you have something else?”

“I thought about naming her after Al,” she suggests softly.

“What?” I frown. “Like Alphonsa or something?”

“No, idiot.” She rolls her eyes. “Aliya. I thought Aliya would sound good, but still be after Al.”

“Oh.”

I have to admit, I like that one.

“Anyway, we can talk about this more later. I have got to get some sleep.” She pulls the blanket over her shoulders and nestles her head into her pillow.

I lean over to kiss her forehead, when she jolts up, almost knocking me in the chin.

“What the hell, Winry?”

“Shh,” she hisses over me. “Did you hear that?”

“What?” I frown. I didn’t hear anything.

“I heard something in the hall.” She starts to sit up slowly. “I want to go check–”

“Mommy?”

I raise up on my elbow to look for the voice.

“Oh.” She looks over her side of the bed. “Yuriy, what happened?”

“Bad dream.”

My chest constricts at my son’s tiny voice, so full of fear.

“Well, come here.” Winry turns carefully, and starts to reach for him, but he bypasses her arms and climbs up onto the bed by himself.

Thank goodness. Winry should definitely not be lifting him. But I don’t say that aloud.

“Tell me about your dream,” I listen to Winry whisper, as she holds him close and strokes his hair.

“He hurt me,” his little voice cracks.

“Who hurt you, baby?”

“The bad man,” Yuriy buries his face in her chest, and she closes her eyes.

“Don’t worry, sweetie,” she tells him softly. “Daddy is here. He’s going to protect you from the bad man.”

Damn right I am. No bad man is ever going to get my kid. Imaginary or not.

“Really?” Yuriy pulls his head back and looks up at her, and then at me.

“Yes, baby,” Winry continues. “Daddy always protects us from the bad man. He won’t let anything hurt us.”

“You too?” He looks up at her with wide eyes.

“Uh-huh,” she smiles. “Daddy keeps me safe, too.”

My gut twists at her words. All the times I almost failed her. I can’t think about that.

“Here. You can sleep with Daddy and me tonight, okay?”

“Okay.” He perks up instantly, and starts trying to climb over his mom.

“Whoa, buddy.” I reach out and snag him under his arms, lifting him over her. “Mommy might not want you to crawl on her right now.”

Winry shoots me a grateful look from over his shoulder.

“Can I sleep in the middle?” he asks, sliding down my chest.

“Sure, baby,” Winry pipes up. “That way you’ll be extra safe.”

I watch as Winry moves around, trying to get back into a semi-comfortable position. Meanwhile, Yuriy snuggles into the space between us and curls into my chest.

“Goodnight, Daddy,” he mumbles.

“Sweet dreams, buddy.” I rest my hand on his back, rubbing it lightly.

When I look at his face, I find he’s already asleep.

“That was easy,” I start to tell my wife, but when I look at her, she’s out, too.

I grin to myself, as I drop my head onto my pillow. I love this life. This family I have. My damn perfect wife. The kid we made lying between us. The other one we’ll meet soon. Al, and Mei, and everyone else. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.