AN: Okay everyone here it is...the EPILOGUE! I am actually sad that this is coming to an end. This story has been a lot of fun to write and I'm glad everyone was able to hang in there until the end of this with me. Hopefully this story and the ending has made you as happy as writing it has made me! Also I am thinking that this will not only be my first EDxWIN but hopefully the first in a longer line of them! Like usual Reviews are welcome and encouraged please let me know what you all liked or hated about the story! Thank you so much for all of the great ones I have had from Le Confidant, Mikigotagun, Athenafrodite, els1324, nerdygangsta, WithoutWingsX , twinkle-death-alchemist, xXRedPokerGirlxX, sami116, BuggyNess, Mystery-shrouded S, redstarangel26, Yomi14, squirtlepokemon215, Banana-split 77, MoonlightSailor, Animelover Ari, Orca, Leech The Puppy, FortuneFishing, hikarimoon1029384756, , and Beckett Simpleton. You guys along with all the guests that took the time to review have been what has kept me motivated not only from them but from your own awesome stories! Disclaimer: No ownership of FMA!
"So Ed, I'm just wondering why you and Al have been talking to Mustang so much recently." Winry raised an eyebrow startlingly high at him. May was also looking mighty interested in the answer.
"Somehow I just knew you would think the worst when I began negotiating everything with that shitbag."
"Oh!? So your brilliant idea is to put me up in that house and leave me to run wherever his whims take you?" Oh hell she was already swinging her new wrench that was promising pain.
"Yes, Alphonse were you planning on leaving me here with Winry, no offense to you-"
"Non taken May." How nice it must feel to have her sins forgiven so easily.
"And going into the military with Ed again?" May's voice sounded like it was going to break it was so high pitched.
"That is not what I said, in fact I haven't even gotten to explain what the deal was." Ed watched Winry swat her arm onto her hip as if saying, 'Talk fast or die.' "As you both know Alphonse and I have been compiling research this whole time. The military particularly Fuhrer Mustang is very interested in turning our notes into a text book that can be used to teach future state alchemists about other forms of their trade. Also he wants us to continue our studies of other cultures takes on it." Winry's eyes flashed dangerously clearly stating what her take on that idea was. "I told Mustang that that arrangement wouldn't work for me due to wanting to settle down and start a family. I did agree to us compiling our work for future study and also to giving lectures to new State Alchemists and larger groups twice a year in return for a decent enough salary to support my family. Alphonse has agreed to do the traveling part though." His blue eyes fiance couldn't have looked more relieved. However, when his eyes traveled to May he noticed how filled with sadness they were.
"So, you are leaving to research more cultures. I guess I did keep you in Xing so you never really got to go anywhere else..." She trailed off staring at her hands.
"I am, and you did. However I spoke with Emperor Ling before ever speaking with Mustang and he thought a Xingese princess seeing other ways of life, making friends and building alliances would be a good experience for you and your country so as long as you want to, I would love for you to come with me." The smashed hug he received was answer enough.
Everything was now out in the air and all fears had been allayed, everyone spent one last night in the house before Ed and Winry officially moved into their own home. Winry convinced Al and May to stay long enough for them to put a wedding together since it would be a while before everyone would be together again. In two weeks Ed was finally married to the only girl who had made his heart flutter, it was big for a small town wedding.
They said their vows in the field between the homes they had shared many memories and were certain to create many new ones in. Everyone came from Central and Rush Valley to be with the happy couple, or in Mustang's case to snicker and make dirty side comments every time Ed was near enough to hear them. The day passed in a haze of laughter and love. Winry was lovely in a flowing gown that looked like she was wearing clouds with a hint of her gearhead side showing in the tiny wrench securing her half pulled back hair that cascaded gently down her back. The reception went on into the evening, which about halfway through the newlyweds had disappeared for no small amount of time, returning with beat red faces as guests commented on their absence. Granny lifted her glass full of Scotch to the couple and wished them the best and warned Ed of the worst if he ever left her granddaughter alone again. She cackled and took them both in a hug double her size. Everyone began filtering out about that time giving them advice and sharing their love on there way to inns and trains. Finally just the two couples remained and even they were moving their separate ways for the were going to have a family breakfast tomorrow before they left for the West.
Ed walked briskly with Winry at his side as they approached her former home, she was smiling quietly to herself, a different one from one he had ever seen before. They were almost to the door when he scooped her up and carried her into the house sending her into a bought of giggles. Al, May and Granny were already at the table just waiting to eat. Sitting down with everyone Ed and Al got to talking about everything that had gone on in Xing. Hearing about May being kidnapped and then almost killed by a sharp rock that had been lodged in her kidney was getting Ed all worked up. Al explained that the man that caused all their trouble had died in the explosion that had sent the shard flying at May. When he finally got to the part where he proposed to May, Winry got all teary eyed and started chattering away with May about making sure she would let her help when it was their turn. Too soon breakfast was over and Al and May were leaving for the train station, the family exchanged goodbyes and promised to keep in touch when they could.
As the train left the station, Ed watched it leave and wished he could look after his little brother but knew that it was time for Al to take care of himself and time for him to live his life for himself finally. Taking her small hand in his they turned and headed for their home...
A few years later Al and May finally came back to Resembool from their travels all across the West. Telling Al about Granny passing was awful, he beat himself up about not coming back sooner and not being there for the funeral crying while May held him. However after a while they had him laughing about the good times they had all spent together and smiling about the fact that she had been able to see both of her grandchildren. While watching his new niece and nephew he called into town for a favor something that he thought Granny would like.
The next day a knock on the door caught everyone off guard but Al, he called for a photographer to come take a family picture. Ed groaned complaining the their little one had kept him up half the night since it was HIS turn to get up with the baby and that he had bags under his eyes but no one seemed to care about how he felt. Al convinced him that he needed to man up and do this for Granny and Mom, so finally he did just that and after corralling his son they were as ready as they were going to be. Surprisingly the photo turned out pretty well. They all walked to the cemetery taking the photo with them. When they got to where the rest of their family was they spent some time catching them up on everything they had missed.
After spending most of the morning in the cemetery, everyone was getting hungry so they began to leave, the brothers hung back a minute and then gently placed the family photo on Granny's headstone. They each placed their hands on the cool stone then turned and headed back as well. At first they were both silent then Ed broke the silence.
"So Al, now that you guys are done traveling are you planning on making May an honest woman?" Ed elbowed Al who was now beet red in the side while wearing a huge grin.
"BROTHER! I would never dishonor May like that, she is most certainly still a maiden and I am going to marry her as soon as possible so I can keep it that way." Looking up at Al he couldn't believe how filled out and manly his little brother had become, it was just then thinking about what Alphonse had just said that he started chuckling to himself.
"I didn't think you had a dirty thought in you, this is hilarious! Well you better get on that so that it doesn't get any harder to take." He was cracking his own shit up, apparently Al didn't find his statement as funny as he had from the scowl he now wore.
"Very funny Ed, I thought from your filthy comment that I was talking to Mustang and not my brother." Steam was practically blowing out of his ears he was nothing like that bastard! He and Al continued to fight about this until they had caught up to the women and kids. Walking towards their home the family could be heard for a mile in all directions, but as they did Ed couldn't help but think to himself that maybe, just maybe there was something more than Alchemy to the world because he could find no other explanation for just how happily there lives had ended up after all.
AN: Thank you again everyone who has read and reviewed my story...Please don't forget to review the epilogue and any other chapter you want to leave feedback on! Hope that you guys liked the end ending lol...