Fullmetal Alchemist and the Flight of the Anti-Social Butterfly

Chapter 20: Planning For A Happy Future

      Two weeks had passed since Edward proposed to DeAnna, but they remained a happy couple nonetheless.   Edward had taken DeAnna to get sized for a bridal dress and a tuxedo with pants for himself.  DeAnna was very nervous about the whole marriage thing so she asked, "Do you think everything will be ok at the wedding, Edward?"  Her fiancé answered, "Everything will be fine, sweetie.  If something should go wrong, I will protect you."  Then DeAnna finally found a bridal dress that was the perfect size for her and she asked Edward if she could have it so he agreed.   "Please try it on so I can see how it looks on you.", he requested.  So DeAnna tried on the bridal dress in the fitting room then she came out to show Edward.  "Wow! You look so beautiful in that dress!", he complimented.  Edward had already chosen his suit for the upcoming wedding so he paid for both outfits.  

       Then they headed to the bakery together to order a wedding cake for their special day, but they looked at a bunch of designs to be sure.  The baker had shown them a new design with lots of flowers made out of frosting and it was well decorated.  DeAnna exclaimed, "I love it!  Don't you agree, Edward?"  He nodded then they ordered it for the day they were waiting eagerly for.  "What should we do for food other than wedding cake?", DeAnna asked.  Edward replied, "It might not be what you had in mind, but Roy Mustang told me that he accepted your apology letter and he is willing to use his flame alchemy to make a barbecue for all the guests if you are willing to let him."  DeAnna lowered her head for a few minutes.  Edward asked, "What's wrong?  You're not giving me eye contact.  Is something bothering you?"  DeAnna answered, "I am still ashamed of myself for using water alchemy on him, but I forgive Roy Mustang for everything that happened.   If it wasn't for my mother's sacrifice, I never would've known the nice boy that you are."  Then Edward inquired, "Why can't you forgive yourself?  It was only an accident and you corrected yourself, but I didn't think you would still be worried about what happened that morning."  DeAnna cried, "I am never going to overcome my struggles!  I've failed you and I'm sorry, Edward!"  Edward hugged DeAnna as he said, "Shhh....it's ok, DeAnna.  I'm right here for you.  Regardless of what you think or believe, I'm proud of you for all you've learned from me training you.  Don't let those negative feelings get the best of you, ok?"  DeAnna calmed down and she thanked Edward for his comforting words. 

       After a long day of shopping for items to supply in advance for their wedding,  Edward finally approached the military headquarters with DeAnna.  Riza had admired DeAnna's beauty by commenting, "What an adorable young girl you have with you, Edward!   By the looks of her, she appears to be a very bright lady."  DeAnna blushed as she thanked the strange woman until she held her hand out and said, "My name is Riza.  It's my sworn duty to protect anybody that may need protecting!  What's your name, might I ask?"  Then DeAnna answered, "My name is DeAnna.  I'm Edward's new fiancé."  Then Riza turned to Edward, "Now Edward, as the lucky guy to have won DeAnna's heart, you must always take care of her and make sure that both of you are happy in your loving relationship."  Edward nodded then Roy approached. "Well, this is quite an occasion!  I'm happy for you that you've gotten settled down with such a wonderful young lady of your own."    DeAnna's eyes got misty again and Edward noticed right away so he encouraged, "Fight those negative feelings, DeAnna!  Be strong!"  Then after a few minutes later, her eyes became normal again without attacking.   "What was that all about?", Riza asked.  "It's a long story, but it's ok.", Edward answered. 

     So Roy talked alone with Edward as DeAnna visited Riza just to be safe.  Then after Roy got done talking to Edward, they exited Roy's office together.  "DeAnna, I would be honored to provide a barbecue for your wedding.  Just one catch, though!  Can you please not use that water alchemy on my cooking?"   DeAnna held her hand out for a handshake as she agreed by saying, "I will try my best!"    Then Edward held DeAnna's hand as they were on their way home.  "I am so pleased with how you handled yourself with Roy.  You even learned to overcome the verge of attacking as long as I was nearby to encourage you that you could defeat your own negative feelings.   DeAnna, I'm so proud of you!", Edward praised.  DeAnna giggled cheerfully as her cheeks turned red. "I really did it, didn't I?", she asked.  Edward replied, "Mhm.  You even handled being complimented well and now the military wants to be our guests at our wedding because of how exceptional you displayed your improved behavior.  You're learning, my butterfly queen!"  DeAnna shouted, "Yay!  I'm learning and making you happy!"  Edward told her, "None of this was ever about what I wanted, but your training is supposed to benefit yourself in particular.  So please don't only obey as if I was controlling you because you always had the option to stray from your training and act however you wanted.  But because you chose to act upon your training for self improvement, I can see a whole new DeAnna than in the first day we met.  Isn't that awesome?"  DeAnna cheerfully replied, "Yeah!  But I also chose to obey your training lessons because I knew deep in my heart that I needed help.   But knowing that you are a boy and after all the cruelty I faced from boys before meeting you, it took a lot of courage to accept you.    Not just as a trainer or a friend, but as a boy that I could actually love and trust.   I love you, Edward!" Then Edward blushed as he smiled and answered, "I love you too, DeAnna."  Then they finally got home just after the stars and moon came out in the sky.  Edward had held the door for his fiancé as she went indoors first and he followed.  It was a long day for both of them so they went into their respective bedrooms to get their pajamas on.  Within minutes, both Edward and DeAnna were fast asleep in their own beds again.