Fullmetal Alchemist and the Flight of the Anti-Social Butterfly

Chapter 27: As The Winter Approaches

        The Winter was finally approaching so Edward consulted Alex for some help with gathering fire wood.  Since he had some spare time and didn't get a chance to see the babies, he agreed.  It took roughly an hour then he arrived with a large truck hauling a bunch of wood for the fireplace.  He delivered it into a storage unit that had recently been built to add on to the house and he told Edward, "It is all yours!"  Then he saw the babies smiling at Alex.  He commented, "Well, bless their hearts!    They look like both of their parents.  May I hold them, Edward?"  DeAnna came into the babies' room and answered, "Yes.  But please be careful with them, ok?"  Alex agreed so he took off his shirt then he carefully scooped up all three of them as he rocked each one in his arms.  The children loved being rocked in Alex's arms and they were very comfortable.  Alphonse commented, "That is so sweet!  Alex, when did you learn how to have good parenting skills?"  Alex answered, "It came naturally.  Edward seems to make quite a good father himself and he's grown so much since his days in the military.  In fact, he had a bad temper back in those days and not so much anymore!"  

        Edward blushed with embarrassment as he said, "Never mind!"  Alphonse commented, "The truth hurts, doesn't it?"  Edward replied, "Did you need to make a comment like that, Alphonse?"  Then his younger brother apologized.  The babies were now asleep so the Elric brothers didn't want to wake them up.  Alex told Edward, "If you need anything else, please call me and I will try to visit as soon as possible.  Take care, everyone!"  Alex put his shirt back on then he left as the cold wind was blowing hard.  "I hope he gets back home safely.", DeAnna said.  Edward smiled, "He will be fine.  Don't worry!" 

         So DeAnna curled up in her Winter pajamas and slippers while sipping a mug of hot cocoa.    Edward joined his wife on the couch as he was drinking his own mug of hot cocoa and he asked, "Are you going to be ok, sweetie?"  DeAnna responded, "I am a bit nervous about how the cold weather will do towards our children.  Do you think they will stay healthy?"  Edward put his arm around his wife's shoulder then he told her, "Everything will be ok as long as we take good care of them.  As their rightful father, I won't let anything bad happen to them and especially on purpose.  You can trust me, DeAnna.  I've never let you down, have I?"  DeAnna lowered her head as she said, "No.  You haven't."    Edward commented, "Oh, no!  Are you forgetting your training, DeAnna?  I'm up here, silly!  Can you please look into my eyes when you talk to me?"  DeAnna lifted her head as she looked into her husband's eyes.  Edward praised, "That's my girl!  I like looking into those beautiful sapphire blue eyes of yours.  They sparkle like the stars on a dark night."  DeAnna asked, "What does my hair remind you of?"  Edward answered, "It looks bright red like a gorgeous sunbeam shining on my skin in the Summer."  DeAnna blushed as she giggled then she replied, "You flatterer!" 

       The babies started crying so DeAnna and Edward went to check up on them.  They noticed that their children were getting cold.  "You poor babies!", DeAnna exclaimed.  Edward said, "It's ok, little ones.  We're here for you."  He grabbed a warm fleece blanket after changing their pajamas and socks while DeAnna warmed up a bottle of formula for each baby.  "Here you go!  Enjoy, my little sweethearts!", DeAnna told her children.  Edward and DeAnna helped feed their children then they started crying again.  Alphonse pointed out, "I think they want to be burped."  So all three of them patted the babies' backs gently until they burped.  Afterwards, they got all three babies tucked in as they yawned and fell asleep immediately.  DeAnna went into the bedroom with a jar of honey as she called out, "Here you go, my fellow butterflies!  I've got your dinner.  Look!  You get some yummy honey that is sweet and delicious as can be.  Enjoy!" All of the butterflies left their insect houses by swooping down to enjoy the honey while DeAnna watched with a smile.  

        Edward asked, "How are your friends doing?"  DeAnna smiled, "They are doing well, but I am feeding them right now."  Edward gave his wife a thumb up and winked as he praised, "Good job!  I'm glad you are taking such good care of them.  Have fun!" After the butterflies had their fill, DeAnna helped herself to a few licks of honey that was leftover then she brushed her teeth and went to bed.    Edward saw his wife falling asleep so he joined her.  Alphonse asked Zoe, "Do you want to go outdoors with me so you can go potty?"  Zoe barked with excitement.  "So you do have to go, huh?  Ok, I will grab the leash and hook you up to your harness."  So Alphonse took Zoe out in the backyard and she peed almost immediately.  Alphonse praised, "Good girl!  Do you want to go indoors yet?"  Zoe sniffed the ground then she was spinning until she pooped in the snow.  "Oh! I'm sorry, Zoe.  I didn't know you weren't finished yet.  Here, I have a bag to scoop up your mess then I will dispose of it for DeAnna since she's asleep."  Then afterwards, Alphonse walked back indoors with Zoe.  So after Alphonse removed his Winter jacket, he went to bed and Zoe decided to sleep at the foot of his bed for a change since Alphonse didn't have anybody to keep him company.   "Goodnight, Zoe!  Have good chimera dreams, ok?  Maybe you will be chewing that big bone on your plate in your dreams after all of the good work you have helped DeAnna with, right?"  Zoe smiled with her tongue sticking out as she panted with happiness and her tail swished with excitement.  Then Zoe fell asleep shortly after everyone else did.