Fullmetal Alchemist and the Flight of the Anti-Social Butterfly

Chapter 28: As Seasons Change

        The Winter weather was cold and strong outdoors.  Edward, DeAnna, and Alphonse continued to provide for the babies by keeping them warm when they weren't eating.  Then one morning, the babies started crying again.  DeAnna quickly checked on them as she exclaimed, "You poor babies!  Are you all ok?" Edward asked, "Is something wrong, sweetie?"  DeAnna told her husband, "I think they have stinky diapers again."  Edward thought, "Hm....our children are several months old so how about we give them a warm bath in the tub?  It will be so much fun!"  DeAnna responded, "Ok.  But let's be careful because I don't want anything bad to happen to them.  Since they are getting big enough for the bathtub, let's go for it!"  

        So Edward and DeAnna undressed all three babies after getting the bath water to just the right temperature.  All three babies cried because it was a new experience for them.  DeAnna softly told her children, "Shh....please don't cry.  All three of you are going to be squeaky clean and you will all smell so pretty!"  Edward helped all three of his children once they were in the bathtub.  He suggested to his wife, "Since I am a guy that is Victor's dad, it would be a good idea if I cleaned him up since I am familiar with cleaning a boy's body because I am a male just like Victor is."  DeAnna nodded as she answered, "Fair enough!  Since I am a lady just like Erika and Iris, I will clean them up because I know from experience what is involved with cleaning a female's body due to being a girl just like our two daughters."  They both got out some gentle soap and baby shampoo as they cleaned all three children from head to toe.  The babies were giggling with joy because they were having fun with their bath time experience with the help of their parents.  Alphonse was busy putting a couple of logs in the fireplace while Zoe curled up by the fireplace to get warm.  After the children were dried off, DeAnna carefully polished their butterfly wings so they would remain beautiful and strong.  

        She told her husband, "Taking good care of the wings is a must for health, beauty, and eventually flying abilities.  Without proper care of the wings, they will look tattered and most likely cause a young butterfly to fall in mid flight.  That is why I am taking good care of our children's butterfly wings while they are still young."  Edward inquired, "What about the antennas?"  DeAnna told her husband, "They must be waxed and cleaned often.  The antennas help a butterfly sense incoming danger and they can help as a communication between other butterflies."  Edward exclaimed, "Wow!  That is amazing!  I also want to help take care of their wings and antennas if it means protecting our children from potential harm."  So DeAnna shown Edward how to provide proper butterfly care as she requested, "You can practice doing so on my butterfly wings and antennas until you have learned how to properly care for them, if you'd like."  Edward blushed then he gulped with nervousness, "Um....ah....ok!"  DeAnna giggled, "Now you're the one who is lacking confidence in me."  Alphonse teased, "Your wife got you good right there, big brother!" So Edward practiced butterfly care on DeAnna as she gave him step by step instructions, but he followed through quite well for a first time.    "Thank you, darling!", DeAnna said as she smiled after her husband finished his first lesson.  

        Alphonse shouted, "I have breakfast ready!  Cinnamon rolls and tea for all three of us!" DeAnna heated up a few bottles of formula so each child would be fed then she gave Zoe some food and water.  She then joined the Elric brothers to breakfast.  Edward asked, "DeAnna, we haven't gone on a date for awhile so would you like to go ice skating with me?"  DeAnna cheerfully replied, "Sure!  I would love to!" 

        So after breakfast, DrAnna and Edward got their Winter suits on to keep warm then they got their ice skates prepared as they went out to their nearby pond that got added on to their patch of land.    DeAnna struggled with keeping her balance so she fell.  "Ow!", she cried.  Edward grabbed her hand as he skated right beside her for guidance on the ice.  He commented, "See?  This is fun and you're doing great, DeAnna!"  Then DeAnna shouted cheerfully, "Wee!  You are amazing, Edward!"  After awhile, they finally went back indoors for some hot cocoa to warm up with.  DeAnna smiled as she sighed at Edward with dreaming eyes as she said, "Thank you for ice skating with me.  I really enjoyed it!" Edward smiled, "I am so happy you enjoyed it.  Let's do that again soon, ok?"  DeAnna blushed as she agreed.