A.N. Hello people! I'm sorry for the extremely long wait my friend and I have had trouble thinking up where to go with this story! But we have it now, so read and review!

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Daddy, no," Maggie crossed her arms over her thin chest, pouting up at her father. "I don't want you to marry her," she frowned deeply, turning slightly away from Edward.

"Maggie, would you just tell me why not? That could make this whole situation a lot better," Ed sighed, frowning at Maggie in turn.

"I just don't like her," she grimaced, memories whispering troubling words in her ear and floating lazily through her mind. Horrific images, disturbing sounds and the waves of pain that came with loss. "She's not my Mom."

"Maggie," Ed sighed again, realizing what his daughter was probably referring to. He'd thought for a while that this was probably the problem, and even before he and Winry decided to get married he'd thought this argument would come up. It was true, Maggie's mother was dead, and Winry Rockbell wasn't exactly one to fill the position…. Still, Ed had to think of something.

"Daddy how am I supposed to forget about Mommy?" Maggie exclaimed, tears beginning to form in her eyes at the idea that her father wanting to erase her mother's existence from her memory. "Just because you didn't love her and because she tried to hurt Uncle Al doesn't mean- it doesn't mean," Maggie stuttered herself into sobs.

"Maggie don't cry," Ed knelled to hug her. "What's wrong, tell me about it," he said gently, patting her hair.

"Mom loved me," she whispered, sniffling and trying not to cry all over her father like a baby. "Or at least, I think she did. But she said that she told Grandma and her friends she was getting me… and I wonder if that's why she wanted me back. I know Mom wouldn't have really hurt our or Uncle Al," Maggie mumbled into her father's shoulder.

"I know it, Maggie," Ed told her, "and she didn't want you just to show off. Both your mother and I loved you very much from the day you were born, and if Mom were still here she'd still love you."

Maggie backed away from her father's warm embrace. She scowled, narrowing her eyes at him. Something about this wasn't right, her father was keeping something from her… or else she had too many emotions running through her. When she and her uncle had spied on Winry and Ed… she'd been glad that her Dad was happy. But she didn't think they were serious at the time… and that disturbed her. And no matter how many times she tried to argue with it she knew that…

"Winry doesn't love me," Maggie almost screamed. "How can you be in love someone who doesn't love me?! I know from the time we've been here, she cares about you and Uncle! But me, I'm different! I'm from 'Ed's other woman'!" Maggie thanked goodness that nobody was in the house with them to hear this. "I can tell from the way she looks at me, and then at you! Like she's forcing herself to care about me," the last part came out in a hiss.

Ed stood up to his full height (which wasn't much) to scrutinize his undersized daughter. He didn't cut in; he wanted to see what she had to say, no matter how much it hurt to listen to her troubled words.

"At first her eyes look angry, hateful, like she wishes I wasn't even here," Maggie whispered. "And then she looks to you, and her face softens and she looks warm and untroubled. That's when she remembers my play in her life and looks back to me as if I'm a task rather than a friend or even daughter."

Maggie looked down at her feet, slightly ashamed of herself paying close attention to Winry. Her father wouldn't like it at all…. It was as if she had been spying or even conspiring against his childhood friend and lover.

"Maggie she doesn't hate you," Ed whispered, though… his daughter's words had him slightly doubting his own words. "Obviously it must hurt her to know that I loved someone other than her… and that you aren't her daughter."

"Daddy don't excuse it," Maggie reprimanded him. "She hates me. She wants me dead!"

Just as Ed was going to tell her off, a voice came from the doorway:

"I don't… I don't hate you Maggie," Winry's soft voice mumbled, as she stepped into the room. Ed looked up and Maggie spun around, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Win-Winry, I- uh, I mean," she stuttered, and then fell silent. "Sorry." The little girl moved to leave the room.

In a swift movement the woman caught her shoulder, keeping her from leaving. Ed watched on silently, hoping that some things could be set straight here.

Winry's eyes were hidden in the shadow of her bangs, now brushed across her forehead instead of swept to the side like in her childhood. Her face was unreadable without the dazzling blue eyes.

"I should be the one sorry," Winry whispered. "I didn't tell you anything," she told the little girl, though part of the message was directed towards Ed. The man shoved his hands in his pockets, waiting.

Maggie's face was serious, her brow furrowed. She fought the urge to shake Winry's warm hand off her shoulder. She wanted so badly to leave… to get out of this room where everything was suddenly stifling. It felt as if the walls were closing in and all the oxygen in the open space had disappeared, smothering her. She breathed as quietly as possible through her nose, calming herself down.

"You're a wonderful little girl, Maggie," Winry's voice hinted happiness, but it was soon swallowed up by misery and desolation. "I waited so, so long for Ed to come back. I always loved him, you know," she smiled slightly but remained stern and caring. "And when I found out you were his daughter, I was sad. I was upset that Ed had been with another woman… but even sadder that you weren't my daughter."

Maggie suppressed a gasp, and glanced up at Winry, mouth slightly agape. "What do you mean?" she asked softly, glancing over her shoulder at her father, whom paid her no mind and watched Winry intently.

"I wish that I had a daughter… and me marrying your daddy, it brings me that much closer to having you as my baby," she whispered. "I'm never going to replace your mom, and I will never try. Please don't be angry with me, Maggie."

"Winry," Maggie mumbled, slowly moving to hug the woman around the waist.

"Does… this mean that you're okay with us, Maggie?" Ed asked cautiously, aware that he was dancing on a razor blade.

"I'm going to have to get used to the idea," Maggie admitted, backing away from Winry. "Give me time, Daddy… but I think I understand."

"I love you, Maggie, you're awesome." Ed stated, picking up Maggie and hugging her tightly to him in a bear hug.

"We both love you," Winry nodded, patting the girl's head. "We're just a little broken."

"It's a good family," Maggie smiled, nodding. "Small, broken, but still good… yeah, still good."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

A.N. So, how'd you like it? If you enjoyed this chapter and want another one, then review.