She wasn't surprised when she heard a knock on the bedroom door. The thunder outside was violent – like giant rocks were being thrown at the side of the 2-story house. It was probably some of the worst she had ever heard since moving to Central; not even the typhoons in Xing were this bad. Yet even through the clashes of thunder Mei could still hear it – the soft tapping of tiny knuckles against the door.

She didn't move, even when the door peaked open to reveal a little figure in a foot-length green lacy nightgown. Mei shut her eyes and pretended to sleep; her daughter was almost 10 now, she was getting too old to be so frightened by the clash of thunder. She heard a rustle and felt the bed move as her husband sat up. Of course – they both loved their children dearly, but when one of them ever had to be strict with them it was never Al. Mei was the one who taught her children right from wrong, while Al spoiled them like a doting father would.

"Something wrong, Emma?"

Emma didn't reply, but judging by the rustle of the bed and the added weight on one side it sounded like she had crawled in bed beside her father. Mei sighed; it would have seemed a little cold to pretend to "notice" Emma now. She slept on; when there was another small tap on the door. It opened to reveal a teary 5-year old boy with shaggy blond hair. He sniffled, and then trotted over to Mei's side of the bed. A huge clash outside made him jump, and he hastily climbed over his mother, uncaring if he woke her up in the process. A tiny leg kneed her hard in the ribs and she let out a small cry; there was no hiding it now. She looked over her shoulder at the two children snuggled comfortably between her and Alphonse; both jumping a bit whenever a loud bolt of thunder would shake the house. After a few minutes of soothing words they both fell asleep; Mei still stroking their fine Xingese hair. She sighed.

"They're really too old for this kind of thing…"
"What?"
Mei smiled tiredly at her husband. "You know, coming into their parent's room during every single storm. When I was their age…."

Al chuckled softly and leaned back on his elbows. "When you were their age you were preparing to go off to a foreign land to find a mysterious stone with no adult supervision whatsoever…."

"Exactly! That's why...." Mei began, but was soon cut off by Al, who ducked in quick and kissed her softly on the lips.

"All of that is done now. My childhood, your childhood; it was all pretty much rushed. My childhood was basically running around after my brother in Central, trying to keep him from doing stupid things. Might as well give the next generation a bit of spoiling, right?"

Mei sighed, and then looked fondly at the two bundles fast asleep. A clash of thunder shook the house, but neither of them flinched. She gave each one a small kiss on the cheek, then cuddled into bed beside them. Al did the same, kissing her forehead lightly before falling into a deep sleep. Mei closed her eyes and smiled. Maybe being a doting parent wasn't so bad after all.

My first fanfiction... I'm really not a writter but I think it turned out ok for my first try :3
Reviews are appreciated - try not to flame please! ^__^