It was her nineteenth birthday. Every year, she had spent it with Ed and Al, but this time it was different. For a week, she'd had a fantasy that Edward would show up at her door with a gift and hug her and celebrate her birthday. No such luck. Winry tried to distract herself by working harder. She'd given up on starvation and began to work heavily. She spent long nights in the basement, tinkering and waiting for her friend to come home.

She glanced at the clock that hung drearily on the wall opposite her work table. Ten minutes until I turn nineteen. She stood up and undid her bandana, starting to walk upstairs. Ed was reliable and always remembered her birthday; if he returned at any time, this would be it. This thought made her feet go faster, and soon she was running out the door of her small home that she shared with Granny.

Winry looked at her watch, then at the horizon. Seven minutes. The sun was rising, and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful, warm summer day. She had distant memories of having a picnic outside with the Elric brothers as they argued about who would marry her. At the time, she'd just thought of it as childish. Nine years later, she wanted it more than anything in the world.

Five minutes. She gently sat down and took out her ponytail. I'm not pathetic anymore, she told herself, looking at the field with determination. I've become strong again for Ed, and nobody can tell me otherwise. He will come home for my birthday. The blonde smiled with pride, ready to accept her friend once again.

Three minutes. Winry swallowed nervously. Now that she was reassured, she was worried about how she would greet him. A punch in the face for making her wait for so long? She didn't think she'd have the guts after being so desperate for him to come back. A hug, maybe. Unless she squeezed him to death, she didn't think that that would convey the depth of her feelings. Her last alternative made her cheeks redden. I guess that idiot will get a kiss.

One minute. She didn't want to blink in case she missed him for a split second. Standing up, Winry prepared herself for the countdown to Ed's arrival.

Ten. She swallowed.

Nine. Birds chirped.

Eight. Her heart pounded.

Seven. Fluffy clouds passed slowly.

Six. Ghosts of her memories played in the fields.

Five. A jack rabbit sniffed her feet.

Four. Winry locked her hands together in prayer.

Three. Footsteps resounded.

Two. She closed her eyes.

One. And opened them.

Standing in front of her was the teenage mailman. She twitched and gave him a deathly glare.

He squeaked in fear. "Oh no, not you again! Are you still waiting for that guy... Ed?" he asked, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Listen, miss, you should really move on with-"

"You think I don't know that?" she yelled angrily. "You're wrong. So wrong. But we're supposed to get married...!" She put a hand to her face and grimaced. Damn. I'm the one that's wrong. I shouldn't have dreamt so recklessly.

"Ah, miss, but that guy sent you a package!" he objected, happy to give her good news. "He works for the military, right? That's why you asked me a month ago if I was here to tell you he was dead!" He held out a large box for her to take.

Winry snatched the box. "Thank you so much!" she exclaimed. "Have a good day!"

The boy breathed a sigh of relief and started running away. "No problem, miss! I'm off to my next location!"

"Right! Goodbye!" She sat down with the box and started tearing it open with her nails. Her pulse raced in excitement. It's from HQ! It's the only way he can send me anything, after all! She smiled like an idiot, getting ready to find out the contents of the box. Once her eyes locked on the object, though, her face froze in shock. Inside lay an automail arm; the very one she designed specifically for Ed.

"What is the military trying to tell me?" she murmured, not sure how to process this. She shakily reached for the arm and picked it up, holding it close to her heart. Winry clutched it and trembled.

"Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday to me," she sang quietly. "Happy birthday, happy birthday.

"Happy birthday to me."