The simple prothetic automail mechanic stood staring at the new and foreign machinery. Silently she brushed her long strawberry blonde hair behind her ear, & let out a long sigh.

The elusive Elric brothers would rarely grace the childhood address of long time friend,Winry Rockbell, with phone calls, or simple letters, but to have a large package arrive with Edward's careful and seldomly used calligraphy was a great treat.

Den's tail thumped with content as Winry began the long process of scrubbing the grease off her hands. It was a ritual signaling to her canine friend that food was on the way soon. "Den, I feel a pie coming on." Winry pulled the string to turn her workroom into a black room and lightly stepped up the stairs with the soft pitter patter and clunk of the only childhood friend who had stayed behind to protect her from the small town life of Resembol. "Mrs. Hues, made the best apple pies. She would make the crust by hand. So light & fluffy with the fruit not being too heavy and the cinnamon being in perfect balance in every bite." Winry looked at her callused fingertips and silently found herself crying. "If I would have just payed attention to their hearts, den, instead of gears and motor oil. Maybe my hands would be delicate enough to make pies, hold hands... to be found attractive!" Winry broke down and wept. Her beauty was unbeknownst to her. Countless men from the village would follow her around the market, even the men in Rush Valley would swarm just for the attention her delicate hands could provide, but the simple mechanic was oblivious to even notice their advances. Her heart already belonged to a certain state alchemist: Edward Elric. Winry's memories wandered away to remember stormy grey eyes looking up at her with a delicate warmth... "You don't have to marry me Winry, but big brother is stubborn and really dumb when it comes to girls. So, I pinky promise when we're big and we have to start paying attention to girls you're gonna be the only one he pays any attention to!" The younger female wrapped her finger around the younger Elric's finger. "It's a promise!" The two skipped happily down the river to tease the eldest Elric about his "lost battle" for Winry's hand, but in Alphonse's mind he knew... That the golden beams of Edward's eyes only had a place in the blue skies of Winry's depths, and with a heavy dedication in his heart he intended to keep the sun in the sky.

A old woman walked into the kitchen to see her granddaughter's head resting quietly on the desk in the kitchen. "Winry dear? Winry?" The small grandmother shook her only living blood relative awake. "There's another package for you at the door. I'm just afraid I'm not strong enough to bring it in to you." Tears snuck down every wrinkle and outline of the older Rockbell's face. "It's okay, Granny, getting older is nothing to be ashamed of. I'll always be here to take care of you." Winry then slipped past her elder to retrieve the package. "Yes my dear,we have each other ,but I am old and not much can be done about that. What will you do when you realize you've been waiting for him to always take care of you?"