A/N: All this summer sun is sure making these stories turn to fluff ;)
Award:
Two weeks of workshops, presentations and a constant stream of automail talk. Winry was pleasantly surprised at all the different and creative things other automail engineers were working on. There were so many new ideas, so many young, as well as old faces pushing the limits. It really got her thinking, more than once, that maybe she needed to get back to the drawing board herself. It was certainly eye opening and a much needed recharge as far as her work was concerned.
Tomorrow, Winry would be recognized at the final days' ending ceremony and she was feeling a bit strange about it all. Back at her hotel room Winry dialed Resembool and wasn't surprised to find tears budding in her eyes at the sound of her oldest sons voice.
"Hey Mom." She heard him hesitate, "Wait, are you crying?"
Oh boy, she did not miss these hormone mood swings. "No." Winry took a steadying breath. "Just calling to make sure your Dad knows to pick me up at the train station at four on Sunday."
There was a distinct pause before Eddy's voice cracked, "Oh yeah Sunday." The young teenager cleared his voice, "Yeah Dad says he'll be there."
Eddy was still an open book to her, especially since he began to take on her husband's characteristics. "Can I talk to him?"
Again, another pause. "Uh, he's in the bathroom actually."
Winry pinched the bridge of her nose. "Well tell him that his wife is on the phone."
"It's lethal in there Mom. I don't think he's going to be done for another hour or so…Sara made chili tonight."
Eddy sure sounded suspicious but she didn't blame her son for not wanting to face that kind of punishment and she was too tired to really dwell on it. Sighing, Winry felt her shoulders sag. "All right, well tell everyone I love them and I'll be seeing you real soon okay?"
"Yeah, love you too."
Winry smiled at the sincerity in his voice, it was nice to hear it and when she went to bed she tried not to think about why he hadn't sounded so honest before.
The next day flew by and all too soon she was checking her reflection in the full length mirror in the hotel lobby. Thank goodness she wasn't showing because this dress would never have zipped up. Maybe it was a little too revealing but dammit she was being honored and who knew when she might ever be able to fit into something like this again?
The dinner was delicious and Winry did revel in the fact that she hadn't had to cook for two straight weeks. Some of the people she had worked with over the years sat at her table and while some were married like herself Winry did have to try not to blush too hard when the others made valiant but rather unnecessary attempts at flirting. It was a little humorous to watch their faces fall as she turned away a champagne toast with the polite explanation that she was expecting. Winry decided it was best to keep secret the pleasure she got from receiving such compliments. She would put that little bit of knowledge into her pocket for use when she was feeling fat and useless 8 months from then.
As they began handing out awards Winry found herself twisting her hands nervously in her lap. Garfiel reached over and put a calming hand on top of hers. "Darlin' you better pay attention, they're talking about you."
Winry's face flushed with pride as the speaker lavished her with praise. This was not the first time someone had recognized the caliber of her work, but it certainly was the first time someone had done so in front of an entire ballroom of people. Feeling very humbled, the former Rockbell left her seat and headed up to the stage to accept her award.
They were expecting a speech and Winry had prepared a few quick remarks but as she stood in front of the podium all she could think about was how she got there. Winry thought of those moments when her hands had been unsure, when up was down and down was up. Her palms felt clammy, but it was those very calloused hands that had earned their wear and proved their worth through much pain and an endless amount of tears.
"My Grandmother took me in when I was barely old enough to know why my parents were never coming home." Winry took a breath, "She didn't let me dwell on the past, instead she gave me a wrench and those Elric brothers gave me a purpose. I used to think my hands were so useless, that my efforts would never amount to much. I wanted so badly to live up to the name my parents and Grandma had made. I suppose the reason I'm here at all was that someone once told me my hands were meant to heal. And at the end of the day isn't that what we do? I am so proud of those that have come before me and I can only hope that I have done them proud."
Winry had no idea what had come over her, maybe nerves or maybe that was what she had wanted to say all along. Either way she felt shocked as the crowd moved to their feet in great applause. Looking around Winry froze for a moment and then her hand was over her mouth as she noticed that among those giving her a standing ovation was a man with golden hair and eyes like the sun.
Edward Elric was walking to the front of the room with the biggest grin on his face. Winry's husband met her at the bottom of the stairs to the stage taking her arm through his and directing her out of the ballroom into the deserted lobby.
"How did you…?"
Edward Elric quieted her with a kiss. "You really think I'd miss this?" His fingers running through her hair commanding her closer.
"I thought you couldn't stand it here in Rush Valley?" Winry protested still not catching on.
"Winry." Edward smirked at her, "I think this should send the message that your taken to those few doubters out there. I believe you have a hotel room for one more night?"
Oh, that's where he was going with this. This was an unexpected surprise that Winry could definitely use to her advantage but the mother in her was nagging. "You left the kids alone for a night?"
Edward rolled his eyes giving her that loopy smile of his. "They'll be fine for one night…but I wouldn't have been. Besides-" Winry's husband wagged his eyebrows at her, "-if they do burn the place down we'll just have to book a few more nights in a hotel."
"Remind me why I thought having another kid with you was a good idea?"
He ran a finger down one of her bare shoulders "Because you love me?" Ed grinned, "But if you insist I guess I can show you again, and again, exactly why making kids with me is always a good idea."
Winry couldn't believe how different it felt to have her husband pursuing her. It might not have always been true but today she felt radiant with all the attention. Catching on to his mood she leaned closer to his ear. "I'm glad you came, I've been wanting to work out your automail all week."
Edward swallowed hard, his tongue licking his lips in anticipation. "I hope that's your way of dirty talking."
Winry just winked and led the way to her hotel room where they did anything but talk. Even though she was here for an award she thought Edward deserved one too.
