Later that evening, Winry was getting ready for her date. She had picked a red dress because she knew red was his favorite, and it looked really good on her. It flowed to her knees, and had a fabric tie that fit snugly around her waist. The top of the dress had one inch sleeves on the shoulder, and a small cut down the middle to highlight her breasts but still be modest at the same time. Mrs. Hughes and Elysia had helped put her hair up, and curled the hair up front that flowed down onto her chest. She had just finished applying her red lipstick that she borrowed from Mrs. Hughes when she heard a knock on the door.
Winry opened the door, and Edward stepped back. He didn't quite recognize her, and she didn't blame him. She didn't recognize herself in the mirror either. "You look really nice," Edward stuttered.
"Thank you." She said her face beginning to flush. They stood awkwardly at the door.
"Oh ummm.. these are for you," Edward again stuttered as he handed her some flowers.
"Oh wow. They're pretty. Why don't you come in? I'm almost ready." She opened the door for him, and set the flowers on the table. She stepped back into the bathroom, and put on the necklace he gave her. Edward sat on the sofa, and looked over at the bed that they had slept in last night. A smirk formed on his face.
"I'm ready," Winry announced, and Edward and her made their way to the restaurant he had booked a table at. As they were being shown their table, Winry looked around. She hadn't been in a place that was this upscale. There was someone playing on the piano to her left, a large glittering chandelier overhead, and there were beautiful paintings on the wall to her right. The host pulled the chair for Winry to sit in. 'Oh shit! I should've done that!' Edward thought. He wanted her to have the perfect romantic date. And the host placed the napkin in her lap. Winry was impressed. She didn't realize this was something that restaurants did.
The host told them their waiter would be with them shortly, and went back to his post. Winry looked at Edward, and said quietly "Edward, this is really nice. Like too nice." She smiled because she was excited about this new experience. Then she looked at the menu, and noticed the prices. She looked concerned. "This is expensive. Are you sure it's not too much?"
"Don't worry about it. I got it covered. I'm still getting a paycheck from Mustang." Edward liked that Mustang still had to sign his checks.
"Oh okay." She looked at the menu, and decided to order the second least expensive thing.
The waiter came up, and asked if they were celebrating anything. "We're engaged," Winry said with a smile. Edward eyed her. "What? We never celebrated it." The waiter smiled sweetly, and asked if they would like to order wine or any other drinks.
"Do you like wine?" Edward asked her. At their home pub, they drank beer and liquor. "I'm not sure. I never had any," Winry replied.
Edward looked at the waiter "Something sweet, like a Moscato," he told the waiter.
The waiter left, and Winry asked Edward "How do you know about wine?"
"Well, while I was in Creta, we drank wine a few nights a week. I learned which ones I liked, and which ones I didn't like."
"Really? A few nights a week?" Winry was surprised.
"Yeah, and we went to a few nice restaurants like this. And I got the idea that I wanted to take you to one." The waiter brought some champagne on the house to celebrate their engagement, and took their dinner order.
Edward and Winry drank their champagne, which helped them relax, and their tongues to loosen more. "When I was in Creta, I stayed with this married couple, and it was nice to see a good marriage. It gave me ideas for ours."
"Oh yeah, like what?" Winry was intrigued as she sipped on her champagne.
"Yeah, like they each take turns cooking dinner. So the wife doesn't do all the cooking. And they would kiss each other in front of me, like they didn't have to hide it. It wasn't like making out, just a simple kiss. And even when they had an argument, they would apologize before going to bed so they wouldn't go to bed angry. Well, there were a few times they broke that last rule but you could tell that they loved each other. Sorry, was that a lot to take in?" Edward started drinking his wine.
"No, this is great. What I remember of my parents' relationship, they were really sweet to each other, and they always worked out their arguments. Mom even apologized even if she thought she was right." Winry tried some of her wine. "Ed, this is really good wine."
"I told you. I knew that you would like the sweet white wine." Then he turned more serious. "Well, my parents were not the best example of marriage so I was worried about screwing this up with you." Edward realized what he said. He hadn't meant to be this deep.
Winry took his hand. "Edward, you are your own person. You are not your father, okay? Just do what you feel is best." He rubbed her hand with his thumb as they silently thought about their parents' examples, and how their marriage would be different.
Dinner was served, and they began to eat and talk about their future with smiles. The wine had made them feel relaxed and hopeful about their future. Winry got the courage to ask "So when should we get married?"
Edward about choked. 'Right, we have to have a wedding but maybe not.' He thought. "Well, we can elope."
Winry sighed "I kind of wanted a wedding."
"Okay, we can have a wedding. " 'There went the elopement I was hoping for,' he thought.
"Well I was hoping for a fall or spring wedding so the weather would be nice. Not too hot or too cold."
"You want to this fall?" Edward asked. Winry's eyes widened.
"This fall?! Seriously?!" she gasped.
"Yeah, why not?" he asked her. Winry sighed but she did want to marry him soon. Why wait until spring?
"Okay, let's do it. This fall!" she smiled. They smiled at each other across the table.
Edward and Winry were sharing a dessert they had ordered. They drank more wine, and had a pink rouge formed across their cheeks. The alcohol was taking more effect. Edward felt like he could tell Winry anything so he did. "So you know I wanted to take you out tonight for a romantic date. Well the couple I stayed with about fainted when I told them I hadn't taken you out for a proper date. The wife can't believe you said yes to me. So they made me promise that when I got home, that I take you out for a proper date."
Winry laughed at him. "Do they realize that Risembool has nothing like this?"
"That's what I told them!" Edward chuckled. He continued "But seriously, you deserve this. You've done so much for me. More than just taking care of my arm and leg. But like you helped me heal after everything that happened, you know? Like with Al recovering, and helping me get through the things that haunt me. Remember that night when you found me thrashing in bed from a horrible dream? You stayed with me at nights until I fell asleep. Who else would have done that?" Edward couldn't believe that all this was coming out but then again, they had drank through 2 bottles of wine, and some champagne.
Winry tilted her head, and looked at him sympathetically. She took his hand again. "Ed, I would do it all again. I've loved you a long time, and I'm so happy that I get to be with you. I get to share more nights with you but maybe with less clothes on," she winked at him.
Edward blushed, and shook his head. "Winry, you are terrible but I love it!" he said all giddy. She laughed quietly, trying not to be rude in the nice place that they were at. The waiter brought the happy couple the check. Edward was surprised they had spent that much but it was worth it.
Edward and Winry were stumbling back to their hotel but didn't really feel like calling it a night. They found a bar and walked in. And of course, they ran into people they knew. "Ms. Riza, I'm so glad to see you." Wiinry forgot all politeness, and hugged her.
"Winry, it's good to see you. Have you been drinking?" Riza could tell Winry's speech was slurred a little. "Well, Edward just took me on the best date ever! And we've been drinking wine." Roy Mustang and Edward watched the exchange.
Roy spoke to Winry "Ms. Rockbell, I'm so glad you came to visit. Ed was in a horrible mood until today. I wish you had come sooner just to put him in a better mood."
Winry giggled. She knew why Edward had been in such a good mood. It was because of what they did last night. "Well, I'm glad I helped cheer him up." She elbowed Ed, and he held a smirk on his face, recalling what they did last night. Roy then noticed how giddy they were, and realized that they were drunk. Riza and Roy got the couple some much needed water.
Winry drank her water, which helped her think more clearly. She was bursting with the news so she told them. "So Ed and I decided to get married this fall."
Roy and Riza eyes grew large. "Wow, that's fast. Congratulations," Riza told her.
Then Winry realized something. "Riza, do you think it's appropriate with everything going on with the war? I mean, we're getting married when so much sadness is going on."
Riza thought about this. "I think it's fine. It gives something happy for people to think about. A distraction from all the misery. And we would like to see some happiness before we have to ship out."
Edward and Winry turned serious. Their friends would have to battle through another war. "Well fuck it! We're going to celebrate the hell out of this marriage." Edward said. He wanted them to have a happy event to go to before facing hell again. Roy got them all a round of beer to celebrate their potential wedding nuptials.
Edward and Winry left for their hotel after drinking with Roy and Riza. The whole bar had celebrated them. People really did need a distraction from the war. Edward and Winry made it to Winry's door, and were faced with the same decision as the night before. "Do you want me to stay with you?" Edward asked. Winry nodded and kissed him in the hallway. Edward broke away. "Let me get my things," he went into his room and packed his bag with his toiletries, and moved to Winry's room for the remainder of their stay. He set his bag down, and Winry attacked him with passionate kisses. They made love that night again, becoming more comfortable with each other. They took their time that night. Edward used his mouth between her legs until she demanded he be inside her. She needed to be one with him. To be as close to him as possible. He entered her, and they both gasped at the excitement. Winry watched Edward penetrate her over and over. She moved her fingers down and rubbed her clitoris until she felt the pressure release inside of her. Edward slowed down to let her recover and then when she started to move her hips again, he bucked hard and fast against her until he felt his seed release. Edward disposed of the condom, and Winry got her nightgown on. They brushed their teeth, and got ready for bed. They talked about their happy future plans together until they fell asleep.