A few months later in winter…..

Winry was sitting at the dining room table with a cake in front of her that had "Happy Birthday" written on it. She smiled as Edward, Alphonse, and Granny sang to her. "Aww.. this is so sweet," she said. "Did you guys make this?" she asked.

"Are you crazy? We went to the bakery in town," Edward replied.

"Remember the last time we tried to bake a cake? It wasn't even edible!" Al said as he laughed at the memory. Winry cut up the cake, and everyone ate a piece.

Edward disappeared from the table after he finished his piece. Al and Granny gave Winry her presents to open. She got a new dress and some new tools from Granny. Al gave her some chocolate from the bakery. Al was helping Granny put away the rest of the cake when Winry heard someone whispering her name. She looked behind her, and Edward was in the hall just outside the kitchen trying to get her attention. He motioned for her to follow him. They went down the hall and went into the front room. He gave her a rectangular box. "Here. Happy birthday Winry."

She opened the box. "Oooohhhh… a necklace. It's really pretty." She took it out of the box. "Can you put it on me?"

"Ummm ..sure." He had no idea how to do this. She turned around and pulled up her hair. He took either end and fiddled with the clasp until he figured out how to work it. She heard the clasp click, and Edward exhaling. She released her hair and faced him.

"Thank you. I really like it. The stone matches my dress tonight." It was a blue stone, which matched her blue dress. She leaned up to kiss him, and he reached down to meet her until their lips met.

"Brother and Winry sitting in a tree. G." Alphonse teased them.

"SHUT IT AL!" Edward yelled at him. Granny came in.

"Look Granny. Look what Ed gave me." She showed her necklace to her.

"That's really nice. You did good pipsqueak."

Al gazed at it. "Wow brother. I'm impressed. You have better taste than I thought." Edward rolled his eyes.

"Alright, Winry, you ready to go to the pub?" Edward asked her.

"Yeah, let's go! I can finally order alcohol legally." Winry was excited.

"You three have fun. Take care of her," Granny said.

"We will." Al told her. Edward put on his white hoodie. They went outside.

"Winry, you're not wearing youe coat. Are you sure you're going to be warm enough?" Edward asked.

"I'll be fine. It's not that cold out." Winry said. Edward grimaced.

The trio arrived to the pub. A few of their local friends had a large table for them at the corner. Edward sat next to Winry and put his arm around her. She showed her necklace to their friends, and Edward smiled a little. She really did like it. They ordered drinks, and Winry began drinking her beer. She finished one, and the music began. "Edward, let's dance." She grabbed his arm and started pulling on him. She dragged him onto the dance floor, and they danced to the upbeat music. They danced a few songs than Al asked for a turn while Edward sat out for a little while.

Some patrons of the bar found out it was Winry's birthday and ordered shots for her. She and Al took a seat so she could try her free drinks. Her cheeks became pink and her speech was starting to slur. Then Winry sat really close to Edward and started touching his chest as she was talking to him. "Edward, this is the best birthday. It's been so much fun. I am having a really good time." Her hands were roaming his chest and shoulders.

"I can tell." Edward said. 'She's already drunk.' Winry put her arms around his neck.

"Edward, kiss me."

"What?! Here? Now?!" Edward panicked.

Her smile faded. "Are you ashamed to be with me?" she said with the saddest eyes that she could make.

"What?! No! Of course not!" Edward exclaimed. He sighed. It was her birthday. "Ok. One kiss." He told her. Winry's face brightened. Edward leaned into her, and they kissed. Winry put her hands on the back of his head and opened her mouth and forced her tongue into his mouth. Edward's eyes opened in surprise but closed quickly. Edward kissed her back battling her mouth with his. The bar patrons cheered for them, and one of the men yelled "Ed's getting lucky tonight!", and the whole bar erupted in shouts and laughter.

Edward pulled away from her. 'God damn it! That's why I hate doing this stuff in the pub.'

Winry put her head on his chest and held him tight. Then she put her head up on his shoulder and whispered in his ear. "You know, I would let you if you wanted to… You know.. Make love to me." Her eyes were half open but there was lust in them. Edward's face went bright red.

The bar maid interrupted them. "The men at the bar ordered you another drink." Edward put his hand out to stop her. "She's had enough."

"Oh come on Edward…. Please." Winry pleaded.

"You don't want to get sick, do you?" Edward asked. Winry sighed but she didn't want to get sick either.

They talked with their friends while Winry sipped on some water. Her cheeks were still pink from the alcohol. Then when it seemed like Winry was about to fall asleep on Edward, the trio decided it was time to head home.

Edward, Al, and Winry went outside where Winry started to shiver. "Are you cold? I knew you should have brought your coat." Edward scolded her as he took off his white hoodie and helped her to put it on. They tried to walk with Winry but she kept stumbling. "Damn it! Here Al, hold her purse. Winry, get on my back," he ordered her. He picked her up, and started carrying her home. "I can't believe this. I have to carry you home." Edward sighed.

"Oh Brother, come on. She had a good time. And in a few weeks, we get to celebrate your 18th birthday." Al reminded him.

"Yeah but I doubt either of you could carry my ass back home," Edward retorted.

Winry was half asleep on Edward's back, happily drunk. "Hey Edward."

"Yes Winry." Edward said annoyed.

"I love you," she said happily.

"I … love… you too Winry." Edward told her. They had said it before but always in private. Al burst out laughing. 'God damn it. I'm never going to hear the end of this.' Edward thought.

They reached the house, and Edward had to set Winry back on her feet. "Come on Winry. I can't carry you upstairs." They took each step one by one until they reached the top, and finally got Winry to lay down in her bed. "Al, help me get her shoes off." They each took off one of her shoes and tucked her in under the covers.

"Edward?"

"Yes Winry." Edward said annoyed again.

"Make love to me." Edward and Al turned red.

"I'll leave you two alone." Al turned to leave the room.

"Oh no you don't! You can't leave me with this!" Edward grabbed Al so he wouldn't leave. He needed a witness. Edward leaned over Winry and kissed her forehead. "Not tonight Win. You need some sleep. Let's wait until a special night"

"But tonight is special. It's my birthday." Winry pleaded.

"I know but let's talk about it tomorrow, okay? Good night."

"Okay" and Winry went to sleep.

Edward and Al were in the hallway about to go to bed. "Hey brother. You did really good tonight. You made Winry really happy on her birthday."

"Thanks Al." Edward was proud. He thought he handled a drunk Winry very well.

"Oh, and brother? I love you." Al made a kissy face. Edward punched him in the shoulder.

"Good night Al!" Edward shut his door and went to bed.