Warnings and Disclaimers: Any and all characters from the anime or manga Fullmetal Alchemist do not belong to me. I only torture them for some stories. There may be some teenage content in the story but it is very limited. This story is set after the movie which means there are some spoilers and if you have no idea what any of this may be about, then don't come crying to me please. It's not my fault, I warned you -:sheepish grin:-.

Seasons

Autumn: The Shine of Hope

Chapter 19

By: RomanceFanFicLover

Despite Ed's nervousness, the dinner party was going rather well.

Al hadn't lied when he had told Ed about the menu; there was very many of his favorite foods splayed out before him on the large buffet table.

"Ed, stop drooling." Winry reprimanded happily as she handed him a plate and began choosing some food for herself.

Gathering his dignity, and jaw, Ed readjusted his hold on the plate and reached for some rice. "I'm not drooling." He sniffed rebelliously as he plopped the pile of rice onto his plate and continued on down the table.

Winry smiled at his back and turned back to the table; she was famished. They had arrived a little over two hours previously and had been dancing and laughing ever since. It was the most fun she remembered having for quite awhile—and that included the lake party as well.

Although they had lost Al and Nelly about half an hour ago, she was sure they would return for the food eventually.

She placed her plate on the table carefully before sliding into the seat next to Ed. She never knew that Risembool could pull together and create such a sophisticated setting.

The entire dinner and dance event was being held in a large field on the outskirts of Nelly's property. A very long table dressed with a blinding white cloth was placed in the middle of the field and was decorated with numerous dishes, bowls and platters of food and drink. Two-seater and Four-seater tables were littered around the widest sides of the table and a cleared area set up for dancing was placed on the opposite sides of the table.

Strings of light decorated the surrounding trees, shrubs and buildings which brought on a sense of romance and warmth.

Under one particularly illuminated tree, sat Winry and Ed; both digging into their plates feverishly.

Al watched, amused. His brother had been so reluctant to come, and now look how much fun he was having over there. A warm smile spread over his face as he thought of how much his brother deserved moments like these.

"KYAA!" The squeal of delight pulled Al's attention away from his friends. "Al! Come taste this cake!"

A loud squeal to the right caught Ed's attention. He grinned devilishly and waved his hand over his head. "Hey Al! Come over here!"

The group of four reunited and began a lengthy session of shared food and stories as laughter and smiles went around the table generously.

Winry was in the middle of a hearty laugh when a warm hand grasped her own in rough, calloused fingers. She jumped slightly but then turned her smile to the owner of the hand. He grinned back nervously, a slight flush reaching his cheeks as he used his other hand to pick up his cup and sip from it.

Squeezing the soft hand within his own for the briefest of moments, Ed let go and continued his meal. It didn't faze Winry though; she knew it had feeling in it.

The conversations continued and the moment of affection passed with dirty jokes and a brief quarrel between the two brothers.

..+..------------------------------..+..

"Winry"

The blonde lifted her head up from the table and blinked her slightly bleary eyes. "Hmm?"

Ed smirked slightly and leaned onto the table as well. "Were Al and I really arguing that long?"

"Huh?" Realization dawned on her as she lifted her sleep-heavy hand to her face. "Oh! No, I'm sorry. I was just a little tired from all the food and dancing."

Relief seemed to wash over Ed's features for a moment, but passed just as quickly. "No more dancing? Tch, too bad."

Winry glared at him and clenched her jaw. How stupid did he think she was? With a determined huff, she grabbed the golden-haired male's hand and heaved him out of his chair. He blinked at her in surprise and she pointed angrily to the dance floor. "You. Me. Dance. Now."

A small laugh, which could have been mistaken as a soft escape of air, pushed itself out of Ed's mouth and Winry pushed him out of his stationary position. "Alright, alright!" Satisfied that she was finished attacking his back, Ed continued. "You're so bossy. It's a wonder Auntie can put up with you for so long."

He stood dazed as his head throbbed from the blow he had just received. Where the hell did she hide that metal thing all the time?!

Winry replaced the wrench into its hiding place and smiled sweetly at him. "It's more of a wonder as to how I put up with you." Linking her arm with his, she continued to lead him to the crowd of dancers.

"You expect me to dance after nearly suffering a concussion." Ed muttered moodily as he rubbed his head and marched grumpily beside her.

"Of course." And with that said, they spun onto the dance floor; all arguments and physical abusive forgotten.

..+..------------------------------..+..

Sugar could have dripped off of the sweet smile Winry presented herself in the mirror as she readjusted the clip in her hair.

"You almost look evil when you do that." Nelly joked as she reapplied her lip-gloss.

Mocking surprise, Winry turned to her. "Really? I thought I looked stunningly sweet."

"To a homunculus, maybe." Winry stuck her tongue out at Al as he readjusted his grip on Nelly's purse. "Are you enjoying the night Winry?"

She nodded enthusiastically and brushed her bangs from her eyes. "Yup! And the food was amazing, wasn't it?" Nelly responded with a nod and Al's eyes seemed to glaze over in remembrance.

"Where's Brother?" Al quipped as Nelly took her purse back and replaced her lip-gloss.

"He said he had to go get something." Winry muttered absently as she dug into her own purse for lip-gloss. "Oh shoot. I think I left it at home. Nelly, can I borrow your lipgloss?"

"I just put it away." She whined, but retrieved it with a smile nonetheless. Casting a quick glance at Al, she plastered a smile on her face. "Al, can you leave me and Winry alone for a little bit?"

Once al had disappeared into the crowd, Winry turned to Nelly expectantly. When she didn't say anything, she quirked an eyebrow in surprise and turned back to the mirror.

"Hey Winry…" Nelly began, suspicion laced into her voice. Winry looked away from the mirror again and re-capped the lip-gloss. "Do you think Ed left to get…" She trailed off mysteriously and circled around the mechanic.

Winry felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise with anticipation as Nelly came around behind her and took back the lip-gloss before returning to Winry's side.

"…a ring?"

"A ring?" Winry repeated; dumfounded.

Nelly nodded triumphantly, obviously feeling as though she had solved a great mystery. "A ring."

"A ring?" Winry repeated again, becoming more confused.

With a frustrated sigh, Nelly tapped the lip-gloss container against Winry's nose. "Yes, a ring! An engagement ring! For when he declares his undying love for you!"

Winry gaped at the cheery girl in front of her. "E-E-E-Engagement ring?!"

"Mmhmm! It's so obvious!" She continued on with details, but Winry stopped listening.

Could Ed really be off to get a ring? Would he really say it? Would he really mean it?

A deep flush rose to her cheeks at the thought.

Could he really love her enough to want to marry her? Her? His childhood friend? A rough mechanic? A violent girl?

As though reading her thoughts, Nelly placed a hand on her shoulder and nodded. "Yup. Edward Elric and-"

"Winry."

Winry looked up in surprise at her name and was met with two golden orbs alight with something she couldn't quite lay her finger on.

Her breath caught in her throat as Nelly nudged her towards him.

"Winry, come with me." Ed held a hand out to her, beckoning her to follow him.

She did everything she could think of to stop herself from shouting out or giggling madly in excitement. This was it, it was now or never! This must be the time that he was going to tell her!

She looked over her shoulder at Nelly nervously and received a large, encouraging smile.

Placing her hand within his own, Winry allowed herself to be lead off by him.

..+..------------------------------..+..

When Nelly returned to him, Al blinked in surprise at the tears that shone in her eyes.

"Nelly?"

She looked up at him, tears and mascara streaming down her face, before launching herself into his chest and sobbing wildly.

"Nelly! What is it?"

She continued sobbing and buried her face deeper into his chest before pulling back far enough to gasp a single sentence.

Al froze, eyes widening in. Coming back to his sense, he wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose into her hair. "It'll be okay." He whispered reassuringly, smiling softly as a single tear slipped from his own eye.

They sat under a tree a little ways away from the party. She was still clutching to him desperately, but her tears had long ago subsided. They sat immersed in their own thoughts as she played with his hand absently.

Her words from before rang through his, blocking out the sounds of the nearby party music.

"He's going to do it."

..+..------------------------------..+..

A/N: Finally! I've had the 18th and 20th chapter finished since late August, but finally I've completed the 19th chapter! Whoopee!

By the way; the final chapter will be incredibly short. Sort of like a drabble.

Xoxoxoxo!