It had been two years since the fall of Nikolas Hiller and the disbanding of the Resistance. The aftermath had been extreme in the distrust of the government and dirty looks thrown at passing officers in the streets. But, as Fuhrer Roy Mustang assured the masses, the time of fear and oppression was over, and gradually the whole thing became the stuff of mere nightmares. The sun had risen now, and everyone basked in the glow of a new future.

I opened my eyes on a bright Monday morning and sighed happily when I heard Ed rattling around in the kitchen. I had no idea where Al was; probably out petting stray cats. I threw on some clothes and bounded downstairs.

Ed wasn't waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs like he usually was. I poked my head into the kitchen and saw, not Ed, but Reyna and Anna, fighting over the last piece of toast. My confusion melted away as it all came rushing back to me.

Today's my wedding day.

Reyna looked up when I entered the kitchen. Anna took advantage of her older sister's distraction and wolfed the toast down in two bites. Reyna ignored her and smiled at me.

"Today's the big day!" She beamed. "Boss is gonna be a bride!"

I smiled nervously back. "Yeah." I plopped on one of the kitchen chairs and stole Anna's coffee.

"Hey!" she protested.

"Fair's fair," I mumbled, taking a sip. As always, Anna's coffee had way too much cream in it. I made a face but drank it anyway. I needed the energy.

"Are you nervous?" Reyna asked. "It's not as scary as it seems, you know." Easy for her to say. She'd gotten married a year ago and she'd been so drunk at the reception that her memory was impaired. She'd been scared witless.

Anna nodded. "It's true, boss. You'll be fine. We have your back." She had the light of battle in her eyes.

I felt a little better. I was sure about marrying Ed, of course. He was the only man I could see myself with for the rest of my life. But the wedding itself terrified me. Knowing me, I'd most likely forget my vows or trip on my dress or just burst into tears at the worst possible moment.

"You can do this," my ex-lieutenants said in unison, and for the first time all morning, I cracked a smile.

They smiled back and in a flash they had me by the arms and were hauling me up the stairs. I sighed, knowing there was no getting out of this.

They shoved me into a pre-drawn bath before I had time to wonder how they'd managed to run the water without waking me up. They scrubbed my head so hard I was sure I was bald. They rinsed me off and whirled me back into my bedroom. I glanced in the mirror and saw with relief that my hair was still alive. Now I know how the dishes feel, I thought dizzily.

Reyna took my hair in her capable hands and braided it faster than thought. She barked at Anna to get the vanity ready.

Anna buffed and polished and powdered my face until it felt five pounds heavier. She slapped my cheeks lightly and told me to stop frowning.

Reyna glided over and started working on my hair. It was done so fast I didn't even know what she'd done. It was half up, half down, and wavy. I was stumped as to how she'd gotten it that way; my hair did nothing but lie straight no matter what I did to it.

"Boss, you look great," Anna said over her shoulder, taking my dress out of the closet and handing it to me. "Now, hold your breath."

"Why?" I asked, sucking in a deep breath.

"You'll see."

Before I could even blink they'd forced some garment around my torso and were tightening the strings on the back. I felt my eyes bug out of my head.

They unzipped the dress while I was still trying to dispel my sudden light-headedness. They helped me slide into the yards of white silk and put the veil on my head. Now the fear was setting in. I did my very best to not throw up on my priceless dress. It would be my head if I did.

They looked me over. "She's good, let's go," Reyna barked, ever the commanding officer. I was ushered down the stairs, almost tripping because I was seeing everything through a tunnel. I retreated into my happy place to calm down.

When I returned from my happy place I had shoes on my feet and I was in a car. I had been calm in my happy place but now the sickness returned. It was hard to form a coherent thought.

"Boss?" Anna asked. Her voice sounded distorted, warped. "You look green."

"I feel green," I moaned, clutching my stomach. "It feels like I ate bats."

The twins exchanged nervous glances , from what I could see through the tunnel vision. I seriously need to calm down, I told myself, but thinking that just made it worse.

My hands shook. The car rounded the bend and the church came into view. Reyna and Anna kept asking me how I felt and I didn't answer them. I was afraid of what would happen if I opened my mouth.

I'm going to trip, I thought. Or I'm going to forget my wedding vows and Ed will never forgive me! Or I'm going to vomit all over this handmade dress and Reyna will kill me and I'm going to die I'm going to die I'm going to die…

The car rolled to a stop. My vision swam. I longed for Ed to hold my hand, but of course he was inside that dreaded church and I'd have to walk up an aisle to get to him. Drat you, Elric, I thought incoherently.

Reyna had me under the arms and Anna had my feet and they were carting me out of the car and into the church. They set me on my feet and told me to stay put.

The minutes passed and the music started. My stomach churned so hard it felt like I'd swallowed an ocean, complete with horrid storm. Anna and Reyna stood in front of me in the bridal procession. Soon enough, they were gone, gliding up the carpeted aisle. The music changed and it was my turn. I somehow found myself moving into the chapel. I was walking myself to my own doom.

And then I saw him.

He turned as I entered the chapel, his eyes lighting up as they rested on me and the most breathtaking smile of sheer joy spreading across his face. My vision cleared, my stomach settled, my face went from green to pale pink, and I had to fight the urge to sprint up the aisle and jump in his arms.

Ed was waiting for me. I would walk through fire so long as he was waiting on the other side.

I reached the altar and took his hand as the priest began reading to the masses. I hadn't even noticed who was in the pews. All I'd seen was Ed's beautiful face.

I said my vows strongly and clearly, more sure of them than I had ever been of anything before in my life.

"You may kiss the bride," the priest said. Ed took my face in his hands and pressed his lips to mine so sweetly I felt my bones turn to jelly. There was a sweet trembling inside me that grew every time I looked at him.

The crowd cheered. I saw Al, Hawkeye, Havoc, Mustang, everyone I had ever known. And they all had tears in their eyes. I even saw Ed wiping his eyes when he thought no one was looking.

We danced at the reception. I still had rose petals in my hair from the carriage ride home. Ed leaned down to whisper, "You look so beautiful, Mrs. Elric." And kissed my cheek.

My smile was as wide as the oceans.

And I couldn't have wished for anything more at this wedding. Everything was planned out perfectly. Reyna danced with her husband Jason, and Anna danced with her fiancée, James. She'd caught the bouquet when I threw it. I could have sworn I saw James pocket a ring box when Anna wasn't looking.

And soon, the wedding was over, and Ed and I were on our way to a full week of bliss in each other's arms, and a lifetime as husband and wife.

At long last, we had our happy ending. It couldn't have been more perfect.

We'd found our forever.