A/N: I had to give myself pep talks all the way through this chapter, telling myself I can write this without crying. It didn't work.

Chapter 15

December

Edward placed a platter of ham on the counter, leaning in and inhaling its savory scent.

"Get your nose away from that, Edo!" he heard Winry call from the stove.

He looked up at the young woman, who was busily checking her apple pie to make sure it was finished properly.

He wandered over to stand behind her, watching her fingers work as she set the pie off to the side to let it cool.

"And don't touch that either," she told Edward firmly.

"All right!" he growled, putting his hands up in defense.

Edward walked away from Winry and strode into the living room, seeing his little brother lying on the couch.

Alphonse, cuddling his cat, looked up at Edward and faintly smiled, "That smells good."

"Are you going to try any of it?" Edward asked eagerly, hoping his brother had acquired a taste for food again.

"No. I'll just sit here and smell it. I would throw it up if I ate it," Alphonse responded, yawning.

Edward's face fell, "Oh, okay. Let me know if you change your mind."

Alphonse smiled again and then inquired, "So, did you get my present I asked for?"

Edward grinned, "You'll just have to wait and see."

After most of the food had been eaten, Ed and Winry huddled around the couch, bearing gifts to give to each other.

"Open mine first!" Alphonse said to Edward, handing him a red box with white trim.

Edward took the package and opened it, pulling out a framed photo of him and Alphonse, looking completely joyful at the beach. On the frame there were words inscribed:

The Bond of Brothers is Unbreakable.

"Thanks, Al," whispered Edward, feeling those ever-present tears filling his eyes again.

And the gift exchange went on. Al got Winry a photo of all three friends, Edward got Winry a new set of tools, and Winry got Al Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on DVD and some toys for his cat.

"Now it's time for my gift, Alphonse," Edward said triumphantly, pulling forth a wooden box.

Alphonse scowled in curiosity and took the box from Ed and opened the lid. Instantly, Alphonse's eyes widened as he began to look through the many items in the box.

Every item in the box had to do with the last 12 months the friends had spent together.

January had a piece of wood from the sled they used. Tied onto that was a photo of the three bundled up friends standing on top of the large hill.

February was a heart-shaped piece of chocolate and a piece of paper that said, "Don't underestimate the time you have with others."

March was a paper-pressed four-leaf clover with a charm attached that read, "Lucky."

April was a birthday candle tied around a plushie kitten's neck.

May was an amusement park picture of Edward screaming his head off on the drop tower.

June was a bottle of sand from the beach the Elrics visited.

July was a picture of the three friends huddled up together on a grassy hillside, their eyes lit up from the fireworks.

August was a simple leaf with the word, "Remember," written on it with permanent marker.

September was stick that strangely looked like a wand.

October was a little bracelet with three charms in the shapes of a bunny, a cat, and a science beaker.

November was a small framed picture that said, "Don't Be Afraid to Dream."

And December was a little wreath with the word, "Family," on the red ribbon that was tied to the top.

Alphonse went through all the little objects and began to cry.

"Is that what you wanted, Alphonse?" Edward asked with concern.

"It's more than what I wanted. I asked for something to remember you by . . . and this . . . this is a wonderful gift to remember you by. Thanks, Brother," Alphonse sniffled.

-x-

Alphonse had drifted to sleep a while after they opened presents. Together, Winry and Edward cleaned up the mess until they were both too exhausted to continue.

"I'm going to go, Edo," Winry said after a while, picking up her presents and purse.

"Yeah, it's getting pretty late," Edward agreed, stretching his arms.

Winry sauntered to the door and Edward followed her, intent on seeing her out.

"Merry Christmas," he whispered to her as she turned the knob on the front door.

Winry looked up at him with her sky-blue eyes and smiled sweetly at him, " Thanks, you too. Call me in the morning if Alphonse needs anything, okay?"

Edward smiled back and nodded.

Winry stared at Edward momentarily, seeming to expect something. Edward's mind, which was working quicker than usual that day, told him what she wanted and he reacted.

He leaned forward and chastely kissed her on the lips. Her shocked expression frightened him, so he quickly back up and pushed her out the door.

"Have a good evening, Winry!" he said in an overly-loud voice.

"Yeah, you too!" she replied in the same tone, rushing out the front door.

Edward promptly shut the door behind her and walked into the living room, making sure Alphonse hadn't been woken up by their loud voices.

But he slept peacefully, inhaling and exhaling easily, his little orange cat in the crook of his arm.

Edward smiled at his and went over to softly ruffle his brother's hair.

"Merry Christmas, Alphonse."

-x-

The next morning Edward woke up cheerfully, hopping out of his bed with enthusiasm. He scurried into the kitchen and switched on the perculator, then went into the living room to check on Alphonse.

He was surprised when he was on his way to the room where Al slept, the stupid cat ran by his feet and almost tripped him.

"Dammit, you cat!" Edward swore and righted himself, continuing into the next room.

"Hey, Alphonse, it's Christmas–" Edward halted when he saw Alphonse on the couch, still looking like he was deep in slumber.

"Funny, I thought he'd be awake by now," thought Edward as he approached his little brother.

"Alphonse!" Edward called again, standing over him, "Wake up."

Alphonse didn't move.

Suddenly, the reality hit Edward.

"Oh my God," he cried out and knelt down next to Alphonse and shook him.

The boy didn't respond.

"No, Alphonse!" Edward screamed, trying to wake his little brother up.

"It can't be over yet, Alphonse! I said you would make it until Christmas!" Edward wept, tears flowing freely down his cheeks.

He looked down at Alphonse's peaceful face cried harder, leaning his forehead on the younger brother's unmoving chest.

When his head touched the fabric on Alphonse's shirt, he felt paper instead. Edward lifted his head up again and picked up an envelope that had Edward's name on it. Ed rapidly opened it and pulled out a note and read it carefully.

Dear Beloved Edward, my big Brother,

If you are reading this note then I'm not on this earth anymore. I've gone on to meet Mother and Father. Don't worry, I'll tell them all about you and Winry. I wanted to write this note in order to let you know some things. First, I can not tell you enough how much I've enjoyed our past 12 months together, Brother. I loved every moment and I remember it all to the smallest detail. You were so kind to put aside all your feelings towards different things and make me happy, no matter how much you hated it. I know you must love me or you wouldn't have bought me a cat or would have gone a ride like the drop tower that we rode. I'll never forget how hard I laughed when we found out that you passed out at the drop! Secondly, please remember Winry after I die. Don't exclude her because of your sadness. Let her help you feel better, and I guarantee she will help you. And lastly, please don't cry too much, Brother. I don't want to be remembered with tears and mourning. I want to be remembered with smiles.

And please know, Brother, that you didn't lie to me. I am writing this on Christmas morning.

~You loving brother, Alphonse Elric