I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist!! Welcome to the last chapter of my 3-part long FMA fic!! I hope you've liked it so far! I'm really happy that there have been reviews and readers!! Thankyou!! Well, here's the final chapter!! Enjoy! Don't forget to review!!

The Final Chapter

Chapter 3

"…don't die, Winry,"

Ed's voice was weary and barely audible. There were a few tears in his eyes as he sat on his seat beside Winry's bed.

Later on, when it was evening, Edward got kicked out of Winry's room so that she could get some rest. He grumbled as he got to his feet and started heading back to Pinako's place.

Dammit, Winry!! He was whining in his head. You've already slept all day long!! How much more sleep do you need?? And how much longer will it take until… you… wake up and get well again?

Ed was annoyed as he stomped off down the hospital hallway and out the door.

For some reason, that night, Ed had a horrible time trying to get to sleep. He lay there in his bed, blonde hair sprawled over his pillow. He stared at the ceiling in the darkness and closed his eyes, praying for sleep over and over again. But no matter how long he lay there and how exhausted he was, sleep wouldn't come.

Ed groaned and heaved himself up. He sat and felt his joints creak and ache. For a moment, he winced with pain. Ed stared at his automail hand, turning it carefully under his gaze. His gaze grew serious as he let his thoughts drift off… towards Winry.

Oh for crying out loud, it wasn't like he hadn't tried!! Maybe this was why he was in so much crap and he couldn't sleep!! Ed bit his lip and started feeling a little sheepish. Okay… so maybe he hadn't really put much effort into it at all. He just never… never thought that this would happen.

Ed sighed heavily and rested his head on his knees. His eyes closed in exasperation with himself. I know I should've told her. If I had told her then maybe this wouldn't all have happened!! Maybe then, I wouldn't be in so much crap and struggling with this in vain. I shouldn't have ever left it for so long… But only now I know and understand how frail and unpredictable this life really is. And now… it might be too late.

A disgruntled groan came from Edward. I know already!! I should've told her before!! Way, way before!!

He lay back painfully in his bed. I should've told her that I loved her.

"Edward? Big Brother??" Alphonse peeked around the door frame into Ed's room. It was morning, and the beginning of a brand new day.

Al was a little bewildered and surprised when he saw Ed lying on the bed, mouth wide opened and snoring loudly, with one leg and arm dangling over the edge of his bed. Alphonse rolled his eyes and walked over to his brother.

"Wake up, Ed!! I know you're faking!!" Al pulled at Ed's arm in an attempt to wake him up.

Edward got up in anger. "FINE!! I'm waking up already!!"

Al let out a little laugh. "I could tell you were faking, brother. I bet you didn't get any sleep at all last night, right?"

Ed ignored him and walked out of the room.

Ed was being grumpy as he ate breakfast. Al just watched him cautiously out of the corner of his eye.

Pinako was talking on the phone. Suddenly, she quickly hung up and turned to the Elric brothers, shouting out joyously at them: "Winry's woken up!! She's weak, but she's awake!!"

"YES!!" Edward cried as he jumped to his feet, knocking over plates of food on the table.

Pinako was just about yell at him for knocking everything over, but stopped. Instead, she gave him a small smile and said, "Let's go visit her now."

Edward was completely shocked when he burst into Winry's room and saw her. He couldn't help his heart jumping around crazily and how incredibly devastated he was when he saw her appearance.

Winry was up, leaning against the back of the bed with cushions behind her. Her eyes widened when Ed entered the room so noisily.

She looked so weak and frail sitting there amidst the many blankets and covers. Even the pillows behind her looked huge compared to her. Her blonde hair was so limp and messy, simply hanging there and covering part of her face. Her face was so tiny and pale, even her blue eyes seemed sad and pained.

Ed's heart thumped as he stopped in his path. He stared at her for a while, with the indescribable feeling bursting from his chest. She gazed back at him for a moment, her eyes wide and searching his desperately.

Ed's tensed shoulders dropped as he tried to relax. His gaze was serious but empathetic. He tried his best to smile. Slowly, he walked towards the bed and took his seat in the chair.

"Good morning, Winry."

Winry let out a heavy sigh and smiled her hardest at Ed. He could tell she was still very ill and weak, but she was glad to see him.

Pinako and Alphonse were outside, waiting patiently for Ed to get this whole confession thing over and done with. Ed didn't know, but his little brother the suit of armor was poised right outside the door, listening intently.

Ed stared at her seriously and opened his mouth to speak. "Winry," he started and then suddenly froze with shock. He scolded himself for being a wimp as he fell back into the chair and dropped his head downwards, gazing at his shoes.

"Ed?" Winry looked a little confused.

Edward was gritting his teeth and tightening his hands into fists as he attempted again. "…Winry…" he murmured, as he stared intently at his shoes. "When Al and I… came back as soon as we heard you were sick… I finally started to understand this whole thing about life. And while you were asleep, I realized what a… bloody jerk I've been. I know!" He bit his lip and frowned angrily. "I should've come back to see you, instead of coming just for repairs and when you became sick!! I was… so stupid!! And I… I'm really sorry!"

Winry gazed at him, her flushed face growing redder at the cheeks. "Ed…" she started.

"I'm not done yet!!" he snapped, throwing his head up furiously to look at her. Edward was scared as he talked, and he wanted so much to look away and hide from her, but he couldn't. This was already way overdue and he knew he should never have dragged this on for so long.

Winry just stared at him, surprised. She drew back a little, shocked at his harsh voice.

Ed wanted to lower his gaze and look away but he had to face her this time. Because… his stomach tightened as he thought of how close he had been to losing her.

"Winry, while you were asleep, I sat here and watched you. And I thought… of so many delusional things and emotions that confused me. And it was then I realized how ignorant I had been! Now I finally know just how precious life really is, and the lives of those dear to me. And I hate it, but I must acknowledge it… that nothing in this world is eternal. No matter how hard we try… there's no way we can make anything last forever. Even life… which everyday we live without even a second thought… it's all just a flash and then it's gone. So… when I saw just how frail and unpredictable life was, I realized. I never would've thought… that even someone like you would fall ill… and even… maybe…" his voice tightened as he said in a whisper: "…die."

Edward had to turn away from her when he said that. It was too painful to face her and say it. "I guess… all along, I really have been so naïve."

Winry's gaze was lowered, as she sank back into the pillows supporting her back. She didn't make any sound, but it was obvious that she too had pondered these things.

"Now that I understand the spontaneity of life… and how delicate it really is, I'm pissed at myself for not telling you something really important. I've known this… for a really long time now," Ed said quickly, his face warming up. "And I should've said this earlier- much earlier!!"

He finally looked up and stared Winry in the eyes. "No matter how delicate life is, and how nothing can possibly last forever; I know that there is one eternal thing. And that thing that will never end is…" his voice faltered slightly but he pressed on, fear showing in his eyes. "…my love for you, Winry."

Edward watched Winry carefully and his nerves were growing weak. Winry just stared at him and then looked away for a split second, thoughts obviously flying around in her head. She opened her mouth to speak. Her voice was weak and it seemed to pain her to speak.

"Ed, I…" Winry slowly raised her head to look at him. Her voice was racked with emotions and tears were starting to spring from her eyes. "I…"

Ed was shocked speechless. In his mind, he was swearing and punishing himself severely. What the heck did I just do?? Why'd I make such a fool of myself?? There's no way… Winry… she's going to reject me!! It was dumb, she never could've felt the same!

Ed was almost about to cry from dejection.

Winry gazed at him, tears filling up in her eyes. "I've always loved you, Ed."

There was no way Edward could ever describe nor hold in the emotions and warmth exploding from inside him. Ed rose from his seat and his smile stretched so wide his cheeks hurt.

He flung his arms around Winry and hugged her so hard. They were both sniffling and trying their best to hide it, but there was no doubt tears were falling from both of them.

After Ed let her go, he held her hand and smiled at her with everything he had. He just… had so much happiness and overjoyed emotions pouring out from him. He didn't even have anything else to say.

Before, there was so much on his lips and now all the words he had once carried had quickly diminished. Ed clutched her hand firmly and leant towards her, planting a gentle kiss on her lips.

Immediately, they separated, both their faces bright red.

At that moment, Alphonse bounded into the room and started doing a happy dance, while chanting in a slightly mocking way, "WOW!! Big Brother actually said it!! And then he kissed her!! Ed kissed Winry!! Ed kissed Winry!!!"

Ed turned slowly towards Alphonse with an expression like thunder apparent on his face. Glaring furiously, slowly he found his voice. "Alphonse. Say ONE more thing, and I'll dent you so hard you'll look like scrap metal."

Winry couldn't help laughing hard at that. Ed spun around to face her angrily, looking completely embarassed and infuriated. Al just went on cracking up about how funny Ed had acted.

Because, even if he was trapped in such a giant suit of armor, inside he was just an immature 14-year-old boy.

Edward had been slightly pissed and embarassed before, but now he was feeling a lot better. It was all okay now. It had been a very painful trip to the truth behind life, but now he was starting to understand. He knew there might be more and the road ahead was most definitely dangerous and precarious but he would promise never to misjudge it ever again.

He finally realized how precious this life was, and although he would never be able to predict the delicate thread life was, he didn't mind. It would be okay, because this love would last forever and she would always be with him.

THE END!

By the way, in case you were wondering, a couple of weeks later, Winry completely recovered and she was back on her feet, chucking wrenches and making automail.

Well… that's the end of this fic. It's been a very short journey but an awesome one nevertheless. I loved writing this and I hope you loved reading it!! Ed/Winry forever!! WOOHOO!!

Thanks for reading!! Seeya!! From emichii!!