My Immortal Love

  The cememtery was dark and gloomy. Grey clouds hung overhead. Thunder could be heard softly rumbling across the sky. The wind blew strongly, but not harshly. A completely perfect setting, for the weather perfectly reflected her mood. A storm was brewing inside her heart and soul, yet no tears fell from her eyes. She couldnt break down, she had to be strong for the others. A situation she had become all too familiar with in her young life.

 Her blonde hair hug down to her waist almost.Her normally bright blue eyes were now clouded with grief, much like the blue sky had cloded over. The long black dress she wore wouldve made her look elegant, if not for the dark shadows under her eyes. Though only in her mid twenties, lines creased her face. It showed her weariness.

 The hearse stopped at the third row in the back. He would be buried under the apple tree in the cemetery. Fitting as apples were his favorite. She remembered how much he had always loved apple pie. She started to tear up and shook her head vigorously. She would not break down! The silver casket was unloaded and carried to the grave. His brother was a pallbearer. She couldnt get used to the sight of his normal body in the suit he wore. After seeing him in a metal body for so long, it was just strange to see him like this. They reached the grave and placed the casket on the rig that lowered it into the ground. They prayers and parade had already ended. It was time for everyones final goodbyes. The casket was lowered into the ground and then covered. One by one, they lined up to pay their last respects. Colonel Mustang dropped a battered old pocket watch onto the grave before saluting and walking away. Hawkeye placed a wreath of roses near the headstone. Al dropped a photo of them as children and a piece of armor with  blood seal on it down, and then collapsed into sobs. Mustang walked over, picked him up, and helped him walk over to a nearby car. Ria noticed her standing alone by the grave. "Winry arent you coming? You know youre welcome to stay with us too." "No you go on. Al needs you more than I do. I'll be by later on." Riza patted her shoulder before leaving. She and the Colonel had agreed to take Al and Winry in for a few days. At least she knew hed be taken care of.

  Finally she stood there alone. She took off the silver earrings hed once given her. She had worn them everyday since the day hed given them to her. She had never take them off before now. With a shaking hand, she layed them on the freshly covered mound of earth. "You said I could keep these. But I think I can give them back now." Hearing a loud rumble of thunder, she looked up at the sky. "It seems like a big storm is brewing out here. Feels like theres one in me too." Kneeling down, she touched the marker that bore his name. "Why did you have to leave me Ed? You said youd always be here. You even offered to give me half of your life. How could you say that to me if you werent gonna be here?!" Tears brimmed behind her eyes again again but she refused to let them fall. "I cant cry. I have to be strong for Al. Just like I had to be strong for you both when you lost your mother. Just like I had to be strong for granny when mom and dad died. Just like I had to be strong for you when you were recovering from surgery." The tears were threatening to spill from her eyes as the thunder went from a gentle rumble, to a violent crash around her.

 Before she knew it, she was yelling at the headstone. "Well Im sick of it! Nobody ever stops to think maybe I need someone to be strong for me! It isnt fair! You used to be the person I drew strength from! Now whos gonna give me strength?! Whos gonna be there for Al?! Whos gonna train him?!" The sky opened up and a heavy rain began to fall as her voice broke with her next question. "Whos gonna...love me? You never said it out loud but I know you did. I never said it either but I shouldve. Now you'll never know and Im all alone. I'll never be loved." She covered her eyes and sobbed heavily as she finally broke down. The tears falling down her face to mix with the rain.  She was alone and drwoning in a river of sadness she could ever escape.

 Suddenly, though the rain fell in icy sheets that chilled her, she felt herself enveloped in warmth. It was as if someone were holding her and comforting her. She leaned into the warmth and cried her heart out. When she felt she had no more tears to give, and her heavy sobs had subsided, she hugged her knees as she leaned against this the warmth of the unseen presence comforting her. She felt something brush against her cheeks, as if wiping away the tears she had shed. She reached her hand out, but felt nothing there. The presence once again seemed to hug her tightly as the rain slowed to a gentle shower, the thunder subsided, and the sun broke through some of the clouds. She felt it squeeze her shoulder reassuringly before clearly hearing his voice in her ear, as though he were standing right behind her. "I'll always love you. Its gonna be okay."

 Then, as quickly as it had come, the presence was gone and she was alone again. No, she realized, she was not alone. She never would be. He would always be there. She smiled through a fresh batch of tears, though happy ones this time. Never to be one to leave behind unfinished business, Ed had come back one last time. He had come back to comfort her, and to say what hed never had the chance or the courage to say in life. That he loved her and always would. She realized then that hed kept his promise to her. He would never truly be gone from her life. As long as she carried her love for him and her memories of him, he would live on forever in her heart. Ed's body may lie i the earth beneath her feet, but he hadnt really died. His body may have ceased to exist anymore, but the love they had felt would live on forever. It was immortal, and it was all hers. Feeling at peace now, Winry stood and kissed the headstone. "Goodbye Ed. We'll see each other again someday." With that, she walked to her car to drive away. She noticed once again that the weather somehow mirrored her emotions. The sky was now a clear and bright, as were her eyes. The storm had passed and had been replaced by a peaceful stillness. She smiled as she drove away.

 She couldt see the figure standing at the grave that watched her drive away. Ed smiled as he saw that shed left happy and at peace. "I meant what I said Winry. I'll always be with you. I'll always love you. i know you'll be fine." With a final smile, Ed disappeared into another world. Leaving behind the memories of his immortal love for Winry.