Chapter 2: Adjustment Phase
Got some great feedback on the first chapter! Thanks, guys! I really appreciate the support! :) Between this story, my schoolwork, and my other story (Doctor Who x FMAB Crossover called "Saving Maes Hughes"), I'm pretty busy, so updates won't be frequent, but I'll try not to neglect it. Thanks again for the feedback, and if you want something else of mine to read, check out "Saving Maes Hughes." I'm pretty proud of that one so far. :D
Edlyn Elric: Why thank you! I wasn't sure what to name Ed's son, so I did some searching, and bingo. It even sounds like a name they would use in their world; a lot of the FMA names are so unique, so I thought Vic would fit right in. :)
Yveltal45: Thanks for reviewing! Hope you enjoy this next one.
AnimeAddict1059: Thanks for all your ideas! I love all the support you've given my OCs and this fic so far! :D
"My kid's cuter than yours."
"You can't measure cuteness, Fullmetal," Roy shot back. "You have nothing to scientifically base your argument, so therefore, your hypothesis is unprovable."
Edward crossed his arms, trying to find a way to scientifically prove his son was cuter than both of Roy's children combined. "Okay, so you can shoot down my argument, but what've you got? You can't prove cuteness, either."
"I don't have to," Roy told him calmly. "I have two. Their combined cuteness can't be outdone by your one, no matter how cute you think Victor is."
"You can't prove that either!" Edward objected.
"I can prove I have two kids," Roy pointed out. "End of discussion."
Having just given birth to twins, Riza was not exactly in the mood for scientific debates in her bedroom. "That's enough," she said exasperatedly. "Stop comparing children to alchemy. You're both morons."
"Yeah, they are," Winry agreed, rolling her eyes. "You want to know how Ed first asked me out? He told me he'd give half of his life to me if I gave half of mine to him. Equivalent Exchange. Like dating has anything to do with alchemy."
"I beg to differ," Roy said, smirking. "I've used alchemy to score plenty of dates." His smirk quickly vanished at Riza's death glare he had since christened the Stare of the Hawk. It was like she could see into his soul with those piercing brown eyes. "In the past," he amended. "I'd never do that to you."
"You'd better not do it to our kids to put them to sleep at night," Riza warned him.
"Why would I?" Roy asked innocently.
Winry sighed. "No offense, Mrs. Hawkeye, but I think your husband is a bad influence on mine. Ed just has to pick a fight when he's here."
"Hey, wait a minute," Roy objected. "It's not my fault he has a short fuse."
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SHORT?!"
Edward's shout caused a chorus of loud crying from Victor, Maes, and Elizabeth.
"Maybe you should go," Riza said, trying to calm a screaming Maes.
"Yeah, good idea," Winry said, shooting a this-discussion-isn't-over glance at Edward. "Thank you so much for having us over, Mr. and Mrs. Mustang, and congratulations on the new family!"
"Please, you can call us by our first names," Riza told her.
"Thanks, Riza," Winry said brightly. "Maybe next time our visit won't be cut short by our idiotic husbands and their stupid science fights."
"One can hope," Riza said, laughing a little. "Take care, Winry. You too, Ed."
"See you later, Fullmetal," Roy said, waving.
Edward waved back, all animosity gone from his face. Though neither would admit it, their rivalry was all good fun. "Don't let 'em cry too much, General. You're still pretty useless in the rain."
At a warning glance from Riza, Roy refrained from commenting.
Once the Elric family had gone, the rest of the group was not far behind them. After parting goodbyes and congratulations, the house was quiet once more. Only Marcoh and the Mustangs remained.
"She needs to stay on bedrest for the next week," Marcoh told them. "I wouldn't blame you if you hired a maid or something to help you out."
"Don't worry, we can handle it," Roy told him. "We'll give you a call if we need anything."
Marcoh nodded. "I left a list on her bedside table. Do those things, and you'll all be fine." Smiling, the doctor saluted Roy before turning to go. "Please don't hesitate to call me."
"We won't," Roy promised him, waving goodbye.
One week later…
"Are you sure you don't need any help?" Riza called from her bedroom at the sound of Roy's expletives and Elizabeth's crying.
"No, no, stay in bed!" Roy called back from the kitchen, balancing his screaming daughter in one arm and a fire extinguisher in the other. "I can handle this!"
Clothed in a robe and slippers, Riza stepped tiredly into the kitchen with a hungry Maes in her arms. Ignoring her husband's protests to get back in bed, Riza turned down the stove and pulled the bubbling mess off the burner. "If you wanted me to make dinner, you could have asked," she said, gazing up at his sheepish face. She carefully took the extinguisher from him, hung it back on the wall, and placed her free hand on his cheek. "Thanks for trying, but stick with the microwave next time. Instant soup is fine until I'm back on my feet."
"I'm sorry," Roy said softly, putting his hand over hers. "You really should be resting. I wish I could do more for you."
"You're doing the best you can," she soothed him. "Here, bring Elizabeth to our bedroom. I'll feed them while you clean this up and finish dinner."
"You really trust me not to burn it?" Roy asked, embarrassed.
"Not even the flame alchemist can ruin microwavable soup," she reasoned.
"Wanna bet?" he asked, gently leading her back to the room. "I don't think you should put that much faith in me—especially in the kitchen. I'm pretty sure they invented the microwave because of me."
Riza crawled back in bed and took a whimpering Elizabeth from him. "I'm sure you won't blow up the house," she reasoned. "Have a little faith in yourself. You're confident enough at work."
"I know how to be General Mustang," he told her. "I've been the flame alchemist for years, but this dad business is hard to get used to."
"You'll learn," she promised him.
Later that night, Roy collapsed beside his wife, completely wiped out. Despite Riza's ongoing objections, he took it upon himself to take care of her until she completely recovered. Given her independent spirit, she continuously wanted to help him before she was ready, but for the time being, the sleepless nights and child care had to fall to Roy. He tried to honor Riza's wishes of not using flame alchemy to calm the kids, but every so often he would subtly manipulate the oxygen density around the cribs just enough to lull them to sleep.
With Maes and Elizabeth fast asleep, Roy and Riza were finally alone. They spent a few moments simply facing each other, enjoying the closeness and company. Their bond was so strong that no words had to pass between them; in their years of protecting each other, fighting side-by-side, and saving the other's life, they knew each other well enough to have entire conversations in utter silence. Riza took a mental picture of her husband's loving face before finally allowing her eyes to flutter closed and sleep to overtake her. She felt Roy's hand run through her hair before she completely lost consciousness.
Exhausted as he was, Roy found it hard to fall asleep, so he gazed at his sleeping wife for a few moments more and subconsciously played with her hair, as he often did. "You're growing it out again for me, aren't you?" he whispered, remembering how disappointed he had been when she cut it all off after his promotion to General. Now it was about an inch past her ears.
A small whimper caught his attention. Careful not to disturb Riza, Roy quietly rolled out of bed, approached Elizabeth's crib, and gazed down at his tiny little girl. She blinked, her small black eyes almost identical to her father's, and let out another soft whimper. She was not distressed, but when she saw Roy looking down at her, she started making quiet, talkative baby sounds.
"Elizabeth Mustang," he mused, reaching a hand down into the crib so she could grab his finger. "I won't pretend to be father of the year, but I'll do whatever it takes to protect you. You might not always like it or understand my reasons, but no matter what happens, I promise I won't let anything happen to you."
Elizabeth abandoned Roy's finger in the middle of his speech and stared up at him. He doubted she understood a word he was saying, but she seemed to be listening at least. When he finished, she smiled and grabbed his finger again, replying to his promise with soft, unintelligible noises. Once she made sure he got her message, Elizabeth surrendered his finger and sank into sleep. Roy watched her little chest rise and fall for a few moments before crossing over to the crib a few feet away where his son lay sleeping.
"I really wish Hughes could be here for this," he murmured, gazing fondly at the little boy who bore the name of Roy's closest friend. "He couldn't be the best man at my wedding, and he'll never get to meet my children. It's cruel, really." Maes Hughes had spent plenty of time gushing and flailing over his wife, Gracia, and daughter Elicia. Between photo albums dropped on his desk and pictures waved in his face, Roy had seen every family photo the man had. It was annoying at the time, but until now, Roy could never have understood the pride and joy of having a family. Now that he did, Hughes was not there to celebrate with him.
Roy directed his attention back to his son, who never caused much trouble thus far. While Elizabeth often screamed for food or attention, Maes usually remained calm and quiet, as though he somehow knew his needs would be met one way or another. He seemed to have faith in his parents to give him the love, food, and attention he needed, so he didn't often scream for it.
"You and your sister both have your mom's traits," he told the sleeping child. "Elizabeth has Riza's independent spirit, and you have her composure and trust." Though he could not see them now, Roy was also certain his son had Riza's eyes.
"They have you in them as well, Roy," Riza said softly.
Roy turned, feeling slightly guilty for waking her.
"I felt you get up," she told him. She didn't sound upset; her face was softened by affection. "Come here."
Roy crossed the room and lay down beside her, smiling a little awkwardly. "I'm sorry," he said.
"Don't be. That was beautiful," she told him.
"You heard everything," he realized.
"Yes." She placed the back of her hand on his cheek, then ran her fingers through his shaggy black hair. "You'll be a great father. Your kids will love you as much as I do." She paused a moment, as if she had something weighing on her mind, but couldn't find the right words to express it. "Roy…can you promise me something?" He nodded. "I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect this family, but…I want you to do more than that. I want you to be a part of it." She took his hand and squeezed it as she locked her gaze with his. "Don't let protecting us get in the way of being a part of our lives. I know things will be different when you go back to work, but please…please be here for us."
"I promise," he said, pulling her close to him.
Having said all they needed to say, the couple fell asleep in the embrace.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or its characters…but the kids are all mine! Mwahahahaha!
AN: By request, I did one more baby chapter to establish it and allow some cute baby scenes before they grow up and cause some trouble. ;) Next one will be set a few years later. Brace yourselves!
