Words
The day Riza and Roy were to be married had been absolute chaos. It had shocked them both at just how many people actually went against their union. People had actually begun to protest in the street outside the church, for the love of God! There had been a small debate amongst the group within the church as to whether or not they would postpone the wedding. However, both the bride and the groom had refused to admit defeat that easily.
Their relationship had been the subject to many arguments among the higher ups. Both of their families had opposed it, with the exception of Riza's grandfather, who had smiled warmly and practically screamed out his blessing at them instantly.
Many people had questioned how it would change the change of command amongst Central's ranks. It didn't, but that didn't stop people from worrying. The higher ups really didn't have much say in it; Roy hadn't officially been announced Furher, but he was already running things behind the scenes. If they had stepped in at any time, he could have simply whispered a word to a contact, and within the week they would have been stripped of their ranks and sent to the bottom of the food chain.
But that didn't make the ridicule any easier. Riza was used to ignoring words, but when those sharp tongues turned on her family, her blood boiled.
It had been harder to restrain herself when Rio was born. The people would talk in the streets, most not recognizing her, chatting about the new addition to the Mustang family. Some people said the child would have her parents temper and be absolutely horrible. Others claimed she would be physically disfigured due to her parents constant, violent fighting. Still others said the child would follow in her parents' footsteps and join the military, disgracing herself and her family. The more radical thinkers said the girl would be executed because of her heritage.
The pain had started for Riza not when the words had begun to flow, but when she was walking down the street with her three-year-old daughter in tow, and the child had looked up at her mother with tears in her eyes and asked softly, "Mama, why are they talking about us like that?"
But there was one thing she could think of that made it better.
She had three highlights in her life thus far, though she was sure there would be more. The first was the moment she had kissed Roy and their union had become official; in that moment, she felt a single, relieved tear slip down her cheek. It had been the first time she had cried with Roy knowingly in her presence, and he had simply smiled and brushed the tear away.
The second was the day Rio had been born. The pain had been nothing compared to the sheer bliss she had felt when she had been allowed to hold her little girl in her arms for the first time. (The fighting over the child's name afterwards wasn't something she enjoyed remembering, however. Especially after both she and her husband had been sedative when he had pulled on his glove and she had yanked her gun out of its holster.)
The last memory, and the one she enjoyed the most, was when Rio had been two months old. It had been the day that Roy had officially been announced Furher. As soon as the ceremony had been completed, he had been asked to give a speech. He had smiled, given his speech, and then was forced to stand for a few pictures. Before anyone could snap the photo, however, he had motion off stage, and Riza and Rio had joined him. He took their daughter into his arms and held her against him, smiling warmly and proudly.
That had been the day Riza had made all of the people who had stood against them eat their words.
Author's Notes: Ah, a little over 500 words, but who's counting? Sorry this update took so long. But I've been working on my website! The link is in my profile page, if you're interested in checking it out. It turned out better than I would have expected. Be sure to sign my guestbook with your opinions if you do stop by!