AN: thank you all for your kind words ;;_;; it truly means the world to me that y'all have let me know what you think
another chapter will be posted later on tonight after i finish work so stay tuned!
James, age 14
Nervousness had settled into his body as soon as Riza had announced she was pregnant. Nine months later, that feeling still remained. It was constant. Every thought in his mind was concerned about both Riza and the baby's welfare. Was she too hot? Did he need to turn the AC to a lower temperature? Was she comfortable? Was she hydrated? Was she in pain?
The woman was a saint for putting up with his constant questioning and fussing. Oh, she got annoyed for sure. He could see it in her eyes when he went too far. But he was worried. He was going to be a father to a new born, not a fourteen year old or even a seven year old like James had been when he first met him. This was going to be a squishy, tiny, entirely dependent on both him and Riza baby.
He didn't think he'd ever be ready for it… and then Riza's water broke and all worried hell was released from within him.
"Oh my god," he flapped. He had been painting the baby's room in their new house when she had yelled for him to come down stairs. There was paint everywhere. All over his clothes, in his hair, and on his forearms and hands. He was a state while Riza had abandoned moving cutlery into the newly refurbished kitchen. A protective hand on her stomach, Riza had eased herself onto the couch. "We have to go to the hospital!"
"Roy, it's okay," she reassured him. "We've got time. Go and finish up painting."
"What?" he squawked. "No way! We need to go!"
"Roy. Look at me." Her expression broke through his haze of panic. It told him to calm down and think. He had worked himself up too much for this moment and now he was panicking. Great. "We have time." He let out his breath in a rush. "Go and get showered and changed then we'll go to the hospital."
He nodded sharply. "Right."
Taking two steps at a time he rushed up the stairs to have the quickest shower of his life. He scrubbed at the paint but it didn't budge.
"Fuck it."
He was out and changed in record time.
"Can you get my overnight bag? It's –" Riza cut off as she gasped, a surprised oh leaving her lips. "It's in the hall cupboard."
"Of course."
"And did you unplug the saw?"
"Uh hu."
"Did you pack the baby clothes?"
"Yeah."
Riza sighed, visibly relaxing despite the fact she was in labour.
Labour.
Fuck.
Roy ushered her into the car. She took his offered hand as he helped her into the passenger side of the car. He didn't miss how it clenched on his for about five seconds before relaxing. Her face only changed slightly, an eyebrow twitch and the corner of her lips pulling downwards.
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Roy started the car and began their journey to the hospital.
When they arrived they had been whisked away into a room. Roy had held Riza's hand as the contractions intensified and the midwife ran her tests.
"You are about a third of the way along, Riza. That's really quick!" Roy wasn't sure how quick in relation to the grand scheme of things but he took the woman's word on it. His head had been crammed with so much baby knowledge these past few months that now, when it mattered, he drew a blank. "I'll come back in about an hour to reassess you again. In the meantime, get ready to meet your little girl."
Roy felt his knees weaken.
Little girl.
He had known the sex of the baby. When the doctor had revealed the sex he had been thrilled. He had always wanted a daughter. And now, with James too, he could have one of each. He would dote on that girl and spoil her for life. He would make sure he was seen as a protector, someone who offered comfort and support, the exact things he had been lacking from his real parents growing up. Chris had done an incredible job. He wouldn't fault her for that. His mother, out of a well justified fear of his father and anything happening to him, had kept her distance. Something she still regretted to this day. She always tried to make plans with him and Roy was more than happy to oblige. His father, on the other hand, was well aware of who his son was but had done nothing but torment and threaten him for the entire time he had known his son.
That wouldn't happen again.
"Are you ready to meet her?"
Riza's soft voice drew him out of his thoughts. He must look quite the sight. Covered in paint and completely lost in his own head sitting in a bright orange plastic hospital chair.
"I've been ready since you told me you were pregnant."
Riza chuckled. She lay her head back on the pillow, face contorting in pain. Roy was by her side in an instant, gripping her hand tightly. Riza breathed through the contraction, her hand squeezing his like a vice. But Roy never complained. This wonderful woman had carried another life inside her for nine months, not once complaining about the discomfort and pain that task brought on. He wouldn't complain when she squeezed his hand so hard the ends of his fingers turned a deep red.
He had tried to keep her as comfortable as possible throughout the pregnancy but there was only so much he could do. He had rubbed her feet when they had sat on the couch after a hard day getting their new house ready. He had massaged her shoulders before going to bed, something that made her nod off instantly.
Riza had been incredibly tired in the latter months of her pregnancy. She slept for about fourteen hours a day. At least nine hours at night and a nap or two during the day. The doctor assured them this was normal. Well, assured Roy.
"The added weight and the fact that this is her second child adds extra strain on the body. If you're in the process of moving house right now too it will take even more out of Mrs. Mustang due to the stress." That made him feel bad. He had to pick now of all times to move house?
He had pressed the issue with the solicitor, pressuring the owners into giving them an answer. Riza had fallen in love with the house as soon as she set eyes on it and there was no way he was giving it up without a fight.
Of course, trying to tell Riza to take it easy was like talking to a brick wall. She would nod and agree before continuing on with whatever task she was doing. She ignored him completely. He had learned that with her mood swings it was better not to press her. The first time he had tried to force her to take a break she had gone from "sure, okay Roy" with a roll of her eyes to glaring at him so intensely he had to take a step back. She wouldn't talk to him for about fifteen minutes then fall into his arms crying about it.
It was frightening.
"Don't fret, Roy," the midwife had reassured him with a kind smile. "This is completely normal."
"She better get out soon," Riza panted as she rode out the pain. "I forgot how much this sucks."
"Just breathe," he encouraged, at a loss of what else to do. He placed a hand on her clammy forehead and she sighed at the cool sensation. Sweat prickled her skin already, causing her bangs to stick to her skin. He swept them aside to ensure his palm covered her forehead. His thumb stroked in between her eyebrows. She moaned at the sensation and he smirked. This was something he had found calmed her down and relaxed her.
Shortly afterwards Riza fell into a fitful sleep. She hadn't been sleeping well this last week – something to do with the position of the baby. Whatever rest she could get he would give it to her.
"Mustang?" Catalina asked with a gasp, anticipation in her voice.
"Hey. Riza's in labour."
"Oh my god," she whispered but he could hear the smile in her voice. "Well, what are you doing calling me! Get back in there!"
He chuckled. Running a hand through his hair before rubbing at his face, he tried to wipe away his anxious energy. "She's all right. She's sleeping right now."
"Okay, good. Do you want me to pick up James?"
The pair had made a contingency plan for the different times the baby would be born. If they were all at home it would be fine. However if James was at school either Catalina would pick him up after school and bring him to the hospital. She was off work right now on maternity leave right now anyway so was always on call if anything happened with Riza.
"If you could, that would be great."
"Okay. We'll be there as soon as school is out. Don't worry about us though. I'll stay with James until you guys are ready."
He nodded as if she could see him. His throat tightened, the reality hitting him once again. This was it. It was finally happening.
"And Roy?"
"Yeah?" He was surprised to hear her use his first name.
"Stop worrying." Her voice was soft. "Everything will be fine. You're going to be a great Dad."
"Thanks Becca." He swallowed past the lump in his throat.
"Now get back in there and meet your kid. Tell Riza I said hi."
"Will do. Bye."
Five hours later found them in the delivery room.
"Okay Riza, I need you to push as hard as you can for me," the midwife stated calmly.
Oh shit.
Riza's scream started out low before building. She collapsed back onto the pillows panting. Roy remained by her head, one hand in hers and the other stroking the top of her head.
"Excellent Riza. Now, I just need a couple more from you then you can meet your daughter."
Riza whimpered into Roy's ear.
"Come on, Riza," he encouraged softly. "You can do this. I know you can."
"It hurts," she whined, gasping loudly in pain. Her face screwed up, teeth clenched together.
"I know it does, love," he soothed, his hand giving hers a tight squeeze. "And you have done so well already. Just a couple more, that's all they're asking for then we can meet her."
Riza nodded and Roy winced as her hand gripped his with such a force he had to bite his lip to stop from crying out. Damn, she was strong!
"There's the head," the midwife muttered. "Come on Riza. Three more pushes. As hard as you can!"
She screamed again and it tore at Roy's chest to hear it. He peeked over the sheet between her legs, an overwhelming urge to see his daughter surging through him. He caught sight of a mop of black hair and his heart stopped.
Riza jerked him back towards her, their joined hands moving to atop her chest.
"Oh… She is beautiful Riza," he whispered. He forgot about the pain in his hand – he was sure he had heard something crack. "She's so beautiful. You're gonna love her."
His hand was fresh with pain once more. Finally managing to tear his eyes away from their daughter, they moved to her face. Determination set into her features even as the tears bunched at the corner of her eyes.
"One more!"
Another scream filled the room but it was joined by a baby's cries. Riza's soon cut off as she registered it, eyes popping open and chest heaving with breath she craned her neck to see their child. No matter how much she fought her body, it gave into exhaustion and she fell back onto the pillow.
Both parents could not and would not tear their eyes away from the screaming baby. Roy thought it was the most beautiful sound in the world.
"Congratulations on your baby girl." The midwife's grin stretched across her face and spoke of someone who really loved their job. Roy hadn't thought much about the process himself – his life hadn't given him much of a chance to think about conceiving a child. But childbirth was a whole other experience in itself. It was something not everyone got to experience and this woman delivered children every day. He would absolutely believe now that the miracle of birth never got old, no matter how many times you witnessed it.
And while he didn't want to see and put Riza through that pain again, he couldn't deny it was one of the most beautiful moments of his life.
As he held his daughter in his arms an hour or so later he fully realised this was what these past nine months had been leading up to. All that worrying about being able to handle what was coming his way, he never stopped to think about what that "what" was.
It was this bundle of joy in his arms.
He had always thought about how Riza was doing, how comfortable she was. He completely let it slip from his reality that there would be a baby at the end of it all. He was so overwhelmed with both love and excitement that he didn't know how to appropriately react. Instead he just gazed down at the pink baby, eyes never leaving her face.
Atop her head was a patch of dark hair. Not blonde. Black. Like his. The same almond eyes graced her features. He almost cried when he noticed that. But her face was all Riza. The same nose, the same cheeks. He saw them both in her at the same time.
He had often thought people who said that were either high or just being ridiculous. There was no way a small ball of pink mush could look like someone else. Hughes had tried to convince him otherwise, shoving new born photos of Elicia under his nose.
"I know, Hughes. I was there. I don't need to see the photos again."
"When you become a Dad, you will know exactly what I'm talking about."
Roy had snorted. "If," he had corrected.
He chuckled to himself now. He would begrudge saying it, but Hughes had been right. He could picture the other man's smug face already.
The baby shifted in his grasp, making such a soft sound that Roy thought he might begin to cry at the sound. He hadn't realised he already was. His daughter had taken all of his attention away from him.
So, while he cried, he bounced the new born in his arms, holding her protectively to his chest.
Riza watched as Roy held their daughter in his arms.
Their daughter.
She smiled.
He had often worried about – among a whole load of other things – holding the baby once they were born.
"What if I drop them?"
"What if I hurt them?"
He needn't have worried because watching him now, he as a pro. She had done her best to reassure him because she had the same fears before James was born. But once that kid was in your arms you realise you were being stupid all along.
With her lying in the bed, Roy's back to her as he cradled their daughter, she couldn't think of a more perfect sight. The only thing missing was her son. With a jolt she realised she hadn't called Rebecca to let her know she was in labour like they had planned.
"Roy?" she called softly.
Riza froze when she saw his face. Tears fell down his cheeks and he looked so proud of her that she almost gasped.
"She's perfect," he whispered, eyes locking on the child once more.
Riza smiled to herself. There was no way she would be able to part those two, no matter how hard she tried, and that thought brought a bit of comfort with it.
This child would be loved by both her parents.
Her hands itched to hold her and Roy had drawn his attention away from his baby girl long enough to notice her shifting. He walked over slowly and carefully, the residual feeling of fear about dropping her still present in the way he held himself.
"Here she is," he introduced softly.
Riza had passed out shortly after giving birth. Her body ached and even now her eyes were heavy but she had drawn herself back long enough to meet their daughter.
Riza's tears fell hot and fast down her face as she held her. The baby shifted in her swaddle, small mouth opening to reveal a tiny tongue.
She was so small, so fragile, so perfect.
"She's beautiful," she whispered. "She has your eyes," Riza added after clearing her throat. Judging by the look on his face Roy was very proud of that fact.
"She has your face though." He had perched upon the side of the bed, an arm wrapping around her shoulders. His free hand pulled away the blanket from their daughter's face, giving him a better look at her small face.
"Her hair is beautiful," Riza murmured, smoothing down the incredibly soft tuft atop her head. "I was kind of hoping she would have your hair."
"Really?"
Riza shrugged. "I don't know why. I just did."
The hand on her shoulder squeezed.
"Did you call Rebecca?"
"Yeah. It's all sorted." The baby stirred once more. "What name shall we give her?"
They had spent months coming up with names and had narrowed it down to two or three for each. Both had agreed to wait until they met their little girl before picking a name.
"Mia," Riza stated lips quirking into a smile. The name felt so right looking down at her small face.
"She looks like a Mia."
She grinned at his comment, eyes finding his. That had been her favourite of the three names.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. It's perfect."
She kissed him then, grabbing the front of his t-shirt lightly and pulling his lips down to hers.
A tentative knock at the door signalled the arrival of a nurse.
"Hello. You have a visitor if you are both up to it. James Mustang?"
Riza's heart fluttered at the mention of her son's new surname. Riza hadn't put much thought into James changing his last name to fit hers. So when he brought it up, it surprised them both.
"I want to be like you two," the elven year old stated. "You get to be a Mustang now and so do I."
Roy and Riza had both shared a look.
"Are you sure?" she asked him.
His vigorous head nod was indication enough. "Yeah! I don't want to be the odd one out because if you have a baby then they will be baby Mustang and I will still be Hawkeye."
So, it had been changed legally a few months after the wedding.
"Yes, we are ready," Riza answered the nurse, eager to see her boy.
The thirteen year old poked his head around the door a few minutes later. He was so quiet that the two adults didn't even hear him.
"Oh… wow…"
Both she and Roy glanced at the door where James stood frozen on the spot, eyes zeroed in on the baby in his mother's arms.
"Are you ready to meet your little sister?"
"Sister?" he stuttered as if in a daze. His feet slowly carried him over to the bed. He looked like he was in a daydream as he moved, completely unaware of all that was going on around him.
They had kept the sex of the baby secret from everyone else. It wound people like Maes and Rebecca up no end but Roy's mother and Aunt Chris were just happy they were having a kid.
"Yeah, bud. You're a big brother now."
James finally reached their side and gazed down at the baby.
"Say hello to baby Mia," Riza stated, her daughter's name rolling off her tongue proudly.
Yes. She was definitely a Mia.
"Mia," James sounded out. His gaze flicked up to his mother's with a wide smile. "I like it!"
"I am glad you do."
"She's really here," James stated. "I'm going to be the best big brother to you, Mia," he stated softly. A tentative finger reached for her head, stroking Mia's forehead so gently. She stirred at the touch, mouth opening in a yawn once more. "Just you wait and see," he vowed.
Riza couldn't have been prouder of her family in that moment.
Rebecca cried as soon as she set eyes on baby Mia.
Both she and Jean had crept into the room reminiscent of a scene Riza had seen in Friends once and she burst out laughing. Equipped with excite eyes and big grins she could tell they just wanted to see the baby rather than her.
"Hello?" Riza grinned. "Can I help you?"
"Hey…" they both greeted in unison. Both sets of eyes immediately found baby Mia.
Jean parked their pram by the door, little Andrew sleeping soundly. He had been born a couple of months ago.
"Oh my god," she whispered. "She's so beautiful." Further crooning ensued as Rebecca lifted the baby into her arms while Jean clapped Roy on the back and congratulated him. A goofy, happy grin was shot Riza's way too. "What's her name?"
"Mia."
"Mia Mustang," Rebecca repeated back, eyes never leaving her. "Well I'm sorry to tell you kiddo but it looks like you inherited your Dad's looks."
"Hey!"
"It's all downhill from here," she continued to tease with a goofy smile on her face.
"You can talk, your kid looks like you and that is a tough break as it is."
Rebecca's eyes flashed at Roy, who looked decidedly smug.
As they continued to bicker Jean chuckled and approached Riza's bedside. He kissed the crown of her head in greeting, settling into the chair
"I don't know how you manage three kids Riza, I really don't."
"It is an everyday battle but I make it work." She yawned, the sound louder than intended. "Just call me superwoman," she mumbled, eyes fluttering closed.
Just at that moment baby Mia began to cry, effectively ending the childish bickering between Roy and Rebecca. She hushed and bounced Mia in her arms, but it didn't work. Riza opened her eyes blearily to see Roy itching to take his daughter back from Rebecca. Andrew began to fuss by the door and Rebecca and Havoc both sighed. It was comical how in sync the sound was.
"I guess that's our signal to go." Jean heaved himself out of the chair and walked over to his son. "Come on, Becca. Let's let Riza sleep and get Andrew home. I think he's due to be changed."
Rebecca pouted but handed Mia back to Roy. However before leaving Rebecca hugged Riza tightly.
"She is beautiful," she whispered. Then it was Roy's turn. "I'm so happy for you both."
Despite their bickering Rebecca really did love Roy, and vice versa. There was a lot of respect between them and a mutual understanding for how each had helped Riza and James throughout the course of their relationships.
So, as the two left and Riza drifted off she found herself once again very grateful for the hand she had been dealt in life. It hadn't always been easy. It was an immense struggle from around the ages of eight right into her twenties, but looking around the room it had all be worth it. And she would live through all of that again if it meant ending right back at this spot.
i just remember joey and phoebe creeping into monica and chandler's apartment all excited and expecting them to be engaged but they aren't and it always made me laugh. that's how I pictured the scene with havoc and rebecca entering riza's room
