an: here we go, the epilogue! thank you so much to everyone who's read and given this fic their time. also, thank you for your comments and for the support i've received from readers and friends alike. it means so so much to me!
it was so cool to finally get to play with and explore this wee idea i first had about three years ago :') and now it's done! wild. i never thought this day would come lmao but it's been a great year and a half working on it. i hope you enjoy the ending!
for one last time; song for this chapter: delta goodrem - sitting on top of the world
1915
you are so bright, shining above all the city lights
Riza scanned the windows of the train intently as it drew into the station. While it rolled past them slowly, she tried to look out for some familiar faces through the glass but didn't find who she was looking for. There were no eager children on the other side, looking out and excitedly watching the world go by. There were only tired adults, exhausted after their long train ride from Xing, but also relieved that it was finally over.
Roy wrapped an arm around her back and slipped his free, gloved hand into his trouser pocket.
He'd picked the gloves out so they could hide his injuries from Mia. This morning was about a happy reunion, not explaining to their daughter how he'd hurt his hands. That could, and would, come later if she asked. Not to mention the thick leather would provide extra protection to his freshly bandaged hands. They didn't need the sooty air getting into his wounds. Riza had also covered the bandage on her neck. Since it was healing they'd been able to arrange the gauze so it wouldn't be as obvious or startling to anyone seeing her for the first time since the Promised Day, however no matter how hard they tried, a small part of it still poked out from underneath her shirt. While she'd been trying to think of a solution to cover it up, Roy had picked out a thin scarf from their wardrobe and playfully wrapped her up in it with a grin. It also happened to be perfect for the weather that day.
As they stood and waited, Roy didn't tell her to relax or offer any sentiment like that because he was in the same state as her. It had been almost a month since the Promised Day. Almost a month since they'd last seen their children. To say they were simply excited was a gross understatement. It went so much further than that. Both were anxious to see their faces once more.
With his eyesight returned, Roy had been discharged from the hospital before her. With an injury as large as the one Riza had sustained, the doctors wanted to ensure there was going to be no risk of infection when she was sent home. Riza didn't fight it, but she was still eager to leave. She felt well enough but trusted her physician.
Two days after Roy, Riza was discharged. Sleeping in her own bed, held tightly within her husband's arms that night, was the best feeling in the world. It was only until she awoke with him that Riza realised just how much she'd missed it.
There had always been a yearning within her to crawl into his hospital bed and lie next to him, but she had to be careful. Anything that aggravated her injury would delay her progress, and that included lying on her side next to Roy. It would stall them in seeing Mia and Maes again, so, as much as she wanted to, Riza reigned in that impulse.
On their first day at home together, instead of getting up and readying themselves for the day, Roy and Riza treated themselves and didn't rise until well into the afternoon. Grumman had given Roy time off for recovery and rehabilitation, so they truly had nothing to worry about. No one was demanding their attention or presence anywhere. There were no jobs to be carried out and completed.
It was freeing after the rollercoaster the last month had been for them both. It was also the most relaxed they'd both felt in a long time.
Just like before the Promised Day, the house was too quiet without Mia and Maes. The day after Riza was discharged she called Chris and said they were ready to invite them back home. Now the moment was here, Riza's heart was beating erratically inside her chest, pounding against her ribcage with fervour. Her hands were sweating with her excitement.
She couldn't wait.
The crowds were thick as people disembarked from the train. The platform filled, becoming even busier than before, but Vanessa and Chris were nowhere to be seen, Riza noted with dismay.
"This is the train." Roy's voice was suddenly close to her ear so he could be heard over the hubbub of the platform. "They will be here somewhere. We'll find them."
He must have picked up on her impatient shifting. Not that Riza had tried very hard to hide it. Even though her expression was schooled into one of concentration as she focussed on her search, Riza had been up on her tiptoes to try and look over some of the taller heads in the crowd.
As people started to vacate the platform, others boarded the train, but it was nowhere near the same volume that had alighted from it. The crowd thinned but Riza still didn't spot them. She finally huffed impatiently.
Then, bodies parted, and her eyes settled on her daughter. She was walking by Vanessa's side, holding onto the pram that carried Maes. Her small head swivelled around as she looked about her, causing her long ponytail to whip back and forth. Her bottom lip was caught in between her teeth and she chewed on it, seemingly anxious to find who, or what, she was looking for.
All Riza could do was stare. A month had passed but it felt like years in that moment. It had been too long, and everything was rushing up to the surface at once, overwhelming her and freezing her in place. It must have been a figment of her imagination, but Mia looked older. She looked taller. Her dark hair seemed to be so much longer, tied up in its ponytail.
Never again would they spend so much time apart, Riza promised herself.
Riza's face crumpled and she took a step forward but paused when Mia spotted her.
Mia's face lit up with joy and it caused Riza's inhale to get caught in her throat. Their daughter's elation spread across her features beautifully as Mia's eyes sparkled with excitement. Riza couldn't hear her gasp, but it was obviously a loud one, given the exaggerated expression on her face. The brown paper bag she'd been carrying in her hand hit the ground and tipped over onto its side, forgotten. Mia sprinted away from a suddenly panicked Vanessa and headed straight towards them. Her bag bounced on her back as she ran and the happy laugh that left her was music to Riza's ears.
"Mum!" Mia called. It almost sounded like a scream; it was so loud. "Dad!"
Riza fell to her knees and Mia ran straight into her arms. The force of her enthusiasm almost knocked Riza over but she held steady. She pressed her cheek against the side of Mia's head as she held her incredibly tight, standing and lifting her off the ground, leaving her small legs to wrap around Riza's waist securely. Mia's happy laugh didn't let up and Riza thought it was one of the best sounds she'd ever heard. She'd missed hearing it.
"Oh, Mia," she sighed, overcome with emotion. "Oh, Mia Bear, I missed you!" Riza placed her back down on the ground and pulled away to get a better look at her daughter.
Mia beamed back at her, almost vibrating with excitement. She even started bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. Riza cupped her daughter's grinning face in between her palms then moved to kiss her on the forehead, on her nose, then each cheek, making Mia giggle.
"I missed you too, Mum. And Dad!" She was quickly out of Riza's hold and darted towards her father.
Roy bent his knees with a grin and opened his arms wide. Mia launched herself into them and Roy scooped her up. Her arms wrapped around his neck, holding on tight as she was lifted off the ground again. Roy was not shy in returning it either. His face was pressed into her shoulder, hiding it from view, but Riza saw his back heave greatly with his breath as he spun them both around on the spot.
"Mia!" Vanessa scolded, tugging a suitcase behind her while pushing Maes' pram. "How many times do I have to tell you not to run off?"
"But it was Mummy and Daddy!" Her tone held no apology, only glee upon seeing them again.
"I know, but –" Vanessa sighed, rolling her eyes fondly. "Never mind," she relented. "Hey, Riza," she grinned. Maes was parked next to her, and Vanessa rounded the pram to engulf Riza in a tight hug.
"Thank you for looking after them," Riza whispered, pouring all of her gratitude into the words she spoke.
"Oh, it was no problem at all," Vanessa grinned. "We had a great time! Didn't we, Mia?"
Roy had placed Mia back on the ground. He knelt before her with his hands on her shoulders, keeping her in place. While Mia turned to look at her Aunt Vanessa, Roy continued to watch Mia's face closely. His eyes roved over her features and Riza smiled to herself. He was trying to commit her appearance to memory. Riza could understand that, especially after he'd shared the reasons for his upset while in that medical tent on the Promised Day.
"Oh, yes!" Mia clapped her hands together as she turned back to gaze up at her father. "You'll never guess what we did on the train ride home!"
"Tell me," Roy demanded immediately, his tone filled with awe. He marvelled at Mia, taking in every feature and change in her expression. His gloved hands smoothed down her hair then cupped her cheeks between his palms.
Mia giggled, feeling squished in between the soft, black leather covering his palms. "Dad!" Her complaint was accompanied with a laugh as she tried to wriggle out of his grasp.
"Sorry, Mia Bear. Tell me," he insisted, letting go of her face and placing his hands back on her shoulders. "I want to hear all about it."
As Mia launched into a story about their journey home, Roy was enraptured and watched every one of her excitable expressions with close scrutiny and joy.
With Mia occupied, Riza turned her attention to their youngest. Maes' eyes blinked up at her, and for the tiniest moment, she feared he wouldn't recognise her after all this time. He cocked his head to the side as he regarded her, and his small limbs grew still. His stuffed toy remained clutched tightly within his fist and he drew it up to cover his mouth.
He used to do that to feel more secure…
Riza's chest ached as she watched that adorable frown she loved so dearly appear on his face but couldn't help but start to think or fear the worst. A month was a long time for a child his age.
Maes had definitely grown. His hair had turned slightly thicker and was now more brown than black, which matched the colour of his chocolate brown eyes. And Maes looked so much older. His face had slimmed down slightly and had a little bit more shape to it than Riza remembered. He was a marvel, and her love for her son surged within her chest.
"Hello, little Maes." The joy of setting her eyes on his face again choked Riza momentarily. Tears welled within her eyelids.
However, that was all Maes needed. He grinned, showing off his gums and tongue while his arms flailed outwards, asking to be picked up. He tried to sit up in the pram, causing his tiny body to strain against the straps holding him in place. There was an outraged sound of protest from him when he discovered he couldn't move as far as he desired. That affronted frown returned to Maes' face as his small fingers tried to reach and grab for Riza, making her bark out a shaky laugh. Unbuckling her son, Riza hugged him close to her chest as his face burrowed into the crook of her neck with a joyous squeal.
"Hey, Maes," she cooed quietly into his ear, feeling a tear slip out. "I missed you so much."
After sending them away, and throughout the Promised Day, Riza had tried her hardest not to dwell too long on when she'd be able to see their children again. If she did, all focus would be broken and the intense longing would leave her winded, struggling to breathe. That's how it felt now though, holding them in her arms again. She wanted to crumple to the floor in her euphoria and relief but remained steady and strong.
It had been too much to think about that they may never get to see them again. It was too intense a sadness that left Riza gasping for breath, but they'd done it. It had been a long time waiting for this day to come while they were in hospital, but they'd made it through to the other side. Now, the payoff for their perseverance and resilience was more than worth it.
"Do I get a hug like that?"
Riza glanced up and saw Chris smirking at them both. She was joking, but Roy still strode forward and pulled her into a fierce hug anyway. Mia was his shadow and skipped over to her grandmother with him. Roy murmured something quietly in Chris' ear and Riza watched as her expression softened, and she smiled warmly at him.
"No problem, Roy Boy. You know that by now."
Roy let go of her and nodded.
"Mia?" Chris called to her, her face expectant. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Mia's head cocked to the side and her brow furrowed in confusion.
She looks so much like Roy, Riza grinned to herself.
"Your present bag?" Chris prompted her further, then the penny dropped for their daughter.
"Oh!" Mia darted over to her grandmother to take the paper bag she'd dropped in her haste to reach them. "I dropped it. Sorry!"
"It's all right," Chris assured her evenly, "but be more careful next time, otherwise it might get lost or broken."
"I will! Mum, Dad, I brought you back some presents! I got one for Hayate too. I can't wait to see him again!"
"That was very kind of you, Mia," Riza smiled as she bounced a happy Maes in her arms. "Thank you."
There was a gentle tug at her neck and Riza flinched automatically, as it was on her injured side. Looking down, she wondered what Maes was doing, then paused to watch him. He was currently playing with a button on her jacket. He was gripping onto the one at the top of her lapel, grasping it carefully in between his thumb and pointer finger with such intense concentration, before letting it go. Riza couldn't remember him ever doing that before but tried not to dwell on the fact she'd missed out on over a month of his development. She rejoiced in his progress instead, simply thankful she was able to see it.
"Button," she told Maes, pointing at it.
He blinked up at her then gave her a wide smile. Again, he caught it between his fingers and let go.
"Do you like buttons, Maes?"
He giggled and grasped it again.
"You're so clever," Riza praised quietly before pressing a kiss to his temple.
Roy stepped up to her side and wrapped an arm around her back securely. His grip wasn't tight, but his hand was still a welcome weight upon her hip and a comfort. "We'll see them when we get home, all right Mia," Roy quickly interjected before Mia could start to pull things out as she'd already, and impatiently, started to open up the bag. "Then everything will be safe and less likely to get lost."
"Good idea," Mia agreed. "Can we go now?" She was so serious that it made the adults laugh.
"Of course, we can," Roy assured her. "But first," he added, turning to face Riza with a wide smile, "I've got to say hello to your little brother first."
Roy gasped playfully as he lifted Maes high into the air. It made their son giggle and his arms stretched out towards Roy. Once returned to Roy's shoulder he remained there and lay his head against it, closing his eyes as Roy's hand shifted to cover his back. He patted it gently and rested his chin on the top of Maes' head. As Roy's eyes closed to enjoy the moment, his expression was serene.
"Let's go!" Mia cried excitedly. She grabbed Riza's hand and tugged it gently, eager to be on the move.
"Calm down, Mia," Chris scolded but there was no real force behind it. "We're going, don't worry."
Vanessa looked at Roy expectantly, silently asking if he wanted to hand over Maes, but Roy shook his head.
"I'll hold him while we walk."
"I can push that –" Riza started to offer but Vanessa waved her off.
"Mia needs someone to hold her hand," she argued. "Walk with her," she smiled, "I've got this."
"Thank you, Vanessa."
Mia latched onto Riza's hand tightly and started chatting away. She was telling her mother about their train journey home, the same story she'd told Roy less than ten minutes ago. Still, Riza nodded along and listened to her intently. Most of her attention had been taken up by Maes and she still wanted to hear what Mia had to say.
Once they left the station Mia fell quiet, finally spent from her story telling. Chris opened the car door and started to get a still excited Mia strapped in while Vanessa folded up the pram to store it securely with the suitcase in the boot of the car.
Before they entered, Riza reached up to squeeze Roy's elbow gently to garner his attention and stop him for a moment.
When he turned to face her he was the most at peace she'd seen him a long time. Riza knew that feeling intimately well. Now that her family was all back together, it felt like all was right in her world. Everyone was safe and accounted for, as they should be, and everyone was together.
It felt like she was finally home.
"Well," she murmured quietly to Roy, "were those the smiles you remembered?"
Roy's arm wrapped around her waist as he let out a shaky breath. His head tilted to the side, coming to rest against hers, as his fingers did their best to curl around her torso inside his gloves.
"They were." He squeezed her waist as best he could and Roy inhaled sharply, indicating he'd been greatly affected by seeing their children again, just like she had. "They were everything I remembered, and more," he sniffed, smiling down at their son with a tear in his eye. He glanced over at her and leaned in, pressing a soft and loving kiss against Riza's lips that left her grinning from ear to ear.
"I love you, Riza Mustang." His breath hitched and another tear fell down his cheek despite his happy smile.
"I love you too, Roy Mustang," Riza beamed.
She brushed the strands of hair out of his eyes, then gently wiped away the tear with her thumb. His cheek was cradled within her palm lovingly as she gazed up at him, finally feeling completely at peace.
"Forever."
an: hope you enjoyed the wholesome ending :))
just fyi i will be taking a break from writing. for the first time in years i have no ongoing projects and i've felt completely burnt out for about the last 6 months, so i'm going to take some time to recharge and hopefully regain some energy and inspiration. i will be back tho! i just don't know when. i have a few ideas and wips cooking on the back burner atm which will hopefully be able to come out soon
i would also like to return and edit some of the earlier chapters to update them a little but there'll be no plot change. idk when i'll get round to it, but if it seems different in a wee while that might be why!
see you for the next one! take care and have a wonderful day and weekend!