Chapter 12: Little things that cry in the night

Edward and Alphones sat in the personnel office down the hall glancing at each other from time to time. How Roy had managed to get Heidi up four flights of stairs was beyond them. Apparently they had ended up in here before being ordered by Heidi's doctor to the office they normally occupied which the Fuher was using. The Fuher happily relocated to somewhere else in the building. Now everyone was sitting in here and it had been hours.

Edward glanced at the clock upon the wall calculating the time. He'd and Al had been here at least seven and before that it had been two so that made nine since Heidi had started labor. Now it was nearing nine in the evening.

Maes sighed sitting back in his chair. "Well this is an interesting day,"

"Lieutenant Colonel, how long does this sort of thing take?" Breda asked. "You've had a kid so you must know."

Maes chuckled scratching his head. "Well uh, it depends,"

"I hope it's soon, it sounds like it hurts and she said she was dying." Fury replied softly.

"No she's not," Ed smiled. "Mrs. Hughes said that and she's just fine. Major Mustang will be too. Right Al?"

"Yeah, don't worry,"

They heard a cry from down the hall and this one didn't come from Heidi or something baby like. In fact it sounded like it came from Colonel Mustang. "Now that's just scary," Havoc said around his cigarette.

Maes chuckled remembering his own wife's labor as the phone rang. He turned and picked it up. "Hughes,"

"Has there been any news?" A soft feminine voice asked. It was none other than the Fuher's secretary.

"Not yet,"

"The Fuher would like to be informed as soon as there is."

"Yes Mam," Maes replied before she hung up the phone. Maes did the same and sighed once again.

It was another hour before the sound of a baby crying could be heard. "Ah finally," Breda breathed. "When do we get to see?"

"I never knew you liked kids Breda," Ed mused.

"Well it's the Colonel's I want to see if it looks like him."

"Sure is a screamer." Havoc said with a chuckle.

"Probably just hungry," Maes replied.

"Already?" Fury asked confused. "How can it be hungry so soon?"

"How should I know, babies are strange little things." Maes replied. "Elicia was hungry when she was born."

Heidi lay back sleepily with a soft smile. Roy sat beside her in a chair holding their son in wonder. He had a sort of stupid grin upon his face when the tiny hand lifted toward his face. "He's so perfect Heidi," He breathed.

"Mmm, look at all that black hair," The doctor mused, helping his nurse with the cleaning up of things. "I swear that's the thickest hair on any baby I've delivered."

Heidi reached for him. "Please,"

Roy smiled getting up to place the baby in her arms. "You don't have to ask honey."

Heidi wasn't completely happy until she held her baby. "So what to call you hmm?"

"You haven't got a name picked yet?" The nurse asked.

"Well it's a debate, neither of us can decide." Roy replied running his hand through his hair. "Want some help; the guys are waiting down in the office."

"But they'll want to see and I'm not giving him up yet." Heidi said holding her son closer to her. She couldn't have been more possessive than in that one moment, but she didn't care it was her baby, hers and Roy's and though she felt as if she was about to fall asleep, she just couldn't be parted with him just yet.

"Major, why don't you let Colonel Mustang take him down I have a few questions to ask you."

Heidi glared. "Ask them now you're not taking him."

Roy nodded to the doctor moving his chair closer. His leg still hurt from where her finger nails had dug in during labor but he really didn't care about that right now.

"Did you happen to do anything stressful today; you weren't due for another two to three weeks."

Roy's smile faded. "Heidi,"

"Define stressful?" Heidi asked innocently.

"Fighting, using alchemy when I strictly told you not too. Sometimes women, who use alchemy while pregnant, at least in the third term, can set themselves into labor." The doctor replied sternly.

"Um well," she began.

The doctor sighed. "I thought so, well I'd say you're lucky that everything turned out so well, but the next time you decide to have a child don't do it."

Heidi yawned. "Okay,"

"Now let's get you up so you can see everyone yes?" The doctor asked. "How about some pain medication first?"

Heidi was ready to go in no time at all, back in uniform and sitting up with Roy sitting beside her upon the sofa. Their son was currently sleeping but not before Roy caught a good look into his eyes and said they were hers.

Maes led everyone in with Armstrong placing Alphones upon the floor at Heidi's feet so he would miss a chance at seeing the baby. Even in his broken state he seemed happy to see the baby, forgetting his predicament until Heidi said something. "Oh I'm okay,"

Heidi shook her head. "No you're not," Her eyes shifted to Edward and his missing auto mail arm. "And neither are you. What happened?"

Edward sighed and filled her and Roy in on the details then asked for some leave to head to their home town then to Central to do some research. Roy granted it though he insisted that have someone go along. Heidi agreed and wouldn't let them see the baby, hiding him by covering him up until they obeyed with out fuss.

Ed sighed. "Fine," He smiled when Heidi pulled the blanket down. "He got a name yet?"

"No," Roy replied with a smirk. "We can't decide so you're all going to help. We've got it narrowed down to Hadrian and Kairan."

"Man that kids got some hair," Maes said coming to stand behind the sofa so he could get a better look. "Aw he's so cute; Elicia's going to be so excited that she's going to have a new friend to play with."

With that everyone crowded in to take a closer look. "Hey maybe we should take a vote?" Fury suggested softly.

"That's a good idea," Roy mused glancing back at his son. He just couldn't get over how beautiful he was, how tiny he looked, it out weighed the annoyance he felt for Heidi taking too many risks, but he could discuss those with her later. He had decided to wait on that until she was feeling better, she looked simply exhausted. He'd have to get her home soon and into bed. Still he was happy, really happy. He was a father! Now that he wanted to tell everyone who would listen and now he understood how Maes felt.

"How many for Hadrian?" Havoc asked. Fury, Falman, Alphones, and Breda lifted their hands. "That's four, and for Kairan?" Maes, Ed, Havoc, and Armstrong lifted their hands. "Another four, well damn that's a tie."

Heidi sighed. She never thought naming a baby would be so difficult. Zolf wouldn't have any trouble at all, but then again he wasn't alive and she was sure it was the drugs making her nerves calm enough to think on him with out being too upset. "We need a tie breaker. I know let's call Northern command and see what my old unit has to say, Ivan will want to know anyway."

Roy nodded and stood up heading for his desk to place the call. He got Colonel Stein, her old commander who immediately asked the gender. "It's a boy," He replied. Roy listened to Stein relay the news to his men who were abuzz with chatter. "We need a little help in picking a name since none of us can seem to decide."

"Sure what do you have Mustang?"

"Hadrian and Kairan,"

"Listen up boys, Heidi can't decide between Hadrian and Kairan, what do you think?"

Heidi watched expectantly as Roy chuckled. "It's Kairan, that okay Heidi?" She nodded. "Okay thanks, I'll have her call again as soon as she feels better."

"Tell her congratulations for us," Stein replied happily. "And you too,"

"Thanks I will," Roy said before handing up and retaking his seat. "So, Kairan Mustang sounds good to me."

"We should call Lt. Hawkeye and tell her." Fury said with a smile as Kairan opened his little slanted eyes to look at him.

"Yes, Roy, you can't leave her out in the cold." Heidi agreed.

"I'll call her as soon as I get you home." He replied.

"Say good bye to a decent nights rest for awhile Roy," Maes chuckled patting him on the back. "I'll come over and get some pictures before I leave. Oh and I almost forgot, I'm supposed to let the Fuher know."

Heidi ignored Maes and focused on Ed and Al. "You two have to hurry and get yourselves fixed to you can hold him and please be careful, I know Armstrong is going with you but trouble finds you two like magnets."

Ed nodded staring in awe at baby Kairan. "Can I touch him?"

"Sure, Al you want to too?" She asked leaning forward. Both boys reached out to feel the baby's skin as soon as they touched him he laughed a little baby laugh.

Roy tore his gaze from Maes warmed and surprised. "It looks like Kairan like you two, that's the first laugh he's ever laughed. That or he can see exactly how short you are Ed."

Ed twitched but forewent a tantrum since he knew babies needed quiet. "Very funny,"

"Roy I'm ready to go home," Heidi yawned.

"Sure, Havoc would you mind driving us?"

"No sir," Havoc replied fishing for his keys.

"Need some help?" Fury asked.

Heidi shook her head reluctantly letting Roy take Kairan from her arms after he'd stood up. She tried to stand on her own, but was too weak. "Yes,"

"I'll carry you out Major," Armstrong said calmly and before she could protest he scooped her up as if she weighed no more than a dried leaf, and what surprised her was that he was amazingly gentle.

Roy helped Heidi take a warm bath then get into a soft night gown and into bed as soon as they were home. Kairan was fussing in his bassinet as soon as Roy pulled the blankets around her shoulders. Heidi began to get up but Roy shook his head. "You need to rest; I'll take care of him. I'm his dad remember?"

Heidi smiled nodding and lay back with a yawn. "Sorry about today," She mumbled.

Roy smiled leaning over the bassinet. Kairan had kicked the blanket from his little body and from the looks of it he needed a diaper change. "We'll talk about that later." He looked around the room as he lifted their son. "I'll be right back," With that he left for the nursery.

Heidi opened her eyes when Roy returned with Kairan now crying. Her husband had the most perturbed expression. "I don't understand I changed his diaper and he ate just an hour ago."

Heidi sighed. "Well maybe he's hungry again, let me have him."

As soon as Roy placed Kairan in his mother's arms the boy quieted some, but it wasn't until he was nursing that he was completely quiet. "Huh, well that wasn't too hard."

"Mmm,"

Roy sighed deciding now would be a good time to change for bed. He was almost completely out of his uniform when the phone rang. "You've got to be kidding me." He breathed and ran to get it.

"Mustang," He said shortly.

"Colonel congratulations," It was the Fuher.

"Uh thank you sir,"

"Would you and Major Mustang mind if I paid you both a visit tomorrow afternoon?" The Fuher asked.

"Well I'll be in the office but I don't think Heidi will mind."

The Fuher chuckled. "Nonsense Mustang, you're on leave for the next week to help Heidi. So I will see you sometime after lunch."

"Yes sir," Roy replied baffled.

When he returned to his bedroom Heidi lay sleeping with Kairan curled up beside her in the bed sleeping peacefully. Now that was sight not to be missed in a million years. That was it, Roy was going to get a camera…he just hoped he didn't turn into Maes.

Sighing he finished changing and eased into bed without disturbing his new family. He found himself grinning again when Kairan opened his sleepy little eyes, cooing. Gently Roy leaned down in the bed and kissed his son's soft forehead. Kairan's tiny hands tapped his face. "You're supposed to be asleep," Kairan's response was another coo and to tug upon Roy's hair. Roy chuckled softly gently prying his son's finger from his hair. "We don't pull hair, we do other things, but I'll teach you that later."

"Better not be anything bad," Heidi muttered lifting her hand to Roy's face. "Or else,"

"I thought you were asleep,"

"I was until you started talking, do you like him?" she whispered.

Roy smirked. "Of course…did I tell you how beautiful you are today?"

Heidi smiled. "No,"

"Huh, well I guess I'm falling down on the job, what do you think Kairan, you think your mother's pretty right?" Kairan smiled. "Did you see that, he does,"

Heidi sighed. "I love you Roy,"

He smiled lifting his hand to brush her damp hair from her face. "I love you too, get some sleep."

By the time morning came Roy had never felt so exhausted, at least not that he could remember. Kairan had fussed and awoken ten times and it seemed just as soon as he was asleep his son was wanting something. Roy was amazed at how quickly Heidi could go back to sleep, hell she fell asleep while nursing and he just didn't see how that could be possible, but then again she'd had one hell of a day the day before.

Once again Kairan was squalling and Roy found that while he truly loved his son, that noise was…so damned annoying. This had to be pay back for all the tomfoolery he'd caused growing up, it just had to be.

He sighed checking his newborn's diaper. It was wet. He for the life of him didn't understand how such a small creature could make such a mess. Then again the infant was a wonder to him, alchemy couldn't make this, alchemist had tried and failed for decades, centuries even. All that came of it was a soulless mass. This, Kairan, was indeed beautiful, perfect. His son could have come into the world blind, deaf, dumb, missing a limb, and he'd still think so because it was his, his and Heidi's. It was something they had created through love.

Smiling, Roy lifted his son from the bed and took him to the nursery for a diaper change. Once Kairan was changed and quiet, Roy took him into the living room to give Heidi some extra sleep time.

As soon as Roy sat upon the sofa he heard a knock upon the front door. He frowned checking the time. It was mid morning and the Fuher said he'd not be here until this afternoon. Still Roy couldn't ignore it and feared Kairan waking to with out thinking to change he carefully, with out disturbing his son, got up and answered the door.

To his surprise it was the Fuher and Roy felt deep irritation. Ever since yesterday morning he felt like he and Heidi couldn't get a break. It was one thing after another. While a house call from the Fuher was interesting and bestowed him with a feeling of pride and he was honored to have the most powerful man in all of Amestris visiting, damn it he wasn't even dressed. And the man had brought his secretary along.

While Roy was deciding quickly how best to salute without the fear of dropping his son, the Fuher smiled. "At ease Colonel, I am sorry to come so early, but as of today you are back in command of Eastern HQ. It seems that with Scar's appearance here in the East everyone wants to return to Central and we all know I too am in service of the State."

Roy smiled a little at that statement. The Fuher was just going along with it so shut people up, that was the real reason. "Please come in,"

The Fuher nodded. "Juliet," The woman smiled as she passed Roy glancing at Kairan.

Roy closed the door. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"I will get it just inform me of where the kitchen is." The Fuher's secretary said softly.

Roy smirked. If Heidi knew some one else was in her kitchen she'd have a fit. Oh well she wasn't awake now and what she didn't know wouldn't kill her. "Down the hall to the left and the living room is just here." He watched her go then led the Fuher to the sofa.

The man smiled. "May I?"

Roy nodded and placed his son in the older man's arms before. "I'm just going to get dressed and wake Heidi,"

"Of course."

Roy Made haste in getting dressed and combing his hair, which he found was sticking up at odd angles, now that was just embarrassing. Then he leaned over the bed to wake his sleeping wife. "Heidi, wake up we have company."

"Mmm," was the response he received. Gently he shook her shoulder.

"Heidi, honey, the Fuher and his secretary are here."

"I'll have it done by noon sir," she muttered turning over.

For a moment that left Roy blinking then he smirked. Well at least he knew she was still work focused though it was a little scary that she'd dream of work when she'd just had a baby. It must be her subconscious playing with her since she had wanted to work.

He sighed deciding it was probably best to leave her alone for now, she'd wake on her own later, besides she deserved the extra sleep, who knew when she'd get it later.

When Roy returned to the living room the Fuher smiled at him. "Is she still sleeping?"

Roy nodded taking a seat in his arm chair. "And still working apparently."

The Fuher chuckled. "I see,"

"You have a beautiful little boy Colonel." Juliet said softly as she smoothed his son's hair.

Roy smiled with pride. "Thank you."

"Word is spreading quickly of this little one. General Haruko made an inquiry about him from Central, among other things."

Roy sighed, his smile fading. "About Scar, I'd like to remain on-"

"I do want him found and brought to justice, but I heard an interesting report last night. It seems that this Scar identified Major Mustang yesterday."

Roy nodded. "She doesn't know what he's talking about."

"I see. This still troubles me. I assume you know the truth about her past, who she was related to?"

"I found out yes,"

"So you are aware that this information is not to be leaked, her safety is imperative, she's one of our valued alchemists and soldiers. She, like you followed orders, lost a lot she shouldn't have. It is only my job to insure that she is compensated for it. The research she's done on sound alchemy alone has opened up many doors for the military."

Roy smiled remembering Heidi's latest research into silencing weapons instead of amplifying them. She proposed this idea to him and General Haruko just a few months ago and it was not turned down in the least. "I know," But while Roy knew Heidi's worth on a personal level, which was more than even he could calculate, he had to wonder what the Fuher's interest in her was. Yes his wife was important, but so was every other person serving the man.

The Fuher looked down at the baby in his arms and smiled. "Children are precious things…is he fussy? My own son was fussy as an infant, but not too much."

Roy sighed. "I definitely knows what he wants and won't stop until he gets it."

"Much like his father," Juliet said with a smile. She looked at her wrist watch. "The train sir,"

The Fuher nodded. "Oh yes, thanks you for letting us come in and see Kairan, Colonel. Pass our congratulations and hello's on to Major Mustang." He said standing.

Roy rose and took his son from the Fuher's arm. "I will,"

When they were gone Roy looked upon the face of his son. "So you think he knows I want to be Fuher?" Kairan only yawned. "Some help," He smiled though and went to lie upon the sofa. At least down here if Kairan cried it was less likely to wake Heidi.

Heidi awoke sore in places she didn't want to be and very alone. The house was quiet, too quite for her liking. Even Roy made some noise, hell he made noise in his sleep. For one so attuned to sound, it being her forte, a silent house was alarming. Quickly, wincing as she did so, Heidi rose from the bed and pulled on Roy's robe, then hurried to check the nursery.

Heidi had almost checked every room in the townhouse when she found both husband and son sleeping upon the sofa, peacefully. Kairan lay upon Roy's chest on his stomach, Roy's Hand resting gently upon his back. It had to be the most adorable thing she'd ever seen.

Not wanting to miss a chance, Heidi tiptoed to the hall closet and dug out the camera. She checked to make sure there was film inside then went back into the living room to snap a quick photo. The flash of course woke both father and son, both equally cranky and she laughed, setting the camera upon the coffee table. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it."

Roy yawned looking at the table. He didn't knwo she had a camera, oh well at least he wouldn't have to get one now. "Dreaming about work huh?"

She frowned thinking about her dreams during the night. She did have one about work, something about a meeting and some paper work. "How did you know?"

Roy smirked. "The Fuher and his secretary came over for a visit. I tried to wake you but all you could say was, 'I'll get it done by noon Sir.' I guess the monotony was really getting to you."

Heidi shook her head. "No," She sighed coming closer and lifted her son who was still fussing. "Are you hungry?"

"Probably, I changed his diaper," Roy glanced at the small clock upon the table. "An hour and a half ago."

"Mm," Heidi muttered. "Well let's go upstairs and get you fed huh?"

"Heidi," Roy asked. He would have thought she'd be in a better mood this morning, she'd just had a baby, wouldn't she be happy instead of well…she seemed a little depressed. It was the way she spoke more quietly and moved slower.

"Yeah?"

"You okay?"

She smiled. "I'm just tired. You need to call my parents; I'll talk to them as soon as Kairan's down for another nap."

"Are you sure?"

"Roy, honestly I'm fine, stop worrying."