Unknown Daughter

Chapter 1: Complications

Princess Sango

Riza knocked on Gracia Hughe's door in the middle of the night. Sure, it was already nearly twelve in the morning, but she needed a place to sleep. To her luck, it was Gracia who answered the door and not Maes. Gracia looked Riza over, and smiled softly, ignoring her physical appearance, "Hi there, Riza right?"

Riza smiled and nodded, "Yes, that's right. Thanks for coming out here to let me in."

Gracia shook her head, "No, no, I have no problem taking you in. Come on inside, it's not good to be outside in the cold the way you are." Gracia stepped back to allow Riza through. "Are you hungry?"

Riza shook her head, "A place to sleep is all I wish for now." Gracia put a finger up to her lips and motioned her through a narrow hall. At the end of the hall was an open bedroom door and an already made bed. A small bed stand held a plate with a sandwich and a glass of water. Riza turned to Gracia and gave her a thankful smile before walking inside the room and laying down on the bed. Gracia shut the door, leaving it a crack open before leaving to go back to her bed.

Next day…

Riza awoke to the softness and feelings of love. Somehow, Gracia and Maes were able to make this house feel comfortable and make her uneasy. In came Gracia then, "Oh, imagine that, the moment I put Elicia down for a nap, you're up."

Riza smiled at her and sat up, "What time is it?"

"It's the afternoon; you must've been so tired. Where did you just come from?" Gracia asked her, searching her eyes for the answers.

"I came from the Elric's home town; Winry's been letting me stay there for awhile. She knows about what's going on, just not all the facts," Riza answered, looking down at her enlarged stomach. "I want to tell you though, because he's here sometimes."

Gracia straightened out then and Riza spoke timidly, "It's Roy, I know it's not allowed, that's why I went away…"

Riza let out a sigh and Gracia held on of Riza's hands and squeezed it, "It's going to be okay Riza. Do you hear me? You're a strong woman, and I'll help you."

Riza smiled softly, "Thank-you, that's exactly what Winry told me also. I should let you know though, I'm stubborn, and that I'm in my eighth month. I moved around from place to place."

Gracia nodded, "Well, have you seen a doctor at all?"

"Yes, Winry made me go. It's going to be a girl, a girl," she said, repeating the last part twice, as if she couldn't believe it herself. "I'm not going to keep this child with me though."

Gracia tilted her head to the side, "Why?"

"I had her for nine months; I think Roy can deal with her afterwards. I left Hayate with him while I'm gone," Riza answered.

"I thought you didn't want Roy to know," Gracia pointed out.

"I don't, and I won't let him find out. I plan to leave her at his door step. He'll never know, there would be no way," Riza answered, "I trust him."

Gracia shook her head, "Do you wish to get some sun, you look quite pale."

Riza shook her head, "That's why I got here so late, Roy's looking for me. I don't want to show up for the next month. In Central, they're bound to recognize me."

Gracia nodded, "I understand, so you're lying low."

Riza closed her eyes, "I think I'll rest a little more. Please, can you make sure to wake me up before Maes comes home?"

"Alright, but why may I ask?" Gracia asked, wondering what Riza would want with her husband.

"I need to talk to him, because he calls Roy all the time," she answered, moving back into the bed and closing her eyes, "I want him to tell Roy that I'm okay." Gracia nodded to the blonde before exiting the room, going to care to other tasks.

Meanwhile with Roy…

Roy's POV…

I sat there at my desk and stared at the papers, the papers Riza left on my desk after her request to leave for seven months on personal time. It is not known for her to be gone so long, unless there was something she was not telling me. I slammed my fist down on the desk, not worrying about people seeing me, because Hayate was the only one in the office.

Was it something I said? Did I not please her enough? Did she go through a mental breakdown? I looked at Hayate's, whose eyes were looking right at mine, "What happened Hayate?" Hayate only barked in reply and I was so angry. My eyes couldn't focus on the paper, but then again, I had a feeling I wouldn't get this paperwork finished today. So, I gave up and walked away from my desk, beginning to pack up.

With Riza…

Riza stretched and got up, she needed a shower. Gracia walked inside the room and smiled, as Elicia followed her around. The little girl walked up to Riza, "Aunt Riza! Are you going to stay here for awhile?"

Riza nodded to the young girl and patted her head, "Yes, I'm going to be staying here."

Elicia let out a yelp in reply and then ran outside the room. Gracia smiled and handed Riza her towels, "Go relax; you'll enjoy the hot bath."

Riza thanked her and went inside to the tub. It was already full, but what Riza really wanted was a shower, but she didn't want to waste the hot bath water. Placing her feet in the tub, she slowly began to sink into the tub. So she took the bubble bath bottle and poured it into the bath. Putting her head under for a second and then coming back up she let out a deep breath and allowed silent tears to fall down her face.

She knew Roy was looking for her, she knew so well that he would. The difference is that she couldn't understand why she felt she couldn't do that. Then, yet again she did know, she knew that if they were caught, then Mustang's dream would be ruined, and she couldn't have that. Closing her eyes she remembered the nights they used to dare together. To her, being pregnant was the punishment she had to take, her equivalent exchange to doing what was forbidden.

Riza could feel the ghost fingers on her body, as if Roy was there with her. Closing her eyes, she could see his face, and she wanted to just hug him and tell him everything. Yet, when she opened her eyes, she didn't see him, and wished for the warmth she felt just two minutes ago.

Riza then just hurried up and got out of the tub immediately. When she was fully clothed and dried, Riza walked out to find Maes sitting on her bed, in her bedroom, waiting for her. "So you're the one to come late last night."

Riza nodded and sat down next to him, "Yes, and Maes, I wish you to keep this quiet. Please, I don't want Roy to know that it's our kid."

Maes smirked, "So it seems Roy was busy…"

Riza blushed but tugged on his sleeve, "Please Maes?"

Mae's eyes softened, "Of course I won't tell, it would ruin Roy's chances of becoming Fuhrer anyway. Just please, be calm and stay healthy."

Riza nodded to Maes, "I will, and Maes?" Maes gave her a nod, and she went on, "Thank-you."

Maes brought her into a hug; it felt like this was his daughter, Riza. She was the most feared lieutenant in the office, but she was sweeter than what most people below her think. Roy somehow was able to see it, and he was determined on helping her best he could. "You know, you might want to give Roy a call. I can give you a ride to a far off telephone booth, and then it'll be impossible to trace."

Riza squirmed slightly, "Maes, Roy will demand I come back. I've been gone for so long…"

Maes nodded, "I understand, I'll call him and tell him I got a message from him, saying that I received a letter from you. He'll be okay; you're going to be okay."

Riza nodded and Maes stood up and stretched, "Come on, why don't you get some fresh air? My house is remote enough."

Riza sighed, "Maes…what if someone saw me?"

"Nonsense, come on." Maes grabbed her by the hand so she was standing and then picked her up and carried her bridal style outside. Riza kicked and screamed but them Maes placed her on a small patio chair and took a deep breath, "That's better."

Riza felt a breeze run by her and she suddenly felt relieved, "Thank-you Maes. After Winry told me that Ed and Al were heading back, I knew I had to leave. Roy told them, most likely, that when they travel to keep an eye out for me. I was able to get away with some time there, but later I needed a place to go. I called Rose first, but she couldn't, and then I decided to come here."

Maes placed a strong yet gentle hand on her shoulder, "Anyone who is Roy's friend is allowed here in their time of need."

Riza nodded and looked far out in the direction of her office. She sighed and then stood up, "I want to just rest for now. I'm going back inside…" When she stood to get up, she walked inside and collided with Elysia. Elysia smiled at her and then ran outside, while Riza made her way to the kitchen, to see Gracia making dinner.

Sitting down she looked up at Gracia, "This will be on hell of a month."

Gracia smiled, "Hey, we'll help you, you're not alone Riza."

"No, no, you're right, I'm not alone…"

1 month later…

Riza smiled when she stood outside, she was no longer afraid to give birth. Maes told Roy she was safe, that he received word that she was almost ready to come home. Roy's called a couple times here, but Riza was asleep and never knew what they were talking about. Maes walked outside, to tell her dinner was ready, but then she felt a twinge in her stomach and wetness.

Crying out she fell back, and Maes caught her. "Gracia, dinner's going to be late! Riza's ready to have the baby!"

Picking her up and placing her on the couch, Riza kept crying out when pain surged through her body. Gracia instantly ushered Elysia into her room, and then sent Maes to get the doctor. Placing a wet wash cloth on her head, Gracia kneeled down and tried to calm her.

Later…

Riza let out a sigh of relief as she heard the doctor pronounce the birth of a healthy girl. The girl was cleaned and then placed in her arms, and she looked at the small girl in her arms. Her eyes were half-open but they seemed to blaze golden, and the hair was black. Stroking her hair she smiled and kissed the small cheek. Gracia sent Maes and the doctor out and kneeled down next to Riza, "Still planning to leave her with Roy?"

Riza looked over at her, "Yes, I still do. Gracia, is it okay if I stay here for two more weeks?"

Gracia smiled, "Stay as long as you want."

Riza looked back at the baby, "I think I'll name her Rachel…The first letter R for both of us…" Gracia noticed Riza's eyes getting heavy so she took the baby out of her arms and left her to sleep.

2 weeks later…

Riza was about to leave when Elysia stopped her, "You're going to come back to visit right?"

Riza kneeled down, "Yes Elysia, I'll be back sometime to see you guys."

Gracia smiled and called Elysia back in as Maes put a hand on Riza's hand and steered her towards the station. They walked in silence, until Rachel started crying. Riza rocked her, trying to calm her. Maes finally asked her the question that's been on his mind forever, "So what are you going to do with Rachel? You're going back to work and all…"

Riza sighed, "I'm going to leave her with Roy, I've had her long enough…"

"How do you plan on doing that? You could just leave her here with us," Maes suggested.

Riza shook her head and rocked the baby, "Roy needs to know her, but I don't want him to know where she came from. He might look for the mother, but he'll never find me, because I'm right there in front of him."

Maes nodded and shifted the bags in his hands, "Alright, we're near the train station. Wait here and let me go get the tickets handled."

Riza nodded and sat down on one of the suitcases Maes left with her. Rachel was calm now, and looked at her questioningly with her golden eyes. Riza smiled at her daughter, "You look just like the both of us. You better be good for daddy, he's going to be so rough until he learns to soften up to you."

Maes came back and picked up the suitcases and they boarded the train together. Riza sighed, "Does anyone know you're coming?"

"Me? Nah, I decided to drop by to see and annoy Roy," Maes laughed, "And besides, he doesn't know how to care for children yet."

Riza sighed, "I know, I know…" She rocked Rachel gently, "At least I know she won't be far away, I can see her at times…"

Maes nodded and then took Rachel from Riza, "It's nearly night, but we'll be there in about three hours tops. Get some rest, because I know you'll want to get home and drop Rachel off with her father first thing." Riza nodded and fell asleep, leaning on Maes shoulder for support and whispered a soft thank-you to him.

Later…

Riza took Rachel from Maes and placed her in the small basket for her. It was a cold night so she wrapped her loosely in a pink blanket. They started out towards Roy's apartment to drop Rachel off. Getting there, she gently placed the small basket at the doorstep and knocked loudly. Hearing his grumbling and footsteps, she slid to a corner and watched as Roy open the door and step out. He stared at the basket before picking the small baby out of it.

Riza watched as he inspected everything, before asking out loud, "Whose child is this?" Riza moved out of the way, and when she heard the door shut, she looked out to see Rachel gone. Maes stood next to her and smiled, "It'll be okay. Come on, I'll stay at your apartment tonight and go with you tomorrow to work."

Riza thanked him but before she could move, Maes picked her up and carried her the whole way. Riza ended up crying some of the way there, and Maes just rocked her and when they got to her apartment he laid her down and she instantly fell asleep. Maes decided then, to go and sleep on the couch.

TBC…