Author's Notes: (1) I don't own FMA! I haven't said that earlier, but really. I don't. That hasn't changed. (2) Someone asked in a review where this fic was set, time-wise. Ideally, it would be early manga-verse, however that really doesn't work. In the end, I suppose it's somewhat AU just becuase it couldn't possibly fit into the timeframe that Arakawa gives us. I wanted the characters at the places I wanted, so I tweaked manga timing so I could have what I wanted. Yes, childish, but it makes for such a better fic. Thanks for your reviews, guys!!
This is definately a short chapter--two scenes. Bear with me, I'll get another chapter up in a day or so. I'm running out, we're starting to catch up to what I've written!!
After the very physical encounter that night, Riza no longer seemed unsure of allowing or accepting Roy's help. Furthermore, she even found herself relying upon the concern and comfort he was so prepared to offer. This was why she did not hesitate to ask him to please attend the meeting with an adoption counselor one rainy afternoon.
The counselor was a heavyset middle-aged woman, tired creases in her face and genuine interest in her eyes. Patricia—Patty, she asked to be called—wanted to help.
The afternoon of the appointment was accompanied by pages of files that the office needed Riza to fill out. Questions pertaining to the expected due-date and the length of time she knew she was pregnant were easy. Questions asking why she wanted to put the child up for adoption were a bit more complicated.
"Good afternoon, Miss Hawkeye—I'm presuming that this gentleman here is Mister Mustang?"
The two nodded.
"Very well. Now I've reviewed your files and I read that you want some involvement in the child's life?"
Riza's hands tightened into fists. "I know it's odd, but I feel a responsibility to the child and I know I have no reason to want involvement in the life of a child I've chosen to abandon but—"
"Adoption is very different from abandoning your child, Miss Hawkeye. Don't you allow yourself to think like that!" Riza visibly sank into her chair just slightly, nodding. "And quite a few parents want to maintain involvement in the life of their biological children. It's quite reasonable; even natural. Furthermore, many adoptive parents appreciate the connection—some of the families even grow close." Patty looked over the folders on her desk, blue eyes narrowing slightly as she thought. "I know of a few couples who are looking to adopt, a handful of which agree to an open adoption where you can keep in touch with the child. If you would like I can initiate correspondence with them, that way you are capable of making an informed decision."
Riza looked to Roy, clearly thinking. Her hands were still folded tightly in her lap. To Roy, it was obvious that she was uncomfortable; the front of complete composure did not deceive him—her brows were furrowed just slightly, gaze pointedly focused on the corner of the desk. "I will decide who will take the child in?" The blonde paused, hesitating. "I didn't realize that was a decision I made."
Patty tilted her head slightly, very much resembling Black Hayate when he was confused. "Oh. I always like to give the parents the option. On occasion, people don't want to shoulder that burden. Other times, the parents want to be very much involved. Since you made a mention that you wanted to keep in touch with the family I assumed that—"
"That's all right." Roy quickly eased his hand atop Riza's, still recognizing the signs of uncertainty on her features however muddled and muted they might be. "I do want to take part in making that final decision. If…you might initiate contact with those potential parents I would greatly appreciate it."
Roy was surprised when the telephone rang at such an odd hour that evening, as he was doing the dishes after dinner. It was already dark, and Riza wasn't feeling well and though she had insisted upon helping clean up Roy sent her off to her room to rest. In retrospect, it seemed surprisingly comfortable, sending Riza off to her room in his apartment. He shook the thought from his mind as he answered the telephone.
"Colonel Mustang—who's calling?" After years in military service he was well aware that he would get odd-hour telephone calls from a superior officer about some emergency which required his immediate attention. 'Hey, what's up?' no longer sufficed.
"Oh," it was a woman on the other side of the line, and she hesitated. "I think I may have the wrong telephone number. I was looking for Miss Hawkeye."
He awkwardly glanced around the kitchen. "May I ask who is calling and why you are looking for her?"
The woman coughed. "I was under the impression that the matter I was calling Miss Hawkeye for was personal. Have I reached the correct residence?" Roy could hear the impatience in her voice; the slight uncertainty as well.
"Yes. You have."
"Then I would like to speak to Miss Hawkeye unless she is currently unavailable," the woman snapped, voice frigid.
"She wasn't feeling well," Roy returned, eyes narrowing defensively. "I'll ask her but I doubt she'll be up for a conversation."
To his surprise, Riza was not only willing to answer to whomever was calling, but kindly requested that he wait in the other room so as not to overhear the conversation. It was almost an insult but when he saw the look on her face as she answered the call, he couldn't help but comply with her request. When she did finally come to find him—reading in the sitting room by then though he kept glancing up and down the hall, waiting for her—he jumped to attention. She was a bit blanched, hands stuffed deep into her pockets.
"Who was on the telephone?"
Riza hardly looked at him as she stepped to continue down the hall. "A woman interested in adopting my child."