Chapter Six: With Arms Wide Open (Creed)

A/N: We'll go with this being a couple years (five, maybe ten) after CoS, because I'm pretty sure that both of them survive. Heck, just because I can, I'll even say that they got married!

Roy had noticed that something was very off about Riza ever since he arrived home that evening. She had been a little clumsy with the dishes. Dinner had tasted fine, but it lacked the usual… something that she put into it. He didn't know what. She wouldn't even have a sip of wine, and this was no regular table wine. This was the wine that they'd had at their wedding, a bottle that Roy had hidden away to give to her for their anniversary! Riza, though not a heavy drinker, did very much appreciate it, and had been having half a glass or so for a week straight.

They talked while she did the dishes, and, as he dried them, he noticed that she had left a few spots on them. She had even accidentally dropped a few back in the soapy water. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that her hands were shaking.

They were sitting in their living room later that night when Riza sighed. "Roy…"

He looked up from the book he had been reading, even putting it down. "Hm?"

Riza looked at him. "Roy, I…" she gulped and tried again. "I'm… pregnant."

Roy froze for a moment. Then, he got up, went over to Riza, and pulled her into a gentle hug. "Riza… this is wonderful."

He let her back to an arm's length. "I noticed that there was something different about you."

Riza bit her lip, then started, "I don't think this is… right. I mean, I want more than anything to have this child, I really do. It's just… I don't feel like I deserve it. I don't know if I'm ready. I've never been the nurturing type. I-"

Roy silenced her by pulling her into a hug again. He gently rubbed her back. "You, Riza, of all people, are the last person who could say that you're not ready. You deserve this, and you are nurturing, even if you don't see it in yourself. You took care of Edward and Alphonse much the way their mother did- I could see it. You were always there to listen to me, too, and, even when you were angry with anyone, you always understood, and you still do."

Silent tears streamed down Riza's face. "I've never been so confused. This changes everything. I don't know if I can handle this."

Roy looked her straight in the eye. "You're not going it alone, Riza. I'll be there, no matter what. Even if this kid doesn't believe in you sometimes, and even if you don't believe in yourself, I'll always believe in you. You've got the support of everyone you know. All it takes is to say, 'Please help me; I don't know what to do.' Someone will come and help."

Riza nodded and, as a new wave of tears came on, she admitted. "I don't know what to do at all. I've rarely been around babies, except for Elysia and a few others. I don't remember half the things I need to know about babies. And I'm scared. What if something happens to this baby? What if something happens to me?"

"It'll all be fine, Riza. As long as you're with those you love, no matter what seems to happen, everything will eventually turn out just fine." He didn't add that she was being illogical and worrying pointlessly. What was the point of telling her that? Anyway, he was sure that she knew it deep down. "Whatever happens, Riza, every step of the way, whether it's going to the hospital for a checkup or going to the store in the middle of the night to get whatever it is you'll be craving in five months, even if it means I miss a day or two of work, I'll do everything in my power to make sure that you and this child are happy and healthy." He tilted her chin up. "Do you believe me?"

She nodded, looking down. "I do." It came out as a small whisper. Forcing herself to meet his eyes, even though she was still crying, she said it again, louder this time. "I believe you."

It was Roy's turn to nod, and Riza could see that his eyes were shining, too. Somehow, she decided that really made everything okay.

NINE MONTHS LATER

"I come to the hospital to help you deliver a baby and I come out with two broken fingers." Roy smiled, using his good hand to brush several stray strands of hair back from Riza's face. "I think it makes me manlier than all those other scars put together. What do you think?"

"I think that Kai and I need our rest," Riza mumbled, eyes already closed. "Sorry about your fingers."

Roy shook his head, that silly grin still in place as it had been for hours. "She goes through eight hours of labor and intense pain, and she apologizes for something that didn't hurt nearly as much or nearly as long. You really are amazing, Riza."

"Thanks. Take Kai, please."

"Hang on." Roy took out a camera and snapped a quick photo. Riza groaned softly, but good-naturedly. "You don't want to remember this?"

"Roy. Take Kai. Now."

Chuckling, Roy took his daughter. "Wow. You're so little." He cradled her in one arm and took another picture, the sound causing the newborn to fuss a little. "Sorry," he whispered, placing the lightest of kisses on her forehead. "I promised myself I wouldn't be like Maes, but when you have a kid, all bets are off. I'm really quite taken with you," he informed his daughter. "Just don't tell any of the guys that, okay?"

"She can't understand you," Riza murmured, half-asleep already.

"Nonsense. Everyone understands love. It doesn't need words. They do help sometimes, though." Roy grabbed Riza's hand. "You did something I could never do on my own, Riza. You brought life into this world. That's love through and through. You didn't need words to do it, and I think the doctor was more impressed how you handled all this than he was with my vocabulary when you broke my fingers."

Riza smiled. "Thank you?"

"It was a compliment, rest assured. Now rest assuredly, okay?"

But Riza was already asleep, the traces of her beautiful smile still on her face.

He looked at Kai, and noticed that the corners of her mouth had just happened to twitch up involuntarily. He was falling head-over-heels all over again.

And how wonderful it was to be able to do so.

A/N: Lots of emotion in this one. It was really crazy writing this because I've never gone through this experience before. In fact, I just kind of randomly happened upon some old parenting class stuff in my family's garage, and there were things in it like making sure that the woman doesn't feel like she's alone in the world through this, even though the man isn't going through the same thing at all.

And yes, Roy probably initially had the same doubts as Riza, but he had to suppress those because Riza took priority the moment she told him. From what I have heard, pregnancy and negative emotions don't mix. Period.

Reviews are much loved, and I'll try to reply to them all (more than just a quick "thank you") when I have the time. School is draining!