Mia

There was no pain here. For that, Mia was grateful.

Would feel grateful, if her mind was able to form coherent thought.

There was something nudging at her to wake up, to abandon the darkness which was enveloping her completely. A warm touch on her hand, on her forehead. Two familiar voices which had comforted her for as long as she could remember. Who'd both been constants in her life. Voices which had told her stories to lull her to sleep at night. At least she knew they would keep her safe while she was here, in this place.

The blanket of darkness was holding her back. She wanted to run towards what she knew, who she longed to see once again… But she was so tired. And sore. Her leg had once throbbed in excruciating pain – it was a dull ache now. Which was nice. It was a breather.

Mia wasn't quite ready to face that pain again just yet.

So, she hung back in the dark. She could hear the voices. Not all the words, but she could hear enough. The encouragement for her to return to them. To wake up. She knew they'd look after her for now.

As her body relaxed to fall deeper into her slumber, a fleeting thought passed through her mind. If it were able to focus enough, she'd have been able to grasp it, and think it was odd that her parents were both by her side. She'd been on her own, had she not? How come they were here…?

But the thought had passed, and Mia relaxed into her sleep once more.


Roy

"Has… Has there been any further development?"

Riza shook her head. Her eyes had never strayed far from Mia's face since she'd awoke. Even now she reached forward to brush their daughter's unruly strands of hair off her forehead. As if she felt she needed to do something to help her.

Roy knew the feeling. He was currently holding Mia's hand in his, while Riza held the other. They were tethered to each other, that way.

"There's been no update since we spoke on the phone. They've taken her off most of the support machines." Riza swallowed and Roy watched as her entire face changed. "When – When I first arrived, she was hooked up to more." She glanced around her, eyes snagging on the one displaying Mia's heart rate, before quickly looking away.

Roy couldn't bring himself to look at it for too long either.

It showed her heart beating, that she was a survivor, but it hurt too much to dwell on it. On how she shouldn't be in this predicament in the first place.

"They had her…" Riza exhaled. "They had one which was helping her breathe." Her voice cracked. "There was a tube in her throat and –"

Roy stood and quickly rounded the bed to her side. Her shoulders were shaking as he pulled her against his chest.

"They said she doesn't need them anymore." Riza's voice was muffled against his chest. "But it's been difficult. I… I can't understand everything."

He pulled back and saw shame on Riza's face. Her eyes were downcast and the pain there was evident.

"It's okay." Roy cupped her cheek. He lifted her chin so her wet eyes would meet his. "Riza, you've done everything you could. My Xingese isn't great, but I'll ask someone for an update."

Riza nodded. "Mia's doctor has helped. I've spoken to him, but since its such a small hospital he can't be here all the time. Her nurses have been brilliant though, they've helped and offered so much. I want to thank them properly. Not using a phone with a robotic voice."

"I'll teach you." Roy let his thumb stroke her cheek. Riza melted and leaned into his touch before Roy pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'll help."

"Thank you, Roy."

They clung to one another – Riza in her chair, Roy kneeling awkwardly on his knees – in the quiet hospital room.


Riza

"Do you remember when she was six and fell out of that tree?"

Roy was leaning back in his chair, eyes on his daughter as he held her hand in his. He hadn't moved far from that position all day. Riza had offered him the bed, but he'd declined. He hadn't slept at all since arriving, and probably hadn't since before he left work. He must be so exhausted. But he remained at his daughter's side, holding her hand. Keeping her close.

"All she ended up with was a sprained wrist from when she tried to catch herself."

"She thought the fact she had a cast was so cool."

"Yeah," Roy chuckled, the sound trailed off as a far-off look appeared on his face.

Riza remembered it well. Roy had taken her to the park and Mia, the little adventurous thing, wanted to climb a tree. She wore Roy down so easily – of course, he'd let her do almost anything (within reason) to try and make up for missing so much of her life – and had scrambled up the tree. Roy had taken a photo of it and sent it to Riza.

She remembered the initial flash of panic that she was so high up, and so high on her own! She was only six! But she relented and told herself to calm down. Roy wouldn't let anything happen to her. He was a brilliant father and while they both got up to plenty of mischief together, it was never anything too drastic. So Riza text back a thumbs up emoji and a "wow, well done Mia!" and thought nothing else of it.

(Tried to think nothing else of it.)

She'd even shown the picture to her friends who she was out to lunch with, who praised Mia's bravery themselves, then the conversation naturally moved on.

Riza had just arrived home when she received the call from Roy. He sheepishly phoned to let her know they were at the hospital – Mia was fine! She'd fallen out the tree and sprained her wrist, but she was completely fine, and they would be on their way home soon.

The fear which had consumed her was… She'd sat on the couch for half an hour as she'd anxiously waited and as soon as she heard a car pull into the driveway she flew out the door. Mia's little face lit up when she saw Riza, but it quickly fell as she was bundled into Riza's arms. She must have seen the look on her mother's face. Apparently, she'd been so excited to show Mummy her cast – the doctor had let her pick out the colour she wanted all on her own, so her wrist and forearm were now wrapped in neon yellow gauze – but one look at Riza and the excitement quickly faded.

Riza had never felt fear like that moment. Now, the whole process paled in comparison to this past week.

She'd been angry at Roy. Angry at his carelessness, however once she'd calmed, Riza realised she'd lashed out unfairly. It wasn't his fault. Yes, he probably shouldn't have let Mia climb so high and maybe he couldn't keep his hands on her the whole time as she climbed down. Mia had always been prone to throwing herself around, the little daredevil, and once she set her mind to a task there was little chance of changing it.

It was an accident.

Riza had apologised for her anger. She'd never forget the wounded look on his face as she'd furiously whisper-shouted her reprimand. The guilt. He'd been trying his best. He'd just wanted Mia to have a fun day.

"You were so angry with me."

They'd been through this previously, over a decade ago, but Riza still couldn't help the shame from creeping up her throat. "I was scared."

Roy looked over at her, smiling softly. "I know." He trailed off, returning his gaze to Mia. "I know now why you acted the way you did."

He looked so tired.

"Why don't you sleep, Roy?"

He exhaled heavily. "It's just like it was back then. I don't want to leave her."

Again, guilt ate at Riza. She'd asked Roy to leave them in her fury. He'd opened his mouth to argue, but Riza had been near tears and had wanted her daughter to be home and safe, away from hospitals and anything which could hurt her. Unfairly, that meant her father. So wrought in her anger, she'd sent him away, forced them apart without thinking that yes, he would be worried sick about Mia as well. She was all smiles and wanted to show off the shiny new cast on her arm, but she was hurt. And Riza was clinging to anything that would keep her safe and out of harm's way.

"You won't be. You'll be right by her side." She paused, thinking of what the nurse had said to her too. "You need to look after yourself too. For her sake."

"I know." It was nothing more than a mumble.

"When she wakes, you don't want to be so tired you can't be with her, do you?"

That got through to him, and Roy knew it. He shot her a side-eyed scowl, but he knew he'd been beaten. There was no heat behind the look. "You're right."

"I'll be right here while you do."

Joints popped as he stretched his arms overhead and let out a yawn. He looked even more exhausted when he let his arms droop by his side. When he passed by her, Riza reached out for his hand, which Roy offered immediately. She gave it a squeeze and her eyes fluttered closed as he bent down to press a kiss against the top of her head.

He'd always been tactile and affectionate, however had backed off after they'd agreed to go their separate ways. His touches now were unexpected, but never unwelcome. Riza's heavy heart soared with every single one, lightening it from its burdens ever so slightly. He was here. With her. By her and Mia's side, just like she'd always wished he'd been.

Riza had never held his choices against him. They were young and uncertain when she'd fallen pregnant. It had been difficult to adjust to the change once he left on his assignment, to deal with the pregnancy while he was gone, and then live together after Mia was born without their previous closeness. Roy almost slipped up. She'd seen him reaching for her multiple times like he used to out the corner of her eye, but then he'd catch himself and retract his hand.

It hurt her more than she'd ever admit, and she certainly wouldn't tell him. She hadn't wanted him to regret his decisions or change his mind about choosing his work. And he didn't choose it over them. Or her. Neither had known what was occurring when he'd left to work.

But he'd always been there. Always been reliable and always stepped in and stepped up when he was back.

As steadfast as a rock in a storm. He was her rock. Always had been.

"Sleep well, Roy."

"Wake me if anything happens?" His look was pleading, a clear show of vulnerability.

"Of course I will."

It seemed that was what he needed to hear to allow himself to finally rest. Within minutes, he was asleep.

As Riza sat there in the quiet, she contemplated a lot. Her fear was still present. It would never leave until Mia's eye fluttered open, and she looked upon her daughter awake once more. With Roy here beside her, snoring quietly in the bed, she didn't feel alone anymore.

Settling back in her chair, Riza gripped Mia's hand tightly.

The nurse came in, all warm smiles in greeting and took out a phone. She quickly typed in what she wanted to say, and the robotic voice spoke to her.

"Hello, Mrs. Mustang. It's good to see your husband is finally resting."

Riza opened her mouth to automatically correct her, but…

She didn't know why she didn't.

"How are you today?" she asked. "I'm going to check and note Mia's vitals. You don't need to move today. I can do everything from this side of the bed."

"Yes, of course," Riza typed into her phone and watched as it replied for her in Xingese. "Thank you."

The nurse grinned at her and gave her a thumbs up.

"And you? How are you? Your husband?"

Her stomach fluttered at the title given to Roy.

"We're doing okay, thank you. I'm glad he's here."

She nodded, understanding her completely.

"You will both stay as long as she is here. I will speak to the doctor today and ask him to come to see you both."

Riza sighed in relief. "That would be brilliant. Thank you."

She grinned again and didn't say anything else, just noted Mia's vitals on her paperwork and popped it on the bottom of the bed, giving it a little tap once it was safely in place.

The nurse gave her an encouraging smile before she left.