Author's Note: Well here it is the last day of July and almost midnight. I had told some people I wanted to finish it by the end of July and it looks like I'm just going to make it! Please take the time to leave a review. I am interested in hearing what people think of the ending. Feedback is always good either way. Please leave lots of reviews so I can have new inspiration for my future writing (most likely this fall).
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Left Behind: Chapter 4
Epilogue
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One year has passed since the return of Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist. The now Brigadier General sat at his desk idly fingering the document he was reading. Paperwork was still one of his least favorite things in the world.
He stopped to survey the office, his eyes tired of all those jumbled letters on every page. The scene had not changed since the last time he had looked up. Havoc leaned back in his chair, a vacant look on his face. An unlit cigarette hanging from his lips. Furey's desk was still empty. He had gone out to fix the telephone at the receptionist's desk and had yet to return.
Falman had gone to the reference library to pick up some research documents. Like Furey he also had yet to return. The next desk over on the other hand was where Breda sat diligently filling out pages of the report he was working on.
Upon glancing at Hawkeye's desk Roy took in the sight of the woman with short black hair bent over her paperwork. It was no longer Riza's form that graced that place in the office with her presence. In her stead was another woman. Lieutenant Maria Ross. She had been transferred to this office shortly after Roy's return.
The office always felt empty to Roy without the presence of his lovely blonde subordinate. He missed her stern attitude when it came to paperwork and the occasional smile she would give him that brightened his day.
For these reasons and more, he always looked forward to the end of the day. More than he ever had before, he wanted each day to end so he could once again see that lovely smile. He would go home and embrace her slender form and inhale the wonderful scent of her golden hair. It was a different kind of life for both of them. But it was one that they were both enjoying to its fullest.
Upon his return there was still a lot of healing to be done. Not just for himself but for Riza too. Roy finally came to except that no matter what happened Riza would always wait for him and therefore he was only causing her to suffer by distancing himself.
Four months later they were married in the presence of their military family and friends. Although Maes Hughes was no longer with them they could feel his presence that day. That goofy grin could be felt by every person in the room as Elysia threw flower petals before Riza's feet.
It was Riza's grandfather that gave away the lovely bride. The kindly old general was all too happy to give his granddaughter away to her handsome beau. He had always had a liking for Roy and couldn't think of a better man for his dear little Riza-chan.
With this new life in front of her Riza decided to resign from the military. She left Lieutenant Ross to keep Roy in line, she had confidence she could handle the job. And handle the job she did. She was a stern but compassionate woman, like Hawkeye herself. She kept the boys on their toes but everyone liked her very much.
Roy sighed as his thoughts of Riza led him father away from his work.
"Is something wrong, sir?" Lieutenant Ross questioned as she looked up from Riza's old desk.
"No, nothing in particular Lieutenant. Just whishing I was home right now." Roy couldn't help but sound a little depressed.
"That's understandable sir. Please try to bear with it a little longer. We're half way there. It's lunch time." Lieutenant Ross went back to her paperwork.
Roy reached into his pocket and pulled out his State Alchemist's watch. Flipping open the lid he looked at the location of the hands. "So it is." Roy remarked out loud as he noticed the time read 12:05.
As if on cue the office door opened and in stepped a slightly heavy blonde woman in a light blue summer dress that fell just below the knees. In her hand she carried a brown lunch bag. At her heels followed a black and white dog with his head held proud.
"Well, well if it isn't Mrs. Mustang." Havoc spoke, now upright in his chair with his trademark grin on his face.
"How is everyone today?" Riza beamed as she made her way to her husband's desk.
"It was a little dull around here, until you showed up." Roy didn't do much to hide the smug look on his face as he looked his lovely plump wife up and down.
"Well, I'm glad I can still be of use around the office." She smiled warmly. "Sir." She couldn't help but add for old time's sake. She then deposited the lunch bag on Roy's desk and gave him a wink.
"How are you feeling Riza?" Lieutenant Ross looked up from her desk. The place where Riza had sat for so many years.
"I'm feeling pretty good lately. Now that I am finally over the morning sickness bit." Her face twisted a little bit in thought and she made a frown. "Morning sickness, HA! More like all-the-time sickness."
"So are you finally able to eat?" Ross ventured to ask.
"Oh yes, and it's a very good feeling. I actually lost 10 pounds in the first 3 months! But now I am gaining quite well as you can see." She made a motion across her swollen tummy that protruded out under her lovely dress.
With only 2 months to go Riza couldn't wait to get this whole experience over. Although it brought her great joy that she was having a child with the love of her life it hadn't been all that pleasant an experience.
She was often in pain and very uncomfortable. The first 5 months she was so sick she could hardly eat. At least that part was over and she was doing well on that aspect these days. But what she hated most was not being able to do everything for herself.
She was told not to lift anything heavy or do anything too strenuous. The doctor warned her to be extra careful because of her age. Although she still considered herself to be young it was preferred that women do their child baring before the age of 30. She was now 29, and was pushing the ideal.
She was at a loss and didn't know what to do with herself. She wasn't the type to rely on others for everyday tasks. To give herself a feeling of usefulness she took up some mundane housewife duties. Most days she would deliver Roy's handmade lunch to the office. She often practiced cooking and experimenting in the kitchen.
Glacier had taught her how to knit and she had made a scarf for Roy as well as some clothes and a blanket for the baby. There was the occasional paperwork that Roy brought home for her to work on.
The rest of the time she spent reading her books and taking Black Hayate for walks to the park or to visit their friends at Central Headquarters. Life was quite different than it had been. At first she thought she might go stir crazy. But after getting used to her new life she found it relaxing and quite enjoyable.
She never imagined she would live this kind of life. A life other than the one she had in the military severing under Roy seemed so out of reach in the past. Now, all the events that had come to pass started to feel like a hazy dream. Even the nightmares of Ishbal didn't seem to reach her any more.
Riza's heart fluttered as she looked proudly at her husband as he placed a second chair at the side of his desk. She sat down and joined him for lunch in the office. She couldn't imagine life getting any better than this.
Fin
Author's Note: Done! Finally! It's been a long road and I thank each and every one of you that has been there to travel down it with me. For everyone that reviewed I thank you for your time, suggestions, and encouragement. I hope that the ending was satisfying for you. I gave it a lot of thought and decided this had a really good feel to it. Maybe it's almost too picture perfect, but hey, it's fan fic! It's what WE want, to hell with the anime studio that screwed up the story in the first place.
And now this leaves me with Memories of the past to complete. I hope to see you all reviewing that one next. Take care and have a wonderful summer!