• The quiet pattering of booted feet was all that could be heard as several pairs of eyes watched the young man pace about in front of them as he brooded in the silent nervousness he felt. The atmosphere within the waiting room was tense as they waited patiently for any sign of what could be happening beyond the door where the man's wife lied.

    "Keep that up and you'll dig a hole through the floor, sir." the cheery voice of Lt. Col. Jean Havoc said casually, trying to ease the tenseness.
    Roy stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Havoc, looking as though he hadn't heard him.
    "Huh?" he questioned

    Havoc just shook his head in reply and Mustang continued pacing. The Lt. Col. gave an audible sigh and looked to Breda as if asking him to add something to get the Fuhrer to calm down. Breda gave a small shrug in reply and then looked to Falman. Falman looked to Fuery who in turn looked to Sciezka who looked to Ross and Brosh, who then looked over to Armstrong only to see that the man had tears of joy streaming down his face in a seemingly endless torrent.

    "It's all just so beautiful!" Armstrong exclaimed in a triumphant voice grabbing everyone's attention, including the Fuhrer's, "The intensity- the passion- the very essence of true love! All coming down to the blessed birth of new life!" he announced striking one of his well known poses, quickly becoming bathed in a holy golden light while pink sparkles twinkled and winked about him.
    "Well at least he kept his shirt on this time..." Falman muttered.

    Roy looked rather annoyed but didn't say anything as he faced a wall, while the others tried to find something else to take their attention. As the room began to settle down again, a muffled cry was sounded, making everyone jump. They all turned to face the door that led to Riza's hospital bed a surprised, worried expression plastered on their faces. Again another muffled cry and everyone was on their feet. If possible Roy had grown a whole shade paler as he stood rigidly. This was it, the moment where he would officially be entered into the domain of 'fatherhood' and right now he was beginning to doubt if he was good enough to claim the title of being a father.

    A small dreamy sigh escaped the lips of Sciezka as she became lost in the thoughts of having a family of her own, grabbing the attention of the room. "It would be so nice to have a kid. Maybe one day I'll start a family of my own." she said, her eyes twinkled with delight at the thought.

    Kain glanced over to her longingly. He had taken a liking for her but he had never been able to make any definite plans on pursuing his wish to be by her side at all times. Sciezka looked over to Fuery, wondering what he was staring at her for but he quickly turned his head around as his blush deepened.

    "It would be..." Ross chimed in, matching Sciezka's tone, "It would be wonderful to be a mother."

    At that moment, Denny was taking a drink from a Styrofoam cup of coffee and as he listened to Maria, he nearly choked on it. Maria turned her head to shoot him a concerned quizzical look as he gave a nervous chuckle. She was about to open her mouth to say something, but another estranged groan came from the room catching everyone off guard again. Roy was still standing rigidly as he continued to focus his gaze on a wall but his attention was grasped when he started hearing a small clicking sound. He turned his head in time to see Havoc successfully light his cigarette. Breda stared at him incredulously and was about to make a complaint but was immediately cut off by Mustang.

    "What the Hell do you think you're doing?!" Roy barked as he snatched the cancer stick out of Havoc's mouth just before Jean could even take a drag. "This is a hospital you moron!"
    "Sorry, sir, but you're just making me nervous." Havoc answered taking a step back from the Fuhrer. Breda flashed him a small mocking grin and Jean just scoffed.

    Roy rolled his eyes and turned away from two officers, the cig still in hand. He fidgeted and then took a quick drag before crushing it underneath his boot. Havoc and the others all stared at him in quiet astonishment.

    "I need a drink..." Roy muttered quietly and turned to leave but the door suddenly opened to allow a doctor out of Riza's room. Roy stared at him blankly as he waited for some news.
    "Congratulations, Fuhrer Mustang." The doctor said with a broad, warm smile, "You are now the proud father of two healthy baby twins."
    Roy blanched while the others gave a gasp of pleasant surprise. "...Twins...?" he said after a moment.
    "A girl and a boy." The doctor said with nod, "You should go in and see them."

    Before Roy could say another word, the others had already filed past the doctor and into the room to see the newborns and Roy slowly made his way in after them. Dark-grey eyes immediately locked with a set of tired crimson ones before drifting around the room. The others had all gathered around the walls of the room, making it a bit cramped but no one seemed to have minded. Roy continued to stand in the doorway before he felt a hand tugging on his own and he looked down to see the sweetly smiling face of 5-year-old Elicia Hughes. He allowed her to pull him to the middle of the room before she returned to her mother's side. She and Gracia had been present the entire time of Riza's labor and Roy was thankful for their help.

    "What are you standing there for?" Riza asked. Her voice was tired while her face shone with a weak, contented smile on her lips as she watched her husband curiously. Roy took a hesitant step closer to the bedside and Riza shook her head gently, though still smiling serenely. "What are you afraid of? Come see them." she encouraged and Roy finally made it to her bedside.

    He sat down next to her as he finally allowed his eyes to drift down to the two softly murmuring bundles resting by her. For the first time for that entire night, Roy smiled. His entire being just became drenched in waves of his warmest emotions for these two children- his children. He was finally beginning to understand how great the privilege was to be called a father.

    As Roy placed a gentle hand on the heads of his two children, Riza made an attempt to sit up. She lifted the girl and held her out to Roy who looked a bit lost. He wasn't at all sure as to how he should hold her but Riza guided him and soon enough he was cradling the little girl in his arms.

    "That's so cute." Sciezka squealed as she and Ross moved over for a closer look at the small child.
    "Now, don't crowd him now." Havoc chided lightly with a laugh.
    "THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL!" Armstrong's voice boomed suddenly as the intensity of his tears increased. The subordinate officers all sweat-dropped and Roy gave a chuckle as he beamed with pride.
    "So, what are the tykes' names gonna be?" Havoc asked.
    "Well...since we have twins we both get to have our wishes fulfilled." Roy answered looking over to Riza, the smile never leaving his face, "This is going to be our little Miya." He said handing her back to Riza in exchange for the boy. A certain air of solace shone in his eyes as he gazed down upon him.
    "And what about him?" Havoc spoke again after a few moments had passed.
    Roy lifted his head to look at Riza and she gave a small nod, leaving the others wondering what this meant. Roy stood up and walked over to Gracia who looked up to him with curious eyes.
    "Gracia..." he began and hesitated before continuing.
    "Yes...?" she responded, still unsure of what he was doing.
    "Riza and I were wondering- that is if it's alright with you...We would like to name him Maes..."
    Gracia's eyes wavered slightly at hearing her husband's name. Elicia lowered her gaze to the floor as she too began to drift off in her memories of her father.
    "Yes...Please do." Gracia said after a time, "I'm sure he would have been proud to have heard that." she said and gave a sad serene smile.
    Roy then turned his attention to the youngest of the Hughes family and knelt down before her.
    "And Elicia? Would it be alright with you?"
    Elicia lifted her head as she rubbed a single tear from her face and gave a nod. Roy gave his niece a warm gentle smile and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
    "Thank you, both of you." He said and stood up again to return to Riza's side. "And thank you" he whispered before giving his wife a loving kiss.
    "Miya and Maes..." she said softly as she looked down at the two of them.

    "Welcome to the world."