23 Joy & Sorrow (Part 6 - Child)

[Present day]

Riza left straight for the Fuehrer's office with the paperwork as soon as Roy completed them. After getting the permission, she went inside the Fuehrer's chamber, where Fuehrer Grumman was eagerly waiting for her. Grumman was alone in the chamber, sitting on his chair. He was smiling when Riza entered inside. Riza ignored his expression, considering he was her grandfather and walked straight toward his desk. She then put the completed paperwork which she brought with her on his desk and saluted him.

"These are the state alchemists reallocation and state alchemists training program documents, Sir. General Mustang has initiated the programs, and he needs your permission to start it as soon as possible. We have already invited Alphonse Elric to give basic alchemy lessons to the state alchemist exam's aspirants in the military," Riza explained.

"Yes, after Scar's actions, the military is lacking some alchemist strength. But, what's done is done and we need to start again. I will sign these papers, and send it to General Mustang's office by this evening," Grumman assured.

"Thank you, Sir," Riza saluted and turned around to leave. However, she was called by the Fuehrer before she could take a single step, and that also not by her rank, but by her first name, "Riza".

Riza understood some personal question was incoming from her grandfather's mouth, but she was not in the position to dodge it, because Grumman was not only her grandfather but the Fuehrer of Amestris. So, she turned around to face him again, and she saw the same starry and excited look on his face that she saw on Roy's face when Roy asked her the personal question and got scolded some time ago.

"Have you told my grandson that his great grandpa is the Fuehrer?" Grumman asked excitedly and then waited for Riza's response with bared teeth.

Riza looked at her grandfather and sighed. "No"

The big smile on Grumman's face disappeared instantly. "I told you as well as Mustang that the fraternization law is not a problem," Grumman said.

"I am not concerned about the law. I just want to tell Oli the truth first, then I will marry Roy…I am going to tell Oli everything this evening. I hope he will understand," Riza chuckled.

Slowly the big grin on Grumman's face appeared again. "If you are planning to have a dinner after that, then let me know. I will gladly join you. However, if you want, I can also arrange dinner at my house," Grumman said excitedly.

"I will let you know. And please don't tell Roy that I told you, I will marry him. He will not pay attention to his work anymore," Riza smiled.

"Sure," Grumman assured with a smile.

Riza then left the Fuehrer's office and went straight to her office. When she entered the office, she saw none of her teammates were present there. She went inside Roy's chamber and found that, even that place was vacant. She enquired some other officers and soldiers to find the reason, and finally, she got to know that his whole team had gone to a crime scene.

Riza couldn't believe that the whole team went to a crime scene, leaving their job. She thought it to be an excuse to procrastinate their work, because of which she got angry. She went to the car parking, and took a car from there, then drove straight to the crime scene where everyone had gone.

After some time Riza reached the alley, outside which her teammates were standing, except Roy. There was no other soldier present there because Roy's team had sent off everyone. Falman, Breda, and Fuery were standing in a group and were discussing something, while Havoc was smoking his cigarette. But, there was something common among all of them, that they seemed to be mourning. Riza got very anxious to find out about the person who was murdered in that alley.

She parked the car a little before the entrance of that alley. Her teammates had also noticed her arrival, but they were already expecting her. All of Riza's anger had vanished, now there was only curiosity. She got out of the car and walked toward Havoc.

"Hey Hawkeye," Havoc greeted her with a worried face while she was coming.

Riza came closer and said, "When I found out all of you came here, I came as fast as possible. What happened? Why all of you left the office all of a sudden?"

"Something really terrible has happened," he took a sip from his cigarette and exhaled the smoke, "I think only you can help the Chief at a moment like this."

Riza's heart started beating fast, and she gulped. "What happened?" She stuttered.

"He is sitting in front of the dead body from last 30 minutes. We tried to speak to him, but he is not replying. Man… no child should suffer that fate," He took a sip from his cigarette and smoked out.

Riza went numb when she heard the word "child". Her mind started connecting the dots, the only question her brain was raising was "Roy is grieving before a child's body. Who is that child?" And she always came up with a single answer, "Oliver". But still, she was trying to convince that it couldn't be true.

At that moment, all noises from outside were inaudible to her. She was in a constant anxiety to know the truth. So, she slowly walked into the alley and saw a dead body at some distance, before which Roy was sitting like a statue. She could see that Roy was in agony because of which her heart started beating very fast. She gulped and took a step forward to know the truth, but she could feel her body was shivering. It was as if her body was telling her not to go there, however, her mind was anxious to know the truth.

She took small steps toward the dead body while shivering and on half-way, she could see the face of the dead boy. As soon as she saw the boy's face, she froze for a moment. Her eyes started watering and her chin started trembling. She felt hollow from inside, and her legs automatically took her closer to her son's corpse. She fell on her knees once she was near the body, and started crying out loud.

She held her son's burnt body and hugged him tightly, and started crying over him. She didn't care about the people who were watching her. When Roy heard her cries, he looked toward her, but he knew he couldn't do anything at that time. He stood up and walked outside the alley, leaving her alone with her dead son, screaming and shedding her tears over her dead child. The baby which brought a ray of joy into his mother's life 9 years ago in that broken hospital, had now left the world, leaving his mother in utter sorrow.