Author's note: This is the first of twelve Christmas one-shots for your reading pleasure. I realize that technically there isn't a Christmas holiday in Amestris, but I couldn't help myself. This fic in particular has the titles of thirteen holiday songs hidden in it. Enjoy. I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or its characters.

Music of the Season

Riza was not ready to get out of bed. It was snowing outside, and as pretty as it was, she was not interested in tromping around in the winter wonderland. She and the colonel had agreed to run errands for Gracia today to help her get ready for the annual Hughes Christmas party, and that meant a day running from store to store, trying to find everything on a ridiculously long list. The only up side to it was she would get to spend the day with the colonel outside of the office.

Within a half hour, however, she was showered, dressed, and in the process of making breakfast. There were light flurries of snow outside but nothing that would cause problems with travel. She was supposed to meet the colonel at Gracia's shortly. Hayate would be left behind today. As much as she loved the puppy, she really didn't need him underfoot. Riza arrived on Gracia's front porch pinked cheeked and close to impersonating Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. She had never been that fond of the cold.

The door was opened by Mustang. "Hawkeye, punctual as ever. Come on in. Gracia has cinnamon rolls and coffee for us."

"Thank you, sir."

It wasn't long before she found herself sharing the kitchen table with Elysia while Roy and Gracia went over the shopping list. Elysia offered her a second cinnamon roll solemnly. She took with a smile. "Are you looking forward to the party, Elysia?"

The girl nodded then confided in a low tone. "Last year I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus at the party. And Mommy and Uncle Jean said something about an operation mistletoe and Ed-niisan."

Riza smiled. She would have to warn Winry about that. A hand closed around her shoulder.

"Ready to go, Hawkeye?"

"Yes, sir. Thank you for the cinnamon rolls, Gracia."

"No problem. Remember to give yourselves enough time to go home and change before the party, and wear something festiveWe need a little Christmas spirit around here."

She and the colonel headed out to the car. He handed her the keys and slid into the back seat.

"What's first on the list, sir?"

He sighed. "Decorations. Gracia suggested a couple shops, one called Miscellaneous and the other is Sorel's."

"I know where those are. It shouldn't take long to get there."

Before long, the two of them were hip deep wading through all sorts of decorations. Riza had a basket that already contained half a dozen packages of various things from tinsel to twinkle lights. She was sorting through various snowflake patterned items when the colonel dangled several strings of bells in front of her face.

"What do think, Hawkeye, the silver bells or the gold?"

She batted the bells away. "Gracia wants a snow theme since it looks like we'll have a white Christmas this year."

"Silver then. I like the strings of snowflakes,"

"I'm not sure that they count as streamers, sir."

"Sure they do. What else do we need here?"

"Crackers. Gracia wanted at least two dozen. Then we should be done here. We should be able to manage another stop or two before lunch." She checked the list which had been turned over to her upon entering the store. "We should stop by the confectioner's and then stop by the candle shop. We can leave the florist until last I think."

"The florist? What on earth does Gracia need from a florist?"

She headed for the register. "Center pieces, mistletoe, evergreen swags, and wreaths."

Mustang shook his head. "It always astounds me how much stuff you need for a simple party."

"There is nothing simple about a Christmas party, sir."

Then they were off again. The confectioner's was fairly deserted which made things much easier. Of course, there was the added problem of keeping the colonel out of the candy. She didn't need him on a sugar high. Besides candy canes, Gracia wanted gumdrops, Dutch mints, marzipan, anise drops, and chocolate. By the time she had acquired the amounts of each on the list, Roy had helped himself to several of the samples available.

Thankfully, they made it in and out of the candle shop before the sugar really kicked in. Lunch was taken at a little café Riza frequented on her days off. The two of them ordered, and their conversation turned to Elysia's Christmas presents. As her godparents, both Roy and Riza felt it was their moral obligation to spoil her rotten. Riza had completed her Christmas shopping, but Roy was looking for some suggestions.

"I'm just not sure what would be best. I know Elysia would love any new doll, but I don't want to get stuck in a rut, getting her the same thing every year. Besides, she's old enough to enjoy something more involved like dance lessons or an art class. Do you have any ideas?"

She toyed with her cup of tea. "I got her an art set, pastels and a sketchbook. Art lessons would be fitting. Gracia was telling me how much she likes to draw the other day."

"An artist, huh?" Roy smiled. "That would almost be appropriate with all the pictures of her we've been subjected to over the years."

Riza smiled, catching sounds coming from outside. "Do you hear what I hear?"

"Carolers. Remember when we attempted to go caroling my second year studying with your father?"

"You mean the time we ended up face first in a snow bank due to your sense of direction?"

"Yeah, that's the one. I almost miss it."

She laughed. "What being wet and cold? No, thank you. Even if I hadn't joined the military, I probably would have moved away from the north. Snow once or twice a year is about all I want to deal with."

"I miss the snowball fights. We had some good times."

They headed back to shopping, stopping by a few shops because the colonel insisted on doing some of his own Christmas shopping. By the time they reached the florist, he had accumulated a number of bags of his own as well as the ones for Gracia. Thankfully, this was their last stop.

However, the florist had accidentally tripled the order, so they struggled getting all the holly and the ivy wreaths and centerpieces in to the backseat of the car. There were also the giant mistletoe arrangements that they both took care to avoid getting caught under. It was bad enough that the things would be at the party, and neither of them needed to remind of tradition right now. There would be enough of that at the party.

They finally made it back to Gracia's around three. After unloading all of the supplies, she parted ways with the colonel to go change for the party. Hayate met her at the door, clearly glad to have his owner back.

"Just a minute, Hayate. Let me get my coat off, and I'll feed you."

With her coat hanging up to dry, Riza busied herself fixing the dog's dinner. Anything to keep her away from her closet. Gracia had specified that she wear something festive, and Riza dreaded trying to find something in her closet that fit that description. At best, she had a red dress and maybe a green dress.

She showered after feeding her pet and then faced her closet with trepidation. Sorting through her limited selection of civilian clothes, Riza found two red dresses and one that qualified as green. Of course, it was more of a spring green than anything else, and she rejected it based on that. Which left her with the two red dresses, neither of which was particularly festive. The one was a mock necked sundress, a light chiffon thing in flame red. It was really a summer thing more than anything, and she would need some sort of sweater or jacket to wear with it. The other dress was a winter dress though. It was dark red velvet and fell to her knees. The problem was it had a cowl neck that exposed her entire back. She had bought it for a private dinner with Roy, and it was not something she could wear in public without spilling the secret of her tattoo.

With a sigh, Riza flopped on her bed. This was pointless. Going back to her closet, Riza began her search again. Finally, she came across a forest green plaid skirt with a layered hem. It was calf length, but she had a pair of boots that would go with it. Now all she needed was a top of some sort. Riza settled on a wine colored cardigan camisole and matching long sleeved shrug. She had a necklace and earring set that looked like berries that matched the color, and hopefully, Gracia would consider that festive enough. As a final touch to the outfit, instead of her regular hairclip Riza had pinned her hair up with a comb that sported a pattern of holly and mistletoe.

"Well, Hayate, what do you think?" She pulled on her coat. "I'll be home in a few hours. Guard the house, Black Hayate."

It didn't take her long to make her way through the snowy streets to Gracia's house. The city streets were fairly quiet, but everywhere there were signs of the season. Riza pushed away the melancholy that season always brought her; she really hadn't enjoyed Christmas since her mother died. Even when Roy had been living in her home, he hadn't been around for the holiday itself. Her best Christmases had all come after Ishval when Maes and Gracia had welcomed both herself and Roy into their home for the holidays.

It was clear the party had already started when she arrived at the Hughes residence. Elysia answered the door with a bright smile.

"Auntie Riza! Mommy, Auntie Riza's here!"

Gracia appeared from the living room. "There you are. I was beginning to think you weren't coming."

"Like I would miss this." Riza scooped up her goddaughter. "Do you need a hand with anything?"

"We're good for now. Just keep the boys from spiking the punch, and we're set for the evening. Roy's keeping an eye on them for now, but he could probably use a hand."

"Can do. Shall we go keep your uncle out of trouble, Elysia?"

Mustang had positioned himself near the punch bowl to deter anyone from adding to it. Riza wasn't quite sure that would work, but at least the punch bowl was within his sight at all times. With a smile, she headed over to him.

"Any attempts so far, sir?"

He held his arms out to take Elysia. "Nothing serious. Keep an eye on Havoc though. He's been eye the punch bowl for the past ten minutes."

"Uncle Roy, I want a cookie."

She let Roy deal with Elysia while she surveyed the room. Almost everyone was already here. There were only a few people missing, mostly just Armstrong and Falman. She raised an eyebrow as Havoc ambled over.

"What?" He raised both hands in defense. "It's the most wonderful time of the year, Hawkeye. Have some good will towards your fellow man."

"Good will doesn't mean I'm going let you spike the punch."

He gave her puppy dog eyes. "Would I do a thing like that?"

Mustang snorted. "Yes."

With a sigh, Havoc backed away. Roy turned back to Elysia. "So what do you want for Christmas this year?"

"I want a new doll and a kitty-cat and a--"

"Don't tell me you got her started again." Gracia joined them. "Elysia, that's enough. Why don't you go see if Edward wants some hot chocolate?"

"Okay!"

The three of them watched as the girl ran off in search of her adopted older brother. Gracia shook her head. "You two spoil her."

Roy shrugged. "We're her godparents. We're supposed to spoil her. Besides, she's one of the few women in my life who will let me spoil her."

Gracia sighed, "Fine, but you get to play Santa Claus next time we need one. I wish you much joy of hyperactive little kids bouncing on your lap."

"And what do you want for Christmas, little girl?" The colonel teased, turning to Hawkeye.

"All I want for Christmas is you to get your paperwork done on time, sir."

He sighed. "You are the hardest woman to shop for, you know."

"You'll survive, sir."

"Would you at least stop calling me sir for the rest of the party? It is almost Christmas."

She just smiled.

"Mommy! It's snowing!" Elysia's shout interrupted them. "Can I go outside and see the snow? Please, Mommy?"

Riza smiled. "I'll take her, Gracia."

It didn't take her long to get the little girl bundled up in her coat, mittens, and hat. She watched as Elysia raced around the front yard, trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue.

Twirling in circles, she sang, "Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! Don't you love the snow, Auntie Riza? It's white and fluffy and pretty."

The front door opened, and Edward, Al, and Winry joined them out in the snow. Winry grinned at her. "We get snow so seldom at home that we wanted to enjoy it too."

Riza watched as the four children spent the next twenty minutes making snow angels and building snowmen. It was nice to see Edward and Alphonse acting their age for a change. At least, they could still be children some of the time. When Elysia's nose was bright red and her lips were slightly blue, Riza decided it was time to shoo everyone inside.

Gracia met them at the door with hot chocolate and cookies. The party had died down some, and Riza figured she had been there long enough to make an exit.

"Thank you for the lovely party, Gracia. I should be heading home." She leaned down to kiss Elysia's forehead. "I'll see you next week, Elysia, so we can go Christmas shopping for your Mommy's gift."

The colonel had joined them in the entryway.

"I'll walk with you, Lieutenant." His hand came to rest at the small of her back. "I should be going as well."

They had nearly made it out the door when Havoc's shout stopped them.

"You're under the mistletoe, Colonel! How about a nice kiss for the lieutenant?"

They both looked up then at each other. Riza blushed. Now this was awkward. There were too many people from work here for her to feel at all comfortable about this, and knowing Havoc and the others, they probably wouldn't let them get away with a kiss on the cheek.

Mustang tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "We can blame it on the mistletoe, Hawkeye. This won't hurt us."

He tipped her head up and sealed his lips over hers. It was a soft kiss, warm and gentle like melting chocolate. Roy drew back after a few moments.

"All right, folks. Satisfied?" A stern look kept anyone from complaining. "Then we'll be going. Merry Christmas."

They stepped out into the snow together. By the time the two of them had reached the end of the street, Roy's arm had found its way around her waist. She leaned against him, enjoying the stillness of the night. They continued in silence until it came time to go their separate ways.

"Merry Christmas, Hawkeye."

"Merry Christmas, sir. I'll see you tomorrow."