A/N: I always thought that Roy secretly played a bigger role in the life of Elicia and that he probably would step up to fill in for Hughes. Though he doesn't seem like the kid lover type, so that is the premise of this story! There will also be plenty RoyAi later.


What You Make of Family


Saturday morning. Roy pulled his blankets up over his face to block out the morning sun. He just wanted another hour of sleep. He rolled on his side and grabbed a hold of a pillow, cuddling it and rubbing his cheek against the soft fabric.

His body started to slip back into slumber when the telephone rang.

Roy cracked an eye open and groaned. The phone kept ringing. He reached over to his night table and grabbed the receiver.

"...Hello?" he croaked.

"I'm sorry Roy, did I wake you?"

He simply moaned a yes, still not sure who he was speaking with. The voice sounded familiar but Roy's mind was still in a fog.

"I know this is short notice but could you babysit Elicia for me?"

"Oh, Gracia! I...uh, I'm not exactly good with kids..." he stammered.

"I'm sorry, I wouldn't ask but I have a family emergency and my regular babysitter isn't available." she said.

"No-no, that's ok, I can watch her." he said.

"I'll bring her over in twenty; it'll just be for the weekend."

And click. Roy stared at the receiver and blinked, not exactly sure what he got himself into. He hung up the phone and then face planted into his pillow and let out a sigh. He lay in bed for a few more minutes before rolling over and slipping out of the covers.

He showered quickly then stood in front of the mirror and shaved his morning scruff; he looked like a mild wreck and would need a coffee with a stiff shot of liquor to wake him up. He walked to his kitchen and prepared his coffee and then reached in a cabinet for a bottle but stopped. It probably wouldn't be a good thing to smell like liquor first thing in the morning with Gracia coming over. Of course, if he wanted to get out of babysitting, maybe the liquor was a good idea. Roy contemplated it; however he decided to forgo the booze. In the end, it was the least he could do in Hughes' honour to watch his little girl for 24 hours.

Truthfully, Roy avoided thinking about the family Hughes' left behind because there was always the dread of guilt and shame in seeing his young family destroyed. He felt deep inside him that he had an obligation to protect Elicia for her father's sake. Even though Roy was uneasy around children, it was his duty to be a stand-in father figure for the little girl.

Roy waited in the kitchen and sipped his coffee; he didn't want to be waiting at the door when Gracia came over. It would just make him seem nervous or uneasy. However it wasn't a long wait before a knock on the door announced their arrival.

Roy walked slowly to the door and finally opened it to see Gracia carrying Elicia in her arms. Elicsia hid her face in her mother's shoulder and was apparently upset.

"I'm sorry, she's experiencing separation anxiety. I've been told its common in children who lose a parent. I'm sure she'll settle down quickly once she's use to your house." she said.

"That's alright; she'll be fine with me." Roy said. "Hey Elicia, do you remember your uncle Roy?"

Uncle Roy. That sounded so fake and corny that he had to stop himself from flinching. He had no experience in baby-talk and it felt silly to even try to coo at this quivering, tear-soaked child.

Gracia suddenly lifted her daughter off her and held her up for Roy to carry. Roy nervously lifted the child up by the armpits at arm's length while she bawled and howled for her mother. Then she caught Roy off guard when she practically launched herself out of his hands and latched herself around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her in fear that she would slip and fall out of his grasp. She continued sobbing but quieted some once Roy steadied her and rubbed her back.

"Aw, you're a natural at this Roy. You'll be a good father some day."

Roy grimaced, "Then I guess this is good practice."

"Here's her bag, she's already potty trained so just ask her if she needs to go after meals and before bed. Just make sure you watch her, she'll dance around if she's gotta go. Also, I brought her activities and her blankly and a mat. She usually sleeps in a big girl bed but since you don't have an extra one, she can sleep on the mat, but place it on the floor in your room. She also likes to have a snack before sleep, a few carrots is fine. And make sure you put away anything dangerous, she likes to explore and will get into anything. And one more thing before I go," Gracia said. "I called Riza too to let her know that you're babysitting. She said she'll come over and check in on you."

His attention perked up at the mention of Riza. "Alright, though I think I can handle a little girl, you didn't have to bother Hawkeye." Roy said.

"Riza said she was more than willing to give you a hand" Gracia said. "Now I'll be at my mother's, my father had a fall last night and hurt himself and she can't take care of him. They live a few hours outside Central to the east. I'll be back tomorrow by four."

"Have a safe trip then."

"Good luck Roy." She said and leaned in to give her daughter a kiss. "Behave yourself."

"Oh she'll be fine."

"I was talking about you Roy!" Gracia said and climbed into her car and drove off.


Please R&R, that's how I get my kicks unfortunately :D