I don't own anything except the plot and any OC's
Roy let out a groan and buried his face back into his pillow as he reached across and attempted to cease the high shrill of his alarm clock on his bedside table, missing the clock a few times before clicking it off. He kept his head in his pillow as he tried to reach across and grab his wife. But the space usually occupied by his wife was empty, the sheets felt cold indicating that Riza had been absent for a while. Roy then lifted his head from his pillow and looked around the room.
"Riza?" No response. This was unlike her not to be the one that coaxed him out of bed in the morning. He then got up, stretched, left their room, and walked into the hallway, hoping to find a trace of her. He called out a little louder this time.
"Riza. Where are you?" Roy listened for a sound. Nothing. Not even the sound of Hayate's claws on the hardwood floor. He was about to turn and head down the stairs when he heard a faint cough echo from down the hall, and stopped in his tracks. He turned and followed the sound, keeping his steps light in order to determine the source of the sound. The coughing continued until he was in front of his daughter's door.
He then pressed his hand against the door which creaked open to reveal Riza sitting in a chair, hunched over their 3 year old daughter who was covered in blankets. Riza was stroking Riley's head as Roy stepped further into the room, Hayate looked up from his spot on Riley's bed indicating to Riza that someone else was in the room. Riza looked up and gave Roy a small smile.
"Hey" she said in a whisper.
"Hey," he responded "is she not feeling too well?"
"I'm afraid not, she was coughing nonstop since early this morning. And she's exhausted." As she continued to stroke Riley's head, she began to stir. Her voice quiet and scratchy from just waking up and from coughing so much.
"Hi momma. Hi dada."
A smile made its way onto Roy's face as he walked over and crouched beside his wife. He reached out and moved the blanket further up to rest around Riley's shoulders.
"Hey kiddo, you not feeling too well today?"
His daughter responded by shaking her head before a series of coughs erupted from her small frame, Roy was immediately on the other side of the bed. He started rubbing reassuring circles on her back while Riza moved the bangs out of her daughters eyes.
Once the coughing fit ceased, Riley settled down and closed her eyes, her breathing became shallow indicating that she had fallen back to sleep. Riza took a glance at the clock before turning her gaze to Roy, who's attention was focused on his daughter. She addressed him in a whisper so as not to wake up Riley.
"Roy, I called a doctor, he'll be here soon. But you need to get ready for work."
Roy's dark eyes immediately found her brown ones in the dark room.
"No way, I'm staying here. The men can handle the office for today."
"Roy quit being such a stubborn man, you need to go to work. They need you at Headquarters. I'll call you after the doctor leaves." Riza gave him a reassuring smile.
Roy looked back down at his daughter who had her hands resting beside her face on the pillow. He lightly let his fingers push back her hair from her face and neck, before returning his gaze to his wife as she spoke.
"I promise to keep you updated, I'll watch over her." Roy didn't realize that Riza had reached out and grasped his hand until she gave it a reassuring squeeze. At that point he knew he should listen to her. He gave a reluctant sigh before he bent down and carefully pressed his lips to Riley's temple.
"I'll be back during my break. Feel better. Watch over her for me Hayate." He spoke in a whisper.
The dog responded with a quiet yip.
Roy then got up and made his way out of Riley's room, Riza right behind him. She closed the door halfway before turning around to address her husband who was staring at his daughter through the opening in the door.
"Roy look at me."
When his eyes tore away from the door, Riza took a step closer and took his face in her hands.
"I'll stay here with her and take care of her, nothing wrong is going to happen. Trust me."
Roy moved his hands to cover Riza's, a small smile making its way onto his face.
"I know nothing is going to happen. I trust you, you know that." He bent down and gave her a light kiss on the lips before pulling away and making his way to their bedroom to change into his uniform. When he re-emerged he made his way down the stairs to the kitchen, where Riza was now preparing something for breakfast. Roy walked up behind her and gave her a quick kiss to the temple before speaking.
"I'll grab something to eat at Headquarters. Make sure to call as soon as the doctor leaves."
"I will Roy, now go, you're as late as it is." Riza spoke as she gently nudged her husband towards the door.
"If you need anything, contact Madame Christmas at her place, she can help if you need the extra hands."
"Got it Roy."
"I'll be back at lunch but don't hesitate to call if you want me to come home early."
"Understood Roy."
"And if the Madame isn't available, I'm sure Gracia or even your grandfather would be more than willing to help." Roy spoke as he put on his black overcoat.
"Good-bye Roy." Riza gave Roy one last kiss before shoving him out the door.
Once the door was closed Riza sighed to herself "Stubborn man."
She then made her way back to the kitchen to finish breakfast before putting it on a tray and taking it up to Riley.
-/-/-
Team Mustang filed into the office right on schedule. Vato Falman was visiting from the North for his vacation and decided to join his old team for the day. They all carried their morning brew of coffee, Havoc had taken it upon himself to bring Roy a cup. He made his way over to Roy's office as the rest of the men settled down at their seats to work. Havoc knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter.
"Come in." Roy's voice could be heard, Havoc noticed something was off in the way he spoke. He brushed it off before entering and saw Roy hunched over his work.
"Hey Chief, I brought you your coffee." Havoc spoke as he placed the steaming cup on the edge of Roy's desk.
"Thanks Havoc."
Havoc glanced around, noticing the silence in the room.
"Hey, where's the family Chief? Don't you usually bring Riley in on Thursday's?"
"Riley's home sick with something, Riza decided to stay home and watch her. I'm waiting for a phone call to see what the doctor has to say."
"Oh, so Riley won't be coming in at all today?" A disappointed look could be seen in Havoc's eyes.
"I'm afraid not."
Just as Roy finished talking his phone rang, he immediately picked it up before the first ring even finished.
"Fuhrer Roy Mustang."
Havoc watched Roy for any signs of distress in his posture. Havoc has only ever seen Roy this worried when it came to his family, and his subordinates as well. He was truly a family man. Maes Hughes would be proud. Havoc was interrupted from his reminiscing by Roy's tone.
"So what did he say? Is it serious?"
Havoc continued to stand there watching his superior. Hoping to hear that Riley really was okay.
"Just some antibiotics?"
Havoc saw Roy relax his shoulders, before they immediately tensed up again at Riza's next comment.
"Yes I'm doing my work... No I'm not procrastinating." A scowl made its way onto Roy's face as he glanced over at Havoc who was currently trying to hide his laughter behind his hand unsuccessfully. It was always funny to see the great Fuhrer Roy Mustang get chewed out by his wife, and the fact that she wasn't even present in the office made the entire scenario that much funnier.
"Yes that's Havoc in the background. "
"I was working when he came in, ask him!"
Roy let out a slightly agitated huff before holding out the phone towards Havoc.
"She wants to speak to you."
Havoc immediately paled. What could Riza want that Roy couldn't handle himself? He carefully took the phone from Roy's grasp, the manor caused the dark haired man to raise an eyebrow at his movements.
"Relax Havoc, it's not like she's able to shoot you through a phone."
Havoc let loose a nervous laugh before placing the phone to his ear. He took a deep breath before answering, hopefully he could steel his nerves enough, but knowing Riza, his little charade won't work out.
"Hey Riza, how's it going? How's little Ry-ry doing? I heard she wasn't feeling too well today."
"Morning Havoc, and yes Riley isn't well. How's Rebecca and Joel?"
"Oh they're fine."
"That's good to hear. Now Havoc there is something I need you to do." Riza's voice turned serious as she finished her sentence which caused Havoc to tense up slightly.
"Yeah sure what do you need?"
"I need you to make sure Roy does his work, by any means necessary. He doesn't need the distraction of Riley being sick to impair his work ethic."
Havoc took this moment to glance at his friend who was watching him with an inquisitive look on his face. Havoc gave him a silent thumbs up, hoping to help relax him before returning to the conversation.
"Yeah sounds easy enough. "
"Thanks Havoc this means a lot. Can you put Roy back on now please?"
"Yeah here he is, have a nice day. Tell Riley that we'll miss her today."
"I will, bye Havoc."
"See ya."
Havoc then handed the phone back to Roy before stepping out of his office and joining the rest of his co-workers. When he turned around from closing the doors he realized that Armstrong and the Brosh's were also present in the room.
"Hey Havoc, did Riley happen to be in the office?" Feury spoke from over his radio.
"I'm afraid Riley is home sick today."
Everyone in the room immediately froze in their tracks.
"Riley won't be coming today?" Maria asked from the opposite side of the room.
"Afraid not, Riza stayed home to take care of her."
Everyone in the room immediately slumped their shoulders.
"I was looking forward to seeing her, it's been awhile since I've been here." Falman spoke from the couch across from a disappointed Armstrong.
"I think we all were, but we can't control the fact that she is sick so I guess we will have to get to work. Riza asked me to make sure the boss keeps up his work, I'd appreciate if you all would help."
He was met with a responding of "Of course" from the rooms occupants. They then all settled down and began their work. Armstrong and the Brosh's decided to help lighten the work load. The morning went by without any problems.
-/-/-
Roy was glancing anxiously at the clock situated above the door across the room.
"Only thirty more minutes until lunch." A smile made its way onto his face at the thought of going home and seeing his daughter. His hand was cramping from all the paperwork he has been filling out trying to distract himself from the time. As he was counting the minutes, the phone rang. Roy reluctantly picked it up, hoping that it was something that could be put off till after his break.
"Fuhrer Roy Mustang speaking."
"Good morning sir, I'm the secretary to Mr. James Ace."
"Oh perfect, just what I need, one of the Assembly members needs me to right a little dispute. Great timing..."
"Yes how can I help you." Roy responded.
"Mr. Ace was hoping to ask for your opinion on something immediately in the main conference room."
"Right this moment?" Roy asked while glancing at the clock. "11:55."
"Yes sir, this moment."
"Did Mr. Ace happen to mention how important this really is?" Roy spoke with a slightly agitated tone.
"He said that it was of the upmost importance sir."
Roy let out a slightly aggravated huff before responding.
"Fine, tell him I'll be there in 10 minutes, I need to make another phone call."
With that he hung up the phone, then preceded to dial home.
"Mustang residence."
"Hey Riza it's me."
"Let me guess, something came up and you can't be home for your break."
"Yes unfortunately, I'll try to be home as soon as I get out of my meeting."
"It's okay Roy these things happen."
A series of coughs could be heard in the background.
"How is she, that cough sounds just as bad as this morning."
"It takes a while for the medication to kick in Roy relax, now go to your meeting. I'll see you soon."
A slight smile made its way onto Roy's face, she was always looking out for him.
"I'm going, I'm going. I'll see you both soon. Love you both."
"We love you too, goodbye."
"Bye." Roy hung up the phone, giving it one last thoughtful glance before getting up and leaving his office.
When he opened his door he met the curious looks of his subordinates.
"I have a sudden meeting with some Assembly members, I'll be back in a bit."
Roy strode over to the door that lead to the rest of Headquarters before Breda's question stopped him.
"What about heading home and checking on Riley?"
"Unfortunately duty calls." Roy gave a small sad smile over his shoulder before he left.
Everyone in the room looked at each other with sad glances.
"Man the chief really looks put out."
"I'd say so, how would you feel if Joel was sick and you couldn't see him because some grown men can't decide on the simplest of things." Breda spoke.
"Yeah your right, and Riley is practically family to us as well." Havoc spoke while rolling a toothpick between his teeth. That's when it hit him.
"Hey since the Chief can't be with his kid, shouldn't someone or in this case some people, go make sure Riley and Riza are alright?" A grin made its way onto his face.
"It's only fair that the leader of our country doesn't have to worry about his family." Falman added.
They all looked at each other before silently agreeing.
"I'll go get Rebecca." Havoc said.
The Mustang team, accompanied by Armstrong and the Brosh's, then got up, grabbed their coats and headed towards the Mustang home. It was the least they could do to help relieve Roy's growing anxiety.
Hope you guys liked some Parental Royai! Please review and let me know what I can improve on! 3 3