Second part is fianlly here! I really hope it lives up to what people were expecting :S It was very hard to write but I enjoyed it!
Disclaimer: Still don't own FMA and the poem belongs to Angie Burrell
Riza let out an almighty groan of relief as her wedding dress fell unceremoniously to the floor. She stepped out of it and kicked off her painful stilettos. Standing in the centre of the honeymoon suite in the star fish position to stretch out all her aching limbs...could she take a hot bath before Roy got here? A small wicked smile then crept onto her face. He was going to be just as tense and exhausted from today, perhaps he'd enjoy a nice bubble bath to, with his new wife of course. She almost skipped into the bathroom. Her eyes widening slightly at the size of the large round pool that was sunk into the floor. She turned on the taps and began to pour in some lavender bubble bath and other scents that would promote relaxation. She stripped from her silk stockings and eagerly pried herself from her corset, letting another grateful moan escape at the ability to breath regularly again.
Riza had just put her right foot in the bath when she heard a tapping noise. She paused and focused her attentions on the direction. It had come from the bedroom. When there was no more sound she lifted her left foot to sink that into the comforting warm suds but there was another tap. Riza's bow creased, she wasn't in the mood for this. She didn't need something to annoy her right now, she just wanted to soak into the warm bath and wait for her husband. There was another tap.
She growled and stepped out of the warm bath, wrapping a towel around her and walking straight into the bedroom, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings for signs for where the origin of the tap could be. There was another tap.
Her eyes fell instantly on the window, she walked over to it and pulled back the soft folds of the blue drapes to see outside. There was another tap almost instantly. Riza's head sprang back slightly in surprise and she tried to stare harder, but the light from the room made it difficult to see through the glass. She bent down, using one hand to hold her towel, she used the other to haul up the sash. She stuck her head cautiously out he window and peered down at the ground.
Riza's eyes fell on a silhouette, no doubt the perpetrator of the taps on her window. Her expression softened before moving to one of confusion when her deep amber pools met perfect oynx eyes. "What the hell, Roy?" she whispered loudly, looking around to see if there was anyone else in the vicinity.
Roy stood in his dress shirt and black trousers, his jacket, tie and waistcoat having been previously removed, he playfully shot another small rock at her. Letting it bounce off of the window frame. She glared at him, "What are you doing!"
He flashed a trademark smirk, "climb down," he glanced side to side, "we're going to be reckless...trust me."
"For starters, why are you tapping at the window like a teenage boy and his crush when you could just walk into the suit, our suite, and secondly, I'm in a towel!"
"Why are you in a towel?"
"Think about it Roy."
He sighed and walked up to the wall. The suite was on the second storey of the hotel. The building was an old mansion situated in beautiful and expansive gardens. It was not very tall but it was wide so still held many luxury rooms despite not being a multi storey complex. It was quaint and exclusive, priding itself on offering the very best to anyone who could afford the price tag. Riza's eyes widened further as he began to climb the trellis, "Roy!" she said in a more desperate whisper. What if he was caught? This wasn't exactly something the papers needed to get hold of. 'Fuhrer caught scaling wall of posh hotel on wedding night to naked wife' was not her idea of a beneficial headline.
She continued to scowl at him as he climbed further up the wall, she'd given up protesting since he didn't seem to be listening and her hissing and whispering was more likely to get them caught. He got to the window sill and gave her a goofy smile that Maes Hughes would have been proud of. Her response was a slight softening of her scowl, she had to admit, it was rather cute. He pulled himself onto the window sill and leant in for kiss. Letting his lips meld with her in a more meaningful and passionate manner than the one they'd shared before the minister and the rest of Amestris. "Put something on," he murmured against her lips.
Her eyebrow quirked, "on? Now, I've never had a wedding night before but I'm fairly sure clothes aren't needed."
"I'm kidnapping you and where you are going to need clothes where we are going," Roy said grinning mischievously.
Riza looked at him quizzically, trying to figure out what exactly her husband was up to, but she conceded. Riza walked back to her large closet and wandered through the aisle of expensive cottons, silks and chiffon that were all loving hand constructed into her state first lady wardrobe. She walked past all the pressed and perfectly hung clothes to the drawers at the back/ When the maids had been packing up her new wardrobe and moving it to her honeymoon suite she had made sure to pack some of her old clothes. They were not as elaborate or as expensive but they were hers and they were comfortable. A small slice of the old lieutenant who lived in a one bed flat in down town Central.
She let the towel drop unceremoniously to her feet and she pulled on some expensive underwear (just in case she was caught of guard to participate in certain activities later. She didn't want to be caught short) and then a black skirt, white strap top and a red cardigan. It was simple but it suited her and it was comfortable. She walked back into the main room, across the lavish spongy carpet past the passionately adorned four poster bed, silk throws and cushions. Riza reached the window to find her husband waiting patiently for her.
Roy grinned when he saw her. He felt him self unconsciously relax when he saw her dressed in clothes he associated with his Riza. She now matched him, in his dark trousers and light blue shirt. He held out a hand for her and she took it. They began to scale back down the wall outside their luxury suit window.
When Riza's feet hit the floor she turned to Roy, "Right," she folded her arms, "where are you taking me? On my wedding night may I add, when I thought I'd be wrapped in the arms of one Fuhrer Roy Mustang."
He pulled her close and kissed her, "There will be plenty of time for you to lie in my arms Mrs. Mustang but there's something I want to show you before that."
Riza's arms snaked up around his neck and she smiled, "really? Now I'm intrigued, something important enough to distract you from sex."
He smiled and kissed her again before taking her hand and leading her through the think forest that surrounded their hotel. She watched him curiously, following his lead without question. As they plunged deeper into the forest the trees became thicker and less moonlight permeated the canopy to the forest floor where they were. Riza couldn't help feeling anxious, she trusted Roy but they were alone in a large dark wood, her hand unconsciously feathered a touch where her holster would normally hang, silently curing at it's absence.
"Roy?" She whispered, moving closer to his side and giving his hand a squeeze. Her sharp hawk eyes scanning the impenetrable darkness.
As if on cue, there was a flicker of light ahead of them. Riza's breath caught and she gave Roy's arm a little tug. Her sniper training kicked in and she began to take smaller and lighter steps, anticipating the next move.
Roy just smirked and pulled her hand up to his mouth, giving it a light kiss on the back of her hand, "relax," he whispered. Roy then proceeded to pull her towards the flickering a glowing light.
Roy reached out a hand and pulled back a large heavy branch that was the last remaining defense between them and the ominous light. Riza tried her hardest to relax. If Roy wasn't worried than neither should she be, right? Wait, this was the man that had thoughtlessly attacked Scar in the rain and her senses had saved on countless occasions...she'd relax when she felt ready.
The forest suddenly opened up into a small clearing and he felt her heart speed up. Her eye sight took a moment to adjust but when it did her breath caught and stood still and speechless as Roy grinned proudly at her. Riza's hand glided up to touch her bottom lip in shock, her eyes sweeping the clearing and she fought the tears as a small smile kissed the edges of her mouth.
All their friends were stood in the clearing, shrouded in the glimmering falls of moonlight that now had free access to the clearing. Each of them were now out of their finery and in smart casual clothes, they were stood in two groups to form an aisle. Their smiles and eyes were highlighted by the flickering candles each held delicately in their hands, the light from the flames softly caressing the leaves on the trees.
Roy and Riza stood at one of the clearing, while General Grumman stood at the other, grinning happily at them, he was flanked either side by Rebecca and Havoc. Havoc held two candles, holding the other near Grumman so he could hold a large leather book. Rebecca gave Riza a big smile and Riza watched as Elysia, walked up to her holding a small bouquet of white roses. Riza grinned and bent over to take the flowers from the little girl who giggled and then ran back to where her mother was. Gracia gave Riza a warm smile and then handed a small candle back to her daughter, who watched the flame memorized.
Riza turned to look at Roy who was still smiling, "Did you do this?" she whispered.
"Well..with a little help," he smirked and then gave her hand another squeeze, "I know today wasn't great for you, Riza. It was more for the rest of Amestris than for us, so..." he glanced around the clearing at all the smiling faces and then back at her with a soft smile, "Riza Hawkeye, will you marry me?"
Riza just nodded mutely and gave him a big warm smile. He returned the smile and then began to lead her down towards Grumman. They passed Gracia and Elysia, Denny and Maria stood side by side with their candles flickering beneath their warm smiles, Armstrong fought to maintain composure while, to Riza's shock, Olivia Armstrong stood watching them with a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth and gripping the candle in her hand. Riza turned her head away from Roy's glimmering face to meet the smiling eyes of Alphonse and Winry. She let a chuckle slip when she saw Edward holding his candle and smiling affectionately at the couple, she knew that Edward and Roy had their arguments but so did fathers and sons. The comparison made her chuckle quietly to herself. Riza caught Edward's eye and he grinned at her encouragingly.
They eventually got to where Grumman was stood with Havoc and Rebecca. Rebecca gave a large kind smile and took the small bundle of roses so that Roy could take both her hands. Riza looked up at him, his face in a halo of flickering golden light from the candles. His dark hair took on a slight luminous shine and the fathomless pools of his eyes were locked adoringly with hers, a small smirk gracing his lips, whilst he gave her hands a small squeeze.
Grumman cleared his throat and straightened, she felt the small crowd of their nearest and dearest gather slightly closer to them, letting the warmth of the candles and love perforate the gathering's soul. "Friends and Family," Grumman began, "We are gathered here tonight, beneath these stars and in this clearing to witness the long awaited union of two remarkable souls, Roy and Riza." A small chuckle rippled through the crowd and Riza just smiled wider at Roy.
Grumman then turned to Roy and nodded, Riza saw a flicker of nerves as he turned his gaze back towards her and gave her hands another small reassuring squeeze. "Riza Hawkeye," he started, taking a deep breath, "You've been beside me, in front of me and right behind me since we were children. You're incredibly stubborn, iron willed, stern and think far to logically sometimes...and I love you for it. I love your kindness, your empathy, your unwavering loyalty. I love the way your noes wrinkles when your confused and the fire in your eyes when you have a task to do. I want you next to me for the rest of my life, no matter where we end up or what happens. I say this honestly and openly in front of all our friends and family, I promise to be there for you, hold you and love you for the rest of our lives."
Riza's breath caught and she fought desperately to hold back the tears threatening the corners of her eyes. She let one of the hands go so she could brush the corner of one of her eyes and then glanced at a grins from Rebecca and Havoc that could rival the Cheshire cat himself."I love you too," she whispered.
"I'm sorry Riza, I couldn't hear that," teased Roy.
"I love you, too," she said again, still blushing and glancing at their gathering of eager on lookers.
"One more time Riza," cajoled Roy, leaning in with a trademark smirk.
"I said I loved you, you idiot!" she raised her voice but it was laced with a chuckle that was joined by the humorous chatter of their congregation.
"Ever the egotistical bastard colonel!" Came the familiar call of Edward from the throng of candles, causing Roy to scowl and everyone else, including Riza, to laugh.
Grumman coughed and everyone settled down to look back at the old general/ He licked his thumb and motioned for Havoc to move closer with the candle. He flipped open the old leather book he was holding. Riza recognised it as her Mother's old journal, the one her grandfather had rescued from her father's black hole of a study. A satin ribbon marked a particular page and Grumman pushed the glasses further up the bridge of his nose and adjusted the angle of the book before reading.
"Love is great, love is grand,
It follows you across the land.
Rivers, streams and oceans blue,
Cannot part a love that's true.
Today that love you will prove,
A ring you'll give and never remove.
A kiss to seal a vow so special,
From lips soft like a rose petal.
A life together long and true,
May happiness always be with you.
"So by the power invested in me by...well...me," another hum of laughter from their friends, "Roy Mustang you may now kiss my Granddaughter, Riza Mustang."
Roy wasted no time in sweeping Riza into his arms and gently lowering his lips to hers, letting the light pressure linger on them before breaking the kiss to the round applause and the cries of joy from Winry, Alphonse and Edward. Roy smiled a brilliant smile at her, one she hadn't seen since they'd been children.
Gracia and Winry peeled away from the group as they moved in to congratulate the couple and offer blessings. They reappeared a few moments later, struggling with baskets and rugs. Alex Armstrong took two large baskets off Gracia and rug from Winry. Elysia had her own little rug which she brought over to Roy and Riza and handed over proudly.
The gathering set about laying down blankets and Olivia placed candles into holders that Riza noticed had been hidden behind the trees lining the clearing. Soon the small area had been transformed into a banquet for the exclusive party. The Blankets became crammed with chattering bodies and Falman helped Gracia pull out platters of home-made sandwiches, cakes and pastries and place them on the blankets for people to start eating. Grumman started a game with Elysia to keep her entertained at this late hour and Riza watched amused as Fuery and Havoc poured champagne into plastic cups and distribute them.
She surveyed the clearing again in awe. Everyone was happy and chatting, snacking on Gracia's amazing cooking and bathing in an ambient mixture of moon and candle light. This was why she'd left her small home town and joined the military, the reason she'd fought life and limb for Amestris. These people, her family and Roy, meant everything to her and thanks to the bravery of the people in front of her they'd saved it for so many others, both present and future.
"Are you OK," asked Roy softly from beside her.
She turned her big amber eyes on him and smiled, "This was amazing...thank you."
"Anything for you," he whispered and kissed her on the lips again.
"Get a room already!" Ed cajoled from across the blankets, turning the attention back to the couple.
Riza blushed again when she saw all the laughing faces but it was soon wiped away when she felt two strong arms wrap around her waist and the sensation of being lifted.
Roy swung Riza up and over his shoulder. She was quiet small so it didn't take much to sweep her form off the blanket and into a fireman's lift. He shot Edward a playful smirk before announcing, "Don't mind if I do!"
Riza yelped and began wriggling as the rest of her, so-called, friends watched Roy carry her off.