How many people even read the bold? I think at least half of all the people visiting this page and go straight to the real story. To them the author's notes are just, blah, blah, blah. Review if that is what you do.
Blah, blah, blah.
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Roy was relieved when he came home to find Orlena had already gone to bed, but the relief quickly went away when he saw the kitchen in complete disarray. She could cook for herself, but she couldn't clean up after herself. He cleaned up, then went to bed.
That morning, Roy took the day off for his date with Riza and this excited his daughter, figuring she'd get to spend the whole day with him. "Hey daddy. Do you have the time to play with me?" She asked shyly.
"Yes. I took the day off didn't I?"
She giggled at that and nodded. "Can we play outside in the flower garden?" She asked hopefully. Orlena was rarely went outside for obvious reasons, but loved to be outside. Especially in the flower garden.
"Well . . ." Roy said thoughtfully.
"Pleeease?" She gave him that look. The one that Roy found so cute and adorable.
"Alright." He had only been holding out to see that look.
"Yay!" She took his hand and pulled him outside.
…
Riza, meanwhile, sat on her couch. With no other way to spend her day and unsure of when he'd come, she only sat and waited for him to show up. She spent hours there when finally, late that afternoon, she got a knock on her door. Riza quickly got up and answered it.
When Roy saw her, his jaw almost dropped. She was in a short skirt and a v-necked shirt. He caught himself staring and had no clue what she just said, but she was looking at him expectantly. ". . . what?"
"I greeted you and said I'd like to go dancing."
"Okay, yeah. Sure. Let's go. Same place?"
"Yes." Riza said, careful to leave out sir. She joined him in the hall and as she locked her door, Roy stared at her lower backside. She turned to him then cleared her throat a little to get his attention.
Roy snapped out of it and they went to the car. He didn't seduce her this time when they got there, but helped her out of the car. Roy was a little rusty with his dancing, since the last girl he had dated was before Orlena, but it didn't take him long to get into it. He wanted to look good, not for Riza, but all the other women. Some habits won't die. Like always being the ladies' man.
Luckily, Riza didn't notice. A slow song came on and she moved closer to him, a little shy as she put her hands on his shoulders.
Roy smiled and put his hands on her waist, staring into her eyes lovingly.
Then she looked away abruptly as if ashamed after stepping on his foot, whispering an apology. Riza stepped on his foot a couple more times, looking away from him every time she did. Unlike him, she was quite clumsy.
After a couple of hours spent dancing, she asked if he wanted to go back to her apartment. "I'd love to. Let's go." He said, and drove her back to her place. "Did you have fun?" Roy asked once they were inside. He was happy they had gone dancing since he was dressed casually in a new button-up long sleeve shirt that was pale red so it matched his tan slacks well. His combed back hair was messy now from all the dancing.
"Yes." Riza said with a happy sigh. "I had really missed dancing. It was nice to do it again."
Roy nodded. "Same here. I really like the outfit you chose. If you were aiming for my attention, you nailed it."
Riza smiled. "I did want to catch your attention. Its good to know how well I succeeded."
He looked away. "Well, you could have done better." He said with a playful loss of interest and faked a yawn before flopping down on the couch. He gave her a look that asked, now what?
"Since you're so tired I guess you should go home and get some rest." She said as she took off her shoes.
Roy opened his mouth, but was unsure whether he should snap at her or explain she was supposed to come over and be sexy, so he closed it, then crossed his arms and muttered a complaint, grumpy.
She approached him and attempted to smooth his messy, black hair as if in doing so she could soothe the man himself. "I'm only teasing you. There's no need to be that way." She told him and kissed his forehead.
"I said that to allow you to do something romantic. Not tease me." Roy said, still annoyed.
She sat on his lap a little hesitantly. "I don't think its too late to be romantic."
Roy huffed out a breath, then reached up and messed up his hair again. He put an arm around her, then teased her by saying, "I don't know Riza. What time is it?"
"Its eight." She said, unsure of how else to reply. "Hmmm . . . then I guess we still have time. Go ahead." He said, putting her on the spot.
Riza didn't like being put on the spot like that. It was too much pressure and she had no idea what to do. She moved off his lap, straightening her skirt.
Roy stared at her, waiting, then he realized she wasn't going to be romantic or do anything at all. "Okay, okay. I'll stop getting smart with you. I didn't mean it." He said quickly.
"No, you made your point." She got up and went into her room to put her shoes away.
Roy was completely confused. 'Where did that come from and why did she shut down like that? Maybe she really doesn't know how to be romantic.' He thought and went after her. "Riza, I understand not knowing what to do. Just say and do what you feel or feel to be right and it'll be fine. You can't really go wrong." 'Except by running away.' He silently added.
"No. I can and I had. I shouldn't tease. I get that now."
"Come on Riza. I'm a big boy. It takes more than a little teasing to hurt me. I was just sore because I thought I wasn't getting any." Roy said a little jokingly, walking up to her.
She shook her head and looked at him. "I don't know." She sounded lost on what to do now.
He dragged a hand through her hair, then gave her a kiss. "Could you at least be happy then?"
Riza gave him a hint of a smile, thankful that he was at least no longer upset and hugged him. He closed his eyes and hugged her in return. "I love you."
"I love you." Roy whispered back into her ear before letting her go.
"I could make dinner for you again if you want." She offered, wanting to make it up to him.
"I would really like that and I promise to leave all your stuff alone this time."
"Don't worry about it. Just relax and I'll take care of everything." She went into the kitchen and made steak and potatoes, setting the table and lighting the candles that were still there. When dinner was done, she added the finishing touches. Two glasses of wine.
Roy got bored fast. He tired to wait for her, but it was taking her awhile. His curiosity got the better of him and he started going through her underwear drawer. Hayate growled, watching him from the bed, but Roy ignored the dog, pleased with what he was finding. At the sound of approaching footsteps, he quickly put everything back, closed the drawer, and then turned toward the door.
"Sir, were you going through my underwear?" Riza asked, annoyed.
"What? No. Is dinner served?" He asked.
She hesitated, then nodded and led him to the table.
"Steak? You must have been planning this. Now that's romance." He took a seat.
Riza sat down as well. "I just thought it'd be something nice to do if you stayed for dinner again."
He looked at his glass. "Wine? I thought you didn't have anything strong."
"I only have half a bottle and its- its something I save for certain occasions." She seemed embarrassed.
"Oh really?" Roy wondered what occasions and only had one hint. What they were doing now. "For dates?" He asked, taking a sip.
She shook her head. "I've never dated anyone. No, its just for myself. Like when its my birthday I'll have a glass and . . . on the day we first met I will and pretend its our anniversary when I'm really lonely or something." Riza said, growing quieter towards the end.
That sip of wine was hard to swallow. Has if he was unworthy of it. "Wow Riza . . . I don't know what to say. I've never heard something so sad, sweet, romantic, and touching before." 'And it sure as hell makes me feel bad for not doing anything of the sort. I don't even know the day exactly. I should have at least known she never dated before.' He thought guiltily.
Riza looked at him shyly. "You mean that? You don't think its silly?"
"Not at all. I don't see how it could be." Suddenly not caring for the food, he leaned forward and kissed her. She kissed him back and Roy wanted to keep at it, but the freaking table was in the way so he pulled back. "We'll have to continue that later." He told her.
After dinner, Riza started to clean up the dishes in the sink.
"Lieutenant, isn't there something else you'd rather be doing?" Roy asked, standing in the doorway. He unzipped his pants. Riza didn't see it, but she heard the action. "I think the dishes can wait." He added.
Riza turned and stared. "Yes sir." She said and slipped her skirt down her legs and stepped out of it. The panties she had on were black and lacey. She then went to him.
…
Now I'm an editor too! If you didn't like those final two paragraphs, it was a lot worse before I added to it. I add things to it every now and then. Small things. There will be lots of Orlena in the next chapter.
