AN: merry christmas! happy holidays!

i wanted to write something cute as heck so here we are

i hope you enjoy it! have a wonderful day tomorrow!

i just want you here tonight holding on to me so tight

what more can i do, baby all i want for christmas is you

all i want for christmas is you | mariah carey

"Mum!" Riza heard Mia whine from the living room. She sighed heavily, feeling her headache coming on fiercer than ever. She wished for just one second this week those two would get along.

They had been bickering non-stop. James was supposed to be twenty seven but he was acting like a thirteen year old, arguing over something stupid with his little sister. What made it harder was Roy was away on business over Christmas. It would be their first Christmas without him and the strain was pressing on everyone. That's why her two kids were currently arguing over who ate the last Christmas cookie.

"I swear, I'm this close..." Riza muttered, stepping away from the fireplace while currently hanging the Christmas stockings. Well, trying too anyway. She had purposefully avoided looking at the one with Roy's name on it for too long, a painful reminder he wouldn't be there tomorrow morning.

Riza glared at the kids when she entered the kitchen, catching Mia smacking James' arm.

"What are you two doing?"

As soon as Riza spoke the two jumped apart, terror on their faces. Mia stood with her hands behind her back, looking like a child who had been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. James just shrugged but there was a scowl on his face.

"He took the last cookie!" Mia declared accusingly, indignation clear on her face and appearing in an instant. "I was saving it for Dad for when he got home!" Riza tried to ignore the way her stomach tightened at the mention of Mia's father.

"I did not," James sighed in exasperation, emphasising every word.

"He did too!"

"Enough." Her voice raised ever so slightly and it was enough to shut them both up.

Riza never shouted at the kids. She hated it. As a child she had never liked being yelled at, even by a teacher. The verbal abuse she received from her father was on a whole other level, so Riza supposed the dislike came from that. So she refrained from shouting at Mia and James whenever the situation demanded it because Riza knew how awful it felt, no matter how much she wanted to bash their heads together for arguing over something so petty.

They were good kids. They really were. Both parents never really had a cause to raise their voices or discipline them after getting into trouble. The age gap played a large part in that. Riza knew Roy felt like it still wasn't his place to reprimand James if the situation ever arose, no matter how many times Riza reassured him. It had been slightly frustrating on her part, always looking like the "bad guy", but she understood Roy's unease.

But now, they were at that age where conflict starts to happen. Yes, James was twenty seven and should damn well know better, but Mia was a colossal wind up merchant, trying to get under his skin whenever she was feeling particularly mischievous. It was all fun and games until she was wronged in some way, causing an argument to start. The girl's mood swings were a force to be reckoned with.

So, no, she didn't like shouting at the kids, but this holiday was going to be hard enough already, she didn't need them winding each other up. At least now they looked sheepish and the argument had been dropped.

"Mia, stop wailing over nothing. We'll make more tonight."

"But he –!"

"We'll make more," Riza stressed, her headache returning with a force. "Stop trying to get your brother into trouble." Riza knew Mia didn't intend her mother to hear her muttering under her breath. Mia wilted under Riza's glare, finally dropping it. "Go and wash up," Riza commanded, her expression and voice softening. It was Christmas after all and with their father noticeably absent the last thing Riza wanted to do was alienate her family tonight. Perhaps some baking would do them all the world of good. "We'll get started before dinner."

Still looking embarrassed, Mia scurried off up the stairs to wash her hands, no doubt wanting a brief escape. Riza turned to her oldest child.

"You're almost thirty."

"I know," he mumbled.

"So why are you fighting with a thirteen year old over a cookie?"

Now he looked indignant. "I didn't take the damn thing!"

"Language," Riza growled. "I don't care if you did or you didn't, why are you arguing with your sister over it? You should know better."

He cast his eyes down to the floor, looking like a seven year old again. It hit her hard just how old her son was. Sure, he was acting like a baby, but he wasn't one anymore. This was his first Christmas not living at home as well, both James and Jessica had bought their own house a couple of months ago. Riza had feared that he wouldn't want to come home for the holidays but her son reassured her he'd be there. Jessica was staying at her own parent's house on the other side of Central and she was joining them for Christmas dinner tomorrow afternoon, before the two of them spent the night with Jessica's parents.

"Sorry, Mum." His eyes rose and met hers. "You're right, I should know better. I wasn't really thinking and I know it's going to be hard without Dad here this year too. That's why I wanted to make sure I was going to be home for Christmas," he admitted. He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of neck. It was a habit he had picked up from Roy when he was in his early teenage years. "Jessica's parents weren't very happy about it but I wasn't going to leave you alone."

Sighing, Riza leaned her back against the island in the middle of their kitchen. "You didn't need to come home. She's your fiancé, you can still go and spend Christmas with Jessica." Riza felt bad that he had changed his plans just to suit her. It was her job to sacrifice things for James, not the other way around. She had already done it so often when he was growing up, it felt like second nature to her, even now. However it still hurt, the thought of him not being home for Christmas.

Riza had always wanted her family together for the holidays. It was slightly more difficult now, what with James and Jessica being engaged, but she still wanted her son to be here on Christmas morning. Perhaps a part of her was still clinging to the past, to his childhood when it had just been the two of them. All the hardship she had endured that year, all the money she had to save up in order to buy James his presents to ensure he wasn't disappointed in the morning, was all worth it seeing his little face light up at the sheer amount of gifts she'd gotten him.

The first year he had "bought" her a gift Riza had actually cried. James had been five and had asked his Uncle Jean if he could get a present for his Mum, "because she always gets me presents". Of course, Rebecca swore it was all James, but Riza had a strong suspicion a certain unofficial Aunt and Uncle had assisted in his endeavour.

"Why you not opening anything Mummy?" her four year old had asked, sitting surrounded in wrapping paper, his brow creased.

"Because I already have the best gift I could have asked Santa for," Riza replied, scooping her son up into her arms.

"What is it?" he asked excitedly, craning his neck and looking around the floor at the sea of wrapping paper.

"You."

"Of course not," James replied, dragging Riza back to the present. He joined her by leaning on the counter himself. "I'll see her tomorrow anyway. I know you won't technically be alone, Little Miss Drama Queen upstairs makes too much noise on a day-to-day basis that there's no way you could miss her in the house." Riza chuckled at that, the arms folded across her chest tightening around her torso. "But… it's tradition. It is our tradition. I'm always with you for Christmas."

What did she ever do to deserve such a wonderful boy?

"That –" Riza found herself clearing her throat, trying to rid herself of the emotion there, but it didn't work. James smiled softly and drew her into a hug, one she returned eagerly. He was even taller than her now. It was so unfair. Her little boy was all grown up. "Thank you," she whispered into his ugly Christmas jumper. Roy had bought them all one two years ago.

Riza's was green, red, and white, with "Daschund through the snow" written across the chest. There was even a picture of the dog on it, complete with a Santa hat. It was truly an ugly sweater, the colour scheme truly offending to the eye. Riza loved it.

James' was Spider Man themed, despite having past that stage years ago. Still, he had grinned and looked genuinely pleased upon opening it. It was a blue base with a mock spider man suit covering the centre of the chest up to the shoulders. The Spider Man logo and snowflakes filled in the pattern of the bottom half of the jumper.

Mia's, of course, had a bear on it. It was navy blue with a brown bear wearing a comically small Santa hat and a red polka-dot scarf. Snowflakes filled in the background, making it a lot classier than Riza's. Not that Riza minded at all. In her opinion, the uglier the better. It was slightly silly that Roy still bought Mia merchandise with bears on it, but the nickname had stuck with her. However, being a teenager and being called "bear" by your father was hardly the peak of cool, but Mia was a good sport, knowing how much it meant to Roy, so played along. Whenever the kids at school snickered about it, Mia just shrugged, the reaction making her embrace her childhood nickname fiercely.

Roy had been so excited while they were all opening them, a goofy smile on his face. He had even wrapped one for himself, his plan to not give the game away. Riza had just shook her head and grinned when he revealed his. It was read with the pattern of a brick wall and on the front, sticking right out from the torso, was a reindeer's head. It came complete with a wreath around the head and antlers, decorated with bells so whenever he moved, the bells sounded. Roy had been far too excited about it.

"Of course you would buy something like that," James commented, rolling his eyes.

"What?" he asked, mildly affronted. "I think it's hilarious!"

"Of course you do, dear," Riza deadpanned, patting his head, causing Mia and James to snicker.

Mia returned to the kitchen and Riza beckoned her in with a smile, giving her daughter a quick hug before they started baking. At least for a couple of hours her mind was taken off the fact that they were one person short.

Her daughter was practically bouncing with excitement as she got ready for bed. At ten o'clock Mia was so hyped up she was sitting cross legged on her bed, jumping on the spot.

"Mia," Riza scolded gently, but grinned while standing at the doorway after poking head in to see what all the noise was about. Mia's excitement was infectious. "Go to sleep or Santa won't come."

"Sure, Mum," Mia replied, rolling her eyes, the twinkle in her eyes never leaving. She was past believing in Old Saint Nick, but she still adored the holiday. It had never been Riza's favourite holiday, it was always just another day of the year, but over the years – especially after meeting Roy – it had quickly become her favourite, so she could share in Mia's enthusiasm.

Roy… Riza's stomach sank, her smile faltering. He would be alone tomorrow in a hotel room in South City. Plastering a smile back on her face, she returned her attention to the animated teenager.

"Go to sleep, Mia," she said gently. "I love you."

"Love you too, Mum," Mia replied, the look on her face telling Riza she wasn't going to sleep anytime soon. Giving up a losing battle, Riza smiled and closed the bedroom door.

Returning to the living room Riza's stomach tightened as she spotted her phone on the arm of the chair. Without pause she picked it up and dialled Roy's number.

"Hey, Riza," he greeted softly. She could hear the smile in his tone. Sighing quietly to herself, simply pleased to hear his rich, deep voice once again, Riza settled into the couch. He had been away for a week already and to say she missed her husband was an understatement.

"Hey, Roy." There were bustling noises in the background, apparently he was somewhere busy.

"How are you? How are the kids?"

"They're fine. Mia's too excited to sleep as usual." Riza couldn't stop the grin that spread on her face.

Roy chuckled, the sound warming her chest. She let it wash over her, indulging herself. "That sounds about right. What about James?"

"He's on the phone to Jessica now."

"So he's staying home for Christmas?" Roy asked, slightly surprised. The last time they spoke James had been unsure of his plans for Christmas Day. "That's good then. I didn't want it to just be the two of you." Riza's stomach clenched once more. "But I did notice you failed to answer my question," he chuckled but even that sounded strained.

"Oh?"

"How are you?"

The urge to reply with her true feelings almost overrode her mind. She wanted to tell him that despite having the kids here, she felt inexplicably miserable. She wanted Roy to be here. She wanted him next to her, not a thousand miles away across the country. Once the kids went to bed, every Christmas Eve they would watch a trashy Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel and Riza would never feel more content than in that moment. He would sit with his arms around her, pulling her tightly to his body on the couch. Roy would whisper how much he loved in her in her ear and Riza would respond in kind with a kiss so passionate they would forget all about the movie.

"Fine." Her breath hitched quietly, body betraying her mind.

"Riza?" he asked, concerned and noting the quiet intake of breath.

"Yes?"

He sighed loudly. "I'm sorry," he replied miserably. "I really wish I could be there. I know how much this holiday means to you, especially after…" he trailed off as if realising exactly where his train of thought was headed. He rarely mentioned her past, knowing how much it still pained her to this day. "Well, I know how much it means to you. I hate this."

"It's okay," Riza reassured him. It wasn't his fault he had been sent on a business trip to South City to oversee the opening of a new precinct. On the one hand Riza was proud that Roy had been chosen specifically. On the other, she was disgruntled because who sent a father away from his family at Christmas? Being a Captain in Central had brought a lot more responsibility and Roy often brought his work home with him, Riza understood and supported that. His work rarely ever stopped. Roy could be called away at a moment's notice and he was dedicated to his work, to making the world a better place. But it was Christmas. Officer or no, he deserved a break. Apparently criminals didn't see it that way.

Perhaps it was selfish of Riza to think that. It probably was, she surmised. However it didn't stop the feelings from creeping up every now and again. She justified them by reminding herself of everything she had been through she deserved to see her husband at Christmas.

"It's not okay," he replied, tone firm. "I'll make it up to you, I swear." Riza opened her mouth to reply but an announcement sounded through the phone. She winced at the piercing sound in her ear, but Roy must have covered the mouth piece because she couldn't make out what was being said. "I'm really sorry, love, but I have to go."

"Oh, okay." Her heart sank in her chest a little more. If it even could go any lower.

"Sorry," he sighed, frustration clear in his voice. She could almost picture him running a hand through his hair. "I will give you a call tomorrow morning, okay? Around seven?" Another announcement sounded, cutting off their conversation.

"Okay. I'm sure we will be up," she added, a wry smile on her face. They would definitely be up by seven.

Roy chuckled and once more Riza let it wash over her, trying to draw out this conversation for as long as possible. She didn't want Roy to go. "You will be up, washed, and dressed in that time." Riza smiled to herself. "I love you, Riza," he announced, voice earnest as if it was a way of apologising for his absence.

"I love you too."

"Tell the kids I love them, and say Merry Christmas."

"I will. Take care." Her voice was quiet as she bid him goodbye. Upon hitting "end call" she felt a familiar loneliness creep up on her.

"Mum?" James asked quietly so not to startle her.

Riza jumped and turned in the chair, blinking away her tears. She wasn't alone. She never had been.

"Hey, James. Shouldn't you be in bed?" She offered a weak smile, her expression telling her son she was only joking.

"I'm on my way, don't worry. I wouldn't want to stay up too late so that Santa wouldn't arrive," he grinned, taking a place next to his mother on the couch. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Riza bit her lip, the action reminding her so much of her husband.

"No, we wouldn't want that," Riza replied.

"Plus, if we don't go to sleep now, then we'll be exhausted tomorrow. What time do you think Mia will be up?" The three of them had begun to take bets years ago on how early Mia would wake up. Her record was four thirty when she was eight, when she was promptly told to go back to sleep. Of course, she didn't and had to go for a "Christmas nap" before they visited Aunt Chris.

Riza chuckled, wiping away a tear. "I picked six."

James whistled. "That's ambitious. I'm going for five."

"I guess we'll see who wins in the morning. How's Jessica?" James' face lit up at the mention of his fiancé, as it always did. He was so hopelessly in love with her it was adorable.

"She's great and about as excited as Mia," he chuckled. "No wonder they get on so well." Mia and Jessica really did get along. Their dynamic was very much like two sisters, like they had grown up together. When Riza considered the age gap, she supposed they had grown up together. Both she and James had gotten together when Mia was only four. Mia was almost as close with Jessica as she was with James.

Riza always smiled when she remembered about how they had come together. It had been painfully slow, both knowing they really liked each other – and had done for years – but both too scared to finally admit it. Riza had guessed it was to do with their friendship. Roy agreed, theorising they probably didn't want to ruin that.

"I'm glad to hear it." Riza stood to pocket her phone before moving towards their Christmas tree to turn the lights off.

"I'll lock up," James offered. "You go to bed."

Riza squeezed James' hand before taking herself up to bed.

It hadn't been a restful night's sleep, that's for sure. Riza always found it difficult to sleep whenever Roy wasn't with her. She saw every hour which didn't bode well for the family's busy day ahead. They would spend Christmas morning opening presents then at nine o'clock they would head to Roy's mother's house, where more presents would be distributed. For Christmas dinner, around about two o'clock, they visited Chris in Central who cooked for the whole family – all of Roy's adoptive siblings and their partners, and Roy's mother and her family. It was dinner on an incredible scale and Riza always wondered how the hell Chris managed it. The woman was a professional, but still, she was a force to be reckoned with when it came to being a hostess.

Riza had watched bemused the first year they had visited with Mia only six months old. The production line Chris Mustang ran to ensure everything was ready was incredible. Everyone joined in. Riza had been let off the hook because she still wasn't back to full strength after Mia decided to prematurely enter the world. Roy just wanted to show off his daughter to everyone but Chris had quickly put a stop to that, commandeering his services and putting her nephew to work. He had pouted over the carrots he was peeling, continually stealing glances at his new-born daughter. His attention had been so divided he almost cut his finger off with the knife. That had been pretty funny. He still had a small scar where the knife had nicked his finger. Chris eyed it once, slapped a plaster on it once it had stopped bleeding, and warned Roy that he better not bleed all over her carrots or there would be hell to pay.

The party at Chris' would last until the late hours and it was always a great time. It was always interesting because she would get to find out more about his family and there was always a new embarrassing story from his childhood that she hadn't heard yet.

Going from what Riza used to do on Christmas as a child to what they did now was a great leap but that was why she enjoyed the holiday so much. It was full of love and enjoyment, two things that had been non-existent for her growing up.

The day after Christmas was another party night but this time at Jean and Rebecca's. The kids would all play together while the adults essentially just got drunk. That was always an amusing affair for all involved. They stayed overnight so it was nice to have the chance to let loose.

There was a knock on her door, rousing Riza from her fitful sleep, and a cautious voice called out to her.

"Mum?" Mia asked. There were another set of footsteps behind her, indicating she had also wrangled James awake. To be perfectly honest, he was just as bad as their youngest on Christmas morning. As soon as Mia knocked on James' door he was awake and bright as a button.

Automatically Riza reached out to nudge Roy awake, as she had done for years prior, expecting to hear him grunt then groan in response to the early hour. But her hand found nothing but empty sheets. It didn't help she was sleeping on his side either so his scent wrapped around her and in her semi-conscious state she could almost imagine he was lying next to her.

With a sigh she leaned on an elbow to check her alarm clock. It read ten past six. Riza smirked. She had been the closest with the time. Mia must be getting older because that was a new record. That time was considered a long lie on Christmas morning where Mia was concerned.

"Come in,"Riza sighed, grinning at a particularly excited girl stood in the doorway. Sure enough, James was behind her, the same twinkle of excitement and anticipation in both their eyes.

"It's Christmas!" Mia suddenly yelled, making Riza wince at the volume. However nothing would stop her little tornado as Mia sprinted across the room and jumped on the bed, continually announcing it was Christmas. Riza just smiled at her antics, making her way to their en suite bathroom to prepare herself for the day.

Once ready, Riza hugged both her kids extra tight, wishing them a Merry Christmas.

"Merry Christmas Mum!" Mia sang, finally stopping from bouncing on her bed. For a second she paused eyes falling on the empty bed.

"Dad said he would call around seven o'clock to speak to you both," Riza informed them, noticing the way Mia's face fell slightly. The sight made Riza's chest tighten.

"Oh, yay!" she reacted to the news with even more excitement. "I can't wait to speak to him. I asked Santa for an awesome present for Dad this year. I'm so excited to see his face when he opens it!"

James had helped Mia pick out a gift for each of them so Riza didn't actually know what it was they would be receiving. She had assured her son he didn't need to go wild with presents, but knowing him, James liked to spoil them. Riza was pleased he was in a financial position to do so, but he really didn't need to.

"I know, Mum," he reassured her. "But I want to. This of it as a thank you for all you did for me over the years, and for all Roy did for both of us too." His words and grin brought a tear to her eye.

"Come on then," Riza announced dramatically. "I suppose we should go and see if Santa has dropped off your presents."

"Mum," Mia moaned good-naturedly, heavily indicating she knew Santa wasn't real. Her next words said the exact same thing.

She missed how James would write a letter to Santa when he was younger, listing all the things he would like for his Christmas. When it had become Mia's turn Riza had been thrilled to go through it all again. That was her favourite time of their childhood, when the magic of the holiday was real.

"Of course Santa is real," Riza retorted, beginning her descent down the stairs. "Who do you think knows exactly what you want?"

"You and Dad do, silly."

Riza shook her head, switching on the hall light. "Yes and we pass it on to Santa."

Light from the living room caught her eye. Hadn't James turned those lights off last night? She was sure he would have. With Mia talking she never got the chance to ask him.

Opening the door she stopped in her tracks.

Oh, the Christmas tree lights were on all right but what drew her attention was the person sitting in the armchair next to the tree, scrolling through their phone.

"Ah, I thought you were never going to get up," Roy grinned cheekily, his face lighting up at the shock on all three of their faces.

Riza was frozen in the doorway, hand still gripping the handle tightly.

Roy was here.

He was home.

"Daddy!" Mia practically screeched, ducking under Riza's still outstretched arm and launching herself into the room then into her father's arms. He laughed and caught her just as he knelt down to her level, standing straight while Mia wrapped her legs around his waist. She was far too old to be lifted in such a way, but nobody ever complained.

"Hello bear!" he greeted with a chuckle, ruffling her bedhead. "You're up late! Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas Dad! I can't believe you are home! Mum said you wouldn't be home until after Christmas."

"I know," Roy replied, winking at Riza when their eyes met. "There was a slight change of plans."

"Oh, this is the best Christmas present!" Mia fiercely hugged her father, burying her face into his jumper. "And Santa has been Mum, I told you!" Mia extracted herself from Roy's hold, beginning to pull presents out from underneath the tree and sorting them into piles.

James chuckled and hugged Roy, his feet working before Riza's. She still couldn't quite believe he was home. Mia was right, this was the best Christmas present. Ever.

"Merry Christmas, Dad."

"Merry Christmas, bud," Roy smiled, slapping James amicably on the back. "Go on, dig in," Roy gestured to the pile of presents. "You will need to catch up with your sister." Said sister was carefully handling each of the presents in her pile, shaking them gently to try and determine what was in them.

Roy closed the distance between them, a soft smile on his face. A hand cupped her jaw, thumb stroking her cheek and wiping away a stray tear at the same time. He kissed her softly and it was as if Riza's body had finally come alive after her shock. She threw her arms around his neck, drawing him in close and increasing the intensity of the kiss. Roy smiled against her lips, a chuckle rumbling deep in his chest.

"That is the best way to say hello," he murmured.

"How did you… When…?"

"We finished earlier than anticipated. The Captain had a change of heart and let us all go home early. I flew in overnight."

"When did you land?"

"About two hours ago."

She studied his face, noticing the tired lines and dark circles under his eyes. They were partially there with age but Riza knew the signs of his stress. The stress of this week had plagued him as well. She stroked under his eyes gently with her thumb and Roy's eyes fluttered closed.

"When did you get home?"

"An hour ago."

Riza smile spread across her face. "Were you down here the whole time?" Her question caused him to smirk. He was particularly pleased about his little stunt that was for sure.

"I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Well it was the best kind. Have you gotten any sleep?"

He nodded. "I slept in the airport for a couple of hours. My flight was at one this morning but we finished at four in the afternoon yesterday so after I had something to eat I slept most of the evening." He shrugged. "I had nothing better to do. I slept on the plane as well."

She kissed him again, but softly this time, as if reassuring herself he was really here.

"This is… amazing." More tears sprung to her eyes. "I missed you," she admitted quietly.

"I missed you too. I wouldn't have missed this moment for the world."

"Thank you," she breathed. Her arms snaked down to his waist and locked in, holding his body tightly against hers. She turned her head, dipping it ever so slightly so her cheek rested against his chest. His heart beat strongly under her ear and she closed her eyes briefly, simply listening to it.

Mia and James shared a look. Both had been watching the exchange while their parents shared their moment. When the two adults finally turned their attention back to them, they shared a grin then began tearing open wrapping paper.

Riza's smaller pile of presents sat off to the right with Roy's pile next to it. She would open them once Mia and James were finished because she didn't want to let go of Roy just yet. He had slung his arm around her shoulders while Riza's snaked across his back and around his waist. Her other hand rested on his chest, trying to remain as close to him as possible. The excitement on both their kid's faces after opening their gifts was enough of a present for the parents.

This truly was the best Christmas.

i know this was cheesy as hell but i really dont care because royai deserve all the happiness in the world together in this au

those ugly christmas sweaters are all ones you can buy btw and they are incredible