CHAPTER IV
Plans
Roy could've sworn that Maes just went by to his office just to pester him. Without any call or notice, he waltz in to Roy's office with two paper bags in his hands. There was nothing Roy could do, so they went to the closest coffee shop and spent their lunch breaks there.
"Hmm, so you're serious about it?" Maes asked while he stroked his chin. Roy took a bite off the cheeseburger that Maes brought and nodded. He had just finished telling Maes about his plans to woo Riza. "Are you sure it's not just because Ellie likes her that you like her too?" Maes asked. Roy shook his head. "Of course not, I would know if that's the case. Maybe it's a contributing factor but it's not the absolute reason." Maes seemed to be satisfied with Roy's answer. "I see. Well, I hope you still have your modus operandi from the old days." He joked.
Roy almost spit out the soda in his mouth. "Are you kidding? I basically just take one look at a girl and do some sweet talking back in the 'old days.'" Roy laughed. Maes snickered. "Then?" Roy just smirked and said, "Then I get laid." They hi-fived after that. Still, Roy continued to tell him more about his feelings. "I don't want to do those things to her. I want to like...like take her to dinner, maybe even buy stuff for her. I want to show her there's more to me than meets the eye. It's so weird coz I don't even just want to have sex with her. I just...how do I put this - I honestly do want to have sex with her but it's just not my priority anymore. I guess my views have changed." Roy said seriously. A gasp escaped Maes' mouth as he pointed a finger at Roy. "Oh, my goodness! You're not the Roy I know! Who the fuck are you and what did you to Roy?!" Roy jokingly punched him in the arm. "You're an idiot, Maes."
It has been two months since Riza started having regular visits with Ellie and the progress was great. Ellie, who used to like being solitary, started to be more social and playful. Riza's work was just about done.
Another school day has ended, Riza stood by the door as she watched the children being picked up by their parents. She would wave goodbye at them before they left. It was thirty minutes past four, usually, every child would've been picked up at this time, but Riza noticed that one student was still waiting to be picked up. It was Ellie. Ellie sat on one of the swings, swinging herself using her small feet. Riza came over to her and sat at the other swing. "Hey, Ellie. Your daddy's not here yet?" Ellie just shook her head. "No, teacher." She answered; her voice cracked like she was about to cry. Riza looked at her worriedly. "It's okay. I'm going to call your dad, okay?"
Riza scrolled through her contacts to find Roy's number. As soon as she did, she dialed it. It kept ringing until it finally said that the number can't be reached. Riza kept trying, thinking it was odd even for Roy to be this late to pick his daughter up.
At Riza's fifth attempt to call Roy's phone, a car came speeding up and abruptly stopped in the parking lot. It was Roy. He came running out from the car and walked towards the playground where Ellie and Riza waited. Roy stooped down to pick Ellie up. Ellie cried on his shoulder. "Daddy, I thought you forgot about me." Riza got up from the swing and looked at them. Roy ran his free hand along Ellie's back, trying to comfort his crying daughter. "I'm so sorry, Ellie. I would never forget about you. Daddy just went grocery shopping for dinner but then got stuck in traffic." Ellie straightened up in Roy's arms, Roy then grabbed his handkerchief and wiped off her tears.
Ellie looked at Roy then looked at Riza who stood just a few steps away from where they were standing. "You should say sorry to teacher too." Ellie said in a more commanding tone than a requesting one. Riza was taken aback, an apology wasn't exactly necessary considering that it was her job to take care of her students and making sure they were safe. "No, no, it's okay, sweetie. Your father doesn't have to a – " She hadn't even finished her sentence when Roy spoke to her. "I'm sorry that I kept you waiting too, Miss Hawkeye." Roy said apologetically. Riza just smiled and accepted his apology. "Apology accepted. Just try not to do it again for Ellie's sake, Mr. Mustang." Roy nodded. "I'll try not to. Anyway, Miss Hawkeye, would you like to join me and Ellie for dinner tonight? Think of it as my peace offering."
The day was just full of surprises for Riza. Ellie also seemed to like the idea very much. "Please say yes, teacher. It would be really fun. And daddy cooks really delicious food too." Riza took into consideration her schedule. It was Friday and she didn't really have plans except to call Rebecca later in the night. After thinking about it, Riza finally responded, "Sure, I'd love to."
As Roy prepared dinner, Ellie and Riza also stayed in the kitchen with him to keep him company. Riza did offer to help but Roy insisted that she was a guest and that she should just be relaxing. Ellie sat on the kitchen table and Riza was seated in a stool in front of her; holding her in place so she wouldn't fall. "Daddy, is dinner ready yet?" She asked. "Almost." He replied.
Riza knows a lot of men who could cook well so it came as no surprise to her that Roy could cook well but she realized maybe Roy had to learn how to cook considering the fact that he had a child to take care of on his own. The dinner wasn't as awkward as Riza had expected it to be. She may have visited their place from time to time but it was the first time she shared a meal with them.
Riza also didn't expect Roy to be the chatty type but he was; and that made her feel comfortable. He made her feel like she was an old friend that he always knew and not just his daughter's teacher. "Wow, my compliments to the chef." Riza joked as she finished up the last of her food. She was comfortable enough with Roy to joke around with him. "Chef says he's looking forward to the next time he'll cook for the lady." Roy responded in an undertone. Riza felt her heart beat faster, she must've even blushed a little. What the hell, Riza?! She thought as she mentally slapped herself.
After dinner was over, Riza stayed a little bit longer upon Ellie's request. It was getting quite late so Roy asked Ellie to get ready for bed. "Go on, Ellie. Teacher has to go home, you have to get ready for bed too." Instead of getting ready though, Ellie walked over to Roy and asked enthusiastically, "Daddy, can Teacher tuck me in tonight?" Roy raised an eyebrow at her. "Ellie, don't you think we've bothered teacher Riza too much today?" He said, causing Ellie to look down, clearly disappointed. Riza saw Ellie and immediately said, "Oh, no. It's okay. I really don't mind. I live close by anyway. It's not much trouble." Roy looked at her with a surprised look. "Are you sure? I wouldn't want you to put things on hold for us." Roy said. "Oh, I'll just tuck her in, Mr. Mustang. It won't take long." She replied. Ellie then smiled and held Riza's hand.
Roy sighed, there was no arguing with Riza's decision. Before they went to the room, Roy asked Ellie one more question. "Can daddy come and kiss you goodnight though?" Ellie thought of it for a few seconds then shook her head. "No, daddy. You can kiss me here now." She let go of Riza's hand and walked closer to him. Roy crouched and hugged her tightly. "Good night, princess. I love you. And don't ask Teacher Riza so many questions like you do with me. We don't want her to stay out too late, okay?" He kissed her on the forehead which caused her to giggle. "I won't, daddy. I love you. Good night."
More than thirty minutes have passed and Roy was starting to wonder what was taking Riza so long to tuck Ellie in. He had just finished washing the dishes; he looked at the clock. It was 9:53. He decided to check in on them, Ellie must still be asking Riza so many questions. Roy opened the door to Ellie's room quietly. What he wasn't what he expected at all; there he saw that both Ellie and Riza were already sleeping peacefully. Riza fell asleep sitting with her back leaned on the headboard and Ellie's head on her lap. He looked at them, wondering if this is how it would look like if they do end up together. No, it would be the three of us there if we end up together, he thought. He shook his head to make his fantasies go away then proceeded to take Ellie and laid her properly on the bed, careful not to make a sound as he covered her with a blanket. Riza didn't even move a bit.
After that, Roy made his way back to his room to open up the door. He came back to Ellie's room and slowly picked up Riza in his arms. As he did, Riza let out a low groan; Roy's eyes widened, afraid that Riza might wake up and kill him then and there for touching her. However, she didn't, she was still sleeping soundly. Roy was relieved, he walked back slowly to his bedroom, taking caution as to not slip while carrying Riza. There, he lay her down gently and covered her with his blankets. He looked at her for a few seconds, as if memorizing every detail on her face. He then realized that she was beautiful in so many ways than one. He removed the pins that held her hair up, placed them on the nightstand and lightly ran his fingers through her blonde hair. "Good night, Riza." He whispered.
A/N: I have a knack for updating during midnight. Oh, this chapter contains mild inappropriate language and mature topics. Whaaaat?! Anyhow, I hope you all would like this!