AN: i thought... why not continue this series for "the way it was". this wee au is very near and dear to me and it was a delight to work on it again. so hope you enjoy!

hopefully there will be more to come in the future :)

"This way, Maes. No, this way. This way! Maes!"

Peals of laughter carried through the Mustang household, causing Riza to laugh quietly to herself as she worked outside in the garden. She stretched up high and continued to listen in as she hung the last of the birthday banners over the wooden frame of the awning Roy had finally got around to building in the middle of summer.

It was perfect. The covering protected them from the scorching Central sun and stopped little Maes and Mia from being burned by the sun as they played outside in the patio. Their youngest was not a fan of the cream being slathered on his skin, so it was the perfect compromise. And it gave Roy a hobby to work on while Riza was busy preparing coursework for the upcoming school year.

To say she was nervous, would be an understatement.

His little DIY project had started with disastrous results, but nevertheless, he'd persevered and in the end, it was sturdy and worked perfectly. It was well-made and held true – even through the gale force winds they'd experienced a week ago which caused both to fear it would be ripped from the side of their house. The freak weather also made her worry they wouldn't be able to have their planned party for Maes, but with the bluebird sky high above today and the hot temperatures it was hard to believe in the bad weather they'd experienced only a short time ago.

The tail end of summer was still warm. They were still being invited to garden parties and often, Riza would find herself outside in the evening after both kids had gone to bed, staring up at the sky and watching the clouds drift gracefully across the inky black. Or, if she was lucky, there would be a star or two to count as well.

Mia's favourite thing was looking up at the stars. She liked to try and count them all, providing endless entertainment for all when she set her heart upon her task.

"No!" Little Maes' favourite word erupted from his lips in a delighted squeal.

Looking over her shoulder, Riza saw him toddling towards the door to try and escape his sister's clutches. Mia was hot on his heels, both arms extended and held out to catch him in case he fell.

Bless her, she was the cutest little thing with her younger brother. She had endless patience for him and looked out for him without being asked. She was fiercely protective and always wanted to play with him. She never wanted them to be parted and it warmed Riza's heart entirely to see them so close.

It did her heart well to know there was a completely solid support system behind her children, should they ever need it.

"Mum!" Mia tried to complain, but she obviously couldn't be too mad at her brother because the tail end of her complaint tapered off with a laugh. Her grin was also a giveaway that she wasn't too put out about him running away from her as he tried to escape from the house.

"Yes, Mia Bear?"

Speaking her nickname was as easy as breathing.

Mia Bear and Little Maes.

Her two wonderful, brilliant children.

"Maes is coming outside!" she warned.

The toddler giggled and staggered over the high step of the door to freedom. His arms flailed as he practically flung his little body over the raised base of the doorway, but he landed on solid legs. The garden was now his oyster and he grinned. With determination and a speed Riza hadn't expected, he made straight for the grass. Once there, he bent fully at the waist and slammed his palms down on it.

He must have been watching his father recently.

Maes giggled and tried to pull at the tufts of grass, eventually ending up lifting a few blades into his fist. He turned it over in wonder, ogling the green grass which stuck out from between his fingers.

"Ah ah, mister," Riza admonished lightly. She scooped him into her arms and started to walk back towards the shade.

Maes didn't appear to mind too much. He was too focussed on the grass in his fist. He snickered, opening and closing his palm, causing the plant to drop onto Riza's shirt. Now it was free form his grasp, he cried out in indignation, because how dare it leave his side. How dare it leave him!

"Do you like the grass, Maes?"

He blinked at her then broke out into a toothy grin. He had most of his teeth now. His front teeth were on full show as he beamed at her.

"Grass!" he repeated, although he hadn't quite mastered the 'r' sound yet, so it sounded like 'gas', making Riza chuckle.

"That's right! Grass."

"Gas!"

"Close enough," Riza smiled at him. She kissed his temple as he reached for the blades on her shoulder. He picked up the blades, one by one, grasping each between his thumb and pointer finger.

"I'll teach him, Mum!" Mia stared up at her brother adoringly as she scurried over to walk by their side.

"Thank you, Mia. I'm sure he'd appreciate it."

"I'm home!" a sing song voice called out from within the house.

"Dad!" Mia's cry almost pierced Riza's ears.

"Dad! Dad!" Maes clapped his hands together and wiggled within Riza's grasp in an attempt to be put down, so he could toddle over to his father, despite the fact Riza could get him there quicker. Still, she indulged him and placed his feet upon the floor. He was unsteady and his body shook with delight and excitement as he started his journey to greet his father, following in his sister's footsteps. A happy squeal erupted from him as he made his way back inside their home.

When Riza entered Mia was already in Roy's arms. She was hugging him tightly, arms wrapped around his neck, as he placed a hand upon his back and held her close.

Ever since losing his eyesight he was especially doting and attentive towards his children. Even after two years had passed, he hadn't changed.

"Dad!" Maes' giggled. He lifted his arms towards his father as he staggered over to him.

"Maes, my boy!"

The acknowledgement caused him to laugh louder, making him lose his balance. He tumbled onto his bottom but never stopped laughing. After pushing himself back up to his excitable feet he continued onwards towards Roy, who grinned at his antics.

Theirs was a household filled with laughter and love. Full of escapades and hilarity, both of which Riza would never tire of.

It was everything she'd ever wanted, and more. Everything she'd ever dreamed of.

"They've been missing you," Riza told Roy as both children clamoured for his attention.

"I missed my Mia Bear so much." He kissed her cheek, placing a massive, loud kiss upon it, making their daughter giggle and her eyes sparkle with happiness. "And my son! Little Maes!" As if it were no effort at all, Roy bent and scooped Mase into his arms and cuddled him close as well.

He pressed his face into the crook of his father's neck and sighed happily. "Dada," Maes murmured.

"That's right." Roy pressed a kiss to the top of his head. "Dad's home."

"I'm so glad you are!" Mia pulled back and clapped her hands together in glee. "Then you'll be home for your special birthday dinner!"

"My girl, I wouldn't miss it for the world." Roy kissed each child on the top of the head before placing them both down on the ground.

Still, they stared up at him expectantly. Adoringly.

"Shall Dad go and get changed out of his work uniform?"

Mia scrunched her nose up as she looked him up and down. "Yes!"

"Yeah!" Maes mimicked his sister as best he could.

"Shall I get dressed in my best dancing outfit?" Roy raised an eyebrow. "Equipped with my best dancing shoes?"

"Yeah!" Mia screamed it this time, but both parents couldn't bring themselves so scold her for the volume.

She was happy, so they were happy too.

They'd do anything for their little girl, after all.

Roy saluted and bowed at the waist with a flourish. "As the lady demands!" He jogged through the hallway and up the stairs, taking two at a time, while both children laughed and tried to follow him.

"Mia, Maes!"

Both froze on the spot and turned to face their mother.

"Shall we get the rest of our… surprise ready?"

Mia's face lit up and she rushed over to Riza's side. She clasped her hand tightly, latching on, and started to tug her towards the garden. "Yay! Let's get ready!"

Maes let out an indignant cry behind them both at being left behind, but Riza still smiled and slowed her pace to let him catch up.

"Dad's going to be really surprised, isn't he?"

Riza nodded. "I think he will. So we have to stay extra quiet to make sure it's a surprise for as long as possible, all right?"

Mia nodded enthusiastically and pressed her lips into a thin line.

"Dad home!" Maes crowed happily as he picked up the pace to walk ahead of them.

Mother and daughter allowed him to step out the door first. Again, he lost his balance as he stepped over the raised exit, but he righted himself immediately. Once under the awning he looked up at Riza patiently with owlish eyes, awaiting to see what she would do next.

"Shall we lay out Dad's presents?"

Mia gasped and agreed with a very enthusiastic "yes!". Maes, bless his little copycat heart, looked over to his sister and copied her immediately. He imitated her enthusiasm and agreed also.

"Okay," Riza whispered, crouching down to their level. "Stay quiet for now, okay? I'll go and get Dad's presents and bring them down here. If you're quiet, and I'm quiet, we'll be able to do it without him ever knowing."

"Okay, Mummy! We'll be quiet. We promise. I'll look after Maes too," Mia offered sincerely, determination lacing her tone, "so you won't need to worry about a thing!"

Riza ran a hand over her daughter's hair, then cupped her cheek. She pressed a kiss to Mia's forehead and stroked her cheek. "I trust you, Mia. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes!" She'd never seen a child so determined before.

"Okay. I won't be long," Riza promised. "And remember – quiet as a mouse."

"Quiet as a mouse," Mia repeated in a whisper.

Maes tried to copy them both, but it seemed they'd spoken too fast for him to pick up properly, because he ended up just repeating it phonetically, getting it not quite right.

Riza couldn't help but laugh, but repeated herself, speaking slower this time.

Understanding dawned on him and he nodded. He scrunched up his nose and brought his hands to towards his mouth, whispering with a promise of, "quiet as a mouse."

"Shall I hide up here for longer?" Roy smirked at her as he continued to unbutton his dress shirt in their bedroom.

"Please. It would mean the world to them if you did."

Roy turned towards her fully. He stalked over, full of feline grace, dropping his shirt to the floor. He grinned as her focus faltered and her eyes dropped to his suddenly bare chest. Once he reached her, Roy placed his hands on her hips gently and pressed a kiss upon her lips. Riza sighed into it, relishing in the feeling of his body pressed against hers.

"Anything for you, my love," he murmured against her temple. After pressing a kiss there, he spoke again. "Anything for those two kids."

Riza hummed happily as they started to naturally sway gently together.

"It won't be too long. Ten minutes?"

Roy pressed another kiss against her temple. "I will give you all the time you need."

"Ten minutes," she confirmed.

Roy grinned at her. "See you then. I can't wait."

Once finally able to tear herself free from her husband's natural gravitational pull against her, Riza opened the door of her side of their wardrobe. She rummaged between hanging clothes and storage boxes to extract a bag filled with gifts.

Roy laughed quietly behind her.

"I hope you didn't peek," she scolded lightly.

"I would never," he gasped, mock offense filling his tone.

Yes, he would.

She retrieved the presents she'd hidden there, shrouded in tissue paper, earlier that day after he'd left for work. Riza straightened and spun in place towards her husband, hiding the bag behind her back with a coy smile. She backed out of their bedroom as Roy watched on in excited anticipation and – something more.

It wasn't too difficult to guess what else.

Once in the garden, Riza saw both children were playing together on the grass. As soon as they spotted their mother, Mia encouraged Maes to follow her over to the patio, so they could get their surprise ready.

Roy made a show of entering the garden to the little surprise they'd created for him for his birthday. He knew they were supposed to be having dinner together that night, and that it was a special dinner to celebrate him. But this was something a little extra Riza had rustled up for him and planned throughout the week.

"So, this is where you've all been hiding." He yawned, placing a hand over his mouth and stretching one arm high above his head. "I am very much looking forward to my birthday dinner, which our Mia Bear has cooked all by herself."

Mia giggled in delight but said nothing more.

After his stretch, Roy lowered his arms and blinked at the carefully wrapped presents waiting upon the table in the middle of the patio. He turned silent as he noticed the birthday banners Riza had hung up earlier for him.

Honestly, her husband could definitely make it as an actor.

"What's all this?" His expression melded into confusion, making Mia beam proudly at her surprise.

"It's your surprise!"

He blinked at her. "My surprise?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! From Maes and me."

"Maes and I," Roy corrected, gently.

"Oh. Right! And Mummy too, of course."

"I thought dinner was my surprise."

"This is something extra," Mia explained happily. She clambered up onto one of the patio chairs, resting on her knees, so she was closer in height to her father.

Yet, Roy still lowered to a crouch, so he was nearer to eye level. "Did you buy me presents for my birthday, Mia Bear?"

She nodded. "Maes and me – I mean, Maes and I, picked them out specially for you." Her gaze flicked over to her mother, standing behind Roy, who nodded for her to continue. "We… We hope you like them." A sudden wave of nervousness washed over her, and Mia started to wring her hands together.

Roy ruffled her hair into a mess – that unruly fringe had yet still to be tamed into submission, but it did leave her hair sticking up on end. "I'm sure I will adore them. You don't need to worry about that."

"How can you be so sure?" She peered curiously at her father, looking at him as if he had all the answers in the world.

He smiled softly at his daughter. "Because they're gifts from my children," Roy answered simply, leaning forward to press a kiss to Mia's forehead.

"So, Maes." Roy bent and scooped his son into his arms, making him giggle. "Would you like to help me open the first one?"

Maes clapped his hands together and his face lit up. "Yeah!"

"Oh, oh! Can I help you with the second one?"

"Of course, Mia," Roy answered as he lowered himself into the other free patio chair. "You can help me with one each. Maes, you pick the first one."

Riza watched as Maes poured over the wrapped gifts. He took his time to choose – leaving Mia to eventually start shifting from knee to knee impatiently – but finally chose one which was flat, but long in shape.

"Good choice, Maes."

Roy allowed him to unwrap it for him. He assisted and lifted up the edge of the paper where it would be easy to open, so Maes could tear away at it until his heart's content, but Maes was always a careful one. Although still young, he unwrapped gifts with patience and caution. He did it carefully, as if he feared to rip the paper, no matter how often he was encouraged to do it hurriedly by his sister. He'd try his best to catch the edge of the wrapping paper between his thumb and pointer finger and would peel it backwards slowly.

Ever since he was very young, he'd enjoyed working on his fine motor skills and picking at things like that, and to this day it still continued – much to his sister's chagrin. Not that she ever complained, of course. She would never complain about her baby brother.

Once finally unwrapped, Roy gasped and grinned down at the tie laying in a bed of paper.

"I know you can't wear ties at work," Mia gushed before it was even in full view, but you always do it when you and Mum go out to fancy events so I thought you could wear it then!"

He didn't. He wore bowties, but Mia had instantly fell in love with the accessory as soon as she set her eyes on it, and Riza hadn't had the heart to correct her.

The tie had a funky pattern. And that was funky with a capital F. It was a very loud design, filled with clashing colours, and was definitely an eyesore. But Mia had gasped and pointed it out immediately. She'd fallen in love with it. And it was her choice to pick the gift, so Riza went with it and bought it for Roy for his birthday.

He'd wear it, Riza knew that much. It was a gift from Mia, so of course he would. But Riza knew he liked his style. He liked to dress up and look incredibly smart. It left Riza wondering how often, or when he'd wear his gift.

It would be an interesting and entertaining experiment.

Roy gasped and shifted Maes on his thigh so he could reach forward and hold it up properly to admire it.

Sure enough, his eyes fairly sparkled wi*th glee at the sight of it.

"Do you like it?" Mia sounded so uncertain, Riza placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"Mia Bear, I love it," Roy grinned.

The uncertainty fled her. Her shoulders dropped low and she looked pleased as punch and Roy started to tie it around his neck, despite only wearing a plain white t-shirt now. As soon as it was secure, he straightened his tie and opened his arms for his daughter. Mia ran to him immediately and he thanked her with a kiss atop her head.

Maes caught the tie between his thumb and pointer finger while they were both preoccupied and started to fiddle with it.

"Thank you, Mia. It's a brilliant tie." Roy glanced up at Riza with a goofy smile on his face. "It's very full of life. It's definitely a statement piece."

Riza snorted quietly to herself but nodded in agreement.

"Now, what are the rest of all these presents?"

"You'll have to open them and see!" Mia cried happily. "I pick this one to open next!"

It was later that evening, when both children had settled after the day's excitement and gone to bed, that husband and wife finally found some quiet time together. Roy was still wearing his tie, so Riza grasped it lightly at its end. As soon as she tugged on it gently, Roy turned towards her with a confused furrow of his brow, but as soon as she tugged harder his expression changed and morphed into something else entirely.

His smile was practically wolfish as she drew him towards her.

"Have you had a nice birthday, Roy?"

He hummed in agreement and tenderly pressed a kiss to her lips. It lingered and he pulled away slowly.

He still managed to scramble her thoughts every time, so Riza briefly forgot what they'd been discussing and, after he pulled back, she leaned in to follow his movement, not ready to end the kiss quite yet.

Roy looked far too smug for her liking once he noticed her reaction.

Still, Riza couldn't bring herself to mind too much about it though. Not when she felt the electricity skittering across her skin from his touch. Not when his skin seared hers with a fire only he could ignite and extinguish.

"It was the best birthday I've had in a long time." He lifted both hands to brush her hair away from her face. It took a few attempts – and each time he caressed the skin of her face tenderly.

Riza had to lock her knees to keep them from shaking and keep herself upright.

It still thrilled her, her husband could draw such a reaction from her to this day after so long together. And she loved him all the more for it.

"I do have one question though."

He did not appear in a hurry to ask it though because his lips trailed down the column of her neck to her clavicle. Riza inhaled sharply as he breathed out, heating her skin and making her shiver, both at the same time.

"Oh?" She finally prompted him after he lazily made his way back towards her throat and pressed a gentle kiss against the pulse point beneath her chin.

"Yes," he breathed.

Roy finally pulled away and Riza nearly vocally protested at his retreat.

He lifted one eyebrow, demeanour completely changing. "I just have to wonder who our daughter took after regarding fashion sense." He glanced down at his tie. "Obviously, I will wear this with honour but…" He screwed up his face. "Just who has been teaching her about style?"

Riza couldn't help the giggle which erupted from her. "I can take it back to the shop if you'd like?"

Roy reared back and clutched at the tie protectively. "No!"

Riza smirked knowingly.

"This is not going back. She picked it out for me and I love it."

Riza's smile softened. She lifted her arms to his shoulders, sliding her hands over the top of them so her wrists could hook behind his neck. After her tender touch, it was his turn to shudder this time.

"She was very pleased with herself after picking a gift out for her father."

Roy let out a quiet coo of 'aww' and lifted his hands to rest upon Riza's hips. "She did seem very excited."

"Oh, she was. It was a struggle to keep her quiet about it for the last few days."

He chuckled and stepped closer to her. Now their bodies were flush together.

"It was a lovely day, Riza." He gazed into her eyes, all joking now gone. In its place was clear adoration. "Thank you."

She smiled up at him. "Of course. You're welcome, Roy. It's good for them to spoil you too seeing as you spoil them all the time. And they were so happy to be involved and be able to pick out something special for you."

He looked so pleased. "I can't wait until its your birthday." His grin turned mischievous. "We are all going to spoil you like the queen you are."

Riza felt her cheeks flush hot, causing Roy to laugh.

"It's what you deserve, Riza Mustang." He kissed each of them and smiled down at her.

"Just… Don't go crazy," she mumbled in a half-hearted protest.

"Oh, Riza," Roy shook his head, still grinning in an alarming, excited way. "You have no idea what's in store for you."