Lights! Camera! Christmas!
Author: MoonStarDutchess and Rinoaebastel
Chapter 5: The Big Misunderstanding
Disclaimer: We do not own Fullmetal Alchemist and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than needed writing practice and enjoyment.
AN: Any formatting issues are either with the site, or my writing program keeps screwing stuff up. Did my best to check over things.
Riza's body relaxed when she stepped from the cold outdoors and into her warm house. She'd been looking forward to this moment for a few weeks now. It was a pity she wouldn't be able to spend much time here before going to her grandfather's home in Northern Amestris.
"Wow," Martina said as she closed the door. Riza turned to her. "This place is amazing. It's cozier than I thought it would be from the outside."
Martina's reaction made her happy. It'd taken her a year to get the house the way she wanted it. She chose to decorate it herself. She'd tried to hire an interior designer, but every idea contained white, white, and more white. No matter how many times she told her no white, she kept trying to push it only because it was "popular" and "fashionable."
The entire house had been white when she'd purchased it. It'd practically screamed, "unlivable." She'd been afraid to even touch anything at the risk of scraping or dirtying it.
The first thing she'd done was have the walls painted with deeper colors. The white marble was removed and replaced with dark grey versions of the same style. When the carpets in the bedrooms were removed, they discovered red hardwood underneath, which she kept.
It was then she read more into what Martina said, whether it was intentional or not. She was losing herself in thoughts a lot lately and blamed it on her dread of the upcoming events.
"You've never been here?" Riza asked. "Inside I mean."
"Um, no," Martina replied. "This is the first time."
"That can't be right. I know I invited you."
Martina shook her head, her blond curls bouncing with the action. "You've been too busy."
"Really?"
Martina laughed and hugged her. "You really are way too popular, sis."
Riza returned the hug, a look of consternation upon her features. Granted, she deliberately stayed away from her parents and Lauren, but she loved Martina and would never intentionally avoid her.
"Maybe I should hire you to do my album art," Riza said. "That way I can see you more."
Martina pulled away and smiled sadly. "With this degree hanging over my head, I'm eventually going to have to give up the painting classes too. I won't have time to even sketch stick figures."
Riza couldn't hold back voicing her opinion on it any longer. "Why are you actually going through with that? I understand having a backup option but it's your life. You can't let him control it."
Martina sighed and stepped further inside. "Are we going to stay here or are we going to look at the rest of the house?"
Riza knew she deliberately changed the subject. She'd said her piece and wasn't going to pry anymore. Perhaps it was for the best. She didn't want Martina to end up with the same type of relationship she had with their father.
It'd been very difficult for her to damage —likely irreparably— her relationship with him. She went from being a daddy's girl to feeling like a barely tolerated acquaintance.
"Come on, I'll show you to a room first, then I'll show you around."
Before they got halfway up the stairs, her phone rang. She answered it. "Hello?"
As the security guard spoke, she felt the color drain from her face.
Martina stepped down a stair and placed her hand on Riza's shoulder. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Let them through," Riza said. "Thank you."
After she hung up the phone, she looked at her sister. "Our parents are here."
Martina groaned. "I'm almost twenty-one years old. Why are they following me as if I'm not allowed to be out of the house?" She frowned. "And why'd you let them in?"
Riza placed a hand to her forehead and ran it through her bangs once. "I don't know, I hear the word parents, and I tend to lose my composure or my common sense. Whichever one I have the least of at the time."
"Throw them out."
"And what good would that do but make things tenser?"
"It would give you a lot of satisfaction?"
"While that is very true, I'd rather not have that and save myself from any extra hostility this Christmas." It would be amazing to throw her father from her home when he kicked her out of theirs. "I won't let them control what goes on in my own home. Just know you can stay here as long as you want," Riza said. "Just in case they try to guilt you into leaving."
"Thanks. I won't be here long anyway. We have to go to the holiday thing at grandpas and then I have to go back to school. "
"It still stands. If you need a place, come here. Go up and pick a room, take any on the right side of the second floor that you want. I'll handle mom and dad for a bit."
"Okay," she said and walked up the stairs as the doorbell rang.
Riza looked over at the gold and glass doors and sighed as she saw three outlines in the frosted panel. She knew the third was her older sister.
She walked down the stairs and moved to open the door. "Well, I can't say I wasn't expecting you eventually, but you surprise me on how soon you came." She stepped aside, giving wordless permission for them to enter the house. She wondered how they knew her address, but she brushed it aside.
"Where's Martina?" Berthold asked as soon as he crossed the threshold.
Riza shut the door. "No, hello?"
"Oh my, how pretty," her mother said as she walked further into the foyer and looked around the area and up at the ceilings. Her sister snorted.
"Hello," Berthold said. "Where's your sister?"
"What makes you think she's here?" she asked. She walked down two steps and went into her living room. The three followed.
"She's not at your grandfather's," Riza's mother said as she entered behind her. She stopped when a vase on a table caught her eye. "MoonStar Designs?"
"Yes," Riza said. "Her first collection."
"Amazing."
"Serena, this is no time to talk about pottery." Berthold said as he and Lauren entered the room.
Riza rolled her eyes but returned to the subject at hand. "So why did you automatically come here?"
"Where else would she go?" Lauren asked.
"She is a college student and there is an open campus," Riza replied. The three froze and looked as if they hadn't thought of that being a possibility.
Riza laughed and sat down in a wingback chair. "She's here. She's just getting settled in."
"Settled in?" Berthold asked.
"She's going to stay here for a while."
"She absolutely is not," Berthold said. "I can't guarantee that she does her school work for the winter if she's here. You certainly wouldn't make her do it. "
"She's twenty years old, that's not our responsibility now."
"It is if I'm paying for it."
She couldn't' exactly argue against that. She was happy she never allowed him to hang finances over her head, but neither sister was as strong willed as she was. It helped being the middle daughter. She was left to her own devices at times growing up since the other two were going through milestones while she was in "limbo."
"You could at least trust her enough to do it on her own," Riza said.
"The last daughter I trusted walked out on us."
Riza stared at him, amazed he'd bring that up. "And whose fault is that?" she snapped, her voice coming out much harsher than she intended.
"Certainly not mine. I was doing what was best for you, and you ended up making the wrong decisions."
"Wrong decisions? I seem to be doing very well if you haven't noticed."
"If whoring yourself out to the public is doing well," he said.
This conversation wouldn't go anywhere productive, so she lowered her speaking tone back to normal and banished the causticity. "If you say so, father." She'd grown so used to his digs at her career, comparing it to prostitution, that it no longer affected her.
Martina entered the room.
"Go get your things," Berthold said.
"No,' she said.
He put his right hand up to his temple and massaged it. "Don't tell me Riza's stubbornness has rubbed off on you too."
"Berthold," Serena said and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's the holidays; do try to be a bit more reasonable." She turned to Riza. "That's not the only reason we came." She took Lauren by the arm and extended her hand out. Lauren puffed up proudly.
"Engaged?" Riza asked as she leaned forward to look at the ring.
"Yes," she said. "Three carats." There was no way it was three carats. Whoever fed her, or her fiancé, that crap saw them for fools. She just hoped they didn't pay that kind of price for the clear cubic zirconia on her finger. Diamonds and these things were so boring, but she'd pretend to be impressed to make her sister happy.
"It's lovely," Riza said.
"What? When did that happen?" Martina asked. She grabbed Lauren's hand and examined the ring.
"Last night on our date. It was so romantic."
"Isn't it too soon?"
"I didn't ask your opinion," Lauren said, snatching her hand away from her. She raised her chin slightly and sat down. "So, Riza, anyone new in your life?" She rested her ring on top of her right knee when she crossed her legs and angled it to where the light hit it perfectly.
Riza pushed back a laugh. Her menstrual cup was worth more than that thing. But it wasn't that an expensive ring mattered. Her favorite necklace came from a dollar store, and her favorite boots came from All-mart. It was Lauren's attitude that irked her.
"Actually," Riza said when she realized someone new was indeed going to be in her life. "There is. He's coming here in a few days."
Everyone's eyes widened. "He?" Berthold said and walked closer to her.
"Really?" Serena asked. Lauren looked bothered by the revelation.
Riza didn't know why they were so surprised. They knew she always wanted one. Now that she had the time, she finally got one.
"Yes, he. I've never had any interest in females before."
Riza's mother got a twinkle in her eye, and Lauren's expression darkened even more. "I'll play along. What does he look like?"
Riza got a thoughtful expression on her face. "Well, he has gorgeous dark eyes. He's very handsome but also cute. He has a kind face. He's not extremely well behaved, but that can be fixed with time."
"You must bring him to Christmas! I'm sure your grandfather will have an extra room for him," Serena said.
"An extra room isn't necessary. He'll sleep in my room."
"Wh…" Berthold said. He took a deep breath. "I suppose you are safe about it?"
"Come on, what do you think I'd do? Let him sleep on the hall floor? My bedroom is the safest place for him."
"I was more concerned for you."
"Well, I'm not letting him bite around on me if that's what you're worried about."
"Right…" Berthold replied. Riza was confused at her father's reaction for a few seconds. She was in her late 20's, didn't he think she—Oh... Oh no...
"I'm talking about—"
Her doorbell rang as soon as she was about to clarify. "I'll be right back."
"Don't you have a butler to answer the door?" Lauren asked, her tone bitter.
Riza ignored her and answered the door. Maes came bursting through, his smile wide and every gesture displaying excitement. "He's all for it. In a few days if you can…" He trailed off when he saw her family staring at him from the wide doorway.
"Hello!" Maes said as he walked toward them. Riza shut her door before following. Maes was shaking hands with her father when she entered the lounge. She knew Maes didn't have a high opinion of them, but he was still polite.
"Maybe you can clarify for them, Maes," Riza said. "About my—"
"Oh, about him! I didn't know they were aware."
"Yeah, I just told them."
"Well, I didn't know you wanted him to come here, neither did he, but I'll tell him. I know you're busy and all."
"Huh?" Riza said.
"So it's true? She really—"
"Yeah, it's a huge deal if she says yes!" Maes said.
"Hold u—" Riza was cut off by Maes.
"It's a big decision to make, but should be easy considering how compatible they are."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Martina said.
"She was just recently asked," Maes replied for her. "And she hasn't made her decision yet."
Riza was standing there, trying to grasp what was going on in the conversation. "But you're thinking of saying yes, right?"
Riza looked from her family then back to Maes. "Um… right. Yes."
"After the meetings in the next few weeks, I think the compatibility will be evident and we can begin the arrangements."
"Wait. Compatibility? It's arranged?" Berthold asked. He seemed to actually be at ease now, which surprised Riza considering he hated movie actors as much as he hated pop singers.
"Yes, of course," he said. "When you're famous it's still arranged, although it's much easier." Maes looked at Riza. "He told me to arrange a dinner for the two of you at the Diamont private rooms if you are willing. If you two agree then I think we can begin arrangements and then production."
"Pr—production?" Serena managed. "You mean a…"
"Yep! Maybe even two or three. It's likely." His phone rang and he picked it up. After a few affirmative noises, he hung up. "Got to go, I'll call you to let you know the arrangements Roy made."
Riza could only nod. She wasn't sure how to even begin to find her voice again after being left out of the conversation. Maes left her house and she sighed.
"Well at least you're doing something proper," Berthold said. "Even if I probably won't like this Roy."
"Roy Mustang? Is that who he was talking about?" Lauren asked. "No way."
"Huh? Oh, yeah. We have a thing…," she said. She was still trying to figure out how this went from talking about her adopting a puppy to her potential movie with Roy Mustang.
"Huh?"
"Arranging it is much better than relying on your own. More potential for a long lasting marriage."
"Yeah I—Wh—What!"
"Shocked I would support it? I expect you to bring him to the Christmas get together if he's going to be part of the family. Maybe it will make you two reconsider your ridiculous careers." He turned to Martina who looked frozen in time. "Martina, I expect you keep up with your studies."
She gave a very slow nod.
"Wait a minute!' Riza said as her father walked away.
"I'm so excited. Not just one future son-in-law, but two! And Roy Mustang! You two will make beautiful babies!" Serena said, hugged her, and scampered away.
She finally realized what they thought was happening and hadn't even gotten a chance to construct any words to contradict them.
"It's just like you to one up me on my news. It figures," Lauren snapped, causing her to turn. "You just can't let anyone else be the center of attention for once, can you? Always so selfish.'
The shock Riza had coursing through her body faded and was replaced by anger. "You asked me! I answered!"
"So selfish. You could've said no."
"If you weren't interested then why did you ask?"
"To be polite."
"You were never polite to me, Lauren. Get out of my home."
"Fine," she replied and stormed out of the house, slamming the door.
"God," Riza said and fell to sit on the couch behind her.
"Ri—Riza, are you and Roy Mustang really engaged"
"No! All of this is a misunderstanding. I'm sleep-deprived, I'm hungry, and then they show up. Then Maes comes and confuses everything. It made me so off balance that they left thinking that. They didn't give me time to straighten matters out." She leaned over, placed her head in her hands, and groaned. Soon, she felt a hand rubbing her back.
"But there is a new man in your life."
"I'm adopting a puppy. Or trying to. I'll know soon. That's what I was talking about.
Martina snorted then started laughing.
"Martina! Stop it."
"I can't help it! This is hilarious! A puppy and…"
Riza sighed and straightened. "When they get home, I'll call and tell them it was a misunderstanding."
When her laughing stopped, she said, "I don't think you should."
Riza looked at her. "What? Why?"
"Lauren's going to get too much satisfaction out of it. I'd rather you not come for Christmas at all than to see that look on her face. She only accepted that engagement to show you up. I think she really likes him but not that much yet."
"Who is she engaged to anyway?"
"Antonio."
She wrinkled her nose. "Really? They didn't even like each other when we were growing up."
"Yeah. It's weird to be honest. Sometimes he doesn't seem that interested in her, but everyone ignores it. That's why I was so surprised to see that ring."
Riza took a deep breath and then stood. "Let's make some food. I'm starving. I want a huge pizza and some cookies."
Martina followed Riza into the kitchen. "That's it? That's your only reaction?"
Riza shrugged and moved around the counter. "He was my best friend and stabbed me in the back. I couldn't care less what happens in his life now."
"You should just make an excuse about why Mustang can't come for Christmas and let them believe it for a while," Martina said. "Roy Mustang is a busy and famous man after all. It wouldn't be surprising if he couldn't come."
"And if Lauren leaks it to the press before the gathering?" Riza asked.
"She despises journalists. I don't think you have anything to worry about there."
"I hope you're right," Riza said.
RW: 2022
