A/N: So I said at the author's notes in the last story that I would have another drabble posted in a few days. Unfortunately, the story inadvertently became an M rated drabble so I couldn't post it here and two other stories I finished turned out pretty bad. I'm pretty happy with this one though.

The Gift:

Riza smiled as she watched the snow gracefully fall outside the Hughes' residence. The scenery outside looked so quiet and peaceful; a direct contrast to the bustling noise coming from downstairs where the Christmas party was going on. Riza frowned when she heard the sound of breaking glass followed by loud laughter. No doubt the effects of the wine were starting to kick in.

Shaking her head, she turned away from the window and walked back to the center of the guest bedroom. The room was doubling for a coat check that evening, so a pile of coats were currently lying all over the bed.

As she sifted through the seemingly endless pile looking for her coat so she could place a fountain pen set, her Secret Santa gift from Fuery, with the rest of her belongings, she felt a small tug on her skirt. Turning around, she found Elysia looking up at her, smiling.

"This is for you," she said shyly, holding up a small box wrapped in silver and gold. Riza smiled and kneeled down in front of the little girl.

"Thank you, Elysia," she said as she gave the child a hug. "But you didn't have to get me anything." Elysia simply giggled.

"It's not from me," she replied. "Uncle Roy found it under the Christmas tree while he and Mommy were picking up all the wrapping paper on the floor. He asked me to bring it to you."

"I see." Riza looked down at the tag attached to the present. As she suspected, her name was written in the Colonel's familiar handwriting.

"So are you going to open it?" Elysia asked, fidgeting excitedly.

Riza smiled and held out the gift to the little girl. "Why don't you help me?"

"Ok!" Elysia took the present and ripped the wrapping off. "Oh wow…" she breathed, holding up the gift for Riza to see. "What a pretty jewelry box!"

Riza couldn't help but smile at the gift. The silver case was decorated with an intricate floral design carved around the sides with her initials, R.H., engraved at the center of the lid. Gently taking the jewelry box from Elysia, she opened it and felt the rich velvet lining inside. It really was beautiful. While she was busy admiring the gift she almost didn't notice a third person enter the room.

"Hey kiddo. Your mommy's looking for you to sing Christmas carols," said a male voice. Riza looked up and saw Roy standing over them, grinning.

"Uncle Roy! Look at what Auntie Riza got!" Elysia exclaimed.

Roy glanced at the jewelry box in Riza's hands. "Wow. Auntie Riza must've been a really good girl this year to get such a nice present," he replied with a hint of amusement in his voice. Riza could feel herself blushing.

"Come on, Elysia," she said turning back to the little girl. "We better go back downstairs."

Elysia nodded. "OK." She started skipping towards the door. Riza began to follow her but Roy held her back.

"You go on ahead, Elysia. We'll be there in a minute. I want to have a word with Auntie Riza first."

The little girl nodded in understanding and disappeared out the door. As soon as she left Riza felt a pair of arms slip around her waist and a pair of lips met hers. When they finally parted, she noticed that Roy was grinning.

"I've been waiting all night to do that."

"I'm surprised you didn't try earlier under the mistletoe."

"I didn't think the men would appreciate seeing us making out in a corner since none of them came with dates. Havoc probably would have cried about it ruining his Christmas or something."

"You're such a considerate superior officer," she joked while turning her attention back to the gift she still had in her hand. Roy watched as she ran her hand over the floral design.

"So….do you like your gift?"

Riza looked up at him and smiled. "Yes, it's lovely. Thank you. It's just that I don't really have any jewelry to put in it except perhaps a few earrings."

Roy simply smirked. "Well I guess we'll have to rectify that problem won't we?"

Riza watched in surprise as he slowly got down on one knee and pulled out a small black velvet box. Her hand instinctively went to her mouth as he opened it to reveal a solitary diamond ring sparkling in the moonlight.

"Riza," he said softly, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "We've been through a lot together and no matter what, you've always been by my side. I can't even begin to imagine how different my life would be without you…actually I probably wouldn't still be here if it weren't for you. You mean the world to me and I-I know I don't deserve you but I love you a-and I want you with me forever." He paused and gazed into Riza's eyes. "Will you marry me?"

For the first time in her life, Riza was speechless. She could only nod her head and watch as he placed the ring upon her finger. Then Roy stood up and brought her close to him. She could smell the scent of his aftershave as her lips met his in a passionate kiss. It seemed like an eternity before a childish voice rang out from the bottom of the stairs.

"Uncle Roy? Auntie Riza? What's taking so long? Everybody's waiting."

Roy and Riza slowly parted and chuckled. "I guess that's our cue," Roy whispered into her ear. Riza nodded even though deep down she didn't want the moment to end. Without another word, they slowly walked, hand-in-hand, back downstairs to join the party.

A/N: Cliché proposal, I know. I just couldn't resist writing it.

Thank you to everybody who reviewed.