The Wants of the Few
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's note: The thought Riza has at the end is her thinking back to something Hughes said while he was alive…and yes he did actually say it in the show. The song "Hush Little Baby" doesn't belong to me and I don't know who it does belong to…if this gets deleted because of it, I'm going to be royally pissed.
Chapter 18 – Like an Angel
"Okay Elysia," Gracia said as she came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a dish cloth, "what do you want to do now?" she asked, deciding to let the birthday girl decide whether they went out to eat or just stayed home.
Elysia thought for a moment, and her answer surprised everyone there. "I want to go show daddy my music box!" Everyone in the room seemed to stop breathing for a moment while Gracia attempting to think of a way to respond. Elysia continued, "I need to tell him thank you, besides I think he'd be mad if he didn't get to see me on my birthday." Elysia was smiling, it seemed that she was looking forward to getting to visit her father after her little conversation with Roy and Riza. Gracia finally got her emotions under control and said, "You're right, daddy would be mad at me if I didn't bring you by."
Elysia nodded in agreement, "Can we bring daddy some flowers too? I think it'd make him happy." Gracia nodded, tears threatening to flow.
They got their coats on and all of them piled into the car. Riza drove slowly to the cemetery. She was a little shy about going to the grave again…she hadn't been there since the day of the funeral. She glanced at Roy, his face seemed stoic enough, just like the good little soldier he'd been taught to be. His face had been stoic the day of the funeral too…it wasn't until they were alone that he let even one tear fall. Even then he wasn't ready to admit he missed Maes…Riza wondered what he was thinking.
Roy stared ahead, lost in thought. The day in the park with Gracia…he'd been annoyed to say the least. The anniversary of Maes's death was coming up fast and until a few hours ago…he'd been angry. He hated himself for it, but he felt like Maes had left him. He'd promised Roy that he'd help him to the top…but how can someone dead help him get anywhere now? 'He got me farther than I thought he could…' Roy suddenly realized. He ventured a glance at Riza. 'Maes planned this all along…that was why he wrote those things on the back of those photos…he knew that eventually, military or not she was my other half…He knew that I couldn't deny myself of her forever…despite the needs of the many.' Maes might not be there now, but his presence could still be felt. His memory lived on in his friends and family. Elysia's reflection caught his eye in the rear view mirror. She smiled widely at him. 'She's so much like her father…' he thought to himself. It suddenly occurred to him why she'd been pushing him and Riza to get married… 'She's just like her father, she wants everyone to be happy…'
The car came to a slow stop and the brakes squeaked slightly. The sound echoed throughout the cemetery. It felt as if they were the only people in the world. "Riza?" Gracia said as she got out of the car. "Can you and Roy take Elysia over to her father? I'm going to get the flowers out of the back." She explained. Riza nodded, she had a feeling that Gracia wanted to be alone more than she wanted to get the flowers out of the car. Riza took a hold of Elysia's right hand and Roy took the child's left and the three walked hand and hand toward Maes' grave.
"Hi daddy!" Elysia said as they walked up to Maes' grave on the hill. Immediately the child sat down next to the headstone and proceeded to tell her father about her day. "-and then James dropped his cake all over Susan's shoes and she cried, but then Black Hayate started licking it off her shoes she started laughing again. Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Thank you for my music box. Mommy said that you made sure the man at the store made it play our special song." That said the child carefully tipped the box over and turned the key. She gently put the box down in front of the headstone and opened the lid. The quiet tune of "Hush Little Baby" began playing out across the cemetery. Roy and Riza suddenly felt as if they weren't alone anymore. Somehow if felt as if a thousand souls were listening too. Riza felt a ball form in the back of her throat as the little girl began to sing,
"Hush, little baby, don't say a word. And if that mockingbird won't sing, And if that diamond ring turns brass, And if that looking glass gets broke, And if that billy goat won't pull, And if that cart and bull fall down,
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town"
Riza smiled, the song fit Maes to a "t". The four year old continued to sing in a sweet voice. 'Maes was right…a voice like an angel.'
At the base of the hill Gracia listened to her child's mournful singing; a silent tear trickled down her cheek. She'd watched as the three had walked up the mound, it'd amazed her how much they'd looked like a little family. 'Maes always said that if something should happen to us, then Elysia should go to Roy. He wanted me to wait until he settled down to talk to him about it…but maybe now's the right time…' she thought to herself as she started up the hill with the flowers.
That's all folks…it's the end—that's all I'm writing. I think I brought everything more or less full circle. I hoped you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks readers for all the comments and views! I know some of you glares at The Air Alchemist would really like to know what happens when she talks to Roy, but I think all that stuff would be beating a dead horse...no pun intended. I really don't think I could write a better bit concerning Elysia going to Roy that The Air Alchemist has, so go read her drabble -> http/ its so cute and sweet!
Things you should have taken away from this story:
1. People that die leave unerasable marks on those they love
2. Children say the darndest things
3. True love no matter how you try to resist will always get you in the end
4. As much as I hate to admit it, if something bad happens, share the burden, it makes things easier
and last but not least...
5. The needs of the many outweigh the wants of the few (but just because you can't have something now doesn't mean you might not be able to get it later, like they say, patience is a virtue)
I hope you've all enjoyed this story, I have. I've enjoyed all the comments and I smiled at all the hits. Thanks for a great run and if you still need some Royai, I'm about to update my "Living on Borrowed Time". http/