First Day
Here is a belated birthday present for @tea-withjamandbread who wanted some Beth Mustang, my Royai kid OC from my Without Her universe.
Summary: It’s Beth’s first day in school and both Roy and Beth are feeling nervous.
Warning for fluff!
First Day
“Beth, you up yet?” Roy peered in the door of his daughter’s room. “C’mon, it's your first day.”
He stopped in the doorway and he frowned. Still in her pyjamas, she was sitting on the edge of the bed. He stepped into the room.
“Hey, baby girl,” he said gently. “Why aren't you getting ready, sweetheart?”
“Daddy, do I have to?” She looked up at him. “What if I don’t make any friends? What if- what if they all hate me?”
He crossed the room and sat down on the bed beside her. “Of course, you will.” He brushed her hair from her face. “You’re Beth Mustang, they would be lucky to have you as a best friend.”
She grinned. “You’re silly.”
“Ah, well, that’s where you learned it from.” He poked her in the chest. “Let’s get breakfast first, huh? Just this once, mind you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, climbed onto his lap and buried her face in his chest.
He ruffled her hair. “It's alright to be nervous.”
“Yeah?” Her voice was muffled from his shirt.
“Let me tell you a secret, I was so scared, I got sick on your Grandma’s shoes.”
She shifted in his arms and pulled back a little to look up at him. Her brows were furrowed and he tried not to laugh at how adorably confused she looked.
“No, you didn't.”
“Yes, I did. Ask Grandma about it sometime.”
Beth scrunched up her nose. “Ugh, poor Grandma.”
“Poor Grandma?” Biting back a smile, he asked. “What about your poor Dad?”
“You’re disgusting.”
“I couldn't help it.”
She snuggled into him again. She had been extra clingy over the weekend. His little girl was growing up and he wondered how much longer she would cuddle up with him like this. It seemed like only yesterday she was a baby and now she was starting school. He knew Riza would be so proud of her if she was here. Their brave, kind and loving little girl.
“Carry me, Daddy.”
Beth's words pulled him from his thoughts. Lifting an eyebrow, he scooped her up and carried her into the kitchen.
Her eyes lit up when she saw the table. “Pancakes!”
“Well, it’s your first day at big school.” Smiling, he dropped her into a chair. “Of course, I’m going to give you your favourite.”
“You're the best.”
“I know.” He sat at the other side of the table and poured coffee from the cafetière. He smiled at the Best Dad in the World emblazoned on the mug. “That's why I got this cool mug.”
Beth out down her glass of juice. “Grandma said that mug would give you a big head.”
“Well, she was right.”
He got an eye roll in return.
A small smile on his face, he watched her devour the pancakes. He did a lot wrong in his life. He wondered what he had done to deserve the beautiful little girl in his life.
“Are you not eating, Daddy?”
“Well, I’m going over to your Grandma’s for breakfast after we drop you. I’m going to be working from home today so I can collect you after.”
When she smiled up at him, he felt warm inside. He was the luckiest man in the world.
Fifteen minutes later, Beth was proudly dressed in her uniform, a pleated skirt and blazer. Roy couldn't resist taking a few photographs. He ignored the smug voice in his head that sounded suspiciously like Hughes.
The doorbell rang and Beth squealed, “It’s Grandma!”
She ran to the door, Roy right behind. When she flung open the door, she jumped into Chris’ arms. With the reflexes of a much younger woman, Chris caught her.
“Well, well, look at you.”
“Grandma, do you like my uniform?”
Chris dropped her on the ground and came inside. “You look very grown up, sweetheart.” She caught Roy’s eyes. “How's Dad doing?”
“Dad was taking loads of pictures.”
The older woman arched an eyebrow.
Roy flushed. “Don’t you start.” He turned to his daughter. “Beth, why don't you get your school bag? We should get going.”
Beth practically bounced as she ran from the room.
“So, you got the camera out, huh?”
“Alright, you got me, but I think I have an excuse, it's a big day after all.”
“How is she? Is she nervous?”
“Yeah.” He sighed, “I suppose I am too. I hope she won’t have any brats in her class.”
“Roy, if you’re thinking about threatening little children, I would strongly advise against it.”
Roy chuckled, “Yeah, I guess intimidation might not be the best tactic.”
She squeezed his shoulder. “It’s scary letting them go but you’ve gotta let them spread their wings.”
Roy’s stomach was a ball of nerves by the time they got to the school. Beth held his hand tighter as they walked through the classroom door. A smiling woman that Roy recognised as the class teacher walked over towards them.
“Hi, Mister Mustang.”
Roy inclined his head. “Hello, Miss Bloom.”
She bent down and looked Beth in the eye. “Hi, Beth. You remember me, right?”
The little girl nodded.
“Good.” She held out her hand. “C’mon, why don’t you come to meet your classmates?”
The girl looked up at Roy and he nodded. “Go on, baby girl. I’ll be back later and you can tell me what a great day you had.”
She hugged him around the waist. “Love you, Daddy.”
Roy cleared his throat and she took the teacher’s hand. He felt a sense of loss as she walked away. Beth sat next to two other girls, one of whom gave her a hug. He let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. She was going to be fine. He turned around and paused at the door to wave at her, but his baby girl didn't even notice. He shook his head and went outside where Chris was waiting, her arms crossed.
“All good? No tears from either of you?”
“She didn't even see me leave,” he groused.
“Get used to it, Roy-boy, it’s only going to get worse.”
“Thanks for your words of comfort.”
She patted his arm. “I have a handkerchief in the car if you need it.”
