3. After One Year
He hadn't meant to come, really.
Even though Maes had been gushing about it for the past three months, Roy hadn't remembered.
Oh no, he hadn't remembered that it was little Elicia's birthday. He hadn't remembered that Maes was throwing her an elaborate and expensive party, even though she wouldn't remember it come the next morning. And he certainly hadn't remembered that the little girl's birthday had just so happened to fall on a certain subordinate Alchemist's birthday, nor that Maes had insisted on throwing a joint party for his daughter and him.
That's why he acted so surprised when he'd shown up and only stayed long enough to wish the baby a happy birthday, get attacked by Maes's pictures, compliment Gracia's cooking, and see the look of utter shock on Edward's face when the blonde had finally caught sight of him.