Monday came and Roy felt his heart thundering with excitement at the prospects of seeing Edward again. He didn't even need to question it, Roy knew he was hooked on the man - how could he not be? Edward was like a good book, the further he read the more he craved to know more. After dropping off Lucas and Roman, he watched to make sure they got to their classroom okay, and then he lingered for a few more minutes. Hoping to catch a glimpse of Edward, even if it would make him late for work. The perks of owning his own practice, he could risk being a little late if he wanted to - even though Hughes would bitch at him about it. But, five minutes passed and there was no sign of Edward Elric. So, with a slight pout, Roy retreated back to his car and drove the short ways to his office.
Pulling into the small back parking lot, Roy found himself dreading the work week ahead of him. He envied his sons, all they had to do was go to school through the week and do a little bit of homework. Hell, their homework was still easy - second grade was still when homework was fun and not something they dreaded.
Putting his car in park, Roy grabbed his leather messenger bag and climbed out of the front seat. He saw Maes's car parked a few spaces down, and Roy sighed because if Maes beat him to work that usually meant they had a tough case on their hands.
"Fuck Mondays." Roy muttered softly to himself, before letting out a sigh and heading into the office.
Edward could feel himself literally vibrating with nervousness, he could feel his fingers shaking and he had to place one hand against the wall to steady himself. His other hand held his cellphone up to his ear, where he was currently on hold with Central University as he had missed their earlier phone call. They had called when he was getting Annelise ready and only discovered he had missed the call when he realized he didn't have his phone on him. So, he had roped Al into dropping Annelise off at school, because he was a nervous wreck and he didn't want to fuck up this opportunity.
"Mr. Elric?" A voice on the other line said, bringing Ed back to reality.
"This is him." Edward replied, somehow forming a sentence without stumbling over his words.
"This is Alfons Heidrich, I'm the one who called you earlier." The man on the other line replied, "I was just looking over your application and I am very interested in speaking with you." Alfons said, " So is my colleague, Dr. Curtis."
"Oh that's, that's great." Ed stammered, he was just so nervous because he wanted this so bad and he didn't want to mess this up like he messed up everything else.
"We were just looking over your resume, and you are exactly who we are looking for to work as a Physics professor." Alfons said, and Edward could hear the sound of a page turning. "Your credentials check out, but I do see you appeared to have started a PhD program but did not finish it?"
Edward gulped slightly, "I, I was just about to submit my research." He said, his voice coming out a little shaky. "But I had a family emergency back in June, and had to put it on hold for the time being."
"Is that something you'd be interested in finishing?" Alfons asked, "We'd of course want to go over your research with you and read through what you had completed before we submit it to the committee."
"Of course, it's something I invested years into and would want to finish it." Edward said, pushing his hand harder on the wall. This was sounding serious, but he couldn't get his hopes up yet..
"Wonderful." Alfons said, and Edward could hear more pages turning. "Now, of course Dr. Curtis and I would want to meet you in person." He trailed off, "You look great on paper, everything we want, but we do need to do a formal interview." Alfons explained, "Would you be able to come down to the university today?"
"Y-Yes I can." Edward said, "I could come down this afternoon, if that works for you?" In his mind, Edward was doing math - if he went after one he would definitely have to send Annelise to after school care or have Alphonse pick her up. Or, he could ask Roy, but that was his last resort choice.
"Perfect, how does one o'clock sound?" Alfons asked.
Edward smiled because he was so excited, for once, about what the future held. "Sounds good, I'll see you then." Edward replied.
"Wonderful, come to the front desk of the Science department and our receptionist will assist you." Alfons replied, "Looking forward to meeting you, Mr. Elric."
"You too, goodbye." Edward replied before hanging up the phone.
Taking a deep breath, Edward slide down to the floor. He let his head fall between his knees, taking another deep breath before he tilted his head up and looked at the ceiling in an attempt to calm his racing heart. "Oh my fucking god." Edward breathed, "I have an interview at Central fucking University."
Somehow, Ed made himself look presentable.
While he looked presentable, he still felt like he was going to vomit all over due to his nerves. He had pulled his long golden hair into a bun, and he donned his best dress clothes. Dressed in a white button up shirt, a red satin tie, and dark black slacks with shiny black dress shoes. He had gathered all the documents he knew he needed, and also decided to take his laptop with him just incase they wanted to see any more of his research. As he slid into his car, Edward placed his worn leather messenger bag, where he had shoved everything he was bringing with him, into the passenger seat. After buckling himself in, Edward placed his head on the steering wheel and let out a deep breath.
"You can do this, Edward." He said to himself, "You've got this."
It was all he could do to build himself up, trying to bring out his confident self that he knew still lived inside of him. He could do this, he just needed to calm down and face the challenge head on. He took another deep breath, before lifting his head up and placing the key in the ignition.
He could do this, he had to do this - Winry would want him to.
"So, we've got Kimblee's case." Maes announced as Roy walked into the office. "I know, you're probably about as thrilled to work on that as I am, but he's throwing us big bucks."
Roy rolled his eyes slightly as he walked into his office, "Wonderful." He breathed, "Fucking Monday." He muttered under his breath as he placed his bag on top of his desk. He saw Maes had already placed the files he needed on his desk, silently thanking him because that made Roy's life much easier.
There's nobody else he'd rather work with though, because nobody else knew Roy like Maes Hughes. So, despite Roy's opinion on the Kimblee case, he sat down and began turning his computer on. He worked some more on the case, looking at the evidence they had documented and tried to think of some good arguments against the claims filed against him.
It was then that Roy felt his cellphone buzzing, he groaned slightly, it was still early in the day and usually phone calls for him never meant anything good. He just hoped it wasn't the boys school, calling to inform Roy that his boys were either sick or in trouble. He picked up his phone, seeing that it was Edward calling, he blinked slightly - confused as to why Edward was calling him. Hitting the answer button, Roy brought the phone up to his ear, "Hello?" He asked.
"Hey Al, so they want me -" Edward started, his voice sounded kind of echo-y and as though Roy was on speaker phone. He stopped mid sentence, "Wait, you're not Al."
Roy just chuckled, "No, I am not." He replied with a smile,
He heard Edward let out a sigh on the other end, "I just can't work this damn car phone thing." He replied with a grumble, "Anyway, it's not a big deal you were my back up call anyone so I'll just ask you first."
"Ask away." Roy said, leaning back into the chair. It rolled slightly on the floor, and he caught sight of Hughes sending him a look. He sent a glare in reply, that silently said 'don't say a word'.
"I, I've got an interview that may run late." Edward stammered slightly, and in the distance he could hear Ed's turn signal going off. "Could you, if you can of course, pick up Annelise and she go home with you guys for a bit?" The question came out in one big breath, and Roy struggled to keep up with Ed. "If you can't it's fine, it's not even fair of me to ask you, I can always call Alphonse and he can leave work early so it's really-"
"Ed," Roy interrupted, still hearing him rant on, "stop, of course I can do that for you."
There was a pause on the other line, and he could imagine the look of surprise on Ed's face. "You can?" Edward asked, looking for reassurance.
Roy just shook his head slightly, "Of course, it's not a problem." He reassured Edward, "The boys will be excited, they've already been begging for a play date even though we just saw you guys yesterday." He chuckled, then paused for a moment, "You did fill out that paperwork though, right?" Roy asked, idly fiddling with a button his shirt, "They won't let me pick her up otherwise."
"Yeah, I turned that in last week." Edward replied, and Roy could already tell he was more relaxed. "I'll pick her up at your place when I'm done, just text me your address. I'll shoot you a text when I'm on my way." Edward said, "And thanks, I really appreciate you doing this for me."
Roy just smiled, "It's not a problem Edward, good luck on your interview."
They said their good byes, and Roy hung up the phone and turned to set it on his desk. He started looking at the papers on his desk, trying to get back to where he was when Edward called. He was deep in thought, thinking of what he needed to get done for the Kimblee case when he suddenly looked up.
Only to see Hughes staring at him, elbows resting on his desk and he had a smug grin on his face.
Roy let out a yell, jumping slightly in his seat. "Hughes, what the fuck!?" He panted, "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"Who were you talking to?" Hughes asked, smug grin never leaving his lips. "That didn't sound like any of the guys."
Roy stared at him for a brief moment, before taking a deep breath - otherwise he'd slap the shit out of the man, and while Hughes did deserve it, slapping him wasn't going to help them get through the work day. "A friend of mine, the one that moved into town not long ago." Roy explained, "His daughter goes to the same elementary school as the kids, and we bonded over our shared experiences being widows."
"Is it the one that you knocked in the head when you went for coffee?" Hughes asked, and Roy wanted to smack him again.
"I didn't fucking knock him in the head, he fell and hit the table." Roy groaned, throwing his head back and hitting the back of his chair, "But yes, it's him, his name is Edward." He paused for a moment, "Elysia met him and his daughter, Annelise, over the weekend, after dance was over we all went to lunch at Martel's."
"Well damn, kiddo is holding information back from me." Hughes said with a slight eyebrow raise, "She didn't tell Uncle Roy has a new man friend, or that she got to me him before Daddy did."
"I swear to god, you are worse than Chris ever was to me about dating." Roy said with an eye roll, "We are just friends, who both happen to be single, and I don't even know if he swings that way."
Hughes wasn't listening, instead he had gone to the chair in front of Roys desk and was scrolling through his phone. "You've been holding back from me, Roy." Hughes said, eyes glued to the screen. "Guys a looker, and got some serious brains too."
"Are you looking at his fucking Facebook?" Roy questioned, "How'd you even find it, I didn't even give you his last name - I haven't even looked at his Facebook, and you say I waste time at work?!" Roy sighed, "We need to get stuff done today Hughes, I have to be out of here by two so I can get Annelise and the boys."
But Hughes was stuck on the Facebook page, scrolling through the few pictures Edward had on his social media. There were photos of him with his daughter, photos with someone Hughes could only assume was his brother, and a few photos of him and a beautiful woman, who must've been his late wife. There were a couple random photos in between, but rarely any of him by himself. "He's your type, that's for sure."
"Are you even listening to me, Maes?" Roy asked, before
Hughes rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, I hear you." He sighed, getting up from the leather chair and retreating back to his desk, "You're never any fun."
"Being fun doesn't pay us, Hughes." Roy explained, waking his computer back up to start getting back to work. "If you want to know what I'm up to in my personal life, then maybe talk to me about it when we aren't at work." He sent Hughes a look, knowing that the man would understand he wasn't being a dick - he just wanted to get out of the office on time to pick up his kids and todays bonus child. "I'm sure the boys would like having a visit from Uncle Maes."
Hughes smirked, "Yeah, and then I can get all my juicy details about what you do outside of work since Elysia clearly failed me." He said, "I can show you some new pictures too,
"Fine, just not today." Roy said, "Annelise is really shy, and I don't need you traumatizing her." He paused for a second, reading the notes on the Kimblee case trying to remember where they left off. "Now let's get to work so we can get out of here soon."
"You don't need to tell me twice." Hughes said, turning his gaze back to his computer and they both went back to work in a comfortable silence.
Edward checked his messenger bag for a second time when he got to the lobby, wanting to make sure he had absolutely everything before he went into his meeting. He had shoved the bag full with his laptop, and several thick Manila folders with copies of his research. His nerves had mostly died down, now adrenaline kicking in so he could kick ass in the interview.
The receptionist turned to look up at him, sending him a warm smile, "How can I help you?".
"Here to see Alfons Heidrich and Izumi Curtis." Edward replied, "We have a meeting set for one o'clock."
The woman nodded, "Of course, if you'll have a seat I'll call down for them." She explained, gesturing over to the chairs in the corner of the room. "It should just take a moment."
Edward nodded, turning to sit down. While he waited, he pulled out his phone and started to fiddle around with apps. Opening up his messages, he sent his brother a quick text.
(903): At the university, wish me luck!
Of course, Al replied in no time.
(875): Good luck! 3 Don't be nervous, just breathe!
Ed smiled, Al always knew what to say.
Bouncing his leg to help ease some anxiety, Edward opened up the Facebook app. He only ever really looked at the social media site when he was bored beyond belief or to pass time. He scrolled aimlessly through his newsfeed, glancing at pictures his old friends from high school had posted and updates friends from college had posted. Trying to get his mind off all the things that could go wrong and how he could fuck this up. He could hear Al's voice in his head saying to be positive, and to just breathe. He saw a little red bubble in his notifications, he clicked it, and just smiled at the screen.
It said, 'Roy Mustang has sent you a friend request!'.
He quickly hit accept, and spent the next ten minutes creeping through his new friends facebook profile. He posted far more than Ed, but still seemed to keep most of his personal life rather private.
"Mr. Elric!" Alfons Heidrich's cheery voice brought him back to the present, "Mrs. Curtis and I are ready for you, if you'll just follow me."
Edward nodded, quickly shoving his phone in his pocket and following Alfons back to his office.
"Good afternoon Mr. Mustang," Mrs. Douglas said, looking up from her computer as she saw Roy entering the office, "How can I help you?"
"Here to pick up Annelise Elric." Roy said, sending Mrs. Douglas a smile. He knew he was a tad early, but he wanted to make sure everything was ready for him to pick up Annelise.
"Do you have the code?" She asked, looking at the paper in her hands which Roy assumed had the notes from when she talked with Ed on the phone.
Roy nodded, drumming his fingers on the counter softly, "Ten, zero, three, eleven."
Mrs. Douglas nodded, setting the paper down and turning to pick up the phone, "Alright Mr. Mustang, you are free to go pick her up." She said, "Have a good afternoon."
Roy nodded in thanks, "You too." He added as he slipped out the office door and started heading down the lower grade hallway.
The halls were quiet, as it was only two-twenty and their were still ten minutes remaining in the school day. But, kindergarteners were released five minutes early, so that they wouldn't be swamped by the older kids in the halls at dismissal. Walking to Miss. Rose's classroom, Roy smiled when he saw the kids lined up at door and smiling as Miss. Rose chatted with them about something. He could see Annelise toward's the back, her hair was tied back today in a ponytail, and she was playing with the ends of it.
"Good afternoon, Miss. Rose." Roy said, sending the teacher a warm smile, "Here to pick up Annelise Elric."
Rose smiled at him, "Hello, Mr. Mustang." She replied, turning her gaze towards the petite blond, "Annelise," She called, getting the girl's attention, "Mr. Mustang is here to pick you up."
Annelise walked up to the front of the line, her fingers still twirling the ends of her hair, sending Roy a confused look. "Where's Daddy?" She asked, "Or Uncle Al."
Roy crouched down to Annelise's level, "Daddy's at a very important meeting, and Uncle Al is still working." Roy explained, "So your Daddy thought you might want to come over and play with Lucas and Roman for awhile, how's that sound?"
Annelise thought about it for a minute, before nodding in her approval. She walked towards the front of the line,
"Bye Annelise, I'll see you tomorrow!" Miss. Rose said, waving at the girl.
"Does she have any homework?" Roy asked, "And is there anything I should tell her Father about?"
Rose shook her head, "Nope, just have her do fifteen minutes or reading tonight." She said, "But tell her Dad that she needs to wear gym shoes tomorrow."
"Will do, have a good afternoon, Miss. Rose." Roy said, turning then to Annelise, "Alright, then let's go, kiddo." He added, moving so that Annelise could get out the door. Annelise just nodded, before turning and saying soft good-bye to her teacher.
With that, they were alone in the hallway.
"Ready to go get Lucas and Roman?" Roy asked, looking down at Annelise.
Annelise nodded, holding on to the straps of her book bag. Roy had forgotten how quiet she could be when not around Ed or Al, and he hoped that once they had the boys she would break out of her shell a bit. His boys were always so rowdy, and so was Elysia, that Roy didn't really know what to with a child as calm and quiet as Annelise.
"Is Daddy hurt again?" Annelise asked suddenly, looking up at Roy with big blue eyes that looked slightly scared.
"No, no sweetie." Roy started, dropped down to one knee so that he was eye level with the little girl, "He's just down at the University, he has a meeting with some very important people." Roy tried to explained, "They want your Daddy to help teach other people, so he had to go show them how smart he is." Roy paused for a minute, making sure Annelise was still with him, "His meeting ran a little late, is all." He continued, wanting to make sure Annelise fully understood what was going on - he didn't want her to be scared that every time she came to Roy's house meant that her Father was hurt. "Daddy is going to come pick you up as soon as his meeting is done."
The bell rang, its loud shrill sound echoing in the hallway and with it came the flood of children released from their classrooms. Annelise squeaked in response, turning towards Roy and wrapping her arms around his leg in an attempt to hide away from hoard of children escaping their classrooms.
Roy felt a wave of protectiveness come over him - fatherly instincts kicking in, "Come on, let's go get the boys." He said, taking Annelise's hand and guiding her down the hallway.