That day of all day's was what he hated the most. Ever since highschool, Valentine's day had been like a freaky curse, where no matter the relationship, he was always single on the day of lovers.
Edd had thought he could skip the day by drowning in work, but of course, the internet was covered in valentine's day ads, plus Matt and Tom HAD to bring up Valentine's day plans with Amanda and Susan. He wasn't mad at them particularly. Just the dumb curse that plagued him since his first girlfriend.
As a kid, receiving chocolates on valentine's day was a given. In class it was required to give cards and candy to EVERYONE in your class. But by the time middle school and highschool roll around, you quickly realize the difference between what's required and what's optional. And it SUCKED.
Each and every year, for some reason, any girlfriend he had at the time, would break up with him, before Valentine's day rolled around, sometimes it was months or weeks before, sometimes days. Once it was even the day before. It didn't matter, he was always single.
So when he decided to walk down to the coffee shop near the apartments, imagine his annoyance when his field of vision was flooded by Valentine's decorations, ads for chocolates or "Gift For Your Sweetheart", and happy couples. It was grating….
Ever since their house blew up and they ended up in the apartments, things had become equal parts convenient and inconvenient. Like not being able to drive some days because of traffic. Like that day in particular.
The only thing that could make it better, was his favorite "build your own coffee" from his favorite coffee shop, and hopefully made by his favourite person.
Roxxanne.
The coffee shop wasn't busy that time of day, luckily, and he could ignore the decorations and couples hanging out, because when he stepped into the shop and saw Roxxanne was at the counter, he felt a 1000 times better.
The coffee shop itself wasn't all that special or had a super big fancy menu, but it let him order a coffee with cola poured in, and gave him an excuse to take a walk, plus, any chance to talk to Roxxanne had always been a bonus.
As he waited in line he had a hard time trying not to stare at her.
Roxxanne was a pretty girl, with a light punk look about her, she wasn't like a supermodel, or anything like that, but she had a charm and air of confidence around her that made you stop and stare. And to be honest, she was also a bit scary. He couldn't really be bold enough to claim he was in love with her, but he definitely knew he was crushing for her. HARD.
When it was his turn, he was disappointed when by the time he got up there, they had switched who was making drinks and who was taking orders. Edd ordered his usual with a BLT sandwich, just to have an excuse to stay a little while.
The pink haired girl gave him his receipt so it was back to waiting and watching.
While it wasn’t like Roxxanne consumed all his waking thoughts, like a love struck teenager, when he did think of her, there always seemed to be a limit to his imagination. Maybe it was because he wasn’t a teenager anymore that he couldn’t have that typical, “Fantasy about your crush” moment. Didn’t keep him from wondering about her though.
What was her favorite music? Did she like cats? What about movies? Comics? Was she a cola or pepsi girl? Mundane questions, but things he wanted to know regardless.
Ever since Edd, Matt and Tom moved to the apartments, he had been going to that shop, and pretty often during his time there, he would get to talk to Roxxanne. It took him a while to build up the courage to start up a conversation during one of her breaks one day. Edd had worried he might seem like a creep, especially with how often he was there, but Roxxanne seemed to like the light conversation. From then on, they’d have little chats, here and there. Still he didn’t know much about her, and he hesitated to pry.
So he was still far from being able to ask her for her number. Cause lord knows, if he asked her out and got rejected, he'd have to find a different coffee shop to go to. If he got rejected but a girl THAT pretty, it would feel like highschool all over again.
Edd sighed to himself as he watched her make the two drinks that came before her, watching as she tucked her long dark brown hair behind her ear, and maybe it was the “Single guy” sadness, but he couldn't get the thought outta his mind. He wanted to ask her out, and the valentine’s curse looming over his head made him anxiously think, she'd never go for a guy like him, like she was out of his league. He looked at the ground letting out another sigh. And with his luck, she probably had a date for valentine's day anyways.
“Edd-” he heard Roxxanne’s voice call out to him, pulling him out of his thoughts. He looked up, and his chestnut colored eyes met her rust brown ones, she smiled softly at him, “Your order’s ready,” she chirped in a happy tone, while her pink haired co worker gave him a look. Had Roxxi called out more than once? That was embarrassing.
He was getting that alot today. Lucky him
Edd walked up to the counter with a bashful smile as he rubbed his neck,”Ah, sorry,” he quickly apologized,“You were standing there with a thousand yard stare.” Roxxanne chuckled as she then handed him his drink and sandwich, “Anything on your mind, hun?” she asked, looking up at him with a soft smile. “No, it’s nothing much,” he answered feeling his face heat up a bit as he smiled bashfully. She had such a wonderful smile.
When he tried to pull away, she gently tugged on his hoodie sleeve, and he froze in place for a moment, “Mind waiting around for a few minutes?” while it sounded like a question, he felt more compelled to agree, like she had given an order,”I’ll have a small break here in a bit.” Roxxanne tucked her hair back again, out of her face, a soft blush dusting her cheeks a bit. Edd felt his face go redder, if that was even possible at that point, and smiled at her, “Sure,” he nodded, he felt his heart beat flutter a bit.
When she let go, Edd found an empty table, and waited like she had asked. The green hooded guy enjoyed his odd mixture of hot coffee and cold soda, and ate his snack while he waited. Somewhat fidgety in his seat.
Like promised, after ten minutes, Roxxanne disappeared into the back room to take off her apron, and when she came out with her hair down, she quickly joined Edd at his table. “Sorry about calling you out like this,” she apologized as she leaned on her elbows against the table. But Edd just smiled and waved it off, “It’s fine, I don’t have any plans today.” The smile on the brastas face got wider, like a Cheshire cat, “I’m so glad to hear!” she chirped happily, and before Edd could respond, she continued as she twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, her head turning away slightly with a bashful smile that made Edds heart leap.“Because, I was hoping you could be my valentine-?”
The artist could almost feel his jaw hit the floor, he couldn’t say it was completely out of left field, Roxxanne had always been friendly with him, but he was still surprised, like someone whose icecream got stolen by a seagull. Seeing his surprised face and stunned silence Roxanne put on a more charming smile, “I’m sorry if I’m being a bit forward…” she confessed, still playing with her hair, “but I like you Edd, and I want to get to know you more.”
Edd had to blink a few times, just to make sure he wasn’t imagining this, “As in.. a date..?” he asked hoping his voice wouldn’t crack.
“Yea, unless you don’t want to-'' he quickly cut her off, “N-no! I’d love to,” Edd answered quickly, feeling his face turn a hot shade of red, Roxxanne smiled happily before digging through her pocket to get something, “Great, I’ll see you after my shift then. And I’ll text you the details of where we could go,” she quickly handed him a folded up piece of paper, which he assumed had her number on it.
“See you then Roxanne,” Edd agreed as she got up, twirling her hair back in a bun, muttering something about getting a hair tie headache. “See you then,” as she walked away to continue her shift, she paused and turned around, “By the way, you can call me Roxxi,” the girl offered before going back to get her apron.
To say Edd felt like he was on cloud nine during his walk back to the apartments was an understatement. And suddenly, he didn’t find the Valentines decorations everywhere to be so annoying.
“Roxxi,” he whispered to himself, her name felt so sweet on his lips, it made him smile like an idiot the whole walk. He quickly put her number into his contacts, and Texted her a "This is Edd :3" so she'd have his number. All of it was exciting, but the wait time between when their date could start was going to be a bit- Taxing.
Ah well…
Who cares, it was valentines day, and he had a date with a pretty girl to get ready for.
That was how things for them started all those years ago.
When he looked at his wedding ring it seemed a bit unreal. But when he looked at his wife and kids, he was reminded just how real it was.
Roxxi had cut her hair short, and the grey in her hair spread, but she was still gorgeous, and still rocking the light punk look she enjoyed. Their 8 yr old daughter Tally, took after her mother a lot in appearance, though she had Edd's chocolate brown eyes, rather than Roxxis rust brown ones.
Meanwhile their little squishy 3 yr old son Ethan had taken after his father more, but had his mothers eyes and long lashes.
The family of four had decided to go on a little walk down town to enjoy the holiday, Tally perched on Edd's shoulders while Ethan slept in his stroller as Roxxi pushed. It was a calm day.
And Edd loved every moment of that Valentine's day that lead to it.
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