Chapter Text
** **** **
You are cordially invited
to the Wedding of
Miles Gregory Edgeworth & Phoenix Manuel Valentino Wright
June 21, 2027
** **** **
Miles looks over the invitation in hand and instead of deciding if the font or design was adequate his attention was taken in by the names.
Specifically, Phoenix's.
"Truly?" He whispers to himself.
He didn't have a problem with Phoenix's name, it just seems... unnecessarily long. But as he looked through the rest of the sample invitation Rie had sent them he found no faults. Though they hadn’t decided on a venue or reception destination yet, the area it would be on the card had a filled-in address so he could still see the finished look. It was also arranged so the invitation would fold in and create its own envelope and at the end of the folded-out-card, a section could be torn off as a postcard which was the RSVP for guests and what meal they would like. A wonderful collaboration of style and function along with the chosen colors made an impression too. It looked like a few light strokes of Phoenix's red water paints had been applied to a sky blue canvas with everything written in elegant black script. The other samples had gold and rose gold lettering, which seemed tacky to Miles, so the third choice Rie provided was his winner.
"Still though, why?" He whispers again as he leans back into the couch.
"Why what?"
Inhaling so fast at the suddenness of the voice Miles finds himself coughing. Turning around, he is surprised to see Phoenix up because of how haggard he had looked this morning.
Miles woke up this morning to soft crying and found Phoenix curled in on himself under the blankets. It took some soft coaxing, but eventually he found out that he had been waking up at random times for the past three days and was feeling useless or unimportant as he struggled through the day and his studying, already doubting himself before he even got the exam in front of him. It was very clear that today was going to be a bad day for him and Miles wished he could’ve stayed and supported him through this to stave off a bigger depressive episode, but he had his monthly review meeting with his prosecutors and later his first with the mayor of LA, which he couldn't reschedule to another day.
So with his heart in his throat Miles can only hold Phoenix close for a short while, offering reassurances that he wasn't weak because of today, that he was still just as strong. Before he has to go Miles leaves him a cup of tea, a muffin, and some strawberries hoping that he would at least eat under his own power.
Getting downstairs he finds that Alexander and Trucy were already ready for the day which makes everything easier on all of them. With an easy commute dropping Alexander off and then letting Trucy walk from the Prosecutors' Office to her school one a few minutes away, he has more than enough time to rearrange his schedule. Miles types up what the agenda and talking points are for the meeting before handing it off to Sebastian so he could meet with Mayor Rodger two hours earlier than their original time. Not having a problem with the earlier meeting time she meets with him and they finished just after 1 PM with solid plans in place for the starting point of change in the LA district. Finding out that he had nothing else pressing from Lae. Fright Miles took the rest of the day off to be with Phoenix. Getting home through the traffic was nerve-wracking and only assuaged lightly by seeing that he was sleeping peacefully and that the teacup empty and strawberries finished too. With most of his work contained and ahead of schedule, he decided to busy himself with wedding preparations after texting Apollo to pick up his sister and brother.
Now startled he hands over his choice of invitation over to Phoenix with a discerning eye. He watches as Phoenix's tired eyes scrunched up in brief confusion before widening in understanding.
"Oh... well, its a thing... nothing bad... just a family thing. Be happy she didn't use the translation… Or characters. She wanted to." He says slowly with a grim smile that was leagues away from its usual optimistic joy.
Miles can't imagine how that would work but decides if Phoenix successfully got his mother to use the Latin based alphabet then best not to rock the boat.
"That's fair." He replies softly still taking in his appearance. Phoenix had changed from his night clothes into lounge clothes which was a good sign, but Miles could tell he still wasn't feeling his best, "How are you feeling now?"
Grimacing like he was sick, "I didn’t want to stay in bed, but I did. Then... later I thought maybe now I could shake it off a bit by getting up...," Sighing as he scratches at his neck, "I'm not sure how I got up, but now I’m more exhausted."
"Come here." Motioning him over Phoenix drags himself around the couch and flops onto it and him gracelessly, knocking some of the air out of Miles as he lands on his lap.
"I wish this didn’t happen." Phoenix's voice is muffled as he wraps his arms around his waist.
"Sometimes it does." But it’s not what he wants to hear as Miles can feel Phoenix tense against him and his scent bristle.
"It doesn’t for you," He huffs, "You've had meds."
Which is right. Miles was lucky enough his anxiety medicine worked on the first trial and had no irregular effects on him while also tapering his mild depression.
About two months after Phoenix had started counseling and going to AA his psychiatrist had diagnosed him with persistent depression and put him on a sample dosage of Prozac to see if it would help with his symptoms, but very quickly they found out he was allergic to this antidepressant. Three months later he tried Celexa, but it led to him feeling nauseous and more sluggish in the first weeks that Phoenix made the conscious decision to talk with Dr. Marchand to stop taking it and perusing other methods with her. Only in the last month has his new psychiatrist, Dr. Antoniou, found that he wasn't allergic to Viibryd and they were testing it now. So far there were no irregular effects on him so they were waiting to see if it would help with his depression.
"That doesn’t mean it isn't hard and know you aren't alone in this battle." He tells him gently, running his fingers through his unruly and soft hair.
Miles knows he still has indecision taking his medicine some mornings. Some days he rather not, especially after particularly draining days from work or parenting. As if he would deserve the relapse he would put himself through if he didn't, proving he wasn't the best father or that he was a sub-par Prosecutor General. But his strict upbringing got him out of bed each morning, but it was his family – his anchor and heart – that helped him make the decision each day to be a better him so he could be the best mate and the best father to them.
"I wish it wouldn’t happen." Phoenix complains.
"I do too."
Sitting up Phoenix rearranges himself so he’s sitting on his lap and leans against him snuggling closer with his head resting on his shoulder.
“I'm sorry about what I said." He whispers.
"It's alright Phoenix. It's alright." Miles tells him holding his waist tighter and comforting him with his scent, letting him now he wasn’t upset.
They sit in silence, but every second that passes it becomes more bearable and slowly turns into a tranquil quiet as his pine and sage coax his spring day scents back to a soft and mild aroma.
"Tell me why you like these invitations." Phoenix says quietly and Miles' sure he can hear a bit of a smile in his voice.
Taking the invitation that he was waving gently in front Miles grins down at him, "Okay. Well, it reminds me of you..."
As Miles pulls up to his house after work he sees that they have a guest today. Rie's silver Mazda Sedan was parked next to Phoenix's grey Nissan Rouge and since it was Friday it meant that Trucy was back from driving practice today. She had been asking to drive anyone's car since she got her temporary permit two weeks ago and after two days of non-stop asking or not so slyly bringing it up, Rie offered to take her out driving since Trucy decided that she didn't want to use her money for the classes. And with the variety of vehicles at her disposal Miles has no doubt his daughter will pass with flying colors in two years.
"I'm home." He calls out as he turns around to lock the door.
"Hey, honey! I'm in the livingroom!" Phoenix shouts back before chuckling.
"Mhmm, where are the children?" He asks as he slips off his suit jacket and his shoes.
Giggles start emanating from down the hall only to be followed by a shout from Trucy, "We're in here Papa!"
"We're mul – multitasking and talking about the wedding!" Alexander yells too.
With an amused huff, Miles picks up his briefcase and walks towards the livingroom expecting to see more colorfully drawn images from Alexander and captions of what was what in glitter pen from Trucy.
That's not what he finds.
"Wright," He admonishes his fiance as he looks at the scene in front of him, "We need to have a talk about your lack of self-preservation skills."
Phoenix was proudly standing on one of their chair's armrest smiling confidently down at him, uncaring of his precarious situation.
"Those are bold words for someone walking on lava." He counters like he just made a stellar contradiction.
But looking at his daughter standing on their coffee table and his youngest on a couch cushion on the floor he can see that he is the one in the wrong.
"Hurry Papa or you'll burn and Obā won't be able to save you." Alexander calls out as he kneels down so he can inch his cushion closer to another one before sliding it over to him, though it doesn't make it all the way.
"Of course, we wouldn't want that." He says gently laying his briefcase against the door frame before stepping onto the offered safety cushion.
They only get through two more changes before their guest reappears and Miles remembers the car he saw outside.
"So I was thinking about reception halls and figure out the perfect...," He watches as Rie takes in the scene and while the children begin giggling Miles shares a slightly pained look with him, "How? I was gone for five minutes." She asks voice full of incredulity.
"Obā you got to get up to be safe." Alexander says from his spot on the couch that gave up its cushions to be scattered on the floor.
"You know the rules." Trucy laughs from her spot on the ottoman.
Shaking her head with a smile she steps onto one of the chair's cushions and then onto the couch to bounce with Alexander.
"Alright as I was saying, before the ground spontaneously exploded," She playfully growls as she tickles at Alexander's stomach, "I found the perfect place for the reception. And you can even get a good discount on it too."
Phoenix, ever the bargain hunter, perks up at that, "Really? Where’s that?"
"The Grand Gatewater Ho—"
"NO!"
Miles didn't even realize he yelled out his dismissal until he takes in everyone's surprised looks. Quickly looking over to Phoenix he sees him looking back with an increasingly worried expression as he gapes and tries to explain their fear of that place.
"I – Uh... We... I mean – We want something not ......that." Phoenix finishes miserably.
"Not? That?" Rie raises a dubious eyebrow at that.
"Yeah?" Phoenix shrugs sadly.
"And that would be?" Rie asks, looking more miffed by the vagueness of his answer.
"Something less elegant. And wide,” Miles speak up suddenly trying to sound like their reason was dignified and not rushed, “We were thinking something smaller and personal since we'll be having a smaller group."
"YES! We – We would want to have more freedom in deciding on decorations." Phoenix adds.
It does nothing to stop Rie from looking at them with a shrewd look, "You could do that with the hotel. You said that you been there before and that it’s nice. Besides, they’ll let you use it for almost free."
"Why would...?" Miles begins to question but isn't sure what to ask.
"My dad is their lead economic advisor out here, but usually does his work in the summer when he doesn’t have any classes." Phoenix answers.
"Oh, well it was a good option, but I think we’ll still keep on searching." Miles states gently.
" …Okay."
Rie thankfully concedes and turns the conversation to catching up with her grandchildren about school and plans for the summer, besides the wedding. They talk about Phoenix retaking the Bar in two weeks and how he'll stop singing for the Wünderbar in mid-May. And as they begin cleaning up the livingroom they slowly work their way back around to the wedding but focus on the catering, mailing the last of the invitations, and asking about Fransizka and Maya being the best ladies. And remaining faithful to that lie, Miles finds himself in his office a short time later looking at venues and not over the new civil rights violations and victim compensation program guidelines he was writing up.
When Phoenix walks in a few minutes after Rie has left so she would not get caught in the Friday night traffic all he can say is,
"Not that?" He repeats in a questioning tone.
"Well, it was a much better save than telling her the truth about our inherent fear of the Gatewater for all the cases and personal things that have happened there. Because I'm sure she would love to hear that." Phoenix snarks back as he walks over and sits on the edge of his desk.
Just thinking about all the run-ins and catastrophes that happened in or around Gatewater has Miles' stomach crawling, "...You would be correct."
"Don’t you mean 'I’m Wright'." Phoenix grins stupidly as he uses that pun again.
Sighing heavily Miles narrows his eyes before looking away to continue going through the Google results on reception halls.
"Oh come on. You got laugh at least once. I’m not going to be able to use it like before after all the paperwork goes through." He pouts, leaning more onto the desk.
"And the streets of Los Angeles will weep with joy." Miles deadpans.
"Hmm… I'll find a way to make it work just for you." Phoenix smirks draping himself across the desk.
"Endeavor to try. It's good to keep your mind sharp and active." He offers dryly with his own smirk as Phoenix sticks his tongue out in response
Then quite deftly Phoenix leans over to give him a kiss on his cheek before sliding off his desk to sit on the sofa and continue his studying for the Bar.
Having to drive out almost two hours to Lancaster was not something Miles wanted to do again so soon, but the heavy bureaucracy surrounding Blackquill and getting him moved to the detention center from the state prison needed to be overseen correctly. He didn't assume it would be easy by any means, but still if felt close to a nightmare. Though his presence as Simon's lawyer did seem to move things along quicker as anything Miles said that pertained to extra guarantees and any other legal issues flew through with his reputation and status. Once it was over he thankfully didn't need to drive himself back as Gumshoe had offered to drive him there and back. And after two hours of having to deal with silly and ridiculous stipulations the Governor and the Los Angeles Warden had tried to add to Blackquill's contract that were completely unneeded or were duplicates of something else already outlined he was grateful to Gumshoe. Gracelessly flopping into the car he couldn't be bothered with any questions and Gumshoe notice this and simply started the car, turning on the classical channel, and drove them back to Los Angeles.
Feeling better just as the signs for their exit were appearing Miles checks his phone for any news and finds that Phoenix had finally found a reception hall he liked called the Taglyan Cultural Complex. He said it was perfect to accommodate their ideal wedding perfectly. Glad that something else good happened today Miles shares the news with Gumshoe. The man, a romantic at heart and fond of big gestures, detours him immediately to the building against his will with 'But we've got plenty of time Mr. Edgeworth!'. He only agrees because it was on they're way back to work and luckily they are able to meet with the event operations manager Torosyan.
"Just Torosyan?" Detective Gumshoe asks suspiciously.
"Just Torosyan." The manager replies with a cheerful grin.
Gumshoe stares back with a contemplating hum before asking, "So like Prince, or Adele, or Bon Jovi – No wait. That's two words. I meant Bono."
Clearing his throat Miles gives Gumshoe a strained look, “Detective, I think the man has more formal things to talk about."
"Not at all,” Torosyan chuckles, “but please tell me what you're working with?”
Miles tells him how they were looking for a reception hall that could handle their small wedding, forty to fifty people at most, and how they wouldn't be doing anything extravagant, but price was not a problem.
“— and the palette we’re going with is rustic autumn."
Gumshoes blinks at that and tries to whisper, but fails to be as quiet as he meant to be, "What's that Mr. Edgeworth?"
"I honestly don't know," Miles answers as he pulls out his phone, "My mate is the artist, not me."
"Understandable." Torosyan smiles.
"According to results the colors we're working with apparently are ecru, olive, some confounded name – sea sparkle," Miles pauses before listing the name with so much contempt, "ocean, plum, wisteria, and oxblood." Frowning at the goriness of the last one.
Torosyan seems to have two other weddings with that color choice and shows him and as they talk more it becomes less of Miles and Torosyan and more of Torosyan and Gumshoe, his interior designer coming out in full force. As it does Miles is reminded of seeing photos of Gumshoe and Maggey Bryde on Phoenix's phone about five or six years ago with Phoenix telling him that Gumshoe did a lot of DIY projects to decorate for the wedding. And if he remembers correctly all the photos were quite nice and he hadn't even assumed that all the ornaments weren't bought that way.
As talks died down Torosyan very kindly leaves him with a bare basics package for Phoenix to go through and the contact of an event planner to go with their hall, if they decided to work with them, so they could send and coordinate events through him. As they leave Miles sees that they haven't wasted much time, only half an hour.
"Detective you sounded quite... inspired in there." Miles mentions as they get into the police car.
"Oh! Well yeah - it's just that I got to do my wedding because we didn't have a lot," He replies sheepishly before sounding more sure and happy of himself as his earthy driftwood scent starts to fill the car, "And now my little prince, Benny, likes to change up his room so much too. I don't want to spoil him so we do the changes with what we can from - Oh! Did I overstep? I'm sorry! I didn't mean to I —"
"Detective. Gumshoe. It's fine," Miles placates him, "I'm actually glad you found some joy in this. I am excited. Truly..."
"I know. It's just different for you sir." Gumshoe says with an understanding smile.
... I wonder when everyone found me so easy to read.
"Yes, and if you like, I don't have a problem with you working on the wedding as long as this doesn't get in your way at work," Adding that stipulation as he saw the larger man begin to grin widely, "I trust you know our styles. Talk with Ms. Andrews and Wright for what their vision is."
"It won't! I promise sir! You won't be disappointed." Gumshoe says with stern sincerity even though he had some tears in his eyes.
Usually, that statement would fill Miles with unease and predicting something silly from the detective, but this time Miles has a feeling that it will be completely alright.
Almost a week after Athena's first case does her desk finally arrive and sadly it's not in pieces like Phoenix had hoped so they could assemble it upstairs. Nope the company he ordered it from had sent it completely finished and left him and one enthusiastic eighteen year old to get it upstairs to the third floor office.
It was a shock, a good one, when he came back and his parents showed him that the 'storage unit' they were using for some of Trucy's tricks and props were actual was the office! They knew how much it meant to him and maybe they knew deep down he would come back to law someway and kept it up, though they claimed it was cheaper than a storage unit in LA. Everything looked like new because apparently whenever they came to pay rent they just cleaned up any dust and vacuumed. Dad even took Charley home and kept him alive with his other house plants until Phoenix got him back in his little corner. Phoenix could not express how much it meant to him, he truly couldn't have asked for better parents.
But right now he wished he didn't have to go upstairs with a hunk of metal that probably weights as much as Mr. Powers. Getting the thing through the door was an adventure, but carrying it to the elevator was fine, except the elevator was just big enough for it and nothing else. So they had to race the elevator up three flight of stairs, catch the doors, and then dragging it out again and through another regular sized door which when it was finally done Phoenix doesn't even remember how they did it.
Taking a well-deserved rest he falls back into his office chair and as it creaks weird Phoenix makes a mental note to get that replaced, but knowing him it will just break out from under him and he won't do a thing about it. Athena is obviously an angel as she brings out both their lunches from the kitchenette's refrigerator. He had hoped he wouldn't be here this long on a Saturday, but being a parent made him almost prepared for anything. He was just finishing the last of his ham sandwich when —
“Ryuuichi Manuel Valentino! What are you doing?!" His Okaa-san yells as she slams open the door.
Swallowing the final corner of the sandwich before chewing it Phoenix starts making distressed coughing noises, “Akch — Ack! Choking!”
“Don't get smart with me! We’re supposed to be going wedding shopping right now!" She counters back as she stomps over to him to stares him down as he forces the bite down.
“Wedding!” Chirps a happy tinny voice.
That stops the staring as Okaa-san turns around to see that she had sped right pass his newest member when she first came in.
“Hello. Who might you be?” She asks.
“Hajimemashite Wright-san. My name is Athena Cykes.” Athena says in one whole breath before standing and adding a perfunctory bow.
“Hajimemashite Cykes-chan. I like you," Okaa-san smiles at her bowing quickly to her before spinning back around on him, "Phoenix!”
“What?!”
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath she exhales with the calmness of a bull before giving his a look that had him rolling his eyes.
“Right, right. Okay let's go I'm free now.” He sighs.
“Good. Come along Cykes-chan.” She smiles brightly at Athena who starts grins back.
“Really!?”
“Yes, we could use an extra set of eyes since someone is so indecisive.” His Okaa-san doesn't even hide her dig as she turns to him with a smirk.
“At least I don't take hours in a store deciding on what type of rice.” He mumbles as he walks around his desk.
Turning around in the door frame his Okaa-san stops to ask, “What was that?”
“Nothing.” Phoenix answers quickly as Athena tries to hid her giggles behind her hand, but with Widget being green he already knows.
Making sure everything was locked up he walks down to the elevator where Athena and his Okaa-San are waiting for him.
“So where are we going?” He asks getting on the elevator and pressing the down button.
“Pasadena.” Okaa-san beams.
“What? Why?”
“We're going to Aki's Fabrics to find you an iro-uchikake you'll like.” Okaa-san tells him looking confused to why he wasn't also happy, "I mean I assumed since you told me you would never wear a wedding dress or suit.”
“Never," He says vehemently, "I'm just surprised we're going to Pasadena and that I'm getting one."
The smug look of victory takes over his Okaa-san's face as she saunters off the elevator, “Well I won best three out of five in the Rock, Paper, Scissors match against your father so you're having a Japanese ceremony minus a few traditional things, like the only family allowed in rule. I'm going to try something, but it might not work. You can replace sake for vows, and the procession into the temple will be a bit tweaked... I think I have to keep the blessing though. Does Miles have a problem with Buddhism?” She list off as she walks out the double doors.
Facepalming Phoenix sighs with an amused smile following behind her. He knows how important this is to her since he remembers his Okaa-san telling him that her wedding was Catholic and in a cathedral as a way to get back at Sofū about not being too happy about her marrying Dad. Thankfully whatever the reason was they were over it and now his Sofū spoils his Dad like his other children.
“Yes, I remember your victory because you called about it a week ago and Dad wants to add some light Mexican decor for the reception and lunch. And no, Miles doesn't care."
“Good and is that what he and that detective have been coordinating? I've been so busy trying to get the ceremony just right for everyone and making sure everyone is able to come. But I'm sure it will turn out lovely, you know your father has an eye for beauty." She preens and Phoenix knows that she was complimenting herself just now.
Rubbing the bridge of his nose he remarks quietly, "At least it wasn't arm wrestling this time."
“Arm wrestling?”
Almost forgetting that his Okaa-san had asked Athena to come along Phoenix jumps a bit, startled by her sudden question, as they get into his Okaa-san's car.
“My mate and I are quite competitive, since we're both alphas, but we solve some of our arguments with different tactics.” Okaa-san explains calmly, like she was with a patient trying to make the reality sound not as bad.
“What she means is feats of strength.” Phoenix fills in and gets a flat look for it from his Okaa-san, but he can see in her eyes that she's trying not to laugh before she drives away from the curb.
“Bitchin'!” Widget chirps.
Both look back at her with a look of surprise and see a very red and flustered Athena covering Widget with both hands.
“I - uh - it was - is cool," Athena trips over her words before she looks surprised herself, "Wait. If you’re both of alphas then that means – ”
“Yes. Phoenix here is a geneikit.” Okaa-san announces proudly and Phoenix can feel his face get a little warm at the praise.
“Woah. No way," Athena leans forward in her seat, "And medical professionals always say they wouldn't be well adjusted, but from what I can see the Boss is just fine.”
“I'm a pediatrician myself, but I never believed that. Shows what they know," Okaa-san tsks condescending, "All you need to do is study omega professionals' papers, not betas or alphas that think they know and have a good role model, like my tousan, and everything will be fine.”
“Wow, that is so cool Wright-san," Athena looks over intrigued before looking over to him with a question, "So Boss after all the paperwork am I going to call you Dame Edgeworth now or Dame Wright Edgeworth? Edgeworth Wright? WrightWorth?!”
Laughing, Phoenix shakes his head at her energy, “You were right the third time around. It'll be Edgeworth-Wright, but in court or any other work setting it would be Mr. Wright. Can't look like there's favoritism. But that if you ever called me by my name and not Boss," He teases her.
The drive is much shorter than he thought, only twenty minutes, before their parking on the street across from a set of shops. Walking into Aki's Fabrics a nice elderly female beta comes from behind the counter to greet them and ask them what they were looking for today.
"Okay, we can't get anything with a Phoenix on it because that would look pompous." Okaa-san says to him like it was his fault, which kinda it was.
"And my name means dragon, don't forget. So that's out," The store owner, Mrs. Aki raises an eyebrow at that, and not wanting to get into the mechanics of his name Phoenix brushes it off with telling her what he would like, "I just want something nice, but simple. I don't need a rainbow of colors. Two to three should be good."
"What full color you like?"
"I'd like most of it to be white please."
At that, she leaves them to look around the store just to see if anything catches their eyes. While Athena off into the depths of the store immediately he and his Okaa-san stay closer to the front looking at the fans in the display case and Phoenix is glad because something has been bothering him since they left the office and he needs to talk with her.
“Okaa-san?” Turning around to give him her attention Phoenix feels the His little bit of courage go down the drain, “I – I was thinking... I'm getting a suit... too. A regular one.” He whispers towards the end.
“Okay?” She says quietly, “Why?”
“Well the first dance, don't want to be stumbling all over like that.” Phoenix lies and as his Okaa-san starts to frown he knows she doesn’t believe him for one second.
“Phoenix, you could tap dance while stuck in a burlap sack. What's the real reason why?” She asks gently stepping closer.
“I don't know. I guess I don't want to put too much of our family's traditions on him. I mean he doesn’t seem to mind, but still, it’s a lot, you know,” And with a look of understanding and a sad smile from her he continues, “It was – it was also the first thing he saw me in when we came back into each other lives. I kinda want it to be the first thing he sees me in again when we start this new life.”
“Don’t worry my little dragon I felt the same with your father. And it would be perfect for the reception. I'll ask around.” She says pulling him into a hug.
Returning it, Phoenix lets out the breath he was holding, “Thank you Okaa-san.”
After that Phoenix feels so much better about shopping for wedding kimono and starts going through the few obi sashes Athena found that she claims are the softest things she’s ever touched. One of them in particular definitely draws Phoenix’s eyes, but before he can think more on it Mrs. Aki comes back out with five different uchikakes for him to try on. It was only the outer layer though, since the whole outfit could take up to an hour to put on. The first two have cranes depicted on them in golds, blues, and greens and the third one has koi fishes in oranges and yellow. They're all nice, but none of them grab his attention like the fourth one Mrs. Aki shows him. Even before he puts it one he knows its the one.
“Awwwhhh.” Widget coos and turns bright pink, a color he had never seen before.
"Oh sweetie," Okaa-san starts only to pause as tears well up in her eyes and she bites her lips. After a shaky exhale she reaches up to cup his cheeks, “My little Ryu's getting married. You – you'll look fantastic in this," Stepping back she tries to dry her eyes, but the tears don't stop so she just smiles through them, "It compliments your skin tone too and we have some perfect flowers in the —”
"In the garden, yeah, I was just thinking that. Dad can bring them the day of," Phoenix smiles back before tears start stinking at his eyes too, "Okaa-san, I'm getting married."
Chuckling she reaches up and smooths his hair back only for the fringes of it to still fall forward, “Yes, yes you are.”
"You do look really lovely Boss. I‘m sure Mr. Edgeworth will love it." She grins giving him a thumbs up.
“Thanks Athena.” He says smiling back.
Getting the measurements and choosing the underlying layers goes quickly as does choosing the rest of the accessories to go with it. Mrs. Aki also asked if he wanted to have one of her workers to come by to help with the dressing process, but Phoenix politely declines, knowing his aunt would want the privilege of helping him dress.
“$340.45 for total of all.” Mrs. Aki rings him up as her assistant carefully folds and wraps the fabric for three different boxes.
“Thank you for your help again.” Phoenix thanks her again as she pays the sweet beta.
Driving back into LA they drop Athena a little a ways away from her apartment since she wanted to run the rest of the way and didn’t want to make them detour from downtown. But Phoenix thinks it’s because she an exercise junkie and being dressed for it he doesn’t say much only to be safe. When they make it back to his office Phoenix decides that it would be the best for him to leave it all with his Okaa-san so Miles doesn’t accidentally see it beforehand. But before he can get out of the car his Okaa-san grabs hold of his wrist,
“Did you think about what I asked yesterday?” She asks quietly.
As a chill of fear and disappointment goes through him it makes it harder to meet her eyes.
“...Yes.”
“And?”
“I ...I plan to see him,” At her skeptical look he leans over to give her a hug, “I do. Just not yet.” He says as she holds him tighter.
It had been a while since Apollo was in high school, but he clearly remembers that by mid-May he was starting to get his final projects done. And yet here was Trucy planning a meeting about their parents’ wedding and their part in the planning process. Setting down the second bowl of chips on the end table and seeing that Ema and Klavier were here he plops down in the nearest chair and waves for Trucy to get on with her meeting.
“Thank you all for coming here today. And for Mr. Terran - and to a lesser extent a Mr. Justice,” Trucy looks over with faux dour look and makes Apollo roll his eyes, “for allowing us to use their apartment for today. We have been tasked with a very important secret mission that requires all of your skills – and because we want you here too —”
“Why are you saying it like that?” Apollo cuts in.
“But isn't it a secret mission?” Alexander asks as looks over with wide sad eyes and Apollo feels like he’s just told him he had to eat more vegetables, “We are looking for something without them knowing.”
“It – It's the way – Trucy just tell them!” Apollo tells her quickly as he turns away from those soulful eyes.
“Thank you Alex. As I was saying,” And standing with a flourish she announces, “We, the three lovely fabulous children of Miles Edgeworth and Phoenix Wright, would like to ask for your help in finding their first dance song.” Ending with jazz hands and confetti that he was going to have to vacuum up later.
“What?” Ema pipes up as she shoves two chips into her mouth with three Snackroos.
Bemused by the response Apollo explains since the spectacular part of the presentation was done, “They said that we could pick the music for the rece—”
“But they didn't say we couldn't pick the first dance song,” Trucy cuts in, “They’ll be so busy with everything else that they'll forget. They miss the big easy points sometimes.”
“Well, how do you plan to go about finding the perfect song.” Klavier asks as he takes a bite out of his orange slice.
“Everyone, but you and Apollo, will be looking for the song. The more eyes and people that know them, the easier this will be.”
“What? Why am I not helping?” Apollo asks looking over not remembering this part of their discussion from yesterday.
And the mischief little grin she has does nothing but fill Apollo with dread.
“It’s so you and Klavier can practice because you’ll be singing it!”
“WHAT!” He screams back because no way no how was he singing out loud for anyone.
“I – why – Trucy. Alex. I'm not singing.” He says once he’s calm enough and looking around the room feels kinda bad with everyone having their hands over their ears, especially Athena because she looks like she going to be sick all over the carpet with her hands still over her ears.
“But I like it when you sing. It's really pretty.” Alexander says quietly coming over to hug him.
“Come on man. You know you sound awesome.” Clay adds.
“It's been lightening up my days when I do hear you.” Athena says, thankful not looking as green.
“You’re not bad.” Ema deadpans as she throws a single Snackroo at his forehead.
Dodging it with ease now he looks to everyone with a sympathetic smile, “Thanks everyone and of course Ema for that confidence boost,” She shrugs at his sarcasm, “but I don’t know if I should. This is kinda important and—”
“And that’s exactly why you should do it,” Klavier says gently with one of his real smiles focused solely on him, “It will be a wonderful gift and you do have a stunning voice Apollo.”
Biting at his lip and looks down at his brother’s pleading eyes and then to everyone’s waiting gazes he throws his arms up and sighs in defeat.
“Alright.”
“Yeah! You won't regret this.” Trucy cries jumping over to hug him too with Alexander.
“Don't pick a weird song and its even.” He says as he tries to hug them back.
“We won't need to do much,” Klavier speaks up as he leans back in the navy bungee chair he decided to sit in, “but we better start training your voice more if you’re going to sing in public.”
“Oh joy, I can’t wait.” He monotones.
“It was a compliment.” Klavier says with a teasing grin.
“I'm touched.” Apollo smirks back.
“I see what you mean.” He hears briefly whispered, but when he swiftly turns to look at everyone else they’re all oddly silent with too innocent smiles.
“So what do they like to dance to?” Clay pipes up getting the meeting back on track.
“Yea! If we can narrow it down to a genre then we only have to look in that one to find a love song that matches them.” Athena says pulling her phone out as does everyone else.
“Well they dance to whenever they can and to whatever is on,” Trucy answers thoughtfully, “Daddy dances to all the new songs and gets Papa to too. It is more of a sway, but it still counts. I've also seen them dance to classical and faster pace songs too.”
Clay aww's the loudest at hearing about his parents' lovey-dovey actions with Ema actually cracking a smile as she says lowly, “That actually sounds romantic.”
“It is! Papa even smiles more.” Alexander chirps happily.
“No way!” Clay cries as Klavier mouths' 'Smiles more?' at him as if he couldn't believe that Father ever did smile and Apollo just shrugs awkwardly not sure how to answer.
“What do you think Apollo?” Athena asks him.
Walking into the kitchen and Apollo sees his Father spin his Dad into a dip, followed by Dad leaning up to kiss Father sweetly.
“It’s okay. I didn’t want any water anyway.”
"They need to dance where no one can be blocked from the refrigerator, or the backyard, or the stairs..... I just need to not walk into the house when there's music. Honestly, it's like they've never heard of a door."
He mumbles as his sister and friends laugh at him. But it’s not so bad because Klavier pats his shoulder comfortingly and give him a genuine smile that makes it better.