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Maya Fey and Miles Edgeworth kneel across from each other in the center of the Channeling Chamber, surrounded by artfully placed candles. Miles eyes the ones nearest the paper screen against the back wall warily.
“Alright, so we’ve already gone over the waiver stuff. I’m not responsible for anything the person inhabiting my body during the session says or does. We’re not taking any chances after that one incident a few years ago...” Maya widens her eyes dramatically.
“Yes, Phoenix told me all about it.”
v“Yeah. Anyway, we’ll probably be in and out of here pretty quick. The only time I’ve ever managed to get ahold of someone who’s been dead for more than a decade, I could only keep the connection up for about five minutes. And he’s been gone for…”
Miles swallows. “Twenty-two years. And… four months.”
“Yeah, I’ve never tried for someone that long gone. I’m, like, 97 percent sure I can get him, but I don’t think I’ll be able to hold onto him for long.”
“I don’t want you to overexert yourself, Maya.”
She waves his concerns away. “Nah, it’s not like I’ll hurt myself. I might need to take a nap later, but that’s it.” She puts a hand on his arm. “My point is, once I’ve got him, you probably won’t have time to beat around the bush. I would say whatever you have to say right up front.”
Miles looks at her hand where it rests on his elbow. He takes a deep breath.
“I understand.”
She squeezes his arm gently. “Good. Ok, now enough talking. You’re going to have to be really quiet and still for a couple of minutes so I can concentrate. It’s gonna be super awkward, but hang in there.”
Maya adjusts her knees on the thin purple cushion she is kneeling on and closes her eyes.
“Breathe in and out with me. It’ll help us both relax.”
He copies her breathing, in through the nose, out through the mouth. For several minutes, she sits, perfectly still and statuesque. Miles thinks to himself that he has never seen her so quiet. Phoenix will hardly believe him when he tells him. After a bit, Miles takes to watching the candles flicker while he waits. Then there is a slight rustling. He looks back up and blinks.
“D-dad?”
It’s like looking into a mirror. Miles Edgeworth is struck by the strength of their resemblance… then Gregory Edgeworth smiles and opens his mouth to speak to his son for the first time in over two decades.
“Hello, Miles.”
There is the briefest of pauses, and then Gregory Edgeworth pulls his son into a tight bear hug. Miles gasps. He hesitates oh so briefly before throwing his arms around his father’s middle. He finds himself suddenly weeping onto Maya Fey’s clothing, onto his father’s chest.
“Miles, I know I don’t have much time at all. Your mother and I are so, so sorry that we couldn’t be there for you, Miles, and we have missed you so much, and--” he takes a deep, shuddery breath before continuing in the same rapid pace, trying to fit twenty-two years' worth of talk into just a few moments. “-- and we are so proud, so proud of you, son.”
Miles makes a rattly sort of squeaking sound in response. He wants to say something, to look up and see his father’s face, but he seems to be glued to his chest, clutching at his father’s back as if digging fingers into him will make him stay somehow. Gregory is running one hand through Miles’ hair, rubbing his back with the other. As he speaks, he begins rocking gently from side to side, the same way he did when Miles would run into his bedroom late at night, crying about a nightmare.
“I am so proud of the man you have become, Miles. More than I could ever say.”
“I’m so sorry, Dad.” Miles croaks. “I’m so sorry I n-never--” he sobs and catches his breath again, “never lived u-up to your… your reputa-ta-reput...ation.” He is forcing the words out with whatever voice he can muster, in between sharp, involuntary breaths.
“Now stop that, Miles.” Gregory’s voice sounds stern now. “You have been through hell and come out the other side. You have my deepest respect and admiration. Don’t ever forget that.”
Miles finally manages to unstick himself from his father and look up at him. Gregory smiles at him, and he feels a weight lift from his chest that he hadn’t realized was there.
“Dad--”
“I have to go, son. Ms Fey’s grip is weakening already. I love you, Miles. I love you, and your mother loves you. Make sure you thank that sweet kid Phoenix Wright for always looking after my boy for me.” Gregory gently pushes Miles off of him and grips him by both shoulders. “Goodbye, Miles. I love you.”
Miles feels panic claw at his chest. He’s wasted his time. He hasn’t said what he needs to say. He hasn’t--
“Dad, wait! Wait! I need to--”
Gregory Edgeworth cups his son’s face, wet with tears, in both hands. He gently fixes Miles’ askew glasses.
“I didn’t come here for unwarranted apologies from you, son. I won’t hear them. Any mistakes you feel you’ve made, you go out into the world and fix them.”
Suddenly, Maya is back, still holding Miles’ face. She blinks a few times.
“Hey there, buddy.” She laughs and pats his cheek playfully before letting go. “Miss me?”
Miles sniffs loudly and pulls out his handkerchief to dry his eyes. Maya glances down and plucks at her robes.
“You got my boobs all wet. Thanks a lot.”
“I’m… I’m sorry.”
She smacks him playfully on the arm. “I’m just messin’ with you. Trying to, y’know, bring you down from the experience, or whatever.”
“I see.”
She stands up and stretches. “Honestly, grabbing your face is not the weirdest thing I’ve come back to. Besides the one murder charge, I’ve had waaaaaay too many Dead Lovers called back. Ugh.” She holds out a hand to help him up. “I think I will take that nap I mentioned earlier.”
Miles takes her hand in a daze. “Yes, I think… I think I might, as well.”
“Really? ‘Cause we do have some spare mats across the way if you wanna crash here for a while.”
“No, I’ll...” he nods to himself. “I’ll wait until I get home.”
“Sounds like a plan. Hey, Miles?” She looks at him carefully, scrutinizing him. “I don’t normally ask my clients this, because it’s none of my business, but you’re a friend, so… how did it go?”
He looks away and finds a spot on the floor to speak to. “I think...” He scrunches up his eyebrows and glances back at her, looking for all the world like a kicked dog. “Thank you, Maya. I am very grateful for you lending me your… your gift.”
Maya grins. “Hey, a few years ago, you thought I was a fraud. So thank you for your business, Mr Skeptic!”
When Edgeworth finally makes it back to his house, he disrobes mechanically and falls into bed. Although it is only four in the afternoon, he is exhausted from driving, and… well, he is exhausted. Just a couple of hours later, he is awoken by a hand rubbing his shoulder.
“Hi, babe.”
“Nngh.” Miles rolls over and squints at Phoenix. “... time izzit?”
“It’s almost six. I just got home.” Phoenix chuckles. “How long have you been asleep?”
“Couple hours.” Miles yawns. “Trucy home?”
“Yeah. I guess she didn’t realize you were back. She’s watching TV.” Phoenix sits on the edge of the bed. “So. You wanna tell me how it went?”
Miles rubs his eyes to avoid looking at Phoenix. “Um...”
“Never mind, it’s none of my business. But you did you get through to him?”
“Yes. Briefly.” Miles wriggles out from under the covers and leans against the headboard. “He… he wanted me to say hello to you.”
Phoenix raises his eyebrows. “He did?”
“Yes. Wait… no, he wanted… he wanted to thank you. For taking care of me.”
Phoenix’s expression softens. “Oh.”
“And he’s right.” Miles reaches out to touch Phoenix’s arm. “Thank you.”
“Aw, babe.” Phoenix scoots up close to him and nuzzles against his neck. “You’re welcome.”
Miles wraps his arms around Phoenix and sighs, letting the memories of the session settle over him. They sit in cozy silence for a moment, until Miles thinks he might fall back asleep right there, resting his chin on Phoenix’s head. Then, Phoenix stirs.
“Wait. Miles?”
“Hmm?”
“If your dead parents are watching over you...” He frowns.
“Yes?”
“Does that mean they can see us having sex?”
Miles grimaces and pushes Phoenix off him. “For god’s sake, Wright.”
“I’m serious!” Phoenix flops over, across Miles’ legs.
Miles rolls his eyes. “I suppose so.”
“Well there’s a mood-killer.”
“I don’t know about that. You can be quite, shall we say… persistent?"
Phoenix wrinkles his nose. “Yeah, sure, but your dead dad judging my performance is a teeny bit nerve-wracking.”
“Please stop talking,” Miles says, squeezing his eyes shut in horror.
“‘Kay. Well, I’m glad it went well, even if it tuckered you out so much you took a nap in the middle of the afternoon, which is a-dor-able.” He reaches up and taps Miles’ nose. “You wanna help me throw something together for dinner?”
“Sure. Let me put some clothes on.”
“I dunno, the purple boxer briefs are really doin’ it for me.” Phoenix chuckles. “Oops.” He looks up at the ceiling and cups his hands around his mouth. “If you’re listening, Mr Edgeworth, I’m sorry for objectifying your son--”
Miles hits him with a pillow. “Stop it!”
“-- but you have to admit that he has a fantastic ass.”
“So help me, Wright...”