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Phoenix was coming home late again. It was something Trucy grew accustomed to, sometimes he’d meet up with friends and had stuff to take care of. She didn’t particularly mind it, since it gave her an opportunity to practice her magic tricks. Trucy looked forward to showing her dad once he finally came home. Surely he’d be impressed.
However, while she was practicing her tricks, she hadn’t expected to hear a knock on the door. Her dad never mentioned anything about visitors stopping by. He also warned her about trusting strangers. Regardless, she went up to the door and checked the peephole. Seeing who was on the other side, a small gasp left her lips as her heart started beating wildly from anxiety. It was a face she remembered well. A face she never forgot even if it had been 7 years since the last time they’ve met.
‘’....H…Hello…?’’ Trucy spoke nervously, having not opened the door.
‘’Is there something I can help you with mister?’’
There was a brief silence before the man spoke, ‘’Trucy, it’s your daddy. I’ve come to take you back.’’
Trucy was quiet. She remembered when he disappeared during his trial, how betrayed she felt. How lonely she was feeling, thinking she’d end up all alone. Her birth father never once considered how she’d feel being left alone for all these years. It was almost funny how he suddenly to return for her.
‘’I’m sorry mister, my daddy told me it’s not good to go anywhere with strangers. I think you might have the wrong person.’’ She was trying to keep herself calm, despite how badly she wanted to cry and scream. Trucy at least, mastered the art of masking her true feelings.
‘’Trucy, this isn’t a performance. Open the door and come back with me so we can be a family again.’’ Those words made her swallow hard.
Family? When she thought of her family, the only thing she saw was a man named Phoenix Wright. He may be a bad piano player, and maybe he did lose his job as a lawyer, but he’d been there for her when no one else was.
He didn’t abandon her.
‘’I hope you know, I’m really good with knives mister. So if you don’t leave, there might be trouble.’’ She forced a cheery laugh. That was when she heard a sigh from the other side of the door.
‘’Alright. Sorry for bothering you young lady. I’ll be going now.’’ All she heard after that was the sound of his footsteps as he finally left. Trucy’s heart was still beating so loud, she could hear it through her eardrums.
It was then that she’d fall to her knees, hugging her trembling form as tears streamed down her face. She was angry, she was frightened, she was sad, she was lonely. So many feelings piled on at once. It was so overwhelming.
‘’Daddy… come home, please.’’ She cries out desperately.
It was later that night, when Phoenix would finally return. Trucy was on the sofa, watching a recording of a gavinner’s concern. Once she heard the door, she’d jump to her feet and beam up at her father.
‘’Welcome back daddy!’’ She grins ear to ear, ‘’Did you go to see uncle Miles today?’’
‘’Hey sweetie.’’ He returns her smile, putting the bags in his hand down. ‘
’Yeah, he wanted to see you. Hopefully we’ll have a day out together soon.’’ Phoenix reaches out and ruffles her head.
‘’You brought dinner? I’m starving, you know.’’ She was quick to look through the bags, since she smelled a delightful aroma from them. ‘’Oooooh, hamburgers! One of my favorites!’’
‘’Trucy.’’ His tone was suddenly serious, causing her to look up at him. His eyes remained on her, and suddenly her smile began to slip.
‘’Did something happen?’’ He asked, she swallowed hard again and forced on another smile.
‘’What do you mean daddy? Nothing happened. I spent my time after school practicing my magic tricks. Do you want to see? I-’’
He cut her off, ‘’Trucy.’’ As usual, her dad saw through everything. She loved him but that part of him was kind of annoying. In the end though, she knew he was doing this because he cared.
‘’Hey daddy… you’re…. not going to vanish right?’’ She glanced down, avoiding his gaze. Trucy toys with the hems of her t-shirt nervously.
‘’Of course not, I love you more than anything. I’d never vanish. Not without taking you with me.’’ He said it without hesitation. Trucy felt the tears well up in her eyes, as she bites down on her bottom lip.
‘’You… You promise….?’’ Her body starts shaking, as she looks up at him with tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Phoenix goes to wrap his arms tightly around her.
‘’I promise.’’ He kisses her head, ‘’I’ll never leave you.’’
Trucy clutches onto his sweater, still trembling. ‘’My… my old daddy came back for me.’’
She felt her father hug her tighter, ‘’What happened?’’
‘’I didn’t open the door of course. I didn’t want to go with him.’’ Trucy admits, hot tears finally running down her cheeks. Phoenix started rubbing her back up and down in comforting motions.
‘’But… Why did he leave me? Why did he disappear and not take me with him? Am I just… Am I that worthless?’’
Phoenix breaks the hug so he could cup her face between his hands, while his thumbs wiped away tears from her cheeks. ‘’You’re not worthless. You’re an amazing girl. These past 7 years with you have been nothing but amazing. Without you, I really do think I might have spiraled after losing my badge. You mean the world to me, and I will never regret adopting you. I honestly believe it was the best decision of my life. I love you more than anything.’’ He kisses her forehead.
She sniffles, and manages a smile. ‘’Do you love me more than uncle Miles too?’’
This made him laugh, and in turn Trucy laughed a little as well. ‘’Well of course. I did say anything after all.’’
She wraps her arms around his neck to pull him into a hug, naturally he hugged her back. ‘’I love you so much daddy.’’
‘’I love you too Trucy. I always will.’’