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The train to Kurain Village was fast and direct, like usual. Miles sat pressed against the window as the mountains whipped by in a blur of brown and green. The soft hum of high-speed travel filled his ears, enhanced by the comfortable silence that had settled between him and his travel companion.

Miles tapped his foot. He glanced down at his watch, then up, then down and up again. He frowned. Their commute still had around thirty minutes left. The time was dragging by even as the train zoomed along its path. 

He felt a shoulder nudge his own. 

“Are you nervous?” Phoenix asked. 

Miles glanced down again, hesitant to meet his partner’s eyes. Nervousness wasn’t something he admitted most of the time, but it was undeniable now. 

“A little,” he said after a few beats.

Phoenix’s hand laced itself into Miles’ and gave it a small squeeze. At that, Miles finally looked up and held the other man’s warm gaze.

The smile on Phoenix’s face was open and understanding. “Hey,” he said, “I get it. I’m right here with you the whole time.”

Miles allowed himself to smile, too. “I know.”

“Just try to relax, okay?” Phoenix was dressed in a soft cotton t-shirt, slumping against his seat. He yawned dramatically and stretched his free arm. “At least we’re not driving up here again.”

Miles cringed. The fun road trip he'd planned with Phoenix and Trucy had quickly become a nightmare of dusty back roads and no Internet service as soon as the altitude started to climb. The family had unanimously decided on the train, only, after that.

“Thank goodness,” Miles agreed. 

Phoenix chuckled and squeezed Miles’ hand again, and Miles felt his fiancé’s metal ring rub against his skin. Despite having gifted it to Phoenix over a month ago, Miles still wasn’t completely used to seeing it affixed to his partner’s finger. He didn’t know if he ever would be.

That was the whole reason they were doing this anyway, right? To make this whole getting married thing even more official? 

No, Miles shook his head slightly. If he was being honest, he really just wanted to see his dad again.

This wasn’t the first time Miles had sought the Master of the Kurain Channeling Technique to speak to Gregory Edgeworth. When he was 28, living in Europe and just starting to feel like his life had a semblance of being back on track, he’d called Maya Fey. Broaching the idea with her was one of the most terrifying things he’d ever done, but she just listened, gave a thoughtful “hmmm,” and told him to come to the village sometime in the next week.

“Oh, but don’t think it’s gonna be free just because I know you,” she'd said, then hung up. Miles blinked a few times before sitting down at his desk to browse plane tickets.

He’d flown across the Atlantic a few days later, dread pooling in his gut. That feeling stayed with him when he landed in Los Angeles, as he took a cab to the nearest train station and during the entirety of his trip into the mountains. He hadn’t told Phoenix he was back in California — he hadn’t told anyone except Maya. As the train crawled to a stop, he considered just staying in his seat and letting himself be carried back to the relative safety of the busy, bustling metropolis. No one would even know he was here.

He looked out the window and saw Maya waving to him with a massive grin on her face. Too late. 

“Good to see you again, Mr. Edgeworth!” Maya said as she pulled him into a hug. Miles fumbled for a moment, unused to the enthusiastic contact, and settled for a pat on her shoulder. It was strange to hear her address him that way. She was, what, 21 now? No need for such formality. 

“I’m perfectly alright with you calling me ‘Miles,’ for the record,” he told her.

She met his eyes with a smirk, then looked him up and down. He'd put on khaki pants and a neat black sweater pulled over a white dress shirt. Even with the collar framing his neck, Miles realized this was probably the most casual she’d ever seen him. 

Maya herself hardly looked much different than usual, except that her hair was pulled entirely off her shoulders into a big bun on top of her head. She met Miles’ gaze again and smiled.

“Nah, I’ll stick with ‘Mr. Edgeworth’ for now. That could change later, though.”

Fair enough. Miles shouldered his bag and began following the spirit medium up a winding road. He was content to let Maya fill their trek with updates and stories from the last couple of years: Pearl’s rapidly increasing height, a new trail being built to a nearby waterfall, technology she was trying to bring to the village. He listened, but with an odd level of physical detachment, as if she were talking to him over the phone again rather than from two feet away.

The village was bigger than he’d expected, his only point of reference being the frozen remoteness of Hazakura. Maya led him to his room inside an old building that had been converted into overnight housing for channeling patrons. The place was getting back on the map with tourists and occult enthusiasts thanks to Maya’s publicity efforts, which Phoenix had told him about during one of their check-in calls a few months ago.

“How’s Nick?” Maya asked as Miles set his bag on his bed. 

“I think he’s alright, but we haven’t talked in a while,” Miles admitted, feeling self-conscious in front of the man’s best friend. “Honestly, you’re probably more in touch with him these days than I am.”

Maya rested her hand against her chin. “Yeah, I guess it’s easier when I’m only a couple of hours away.” She gave a final look around the room, checking that everything was in place for a valued guest of Kurain Village, then started walking to the door. She turned to Miles on her way out. “By the way,” she began, “I almost asked you this when you called, but I thought you didn’t even believe in spiritual stuff, right? Was I wrong?”

Miles struggled for the right words. “I…sort of gave that up when Wright lent me your magic stone. It took me a little while to truly accept it, though.”

That made her laugh. “Well, I’m glad you came around, for what it’s worth. Dinner’s at six!” 

Hours later, after pacing around his room restlessly and somehow sitting through dinner, Miles hesitantly followed Maya into the Channeling Chamber. The doors closed, and Miles was overwhelmed by the smell of sage and melting wax. His breathing quickened. Maya took a kneeling position in the center of the room. She looked up at him: Ready?

No, Miles thought. 

What was he doing? Calling upon the spirit of a long-departed soul who could be resting peacefully, for all he knew? What if his father didn’t want to be awakened? What if he couldn’t be? Maya had brought up the possibility over dinner. He died almost 20 years ago. That’s a long time to fade into whatever afterlife he’d found for himself. 

And beyond that, what was Miles even supposed to say? I’m sorry you died? I’m sorry I wasn’t able to do anything about it? Sorry for the mess of a person I became afterwards? A river of apologies could fall out of his mouth and it wouldn’t be enough. When he looked inside himself, he saw it was selfishness that brought him here. A vain search for some kind of closure for the worst moment of his life.

The sick conclusions he’d been trying to push down all day came bubbling to the surface all at once. He suddenly felt foolish standing in this sacred place, attempting an audience with a dead man who represented all that Miles had lost.

“I can’t do this,” he said, backing up toward the sealed door. “I’m sorry, I…I think this was a mistake. I don’t want to do this.”

Maya cocked her head. “Are you sure? You came all this way…”

Miles nodded, feeling awful.

Maya, in her infinite understanding, simply nodded back. “It’s okay.” She smiled and stood. “We’ll just wait until you do want to do this, then.”

Miles had taken the earliest train he could catch the next morning and was back in Germany before the end of the day.

The slowing vehicle tugged Miles forward in his seat and jolted him out of his memories. Phoenix had fallen asleep against his shoulder and was snoring softly. 

“Love, we’re here,” Miles said, jostling the other man gently. 

Phoenix groaned a bit as he stirred, lifting his head from Miles’ shoulder. He rubbed his eyes with one hand. “Sorry for falling asleep on you,” he mumbled.

“Don’t apologize. I’m glad you got some rest.” Taking one final look out the train window, Miles stood. He extended his hand down to his sleepy fiancé, who took it gratefully and stood as well. “Shall we?” he asked as his heart pounded.

With yet another squeeze of his hand, Phoenix nodded. “Let’s go.”

Just like seven years ago, Maya stood waiting for her guests at the station. It hadn’t been very long since Miles had seen her. She and Pearl were frequent guests at his and Phoenix’s shared home, whenever the two could get away from their village duties. It occurred to Miles as he stepped off the train that Maya was around the age that he’d been when he first came here. Her maturity was visible on her face, her young girlishness replaced by the wise features of a leader.

“Hey, you two,” she said, pulling both men into a hug. This time, Miles returned it.

They arrived at the village after the familiar walk up the dirt road. In the mid-afternoon sun, the ground burned hot and dry. Around them, young mediums giggled and chatted on the shaded porches of houses and temples.

The two men were escorted to their usual room, a large space with a lofty bamboo ceiling and plush bed in the center. The few times they had come with Trucy, she stayed in her own equally large room. They’d asked her if she wanted to join them for this trip, but she had a big show this weekend. Plus, Miles wasn’t sure bringing the girl along to meet his father’s ghost was a smart decision in terms of calming his nerves. 

“Okay,” Maya announced as Phoenix wasted no time flopping on the bed. “You guys know the drill. I blocked out this evening for your channeling exclusively, so you can have as much time as you need talking to your dad. I don’t want you to feel rushed.” She smoothed her hands over her robes. “That being said, it’s harder for me to hold on to the spirits of people who died a while ago. A couple of hours is probably what we’re looking at. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to make contact, though.”

Phoenix sat up. “Wait, you’re saying you might not even be able to channel Gregory?”

“It’s possible I won’t be able to. Not likely, but possible. Miles, you know that, right? I told you the same thing the first time you came here.”

Her words sent Miles into the past once again, briefly immersing him in all the doubt and guilt of seven years ago. But it was different, now. His visit had a clear, defined point. And he had a very supportive, very patient partner at his side.

Miles looked at Maya. “We’ll deal with that if it comes to it. We won’t know if we don’t try.”

“That’s the spirit!” Maya said. “No pun intended. Alright!” She clapped her hands together. “I’m gonna let you both get comfy. After dinner, we can start the ceremony whenever you’re ready. I’ll be around, so just holler if you need me, okay?” With a small wave, she shut the sliding door, leaving Phoenix and Miles alone.

Phoenix collapsed on the bed again. “Man, I don’t know why the train always makes me tired.” 

“Beats me,” Miles offered. He kicked off his shoes. “Sleep is the last thing I’m thinking about right now.”

Phoenix was struggling to kick off his own shoes without removing his head from the fluffiness of his pillow. “Really? Because I think it’s just about prime nap time for both of us.”

After a customary glare at Phoenix, Miles sighed. Relenting, he walked to the bed and laid down next to him. “I don’t think I could fall asleep if I wanted to, Phoenix,” he said to the ceiling. “There’s too much going on inside my head.”

Phoenix angled his body toward Miles and draped an arm across his fiancé’s chest. “Tell me what’s going on up there, then.”

“I just…” Miles faltered. “This is good, what we’re doing?”

“The channeling?” Phoenix sounded puzzled. “You’re the one who suggested it. You seemed to think it was a good idea a few weeks ago.”

“Yes, I do, I still do,” Miles insisted. He bit his lip. “And the timing works.”

“Mm.” Phoenix started moving his hand up and down Miles’ side. “I’d say so.”

During their initial considerations of wedding venues, Phoenix had been quick to bring up Kurain Village. “It’s close enough to the city that it’s easy to travel to, but not so close that it feels like we aren’t going anywhere special,” Phoenix had said excitedly, clearing having already thought this through. A litany of reasons later, Miles had also begun to see the upsides of doing it at the village: good for a small group of family and friends, quiet, cheap (depending on Maya’s generosity).

A little over a month into their engagement, neither man was ready to nail down the details of their wedding quite yet. However, Miles found that the more he thought about getting married to the love of his life, the more he inexplicably wished his dad could be there to see it. As the potential of a Kurain Village ceremony lingered in his mind, he also found himself realizing that idea might not be as far-fetched as it seemed.

Miles was silent for a few moments. Phoenix’s fingers continued their gentle ministrations.

“What if he hates me?”

The thought was irrational, almost childish, and Miles knew it as soon as the words left his mouth. Phoenix pushed himself up on his elbow to look down at him, frowning. “Miles, that’s ridiculous.”

“But we don’t know. Maybe he resents me.” From what Miles remembered of his father, Gregory Edgeworth was a kind, compassionate man. But death, he assumed, had a way of changing people. Perhaps his father had spent the last 26 years watching helplessly as his son warped into a mean and cold-hearted person. Miles had made so many mistakes in his life; maybe he’d gone beyond redemption in the eyes of a parent.

Phoenix’s voice cut through Miles’ melancholy. “He’s your dad. He won’t hate you.” Phoenix paused, then settled back against Miles’ chest. “And even if he does,” he said softly, “it’s not like you have to worry about him being in your life, you know?”

Miles scoffed, darkly amused by that fact. “You’re not wrong.” He’d spent many more years without his father than with him, at this point. He’d be fine.

They fell into quiet contentment again. If it wasn’t for Phoenix’s arm fastening him to the bed, Miles was sure he would have been pacing the room. But his partner’s warmth and pressure lulled him into drowsiness. A calmness settled over him as his consciousness faded.

“I just want him to be happy to see me,” Miles whispered.

Phoenix held him tighter. “I know, baby. I know.”

The Channeling Chamber doors loomed over the trio of Maya, Miles and Phoenix. Behind them in the Mediation Room, Pearl Fey knelt on a blanket, watching them intently. 

Maya turned around to face the couple. “Okay, are we clear on the process?”

Phoenix nodded. “Miles will talk to his dad as long as he needs to, assuming he can. Then, if he wants to, he’ll knock on the door to signal me. And Pearls will let me in.”

Miles looked at Pearl, who gave him a reassuring smile and a thumbs up.

“Right,” Maya said. “You’re in good hands with Pearly, Nick.” She took a breath, then leveled her gaze at Miles. “This is it. Are you ready?”

Miles swallowed. He felt a hand squeeze his own and give it a little tug. Slowly, he met his partner’s eyes.

Phoenix was looking at him with palpable affection. His gray-blue eyes were soft and filled with a kind of joyful anticipation.

Miles turned to Maya. ‘I’m ready.” 

Phoenix untangled his hand from Miles’ and gave him a quick kiss. “Good luck. I’ll be right outside.”

Steeling himself, Miles walked past Maya through the chamber’s now-open doors. Maya shut them behind her with a resolute clang.

The chamber looked the same as last time. It smelled the same, too, with incense burning on the altar and hundreds of candles filling the room with golden light. Who on Earth lights these every day? Miles wondered. This has to be a fire hazard.

The thoughts Miles was preparing on the merits of using real candles versus fake ones were swept aside as Maya moved to the middle of the room. She sunk to her knees and patted the mat in front of her when Miles didn’t move. “C’mon, I don’t bite,” she teased. 

He joined Maya on the floor. The mat was softer than he’d expected it to be, which he was sure his knees would appreciate later. He’d opted for a casual clothes: jeans and a loose-fitting tee. Phoenix had actually expressed more concerned about his own appearance than Miles had when they were packing for their short trip. “It’s like my ‘meet the parents’ moment,” Phoenix had reasoned to Miles. “I want to make a good impression.”

Miles had talked him down from wearing a tie and bringing a bouquet of flowers by reminding him that he had met Gregory before — several times, in fact. “Yeah, but this is different,” Phoenix had protested, defeated, as he threw a pink tie back into its drawer.

Now, Miles wondered if he should have brought flowers, after all. Or combed him hair more. Should he take off his glasses? 

“Maya?” he blurted. “Do channeling patrons usually…bring gifts?”

Maya considered the question. “Sometimes,” she answered. “Flowers are pretty common. Maybe a photo or two. But most of the time, people don’t bother. I mean, it’s not like the spirit can take it with them.”

“Right,” Miles muttered, wiping sweaty palms over denim. “Of course.”

Maya reached out to touch his forearm. “Hey,” she said gently. “I think you’re fine just the way you are, Miles. And I’ll bet your dad is going to think so, too.” 

With that, she leaned back, deftly molding her hands into some intricate symbol. Miles watched as her face settled into a blank mask, her brow knitting slightly in concentration. He continued watching as, after nearly a minute, the features of her face also molded into something new. Her cheekbones sharpened; her nose lengthened. 

Miles could only sit, frozen, as he slowly found himself looking at his father. 

He looks different without his glasses. For whatever reason, that was the first thought that jumped into Miles’ mind. It was followed by the realization that the face he was staring at looked no older than he remembered it. It was silly to think spirits aged in the afterlife, but something was so strange about sitting across from his dad as a peer. It felt wrong.

Gregory Edgeworth in Maya Fey’s body opened his eyes. Blinking, he glanced down at his hands, still folded in Maya’s channeling shape, and then up at the rows of candles surrounding him. A look of startled recognition passed over his face. “Oh,” he said, so softly Miles almost didn’t hear it. 

After what felt like ages, Gregory turned his head toward the man sitting in front of him. For a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then his eyes narrowed. His mouth opened slightly as he leaned closer to his son, disbelieving. 

“Miles?” 

Miles wanted to run. The visceral reality of his father recognizing him was a tidal wave that hit him hard. As much as he’d mentally prepared for this, the irrefutable proof that his dad was somehow here after so, so long uprooted something deep within his heart. 

Instead of bolting, Miles’ hand flew to his mouth as tears welled in his eyes. “Dad,” he managed.

The look of disbelief on Gregory’s face passed into a small, comforting smile. He held out his arms, and Miles fell into them. 

For several long minutes, Miles allowed himself to be held as he cried softly against his father’s shoulder. His tears slipped off his cheeks and bled into Maya’s robes, but Gregory said nothing as he rubbed soothing circles into Miles’ back.

“Oh, Miles,” Gregory eventually whispered, breaking the silence. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

Sniffling, Miles pulled away. He felt lightheaded, dizzy with joy and shock, and chuckled as his dad’s hands settled on his shoulders.

“I told myself I wouldn’t cry,” he said softly. 

“I don’t blame you, Miles.” Gregory chuckled, his eyes also misty. He lifted one hand and wiped away a tear from under Miles’ glasses. “It’s so good to see you.”

Miles heart swooped, a giddy feeling that was quickly overtaken by shame. He looked down. “I’m sorry I didn’t reach out to you earlier, it…Well, there’s no real excuse for it. It was just hard, and—”

Gregory shook his head. “Don’t go down that road, Miles. It’s so lovely to talk to you again, but you need to know that I don’t hold anything against you. I know how difficult your life has been.”

Miles looked up. “You know?”

Gregory hesitated. “I know the big picture, but not the all the details. I had a firmer grasp on the world and your sense of time right after I died.” He squeezed his son’s shoulders. “The term ‘watching over you’ isn’t exactly accurate, but…I was connected to you. I still am, but I especially wanted to make sure you ended up alright in the aftermath of that day.”

 Miles’s eyes widened. He’d entertained the idea of his father following his actions in some way, but to have that confirmed was still startling.

Gregory continued. “I spent those first years wishing so badly I could do something to help you. You deserved,” he stopped and swallowed. “You deserved so much better than the cards you were dealt. And yet, you made it through. I’m so proud of you.”

Another surge of emotion threatened to bring a second round of tears to the table, but Miles held them down. As nice as that was to hear from his dad, it was still in his nature to doubt. “Really?”

Gregory gawked. “Of course, really! Miles, the fact that you weren’t completely turned off from any kind of legal career after growing up with von Karma is astounding to me.”

Miles eyes were getting wet again despite his best efforts. “I’m actually Chief Prosecutor now.”

A smile spread across Gregory’s face. “That’s amazing. I didn’t know that.” Miles’ brow furrowed, and Gregory elaborated. “Like I said, I’ve always been connected to you, but after the first few years the details get fuzzy. I’d check in on you mainly through your emotions. It’s been reassuring to feel that you’re mostly content whenever I reach out, but I get the sense that you’ve been even happier than usual recently.”

Miles blushed. Gregory seemed to pick up on it. 

“Tell me how you got there?” he prompted his son, gently.

“It’s a bit of a long story.”



“I’ve got time.”

And so Miles did.

He told him about watching von Karma get put behind bars, his near-fatal struggles with stress and anxiety, and his discovery that he actually enjoyed studying foreign judicial systems. The countries he’d lived in, the languages he’d perfected. His semesters as a guest professor at a few prestigious universities. The years he’d worked to build a bond between him and his sister, who Gregory naturally had several questions about. 

He left out a key person in the equation, though. Miles didn’t know why he was so nervous to bring up Phoenix. Maybe he represented the last line of judgement to overcome in this reunion, which so far had gone better than he’d hoped for. 

“Um,” Miles started, raising his left hand to adjust his glasses. "There’s also something—"



“Wait,” Gregory interrupted. His mouth dropped. “Is that a wedding ring?”

Miles was caught off guard by the observation, even though the thin, diamond-accented band had been on his finger the whole time. Phoenix had presented it to him approximately two minutes after Miles had done the same. 

Well, that was one way to start this conversation. Miles sucked in a breath. “It’s an engagement ring, actually.”

Gregory beamed. “Miles, that’s wonderful! No wonder you’ve seemed so happy lately!”

 

Miles huffed a laugh, running his ringed hand through his hair. “It’s certainly helped.”

The past year Miles had spent dating Phoenix Wright was easily the happiest of his life. Every passing day only affirmed and deepened that fact. And the desire to share that happiness with a family member was the reason he’d come here in the first place. 

“Hold on just a moment,” Miles said. “There’s someone I want you to see.”

Miles stood and walked to entrance: knock, knock, knock. Pearl’s face appeared seconds later in the crack between the two doors. 

“Are you ready, Mr. Edgeworth?” she asked.

Miles nodded. Pearl turned and motioned to the man sitting on the blanket behind her. At Pearl’s signal, Phoenix sat up ramrod straight and pointed to himself. Me?

On any other day, Miles would’ve rolled his eyes at his endearingly clueless partner. Instead, he just smiled at Phoenix and inclined his head toward the middle of the room. 

Phoenix rose on wobbly legs, smoothing down his shirt and pulling at the lock of hair over his forehead. Despite all of his assurances that this was going to go just fine, he was definitely nervous.

Miles extended a hand through the doors. “Come on,” he said, softly enough that only Phoenix could hear. “Let’s go say hi.”

Some anxiety seemed to melt off of Phoenix at those words. He took the hand offered to him with a grin. “Okay.”

As Miles pulled Phoenix through the doors, closed quickly behind them by a diligent Pearl, he carefully watched his father’s expression. Rather than focus on the couple’s clasped hands, Gregory zeroed in on Phoenix’s face as he approached.

Phoenix cleared his throat. “Um, h-hi Mr. Edgeworth,” he said with a little wave. “I’m not sure if you remember me, but—“

“Hold on,” Gregory interrupted, holding up a hand. After a few seconds of scrutiny, his eyes widened. “You’re…Phoenix Wright! Right?”

“Right. Er, correct.”

Gregory laughed, wearing a curious smile. “Well, you’re just about the last person I expected to see today.” His eyes darted to Miles for just a moment, then back to Phoenix. “How have you been? You’ve grown so much.”


The couple knelt in front of Gregory, their hands separating. Phoenix opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“He’s a very successful defense attorney,” Miles answered for his partner, unable to hide the pride in his voice.

Another laugh. “Really?” Gregory’s curious smile had turned into an amused smirk. He tucked a thumb under his chin. “From what I can remember, Phoenix, you didn’t necessarily share Miles’ proclivity to law back then. Not that you have to choose what you’re going to be at nine, of course, but…” His hand fell into his lap. “What changed?”

Phoenix swallowed. “Actually, sir, your son had a lot to do with it.”

Gregory beamed. “He inspired you, then?”

“Uh,” Phoenix scratched the back of his head. “You could say that…”

“Oh, for crying out loud—" Miles reached over and held up Phoenix’s left hand with the ring, then gestured to his own. “We’re getting married, Dad.”

For several seconds, silence. Miles felt his pulse spike. 

Then, a soft exhale.

“Wow.” Gregory shook his head. Chuckles were escaping him now. “Wow,” he repeated. “You’re serious?”

Miles and Phoenix exchanged a glance.
 

“You…” Gregory’s smile threatened to split open his face. “That’s incredible.”

Miles’ fight-or-flight adrenaline plummeted at a velocity that left him shaky. He’s happy for us? Of course, that would be the best-case scenario here. But he’d been hoping for approval, if not begrudging acceptance. He wasn’t prepared for this level of joy. It was unsettling.

Phoenix’s lingering nerves seemed to dissolve as he chuckled, as well. “You think so?” 

Gregory was smiling so wide and bright it made Miles want to look away. “Miles, I…” He reached out and held Miles left hand between his own. “The only thing I’ve ever wanted for you is happiness. I don’t think I ever got to tell you that in so many words, but I hope that you felt that from me growing up.”

“Yes,” Miles assured him. “Yes, I did.”

Gregory’s expression turned dark. “When I died, I felt like I had abandoned you. I couldn’t support you anymore. I couldn’t encourage you, or celebrate your victories, or tell you how proud I was of you, no matter what you decided to be.” A small smile returned to his face. “But you were a tough kid, Miles. I knew you could make it through anything, as long as you stayed true to yourself. And it sure seems like you have.”

Miles was sniffling, again. This was all just so much. “Well,” he started, searching for eloquence. “I’ve had a lot of help along the way.”

“I can tell,” his father said softly. Releasing his hand, he looked over at Phoenix. “So! I think I’m owed a bit of an explanation here. How on Earth did the two of you find each other again? And how…” He gestured between the two of them. “How did this happen?”

Phoenix threw an arm around Miles, pulling him close. “You know, Mr. Edgeworth, it’s kind of a long story.” 

Gregory laughed, full-bodied, throwing his head back. He wiped at the corners of his eyes. “Phoenix, I literally wouldn’t want to spend my time listening to anything else.”  

This time, Phoenix did most of the talking. He recounted his scheme to reconnect with his childhood friend by becoming his work peer, a fact Gregory found very amusing. He spoke about Miles’ generosity in flying him out to Europe during the seven-year stretch of his disbarment, and the happiness he felt when Miles decided to move back to California. Certain details were omitted, of course, but Phoenix offered a basic summary of their eventual coming together thanks to Miles making a move on him.

“Thank God your son was so forward,” he said, nudging his partner as Miles reddened. “I don’t think I’d ever have admitted how I really felt about him. I was too scared about ruining our friendship.”

Gregory’s eyes glinted as he quirked an eyebrow. “That’s Miles, for you.”

“Dad.”

Phoenix told Gregory how much Trucy loved their shared home, apologizing for the fourth time that they didn’t bring her with them. Miles cut in to say that after dating for around a year, they were both ready to take the next step forward. Perhaps they were too in sync, though, since they ended up proposing to each other at the same time.

“Miles technically beat me to it, and it kind of ruined the grand romantic gesture I’d planned, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,” Phoenix said, which made Gregory laugh.

“So, when’s the wedding?” Gregory asked. He held up his hands. “If you’re doing that sort of thing.”

Miles and Phoenix looked at each other, each asking the same unspoken question. Phoenix gave a little nod, and Miles turned back to his father.

“Well, we don’t have all the details yet,” Miles said. “And this is just one idea, but…we were thinking of maybe having it here? At Kurain Village. And,” he continued, smoothing his palms on his jeans, “since we’d be here for the ceremony anyway, Phoenix and I were thinking that…you could join us. If you want to,” he added hastily. “Obviously that’s your decision, and I don’t exactly know how frequently spirits should be channeled, and if you’d even want to be channeled for something like that, but—"

“Miles.” Gregory cut off his rambling. He reached out and placed his hand on his son’s arm. “That sounds lovely.”

Miles didn’t think it was possible, but another wave of relief swept through him. “Really?”

“Of course.” Gregory sounded choked up again, and his brow was furrowed like he was still processing what he was hearing. “I’m honored you would even consider that, Miles. That you would want me there for your special day. I’ve been gone from your life for so long.”

Miles shook his head vehemently. “No. No, this is an opportunity I don’t want to pass up. If I can have you there, I want you there, Dad.”

An oof escaped Miles as he was suddenly swallowed in a bear hug. Gregory held him tight. “How could I miss my kid’s wedding?”

Miles laughed, returning the embrace and glancing at his partner. Phoenix was smiling so sincerely it made his chest ache. 

After a few moments, Phoenix stood. “I’ll let you two say goodbye.” He extended his hand to Gregory, who clasped it. “It was really great to see you, Mr. Edgeworth. And I guess, uh, I’ll see you again pretty soon.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Gregory said.

Phoenix patted Miles on the shoulder before he walked toward the door, and Miles watched Pearl usher him back outside the chamber. 

“You picked a good one, Miles.”

Miles turned back to his father, who was wearing a small, satisfied smile. He returned it. “I know.”

Realization dawned in Miles’ mind as he remembered Maya’s warning about time. He checked his watch. Almost two hours had already passed. 

“I think it’s time to go.” Miles hadn’t anticipated how scary it would be to actually say those words. They barely came out above a whisper.

Gregory didn’t seem very surprised to hear that. He just nodded deeply. “I figured. I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.”

Fear seized Miles. His heart raced. “But you…I mean, you’ll be able to come back, right? For the wedding? I don’t,” he paused, barely able to finish his sentence. “I can’t lose you again.”

Gregory looked at him, and Miles thought he saw sympathy in his dark eyes. His hands were shaking as his father — his father — took each of them in one of his own.

“You never did,” he said simply. “And you never will.”

There was silence as Miles closed his eyes, and when he opened them, there was Maya Fey. The spirit medium blinked a few times, looking a bit tired, and noticed her hands. Miles was still grasping them. Her eyes met those of the man sitting in front of her, and she smiled.

“I take it that went well?” 

Miles, sure that his red eyes gave him away, felt nothing but joy in his chest as he answered, “Extremely.”

“You’re sure you have everything?” Maya said the next morning at the train station. 

Phoenix shouldered their small duffel and nodded. “We’re set,” he said, then pulled Maya into a hug. “I’ll text you when we’re home.”

“You better,” Maya said with a grin when she pulled away. “And then we’ve gotta start the wedding preparations, right? I already have so many ideas.”

Miles blushed — they hadn’t even set a date yet! Still, Maya’s warm enthusiasm for the ceremony was touching. “Thank you, Maya.” He waited a few beats before adding, “For everything.”

The wise gaze of the Master of Kurain returned to her features as she appraised Miles. “Any time,” she said. 

A few minutes later, both men were waving to Maya through the train window as the vehicle lurched into motion. Miles relaxed into his seat as it picked up speed.

Once again, a warm hand slid into his own. “You okay?” Phoenix asked softly.

Miles looked at his partner and nodded. “I’m alright.” He smiled. “More than alright, honestly.”

Phoenix flashed a brilliant smile in return. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Feeling a lightness in his heart that had been foreign to him for so long, Miles made a show of raising a finger to his temple. “Though, I have been thinking more about the whole wedding idea, and I was wondering if it’s truly worth the hassle when we could simply get the job done at the courthouse. Seems infinitely more convenient, if you ask me.”

He had to bite down a smirk as Phoenix’s eyebrows raised in surprise. The nervous expression quickly died as a deadpan glare took its place. “You’re fucking with me.”

Miles tapped him on the nose. “Obviously, darling.”

The defense attorney shook his head, acting every part the put-upon boyfriend. “Remind me why I’m marrying you again?”

Miles pretended to consider the question. “I was under the impression it’s because you love me. Could be wrong, though.”

“Against my better judgement,” Phoenix teased, venomless.

This time, Miles settled his head against Phoenix’s shoulder, and sleep claimed him as the two headed home.