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It had been a few weeks since Gregory had realized his not-so-friendly feelings toward one Manfred von Karma. Today was another day that he decided to spend at home instead of in the office. Miles' tenth birthday was coming up, so as the big day approached he was committed to spending less time working and more time with his son. After a lot of prodding, he also got von Karma to bring Franziska over for a playdate after the former finished a proper amount of work for the day. He was glad von Karma didn't bring any case files with him, the man works too hard for his own good (which meant something coming from him, as he was quite the workaholic himself).
They were sitting on the deck in Gregory's backyard. Franziska had found the garden hose and had taken to spraying Miles with it, and his boy didn't actually seem too upset, so they watched as the two kids played into the early evening. His eyes locked on Franziska for a minute or two as his mind wandered. Von Karma did mention that he had a wife once, but he had never met the woman. It also seemed that Franziska didn't see her much either. Von Karma never mentioned anything about a divorce, however he didn't see a ring on the man's left hand...
The curiousity was gnawing at him, against his better judgement. He spoke into the quiet between them, "if you don't mind me asking, I would like to know more about your family."
Manfred turned to him, an eyebrow raised and his mouth turned into his resting scowl. "What is there to tell? I would say you already know more than what is necessary about myself and my daughter."
Gregory tapped his fingers on the small table between them, their cups of tea rattling slightly with the motion. "I suppose so, but that isn't what I meant," he paused, hoping von Karma would get the hint.
Von Karma sighed rather wearily, which gave Gregory pause. "I suppose you would be talking about my wife?" Gregory nodded. "You know I hate repeating myself, Edgeworth. There isn't much to tell that you would not hear from anyone else. She was a wonderful mother to Franziska and Annelise, her cooking was far more perfect than any professional chef, and I cherish the years I spent with her."
Gregory frowned. "I don't mean anything by it, I simply wanted to ask. I've never met Mrs. von Karma or Annelise, so I wanted to know more about them. They are both your family after all." There was a short moment of silence, broken only by the splashing of water and Miles and Franziska's joyful screams. Gregory looked away from von Karma, feeling sheepish, "but if you don't wish to talk about it, then that is alright as well."
Manfred was looking out onto the backyard now as well, but out of the corner of Gregory's eye he could see his hand squeeze his upper arm with fervour, something he'd come to realize is a habit for the man whenever he's upset or nervous. "My wife, as you have likely figured out by now, does not live with myself and Franziska anymore. She left for Germany with Annelise shortly after Franziska was born." He peered over at Gregory, face unreadable. "She never liked Amerikyo. She wanted to return to her homeland, and so that is what she did."
Gregory didn't know how to respond. If he were more insensitive, he would ask more about the situation. But he frankly was amazed he managed to get that much out of von Karma when he normally refused to share anything personal. Glancing over at their kids, Miles had managed to wrestle the hose away from Franziska and was spraying her back. He smiled when he noticed Miles changed the spray settings to a softer mist.
He took a deep breath, then spoke to Manfred. "My wife passed away when Miles was born. For the first few weeks that I was a father, I was angry at her for leaving me so suddenly. Raising our son was something we had planned to do together. I was so upset. I was upset with her, I was upset with God for taking her away from me. And it pains me to admit this, but I was angry with Miles."
Manfred turned to him fully, but Gregory couldn't bear to look at him. He looked at his lap instead, wringing his hands together as he continued. "In the darkest recesses of my mind, I- I blamed Miles for Eleanor's passing. I can barely stand thinking about it now, and I know she would've been so distraught with me for feeling that way."
After a beat of silence, a small hesitation Gregory rarely sees out of any von Karma, Manfred asked quietly, "why are you telling me this?"
Gregory blinked away the tears forming in his eyes, and brought himself to look up. "Look at them," he said, gesturing to Miles and Franziska. "Look at their joyful little faces. For eight years I didn't think my son would ever be able to get along with another kid. He just couldn't find anyone at school who shared his interests, and he was bullied for it for a long time. He just doesn't act like kids his age. I was worried that he would change completely because of it." He and Franziska were completely soaked now, giggling while Franziska repeatedly proclaimed that she had won because Miles was more soaked than her. "I bet you never had those insecurities raising Franziska and I am simply projecting my own feelings onto you," Gregory said, keeping his sarcasm to himself, "but I simply wanted to tell you that I think we both did a good job raising them. They're happy in this moment and will be in many others to come.
"I cannot say that I know what you went through with your wife, or how easy or hard it was to raise Franziska alone from such a young age, but I think you were as perfect at it as you are behind the prosecutor's bench."
Manfred picked up his cup of tea, and Gregory saw the slightest tremor in his hands as he lifted the cup to his mouth. He decided to take a sip from his own cup, and realized his own hands were shaking just the same.
Manfred put his cup down with a little more force than he likely intended, and crossed his arms again. Scoffing he replied, "that is certainly not a question. I am perfect at everything, and so of course I raised Franziska with that same perfection! Just because a lesser defense attorney such as yourself has trouble working and raising your child at the same time does not mean a von Karma has the same problem." He turned his head away and muttered, "but thank you."
That was good enough for Gregory.