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After the case, it was nothing but chaos. Not only had Phoenix lost the case, but the defendant was missing, he was out of a job and there was now a parentless girl. Phoenix, out of pity for the girl, had taken her with him and assumed the role of guardian. Trucy, who had seemed fine was now asleep on his couch with his jacket and a blanket, curled in a deep sleep.
What was he to do? How would Maya and Pearls and
Miles react when they saw his mess?
He forced himself to not cry, if Trucy woke up, she would be worried. She was sweet. Phoenix walked to the simple kitchen and flicked the light on. The light was soft and dim, fitting for a man who needed to sit and figure out what he was going to do.
Phoenix slid into a chair and pulled his flip phone out. He was going to call his best friend, Miles. Even if there was nothing his friend could do (which he was sure of), he just needed to talk to someone.
The phone rang once, then twice, then three times, and a tired voice spoke right before the fourth sounded. “…Wright, this better be im-” “I lost my badge.” The other end went silent for a minute, until gentle sobs from Phoenix’s side overflowed.
“I-I lost my badge.” He repeated through quiet sobs.
There was silence again, until a whisper on the other side said “Why?”
And so, Phoenix did his best to explain, from the start of how he got the case, to the new prosecutor Klavier Gavin, who accused him of using forged evidence (that he was unaware of, and was sure Trucy didn’t know about either.) Every so often, a ‘mhm’ or ‘oh dear’, could be heard from Miles’ side.
”What do I do?” He choked out.
“… Give me one moment.”
What was going on? Phoenix nodded from his end of the line, knowing Miles wouldn’t see it, but didn’t care. He heard Miles moving things and then walking on his end. Suddenly, a knock sounded from the door, and Phoenix stood up while holding his phone.
Phoenix opened the door, and watched as Miles let himself in and hung up his phone. “I’m sorry I didn’t arrive sooner.” Was all he said as he walked towards the couch, but paused as he saw Trucy curled up asleep on the couch. Charlie the plant was holding her hat.
Phoenix hadn’t gotten to the end, the bit about Trucy.
Miles turned around and asked him, “Who is that?” In a quiet voice. Phoenix couldn’t read his expression, and inhaled his snot and gestured to the dining table where the two took a seat.
Even with the warm dimmed lights, he felt anything but warm. Phoenix put his head in his hands as he finished explaining the silent man across from him. “She had no one, Miles,” he began to his best friend with shut eyes as he felt tears returning, not for his loss, but for the sweet, small, innocent child. “no one at all. No mom, no other family who could take her.” He paused, “So I did.”
He waited for Miles to say something about returning her or giving her to child services, but instead, Miles said, “What do you want, then?”
He looked up and was met with earnest grey eyes.
“What does she want?” Miles continued as he spoke in a whisper while glancing at Trucy. Poor Trucy, Phoenix thought, she didn’t deserve this. Phoenix should have been more careful.
“I- I don’t know.”
“Then find out.” Miles told him, Phoenix remained silent. What did he want? He wanted his job back, he wanted Trucy to have a good life, a family. So why had he even bothered to take her in?
Oh. He wanted to be her family, didn’t he? When he had lost Mia, even though they weren’t related, it felt as if he was swallowed whole. She was like an older sister to him. When Maya had been kidnapped, he couldn’t sleep, it was like she was his younger sister, he had to find her. For him and Pearls. When Miles had vanished, he hated himself, he had lost his old childhood friend and thought that was it.
But this girl had just lost her dad, and he felt for her. He looked at the couch, where Trucy was sleeping still. She stirred in her sleep here and there.
She deserved a family, a parent who could protect her. Could he do that? “Wright?” Miles asked with his hands folded on the table.
Was he silent for too long? “S-sorry. Just thinking.” Miles nodded at his statement and went silent again.
Maybe he was thinking too.
The silence felt slightly comforting. Having someone who cared was nice.
He continued to look at the couch, and then flinched when he heard rustling and a soft cry begin. Was Trucy having a nightmare? He moved enough for Miles to notice, who placed a hand on his and made him look at the man across from him. He made a shushing motion and said, “Give her a moment to get her bearings. Sometimes people need a moment.”
But he wanted to help her. Miles’ hand remained on his, so he didn’t move. However, if she cried for any longer, he would get up and comfort her. After a few seconds, he heard the crying stop almost all the way, and then a quiet voice asked aloud, “…Mr. Nick?”
Phoenix retracted his hand and immediately walked to her. “I’m right here.” He said in the best soothing voice he could. He sat on the couch next to her and held his arms out incase wanted a hug (was that weird?). She rubbed her teary eyes and climbed into his arms.
Trucy sniffled a bit and said nothing, so Phoenix asked her, “Do you want to sleep in a bed instead?” He would give her his bed if she wanted.
The small girl shook her head and said, “Nuh uh.” Phoenix nodded and tried to figure out what to do. He looked at the top of the couch, knowing behind it was Miles. He eyed Trucy in his arms and said, “I have a friend over, do you want to meet him?” He hoped he didn’t sound snotty. Trucy looked up at him and nodded, so he did his best to pick the small girl up and then walked back to where he was sitting.
Miles’ mouth gaped in surprise slightly, seemingly at seeing the girl awake. “Trucy,” Phoenix began, but was cut off by Miles. “I am Miles Edgeworth, your fa… Mr. Nick’s friend.” Was he going to say father? “My papa’s friend?” Trucy asked him, the both jolted slightly.
Trucy turned back and looked at Phoenix, “Will you be my papa?”
Her real father was gone, no doubt she knew it. Phoenix nodded at her and glanced at Miles, who simply gave him a slight nod. Yeah, this is what Phoenix wanted. To give her a home. It made him happy. Phoenix wiped one of Trucy’s tears and told her, “Of course I’ll be your papa, but that means no more Mr. Nick, okay?”
Trucy smiled through her stopped tears and told him, “Okay!” And then yawned. He’d put her to bed and then continue talking with Miles. “I’ll be right back, Miles.” He told him, “Gotta put Trucy to bed.”
He decided if she was going to be her real daughter (although there was a chance she wouldn’t remember the sleepy conversation, and the conversation would be held again), she deserved to sleep in a comfy bed. He could use the couch for now. Phoenix carefully laid Trucy in his bed who said, “I want to stay up with you two, too.” But quickly nodded off once the blanket was wrapped around her. “We can all play together tomorrow.” He told her, “Good night.”
Trucy mumbled something in return and he turned around. Phoenix felt a tug on his shirt sleeve and Trucy mumbled again, but this time he could hear her say, “You didn’t kiss me goodnight…”
Phoenix felt himself smiling as he kissed her forehead goodnight and said again, “Goodnight Trucy,” paused and then decided to tack on, “I love you.”
“I love you too, new-papa.” He could practically hear her sleepy smile, as he left to return to the table.
When Phoenix came back out, he saw Miles on the phone with a serious expression. “What has happened, now?” He heard Miles say before his lip twitched downward slightly. “He’s what?! Give me a moment.” Miles pinched his nose bridge. “Miles?” Phoenix asked and pulled his chair out to sit down.
“I-I’m sorry, Wright, but something important has come up.” Miles stood up, “I have to go, but I’ll return soon.” Phoenix felt sad, but knew he was being serious. “I’ll walk ya out.” Phoenix gave him his coat and opened the door for him. Before Miles walked outside, he turned to Phoenix and told him, “You’ll be a great father, Wright. Goodnight.” He shook Phoenix’s hand and with that, left.
Leaving Phoenix to close the door and sit down on his couch.
Wow, now, he was going to adopt a little girl. He was happy, until it occurred that he had no source of income. Guess it was time to look for job listings.
Suddenly, Phoenix heard his phone ring. Who was calling him at this hour? He picked up the phone, and the name registered was Kristoph Gavin. He answered the phone.
“Hello, Phoenix, do you have time to talk?”