Title: Happy Birthday, Phoenix Wright.
Pairings: None, althoughkinda implied P/E towards the end
Rating: PG, flufftastic
Warning: Nick isn't loved by his family or the electricity company. And Gumshoe is an embarassing drunk. Oh and there is discreet chucking up at the end.
Author's note: This is 12,355 words. Make a cup of tea before you begin :)
And I hope you enjoy it.



"Hello, Miles Edgeworth speaking"
"Mr. Edgeworth! Hi, it's Maya!"
"Miss Fey, what a pleasant suprise. What can I do to help you? Or has Wright got you begging for information about the trial again?"
"Nah, Nah, nothing like that. Besides he just offers Gumshoe a donut if he wants to know anything. No, I'm calling about Nick. It's his birthday tomorrow ... but you know today's Saturday?"
"Yes."
"Well, he hasn't got any post. His family don't seem to have sent anything. I know he doesn't get on that well with them but ..."
"I see. And you're concerned his birthday might go unmarked."
"Yeah ... well, yeah. It seems very sad to me, Mr.Edgeworth. Is there anything we can do...?"

Miles glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 4.30pm. He still had a lot of paperwork that required his attention if he wanted a day off for himself tomorrow. He had a trial against Wright next week. It was raining heavily outside. He pinched the bridge of his nose and weighed up his options.

"Hmm. Maya, can you meet me at the Angel Food Bakery in twenty minutes?"

"Sure, Mr.Edgeworth! I knew I could rely on you! Thanks ever so much. Pearly and I will see you there!"

As she rang off, Miles flipped through the rolodex on his desk and pulled out some cards to hand to his secretary. He gathered his coat, grimacing slightly as he noted that the rain was not likely to abate anytime soon, and headed out of his office to see his secretary in the vestibule.

"Hannah."
His secretary looked up and greeted him with a smile, as he continued.
"Could you call these people and let them know they will be attending Phoenix Wright's suprise birthday party tomorrow at 7pm."
"Of course. And where should I tell them the party will be?"
Miles paused, sighing slightly through his nose as he weighed up his options.
"Tell them ... tell them it will be at my apartment. Oh, and call some caterers as well. And Hannah ..."
She looked up to see her employer wearing a slightly sheepish look.
"If you aren't busy, I'd appreciate if you could attend as well. I'm sure I might need some sane company in the midst of the madness."
Hannah thought she heard an edge of desperation in her boss's voice.
"I'd be delighted." she replied, quietly relishing seeing formal Miles Edgeworth host a party for the most informal man she had ever met.

He left Hannah busying herself calling the caterers and headed for the door.

--

"Mr.Edgeworth!"
There was Maya and her younger cousin, unmistakable in their strange training outfits, sat in a booth. Maya had hitherto been drooling over the cupcake menu but she immediately beamed her 500-watt smile when Miles stepped out of the rain and hung his coat on a hook by the door. He smoothed down his suit and stepped over to where the Feys were sat.
A waitress followed Miles and handed him a menu. He looked over it briefly before asking for a first harvest Ceylon and a plate of mixed cupcakes and two sodas for the girls. Maya beamed again.
"This place is so great, Mr. Edgeworth! And, er, thankyou for coming to meet us."
"Yes, thankyou." squeaked Pearl, sat on her calves in the seat beside him.
The prosecutor smiled, "Actually, it was nice to take a break from my work. And as you called about such an important issue I felt we should not waste any time..."
The Fey girls nodded.

Just then the cupcakes and refreshments arrived and there were a couple of minutes unbroken quiet while Pearl dithered as to which cupcake she should try first and Maya tried to bodily consume one of each flavour in record time. Once she had taken a bite of each cupcake on her plate, she sat back with a big "mmmmmmn" before straightening up again.

"So. Mr.Edgeworth. What can we do for Nick's birthday?!!" Maya balled her fists by her sides suddenly looking very earnest.
"What people always do for birthdays. Throw a party. Or, in this case, a suprise party."
The girls gasped and then grinned at each other
"Oh, Mr.Edgeworth! That would be perfect!" said Maya enthusiastically
Pearl bit her thumb.
"Mr.Edgeworth, sir. Where can we have a party? Mr. Nick will notice if it is his office or his apartment." her face furrowed with confusion.
"I have taken the liberty to arrange guests and caterers to come to my place at 7pm tomorrow." he said lightly, pouring his tea into a china cup.
"Wow!" Maya looked impressed "You're very efficient, Mr.Edgeworth! Nick would never be that together in a million years!"
Miles gave a half-smile, inspite of himself "I rather assumed Wright gave the same preparation to his personal life as he does his court appearances. Anyway," the man paused to take a sip of his tea, "It is all arranged. Your job is to keep Wright busy tomorrow and find a way to bring him to my apartment at 7.30pm." The girls nodded. He took out a small filofax and tore a piece of paper from it before making a small note. "Here is the address."
"Thanks everso much, Mr.Edgeworth!" said Maya "And here I was hoping you might chip in with us to get a cake!"
They fell into a companionable silence as the girls sampled the cupcakes and Miles drank his tea. He reflected that, although he didn't consider himself a man for whom socialising came easily or was ever all that enjoyable, the Fey girls were so likeable and personable that it was hard not to enjoy their company and indulge their childish pleasures. No wonder Wright is always being dragged out to theme parks and fast food joints with the pair of them.

Miles took one last sip of his tea. "I should get back to my office."
Pearl looked suprised "Do they make you work on a Saturday Mr. Edgeworth, sir?"
Miles paused slightly before answering. "Well, not exactly..." he admitted "But criminals don't take Saturdays off, so I try not to either."
Pearl seemed to tumble this response round in her mind before smiling at him.
"You are like the Steel Samurai!" she declared "He is always fighting criminals on Saturdays too!"
Maya grinned "The Steel Prosecutor! Working Saturdays For Great Justice!"
Miles rolled his eyes but smiled inspite of himself,
"Well, something like that. At any rate, great piles of paperwork relating to justice await me in my office. I'll see you tomorrow. Maya, Pearl ..." he bowed slightly before placing some money on the silver platter.
"Oh, and before I forget ..." he said, taking some cash from his wallet and pressing it into Maya's hand. "For you and Pearl to get Wright a present. Make sure you get him something he will like." He smirked. "Not the Steel Samurai boxset, Miss Fey. Good bye girls."

He turned and went to retrieve his coat, petending not to hear Maya gasp
"$250, Pearly!"
"Gosh! We could pay Mr.Nick's electricity bill with that!"
Miles rolled his eyes and stepped out into the miserable late afternoon outside.


--

Phoenix rolled over and attempted to open both eyes at once. The right eye was responding but the left eye seemed to be out of sync with signals from his brain. With a concerted effort he blinked and focussed on the alarm clock in front of him.
14.07
He grunted slightly and put his head back face down on the pillow. Then
"Whu.."
This time his head jolted up, as if responding to his own voice.
"2 in the afternoon? I slept till 2 ..."
He shook his head wondering why Maya hadn't roused him, at least in time for lunch.
"Maya!" he called, pulling on a baggy sweatshirt and heading into the living room. "MAYA!"
No answer.
He wandered into the kitchen, to find a note taped to the breakfast bar.

'Nick

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Pearly and I thought you deserved a lie-in.
We have gone out shopping. Back at 2.30.
DON'T EAT THE CAKE!

Maya'

Cake? He looked up, only now seeing that his kitchen was even messier than usual. Normally there was a detritus of cereal bowls and yesterday's takeout cartons on a weekend but now he realised there were sticky mixing bowls, a liberal sprinking of flour and - he dipped his finger into the goo - lemon icing.

Phoenix sighed and thought he might as well wash up, while he waited for the girls. He mused that as it was his birthday Maya may even allow him the largest slice of the cake. Then he shook his head at the notion. Not a chance. Still, he was grateful that anyone remembered his birthday at all. He had got a card from his mother earlier in the week which he knew she must have sent secretly so his father didn't find out. He sighed, a little pained by the thought, but he knew the reasons for his strained relations with them were justified and he held hope for a reconciliation in the future.

His train of thought was interrupted by the door banging open.
"Nick! Niii-ick!" came Maya's trilling from the hall
"In the kitchen. Cleaning up your latest mess." Nick replied drily.
Maya stepped in with Pearly laden with bags and wearing a knowing smile.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to leave it alone before we got back - even on your birthday! I bet you were just off to scrub the toilet, weren't you?" Before Nick could interject she continued "Good! Because Pearly and I are very busy in the living room and we mustn't be disturbed!"
She marched purposefully off with her bags, Pearl on her heels.
Phoenix braced himself for the slam of the door to the living room - can't she ever operate a door at a normal volume? - and sat on a stool, flicking on the kitchen radio to his left. Music that he didn't recognise played for a few minutes, then a sports report and the weather. Phoenix continued to only pay it half-attention while flicking though yesterday's newspaper.

"... and don't forget folks, tonight sees the penultimate performance of 'A Black Comedy' at the Angel Theatre. Curtain up is at 7.30..."

"It's been a while since I saw any theatre," he mused to himself. He idly started to dry the items on the draining board. I could go. I'm free tonight.

Phoenix continued to toy with the idea, when Maya came back into the room "We're ready!" she announced.
"Er, ready for what?"
"To give you your presents, silly!" she beamed
"Presents? Oh, er, wow ..." Phoenix scrambled his memory to try and think when he had left his credit card lying about for Maya to take an imprint of it.
"Come on!" Maya said impatiently "We just wrapped them, follow me!"
He followed his assistant into the living room where Pearl was bouncing from one foot to another.
"Happy Birthday Mr.Nick!" she sing-songed.
"Thanks Pearls!" he smiled.
He looked to where Maya was pointing
"Wow!"
There was a small pile of gifts all done up in the same Steel Samurai wrapping paper, depicting the Steel Samurai crushing the Evil Magistrate under his sword with a pile of birthday presents and balloons around them. Phoenix couldn't help thinking that this wasn't the cheeriest birthday image the manufacturers could have come up with.
"Open them, opeeeeen theeeeeeem!" Maya said hopping up and down in anticipation.
Phoenix pulled a largish hard parcel from the pile. He unwrapped it cautiously before breaking into a smile.
"It's a poker set." he said turning the tin over.
"I remembered you said you liked to play in your dorm at college.." said Maya looking pleased, with Pearl still bouncing excitedly by her side.
"Yeah, I did. Thanks! It looks like a really nice one. Weighted chips and everything."
"You'll have to teach us so we can become card sharks and take on Vegas!" Maya smiled devilishly
Pearl grabbed a smaller parcel and thrust it into Phoenix's hands
"Mr.Nick, I chose this one!". He put down the poker set and started to unwrap Pearl's gift. Inside was a very smart cherry-red tie. "I thought you could wear it on special occasions ... like dates." Pearl looked at him meaningfully, pulling her sleeves up.
Phoenix blushed a colour not far from the colour of the tie "Well, it's really lovely, thanks. It'll be a nice replacement for my other old tatty thing. Great choice, Pearl." The little girl beamed with pride.

Two presents remained on the pile, a bulky squidgy parcel and a slim one about the size of a book. He picked up the slim present and turned it over.
"That's a gift from the elders of the village," Maya said "They wanted to show appreciation for everything you have done for Kurain". Phoenix considered that he hadn't do much for Kurain other than take Maya Fey of their hands from time to time. Perhaps that's what they mean. He pulled the paper off to find a smart envelope made of thick cream paper inside, he ripped it openly carefully and found inside Theatre Tokens.
"I told them that you like theatre, so they asked me to get you tickets for a show but I thought this might be better as it means you can go when you next have some free time." Maya explained.
"Thank you!" said Phoenix "And thank them too. I'm really grateful." He turned the tickets over and read the small print on the back for a moment. "You know, I heard something on the radio earlier about a show on at the Angel Theatre tonight that I thought I might see. I'm not sure you girls would like it but I'm sure you could hole up here and watch Pink Princess re-runs. I could go on my own."
"Tonight?" Maya and Pearl said together, with alarm.
"Er, yes. Is that a problem?"
"Well, er ..." Maya floundered
"It's just .. won't you be lonely on your own." said Pearl, biting her thumb
"Yes!" cried Maya "It's your birthday, you can't got to the theatre alone!"
"Actually," said Phoenix "I quite enj..."
"Look! You still have a present left!"

Looking between the girls, and shaking his head slightly at their apparent overwrought concern about him being alone on his birthday, he reached for the last parcel. As he started to unwrap it Phoenix said "You know, I'll be fine on my own. I actually like ... Oh, wow!" He was cut off by the sight of the parcel's contents. It was a new leather satchel briefcase. He lifted it from the parcel by its handle, slightly stunned. It was gorgeous. "Maya." Phoenix looked at her slightly warily. "Where did you get the money for this?". Maya looked slightly sheepish before pulling herself together and breezily saying "Well, I am the Kurain Master, y'know. I do get money." First I've heard of it, thought Phoenix, but he didn't say anything further. Instead he started to look through the briefcase and admired its shiny leather exterior. "It's definitely an improvement on my battered attache!" he smiled. "Thank you girls. You really didn't need to do any of this but ... well, thanks!" He squeezed each of them in turn.
"And now," cried Maya, eyes shining, "Let there be cake!"
She and Pearly got the cake from its resting place in the fridge and, with much ceremony, sang Happy Birthday and urged Phoenix to blow out his candles.
"Make a wish, make a wish!" said Maya
"Maybe for your special someone ..." cried Pearl, hopefully.

--

The rest of the afternoon was spent watching samurai movies and eating cake, with Phoenix every so often sneaking a look at his new briefcase and wondering again where Maya had scraped together funds to buy it. The price has been taken off the label but it had come from one of the city's nicest department stores and, try as he might, Phoenix couldn't help thinking it must have cost a couple of hundred dollars. Around 6pm, as the last movie came to an end, Phoenix realised he should get ready to go.
"Hey, do you girls want Pizza? I don't want to leave you starving before I go to the theatre."
"Oh, are you still going?" said Maya, frowning. "I read a review and it said that play sucked, y'know"
"Which play?" Phoenix asked cocking an eyebrow.
"Er, the one on at the Angel. Tonight. That one." Maya fumbled.
"Maya, you never read the theatre reviews." Phoenix smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "Look, if you girls really don't want me to be alone on my birthday, why don't you come too? It's a comedy. You might like it."
Maya pulled a face before suddenly, inexplicably, looking delighted. "You know, Nick, that's a great idea! Besides I heard that play is great! Isn't that right, Pearly?"
"But you just said ..." before Phoenix could finish May looked at Pearl who suddenly seemed to catch her enthusiasm
"Oh, yes. Yes, Mr. Nick. We'd love to come to the theatre with you!"
"And we'll have to dress up, won't we Pearly?" said Maya slyly.
"Yes, we should definitely wear our best party dresses!" said Pearl hopping up and down with excitement.
Phoenix looked from one to the other, not for the first time in his life wondering if ESP meant your grip on reality was loosened.
"Sure, sure. Dress up if you like. Just don't take long as curtain up is at 7.30pm." he said with a tone of resignation.
"You too, Nick. Gotta look smart if you're taking two ladies out to the theatre!" Maya grinned.
Phoenix groaned but knew at this stage, resistance was futile.

The next 45 minutes was spent with the girls and Phoenix spinning from bathroom to bedroom and back again, with occasional queueing and misplaced shoes, shirts and sashes. Phoenix went to sit in the living room, dressed in a smart striped shirt, and navy blue trousers and called out "Maya! It's nearly 7! Hurry up! I'm gonna call a cab."
"Coming!"
"Coming Mr.Nick!"
He got out his phone and put through a short call requesting a cab and repeating his address a couple fo time for the benefit of the very bored dispatcher on the other end of the line.
The girls appeared. Maya was wearing a purple Chinese silk dress with a slit to her thigh and a beautiful beaded clutch bag. Pearl was wearing a pink party dress with a wide lavender sash around her middle. Both had their magatama necklaces in place. Pearls hair was down and had been curled while Maya's was piled up elaborately with long jewelled pins.
"Wow, you look great! But you know, this isn't a first performance or anything. You might be a little overdressed ..."
Just then the cab honked outside. No time for them to change now, Phoenix thought, I hope Maya's hair isn't in anyone's way.
They left the apartment and headed down in the elevator, to be met by a light drizzle at the entrance but the cab right by the front.
"Mr.Nick! I don't have a coat with me" said Pearl, biting her thumb and looking very disconsolately at the sky.
"Do you need it Pearls? We'll just get right out at the theatre...?" said Phoenix, sneaking a look at his watch. 7.10pm. Twenty minutes.
"She definitely does, Nick! Can't let her catch a cold, can we?" said Maya, hands on her hips.
"Oh. Um. I'll go back up and get it then. You girls get into the cab and tell him we're going to the Angel Theatre. I'll be right back."
Phoenix pressed the elevator button a few times in his frustration and stepped into it just as the girls were getting into the cab.

Pearl go into the back seat first followed by Maya. She smiled at Pearl "Good work Pearly!"
"Thanks, Mystic Maya!"
Maya turned her attention to the driver and slipped him the piece of paper Miles Edgeworth had given her the other day.
"Hi, Mr. Driver! Listen, my friend is just collecting our coats. He thinks we're going to the Angel Theatre but really we're taking him out for a suprise party. Could you take us to this address? And don't worry if he protests and tells you he's a lawyer..."

--

Miles made a mental note to take his secretary to lunch on Monday as a thank you for her hard work. Hannah had arrived at 6.30pm and taken charge of the caterers and even arranged some bouquets of flowers and tasteful electric blue decorations. Guests started arriving just after 7pm, first Detective Gumshoe and Maggie (who greeted him at the door with a salute by force of habit), quickly followed by Lana Skye and her sister Ema who was home from school on holidays. Hannah opened the door and greeted more guests just as Miles was offering drinks to those already gathered in his large living room. Pesu came bounding in from the garden to meet her new playmates and was greeted enthusiastically by Ema.
"Mr. Edgeworth! I didn't know you had a dog!" succumbing to being licked all over her arms and face by the excited Shibu Inu.
More guests filed in, most of whom Edgeworth recognised from Global Studios. Will Powers seemed to fill the room, dwarfing even the sizable Gumshoe, before politely bowing his head and saying "Thank you so much for inviting me, Mr.Edgeworth, sir."
Adrian Andrews seemed to appear from nowhere and greeted her brother-in-law with a kiss on each cheek.
"This was such a lovely idea, Miles! Is Phoenix on his way?"
Miles was about to answer when he was cut off by a 'Humph! Foolish Fool, filling your house with people just for the sake of that defense attorney!"
"Ah, welcome Franziska." Miles smiled a half-smile as he watching his younger sister survey the goings on. His phone vibrated in his pocket and he pulled it out. He had a text message from Maya.

ON WAY. HAVE HIJACKED TAXI. PHOENIX NO CLUE. THERE IN FIVE.

Miles shook his head slightly wondering what 'Hijacked Taxi' meant before coughing lightly.

"Erm, ladies and gentlemen, I understand Phoenix Wright will be with us imminently. Now, what I propose is this ..."


Phoenix didn't drive so he didn't know the freeways particularly well. What he did know is that it was 7.25pm and they appeared to be heading away from the Angel Theatre.
He leaned forward in his seat to speak to the cab driver
"Hey, um, are we going the right way to the Angel? I thought ..."
The driver didn't acknowledge him, Nick watched out of the window for another couple of minutes
"No, listen. We are definitely not going the right way..." the cab turned off the freeway and headed into a suburban neighbourhood filled with nice houses, leafy parkland and definitely no theatre. At least the rain had cleared and it was now a bright evening.
"Mr.Driver! Would you stop!"
"Hey, listen, I just go where the lady tell me to, okay? So quit yelling."
"I'm an attorney and ..."
"Yeah, yeah, she tell me that to. I pay no attention."

Phoenix turned to Maya, who was looking out of the window pretending not to notice. Pearl was looking anxiously between them before she tugged Phoenix's sleeve.
"Please, Mr.Nick. Don't be mad, we have a ... suprise for you." she smiled winningly.
Phoenix's glare melted into mild exasperation. "I should have known you would never agree to a theatre trip. But really, you didn't have to get all dressed up for us to get burgers! I ..."
The cab slowed outside an impressive looking building.
"Hey lady. We're here. Charge is $30 for the fare and another $5 for hearing the whingebag." said the driver, looking at Maya through the rearview mirror.
"Sure thing. Pay the nice man, Nick"
Nick sighed and handed over $40 "Keep the change" he said, before following Maya and Pearl from out of the car.

As the taxi sped away he looked at Maya and Pearl who were practically beside themselves with excitement.
"So, are you going to tell me where we are now?"
"You'll see!" beamed Maya.
Maya and Pearl caught him either side by the elbow and frogmarched him to the front door. Maya buzzed the intercom.
"We're here and we have Nick."

What happened next was a blur for Phoenix. He saw a flash of black leather near his face, heard some giggling from Maya, and then he was blindfolded and started to be led in through a door.
"Hey, hey ... what's going on?! Maya ..."
Phoenix stumbled slightly on a carpet bar.
"Mind your footing Mr. Phoenix Wright. You wouldn't want to have an embarrassing accident on your ... birthday"
"Franziska?"
Before his mind could turn over the possibilities, the air felt cooler again. He was outside. Phoenix heard a dog bark excitedly and someone say "hush!" before all of a sudden the blindfold was removed. He shook his head slightly, refocussing his vision.

"SUPRISE!!!"

Around him were many people. And he knew them. And they had a cake with candles. He saw Maya grin and Pearls bounce up and down next to ... Edgeworth? And Lana was here and Ema and Gumshoe and Maggey. Will Powers. Penny. Larry grinning in his goofy manner with a pretty girl next to him. A flash went off, "Gotcha Wright!" cried Lotta. "Okay, then all together ..."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR PHOENIX
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!"

As everyone cheered and then began to mill around again, Phoenix spent a second or two before doing a passable impression of a guppy before gathering enough insight to say "You!" pointing at Maya.
"No, not me!" said Maya "This was all Mr.Edgeworth's idea."
Miles looked sheepishly to the side.
"Well, I ... that is to say, Maya requested that we do ... something ... for your birthday and I, er, offered my apartment as a location."
"No, No, Mr. Edgeworth. You did much more than that! You arranged the whole thing. Honestly Nick, I phoned him and he was amazing. Twenty minutes later he had the whole thing organised!"
"Yes, well. Shall we see to cutting the cake and, er, celebrating?"
Phoenix took Miles - and himself - completely by suprise then by spring-launching a bear hug on his host.
"Thanks, Miles. I ... yeah, thanks." Phoenix stepped away, while the prosecutor seemed to be rewinding what had just happened as if to work out which bit of the conversation he had missed.
"You're ... welcome." Miles smiled openly, which in turn took Phoenix by suprise.

Finally Phoenix had a chance to take in his surroundings. Miles' apartment was on the ground floor - figures, no elevator, he thought - with a gorgeous landscaped garden. Guests were milling around as waiters brought over trays filled with champagne and strawberries. Phoenix spotted Hannah talking to Lana and strolled over to take a seat next to her.
"Phoenix!" Lana looked immensely pleased to see him, they hadn't had much chance to speak since she had been released, "Happy Birthday!"
"Thank you! Oh and Hannah ..." the secretary looked at him, slightly suprised "Thank you. I know Miles Edgeworth is a man of many talents but calling caterers and arranging parties isn't one of them, so I know you must have a hand in this too."
Hannah blushed a little. "Well, yes .." she said reluctantly "But between us three, I really wanted to see Miles ... loosen up a little, you know? I figured his holding a party would be good for him."
Phoenix looked in the direction of Miles, chatting to some producers of Global Studios and watching Ema and Pearl play with Pesu, he seemed reasonably relaxed. As relaxed as Miles Edgeworth ever gets.
Hannah watched Phoenix watching Miles. "He's awfully fond of you, y'know. I can tell he's grateful that you and Maya and Pearl are in his life."
"Well, the feeling is mutual. Even if he is an old stick in the mud."
Hannah giggled, "I can't imagine Miles with any kind of dirt or mud on him!"
She stood up. "I promised I'd oversee the caterers so I better go and check how they are doing in - or rather, what they are doing to - Miles' kitchen."
Lana looked at Phoenix watching the scene, his mind seemed to be taking in everything and nothing all at once and he looked slightly baffled.
She patted his hand lightly bringing him back to the present.
"They're all here because you helped them in someway. Go and enjoy their company."
Phoenix smiled at her "Thanks."

--

Phoenix walked over to where Maya and Will Powers were deep in conversation, complete with Maya making Samurai motions and sloshing her drink. Miles watched him and smiled to himself. He saw Lana sat at a table with her sister stood next to her, champagne flute in hand. He frowned slightly as he approached, thinking about minors and alcohol, before remembering Ema was nearly 19 now.
"Good evening, Lana" Miles said easily, sitting in the chair opposite Lana "Ema, it's been a long time. How are you enjoying Europe?"
"Oh, Mr.Edgeworth! Hello!" the prosecutor pretended not to notice the younger girl flush pink. "I... I love it! I'm back for the holidays before my final term. I've applied for UCLA so I hope to be back here next year."
"That's good news. I don't know much about the U.S collegiate system but I understand we get many good forensic officers from UCLA."
Ema beamed before being called over by Pearl to play a game of chase with Pesu.
"Thank you for inviting us" said Lana, from across the table "It's very kind of you to host a party for Mr.Wright."
There were few people that Miles could relate to on an intellectual level but Lana Skye was one of them. This in turn made it easier to open up to her.
"Well, I probably owe him a favour or two." he looked away slightly, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Many people do, Miles."
"Yes."
"Well, it looks like everyone is enjoying themselves. Even you." Lana smiled slyly.
"You know me, Lana. You know I have never been ... good ... at socialising or personal relationships." Miles frowned slightly again, struggling to find the correct ways to express his feelings. "But, I hope to become ... better."
"Miles, you are a good man with much to offer the world. But it's okay to enjoy other people a little too even if they aren't all that similar to you." Lana smiled.
The prosecutor thought back to the previous day sharing cupcakes with Maya and little Pearl and relaxed a little in his seat "You are right. And parties can be okay ..." he took a sip of his drink "If I get to pick the food and drink." Lana grinned at him. Just at that point Larry came bounding over dragging a very tall, beautiful young lady over with him.

"Edgey! Great party, man! Love your place. And hey, lemme introduce you to my new girlfriend Olivia. She's a model but she does some law stuff on the side ..."
"On the side ...?" He stood up and shook Olivia by the hand "Nice to meet you, Olivia. I am Miles Edgeworth."
She smiled fixedly.
"I have read your papers on jury systems in Northern Europe. Nice to make your acquaintance." she seemed oddly formal even to Miles.
"And Edgey, she's just done this great calendar shoot in Rome and I said 'Hey, Edgey's been to Rome!' so you guys can chat about that. I'm just going to get us a drink."
Lana smirked a little as Larry left
"Miles, I'm just going to go and catch up with Detective Gumshoe," she said lightly and turned and walked away leaving Miles, with Olivia watching him closely.
He coughed "So, Rome..."
"Despite what Larry might think, I model on the side to pay for law school. And while Rome is a beautiful place I'd much rather discuss your work on international law."
This left Miles in a difficult place. As much as he was pleased that someone recognised his contribution to the judicial system of the Western World, he felt there were other better topics of conversation for a party. She continued on for a minute or two about her research into seven man juries before pausing, clearly expecting a response.
The prosecutor cleared his throat and smiled "Do you ever watch The Steel Samurai?"
Her eyes widened slightly, obviously trying to link this to her previous research, "The children's TV programme?"
"Yes, I'm rather fond of it. I wondered if you might like to meet some of the people behind the show?"
"Well...I, er ..." she frowned, and in that moment Miles Edgeworth saw himself at 22, overly-serious and unable to relate with people of his age.
Just at that point Larry stepped back into view with three glasses of champagne.
"Hey baby! Did you tell Edgey about your trip to Hawaii?"
"No, we discussed international law in relation to the Steel Samurai." the prosecutor said lightly "Now, please excuse me. I must attend to my other guests. Enjoy yourselves."
As he left he wondered what the girl saw in Larry - what any of these girls saw in Larry - but decided perhaps it wasn't a concept he wanted to linger on.

"You are the ..." at this point Gumshoe had to make a determined rush at the words "...beshdefenzlawyer I have ever ever worked for. Isn tha right, Laura?"
Phoenix was trying very hard not to laugh as the tottering Gumshoe was held up only by the diminutive Maggie. Seeing that she was about to give way under her efforts, the defense attorney and Lana Skye stepped forward and helped sit the detective on the ground.
"Well, thankyou Detective Gumshoe. That means a lot." said Phoenix with as straight a face as he could manage.
"I'm sorry" hissed Maggie "He doesn't usually have anything stronger than cheap beer and I think the champagne has gone to his head."
Just then Hannah announced that the food was ready. Phoenix realised he was actually ravenously hungry, having eaten only birthday cake before this point.
He followed the people milling into Edgeworth's dining room - greeting Diego Armando and Martin Grossberg as he did - he was expecting sandwiches and snacks, to find a buffet meal of ridiculous proportions. There was steak, lobster, ribs, pies, salad of all kinds and a jaw-droppingly large strawberry dessert that made Phoenix wonder if the caterers were in cahoots with Maya's Aunt Morgan. As people filled their plates and headed out to the garden it suddenly occurred to Phoenix that this wasn't just Miles throwing a party. All this food, drink, all this expense was for him, Phoenix Wright. He gulped a little and went back out to the garden with is plate to find a table.

Adrian Andrews was sat with Maya and Pearl, so the defence attorney went over and took a seat next to them.
"Hey Nick!" cried Maya "Mr.Edgeworth knows how to put on a great party, huh?" she indicated to her plate groaning with food. "He even got mini burgers!"
"Mmm, you know he didn't get those Maya. The caterers did. Caterers. Expensive. I really hope you didn't push him into doing any of this, Maya?"
"Nuh-Uh. I told you, I phoned him to suggest we all went in together to get you a nice cake and before I knew it he had organised all of this."
"Yes. Mr.Nick. He took us out for cupcakes and told us all about what he had planned" piped up Pearl "And he gave us money to get you a nice present too!"
Adrian Andrews smiled "That sounds like Miles. He isn't much for saying anything but he does care about you a great deal, Mr.Wright."
"Foolish fool that he is," Franziska gave a half-smirk as she joined the table "it is true. Sense leaves his head where you are involved, Mr.Phoenix Wright."

The conversation fell into other topics, Hazakurain temple, Adrian and Franziska's recent trip to Germany and Pearl's training. All around him Phoenix could see people chatting, laughing, Pesu catching scraps thrown to her by Ema. It was quite probably the best birthday he had ever had. He saw Hannah answer her phone and then head for the door. He wondered if it was a late guest trying to think who else might have been invited. He knew Iris and Sister Bikini were frantically busy with training - the upswing of popularity in the Kurain technique was keeping their temple full to bursting - before spotting four men he didn't know in dinner jackets. Hannah indicated an area on the decking to them. It took a moment for Phoenix to realise they were carrying instruments but just a minute or two later they were playing jazz as if they were born to do so. The Fey cousins squealed and began to swing each other around in time to the music. Before long practically everyone was up and dancing. Adrian was being thrown around flamboyantly and out of time by Larry - Phoenix wondered vaguely what had happened to the girl he was with earlier, as she seemed to no longer be around - while a still inebriated Gumshoe was dancing with Maggey like his shoes were made of lead and his body made of jelly. Will was dancing a clumsy shuffle with Penny who seemed to be delighted by it. Lotta was taking photos of everyone before being swept off her feet by the Chief Detective. Even - oh help! - even the Judge was dancing with what Phoenix assumed to be Mrs. Judge, a large jolly woman with a shock of grey hair and a flowery dress that rather resembled an over enthusiastic duvet cover. He waved at Phoenix and Phoenix half-waved back slightly entranced by the view of the Judge's legs, not because they were particularly noteworthy but just because Phoenix realised he never saw them.

Suddenly, Phoenix realised that he hadn't seen in Edgeworth in a while. He walked back into the apartment, mostly with the intention of finding a bathroom. Just then he heard the sounds of a struggle ensuing from further into the apartment. He followed the sounds and threw open the heavy wood door to find Miles pushed up against his study desk and Larry's girlfriend pushed right up against the prosecutor's front. Both of them looked flushed. Phoenix quickly shut the door again and tried to pretend he hadn't seen anything.

--

"Wright! WRIGHT! Come here please!" It was an Edgeworth order not an Edgeworth request. Reluctantly, Phoenix pushed the door open again.
"Good, now you can be witness to this so there can be no lawsuits."
Edgeworth slowly, deliberately pushed the girl away from him. "You may leave my house now, Miss ... Olivia. And I suggest you leave Larry Butz alone as well. Even he deserves better than you." She scowled at him but she didn't argue, picking up her purse and leaving the study with Edgeworth now staring at the floor with a thunderous face and Phoenix looking between the two of them trying to work out what had just occurred. Suddenly it clicked. Phoenix smiled widely.
"She's a Prosecution fangirl?"
Miles scowl deepened "Something like that. It seems she, erm, started dating Larry to get close to ..."
Phoenix began to chuckle "The Miles Edgeworth magic strikes again! Anyway, relax. She's gone. Although, I'd better go break the news to Larry..."
The prosecutor looked up and sighed before smiling slightly "I was going to ask that we keep this between ourselves but you are right, we should tell Larry. And that means ..."
"... everyone will know by the end of the weekend." The defense attorney gripped his friend lightly on the shoulder. "Come on, the jazz quartet have started playing and I'm sure I saw Godot itching to outshine the sax player."

They walked through the apartment together and headed out to the garden. The sun was very low in the sky and someone (Hannah?) had switched on strings of lights and lit candles. The jazz band played a familiar tune and sure enough, Godot had borrowed the Sax player's instrument and was playing as if it might save his soul. Phoenix and Miles stood side by side on the decking overlooking the lawn. Pearl and Maya were dancing with Ema. Lana was talking to a familar figure with a cowboy hat that hung loose from a string round his neck. Other guests milled about and danced. Occasionally a camera flashed and Lotta would dash past. It was perfect. Phoenix was about to thank Miles again but suddenly there was a howl of anguish from underneath them. In a blur of blonde hair and windmilling limbs, Larry appeared. He wore an expression that suggested nothing less than a tragedy had occured but before he could say anything Miles turned to him and said,
"Olivia just sent you a text message, did she not? Saying she didn't want to see you again?"
"But ... But! How did y ... Ohhhhhhhh, my life is o ...."
"Good. Trust me, Larry. You are much better off without her." The prosecutor looked as if he wanted to say something else but instead abruptly turned to face the garden again, leaving Larry staring confused at his back and Phoenix to attempt an explanation.
"Er, yes. What Edgeworth said." Larry seemed to crumple up his eyes shining with tears " Hey, look we'll explain what happened tomorrow. But for now, just enjoy yourself."
Larry's face immediately brightened "You're right Nicky! Plenty more fish in the sea. I think that Laura chick digged me." He waved vaguely towards the garden.
Phoenix sighed "Lana, Larry. Her name's Lana and sure, go ... chat her up or whatever."
"Great idea Nick! Thanks!" Larry headed off.
Applause rippled across the garden as Godot finished a flamboyant solo and handed back the Sax. The jazz band regrouped for a moment or two before launching into a medley of Dixieland. Phoenix took a big gulp and finished the champagne in his hand and sighed slightly, whether with weariness or satisifaction the prosecutor couldn't tell.

"Come on, Edgeworth." Phoenix pulled slightly at his sleeve to pull Miles out of whatever thoughts he was lost in. "I haven't had nearly enough of the Champagne!"
Phoenix walked down the steps, grabbing a glass from a passing waiter, before heading to meet Maya and Pearl. He quickly gulped down his glass, burping a little, before picking a squealing Pearl up and beginning to do a silly, excitable jig with her. Miles followed down the steps watching him with half-exasperation - surely no-one actually gulped down Champagne? - and half-envy, at the man's freedom to be silly and excitable. A waiter passed and Miles took a glass and found himself nearly gulping it down, as Pearl suddenly rushed over to him and cried "Come and dance Mr.Edgeworth, sir!". He was about to voice his polite refusal but he heard Maya cheering and looked at Pearl's face, so eager and keen, and once again felt himself pulled himself into another situation with the Fey cousins that ... really, he couldn't actually bring himself to disappoint them by saying no ... even while these thoughts tumbled through his head he was suddenly being gripped by the tiny hands of Pearl as she basically danced and twirled around him. Suddenly he spotted Franzsika and was gripped again but this time with a sudden feeling of nostalgia, remembering how she would dance around him.

Dancing was considered a respectable hobby when he grew up with the von Karmas, as it required discipline and control. He and Franzsika could dance a decent tango, given enough argumentive fire in their bellies and the right music. A devilish smile grew upon his face as he realised she was thinking the same thing. She stepped forward and bent low to speak to Pearl "Would you like to see Miles Edgeworth really dance?" Pearl nodded, eyes shining. "Then go and ask the band to play a slow tango." the platinum-haired girl said, smiling wickedly.
Maya had overhead and gasped "Come on, Pearly! Let's go ask!" Both she and Pearly raced over - Maya's hair tumbling out of its pins, Pearl's sash flapping - and Pearl seized the bandmaster mid-song. Admirably he continued playing while listening to their request, he slowly nodded and the girls grinned at Franzsika.
Franzsika stepped forward and up-close to her brother. "Well then brother. You know the rules." He gave a half-smile and nodded.
Phoenix gave a nervous half-smile and leaned over to Adrian "What are they doing?" he asked.
"Ziska told me they used to dance a lot back home. You know how competitive they are? Well, they used to try and dance the perfect tango. Not a foot wrong." Phoenix shook his head a little, always with the perfect, he thought. Adrian giggled a little "Although Ziska's had a bit much to drink to be perfect this time, I'm sure. I hope for the sake of Miles' feet that she does okay as she does have some rather pointy heels on."

Just at that point the band finished its previous tune and the bandmaster leaned in quickly to confer with his players. It was only a second or two but suddenly the silence was palpable, everyone watching Miles and Franzsika watching each other, Pearl with her hands clutching her face and Maya with her hands clasped together in excitement. Phoenix began to quickly drink another glass of champagne. The band started slowly, and quietly. Miles took a deep steady breath and gripped Franziska tight. In that one movement he felt himself transported back by 15 years - to the ballroom of the Von Karma residence, a desire for perfection and an underlying expression of misunderstood desire - essentially to puberty.

They began to move, almost as one fluid movement, almost as an orchestrated fight. Barely taking their eyes from each other, they danced the same dance they had done years before. Twisting, lifting, pressed closed together, almost unaware of the crowd for the first minute. Miles was stronger and Franzsika was taller, so this time around the dance made more sense. Miles finally understood that the tango wasn't about passionate anger but about passion full stop. He almost faltered when he realised that he was dancing this dance with his sister but the gleam in her eyes as she felt him inperciptably stumble made him pull himself together. Although both were wearing the mask of the serious tango dancer, he knew she was inebriated enough to want to show off, show that she was really leading the dance and, while he was generally more inclined to acquiesce to his sister these days, just a small desire to put the wild mare in her place flared in him. Suddenly he smirked a little at her and started to pull her a little further off the ground, a little closer and faster to his chest. She responded with pointed turns and a quickening of her movements, always in time, but each step had more pace. She whipped her legs about him, as fast as he could lead the steps. As the tango came into its last stanza, Franziska raised an eyebrow at him, daring him. He responded by picking her up, as she stayed ridged under his grip, and turning her as she kicked her legs up and over his shoulders. He bodily spun her back into his grip leaning her as far back as she would go and then some as the music reached its dramatic conclusion. They was a split moment of silence, Franziska glaring at him and he smirking slightly back at her before the crowd erupted into cheers and whoops.
"Wow, you guys can really move!" said Maya, inadvertantly bringing the pair back to reality. Miles brushed himself off a little.
"Hmm." he coughed lightly "It's Franziska really. She was a very dedicated dancer when younger."
"Really?!" Maya's face formed a perfect 'o'. She smiled broadly at the German girl "I always thought you were chained to law books!"
Franziska stiffened a little "Yes, well. Dancing is a very disciplined activity. But I gave it up as I prefered the law."
Liar, thought Miles but he didn't pursue the thought when he saw his sister's eyes soften ever so slightly at her own words.

--

The band began to play some softer tunes as the sun completely set from view. Adrian was congratulating Franzsika and Maya was asking if she could be taught how to tango too. Pearl and Ema were quietly discussing how dashing Miles looked when he danced, Ema a burning pink colour nearly the same as her glasses, while Gumshoe was seemingly in shock that Miles Edgeworth did anything other than prosecute. Even Hannah was smiling widely. Miles smiled to himself. It was ... fun to be different once in a while. Another waiter came past so he collected a glass of champagne as his prize for suprising everyone and walked over to where Penny and Will were talking before spotting Larry's attempts to romance Lana and, feeling pity for both of them, excused himself from the conversation about the future of Global Studios and greeted Lana with a smile.
"Lana, I see you have met Larry Butz. As I'm sure he has told you, he, Phoenix Wright and I were all in school together briefly."
Lana looked mildly relieved to see the prosecutor appear.
"Hey, Edgey! I was just saying Lana should model for my latest picture-book!"
"Yes, well ... actually, I was just wondering where Phoenix was." Lana said, seizing the opportunity to change the subject away from modelling for the indominitable Butz.
Miles took a sip of his drink and looked around. True enough, as Lana said, Phoenix didn't appear to be in the garden.
"Perhaps he has gone to the bathroom?" ventured the prosecutor.
"Yes, perhaps ..." said Lana vaguely with a slight frown on her face. "He went inside at the end of your dance. Maybe I'll just go and check he's okay ..."

Miles wasn't sure whether Lana was genuinely concerned or simply looking from an escape from Larry's charms but he moved over to Maya to express his concern that Phoenix had perhaps had a little too much champagne and perhaps she could seek him out. She rushed off, assuring Pearl she would be back as soon as she checked on Phoenix. Pearl looked at Miles for reassurance, instinctively reaching to hold his hand. He smiled down at her. Guests began to approach Miles to make their goodbyes. At first, Miles said that Phoenix was just in the bathroom but he would pass their thanks and birthday wishes on. As time ticked by, however, he began to be a little concerned as to what was happening. He asked Ema to look after Pearl for him and stepped into the house.

It was darker inside now and he flicked on some lights. He heard a low gutteral groaning and almost instinctively knew the noise that was going to come next. Rather than head straight for the bathroom, where it seemed Phoenix already had an audience for his enthusiastic vomiting, he went to the kitchen and got a large glass of iced water. He then headed for the guest bathroom, where Lana was helping Phoenix stay upright over the toilet and Maya was ringing her hands and looking a lot less calm.
"Mr. Edgeworth, Lana found Phoenix passed out in the bathroom. He's got a huge bump on his forehead!"
Sure enough a ripening egg of a bruise was visible above Phoenix's right eye. He had clearly tripped and bumped his head pretty badly.
"Wright."
Phoenix looked up at the two Edgeworths staring down at him.
"I brought you water. I knew you glugging champagne like it was cheap beer would lead to trouble." The prosecutor rolled his eyes. Phoenix thought he didn't look too angry though, considering the scene unfolding in the man's bathroom.
Phoenix sat back slightly, leaning against Lana's legs and taking the tumbler with two shaky hands.
"Sip it, Wright."
The defense attorney did as he was told, taking a shaky breath between every couple of sips. Slowly he could properly make out the multiple people in the bathroom.
Edgeworth crouched down, squatting opposite the blue-eyed man looking drunk and dazed in front of him, and looked up at Maya.
"Could you ask the caterers in the kitchen to put some ice in a tea-towel, to use as a cold compress? And, in a drawer in the kitchen, you will find a small pocket penlight. Could you bring me both?"
Maya hurried away and Miles continued to study the man in front of him.
"Do you think it might be concussion?" Lana asked softly.
Before Edgeworth could answer, Phonix began groaning ominously again and Lana moved him back over the toilet bowl. Miles had seen enough officers sick at the scene of a grisly murder to flinch. Instead, he just rolled his eyes and smirked slightly. If Phoenix looked free and easy before he had lost all his dignity now.

Maya returned just as Phoenix finished his second round of heaving. Miles considered that she might have been lingering outside waiting for it to finish and on reflection he couldn't blame her. Lana pulled Phoenix back to face forward again and wiped his face a little. Maya applied the cold compress to the bruise and Miles then asked Phoenix to follow the light with his eyes. The defense attorney's reactions were dulled but it was hard to tell if that was from alcohol or the impact of the bump.
"Hmm." said Miles, still moving the light before setting it on the floor. "I'm not sure if it is concussion but I think it would be best if Phoenix, Pearl and yourself stayed over here tonight so we can keep an eye on Clumsy here." he said to Maya.
"Yeah" agreed Maya, who hadn't been relishing the prospect of taking a drunk, disorientated Phoenix home by taxi. She looked down at the floor. "Sorry about this, Mr.Edgeworth . You've been so..."
"Hush." said Miles kindly. "I'm sure Wright didn't mean to trip. These things happen. Now, if you and Lana can get him into the spare bedroom next door, I'll go and say good bye to our guests. Oh, and I think there is a bucket under the sink in here. It might be prudent to place it in Wright's sightline." Maya nodded dumbly and she and Lana began to wrestle a now quietly dozing Wright into the bedroom.

Miles pinched the bridge of his nose before massaging his temples a little. Walking out into the garden, he found Pearl looking worried with Ema and Pesu doing their best to distract her. Guests came to enquire after Phoenix and Miles continued to let them know that Phoenix had had a little bit too much to drink but that he would pass on their regards and good night. He walked up to Pearl and patted Pesu as his dog came bounding up to meet her master.
"Pearl, Phoenix has had an accident. Nothing serious but we have put him to bed to make sure he rests. You and Maya can stay here tonight. Is that okay?"
The little girl bit her thumb at the news that Phoenix was hurt but she nodded when Miles asked if she was okay. Just then Lana and Maya appeared in the garden looking a little careworn but each greeted their younger counterpart with a heartwarming grin. The prosecutor couldn't help but once again note the similarity that he and Phoenix had often remarked upon. He noticed Godot watching too and knew that he was thinking about Mia - the missing link between the four girls. Although Phoenix was the touchstone for them now, as he was for so many of the people that had gathered here. Even Miles himself.

Wright, Wright, Wright, he thought, only you could act like it's your high school prom night and get drunk while other people are dancing before passing out in the bathroom. It's like you don't realise how much you mean to all these people. That's exactly the problem. You think people are here by coincidence.
Miles considered his own last statement and then thought again. Or ... perhaps you just realised how much they care.

As the last of the guests gathered about the living room, picking up their possessions and saying their goodbyes to each other. Miles noticed a very sleepy Pearl scooted right up on the corner of his overstuffed sofa. Her legs barely reached the end of the chair and her eyes barely took in the scene anymore. Hannah was out in the kitchen thanking the caterers and so he slipped out to ask her if she could do him one last favour and drive to the local 24 hour supermarket and pickup nightwear and toothbrushes for the girls as they would be staying. She agreed and suggested that she might pick up something suitably child-friendly for breakfast too. Hannah quickly left following the last of the guests out and Miles returned to the living room. Maya was covering Pearly up with a throw.
"Hey, Mr.Edgeworth!" she smiled, at a quiet volume that the prosecutor didn't know she was capable of.
"Mmn. I have asked Hannah to go and get some, er, provisions for you girls as you'll be here overnight."
"Provisions? Like popcorn and movies for an all-night Samurai movie-a-thon?"
Once again Miles found himself quite enticed by Maya Fey's idea of fun but he shook his head and said, "Sadly not. I have work tomorrow. Wright and I are due to appear in court on Tuesday ..." The words hung in the air "if he is capable."
Maya looked at the floor again. She looked like something was troubling her, something more than Wright drinking too much at his own party. Edgeworth wasn't particuarly good at advice but he was good at getting information from people reluctant to give it up. He decided it was time to get to the bottom of why Maya though Phoenix's birthday would go unmarked.
"Would you like some tea, Maya? I'm just about to make some."
"I...er, yes." she smiled weakly and followed him to the kitchen. As he warmed a pot and boiled the water she perched on a stool and absentmindedly pulled pins from her hair, so the locks slowly came tumbling downwards over her back.

Miles brought a pot and two china cups over but left the tea brewing as he spoke.
"Maya, how is business these days? Wright always seems busy."
"Oh yes!" she beamed but withered a little when she met Miles' watchful eyes. "Well, he's always busy. But, well, legal aid pay doesn't go far. I worry sometimes. Mia understood that sometimes you defend guilty people so that the reasons for their actions can be fully comprehended and their sentence is appropriate. Nick just seems kind of adamant that ... but that doesn't pay the blls and ..." she trailed off, looking down as the prosecutor poured them both tea.
"You have a better grasp of how the legal system works than Wright does." he remarked wryly. "For all the mistakes the police can make, the majority of the time they have the right person. Which leaves Wright with a limited range of clients if he insists that he can defend only innocent people."
Miles sighed through his nose, appraising Maya as she stared, downcast, into her teacup.
"Anyway," he said in a softer tone "All that is for tomorrow. I should thank you for letting me know about Wright's birthday. Hosting the party was a lot of fun." he met her eyes and smiled. She looked reassured.
"Nick helps so many people, Mr.Edgeworth and ... I'm so pleased that he could see so many people care about him. His family, well they don't get along, so I think we are all he has in some ways." she looked pensive again for a moment before breaking into a big smile. "We got him a new briefcase from you. He loves it, although I'm sure he thinks I pinched it from Rodeo Drive so maybe you should come clean on that tomorrow!"
Miles smirked "Thank you. I just hope Wright is well enough tomorrow to be able to attend court with it on Tuesday."
"Yeah, me too. This client was actually going to pay something decent!" Maya continued pulling pins from her hair, making a small pile on the marble breakfast bar in front of her.
Miles took a last long sip from his cup and thought about how to say what was now on his mind.
"Maya, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Mr.Edgeworth."
"You do the office paperwork, correct?"
"Yeah, Nick's hopeless with that stuff!"
"So, you would know who his electricity company is ...?"

At that point Hannah let herself back in and stepped into the kitchen. She smiled at Maya
"I've brought you girls a set of cotton pyjamas each and a small wash kit. Plus some Samurai Pops for breakfast tomorrow. I got some blankets and pillows from the spare room before I left. Mr.Wright is looking a lot more settled now he is sleeping."
"Thanks, Hannah!" beamed Maya
"Yes, thank you, Hannah" echoed Miles. "We shall have lunch tomorrow at Pompoko."
His secretary beamed in return. "G'night then," she said "Hope you sleep well. And Miles, do try and get some sleep tonight." she clucked in a good-natured way, leaving the kitchen and heading to go home.
Maya gave a sideways smirk "Seems your secretary knows you quite well, Mr.Edgeworth."
"Hmph. Well enough to know I was planning on reading some case files." conceded the prosecutor. "Either way I should get on and you should get to bed too."
Maya nodded and said goodnight. She looked briefly in on Phoenix, now drooling peacefully, before going into the living room to help a dozy Pearl into her pyjamas. Miles sat in the kitchen and watched her go into the living room before himself going into the room where Phoenix was. He was now almost certain that Phoenix had just had a drunken tumble as opposed to concussion and so he was happy to let him sleep undisturbed.

The moonlight fell through a crack in the thick curtains, highlighting Phoenix's hair that refused to do anything but stickup, his set jaw and the bruise he now sported on his forehead. Miles watched him breathing deeply for a few minutes before creeping away and upstairs. It was a comparitively early night for him but as his study was next to the guest room he felt it was best for him to remain upstairs. Pesu wasn't about but he figured she was probably sleeping in the living room with the girls. He began to read through his case notes but found his thoughts drifting to moments at the party that made him smile, or the first time he met Pearl during the Engarde trial. Eventually tiredness overcame him and he himself gave way to the quiet lull of sleep.

--

Out of the three guests, Pearl was the first to wake. She looked around at her surroundings blearily for a second before registering where she was and who she was with. She then noticed she was wearing a very cute pair of Pink Princess pyjamas but how she obtained them was a bit vague. A few minutes later, Maya woke and yawned loudly, complete with a big stretch.
"Hey Pearly! Did you sleep well? Mr.Edgeworth's sofa is so comfy!"
"Yes! It's very comfy" Pearl replied enthusiastically before biting her thumb. "Hey, Pesu, isn't in here anymore"
"She probably sleeps on Mr. Edgeworth's bed or something" replied Maya "Hey, we should go and see how Nick is. He has a cracker of a bruise Pearly, you missed it!"
Both girls tiptoed out to go and find the defense attorney, opening his door with as much quiet as they could maintain. Phoenix was asleep on top of the bed, still fully dressed, so the girls headed to the kitchen where they found a neat handwritten note on smart cream paper.

"Maya and Pearl

I'm guessing you will see this first. When Phoenix has woken and is capable of moving about again
please call for a taxi and have Phoenix come directly to my office. I might be in meetings but if that is the case Hannah will have something for him.
Please pull the door shut on your way out. It will lock automatically. Don't worry about Pesu, she is at her day-care.
I hope your stay was comfortable.

Miles Edgeworth."

The girls busied themselves finding bowls, spoons, cups and cereal to have breakfast, both having fun pretending they were very well-to-do ladies with their Samurai Pops. Their giggles and high-jinx eventually woke Phoenix who followed the noise, and sat down on a stool in the kitchen before resting his throbbing head on the countertop.
"Morning Nick!" said Maya brightly, with a just a small trace of a smirk playing across her lips.
Pearl, not really understanding the concept of how grownups could make themselves ill through excess, showed more sympathy and concern.
"Oh, Mr.Nick! Did you get ill?"
Maya snorted "Yeah, something like that, Pearly. Seriously, Nick, how are you doing? You were pretty, er, out of it last night."
"I know, I know, I know."
"And kind of sick."
"I know."
"So, what happened?"
Phoenix turned his head to one side, the pain challenged only by the embarrassment he felt. He couldn't truly explain what had happened to Maya so he settled for
"I tripped on my way to the bathroom and then the next thing I knew you and Lana and Edgeworth were there and I was ... not very well..." he trailed off.
Maya tipped her head sympathetically only serving to make him blush more hotly.
"Anyway, as soon as you're together and we've washed up, we have to go to Mr. Edgeworth's office."
"Why?" Phoenix blushed a little more, sitting up and ignoring the pain in his head. He was pretty certain, as much as he owed him thanks, Miles Edgeworth was the person he last wanted to see.
"Because he asked us to. And because you need to say thanks." Maya balled her fists by her side, which she often did when determined, "and probably 'sorry' wouldn't go a miss. Anyway, I suggest you go and make friends with a mop in the guest bathroom after you got so friendly with the floor last night." she smirked as Phoenix hung his head and skulked off to clean the bathroom. Maya knew it was actually okay but she thought Nick probably deserved some time thinking about what he had done. She and Pearl set about carefully cleaning the dishes and setting them on the draining rack and were just about finished as Phoenix came back in.
Maya smiled, "Right then. Shall we call a cab?"

"Twenty minutes - and a 7-11, 2 aspirin and a large bottle of water - later, Phoenix was outside the District Attorney's office. The girls had said they would walk to the Wright and Co offices from there (Phoenix suspected this might have something to do with the pancake shop 3 streets away) and so he walked into the building's lobby alone, hitting the elevator button to travel up the 12 stories to meet, no doubt, the derision of Miles Edgeworth. Phoenix was relieved to realise at least his headache was beginning to ebb away even if he was still sporting a significant lump by his temple.

As the elevator reached the floor, Phoenix steadied his breathing and stepped calmly out into the hallway. Hannah Fright was at her desk outside of Edgeworth's office. Hannah greeted him with a smile, here eyes quickly scanning the bump on Phoenix's head. Instinctively he went to cover it before realising she might of well seen him do it last night.
"Oh, Mr.Wright. I'm so glad you're okay. That was quite a bruise last night!"
"Thanks, Hannah." he scratched the back of his neck, sheepishly grinning "I can't quite remember."
She smiled sympathetically "Well, you take a seat and I'll tell Prosecutor Edgeworth you're here."
She buzzed the intercom "Mr. Edgeworth. Mr. Wright is here to see you."
"Send him in please, Hannah."
Hannah gestured to the door
"Go right ahead, Mr. Wright."
"Thank you."

Phoenix knocked briefly and then stepped in. Miles wasn't at his desk but instead was sat on his sofa, looking over files, and finishing up a phonecall.
"Yes, thankyou. Those are all the details I need. Goodbye"
He smiled gesturing Phoenix to sit next to him in a familiar way Phoenix didn't remember him using before. As soon as he sat down, the prosecutor looked closely at the bruise on Phoenix's forehead.
"Quite the lump, Wright."
"Yeah, I'm ... God, I'm sorry I was such an idiot. I shouldn't have guzzled that champagne and ..."
"... redecorated my bathroom?" completed the other man with a smirk.
"Yeah, well, that." Phoenix slunk his head and stared at the floor.
"What suddenly prompted you to take up champagne drinking with such abandon?"
"I ... was ..." Phoenix paused. He wasn't sure if it was his hangover or his circumstances or his feelings that were prompting this but he knew he had to get it all out "I was pretty overwhelmed. You threw this big party, with caterers and musicians and all these great people. Then I realised it was a party for me and I ... knew I could never ever repay you. Hell, I can barely repay anything and ..." he gave a half-sob, half cough as he clutched his forehead after it suddenly flared and his eyes stung with tears ".. then you were dancing with Franziska and it looked so ..." Miles felt his cheeks tinge with a blush slightly "... anyway, I felt a bit out of my depth. I was overwhelmed by everyone's ... generosity." He faltered and then stopped, feeling there was not much else left to say right now.
Miles got up and went over to his desk, apparently locating something lost, signing it and placing it into an envelope that he put in his jacket pocket.

"Phoenix," the prosecuting attorney said suddenly. The other man looked up at the unusually casual use of his first name "You truly deserve this so-called 'generosity'. Every single person was there because they wanted to be and because they owed you a great debt. Not least me ..." his words faded away and the prosecutor suddenly became more of his painfully self-aware self. "Hmm, we have more to discuss on this but we have a court date tomorrow and I'm sure we both have a lot to do. There were a couple of reasons I wanted you to come here. One, I wanted to check you are hungover and not actually concussed. And if you hadn't have suffered just a little I might just have had Gumshoe come over and instigate a hangover for you." the defense attorney grinned a little "Two, I wanted to ask you to come to dinner with me tomorrow night as there is something I wish us to discuss." He continued before Phoenix could cut in and ask further details "Three, Maya asked that I should tell you that I supplied the finances for her and Pearl to buy you a briefcase. It wasn't shoplifted." The prosecutor smirked as an unmistakable wave of relief passed over the other attorney's face. "Oh and finally, I have a birthday card here for you. Now if you'll excuse me, I must hurry you from my office as I promised I'd take Hannah for lunch." Phoenix smiled as Miles opened the door and handed him an envelope."I'll call you about dinner, Wright. Thanks for coming by".

Phoenix waved to Hannah as he stepped into the elevator, opening the stuff cream envelope. Inside was a very elegant card, with a scene of Angel Theatre in the 1920s. A piece of paper fluttered out and Phoenix picked it up while reading the card

"Dear Phoenix

Last night reminded me of how much I and other people owe you. The sort of debt that money alone can not repay.
Regardless, I hope this might go someway to alleviate your current situation,

Happy Birthday,

Miles"

Phoenix looked at the piece of paper. It was a cheque, made out to The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for $458.89. As he stepped out into the sunshine he didn't know whether to phone Maya and rant at her big blabbering mouth, or do a small jig in the middle of the road. Instead he settled for stopping in at the Angel Bakery and picking up some of the cupcakes the girls had raved about. Tomorrow he was going to have dinner with Miles and he was going to talk about things he had been meaning to discuss for a long time. He had a client's case to finish preparing for before then. Right now, though? Phoenix Wright could be found sauntering with a smile - despite his headache - towards his office, feeling that the next year might just be the best yet.

FIN

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