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foxysquidalsoTitle: Ace Attorney: Wedding Investigations
Word count: 8400
Pairing: Phoenix/Edgeworth, with slight Franziska/Adrian and Gumshoe/Maggey
Genre(s): Romance, comedy, family.
Warnings: None.
Rating: All ages.
Spoilers: for characters/situations for all games, but nothing major.
Summary: Miles knows he can be exacting, but he simply wants his wedding to go smoothly. However, he would be willing to overlook a few problems, if only he could discover where his groom has disappeared to.
Notes: Set after AJ. Written as a gift for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
plutokitty, who requested Miles & Phoenix fluff.
Ace Attorney: Wedding Investigations.
It wasn't that he wanted things to be perfect. Perfection was a false concept, and striving for it would lead to unhappiness. On that point Miles was decided. However, surely there was no harm in wishing for things to go as well as they possibly could. Wasn't that every man's hope, when it came to the day of his wedding?
Miles had been planning the event for months. Phoenix, fortunately, had allowed him to take the reins. He owed Miles that, as Miles had very patiently agreed to wait until Phoenix had finished work on his MASON System. Miles couldn't deny that Phoenix's work was important, but he had never been entirely in agreement with the fact that the Jurist System had anything to do with their relationship. At the same time, he could respect the man's desire to deal with all his extant loose ends before beginning this new phase of his life.
Miles made a much better wedding planner than Phoenix. Phoenix had no sense of style, as evidenced by the clothes he chose to dress himself in and the state of his residence. It was logical that Miles should be the one to handle the details. He knew far more about colors and fabrics and design, not to mention flowers.
In spite of his superiority in this arena, Miles was no tyrant. He had consulted Phoenix on several matters, but each time he'd asked, Phoenix had said, "Whatever you want," in his usual lackadaisical way. Eventually, Miles had stopped asking him. Phoenix clearly did not care about the technical aspects of their wedding. In some ways, that pleased Miles, because he liked to be in control of any given situation, but it was also, quite frankly, annoying. Miles wondered if Phoenix even cared. Perhaps they should have gone to a Justice of the Peace instead and settled it all without any fuss. It was a tempting idea, yet Phoenix had never made such a suggestion, and Miles did not want to be the one to bring it up.
Miles didn't particularly care for events like weddings, but if they married without a proper wedding, their friends and families would have been disappointed. That was why he had steeled himself and taken on the responsibility, in spite of his dislike of social gatherings.
He had decided that the ceremony would be held in his own garden. He liked his garden, and if he had the wedding there, he could be sure that no mistakes would be made where the venue was concerned. Not to mention the fact that the limit on the number of guests imposed by the relatively small space pleased him. He did not want his wedding to become a large, overblown affair. Simple and elegant was his preference.
He had to admit, Phoenix's seeming disinterest did bother him, and he allowed certain questions to trouble him in his darker moments. Did Phoenix not want to have a wedding after all? Was he second-guessing the marriage? No no, Miles couldn't allow himself to think that way. And yet...
A few days before the ceremony--so close to the date itself!--he had asked Phoenix if he intended to shave on their wedding day, and Phoenix had replied with a shrug, "I might."
Granted, it had not been the first time he had asked Phoenix to shave for their wedding, but he found Phoenix's answer unnecessarily vague and somewhat rude.
"At least you're going to wear the clothing I picked out for you."
"I might."
Miles had sighed. Phoenix could be so difficult.
"Just see that you're washed and ready when the day comes. I can count on you to do that, at least, can't I?"
"You'll have to wait and see," had been Phoenix's enigmatic reply. Miles had hoped that was sarcasm. Phoenix had been smiling wryly, so there was a high probability that it was. "Can I wear the hat?" Phoenix had asked.
"Absolutely not."
"But my daughter gave me that hat."
Miles had narrowed his lips. He found that kind of emotional appeal challenging to argue with.
Phoenix had laughed at his hesitation. "Don't worry so much. I'm not going to wear the hat. I don't want to spoil your special day."
Then Phoenix had kissed his cheek, and Miles had nodded, but that was just the kind of comment that worried Miles. His special day? It was supposed to be theirs.
Days passed, and his anxiety found no cause for abatement. Instead, it increased when he received a call from Phoenix on the morning of the wedding itself. "I might be there a bit later than I expected," Phoenix said. "I thought of something I have to do, first."
"What is it you have to do? And where are you going to do it?" Miles asked, two perfectly reasonable questions that Phoenix should have reasonably answered.
Phoenix did not. "It's a surprise. It won't take me long."
"See that it doesn't." A surprise? Miles didn't like surprises. Phoenix should have known that, better than anyone.
"Yes, I'll see you soon. Hold down the fort for me."
"The fort?"
"Bye, Miles."
He hung up the phone and slipped it into his pocket, struggling against the rising tide of frustration that threatened to overwhelm him. He closed his eyes, breathed deeply, and opened his eyes again only once he felt somewhat improved in spirits. Hopefully Phoenix's surprise wouldn't be an irritating one. He tried to figure out what it could be, but no ideas came to him. Where would he have been going at that time of day? It was still quite early in the morning, and none of the guests had arrived yet. That did make him wonder what Phoenix was doing up so early. He was hardly a man Miles would have classed as an "early riser". Quite the opposite. It was odd.
Miles attempted to be optimistic. He supposed it was for the best that Phoenix wouldn't be arriving until later. There was one matter he'd wanted to attend to before the final preparations commenced and the guests began to arrive. It was a task he preferred to perform alone.
***
City Cemetery was quiet that day. It was early enough that the casual pedestrians had not yet arrived, though there were a few determined joggers abroad. Slower and more solemn were the mourners, of whom Miles was obviously one, as his arms were full of flowers.
He did not visit his parents' gravesite often, but he paid to ensure that the graves were well-tended. The plots were well-placed, for those who cared about such things. They were on a slight rise, shaded by trees, not that that mattered a great deal. Visiting the place a body had been laid to rest had a benefit only in the mind of the superstitious, for a dead body was merely that. It was empty matter, containing nothing of the person whose consciousness had once animated it. One could remember and honor the dead just as easily from one's own home, or anywhere in the world.
He was not a superstitious man, but this morning nonetheless found him placing some of his wedding flowers on his parents' graves. His mother had died too soon for him to remember her as anything more than a fleeting embrace and a warm scent that might have been a dream. Nonetheless, he had brought her and his father equal bouquets, though it was ridiculous to think that they would have minded a difference or would have noticed if he had brought only one bouquet for them to share.
He placed the first bouquet before his mother's headstone. The second was for his father. He brushed his fingers over the top of his father's grave. The stone felt cool to the touch. "I wish you could be here," he said. He tried to think of something else to say, but he wasn't used to speaking to the dead. He pictured his father's face, though the distance of the memory made it hazy in his mind.
His father would have been happy for him. As dim as the past was, he remembered Gregory looking on, smiling, as he and Phoenix had played together in the backyard.
"Miles," Gregory had called at last, "it's time to come in."
Leaving Phoenix, Miles had run to his father, to reason with him. "But Father, it isn't dark. There's no reason for us to go inside."
"That is true, but it's almost dinnertime, and maybe you could humor me."
"Can we please stay out a little longer? We're not finished yet," Miles had informed him.
"Not finished what?"
"It's our anniversary, and Phoenix is taking me out to dinner." He'd turned and pointed towards Phoenix, who'd been kneeling on a bright red blanket spread out on the grass, surrounded by Miles' play plates and teacups.
"Oh, is he?"
"Yes, Phoenix's parents had their anniversary last week, and I decided this week could be our anniversary."
'That makes sense. How long have you been married?"
"A year, Father, obviously," Miles had informed him sternly. "Since it's our anniversary."
"That does make sense," Gregory had admitted. "I'm sorry I missed the wedding, though. Isn't it usually customary to invite your parents?"
"Yes, it is, but we didn't have a wedding. We went to a Justice of the Peace. You know I don't like parties."
"I do know that," Gregory had said. "That was a good solution, though I wish you would have told me."
"It was only a play marriage, Father. We have to wait several years to have a real one."
"Can I come to that one, then?" Gregory had asked.
"Yes. If you want to." He had hesitated. "Maybe we can have a party if you'd like one."
Gregory had reached down and ruffled his son's hair, and Miles had blinked, smiling up at him. "I'd like that, Miles. Now get back to your husband, but come inside when you're done, all right?"
"Yes, Father! Thank you!" He'd hurried back to Phoenix, who'd grinned and waved as he'd approached and offered him a teacup.
In the light of the present, Miles blinked. He'd almost forgotten about that day. He and Phoenix had played so many silly games like that together. He wondered if Phoenix remembered that particular incident. Justice of the Peace. He smiled. He'd been a very sensible child. He'd suspected even then that weddings were for other people, not oneself.
"Mr. Edgeworth!"
A bright voice behind him startled him from his reverie, and he whirled towards it. "Yes--what--ah--! Kay. Hello."
"Hello." The young woman grinned at him. She wore a becoming pink dress and had a flower in her hair along with her interestingly shaped hair stick. "It's a good day to visit your family."
"Yes. Are you--?"
"No," she said, before he could finish his question. "My father's not buried here. I was passing by, and I saw you from the road. You're kind of hard to miss."
He couldn't deny that he tended to stand out. "I suppose I can be."
"We're always meeting up by chance, aren't we?" She laughed. "So I'm glad I found you here before the wedding. It would be a shame if we ruined our tradition."
"Yes, that's right, the wedding."
"What's wrong? Are you getting cold feet?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Me? That's absurd."
"Yeah, I should have known better. That wouldn't be logical at all."
"Precisely. It's simply that I should be getting back to the house. I'm certain guests will be arriving soon. I happen to know a few people who arrive early without being asked."
Kay nodded, but instead of moving to leave with him right away, she paused to examine the graves. "These are really nice. It's peaceful here, among the trees." She bent to smell the flowers he'd left. "I bet your parents would be so proud of you."
"That's highly possible."
"Nope, it's one hundred percent definite."
"Oh yes?"
She straightened and held up an outstretched pointer finger. "That's right. Don't forget, now that I'm a prosecutor, I get to make pronouncements, too."
"It's true, that right does come with the badge," he agreed dryly.
After a sober nod, she offered him her arm. "Shall we, Mr. Edgeworth?"
He took the arm she offered. "We shall."
***
When Miles returned home, he found three items of interest waiting for him. The first was a very annoyed sister, and the second was a very harried Adrian Andrews. Both were to be expected. Less understandable were the piles of boxes and the delivery man unloading more yet more boxes from the back of a truck.
"I told you you should give me a key in case I came by and you were not here," Franziska said imperiously.
Miles was not about to address that issue again. "Franziska, what is this?" he asked, his accompanying gesture encompassing both truck and crates.
Franziska's arms were folded over her chest, and she sniffed at him. "Please don't ask me, Miles Edgeworth. Although I signed for your delivery, I have no idea what it is. I assumed it had something to do with today's ceremony. Does it not?"
"No, I haven't ordered anything that would arrive in this many boxes--and I ordered everything in time for it to arrive well before the wedding."
"One never knows with you these days, Miles Edgeworth." Franziska raised her eyebrows. "Isn't that so, Adrian?"
Adrian gave him a quick, apologetic smile. "Hello, Miles. Congratulations," she said, following her greeting shortly with an obedient if not enthusiastic, "Yes, Franziska."
"A mystery?" asked Kay, rushing towards the crates. "Let me solve it!" She had no sooner reached the crates, however, than she stopped and laughed. "It's not much of a mystery." In spite of her laughter, she sounded slightly crestfallen, though Miles preferred not to have any mysteries crop up on his wedding day.
"Then please tell me your solution."
"They've got Cohdopian seals on them," said Kay. "So they must be from the Ambassador."
"The Minister of Culture," Miles corrected her. "Franziska, I'm surprised you didn't notice the seals."
Her answering smile was smug. "I did. I didn't care to mention it."
"I see. Thank you, Franziska." Miles knew there was no way of guessing what Minister Palaeno had taken it into his head to send. The man never tired of coming up with new ideas for what items he might present Miles with. His gift-giving had tapered off since he had been recalled to Cohdopia and installed in his prestigious new position, but the former ambassador had apparently decided to make up for this paucity all at once.
"There is also a letter," said Franziska. She produced this item, then made a point of handing it to Kay and not Miles.
Kay asked a question with her eyes, and Miles nodded. Kay then wasted no time in tearing open the envelope. There was a card. Miles could see that it was both very green and very gold. Kay opened the card. "It's sweet, he wrote you the nicest note. There's also a list of everything he sent in here." She unfolded the list and scanned it, her eyes widening. "It's a very long list."
"I'm sure it is," said Miles, though he was paying more attention to his sister's gaze on him than anything else.
Miraculously, her whip was not in evidence. If she'd had it with her, he was sure she would have been brandishing it. He silently thanked Adrian. He couldn't imagine what she had done to accomplish the impossible, but he would be forever grateful to her. He had dreaded the thought of that whip at his wedding. He would have to think of some way to express his appreciation later.
"Where is that man?" Franziska demanded.
"Phoenix is not here yet."
"Why not?"
"He had some business to attend to." He hoped that Franziska did not ask what said business was, but thankfully he was saved from further questioning by the noisy arrival of a sorry-looking, rust-scarred automobile. Miles turned towards the familiar sound with unaccustomed relief. "Detective," he said, much more fondly than usual, as the man struggled out of the car.
He frowned as the man succeeded in freeing himself from his automobile and a dog bounded out after him, barking happily. It wasn't that Miles blamed the dog; he'd have been happy to be out of that car as well. Yet dogs had not been invited to the wedding, with the obvious exception of his own dog.
"Detective." This time, he said it more sternly. "Why did you bring Missile?"
The Detective bounded towards Miles, his manner not unlike that of his pet. "I thought Missile would like to come. He loves you!"
It was difficult to argue with that. Missile had jumped up on him and was indeed already clawing at his trousers. Miles bent to pet him, although he knew he shouldn't encourage such behavior. "Yes, yes. He's a good dog."
When he looked up again, Kay was hugging the detective, and then they broke into a dance of some kind, which he couldn't begin to comprehend. He had no choice but to interrupt them. "Detective," he said, "I need your help."
"Right away!" There was more faithful bounding from the detective. "What d'you need?"
The delivery man was finishing unloading the last of the boxes from his truck. "The Cohdopian Minister of Culture sent me these items. I'd like you to take them inside and put them somewhere out of the way."
Gumshoe saluted overenthusiastically and nearly struck himself in the head. "Yes, Sir!"
"Thank you, Detective."
Miles watched him get to work, Missile barking at his heels. The police dog had been retired from duty, but he was still lively and fit. No one could say that Gumshoe didn't take good care of him.
Kay, meanwhile, had moved on to attempt to hug Franziska. She achieved some small amount of success. Adrian was much more receptive. She and Kay started chatting as Miles thanked the delivery man for his time.
As he watched the delivery truck drive away, Miles wondered where Phoenix was and when he would be arriving. Because of the mysterious nature of his business, he hadn't given Miles a definite time, and Miles disliked the lingering uncertainty.
"Is there a problem, Miles Edgeworth?"
He turned to find Franziska at his elbow. "There is no problem whatsoever."
"Good. I must look out for my little brother. I won't allow you to be disrespected."
"I know you're unhappy, Franziska," he said with a sigh.
"I'm not unhappy, I'm disappointed in your life choices."
"That's a relief." He couldn't be angry with her, because he knew her well enough to know that her concern was genuine. "If you'd care to come inside, Franziska, perhaps you could help me with some things that need to be done before Phoenix arrives."
"I should have known you would leave things unfinished until the last moment," she said with a shake of her head, but he could tell she was glad to be asked for her assistance. He didn't mind being chided if it made her happy.
***
As the hours of the morning passed, more guests arrived, but Miles' groom remained absent, and that absence became more conspicuous with each moment. Miles was glad he was not the kind of person giving to smiling, because if he had been, he would have had to force one, and that was an effort he was glad to forgo.
Miles tried calling Phoenix several times, but Phoenix didn't pick up his phone. That was nothing new, but on this occasion, it was troubling. This was no ordinary day.
"I'm sure he'll be here soon, sir."
Miles knew he was in dire straits indeed when the detective began attempting to cheer him up. "Yes, I don't doubt it."
"I bet he's doing something with his little daughter, and any minute they're going to walk in through that door!"
Miles opened his mouth to protest that Trucy was a teenager now, but at that moment, the door opened and Trucy herself breezed in through it. Miles' heart rose in his chest--and then fell again when he saw that Trucy was accompanied not by Phoenix but by Apollo Justice.
"Hey, there's the little miss now," said Gumshoe. "I must be psychic!"
"It would be more correct to say that you had good timing in this case," said Miles, before rising from the couch to greet Trucy.
Her hug nearly knocked the breath from his lungs. "Hi, Miles!"
"Trucy. Hello." He would have patted her head, but she was wearing her hat, so instead he patted her shoulder.
She drew back, pulled a flower out of his ear, and presented it to him solemnly. "Happy wedding day."
"Thank you very much." He put the flower in his lapel for lack of anything else to do with it. It did complement his suit, which couldn't have been a coincidence.
"Where's Daddy?" she asked.
His heart fell further. "He isn't here yet. Do you know where he went?"
"That's funny." She frowned. "He should have been here by now. He said he was going to get something for you, but that it wouldn't take long, and he'd meet me here. Right, Apollo?"
"That's right," said Apollo. He waved, a little sheepishly. "Hello, Mr. Edgeworth. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Mr. Justice." He hoped the strain he felt wasn't audible in his voice. "I'm glad you could make it."
"Oh, I wouldn't miss it." He was examining the room in a studiedly casual fashion, and Miles recalled that Apollo had never been here before. "Mr. Wright really isn't here yet?" he asked. "I wonder where he ran off to."
"I was wondering the same thing."
"Oh! I didn't mean anything by it." Apollo gave an embarrassed start. "I'm sure he'll be here any minute."
"Yes, so the detective was just saying," Miles replied. "If you'll excuse me, I have a matter to attend to." His words were not strictly a lie, he reflected as he walked away. The matter he wished to attend to was isolating himself from his guests temporarily. He returned to his bedroom, though even his bedroom was bothersome at the moment, since Gumshoe had chosen that particular room in which to stack the boxes from Minister Palaeno. He supposed his bedroom was "out of the way", so he couldn't fault the detective.
Among the Cohdopian boxes, there was a single elegant package wrapped in black cloth and embroidered with gold flowers. It was unmistakably a gift from Agent Lang, who was doubtlessly on assignment somewhere, although Miles couldn't remember seeing the detective bringing it in with the other boxes. Well, Agent Lang moved in mysterious ways.
The card from Minister Palaeno had been left on top of the boxes, and Miles picked it up idly and began to read it. Dear Mr. Edgeworth, the minister had written in flowery script, I'm sorry I can't be there for your special day, but I do hope it is as fine a day as you deserve.
As fine a day as he deserved. Miles knew how Palaeno had meant the words, but he found them slightly ominous.
The missive went on, but Miles put the card down and opened the first of the boxes. It was very well packed. It took him some effort to open it and remove its contents from their packing. It appeared to be a silver tea service, engraved with flowers and butterflies. It was quite beautiful. The Minister's generosity made him frown. Years later, he wasn't entirely sure what he had done to deserve it. He had simply done his duty. He hadn't expected anything in return.
Turning the sugar bowl over in his hands, he was reminded of his father again. Gregory had owned a tea set too, which had belonged to Miles' grandmother. Miles had no idea what had become of that tea set. Probably it had been sold off with the rest of his father's belongings. He knew it was irrational to assign emotional value to material goods, but he couldn't help but wish he had been allowed to keep that tea service.
As a child, he had been fascinated by it. It had been the brightest object in the house, as his father's taste had run towards the simple. "Can I play with it, Father?" he'd asked.
"No, Miles. It isn't meant to be played with, I'm sorry. One day it'll be yours, but not until you're much older. You can look at it."
"Can I hold a piece? If I'm very careful?"
"Yes, you can."
The silver had shone in his hands like moonlight. Though Miles had been an obedient child overall, he had disobeyed his father one glorious day and had taken the tea service down from its place high up on the shelf. He'd attempted to make tea for himself and Phoenix, and the result had been a disaster of fallen silver, spilled water, and scattered tea leaves. Gregory had come downstairs too late.
He'd stood in the doorway of the kitchen with his hands on his hips, wearing that disappointed expression that only a parent seemed to know how to put on. "Miles," he'd said.
"It was my fault, Mr. Edgeworth," Phoenix had said quickly. "I asked Miles if we could have fancy tea."
"Phoenix, don't fib," Miles had scolded him. "Father, it was my idea. I'm sorry. I thought it would be nice if I made tea for everyone."
Gregory had sighed, then laughed. "It's all right, Miles. I hope you can see now why I didn't want you to use it. You're too little. Wait until you're older."
"Yes, Father." That had been his problem. He'd wanted to be older. To be grown up. By the time he'd realized his mistake, it had been too late. Miles stood quietly beside the Cohdopian boxes, remembering his father holding a mop, gently picking up the fallen pieces of silver.
Miles put the sugar bowl down with a rueful little smile. He couldn't be too upset over the loss of the old set, especially not when he had been given such an elegant new one. If only Phoenix were here, too. Where had he gone? It didn't make any sense.
It seemed impossible that Phoenix would miss their wedding on purpose, but what if he had? What if, at the last moment, he had decided that he was making a terrible mistake? Running off was an illogical response to such a decision, but people could behave irrationally at times of great stress. He had known Phoenix to do just that. Hadn't Phoenix jumped off a bridge once? Yet he couldn't believe that Phoenix would do something like that to him. Miles trusted him.
Miles looked out the window. "Where are you, Phoenix?" he asked.
Out in the garden, he saw Missile playing with Pess: two dogs who had grown old together. Playing with them were Gumshoe and Maggey, throwing a ball in a way that was almost certainly endangering the decorations that had been put out. Once the dogs started slobbering excitedly over the ball together, seemingly disinterested in having it thrown again, Gumshoe took a step back and put his arm around Maggey's shoulders. She smiled up at him.
Just then, Miles noticed another couple standing in the garden. Phoenix's parents. And there he was, holed up in his room in the most antisocial way. He tapped the lid of the sugar bowl, composed himself, and returned to his party.
Miles hurried through the garden to greet Phoenix's mothers. "Hello Robin, Toby. It's a pleasure to see you again. I'm sorry Phoenix isn't here yet. He had to run an important errand, apparently."
Toby Wright gave him a quick smile as he shook her hand. She had the same sharp, dark hair and bright eyes as her son. It wasn't difficult to tell which woman was Phoenix's biological parent, as Robin Goode bore little resemblance to Phoenix. She was short and dark-skinned, with curly black hair. Robin gave Miles a hug when he tried to take her hand.
"I'm not surprised he's late," said Toby. "He usually is."
Robin was more charitable. "Trucy told us he went somewhere to get you a surprise. I'm sure he'll be back soon. Phoenix tends to get caught up in his adventures."
"That's true," said Miles and Toby with simultaneous wryness. They then shared a look of mutual appreciation.
Ms. Wright was an investment banker, and her wife was a painter. Phoenix was their only child, and they were devoted parents. Robin, as usual, ignored Toby and Miles' more negative outlook and changed the subject with a laugh. "Soon you'll be able to call us Mom, Miles."
"He doesn't have to do that," Toby said, raising an eyebrow.
"I will if you'd like me to," said Miles politely.
"Just Toby will be fine," was Toby's decisive response, and Robin laughed again.
Miles felt a bit better after talking to Phoenix's parents and finding them so calm about their son's absence. More guests continued to arrive, including some stoic von Karmas and Klavier Gavin, who coincidentally showed up at the same time. For some reason, Klavier Gavin insisted on speaking animatedly to the von Karmas in German, much to their dismay. Lana and Ema Skye appeared shortly afterwards, the latter shooting Gavin a dark look before running up to Miles and giving him a hug. "I'm so happy for you and Mr. Wright!" she cried into his cravat.
"Thank you very much, Ema," he answered, a little taken aback by this emotional display. After a brief reunion, he extricated himself gently from Ema's embrace to circulate among the other guests. Gavin, meanwhile, had discovered that Apollo Justice was present and gave up on the unresponsive von Karmas in favor of teasing the very reactive defense attorney.
Miles wasn't sure where Franziska had gone, but he assumed she was the one who had taken charge of crowd control and was directing the guests to the garden. He had also put her in charge of the caterers, as she'd seemed eager for authority. He felt a little sorry for the caterers, but at least they'd be sure to behave themselves.
He stood in the middle of his garden, frowning. Pess trotted up to him and gazed up into his eyes. "Sit," Miles told the dog, and he did. "Yes," Miles said to him thoughtfully. "Something is very wrong."
"And what might that be?" someone asked him, decidedly not the dog.
Miles turned towards the voice and blinked at an unexpected red glow. "Ah, Mr. Armando. Thank you for coming."
Maya and Pearl Fey were standing beside the tall man, one Fey on either side of him. "Hi Miles. Sorry we're late!" said Maya, grinning at him. "The train took forever today, for some reason. They never explain though, no matter how much I ask." She scanned the small crowd of gathered guests eagerly. "Where's Nick?"
"I don't know," said Miles calmly. "He isn't here."
"That's weird," said Maya. "Nick wouldn't be late to your wedding if he could help it."
"Yes, that's true, isn't it?" said Miles slowly. His vision had been so clouded by his own doubts, nerves, and suspicions that he had failed to grasp the simple, logical truth: if it were possible for Phoenix to be there on time, he would have been. Maya, Phoenix's best friend, had seen it at once, as she had not had a similar amount of anxiety to deal with. Probably others were thinking the same thing, but they had been too concerned about his feelings to say anything. He was grateful for Maya's honesty.
Three facts coalesced in Miles' mind:
1. Phoenix had gone out to get him a "surprise".
2. Phoenix was always getting into trouble of some kind.
3. Not even his daughter knew where he was now.
"I'm so glad to see you, but please do excuse me," said Miles to the two Feys and Mr. Armando. "I need to find Trucy."
Fortunately, Trucy was much easier to find than her missing father. He located her at once, standing beneath the vine-covered pergola that shaded one end of the garden, chatting with Apollo and Klavier. "Trucy, can I ask you something?" he said as he strode towards her.
The three young people turned towards him as one. "Sure, Miles," said Trucy, smiling and tipping her hat. For years, she had called him Miles, just as Phoenix did. "What is it?"
"Are you worried about your father?"
"Well--" She bit her lip. "A little, maybe. But he might have just gotten held up. That happens to him a lot!"
"What did he say, as he was leaving?"
"That he was going to get something for you. A present!"
"He didn't happen to mention what this present was?"
"No..." She glanced away as she thought back. "He said it was something special that would be a real surprise."
"I see. That sounds like Phoenix. Was there anything else about him that you noticed before he left?"
"Oh! There was something. He was carrying a jar."
"A jar?" That had to be a significant detail. Phoenix did many odd things, but carrying jars around needlessly was not something Miles had ever known him to do. "What kind of jar?"
"Sort of a--big, old one. It had holes in the lid. Like for fireflies."
A jar. With holes in the lid. Suddenly, he knew. No wonder he'd been thinking of the teacups he'd played with as a child, then had been so taken by the new tea service, remembering that old silver tea set. He didn't believe in intuition, but his subconscious had been trying to tell him something, quietly yet effectively devoting itself to the task of solving the mystery of Phoenix's surprise. Oh, that man.
Apollo and Klavier had been listening to this conversation with apparent interest, and Apollo finally blurted, "Do you think something happened to Mr. Wright?"
"I don't know," said Miles to the young defense attorney, "but I am going to find out." He nodded at Trucy. "Until I return, you're in charge." As she was about to become his daughter, it was only right that she be given the responsibility, though he imagined Franziska would object.
"But where are you going, Miles?" Trucy asked.
"To find your father."
At that moment, Miles heard a crash behind him. He turned in time to see Missile frolicking happily among the wreckage of the overturned buffet table. Detective Gumshoe looked on in horror. "Bad dog," he said helplessly, throwing his hands up in the air.
Miles felt much calmer than he would have expected after witnessing such a scene. He turned his back on it. "To find my husband," he told Trucy.
***
Only Phoenix would do something so silly and sentimental, thought Miles as he hurried to his car.
"Miles Edgeworth, wait," Franziska's voice lashed out behind him.
"I'm sorry, I have an important errand to run," he said, but she grabbed his arm and pulled him back. He didn't resist. When Franziska wanted something, it was better--and quicker--to give in.
"Here," she said, and from behind her back, she produced a whip.
He frowned at the object in her gloved hand. There was something different about it. "I thought you didn't bring it with you today."
"I did not, as requested, although I did not understand your foolish request. This isn't mine. This is for you."
"For me?"
She nodded, gravely, and pressed it into his hands. "A gift. You will need it."
"I don't--" began Miles, then broke off as he realized that this was the most positive thing she'd ever said about his relationship with Phoenix. He continued, "I don't know how to thank you, Franziska."
"Think nothing of it. I provided what was needed." She bowed.
Miles felt touched by what was, from Franziska, an emotional display. "I will treasure it," he assured her. "But now, I must rescue my fiancé."
"Of course."
He climbed into the car and put the whip in the glove compartment. Later, he would have to find a place to store it where Phoenix wouldn't find it. He waved to Franziska as he started up the car and pulled out into the road. He hoped he was right about where Phoenix had gone, but where else would Phoenix go, with such a goal in mind?
Such a ridiculous goal.
Before he and Phoenix had, as children, had their play anniversary, they had had a play wedding. As a boy, Miles would not have agreed to celebrate an anniversary before getting married. It would not have made sense to him.
That said, as weddings went, theirs had been an impromptu affair. They'd taken a toy picnic set, the toy tea set, and some sandwiches to the park. Miles' father had driven them there, but Gregory had seated himself on a bench with a book, remaining close enough to see them, but not close enough to hear what they were saying.
"What should we play?" Phoenix had asked as Miles had arranged the teacups in a careful circle.
"We could play samurai and servant."
"No," Phoenix had said slowly, "we played that yesterday. Why don't we play house?"
"House?" Miles had asked him, skeptical.
"Yes, we can pretend we have a house together." Phoenix had begun to point to random spots on the ground. "That can be the kitchen, and that can be the living room, and that's the bedroom."
"But if we have a house, does that mean we're married?"
Phoenix had blinked. "Men can get married?"
Miles had stared at him, incredulous. "Phoenix, if your mothers got married, why couldn't two men get married?"
"I--I don't know. I thought men didn't like to get married."
"Of course they do. So if you want us to live together, you have to marry me first," he'd informed Phoenix, quite seriously.
"Okay!" Phoenix had, surprisingly, jumped to his feet. "I'll be right back! I have to do something first." He'd run off--not out of sight, but to the other end of the wide clearing where they were playing. Miles had gazed after his friend, puzzled, as Phoenix knelt in the grass and appeared to be doing something. As his back had been to Miles, Miles hadn't been able to see what he was doing, which had frustrated him.
Fortunately, Phoenix's secret project hadn't taken him long, and he'd returned, running again, then dropping to his knees before Miles. "Will you marry me?" Miles had looked down at Phoenix's hand. He had been holding a ring made of grass.
The ring had been very simply knotted together, but it had served its purpose, and it had kept its shape as Miles slid it on his finger and said, "I will."
Then they had launched into preparations and wedding games. Although neither of them had ever been to a wedding, they had both seen some on television. They'd known that you had to have wine at a wedding, so they'd taken the play tea set to the stream that ran past the clearing. They'd started to fill the cups and teapot with water.
"Miles, Miles, look!" Phoenix had shouted, excitedly holding up a teacup.
"Phoenix, you're sloshing water everywhere," Miles had said in a tone of mild disapproval, but he had hurried over, curious about what had made Phoenix so excited. "There's a tadpole in it," Phoenix had explained, holding out the cup. "Isn't that cool?"
Miles had thought it was cool, but he was wary. "I never heard of anyone having tadpoles at a wedding."
"But this is our wedding, so we can have tadpoles if we want, right?" Phoenix had asked. "It'll be the coolest wedding ever."
This logic had been enough to convince Miles. "Okay. Let's catch some more!"
So their most important wedding preparation had been catching as many tadpoles as possible. When Gregory had finally come over to tell them it was time to go home, they had still been catching them, laughing and splashing in the water.
He'd begged his father to let him take some of the tadpoles home, and Gregory had relented. He'd bought a cup with a lid from a vendor in the park, and Miles and Phoenix had taken turns excitedly holding the cup throughout the ride home.
Miles had hoped to watch the tadpoles grow into frogs, but he hadn't had the time. Life had interfered. That had been a long time ago. Phoenix must have remembered it. He wasn't surprised. Phoenix seemed to remember everything from that time, as if the events of that single year of their childhood had been a book that he had read a thousand times over the years, committing each week's chapter to memory.
It all added up:
1. Phoenix was looking for tadpoles.
2. The creeks and ponds around Gourd Lake would have tadpoles.
3. Of all possible places one might be sure to catch tadpoles in the area, Phoenix was most familiar with Gourd Lake.
The stream in People Park was another possibility, but it was more polluted and less isolated, and Phoenix would not have needed to tell him he might be later than expected if he were going somewhere so close to his home. To be sure, Miles drove by People Park and scanned the area, but everything was calm there, and there was no sign of Phoenix.
No, things couldn't be that easy. He had to drive all the way to Gourd Lake on the day that was supposed to be his wedding day, and then he had to explore the woods dressed in his wedding suit. Why, he asked himself far too belatedly, had he rushed off impetuously without asking for help? He would have been able to find Phoenix much more quickly if he'd brought a search party with him. Phoenix had a maddening way of making him do impetuous things.
The joggers and hikers and bikers that passed him gave him strange looks, but Miles coldly ignored them as he peered through the trees, looking for likely tadpole hunting spots.
He considered calling Gumshoe and asking him to bring Missile--in spite of the fact that he was intensely irritated with both man and dog and would have some very stern things to say to the detective in the near future. However, as he was about to do so, he caught sight of a likely stream, and he held off. He had taken all the least prominent paths, guessing that Phoenix would do the same while seeking a quiet spot to hunt tadpoles. If that was indeed what he had done, this particular stream would have been the first he had come across after entering the park.
From the path, he looked both down and upstream. Judging upstream the easier route, he deduced that Phoenix would have wanted to walk along a bank with the water in easy reach, so would probably have gone that way. Pushing branches aside with one arm, Miles left the path for the forest proper.
His logic had not let him down. He soon caught sight of a familiar shade of blue. The hat. Attached to it was that man's foolish head. He was lying on the ground among the trees, which was worrisome. Miles hurried towards him, heedless of the branches pulling at his sleeves.
Phoenix's eyes were closed; he was clearly unconscious. Kneeling beside him, careful not to move him, Miles checked his pulse. To his relief, it felt strong and sure. Miles moved to check his pupils next.
As Miles' fingers touched his face, Phoenix stirred. "Hey," he said softly, his eyes opening. "Miles?"
"Yes, it's me."
"What are you doing here?" Phoenix moved as if to sit up, but Miles put a hand on his chest and gently kept him down. "I'm still in the woods, aren't I?"
"Yes, Phoenix, but I found you."
"So you did. How did you manage that?"
"It wasn't too difficult," Miles said airily, "since I know you so well."
"Yeah, I guess you do." Phoenix smiled up at him weakly. "I hope I didn't miss the whole wedding."
"No, it's still relatively early. Though I think we should take you to the hospital first, since you were unconscious."
"Yes," said Phoenix calmly. "And also, since I broke my leg."
"You--" Miles sighed. "You broke your leg?"
"I'm pretty sure. Unfortunately. You see, I was trying to--"
"Catch tadpoles. I know."
"You do?" Phoenix's smile brightened.
"That's how I was able to find you."
"I had the jar when I fell--I think it's--" Phoenix sat up partway before Miles could stop him. He pointed. "Look, there it is. I dropped it, but it didn't break."
Miles saw it, lying there among the leaves. "What happened, Phoenix?"
"I broke my leg while catching tadpoles." He laughed. "It's funny when I say it out loud like that, isn't it?"
"It's not funny."
"Not even a little?" Phoenix asked.
"No."
"Okay, gotcha." He went on. "I realized my leg was probably broken, but I figured I should try to get back to the path so I could find someone who could call for help. I thought that if I hopped very carefully--"
"You hopped. With a broken leg."
"Yes, but I didn't hop on the broken one," said Phoenix in his defense. "Though I did fall. And I hit my head, apparently."
"I do hope that knocked some sense into you. What were you doing out here in the woods without your phone?"
"Since I was going to be walking through the woods and wading in the water, I decided to the phone at home, so it wouldn't get lost or broken."
"Instead, you're the one who ended up lost and broken."
"It sounds so dire when you put it like that, Miles."
Miles reached out to pick up the fallen jar. It hadn't been so much as cracked, and only some of the water had leaked out through the holes in the lid It was half full, and several fat, dark tadpoles were swimming in it. "I hope they were worth it," he said, handing the jar to Phoenix.
"They were," said Phoenix, as he took it.
Miles noticed that Phoenix had shaved. He'd been far too preoccupied with worry to see that at first. Miles kissed his cheek. "Why are you so foolish?"
"I think you make me foolish."
"Is that so?" asked Miles, dubiously.
"More foolish, then. I'm foolish over you."
"In that case, it's good we're getting married," said Miles.
"And why is that?"
"I'll look after you and make sure you don't do anything too foolish." He kissed Phoenix again. "So you did shave, after all."
"I did. What do you think?"
It saddened Miles to admit it, but he was dedicated to the truth. "I think I might prefer the stubble."
"I knew it! I always said--"
"Yes, Phoenix, I know what you always say," said Miles. "Now lie down and be still while I call for an ambulance."
"Can I have more kisses first?"
"You can have more kisses when I'm done calling," Miles informed him.
The call was easily made, but to Miles' surprise, no sooner had he hung up than the phone immediately rang. "Yes?" Miles asked, so flustered that he answered without checking the caller ID.
"Hey, Edgey, it's Larry!"
"Larry?!" That was the last person he wanted to hear from, although Phoenix had insisted on inviting him to the wedding.
"Yeah, I was just calling to ask you--What day was the wedding again?"
"It's today," Miles said tersely.
"Today? But I'm all the way over in--"
Miles hung up on him.
Then he kept his promise to Phoenix and kissed him. Perhaps he shouldn't have been kissing a man who had so recently fallen and hit his head, but Phoenix seemed very lucid, and they were simple kisses. If there was any danger of him passing out again, the kisses would keep him conscious, wouldn't they? It was the logical thing to do, and Phoenix tasted nice, even at his most ridiculous.
***
"Are you sure about this, Miles?" Phoenix asked.
"I am always absolutely certain of my decisions, once made." Miles had waited long enough to get married. He would not be waiting any longer.
"Then let's do it."
They couldn't exactly have a proper wedding in Phoenix's room at the clinic, but a few people at a time could come in. Phoenix sat propped up in his hospital bed. Miles, holding Phoenix's hand, was seated on one side of the bed, while Phoenix's mothers stood on the other, both of them proud and beautiful.
Maya officiated the wedding, as Trucy, Pearl, and Franziska looked on. Diego, Adrian, Gumshoe, Maggey, and quite a few other friends watched and listened from the hallway, some of them more patient than others. There were also members of hospital staff present, their attitudes ranging from indulgent to exasperated. They didn't seem to know quite how to handle the situation, not to mention the sudden flood of visitors. Miles suspected they had been too confused, at first, to prevent the wedding from taking place.
"I now pronounce you husband and husband!" Maya exclaimed, following a brief but unique ceremony which Miles half-suspected had been improvised, in spite of the fact that they had asked Maya to officiate months ago.
This makeshift affair certainly wasn't how Miles had imagined his wedding, but their friends were present, and everyone seemed happy. That was enough for him.
In the jar on Phoenix's lap, the tadpoles swam. "You may kiss the husband," said Maya gravely, and Miles, squeezing Phoenix's hand, leaned over and did as she instructed.
Word count: 8400
Pairing: Phoenix/Edgeworth, with slight Franziska/Adrian and Gumshoe/Maggey
Genre(s): Romance, comedy, family.
Warnings: None.
Rating: All ages.
Spoilers: for characters/situations for all games, but nothing major.
Summary: Miles knows he can be exacting, but he simply wants his wedding to go smoothly. However, he would be willing to overlook a few problems, if only he could discover where his groom has disappeared to.
Notes: Set after AJ. Written as a gift for
plutokitty, who requested Miles & Phoenix fluff.Ace Attorney: Wedding Investigations.
It wasn't that he wanted things to be perfect. Perfection was a false concept, and striving for it would lead to unhappiness. On that point Miles was decided. However, surely there was no harm in wishing for things to go as well as they possibly could. Wasn't that every man's hope, when it came to the day of his wedding?
Miles had been planning the event for months. Phoenix, fortunately, had allowed him to take the reins. He owed Miles that, as Miles had very patiently agreed to wait until Phoenix had finished work on his MASON System. Miles couldn't deny that Phoenix's work was important, but he had never been entirely in agreement with the fact that the Jurist System had anything to do with their relationship. At the same time, he could respect the man's desire to deal with all his extant loose ends before beginning this new phase of his life.
Miles made a much better wedding planner than Phoenix. Phoenix had no sense of style, as evidenced by the clothes he chose to dress himself in and the state of his residence. It was logical that Miles should be the one to handle the details. He knew far more about colors and fabrics and design, not to mention flowers.
In spite of his superiority in this arena, Miles was no tyrant. He had consulted Phoenix on several matters, but each time he'd asked, Phoenix had said, "Whatever you want," in his usual lackadaisical way. Eventually, Miles had stopped asking him. Phoenix clearly did not care about the technical aspects of their wedding. In some ways, that pleased Miles, because he liked to be in control of any given situation, but it was also, quite frankly, annoying. Miles wondered if Phoenix even cared. Perhaps they should have gone to a Justice of the Peace instead and settled it all without any fuss. It was a tempting idea, yet Phoenix had never made such a suggestion, and Miles did not want to be the one to bring it up.
Miles didn't particularly care for events like weddings, but if they married without a proper wedding, their friends and families would have been disappointed. That was why he had steeled himself and taken on the responsibility, in spite of his dislike of social gatherings.
He had decided that the ceremony would be held in his own garden. He liked his garden, and if he had the wedding there, he could be sure that no mistakes would be made where the venue was concerned. Not to mention the fact that the limit on the number of guests imposed by the relatively small space pleased him. He did not want his wedding to become a large, overblown affair. Simple and elegant was his preference.
He had to admit, Phoenix's seeming disinterest did bother him, and he allowed certain questions to trouble him in his darker moments. Did Phoenix not want to have a wedding after all? Was he second-guessing the marriage? No no, Miles couldn't allow himself to think that way. And yet...
A few days before the ceremony--so close to the date itself!--he had asked Phoenix if he intended to shave on their wedding day, and Phoenix had replied with a shrug, "I might."
Granted, it had not been the first time he had asked Phoenix to shave for their wedding, but he found Phoenix's answer unnecessarily vague and somewhat rude.
"At least you're going to wear the clothing I picked out for you."
"I might."
Miles had sighed. Phoenix could be so difficult.
"Just see that you're washed and ready when the day comes. I can count on you to do that, at least, can't I?"
"You'll have to wait and see," had been Phoenix's enigmatic reply. Miles had hoped that was sarcasm. Phoenix had been smiling wryly, so there was a high probability that it was. "Can I wear the hat?" Phoenix had asked.
"Absolutely not."
"But my daughter gave me that hat."
Miles had narrowed his lips. He found that kind of emotional appeal challenging to argue with.
Phoenix had laughed at his hesitation. "Don't worry so much. I'm not going to wear the hat. I don't want to spoil your special day."
Then Phoenix had kissed his cheek, and Miles had nodded, but that was just the kind of comment that worried Miles. His special day? It was supposed to be theirs.
Days passed, and his anxiety found no cause for abatement. Instead, it increased when he received a call from Phoenix on the morning of the wedding itself. "I might be there a bit later than I expected," Phoenix said. "I thought of something I have to do, first."
"What is it you have to do? And where are you going to do it?" Miles asked, two perfectly reasonable questions that Phoenix should have reasonably answered.
Phoenix did not. "It's a surprise. It won't take me long."
"See that it doesn't." A surprise? Miles didn't like surprises. Phoenix should have known that, better than anyone.
"Yes, I'll see you soon. Hold down the fort for me."
"The fort?"
"Bye, Miles."
He hung up the phone and slipped it into his pocket, struggling against the rising tide of frustration that threatened to overwhelm him. He closed his eyes, breathed deeply, and opened his eyes again only once he felt somewhat improved in spirits. Hopefully Phoenix's surprise wouldn't be an irritating one. He tried to figure out what it could be, but no ideas came to him. Where would he have been going at that time of day? It was still quite early in the morning, and none of the guests had arrived yet. That did make him wonder what Phoenix was doing up so early. He was hardly a man Miles would have classed as an "early riser". Quite the opposite. It was odd.
Miles attempted to be optimistic. He supposed it was for the best that Phoenix wouldn't be arriving until later. There was one matter he'd wanted to attend to before the final preparations commenced and the guests began to arrive. It was a task he preferred to perform alone.
City Cemetery was quiet that day. It was early enough that the casual pedestrians had not yet arrived, though there were a few determined joggers abroad. Slower and more solemn were the mourners, of whom Miles was obviously one, as his arms were full of flowers.
He did not visit his parents' gravesite often, but he paid to ensure that the graves were well-tended. The plots were well-placed, for those who cared about such things. They were on a slight rise, shaded by trees, not that that mattered a great deal. Visiting the place a body had been laid to rest had a benefit only in the mind of the superstitious, for a dead body was merely that. It was empty matter, containing nothing of the person whose consciousness had once animated it. One could remember and honor the dead just as easily from one's own home, or anywhere in the world.
He was not a superstitious man, but this morning nonetheless found him placing some of his wedding flowers on his parents' graves. His mother had died too soon for him to remember her as anything more than a fleeting embrace and a warm scent that might have been a dream. Nonetheless, he had brought her and his father equal bouquets, though it was ridiculous to think that they would have minded a difference or would have noticed if he had brought only one bouquet for them to share.
He placed the first bouquet before his mother's headstone. The second was for his father. He brushed his fingers over the top of his father's grave. The stone felt cool to the touch. "I wish you could be here," he said. He tried to think of something else to say, but he wasn't used to speaking to the dead. He pictured his father's face, though the distance of the memory made it hazy in his mind.
His father would have been happy for him. As dim as the past was, he remembered Gregory looking on, smiling, as he and Phoenix had played together in the backyard.
"Miles," Gregory had called at last, "it's time to come in."
Leaving Phoenix, Miles had run to his father, to reason with him. "But Father, it isn't dark. There's no reason for us to go inside."
"That is true, but it's almost dinnertime, and maybe you could humor me."
"Can we please stay out a little longer? We're not finished yet," Miles had informed him.
"Not finished what?"
"It's our anniversary, and Phoenix is taking me out to dinner." He'd turned and pointed towards Phoenix, who'd been kneeling on a bright red blanket spread out on the grass, surrounded by Miles' play plates and teacups.
"Oh, is he?"
"Yes, Phoenix's parents had their anniversary last week, and I decided this week could be our anniversary."
'That makes sense. How long have you been married?"
"A year, Father, obviously," Miles had informed him sternly. "Since it's our anniversary."
"That does make sense," Gregory had admitted. "I'm sorry I missed the wedding, though. Isn't it usually customary to invite your parents?"
"Yes, it is, but we didn't have a wedding. We went to a Justice of the Peace. You know I don't like parties."
"I do know that," Gregory had said. "That was a good solution, though I wish you would have told me."
"It was only a play marriage, Father. We have to wait several years to have a real one."
"Can I come to that one, then?" Gregory had asked.
"Yes. If you want to." He had hesitated. "Maybe we can have a party if you'd like one."
Gregory had reached down and ruffled his son's hair, and Miles had blinked, smiling up at him. "I'd like that, Miles. Now get back to your husband, but come inside when you're done, all right?"
"Yes, Father! Thank you!" He'd hurried back to Phoenix, who'd grinned and waved as he'd approached and offered him a teacup.
In the light of the present, Miles blinked. He'd almost forgotten about that day. He and Phoenix had played so many silly games like that together. He wondered if Phoenix remembered that particular incident. Justice of the Peace. He smiled. He'd been a very sensible child. He'd suspected even then that weddings were for other people, not oneself.
"Mr. Edgeworth!"
A bright voice behind him startled him from his reverie, and he whirled towards it. "Yes--what--ah--! Kay. Hello."
"Hello." The young woman grinned at him. She wore a becoming pink dress and had a flower in her hair along with her interestingly shaped hair stick. "It's a good day to visit your family."
"Yes. Are you--?"
"No," she said, before he could finish his question. "My father's not buried here. I was passing by, and I saw you from the road. You're kind of hard to miss."
He couldn't deny that he tended to stand out. "I suppose I can be."
"We're always meeting up by chance, aren't we?" She laughed. "So I'm glad I found you here before the wedding. It would be a shame if we ruined our tradition."
"Yes, that's right, the wedding."
"What's wrong? Are you getting cold feet?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Me? That's absurd."
"Yeah, I should have known better. That wouldn't be logical at all."
"Precisely. It's simply that I should be getting back to the house. I'm certain guests will be arriving soon. I happen to know a few people who arrive early without being asked."
Kay nodded, but instead of moving to leave with him right away, she paused to examine the graves. "These are really nice. It's peaceful here, among the trees." She bent to smell the flowers he'd left. "I bet your parents would be so proud of you."
"That's highly possible."
"Nope, it's one hundred percent definite."
"Oh yes?"
She straightened and held up an outstretched pointer finger. "That's right. Don't forget, now that I'm a prosecutor, I get to make pronouncements, too."
"It's true, that right does come with the badge," he agreed dryly.
After a sober nod, she offered him her arm. "Shall we, Mr. Edgeworth?"
He took the arm she offered. "We shall."
When Miles returned home, he found three items of interest waiting for him. The first was a very annoyed sister, and the second was a very harried Adrian Andrews. Both were to be expected. Less understandable were the piles of boxes and the delivery man unloading more yet more boxes from the back of a truck.
"I told you you should give me a key in case I came by and you were not here," Franziska said imperiously.
Miles was not about to address that issue again. "Franziska, what is this?" he asked, his accompanying gesture encompassing both truck and crates.
Franziska's arms were folded over her chest, and she sniffed at him. "Please don't ask me, Miles Edgeworth. Although I signed for your delivery, I have no idea what it is. I assumed it had something to do with today's ceremony. Does it not?"
"No, I haven't ordered anything that would arrive in this many boxes--and I ordered everything in time for it to arrive well before the wedding."
"One never knows with you these days, Miles Edgeworth." Franziska raised her eyebrows. "Isn't that so, Adrian?"
Adrian gave him a quick, apologetic smile. "Hello, Miles. Congratulations," she said, following her greeting shortly with an obedient if not enthusiastic, "Yes, Franziska."
"A mystery?" asked Kay, rushing towards the crates. "Let me solve it!" She had no sooner reached the crates, however, than she stopped and laughed. "It's not much of a mystery." In spite of her laughter, she sounded slightly crestfallen, though Miles preferred not to have any mysteries crop up on his wedding day.
"Then please tell me your solution."
"They've got Cohdopian seals on them," said Kay. "So they must be from the Ambassador."
"The Minister of Culture," Miles corrected her. "Franziska, I'm surprised you didn't notice the seals."
Her answering smile was smug. "I did. I didn't care to mention it."
"I see. Thank you, Franziska." Miles knew there was no way of guessing what Minister Palaeno had taken it into his head to send. The man never tired of coming up with new ideas for what items he might present Miles with. His gift-giving had tapered off since he had been recalled to Cohdopia and installed in his prestigious new position, but the former ambassador had apparently decided to make up for this paucity all at once.
"There is also a letter," said Franziska. She produced this item, then made a point of handing it to Kay and not Miles.
Kay asked a question with her eyes, and Miles nodded. Kay then wasted no time in tearing open the envelope. There was a card. Miles could see that it was both very green and very gold. Kay opened the card. "It's sweet, he wrote you the nicest note. There's also a list of everything he sent in here." She unfolded the list and scanned it, her eyes widening. "It's a very long list."
"I'm sure it is," said Miles, though he was paying more attention to his sister's gaze on him than anything else.
Miraculously, her whip was not in evidence. If she'd had it with her, he was sure she would have been brandishing it. He silently thanked Adrian. He couldn't imagine what she had done to accomplish the impossible, but he would be forever grateful to her. He had dreaded the thought of that whip at his wedding. He would have to think of some way to express his appreciation later.
"Where is that man?" Franziska demanded.
"Phoenix is not here yet."
"Why not?"
"He had some business to attend to." He hoped that Franziska did not ask what said business was, but thankfully he was saved from further questioning by the noisy arrival of a sorry-looking, rust-scarred automobile. Miles turned towards the familiar sound with unaccustomed relief. "Detective," he said, much more fondly than usual, as the man struggled out of the car.
He frowned as the man succeeded in freeing himself from his automobile and a dog bounded out after him, barking happily. It wasn't that Miles blamed the dog; he'd have been happy to be out of that car as well. Yet dogs had not been invited to the wedding, with the obvious exception of his own dog.
"Detective." This time, he said it more sternly. "Why did you bring Missile?"
The Detective bounded towards Miles, his manner not unlike that of his pet. "I thought Missile would like to come. He loves you!"
It was difficult to argue with that. Missile had jumped up on him and was indeed already clawing at his trousers. Miles bent to pet him, although he knew he shouldn't encourage such behavior. "Yes, yes. He's a good dog."
When he looked up again, Kay was hugging the detective, and then they broke into a dance of some kind, which he couldn't begin to comprehend. He had no choice but to interrupt them. "Detective," he said, "I need your help."
"Right away!" There was more faithful bounding from the detective. "What d'you need?"
The delivery man was finishing unloading the last of the boxes from his truck. "The Cohdopian Minister of Culture sent me these items. I'd like you to take them inside and put them somewhere out of the way."
Gumshoe saluted overenthusiastically and nearly struck himself in the head. "Yes, Sir!"
"Thank you, Detective."
Miles watched him get to work, Missile barking at his heels. The police dog had been retired from duty, but he was still lively and fit. No one could say that Gumshoe didn't take good care of him.
Kay, meanwhile, had moved on to attempt to hug Franziska. She achieved some small amount of success. Adrian was much more receptive. She and Kay started chatting as Miles thanked the delivery man for his time.
As he watched the delivery truck drive away, Miles wondered where Phoenix was and when he would be arriving. Because of the mysterious nature of his business, he hadn't given Miles a definite time, and Miles disliked the lingering uncertainty.
"Is there a problem, Miles Edgeworth?"
He turned to find Franziska at his elbow. "There is no problem whatsoever."
"Good. I must look out for my little brother. I won't allow you to be disrespected."
"I know you're unhappy, Franziska," he said with a sigh.
"I'm not unhappy, I'm disappointed in your life choices."
"That's a relief." He couldn't be angry with her, because he knew her well enough to know that her concern was genuine. "If you'd care to come inside, Franziska, perhaps you could help me with some things that need to be done before Phoenix arrives."
"I should have known you would leave things unfinished until the last moment," she said with a shake of her head, but he could tell she was glad to be asked for her assistance. He didn't mind being chided if it made her happy.
As the hours of the morning passed, more guests arrived, but Miles' groom remained absent, and that absence became more conspicuous with each moment. Miles was glad he was not the kind of person giving to smiling, because if he had been, he would have had to force one, and that was an effort he was glad to forgo.
Miles tried calling Phoenix several times, but Phoenix didn't pick up his phone. That was nothing new, but on this occasion, it was troubling. This was no ordinary day.
"I'm sure he'll be here soon, sir."
Miles knew he was in dire straits indeed when the detective began attempting to cheer him up. "Yes, I don't doubt it."
"I bet he's doing something with his little daughter, and any minute they're going to walk in through that door!"
Miles opened his mouth to protest that Trucy was a teenager now, but at that moment, the door opened and Trucy herself breezed in through it. Miles' heart rose in his chest--and then fell again when he saw that Trucy was accompanied not by Phoenix but by Apollo Justice.
"Hey, there's the little miss now," said Gumshoe. "I must be psychic!"
"It would be more correct to say that you had good timing in this case," said Miles, before rising from the couch to greet Trucy.
Her hug nearly knocked the breath from his lungs. "Hi, Miles!"
"Trucy. Hello." He would have patted her head, but she was wearing her hat, so instead he patted her shoulder.
She drew back, pulled a flower out of his ear, and presented it to him solemnly. "Happy wedding day."
"Thank you very much." He put the flower in his lapel for lack of anything else to do with it. It did complement his suit, which couldn't have been a coincidence.
"Where's Daddy?" she asked.
His heart fell further. "He isn't here yet. Do you know where he went?"
"That's funny." She frowned. "He should have been here by now. He said he was going to get something for you, but that it wouldn't take long, and he'd meet me here. Right, Apollo?"
"That's right," said Apollo. He waved, a little sheepishly. "Hello, Mr. Edgeworth. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Mr. Justice." He hoped the strain he felt wasn't audible in his voice. "I'm glad you could make it."
"Oh, I wouldn't miss it." He was examining the room in a studiedly casual fashion, and Miles recalled that Apollo had never been here before. "Mr. Wright really isn't here yet?" he asked. "I wonder where he ran off to."
"I was wondering the same thing."
"Oh! I didn't mean anything by it." Apollo gave an embarrassed start. "I'm sure he'll be here any minute."
"Yes, so the detective was just saying," Miles replied. "If you'll excuse me, I have a matter to attend to." His words were not strictly a lie, he reflected as he walked away. The matter he wished to attend to was isolating himself from his guests temporarily. He returned to his bedroom, though even his bedroom was bothersome at the moment, since Gumshoe had chosen that particular room in which to stack the boxes from Minister Palaeno. He supposed his bedroom was "out of the way", so he couldn't fault the detective.
Among the Cohdopian boxes, there was a single elegant package wrapped in black cloth and embroidered with gold flowers. It was unmistakably a gift from Agent Lang, who was doubtlessly on assignment somewhere, although Miles couldn't remember seeing the detective bringing it in with the other boxes. Well, Agent Lang moved in mysterious ways.
The card from Minister Palaeno had been left on top of the boxes, and Miles picked it up idly and began to read it. Dear Mr. Edgeworth, the minister had written in flowery script, I'm sorry I can't be there for your special day, but I do hope it is as fine a day as you deserve.
As fine a day as he deserved. Miles knew how Palaeno had meant the words, but he found them slightly ominous.
The missive went on, but Miles put the card down and opened the first of the boxes. It was very well packed. It took him some effort to open it and remove its contents from their packing. It appeared to be a silver tea service, engraved with flowers and butterflies. It was quite beautiful. The Minister's generosity made him frown. Years later, he wasn't entirely sure what he had done to deserve it. He had simply done his duty. He hadn't expected anything in return.
Turning the sugar bowl over in his hands, he was reminded of his father again. Gregory had owned a tea set too, which had belonged to Miles' grandmother. Miles had no idea what had become of that tea set. Probably it had been sold off with the rest of his father's belongings. He knew it was irrational to assign emotional value to material goods, but he couldn't help but wish he had been allowed to keep that tea service.
As a child, he had been fascinated by it. It had been the brightest object in the house, as his father's taste had run towards the simple. "Can I play with it, Father?" he'd asked.
"No, Miles. It isn't meant to be played with, I'm sorry. One day it'll be yours, but not until you're much older. You can look at it."
"Can I hold a piece? If I'm very careful?"
"Yes, you can."
The silver had shone in his hands like moonlight. Though Miles had been an obedient child overall, he had disobeyed his father one glorious day and had taken the tea service down from its place high up on the shelf. He'd attempted to make tea for himself and Phoenix, and the result had been a disaster of fallen silver, spilled water, and scattered tea leaves. Gregory had come downstairs too late.
He'd stood in the doorway of the kitchen with his hands on his hips, wearing that disappointed expression that only a parent seemed to know how to put on. "Miles," he'd said.
"It was my fault, Mr. Edgeworth," Phoenix had said quickly. "I asked Miles if we could have fancy tea."
"Phoenix, don't fib," Miles had scolded him. "Father, it was my idea. I'm sorry. I thought it would be nice if I made tea for everyone."
Gregory had sighed, then laughed. "It's all right, Miles. I hope you can see now why I didn't want you to use it. You're too little. Wait until you're older."
"Yes, Father." That had been his problem. He'd wanted to be older. To be grown up. By the time he'd realized his mistake, it had been too late. Miles stood quietly beside the Cohdopian boxes, remembering his father holding a mop, gently picking up the fallen pieces of silver.
Miles put the sugar bowl down with a rueful little smile. He couldn't be too upset over the loss of the old set, especially not when he had been given such an elegant new one. If only Phoenix were here, too. Where had he gone? It didn't make any sense.
It seemed impossible that Phoenix would miss their wedding on purpose, but what if he had? What if, at the last moment, he had decided that he was making a terrible mistake? Running off was an illogical response to such a decision, but people could behave irrationally at times of great stress. He had known Phoenix to do just that. Hadn't Phoenix jumped off a bridge once? Yet he couldn't believe that Phoenix would do something like that to him. Miles trusted him.
Miles looked out the window. "Where are you, Phoenix?" he asked.
Out in the garden, he saw Missile playing with Pess: two dogs who had grown old together. Playing with them were Gumshoe and Maggey, throwing a ball in a way that was almost certainly endangering the decorations that had been put out. Once the dogs started slobbering excitedly over the ball together, seemingly disinterested in having it thrown again, Gumshoe took a step back and put his arm around Maggey's shoulders. She smiled up at him.
Just then, Miles noticed another couple standing in the garden. Phoenix's parents. And there he was, holed up in his room in the most antisocial way. He tapped the lid of the sugar bowl, composed himself, and returned to his party.
Miles hurried through the garden to greet Phoenix's mothers. "Hello Robin, Toby. It's a pleasure to see you again. I'm sorry Phoenix isn't here yet. He had to run an important errand, apparently."
Toby Wright gave him a quick smile as he shook her hand. She had the same sharp, dark hair and bright eyes as her son. It wasn't difficult to tell which woman was Phoenix's biological parent, as Robin Goode bore little resemblance to Phoenix. She was short and dark-skinned, with curly black hair. Robin gave Miles a hug when he tried to take her hand.
"I'm not surprised he's late," said Toby. "He usually is."
Robin was more charitable. "Trucy told us he went somewhere to get you a surprise. I'm sure he'll be back soon. Phoenix tends to get caught up in his adventures."
"That's true," said Miles and Toby with simultaneous wryness. They then shared a look of mutual appreciation.
Ms. Wright was an investment banker, and her wife was a painter. Phoenix was their only child, and they were devoted parents. Robin, as usual, ignored Toby and Miles' more negative outlook and changed the subject with a laugh. "Soon you'll be able to call us Mom, Miles."
"He doesn't have to do that," Toby said, raising an eyebrow.
"I will if you'd like me to," said Miles politely.
"Just Toby will be fine," was Toby's decisive response, and Robin laughed again.
Miles felt a bit better after talking to Phoenix's parents and finding them so calm about their son's absence. More guests continued to arrive, including some stoic von Karmas and Klavier Gavin, who coincidentally showed up at the same time. For some reason, Klavier Gavin insisted on speaking animatedly to the von Karmas in German, much to their dismay. Lana and Ema Skye appeared shortly afterwards, the latter shooting Gavin a dark look before running up to Miles and giving him a hug. "I'm so happy for you and Mr. Wright!" she cried into his cravat.
"Thank you very much, Ema," he answered, a little taken aback by this emotional display. After a brief reunion, he extricated himself gently from Ema's embrace to circulate among the other guests. Gavin, meanwhile, had discovered that Apollo Justice was present and gave up on the unresponsive von Karmas in favor of teasing the very reactive defense attorney.
Miles wasn't sure where Franziska had gone, but he assumed she was the one who had taken charge of crowd control and was directing the guests to the garden. He had also put her in charge of the caterers, as she'd seemed eager for authority. He felt a little sorry for the caterers, but at least they'd be sure to behave themselves.
He stood in the middle of his garden, frowning. Pess trotted up to him and gazed up into his eyes. "Sit," Miles told the dog, and he did. "Yes," Miles said to him thoughtfully. "Something is very wrong."
"And what might that be?" someone asked him, decidedly not the dog.
Miles turned towards the voice and blinked at an unexpected red glow. "Ah, Mr. Armando. Thank you for coming."
Maya and Pearl Fey were standing beside the tall man, one Fey on either side of him. "Hi Miles. Sorry we're late!" said Maya, grinning at him. "The train took forever today, for some reason. They never explain though, no matter how much I ask." She scanned the small crowd of gathered guests eagerly. "Where's Nick?"
"I don't know," said Miles calmly. "He isn't here."
"That's weird," said Maya. "Nick wouldn't be late to your wedding if he could help it."
"Yes, that's true, isn't it?" said Miles slowly. His vision had been so clouded by his own doubts, nerves, and suspicions that he had failed to grasp the simple, logical truth: if it were possible for Phoenix to be there on time, he would have been. Maya, Phoenix's best friend, had seen it at once, as she had not had a similar amount of anxiety to deal with. Probably others were thinking the same thing, but they had been too concerned about his feelings to say anything. He was grateful for Maya's honesty.
Three facts coalesced in Miles' mind:
1. Phoenix had gone out to get him a "surprise".
2. Phoenix was always getting into trouble of some kind.
3. Not even his daughter knew where he was now.
"I'm so glad to see you, but please do excuse me," said Miles to the two Feys and Mr. Armando. "I need to find Trucy."
Fortunately, Trucy was much easier to find than her missing father. He located her at once, standing beneath the vine-covered pergola that shaded one end of the garden, chatting with Apollo and Klavier. "Trucy, can I ask you something?" he said as he strode towards her.
The three young people turned towards him as one. "Sure, Miles," said Trucy, smiling and tipping her hat. For years, she had called him Miles, just as Phoenix did. "What is it?"
"Are you worried about your father?"
"Well--" She bit her lip. "A little, maybe. But he might have just gotten held up. That happens to him a lot!"
"What did he say, as he was leaving?"
"That he was going to get something for you. A present!"
"He didn't happen to mention what this present was?"
"No..." She glanced away as she thought back. "He said it was something special that would be a real surprise."
"I see. That sounds like Phoenix. Was there anything else about him that you noticed before he left?"
"Oh! There was something. He was carrying a jar."
"A jar?" That had to be a significant detail. Phoenix did many odd things, but carrying jars around needlessly was not something Miles had ever known him to do. "What kind of jar?"
"Sort of a--big, old one. It had holes in the lid. Like for fireflies."
A jar. With holes in the lid. Suddenly, he knew. No wonder he'd been thinking of the teacups he'd played with as a child, then had been so taken by the new tea service, remembering that old silver tea set. He didn't believe in intuition, but his subconscious had been trying to tell him something, quietly yet effectively devoting itself to the task of solving the mystery of Phoenix's surprise. Oh, that man.
Apollo and Klavier had been listening to this conversation with apparent interest, and Apollo finally blurted, "Do you think something happened to Mr. Wright?"
"I don't know," said Miles to the young defense attorney, "but I am going to find out." He nodded at Trucy. "Until I return, you're in charge." As she was about to become his daughter, it was only right that she be given the responsibility, though he imagined Franziska would object.
"But where are you going, Miles?" Trucy asked.
"To find your father."
At that moment, Miles heard a crash behind him. He turned in time to see Missile frolicking happily among the wreckage of the overturned buffet table. Detective Gumshoe looked on in horror. "Bad dog," he said helplessly, throwing his hands up in the air.
Miles felt much calmer than he would have expected after witnessing such a scene. He turned his back on it. "To find my husband," he told Trucy.
Only Phoenix would do something so silly and sentimental, thought Miles as he hurried to his car.
"Miles Edgeworth, wait," Franziska's voice lashed out behind him.
"I'm sorry, I have an important errand to run," he said, but she grabbed his arm and pulled him back. He didn't resist. When Franziska wanted something, it was better--and quicker--to give in.
"Here," she said, and from behind her back, she produced a whip.
He frowned at the object in her gloved hand. There was something different about it. "I thought you didn't bring it with you today."
"I did not, as requested, although I did not understand your foolish request. This isn't mine. This is for you."
"For me?"
She nodded, gravely, and pressed it into his hands. "A gift. You will need it."
"I don't--" began Miles, then broke off as he realized that this was the most positive thing she'd ever said about his relationship with Phoenix. He continued, "I don't know how to thank you, Franziska."
"Think nothing of it. I provided what was needed." She bowed.
Miles felt touched by what was, from Franziska, an emotional display. "I will treasure it," he assured her. "But now, I must rescue my fiancé."
"Of course."
He climbed into the car and put the whip in the glove compartment. Later, he would have to find a place to store it where Phoenix wouldn't find it. He waved to Franziska as he started up the car and pulled out into the road. He hoped he was right about where Phoenix had gone, but where else would Phoenix go, with such a goal in mind?
Such a ridiculous goal.
Before he and Phoenix had, as children, had their play anniversary, they had had a play wedding. As a boy, Miles would not have agreed to celebrate an anniversary before getting married. It would not have made sense to him.
That said, as weddings went, theirs had been an impromptu affair. They'd taken a toy picnic set, the toy tea set, and some sandwiches to the park. Miles' father had driven them there, but Gregory had seated himself on a bench with a book, remaining close enough to see them, but not close enough to hear what they were saying.
"What should we play?" Phoenix had asked as Miles had arranged the teacups in a careful circle.
"We could play samurai and servant."
"No," Phoenix had said slowly, "we played that yesterday. Why don't we play house?"
"House?" Miles had asked him, skeptical.
"Yes, we can pretend we have a house together." Phoenix had begun to point to random spots on the ground. "That can be the kitchen, and that can be the living room, and that's the bedroom."
"But if we have a house, does that mean we're married?"
Phoenix had blinked. "Men can get married?"
Miles had stared at him, incredulous. "Phoenix, if your mothers got married, why couldn't two men get married?"
"I--I don't know. I thought men didn't like to get married."
"Of course they do. So if you want us to live together, you have to marry me first," he'd informed Phoenix, quite seriously.
"Okay!" Phoenix had, surprisingly, jumped to his feet. "I'll be right back! I have to do something first." He'd run off--not out of sight, but to the other end of the wide clearing where they were playing. Miles had gazed after his friend, puzzled, as Phoenix knelt in the grass and appeared to be doing something. As his back had been to Miles, Miles hadn't been able to see what he was doing, which had frustrated him.
Fortunately, Phoenix's secret project hadn't taken him long, and he'd returned, running again, then dropping to his knees before Miles. "Will you marry me?" Miles had looked down at Phoenix's hand. He had been holding a ring made of grass.
The ring had been very simply knotted together, but it had served its purpose, and it had kept its shape as Miles slid it on his finger and said, "I will."
Then they had launched into preparations and wedding games. Although neither of them had ever been to a wedding, they had both seen some on television. They'd known that you had to have wine at a wedding, so they'd taken the play tea set to the stream that ran past the clearing. They'd started to fill the cups and teapot with water.
"Miles, Miles, look!" Phoenix had shouted, excitedly holding up a teacup.
"Phoenix, you're sloshing water everywhere," Miles had said in a tone of mild disapproval, but he had hurried over, curious about what had made Phoenix so excited. "There's a tadpole in it," Phoenix had explained, holding out the cup. "Isn't that cool?"
Miles had thought it was cool, but he was wary. "I never heard of anyone having tadpoles at a wedding."
"But this is our wedding, so we can have tadpoles if we want, right?" Phoenix had asked. "It'll be the coolest wedding ever."
This logic had been enough to convince Miles. "Okay. Let's catch some more!"
So their most important wedding preparation had been catching as many tadpoles as possible. When Gregory had finally come over to tell them it was time to go home, they had still been catching them, laughing and splashing in the water.
He'd begged his father to let him take some of the tadpoles home, and Gregory had relented. He'd bought a cup with a lid from a vendor in the park, and Miles and Phoenix had taken turns excitedly holding the cup throughout the ride home.
Miles had hoped to watch the tadpoles grow into frogs, but he hadn't had the time. Life had interfered. That had been a long time ago. Phoenix must have remembered it. He wasn't surprised. Phoenix seemed to remember everything from that time, as if the events of that single year of their childhood had been a book that he had read a thousand times over the years, committing each week's chapter to memory.
It all added up:
1. Phoenix was looking for tadpoles.
2. The creeks and ponds around Gourd Lake would have tadpoles.
3. Of all possible places one might be sure to catch tadpoles in the area, Phoenix was most familiar with Gourd Lake.
The stream in People Park was another possibility, but it was more polluted and less isolated, and Phoenix would not have needed to tell him he might be later than expected if he were going somewhere so close to his home. To be sure, Miles drove by People Park and scanned the area, but everything was calm there, and there was no sign of Phoenix.
No, things couldn't be that easy. He had to drive all the way to Gourd Lake on the day that was supposed to be his wedding day, and then he had to explore the woods dressed in his wedding suit. Why, he asked himself far too belatedly, had he rushed off impetuously without asking for help? He would have been able to find Phoenix much more quickly if he'd brought a search party with him. Phoenix had a maddening way of making him do impetuous things.
The joggers and hikers and bikers that passed him gave him strange looks, but Miles coldly ignored them as he peered through the trees, looking for likely tadpole hunting spots.
He considered calling Gumshoe and asking him to bring Missile--in spite of the fact that he was intensely irritated with both man and dog and would have some very stern things to say to the detective in the near future. However, as he was about to do so, he caught sight of a likely stream, and he held off. He had taken all the least prominent paths, guessing that Phoenix would do the same while seeking a quiet spot to hunt tadpoles. If that was indeed what he had done, this particular stream would have been the first he had come across after entering the park.
From the path, he looked both down and upstream. Judging upstream the easier route, he deduced that Phoenix would have wanted to walk along a bank with the water in easy reach, so would probably have gone that way. Pushing branches aside with one arm, Miles left the path for the forest proper.
His logic had not let him down. He soon caught sight of a familiar shade of blue. The hat. Attached to it was that man's foolish head. He was lying on the ground among the trees, which was worrisome. Miles hurried towards him, heedless of the branches pulling at his sleeves.
Phoenix's eyes were closed; he was clearly unconscious. Kneeling beside him, careful not to move him, Miles checked his pulse. To his relief, it felt strong and sure. Miles moved to check his pupils next.
As Miles' fingers touched his face, Phoenix stirred. "Hey," he said softly, his eyes opening. "Miles?"
"Yes, it's me."
"What are you doing here?" Phoenix moved as if to sit up, but Miles put a hand on his chest and gently kept him down. "I'm still in the woods, aren't I?"
"Yes, Phoenix, but I found you."
"So you did. How did you manage that?"
"It wasn't too difficult," Miles said airily, "since I know you so well."
"Yeah, I guess you do." Phoenix smiled up at him weakly. "I hope I didn't miss the whole wedding."
"No, it's still relatively early. Though I think we should take you to the hospital first, since you were unconscious."
"Yes," said Phoenix calmly. "And also, since I broke my leg."
"You--" Miles sighed. "You broke your leg?"
"I'm pretty sure. Unfortunately. You see, I was trying to--"
"Catch tadpoles. I know."
"You do?" Phoenix's smile brightened.
"That's how I was able to find you."
"I had the jar when I fell--I think it's--" Phoenix sat up partway before Miles could stop him. He pointed. "Look, there it is. I dropped it, but it didn't break."
Miles saw it, lying there among the leaves. "What happened, Phoenix?"
"I broke my leg while catching tadpoles." He laughed. "It's funny when I say it out loud like that, isn't it?"
"It's not funny."
"Not even a little?" Phoenix asked.
"No."
"Okay, gotcha." He went on. "I realized my leg was probably broken, but I figured I should try to get back to the path so I could find someone who could call for help. I thought that if I hopped very carefully--"
"You hopped. With a broken leg."
"Yes, but I didn't hop on the broken one," said Phoenix in his defense. "Though I did fall. And I hit my head, apparently."
"I do hope that knocked some sense into you. What were you doing out here in the woods without your phone?"
"Since I was going to be walking through the woods and wading in the water, I decided to the phone at home, so it wouldn't get lost or broken."
"Instead, you're the one who ended up lost and broken."
"It sounds so dire when you put it like that, Miles."
Miles reached out to pick up the fallen jar. It hadn't been so much as cracked, and only some of the water had leaked out through the holes in the lid It was half full, and several fat, dark tadpoles were swimming in it. "I hope they were worth it," he said, handing the jar to Phoenix.
"They were," said Phoenix, as he took it.
Miles noticed that Phoenix had shaved. He'd been far too preoccupied with worry to see that at first. Miles kissed his cheek. "Why are you so foolish?"
"I think you make me foolish."
"Is that so?" asked Miles, dubiously.
"More foolish, then. I'm foolish over you."
"In that case, it's good we're getting married," said Miles.
"And why is that?"
"I'll look after you and make sure you don't do anything too foolish." He kissed Phoenix again. "So you did shave, after all."
"I did. What do you think?"
It saddened Miles to admit it, but he was dedicated to the truth. "I think I might prefer the stubble."
"I knew it! I always said--"
"Yes, Phoenix, I know what you always say," said Miles. "Now lie down and be still while I call for an ambulance."
"Can I have more kisses first?"
"You can have more kisses when I'm done calling," Miles informed him.
The call was easily made, but to Miles' surprise, no sooner had he hung up than the phone immediately rang. "Yes?" Miles asked, so flustered that he answered without checking the caller ID.
"Hey, Edgey, it's Larry!"
"Larry?!" That was the last person he wanted to hear from, although Phoenix had insisted on inviting him to the wedding.
"Yeah, I was just calling to ask you--What day was the wedding again?"
"It's today," Miles said tersely.
"Today? But I'm all the way over in--"
Miles hung up on him.
Then he kept his promise to Phoenix and kissed him. Perhaps he shouldn't have been kissing a man who had so recently fallen and hit his head, but Phoenix seemed very lucid, and they were simple kisses. If there was any danger of him passing out again, the kisses would keep him conscious, wouldn't they? It was the logical thing to do, and Phoenix tasted nice, even at his most ridiculous.
"Are you sure about this, Miles?" Phoenix asked.
"I am always absolutely certain of my decisions, once made." Miles had waited long enough to get married. He would not be waiting any longer.
"Then let's do it."
They couldn't exactly have a proper wedding in Phoenix's room at the clinic, but a few people at a time could come in. Phoenix sat propped up in his hospital bed. Miles, holding Phoenix's hand, was seated on one side of the bed, while Phoenix's mothers stood on the other, both of them proud and beautiful.
Maya officiated the wedding, as Trucy, Pearl, and Franziska looked on. Diego, Adrian, Gumshoe, Maggey, and quite a few other friends watched and listened from the hallway, some of them more patient than others. There were also members of hospital staff present, their attitudes ranging from indulgent to exasperated. They didn't seem to know quite how to handle the situation, not to mention the sudden flood of visitors. Miles suspected they had been too confused, at first, to prevent the wedding from taking place.
"I now pronounce you husband and husband!" Maya exclaimed, following a brief but unique ceremony which Miles half-suspected had been improvised, in spite of the fact that they had asked Maya to officiate months ago.
This makeshift affair certainly wasn't how Miles had imagined his wedding, but their friends were present, and everyone seemed happy. That was enough for him.
In the jar on Phoenix's lap, the tadpoles swam. "You may kiss the husband," said Maya gravely, and Miles, squeezing Phoenix's hand, leaned over and did as she instructed.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2010-07-16 06:38 am (UTC)And I feel so sad about Colias eternal crush on Edgey ; ^;
Also, ACE ATTORNEY BABIES, WE MAKE OUR DREAMS COME TRUE *sings*
And yes, stuble Phoenix is HAWT
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Date: 2010-07-16 08:10 am (UTC)Aw, don't worry, Colias is blissfully happy just giving Miles presents! To express his schoolboy crush in its purest form. Probably he has a spouse in Cohdopia.
I confess, I do love stubble Phoenix, too. He's my favorite.
And yes, they made their dreams COME TRUE. <3
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Date: 2010-07-16 06:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-16 06:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-16 01:46 pm (UTC)All the easter eggs were so wonderful, there were too many characters turning up to point out them all. But I really like the idea of Kay becoming a prosecutor later on, and Larry's random phonecall made me smile. He's the king of bad timing. 8D Not to mention Klavier talking animately in German to German people who don't want to talk to him is awesome. :D
The childhood flashbacks are so adorable, good to see Miles was a sensible boy from the start. XD Not quite as sensible is our hobo, Phoenix. I'm not sure if I was supposed to laugh at the bit about him hopping on one leg but, um, I did.
Also, Phoenix's mothers were lovely! Given this serie's pun nature, was Toby Wright based on "To be right" and Robin Goode on "Rob him good" or am I just overthinking things?
Regardless, the whole story was awesome. ^^
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Date: 2010-07-16 07:04 pm (UTC)I tried my best to include some cute character moments, and I'm really happy you liked them. It's true, Larry has terrible timing--I wanted to have him show up somehow, since he was their childhood friend, but then I thought it would be so Larry of him to just forget the day.
Also, I really liked the idea of Kay becoming a prosecutor, too, just like her dad. I think she'd make a great prosecutor.
Oh yes, Toby Wright is based on "to be right", but I picked Robin Goode because it sounds like "Robin Hood", and also so their names together would be "Right and Good". Ha ha, it's fun to try thinking of pun names.
Yes, it's okay that you laughed, because I meant for the hopping part to be funny, if painful. Poor Phoenix. He'll be fine, though. ;D
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Date: 2010-07-19 02:22 pm (UTC)Darn, don't know how I missed the Robin Hood one, sorry about that! But they do sound like a good pair together.
Hobonix is made of stronger stuff, it takes a lot to hurt him. XD
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Date: 2010-07-20 05:51 pm (UTC)I did like the idea of Kay following in her father's footsteps (and probably doing some truth-stealing on the side).
Aw, that's okay--I can see the logic behind your pun, too. I thought someone needed to have their parents show up at the wedding, and it couldn't be Miles, obviously.
It's true, Hobo Phoenix can take a lot of damage! :D
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Date: 2010-07-16 05:09 pm (UTC)TEACUPS. ♥
Haha, I don't have enough hearts for this, really. There are too many apiece for Miles, for Phoenix, for Two Moms, for That Man, for social butterflies and those annoyed by them, for crates of presents from the Minister of Culture, for Samurai & Servant, for mysterious gifts from mysterious men, for dogs who really wanted to come, for finding your father and you may kiss the husband, for sisters and fathers, for Larry?!, for liking the stubble, for Logic, and most of all for kisses and tadpoles. For everything perfect! ♥
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Date: 2010-07-16 08:32 pm (UTC)Aw, I'm so glad you liked the story and all the little character details I threw in. ♥
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, baby. You're the nicest!
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Date: 2010-07-16 07:10 pm (UTC)YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY
Just can't get over this fuckin story, oh man. All the little additions you've made are fantastic. And that man. THAT MAN <3 Miles will be needing the whip hahaha
A nice day for a Wright wedding, indeed! <3
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Date: 2010-07-16 08:35 pm (UTC)Thank you so much, man! I'm so glad you like the story and the little character additions. I had lots of fun with it.
It is the nicest of days for a Wright wedding--a nice day to start again! So to speak.
Yes, in Franziska's opinion, Miles should use that whip as much as possible! Phoenix is a very disobedient man. (Oh, that man.)
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Date: 2010-07-17 11:14 pm (UTC)Thank you for the fic, it was a very lovely read!!
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Date: 2010-07-19 02:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-18 12:55 am (UTC)Thank you thank you thank you.
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Date: 2010-07-19 02:13 am (UTC)Those two are lots of fun to write about either together or separately. Aw, it's true, Phoenix tries his best for his man.
I confess, I do have a weakness for weddings that don't work out as planned!
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Date: 2010-07-18 05:52 am (UTC)That line made me laugh so hard.
This fic is adorable, I loved the way you wrote Edgeworth, Trucy, Kay-- everyone. And I'm not just saying that. Loved all the cameos.
..I was going to write more but then I realized that my comments were repeating; "I love this, I loved that."
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Date: 2010-07-19 02:23 am (UTC)I really appreciate the nice comment.
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Date: 2010-07-19 01:25 pm (UTC)Thanks for sharing, though. Great job. 8D
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Date: 2010-08-15 08:13 pm (UTC)Haha, yes, I have a weakness for Palaeno, and I don't think he'd ever get over his love of sending Edgeworth gifts.
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Date: 2011-08-08 06:12 pm (UTC)♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
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Date: 2011-08-10 07:24 pm (UTC)I very much appreciate all the love, and I'm so glad you've been enjoying the fics.
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Date: 2011-12-12 09:40 am (UTC)I guess I should have finished Apollo Justice and played Ace Attorney Invesigations before reading this, but it was definitely worth it. All that cuteness and sweetness is ♥ indeed. :3 I suppose I'll reread it after I've finished the games so I can enjoy the story some more.