A/N: In this chapter, I finally get to write a character I've only had the chance to write in my drabbles. And BOY am I gonna have some fun with it! Glad to see I have alot of the usual suspects following this story. You guys are all awesome!

Quick shoutout for the review last chapter:

Skillet28561: Well, they ARE German. And if we've learned anything from this series, it's that most Germans are pretty much horrible people. Franzy and Klavier notwithstanding.

Disclaimer: I know that not all German folks are horrible. In this context, I'm only talking about the German people in the AA universe. Germany is a beautiful country with an awesome history that I would in fact love to visit someday

December 19
4:54 PM
Wright Anything Agency

"Alright, almost closing time!" Athena cried as she began to gather her things. She looked at Apollo, who was just saving a document onto his laptop. "We're still going Christmas shopping, right Apollo?"

"Of course. Just relax for a minute, Tiger. We still got a few minutes."

"Well excuse me for being ready to leave after such a slow day." The girl said. She continued to stare at the clock, looking like she would be running a marathon the second it struck 5 o'clock.

Apollo sighed and looked at his boss. He couldn't help but take notice of the man's silence over the last few hours. He decided to talk to him. "Mr. Wri-"

"CLOSING TIME!" Athena suddenly cried. She grabbed Apollo by the arm and, before he had any idea what was going on, Athena had rushed the two of them out the door.

Phoenix watched as this played out. Normally, the look on Apollo's face would've earned a chuckle from him. But instead, all he could do was sigh.

Maya finally entered the room. "Oh, guess it's closing time, huh? Hey, where's Trucy? Shouldn't she be home from school by now?"

"Huh? Oh, she went Christmas shopping with her friend Jinxie, I think."

Maya put her hands on her hips and walked up to Phoenix's desk. "Alright, what's wrong?"

"Huh? What do you mean? Nothing's wrong."

"Nick, I've known you for years. I don't need Apollo's eyesight or Athena's hearing to know that you're lying. Now spill. What's going on?"

Defeated, Phoenix sighed and brought up the e-mail on his computer. "Take a look at this." He said.

Maya walked around the desk to view the monitor. Her jaw dropped. "Your DAD e-mailed you? You HAVE a dad?"

Phoenix was slightly taken aback. "Of course I have a dad, Maya. And a mother too, if you're about to ask."

"Well, sorry, I'm just surprised. You never talk about your family. I assumed we were in the same boat as far as parents go."

Oh yeah, Phoenix thought. I sometimes forget Maya doesn't really have any family beyond Pearls.

"But, that aside," Maya continued. "This is awesome! I finally get to meet your parents!"

"Huh? Maya, are you crazy!? I don't wanna go see them!"

Maya flinched at this. "What the hell, Nick? Your parents invite us over for Christmas and you don't even wanna go?"

"Maya, look. My relationship with my parents is… Rough, to say the least."

Maya was confused now. "How so?"

Phoenix sighed and looked at the clock. His eyes then went wide. "Crap! I'm gonna be late!" He cried, rushing to the coat rack and throwing on his winter coat and scarf.

"Late? Late for what? And don't change the subject, Nick!"

Phoenix tightened his scarf. "Look, I'll tell you about it later, Maya. Right now, I have plans."

"Well, let me get my coat and I'll join you."

"No!" Phoenix cried.

Maya nearly jumped out of her skin at Phoenix's sudden outburst.

"S-sorry. Look, I'm meeting someone alone, alright?"

Maya gave him a quizzical look. "Nick, you're worrying me. What's going on?"

Phoenix paused as he reached for the doorknob. "I… I really can't tell you, Maya."

"Why not!?"

"I just can't. Look, it's nothing you have to worry about. Why don't you see if you can catch up with Apollo and Athena? Join them Christmas shopping."

"Nick…"

Phoenix sighed and reached into his pocket to pull something out. He grabbed Maya's hand and placed the object in it.

Maya opened her hand and looked down. It was her Magatama.

Phoenix cleared his throat. "Maya, you have nothing to worry about with this meeting I'm going to."

Maya stared at Phoenix for a moment before releasing a breath. "Alright, I trust you. I know you wouldn't keep this secret from me if it wasn't important." She handed the Magatama back to Phoenix. "But this conversation about your parents is far from over."

"I understand. Now I really have to go." He leaned forward and kissed the girl before rushing out the door.

December 19
5:34 PM
West Pavilion Mall

Athena and Apollo wandered through the crowded shopping mall.

"Alright, Apollo. Who do we still have to buy for?" Athena asked.

"Well, I don't know about you, but most of my list is checked off."

"Really? Well let's run down what you got everyone."

Apollo chuckled. "Alright, sure. Shoot me a few names."

"Mr. Wright."

"A new pocket watch."

"Maya."

"Steel Samurai video game."

"Pearl."

"A book on spirit channeling through the years."

"Prosecutor Gavin."

"A custom guitar pick."

"Athena."

"A gold star for trying."

Athena groaned. "Damn, your good, Apollo. I'll find out what you got me soon enough!"

Apollo chuckled at the girl. When you do, let me know so I can get it!

"Well, whaddya say we go to the food court and grab a bite?" Athena asked.

In response, Apollo's stomach growled and the girl laughed at him.

"Did you skip lunch again, Apollo?"

Apollo scratched the back of his head. "Yeah. Just wasn't feeling Eldoon's today."

Athena giggled and grabbed her boyfriend's hand "C'mon, my treat."

The two headed towards the center of the mall, where the food court was located and got in line to get some pizza. Once seated, Athena took a bite of her slice and sighed. "It's not the same."

Apollo gave her a strange look. "Are you seriously still not over the whole Peppa Cinni's thing?"

"I'm sorry, ok. That was the best pizza I ever had. It hurts knowing it was illegal so I can never have it again."

"I'm indifferent. The food was good when Broski was there, but once it put my dog's life in danger, I couldn't care less about the food."

"Well, can't argue with you there." Athena said, absent-mindedly sipping on her soda. She took a quick glance over Apollo's shoulder. "Huh? Hey, isn't that Maya over there?"

Apollo turned around and sure enough, there sat the Kurain Master at another table, attacking the first of what seemed to be many cheeseburgers.

"Hey, it is. Wonder what she's doing here."

"Well, let's go find out!" Athena said, standing from the table and rushing over to Maya. Apollo simply sighed and followed behind her.

"Maya! HEY!"

Maya looked up from her food to see Athena rushing toward her, Apollo following further behind. "Oh, Apollo, Athena!"

Athena reached the table. "What are you doing here?"

"I was actually looking for you guys."

Apollo finally caught up. "Yeah, you sure look like you've been looking hard." He said, pointing at the burger in her hand. At some point after they'd first noticed her, she'd moved onto her second burger.

"Well, you're here, aren't you?"

Athena turned and grinned at her boyfriend. "She's gotcha there." She then turned back to Maya. "What were you looking for us for?"

"Well, Nick ran off as soon as you guys left, so I thought I'd join you Christmas shopping. If it's alright, of course."

Apollo's interest was piqued. "Mr. Wright left? Why didn't you go with him?"

Maya sighed before biting into her third burger. "He told me I couldn't go. Said he was meeting someone alone."

Athena raised an eyebrow. "That seems… odd. I wonder what he's up to."

December 19
5:43 PM
Tres Bien

Phoenix glanced at his watch. Damn it. I'm not getting out of this unscathed. He burst through the door of the restaurant. Looking around, the person he'd come to see didn't appear to have arrived yet. Did… Did I actually make it here befo- "Yeoooooowch!"

Before he could finish his thought, he was met with a familiar stinging sensation to his forehead. Wincing in pain, he turned in the direction the pain came from and was not surprised at all by who he saw.

"You certainly know how to keep a lady waiting, Mr. Phoenix Wright." Said Franziska Edgeworth from her seat at the nearby table.

Phoenix sighed as he rubbed his forehead and took a seat at the table. "It's good to see you too, Franziska."

"Hmph." Franziska re-attached her whip to the holster at her waist. Over the years, Franziska had aged very well. Her platinum hair was now longer, reaching her shoulders. Much like her husband, she had taken to wearing spectacles. Whether they were for actual use or simply for looks was anyone's guess. If asked, Phoenix was certain she would claim her eyesight was perfect.

Franziska leaned over the table and waved her finger about, much as she always does. "It has been quite some time, Phoenix Wright. I was rather surprised by your invitation."

"Well, I was just as surprised that you accepted." Phoenix said, taking up a menu.

"You are my husband's best friend, Phoenix Wright. I must make some attempt to get along with you, yes?"

Phoenix chuckled. "Yeah, you've got a point."

"That being said…" Franziska looked Phoenix dead in the eyes. "To what do I owe this invitation?"

"Right to the chase, huh?" Phoenix said, laying down his menu.

"I am no fool, Phoenix Wright. There must be some reason as to why you would wish to meet with me alone."

"What, rekindling an old friendship isn't reason enough?" Phoenix joked.

Franziska quickly began to reach for her whip.

"Ah! Ok, ok, I'll tell you, just put the whip away!"

A devilish smile played on Franziska's lips. "It would seem you are learning, Phoenix Wright. Now out with it!"

Phoenix took a deep breath and looked the German woman in the eye. "By now, you probably know that Maya and I are together, right?"

"Yes, Miles has indeed informed me of your relationship with Miss Fey."

"Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about…" Phoenix paused for a brief second before speaking again. "I want you to help me pick out an engagement ring for Maya."