A/N: AH! After ten thousand years I'm free! It's time to post a new chapter! No, but seriously, it feels like an eternity since I last left you guys a new chapter. Lately, I feel llike I really put the 'pro' in procrastination! But hey, who can blame me, having just picked up SO many great games? I'm really gonna try to crack down and get some work done on this story so I can get it finished by valentine's day. I do sorta hat ethat I'll be finishing this one before Ace Mommy, which takes place before this story, but I was truly hoping when I started on this story that it would just be updated through December, so at this point I just wanna put my holiday story to rest as quick as I can. Hopefully my cracking down won't mess with the quality of the coming chapters.

Quick shoutouts to the reviewers from last chapter:

Skillet28561: Well, I really wasn't trying to hide what they got for each other. Truth be told, I don't think I could withhold the information even if I wanted to. I'm terrible at keeping secrets!

JordanPhoenix: How can anyone hate the Greek God couple? I love that he gave her a nickname too, it makes shipping the two of them so easy! Ugh, Junie is such a bland character, I wouldn't wish a relationship with her on my worst enemy! I also have a blast writing the Skye sisters. Since we only saw a brief glimpse of Lana's true self in-game, it really leaves alot of room for a writer to work with.

thepudz: Thanks so much for the glowing review! Me work at Capcom? Pffft, nah. I'm pretty sure to work there you have to sell your soul to M. Bison, and I'm just not ready for that. I'm really glad that you think I pull of those two pairings well. They're two of my favorite ships as well, and I really wanted to, no pun intended, do them justice.

Now, let's move things right along and get on with chapter 10!

December 24
7:14 AM
Wright Residence

Maya pulled herself awake and began stretching. She glanced next to her to see Phoenix fast asleep, his face buried in the pillow, but not a spike out of place. Geez, Nick, I'll never understand how the hell your hair works.

Yawning, she suddenly became aware of how dry her throat was. She decided to head downstairs and get a glass of water. Climbing out of bed, she put on her slippers and headed down to the kitchen. However, when she got there, she was rather surprised by what she saw.

Despite the early hour, Emma was wide awake and hard at work making breakfast. "Mrs. Wright?" Maya called out to get the woman's attention.

"Hm?" Emma spun around to face the woman. "Oh, Maya! Good morning! You're up early. And I told you to call me Emma, dear."

Maya giggled. "Right, sorry. Also, I'M up early? How long have you been down here?" Maya asked as he headed for the cupboard for a glass.

"Oh, I've been down here for nearly an hour, I'd say. What brings you down so early?"

Maya turned on the sink and filled her glass. "I just needed some water. But, since you're down here busy, maybe I could give you a hand with breakfast."

"Oh no, I won't hear of it, dear!" Emma said as she slid a few strips of bacon onto a plate.

Maya gulped down her water before speaking again. "Please, I insist. I won't be getting back to sleep anyway with Nick snoring away up there. Besides, it'd be a great chance for us to have some girl talk."

Emma let out a chuckle. "Oh, alright dear. If you would, please start on the pancakes. Everything is in that cupboard." The woman said, pointing at the cupboard nearest the fridge.

Maya beamed and headed over to gather the ingredients. "So, did Nick ever tell you about the time we went to London?"

Phoenix awoke nearly an hour later and leaned up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Man, give mom some credit. She treats her guests well with a mattress this comfy. He then glanced at the spot where Maya had slept next to him, only to find that she was absent. I have a bad feeling about this.

The man quickly put on rushed downstairs and to the kitchen and was greeted with the sight of his mother and girlfriend, sitting at the table laughing, a mug of a coffee in hand.

"Hahaha! Really? He used his shoe as evidence?" Emma asked, laughing all the while.

"And that's not the half of it! They couldn't give it back, since it was evidence, so he had to go buy a new pair of shoes right after the trial!" Maya explained. Both women burst into a fit of laughter before noticing Phoenix standing in the doorway. "Oh, hey Nick! We were just talking about you!"

"Uh, yeah, so I noticed. Nothing bad, I hope." Phoenix said, walking over to the coffee pot.

"Oh, please, Nick. What could I possibly have bad to say about you? Well, y'know maybe about how you snore or-"

"Ok, I get it Maya!" Phoenix cried, gathering a stack of pancakes onto his plate. "I'm glad to see you two getting along, either way."

Maya pulled her mug of coffee from her mouth. "Of course we are! Nick, how come you never told me how awesome your mom was? I swear, if I swung that way, I'd marry this woman!"

Emma chuckled beside her. "Oh, Maya dear, you're such a kidder!"

Phoenix chuckled softly to himself. Well, I suppose it's good that the idea of marrying a Wright has crossed your mind.

The three continued to chat as they enjoyed their breakfast, Emma badgering her son as to why he'd never told her about meeting the famous puzzle solving professor. Or even mentioning his trip to London at all.

"Hey, to be fair, would you really have believed me if I told you I spent my time in Europe participating in witch trials?"

Everyone got a hearty laugh out of this, but abruptly stopped when they turned to look at the doorway, noting Hugh entering the kitchen. The older man looked over the three with a blank expression before a wide grin spread across his face. "Witch trials? Now I've heard everything!" He cried as he made his way over to the coffee pot.

Phoenix turned his attention back to his breakfast, still unsure of how to speak around his father, afraid any comment about the legal system, even the legal system of a hypnotized town that believed in magic, would set him off.

Setting his mug and plate down on the table, Hugh spoke again. "Where're Trucy and Pearls?" He said, Phoenix noting that he'd adopted the same nickname for Pearl as himself.

"Oh," Maya said, "They're probably still asleep. Pearly's a surprisingly heavy sleeper and I've found that Truce is anything BUT a morning person."

"Ah, well that just won't do. It's Christmas Eve!" Hugh said, standing from his chair and walking over to the sink and filling two glasses of water. "I'm gonna go give those two a surprise awakening." With that, he headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the guest room.

Phoenix's eyes grew wide as his dad said this. I may not be on the best terms with the guy, but I don't wanna see him die! Phoenix stood from his chair, Maya following suit. "Dad!" he cried out just as Maya cried "Mr. Wright!"

December 24
9:23 AM
Apollo Justice's Apartment

Apollo was rudely awoken as a loud noise began blasting in his room

"AH!" He cried, bolting upright as his ears rung. He covered them and began to search out the source of the sound. His gaze eventually fell on a the culprit; an air horn that had had duct tape wrapped around it, holding the top down so that it would not stop blaring He quickly snatched up the object and undid the tape job, silencing the object. I have a sinking feeling I know who's behind this. He stood from his bed and made his way over to his bedroom door, opening it quickly.

He was not surprised in the slightest by what he found.

Athena stood in front of him, a wide grin plastered across her face. "Morning Apollo. Sleep well?"

Apollo gave her a look of annoyance. "Oh yeah, up until someone tossed a grenade into my room. Aren't I usually the one who has to wake you up?"

"Hey, it's Christmas Eve, why wouldn't I be up early?"

Before Apollo could reply, a knock was heard as his front door. He glared at Athena. "That's probably the neighbor here to tell me to keep quiet after your little stunt."

Athena merely stuck her tongue out at the man. "Well go talk to them and then come get some breakfast." With that, the girl retreated to the kitchen.

Apollo sighed and made his way to the front door. I can't even trust her with the spare key, and I'm about to ask her to move in with me? I must be out of my mind. He made it to the door and pulled it open quickly. "Hey, I'm sorry if- Ah!" The man cried as he suddenly felt himself being pelted with what felt like a thousand tiny pellets.

"Keep it down, ya whippersnapper! Some of us are trying to sleep!" Cried a voice.

Apollo shifted his gaze slightly downward and found himself looking at Victor Kudo, his next door neighbor, who was currently tossing handfuls of bird seeds at him. Ever since the Peppa Cinni's trial, it seems like I see this guy way more often. And every time, I get a face full of seeds. Kudo finally halted his onslaught and was glaring at Apollo. Apollo finally spoke up. "Uh, sorry about that Mr. Kudo. My girlfriend let herself in and gave me a bit of a rude awakening."

"Kah!" Kudo cried, rubbing his large nose. "Like I care! You young'uns just keep it down, ya hear me!" He cried before flinging one last handful of seeds at the attorney and storming off.

Apollo shut the door and let out a sigh. That girl is more trouble than she's worth. He thought as he made his way to the kitchen. As he stepped into the room, Athena immediately placed a hand on his shoulder and placed a kiss on his cheek as she handed him a cup of coffee. "Sorry I got you yelled at." She said.

Apollo glanced at the girl for a moment, then looked at the cup of coffee in his hand before he smiled and took a sip of the hot liquid. She's a pain in the butt. But she's my pain in the butt.

December 24
9:47 AM
Wright Residence

Emma reentered the living room, a bag of ice in hand, and handed it to her husband, who placed it on his slightly swollen eye as he sat in his recliner. "Thanks, sweetie." He said.

"Grandpa, I'm sorry I hit you. I just didn't expect to be woken up like that." Trucy said, her hand to her chest and her gaze cast downward.

Hugh simply laughed at this. "Don't fret over it, Truce. Can't help but feel a little pride, honestly. That's a mean right hook you got!"

This made Trucy smile softly. "Grandpa, you're so silly."

Hugh then turned his attention to Pearl. "And that was quite the kick from you, Pearls. Gonna feel that for a while."

Pearl kept her gaze on the floor. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Hugh. I hope you'll be alright."

Hugh let out a hearty laugh. "Don't you worry your pretty little head. I've survived worse than a kick to the chest."

Hugh and the girl continued to talk and laugh as Phoenix and Maya observed from across the room.

"I think I'm starting to see where you get your apparent invincibility, Nick. Not a lot of people can stay conscious after a kick from Pearly." Maya said.

"I can imagine. That girl can slap with the best of them. I'd hate to be on the receiving end of one of her kicks. Where'd she pick up skills like that?"

Maya laughed. "Where do you think? On the streets of Neo Olde Tokyo!"

Phoenix rolled his eyes and looked back towards his father, who laughing heartily as he ruffled the girls' hair, both teenagers smiling ear to ear, a rare sight from the both of them at this early hour. Phoenix smiled to himself as he watched this. I may not know what caused his change of heart toward me, but I can't stay mad at him if he can laugh with my little girl after she gave him a black eye.

"Yo, earth to Nick!" Maya cried, waving her hand in front of his face, snapping Phoenix back to reality.

"Huh? Oh, sorry Maya. Kinda spaced out for a second. What were you saying?"

Maya puffed out her cheeks and glared at her boyfriend. "Are you starting to lose your hearing too, old man? I was trying to tell you that your mom asked me to go into town with her later and buy a few last minute things for Christmas dinner."

"Oh? Is that all?" Phoenix asked.

"No, that's not all! We're also going to take Truce and Pearly with us."

Phoenix finally began to understand the meaning of her words and his eyes shifted back over to his father.

"I see you're getting it now. We're leaving the two of you here alone, and you're gonna sort things out with your father!"