21. Never Again
"You have no reason to get upset about this," Phoenix paced as he spoke into the phone—perhaps louder than necessary.
"Don't you think it's as much my decision as it is yours?"
Phoenix shook his head—and then remembered he was on the phone, "No. I don't see why you think you get a say in this."
"Phoenix..."
"Okay—I get what you're saying," Phoenix slapped his forehead with the realization, "But I couldn't just leaver her there! She just lost her dad and I mean—I tried to find other—"
"She's a little girl, not a puppy!"
"I know! I—"
"It's not just about you—we're not ready for this."
Phoenix inhaled deeply, struck by the grave ring of truth in Miles' voice, "Okay, I'm sorry. But I can't just take her back—I'm committed now. Plus, what do you think it will do to her if I told her, 'Sorry, I changed my mind. Let's take you back to the orphanage.' I can't do that."
"I know," Miles' voice faded slightly and he was quiet for several moments, "Just... Just promise me you wont make any more drastic decisions without consulting me first."
"Yeah, Miles."
"Promise me."
"I promise."
"Never again!"
"Come on, I said I promise."
A/N: If it wasn't obvious in earlier chapters, these two ARE a thing. (Hey, I did warn you guys!)