Author's Note: So, I've done some re-organizing. This will be the last chapter of the first part of this story. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT the last chapter of this fic! Since I'm organizing this into a sort of trilogy, I'll be starting the second part of this story in a couple of days, and you'll be able to find it right here, using the same link you've always used! I'm going to take a couple of days to get caught up on work (I'm still behind from when I got sick, unfortunately), and then I'll begin Part Two. Please consider bookmarking or favoriting the story, so that you can see when the next update comes in! No pressure, of course. Thanks so much for reading in the first place. 😊
Epilogue: Nothing But Time
October 28, 2029
Phoenix Wright's Apartment
Forty-eight hours had been an optimistic estimate. The doctors kept Edgeworth in the hospital for four more days, closely monitoring his condition and introducing a new medication that was meant to decrease clotting. Phoenix and Maya sat in on several meetings with those same doctors, listening carefully to instructions and taking notes about the various parts of the treatment plan.
Edgeworth, mortified by their presence, insisted multiple times that they bet asked to leave, but the doctors informed him that having friends and family able to assist was essential to his long-term recovery.
"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself," Edgeworth had muttered, glaring at Phoenix.
"Uh huh," Maya had said. "Of course you are! But a little bit of help never hurt anybody, right?"
When it was finally time for Edgeworth to leave the hospital, Phoenix arrived in a taxi, collected Edgeworth and his various medications and paperwork, and then called another taxi to take them back to his apartment. Edgeworth was silent and broody for the entire drive, gazing out the window at the courthouse and the Police Department as they drove by. Phoenix reached for his hand, and Edgeworth allowed it.
They arrived at the apartment, and Edgeworth insisted on paying the cab fare. Edgeworth's steps were slower and more uncertain than they had been before the heart attack, and it took a few extra minutes to cross the hallway to the elevator. Once in the elevator, Edgeworth leaned against the wall, wincing and taking slow breaths.
"Hey." Phoenix put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay? Look, you don't have to push yourself."
"I'm fine," sighed Edgeworth. "I'm…just a bit tired. Keep in mind, I've seldom walked for days. I was warned that simple activity might be more strenuous for a while."
Phoenix just nodded. "Sure, that makes sense. We've got time. There's no rush."
They stood for a few minutes while Edgeworth caught his breath. Phoenix cleared his throat.
"Miles," he began slowly, "there's something I've been wanting to say to you."
Edgeworth gave him a wary look. "Is there?"
"Yeah." Phoenix straightened up. "I…I'm sorry about what I said the other day. Um, you know, when you woke up in the hospital. I said-!"
"I remember," murmured Edgeworth. He glanced unhappily away. "If you wish to take it back, I can hardly blame you. I don't insist that you stand by something said under the stress you no doubt felt in that moment. If you like, I'll…forget it ever happened."
He didn't look too thrilled about the idea of forgetting, and that gave Phoenix the little bit of courage he needed.
"What? No. No, that's not it at all." Phoenix hurriedly shook his head. "I don't want to take it back. I meant it! I still mean it. I…I really mean it, Miles."
He smiled, and Edgeworth's face lightened considerably.
"It's just," Phoenix went on, "that I don't think it was fair for me to say it, not like that. I really haven't been treating you fairly this whole time."
"What?" Edgeworth raised an eyebrow. "How do you mean? You've treated me with nothing but kindness."
"No," insisted Phoenix, shaking his head. "No, that's not true. I've been…selfish."
"Ah, I see that you've been speaking with Maya," said Edgeworth inexplicably. Phoenix gave him a startled look but Edgeworth didn't elaborate, so Phoenix soldiered on.
"You've made it pretty clear to me from the start that you wanted to take things slowly," he said. "This whole time, you've wanted us to be careful, you've been nervous about going too fast, and…I haven't listened. I feel like I've been rushing you into everything, trying to force you to be on the same page as I am. That's what I mean when I say it hasn't been fair to you. I want this to work…and I want it to work for both of us I don't mind waiting. I…I'd like to wait for you. I want you to want to be where I am. Uh…yikes, I'm talking in circles."
"Phoenix," murmured Edgeworth in surprise.
"So…let's take it slowly." Phoenix insisted. "We'll slow everything down. We don't need to make any major decisions or attach any labels…not right now. You need to get better, and I want to be there for you. I'll be there for you when you're ready, okay? Right now, let's just…let's just focus on you getting well. Is that all right?"
Edgeworth had a complicated look on his face, as though he was both touched by Phoenix's words and worried at the same time. Phoenix leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead, and Edgeworth closed his eyes.
"Alright," said Edgeworth quietly. "Yes…I think that's best."
"Great." Phoenix smiled again. "Um…and now, if it's okay with you, uh, I'd still like to take you on that second date. It is the 28th, you know."
Edgeworth dropped his eyes. "I…doubt I can endure the concert atmosphere, just at the moment," he mumbled. "I'm sorry, Wri-I mean, Phoenix. I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to attend. If you like, I shall give you the tickets and you and Maya can perhaps go without me." He gazed sadly up at Phoenix. "It's a shame. I should like to take you out. I was…looking forward to it."
Pressing the button for his floor, Phoenix watched the numbers go up as the elevator rose. "Actually," he said, "I had something else in mind for date night. Come on."
He led Edgeworth slowly down the hallway until they stopped in front of his door.
Here goes nothing, thought Phoenix. Come on Edgeworth, please don't laugh at me. It's not like I have much experience with this.
"Welcome," began Phoenix hopefully, "to, uh, Chez Wright!"
He pulled upon the door to reveal…well, his apartment. It was, at least, a lot cleaner than usual, since he and Maya had spent several hours the day before tidying it up. He'd moved the kitchen table out into the living room, where it was now covered in an old white tablecloth and a pair of mismatched candles in candlesticks that Trucy had found among her various theatrical props. Phoenix had set the table with his fanciest porcelain dishes, a housewarming gift from Mia back when he'd first moved to the area. In the center of the table was a large, heaping plate of the Khurainese health food that they'd eaten over a week ago at Edgeworth's, and that Phoenix, embarrassingly, couldn't quite pronounce the name of.
"Um…v-voila?" He tried, grinning at Edgeworth.
Edgeworth stared for a moment, genuinely stunned, and then began to laugh softly.
Phoenix sighed. "I was worried you'd think it was ridiculous. Sorry, I know it's not much."
"What? No, no." Edgeworth shook his head, still smiling. "I…no one has ever done something like this for me before. At the same time, it's…so very like you. Somehow thoughtful, charming, and unnecessary."
"You, uh, could have left the 'unnecessary' part out," Phoenix mumbled. "You're welcome, I guess?"
He took Edgeworth's jacket, hung it on a peg by the door, and then pulled out one of the chairs.
Edgeworth gave Phoenix an appreciative little nod and sat down.
He had now been consistently smiling for a solid two or three minutes. It was almost unsettling.
Phoenix served the meal onto Edgeworth's plate, then filled Edgeworth's wine glass with a decadent, totally non-alcoholic dark red grape juice, wiped his hands neatly on a napkin, and strode over to the piano.
"You're not joining me?" Edgeworth raised an eyebrow. "Surely you don't expect me to eat alone."
"Well," said Phoenix, "I mean, this date was supposed to be a concert, so I thought I'd provide a little bit of entertainment." He settled himself at the piano, took a deep breath, then, trying to ignore the feeling of Edgeworth's eyes boring holes into his back, he began playing his newest piece, the one he'd only started learning a week ago when he'd first decided on surprising Edgeworth with this makeshift "date."
"Ah," said Edgeworth. "Pachelbel's Canon. It's nice to see you taking an interest in even the simplest of classical music."
I can tell that he's already starting to feel better, thought Phoenix, rolling his eyes while trying to keep his focus on the keys. He's halfway back to his sarcastic, condescending self again. Good old Miles.
Possibly due to nerves or due to lack of sufficient practice, Phoenix made several mistakes during the course of the piece, specifically in the fast little right-hand section that he'd figured he'd struggle with. When he was finished, he sighed under his breath, stood up, and found Edgeworth standing at the piano beside him, gazing thoughtfully at the sheet music.
"You improve every time I have the privilege to hear you play," said Edgeworth. "I hope I'll have many further opportunities."
Then he tilted Phoenix's chin up and kissed himcarefully, steadying himself with both hands on Phoenix's shoulders. Phoenix's heart soared.
"Please." Edgeworth gestured at chair and empty plate at the table. "Join me."
They sat down together at the table, and Edgeworth reached for Phoenix's hand.
Trucy Wright walked into Personal 4 U at the local mall, stepped up to the counter and beamed at the salesclerk.
"Hi!' She said. "Um, I'm here to pick up an order for Mr. Miles Edgeworth? He's not feeling well right now, so he won't be able to come pick it up himself. Actually, I think he's forgotten all about it."
"Oh, yeah?" The clerk nodded, bent down, and pulled a box out from under the desk. "It's been sitting here for a week, so I was starting to wonder if something had happened. Here you go."
"Thanks!" Trucy opened the box and examined the watch. "Oh, it looks perfect! What a great job!"
"The inscription's kinda old now," remarked the clerk. "I mean, it still says 10/23/29. You think he'll still want it? I'm sorry, but we don't do refunds."
"Don't worry," Trucy assured her, "we won't bring it back! I'm sure he'll want it someday."
For the moment, she slipped the watch into her pocket, and gave the clerk a last parting smile. "Happy Halloween!"
Author's End Note: That's all for part one! Tune in next time for part two, which will involve Edgeworth and Gumshoe getting accustomed to a new way life, Phoenix ending up caught in the courtroom between a familiar former prosecutor and an attractive young magician, Maya discovering a hidden secret left behind by her beloved sister, and Apollo struggling with his conscience about Khurain. On top of that, we'll finally learn the answer to the question, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THAT WATCH? Thank you so much for reading!