A/N: I do not own Miles Edgeworth. Phoenix Wright, Pess, Maya Fey or Franziska von Karma; they belong to CAPCOM. The plot, and Mrs. Manelli, are mine.
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Phoenix wants to do something special for Miles on their first anniversary but he's having trouble coming up with a solution to his conundrum. A chance encounter with Mrs. Manelli, a friend of both his and Miles, gives him the perfect idea!
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A birthday gift fic for two very special friends of mine, StudioKawaii! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEARS! 3
Mention of FranMaya.
Enjoy!
I may change some things at some point; always room for improvement!
Rated K, Romance/General, Phoenix Wright x Miles Edgeworth, male/male relationships
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October 22nd
Wright & CO. Law Offices
Break Room Window
7 P.M.
There was no denying it. Phoenix Wright, Ace attorney, was clueless as to what to do. No matter how hard he wracked his brain to come up with an idea, he still had nothing to show for it and time was quickly running out. He could face down criminals in court, he could work out the solution to various problems with no trouble at all but the one that now confronted him was most perplexing, and it was taxing both his time and energy to find a workable solution, both he found embarrassing.
The problem that he faced? It was, admittedly, a difficult one: His lover (and childhood friend/previous rival), Miles Edgeworth, and he would celebrate the first year together as a dating couple tomorrow and Phoenix wanted to do something special in order to celebrate the occasion. He'd been thinking about this for quite some time but was still no closer to an answer than he had been six months earlier.
I have absolutely NO idea of what to do. He sighed before he half-turned to look at the desk in the dark break room, shadows dancing across all four walls, clouding it in funereal gloom that accurately matched his current mood. I want to do something special but I have no idea of what that could possibly be. And there isn't much time left!
He watched the rain coming down, fat drops rolling down the window in a steady stream, the fingertips of his right hand lying still on the windowsill, his left lying quietly at his side. Cerulean blue eyes stared out into the rainy night, inky blackness surrounding Los Angeles in a thick shroud that blocked the faint rays of moonlight in the night sky.
I'd take him on a week long trip if I could afford it but that but that really isn't feasible. He sighed again, looking back out into the stormy night. What do you do, and where could you go, when your lover has been practically everywhere in the known world already?
He wasn't overly worried about the selection of gifts he'd purchased over the past month; that wasn't the problem. The real conundrum was what could they do, or even where could they go, that would accurately reflect the specialness of the occasion and Phoenix really did want to do something extra special.
Phoenix had an artist's soul which really wasn't surprising since he had been an art student before his determination to save Miles prompted him to go into law school; he wanted only the best, and most special, of things to celebrate their anniversary but he was at a loss.
It had preyed on his mind for a few months now and he found it was one of the first things he thought about when he woke in the morning and one of the last when he went to bed. It also stayed on his mind throughout the day from the beginning of the work day until its end when he at last closed the office.
Well, he thought stepping away from the window and going into the cloak room adjacent to it where he picked up his black jacket and silver and black patterned umbrella that had been Miles' gift to him last year, I'm pretty much done for the day so I might as well lock up.
He'd sent Maya home earlier that afternoon when dark clouds had hovered threateningly overhead; business had been rather slow in recent months and he really didn't need her. She was rather amazed by her early day off but didn't complain as she grinned, wishing him a good afternoon, Phoenix chuckling as she left the building. He'd heard her talking excitedly to Franziska on her cellphone, making plans to go on a date earlier than she had planned and he couldn't help but smile as he listened to their one-sided conversation before it faded into silence.
He had used the time he had alone to think about this problem but he couldn't think of a blessed thing and it was really starting to wear thin on him. He needed to think of something and, yet, he couldn't and their anniversary was tomorrow.
Some ace attorney I turned out to be, he thought sourly, glancing once again at the darkened room. I can solve the most perplexing legal conundrums, tear through witness' lies like a knife through butter and I still can't come up with an idea of what to do for our anniversary! He gritted his teeth. And it's tomorrow!
This wasn't getting him anywhere so, sighing regretfully, he'd put on his coat and walked to the front door that led into the main office of Wright & CO. Law Offices, opened it and stepped outside, wincing slightly as rain pelted him in the face.
With a momentary glance upward at the sky, he'd opened the umbrella to its fullest extent, turning to lock the cherry wood door behind him before proceeding to walk down the steps, shoving his left hand deep in his pocket as he made his way down the street.
What am I going to do? He strolled down the sidewalk without conscious thought, his feet unerringly taking him to his destination, his mind returning once again to the problem he was confronting. I want to do something very special for our first anniversary together but I have no idea of what that could possibly be. He grimaced as he stepped in a puddle as he crossed the street. I really shouldn't let this bother me so much and I know that Miles would say the same but I really do want to do something special, something memorable, for our first anniversary.
He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice Mrs. Manelli, the elderly Italian widow who owned a wonderful shop a few blocks away where he and Miles shopped frequently, marching with a firm step in the opposite direction. He was unaware of her presence until he nearly ran into her., her gasp of surprise cutting through the mental fog in his brain to alert him; with a startled squawk, he managed to avoid a collision at the last minute, narrowly avoiding crashing into her, his heart pounding in his chest.
Once he became aware of his surroundings, he noticed, to his great relief, that he hadn't run into her since she stood there looking rather curiously at him, a blue willow patterned umbrella held in her black-gloved right hand, clutching her packages close to her chest with the other.
"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Manelli!" Phoenix was contrite as he looked at her to make sure that she was all right. A widow of many years, the eighty-eight year old woman was like a mother to both himself and Miles; they were the sons that she missed so terribly. "I didn't see you but thank God I heard you! Are you all right?!"
A slim, spry Italian widow of eighty-eight with lavender colored hair and hazel eyes, she lived a few blocks away from her shop in a two story brownstone house that looked out of place but yet fit in with its surroundings at the same time. Her husband had passed away in an accident many years earlier and she had raised their six children on her own in the house they had spent their married life in. Phoenix and Miles had made her acquaintance a few years ago when they walked in to purchase some food staples for their dinner that evening, striking up a conversation with her as they purchased the foods that they would need.
Both Phoenix and Miles had liked her immediately; she had a wonderfully droll sense of humor that Miles appreciated and she was kind and thoughtful as well. She insisted on adding some items to their purchase and refused any payment, saying that they were kind enough to have stayed to chat with her awhile and the least she could do was to repay them for their kindness. From there, a firm friendship grew between them and both Phoenix and Miles made it a point to visit her whenever they could. Her children were scattered all over the country and, even though she didn't say much about it, they could tell that she was lonely. Perhaps this was the reason why she insisted that they call her "Mamma" instead of Mrs. Manelli.
She waved a lazy hand at him, a reassuring smile on her wrinkled face. "I'm quite all right, Phoenix," she replied cheerfully, holding a plastic bag in her arms, clutched tightly to her chest. "There's no need to worry."
"Are you sure?" His voice was still anxious as he looked at her. She appeared to be all right but he couldn't help but worry; he'd been so deep in thought that he hadn't even noticed her presence until he had almost run into her. Without her surprised gasp getting through, he would have.
She gave him the gimlet eye, her mouth narrowing into a thin line. "Of course I am," she said tartly, her hazel eyes sparking as she glared at him, his face turning red as he raised his hands. "If I wasn't I would have told you." She shook a gnarled finger at him. "You know me better than that, Phoenix."
"You're right, Mamma and I'm sorry." His voice was soft and she felt all anger melting away as she reached out with her free hand, squeezing his shoulder affectionately as he flashed a wan smile in return.
She linked her arm through his. "Let's go to my home; it's closer and this rain is getting a little too heavy for my liking." She grinned, winking roguishly at him. "These old bones aren't what they used to be, young man!"
He laughed, patting her hand affectionately. "You could outrun me and dance a jig afterward, Mamma," he joked pertly and she laughed, cuffing him playfully on the shoulder, "so don't tell me that old yarn!"
She giggled before she sighed. "Only partly, youngling." she admitted ruefully, wincing slightly, Phoenix holding her arm protectively. "Let's go." She pointed down the street with her umbrella before hoisting it above her head again.
Phoenix nodded and they made their way down the street, chatting merrily as they did so. He helped Mrs. Manelli up the steps leading to her front porch and Phoenix couldn't help but wonder how on earth she managed such a large place on her own.
I assume that she must have someone come in to help her; how else could she tackle that huge job by herself in this large house? I'll mention it to Miles; perhaps he knows of someone who could come on a regular basis to help her out. I know that Miles would be only too happy to assist when he has the time, as would I.
She furled her umbrella, shaking the excess water on the front steps before slowly reaching into her trench-coat pocket and producing a large iron key which she put into the lock on the front door, turning it quickly and pushing it open, the rusty hinges squealing in protest.
I'll also ask Miles if he knows a handyman who could come to do some repairs since the house could certainly use a little sprucing up.
She motioned to Phoenix and he nodded, walking in and closing the door behind him, following her as she made her way up a short flight of stairs. She pointed to his jacket and he nodded, taking off the sodden garment and handing it to her without a word.
With a slight grimace, she shook off the excess water before hanging it up on the wooden pag in the wall by the door and then made their way into the adjoining room, a sardonic smile on Phoenix's lips.
He took off his wet black loafers and placed them neatly underneath his jacket on the floor, slipping his feet into the terry cloth blue slippers that were placed by the door and entered into the dining room off of the kitchen.
"You sit here," she said, a large smile on her face, patting the back of one of the ornately scrolled wooden chairs that sat at a marble topped table. "I'll get us some coffee and cake and then we can talk."
Phoenix nodded, his mouth already watering at the thought of Mrs. Manelli's Tiramisu Cake, a great favorite of both his and Miles'. They had come to have dinner with her-a monthly occurrence when they were busy and a weekly one when they had time to spare-one evening and she had served it to them, becoming an instant favorite of them both. Since then, she made it more often than not and included it when they went to her store to buy food staples.
He smiled softly as he heard her bustling about in the kitchen; he called out to her, asking if there was something he could do to help and she thanked him for his kind offer but replied that she could manage it quite well on her own.
He waited in silence for a few moments before she came back into the room, holding two blue willow china plates with a large slice of cake, a silver fork resting next to it. His eyes widened, a pleased smile spreading over his face as he thanked her profusely, eyeing the treat with distinct pleasure.
Mrs. Manelli positively beamed as she placed her own plate on the table across from him and then returned to the kitchen to bring the steaming carafe and two bone china mugs, placing both down on the table.
She was about to turn again and go back into the kitchen when Phoenix insisted that she sit down; whatever it was that she needed to do could wait until they had finished their coffee and cake. She gave him the gimlet eye but he refused to be cowed, flatly telling her to sit down.
He wasn't trying to be difficult; he knew how tired she was after doing her shopping and then their long walk back and wanted to make sure that she sat down and rested. She stared at him for a few moments before she gave in with some good natured grumbling, chuckling as she did so while Phoenix looked positively smug.
Phoenix picked up the carafe, twisted the cap slightly to the right and poured the steaming hot liquid into the mugs with a mock solemnity that she found amusing, putting it down on the table adjacent to him and picking up his fork.
She nodded and they both dug in, enjoying each delicious mouthful in-between sips of coffee. They chatted for awhile, Phoenix catching her up on their latest cases that had been concluded successfully five months before and she told him of the various adventures of her children, and great-grandchildren, from across the country.
That she missed them terribly was clear-even though she knew that they had their own lives, and families, to look after-and Phoenix was again very grateful that he and Miles could provide her with some company on a routine basis. She was a wonderful woman and they loved her dearly, a sentiment that she clearly shared and returned.
"So," she said after awhile, only crumbs remaining on her plate as she picked up her mug once again, "what was on your mind earlier this evening?" She looked him square in the eye. "You seemed quite distracted."
"Well, Mamma," he began, his face turning a soft shade of pink, "I was thinking about what to do for our first anniversary as a couple and I was hard-pressed to come up with an idea." He lifted his hand, scratching the back of his neck self-consciously. "I couldn't think of a blessed thing, no matter how long I've been thinking about it which has been at least six months or more now." He looked at her earnestly. "I really wanted it to be something special and it's bothering me that I can't think of anything."
She looked sympathetically at him, placing a gnarled hand over his own, squeezing tenderly. "I wouldn't worry too much about it, Phoenix," she said, "I'm sure that you will think of something." Her hazel eyes twinkled with mischief. "After all, I don't think that Miles will mind exactly what you do; just as long as you're together. That's all that really matters."
Phoenix chuckled softly, picking up his mug and taking a large swallow. "You're right as always, Mamma."
She winked roguishly at him. "Of course I am and you would do well to remember that." She grinned as he snickered. "And don't argue with me when I tell you something."
He didn't miss the laughter in her eyes as they broke down, giggling so hard that their sides ached. The visit continued pleasantly until 10 o'clock that evening with many cups of coffee and another generous slice of cake. She insisted on giving him another Tiramisu Cake and, when he protested, she said that it was for their anniversary and she wouldn't take no for an answer. He opened his mouth to protest but, seeing the expression on her face, and the stubborn lift of her chin, he snapped it shut and acquiesced without a word, thanking her for her kindness.
The rain had stopped some time earlier and he sighed as he stepped out onto the front steps, closing the door softly behind him, holding the plastic bag in his free hand. He felt much better than he had previously but he still wondered what it was that he could do. After all, a first anniversary was a very important event and he wanted to make it one that Miles would always remember.
He thought of what Mrs. Manelli had said as he walked home: I'm sure that you will think of something. After all, I don't think that Miles will mind exactly what you do; just as long as you're together. That's all that really matters."
She's right. He stopped at the corner and looked up at the frosty stars, twinkling merrily in the clear sky above him. Miles doesn't care about all that peripheral stuff anyway; he enjoys our time together no matter what it is we're doing. Or not. He chuckled somewhat ruefully as he started walking again. I guess in my desire to do something special, I'd forgotten the most important thing: that we're together.
An idea came to him as he was walking down the street five blocks from home and he quickened his pace, stopping at a corner store two blocks away from home. He fished in his pocket for his cellphone, taking it out, flipping open the top and dialing a number with quick if uncertain fingers, his foot tapping impatiently on the sidewalk. Maya's voice sounded surprised when she picked up-he could dimly hear Franziska in the background asking who was on the phone-but she quickly agreed to help out when he explained what he wanted to do, promising to talk to their other friends as well.
He thanked her before hanging up, not wishing to interrupt their date any longer than necessary. His heart was light as he continued on his way home, his face lighting up as he arrived home, taking the front steps two at a time until he stood on the front porch.
It's perfect! His eyes misted as he took out his key, putting it into the lock and twisting it, hearing a soft "click" as it opened and stepped inside. Thank you, Mamma.
He chuckled as Pess rushed out to greet him, barking happily, jumping and wriggling all over the place as Phoenix bent over to scratch his ears. Miles followed behind, greeting him with a tender kiss-that he warmly returned-and a soft exclamation of pleasure escaped his lips after Phoenix told him what was inside the bag he was carrying.
He grinned as Miles took his hand and led him into the kitchen, placing the plastic bag on the counter, his lover taking him into his arms and kissing him once more.
Yes, it's absolutely perfect. I can't wait for tomorrow. He chuckled as Miles kissed him once again, smiling against his mouth, his arms lifting to wrap around his neck. He's going to love it!