First Fight
It was their first argument ever. It shouldn't hurt this much should it? Torn two ways, how can they mend what might be broken?
(Author's Note: I will admit, I have been playing around with this one shot for a bit. I wanted to write a story that shows Phoenix and Tiffany's relationship isn't perfect and they sometimes argue. This one is to show their very first big fight. I don't think this is the best one shot I have ever written. I can only hope you all enjoy it though...)
She walked into the brightly lit hospital. The white walls hurt her eyes since she had to adjust them from being outside in the dark for a while. She didn't like the call she received not too long ago.
"Mrs. Wright, it's important that you come to Hickfield Clinic at once. We currently have your husband and he is well enough to be picked up."
Tiffany Wright, a young detective who had just married Phoenix Wright several months ago, was confused by the phone call. Though she thought of a very good reason why her husband was in the hospital, that didn't mean she can still hope it meant something else entirely. She'd seen how Phoenix had become ever since he was…disbarred.
Nearly two weeks ago, Phoenix took on a case to defend a magician named Zak Gramarye. However, the case was turned upside down, Gramarye disappeared, and Phoenix lost his badge for presenting fake evidence to the court. That day was by far the worst experience her lover had to go through. Tiffany rushed to the court building since she had some exciting news to share only to find Phoenix in distraught. Sharing his anguish, all she could do was comfort him and keep her happy news a secret for the time being.
Tiffany did everything she could to support Phoenix. He changed that day he lost his attorney's badge. He didn't respond much to her words or touches. It was as if he had become an empty shell. Since he no longer had a job, Tiffany worked as hard as she could at her own to support them both. In doing so, she couldn't be around him as much. And when she was with him, he didn't show any kind of response. It was breaking her heart to see the man she loved becoming more distant every day.
And here she was at the hospital. She had really hoped he didn't go do what she thought he had done. This nagging feeling within her told her that he would be reduced to what she feared. It scared her to think that if she wasn't careful, she could lose her husband in an instant. She didn't want that. As much as she hated seeing how he had become from being disbarred, it didn't mean she had to stop loving him.
"Ah! What can I do for you?" A rather strange voice said out of nowhere.
Tiffany jumped slightly and looked towards the source. A rather creepy looking man wearing a doctor's coat came up to her. She could feel his eyes looking her over and she didn't like it one bit. It wasn't that she was wearing anything revealing; she was in her usual tan blouse and black business skirt. But the way this man was checking her out made her wish she was wearing like her trench coat to cover herself up more. But she had to focus on why she was here in the first place.
"I'm here because I received a call my husband Phoenix Wright was submitted to this hospital." She said, trying to keep her voice steady in attempt to show she meant business.
"Oh yes! Of course, heehee…My name is Dr. Hickfield. One of the nurses sent you that call about him. His room is this way. Please, follow me, hee." He extended his hand out as if to have her lead the way.
Tiffany frowned at him, "I don't know where his room is. Would you mind leading?" she questioned politely.
Dr. Hickfield laughed, "Of course, how I can refuse such a beautiful woman?" he turned and started to walk off.
Tiffany sighed and slowly began to follow him. She had come across some perverts in her life; this one was no exception. If he tried anything, she will resort to using defense mechanisms she had learned as a detective. It was only a few minutes until they reached the room. Dr. Hickfield turned towards her, "Give me a second. I need to see if he is well enough for visitors." He gave her a wink which made Tiffany shiver slightly.
"Uh sure." She said as she gripped her purse.
She felt relief when he turned and walked inside. After a moment Tiffany heard him state,
"Mr. Wright, a very beautiful and hot woman is here to see you. And I was wondering if she is due for a physical checkup?"
Tiffany shuddered at the thought of being naked in front of that old pervert. "Get out of here!" She jumped when she heard Phoenix shout from inside.
Dr. Hickfield rushed out of the room, "He's ready. But I hope to see you again." Tiffany could feel him looking her over once more before he turned and walked down the hall.
The young detective shook her head and turned to walk inside the room. What she saw before her made her forget her encounter with the doctor. Staring up at the ceiling with the same blank stare as always was Phoenix, lying on the hospital bed. Was that really him who shouted just a second ago?
She slowly approached him after closing the door, "Phoenix? What happened?" she questioned and hoped he would answer her.
He turned to look at her. His dark blue eyes showed her everything; grief, regret, and emptiness. She had seen them empty during the past two weeks, but this caught her off guard. She blinked when he turned to look away from her.
"I didn't want you getting involved in this, Tiffany."
"Involved in what?" She looked around the room and noticed some of the machinery. Her eyes widen when she pieced everything together, "Oh my God, Phoenix, you've been drinking!"
He suddenly laughed. It wasn't a happy laugh but an empty one and it made Tiffany shudder, "What gave that away?"
"Phoenix Wright, you shouldn't be drinking! You can't tolerate alcohol very well!"
"So what? Ever since I lost my job, I felt like a complete failure." He wasn't being loud like her and that only seemed to make it worse.
"I don't care about that." Tiffany began but was cut off,
"You should care. You're working extra hard to support us and you shouldn't have to, Tiffany." Phoenix closed his eyes while Tiffany stared at him.
"Phoenix…" she walked over and sat beside him, "Please look at me."
He refused to comply. She reached over to take his hand but when her fingers touched him, he took his hand away. This hurt Tiffany deeply; more than what she was showing but she kept her face straight.
"Tiffany, I've been thinking for a few days now…" Phoenix slowly opened his eyes to look at the ceiling once more, "I think it would be better if you find someone else."
His last statement shocked Tiffany, "Wait what?" she questioned to make sure she heard right.
"I said you need to find a better husband; one that isn't a jobless drunk like me. I don't deserve you Tiffany. I have always felt myself lucky of meeting you, falling in love with you, and marrying you. But now that I am disbarred, I feel horrible of seeing you work so much for us both. You don't deserve that."
Despite him saying all this with a monotone voice, his eyes showed what he was truly feeling. He was trying hard not to break down. He loved Tiffany; he loved her so very much. She had been the only one to comfort him when he lost his badge. He could see how hard she worked to keep them in their house and to pay the bills. He was torn to see this. He hated feeling useless and thought that maybe she would be better off not being with him. It hurt him just thinking of it. He didn't want to let her go, but he didn't want her tied to a useless man such as himself.
He would rather see her happy. And if her being happy meant for her to divorce him and go with someone who can support her, he will learn to live with it.
"Phoenix…look at me." He heard her say gently but firmly.
He slowly looked over and saw tears in her green eyes. But she held a determined glare. Tiffany knew that if she left him, who knew what he would do. She couldn't let that happen. Not to mention, she never dreamed of wanting to leave him. She didn't care if he was no longer a lawyer. She cared about him and maybe it was time she reminded him of that.
"Working hard at my job is going to be difficult, but I am not going to leave you just because you're no longer a lawyer."
"But Tiffany…"
"Don't but me. I didn't fall in love with you because you had a job. How shallow do you think I am?"
"That's not it. I just don't think it's right for you to work twice as hard to support us. And the fact you married a crooked attorney."
Tiffany was getting annoyed. It was clear he was trying to turn it around and make her think she would be better off without him. Same old Phoenix; he may no longer be a lawyer, but he was still using the tricks he used in his trails. That wasn't going to work for Tiffany. She was going to keep fighting until he saw her point of view.
"I don't care. I know you didn't forged evidence. Stop trying to find an excuse for me to go away."
"I'm not trying to find an excuse. I am only telling you that deserve someone better."
"All I hear is you rationalizing to make me leave you. Are you only saying this because…" She trailed off at a thought and it hurt her heart to think maybe it was true, "Are you only saying all of this because you don't love me anymore?"
This caused him to look at her bewilderment. Stopped loving her? How could she think that? He loved her more than his own life! This is why he was trying hard to show she deserved better.
"Tiffany, I love you more than you can ever know."
"Then why are you working so hard to have me leave you?"
"I told you, it's because I'm worthless. Ever since I lost my badge, I felt myself spiraling into depression. You're the only one who has managed to keep me sane. But seeing you work so hard was tearing me apart. I was thinking that if you moved on to someone who is better, you would be happy and I would be happy." He tried to explain and Tiffany bit her bottom lip.
"Phoenix…" she looked down and didn't say anything further.
"Tiffany, you should go look for someone else. I'm useless."
A sudden rush of anger hit Tiffany. This was not the man she fell in love with over a year ago. The man she knew was always determined and never gave up. He was stubborn, but he did what he could to save her when she was accused of murder that day. She had seen how he tried everything to get to her found innocent. He used to be so confident yet charming at the same time. It was like he was her knight in shining armor that had come to save her. Despite how cliché that sounded, it was how she felt. And getting to know him after that made her see what a sweet, kind, and gentle man he was.
She married him a few months ago because she loved this man. But what she saw lying on the hospital bed wasn't the same man. It was like; he gave up on everything just because he lost his badge. This made her livid.
"I can't believe this…you're just giving up." She finally spoke, her tone hard and cold.
Hearing this, Phoenix looked back over at her, "Tiffany?"
"The man I knew would never act this way," she was looking down, her light brown hair almost covering her whole face, "The Phoenix Wright I fell in love with was always determined and didn't give in no matter the situation. He fought hard until the bitter end."
She finally looked up, her green eyes showing him how enraged she was, "The man I see laying before me is not that man I fell in love with. I can't believe I have to say this but…all I see is a coward trying to run away."
Her words hurt more than what Phoenix was showing. He knew she has every right to be angry, but what she said really struck a chord in his heart. He didn't think he was being a coward by discerning she deserved someone better. In fact, with what she was saying, it could work for him to easily let her go since he had convinced himself she did need someone who wasn't him.
But those last words really wounded Phoenix. He glared at her in return, "I am not a coward." He finally said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Yes you are. You're running away from your problems, like drinking and being uncooperative. This isn't like you. You never acted this way before and now you think that just because you're no longer a lawyer, you have the right to think what is best for me?"
"Why do you think I am acting this way?" Phoenix finally said loudly. He'd been keeping his anger all bottled up and now he was unleashing it on Tiffany. But if she wanted a response out of him, she was getting it, "I lost my badge and my job! I have every right to be angry!"
"You're right, you do. But that doesn't mean you have to think I should be with someone else."
"You should, Tiffany! I only want what's best for you! I love you very much and it hurts me for even thinking with you being with another man!"
"Then why even think that in the first place?" Tiffany had tears coming out of her eyes now. She and Phoenix had never fought like this before. It was scaring her but she was determined to at least see her husband is wrong about her going for someone better.
"I already told you, I'm useless! I hate seeing you working hard to support us. That's why you should find someone else."
"I don't want someone else. I want to stay with you. I swore to be by your side no matter what comes at us; that includes you getting disbarred." Tiffany said and watched Phoenix sigh while lying back on the bed,
"Tiffany, listen to me. I don't want to lose you. But…"
"But nothing, I am staying with you," Tiffany cut him off and gave him a determined glare, "Besides, I don't want our child to never know their real father, even if he insists that he's useless…"
What she said made Phoenix blink. Wait…what did she say? He turned to look at her and saw her once again looking down at her lap, "Tiffany?"
Tiffany sighed. She had so much wanted to save the happy news until he was at least somewhat better. But now it seemed like it was a good time to bring it up. She had found out on the same day Phoenix was at the trail of Zak Gramarye. It was why she was so excited to tell him. But she held back when she heard what happened.
She finally looked up to gaze into Phoenix's dark blue eyes, "Phoenix…I'm pregnant with our child, just a couple months along." She confirmed and waited for his response.
Phoenix digested the information given to him. He had been so wallowed in his own misery that he didn't notice. Tiffany was looking more filled out, especially around in the stomach area. He observed her for the moment and finally, he felt guilt eat away at him. Tiffany was right; he was being a coward. He felt bad for not realizing it until now. He thought that he was thinking for Tiffany when he wanted her to find someone else.
But it was probably just a selfish way of him trying to run away from his problems. When he lost his badge, he felt his world fall apart. Tiffany was there to help him, stay by his side, and all he did was push her away. And she was pregnant with their baby; his baby. He felt even worse that it took him this long to finally see the error of his ways. He could feel tears coming to his eyes at how horrible he had been. He hadn't cried for a long time and Tiffany blinked in surprise.
"Tiffany…I am so sorry. You were right. I've been a coward and I was trying to run away. I thought that if I pushed you away, I would live out my sorrows by myself. But that was stupid of me. And it took hearing that you are going to have our child for me to see how imprudent I have been," He looked away as a single tear ran down his cheek, "I don't want you to go, but if you are that disgusted with me, I wouldn't blame you for wanting to leave."
Tiffany watched him for a moment before she got up from her seat. Phoenix thought she was going to leave, but instead, she sat beside him and hugged him close. He was surprised but relieved as well.
"I am not going to leave you, Phoenix. Stop thinking that I would. I love you very much. I will always be by your side no matter what happens." She said softly.
Knowing that she was true to her word caused him to hug her back and he finally began to cry. Tiffany too sobbed, but she was glad to know that she finally got through to him. The couple stayed in each other's arms for a little while to let out all of their emotions. After a good few minutes, Phoenix pulled away and rubbed his eyes.
"I hope I can make up for what I did, Tiffany." He said and she in return shook her head,
"Let's hope so. You can start first by not drinking anymore." She began and Phoenix winced a little.
"I don't know, Tiffany. My depression isn't going to go away on it's own. And not so quickly either, especially since you aren't always going to be there with you working." He replied and she sighed.
He's right. She frowned for a moment and thought of an idea, "I think I know a way to coop with your depression. Give me a few minutes. I will be right back." She got up, but not before giving him a reassuring kiss and walked out of the room.
Phoenix watched her go and looked down at the white covers. He did feel better by letting out his emotions. And knowing that Tiffany will always be by his side and still loved him certainly showed that he was wrong to think she would be better off with someone else. He was also determined to get another job so that Tiffany wasn't working so much, especially with her being pregnant.
She was going to have his child. He never imagined having kids before. He only hoped he will be a good father. Speaking of children; the image of the little girl Trucy Gramarye flashed in his mind. It occurred to him that when her father disappeared, he didn't take Trucy with him. What is she doing right now anyway? Maybe he should look into that once he got home. He didn't exactly know why he was concerned for the small girl. But someone as innocent as her would probably be scared to know that her own father wasn't coming back.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear Tiffany come back. "Here, this should help just in case you want to go back to drinking." She held out a glass bottle.
"Grape juice?" He questioned when he read the label.
"Grapes are your favorite fruit. I thought if you drink this, you won't try to get drunk again. At least I hope you don't. I don't want my husband becoming a drunk," Tiffany shrugged and noticed that Phoenix had a distant look on his face, "Are you okay?"
"Huh? Yeah I am fine." He said and rubbed his messy black hair.
Tiffany bit her bottom lip. Her husband had been through a lot. It would be a good idea to get him home, "I'm going to go to the front desk to fill out some paperwork so you can go home. I'll be right back. Hang in there for a bit, okay?" she said and leaned over to give him another kiss.
Instead, Phoenix took both sides of her face and gave her a kiss instead. She gasped in surprise before she closed her eyes and returned the kiss. This kiss he was giving her seemed to show that he hadn't stopped loving her. Despite their harsh argument just a few minutes ago, they had managed to work around it. Finally, after a minute, they both backed up a little to breathe.
"I am so sorry, Tiffany." He finally said and he meant it.
She gave him a gentle smile and placed her hand on the side of his face, "It's okay. Now let's go home."
About an hour later, after filling out the paperwork and driving, the couple was soon back at their own little place. Tiffany was glad to know that Phoenix will try to be better. However, she couldn't help but notice how quiet he had been during the whole ride. She wanted to ask but she felt it was better until they were back at home. She wondered if it had to do with her being pregnant. Did he not want to have kids? No. Just the hearing that she was pregnant was enough to snap him back to reality and see how stupid he had been acting back at the hospital. It had to be something else.
Once inside, Tiffany decided to ask, "Phoenix, are you doing okay? Ever since you heard about me being pregnant, you've been acting really strange."
"I'm fine, at least now I am…for now." Phoenix replied and let out a sigh.
"Then, what's going on? Does this have to do with our fight from earlier?" Tiffany asked as she placed her purse on the counter.
"No."
"What about me being pregnant?" When she asked that, she saw Phoenix look her way, "Are you regretting that we're going to have children?"
If he was, her heart began to break. She always wanted a child with Phoenix. And if he never wanted any kids, she would understand. Maybe she would have to abort it. Luckily, Phoenix's next words eased her fears, "No Tiffany, I'm really glad you're pregnant. In fact, I feel happier than I have been for the past few days."
"Then why are you so quiet?" she questioned, curiosity laced in her voice.
"Tiffany, when you said that you were pregnant, it reminded me of something, or should I say someone." He finally said.
Hearing this made her frown. What was he up to? It was so strange that not too long ago they were arguing and now he wanted to discuss something like it was normal. If they haven't come from the hospital, Tiffany would think the incident never happened.
"What do you mean?" she asked and turned to put her car keys on the key holder.
"First of all, I know it's going to be hard for us, but I promise I will get a job that will make up for the money." He said and Tiffany was glad to see him determined once more.
"That's good, but where are you going with this?" she questioned and Phoenix sighed,
"I met the daughter of my last client. A little girl, around 8 or 9. And since he disappeared, well, I'm worried that she isn't being taken care of."
Tiffany now knew where he was steering this conversation. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply, "Phoenix, I don't know. I mean, doesn't she have a mother?" she questioned casually.
"I don't know. I have to look into that."
"We can't just take her in." Tiffany said firmly.
"I know. I'm not saying we should. I just…I just want to see if she's doing okay." Phoenix replied and sighed while rubbing his hair.
Tiffany shook her head, "I see. I don't mean to sound heartless, it's just that, we have our own problems to deal with as it is." She said as she recalled that's what started their fight from earlier.
"No need to remind me of that." Phoenix said and could already feel exhaustion setting in.
"Let's get you to bed then." Tiffany stated gently but firmly and began to lead her husband to their bedroom.
A couple of days later, Phoenix was starting to feel a little better. He still wasn't his usual self of course but he was rather thankful he had Tiffany by his side. Whenever he felt really down and his wife wasn't around, he would take the grape juice Tiffany gave him and drink it down. It certainly helped that's for sure. Depression wasn't so forgiving, so he had to keep his mind focused. This is why he decided to look more into the case of Zak Gramarye as well as look for another job. The little girl Trucy once more entered his mind and he searched her up. It wasn't long until he saw that she had no other living relatives. This posed a large problem.
He decided he would have to convince his wife that they should at least let Trucy stay until they find her another home. When Tiffany walked through the door after her long shift at work, Phoenix greeted her with the usual hug and kiss.
"Did you have any luck finding a job?" Tiffany asked casually once they were done with warm affection.
"I think so. But that's not what I wanted to talk about." Phoenix replied and he gave his wife a very weak smile.
Tiffany noticed this and she gave him a look, "Let me guess, it's about that Trucy girl isn't it?" Phoenix opened his mouth to speak but his wife sighed and continued on, "Phoenix, I already told you, we can't take her in."
"But she has no other relatives, Tiffany." Phoenix rebutted and Tiffany turned to look back at him,
"Why are you so concerned for this little girl? You only met her once. I don't even know her." She said, a frown set on her pretty face.
Phoenix can also see how tired she looked. These long shifts were probably doing a number on her. He had to strain himself from wincing and set on focusing on trying to convince Tiffany that they should at least talk to Trucy.
"I know, I know. But the thing is, I just want to see how she is doing. I'm going to call her to my office at Wright & Co Law office. And I want you to be there, Tiffany."
"Me?" Tiffany was taken aback and Phoenix rolled his eyes,
"Yes you. You have to meet her." He said as if she should know that by now.
Tiffany opened her mouth to rebut but she paused. Phoenix looked downright serious about this. Not to mention it was the first time he didn't appear to be so depressed after he got disbarred. She recalled their harsh argument in the hospital and she didn't want to go through another one. She wasn't sure if she wanted to bring in a small child into their home when she was already pregnant with one of her own. But if her husband was right that this little girl had no one else, she couldn't be so cold to turn her back on the poor thing.
After a long pause, she sighed and finally said, "All right fine. I can't guarantee I will want to bring her into our home but if you are set on this, I will follow you. When do we have to meet her?"
Phoenix gave her a smile, "Tomorrow morning actually."
"Then I guess we'll see her tomorrow. Luckily my shift doesn't start until the afternoon. That should give me plenty of time to consider if we should take her in or not." Tiffany said and Phoenix smiled down at her.
"Sounds good to me and I think you will love her, Tiff." He hugged her close and kissed the top of her head. Tiffany smiled, trying to think he was right. Little did she know how right he was…
