A/N: The first TSOMS of the new year! *flails* The more time passes, the more things change. So let's catch up and see how our girls have been doing, shall we? Its time for femslash!

The source of my strength, Part 2: Living in the world at large

Arc 4: Of Reality and Harmony
Chapter 16: Our home together

December 22, 2030
Outside the movie theater
2:10 p.m.

"Ahhhhh, that movie was so adorable!" Robin gushed as she and Juniper left the theater. She felt warm and fuzzy all over, and there was still so much of the day left for things to get even better.

"I'm glad I picked that movie then," Juniper said as she walked next to Robin. "Watching it with you reminded me of all the time I spent with you back when we were going to Themis Legal Academy. All the happy memories we've shared together, and- and ev-even some of the less than happy times."

The same memories had been rushing through Robin's mind as well. The movie especially reminded her of the sacrifices that had to be made in order to reach where she was today. The arrest of her parents had been an earth-shattering event in Robin's life, but time waited for no one- she quickly found herself having to cope with the repercussions of that day.

"W-e-l-l, since you paid for our movie tickets let me pay for lunch," Robin said as she led the way to their car, a small, bright-red two seater. Both women had free use of the car, and if one of them was using it the other usually used public transportation. "I already have an idea of where to go next!"

Even as Robin got in the driver's seat and focused her eyes on the road in front of her, her heart and mind continued the walk down memory lane. Of those days when they first were cast into the adult world…..

July 2028 to December 2028

Robin didn't stay long in the house of her childhood. Every time she passed her parents' bedroom her heart screamed in pain. She did arrange visits to the prison where her parents were serving their sentence, but the prison was so far away it wasn't something she could do very often.

So it was that not long after she got access to the funds that her father had set aside for her that she looked up the numbers of realtors. The sheer amount of money inside the account was clearly meant to support Robin comfortably for many years. Robin, however, had not exactly been thinking in the long term in those days.

*
September 2028

"We're looking for a house where we can live comfortably. Preferably one with a guest bedroom."

"We do have a few single-story houses that might fit your needs," the realtor told Juniper. "If you'll just follow me."

Juniper and Robin followed the realtor around the neighborhood, soaking in the quiet atmosphere of the peaceful block, the most ideal of the places they'd visited that day.

"Has your Grandma settled in at the home yet?" Robin asked Juniper as the two of them walked together. She had told Robin that her Grandma had planned to join them in the city shortly after graduation, but that turned out to mean moving into an old folks home that was nearby.

"She does seem to be happy there," Juniper answered, a bittersweet smile on her face. "She told me we should visit her anytime we want."

Of course, the two girls had asked Mrs. Woods why she didn't just live with them, and Virginia had simply answered that the time had come for them to part ways.

"Here we are. I think this house suits your needs."

Robin turned to see what the realtor was talking about- and instantly fell in love. The house in question was a small single-story brick house with a large fence surrounding it. A quick tour revealed that it had a master bedroom, a guest bedroom, and of course the expected amenities like a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. The front yard had a couple of dirt patches, and Robin could tell by the look in Juniper's eyes that she was already thinking about what to plant in them. The backyard likewise was suitable for planting things in, and there was a large tool shed that had been emptied by the people that had previously lived there. Robin's own artistic urges itched to do something about the drab exterior of the tool shed, as well as the house itself.

The house was more than just suitable. It was perfect. Now, however would come the sticking point of this entire trip- the price of the residence. Back in the realtor's office the realtor asked if they were interested in any of the houses.

"A l-lot of them were very nice…" Juniper said quietly, unsure how to go about getting the house they wanted.

"B-u-t, we'd like to compare them one last time," Robin added.

The realtor obliged and put several glossy sheets in front of them with the listings they had explored. Robin pretended to look over them while studying the house she was truly interested in. The price was quite reasonable for the residence in question but it would be a sizeable blow to their fund.

In the succeeding months since graduating Themis the two girls had taken steps to stabilize their lifestyle. They had both gotten a driver's license, as they had traded in the Newman family car for a red two-seater in August. That same month Robin had managed to get herself hired at as a cashier for a fast food restaurant, while Juniper convinced Phoenix Wright to give her a job as an intern at the Wright Anything Agency. It helped that Mr. Wright planned to leave the country soon for reasons he refused to divulge.

Even with all that, however, it wasn't a guarantee that they could support themselves. So with that in mind Robin looked over the listing for the brick house.

"Maybe this one," Robin said nonchalantly, picking up an entirely different listing. "Oh, but maybe it's not quite what we're looking for."

Robin repeated the process several times, discreetly peeking at the realtor for a reaction. With each rejected listing his face became more desperate, yet it was clear that he wanted to make a sale. Next to her Juniper kept a straight face, but Robin could tell she was unhappy with the strategy they were having to employ.

"I don't want to have to pull a dirty trick like that," she had told Robin earlier today.

"I don't either," Robin had answered. "But sometimes it just comes down to having to do something like that."

Neither of them mentioned the option of just staying in the house they already had, but in Robin's mind that wasn't an option at all. She couldn't remain at that house any longer, and in fact it had been Juniper who had suggested moving after the third night Robin woke up with tears in her eyes.

Finally, Robin picked up the listing of the brick house and declared, "I really like this one!"

"I don't know," Juniper said as she looked over the listing. "The price might be a bit too steep. I think the down payment would be just out of our budget."

"There's no problem knocking down the price a bit," The realtor said quickly, grabbing the listing and scribbling on it with a pen. "Just as long as I can get you two into the perfect starter home."

Juniper and Robin looked at the new price and smiled at each other.

"You've got yourself a d-e-a-l."

Novemeber 2028

"Hand me that ladder, Juniper."

"Don't you mean stepladder, Robin?"

"Does it really make a difference? They both help you reach the sky!"

"Oh, okay. I guess you're right."

Robin climbed onto the ladder now resting against the side of their new house, holding onto a paintbrush covered blue paint. Juniper, having given Robin the ladder, went back to planting some vines near the walls.

In the three months since moving into the house, the two girls went about making it feel more homely. They had recently finished stocking up on food, and plates and silverware to eat it which, as well as arranging things such as the lights, water, and heating/AC.

Today Juniper and Robin were focusing on the exterior of the house, as well as on the front and backyards. Hugh and Athena were helping out by bringing in furniture that was also purchased recently.

Finances were thankfully still stable, helped along with the income from their jobs. But Robin felt relieved that soon there wasn't anymore pending business requiring money in the future.

Once the work outside was wrapped up everyone converged inside, where Juniper served everyone green tea.

"Aahhh. Thanks for the drinks, Junie!" Athena exclaimed.

"Thank you, Thena and Hugh, for helping us," Juniper answered, joining everyone with her own cup of tea.

"I have worked in lifting heavy objects for years," Hugh said. "Helping you two into your new home posed no problem for me."

"So how have you two b-e-e-n?" Robin asked. " We haven't seen you in a while."

Well, Juniper saw Athena while working as an intern, but even then that was only a couple times a week.

"Je suis bonne!" Athena answered, grinning. "Business has never been better, and I've been knocking out cases left and right. The other day, I even managed to get Simon to come outside for more than a few hours than a time."

"I've also been doing well," Hugh said. "I have slowly been preparing myself for the bar exam, so that I can pass it with flying colors. Myriam and I have also spent some time in each other's company, which isn't completely unpleasant."

Robin couldn't help but smile at hearing this, at how her circle of intimate friends continued to thrive.

"Although I am curious as to how Apollo is doing," Hugh continued. "I have not seen him in many months."

"I haven't seen much of him either," Juniper said. "But he does seem to be holding up well. I see him and Trucy talking with each other when I work at the Wright Anything Agency."

"Oh, he's just the same grumpy Apollo he's always been," Athena said teasingly. "But I do know a certain girl here that can wind him up pretty good!"

Robin choked on her tea in surprise. Of course, in her training under Klavier Gavin the prosecutor occasionally brought someone to debate against, who was sometimes Apollo. She still didn't feel like she had sorted out what she felt about him, but he was most certainly a friend. Even so….

"Well I don't always win against him," She said. "He can be a really tricky opponent."

"Apollo actually said the same thing about you," Athena said. "He feels like he has to bring his A-game with you."

Does he really? That's not what it seems like when we finish our debates.

"Well Robin did graduate top of the prosecution class," Hugh said in a proud tone. "I would hope she's not underestimated."

"Really, its nothing guys," Robin said, now starting to feel flustered at all the praise she was receiving.

Any further conversation was interrupted by Juniper calling that dinner had been finished. Everyone jumped in surprise, as they hadn't even noticed that Juniper had gone into the kitchen. Nevertheless, they all looked forward to enjoying some very tasty food.

January 1st, 2029
Newman-Woods Residence, bedroom
10:32 a.m.

"Wake up! Robin, Wake up!"

Robin opened her eyes to the sight of Juniper looking over her, with worry clear in her eyes.

"What happened?"

"I think you were having a nightmare," Juniper said. "You were tossing and turning, and muttering something under your breath. I couldn't make out what it was, though."

"Did I really do all that?" Thinking on it, it did seem like she had some kind of dream last night. But the details were fast dissolving into nothingness.

Juniper gently lay her hands on Robin's shoulders and looked her in the eyes.

"Are you really okay?" She asked. "About everything that's happened last year?"

"I'm not sure," Robin admitted. "But since you're with me I feel like I've been getting much better about it!"

Juniper smiled, reassured that at least Robin was doing a lot better at the moment.

Not too long ago, they had celebrated their respective 19th birthdays, their first anniversary as a couple, and Christmas not long after that. In her heart, Robin felt that the only place they could go was up.

"So let's tackle this year head on! GIVE IT OUR ALL, MAAANNNN!"

Juniper giggled at Robin's theatrics, and the two of them got out of bed and got ready for the day ahead.

December 22, 2030
Eldoon's stand
2:48 p.m.

"I thought I would see you girls today. Third year since you two started dating, right?"

"So you remember," Juniper said, surprised.

"You both came here last year, and the year before that as well," Guy Eldoon said. "I'll get the usual ready."

As they waited for the food Robin thought about the events of just last year. It was a time she would never forget, for good or for ill. The process of recovering had been a very long, sometimes painful one. One that Robin had almost lost completely.

A/N: That was just the kick-off of this story arc. Rest assured that everything about the chapter will be explained down the line. So I've been thinking about doing all of Arc 4 in this kind of snapshot/slice-of-life style. What do my readers think? Let me know. Until then, this has been Orion Fowl, and thank you for visiting my corner of Romance.