A/N: Today, we have a special guest star! One that's very important to both Juniper and Robin. If you want to meet them, head on down. It's time for femslash!
Chapter 29: Gazing towards tomorrow
December 22, 2030
Newman-Woods Household, living room
6:00 p.m.
"Ahhh! It's good to be back home," Robin exclaimed, stretching her arms. "It was great to see everyone, but I think it's time for us to spend a little quality time together."
"We really haven't had much time to ourselves today, have we," Juniper said, thinking on the various events from earlier today. "I think the closest was when we went to the movies."
"Actually, I need to do something at my studio, and I can't show you what I'm working on quite yet," Robin said, now looking embarrassed. "Could you give me about half an hour?"
"Go ahead, Robin," Juniper said, thinking she had a pretty good idea of what her girlfriend was doing. "I'll do some work on my garden in the meantime."
"When I finish up I think I'd like to just to cuddle with you, Juniper," Robin said, winking. "Even if you end up covered in dirt!"
Juniper couldn't help but blush at Robin's light teasing. This wouldn't even be the first time they had shared physical affection while caked in dirt or paint, as the case may be. With that, the two women headed towards their destinations, Robin in the backyard and Juniper in the front yard. Each step towards the garden also felt like a step back in time….
September 2029 to January 2030
That fateful September was soon behind them, and in some ways no one was ever the same. Athena, for example, was prone to reacting badly to sudden loud noises, more so those that sounded like gunshots. Not that it stopped Athena from seizing life by the horns as always.
The defense attorney immediately gave therapy sessions to everyone involved in the case, and went to a therapist herself by the name of Sara Bellum at Ema's behest. Athena also paid the Sullivan home a visit as soon as she possibly could with Ema, only to find no one lived there anymore.
At the house, however, was a note from Logan. As it turned out, his father had to quit being a cop and take up fishing, sending money to support his family at around the time his wife's sentence had ended. In the note, Logan said that he could no longer be around the WAA, and had instead convinced his mom to join his dad out at sea. If he would ever return, or if he kept in touch with his sister Lisette the note didn't say.
Even with their relationship repaired, and with Athena giving them therapy, Juniper and Robin still felt the effects of the case on them. They coped with it all as best as they could…
January 12, 2030
Newman-Woods residence, front yard
5:04 a.m.
"The carnations are coming in beautifully," Juniper murmured to herself as she tended to her garden. "Oh, but the roses need a little more water. Where'd I put the watering pail?"
Juniper rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Normally she wouldn't be up this early, but she couldn't return to bed at the moment. She was actually very afraid of sleeping.
Juniper had just woken up from a nightmare. In that nightmare, she was trapped inside a large cage, surrounded by masked people. They all wielded guns, and she woke up right after they pulled the trigger.
In fact, the nightmare was a recurring one, and happened a lot more frequently before Athena's therapy sessions. Robin suffered the same nightmare, and confided in Juniper about the court nightmare she kept having leading up the her first case. Whenever either of them woke up in the middle of the night, the other would simply hold them until the terror subsided.
Today, after waking up Juniper found she didn't want to disturb Robin from her own slumber. Instead, she decided to quietly get out of bed then go outside for some fresh air. The cold air did help clear her head, and Juniper decided to check on her flowers while she was outside.
The sight of the beautiful flowers helped give Juniper peace. She and Robin had planted these together back when they first moved into this house. More than that, the flowers represented the kindness of the natural world. From a patch of dirt, anything could grow. All that was needed was enough time and care.
The idea, to continue the metaphor, took root in Juniper's mind. As long as she could remember, no situation had been impossible to surpass with enough effort. When Thena had moved away, Juniper reached out as soon as she could, and the two of them kept in touch.
When Professor Courte was killed and Juniper found herself suspecting Hugh, Athena and Apollo helped pull her through, and Robin and Hugh in turn stayed by her side even during the worst of it all. The Shadow incident loomed briefly over them, but with everyone's combined might it stood no chance.
Then, of course, there were the recent months, with their uncertain home situation leading into Athena's shooting, and her fight with Robin. Slowly but surely, every problem they faced was falling before them. Robin went back to the Prosecutor's office when she felt ready, and with her salary they didn't need for money anymore.
Athena recovered from her shooting, and immediately started purging the ill from the situation the way only she could. Juniper and Robin successfully reconciled, which in turn made their relationship stronger. Any case that came before her, Robin would ask Juniper for her counsel, as well as that of Detective Marsh and sometimes even the defense attorney on that particular case.
A smile grew on Juniper's face. Everything always worked out in the end, but not because of chance. Rather, because from the very beginning, she fought to gain a better future. Sometimes she couldn't do it alone, and that was okay.
"I know I can keep going forward," Juniper said aloud. "Whatever may come, I'll face it."
"That's the spirit, Juniper!"
Juniper whirled around in surprise- to find Robin standing behind her, still in her nightwear as well. Robin immediately winced, embarrassed.
"Ahh, did I surprise you? Sorry!"
"That's okay, Robin," Juniper said affectionately. She finished watering the rest of her plants, then faced her girlfriend.
"I guess you couldn't get to sleep either," Juniper said. "Did you come to check on me?"
"Eh heh heh. I did, but I guess I could have done it better," Robin answered. "I knew I'd find you out here, because whenever I can't sleep I work on my art."
"Oh, I understand!" Juniper exclaimed. It did make sense that they would cope by falling back on their hobbies. "Can you show me what you're working on right now?"
"Funny you should ask me t-h-a-t. If you'll just follow me…"
Juniper followed Robin out to the backyard, to the artist's studio. On the table farthest from the door, there was a bust in progress. Several paintings lay against one of the walls, covered in a tarp.
"The other day I decided to start work on a new art project," Robin began. "Maybe it won't be my best work. But I'm throwing my very best at it! It's a work that I'll probably never finish, because….well…"
Walking towards the stack of paintings, Robin took off the tarp with a flourish. Juniper bent down to get a good look at them, and she studied the painting at the top of the stack. It was of a little brown-haired girl in a green dress, standing in a mud puddle.
"Wait, isn't this you from when you were little?" Juniper asked. In fact, the painting looked almost exactly like the photo of a little Robin that her parents had once shown Juniper, a long time ago.
"Uh huh. I've come to realize I need a better way of seeing myself," Robin explained. "I want to always be improving myself! So first, I wanted to look over how I've lived up until now, to get a better picture of me."
Juniper took all the paintings, then set them next to each other. There were four in total, including the one of little Robin. The second painting was of Robin as Juniper had first met her, which was to say back when Robin was still forced to live as a boy. As expected, the Robin in this painting had an angry scowl, straining against the brace around her chest. It hurt to look at for Juniper.
The third painting was of Robin during her final semester at Themis Academy. This Robin was wearing the female uniform, and painted in mid-twirl. Of course, the painting was a significantly happier one, and Juniper couldn't help but smile. It reminded her of the early days of their relationship.
The final painting was clearly the most recent, with how fresh the paint looked. It was of Robin, dressed in a red suit and skirt, and with her prosecutor's badge pinned to her lapel. The expression on her face was serious, but also remorseful. Surprisingly, while looking at the painting called up bad memories, Juniper found that she could still look at it.
"Every one of these paintings represents me in some way," Robin said, looking over them as well. "I can't just ignore how these periods of my life have affected me."
"But you don't have to let yourself be defined by them either," Juniper said gently.
"I know that now," Robin said, putting the paintings back into the stack they had been in earlier. "Which is why I'm doing this."
The artist pointed at the incomplete bust. Looking at it carefully, it was in the general shape of Robin. Though any other detail of what it might be like was impossible to make out right now.
"I'm not the same person I was back when we went to Themis, or the same person as back when we first started living together," Robin continued, "So what I asked myself is 'what kind of person do I want to become?' And little by little, I'm shaping that image onto that bust."
"Well, I've always enjoyed your art, Robin," Juniper said, smiling. "So I'm looking forward to what you'll come up."
"Thanks! And I'm going to cheer you on too, Juniper," Robin said. "I know you'll be strong enough to handle anything!"
Juniper linked hands with Robin. "It means the world to me to hear you say that. Let's continue on forward together."
For now, the two of them returned to bed, though whether it was to go back to sleep or not they still hadn't decided.
January 12, 2030
Wright Anything Agency
2:30 p.m.
Later that day, Juniper and Robin reported to Athena for a therapy session. With her trusty Widget and the Mood Matrix program, Athena sifted through the hearts of her friends, the images of the morning's nightmare lit up on the screen.
"I'm getting a sad reaction from the both of you. It happens whenever you think about the shooter," Athena said carefully. "Do you both still feel responsible for what happened to the Sullivan twins?"
"I know we shouldn't, Thena," Juniper said quietly. "But sometimes I can't help myself. There's so much I wish I could have said to the both of them to keep them from hurting like they did."
"I'm the one that almost convicted an innocent Logan of the crime," Robin added. "With that in mind, I almost can't blame Lisette for how she felt."
Athena gave her two friends her most serious expression. "I do understand where you're both coming from. Apollo is still beating himself up a little for letting Lisette escape the first time, and even I felt bad for not acting soon enough. But there's something I need to make clear."
"Sometimes, there comes a point where there's nothing more you can do for a person," Athena said firmly. "And I believe we've reached that point with the Sullivan twins."
"So why can't we help but feel responsible for what happened to them?" Juniper asked.
"Because that's part of human nature, and even more so for someone as caring as you, Junie," Athena explained. "With how big of an effect those two have had on everyone, it makes them stick in our minds even more."
"So what do you suggest we do, Athena?" Robin asked.
"I wouldn't advise completely forgetting about them," Athena said, thinking carefully. "Just keep in mind that they've always been responsible for their own fates, not you two. Lisette will pay for her crimes for the rest of her life, and Logan choose to go away from everyone of his own free will. Now it's up to the both of you how much more of your lives you want to spend on those two."
Juniper and Robin looked at each other, processing Athena's advice. It wasn't reassuring, but then it wasn't meant to be. It was an earnest suggestion meant to help them move forward. To help dissuade the lingering guilt and uncertainty still inside them.
"Thanks, Athena! We'll be sure to keep that in mind," Robin said sincerely.
"And thank you too, Thena, for continuing to do this for us," Juniper added.
"Remember that you can call on me anytime either of you need me, mon cheries!" Athena exclaimed, grinning. "Oh, but before you two leave. There's someone that wants to see you two."
"Who is it, Thena?" Juniper asked curiously.
"Yeah, about that. I need to explain something first," Athena said as she shut down the Mood Matrix. "I meant to talk about this earlier, but with one thing after another happening there was never a good chance. Especially with how rarely Pearl visits."
"So you want us to talk to Pearl?" Robin asked. Pearl Fey was apparently someone that had been part of the WAA for a long time. Robin personally couldn't even remember if she had actually met Pearl.
"Sort of. Here's the thing," Athena began. "Remember the year you both graduated from Themis Legal Academy? Around that time Ema and I were learning more about each other. She shared some of her past with me, so I told her about my mom. One afternoon we were here in the office together, and I told Ema how I wish I could have introduced mom to her."
With Athena establishing the time period, Juniper suddenly recalled that time. The day of the graduation, Ema had quoted Metis Cykes very casually. But how was that possible?
"Ema being Ema, she immediately said that meeting mom again was sadly scientifically impossible," Athena continued. "As it so happens, Pearl was visiting that day and she told Ema it was very possible, and Ema asked her to prove it."
Before anyone could say anything, Athena stood up and started walking, motioning to her friends to follow her. They all walked to the very back of the agency, to a door that led to another part of the building.
"So Pearl took me and Ema to her hometown, and introduced us to her cousin," Athena said, wrapping up the explanation. "And her cousin did it. She let us see my mom again. And Pearl can do the same, but I'll let her explain it."
Athena opened the door and poked her head in, looking inside the room. When she drew her head back she was smiling.
"She's ready to see you both now," Athena said gently, holding the door open.
Juniper and Robin slowly walked in, not knowing what to expect. The room was a small office area with a desk, labeled as belonging to Phoenix Wright. The room also had a couple of sofas.
There was a person sitting on one of the sofas. Right now they could only see the back, but the two women could already tell it wasn't Pearl Fey. Then the person on the sofa stood up and turned around, revealing themselves to be-
"Professor Courte!" Juniper and Robin exclaimed simultaneously.
Their late mentor smiled at them, holding out her arms. Juniper and Robin rushed towards Professor Courte, letting themselves be enveloped by her embrace. For a moment, it was like they were Themis students all over again.
"PROFESSOR COURTE!" Robin practically wailed. "It's so good to see you again!"
"We've missed you so much since you passed away, Professor Courte," Juniper added as they all separated and stood around each other.
"Please, call me Constance," Professor Courte said, smiling warmly at the two women. "Even if I were still alive, you two would no longer be my students."
"What's do you mean, Pro- I mean Constance," Juniper said, looking at her late mentor in confusion.
"I mean while I do not know how long it's been," Constance said. "It is clear that you both have matured very much since then."
All of a sudden, Juniper felt fit to bursting with all kinds of words inside. While she still didn't quite understand how her teacher was here in the first place, there was so much to say now that they were all here.
"Let's all sit down," Juniper suggested. "There's a lot we need to tell you."
Once the three of them were seated, Juniper and Robin proceeded to tell Constance Courte practically everything- starting from after Courte's murder, going through the final semester at Themis Legal Academy, to when they moved in together, to of course the recent case that was just behind them. Stories of joy with each other and with friends, of anger and of sorrow. All the while, Constance listened patiently.
"Truthfully, I do wish I could have been around to see all of this happen myself," Constance said after they were finished. "Yet I am certain of one thing, and it fills me with joy. Juniper, Robin. There is nothing more either of you can learn from me."
"Of course we still have a lot to learn from you, Professor Courte!" Robin immediately exclaimed. "There are so many things I still want to ask you. About being a prosecutor, about being an artist."
"A day hasn't gone by where I haven't thought of you, even if just in the back of my head," Juniper said. "Constance, I already don't want you to leave."
"I don't wish to leave either, but that is how it must be," Constance said ruefully. "And yet, when I return to my eternal rest, it will be with much less regrets."
Constance turned to Juniper. "It pained me that I had no choice but to leave so much responsibility on your shoulders, Juniper. It clearly left you troubled and weary. And yet in the end, you rose to the challenge, and now I see a woman tempered by many trials. I am so proud of you."
"Thank you, Constance," Juniper starting to feel herself get teary-eyed.
Now Constance turned to Robin. "I worried about you as well, Robin. You stumbled, and sometimes even fell on the search for your proper path in life. But you always got back up, seeing you so full of passion and drive that is uniquely your own- I couldn't be happier for you."
"It- It means the world to me to hear that from you!" Robin shouted, definitely the more emotional one at the moment.
"To hear that you two have become so close was certainly a surprise as well," Constance added, looking at Juniper and Robin.
The two of them looked at each other only to see that they had started holding hands at some point during the conversation. This caused them to become flustered, with Juniper's cheeks turning pink and Robin's whole face going red. Constance laughed good naturedly at the sight.
"We actually celebrated our second anniversary last month," Juniper said, squeezing Robin's hand. "Robin took me out to the Grand Canyon and we camped out under the stars."
"Well, it's the least I can do for someone that makes me as happy as you do, Juniper," Robin said, kissing Juniper lightly on the cheek. "Things got really bumpy not too long ago. I wanted us to have a really happy memory for the end of the year."
"I can only hope I'm making you as happy as you make me happy, Robin," Juniper said, in turn now nuzzling her forehead against Robin's.
"So what does the future hold?" Constance asked, partially to remind them that she was still there.
"Well, I'm going to be interning at the Wright Anything Agency for a good while yet," Juniper said thoughtfully.
"And my career as a prosecutor has just gotten started!" Robin added. "Not to mention, I'm actually thinking about learning how to do metal work. An artist should always expand their horizons! Speaking of which, that robe is so you, Professor Courte."
Constance looked down at the form-fitting pink robes she was currently in. "It's not a style of clothing I've ever seen before," Constance said as she admired it. "I could get a good art piece or two out of this."
The conversation nearly ended there, but independently Juniper and Robin decided to finish answering their late mentor's last question. Robin smiled encouragingly at Juniper to go first.
"I've been a part of a lot of trials in my life," Juniper said. "And I will see many more. So I've been considering asking Judge Courtney if there's a way to become a judge that let's me get closer to the courts. I want to be as ready as I can when I finally ascend to the bench."
"There's a familiar name. Justine was one of my first students," Constance said nostalgically. "She was a real hothead back when she attended Themis. So Justine has been teaching you in my stead. I'm sure she'll be able to guide you now that I can no longer be around."
The idea that Justine Courtney was a hothead as a student was one Juniper that had a hard time wrapping her head around. It was definitely something to ask Justine about someday.
"Klavier Gavin has been teaching me everything he knows about prosecuting," Robin added. "He's a great teacher! But he did give me a good scolding after my first trial."
"Klavier always did have a strong sense of right and wrong," Constance said. "Though I do remember his own first trial was far from perfect. I'm glad to hear he's come into his own."
"Though speaking of my first trial…." Robin become serious. "The defendant of that trial was a Themis student that once aspired to become a prosecutor, then the Chief Prosecutor. But he would have twisted our legal system horribly. That's when I started considering a new goal for myself."
"Really? What goal would that be?" Juniper asked curiously.
"It came to me just this morning, actually," Robin said. "Hearing you talk about facing the future head on. I want to contribute to keeping our legal system one we can be proud of! So one day, I want to become the chair of the Prosecutorial Investigation Committee."
"That's a really high position to aim for," Constance said. "You've always been one to dream big, Robin."
"So why do you want to become the chair of the PIC?" Juniper asked.
"Because our legal system needs all of us: judges, defense attorneys, and prosecutor. With you in the judicial system and the WAA saving clients, I want to do my p-a-r-t," Robin explained. "And there will always be people entering the legal system with ill intentions. So as chair of the PIC, I want to make sure that bad prosecutors are brought to justice. That way, Chief Prosecutor's Edgeworth's job is easier, and good prosecutors like Klavier and Simon will become the new face of our profession. Instead of all the horrible criminals that have gone through the office over the years."
"I know you can do it, Robin!" Juniper said, grasping both her girlfriend's hands. "But Prosecutors haven't been the only time our legal system has been used. Defense attorneys, detectives, maybe even other judges. If any of them commit a crime, then as a judge I will make sure that they don't get away in my court! I'm sure we can rely on our friends in the WAA to help us."
Hugh, Athena, Apollo, even the famous Phoenix Wright. They would be in her court, defending their clients to the end. There were probably other defense attorneys that held that ideal in their hearts that she would one day meet.
Even if she and Robin could never stand in the same court together, Juniper finally knew that didn't matter. Just knowing that they would be fighting for the truth in their own ways was enough. Now Juniper knew in her heart that all of them would do what they could for the legal system.
"A legal system where judge, defense attorney, and prosecutor all aim to find the truth. To see that come to fruition was the reason I become a teacher," Constance said, looking incredibly happy. "Now that I've talked to you two, I know that my dream will one day come true."
Suddenly Constance grabbed at her chest. Juniper and Robin immediately rushed to her side. What was happening to Constance?
"It seems my time here is running out," Constance said, her breathing ragged and shallow. "This will have to be goodbye, Juniper, Robin. I will return to the afterlife at peace."
"Goodbye, Constance. I'm so proud to have been your student."
"Goodbye, Professor Courte! Thank you for everything!"
With a content smile on her face, Professor Constance Courte started fading away. Her features slowly became harder to see. Eventually, all that was left was Pearl Fey.
"So how'd the channeling go?" Pearl asked.
Athena Cykes checked her watch, then started heading towards the backroom. Chances were the channelling had ended by now. When she opened the door, however, she was met with an unexpected sight.
"So I guess the channelling was a success," Athena said amusedly, observing that Robin was currently squeezing Pearl Fey very hard.
"Um, a little help here!" Pearl called out. Those words were enough for Robin to come back to her senses. Robin let go, her face red with embarrassment.
"It went wonderfully, Thena," Juniper said, giggling a little from the spectacle. "So this was all your idea? This is how you and Ema met with your mother again?"
"Yep, that's what happened, Junie. Truthfully, Ema and I needed a while for the concept of channelling to sink in," Athena said. "Pearl explaining it helped out alot."
"My hometown, Kurain Village, helps people meet lost loved ones," Pearl said, bowing respectfully. "Through spirit mediums like me. I was glad to help out friends of Athena by making such a joyful reunion possible."
"I have a question, then," Juniper said nervously. "Is it possible to channel more than one person?"
Robin looked over at Juniper, concerned. She immediately knew why Juniper had asked the question.
"If you request more than one spirit medium, you can," Pearl answered, biting her thumb. "Though that's not a service most people request. I did this for free as a favor, but a premium would have to be charged for something like that."
"No, that's okay," Juniper said, feeling relieved. "I just wanted to know I had the option."
"Then let's go to Kurain Village one day!" Robin said excitedly. "I know that they would be more than happy to see you!"
"We could make a meetup up of it," Athena suggested. "Find a day that everyone can get together so we can make the most of it."
"That sounds like a good idea," Pearl said. "After all, meetings like this should be treated like a once in a lifetime opportunity."
That seemed fair enough to Juniper. While she truly appreciated being able to see her mentor again, Professor Courte deserved to enjoy her eternal rest. That being said, knowing she had the option to see her parents again was a warmth in her heart.
Juniper would hold off seeing her parents again, for now. There was a lot left she wanted to accomplish in the immediate future. But once she ascended the bench as a judge, she would tell her parents everything, and introduce them to all the precious people in her life.
December 22, 2030
Newman-Woods Household, living room
6:32 p.m.
This past year had been when the two of them had started giving serious thought to their futures, individually, and together. Juniper, at least, had also begun thinking how she saw their future together. Extending onwards into forever...
As it turned out, Juniper did end up getting herself covered in dirt from her gardening. Even so, the first thing Robin did when the two met up again was briefly pull her in a hug and give her a kiss on the cheek.
"So how did your art project go, Robin?" Juniper asked, genuinely curious.
"It went off without a hitch!" Robin answered, practically glowing with contentment. "Not much longer until I can finally show it to you!"
Which meant Juniper would probably see it during their dinner at eight-thirty, a mere two hours from now. The same time Juniper had planned to present her own ring she had bought from the Lordly Tailor. The day was heading towards it conclusion, and Juniper was filled with exhilaration.
"I can't wait to see it," Juniper said sincerely. She began making her way to the bathroom. "As much as I'd like to cuddle with you like you said we would, I need to shower first."
Robin's footsteps followed right behind her.
"Oh? And who says we still c-a-n't?"
A/N: I am not sorry in the slightest for how this chapter ended. Can we agree that after the last arc, this was long overdue? The final flashback chapter is next, a very sweet treat. Until then, this has been Orion Fowl, and thank you for visiting my Corner of Romance.