Hours by hours have been passed, and suddenly, Phoenix's surgery has been underway for about 5 hours. Edgeworth and Maya unceasingly prayed silently. They don't want to eat, walk around the hospital, or to rest for a while. What they want is just one, that Phoenix fully recovers and not suffers total paralysis as Doctor Canizares had said.
"It's almost six hours," Edgeworth murmured, glancing at his watch and get up from the lounge chair. "Maya, are you tired? Are you hungry? If you're hungry, I will accompany you to eat in the cafeteria."
Maya shook her head. "No, Mr. Edgeworth. I just want to stay and wait here until Nick's surgery is done. I'm not hungry.. Are you hungry, Mr. Edgeworth?"
"No," said Edgeworth slowly, but after that his stomach rumbling loudly. Maya giggled softly.
"Because your stomach growls, Mr. Edgeworth, I'll bring the food to you. I think you should wait here, Mr. Edgeworth. I don't want that nosy people in the cafeteria insult and vilify you again."
Edgeworth smiled gratefully. "Okay then. I'll wait here. Thank you very much, Maya."
After Maya went to the cafeteria, Edgeworth sat in the waiting room. Because of fatigue and feeling extremely worry, Edgeworth's head slowly drooping, and eventually he fell asleep in the waiting room.
"If you have done packing your stuff, let's go now. A Von Karma should not be stalling for time. A von Karma won't tolerate it. Because von Karma is perfect. Come on, Miles."
The big hand with full of wrinkles and rough gripping his shoulder, and led him to his car. He looked back. He won't to leave this place. He wanted at least had time to say farewell to his two best friends, Larry Butz and Phoenix Wright before leaving the country. But this man, who called himself as his father's old friend, Manfred von Karma, doesn't allow him to meet both of his friends for maybe the last time, even for just 5 minutes.
Refrain from crying, he climbed into Mr. Von Karma's car. In the back seat, a blue-haired girl who probably just only 4 year old, sat. Mr. von Karma said, this child will be his sister later.
But he won't…. He won't to be the part of this so called 'perfect' family. He won't to be the part of Von Karma. He won't to leave America. He won't to live in Germany. He just wants his father! He wants to stay with his father, Gregory Edgeworth! But his father was dead... His father had gone away forever... He will never be able to meet with his beloved father again... His father will never get to see when he became a top defense attorney...
He buried his face on his knees, and sobbed quietly. The girl sitting next to him looked at him in surprise, and whispered very softly,
"Hey, don't cry. If you cry, Papa will scold you." Then the little girl stroking his back gently. But he still didn't look up. He wanted to cry. Crying as long as possible. And maybe as loud as possible, if he could. Crying makes him feel better, and make him feel a little relieved.
"Edgeworth! Edgeworth! Edgeworth!"
He's very recognized the voice. It's Wright's voice. No. He won't to see Wright's face again, although he wanted it so badly. That would make him felt worse and sadder. Because maybe he will never be able to meet again with his best friend.
"EDGEWORTH!EDGEWORTH! MILEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!"
He can't bear it. He finally looked up and opens the backseat window. He popped his head out through the backseat window. Wright was running after the car, panting, with held a ball in his hands. He just waved his hand slowly. The cold afternoon wind blew his hair.
Wright ran faster, then kick the ball in his hand.
"Edgeworth! Catch this!"
Deftly, he caught the ball. He looked back again. Wright waves his hands. He reluctantly waves his hands back. Then he closed the car window and stared at the ball given by Wright. On top of the ball, there are message that have been written by Wright,
'Edgeworth. I don't know why you suddenly transfer to another school without telling me what the reason is. But, for sure, our friendship will never end just because we are in different schools. I'm sure you definitely will be a great defense attorney like your father. And I'm also going to be a great defense attorney! We will work together for justice!
Edgeworth, through this ball, I want to thank you very much for being a very good friend for me. Thank you very much for defend me in the class trial. Thanks so much for always believing in me when no one else don't. I'm going to miss you very much for sure. Please promise to me you won't forget me. Please write to me often. Promise to me you will study hard to become a defense attorney so we can have the same career in the future. Till the day we meet again. This is not goodbye, right, Edgeworth? This is see you in years.
Your friend, now, always, and forever,
Phoenix Wright'
He smiled after reading the message written on the ball. He then hugged the ball tightly.
"What is that?" asked Mr. von Karma when they arrived at the airport.
"A ball. A good friend of mine gives me this ball," He said softly, hugging the ball more tightly to his chest. Mr. von Karma's forehead wrinkles, then he snatched the ball. He read the message in the ball, and snorted.
"It's no use. This is just a piece of junk. And the von Karma's residence did not accept this kind of junk." Mr. Von Karma headed to the trash.
"Don't! Please…" He tried to get the ball back. But Mr. von Karma destroys the ball right in front of his face.
"Stop ... I beg you…Sir…" He asked plaintively. Now the ball had destroyed.
"It's from my friend…. From my best friend…." He sobbed. But Mr. von Karma still won't listen to him, and throws the ball splinters into the trash. He can't do anything rather than just cry silently and staring blankly at the trash. The only one stuff left from his friend was gone too now…He really likes the ball.. He wants to read the message again… But… maybe this is the best? So he can forget Wright forever….
"Ngh….. Stop….don't…it's from Wright…. Don't put it in the trash…."
"Mr. Edgeworth?"
"That's ... not…a junk… It's not.. a piece…of junk…"
"MR. EDGEWORTH! WAKE UP!"
Edgeworth jumped and awakened from his sleep. In front of him, Maya stood with holding three plastic bags of food, and Doctor Canizares stood too, looking very tired.
"Are you okay, Senor Edgeworth?" asked Doctor Canizares.
"Y-yes ... Just a bad dream ... Is Wright's surgery is done, Doctor?"
Doctor Canizares nodded. "Yes, Senor Edgeworth. The surgery has been done since half an hour ago. The surgery was arguably gone pretty smoothly. Unfortunately, we can't know about the possibility that I mentioned is become a reality or not until Senor Wright awake."
"Oh," Edgeworth confused what to answer.
"We have to move him back to room 290. I think he'll wake up in two or three days, because the anesthetic still too strong. But, if you want to see him and take care of him right now, you can do it."
"I want to see him now," Edgeworth murmured. "Come on, Maya."
"If he wakes up, immediately call me, Senor Edgeworth. I have to check his condition."
They both walked back to room 290. When saw Phoenix lying weakly on the bed, with his head bandaged, and a strange device like a big hose attached to his mouth, Edgeworth felt his heart broke. He glanced briefly toward Maya, and could see if the spirit medium was trying hard to keep herself looks strong. Edgeworth then clasped Phoenix's hands. You'll be fine, Wright ... You'll be fine... you will be healed. You must recover... You won't be paralyzed as Doctor Canizares had said...
"He didn't look good, but in fact he's fine….. Right, Mr. Edgeworth? He'll wake up, right?" whispered Maya stammered.
"Of course, Maya," said Edgeworth without once taking his eyes from sleeping Phoenix, "He'll wake up."
"While waiting for Nick to wake up, let's eat first. Here, this is your food, Mr. Edgeworth," Maya handing box of food into Edgeworth's hands.
"Thank you very much, Maya," said Edgeworth gratefully. They both open the box and began to eat their food. Edgeworth chewing very slowly, and kept staring at sleeping Phoenix. Wake up, wake up Wright… C'mon, wake up….. and make everyone astonished just like when you've just fallen out of Dusky Bridge...
Suddenly, a soft groaned was heard. Phoenix opened one of his eyes.
"Maya, he wakes up!" whispered Edgeworth happily. He jumped from his chair and put his food box. "Hi Wright, you finally wake up, too. Wait a minute, I'll call Doctor Canizares." With a bit of rush, Edgeworth ran from the room and called Doctor Canizares.
Doctors Canizares and Edgeworth returned 5 minutes later. Doctor Canizares began to examine Phoenix, while Maya and Edgeworth sat down and watching.
"Hello, Senor Wright. This is for sure, absolutely incredible you wake up in just 2 hours after carry out blood clots in the brain surgery! As I recall, other patients can wake up minimum 3 days after their surgery was done…. You're really like the Phoenix bird, rises from the ashes, eh?" Doctor Canizares chuckled. He then brushed Phoenix's hair which sticking out from the bandage on his head.
"Come open your mouth and say 'AAAA ...' "continue Doctor Canizares again.
"A..a ... aaaaa," Phoenix tried to open his mouth, but he was able to say only a groan and he coughed. Doctors Canizares let out a short sighed.
"It hurts when you talk, Senor Wright?" Doctor Canizares asked emphatically. Phoenix nodded slowly, while one of his eyes still closed. Maya gripped Edgeworth's arms, felt tense with the results of this examination.
"Well now, can you straighten your left hand, and move it a little bit?"
Phoenix straightened his left hand, and moves it slightly. Maya and Edgeworth almost crying of joy with relief. If Phoenix can move his arms, meaning he won't be paralyzed, right?
"Very good. Now, I ask you to lift and straighten your right hand. And move it a little bit like you move your left hand before. Can you do it, Senor Wright?"
Phoenix tried to raise his right hand, but he can't do it. His right hand felt so stiff. As if it ties to his bed. He then shook his head, gesturing at Doctor Canizares, that he can't move his right hand. Doctor Canizares sighed resignedly. He then scribbling on a clipboard he was carrying. While Edgeworth and Maya continue to watch tensely.
"Now, can you bend your left leg, and shake it a little bit?"
Phoenix nodded. He bends his left leg and shook it firmly until almost kicked Doctor Canizares' face. Doctor Canizares chuckled again.
"You're very excited, eh, Senor Wright? Very good! Well, now may I ask you to bend your right leg, and shake it as you shake your left leg? Come on, Senor Wright," said Dr. Canizares again with a very friendly smile. Phoenix tried to bend his right leg, but he can't. His right leg was numb and unable to feel anything, just like his right hand. He shook his head slowly, make gesture again to Doctor Canizares that he can't move his right leg either.
"Okay, Senor Wright. Now, try to move your head to the right, left, up, and down."
Phoenix tried to move his head. He could move his head to all directions, but when he moved his head to the right, he felt extremely pain. Phoenix pointed to his neck, signaling that when he moved his head to the right, it felt hurts.
"Well..." Doctor Canizares observed him again, and writing something in his clipboard. "Now, tell me, who are they?" asked Dr. Canizares as pointing his finger toward Maya and Edgeworth. "And who's your name?"
"Ma..ma…Papa….Fee…nieh," Phoenix coughed again, again he failed to say anything and can just groaned in pain. His throat felt sore and his neck felt hurt when he spoke. Edgeworth and Maya watched him with pity and resignation.
"Okay, done. You don't need to use this device again…" Doctor Canizares then take off the strange device that being put in Phoenix's mouth earlier. "How are you feeling, Mr. Wright? Do you feel shortness of breath?"
Phoenix just nodded slowly to answer, and clutching his chest that felt so ache.
"Okay, then. I will install a breathing hose for you. Don't move and stay lie down in your bed, Senor Wright. Senor Edgeworth, Miss Fey, come on, we speak outside."
Edgeworth and Maya then follow Doctor Canizares step out of the room.
"Well, how, Doctor? Wright could move most of his limb... It means ... he won't be paralyzed as you said earlier, right?" Edgeworth asked hopefully.
"Yes, Senor Edgeworth. He's not paralyzed from neck to toe as I expected. But, the right side of his body is paralyzed. As you can see when I checked him earlier... He can't move the right side of his body."
"But that means, he can fully recover, Doctor?" asked Maya.
"We hope so, Miss Fey. Clearly, Senor Wright should be treated very well at home. He also must doing routine therapy and regularly. Walk therapy, move his limbs therapy, and speech therapy to make he won't feel pain when he talks. And, again, sorry if I always mention this thing again, Senor Edgeworth. But the cost of Senor Wright's medicines, treatments, and therapies will be very expensive. Not because I like money, this is not the case, but because only with the best treatment, Senor Wright can fully recover."
Edgeworth bit his lip, his voice quivering. He tried hard to keep his voice steady. "The hell with money, Doctor! The hell with the cost! I don't care about it! I don't care even if I must spend million dollars! I don't care even if I have to sell all my stuff! All I care about is Wright can be completely heal, and Wright can be healthy again like before! Like he used to be…" Edgeworth's voice a bit trembling now.
"What about his memory, Doctor? Is it good if we still try to make him remember who he is, and try to make his memory back? Whether it will affect his condition?" asked Maya again.
"It's okay, Miss Fey. It's fine. Both of you can still try to make his memory back. But, please remember, don't place any pressure to him. Okay, I have to take a breathing hose for Senor Wright, you can come back to the room to take care of him again. I don't think he will be happy to be left alone for too long." Doctor Canizares then walk toward his office, while Maya and Edgeworth went back into room 290.
"Papa….wat…er….Feenie… want… Wat…er," Phoenix croaked as they entered room 290 back. With a rush, Edgeworth took a glass of water and a straw, and helps Phoenix to drink. After Phoenix finished drinking, Doctor Canizares comeback with bring a pale blue breathing hose.
"Hello, Senor Wright. Time to install the breathing hose for you. Come on, can we start?"
Phoenix throw asked glanced to Edgeworth, pointing his finger toward Doctor Canizares, and shook his head slowly. Without a sound, his mouth moved to say, "Feenie don't want being put that thing!"
"Wright, it's alright. You must willing to use this thing. This breathing hose will help you to breathe and you will quickly recover. It's okay, Papa is here." Edgeworth murmured with stumbling. Phoenix finally fell silent and nodded slowly. Doctor Canizares then approached his bed, and began to put a breathing hose on Phoenix's nose.
"Aa..au ... . ..agh," Phoenix groaned weakly. Maya, who can't bear to watch it again, turned her body around and walked out of the room. Edgeworth himself immediately closed his eyes when he saw Phoenix's nose being pinched by Doctor Canizares and Doctor Canizares inserting the hose through Phoenix's nostrils.
"Alright, and we're done, Senor Wright. Feel better? You don't feel shortness of breath again, right?"
Phoenix shook his head. Although he's not felt shortness of breath again, he felt very uncomfortable his nostrils being put a breathing hose like that. He nudged Edgeworth, pointing breathing hose under his nose, and asked without sound when he can take off the hose. Stroking Phoenix's hair softly, Edgeworth said, still with quivering voice, "Later, Wright, when you have recover, you can take off the hose. But now, you have to use the hose for all time."
Two weeks later, after Phoenix's condition improved gradually over post-surgery, Dr. Canizares allowed Phoenix to go home. Although still can't speak fluently, and still hurt when he talks, Phoenix felt very happy to be able to return home finally. At Edgeworth's home, Phoenix asking silently to Edgeworth to turn on the My Little Pony Tail cartoon. Edgeworth smiles softly.
"You never get bored with that cartoon, didn't you? You like it very much, right, Wright?" asked Edgeworth, a bit exasperated. With weak smile, Phoenix nodded his head. Edgeworth then holding Phoenix from his wheelchair and lay Phoenix on the couch. He then turned on the TV. It's easy for Edgeworth to hold Phoenix now, because while in the hospital, Phoenix's weight dropped drastically. Phoenix's body was very thin now, his weight as same as 9 year old boy weight. While Phoenix enjoy watching My Little Pony Tail, Maya and Edgeworth alternately feeding Phoenix a porridge. After done watching, Phoenix pointed his finger toward the window.
"What's the matter, Wright?" asked Edgeworth. He can't understand. "What do you want?"
"Walk..h..ng ... ar..ound ..." said Phoenix while continuing pointed out the window.
"Oh, you want to go outside?" asked Edgeworth again. Phoenix nodded. "Alright. Come on, raise your hand, Papa will carry you to your wheelchair."
Phoenix raised his left hand, while Maya help him to raise his right hand. Edgeworth carried him and put him into the wheelchair. His breathing hose tilted slightly, then Edgeworth fix it. After done, Edgeworth and Maya push Phoenix out of the house for take a walk.
The street was very quiet, there are no people who pass or walk by. Which means it's very good for Edgeworth, because there won't be nosy people who will whispering and say insulting words to him. They kept walking around, enjoying the afternoon's fresh air. When Phoenix saw a pile of flowers that lay on the edge of the road, Phoenix pinched Edgeworth's hand with his left hand and pointed his finger toward the flowers, asked Edgeworth to push him there.
With a bit of confusion, Edgeworth pushed Phoenix to the flower's place. Phoenix plucked two flowers with his left hand, and, with a very sweet smile, he gave a red flower that he had been plucked to Edgeworth.
"For ... Pa..pa ..." said Phoenix. Edgeworth accepts it and inhaled the flower.
"This is for me? Thank you very much, Wright," Edgeworth tucking the flowers into his pocket. He felt very touched. He then knelt in front of Phoenix's wheelchair, held Phoenix's hands, and kiss Phoenix's hands softly. "You must get better and recover, okay, Wright? Promise?"
Phoenix nodded his head, as if to answer 'I promise'. Then he turned his head toward Maya, and give purple flowers that he had been plucked to Maya.
"It's for me? Thank you very much, Nick," Maya said quietly, suddenly, her eyes felt wet. Maya hastily wiping her eyes and slipped the purple flowers to her pocket. They walked again, and went to the park. In the park, a few birds gathered and appeared to be eating something at the same time. Phoenix pointed his finger toward the birds, signaling that he wants to feed the birds.
" ..d ... f..e ... e ... d ... Pa..pa ..." said Phoenix.
"Oh, you want to feed those cute birds, Wright? But ... Papa didn't bring food for the birds," Edgeworth murmured.
"It's okay, Mr. Edgeworth! See! It seems that old man selling bird's food." said Maya. She pointed her finger at an old man dressed in gray and looks busy serving a woman.
"Okay, then. Maya, can I ask for a favor? Please buy the bird food to that old man. If you want a burger, just buy it too. I will take care of Wright here," said Edgeworth as he took some money from his wallet, and thrust the money into Maya's hands.
"Okay, Mr. Edgeworth! Nick, wait here, okay? We will feed the cute birds together."
As they waited for Maya done buying the bird food, some birds fly to the sky. Phoenix looked up at the birds, then pointed his finger toward the birds that fly into the sky.
"Bi..rd ... fly ... beau..ti..ful ..." said Phoenix. He turned his face slowly toward Edgeworth. Edgeworth looked up and participate stared to the birds that fluttered in the sky.
"Yeah ... they're beautiful, right, Wright? Do you like birds?"
Smiling, Phoenix nodded weakly.
"And you know what? Your name, Phoenix, is actually the name that taken from a bird name. The Phoenix bird. Phoenix bird, is a very beautiful bird, which has a red and gold feathers. Phoenix bird according to legend, can live to the age of 500 and even can up to 1451 year ... After having lived during that long time, the Phoenix bird will burn himself and from his ashes, will arise a young Phoenix bird ..."
Phoenix listening to Edgeworth's explanation attentively and were fascinated. So, his name was taken from a bird name? He wonders if he could see the Phoenix bird someday. Maybe he can ask to Papa for bring him to meet the Phoenix bird. Papa for sure won't refuse his request. After all, Papa always granted his wish.
"And you'll like the Phoenix bird when you recover… Just like Doctor Canizares said in the hospital…Rise from the ashes…" Edgeworth's words truncated when Maya walked over and handed the burgers packs to Edgeworth's hands. Then she handed the bird food bag to Phoenix's hands.
"Come on, Feenie, take the food, then you can feed the cute birds," said Maya. Phoenix fumbled the bird food bag with his left hand assisted by Edgeworth, take some food, and throw the food into the middle of the birds that were gathered. The birds jumped, began scrambling the food given by Phoenix. Phoenix laughed weakly with full of joy when he saw the birds fight over the food from him. Then he yawned very wide.
"Do you want to continue feeding the birds or we go home now, Wright?"
Silently, Phoenix moved his mouth, and said, "Go home."
Maya and Edgeworth turn Phoenix's wheelchair around and they go home. At home, Edgeworth holding Phoenix from his wheelchair to bed and laid him down. When Edgeworth had just about to step out from Phoenix's room, Phoenix opened his mouth to speak again.
"Pu..z..lh," He whispered weakly. Edgeworth frowned.
"What, Wright?" asked Edgeworth with a bit of confusion.
"Pu..z..z..le," said Phoenix again, more clearly than before, but Edgeworth still can't understand what was Phoenix saying.
"Oh!" cried Maya suddenly. "I think he said 'puzzle'. Perhaps he wants to play puzzle!"
"Is that right, Wright? You want to play puzzle with Papa and Mama?" asked Edgeworth. Smiling, Phoenix nodded his head vigorously. He clapped his left hand with his right hand that can't be moved.
"Okay, I'll fetch it," murmured Edgeworth. He took the puzzle he had bought for Phoenix some time ago from his desk. He went back into Phoenix's room, and sat beside Phoenix.
"Well, this is the puzzle. Pictorial dog puzzle," said Edgeworth. He turned the puzzle and ruffled the puzzle's pieces. "And it's time to play the puzzles. Let's get started. You're the first turn, Wright."
Phoenix took some puzzle's pieces scattered on the bed, and begin to put the pieces together. But, Phoenix composed the pieces wrong. He composed the puzzle pieces upside down, make the picture on the puzzle not visible. Edgeworth and Maya burst out laughing. While Phoenix smiled awkwardly. Edgeworth ruffled Phoenix's hair with exasperation. It seems has been a very long time for Edgeworth since he can laughed out loud like this. His burden, his sadness, his miserable feeling, like disappeared to thin air when he saw Phoenix laughed cheerfully, although Phoenix's laugh more like a cough than a laugh. But Edgeworth can see happiness in Phoenix's face. And it's more than enough for him. Suddenly, Phoenix's words in past echoed again in his ears.
You know Edgeworth, you must smile more. It won't kill you…
Wright is right. I should smiles more. Not crying more. In bad times like this, smile and laughs is the best comfort.
"This is not how you compose the puzzle, Wright," Edgeworth said with amused, "Here, Papa teaches you." Edgeworth put his hand over Phoenix's hand and led him to compose the puzzle correctly. While Maya watching them both. She felt very glad to see Edgeworth smiles and laughs again, so does with Nick. And they will laughs and smiles more after Nick recover! She can't wait for that day come. She can't wait to see Nick in his usual formal cheap blue suit, standing in the courtroom, not sitting on his wheelchair, and without that damn breathing hose. She can't wait to hear Nick shout objection and take that again. She can't wait to see Nick and Mr. Edgeworth working together to uncover the truth in courtroom. And she believes that day will come eventually. She wants Mr. Edgeworth to stop blaming himself. Nick won't stay like this forever. Because miracle is real, and she believes in it.
While the three of them being engrossed play the puzzle, the doorbell rang. Maya get up from her chair.
"I'll see who's coming, Mr. Edgeworth."
"Thank you very much, Maya. Please tell me later whose coming."
Maya walked out of the room, step into the living room, then opens the door. She felt her heart stop instantly when she saw the person who standing in front of her.
"You!" cried Maya, her whole body quivering with fury. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
To be continued...