Chapter 6 - End of the First Trimester

For the second time she could remember, Athena woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of heartbeats. It had taken time to get used to hearing two other heartbeats than her own – it was always surreal hearing her child's heartbeat. It was so small, but she could hear it grow every day and it mimicked her own sometimes as it grew to develop its own emotions.

It was both comforting and fascinating to hear the heartbeats of the two people she loved the most.

As she lay awake staring at the ceiling, listening to the lull of heartbeats, her heavy eyes suddenly opened wide again. She counted the heartbeats.

One loud one – that was Simon's. She was most familiar with it, knowing it almost as if it was her own. His heart echoed her own happiness and contentment with life.

Second – a smaller but definitely present heartbeat that she was still getting used to hearing. The baby. The emotions from this one was muddled – constantly flickering but always coming back to the feeling of safety and happiness.

But now there was another heartbeat – faint, like an echo. Was there an intruder in the house? They would have to be pretty nearby for her to hear it. She sat up in bed, looking around. She couldn't see anything, and she couldn't hear any movement. She lay back down in bed, definitely awake now. Simon groaned and rolled over.

'Thena?' He mumbled, sleepily and sighed. 'What's wrong?'

'Shhhhh' Athena said impatiently and gently patted his face. 'I'm trying to listen.' Simon groaned again.

'Listen to what?'

'Shhhh!' She tried to concentrate on the third heartbeat. After some silence, 'Simon, when's our next appointment?' Simon sighed, still trying to sleep.

'… not for another couple of weeks… Why?'

'I think we need to schedule one ASAP.'

'What?' Simon was awake now. 'Why? Is something wrong with the baby?'

'…No. I just have a suspicion. Please… go back to sleep. Everything is fine.' She could feel Simon's eyes studying her. 'Trust me.' She whispered. He grunted and rolled over, falling back to sleep within minutes.

For the first time in his life, Phoenix Wright woke up one morning to find boobs pressed against his face. Not naked boobs, there was a shirt over them and they weren't huge, but still – it was an unusual sensation and Phoenix couldn't work out why it was happening.

It's a work morning… Maya and I didn't get crazy last night… Even if we did, her boobs aren't big enough to really press against my face. Are they? He groggily thought to himself. As he slowly woke up more, he felt a weight pressed on his body and heard a whisper.

'Nick! Niiiiiiick! Are you awake?

'M-Maya? Are you ok?' There was silence as Maya shifted on top of him – he could feel the baby bump on his stomach.

'Maya? I hope you realise this isn't good for the baby…' Maya squeaked and promptly got off of Phoenix, sitting beside him on the bed.

'Sorry Nick…' She mumbled, placing her hand on her stomach. 'But I have boobs.' She whispered the last word.

'Uhhhh…Maya? Not to point out the obvious, but you've always had boobs…' Maya rolled her eyes.

'Nick! I know that – but they weren't exactly sizeable, were they? They were more like anthills rather than mountains.' She swayed from side to side and her chest noticeably moved. Phoenix's eyes widened as he couldn't help but stare, and he quickly looked away before turning red with embarrassment. He knew he was better than just dumbly staring at a pair of breasts in front of him. Maya looked down, turning red too. 'I mean, they're not huge, but they're still bigger than usual.' She leant over Phoenix, bringing her face closer to his and gently pressing her body to his before she sat upright – slight look of pain on her face.

'And tender.' She said, her hands on them, covering them, as if it would help ease the pain. Phoenix sat up and wrapping his arms around Maya's waist, pulling them closer together. He put one hand on Maya's belly. It seemed to flutter under his hand and sent a thrill through him. Maya looked down at her belly and smiled. Smiling at her smile, Phoenix kissed her forehead. Maya looked up to meet Phoenix's eyes before kissing him properly.

They could have stayed there kissing for the whole day, or at least they did until they heard a knock on their bedroom door.

'Daddy? Mumma? Pearl and I are heading off to school… H-have a good day! Love you!' Trucy shouted. Phoenix quickly broke off the kiss.

'Crap, is it that time already?' He muttered to Maya. 'Bye Truce! Have a good day!' He shouted at the door. Looking at Maya, he gave her one quick kiss. 'Sorry honey, I have to head to work real soon!' He said before heading into the ensuite and turning the shower on. 'What are you doing today, honey?' He shouted over the sound of the water.

Maya stood up off the bed and walked into the ensuite. 'Oh, I've got another scan, Nick…' There was a casual tone to her voice as she stared at Phoenix's back, 'The scan that you said you'd come to…' Phoenix turned to look at Maya, his usually spiky hair in wet tangles around his face and his face in slight shock.

'Th-that's today?' Maya huffed, and Phoenix ran his hand through his wet hair. 'I'm so sorry honey, but I've got a big day planned…' He wiped the water from his face as he turned to see Maya with her arms crossed – disappointment and annoyance written all over her face. The shower water pounded Phoenix's back as he studied her.

'This is your child too, Nick. Don't you want to see him?' Phoenix raised his eyebrow.

'Oh, so we've finally decided it's a boy, have we?' He smiled. Maya huffed.

'No! It's definitely a girl, I was just… appeasing you for the sake of the argument.' She finished quickly. 'That's not the point. The point is… that this is our child. And you said you'd make it to the scan.'

'I-I know, honey. I've… just been so busy and I have to be in court tomorrow and…' Maya scoffed. 'This really isn't making it better, is it.'

'Nope. Excuses don't get far with me, Phoenix Wright.' Phoenix gulped – if Maya used his full name, he was in trouble. 'Please don't be that person who puts work before family.' Phoenix looked down.

'Hey, I've gotten this far with Trucy – I wouldn't say I put work before her…' He said in a quieter, defeated tone of voice before he looked at her again, 'Or you?' Maya smiled.

'You know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, Nick.'

'Then don't worry. I will always be there for my family, no matter what.' His voice was still quiet but more confident this time.

'Except this time.'

'…Yes…' Phoenix couldn't look Maya in the eyes as he thought. 'I'm sorry Maya.' His eyes found his way through the water running down his face, back to hers. 'Raincheck?' He asked sheepishly. Maya rolled her eyes again.

'Fine – but you have to drop me off at the clinic.' Phoenix grinned. 'You're lucky that I love you.' She said as she walked out of the ensuite, 'And I won't tell you if anything exciting comes up.' She called back.

Phoenix couldn't help but smile to himself.

Closing the apartment door behind her and walking into the kitchen to grab some more Snackoos, Ema Gavin was greeted with a gentle hand on her right shoulder which then trailed down her back to rest on her hips followed by a kiss on her cheek. She couldn't help but smile and turned to face her husband. Klavier's eyes sparkled and he locked hands with hers as Ema pecked him on the lips.

'How was your day, Schatz?' Klavier asked as Ema turned back to the cupboards to find the Snackoos' box.

'It was alright.' She said absentmindedly, as she rifled through the containers and boxes in the cupboard. Klavier came up behind her, putting his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder as she kept searching. 'Um… that's not really helping, Klav… I think we've run out of Snackoos. How could I forget to get some more?' Ema sighed. He let his hands rest on her stomach. Ema wasn't showing yet – it was hard for her to really believe that she was pregnant when her belly hadn't even grown, but Klavier didn't care. He still couldn't believe that a whole person was growing inside her. Klavier closed his eyes and let his hands roam her stomach as she spoke.

'Hmmm… we can get some more tomorrow, Em. So, your day was just "alright"? I find that hard to…' Klavier's hands stopped roaming Ema's stomach. He turned her around.

'What? What is it?' Ema looked slightly alarmed while Klavier just looked… fascinated. Kneeling at eye level with her stomach, he gently lifted her shirt ever so slightly and placed his warm hand on her cool stomach – caressing it. 'Klavier? You're weirding me out…'

'You didn't tell me you had a bump…' Klavier said as he looked up at Ema. She just looked down at him in disbelief.

'I…I don't. I haven't shown yet.'

'You're telling me that you don't notice when your own body is growing?'

'I'm sorry, what? If you think I'm showing, which I'm not, I think I'd know.' Klavier laughed.

'Well you don't, because there…' He said, moving his hand across her stomach, 'it is.' There was a small bump at the level of her hips. Bringing Ema's hand to it, he stood up and looked at her in the eye. Ema looked dumbfounded as Klavier's hand rested on hers where the baby grew inside her.

'For an amazing and highly skilled forensic investigator, you can be so oblivious sometimes, Ema Gavin.' Klavier said in a low voice as he smiled.

'I-I've been busy… t-this is different…' Ema blushed slightly and looked away, conceding defeat to Klavier's statement. He cupped her ear with his other hand and turned her face to his.

'Is it?' He whispered and smiled, leaning in to kiss her. She kissed him back, placing a hand on his chest. Taking the hand of Ema's belly and putting it around her waist, pressed his body closer to hers. Small pecks turned into needy kisses as Ema rested both arms around Klavier's neck. Klavier took that as his cue to make a trail of kisses down her neck. She undid her neck tie and the top three buttons as he placed butterfly kisses down to, and along her collarbone. All Ema could hear was the soft sound of Klavier's kisses and her heavy breathing.

No matter how many times they kissed, she would always get a tingle down her spine. The familiar smell of his hair, his soft lips on her skin and his gentle but firm hands holding her to him – Ema could happily rest in the comfort and safety of his arms all day.

Klavier kissed his way back up Ema's neck to her mouth where they both battled for dominance until the need to breathe intervened. Ema put her hands on the edge of the bench and Klavier pinned them there with his own as he watched Ema slowly catch her breath – her cheeks were pink and her lips parted slightly, shiny with their shared saliva. There was hunger in his eyes and he could see the growing neediness in hers. Leaning down to whisper in her ear, he felt her shiver with anticipation. His only consent was a hum before he led her out of the kitchen.

Mia closed the car door as she hopped in Diego's car and pecked Diego on the cheek. As he pulled away from the kerb, she sighed.

'Everything alright, Kitten?' He glanced sideways at her. Mia was resting her arm on the door, with her head leaning on her hand, watching the city scenery pass.

'Just a little nervous, I guess.' Pulling up at a red light, Diego took the opportunity to look at his girlfriend in detail. She looked tired yet somehow had a rosy look accompanying the slight but still definitive baby bump.

'Because it's obvious that you're pregnant?' He couldn't help but smile when he said that and neither, he noticed, could Mia.

'Yeah.' Her usual confident smile had been replaced by a shyer one, and her cheeks coloured, 'It's just… I'm worried about rumours.'

'Why? Everyone knows we've been together for a while. There's no question as to who the father is. Which is me by the way.' He winked at her while she just rolled her eyes.

'Really? I had no idea.' She playfully swatted him as a horn beeped behind them. The light had been green for a couple of seconds.

'Well I'm sorry that I'm the one with the nice car and a girlfriend while you just incessantly watch the light change to green. If I wasn't on my way to work, I'd sit here and make you sit through a green as well.' Diego muttered to himself and the car behind him as he drove. Speaking louder now to Mia he said, 'Did I remind you how sexy our kid is gonna be?'

'I think you mean cute, Diego. Babies aren't born sexy. They're born cute.'

'I'll pay that – but when they grow up, they'll be so hot that they'll make me look bad.' Mia rolled her eyes again.

'Ok, Mr. Ego. Time to deflate. There's no room in this car for me, the baby and your big head.' Diego just chuckled.

'You forgot to mention my muscles.' Mia just glared at him as he winked at her.

Ten minutes later, as they pulled into the parking lot, Mia grabbed Diego's hand tightly as they walked towards the building.

'Mia, it'll be ok. I bet no one will even notice.'

'I think it's a little hard not to notice.' She huffed as they both walked into an empty elevator.

'Well it's not like you're huge. You've just grown a tiny bit.' Mia checked herself out in the elevator's mirrors before looking back at Diego. He could see the worry in her eyes, 'Hey.' His hand traced her arm down to her own hand before holding it, 'Relax.' His voice was soothing and gentle in the quiet elevator as he squeezed her hand, 'It's not like you to worry this much. If it really bothers you, we can ask Grossberg to make an official announcement?'

'I…' The elevator bell dinged and the doors opened. 'We'll continue this conversation later.' She finished quietly as they exited the elevator.

'Good morning, Mr. Armando! Good morning, Ms. Fey!' The young and chipper receptionist, Poppy, never failed to say good morning to both of them every day. Bright pink lipstick outlined shiny white teeth as she smiled at them before tucking her short, brown hair behind her ear. Her cheap, chipped French manicured nails continued their rapid typing on the keyboard. Her hazel eyes quietly followed Mia and Diego as they said their collective good morning and passed the receptionist desk to continue down the hallway beyond her sight.

Poppy couldn't help but feel that there was something different in the way Ms. Fey looked and how she walked. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. It was hard for her to focus on her job when she kept thinking about Ms. Fey. Absentmindedly, she said good morning to Mr. Hammond with the usual cheerful tone. Curiosity was eating at her and she was determined to resolve this nagging feeling about Ms. Fey. Just as Poppy was about to go to Mr. Grossberg to ask about Ms. Fey's wellbeing (as nicely as possible of course – she didn't want to be too nosy), Ms. Fey herself was standing at Poppy's desk.

Putting on a smile, Poppy took the opportunity to study Ms. Fey closely as she looked up at her from the desk. She looked almost exactly the same as she always did, the only differences being a new blouse and some nervous glances here and there.

'Is something wrong Ms. Fey?'

'There was a note on my desk that you had some files I was looking for.' Poppy nodded before turning around in her chair and walking over to a low shelf behind her. She grabbed a decent-sized stack of thick files and put them on the counter between herself and Ms. Fey.

Now that she was standing eye to eye with Ms. Fey she noticed another thing. Had Ms. Fey put on a little bit of weight? It seemed odd to Poppy that Ms. Fey would suddenly gain weight – she was easily the slimmest female in the office, her figure was the unattainable goal of her female co-workers.

'Are you feeling ok today, Ms. Fey? You look… uh… different somehow.'

Mia tried to hide her mixed response of surprise and mild embarrassment but had a feeling that Poppy noticed her failed attempt.

'N-no. I feel… fine.' Mia casually rested her arm on the counter, feigning nonchalance, 'I think it's just going to be one of those days…' Poppy tried not to raise her eyebrows at Ms. Fey. She was definitely hiding something.

'If you say so.' She gave a small smile anyway as she pushed the files towards Mia, 'You'll be ok to take these? They are a little heavy.'

'Oh, I don't think I…' Mia was about to give an excuse before she stopped herself. If I give an excuse as to why I can't take them, it'll look too suspicious. But I don't want to strain myself. Mia exhaled and glanced down the hallway, seeing the open door to her office. It's only a short walk – I'll be fine.

'I mean… I don't think it'll be a problem.' She smiled, looking at Poppy who looked concerned. With great difficulty, she heaved the files off the high counter and somehow managed to load them on one hip, with both hands holding the files. Poppy couldn't help but watch as Ms. Fey hobbled down the hallway with the files on her hip before running into Mr. Armando who immediately carried the files for her into her office. As he did, Poppy noticed Ms. Fey following him with a hand resting suspiciously on her belly.

Now it was definitely time to ask Mr. Grossberg about Ms. Fey.

'Ready to go, Athena?' Simon stood at the entrance to the Wright Anything Agency while his wife finished typing up something on her computer. Both Phoenix and Apollo were out – Apollo was in court against Edgeworth while Phoenix was out talking to witnesses, his client and checking out the crime scene ready for his trial tomorrow. Phoenix had already given Athena the afternoon off to go to her spontaneously scheduled scan. Her eagerness to schedule the scan had worried Simon but Athena assured him multiple times that he didn't need to worry. Despite this, she still wouldn't tell him her suspicions or reasons for needing the scan as soon as possible.

Athena closed her laptop, grabbed her bag and her jacket and turned the lights off before she followed Simon out of the office. She locked the door behind her and let her fingers interlock with Simon's as they walked out of the building and towards his car.

The short car trip was silent, but Athena could hear all of Simon's worries. She rested a hand on his leg while he drove and that seemed to placate his anxiety until they pulled up at the clinic.

'Are you sure you can't tell me why we had to have this scan at such short notice?' Simon asked as he held her hand while they walked through the door of the clinic.

'Nope. It'll be a surprise.' Athena just smiled coyly at him and Simon just looked away, half annoyed but half curious.

'Ms. Cykes and Mr. Blackquill?' The obstetrician called out and Athena and Simon walked down the white, clinic hallway to the examination room. They sat down beside the obstetrician's desk as he sat at his desk and pulled up Athena's file. He then turned to them and observed the pair – Athena had nervous anticipation all over her face while Simon was hard to read. If the obstetrician could name an emotion based on Simon's expression, it would have to be 'unsure'.

'So, Ms. Cykes, Mr. Blackquill. What seems to be the problem? I see on your record that you're not supposed to be scheduled in until next week. Is there something that's caused a scare?' His voice was friendly and reassuring and it put Athena at ease with what she was about to say. Nonetheless, she still glanced at Simon before she spoke.

'Uh, well… I'm not sure if you're aware that I can hear people's hearts. Like their emotions and heartbeats.'

'Your records mentioned something like that. What about it?' The obstetrician pushed his glasses up his nose.

'Well the other night, I was lying awake, listening to Simon's heartbeats and the baby's.' Somehow it was suddenly hard for her to say the next thing. She swallowed.

'Yes… and? Was there something wrong with the baby's heart?' Athena looked away for a bit. The obstetrician continued, 'We can scan the baby if you want us to check their heart?'

'Well that's the thing.' She absentmindedly half crossed her arms before looking Simon in the eyes as she said, 'I think there's two. Two babies.' Simon's eyes widened as he looked away and held her hand. She could hear a small feeling of happiness flicker in his heart, overriding the anxiety. Looking back at the obstetrician who didn't seem surprised, merely open to Athena's revelation, she continued, 'So I'd like a scan just to confirm if it is… twins and if they're both healthy.' Wow. Twins. Saying the word out loud was so much more powerful than it just running through her head.

'Of course. Let's get you set up.'

'Maya? I'm home.' Phoenix was absolutely exhausted from the day. It had been non-stop between talking to his client and finding information and evidence and Phoenix had been on his feet all day. He collapsed on the couch and put his head back as he looked at the ceiling and sighed. Maya came out of the bedroom to join him on the couch, with a kiss on his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder. He put his arm around her and rested his head on hers as they cuddled. The sunset painted bright orange on the wall to their right, silhouettes of the apartment adding to the simple painting of light.

After basking in the sunset for a bit, Maya asked Phoenix about his day.

'It was so hectic. I was running around all over town getting my case together for tomorrow. It should be relatively clear cut, just getting everything together was a mess. Apollo texted me and said he won his case – it was against Edgeworth no less. I can't believe how brilliant Apollo has become as a lawyer. Maybe one day, I'll step down and he can take over the Wright Anything Agency.' He chuckled to himself and Maya felt his body rumble as he did, 'Not yet though. I'm not done with the legal profession.' Maya just smiled to herself.

*ping*

'Oh, that's me. Hang on.' Phoenix grabbed his phone out of his pocket before checking the message. He whistled in surprise and put his phone on his lap.

'Well who would have known?' He said as he scratched his chin.

'What is it Nick?' Maya sat up and looked at the phone in Phoenix's lap.

'Athena and Simon are having twins.' Phoenix said as Maya read the words herself. 'Imagine finding out your pregnant with a kid, only for it to suddenly turn into two.' He laughed before looking down at Maya. Maya laughed awkwardly.

'Ha, yeah. What if that did happen to us, Nick? How would you feel?' Maya looked up at Phoenix. The question caught him off guard.

'Uh… well I… I don't know.' He thought for a bit, 'I'd be thrilled, but a little surprised I guess. I mean I'm flat out processing that we're having one kid. My brain would probably overload if we were having twins or more.' Maya just looked away and a small smile formed on her face, 'Maya. Why do you ask?' Maya's smile only grew but she still didn't look Phoenix in the eye. Phoenix gently grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face him.

'Don't tell me that we're…' Maya tutted, with a cheeky smile on her face.

'Uh-uh-uh. I told you this morning that I wouldn't tell you if anything exciting came up at the scan. So my lips are sealed.' Phoenix's face just fell at her words.

'Ok well… today was the gender reveal, wasn't it? Is it a boy or a girl?' Maya smiled again.

'That, dear Nick, is another big reveal. So, I'm saying zilch.'

'Maya!' Phoenix groaned and let go of Maya as he turned away to think. He suddenly turned back and smiled at her. Maya's smile faded to a cautious expression.

'Oh no. You've come up with a plan.' Phoenix nodded, over-confident.

'You're never one to keep secrets for long. Sooner or later, you'll have to tell someone. And Trucy and Pearl will come to me with all the news and excitement if you tell them. It would be awkward if you told Apollo and Athena without telling me and if you did, they'd just assume that I already knew. Face it – no matter who you tell, it'll all come back to me somehow. So, I'll just wait until you can't keep the secret to yourself and end up telling me.' Maya huffed and pouted, 'Did I also mention that I'll just hide all of your Steel Samurai series DVDs until you tell me?' Maya's jaw dropped while Phoenix kept smiling, almost innocently.

'That's blackmail, Nick!' She said in shock, as she started hitting him on the arm.

'Hey! I'm just a curious husband trying to find out more about his future child or children. Information that my stubborn, pregnant wife won't tell me!' Maya huffed and crossed her arms with her back to him. Phoenix tried to place his hand on her shoulder, but she wriggled away. Phoenix sighed.

'Ok, can I at least feel your tummy?' Maya groaned but nodded in reply. Holding her close with her back still to him, he wrapped both arms around her as he placed both hands on her baby bump. He couldn't tell if there were one or more babies in there but he loved feeling it anyway.

'I'm sorry, Maya.' He whispered, 'I just want to know all about our future kids.' Maya sighed. Phoenix knew she could never stay mad at him for long. She turned around to face him, although they both knew she did it reluctantly.

'It's… You know I really hate how you manage to make me talk even when I've decided not to.' She rolled her eyes and quietly said, 'It's a boy and a girl.' Ignoring his heart going berserk, he smiled kissed Maya in excitement.

At least Maya could count on Phoenix to quietly appreciate hearing, and being part of, the biggest news of her life.

A/N: I'm assuming that the apartment that holds the Wright Anything Agency also is Phoenix's residential apartment. I can't remember if that's canon or if that's just something I read and decided to go along with… can anyone confirm/back me up?

Hope you enjoyed another longer chapter – I'm back peeps ?