Chapter Text
"Hey, daddy?"
Phoenix turned from his pile of paperwork to see the little magician standing next to him, a plastic cup in her gloved hands.
"What is it, Trucy?"
"I need some water," she held out the cup. Just like Pearl, she couldn't reach the sink on her own.
"Sure, hold on."
He headed to the kitchen and came back to Trucy looking curiously at the papers. She looked up and bounced off his spot on the sofa, taking the cup of water. "Thanks, daddy."
"No problem, honey."
Having just moved into his apartment several weeks ago, they were both still adjusting to the new lifestyle. Taking care of both Maya and Pearl when they were in town gave him some experience, but having a child live with him full-time still needed some getting used to. Many times he entirely forgot about her until she'd appear next to him.
When he first suggested she stayed with him till Zak returned, she wasn't too eager but still agreed without hesitation, saying that her daddy had told her "he could be trusted". The statement plagued Phoenix's mind for a long time.
Now, Trucy was sitting next to him, fiddling with her cape. "Daddy.. are you gonna lose your job?"
"Hm? What makes you think that?"
"Well," she kept her gaze on the floor. "I heard you talking on the phone the other day. Something about a badge."
"Oh, that. Well, no, it'll be okay. I just need to retake an exam so I can go to work again," Phoenix replied, smiling at her. "Were you worried?"
She nodded. "I heard you were almost fired 'cause of that page I gave you. I'm- I'm sorry, daddy."
"Oh, Trucy," he put his arm around her. "You have nothing to be sorry for, okay? It's not your fault. Plus, I won't be fired! I'll still have my job, it's just gonna be some time before I can start working again."
"Okay, daddy." The name sounded unnatural when it was meant for him and not Zak.
.
"Congratulations, Wright," Edgeworth said, warmly. He'd picked up the call on the first tone, evidently waiting for the good news. "I knew you'd pass the bar with ease."
"Eh, not so easy," Phoenix replied. "They definitely made it harder since I first took it. But thanks. I dunno what I'd do if I lost my badge for good."
"The crime rates would be outrageous, for one. You do the detectives' jobs better than they do."
"No kidding."
"How's.. Trucy?" Edgeworth asked after a short pause. "Has she warmed up to you alright?"
Phoenix hesitated. "Well, we talk just fine, and she does okay in school. But I can tell she really misses her dad."
"I see. Do you think he'll come back for her?"
"I can't say for sure. He's still at large, so it's not really ideal for him to have a kid in tow," Phoenix sighed. "But I just don't know how to cheer her up. She doesn't even practice her tricks much these days."
"Perhaps we'll just have to make her feel at home," Edgeworth suggested. "Why don't you introduce her to Miss Fey when she visits? Or bring her to the village she lives in. Being cooped up alone inside your apartment can't be good for her."
"Ha, you're telling me how to socialize? Never thought I'd see the day," Phoenix chuckled. "But that is good advice anyhow. Maya and Pearl would love her. I hope she'll like them too - I just wanna make sure she's comfy while she's here."
"As long as it's you she's in good hands," Edgeworth assured him. "I must continue my work now. Have a good day, Wright."
"You too, Edgeworth."
After giving the same news to Maya (who was thankfully able to pick up his call), he pocketed the ancient cell phone and mounted his bike. As he cycled home, all Phoenix could think of was how happy Trucy would be when he gave her the news.
.
Upon opening the door, he could hear a faint buzz coming from the television.
"Trucy?" he called, hanging his coat. "You watching tv?"
"Mhmm!"
There she was, sprawled on the sofa watching a recording of the Pink Princess.
"Did you eat the lunch I left for you?" Phoenix asked, sitting down next to her.
Trucy nodded. "It was great! You cook nice, daddy."
"Aw, thanks. Was school okay?"
"Yeah, but I can't finish my homework. Are you any good at math, daddy?"
"I can do third grade math, sure. We'll do that in a bit though, I have something to tell you."
Deep breaths. "I got my job back! So we don't have to worry about food and things like that now. Isn't that great?"
Her face was positively glowing. "That's really great! I'm really happy for you, daddy!" She threw her arms around him, and he could feel the joy radiating from her.
"Thanks, Trucy. I was thinking we could celebrate with some of my friends," Phoenix continued. "Would you want to meet them?"
Trucy slid back onto the couch. "Sure! Are they all lawyers like you, daddy?"
"Haha, no, just one or two. My friends come in a variety, but they're all nice."
"Then, I can't wait to meet your friends!"
"That's good. Now, what about that math homework, hm?"