173 Born To Be My Baby

Rainy night and we worked all day
We both got jobs ’cause there’s bills to pay
We got something they can’t take away
Our love, our lives

Close the door, leave the cold outside
I don’t need nothing when I’m by your side
We got something that’ll never die
Our dreams, our pride

My heart beats like a drum (all night)
Flesh to flesh, one to one (and it’s alright)
And I’ll never let go cause
There’s something I know deep inside

You were born to be my baby
And baby, I was made to be your man

We got something to believe in
Even if we don’t know where we stand
Only God would know the reasons
But I bet he must have had a plan
Cause you were born to be my baby
And baby, I was made to be your man

Light a candle, blow the world away
Table for two on a TV tray
It ain’t fancy, baby that’s OK
Our time, our way

So hold me close better hang on tight
Buckle up, baby, it’s a bumpy ride
We’re two kids hitching down the road of life
Our world, our fight

If we stand side by side (all night)
There’s a chance we’ll get by (and it’s alright)
And I’ll know that you’ll be live
In my heart till the day that I die

Cause you were born to be my baby
And baby, I was made to be your man

We got something to believe in
Even if we don’t know where we stand
Only God would know the reasons
But I bet he must have had a plan
Cause you were born to be my baby
And baby, I was made to be your man

My heart beats like a drum (all night)
Flesh to flesh, one to one (and it’s alright)
And I’ll never let go cause
There’s something I know deep inside

Cause you were born to be my baby
And baby, I was made to be your man

The Borscht Bowl Club
July 12, 2026, 6:45 PM

“Are you sure this is the place?” The woman asked, dubiously regarding the faded name on the sign of the establishment in front of her. “I’ve only heard about it by reputation, but have never been here.”

“It’s the same name and address on the flyer the wind blew in my mug the moment I stepped out the door. It’s a destined sign if I ever heard of one.” The man spat out the toothpick dangling from the corner of his mouth and replaced it with a cigarette, which bobbed as he spoke. “Let’s head on in.”

Around dinnertime, most of The Borscht Bowl regulars were either dining elsewhere or in the upstairs restaurant, with a scarcely populated bar area this early in the evening. However, the few patrons present all swiveled their heads and turned to simultaneously gawk at the large, imposing man and his female companion as they entered the Russian lower-level tavern.

The hulking titan was easily a clear head higher than what most people would consider tall – about 7’5″ easily – and not at all lanky like an NBA player. He was a tower of bunched muscles, visible even beneath his jeans and flannel shirt, the rolled-up sleeves exposing tree trunk forearms. Appearing to be in his early 60s, but still, a force to be reckoned with, his rough, tanned mien was covered in faded scar tissue aplenty, with only a few wrinkles around his sharp golden eyes. He sported a chestnut and silver-streaked mane, buzzed at the sides, but the hair circling the top of his head from his widow’s peak was left to grow and fall over the sides, stopping short just past the tops of his ears. The final touch was a braided rattail at the base of his neck, forming a lion’s tail brush at the end. Well-groomed muttonchops and a bushy goatee circled his chin and mouth, from which dangled an unlit cigarette.

Taking one gander at the newest arrivals standing in the doorway, Tyler decided he’d rather die of secondhand smoke inhalation before he told this walking hulk of a man that it was a non-smoking establishment!

With the blonde trailing by his side, the stranger lumbered right up to the bar and thumped a huge, leathered hand onto the counter – although luckily, made no move to light up.

The tapster eyed the two new patrons warily. While the pretty, honey-haired woman of medium height and build seemed harmless enough – slightly younger than the man, though she’d aged well, with scarcely noticeable lines around her stunning Peridot eyes – the intimidating giant was something else entirely; definitely not the sort you’d want to bump into in a dark alley!

Squinting up into the weathered phizog, Tyler briefly wondered how many jokes and comments about his stature the man had gotten daily, such as jibes about “the air being thin up there.” Not that he’d dare make such commentary. He valued his job – and his life! – too damn much!

This guy didn’t look like he had a sense of humor.

“Tell me something, son.” The customer’s deep voice sounded like a rumble of thunder. “Word on the street says this is the place where a certain legendary bird of law and truth has morphed into an infamous card shark that lures in unsuspecting pigeons who try to challenge him in poker.”

“Oh, you mean Phoenix?” Tyler cleared his throat nervously. “Um, he’s off tonight.”

“Such a damn shame.” The visitor’s expression was unreadable. “I was sorely hoping to… bump into him.”

“You wouldn’t want to bump him too hard!” The barkeep’s words died in his throat as he found himself being met with stone-cold silence at the attempted joke. “You’d knock him right over!”

The young man was so skittish, he entirely missed the barely discernable, half-upward twitch of the stranger’s mouth, or the telltale smirk on the woman’s lips, in response to the jibe. Gulping hard, Tyler hastily attempted to atone.

“Er, as luck would have it though, our poker champ called earlier because he needed to speak to the owners, but they aren’t going to be in until a bit later tonight. Phoenix did mention he’d pop by then. But, um, that won’t be for a few more hours.”

“Sounds good.” The man idly stroked his 5 o’clock shadow and pulled up a stool for the woman beside him, a wicked glint in his eye. “Looks like I’ve got some time to kill.”

Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey
Wright Anything Agency
July 12, 2026, 7:30 PM

“Cheers!” The hobo sunk on the lower level agency sofa and raised his wineglass of sparkling prosecco he and Maya had picked up after their celebration dinner at Alden Tae’s. “To finally extinguishing the flames of the Dragon Lady, once and for all!”

“Here’s to you, Mildew!” The Master tittered. “May you suffer in the dregs of the Gulag as much as you’ve made everyone else around you suffer your miserable existence all these years!”

“I’ll drink to that!”

The smiling duo intertwined their arms and then Maya lifted her drink to Phoenix’s mouth, while he did the same with his, raising it to her lips, and then each took a long swig of the cold fizzy libation from the other’s flute.

“I do wish the girls were here right now!” The spirit medium set down her goblet on the coffee table and let out a sigh. “This is such a momentous event that we’re celebrating and I wish we had more people to rejoice with us! At least we can toast with Boris and Natasha later this evening… When did Tyler say they’re going to be in?”

“Around 9:00 or so.”

“Well, I guess it’s just you and me with some time to kill until then?” She winked, then jumped up from the couch and flicked on the stereo. “Let’s make this a real commemoration… And spice things up with some tuneage!”

A loud, pulsating beat filled the room.

“Ooh! I love this song!” The diviner began shimmying her hips. “This a classic by Timbaland! FYI, he’s a seriously famous music producer and rapper, just to keep you in the loop, Old Man!”

“I am fully aware of who he is!” He informed her wryly. “I actually know this song, too! You’re not the only one with a teenage daughter who has bad taste in music!”

“Bad taste?” She took the remote and turned the song up until it was nearly at full blast. “Nick, you old fart! This song is amazeballs! Plus, it was made for you and me!”

Grabbing his hand, she pulled him to his feet and began wriggling herself up and down the snickering pianist’s form.

I ain’t got no money
I ain’t got no car to take you on a date
I can’t even buy you flowers
But together we’ll be the perfect soulmates
Talk to me girl

“Maya, what are you doing?”

He couldn’t stop laughing as he gauchely attempted to shuffle his feet to the beat – he was a much better singer than a dancer – and listened to the admitted fitting lyrics about a man who had nothing to offer the woman he loved, except his heart, because he didn’t have a cent to his name.

There had been a time such a sharp parallel reminder about his own circumstances would have stung. But since Larris’ wedding, when his swain had blithely risked everything to show how she’d remain forever his girl, and affixed by his side, Phoenix was left with no room for any bleakness within his heart.

Besides that, it was impossible to be in a funk with the tantalizing sight of his lyrical lover warbling the next chorus whilst shaking her moneymaker.

Baby if you strip, you can get a tip
Cause I like you just the way you are
(I’m about to strip and I’m well equipped
Can you handle me the way I’m are?)
I don’t need the G’s or the car keys
Boy I like you just the way you are
Let me see ya strip, you can get a tip
Cause I like, I like, I like…

“Thug it out?” Phoenix parroted, giving an unprepared yelp as his girlfriend snatched his aqua hat and placed it onto her head, looking for all intents and purposes, like a pint-sized, wannabe gangsta. “Maya, what the heck…”

“At least try to move to the beat, Mr. Double Left Foot!” She playfully stuck out her tongue and tugged at his hands, trying to speed along his inept shuffling. “Or, if you insist on boogieing like the whitest man in North America, at least sing along!”

I ain’t got no Visa
I ain’t got no Red American Express
We can’t go nowhere exotic
It don’t matter cause I’m the one that loves you best…

Phoenix stopped pretending to have any rhythm whatsoever and instead began to slowly savor the sensation of the magnificent Kurain Master grinding against his body and continuing to gyrate her hips in an unmistakably provocative manner, creating a slow burn within him while his avid gaze marveled at the titillating view of his woman in her man’s attire.

On him, that cap looked hobo chic, at best. On Maya, it looked dead sexy.

Especially alluring was the way the too-large beanie slung low over one twinkling orb, which, as she tossed back her hair, was now knowingly winking at him.

The heat simmering within him intensified as he drank in just how hot his dancing queen looked in his gear while continually pressing her undulating hips back against him.

Between her suggestive ministrations and the sight of her in his hat, Phoenix yearned more than anything to keep seeing her in it … while wearing absolutely nothing else. And suddenly, the only thing he cared about was showing Maya Fey just how good his moves could be, as well.

But it wouldn’t be while on his feet. Or vertical…

“Come here, my little booty shaker.” He abruptly snagged Maya by the waist and unceremoniously tossed her back onto the sofa. “You’ve made your point.”

“Hey!” She protested laughingly, not expecting to be interrupted mid-performance. “What gives?”

“I don’t need no rapper in the background reminding me about art imitating life, and that just like his lady in the song, you don’t need me to flash my non-existent cash to impress you. Despite this …”

His indigo eyes smoldered as he stared down at her flushed visage.

“If you want to let me see you strip, you’ll definitely get more than just the tip…”

Maya’s breath caught in her throat as his intentions became quite clear, and she reflexively reached up to stroke his jaw with her fingertips, the fevered sensation in her mocha orbs now matching his.

Nothing is sexier than someone who wants you as much as you want them.

“You’ve more than proved to me – and the entire world – that no matter what, you’re not going anywhere, my love. And I’ve had more than enough proof at this point that regardless of where my life path or my fate leads take me, I was made to be your man.”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her up towards him, his gaze intense.

“And you, my love? What were you born for? To play double duty as Master of Kurain and my unofficial investigative partner in trying to clean my name? To be mistress of Fey Manor by day and my no-longer-secret lover by night? To someday be the wife of a man who may or may not get his badge back, and might be a subpar pianist the rest of his life, but will love you till the end of his days?”

Maya stared up into his loving gaze, and as always, found herself helplessly lost.

Only in the eyes of love can you find infinity.

It wasn’t his taut, toned physique that’d haunted her dreams almost since day one, and never ceased to rise her from even the deepest slumber, aching and yearning for his touch, or the heated lips which never failed to set her ablaze.

It’s never been just about the physical with me and Nick. When we’ve made love, it’s been how we’ve openly surrendered to this unbounded love, even as thoughts come and go, fears clench and pass, and desires ebb and flow. But it’s easy to take off your clothes and copulate for the hell of it. People do it all the time. Yet opening up your soul to someone, letting them into your spirit, thoughts, fears, future, hopes, dreams… that is being naked. That’s why with us, sex is not just sex – it’s the outermost layer; deep inside is sempiternal love.

Phoenix was her heart and the breath of her body. She wouldn’t leave him, irrespective of circumstances. She couldn’t.

“I was born for you.” She held out her arms to him. “I can’t live without you, Nick.”

“Maya.” His eyes were blazing as he leaned his head down towards hers. “I’ll never be able to look at your face without loving you.”

“Nick,” she whispered, already raising herself upward. “Oh, Nick…”

The next thing she knew, he had crushed his lips against hers, stealing the very wind from her lungs. She hardly had a moment to react before his tongue darted to the seam of her lips, demanding access, and once granted, delved inside her mouth. It was a fervent, passionate kiss, with the lingering taste of wine being exchanged in the intermingling of their billowing breaths.

Her arms reached up and tangled around his strong neck. In an instant she’d pulled away and arched up into his broad chest, moaning in the contact of body heat against her own, before she drew back into his lips. She could nearly feel the slight burn of the wine as it rolled off her tongue and seeped down her throat with every thrust of his tongue against hers. Then she pushed Phoenix backward and climbed atop him, so that he was seated back against the cushions and she was now astride his lap, their lips still infused.

All the while, the stereo in the background continued to blare, while the enamored pair remained blissfully unaware of what was happening in the outside hallway.

Apollo Justice and the Fey/Wright Family
Wright Anything Agency
July 12, 2026, 7:40 PM

“Somebody’s got an affinity for retro tunes!”

My baby, he don’t talk sweet
He ain’t got much to say
But he loves me, loves me, loves me
I know that he loves me anyway

Apollo’s voice was muffled by the nearly sky-high armload of boxes and parcels he was carrying as he approached what he imagined was the Wright Anything Agency door.

“I could hear the music blasting all the way down the hall! Is your father hard of hearing, Trucy?”

And maybe he don’t dress fine
But I don’t really mind
‘Cause every time he pulls me near
I just wanna cheer

“Don’t be rude, Polly! Daddy’s not that old!” Trucy chided, walking ahead of the bellyaching ersatz bellboy and fumbling for her keys. “Being a music man, he just really loves classic 80’s musicals, especially Dirty Dancing. I know that song from Footloose. I guess that means Daddy’s home!”

Let’s hear it for the boy
Oh, let’s give the boy a hand
Let’s hear it for my baby
You know you gotta understand
Oh, maybe he’s no Romeo
But he’s my lovin’ one-man show
Oh, whoa, let’s hear it for the boy

“Well, then I wish you’d called Mr. Wright when the cab dropped us out front to come to help me with all this stuff!” Apollo grunted. “I can’t believe I didn’t break my neck climbing the stairs since I can’t see anything over these packages!”

“Maybe Mr. Nick’s having a party?”

Pearl shifted the bags in her own hands and cautiously kept her distance behind the red attorney and the precariously hobbling, heavy stack he was holding.

“Last time I checked, Mr. Nick could hear just fine! Unless there’s some side effect from his accident last month we still don’t know about?”

My baby may not be rich
He’s watchin’ every dime
But he loves me, loves me, loves me
We always have a real good time
And maybe he plays off-key
But that’s alright by me, yeah
‘Cause what he does, he does so well
Makes me wanna yell…

“I’d almost be more upset if Daddy was having a party and didn’t invite me, than if he really was losing his hearing already!” Trucy joked, flinging the door open, Apollo at her heels, with Pearl right behind him. “Hey, Daddy! Pearly came down and we went shopping and Polly’s our pack mule … ACK!”

She sharply halted mid-sentence as her jaw hit the floor upon the sight that greeted her, wondering if her eyes were playing tricks on her.

A flash of blue caught the corner of her vision, and the gobsmacked magician was dimly aware it was the bright cyan knitted beanie she’d made for Phoenix years ago that’d caught her attention. It was the fact that he wasn’t the one wearing it which was presently making her feet be cemented in place within the open doorway. Trucy was almost not even aware of Apollo subsequently bumping into her back, as the unassuming Pearl had collided headfirst into him.

It was one thing to know she and her best friend had been successful in their joint Cupid endeavors with her father and Future New Mommy – whom Trucy still had not met yet because … reasons.

It was quite another thing to see – literally accompanied by the full stereo, and surround sound – the fruits of their labor, live and in living color!

Her scandalized eyes presently comprehended that it was Maya wearing said beanie … And her Daddy was wearing the straddling Maya – all over him!

The obsidian-haired woman was as mindless to their presence as Phoenix. Their hungry mouths were preoccupied with wildly exploring one another’s, while groping and grinding against each other with crazed abandon, not unlike a pair of cats in heat!

“Trucy, why are you just standing there?” Apollo inquired grumpily, trying to push past her to get into the office. “My arms are about to fall off! This stuff is heavy!”

Strangely enough, in-room where it appeared a helicopter could have landed without notice, the seemingly conjoined twosome had been so engrossed in their activities that the unsuspecting triad had been unnoticed until now. This was possible due to the fully cranked stereo, which had somehow masked their chattering arrival and Trucy’s initial startled shriek.

Ultimately, the passionate pair, at last, managed to become mindful of having an audience upon hearing Apollo’s Chords of Steel above the din, as the greenhorn chose that second to do a side peek around the tower of boxes to determine what’d caused their three-man collision!

The egregious spotting of the entwined twosome, still in their amorous clinch, by the sore, tired and now grouchy Clarion of Revelations resulted in the stack of packages collectively falling from the astonished boy’s arms to the floor, and the stupefied phrase being blurted at full decibel before he could stop himself.

“By Odin’s Beard!”

The crimson-cheeked lovers froze, and only ceased sucking face at the booming sound of the greenhorn’s voice!

Without even thinking, Apollo reflexively swung out both his arms to the sides and simultaneously clapped a hand over Pearl and Trucy’s dumbfounded orbs. The defense attorney fervently wished he could somehow un-see the sight of the ebony-haired woman’s nearly bared shoulders, which her robes had partially slid down from, and his boss’s mostly exposed torso, as Phoenix’s hoodie was undone, and his T-shirt hiked up around his neck!

Great Hammer of Thor! The aghast red attorney thought wildly. Imagine if we’d gotten here merely five minutes later! Gah!

Failing to notice that in her shock, Trucy had unconsciously released and discarded Mr. Hat to one side, and was gaping like a fish out of water, the beet-red young man attempted to smooth over the embarrassing scenario (having now dropped his shielding hands from both girls’ eyes).

He took a step forward, frantically wracking his brain for a way to diffuse things by saying something – anything! – only to find himself stubbing his toe on the metal coat rack, knocking over the umbrella stand, and somehow managing to trip over Mr. Hat as a grand finale, face planting on the carpet alongside the scattered shopping parcels.

Fortunately, no one paid him the slightest attention, because in the next instant Pearl was clutching her cheeks and squealing something incomprehensible while Trucy gaped at the horny pair, at a loss for words. Phoenix and Maya simply gawped at their unplanned arrivals like a pair of guilty teenagers.

Attempting to regain her dignity, the Master snapped out of her stupor and hopped off her beau like a jackrabbit, hastily attempting to refasten and smooth out her robes and fix her disheveled hair, while the pianist shot up from the couch and quickly pulled his shirt back into place.

Pearl tactfully reached down and helped the mortified Apollo to his feet.

“Trucy!” Maya offered the magician her most engaging smile while graciously inclining her head at her daughter and then the horn-fringed gamin. “And you must be Apollo! I’ve heard so much about you…”

“Really?” Croaked the still-staggered rookie. “Because this is my first time hearing anything about you…”

Looking around the room, he noted that Pearl was the only one of the three who didn’t seem in the least blown away by this bizarre situation. Instead, the spirit medium looked positively starry-eyed! Trucy no longer appeared taken aback either, although her expression was now indecipherable, and her eyes were fixated on the cap Maya still wore on her head.

“Hey there, kids. Ah, didn’t expect to see either of you at all.” Phoenix zipped his sweatshirt back up and nervously stuffed his hands in the pockets, at last spotting the petite pretzel-haired girl, who’d been partially obscured by Apollo. “And – Pearls! Hello! Erm, what a nice surprise!”

“Hi, Mr. Nick.” Pearl offered weakly, finally seeming to grasp that the others becoming cognizant of her OTP may not be as ideal as she’d thought it would be! “Um, likewise, I’m sure?”

“Sooo….” Phoenix awkwardly scratched the back of his head. “Ah, I guess these long overdue introductions are in order? Apollo, Trucy, this is Maya Fey…”

“Master of the Kurain Channeling Technique,” Apollo finished, his hazel eyes wide. “Wait – I have heard of you! I’ve seen your face in all the newspapers!”

“I guess I’m more famous than I thought?” The Master didn’t know what else to say. “Although if anything, I thought the young folks would know me more from my viral stream of the Coyote Ugly cover!”

“I’ve been jobless until recently, and the internet costs extra!” Apollo admitted sheepishly. “But I’ve seen the headlines! You were engaged to that hair heir guy…”

“Not anymore.” Phoenix gave a sickly grin. “I sort of turned Maya into a Runaway Bride last month…”

“I mean, when I met Pearl this afternoon, she told me she had a cousin named Maya, but I failed to make the connection until now!” Apollo pressed his index against his forehead as he scanned the recesses of his memory. “Wait! You used to be Mr. Wright’s assistant! Um, well obviously you’re more than just that…”

“You mean you didn’t know Mystic Maya was Mr. Nick’s Special Someone, Mr. Apollo?” Pearl seemed puzzled. “They’ve been together since he lost his badge!”

“No, I did not know! Nobody tells me anything!”

Trucy Wright and Maya Fey
Wright Anything Agency
July 12, 2026, 7:45 PM

Trucy found her voice, at last, her lapis orbs still riveted on the beanie perched atop the Kurain leader’s dark hair, one gloved hand clapped to her parted lips.

“Holy Harry Houdini … that beanie!” The top-hatted teen pointed at the accessory in question. “You’re wearing Daddy’s beanie!”

“Holyoke Massachusetts!” The spirit medium let out a horrified gasp, naturally assuming she had committed an unpardonable sin, and yanked the offending item off her head, leaving the raven tresses puffed out from static. She hurriedly tossed the cap back to its owner, who promptly put it back on. “I – I’m so sorry Trucy! I wasn’t thinking…”

Phoenix hastily jumped in, attempting to thwart disaster.

“Baby girl, please don’t be upset! Maya didn’t mean anything by it!” He reached a placating hand out to his daughter. “You know I love that hat! I hardly take it off!”

“Oh, Daddy!” Trucy cried, her voice trembling as she rushed past them and out of the room. “You don’t understand!”

There was a loud thudding of the girl’s white boots racing up the stairs leading to the upper-level apartment following the impromptu departure.

Pearl, Apollo, and the couple were rendered speechless. The only sound in the office was the forgotten music still in the background, and the teenage spirit medium quickly snatched the remote on the coffee table, powering it off. Then she bit her thumb as she helplessly eyed her guardian and the two flummoxed men.

“This was never the way I wanted to meet your daughter, Nick!” Maya shot a stricken glance at her boyfriend. “What a disaster! She hates me already!”

“Don’t say that! I’m sure she doesn’t hate you…” Phoenix’s voice trailed off unconvincingly as he cast his uncertain view up the stairs behind him. “Maybe I should go after her…?”

“I’d always hoped Trucy would be as over the moon as I’ve always been about you two being together!” Pearl said miserably. “I honestly thought she was as happy as I was about helping you guys reconcile!”

Her shoulders slumped dejectedly.

“She and I always loved being like cousins all these years! Since last month, the only thing we’ve been talking about is how exciting it is that someday we’ll be sisters…”

“Relax, Pearly.”

Trucy reappeared almost as swiftly as she’d vanished, flashing a reassuring smile for her best friend’s benefit. Then, striding up to the village leader, she regarded the older woman with an unreadable expression for the longest time, before slowly producing the famous oversized, heart-decorated bloomers, her fingers shaking.

“Daddy recently told me that you’re the one who gave me these seven years ago, during my first Christmas with him,” she said shyly. “At the time, of course, he had various reasons for keeping you, and your relationship, a secret from me, so he told me they were from Santa. You have no idea how happy I am to at last let you know, in person, that these magic panties have actually become my signature performance prop! Thank you so much.”

Maya hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath this entire time, but as she released the pent-up air from her lungs, the collective outward expelling of oxygen echoed around the room as everybody else resumed normal breathing as well.

“You’re welcome, sweetie,” she managed to utter, the relief evident in her tone. “It was very difficult shopping for a little girl I’d never met, but I did my best. Luckily for me, you believed in magic and miracles for so long, Nick was able to get away with claiming Santa gave you all those mysterious gifts up until you were 13.”

“I’m too old to believe in Santa now, but I’ve never stopped believing in otherworldly miracles.”

Trucy looked Maya right in the eye, and the Master was astonished to see a tear trembling on the edge of the teenager’s lashes. She felt her own lips begin to quiver.

“Because of you, I understand the love of God so much more clearly. He says He loves us unconditionally and freely gives us all things, and was willing to sacrifice everything He had to prove His love for us. In the same manner, I know that all these years, you’ve been the one buying me all these expensive gifts for Christmas and my birthday. You’ve been paying our rent so the two of us could get by. You showed us what it was like to be able to have enough and be perfectly content.”

Apollo inexplicably felt his chest constrict at hearing this unexpected poignancy. He felt torn – as though he was invading a very intimate moment. Nonetheless, the magician’s heartfelt words struck a chord within him, and he knew he just couldn’t find it in him to simply leave the family to their privacy, even though he was sure social protocol would have dictated that he should. Yearning to hear more, he waited for Trucy to continue addressing the tremulous, liquid-eyed woman.

“You didn’t know when you first started dating my Daddy, you were inadvertently dating me too! I might not have been there for all of the dinners, movies, trips, or romance, but you knew eventually, I would be around for almost everything else. That you weren’t scared about an additional burden amazes me, and the way you’ve still managed to show your love for me, even in absentia, greatly humbles me. For that, I’ll never be able to repay you, but having the chance to finally get to thank you like my New Mommy today excites me beyond measure.”

A barely stifled, elated cry escaped Pearl’s lips. Wordlessly, Phoenix walked over and wrapped a loving arm around the spirit medium’s shoulder, clasping her against him while she rested her head against his side and watched the tableau further unfold.

“You have selflessly given so much of yourself to take care of my father and me, and constantly gone above and beyond the call of duty to show us how much you care about us – for my Daddy, but moreover for me, and you didn’t even know me! Now I finally get the chance to express my gratitude to you. Thank you for all you’ve done for us. Moreover, I want to thank you for showing my Daddy what it was to be truly loved; for loving him so selflessly, and for helping him smile again. Only you could have done that, and because of that, you’re the only woman who deserves this great man.”

Trucy wiped a stray droplet from her eye, and unknownst to anyone else in the room, Apollo discreetly found himself doing the same.

“Although we all have our moments, Daddy included, you’ve known just how to handle him, support him, and give him a little kick in the pants. You treated my Daddy like the king he is, and have given him the unconditional love that he needs and deserves, just as you’ve done with Pearly. Thank you for taking care of my best friend and being her mommy, yet managing to have room in your heart for me. I will never be able to tell you how much that means to me.”

Taking a deep breath, Trucy reached into her magic panties and whipped out a pink item. Clenching it tightly in her fist, she stared intently into Maya’s eyes and saw the umber orbs staring back into hers were glistening.

“Daddy once joked that you used to make fun of his hat and always tried to make him take it off, saying it made him look like a hobo. Even though all this time I’ve been scared about how you’d react, I just couldn’t help myself and spent the past month working on this for you. Today, when I saw how amazing you looked in that beanie I made for Daddy, I hoped it meant that you didn’t hate it anymore. But more than that, I was hoping with all my heart that you’d like this one I made especially for you since you’re going to be my New Mommy.”

The magician held up the smaller beanie, bearing an identical yellow smiley face. Just like Phoenix’s, which had pink characters that read Papa, this one had a large, meticulously stitched word on the rose knit as well. The sky-colored letters spelled out: Mama.

“I know it’s not much.”

The huge blue eyes were earnest as they peered beseechingly at the village leader, who was now officially sniffling and sobbing, wiping at her eyes over a maternal smile that reflected off every shimmering drop.

“You’ve shown us kindness, and love, and now you’ve given me my heart’s desire – what I’ve been pleading with Daddy for all along. You didn’t have to love me. You chose to. For that, and for just being who you are… I want you to know that I love you already. And I really hope you can accept this small token of my love, and maybe even wear it once in a while…”

“Trucy!” Maya choked, her chest heaving with sobs as she seized the beanie from the proffered hands and clutched it to her heart. Then she grabbed the teen so quickly, her top hat fell off, unnoticed, to the floor and clenched her into such a tight bear hug, the magician would have been crushed if she hadn’t already been hugging the Master back so hard.

“I’ve been waiting so long for this day, you precious angel. You have no idea how jealous I was of Pearly for getting to know you so long before I ever did! Witnessing how happy my little girl was to have found a sister after all these years, seeing you be the light in Nick’s life…all those things made me love you even more, just by association. Before I even met you, just hearing Nick, and then later, Pearly, share so many stories about you, I felt as if I already knew you.”

Rocking her back and forth, Maya held onto the girl for dear life, as though she’d never let her go while the two exchanged tearful giggles.

Pearl let out a blissful sigh, then tilted up her head and beamed adoringly at her father figure, who tenderly returned the smile, then resumed his enjoyment of the heartwarming exchange between his girls.

Apollo goggled at his employer, somewhat discombobulated at the sight of the unbridled halcyon expression on the older man’s mien.

That smile … could have put the sun to shame.

It never occurred to him that Mr. Wright could ever have a different form of beaming other than his customary sad little smile, the one which shielded everything else. A real, true grin had bloomed completely into life, and over it…

I can’t believe it! Mr. Wright’s…happy! He’s grinning like an idiot! Like he couldn’t have stopped grinning even if you’d paid him!

Several moments passed with the spirit medium softly weeping tears of joy into the magician’s hair, before pulling back slightly and cradling Trucy’s shining face in her hands.

“You were never a burden – you were a bonus. The day your father chose to bring you into his life, and therefore, mine as well – that was the day I made my own matching vow to Nick’s, to also love you unconditionally. To be the best Ace Mommy I could be. You and I both know I will never try to replace your mother. All the same, even though I did not give birth to you, just like Pearly, from this day on, Trucy, you are my child. I will love you more than words can describe and nothing will ever change that.”

Maya gently stoked the girl’s satiny, tear-stained cheek, admiring the youthful beauty of this incredible young woman she was blessed to have as another daughter.

“Look at you. You’re so pretty. I can’t wait to watch as you grow up, into that smart, beautiful soul I know you’ll become. On that day my heart will smile because I’ll know I had a part in making and moulding you. It will smile like it is right now when I first laid eyes on your precious face. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for giving me this hat, this most cherished gift. But moreover, thank you, Trucy, for giving me the gift of motherhood. Again.”

She pulled the pink beanie onto her head and managed an ear-to-ear grin through her tears.

“Please know that I’m always just busting your Daddy’s chops as my favorite pastime! I never really hated the beanie you gave him – I think I was latently envious of his reminder of you to always have with him when I hadn’t even met you yet! The truth is, as much as I secretly loved Nick’s hat, I love mine more! I promise you, darling girl, I will wear the heck out of this memento of you! Especially while we’re away in Europe. We can be Hobo Chic Mama and Papa all across The Continent!”

After the admittedly lachrymose, schmaltzy exchange between the two, Maya’s jocoserious quip was so out of the blue that the red attorney couldn’t control the bark of laughter that escaped him, unwittingly reminding the newly forged family of his presence. The lawyer felt his cheeks flaming as four sets of formerly flooded eyes all swung in his direction.

“Apollo! I never meant to forget about you!”

Maya’s eyes lit up with their familiar mischievous sparkle as she strode purposefully toward him, making him take an uneasy step backward.

“You’re the one I need to properly thank for literally saving Nick’s neck from the noose a few months ago! I’ve only been doing it in the figurative sense for the past decade! Hee! Thank you for all you’ve done, you adorable little baby-faced cutie pie! If you get any redder, we can just add some white paint and use you as a stop sign!”

Without warning, she leaned forward, grabbed one of Apollo’s horns, and gave it an amused tweak.

“Oh my!” She exclaimed jubilantly. “Nick, his spikes are softer than they look, just like yours! They may resemble demon horns, but up close they honestly look and feel more like feathers! The name Apollo doesn’t suit you! From this day forward I’m going to call you Polly!”

“What?” The boy recoiled indignantly. Having Trucy christen him with a parrot moniker was bad enough, but now Maya was going to join the mix as well?! “No way! These are not feathers, and I am not a bird!”

“Polly want a cracker?” Trucy twittered in a singsong voice. “They do look like feathers, don’t they? Why do you think I call you Polly, Polly?”

“Objection!”

The agitated Apollo jerked backward, further out of reach, and scowled, first at Trucy, then at Maya.

“That’s enough! Now see here, Ms. Fey! My name is not Polly, it’s Apollo! I may be slightly small, but I’m wiry! Moreover, I am a grown man! I am not a little boy, nor any sort of cracker-crunching avian species! Since I saved your boyfriend from the gallows, is it too much to ask for just a little bit of respect around here? And to actually be called by my given name?!”

His defiant stance only further endeared him to the now maniacally tittering, and completely undaunted Maya, for despite his outburst, she had zero intentions of ever addressing him as anything but Polly! Wisely, she decided to keep this particular tidbit to herself for now!

“Zvarri!” Phoenix cut in, swallowing back a chuckle and trying to sound authoritative. “There’s no need to bellow, Apollo. Respect is a two-way street, and you need to show some to your elders! I can’t have you getting too comfortable raising your voice at the future Mrs. Wright, or else I’ll be forced to dock your pay!”

“B – But…” Apollo asserted feebly. “You don’t pay me anything!”

“And it’s going to stay that way until you learn some volume control, young man!”

“So take that!” Trucy stuck out her tongue.

“I give up!” Apollo let out a defeated groan and slunk towards the bar fridge in the corner. “This impromptu bellboy is going to get himself a pudding.”

“Oh dear…the white container in the door?” Maya flushed guiltily. “Was that yours? Nick and I didn’t get any dessert after dinner, so um, I sort of… ate it.”

“That’s…fine. No big deal.” The crestfallen lawyer forced a smile and headed towards the stairs. “There’s still the secret cup I stashed in the main fridge upstairs…”

“You mean the one you tried to conceal under the carrots in the vegetable crisper?” Trucy asked brightly. “Sorry, Polly! You can’t hide anything from a magician! I ate that one!”

Apollo’s horns drooped.

“Man…This officially sucks. I don’t even get paid in pudding!”

Apollo Justice and the Fey/Wright Family
The Borscht Bowl Club
July 12, 2026, 9:00 PM

Pearl had bought over a dozen different outfits for the planned trip to Europe, and it had taken over half an hour for her to decide what to wear out – finally deciding on a cute lavender tank top and skinny jeans – as Phoenix and Maya had decided it would be a whole family celebration of Mildred’s decided fate.

They had dragged the protesting Apollo along, insisting it wouldn’t be a complete fam-jam without him (and bribing his participation with the promise of pudding).

But first, the lovers had needed to pop into The Borscht Bowl Club to let Boris and Natasha know the good news about Mildew and Siberia.

Since Trucy and Pearl were minors who obviously wouldn’t be allowed into the bar, Phoenix had instructed the girls to wait for him and Maya outside and then had ordered the disgruntled Apollo to babysit them while he and his girlfriend took care of business.

The pretzel-haired teen was lost in her own little world, leaning against the tavern wall outside the front door and messaging Luke on her cell, leaving Trucy and Apollo to amuse themselves as they awaited the couple’s return.

Apollo was still grumbling and making a big show of rubbing his aching arms, as his overly gallant arse had been stuck carrying not only the teenage spirit medium’s new wardrobe purchases for the majority of the afternoon but several cumbersome bags of items Trucy had insisted on getting, as well!

“Why the heck were you shopping?” He demanded grouchily. “I realize Pearl wanted some new clothes for her upcoming vacation, but I could’ve sworn when Mr. Wright called you earlier this afternoon regarding his overseas trip, he also told you that he needed you to stay behind and hold down the fort!”

“Well, it’s true! Somebody needs to keep things running, and even if one-third of our talent is away, nevertheless, the show must go on!” Trucy tipped her hat at him. “Besides, I couldn’t leave you all alone, Polly! You’d simply be lost without me and you know it!”

She shamelessly took a bite of the candy bar retrieved from her magic panties, which she’d initially extended to Apollo. The counselor had curtly declined the offer, for as much as he’d been lamenting his pudding shortchange and craving something sweet, eating anything produced from that particular prop was just too damn disturbing!

“Don’t be silly! I wasn’t buying clothes. At least, not for me! I decided to spruce up my act at The Wonder Bar, and since you’re going to be my assistant from time to time, I decided to get some new magic props and get you your own stage outfit! You are going to look so cute in your red cape and top hat!”

“Hold it!” Apollo reflexively banged his fists on the wall behind him, cringing as he realized that a brick was noticeably more painful to pound than a wooden bench. “When the heck did I ever agree to that?! Come to think of it, when did I even agree to let you call me Polly? You just went ahead and did it and left me with no other choice!”

“That goes double for being my assistant!” Cerulean eyes gleamed impishly. “After all, I am CEO of The Wright Anything Agency, and in Daddy’s absence, I’m in charge, which would make me… your boss!”

“Objection! This – this can’t be legal!”

“Hey, guys?” Pearl came and interrupted the bickering pair. “Mystic Maya just messaged me to tell us to come inside. Also, we may have a situation with Mr. Nick…”

“We’re allowed inside now?” Apollo wondered as he followed the girls into the dimly lit pub while subtly massaging his abused hands. “I thought no underage…”

“I’ve been visiting Daddy at The Hydeout during his poker tournaments for years, so being at the main bar shouldn’t be a big deal if we aren’t drinking,” Trucy shrugged. “Maybe Boris and Natasha are making an exception in light of our celebration?”

The threesome searched for Phoenix and Maya and spotted the former looking quite discomfited as he was approached by a hulking giant of a man, with a demure blonde at his side. The Master anxiously kept herself planted at her lover’s side while casting an eye around the room, possibly for something to use as a weapon if need be!

“Are you Phoenix Wright?” The burly patron in plaid stepped up to the pianist, who attempted to maintain his poker face but felt himself beginning to sweat beneath his beanie at the intimidating rumble in the man’s voice. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“That would be me, indeed.” The card shark felt, rather than saw, Apollo and the girls sidle up next to Maya an inch closer behind him, displaying a picture-perfect, albeit pint-sized, family fortress behind him. “Er, how can I help you? If you’re looking to play poker, I’m afraid it’s my night off. I’d merely needed to speak to the owners briefly, and was just about to head out to enjoy a little celebration with my family here…”

The man’s broad face suddenly split into a wide grin, transforming his countenance from petrifying to pleasant in the blink of an eye.

“You’re celebrating too, are you? What a coincidence! That’s what the wife and I were doing tonight when we decided to pop in.”

He placed a tree trunk arm around the pretty woman standing at his side and pulled her closer to him.

“It’s our wedding anniversary. We figured since we were in the area, we’d pop in for a drink and say hello to a friend of a friend while we were at it. Two birds, one stone sort of thing. ”

A friend of a friend?

Phoenix’s brain groped for recollection involving any sort of six degrees of separation linking him and this fierce-looking Titan, whose appearance belied a gruff but harmless nature – at least towards him! – but drew a blank.

“Wait a second…” Maya stepped forward and studied the man inquisitively. “You wouldn’t happen to have a relative or brother who’s in law enforcement, would you? I’ve seen photos of a former Detective family friend of ours, alongside a massive man who has some features similar to yours… his name escapes me but he wears a trench coat riddled with bullet holes…”

“That would be Detective Tyrell Badd, mentor to one, Dick Gumshoe.” The man finished for her. “He’s my first cousin. Massive you say? Ha! He’s considered the short one in the family!”

He extended his hand to first Phoenix, then Maya’s, and nodded at the silent, awestruck triad behind them.

“Taimak Thunderwolf, but you can call me Tai. This beauty here is my Angelina. I’m currently in charge of the holding cells at the detention center, but soon to be the new warden of the local penitentiary. I got a phone call today informing me that wretched, nerve-grating eyesore, Mildred Latrine, has been bragging about how she’s dodging a real prison sentence because she struck some sort of deal with you, Mr. Wright.”

His eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“I can’t stand slaps on the wrist to criminals who deserve to do hard time for their crimes – especially that She-Devil, who deserves a hug around the neck … with a rope! Is this some sort of shady, get-out-of-jail scheme you cooked up, or is she blowing smoke? Care to elaborate?”

“Please, Nick, allow me,” Maya offered benignly, treating Tai to her most winsome smile. “After all, it was my idea.”

She gleefully filled in the warden on the reality of Mildew’s so-called reprieve, and by the time she was finished elaborating, the two couples were sharing a good snigger at the whole thing.

“Well don’t that beat all! Sounds like justice to me!” Tai nodded approvingly. “The old bat’s only been locked up a month, but I just can’t stand that woman! She’s got a soul that’s blacker than coal, and a mug that belongs on the radio! Apparently, it’d be illegal to force her to use a key to try and unlock an electrical outlet, so this trading post in the Gulag sounds like the next best thing! I’m going to delay my new prison warden post another week to make sure I’m the one to personally drive the transport vehicle and ensure that shrew is taken far away to No Man’s Land, and will be out of our hair for good!”

“I really like you! We share the same aversion to shrill, fire-breathing wyverns!” Maya flashed Tai a toothy grin. “How would you two like to join us in our celebration?”

“We’d love it!” Angelina beamed. “This place has its own unique charm, although it’d have been nice to have some music! It’s a shame you’re not playing piano tonight, Mr. Wright. My husband and I first met in a dive bar like this over 40 years ago, and I remember we danced the night away!”

“Phoenix Wright is Badenov pianist!” Boris interjected as he came up to the group, his wife in tow. “Trustink me! His playink bring tears to your eyes – the no-goodnik kind! No makink nice lady cryink on wedding anniversary!”

“Dhalink! Sharrup your mouth!” Natasha harshly commanded her husband. “Don’t be insultink employees in front of valued customers!”

“Even if it be the truth, kotik?” Boris sulked.

“Da! Da! Even then!” Natasha smiled engagingly at the group. “We bringink up basement karaoke machine from Christmas party, and Phoenix singink for you! A voice like lark! We even give one round of drinks to all of you, on house!”

Her thickly made-up eyes settled on Apollo and she frowned.

“Phoenix, you no worry about young children tonight. We only givink Shirley Temples for your daughters. I tell Tyler to bringink vodka cocktails for you four, but we makink three non-alcoholic, da? How old is zee little boy?”

Little boy?! The frustrated lawyer had had enough! He clenched his fists and let it rip.

“Excuse me madam, but that is baseless conjecture! First of all, unless Mr. Wright had me when he was 11 years old, it would be impossible for me to be his son!” Apollo squawked, startling the Russian woman with his volume. “Secondly, I am not a little boy! Why do I have to be subjected to drinking a fruity girly juice like these two?”

He fumbled in his wallet and whipped out his ID, waving it under the owner’s nose.

“As you can see, I’m 22, and here’s my badge – I am also a fully licensed defense attorney!”

Natasha raised her thinly penciled brows, not at all impressed.

“Why must you Americans makink such loud noise when you talkink? Sound like angry, constipated moose!” She sniffed. “Fine, but boy-child only gettink one drink. Make it a beer only. He lookink like he no holds his alcohol well.”

Apollo was so grateful for his one, meager victory that evening, he didn’t even bother to argue the presumptuousness of that obnoxious analysis. Truthfully, he had always been a lightweight, and Clay often joked his best friend could get drunk merely from sniffing a beer cap!

Why did I have to be born short and baby-faced? Maybe I should invest in some elevator shoes…

Apollo Justice and the Fey/Wright Family
The Borscht Bowl Club
July 12, 2026, 10:30 PM

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby, when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away

I’ve never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams

The karaoke machine was a hit. Phoenix was presently wowing the crowd with the song “Amazed” for Tai and his Angel to glide dreamily to, and Maya had even dragged the red-faced Apollo onto the dance floor to join the blissful pair as her lover’s velvet voice crooned the romantic lyrics.

I don’t know how you do what you do
I’m so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I’m amazed by you…

Phoenix was in high spirits following his second-ever karaoke performance, and the enthusiastic hooting audience loved every minute of the country ballad. Stepping down from the platform amidst the applause as the song wrapped up, Tai waved the pianist over to where he and his wife remained on the dance floor, a thoughtful expression on his weathered mien.

“That Russian dame wasn’t kidding. You’ve got a real golden throat there,” the warden commended the pianist, with his wife enthusiastically nodding her agreement. “Serenade was much appreciated. It reminded me of what you told me about how Tyrell’s old pal was torturing that Latrine broad by playing Maya singing her heart out for you, over and over again. I know you all are heading over to Europe soon, but before you jet off do you think you could get me a copy of that wedding video?”

“I’m sure that could be arranged.” Phoenix flashed him a puzzled smile. “Do you mind if I ask why?”

“I haven’t met him yet, but I’ve heard about that infamous shit slice that tried to frame you for murder a few months back, Kristoph Gavin.”

Tai’s lip curled disdainfully.

“The scuttlebutt is the coldhearted snake’s living in the lap of luxury in his cell as if he’s on vacation, rather than actually having prison be a punishment for him the way it was intended to be! What’s good for the goose is good for the gander! I figure the sickening sight of the hated man whom the Periwinkle Pisshead tried to make his patsy, being happily reunited with the love of his life, streaming on constant replay should be enough discomfort to at least make his stay a wee bit less comfortable!”

The mental image of the German sitting in a posh chair, forced to view the combination of his arch nemesis’s display of dedication and affection, teamed with the cartoon childishness of Maggey’s sound edits, with his arms crossed and left eye twitching, groaning in exasperation while face palming, made the former defense attorney double over. Revenge was a dish best served cold, indeed!

“I’ll have it for you tomorrow morning!” He promised Tai with a wink. “Now if you two will excuse me, keep those dancing shoes warm because you two are going to have another tune to sway to in a moment. I need to celebrate the other event we are toasting tonight, which was finally having all my girls together at last!”

Stepping back in front of the microphone, Phoenix beamed at the whistling patrons.

“Hey, guys it’s me again! Don’t worry, the music will stay good since I’m not playing the piano tonight!”

He gestured towards his table, where Apollo was sitting with Maya and the two teens.

“I’m here this evening with the raven-haired beauty over there, who is the love of my life, and my employee, who apparently only looks like my son, but isn’t…”

The audience chuckled appreciatively while Apollo slunk down lower in his chair.

“… And my two beautiful girls, the lights of my life. I wanted to sing these angels a little song, so everybody knows how much their Daddy loves them.”

Trucy beamed and waved at the room, while Pearl blushed furiously and clasped her cheeks as the new song began to play, and Phoenix began to sing.

I’ll try to make the sun shine brighter for you
I will even play the fool if it makes you smile
I’ll try to make you laugh if there’s a tear in your eye
After all is said
After all is done
I’d do anything for you

Maya’s eyes filled with emotive tears. Phil Collins would have been so proud. As proud as she was to call this warmhearted, loving man her future husband.

Come with me, close your eyes
Hold my hand, it’ll be alright
Don’t be scared, don’t be shy
Lift your head it’s gonna be alright

Leaning across the table, the Master reached out across the table for one of Trucy and Pearl’s hands, and gently squeezed each of them with hers, silently conveying her own love.

I’ll try to make the stars shine brighter for you
And I’ll take you on my shoulders, hold you way up high
I’ll even chase the rainbow hanging in the sky
Cos after all is said
After all is done
I’d do anything for you

Standing at the back of the bar, watching the enthralled listeners humming along to the moving lyrics of “Come to Me,” Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale Slotzky smiled approvingly as once more, Phoenix’s captivating singing voice worked its magic.

Come with me, close your eyes
Hold my hand, it’ll be alright
Don’t be scared, don’t be shy
Lift your head it’s gonna be alright

“It’s been a long time since the Christmas party. I forget Phoenix Wright was very good at singink. But I can see this karaoke idea was good one, dahling,” Natasha told her husband. “I tink we makink his job as a pianist expandink? Maybe havink machine here on weekends, bringink more customers?”

Through the eyes of innocence
You will find, you will see
There’ll come a time it all makes sense
And you won’t know, but it will show inside, deep inside

“How about we lettink them make singink requests, instead of listenink to no-goodnik piano show tunes on repeat, kotik?” Boris smiled hopefully. “I likink the idea of havink Phoenix singink for his supper! His voice no givink me headache! His playink … not so much!”

Come with me, close your eyes
Hold my hand, it’ll be alright
Don’t be scared, don’t be shy
Lift your head it’s gonna be alright

“Da! Da! We talkink to him later about new job plannink, dahlink!”

I’ll try to make the days last longer for you
From the daybreak, ’til the sunset, ’til the end of time
I’ll keep you safe, away from the heartache
Cos when all is said
And when all is done
I’d do anything for you

I feel like a gatecrasher at this party, even though I was invited. Apollo reflected dolefully, wistful, and a tad envious of the family bond he was witnessing, and feeling more and more like a conspicuous outsider, looking in. This was a night that should’ve been celebrated between a father and mother and their daughters. I don’t belong here. They’re just too polite to tell me to get lost!

Come with me, close your eyes
Hold my hand, it’ll be alright
Don’t be scared, don’t be shy
Lift your head it’s gonna be alright

Both Trucy and Pearl had stars in their eyes as Phoenix concluded the beautiful song, and the red attorney dutifully rose from his seat, along with everybody else in the bar, and gave his boss the standing ovation he deserved. Apollo briefly contemplated, amidst all the hustle and bustle, if anyone would notice until long after he was gone if he slipped away and gave the foursome their privacy.

Phoenix took an exaggerated bow at the microphone for his adoring crowd, then returned the kisses Maya and the girls blew at him.

“Thanks so much, you guys,” he beamed. “I had a blast letting my girls know how much they mean to me, but now I want to do a shout-out to someone who’s just like family to me – heck, even though he’s only young enough to be my little brother, his can’t miss hairdo makes him look like he’s my offspring! I want him to come to join me for this next tune! Get your rear up here, Apollo!”

The patrons all hollered enthusiastically, as did Trucy, Maya, and Pearl, while the dumbstruck lawyer looked around, as though unsure who Phoenix was referring to. Finally, when the magician jabbed him in the ribs – hard! – he pointed to his chest and stared at the beckoning poker champ on stage with round, terrified eyes.

“What, me?!” He croaked. “Mr. Wright wants me to sing? With him?!”

“Do you see another Apollo around?” Maya teased, trying to push him toward the platform. “Go on up there! Nick’s waiting for you!”

“I can’t sing!” Apollo cried, attempting to lock down his feet to keep from being shoved forward another step – for such a tiny woman, Maya was deceptively strong. “I’m a violinist, not a singer!”

“What’s your point? Mr. Nick is a singer and not a pianist!” Pearl gave him an encouraging smile. “Even if you stink, Mr. Apollo, don’t worry I’m sure he’ll be able to carry you!”

Apollo’s horns drooped.

“Not really helping there, Pearl!”

“Get out there, Polly!” Trucy kicked the back of his heel with her boot. “You can do this!”

“Yeah, Polly! Sing!” Someone called out coaxingly. “Let’s see if you inherited the same set of pipes your father/brother did!”

“For the hundredth time, Mr. Wright is my boss! He and I are not related!” Apollo shouted impotently, knowing full well that logic and drunkards didn’t mix. “Apparently, we just look like we are!”

“Let’s see what you got, kid!”

“Come on, Apollo!”

The lawyer’s protests had fallen on unreasonable and drunken ears, as the encouraging shouts only continued.

“Sing! Sing! Sing!”

Soon the bar was filled with loud chanting

“Sing Polly Sing! Sing Polly Sing!”

Gulping nervously, Apollo found himself being forcibly propelled towards the stage by the combined efforts of two very strong spirit mediums, and a very determined magician. Phoenix tugged him by the arm and pulled the self-conscious young lad beside him, smiling warmly the whole time.

“As I said to you on your first day in court,” the spiky-haired man whispered reassuringly in the quaking boy’s ear. “You can do it. Be confident.”

Apollo tried to speak into the microphone to greet the spectators, and let them know this was his first time singing since middle school glee club, and to beg them to have mercy on him and please not be a tough crowd!

Unfortunately, all he ended up doing was hacking like a cat with a hairball.

Pulling away from the mike, he cleared his throat and opened his mouth again…only to emit an unintelligible, high-pitched squeak.

Watching this with mounting dismay, both Boris and Natasha simultaneously clapped their exasperated hands against their foreheads.

“This is my fault!” Natasha moaned. “I tellink pipsqueak he too loud like constipated moose, so now he actink like pathetic little titmouse!”

“That durak is go-ink be for singink, what Phoenix is to piano!” Boris predicted, slumping back against the back wall. “Probably worse!”

Phoenix regarded Apollo sympathetically as the upbeat melody to a very familiar song began to play.

“I’m going to start. Jump in whenever you’re comfortable, okay?”

Leaning into the microphone, Phoenix began the famous Friends theme song.

So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, your love life’s D.O.A.
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear
When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year, but

I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)

The lyrics were fun and lighthearted, yet Apollo found himself mystified and quite touched that his employer had chosen this particular song to sing not only with him in mind, but also wanted to sing along with him. It was almost as though Phoenix had sensed what a lonely outcast his employee had started feeling like this evening, and was trying to make him feel as though he truly did belong.

Like he wasn’t all alone.

The realization made of warm, unfamiliar tingle spread from Apollo’s fingertips, all the way down to his toes, and the horn-fringed attorney was grinning as he leaned towards the second microphone.

You’re still in bed at ten and work began at eight
You’ve burned your breakfast, so far things are going great
Your mother warned you there’d be days like these
But she didn’t tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees that

I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)

Apollo’s singing voice was a deeper, richer baritone than Phoenix’s, but his intonation suited the older man’s alto vocals perfectly, and the end result was that Apollo Justice was just as much of a talented crooner as the pianist was … Possibly even more so!

“Wow! Polly can actually sing!” Trucy exclaimed delightedly, clapping her hands. “Looks like all his years of Chords of Steel training paid off!”

“He’s really good!” Maya agreed cheerily. “Color me impressed!”

“Singing up there looks like so much fun, and I know this song so well!” Pearl gushed, looking wistful. “Not that I’d ever have the nerve to do it myself, of course…”

“What if you weren’t by yourself, Pearly?” Trucy sprang to her feet and grabbed the confusticated spirit medium’s hand. “What if I came up with you?”

“What if we all went on stage and gave this joint family affair performance of a lifetime?” Maya yelled, jumping from her chair.

Without further ado, the Master rushed up to Phoenix’s microphone while the teens shared Apollo’s, and the five of them belted out the rest of the song with gusto.

No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you’re the only one who knows what it’s like to be me
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with
Someone I’ll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I’m best with you, yeah!

It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear
When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year

“Wow! The Whole family is larks!” Natasha was as pleased as punch. “Maybe we askink them all to come for special performance nights? And regular havink Phoenix sing request duets with customers?”

“Da, kotik! We turnink this place into musical ear porn palace!” Boris rubbed his hands together greedily. “I tinkink Mr. Wright is better at performink when he has help. Plus, we no havink to pay them, because the customers be requestink from us! We could even charge extra! Be like a karaoke bar!”

The money-grubbing Russian idly twirled his mustache as he eyed the mini choir assembly on stage.

“Since Phoenix singink with so many people, should we not be chargink extra?”

Natasha lightly smacked her husband upside the head.

“Boris, sharrup your mouth! Phoenix and his lady friend are ones who brinkink this idea to us! As gratitude, first collab is free!”

I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)

The nearly deafening applause in the bar when the five of them finished the song was the loudest Phoenix had ever been given to date. Laughing jovially, he bowed at the crowd and gestured to the other four.

“Let’s give it up again for my family, everyone!”

The patrons had no qualms about extending their standing ovation.

The exultant pianist stretched out his arms and wrapped them around Maya and Trucy and Pearl and the four shared an adorable group hug, while Apollo stood there with a bashful smile.

The magician glanced back at the attorney over her shoulder and jutted her chin towards him, then back at the still-embracing group.

“Join the huddle, Polly!”

Surprised, but secretly pleased at the invite, Apollo hesitantly approached the hugging lot, but Pearl reached out and pulled him into the clinch before he could pussyfoot another moment.

At first, it was a strange sensation, being clasped in a public sandwich with his usually impossible-to-read boss, his cool but often pesky assistant, and two women he’d only just met today!

OK, this is beyond weird! We are having a family hug-fest in a seedy Russian bar, in front of at least a hundred witnesses…

Yeah, it felt kind of peculiar.

But it also felt amazing. Like this was where he really belonged.

Family isn’t about blood, because the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.

Apollo decided to stop overthinking for once and just enjoy the exhilarating sensation of finally feeling like he was part of a real family, for the first time in his entire life.

Like Auliq Ice once said: sometimes you meet certain people, and it’s so clear that you, on some level belong together. As lovers, as friends, as family, or as something entirely different. You just work, whether you understand one another or you’re in love or you’re partners in crime. You meet these people throughout your life, out of nowhere, under the strangest circumstances, and they help you feel alive. I don’t know if that makes me believe in coincidence, fate, or sheer blind luck, but it definitely makes me believe in something. It makes me believe that home isn’t four walls. It’s two eyes and a heartbeat, and who it beats for.

A/N: The OC character of Tai Thunderwolf, who some of you may recognize as Badd’s equally badass cousin from Filling The Void, was created by my dear reader Akoiya, who has submitted many of the cool ideas I’ve used in my stories, including the catacombs with Layton and the sentient magatama! 😊

Bon Jovi – Born To Be My Baby
Timbaland – The Way I Are
Deniece Williams – Let’s Hear It For The Boy
Lonestar – Amazed
Phil Collins – Come To Me
The Rembrandts – I’ll Be There For You (Theme From Friends)