66 Faithfully

“You belong to me. I have made you mine. I have fought for you within myself, from the beginning, and always anew and perhaps forever. I belong to you; there is really no other way of expressing it and that is not strong enough.”
~Franz Kafka~

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Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey
Edgeworth’s Love Shack, Empire Bellagio Penthouse
December 25, 2024, 6:30 AM

When Maya woke up on Christmas morning, she was naked and alone. Frowning at the digital alarm clock next to the bed, she saw it was still early – Pearly wasn’t due back for another good few hours and there was no sign of Phoenix.

Also, she had no recollection of coming to bed, as when she awakened, she was conscious of two things…the most heavenly smells wafting into the bedroom, where she was laying under the cool Egyptian cotton sheets, and that her boyfriend was nowhere in sight.

The last memory she had was making wild, passionate love with her soulmate before the roaring fireplace before passing out just after midnight in his arms on the rug in front of the hearth.

She swung her legs over the bed and reached for her satiny robe from last night, which Phoenix had thoughtfully placed by the night table on her side. Her thighs felt slightly shaky as her bare feet hit the plush carpet beneath her, and she had to grab the footboard to steady herself.

So much for her wish list of leaving Nick unable to move! After three rounds before midnight last night, Maya was the one who had been fucked until she could barely walk!

I must have really been down for the count, the psychic thought, blushing slightly, as she hadn’t even been aware of her lover carrying her to bed, him joining her, or his absence from her side till that moment.

That tantalizing aroma was making her stomach growl, and she had the insatiable urge to follow it. Tying her gown around her waist, she headed to the door and heard the faint strains from Edgeworth’s baby grand piano in the living room, as well as her boyfriend’s sweet voice singing along to the ballad.

Highway run
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
You’re on my mind
Restless hearts
Sleep alone tonight
Sendin’ all my love
Along the wire

The psychic was startled, to say the least. For one thing, the pianist tickling those ivories sure as hell needed no lessons from what she could determine! The music playing of the Journey song on that piano was nearly flawless.

But moreover, her boyfriend’s singing voice was so melodious … so hauntingly beautiful that a wave of emotion washed over her then, bringing unexpected tears to her eyes even though she could only make out snatches of the lyrics from the bedroom.

She opened the door and padded down the hallway.

Right down the line
It’s been you and me
And lovin’ a music man
Ain’t always what it’s supposed to be

Oh, girl, you stand by me
I’m forever yours, faithfully

 Three things hit the village leader at once.

One, the heavenly whiff that had been partially responsible for waking her was the scent of bacon, mixed with an indeterminable sweetness, coming from the kitchen. Two, the dining table had been immaculately set with two place settings in readiness for whatever that scrumptious-smelling substance was. And three, seated at the piano, crooning along to the piano, was her gorgeous, shirtless lover, wearing her Santa hat from the night before, who smiled broadly at her as he continued the next verse.

Through space and time
Always another show
Wondering where I am
Lost without you

She hadn’t heard him sing for almost six years, ever since his debut song at The Borscht Bowl. He’d made her cry then, for different reasons than now, but even though their circumstances were much different now, she still had to wipe her eyes a tad as the pianist came around to the final chorus bars.

And being apart ain’t easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy
Of rediscovering you

Oh, girl, you stand by me
I’m forever yours, faithfully
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Faithfully, I’m still yours
I’m forever yours
Ever yours, faithfully

She swallowed back the lump of emotion in her throat and found herself applauding, although unlike his playfully derisive ovation to her bathtub warbling the day before, hers was with sincerity, as completely heartfelt as Phoenix’s performance as he finished the song, blushing slightly at her effusive response.

“Merry Christmas my love,” he said softly, rising from the piano and walking up to her. She realized that he wasn’t completely shirtless after all, but instead had a black apron tied around his otherwise bare, muscled torso…and as it was up to toned mid-thigh … there was naught else beneath it.

The diviner eyed him hungrily. 

Oh myyyyy…

Despite her emotions, she couldn’t help but giggle helplessly at the sight of what was emblazoned on the front of his apron in red and green letters: I’m the reason Santa has a naughty list.

“I know your X-mas list said you wanted to see me cooking naked so you could stare at my ass…” the hobo hunk said apologetically. “And that would have been easy enough to do with the pancakes, but bacon, er, tends to splatter.”

He turned and did a twirl then, so she could catch a tantalizing view of his firm, bare backside.

“But you still get the majority of the view, right?”

The spirit medium eyed him appreciatively, in fully unabashed eye-banging mode, nodding as she bit her lip.

It was unbelievable how she’d been satiated beyond her wildest fantasies just hours ago, yet one look at Phoenix wearing an apron and nothing else under it was enough to send visions of doing things that would get her on Saint Nick’s permanent bad girls’ list dancing through her head.

“Nick, why the heck do our friends think you can’t play the piano?” She asked dazedly, still in somewhat awe of her overly humble swain’s hidden talents. “Moreover, why do you always insist to me that you’re this lousy pianist who only manages to scrape by on barely recognizable show tunes at the bar? That …was beyond incredible – I’m still torn about which performance I loved more between this one and the last one!”

“You’re being too kind,” he shrugged and blushed modestly. “I guess I do OK if I put my heart and soul into the song like I’ve done both times I’ve played for you. At work… being a pianist, well…it’s the job I never wanted, you know? I hate it, so I guess I’m more lackluster. Plus, I guess it helps that I’ve been practicing this little ditty for a few weeks! I’m glad you liked it.”

“I loved it,” the Master whispered, walking up and wrapping her arms around him. She looked up at him adoringly. “It was the most wonderful Christmas present in the world.”

He leaned down and kissed her softly, letting her taste the soft sweetness of his lips as well as the faint saltiness of the bacon. It was an intoxicating blend, and when they parted, the diviner felt a surge of ravenousness surge through her that for once, had nothing to do with food.

“By the way,” the DILF grinned. “This wasn’t your Christmas gift. It was the prelude to one of them – I had meant to give it to you last night after your ‘legal revelations’ mini-gift but I seemed to have ah, gotten distracted.”

“Mea culpa!” The diviner snickered, dropping her hands from his broad shoulders and running them down to his butt, giving his bare cheeks a playful squeeze. “I guess it was all the talk about moving to Canada that made you lose track of your intentions?”

“Yeah, that was it!” He smirked, laughing as she lightly smacked his cheeks then. “It definitely got my thoughts straying from the present to the future though. Oh, Canada, were it to be our home and native land … first things first, farewell to this fancy penthouse with its cock-blocking butler. We’d have to get our own little place.”

“Not too small, it has to fit all four of us,” she reminded him, playing along. “At least two bedrooms, for starters!”

“That’s right. I’m sure the girls won’t mind sharing a room for a bit. We’ll add some geeky fan art to make the place our own. I’m sure you’ll want Steel Samurai and Pink Princess posters in our bedroom. And we’ll figure out some way to decorate the rest of our humble abode on a shoestring budget. Maybe I’ll do my own paintings for the walls. I was an art student once upon a time, after all…”

“I like that idea! And some other artwork that may not be as pricey as the stuff in this place, but more us than all this…”

She gestured at the priceless painting on the walls of their love shack.  As much as they had grown fond of the place that’d been their safe haven, the reality was it wasn’t theirs, merely their sole clandestine rendezvous location where they could securely meet and spend as much time together as possible.

How wonderful it’ll be once we finally have a place to call our own…

It was nearly dawn then, and though they’d barely slumbered, they both could easily have stayed there forever, daydreaming together about the premise of all their tomorrows, with him resting his chin on atop her head and her snuggling into this chest.

“Soooo…” the Master fluttered her eyelashes coyly at him. “As much as I’m loving this trip to Fantasy Island …the reality is…” her eyes sparkled with her familiar childlike delight. “If that beautiful song still wasn’t my actual present – though believe me, it would have been enough! – then where’s my actual present Saint Nick?”

He grinned. No matter how old she got, she was always the same old Maya, his woman/child zany girl with enough zany enthusiasm that would put most kids to shame.

“Hmmm….” Phoenix put a finger to his chin, as if in thought. “Now where did I stash that present of yours? You rattled my brains so hard last night I seem to have forgotten where I put it…”

“Nick!” She laughed, swatting his arm.

“Oh right, here it is…” He shoved his hand into his frontal apron pocket.  “There’s been something I’ve been meaning to give you for quite some time now. . .”

Her eyes widened when she saw the velvet-covered jewelry case he presented to her. She opened it and covered her mouth to stifle her gasp. It was a silver ring, with the symbol of infinity on it, lined with tiny chips of his and hers birthstones on each side of it, her April crystal, and his December blue zircon.

She gazed at him with shining eyes.

“Oh, my stars and garters, Nick…”

“You like it?”

“Are you kidding me?”

“It’s only a silver one right now,” he said shyly. “I promise you someday when I have more money, to get you one of white gold, or any gold you like, and a bigger rock, when I’m able to get you a proper betrothal ring. In the meantime, consider this the prelude to your someday-hopefully-soon engagement ring.”

“It’s beautiful!” Her eyes sparkled with delight as she admired the intricate design, and when she raised her shining gaze to meet his, she saw Phoenix was studying her with profound fervor.

With the heartfelt passion of a man who loved her as madly as she loved him.

“I love it,” she added meaningfully as she plucked it from the box. “I can’t believe you went through the trouble of getting it customized and everything!”

“Read the inscription.” His voice was thick with emotion as she read the words forever yours, faithfully engraved on the back, then took the shiny circle from her fingers and motioned for her to hold out her left hand.

There were tears in her eyes as he then slipped it onto her ring finger.

“What are you promising me?” She breathed, lifting her face to his.

She would never forget the love and promise in his smile as he whispered back, “Me.”

Maya’s mind was a whirlwind of joyous thoughts at this tangible proof of Nick’s love and commitment to her, and to their future.

The fateful day your eyes locked with mine; we were so surprised at what we both would find. Forever, within that single glance…. both hearts willing to take a chance; at love, and eternity, hoping, praying it would be, the one to last for all time, to keep your beaming gaze meeting mine.

She threw herself at him and he caught her, squeezed her, and held her tighter than anyone else had ever hugged her.

“My time and my love are all I have, they are both eternally yours if you want them, so I hope mean what you’re saying, Nick,” she laughingly warned.

“Cross my heart,” he vowed solemnly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Hope to die. I swear on my life that my words ring true. I won’t break my promise. My avowal to you.”

She laced her fingers through his and gave them a squeeze.

“Someday soon, I can’t wait to show this off to the whole world, Nick.”

“Neither can I.” He lifted her hand so he could admire the ring. “It looks perfect on you.”

It truly does. It’s ironic since our lives are the furthest thing from perfect. Strewed with countless roadblocks between use. Either it’s the elder’s condemnation looming over our heads. Or Nick and his still not quite yet named paranoia of unspoken danger remaining for us if we go public just yet…

So many other previous hindrances they’d overcome, yet these last straggling few still threatened to destroy their every chance at happiness.

Maybe it wouldn’t be such a horrible thing if we did run off together. I’d be ecstatic to get the hell out of here! Perhaps we both need to get away!

Fate would decide for them in half a year…

He stroked her face with his long, piano-playing fingers.

“Pearls and Trucy need us, which is another reason we can’t be hasty or just cut and run just yet. The next six months will fly right by, Maya, you’ll see. Whatever happens with my future, whatever destiny decides . . . we’ll be together and we’ll manage somehow, even if it means I score a couple of piano gigs at a few local bars in another state or country.”

“Are you really willing to just pack up and leave if that’s what it takes for us to be together in the end?” She prompted hopefully. “Are you sure you can do it?”

“Maya, by now you should know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, including breaking every law for you.” He was incontrovertibly serious as he spoke the words, his expression intense. “I’m tired of hiding, too, you know.”

“I know.”

“All I want is for us to be together. Out in the open. Believe me, I’m sick of having to be your dirty little secret. I want the world to know I’m your man. I want people to know that you’re mine.”

“I will always be yours. Moreover, now I have tangible evidence of it.” She lifted her hand and waved her blingy ringed finger. “I love being yours. And our plan’s still on, regardless of what happens with your investigation. You and me… we’re end game, Nick.”

Phoenix gave a slightly forlorn smile at the mention of the investigation, then he lifted her ringed hand and kissed it tenderly.

“Maya Fey, I’m forever yours. Faithfully.” Then pulled her against his hard, broad chest and kissed her senseless.

A short time later…

After the delicious breakfast that Phoenix had prepared for them, he’d insisted on not creating any more additional work for Hendricks and taking care of the clean-up all by himself, despite her protests and offers to help, insisting she go clean up and ready herself for Pearl’s arrival in the next few hours and her subsequent trip back to Kurain.

The card shark was tired as hell when he was finally finished tidying up. He never had been, nor ever would be a morning person, despite the copious cups of coffee he’d consumed when after a rapturous night of vigorous lovemaking, he’d woken up just a few hours later that morning at sparrow’s fart to prepare Christmas breakfast and fulfill Maya’s final item on her wish list.

Now that he’d taken care of that, he figured he’d steal a quick nap before it was time for him to meet up with Trucy downstairs.

As he dragged himself down the hall to the bedroom, he saw the light on in the master bathroom, and the tell-tale, happy sound of Maya humming Faithfully from the tub.

A broad smile crept over his face, along with a pleasant feeling of déjà vu as he pushed the ajar door further open.

Any thoughts of being exhausted flew right out the window as he watched his lusty lover playing with the bubbles in the tub.

Playing him.

She was definitely in one of those insatiable, carnality-fueled, I-want-to-sink-my-teeth-into-you moods, but he didn’t mind the game. Not at all. Light from those scented candles she adored flickered over her body in the otherwise dark bathroom. Her obsidian curls were piled high on her head in a messy knot, her cheeks flushed pink from the steam, and she had a come-hither look in her magnificent dark eyes.

That was one invitation he couldn’t refuse.

Maya picked up a bath pouf and started running it over her raised leg, letting the soap suds slide down to the junction of her thighs. Her breath hitched and she did it several times, pretending not to notice Phoenix leaning against the door, his arms crossed, and a sexy-as-sin smile on his face.

She dunked the pouf again, picking up more bubbles, and then squeezed it so the water and the suds cascaded over her breasts, all the while still humming the tune.

A low rumble came from his chest.

“I’ve given you quite the earworm, I see.”

She turned her head and smiled lazily at him, even as her body flushed with heat. “Indeed, you have. You have too many clothes on. Get naked. There’s plenty of room for both of us in this tub.”

His devilish grin was sexiness personified and it chased some of the tiredness from his face and most of the tension from his body. She’d always loved everything about Nick’s appearance, with his spiky dark hair and sapphire eyes that were now sparkling with concupiscence.

He pushed himself away from the door and started a very personal strip show. She swallowed hard as he slowly untied the strings of the apron behind his neck, torturously, exposing a broad, muscled chest.

She scooped up some bubbles and painted them on her body, drawing one sudsy finger through the froth, circling the tip of each aching breast, and pinching the already stiffened nipples.

“Oh, Holy Mother, yes,” she breathed, groaning aloud as she became more aroused.

“You’re a goddess,” he said thickly, reaching behind him to lock the door. He never took his eyes off her, which was turning her on even more. “I like what you’re doing with those bubbles, but save that job for me.”

Working quickly, he removed the apron ties and slid them down his taut physique with his strong, sure fingers. Fingers Maya wanted on her body, in her body… She shivered and feasted her eyes on her boyfriend’s physique, letting him feel the weight of her yearning as she visually caressed the bulge of his arousal.

“You keep looking at me like that…” His voice was rough with desire. “And things are going to be over before they even start.”

“You’re still wearing too much,” she noted undauntedly. Even though her loins were throbbing at the sight of her beau looked right now, clad only in a pair of skin-tight black boxer briefs that he’d donned after breakfast, which left nothing to the imagination, naked would be so much better!

“I’m working on it.” He skimmed his briefs down his body, giving her a quick flash of his incredibly sexy sweet cheeks.

He stalked over to the tub and crouched next to it, dipping his hand into the water, circling the tip of her breast, and catching her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. He leaned forward and kissed her, and at the same time, he tweaked her nipple gently. She gasped and he slid his tongue into her mouth, feasting on the taste that was uniquely his Maya’s.

He kissed her again. “Scoot up.”

When she did, he slid into the tub behind her. He leaned back against the tub’s high walls with a heartfelt groan. The hot water felt great. He slipped his arms around her, tugging her back against his chest. That felt even better – her ass was pressed right against his aching erection. He nipped at her shoulder and cupped her full breasts, reveling in the weight of them, slowly rubbing his thumbs over her hardened peaks. Her head dropped back against his shoulder and she clutched at his arms.

“Want me to stop?” he murmured in her ear.

“I’ll kill you if you do.” The breathy sound of the words only further fueled his arousal.

“Hmm. What if I do this instead?” He kept one hand working at her breasts then slid the other lower, skimming gently over her flat stomach to her smooth Venus mound, using one fingertip to nudge her clit before sliding his finger deep inside her body. She was so wet and swollen that he knew it wouldn’t take long for her to come. He kept up a gentle pace, loving how it made her writhe, which rubbed her body back and forth against his rigid, straining manhood.

The warmth of the water, the heat, and movement of Maya’s body, the potent scent of the candles in the air – all of it put him on the razor’s edge of glory. When she finally went over the edge, he fought against his need to do the same. He cupped her head and pulled her into a deep kiss, covering her mouth with his, swallowing the sounds of her release, a long, sensual orgasm that left her limp against his body, sated, at least for now.

Phoenix, on the other hand, was nowhere near done. His heart galloped; his breathing ragged as he held his vixen close while she slowly came back to earth.

She kissed the back of his hand and then turned all the way around and settled between his thighs, facing him on her knees. Water sloshed over the edge of the tub, and small waves rippled in the water’s depth, caressing his cock in the very manner he yearned for Maya to do so. He gritted his teeth, not wanting to go over, not yet.

“Hi there.” She leaned up to kiss him, coming half out of the water like a mermaid from the sea. Her long waves, now curly from the water, had fallen out of their knot and now trailed over her shoulders, tumbling down her back and past her buttocks.

He wrapped a finger in one of her damp raven locks and tugged lightly.

“Hi yourself. This is a nice surprise.”

She tilted her head and reached out, splaying her hand across his chest.

“For both of us. I thought you were going to take a nap.”

“Really? You were already pretty wet when I got here. Playing without me?” he teased, intrigued by the thought. Damned if it didn’t send a lightning bolt of lust straight to his shaft.  “It doesn’t matter, either way, my love.” He ran his knuckles gently down her cheek. “I’m just glad the sight of your glorious naked, wet form jolted me awake so I got to spend some quality time with my gorgeous girlfriend.”

Now the spirit medium had her hands on his thighs. She slid them forward until her fingers nestled in the crook of his legs, close to his erection and balls – yet she didn’t touch them. And oh, how Phoenix wanted that. His muscles bunched and flexed as she rubbed her thumbs closer and closer.

“My love, you’re killing me here.” He shut his lids and dropped his head back against the edge of the tub. “Touch me. Please.”

“Touch you how?” Her velvety words were uncharacteristically bold. “Tell me what you want me to do.”

His eyes flew open, and in the dim light, he saw raw desire on his girlfriend’s face. Damned if that didn’t turn him on too. Whatever had come over Maya this holiday season had most definitely added a spark to their sex life. He liked it. A lot.

He kept his gaze locked on hers as his heart threatened to gallop out of his chest. He had to clear his throat twice to get his voice to work.

“Get your hand all soapy, and wrap it around me. I want to feel your fingers on me, stroking me, touching my boys.”

Her eyes lit up. “Like this?”

Steam rose around them, but he wasn’t sure if it was from the water or from the heat they generated together. Her slick, soapy hand stroked tightly up and down his shaft, and she slid her thumb over the head each time she reached the tip. Her fingers cupping his balls were gentle, caressing that sensitive spot underneath them. She scraped there with her fingernail, and his body jerked in response.

It felt like hell, and it felt like heaven.

“Stop,” he groaned. “Or I’m going to come from this any second.”

She didn’t listen.

As she worked him with her tight fist, she slid her other hand under his family jewels, pressing against the tight hole there, sparking the nerve endings to life. She’d never done that to him before, but damn, it felt incredible. He wanted her to do it again. Later, when he had more control over his body. His balls drew up, and he knew he was going to lose it, right there, without being inside her, if he didn’t do something fast. And he didn’t want to come alone.

Phoenix tugged Maya up his torso, draping her legs on either side of this, and urged her down onto his throbbing member. As good as her warm, soapy hand had felt, it was nothing like the wet tightness of being enveloped within her inviting warmth. He held her hips steady, thrusting up until he was fully buried to the hilt inside of her

“Nick,” she cried out as he pressed deep, closing her eyes and biting her lip.

“Ride me.” He didn’t care how needy he sounded. He could feel the ripples inside her body, urging him toward release. He slid his hands into her hair, pulling her down for a kiss as she rocked back and forth on his body, her movements drawing him closer and closer to the fire.

Her orgasm came first, and he tightened his hands in her hair, deepening the kiss, swallowing the loud cries of pleasure the psychic made in her seismic frenzy. She shredded his restraint, and his climax followed hers almost immediately, holding her close as shockwaves of ecstasy overtook him.

They lay together in the tub, breathing heavily, and he stroked a hand up and down her smooth back. He didn’t know how long they lay there like that, entwined, his satiated rod gripped firmly within her still clenching body.

The Master was beyond content to stay connected to him, to rest in their intimate embrace. No moment in her life had prepared her for this utter sense of completion. Every sad thought, every bad memory … everything melted away. It was just them. Nick and Maya. The rest of the world was all an illusion.

“A husband could get used to coming home to this every night,” he murmured in her ear, and he felt her smile against his neck.

“So could a wife,” she purred with a satisfied sigh.

Phoenix curled up behind her, his warm, sated body spooning hers, his lips against her hair, whispering words of unconditional love.

He wanted never to be away from her. She had the spark of life.

Journey – Faithfully