Auntie Maya

Summary

Maya visits Phoenix a few months after his disbarment and meets the wonderful Trucy Wright.

Notes

Thanks to my wonderful sister for beta-ing this one.

I hope you enjoy reading as much as I had writing this! <3

It had taken about four months for the adoption papers to be finalized. It was an extensive process, but shorter than Phoenix expected. He suspected Edgeworth, or someone he knew higher up in the legal system, had something to do with this. He would never bring it up, purely out of misplaced pride.

Despite the relative speed of the whole process it wasn’t easy. Questions, especially about his disbarment and singleness were constantly raised. It became apparent that there was a constant need to prove himself and his ability to be a parent and role model. Both were sensitive issues for him, but through pure determination and luck Child Services did eventually approve him to adopt.

One afternoon, about a week after said papers were finalized, Phoenix’s cell phone rang. As he picked it up and answered it he was met with a very familiar voice.

“Nick!”

“Maya? Is everything okay?”

“Can I call you without there being some crisis?  Sometimes I just want to check in on you, it's been too long!” There was a pregnant pause. It didn’t last very long but felt like an eternity. “Anyways… When were you going to tell me you got disbarred?! I just found out. You know, news doesn't get to Kurain very quickly.”

“I was going to get around to it.”

“Well, how are you holding up?” 

“I've certainly been better… but I'm trying not to focus on that. I have another mouth to feed so I can’t wallow.” 

“Wait back up what do you mean by that? What did you get yourself into Nick?”

“I kind of… adopted a child.”

“W- What do you mean kind of? HOW DO YOU ONLY KIND OF ADOPT A KID??”

“Okay, I fully adopted a kid.” 

“You’re ridiculous.” Maya remarked amused. “You basically just lost your job and decided this was a great time have a kid. Why did you think this was a good idea??”

“She didn't have anyone else. Her dad disappeared from his trial and she latched onto me. She’s depending on me.”

“Knowing you I wouldn't be surprised if you got attached just as fast if not faster than her.” Maya chuckled to herself for a brief moment. “Well… Tell me about her! What's her name, what’s she like?” Maya questioned enthusiastically.

“Her name is Trucy, she’s from a family of stage magicians. Her mom died a couple of years ago and her dad was my last client, he’s now a missing person. After all of that and the whole transition to a more ‘normal’ lifestyle, she's going through a lot, not to mention what I suspect was less than stellar parenting from her father. 

Truce … she deserves so much, much more than what she has been given in life, and much more than what I am able to give her, but I am trying, and she has no one else on her side right now. She is a wonderful kid and I… I don't… know what I'd do without her. She’s what's really keeping me going these past few weeks… I still feel like I have something to work for…”

There were a few seconds of silence.

“I’m coming over to visit this weekend.” Maya announced confidently.

“You don't have to do that, you know. I know you've been really busy with all the training and work and all of the Master of Kurain stuff you're having to deal with.”

“Yeah I'm a little busier than before, but I want to! You're important to me and I want to catch up and meet this wonderful Trucy I’ve heard so much about.”

That weekend, the Wrights prepared for Maya’s arrival.

“Truce, we’re going to be having a friend over this weekend. I want you to meet her. She's really important to me.”

A bit later there was a knock on the door.

Phoenix opened it and was met face to face with… 

“Nick! It's been too long.” Maya said as she immediately went to embrace him. Phoenix gently returned the hug and let out a wave of tension from his body. “It's really nice to see you Maya.”

“So, how have you been?”

“I've certainly been better, but I’m hanging in there.”

“Remember, you’ve got people on your side.” Phoenix nodded in slight acknowledgment and then glanced down at his feet.

Maya then noticed Trucy shyly peeking in on the commotions from behind her dad. Maya crouched down to get eye-to-eye with the young magician and smiled gently. “Hi Trucy! I’m your auntie Maya. It's really nice to meet you!!”

Trucy grins at her. “Hi Auntie Maya! Are you my Daddy’s sister?”

“Not exactly but we are best friends and we’ve been through a lot together, so at this point we’re practically siblings!” 

“Oh, wow!! Are you guys like stage partners?”

“I guess you could say that! I helped Nick a lot with cases. To be honest I don't think he could have done anything without me!” Maya said teasingly.

“HEy!” Phoenix shouts, fake offended. They all laugh and giggle. 

Then after a second, Trucy looks away and frowns. “I’ve never had someone that close to me. I always moved around a lot because of the shows my other daddy had.”

“I think I can help with that! I have a little cousin who is about your age, I think you two would get along. I’ll bring her along next time I come visit!” Maya remarks.

“I can’t wait to show her my magic tricks!! It’ll be so fun!” Trucy responds enthusiastically.

“Oh I think she might have some magic tricks of her own to show you” Maya remarks mischievously with a knowing smile on her face.

“OHH OHH Oh! Can I show you a magic trick Auntie Maya!?!”

“Sure! I’d love to see one of your tricks.”

“Truce, make sure you only do your inside performances okay??” Phoenix calls out. 

“Okay Daddy!”

Trucy then ends up showing off Mr. Hat with an elaborate ventriloquism performance. She then shows off some of her favorite card tricks and a few other of her ‘Trucy’s greatest hits’ magic tricks, with a full round of applause following each spectical. 

“That was wonderful Trucy!” Maya said while clapping with appreciation. 

Phoenix put his hands on his knees and stood up from where he was sitting. “Well, I don’t think any of us made plans for today, so did you have anything in mind Maya?”

“Hmmmm …” Maya looked like she was pondering the meaning of life. “Trucy, have you ever watched Steel Samurai before?”

“No… I don’t think so?”

“I know exactly what we’re going to be doing for the rest of the day!”