She should have expected that trouble would come on their wedding day. Luckily, no one was murdered, but the judge was incapacitated by a sudden bout of food poisoning. The ambulance's flashing red lights were an eerie addition to the reception.

Under the table, Maya slipped her feet out of her shoes. Summer had warmed the grass between her toes. Pearl and Trucy had gone to so much trouble, planning the party outdoors, but she flashed the worried pair a grateful glance. The other guests murmured amongst each other; Apollo looked ready to stand at a moment's notice while Athena and Simon shared concerned whispers.

And of course, there was the groom. He was visibly frustrated, his forehead creasing as he talked to Edgeworth and Gumshoe. "Well, I just hope he's alright." Nick said.

"Me too." She added.

"Still, today of all days, huh?" Gumshoe noted. As his wife Maggey admonished him, Nick shrugged and Maya returned the gesture.

"It's love that's bittersweet." She once said. Well, considering what they'd been through, they certainly knew that. After all, they spent their time solving murders and investigating crime scenes. Their first meeting was because of her sister's death, and even now, she wished Mia was here. But despite the fact that their time had been touched with sobriety and seriousness, they enjoyed each other's company. They stuck together and became inseparable. They had fallen in love.

After the hospital let them know that the judge would make a full recovery, the rest of the night whirled away on the dance floor.

"Oof, I'm tired." She was about to settle in her chair, already lifting the hem of her dress, when Nick wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Maya, can we go somewhere quiet? I have to talk to you."

Her heartbeat skipped for a moment, but she nodded and followed him to the edge of the yard. He sat down on the raised root of a large tree, and she knelt next to him.

He spoke first. "Thank you, Maya."

"Hm? For what?"

"You're the one person who's supported me since I started as a defense attorney. You've been at my side for all these years, in the courthouse and out of it. When we were separated, I could only think 'when am I going to see her again?' You worried me and made me laugh, and you're my best friend. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather spend the rest of my life with. Thank you, Maya, for being with me."

She shook her head, her voice full with emotion. "Nick, I'm the one who has to thank you. After Mia died, I had nobody to turn to, but you became my defender. You let me stay with you even after, as an equal partner. You showed me that there's still someone who believes in innocence, that I don't have to be afraid in the face of danger. Thank you for being with me; you gave me back the world."

He probably made the first move, although she didn't care very much as they kissed in the dark. It was a more intimate kiss than the one following their vows, but just as sweet.

"Oh, I have one more thing to thank you for." She murmured.

"What is it?"

"For the next attorney or spirit medium, who we'll be meeting next year."

There was a beat. "…wh-what?! Really?!"

"Definitely. I found out this morning." She grinned.

Instantly, he embraced her, and his voice was choked. "I love you. Thank you."

"I love you too. Congrats, Nick."

In the vicinity, everyone else were celebrating their happiness, but only this moment of gratitude and promise belonged to them. And it would be one of many, because they were together at last.