(A/N: I've just finished my final projects, and that's pretty much it for me! It means I'll hopefully be able to continue to bring you content throughout the summer while I work and get ready to move. Ah, but you're excited about the chapter now. Please, without further ado, enjoy.)

Luke's eyes snapped open as he gasped for breath. Immediately he could see the stark white ceiling above him and feel the slightly scratchy bedclothes beneath him – telltale signs that he was in hospital, just as he had assumed.

His gasp for air drew the attention of the figure in the room, who drew a breath of their own. "Luke?" The voice was filled with trepidation and fear, as if in skepticism at what they had just heard.

His eyes searched wildly until they fell on the familiar form of his mother, standing in the corner of the room. Luke's vision blurred with tears as Brenda Triton practically dashed to his bedside, gripping at his hand. "Mum," he managed to choke out in a raw voice.

Brenda's eyes closed tightly as she sank to the floor in utter disbelief that her son had returned to the world of the living long after doctors had given up hope. "Luke," she whispered, reaching out to embrace him tightly. Her fingers knotted in his hair, pulling him close for fear that he might disappear again the moment she let go.

In turn, Luke raked his fingers through his mother's hair, nestling close and being soothed by her heartbeat. Despite his age, he felt no shame in openly embracing his mother after all he had been through. "Mum," he repeated, the tears coming freely now as he remembered Sibyl's final words to him.

"As long as you continue to think of us and love us, Luke, I will never truly leave you."

"My baby," Brenda murmured, tears of her own joining her son's. "I thought we had lost you…"

Luke's grip on his mother tightened as he could only manage a nod in reply.

Footsteps entered the room and Luke was startled out of his trance by his father's voice. "Luke - ?! Luke, is it really - ?"

Brenda looked up at Clark, her eyes red-rimmed but glowing with a happiness that he hadn't seen in weeks. "He's back," she said, voice thick with tears still threatening to spill.

Luke had always seen his father as a calm and composed man, so it came as a complete shock when the man gave a sob and dropped to his knees beside Brenda to embrace both his wife and son. His hand came up to cradle Luke's head, as he had done when the boy was but a young babe, and he held Luke close as he openly cried in front of his son for the first time.

Luke disentangled his arms briefly from his mother's embrace in order to hug his father with all of the strength his body possessed. Brenda's arms came around them like an angel's protective wings, and it occurred to Luke that his father had never hugged him before.

After a long moment in which the family felt truly whole again, Clark slowly rose. "I must find Hershel," he murmured to Brenda. "He's barely left the hospital, but I think he's gone to find Flora."

Find Flora? Luke felt a pang of worry at that. Where could she have gone?

Clark must have noticed the look on his son's face for he began to backtrack. "Nothing to worry about," he said. "I believe the girl went home quite upset without him and he wanted to ensure she was alright."

Luke managed a nod, trying to swallow the guilt. "Dad," he finally managed. "What happened to the professor - ?"

Before Clark could answer, doctors came rushing in, startled by the awakening of the boy. "Thought it was hopeless," one murmured as he examined Luke. Clark and Brenda stepped back to allow the doctors time to work, holding each other's hands tightly as they watched in silence.

It felt like hours before the doctors finally left the family in peace. Brenda seated herself at the foot of the bed, just watching her son. Clark had taken a seat in the corner, watching his family. Luke's eyes drooped as he realized that despite having been asleep for who knows how long, he was exhausted.

A quiet knock at the door startled them all out of their silence. The sheepish-looking face of Phoenix Wright suddenly poked in. "Uh s-sorry if we're interrupting, but I – " His eyes suddenly caught Luke's and his mouth dropped in surprise. "Luke!" he gasped, stepping into the room. "You're awake!" Suddenly seeming to remember that his parents were present, Phoenix turned to Clark and Brenda. "Listen, if it's not a good time, we can definitely come back, and – "

Clark gave the harried lawyer a brief smile and stood. "Hershel has told us about you, Mr. Wright. You're welcome to visit."

At that moment, Maya Fey barreled into the room, nearly knocking Phoenix over as she dashed to Luke's side. "Luke!" she cried, wrapping her arms around him. "You had us so worried!" To Luke's shock, he could feel tears as she pressed her cheek against his.

"H-Hey, be careful, Maya!" Phoenix protested, making his way over to them. "He might still have some injuries!"

Luke laughed as he returned Maya's embrace. "I'm fine, Mr. Wright, really," he said. "It doesn't hurt at all now!"

When Maya finally released him, sitting back with a smile, Phoenix knelt beside him and placed a broad hand on his shoulder. "I'm really glad to see you up and about," he said. Luke smiled and gave the lawyer a nod. Brenda shifted to the side so Maya could clamber up on the bed beside Luke, telling him about nothing in particular – just chattering, the way that Luke had come to find so endearing about her. As she spoke and he attempted to get a word in edgewise, Phoenix moved to sit beside Clark.

"Has Professor Layton been by?" Phoenix murmured so quietly that Luke could barely hear it.

Clark shook his head. "I believe he is still looking for Flora," he replied. "We wondered if perhaps you had crossed paths with him."

Phoenix shook his head. "Unfortunately not," he responded. "We haven't seen him since late the other night. Do you want me to go look - ?"

The sandy-haired man hummed in thought for a moment. "I believe Hershel will return," he finally said. "He has been…concerned, after all."

Phoenix made a soft noise. "He doesn't say much, but he didn't look well the other night."

Luke felt as if he were intruding on a private conversation and decided to return his full attention to Maya's gossiping when she puffed out her cheeks and lightly tugged on his ear to ensure he was still listening.

The moon was high in the sky by the time everyone began to wind down. The Tritons had quietly excused themselves an hour or so previously. At first Maya thought it strange that they would want to leave after their son had woken up, but Phoenix had gently reminded her that they likely needed some time to process their feelings in private. She had accepted this answer and continued to chat with Luke for some time.

Phoenix looked up from his notepad and chuckled softly at the sight of both children sound asleep. Though Maya was far from a child, at the moment with her face clear of any worry she looked so peaceful, young and childlike. Her arm was carelessly thrown across Luke's chest as her head took up most of his pillow. To his credit, the boy dealt with her embrace even in the depths of sleep.

Phoenix swallowed and realized how dry his throat was. Rising and stretching to work the kinks out of his back, he decided to wander down and see what sort of drinks were in the vending machines. He left as quietly as possible so as not to wake the sleeping kids.

Luke began to stir as footsteps entered the room. Perhaps Mr. Wright had left and come back? He sat up, carefully trying not to disturb Maya's slumber, but the color drained from his face as he saw the woman in the doorway.

"Emmy," he whispered, and she froze. Clearly she hadn't been expecting him to be awake. Her weight shifted to her back leg as if to run. "W-wait, don't go." His voice was barely above a murmur, but it was enough to briefly stop her. "Why are you here?"

There was a long pause before she answered. She exhaled slowly, turning her face towards the window. "I heard you had been hurt, and…I wanted to make sure you were…okay." At his confused look, she shrugged. "I still have my connections."

Luke managed a small smile. "I'm fine, Emmy," he said. She finally turned to face him, dark brown eyes shining in the moonlight, and Luke suddenly was able to identify the unknown color that he had seen in Sibyl's eyes. The thought made him choke up a little and he continued speaking. "You can come back," he said. "The professor and I – we forgive you, you know."

Emmy chuckled softly, turning away from him once more to hide the glimmer of her tears. "That time has passed," she said. "You're a sweet boy, but…it's for the best." She gave him one last smile before facing the doorway. "Be well, Luke."

Luke had always heard the saying that if you cared for someone, it was best to let them go. As much as he wanted to rush after Emmy as she stepped out of the room, he sensed that she had only appeared because she was expecting to remain unseen. As a courtesy to her and the memory of their friendship, he did not move. He lay back down next to Maya and he let Emmy leave, pretending to have been asleep as an exhausted Mr. Wright returned with canned tea.

Luke shifted as the sun's early rays began to peek into the hospital room. Maya was gone, as was Mr. Wright. He frowned and pushed himself into a sitting position, startled by the sight of someone else in the corner of the room. A petite figure sat alone in a chair in the corner, eyes fixed on the sewing in her hands. A knot asserted itself in his stomach as he recognized her.

"Flora," he called softly, and she nearly dropped her sewing. Her head jolted up and her eyes filled with tears as she left her stitching forgotten on the floor.

"Luke," she whispered, rising and moving slowly to his side. She stood hesitantly by his side, her hands wringing together. "Are you - ?"

He moved to the side, patting the now-vacant spot next to him. "I'm fine," he insisted. "Please, Flora, sit down?"

She nodded jerkily, sitting almost uncomfortably next to him. "I've been so worried about you," she murmured. "Things just…they haven't been the s-same without you at the flat…" Flora trailed off, eyes skittering down to look at her lap.

Guilt coursed through him as he remembered all of the horrible things that he had thought about Flora throughout his time in Validilene – in my coma, he reminded himself with a shudder – and he knew he had to make it right.

He reached out and wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I'm so s-sorry, Flora…"

Her hands came up to her mouth as if she didn't know how to handle this turn of events. "Luke, why are you apologizing?" she said, her eyes filling with tears too. "You didn't do anything wrong – "

Luke wanted to tell her. He wanted to free himself of the guilt and tell Flora how he had been jealous and angry, knowing it would take the pain away from himself.

But then he looked at her face, eyes wide and tear-filled as she watched him stumble, and he knew he couldn't burden her with that knowledge. He quietly resolved to change his attitude from here on out and ensure that Flora never doubted that he cared for her.

Flora finally recovered, turning to wrap her arms around Luke in return. She had lost too many people in her young life, and she had come so close to losing Luke, too. The thought was enough to make tears threaten to fall once more, and she buried her face in his shoulder.

"The p-professor hasn't taken care of himself since you've been…away," Flora finally whispered. "He's been so worried about you, a-and I haven't been able to help him…"

Luke's fingers tightened in the fabric of Flora's dress. It was the first straight answer someone had given him about the professor so far, and it twisted his insides into even tighter knots. He wanted to ask where the man was, but he couldn't get the words out. Thankfully, Flora saved him from speaking by continuing her thought.

"He's just seeing Mr. Wright and Miss Fey out at the moment," she said. "They said they'll be back later, but wanted to get a few hours' sleep…"

Luke could only nod in reply. Sleeping curled against someone in a hospital bed couldn't have been comfortable for Maya, and Mr. Wright had fallen asleep in the chair with the canned tea hanging loosely from his fingertips the last time Luke had seen him.

Quiet footsteps entered the room, startling the children apart. Luke's breath caught as he saw Professor Layton standing in the doorway. A small smile appeared on his lips as he stepped further into the room.

"Flora," he murmured quietly, placing a gentle hand on her back. "Thank you for waiting, my dear. Would you give us a moment? The bakery next door has just opened for the morning; you may find Miss Fey and Mr. Wright there as well."

Flora nodded, recognizing that she was being dismissed but knowing that there was a conversation that needed to happen without her present. She retrieved her sewing and tucked it into her little bag before excusing herself.

Layton stood beside the hospital bed waiting as Flora's footsteps faded down the hallway. Luke felt oddly embarrassed to be stuck in a bed and shifted as if to try and stand. He was surprised when Layton's hand lay on his shoulder, wordlessly reminding him that staying in bed was best right now. The professor pulled a chair close to the bedside, seating himself in it.

Only then was Luke able to get a good look at Layton, and he realized with some horror that Flora had been right – the professor looked as if he hadn't slept properly in days; dark circles underlined his eyes and Luke noticed that his suit was a little more unkempt than he had ever remembered seeing it.

"Professor," he started at the same time that Layton began "Luke…"

Luke knotted his fingers in the blankets. "Professor," he said quietly. "I know that I should let you speak first, but I – I need to tell you something important."

"Luke, I – "

"Please, Professor!" Luke cried out, briefly but finally meeting Layton's eyes for the first time since he had entered the room. "I need to tell you that I'm so sorry! You wouldn't have been hurt if it hadn't been for me running away, a-and if I hadn't been so jealous of Flora, and you protected me even after I ran from you!" The entire thing was said in a single breath with his eyes shut tightly as if he couldn't bear to look Layton in the eye as he spoke. "A-and if you don't want me as your apprentice anymore…I understand!"

A long silence stretched out between them and Luke had flashbacks to the wordless apparition of the professor that had haunted his nightmares. He gritted his teeth and shut his eyes more tightly in an attempt to ward off the tears he felt coming.

Layton cleared his throat, and Luke was surprised to hear that the professor's voice was a bit thicker as he spoke. "Luke, it appears that we need to have a conversation that has been…a long time coming. I owe you an explanation, my boy."

Luke continued to watch the blankets as if they were the most interesting thing in the world until Layton's hand lay on his shoulder once more. He was startled into looking up into the man's eyes as the professor spoke.

"I had…already realized that you were envious of Flora," Layton murmured. "I could not identify why for some time, however. She is my ward, having no family, and you have your family." Luke nodded and opened his mouth as if to speak, but Layton held up his free hand to ask Luke to wait. "I believe, Luke, that it is reminiscent of how you view me." Again the boy nodded, but did not elaborate. "We spend most of our time together, and – forgive my assumption – but I believe you have come to see me as…a sort of father figure?"

Luke let out a little breath and nodded. If they were revealing all, he might as well make his true feelings clear. "I don't…see dad a lot," he said. "I never have."

Layton gave a soft exhale as well. "I see," he finally replied. "Luke…there is something that your father and I have not told you. We have spoken, and we believe it would be best if you know the truth."

Luke forced himself to meet the professor's eyes, terrified of the truth that might be forthcoming. Was he right? Did Layton not want him as his apprentice anymore? Was the professor leaving London? Was he sick? Possibility after possibility began to chase itself around his mind, and Luke desperately attempted to focus on Layton's words.

The older man graced Luke with a small, tired smile. "I am your godfather, my boy. We have wanted to tell you for quite some time, but the moment was never quite right."

Luke's mouth dropped. Of all the possibilities he had considered, this…had not been one. He was so visibly dumbfounded that Layton felt the need to elaborate further.

"Ever since you were born, Luke, I have been entrusted with your care in the event that your parents were not able to do so. When we met in Misthallery for the first time and you asked to be my apprentice…well, we were frankly stumped as to how to tell you." The professor chuckled softly, closing his eyes. " You and I were hardly acquainted, after all, and we feared you would retreat into yourself once more if we told you then. We decided to go with it and have been waiting for a moment since then, but none have seemed right."

His eyes filled with tears. All along he had been seeking the professor's approval and love…and all along, it turned out that they were related in a manner.

Layton had cared about him from the start, before Luke ever knew that Layton was a person.

"My boy, you have nothing to apologize for. If anyone must, it is me." The boy's red-rimmed eyes trailed up to meet the Professor's exhausted expression. "You would not have fled had I been able to get my thoughts together and speak promptly."

"I shouldn't have run," Luke mumbled, staring down at the blankets, but Layton patted his shoulder.

"There is something that I wanted to tell you then, but failed to do so. Luke…" He waited until the boy had met his eyes before continuing. "Will you grant me the chance to tell you what I should have then?"

What else could he say to a request like that? Luke nodded, holding the Professor's gaze as the older man prepared to speak.

"Your question was…'what am I to you?'." Feeling slightly ashamed, Luke nodded in reply. "The answer to that is simple." Layton's voice dropped to a whisper and Luke leaned a little closer to hear him. "Luke…the truth is that I love you like my own son."

It was barely a moment later that Layton found himself with an armful of Luke, little arms wrapping tightly around him as the boy cried into his shoulder.

Much to Luke's surprise, Layton returned his hug, holding the boy close. There were no words between them as they remained in that embrace for some time.

Words had failed them before, but the silence allowed them to heal together.

(A/N: We have reached the end of a long journey with our young gentleman, and I hope that you all have enjoyed the ride. I'm so glad for everyone who has read and reviewed, and am also grateful to those who read a long time ago and returned after my various hiatuses.

Congratulations to those of you who were piecing things together along the way, and an extremely grateful thank you to Em, who graciously said that the big reveal was like a Level-5 reveal! I can't tell you how happy that made me!

Of course, thank you to all of my loyal reviewers who have kept this story alive – there were times I was so busy I wanted to give it up, but I knew that I had people interested and it kept me writing (albeit at a snail's pace). Thank you for helping me craft my story!

The only thing to wrap up is the few loose ends that sprang up in this last chapter. There is actually a companion piece that I am currently working on which addresses these loose ends and tells the story of what our characters were doing while Luke was in Validilene. As I've finished my course work, I will be able to dedicate time to this. I'm quite excited about it, and I hope to see more of you there!

Thank you for everything,

Banj)