Chapter 23

When Phoenix walked into work Monday morning, he was in a much better mood than he was the whole previous week. He was no longer dragging himself everywhere, and moping every second. He had both the people he loved, so now, what really could get him down? With a smile just touching his lips, he walked into the office and saw Maya at her desk.

"Hi, Maya." his tone was a bit tired, but happy nonetheless.

Maya had been sitting by her desk in the entrance to Wright & CO law offices, she had been filing papers, when Nick walked in. He looked happy, he wasn't moping anymore, there wasn't even a trace of depression left. She narrowed her eyes.

"Alright Nick... what's going on? Tell me the whole story." She refused to be left out of the loop.

His smile grew a little, but he just stuck to saying, "We finally talked. We've solved the problem."

Maya froze. Was he telling the truth? Was he really telling the truth? OH THANK GOD! She jumped out of her seat, ran around the desk and pulled Nick into a bear hug. "Oh Nick! That's so great! And everything worked out alright? And everyone's happy?"

Phoenix laughed and hugged her back, so happy for her support, and it was partly thanks to her that the problem was solved at all.

"Yes, I think so."

"But Nick... how'd you guys manage to make everyone happy? The only solution I could think of was to have you all date each other... and I know that Frannie thought it was ridiculous when I mentioned it... even I thought it was ridiculous..." She looked thoughtful.

Phoenix just laughed again.

"We're all happy now. Frannie still wanted to be with me. I was so afraid that she was going to leave me..." his tone turned a little emotional as he spoke, but the smile still stayed.

"Oh that's so good... but what about Mr. Edgeworth? He's happy too right? You're not lying about that, are you Nick? I mean... I trust you but..." She looked at him closely, searching for signs of him being nervous.

"Yes, yes. He is happy...I don't think I'd be able to feel good about anything if he wasn't happy." he reassured her with a small smile, quickly recognizing how she was trying to test him.

Maya leaned backwards and let out a content sigh. "That's good, that means I won't have to kick butt anytime soon. But I hope you all know that if you ever need anything, you can come to me about it. Hmm... Maybe I should relay that message to Frannie and Mr. Edgeworth too..." She thought about it while biting her lip.

Phoenix smiled big and he hugged her again.

"Thanks for all your help. Really..."

Maya hugged him back. "Any time Nick, any time." He was her family after all. He was one of the most important persons in her life, like the older brother she never had or something.

And Maya was definitely important to him, and all of them. Without her persistence in helping them and her support, who knew what might have happened.

I probably never would have known Miles loved me back, or Franziska might have ended up leaving me...She saved both our relationships...and I'm forever thankful...Phoenix thought to himself, a feeling of joy running through him.

He had Maya and the two people he loved most in the world. He couldn't imagine feeling any more complete.