fic: Save the Date (2)
Dec. 31st, 2018 08:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bonnefoisTitle: Save The Date: (2)
Series: Ace Attorney
Character/pairing: Nahyuta/Ema, Gumshoe/Maggey, Simon/Athena, Edgeworth/Phoenix, Larry/Maya, Franziska/Adrian, Klavier/Apollo
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 8k
Summary: When Larry gets married after catching the bouquet at Sorin and Ellen's wedding, it sets off a series of weddings, all involving the next person who caught the bouquet. As Ema starts to see a pattern, her interest is caught, both for the possible scientific discovery and the chance on being able to get a wish of her own.
Author's note: Thanks to OblivionIsAtHand for looking over this.
Happy 20biteen everyone.
One month later
She took a deep breath. "Okay, Ema, you can do this. Just go in and ask."
The door opened suddenly, before she could even reach out and open it. For a moment, Ema stood there, hands up in a state of shock. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi smiled, with faint amusement.
"Ask for what, now? A salary raise?" Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"Ehhh--I--you heard that?"
"There's an intercom right there at the door, as well as quite a bit of new video surveillance technology. You were the one who suggested them."
Ema puffed out her cheeks. "How am I supposed to remember when you listen to me? It's not like it happens every day..."
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi smiled so gently then, it made her chest ache. "Despite your protests, it happens every day, often more than once. As for your salary--Consider it done. You're worth any price. We'll discuss your salary rise tonight, after dinner."
Ema's cheeks flamed red at the praise. Even though it was a downright daily occurrence, it always made her heart race to see him smile like that, and compliment her. Especially with the mention of dinner.
And okay, it was just eating with the rest of the law office staff, but she was always sitting right next to him. Unless they were fighting. Though sometimes she'd sit by him anyways, even if they weren't talking. Inevitably they'd make up before dessert.
Despite her history of holding onto grudges, she never could when it came to him.
"D-don't get me wrong, that's very kind of you, and I'll definitely take it, considering that I need to go dress shopping again. See, there's a wedding coming, and I'm invited. I need some days off."
"Mr. Wright's, yes? I received an invitation as well."
Man, Phoenix sure was a forgiving guy. No matter how many times prosecutors tried to imprison his family when false charges came up, he didn't hold it against them. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi had tried both Maya and Trucy, and tried a brutal case against Athena, to say nothing of that case where Apollo almost got executed. At this rate, the only part of the Anything Agency he hadn't taken a stab at was Charley.
Not that he had done it willfully. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi had just been following the evidence and Ga'ran's commands. It just so happened that the evidence had been forged repeatedly, and Ga'ran had chosen to torment them specifically.
"Oh--so you're already going?" she said.
"I am considering it. There are many things to attend to in guiding this country," he said.
Ema smiled. "Khura'in is going to feel pretty empty, since I'm sure Apollo will have to go, too. I hope everyone is good while we're gone."
"Indeed, I must fervently pray that the country will behave while we are gone."
"Good luck with that," Ema said.
Especially as Khura'in would be left in the hands of Chief Prosecutor Payne and Queen Amara.
"Tell me, Detective Ema Skye. In your culture, is it a grave insult to refuse an invitation?"
Ema smiled innocently. "Oh, the worst. Plus you'll never get to make it up. Once you miss a wedding, it's over forever."
"Ah, that settles it. I will fix my schedule and order the tickets. See you tonight, Detective Skye."
She felt a little shiver run down her back. Sure, it was just for work, but that didn't change how her pulse rose when he sad those words to her.
*
She couldn't just reuse the teal dress she'd worn to Ellen and Sorin's wedding reception, even if it was cute and flattering, it would be thoughtless, and look like she owned only one good dress. And this was the wedding of the century.
They landed in LAX, with a few hours to spare. After getting checked into the hotel, Ema met up with him in the front hall.
"So--Hang around for the fashion show, would you? I need a second opinion," she said.
"I'm afraid I won't be a discerning judge when it comes to you," he said.
"Oh, I'll take it, anyways. I value your opinion. ...Most of the time, anyways."
Okay, this was definitely flirting. And, she thought with a little shiver of delight, she'd get some compliments on how she looked, too. Sure, she loved that he admired her brains and the quality of her work, but sometimes she totally wanted him to say something nice about how great she pulled off this ensemble.
Ema rubbed at her cheek. Out of his gold and white frock coat and it'd feel even more romantic.
You think everything with him feels romantic, she thought. Then again, what was she supposed to think when he took her out and insisted to pay and spent half the time listening to her and paying her compliments? She was learning Khura'inese culture as fast as she could, and even with what she learned, it still came off like they were dating without saying the word.
After checking in at the same hotel, albeit several rooms apart, they both headed out towards several stores. The first store they stopped at had a vast white interior, like a warehouse, and it claimed designer at a discount.
She pulled a bunch of dresses at random and slung them over her arm. Honestly half of these she knew would be eliminated. But that'd be a few more minutes of him seeing her in cute dresses. A few more compliments. Ema was completely addicted to them.
First up was bright magenta, and a bit too ruffley. It looked more like something a kid would wear to church at Easter. In her defense, she had pulled off everything from the sales rack which was her size. Still, she brought it out turned around for him to enjoy every single angle of her.
"Hmm?" Ema said.
"You... look like a student of Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth," he said.
She laughed. "I guess I kind of do. It's got enough ruffles for me to be mistaken for a Von Karma."
She made the sound of a cracking whip. Though, he must've not understood the reference, or had never come across Prosecutor von Karma, because he made no comment.
"Still, you give off a certain regalness and grace. However, It might give Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth the wrong idea--such as you are coming back for good."
He looked as if he'd sucked on a lemon after he said it. Ema smiled to herself. The thought of losing her was that upsetting to him, huh? Good.
"I don't think this one will do, onto the next," she said.
She changed out and put it back on its hanger, and hung it on the to-discard rack. After that, it was on to the next dress in line. She slipped on a dark blue dress, that faintly shone with some kind of glitter or sequins sewn in, with an empire waist.
The skirt was surprisingly tight and constraining, so much that it made walking a chore. Already a strike on it, and she hadn't even worn it more than a minute.
"Okay, now I look like I joined The Wright Anything Agency, but in the 1800s," Ema said.
She scrunched up her nose and tugged at the empire waist. It was seriously not flattering her fairly small, but perky boobs. It was only then that she remembered she was adjusting her cleavage right in front of him. Oops.
He had glanced away, like a gentleman, and made no comments. Sometimes, he was really was too polite for his own good.
"I don't think this one is going to work," she said with a sigh.
"It looks like those ones you showed me. Steampunk, I believe the word was?"
"Yeah, it kind of does! All I need is some kind of fancy headpiece with a bunch of fake clocks and I'd be ready to go," she said. "The skirt's too tight, though."
"While it is sleek, and striking, I believe you feel uncomfortable in it."
"Yeah, it just doesn't fit well. Off to the next one, I guess."
She caught her reflection in the beat-up mirror as she pulled off the dress. Was he thinking about her right now? Sure, he was all about respecting women, but if she'd been the one sitting and waiting, knowing that he was right then stripping down and trying on suits, it sure would be hard to keep her mind off of it.
Then again, he was a monk and she was thirsty as hell and a bit kinky.
Ema pulled out a white dress with a gold swirling pattern which matched Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's vestments quite well. It was s In this, they'd look like a set of superheroes, except instead of fighting crime, they solved it. She changed out to give it a try.
Yes, technically only the bride was supposed to wear white. But there wasn't even a bride at this wedding, just two grooms, so did that rule even apply? Besides, it was covered in gold filigree which meant it wasn't pure white, so that had to count for something.
I sure hope it doesn't make my skin look sallow, she thought. Ema barely dared to look into the mirror until the smooth satiny dress was on. Much to her pleasure, she found it was one of those dresses which were nearly impossible to zip up alone.
"Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, can you help me up with my zipper?"
Good thing she'd remembered the extremely flattering teal lace bra, and matching panties. This seriously would not have been the day to have the granny panties with old period stains and the bra she hadn't washed in God knows how long.
The color was fairly neutral on her. Not as flattering as shades of green which brought out her eyes, but it didn't make her look as pale as she feared. Plus, the swirls of gold across the bust made her look like cup size bigger.
Ema smiled to herself as she heard the door swing open, and felt his hands brush her back as he helped her.
"Thank you kindly! Whatcha think?"
Ema spun around for him to see all angles. The skirt twirled, glimmering gold and white.
"It's almost as if we match. I'm one rosary away from telling the defense to go to hell," she said.
"Detective Skye, you already do that to Apollo on a daily basis," he said.
She laughed. "That's different."
"You still didn't say how it was," Ema said.
"I think you will outshine the grooms if you are not careful, and make enemies going in like that--like a queen," he said.
"I think it's a winner," Ema said.
Now, it was off to shoes. Ema picked out some white ones with such a high heel that it put a serious dent between her and Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's height.
Never mind the blisters, the heel that looked like it could also double as a knife, or how it would be actually walking in them, they were cute and cheap.
"Those shoes look like they could kill a man," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
Ema grinned. "You could say I'm dressed to kill."
The real killer was the discount. A whole 75% off, so she'd even have enough money to buy a wedding gift.
Though, what to get the lawyers and prosecutor who had survived everything?
"Do you remember if they put up a wedding registry? I was really busy with those slew of cases and the backlog," Ema said.
"I heard no such thing," he said.
"Crud. I'll just have to figure it out. Knowing them, they didn't put it online, either..."
She only had two more hours left to pick it out and get there in time. She should've just fought customs and brought something from Khura'in. There was plenty of neat pottery and those incense holders. The Wright Anything Agency already was packed with Trucy's magic to the point of being extremely cluttered.
And could she even afford the kinds of things Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth would want?
They walked through the mall, past the strong floral and citrus scent of the candle shop, out of the reach of the mall kiosks.
"Maybe we should just take a lunch break. You know I can't think on an empty stomach."
Something had caught Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's eyes. He stared over, across from the JambaJuice that was right near a Starbucks. Just in case you couldn't choose what kind of drink you wanted and decided to get both.
A geeky store just across the way boasted 50% off! in big red leaflets across the walls. The Steel Samurai theme boomed from loudspeakers in the store.
"Is that a--"
It was! A limited edition Steel Samurai wedding silk screen poster.
"Do you think they'd have Plumed Punisher merchandise here?"
"We could ask, though she hasn't really caught up in the states," Ema said.
The small store was filled with pricey figurines, posters, shirts, and all things Steel Samurai. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi peered over the shelves for anything Plumed Punisher, while Ema went straight for that big poster. It showed in glorious detail, the wedding of the Pink Princess and Steel Samurai, just as it'd been shown in the fifth movie: Steel Samurai: Forevermore. Among the detectives and labbies, some had loved it. Others had bemoaned that he'd gotten married at all.
Now this was a lot better than a fondue pot.
Ema cringed a bit at the price tag. Even at 50% off, it'd still take a chunk of her money, but Phoenix had saved her and Lana's life, and Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth had never held her past history of clashing with Prosecutor Gavin or failures to her.
She could pay extra to get the perfect gift. And Prosecutor Sahdmadhi would make sure she got plenty of food, so money wouldn't really be an issue. She just would have to hope that nobody got married for a while, because she wouldn't be buying anymore cute dresses.
Considered that he came out empty handed, she assumed that he hadn't found anything Plumed Punisher related. Even more so for the smug mutter of the cashier who rang them up. He wore a white Steel Samurai shirt a few sizes too large for his thin frame.
"Do you want to be in the Official Steel Samurai Store club and get exclusive perks and coupons?"
"I'll pass. I live overseas right now," Ema said.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's eyebrows lifted, and he gave her a very pointed look. Probably at the mention of right now. She felt a certain satisfaction unfurl in her just at that.
"We have locations all over the world," the cashier said.
"In Khura'in?" Ema said.
The cashier's thick brows furrowed. "Koo rain? You mean that place up north of here?"
"Nope, the country in Asia."
"Never heard of it," the cashier said.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's jaw twitched. "Khura'in has a long history of commerce, and originated the sacred art of spirit-channeling from our founder."
As she dug out her smiley covered wallet out of her purse, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi withdrew a very large bill, which covered over half of it..
"It can be a gift from both of us," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"From both of us," Ema said, a bit breathlessly.
"This is great. We might even have enough to grab something to eat before we go to the ceremony."
"Isn't there a feast after your western weddings?"
"C'mon, you know me. I'll be hungry again before the service is even over," Ema said.
*
They got out of the mall with less than a half hour to spare. But at least she was caffeinated enough to not fall asleep in the most important wedding which would ever happen in her lifetime.
Other than her own wedding, that was,
For this wedding, the prosecutors involved had kept to their usual suits. In fact, much to her pleasure, they matched perfectly. All except earrings, and that could be fixed. With the poster still in her arms, Ema climbed out of the cab. Before she could get the money out of her purse to pay the cab driver, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi paid him.
Ema glanced up. Dark clouds had filled the skies during her time in the department store. "At least they aren't having an outside wedding," Ema said.
It would rain on Phoenix's wedding day. Hell, she wouldn't be surprised if a murder sprung out, and knowing their luck, Maya would be framed for it.
By the time she left the taxi, it had turned into a full out downpour. And of course she hadn't thought to pack her umbrella. At least the silk screen was wrapped up in a big plastic tube.
"Oh, crud! I'm going to be late!" She bunched up her skirts and started on a limp towards the court. (Of course they wouldn't be married in a church. Of course the Judge would be the one to give them their vows.)
Those on-sale shoes were a lot less cute when the heel snapped with a loud crack. A poorly placed pothole (damn the USA's shitty roads) had been its downfall. She hadn't even gotten to the wedding to show them off.
And that wasn't all. She let out a little cry of pain as the broken heel caused her ankle to jerk back.
As Ema struggled to pull her shoe out, a car sped by, and a sheet of water left her soaked. Water dripped down the front of her dress. She could feel her mascara dripping down, and her lipstick had not held up so well. Waterproof and sealed, her ass.
"Ugh! This is a disaster!"
At least the poster was sealed in a fairly water tight tube. A few raindrops should be fine, but it might not hold up if she dropped it in a lake. Thankfully, the water pouring through the gutter hadn't quite reached that deep yet.
"Ema--are you all right?" His hand rested protectively at her shoulder.
"My foot is killing me, and we're going to be late at this rate."
"May I assist you?"
"Yeah, I could really use some assistance right now!" Ema said.
She expected him to offer his arm, but instead, he swept her up bridal style, and carried her through the downpour. The rain pelted down and ruined all the care she'd put into fixing up her hair. God, she was going to look like an absolute mess when she got there.
But it felt so nice in his arms, so much that in fact it suddenly didn't seem such a disaster as she buried her face against him. She reached up, and wrapped her arms about him to feel more secure. Did it feel like she was feeling up his fantastic shoulders and upper back? Because technically, she wasn't.
Though she sure was enjoying the ride while she was here.
Which was how Ema arrived. Soaked, flushed cheeked, makeup ruined, heels gone, and in his arms. Oh, and some of her lipstick ended up smearing on his coat on the process. And even his neck. Oops.
Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth frowned as he caught sight of them. "Now is really not the time for 'canoodling' with your paramour, detective Skye."
Honestly, it was worth it just to hear Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth say the word 'canoodling" and hear him call Prosecutor Sahdmadhi her 'paramour.'
(And somehow, she always knew Chief Prosecuotor Edgeworth would be a complete Groomzilla.)
She lifted up her shoe and showed off what was left of her poor shoes. "Not this time. Maybe I should've stuck with the kitten heels," Ema said.
Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth looked less than convinced. "Due to the storm, the ceremony has been delayed. The program will start in thirty minutes. I advise you use that time to freshen up."
"I shall assist her," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"It looks as if you've already done enough 'assisting' her," Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth said sharply.
If only.
When Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth left to take his judgy Groomzilla ways elsewhere, Ema caught a glance of her reflection in one of the lobby mirrors. One rain effortlessly turned her from wedding ready to Halloween costume of zombie bridesmaid came early.
"Ugh, I need to get myself at least halfway decent. And I spent so much time on it this morning, too..."
"I could help," he said.
"Well, do your best."
None of the lobbies had enough to help, so they found one of the small unisex bathrooms. Her heart beat more rapidly as she closed and locked the door behind them. She limped onto the pristine white tiles, and he gently lifted her up, and placed her on the counter. Which meant for a fraction a second the were like that, him between her legs, her still clutched to his suit jacket. For a long moment their eyes met. Her lips parted, and all she could wonder was if his thoughts were like hers. Of his mouth and hers and all the things they could do in fifteen minutes.
He cleared his throat and looked away. Ema shifted on the bathroom counter, and pulled out a package of makeup removal wipes from her purse.
"Ugh, I can't get turned around to fix my makeup..."
"Allow me."
"T-thanks. Um, don't bother with the eye makeup. It's waterproof. I figured, people always cry at weddings."
He took the cloth, and began to clean up the mess that the rain had done.
He was so slow, and precise, and most of all gentle. Her lips tingled as he rubbed free the lipstick. She could feel the pressure of his hands.
Had he lingered there, his thumb over her lower lip, with and the only thing between them a flimsy piece of makeup removal cloth. She closed her eyes. He could just kiss her now. Really, anytime now.
She'd worked so hard on her hair, and she did not pull off that glorious mermaid aesthetic. Wet hair was not a good look on her. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, however, came out of the storm completely unscathed.
She squeezed the excess water into the bathroom sink, but it didn't help.
He wove her hair into a long braid down her back. It wasn't how she usually did it, but it looked good again. Also they couldn't looked more matched if they were wearing if lost, return to __ shirts.
She leaned her knee against the bathroom counter, even though it ached.
She dug out her lipstick from her bag. She'd gone for one of those adorable and sparkly but ultimately useless bags which could hold maybe a stick of gum if she was lucky. She opened up her compact and reapplied her lipstick.
Her face would just have to cooperate and not suddenly break out in zits until this was over. She'd put so much work into making that blush fit in subtly, too.
His palm rested on her knee. For a moment, she thought he might just push her skirt up, and turn this bathroom makeover into a bathroom makeout. But, no such luck. Instead, he steadied her leg, and went lower, and removed her heels.
"Whatever choice you make about your body is valid. What I do not understand is when beauty and pain are intertwined," he said softly.
"It's like your ascetic training. That hurt, and yet you found it useful, right?"
"So this is the path of enlightenment?"
"No, it's the path to looking really cute. It's Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth and Phoenix's wedding! I'm going to look good even if it hurts."
"...that is something you have already achieved."
Honestly, if it wasn't her two heroes (one of them her former crush) getting married, she might've skipped the ceremony entirely and stayed in that bathroom with him. It'd be Double Jeopardy. Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth was already convinced they were fucking in every empty room they found, and the new evidence of them arriving together so disheveled and desperate had done nothing to change his mind. And given that Phoenix was a complete gossip, everyone in the L.A. law office and beyond would know about it before the day was done.
"...I'll help dry your dress," he said. He pulled out paper towels. He didn't meet her gaze as he patted down her skirts with soft pressure. He lingered at her neck with a bunched up towel, and gently dabbed the water away.
Dammit, why was he not kissing her already? They were locked together in a small unisex bathroom, for fuck's sake! Albeit it was not the sexiest place around, but so many other people have managed to make out or more in them. Was he shy? Because she was more than willing to take the lead and climb every inch of him like a tree if that was the problem.
The bridal march interrupted her thoughts.
"Time to face the music. Literally; I can hear it starting now," she said.
He picked her up again, and helped her out into the courtroom. Her disappointment about not being kissed aside, it was pretty sweet to be carried around by him everywhere. A shame she had to break her heels and twist her ankle to get there, though.
*
The courtroom was packed. Instead of taking their spaces at the benches, they stood side by side at the judge. The witness box was pushed away to make room for a bridal bower.
"We are gathered here for the trial--er--wedding of Phoenix Wright and Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth," the Judge said.
Ema leaned in. "Just watch them jinx it and Maya will end up on trial somehow again," Ema said under her breath.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi covered his mouth to stifle a laugh.
It had been decades in the waiting. And they smirked, like it was a battle, just another courtroom. The terms of their marriage had been drawn long ago. It was only just now that they realized they'd been basically hitched for well on 20 years now, and too dense to realize it.
It wasn't a typical kind of I do and I do, no surprise, given the grooms. To have and to hold, to defend and serve, until death do us part.
Edgeworth gripped his husband's suit and kissed him way more passionately than she ever would've guessed he had in him. Behind them, the gallery erupted in applause.
"Finally!" came a cry--she thought it was Maya, but Ema was about to say the same damn thing. Theirs was the most epic and convoluted rivalry-slash-love story the court system had ever seen.
And Ema was sure some people were winning big with betting pools that had been going on for a decade.
Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth and Phoenix came down from the witness stand arm in arm.
"Just because you're my husband doesn't mean I'll go soft on you in the courtroom," Edgeworth said.
Phoenix smirked. "I can say the same."
Ema found herself sniffling--She wasn't the only one to tear up that this long love story finally had a happy ending.
From the corner, she noticed a face in the crowd that she'd seen in her sister's photographs. It was Mia Fey, temporarily back from the dead and channeled in someone's body. It must've been Pearl, given how her hair seemed lighter, and was tied up on her head in a loop. She leaned in and hugged Phoenix. The sight only made her sob more.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi cleared his throat. He held out a white embroidered handkerchief her way.
She dabbed at her eyes gently, to not displace anymore of her makeup in the process.
"Thanks," she said.
"Um..." She balled up the handkerchief and held it out.
"Keep it for now. There's still the groom's dance to get through, after all."
"Oh god, I'm going cry so hard I'll need a handful of Advil," Ema said.
"Did you pack some? If not, I could leave and purchase some. There are handy stores on every corner in your country. I might not even have call a cab."
Ema couldn't help but smile through the tears. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi never failed to be utterly floored by Walgreens.
He offered his hand, and he helped her out of the gallery seats. It was only once they'd gotten back into the hallway that he lifted her up. And sure, they weren't dating--yet--but her mind couldn't help but wander and wonder what it'd be like to be the ones up there in front of the priest saying their I do's and pledging forever to each other.
She rested her head against his chest as he carried her out towards the reception area. She didn't have to imagine what it would be like to be carried over the threshold. Because she knew all too well now.
*
The reception was held in a nearby hall. The original idea had been to put it in the lobbies, except that plan had been thrown out when the guest list ballooned. Phoenix had wanted a smaller wedding, with just family, but as the days drew year, former clients and at least 70% of the workers in the legal system had somehow showed up, eager to come. The other 30% were either in jail or out of the country. Most of them were probably just gawking to see a wedding that had been decades in the making.
The rest simply showed up for the free bar. Which she didn't blame them. It was a pretty nice bar, and a pretty great buffet, too. Which had to be Phoenix's doing. Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth had far more luxurious tastes.
(Though, Ema though, due to all the unexpected and uninvited guests, they must've had to settle for quantity over quality.)
Ema was in line to congratulate the grooms, though the line was long, and rather prone to chatter. Still, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi didn't seem to be wearing down at all. He had to be real strong and toned underneath those monk frocks to be able to hold her up without even faltering a little.
Limping around took so much time that Prosecutor Sahdmadhi simply just kept carrying her. Not that Ema was complaining.
"Are you sure this isn't too hard on you?" Ema said.
"It's no trouble. In truth, you're quite light. I have performed--" he tend said a word she didn't quite get, "for many hours as part of my religious training."
Ema mentally tried to work this in her mind, but so much of Khura'inese was based on complicated religious terms, that without Prosecutor Sahdmadhi there, she would be super lost.
"So is that like a plank?"
He tilted his head in curiosity. "What would a piece of wood have to do with this?"
"It's also a type of exercise. Like a push up, but you don't go back down. You just hold the form. I tried one to get ready for bikini season once. I lasted all of five seconds."
"Ah... perhaps it could be said to be close. Add weights, and it must be performed in the freezing waters beneath the sacred waterfalls that flow from Mount Poni Poni."
"Daaang. You lasted how many hours?"
"Nineteen."
"Nineteen? You mean minutes, right? Right?"
"No."
Man, this wasn't helping her thirst for her monk boss levels at all.
Just in front of them, Maya reached out and hugged Phoenix. Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth was gone for that moment, though Ema caught sight of him getting a glass of wine across the room.
Maya chuckled. "Nick, that was so nostalgic. I almost expected you to burst out with an objection," Maya said.
Phoenix rubbed at the back of his neck. "Objecting at my own wedding?"
"Well, at least a 'take that!' or 'hold it!' for old times." Maya had already begun to show. She patted the growing bump beneath her dress
"I think I'll pass," Phoenix said dryly.
"The ultrasound says it's going to be a girl," she said.
Larry nearly crashed into them, his hands full of drinks and snacks. Maya caught his tray, with a soft laugh.
"I'm going to be a dadddddy, Phoenix!" He gave two thumbs up. "I'm working double time. By the time little Mia comes around, I'll be able to read her a whole series!"
"Mia, huh?" Phoenix said. "That's a good name."
"I thought so. What I wouldn't give for her to be there," Maya said.
"Shall I summon her again, Mystic Maya?" Pearl said.
"No, though thank you. I meant for good," she said.
Pearl glanced down sadly.
"We're luckier than most, because we get to see her again. And all we have to do is call her. Still...I miss her a lot."
Pearl leaned in and suddenly hugged her. Maya patted her back. But Maya's stomach suddenly gurgled, and the somber mood dissolved into nervous laughter.
"Oh, I think I just got a womb service request for some of those chicken wings." She turned back to Larry. "Order up!"
"Coming right up!" Larry ran towards that buffet like he was a soldier and this was his land stand.
"Hey, I'm glad you finally got it all together. I'll even forgive you from stealing Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth away before I could marry him," Ema said.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's grip on her tightened. Phoenix looked that same blindsided, and dazed way when his bluffs were completely and hotly destroyed by a prosecutor.
"I'm teasing, honest! I wish you both well."
"Yes...may you both have many happy years," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said. There was still something terse in his voice. Man, that joke had really shaken him.
"It's a shame I'll have to sit out the wedding bouquet throw," Ema said.
Trucy appeared from behind Phoenix, like she'd used smoke and mirrors. She wore a little blue dress, a bit fancier than her usual magic uniform. Her dark hair was pulled back into a high ponytail with a sparkly scrunchie.
"Oh, you weren't there for that? Well, I got it on camera," Trucy said.
"Are they not doing it or something?" Ema said.
"Y~ou'll see!" She brought out the camera from her magic panties holder on the count of three.
"Objection! You can't leave out a tradition like that!"
Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth slammed his hand upon the bench. "I am not a bride, neither is Phoenix."
"Hold It! Daddy, that's no fair! Athena wants to catch them so badly! She missed out last time!"
"You'd give up your chance to catch it for me?" Athena said.
"Of course! After all, then I can catch your wedding bouquet!"
"I think we're beat, Edgeworth," Phoenix said.
"If you're so eager to be the bride, then you can throw the flowers," Edgeworth said.
"Please, daddy?"
"Oh, all right."
Ema chuckled. "I bet you two will have some interesting fights."
"That's for sure," Phoenix said dryly.
"Now, I better throw this before Athena hurts herself from all that stretching,"
Athena had been vigorously warming up for the last ten minutes. She'd jogged in place, bounced around so her red ponytail went flying, and done several lunges all in the time Phoenix had been talking. Her blue eyes burned with determination, as Phoenix geared up to throw the bouquet.
She wore a gold short dress with a frilled skirt, and had traded her flats for running shoes.
Athena lifted up her arms, like in a battle cry. "This time, I'll catch it for sure!"
"All right, are you ready?" Phoenix said.
Trucy, Athena and several of the other female wedding guests came to the floor--including Trucy's plus one. Or Plus two, two magicians who had been witnesses in the Manov Mistree case. Ema could only watch from the sidelines. She wasn't doing any jumping or even standing anytime soon.
"Take that!"
Phoenix tossed the bouquet with all his might. The bundle of flowers went sailing, up over their heads, even as Athena jumped up with her hands outstretched. It crashed into the wedding planner, hurtling through the air.
But she never hit the floor. She was caught, and scooped up, bridal style, right into Franziska's arms.
"F-Franziska!"
"Nice catch!" Maya called out.
"You Foolish fools, you almost knocked over Adrian!"
"Awwww..." Athena said. She clutched her fists. "I'll catch it for sure, next time!"
"You were in the way, Bonny!"
"I didn't mean to trip," Bonny said sadly.
Trucy patted them both on the shoulders. "There's always next time."
Now here was some data. If only they'd just get the next wedding on before her plane left, that'd be great.
"I bet we're really racking up the frequent flier miles at this rate," Ema said.
He chuckled. "Now, shall we get seated?"
"Yeah, I'm starving," Ema said.
*
Thankfully, guests had been allowed to eat while the speeches came. Because so many people had things to say about Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth and Phoenix. Larry had gone on nostalgic stories of lost lunch money and school trials, only to babble out his wife and coming child, and pull out the ultrasound pictures to anyone who would listen.
Now everyone had a whole new reason to sigh in disgust at his behavior. Instead of being a loser or a cad, he'd turned into Extreme Facebook Dad.
Ema leaned in towards Prosecutor Sahdmadhi and said under her breath, "I can't believe we got through Phoenix and Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth's wedding without a single disaster."
"You don't call your ankle injury, and the rain a disaster?"
"Oh, those were just a minor foible. We didn't even get a single attempted murder, or someone trying to frame Maya at all." Though, they'd led to some rather enjoyable events.
"You sound almost disappointed," he said.
"Aw, nah. You just have to expect some disaster with the Wright Anything Agency. They're magnets for it," Ema said.
"I suppose. Do you need a refill of your drink?"
She'd emptied it down. She was trying not to think about how awkward asking Prosecutor Sahdmadhi to take her to the bathroom would be. Maybe she could ask one of the other women for help instead.
"Actually, I'm still really hungry," Ema said.
He closed his eyes, made a sign of the mudra and smiled. "Ah, I should've guessed. I'll bring you some food as quickly as I can."
Though the line said otherwise.
"I'll be okay," Ema said. Though she sure wished she'd brought another set of shoes. Her ankle was still throbbing, so no dancing for her tonight. Then again, she wasn't about to show up Phoenix and Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth at their own wedding. No one deserved a slow dance more than them.
The reception area was covered in lights. They were caught in their own little world as they rocked back and forth, slow dancing like teenagers who barely knew how to dance.
Given her situation, Ema was stranded on her little island of a table, unless she wanted to hobble out barefoot and ruin her stockings a little more. She had pulled out one of the chairs close enough to elevate her foot, and Prosecutor Sahdmadhi had brought her a ziplock bag full of pinkish pieces of ice stolen from the (likely spiked) punch.
Everyone else who had been at the table was off somewhere else. Either dancing, or sticking close to that buffet table. In fact, she couldn't even remember who had been assigned here.
He returned surprisingly early. Or maybe she'd just lost all sense of time in watching the lights and bower of perfect imported flowers that was so obviously Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth's touch.
"When in doubt, I took one of each. And brought seconds," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said. He'd make a great waiter, with how he balanced all those paper plates. He'd even dedicated an entire plate to every type of cookie and cake.
"You know me so well," she said.
"May I assist you?"
"With eating? There just might be enough here for you to have a bite," Ema said teasingly.
"No, with your foot."
"You're going to carry me around again?" Ema said.
"Not at this moment."
"Sure, whatever you want, as long as you aren't going to suck my sweaty toes," Ema said.
All she got for her ribald joke was one lifted pale brow. "Pardon me?"
"There was this case on Forensic Files--this guy, he cut off the feet of his victims--"
"Ah, I remember that one. You showed it to me during that layover."
"Right! That was how he would pick his victims. He'd try to suck their toes. And if they reacted just so, he'd slaughter them. Until he tried to go after this one who was actually a plainsclothes detective and broke his nose with a swift kick."
"Rest assured, I am not putrid sinner and serial murderer. And I do not suck on the toes of women without their consent," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said dryly.
"Good to know," Ema said.
"I think only some ice will help this one, but I'll take a foot rub with the other one," Ema said.
She broke off as he lifted up her foot and began to massage it. His thumb slowly traced across the bottom of her foot. She didn't even regret that she couldn't ask Prosecutor Sahdmadhi to dance, because the grooms really earned this moment. She hoped they danced all damn night.
On the dance floor, Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth and Phoenix had their first dance as husbands to some soft classical piece. They softly swayed, and couldn't drag their gaze away from each other. There was such a pristine happiness there. Even Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth managed a smile, and he was grumpy at least ninety percent of the time.
She wanted that. Okay, without all the twists and turns. She wanted her own kind of happiness.
She glanced back to Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. Maybe there were a few twists and turns. But not decades of separation, not the coldness and the rivalry. More like cases worked and oceans crossed.
The worst thing about you is you aren't mine yet. Emphasis on the yet, Ema thought.
*
Ema woke up with a horrible throbbing pain from her ankle to her foot. The thought of the amount of flights she had coming, to say nothing of all the airport time made her want to throw the covers back over her head and pass out into a pain-killer fueled mini-coma.
But, duty called. It wasn't like she could just call an Uber to take her back to Khura'in. She'd be in a world of trouble if she missed her flight.
"Some bill that'd be," Ema said.
She sat up with a long groan, and mentally went back over how last night had ended. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi had brought her to her rooms and...that had been it. No kiss, no part where he crawled into bed with her, or anything. Unfortunately, she'd been the one to undress herself. Though, it would've been hard to do much of anything sexy with how much she was hurting right now.
She hadn't unpacked much, so other than the dress--which hung in a garment bag over the door--so all she'd have to put away was her toothbrush, shower supplies and deodorant.
"Might as well get started."
Ema slowly limped out towards the small bathroom. After a handful of aspirin, brushing her teeth, an unsteady shower, and a lot of swearing a she got dressed, Ema packed away the last of her things.
Her phone went off, and she broke into a smile as she saw the read out.
"Good Morning, Detective Skye. Is your leg feeling any better?"
"It's even worse today," she said. "It's going to be some level of hell walking through the airport today."
She heard a knock at the door.
"Just a second, I'm on the phone!"
"It's me," he said over the phone.
"Oh, you're already here. Right, I'm hanging up now. Goodbye."
She hobbled towards the door and unlatched it.
"And hi again," she said.
"Are you ready to check out?"
"Not really. My foot is killing me, even though I took some painkillers," she said.
"There's no need to worry about walking; I'll carry you."
"You'll need your hands free to get the luggage," she said.
"Detective Skye, There's more than one way to carry a person."
He bent down. "Now, come on top of me."
Well, she didn't need to be asked twice. She climbed on his back, piggyback style. Sure, she'd thought many times that she wanted to climb him like a tree, but this wasn't what she had in mind.
Not that she was complaining.
He steadied his grip on her legs. "Does this hurt you?"
"N-no. I'm good."
Damn, he smelled good. It was so easy to just bury her face against his nice broad, strong back. Her arms were crossed at his neck. There was no where she could put her hands where she wouldn't technically be feeling him up and loving the feel of that brocade underneath her hands.
Damn, he'd worked out for nineteen hours a day at least once with his monk training. And her hands could definitely feel the evidence off all that exertion right below his monk frock coat.
Technically it was equal, because her breasts were to his back. It was just another unavoidable kind of sexy, kind of awkward day in L.A. Ema had to think of a name for the two of them. Apollo and Athena were the Newbie Duo, but what would that make her and Prosecutor Sahdmadhi? The Superior duo? The Science and Religion Duo? Mulder and Scully?
She was still working out the kinks.
And he went all that way, pulling both their luggage, with only minor stops such as when their taxi came. It continued all the way until they went to check in. The look on the woman at the desk's face was priceless as she caught sight of him.
"Twisted my ankle," Ema said quickly, before it could devolve into some NSA nightmare.
After that, he took her over to one of those damn uncomfortable airport chairs, and he left to check them both in.
Ema took bites of her Snackoos as she waited. It was hard to focus on the pain when he was being so damn dashing about everything. But, if her hypothesis was right, she'd have another wedding to go to soon.
Here was hoping Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth would convince Prosecutor von Karma to invite a lot of people, and that getting engaged would soften her a bit. Otherwise, Ema would miss out on the data--and another chance to be with Prosecutor Sahdmadhi.
Series: Ace Attorney
Character/pairing: Nahyuta/Ema, Gumshoe/Maggey, Simon/Athena, Edgeworth/Phoenix, Larry/Maya, Franziska/Adrian, Klavier/Apollo
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 8k
Summary: When Larry gets married after catching the bouquet at Sorin and Ellen's wedding, it sets off a series of weddings, all involving the next person who caught the bouquet. As Ema starts to see a pattern, her interest is caught, both for the possible scientific discovery and the chance on being able to get a wish of her own.
Author's note: Thanks to OblivionIsAtHand for looking over this.
Happy 20biteen everyone.
One month later
She took a deep breath. "Okay, Ema, you can do this. Just go in and ask."
The door opened suddenly, before she could even reach out and open it. For a moment, Ema stood there, hands up in a state of shock. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi smiled, with faint amusement.
"Ask for what, now? A salary raise?" Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"Ehhh--I--you heard that?"
"There's an intercom right there at the door, as well as quite a bit of new video surveillance technology. You were the one who suggested them."
Ema puffed out her cheeks. "How am I supposed to remember when you listen to me? It's not like it happens every day..."
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi smiled so gently then, it made her chest ache. "Despite your protests, it happens every day, often more than once. As for your salary--Consider it done. You're worth any price. We'll discuss your salary rise tonight, after dinner."
Ema's cheeks flamed red at the praise. Even though it was a downright daily occurrence, it always made her heart race to see him smile like that, and compliment her. Especially with the mention of dinner.
And okay, it was just eating with the rest of the law office staff, but she was always sitting right next to him. Unless they were fighting. Though sometimes she'd sit by him anyways, even if they weren't talking. Inevitably they'd make up before dessert.
Despite her history of holding onto grudges, she never could when it came to him.
"D-don't get me wrong, that's very kind of you, and I'll definitely take it, considering that I need to go dress shopping again. See, there's a wedding coming, and I'm invited. I need some days off."
"Mr. Wright's, yes? I received an invitation as well."
Man, Phoenix sure was a forgiving guy. No matter how many times prosecutors tried to imprison his family when false charges came up, he didn't hold it against them. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi had tried both Maya and Trucy, and tried a brutal case against Athena, to say nothing of that case where Apollo almost got executed. At this rate, the only part of the Anything Agency he hadn't taken a stab at was Charley.
Not that he had done it willfully. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi had just been following the evidence and Ga'ran's commands. It just so happened that the evidence had been forged repeatedly, and Ga'ran had chosen to torment them specifically.
"Oh--so you're already going?" she said.
"I am considering it. There are many things to attend to in guiding this country," he said.
Ema smiled. "Khura'in is going to feel pretty empty, since I'm sure Apollo will have to go, too. I hope everyone is good while we're gone."
"Indeed, I must fervently pray that the country will behave while we are gone."
"Good luck with that," Ema said.
Especially as Khura'in would be left in the hands of Chief Prosecutor Payne and Queen Amara.
"Tell me, Detective Ema Skye. In your culture, is it a grave insult to refuse an invitation?"
Ema smiled innocently. "Oh, the worst. Plus you'll never get to make it up. Once you miss a wedding, it's over forever."
"Ah, that settles it. I will fix my schedule and order the tickets. See you tonight, Detective Skye."
She felt a little shiver run down her back. Sure, it was just for work, but that didn't change how her pulse rose when he sad those words to her.
*
She couldn't just reuse the teal dress she'd worn to Ellen and Sorin's wedding reception, even if it was cute and flattering, it would be thoughtless, and look like she owned only one good dress. And this was the wedding of the century.
They landed in LAX, with a few hours to spare. After getting checked into the hotel, Ema met up with him in the front hall.
"So--Hang around for the fashion show, would you? I need a second opinion," she said.
"I'm afraid I won't be a discerning judge when it comes to you," he said.
"Oh, I'll take it, anyways. I value your opinion. ...Most of the time, anyways."
Okay, this was definitely flirting. And, she thought with a little shiver of delight, she'd get some compliments on how she looked, too. Sure, she loved that he admired her brains and the quality of her work, but sometimes she totally wanted him to say something nice about how great she pulled off this ensemble.
Ema rubbed at her cheek. Out of his gold and white frock coat and it'd feel even more romantic.
You think everything with him feels romantic, she thought. Then again, what was she supposed to think when he took her out and insisted to pay and spent half the time listening to her and paying her compliments? She was learning Khura'inese culture as fast as she could, and even with what she learned, it still came off like they were dating without saying the word.
After checking in at the same hotel, albeit several rooms apart, they both headed out towards several stores. The first store they stopped at had a vast white interior, like a warehouse, and it claimed designer at a discount.
She pulled a bunch of dresses at random and slung them over her arm. Honestly half of these she knew would be eliminated. But that'd be a few more minutes of him seeing her in cute dresses. A few more compliments. Ema was completely addicted to them.
First up was bright magenta, and a bit too ruffley. It looked more like something a kid would wear to church at Easter. In her defense, she had pulled off everything from the sales rack which was her size. Still, she brought it out turned around for him to enjoy every single angle of her.
"Hmm?" Ema said.
"You... look like a student of Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth," he said.
She laughed. "I guess I kind of do. It's got enough ruffles for me to be mistaken for a Von Karma."
She made the sound of a cracking whip. Though, he must've not understood the reference, or had never come across Prosecutor von Karma, because he made no comment.
"Still, you give off a certain regalness and grace. However, It might give Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth the wrong idea--such as you are coming back for good."
He looked as if he'd sucked on a lemon after he said it. Ema smiled to herself. The thought of losing her was that upsetting to him, huh? Good.
"I don't think this one will do, onto the next," she said.
She changed out and put it back on its hanger, and hung it on the to-discard rack. After that, it was on to the next dress in line. She slipped on a dark blue dress, that faintly shone with some kind of glitter or sequins sewn in, with an empire waist.
The skirt was surprisingly tight and constraining, so much that it made walking a chore. Already a strike on it, and she hadn't even worn it more than a minute.
"Okay, now I look like I joined The Wright Anything Agency, but in the 1800s," Ema said.
She scrunched up her nose and tugged at the empire waist. It was seriously not flattering her fairly small, but perky boobs. It was only then that she remembered she was adjusting her cleavage right in front of him. Oops.
He had glanced away, like a gentleman, and made no comments. Sometimes, he was really was too polite for his own good.
"I don't think this one is going to work," she said with a sigh.
"It looks like those ones you showed me. Steampunk, I believe the word was?"
"Yeah, it kind of does! All I need is some kind of fancy headpiece with a bunch of fake clocks and I'd be ready to go," she said. "The skirt's too tight, though."
"While it is sleek, and striking, I believe you feel uncomfortable in it."
"Yeah, it just doesn't fit well. Off to the next one, I guess."
She caught her reflection in the beat-up mirror as she pulled off the dress. Was he thinking about her right now? Sure, he was all about respecting women, but if she'd been the one sitting and waiting, knowing that he was right then stripping down and trying on suits, it sure would be hard to keep her mind off of it.
Then again, he was a monk and she was thirsty as hell and a bit kinky.
Ema pulled out a white dress with a gold swirling pattern which matched Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's vestments quite well. It was s In this, they'd look like a set of superheroes, except instead of fighting crime, they solved it. She changed out to give it a try.
Yes, technically only the bride was supposed to wear white. But there wasn't even a bride at this wedding, just two grooms, so did that rule even apply? Besides, it was covered in gold filigree which meant it wasn't pure white, so that had to count for something.
I sure hope it doesn't make my skin look sallow, she thought. Ema barely dared to look into the mirror until the smooth satiny dress was on. Much to her pleasure, she found it was one of those dresses which were nearly impossible to zip up alone.
"Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, can you help me up with my zipper?"
Good thing she'd remembered the extremely flattering teal lace bra, and matching panties. This seriously would not have been the day to have the granny panties with old period stains and the bra she hadn't washed in God knows how long.
The color was fairly neutral on her. Not as flattering as shades of green which brought out her eyes, but it didn't make her look as pale as she feared. Plus, the swirls of gold across the bust made her look like cup size bigger.
Ema smiled to herself as she heard the door swing open, and felt his hands brush her back as he helped her.
"Thank you kindly! Whatcha think?"
Ema spun around for him to see all angles. The skirt twirled, glimmering gold and white.
"It's almost as if we match. I'm one rosary away from telling the defense to go to hell," she said.
"Detective Skye, you already do that to Apollo on a daily basis," he said.
She laughed. "That's different."
"You still didn't say how it was," Ema said.
"I think you will outshine the grooms if you are not careful, and make enemies going in like that--like a queen," he said.
"I think it's a winner," Ema said.
Now, it was off to shoes. Ema picked out some white ones with such a high heel that it put a serious dent between her and Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's height.
Never mind the blisters, the heel that looked like it could also double as a knife, or how it would be actually walking in them, they were cute and cheap.
"Those shoes look like they could kill a man," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
Ema grinned. "You could say I'm dressed to kill."
The real killer was the discount. A whole 75% off, so she'd even have enough money to buy a wedding gift.
Though, what to get the lawyers and prosecutor who had survived everything?
"Do you remember if they put up a wedding registry? I was really busy with those slew of cases and the backlog," Ema said.
"I heard no such thing," he said.
"Crud. I'll just have to figure it out. Knowing them, they didn't put it online, either..."
She only had two more hours left to pick it out and get there in time. She should've just fought customs and brought something from Khura'in. There was plenty of neat pottery and those incense holders. The Wright Anything Agency already was packed with Trucy's magic to the point of being extremely cluttered.
And could she even afford the kinds of things Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth would want?
They walked through the mall, past the strong floral and citrus scent of the candle shop, out of the reach of the mall kiosks.
"Maybe we should just take a lunch break. You know I can't think on an empty stomach."
Something had caught Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's eyes. He stared over, across from the JambaJuice that was right near a Starbucks. Just in case you couldn't choose what kind of drink you wanted and decided to get both.
A geeky store just across the way boasted 50% off! in big red leaflets across the walls. The Steel Samurai theme boomed from loudspeakers in the store.
"Is that a--"
It was! A limited edition Steel Samurai wedding silk screen poster.
"Do you think they'd have Plumed Punisher merchandise here?"
"We could ask, though she hasn't really caught up in the states," Ema said.
The small store was filled with pricey figurines, posters, shirts, and all things Steel Samurai. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi peered over the shelves for anything Plumed Punisher, while Ema went straight for that big poster. It showed in glorious detail, the wedding of the Pink Princess and Steel Samurai, just as it'd been shown in the fifth movie: Steel Samurai: Forevermore. Among the detectives and labbies, some had loved it. Others had bemoaned that he'd gotten married at all.
Now this was a lot better than a fondue pot.
Ema cringed a bit at the price tag. Even at 50% off, it'd still take a chunk of her money, but Phoenix had saved her and Lana's life, and Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth had never held her past history of clashing with Prosecutor Gavin or failures to her.
She could pay extra to get the perfect gift. And Prosecutor Sahdmadhi would make sure she got plenty of food, so money wouldn't really be an issue. She just would have to hope that nobody got married for a while, because she wouldn't be buying anymore cute dresses.
Considered that he came out empty handed, she assumed that he hadn't found anything Plumed Punisher related. Even more so for the smug mutter of the cashier who rang them up. He wore a white Steel Samurai shirt a few sizes too large for his thin frame.
"Do you want to be in the Official Steel Samurai Store club and get exclusive perks and coupons?"
"I'll pass. I live overseas right now," Ema said.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's eyebrows lifted, and he gave her a very pointed look. Probably at the mention of right now. She felt a certain satisfaction unfurl in her just at that.
"We have locations all over the world," the cashier said.
"In Khura'in?" Ema said.
The cashier's thick brows furrowed. "Koo rain? You mean that place up north of here?"
"Nope, the country in Asia."
"Never heard of it," the cashier said.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's jaw twitched. "Khura'in has a long history of commerce, and originated the sacred art of spirit-channeling from our founder."
As she dug out her smiley covered wallet out of her purse, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi withdrew a very large bill, which covered over half of it..
"It can be a gift from both of us," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"From both of us," Ema said, a bit breathlessly.
"This is great. We might even have enough to grab something to eat before we go to the ceremony."
"Isn't there a feast after your western weddings?"
"C'mon, you know me. I'll be hungry again before the service is even over," Ema said.
*
They got out of the mall with less than a half hour to spare. But at least she was caffeinated enough to not fall asleep in the most important wedding which would ever happen in her lifetime.
Other than her own wedding, that was,
For this wedding, the prosecutors involved had kept to their usual suits. In fact, much to her pleasure, they matched perfectly. All except earrings, and that could be fixed. With the poster still in her arms, Ema climbed out of the cab. Before she could get the money out of her purse to pay the cab driver, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi paid him.
Ema glanced up. Dark clouds had filled the skies during her time in the department store. "At least they aren't having an outside wedding," Ema said.
It would rain on Phoenix's wedding day. Hell, she wouldn't be surprised if a murder sprung out, and knowing their luck, Maya would be framed for it.
By the time she left the taxi, it had turned into a full out downpour. And of course she hadn't thought to pack her umbrella. At least the silk screen was wrapped up in a big plastic tube.
"Oh, crud! I'm going to be late!" She bunched up her skirts and started on a limp towards the court. (Of course they wouldn't be married in a church. Of course the Judge would be the one to give them their vows.)
Those on-sale shoes were a lot less cute when the heel snapped with a loud crack. A poorly placed pothole (damn the USA's shitty roads) had been its downfall. She hadn't even gotten to the wedding to show them off.
And that wasn't all. She let out a little cry of pain as the broken heel caused her ankle to jerk back.
As Ema struggled to pull her shoe out, a car sped by, and a sheet of water left her soaked. Water dripped down the front of her dress. She could feel her mascara dripping down, and her lipstick had not held up so well. Waterproof and sealed, her ass.
"Ugh! This is a disaster!"
At least the poster was sealed in a fairly water tight tube. A few raindrops should be fine, but it might not hold up if she dropped it in a lake. Thankfully, the water pouring through the gutter hadn't quite reached that deep yet.
"Ema--are you all right?" His hand rested protectively at her shoulder.
"My foot is killing me, and we're going to be late at this rate."
"May I assist you?"
"Yeah, I could really use some assistance right now!" Ema said.
She expected him to offer his arm, but instead, he swept her up bridal style, and carried her through the downpour. The rain pelted down and ruined all the care she'd put into fixing up her hair. God, she was going to look like an absolute mess when she got there.
But it felt so nice in his arms, so much that in fact it suddenly didn't seem such a disaster as she buried her face against him. She reached up, and wrapped her arms about him to feel more secure. Did it feel like she was feeling up his fantastic shoulders and upper back? Because technically, she wasn't.
Though she sure was enjoying the ride while she was here.
Which was how Ema arrived. Soaked, flushed cheeked, makeup ruined, heels gone, and in his arms. Oh, and some of her lipstick ended up smearing on his coat on the process. And even his neck. Oops.
Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth frowned as he caught sight of them. "Now is really not the time for 'canoodling' with your paramour, detective Skye."
Honestly, it was worth it just to hear Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth say the word 'canoodling" and hear him call Prosecutor Sahdmadhi her 'paramour.'
(And somehow, she always knew Chief Prosecuotor Edgeworth would be a complete Groomzilla.)
She lifted up her shoe and showed off what was left of her poor shoes. "Not this time. Maybe I should've stuck with the kitten heels," Ema said.
Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth looked less than convinced. "Due to the storm, the ceremony has been delayed. The program will start in thirty minutes. I advise you use that time to freshen up."
"I shall assist her," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"It looks as if you've already done enough 'assisting' her," Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth said sharply.
If only.
When Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth left to take his judgy Groomzilla ways elsewhere, Ema caught a glance of her reflection in one of the lobby mirrors. One rain effortlessly turned her from wedding ready to Halloween costume of zombie bridesmaid came early.
"Ugh, I need to get myself at least halfway decent. And I spent so much time on it this morning, too..."
"I could help," he said.
"Well, do your best."
None of the lobbies had enough to help, so they found one of the small unisex bathrooms. Her heart beat more rapidly as she closed and locked the door behind them. She limped onto the pristine white tiles, and he gently lifted her up, and placed her on the counter. Which meant for a fraction a second the were like that, him between her legs, her still clutched to his suit jacket. For a long moment their eyes met. Her lips parted, and all she could wonder was if his thoughts were like hers. Of his mouth and hers and all the things they could do in fifteen minutes.
He cleared his throat and looked away. Ema shifted on the bathroom counter, and pulled out a package of makeup removal wipes from her purse.
"Ugh, I can't get turned around to fix my makeup..."
"Allow me."
"T-thanks. Um, don't bother with the eye makeup. It's waterproof. I figured, people always cry at weddings."
He took the cloth, and began to clean up the mess that the rain had done.
He was so slow, and precise, and most of all gentle. Her lips tingled as he rubbed free the lipstick. She could feel the pressure of his hands.
Had he lingered there, his thumb over her lower lip, with and the only thing between them a flimsy piece of makeup removal cloth. She closed her eyes. He could just kiss her now. Really, anytime now.
She'd worked so hard on her hair, and she did not pull off that glorious mermaid aesthetic. Wet hair was not a good look on her. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, however, came out of the storm completely unscathed.
She squeezed the excess water into the bathroom sink, but it didn't help.
He wove her hair into a long braid down her back. It wasn't how she usually did it, but it looked good again. Also they couldn't looked more matched if they were wearing if lost, return to __ shirts.
She leaned her knee against the bathroom counter, even though it ached.
She dug out her lipstick from her bag. She'd gone for one of those adorable and sparkly but ultimately useless bags which could hold maybe a stick of gum if she was lucky. She opened up her compact and reapplied her lipstick.
Her face would just have to cooperate and not suddenly break out in zits until this was over. She'd put so much work into making that blush fit in subtly, too.
His palm rested on her knee. For a moment, she thought he might just push her skirt up, and turn this bathroom makeover into a bathroom makeout. But, no such luck. Instead, he steadied her leg, and went lower, and removed her heels.
"Whatever choice you make about your body is valid. What I do not understand is when beauty and pain are intertwined," he said softly.
"It's like your ascetic training. That hurt, and yet you found it useful, right?"
"So this is the path of enlightenment?"
"No, it's the path to looking really cute. It's Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth and Phoenix's wedding! I'm going to look good even if it hurts."
"...that is something you have already achieved."
Honestly, if it wasn't her two heroes (one of them her former crush) getting married, she might've skipped the ceremony entirely and stayed in that bathroom with him. It'd be Double Jeopardy. Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth was already convinced they were fucking in every empty room they found, and the new evidence of them arriving together so disheveled and desperate had done nothing to change his mind. And given that Phoenix was a complete gossip, everyone in the L.A. law office and beyond would know about it before the day was done.
"...I'll help dry your dress," he said. He pulled out paper towels. He didn't meet her gaze as he patted down her skirts with soft pressure. He lingered at her neck with a bunched up towel, and gently dabbed the water away.
Dammit, why was he not kissing her already? They were locked together in a small unisex bathroom, for fuck's sake! Albeit it was not the sexiest place around, but so many other people have managed to make out or more in them. Was he shy? Because she was more than willing to take the lead and climb every inch of him like a tree if that was the problem.
The bridal march interrupted her thoughts.
"Time to face the music. Literally; I can hear it starting now," she said.
He picked her up again, and helped her out into the courtroom. Her disappointment about not being kissed aside, it was pretty sweet to be carried around by him everywhere. A shame she had to break her heels and twist her ankle to get there, though.
*
The courtroom was packed. Instead of taking their spaces at the benches, they stood side by side at the judge. The witness box was pushed away to make room for a bridal bower.
"We are gathered here for the trial--er--wedding of Phoenix Wright and Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth," the Judge said.
Ema leaned in. "Just watch them jinx it and Maya will end up on trial somehow again," Ema said under her breath.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi covered his mouth to stifle a laugh.
It had been decades in the waiting. And they smirked, like it was a battle, just another courtroom. The terms of their marriage had been drawn long ago. It was only just now that they realized they'd been basically hitched for well on 20 years now, and too dense to realize it.
It wasn't a typical kind of I do and I do, no surprise, given the grooms. To have and to hold, to defend and serve, until death do us part.
Edgeworth gripped his husband's suit and kissed him way more passionately than she ever would've guessed he had in him. Behind them, the gallery erupted in applause.
"Finally!" came a cry--she thought it was Maya, but Ema was about to say the same damn thing. Theirs was the most epic and convoluted rivalry-slash-love story the court system had ever seen.
And Ema was sure some people were winning big with betting pools that had been going on for a decade.
Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth and Phoenix came down from the witness stand arm in arm.
"Just because you're my husband doesn't mean I'll go soft on you in the courtroom," Edgeworth said.
Phoenix smirked. "I can say the same."
Ema found herself sniffling--She wasn't the only one to tear up that this long love story finally had a happy ending.
From the corner, she noticed a face in the crowd that she'd seen in her sister's photographs. It was Mia Fey, temporarily back from the dead and channeled in someone's body. It must've been Pearl, given how her hair seemed lighter, and was tied up on her head in a loop. She leaned in and hugged Phoenix. The sight only made her sob more.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi cleared his throat. He held out a white embroidered handkerchief her way.
She dabbed at her eyes gently, to not displace anymore of her makeup in the process.
"Thanks," she said.
"Um..." She balled up the handkerchief and held it out.
"Keep it for now. There's still the groom's dance to get through, after all."
"Oh god, I'm going cry so hard I'll need a handful of Advil," Ema said.
"Did you pack some? If not, I could leave and purchase some. There are handy stores on every corner in your country. I might not even have call a cab."
Ema couldn't help but smile through the tears. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi never failed to be utterly floored by Walgreens.
He offered his hand, and he helped her out of the gallery seats. It was only once they'd gotten back into the hallway that he lifted her up. And sure, they weren't dating--yet--but her mind couldn't help but wander and wonder what it'd be like to be the ones up there in front of the priest saying their I do's and pledging forever to each other.
She rested her head against his chest as he carried her out towards the reception area. She didn't have to imagine what it would be like to be carried over the threshold. Because she knew all too well now.
*
The reception was held in a nearby hall. The original idea had been to put it in the lobbies, except that plan had been thrown out when the guest list ballooned. Phoenix had wanted a smaller wedding, with just family, but as the days drew year, former clients and at least 70% of the workers in the legal system had somehow showed up, eager to come. The other 30% were either in jail or out of the country. Most of them were probably just gawking to see a wedding that had been decades in the making.
The rest simply showed up for the free bar. Which she didn't blame them. It was a pretty nice bar, and a pretty great buffet, too. Which had to be Phoenix's doing. Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth had far more luxurious tastes.
(Though, Ema though, due to all the unexpected and uninvited guests, they must've had to settle for quantity over quality.)
Ema was in line to congratulate the grooms, though the line was long, and rather prone to chatter. Still, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi didn't seem to be wearing down at all. He had to be real strong and toned underneath those monk frocks to be able to hold her up without even faltering a little.
Limping around took so much time that Prosecutor Sahdmadhi simply just kept carrying her. Not that Ema was complaining.
"Are you sure this isn't too hard on you?" Ema said.
"It's no trouble. In truth, you're quite light. I have performed--" he tend said a word she didn't quite get, "for many hours as part of my religious training."
Ema mentally tried to work this in her mind, but so much of Khura'inese was based on complicated religious terms, that without Prosecutor Sahdmadhi there, she would be super lost.
"So is that like a plank?"
He tilted his head in curiosity. "What would a piece of wood have to do with this?"
"It's also a type of exercise. Like a push up, but you don't go back down. You just hold the form. I tried one to get ready for bikini season once. I lasted all of five seconds."
"Ah... perhaps it could be said to be close. Add weights, and it must be performed in the freezing waters beneath the sacred waterfalls that flow from Mount Poni Poni."
"Daaang. You lasted how many hours?"
"Nineteen."
"Nineteen? You mean minutes, right? Right?"
"No."
Man, this wasn't helping her thirst for her monk boss levels at all.
Just in front of them, Maya reached out and hugged Phoenix. Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth was gone for that moment, though Ema caught sight of him getting a glass of wine across the room.
Maya chuckled. "Nick, that was so nostalgic. I almost expected you to burst out with an objection," Maya said.
Phoenix rubbed at the back of his neck. "Objecting at my own wedding?"
"Well, at least a 'take that!' or 'hold it!' for old times." Maya had already begun to show. She patted the growing bump beneath her dress
"I think I'll pass," Phoenix said dryly.
"The ultrasound says it's going to be a girl," she said.
Larry nearly crashed into them, his hands full of drinks and snacks. Maya caught his tray, with a soft laugh.
"I'm going to be a dadddddy, Phoenix!" He gave two thumbs up. "I'm working double time. By the time little Mia comes around, I'll be able to read her a whole series!"
"Mia, huh?" Phoenix said. "That's a good name."
"I thought so. What I wouldn't give for her to be there," Maya said.
"Shall I summon her again, Mystic Maya?" Pearl said.
"No, though thank you. I meant for good," she said.
Pearl glanced down sadly.
"We're luckier than most, because we get to see her again. And all we have to do is call her. Still...I miss her a lot."
Pearl leaned in and suddenly hugged her. Maya patted her back. But Maya's stomach suddenly gurgled, and the somber mood dissolved into nervous laughter.
"Oh, I think I just got a womb service request for some of those chicken wings." She turned back to Larry. "Order up!"
"Coming right up!" Larry ran towards that buffet like he was a soldier and this was his land stand.
"Hey, I'm glad you finally got it all together. I'll even forgive you from stealing Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth away before I could marry him," Ema said.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's grip on her tightened. Phoenix looked that same blindsided, and dazed way when his bluffs were completely and hotly destroyed by a prosecutor.
"I'm teasing, honest! I wish you both well."
"Yes...may you both have many happy years," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said. There was still something terse in his voice. Man, that joke had really shaken him.
"It's a shame I'll have to sit out the wedding bouquet throw," Ema said.
Trucy appeared from behind Phoenix, like she'd used smoke and mirrors. She wore a little blue dress, a bit fancier than her usual magic uniform. Her dark hair was pulled back into a high ponytail with a sparkly scrunchie.
"Oh, you weren't there for that? Well, I got it on camera," Trucy said.
"Are they not doing it or something?" Ema said.
"Y~ou'll see!" She brought out the camera from her magic panties holder on the count of three.
"Objection! You can't leave out a tradition like that!"
Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth slammed his hand upon the bench. "I am not a bride, neither is Phoenix."
"Hold It! Daddy, that's no fair! Athena wants to catch them so badly! She missed out last time!"
"You'd give up your chance to catch it for me?" Athena said.
"Of course! After all, then I can catch your wedding bouquet!"
"I think we're beat, Edgeworth," Phoenix said.
"If you're so eager to be the bride, then you can throw the flowers," Edgeworth said.
"Please, daddy?"
"Oh, all right."
Ema chuckled. "I bet you two will have some interesting fights."
"That's for sure," Phoenix said dryly.
"Now, I better throw this before Athena hurts herself from all that stretching,"
Athena had been vigorously warming up for the last ten minutes. She'd jogged in place, bounced around so her red ponytail went flying, and done several lunges all in the time Phoenix had been talking. Her blue eyes burned with determination, as Phoenix geared up to throw the bouquet.
She wore a gold short dress with a frilled skirt, and had traded her flats for running shoes.
Athena lifted up her arms, like in a battle cry. "This time, I'll catch it for sure!"
"All right, are you ready?" Phoenix said.
Trucy, Athena and several of the other female wedding guests came to the floor--including Trucy's plus one. Or Plus two, two magicians who had been witnesses in the Manov Mistree case. Ema could only watch from the sidelines. She wasn't doing any jumping or even standing anytime soon.
"Take that!"
Phoenix tossed the bouquet with all his might. The bundle of flowers went sailing, up over their heads, even as Athena jumped up with her hands outstretched. It crashed into the wedding planner, hurtling through the air.
But she never hit the floor. She was caught, and scooped up, bridal style, right into Franziska's arms.
"F-Franziska!"
"Nice catch!" Maya called out.
"You Foolish fools, you almost knocked over Adrian!"
"Awwww..." Athena said. She clutched her fists. "I'll catch it for sure, next time!"
"You were in the way, Bonny!"
"I didn't mean to trip," Bonny said sadly.
Trucy patted them both on the shoulders. "There's always next time."
Now here was some data. If only they'd just get the next wedding on before her plane left, that'd be great.
"I bet we're really racking up the frequent flier miles at this rate," Ema said.
He chuckled. "Now, shall we get seated?"
"Yeah, I'm starving," Ema said.
*
Thankfully, guests had been allowed to eat while the speeches came. Because so many people had things to say about Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth and Phoenix. Larry had gone on nostalgic stories of lost lunch money and school trials, only to babble out his wife and coming child, and pull out the ultrasound pictures to anyone who would listen.
Now everyone had a whole new reason to sigh in disgust at his behavior. Instead of being a loser or a cad, he'd turned into Extreme Facebook Dad.
Ema leaned in towards Prosecutor Sahdmadhi and said under her breath, "I can't believe we got through Phoenix and Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth's wedding without a single disaster."
"You don't call your ankle injury, and the rain a disaster?"
"Oh, those were just a minor foible. We didn't even get a single attempted murder, or someone trying to frame Maya at all." Though, they'd led to some rather enjoyable events.
"You sound almost disappointed," he said.
"Aw, nah. You just have to expect some disaster with the Wright Anything Agency. They're magnets for it," Ema said.
"I suppose. Do you need a refill of your drink?"
She'd emptied it down. She was trying not to think about how awkward asking Prosecutor Sahdmadhi to take her to the bathroom would be. Maybe she could ask one of the other women for help instead.
"Actually, I'm still really hungry," Ema said.
He closed his eyes, made a sign of the mudra and smiled. "Ah, I should've guessed. I'll bring you some food as quickly as I can."
Though the line said otherwise.
"I'll be okay," Ema said. Though she sure wished she'd brought another set of shoes. Her ankle was still throbbing, so no dancing for her tonight. Then again, she wasn't about to show up Phoenix and Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth at their own wedding. No one deserved a slow dance more than them.
The reception area was covered in lights. They were caught in their own little world as they rocked back and forth, slow dancing like teenagers who barely knew how to dance.
Given her situation, Ema was stranded on her little island of a table, unless she wanted to hobble out barefoot and ruin her stockings a little more. She had pulled out one of the chairs close enough to elevate her foot, and Prosecutor Sahdmadhi had brought her a ziplock bag full of pinkish pieces of ice stolen from the (likely spiked) punch.
Everyone else who had been at the table was off somewhere else. Either dancing, or sticking close to that buffet table. In fact, she couldn't even remember who had been assigned here.
He returned surprisingly early. Or maybe she'd just lost all sense of time in watching the lights and bower of perfect imported flowers that was so obviously Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth's touch.
"When in doubt, I took one of each. And brought seconds," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said. He'd make a great waiter, with how he balanced all those paper plates. He'd even dedicated an entire plate to every type of cookie and cake.
"You know me so well," she said.
"May I assist you?"
"With eating? There just might be enough here for you to have a bite," Ema said teasingly.
"No, with your foot."
"You're going to carry me around again?" Ema said.
"Not at this moment."
"Sure, whatever you want, as long as you aren't going to suck my sweaty toes," Ema said.
All she got for her ribald joke was one lifted pale brow. "Pardon me?"
"There was this case on Forensic Files--this guy, he cut off the feet of his victims--"
"Ah, I remember that one. You showed it to me during that layover."
"Right! That was how he would pick his victims. He'd try to suck their toes. And if they reacted just so, he'd slaughter them. Until he tried to go after this one who was actually a plainsclothes detective and broke his nose with a swift kick."
"Rest assured, I am not putrid sinner and serial murderer. And I do not suck on the toes of women without their consent," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said dryly.
"Good to know," Ema said.
"I think only some ice will help this one, but I'll take a foot rub with the other one," Ema said.
She broke off as he lifted up her foot and began to massage it. His thumb slowly traced across the bottom of her foot. She didn't even regret that she couldn't ask Prosecutor Sahdmadhi to dance, because the grooms really earned this moment. She hoped they danced all damn night.
On the dance floor, Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth and Phoenix had their first dance as husbands to some soft classical piece. They softly swayed, and couldn't drag their gaze away from each other. There was such a pristine happiness there. Even Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth managed a smile, and he was grumpy at least ninety percent of the time.
She wanted that. Okay, without all the twists and turns. She wanted her own kind of happiness.
She glanced back to Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. Maybe there were a few twists and turns. But not decades of separation, not the coldness and the rivalry. More like cases worked and oceans crossed.
The worst thing about you is you aren't mine yet. Emphasis on the yet, Ema thought.
*
Ema woke up with a horrible throbbing pain from her ankle to her foot. The thought of the amount of flights she had coming, to say nothing of all the airport time made her want to throw the covers back over her head and pass out into a pain-killer fueled mini-coma.
But, duty called. It wasn't like she could just call an Uber to take her back to Khura'in. She'd be in a world of trouble if she missed her flight.
"Some bill that'd be," Ema said.
She sat up with a long groan, and mentally went back over how last night had ended. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi had brought her to her rooms and...that had been it. No kiss, no part where he crawled into bed with her, or anything. Unfortunately, she'd been the one to undress herself. Though, it would've been hard to do much of anything sexy with how much she was hurting right now.
She hadn't unpacked much, so other than the dress--which hung in a garment bag over the door--so all she'd have to put away was her toothbrush, shower supplies and deodorant.
"Might as well get started."
Ema slowly limped out towards the small bathroom. After a handful of aspirin, brushing her teeth, an unsteady shower, and a lot of swearing a she got dressed, Ema packed away the last of her things.
Her phone went off, and she broke into a smile as she saw the read out.
"Good Morning, Detective Skye. Is your leg feeling any better?"
"It's even worse today," she said. "It's going to be some level of hell walking through the airport today."
She heard a knock at the door.
"Just a second, I'm on the phone!"
"It's me," he said over the phone.
"Oh, you're already here. Right, I'm hanging up now. Goodbye."
She hobbled towards the door and unlatched it.
"And hi again," she said.
"Are you ready to check out?"
"Not really. My foot is killing me, even though I took some painkillers," she said.
"There's no need to worry about walking; I'll carry you."
"You'll need your hands free to get the luggage," she said.
"Detective Skye, There's more than one way to carry a person."
He bent down. "Now, come on top of me."
Well, she didn't need to be asked twice. She climbed on his back, piggyback style. Sure, she'd thought many times that she wanted to climb him like a tree, but this wasn't what she had in mind.
Not that she was complaining.
He steadied his grip on her legs. "Does this hurt you?"
"N-no. I'm good."
Damn, he smelled good. It was so easy to just bury her face against his nice broad, strong back. Her arms were crossed at his neck. There was no where she could put her hands where she wouldn't technically be feeling him up and loving the feel of that brocade underneath her hands.
Damn, he'd worked out for nineteen hours a day at least once with his monk training. And her hands could definitely feel the evidence off all that exertion right below his monk frock coat.
Technically it was equal, because her breasts were to his back. It was just another unavoidable kind of sexy, kind of awkward day in L.A. Ema had to think of a name for the two of them. Apollo and Athena were the Newbie Duo, but what would that make her and Prosecutor Sahdmadhi? The Superior duo? The Science and Religion Duo? Mulder and Scully?
She was still working out the kinks.
And he went all that way, pulling both their luggage, with only minor stops such as when their taxi came. It continued all the way until they went to check in. The look on the woman at the desk's face was priceless as she caught sight of him.
"Twisted my ankle," Ema said quickly, before it could devolve into some NSA nightmare.
After that, he took her over to one of those damn uncomfortable airport chairs, and he left to check them both in.
Ema took bites of her Snackoos as she waited. It was hard to focus on the pain when he was being so damn dashing about everything. But, if her hypothesis was right, she'd have another wedding to go to soon.
Here was hoping Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth would convince Prosecutor von Karma to invite a lot of people, and that getting engaged would soften her a bit. Otherwise, Ema would miss out on the data--and another chance to be with Prosecutor Sahdmadhi.
