"Yeah, I didn't either at first. It would be stiff some days but nothing I couldn't handle. Getting hit by a car though, that's what really did it."

"Funny thing, falling off a burning bridge into a raging river isn't very good for your back."

Phoenix stretched, making hia back audibly crack.

Phoenix laughed with him.

"Pfft, yeah. My personal hested pillow. Might help my back, too."

Phoenix smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Work really took it out of me yesterday. It was kinda nice, though. You're really comfortable."

Phoenix pulled his phone out and began to eat. He scrolled through the news, made a face, then put his phone down.

"That's enough of that. . . How're you, Diego? Did you sleep okay?"

"Yeah, it's on his way to work so he offered to take her. It's been a big help."

Phoenix took his plate of food and brought it to the table.

"Back when I worked at Borscht he'd let her stay at his place after school too. So I had time to rest. I'd come by and pick her up before going to work."

"Ugh, you two are the worst."

"Love you too, Daddy!"

Phoenix let go of her cape.

"Now go get ready for school. You know how Uncle Miles gets about being on time."

"Okay!"

And off to her room she went.

Phoenix blushed. Trucy hopped off the counter.

"I can fix that!"

Phoenix grabbed her by the cape before she scurried off.

"I don't think so. I don't think the Judge would appreciate me showing up with whiskers. And Edgeworth would never let me hear the end of it."

Trucy hopped up to her feet and bounded over to Phoenix. His brain had finished rebooting by the time she got two of his spikes to poke up, making her giggle.

"See? You do look like a big kitty!"

". . . Thanks, sweetheart."

"WHAT?!"

Trucy started laughing.

"My Daddy's a big soft kitten! Hey, I bet if we bent a couple of your spikes back you'll look like one too!"

It didn't register to Phoenix either until Trucy started giggling.

"What?"

"He called you kitten."

Phoenix dropped his spatula.

"Oh. . . Did he?"

"Two it is."

Phoenix put two pieces of French toast on a plate with some bacon. Then he handed the plate to Diego.

"Here you go, babe."

Phoenix turned towards Diego.

"Pieces of french toast. You want me to decide for you?"

Trucy gasped.

"You're gonna burn your tongue!"

"Trust me, Truce. His mouth is made of asbestos."

Once he was finished making breakfast he dished up Trucy's, then turned to Diego.

"How many do you want?"

Trucy beamed up at him.

"Yep! Sure am!"

"She's my little morning person, despite my best efforts."

The coffee maker beeped, and Phoenix moved to fix two cups of coffee.

"I assume you want yours black?"

"I sure did, Mr. 17 Cups of Coffee is One Of My Rules."

Trucy giggled. She scooted closer to Diego and gave him a hug.

"We'll perk you right up!"

Trucy sat on the counter while Phoenix made breakfast. He turned towards Diego when he heard him come in.

"Coffee's almost ready. And I'm making French toast."

Phoenix stood up and stretched, groaning as his back audibly popped. Then he went into the kitchen with Trucy to make coffee.

Phoenix chuckled and snuggled up to Diego.

"Not for us lawyers. C'mon, sleepyhead. I'll even make you coffee."

Phoenix grunted softly when he was pulled back. Trucy giggled.

"You're the boss, silly. You don't have to be on time."

"I, uh. . ." He glanced down at Diego's arm. ". . . Yeah, you're right."

"I'm always Wright!"

Phoenix chuckled and shook his head.

"That you are, sweetheart."

Phoenix woke up the next morning to Trucy poking his face.

"Daddy. Daaaaaaddy."

Phoenix grumbled and stirred.

"Hm, yeah baby?"

"You slept through your alarm."

"WHAAAT?!"

Phoenix sat up immediately.

Phoenix stayed asleep, completely none the wiser.

Phoenix shifted at some point to get more comfortable, but otherwise stayed asleep. He then began to snore softly.

Phoenix was nice and cozy. It wasn't very long before he fell asleep on Diego.

"I guess so, yeah."

Phoenix set the remote aside and shifted to get more comfortable. He leaned a little more into Diego.

"Been sharing for as long as I've had Truce. Longer if you count Maya."

He took the remote and flipped through channels until he settled on a nature documentary.

"Sometimes I'll fall asleep while I'm out here watching a movie with Trucy. Kinda gives my mind something to focus on."

"I guess. It's more my brain doesn't ever shut up, even when I'm trying to sleep."

"Yeah, probably. Or with my luck I'll get all comfy then stare at the ceiling for hours."

"Yeah? Not a bad idea. I still got a connection, I'll see where it leads."

Phoenix sighed, then stifled a yawn.