The door creaked as Stephanie entered the living room tentatively, peering over at the young child sitting on the couch. So this is his new daughter… of all the things that could happen in the last two weeks….
Everything had been changing so fast lately. Being disbarred was already so unimaginable for both her and Phoenix, but she could never have imagined that his next course of action was to adopt a child. His declaration had raised her concerns about being able to provide for the girl, and she made them quite clear. But when he told her about Trucy, how young she was and how there were few other places she could go, Steph started to lose her concerns and warm up to the idea. She still hadn’t been able to talk to the girl yet, though, leading to where she was now.
Trucy looked up, wide eyes meeting hers. Gently, Stephanie gave a small smile and stepped forward in front of the girl. I have to make sure I don’t spook her. “Hello. I, uh… I don’t think we’ve met yet. My name’s Stephanie.”
The girl’s face lit up, cheerfully giving a smile. “Hi! My name’s Trucy, I’m a young professional and magician extraordinaire. Nice to meet you!”
Steph nodded, a smile worming her way to her face. “Cool! You know, I haven’t met very many magicians.”
“Aside from one of Phoenix’s clients, I think so?”
“Can I show you a trick then? I have to make a good impression after all! And I still need to introduce you to someone.”
“Of course! Have at it. Can I sit down here?” Steph asked, nervously gesturing to the couch. As chipper as Trucy was, she still might have needed some space.
“You don’t have to ask, silly!”
Trucy jumped up and went to the center of the room as Steph sat down on the couch, giving all of her attention to the little magician.
“May I introduce….. the Incredible Mr. Hat!” In an instant, something unfurled itself from under her cape, as Trucy jumped up and let her hat be captured by the thing in one fluid motion. Stephanie realized that that something was a… marionette? A sort of automaton? Whatever Mr. Hat was, he was currently wearing Trucy’s hat. “Nice to meet ya!” Mr. Hat said.
“I can’t reveal my secrets!”
“Right, sorry, I forgot for a moment.” Over her shock, Steph started clapping, a smile growing on her face. “Very impressive, bravo!”
“Thank you! I have a lot more, you know! I’ll show them to you, now that I’ll be living here with Daddy .”
“I can’t wait to see them.”
Trucy bowed, stowing Mr. Hat away and returning to her place on the couch.
“You and daddy...are you in love with each other?”
Her breath caught for a moment. How did she catch that so quickly? “Yes, yes I am.”
Trucy’s eyes brightened. “So you’re my new mommy?”
Steph paused.“Well, it’s a little complicated.I live in my own apartment, so I won’t be around all the time like a regular parent. But I’ll still be present, helping out, maybe looking after you when Phoenix isn’t able to, stuff like a mom would.” She thought for a moment, then continued. “Though it is your decision, ultimately.”
“Ok! You’re my new mommy then.”
She chuckled, beaming over at the young girl. Her daughter. “I’ll do my best.”
(This has been the first fic I’ve written in a while, especially the first self ship fic. I’m very proud of it!)
Tagging @noellojello @lovestruck--klaus @miyuswhoopsiedoodles @aloofships @fishandships
