Back from the Dead

Wake Me Up When December Ends

Gregory Edgeworth woke up to a white ceiling and a killer headache. His vision was blurry and the fluorescent lights really were not helping. It took him a few minutes before his eyesight adjusted to the room. He looked around and saw what seemed to be a hospital room. His ears strained as he heard a something beeping when he tried to move his arms. Not even 10 minutes later, a nurse entered the room. She had a standard nurse outfit and long blonde hair braided in 3 braids. She quickly rushed to the beeping machine and stopped the noise before smiling at Gregory kindly.

"H-hello sir. I'm glad to see you're awake...My name is Sonia Ded and I'm the nurse in charge of you." Gregory tried to speak to the woman but his throat felt unbelievably dry. It felt like glass scratching the inside of his neck. The nurse seemed to have realized what was happening and left the room with a hurried sorry, before returning with a cup of water. "I'm so sorry! I should have realized sooner you wouldn't be able to speak..." said the nurse as she helped him drink.

"'S fi'e. Wha ha'e'ed?" (It's fine. What happened?) asked the veteran defense attorney. He also realized that his tongue was numb and couldn't pronounce words correctly. Luckily it seemed that nurse Ded could understand regardless.

"Ah well...You have been in a coma for the past 17 years."

"'Oma? 'ow?" (Coma? How?)

"You have been shot in the elevator from the courthouse. The bullet barely missed your heart. I have to say you are very lucky sir, any closer and I doubt you would have made it." she chuckled nervously.

And just like that memories started flooding as he remembered everything. The earthquake, the elevator and lack of oxygen, that bailiff that became violent, Miles...Miles, MILES! ... His son! What happened to his son! Did that bailiff attack him for air too? Was he hurt that day? Was he alright? WAS HE EVEN AL-

"Sir! SIR! I need you to calm down! I know this is shocking to you, but you need to-"

"M' son! Whe'e is m' son!" (My son! Where is my son!)

"Sir, your son is alright. He made it out of the elevator unharmed."

At hearing this, the concerned father calmed down. "Ca' I see 'im? P'ease!" (Can I see him? Please!)

"I'm afraid not right now, we still have some tests to run on you, as well as a lengthy recovery process ahead of you. Later."

"Bu'!" (But!)

"You're a smart man, sir. I'm sure you can understand that you need to be patient...Rome wasn't built in a day after all."

"Fi'e..."(Fine...) The man huffed, slightly irritated but understood his condition and let the nurse call the doctor. Something told him his stay in the hospital was going to be anything but pleasant.

...

He was right. After nurse Ded left, Gregory was acquainted with doctor Corry Uption. He was a short, bald old man with a very thick mustache and big round glasses. His smile was fake like a politician's and his demeanour reminded him of lying witnesses. While he was very polite and did his test carefully, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something from him. Every time he asked to see his kid, Dr. Uption would either deflect the question, brushed it off, or telling him that Miles couldn't be reached, that his phone number wasn't in the database. It's been a whole month since he woke up and he had yet so see his son. Or anyone for that matter, aside from the hospital staff.

Luckily today he was starting his physical therapy. Hopefully once he regains his motor skills he could finally get out of this damned hospital, or at least make it to a phone to call Miles...or anyone really. He stayed in his wheelchair, determination burning under his skin, as nurse Ded wheeled him to the recovery room. Once he reached the room, the nurse helped him up from his chair, he put his hands on the supporting bars, and took a step.

And then immediately face planted into the soft mat as he fell down.

Honestly he didn't know what he was expecting.

He's been asleep for 17 years and only managed to barely stand up 1 week ago. It was obvious it would not be as easy as that. Still, that did not stop the crush of disappointment as nurse Ded had to help him to get up. However, Gregory Edgeworth was a determined man. So when he was asked if he wanted to try again he nodded as he restarted.

...

Five months later and Gregory was fed up with this hospital and Dr. Uption. He started taking therapy and while that was extremely helpful with his PTSD (he doubts he'll ever take an elevator again), it was group therapy. Meaning he usually was outside with 6 other patients, and while he was very grateful for the company, he couldn't help but feel bitter as these people's loved ones came to visit them. At least the air of early september was warm. And doctor Uption still refused to let him see his son. It's been 6 months since he woke up for goodness sake! He had half a mind to sue the guy.

However this refusal to see his son made him think... What if the real reason he couldn't speak to Miles was because he was no more? What if his son was actually dead? And they only told him otherwise to keep him from freaking out... He- He couldn't handle that. These thoughts have been plaguing him for months... He needed to know! It was his right!

Unfortunately nurse Ded only smiled and nodded responding with 'soon' and 'Rome wasn't built in a day'. If he has to hear that expression ever again, it'll be too soon. And so this is why, today, respected veteran defense attorney Gregory Edgeworth was sneaking out of his hospital room, with a cane, to the nearest public telephone. Lucky him as one was in the lobby. As he reached the phone he dialed a number and prayed to every god, deity and Holy Mother for the other person to answer.

"Edgeworth Law Offices, this is Raymond Shields, how may I help?"

The older defense attorney couldn't help but let out a shaky laugh. "Ray. I need you to come to The Los Angeles General Hospital. Tell the front desk you're visiting the patient in room 215. No questions asked."

"Who-"

"Please."

"Alright."