"You know we won't be able to see each other for a while, right?"

I frowned at Theo as she straightened the front of my suit so the tie laid flat. "What do you mean?"

"If the court finds out that you and I are dating, they'll call it a fishy situation."

I shrugged. "I think by the end of the first hour it will be brought up at least once. I'm not worried about it. Your dad and I already have something set up for the whole deal."

"Just as long as whatever you two have thought up doesn't get you into more trouble." She sighed and hugged me. "Good luck."

I stole a kiss as she started to pull away and she giggled, pushing me.

"Hey, it's for good luck, like you said!"

"Get lost you loser." Theo laughed, blushing.

"I might be a loser, but I'm your loser."

"That was so cheesy, Philip."

"If I were a pizza I'd be extra." I shot her finger guns, grinning.

"Get oooooout." Theo groaned, snorting. "I think Dad is waiting for you downstairs."

I blew her a kiss and walked out of the room.

Mr. Burr was indeed waiting for me in the front hall, talking to Mom. He was dressed in a dark grey suit with a burgundy tie.

My own suit was a powder blue. It was the one I'd bought for my freshman year winter formal.

I remembered Pops saying once that a well fitting suit said a lot to a court. People in the jury who were higher class would analyze what an attorney and his client were wearing and make first judgements, lower class jury members would just see good suits and know that those wearing them were put together.

"How are you feeling about this whole thing, Philip?"

"Really nervous, is that bad?"

Mr. Burr shook his head. "That's natural. Your father is a formidable lawyer. But we'll be fine, don't you worry."

He ruffled my hair and Theo came bursting out of the back hallway. 

"Dad nooooo I managed to get his hair a little bit cleaned up!"

I laughed and threw an arm around her shoulders. "Oh you know it's no use, sweetheart. My hair is borderline 'wicked witch who lives in the forest and curses little children' at all times."

Theo pouted as I kissed her forehead.

"It'll be fine, sweetheart. I've got it pulled back, that's as good as it'll get."

Mr. Burr glanced at his watch. "We should head out, we'll want to get to the court earlier so we can set up."

"Be good, Philip, and I know you can do this." Mom hugged me and kissed my head. Theo kissed my cheek as well, then let go of me.

"It's like women watching their families go off to war." Theo joked.

"Don't compare it to that." I groaned. "Pops is scary enough when he's in lawyer mode and I'm just around, I have no clue how horrible it's going to be with him actively against me."

"You'll be just fine, Philip. You learned a lot from your father and I know you're smart enough to out play him."

"And I've got Mr. Burr on my side." I grinned.

"Yes you do." Mom chuckled. "Oh! Let me grab my camera."

"Mom it's not a prom date!"

Theo giggled. "I think you and my dad would make a great couple at prom."

"Are we king and king material?" I snorted.

"Maybe not, but it would be really funny." She shook her head, smiling.

Mom came back with the camera and I rolled my eyes.

"Come on, Philip, you know it'll be an important thing to talk about later in life."

"Fine. I at least take a photo with Theo then?"

"Okay okay, come on Theo."

"But I'm in leggings and a sweatshirt!"

"So? You're gorgeous either way." I gestured for her to come over.

She snorted and tugged her ponytail holder out.

I wrapped an arm around her waist when she came over, kissing her cheek.

"Flirting to a minimum, please." Mr. Burr commented.

"Smile, kids."

I grinned at the camera.

It snapped a couple times, then Mr. Burr quietly checked his watch again and I kissed Theo's cheek once more before pulling away.

"Alright, Mom. With any luck we'll come back tonight with the whole thing over."

Mom laughed. "Oh peanut, you clearly don't remember when we used to sit in on your father's trials."