41. Tyler
TYLER
Ibarely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw worst-case scenarios—the judge ruling in Jessica's favor, Harper being handed over to a woman who abandoned her, or us being forced to say goodbye to the baby we've been raising.
Nora didn't sleep either. I could feel her lying awake beside me, her breathing too controlled to actually be asleep, both of us pretending for the other's sake.
Diane ended up driving back home last night.
She’s coming back down with Emma when the judge has a decision; she wouldn’t miss it, but she had things she needed to handle at home first. Michelle and Liam came over just before we had to leave to take her place so Harper could stay in her own space, on her own schedule, nowhere near the courthouse or anyone with a camera.
By the time we’ve driven away, Michelle has already sent a text that flashes inside the car.
Michelle: She’s currently demolishing a stack of board books. Though I’m pretty sure it’s just a distraction to try and steal Liam’s coffee.
Nora and I both laugh. Normal baby things while her entire future hangs in the balance.
We arrive at the courthouse at eight-fifty, both of us looking like we've been through hell. Nora's in another professional dress, her hair pulled back tightly, trying to look like the responsible caregiver she is instead of the terrified woman I held all night.
I squeeze her hand as we go through security. "You're going to be amazing today."
"What if I'm not? What if I say the wrong thing and—"
"You won't. Just tell the truth. That's all you have to do."
Ms. Chen meets us in the hallway, looking as sharp as yesterday. "Today's the heavy hitters. Expert witnesses this morning, then Nora this afternoon. Closing arguments after that. Judge Morrison said she'll have a decision within a week."
"A week?" I feel sick. "We have to wait a week?"
"As I said before, it could be straight away, or it could be days."
A week of not knowing. A week of this crushing uncertainty.
We take our seats as Judge Morrison enters, and the second day of trial begins.
First up is Dr. Sarah Wilson, a child psychologist with credentials that take five minutes to read into the record. She's reviewed our case file, examined the evidence, and formed professional opinions about Harper's attachment and development.
Ms. Chen, our lawyer, questions her first.
"Dr. Wilson, based on your review of this case, what would you say about Harper's current attachment to Mr. West and Ms. Collins?"
"Harper has formed a secure primary attachment to both caregivers over the past several months. Mr. West is her father and primary caregiver, and Ms. Collins is a consistent secondary attachment figure. This is developmentally appropriate and healthy."
"What would happen if that attachment were disrupted? If Harper were removed from their care?"
Dr. Wilson’s face grows serious. "At nine months old, Harper is in a critical period for attachment formation.
Disrupting her primary attachments now would be significantly traumatic.
We'd expect to see regression in development, feeding and sleep difficulties, increased anxiety, and potential long-term attachment issues. "
"Even if she were placed with her biological mother?"
"Especially then. Harper has no attachment to Ms. Torres. She doesn't know her. Removing Harper from the only caregivers she's known and placing her with a stranger, even a biological stranger, would be profoundly destabilizing."
Jessica's lawyer cross-examines, trying to poke holes in the testimony, but Dr. Wilson is unshakeable. She's seen the evidence and reviewed the documentation, and her professional opinion is clear—Harper should stay with us.
Next is an expert on childhood abandonment and trauma. Her testimony is similar but focuses more on the impact of Jessica's initial abandonment and the importance of stability now.
"The first eight weeks of Harper's life were likely chaotic and unstable, given what we know about Ms. Torres's circumstances," she testifies.
"But from the moment Harper entered Mr. West's care, her life stabilized.
Routine, consistency, love—all the things an infant needs.
Disrupting that now would compound the original trauma of abandonment. "
By noon, when we break for lunch, I feel slightly more hopeful. The experts were unequivocal—Harper belongs with us.
But Jessica's lawyer looks unconcerned, which terrifies me.
At one-forty-seven in the afternoon, Nora is called to the stand.
I watch her walk up there, her spine straight, her head high, and I've never been prouder of anyone in my life. She's sworn in, states her name and address, and then Ms. Chen begins.
"Ms. Collins, how did you come to work for Mr. West?"
"I was hired through a nanny agency the day after Harper arrived. Emma Mitchell called looking for immediate help. I started the next morning."
"And what was Harper's condition when you first saw her?"
"She was scared, crying a lot, and not feeding well. Tyler was terrified but was trying his best. Neither of them knew what they were doing, but Tyler was completely committed to figuring it out."
"Walk us through those first few weeks."
Nora does, describing in detail how I went from helpless to competent and how Harper transformed from a scared infant to a thriving baby. She talks about sleep regressions, teething, and milestones, painting a picture of consistent, loving care.
"Ms. Collins, you've kept detailed logs of Harper's care. Is that correct?"
"Yes. I documented everything—feedings, diaper changes, sleep patterns, and developmental milestones. I wanted to track her progress and make sure we were meeting all her needs."
"And in your professional opinion, how is Harper doing?"
"She's thriving. She's ahead on most developmental milestones. She's happy, healthy, and securely attached to her caregivers. She's exactly where a nine-month-old should be."
Ms. Chen shows the charts again, and Nora explains the color-coding system, the tracking, and the attention to detail that went into documenting almost eight months of care.
Then Jessica's lawyer stands for cross-examination, and I can see him preparing to attack.
"Ms. Collins, you're romantically involved with Mr. West, correct?"
"Yes."
"When did that relationship begin?"
"January. About four months after I started working for him."
"So, you developed romantic feelings for your employer while living in his home and caring for his child?"
"It wasn't like that—"
"Please answer yes or no. Did you develop romantic feelings for Mr. West while employed by him?"
Nora's jaw tightens. "Yes. But Harper's needs always came first. That hasn't changed and never will."
"How convenient. Fall in love with the single father, ensure your continued employment—"
"Objection," Ms. Chen says sharply. "Counsel is testifying, not questioning."
"Sustained. Get to a question, counselor."
Jessica's lawyer shifts tactics. "Ms. Collins, you're aware that if Ms. Torres regains custody, your employment would end?"
"Yes."
"So you have a financial incentive to testify against my client."
"I have a moral obligation to tell the truth about Harper's care and well-being. Whether I continue to be employed has nothing to do with that."
"You're just the employee, though, aren't you? The girlfriend. Not family. Not a blood relative. Not anyone with actual legal standing in this child's life."
Nora's eyes flash, and I see her sitting up straighter.
"Family isn't about blood or legal documents," she says, her voice steady and strong.
"Family is who loves you and shows up every day.
Who rocks you when you're sick, who celebrates your milestones, and who puts your needs above their own.
Harper knows who her family is. She knows who's been there for her every single day since she was eight weeks old. "
"But you're not her mother."
"Neither is Jessica Torres. Not in any way that matters." Nora looks directly at Jessica for the first time. "You can't abandon a baby and then claim motherhood when it's convenient. That's not how it works."
"Objection, your honor—"
"Withdrawn. No further questions."
Nora steps down, and I want to run to her, pull her into my arms, and tell her she was perfect. But we're in a courtroom, so I catch her hand as she sits beside me and squeeze tight.
The afternoon continues with closing arguments. Jessica's lawyer paints her as a sympathetic figure—a young mother who made mistakes but deserves a second chance. He emphasizes biology, maternal rights, and rehabilitation.
Ms. Chen's closing is different. She focuses on Harper, on what's best for the child, on the nine months of documented evidence showing Harper thriving under my care.
“Your Honor, this court has heard from medical experts, from social workers, from Mr. West, and from Ms. Collins. You have heard about Harper’s first smile, her first tooth, her first words.
You have heard about the schedule that keeps her thriving and the people who maintain it.
And you have not heard one word from anyone about Ms. Torres being present for any of it. ”
She lets that sit.
“The question is not Ms. Torres’s progress. The question is Harper. And the evidence is unambiguous.”
Judge Morrison listens to both closings, taking notes, her expression unreadable.
At four-thirty, she adjourns.
"I'll review all the evidence and testimony carefully. You'll have my decision within one week. The court is dismissed."
One week.
Seven days of not knowing whether I keep Harper or lose her.
Seven days of hell.
Nora and I walk out of the courthouse holding hands so tight I'm cutting off her circulation. Ms. Chen catches up with us in the parking lot.
"You both did excellently," she says. "The testimony was strong; the evidence is overwhelming. I feel good about this."
"But?"
"But it's a judge's decision, and you never know for certain. Go home. Be with Harper. Try not to spiral while we wait."
Try not to spiral. Right. Because that's possible when your entire future is in someone else's hands.
The drive home is quiet. Nora's staring out the window, and I can see tears on her cheeks.
"Red—"
"I should've said more. I should've been stronger when he attacked me—"
"You were perfect. You told them exactly what they needed to hear." I reach across the console, linking our fingers again. "Family is who shows up. That's what you said. And you were right."
"What if it's not enough?"
"Then we appeal and keep fighting. But Nora—" I wait until she looks at me. "Whatever happens, we're in this together. All three of us. That doesn't change."
"What if they take her?"
The question I've been avoiding thinking about for two days.
"Then we fight to get her back, for however long it takes. But I don't think that's going to happen. The judge saw the evidence. She heard the testimony. She knows who's been caring for Harper."
"One week," Nora whispers.
"One week. Then we know."
We pull into the driveway, and Michelle's waiting on the porch with Harper. Our daughter sees us through the window and starts bouncing excitedly in Michelle's arms, her face lighting up.
That's family. That reaction. That joy at seeing us.
No biology required.
Just love.
And I have to believe that's enough.
I have to believe the judge saw what I see—a thriving, happy baby who belongs exactly where she is.
Because the alternative is losing her.
And that's not something I'm willing to accept.
Not now.
Not ever.