She talks about our morning dance-offs, our story-and-song bedtime routine.“Those two brought happiness and love into my home. No matter what, they’ll always be family.”
Kevin’s attorney again has nothing.
Next is Cas, the sheriff badge gleaming on his chest.
He testifies to my cooperation with authorities, my parenting, how I care for elderly customers at my shop, how I took care of Penny when she was kidnapped. He calls Mia his niece,always will be.
Then Dex, Jace… each sharing small but real moments.
How Mia feels loved here.
Safe here.
Wanted here.
Then Jude stands.
My eyes immediately sting because I know how much he hates attention, and how much it costs him to do this.
“Summer is the kind of mother you read about in books or only see in movies.” He looks right at me.“Up until I saw her with Mia, I thought only my own mother was that selfless. But she proved me wrong.”
A tear slips down. Ethan squeezes my hand.
“And Mia is the brightest, happiest little girl I’ve ever met. If you take her back to her father, you’re not just taking her from a wonderful mother. You’re taking her from uncles and aunts, grandparents, and an entire town that is richer because they’re here.”
Oh, Jude.
I place my hand over my heart and nod at him.
I whisper,Thank you.
And then, Ethan takes the stand.
The courtroom holds its breath.
“Mr. Hawthorne,” my lawyer asks,“how would you describe your relationship with Ms. Montgomery and her daughter?”
Ethan looks at me.
“Summer is the woman I love, the other part of my soul. And Mia…” He shakes his head, smiling softly.“I may not be her biological father, and I’m not trying to replace him. But to me? She’s my daughter in every sense that matters.”
I gasp. Tears spill again.
He talks about pancakes and bedtime stories, tiny dancer ballet classes, cutting the Christmas tree.
But the line that shatters me open:
“She deserves a man who shows up. And I will. Always.”
Judge Hale studies him carefully.
Then Kevin’s lawyer steps forward, smile sharp as a blade.
“Mr. Hawthorne, you are aware Ms. Montgomery left Mr. Masters’home a little over six months ago?”
Ethan tenses, but stays controlled.
“Yes.”
