Carmen came forward from the gallery, and a rush ofaffection overcame Janie. Carmen had dressed in her nicest clothes, and now she took the stand with a dignity that made Janie’s throat tight.
After Carmen was sworn in, David said, “Ms. Reyes, how long have you been working for the Rogers-Evans family?”
“About two weeks now. Full-time, Monday through Friday and some weekends.”
David nodded. “And in that time, what have you observed about the parents’ fitness and the children’s wellbeing?”
Carmen sat up a little straighter and looked toward Judge Morrison. “They’re excellent parents. Both of them. Hannah is very hands-on, very loving with the girls. She knows each of their personalities, what they like and don’t like, and how to calm them when they’re upset. And when Ms. Janie is home, it’s the same thing. Those girls light up when they see their mommies.”
“Have you observed anything that concerns you about the children’s safety or care?” David asked.
“No, never. The house is fully childproofed. I’ve worked in a lot of homes over the years, and theirs is one of the safest I’ve seen for toddlers. The girls are healthy, happy, well-fed, and well-loved. They have routines and structure. And most importantly, they have two parents who clearly adore them.”
Bradford cross-examined, trying to get Carmen to admit that Janie wasn’t there every day, that Hannah sometimes worked long hours, and that the house had been chaotic when Carmen first started. But Carmen held firm, her responses calm and unshakeable.
When Carmen stepped down, David called Hannah’s dad.
Tom Rogers took the stand with quiet authority. He testified about moving from Florida to help Hannah, about the love and dedication he’d witnessed, and about the three little girls who were thriving in their home.
“Have you ever had concerns about your granddaughters’ safety in your daughter’s care?” David asked.
“Not once.” Tom frowned and shook his head. “Hannahis an incredible mother. Her mom would be so proud…” He paused and cleared his throat before continuing. “Yes, she’s been struggling, but any parent of triplets would find it hard. But she’s never put those girls at risk. She’s asked for help when she needed it, which is what good parents do.”
“And her wife, your daughter-in-law?” David pointed to Janie. “What’s your impression of her as a mother?”
“Janie loves those girls fiercely.” Tom smiled widely at Janie. “You can see it in every interaction. She’s been dealing with postpartum depression, and she’s been getting help for it. That takes courage.”
Bradford tried to shake him on cross, implying that he was biased because Hannah was his daughter.
Tom laughed. “Of course I love my daughter. But I love my granddaughters too. If I thought they were in danger, I’d be the first one saying so. And they’re not.”
Next up was Gabe, and Hannah’s shoulders visibly dropped as Gabe took the stand.
“I served with Solo—Hannah—in the Army,” Gabe said. “She was part of my unit, and I trusted her with my life on multiple occasions. I trust her with her daughters’ lives now. She’s one of the most responsible, capable people I know.”
Shay followed, her natural warmth making her testimony feel personal and genuine. “I’ve known Hannah for years, and I work with her every day at the garage. I’ve seen how she talks about her girls. She lights up. And since Janie’s been coming back home, Hannah has become more balanced. She’s happier, more herself. These are two people who love each other and love their kids. That’s what I see.”
RB testified about Hannah’s work ethic and reliability. Woody, despite Solo’s concerns, managed to be both sincere and appropriate in her testimony about Hannah’s dedication to her family.
David called Rosie, and Janie’s breath caught. As a former medical professional, Rosie’s words held even more weight.
“Janie is one of the strongest, most compassionate people I’ve ever met. When I was going through a hard time with a family crisis, Janie was there. She cared, and she’s helping me resolve everything.”
“Ms. Morgan, you have a background in psychology, correct?” David asked.
“Yes. I was a therapist for over a decade before recently transitioning to marketing.”
“And in your professional opinion, does postpartum depression make someone an unfit parent?”
“Absolutely not,” Rosie said, her eyes flaring angrily. “Postpartum depression is a medical condition affecting up to twenty percent of new mothers. What makes someone unfit is refusing to acknowledge it or get help. Janie recognized she was struggling and took action. She sought therapy, took medication, and continued to communicate honestly with her wife. That’s exactly what a responsible parent does.”
Bradford’s cross-examination was aggressive, trying to get Rosie to admit that Janie’s departure from the home was abandonment, and that the depression made her unreliable. But Rosie held her ground, her therapist training evident in how she calmly redirected every attack.
Lori’s testimony about observing Hannah with her children and seeing nothing but love and competence was brief but impactful, and Bradford’s cross of Rae Trent was almost desperate, as if she’d realized she might be on the losing side for once.
“I’d like to hear from the parents directly,” Judge Morrison said. “Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Rogers, please stand.”
Janie’s legs were like water as she stood. As if sensing it, Hannah grasped her hand.
