The formality of it, hearing Tommy reduced to "minor child" and "Thomas Morrison," makes my chest tight. But I force myself to sit still, to breathe, to trust that the truth will be enough.
Derek's lawyer goes first, painting a picture of a successful businessman who was tragically denied the opportunity to raise his son due to the vindictive actions of his deceased ex-wife. He talks about Derek's stable marriage, his financial resources, and his ability to provide opportunities that a "single aunt" could never match.
He never mentions that Derek abandoned Emma when she was pregnant. Never acknowledges that Derek showed no interest in Tommy until there was money involved. Neveradmits that the "stable marriage" is less than a year old and was clearly entered into to strengthen Derek's custody case.
But the implication is clear, Derek Morrison is a father wrongfully separated from his child, and I'm an obstacle to their reunion.
When it's Rebecca's turn, she methodically destroys every argument Derek's lawyer made. She presents evidence of Derek's abandonment, testimony from Emma's friends about his treatment of her, financial records showing that his interest in Tommy coincided exactly with the settlement of Emma's life insurance.
She talks about the life Tommy has in Grizzly Ridge, the extended family that's embraced him, and the community that knows and loves him. She presents character witnesses who testify about my devotion to Tommy, about the sacrifices I've made to ensure his well-being.
But it's when she calls Sawyer to the stand that the real story emerges.
"Sheriff McKenna," she begins, "how long have you known the defendant?"
"All my life," Sawyer answers, his voice clear and strong. "We've been friends since childhood."
"And when did your relationship with Mrs. McKenna become romantic?"
There's a pause, just long enough for Derek's lawyer to lean forward expectantly.
"I've wanted Lisa Graham since we were teenagers," Sawyer says simply. "But I was too much of a coward to tell her until recently."
The honesty in his voice, the vulnerability of the admission in front of a room full of strangers, makes my throat tight with emotion.
"So your marriage wasn't a recent development prompted by the custody case?"
"Our marriage was prompted by the fact that I finally worked up the courage to ask the woman I've wanted for twenty-nine years to spend her life with me." Sawyer's gaze finds mine across the courtroom. "The timing had nothing to do with custody and everything to do with not wanting to waste another day."
"And your feelings about Tommy?"
"Tommy is my stepson. He's part of our family. I would do anything to protect him and ensure his happiness."
"Including marrying his aunt to improve her custody case?"
Derek's lawyer objects, but Sawyer answers anyway.
"I married Lisa because she completes me. Tommy is a blessing that comes with that, not a burden or a legal strategy." His voice carries that absolute certainty that's uniquely his. "Any man who would abandon a pregnant woman and then try to claim her child for money isn't fit to be called a father."
The objection that follows is heated, but the damage is done. Sawyer has laid out the truth in terms so clear even Derek's expensive lawyer can't twist them.
When the social worker presents her report, it's everything we hoped for. She talks about the stable, loving environment Tommy enjoys, the attachment he has formed to both Sawyer and me, and the extended family support system that surrounds him in Grizzly Ridge.
She also notes Derek's obvious discomfort with Tommy during their supervised visit, his wife's apparent lack of interest in childcare, and the fact that their Connecticut home is set up more for entertaining than child-rearing.
But it's Derek himself who seals his fate.
When his lawyer calls him to testify about his desire to be reunited with his son, Derek can't help himself. He talks about the advantages he can provide, the private schools andcountry clubs and social connections. He talks about rescuing Tommy from a "limited small-town existence" and giving him opportunities worthy of the Morrison name.
He never once talks about love.
He never mentions bedtime stories or scraped knees or the simple joy of watching a child discover the world. He talks about Tommy like a business acquisition, an investment in the Morrison legacy.
When Rebecca cross-examines him, she's surgical in her precision.
"Mr. Morrison, you stated that you want to give Tommy opportunities. What opportunities specifically?"
"The best education money can buy. Connections that will serve him well in his career. A life of privilege and respect."
