Charlotte's point of view
It's not fair. Lily is mine. I love her. J raised her since she was born. Now 3 years later her birth mother shows up and says "I want her"? She abandoned her!
Miranda said to dress for court. I look through my dresser and settle on a plain black dress with a simple necklace and a little lipstick. Harry came in as I was finishing dressing. We got Lily ready for day care. She wouldn't be starting school for another couple of years. Rose would be coming with us.
Lily wanted to hold the baby but there wasn't any time. I promised her she could hold the baby after day care. Carrie picked Lily up for day care and Harry and I went to court.
"ALL RISE," the baliff said, "COURT IS NOW IN SEASON. THE HONORABLE JUDGE MIRANDA HOBBS PRESIDENTING."
I stood as Miranda walked in.
"Thank you," Miranda said, "Please be seated."
I sat down.
"We are here to decide the matter of Chowh vs. York-Goldenblatt," Miranda said, "I expect no comments like 'that's not true your honor' or shaking of the head. Each party will have their turn. I will decide this case based on what is best for the child. Counsel for Chowh may make your opening statement."
When it was Harry's turn to speak he was brillant. Of course he's my husband and I think everything he does is brillant but he was brillant. He didn't insult Ms. Chowh (which I would have done) but pointed out that a child is best raised by her parents and her parents are the people who raise her. He pointed out that Lily has a little sister and a family she's already settled into.
"Alright," Miranda said, "I have my decision. I believe that Lily is best off with the York-Goldebblatts.
"She has grown up with them for her whole life and to put her in a strangers world isn't fair to her. Ms. Chowh will have visitation rights on the weekends. However I expect the parents ALL OF THEM to work together to do what is best for Lily. LILY is what's important here. Parties are excused. Next case"