The courtroom felt huge, with tall walls and high ceilings that echoed every sound. I stood beside my lawyer, Mr. Thompson, as I looked around.
It was intimidating, and I could feel my heart racing. Today was the day I would speak for Jake and Lily, and I needed to be brave.
Mr. Thompson leaned in and whispered, "You're doing great, Ryan. Just remember, you're here for your kids. Focus on that."
I nodded, trying to take deep breaths to calm myself. My thoughts drifted to Jake and Lily.
I wanted to make them proud and show the judge how much I loved them. They were my everything, and I was ready to fight for them.
As the judge walked in, everyone stood up. I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach.
The judge sat down and looked over her glasses at us. "We're here today to discuss the custody of Jake and Lily. I want to hear from both sides. Let's begin with the opening statements."
Mr. Thompson stood up confidently. "Your Honor, thank you for allowing us to present our case today. I want to emphasize how important Jake and Lily's happiness is. They are thriving with their father, Ryan, who has always provided a loving and stable home."
I listened closely, feeling hopeful. Mr. Thompson continued, "Ryan has been a dedicated father. He attends their school events, helps with homework, and ensures they are always safe and cared for. The twins have built a strong bond with him."
The judge nodded, and I felt a rush of pride. I wanted to stand up and cheer for Jake and Lily right then. I remembered all the times we had spent together—our pancake breakfasts, movie nights, and the laughter that filled our home.
Then, it was my turn to speak. My legs felt like jelly as I stood up. I took a deep breath and faced the judge. "Your Honor," I began, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I love my kids more than anything in the world. Jake and Lily mean everything to me. I want to share some stories about them, so you can see how important they are in my life."
I glanced at Jake and Lily, sitting with my sister Emma in the audience. Their eyes were on me, and I could see the trust in their faces. That gave me strength.
"Jake is a bright boy. He loves to build things with his blocks, and he always makes up funny stories while he plays. Just the other day, he built a huge castle and pretended it was under attack from dragons. He was so proud of it, and I was right there cheering him on."
I could see a small smile on Jake's face, and it made me feel good inside. "And Lily," I continued,
"is so kind and caring. She loves to draw pictures for everyone, especially for me. She made me a big drawing of our family the other day. It was beautiful, with bright colors and smiles all around."
I paused for a moment, trying to hold back the emotions. "These kids are happy and safe with me. I make sure they have everything they need, and I always encourage them to follow their dreams. I just want to keep doing that."
The judge looked thoughtful as I spoke. "What about their mother, Claire?" she asked.
I took another deep breath, knowing this was a tough topic. "Claire hasn't been very involved in their lives. She's not even the twins mother or step mother, the moment she met the twins we are already divorce, she was distant and didn't show the love that Jake and Lily deserve. I believe it's best for them to stay with me, where they feel secure."
As I finished, I felt a mix of relief and nervousness. I had said what I needed to say, and I hoped it would make a difference. The judge nodded, looking at my lawyer for the next steps.
Mr. Thompson stood again. "Thank you, Your Honor. I'd like to present evidence of Ryan's involvement in Jake and Lily's lives, including school reports, photos from family activities, and testimonies from friends and family."
The judge waved her hand. "Proceed."
As Mr. Thompson shared our evidence, I felt a wave of hope. I knew that the more the judge learned about us, the better chance we had. I thought about all the family photos we had, the ones that showed us laughing and having fun. Those moments were what mattered most.
When the judge asked if I wanted to add anything else, I took another deep breath. "I just want to say that no matter what happens, I will always love my kids. I also ask Claire to stop this nonsense, don't believe on whatever you want."
After my statement, I sat down, feeling drained but relieved. I had shared my heart, and I hoped the judge could see how much Jake and Lily meant to me.
The hearing continued with more discussions, but my mind was focused on my kids. I glanced over at Jake and Lily, who were whispering to each other and looking hopeful. Their smiles gave me strength.
As the session moved forward, I realized that I had done my best. I had fought for my children, and I wouldn't stop until I knew they were safe and happy.