Page 170 of Clinically Delicious
I walked back to the defense table, and the moment I sat down, Gabriel’s hand found mine under the table.
His grip was tight. Almost painful.
I didn’t look at him.
I can’t look at him.
I just told him I love him.
In court.
In front of everyone.
What if this changes everything?
His thumb traced a circle on my palm.
Once.
Twice.
And I realized he was shaking too.
“We’ll now hear closing arguments,” Judge Winters said. “Mr. Gallagher?”
Anthony stood, buttoning his jacket with the kind of confidence that made me think he’d already won.
“Your Honor,” he began, his voice clear and strong. “This case is fundamentally about what’s best for Megan Lyon. And the evidence is clear: Megan is thriving in her father’s care. Dr. Gabriel Lyon has raised his daughter alone for years while maintaining a demanding career as a pediatric surgeon. He has provided structure, stability, and unwavering love.”
He gestured toward Gabriel. “You’ve heard testimony from his colleagues, respected physicians who have witnessed firsthand his dedication not just to his patients, but to his daughter. You’ve heard from Ms. Rodriguez, who conducted a home visit and found Megan well-cared for, happy, and secure.”
Anthony’s voice softened slightly. “And you’ve heard from Mrs. Lyon—Cate—whose love for this child is undeniable. Yes, their marriage was recent. But what you witnessed on that stand wasn’t calculation or performance. It was genuine emotion. Real love. For both Gabriel and Megan.”
He paused, letting that sink in.
“This is a real family, Your Honor. Not a perfect one, no family is. But a loving one. A stable one. And most importantly, it’s the family Megan knows and needs. We ask that you grant Dr. Lyon full, permanent custody and allow this child to remain in the home where she is loved, safe, and happy.”
Anthony sat down.
That was good.
That was really good.
Please let that be enough.
Judge Winters looked at Richard. “Mr. Castellano?”
Richard stood, smoothing his tie.
“Your Honor, while Mrs. Lyon’s testimony was certainly... emotional, we must consider the facts. Dr. Lyon and Mrs. Lyon have been married for less than two months. They dated for mere weeks before that. This rushed timeline raises legitimate questions about stability and judgment.”
No.
No, no, no!
“My client is Megan’s biological mother. She has expressed a genuine desire to be part of her daughter’s life. While Dr. Lyon has done an admirable job as a single parent, the question before this court is whether the current arrangement, with a new stepmother who has known the child for only a few months, is truly in Megan’s best interests.”
Gabriel’s hand tightened on mine.
