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Tanner looked ready to push back harder. Miles got there first, keeping his voice even. “The house has power, there is food, and the beds are in place. We’ve been working through the rest.”

Rebecca looked at him. “And you are?”

“Miles Owens.”

“I know your name from the note. I’d still prefer Mr. Fernsby answers for himself where he can.”

Miles nodded. “Fair.”

Rebecca turned back to Tanner. “Do you understand what I’m asking for?”

Tanner stared at the file in front of her, then at the wall behind her, then back at her face. “Doctor. Preschool. House.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve already been trying.”

“I can see that.” She tapped one of the papers. “You made preschool contact. You have some documents. You attended this meeting. That counts in your favor.” She paused. “But trying is not the same as completed.”

TJ spoke for the first time. “What’s the timeline?”

Rebecca looked at him. “We’ll schedule a case conference for later this week and a provisional family court filing as soon as the paperwork is prepared. Given Savannah is settled with a sibling rather than a stranger placement, the court usually wants the legal route started quickly, and the day-to-day care kept stable where possible.”

Tanner looked up sharply at the word placement. Savannah shifted against Miles at the same time, responding to the tension.

Rebecca didn’t back away from it. “I’m being direct because I’d rather you hear the real version in here than imagine something worse outside this room. No one is talking about moving her today. We are talking about formalizing what has already been happening.”

Tanner’s mouth opened, then shut again.

When he still didn’t speak, Miles said quietly, “Tanner.”

Tanner dragged in a breath. “If I sign things, that doesn’t mean I’m handing her over?”

Rebecca answered immediately. “No. It means you are starting the process to keep her with you lawfully.” Rebecca slid a paper across the table. “This is consent for information sharing related to the court application and the home assessment. This one is confirmation that Savannah is currently residing with you. This one acknowledges you have been informed of the steps required.”

Tanner looked down at the stack like it might eat him alive.

Savannah leaned back and whispered to Miles, “Can we go now?”

“Soon,” he murmured.

Rebecca softened her voice slightly for the first time. “Mr. Fernsby, I know this is not how you wanted any of this to go, but signing these papers today is you protecting your position, not losing it.”

Tanner looked at the forms and still didn’t move.

Miles murmured, “Read them. One at a time.”

Tanner didn’t look at him. “I know how to read.”

“I know.”

Tanner pulled the first form closer and began to read it. Miles watched his eyes move, watched him go back and reread one section twice. Rebecca didn’t rush him. Even Savannah seemed to pick up that this mattered, because she stopped fidgeting and rested against Miles with the rabbit pinned between them.

Halfway through the second form Tanner stopped. His breathing changed. He stared at one line too long.

“What?” TJ asked.

Tanner’s jaw worked before he spoke. “It says follow-up home assessment.”