“She is more than that, Arthur,” I said, looking back at Claire.

“She has been the one keeping them safe.”

“And she has a right to be in their lives.”

“If she is their legal co-guardian, the board cannot call her an intruder.”

“They cannot sue to keep her away from them.”

“And any attack on her becomes an attack on the children’s legal protector.”

There was a pause on the line.

I could hear Arthur rustling papers on his desk.

“It would legally bind her to the family,” Arthur said slowly.

“The board would have to fight both of you.”

“But the press will go wild, Daniel.”

“They are already here,” I said, looking down at the reporters huddled under umbrellas.

“We meet them head-on.”

“Can you prepare the papers tonight?”

“I can,” Arthur said. “But I will need Claire’s signature.”

“And we need to file them with the court first thing in the morning.”

“Do it,” I said.

“I will have them ready by 7:00 AM,” Arthur said.

“I’ll bring them to the hospital myself.”

“Thank you, Arthur,” I said, and hung up.