Page 15 of Under Ground

“All done.”

Casey reaches for Lana’s phone, and Lana brings it over to show her.

She beams. “It’s Daddy and Casey.”

“I’ll get this printed and we can put it in your frame. Okay?” Lana’s smile is so loving.

Casey nods, hugs my arm and leaps off the couch. “I’m going to get my toys.”

I gaze at the door she runs through for a moment. She’s so happy, and it makes my heart swell. “She’s a good kid.”

Lana sits on the couch beside me and stretches out her legs. “She is.”

I turn my head and meet her gaze. Her blonde hair is as fine and wispy as Casey’s is, and I want so badly to reach out and brush a stray lock off her face. Instead, I draw in a breath. “You’re doing an amazing job all on your own. I know it must be hard.”

Lana shrugs. “It’s not easy, but we have our routine, and if we keep to that, we’re okay.” She looks at me from under her long lashes. “Thank you for everything.”

I drink her in. She has such pixie-like features, I’m not really sure if she’s real. “You’re welcome.”

Casey’s back in an instant, introducing me to a handful of toys in such a whirl, I’ll never remember any of their names.

“Casey, we need to talk to you about Alex,” Lana says.

Casey stares at her mother. “Daddy?”

Lana draws in a deep breath. “Casey, Alex isn’t your dad. You need to stop calling him that.”

I place my hand on Lana’s arm. “I’d love a little girl like you, but your mom’s right.”

Casey crosses her arms. “Daddy.”

“No, honey.” Lana reaches for her and pulls her into her arms. Her shoulders slump, and she lets out a big sigh.

“You not Daddy?” She looks at me.

I shake my head. “I’m not your daddy, sweet girl.”

“No. Not my daddy. But you’re Daddy.”

Lana and I exchange glances. I’m not sure we’ll make sense of this, but she seems to know what she’s talking about.

“You know Alex isn’t your father?” Lana asks.

Casey nods, pursing her lips and wrinkling her nose.

Lana lets her go, and she walks to my side and climbs up on the couch beside me, hugging my arm. “Daddy.”

I chuckle. “Uhh, she knows exactly what she’s doing, you know.”

“I know.” Lana raises her hand to cover her mouth.

“I’m not sure what to do now.” I clamp my lips together.

Lana snorts. “Me either.”

She stands and holds out her hand. “It’s time to brush teeth and get pyjamas on now anyway. Come on, Casey.”

She drags herself away from my side and slides her hand into Lana’s.

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