Page 85 of Under Ground

Delaney melts into soft laughter, and Casey slams her thumb in her mouth and buries her head in my neck.

“Do you think that tummy would like a hot chocolate, Casey?” Delaney asks.

Casey sits up straight, her eyes wide. “Hot chocolate?”

“I’m just waiting for Josh and Reece to finish loading the dishwasher, and then I’m going to make some coffees for the grown-ups and hot chocolate for the kids.” Her eyes dart between Lana and me. “That’s if it’s okay with the two of you.”

“That sounds like a great idea.” Lana smiles, and although she must be tired, she lights up the room with her smile. I think accepting Delaney’s offer to stay is the right thing to do—Lana seems to have struck up an instant friendship with her, and seeing Lana happy is everything.

“I might even have some marshmallows.” Delaney’s eyes twinkle.

Amelia stands in front of her mother and leans back on her. “Do I get one, or just Casey?”

“Amelia Carter, do you really think I’d leave you out?” Delaney grabs her around the waist and Amelia giggles as her mother tickles her. “I said for the kids.”

Casey pushes herself off my lap and walks over to Delaney. “Can I have a marshmallow?”

“If your mummy says yes.”

Lana and I laugh as Casey pivots faster than a speeding bullet. “Can I? Please?”

“Of course you can. We’ll brush your teeth afterward, and then I think it’ll be bedtime,” Lana says.

Casey claps and spins back to face Delaney.

“It won’t be too long, Casey. Those boys gotta get the dishes in the dishwasher first,” Delaney says.

Casey slams her hands to her hips. “Those boys.” She growls.

“I agree, Casey. Those boys.” Delaney slips her hand across her mouth as she chuckles.

Pania laughs. “I love your daughter, Lana. She’s got attitude.”

Josh walks in and leans over Delaney’s chair, kissing the back of her head. “Dishes are loaded.”

“The boys did the dishes.” Casey claps again. “It hot chocolate time.”

We all dissolve into laughter.

“Yes, Casey. It’s hot chocolate time,” Delaney says.

* * *

Casey takes a long sip of hot chocolate before looking up and grinning at us, her upper lip covered in chocolate.

Lana pulls out her phone and snaps a picture. “You like that?”

Casey waggles her eyebrows before returning to her drink.

Afterward, Casey climbs back up onto my lap and sticks her thumb back in her mouth. The drink was clearly just what she needed as she struggles to keep her eyes open.

“Lana, let me show you your room. I put you in one with an en suite that has a bath in case you need it for Casey. Melly was not a shower person when she was three, and Addison hates the shower.” Delaney grimaces.

“Casey’s the same.”

“Come this way.” Delaney waves her hand. “You too, Miss Casey. She can sleep in the room next to yours, but Melly’s also keen to share. Either way, it’s fine over the weekend.”

I plant a kiss in Casey’s hair. “Go with your mom and get ready for bed.”

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