Page 86 of Under Ground

She wraps her arm around my neck. “Goodnight, Daddy.”

“Goodnight, Casey. Love you.”

Lana and Delaney head out of the room, Casey and Amelia in tow.

It only takes moments before Casey comes running back, waving a book in the air. “Daddy, look. Melia has Hairy Maclary too.”

I place my hand on my heart. “Oh my goodness. That’s your favourite book.”

“Hers too,” she yells.

“Settle down.” I reach out and ruffle her hair. “I think you need to go back to your mom and get ready for bed.”

“Okay.” She grins, and runs from the room.

“She’s so sweet,” Pania says.

“She sure is.” My gaze is fixed on the door she ran out of. I worried so much about Lana and Casey being happy here. So far, it seems there was nothing to worry about after all.

“It’s good to see our ladies getting on so well.” Josh walks over to me and hands me a bottle of beer.

I take it and clink my bottle with his. “It is, and I’m so grateful. Thank you for the hospitality.”

“You’re welcome. It wasn’t always easy for Delaney when she moved here, so we’re more than happy to be there for Lana.”

Reece sits beside me. “Delaney will take her under her wing. She’s good like that.”

“Thanks, guys.”

“We gotta look after our new star. I can’t wait to get stuck into this movie with you,” Reece says.

“Me too. I think I’m still in shock after you and Pania delivered the news, but I’m excited.” I hesitate for a moment. “Do you house all your future employees?”

Josh laughs. “Not usually. Once Delaney found out your girlfriend was from New Zealand, she took a special interest. And after we heard someone tried to snatch Casey …”

I nod as the two of them sit in chairs close by. Pania occupies the seat vacated by Delaney, Addison in her arms.

“That’s so scary,” she says. “When we were still in Glenderry, some local took photos of Delaney and Melly, and that was awful enough. When we heard about Casey, Delaney was really shaken.”

“We were lucky she had a teacher who looked out for her.”

“And it was a fan?” Josh asks.

I blow out a breath. “Yeah. In some online group they were speculating about whether I was Casey’s father, so she decided, being in town, that she’d just ask Casey. She was fifteen years old.”

Pania’s mouth falls open, leaving Addison an opportunity to push her hand into the gap. Pania snorts, grasping the little girl’s arm and pulling gently on it.

“I’ve had dinner, Miss Addison. I’m not interested in eating you.” She plants a kiss on Addison’s hand. “I’ll just take this little one to her mother because I’m pretty sure it’s bedtime for her too.” Pania kisses Addison’s hand again. “Not that I want to let you go.”

“I’ll do that. Come on, my little princess.” Josh places his beer on the coffee table and stands, then picks up Addison from Pania and covers her face with kisses. She giggles and kicks her legs. It’s the cutest thing I think I’ve ever seen.

I want that.

I don’t just want Lana and Casey as a family. I want us to have children of our own. We haven’t even discussed it. I’m not sure how Lana feels about it. I …

“You look troubled, Alex,” Pania says.

“Just tired. Josh really dotes on Addison, huh?”

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