Delaney grasps my arm. “Go and spend a little more time with her while I make some lunch.”

“Are you sure? I’ll help.”

She shakes her head. “I’m fine. I enjoy cooking for my family.”

Her family. The words leave a lump in my throat, and I’m unable to speak for a moment.

“Go.”

She pecks me on the lips again, and I turn, a little drunk on the overwhelming emotion. I guess this will be like a roller coaster for a while.

“Josh,” Amelia calls. I grin.

Maybe soon she’ll be calling me Dad.

* * *

After lunch, we clear away the plates and Delaney joins me on the couch. Amelia’s been on the floor with some of her toys while she’s been eating, and isn’t paying any attention to either of us.

“There’s something we need to talk to you about, Melly,” Delaney says.

She looks at Delaney. “Can we watch a movie with Josh this afternoon? I know where the popcorn is.”

It’s like a punch to the gut. Six years of work, and there are no movies of mine that she can see. I never once thought about that. I’m not sure I ever had to. But it’s definitely something I need on the to-do list. I doubt my manager will like the idea, but I’m over doing what he thinks is right.

“Sure we can. But I need you to come here first.”

Delaney pats the sofa between us, and Amelia climbs up. Tears well in my eyes as she gives me a hug.

“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to tell you. Josh is your daddy.”

She shoots a wide-eyed glance at me. “My daddy?”

Delaney nods, her gentle smile so reassuring.

Amelia turns to me. “You’re my daddy.”

I stroke her hair. “Yes, sweetheart. I am.”

“Are you coming to live with us?”

I meet Delaney’s gaze. “We have a lot to sort out. But I’m here for a few more weeks before I have to go and work somewhere else. And we’ll spend some time together and get to know each other better.”

Delaney smiles, and it tells me she’s okay with that answer.

Amelia hugs me again, and I wrap my arms around her.

“Do I call you Daddy? Or Josh?”

I look at Delaney again, but she just shrugs.

“Whatever you feel comfortable with.”

“I’m going to call you Daddy. But I might forget sometimes and call you Josh.”

I chuckle. “I understand, sweetheart.”

“Can we have popcorn now?”

“You just had your lunch,” I say.

“Growing girls need endless supplies like food, apparently. She’s inherited your hobbit ways.” Delaney laughs. “How about you two choose a movie, and I’ll make some popcorn partway through it.”

“I love that idea,” I say.

* * *