Delaney wraps her arms around my waist. “Good. I think Mummy and Daddy need some quality time.”

“That’s going to take some getting used to.”

She rests her head against my chest. “You did so well. She’s so happy.”

“I love her calling me Daddy.”

“I’m glad.”

I take a breath and kiss the top of her head. “Do you mind if I keep sitting in there with her for a while?”

Delaney pulls back. “Of course not.”

“It might sound weird, but I just want to look at her. While she’s not jumping all over the place.”

She smiles. “I think that’s a lovely idea. I’ll go and clean up the kitchen and get ready for bed.”

“Meet you there?”

Delaney raises her face and I give her a tender kiss.

Today has only made me love her more. She’s the one who’s given me the whole world. Right when I thought I had everything.

* * *

Delaney’s in bed when I reach her room. I strip down to my boxers and slide into bed beside her. Spooning her, I pull her tight against me.

I love how normal this feels. My life has been anything but normal for years. But in this little house, in this small town, I’m content and settled.

This isn’t what I’m used to. In LA, I have a house. It’s huge and private, but it’s not a home. Home feels like this.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I’m away.

“Delaney,” I whisper.

She turns her head far enough that I can make up the distance and kiss her.

“You alright?” she asks.

I nod. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For her. For all this.” I take a breath. “Come with me when I leave.”

“We can’t.”

“Can we talk about it tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

She turns back, and I press myself against her, my arm over her waist. Once filming is over, I’m travelling to the UK and then the Philippines for my next project.

It was all arranged before I knew I had a family here.

I don’t want to go.

Twenty-Six

Delaney

Josh is gone in the morning when I wake.

I knew he would be. He has to head over early for costume and makeup and whatever else he has to do before his day starts.

Pania opens the diner in the morning at seven-thirty and I drop Melly at school an hour later before heading over there.

It’s late morning when the order comes through.

“Someone has it bad.” Pania grins as she gets off the phone.

“What?”

She dangles a piece of paper in front of my face. It’s so close that the writing’s all fuzzy.

“Order for Mr. Josh Carter. Omelette, salad, and thickshake to be delivered to set. He’s requested a particular person to do the delivery.”