Common Ground

by Wendy Smith

  “Don’t you dare.”

  “Those take a lot of work, I’ll have you know.”

  “I’m sure they do.”

  With her index finger, she traces around them. My cock’s rock-hard again, and she’s completely oblivious to what she does to me.

  “Delaney, you really need to stop that.”

  Her eyes are wide when she looks at me. “Why?”

  “Because if you don’t, I’m going to roll over and fuck the shit out of you.”

  She laughs.

  “When you touch me, I lose all sense of myself.”

  Her expression grows serious. “Really?”

  “You still have no idea just what you do to me.”

  Her eyes are so full of affection that it warms my heart.

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I have any energy left, so if you want to fuck the shit out of me, don’t expect much in return.”

  Laughing, I kiss her hair. “Maybe we should just talk for the rest of the night.”

  “That sounds good to me.”

  I lick my lips. “Why did you name her Amelia?”

  Delaney’s expression softens. “Remember our first date?”

  “How could I forget?” I’m still confused, but she takes a breath and continues.

  “You took me to see the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, and then we got lost because you were too stubborn to look at your GPS. And you wouldn’t listen to me.”

  I laugh. “No, I told you then, we were looking at houses we might live in one day.”

  She cocks an eyebrow. “Whatever. Anyway, we realised it was a cul-de-sac, and you finally pulled over to look for directions. And when they came on screen, you were so excited, you leaned over and kissed me. It was so hot.”

  I remember that day. She was so frustrated with me, but I was being the big macho I-don’t-do-directions man. And by the time we pulled over, her nose was all scrunched up, she was so pissed, and it was the most adorable thing I’d thought I’d ever seen. I was already smitten, but her angry face was so cute.

  So, I’d leaned over and kissed her before taking her home.

  “What does that have to do with Amelia’s name?”

  Delaney palms my cheek. “We had our first argument in Amelia Avenue. And our first make-up kiss.”

  For a moment, she takes my breath away. I pride myself on having a decent memory, but all I can recall from that day is how nervous I was, and how good it felt to kiss her.

  “Josh, maybe we weren’t together, but you have always been a part of Amelia in more ways than just biological. I made sure of that.”

  “Why do you call her Melly then?”

  Delaney grins. “She couldn’t say Amelia when she was little. It frustrated her that I called her that when she called herself Melly. So, I adopted it and it stuck.”

  “It’s cute, but I think I’m gonna stick with Amelia.”

  “She’ll love it and hate it all at the same time. I usually call her by her proper name when she’s in trouble.”

  I try my best mock-horror face. “Why would my little girl ever get into trouble?”

  Delaney laughs. “Oh, you just wait.” She pauses. “Maybe tomorrow we can tell her you’re her father.”

  I look at her for the longest time. This is what I want more than anything, but I trust her to make the decision about telling Amelia the truth. “Are you sure?”

  “Regardless of what happens between us, she deserves to know.” Delaney places her palm on my chest. “But we’ll also have to prepare her for when you leave. It’s important that she not wake up one day to find you gone.”

  I squeeze her arm. “We’ll work together on it. You’ll have to help me with this parenting thing.”

  She sighs. “I’m not sure I’ll be any help. She’s five and I’m still fluking my way through it.”

  “Your letter said your mother kicked you out. I hate that she didn’t help you.”

  “I had Pania’s mother. She was my day care while Pania and I studied, and she took on the role of grandmother. I’m not sure what I would have done without her.”

  I stroke her arm. She should never have gone through it alone. While she was doing that, my career was starting. If I could, I’d have given it all up to be with her and Amelia.

  It’s not too late for us, but I missed so much.

  “Is she here in town? I’d like to meet her.”

  Delaney shakes her head. “When I turned twenty-one, I got my inheritance from my grandmother. She left me part of the profit from the sale of her house. So, I ended up finding a run-down diner in a small town, and the rest is history.”

  I close my eyes, nuzzling her temple. “Why here?”

  “I could afford to buy the business and still have a little money left aside. Pania agreed to come with me, and we started off doing all kinds of different things. But I noticed that we had more American tourists through than anything else. And I’d learned a lot in my time in LA. So we took the chance and rebranded doing USA-type food.” She laughs. “Even the locals loved it because it seemed exotic.”

  “It’s good food.” I open my eyes and meet her gaze. “Everyone on set who’s eaten at the diner praises it.”

  She smiles. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “And you found your guard dog, Damon.”

  The breath she lets out is audible. I know he frustrates her just as much as he annoys me. “When I first came to town, I dated a couple of guys. I think he thinks that I’ll do the same with him if he hangs around. One of them got kind of serious. There wasn’t the same chemistry as we had, but he was nice and he had no problems dating a single mother.”

  At her words, I suck in a breath. As much as I hate the thought of Delaney being with anyone else, and another man taking my place in the family, she’s a grown woman and we weren’t together.

  “In the end, I was glad I never introduced him to Melly. I’d have had to meet someone really special for that to happen.”

  I stroke her arm. “It didn’t end well, huh?”

  She reaches for my chin and pulls my gaze to hers. “Let’s just say only one man has ever used Google for me.”

  I laugh, pressing my forehead to hers and planting a kiss on her lips. “It’s just you and me from here on in. And I don’t even need to refer to Google anymore.”

  She grins. “You did alright.”

  “Alright? I think I did better than alright.”

  Delaney lies back and looks at the ceiling. “I think you might have to try again. Just so I can compare.”

  I nuzzle her neck. “Is that a challenge?”

  “You bet it is.”

  In the night I wake twice, still in disbelief that she’s finally with me.

  I tried to move on, but I never had the chemistry with anyone else that I shared with Delaney.

  Now I have a second chance to love her.

  And I will.

  She’s my love, the mother of my child, and my muse.

  “Josh.” She smiles as I approach the counter.

  “What time do you get off today?”

  “Two. Why?”

  “I thought we could hang out.” I look at my feet, suddenly shy. “I really enjoyed yesterday.”

  “Me too.” She frowns. “Didn’t you have the call-back this afternoon?”

  I shrug. “I’m not getting the part. They want someone older.”

  “But they called you back. That’s got to mean something.” She wipes the counter down with a wet cloth. “Call me afterward and maybe we can go see a movie tonight?”

  I lean over the counter and peck her on the lips. Yesterday, we had our first date. Today, all I want to do is keep kissing her.

  “You’re right. Mac thinks I’ve got a good chance.”

  “That’s your agent, right? You have to listen to him.” She cocks her head.

  “I guess.”

  “You told me if you don’t get a job you have to go back to Florida at Christmas. Grab whatever opportunit
ies you can while you’re here. You don’t want to leave with any regrets.”

  Memories flood back while I watch Delaney sleeping. If she’d let me slack off that day, I would have skipped the call-back and never got the job.

  And I do have regrets. Not about the job, but about what happened between us.

  But now I have to be philosophical about it. My job led me back to her.

  We lost six years, but I don’t plan on losing any more.

  Twenty-Five

  Josh

  Thud. Thud. Thud.

  The beat of the music fills my ears, and I reach out to touch Delaney. The bed’s still warm, but she’s not there.

  Memories of the night before wash over me. I never thought being with her again was possible, but here we are in a small town in New Zealand, piecing it all back together.

  I reach for my boxers on the floor and tug them on.

  Slipping out of bed, I open the bedroom door. The music’s coming from the living room, and if I’m not mistaken it’s “Raise Your Glass” by P!NK.

  What I see makes me grin.

  Delaney’s dressed in a tank top and shorts, and she’s holding Amelia’s hands as they dance around the living room. They break apart, and Amelia giggles as they keep dancing up a storm, Delaney’s hips swaying to the music.

  I get heart pangs at the sight.

  Slipping up behind Delaney, I place my hands on her hips, moving with her as she laughs loudly.

  “Josh!” Amelia squeals.

  “You two look like you’re having all the fun,” I say. Grabbing Delaney around the waist, I pull her onto the sofa. Her grin lights up her whole face. She lunges forward and pecks me on the lips.

  “What about me?” Amelia asks.

  Delaney grabs our daughter and pulls her toward us, covering her face in kisses in the process. More giggles fill the air, and my heart.

  “Good morning, Amelia,” I say.

  “Good morning.” She jumps up on the sofa between Delaney and me. “Can we have breakfast?”

  “I’ll go and make something.” Delaney stands and switches off the music. “Why don’t you show Josh your favourite morning cartoon?”

  “I should get dressed,” I say.

  Delaney shakes her head. “Nah. You’re just fine as you are. Super fine even.”

  I laugh.

  “You’re in your underwear.” Amelia’s eyes are wide.

  “I am, but that’s okay apparently. What’s this cartoon?”

  “Paw Patrol.”

  “Show me.”

  Amelia sits beside me as we watch, and soon the aroma of bacon and another scent I can’t identify floats through the air.

  “What are you making, Delaney?” I call out.

  “French toast and bacon.”

  “Smells great.” I turn to Amelia. “I should at least put on a shirt.”

  She nods. “I’m wearing my nightie. I don’t sit in my underwear.”

  I laugh. “No, you don’t. Give me a second.”

  Heading back into the bedroom, I tug on my shirt, and pick up my jeans and jacket before turning around and going back to the living room.

  Amelia pats the cushion beside her. She’s so welcoming, and doesn’t seem at all bothered that I’m here. Does she suspect? There’s an ease between us that will help when we do tell her the truth, and my stomach’s churning over the thought of it.

  Whoever thought a five-year-old could make me so nervous?

  “Here we go.” Delaney carries in two plates and puts them on the coffee table. “I’ll just grab mine and the coffees.”

  “I’m so hungry,” Amelia says. Delaney shakes her head.

  “She’s such a show-off when you’re around. Must be trying to impress.” She laughs.

  “I’m already impressed. By her and her mother.”

  Delaney grins. “You’ve already got all the brownie points after last night.”

  I shrug. “Just telling the truth.”

  She gives me one last look before disappearing into the kitchen again.

  I’m so crazy about her.

  We laze around all morning, watching cartoons with Amelia before Delaney makes lunch.

  This time, I follow her into the kitchen.

  “Let me help.”

  “You don’t have to. Spend more time with your daughter.” Delaney smiles. “She adores you; she really does.”

  “She doesn’t really know me.”

  “She knows enough to just be fine with you being here. Did you see her freak out this morning?”

  “No, but …”

  Delaney pecks me on the lips. “But nothing. Let’s have some lunch and then tell her. If it were anyone else, I might be wary, but she’s shown just how much she likes you.”

  My heart leaps.

  Amelia knows me, but I’m still nervous as all hell. How will she react? Will she wonder where I’ve been? Will she hate me? Will she just turn back to her cartoons without a care in the world?

  “Josh. She’s going to love it. Trust me. We’ll sit down and tell her. If we beat around the bush, she’ll just get confused.”

  I nod. I’ll back off and let Delaney steer this ship. There’s no one who knows our daughter better than her.

  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.

  Two movies and dinner later, we’ve spent the whole day lounging around together.

  Our time together has been perfect.

  The thought of having to work tomorrow is a real kick in the gut, but at least I have my girls now.

  “It’s time for your bath and then bed, sweetheart,” Delaney says.

  Amelia pouts. “Do I have to?”

  “You have school and I have work tomorrow. And I think your dad has work too.” Delaney smiles. “How about after we’re ready for bed, Daddy reads you a story?”

  Amelia’s eyes widen. “Could you read me Hairy Maclary again, Daddy?”

  I nod. “Of course I can.”

  She follows Delaney up the hallway to the bathroom, and the sound of water running echoes down to the living room.

  I lean back on the sofa and take a long breath. That went even better than I’d thought it would. Apparently children can be so accepting. More so than adults.

  But now I have both my girls in my life, and for that I am grateful.

  This is the life I never thought I’d have. At least, not with Delaney. I thought that eventually I’d find someone, fall in love, and have a family. But I never felt that spark with anyone else, not to the extent I did with her.

  Having her back is everything I ever wanted.

  All the wind’s sucked out of me as a weight hits me in the stomach, and I laugh at Amelia throwing herself onto my lap.

  “I’m ready for my story.”

  “Come on then.”

  I stand, pulling her up with me, and she hooks her legs around my hips as I start to move with her.

  Delaney stands in the hall doorway, shaking her head with a bemused smile on her face. She moves out of the way to let us pass, and doesn’t follow into Amelia’s bedroom.

  I drop Amelia gently on the bed and she lets out a tired laugh before lying down so I can tuck her in.

  She yawns, and I plant a soft kiss on her temple.

  “I don’t want to go to sleep. I want to play with you.”

  I stroke her forehead. “I’m not going anywhere. I do have to work, but I’ll be here every minute that I can.”

  “Goodnight, Daddy.”