Page 298 of Fame & Chaos

I pull back and raise an eyebrow at my daughter. “I can’t kiss Mummy?”

Aria shakes her head very seriously.

“Why not?”

She shrugs before hugging Indi around the neck. “ ’Cause I wuv Mummy more dan you do, Daddy.” She plants an exaggerated kiss on Indi’s cheek.

Indi laughs as she gently untangles Aria’s arms from around her neck. “Well, that might be true,” she says. “But do you love Daddy too?”

Aria wrinkles her tiny button nose and studies me for a moment. “Maybe today.” She immediately reaches both arms towards me, and Indi nearly loses her balance as I scoop Aria into my arms.

She squeezes me tightly. “Are you gonna swing to me, Daddy?”

I laugh. She still can’t say sing. “Yep.” I tap her little nose. “I’m going to sing for you and Mummy.” I point toward the enormous stage. “See that?” She nods so enthusiastically I almost drop her. “That’s where Daddy’s going to be. It’ll be really loud, but don’t be scared, okay? Mummy’s got special earmuffs for you. It’s just music. And we’re going to have lots of fun.”

She squeals directly into my ear, and I wince dramatically.

At this rate, I’ll be deaf before I’m forty…

And it won’t be because I’m in a rock band.

“I wike fun!” She immediately reaches back towards Indi.

I hand her over before gently resting my hand on Indi’s belly. “You sure you’re okay carrying her? She’s getting heavy, and you’re seven months pregnant.”

Indi rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. I’ve dealt with much worse than a sore back and a cheeky three-year-old.”

I hold up my hands. “Just checking.”

“I think they’re ready for you.” She beams. “Go kick some arse.”

“Yeah!”

Aria cheers. “Kick some arse!”

Indi and I exchange a look, then we both burst out laughing.

“Looks like we need to start watching what we say,” I whisper before kissing Indi softly.

I ruffle Aria’s soft blonde curls and kiss her forehead. To which she immediately swats my face again.

“Go get ‘em, Rock God,” Indi says.

I turn to leave.

A second later… smack. She slaps me on the arse, and I spin around.

Aria is giggling so hard she can barely breathe. “Silly Mummy!”

Shaking my head, I head over to Annie, who is currently making out with Aston.

Honestly… nothing changes.

“Come on, you two.” I clap Annie on the shoulder. “You can snog like an old married couple after the show.”

She laughs as Aston reluctantly lets her go.

Together we join Ella and Chad.