Chapter 45 Fairy Tale



"Someone want to explain what the fuck happened to my wife while I was in the hospital?" Luca demanded as he walked into the house and stood before his aunt and grandmother.

"She changed her hair," Maria said. "Ruined all that nice blonde."

"Luca, you shouldn't be stressing right no-"

"What's that look in her eyes?" Luca asked, pointing to the yard where Daisy and Theo sat by the pool on the other side of the glass panels. "She looks sick. What happened to her?"

"She was worried about you!" Carla said. "She wouldn't leave your side at the hospital."

"Now she won't even look at me," Luca said. "How the fuck does that happen?"

"I don't know!" Carla yelled. "Maybe because you kept calling out for Stella!"

"What..." Luca felt his heart sink. "No. No, it's not like that. I was telling her to stop. Daisy was in the car with her."

"Look, Luca," Carla sighed. "I don't know what you saw. But I do know what we saw. And what we heard. It doesn't look good."

"What are you talking about?"

"I told you not to play with her," Carla shook her head. "I told you to think about what you were getting yourself into. You were not ready to be in a relationship with Daisy but you still continued and now she's hurt."

"She was there?" Luca asked, his chest tightening. "At the hospital when I was calling out Stella's name?"

"Yes," Carla said quietly. "And she was there for the photographs and the sketches."

Luca's eyes narrowed.

"The Stella collection?" Carla arched her brow. "They're in the storage room."

"Fuck," Luca shut his eyes as realization hit him in the head. "She wasn't supposed to see those."

"What about the sketches?" Carla asked. "You drew her like Stella."

"That was before," Luca said. "Those were from years ago."

"It doesn't look good," Carla said. "And I can see why she's upset with you right now. I would be too if my husband had some other girl on his mind."

Luca looked over his shoulder to the girl in the pool. His mind raced with anxiety over what thoughts could be playing in her mind. The way she had stared at him with her eyes blank could have stopped his heart.

"You have to fix this," Carla said. "She's not been herself lately and I'm really worried, Luca."

Feeling a knot in the pit of his stomach, Luca turned towards the backyard and walked out of the house. He couldn't take his eyes off of Daisy. His heart shook as he approached her and she ignored his presence.

"We need to talk," Luca said. "The photos and the sketches-"

"I'm not interested," Daisy wrapped the towel tightly around herself and shrugged.

"I know you're mad at me, bu-"

"I'm not."

"Daisy," Luca sighed.

"I have no right to be mad at you," Daisy said, taking a seat on the edge of the lawn chair. She looked up at him and squinted in the bright sunlight. Luca stepped to the side to cover the sun with his body so she didn't have to squint.

"What are you talking about?" He asked. "You have all the rights to be mad at m-"

"Why?" Daisy asked.

"Because you saw things th-"

"Luca," Daisy stopped him. "If this was before, I would be mad. I would be heartbroken and shattered."

Luca felt the pressure in his chest increase and intensify.

"I would question everything," Daisy continued. "My worth, myself, my choices. Everything."

Each word she spoke dug into Luca's skin like claws. He stood before her, shielding her from the sun, as she continued to stare at him with her blank eyes.

"But I thank my lucky stars this all happened after we broke up," Daisy said.

Luca's eyes snapped up towards Daisy. His brows knit together and his eyes narrowed.

"I thank god I dodged a bullet," Daisy laughed. "Can you imagine how bad all this would be if I was still in love with you? I would probably throw myself off the balcony.......opps, I shouldn't say that."

"Stop, stop," Luca shook his head. "What are you talking about? What break up?"

Daisy's eyes narrowed, "Our break up. We broke up..."

"When?" Luca's jaw clenched.

"The night you took Gia to the docks."

"I don't...." Luca shook his head. "I don't remember."

"I'll remind you," Daisy sighed and stood up. She handed Theo a piece of strawberry and tucked her new brown hair behind her ears. "You broke up with me because you were angry I lied to you. You also realized you will always be in love with Stella so it would be best for everyone if we broke up and forgot this summer ever happened."

The sharp pain that shot through Luca's chest could have landed him back in the hospital if he wasn't in a state of shock. All oxygen vanished from his lungs as Daisy spoke, not caring at all about how Luca stood before her in bits and pieces.

"That's not true...." Luca said.

"What's not true?" Daisy asked, handing Theo another piece of strawberry.

"I'm not in love with Stella," Luca said.

"That's what you sai-"

"I'm in love with you."

Daisy stopped. She looked up and stared at Luca as if she couldn't understand the words he was speaking.

"That's the truth," Luca said, stepping forward. "I'm in love with you. I love you."

Silence.

Luca's chest squeezed and pushed his heart into his throat. He felt the words bubbling out of him as he searched Daisy's eyes and her sun kissed face.

"I love you," he said once more when she didn't say anything. "Say something."

Daisy swallowed the piece of strawberry in her mouth and slowly nodded as if she was thinking Luca's words through. She took her time before shrugging and reaching down for Theo.

"Well," she pulled the little boy onto her hips and looked back at Luca. "It's all a little too late now."

"Stop," Luca blocked her path as she tried to step around him. "Look at me. I love you."

"Good for you!" Daisy said. "Now, get out of my way."

"You have nothing to say?" Luca asked, following her into the house. "We fought over this so much. I finally got it right. And you have nothing to say?"

Daisy paused at the bottom of the stairs and looked back, "Thank you? I'm so proud of you? Congratulations?"

"Daisy," Luca's face fell. "I love you. And only you. Please, just listen to me. Whatever you saw, it was all before. Before anything happened between us, before I fell for you, before we got married, before all this."

"Okay," Daisy said, turning back around and climbing up the stairs.

"What do you mean okay?" Luca followed her.

"Okay, Luca," Daisy said. "Thank you for your explanation and the confession."

"Is this a joke to you?" Luca's words caused Daisy to stop in her tracks.

She turned too quickly and made herself dizzy. But the anger in her bones held her up.

"A joke?" Daisy's eyes narrowed. "No, Luca. This isn't a joke. For the first time in this mess that we called a relationship, it's not a joke. Because I'm done with all this shit. You can tell me you love me all you want but I want nothing to do with you."

"That's a lie."

"Says who?" Daisy asked. "The guy who couldn't even be honest about his feelings with himself? The guy who only wanted me to be the fill in for his dead lover? The guy who gave up at the first sign of hardship in a not so well defined fucked up relationship?"

"Daisy...." Luca held out his hands. "Please, can we just sit and talk? Please. Let me explain."

"Okay, fine," Daisy said. "Let's go. Let's hear what you have to say."

Luca held his breath as Daisy turned and walked into their room. She marched into the nursery and placed Theo in his playpen before walking back into the bedroom.

"Go on," she said. "Explain."

"Can you please sit down?" Luca pointed to the edge of the bed.

"No."

"You've been swaying on your feet," Luca said. "Please, just sit down."

Knowing he was right, Daisy walked to the edge of the bed and took a seat. She pulled her feet back as Luca got down on one knee before her and took her hands.

"The last thing I ever said to my mother before she died was that I loved her," Luca started. "Then years later when Stella died, it was also the last thing I ever said to her."

Daisy wanted to recoil from his words. She hated that name so fuckin' much. It made her sick to her stomach. She tried to pull her hands back but Luca wouldn't let go.

"The day Theo was born," Luca looked into Daisy's eyes. "I held you both in my arms and I told you I loved you."

Daisy's eyes narrowed.

"I did," Luca said. "Watching you become a mother, seeing how strong you were...it all felt so right. I walked around with this fear that if I told you I loved you, I would lose you like everyone else. But that day I couldn't stop myself. I told you I loved you....but you didn't hear. You had a seizure in my arms. Your eyes rolled to the back of your head and you turned white as paper."

Daisy tried to pull her hand back again but Luca held on.

"It was like meeting death," Luca said. "I thought I did that to you."

"Let go of my hand," Daisy said quietly.

"I've loved you for a very long time," Luca didn't listen to her. "Yes, I know I messed up. But I need you to know everything now."

"Why?" Daisy asked, her heart thundering "Why now?"

"Because when I fell to my knees on that dock, all I could think about was how I didn't get to tell you how much I love you," Luca said. "Nothing else seemed to matter. Life was slipping out of my hands and my only regret was not telling you how much I love you."

Daisy let Luca's words soak into her skin like warm rain. Her breathing evened out as he gazed at her with his beautiful green eyes.

"I look at you and everything makes sense," Luca continued. He raised his hand and placed it against Daisy's face. "The love I feel for you shatters my heart and fills the cracks with this light that makes me want to live a thousand lives with you. I look at you and I want my life to begin and end with you."

Luca's words began to suffocate Daisy. She tugged on her hands but he held on for dear life.

"It's a terrifying feeling because it makes me realize the love I had for Stella was nothing compared to what you make me feel," Luca's thumb moved over Daisy's cheek. "All those years loving her can't measure up to an hour of happiness I feel when I'm beside you."

Daisy raised her hand and placed it over Luca's hand, "This is all just a little too convenient, isn't it?"

The light in Luca's eyes was snuffed out but the cold wind from Daisy's words. She moved his hand off of her cheek and pulled her other hand free from his hold.

"There's nothing you can say that will make me believe in this fairy tale again," Daisy said. "I really thought I wanted this. But I guess being here, being around you, playing your perfect wife....it all made me forget why I never wanted any of this in the first place. I forgot for a few who I was and what my views were. But thank you for helping me remember."

"This isn't a fairy tale," Luca shook his head. "All this is real. What we have is real."

"It's not," Daisy shook her head. "It's just what people tell themselves to make the pain hurt less."

"I hurt you," Luca's heart squeezed. "I know. B-"

"You didn't hurt me, Luca," Daisy said. "Remember I told you I would never give any man that kind of privilege?"

"What are you talking about," Luca asked, his thoughts spinning.

"I thought I was in love with you," Daisy explained. "But I think I just got lost while playing house."

"That's not true," Luca said. "There is love. It's burning love, all consuming love, only you matter in my world kind of love."

"I'm glad you got over your fear of saying those words," Daisy said.

"What?" Luca shook his head. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that we should go our separate ways," Daisy said slowly.

"You're leaving me?"

"I can't," Daisy said. "I can't do that to Theo. But I can't live with you either."

"Daisy, please," Luca's breath caught. "Stop."

"I don't feel anything, Luca," Daisy said. "I feel absolutely nothing right now."

Luca looked up with his green eyes full of worry. He moved a bit closer as Daisy sat before with her eyes completely blank and her face a clean slate.

"You can tell me a million times you love me but it's not registering," Daisy said. "I don't think I care anymore whether you love me or not. Whether you tell me or don't tell me. I just...I just want to exist for Theo right now."

"When did this start?" Luca asked.

"I don't know," Daisy shrugged. "Can you let go of me now? I need to get Theo's lunch ready."

"I'm never letting you go," Luca said, rising to his feet and pulling Daisy up with him.

"Okay," Daisy dropped his hands and walked away, leaving Luca's heart aching in his chest.

He followed her out of the room and down the stairs. Daisy looked over her shoulders several times and clicked her tongue. When they entered the kitchen, Carla looked up and arched her brows.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Luca had a revelation," Daisy rolled her eyes.

"What revelation?"

"She doesn't believe that I love her," Luca said.

"It's not that I don't believe it," Daisy picked up a water bottle and twisted the cap off. "I just don't care for it anymore."

"Dee.." Carla's eyes flickered from Daisy to Luca.

"He's not the first guy to fall in love with me and I'm one hundred percent sure he won't be the last guy either," Daisy shrugged. "What am I supposed to do? Marry all of them and play their wife?"

Luca's jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. His heated gaze followed Daisy around the kitchen.

"So you don't care?" He asked.

"Nope."

"You feel nothing for me?"

"Nothing," Daisy shrugged. "If you were expecting to find me in tears for my injured husband and praying for his recovery, then sorry to disappoint you."

Luca huffed, shaking his head. His lips pulled back into that half smirk Daisy despised so much. He stood with his hands in his pocket and his broad shoulders filling out the pressed baby blue shirt. The air between them crackled as Daisy narrowed her gaze and met the challenge in his eyes head on.

"This isn't over," Luca said. "You're out of your fuckin' mind if you think this is over this easily."

And with that, he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

___________________

Not wanting to be in Luca's presence, Daisy asked Carla to accompany her to town after lunch.

As she got ready, Luca paced the balcony taking call after call. Daisy watched him in the mirror, brushing her hair and twirling the long locks around to form some loose waves. Whenever they caught each other's eyes in the mirror, they both glared hard at each other as if trying to shatter the glass.

"Where are you going?" Luca asked, stepping back into the room.

"To hell," Daisy said, rising from the ottoman.

"I hear it's marvelous at this time of year," Luca said.

"Oh, you've been?" Daisy arched her brow. "Explains so much."

"Do me a favor and leave behind this crazy demon who possessed you," Luca moved his hand around.

"While I'm at it, do you want me to return your demons too?" Daisy asked.

"I already did," Luca informed her.

"It was long overdue," Daisy snickered.

"Turn around," Luca said.

"Fuck off," Daisy stepped away but Luca grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "What are you doing?"

Without speaking, Luca turned her around and grabbed the zipper on the back of her dress. He moved her hair aside and zipped it before putting the hook in its place and pressing a small kiss on the back of her neck.

"You're going out there as my wife," he spoke into her ear, holding her arm firmly to keep her from getting away. "Behave yourself."

"Or what?" Daisy challenged.

"Or I'll keep you under house arrest," Luca said. "You're mad and upset, I get it. I'm sorry I fucked up. But I am not going to compromise with your or Theo's safety. If I have to keep you locked up in here, I will. Hate me all you want."

"I already do."

"Good," Luca said. "So a little more won't kill me."

Daisy yanked her arm back and pushed away. She didn't bother looking back at Luca as she walked into the nursery and picked Theo up from the play pen.

"I love you," Luca said as she began to walk out of the room.

"Go to hell," Daisy muttered.

"I thought you were going there," Luca said. "You want me to come with you?"

"Stop saying you love me."

"I was telling Theo that," Luca said.

Daisy didn't not reply. She slammed the door shut and marched down to the foyer where Carla waited for her. The woman arched her brows but didn't ask any questions.

"Have you heard anything from Gia?" Daisy asked as she strapped Theo into his stroller.

"She spoke to Luca on the phone as he was getting discharged."

"You couldn't have kept him longer?"

"And risk him killing the doctors?" Carla laughed. "He wanted to come home to you and no one was going to stop him."

Once again, Daisy had nothing to say. They decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and walk to town instead of having Mateo or Aaron drive them. But that didn't mean the two weren't following them.

"How is she?" Daisy asked.

"I don't know," Carla said. "I was so worked up about Luca's condition, I neglected to stop and think about what she might be going through."

Daisy felt her heart contract inside of her chest for the first time in days.

"I told her to say she was fine," Carla shook her head. "I didn't even hear her out."

"Looks like we both have a lot to be sorry for," Daisy said quietly. "I had lashed out at her too, remember?"

"I think in times of stress, people tend to dump on the fragile once," Carla said. "Because they don't fight back."

"That doesn't make it right."

"No, of course not," Carla said. "I'm not trying to make excuses for us. I know I didn't handle the situation well."

"Same," Daisy said.

"She should be back in a few," Carla sighed. "They're going to have that big church wedding."

"God help us all."

"Does she know?" Carla looked over at Daisy. "About you and Luca?"

"No," Daisy shook her head.

"Why not?" Carla asked. "She's your best friend."

"She is," Daisy smiled. "But I see her more than that. She's like my little sister. I don't want her to worry about me."

"It's a big secret to keep from her," Carla frowned. "Don't you think she deserves to know?"

"There's nothing to know now," Daisy shrugged. "And ignorance is bliss. This madness doesn't need to be added to her plate."

"And what about your plate?" Carla asked. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine," Daisy sighed.

"You know it's okay if you're not, right?" Carla said. "I know Luca is my nephew, but he's a mess sometimes."

"And I don't want to be a part of that mess anymore."

"Is that really how you feel?" Carla asked. "Or are you saying that because you're hurt? Do you really want to leave him?"

"I..." Daisy hesitated. "I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know if I want to leave," Daisy said. "He's so good to Theo and the little boy loves him. I....I have to stay for Theo."

"But?"

"But I can't breathe when I'm around him," Daisy said. "It's like my mind and body turn numb whenever I see him or think of him now."

"There's always a solution or resolution to a problem," Carla said. "You and Luca just have to find yours."

"Is it even worth it now?" Daisy asked. "What if we fall back into the same pattern again? Stella, me, Stella, me, Stella."

"Stella is gone," Carla said. "It's only you now."

"I wish that was true."

"He loves you."

"I don't feel it," Daisy said. "I waited for him to say those words for so long. But now he has but they're just words."

"Actions do speak louder than words," Carla said.

"I'm tired."

"Of walking?"

"No," Daisy sighed. "Of having to fight for people to love me. I can't keep holding on. I'm tired of people leaving and me holding on to them. I don't care anymore. My body can not handle this stress anymore. I feel like I'm falling apart physically, emotionally, mentally."

"I'm so sorry," Carla rubbed Daisy's arm. "I know it's been hard and I see what you mean."

With another heavy sigh, Daisy parked Theo's stroller by one of the empty tables at the small cafe.

"Would you like to see home one for how you're feeling?" Carla asked. "Luca has been working with Dr. Ford for years."

"Luca goes to therapy?" Daisy arched her brow.

"Yes," Carla nodded. "I think it has helped him. He still has a lot of work to do but he's so much better than when he started."

Daisy slowly nodded.

"Think about it," Carla said. "I know a few great people I can connect you with."

"Okay," Daisy said.

"You want to go grab something while I wait with Theo?"

"Sure," Daisy tucked her hair back and grabbed her purse.

She turned on her heel and walked into the cafe and was instantly greeted by the scent of strong coffee and sweet treats. Walking up to the counter, Daisy ordered two drinks and a small muffin for Theo. She began to think about Carla's words as the barista prepared her order and she swiped her card. Maybe therapy wouldn't be such a bad idea. Daisy didn't enjoy the condition she was stuck in. It was making her sick in more ways than one.

"Thank you," the barista said as he handed Daisy her drinks and called for the next person on line.

Blanching her purse on her shoulder, the two drinks in her hands and the small bag of muffin, Daisy turned and immediately collided with the person standing behind her.

"Shit!" She gasped as one of the drinks splattered all over the man's clean white shirt. "I am so sorry!"

"Completely my fault," the man laughed. "I shouldn't have been standing so close."

"Your shirt," Daisy frowned as the man lunged forward and stopped the second drink from falling. "Thank you."

"I don't want to be in debt for two drinks."

Daisy laughed as she looked up for the first time and noticed the playful smile on the man's face. His black hair was slightly overgrown but combed back neatly. He looked much younger than he dressed. He was lean and a good few inches taller than Daisy's five ten height. Despite his button down shirt and black slacks, the man had a playful charm to him. He stood smiling at Daisy as if they had been friends for years.

"I'm so sorry about your shirt," Daisy grabbed a handful of napkins and handed it to the man.

"I should be the one apologizing," the man said once again. "Please, Mrs. Silvano, no need to worry."

Daisy paused and pulled back, "How do you know my name?"

"You're kind of famous," the man chuckled. "The new hair threw me off for a few."

"Daisy," Daisy said. "Not Mrs. Silvano."

"Daisy," the man smiled.

"Can I get you a drink?" Daisy asked. "I feel really bad about your shirt. Please, let me pay for your drink."

"I'm not going to say no to a beautiful woman buying me a drink."

Daisy stepped aside and let the man step up to the counter. He made his order and out of habit began to pull out his wallet when Daisy beat him to the register.

"It's on me, remember?" she said.

"Right," the man nodded. "Thank you, Daisy."

"You're welcome........"

"Marco."

"You're welcome, Marco."



Hmmmmm :P What now?