Chapter 52



Daisy finished the last button on Luca's shirt and rolled up the sleeves to her elbow. The light blue material grazed her mid thigh as she pushed her hair up into a bun at the base of her neck. Her cheeks were still stained red and her lips were swollen from how Luca had been kissing her all evening.

Outside the bungalow, the rain had stopped. The sea was calm and the trees stood guard. Daisy turned on her heels and patted out of the bedroom barefoot. She made her way around the living room and found Luca standing by the stove in the kitchen. All his attention was on the tea kettle. He didn't hear her as she stepped up behind him and wrapped her arms around his body.

"Hi," Daisy murmured against Luca's shirt.

"Hi," Luca turned around and kissed the top of her head.

"What are you doing?" Daisy asked. "Watching water boil?"

Luca chuckled, "I'm making you tea."

"Right now?" Daisy asked. "Why?"

"We were just outside in the freezing rain, rolling around in the sand," Luca pushed her hair back. "I don't want you getting sick. Especially not now."

"Luca," Daisy frowned. "I'll be fine."

"I'm not taking any chances," Luca shook his head. A thick veil of sadness fell over his eyes. "I almost lost you with the first baby. If anything happens to you no-"

"Nothing is going to happen to me," Daisy said. "I'll be fine."

"You don't know that," Luca held back from yelling. His heart raced in his chest as Daisy pulled him closer and rested her hand against this cheek.

"Look at me," Daisy said quietly. "We're going to have a baby."

"I know," Luca nodded. He closed his eyes and inhaled Daisy's scent.

"Everything we're going through...." Daisy spread her fingers over the stubble on Luca's jaw. "This baby is the first good thing that has happened to us since coming to Del Mare. It's a sign."

"What kind of a sign?" Luca asked. He leaned forward and placed his forehead against Daisy.

"That we're going to be okay," Daisy said. "We're going to get through this. For us. For our babies. For our family."

A small crooked smile appeared on Luca's face. He rested his hands on Daisy's waist and gently swayed her.

"I know it's going to be hard," Daisy sighed. "But we both want this baby, right?"

"Yes," Luca nodded."Of course."

"So losing and giving up is not an option," Daisy said.

"You're right," Luca nodded. He inhaled her scent once more and kissed her forehead. "I just don't want anything to happen to you."

"Don't let it," Daisy said.

"I won't," Luca laughed.

Daisy looked up into those deep green eyes. She looped her arms around his neck and kissed his Adam's apple.

"Ready for your tea?" Luca asked.

"Yes," Daisy nodded and lowered her hands.

She walked around to the small breakfast nook by the large bay window as Luca pulled out a mug and some honey. Her eyes followed him around the kitchen as he prepared her tea and sat it down in front of her.

"How are you feeling?" Luca asked, taking a seat in front of her and holding her knees in between his legs.

"I feel fine," Daisy said.

"No morning sickness?"

"Not yet," Daisy laughed.

"What about the back pains?"

"Very little."

"Anything else?" Luca asked. "Anything new?"

"No," Daisy shook her head. "Your son is very well behaved."

"Son?" Luca arched his brow.

"Yeah," Daisy nodded.

"I want a girl," Luca smiled slowly. "With dirty blonde hair like her mama and a snarky little attitude."

"God help you if there's two of us," Daisy laughed. "I'm hoping for a boy to make it easier for you."

"No," Luca grinned, leaning forward and kissing her. "I want a baby girl. I already have Theo."

"My sweet baby boy," Daisy sighed.

"He's going to be such a great older brother," Luca's grin spread. "The other day at breakfast he wanted to share his grapes with me."

"He loves you," Daisy tilted her head.

"He loves you too," Luca laughed.

Daisy stared at him. Her heart fluttered inside of her chest and filled up all the empty corners as it swelled.

"I love your laugh," she said quietly. "I always want to hear it."

"I don't laugh enough, do I?"

Daisy shook her head, "No."

"I didn't really have a reason to before," Luca tugged on Daisy's hand and pulled her onto his lap. Making her comfortable, he leaned back and stared up at her. The kitchen light formed a halo around her head as she curled up in his arms and leaned her head against him.

"But now I do," Luca whispered against her neck. He placed his hand over her belly and held her protectively. "I have a little family to call mine."

"You do," Daisy placed her hand over his.

"Thank you," Luca said. "I wish I could put you inside of my heart and soul and show you how much I need you and want you."

"This is good enough," Daisy smiled, cuddling closer.

"Never enough," Luca kissed the soft spot right below her ear. His words hummed against Daisy's skin and she sighed. "I could have you for an eternity and it'll never be enough."

Daisy's heart contracted as she listened to Luca. The poor thing couldn't keep up with all the happiness he poured into her. She began to bleed colors through all the cracks. They hardened like wax, mending the scars and broken pieces.

"By the way," Luca raised his mouth to her ear. "You should always wear my shirts."

"Even your favorite ones?" Daisy laughed.

"Yes," Luca nodded. He slid his hand up her leg before moving it between her thighs. "All of them. Everything I have, it's yours."

"I just want you," Daisy said, parting her legs.

"There's nobody else I would rather belong to," Luca kissed her shoulder and then her neck. "I'm all yours, Mrs. Silvano."

Daisy suddenly groaned and curled up further into Luca's embrace. His arms tightened around her as she shook her head and began to laugh.

"What?" Luca asked, laughing along with her without even knowing why she was suddenly so giddy.

"I'm Mrs. Silvano," Daisy said.

"Yes," Luca laughed.

"No, hold on," Daisy pushed his arms down and stood up. She tucked her hair behind her ears and turned to face Luca. "I'm your wife. I'm a whole wife now. And a mother. A mother of two kids!"

"Yes," Luca laughed harder, his eyes bright and full of life.

"I...." Daisy stood in amazement. "I don't think I ever saw myself here."

"Really?" Luca took her hand.

"Yeah," Daisy stepped forward. "I mean I would have laughed at you if you told me I was going to become a wife and have kids and have a loving husband. This all seems like it belongs to someone else."

"It belongs to you," Luca held her hips and kissed her belly. "I belong to you."

"You're not going to leave me, right?"

"What?" Luca looked taken back by her question. He pulled away to stare up at her face. "Why would you ask that question?"

Daisy shifted her weight and then shrugged, "I don't know..."

"I'm never leaving," Luca said, raising his hand and touching the edge of her face.

"I'm just used to good people leaving," Daisy said quietly.

She took in a deep breath and stepped back as Luca rose to his feet. He quickly held her face between his hands and kissed her tenderly. He was so gentle and so careful, it made Daisy feel like a delicate flower.

"Then I'll be your worst nightmare," Luca teased. "And I'll never leave."

"I'll hunt you d-"

Before Daisy could finish, Luca's phone on the counter began to ring. They both looked over and watched it for a second. If they picked up, the magic would be broken and they would have to step back into reality again. But Luca and Daisy both knew they couldn't hide out forever.

With a quick kiss, Luca lowered his hands and walked over to the phone. He accepted the call and turned towards the open deck. Daisy stared after him for a few seconds, watching him put his hands in his pocket and look out into the ocean as he listened to whoever was on the line. She wrapped her hands around her hot drink and let the warmth coat her fingers. The chilly breeze blowing through the house made her heart flutter with memories of the storm. It would take a very long time for any ounce of memory from Daisy's mind to vanish. She sat at the breakfast nook blushing, rubbing the back of her neck and stirring her tea.

"Had you tea Yet?" Luca asked, coming back and taking a seat in front of her.

"No," Daisy said. "It's still a bit hot."

Nodding, Luca slowly took the drink away from her hands, "Go get ready. I'll have Dana make you some tea at home?"

"We're not staying here?" Daisy felt her heart sink. She stared at Luca's tired and grim face. "What's wrong?"

"We need to go back," Luca said. "I have to go talk to Daniel."

"What's going on?" Daisy's heart started to pitter patter like rain before a storm. "Is everything okay?"

Luca shook his head again, "Teresa....she...."

Daisy waited for him to finish. Luca took in a deep breath and let it out. His shoulders slumped and his eyes grew more tired.

"She confessed to messing with Stella's car the night of the accident," he said slowly.

"Oh..." Daisy's heart stumbled. She felt it grip tightly with anxiety as her hand began to shake slightly. The colorful wax from earlier began to soften. "So she really didn't drive off the cliff."

"No," Luca said. His eyes stared at the dark ocean over Daisy's shoulders. The muscles in his jaw clenched and the tension on his shoulder held him down like an anchor. Daisy's heat began to shiver as she stared at him.

"I'm so sorry, Luca," she said quietly.

Luca's eyes shifted towards her. The conflict in them wavered Daisy's faith. She tried to hold onto her heart but she could feel it trying to run and hide. The wax was starting to drop like a melting candle on its last breath.

"I....I can't imagine what you must be going through right now," Daisy said.

"All these years," Luca shook his head. "All these years I kept telling myself I could have talked her out of it if I had picked up her phone call."

Daisy flinched from the way her body recoiled from his words. The phone call he had missed because of her...Daisy's eyes began to water but she pushed the tears away.

"Then I convinced myself she was okay because she did what she wanted, what she thought she had to do. If she was in peace, then so be it," Luca went on. "But now....now it's all fucked up again."

Daisy swallowed the lump in her throat. Her stomach churched and suddenly she wanted to be anywhere else but on the island with Luca.

"She didn't want to die," Luca said. "They killed her."

Daisy pushed her hands under her thighs to keep them from trembling. She kept her head tilted back ever so slightly to make sure none of the tears pooled at the corner of her eyes made it down her cheeks. Luca let out a sigh and ran a hand through his messy hair. His gold wedding band caught the light and Daisy's attention, making her insides ache all over again.

Stupid, stupid, stupid girl, she scolded herself. When are you going to learn? No one is going to stay! You have to leave before they can. Get the hell out of town, Daisy!

"We need to go back," Luca said. "Teresa....she...she jumped off the Dimaggio's rooftop."

"W-what?" Daisy's voice shook, catching Luca's eyes.

His eyes snapped up and instantly all the color drained from his face. Daisy stared at him, for a moment, holding her breath. Her eyes were glossy and full of pain. Luca felt his mind snap back into focus as he reached for her hand and she jumped out of her chair.

"Is she okay?" Daisy asked, putting the chair between her and Luca.

"Daisy..." Luca stood up slowly, hands held with palm facing up. "Baby..."

"Does Daniel know?" Daisy's feet began to slowly back away.

"Giovanni wants me to tell him," Luca said. "But can you please come here first."

Daisy's chest tightened and her eyes pushed out more water. She could no longer hold herself together as the tear beads began to drop from her eyes.

"Please...." Luca begged, suddenly breathless and on the verge of panicking. "My love, just come here."

"I...." Daisy backed up and collided with the kitchen counter.

"Careful!" Luca stepped forward.

"I'm fine!" Daisy stepped away.

"Please, please, stop," Luca begged. "I love you. I love you so much. Don't do this. Whatever you're thinking, get it out of your he-"

"I...." Daisy tried to speak but her brain couldn't form words. Her head spun and her vision began to sway. "I'm going to go change."

"No, wait," Luca lunged forward despite her protest and hooked his arm around her. "Baby, please stop. Listen to me."

Daisy looked up at him. Her bottom lip began to tremble and within seconds she began to cry.

"I love you," Luca said, holding her to his chest. His heart raced in his chest as Daisy cried. "I love you so much. Please, don't pull away again. It's you. It's only you, my love."

"I'm sorry," Daisy cried.

"For what?" Luca asked.

"This isn't about me right now," Daisy said. "You....you just found out they killed the first girl you ever loved and I'm....I'm...."

"No," Luca shook his head. He captured her face and focused her attention on him, "You're the first girl I ever loved. It's you. No one else. Stella can't even come close."

"I'm so sorry," Daisy cried harder as if she didn't hear a word Luca was saying. "You're hurt....rightfully so. What happened to her was awful. What happened to the both of you was awful. I'm so sorry, Luca."

"Please stop crying," Luca wiped her eyes. "Do you want to stay here tonight?"

"Here?" Daisy asked, looking around. "...All alone on an island?"

"No! Of course not," Luca said. "I'll be here with you."

"What about Daniel and Teresa?"

"Giovanni can handle that," Luca said. "I'm not leaving you tonight."

"No," Daisy shook her head. "You have to go. Daniel needs you right now."

"I'm not leaving you tonight," Luca said once again with more authority in his voice. "Not until you believe me when I tell you I can't live without you anymore."

"I do."

"Do you?"

"I..." Daisy hesitated.

"Baby, there's no one else for me," Luca said, holding her to himself. "It's you. It's only you."

Daisy began to cry harder. She shook her head and buried her face in his chest.

"I want to go home," she said, making Luca's heart ache. He began to imagine all sorts of scenarios in his head as Daisy repeated herself.

"I want to go home," She begged. "I want to see Theo."

"You're not going to leave me, right?" Luca asked to confirm, his heart lodged into his throat.

"No," Daisy shook her head once more. "I need Theo."

"Okay, okay," Luca said. "We'll go home."

__________________

The boat ride back to the mainland was silent and long. Daisy shivered from the wind as Luca held her hand tightly and helped her on and off the boat. Once they got in the car, she shut her eyes and kept to herself, making Luca's paranoia grow with each passing second.

When they got home, Daisy raced into Gia's room and pulled Theo out of the crib. Gia stirred and lifted her head off the pillow to see what the matter was as Daisy kissed Theo's head and buried him in her arms. Luca hovered beside her until she turned and walked out of the room.

In the time that it took for Luca to tell Gia what had happened with Teresa and to send her to Daniel, Daisy managed to make her way up to their bedroom and curl up with Theo in her arms. She rocked her sleeping baby with tears in her eyes as the same thought circled round and round like a merry-go-round in her brain.

No one is going to stay. You'll just be disappointed again...

Daisy's eyes filled with tears every time she thought of Luca. She wanted to believe him, she really did. With all her heart she wanted to make his promises her whole world.

But every time, every time, there was something. Daisy began to fear she was just never meant to have the kind of life girls like Stella had. Who was she kidding? She lived through all of her mother's failed marriages. What made her think she would have a fairytale love story?

All those thoughts swarmed around Daisy's head until her eyelids grew heavy and she fell asleep in the armchair holding Theo. when Luca came back to the room and didn't see her for a second, his heart contracted. He walked in and turned straight towards the nursery. When his eyes landed on Daisy, he felt the air return to his lungs.

Carefully taking Theo out of her arms, Luca placed the sleeping baby in the crib before picking up Daisy and carrying her over to the bed. He laid her down and pulled the sheets up to cover her. The tear stains on her face haunted Luca as he took a seat beside the bed and held her hand.

Only one thought remained constant on Luca's mind the whole night. He brought Daisy's hand to his lips and kissed each finger tenderly as his left knee bounced with anxiety.

She's going to leave me, Luca's felt his lungs deflate. She's going to take Theo and she's going to leave me.

The whole night, Luca stood guard to make sure Daisy didn't wake up and walk out on him. He knew how ridiculous he was begging but the fear didn't entertain logic. He watched her with his heart in his hand, ready to hand it back to her as soon as she opened her eyes. But when Daisy's brows furrowed in her sleep and she began to whimper restlessly, Luca moved closer and touched the edge of her face to sooth her.

"Shhhh," he whispered, rubbing her cheeks with the back of his knuckles. "It's okay..."

Daisy's eyes snapped open. She grabbed Luca's hand and bolted up in bed, her heart beating out of its chest.

"It was a bad dream," Luca said as she threw her arms around him. "Just a bad dream."

Daisy shut her eyes and buried her face in Luca's shoulder. She couldn't calm her heart as he ran his hands through her hair and kissed the side of her face.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Luca asked.

Daisy shook her head. She cleared her throat and pulled back just a little.

"No," she said.

"You've been having a lot of bad dreams," Luca observed.

Daisy nodded. She avoided eye contact as she pulled away and laid down on the bed. Luca's insides twisted as Daisy turned away from him and pulled one of the pillows close to her chest.

"I always have the same dream," he said, unable to stop himself.

Daisy listened. Her eyes stayed wide open as she stared at the sky outside growing lighter and lighter.

"I'm on the cliff. It's pouring and a car comes up from behind me," Luca continued. "I tell her to turn away and try to stop her. But nothing works. I stand and watch her drive off the cliff, helplessly."

Daisy curled up farther on the bed. She pulled the sheets and pillow closer. Luca's presence both comforted her and pained her at the same time. She didn't know what she wanted as he sat beside on the bed talking.

"But then I met you," Luca said, staring at his hands as he spoke slowly and carefully. He had never spoken to anyone about his nightmares beside Dr. Ford. It took him months to open about the terrors he faced whenever he closed his eyes. To know Daisy could be going through the same thing made Luca's blood boil. It was like trying to fight an invisible monster.

"I met you and suddenly all those nightmares shifted," Luca said and Daisy listened. "I was still on the cliff. It was still raining. But now the car wasn't empty. You were inside."

Daisy held her breath, waiting to hear more.

"The first time I saw you in that car.....it was as if a new unknown fear was unlocked in my mind," Luca said. "I had never felt so helpless in my life but I also knew I would die trying to get you out of that car."

Daisy's heart shook along with Luca's voice.

"I do everything I can to get you out," Luca said, his voice so low it made Daisy think he was talking to himself. "But then the car drives off the cliff and I.....I jump in after you."

Daisy slowly turned her head to look back at Luca. She peered at the clenched jaw and furrowed eyebrows. His eyes were hooded and his lips pressed into a thin line.

"I fight the waves, the current, the fears....I fight anything I have to to get you out," Luca said. "But right before I get to you, I wake up. And then the cycle repeats all over again."

Daisy quietly sat up and put the pillow aside. She listened to Luca talk about his nightmares until he grew quiet. They both sat listening to each other breathe as the birds outside began to wake up.

"How long have you had these dreams?" Daisy asked.

"Pretty much since the day I realized I couldn't run from you anymore."

Daisy slowly nodded her head.

"Please don't leave me," Luca said, reaching for her hand.

His words brought tears to Daisy's sleepy eyes. She felt her heart be torn in half as she let Luca take her hand. When he gave a small tug, she climbed onto his lap and looped her arms around his neck.

"Tell me what to do," Luca said. "Tell me how I can make you believe me when I say there's no one else. I'm yours."

Daisy sniffled. She wiped her eyes and inhaled Luca's scent. Her head ached from all the pressure and stress of the night. Her limbs felt weak and her insides hollow. She recognized the mental relapse she was experiencing and it instantly made her want to sob harder. Daisy wanted to believe Luca's words. She wanted to go back to the way her heart was mending on the beach. She wanted to surrender herself to Luca without the constant fear of never being enough for him.

"Please," Luca begged. "Tell me...What do I have to do?"

"Nothing," Daisy shook her head.

"There has to be something I can do."

"There is," Daisy nodded.

"What is it?"

"I..." Daisy sat up and wiped her eyes. She tucked her hair behind her ears and took in a deep breath. "I want to see someone."

"Like a therapist?"

Daisy nodded.

"I....I shouldn't be feeling this way," she said. "I don't want to feel this way. I want to be happy."

"You're going to be happy," Luca promised. He raised his hand and touched her face. "I'm going to make sure of that."



They both have a lot of work to do.