Chapter 53



"Why do you want to start therapy?"

Daisy stared at Dr. Johnson sitting across from her. The woman had beautiful pink cheeks that made the blonde of her strands appear gold. Her floral shirt reminded Daisy of a kindergarten teacher. She was soft spoken and moved at a speed to which Daisy was comfortable.

"I..." Daisy pondered Dr. Johnson's question for a bit. "I don't feel like myself anymore...."

Dr. Johnson nodded and said softly, "Okay."

"I find myself holding my breath most days, just waiting for the other shoe to drop," Daisy continued.

"In regards to what?"

"My life," Daisy said. "My marriage....if you can call it that. I don't know, it's really complicated."

"I see," Dr. Johnson nodded once more as she jotted something down in her notebook. "What are your goals for yourself? What do you hope to accomplish by coming to our sessions?"

Once again, Daisy sat on the question for a while. Dr. Johnson didn't not rush her or push her as she took her time putting her thoughts into words.

"I want to be happy," Daisy said quietly.

"You don't feel happy now?"

"No," Daisy felt her throat tighten.

"And why is that?"

Daisy shrugged, "I don't know....I....I feel like I'm incapable of feeling happy. Like if there's something good in my life, I look for things that are bad about it. My husband tells me he loves me and he can't live without me. Our life is perfect and then something happens and I go down a rabbit hole and want to throw the whole thing away."

"Do you believe your husband when he tells you that he loves you?" Dr. Johnson asked.

"Yes," Daisy nodded. "I believe him."

"But?"

"But I don't know if it's enough," Daisy said. "I don't know if his love for me is enough to make him stay. And anytime I think that there's any chance of him having second thoughts, I just want to run. I want to leave."

"Okay," Dr. Johnson said once more. "Tell me about your family. What were they like?"

"Oh," Daisy took a deep breath and held it in her lungs for a second. She let it out all at once and tucked her hair out of her face. "I grew up with my mother and her various husbands. I never met my dad."

"How's your relationship with your mother?"

"Awful," Daisy laughed. "We were more like roommates that hated each other but were stuck living in the same house because we had both signed the lease."

"Did you know all of your mom's husbands?"

"Yes," Daisy nodded.

"Are you close to any of them?"

"Yes," Daisy nodded again. "Richard. I'm still in touch with him. Sometimes.....when I'm really upset, I call him and I sometimes call him dad too."

"Why did they divorce?"

"I..." Daisy shrugged. "I'm not sure. Richard said their marriage rotted."

"What does that mean?"

"I have no idea."

"And did your mom say anything about it?"

"No."

"What about her other marriages?" Dr. Johnson asked. "Did she say anything about why they ended?"

"No...not really."

"I know this is only our first session," Dr. Johnson smiled. "But do you see a connection between your childhood and your marriage now?"

Daisy thought for a bit. Her tired mind worked to see what she could possibly connect but nothing came to her. When Daisy shook her head, Dr. Johnson smiled.

"You were a child, Daisy," she began slowly. "And you watched all these people come in and out of your life. No one ever explained to you why they were leaving. All you knew was that one day they were at home and then the next day, they were leaving."

Daisy felt a wave of tears rush up to her eyes like a violent storm. Her throat tightened and she suddenly could not breathe properly.

"You're waiting for the other shoe to drop in your marriage because growing up you were doing the same with your mother's marriages," Dr. Johnson said. "I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you as a little girl to not know why you kept losing all these family members."

The first drop of tear fell from Daisy's eyes and stuck her hand like ice. Daisy began to wipe her face quickly but Dr. Johnson was already holding out the box of napkins for her.

"You are capable of being happy," Dr. Johnson said. "I haven't gotten to know you very well yet, but I can tell from what I am hearing is that you're scared your husband will wake up one day and walk out on you like your stepfathers."

Daisy nodded, dabbing the corners of her eyes with the tissue.

"And I can also bet that you somehow blame yourself," Dr. Johnson said. "I bet somewhere in your childhood you began to think you weren't enough."

Daisy bit down on her bottom lip and began to toy with the tissue in her hand.

"Do you need a minute?" Dr. Johnson asked.

"Yes," Daisy nodded.

"Okay," Dr. Johnson paused and smiled. "I know we've been talking for a while and going over all these questions but this is only for today. How about we set up another time for some time later this week and we can talk about your family and your mom."

Daisy nodded, "Okay."

"How are you feeling right now?" Dr. Johnson asked. "I know that was a lot. I don't want to leave you like this."

"I'm okay," Daisy said.

"And it's fine if you're not," Dr. Johnson added quietly. "But we'll get there, okay."

"Okay," Daisy filled her lungs.

"I'll have the front desk make an appointment for you," Dr. Johnson said. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Daisy. Let me walk you out."

"Thank you," Daisy picked up her purse and grabbed a few extra napkins before following the woman out of the small office.

Together, they made their way to the front desk where Daisy made her next appointment and thanked the staff and Dr. Johnson. Turning on her heel, she headed for the exit, knowing Aaron or Mateo would be waiting for her outside. But as Daisy stepped out and spotted Luca and Theo, her heart peeked out from behind the rain cloud she had been under for the past few days and dared to smile. Luca looked up and tickled Theo's belly before pointing towards Daisy.

"Say hi mama," He told the little boy.

"Hi," Daisy walked up towards them and stopped beside Luca. Her eyes were on Theo as he reached for her with his open palm. "What are you two doing here?"

"We wanted to take mama and our baby sister on a date," Luca put his hand around Daisy and kissed her forehead. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," Daisy nodded.

"Hungry?"

"Not really," Daisy shook her head.

"Let's walk around for a bit then," Luca said. "Do you have comfortable shoes on?"

"Yes, I do," Daisy said, looking down at her white sneakers.

"Okay," Luca turned towards the trunk of the car. He handed Theo to Daisy before pulling out the stroller and then helping the little boy in. Theo protested for a bit and eventually Luca ended up having to carry him around while Daisy pushed the empty stroller.

"So how was it?" Luca asked as they made their way towards the shops and restaurants.

"It was good," Daisy said.

"Do you like her?"

"Yes," Daisy nodded. "She's very sweet and kind."

"Yeah," Luca smiled. "Dr. Johnson worked with Gia for a bit."

"She did?" Daisy arched her brow.

"Yeah," Luca nodded.

"Oh."

"Dada!" Theo suddenly shrieked with happiness as he spotted a farm stand with boxes of cherry tomatoes. He opened and closed his fingers as if they would magically fly into his hand.

"Tomatoes?" Luca asked. "You don't even like tomatoes, buddy."

"He thinks they're strawberries," Daisy shook her head.

Luca threw his head back and laughed. They caught the attention of a few people nearby and Daisy immediately noticed how they all stared at her and Luca. She quietly followed Luca across the street as he looked for strawberries for Theo.

"No strawberries, kiddo," Luca said. "I'm sorry."

Theo wasn't pleased. He climbed down from Luca's arms and stepped towards the fruit stand with the support of Luca's hand. His steps were wobbly but determined. His hands were lightening fast. Before Daisy or Luca could stop him, he had grabbed one of the cherry tomatoes and shoved it into his mouth.

"Oh god," Daisy shook her head as Theo's face twisted with disappointment and his cheeks began to turn red. His eyes filled with water as he turned to look at his parents.

"Not strawberries, buddy," Luca pulled the half eaten tomato out of Theo's mouth. The lady at the fruit stand began to apologize as Theo grew crankier. Luca thanked the old lady as Daisy looked around and spotted the gelato shop.

"How about we tray over there?" She asked, tugging at Luca's arm.

Luca looked over his shoulder to where Daisy pointed. He hesitated for a few seconds but she was already walking over to the shop. Holding his breath, Luca quickly followed her with Theo in his arms.

"I'll wait with him outside," Daisy said, stopping at the door.

"Okay..." Luca said, a bit nervous and uneasy. "Do you want ice cream?"

"No," Daisy shook her head.

"I'll be right back," Luca handed Theo to his mother and headed into the shop.

Daisy watched him as she bounced Theo and kissed the side of his head. Her heart twisted inside of her chest just thinking about the photograph inside of the shop. Maybe she should have gone inside. Would Luca get Stella's favorite flavor for himself?

"Daisy?"

Startled, Daisy whirled around and came face to face with Marco.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Marco laughed. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay," Daisy said.

"Is this your son?" Marco looked at Theo with a smile on his face.

"Yeah," Daisy nodded.

"He looks just like you," Marco said. "Beautiful."

"Thanks..." Daisy shifted her weight. Marco noticed how uncomfortable she was and immediately took a small step back.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"No, it's fin-"

"No, it's not," Marco said. "Our last encounter wasn't the greatest. And for good reasons too. I owe you and Luca a really big apology."

Daisy didn't know what to say. She stared at the man as he waited for her to speak. He looked so different without his white coat. He definitely looked too young to be a doctor.

"I'm sorry, Daisy," Marco said, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I should not have said all those things to you. And I definitely should not have touched you. I just....I thought I could protect you."

"Protect me?" Daisy questioned. "From who? My own husband?"

"I didn't know everything about Stella and Dante," Marco said. "I had really thought Luca was the bad guy. And I....I didn't want something to happen to you too."

"Thank you, Marco," Daisy said. "But you don't really know me enough to protect me."

"I know you're a good human being," Marco laughed. "A good mom. And as a doctor, I took an oath to protect everyone."

"Right," Daisy smiled.

"I'm really sorry," Marco said once more. "I hope you can forgive me."

Daisy nodded slowly, "Will you be at the funeral on Friday?"

"Yeah," Marco sighed, pushing his hands into his pocket. "Crazy, right?"

"Were you close to Teresa or Mario?"

"No, not really," Marco shook his head. "I mean we only ever saw them around the holidays."

"I get it," Daisy said.

"Yeah," Marco chuckled. "So what are you doing here?"

As Daisy shifted Theo on her hips, she was unaware of how Luca stared at her and Marco from inside the shop. His eyes burned seeing the smile on her face as she nodded along to something Marco said and then laughed.

Luca felt his insides twist in pain. He hadn't seen her smile like that since the day on the island, not towards him at least. But there she was, smiling at Marco Dimaggio. Standing in the sunlight looking so beautiful that it hurt to look at her for too long. Theo fussed for his strawberries and Daisy quickly moved him to her other side. Marco snapped his fingers and clapped his hands to try and distract the little boy as Daisy bounced him and kissed his cheeks.

Seeing the sight before him, Luca felt as if his heart might burst into a million pieces. It was like being trapped in a horrifying dream where he could do nothing as the love of his life moved on with someone else and started her family.

Daisy looked up at Marco and smiled again at how silly he was being with Theo. It hit Luca in the chest like a gunshot.

Is that what she wanted? Luca thought. Did she wish she was married to a man who didn't have such a fucked up past? Would she leave him once she realized how easier it would be to love someone as simple as Marco?

As all the questions swirled around Luca's mind, Marco said his goodbyes and waved to Theo. Daisy waved back as the man turned away and headed towards his car. Luca grabbed the strawberry gelato from the counter and made his way outside.

"Ah," Daisy gasped dramatically for Theo. "Look at that. Thank you, dada."

"Was that Marco?" Luca asked, his eyes dark and his face grim.

"Yeah," Daisy looked up.

"What did he want?"

"He wanted to apologize," Daisy said. "For the other day at the hospital."

"What did you say?"

"I told him it was fine," Daisy said. "No one really knew anything about Dante or Stella. Everyone was kind of living a lie."

"It was not fine," Luca's eyes narrowed. "Touching my wife was not fine."

"He apologized," Daisy reached for the gelato and the small spoon. "And you embraced him at the hospital."

"Good."

"Don't be an ass, Luca," Daisy rolled her eyes. "He thought he was looking out for me."

"That's not his job," Luca said. "His job is to stay the fuck away from my wife and kid."

"I'll tell him the next time I see him," Daisy sighed.

"There won't be a next time," Luca said. "If he dares to come near you again, I'll blow him up."

"Fine, do whatever you want," Daisy clicked her tongue. "But first get this ice cream away from me. It smells awful."

"Are you going to be sick?" Luca's eyes softened.

"No," Daisy shook her head. "Just take Theo and give him the ice cream."

Luca stared at Daisy as he took the little boy and handed him a spoonful of the strawberry gelato. Theo began to immediately smear it all over his face as he shoved it in his mouth as fast as he could.

"Oh you little monster!" Daisy grabbed his hand before he could get any of the gelato on Luca's shirt. But she was too late.

Theo had already reached for Luca's face, wanting to share the sweet treat. Daisy tried to stop him but the pink gelato was on Luca's chin, making the man laugh.

"Hold still," Daisy said, taking out a whip from her bag and turning towards Luca.

She stepped closer as Luca lowered his face and their eyes met. Daisy felt her insides warm as the pupils in his eyes dilated. She could hardly see any of the green. Standing in the bright sunlight in the warm Italian air, Daisy felt her insides shiver and goosebumps rise on her skin. She could hear the sounds of the waves crash against the rocks and see the flashes of lightning from the island.

Raising her hand, Daisy carefully wiped the gelato off of Luca's chin. His eyes stayed glued on her before dropping to her lips. When he saw her part them, he leaned forward and brushed his mouth over her. Daisy pushed herself onto her toes and fell into the small innocent kiss. Her heart tugged inside of her chest when she felt Luca let out a small sigh and melt against her lips.

"Why are you jealous of Marco?" Daisy asked quietly.

"What?" Luca began to laugh. "I'm not jealous of him?"

"No?" Daisy arched her brow.

"No," Luca said firmly even though his heart was beating out of his chest.

"Liar, liar, pants on fire," Daisy sang, taking the small spoon out of Theo's hand and scoping up some more ice cream for him.

"I'm not jealous of Marco," Luca said once more. "I'm possessive of what I have. There's a difference."

"How?" Daisy asked.

"Jealous would imply I was envious of what he had," Luca said. "I'm not. I'm just protective of what I have."

As Daisy watched, Luca kissed the top of Theo's head, but his eyes were locked on her. She rolled her eyes and wiped her fingers with the wipe before tossing it in the trash.

"Are you hungry yet?" Luca asked.

"No," Daisy shook her head.

"Okay," Luca said, taking her hands. "Let's work up an appetite."

Daisy didn't know what he meant until he walked her towards the jewelry store and held the door open.

"After you," Luca smiled.

Daisy pushed the stroller in and entered. She was immediately greeted by shimmering lights and blinding displays of lavish diamond sets and rings. When she looked over her shoulder, Luca was standing behind her, his eyes scanning the room until an older gentleman with a round belly and very few hairs walked up towards them.

"Ay, Luca," he laughed, holding up his ring clad hands. "So good to see you."

"Ciao, Armando," Luca smiled, shifting Theo to shake the man's hand.

"Oh!" The man, Armando, paused and stared at Theo with his eyes wide open. Daisy couldn't help but laugh quietly at his shocked expression. "Is this.....oh! Is this our little Silvano?"

"Say Ciao, Theo," Daisy pushed back some of Theo's dark hair from his forehead.

"And you must be the new Mrs. Silvano," Armando turned towards Daisy. He took her hand and placed a small kiss upon it. "Strawberry?"

"I hope you don't mind," Luca said. "Theo didn't finish his gelato."

"No problem!" Armando said. "My shop is his shop. My business, his business."

"You too kind, Armando," Luca laughed. "Thank you."

"What can I do for you today?" Armando asked. He turned towards Daisy with a bright smile, "I bet the pretty lady here has something in mind she's looking for?"

"Um...no," Daisy looked towards Luca.

"I'm looking for something," Luca said.

"What is it?"

"Diamond studs," Luca said.

"Ah," Armando seemed to know exactly what Luca was talking about. "Follow me."

Luca waited for Daisy to step forward before he followed behind. They were led to a private room where Armando began to pull out small red boxes. Luca and Daisy took a set at the table and placed Theo in his stroller.

"I have the latest collection from my designers," Armando said.

"Armando's jewelry designers have worked for Cartier and other companies before he stole them," Luca explained.

"What?" Armando shrugged, innocently. "I know good craftsmen when I see them and I want them all to work for me."

Luca shook his head as the man began to lay out diamond studs and other similar earrings on the red velvet cloth he had laid out earlier.

"What is this for?" Daisy asked as Luca lifted her hair and held up one of the earrings to her ear.

"It's tradition for women in Del Mare to wear diamond earrings to funerals," Luca explained. "You'll need them for Friday."

"I'm okay-"

"My wife is not going to go without earrings," Luca said calmly. "Which ones do you like?"

"Luca," Daisy pulled at his sleeves.

"Armando, my wife doesn't seem to be happy with any of these designs," Luca said.

"What?" Daisy looked at the old man. "No, no. It's fine."

"Next, Armando," Luca said.

"Yes, of course," Armando hurried to get out more designs.

"You're going to give the man a heart attack," Daisy hissed.

"Please," Luca rolled his eyes. "He has experience handling all the men in Del Mare and their wives. He'll be fine."

"My newest design," Armando said. "The moonlight collection."

Luca and Daisy turned to look as the man sat down two small teardrop shaped earrings in front of them.

"Platinum drops, each set with six unique diamonds that catch the light from all different angles," Armando explained. "One of a kind design. The only pair we have made."

Luca smiled as he slowly picked up the small earring, "Moonlight for my sunshine."

Daisy blushed as Armando chuckled. She sat still in her seat as Luca held them up against her ear and Armando handed her the mirror.

"What do you think, Mrs. Silvano?" He asked. "Do you approve?"

Daisy's eyes flickered towards Luca. he waited for her to answer as she turned back to the mirror and admired the earrings. They really did catch the light from all different angles. It was like having two stars from far away galaxies hidden in her dark hair.

"I think she likes it," Armando said. "The lady has good taste."

"Yes?" Luca waited for Daisy. When she slowly nodded her head, the smile on his face widened and he handed the earrings back to Armando. "Pack it up, please."

"I also have a matching necklace with this," Armando dropped.

"No," Daisy shook her head.

"Oh come on, Mrs. Silvano," Armando laughed. "Talk to her, Luca. How can she go around wearing just the earrings and not the matching necklace?"

"I'm really fin-" Daisy tried but Armando stopped her.

"My dear it doesn't look good," he said. "Your husband here has to buy you the whole set. How will it look if you have the earrings and some other man's wife has the necklace? This is about his pride. People will think he was too cheap to buy you the full set."

"He's right," Luca laughed. "It's about my reputation, my love. We have to get it."

"Luca!" Daisy shook her head.

"We'll take it, Armando," Luca laughed, pulling Daisy's chair closer.

"Very good choice," Armando said. "Mrs. Silvano, make sure you make him something extra sweet tonight. Eighteen diamonds in under an hour, that's a record."

Daisy didn't know what to say as Luca handed the man his card and Armando hurried off to box up the earrings and necklace. Once they were alone, she turned towards Luca with a frown on her face.

"You didn't have to-"

"I wanted to," Luca smiled.

"The earrings were fine," Daisy sighed. "I get they're for the funeral but the necklace was too much."

"The necklace is because of her," Luca said, reaching out and placing his hand over Daisy's belly. "Is my way of saying thank you for giving me such a special gift."

"I don't need an expensive necklace," Daisy said.

"Then save it for my baby girl," Luca said.

Daisy let out a small sigh and shook her head.

"So," Luca cleared his throat. "Hungry yet so should we continue to work on that appetite?"



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