Chapter 1

This chapter is for @Ninosaur ....The biggest shipper I have ever seen :P 

Nine years ago

The pen glided over Daisy's legs as she sat under the tree drawing little flowers on her thigh. She wasn't thinking about what she was doing. Her mind was still in her mother's apartment, watching Richard packing up his things to leave.

At only fourteen, Daisy had watched her mother marry three times. First came John. He only lasted a year and by the time Daisy was five years old, he was out of the picture. Then came Allen. Daisy really thought he was going to last. She had only begun to see him as a constant member of her family when he passed away from cancer around the same time Daisy turned ten. Richard was Daisy's least favorite. Or she thought. After just a few weeks of living with him, Daisy began to wonder what a woman like her mother could possibly see in a man like Richard.

He wasn't rich like the other two. He was quiet and a thinker. He read books in the afternoon and newspapers in the evening. Daisy liked to solve the crossword puzzles on the back of the newspaper when he was done. Patty, Daisy's mother, usually went for men who could financially take care of her and her expensive lifestyle. Unless Richard was a secret millionaire, Daisy didn't understand why her mother had married the man. Maybe it was love or loneliness. Or maybe it was the fear of dying alone.

Whatever it was, Daisy was glad Richard was in their life. He taught her how to speak French, write cursive, and appreciate well written lyrics in old songs. They visited libraries together and shared salty pretzels in the subway. Richard was a good man in Daisy's book. He showed up to all her school events and even waited in line during parent teacher conferences.

But all good things came to an end eventually.

Daisy didn't know who she was upset with the most. Her mother for leaving Richard? Richard for not fighting for them? Or herself for actually thinking he was going to stick around.

All the thinking made Daisy's head spin. She didn't like carrying around all that anger inside of her but she wasn't going to talk to anyone about it either. Lord knows Patty tried to find many therapists for her daughter. But Daisy was as stubborn as a mule. If there was anyone who could come remotely close to scratching the hard exterior around the teen, it was the leggy brunette with the plaid headband coming towards her with two paper bag lunches in her hand.

"Turkey or Tuna?" Gia asked. "We ran out of ham."

"Well, damn," Daisy reached for the tuna.

"So?" Gia plopped down on the grass beside her best friend and unpacked her lunch. "What did your mom say about your pink hair?"

"She didn't notice until after dinner," Daisy snorted. "But by then the color had already set."

"What did Richard say?"

"He wasn't at dinner."

"Why not?" Gia asked innocently. "Is he away for work?"

"No," Daisy shook her head. "He was out looking for an apartment."

"You're moving?" Gia lowered her sandwich.

"Richard is moving."

"Why?" Gia tilted her head.

"He's leaving."

"Why?" Gia was still confused.

"Because they're getting a divorce!" Daisy snapped. "Are you fuckin' stupid or retarded? Why else would he be moving out?"

Gia slowly put her sandwich down and swallowed the bit she had taken. She stared with her wide green eyes, making Daisy feel guilty for yelling. Her intentions weren't bad, she was just...slow sometimes. Sure people made fun of her for it behind her back, but Daisy liked that about Gia. It made her feel good knowing she could stick up for someone like Gia when others made fun of her. She had always wanted a little sister to look after.

"I'm sorry," Daisy muttered under her breath as she unpacked her lunch.

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

"Not really."

"I liked Richard."

"So did I," Daisy shrugged. "Can we talk about something else please?"

"Sure," Gia nodded, tucking her hair back. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't know," Daisy shrugged again. "Just talk."

"Hmmmm," Gia thought for a second before her eyes lit up. "Oh! My brother's coming to visit today."

"From Italy?"

"Well, he's in London right now with his girlfriend since she goes to college there," Gia explained, taking another bite of her sandwich. "We're going to go ring shopping. He's going to propose to her."

"Ew," Daisy scrunched up her nose. "Why does he want to do that? Why does anyone want to do that?"

"Because it's romantic!" Gia batted her long lashes. "Luca is head over heels in love with Stella. They look so cute together. I can't wait to have a sister."

Daisy frowned. She felt her insides churn at the thought of seeing Gia hanging out with some other girl who would keep her safe and share secrets with her.

"You know there are three rings in a marriage?" Daisy asked, packing away her sandwich.

"Three?" Gia arched her brow. "Now?"

"First the engagement ring," Daisy held up one finger. "Then the wedding ring. And lastly....suffer-ring."

Gia's shoulders slumped and her face fell in disappointment, "That's horrible."

"It is," Daisy laughed. "That's why I am never getting married."

"Ever?"

"Never," Daisy laughed. "Maybe I should try and talk your brother out of it."

"Don't you dare!" Gia gasped. "Luca is happy and I like seeing him happy."

"He won't be happy for long once he puts that ring on!" Daisy grabbed her belly from how hard she laughed.

"Shut up!" Gia smacked her. "By the way, will Patty let you come to the wedding with me?"

"In Italy?"

Gia nodded, "Yeah, duh."

"Why would I go to some guy's wedding who I don't even know?"

"Because you know me," Gia said. "And I think Stella will really like you. Maybe we can both be her bridesmaids."

"Sounds awful," Daisy said. "And awkward. I never even met your brother."

"He promised I could invite you to dinner this weekend," Gia announced. "After we ring shop."

"When this weekend?"

"Tomorrow night?"

"I have soccer practice."

"It's dinner," Gia reminded her. "Luca and I can come pick you up after your practice and we can go get pizza or something."

Daisy thought about Gia's offer and evaluated her options. She didn't want to be home on a Sunday, especially not after Richard's departure earlier that morning. But at the same time, Gia's brother was always a flake. She doubted he would actually show up to dinner or stick around after he found his stupid ring. It wouldn't be the first time Gia had tried to introduce her best friend and her brother and Daisy was sure her plans would be spoiled once again by unreliable men.

"Sure," she held up two thumbs. "Dinner tomorrow night."

Gia wiggled her shoulders in excitement. Daisy prayed her friend's hopes wouldn't be shot down. But of course they were when Sunday night did arrive and Luca was a no show. The girls ate dinner with Carla instead while Gia's brother was on a flight to London to go back to his girlfriend...soon to be fiance.  

Here we go!!!