Chapter 28

A few months later

"Amalia is a great name," Gia said as she sat down on the wheel chair and handed Daisy her crouches.

"It's your baby name," Daisy said. "I'm not taking your baby names."

"I want you to," Gia insisted. "Didn't we always say whoever had kids first would get to use those names?"

"I only agreed to that plan because I never thought I would actually have kids," Daisy lightly tapped her swollen belly. "Look at me. I look like the Pillsbury doughboy."

"Maybe try not to wear white," Gia teased.

"These are the only clothes that still fit me," Daisy complained. "I don't even fit Luca's sweaters anymore!"

"It's time, Dee."

"No," Daisy shook her head. "I refuse."

"You can't deny it anymore."

"I rather die than wear maternity jeans."

"There's nothing wrong with it."

"Easy for you to say!" Daisy shook her head. "You still wear a size four."

"They have maternity dresses," Gia shrugged. "The weather is getting nicer."

"I refuse."

"Don't be so stubborn," Gia said. "Comfort over style."

"Style my ass," Daisy snorted. "I look like a pregnant giraffe."

"A very cute giraffe," Gia offered.

"A cute giraffe can't compete with that," Daisy shook her head as she looked up and spotted one of the nurses at the physical therapy unit flirting with Luca as he checked Gia in for her weekly session. "Look at her. Does she have any fate in her body or is it all just muscle?"

"She has a great ass," Gia said, staring at the nurse as she flipped her hair and laughed at something Luca said. "He can't be that funny. It's Luca."

"What shampoo do you think she uses?"

"I think hair like that is genetic," Gia sighed.

"Were we the only two bitches that got unlucky in the looks department?"

"No," Gia turned towards her best friend. "Dee, you're beautiful. Your skin is glowing and you look radiant. You have a whole baby inside of you. That's incredibly beautiful."

"I feel fat," Daisy frowned. "Look at her and look at me!"

"Don't look," Gia tugged on her friend's hand.

"How can I not? She's flirting with my husband and this shameless man is entertaining her."

"He's filling out the papers," Gia pointed out just as the nurse laughed again.

"Your brother must be a secret comedian," Daisy adjusted the straps of her purse and grabbed the handles on Gia's wheelchair.

"What are you doing?" Gia asked as they began to move towards the front desk. "Dee, stop."

Daisy didn't listen. She kept her eyes glued on the nurse and watched the smile on the woman's face fall as she came to a stop beside Luca.

"What's so funny?" Daisy asked, placing a hand on Luca's back.

"Nothing," Luca said.

"No, no. I want to know," Daisy smiled. "It seemed like Nurse Mindy here had front row tickets to the Luca show."

"Dee," Gia tugged on her friend's hand once more as Luca turned to look at Daisy.

"What was so funny?" Daisy asked, turning her attention to the nurse.

"Mr. Silvano was just telling me about the traffic and I...." Nurse Mindy's eyes flickered towards Luca. "I said it was part of California's lifestyle."

There was a pause as Daisy slowly nodded, digesting the words the woman had spoken.

"Traffic?" She arched her brow. "You find traffic funny?"

"Daisy," Luca frowned as handed the clipboard to Mindy and reached for his wife's hand.

"You want him?" Daisy suddenly asked, surprising everyone.

"Dee!" Gia gasped.

"You can have him," Daisy said, her eyes fixed on Mindy like a snake. "Take him. You'd be doing me a favor."

"Okay, let's go," Luca stepped closer and looped an arm around Daisy's waist.

"Don't touch me right now," Daisy said before turning towards Mindy again. "Just so you know, he's stubborn. And horrible at communicating. He's also messy. Leaves clothes everywhere!"

"I..." Mindy's gaze flickered towards Luca.

"And he's a picky eater!" Daisy went on. "He's like a damn child during meal time."

"I have to go," Mindy said. "Are you ready, Gia?"

"Yes, please," Gia nodded. "Get me out of here."

"Should I pack his things?" Daisy continued. "I'll drop him off. What time do you get off of work?"

"Oh my god," Gia hid her face as Mindy began to wheel her away. "Ignore her. She's pregnant and I think the baby is eating all her brain cells."

"There's a no return policy!" Daisy called after them as Mindy and Gia stepped into the elevator.

"She's gone," Luca said, holding Daisy to his chest. "Calm down."

"I am calm!" Daisy snapped. "Stop hoeing around."

"Hoeing?" Luca's eyes widened. "I just answered a question she asked."

"Oh my god," Daisy twirled her hair and drew out her words like nurse Mindy. "Mr. Silvano, you're like soooo funny. Hehehe, traffic. Stop it, Mr. Silvano."

"You're completely mad," Luca said.

"And you're an idiot."

"Okay," Luca held up his hand. "Can we go now?"

"Why?" Daisy barked. "You don't want to flirt with the other nurses? I see the way they look at you."

"I haven't noticed," Luca shook his head. "I'm too busy looking at the guys who are drooling over you."

"Me?" Daisy's brows knit together. "No one's looking at me. I look like a penguin."

"Still my penguin," Luca teased. "No one looks at my penguin."

"So you do think I'm fat?"

"No!"

"You just called me a penguin!"

"What is wrong with you?" Luca wondered.

"Don't yell at m-" Daisy stopped as she felt a sudden movement inside of her body. "Oh!"

"What?" Luca's eyes widened.

"The baby just kicked me," Daisy grabbed Luca's hand as she felt another kick. "Ow!"

"You're making her angry with all of you yelling," Luca said.

"Fuck off, will you?"

"Can you walk to the car or should I get a wheelchair for you?"

"I can walk," Daisy nodded, her hand spread over her swollen belly.

"Slowly."

"No, shit," Daisy said. "I was going to race you to the door."

"I can't wait until you have the baby," Luca shook his head.

"I can't wait until I can drink again."

Muttering under his breath, Luca walked Daisy to the car and helped her get into the passenger seat. He made sure she was buckled properly before walking over to the driver's side and starting the car.

"I'm going to drop you off at the house," Luca said.

"Where are you going?"

"I have some work at the office."

"You said you would help me put up the shelves."

"I'll do that tonigh-"

"Forget it," Daisy waved her hand. "I'll do it myself."

"No, you won't," Luca warned. "You're not getting up on the ladder. Are you insane?"

"Can you stop yelling?"

"I'm not yel-"

"Ow, ow, ow," Daisy groaned as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat and grabbed the car door.

"Lean back," Luca said. "What can I do?"

"Nothing," Daisy placed the heels of her palm on her eyes and scrunched up her nose as the baby began to move once more. "Oh that really hurt!"

"Should we go see Dr. Khan?"

"No, I want to go home," Daisy said. "I want to lay down."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Daisy nodded. "I just nee-"

Luca looked up as Daisy gasped and bit back a small scream. Her eyes watered as her cheeks grew red hot.

"Sunshine?" Luca touched her hand.

"Something's wrong," Daisy said.

"What?"

"Something's wrong," Daisy said again. "It hurts a lot."

"I'm taking you to the hospital," Luca said, not waiting to hear anything else. "Just hold my hand and breathe."

Daisy nodded, gripping Luca's hand as tightly as possible. The sudden pain that blossomed in her lower ribs was excruciating. She closed her eyes as tears dripped down her cheeks and made her hands tremble.

Luca, filled with worry, kept glancing at Daisy as he zigzagged through the cars and dialed Carla to tell her they were on their way. His heart had shriveled up to the size of a peanut as he felt every jerk of Daisy's body and heard her every painful cry. When they finally reached the hospital, Luca jumped out and ran over to the other side to help Daisy.

"What is this?" He asked Carla as the nurses began to wheel Daisy away. "What's going on? She was fine just a few minutes ago."

"Let us look," Carla said. "Dr. Khan is here. Let's see what she says."

"Where are they taking her?"

"Luca, relax."

"I can't!"

"She's going to be okay," Carla said. "Just give us a few minutes."

"She's scared," Luca said to Carla. "She was crying in the car."

"Just give me a moment," Carla guided Luca towards the waiting area before turning on her heels and rushing into the emergency triage.

Luca stared after her as he stood motionless. His mind ran wild with worry, his hands shaking. The peanut size heart inside his chest could not keep up with the blood required to keep his system running as he sank down in the chair and placed his elbows on his knee. His legs began to bounce as his eyes stayed glued on the set of emergency doors.

After almost two hours, when Carla came back to the waiting room, Luca jumped to his feet and rushed over to her.

"So?" He asked. "What's going on? Is she okay?"

"She's having the baby early," Carla said.

"What? Why?" Luca's head began to spin. "Is that normal?"

"There's some complications," Carla said. "We're going to induce labor to make sure the baby is okay."

"What do you mean?" Luca's blood ran cold.

"Daisy's blood pressure keeps dropping," Carla said. "She's at high risk for a seizure. We have to make sure the baby is safe."

"She was fine," Luca said again, not believing what he was hearing. "The pregnancy was normal!"

"Some things don't come with a warning," Carla said. "They're sudden."

"Is she going to be okay?"

"Yes," Carla nodded. "She'll be fine."

"And the baby?"

"We'll keep them in the incubators for a few days and then they'll be fine. It's okay."

"Why is this happening?"

"We're not sure," Carla said.

"Can I see her?"

"In a few," Carla said. "They're moving her to the delivery unit."

Luca's head spun as Carla continued to talk. He couldn't understand how a regular Wednesday morning had turned upside down so quickly. His shoulders felt heavy and his legs grew weak. Carla sat with him until one of the nurses arrived to inform them that Daisy had been transported to the delivery unit.

"I'll have someone pick up Gia," Carla said as Luca prepared to enter Daisy's room. "Just stay with her."

"I'm not going anywhere," Luca said, looking at Daisy through the small window on the door.

He turned the knob and stepped inside, trying to keep the worry and fear out of his eyes. His feet carried him over to the bed where Daisy laid back against the pillow looking pale and wilted. When she felt him stop beside her, Daisy opened her eyes and reached out.

"You're okay," Luca said, taking her hand. "I'm right here."

"Something's wrong," Daisy's voice cracked as she began to tear up.

"You're going to be okay," Luca held himself together. He leaned over and pushed back Daisy's hair out of her face before kissing her forehead. Her skin was too cold. Luca grabbed the blanket from the side of the bed and laid it over her.

"What did the doctor's say?" Daisy asked.

"They're going to induce labor," Luca said. "You're going to be okay. The baby will be fine."

"Is that possible?" Daisy asked. "I still have time."

"The baby will be fine," Luca assured her, or at least he tried to but they both knew the other was just as worried.

"Don't leave."

"I'm not going anywhere," Luca promised.

"I'm really scared," Daisy's lip trembled. "This is going to hurt."

"You'll be okay," Luca said again and again. "You can take the epidural if you want."

"Right," Daisy nodded. "Right."

"Can I get you anything?" Luca asked.

"No!" Daisy pulled Luca's arm. "Don't go."

"I'm not leaving," Luca said. "I promise."

"Where's Gia?"

"She's on her way here."

Daisy nodded just as the door opened and the nurse came in with Dr. Khan. Luca stood up and listened attentively as they explained everything to them about what medication they were giving Daisy and how soon the labor pain would start.

Daisy grew paler as she listened, her one hand holding Luca while the other hand held her bump. She was given the medication and within the hour, contractions started. Luca grew restless with her as she cried out in pain and tried every possible position to make herself comfortable. When Gia arrived a few hours later, Daisy began to cry all over again. She stressed about the uncompleted nursery, the lack of baby names, and the sudden labor.

"Don't worry," Gia said gently. "I'll take care of the nursery. And you can have my baby names."

"Will you be their godmother?" Daisy asked. "Luca and I have been talking about it. There's no one else we would rather ask."

"Of course," Gia smiled through her tears. "Of course, I'll be their god mother."

"G, I'm so scared. Something is really wrong."

"Don't say that," Gia shook her head. "You're okay. Everything will be okay."

As the girls spoke, Luca watched Daisy from where he sat by the window. His mind couldn't help but wander back to the memories of his dreams. Knowing what happened to his own mother during childbirth, Luca's anxiety and stress doubled every time he looked at Daisy.

"Everything is okay, right?" He asked Carla as he sent Gia home with one of his men.

"So far so good," Carla said. "Let's keep praying that it's a quick delivery and that both mom and baby are safe."

"Why won't they be safe?" Luca asked.

"The baby is early," Carla said slowly. "And this is all so sudden."

"What are you not telling me?"

"I don't want you to get too worked up," Carla began slowly. "But Dr. Khan is monitoring Daisy for signs of eclampsia."

"How is that possible?" Luca felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach. "She's perfectly healthy."

"We don't know what can cause this," Carla shook her head. "But we just have to be prepared now."

"Prepared for what?" Luca's eyes widened. "You're telling me she'll be fine but now you're telling me to be prepared?"

"Luca, relax," Carla said. "I know you're worried about her but we can't say anything because we don't know how this labor will go."

"Then get me a doctor who can tell me," Luca said, his eyes growing angry. "Find someone who knows what the fuck they're doing."

Carla didn't say anything as Luca walked back into the room. Daisy watched him as she laid back against the pillow with a cup of ice in her hand.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice low and weak.

Luca couldn't stop the humorless chuckle that bubbled out of him. He nodded his head before pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Yeah," he looked up at Daisy and walked over to her side. "Everything is okay."

"You look mad."

"I'm not mad."

"Can you hold me?"

"Of course," Luca smiled.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and draped his arm over Daisy's shoulder. She moved closer and leaned her head against his chest as he flooded the top of her head with kisses.

"Do you think it's a boy or girl?" Luca asked to distract Daisy.

"I don't know," Daisy said.

"I think it's a girl," Luca smiled. "A sweet baby girl like you. With crazy golden hair and wild eyes."

"If she's like me, you'll have a hell of a time raising her," Daisy paused. She remained quiet for a few seconds before pulling back to look at Luca. "If anything happens to me..."

"Don't," Luca warned.

"Luca-"

"Don't finish that sentence."

"Take care of my baby," Daisy said. "Please."

"Nothing is going to happen to you," Luca felt all the air in his lungs deflate. "Stop talking like that."

"You're so good with Gia," Daisy reached up and touched the edge of Luca's face. "Look after my baby like that too."

"Daisy," Luca slid off the bed despite how tightly Daisy held his hand. "You can't say things like that. Stop. please."

Daisy opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Her face twisted in pain as she began to yell. Luca jumped forward and helped her sit up as she buried her face in his shoulder to muffle her cry. The door opened and one of the nurses came in with Dr. Khan followed by Carla.

"I want the epidural," Daisy said.

Carla waited for Dr. Khan to speak as the woman checked how much Daisy had dilated. When Dr. Khan looked up, Carla knew something was not right.

"What?" Luca asked, noticing the look on the woman's face.

"It's too late for an epidural," Dr. Khan said. "The baby's head is showing."

"What?" Luca asked in anger. "They were checking her the whole time! How does this happen?"

"Luca!" Daisy began to cry as she was hit with another contraction.

"You need to start pushing," Dr. Khan said as the nurses began to come into the room and set up for the baby.

"Oh my god," Daisy yelled, holding Luca's hand and pulling herself forward by her knee.

"Hold it, hold it," Dr. Khan said, guiding Daisy.

"I can't," Daisy fell back against the bed. She looked over at Luca with her glossy eyes and pale face. She looked exactly how she had in all his nightmares. Luca's insides began to tremble with horror.

"One more push," Dr. Khan said. "Here comes the shoulders."

"Come on, come on," Luca held Daisy as she took several deep breaths and began to push once more.

"I can't," Daisy cried, shaking her head.

"The shoulders are almost out," Dr. Khan said. "You can do it."

"Come on, my love," Luca smoothed over Daisy's hair and cradled her head to his chest. "You got this."

Across the bed, Carla watched them for a few seconds but didn't say a word. She went back to assisting Dr. Khan as they tried to keep Daisy pushing.

"I can't do it," Daisy said, breathlessly.

"She's getting tired," Carla said to Dr. Khan.

"One more push," Dr. Khan insisted. "Baby's almost out. One more big push!"

"You can do it," Luca said to Daisy, his own eyes watering as she cried in pain. "Look at me, you got this. One push, babe. Come on."

"Dad, do you want to catch the baby?" Dr. Khan asked.

Luca looked down at where Carla and Dr. Khan was. He hesitated for a second before Daisy pushed him.

"Go," she said. "Get him out!"

One of the nurses quickly tied a blue hospital gown around Luca as he was guided to Dr. Khan's side. Luca couldn't believe his eyes as he watched the baby's head and its shoulder slip out of Daisy. Dr. Khan guided his hand to support the baby as Daisy gave one last scream once the contraction hit. She pushed with all her might, leaving Luca stunned as Dr. Khan's hands helped him slide the baby's legs out.

"It's a boy," she said. "Now straight to mommy. Straight to mommy."

Luca held the little baby boy in his arms as tears began to roll down his face. He held him gently like a precious prize as he quickly laid the baby down on Daisy's chest.

"Oh my god," Daisy began to cry along with the baby. "Oh my god."

Luca moved to her side and cradled her as one of the nurses placed a small blanket over the baby and began to wipe off the blood and other liquids. He kissed the top of Daisy's head as she held her baby and pulled Luca closer.

"He's here," she whispered, a mess of tears and blood all over.

"He's beautiful," Luca said, his own tears mixing in with her as they pressed their foreheads to one another.

"Dad, do you want to cut the cord?" One of the nurses asked.

Luca nodded, laughing as he wiped his eyes and took the clamps. The nurse turned the baby around on Daisy's chest and prepared. Luca patiently waited for her to tell him where to cut. He was in complete disbelief, blown away by how beautiful the baby was and how strong Daisy was. As soon as he cut the cord, he wrapped them both around in his arms and kissed Daisy's cheek. He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled her scent, letting it calm him after the storm they both passed through. The relief that flooded over Luca's system pushed up emotions in him he no longer wanted to hide.

"You were so good," He whispered into Daisy's ear, holding her tightly. "I love you....I love you so much."

The baby continued to cry, filling the room with his presence as the nurses cleaned him up in Daisy's arms. Luca pulled back to tell Daisy how much he loved her once more when he suddenly noticed how still she was.

"Sunshine?" Luca touched the edge of her face.

Her eyes were blank. Her face was completely white. Luca stared at her for a second before looking at the nurse.

"Oh god," the nurse said, her eyes moving from Daisy to Luca. "Dr. Khan!"

Luca didn't know what to do as the doctor and the nurses all began to move at once. Someone removed the baby from Daisy's arms while the other nurses laid her down and turned her to her side.

"What's going on?" Luca asked as Daisy began to shake violently on the bed.

"She's having a seizure," Dr. Khan said. "Carla, take him outside."

"No!" Luca refused to leave Daisy's side.

"Luca, please," Carla grabbed his hand and pulled him outside the room.

"Help her," Luca begged, turning around to look at his aunt. "Help her!"   

He said it...

Sorry if this birth was unrealistic lol I never gave birth obviously