Chapter 35

When Luca and Daisy returned home early the next morning, they did not expect to run into Carla as Luca carried Daisy into the house on his back. They froze immediately and Daisy slid off to adjust her dress.

"Good morning?" Carla arched her brow. "You two were out all night?"

"We lost track of time," Daisy's eyes flickered towards Luca.

"We have church today," Carla said, turning on her heel. "And Theo is in Gia's room."

"I'll go get him," Daisy turned towards Gia's room and hurried off.

"Luca?" Carla called over her shoulder. "Come talk to me for a minute."

Knowing where the conversation would go, Luca took in a deep breath and followed his aunt to the back yard. The early morning sunlight was still shy as the clouds made space and the birds began to rise. It was a beautiful morning. Walking up and making love to Daisy at sunrise only added to the good mood Luca was in.

"What's going on?" Luca asked, coming to stand beside Carla.

"I'm wondering the same thing," Carla said. "What's going on between you and Daisy?"

"What you wanted," Luca shrugged. "You wanted me to try, right?"

"What are you trying, Luca?" Carla asked.

"I'm trying to be happy with her," Luca said. "I'm trying to make this marriage real and raise Theo together."

Carla's eyes narrowed, "You're serious about her, right?"

"Yes."

"Luca, please," Carla's eyes softened. "Don't play with her heart."

"You think I would do that?"

"No," Carla shook her head. "I just....I'm happy for you both but I'm worried. I hope you thought this through."

"I have," Luca said. "I want her. I've wanted her for a very long time."

"Does she feel the same way about you?"

Luca nodded, "She does."

Carla slowly smiled. Her eyes began to light up as she raised her hand and touched the edge of Luca's face.

"I'm so happy for you," she said. "You deserve this."

"Thank you," Luca said. "Just don't tell Gia yet....she's dealing with her own stuff. I don't want her to start worrying about Dee."

"It's not my story to share," Carla said.

"Thanks."

"You might want to shower before church," Carla sipped her coffee. "Your hair is covered in sand. What did you do? Roll around in it?"

Luca chuckled as he shook out his hair and watched the sand fall. Turning on his heels, he made his way up to his bedroom and yanked off his t-shirt and jeans before removing his socks and hopping into the shower. The warm water burned his skin in all the places Daisy's nails had left their mark on him. Luca ran his hands over them, touching each spot and knowing exactly when and how he got her to that point. Every time he closed his eyes, Luca could picture Daisy laying beneath him. He leaned his hands against the wall and let his head hang as the water ran off his back and fell like a waterfall from his hair.

"Stop leaving your shit everywhere!"

Luca began to immediately chuckle as Daisy's voice scolded him from the bedroom. He turned to face the door as she walked into the bathroom and threw his t-shirt at him.

"I'm tired of picking up after you," Daisy said. "You better put the wet towel away in the right place or I'll cut holes in your boxers."

"Come here," Luca motioned with his hand.

"No," Daisy said. "I have to change Theo."

"Give me a kiss," Luca said.

"One kiss," Daisy clarified.

"Yes," Luca nodded.

Cautiously stepping forward, Daisy leaned into the shower. Luca stepped forward and gave her a kiss just as he promised. But before Daisy could step back, he hooked his arm around her waist and swung her into the shower. Daisy gasped dramatically as the water soaked into her dress and clothes.

"Is Theo up yet?" Luca asked, caging her against the wall.

"No, he's still asleep," Daisy placed her hands on his chest and tried to push. Luca grabbed her wrist and pinned it to the wall.

"You caused me a lot of injuries, sunshine," he said, slowly pushing her back until she was right below the cascade of water.

"H-how?" Daisy tried to fight her fluttering heartbeat.

"With your nails," Luca said, leaving feathery kisses along her neck. "And your teeth."

"I didn't hear you complain," Daisy pushed her hand into Luca's wet hair.

"Never," Luca shook his head.

"Does it hurt?" Daisy asked.

Luca nodded.

"Where?" Daisy asked.

Luca took her hand off the wall and placed it over his chest where Daisy's nail marks were turning red under the hot water. He watched her eyes take in the damage before she lowered her lips and began to kiss them. Her tongue darted out and she traced each mark slowly and torturously.

"Round four?" Luca asked as Daisy moved her lips to his mouth.

"Theo will be up in a few minutes," Daisy shook her head. "And thanks to you, I now need to do my hair."

"Might as well finish cleaning up here with me," Luca said, undoing the ribbon of Daisy's wrap dress for the fourth time in the span of twenty four hours.

"You'll distract me, Daisy shook her head.

"I'll behave," Luca said. "I promise."

"I don't know if I trust you," Daisy said as she began to remove her dress.

Luca raised his hands and stepped away from her as she took off her undergarment and tossed them all in a pile in the corner. Daisy laughed as she took the shampoo bottle and squeezed out a pump. She began to lather it up in her hair when Luca stepped forward once more and joined her hands. He carefully washed her hair and then her body, making sure to remove any sand or dirt from the night before. Daisy let his hands do whatever they wanted. She tried to stay still when his hand moved up between her legs and cleaned her. But it proved to be very difficult. Luca laughed every time Daisy squirmed or squealed.

Once she was cleaned, Daisy lathered up the soap on the bath loofah and began to scrub at Luca's arms. She let the soap suds wash over his hard stomach and back. Her hands moved into his hair and played with his locks while washing off the shampoo.

"Thank you," Luca said, ducking his head to kiss her.

Daisy grabbed the towels and wrapped one around herself. She quickly hurried out of the bathroom and ran into the nursery to check on Theo. The air in the room was freezing cold and she began to shiver. After a few minutes, Luca walked up to stand beside her as he draped the bathrobe around her shoulders.

"Go get ready," he said, kissing the side of her face. "I'll get Theo ready."

"Are you sure?" Daisy asked.

"Yes," Luca chuckled, leaning into the crib and gently stroking Theo's cheek to wake him up. "Buongiorno....svegliati, little man." (Good morning...wake up, little man.)

Theo began to stir and rub his nose like his mother often did. Luca smiled as he kissed the little boy's cheek and gently called to him.

"Come on, big boy," he said. "Let's get ready for church."

Theo's eyes opened and Luca immediately thought of Daisy. He was so in love with her and every part of her. Theo was one of those great parts. Looking over his shoulder, Luca spotted Daisy in the closet picking out an outfit. She did not see the way Luca gazed at her. Like she was the only reason he needed to live every day.

"Come on, buddy," Luca turned back to the crib. "Let's get going."

While Daisy did her hair and applied her makeup, Luca gave Theo a bath and changed him into a button down shirt and navy blue shorts. He combed the boy's hair to the side and clipped on a dinosaur bowtie.

"Oh god," Daisy laughed, seeing her boys in the mirror. "He looks like a mini gangster."

"He looks sharp," Luca laughed, sitting down and grabbing his clean socks. "Del Mare's new golden boy."

"God, no," Daisy said, lining her lips carefully. "One is enough."

Luca chuckled as he unrolled his socks and slipped them on. He paused for a second when he realized his ankles were sticking out through the large holes.

"What the hell?" He said, examining his feet.

"I told you not to leave your stuff all over the place," Daisy said.

"You did this?"

"Yes."

"Are you serious?" Luca took off his socks and tossed them in the trash.

"I warned you," Daisy laughed.

"These too?" Luca clicked his tongue when he realized another pair had holes in them too.

"Come on, Theo," Daisy walked over to the bed. "Zia's waiting for us."

Leaving Luca to find some new socks, Daisy made her way downstairs and towards the other ladies in the house. Maria began to gush over Theo as soon as she laid eyes on him.

"Oh our baby boy looks so handsome," she kissed Theo's cheek. "God bless you. You look just like papa."

"Why does he look like a sleazy mobster?" Gia tilted her head.

"Ask your brother," Daisy dolled her eyes.

"He's in training," Luca laughed from the top of the stairwell. He slowly made his way down and came to stand behind Daisy.

"Did you find your socks?" She asked.

"One good pair," Luca said. "The rest were damaged."

"Oh," Daisy pouted. "So sad. I hope you learned a valuable lesson."

Luca chuckled. He took Theo and headed to the driveway. Everyone else followed him. Gia and Daisy got into Luca's car with Theo in the car seat while Maria and Carla decided to take another car.

"Why is there so much sand in here?" Gia asked, looking around at the car floor.

Luca and Daisy looked up at one another and quickly looked away. They stayed quiet and drove up the hill towards the church. Daisy looked out the window and saw all the other families making their way inside in their Sunday best. To her it all seemed as official as a wedding.

"You guys go inside," Luca said. "I'll park."

"Sounds good," Daisy gathered her small clutch as Luca opened her door and helped her out before helping Gia.

Everyone in the church yard turned to stare as Daisy and Luca buckled Theo into the stroller. Daisy could feel their eyes on her like a heat wave. She looked around and smiled at a few people, hoping to appear friendly. But every one she looked at seemed to be in some form of shock.

"Go inside," Luca said, rubbing her arm.

He hated the way everyone was looking at Daisy and Theo. He wanted to stand before them and shield them from all the prying eyes. Every muscle in Luca's body was tense. He quickly parked the car and hurried back towards the church. As he passed by the large fig tree to the side, his eyes fell on Stella's headstone.

Luca's feet halted. His eyes got stuck along with the air in his lungs. The large gray stone seemed to be mocking him as he thought about Daisy waiting for him inside the church. He could almost picture the smirk on Stella's face whenever she thought some other girl was interested in Luca.

You want her, right? She would yell. That's why you keep looking at her? Go be with her then!

Luca swallowed the lump in his throat as he tore his gaze away from the headstone. His heart hummed with unreasonable anxiety and worry. His chest began to tighten with every passing second.

Luca, Stella's voice called to him from his memory in her mocking tone. Is that your pretty little wife, Luca? Aww, isn't she just lovely.

Luca couldn't help but turn back towards the headstone. His insides twisted, making him feel as if he was choking.

Where are my flowers, Luca?

Shutting his eyes, Luca pushed down all the voices in his head. He balled his hands into fists as he turned away and headed towards the church. As if Stella's taunts weren't enough, as Luca approached Daisy and Gia, he found Stella's mother, Teresa speaking to him. It took everything in Luca to not tell Daisy to get back in the car with Theo. He held his breath and walked up to stand beside his wife and place his hand on her back.

"Excuse me," Luca's voice stopped the woman before she could start talking about Theo.

Teresa turned towards Luca with her cold icy eyes. The smile on her lips slipped as Luca pulled Daisy closer to his side.

"The service is about to start," Luca announced. "I think we should take our seat."

"Okay," Daisy nodded. She quickly picked Theo out of the stroller and handed him to Luca.

"Excuse me," Luca said to Teresa as he held Theo in his arms and stepped forward with Daisy.

All the people standing by stared with their eyes to see what was going on. No doubt by the end of church, there would be four different versions of the same encounter.

"Gia?" Luca stopped and looked over his shoulder to make sure his sister was following them.

"I'm coming," Gia cleared her throat and began to move. Theo looked over Luca's shoulder and flashed his zia a cheeky smile.

"Hi, babakin," Gia whispered, wiggling her finger to make the boy laugh.

The center aisle was clogged with people trying to get to their seats. The elderly took the longest to slowly make their way into the pews. Everyone else behind them had to wait patiently. Daisy craned her neck to see what was happening as Luca stood firmly behind her holding Theo. His eyes scanned the crowd to make sure no one dared to talk or whisper about them. His hand stayed firmly on Daisy's back as they made their way to the middle. Luca was about to shift Theo to his other side when he suddenly heard a bunch of beads drop to the floor and roll around. He looked over and his eyes immediately fell on Daniel standing behind his sister.

Oh you have got to be fuckin' kidding me! Luca wanted to growl. And he would have if Theo wasn't in his arms. Rage erupted in his system at the sight of the boy who broke his sister's heart.

"Get in front of me," Luca said through his teeth. He grabbed his sister's arm and moved her between himself and Daisy. Daniel tried to step forward but Luca turned his body towards the body and warned him not to test his patience.

"My bracelet..." Gia rubbed her wrist. Her voice sounded so small and frightened.

Luca watched her fingers wrapped around the red marks on her skin as Daisy guided her to the first pew they found empty.

"Fuck the bracelet," Luca muttered under his breath as he slipped into the seat next to his sister. He looked over towards the Dimaggios and instantly hated the way Daniel stared at Theo.

"Why is he looking at us like that?" He wondered aloud.

Gia's nervous eyes flickered towards Daisy. He wondered what that was about as the priest moved to the altar and began the service. Everyone grew quiet and the space began to fill with the smoke from the incense.

Beside him, Luca noticed Gia shifting around uncomfortably. She was starting to turn red and there was a thin layer of sweat on her forehead and nose. Seeing her reminded him of the times he would take her out to the fig tree and buy her ice cream. Stella would be there with Daniel. Her long blonde hair blowing in the wind. Her coy smile and her soft laughter. Luca shut his eyes as memories came flooding back to his mind.

She had been so different back then. There was light in her eyes. She was sweeter and kinder. There was softness to her he admired and everyone could see it. But then things changed and Luca didn't know why. The Stella he fell in love with as a young teenager turned into someone he hardly ever recognized. He tried so hard to hold on to her. He thought he could bring back the sweet kind girl if he loved her enough. But Stella only pushed away from him. She used to light up when he smiled. But as time went on, it was as if seeing Luca hurt was the only thing she cared about.

Feeling Gia shift once again, Luca opened his eyes and nudged her with his knee. She looked up as he leaned closer and pointed to the side door.

"Nonna will kill me," Gia whispered.

"I'll talk to her," Luca said. "You're sweating and you're red. Just go get some air."

Gia hesitated for a few seconds before slowly rising and making her way out of the pew. Daisy moved out of her way and slid closer to Luca just as Daniel rose from his seat. Luca's eyes followed them until they both slipped out undetected by the majority of the church-goer. He shifted in his seat, ready to rise and go after them when Daisy suddenly grabbed his arm.

"She needs to do this on her own," Daisy looked up at Luca from beneath her hat.

"Not here," Luca tried to remove her hand but Daisy just held on tighter.

"Please," she said, her eyes pleading with him. "Let her be an adult."

Despite the rage in his body, Luca settled back down in his seat. His eyes were still on the door as he took Theo from Daisy's arms and placed him on his lap.

"Thank you..." Daisy whispered her gratitude but her hand remained in Luca's, grasping him tightly as if she was scared he would make a run for it.

"I should be out there," Luca said.

"You can't solve all of her problems," Daisy whispered, removing her hat and fanning Theo with it. She reached out and removed his bow tie before undoing a few of the buttons. "It's hot as hell in here."

"You can't say that word in church," Luca whispered, taking the hat and fanning both Theo and Daisy.

"The priest gets to say it," Daisy pointed out.

"It's part of his job," Luca looked around to see if he could spot Gia or Daniel by the side door. "I'm going to go check on them."

"No," Daisy said. "I have to tell you something."

"What?" Luca asked, not paying attention.

"Promise me you won't get mad," Daisy held his hand.

"What did you do?" Luca looked down at her.

"Nothing!" Daisy frowned.

"Why would I get mad then?"

"There's been some miscommunication," Daisy said slowly. "Gia needs to sort it out with Daniel."

"What miscommunication?" Luca's brows furrowed and a deep frown appeared on his lips.

"They actually ran into each other the other day when we went to go see your father," Daisy said slowly. She felt Luca tense as his breath came out in a huff like an angry bull. "And Daniel seems to think that Theo is...."

"Is what?" Luca's jaw tensed.

"He thinks Theo is his son with Gia."

"Are you fuckin' kidding me?"

"You can't say that word in here!" Daisy smacked his knee.

"I'm going to kill this kid," Luca began to move Theo to his mother's lap but Daisy refused. "Hold him."

"Let them talk, Luca," Daisy said. "If you go in there gun blazing, he'll just think you're trying to keep him from his son."

"My son," Luca said.

"Then hold your son," Daisy said. "And let Gia handle this. She's owed this much after everything he put her through."

"She doesn't have to do this alone."

"She's not alone," Daisy said. "She doesn't have to. But she needs to."

"How long have you known about Daniel running into Theo and Gia?"

"Not long."

"You knew the whole time, didn't you?"

Daisy took a slow deep breath. She stared straight ahead but could feel Luca's angry eyes on her, "I did."

"And you didn't think to tell me?"

"You were happy," Daisy said in her defense. "You were seeing your friends and smiling for the first time. I didn't want to stress you out."

"You don't get to decide what information is kept from me."

"I wasn't keeping information from you," Daisy hissed. "I was waiting for a good time to tell you."

"And now is a good time?" Luca asked.

"No, but it's better than telling you when you were being normal for once."

"Is this really about me or is this about you not wanting to ruin your fun?"

"Excuse me?" Daisy's eyes widened. Her head turned towards Luca as he glared at her.

"The dinner with my friends, the racing, the beach," Luca named. "It was you just pushing for all those things."

"You think I kept secrets from you to have fun?" Daisy's eyes narrowed. "Don't pretend like you didn't enjoy any of those things. For the first time I saw you be normal. You needed that."

"I needed to keep my sister away from Daniel," Luca said.

"I can't believe you think I would be so selfish and put Gia in harm's way," Daisy felt a ping of pain in the center of her heart.

"Not selfish," Luca said. "Just reckless. Like you've always been."

"Wow!" Daisy laughed despite the punch she felt in her guts. "And you're still an asshole with sharp words. Like you've always been."

Reaching out, she plucked Theo from Luca's lap and placed him on her lap. She began to bounce her knees and busy herself with the small toy the baby held in his hands as Luca stared at her in silence. The rest of the service carried on like that until Gia came back and Daisy moved away to make sure she didn't have to sit next to Luca anymore.

"Are you okay?" She asked, taking Gia's hand.

"Yes," Gia nodded. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Daisy looked away and stared at the altar.

"What's wrong?" Gia tilted her head to look at Daisy's face. "What is it?"

"Nothing," Daisy let out a warm breath. "It's probably just the heat making me cranky."

Just then Theo, having enough of the incense smoke and heat, began to fuss and cry. Daisy tried to calm him down but it didn't work. He began to wail and push himself off of Daisy's lap. Everyone began to turn and look at them.

"It's okay, mama," Daisy tried. "We're almost done."

"Give him to me," Luca reached out.

"No," Daisy said sharply. Her tone was louder and harsher than she had expected it to be. Gia stilled and froze between her brother and her best friend as the baby continued to cry.

Luca's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as the muscles in his jaw clenched. He took Theo out of Daisy's arms and stood up. Gia moved out of the way as her brother patted Theo on the back and walked out of the church with him.

"What is going on with your two?" Gia asked, turning towards Daisy.

"The usual," Daisy said. "Your brother is an asshole."

"I thought he was doing better," Gia said. "You guys went out to dinner last night."

"I don't know," Daisy shook her head. "The man is just weird."

"It might be the church," Gia said quietly.

"What do you mean?" Daisy asked. "Is it haunted?"

"No," Gia clicked her tongue.

"Then?"

"He hasn't been back here since the funeral."

Like a stone, Daisy felt her heart drop, "Oh..."

"I saw him looking at her grave earlier today," Gia looked down at her hands as if it was too painful to talk about the past. "It must be hard being here."

"They were supposed to get married in this church, right?" Daisy asked.

Gia nodded.

Slowly, with a strange feeling in her heart, Daisy looked away from her best friend. The tightness in her chest increased as the need to burst into tears suffocated her. Her eyes began to tear and she began to panic. If she started to cry, how would she ever be able to explain that to Gia. Daisy couldn't even identify the pain to herself. Was she even allowed to hurt over the fact that Luca was probably thinking of Stella the whole time he was sitting beside her? How could she be envious of a dead girl? She had no right to her feelings, Daisy told herself. They were baseless and childish.

"Dee?" Gia touched her best friend's hand. "What's wrong?"

"It's so hot in here," Daisy took in a deep breath and held it in her lungs.

"The service is over," Gia said, looking around as the people began to rise. "Do you want to leave?"

Daisy nodded. She reached down and grabbed Theo's bowtie and toy along with her hat. Secretly whipping away the tears in her eyes, Daisy stood back up and put a smile on her face. She knew Gia didn't buy it from the way the girl's brows knit together with concern. But before she could ask, Daisy turned away and headed towards the door.

Outside, the sunlight was blinding. Daisy threw her hand up to shield her eyes from the harsh sun as the cool breeze dried up the sweat on the back of her neck. She began to scan the empty church yard as the children ran out and people started to make their way outside. She looked to where Luca parked the car and then towards the trees on the other side. If it weren't for his height, Daisy would have missed Luca standing below the fig tree with Theo in his arms.

Wondering what they were doing over there, Daisy slowly began to climb down the steps of the church. Her heart was too fearful to beat as she grew closer and closer. She felt as if someone had dug a knife into her chest when her eyes landed on the headstone under the tree.

No, Daisy wanted to shake her head. He would do that. He wouldn't take Theo there...

Breathing became too difficult as Daisy stood out in the sun staring at the man she loved and her son. She wanted to burst into tears as Luca looked up and caught her eyes. He shifted Theo in his arms and pointed towards her as the little boy smiled with the small ice cream spoon in his mouth.

Calm down, Dee, Daisy told herself. You're being crazy. You can't get mad about a dead girl.

Luca turned away from the headstone and began to walk over to where Daisy stood like a statue. His eyes seemed weary of the way Daisy stared without any emotion in her eyes. Despite his earlier irritation towards her, he knew his words had been harsh. He wanted to apologize but not gloss over the fact that he needs to know what happens with Daniel. Especially in Del Mare. There were rules and expectations she didn't understand but it was his job to keep them all safe.

As Luca approached Daisy, a small figure jumped out from the crowd and grabbed her arms.

"Dee!" Isabella gasped. "Oh my god! It's you!"

Daisy, startled, jolted as her old friend pulled her into a tight hug.

"Where have you been?" Isabella asked. "How are you here? In Del Mare! Is Gia with you?"

Luca stood back as Isabella began to bombard Daisy with questions. Gia walked out and the whole situation got even more emotional.

"I can not believe you guys are here!" Isabella waved hands to dry the tears in her eyes. "We have to sit down and catch up. I missed you both so much."

"How about now?" Daisy suddenly asked.

"Now?" Isabella laughed.

"Yes," Daisy nodded. "Let's grab lunch somewhere?"

Luca did not like that idea. He didn't want her to see him standing by Stella's headstone. The idea of it didn't sit well with him. He wanted to talk to her and see where her thoughts were. Having her in town was the last thing Luca wanted. Everything there had Stella's constant presence. Luca didn't want Daisy to see any of that.

"I'm fine with that," Isabella said.

"Great," Daisy stepped around the girls and walked over to Luca. She avoided his eyes and took Theo out of his arms.

"Daisy-" Luca began but Daisy wouldn't listen. She turned away and quickly made her way back to Isabella and Gia.

"Who is this?" Isabella gasped.

"This is my son, Theo," Daisy smiled, pulling the ice cream spoon out of the little boy's mouth.

"Your son?" Isabella's eyes widened. Her gaze flickered up towards Luca and then back to Theo. "Oh my god..."

"Lunch is a great idea," Gia said. "We have a lot to catch up on."

Luca stood fuming in his anger as Daisy walked away from him with Theo and headed towards Isabella's car. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and directed Mateo and Arron to follow them and make sure Daisy didn't wander around town.  

Who are you mad at? LOL