Chapter 46

"How was hell?"

Daisy looked up as Luca leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms over his chest. There was a thin coat of perspiration on his forehead and his skin looked a little paler than before.

"You look like you just got back from there," Daisy said.

Luca chuckled. He looked away and stared at the photos of animals on the wall of the nursery. His jaw worked as if he wanted to say something but didn't know how to put it together.

"Are you just going to stand there?" Daisy arched her brow.

"Yeah," Luca nodded.

"Don't you have something better to do?"

"What could be better than this?"

"Literally anything."

"I disagree," Luca smiled. "I could spend my whole life staring at you."

Daisy rolled her eyes. She got off the floor and picked Theo up to place him on her hips. As she walked up to the door, Luca made no effort to move.

"Get out of my way," Daisy said.

"Or what?" Luca smirked.

"Have you always been this problematic or did getting shot just fuck you up even more?"

"It just put things into perspective," Luca said. "I realized how quick and short life really is and I don't want to waste it."

"Aw what a sweet Hallmark card," Daisy mocked. "Now, move!"

When Luca still refused to budge, Daisy placed her hand on his shoulder and shoved him back with all her might. Luca lost his balance and collided with the door frame. His face twisted in pain and the tips of his ear turned bright red. Biting down on his molars, Luca groaned as he regained his footing.

"That hurt," he said.

"Should have stayed in the hospital," Daisy turned towards the door.

"Wait," Luca's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.

Daisy immediately flinched at how hot his skin was. She looked back at him and began to notice more and more how sick Luca was looking.

"Where are you going?" Luca asked, frowning.

"I don't know," Daisy said in frustration. "Away from you."

"Whe-"

Daisy pulled her hand back and turned away. She didn't wait for him to finish as she exited the bedroom and made her way down to Gia's empty room. As she climbed down the stairs, she sighed a breath of relief when Luca didn't follow her. Daisy paused at the bottom of the stairwell and looked over her shoulder.

"Dada," Theo motioned with his hands.

"No dada," Daisy readjusted him. "Dana?"

Turning towards the kitchen, Daisy set off in search of the woman. She found Dana in the yard and quickly called her back into the house.

"Can you just go check in on Luca," she said. "He looks like he might have a fever."

Dana looked confused for a few before nodding, "Of course. Anything else?"

"Have someone bring the spare crib with the wheels into Gia's room, please," Daisy added. "I'll be staying there."

"Okay," Dana sat down the flower cutter she was holding and walked into the house, leaving Daisy and Theo alone in the yard.

Dusk was falling and the garden lights were beginning to turn on. The high walls surrounding the property stood like guards against the dying sky. The warm breeze that blew through the yard brought with it the scent of lemons and flowers.

Daisy walked into the yard and sat Theo down on the grass. She let him explore on his own as she took a seat on the steps and watched. In the darkness and silence, Daisy felt her eyes water. Her heart began to ache as she thought of everything that had happened. She felt as if she was losing her mind. One moment she felt nothing at all and then the very next minute, she was overwhelmed by so many emotions she could hardly breath. It was like being on a roller coaster that had no ending. The highs and lows were slowly pushing her off the edge of insanity.

Why did she even care if Luca had a fever? She shouldn't.

But she did.

All she wanted was to return to normal. Not care about Luca, not have her heart bleed on the floor, not let anyone or anything get to her. But it was proving to be an impossible task. Everytime she thought she had reached the state of emptiness in her mind, Luca destroyed her walls and brought all the emotions back. Why couldn't he just let her be?

Daisy didn't recognize herself anymore. Who was the stranger in her body? Who was this person taking over her mind? Leaving her numb and then lighting her up like a torch. It was a frightening thought to realize she could no longer recall the girl she once was.

"Dee?" Carla stepped out into the yard and called out to her.

Daisy quickly wiped her eyes and took in a deep breath, "Yeah?"

"Luca's going back to the hospital," Carla said. "He's running a very high fever and his lungs don't sound too good."

"He should have never left," Daisy said.

"His stubbornness will get him killed," Carla shook her head. "I had no say in this and of course every single doctor in Del Mare will do whatever these men tell them."

"Put him in a coma," Daisy shrugged. "Fill him up with meds."

"I wish," Carla rolled her eyes. "With his head injury, that won't be wise."

"How bad is it?" Daisy asked. "He didn't remember breaking up with me."

"It's not permanent," Carla said. "As his body recovers, so will his memories. The drugs in his system are just fogging up his mind."

"Is that why he's being just a prick lately?"

"No, I think that's a family trait," Carla sighed. "He's upstairs getting ready. He wanted me to come down here and tell you he wants you at the hospital."

"Why?" Daisy scowled.

"I don't know," Carla shrugged. "He won't go if you don't go with him."

"Leave him then."

"Daisy," Carla frowned. "He needs medical attention right now. Please, I can't handle two stubborn grown children."

"I can't leave!" Daisy said. "What about Theo?"

"I'll take care of Theo."

"Carla, please," Daisy shook her head. "Don't make me do this. He's being childish. Don't give in to it."

"Please, Dee," Carla pleaded. "Just go. You probably won't have to be next to him the whole time anyways."

"I can't do this," Daisy said.

"You can."

"No, you don't understand," Daisy stood up. "I'm losing my mind. He's killing me."

The frown on Carla's face deepened. She stared at Daisy in the lowlights of the garden and her heart sank. The tears in the girl's eyes broke her heart.

"Have you thought about what I said?" Carla asked. "About talking to someone?"

"Yes," Daisy nodded.

"Would you like for me to reach out to one of them?"

Daisy nodded once more.

"You're going to get through this," Carla said, stepping forward and pulling Daisy into a hug. "You'll be okay, I promise."

Daisy buried her face in Carla's shoulder and let her head sink for a while. She let Carla stroke her hair gently for a few minutes before she pulled herself together and wiped her eyes.

"Did Theo have dinner yet?" Carla asked.

"No," Daisy said. "Dana knows what I made for him."

"Don't worry about anything," Carla said. "I'll look after him. Just please take that big baby to the hospital. I'll have Aaron bring the car around."

Nodding once more, Daisy stepped around Carla and headed into the house. She climbed the stairs slowly and channeled all her energy into her breathing. As she began to feel her heart beating slowing down, she knew she was close to reaching the state of exhaustion where nothing mattered anymore.

Daisy looked forward to those moments. She didn't have to feel anything.

By the time she reached the bedroom door, her feet were dragging on the floor. Daisy turned the doorknob and walked inside without a word. Her eyes fell on Luca standing in the closet struggling to put on a new shirt. His back was turned towards her and the two patches of gaze over his wounds stood out against his skin. His arms shoulder slightly as he tries to pull on the shirt. His shoulders were tense and Daisy could hear him groaning in pain.

Standing by the door, Daisy battled with herself. A part of her wanted to go help him but the part of her that was hell bent on protecting her mental sanity held her back with an iron grip.

Sensing her eyes, Luca slowly turned and looked to where Daisy stood. His shirtless form froze as their eyes locked and a thousand unspoken words spilled out onto the floors. Daisy braces herself for the rush of hurt and pain to flood her system. She stood dreading it because she knew it would push her right back into her old patterns. Patterns that were constantly hurting her.

I'm not going to do it, I'm not going to do it, I'm not going to do it, Daisy chanted in her mind as she walked into the room and grabbed her purse. She quickly swung it onto her shoulder and dropped her phone inside.

"I'll be in the car," she said, turning and rushing out of the room. She surprised herself at how well she was able to hold herself together.

"Good evening, Mrs. Silvano," Aaron said as he opened the car door of Daisy.

"Hey," Daisy muttered and slipped into the back seat. She moved as far away from the seat next to her as she could to make sure Luca would not be anywhere near her. When he came out of the house and slowly got into the car, Daisy ignored his low groans and stared out the window.

"Here," Luca said, holding out his hand and struggling to speak.

Daisy's eyes flickered towards his open palm and saw her engagement ring and wedding band.

"Give me your hand," Luca said.

Daisy ignored him.

"Daisy," Luca tried again.

When Daisy ignored him once more, Luca reached across the small space between them and took her hand. He gripped it tightly as he slipped the rings onto her fingers and peered down at them.

"The ring was my mom's," he said. "Do you know how happy it makes me to see you wearing it?"

Daisy slowly pulled her hand back. She didn't have anything to say. All she wanted was to be left alone to her empty thoughts. But of course being around Luca was always a losing battle. Daisy should have known it was never going to change.

"Why did you want me to come with you?" She asked, her eyes watching the town pass by.

"I'm worried if I end up back on that hospital bed again, you'll leave me there to rot," Luca leaned his head back and chuckled.

"So you're taking me hostage?"

"Yes," Luca closed his eyes and nodded.

Daisy leaned away from him and rested her head against the window. She could hear Luca's shallow breathing beside her as they grew closer and closer to the hospital. Her eyes were heavy, her body exhausted and her mind numb. She wondered if she could get away with pretending to be asleep in the car and make them leave her inside. It wasn't like Luca could carry her out.

"Mrs. Silvano...?"

Daisy's eyes snapped open as Aaron called her name. She caught his eyes in the rearview mirror and watched the worry in them.

"What?" Daisy asked.

"Is Mr. Silvano okay?" Aaron asked.

"Wh-what?" Daisy turned to look at Luca beside her.

He was as white as a ghost. His skin was clammy and the sweat was beginning to soak through his shirt. Daisy raised her hand and gently shook him.

"Luca?"

No answer. Luca's eyes remained close.

Daisy tried to shake him once more but the jerkying of her car sent him crashing towards her. He fell onto her lap like dead weight, his arms and legs limp.

"Oh my god," Daisy gasped, catching Luca's head. "Shit."

"We're almost to the hospital!" Aaron sped up and they began to fly down the empty roads.

"Luca," Daisy pushed Luca's hair back and shook his face. "Luca! Wake up. Open your eyes."

Luca remained unconscious on Daisy's lap. She pulled her purse out and dug through it in the drink to find her cell phone before dialing Carla's number.

"Hello?" Carla answered.

"He passed out!" Daisy yelled. "He's out cold."

"Is he breathing?" Carla asked, moving closer to her phone.

"I think so," Daisy said. "I don't know."

"Check his pulse," Carla instructed. "Make sure he's setting up right. We don't want any blood in his lungs. Jesus Christ."

Daisy held the phone between her ear and her shoulder as she wrapped her arm around Luca and put him in an upright sitting position. Holding him steady, Daisy placed her fingers over his vein and felt his faint pulse.

"He's breathing," Daisy spoke into the phone. "His pulse is barely there."

"How far are you from the hospital?"

"Aaron?" Daisy called to the man in the front. "How far are we from the hospital?"

"Ten minutes," Aaron said.

"Ten minutes," Daisy told Carla.

"I'll call the hospital," Carla said. "They'll be waiting for him."

Hanging up the phone, Daisy moved closer to Luca. She wiped his face and unbid a few of the buttons on his shirt before rolling down the window. As she began to see the hospital in the distance, she tried once more to wake him up.

"Luca?" Daisy shook him. "Wake up? Can you hear me?"

Luca remained unconscious.

They arrived at the hospital and the stretcher was already waiting for them. The nurses pulled Luca out and whisked him away, leaving Aaron and Daisy behind to follow. They were guided to the waiting area before eventually being shown to a private room.

"Where's Luca?" Daisy asked the nurse. "Can we see him?"

"We're just doing a quick scan of his lungs," the nurse said. "He has a very high fever."

"Yes, I know," Daisy said. "What's going on?"

"The doctor will be in here shortly."

Aaron hovered as Daisy slowly sank into the seat. A deep frown formed on her lips as she began to realize the numbness was wearing off. Her heart was beginning to beat and she felt a small stream of anxiety and worry slip into her blood.

"He's so fuckin' stupid," Daisy muttered to herself. "Who leaves a hospital after being shot?"

"He was worried about you," Aaron said quietly.

"What?" Daisy looked up.

"I picked him up with Carla this morning," Aaron said. "On our way home, he kept asking about you. If you were okay, why weren't you at the hospital, if anyone had said anything to you."

Daisy's heart twisted. She sank in her seat and her insides started to fill with sorrow. Why did he always have to be so confusing?

As the night grew darker, the doctors came by and informed Daisy of Luca's conditions. His wounds were nowhere near being healed. His stubbornness put too much stress on his body, causing fluids to build up in his lungs. Unable to handle it, Luca's body spiked a fever in a desperate attempt to get the man to rest.

"Thank you," Daisy nodded as Luca was wheeled into the room.

"He needs to take it easy and rest," the doctors said. "He wants to be up and running but his body can't handle that. No matter how much he pushes."

Daisy nodded. She looked over her shoulder at Luca and let out a small sigh. Once the doctors left, she returned to her seat and it was like being back to square one all over again. Daisy's chest tightened as she thought about how frightened she was the first time Luca was in the hospital. Her eyes watered but she refused to cry. She shook out her hair and wiped her eyes with the palm of her hands when suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"I thought that was you."

Daisy looked up to find Marco standing at the door. He was dressed in a white lab coat with a stethoscope hanging from his neck. His friendly smile seemed out of place during such a confusing time to Daisy.

"You didn't tell me it's Dr. Marco?" She said.

"I try not to brag," Marco shrugged. "I saw you guys come in. Is everything okay? I thought Luca was discharged."

"Against the hospital's wishes," Daisy rolled her eyes. "So now he's back in here."

"I'm sorry."

"Why?" Daisy asked. "It's not your fault."

"No, but it's my family's fault," Marco shifted his weight.

"What do you mean?" Daisy asked.

Marco reached down and picked up his ID badge with an apologetic look on his face, "Dr. Dimaggio."

"You're kidding me right?" Daisy deadpanned.

"I really wish I was."

"Please tell me you're not Dante's son," Daisy said. "I'm pretty sure Luca had a gun on him coming in."

"No," Marco laughed. "I'm Daniel's second cousin."

"Oh," Daisy paused. "Why are you a doctor?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the family business," Daisy said. "You didn't want to be a part of that?"

"No," Marco shook his head. "I was the black sheep of the family."

Daisy slowly nodded.

"Anyways," Marco sighed. "I just wanted to stop by and say hi. If there's anything you need please feel free to let me know."

"Thank you," Daisy said.

"I still owe you a coffee," Marco said. "I did bump into you and make you spill your drink."

"I could use a coffee," Daisy snuffed a yawn.

"Do you want me to grab one for you?" Marco asked.

Daisy's eyes shifted to Luca's sleeping face.

"I'm sure he will be okay for ten minutes," Marco said.

"I don't know...." Daisy chewed on her bottom lip.

"I do have a pager," Marco held up the small black device. "I can tell the nurse to page me if anything happens."

Some of the hesitations on Daisy's face eased. She continued to stare at Luca, wondering what was stopping her.

"Just one coffee," Marco said.

With a deep breath, Daisy pushed herself off the chair, "Yeah, that's fine. Just a coffee."

Marco smiled, "This way."

Daisy took her wallet and put her purse on the chair. She quietly followed Marco out of the room and shut the door behind her. The halls were empty and the new nurses were all gathered by the front desk. Marco walked up to them and asked if any of them could give him a call if there was any urgent news on Luca. Their eyes darted towards Daisy and she smiled weakly.

"The coffee isn't the best here," Marco said, leading Daisy down to the cafeteria. "I wish I could take you out for some real coffee."

Daisy arched her brow, making Marco laugh.

"No, no," he said. "Not like that. Just coffee. Two people, two adults having coffee together."

"I didn't say anything," Daisy said.

"Your face did."

"I can't be responsible for what my face says," Daisy shook her head.

"Cream? Sugar?" Marco asked, walking up to the coffee bar and pulling out paper two cups.

"Two cream, two sugar," Daisy said. "Thanks."

"Yeah," Marco smiled.

Daisy looked around the empty cafeteria as Marco made the coffee. Her heart was still the size of a pea in the center of her heart. She shifted her weight around and fiddled with her phone.

"Are you okay?" Marco asked, handing her one of the paper cups.

"I don't know how to answer that question," Daisy took a deep breath.

"It's a dumb question to ask really," Marco said, taking a sip of the hot coffee. "I can't imagine you being okay with Luca in this condition."

"Yeah..." Daisy looked down at her coffee. "It's been....eventful."

"How did you two meet?"

"I'm friends with Gia," Daisy said.

"How is she?" Marco asked, putting his wallet away and turning towards the elevators. "I should know since she's family now."

"Hm," Daisy snorted. "Is that normal in this town? I mean no one seems to bat an eye."

"It's pretty normal," Marco stepped into the elevator and Daisy followed. "But you and Luca created a lot of buzz."

"Did we?" Daisy asked.

"Oh yeah," Marco laughed. "The whole town was talking about you."

"Why?"

"They couldn't believe he married someone from outside of Del Mare."

"Oh right," Daisy rolled her eyes. "Everyone was hoping for Stella 2.0."

"You say that with bitterness," Marco observed.

"Should I say that with happiness?" Daisy asked.

"I'm going to make the assumption that she is a sensitive topic between you and Luca," Marco held the elevator doors open and waited for Daisy to step out.

"You have no idea," Daisy said.

"Must be hard," Marco fell into step with Daisy. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"With you?" Daisy paused outside of Luca's door.

"Yeah, why not?" Marco smiled.

"I don't know," Daisy laughed. "I don't really know you. You're kind of a stranger."

"This is our second cup of coffee together," Marco held up his cup. "I think we're a little more than strangers now."

"Is that all it takes?" Daisy asked. "Two coffees?"

"Two coffees, one stained shirt, a blueberry muffin," Marco chuckled. "We have a pretty solid history."

"Thank you for the muffin," Daisy smiled. "That was very swe-"

Suddenly, the door to Luca's room opened. Daisy jumped in fright as Luca stepped through and arched his brow with curiosity.

"Wh-what are you doing out of bed?" She asked.

"Wondering where my wife is," Luca said, his eyes shifting towards Marco.

"I went to get some coffee," Daisy held up her cup.

Without taking his eyes off of Marco, Luca took the cup out of Daisy's hand and dropped it in the trash bin beside the door.

"Aaron is picking up coffee for you," he said, moving his eyes back to Daisy. "And maple sugar muffins. Your favorite."

Daisy lowered her gaze to the trash bin with a deep scowl on her face. When she looked back up, Luca had taken a closer step towards her.

"You can't have caffeine," he said, kissing the top of her head and hooking his arm around her shoulder. "Only decaf, remember?"

"Uh, Daisy-" Marco cleared his throat but Luca's eyes snapped back towards the doctor.

"Mrs. Silvano," he corrected him.

"Actually, Daisy is just fine," Daisy said, shaking off Luca's arm. "Thank you for the coffee, Marco. It was very well made. Extra sweet. Just the way I like it."

Luca looked amused, leaned up against the doorframe with his arms folded over his bare chest. Marco's gaze flickered up towards him for a few before he turned back to Daisy and smiled.

"It was good seeing you," he said.

"Same," Daisy nodded.

"Let me know if you need anything," Marco took a step backwards before his eyes moved to Luca. "Luca."

"Thanks, doc," Luca hooked his arm around Daisy's waist and pulled her into the room before shutting the door with his feet.

"What is wrong with you?" Daisy said, pushing his arm down and stepping away.

"Where were you?" Luca asked.

"I went to go get coffee."

"You couldn't tell Aaron?"

"No, but I guess you did."

"Yeah, I did," Luca said. "After I found out my wife was hanging out with weirdo Marco Polo in the cafeteria."

"He's a doctor!"

"He was weird in school," Luca said. "And I bet he still is."

"He seemed pretty nice to me," Daisy crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes.

Luca opened his mouth to speak but paused. His gaze moved down to Daisy's chest and his brows furrowed.

"Did your breasts get bigger?" He asked.

"What?" Daisy lowered her arms. "No."

"They look bigger," Luca said.

"It's called a push up bra," Daisy lied. "Stop talking about my breasts and get back into bed."

"No," Luca said. "I want to stand right here and talk about your breasts."

"They didn't get bigger!" Daisy snapped and pointed to the bed. "Now get back in there."

"You're so bossy," Luca rolled his eyes but listened. His back was in immense pain and breathing was difficult. The fever had not fully broken yet. Luca wanted to pretend everything was fine and he was healed, but his body was betraying him.

"Stay in there," Daisy said, watching Luca sit back down on the bed and lay his head against the pillows. "No one needs you passing out again."

"I didn't pass out," Luca snorted.

"No?" Daisy laughed. "So who was lying on my lap?"

"You caught me?"

"I didn't have a choice."

"You could have pushed me off."

"You weigh as much as a buffalo."

Luca smiled. He didn't say anything else. His eyes softened and he took a deep breath, letting it burn his lungs.

"What?" Daisy asked.

"I love you," Luca said. "No one else." 

Hopefully this chapter did some damage control for the last one.