Chapter 49

The news of the Dimaggio's home going up in flames spread like wildfire around Del Mare. Giovanni arrived with his men as Daniel sat beside his dead father's body in their yard. Teresa stood a few feet back, too stunned to cry or move. Daisy couldn't take her eyes off of the woman.

"Are you okay?" Carla asked, coming up to stand beside her.

Daisy nodded. Her eyes scanned the yard looking for Luca. Her head was throbbing in pain. The strange taste of blood lingered in the back of her throat and her ribs ached from where Teresa had pushed her onto the car.

"Where's Luca?" She asked when her eyes couldn't find him.

"He's talking to Armani," Carla said. "I'm sending him to the hospital. He ruptured his stitches."

Daisy nodded. She wanted to know if she could go with him when Gia came running towards her.

"Are you okay?" She asked, cupping Daisy's face.

"Y-yeah..." Daisy said, noticing the smear of ash on Gia's face and the bruise on her forehead. "Are you?"

"You're bleeding," Gia said.

"What?" Daisy asked as Carla turned to face her.

"Your nose," Gia pointed.

Daisy raised her hand and touched the edge of her nose. She could feel the warm blood soak into her skin and smear as she tried to wipe it off. Carla quickly grabbed some gauze from one of the first responders and began to assist Daisy.

"Are you hurt?" Gia asked, helping Daisy take a seat in Daniel's car.

"N-no," Daisy shook her head. Her eyes began to scan for Luca once more.

"Gia?" Carla looked up. "I think they're going to take Mario's body now. Go to Daniel."

Gia nodded. She tucked back her hair and squeezed Daisy's hand before running off towards Daniel. Carla wiped off the last of the blood and handed Daisy an ice pack.

"Luca is going with them," she said. "He asked me to take you home."

"Can I see him?" Daisy asked, her throat tightening.

"They already left," Carla frowned.

"Oh..." Daisy's empty chest shook.

"Come on," Carla said gently. "Let's get you home."

"What about Gia?"

"I think she should stay with Daniel," Carla said. "He needs someone right now."

"And Teresa?" Daisy looked over her shoulder to where the woman had been sitting.

"Armani is taking care of her," Carla said.

Feeling extremely weak and hollow, Daisy followed Carla across the street and into their house. Maria rushed to greet them before announcing she was going to church to get Daniel's grandmother. The poor woman had no idea she was coming home to nothing.

"You should go with her," Daisy said to Carla.

"No, it's fin-"

"That's a good idea," Maria nodded. "I don't know what I'm going to tell her."

"Go," Daisy took Carla's hand and squeezed it before stepping back.

"Are you sure?" Carla asked. "You don't look so good."

"Dana is here," Daisy said. "I'll be fine and Luca's coming home soon, right?"

Carl hesitated, "They'll probably have to keep him overnight."

"If he listens," Maria shook her head.

"Yeah," Carla sighed.

"Go," Daisy said once more. "I'll stay here just in case anyone needs anything."

"Are you sure?" Carla asked.

"Yes," Daisy nodded.

"Okay," Carla said. "Just let me tell Dana to help you clean up."

"I got it," Daisy turned towards the stairs. She moved with extreme slowness as Carla and Maria watched her head upstairs. Before leaving, Carla asked Dana to stick by Daisy's side.

"We'll be back as soon as we can," Carla said, rushing out of the house.

Daisy listened to them leave as she walked into her bedroom and headed straight for the shower. She moved automatically without thinking, taking off her shoes, her jeans, and her clothes. Her head was too heavy for her to hold up as she stepped into the shower and stood motionless under the cascade of hot water.

If Daisy listened hard enough she could hear Luca yelling about Stella in the ringing in her ears. Her head spun and her stomach churned as she thought of the way he attacked Dante. Her shallow breathing left her feeling lightheaded as she turned off the water and wrapped a towel around herself. When she came out of the bathroom, Dana was waiting for her with hot tea.

"Where's Theo?" Daisy asked.

"Sleeping," Dana said. "In his crib."

Daisy turned and headed into the nursery. As soon as she saw the little boy, her eyes began to water and the pressure in her chest multiplied.

"Are you alright?" Dana asked quietly.

"I just need a minute," Daisy said. "Please."

"Of course," Dana slowly backed away from the room.

Daisy sank into the armchair beside the crib and covered her mouth with her hand. The tears running down her face climbed over her fingers like a broken dam.

Daisy didn't know what she cried for. Her thoughts were scattered and she felt completely alone. The sense of not belonging began to take over. Everything around her began to lose their familiarity. She suddenly found herself in a land where she knew no one and had no family.

As the late afternoon changed into night, Daisy's condition remained the same. No one came home. Dana took care of Theo as Daisy sat in the armchair staring at nothing. Her food was untouched, her hair unmade, and her eyes lifeless. When she grew too exhausted to fight her eyes anymore, Daisy changed into a nightgown and laid down on her side of the bed. She reached across the bed to place her hand over Luca's side and left it there. When he came home, she would feel him getting into bed.

But Luca didn't come home that night.

Daisy awoke in the middle of the night to an empty house. She checked her phone to find missed calls from Gia and Carla but nothing from Luca. Her finger hovered over his name on her call list for several minutes before she scrolled down and dialed Richard.

"Hello?" Richard answered after a few rings.

"H-hello," Daisy's voice cracked and her throat immediately tightened.

"Daisy?" Richard sounded as if he was scrambling to sit up. Daisy could almost picture him in his tan recliner with his newspaper on his lap. "How are you, kid? How's Theo?"

"We're good," Daisy said.

"What's wrong?" Richard asked. "You okay?"

"Yes," Daisy nodded, wiping her runny nose.

"You don't sound okay," Richard said. "What's the matter?"

"I miss you," Daisy sniffled. "I miss mom and our old apartment."

"Oh, kid," Richard's voice softened.

"Why did you leave?" Daisy asked, unable to stop her tears. "Why didn't you stay?"

"Sweetheart..." Richard paused. "Your mom and I wanted different things in life. We grew apart."

"You and I didn't," Daisy said. "Why didn't you stay for me?"

"Q-tip."

"Isn't that what you're supposed to do?" Daisy asked, growing frustrated and angry. "When grownups grow apart, aren't you supposed to stay together for the kids? Why didn't you stay for me, Dick?"

"Where's Luca?" Richard asked. "Did you two have a fight?"

"No," Daisy shook her head.

"Then what's the matter?"

"I miss you," Daisy cried. "And I want to come home but there is no home. I'm homesick for a place that doesn't exist."

"What's going on?" Richard asked with concern. "Where are you?"

"It doesn't matter," Daisy shook her head. "Can....can Theo and I come stay with you for a few?"

"Of course, sweetheart," Richard said. "You don't have to ask. Where are you coming?"

"I'm not sure yet," Daisy said. "There's a lot going on here."

"Come whenever you want to," Richard said. "I'm always here for you."

"Thanks," Daisy whispered.

"And Daisy?"

"Yeah?"

"I stayed for you, kid," Richard said.

"What do you mean?"

"My marriage to your mother soured after the first year," Richard said. "But I stayed for you because god knew you needed an adult to look after you."

Daisy felt a fresh wave of tears run down her cheeks. Her chest swelled up with more emotions as she pressed the back of her hand against her lips and bit back heavy sobs.

"You are such a remarkable young lady," Richard went on. "I'm proud to be your father and I would have done anything to be in your life longer. But you and I both know how your mother felt about you getting more attention than her. I had to leave before she began to resent you."

"I love you, dad," Daisy's nose burned as her vision blurred.

"I love you too, kid," Richard said. "And you do have a home here. Come whenever you miss it."

"Okay," Daisy nodded, trying to pull herself together.

"How's the little man?" Richard asked.

"He's good," Daisy smiled through her tears. "He's getting big."

"I would love to see him," Richard said. "Just tell me when you want me to pick you up from the airport, alright?"

"Okay," Daisy nodded.

Her heart began to shed some of its load as she continued to speak to Richard. She could almost forget the nightmare she was living in when he spoke about his hunting trips and the renovations to the barn. By the time Richard hung up, Daisy had fallen aside by the foot of the bed. She laid curled up over the sheets with her knees drawn and her hands curled to her chest. The tears on her face tried in the dark, leaving no trace of their existence. If it weren't for the low voices in the hall Daisy would have never opened her eyes.

"Luca."

Daisy's heart began to flutter as she heard someone call out Luca's name. She struggled to open her eyes as the footsteps in the hall grew closer and closer. The desire to run into his arms and hold him after the chaos they went through flooded Daisy's systems. Her heart was broken, but she still loved him. There was no denying that.

When Daisy finally opened her eyes, the room was freezing cold. All the lights were out as she jumped out of bed and ran for the door. The halls of the Silvano mansion were silent and cold. Daisy rubbed her arms up and down her arms to keep herself from shivering. She looked around as her breath hung in the air. The small puff of air turned to fog before swirling and blowing away. Daisy began to move towards Luca's old bedroom. She could see the light from the bottom of the door and Luca's shadow inside. The yellow glow of the light looked so warm and welcoming. Daisy quickly rushed over and turned the door knob. She threw it open and ran inside.

"Luca!"

"Daisy?" Luca looked up, his eyes confused.

"What..." Daisy looked to Luca and then to the woman in his arms.

Her heart sank as she took in the blonde hair, brown eyes, and round face.

Daisy's heart began to spin just looking at the way Luca's arms stayed wrapped around Stella's body. The girl laid her head against his chest and smiled, resting her hand near her face to show off the ring on her finger.

"What's that?" Daisy pointed to the ring. She looked down at her own hand and found it empty. "Luca, where's my ring?"

"It belongs to me," Stella said.

"It's my ring," Daisy felt her heart twist with pain.

"It's his mother's ring," Stella said. "It was meant for me."

Daisy's watery eyes turned towards Luca. He watched her as if not sure why she was present in the room.

"Say something," Daisy said. "What is she doing here?"

"She was always here," Luca said, causing the burning in Daisy's chest to increase. "Don't get mad. But you know how I feel about Stella. We weren't going to work out."

Daisy opened her mouth to speak but the anger inside of her consumed her whole. She couldn't form words as Stella placed her hand against Luca's cheek and turned his face towards her.

"No," Daisy shook her head, tears rolling down her face. "No, stop."

Luca cupped Stella's face and smiled down at her.

"Luca," Daisy whispered, her eyes clouding up with tears. "Stop."

"Daisy," Luca's voice came from somewhere.

Daisy stepped away but the door slammed shut.

"Luca, don't," Daisy cried. "Stop, please."

"Daisy."

Daisy's heart swelled up with hurt and pain. She couldn't breath as her eyes snapped open and she came face to face with Luca's green gaze.

"Just a bad dream," Luca whispered, holding her hand and rubbing her cheek.

Daisy sat up in bed with a loud gasp. She struggled to breath as Luca rose from the floor but continued to watch her in the dim lighting. His shirt was wrinkled and his eyes were heavy. Daisy wondered if they were red because he had been crying about Stella.

As soon as the thought entered her mind, Daisy's heart shivered with fright from her nightmare. Her bottom lip trembled and she began to weep, unable to look away from Luca's red eyes. She feared the grief would swallow her up like a giant wave at sea.

Luca sat down and pulled her into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in the crook of her shoulder. His warm breath laid over Daisy's bare skin and he began to flood her with soft kisses. But when Daisy felt his tears running down her neck, she cried harder because she knew they weren't for her.

Wrapped in Luca's arms with his face buried in her neck, Daisy broke down and shook with sobs. Luca pressed his cheek against her neck and dug his hand into her hair. Daisy could feel the way he shook as his lips kissed her shoulder and he pulled her closer.

Neither one said a word. They sat holding one another through the night not knowing what the morning light would bring.

______________

The next morning, Luca woke up with another fever. Every inch of him ached as he unwrapped Daisy's arms from around himself and headed into the bathroom. His head buzzed and his mouth felt too dry. Avoiding his reflection, Luca quickly showered and changed into some sweats and a white t-shirt. When he returned to the bedroom, his heart contracted at the sight of Daisy sleeping on the bed.

What the hell is going on? Richard had demanded to know when he had called Luca the night before. Luca tried to explain everything was okay but couldn't find the words when Richard announced Daisy was leaving to go stay with him.

Leaving everything and everyone at the hospital, Luca raced back home and fell to his knees when he found Daisy asleep by the foot of their bed. He sat on the floor watching her for a long time when she started to call out to him in her sleep. The way she cried and the way she begged him to say something in her slumber damaged Luca beyond repair. When he woke her up and sat her down on his lap, he cried into her shoulder knowing he was on the verge of losing her.

The news of Stella's death opened an old wound inside Luca's heart. He couldn't understand how to process it all or how to grieve because all he could think about was how Daisy had looked at him when Mario pulled him off of Dante. Luca would never forget the emptiness in those heavy hazel eyes.

As Luca stood watching her, Daisy began to stir in her sleep. She opened her eyes and Luca quickly turned away. He was too afraid to meet her gaze. Walking into the nursery, Luca picked Theo up from the crib and took in a deep breath. He knew he couldn't avoid looking at Daisy for too long. When he slowly turned back around and his eyes landed on Daisy sitting on the bed, the pain that ripped through him was as if someone had swung a baseball bat across his chest.

"Let's go say good morning to mama," Luca kissed Theo's cheek and walked over to the bed with the little boy. Daisy pushed the covers back and held up her arms. "Good morning, mama. I love you..."

Daisy took in a shallow breath. She quickly wrapped Theo in her arms and sat him down on her lap. Luca hesitated for a second before taking a seat in front of her.

"Where were you last night?" Daisy asked, her voice raspy.

"At the hospital," Luca said. "Daniel's grandmother suffered a heart attack after finding out everything."

"Will she be okay?" Daisy frowned.

"Yeah," Luca nodded. "I think so."

"How's Daniel?"

"Too quiet," Luca said. "I'm worried about him."

"He was the one to figure everything out...." Daisy began to lose her voice. "He was sitting on all this for a while."

"Yeah," Luca nodded.

"How....." Daisy felt her words get stuck in her chest. Luca looked up and they both held their breath together. "How are you....are you.....are you okay?"

Luca slowly lowered his gaze, causing Daisy's heart to shrink. She adjusted Theo on her lap as the little boy reached up and touched her face as if to say "Mama, everything will be okay."

"I'm okay," Luca said.

"You're a really bad liar," Daisy said.

"Then why do you keep saying you don't believe me when I tell you I can't live without you?"

"I...."

"Richard called," Luca said. "He said you were going to go stay with him."

Daisy slowly nodded.

"Why?" Luca asked.

"Because you need to grieve right now," Daisy said. "And I don't think it's good for either one of us if I stay here."

"That's not true."

"I can't watch you go through this," Daisy confessed. "And you won't be able to grieve if I'm here. You're already pretending to be okay because you think you have to be in front of me."

Luca's jaw clenched. His eyes closed and his hands balled into a fist.

"Luca," Daisy slowly reached out and placed her hand over his fist. "Please....let me go. I can't do it. Don't make me go through this. I'm begging you."

"Don't leave," Luca begged, his eyes filling with tears as he brought Daisy's hand up to his lips. "Please don't go."

"I wish I was a better woman," Daisy said. "I wish I was more mature, more understanding, more selfless...."

Luca shook his head.

"I wish I was stronger," Daisy whispered, tears rolling down her eyes. "Or strong enough to stay and stand beside you. But I'm not. I'm...me. I can't share you, I can't watch you think about someone else, I can't..."

Luca placed her hand over his heart and leaned forward. Resting his forehead against her, Luca pushed back Daisy's hair and let the tears in his eyes fill up.

"You're everything I want," he whispered. "Before you, I was walking around with an idea of what love was. But I was never in love until I met you. From the moment I saw you, I knew my life was never going to be the same again."

Daisy shut her eyes and began to cry. Luca placed his hands on either side of her face as he lowered his mouth and stole a small feather kiss.

"Please don't leave me," he begged again. "Please....."

Daisy shook her head and stood up. She placed Theo on her hips and tried to walk away when Luca pulled her back and trapped her between his legs.

"I spent so many years believing in something," he said, pulling her closer until he had to title his head back to look up at her. "Countless days wasted over sick lies. Days that I could have spent loving you and building our relationship."

Daisy wiped her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat.

"My whole view on my life has been shattered," Luca confessed. "Everything I thought I knew was a lie. Everything except you."

Daisy's heart contracted in her chest and squeezed out more tears.

"Please don't take that away from me," Luca's face wrenched in pain. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face against her chest. "Please, I'm begging you."

Daisy laid a shaking hand against Luca's head. She felt shivers run up and down her spine as Luca began to cry.

"Dada," Theo pushed Luca's head, trying to see what was happening. He twisted in his mother's arms until Luca looked up and tried to smile for the little boy.

"Dada's okay," he said as Theo jumped into Luca's arms. "It's okay. We're all going to be okay."

All Daisy could do was stand and stare. Her heart twisted as if it was on its last leg, ready to give out.

But when Luca looked up at her with tears in his green eyes all she could see was the man she was in love with. The man who she wanted to build a family with, the man her son saw as his father and the man she could most definitely not live without.

It would have been so much easier to walk away and leave. But Daisy loved him too much to let go. She wasn't selfish enough to leave him to suffer on his own and save herself. Because what would life even be without those green eyes?  

I cried writing this chapter lol It's a bit slow and short but I don't want to rush their recovery :P