Chapter 50

Daisy stared at the water, letting it pour onto her hands and then down the drain. The sound of the rushing water soothed her until Gia walked into the kitchen and turned it off. Daisy looked up and quickly tried to wipe her eyes to hide the tears gathered at the corners.

"What's wrong?" Gia frowned.

"Nothing," Daisy shook her head. "How's Daniel?"

"He's.....not talking to me," Gia said. "But there's just a lot going on right now."

Daisy nodded.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Gia asked.

"You've already said it," Daisy said. "There's a lot going on."

"No," Gia shook her head. "What's going on with you?"

"Nothin-"

"Don't say that," Gia frowned. "Stop saying that. Something is clearly wrong. Why won't you tell me?"

"Gia," Daisy took a deep breath. "You have to be there for Daniel right now. He's going through a lot."

"Yes, I understand that. But I can't leave you if there's something going on with you," Gia said. "Dee....we always tell each other everything. But why do I feel like I don't even know you anymore?"

"I..." Daisy sighed. "I barely know myself."

"Please..." Gia stepped forward. "What's going on? Tell me. Let me help you."

Daisy felt her heart contract for the millionth time. She bit down on her bottom lip as she shook her head and fanned her eyes to keep the tears back.

"Did nonna say something to you?" Gia asked. "Or dad? Is it Luca?"

Daisy's shoulders dropped and she began to rub her forehead. The pressure behind her eyes was beginning to make her dizzy.

"It's Luca, isn't it?" Gia said. "What did he do?"

"He didn't do anything," Daisy shook her head.

"What's going on with you two?" Gia asked.

Daisy slowly opened her eyes and stared at her best friend. She knew she couldn't hide from her any longer. If she was going to stay and try to make things work with Luca, then the truth was bound to come out. But how would Gia react to the news? Would she be upset? Would she be mad they didn't tell her sooner?

Daisy filled her lungs with air and reached for Gia's hand. Shit was hitting the fan all over the place, she thought. It was time to drop another bomb over Del Mare.

"If it's Luca," Gia said. "Tell me and I'll talk to him. He's probably upset right now over everything that's going on-"

"I'm in love with him," Daisy said.

Gia stilled. Her big green eyes clouded with confusion before the color started to shift through many emotions Daisy couldn't keep up with. A few seconds passed and she didn't say anything, Daisy tried once again.

"I'm in love with your brother," Daisy said.

"With Luca?" Gia asked.

"You only have one brother," Daisy said.

"You're in love with Luca?" Gia asked and Daisy nodded. "Does he know?"

Daisy nodded once more.

"And how.....how does he feel about it?" Gia asked slowly.

"It's a bit complicated right now," Daisy said. "But....he feels the same."

"He's in love with you?" Gia asked. "My brother? Luca?"

Yes," Daisy clicked her tongue. "You only have one brother, G!"

"Oh my god," Gia let go of Daisy's hand. Her eyes widened and she took a small step back. "How long has this been going on?"

"For a few years now."

"Years?" Gia gasped.

"It's complicated!" Daisy said. "It still is! I was with Eric and Luca wasn't ready for anything serious. I wasn't ready for anything serious."

"Eric?" Gia placed a hand over her mouth. "This was going on while Eric was in the picture?"

"Yeah," Daisy nodded.

"Is that why you two broke up?"

"Yes and no," Daisy said. "We were already going to split because he had seen Luca and me together but then Theo happened."

"Theo!" Gia gasped and grabbed the kitchen counter. "Is he Luca's baby?"

"No!" Daisy rushed to explain. "Theo is Eric and my baby. Nothing happened between Luca and I until much later on."

"Oh my god," Gia shook her head. "For years? Dee, are you serious? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because we knew it wasn't serious," Daisy shrugged. "And it was a mess."

"Is it serious now?" Gia asked. "You two are married. Oh my god! You two are married!"

"It's complicated!" Daisy said. "He still needs to get over Stella and I have so much to figure out on my own."

"But you two are together now?" Gia asked.

"I guess..." Daisy said. "I don't know."

"Is that why you've been so upset?" Gia asked. "Because of Stella and Luca and everything else?"

Daisy's heart shook as she nodded her head, "It's been.....a tough few days."

Gia stared at her best friend and her beautiful kind green eyes began to water. Her cheeks were red and the tips of her ears were beginning to match.

"And I'm pretty sure Luca hasn't made anything easy for you," Gia said quietly.

"It's not really his fault-"

Before Daisy could finish, Gia turned and rushed out of the kitchen. Daisy felt her heart wilt as she held her breath and braced herself for whatever was to come. But when Gia began to shout Luca's name, she was left standing in confusion.

"Luca?" Gia ran up the stairs.

"G!" Daisy followed her out of the kitchen and up the stairs. "What are you doing?"

"Luca!" Gia pushed open the bedroom door and barged in.

Luca, who was sitting in bed watching Theo bang blocks together looked up and arched his brow. His tired sick eyes seemed to almost sigh as if to say what now? Daisy ran into the room and his eyes moved towards her and then back to his sister. Gia walked farther into the room and stared her brother down with a hard look in her eyes.

"I swear to god, Luca," she began, pointing a threatening finger towards her brother. "If you hurt her, I will kill you in your sleep."

"What?" Luca asked in confusion.

"She's my best friend....more than my best friend," Gia said. "Dee is like my sister and if you hurt her, I am going to forget that you are my brother."

Daisy took a step towards Gia and placed her hand on the girl's arm, "G..."

"You love her, right?" Gia asked, her voice softening just a tad bit.

Luca slowly sat up and sighed, "Yes."

Gia paused, "More than anything in the world?"

"More than life itself."

"And you're going to keep her happy?"

"Yes," the corner of Luca's mouth curved up into a small smile.

"You promise?"

"I do."

"And you'll marry her?"

"I am already married to her."

"No," Gia said. "Properly. Not just on paper. But in front of God and all our family and friends. You vow to be her's?"

"What are you, the preacher?" Daisy rolled her eyes. "Enough."

Gia let Daisy pull her back as Luca got off the bed and walked over to where they stood. Her eyes watered as she looked for Daisy to Luca.

"I can't believe this..." she said, her voice almost a whisper. "You two..."

"I'm so sorry," Daisy frowned. "I thought of telling you many times but it just never seemed like the right moment. Please don't be angry wi-"

"Angry?" Gia focused on her best friend. "Dee, I'm....I'm not angry."

Daisy's heart stopped and then started again. Her eyes watered as Gia took her hands.

"I'm upset that you two kept this from me for so long but none of that matters right now because all I can focus on is how happy I am for you two."

"Really?" Daisy chuckled as her eyes began to cry.

"Yes," Gia's tears rolled down her face too. "I'm so happy. I love you both and you two are together....I......I'm beyond happy. You're my sister in law!"

Daisy stumbled back into Luca as Gia threw her arms around the girl's neck and squeezed her as tight as she could. Luca caught them both before they fell over. He let his hand remain on Daisy's back as his sister continued to mumble about how happy she was.

"I want to know how this started," Gia said, pulling back. "When, how, everything. I don't want to be in the dark anymore."

"Okay..." Daisy nodded. "It's a lot."

"I'm sure," Gia said. "But I want to know."

"Not today," Luca spoke up. "Let's get through one hurdle at a time."

Gia nodded, wiping her eyes, "Yeah....I...I have to go back to the hospital."

"How's Daniel?" Luca asked.

"I...." Gia filled her lungs with air and then shrugged. "I don't know. He won't say anything."

"I'll talk to him," Luca said.

"Thanks," Gia tucked her hair back. "Take care of my best friend."

"I will," Luca promised.

'Don't make her cry."

"I'll try."

"And know that I'll always love her a little bit more than you."

"I'm okay with that."

"Good," Gia laughed.

"Are you going to the hospital now?" Daisy asked.

"Yeah," Gia said. "I should head out."

"Are you taking Aaron with you?" Luca asked.

"Yes," Gia nodded. "I'll be back tonight and we're all going to talk."

Daisy wanted to groan. She was tired of talking. She just wanted to sit somewhere quietly and not do anything at all. But she knew the cat was out of the bag and Gia would not drop it until she found out everything. As the girl began to head towards the door, she paused and looked back at her brother.

"You get her flowers, right?" Gia asked.

"Yes," Luca said.

"What's her favorite flower?"

"Lilies," Luca rolled his eyes.

"What kind of lilies?"

"Calla lilies," Luca said.

"What's her Starbucks order?"

"Venti iced Americano with unsweetened hazelnut and French vanilla."

Gia's eyes narrowed and she arched her brow, "Really?"

"Yeah," Luca said.

"Wrong."

"What?" Luca looked at Daisy.

"Light ice," Daisy said.

"Get it together," Gia said to her brother. "If she doesn't get the princess treatment she deserves, I will come after you."

"Goodbye, Gianna," Luca gently nudged his sister out of their room, knowing very well she didn't like being called by her full name. When he closed the door and turned to face Daisy, his heart stumbled.

"What?" Daisy asked when Luca continued to stare.

"You're so fuckin' beautiful," he said, slowly walking towards her and cupping her face between his two large hands. "Thank you."

"For what?" Daisy leaned into his touch even though her heart was too heavy to beat properly.

"For staying," Luca said. "I....When Richard called, I really thought I lost you."

"It's not written in stone yet."

"I know," Luca leaned his forehead against Daisy. His hands moved to the back of her neck and he inhaled her scent. "But this is a start, right?"

"In the right direction?" Daisy asked.

"All my roads lead back to you," Luca whispered. "Wherever you go, I'll follow."

"You're warm," Daisy raised her hand and placed it against Luca's cheek. "Do you have a fever?"

"It's nothing," Luca tried to deny it but Daisy held his face in place.

"Can you please stay home today?" She asked.

"With you and Theo?" Luca smiled.

"Yes," Daisy nodded. "You need to rest and let your body recover."

"I'll do whatever you want, my love," Luca said. "As long as you stand beside me."

"Go lay down," Daisy nudged. "I'll ask Dana to make you some tea and soup."

"Are you going to come to bed?"

"I...." Daisy's insides tightened. She felt her throat close up and her heart sink a bit. When he shook her head, the light in Luca's eyes dimmed. "I have some....work to finish."

Luca knew it was a lie. The hesitation in her eyes couldn't be hidden. His heart felt as if it was full of lead. The bottom of the ocean where it sank was a lonely and dark.

"Just call me if you need anything," Daisy said.

"Okay," Luca nodded, not wanting to push her too much.

_________________

While Luca rested upstairs, Daisy roamed around the house trying to keep herself distracted. She walked through each floor with extreme slowness as the late afternoon sun created a soft glow wherever she went. Her long nightgown swept across the floor and Daisy instantly felt bad for not changing out of it. The last thing on Daisy's mind was her appearance. She knew her hair was a mess in its braid and her skin lacked its luster. But the thought of sitting in front of a mirror and doing anything didn't seem to exist in her mind anymore. Pulling the two halves of her silk robe tightly around herself, Daisy began to play with her hair. She caught glimpses of herself in the mirrors in the hall and looked away from her reflection.

On the second floor of the Silvano mansion, Daisy found a small room with a wooden writing desk facing the window over the lemon orchard and a few other pieces of old furniture. Out of curiosity, she stepped into the room and let her eyes swim over the pictures and decorations on the wall. There was no doubt in her mind as to who the room belonged to. Daisy felt herself smile as she walked up to the wall and peered at the framed pictures of young Luca and his mother.

Both Gia and Luca looked just like their mother. They had her dark hair and green eyes. Gia's gentle features were most definitely a gift from her mother. The small nose, the full lips, the oval face. She was a spitting image of Gianna, Daisy noticed.

But Luca's eyes...

Daisy picked up one of the frames off the fireplace mantel and walked over to the bench by the window. She sat down and peered at the photograph. Luca stood beside his mother at the market, holding her hand and smiling at someone behind the camera. Gianna had a small coy smile on her lips and a basket full of lavender in her arm. Daisy ran her finger over the glass and admired the ring on the woman's finger. When she looked down at her own hand, her chest swelled up upon seeing Gianna's ring.

Putting the picture frame down, Daisy took off her ring and held it up to the sunlight. She brushed her finger over it and polished off the fingerprint with the edge of her silk robe. Before she could place it back on her finger, the sunlight caught the inside of the band and Daisy's eyes. Daisy brought the ring closer to herself and narrowed her gaze. She held her hand over it to shield it from the sunlight as she began to read the inscription inside.

My sunshine

Daisy's heart stopped.

The ring almost slipped out of her fingers as she stared at it in disbelief. She looked back at the picture of Gianna and the ring on her hand. The corner of Daisy's eyes began to water as she held the ring against her heart and closed her eyes. She felt the warm beads of water roll down her cheek and soak into the silk.

Grabbing the picture and slipping the ring back on her finger, Daisy walked out of the room and made her way across the property to where Luca was. When she walked into the room, she found him lying in bed with his arm over his eyes. Daisy slowly made her way over to the side of the bed and took a seat. Luca lifted his arm and opened his eyes.

"My sunshine?" Daisy asked, raising her hand to show off the ring.

"So you finally noticed?" Luca grinned.

"When did you..."

"Before I gave it to you," Luca sat up and moved back to lean against the headboard. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes struggled to stay open. Daisy could feel the heat radiating off his body as she moved closer to when he reached for her hand.

"Why?" She asked. "It's your mother's ring. And now you've altered it forever."

"For the other very special woman in my life," Luca said.

"You shouldn't have," Daisy frowned.

"My mom would have wanted me to," Luca intertwined their fingers together.

"I found this picture of you two," Daisy held up the framed photo. "Do you remember when it was taken?"

"Yeah," Luca smiled, taking the picture and examining it. "She was pregnant with Gia at the time."

"She liked lavender?"

"She loved it," Luca said. "She would dry it up in the sun and hang it all over the house."

"What else did she do?" Daisy asked.

Luca smiled as he tugged her and she leaned forward. Placing her head on his chest, Daisy nestled closer to Luca's side and fixed her eyes on the picture.

"We would build sand castles at the beach," Luca said against her hair. "Sometimes we danced in the rain."

"Do you miss her?"

"Everyday."

Daisy moved a bit closer, "Did she.....how did she feel about Stella?"

Luca tensed under Daisy's head. She felt the muscles in his body grow stiff as if he had stopped breathing. Her heart began to beat with caution as she slowly sat up and turned to face Luca.

"We don't have to talk about that," Luca said quietly.

"What was she like?" Daisy asked, her eyes lowered and all her attention on the ribbon of her robe.

"Daisy...." Luca sighed. "Please d-"

"I'm trying to humanize her," Daisy said. "I want to know about her."

"Why?" Luca asked.

"Because you have to talk about her," Daisy said. "If we're going to move past this, we both need to not give her memories so much power over us."

Luca didn't seem convinced. The frown on his face deepened as Daisy slowly lifted her gaze.

"So..." she said. "What was she like?"

With a heavy sigh, Luca shook his head, "My mom knew Stella."

Daisy nodded.

"She would see her at church or at the market," Luca continued. "And she would tell me about how pretty Stella was. Sometimes she would even tease me when she caught me staring at her at church."

"Did she arrange playdates for you two?" Daisy asked, surprised to find a small smile on her lips.

"No," Luca shook his head. "Our moms didn't like each other."

"Oh right."

"Stella and I didn't really speak to one another until much later on," Luca said. "I think it was actually at my mom's funeral when I spoke to her for the first time."

Daisy listened quietly. She watched Luca as he picked his words carefully and played with her hand.

"I remember talking to her and thinking that my mom was right. Stella did have a pretty smile and beautiful eyes," Luca said.

"When did you ask her out?" Daisy tilted her head.

"Sixteen? Seventeen?" Luca shrugged.

"And what was she like?" Daisy asked.

"In the beginning she was really nice," Luca said. "She was sweet to everyone, very polite."

"That's not what I heard," Daisy muttered.

"She changed," Luca said, his eyes clouding up. "She became cold and short tempered. Insanely jealous, and overly possessive."

"Why did you stay with her?"

Luca turned the ring on Daisy's finger. He sat quietly for a few before shrugging, "I don't know."

Daisy continued to watch him play with her ring.

"I guess in my head, being with her made me feel as if that's what my mom would have wanted," Luca said quietly.

"I think your mom would have wanted you to be happy above all things," Daisy said.

"I didn't know that as a child," Luca said. "I think I started to realize that once I became a parent."

Daisy's eyes fluttered up. She wanted to lean forward and ease the folds on Luca's forehead as his brows knit together.

"I would do anything for Theo's future," Luca said. "I want to see him happy in whatever he does in life."

Daisy nodded. She gave into the pull and leaned forward to rest her chin on Luca's chest.

"But as a child, I didn't understand that," Luca shrugged. "I thought I would make my mom happy if I was with Stella."

"Kids always try to make their parents happy or earn their approval," Daisy said. "Knowingly or unknowingly."

Luca nodded. He shifted his attention off of Daisy's ring and focused on her face. Lifting his hand, he used his long finger to trace the edge of her face before tucking her hair back. Their eyes locked with one another and the hazel of Daisy's gaze began to swim with the green of Luca's.

"How are you feeling?" Daisy asked quietly, looking up at him through her thick lashes.

"Like I could devour you," Luca played with her hair and smile lazily.

"I mean your health," Daisy blushed, making Luca's eyes darken.

"You're good for my health," Luca said.

Daisy roller eyes as her cheeks darkened. She tried to hide her small smile but Luca had already caught it.

"I was surprised you told Gia about us," Luca said.

"Me too," Daisy sighed as Luca's palm rested against her cheek for a bit and he rubbed his thumb over her crimson skin. "I just...I'm tired of hiding things and all these secrets. Look what it did to Daniel's family."

Luca nodded, "I'm glad you told her."

"Why?"

"Because I was going to."

"What were you going to say?"

"That I'm obsessed with her best friend and I don't think I can live without her anymore."

"She wouldn't have believed you," Daisy teased.

"Not even if I stood in the rain waiting for you?" Luca asked. "Or if I shouted your name from the rooftops and got your eyes tattooed across my chest."

"Oh god," Daisy pushed away. "Don't do that."

Luca laughed, trying to hold onto her. He reached for her hand but she jumped off the bed.

"Careful!" He caught her as she stumbled and sat back down.

"Hmm," Daisy's eyes shut and her nose scrunched up.

"What's wrong?" Luca asked.

"My head," Daisy rubbed her forehead. "It's spinning."

"Did you drink enough water today?"

"I th-"

Before Daisy could finish, she heard her phone ringing on the bathroom vanity. Opening her eyes, she slowly stood up as Luca stopped her once more.

"Let it go to voicemail," he said.

"Just a second," Daisy moved towards the bathroom. "It could be Gia or Carla."

Luca frowned as Daisy made her way into the bathroom and picked up the phone. She began to walk back towards the bed as she looked down at the screen and saw the words Private Caller.

"Hello?" Daisy accepted the call and brought it to her ear. She waited for the person on the other line to say something as she sat down beside Luca. "Hello?"

"Who is it?" Luca asked, taking her hand and playing with her fingers again.

"I don't know," Daisy said. "They're not saying anything.....Hello?"

Suddenly, the phone disconnected. Daisy frowned and looked down at her screen.

"What happened?" Luca asked.

"Wrong number maybe," Daisy said. 

They're getting there...slowly...