Chapter 32
DALTON
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“Mr and Mrs Gunn, it’s good to see you both,” Dr. Wigmore says, as we sit opposite him in the office of his private practice. He’s the best reproductive endocrinologist there is, and he’s been dealing with Daisy’s case since she was rushed to hospital two weeks ago for emergency surgery.
“Thank you for seeing us,” I say, curling my hands around Daisy’s as she sits quietly next to me. “We appreciate it.”
Since her discharge from the hospital, Daisy has become increasingly withdrawn, struggling to process everything that has occurred. I’ve tried to reassure Daisy that I’m with her, that I support her but, bit by bit, she’s shut down, and I can’t seem to reach her. I love her so damn much and I’m not ashamed to admit that this distance between us is killing me.
Yet, I still haven’t told her how I truly feel, and that’s not because I’m afraid of my love for her, but because I can’t seem to find the right time. The last thing I want is for her to think I’m just saying it out of pity after what she’s been through, and I get the distinct feeling that if I say those three words now, that’s exactly how she’ll feel. So I arranged for this appointment today to see how we move forward, hoping it will give us both some clarity, or at the very least encourage her to open up, so we can talk.
Dr. Wigmore looks between us both, “I understand that this has been a difficult time for you, and I want to reassure you that I am here to support you both on this journey.”
“Thank you,” Daisy whispers.
“As you’re aware, the lesions we removed from your left fallopian tube have greatly affected its functionality,” he begins gently, his eyes full of compassion as he looks between us both. “Combined with the removal of your right ovary, this will make natural conception extremely difficult.”
Daisy’s breath catches in her throat as her fingers grip mine tightly, and I feel my own heart breaking for her, knowing how much she’s wanted a child of her own. As Daisy struggles to keep her composure, Dr. Wigmore clears his throat.
“But there are other options that we can explore, given you still have a functioning ovary,” he says softly. “We can discuss the possibility of In Vitro Fertilisation if you’re willing to consider it.”
“Is that foolproof?” I ask. “IVF, I mean?”
“Nothing is foolproof, there are many factors that can affect the success of IVF treatment,” Dr. Wigmore explains. “You need to consider the success rates, and emotional toil that the process can have on the both of you. It’s a significant decision that requires careful consideration. I have some leaflets here that you should read through before making a decision.”
“Is there absolutely no chance I can conceive naturally?” Daisy asks, her voice wobbling as she takes the leaflet from him.
“I cannot say with absolute certainty either way, but given my many years of experience dealing with similar situations as yours, it is unlikely,” Dr. Wigmore replies.
Daisy's expression falls. "I understand," she says softly.
“I know that this is a lot to take in,” he continues, his tone gentle. “Take some time to heal and discuss what course of action you’d like to take. If you have any further questions and want to schedule another appointment to discuss your decision, I’d be very happy to go through the process in more detail.”
I nod, feeling fucking helpless as I look at Daisy’s stricken face. She sniffles, composing herself before speaking up.
“Thank you, Dr. Wigmore. We’ll take some time to think about it, and let you know.”
“Daisy, are you hungry?” I ask, flicking my gaze over at her as we drive towards Princetown, the trees lining the country road, a blur of green and brown behind her head. We’ve sat in strained silence for the past half an hour, both of us trying to digest the news Dr. Wigmore had shared.
“Not particularly,” she replies, staring out of the window, her hand still clutching the information leaflet Dr. Wigmore gave her.
“You should eat,” I say.
“I don’t feel much like eating,” she retorts, wrapping her arms around herself.
“I know, but you need to keep up your strength. You’re still recovering from the operation, Daisy,” I reply, determined to take care of her, especially since she’s struggling to do that for herself. “We could stop at Daphne’s café. Drix said she’s been asking after you.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to face her just yet,” she murmurs. “It’s not as if I can tell her what’s happening anyway. As far as most people are concerned I’ve just had my appendix out, not lost the ability to conceive a child naturally. I don’t have the strength today to pretend everything’s okay when it’s not, and Daphne has an uncanny way of uncovering the truth. Nothing much gets past her.”
“Of course, I didn’t think,” I reply, cursing myself internally. “How about we swing by Drix’s place? I’m sure he’d like to see you, Toby and Lia too.”
“Okay,” she agrees, before leaning her head against the window and closing her eyes, cutting off any opportunity to talk further.
Fifteen minutes later Drix is opening his front door, his tall frame silhouetted against the warm glow of the house’s interior lights.
“Hey, this is a pleasant surprise,” he says, drawing Daisy into his arms as she presses her cheek against his chest, her eyes shutting briefly as he throws me a concerned look. I shake my head, telling him without words that we should talk later.
“Sorry to just turn up unannounced,” Daisy apologises, drawing out of his arms.
“Don’t apologise, this will always be your home, Daisy. You can come by anytime you like, you know that,” he replies, draping his arm over her shoulder and tucking her into his side. “Let’s go inside, dinner is almost ready. I’m sure there’s plenty to go around,” he adds, guiding Daisy inside as I follow them both.
The scent of home-cooked food embraces us like a warm hug as we enter the kitchen. Lia looks up from the stove, her surprise quickly covered up with a welcoming smile as Toby jumps down from his seat at the kitchen island and throws himself into Daisy’s arms.
“Daisy! You’ve come for dinner,” he says excitedly, and I watch her forcing her lips up into a soft smile that barely hides the sadness in her eyes.
“Hey, Toby, haven’t you got tall? I think you’ve grown at least an inch since I last saw you,” she says softly, ruffling his hair as he grins up at her.
“Mama said so too, didn’t you, Mama?” he replies, throwing a grin at Lia who nods, her brows pulling into a frown as she glances at me.
“I did indeed. I think you’ve had a growth spurt,” she agrees, her eyes flicking to Daisy.
“Drix says I’ll be the tallest at school when I start,” he grins, hopping from one foot to the other.
“Without a doubt,” I say, my smile falling as Daisy drags in a tremulous breath, busying herself with removing her coat and handing it to Drix who offers to take it from her.
“I’ve made spaghetti carbonara, a green salad, and some homemade garlic bread. Come on over and take a seat whilst Drix hangs up your coats,” Lia interjects in an attempt to counter the heavy weight of sadness Daisy carries.
“Thank you, Lia. It smells delicious,” I say, shrugging off my jacket and handing it to Drix who leaves the kitchen momentarily.
Pulling out the seat next to Daisy, I sit down, watching Lia as she dishes out the food onto five separate plates. By the time she’s finished placing the salad and garlic bread onto the counter, Drix has returned. He briefly squeezes my shoulder as he passes by me, dropping onto a seat next to Lia.
As everyone begins to tuck into the food, Toby chatters excitedly about his day spent at the park with Drix and Lia building a fort out of fallen branches and twigs, distracting us all from the unspoken tension hanging in the air.
Daisy barely touches her food, only managing to eat a few mouthfuls before pushing it around her plate absently, withdrawing into herself. Her mind is clearly elsewhere and I steal glances at her, noticing the way her eyes gloss over every now and then.
Fuck, I can’t bear to see her like this.
Yes, Dr. Wigmore might’ve given us a glimpse of hope with talk of IVF treatment, and whilst we haven’t had a chance to discuss it, I already know that hiding that process from my father isn’t going to be easy. As far as he’s concerned, Daisy is recovering from having her appendix out, and not trying to come to terms with the devastating news of her miscarriage and the prospect of fertility treatment. I don’t even want to think about how he might react to the news, but if I know my father as well as I think I do, then it won’t be good. He doesn’t give a shit about Daisy, anyone for that matter. Sympathy for her situation will be the last thing on his fucking mind.
“Wanna see my new toys, Daisy?” Toby asks, interrupting my thoughts as he reaches over and pats Daisy on the arm.
“You’ve got some new toys, huh?” Daisy asks him after a beat.
The kid tips his head to the side as he looks up at her, and even though he’s unaware of the truth behind her unhappiness, there’s no doubt that he senses it and is trying, in his own way, to fix her heartache. He’s such a sweet kid and a credit to Lia.
“Yes, they’re in the den, do you wanna see?” he persists, his small hand wrapping around her fingers.
“Do you mind?” Daisy asks, looking between us.
“Of course not,” Lia replies. “Toby’s missed you. Go hang out whilst we clear away the dishes. The apple pie isn’t ready to be served yet anyway.”
“Thanks,” she murmurs, flicking her gaze my way briefly before taking Toby’s hand and slipping off the stool, following him out of the room.
“I don’t know what to do,” I blurt out, raking a hand through my hair as I look across at my friends helplessly.
“You went to see the consultant today, right?” Drix asks. “What did he say?”
“Pretty much what we know already. He said it’s unlikely that Daisy will be able to conceive naturally. He suggested IVF as an option,” I explain.
“I see,” Drix replies, exhaling heavily. “That’s a lot to come to terms with. Have you talked about this with Daisy?”
“We haven’t had a chance. I wanted to, but in the car on the way over she shut down on me… I thought coming here and being with family, with people who love her, would help. Fuck, she doesn’t deserve this, Drix,” I say heavily.
“IVF can be very successful,” Lia adds, reaching over and giving my arm a squeeze. “Try not to lose hope.”
“I appreciate that it can be, but we have the added complication of my father, and keeping this from him…” I say, grinding my teeth in frustration.
“He doesn’t ever have to find out. Women don’t always fall pregnant immediately anyway,” Drix says.
“Drix is right,” Lia adds. “It took me six months to get pregnant with Toby.”
“And what if the treatment fails, what then?” I ask.
“Then we cross that bridge when we come to it,” Drix replies. “We’ll figure this out.”
“You make it sound so fucking easy, but we all know my father is a canny bastard. It’s a fucking miracle he hasn’t figured out what’s really going on already. I keep waiting for the fucking guillotine to fall.”
Drix leans back in his chair and lets out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples as he contemplates my words. “Then I’ll take the debt back on. I’ll do it for you and Daisy. It was never meant to be yours in the first place,” he says.
“Drix…” Lia whispers, gripping his hand.
“Absolutely not,” I say, shaking my head. “That is not an option. You’re my best friend, and there’s no way I’m going to let my father rule over your life like he has done mine. I let him do that to you once, and I let you down. I refuse to do that again. No. I just need some time to figure this out.”
With that I push back from the table, my mind whirring as I go in search of Daisy. I need to protect her, to shield her from my father, and one way or another, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I don’t care what it takes.
“Daisy?” I say, pushing open the door to the den to find her sitting on the floor with Toby in her lap as she reads him a story.
She looks up at me, acknowledging my presence before continuing to read, and I lean against the doorframe, watching her, caught by her beauty, gutted by the sadness that lingers in her eyes. Eventually she finishes reading, and Toby throws his arms around her neck.
“Thank you, Daisy,” he says, planting a kiss on her cheek before jumping up. “I’m gonna see if the apple pie is ready.” With that he runs off, leaving us alone.
“You okay?” I ask, dropping onto the floor beside her, stretching out my legs, wincing at the stupid fucking question. Of course she isn’t okay.
“Not really,” she replies, heaving out a sigh.
I reach for her hand, wrapping my fingers around hers. “Do you want to go ahead with IVF treatment?” I ask her.
“I don’t know, Dalton. I need time to think,” she whispers.
“Of course, take all the time you need,” I reply, squeezing her hand gently.
“Dalton?” she asks after a moment.
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For not being able to give you what you need,” she croaks out, tears spilling over her lashes as she drops her head. “For putting your inheritance in jeopardy.”
Shifting my body slightly, I reach up and cup her jaw, gently lifting her chin. “You’re who I need. You, Daisy. Please believe that.”
She nods. “Okay.”
But I feel her faith in me, in us, slipping away, so I lean in closer, brushing my lips against hers gently, pouring all the love and reassurance I can muster into that one, simple kiss, hoping, for now, that it’s enough.